Thoughtful Thursday

for all the nice birthday wishes. 

If I had to pick one word to describe this birthday it would be "thoughtful".

Seriously spoiled am I.... for  heaven's sake Jode's (no J. this time) post yesterday was

quite impressive and very sweet. He loves me so well, like really.

And for the record, though I wish I was closer to the number 26,... I'm really 35. 

Like how did I even get this old because I sure don't feel like that number.

Jode had heard me say at Christmas time when the girls had gotten their Tom's that I may like to have some too. So he picked me out a pair of cute red corduoroy ones. 

You all remember my luv of red shoes right, I kind of have a thing for them.

And now I feel super cool wearing my red Tom's too, which make them all the better.

I was greeted first thing by signs and balloons yesterday morning that the kids had drawn.

The night before Jode tried to make a cake and when I found it that morning sitting on the counter this is what it looked like. I think a chunk must have fallen off the side.....;)

This card was my favorite and kind of ironic to find sitting in my mailbox that afternoon because yesterday morning I started a new bible study called "Do you think I'm beautiful" by Angela Thomas. 

 It made me want to cry.... happy tears, of course.

That evening the kids and Jode set in to cooking me dinner but not just any dinner.

He did what all good men should do that don't know a ton about cooking... he consulted Paula Deen.  The recipe he chose consisted of stuffed manicotti shells with sauce, salad, and bread. 

I was too full from eating out at lunch to eat a whole bunch but the point was that he had fixed dinner and I didn't have to worry with 3 hungry mouths to feed.... thoughtful.

And lastly they sang_ I wished_ and then I blew out those candles on another year gone by.

heather.

Happy Birthday to my Crazy Wife

Hey there H. You like that?! H…?!?!

It’s my turn… It’s me J…  by the way, since when have I been known as J?

See what you don’t know, in the beginning _when you tirelessly wore me out setting this blog up _ i remembered your password.

So I am hacking you to wish you a HAPPY BIRTHDAY!           

It’s YOUR birthday… (picture the midget singing it on the little round table top)!

I want our kids to know from the bottom of my heart _ that I think you are CRAZY!!!

Yep… crazy, wacked, slap nuts.

I think its CRAZY how big you DREAM … WACKED how large you LOVE … and SLAP NUTS how freely you GIVE.  

But most of all _ you are CRAZY BEAUTIFUL!

I know I tell you that often, because I want you to know that … OFTEN.

OK _I know _ enough.

Today as you gain another year and turn 26, please know that I LOVE Loving you from all that’s within me. Doing life with you is priceless.

So please know that I think you are CRAZY awesome… I love you girl!

Jode

To trust

Yesterday I heard middle ask me to complete a task for her and overheard youngest say “go ask dad ” because she knew it was something physically I couldn’t do. Dad would be the better choice for the task and besides they “know” their dad. They know he’ll do anything to help_ or fix_ or protect_ and I believe one of the most important aspects is they know that he’s present_ he’s here for them and they know that without question.

Well I remember as a little girl being afraid of thunderstorms. We lived in a mobile home for a time and I was petrified of bad weather or the threat of a tornado hitting. My mom and dad divorced when I was 4 and though I had contact with him_ he wasn’t there. Meaning I couldn’t run to him when a thunderstorm hit for security_ or have him there on a whim when I needed him with an important decision_ or call out to him for help on an answer to something. So it was almost like an act of survival_ like I didn’t know anything other to do than call out to my heavenly Father. I learned at a young age it was to put my trust in Jesus or nothing… and the first seemed a better alternative.

I used to sing an old, old song that goes:

lord prepare me to be a sanctuary

pure and holy tried and true

with thanksgiving I’ll be a living, sanctuary for you

Now I know that’s probably a little corny sounding but we used to sing that song in my church every Sunday. Then later at home over and over I would sing that song to the heavens at the top of my lungs standing out on our 4 acres of property. Not even fully grasping then or understanding totally what all it really meant. But I trusted that He heard and I wanted Him to know my life was His.

I’ve always seemed to easily trust in the midst of some kind of happening.

Like in the midst of those storms when the wind would whip and rain would pound so hard on that tin roof that you could feel our house shake. I was scared but I trusted the Lord would protect and bring me through. Or like when we’ve made a move to an unknown place with no promise of an income there, I’ve trusted that He would provide. Or when I had to walk through dad’s passing away there was complete trust in knowing that the Lord had it. So it seems like as long as there has been “happenings” or I can see or feel something taking place is when I trust the most_fully.

But where I find lack is in the quiet.

When there is no happening_ no action.

It’s when there is no event coming to look to (or it looks that way)

Those are the times when I struggle the most.

But I somehow feel it’s in these times that it’s the most important to hang on_ and to trust. Because I can try and make something happen by taking things in my own hands but it will never last. It’s bound to fail if it’s on my own will that I’m doing just to have something to do.

So I’m learning to trust in the quiet times too and just like I see in the past where He supplied or protected or gave peace I know that… He was there_ He is here_ so I will fully trust and I will keep on running. Run with me…. 

"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last: but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize." 

1 Cor 9:24-27

heather.

I "see" You

This little machine youngest got for Christmas and was one of her favorite things! I really think when she's older she'll wind up doing something that has to do with food. Cooking_ baking_ ingredients_ getting to make something herself_ she's into it all. She loves every part of it. Well this DQ maker allows her to do it on her own and then the end result of course, is yummy ice cream. We've tried it out a few times and it still gets the same thrill. I just wish they made non fattening you won't wear it later on your bum ice cream. One of the best part's of this whole thing though, is that she gets to give some to all of us. You can see it on her face as she makes a cup and then gives them to each of us to taste. And I love getting to sit back and watch her do the very thing that she enjoys. Times like these I really get to "see" her. As a momma, a covering for my kids_ I can't imagine ever not enjoying or welling up with thankfulness at seeing my children get to do something that brings them joy... even if it's as simple as making ice cream in a little DQ maker. Happy Monday ya'll! :)

heather.

