Gone

I haven't posted on this blog in so long. And so much has happened in my life since my last post. I have realized so much about myself and grown so much. I have loved following different bloggers and as I am now (ahem) 40. I am finding Wow, I am not the only one like me out there. Of course I am the only one totally like me. I mean God made me to be me. But there are other people out there who don't like stuff. Minimalists. Woman who never had huge career goals. Just wanted to be wives and mothers. (A great calling by the way) I always felt like I was a little different cause I just loved being with my family when other women couldn't seem to wait to get away from theirs. I love supporting my husbands goals and dreams and being there when he or the kids need me. I have loved this new phase of life where selling homes, keeping up with ours and loving my family is what I do. I love striving to share Christ. But I know I am not an evangelist. I can love people to Christ through showing love and kindness. Being friendly and sharing a smile with a stranger at the store. Helping someone put their cart away. Playing peak a boo in line at the grocery store. Can you tell I am getting groceries often? Anyway, I hope to be back writing more often. I am busy with mothering, loving my hubby and selling real estate.

As I get older

I was sitting here on my comfy couch in my cozy home with my cup of coffee. After I had done my new devotional First 5. It is a new app. I LOVE it. And I finished reading a book by Sally John. LOVE it as well. And I was thinking about our plans for the day. Shopping this morning for birthday gifts. Both kids have birthday parties today. And then the pool this afternoon. A little work may also need to happen. But I was thinking of how fortunate I am. But I am also realizing the older I get the more I like doing clean things. I love being in nature. Seeing what God has created and enjoying his beauty. But I really enjoy coming home and showering and sleeping in a bed. Being warm and cozy. I love that we are able to go to a pool for the afternoon. I used to think that is snobbish. To spend your afternoon at the pool and to enjoy the things "rich" people do. We are by no means rich. At least by American standards. But I am realizing. It is okay to like those things. To enjoy not sleeping on the ground. To enjoy being clean. Do I still go camping with my family and friends. Totally. I wouldn't miss all the fun. But man after a weekend sleeping outside I sure do love being home and clean!

Overwhelmed

I know I hardly ever post. But I sometimes just feel like I have a lot going on in my head and I need to take the time to get it out. I have finished up my Real Estate license and am now working at HomeSmart with my hubs. Loving that. Get to show some houses on Tuesday. We are off for a weekend of camping today. After I get a day with my girl on her field trip. But what has me today is how we do it. I think it is so easy for us to forget all those hurting. Hungry, Tired, poor and depleted. As we sit here in our comfy homes in North America. Worrying about the next vacation or new furniture or that new house we are buying (don't get me wrong those things aren't bad) But are we remembering those who are sleeping in a doorway. Those in Iraq who have fled there homes because of ISIS? Those in Africa who are worried about the evil men who will come to kill them and rape their daughters and wives. My heart is breaking for them. I read Ann VosKamps blog http://www.aholyexperience.com. She is amazing. After her trip to Iraq she started working with an organization to help these women and children. Over half a million dollars raised to help women learn a job. To help these kids get an education in a safe place in Northern Iraq. A place my sister spent over a year loving on the people. I have an 8 year old daughter and 9 year old girls over there are being sold. Yes I sat hear and balled at that thought of my sweet girl being taken from me and sold as a sex slave. THIS IS NOT OK PEOPLE. When will we as Americans stand up and say enough. It isn't about the new outfit or the next new thing. We need to help. Not all of us are called to go. And not all of us can give financially. But we all can be on our knees praying and seeking God. So please people today. Be the light. Spread Jesus. Whether in word or deed. "Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them." Matthew 18:19-20

Crafting and Coffee

I was thinking about both of these things and didn't even realize they were two C words until I wrote them. I love that the title worked out so well. I just read about a lady who like myself isn't crafty. I also love the idea but have come to accept that I am not. Every once in awhile I think I should be and then I get frustrated and remember why I'm not. I am the cleaner. I feel most at piece when everything is neat and tidy and in its place. Crafting stresses me and it creates clutter and unorganized space. I was chatting with some girl friends last night and I love how God has created us all different. Some people have that peaceful feeling when they are outside with there hands in the dirt digging and weeding. I look at weeds as work and rarely feel accomplished when I am done in the yard. Now we did just get a sprinkler system so I may feel different next year when I can plant stuff and not have to worry about the watering. Now about coffee. I have heard a lot about people cutting Coffee due to diet or just to try it. Now I give them kudos for trying. I however, will not being trying this. I LOVE coffee. I love the smell. I love the taste. I love sitting in my chair having a cup of coffee and reading my bible in the morning. I love a warm cup in the afternoon. I love an iced coffee when I go to the pool on a hot summer day. So once again. Nothing life shattering to share here. Just more of my thoughts.

