Anyone Have Cabin Fever?

No church for us this morning. Which felt a little odd. I took full advantage and stayed in bed for a long time. So long, E finally brought me breakfast in bed cause she was worried about me :) We are having some lazy days.

So far, the snow has been fun. Eric took the girls sledding yesterday while I stayed inside (thank you, Eric!). But, last night we did one of my absolute favorite things and went on a walk through the neighborhood. We waited until it was pretty late (after 9:00) because I wanted the girls to see how bright the snow makes everything look when it's normally dark outside (great opportunity for a devotion right there).

It was so beautiful! And quiet. We didn't want to come inside!

The walk did us some good though because all this 'staying in' has us eating more than normal. Or, maybe it's just me. Good grief, I feel like I've gained 5 pounds since Friday! Here's a little of what we've eaten.

Snow cream ...

Eric's dream job is to be a chef, so he takes things up a notch when making something. Is your snow cream blue with sprinkles?

O put in her order this morning for yellow snow cream for breakfast to represent Summer, green for lunch to represent Spring and red for dinner to represent Fall. I love her analogies. She's so funny.

I made Chicken Kiev for dinner. We haven't had it in so long and it has always been Eric's favorite meal. Yum! Yum!

While the chicken was in the oven, I helped the girls make Orangeades and breakfast cheesecake. We're rebels and didn't wait until breakfast. Instead we ate it for dessert.

And breakfast this morning.

We got both recipes from one of our favorite cookbooks at the moment (Paula Deen's Cookbook for the Lunch Box Set). This is a really cool cookbook with a lot of great (easy) recipes. I bought it for E at B*rnes & Noble a month or so ago.

Today, we're making Fruit Salsa with Cinnamon Tortillas.

In other words, by the time this snow melts, we'll all have to be rolled out the door.

What else is there to do?

Besides listen to E 'play' Disney's Sing It on Wii for hours. For the love. That may make cabin fever set in just a little quicker.

Are you stuck in the house because of snow?

Snow Day/Slow Day

We did get the snow that was forecasted for this weekend. So far, we're enjoying being cooped up in the house with each other and staying in our pj's. I fear I'm going to have to venture out soon with the girls. They have only asked us 142 times if they could go. They won't be put off much longer.

I, personally, have enjoyed the morning reading. I started a book this morning I have wanted to read for some time and I'm pretty sure I can finish it before I go to bed tonight (it's a short one). It's so good.

We set a ruler out last night before going to bed and now it's almost covered. It's still snowing ... or sleeting ... or both.

I've been meaning to post this video all week. I am in love with this song. I downloaded it to my iPod the night before I left for Houston. I love David Crowder Band, but had never taken the time to listen to this song. It's so beautiful. I listened to it many, many times on the flights to and from Houston .... the words are so fitting.

Enjoy!

Flashback Friday - My Babies

I realize I threw Eric under the bus last week when I posted the picture of him in high school. It was just too priceless and I 'sort of' had his permission.


Sort of.


Anyway, he was a great sport about it. However, I did promise I would redeem him by posting a picture of myself in high school.


Today is not that day.


And really that matter should be prayed over.


I think I may get to that by next Friday, but it will entail me having to dig through the attic.


In other words, no promises.


And no, I will not need for any of you to submit said pictures for that particular post. I have complete control over this here blog and will use good judgment when choosing a photograph to share with the world wide web. Well, as much as I can considering I graduated high school in the 80s and Aqua Net was the main hair staple.


None of that is the reason for this post.


I had a really nice camera for a few months in 2009. Then, I dropped it after E's gymnastics meet and well .... take a look at my pictures on this blog and you'll agree I now do not own a fancy camera.


Either that or it's me. It just can't be me.


Yesterday, I realized I could download my pictures from that camera eventhough it took an XD card. (I never claimed to be a technology whiz).


I have loved seeing the pictures on that card. Some of which were of this house when we were moving in. Those lost pictures have kept me from showing you before and after pictures of my bathroom makeover, etc. So, now I can.


But, not today.


I'm a procrastinator.


Today, these pictures are making me laugh.


(Taken 2007 - found on a old disc). When O refused to potty train, we tried bribing her with Tinkerbell p*nties. Resourceful as she is, she just skipped the potty training and wore them outside her pants.

My monkeys on Mother's Day 2009.


O, you are killing me! It's so hard to get a good picture of the both of them smiling or looking at the camera.
This doesn't make me laugh. I just like it. This is my Mom.

Celebration - Part 2

I'm going to wrap up my weekend as quickly as possible. I think I was too wordy yesterday. It's just so hard to recap such an amazing weekend without wanting to explain it all in detail.

When the event started Friday night, I loved how casual and intimate it all felt. Beth, Melissa and Amanda got on stage to welcome everyone.

