I've been thinking for a while about making my blog private. I enjoy recording my life and I love to share it with friends and family. And though I have some privacy settings currently in place, I still have an uneasy feeling every so often. After all, I'm sharing information about my family.
I still want those who love my blog to follow it. When I do mark it private, as my friend Danielle has done, you'll need a password to log in to it. It won't require you to do any more than set up a free login id and password with Blogger if you don't already have one.
Leave a comment to this post or send me an email with your email address and when I do go private I can add you to the "access list". And if I don't know you, since I know some of my mom's friends read the blog, tell me who you are and a little about yourself.
I'll wait about two weeks or so before I make the switch. Thanks for understanding.
Friday, November 27, 2009
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Gratefulness and Apple Pie
In my last post I listed all the seemingly not-so-great-things for which I really had reason to be thankful. And by looking at them from a different perspective, aka a grateful heart, they really aren't bad things in my life, but reason to celebrate the blessings. And during this season, we all focus on grateful hearts as we reprioratize what is really important in life, and how abundantly blessed we are for God's favor and blessings in our lives. And we are reminded again how easily we can become ungrateful or dissatisfied when we don't have a pure heart.
In conversation with a dear friend last night, I thought of life in relation to apple pie. Sounds kinda weird, but it's so true. I have be c.r.a.v.i.n.g apple pie the past few weeks. I've contemplated making a homemade pie from scratch for Thanksgiving, but worried if I really had the time (and ability) to make one. While swerving through the Walmart isles toward the check out last week, I about knocked over the entire display of pies that were strategically placed at the entrance, blocking the path to the exit. And what did I see, but none other than a Paula Dean apple pie. Now, I'm sure WM pays bega bucks to slap her picture on the pie to make me think that this MUST be a good pie if, after all, Paula Dean made it from scratch personally for me. Well, whatever, the pitch worked and one found its way into my cart. Now, let me just tell you how excited I was the rest of the day knowing that after Kendall went to bed (nasty food allergies, poor baby!) I would settle down with a piece of apple pie straight from the oven as the sweet aroma flooded my kitchen and den. What says Thanksgiving more than the smell of pumpkin or apple pie???? I couldn't wait to eat it, and when the time came it surely didn't disappoint. I savored every bite, with sips of decaf coffee in between, until the last crumb was strategically maneuvered onto my fork. That pie had my undivided attention for a few minutes, and I enjoyed every fat gram and calorie immensely.
Needless to say, the next morning I was reminded of that pie sitting in my refrigerator, and once again looked forward to eating a piece that night. And I must tell you, that leftover piece was still really good, but it didn't capture my attention as it did the first night. I enjoyed eating it, but I found myself a little more easily distracted by other thoughts as I ate it. By the third evening the late night snack had become an expectation. And if anyone had dared eaten my portion, I probably would have blown a fuse and launched into all the reasons why that was MY piece, and I was entitled to it, and I deserved it since after all I bought the pie, and I needed that pie to satisfy my after dinner craving. (You might have even pulled back a nub with fork prong markings as well!) And as I polished off the last piece the fourth night, I realized that I didn't enjoy it as much as I had the other nights. As I ate it, I was preoccupied by several other thoughts and to-do lists rattling around in my mind. What had happened? I had grown accustomed to the treat, and realized it was gone and I didn't savor each bite. What a waste of calories!
Isn't life the same way? We find ourselves craving blessings. We rationalize all the reasons we deserve them, and we spend our time thinking how perfect life would be if only.... And if God really loves me as He claims, why am I not being blessed? Doesn't God know how complete my life would be, how I would be happy all my days and forever grateful for fill-in-the-blank? Doesn't He know that I would never need or ask for anything again since, after all, I would be eternally and blissfully happy? And the blessings that we already have are second thoughts that have been carelessly tossed aside (or at least not fully enjoyed) because our gaze is fixed on something else. Truth being, if God did grant our every desire, we would not be any happier. In fact, we would be less happy since we would never truly enjoy anything. Our spiritual taste buds would grow accustomed to sweet, non-nutritious fattening food.
Would we feed our own child only sweets like apple pie and candy, since after all, that's what they truly want and ask for? We would not label such a parent as loving, but instead we'd be rallying the troops, ready to call the authorities for such profound lack of judgment and care of the child. We give them nutritious food because we love them and know it's what they need for health and life. And though they may not understand, we do what is best because we love them and want them to flourish. God knows and sees all. He sees our entire life (which He designed and predestined by the way) in one glance, though we are limited to seeing the here and now. He knows how everything pieces together to make the beautiful portrait of our lives.
God desires a relationship with us. He wants our heart, but we are often too busy chasing after His hand. Yes, God wants to bless us. And He says He has blessings that He desires to pour out on us. Jesus even says, "If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him?" But sometimes we miss out because an ungrateful heart leads to pride, envy and discontentment. And God will not bless us under such conditions.
