List

I am a list person. I write to do lists, to buy lists, to go lists, wish lists, gift lists, birthday lists, organizing lists, coupon and deal lists...whatever kind of list you can think of, I'd dare to say that I have made one before. Well, almost. ;)

Recently, I began hearing a lot of hoorah about another list. A 1000 gifts list. At first I just looked right over it. Didn't think about it again, didn't look into it at all. Then I heard that this list was revolutionizing some people's lives, their attitudes, their hearts, their minds. Well by golly, I'm always up for a good revolution. So I Googled. Anyone who knows anything about me knows how much I LOVE to Google. I swear you really can find anything on using Google.

Anyway. Ahem.

I found the book 1000 Gifts by Ann Voskamp. After reading just a couple reviews I was intrigued. I immediately ordered it on Amazon and two days later I was settling in to begin my new book. Ann Voskamp's biography reads much like my own. In it, the words "messy," "gritty," "overwhelmed" and "exuberant" describe her life in a warm and welcome way. A relateable way. However, where my biography stumbles upon flustered, conditional and impatient, hers continues with words like grace, beauty and peace. She is striving to find the extraordinary gifts of God in the ordinary. In the everyday. In kids' homework, dishes in the sink, the leaves blown in on the porch. This book is helping me to open my heart and turn my eyes up and then out. To look around me and see each and every thing through God's eyes. Really, everything. Right now as I look around, I see my inhaler, a pen, a coupon, a camera, an old high school ID card, tax paperwork. Before I would have thought "Ugh...get off the computer and clean up this mess!" Now, (see it's already freeing, I'm no longer worried about cleaning up the mess!) I am thankful for my inhaler, my education and ability to write, a camera to record and save special memories.

So I am going to start my list, an ongoing list of 1000 things, gifts, that I have and am thankful for.
I encourage any and all of you to read this book if you get a chance or even just think about finding 1000 things in your life that you can look at as a gift from God. My friend Christine at The Collins Clan is also reading this book and blogging about it! Check out her list in the works!

Here's the beginning of my list:

1. A loving husband
2. Salvation
3. Heaven
4. My children
5. Health
6. Baking
7. Photographs
8. Memories
9. Warm blankets
10. White chocolate
11. Dew
12. Rain
13. Sidewalk chalk

I'll continue to add to it and post it as I do. It has been inspiring to look at things with this perspective, while not new, incredibly beautiful and uncommon. 

Ten/Twenty-Four

Ten exciting ordinary things that happened to me in the last twenty-four hours:


1. I made it through yet another Valentine's day. Or so I thought. Until I got in the car this morning and heard two billion people calling in to share their AH-MAY-ZING Valentine's stories. Ugh.

2. I played tickle monster with my middle child for almost an hour!!

3.  I lost my marbles at my oldest child. :( Then I researched how much therapy will cost in order for her to deal with her psychotic mother. 

4. I made white chocolate covered rice krispie treats. Mmmm... Until I happened to check out my waistline later. I think it's time for a change. Getting rid of all mirrors.

5. I got some exercise trying out our new stroller. Woohoo! Wait, does this mean there really is NO excuse anymore? Send it back. 

6.  I tried to get creative with my eye makeup. Apparently I still need a lot of work.

7. I went to bed early. I couldn't sleep. Instead I laid in bed frustrated that I wasn't getting anything done.

8. I finally got my hair done. I was looking tragic and my friend did it so it didn't hurt my pocketbook too badly. But now I look like a star! ;o)

9. I gave my hubby those sexy cookies I linked to for Valentine's.

sorry...I liked that wink face...this one's cuter though

10. I drank eighty-eight ounces of iced tea. Really.

And a bonus:

11. I finally perfected cocoa pops! Nope, not the cereal! Hot chocolate pops!! :) Well, they're almost perfect. ;)



What are ten things you did you do in the last twenty-four hours?

Mosque at Ground Zero

I recently read this post through an online article I read. I have had mixed feelings about the building of the mosque. I really enjoyed this man's point of view and how he presented it, so I wanted to share.
"My Thoughts on the "Mosque" at Ground Zero.

I do understand people's sensitivity to the idea of a Mosque being built ON Ground Zero - however, this is a building in a neighborhood several blocks from "Ground Zero." It is an 11 story "Islamic Center" which the community in which is located overwhelmingly supports. At this stage, the plan is is for the prayer space "Mosque" to occupy only one floor of a 13-story building. The rest would house a swimming pool, a concert auditorium, a gymnasium, a child-care facility, a library, a culinary school and a restaurant. According the article below from the Chicago Tribune, it will bear a strong resemblance to Manhattan's 92nd Street Y.

