With three kids, a new house in progress, and my husband being the only bread winner I am constantly on the lookout for ways to save money, in the process changing a LOT of my favorite habits. Clothes shopping happens maybe once a year, and even then it has to be on clearance, Barnes and Noble has been replaced with a library card, and I have become a pro at doing my own toes and nails. With all of this penny pinching going on I get super excited when I find new ways to save a buck and splurge at the same time. SO here is my latest....
STARBUCKS is my passion...an iced mocha on a hot summer day is like heaven shining down on me. LAck of sleep and need for caffeine go hand in hand, but $5.00 a pop (after tip) does not go well with my funds these days. Most people would say brew your own at home, but it doesn't have the same kick as Starbucks, and I hate the watery taste of brewed coffee.
I tried bottled mochas, but those are still $3.00 a piece....not really much of a bargain.
ENTER ICED VIA! For $5.00 you get a box of 5 packets of dissolving coffee. Sounds nasty right...but follow me here. The trick is as follows:
You get a coffee mug, and instead of putting cold water in it as per the instructions, you fill it with milk. Put chocolate syrup in it and stir it up like a glass of chocolate milk. Add HALF a package of the iced via mix and stir stir stir. It's fabulous, and now you have TEN servings instead of the advertised 5. You have an exact taste match for an iced mocha from Starbucks for about sixty cents a mug (after milk and syrup is factored in).
I know! Shut up Right?!? I am so proud of my new find!! Try it and let me know what you think!
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Friday, June 11, 2010
SQUISH
I was cheerfully (yeh right) finishing the load of dishes for the evening and making my way into the living room when something under my bare foot went squish.....
Now as a mother of a two year old and a one year old I have become quite familiar with the numerous amounts of nastiness that wind up on the floors daily. It has just become routine that no matter how much I clean behind them they will make a mess and it will be gross. HOWEVER...squish is NOT something I am okay with. Even less so when it is on my carpet and under my BARE FEET.
So my first thought is "Dear Lord- please don't let this be chewed up food". I am terrified to look. Literally it was like a scary movie where the next one in line to die becomes rooted to the spot as doom approaches and the music gets scarier. So I am standing there with my foot still planted on the yet unidentified grossness with my eyes closed and THEN IT HAPPENS.
Ashton starts laughing and I hear feet running away from me. I painfully open my eyes to see what is happening and very promptly see Ty's shiney hiney running away and Ashton laughing while holding Ty's diaper in his hand....which is NOT clean.
"Dear Lord- I CHANGED MY MIND! PLEASE LET IT BE CHEWED FOOD UNDER MY FOOT! PLEASE PLEASE!"
Now as a mother of a two year old and a one year old I have become quite familiar with the numerous amounts of nastiness that wind up on the floors daily. It has just become routine that no matter how much I clean behind them they will make a mess and it will be gross. HOWEVER...squish is NOT something I am okay with. Even less so when it is on my carpet and under my BARE FEET.
So my first thought is "Dear Lord- please don't let this be chewed up food". I am terrified to look. Literally it was like a scary movie where the next one in line to die becomes rooted to the spot as doom approaches and the music gets scarier. So I am standing there with my foot still planted on the yet unidentified grossness with my eyes closed and THEN IT HAPPENS.
Ashton starts laughing and I hear feet running away from me. I painfully open my eyes to see what is happening and very promptly see Ty's shiney hiney running away and Ashton laughing while holding Ty's diaper in his hand....which is NOT clean.
"Dear Lord- I CHANGED MY MIND! PLEASE LET IT BE CHEWED FOOD UNDER MY FOOT! PLEASE PLEASE!"
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Major Life Changes
God is just blessing our socks off around here, so I finally felt the need to post about it!
My first semester back in college went GREAT, I finished with a 3.69 for the semester (not quite a 4.0 but hey, I will take it)! I am currently in the process of finishing my TAMU paperwork, and am picking out Aggie classes for the fall. Don't worry, when I finally get to set foot back on campus as an Aggie again EVERYONE will know! There will be a major amount of WHOOPING going on I promise.
Dave and I have started the contract paperwork for our very first house. The loan has been approved, and we are going to the builders warehouse tomorrow to pick out flooring, countertops, etc. Now for most people this would not seem like that big of a deal I am sure, I mean we are 30 yrs old, most people our age already have a house. Well, we have lived in the most awful apartment for the past year and half because it was cheap, and well we could afford it. So the fact that we will now have a big garden tub (because I won't even take a bath in the one we have now), two bathrooms, and a big fenced back yard, and three bedrooms, and wood floors (because our one year old is allergic to carpet).... you guys have no idea. I have been on the verge of tears all day because my little heart can't contain my excitement!
I feel like God has allowed us to live through these first three years of our marriage and struggle like we have in order for us to reach this point so that we can fully appreciate our blessings. We have hit one huge mountain after another...but rather than give up we have learned to appreciate the beauty of the mountains that we have had to overcome. And now we will be able to enjoy the mountaintop while eating in our very own brand new home.
I truly feel like Cinderella ... my dreams are coming true, I am going to be an Aggie again, with a beautiful family and a home to call my very own. It has been a long time coming all I can say is God is GOOD...so Gig'Em all, Bless 'Em all, and Love to Everyone who might read this.
