"Today is the best day of my life."

Last week, our little girl got to see her favorite singer in concert.  In fact, it was her very first concert.

The concert was amazing and the building was PACKED with hundreds of excited little girls as Jamie-Grace took the stage.

After the show, she got to meet Jamie.  Wow.  It's a moment I don't think she will ever forget (me either).  She chatted with her for a few minutes and then when she walked away from the table she said, "I think my stomach just exploded." :))))

Our girl had the same "deer in the headlights" smile in every pic :).  

Later that night, when we got in the car to go home WAY past her bedtime, she said, "today is the best day of my life."  Not sure there's a better feeling than seeing your kiddos happy and grateful.

As I continue to feel conviction about my busyness this year and wanting to find more opportunities to love on my family and celebrate all that we are grateful for, I'm so delighted when I see my kids happy.

Our son plays trumpet and participates in the band at his high school.  He played in the pep band for a BIG game this weekend and Brian and I got to go.  There wasn't an empty seat in the gym.  Our son texted us before the game began that the first chair trumpet was not going to be there, so he had to take the lead and the solos (he is second chair).  He was so nervous, but then nailed every song (according to me... not him... he is his own worst critic). But most importantly, every time I looked over to the band during the game, he was smiling from ear to ear, laughing with his friends, cheering on the team, and just happy.  Seriously, no better feeling in the world than to be the parent of a happy kid.

Life right now... wow... it's so crazy.  We're still busy just about every night of the week.  Homework, practices, church commitments, work, volunteer work, etc...  But, in the midst of this tornado of tasks and responsibilities, I love when we can find moments to smile and enjoy the blessings in our lives.

Hoping your Wednesday is filled with happy moments and lots of smiles :).

A Challenge...

My husband and I are celebrating 10 years of marriage this year. It's been an amazing roller coaster with lots of twists and turns, but I can't imagine a better partner to be on this journey with :). He and I have a ton in common--we love to laugh and have the same weird sense of humor... We both have servants hearts and love volunteering... We both love music, although he is the musically talented one :))). 

But we are also vastly different. I am very Type-A and organized and he is super laid back and not very organized :). I am passionate about justice and see things as more black and white, and he is quick to let things go. He is a morning person and I am NOT.  

Found this little gem on Pinterest... Can you guess which one is me?

Our differences annoy me to death sometimes, but they have also saved us many times. Early in our marriage, we had an argument where I uttered eight words that have come back to haunt me over and over:

I am right 95% of the time. 

He had disagreed with me about something, and when I was proven right, I didn't just let it go.  Instead, I went on a rant where I proclaimed my "rightness". But, instead of getting mad at my arrogance and escalating the argument, my husband busted out laughing. When he was finally able to straighten himself up, he apologized for not realizing the extensive statistical research I'd put In to figure out how often I was right and he would keep that in mind the next time we disagreed about something. I couldn't help but snap out of my attitude and laugh too :). 

He's never let me forget that day... If I'm proven wrong about something, he will make a face and say... "Oh, honey... I think your percentage is dropping... It may be 91% now :). 

Ephesians 4:2 says, 

Be completely humble and gentle. Be patient. Bearing with one another in love. 

When I read that scripture, I'm instantly reminded of my husband. He doesn't possess my crazy need to be right. He's so humble and gentle. He is so patient with me and loves me enough to overlook my many, many faults. And he encourages me to be humble, patient, gentle, and love others.

Yesterday I told this story to a lovely group of MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) ladies and I challenged them (and myself) to try and live Ephesians 4:2 this week.  I want to give YOU the same challenge.  Be Humble. Be Gentle. Be Patient.  Bear with one another in love.  Think about that person that gets under your skin better than anyone else... How can you be Ephesians 4:2 to them?  

Trust me, I know all too well how hard this challenge is.  I can go from calm to crazy angry in a nano second.  I hate that about myself.  But if we believe that God can do ANYTHING, then He can certainly change our hearts and help us to be more humble, gentle, and patient.  LET'S DO IT!!!

I hope your Tuesday is stellar :).

The Balance Between Busy & Bored

Balance is paying attention to the things that matter most, at the time that they matter most. 

~Kolette Hall

Once upon a time, I was a stay-at-home mommy.  I had an eight year old boy in school and a beautiful, giggly baby girl.  My life revolved around feeding schedules, school drop-off/pick-up, homework, diapers, bath time, cooking dinner, poop, and lots of laundry.  I was in a MOPS group and we went to church on Sunday, but the church was 30 minutes from our home and it was hard to connect with friends there because of the distance. My fabulous mom would stop by on her lunch break to wash dishes or play with the baby which was a huge blessing.  But other than those times and the occasional phone call from a friend to make sure I was still alive, I had very little adult interaction.  We didn't even have internet at our house during that time...

