Change is in the Air

Change always comes to our home with the arrival of spring. Cleaning out cupboards, closets, rooms, etc., it is one of the most fulfilling times as I love clearing out clutter and organizing. 

Having this "cleaning" mindset, I've been thinking of what to do concerning our family blog. 

When I started this blog almost 6 years ago, its purpose was to keep our out of town families up to date on the happenings of our family. With the passing of time, our lives have changed so the blog has changed. Over the last few years beside family information I've been sharing recipes, craft projects, personal changes, God moments, etc. Even more recently I've been including projects from an arts and crafts class I've been voluntarily teaching at the kid's school.
For the last month, I've been trying to decide if it is all too much! Too much information, too much to do resulting in not being able to be consistent, too much to read? Mulling all this over I've come to the realization that I miss writing and sharing all that is happening in our lives. I'm excited about the recipes I've been "testing" on the family, the crafts I've been teaching, the changes and events that our family has been experiencing, so I want to share.
I'm hoping in the near future to get together with a more computer savvy person and find a blog format where I can create specific "menus" allowing readers to choose the posts they are most interested in (recipes, family life, arts & crafts projects, etc.). However, in the meantime, I'll be writing, posting and labeling which will help with selecting reading options.
Change is a good thing and I look forward to what will come our way! I hope you will continue to join me on our life's journey as we live, love and laugh (notice the name change of the blog from "the busiest place on earth"). Oh and please bear with me as I go backwards for a little while and post items and events that occurred during my short "hiatus" as I contemplated this blog and the need for change.
As always, thanks for stopping by! 

Garbage In, Garbage Out

This year has started a whole new way of living for me. 

As I've mentioned before, I've been exercising each morning with a group of sister-friends (they are more that just girlfriends). We have set and been praying and encouraging each other through our 30 days goals. Even more importantly we've started doing the online Bible study "Made to Crave" offered through Proverbs 31 Ministries. 

You see I'm working on improving the health and well being of my physical body but more importantly I need to and am focusing on the health of my spiritual life. As a Christian, I know that my body, my life are not my own. 

You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body. I Corinthians 6:19b -20 (NLT)

God paid the ultimate price, the death of His beloved Son, so that I may be made clean through the shedding of His blood. It is my desire, to bring honor and glory to God by being used for His will in the plan He has for my life.

The reality (not excuse) is that I'm still a sinner and each day I struggle with the temptations of this world but the more time I spend in God's Word and in prayer I realize that I can be MORE through the power He has bestowed on me through His Son. In the learning of how to be MORE, the Holy Spirit has been convicting me on certain areas of my life that need to be changed.

Most of us are familiar with the saying "garbage in, garbage out." To me, it means that if something of inferior quality is put into something, the result will be a product of inferior quality. Well this applies  to every area of my life. If I eat donuts all day, the result will be a growing waistline. If I fill my mind with questionable information, then my mind will be filled with questionable information. Whatever we take in - body, mind, spirit - will ultimately be reflected on the outside through our words and actions.

The first part of the verse mentioned previously says this:

Don't you realize that you body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God. I Corinthians 6:19a 

and again the last part of verse 20

So you must honor God with your body (NLT) 

Imagine if someone you greatly admired said they were coming to visit your home. I'm sure there would be a mad rush of activity to make your home and family "acceptable" for that person's arrival. How much more should our bodies/lives be acceptable for the Holy Spirit to abide in us. 

So, this brings me to a big change I've made. You may not seem it as big but I do. 

Since,  I was very young I've had the kind of imagination that can create story lines. I remember being in my room, drawing a house plan on a piece of paper and acting out a whole story in my head (hmmm, I guess we know where Emily inherited her imagination). Needless to say, I like watching television because lets face it is mini stories. But television has changed over the years and the most popular style of show now is reality TV and I'll be honest in telling you that  I've been sucked into watching these too. I could give you a list of what I've watched but that isn't really that important. Let's face it most of these shows thrive on showing us the train wrecks occurring in these people's lives via bad behavior, cursing, treating people badly, gossiping, etc. When I first started watching them, I felt okay about it I know what "not to do". However, toward the end of last year, I started to think about this a little more. Why do I want to watch a show that thrives on the chaos of someone else's life? What do I gain from that? Why do I want to watch people hurt each other intentionally? Why do I want to hear the language that comes from their mouths? Then, I applied it to my home. If someone came in the room would I turn the channel? Would I want my children to watch it with me? Would I want those people I love to act the way they are? My answer was "no". So, why was I filling my mind with it?