My first semester back in college went GREAT, I finished with a 3.69 for the semester (not quite a 4.0 but hey, I will take it)! I am currently in the process of finishing my TAMU paperwork, and am picking out Aggie classes for the fall. Don't worry, when I finally get to set foot back on campus as an Aggie again EVERYONE will know! There will be a major amount of WHOOPING going on I promise.
Dave and I have started the contract paperwork for our very first house. The loan has been approved, and we are going to the builders warehouse tomorrow to pick out flooring, countertops, etc. Now for most people this would not seem like that big of a deal I am sure, I mean we are 30 yrs old, most people our age already have a house. Well, we have lived in the most awful apartment for the past year and half because it was cheap, and well we could afford it. So the fact that we will now have a big garden tub (because I won't even take a bath in the one we have now), two bathrooms, and a big fenced back yard, and three bedrooms, and wood floors (because our one year old is allergic to carpet).... you guys have no idea. I have been on the verge of tears all day because my little heart can't contain my excitement!
I feel like God has allowed us to live through these first three years of our marriage and struggle like we have in order for us to reach this point so that we can fully appreciate our blessings. We have hit one huge mountain after another...but rather than give up we have learned to appreciate the beauty of the mountains that we have had to overcome. And now we will be able to enjoy the mountaintop while eating in our very own brand new home.
I truly feel like Cinderella ... my dreams are coming true, I am going to be an Aggie again, with a beautiful family and a home to call my very own. It has been a long time coming all I can say is God is GOOD...so Gig'Em all, Bless 'Em all, and Love to Everyone who might read this.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Spanx and Chicken Cutlets
Okay so I have given in and bought a way too expensive torture device that others refer to as a pair of Spanx. I get it...I do, but WHY?!? So here was my encounter with the evilness:
I went into the store dressed as baggily as possible and very quietly asked the salesperson how I would know which size to buy. She was very helpful in telling me the sizes- but here was my first dilemma. See in my head I am still lovingly a size 8- not happening in real life though. So I can nudge myself into believing I should be a 10- but in those evil stores that I must shop they have an awful system of sizing their clothing wrong so, in their evil scheme of making me depressed I must by a twelve for some (okay fine- most) things.
So I go into the dressing room where I spend no lie 15 minutes getting into a stupid pair of Spanx. 15 minutes people. what happens when a chunky girl spends 15 minutes in a cramped cubicle with a mirror that shows all of her flaws? She starts sweating, panicking, and wanting chocolate. Anyway- I get the stupid things on and I just looked ridiculous, but I thought- hey it will look better with my jeans. (the size 10 ones that I KNOW I will be able to wear once I drop 50 bucks on this stupid torture device)
So I bought it, and of course on the way to the register I pass what I refer to as the display of chicken cutlets. Those precious little things that you are supposed to put in your bra to make you APPEAR to have boobs. Anyone who knows me knows that I was not blessed in that department AT ALL. If you were to compare boobs to fruit- I would have oranges- on a good day (okay fine- I did while breastfeeding- now I have tangelos). So I was examining this display and seriously considering another economically stupid purchase when I made myself walk away.
I arrived home put the stupid Spanx back on and into the living room to show my sister in law the stupid shirt that makes me look like a grape with my stupid hooker heels and size ten jeans. Her reply? "You know what you need?! Spanx! I swear by them! They are the most amazing thing when you just don't feel like sucking it in." I wanted to scream every cuss word in the book - but that would mean acknowledging that I already had on Spanx and this was as good as it gets.
Fast forward- three hours later we are out and about and momma has to pee. HOW ARE YOU SUPPOSED TO PEE WITH SPANX!? It was a miracle to get into them to begin with with all of the stupid straps and stretchiness. I seriously looked around the bathroom for something sharp to cut them off- I was that desperate. So chunky girl in a cubicle AGAIN for 15 minutes sweating, panicking, and wanting chocolate while having to pee.
And for everything that gets sucked into those stupid media driven torture hose- something has to come out somewhere. YES you look smaller where the Spanx are, but where they are not- THAT'S WHERE THE EXCESS POPS OUT! Seriously every ounce of fat that was hidden around my middle popped out under my bra and between those little straps that you attach to your bra. NOT IN my boob area where the needed chicken cutlets would have been but UNDER the bra. I had so many issues, it was terrible. Not to mention the fact that HELLO!?!? This is TX, and it is freaking hot here without wearing a skin tight layer of support garments under your everyday clothes.
So my deduction? Grab four sizes when you walk into a dressing room. Don't look at the tags when you try them on- buy what fits and burn the evidence. If you own Spanx- burn those too. If you own chicken cutlets throw them out. After all- no matter how sexy you might appear with those evil products- eventually at the end of the night they have to come off- and you won't look the same without them, so why fool yourself or someone else to begin with? We are beautiful as is- and we should try to convince ourselves of that without all of the trickery that the media wants us to believe in.
But if you MUST buy them- also buy chocolate and crisco. you will need them both. trust me.
I went into the store dressed as baggily as possible and very quietly asked the salesperson how I would know which size to buy. She was very helpful in telling me the sizes- but here was my first dilemma. See in my head I am still lovingly a size 8- not happening in real life though. So I can nudge myself into believing I should be a 10- but in those evil stores that I must shop they have an awful system of sizing their clothing wrong so, in their evil scheme of making me depressed I must by a twelve for some (okay fine- most) things.
