To ask...or not to ask? That is the question!

Sunday morning challenged me.  In a good way.

As many of you know, we attend Faith EC Church in Lancaster.  I've attended this church my whole life.  The group of people that make up our church is like a second family to me.  And, on this particular Sunday morning, Pastor Joel shared his second sermon in a mini-series on discipleship with us.  He focused on the importance of mentoring and being a mentor to others.  He challenged us to pray and to seek out someone to become a mentor with.  

This has been on my mind quite a bit since Sunday morning.

I've prayed.  I've considered many ladies in our congregation that would be fantastic mentors.  Ladies I can relate to and love being around.  Ladies that are inspiring and wise.  Ladies that love the Lord and seek Him with their whole hearts.  Which lady is a good fit for me...a good mentor for me?  And, which lady am I a good fit for?

In a way, I feel like I'm asking someone to prom or something.  (Flashback to high school...Ahhh!)  I find myself thinking through how I might approach this lady and ask her to be my mentor.  I feel nervous.  Some tiny little butterflies flutter in my stomach...at the thought of it...just typing about it.  I contemplate delaying asking her.  I allow myself to think that it just doesn't need to happen quite yet.  Not now.  I allow these emotions to guide me...rather than totally giving this over to Jesus and allowing Him to guide me.  

I know this is silly.  I have no reason to be anxious or worried.  I know these ladies.  I know they are kind, sweet encouragers.  I know they are supportive.  It makes me excited to know that I could be supported by them...in prayer, in advice, in the midst of the stuff of life.  I'm hopeful that I can fulfill these responsibilities for them as well.

That we can work together.
Encourage one another.
Cry together.
Be very real and very honest with each other.
Walk through life...through the good times and the not-so-great times...together.  

Do you have a mentor?  Is there someone in your life that you can turn to...call on the phone...reach out to...in your times of need?  In your times of rejoicing and praise?  

I'm excited to take this next step of forming a mentoring relationship with a fellow sister in Christ from our church and to start this new chapter along my life journey.  And, I'm excited to see how the Lord will work through each of these mentoring relationships within our church...some new, some being re-energized or rekindled...in the days and weeks ahead.

I still don't know exactly how it'll happen...how I'll ask this sweet, very special lady to be my mentor.  A phone call.  An email.  An in-person chat with her.  I can't worry about that.  I can't fear rejection.  I can't fear the unknowns.  I just can't.  I can't allow my human nature to control me...when God's ways provide such peace, such wisdom, such reassurance.  They always do.  I have no reason to doubt God.  He knows what I need.  Right now.  And, in my heart, I know that a mentor is what I need right now.  Thank you for encouraging us, Pastor Joel, to take this step...to accept this challenge.    

Valentine Gift Ideas

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."

With Etsy as my inspiration, I set out to locate some adorable gifts for the people in your life that you might want to bless with a small token of love on Valentine's day.  Here goes!  May the ideas inspire you to spread the love....

Valentine's Day Ideas for...
Your Home, Parents, Grandparents

http://www.etsy.com/listing/103510270/scrabble-letter-love-pillows-bowl



http://www.etsy.com/listing/119677332/grapevine-cream-and-red-burlap-wreath



http://www.etsy.com/listing/77157256/personalized-natural-white-birch-wood



Teachers

http://www.etsy.com/listing/116173792/perfect-gift-infinity-scarf-michael



http://www.etsy.com/listing/87681942/crochet-coffee-cup-cozy-sleeve-in-silver



Spouses & Significant Others

http://www.etsy.com/listing/84348382/personalized-heart-hand-carved-stamp?ref=sr_gallery_11&ga_search_query=heart&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_search_type=all



http://www.etsy.com/listing/119674286/hand-stamped-valentines-couple-gift-love



Children

http://www.etsy.com/listing/119895187/valentines-day-bunny-plush-gift-with-red



http://www.etsy.com/listing/120511213/baby-boy-onesie-with-tie-and-suspenders?ref=sr_gallery_25&ga_search_query=valentines&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_page=3&ga_search_type=all



http://www.etsy.com/listing/117878736/valentines-pillowcase-dress-chevron-grey



Friends

http://www.etsy.com/listing/110905195/valentines-day-gift-love-earring-silver?ref=sr_gallery_43&ga_search_query=valentines&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_page=3&ga_search_type=all


A few reminders...
If you're ordering from Etsy (or anywhere online for that matter), make sure you're aware of how long it will take for your order to arrive.  Since Valentine's Day is only a few weeks away, you may need to order these items NOW to ensure their arrival for the holiday.  Also, feel free to get creative...maybe these ideas could be a spring board for you to come up with something on your own, something handmade.  Handmade gifts are an adorable way to show someone you care.

