His Ways Are Higher

To say that the past month has been a lesson in humility would be an understatement.
I've spent the past few weeks laying on the couch, in more pain than I've ever experienced in my life.  Surgeries, sickness, and infections have been my unwelcome, but constant companions. 

I'm not a very compassionate person when it comes to most illnesses. I don't bow to sickness, I plow through it. I've always had the mindset of "Put on your big girl panties, suck it up, and deal with it." But this time, God had a different lesson for me. 

A week ago, I was supposed to be on a women's retreat with my wonderful church. While there, I was supposed to be teaching sessions on practicing graciousness and hospitality, including a few comments on being hospitable by being a gracious receiver. I'd had my outline ready, (at least mentally) and was ready to roll. Of course, I didn't end up going. While my closest friends were spending their first day of the retreat at the beach, I was pacing the house in the worst day of pain of my whole life. Instead of talking about showing hospitality to others, I was forced to the receiving end. And my, oh my - did God have some lessons for me.

Offers to bring meals starting pouring in from friends and neighbors. Although I'd normally thank them and say no, this time I was forced to start saying yes. This has always been SO hard for me. Why? Countless reasons, I guess. I'd believed the lie that it's always better to be the giver than the receiver. But this isn't what Jesus tried to teach us. When He sat at the feet of His disciples and washed their feet, He was serving them. He wanted them to willingly receive His blessing. If I want to be blessed, I have to be willing to receive it!

Another reason - the attitude of "I don't need anyone else." This is another lie. I think of the woman at the well, who was out in mid day getting water. Normally women were never out at that time in the heat of the day, but she was. I believe she didn't want to be seen by others, and that she found a false sense of security in her seclusion.  Women are still like that now, don't you think? We believe that as long as we don't reveal our true self, our short comings, our neediness, that we're ok. What a lie! The old saying that no man is an island is true. It's not how God created us to be.

If I love being the giver, that means someone else has to be on the receiving end of my giving. How would I practice the gift of hospitality to others if no one ever let me give? These past few weeks, I've had to remind myself that people have been giving generously because they want to. I'll even go as far as saying that allowing someone to give me a blessing is a way of blessing them!  Giving reflects the heart of God. It's His joy to bless us, and He wants us to joyfully receive. We glorify Him by receiving all He has to offer. 

So the past few weeks have found me graciously saying "Yes, thank you" more than I ever have in my life.  As with any new habit, the more I say it, the easier it becomes. The truth is, all these people have helped me get by. The meals have been a life saver. The prayers have pulled me through. All the help has given me an incredible reminder of just how many amazing people God has put in my life. 


While I hope the lingering of my infections pass quickly, I hope the lessons I've learned stay around for a long, long time. Most of all, I've been reminded of God's goodness. He never leaves me or forsakes me. Praise the Lord, Oh my soul! 


Psalm 103
¹ Praise the LORD, O my soul;
       all my inmost being, praise his holy name.  ² Praise the LORD, O my soul,
       and forget not all his benefits-
 ³ who forgives all your sins
       and heals all your diseases,
 ⁴ who redeems your life from the pit
       and crowns you with love and compassion,
 ⁵ who satisfies your desires with good things
       so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
 ⁶ The LORD works righteousness
       and justice for all the oppressed.
 ⁷ He made known his ways to Moses,
       his deeds to the people of Israel:
 ⁸ The LORD is compassionate and gracious,
       slow to anger, abounding in love.
 ⁹ He will not always accuse,
       nor will he harbor his anger forever;
 ¹⁰ he does not treat us as our sins deserve
       or repay us according to our iniquities.
 ¹¹ For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
       so great is his love for those who fear him;
 ¹² as far as the east is from the west,
       so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
 ¹³ As a father has compassion on his children,
       so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;
 ¹⁴ for he knows how we are formed,
       he remembers that we are dust.
 ¹⁵ As for man, his days are like grass,
       he flourishes like a flower of the field;
 ¹⁶ the wind blows over it and it is gone,
       and its place remembers it no more.
 ¹⁷ But from everlasting to everlasting
       the LORD's love is with those who fear him,
       and his righteousness with their children's children-
 ¹⁸ with those who keep his covenant
       and remember to obey his precepts.
 ¹⁹ The LORD has established his throne in heaven,
       and his kingdom rules over all.
 ²⁰ Praise the LORD, you his angels,
       you mighty ones who do his bidding,
       who obey his word.
 ²¹ Praise the LORD, all his heavenly hosts,
       you his servants who do his will.
 ²² Praise the LORD, all his works
       everywhere in his dominion.
       Praise the LORD, O my soul.