So I go into the dressing room where I spend no lie 15 minutes getting into a stupid pair of Spanx. 15 minutes people. what happens when a chunky girl spends 15 minutes in a cramped cubicle with a mirror that shows all of her flaws? She starts sweating, panicking, and wanting chocolate. Anyway- I get the stupid things on and I just looked ridiculous, but I thought- hey it will look better with my jeans. (the size 10 ones that I KNOW I will be able to wear once I drop 50 bucks on this stupid torture device)
So I bought it, and of course on the way to the register I pass what I refer to as the display of chicken cutlets. Those precious little things that you are supposed to put in your bra to make you APPEAR to have boobs. Anyone who knows me knows that I was not blessed in that department AT ALL. If you were to compare boobs to fruit- I would have oranges- on a good day (okay fine- I did while breastfeeding- now I have tangelos). So I was examining this display and seriously considering another economically stupid purchase when I made myself walk away.
I arrived home put the stupid Spanx back on and into the living room to show my sister in law the stupid shirt that makes me look like a grape with my stupid hooker heels and size ten jeans. Her reply? "You know what you need?! Spanx! I swear by them! They are the most amazing thing when you just don't feel like sucking it in." I wanted to scream every cuss word in the book - but that would mean acknowledging that I already had on Spanx and this was as good as it gets.
Fast forward- three hours later we are out and about and momma has to pee. HOW ARE YOU SUPPOSED TO PEE WITH SPANX!? It was a miracle to get into them to begin with with all of the stupid straps and stretchiness. I seriously looked around the bathroom for something sharp to cut them off- I was that desperate. So chunky girl in a cubicle AGAIN for 15 minutes sweating, panicking, and wanting chocolate while having to pee.
And for everything that gets sucked into those stupid media driven torture hose- something has to come out somewhere. YES you look smaller where the Spanx are, but where they are not- THAT'S WHERE THE EXCESS POPS OUT! Seriously every ounce of fat that was hidden around my middle popped out under my bra and between those little straps that you attach to your bra. NOT IN my boob area where the needed chicken cutlets would have been but UNDER the bra. I had so many issues, it was terrible. Not to mention the fact that HELLO!?!? This is TX, and it is freaking hot here without wearing a skin tight layer of support garments under your everyday clothes.
So my deduction? Grab four sizes when you walk into a dressing room. Don't look at the tags when you try them on- buy what fits and burn the evidence. If you own Spanx- burn those too. If you own chicken cutlets throw them out. After all- no matter how sexy you might appear with those evil products- eventually at the end of the night they have to come off- and you won't look the same without them, so why fool yourself or someone else to begin with? We are beautiful as is- and we should try to convince ourselves of that without all of the trickery that the media wants us to believe in.
But if you MUST buy them- also buy chocolate and crisco. you will need them both. trust me.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
tiny little hands
Sometimes it is so easy to get upset
When those tiny little hands make such big messes,
And those tiny little noses are constantly dirty,
And those tiny mouths are forever getting louder.
But one day not too far from now
Those not so tiny hands will go into kindergarten,
And those not so tiny noses will be runny from a broken heart,
And those not so tiny mouths will be calling from far away.
Instead of getting frustrated as mommas often do
Help those hands make the messes,
Wipe the noses and kiss their cheeks while you are at it,
And help those tiny mouths to find their own voices.
Take a picture of these moments,
Spend these times together not in timeout,
Cherish every second because all too soon
You will wish for their return!
Love you guys- sorry for the depth of the subject but my fingers just started typing, and I hope someone out there needs this as much as I did when I wrote it.
When those tiny little hands make such big messes,
And those tiny little noses are constantly dirty,
And those tiny mouths are forever getting louder.
But one day not too far from now
Those not so tiny hands will go into kindergarten,
And those not so tiny noses will be runny from a broken heart,
And those not so tiny mouths will be calling from far away.
Instead of getting frustrated as mommas often do
Help those hands make the messes,
Wipe the noses and kiss their cheeks while you are at it,
And help those tiny mouths to find their own voices.
Take a picture of these moments,
Spend these times together not in timeout,
Cherish every second because all too soon
You will wish for their return!
Love you guys- sorry for the depth of the subject but my fingers just started typing, and I hope someone out there needs this as much as I did when I wrote it.
Monday, March 8, 2010
It was definately a man
I have already posted once today but this was just too funny not to share.
I had to read a story tonight for my World Lit class titled "Lysistrata" by ancient Athenian author Aristophanes. This entire play was about a war between Athens and Sparta and how the women decide to end the war by withholding sex from their men. Okay that in and of itself was silly, but entertaining... then it just got ridiculous.
After FIVE DAYS without sex the women are jumping the city walls trying to get to their men like they left their bottles of Prozac at home. REALLY? 5 days!?!
Here's how it goes down at my house:
>enter hubby< "babe the kids are asleep"
>I say< "and?"
"it's been a while" (heavy with implication)
"fine- but I have a paper to write and dishes to do so let's be quick about it"
"deal"
" oh and I'm not shaving my legs"
okay- maybe not THAT bad- but pretty close sometimes. Anyway- so I found it hilarious that this MALE author thought that even in a comedy women were so desperate for sex that they would climb the walls after five days without it. Silly silly man.
I had to read a story tonight for my World Lit class titled "Lysistrata" by ancient Athenian author Aristophanes. This entire play was about a war between Athens and Sparta and how the women decide to end the war by withholding sex from their men. Okay that in and of itself was silly, but entertaining... then it just got ridiculous.
