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Archive for the ‘Lovely’ Category

It’s something I struggle with defining. What is peace? What do I want peace to be? Because the two differ greatly I think. I was happily Pinterest-ing (as mamalotsoftots) when I stumbled upon this beautiful quote:

beautiful isn’t it? That’s what ‘peace’ really is. It’s not in what’s happening around you, whether the tots volumes have risen to dangerously high decibles again or every person in the house has a question or needs to tell mama something. It’s being in the midst of that and feeling calm inside you.

Every so often something comes along in your life that knocks your socks off and you know you’ll never be the same.

then other times small mundane seeming situations hit you. Mundane meaning not overly significant, not life changing. They come to remind you what joy really is. When life is swallowing you up whole, something small, lovely happens.

today I had a whole morning of that. I came downstairs this morning from getting ready for work and my daughter The Pea was making my lunch for me.

I was so thrilled! I didn’t tell her I’d already had lunch ready in the fridge. I’d rather eat hers. Then she told me she’d written me a note on my napkin (something mr. Fantastic does frequently)

I look over to see The Princess, she’s making breakfast.

I start to feel all warm and fuzzy. They know mamas had a rough couple of weeks & they’re doing what they can to help out. We turn on Kids Bop on pandora & dance around working together to get our day started on a positive note.<\p>

later after the older tots have left, it’s just Tank and I. Cha cha slide comes on. I’m doing dishes before leaving for work and he’s been quiet for awhile, so I turn around to see him dancing. I grinned so big!! He stopped and looked embarrassed, I said “Don’t stop!” and I did the dance with him. It was a great start to our day. And a not so big things that happened, but they are the everyday simple joys that keep us going, I think. I know that I’m thankful for them — and honestly, they mean more to me than the big stuff anyways. So yeah, I *am* lucky!! But even more than lucky, I consider myself blessed. So whatever this life throws my way, we’re going to be complete & well no matter what comes at us!!

Last night Mr. Fantastic and I didn’t even turn on the XBox. No pirates! We love to play that game but we had more intriguing stuff on our minds. He’d picked up this amazing book from the library called “Self Sufficiency for the 21st Century” Read the rest of this entry »

Wednesday. Smack dab in the middle of everything. Today, seeming so overrun with movement, and voices, and things that bring tension, I thought it’d be nice to just have a post where you just see

Wow. Today started off horribly. Finances, things breaking, paperwork. You name it, I feel like I had it. Then, I was reminded of this verse:

Galatians 6:9
The Message (MSG)
9-10So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith.

(Actually, I was hearing Steve Green singing it from Hide ‘em in Your Heart Vol. 2 ) At any rate. . .

Let us not grow weary. I sat down to take a break from the things I wasn’t looking forward to doing (making phone calls, etc.). And decided to pull out my never opened copy of Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace: Putting Common Sense Into Your Dollars and Cents. I read for awhile, and realized I was losing heart. Giving up on any progress I’d made because it seems no matter where I turn, it was like hitting a maze full of hurdles. So, I picked my phone up & made the necessary calls. I did this only to find out that 2 out of 3 situations had already resolved themselves. The third one, I’m just going to have to be patient on. It can only be resolved in time, however, it was helpful that I was at the end of the maze with the majority of my issues.

At this rate I’m feeling mighty productive. What’s been crossed off your to – do list for the day? I need to go scrub toilets. yay! lol. Here’s what’s left on mine.

Do! Spring iPhone app

(I want this app for my phone! I edited it to make it work for me now, it’s only $0.99 for iPhones! I’m excited! Want to purchase it. Click H E R E to see it in action.

. . . was a year of eye opening experiences.

help me to learn and grow from my mistakes and to accept forgiveness, not keep beating myself up. Thank you for showing me my anger was misdirected & helping me come to terms with it.

. . . was a year of struggling against my core.

I’m so glad You never let me go. That You’ve led me to the things that drew me back close to you. Thank you for love and forgiveness.

. . . was a year of finding new interests and recultivating old ones.

Thank You for the blessing of things that make us happy.

. . . was a year of tears.

Lord, I’ve never cried more in my entire life than I did this past year. But You brought me through it. You love me, forgiven me, renewed my hope. I’ll continue to lean on you for my strength. Thank you for being just what You promise to be in the Bible. Unchanging.

. . . was a year of realizations.

I pray You’ll continue to guide me to where you want me to be. So that I can get back to the places You’ve commanded me to be. Thank you for convictions, STRONG ones, that stay with me until I address them.

. . . was a year of learning to do without.