Here's my advice which is so much easier said than done. Be grateful. Keep a pure heart. Trust God. Know that God is in control and is weaving together the fabric of our lives. It's the normal every-day things and the disappointments and hardships as well that allow us to enjoy the pure sweetness of God's blessings. Rest in God's words in Jeremiah, "For I know the plans I have for you. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you."
Praise Him in the good times. Thank Him for His blessings. Praise Him also in the storm. He controls the winds, and He will see you through, not necessarily around, to the other side.
And is there anything wrong with enjoying a piece of apple pie once in a while? NOT AT ALL! Hmmm.....I think I want a piece of pumpkin pie now!
In conversation with a dear friend last night, I thought of life in relation to apple pie. Sounds kinda weird, but it's so true. I have be c.r.a.v.i.n.g apple pie the past few weeks. I've contemplated making a homemade pie from scratch for Thanksgiving, but worried if I really had the time (and ability) to make one. While swerving through the Walmart isles toward the check out last week, I about knocked over the entire display of pies that were strategically placed at the entrance, blocking the path to the exit. And what did I see, but none other than a Paula Dean apple pie. Now, I'm sure WM pays bega bucks to slap her picture on the pie to make me think that this MUST be a good pie if, after all, Paula Dean made it from scratch personally for me. Well, whatever, the pitch worked and one found its way into my cart. Now, let me just tell you how excited I was the rest of the day knowing that after Kendall went to bed (nasty food allergies, poor baby!) I would settle down with a piece of apple pie straight from the oven as the sweet aroma flooded my kitchen and den. What says Thanksgiving more than the smell of pumpkin or apple pie???? I couldn't wait to eat it, and when the time came it surely didn't disappoint. I savored every bite, with sips of decaf coffee in between, until the last crumb was strategically maneuvered onto my fork. That pie had my undivided attention for a few minutes, and I enjoyed every fat gram and calorie immensely.
Needless to say, the next morning I was reminded of that pie sitting in my refrigerator, and once again looked forward to eating a piece that night. And I must tell you, that leftover piece was still really good, but it didn't capture my attention as it did the first night. I enjoyed eating it, but I found myself a little more easily distracted by other thoughts as I ate it. By the third evening the late night snack had become an expectation. And if anyone had dared eaten my portion, I probably would have blown a fuse and launched into all the reasons why that was MY piece, and I was entitled to it, and I deserved it since after all I bought the pie, and I needed that pie to satisfy my after dinner craving. (You might have even pulled back a nub with fork prong markings as well!) And as I polished off the last piece the fourth night, I realized that I didn't enjoy it as much as I had the other nights. As I ate it, I was preoccupied by several other thoughts and to-do lists rattling around in my mind. What had happened? I had grown accustomed to the treat, and realized it was gone and I didn't savor each bite. What a waste of calories!
Isn't life the same way? We find ourselves craving blessings. We rationalize all the reasons we deserve them, and we spend our time thinking how perfect life would be if only.... And if God really loves me as He claims, why am I not being blessed? Doesn't God know how complete my life would be, how I would be happy all my days and forever grateful for fill-in-the-blank? Doesn't He know that I would never need or ask for anything again since, after all, I would be eternally and blissfully happy? And the blessings that we already have are second thoughts that have been carelessly tossed aside (or at least not fully enjoyed) because our gaze is fixed on something else. Truth being, if God did grant our every desire, we would not be any happier. In fact, we would be less happy since we would never truly enjoy anything. Our spiritual taste buds would grow accustomed to sweet, non-nutritious fattening food.
Would we feed our own child only sweets like apple pie and candy, since after all, that's what they truly want and ask for? We would not label such a parent as loving, but instead we'd be rallying the troops, ready to call the authorities for such profound lack of judgment and care of the child. We give them nutritious food because we love them and know it's what they need for health and life. And though they may not understand, we do what is best because we love them and want them to flourish. God knows and sees all. He sees our entire life (which He designed and predestined by the way) in one glance, though we are limited to seeing the here and now. He knows how everything pieces together to make the beautiful portrait of our lives.
God desires a relationship with us. He wants our heart, but we are often too busy chasing after His hand. Yes, God wants to bless us. And He says He has blessings that He desires to pour out on us. Jesus even says, "If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him?" But sometimes we miss out because an ungrateful heart leads to pride, envy and discontentment. And God will not bless us under such conditions.
Here's my advice which is so much easier said than done. Be grateful. Keep a pure heart. Trust God. Know that God is in control and is weaving together the fabric of our lives. It's the normal every-day things and the disappointments and hardships as well that allow us to enjoy the pure sweetness of God's blessings. Rest in God's words in Jeremiah, "For I know the plans I have for you. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you."
Praise Him in the good times. Thank Him for His blessings. Praise Him also in the storm. He controls the winds, and He will see you through, not necessarily around, to the other side.
And is there anything wrong with enjoying a piece of apple pie once in a while? NOT AT ALL! Hmmm.....I think I want a piece of pumpkin pie now!
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Counting My Blessings
As Thanksgiving rolls around again, we all make our mental lists of the blessings in our lives for which we are thankful as we are reminded yet again of God's goodness in our lives. List toppers include children, family, health, God's provision, and friends. And of course we're thankful for the small (yet important) things as well: cool, crisp autumn days, lazy Saturday mornings, coffee with a friend, a discovered forgotten stash of money in our pocket, a clean house.