After FIVE DAYS without sex the women are jumping the city walls trying to get to their men like they left their bottles of Prozac at home. REALLY? 5 days!?!
Here's how it goes down at my house:
>enter hubby< "babe the kids are asleep"
>I say< "and?"
"it's been a while" (heavy with implication)
"fine- but I have a paper to write and dishes to do so let's be quick about it"
"deal"
" oh and I'm not shaving my legs"
okay- maybe not THAT bad- but pretty close sometimes. Anyway- so I found it hilarious that this MALE author thought that even in a comedy women were so desperate for sex that they would climb the walls after five days without it. Silly silly man.
Philosophy Paper Vs My Faith
I had a philosophy paper due to today that I really struggled with. This whole semester has been a test of my faith, but this one had to be put in black and white. I had to choose an argument to agree with out of the following
A) God exists because the world does
B) God exists because of the design of things
C) God exists because he is the greatest conceivable being
At first glance I could see how all of these could work on some level- I mean I DO believe God made the world, and I do believe that He is intelligent and therefor so is the design of everything around us, and I do believe that God is great- but it just felt like I was putting God into a box- and I have learned never to do that.
If God is just a creator or designer- that would be like saying Van Gogh existed because he painted Starry Night. I may be wrong, but I am pretty sure he existed for more than just the time period that it took to paint that portrait, and I am also pretty sure he had more to him and his life than just that one character trait.
And saying that God was only as great as we can conceive? How arrogant of us to think that we could ever possibly even fathom Gods greatness! I don't know about anyone else- but God has done so many amazing things in my life that I can not possibly ever understand, and I don't think that he intends for us to.
So I argued against all three! So let's start praying now that my agnostic professor can see the argument behind the paper and not just that I disagreed with all three of the options!
A) God exists because the world does
B) God exists because of the design of things
C) God exists because he is the greatest conceivable being
At first glance I could see how all of these could work on some level- I mean I DO believe God made the world, and I do believe that He is intelligent and therefor so is the design of everything around us, and I do believe that God is great- but it just felt like I was putting God into a box- and I have learned never to do that.
If God is just a creator or designer- that would be like saying Van Gogh existed because he painted Starry Night. I may be wrong, but I am pretty sure he existed for more than just the time period that it took to paint that portrait, and I am also pretty sure he had more to him and his life than just that one character trait.
And saying that God was only as great as we can conceive? How arrogant of us to think that we could ever possibly even fathom Gods greatness! I don't know about anyone else- but God has done so many amazing things in my life that I can not possibly ever understand, and I don't think that he intends for us to.
So I argued against all three! So let's start praying now that my agnostic professor can see the argument behind the paper and not just that I disagreed with all three of the options!
Monday, February 15, 2010
Reverse Santa and OCD
My two year old has a plethera of toys- I mean toys out the wazoo, and over time I have developed this nasty little habit of playing REVERSE santa. If a toy hurts when it gets thrown at you (and trust me, it will get thrown), makes too much of a mess, or is overly annoying (playing the song over and over for three minutes at a time all day long everyday for six months), then when the kids go to bed it magically disappears into never never land. Well, I thought this was a great plan until Ash developed OCD. Not THAT OCD, but Obsessive CLINGING Disorder. What is that?
Example:
The other day we went to Walmart and Ash snuck a Spiderman umbrella into the cart. I know I know, I should have put it back, but as anyone who has raised a two year old (or multiples that close in age) knows, by the time you finally make it through the store and to the check out line the promise of the sun is so intense that angels are singing the hallelujah chorus and you just want out. SO I bought the stupid thing and ran for dear life to the sanctuary of my car where the kids can be as awful as the want without everyone in town staring at me.
So now Ash takes that silly umbrella EVERYWHERE, which wasn't so bad until his dad taught him that it opens. Thanks a LOT hun. So now, rain or shine, that umbrella is with us... opened.... in public.....
and people wonder how I can be such a bad parent and make this poor sweet angels toys disappear...
oh..and FYI- I know- my two year old has a bottle in his mouth, no shoes on and dirty feet. Don't get me started- that's another handful of battles for another day!
I will post another blog soon on the lessons I have been learning, and how school is going. Sorry it has been so long!
Example:
The other day we went to Walmart and Ash snuck a Spiderman umbrella into the cart. I know I know, I should have put it back, but as anyone who has raised a two year old (or multiples that close in age) knows, by the time you finally make it through the store and to the check out line the promise of the sun is so intense that angels are singing the hallelujah chorus and you just want out. SO I bought the stupid thing and ran for dear life to the sanctuary of my car where the kids can be as awful as the want without everyone in town staring at me.
So now Ash takes that silly umbrella EVERYWHERE, which wasn't so bad until his dad taught him that it opens. Thanks a LOT hun. So now, rain or shine, that umbrella is with us... opened.... in public.....
and people wonder how I can be such a bad parent and make this poor sweet angels toys disappear...
oh..and FYI- I know- my two year old has a bottle in his mouth, no shoes on and dirty feet. Don't get me started- that's another handful of battles for another day!
I will post another blog soon on the lessons I have been learning, and how school is going. Sorry it has been so long!
Thursday, January 21, 2010
the boys at home
thought I would share my little men with everyone for a sec! My boys are always so excited when I get home from school- all grins for momma!