Homemade Valentine Cards

Simple. Adorable. Heartfelt.  

I don't know about you, but I LOVED Valentine's Day as a kid.  There was something so fun and so mysterious about the special day.  We'd decorate our little Valentine bags at school, sit them on our desk or on a table in the classroom, and anxiously anticipate what Valentine's we'd get each year (...and what they'd say...especially from our little crushes growing up.)  Why not have fun with Valentine's Day this year, too? 

Check out these sweet Valentine card ideas.  Easy-to-make...and ever-so-clever!  


{1} Valentine, You Make My Heart Bounce!

http://thecraftingchicks.com/2011/02/one-more-simple-homemade-valentine-card-free-printable.html


{2} Hand Print Valentine

http://adamandhaleykjar.blogspot.com/2011/02/homemade-valentines.html


{3} Pop Rocks

http://www.simplysweethome.com/2012/02/fun-homemade-valentine-ideas/


{4} I'm Bananas for You!

http://www.simplysweethome.com/2012/02/fun-homemade-valentine-ideas/


{5} It's a Bird. It's a Plane.  It's a Super Valentine!

http://zakkalife.blogspot.com/2011/02/its-bird-its-plane-its-super-valentine.html


{6} Hooked on You!

http://www.etsy.com/transaction/72337340
-OR-
http://everything-in-focus.blogspot.com/2012/02/valentines-treats.html


{7} Love Bugs

http://www.dandee-designs.com/2012/02/love-bug-valentines.html


{8} Cell Phone Valentines

http://www.dandee-designs.com/2010/02/cell-phone-valentines.html


{9} Heartbreaker Valentines

http://www.danamadeit.com/2008/07/tutorial-heartbreaker-valentines.html


{10} Printable Valentines for BOYS

http://onecharmingparty.com/2012/02/06/boy-valentines/


{11} Glad We're in the Same School!

http://backlessshirt.blogspot.com/2012/02/happy-valentines-day-quick-and-cheap.html


{12} Quite a Cutie!

http://tuttobellablog.com/2012/02/09/diy-valentine/


Because there are {12} fun Valentine cards ideas posted below, maybe you could even have a *12 day countdown* to Valentine's Day with your kiddos...and give one out per day...leading up to the holiday.  Fun for your co-workers, nieces and nephews, students, friends, (grand)parents, etc, too!  

Just Around the Corner: Valentine's Day!

With Valentine's Day being right around the corner, I gathered some cute ideas I've spotted recently to share with you.  I hope to test out some of these fun ideas with our little lady in the next few weeks.  Click on the links below the pictures for step-by-step instructions.

[1]  HEART STAMP

http://rustsunshine.blogspot.com/2012/01/heart-stamps.html


[2]  A "HEARTS TREE"

http://www.puttisworld.com/2012/01/heart-tree.html


[3]  RICE KRISPY HEART POPS

http://www.koreanamericanmommy.com/2011/02/rice-krispy-heart-pops.html


[4]  HEART MILK CUBES

http://asubtlerevelry.com/heart-milk-cubes


[5]  CHOCOLATE COVERED PRETZEL TREATS

http://www.lovefromtheoven.com/2012/01/13/how-to-make-chocolate-covered-pretzels-tutorial/


[6]  CRAYON HEARTS

http://www.marthastewart.com/272535/crayon-hearts/


[7]  HEART-SHAPED EGGS & TOAST

http://www.marthastewart.com/272733/heart-shaped-eggs-and-toast?czone=holiday/valentine-center/valentine-cnt-recipes&center=276967&gallery=274403&slide=272733


[8]  VALENTINE LUNCHES

http://lisastorms.typepad.com/lisa-storms/2011/02/valentine-lunches.html


Watch for more Valentine's Day ideas to come...Including some cute homemade Valentine card ideas.