Marriage

Lately I have been hearing of people we love and care about calling it quits. Satan is after marriages and it is sad when you talk to the people and hear why. One of our friends said she "had put up with his stuff long enough" Seriously. That doesn't sound like a biblical reason as to why to leave and mess your family up. Especially when he truly wanted it to work. I feel like so many people focus on the negative. Instead of saying man my spouse really loves me by doing ... They say man he never picks up his socks and he never puts his dishes away. My husband works really hard. He is self employed and works in the army reserve. He also takes time to coach our sons sports. But you know what? By him working so hard I am able to stay home with our kids. Work part time and not have to coordinate child care. I have chosen to look at the positive. If he goes golf one day, why not, he works hard and should get to enjoy himself sometimes. So, because I have these beliefs and I enjoy reading and listening to focus on the family. I love when my simple, uncolleged self hears Harvard grads/authors say the exact thing I have been saying. Happy marriages are perfect marriages. They are two flawed people who have CHOSEN to be happy. People have made a choice to believe the best in their spouse. People who have made a commitment to one another and are going to honor that but who are choosing to be happy in that as well. Today in my bible time I was reading in Proverbs 26 and 27 and guess what? Talks about a quarreling wife. Thats right ladies. We have to stop nagging our husbands. In this life does it truly matter if he doesn't fill ALL our needs? We can't have Hollywood expectations. Our husbands are human and maybe if we get off the cycle of nagging and nitpicking maybe our husband will see it and desire to spend more time with us and want to bless us in different ways. Is that a for sure thing? No, but the less we nag and the more we bless I am guessing our home will become more peaceful. I know for a fact when I stopped nagging and started speaking kind and blessing my husband our marriage got better. Am I perfect. NO!! I do get grumpy at time and don't speak kindly to him or the kids. But if you ask him today he will say we have a great marriage. So, start today. Say a kind work. Tell him thanks for what he does do and don't correct him for all the things he isn't doing. Just bless him with that. Do it daily and before you know it you won't notice the socks on the floor and all those things. Just be thankful he is home with you and able to leave the socks on the floor.

Gifts

I took a class a few years ago at church on my spiritual gifts. It was awesome and wonderful. It really freed me of feeling guilty when I say no. Mine were encouragement and faith and hospitality. I always thought the hospitality was funny until I heard my friend Vanessa speak and she described it as being open and welcoming to having people in your home. I can do that. Things don't have to be perfect and have appetizers and the right glasses and dish wear and decor. Pheww. So much more how I do things. So even though our home is not large we entertain a lot. I also have been realizing that I have friends who celebrate every holiday in great detail and with great decoration. I mean we are talking they set traps to catch leprechauns and go all out. But I have tried some of those traditions and I have realized. I STRESS and WORK really HARD!! And guess what. My family could care less. I even used to do elaborate cakes and cupcakes and guess what. Again they didn't care. They only care about who is there. Is there Uncles and Aunts and good friends there. They are happy. So this year for my daughters birthday I didn't even hang streamers. Did she notice? NOPE. Do I decorate my house perfectly? Nope. I do it very casual and relaxed. Less is more is my moto. And as I took a meal to a family in need and I stressed and stewed about it all week. I am reminded. THAT is NOT my gifting. It would have been better for me to serve them with a gift card to a restaurant. So again I am thrilled with the differences that God has created. I love attending some of these elaborate parties people plan. But have no desire to do it myself. I also love going to peoples homes who decorate beautifully but no longer feel any stress to have that be my home. Stuff really stresses me out. I also love pinterest but am feeling so free to just look and not feel like any of it will become a project. I am also realizing as I am aging I am feeling no need to do projects. I mean I like to have the walls painted or small things like that but I would rather not have to personally do any major projects. So crazy how I am starting to feel more relaxed with who I am and how God created me.

Dogs and Snow

I have been thinking a lot lately about our dog stella. She's a cutie and super sweet. I get frustrated at her. But overall I love her. We have decided to find a new home for her. It is a sad decision and one that is hard for me. But we are not good big dog owners. The kids don't want to play with her, the neighbor kids are afraid of her. So, when the kids go in the back to play, the ask me to lock her up. They want their friends to play in the back. I am not a huge fan of having to pooper scoop first. Just normal dog things annoy me. So in that I feel guilty. I have always thought I liked animals. And then it snowed. We needed her to come in more to stay warm. (even though she is fine) She is so sweet and good. So, I am relieved that I do like dogs. I am still an animal lover. I just need something that doesn't need so much attention. So we are still looking for a new home for her. Just someone who either has property for her to run and play. Or a person who she will be where there attention is. She is 4 so at a good age. Please if you know of someone who would be a good fit. Let us know. We are all saddened by this but know it is best for her. Also, we have SNOW. Yes we don't get snow very often. So when we do it is a big deal. We completely shut down. We have had no school for 2 days already. All activities this weekend have been canceled. A little sad with some of the things and yet so great that we have just been able to hang out and be together. Also, so fun because our kids are older and go out for hours. A down side is that it makes me want to bake. And that isn't good when you aren't able to get to the gym. I have gone out walking with the kids and that is good exercise. Yesterday I was out for awhile and it was so cold and started freezing rain. I decided I love snow and I am glad we have it right now. But I am sure glad we don't have it all winter. Happy February everyone.