Gratitude attitude

I just returned from a great weekend away for a church ladies retreat. It was a sweet time with other sisters in the Lord, and although I am so glad to be back with my DH and babies, I am glad that I went.

Our speaker was Martha Lawley…amazing woman. I am still marinating over what she shared about, so that post will follow. …it will follow once I have had some sleep. Because you see, although ladies retreats are good for so many things, for this chick they are not good for sleep. It's only 8:30 and I'm pretty sure that I'll be asleep very.very.soon.

But before I allow myself to blink for too long, I am graciously accepting Liz's blog award for gratitude.

The Rules of Accepting and Sharing this Award

1.Put the logo on your blog or post

2. Nominate at least 10 blogs that show an attitude of gratitude *I'm going to nominate a few…perhaps not 10…

3. Link to your nominees within your post

4.Comment on their blogs to let them know they've received this award

5.Share the love and link to this post and the person who nominated you for the award.

Tell us how you've come to have an attitude of gratitude

 

The answer:

For me gratitude is a constant process of realization. I was actually thinking about some of the things that I am grateful for the other day before I received this award, so I am slightly prepared. *wink* In light of this past weekend however, my list has been added to.

Disclaimer: This is only a partial list. I honestly don't think I could ever capture (especially not now in my sleep deprived state) the entirety of my gratitude. So to go along with some other themes I'll do a top 8.

1. I am grateful that I am a part of the Bride of Christ. (I really want to write more on this one, but it will have to be another post.)
   
2. I am grateful for my wonderful husband who works overtime (which for him sometimes means 48 hours or more at a time) so that I can be at home with the children. He truly is my soul mate. He gets me (which is no small feat in-and-of itself).
   
3. I am grateful for my parents who show me love by lavishing it on me so much more than I even know. Among other things, my mom just told me that my daddy prays for my skin every single day. For a long time he fasted a day a week and spent some of his prayer time for me. My parents have both gone through serious sicknesses with honor and courage, all while giving God glory for every victory.
   
4. I am thankful for in-laws that are more like in-loves (thanks Karen for that phrase-at least I think that's the one you use). They have taken me in and also showed me love and support as if I had always been there.
   
5. Of course I am thankful for my kids. All three of them. (No, I'm not pregnant…) I am thankful for the two that I hold every day and for the one that my grandmothers hold in heaven. Babies, I am so honored to be your mom. I hope I do you proud.
   
6. I am grateful for blogging. I know, it sounds silly, but I am thankful for something that prompts me to write and post pictures of my kids and other things going on. Heaven knows I'm not much of one for consistent journaling, and although I love to scrapbook there is no time for it right now. I am thankful for the new friends that I have made through blogging, as well as some that I "stalk" who will probably never know that I exist, but because they blog I am able to pray for them ever.single.day.
   
7. I am grateful for my job. It is one that I truly love and hope to get really good at one day. ;) …I think I'm going to save the details of this one for another post too.
   
8. I am grateful that there are new mysteries and glories to be revealed in Christ every day if I will be in tune to Him and His Word.
   

 

Ok, so here are the people that I am tagging. I hope that you have a few minutes to do this. Mostly because I think that it is important to think of things that you are grateful for.

Carla, Davene, Cheryl, Sue, Kristen, Lauren and Terisa. :)

Pictures

Ok, so several of you have asked for pictures of my projects. I was actually on my way to take pictures of the blanket, with Kaylee's help when one of the neighbors came to the door to tell me the stupid dog was out again. By the time I put Kaylee in her crib, ran out of the house and got the stupid dog back into the yard and into the basement (ie: doggie time out) I had forgotten completely that I was about to take pictures.

So, all that said…I am getting ready to go to a church ladies retreat. When I get home, as long as the stupid dog doesn't roam the neighborhood again, I will post pictures. :) Thanks for being so excited to see them…really though, it's nothing fancy…just warning you now.

 

(sorry about all the font changes…I'm trying to see which one I like best.)

Minga's Machine a No Go

The attempt to use my grandmother's old sewing machine did not work out as expected. I figured that it might not be able to handle thick fabric. I figured it might be slow. But I was not expecting the smoke-ish stuff that was coming out. (You know, after taking a good 10 minutes to even figure out how to turn the thing on.)