You see I'm a "real housewife" living in the state of New Jersey but I want to be known for the love and respect I have not only for others but my God. Sooner or later, filling my mind with this information would start showing up in my life and I don't want that. 

So, the first of the year I stopped watching reality TV. I'll be honest it hasn't been easy! It's like any other thing you try and give up, like chocolate, hard to do. There are times when I've turned on the TV, nothings on and as I surf the channels I see a marathon is playing but in the moment I ask God to give me the power to not give into the temptation. 

This is an area that I've personally had to change and each day I'm feeling convicted in other areas of my life. What I have to remember is that I need to keep the garbage out so that which is good can permeate and be seen through me via my actions and my words. Will I do everything right? Absolutely not! But I will measure those things I bring into my life to what God ask of me in His Word. 

And now, my dear brothers and sisters, one final things: Fix your thoughts on that is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable, Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.  Philippians 4:8 

You see I want to be able to have a heart filled with Him so that my life, my words, my actions will be pleasing to Him. 

As always, thanks for stopping by!

5 a.m.! Are you Crazy?

If you know me personally or follow me on Facebook you know that I've become very regimented in the last 3+ months when it comes to going to the gym. Yes, I'm at the gym weekdays at 5 a.m.

You see I've gone through several workout cycles in the last 6 years. During that time, I've had gym memberships and utilized two excellent personal trainers! Sadly, I'm a bit of an extremist when it comes to meeting goals. Working out and a strict diet is an area where this extremist cycle once again reared its ugly head. When I wasn't able to attain a happy medium of working out, eating healthy and just living, I gave up thinking I couldn't make it work. 

It was just before my birthday last September that God blessed me with the inspiration of a good friend, who has become more of a sister in these last 5 months. Her name is Jen. She attends my church, is a mother of 4 young children (2 of which she is homeschooling), an amazing wife, tends to her parents and is a child of God! This is only a mere snippet of who she is, I could go on and on. Jen started on a weight loss journey last year first tackling the area of food and then exercise. Each week at church, I saw her shrinking in physical size but growing in, what I would say, peace and contentment. 

For many years, I've always wanted someone to work out with. Last August, just before my 46th birthday, Jen had started walking and working out in a local park with a group of people from our church. I can't tell you if I asked her or she offered for me to come along but needless to say on my birthday I  found myself walking my town's track early Sunday morning with one of the people from the workout group and planning to meet Jen and the other's the following day. This began our journey.

Now, in the summer the sun is up nice and early and due to work schedules a 5 a.m. workout session was the plan. Up until mid-October Jen and I were walking the park. As for the gym, I joined it first knowing that I didn't want to stop the workout I had become accustom to the last month. I remember the morning I told Jen I had joined the gym. I was afraid our time together was going to be over but no, the next day Jen told me she had gone ahead and joined the gym. We did have a few more walks in the park but as the temps changed we took our work out into Blink Fitness!

I can't tell how it happened but slowly we assembled a group of ladies joining us in our early workout regiment. These ladies are Angie, Jen, Kim, Adina, and just recently we've added Serina, Jenny and her mother Jen. Yes, that makes four Jennifer's but they are all unique and beautiful individuals. 

As we have been working out together these last few months, our personal relationships with each other have been growing. Our greatest common bond being our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We are daughter's of the King and sister's in Christ. We try to encourage and motivate each other to press on. 

