Last night we decorated for Christmas. I really want Christ to be the first in this season of Christmas. As we put the star on the top of the tree I explained to Kaiden what that meant. "Kaiden do you know why we put a star on top of the tree?" He shook his head. "Because a long time ago God came to earth as a tiny baby boy named Jesus some wise men in another land saw the star when Jesus was born it was so amazing that they packed up and followed it to where he was." "They drove for a long time?", Kaiden replied. "Yes, you could say that. When they arrived they worshiped him and celebrated Jesus' birth by giving him presents. So, that's why we have the star here, Jesus is where our journey should always lead us." Kaiden "and I get presents." Three year olds hear what they want to hear. "yeah, you do get presents Jesus is so nice he lets us get presents when we celebrate his birthday, he was born so we could have the greatest gift his love and salvation. Jesus is pretty cool huh?"
As I pulled out the nativity set I told the story again in a different way. Taking time to remember Christ is the reason we celebrate. Merry Christmas and happy decorating.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Friday, September 16, 2011
perfect...not so much!
I spent sometime in reflection today, which ended in the conclusion that I'm not perfect. I used to pride myself in how clean my house always was. I would always have the laundry done, the floors mopped, the bathrooms shiny and fresh twice a week, and I vacuumed once or twice a day. It was beautiful and when my house is clean it makes me honestly happy! :)
As my life changed this past December from working part-time to full-time, plus becoming #1 parents as Josh left on deployment. My world has been turned upside down. My house isn't always clean. I get half of it clean (by no means perfect) and then exhaustion kicks in or it's time to leave or most important my son needs me.
This past week was so crazy that I just finished washing the pan the eggs were cooked in on Sunday. This is an outrage to me. I really don't know what this post is truly about but I just felt the need to share my reflection today. I can't do it all, I can't be everything, and most of all I am not perfect. Granted I would love to be, but it's not happening.
I think every woman I know tries to be perfect. We try to present ourselves as a success - as a wife, mother, housekeeper, employee...whatever. When we are honest and say "hey, I need help." or "look this is my failure" it can open the opportunity to let someone else use their gifts to shine. On the plus side you won't been so stressed.
The other thing I've learned over the past 9 months is to let somethings go. I ask myself what in my life is urgent, important and then what can I do in the future. (A concept I learned at work, but I can apply to my life.) It's important that I do laundry, but when Kaiden is needing one on one time with me that's urgent and that pan from Sunday it's still going to be there for me to clean to it stayed on my future list this past week. I can't do it all so somethings have gone to the wayside, my yard is a mess, my dresser has a pile of junk to actually put away, and the car really needs to be vacuumed out. Today however I held Kaiden in my arms as we watched a movie, I took him to Monkey Joe's while I had some mommy time with a friend, and this evening I read him stories before bed. After he was asleep I washed my dishes, picked up the toys, and cleaned the front bath. The rest went on to my future list, cause I've learned if I don't give my body time to rest there won't be anything accomplished.
Thank you for reading. I hope this helps encourage you in someway.
As my life changed this past December from working part-time to full-time, plus becoming #1 parents as Josh left on deployment. My world has been turned upside down. My house isn't always clean. I get half of it clean (by no means perfect) and then exhaustion kicks in or it's time to leave or most important my son needs me.
This past week was so crazy that I just finished washing the pan the eggs were cooked in on Sunday. This is an outrage to me. I really don't know what this post is truly about but I just felt the need to share my reflection today. I can't do it all, I can't be everything, and most of all I am not perfect. Granted I would love to be, but it's not happening.
I think every woman I know tries to be perfect. We try to present ourselves as a success - as a wife, mother, housekeeper, employee...whatever. When we are honest and say "hey, I need help." or "look this is my failure" it can open the opportunity to let someone else use their gifts to shine. On the plus side you won't been so stressed.
The other thing I've learned over the past 9 months is to let somethings go. I ask myself what in my life is urgent, important and then what can I do in the future. (A concept I learned at work, but I can apply to my life.) It's important that I do laundry, but when Kaiden is needing one on one time with me that's urgent and that pan from Sunday it's still going to be there for me to clean to it stayed on my future list this past week. I can't do it all so somethings have gone to the wayside, my yard is a mess, my dresser has a pile of junk to actually put away, and the car really needs to be vacuumed out. Today however I held Kaiden in my arms as we watched a movie, I took him to Monkey Joe's while I had some mommy time with a friend, and this evening I read him stories before bed. After he was asleep I washed my dishes, picked up the toys, and cleaned the front bath. The rest went on to my future list, cause I've learned if I don't give my body time to rest there won't be anything accomplished.
Thank you for reading. I hope this helps encourage you in someway.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Friends
“A friend is someone who understands your past, believes in your future, and accepts you just the way you are.” (unknown) This year I've learned so much about friendship. I'm so blessed to have the friends I have in my life. I have my sister friends, my work friends, my church friends, and my friends from the past. All these friendships have helped me be a better person they challenge me to grow as a person, to relax when I need to and to build me up. I have my best friend my husband who I miss more then words can say right now. I've needed to lean on friends more then ever this year some have failed me, but some have surprised me with encouragement I didn't except.
My challenge be a friend to everyone you meant be willing to give even if you don't feel like it, and to remember the awesome friends you have in your life past and present.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Experience Life Together
I was inspired by today's message at church to find things for Josh and I to do together to create some memories, to do more of life together, to dream together, to challenge each other, and develop ourselves as will as our marriage. I came up with a list of things to do in Fayetteville. If you're not in Fayetteville, NC I hope this list can inspire you to make your own list in your area and start experiencing life with your spouse. If you have any other ideas of activities please let me know so I can add it to my list.
