Things I am digging right now

I am really enjoying the following things:

1. Keurig coffee machine. My husband purchased one for our family. It is wonderful. It brews one cup of coffee (or tea, mocha, chai, hot chocolate, etc) at a time. It has 5 drink sizes to choose from. It brews a delightful cup of joe in less than 90 seconds.

2. Stratego. Santa gave this classic game to Jack and we've been playing it all the time.

3. Smoothies. We have been on a smoothie kick for a good month now. We use a mix of mango, pineapple, strawberries and peaches with a splash of orange juice and ice cubes. We also throw in a little banana from time to time.

4. Fleece active wear. It's cold and fleece keeps me warm- enough said.

5. Thurs. night television. The office and 30 rock are two of the funniest shows on t.v. right now. Brilliant!

6. Sent bug. Bath and Body have come out with this little fan type thing that holds a disc which you apply their wonderful oil scents on. push the button and your house smells great. Bonus is that unlike a candle you can't burn the house down with it.

7. YMCA feel good basketball league. My boy child is currently playing and it's so much fun to watch those little 2nd graders play. Great entertainment.

8. Colorful scarves. When it's grey and bleak outside a bright little coat with a sassy scarf brightens my day.

9. My kids playing piano. They have been more active in practicing which is really wonderful. Better yet, I think they may be enjoying it.

10. The hope of Spring. With every day that passes we are one day closer to Spring. One day closer!

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

I decided that I would write a little about myself. I think that I am misread quite often. So here goes and this is going to be random off the top of my head stuff but it's truthful. Some of this is crap my family knows. Word

One of my favorite words is crap. I once spent the night in jail. I stole candy from my grandpa's store when I was 8 years old and had to return it and apologize- I was so ashamed. I am afraid of snakes. I refer to of my dearest friends as "The Hand" - these people have been very important in my walk with the Lord and I love them as if they were my family. I hate confrontation. I am very tenderhearted. I read books to my kids while in the womb. My grandpa was my best friend when I was a kid. I wanted to elope because I don't like being the center of attention and I don't like all the fussiness of weddings. I didn't elope and was sick for the 6 mo. leading up to my wedding. When I was 40 I wrote a letter to my dad cutting all ties with him and his family. I was on Night Line back in 1990- I was outside of the White House protesting the Gulf War. I am not a suck up and I don't parlay my way into friendships by kissing butts. If I give out a complement it is honest and heartfelt. I hate to see people hurting. I have had 2 miscarriages, I married my best friend, I had the most unconventional childhood known to man. I was a nanny out east for several years. I like to have a cocktail from time to time but I will never get blitzed because I don't want to subject my children to that kind of stupidity. I was a teenage alcoholic. I miss my grandpa. My siblings and I raised ourselves. I don't handle chaos well. I love to entertain and serve my loved ones. I love to sing but can't carry a tune. I love to roller skate. I want to meet Bono and his wife. I am extremely critical and judgemental- something I am really trying to work on. I love being at home. I love to sleep. My favorite article of clothing is my pj's. I am afraid of electronics. I wish I could buy the house next to mine and move my mom and g-ma into it so I could care for them as they age. I didn't understand salvation until I was 32 and it was the most wonderful mind blowing thing that has ever happened to me. I can't wait to meet Jesus. I really love the small town I live in. I respect people who have more than 2 kids- I honestly don't know how they get everything done. I love old black and white movies. My favorite movie is, "It's a Wonderful Life." I love glitter and sparkles. I view food as an art medium. I like quiet. I'm afraid of rejection. I do not partake in the "one up" game. I am a germ freak. I'm not competitive but I love to play games. I wish I could play the piano. If I could have surgery to fix a part of my body it would be laser eye surgery or a nose job- if someone else was paying for it I'd get the nose job. I was a crappy friend when I was younger and extremely selfish. I was a cheerleader in high school for 3 years but was unable to try out my Senior year because they made all try out candidates take a sports test (football and basketball terminology) I totally failed the test but was voted outstanding pep club member my senior year. I once let a complete stranger off the street parallel park my car in downtown Washington D.C. I didn't care about my grades in high school. I took art classes at the Corcoran School of Art in D.C. I love candy and sweets. I love my kids enjoy them so much. I think my husband is a lot like my grandpa and g-pa was a great man of character. I am tired.

That's me. Full of flaws. I have a lot of growing to do. Who doesn't? This is my road to travel and I am enjoying the ride.
.

12 months- 12 ideas

Okay, so I am not a fan of the whole resolution thing however, I do like the thought of making improvements and changes in my life. So, here is a list of things I'd like to work on, try, incorporate into my life.

1. Limit my computer use to 1/2 hr. daily. I do not need more time than that.

2. Perform random acts of kindness - I think it is important to give love in simple but thoughtful ways. I'd like to be able to make someones day without them knowing who's behind the action.

3. Prepare fresh and healthy meals for my family on a regular basis.

4. Show appreciation to others.

5. Get or make some lovely stationery and write letters instead of texting or sending emails.

6. Make a point to have date night with my husband on a more regular basis.

7. Make a thoughtful gift for someone I love and do something thoughtful for someone I don't know.

8. Write letters to my children telling them what I adore about each of them.

9. Have board game night weekly.

10. Create a month of meals and shopping list to go with it.

11. Get in the Word more and get more involved in my church.

12. Shine for Jesus and live to serve him.

If Jesus is my focus than I think the other things will just fall into place.

A New Year- A New Start

Well here it is 2010. I haven't blogged in nearly 1/2 a year. Time gets away from us.

I've been thinking about time, quality of time, how to spend time, whom to spend time with and the fact that we don't know how much time we have in this life time.

