Yesterday: A close-to-perfect day

Yesterday I was snowed in with my fun-loving husband and three very excited children. My favorite part of the day was laughing until I hurt over my husband's invention:

"Penguin suits" aka garbage bags over clothes

The garbage bags kept prompting me to quote, "You might be a redneck if..."

I loved watching the children enjoy the thrill of the sled, and then enjoying it myself

And when our feet were as numb as we could endure, coming inside to enjoy warm drinks, warm fire, Legos, board games and good books. And each other, of course.

I conquered the mighty heap of eight loads of laundry, including weekend wear. It was a chore, but I am so thankful for the tasks of taking care of my family.

Later, the kids took three hour naps (which meant a very quiet afternoon), in preparation...

For a late night of cheering on the Auburn Tigers who won the National Championship!

What a WONDERFUL day!

January Reflections (3): Store bought vs. Home-made (or hand-made)

January Reflections prompt:

Store bought vs. Hand-made

(The assignment was really store bought vs. home-made and I am sure it was speaking of food, but I chose to think in terms of house goods instead.)

I truly love home-made things. I enjoy making them, as well as buying them. I was thrilled to discover etsy.com several years ago for this reason. There is a sweetness in knowing who made something and why, and supporting others in their talent. I loved my husband's gift to me for Christmas because it shows just how well he knows me. He bought me a gift card to the antique market. Not just any antique market, but my favorite one that sells both antiques, home-made (hand-made, really) goods, and art from local artists.

I enjoy my own home-made things because if I make it myself, there is a special memory attached, usually. Sometimes that memory is as simple as a night that I spent all alone with my pent-up imagination.
And other times, there is deeper meaning. Like a painting that was therapeutic for me. In some seasons our budget necessitates home-made gifts, like last Christmas. And sometimes I relish the opportunities to make a cake or an outfit for one of my children's birthdays. They love those simple, hand-made gestures.Here are a few things that I bought that were made by others this past year. A local artist's painting, a local artist's metal work, my friend's bird watercolor, and a needlepoint chair made my a relative of my husband.
I think every room in our house is decorated with several home-made items. My husband prefers it that way. And I enjoy the challenge of making or finding rare beauties. I still have a weakness for certain stores. I just bought this picture from Pier One on Sunday with some Christmas money, and I although I LOVE it, I doubt it will be something I treasure for years to come. When my friends ask for decorating advice, I find it hard to give. I honestly have no idea how to decorate on a fat budget. My gifts lie in finding a treasure at the flea market and making it work in our house. Give me thousands of dollars and it stifles me. But a $100 budget holds endless possibilities!!

What a child (and Mom) can learn from Dali

My oldest son loves to learn. He is a sponge for learning facts, particularly about people. He finds life fascinating. So when he pleaded with me to take him to the art museum to see Salvador Dali's exhibit, I had to give. I like his interest, and I like the fact that he challenges us all to study, observe, and do life together.

We asked our friends to make the fun journey with us in to town at the last minute. It really didn't hit me until about an hour prior to "take off time" that we were taking five children, ages 4 to 10, to a DALI exhibit. Dali was so amazingly talented, an artistic genius, but also perverted, completely self-absorbed, and seemingly delusional. And his artwork reflects his worldview- big time. Because life had been so busy that week, I just had not thought ahead. I love the fact that God uses these "unplanned" times, when I can not possibly rely on myself (as He knows I am prone to do), to teach my children and I big things about Himself.

So here is what we learned from Dali (the "self-absorbed, self-proclaimed, "devout-yet-faithless Catholic):

From his darkness:

~God gives grace abundantly to everyone, believing or not, and Dali's talent was a wonderful example of common grace

~One can either worship God or themselves, but not both

~Fame can delude

~Mercy and service lead to joy, selfishness leads to pain

~When we are given gifts we can use them to elevate Self or elevate God. His glory vs. our glory

~Courage is found through humility. Pride often masks fear.

From his gifts:

~Practice and diligence must follow talent in order to succeed.

~God's creation declares his glory- even to those who are perishing.

~Faith is God-given.

~Everyone has mentors. It is good to have a torch-bearer.