(Some of) What We've Done This Week

Here's a little bit of what we've been up to the past week.

Ryan and the kids have been working on building a pizza oven. Here's the start...

Here's the first firing a few days ago

His first pizza. Pizza Hut has nuthin' on this guy........

Is it hot enough outside???

Trying to keep cool at the bookstore...

Little John Boy got a buzz... (I can't stop feeling his little head. It's the cutest thing I've ever seen!)

Farm Fresh Eggs from a little stand near the place we picked blueberries

And I have another new niece! Welcome baby Anna Evelyn!

God Never Intended For Me To Be A Pioneer Woman

Hubby's been gone for about 10 days. Thankfully he doesn't travel often, and when he's gone I give myself a break from cooking and we eat all the things I'd never get away with seving him  simple things like soup, sandwiches and breakfast foods for dinner.

However, I've been sick for five days. A couple of days later, little John got sick, too. The past few days John has ben so sick I've barely gotten off the couch, since he won't let me leave his side.
Thankfully, we have TV. And a fridge. My girls have survived on cereal, eggs, and sandwiches.

I can't even imagine what life would be like without all the conveniences we're used to. Every time the poor little guy threw up, I could start the washing machine. Cans of soup were heated in the microwave. The air conditioning meant that he didn't have to suffer in 100 degree weather with a 103 degree fever.

Can you even imagine living "back then" and surviving? I've found myself feeling completely run down. And then I was thinking about what it would be like if I was washing things by hand, cooking over a fire, hauling water inside. This gal was NOT meant for roughing it. As glamourous as living in a plantation house inthe 1800s sounds, I think I'll be glad God put me in the here and now.

And now, it's time for a Chik-Fil-A run.......

PS - I'm posting at Chic Critique today, so come visit me over there as well!

One Week In...

One week since school ended, and all I've got is a list. Not sure I've been busy enough!
 In the past 6 days I have.....

1) Organized a last day of school water fight and pool party.
2) Celebrated my 15th wedding anniversary. Yay me!!
3) Enjoyed dinner at a favorite restaurant, including fried green tomatoes with pimento cheese!
4) Been to the lake three times, two of which got rained out, and one time we didn't even get the boat in the water before it started thundering!
5) Visited with out of town family
6) Cleaned house
7) Fixed meals and dinner for visiting guests
8) Been to the neighborhood swimming pool 5 times
9) Shopped for daughter's birthday
10) Gone to church
11) worked two real estate transaction, and showed houses
12) Had ice cream for breakfast at Baskin Robbin's for my daughter Emma's birthday tradition
13) Out to dinner at Outback for Emma's birthday
14)Took Emma and two friends to the pool, to the mall, out to dinner, and for a movie
15) Had a teeny-bopper sleepover and demanded sleep at 1am
16) Fixed breakfast for sleepover crew and hauled 5 kids to the pool with snacks and drinks.
17) took a 45 minute nap. (I think the above list has worn me out!)

What have YOU been up to?

It's Here!

It's the last day of school! Wooo hoooooo!
Tomorrow morning, I will NOT be waking up at 7am to make sandwiches!

It's a busy day today, and I've got a lot of running around to do. I'm still looking for those long, tube-like water soakers at the dollar stores, and no one has them. A few years ago, I started a neighborhood tradition. All the parents at our bus stop wait for the kids on the last day of school with water soakers, and we blast the kids as they get off the bus. We have a huge water fight in the middle of the street. The first year was the best because the kids were unsuspecting! Then we take the party to the pool and have lots of cupcakes, popsicles, snacks, and "mommy juice!"