Then, we were led in worship by none other than Travis. Again, I could barely make it through. Just so much emotion. The weight of the moment was heavy. And it doesn't get much better than Travis Cottrell.

Note: my pictures are horrible. It could be my camera, but mostly likely it's just me :)

Anyway, Beth taught on Psalm 119. 176 verses. It was a good word. One that I needed greatly.

I met more Siestas in the lobby on the way out - too many to list, but it was so neat to put names with faces. As I was standing in line with my new friends, several women would pass by me, look at my nametag and stop to hug me. I won't ever get over that and the lesson it taught me. I don't think I've done a very good job of loving others like that, but that is a true picture of the Body of Christ. He's the difference.

I should have taken more pictures at this point, but I was so overwhelmed by the moment.

While standing in line, I saw Emmy from Georgia. Emmy is someone I really wanted to meet because she had sent me the sweetest prayer back in November that touched me so much. You look great, Emmy! I'm not sure you wanted me to take this picture, but thanks for being a good sport!

Okay ... moving on to Saturday.

Saturday morning came way too fast. We arrived at the church bright and early to have breakfast in the lobby. I spent a few minutes catching up with new friends and still meeting more.

Then, Beth and her girls arrived. I think this picture is when Melissa was calling Beth a chicken nugget :)

I really couldn't wait for the message to begin because although everything had been so wonderful, I still came expecting to hear a direct word from the Lord and quite honestly, was praying so hard I was open to what He had for me. This was not the time to be silent, Lord!

Beth continued her message in Psalm 119 and said so much I needed to hear. This is the part I am still processing and taking very seriously the things I heard the Lord tell me. I was so thankful for His attention and I need to make sure I apply everything He had for me.

We took a break mid-morning and all 500 women headed to the hallway or courtyard to recite our memory verses to each other. This was another favorite for me. Looking across that courtyard and hearing all those women quote Scripture gave me butterflies. Just beautiful.


Here we are after we finished. Yay, we did it! We each said all 24 verses! (If I look like a wreck, it's because I was. I don't know why I even bothered with make-up.)

I will say this .... when Beth spoke about the last verses of Psalm 119 (vs. 169-176),

Let my cry come near before thee, O LORD:
give me understanding according to thy word.
Let my supplication come before thee:
deliver me according to thy word.
My lips shall utter praise,
when thou hast taught me thy statutes.
My tongue shall speak of thy word:
for all thy commandments are righteousness.
Let thine hand help me;
for I have chosen thy precepts.
I have longed for thy salvation, O LORD;
and thy law is my delight.
Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee;
and let thy judgments help me.
I have gone astray like a lost sheep;
seek thy servant;
for I do not forget thy commandments

she said these words ... "If you teach Sunday School or maybe lead a bible study and you have found yourself in deep despair and can't find a way up, ask God to "Come find me!".

I've wondered since if I heard that right, but I'm telling you when that was said, I almost dropped to the floor. That 'wrap up' made the rest of the Psalm make perfect sense to me and I was again in awe of a God that is so purposeful in every direction He leads me.

Did I need to go to Houston to hear that? My answer is 'yes'! Not many people would understand that statement, but this weekend wasn't about relying on anyone else or finding support through close friends. I'm sure I would have missed Him even if my best friend had been beside me. All distractions were gone. It was just me and Him ... on a plane, on a bus or sitting under His teaching. And I am forever thankful for the time to sit at His feet and find healing.

He didn't stop there, though.

On the way out the door, we saw Amanda and Melissa and chatted a second.


Amanda, your hair looked great!! I was so glad to meet you!

Tracy, Heather and I went to lunch and at the last minute, 'cliff-note" Laurie from Georgia tagged along :) I'm so glad she did! She gave us a part of her testimony and I sat in awe once more of the appointment God had for me. She never knew, but things she said spoke to other circumstances I am facing and I hung on every word (even jotted notes down in the car).

After lunch, Heather and I left for the airport. When we arrived at our gate, I met 2 more Siestas who were flying back to Charlotte as well ... Melissa and Denise.

Heather made me take a picture because at this point, I wasn't thinking straight. I was completely exhausted (I look it, too!) and I was also stressed out because we were having to walk OUTSIDE to board our SMALL plane.

And this is where I broke up with Eric again.

He knows I hate small planes. I also realized how very 'out of it' I was on the flight to Houston because Heather told me it was the same size plane we flew on the day before. I had no idea.

The flight turned out to be fine and I made up with Eric as soon as I saw him and my sweet girls running towards me at the airport.

I wanted to cry. Again. I am so very blessed!

Eric, I will never be able to put into words what this gift has meant to me. You knew me better than I knew myself and loved me so much, you knew I had to go. I love you!

