Creative or Creepy?!?

My husband is known for his creative abilities.  He’s always coming up with something creative to make, design, draw, paint, build with the kids, etc.  For example, here is a picture of a mural he drew and painted on our bedroom wall.

Here is another such mural on Jadon’s wall.

Yet another example of his creativity of making a fruit bouquet around the fondue pot for our anniversary this year. 

All that said, I’m a bit weirded out by his latest stint of creativity.  He was at a loss for how to wrap a larger Christmas gift that he got for me.  Instead of finding some newspaper, trash bags, ANYTHING, he finds an old bag of (laundered) boxers in our basement.  He rips them up and uses them to wrap my gift.  I about died laughing.

James Chapter 4

So it’s taking me a little longer than anticipated to blog through my James bible study.  Two more amazing chapters to reflect on.  Have I mentioned that I love this book?!?  Chapter 4 of this book has some of my favorite verses in the bible.  You know what I think the most important thing to realize when reading the bible?!?  To believe that it’s true.  That sounds obvious, right?  But I think we often read this book as if it is full of nice stories and nice ideals to aspire to.  But there is no power in that.  God gave us this book to take hold of these truths and then see the tangible fruit of these truths in our daily lives.  Read this book as if God is speaking directly to you and that His promises are true, because they are!

James 4:  5 “…do you think it’s without reason the Scripture says that the Spirit He has caused to live in us yearns jealously?”

The bible describes God as jealous for us on more than one occasion.  It took me awhile to understand what this jealousy really means.  In the English language, the word jealously doesn’t conjure very positive feelings or images.  But this notion of God being jealous for us is really quite beautiful.  God recently gave me a revelation about how He is jealous for me.  When I was working full time and my kids were in daycare, I was jealous for them!  Even though I enjoyed my job and knew that they were having a very positive daycare experience, I was still jealous for their time.  I wanted to spend my days with them.  I wanted to be the one teaching them the alphabet, comforting them when they were hurt/sad/tired, feeding them nutritious foods, being there for their “firsts,” etc.  I feel this is how God is jealous for my own life.  When I get too distracted and lose touch with His heart, he gets jealous.  He wants to be the one encouraging me, teaching me, comforting me, correcting me, loving me unconditionally, etc.  Isn’t that amazing?!?  The creator of the universe yearns so desperately to be with me.

James 4:  7 “…But resist the Devil, and he will flee from you.  ”

As I mentioned up above to view the bible as completely true, so must we view the devil and his works as very real.  Now that doesn’t mean he has power over our lives (unless we let him), but we do have to realize that there is an actual enemy that wants to rob us of everything good in our lives.  I love this verse above because it makes it so simple.  Resist the devil and his works and he has to flee from you.  He has no power to destroy your life.  God has already dealt with him by the work of Jesus on the cross.  Resisting the devil can take on many forms, but the bottom line is it is an active choice on our part to resist him.  This could mean resisting media that grieves God’s spirit and gives ground to the devil.  Maybe it’s resisting words that we’re filling our mind with (negative self talk, foul language, etc).  Maybe it’s making the choice to not give into fear in a certain area of our lives.  My intent is not to write on every possible way of resisting the devil, but the point is to make the choice to resist him.  Don’t give him ground in your life.  And then believe that he will flee from you.  The verse doesn’t say he might flee from you, but that he will.  A lot of times just speaking the word “leave” is all that is needed.          

Tis the Season…to be busy!

I feel like life is in a fast forward mode lately.  How is that it is December already?  I love this time of year.  Remember when you were a kid and the gap between Thanksgiving and Christmas felt like an eternity?!?  Now, I feel like there isn’t enough time for everything…the present shopping, the feast planning, the Christmas parties, the decorating, baking, wrapping, etc.  I know this holiday has become way too commercialized in our country, but even in the midst of the business and planning I love it all.  It is especially magical to have young children and relive this season through childlike eyes. 

Everyone told me when I stopped working that I would wonder how I ever worked full time with how busy my life would be with the kids.  I can say that I definitely feel that way now.  How did I ever do that?!?  Oh I remember…I was multitasking every second of every day!  I do enjoy having less on my plate, especially this time of year!   

James Chapter 3

I’m back with the next chapter in my James bible study series.  I want to make a point real quick that I am not speaking from a point of mastery, but one of revelation as I’m reading this still trying to gain authority in these areas.  In other words, I’m not typing these words as if I’ve got everything figured out.  That is why I’m thankful for grace and mercy J

The title of this chapter is controlling the tongue.  I seek help in this area DAILY!  Here are a few really great verses to digest:

James 3: 4-6  Consider ships:  though very large and driven by fierce winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs.  So too, though the tongue is a small part of the body, it boasts great things.  Consider how large a forest a small fire ignites.  And the tongue is a fire…

James 3: 9-10 With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men who are made in God’s likeness.  Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing.