Oh, Bummer!

Mya is two.  Mya likes to say lots of words right now.

New words.
Everyday.
Repeating my words.

She cracks me up as she attempts to speak and communicate with us and others.  It's so fascinating to walk with her through her language development step-by-step, day-by-day and see her form new sounds and remember and use new words.  Watching her vocabulary grow is an astounding thing.

And, as I watch her speak in new ways, I am reminded of the importance of my language, our language.  Of what she hears in our home.

She doesn't have a filter, yet.  I don't expect her to.  So, she'll say whatever she hears...from us, from our families, from her little friends, from TV shows and movies.  And, I am reminded of the role that I play in her life right now...as she's developing her language...her tone...her inflections.  She listens to me, her mom.  She listens to how I speak to her AND to others...how I raise my voice when I'm not happy or frustrated...how I speak gently to her as we color or read a book or as she's in my arms needing to be cuddled a bit because of fear or a feeling of being scared for a moment.  She listens to how I speak in sentences to her.  How I praise her.  How I discipline her.

I was reminded of this yesterday.  She had opened up her toy box and was selecting toys to play with. I noticed her sitting by her toy box as I passed by the room, and I decided to sit down beside her.  We started to chat with one another.  Small talk.  And I cannot even remember exactly what our little conversation was all about...EXCEPT that at one point, she leaned over and said, "Oh, Bummer!"

"Oh, Bummer!"...???...Ha!

That's one of my phrases.  It stopped me for a moment.  I repeated the phrase back to her...she said it again to me with a smile.  She knew just how to use it...in the right context.  And I burst out laughing.  She sounded just like me.  We laughed together.

My mind went immediately to the Scripture passage:  Luke 6:45
"A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart."

In that moment, I was thankful that that was what she said to me.  I am not a perfect mom.  I never will be.  There are countless times that I've been frustrated, angry, annoyed.  I've raised my voice.  I've been impatient.  And I've apologized to Mya.  I've asked for forgiveness.  I've talked with her about how it is not okay for me to raise my voice or yell in rage.

And yet I can sense her forgiveness...immediately.

She'll almost always lean in and hug me.  At times, this has brought me to tears.  Realizing how much grace and forgiveness she extends to me...because I am not perfect.

This is a good reminder for me, too, that she is not perfect.  My job is to continue to mold and shape her and guide her, with God's grace, into the woman of God that she's meant to be.  Some days are tough.  Very tough.  And, it feels like an endless uphill battle of tears, tantrums, and sassy, desire-to-be-independent behaviors.

But other days, I am reminded of her beauty...of her sweet, kind spirit...of her love and compassion.  Her desire to learn and grow.

Parenting is quite humbling.  Quite tiring.  Quite draining.

But, it is also the most fulfilling, most rewarding thing I've ever done thus far.  Some days, I feel like I'm learning more from her than she's learning from me.  Either way, parenting is an important task...and a job requiring lots of grace.  I am thankful to be Mya's mommy.

Music for Kids

On Saturday, a dear friend had invited me to attend a ladies retreat with her for part of the morning.  It was amazing.  So refreshing and insightful.  Convicting us to REVEAL ourselves [myself] and not mask the things, the stuff, the junk of our lives anymore.  

It was a very special morning. 

And, as I left to drive home, I was greeted with two voicemail messages on our cell phone.  Two messages from Brandon.  While he watched Mya at home, he heard of a concert that was taking place that very morning at Oregon Dairy...a "Steven Courtney and The Suitcase Musicians" concert.  He decided to go and invited me to meet them there.  

As I made my way to Oregon Dairy, I had NO idea where to go.  I drive all around the parking lot...behind the building...searching for any familiar signs of a concert.  Nothing.  Just LOTS of cars and people.  And no parking spaces.  As I spotted a gentleman pulling out of a space, I decided to take advantage of the open space and pull our car into it.  I made my way into the grocery store part of the building...still searching for a concert or for someone to guide me in the right direction.  The customer service ladies were wonderful, mentioning to me that the concert had already started but I could still go and locate my husband and daughter.  I just needed to go down AISLE 12 and through the back doors.  

