Talents

So, I have said it before, my man is not a suit wearing man. In fact, I have never seen him in a traditional suit before. Tuxedo, yes, at our wedding and my sisters, but suit never. And I do not want to either, he is a jeans man. But on occasion, he does grace our presence with a dress shirt and tie(and looks mighty fine if you ask me, and I know you would.) So, tonight is the annual Father/Daughter Dance and the occasion calls for his best duds. So, last night, I got out a few shirts for him to pick from, and hung them with her dress so we could make sure they did not clash, and then I went about putting the kids to bed.

Here, is were you need to know, I knew what was about to happen, but it is just one of those things, you have to let happen on its own, and not act like you expected it. You see, for all of my DH's amazing talents, he is far lacking in one area. Tie tying. No arguements, hands down, he just does not have the gift. Neither does his dad either, so I guess it is literally in the genes. But, like I said, I tried to leave well enough alone and see how he fared.

Well, I got the kids in bed, and headed into our room. There he was standing in front of the ironing board, with the laptop on, scrolling a site that promised to show you the perfect windsor knot. (proof that this really did happen since I never knew before last night that knots had different names)

Ofcourse, I fell out at the sight, but it got better. He was talking himself through it, actually argueing with himself, which made it even funnier. And so with tears in my eyes, I try to help. I found some videos on youTube, trying to be helpful. But the first one I pulled up was a guy who couldn't tie his tie, and his friends were making fun because he was on a website himself trying to figure it out. (FYI, the website was the SAME one my DH was looking at prior) Anyway, five different sites and at least 50 unsuccesful attempts later, and I leave to check on the kids.

A moment later, my husband appears down the hall and tells me he needs our oldest son just for a minute. So, out of bed he wanders into our room. At this point, I am thinking, "I have gotto blog this!!!" but he has the laptop still!!! So I run to the desktop and pull everything up, and just as I am about to type away, our oldest is heading back down the hall to bed and behind him heading to the kitchen is my DH.

"Don't ever buy me a another tie. Not ever. Not for any occasion. If it is not already tied, I don't want it. I don't care if I look a fool, I am NEVER going to waste my time trying to tie a tie. And another thing, we are going to hire someone to come to our house and professionally teach our boys how to tie a tie. I will not let them grow up and have to argue with ties. And another thing, I need a tie for tomorrow, I had a come to Jesus meeting with this one, and it didn't want to come to Jesus, so its in the trash, in TWO PIECES!!! I'm going to bed."

I didn't know whether to laugh at him or hug him.

Instead I decided to blog about him.

Quiver full of Grace?

Okay, so I pretty much vowed not to even get out of bed this morning unless I was armed with a good attitude and a quiver full of grace. I figured that since I could not keep myself from shooting, at least I could change my weapon, right?

So, I cheerfully got up and woke my boys. I told them I was going to jump in the shower, and if they were up and ready for school by the time I got out I would make them breakfast this morning. Yeah, for bribery!!! That counts as grace right? So off I went, adding that if my oldest started the coffee, I would be very grateful.

Unfortunaely, the coffee canister was empty and he did not know which coffee to open, so I had to make it myslf, but they were dressed and reading. All is well. Breakfast was great, coffee hot and especially amazing, on such a chilly morning 32degrees!!!

I guess here is a good place to detour and say that years ago when i started homeschooling I sat down and wrote out what my objectives would be. At the very top of my list was to instill a love of reading and research in my kids. I wanted them to read, but not just for reading sake. I wanted them to LOVE reading. For them to want to spend a cold rainy day curled up on the couch and be unable to put a book down. I longed for them to stay up late unable to close a book.

Well, we succeeded. They love to read. They love it so much that I am often telling them to put down their books and pick up their pens.

Now, back to this morning. My son, disobeyed me 3x this morning, all in regards to reading.
1st - Son, no reading at the table.
2nd - Son, close the book, eat your breakfast.
3rd - Son, put the book away, it's time to start school.

Mind you, I was only holding grace in my quiver...and oh, how that pained me. I wanted to give him a swift kick in the pants, but I pulled out my grace and pulled back my bow and told him that I was trying really hard to be graceful, and then begged him not to make me go get any additional arsenal.

