5 Questions....

This Friday, I decided to spice things up a bit and participate in "5 Question Friday" from Mama M's blog.  Hop on over, link up and join the fun!!!  Here are my answers below.  Happy Friday

1. If you could, would you go back to high school?
Not no, but HECK no!  Now college?  Ah, college....I could be in college forever.  Best years of my life.

2. If a genie appeared and granted you two wishes, what would they be? (And, no saying "more wishes".)
For my husband's new business venture to be a huge success and for a beach house in Seaside.

3. What kids show do you secretly like?
Easy.  The Imagination Movers.  I have a huge crush on Mover Rich. :)

4. What is your beverage of choice?
Adult beverage?  Blue Moon.  Other than that, water.

5. What is something that you would change about yourself (or are working to change in yourself)?
My tendency to over react and get myself all worked up about something when there is no need.

Pregnancy & Newborn Magazine

No, I'm not pregnant.  And no, I no longer have a newborn.  But, I think this magazine/site is just too cool not to share and I will continue to check it out for cool baby gear, unique baby gifts and of course I did subscribe to it!  Is that crazy that I did?  I mean, every time I've gone to the OB during my last pregnancy and every time I've gone to the Paediatrician's office I look through this magazine.  And every time I see the coolest stuff!  And every time I read the greatest reviews.  And every time I read good parenting advice.  And, every time I jot down websites, items, etc. on a napkin or receipt so I can remember them one day down the road.  And every time I loose it.  I no longer wanted that to happen, so I had to get this magazine!  Here are a few things I saw in April's issue that I just had to share and keep for myself for the future:

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Huggalugs Leg Warmers 

{page 20 / pnmag.com}

My little Button has some and I love them!  So adorable and they've come in handy this Spring since it's been chilly every morning but warms up by the afternoon. 

image © CM, iBlog

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Baby Gardener vintage inspired birth announcements

{page 20 / pnmag.com}

Image from thebabygardener.com

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The Baby Bunch, baby shower centerpiece that is made of cloth diapers, bibs, rompers and more:

{page 22 / pnmag.com}

image from babybunch.com

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Friends of Socktopus, stuffed animals made from repurposed sweaters!  So cute and cool, too!

{page 24 / pnmag.com}

image from friendsofsocktopus.com

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Pat-a-Cake Baby Wipes.  Go green and use reusable cloths that you wet with warm water and put away in a little bag that comes with the set of wipes!  They are SO cute, too (click on link, they come in all different colors, etc.)

{page 28 / pnmag.com}

image from thepatacakebaby.com

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Lisa Jamison reusable coffee cozy, for moms on the go! Soooooo cute!  Kind-of makes me want to start drinking coffee every morning from Starbucks so I can get one of these and look cool. :)

{page 64 / pnmag.com}

image from Lisa Jamison's Etsy Shop - http://www.etsy.com/shop/lisejamison

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Spot On Square Roh Crib. Made from 100% recycled materials, BPA free.  So cool and mod! And the baby has a great view.

{page 88 / pnmag.com}

image from spotonsquare.com

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I can't wait for next month's issue and I wish I could remember all the other cool baby gear I've seen in past issues.  These items will definitely be filed away in my brain now when I have to buy baby gifts....or perhaps for another little Stinker or Button.....

:: wink wink ::

Today's post will have to wait & a little boy's message from God

I had big plans today to show you pictures that inspire me about the home.  I'm having some difficulty getting those pictures to upload, so I will post as soon as I get it all figured out.  Until then, thought y'all might enjoy this sweet little video someone sent me:

NOT ME! Monday

Feel guilty because you pretended to be in a deep sleep so your hubby would get up with the baby?  Or, feel bad that you forgot your own birthday......again?!?  Don't!  Just join me and all the other moms that are being brutally honest about all our shortcomings.  Head on over to Mckmama's blog to join in the blog carnival fun and link up your "not me" Monday post.

Ok, let's see......what crazy things did I NOT do this past week......

(I must stop and warn you that I just weaned my 7 month old and I just got my first visit from "aunt Flo" since before pregnancy, so this is going to be bad.  T.M.I.?)

I did not spend 25 minutes giving my Dad instructions on babysitting the kids and then drive to the grocery store only to realize I forgot my wallet at home!  So, I certainly did not drive around town without my driver's license.  Nope!  I would never do that.  I carry a purse at all times and I make sure it's with me when I leave the house.

