Love

“If I [can] speak in the tongues of men and [even] of angels, but have not love (that reasoning, intentional, spiritual devotion such as is inspired by God's love for and in us), I am only a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.

And if I have prophetic powers (the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose), and understand all the secret truths and mysteries and possess all knowledge, and if I have [sufficient] faith so that I can remove mountains, but have not love (God's love in me) I am nothing (a useless nobody).

Even if I dole out all that I have [to the poor in providing] food, and if I surrender my body to be burned or in order that I may glory, but have not love (God's love in me), I gain nothing.” 

(1 Corinthians 13: 1-3 from the Amplified Bible, emphasis added)

I love this reminder today, that love in me can only come from God.  It is inspired by him and I can only truly be loving to others if I have his love in me in the first place.

He shows us how to love, he inspires us to love.  Even before we knew him he loved us; and because of his great love we can love others, truly and deeply love others.  There is no other way but through him.

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“Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily.

It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God's love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong].

It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail.

Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening].

Love never fails [never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end].”

(1 Corinthians 13: 4-8)

 

More about Nothing at All, but lots about Everything Else

How’s that for hormonal ramblings? Here’s much to say about nothing particular:

1. I found a great new behavior modification tool for our kids, we call it the token jar and I was going to tell you in marvelous smart and witty words all about it. But I’ve got nothing smart of witty in me. So I’ll tell you later.

Really, it’s been one of those weeks. Well-how about one of those last few days? Aunt Flo flew in ahead of schedule and with hurricane like force; reducing me to a quivering, frustrated, frustrating, irritated ball of goo who just wants to hang her head in a bowl of cookie dough and cry. I hate these kind of days. And on these kind of days when I can hardly stand myself all I can think of is just making through to bedtime. I struggle through it, wondering why it has to be so hard. And here’s what I’ve figured out, it shouldn’t be this hard. It’s hard for lots of reasons, hormones being one of them. But it’s hard because, even though I know these days happen (come on, once a month? I shouldn’t be surprised here) I set myself up for failure-I think I should really lower my expectations a bit during this time of the month. Expect less because I’d rather accomplish less really well, than try to accomplish everything and utterly fail.

So yesterday; I was sucking in my lower lip trying to hold it together, only to completely loose it all , in all places, during my girls’ ballet class. Really. What is with this mess that I am? At any rate, I had a startling realization. I don’t need to hold it all together. I don’t need to get through this day on my own strength. So many times God reduces me to not much so that I can and must rely on him. Ouch, it’s hard and it’s painful. But at the end of the day, as I let go of myself and attitudes and my selfish pity party (Come on gals, please tell me I’m not the only one who can throw a good pity party at least once a month.) I realized all I really need is him, God’s grace and strength really is enough. Even when I’m hormonal, especially when I’m hormonal. Because his working in me doesn’t stop simply because it’s that time. And it’s certainly not right to go on with a terrible attitude just because it’s that time. Really, the Holy Spirit gives us self control for a reason.

Thankfully, today is better. The sun is shining outside, and there is light and hope and peace, only because of God’s amazing work in me.

2. And on to lighter subjects, our silly dog is afraid of the camera. I’ve been trying to get some pictures of him and the kids. Or just him, but he heads out of the room as fast as a creature with his tail between his legs can walk. Really.

Oh, he’s also afraid of the vacuum, brooms, plastic bags, balloons, and sudden loud noises. But we love him anyway. He’s a gem. Even when his tail is between his legs and he just piddled on the floor.

Here’s the best I could do, and it’s funny because that’s just how I felt yesterday.

3. And finally, today is grocery list day. Only to be followed by grocery shopping day tomorrow. Grocery list day is kind of daunting because I plan and shop for nearly a month’s worth of meals all at once. It makes grocery shopping day really tough, but when the pantry is stocked and I know what to fix for dinner it’s all worth it. All I need to figure out is what to fix for dinner, for the next month.

And that’s all the ramblings I can stand; and if you’ve hung in there this far dear friend, well I must say thank you. Thanks for putting up with my lunacy and for sharing the journey with me. It’s really much better knowing I’m not all alone here. Don’t forget that you’re not alone either.

Gift Card Tags

Before I jetted off to Florida I was busy. Well; busy getting packed, making sure there was endless supply of frozen pizza for the family and making these little cuties.

Because getting a gift card is fun, but getting a prettied up gift card is even more fun. At least that’s what I thought when I recently gave lots of fun gift cards away. I thought they needed a little bow, a little something fancy.

Here’s how I made these so very simple hearts to attach to the gift cards.

I cut a heart out of the backside of a memo pad, using a cookie cutter as a template.

I covered the thing in lots and lots of Modge Podge.

Then I crumpled up basket style coffee filter and stuck it on top. I just mashed it on, crumples and all and then coated really good with more Modge Podge. Once it was dry I flipped it over and did the same thing to the other side.

Then, the next day, I painted it my favorite turquoise. I hot glued a clothes pin on the back and fancied up with paper posies and cute buttons.