Yea, these are pretty convicting verses.  The bible tells us that the power of life and death is in the tongue.  Think about that!  The words your tongue forms are literally bringing life or death to your environment.  We have a saying in our house with our kids when asking them to think about the words they are choosing.  We simply ask them, are you speaking light or darkness right now?  Their childlike faith allows them to grasp the fact that they are either bringing Jesus’ kingdom or the devil’s kingdom with the words they are choosing. 

Whenever I am in one of my “moods” (my husband can fill you in on the details), I can often trace the blahness back to the environment that I’ve created with my thoughts which usually translate into words that don’t need to be said (that’s why renewing your mind is so important…but I don’t want to get too far off track here).  Like the above verse says, your words steer the ship, they fan the flame, they set the tone, they control the entire body in the way of blessing or cursing.  The hardest one for me personally?!?!  Controlling my tongue when someone is really on my last nerve.  God, you can’t possibly mean to speak blessing on that person?!?  Are you sure you made that person in your likeness?  Oh fine, go on a be blessed Mr. Don’t-look-back-because-I’m-sticking-my-tongue-out-at-you.  I’m still working on this one.

I think God wants us to first and foremost grasp the power our words have; no matter how insignificant the conversation might seem.  This goes for ALL words, words when you’re talking to yourself, talking to a friend, talking to God, talking to an enemy, talking to your boss, and on and on…Everything in God’s kingdom carries so much power.  Words are no exception!

I’m Wanted

I have a stalker.  One who lurks around my home with her needy eyes and spots my every move.  If I move too far out of her vision, my stalker will take a new position so I am in view.  If a new position cannot be assumed, wailing ensues.  I’m describing the plight of my 9 month old.  She is obsessed with me.  I know, what’s not to love?!?  In any other context (i.e. not a cute baby) this obsession would be downright freaky.  She can’t get enough of me.  Her piercing blue eyes know three views in her short lived life; sparkling and happy in mommy’s presence, bug eyed and worried at the possibility of mommy being gone and drenched in tears with the realization that mommy is in fact gone. 

I wish I could say that this is just the normal separation anxiety phase of her young life, but this is no phase.  This is how Miss Kya has been from day 1.  This is one of the many reasons I am so grateful that I am able to stay home with this sweet baby and be with her all day.  She had to do daycare for a few months when I initially returned to work and it was torture for all of us.  She screamed the ENTIRE day!  I often had a few tears as well.  I know she won’t be like this forever.  It’s sweet to be someone’s entire world.  Even the days when I need a little breather, I still appreciate the fact that I am her mom and her intense love is based on that simple fact.  I’ll remind her of this in about 13 years when her eyes take to a new view of rolling in the back of her head because I am so embarrassing.   

James, Chapter 2

And so I continue my bible study from the book of James.  This book is so rich.  Go read it!  Here are a few verses that popped at me as I read this chapter.

James 2:  12-13 “Speak and act as those who will be judged by the law of FREEDOM.  For judgment is without mercy to the one who hasn’t shown mercy.  Mercy triumphs over judgment. “  (emphasis mine)

To me, these verses pretty much sum up what life should look like as a follower of Jesus.  The key word in these verses is freedom.  Once you truly grasp the love of the Father and the freedom over your life because of His mercy, you can’t help but extend mercy with your speech and actions towards others.  Not because you fear the stern judgment of God, but because you love His never ending mercy and want others to grasp this mind boggling freedom.  Christ’s freedom is so great that it’s not about fearing your inevitable sin.  It’s about HATING evil and loving mercy and righteousness.  God looks at us through the eyes of mercy.  If you view God as a disappointed dad waiting to punish your next mistake (i.e.  I’d better fear a lightning bolt because I didn’t go to church this week) then you’re living in a false kingdom reality.  You’ve conformed God to your own image and haven’t yet grasped His goodness.  Want to know how you change that?!?  Just ask Him to reveal His true character to you.  Seek and you will find…

Overheard

3 year old daughter:  “Dad, you be the prince.”

5 year old son:  “No!  Why do you always have to pretend that you’re getting married?  Yuck!  Dad is going to play Green Lantern with me.”

3 year old daughter:  “Can I be the Green Lantern princess?”

The Book of James

I recently read the book of James (Holman Christian Standard Bible) and was reminded of some very powerful truths in the Christian life.  This is such a great book in the New Testament.  So many verses just jumped off the page as I was reading.  It’s a very easy book to read and very practical.  I’m challenging myself to blog a bible study on each chapter in the book of James.  I’ll touch on some things that God highlighted to me as I was reading.  I hope this blesses you as it did me.

Many scholars believe that Jesus’ brother, James, is the author of this book although there are some who believe that James the apostle authored this book.  Regardless, this book doesn’t appear to be written to a specific early church but a group of Christians dispersed throughout the Greek world.  The underlying message is FAITH in ACTION!