While reading My Book Of Animals to my 2.5 year old, I did not come to the Chameleon and pronounce it "Sham-a-lon".  Nooooooo.  I mean, why would I do that?  I went to a private, college prep school and a major university.  I certainly know how to pronounce simple names of animals!  (But, for real...someone please explain to me why in the world it's spelled like that!  Makes no sense!)

Since weaning my baby and having a small case of postpartum depression, I did not cry 376 times this past week at all sorts of things, including:
-When my baby smiled at me
-When my baby cried
-When my pants wouldn't button
-When I realized I was out of caffeine free diet coke
-When my baby ran a fever
-When I had to take my baby to the doctor not once, but twice this week
-When it rained
-When my husband went out of town
-When my husband returned from out of town
-When my toddler said, "Thank you , Mama" in the sweetest voice I know.
-When my baby smiled at me

While showering one morning, I noticed a line of tiny little red ants followed by the "Queen" ant with wings.  Being in the motherly, emotional state I'm in these days, I did not stop myself from washing them down the drain to spare their lives after thinking of them as if they were the characters in "Bug's Life". The line from the movie did not keep ringing in my head....."Hooper's gonna squish my mom!....Oh no!  Not the Queen".....

I did not swear I was having labor pains every day, at least 10 times, because my cramps were so bad!

I did not ask my husband to please impregnate me so that I would not have to deal with the pain associated with "aunt Flo's" monthly visits to which he did not reply NO! :)

I did not trip over.....well, nothing....to which my husband did not say, "Walk much lately?"

I did not wash my hair with conditioner.....twice..... (gosh, you'd think I did have pregnancy brain....must be "after weaning your baby from breastfeeding brain")

I did not try to put my 2 year old's size 6 diaper on my 7 month old's size 3 hiney.  Once I realized what I was doing, I certainly did not contemplate leaving the size 6 diaper on her and seeing if it would hold more pee during the night so I wouldn't have to change it.  Nope!  Not me!  I'm not THAT lazy!

I did not give in when my baby was not feeling well and my husband was out of town and let her sleep with me so we could snuggle.  I'm not THAT sad that I'm weaning her.  And, I'm not THAT lazy to get up and walk into the other room to give her the paci.  And, I'm certainly not THAT scared of the storms that I wanted her right next to me.  I also didn't secretly wish I could snuggle with her every night.  Nope.

Well, there you have it.  Everyone officially knows what an idiot I can be.  :)  Or, should I say what a perfect woman I am since I did not do any of these things.  And even if I would have, I certainly wouldn't blog about it!!!  So, what about you?  Can't wait to hear!

Red Letter Friday:

"Do you believe in me," replied Jesus, "because I said I had seen you underneath that fig-tree? You are going to see something greater than that! Believe me," he added, "I tell you all that you will see Heaven wide open and God's angels ascending and descending around the Son of Man!"

John 1:50-51

Happy Friday, have a great weekend!  Next week, I plan to show some home makeover pictures!

What about our business???

Sorry I haven't posted about our business venture lately.  I've wanted to, and have so much to share, but things staying busy.  We're on a tight deadline of May 10th, so I assure everything will be revealed by then and you can see EVERYTHING!!!!!  Whooo-Hooooo! 

(side note: if you're new to my blog, I've notice I've got some new followers, you can click on the category called 'business' on my side bar to read past posts on our business venture)

The reason why we are so busy is because we have been accepted to have a booth at the Canton Flea Market.  For those of you that live near us, you know that is a big deal!  For those of you that don't, it's a big market set up in a town square.  We are little busy bees trying to make any many frames as we can to sell at the market.  We are really excited about it.  We will do craft shows such as this one and mini markets for income until we build out clientele.  We plan to sell to retail stores (wholesale) and interior designers, too.

We also absolutely HAVE to have our website, business cards, samples, etc. done by this date to get our business name out there, so that is why you will see all of this by mid May!  How exciting! 

Don't have many pictures, but don't you love these 3 colors together?! 

~ Thanks for stopping by and happy "hump day" ~

birthday & a pair of pots

My birthday was in March...the end of March.  I turned 29.  It is kind-of sad knowing this will be the last year in my 20's but you know, I'm ready to enter the 30's.  For some reason I will feel like I have arrived.....

.....or something like that......