Operation Experience Life Together
1) Roland Dance Studio
a. Swing and Salsa Group lessons 10% military discount
c. 310 Hope Mills Road, Fayetteville, NC
d. 910-423-2623
2) Zip Quest
a. 533 carvers falls Road, Fayetteville, NC
b. 910-488-8787
d. $79.00
e. $10.00 back with military ID
3) Paraclete Sky Venture
a. 910-848-2600
b. $63.00 first time flyer
d. 190 Paraclete Drive, Raeford, NC 28376
4) Adult Pottery Classes @ Millhouse Art
b. $100 for 4 weeks + $30/ 25 lbs bag of clay
c. 910-483-8355
d. 122 Maxwell street
5) Red point Indoor Rock Climbing
a. 5213 Raeford Rd St #103
b. 910-868-7625
d. Couple Membership $100 – 30 days
e. Punch passes 10 punch pass $100.00
6) Try a new restaurant then write a review together www.10best.com
7) Art workshops
a. Cape Faer Studios
8) McDuff’s Tea Room
b. 910-488-0328
c. Afternoon tea t-sa 3 – 5pm reservations required at least 1 day in advance
9) Theatre and Live Shows
b. http://www.gilberttheater.com/ - Gilbert theater
e. http://www.fayettevillesymphony.org/ - Fayetteville Symphony
Monday, January 24, 2011
All Day Chili in 20 minutes
2 Tablespoons minced garlic
1 can cream style sweet corn
1 can diced tomatoes
16 oz chicken broth
1 lbs ground turkey
1 can black beans
3 Tablespoons Chili powder
1 Tablespoon Paprika
1/2 Tablespoon Black pepper
2 teaspoons garlic salt
In a large pot put in onions on high heat with a tablespoon of olive oil. Let them cook for about 2 -3 minutes then added the minced garlic and 2 oz of the chicken broth. Let cook for 2-3 minutes while you open up all the cans then you can add the ground turkey let it brown for about 5 minutes then you can pour in all the remaining ingredients. Let it come to a boil and then turn down the stove to a medium heat for until your ready to serve. Great to serve with biscuits. Kaiden sad "mmmmm" with every bite! You can make it spicier or more mild by adding or taking away some of the chili powder this was a fairly medium heat!
G.P.S.
Direction: A place that I am going.
Today as I drive home from Atlanta from Josh's airborne graduation, I can't help but think about direction. the G.P.S. calls out directions "Turn left on I-85 in 1.5 miles" And I willingly obey if I don't she calls out "Recalculating" and she follows up with another set of directives. It makes life easier. But outside of my road trip, how do I know which turn to take and when to make it. I need my G.P.S. of life. God's Purpose for Success. Psalm 20:4 "May God give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed." I have to conclude that from this verse that God does want me a success. That's reassuring at this juncture of my life. I feel like I have no plan and I am not a success. But God does promise to guide us to be an everlasting G.P.S. "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye" Psalm 32:8 I'm also reassured through the fact that God will teach me and He will also give me the skills needed to succeed. "May the God of peace equip you with everything good that you may do His will, through Christ Jesus, to whom be glory forever and ever." Hebrews 13:20-21 God has given me the free will to choose any direction I want, but as I turn closer to His direction and His will then I will be more equipped to be a success in my life. Proverbs 3:5-6 has been quoted so often among Christians that to me it almost seems cliche, but the truth is there. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do and He will show you which path to take."
If I turn down the radio in my car, I can listen to the G.P.S. tell me where I need to go. So, it is with God if I turn down the busyness of my life I can hear the voice of Him saying "Recalculating" Then I can follow His direction.
photo from biblegateway.com
Today as I drive home from Atlanta from Josh's airborne graduation, I can't help but think about direction. the G.P.S. calls out directions "Turn left on I-85 in 1.5 miles" And I willingly obey if I don't she calls out "Recalculating" and she follows up with another set of directives. It makes life easier. But outside of my road trip, how do I know which turn to take and when to make it. I need my G.P.S. of life. God's Purpose for Success. Psalm 20:4 "May God give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed." I have to conclude that from this verse that God does want me a success. That's reassuring at this juncture of my life. I feel like I have no plan and I am not a success. But God does promise to guide us to be an everlasting G.P.S. "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye" Psalm 32:8 I'm also reassured through the fact that God will teach me and He will also give me the skills needed to succeed. "May the God of peace equip you with everything good that you may do His will, through Christ Jesus, to whom be glory forever and ever." Hebrews 13:20-21 God has given me the free will to choose any direction I want, but as I turn closer to His direction and His will then I will be more equipped to be a success in my life. Proverbs 3:5-6 has been quoted so often among Christians that to me it almost seems cliche, but the truth is there. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do and He will show you which path to take."
If I turn down the radio in my car, I can listen to the G.P.S. tell me where I need to go. So, it is with God if I turn down the busyness of my life I can hear the voice of Him saying "Recalculating" Then I can follow His direction.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Happy New Year
I know it's already 9 days into 2011, but I still can't believe that this year is here. When I was a child adults used to tell me how fast time goes when I you get older. I didn't believe it then, but boy do I now. My new year started out with another military separation. Truly, not the best way to start out the year. I started working full-time instead of part-time at Buckle. Kaiden has going to child-care now. That's a huge change for our family. It's going to be better once we are all used to the transition.
Although my new year started out negative, my new year's resolution is to write down something positive that happened everyday. To remember all the good God is doing in my life. It's so much easier to think about the negative in life.
Although my new year started out negative, my new year's resolution is to write down something positive that happened everyday. To remember all the good God is doing in my life. It's so much easier to think about the negative in life.
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