I give thanks for this. It was tough, but learning the value of saving has been incredible & I pray something I can pass on to my children. I desire them to be wise! Wise so they can be people that bring glory to God.

. . . was a year of waiting for the things we wanted, but finally getting them!

You always know exactly what we need, Father. How could we ask for more?

2012

. . . will be a year of new habits.

You know these habits I’d like to create. You also know, better than anyone else, that it will require your divine grace to help me to get there & stay there.

. . . will be a year of growing closer to God, less stress because I won’t be afraid like I was last year.

Probably one of the most important things You’ve taught me. Patience. And faith. I’ve never thought myself in need of more faith. But the past few years have taught me different. That I need to *fully* rely on You, the Author and Perfecter of my faith.

. . . . a year of decision.

Should I, shouldn’t I? My heart is tugged in 2 parallel directions. I pray that the decisions I make will be ones that are most honoring to You. And the one that you convict my heart to choose. I also pray you make the way CLEAR to me! You know how I like to muddle things up!

. . .a year of becoming more focused & consistent.

Lord, I pray that you’ll help me be a finisher. Mostly in the home, that things I begin will be remembered & finished. That my thoughts will be so centered on You that I can’t help but always be ready. Help me to know what is important to do and what isn’t necessary so that I don’t waste any of the time I have with my children.

. . . a year of creating a home of calm & love.

Help me to be diligent with my time. I need that so much now. You know this. And I know, that in Your good time it will come to me. I won’t panic anymore about finances, what will happen with the kids, how I’ll get all of their appointments in. I’ll rest in “knowing You will open every door, instead of forcing my own world now. I’d rather wait on you!”

And I pray all these things in Your Sons name! Amen.

Tonight we sit here together enjoying the quiet. Been a crazy week. I’m going to set up January’s menu & shopping lists. It was a fantastic week! Went by so quickly. Many memories made. Blessings overflowing. A peaceful feeling. Encouraged by The Baptist Bible Hour’s devotion:

The God who never changes always makes good on promises. Nothing will get in his way, he will never need to reconsider.”

Nothing will get in His way. Not even our biggest attempts to stray.

We’ve been saving for months, and we’ve finally reached our (modified) goal! YAY!! We’re off to Kalahari very soon.

I looked high and low for a way to share this song with you! There was only 1 really poor quality version where you couldn’t even hear the words really. So, I thought I’d link you to where you could at least preview it, if not purchase it if you like it.

Matthew 6:2
The Message (MSG)
2-4″When you do something for someone else, don’t call attention to yourself. You’ve seen them in action, I’m sure—’playactors’ I call them— treating prayer meeting and street corner alike as a stage, acting compassionate as long as someone is watching, playing to the crowds. They get applause, true, but that’s all they get. When you help someone out, don’t think about how it looks. Just do it—quietly and unobtrusively. That is the way your God, who conceived you in love, working behind the scenes, helps you out.

And the lyrics:
King of Kings
Lord of Lords
Prince of Peace
I am

Early morning, summer’s day
At a park, in the city
Kids were playing on a swing
They were black and white
Then a lady walked that way
As she did most every morning
Grocery bags in her hand
She was passing by

She stopped
Stared
Watched their laughter fill the air
She laughed
cried
Because the love of God was color blind…

When you give
When you love
When you serve
You do it unto me

On a cross, up on a hill
Where the world would be forgiven
Was a man,called to make the greatest sacrafice
He lived a life of love,gave away all He’d been given
Sent from the one above,and He gave His life
To love,serve
He came down from Heaven to spread the word
To teach, pray
And this is what He had to say

Give away all you’ve been given
This is what you’re looking for deep inside
Jesus Christ

Take me to the river
Wash in the water
Take me to the river
Dunk me in the water

King of Kings
Lord of Lords
Prince of Peace
I Am

I am grateful for the opportunities received to give.

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This year I’m feeling very Christmas spirit-y. I’m not complaining, I like it. Feels more like the “me” I used to be. And so, we’ve decorated the house, and are making our Christmas cards & cookies tonight. When we’ve done this in the past, i’ve used patterns or ideas from Family Fun the magazine. So, here are the cards we’re deciding between:

Drying Mittens

Total Time Needed:
1 Hour (more like 4 hours for my tots. heheh!)

Mr. Sandman

Total Time Needed:
1 Hour (again, LOL!)

Joyful Tidings

Total Time Needed:
1 Hour

They’re all so adorable! Which one do you think we’ll end up doing? I’ll show you tomorrow!