Celebration - My New Friends - Part 1

Sit back, grab yourself a sweet tea because this will be the longest post in history.

It has taken me a few days to post about the SMT Celebration for several reasons. 1) I am having a hard time putting my thoughts into words, 2) I am trying to process what is 'just for me' and what is meant to be shared and 3) my plane landed Saturday night and I hit the ground running with committments that took me straight into Tuesday afternoon.

And then it hit me.

Oh, the exhaustion. I felt like I could barely move last night and went to bed really early.

So, today I'm feeling somewhat refreshed and ready to do a little recap. Instead of writing about what God is teaching me through it all, (I'll save that for a later time) and just try to talk about who all I met.

And really that won't be possible either because I met too many people to count.

But, here's the cliff-note version (that statement will make my new friends Heather and Laurie laugh. When someone would ask Laurie a question, she kept saying, "Here's the cliff-note version" and I told her I was totally going to steal that saying because oh, how my husband would LOVE the cliff-note version every once in awhile. ha!)

Anyway, I wish I could tell you I was excited when I got to the airport Friday morning, but that would be a lie. When Eric left me at the security check-in and I walked to my gate alone, the weight of the whole trip hit me. Really hit me. I had an hour to sit .... and wait. This is when the majority of you received a text message. I was not good.

I walked to the plane, found my seat and was overwrought with emotion. I think this is when I broke up with Eric and had he not made me check my bag, I probably would have ran off the plane at this point (he's a clever one, isn't he?).

A gentlemen sat down next to me and said, "Hello, Ma'am" as I smiled and prayed, "Lord, please do not let this man be a 'talker' because I am not talking!" The Lord was so sweet to shut that man up for the rest of the trip - ha!

BUT, before the plane took off I did hear someone say, "Excuse me, are you going to see Beth Moore? Are you a Siesta?" I had to think for a minute because I don't think I've ever been called that before. Sitting across the aisle was another siesta (Heather) and I think I said 'yes' and then sat back in my seat praying I didn't have to talk. The moment was just too much.

But, God was so sweet to put her on the same flight as me (and on the flight back!). We were able to introduce ourselves once we landed and plan to meet again at the hotel.

I took the bus to the rental car building where I had arranged to meet another Siesta (Tracy), whom I had never met - Cathy, aren't you proud of me?) for a ride to the hotel. While waiting, I started seeing pink boas. And NO I did not have one on. It reminded me strangely of the red hat society, but with pink feathers.

I met Tracy and we started on our journey to the hotel. We each told our stories and got acquainted and I knew I had made a new friend. She was just so easy to talk to. With 3 teenagers, I had already in that small car ride learned a lot of parenting wisdom. I wasn't nervous or anxious. Just in the moment and felt strangely calm.

I was fortunate to have one of the free rooms from LPM and God was so sweet to give us such a nice place to stay. Gorgeous. No, I don't have a single picture. Bummer. But, pink boas were everywhere and that made me laugh.

As soon as I checked in, I was heading to the elevator and met 3 ladies. Bethany and Yvonne from CA and Tami from South Dakota. What blows my mind here is that out of the 500 women attending the celebration that weekend, God would put me in front of these ladies within the first few minutes of arriving at the hotel. Bethany and Yvonne had sent me emails over the past months. Yvonne told me then how she never reads comments on the LPM blog, but once she had read mine in November, God had put me on her heart daily to pray for me. Moments like that are overwhelming for me. I thought, "Who am I, God that you are so mindful of me?" I'll never get over how the body of Christ ministers to each other and I'll never be able to explain it either.

My assigned roommate for the weekend had cancelled her trip the day before so that put me in a room by myself. I was already overwhelmed at this point and once in my room felt like I could blow off the whole thing, stay in my room and NO ONE would know. Then, my new friend Heather called and asked if I wanted her to stay with me. The fact that she did forced me to go to the event (which I don't think she knows).

Okay, remember this is the cliff-note version. Are any of you still reading? Good grief, this is long.

Friday, I went to dinner with Tracy, Heather, Yvonne, Bethany and Tami. I ate mexican! I never eat mexican and probably cheated by having a salmon salad, but still .... it had avocados in it. That's huge for me. One thing I realized while we were eating was how God was going to meet with me in the small conversations I had with His people and not just through the teaching I would hear. I learned so much about Him while just listening to people share their stories and talk about a faithful and mindful God. He's just amazing.