Down Aisle 12?
As in the aisle in the grocery store?  The aisle just past their upright freezers?

Okay, I thought.  I followed the directions and made my way to the back of the grocery store, and low and behold, the concert was ROCKING out in the back room...the stock room...of Oregon Dairy.  Dozens and dozens (if not a hundred or more) of parents, adults, and children (young and old) filled the area.  I was greeted by the friendly staff, paid to enter, and spotted Brandon and Mya right away as they were dancing away in the back row.  I joined them and had a blast.

So, you may be wondering why I'm sharing this.  

I'm sharing this because we are so blessed here in Lancaster to have resources like a kids concert by "Steven Courtney and The Suitcase Musicians" on a Saturday morning.  An event held at our local grocery store...sponsored by them.  An event that only cost $2.00 per person, so it makes it much easier for families to attend.  An event with wholesome music with great beats and silly lyrics...a special time for everyone involved.  

The other reason why I'm sharing this is because there are so many great bands and albums for children out there.  We love listening to Kid's Cookie Break on Saturday mornings on WJTL.  [Mya rocks out to the songs and loves to dance around kitchen.  We often join in the dancing, too.]  They've inspired us to purchase and listen to some great kids music...including "Slugs and Bugs." 

"Slugs and Bugs" have a great CD titled, "Under Where"...available to purchase at Berean Bookstore for like $9.99 or online at their website.  And, guess what?  They're coming to concert here in Lancaster in early March.  More details about the concert can be found here.

"Slugs and Bugs" have a song on the "Under Where" CD that's very near and dear to our hearts.  It's called, "I'm Adopted."  We all love this song, and Mya has been known to belt it out in public.  People...perfect strangers...don't realize she's just singing the lyrics to a song, so they kind of look at us and her and smile.  It warms our hearts to know the story behind why she's singing it and makes us feel proud that she's singing a song with lyrics that speak to everyone...not just people touched by adoption in an earthly sense...since we're all adopted into the body of Christ when we choose to love and serve Him and commit our hearts to Him.  

I love learning of other great music for children...for Mya...for my dancers.  Music can really impact how you feel, what you think, your perspective on things.  I'm of fan of all genres of music...but once you have little one, bopping her head in the backseat of your car, you realize they take in and hear everything...and that makes you much more aware of what you're listening to...what they're listening to.  I'd much rather hear her belting out the lyrics to "Slugs and Bugs" than some of the other stuff I've been hearing lately on other radio stations.  

So, what children's music does your child(ren) love listening to?  I've been tempted to purchase the CD "SteveSongs" (written and performed by the guy on PBS).  Have any of you purchased this CD and have feedback on it?

In Memory: Martin Luther King, Jr.

As we honor and remember a very important man in our country's history, here are some great quotes from Martin Luther King, Jr.  (Source: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/m/martin_luther_king_jr.html)

"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character."

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."

"I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear."

"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter."

"All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence."

A Rake...A Necklace Organizer!

Organization...and staying organized...for me,  has to be one of the toughest things to accomplish in maintaining our home.  From food storage to clothing and shoes, photos and photo albums, important documents, and the beloved collection of toys, toys, and more toys..and books, and oh, did I mention, toys?!  I feel like I'm constantly busying myself by keeping up with the everyday stuff that just seems to collect around our house.  By keeping up with it, I do feel pretty organized (on most days)...but it is a constant battle.  A battle I choose to fight (1) because of my in-home small business and (2) because my mom always taught me to keep up with it little-by-little, and then it'll never get too carried way. 

With my love of home decor, I like to get creative with keeping our family, our home organized.  About a year ago, my many necklaces [in all shapes in sizes] were not in a great place.  In fact, they hung from a knob on our dresser and proceeded to jingle and clang and get caught in drawers and tangled together at any attempt to open other drawers.  This wasn't working anymore.  And although they are often very beautiful, I didn't really want a formal jewelry armoire.  I couldn't picture a place in our room where a large jewelry armoire would fit either.  

I was stuck.  