This season I am also thankful for many things that often times are not seen at such.
Thank you for...
Elmo's World reruns AGAIN and A.G.A.I.N....Sesame Street can be a built-in, free babysitter when I desperately need 30 minutes to recollect myself.
a messy kitchen...Our stomachs are full and my baby is not going to bed hungry.
mounds of laundry...We're warm on cold days.
a crying fourteen-month-old...It gives me an excuse to hold her tight and get "baby love" hugs. One day she'll be too big and too "grown" for such overflowing displays of affection.
a barking poodle...I don't worry about anybody sneaking up on our house!
clutter...Our family has all we need, plus some wants.
an empty wallet...Not working full-time anymore means I get to spend every day with Kendall. She's growing up way too fast and I want to enjoy every second I can.
baby bodily functions...I was such a wuss before. Poop and throw up have toughened me and trained my 5 senses to be more tolerating.
never-ending to do lists...My bed just feels that much more comfortable when I crawl into it.
recently diagnosed food allergies...We are all eating more healthily for it.
clingy baby...I am needed. My daughter depends on me to comfort her and meet her needs. My arms are a safe, secure place in this world.
curious, ever-rearranging and dumping out toddler...My baby is learning as she explores her world. And my eyes behind my head are being sharpened more each day.
early wake-up calls...Life is not a to-do list to be conquered. It's a journey that we get to take once, so we had better make wise use of our time and enjoy the ride.
So what are you thankful for?
Monday, November 2, 2009
For He Who Promised Is Faithful
My dearest friend, Danielle, tonight became the proud Mama of another sweet little boy, Collin Daniel. He is such an answer to much, much prayer. Danielle went through alot of physical complications but tonight it all became a small price to pay and well worth it all as Collin entered this world. We have all prayed for this little fella for nine months, and it was such a precious moment to FINALLY hold him.A verse that Danielle clung to these past months is from Hebrews, "For He who promised is faithful". And once more God has proven Himself to be faithful just as His Word says. God is sovereign and in is the giver and sustainer of life. And what a precious moment as we all gathered around to welcome this sweet baby as he was merely minutes old. He is truly a blessing to this family, and God has great plans for him.
I know that all the physical complications and side effects and pain and loss just melted away as this proud Mama held her son for the first time. The things of this world grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace. And God's presence was felt in that room as we all celebrated with this family.
I am so blessed to have Danielle as my friend, and so honored to have shared this moment with them.
Little Collin with his Mama.
Big Brother Caleb was so proud to show off his new little brother. He's gonna take great care of him, I know.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Happy Fall, Y'all
As we say in the south, happy fall, "y'all". October has been a fun and busy month. I actually put out some fall decorations this year. Though the fall was always my favorite season, especially when teaching kindergarten, I just never have seemed to take the time to decorate for it. This year, I decided to finally do something about it. I found this great pumpkin idea from Southern Living, and I loved it so much I had to make my own. I got the smaller pumpkins at the HobLob, then I filled in with candles and pine cones that I already had. The arrangement is sitting by the front door, and I pass it every time I go to Kendall's room. It makes me happy every time I see it.
Last week Kendall and I went shopping with Gigi. I really wanted to get a good picture of her on the hay bales that were decorated all cute with pumpkins, gourds and mums. But these days Kendall is WAY to "on the go" to stop and pose for any picture. I've just had to settle for action shots these days. She waited a while to start walking, but I just realized that she had decided she wouldn't do it until she could do it right. She has been off and hasn't looked back. Bye bye crawling. A few of the pictures did come out cute, though.
She loves pumpkins these days. She's showing it here to Gigi, who was trying to get her to look at the camera.
Notice she's no where near the hay bales now. A store front window caught her eye.
Oooh, gourds! She always makes this face when something looks interesting. (Again, not on the hay nor looking at the camera. Sigh)
Pumpkin.
She took the gourds and ran off with them at this point. We had to reassemble the lovely fall arrangement before we left.
For Halloween, we went to Paga and Gigi's church to go Trunk or Treating. Just about time to put on her "love monster" costume!
Oh, look at that sweet little monster! It was hilarious to watch her waddle around all over the place in that thing.
Time to use her cuteness factor to score lots of candy for Mommy and Daddy!
It didn't take Kendall long to figure out the concept of getting candy. Good thing she didn't realize it was to eat. We'll have that to look forward to next year. Hopefully these nasty allergies will be gone by then.
Kendall had an absolute blast that night. Don't be fooled, though, by this sweet picture of her adoringly holding hands. In no time, she realized she could do this all by herself and we spent the rest of the night keeping up with her. She just wanted to be big like all the other kids around.
Swinging by to see Papa for a quick picture.
Kendall caught up with her friend, Ann Riley, who is a mere twelve hours younger than her. We were all in the same hospital at the same time when they were born.
Back at the house with cousin Savannah.
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