Heather, Yvonne, Tracy, Me, Bethany, Tami

After dinner, we headed to Houston First Baptist Church. I don't think I've ever been in a church that big, but it felt small. Basketball courts, bowling alley, beautiful sanctuary, workout room. A definite outreach to the community. I loved being there. When I walked in, I think I made up with Eric in my mind even though I'm not sure he knew we had broken up :)

Once there, we put on our name tags and here's where I'm not going to be able to explain what happened. I was approached by so many women that recognized my name from my LPM comment. I had never imagined experiencing anything like that, but to hear so many women say to me, "I have been praying for you" who had never met me .... well, that wasn't lost on me because I knew it was the reason I was there (and even able to come in the first place). It was just another beautiful way God showed me how mindful He is of me and my crazy life. There are so many people suffering and big things that are going on all around the world that certainly need God to intervene and show His glory, yet He chooses to listen to me and see my situation and bless me with other women praying. I just don't think I'll ever understand that.

We met in the room where Beth taught Sunday School for years, so it felt small and intimate which I thought was appropriate. As soon as I put my things down, I looked up and saw Traci. I have wondered since if I screamed. Out of all the people I heard from, I really wanted to meet Traci. I won't ever be able to explain that but I just felt in my Spirit like we would be good friends. Here she is ... isn't she so cute??

My only regret was not being able to spend more time with her. The weekend was just too rushed. I just loved her and her heart. What touched me the most was her telling me she had been praying for Pam's little girl, which confused me at first but I realized she had seen the picture of Pam and her niece on my blog. I was fascinated by that. (Cathy S, this is what I've been wanting to tell you - that women are praying for L. Isn't that the coolest thing?) Do I love people like that? No. I told her to keep praying! Traci, that blessed me so much. I have to believe God is going to give us another chance to hangout. One day. I just love you so much.

This post is already so long, so I'll end here and finish the weekend in another post. Lots more to tell ......

Home

I'm snuggled in my bed after taking a looonnng hot bath. Hubby asleep beside me and my girls fast asleep in their beds.

Feels good to be home.

My trip was great, hard, fabulous, emotional, fun, tiring, troubling, comforting, healing, painful, wonderful .... pretty much every emotion imaginable experienced in 48 hours. I'm exhausted.

I will share some of my trip and try to put words to some of the things I experienced and felt. I will not be able to do much of it justice and much of it I'm still processing. Certainly a God appointed time.

Your prayers were felt. (My closest friends, your prayers and text messages encouraged me so much on Friday.) God heard you. I felt very loved.

Getting some rest .....

I'm leaving on a jet plane....

.....don't know when I'll be back again ....

Ha! Except that's not true. I'll be home tomorrow night.

A couple of things ....

** I'm really, really excited this morning. It's hard not to be with my two babies running around me 'helping' me pack.

** I have had such a hard time packing because the weather is suppose to be 74 degrees in Houston. Weird to me right now.

** 2 of my high schools girls sent me text messages with scripture and prayers. I thought of the irony of them encouraging me. Blessed me so, so much.

** I am not taking my computer, so I won't be posting until after this is all over. It's a short trip and I need to take it all in.

** I do not like Mexican food.

** I will NOT be wearing a pink feather boa! :) I do, however, have a pink scarf if I'm feeling left out.

** I appreciate your prayers so much. All the emails, text messages and comments have been a blessing. I feel them! Keep them coming.

Okay, I'm outta here ....

Flashback

I am going to be in big trouble for posting this picture. Big trouble.

But, it makes me smile so I'm posting it.

Actually, smile isn't the right word.

What is the right word to describe what it makes me do? Ummmmmm, how about two words ..... laugh hysterically.

Eric's mom gave me this newspaper clipping and I love it. Obviously, he played football in high school (he's the one in the middle) and was really good from what I hear (see, I'm trying to use flattery to soften the blow of posting this). This picture was taken before a big Friday night game and apparently the guys were trying to look intimidating in the picture.

Maybe that's what cracks me up so much. Eric is the furthest thing from intimidating you can get. Well, unless he's really, really mad (which is rare), so apparently he was really, really mad on this day.

Naaahhhh, I'm not buying it. It was a total pose. ha!

I found this in my closet while I was cleaning it yesterday. At the time, I was crying about the weekend and then found this and started laughing so hard. Good medicine.

So, honey thank you for this comic relief. Know that God used it to minister to me today (you're not buying that either, are you?).

Have I mentioned how much I love you??? And those short-shorts you are wearing?? You look exactly the same 20 years later!

Have I mentioned how much I love you?

Packing

Today is my day off. I sent the girls to school over an hour ago and grabbed my to-do list. I have a lot to get done before I leave on Friday for this. I felt excited for a moment. I love going places and I especially love going places I know I will be fed spiritually. I started looking for something to wear. I needed to pack.

Reality.

I suddenly felt very sad. So sad, I walked out of my closet and crawled back in bed. It just stinks that I am going alone. Normally, I have no problem going places alone and I'm certainly not fearful of traveling alone. I just wish things were different and my friend, Pam was going with me.

