Where the rubber meets the road.....

As I tried to "name this post", I wasn't sure it's best named what I named it...or if I should have named it "Stormy Peace". I don't know. I don't know a lot right now. I'm marinating in it all. And trying to Be Still.

As I said in this post, things with my husband's job were to change. They have. Without going into too much complicated detail, our last guaranteed pay check is September 1st. Then....it's all up to God's sovereignty. It really is.

So it's a little stormy in our lives. But my sweet husband and I both feel abounding peace. Strange, huh? In a weird sort of way, I am almost excited to see what God does.

This is where the rubber meets the road. This is where this faith we have is tested. This is where our actions will determine whether we choose to live out that faith. As you know, we have been paying off debt for some time. We will still move forward. But for the immediate, it's not so much about paying off debt as it is about being faithful and frugal and wise with where we are at that particular moment.

This time in our lives is where our children will see. And absorb. And copy. So we pray. And pray. And love each other. And pray some more. And listen carefully.

So what is MY part in this for my family? I'm still obviously trying to figure it out. But this is what I've come up with so far. Besides the above-mentioned activities, I step up my frugality game. I get more creative. I get less-focused on fixing up my old house (for the time being) and get more focused on my family and what's before us. I get intentional about simplifying. And I pray that I do all of this in a gracious way that doesn't cause me to so "inward focus" that I miss opportunities to love others around me.

I'll keep you posted, I'm sure. In the meantime, if you have any wise words for me or my family, I welcome them. Thanks for listening.

More OPJ finds....

This was a fun find.

I picked them up from a guy in our neighborhood for $20 (all 4 pieces). I'll show you where they end up finding a home in my house. It sure will be fun trying to figure it out!

I absolutely adore all things "chippy". (Except toe nail polish, of course...which I frequently have)

I thought this piece would look great on the wall next to the herb garden we're starting outside. What do you think?

It doesn't take much to delight my heart. And OPJ ranks high on the list!

Make it a great day.

OPJ (Other People's Junk)....ALERT!

We had a little “mishap” the other day, which included a ball, a ceiling fan and a lamp. I’ll bet you can figure it out from here. Needless to say, I no longer have a lamp on the table in the corner of my family room.

Until today, that is…..

And then I found this little beauty (ok, not a beauty, per se…but it works) by the side of the road, in someone’s bulk trash pile.

I’m not too proud to trash dive….and look how cute! And it costed me NOTHING, except a little clean- up sweat.

Keep alert…you never know what treasure you may find.

Choices

There are times and situations in life where we have one of two choices: stress out about it OR trust God. Not just say we trust God. REALLY trust him. Sometimes that is much tougher than it sounds.

My family is in a situation right this minute that will either draw us closer to Christ and each other…or it won’t. The choice is ours. In one month, something will happen with my husband’s job. We have no idea what it will look like. It’s scary…and exciting, all rolled into one. It’s scary because it’s unknown. It’s exciting because God knows. And we trust him.

So daily I cling to his words. I cling. That’s all I have. That’s how our family will get through it.

I’m so thankful to be in a place where I truly now realize that knowing, trusting and believing God will show up and provide IS the way to get through it. I’m thankful for the opportunity to be able to really put faith into practice. But oh…how vulnerable it makes me feel. I truly do understand that as difficult a place it might be...it’s a good thing.

I don’t know where you are right now. Are you in a place where you are having to trust God right now? Or are you in one of those precious places where God allows you to enjoy the quiet of no turmoil at the moment? If it’s the latter, thank Him. If it’s the former, bite into his Word. It’s meaty. Digest it. Enjoy it. And thank Him for filling you up. Then wait…and trust…and obey. And watch the hand of God at work. That’s where I am right now.

Little things I love...(Part 1)

Candles. But mainly my Farmstand Candle in Fresh Picked Apple scent.

Quilts.

God's Truth.

Bounce dryer bars. Love this!

Notice the ad above...."so easy a man could do it". Ouch. But funny.

The best dish cloths ever.

Being creative from "junk".

No, not my picture...but wish that scarecrow were in my backyard....so cute!

Cookbooks.

First day of school

These boys woke up FIRED UP for the first day of school! They're still too young to realize that some kids don't actually want to go to school. They giggled all the way through breakfast and I could barely get any eggs or toast into their little bodies. Then off we went.

We entered into the cafeteria, which is where all the kids gather before their teacher comes to get them. It was so sweet. My 4-year-old's teacher came in...and he ran up to her and gave her a great big hug. Score...starting off right.

Then......"IT" happened.


I went to tell him good-bye, hugged him and asked him for a kiss as I always do. He shyly turned his head away from me and mouthed the words (as if in slow motion), "no, Mom", in a sweet little "I'm-too-cool-don't-embarrass-me-kind-of-way".

WHAT? SERIOUSLY? He's 4!!!!!!! 4!!!!!!!! Small dagger. I knew this day would come. But ouch.....so soon?

We might as well go get his driver's license tomorrow. I need to go cry now.

Snakes and snails and puppy-dog tails

Today, the boys and I went to Wal-Mart to pick up last minute items for school tomorrow. They were running loose and we were all laughing. Some people thought we were cute, having fun. Others…not so much. All I know is that my boys and I were laughing and they were happy to be with me.

We moved to the check-out line and this wonderful lady asked me about my boys. "How old are they?" And then noted that they were behaving so well. She had seen us come into the store and thought, “how wonderful that they are all having such a great time together.”

I had to come clean. And I must now, too.

We were indeed having a good time, but this was no more than 45 minutes after I had gotten down on the floor at home, eye level with a 3 and 4-year-old and asked their forgiveness. I said, “Mommy loves you so much. I’m sorry I’ve gotten loud with you so many times today. Mommy has allowed myself to get mad, really mad…and I shouldn’t have. I will not be yelling at you again today. Will you forgive me?” Thankfully, they agreed.

Parenting is hard. So, so hard.

I pray over them every morning. I war over them in prayer. I ask God for wisdom to lead them. And yet, it’s still hard. Thank the Lord I have Him to take all this to, or where would I be?
They go to school tomorrow morning. It’s bitter sweet. Wonderful, because I love their school, their teachers and the fact that Mommy will have 7 hours to refresh two days per week. Bitter, because I’m actually delighted to have them gone for 7 hours and somehow feel I shouldn’t be THIS delighted. I know I will actually miss them, too.

Giving birth to and raising these creatures called boys is an exhausting, wonderful, frustrating, exhilarating , fulfilling adventure!

I thought I’d take a moment and give you a few glimpses into the daily lives of two adorable little boys I know:

Playing Superheroes, with their friend, Chas. Superhero action happens daily around here.

This is what greeted me in my 4-year-old's bedroom today as I went to put up laundry....a giant spider web. Notice the snake it had caught in it's clutches. Eek!

THUS…all these reasons (and so much more) of why I love them so.

Yes, parenting IS hard. But it's such a blessing as well.

Thanks for letting me share my heart. Just trying to keep it real. Thanks for listening.