I'm also still looking for a big roll of white paper. Every year I make a big "welcome to summer" banner and hang it across the front door to the house. The girls bust through it as the start to thier summer vacation. Where to go? Ac Moore? Office Max? Any suggestions?

I also forgot to get an end of year gift for Clara's teacher, and just realized it this morning :(  Guess I'll be dropping something off at the school this afternoon.....  What do you give as teacher gifts?

The countdown begins..... 7 hours to go!

What are you doing today?

Smell Me

Really, I smell good right now. I do.
Last night I used a new lavender salt scrub, and it smells divine.

I blogged about it over HERE today - come visit and leave me some comments!

All the Colors of the Rainbow...

It's a busy day here, and I'm taking off in a few minutes for the hospital. My MIL made it through her brain surgery yesterday and is doing well. Thanks to all you awesome ladies who prayed!

Today,  I'll leave you with a "Clara Quote." 
First, imagine the giant 64 pack of crayons with the built in sharpener.

Clara:  "Mama, are crayons made out of ear wax??"

Have a nice day!

Tuesday Tantrum

Do you look at the caller ID before you answer the phone?
I do.
For a reason. It's called "telemarketers," and I avoid them at all costs.
For the past week, I've noticed an 800 number calling me, and not leaving a message. Today, I finally answered the unknown number, planning to nicely tell whoever it was to go away.
I answered the phone, only to hear a recorded voice tell me to "please hold, all available agents are on other lines."
Are you kidding me? You call ME, at MY HOUSE, on a HOLIDAY, and tell me to wait because you're busy??? 
I have a few good lines for telemarketers, when they are unwilling to take NO for an answer. My favorite was years ago, when someone called me on Christmas Eve. I sweetly asked for their home phone number, and told them I'd call them the following morning. haha.
Yes, I know these people are just doing their jobs. I actually worked doing telemarketing as a teenager. I know how tough it can be, and how awful people can act. I remember running into the bathroom crying after a particularly nasty man answered the phone. But having a calling system dial people's numbers, and thinking that whoever answers will sit there waiting for the telemarketer to get on the phone? I'd love to know who the brainiac behind that is.
Ok, I'm done. (smile)

Did you have a good Memorial Day? Do you have any family members in the service? If so, please give them an extra hug.

For a complete change of subject, can I ask for your prayers? My mother in law is having brain surgery in a few hours. Please pray for peace for the whole family.

So. What's going on in your neck of the woods today?

Amazing

I had an awesome tea time yesterday morning. I love tea and all the cute things that go along with it, but what makes those times priceless are the friends that I share the time with.
I have to say though, that up until two weeks ago, I never imagined in a million years who I'd be sharing a cup with yesterday.

Eighteen years ago, I arrived at a small college in Illinois, walked into my first dorm room, and  met my first roommate. Anitra and I were strangers, thrown together by "chance." Or so I thought back then. We had our share of ups and downs, most of which I attribute to being young and silly. After the first semester, she moved into a different room with one of her friends. Then I never really saw her again.
Fast forward to two weeks ago, in my little NC town. On a whim, I went to the dollar store. I smiled at the gal who was looking intently at me, wondering what could possibly be stuck in my teeth, or if my hair just looked that bad. As I was about to move my shopping cart around her, she asks if I'm Kristin.  And tells me that she's my old college roommate, Anitra. I almost didn't believe her for a minute. What in the world are the chances that I would ever run into her again, half way across the country and 18 years later?

We started chatting, and after just a minute I asked her if she'd ever forgiven me for whatever ways I'd acted ugly back then. She raised her eyebrows, smiled, and said "Girl, I don't even remember any of that, so just let it go!" Isn't God so good?

We made plans to get together, and yesterday we had tea together. Not only did we have a hard time believing that God would have us cross paths again after all these years, but it turns out that last year she actually lived on the same street that I moved from a few years ago. We laughed, trying to imagine our responses if someone had told us all those years ago that we'd be sitting together over tea in NC 18 years later.