Beyond this life I'm promised and infinity of time- perfect time with Jesus. I can't wait for that. But, right now I am thinking of my earthly time. What does God want me to do with this time? How do I spend it and am I honoring Him?

I tend to think how much of it I have wasted. Thousands of hours of mistakes. It's a continuous battle on some levels. I have spent hours wondering why this or that person dislikes me, or why I have to do something. I've let anger, jealousy, and judgment take up my time.

If I let go of the crap that wastes my time I'd have a lot of free time on my hands- time that could be used positively. How to keep accountable? Pray God will give me the right attitude and strength to stay away from the dark side. To use my power for good not evil. So in this new year I have a renewed hope.

I am not a resolution person. I think it's the best way to set ones self up for failure. This year I will continue to have my "Happy New Day" attitude but my hope is that I will refer to this:

Let your light shine.
Be a source of strength
and courage.
Share your wisdom.
Radiate love.
Wilferd Peterson

I cannot control the actions of others but I can control my actions.
I can't make people like me but I can show love.
I can't assume to know what the future will bring but I can live my life so as to not have regrets or worries.
I can trust that God will guide me and that this journey I take will not be alone or in vain.

So there you have it. That's how I'm rolling this year. My next post may have a list. Perhaps a list of things I'd like to do to make others lives a little bit nicer. Who knows.

Make 2010 count.

The cast is gone but for how long???

After what seemed like forever, Jack finally got his cast off last week. He had a great Dr. and thought the tool he used to saw off the cast was cool. He is to take it easy for the next couple of weeks. What does that mean? No skate boarding, No diving off the board or going down the water slide, No wrestling, No horse play of any kind and No More Climbing Up Door Frames!! We'll see how this all goes down.

On this day Jack wore a very appropriate shirt. The front said, "I bust mine" and the back said, "So I can kick yours!" The nurse thought it was funny. Jack said, "I pretty much just stick to what the front of it says- I'm not the fighting type."

I hope this is the last time our boy breaks a body part. Wishful thinking!

Hope and Turning 70

No one knows how much time they have on this earth. We are not guaranteed tomorrow but I think it's very easy to take tomorrow for granted. Yesterday, we celebrated my father-in-law's 70th birthday. He didn't want to celebrate and has been in a mood most foul lately. His health has been questionable the last year or so. His father and one of his brothers didn't make it to the age of 70. His other brother died at the age of 76. He sees the end in site. This is frightening to him. Why?











































I think that he is missing out on HOPE. What I mean is this. He has not accepted Christ as his savior. He doesn't have the "guarantee" that he is going to heaven when this life is over. This hurts my heart!

You can go jumping through the hoops your whole life: I am a good neighbor, I go to church, I've been baptized, I've been confirmed, I am kind, I give to the needed, I've been a "good" person my whole life... this is not what gets you to heaven. Salvation is quite simple really- we just make it harder than it has to be. When Jesus was dying on the cross and one of the thieves who was up there on a cross with him said, "Surely you are the Son of God." Jesus said to him, "Today you will be with me in paradise." That thief accepted Jesus as his Savior and when he died he was with Jesus. That thief had never been baptized, attended church, been confirmed etc., and he went to heaven. Salvation is just an acceptance away. Accepting Christ as your Savior is the only way to Heaven.

My hope is that my father-in-law will see this and ask Jesus in his heart. I want to know that I will see him again one day in the most perfect of conditions. I want my children to know that we will be reunited with all our loved ones in heaven one day.

My daughter once asked my mom if she was going to Heaven and my mom replied, "Well, I don't know, I hope so." Mia said, "Grandma, if you don't know for sure than I'm afraid for you." My mom then started in on me, "You put her up to this, didn't you?" "No" I replied, "She asked me if you were going to Heaven and I told her to ask you- I don't know what your standing with Jesus is." My mom is under the impression that she has done too many bad things and that God won't want her. The thing is WE all fall short- Meaning we are all sinners. No one is better than anyone else. And yet we have a God who loved us enough that he sent his perfect, sinless Son to this world full of sin to take OUR sin to the cross in our place.

Wow!! How amazing is that . I am a flawed, yucky thing and HE still loves me. HE wants and loves ALL of us. The perfect gift.

So I guess what I am saying is this. Every day on earth is a gift. We have a greater gift waiting for us when we leave this earth.

"I have been young, and now am old; yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken. Ps 37:25

Happy 70th birthday, Larry. See the beauty and joy that each day brings and know that you are loved. Know that there is something grand waiting on the other side of this life and God wants you to be a part of it.

Women who Rock!

Hello people

Today, we took my brother and his children to 10 Minute (our favorite Chinese restaurant) for a lovely family meal. When it came time to open our fortune cookies we all took turns reading aloud what our fortunes said. Mine read, " you will always be surrounded by good friends." My daughter immediate replied, " Wow, mom, that is so true. You've got some of the best friends around." My brother than said, "You must be talking about the ladies I met at your house the other day."

I am so fortunate to have the network of friends that I do. These women are wonderful. The best part is that they are so uniquely different and each has a beauty that is all their own. We have been there for each other through times of trial and times of joy. We can be REAL with one another. We don't compete against each other. Our friendship isn't dependant on what we have to gain by having each other in our lives. Through thick or thin we are there for each other and when one's going through a bump in the road the others will carry her through.

Although we are all different there is one key thing that ties us together. That is our love for Jesus. When Christ is the center of anything it can't be anything but good. I am truly humbled by the people He has placed in my life. Each one of these ladies is such a blessing to me and everyday I thank God for them.