Anyway, my sweet girlfriends took me out for my birthday.  I SO wish I would have gotten a picture with them, but I didn't.  Instead, they just took pictures of me.  Lovely, right.  Just exactly what you were wanting to see.  The highlight of the night was when we looked up and saw this:

Yes, we were at a Mexican restaurant and yes, those are 3 spanish men singing to me.  They all sang Happy Birthday and a few other songs, by our request.  I hate being in the spot light, so I was just waiting for it to be over with.  It reminds me of the time we went to my husband's sister's husband's mother's house for Thanksgiving one year (yea, try to figure that line of relations out...basically it was my sister-in-law's mother-in-law's house....so not our blood).  In other words, we were at a big, fancy Thanksgiving dinner with fine china, wine, a old family secret recipe for Italian torts that were to. die. for. oh. my. goodness.  Anyway, back to the story.  We don't know all these Italian, beautiful people very well and I had to go to the little ladies room.  While I was there, everyone gathered at the table and stood behind their chair waiting on everyone else so the man of the house could bless our feast.  Well, where was I???  In the little ladies room (this was pre-children, by the way)  My hubby comes up with the bright idea (if you've read my blog before, you know how he likes to shake me up).  I walk out of the restroom, around the corner into the formal dining room and there standing were about 25 people.  They all started clapping!  I wanted to crawl under the table and die!  Needless to say, I did NOT have the same face I gave the other night for the camera as they were singing to me:

Ok, side tracked....back to my birthday.  Here is one last picture that I thought was so cool that my friend Missy too.  The flash was turned off, but it turned out cool, I thought.  Go Missy!! :)

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For my birthday, I got a pair of pots from my BFF.  Oh, well, JT let me go buy some clothes that were much needed!  I was so excited.  Now, about these pots....

 

Aren't they so cool!  I can't wait to get some plants to put in them....if I decide to put plants in them....probably shouldn't because I can never keep plants alive...yea, now that I think about it, no plants.  If you have any suggestions as to what I can put in these, please share.  Imagine my surprise when I opened the box and saw this:

My favorite store!  My BFF works there!  Not only that, but she got to pick 1 person (other than family) to get a 25% off discount card to use any time on all purchases at Anthropologie, Urban Outfitters and Free People!!!  Being the BFF she is, she picked me!  And when I say BFF, I truly mean BFF.  We've known each other as long as I can remember (probably since we were 3 or 4).  We've been through EVERYTHING together.  I want to do a post on us so bad, but Lordy, that would take weeks to write it all.  Maybe I'll do bits and pieces at a time.  I'll start now......

Her name is Jennifer Erin Nanney.  Yes, a great name.  Never mind that her middle name was picked out by her father and was later learned that it was the name of an old girlfriend, it's a great name.  And although Penny Lane would fit this free spirit better, her name is Jennifer Erin Nanney and she bought me this pot for my 29th birthday. 

I'll leave you with a few pics I came across while searching for some old pics of Jenn and I when we were young.  Maybe I'll share them with you soon.  I'm pretty sure these were taken around my birthday.  I say that because a) the flowers in bloom like they are in the Spring.  And b) because I'm wearing the Cross she gave me for my birthday that year.  Jenn, if you're ready this, can you tell me what year this was???  We had to just be teenagers.  We were driving and saw this field and decided to get out and take some photos.  I'm so glad we did!  :) Sorry, they are pictures taken of pictures on a magnet board.  I don't have a scanner at the moment.

"not me" Monday

Are you embarrassed because you're a first time mom and didn't think to bring an Easter basket to your baby's first Easter egg hunt???  Feeling shamed that instead of changing your baby's spit-up soiled crib sheet, you just covered it with a blanket and laid her back down???  Feeling guilty because you have a little secret and that little secret is that you went to the gym this morning because you wanted to take a shower and take advantage of the free child care?!  Well, stop beating yourself up and join in on the "not me" Monday fun!!!  That's right, you can confess all your imperfections with hundreds of other mom's thanks for Mckmama and her blog carnival!

"not me" Monday is designed for you to just let it all hang out and not feel bad for doing so!  Join in the fun, write your own "not me" Monday post, and then head on over to Mckmama's blog where you can link your blog to hers with just one click.  It's a great, fun way to share our short comings with other moms and feel better about ourselves!  :) 

Ok, I'll start......

This past week I didn't just totally neglect doing laundry resorting in wearing maternity yoga pants that were still in my drawer and my husband's t-shirts.  Nope!  Not me!