James 1:  5-8 “Now if any of you lack wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to ALL generously and without criticizing, and it will be given to him.  But let him ask in FAITH without doubting.  For the doubter is like the surging sea, driven and tossed by the wind.  That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.  An indecisive man is unstable in all his ways.”  (emphasis is mine) 

It stings a little to be called unstable.  But don’t we often approach God with a lack of stability in our thoughts and expectations?!?  I have this “mountain” that I’m trying to deal with.  It sure would be nice to get some help.  I know, I’ll throw a prayer up and see if it will stick.  With any luck maybe God will answer this time (that is if He’s not too busy solving the more important problems like world hunger).   There is no faith in that!  Read these verses again!  Do you lack wisdom in how to handle something?  A decision you have to make?  Do you need victory over a sin issue?  If you ask in FAITH, He will give wisdom to ALL and will give it generously.  I’m not making this up.  It is right there in the bible.  This is a promise, not a nice phrase about a distant God that applies to the “in so tight with God” Christians.  So what does praying with faith look like?  To me, it’s expecting to hear from God.  I’m conversing with my father, my friend, my savior.  Of course He is going to answer my cry for wisdom.  The book of John tells us that He no longer calls us servants, but friends.  Friends know each other’s business.  God wants me to know His business, thus wants to impart His wisdom in me.  Amen?  Amen.

James 1:  13-15 “No one undergoing a trial should say, ‘I am being tempted by God.’  For God is not tempted by evil, and He Himself doesn’t tempt anyone.  But each person is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by his own evil desires.  Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is fully grown, it gives birth to death.” 

We’ve all heard that phrase “God doesn’t give you anything that you can’t handle.”  I think sometimes we use this phrase to treat God as a scapegoat.  When life gets a bit sour, it’s easy to let our circumstances dictate our view of God.  That’s why we have to be grounded in God’s word (God is full of love, compassion, mercy…in Him there is no darkness).  When life gets full of funk, it can feel like God is leading us down a slippery slope to test us.  God does not dangle an oreo in front of us and then ask us if we have the will power to eat the carrot instead.  I just know this is the evil that is being referenced in this verse.  When we’re grounded in God’s word, we reject the lies that God is to blame for all of the crud around me.  We reject the mentality that if He doesn’t kill me, He’ll at least make me stronger.  So when we’re living in our death bed of sin, there is solution!  Repent, receive the forgiveness and let God transform your heart.  Ah, a renewed mind is so wonderful.  Thank you first chapter of James.  I’ll try to be back soon to discuss a few tid bits from the second chapter. 

Mmmmmmmm!

You know after a good meal when your sweet tooth kicks and you just MUST have dessert?!?  Usually these intense moments call for chocolate, ice cream, cheese cake or whatever is rich enough to satisfy the craving.  Luckily I live with a 5 year old who likes to invent desserts.  This was our dessert a few nights ago; gold fish smothered in chocolate sauce sprinkled with ice cubes.  Please let me know if you’d like me to send you the recipe (that is of course if you promise to keep it to yourself until the patent is fully developed).

I’m the Mom and you’re the Sweetie

Sienna likes to play “mom and sweetie” several times throughout the day.  What is this fun game you ask?  It is where she transforms into the mother of the household and I become her child (her child with a baby named Kya no less).   She transforms from a 3 year old to a grown woman and she calls me sweetie.  She scripts most of our conversations so I will say something that allows her to then correct me.  A typical conversation:

Sienna (as her normal 3 year old self):  “Mom, ask me if you can play a game on my phone.”

Me (as a young child):  “Mom, can I play a game on your phone?”

Sienna (as the mother):  “Sweetie, I told you not to ask me again.  Do you remember that?”

Sometimes her other dolls/stuffed animals get involved in the game as well.  Like the other day her stuffed frog was my brother.  He was not listening and was in time out.  This is where we pick up our conversation.

Me (as a young child):  “Brother, you need to listen to mommy.  She is trying to protect you.”

Sienna (as the mother) turns towards me with a very serious face:  “Sweetie, please just worry about yourself.” 

Such conversations go on and on until she tires of Mom and Sweetie and wants to play “Friends.”  This usually involves her turning into my “friend” and she calls herself either Kara or Sarah.  She then asks me my name and I am usually Sally.  She comes to my house and brings a Strawberry pie.  I have eaten A LOT of strawberry pie over the last 2 months J  She is so fun! 

Aren’t They Cute?

Of course I’m biased, but these are some pretty terrific kids.  Jadon – king of silliness, burping and learning how to read at a very impressive pace.  Sienna – queen of joy, singing the same princess songs over and over and an intense love for her baby sister.  Kya – queen of making thunder thighs look cute, crystal blue eyes and a smile that will literally melt you.

I Love Fall

This is a glorious time of year.  If you live in the Midwest, then you too are enjoying some outstanding fall weather.  I have been in the best mood the last week and I think it’s directly correlated to this wonderful weather.  Fall used to be my favorite season, but now it takes a close second to spring (I LOVE the beauty of spring after a harsh mid-western winter).  Here are my favorite things about fall.  What are yours?

·         Back to school excitement

·         Football (even though I don’t have the time to follow football right now, I still love the fact that it is being played all over the country)

·         Halloween (I never cared for this Holiday before having kids…now it is so fun!)

