Five Minute Friday: Grateful

It's not Friday anymore, but I wrote based on the Five Minute Friday prompt, so be sure to stop by Lisa-Jo's place and see what others are writing in five minutes on the word:

Grateful

I tried so hard to go into Mother's Day Weekend with low expectations because even though I'm a mom, it is NOT all about me. Thankfully, I did pretty well --not perfect, mind you, there was one little hissy fit Saturday night... but I regrouped and went to bed before 9 o'clock because I was achy, tired, and cranky, and not feeling very grateful; even though it had been an amazing day, including a new flower garden space, prepping for the veggie garden, a late lunch at Texas Roadhouse and the afternoon/evening spent out on the porch swing ... (how is that for an awful run-on sentence?)

Sunday morning began with whispers and rustling in the hallway well before 7 AM. {smile} But Wes restrained them and gave some guidance. At 7 AM, I was greeted with hot coffee, a poptart, and four eager children with PILES of Mother's Day creations!

They had been busy!

Each one was adorable and amazing and created with an unconditional love that I can be so underserving of. My heart just exploded a little bit more with each one I got to look at and read.


There was kid writing from my kindergartner that could have used an interpreter,

the masterpieces from my one and only son including a pop up handmade card,

and the handprint in cement because my Ella has a fantatstic first grade teacher...

But then there was the work of art from my 9 year old --- her creation, combined with her words (she's gonna be my writer) just summed up my life, my relationship with my kids, and our unconditional love for each other in the middle of all the messes and all the mistakes!

I am so grateful!



What are you grateful for ?
 Grateful...

grateful for

new flower gardens
steak for lunch
sunshine
the porch swing
coffee and a poptart in bed
kids creative painting and cards
artwork
marinated veggies on the grill
unconditional love
messes and mistakes
seeing Jesus in my kids

 

Five Minute Friday: Small

You know the routine, it's Friday and in the rare event that I actually get my thoughts typed and published today, it's Five Minute Friday. Sometimes when I'm down in the dumps and discouraged, I don't feel like writing, but usually when I wade through the muck and let myself ignore the millions of other distractions and just WRITE, without worrying if it's just right, then I feel a little bit better. So, today I'm writing on SMALL.

Because sometimes, small really means BIG.


Like a hand written note on a small note card, the perfect encouragement at just the right time... not really small, but HUGE.

Like a small piece of Dove Dark Chocolate.

Small means big when you are talking about a dandelion from your child, or a little hand slipped into yours on a walk.

Small is a newborn baby, the first giggle, the first tooth, the first step.

Small is a tiny mustard seed and the faith it is compared to.

Small is three tiny words, "I love you" or "You are beautiful" but when it comes from your husband's mouth (the one who only talks when he has something to say), It's big, huge, and heart-filling.

Small is the amount of money that I or maybe you could add to a growing collection to help the small in South Africa that need some help.

Small is a snowflake, a rain drop, a first bud, and falling leaf... But a representation of a big God who created seasons for us to enjoy.

Small is my heart when I'm feeling down and discouraged and all alone...

Small is my gifts of thanks to God, that add up to 1000 and beyond that remind me that my God is NOT SMALL.

Small is the sliver of sunshine that peeks through the clouds and cracks open my heart.

Small is the step that is needed to get out of the pit, to pursue the next thing, to do what is right.

Small is really big!

Community Conversation: What is your favorite small (but not really) thing?

and be sure to head over to Lisa-Jo's place for some more delightful writing on Small... each small comment you leave is a big encouragement!

A Story of Love and for the Love of Story

A Story of Love...

Somedays I feel a little unloveable. Short with everyone, rushing people here and there, sighing heavily at every interruption, and just falling apart at the seams. Yesterday was one of those days.

But come this morning, lying in bed NOT wanting to get up and face another day... still feeling the tensions of yesterday surrounding me, my husband wrapped his arms around me and told me, "I love you." Now that didn't immediately fill me with joy and peace and give me all the strength to face the day... in fact, I replied stupidly, "you do?"  But his words stuck with me and a few hours later, even with him off to work, I'm feeling loved!