And that means I certainly did not dig through Jack's dirty clothes hamper and grab the best looking shorts I could find.  And I did not just throw them in the dryer or run the iron over them.  And I definitely did not let Jack wear them to church!  Noooooo, no, no.  I would never do that!

When I finally realized I absolutely had to do laundry so people in this house would have clean underwear, while pouring the detergent and getting a small bit on my finger, I really did not have my mind somewhere else and I really wasn't in a huge hurry so I really did not almost LICK the laundry detergent off my finger! (you know, since I really don't have a habit of doing that when spreading peanut butter on bread for lunch)

Since I'm in the greatest shape of my life, and I've gotten up every morning to run 3 miles and do 100 sit-ups, there was most certainly no need to wear spanks under my Sunday clothes to church because I did not need to hold in all my flab....you know, because I'm so tone these days.  And that means that I did not just smile and say thanks (like I had nothing to hide) when someone at church told me I "looked great to have such a small baby".  Nope, I definitely did NOT do that! 

My children never watch TV.  That would be bad! So, I did not put on a Baby Einstein DVD for them to watch so I could have a minute or two to myself in order to pee, clean the kitchen and just breathe.  And...after realizing that one part in particular scared my little Button nearly half to death, I did not replay it the next day with the video camera in hand to capture her little lip quivering, her expression, her saying "mamamama" and crying because I thought it was so darn cute.  No, that would be just down right mean and I would never do that!

And I saved the best for last!  We never run late for anything.  So when it was time to drive an hour and a half out of town for my cousin's baby shower, we did not end up leaving 45 minutes late due to the fact our tire had a nail in it and was low.  And since we left so late and it was time for the little Button to eat, I did NOT climb into the back seat.  I did not hang blankets over the windows.  I did not half way undress.  I did not sit on my knees, lean over her car seat.  I did not hold on to the head rest of my husband's seat in front of me for dear life and I definitely did NOT nurse my baby going 70 MPH down the interstate!!!!  Nope!  Not me! 

Whew!  It felt good to tell y'all all those things I did not do.  Happy Monday!

Today's RED LETTERS:

Jesus told the people,

"Be careful to guard yourselves from every kind of greed.

Life is not about having a lot of material possessions."

Luke 12:15

WOW!  Really fits well with how I've been feeling lately about simplifying my life. 

Have a great weekend and thanks for reading!

This week I'd like to thank the inventors of......

This week, in no particular order, I'd like to thank the inventors of the following:

my Rainbow flip flops

infant gas drops

having the option to get COBRA health insurance after JT was laid off

my white anthropologie duvet cover (so fresh and springy)

Tummy Tickler "Bob the Builder" juice boxes (they have been a great distraction for a little someone who usually wants "ilk" (milk) 100 times a day

my Old Navy tanks.  I wear them under everything

Prevacid for babies with reflux.  Thank you TAP Pharmaceuticals, Inc.  Because of you, my little Button slept from 10:30 pm to 6:15 am!

 

medium flow nipples for the Playtex Nurser Drop Ins System

the Muchkin formula mixer.  life saver.  no more screaming baby due to clumps in the nipple!

Medela breast pump.  Oh thank you.  I think that's all I need to say :)

the writers of LOST

the book Secrets Of The Baby Whisperer

my JEEP jogging stroller complete with iPod hook up and external speakers so me AND baby can jam out

SCRUBS.  hilarious.

my baby's Huggalugs...for those days when it's still a little chilly outside early in the morning

these 3 things mixed together in a bowl.  (hey, give me a break...I'm breastfeeding still and need the calories)

which brings me to my last one......

thank you

Words To Live By Wednesday: "Eliminate physical clutter. More importantly, eliminate spiritual clutter."

Eliminate physical clutter.

More importantly, eliminate spiritual clutter.

~Terri Guillemets~

Every since yesterday, I have a strong urge to simplify my life.  I started feeling this way after a conversation with John Taylor about putting out house on the market (our house in Birmingham).  We have renters in it now, but they are not going to buy our house like we had hoped.  If they move, we will have to find other renters or else our house in Birmingham will sit empty.  We met with a Realtor about listing it, but there's a catch.  The current renters say if we put it on the market, they will not renew their lease and move out in July.  Which I don't blame them.  Who would want to live in a house that's on the market.  That would leave our renters with a lot of "what if's" and "when's".  BUT....there's a what if for us too.  What if we put it on the market, the renters move out and come July we haven't sold the house!?  We will then have a house note in Birmingham and a rental payment due here which to us is another house note.  So, the number one question at our house the past few days is, What to do now?