My creative juices weren't flowing.  I knew I wanted to display my jewelry...but I just wasn't finding a way to display it in "my style."  

Then at a random moment, I was perusing Pinterest (woot! woot!), and I discovered this clever idea to take a rake head and mount it to a wall.  I loved it...but now, I had to make it happen.  (Confession time: I've probably pinned thousands of ideas on Pinterest since opening an account.  This project is the first (and quite possibly the only thing I've ever actually made from all of the lovely ideas on there.)  Within days, I was visiting local antique stores and finally found the rake head I was looking for.  With a little elbow grease (...many thanks to my hubby for helping me tackle this project...), my vision came to life.  This is how it turned out....

I've considered searching for more rakes at local antique stores...in different shapes, colors, and sizes...and mounting them on other walls in our bedroom or in other rooms throughout our house.  To display AND organize.  Scarves. Purses. Bracelets.  OR.  Photographs of us. Mya's artwork. A coat rack.  Etc.  

How have you creatively stayed organized in your home?  I'd love to hear (or see) your creative ideas.

Family Mission Statement

Does your family have a mission statement?  

What does that even mean?  Have you heard of a family mission statement before?

Years ago, Brandon brought up this idea to me...and to be honest, I kind of chuckled at him (okay, actually, I fully laughed out loud at him...I admit it.)  Then a few weeks ago, I noticed this very question...Does your family have a mission statement?...in a Facebook post for an adoption magazine.

It got me thinking.

Kind of a cool idea.  No actually, really, a very cool idea.  As adults, we have mission statements at our churches, at our places of employment...and many businesses we shop at hold them as well.  As kids, we're exposed to mission statements from our teachers during our school days.  Mission statements are everywhere.  They seem to give us a sense of purpose.  A goal.  A sense of unity.  Community.  Our very human nature seems to connect and align with mission statements.

I want to create a family mission statement for us.  For me, Brandon, and Mya.

Something we can all agree with and believe in.

In some ways, I don't even know where to start.  Like, do we make the mission statement all formal with fierce vocabulary and formality?  Yuck.  No.  I want our mission statement to be unique to the three of us.  A mission statement just for the three of us.  And, how cool that other families can or do have mission statements, too...with similarities and differences between ours and theirs.  

And when do we start?  Is Mya too young for a family mission statement?...How could we tweak it to be age-appropriate for her, too?  In some ways..."now" still doesn't feel like the right time yet...mostly because of Mya's age.  So, as I type this, a few things come to mind.  A few things I'd love to incorporate into our family mission statement (down the road).  Maybe these things would be included in yours, too.  Maybe not.  And, that's okay.

1.  Love like Jesus.  (Definitely difficult...but worth striving for.)
2.  Show compassion and empathy.
3.  Be willing to see things from someone else's perspective.
4.  Forgive.  Humble yourself to ask for forgiveness, too.
5.  Stand firm in your values.  Don't lower yourself for anyone else.
6.  Be willing to step outside of your comfort zone.  Challenge yourself.

Right now, Mya won't understand all of these statements.  Part of me wants to tweak them into kid-friendly language, so we can start our family mission now.  Maybe simple mission statements like love, be kind, listen, and obey.  But the other part of me doesn't want to rush into it entirely.  I want to know her thoughts...include them into our family mission statements...so she, too, can take ownership in what we value and strive for as a family.  I will give more thought into this and make it a discussion with Brandon.  Each family...and by family I mean nuclear family, extended family, single-parent family, individual, couple with or without children, etc...can sit down and determine their own unique mission.  Their own purpose.  Their focus.  

And one last thought...
I want our mission statement to become visible...to be written and seen...in our home.  A place where we can see them and be accountable to them.  A physical reminder.  (I feel a slight desire to devour Pinterest and find some really cool way of painting or stenciling these simple phrases onto a wooden pallet, piece of plywood, or something else really fresh and fun...focus, Kristen...stay focused.  Ha!)  

I'm curious.  What are your thoughts?  Did you grow up with a family mission statement?  Should it be just one sentence...or can it include several key points?  Is there a right or wrong way to establish one?  

Share your thoughts.  

