Word Filled Wednesday - June 3, 2009

But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God has chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty…
1 Corinthians 1:2

If you spend much time with me, you will learn quickly that I love all things silly. Recently we had a movie night to watch the first Transformer movie, because my sister in law hadn’t seen it. Most people would probably invite a few people over, maybe gets some pop corn or candy, and drinks…and that would be wonderful. Unfortunately for my family and friends, I just can’t stop at that. We ended up with a Transformer Event. Complete with BBQ, paper goods, decorations, and the silliest thing ever…DECODER RINGS! I was sure that my guests had thought I had lost my mind, when I expected grown adults to run around with plastic rings on their fingers. But that’s when I realized just how perfect God is in his plan. Out little group of family and friends loved it, including a friend who had attended a memorial service for his mother the day before. To the outsider my plans would probably be considered foolish or silly, but to my little group of loved ones they felt wanted and thought of and comforted. God is so Good!

Tuesday’s Tribute – June 2, 2009

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My heart has been hardened for almost nine years now.

For much of that time you will find me living my life to its fullest, loving the people around me, enjoying everything from the largest event to celebrating the little stuff.

But every once in a while I feel the pain of longing, the sting of memory, the fear of loneliness, and it overwhelms everything that I am.

As a visitor to this dark place, you would watch as I question the Almighty God. Wondering why he took her away if he loved me so much? Why did he give me the gift of loving someone who knew me, understood me, bonded with me, just to rip her out of my life? Why did he let her work so hard to change all that she was for the chance to play a role in my life, just to lose her in the early chapters of my own story.

The Why’s will kill me! They go on and on, as a never ending battle between my humanity and my faith. They are all encompassing. They hurt my heart to such depths that the scars run deep enough to change the very essence of who I am. When I lost her, I lost part of myself.

I climb my way out of this place of despair by holding on to the God that loved me enough to give me family and friends to fill the void that was left when the Cancer took her away.

The God that loves me despite of all of my questions, and failures.

That I am loved by a God who loved me enough to bless me with an Angel for a Grandmother.

Today I write this as a tribute to my Mar. She was and continues to be a wonderful mentor, example, and comfort.

As I walk through my life I see little things that remind me of her. I have her rolling pin to make pies with. I have a tea cup and saucer that was used so often and washed with such diligence that the décor has worn off. I have wonderful memories of hope and comfort with wonderful words of wisdom. And my personal favorite is the little Blue Bird of happiness that sits on my sink, just as it did at her home.

I pray with all hopes that when I enter those pearly gates of Heaven that I will smell her apple pies baking, hear her laughter, feel her arms around me, blow out her cigarette lighter and sing Reba Macintyre songs together again!

Until then…I watch for Blue Birds as they come and go, and hope they will find my world comfortable enough to make a nest.

The Simple Woman's Daybook - June 1, 2009

FOR TODAY…June 1, 2009 Outside my window...Cloudy, Wet, and 63 Degrees…June Gloom has rolled in.

I am thinking...about my day. I am facilitating my first meeting in my new role as a project coordinator today. I am pretty excited and nervous. My sweet mother helped me shop for something special to wear today, which makes me feel pretty and confident. Love her!

I am thankful for...our cars. They both keep on kicking.

From the kitchen...those cookies I keep talking about…I made a really yummy cheese cake over the weekend that I was hoping would last a couple of days, but the empty dish leads me to believe that it won’t…hahaha

I am wearing...A new bright blue top, black slacks, black shoes, and a cute matching necklace and earring set that my mom picked out.

I am creating...Something….I just don’t know what yet…This is the first “slow” week I have had in a few months, I think I feel the creative itch coming.

I am going...to Fresh and Easy at lunch today to pick up some pre-made salads for lunch this week.

I am reading... Wives and Daughters, and the Scarlet Pimpernel

I am hoping...That two close family friends find comfort and peace during a terrible health crisis.

I am hearing...lots of Monday Madness….busyness, weekend talk, and coffee brewing.

Around the house...gardening. I would really like to get some new plants in my little plot of earth. The ground will be moist from the drizzle and light rains this weekend. I think it will be good timing.

One of my favorite things...My new cell phone. It has all the bells and whistles, including Internet access to my favorite sites, included Blogger.com

A few plans for the rest of the week: Hanging out with my Mom tonight because our guys have bible study, walking with a friend tomorrow night, meeting with the adoption support team at our church on Wednesday night, Date Night on Friday night, BBQ at our house on Saturday night, Church on Sunday and hopes to see my Mother in Law and In-laws (Especially the babies) on Sunday Afternoon.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

These are Peonys that I found at the market of all places. I have never seen or had these flowers before.

I am totally taken with them! They soothe my soul! God is so very creative with his blessings!

Special thanks and Blessing to Peggy at The Simple Woman for hosting this blog.

Friday Fill-Ins May 29, 2009

1. It's cold and Wet outside today…I am happy to say…its UGG Wearing Weather!
2. Ketchup is made from tomatoes. I love it on almost anything!
3. My favorite health and beauty product is Water. My body and skin look and feel great when I drink enough of it.
4. This weekend I would like to take a nice long ride with my husband and puppies, maybe we could find a place to have a picnic and fly some kites.
5. Well, first of all I want to thank God for his faithfulness in my life. He is so good!
6. My Husband, His best Friend, and my best friend were the cast of characters in a recent dream and it was a very odd…crazy…dream.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m taking my Mother in Laws advice and we are having a date night at home. We are cooking up some yummy Beef and Shells, Turning off the phones, locking the doors, and cuddling up on the couch to watch some movies. Tomorrow my plans include washing the puppies, a bit of cleaning, hoping to add some flowers to my little plot of dirt, and enjoying the company of a dear friend and her family for dinner. And Sunday, I want to go to church in the morning, and then celebrate my Uncle’s birthday in the evening.