At first, I was sure I didn't want to move back and leave this nice, big, beautiful house we're in here.  Then we'd be down-sizing and our family (and all our stuff has grown!).  But, it's doable and maybe that's just what we need --- to simplify.  There are lots of factors and I would hate to move away from family again.  And, I just can't bear to think about taking the Stinker out of his preschool which he LOVES!  (not to mention, I've already paid the deposit and supply fee for next year).  Yes, when I think of those things, I'm certain we'll stay here.  It would be best for our children. 

And wait a second......let's remember that in the midst of all this my husband is quote "unemployed" and we're starting a business together.  Yes, the fact that our bills would be less in Birmingham does make more sense.  We could sure use a cheaper house note right about now!  UGH!  All these things just keep replaying in my mind.  I know if I just quit worrying about it and hand it over to God, everything will work out like it should.  I have spent most of today and yesterday in prayer.  But, I don't feel answers yet.  I'm still so lost. 

Yes, I'm unloading all this on my blog.  It's feel good and plus it lays it all out there with some of the pros and cons.  Please offer and advice you have because I could should use it now. 

Until things fall into place, I'm going to try to stop living beyond our means.  I was taught to give 10%, save 10% and live off 80%.  That is so hard now a days.  Above all, I feel I need to "eliminate my spiritual clutter" and be still.  Listen.  And, eventually God will speak to us in some way about this.  He always does.  :)

Thanks for listening, friends (and family) and thanks for any advice you could offer and for your prayers.

Must See Monday: A 'how to' on hand tieds

I saw this and wanted to share.  Since the weather is so beautiful and the breeze has been just perfect, it reminds me so much of wedding season.  And what do you think comes to mind when I think of weddings???  Why FLOWERS, of course! 

Below is a link to Southenr Living's website where they are featuring Gaye Drummond.  She is a floral designer in Savannah, GA.  Oh how I'd love to live in Savannah, but that's another post. 

I used to free lance weddings and before that, I worked at Wildflower Designs in Birmingham, AL.  If you've never heard of Wildflower or seen any of their work, then I highly reccomend you check out some of it HERE.  All I can say is oh. my. gosh.  Beautiful.  It was always hard work, but I was a part of some of the weddings shown in the PHOTO GALLERY, if you take a look. 

The link to the Southern Living article is HERE.

I really love how this article gives tips of how to make tight, european arrangements.  Cause ya know.....lots of greenery and airy carnation is a thing of the 80's y'all!  Wildflower Designs was an upscale, european florist and we did all our arrangements this way.  It's basically a hand-tied bouquet (like you see at most weddings these days) put in a vase or container. 

I hope you enjoy!  I love flowers and was so glad to see this little 'how to' article.  I wanted to also share with you some photos of the last wedding I worked on by myself when I free lanced.  It was actually one of my favorites.  Perhaps because the bride let me do whatever I wanted, so I had no limitations or colors I had to stay within.  Enjoy!

long story short....

Hello and happy Monday!  It's going to be a good week.  It's going to be a good week.  It's going to be a good week.  At least that is what I keep telling myself.  I just pray it's better than last week.  I know you're dying to know why I had to make a last trip to Birmingham and sit in front of lawyers and give my deposition.  Well, I'll try to give you the short version........because I really don't want to spend a whole lot of time on this subject when my goal this week is to be productive and put last week behind me.  :)

Ok, here we go....

2.5 years ago
was 8 weeks preggers with my little stinky-mac-stink-face
was leaving house to go to work
start to enter exit ramp to get on interstate
there is a white suv in front of me entering the interstate too
look over my left shoulder to make sure I'm good to go
I slow down to YIELD (last time I checked, yield meant slow down to watch for oncoming traffic and if there's not any then GO)
make note of this: there was NO oncoming traffic coming, so no need to come to a complete stop
white suv in front of me --- STOPS!
I'm still looking over my left shoulder, but then look back in front of me
OH NO!  NO TIME TO STOP!
I hit the white suv

little fender bender

we get out of car
I ask lady more than once if she is ok
she says "yes"
cop comes, writes a report
no ambulance needed
we all go about our day
I call my OBGYN
because I was only going approx. 8 mph and was in no pain, no need to come in a get checked out (that is how small the impact was --- I think you know where this is going)

ok, long story short...
the lady in white suv is suing me!
not only that, but she is suing her OWN insurance company for lack of coverage. 
can we say dumb....