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
day 4
Today was my first day of college in seven years. It was so hard, and so rewarding at the same time. I came home just amazed at the amount of people that I had met, amazed at how much work I had after two classes, and then in retrospect amazed at how God had guided my day for me weeks and months before it ever occurred. My biggest fear in going today was that I would stick out like a sore thumb, just be this old hag in the midst of all these teenagers who were just starting out in life. Well class number one occurs, and lo and behold literally a senior citizen walks in the class and is not the professor. This completely gray haired elderly gentleman comes and sits directly beside me and obviously wins the prize for oldest person in the class. Not a big deal to most, but to me in just felt wonderful. By the time the class was over I had met a girl who sits directly behind me, and although she was not as old as I was, she was just returning to college after having taken a break herself. Once again, another way God was showing me that I wasn't on my own. Along comes class number two, and there is a time during this class where the professor wants us to exchange information with student around us because we are required to form a study group. So I am talking to a few girls sitting around me, and it turns out that one is 33, married with a ten year old boy, and one is 24 and engaged to a 32 year old that she has been in a relationship with for years. Once again, God was prepared for me before I even set foot in that class. He paved the way to let me know that he had anticipated my needs and addressed them before I ever dared to ask for them. What an amazing God.
Okay so Feeding the Hunger Pt 3. This is a toughie for me, and I am going to say some things that my better judgement tells me not to throw out into the great unknown of the Internet where anyone and everyone can stumble upon them. But part of this blog is taking chances, being real, and facing myself head on with whatever gets set before me.
So Hebrew 12:
The things that stood out to me tonight were that we are not supposed to be walking through this life but rather RUNNING. Run like there is something at stake, like there is a finish line to be crossed. No meandering, not strolling but Running towards and with Christ. We have already established that God has saved us, fed us milk, fed us wine (in part 1), then that He has started this hunger in our minds (part 2), but what happens when our zealous heart becomes quieter, and more still? When our "honeymoon phase" as it were, with Christ has ended? We join join join in our churches, we do things left and right to try to pump up our Christian achievement badges... but our spirit just isn't as inflamed? Because when Christ calls us and starts speaking to us he demands things of us. He tells us that if we are going to walk with Him then THIS is how He wants us to walk. When we refuse to do something that He lays on our hearts, instead of walking with and towards Him we take a step away. And gradually over time those steps accumulate and we are so far away that our passion becomes dimmed.
That passage in Hebrews talks of sins that entangle us and encumbrances that slow us down. So many people (including myself) ask questions like "well is it right or wrong- just give me a direct answer", or "how far can I push this without it being too far"? As Christians Matt reminded me that our question should not be those, but rather
Why carry dead weight/ encumbrances in our spiritual life if all they are doing is slowing us down in our race with Christ? If we wake up everyday knowing there is something slowing us down towards becoming the happiest most fulfilled person that we can be... why do we continue to pick that thing up and carry it around?
If someone reads this, please get real about anything that is your burden and lets hold each other accountable- help each other to lay it down, One head is great, but a circle of hearts united in Christ is so much stronger.
I love you guys-
Okay so Feeding the Hunger Pt 3. This is a toughie for me, and I am going to say some things that my better judgement tells me not to throw out into the great unknown of the Internet where anyone and everyone can stumble upon them. But part of this blog is taking chances, being real, and facing myself head on with whatever gets set before me.
So Hebrew 12:
1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
The things that stood out to me tonight were that we are not supposed to be walking through this life but rather RUNNING. Run like there is something at stake, like there is a finish line to be crossed. No meandering, not strolling but Running towards and with Christ. We have already established that God has saved us, fed us milk, fed us wine (in part 1), then that He has started this hunger in our minds (part 2), but what happens when our zealous heart becomes quieter, and more still? When our "honeymoon phase" as it were, with Christ has ended? We join join join in our churches, we do things left and right to try to pump up our Christian achievement badges... but our spirit just isn't as inflamed? Because when Christ calls us and starts speaking to us he demands things of us. He tells us that if we are going to walk with Him then THIS is how He wants us to walk. When we refuse to do something that He lays on our hearts, instead of walking with and towards Him we take a step away. And gradually over time those steps accumulate and we are so far away that our passion becomes dimmed.
That passage in Hebrews talks of sins that entangle us and encumbrances that slow us down. So many people (including myself) ask questions like "well is it right or wrong- just give me a direct answer", or "how far can I push this without it being too far"? As Christians Matt reminded me that our question should not be those, but rather
DOES IT HELP ME RUN?
Why carry dead weight/ encumbrances in our spiritual life if all they are doing is slowing us down in our race with Christ? If we wake up everyday knowing there is something slowing us down towards becoming the happiest most fulfilled person that we can be... why do we continue to pick that thing up and carry it around?
If someone reads this, please get real about anything that is your burden and lets hold each other accountable- help each other to lay it down, One head is great, but a circle of hearts united in Christ is so much stronger.
I love you guys-
Day 3 (a day late)
Okay- so part of a blog is honesty- and even though I know this is probably not getting read, I still feel embarrassed to admit out loud that I already have failed miserably- on day 3. Last night instead of listening to my sermon and having that time with God, I was at Walmart buying the last "have-to's" for my first day of college and then I came home at 1:00 am and crashed. I completely left God out of what the world would have thought was an awesome day. I had shopped with my husband all day, I was prepping for a dream that was finally coming to fruition, and I completely left out the one person that totally made those things possible for me.