·         Sweatshirts and sweatpants

·         The beauty of the fall colors in nature

·         Pumpkin…pumpkin bread, pumpkin muffins, pumpkin pancakes, pumpkin candles, carving pumpkins

·         Visiting the pumpkin patch with my family

·         The first pot of chili with a batch of cinnamon rolls (I know my Hemingford friends will understand this…I’ve been told this combination is not common)

·         Thinking about my Christmas shopping (I already have a few gifts bought!)

The only down side of fall?!?  Winter is just around the corner…

Don’t Confuse Happiness with Joy

I heard a preacher on the radio the other day say that you can measure the depths of your fellowship with the Lord by the amount of joy you have in your everyday life.  God has taught me a lot about biblical joy over the last 5 years.  The bible says that in God’s presence there is FULLNESS of joy.  So the more I intentionally seek the presence of God, the more joy I will have.  But what about those days, weeks, seasons, etc. that are pretty much poo on a plate?!?  That is where we must understand the biblical definition of joy versus the world’s definition of joy.

The world uses joy and happiness interchangeably, but they are not the same.  Happiness is dependent on your circumstances.  To some, happiness might be sipping a Starbucks coffee with a good book.  Others might find happiness on payday.  Yet others might find happiness when life presents an exciting new challenge (i.e. new job, a mission trip, a move to a new city, etc).  Regardless, happiness is temporary.  It can be here in a moment and gone in the next.  Unhappiness takes over as circumstances change.  God is the creator of everything, including emotions.  They are part of life.  There will be seasons of life for all emotions.

But Joy!  That does not have to be temporary.  Walking with God produces a joy that is beyond our circumstances.  The bank account is empty?  Boom, God said He is my provider.  Someone close to me is very ill?  Bam, God said He is my comforter, the healer, my ever present help in times of trouble.  A friend just betrayed my trust?  Boom, God said He would never leave me nor forsake me.  I feel lonely and discouraged?  Bam, God said He is with me always.  There is not a place I can go to hide from Him. 

One single taste of this joy will leave you hungry for more.  There is POWER in this joy.  There is power to see heaven move on your behalf.  There is power knowing that this joy comes from the one sitting at the right hand interceding on your behalf.  We must seek the presence of God above everything.  Above religion, familiarity, comfort, tradition, theology…everything.  I dare you to seek out this joy!  100% satisfaction guaranteed!

They are not naughty...

The other day I took the sweeties to the school playground a few blocks away.  School was out for the day but we shared the playground with those kids in the after school program.  We went about our business playing on the slides and swings, but it wasn’t hard to get distracted with the happenings taking place with the other kids and adult supervisors.  In particular there were these twin boys who were making their presence known; fighting with each other, throwing mulch, teasing the other kids, etc.  These two could not have been more than six years old.  My heart instantly felt for them.  It was obvious that the supervisor’s familiarity with these two had created a lack of patience and understanding when dealing with them.  These were probably the same antics that these two pulled yesterday on the playground and the day before that.  At one point the boys were serving time for one of their crimes and the teacher called them naughty as she was putting them in time out.  I was dumb founded!  You are going to label these two young kids as naughty and then act surprised when they only act the way in which you’ve labeled them?!?  The teacher seemed more interested in getting back to her conversation with the other adult supervisor than she was with dealing with these two boys that needed correction.

What struck me is how I could see the damaging words this teacher used because I had fresh eyes.  I don’t deal with these two boys every day and my patience wasn’t worn thin.   How often do I respond in anger, frustration or annoyance with my own kids because I am familiar with them?  “I just told you 5 minutes ago that we don’t scream inside!”  I might not use the words naughty or other harmful labels, but my tone is still telling them that I am annoyed and I don’t have the time or patience for loving correction.

I will keep working on this…

Dreams Continued

I thought I would follow up my last post on dreams with some very specific examples of how God has used dreams to speak to me.  For those of us that dream a lot, dreams can become very common place that we tend to overlook their significance.  In many of my dreams, God isn’t speaking something that is highly profound and mind blowing (although I’ve had those dreams as well).   It is usually something very simple and often times a revelation for someone that needs encouragement.  I can think of three very simple dreams off the top of my head that allowed me to speak specific revelations of exactly what certain individuals needed to hear in that moment.  It is so fun being God’s mouth piece!

One of these dreams happened over three years ago.  An old friend who I had minimal contact with had just given birth.  I dreamt that she was having issues trying to breast feed.  I decided to send her an email the next day to see if this was true.  It was in fact very true!  She was having major issues and was very frustrated (especially since this was her first child and she was putting pressure on herself to make everything perfect).  I kindly told her to relax and if breast feeding didn’t work out, it wouldn’t be the end of the world.  That is what God wanted to tell her in that moment.  Nothing earth shattering.  He simply wanted to tell His daughter that she was doing a great job as a first time mom and it didn’t matter if she mastered the art of breast feeding.