Perhaps you are thinking that I should have looked online for a manual to show me how to use it.

 

I did, and do you know what I got when I typed in the model number:

Antique

Vintage

Collectable

I think that somewhere I even saw the date 1930…although I don't think this one is actually that old.

As much as I wanted to start my project, I really didn't want to risk burning my house down. I know, I know…I've had firefighter training, my husband is a firefighter, but we really don't want to practice those skills on our own house. I was a little sad that I was not going to be able to use Minga's machine. (That's the name that I made up for my grandma when I was very young.) I thought that it would have been a nice way to remember her. But if I start writing too much about her I am going to have a soggy keyboard, and this post won't be on sewing anymore…perhaps that will be another post.

 

So there sat my newly purchased fabric with no machine to sew it.

 

…until…

I found a great machine on Craig's List for a pretty good price. We picked it up yesterday and I made a small pouch for my iPod as a test run. It turned out pretty well. Today I made my project. A blanket. A.very.simple.rustic-looking.blanket.

But a blanket nonetheless. I'm sure my technique would make someone who really knows how to sew cringe. *Side Note* When I was buying some of the fabric for the blanket I was very honest with the lady who was helping me. I told her that I didn't know a lot about sewing and I didn't know anything about my machine. At the end, after purchasing the fabric she added, "Do you have thread?"

Ahem, I hope that I did not appear that ignorant as to what I was doing. :)

And now I am out of fabric. No more sewing projects. (at least until I get to the store to get more fabric…) Oh the possibilities…so many floating around in my head…

My New Project (I Hope)

Tomorrow I am going to try to figure out my grandmother's old sewing machine. I have never used a sewing machine before, but I am really excited about figuring it out and starting my project. I have some fabric that I am going to attempt to make into a simple blanket. But first I'm going to make a small bag for my iPod…just to figure out the machine and make sure that I don't completely ruin the fabric for the blanket.

 

If all goes well…look out…I may become a bit obsessed and sew as much as I can…as long as I can afford the fabric for it!

 

Change 'a Comin'

If you have visited my blog today there's no telling what form the header has been in…I'm working on it. It.is.a.slow.process.

I've downloaded who knows how many programs and effects, read numerous helpful and not helpful posts…

Perhaps one of these days I'll get something I like.

 

A Few of My Favorite Things

For me it is very easy to get bogged down in small details and stupid stuff. I don't mean to do this, it just happens. So I think that I am going to try to do a weekly post on something that I have done, or has been done to uplift me and hopefully will uplift others. This will help me focus on the many blessings that God has poured onto my life.

 

I'll work on creating a "name" for this mission and maybe if I can really get snazzy about it I will make a button...we'll see… :) Feel free to drop a suggestion.

 

For this first one will list 10 things that I like.

1. A good worship song. (So if you have a current favorite, let me know and I'll add it to my list. I am always looking for new songs to love.)
   
2. The sound of my children laughing. Seriously, this has to be one of the best sounds ever.
   
3. My growing stock of "good smells" from Victoria Secret.
   
4. Purses.
   
5. Massages.
   
6. Things of pleasing colors and designs. (Vague, I know…but I am sooo a color person.)
   
7. Aquariums.
   
8. Crafting.
   
9. Yard sales and good deals.
   
10. Coffee.
    

 

 

Of Eggs and Such

Every holiday I am reminded of how big Kaylee is getting. This year, for the first time, she was able to dye eggs, hunt eggs with her friends at church and eat more than one bite of chocolate.

Here we are getting set up and starting on the first egg.

 

Dipping in an egg…(with some help)

 

She was very interested in watching the egg change colors.

 

 

We all got in on the action…see that look of "don't splash that stuff everywhere!" smile on my face?

 

 

Finally, at the end Adam asked Kaylee if she wanted to try one of the eggs. Before he could do anything, she grabbed one and tried to bite it…with the shell on. He got one peeled and gave her a bite:

 

She did not love it.

 

With Hesitation…

It is with hesitation that I write this blog.

I am a people pleaser, sometimes to a fault. I don't like to let people down. I don't like for anyone to be mad at me. I don't like to mess up.

And while none of these things are necessarily wrong, they can lead to things that aren't necessarily right.