So here it is 9:36 on day four, I haven't cracked open my sermon for today either, I am staring at a mountain of homework (already) and thinking to myself that five hours of sleep last night was not enough, and I should completely just crash and burn for the day. However, my heart has been pretty heavy after having ignored God yesterday, so I am going to consume some caffeine, listen to my sermon and hopefully have another blog to post in the next couple of hours all about my first day of college and the amazing things that God did for me today in my day four, how He still watched out for me even though I didn't take the time for him last night. What an amazing God.
So here it is 9:36 on day four, I haven't cracked open my sermon for today either, I am staring at a mountain of homework (already) and thinking to myself that five hours of sleep last night was not enough, and I should completely just crash and burn for the day. However, my heart has been pretty heavy after having ignored God yesterday, so I am going to consume some caffeine, listen to my sermon and hopefully have another blog to post in the next couple of hours all about my first day of college and the amazing things that God did for me today in my day four, how He still watched out for me even though I didn't take the time for him last night. What an amazing God.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
day two-
We received our tax return today- and whoo hoo my first impulse is to shop till I can't any more. However, I am a grown up and I have to be responsible- or so I keep reminding myself. So I can honestly say I haven't spent one penny yet and the day is at an end. (tomorrow may be a different story though..haha)
So day two I went to church again today via the internet (which I am beginning to love! sweatpants and my note pad curled up in front of my computer- face to face with God and God alone and no group of people to watch or be distracted by). Part two of the Feeding The Hunger Series is all about the mind. Matt Chandler went over tons of verses about how power and grace and goodness begin with our minds. Throughout this entire message I just kept hearing my mother and what she always used to say "Garbage in- Garbage out". I think that was our family motto through most of my teenaged years- we probably should have had t-shirts made as much as I heard it. Well that was essentially what this message was about, but on another level. He said
How do we fix this waiting for God problem? Crawl into His lap- center ourselves there at all times. Quiet time with God for 9 minutes every day before we move on with life is not possible. THE TWO CAN'T BE SEPARATED. If God is in our lives then He should BE our lives. When we veg through life without paying attention to what enters our minds we are feeding ourselves with things that don't belong, that aren't healthy for us. And just like giving up caffeine or smoking, when you give up the trash, at first the good stuff doesn't taste right, or feel right, or seem to be working. But you have to persist- focus on the good stuff and don't let go. Grow your mind by sitting in the lap of God and the crap will fall away on its own. Persistence and training of the mind in the things that are right and Holy will change your life and make it follow.
So let's begin day 3 and see how we do with this new knowledge. I hope this post finds someone out there that needs it as much as I do.
Oh and song for the day-
So day two I went to church again today via the internet (which I am beginning to love! sweatpants and my note pad curled up in front of my computer- face to face with God and God alone and no group of people to watch or be distracted by). Part two of the Feeding The Hunger Series is all about the mind. Matt Chandler went over tons of verses about how power and grace and goodness begin with our minds. Throughout this entire message I just kept hearing my mother and what she always used to say "Garbage in- Garbage out". I think that was our family motto through most of my teenaged years- we probably should have had t-shirts made as much as I heard it. Well that was essentially what this message was about, but on another level. He said
"where your mind goes your life will follow."So if I were to sit around thinking about chocolate all day and then went out and saw a candybar, chances are I would eat that candybar. Okay? Basic concept and I get that, but it didn't seem to hit any chords with me. Then he said
Okay... that one was also good, but once again no lightning bolts in my heart. Well- then the bomb dropped...pretty literally. Matt said that most of us sit around in our lives watching tv and vegetating just waiting for that one sermon, or one event, or one person, or for our Bible to magically fly open to that one verse that will just change it all for us and make this head knowledge that we have attained over the years become a life practice for us. BAM- insert that God wall that I just ran right into. Yep that is me and me to a capital T. He went on to say that this is not how spirituality works."God allows both joys and sorrows in our lives in order to detach our hands from things of this world and attach them where they should be on Him."
Phillippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. 9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
How do we fix this waiting for God problem? Crawl into His lap- center ourselves there at all times. Quiet time with God for 9 minutes every day before we move on with life is not possible. THE TWO CAN'T BE SEPARATED. If God is in our lives then He should BE our lives. When we veg through life without paying attention to what enters our minds we are feeding ourselves with things that don't belong, that aren't healthy for us. And just like giving up caffeine or smoking, when you give up the trash, at first the good stuff doesn't taste right, or feel right, or seem to be working. But you have to persist- focus on the good stuff and don't let go. Grow your mind by sitting in the lap of God and the crap will fall away on its own. Persistence and training of the mind in the things that are right and Holy will change your life and make it follow.
So let's begin day 3 and see how we do with this new knowledge. I hope this post finds someone out there that needs it as much as I do.
Oh and song for the day-
Saturday, January 16, 2010
day one with my yearly word
For me balance is going to be a hard thing to achieve and I am welcoming the challenge with open arms. I have learned a lot of hard life lessons along the road in my thirty years and one of them is that in order for anything to be done correctly God has to be in the center of it. I know this lesson in MY HEAD- not so much in my actual life application. So in order to strive for balance this year I am going to try to insert God into my day every day.
Today I went to my favorite church (which is in Dallas) via the internet and listened to a sermon by Mr. Matt Chandler called Feeding the Hunger for God. There are several parts to this series and I am looking forward to listening to more as the days come by. I hope that anyone that might stumble upon this blog that actually knows me will help to hold me accountable to this in my life. It is very easy to get caught up in the going and coming of life and leave out the One that makes it possible for me to be here at all. I know in my heart this is step one towards fulfilling the balance that my heart and soul so desperately need.