I remembered a conversation Pam and I had about the SMT Celebration. When we first talked about going last year, she said, "Lisa and I were talking and it may not be a good time of the year to go because we could have bad weather in January". I replied in my usual sarcastic way, "Pam, we're flying into Texas! Who cares what the weather is like here? We'll be with Beth Moore and Travis Cottrell!" We both laughed and committed again to going.

It makes me smile that after an already unusually cold winter here, it's sunny this week with temps in the 60s. Feels like Spring.

God is into the details, isn't He?

I'm riding such an emotional roller coaster this week, the slightest bit of cold air would have me doubting my trip. Silly, I know. It's just where I am. I've gone through so many emotions - head over heels in love with Eric for doing this for me ..... and, the next minute .... completely ticked off at him for doing this for me. He knew once the ticket was bought, I couldn't back out. Dern.

So, I'm hoping to muster up some courage to pack between now and Friday. I'm asking God to help me see Him in every circumstance. I'm not really sure what the big deal is about this trip and why I 'have' to go. I know He has a plan and I don't want to miss what He wants to show me.

Would you pray for me?

Ballet is Original

So we had a day off from school.

Oh my word, my girls were WILD!
I was so thankful around 2:00 when I realized how 'warm' it was outside. They seriously needed to get out and run around.


Why? Because O spent 2 hours doing 'ballet'. She would say some silly speech before doing her 'routine' and this went on for hours. I finally stopped to take a video.




Ballet is original.

In her case, this is true.

Link Love

I can't tell you how happy I was going to bed last night knowing Eric was not traveling this week. I think I slept better than I have in weeks. What made it even better was knowing we didn't have school today. We are giddy. We have no expectations and no plans. Just happy to have a day off.

This weekend, we made clay necklaces.

It was so easy, we went back to Michaels yesterday for more clay and invited my 3 nieces over to join the fun. It think we made over 40 hearts and flowers. The girls got creative and personalized some of them with my alphabet fondant cutters. I got the idea from Muffin Tin Mom.

The clay cost $1.29 a block and you can get 6-7 shapes out of one block. So inexpensive, my girls want to make these for their classmates for Valentine's Day. We've already made enough to cover almost everybody. However, for classmate gifts we won't be spending the $2.99 per child for a silver chain. So, I bought colored hemp for those and it works great.

I also made the Pioneer Woman's Perfect Pound Cake. Made with Sprite and super-easy. Also, delicious!! I'm making another one today to take to bible study tonight.

Also, check out this video of CFA on Nightline. I have to admit I would totally camp out for a free sandwich every week for a year. Well, I would for a chicken biscuit. Love that place.

I love this post by Sally Clarkson. This is why I love her so much. She 'lives' what she writes about in her books. Always reminding us our first priority has to be our heavenly Father. He provides for us in unimaginable ways and remembering that sets us free to enjoy life and His blessings. I'm looking forward to that new book (which she has so graciously agreed to let me review for my blog! Can't wait!).

Happy Monday! Did you have the day off from work/school as well? Here's to spending the day in your pj's!!

Chipmunks

They are taking over my life!

My girls are on a mission to collect every.last.one. and I'm embarrassed to admit how many Happy Meals that represents for our family over the past 2 weeks. Yuck! Sick of them.

But, we're still short 2 of them. I'm thinking of looking on Ebay (ha!) just so I don't have to order another cheeseburger!

Dancing with My Father

You know my love for Sally Clarkson. I love everything she has ever written. And have read most of her books twice.

Her latest book Dancing with My Father is now available. You can read her post about the book here.

It is no doubt full of wisdom. Looking forward to reading.

Top 5 Reasons I'm Glad It's Friday ...

1) Eric comes home today!! This has been a looooonnngg two weeks and we are all very excited to have him here for awhile.

2) I didn't have to go to work.

3) I don't have to go to work tomorrow.

4). Because of #2, I was able to head to Chick-fil-A for chicken minis and a large sweet tea. Yum!

5) When O asked for the 150th time this week, "Is today the day Daddy comes home?", I could answer, "YES!!!".

We're very excited to see you today, Eric! Thank you for your comment on my last post. You crack me up. In just a few short hours, I will be able to pass off these monkeys to you ....



.....and go do something constructive like take a long bath ..... or a nap ..... or just use the bathroom with no interruptions. It will be heaven.

We love you! Can't wait to see you!

Never take yourself too seriously ....

.... that is what I'm always telling E. My firstborn is very dramatic and very literal. Makes for some touchy situations around here since she lives with some pretty sarcastic people. The slightest turn from the ordinary will send her to tears. When I try to laugh at a situation with her, she cries because "Everyone.is.laughing.at.me!!"

