But, I didn't say Twix.

On, Tuesday I was on the phone catching up with my friend M as we have been playing phone tag for over a week.  Just before we got off the phone, she said that if I needed anything to let her know.  I told her that I appreciated the offer, but that I was ok.  She said that she knew that I was like her and probably wouldn't take her up on her offer.  Knowing that she was right, but not wanting to say it, I told her that I would call if needed.  She said that to make it easier for me to ask for help, she would give me a code word. Twix. She said that all I had to do was call and say it or text it and that she would take it from there.  We ended our conversation and I went about my day.  The next day at 12pm I received a call from her.  She said, "I need to drop off dinner for you guys." I said, "What?, but I didn't say Twix".  M said that she knew I wouldn't call so she made dinner anyway.  We made arrangements and I thanked her with one of the most sincerest thank yous that I have ever given. (I hope that she knows that.) We hung up and all that I could say was, "Thank you, Jesus." I was so thankful! (I guess that she could hear in my voice that I really needed help.) She made two jars of White Chicken Chili and it was delicious.  She sent it with shredded cheese, jalapenos, sour cream and salsa. {My boys ate it plain w/ tortilla chips because they said that it was good all by itself. : ) } We  polished off a whole jar last night.  Click here for the recipe.  Thanks again, M.

* I am working on learning how to accept help and to ask for it.  You would think that it would be easy, but for me it is not.  I feel uncomfortable on the receiving end.  My mom once told me that accepting help isn't always about me, it's also about allowing others the opportunity to feel joy of helping.  She said that sometimes accepting help is actually a gift.  I'm working on it, mom.

This Woman's Work

Today, I woke up at 6:30 and for me that is NOT normal. I am by no means a morning person.  I often joke that Ryan and I are members of the 10 more minutes club.  When you wake us up, after we growl at you, without pause we groan, "10 more minutes, please". ; ) ....... I slept well and dreamt all night about people on there way to or from getting married (except for a brief dream about a tow truck picking up some cars) and I was happy for them. I think I even crashed a reception. {I might be adding that to my 2012 to do list. It looks fun in the movies.} ....Anyway, it was strange to have those dreams about happiness and new beginnings when I am currently dealing with loss and the anticipation of loss.  The loss of my best friend, the looming and inevitable loss of loved one's lives and the loss of what I envisioned for my future.  My father is ill. Which I have never known him to be sick, other than a cold. EVER! I'm packing for a move and the weather outside is cold and gloomy.  I am tired and mentally and emotionally drained.  I want to crawl into bed, under the covers and just disappear. But, I can't. I have to keep moving. I have things to do. I have people that depend on me. Maybe, my dream was to remind me to have faith in hope and the future.  I'm not sure. I know that this time will pass, but in this moment this is what I am feeling. So, I will put on a smile and keep it there until it feels right. I can't get lost. I just found myself......

                                                                                                              *This Woman's Work* by Maxwell

"Really?"

Okay, so yesterday after lunch I went outside to play soccer w/Ryan (my 8yr. old) and we saw a bird walking around in the grass.  I told him to stay still and waited for the bird to look away.  When the bird looked away, I whispered for him to walk slowly towards the bird. He did and then the bird stopped. So did Ryan. The bird turned away and Ryan tiptoed slowly towards the bird again.  And again, the bird turned to watch Ryan.  So basically, Ryan and the bird are playing a game of red light, green light. (Oops. I think I just told my age, but don't laugh 'cause if you know the game, I just told your age too.wink.) So, they play about three rounds and the bird is obviously winning, when all of a sudden Ryan starts running full speed towards the bird yelling "AHHHHHHHH!" and the bird flew away.  Ryan turned to me and innocently said, "He flew away for no reason." All I could do was stare at him and think, "Really? No reason, huh ?"  ; ) Gotta love him.

Pretty Wings...