B.B.'s Grocery Outlet & Lollipops

I was blessed to spend the day with Mya and a dear friend of mine.  We decided to travel down to B.B.'s Grocery Outlet in Quarryville to snag some good bargains.  

Throughout the shopping adventure, Mya was a bit rambunctious...reaching for items on the shelf, needing a piece of gum, grabbing cans and bags of food from inside the cart and playing with them.  Nothing too out-of-the-ordinary for a two year old, but she kept me on my toes while grocery shopping.  

Besides the amazing deals on groceries (and other random household necessities...or non-necessities), I love that their cashiers are so friendly and offer children a lollipop while checking out.  Some parents and babysitters may get annoyed by this, but I like to use this lollipop treat as an incentive for our grocery trip.  When we pull into the B.B.'s parking lot now, Mya says, "Lollipop, Mom?"  And, as always, I reply, "Well, it depends on if you're a good girl today while we are shopping or not."  

Today was like every other trip to B.B.'s...
Tons of bargains.  (Check!)
Traffic jams in each aisle.  (Check!)
Dim lighting (due to the cloudy day...and no electric).  (Check!)

But unlike most trips to the grocery store, Mya was unusually unhappy about being strapped into the shopping cart for an extended period of time.  At one or two points in the adventure, I reminded her that she would not be receiving her lollipop at the checkout if she didn't improve her behavior.  While that reminder helped for a moment, it didn't seem to truly change her attitude.  

We approached the checkout area...lots of carts, lots of people waiting in line...and Mya chose to disobey again.  Nothing horrible, but enough for me to tell her for the final time that she would now not be receiving a lollipop.  She had not earned it.  

We moved through the line, and as I was paying the cashier, like clockwork, the friendly cashier asked if Mya would like a lollipop.  I felt horrible, but I knew in my heart that this was a moment I needed to follow through with my words.  I responded, "No, thank you.  Not today.  She wasn't behaving in the store today and hasn't earned it.  Thanks, though."  The cashier was totally fine with my response, but Mya was devastated.  

She started sobbing.  

My heart sank.  In my mind, I immediately started to rationalize that maybe she really wasn't THAT bad.  Or, maybe I was just overreacting or taking my higher stress level while grocery shopping out on her.  The split-second thought even crossed my mind that I probably could even locate a lollipop SOMEWHERE in our car.

As the cashier handed me my receipt, I turned toward another lady who bagged my groceries to thank her and she said three. simple.. words...

 "Good job, mom."  

I was empowered right that instant.  My empty, saddened heart was restored.  I was affirmed and supported in such a powerful way in that quick, 2-second encounter with this lady...a perfect stranger...who bagged my groceries.  I thanked her and smiled.  I hugged and comforted Mya.  And within seconds, Mya was fine.  

This lady will probably never know just how much her simple words meant to me.  She took a risk...assuming that I was Mya's mommy, and she was right.  She empowered me in that moment, giving me the courage to discipline and not sway from my words.  If I see this lady again, I feel inspired to share with her how much her words...her affirmation...meant to me.  I want to thank her again.

Although it may seem unkind of me to not allow Mya to have that lollipop, in my heart I have to trust and believe that that was the right decision in the right moment.  As parents, it's so hard to find that balance between discipline and grace with our kids.  We are called to, instructed to, entrusted with the responsibility to show them we love them through structure, guidelines, and discipline.  We are also called to love and forgive them...show them grace and care for them selflessly.  What a responsibility...What a gift!

Intentional Thoughtfulness

Last night, I was not feeling great for a few hours because of the concoction I ate for dinner.  Ugh.  It was not fun.  

But, in the midst of my discomfort, I rested on our bed...and in walks Mya.  She looks at me and says, "Okay, Mom?  You okay, Mommy?"  

My response:  "No, honey...Mommy's belly hurts."  Her face looks sad, and she immediately...almost instinctively...responds, "Want a blanket, Mom?"

My eyes start to tear.  Yes, I want a blanket.  I want to feel better.  A blanket would make me feel better. Her kindness alone is already starting to make me feel better.  

"Yes, honey.  I'd love a blanket."  She scurries quickly away from me and is back in a flash.  Carrying her "big blankie" and her "little blankie"...HER comfort blankets...she begins extending them away from herself...out, towards me.