I don't know why I have that on my mind so much this morning. Maybe because I realize how much I am that way as well. I can laugh at almost anything now, but I wasn't always that way. I used to wear my feelings on my sleeve. I guess age (still in my thirties!!) causes us to chill out and laugh a little.

Either that, or we laugh to keep from crying - ha!

Besides, I'm too quirky to take seriously. I do the craziest things (some of you are saying 'Amen!')

Latest quirky thing ....

My girls love Conversation Hearts. We have already eaten a small bag and they were asking for more.

I came home with a new bag on Sunday. My girls were jumping up and down with excitement.

"What does mine say, Mommy?" "Oh, I can't wait to read mine!" (Don't really understand the fascination.)

Problem is, they are in Spanish.

No, I didn't mean to buy Conversation Hearts in Spanish. Cracks me up.

O eats a few every afternoon and asks me to read them ..... "Hola, Amiga!", "Mi Amor" and "Guapo" makes her laugh until she can't catch her breath.

E hasn't eaten one since Sunday.

While reading this post, it is important to remember this is not a craft blog

I had an idea. When I saw the I AM painting on Susie's blog, I thought to myself "I need that!". I figured out pretty quickly I couldn't afford it and especially not before Christmas. So, I thought I could figure out how to make one. (You have no idea how many times I see something handmade and say, "I could do that" when I need to remind myself, "No, Deidre. You really can't". I continue to live in denial.

But, when Susie posted how to make it, I felt pretty confident. So confident in fact, I decided to make two ... one for me and one for my Mom. Ambitious would be a good word to use here. Oh, and denial is still a good one as well.

Susie mentioned Lowes or Home Depot sells pre-cut 2x2 pine wood squares. Honestly, I have never been in that section of either store, but I wanted to look like I knew what I was talking about. E, O and I marched up to the counter in the lumber section and I said confidently, "I need 2 of your pre-cut pine wood squares." "Right this way, ma'am.""

Good. There really is such a thing.

By the way, the problem with wanting to make my Mom one as well is that her birthday and her party were 2 days away. Yep .... keep that in mind for the rest of this post.

After putting my girls to bed Thursday night, I decided to get started and paint both of our squares black.

Easy enough.

I asked my Mom for a list of her favorite names of God. Then, I printed her choices and my own in different fonts and sizes. I did just like Susie said and taped them on the board where I thought they would go. (My names are in red because I was out of black ink :)

Then, I started with the I AM first.

Took me 2 hours. For the love.

You trace the letters so they make an impression in the wood. I remember reading on Susie's blog how the wood is so soft. I must have bought the hardest piece that has ever existed because oh.my.word the tracing about did me in.

I finished painting the I AM, God and Father and went to bed. This wouldn't be so bad. I can do this and have less than $5.00 in the entire project. Piece of cake.

Friday, I got up bright and early thinking I would knock it out before I had to pick O up from school at 12:00. (insert evil laughter here - muwwwhhhaaaaaaa). I felt like I heard that all day.

Two hours into the process on Friday morning, I felt like calling Susie and screaming, "Name your price! Whatever it is, it's so worth it!"

But, I persevered.

At one point the stress got to me so I stopped to eat ten of these.

Worth every bite.

I stopped only twice and that was to pick up each of my children from school. This project took me all day. And lest you think I am exaggerating, I finished it at 10:00 Friday night and then decided it was time to take a bath (I was still in my pj's ..... from the night before).

Notice how some of the names of God changed by the time I finished?

When I looked at Prince of Peace and the tiny print, He quickly became Peace Speaker (her favorite, anyway). And Counselor? Never made it. By the end of Friday night, I was saying, "Eric, God is not a counselor! What is He that has very few letters?" Ha! So, He became King. The only name my Mom didn't choose, but oh well. Maybe He wants her to know He's King in her life this year? See .... it's all spiritual :)

What's most important is that she loved it. Or, atleast she acted like it and that made me happy.

Oh, and mine turned out great. Check it out.

I'm thinking hand-painted is overrated. I have plans to take a picture of Mom's painting and gluing a copy to the center of my board.

I don't think that's ever been done before.

Checking in

Yes, I did finish the project for my Mom. And yes, I do plan to post the details of it. Hopefully later today. Or tonight. (Fingers crossed). Life is happening around here and wide open at that. I have big plans to cook dinner tonight and spend some time doing NOTHING with my girls. So, after that ...... a post.

Today I found out some interesting things. O wants to get married when she is 39. Until then, she wishes her school teacher was her Mom. Even when I explained if that were true she wouldn't be my little girl and I wouldn't be her Mom. She said with little compassion, "It's okay. You will be okay."

Sigh.