Welcome to my first Music Diary post.  Music is like air to me. Whether I'm happy, tired, excited, sad, angry or mad music gives me balance. This Music Diary will share the music that serves as the soundtrack for my life.  At times I may explain why I have chosen a song and others times I won't, but the lyrics will always speak for themselves. My first post is Pretty Wings by Maxwell.  Why? As I said, the lyrics always speak for themselves. Sometimes your choose to fly, sometimes you're given a gentle nudge and other times you're pushed off a cliff, nevertheless, you must fly............*Pretty Wings*

Trust your truth.

                                                                                                                                   

Music Diary Coming Soon!

Check back regularly. Thanks.

Don't leave it on the desk...

I just got back from our "indoor picnic" at church and we had a great time.  Immediately, after service everyone filed downstairs for the picnic. (After the visitors and seniors, of course.) I made sure that we sat with members that we don't usually get to talk to or sit with during service, so that we can get more connected.  All you could hear was people having great conversations and the chattering and giggling of the small kids.  The was no shortage of food and I tried to sample almost everything ;  ).  I made meatballs and all that was left at the bottom of my dish when I left was one meatball, a piece of green pepper and a pineapple chunk. Yeah! I would have been depressed if it was barely touched. And yes, I secretly scanned plates to make sure that they weren't hidden under napkins on finished plates headed for file 13. (I know I 'm not the only one) ~Why do they call it file 13?~ Anyway, I am stuffed and need a cat nap. ~Why do they call it a cap nap?~  (Maybe, I should stop using phrases that I am not completely sure about. wink.wink.)  Well, in addition to those questions, I leave you with this................When I read this story I was truly touched and hope the same for you....

*PLEASE READ TO THE END. (YES, IT LOOKS LIKE ALOT, BUT YOU WILL BE GLAD THAT YOU DID!)

There was a certain Professor of Religion named Dr Christianson, a studious man who taught at a small college in the western United States. Dr. Christianson taught the required survey course in Christianity at this particular institution. Every student was required to take this course his or her freshman year, regardless of his or her major.

Although Dr Christianson tried hard to communicate the essence of the gospel in his class, he found that most of his students looked upon the course as nothing but required drudgery. Despite his best efforts, most students refused to take Christianity seriously.

This year, Dr. Christianson had a special student named Steve. Steve was only a freshman, but was studying with the intent of going onto seminary for the ministry. Steve was popular, he was well liked, and he was an imposing physical specimen. He was now the starting center on the school football team, and was the best student in the professor's class.

One day, Dr. Christianson asked Steve to stay after class so he could talk with him.

" How many push ups can you do?"

Steve said, "I do about 200 every night."

"200? That's pretty good, Steve," Dr. Christianson said. "Do you think you could do 300?"

Steve replied, "I don't know.... I've never done 300 at a time."

"Do you think you could?" again asked Dr. Christianson.

"Well, I can try," said Steve. "Can you do 300 in sets of 10? I have a class project in mind and I need you to do about 300 push ups in sets of ten for this to work. Can you do it? I need you to tell me you can do it," said the professor.

Steve said, "Well... I think I can... yeah, I can do it."

Dr. Christianson said, "Good! I need you to do this on Friday. Let me explain what I have in mind."

Friday came and Steve got to class early and sat in the front of the room. When class started, the professor pulled out a big box of donuts. No, these weren't the normal kinds of donuts, they were the extra fancy BIG kind, with cream centers and frosting swirls. Everyone was pretty excited it was Friday, the last class of the day, and they were going to get an early start on the weekend with a party in Dr. Christianson's class.

Dr. Christianson went to the first girl in the first row and asked, "Cynthia, do you want to have one of these donuts?"

Cynthia said, "Yes."

Dr. Christianson then turned to Steve and asked, "Steve, would you do ten push-ups so that Cynthia can have a donut?"

"Sure." Steve jumped down from his desk to do a quick ten. Then Steve again sat in his desk. Dr. Christianson put a donut on Cynthia's desk.

Dr. Christianson then went to Joe, the next person, and asked, "Joe, do you want a donut?"

Joe said, "Yes." Dr. Christianson asked, "Steve would you do ten push ups so Joe can have a donut?"

Steve did ten push ups, Joe got a donut. And so it went, down the first aisle, Steve did ten push ups for every person before they got their donut.