"Here you go, Mom."  She starts placing the larger blanket over my legs.  She tucks the small blanket by my face.  She's mimicking what I do to comfort her.  

I am proud in this moment.  A proud mommy moment.  

I thank her and tell her how nice it was for her to do this for me.  I tear up again.  I realize in this moment that this is a hands-on application to her showing her ability to care for someone...for me.  I was deeply blessed in this small, two-minute window of time.  I was especially touched my her intentional thoughtfulness.  

I was also struck by the fact that she continued to check in on me.  At one point, she even attempted to say the nursery rhyme "This little piggy went to market, this little piggy stayed home..." while tickling my toes.  She felt for me.  She was doing everything she could think of to help ease the pain for me.  

......

In this moment, I was reminded of her child-like faith...her desire to help.  To fix.  To make things better.  She asked a simple question..."Want a blanket, Mom?"  She took steps to meet my immediate needs.  Nothing hindered her.  Nothing limited her from reaching out to me...to show Christ's love to me.  

And as a result...I was deeply blessed.

I was reminded in this moment that too often I try too hard to figure out or over-analyze how to help...when all I need to do is take action.  To ask simple questions.  To connect with people.  To work to meet their needs.  Often basic needs at first.  

Why do I allow things to hinder me from helping others...immediately...instinctively?  

Now, don't get me wrong...Mya is very much a normal 2-year old right now...with regular tantrums and desires to be far more independent than she really could be right now.  But, God used this moment to touch my heart.  To speak to me.  

I'm thankful that this moment has been etched in my mind.  I've thought back to last night several times already today.  Reflecting.  Praising God.  Feeling thankful.  

You may have moments like this etched in your mind and heart, too.  Cherish those memories.  Sometimes in the midst of everything, we need to think back to those moments and cling to them.  They're good reminders for us, too, to continue sharing love and kindness to those around us.  Every day.  

Great Blogs for Coupons & Deals

Sometime last year, I decided to attend a "Couponing Class" at the Strasburg-Heisler Library.  It was great.  I learned lots of great tips about couponing, including the names of some wonderful couponing blogs.  I want to share those blogs with you, too, so you can get the same great deals.  (Also...one tip...If you are on Facebook, the blogs all have Facebook pages which share the same deals with you.  For me, it's easier to check the updates and coupon links through Facebook...especially since many deals can link directly to coupons and free samples on the company's Facebook pages.)


Coupon Blogs:


http://hip2save.com/



http://moneysavingmom.com/



http://thekrazycouponlady.com/




http://forthemommas.com/


http://www.frugalfreebiesanddeals.com/



http://www.totallytarget.com/



http://www.simplycvsshopping.com/




http://www.thriftyandthriving.com/



http://www.frugalcouponliving.com/




http://www.rakinginthesavings.com/


There are SO MANY blogs and websites like these out there...especially with couponing being so popular right now.  If you know of others, please share them!  

Good Morning!

This morning, I started my day like any other day...

Alarm woke me. WJTL giving me news updates, playing music (I swear they are lullabies in the morning...coaxing me back to sleep).
Into the shower.
A quick pause to spend a moment in my new devotional book (...Thank you again, Stan & Rochelle, for the Christmas gift).
Teeth brushed, contact lenses added to make life clearer, and so on.

But, I'm gonna jump back to "Step 3" of my normal morning routine:  "A quick pause to spend a moment in my new devotional book."  I'm jumping back to this because today's message STRUCK me.  I felt like it was a direct connection to my blog post yesterday...about simplifying...about slowing down.  Isn't it amazing when life has a way of connecting itself to other days, other moments, other things.  I call it a "God thing."  