See, doesn’t she look pretty? It’s a fun way to get a gift card. Although, I’d gladly take a gift card anyway, anytime. You know you would too.

I’m sharing with Kimba and Kim today.

On Adventure

Long before children joined our family I knew I wanted them to come along. We spent a lot of time talking about them, dreaming about them and praying for them.

We went through the typical course when we got married; we married young and finished college. My husband found a terrific job in the same area before we graduated. We took the job and moved from our little apartment to a little rental home. All the while we were dreaming of those babes that were yet to be. We settled in and got comfortable. And a few months later we found out our first was on the way.

We were overjoyed, and ecstatic and so completely happy. Our son was born and soon (very soon) his sisters came bouncing along. It was all very fast.

And then one day I woke up and realized I was surrounded by diapers and snotty noses and tinker toys. I felt a little suffocated at times, thinking that this life was not the adventure I had hoped it would be. And ever since then I’ve felt it, the longing for adventure and for the times when it was just Zac and I. I’d watch our neighbors, who did not have children, run off on weekend trips and excursions. And I was envious. Because most of the time the life I was living felt anything like adventure.

And then one day I had a realization. I woke up and tickled and chased three kids around the house. We did our school work and explored the magical science of chocolate and candy making. We went to an art class and had ballet lessons. We took a long walk and found some cool little creatures along the way. We took family vacations to the coast and day trips to the nearby mountains. We ate way too much cake as we celebrated birthdays and other milestones.

And in the midst of this realization an epiphany came along, I was already living the adventure. I just hadn’t seen it because it looked different than I thought it should. I was spending a bit too much time focusing on what my perceptions were, and not enough time living in my life right now.

I’m really glad to be on this adventure, the one of rearing children and learning alongside them and exploring life together. Sure, it’s not like traveling to exotic locations but I think it’s even better. And I know that at some point in life, it will be just Zac and me. And we’ll be having adventures just the two of us. And when that time comes I’m guessing that I’ll feel pretty nostalgic for these days, the days of childhood and wonder.

And adventures; we’ve got plenty of ‘em right now.

Thursday Gratitude

It’s been a while since I’ve thought about Thursday gratitudes. It’s not that I haven’t been grateful. Just not purposefully grateful, taking the time to pause and really think about the many things I have to be grateful for.

So here’s the list for today, in picture form.

a napping little gal is pretty nice

cookies for Valentine’s day are super yummy

vegan cookies for Valentine’s day are even better

a totally awesome day doing school

and stories from Dad at dinner can’t be beat , lately the kids always ask for him to tell a story from when he was a kid. He tells the best stories and the kids are roaring with laughter by the time he’s done.

Sometimes it’s so easy to feel frustrated by life; the list that didn’t get finished, the everyday stresses, and the busy lives that can keep our focus on things that don’t really matter. But purposing to be grateful and to search out the happy things in life is so worthwhile. I’ll choose grateful over frustration any day.

How about you? What are you grateful for?

Gratitude is inspiring-head over to see Melissa at the Inspired Room for more inspiration.

Ramblings and Stuff

Wednesday already?

Hmmm, didn’t we just sail through Sunday? I think it must have slipped by while I was doing laundry, sweeping the kitchen, teaching school, or trying to figure out how the gallon of milk in the fridge mysteriously disappeared.

Seriously folks-light speed days are not my favorite.

So off we go to another day, ballet lessons and school work and carry on luggage measuring in the works for me today. Plus a few other things.

Have I mentioned that I need a get away?

Have I mentioned that I’m getting a get away?

I’m off to Florida next week, yep, Florida. It’s not DEL BOCA VISTA! (If you’ve seen that Seinfield episode you know you have to yell it). But it’s Tampa, and I think it’s going to be just fine.

Oh, did I mention that I’m going all by myself? ALONE. Across the country in airplanes and rental cars all by myself. I’m thrilled and terrified all at the same time.

So we’re gonna hit the ground running today, and I’m gonna focus on enjoying every last second of this day as busy as it might be.

Here we go!

oh, some of you wondered why the whole vegetarian thing. Long story really short, I read this book. It really changed my perspective. And I can’t eat dairy, because I had a non essential gall-bladder removed a few years ago. Apparently my body was a bit ticked that it had to depart company with that stone producing, agony inducing organ, and so it throws a fit and causes lots of yucky things to happen when I do eat dairy, or other fatty and greasy items. Maybe I’ll chat more about it later. But short story getting longer, we don’t really eat meat anymore. And I don’t eat many animal products at all. I’m cool with that, my family is cool with that. It works for us.

And one more thing, it’s 7:33 am and my whole entire family is still sleeping. I love this quiet house.

Veggie Burgers

Veggie Burgers, meatless patties, or as we like to call them Beanurgers. And they are good.

Since become a (mostly) vegetarian a few years ago I’ve been struggling to find a great recipe for veggie burgers. I’ve tried lots and most of them with no success. I’ve even bought lots of different brands, all with little success. Most of them contain some sort of cheese, which I’m not keen on. And some of them just taste downright weird.