My friend and I were really nervous about what kind of art would be on display. By God's grace there were only a couple of pieces that we had to avoid, and even those were not perverted, as we had feared. I was very thankful for the opportunity to take a risk in order to have meaningful discussions with the children. It not only turned out to be a wonderful exhibit with beautiful, inspiring artwork, but a springboard for rich, relationship-building conversations/experiences together. I am glad to learn bit by bit that really marvelous things happen in my parenting journey when I give up control and let God lead.

January Reflections (2)

Prompt: MARRIAGE

"Choose one word to describe your marriage in 2010 and explain."

Did you ever play the trust game on a church retreat or at camp? It's the one where you stand with your back to your partner, he puts out his arms, and you are asked to blindly fall, trusting that he will catch you. My relationship with my husband mirrored that game very much this past year. It was a continuous exercise in trust and submission. It was extremely difficult at times, but simultaneously rewarding.

We have been preparing to move away from suburbia to a rural farm. The story of how this adventure began is here. But in a nutshell, my husband feels a strong calling from the Lord, and I have been asked to trust and follow him to a place that I have not desired. My husband and I have never really had different desires for our lives, at least not any of this magnitude. So this year the Lord has gently taught what it looks like to have blind faith in my relationship with Him, and complete submission in my relationship with Andy. It has been an instrument that has catapulted me to the highest highs at times. And other moments I have felt the true darkness of fear and doubt.

This has been the third big situation in my marriage that has forced me to know and believe who Christ is and apply that to my actions towards my husband (in spite of that waring selfishness in me that wants to demand my own way). It has been very good to (try to) take my expectations off of my husband, and place them on Christ. Although there have been times when I have told Andy that "this move is coming between us". I can see now that the opposite is true. This move is flushing out all kinds of idols in my life, as well as all of my insecurities. At the end of the day (or year), healing has begun and a renewed, vital relationship is the product. It always amazes me how God can do that- take the most difficult situations and use them to draw us to himself and our loved ones.

I am beginning to become more excited about our move. I know God has wonderful things in store for us- more than I can imagine- starting with our hearts, and flowing into all kinds of blessings. I hope this post doesn't make it sound like the entire year has been a struggle with my relationship with my husband. It really has been a great year, overall, with various seasons of doubt, panic, fear, and ultimately renewal. This year my marriage relationship has taught me that love, wrapped up in relationships, is truly worth giving up any other earthly pursuit for.

January Reflections (1)

My friend Maryanne's blog is one that I really enjoy. Whatever it is that she shares, whether godly wisdom, a parenting story, or a decorating idea, it always seems to be what I need to hear. What a joy. So when she posted about her friend Corrin's "January Reflections" I decided to join the group, as well. (Check here to see what its all about.) I think it will be a good creative outlet for a not-so-inspiring month. (I am not a big fan of January, unfortunately.) So I reluctantly decided to give it a try. Although I know that I am much more adept at collecting other people's beautiful words than creating my own, I do relish the opportunity to look back on 2010 and then use those observations to propel myself forward into 2011. This new year has taken me a bit by surprise and I find I am not as prepared as I would like.

So, here's to 2011!

One little word

DELIGHT

delight

Delight

My prayer for the year:

"Delight yourself in the Lord..."

From the past...

2010: Peace

2009: Satisfaction

2008: Courage

**It's amazing how often the Lord will bring to mind one little word.**

Our white Christmas

In the south, even this small amount of snow is deemed by the weather man as "a snow storm." We enjoyed our snowstorm very much.

Josh rode the sled over and over and over...

Snow angels

Lydie really loves the winter and can hang out in the cold as long as the boys. I am not a big fan of cold weather. But I do have a soft spot for snow. We really had a fun afternoon together!

"Nature is full of genius, full of divinity, so that not a snowflake escapes its fashioning hand." Thoreau

Last day of 2010

My sweet friend Lizzie always hosts us for New Year's Eve. It's a tradition that we count on, look forward to, and enjoy. While the rest of us rest and enjoy our holiday, she keeps on working to get ready for this big party. This year was especially fun because there was an 80s theme, represented in music and dress. We didn't have time to put together anything to wear, but we really enjoyed everyone else's get-up. And Andy borrowed a mullet wig at the last minute which was lovely.This last picture was at 9:00...when they drop the "family-friendly" disco ball in the yard. The kids love it. We are very blessed to walk through the years with amazing friends! It's been a challenging, wonderful, full year. I am really excited about the newness of a new 2011.