I've been doing some thinking lately, okay…a lot of thinking lately. Change has to come. It just has to. It's time to stop constantly wondering what people are thinking about me. I go into places and assume that people won't like me. That I dress funny. Maybe I smell funny. A whole on slot of thoughts and questions come and they leave me feeling down.

Then I start to compare myself to others. I am great at the comparison game. I scored 100% last time I played. And in case you didn't know…it's not the best game to play.

And while I am not exactly sure what this change is going to look like, and exactly how it is going to happen, I know it's time.

I don't have to win the approval of others, I already have the approval of the One who matters most.

I have a wonderful husband who loves me and encourages me every day. When he tells me I'm beautiful I have a hard time believing him. I don't ever doubt or question his love, but my own self. But really, what kind of a crazy, psychotic, strange person am I? I am married to the most amazing man, and I can't bring myself to believe him.

I have to work on it. I have to move out of the way so that the Lord can work on me.

When I started to think about wanting to make some self improvements and such, in my head the direction was more pointed towards losing this post-baby weight. Toning some flab. You know, the things that really matter in life. *wink*

But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that there was other change that needed to happen as well.

So although I have to admit that I'm a little afraid of what this is going to look like…the process of it all…I am excited about it. I'm ready to see what God has in store.

If everything comes down to love
Then just what am I afraid of
When I call out Your name
Something inside awakes in my soul
How quickly I forget I'm Yours

(PRE-CHORUS)
I'm not my own
I've been carried by You
All my life

(CHORUS)
Everything rides on hope now
Everything rides on faith somehow
When the world has broken me down
Your love sets me free

When my life is like a storm
Rising waters all I want is the shore
You say I'll be ok and
Make it through the rain
You are my shelter from the storm

(PRE-CHORUS)
I'm not my own
I've been carried by You
All my life

(CHORUS)
Everything rides on hope now
Everything rides on faith somehow
When the world has broken me down
Your love sets me free

(CHORUS 2)
Everything rides on hope now
Everything rides on faith somehow
When the world has broken me down
Your love sets me free
You've become my heart's desire
I will sing Your praises higher
Cause Your love sets me free
Your love sets me free
Your love sets me free

Soon To Come

Yesterday we did a ton of family pictures...I can't wait to post them. :)I wish I had taken my camera so that I could do a little preview...but I didn't...so I can't.

Music…Again

My life seems to be themed in songs. I get stuck on a song and I listen to it, oh about a thousand times a day. In fact, as I write…I'm listening to the one I happen to be stuck on.

Right now it's Mighty to Save. The lyrics are powerful. I love the images that it puts in my head…mercy falling on me. Couldn't we all use some mercy falling on us? Really…have you ever had something fall on you?

Whether you know it is coming or not, when something falls on you there is a bit of a jolt (or a lot of a jolt, depending on what hit you). I doubt he would remember this, and I am not sure how I do, but when we were really young my brother hit me over the head with a large stick of sorts. I think it was random. But it was a big WHACK over my head, whatever the reason. Sure, I'll take some of that, but in the form of mercy and not big stick. WHACK…mercy falling on me so hard that it jolts me.

"So take me as you find me, all my fears and failures, fill my life again. I give my life to follow, everything I believe in, now I surrender."

Yeah, I have some fears and plenty of failures. I want to be filled by the Author of Salvation and the hope of nations! If I let that manifest in my life the way God intends it to, it could be massive.

Now don't get me wrong. I'm not sitting here intentionally digging my heels in, resisting what God is trying to do in my life, but in order to be filled with Him there is a lot that has to be ridded from my heart. That's the part that hurts. I have to dig out all of that junk. And it's not pretty. It's not easy, and it's not a snap-my-fingers-it's-done process.

Finally, although I could write about each and every line…the bridge is what I like to pray over people…my kids, the little boys I am praying for…really anyone I feel needs prayer while I am listening to the song one of the 3,247 times a day. (don't do the math to see if it is possible to listen that many times…)

"Shine your light and let the whole world see. We're singing, for the glory of the risen King, Jesus…"

I want my kids to grow up and do bigger things for God than I have and I will do. I want them to take a stand for what I pray they will believe in.