God tells us that "All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." Psalm 139:16.  While each day holds something new, and sometimes surprising, it's no surprise to God. Not only did he know, back when Anitra and I roomed at Trinity, that we'd be friends again years later, He knew it before He even created me.

His ways amaze me. And His ways are perfect. He's had a plan for me since the beginning of time, and I can't wait to see what's next.

Makin' Me Happy

I went around snapping some pics of the things that were making me smile today.
Here are a few.....

Some of my roses by the front steps..... who wouldn't smile at that?

John digging for treasure

Some plants springing up in the garden

The result of all John's "hard work". He's getting himself ready to have a campfire!

So, what's making YOU smile today?

My Day

I've felt like this all day, too!

Meeting the Queen

I met The Queen last week, for the first time.
You know which queen I'm talkin' 'bout.
One of my favorite bloggers, The Carpool Queen.

I was running only 2 minutes late, which was pretty good considering I'd just come from TJ Maxx, where I bought awesome zebra striped heels. I rushed into the Starbucks, and there was her famous self, looking all cute and stuff in a pink belted jacket. CPQ is a beautiful gal, and she has a sweet smile.
Plus, she liked my shoes. I told her I had PMS and needed to buy them, and she nodded in understanding.
And, she is tall.
Being almost 5'9" myself, I always expect everyone else to be shorter than me, and so I smiled when  I didn't tower over her by 2 feet. I think she's the same height as me.
And she has a very gentle voice, which was fun to hear, given all the funny things that come out of her when she writes.
And, I keep starting sentences with And. So I'll stop.

I ordered coffee and a treat, and she ordered some kind of drink that I don't remember because it had like 7 names to it. I even asked her to repeat it for me, but I still can't remember.

She even came bearing a gift, a dishcloth she knit all by herself. I was thankful and jealous all at the same time, because I really, really want to learn to knit. She's funny, and she knits, too.


We chatted for a few minutes, and she snapped pics of my shoes. Then I showed her my favorite camera trick with my iPhone, called QuadCamera. It takes four consecutive pictures, like this one of CPQ drinking her fancy drink:

Pretty neat, huh?

A few minutes later, who should walk past us to get to the restroom, but a clown. CPQ started snapping pictures of all the clown stuff, while I laughed and commented that she really does take pictures of EVERYTHING. When the clown came out, she told us she'd be right back, although we weren't sure why she was coming back.
She told CPQ and I that we looked like joyful people, (the joy of new shoes must have been radiating from me) and she made balloons for us.

I can't wait to see what characters we encounter next time we meet up.

Sweet Perfume

Last night it rained.
And that was a very, very good thing.

The past week, the pollen has been worse than I remember in years. EVERYthing has been completely coated in the yellow stuff. We even took pictures of our feet on Easter Sunday after walking through the grass barefoot. You know it's bad when the kids don't even want to stay outside.

This morning, we opened the door to let the dog out, and the sweet smell of spring came floating through the air. The rain had washed away almost all the pollen. The air smelled fresh and sweet, just the way a Spring morning should. I cracked the door open again and breathed in the fresh scent, and it lingered in the kitchen as I made the kids' lunches.

I was thinking this morning on the verse from 2 Corinthians 2:14 -- "But thanks be to God! He always leads us triumphantly by the Messiah and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of knowing him."

I also like the version in the New Living Translation, which says:
".... now he uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume."
 
For me, it's a great word picture. Do I spread the fragrance of Him? What is left lingering with someone when I leave? Do I leave the sweet perfume of the joy of Christ? Or am I leaving others coughing on the yellow pollen, polluting the air with gossip, negativity or complaints?
 
I want to be a breath of fresh air, to spread Christ like a sweet perfume. Thankfully, when I mess up, Christ comes like the rain and washes all the yuckiness away, so I can start fresh like a beautiful Spring day.
 