ahem...

anyway, she is saying the "accident" (fender bender) caused her all kinds of back problems and all kinds of doctors visits and surgeries
she is even saying that she lost her job due to being out of work so much because of this
her husband is part of it too, saying HE had to be out of work all the time to take care of her

I just can't write anymore because it makes me SOOOO mad to think about it.  To think about how there are people out there with what was obviously pre-exsiting conditions that looks for ways to have wrecks and get money out of it. 

Anyway, I was getting emails from the attorney who was representing me and my insurance company, but I didn't see them because they were in my spam filter.  I realized this last week and was supposed to be in Birmingham to give my side of the story.  I wasn't going to miss a chance to look this lady in the eye again and give my side of the story.

So, we (very quickly) packed our bags, loaded the kids, and went to Birmingham.  It was a short trip.  It was a stressful trip.  It was a nerve racking trip.  But, I'm so glad I went.  Justice will be served.  Even if she is awarded more money for this, justice will be served in the end.  So, I'm going to put it out of my mind and leave it up to the good Lord above to decide who needs judgement and when.  That's all I can do.

Hope everyone has a great week and hopefully I'll have more on our business soon!  So exciting!  Things are finally starting to come together.  :)

Quick! Prayers!

Hello Prayer Warriors!  Ok, so I've never called you "Prayer Warriors" (on this blog anyway), but today I am!  I'm in need of your prayers....and quickly!  I feel like my whole world is spinning out of control at this moment.  My head is about to explode it hurts so bad (well, perhaps that is from all my girl friends taking me out for drinks last night to celebrate my birthday and buying me a shot....that's another post for another day that I swear will be soon).  Anyway, my head is about to explode and my body feels shaky.  I promise, promise, promise to explain in great deatil when we return from this trip, but I can't go into it now.  Partly because I don't have time and partyly because I was told by a lawyer representing me to not say anything until this all blows over.  Don't worry, it's not a big deal even if it may sound like it.  But, long story short we have to make a VERY last minute trip to Birmingham.   Like, now.  As in we're just going about our day --- JT building in the garage, me doing dishes, the Stinker & Button napping and then BAM!  Five minutes later we're going to Birmingham and I have to appear in court.  Kind of nerve racking, kind-of "kick butt" exciting!  :)  So, please pray for safe travels tonight.  Please pray for me while giving my desposition that I will be giving in front of a Judge and lawyers tomorrow morning.  Please pray that justice is served where it needs to be served.  Pray for my wisdom and courage (I'm sure I'll be so nervous)  And I promise to write all about this when I return home (which will be Monday because after our little quick trip to B-ham, we're headed to my cousin's baby shower in Meridian!).  Thanks so much and I promise, everything is fine!  Sorty-of crazy, but fine!!!!!!  Thanks....Prayer Warriors!  :) 

PS  Please excuse my mis-spelling in this post..I didn't have time to spell check.

Day After Easter Post

{The following post was taken from our personal family blog and was written a year ago, the day after Easter.  We were in the midst of struggles --- living with my paretns, our house still had not sold, very pregnant and ready for things to start happening for us. 

I wanted to share it with you today.  Enjoy and hope everyone had a wonderful Easter! He has risen! }

Original post:

I took a break from blogging for a while. So much has been going on in our lives and it was nice just to sit back and focus on that. It's been a hard few weeks. A little about what's been going on so you can pray for us if you feel led to do so. April marks the month our house in Birmingham has been on the market for 1 year. We've been living with my parents for 9 months. I'm officially in my 2nd trimester in my pregnancy with Baby #2, so as you can imagine I'm feeling a bit stressed about what's going to happen with our living situation. We are so thankful and grateful towards my parents for helping us out SO much the past 9 months, but I'm getting to the point where I'm going to want to start "nesting" and I have no home to nest in! I feel so trapped in transition mode. In fact, we've been in transition mode for so long, it's starting to feel like our norm. I have felt lost and like I have no purpose here the past month, so ready to start our life here as a little family. I try to keep reminding myself of all the wonderful blessings we have to be thankful for and just how good we have it. It's hard to stay in that mind set and it's so easy to starting listening to my feelings instead of God's voice. I must admit, I have been blocking it out lately and have been in and out of such spiritual warfare! Now, the day after Easter (and after hearing God's voice SO many times the past week), I decided it would be a good time to share a post with you.