Its funny though because our little group of "Blinkers" were becoming known. Okay, so I post every morning that I am at the gym. Why? To encourage others to work out too. But those post seemed to be creating conversations everywhere I was going. These conversations made me start thinking about our group and its purpose. I knew what we were about and how we were encouraging and helping each other beyond just the physical aspect of working out but as Christian's were we showing what our true purpose is?  Yes, we were growing together but in my heart I was feeling that God desired us to be MORE. 

This pricking from God to be MORE was solidified when our group was brought up in a devotional time on New Year's Eve. It was in a good way. We are at the gym at 5 a.m. and not every day are we jumping up with joy to get out of bed at that time to workout even though we know it is to our benefit. As Paul talks about "pressing on" in the Christian walk, even when all is against us, we are pressing on to get to the gym. During this devotional time, I was able to let others (church family) know how this group is so much more, how relationships are being developed and we are encouraging each other not only physically but spiritually. Although I have to say, I was a little "caught in the headlights" when we were brought up in this devotional, I thank that person because I think God was using him to say, "be MORE!!"

As God was working on me, He was working on Jen too, who was away visiting family for two very longs weeks (we really missed her). It may have been the first day she was back with us, that she asked me as we were on the treadmills alone. "what do you think of us as a group doing an online Bible study together?" I was all for it, this is what God had for us to be MORE, and so when the others joined us we proposed it and it it was a unanimous "yes". 

This week we started the "Made to Crave" Bible study being offered through Proverbs 31 Ministries. Before this started though, we set 30 day goals that we can encourage and pray each other through. 

The reason I am writing all of this is to tell you how blessed I am that God put Jen and each one of these wonderful sisters in my life. You see with their help and encouragement, God is helping me to grow closer to Him and be used in the way He desires. These relationships are open, honest and transparent and I praise God for that too. We are growing daily, praying each other through the  circumstances we face. Through these ladies, God is showing me what His family is like and I am so grateful and blessed.

So, although getting up to be at the gym isn't always fun, I know when I get there my sisters are waiting for me and that right beside us is our Father God. 

As always, thanks for stopping by!

Just a Little More Time

I think we can all agree that we wish we had more time in each day. I know I have thought this a great many times and that is only this past week. 

What would I use more time for? Well, do you want the short list, or the long list? Okay, a few things I could do with more time: read the books I keep buying, blog everyday instead of sporatically, study God's Word more, cook better meals for my family, bake for family and friends (I don't want all those sweets in my house), send out written notes & cards, craft, play games with my kids, work on 2000 piece puzzles (great childhood memory), spend more time with friends, ...... You get the idea! MORE, I would do more!

However, what I've come to realize is there will never be more time in a day. Even when we gain the one hour for daylight savings, it still doesn't add "more time". This realization brings me to a much more important realization and that is I need to be a good steward of the time I do have in each day.

I'll admit I'm guilty of being a time waster. I can get distracted from what I have planned and then the next thing I know the day is half over and its time to get the kids from school which starts phase two of my "normal" daily routine. The sad thing is that the distractions are not things on my list of what I would want more time for, they are mindless distractions, ones without real benefit. So, my request for more time seems to be a little foolish when I'm not even using the time God has already granted me appropriately. These "mindless distractions" are definitely an area I have to work on and put before the Lord to draw upon His strength to keep me from these time wasters. 

Also, I know that "my time" isn't truly my time. My purpose in this world, in my family, in my church is for God to be seen and glorified. Yes, from the cleaning of my floors to the reading of His Word all my moments in life are to show His love, His mercy and His grace.

You see here in is where the real dilemma lies and where change needs to occur. I can make a plan for my day but I have to know and realize that what I plan may not be the plan God has for me in that same day. Also, instead of making a plan by myself, my plan has to be made with God, opening my heart for His divine appointments. 