Let's stop there for a second.  I still cannot believe I lived for two years without internet. I guess I just didn't have time for it... but still.  Now, I can't go 20 minutes without feeling the urge to check my email or facebook.  Insane.

So, where was I?... right...  Just me, my kiddos, my husband, our little house and our little life.  There's a lot about that time that I miss.  Things were simple.  We had more time together.  We delighted in everything our children did because they were little and we were less distracted.  We ate dinner together every night, at home.  But on very cold days like today, I'm reminded of how isolated I felt.  And bored.  I remember how useless I felt... I felt like all the knowledge and experience I'd gained in school was flying out the window with each passing day.  I felt dumb.  And disconnected.  I knew how to cure a constipated baby and help make a pretty stellar science project, but that was about it.

Eight years later, my life is so drastically different.  I'm so busy now that I have to have multiple calendars and endless reminders on my phone so I can keep track of everything.  I'm constantly doing something on the computer, or running to a meeting, while catching up on housework when I get a free second.  I love all that I'm blessed to be able to do, and I've worked hard to finish what I have to do for work during the day so it interferes as little as possible with my family.  That's not always the case, but it's a huge blessing when it is.  But presently, there is not one night of the week that my entire family is home together.  I. HATE. THAT.

Even though I'm busier than a one-legged man in a butt-kicking contest these days, and I live on social media, I still have plenty of moments of feeling isolated.  I miss my husband.  A lot.  He works a ton of hours and we both volunteer a ton for church and stuff our kids are involved in.  When we finally do get a date, we typically go to wherever is cheapest or closest to home so we can hurry back and go to sleep because we're just plain exhausted.  I miss my kids... they are involved in so much and I feel like all the time we have together is rushed and filled with homework and chores.  And there are days when I go to bed and I think "did I have a conversation with my son today that lasted longer than 30 seconds?"  OUCH.

That saying "the grass is always greener" is so true... I remember wishing for things to do and places to go all those years ago... and now I wish for more time to just sit and talk and play games and hang out with my family.  I wish for a week of nothing to do.  It's funny isn't it... how you end up missing the things that drove you crazy at the time?

I think life is all about constantly trying to strike that perfect balance.  God wants us to be engaged, involved, and productive and to use the gifts He's given us, but He also wants us to not get so busy that we forget to stop and take time to listen to Him and love the people He's brought into our lives.  My mission this year is to try to find that balance for our family.  To be purposeful about our time together and to appreciate those moments more and not let myself become distracted.

If you are in the season of life that involves lots of diapers and Disney Channel and praying for nap time to come, I feel for you... But remember that you are doing a great work and someday, you will miss those peanut butter smudges on the tv and drool-covered smiles :).  And if you are in the kids in school, busier than you ever dreamed you could be, phase of life.... oh, boy, I get it.  But let me remind both of us that a time is coming when those kiddos will be off to college and out doing their own thing so let's find ways to enjoy this time before it's gone.

Wow, I feel like I've been a major Debby Downer today. This lack of sunlight and freezing weather is wrecking havoc on my psyche. But, I'm praying that all of us can take at least one step today to finding the balance between the busy and bored.

STRESSED

Stress is not my friend... Really, is stress anyone's friend?  Who comes home from work and says, "Today was a stressful day!!! YAY!!!!"

Stupid stress with its stupid stress-inducing ways.

Stress happens to all of us from time to time, but we don't have to let it rob our joy or get us down.

So, here are five ways you can give ol' stress a punch in the gut and keep your cool :):

• MUSIC.  Crank those speakers up and throw on some Jamie Grace or MercyMe (links of some of their amazing songs are provided for you... you're welcome). Sing as loud as you can, even if no one wants to hear you sing.  And dance... even if you look like a fool... Bust it.  Feel that stress melting away... ah.... 
• Make crazy selfies (or usies as they are calling them now) with your kids.  

The girl got braces today... Look at that cuteness!

• Eat some chocolate. Or a lot of chocolate.  Oh, chocolate... you are my friend.  But don't eat too much or then you'll stress about how long it will take you to burn that off at the gym :)
• Watch some funny videos online... This is a good one :).