Here's what today's devotional said...
"Refresh yourself in the Peace of My Presence.  This peace can be your portion at all times and in all circumstances.  Learn to hide in the secret of My Presence, even as you carry out your duties in the world.  I am both with you and within you.  I go before you to open up the way, and I also walk alongside you.  There could never be another companion as devoted as I am.  Because I am your constant Companion, there should be a lightness to your step that is observable to others.  Do not be weighed down with problems and unresolved issues, for I am your burden-bearer.  In the world you have trials and distress, but don't let them get you down.  I have conquered the world and deprived it of power to harm you.  In Me you may have confident Peace."  (Psalm 31: 19-20; John 16:33)
Taken from:  Jesus Calling by Sarah Young

PEACE jumped out at me.  In an attempt to simplify and slow down in 2013, I need peace.  I will continue to need peace.  As long as I am on earth, I will not be completely fulfilled...satisfied...at peace.  Human nature is a wild thing.  Thank goodness for Jesus and the redemption and peace we can find in Him.  

DO NOT BE WEIGHED DOWN jumped out at me.  Doesn't life...work, school, raising children, waiting on things, family dynamics...have a way of weighing us down?  Of feeling heavy?  Too heavy to carry sometimes.  

Today, I'm thanking God for this devotional.  If you're looking for a small, easy-to-read devotional...one to maybe start your day off on a more positive note..."Jesus Calling" is an excellent one.  I love that Scripture is printed at the end of each day's devotional, too...a way to dig deeper into the Bible...a way to see how the devotional connections directly to God's word.  

Thank you, Sarah Young, for sharing your gift of writing with the world through this devotional.  Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me...each morning!  Thank you for challenging me and for reminding me that I am loved by a God who is so vast, so creative, so personal, so empathetic.  

May you find a devotional that enables you to start your day...knowing you are loved, too!

(Right now, "Jesus Calling" can be purchased on Amazon.com for only $8.99.)  

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year, everyone!  It's 2013.  Can you believe it?

For me, 2013 means I'll be turning 30 years old...in a few months (...not that I'm counting or anything).  Ha!  As a kid, I remember thinking that it would be SO WEIRD to live in the 2000's.  Like, how would we say it?...When we were used to the 1900's (like 19-99), would we then say "twenty zero-zero" or "two thousand"?
Hmmm.
What cars would we drive?
Would we live like the Jetsons...with little spaceships and robots to serve us dinner?
Well, I guess not.  
But, consider what it must be like for someone who was born in the early 1900's...say, the 1920's or 30's...and is still living today.  To see iPhones, Skype, a vacuum that cleans your house automatically with the press of a button today (which aren't even the most cutting edge forms of technology), what must it be like?

We do kind of live like the Jetsons.  (Hopefully, you all even know what I'm talking about when I refer to the classic tv show "The Jetsons.")  We live with technology at our fingertips.  We live fast...fast cars, fast food, fast schedules, fast jobs.  Quick!  Quick!  Quick!

But, do we ever STOP for a minute and just RELAX?  Just SLOW DOWN?

This year...like last year...I want to intentionally slow down.  I want to choose to have dinners together as a family...all sitting around the dinner table together...even if it means eating at 7 o'clock at night after dance classes.  I want to choose to have quiet time each day...For me, it's during Mya's naptime when I can just unwind, refocus, catch up, and chill out.  I want to go against the norm.  I don't want the busyness of life to suck me up in the whirlwind.  I want to choose to live a life devoted to God...allowing Him to lead me and guide me, so my focus stays clear.

The pace of life today is so fast and so out-of-control that sometimes we don't even realize how quickly we're moving, going, living...how much we're wasting.  Life demands so much of us.

I'm not here to judge you.  In fact, I think my purpose in writing this is actually to admit that I have gotten swept away with filling my calendar and doing too much unnecessary stuff.  This year...2013...I choose to SIMPLIFY.

I'm not really one for resolutions at New Year's.  I'm not at all against them, though either...I've just never fully gotten into them or followed through with them to any level of accountability.  Maybe this blog is my way of having a resolution this year:  To slow down.  And, maybe...just maybe...this is my way of being vulnerable and putting myself out there, so you all can keep ME accountable to this.

I don't want friendships to suffer because of my busyness.  I don't want my family to not get my full attention because of other "stuff" that gets in the way or blinds me of my priorities.  I don't want my busyness to prevent me from giving, loving, sharing, inspiring, and learning from others.  And, I don't want my busyness to hinder me from growing in my walk with the Lord and living in a way that reflects Him in all that I do.

Hold me accountable.  Help me to live like Christ.  Walk with me.

And share with me what your resolutions are....