Another dream came a few years ago for a co-worker.  I dreamt that he was in line for a new job at work.  God showed me the specific job that he was going to be offered.  In the dream he was nervous about accepting it, but then by the end of the dream he was excited for the new challenge.  I talked with him the next day at work and guess what?!?  He had been offered that very job a few days prior and the picture in the dream was exactly how he felt about it.  It was really skeptical of the new responsibilities, but he was starting to feel a peace that this was the direction that God was taking his career.

I’ll give one more example.  Two summers ago I dreamt that a friend of mine in another state was about to go on a 12 month maternity leave.  I had no idea if this friend was even pregnant so I emailed her the next day and told her of my dream.  She was in fact just a few weeks pregnant and she and her husband were concerned because she was having some spotting.  I told her that my dream confirmed that God is saying everything is going to be ok.  He’s created this life and has it all under control!  She was so relieved that I shared that revelation.  This baby is now a very healthy toddler boy! 

God is so cool!  There is no greater joy than to co-labor with him on this earth.  Dreams can be such a significant way that He can speak directly to you.  Believe it.  Boom, Bam!  

Dreams

Dreams are beyond fascinating.  Do you long to hear God’s voice more clearly?  Start paying attention to your dreams and write them down.  Ask God to speak to you in your dreams.  It is amazing!  God will start giving you insight and wisdom for your life and the life of those around you.  Find someone that is trained in biblical dream interpretation to help you with some of the more complex dreams (we have such a guy in our church and he is fascinating!).  God usually speaks pretty point blank to me in my dreams (not a lot of interpretation necessary).   I guess He understands that he has made me to be left brained (sure, you can call me nerdy)…I need things to be pretty black and white!  Happy dreaming! 

Beautiful Poem

I came across this wonderful poem in a book that I’m currently reading (Choices by Mary Farrar).  It spoke to me and I thought maybe it would speak to you too.  I don’t know why we live this way, but it’s so true!  Smell a rose today J

Present Tense

It was spring…but it was summer that I wanted.

The warm days and the great outdoors. 

It was summer…but it was fall I wanted.

The colorful leaves and the cool, dry air.

It was fall…but it was winter I wanted.

The beautiful snow and the joy of the holiday season.

It was winter…but it was spring I wanted.

The warmth and the blossoming of nature.

I was a child…but it was thirty I wanted.

To be mature and sophisticated.

I was middle-aged…but it was twenty I wanted.

The youth and the free spirit.

I was retired…but it was middle-age I wanted.

The presence of mind without limitations.

My life is over.  But I never got what I wanted!

A Few Differences, A Few Things the Same

So as I stated a few weeks ago, I am officially retired from the corporate world.  I’ve gone from a working mother to a laboring mother.  So far the new adventure is absolutely fantastic!  I thought I would share a few of the differences and similarities between my former life as a corporate manager and my current life as a toddler manager. 

·         Only about 2% of my requests in the corporate world were greeted with a “why?” and usually this “why?” was justified.  In toddler speak, about 99.9% of my statements are answered with a “why?”  “Why did God make the sun yellow?”  “Why do we go this way to the library?”  “Why don’t you know, mommy?”

·         Spontaneous dance parties were not part of corporate life.  On a real jumpy day, spontaneous coffee breaks might offer some excitement, but never dance parties.  My three year old’s love for dance means lots of music and movement!!

·         Daily nap times are delightful.  I think this would make corporate world a much brighter place. 

·         Story time now consists of princesses, heroes, candy and enchanted forests.  Most corporate stories offer the same climax that has something to do with money (usually in Power Point form).

·         Brown nosing actually means having a brown nose in my current setting (kids.are.messy).

·         Given my lack of current event knowledge, water cooler conversations are relatively the same (at least from my end).

·         A vendor stalking me to buy their latest software product is not unlike my kidlets begging for a treat.  Neither party takes no for an answer.

Kisses and hugs were not a form of payment in the corporate setting (thank goodness!), but coming from my littles, they are better than a big fat paycheck any day!

Kindergarten, Say What?!?

My oldest little person is officially a kindergartner.  Wow!  There were no tears, only excitement.  I was too excited for him to cry.  I watched my baby with his oversized backpack take the halls to his new found sanctuary; the kindergarten classroom.  It was magical.  I was one of those kids growing up that absolutely loved the start of a school year.  I loved shopping for school supplies, new school clothes, arranging my trapper keeper (my younger readers can Google this) and getting my back pack stuffed just so.  I loved everything about the start of a school year. ..a fresh start, the excitement of learning something new, the chance to see old friends and the idea of being a step higher on the “maturity ladder.”

I pray that my boy keeps his excitement and LOVES the process of learning.  His teacher seems amazing and lucky for him, he has a pretty RAD gym teacher.  Oh the possibilities!        

