Farewell, friend

Friend,

You have been through so much. You have endured more hardship than most. You have cried out to the Lord for rescuing, and I pray this opportunity is what God has planned for you, to get you well. To begin your healing. I know your heart hurts. Your leg hurts. And you cry out for a better life for you and your daughter. The Lord loves you, and wants to protect your family, His children. 

Hang in there, Annabelle, He is working a miracle in your life. I will miss you terribly when you move to Australia next week, but I'm praying that a new life awaits you there and you and your daughter can find the happiness and joy you so desperately deserve. 

It broke my heart when you said last night that you feel like a failure because you aren't sure what God's Will is for you. And oh my love, that is so every one of us, that is because we are human, and that is why we need Jesus. We need our Saviour to rescue us. Keep looking up towards Him.

Those who know your name trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you. ~Psalm 9:10

Our family loves you, you have blessed us with your friendship. 

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

~Romans 8:38-39

Christmas morning in pictures

Mandatory pics prior to letting them loose on presents

literal tears from receiving Skylander. 

adorable personalized chef gear. 

opening stockings

miniature tea set. She was pouting about something. Luckily it didn't last long. 

husband knows I am always cold at night in the living room .
What he didn't plan on was me opening this gift at the same time Ralpie opened his gift from Aunt Clara!

After all the craziness of Christmas morning, I wanted to relax.
But Avalon desperately wanted to bake cookies, so guess what we did?
They also turned out better than mine ever do, of course. 

Bigger Picture Moment: Broken

"...I entered the rooms of AA a broken man...."

I haven't been to a meeting in several weeks, and before then for several months, but I was asked last night to come and give a friend a sobriety cake, to which I was honored to accept. A total of 119 years of sobriety were celebrated last night, so to say the room was filled with excitement and glee is an understatement.

After all of the cake-takers gave their speeches, the guest leader of the meeting shared his alcoholic/sobriety story, and talked about his prison time...the fights...the illegal activity...the divorce...all as a result of alcohol. He said when he finally hit bottom, he crawled into the rooms of AA a broken man, and finally got clean and sober.

I spent the remainder of the meeting processing that word through my mind. Brokenness. To him it was such a dire thing, his rock bottom. But I dare say,

we are so lucky, us alcoholics.

photo credit

We are broken. 

     Our brokenness brings humility.

     Our brokenness points us to a Higher Power in control of our lives.
     It shows us we are not in charge.

     Our brokenness directs us to look around and see how we can help others.
     To assist the weak out of their brokenness.

Through alcoholism Jesus brought me to His Kingdom. Through alcoholism I was broken, and saw life in a new Light. Everyday I learn to be grateful for my disease.

What a Gift.

back to the 70's

And this is why I love my BFF, Jamie (and also Three's Company). 

Jamie directed me towards awesome boots since I needed fashion help before purchasing a pair 

(or two, hi Rick!), 

and she also has a great knack for finding the funny in every situation. 

Love you, Jamie!

sunrise

It was a morning of waking up late, sleeping through the alarm, dropping my phone in a body of water (still works!) and not being able to find the right shoes to wear. Pants were changed twice before deciding on plain black, and shoes were changed three times to find the right heel for the pants. Mornings can be complicated. 

It's hard to get out of bed and leave the man of my dreams and the snuggle of my littlest girl. It's hard to walk past my growing too fast son in his bunk bed and my puppy snuggled on his bed in the kitchen. It's hard to step out the front door into the frigid air, looking at my car iced over through icy breath. But I do it, because this is where God has me and where my family has me and if I really answered you honestly I want to be out there. 

I turned the bend out of the canyon onto the highway running parallel to the ocean, and this work of art jumped out at me. The magnificent, glorious sun coming up over the horizon peeking out behind several layers of clouds, making it possible to stare directly at its orange glow. I knew I only had seconds before it would venture up into the sky, so bright nobody could look at its majesty. So I locked eyes on it, mesmerized by its beauty, and committed to start my day all over again. 

The sun shall be no more your light by day,

nor for brightness shall the moon give you light;

but the LORD will be your everlasting light,

and your God will be your glory.

~Isaiah 60:19

This has been part of EO's Just Write. 

sweetness

Sweetness comes in the little hand placed in mine every time she steps out of the car door. Every time she walks across a parking lot. Every time we maneuver through a store or a sea of people. She has moved past the independent stage of not wanting my hand, to the "we're a mother/daughter team and we always hold hands."

Sweetness comes when she helps me fill out a deposit slip at the bank, signing her name with a lollipop little a like only she does.

can she do that forever, please?

Sweetness comes at the last moment when she comes barreling down the hallway begging to come to church with me so "I won't be alone."

And sweetness always, always, always comes when she is sleeping. Because, you know, they are the sweetest when they sleep!

‘Twas the Write Before Christmas {2011 Day 7}

to seek the Light

taken with iPhone4

for more entries, visit:

I passed!!

I guess my poor attitude on Sunday (thanks to PMS and holiday decorating stress) and my semi-poor, residual attitude on Monday (continued PMS and hello?!? Monday) did not sway my almost 8 year old son from giving me an A+ in parenting. With his parent/teacher conference this morning, I thought it would be a good idea last night to get brave and give him an opportunity to grade me as his mom. And much to my surprise, he didn't hesitate to answer back with an awesome, passing grade.