About Joy

Yesterday I read Ann Voskamp's blog  and felt like I had to share it today.

I've spoken of her often because reading her book opened my eyes to so many things.

Mostly, she helped me to see and pick out little things throughout my ordinary

 laundry that needs to be folded

 dirty floors

 dishes in the sink life.... that I can be thankful for.

It was more than just me saying I'm thankful for running water and air.

It was deeper.

It was seeing the flower youngest had picked in the yard for me

 the kiss that my son gave me and then walked back to give another

 the warm sunshine felt on my face

 the colors & shades in the sky

all as gifts from up above.

It is impossible for me to stay in a slumber or live fearful when I'm in a state

of picking apart my day... picking apart moments in my day that the Lord is bestowing upon me all for my sake...

After all, I woke up today and hopefully you did to and we breathed in air

which is the first thing we can always say is a gift...

He's given us another day.

I want Joy today and everyday and I have to confess I have found myself at times fearful

 worrying

 feeling sorry for myself

and have ultimately let things rob me of this Joy.

Which is why I find this "Dare" a great way to make this a habit_

to have this make up who I am.

And did I mention I love when someone dares me to do something.

Now I also know none of us need another thing added on our to do list.

Which is why I kinda debated even mentioning it on here.

Because we all know how many ideas and things there are with it being a

New Year that everyone thinks we should do.

So if this feels that way by all means pass it up.

The little directives each day ask for 3 things and for me I'm going to just include it into my reading the bible/journal time.

And here's the deal if I miss a day or even 2.. that's O.k.

I can pick it up where I left off.

I had started taking a picture a day on the 1st and already the past couple of days have included things I've seen as gifts.

So I figure it'll be fun after the year to look back and see pictures but also be able to read that on January 4th my gift was blue skies and the Lord bringing that back to my 
remembrance from years ago.

Ann writes and speaks way better than I could ever so you should definitely go and follow her blog if you haven't already.

She consistently offers insight into ordinary events that happen in life.

She is giving away this "Joy Dare" so that you can print it out and put it on your refrigerator_ your desk_ or anywhere you can see it. 

If you want the Pdf format you can go here to get it.

Now go write down a gift that's in your bag

 your fridge

 and your heart..... I dare ya. ;)

heather.

Nothing But Cold.... and Blue Skies

Here in South Carolina the weather has been cold.

I'm sure this is nothing compared to some of my friends in North Dakota_ Colorado and such

but for us and what these body temps are used to... it's bundle up time cause' if not 

your hands & face are going to freeze off.

The last few mornings and nights have been our coldest temps of the year.

But our skies are so blue and that seems to make it ok.

I remember our time living in Pennsylvania and in the winter the skies were so grey which I never 

had been used to beings I'm from Louisiana. 

So I remember waking up at my MIL's house in Mississippi that 2nd year after living there

and seeing the bluest sky out the window.

It was beautiful ... and had such an impact that I told myself I would never take them for granted again.

It may be January and a little blah-like but we still have not.a.cloud.in.the.sky and they're a pretty blue.

And I still have these girlys_ guy(not shown)_ and my hubs to keep me company 

which makes it all the better. ;)

heather.

It's a New Year

Oh wow it feels like forever & ever since I've had the chance to write....
So many things going on with the holidays
having family come in to be with us and then leaving immediately to go out of town to be
with our other family.
We finally pulled back into our driveway about 5pm yesterday and my how it felt good.
Not good to be away from family,
just good to be back in our bed_ taking a bath in our tub_ etc...
And I always find myself even more thankful for all of my things after being away from them
and then coming back. I know they're just "things" but I can be thankful for those "things" too.

The kids started back at it with school bright & early this morning.
I'm always torn when they start back_ hating to let them go.
I know that probably sounds silly but I sincerely like them being around and it's always a little adjustment to get back into the swing again.
Especially after all the late nights & movie watching & sleeping late...
But they were excited to go
making sure to pick out the just-right outfit and cleaning out their book sack so they started all fresh.

And oldest started back to school today carrying now with him a phone.
We held off for as long as we could but with him getting to the age of staying home alone
 basketball practice
 going over to friends
 we felt like it was more of a need than anything.
As I dropped him off I felt kinda good knowing that he can text me if he needs to or for that matter
I can text him to tell him I love him.... like I did first thing after pulling off.
I can't help myself.
They are my babes and I know I probably mess up with them more times than not but I feel incredibly blessed that God put them in my care.
And I pray that we are
 doing
 showing
 living
 a life of faith
 purpose
 prayerfully seeking Him
 not living life as a victim but a victor
and that they see that this life is so much more than just about themselves and our 4 walls.
But that they know their light can shine in places they don't even realize yet and they can be
used in a mighty way.

I'm excited for this year and what it holds for us as a family and individually.
I desire a year of growth and I'm going to be intentional with that.
When I think about only having 6-10 years left of instilling into my kids all that I can_
I want it to count
I want to give them more than I was given
And you can't give what you don't have.... or know.
So I will grow this year
 seeking Him for His guidance
 being available to be used
 with everything flowing through us
for something far greater than we could ever imagine or do on our own strength.

PS. I'm starting the 365 day project where you take at least 1 picture a day for a year.
I hope I can keep up with it... but more than that I just hope I can remember to ;)
heather.