Things Observed at the County Fair

We took the kids to the county fair the other night.  The weather was absolutely perfect which is unusual for early August.  A summer of heat induced hibernation meant one thing on that gorgeous night…LOTS of people were out making for a fascinating night of people watching. In no particular order, here are a few disturbing "interesting" observations:

·    A mother standing completely upright with her shirt pulled up nursing her baby in front of one of the kiddy rides – no nursing cover or anything (I should note that I am currently a nursing mother and this was....for lack of a better word without sounding judgemental "gutsy").

·    Teenage girls consider it a bold fashion statement to let their butt cheeks hang below their shorts (this is very disturbing to me).

·    Teenage boys have no consistent fashion statement other than acne.

·    Cow manure is the strongest of all manures that we had the great pleasure of sniffing.

·    I am now addicted to nicotine from the gobs of second hand smoke.

·    I still get queasy just looking at the ferris wheel.

·    Watching junior high kids flirt is very uncomfortable (never.want.to.be.that.age.again)

And there you have it...

I’m in LOVE

Dearest Trader Joes,

You’ve captured my heart.  Your fancy food with quality ingredients and prices has had me driving all the way to Missouri TWICE this week just to catch a glimpse of you.  Please take up residence in Olathe.  I would like to maintain our relationship, but I cannot do it with such distance.  Did you know my middle name is Jo?  Coincidence?!?  My heart tells me no. 

Fondly yours,

Michaela 

Last Week of Work

So last week was my final week at work.  I've entered retirement at the ripe old age of 31.  My retirement fund will be drawn in the form of dirty diapers and sloppy kisses and I couldn't be more thrilled.  What a STRANGE feeling it was last week knowing that this was my last working Monday, my last working Tuesday, etc.  I've gone from a working mother to a laboring mother.  Now the real challenge begins.

Life for the new few weeks will feel much like a vacation and not a true retirement.  Marcel leaves for a worship conference on Wednesday so my mom is going to spend a few days with us.  When Marcel returns we'll have a few more days of family time before he heads back to school for the year.  And then my sweet Jadon will start kindergarten a few days after that.  The reality of my retirement probably won't sink in until the school year has started and I'll be forced to find my new normal routine with sweetie #1 and sweetie #2. 

I would like to stop and savor this moment.  There will be many things that I miss about working (namely the people), but I have prayed to be a stay at home mom for over 5 years now.  I wept when I was 5 months pregnant with my first at the thought of leaving this little life in someone else's care.  I thank those that have helped me in caring for him along this journey.  Although I would have liked to have been home with him full time, we've had some great ladies in our life who have loved him like their own.  You know who you are and you rock!  My sincerest thank you.

To any of you working mothers out there struggling with the balance of life, kids, mortgages, jobs, family, friends, etc., drop the guilt and drop to your knees.  He has a plan for you and your family and it is grander than you can imagine.

5K

I ran a 5k race this past weekend…well actually I would call it more of a 5k run.  I don’t consider what I did to be “racing.”  I kept pace with a guy that had a bum knee, or maybe it was a bum hamstring.  Heck, it was probably both.  My moment of glory came when I passed said gimp with about 800 meters to go and pumped my chest out as I crossed the finish line Boston marathon style.  It felt good!  It was the first time that I’ve run an organized event since giving birth in February.  It was good for my soul.  Running is one of those things that has just grown on me over the last 16 years.  I don’t love it, but I simply like it enough to keep pounding the pavement.  I started running when I was 15 to get in shape for basketball season.  Realizing my volleyball career was going nowhere (shocking, I know), I decided to try cross country.  I really enjoyed it and actually got somewhat decent at it by training really hard and learning how to mentally fight through “the wall.” 

The best part of the day was after the race when my three year old told me that I was running too fast when they saw me at the half way point.  She was trying to catch me but my speed was just too intense for her.  “Yes, darling, I know mommy is fast.  I hope you one day experience what it feels like to single handedly dominate a 45 year old man who is at half strength.”  Sweet victory!

A Tribute to My Husband

Marcel and I survived the 7 year itch!  I guess having 3 kids in 5 years will put you in a constant state of survival. J  On one hand it’s hard to believe that we’ve been married for 8 years and on the other hand I can’t believe that it’s only been 8 years.  I feel like I’ve known him my entire life.  We met in college when we were paired up in the annual homecoming skit put on by the Greek system.  I remember one of the first encounters with Marcel. On that particular night he walked me home to my dorm room.  We talked the entire way home and he completely opened up to me about his life (which for those of you who know Marcel, it’s not like him to talk about himself much – he’s usually the one listening and making you feel at ease).  He spoke of his mom dying when he was young and told me about his three sisters.  I had never heard anyone my age (18 years at the time) speak of their mother and sisters with such fondness.  I remember thinking that night, “someone is going to be a very lucky woman to have Marcel as a husband.”  I just didn’t know it would be me! 