We spent some time talking about what things could be improved and what things were awesome, and it was such a nice chat to have together. He even gave Daddy an A+ too, which melted daddy's heart because he didn't know what I was even up to.

I guess this goes to show that 1) us parents can be way too hard on and unforgiving of ourselves, 2) apologies for bad attitudes are not only heard but accepted, 3) praying to the Lord for forgiveness in front of your kids help them understand you really do feel remorseful and 4) kids are more resilient than you think.

I was really beating myself up by Monday night, but a few apologies and extra attempts at affection later, our relationship has been mended and life moved on. Family moved on. I'd say I learned a few things, he learned a few things, and the love only grew.

Thank God for my family.

‘Twas the Write Before Christmas {2011 Day 3}: the perfect coat

All this time, he's been enduring life without a coat. He's warm enough, or so he thinks, he's strong enough on his own, or so he thinks, and he hasn't found the need for one yet.

Sure, he and I throughout the years both used to wear different coats...thinner ones that didn't serve much purpose, or flashier ones that weren't utilitarian. Or no coat at all, because we thought we could get through the day without bringing one along.

But I just received my perfect coat 2 years ago. It is the most comforting, warm coat, more than I could ever possibly imagine. It's beautiful. This new coat, well, it is more than I could have ever asked for. Or deserved.

It's Perfect. 

After 2 years he still finds no need for a coat. He sees me wear my coat everyday, and is possibly puzzled at how wonderful this coat is, but yet he still does not pursue one. He sees our kids try-on perfect coats, and although they have not found the perfect-fitting one just yet, they are being trained to understand we all need the perfect coat.

He has agreed to make an appointment on Christmas Eve to learn about the perfect coat. Maybe someday soon he will think of putting on that perfect coat, as it is so graciously offered to him.

photo credit

I pray for him everyday, that he will see the beauty and necessity of the perfect coat. It will last him forever. And although there is no rush, because if he is meant to get the perfect coat he will, it would be lovely for him to be able to enjoy the benefits and comforts all of these days.

Hallelujah.

Simple Swap: Wrapping Paper

We all want to live healthier, more intentional lives, but sometimes it seems overwhelming and daunting to take even small steps toward our ideals because there are so many steps before us.

Simple Swaps was created by Hyacynth out of a desire and passion to encourage other women on journeys toward living healthier, more inspired, intentional lifestyles through implementing one simple swap per month. 

Each swap will:

1. Take 30 minutes or less to accomplish
2. Be inexpensive to implement or boast overall, long-haul {health} savings 

3. Focus on improving health/eco-friendliness, being good stewards of our resources and/or fostering a creative and intentional life.

Some weeks, all three will be accomplished in 30 minutes or less!

*********

Simple Swap: Wrapping Paper

When Hy and I decided to make December "wrapping paper" month, I knew right away I had a drawer full of Christmas gift bags, because those are really easy to save and reuse. We typically do it in our house for all occasions we receive gift bags. 

And while a handful of gift bags is a good start, it won't get this family through the holidays, especially with two young kids who like to be surprised by what is under the tree. 

So I started researching. And after only a few minutes of internet searching, I found an amazing recycled wrapping store company, which, I plan on not only using for all of my Christmas wrapping needs this year, but all future gift wrapping needs throughout the year (birthdays, weddings, showers, etc). 

Their products are made of 100% recycled paper, soy ink and their labels are petroleum free. And that is something I feel better about. Plus, GGGW is commited to protecting and preserving the environment. 10% of their profits will be donated to environmental causes (5% will be donated to the Rainforest Action Network and 5% of the profits will be donated to the Sierra Club). Awesome!

What really impressed me are their prices (compared to some other recycled paper companies out there), which seem identical to what I would pay in the store for the same non-recycled items. So, while this Simple Swap isn't entirely free for me to accomplish, I will end up spending the same amount of money for a much more environment-friendly product. 

And guess what? Green Girl Gift Wrap has graciously offered to sponsor the Simple Swap giveaway this month! The winner, to be chosen on December 16th (to give the winner time to wrap their gifts), will receive all of the following:

(1) pack of Snowman gift wrap

(1) pack of Red Curves Gift Wrap

(1) pack of Red Gift Wrap

(1) pack of Red/Gold Snowflakes

(1) pack of Blue Diamond gift wrap

(1) pack of purple Stripe gift wrap

(1) pack of Wedding gift wrap

(2) Large gift bags

(2) Medium gift bags

(2) Small gift bags

(2) Packs of tissue paper

Can you believe it? Come on you guys, if you have been shy to participate in a Simple Swap so far, this is the month to come out of your shell and be a part of this challenge. Grab your camera, take some pictures of your swap, write about your experience and then link up below to enter this awesome giveaway. 

{No purchase necessary. Giveaway is open to all U.S. residents who are 18 years and older. The link will close on December 15th at 11:59pm and the winner will be selected randomly Dec. 16, 2011 from the link up pool. Green Girl Gift Wrap is only providing the giveaway items; I have not been compensated in any way or gifted with any product to talk about GGGW}.