And the kids... full of unconditional love, all told me they loved me at some point this morning in between the rushing to get dressed, fed and out the door to the bus. Because that's what family does--they love unconditionally.

Do you know who else loves unconditionally? True community and friends... and Jesus!
So my friend, can I just let you know today that YOU ARE LOVED.

Even when you feel unloveable.
if you still feel unloved, go visit Holley Gerth as her community pours out love on all of us...



And For the Love of Story

I've discovered that hearing someone's story opens my heart to love them a little bit more. Now my memory retention is completely shot these days, and I may forget the details 10 minutes from now and forget to ask you how said situation is going when I see you or talk to you next week, but the truth is, when we share stories there is a connection and a love that flows from that.

So I want to let you know today that I want to know your story (I can't promise that I will remember all the details, but I will love you through your story)

You have a story to tell

Maybe it's your journey to motherhood
or all about college
A struggle with infertility
How you are pursuing your God sized dreams
A story of waiting
A story of grief
A story of joy
A story of victory

The story of how you came to Christ

I need to hear your story.

I love stories and I love you.

Will you share your story? just a little one in the comments today


Also, today is the day to sign up for a FREE conference that's all about story and community
The in(RL) conference

When: The (in)RL Online Webcast kicks off on Friday, April 25 and (in)RL Meetups follow on Saturday, April 26.

What: In 2012 we explored the nitty gritty of community. Last year we took a closer look at what it takes to stay rooted in community, even when sometimes walking away would be so much easier. This year we're looking at the power of story. No matter how much life you've lived or what you've walked through, you have a story. And girl, we need your story! More than 30 women in different stages of life will share their personal testimonies and stories of community, the messy and the beautiful and the beautifully messy.

Fifteen Years Ago

Today is my wedding anniversary--Fifteen years. I confess that there are no gifts to exchange--not even a card ... It's not my love language (not that I'm excusing it). Maybe I will come up with something before the end of the day, or maybe this post will be my love gift to him. I could come up with a million excuses, but none of them are very good.

I've been planning to write a lovely blog post on this special occasion for over a week now, but I just never sat down to see what words would come out, but I can procrastinate no longer.





Today is our anniversary. Fifteen years ago, I put on a fancy white dress (fancy for me, I was a pretty simple girl back then) and you dressed in a tux and we met at the altar of my church--the only church I ever knew.

We exchanged vows, smiles, rings and a kiss. My, were we young--young, immature, no clue what we were getting in to.  I look back and smile--there are sweet memories and quite the journey.

From that first apartment with a million steps. Our first Thanksgiving when you insisted on shrimp and stunk the place up. Our first Christmas all alone--no family, no traveling, no big fancy dinner--just us.

Our first anniversary and that hike through Boulder Field and Bushkill Falls and driving the country roads of Pennsylvania. There have been job changes and church changes and new homes. And then at five years in we started adding kids to the mix--one, two, three, four ... 

and then our tenth anniversary which I can't remember at all. I'm pretty sure I spent that summer mad at the world, mad at you, mad at those four needy kids (3 of which were still in diapers) and mad at God.  Maybe you don't remember that, maybe you do ...but you just kept loving me and coming home from work every night, even when it wasn't the happiest place to be.

I'd like to think things have improved since then even though I have a relapse now and then (like yesterday). My dad sometimes says the first 20 years are the hardest in marriage--if that's the case, we've only got five hard years left--and it does keep getting better.

Now we are at fifteen years, our kids are 5, 6, 8, and 10... what will we do when they are teenagers?!??! But today, today it's you and me and God and family and friends and one day at a time and love and forgiveness. All we need is a little more laughter! 

Thank you for being my rock, my love, my balanced half. Thank you for saying "I do" fifteen years ago... and making the choice to say "I do" every morning since then!

Our most recent family picture at our Disney Vacation earlier this month...

If you want to see some wedding photos, check out this post.
and if you want to see us through the years, check out this anniversary post.

Community Conversation: If you are married, how many years?