Yesterday was one of those days where "my plans" got interrupted but God used it to show me a lesson. As most of you know, I go to the gym at 5 a.m. to get in my morning workout. Well, yesterday was like any other morning until I reached my car to go to the gym. I have a remote starter so I had the car warming up which of course keeps the doors locked until I get to the car. I noticed that instead of the headlamps being their normal brightness that they were dimmed and thought that was strange. However, I had the car serviced the day before and determined maybe they had changed the setting. Then as I sat in the car, I noticed on the passenger seat a Christmas card I had received out of its envelope, a gum packet, a wrapper, a store card for a key fob......my heart dropped, I opened the storage unit between the front seats and sure enough the GPS was gone. Yes, someone had entered my car and took what they felt they needed. UGH!!! Robbed! but I knew I was partially to blame. I had apparently left the car unlocked making it accessible to this person. I walked back into the house to tell Dave who in turn told me to just go to the gym and we would deal with it when I got back. Thankfully I took his nudge, went to the gym and was greeted by my good friend, Jen, who listed to my tale of woe. 

This new "development" was going to mess up my plan of spending the whole day working on an upcoming bulletin board. But when Dave asked me, "can you get to the station to file a report?" I knew I had to have the right attitude about this. You see God did not bring the person to steal from me to teach me a lesson, He is not a perpetrator of evil. He did however want this moment for me to show how I would react to this being done and the consequences of someone doing evil to me would bring to my plate. I told Dave I had nothing really planned for the day other than working at home and I would get it done. Even in the moment I was saying it I felt no resentment for having to do this. My plan was going to be interrupted by this event but I was "okay" with it. I truly feel God was pleased with the way I reacted and blessed me for it. How was I blessed? You see our home is located on a corner and there was a lake of ice water that collected on our side street. A police officer just happened (hmmm, just happened?) to be patrolling our area, saw the ice patch and was going slowly past our home. Dave went out to tell him what had happened and he came into our home, took the initial report and started the paperwork so that all we need to to is fax it to the police department when completed. You see, I believe God was pleased with my reaction and kept me from having to step out and lose time on my bulletin board project. And can I tell you I accomplished so much on that board in this one day.

You see the truth is we don't really need more time. We need to put our time in God's hands, His timing is always perfect! I can make my plans but I need to lay them before Him each day asking Him to lead me where He wants me to go and being open to His divine appointments. Is this easy to do "no", because lets face it we are selfish people BUT God never promised us easy. He did however promise that He is always with us and that "for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28)

So, don't be looking for more time, it will never come. Make the time God has given to you count and draw upon His power so that you may use it in a way that pleases and brings honor to Him. 

As always, thanks for stopping by!

Disorderly Realization

As most of you know, I'm a woman who thrives on routine and schedules. It is my comfort zone. 

For the last 4 months, I've been thriving on a routine/schedule of the gym at 5 a.m., kids to school, house or bulletin board work during school time, a Friday afternoon craft class, school sport practice or games for Emily, homework, dinner, bedtime, repeat. The weekends tend to have their routines too but we do it together as family - one of the best "routines" (or I would say blessings) is the time we spend at church on Sunday with our church family.

Last Friday changed everything!! Friday was the last day of "routine" for the next week and a half with Christmas break beginning for my kids and the start of the Christmas holiday activities. Routine is basically out the window with the kids being off and Dave taking a few days of vacation during the holidays. For most people this would seem like a welcome change, but for someone like me it throws me into an abyss of confusion. 

Already the housework has been put on a slight hold as trying to keep things "clean" with kids afoot seems impossible, laundry piled up (but thankfully is now under control), dinner has not been planned as a day off here and back to work the next makes meal planning a little crazy, and a trip to the food store for a full week of groceries seems long over due. My sleep seems to be being effected by this change as a few sleepless nights have fallen upon me which in turn has effected my workout routine - falling asleep at 3 doesn't mix well with rising at 4:30. 

Today I was asked lovingly by a very good friend "what is going on with you?" I explained briefly the routine conundrum but told her I am truly trying to embrace what is happening. Yes, this is not my comfort zone at all but there has to be something that I am to learn or be blessed by in the midst of this state of "discomfort". 