Fast forward about 13 years and here we are celebrating our eighth year of marriage.  Life is much different now – we’ve got three kids, jobs, a mortgage and other responsibilities.  I’m no longer infatuated with Marcel like I was in those early days.  Now, I’m in love with him.  Love is not necessarily that ooey gooey, weak in the knees feeling.  Love is a choice.  I choose each and every day to unconditionally love Marcel, even when I don’t “feel” like it.  I’m making this sound like it is a chore and in my case, it is not.  My message is to simply say that in a society where marriage means absolutely nothing, it means everything to me.  We’ve evolved and we are completely different people than the day we said “I do.”  But that is the beauty of a covenant relationship.  Even as we change and times get tough (and they do!), the foundation of the covenant (the Holy Spirit) shines even brighter.  Marcel is my best friend, my cheerleader, my sounding board, my husband.  I simply wouldn’t do life without him.  I think the most beautiful image in the bible is Christ as the bridegroom and the church as His bride.  The church is in submission to Christ, but Christ laid down His life for the church.  I am fortunate to have a husband who models that and lays down his life for me daily. 

And they lived happily ever after…

Let's Eat!

It seems that I have turned into a little foodie lately.  A friend sent this wonderful blog (http://healthnutfoodie.blogspot.com) over a month ago about healthy eating and living and it really got me thinking.  I’m not completely unhealthy with my diet, but I don’t spend a lot of time making sure the food that I am eating/serving is actually benefiting my body.  That is until I read this blog and others like it to learn how to shop and cook for my family that will benefit our health, help with our energy levels, keep unwanted pounds away and eat some darn good food! 

As I’ve been reading this information, it’s really been an education on how poor the American diet is and how extremely frustrating it is that the FDA allows certain “food” items to sit on our grocery store shelves for consumption.  It is very frustrating that I can’t go to the grocery store and have a plethora of affordable food available to me that is not loaded with chemicals, pesticides, artificial sweeteners, artificial fillers, etc. 

We’ve decided to take action and improve our diet.  We are not going for perfection.  I’m not going to be the crazy mom that never lets her child enjoy a cupcake or McDonald’s french fries.  But the truth of the matter is cooking in a healthy way does not mean that you must deny yourself pleasurable food.  Healthy, clean food is full of great flavor!  I feel better knowing that I am feeding my kids FOOD that actually fuels their growing bodies. 

Here are some changes that we’ve made that really seem to be paying off: 

o     Sourcing organic produce where it makes sense.  Trying to be budget conscience, I only buy organic produce that made the “dirty dozen” list.  These are fruits/vegetables that have tested with the highest amounts of pesticide/chemical residue.  (http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2011/06/14/environment-group-releases-dirty-dozen-produce-list)  

o     Eliminating high fructose corn syrup as much as possible (this means giving up my beloved, daily soda pop!)

o     Eliminating nitrates/nitrites (often found in hot dogs, bacon, etc.  You can find nitrate/nitrite free options, usually a bit more expensive).

o     Eliminating partially hydrogenated oils
o     Eliminating food with dyes (i.e. red 3 or yellow 6)o     Using heart healthy oils to cook with (i.e. olive oil, coconut oil)

o     Sourcing grass fed beef from a local farmer

o     Sourcing the internet for easy, affordable, healthy recipes to feed my family (we’ve made lots of yummy things over the past month…pumpkin lasagna, quinoa risotto, pumpkin pancakes, homemade applesauce…)

Again, we’re not going for perfection, we’re just trying to make better choices in our overall diet.  I’m not going to freak out if I have an occasional soda or my favorite dessert (double stuffed Oreos).  I am however not going to purchase these items on a regular basis.  My biggest threat to the food industry is where I spend my $ so I want to make sure that I’m spending the majority on actual, clean FOOD!  Like anything, it’s easy to become obsessive and put your security in the food you eat.  I just want to do the best I can for my growing family!   

Changes

I mentioned in a previous blog post that life is all about seasons.  I am excited to say that our little family is about to enter an exciting new season.  Through much prayer, my husband and I have decided that I will retire from the boardroom setting for awhile and stay home with my kids on a full time basis.  I am absolutely thrilled about this!  It has been very bittersweet as I’ve told my boss, my team and other co-workers.  I’ve choked up a few times as I’ve made my announcement.  I’ve spent the last 8.5 years of my life at this company and have made some wonderful friends!  However, I am anxious to be able to savor this time a bit more while my children are so young.  I know I will never regret this.

I have no idea how long this season will last.  I’m leaving the details to God.  He’s told us that He will work them out J  I would welcome your prayers as I make this transition to full time motherhood in just a few short weeks. 

On a side note, in case you are wondering if this now means that my house will be clean on a more regular basis, I can assure you it does not.  My working outside the home has very little to do with its cleanliness.  I am just a messy housekeeper and unfortunately that fact doesn’t bother me L

A List

I always enjoy reading these from others, so I thought I would post one.

Favorite Time of Day:  Morning

Highlight of Each Day:  Getting home from work and hearing, “Mommmmyyyyy!”