As per the sermon- (Isaiah 55 vs 1 -3) in my life I have already "come to the water". I have been saved and cleansed and I know that. But then I threw myself back into life without staying around for the "milk and wine" part. I didnt get strengthened and exhilarated. Kinda hard to lead a Godly life without it. So my prayer is that my daily (hopefully daily) time with God will be my strengthening time- my portion of milk as it were. So that I may become strong and ready for the exhilaration of being a child of God.
Today I went to my favorite church (which is in Dallas) via the internet and listened to a sermon by Mr. Matt Chandler called Feeding the Hunger for God. There are several parts to this series and I am looking forward to listening to more as the days come by. I hope that anyone that might stumble upon this blog that actually knows me will help to hold me accountable to this in my life. It is very easy to get caught up in the going and coming of life and leave out the One that makes it possible for me to be here at all. I know in my heart this is step one towards fulfilling the balance that my heart and soul so desperately need.
As per the sermon- (Isaiah 55 vs 1 -3) in my life I have already "come to the water". I have been saved and cleansed and I know that. But then I threw myself back into life without staying around for the "milk and wine" part. I didnt get strengthened and exhilarated. Kinda hard to lead a Godly life without it. So my prayer is that my daily (hopefully daily) time with God will be my strengthening time- my portion of milk as it were. So that I may become strong and ready for the exhilaration of being a child of God.
all time favorite song for you today
Bruce Hornsbry Mandolin Rain is my alltime fav song. Don't judge- I just love it unconditionally. And this video has the pride and prejudice movie backdrop which is an amazing book- so hey it's a win win situation.
Friday, January 15, 2010
My word for 2010
It seems like everyone has chosen a word for the year 2010, and I think it is a really cool idea, so I thought hey I'd give it a shot. Three weeks later I am still just as perplexed- and having a hard time summing up what I hope for my year to be in one word. There were several that I picked strictly for the intellectual factor- I mean picking a word that most would have to look up- that seemed like me. Then I tried some deeply motivational words, but nope that didn't seem to fit right either. SO I decided to go with what I felt in my heart- what I would desire most for my life to be and grow into this year and this is what I came up with.....
Balance. Very simple- and something I am going to strive to find, and maintain in this ever changing and oh so challenging life that is mine!
Balance. Very simple- and something I am going to strive to find, and maintain in this ever changing and oh so challenging life that is mine!
Upcoming movie that is a MUST
oh and lest we forget- dear john the movie coming out very soon- Loved that book- and love this song that they use in the preview-
music of the moment
Music is probably one of the most major parts of my life. The way it can change your mood and outlook all with just a few notes and words is truly amazing- This guy here is probably my favorite of the moment- I can't stop listening to him, and his bio is just amazing. For the non existent audience out there- I hope you like it as well
William Fitzsimmons:]
William Fitzsimmons:]
Thursday, January 14, 2010
leaving out the buts
I had someone today tell me how lucky I was. This person has always been something major in terms of status and looks, which used to mean a whole lot to me, and those things still do even though I hate to admit it. Anyway- I just always thought this person had a gifted and touched life. We are having this conversation and in my head I am just like LUCKY? ME? and what follows was my thought process:
So here I am in this tiny place I call home, with children that I dearly love and would never trade for anything, but at the same time I have never thought I would be a mother type. I have this wonderful blessing of a husband that means more to me than the air I breathe, but at the same time he gets a headache when he reads a cereal box whereas literature is my passion. I am going back to school at 30 when most people my age have 2 and 3 degrees and are in the job that they have always wanted at this point in their life.
But here I was having this conversation with this person and he said that I was lucky and had it all. It made me stop and think- if I just leave out the buts in my head my life really is as amazing as it could be. (rewind in my head and leave out the buts... and here it is)
So here I am in this tiny place I call HOME with children that I DEARLY LOVE and would never trade for ANYTHING. I have this WONDERFUL BLESSING of a HUSBAND that means more to me than the air I breathe. and I am going BACK TO SCHOOL at 30!
so yeah, I have never followed the norms or the easy path- so hey this is okay. I have always seen all of the things that could be better and pretty much so focused on them- so instead this year I am going to focus on the great stuff and LEAVE OUT THE BUTS!
So here I am in this tiny place I call home, with children that I dearly love and would never trade for anything, but at the same time I have never thought I would be a mother type. I have this wonderful blessing of a husband that means more to me than the air I breathe, but at the same time he gets a headache when he reads a cereal box whereas literature is my passion. I am going back to school at 30 when most people my age have 2 and 3 degrees and are in the job that they have always wanted at this point in their life.
But here I was having this conversation with this person and he said that I was lucky and had it all. It made me stop and think- if I just leave out the buts in my head my life really is as amazing as it could be. (rewind in my head and leave out the buts... and here it is)
So here I am in this tiny place I call HOME with children that I DEARLY LOVE and would never trade for ANYTHING. I have this WONDERFUL BLESSING of a HUSBAND that means more to me than the air I breathe. and I am going BACK TO SCHOOL at 30!
so yeah, I have never followed the norms or the easy path- so hey this is okay. I have always seen all of the things that could be better and pretty much so focused on them- so instead this year I am going to focus on the great stuff and LEAVE OUT THE BUTS!