Her question made me think a little more this morning as I was getting ready for the day. Where has some of my joy gone? You see for the last 3 months very little has stopped me from my workout routine, a routine that has given me a lot of joy - joy of being with friends, getting healthy and stronger. Yet, for the last few weeks it has been a bit of a struggle to get going and more so this past week. Excuses are being made to not go, etc

In the conversation with my friend, she suggested I use the rest/quiet time I'm experiencing to set new goals. But what I had to think of first is what has changed over the time. You see it didn't take long for me to pinpoint the problem. Its been something I've know has been changing and not for the better. You see 4 months ago a part of that same routine was after I was blessed to workout my body, I would come home and "workout" my spiritual body by doing devotions, praying and reading God's Word in those quiet moments before the kids had to get up for school. I have to be honest and say that the last month that has not been in my routine. I started getting busier earlier in the morning, trying to fit in tasks before the kids rose. 

My heart knows that this is where the source of my conundrum all starts. When I am not in tune with God, my life as organized as it may seem to others becomes a mess. God has been speaking to me through the messages of our pastor regarding living the life God wants us to live but how can I do that if I do not every day "check in" with him and find out what I am to do. 

Its funny how God knows just how to get your attention in order to bring you back to where you NEED to be - in His will. For me, it is taking my order and making it disorder.

Now how do I know this is the case. Because God confirmed it today when I picked up the devotional "Jesus Is Calling" by Sarah Young. You see there He did teach me there was something to learn in this "rest" period of disrupted routines. 

Here is the devotional:

"I am preparing you for what is on the road ahead, just around the bend. Take time to be still in My Presence so that I can strengthen you. The busier you become, the more you need this time apart with Me. So many people think that time spent with Me is a luxury they cannot afford. As a result, they live and work in their own strength - until that becomes depleted. Then they either cry out to Me for help or turn away in bitterness. 

How much better is it to walk close to Me, depending on My strength and trusting Me in every situation. If you live in this way, you will do less but accomplish far more. Your unhurried pace of living will stand out in this rush-crazed age. Some people may deem you lazy, but many more will be blessed by your peacefulness. Walk in the Light with Me, and you will reflect Me to the watching world." - Isaiah 64:4; John 15:5; Psalm 36:9

You see God confirmed that the time I spend with Him is far more precious and brings His order to my life which results in want I want and that is to reflect and be a testimony for Him. 

So even though my life of order and routine won't return until everyone is back to their respective schedules, I know I can bring a new order, a better order, one that will give me more joy than anything else by spending more time with my God. 

Another thing I learned from this whole day of "revelation" is that God has blessed me with a few friends, sisters who can call me out in love, make me accountable for my actions, listen and encourage me to be the best me that God wants me to be. For that, I am so very grateful.
As always, thanks for stopping by! 

Hiatus - OVER!!!!

Wow! I never imagined how hard it would be to write this first returning blog post.