Feeling frustrated and only half-way joking I told my sister that I wish God would hurry up and teach us the lesson He's teaching us and provide a way to move into our own home. She asked if I was truly listening to Him. I thought I was, just like I thought I was years ago. She said that if I'm listening to my own feelings in any way, then I can't possibly be hearing Him. She's right....

Years ago, I went through a lot of pain and suffering that used to have me questioning God. Why would God allow me to go through so much pain? It is so clear to me now. God was tugging on my heart for so long and that was the only way for Him to get my attention. When I thought it was problems in relationships I was having, it was really just me struggling with satan. I wasn't fighting with those people in my life, on this earth. I was fighting with satan and that is how he got me...through them. I was so busy listening to my own feelings, keeping records of wrongs, judging that I didn't have a relationship with God. I was "one of those" Christians....you know, the kind that non-Christians would stand back and think "If that is what Christianity is all about, I don't want any part of it". When I told someone I would pray for them, my motives were all wrong. I was shutting God out and until He had my attention, I was going to continue to experience pain.

It's been a long road from a few years ago and during the past 5 years I would look at other Christians and think to myself that I wanted what they had. I wanted to feel that peace and experience that kind of faith. I started reading all kinds of books to help me grow closer to God and to better myself as a person and a Christian. I recently read a post written by my blogger friend Angie in which she said the same thing. It wasn't until she started reading the Bible that her relationship with God began to thrive. So, I decided I would give that a try. I decided to go with what Angie suggested to her readers - start with the Children's Storybook Bible. Jack has one, so I started reading...couldn't put it down!

All these thoughts have been going through my head and I knew I should write them down, or post them. Then, recently someone made a comment to me about not knowing that I was "so religious". Religious? What's religion got to do with it? In my opinion, it's not about religion at all. I explained to that person that I am a believer, but religious...I don't know about that....

Later, the exact words that came in my head were it has nothing to do with religion, it's about a relationship. Then, was floored to read THIS POST and THIS POST in which both said the same thing, just in different words. Wow.

Yesterday at the Easter service we attended, the message was sound, clear and just plain simple. Pastor Chip Henderson at Pinelake started off his sermon with this picture:

The cover of the December 1994 issue of LIFE magazine. A picture of Jesus on the front with the question "Who Was He?" He went on to talk about the fall of man in the Garden of Eden and the Resurrection, of course. It was very eye-opening for me. Even though I've heard the story every Easter (btw, the Children's Storybook Bible explains it so well, too), I actually cried in church while listening. I learned that in Revelations it speaks of the return of Jesus and of Him riding a white horse. Also, in the bible if someone comes riding a donkey, it means peace. If someone comes riding a horse, it means war. Funny how we think of the day He returns as such a glorious day, which that it will be indeed, but He will come to judge....

Revelation 19:

The Rider on the White Horse I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. "He will rule them with an iron scepter.He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

Going back to the start of Revelation 19:

Hallelujah! After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude in heaven shouting: "Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for true and just are his judgments. He has condemned the great prostitute who corrupted the earth by her adulteries. He has avenged on her the blood of his servants." And again they shouted: "Hallelujah! The smoke from her goes up for ever and ever."


"for true and just are his judgements"....all will be judged on that day.....He is "faithful" and "true" and JUST.

How divine it is that we don't have to spend our lives judging others. How wonderful to never have to judge again. Life is so much simpler and happier when we just stop judging others and leave that to God Himself.

Pastor Chip went on to talk about how we "know" this life and sometimes don't have what it takes to just have the faith of whats on the other side of death...that is why we hang on to this life so desperately. All we need to know is that He died for OUR sins, on the cross and He will return. Until then, how are we to get through life? It is so hard sometimes and a question I find myself asking often is: Why is it so hard for Christians? I feel as if I'm totally the cliche "I'm a Mary in a Martha world". Pastor Chip refereed to the same thing.....people will ask, "If God is so good, why doesn't He just stop all the wrong? Why doesn't He just take all the pain away? Why does He allow bad things to happen?" Our answer can be: He's going to. He will return and he WILL right all the wrong. He WILL take away all the pain. He WILL stop all the suffering...