I'll end with a video.

To you, boring.

To me, funny.

The Word

I can't be on here long because I am working on a huge project this morning. Today. All night tonight and all day tomorrow. I had a grand idea to do something for my Mom's birthday and it's kicking my tail. But, I will finish. If all goes well (quite possible it won't), I will show you the finished project on Monday. (Let it be so, Lord!)

Anyway, the girls were on a 2 hour delay this morning. Eric was so sweet to come back home and get them to take them to school. When the house was quiet, I abandoned my huge project to have my quiet time with the Lord.

I'm back to the beginning of my One Year Bible which I love. Fresh Start. For some reason, during this season (for the past few years, actually) I am enjoying the Old Testament so much. I am a student of God's Word and every chapter I read seems like the first time. I just love it. (Oh hey, I just remembered our bible study starts on Monday and we're studying The Patriarchs. Well, what about that?)

As I'm reading each day, I am remembering lessons God taught me this time last year in those very same verses as I committed to reading His Word in a year. I fought temptation this morning when I thought, "I know this already. You taught me this lesson through this Scripture last year".

After reading through the passages quickly, I recalled, " .... behold, I will do a new thing. NOW it shall spring forth! Shall ye not know it?" and I knew God had a specific and different message for me today through familiar verses. So, I read them again and got so tickled at my new discoveries.

All this sounds random, but my point to this post is to remind myself (and maybe you?) just how powerful God's Word really is. It is the 'discerner of thoughts and intents of the heart' and can turn a life around in an instant. It is alive!

Without it and the Lord speaking through it, I fall quickly and deeply into a pit of despair.

So, what about you? Are you plodding through life without the words that breathe life into us? Sustain us? Guide us? Help us to lead righteous lives?

God wants to do a new thing in each of our lives. We cannot possibly know what that is if we aren't listening to Him through His word.

Do you have a reading plan? What do you do in your quiet time? Do you use a devotion book? Bible Study book? Or, do you read the Bible in a year?

I would love to hear what others do to stay in the Word!

Children Model What They SEE

Eric took this picture in Vermont and emailed it to me. Isn't the snow beautiful? Peaceful?

It seems like I've had to work extra hard lately to get motivated. To even do things I enjoy. I haven't talked a lot about it here, but the past few months have been difficult. I have felt like the wind has been knocked out of me and although I have some very good days, I have very hard ones as well.

I'm working through some things with the Lord. Truth be told, a lot of the 'sorting out' has been a long time coming, but I've been neglecting the little nudges from Him. Funny how a valley forces you to address sin and issues the Lord has been trying to call your attention to? I'm not on the other side yet, but I can feel Him pulling me up. I want to be so careful to hear Him closely and allow Him to put me back together as He sees fit and not how I see it.

Before the girls and I were out for Christmas break, we were in major stress mode. I will not be able to accurately explain it, but life here was just hard and stressful and none of us were 'clicking'. I blamed it on school, holidays and schedules but deep down I knew the problem was rooted in my own relationship with the Lord. As my children learn what it means to serve the Lord and rely on Him in all aspects of their days, their attitudes will always be a direct reflection of my own. I believe that wholeheartedly. They feed off of me and how I approach situations. So, if I am flailing around and barely hanging on .... so goes my home.

I'm not suggesting every home or family is like this. But, I know without a doubt mine is. I've witnessed it too many times.

When our lives get that way, there is no use wallowing in the reality of it. The only thing to do is start over. Ask forgiveness. Set new priorities. Ask God for guidance. And obey!

I'll talk more about specifics later, but one major object that always gets in the way is my selfishness. If I can put some of my selfish desires aside and truly have a heart to serve my family, things run smoothly. Whenever time becomes an issue here, it's usually because priorities are out of order and I'm feeding more of my selfish flesh than my spiritual calling to serve my children and husband.

We're taking baby steps. But, it's working.

I'm spending more time with my girls in the mornings helping them dress, doing their hair and talking to them about their day. This requires me getting up earlier and choosing to serve them.

Starting school made it a little more tricky, so I have lunches packed before I go upstairs to wake them. This has been my favorite part because it has given me the opportunity to sit down with them while they eat breakfast. This is when I read a devotion to them and pray with them. (Before, we prayed in the car on the way to school every morning). We use this devotion book and I actually have time to talk with them about what we've read and hear them talk to each other about it. I am not a morning person at all, but this is becoming my favorite part of the day. I even watched O walk downstairs this morning, grab the book and set it at my place at the table and pull out my chair. That blessed me so much.

What is important to me will be important to them.

This is just one of many adjustments the Lord has asked me to make. I always tell my girls to honor God is to also honor Him with our time. That goes for me too. They won't believe it if I don't model it to them.

