Monday, August 30, 2010

Things That Are Underrated

Just a random list--

--Coloring
--Swinging
--Fun Dip
--Stargazing
--Penpals
--Looking for 4-leaf clovers
--Candlelight
--Chasing fireflies
--Bubble baths
--Snowcones
--Wishing on dandelions
--Watching cartoons
--Sixlets
--Holding hands--especially with kids
--Handwritten letters
--Playing in the dirt or sand
--Being still and quiet

What would you add?

Friday, August 27, 2010

The Good List 8-27-10

10. Craigslist and eBay
9. The "C'Mon, Man!" list
8. Greek Yogurt. Yummy!
7. The Glades. Interesting and well-written. Plus it makes me giggle. Bonus!
6. Ray LaMontagne
5. Same Kind of Different as Me. What a fantastic, heartbreaking, heartwarming book!
4. Macy's detective skills. She never stops thinking.
3. When Grace skats. "Zabadabopdabadoobadeedoo." Pure entertainment.
2. Shai Linne (see the video)
1. My sister Jody. Specifically the independent VBS program she planned for her apartment complex with just a little help from a few friends. She amazes me.



Wednesday, August 25, 2010

I Love Today!

Today I got up much earlier than my body would have liked to make breakfast for my brand new 2nd and 4th graders. WOW! When did THAT happen?

Today I packed 2 healthy lunches and tucked a little love note inside each.

Today I braided 4 little brunette braids and secured them with accessories perfectly matched to their corresponding outfits. ;-)

Today I went to the grocery store to pick out all sorts of fresh items for school lunches, after school snacks, and yummy family dinners.

Today I made lunch for my sweetie to come home to in the middle of his busy day and sent him back to work with a full tummy and a big hug.

Today I baked a fresh loaf of bread that made my whole house smell amazing.

Today I did laundry.

Today I picked up my sweeties from school and took them straight to the library (per their request, which makes me happy.)

Today I made a fresh, healthy after school snack for my favorite 2nd and 4th graders in the whole wide world.

Today I read a surprisingly full information packet all about the new school year and what to expect in the coming weeks and months.

Today I made spaghetti and garlic toast for dinner, because this was Macy's special request for her first day of school.

Today I washed dishes 3 times (there's no dishwasher in the old farmhouse ;-).

Today I listened to my 7-year-old read for precisely 20 minutes (she set the timer), because that was her assignment, but she really wanted to go outside as soon as she could too. :-D

Today I ran outside at the squealing request of my girls so that I could see the "WHOLE COLONY, MOM!" of little lady bugs in a tree stump in our backyard.

Today I cleaned out 2 little lunchboxes which I was happy to see were completely emptied during lunch except for a few craisins that Gracie "didn't have time for".

Today I snuggled with Macy and Grace while they read their evening devotions and then made sure they brushed their teeth really well before bedtime.

Today I tucked in the most amazing and special little girls I have ever known and prayed that God would give them hearts that chase after Him and help me be the best Mommy to them that I can possibly be.

And I smiled the whole time. And my heart was singing and sparkling. Not because I love getting up early and doing laundry and washing dishes and grocery shopping. But because I LOVE taking care of my family. Thank you, Lord!

Monday, August 23, 2010

So What is the Bible Really About?

One of these days I want to go to Tim Keller's church. I love the way this man focuses on Jesus always. Always.

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Best Trade of My Entire Life

On August 25, 2010, I begin my first ever school year of being a stay at home Mom to my favorite little girls in the whole wide world. Which means. . .

This year instead of sneaking around quietly to get myself ready for work before my girls wake up, I will greet them each morning with a fluffy robe pulled right from the dryer so they can roll out of their warm beds directly into a warm hug.

This year instead of ironing and coordinating my own outfits for whatever meetings I face during which I need to appear "professional" ;-), I will match bows to girly clothes and make sure athletic shoes are worn on P.E. days.

This year instead of stocking my office with relatively healthy items I could eat at my desk on busy days, I will stock my pantry with everything I need to provide nutritious, fun lunches for Macy, Gracie and Jared.

This year instead of struggling through a few more dozen emails and one more meeting each afternoon, I will greet my girls with a healthy afternoon snack M-Th and something a bit more indulgent on Friday. :-D

This year instead of fighting traffic that kept me away from home until I had just enough time to feed my family and tuck them into bed, I will help 2 little girls finish up homework right after school so that they still have time for an adventure before dinner. ;-)

This year instead of business trips, I will go on field trips.

This year instead of reports and spreadsheets, I will prepare home-cooked dinners.

This year instead of planning Christmas in July and stressing over reports throughout November and December, I will savor every second of the holidays--every bite of festive food, every Christmas song, every room lit by nothing but Christmas lights and candles, every snuggly red sweater, every mug of hot chocolate or flavored coffee.

And because I'm a sinful human being, I know I won't do it perfectly, but to the very best of my ability, I will rejoice in each moment and never take it for granted. I am so grateful to God and my amazing church family for the life-changing opportunity we have been given to simplify our lives and re-focus on Christ and our family. Beyond awesome.




Friday, August 20, 2010

Yes Indeed

This makes me happy every time I hear it. The world could use a few more Ray LaMontagnes.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

The Good List 8-18-10

10. FOOTBALL SEASON!!! Yay!
9. Ramona and Beezus. Yeah, I know it won't win any awards or anything like that, but it was very sweet and uncomplicated. And I want to adopt the little girl who played Ramona.
8. The way so many old buildings have the year they were constructed literally built into the structure--and I don't mean a plaque on the wall. Not sure why I think that's so cool, but I do.
7. People with integrity.
6. Shooting stars. Anyone catch the Perseids Meteor Shower last weekend? Pretty cool. I love that kind of stuff.
5. Ann Hicks' "breakfast garden." A little taste of paradise.
4. Play dates at KimDale Farms. Pool, zip line, swings, snacks, and friends. What more could a person possibly need? ;-)
3. Vicki Courtney and the way she has poured her entire life into ministering to teen/tween girls and their parents. Awesome.
2. Macy and Grace's creativity. Their imaginations never cease to amaze me.
1. Our visit with Ed and Amelia Nizynski last weekend. Love those special people!