Revelation 21:4:

"He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."

He closed with something that really made an impact on me and is just what I wanted to share. It sums it all up, plain and simple. The LIFE magazine asks the question of Jesus, "Who Was He?". They already answered it right there on the cover. He was, is, always will be....LIFE.

I know where I've been now and more importantly why I've been there. I know where I'm going now because I personally have faith that I will be called when He returns. God is most definitely still working on me, but I can honestly say I've never felt closer to Him and more at peace than I do now. Once I started truly investing time with Him, having a relationship with Him, I felt it and I felt Him speaking to me through everything I do...through everyone in my life...through other blogs...through the Bible...through sermons. I am learning to Be Still. Investing time daily, setting aside time for my relationship with Him in prayer and just being still has helped. Praying (and not just in the car or shower or when I am in need) but making quiet time only for prayer has helped. Being aware of the things I expose myself to - TV shows, certain music, people - has helped. Listening to others that could be the voice of God teaching me instead of judging them has helped. Above all, I try to remember daily what a pastor at my Birmingham church told me at a counseling session years ago, in the middle of a painful time. I had asked why it was so hard for me as a Christian to be around people that were different...that did not believe the same things I did, but believed in God none the less. Why is it so hard for us....I'm constantly struggling because I'm different than them and I stand out like an outcast...even around certain family. This saddens me. He said, "Don't you realize what you're saying.....HE set you apart. Leviticus 20:26: You are to be holy to me because I, the LORD, am holy, and I have set you apart from the nations to be my own. He has set you apart from others and YOU have a special gift and purpose. Maybe it is YOU that is in there lives for a reason and them in yours."

So true. Everyday that is so true.

Holy Week

With it being Holy Week, I wanted to share with you a few Bible verses.....

Mark 16:1-8


When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus' body. Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb and they asked each other, "Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?"


But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.


"Don't be alarmed," he said. "You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, 'He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.' "


Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.

Easter is the most important holiday to me.  It's when we celebrate the Resurrection of Christ.  It's almost too much to comprehend when you stop and actually think about what He endured that week and what actually happened. 

A few little facts about Easter you might enjoy too....

Why is the Friday during this week called "Good Friday" if it was the day of Jesus' death?
Calling the day of the Crucifixion ‘Good’ Friday is a designation that is peculiar to the English language. In German, for example, it is called Karfreitag. The Kar part is an obsolete word, the ancestor of the English word care in the sense of cares and woes, and it meant mourning. So in German, it is Mourning Friday. And that is what the disciples did on that day—they mourned. They thought all was lost.

Also, the word good used to have a secondary meaning of holy, but I can’t trace that back in my etymological dictionary.
(from http://www.kencollins.com/question-11.htm)

Why do Churches swag a purple cloth on  the Cross during Lent and Easter?
On the second Sunday of the season a purple cloth is draped over the cross. For many centuries purple, representing the message of repentance, has been the color of Lent. (In the Roman Catholic tradition the figure of Jesus on the cross is covered with a purple cloth throughout the season.)

Repentance from sins is a very important theme as we ponder the significance of Christ's cross.
(from http://www.reformedworship.org/magazine/article.cfm?article_id=106)
How are the palms symbolic and why do we celebrate "Palm Sunday"?
Palm Sunday is a Christian moveable feast that always falls on the Sunday before Easter Sunday. The feast commemorates an event mentioned by all four Canonical Gospels (Mark 11:1-11, Matthew 21:1-11, Luke 19:28-44, and John 12:12-19): the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem in the days before his Passion. It is also called Passion Sunday or Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion.
(from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palm_Sunday)

 

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I also wanted to share a very neat recipe for moms (or dads) out there that would like to read and talk about the meaning of Easter with their kids.  I read about this on more than one blog I follow.  I had never head of it before and thought it was so neat and special.  I am definitely going to try this when my babies get a little older and we can do it together.  I'll share the link from one of my favorite blog, Fly Through Our Window.  She has wonderful pictures and gives the recipe.  If you don't have kids old enough to do this with, you should still check it out and read her post.  It is so neat how Scripture ties in with the recipe process.
 
You can read about it HERE (once you click, you'll have to scroll down to bottom to see the recipe for the Easter Story Cookies, just FYI since she shows another type of desert before the Easter Story Cookies)
 
Hope everyone has a wonderful Easter holiday with their families!