SMT Celebration

December 28, 2008.

I went to church that evening and sat down in my usual place. I sensed someone sit down on the pew behind me and turned to see my friend, Pam. We had a few minutes to talk before service started.

Just a week before, we had talked about memorizing scripture together in the new year. Not completely sure how we would do it, we just knew we would hold each other accountable. We always challenged each other in our individual walks with the Lord. We recommended books to each other or even called each other out when we felt the other one slipping (quite honestly, she was the one usually reeling me back in when I wasn't spending enough time in the Word. She just never let me get by with it). She just made me a better person.

Back to December 28th.

I had just read this the night before and knew in an instant what our new commitment to scripture would look like. I couldn't wait to tell her. So, when she sat down I started talking a mile a minute, telling her how excited I was we would have such a cool way to memorize scripture and with so many other women. It was perfect.

She laughed the whole time I was talking. And when I pulled out my brand new spiral I had just purchased at Walgreens, she reached down in her purse and pulled one out as well.

She had already read the post, too.

We used to get so tickled at each other when things like that would happen.

So, we started.

Very little impacted my spiritual walk more in 2009 than memorizing scripture. No, I didn't need LPM to do it and no I didn't need anyone else, but the accountability has made all the difference.

The first time Beth posted about a celebration in Houston for all those who have memorized their 24 verses, I knew I wanted to go. Pam did too. What could be better than a free worship service with Beth Moore and Travis Cottrell with hundreds of other women who have worked so hard to hide God's word in their hearts? It would be worth the trip.

In September, Pam called to ask if we were still going. Ofcourse! She was getting ready to take a long trip, but wanted me to know we would book our plane tickets when she got back. Okay, we're actually going to do this. We talked that day about leaving a day early and coming back a day late and spending some time together. I love to plan a trip and this one would be so great.

A few weeks after Pam was back home I asked her about booking our flights. She told me to wait a few weeks since she wasn't feeling well.

A few weeks after that the Lord chose to take her home to be with Him. The saddest day of my life. Eric sums up my feelings when I don't know how by saying, "Deidre, you've lost your Peter, James or John and it's going to take time to heal". He's right. She was exactly that.

The day before her passing, this was posted on the LPM Blog and the thought of going to that celebration was unbearable. I posted a quick comment about her passing on that post and I received over 200 emails that week. Unbelievable. The body of Christ is astounding and the prayers going up for me were humbling. And very much appreciated.

Eric has asked me repeatedly to attend that event. My emphatic 'no's' turned to 'maybe' and he started looking at airline prices. Just before Thanksgiving, the rates were so high, I had no problem telling him I was NOT going. Don't get me wrong, I was bummed, but felt God was saying 'no'. I was relieved as well not wanting to go alone.

Little did I know Eric never gave up on the idea.

I was completely dumbfounded today when he called to tell me he had booked me on a flight to Houston when he found a rate too good to pass up. I had no idea he was even looking. We hadn't talked about it in over a month.

So, I sit here amazed at the love Eric has shown me in giving me such a heartfelt gift. I admit I'm also terrified at the thought of going. I will be alone and missing my friend so much it hurts. I know this because I can hardly get through it at times now. I know God's grace will shower me in the moments I need Him most. I have no doubt I will need him that weekend in a new way.

No School Today

The second day into our 'let's get back to school routine' instead finds us at home. I woke at 1:30 this morning to "Mom, I'm not feeling so well". The next three hours were some I do not wish to relive ever again. I'll spare you the details and just say I have a huge amount of laundry this morning seeing how most of my towels and blankets were ...... ahem ..... well, christened. At 4:30 this morning, I crawled back into bed after cleaning my bedroom and bathroom and spraying both down with Lysol.

Bless E's heart.Ironically, this is the first time in her sweet 8 years of life I remember her getting so sick in the middle of the night.

Just before going to bed, I froze Gatorade in ziploc bags so she would have some this morning to eat. (Does anyone else do this when your sick? It's so good and an easy way to replenish those electrolytes when you're not quite ready to drink anything. I used to keep some in the freezer for such occasions, but didn't have any last night).

Anyway, O saw E having her treat this morning and faked a stomach ache to get her own. I'm praying it doesn't turn into the real thing.

So, right now E is still a little pale and lying on the sofa reading. Please Lord, let this be an isolated incident and not spread to the rest of us.

ReVolutions

E: "Mom, what's a New Year revolution?"


Me: "Do you mean resolution?"


E: "I guess."


Me: "A New Year's resolution is a goal you make on the first day of the new year to try to work on."


Nothing else was said.


Until this morning.


E (8 yrs. old) handed Eric and me this paper ..... with her New Year ReVoltions on it.


Hers are a little different from mine :)

I love her heart!