Behind Bars

Today my daughter Emma will be going behind bars, and won't get out for the next few years. She went to school this morning fully prepared to enjoy her last day of freedom. Actually, she's been preparing herself for the past few weeks, doing all kinds of things that she'll miss out on because of those bars. Eating Starburst, sugar gum, laffy taffy, popcorn.....

The scary thing is that if I don't comply with the rules, I may find my own self behind some bars, too. It's a "pay up or else" kinda thing. Bail is thousands and thousands of dollars. I don't prefer orange suits, so I think I'll pay up.

Emma prefers rainbow colors, so that's what she'll choose. She thinks she'll change it up a bit depending on the holidays. I told her ok, as long as she doesn't choose something gross like black and orange for Halloween.

She keeps saying that she SO does not want this, but she knows she'll be SO glad after she's released. Who doesn't love freedom?

Yeesh, I see so many analogies here this morning, but I haven't had my 12th cup of coffee yet. So maybe all the ideas in my head about choosing hard things because of the reward that follows will have to wait for another day.

I need to go run and get some pudding cups from the store. And supplies for chicken n dumplins. And some Tylenol.
This afternoon, Emma will be the proud new wearer of braces, and I will be the despondant   poor  proud owner of an orthodontics bill.

Not sure who will be needing the Tylenol.......

My Gilgal Nap

Today, a nap is calling my name.
But Kristin, you ask. Isn't it only 8:30am right now?
Yes, ma'am. Yes it is.
How can you even think about a nap when you've only been up for an hour and a half? you wonder. Isn't that ridiculously lazy? Maybe you just need some more coffee.
WELL. 
I understand your worries, really I do. And truth be told, not long ago I would have been embarassed to take a nap on a gorgeous sunny afternoon, let alone admit it to the world. There are dishes calling my name, sheets to be changed, clothes to be washed, and toys to be put away. And also today, a blood peeing dog that just had surgery yesterday and needs to watched.
But today, I proudly claim my nap.
Know why? I need it. I need my Gilgal.
GILGAL???
Yep.  I read the first few chapters in Joshua last week, and was reminded of Gilgal, the place that Joshua set twelve stones after God parted the Jordan river for the Isrealites to cross over towards the Promised Land.
 It was where the arc of the covenant returned to each day, after the men compassed the city of Jericho during it's seige. It was where celebrations took place. It was a place of rest.
God had a plan for his people, and there was work to be done. There was a Promised Land just waiting to be claimed. But He knew that in the midst of the work, there needed to be a place to rest and be refreshed. It was Gilgal.

Each day, we have work to do, too. Today, the Promised Land is God's plan for me - His best for me. There's work to do, but I also need the rest. A lot has been going on, and I'm just plain tired. Looking ahead this week, I know that today is the one day that I have a chance to slow down and rest. So I am CLAIMING my Gilgal nap today!

I don't know what you'll be doing this afternoon, but I hope it's something great. Do you have a Gilgal? A time of rest? Is it hard for you to stop and take time to be refreshed?

Looking Forward

Well spring is springing and I for one am feeling slightly refreshed.
I took the winter wreaths off the doors today, as my way of telling Old Man Winter that he's no longer welcome in these here parts.
I may get even more bold and pack all the gloves and scarves away in the attic. Not sure how much I feel like tempting fate today.

It's been quite the start to the new year here at the Tea Time house. Not much that's been happening directly to me, but lots of big stuff that's been hard, and quite frankly, a huge weight on our shoulders the past two months. I've enjoyed reading other's blogs the past few weeks, and have even attempted to sit and write a few times. It seemed, at the time, a hill too huge to climb. When 2 million thoughts are swirling around in your head, how do you pick just a few? So I've been quiet, thinking on all that's going on, thinking about the past, and dwelling on the present.
And today I decided that if God can take the dreary, cold land and replenish it with sunshine, and the hope of Spring, then surely He is ready for me to move forward as well.

Yesterday we spent the day playing outside in the sunshine, and boy did it do a world of good for us all. Then my girls and I talked about all the things we LOVE about warm weather, and summer. It made me so excited, I can hardly wait for summer!