So I was skeptical but hopeful when I saw this recipe. Then I tried it. And loved it. Even the kids loved it, and the meat loving husband thought they were amazing too. He’s even requested them since that night, and that’s the true mark of success-the second request.

Here’s the recipe, it’s adapted from one I found in Vegetarian Times:

• 3 cups of cooked brown rice
• 12 oz. cooked, mashed chickpeas
• 4 0z. cooked, mashed kidney beans
• 1/2 cup ground almonds
• 1/3 cup dried parsley
• 1/4 soy sauce (or Bragg’s)
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 tsp. dried thyme

Stir together all ingredients in a large bowl. I found a pastry cutter the best tool to mash the beans and mix everything up. Shape mixture into 1/2 inch patties. I think I got 10 patties out of mine. Coat a skillet generously with cooking spray, heat over medium high heat. Cook patties in skillet 4-5 minutes per side, until browned on the outside. Use a wide skillet to flip patties, they are a bit fragile.

Enjoy!

I'm linking up with Kimba @ A Soft Place to Land today.

Real Life Valentines Day

Valentine’s day isn’t something we get too worked up for around here, my man’s birthday is the day before so most of our energy and time go into making his day absolutely rock. Because of this Valentine’s day is usually for the kids. But we do work at making it special.

We eat heart shaped and/or red food-it’s just more fun that way. Our hot chocolate has pretty sprinkles and a conversation heart on top of the whip cream. Our sandwiches are cut out with a heart shaped cookie cutter. Dinner is special, and there is usually some sort of special desert, because chocolate isn’t just for grown-ups on Valentine’s day.

We decorate pretty simply, making sure we talk about love and the author of love-God himself.

This year we talked our way through 1 Corinthians 13 and all the things it says love is and is not: patient, kind, not rude, not self seeking, not proud. As we talked about this I challenged the kids to think about the characteristic of love that they thought they needed to be better at displaying. We talked about what it looks like to be kind and patient, and how to not be rude. I had each kid pick one trait to work on, and we wrote them down on little hearts. Each heart is hanging up below my coffee filter wreath as a reminder. Incidentally, I had one reader suggest dipping the edges of the filters in water color. I love that idea, thanks Sarah!

And I guess it’s not all about the kids, because I do work on making Valentine’s day (and the whole week) special for my man. With it being his birthday week I make sure he’s got everything he wants. I take a little extra time with my appearance, and usually wear something a little special. I want to make sure I’m extra hot, just for him. Cause I’m the only woman who is allowed, and supposed to be a hottie for him. And I love that. Oh, and we usually try to farm out the kids for a night around this time of year, so we can have special dinner at home. I think that’s enough said about that matter, ya’ll get the gist I’m sure.

Valentine’s day can be pretty special, and we realize we don’t need to spend much money on it or get super fancy. We work on creative ideas to make the day super fun for the kids-and the grown-ups too.

Do you go all out or do you keep Valentine’s day simple? I’d love to hear how you celebrate.

A whole lot to say about nothing

Friends, I’ve got nothing earth shattering for you today. But for your reading pleasure I do have a whole lot to say about nothing in particular.

(aren’t feetie pajamies the best?)

1. Sometimes at the end of the day I peek in on the kids before I go to bed. And sometimes I’m struck with this amazing urge to crawl in bed with them. I think there’s several reasons for this:

One is that they’re super cute when they’re sleeping. Their hair is mussed up, their checks are warm and rosy and the girls are so squeezable in the feetie jammies.

Another reason I long to fall in bed with them is that I’m usually just plain exhausted. Nuff said.

But really, what draws me to these sleeping beauties is that they make sleep look good. They look so relaxed and comfortable, and just one little glance is enough to make me want to run to bed to get just as relaxed as they are. I’m pretty sure they could sell loads of mattresses if a mattress company wanted to use them for an ad campaign.

2. I don’t really care to decorate for Valentine’s Day, but the girls are asking for it. Not sure what I’ll be doing, but I better get on the ball. I think I’ll go check out the free Valentine graphics at The Graphics Fairy.

3. And I’m thinking of making today a no school day, cause we home school and we can do that. And it’s been a really busy week, and the whine factor is high and I’m feeling like it’s time to just slow down and let today be a yes day for the kids. Sounds good to me.

Happy Thursday everyone!

Coffee Filter Wreath

This is one of those projects that took minutes, really just minutes. I’ve been wanting to make a book page wreath, like I’ve been seeing everywhere these days, I got started and realized that this project might just outlast my patience. So I improvised.

I had a white Styrofoam wreath that I found on a clearance table for a quarter. And I had a bunch of coffee filters that we keep on hand for kid projects. I gathered up some pins from the craft drawer. Then I used the pins to put the scrunched up filters on the wreath. I hung a ribbon with another pin and it was done.

My kind of craft is really easy and quick these days-my days are just filled with other things that occupy a lot of time. I literally did this in about five minutes.

Come back later and see how it’s hanging out on my wall.

I’m sharing with Kimba and Kim today.