Favorite Color:  Purple

Coke or Pepsi:  Definitely Coke

Gold or Silver:  Silver

Siblings:  Bill, Maureen, Maggie and Corey

Pets:  I am not an animal person

Favorite Season:  Spring (it used to be fall, but spring is definitely my favorite)

Favorite Sport to Play:  Basketball

Favorite Sport to Watch:  Basketball

Breakfast, lunch or dinner:  Dinner

Favorite Meal:  Pizza or Nachos

Favorite School Subject:  Math

Favorite Movie:  Sleepless in Seattle

Favorite TV Show:  The Office

Favorite TV Show as a Kid:  Full House

Snacks or Meals:  Meals

Last Movie You Watched in the Theatre:  Something Borrowed

Worst Household Chore:  Doing the dishes

Favorite Day of the Week:  Sunday

Favorite Restaurant:  The Melting Pot

Favorite Fast Food:  Chick-Fil-A

Best Vacation:  Hawaii (we went there on our honeymoon)

Worst Vacation:  Stanton family trip to a lake in Northern MN (I think we left a few days early)

Most Beautiful Place You’ve Visited:  Southern France

Books or Movies:  Books

Coolest Thing You’ve Done in the Last 6 Months:  Gave birth to a baby girl

Coffee or Tea:  Tea (only a few kinds)

Favorite Month:  March

Items in your Pocket:  No pockets today, normally just lint

Brands You are Partial To:  Pampers for diapers, Huggies for wipes, Welch’s grape jelly, Oreos (no knock offs please), Vaseline Intensive Care lotion, Cascade dishwasher detergent 

Money, Money, Money…..MONEY!

Are you seeing Donald Trump in your mind right now like I am?  I used to love that show.  Ok, so the point of this blog post is not to talk about The Apprentice or Donald Trump’s net worth.  It is to talk about my view of the green stuff.  Like everything in my life, I hope that my view resembles God’s view and I don’t just sound like a class of 5^th graders learning to play the recorder. 

It seems that Marcel and I have been surrounded lately by the message of money.  Our church recently did a series on our economy and how our view and use of money is completely backwards as a nation (our economy is based on usury and debt…a man made system bound to fail).  The message of money has also been in a lot of my conversations lately, when I turn on the radio, when I pick up something to read, etc.  It seems to be everywhere.  More often than not, God is speaking in these reoccurring messages and wanting me to get something!  So now it’s taking the time to listen and figure out what that is.

I think the message that’s been spoken to me is not just a personal message, but a global one (thus my blog post).  It really is very simple and something we all know, but don’t often practice.  It is this, DO NOT WORRY.  Our security is in God and not money.  We must repent of the lack mentality and realize that God is the God of abundance.  There is not only one pie that we each need to fight for in order to get our share.  The pies are limitless and they come in all flavors!  Does this mean everyone will be rich and using dollar bills as napkins?  No!  Does it mean God will provide for our needs, just as he does the birds in the air?  Yes!  Money in itself is not evil.  It is just a tool used to provide for our families and bless others.  Evilness happens when we begin to love money. 

Loving money comes in all different disguises (the devil is tricky like that).  In our American culture, it is easy to think that loving money is something only the wealthy do as they are buying their third house, new Benz and vacationing in an exotic location.  The truth is, a person’s wealth has no correlation to loving money.  Loving money is a matter of the heart and where we place our security.  All walks of life can love money; poor, just making ends meet, middle class, wealthy, ultra wealthy…

In my experience, here is what loving money could look like:

o        Hoarding all of our money and not using it to bless others (stemming from the lack mentality…there is only enough to take care of my needs, I cannot think about the needs of others)

o        Not tithing on a regular basis (God asks us to tithe…He even challenges us and says to give 10% and see how much I will bless you!)

o        Spending an enormous amount of energy to get the best deal.  This is a fine line.  I am very frugal and want to steward my money wisely.  However, I don’t think God wants me obsessing about saving $5 on my grocery bill.  I know a lot of people that pour TONS of time into saving.  It’s almost as if their security is in the amount saved and not God’s provision.

o        Feeling entitled to the finer things in life.  Entitlement can signal a love of money.  God wants to bless us, but we are not entitled to go on nice vacations every year, have the latest gadgets, always wear the best clothes, etc.  We are ESPECIALLY not entitled to these things if it means going into debt to get them.  This leads to my next point…  

o        Having a large amount of consumer debt.  God says that the debtor is a slave to the lender.  God has called us to freedom, not bondage.  On the flip side of this, being debt free is not your security either.  God is always the source no matter how much debt you have.

I know there are many other symptoms that signal a heart that loves money, but these are just the few that God has been speaking to me over the last few weeks and years quite truthfully.  For us personally, we have worked really hard to pay down our student loan and automobile debt.  God has really blessed this area of our lives with faithful provision and the conviction to work REALLY hard for this freedom.  However, along the way I’ve been caught putting my security in the lack of debt and not in God.  I would find myself saying, “if we could just get rid of this student loan, then I would feel more secure.”  That, my friend, is putting my security in my net worth and ultimately loving money.  Fortunately God is so merciful and is assisting me on this journey to put ALL of my trust in Him.