As I type, my mind is bombarded with the many activities, ups, downs, personal revelations, etc. that have happened over the last two and a half months. I have so much to say and yet it can't all be done in this first post. So, that being the case, I ask that you bear with me as my future posts will not only be regarding current events but some will revert back to things that have already occurred.
One main event that occurred during my hiatus was my 46th birthday, hence the cupcake picture. I don't need a birthday cake for the occasion but I do require a red velvet cupcake from this particular cupcake store. So very yummy!!!
I have to laugh at the fact that I have been telling people for a while I am 46 while only 45. As I get older, I just seem to want to say I'm older than I really am......I have no idea why!!
There is the saying "with age comes wisdom" and I have to say that I totally believe this to be true. If I had only know the things I know today even just 5 years ago, life would have been a little less complicated, or I should say I wouldn't have made life so complicated.
I've grown in so many ways. One area is that I have learned to be less regimented and just open to what is suppose be. I've previously confessed my love of lists. There is nothing wrong with having lists but when you live by lists you tend to get so caught up on making sure everything gets crossed off you miss the little blessings along the way. I truly believe God has been trying to show me this truth for several years now. As I start this new year, I've made the conscious decision to still have my lists but listen for the divine appointments God places in the midst of my "to dos". Yes, laundry, cleaning, cooking, homework help and all the other "mundane" and even "fun" things of every day life are important but when you feel God is calling you to maybe spend time with someone who needs to talk, be in his Word, or in prayer, those every day things need to be put aside. I truly feel that I have missed out on a few blessings He intended for me because I was too busy with my lists and my plans.
Another thing I've come to learn is that being in God's will is putting my life in His hands each day. Turning each moment and day over to Him to be used for the furthering of His kingdom.
I've also learned and continue to learn about how God's timing is perfect. At the end of August, Dave started a permanent employment position. This was after almost 2 years on a consulting position which he took a few months after being at his job for 11 years. We knew from the very beginning God would provide, we trusted Him to bring about the job he wanted for Dave. One thing we prayed was that God would allow for him to work locally (Dave has always commuted either by car or mass transit at least an hour each way). The consulting job Dave took was still a long commute but it provided for our needs. Now I don't want to give you the illusion that in the last 2 years I haven't had moments of stress regarding this matter. When I would feel anxious I knew I had to take it to God, trusting He knows what is best and would bring that about for our family. It was and still is every day a matter of stepping out in faith. The job that Dave got is just 12 minutes from our home. God truly blessed us with the desire of our heart. We needed to trust that He would bring it about and He did in His time. I have to continually remind myself that God's timing is so much more important than mine and over the last 2 and a half months He has shown me this many times.
Well, I could go on and on about the things I have and am learning but that would eliminate more posts so I will end by saying I only pray that I will continue to live each day for Him, keeping my eyes and ears open for the divine appointments He has for me and my family. They won't always be easy or comfortable, but He hasn't promised me that. I do know though that I will be blessed and more importantly He will be glorified.
Thanks for stopping by! (My new post closing line)

Lists - Losing Control

I'm a girl who LOVES lists. 

If I had to pin point "how" my list making originated I'd have to say it goes back to when I switched from attending public school to a private Christian school.  The school's curriculum, ACE, was based around the student setting their daily goals of the pages they would complete in each subject. This was my first introduction to goal setting and, what I believe, ultimately list making. 

In my college years, I would map out the hours of each day showing when my classes were, my work hours and then the blocks of time I would study for each class. 

My list making has continued into my adult life and even to this day, I am a girl with many lists.
What I've come to learn within the last few years is that lists are one of those things that can be good and bad at the same time. I admit I had always considered them a good thing.
List are great for helping you remember things that need to get done, so nothing really falls by the wayside. The bad part however is that if you forget to put it on your list you may not "look" to see what isn't getting done. It is kind of like list tunnel vision.
An aspect I love about lists is being able to cross an item off once it is done. Its my visual "cue" of having accomplished something. The bad part is when the majority of your list never gets crossed off and just keeps staying the same or grows as you add it to the next day's list of "to do's". When the list gets long, there is no feeling of accomplishment and discouragement can set it.
Another good thing about lists is that they can keep you on task but the problem is that when you are set to working this way, you may become rigid and not willing to alter your plan because the list doesn't allow for it.
When it comes to list making, I have spent more money than necessary on notebooks, cute "task" pads, appointment books, electronic gadgets, etc. Yes, you do need to make a list on something but you can get a little addicted to finding the "right" means to keep your list.
When it comes to lists, there are the "important" lists and not so important or what I would call secondary lists.

• Shopping lists I find very helpful but I have to admit it only keeps me from forgetting an item I need for a planned recipe. Sadly, it doesn't prevent me from buying something not on my list. 
• Home "to do" lists are another list I make but they don't always get done in a timely manner. Both Dave and I are not really the fix it kind of people, so thankfully our home list has more to do with painting/decorating, outdoor/gardening maintenance, etc. Many of these jobs are contingent on time available and finances. I'll be honest, I love the end result of painting a room but the work of it is something I need to mentally prepare for.  
• Chores and cleaning lists are helpful. The kids have a chore list that is posted outside their rooms. Me, I'm still finding all these cool cleaning schedule charts on Pinterest and am still deciding which route I want to take. I'm what you would consider a cleaning freak, so it is okay that a "plan" hasn't yet come together for me.  It is a list in progress. 
• Our family calendar is an important list! Filled with appointments, events, practices, etc.  
• Food lists have a place in our home. Every few months I start to track what I'm eating, they say it is good for healthy weight maintenance. I have to say I always give up on this list, 1.) because it gets a tad tedious, "do I have to list everything?" and 2) sometimes I just don't like to see what I am eating.  This week I've been given the task of starting another list, an important list. Matt, our 8 year old son, is having issues with vomiting (in the last 5 weeks, he thrown up one day out of each off those weeks). After visiting the doctor where she confirmed that there is nothing visibly   wrong with Matt that would be causing this, she has asked that we keep a food and activity log for him. We are trying to determine if there are any common factors that can be pinpointed to the weekly vomiting. Matt has also been prohibited from eating after 7:30 too.  This is a list that has great importance as we determine if there is an issue and if and when further testing needs to be done. 