Finally, we were off and schooling. It was a good day, going smoothly and without much conflict so I think to myself...self, lets get a little planning done for our upcoming trip to D.C., Philly, and New York. So there I am, scouring maps and trip books, and suddenly I realize I need to print some things off. PROBLEM. My laptop won't let me print anything the past couple weeks. So I try to problem solve, and search for answers. TWO HOURS later, I still don't have anything fixed. Phyisical harm almost came to both our desktop and the laptop. I mean, literally throwing it was an option.

So, Lord, thank you for filling my quiver full of grace and not real ammunition, for surley I would have fired recklessly today, and both man and machine would have paid a severe price. Because, if it's not one thing it's another. And, thankfully today grace helped me walk away.

I guess I should pull out this quiver more often.

The Cradle Will Rock

Well, the funk continues. The walk cleared my mind, but my day just could not let up. The kids were argumentative(and remember I was in a fighting mood), the disposal quit working, the dirty laundry pile was shrinking, but the folding pile just kept growing, my van is in the shop b/c the a/c went out and about 5 other things as well, and to top it off I am having a "fat" day.

So, while I grovel in the hassles of my life I thought I would take a moment and try to find that happy place by listing some of my blessings.

My husband is home from his trip to FL, really glad to have him home, although I am still working through the jealousy since now he has a tan AND he got to visit my sister and her family while he was gone....happy thoughts, happy thoughts

The Beez read her first word without any help today...just randomly she read "gum" on her writing sheet...yeah for progress.

Our taxes are done, and yeah for a refund

We were kept safe from the storms last night.

Three kids on my Upward team prayed Jesus into their heart last night...that should be a blessing blog all by itself!!!!

I already have dinner made...yeah for soup in the crockpot.

My "Peep Show" shoes looked so cute yesterday when I picked up my husband from the airport.

I have made new friends because of this blog, and kept up with some old ones as well.

My kids are all on track to be done with all thier book work before we leave on our trip to D.C. and New York, so when we return, they will only have thier trip repoerts to do and their finals to take.

I did get 20 minutes of peace during my escape today, just enough to get me through the day.

Thank you for the little things Lord.

And for the BIG things as well. Like having a GREAT hair day!!!!

Even the most hectic day can just melt away when you have a good hair day.

Top that off with rocking my little girl to sleep, and I just might forget all the craziness by the time I wake up in the morning.

(After a cup of coffee, and a quick glance in the mirror to see if my good hair has weathered the night)

When the wind blows...

Today, I need some refreshment. After not much sleep last night due to the threat of bad weather I am in an ill mood and ready for a fight. Anyone game??? I hate days like this, like I am ready to pounce on anyone who dares. That is so not me, at least not on a normal day. But, alas today is not normal.
I think I am about to set the kids up with something that will keep their minds and hands occupied for a while and slip outside. Maybe a few times around the block or a quick trip through the woods will clear my mind and refresh my soul.

I'll let you know, cause if I keep typing it could get ugly.

Me and my ipod are signing off, but we are hoping to have something nice to say shortly.

Until then, me and my bad attitude are out the door.

Typos...they could get you in trouble

So, one of my favorite blog sites is Beth Moore's LPM blogsite...it is hilarious to read her and her daughters posts, some are very serious, others are just about life in general. Well, last night I posted the following comment

"Just had to share the silliest thing that I have EVER DONE!!!My husband was out of town, my boys were at a church activity so my daughter and I had a "Girls Night Out". After Mexican, we roamed the mall, picked out treats from Claires for her, and then it happened. I wandered into Payless, and there they were...those beautiful brown platform high heeled peep toed shoes...AND I BOUGHT THEM!!!
They are amazing!!! I'm 5'11" and wear a size 11 shoe...but I had to get these in a 12...and they were still FABULOUS!!! Not boat-like at all!!!
If I make it to a LPL event this year I will show them off!!!Love to you all!!!!
April
Lauderdale MS"

I guess I was so excited about the Giants HUGE comeback for the Superbowl win that my mind and my fingers were not working together. The line that desribes the shoes as, " those beautiful brown platform high heeled peep toed shoes" was originally typed, "those beautiful brown platform high heeled PEEP SHOW shoes."