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Matt Chandler
I know I have basically been a hermit this past year without being online or working and basically just staying home all day everyday raising my boys, so as such I have lost touch with a lot about the real world and what is happening in it. So most of you already know I am sure, but Matt Chandler who is my favorite speaker/ preacher from The Village Church in Dallas has cancer, and recently had a brain tumor removed. I doubt anyone reads this, but I would just like to put it out there in the universe or wherever- that we love you Matt- and I hope that everyone will send some prayers up for this amazing man whoe has touched my life countless times through his ministry.
perfection vs reality
Being on Facebook is new to me- I have put it off for a very long time for reasons such as I am encountering today. All of these wonderfully perfect people who I went to school with back in the day, that are still wonderfully perfect and so perfectly content with all of their life choices and how things have turned out. Do you know the kind of people I am talking about? The ones that literally poop gold and wake up looking flawless every morning of their lives?
Meanwhile there is me... hmmmm. Lets see... my wonderful husband, whom I love very much, was very artistic when we met. I mean so talented and still is, but the closest I get to seeing an artist today is when his 2 year old son takes off his diaper and paints with his poop on the wall. Yeah, it's gross but hey it happened so there it is.
And that perfectly tanned body that I just HAD to have all through my twenties and teens? Well now I look like frosty the snowman because everytime I walk NEAR the sun I get freckles. And I don't just mean cute little barely there freckles, I mean massive amounts of really dark freckles.
And having children... I know they are a blessing don't get me wrong... but COME ON! Does my body serously have to change THIS much? I had my daughter when I was 18 and literally walked out of the hospital in my jeans I wore before. Now I am 30 have had 2 boys back to back (13 months apart), and nothing is as it should be on my body any more. Lets talk stretchmarks.... REALLY? Whoever decided to call them "badges of honor" must have been a male because all they are is a ticket to a one piece bathing suit for the rest of my life! And my poor hips, those will never be fitting into a size 6 or lower ever again. And lets get real honest here- there is this new addition to my body called a side-butt. No kidding- I am not a large person by any means but what others call love handles I call my side butt. It's like my blessed Curry butt that was too big to begin with decided to keep growing up and over on to my sides. no matter how small everything else gets it's there and oh my gosh that is just not fair! My husband gains twenty pounds and it's acceptable. I gain twenty pounds and feel like I am being carted off to the hefer show to win grand prize.
So anyway- I got a friend request today from a lovely little size two busy body that I went to highschool with. We werent friends in highschool- we haven't kept touch- why would I befriend her now? Answer: to torture myself by seeing that not only has she also had children, but she lives in a MASSIVE house, with a hot hot husband, she doesn't work, and is still a perfectly groomed size two looking thirty year old. Lovely- so very happy for you.
So I have signed off of facebook for the day and am going to focus on something positive- like ummmm.... aww screw it that just isn't my personality. Let's be real I will probably mope for a while, then clean house and change diapers and do laundry and wonder what I really signed up for and where is my magic nanny?!
Meanwhile there is me... hmmmm. Lets see... my wonderful husband, whom I love very much, was very artistic when we met. I mean so talented and still is, but the closest I get to seeing an artist today is when his 2 year old son takes off his diaper and paints with his poop on the wall. Yeah, it's gross but hey it happened so there it is.
And that perfectly tanned body that I just HAD to have all through my twenties and teens? Well now I look like frosty the snowman because everytime I walk NEAR the sun I get freckles. And I don't just mean cute little barely there freckles, I mean massive amounts of really dark freckles.
And having children... I know they are a blessing don't get me wrong... but COME ON! Does my body serously have to change THIS much? I had my daughter when I was 18 and literally walked out of the hospital in my jeans I wore before. Now I am 30 have had 2 boys back to back (13 months apart), and nothing is as it should be on my body any more. Lets talk stretchmarks.... REALLY? Whoever decided to call them "badges of honor" must have been a male because all they are is a ticket to a one piece bathing suit for the rest of my life! And my poor hips, those will never be fitting into a size 6 or lower ever again. And lets get real honest here- there is this new addition to my body called a side-butt. No kidding- I am not a large person by any means but what others call love handles I call my side butt. It's like my blessed Curry butt that was too big to begin with decided to keep growing up and over on to my sides. no matter how small everything else gets it's there and oh my gosh that is just not fair! My husband gains twenty pounds and it's acceptable. I gain twenty pounds and feel like I am being carted off to the hefer show to win grand prize.
So anyway- I got a friend request today from a lovely little size two busy body that I went to highschool with. We werent friends in highschool- we haven't kept touch- why would I befriend her now? Answer: to torture myself by seeing that not only has she also had children, but she lives in a MASSIVE house, with a hot hot husband, she doesn't work, and is still a perfectly groomed size two looking thirty year old. Lovely- so very happy for you.
So I have signed off of facebook for the day and am going to focus on something positive- like ummmm.... aww screw it that just isn't my personality. Let's be real I will probably mope for a while, then clean house and change diapers and do laundry and wonder what I really signed up for and where is my magic nanny?!
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
needing an outlet
I have discovered that being a mother of three (a tween, a 21 month old, and a 9 month old), may not be all that I thought it was going to be. Dear Lord give me patience and prozac. So in order to keep myzelf and my family sane, enter the world of blogging. This will be my outlet to the real/ nether world and I hope to God that what I say doesn't offend anyone who might stumble across it. So for those over sensitive, or those who for some reason still think I am angelic please disregard anything that seems too over the top!