This is just a simple sampling of my view on how lists can be good, bad, important or secondary as with anything in life.  

Now, what I've recently come to realize as a major "bad" factor of list making and sticking to a list is that people's emotional needs, especially children's, are not something you can list ahead of time. Yes, physical needs (toothpaste, tuition payments, practices) can be met via lists and those are important but emotional needs have no time frame for occurring and they need to be addressed in the moment not later when it is more convenient. 

I've always lived with the goal to "complete the list" "to stay on task" but what I realize is that I've missed some important teaching and learning moments by not being flexible to what I should be doing which is really serving others, especially my family. So, knowing this I have adjusted my thinking when it comes to my lists. Yes, having them is not a problem, they do help me to get things done but I need to listen for those "divine" appointments sent to me by God, those moments of service He has set before me, and make those the priority trumping the list. Just this week I was able to "hear" and put this new prioritizing into practice. The kids were attending our church's VBS program this week. One of the mornings, I had intended to come home after dropping them off and making a few phone calls, I started having a casual conversation with another mom and felt that this was the conversation I was meant to have in that moment. This was my "divine" appointment. What was interesting is that at the end of the conversation, not only did I feel that I was able to serve that mom but that she served me as well. If I had stuck to my list, this moment never would have happened and I would have missed out on a true blessing.

Of course hind sight is 20/20 and looking back over the years, my kid's growing up, etc., I see the many missed opportunities whether it be in time, conversation or service. I can't go back and change that but I can move ahead with this realization and put list making in a new perspective - letting the list lose its control over me. 

Will I continue with list making, you bet BUT I now know to "listen" and see if there is somewhere or someone to serve, a "divine" appointment that trumps my list. After all, my life here is not my own, it belongs to my God, my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and each moment of my day needs to be able to bring glory to Him....some days it may be by cleaning my home, others it may be helping my daughter with school work, Matt with a moment of getting over tears and trying to express how he is feeling, serving my husband by being a help to Him or conversing with a friend or stranger who just needs to talk something out.  I don't know what form of opportunities will arise but I do know when I hear, feel or see them, my list will not be in control.

Oh How They've Grown

I'm not an overly emotional mother. A case in point would be that when Matt (our youngest child) started Kindergarten, I didn't cry as he walked into school - he did though and that did tug at my heart but I pushed him in the door. Now there is absolutely nothing wrong with a mother showing emotion, I'm just saying that isn't me. It isn't out of lack of love for my children, they are my heart, but I live in the moment. 

Yes, I reflect on the past and see how far they have come and the strides they have made and it brings me great joy but I don't dwell in the past. I know that "life" means growing up and entering new and different stages. 

What does happen to me are "slaps of reality".  They come in the strangest of ways and times.  Today, I had such a slap.  

Today's slap came courtesy of their Pediatrician. Emily and Matthew had their annual checkups. Well, the nurse weighed them and measured them and there it was, the slap.  Both kids in the last year have grown 3 3/4 inches.  Its funny people tell us all the time how tall the kids are when we say there ages but living with them I just don't see it.  The nurse turned to me and said "Emily is 4'9"". What?  No!!!!  Okay, I knew she was gaining on me in height (5'2"+a little) but this means that she needs to grow just 4 more inches and she will pass me by and she is only 10 and 3 months.  Then she told me "Matt is 4'2" What? No!!! That means that one more foot and an inch and he will pass me too and he is only 7. 