 

Okay, enough…just go listen to the song. J

Mighty To Save

Everyone needs compassion
Love that's never failing
Let mercy fall on me
Everyone needs forgiveness
The kindness of a Savior
The hope of nations

Chorus:
Savior, He can move the mountains
My God is mighty to save
He is mighty to save
Forever, Author of Salvation
He rose and conquered the grave
Jesus conquered the grave

Verse 2:
So take as You find me
All my fears and failures
Fill my life again
I give my life to follow
Everything I believe in
Now I surrender

Bridge:
Shine your light
And let the whole world see
We're singing
For the glory of the risen King, Jesus

Waiting for Inspiration

I keep sitting down to blog and ending up with something that more resembles: ahgoiarhgfnhdsvgkjahds foigvihadsknv ;osaid gfalskdnvaois gfldskf aihfds, rather than words.

I have all of these ideas in my head, and they can't seem to get out like I want them to.

I wanted to write about being a stay-at-home mom. Because I love it. I am so blessed to be able to stay at home with my kids. I don't have to fear leaving them with someone who may not do what I would do with them.

I wanted to write about loving my job. The job that I prayed for. And finally after countless slaps in the face and rejections closed doors, God provided me with a job that was better than any of the others I had looked for.

I want to write about my amazing husband. I mean really, how did I manage to snag him?

I want to write about all the things the kids are doing. How Kaylee has been rewarded for being extra-good to her brother. And she's doing this when she doesn't even know we're looking. And how she is working on being a good helper…and working on developing good manners, and how she loves to pray. Logan has two teeth now. He is a little ball of cuddle. (If cuddle can be a ball…) He has started to eat 'real food'. He's working on sitting up by himself. I know that he could roll over if he wanted to…but he doesn't wanna.

I want to write about how my dog, Zoe has scared the living snot out of me by almost getting hit by a car, multiple times. One time a lady even stopped at our house to tell me that she almost hit her and wanted to make sure that I had her back. You see, Zoe has suddenly acquired a burning desire to get out of our fenced in back yard. I really don't know why, because once she's out she wants right back in. But…she has no fear of the road. In fact, she has decided that it seems like a good place to play. Only, it's not. It's actually a very busy road, and I am not sure how she has managed to stay alive. Adam has 'fixed' the fence more times than I can count. Our neighbor even fixed it because he was tired of our stupid dog getting into his yard wanted to be a good neighbor and help us out.

I've wanted to write about the two little boys that I have been praying for every day. They are two little boys who I have never met. I accidentally stumbled upon each of their mom's blogs and my heart became hooked. I didn't mean to, honestly. But now, God has laid upon my heart such a strong desire to pray for them that at times I can hardly stand it. (in a good way, hardly stand it) I feel honored to be a part of such a large number of people praying for them. I want to see miracles worked. I want to see both of these boys grow up with a story of how God healed them when perhaps some thought they would not live.

So maybe one of these days I'll get around to it. Maybe I'll get some inspiration. But for now… all I get is lisgnakhgd alksndvaishd .lae a.knmdia jsdhfha     

 

Picture

I have been working on my blog a little lately. You know...spring cleaning in the house and spring cleaning (of sorts) in the blog. I have been thinking about changing my header picture to something else. Every time I see it I am reminded that there are two more little hands that have been added to the family.

I'm also reminded that there are two hands that will never be in our family pictures.

But part of me (perhaps the sentimental sap part of me) isn't ready to change it.

Because when I see that picture I am also reminded of the bond that Adam and I have, symbolized by our rings. I'm reminded of the gift of our daughter symbolized by...well...her hands. :)

The complete family unit is something that isn't cherished these days as it once was. Divorce is the norm, not the exception.

I'm not going to get into all the reasons to stay together or reasons that it's okay to divorce...my real point is that I cherish my husband. This picture reminds me of it in a way that many other pictures cannot...

But the change part of me may overtake the sap part of me and change it one of these days...who knows?

...on another note...

If you are still reading this random post, and if you are represented by one of the new red dots on my map...welcome to my blog. (Of course if you're an "old" reader welcome to you to. (I wouldn't want to forget my manners as that is what we're working on a lot in this house. It is going very, very well...just in case you were wondering.)