All that said, I still understand folks' gut reaction - especially when the truth is twisted and the FOX headlines trumpet "Mosque to be built on Ground Zero." But even without all the hype from the right (I know who got in planes and flew them into the twin towers, it was radical Islamic terrorists), heck, the TRUTH of the situation doesn't sit completely well with me. . . I'll admit that. But, to create a groundswell of support to have construction stopped - even if the neighborhood wants it, and many outside, because of an intolerance for Muslims and Islam, band together to have it forbidden, it is a slippery slope we are facilitating. . . Let me give some examples of what MIGHT be:

What if one more "Christian" kills another abortion provider, and then "Christianity" becomes pegged as something that needs to be truly corralled?
Why do we allow Catholic churches to exist when Timothy McVeigh was Catholic (OK, that's a bit of a stretch, because McVeigh never claimed he was "doing it" for Jesus. . . but he was Catholic)?
How about this one - do you remember that pharmacist, Robert Courtney - he owned a pharmacy out at Research Medical Center, and diluted chemotherapy for cancer patients - people DIED - and he did it to make extra money. He was a Christian, very active in his church. One of the reasons he did it was to support a building program at his large evangelical church to which he had committed big dollars. So, should all Christians have their incomes scrutinized, especially those that give to their church?
Ever hear of the Crusades? There are plenty of examples in modern and historical times. . .

There are lots of HORRIBLE things that have been done by zealots for their faith. . . including fringe elements claiming to represent the Christian faith. When people decide to allow the fringes of organizations, religious or otherwise to represent the baseline, fear, stereotyping, racism and other isms begin to take over. That is not the solution here. We need to target TERRORISTS. Not Muslims.

So, to summarize my primary concerns around this issue: my first is how those opposed to this are "spinning" the truth of what and where the facility actually IS to fan the flames of fear and hatred. My second is, if this is not about the consititution (as has been stated by many I have read). . .then what is? The First Amendment is either true and applicable, or it's not. . . To somehow say it's suspended here is the same line of thinking that led to Japanese internment camps in WWII. . .

I don't love the idea, but I love the idea of my religious freedom - to worship the God of the Universe and believe that He provided salvation and a way to live through Christ. I am a Christian. Proud to say it. Will never deny it. And to continue to have the right to do so, I think repressing other people - simply because of their religion (even though I think it is false and don't believe it myself) is not the best way to maintain that freedom."




So what do you think about the building of a Mosque at Ground Zero? 

Why I Write

Someone recently asked me this question, "Why do you write?"


For me, it's as easy as answering why I breathe, or drink water, or wake up every morning.

I truly love to write. I write in a journal near daily. Sometimes the entries are little one or two-liners: an inspirational quote I heard that day, a funny quip from my toddler or preschooler, an idea or project I'd like to look into. Sometimes the entries are multiple pages: reflections on my time in the Scriptures, deliberate writing about a subject or a recounting of a day's events, or just random dumping, where the contents of my brain just spill out onto the paper before me.

I've always enjoyed writing. I love painting a picture with words or being able to make someone feel as though they actually lived through a story I am telling. I love being able to express myself about things I am passionate about. No one can interrupt you or discourage you while you are writing. Sure you can and will get negative feedback, but what you wrote is already out there.

I feel like I use writing as a way to organize myself also. I am absolutely a scatter-brained individual. I have my mind on a million things at all times! I don't think I ever entirely shut it off, I often wake up in the middle of the night and reach for my journal to jot down ideas that I've had while sleeping. I have a hard time focusing on one project, I end up getting so eager and generally have many different projects going at one time. When I write, I seem to be able to focus my attention and organize my thoughts.

When something is bothering me, I write about it. Sometimes it's just exasperated thoughts, sometimes it takes the form as a written letter or prayer to Christ. Any way I do it however, I find myself calmer, more collected and peaceful.

I love seeing the completed work. I love the art of writing, the flow, the rhythm. I love seeing everyone's different styles of writing. I love being able to record exactly how something was or just what someone was feeling at a specific moment in time. I often reread my journals and blogs and am often surprised at the wave of emotion that comes over me, whether it be joyful, amusing, or sad, it takes me to that day instantly. I remember everything about what was going on and what I was feeling when I wrote it. That is a priceless tool for me.

I need to write. I yearn to write. About everything. Also, about nothing. It is a part of me that will always be there. It is me.

Why do you do, whatever it is you do?
Write, paint, sing? What is it?

Sweet and dare I say Sexy gift...

If you haven't already checked our How Does She, you MUST! One of my favorite blogs!! Great ideas for crafts, cooking, keeping up the kids, house and adding a little pizazz to your relationship. I don't really care for Valentine's Day, but after seeing these, I WILL be making some for Hubby. ;)

Warning...this post is a little risque and should be rated PG-13. But, it is darling and innocent enough! Enjoy!