Kid Snippets: Math Class

• Pray... Actually, do this before you do any of the above... If there is anyone who gets stress better than anyone, it's Jesus.  He's been there... and He wants to be there for you.  So let it out... tell Him all about it and feel the peace that can only come from our Heavenly Father.

If today was stressful, I'm sorry... I'm praying that tomorrow is full of laughter and good news for you :). 

Snow Day Ramblings

It snowed overnight.

More than they had originally thought so school was cancelled.

My kids are thrilled :).

And it's still snowing...

So beautiful.

Winter is my least favorite season, but I love a good snow.

I love hot chocolate.

With marshmallows.

Mmmmmmm.....


And cozy pajamas.

And not having to get dressed all morning.


Snow days rule :).

Thankful Thursday #2

This T-shirt just about sums it up... I'm thankful for those people and moments in my life that just bring overwhelming, unicorn eating cake on a rainbow, joy. Is this shirt not hilarious?  It's my daughters and when she picked it out I said, "Yep!  That's you, alright!"  And she is.  That girl has been a bundle of joy since she entered this world 8 1/2 years ago.  She's so funny and just loves every second of life and the people in it.  Unless she's tired. Or hungry.  Then, she's a little scary :).  But other than that, she's the funniest, silliest goober God ever created :).  I love her :).

Her daddy is much the same way.  Both of them are "morning people"... ugh... Stupid morning people... but I am thankful for them.  Without their overwhelming cheeriness in the morning, my son and I (not-morning people) would likely be late in the morning and not be knocked out of our sleep-deprived funk before starting our day.  You can't be grumpy around those two... Well, to be fair, I totally have, but it's hard to stay grumpy when they are acting like goons :).

And I'm thankful for stomach-aching, coughing, head-pounding laughter... Oh man.  My husband, son, and I read something funny online last night and laughed and laughed for 30 mins.  This morning, my abs are so sore.  It was almost more than I could stand.  I love when I can find something my teenage son and I can "bond" over :).  The boy loves a good laugh.  And so do I.  When we talk about Star Wars and computer games, I can't always hang and act like I have a clue what he's talking about... but we can share a good laugh together.  He's so serious most the time... much like me... especially at his age.  So, when he laughs it brings me so much joy.  Man, I'm thankful for laughter.

Here's to all of us being "happier than a unicorn eating cake on a rainbow". Have an awesome Thursday!

Waiting

"Wait just a minute."  My children hate those four words... Probably because sometimes they have waited and waited and then had to remind their very forgetful mother that she promised to look at this or help them with that.  Sigh.  But, I can't blame them.  I hate to wait.  The iPad has made waiting a whole lot easier... I can just catch up on a good book or blast through a few levels of "Plants vs. Zombies" and the time passes easily.  But what about when the waiting is pure agony... and no distraction can be found?

Some people very dear to us waited years and years for a child.  They felt God's promise, but the waiting went on and on. With one couple, God blessed them with a baby boy after 12 years of marriage and longing for a child.  With the other couple, they tried to adopt for years and kept hitting heartbreaking road blocks.  Then, suddenly God blessed them with a beautiful little girl that needed a loving home.  It was so discouraging to watch these precious people wait and wait for the children they longed for, but their faith never seemed to waver.  They knew what God had promised them and they clung to that hope that He would give them the desires of their hearts.

I've been praying this week for a family that's waiting for a loved one's passing.  Her battle with cancer has been long and hard-fought... The family has said their goodbyes and shared wonderful memories. Now they are just waiting. Waiting for her pain to end. Waiting to grieve their loss. Waiting.

At our small group the other night, we talked about David and how he waited 14 years from the time he was anointed as King to when he was finally crowned... And all the while he was chased and threatened and in grave danger.  Can you imagine having to wait for a promise for 14 years and in the meantime being attacked?  Could anyone have blamed David if he said, "Thanks God, but no thanks... I think I'll go back to herding sheep."  But God knew the integrity of his heart... He knew that David loved Him so completely that he would follow Him anywhere and endure the waiting. Could the same be said of us?

In the midst of his waiting, David wrote these words:

If you are waiting, have courage. God is using this time to grow you in your faith and remind you that He is all you need.

Thankful Thursday #1

Gratitude... it's something I've been trying to have more of since I read Ann Voskamp's "One Thousand Gifts" last Summer.  Our family had a hard spring.  Lots of change.  Lots of hurt.  Lots of stress.  The last thing I wanted to do was be grateful, but once I started looking for the blessings, I realized they were all around me.  So, in 2014, I'm going to continue to work on my gratefulness and each Thursday, I'm going to blog about something I'm thankful for.