Thankfully, with a little prayer sent heaven ward, I reread my post before I sent it!!! Can you even imagine how hilarious that would have been!!! Bragging about me purchasing "PEEP SHOW" shoes!!! I almost wet my pants, and would have but I did not want to dirty those precious shoes!!!

Note to self, typos are not the end of the world. Unless you misspell your intended word and instead spell another.

Hope this made you smile!!!!

Have a blessed day.

TRUTH

This is the truth
If you turn things upside down
You can't hope for your life to change
I would be lying to you if I said that
You have a great future ahead
That you can recover from your past mistakes
That your life could be filled with joy
That your children could be safe and healthy
More than anything you must know
Human beings can not accomplish these things
And I am convinced of this because I know you
All you are capable of is failure
You have made a complete mess of your life and
I refuse to believe under any circumstances that
You can turn things around in the coming years
You may think your life is bad now but
There's more to come
You have only one destiny
And whether you like it or not
This is what is real

I am the LORD your God

You should know I believe exactly the opposite

I am the LORD your God

This is what is real
and whether you like it or not
You have only one destiny
There's more to come
You may think your life is bad now but
You can turn things around in the coming years
I refuse to believe under any circumstances that
You have made a complete mess of your life and
All you are capable of is failure
And I am convinced of this because I know you
Human beings can not accomplish these things
More than anything you must know
That your children could be safe and healthy
That your life could be filled with joy
That you can recover from your past mistakes
You have a great future ahead
I would be lying to you if I said that
You can't hope for your life to change
If you turn things upside down
This is the truth

I can not take credit for this, I found it on a video website. The video scrolls each line slowly and about a minute into it...I was thinking...surely this is not making the point I think its making...then, the video stops, and restarts, by scrolling everything you have just seen, in reverse order. It took my breath away. I was reminded how often, I read "truth" with a distorted vantage point...how my own sin, and my daily inclination to believe the twisted view of Satan, and how, his message is really just tweaked enough for me to believe it. He does not need me disavow my Lord...only question Him. And once I question Him, I have started down a different path, and Satan has succeeded.

Oh, that I would hold truth closely to my heart, and guard it with my life. That I will know the scriptures, and hence KNOW the TRUTH.

Tears

I said in a previous post that I am a natural crier. Not like a whiny cry baby, just one who lets them flow when the time seems to hit me. Well, I am bawling my eyes out right now...and not really for any reason. I have been very deep in thought this past week and I guess that I just decided that I needed to cry about it. I feel like I am a wreck right now...because I am seemingly crying over sad stuff AND happy stuff at the same time.

Tears for my brother:

I am so saddened by my brothers poor choices and the agony that my parents are going through yet again.

I am grieved that Satan is spending overtime wrestling for Sam's life and at the moment he seems to be ahead in the race.

I am overjoyed that "the Lord hears our cries and binds up the brokenhearted" Psalm 34:19
For I know that my parents are mortally wounded and living daily with their hearts broken.

I am blessed that they have not given up on Sam, and that their trust is in the Lord.

I am devastated that Sam is an addict and that this is not just a phase, but a lifestyle.

I am speechless that 100's of people are praying everyday for redemption in Sam's life.

I am joyful that the Lord has blessed our family with an abundance of love and support.

I am hopeful that Sam will lean on that support during this time.


Tears for my family:

I am blessed to have a loving husband who, despite sounding cheesy, completes me.

I am in awe that my children, despite all my flaws, still enjoy homeschooling.

I am honored to be able to stay at home with our children because my husband chooses to be a hard working and steadfast provider.

I am sad because my heart really wants another child and must remind myself daily that the Lord has not forgotten my request, but instead he is answering it in his divine timing, with sovereignty and with grace.

I grieved over my own selfishness (wanting another child when we already have been blessed with three wonderful kids) in light of knowing so many others who have no children, or even have had children and then grieved their loss as they watched their child go into heavens arms at a devastatingly young age.

I am in awe of the fact that my husband would give his life for me, in a moment and count it a worthy price to pay, and I am humbled.

Tears for my LORD:

I am not worthy, and yet he loves me.

I have failed him daily, and yet he renews me every morning.

I have been freed from the shackles that without him would cripple me.

I am a work in progress, and he loving shapes me instead of throwing me away.

My REDEEMER LIVES, the gave is empty, He has Risen!!!!

I believe, Lord help me in my unbelief.