I remember back to when I was a kid.  I got to about 4" something and stopped.  My Uncle when he came to visit asked me when I was going to grown and I told him very matter of fact "Saturday".  Well not too many Saturday's came as I only got to the 5"2' mark.  I also remember when my brothers became taller than my mother and her scolding them from "below".  It was funny as a kid to see but now as I am going to be the mother in the situation, I am not finding it so funny. 

It was just a slap. A slap of growing up.  Emily is changing what seems ever so quickly into a young lady.  Oh the moods that come in waves!  She keeps telling me "I'm almost a teenager" and me I say not yet, living in the moment of 10.  Matt he is changing too but still remains my little comic relief.  

On a side note, both kids are healthy and doing well.  Emily was most upset to find out she had to get 2 shots (a 2nd stage of HepA and a pox booster) thankfully her doctor did them asap to get them "out of the way".  We are very thankful that they are growing healthy and strong. 

Me? I know there will be more slaps along the way and I am sure in the year (hopefully two) to come I will be the mom being looked down on at at least one of my kids. 

Times They are a Changing!!

Before Front Shot

Okay, by now you all know me as the girl who loves change.  Well, when the seasons change, I find the need for personal change too.  I can't walk into a store and buy a new wardrobe or wake up one day at my "ideal" weight so I do what I can do. I call Irene, my hairstylist!  

What I love about Irene is that she knows my hair and personality so well that when I walk in and say "I need change, big change" she makes it happen. I don't need to bring a picture, I can if I want and she will be very honest if my hair will work in that style and how much work it will take - she knows I don't like much work. 

Before Side Shot

Today was my big "change" day!! It was while she was combing my freshly colored and shampooed hair that Irene devised her plan. She went into her styling "zone" and this is the outcome. 

I love it!!! Now here is a funny thing that I've come to notice. I grow my hair during the summer (but not long enough for a ponytail) and cut my hair short in the fall/winter.  You would think I would want "more" hair for warmth during the cooler seasons but I am backwards that way. 

I am so happy with my new hair.  C'mon fall, I am ready!!!

New Hair Style Back Shot

New Hair Style Front Shot

Those "Surprise" Moments

I know it is inevitable that the kids will grow up but in the day to day busyness I don't always notice how quickly it is happening until "surprise" moments happen. 

Tonight, we went to a local Chinese buffet for dinner (I gave the kids a break from my Pinterest recipe testing) and this is where the "moment" happened.  Emily, who turned 10 in June, was considered an adult price for her meal.  An adult, really?! We told her to make sure she ate her adult purchase price worth of food. Then, another moment happened!  Emily was able to go up to get food without adult supervision. Oh my goodness, she didn't need a food chaperone! In the end, she probably ate less than her adult worth but no need to worry Matt made up the difference.  He filled up on sushi trying ever kind that they hand available.  

Growing up is inevitable but it is moments like these that make it hit home.  This and Emily telling me I am going to be 50 in 5 more years when she is 15.  Thanks Emily for reminding me that as you get older, so do I! 

The Difference a Year Makes

August 2010

Recently while talking with someone about the days we've spent at the beach this year, I recalled how different our beach times were just  a year ago.

Emily has always been quite the fish but last year Matt would not go out into the surf without  being carrier by Dave. Matt enjoyed being in the waves but loved the security of his daddy's arms.  If he did boogie board, it was only at the very edge of the water. Most of Matt's beach time was playing in the sand.

This year was a total 180.  Matt went out without any coaxing or prodding on his boogie board into the open surf and there were times he was even ahead of Dave in the water. Although some of his new found courage can be credited toward a change of beach (the one we went to this year you are able to walk out much further), I do think Matt has just matured enough and decided to take on the waves.

I think he may have enjoyed himself even more this year because of this new found territory which he use to only experience in the safely of his daddy's arms.  It would appear our little boy is growing up!!  

August 2011