The Simple Woman's Daybook - May 25, 2009

FOR TODAY … May 26, 2009

Outside my window...Cloudy about 65 Degrees

I am thinking...about my prayer request list…We have been blessed with friends and family who open up to us in great trials in their lives. We feel honored to walk with them as we try our best to support them. These last weeks have found us helping a friend dealing with the passing of his mother, a friend who is in the advanced stages of Hepatitis C and fell recently breaking her pelvis, and lastly a dear friend who is struggling with Alcoholism. All of these situations break our hearts, and make us feel very appreciative for a God who loves, cares, and can work miracles. We know he is faithful, and in his time all things will be right.

I am thankful for...reconciliation in my family!

From the kitchen…we have been on a Cupcake tirade at our house. First Carrot Cake Cupcakes and then some vanilla ones….I think I might try to finally make some cookies this week.

I am wearing... Teal and Black Top, Black pants, Black Shoes

I am creating...a clean house. After having house guests this weekend, my home is a terrible disaster…I hope to create a haven again this week after a few hours of elbow grease…

I am going...to the market at lunch to get our food for the week.

I am reading...Wives and Daughters, The Scarlet Pimpernel, A Lady of High Regard

I am hoping...that I can find some time to rest. I am feeling extremely exhausted and a bit run down emotionally. These last couple of weeks have been filled with so many highs and lows.

I am hearing...Quiet….my new desk is away from all the hustle and bustle…It’s wonderful.

Around the house... lots of cleaning, and fluffing. I woke up this morning feeling the chaos of the weekend because my home is so messy.

One of my favorite things...my new uggs. My husband hates them, but he got them for me for my birthday. I absolutely Love them!

A few plans for the rest of the week: House Cleaning, Date Night on Friday, Dinner with some friends on Saturday.

Here is picture thought I am sharing....

My Sister in Law took me to get a Manicure and Pedicure this weekend for my birthday. We took our friend Pam with us too!

Here are our cute toes! I love being a girl!

Special Thanks and Blessings to Peggy at The Simple Woman for hosting this post.

Word Filled Wednesday - May 13,2009

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Celebrating our Second Anniversary

The second anniversary is the "Cotton Anniversary", we both got each other sheets...

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
1 Corinthians 13: 4-7

This is one of those verses…I seem to take for granted. Growing up in a home that valued the word of God, I was blessed with lots of opportunities to hear and learn these words.

When my Uncle married us two years ago we spent some time with him planning our service, as he got to know us a bit better. We knew we wanted him to speak about our faith, to teach about Gods grace in our lives, and to help us meet at the altar before our Lord as we committed our lives to one another. And that’s when it happened…he started our service with this verse... I have seen it, read it, and heard it a thousand times…but in that moment…I actually listened to it. What a challenge…to love my husband in the manner that this verse instructs. As I read this verse again today my heart aches a bit, because I have not always lived up to the challenge. In fact there have been times I have totally failed. But faith, forgiveness and promise prevail, and I know that on this new day as we start our third year of marriage, I have the ability to try to get it right again.


I wonder if you would join me with this challenge, to love the precious people that God has given us in the way he describes in this verse.

The Simple Woman's Daybook - May 11, 2009

FOR TODAY May 11, 2009…

Outside my window...63 Degrees and Cloudy

I am thinking...about my husband. He is home sick today with something that has him achy and chilled. I hope he feels better ASAP! Tomorrow is our 2nd Wedding Anniversary and this weekend is my 30th Birthday.

I am thankful for...my new job! Today is my first day as a Project Coordinator with our Project management Office. It is a wonderful promotion and I am looking forward to working with a team of really awesome women. It feels really good to be recognized for hard work, especially in this economy.

From the kitchen... I am finally going to get those cookies for my husband. I think that will make him feel extra special and hopefully better.

I am wearing...Teal and Black Shirt, Black Slacks, Black heals.

I am creating...My packing list for this weekend. Too much to do to be too crafty or creative.

I am going...to the mall at lunch to finish up my husband Anniversary present.

I am reading... Wives and Daughters,and The Scarlet Pimpernel.

I am hoping...that our Great Nephew makes his entrance into our world this week. I am getting impatient…I WANT TO SEE HIM!!

I am hearing...quiet…I think a lot of people are running late this morning.

Around the house... lots of housework to be done. We had a busy weekend and I didn’t get much of anything finished.

One of my favorite things...My Great Niece Bella! I got to see her lots this weekend, She is 4 weeks old and just beautiful!

A few plans for the rest of the week: Finishing up my gift to Ryan, Our Anniversary Dinner tomorrow night, Packing for our weekend trip to San Diego, Our Trip to Sea World and then Dinner with Family and Friends for my Birthday over the weekend.

Here is picture thought I am sharing... Our Sweet Bella

Special Thanks and Blessing to Peggy at Simple Woman's Day Book for hosting this post.