Right now, there's the hope of Spring. Each day, I can see it, hear it, smell it, feel it a little bit more. God is doing something new, I know it! He makes a way in the desert, and streams in the wasteland. (Isaiah 43:19) We may be drowning in unplanned expenses, have family members in crisis, seriously ill relatives, sick pets, and everything else. But He keeps giving grace each day. So while I live in the present, I will choose to keep looking forward. Not behind, not to the right of left. He is doing a new thing - Spring is coming!

While the Entire State of NC Makes Sandwiches.....

So it's going to storm here starting tomorrow night.
I mean, a REAL storm. Ice, sleet, and S-N-O-W. REAL snow, supposedly. Not the 14 minutes of flurries that make our schools shut down early.
(If you are a Northerner, I'm sure the thought of schools closing because of a few minutes of flurries has you laughing so hard that you're about to pee your pants.....)

ANYhoo. Everyone and their dog has already been to the store to stock up on essentials. You know, MILK and BREAD? I heard that by early afternoon today, the grocery stores were wiped out, and there was no milk or bread to be had.
So I made a strategy of my own. I'm waiting until tomorrow morning, when they've gotten new shipments of bread in. And then, I will casually waltz in, and buy every last loaf of sandwich bread on those shelves. I will take those loaves home, and list them on Craigslist for $8 per loaf. And then I will go shopping with all the money that I made off of the crazy fools who bought all the bread.
Because apparantly, North Carolinians eat toast and sandwiches the entire time they are snowed in during a storm. It's the only logical explanation. Why else, upon hearing that you may be stuck indoors for the next few days, would one's first reaction be, "I MUST go get bread!"
Is there no chili, no stew, no roast to be found in these homes? No chicken 'n dumplins to be had? Who would eat sandwich bread with chicken 'n dumplins anyways? That's what biscuits are for, my friends. THAT is what biscuits are for.

And the milk?  Is there no orange juice in their homes? No Coke? No tea? No Peppermint Schnapps to dump into the hot cocoa??

Do YOU run our for bread and milk before bad weather? If so, please explain. And, enjoy your sandwiches. I'll be thinking of you with a smile as I lick the last of my stew.

I'll Show You Mine...

...My MAKEUP Bag, that is!

It's What's In Your Makeup Bag? week at Chic Critique!

I revealed all today with pics of everything in my cosmetics bag. So come on over and visit. Leave me some comments. And let me know what's in YOUR makeup bag!

The Weather Better Change or I Won't Fit Into My Pants

Another day of crummy weather here in NC. Oh, how I loved the past few days of 65 degree gloriousness!
For the most part, though, the weather has been terrible! Cold, cold, and more cold.
Am I the only one whose cooking revolves around the weather? I mean, if nonstop 32 degree weather doesn't call for comfort food, then I don't know what does. I've made chicken-fried chicken and cream gravy, biscuits, bacon, chicken parm, soup, bacon, roasts, breads, bacon, stew, roasted chicken, bacon, and most any other comfort food you can think of. I'm kinda getting sick and tired of food. And I don't think my jeans think all the comfort food is all that comfortable. Who knew bacon could make the waist in my jeans tighter??
Sitting on the back deck, sipping a glass of something yummy, smelling all kinds of vegetable deliciousness on the grill..... sounds good to me. Springtime, you can't come soon enough.