Celebrating

the birth of our Savior! These Christmas memories mean so much to me. What a beautiful, wonderful week!

John 1:14

"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth."

Grace at the mall

I used to love the mall. When I was an adolescent is was my favorite place to hang out. And even as a wife and young Mom I loved it. I loved to stroll through the stores with little Jack naming colors and things and hearing him repeat them. When we thought he might have Asperger's I took him to the mall every week for two years to teach him to make eye contact. There is never a loss for human faces at the mall and he would look at each one, hold their gaze, and state his name and a shy "Good morning". It was part of his therapy. And it was part of my therapy, too. My I'm-a-new-Mom-and-I-desperately-need-human-contact therapy. I'm sure we looked crazy. He talking to strangers, and me by his side playing the role of swollen, pregnant cheerleader. As it turns out, he doesn't have Asperger's. His developmental delays are a thing of the past and now he is just a sweet, funny, well-loved ten year old. In fact, he is my most polite, quick-to-make-friends child in the bunch. But I digress.

Back to the mall. Somewhere between the therapy and adding child number two, I began to really loathe that place! Even on a rare shopping trip alone, it just didn't sit well with me. It seemed to showcase the most spoiled, materialistic, and rude among us. Or maybe that is just my experience around the holidays. Today was no different.


We decided to take a trip to see Santa. We are not opposed to the idea of Santa, but have chosen to not dwell on him. When we celebrate Christmas at home, all of the artwork, books, lessons, and carols are those that celebrate Jesus' birth. Of course they see Santa everywhere, so they have been influenced. And when they ask me about him I have always said, "Isn't it fun to pretend??" But whether they get the truth or not, they just continue to play along- all three- even the 10 year old. So I just nod and continue saying, "It sure is fun to pretend." And they continue to anticipate what Santa will bring. Lydie has begged to talk with Santa at the mall. I told her point blank he was just a man dressing up, but she insisted it would be fun. So today, December 23rd, 2 days before Christmas, I decide to go.


We stood in line 1 hour with the mobs to see Santa. Lydie was smiling from ear to ear and loved the whole experience. The boys had to use every ounce of self-control not to cry and pitch a fit. They learned to give of their time for the four year old who has different likes and wants and stand and take it like little men. And they did so very well. And we all laughed as I insisted that my snapshot with my camera was just fine, in order to save $22.95 for a 5x7. The "Santa helpers" "highly encourage" you to order at least the smallest package ($22.95). But I held my ground. Bah-humbug.


Several hours later we have just returned home with a happy little girl and two exhausted brothers. The younger brother declares that "Wii time" is the only thing that will make up for that awful trip. The older brother seems genuinely content to see his sister so happy. And I am here wondering how we all got so far, far away from the meaning of Christmas. As I scroll through the mental pictures I saw today of yelling, shoving, and buying in such excess it makes me very sad. And it makes me wonder why it seems so very difficult to keep our eyes and hearts on Jesus and his miraculous birth. I mean the fantasy of Santa is a fun one, but the beautiful reality of the birth, life, death, and purpose of Jesus Christ is amazing. Why isn't that enough?

Maybe I can look at it a different way and chalk this up to another daily experience that makes me marvel at the grace of God in saving sinners like us. Maybe I can use this experience to deepen my sense of worship that a perfect, holy God chose to send his Son to become human to secure my salvation. By giving me a vision of exactly what I don't want to be, our trip to the mall has indeed pointed me to Christ.

"How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple?"

Proverbs 1:22

A child again

"Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories

and love of kindred,

and we are better throughout the year

for having, in spirit, become a child again

at Christmas time."

~Laura Ingalls Wilder

*Pictures from a weekend at our house with our family.*

Feasting~Christmas-themed Pictionary~Presents~Sleepover~Worship~Playtime~

My idea of a great day

In the kitchen with good music and a whole morning set aside for cooking and baking

in my uniform: pjs, slippers, apron

while the kids played happily with their new toys.

And then in the evening, having our best friends over for dinner and our annual gingerbread house building contest.

*We made a lighthouse and sailboat. They made the Empire State building.*
What a fun day!