This week, I've been overwhelmed by some awesome music. The kids at church are working on a new song on Wednesday nights that is knocking my socks off ("Your Love For Me" Northpoint Kids).  And when their little voices shout during the song... I can't help but smile from ear to ear :). There's nothing quite like the sound of 50 kids worshiping God :).  I'm grateful to be a part of that.

And then, there's this song:

"Keep Making Me" Sidewalk Prophets

Lately, Sidewalk Prophets has been knocking it out of the park.  Their Christmas Album quickly became a family favorite and then I started hearing this song... It's so so awesome.  And makes me grateful for every struggle our family has ever faced...

So, this week, I'm grateful for music and how God can use a song to speak straight to my heart.

How about you?  What are you grateful for today?  Let's all strive to look for the blessings in every moment of every day and focus less on the things that rob our joy.

My (Realistic) New Years Resolutions 2014

Every year, I start off with this renewed optimism that this year is going to be different.  I will write up my goals, change everything I want to change overnight, and never look back... Then, about January 10, I realize I haven't been able to keep up with anything I set out to do January 1.  Then I eat some chocolate.

So, this year on January 1, I didn't even think about making resolutions.  I didn't read anyone else's posts on facebook about their resolutions or watch my favorite youtubers talk about theirs.  I just didn't want to disappoint myself by setting my ambitions too high, only to fail.

But, maybe resolutions should be more like goals... something I try to do or add to my schedule, but I don't immediately slap FAILURE on my forehead if I mess up a day here or there.

So, keeping all this in mind, here are My (realistic) New Years Resolutions for 2014.

• Hug my kids more. 
• Started off real hard there, huh?  But, it's something I need to do more.  Hug my kids.  Everyday.  Even my teenager.  Even when they don't want me to.  Hugs are important.  Hugs remind us that no matter how frustrated we can be with each other, we still love each other to pieces. 
• Love my husband.
• Are you rolling your eyes yet?  I'm serious... My husband totally rocks and I love him like crazy, but I am not so great at loving when I'm frustrated.  When he forgets to do something I've asked him to do 1000 times?  My response has nothing to do with love.  I can be incredibly selfish... I can be unreasonably rude and demanding and I expect so much and often forget that he needs love and encouragement from me because he's not nearly as outspoken and demanding as I am :). So, I want to love my husband more this year and do less of the griping, complaining, eye-rolling, etc. :)
•  Get my priorities straight.
• We are way busy.  And often, I put other people and things above my time with God and my family.  Writing those words totally made my stomach do a flip.  I hope I'm not the only one who's made that mistake.  But it's true.  I say "yes" to too many things, and no to my family too much. I need this to change.  Something our family used to do that we've slacked on is Family Night.  Right now, one or all of us are busy every single night of the week.  I need this to change, stat.  I need a night cuddled up on the couch with my loves, playing a board game or watching a movie.  I need to have meaningful conversations with my kids and husband.  I need to think of their needs before I take on another project.  The clock ticks relentlessly and with every tock I feel this precious time in my life slipping away... Before long, my son will be off to college and life will change.  I will always be their mom, but they won't always live under our roof.  My heart aches.
• Pray more, talk less.
• There's a graphic posted on pinterest and facebook that I've seen a dozen times that says "Have you prayed about it as much as you've talked about it?" This one gets me every single time. Why do I think for a second that by talking through anything I'll be able to solve it, especially if I haven't prayed about it?  GRRR... I get so annoyed with myself! So, I need to pray... lots and lots.  And think before I open my mouth.  The end.
• Take care of myself.
• I got on a huge health kick in fall of 2012... I lost 50 pounds. I could run 2 miles at a time (SLOWLY) and I didn't eat fast food or drink soda for months.  I felt awesome.  Then, a ton of stress hit last spring and I started to fall out of my good habits.  I think because I lost weight in a healthy, slow way, I've been able to keep it off, but I feel like complete crud again.  I fully expect balloons to drop and employees to freak out when I finally drag myself back to the gym, but it needs to happen.  Why is it so hard to get back into healthy habits, especially when you know how much better you feel???  CRAZY!  But, it's got to happen.  Cutting out the junk, filling my body with fuel instead of empty calories, and logging some miles on the arc trainer.  It's got to happen!

So, there ya go... Maybe I'll update once a month this year and let you know how I'm doing on these things.  What are your resolutions?  Do you struggle with any of the things I'm planning to work on?  Lemme know!

Happy New Year!