To My Faithful Mini Van

Dear Mini Van,
You've been there for me for 9 long years.You've certainly done your best for me, and I do so appreciate it.  You've started up on cold winter days, and kept me cool in the 100 degree heat. You've driven three in kids in comfort and unabashed mom-style. You've played 1,989 hours of Barney, Disney Princess, and Taylor Swift, without a single thought as to what you wanted to hear. You've absorbed 35 gallons of pool water, and remained speechless as countless pounds of beach sand have been rubbed into your seats and floor. Like any good friend, you've tried your best to hide the Kool-Aid stains that have decorated the interior. Remember the giant sized McDonald's Orange drink that Emma spilled all over your carpet? Remember learning together that McDonalds Orange drink does NOT come out of carpet? To show my appreciation, I've tried to feed you well. Even right now, if you're hungry, you can still find a bunch of nuggets and fries somewhere in there. I'm sorry about the Chik-Fil-A fruit cup hidden in the back compartment that attracted all the fruit flies. It was nothing personal - really. Oh, so many years full of whining  tanrums laughter, and you've been there for them all. We've had so many good times together, and boy are you a trooper. Remember the bottle of formula that got lost one scorching summer? Silly van. You should have told me you were hiding it. Bet you never realized a smell like that existed, did you?? Not to worry. The fermenting apple juice covered up the formula smell eventually. Or was it the vomit? Anyhoo...  Even as you got older, you forged ahead. Did you know that as you aged you'd begin to lose body parts? Or were you trying to play tricks on me? When you lost your first door handle, I thought it was a little bit funny, you trickster. When you decided that you didn't want to open your back hatch anymore, well - that was a little annoying. But when you dropped the third door handle? Hmpf. What kind of trick were you trying to play on me? Was it payback for the fruitflies? I'll admit, it must have been hard for you the past few years, hearing how much the kids all hated you every time you gave them a ride. But me? You know how I love you. And because I care, I will be passing you on to someone who will continue to love you in your old age. It's time for the old folks' home, my little Sienna. Don't cry, really. Everytime you look around, you'll remember us. The crayon, the Sharpie marker, the Coke on top of the ceiling. And the Orange Drink. (Or maybe the vomit.) (Can you ever forget all the vomit?) No matter who drives you, you'll never really be able to forget us. We've left a permanent mark. And I'll never forget you, either.
If you have any advice for my new Sequoia, just let him know. He's a big boy, so I know he can handle it.
Goodbye, Sienna. It's been a wild ride.

New Year Stuff

Ahhh, it's Tuesday. We've survived two days back to school. 
Two whole weeks off for everyone, and for two whole weeks, I've been dreading the start of school! Mornings filled with breakfast making, and lunch packing, and snack packing, and homework signing, and glove finding, and unfortunately some grouchiness too. What's not to love? Honestly, I've never seen anyone that consistently has such foul moods in the morning as Clara. That kid just doesn't know how to wake up on the right side of the bed. Well, it's back to normal, I guess - is there any such thing?? I've heard that normal is just a setting on the dryer. ;)

I'm incapable of composing a cohesive post tonight. I blame it on the weather. My toes are cold right now - that's what I'm thinking about. It's absolutely SO gosh dern freezing here. Our fireplace has been running nonstop. Methinks we'll be having some excitement when the next gas bill arrives.

So, on an exciting note..... I'm working on character development.  Last week I became ruthless. Something I've wanted to be for a very long time. I spared no feelings, I tossed aside. I gave no thought to sentiments. Yes, I could get used to that. No holds barred. I went through all three of my kids' closets, and we got rid of almost everything!!! Even the playroom is done. If we didn't absolutely need it, it was GONE. I think we singlehandedly contributed to almost half of the town landfill. AND, we gave 28 huge bags full of clothes to Goodwill. That is a.l.o.t of crap, y'all. And oooh boy does it feel good!
Seriously though, I think that's my resolution this year. To get rid of crap. No, that doesn't sound good. To be ruthless. No, not that either. How 'bout this? I resolve to continually get rid of anything we don't need. It's either trash, or there is someone else who could use it.

It's been an interesting start to the New Year so far. I'm anticipating what God will have in store for me this year. No telling. If I had my way, I'm sure I'd mess it up royally. Every day that goes by, I see more and more clearly that His ways are NOT my ways, and His thoughts are not like mine. Thankfully, His mercies for me are also new every morning.
I've been thinking on this verse for the past few days - Acts 2:42. I hadn't read it anytime recently, but it's been on my heart lately. "They devoted themselves to the Apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, and to the breaking of bread and to prayer."  I think this will be one of my verses for the year. Even just the prayer part - the devoted word makes it a pretty stong statement, doesn't it? I want to be that woman - the devoted one.

How 'bout you? What are you resolving this year? What are your goals?