Walking down the second! aisle, Dr. Christianson came to Scott. Scott was on the basketball team, and in as good condition as Steve. He was very popular and never lacking for female companionship.

When the professor asked, "Scott do you want a donut?" Scott's reply was, "Well, can I do my own push ups?"

Dr. Christianson said, "No, Steve has to do them."

Then Scott said, "Well, I don't want one then."

Dr. Christianson shrugged and then turned to Steve and asked, "Steve, would you do ten push ups so Scott can have a donut he doesn't want?"

With perfect obedience Steve started to do ten push ups.

Scott said, "HEY! I said I didn't want one!"

Dr. Christianson said, "Look!, this is my classroom, my class, my desks, and these are my donuts. Just leave it on the desk if you don't want it." And he put a donut on Scott's desk.

Now by this time, Steve had begun to slow down a little. He just stayed on the floor between sets because it took too much effort to be getting up and down. You could start to see a little perspiration coming out around his brow.

Dr. Christianson started down the third row. Now the students were beginning to get a little angry. Dr. Christianson asked Jenny, "Jenny, do you want a donut?"

Sternly, Jenny said, "No."

Then Dr. Christianson asked Steve, "Steve, would you do ten more push-ups so Jenny can have a donut that she doesn't want?"

Steve did ten... Jenny got a donut.

By now, a growing sense of uneasiness filled the room. The students were beginning to say "No" and there were all these uneaten donuts on the desks.

Steve also had to really put forth a lot of extra effort to get these push ups done for each donut. There began to be a small pool of sweat on the floor beneath his face, his arms and brow were beginning to get red because of the physical effort involved.

Dr. Christianson asked Robert, who was the most vocal unbeliever in the class, to watch Steve do each push up to make sure he did the full ten push ups in a set because he couldn't bear to watch all of Steve's work for all of those uneaten donuts. He sent Robert over to where Steve was so Robert could count the set and watch Steve closely.

Dr. Christianson started down the fourth row. During his class, however, some students from other classes had wandered in and sat down on the steps along the radiators that ran down the sides of the room. When the professor realized this, he did a quick count and saw that now there were 34 students in the room. He started to worry if Steve would be able to make it.

Dr. Christianson went on to the next person and the next and the next. Near the end of that row, Steve was really having a rough time. He was taking a lot more time to complete each set.

Steve asked Dr Christianson, "Do I have to make my nose touch on each one?"

Dr. Christianson thought for a moment, "Well, they're your push ups. You are in charge now. You can do them any way that you want." And Dr. Christianson went on.

A few moments later, Jason, a recent transfer student, came to the room and was about to come in when all the students yelled in one voice, "NO! Don't come in! Stay out!"

Jason didn't know what was going on. Steve picked up his head and said, "No, let him come."

Professor Christianson said, "You realize that if Jason comes in you will have to do ten push ups for him?"

Steve said, "Yes, let him come in. Give him a donut"

Dr. Christianson said, "Okay, Steve, I'll let you get Jason's out of the way right now. Jason, do you want a donut?"

Jason, new to the room, hardly knew what was going on. "Yes," he said, "give me a donut."

"Steve, will you do ten push ups so that Jason can have a donut?"

Steve did ten push ups very slowly and with great effort. Jason, bewildered, was handed a donut and sat down.

Dr. Christianson finished the fourth row, and then started on those visitors seated by the heaters. Steve's arms were now shaking with each push-up in a struggle to lift himself against the force of gravity. By this time sweat was profusely dropping off of his face, there was no sound except his heavy breathing; there was not a dry eye in the room.

The very last two students in the room were two young women, both cheerleaders, and very popular. Dr. Christianson went to Linda, the second to last, and asked, "Linda, do you want a doughnut?"

Linda said, very sadly, "No, thank you."

Professor Christianson quietly asked, "Steve, would you do ten push-ups so that Linda can have a donut she doesn't want?"

Grunting from the effort, Steve did ten very slow push ups for Linda.

Then Dr Christianson turned to the last girl, Susan. "Susan, do you want a donut?"

Susan, with tears flowing down her face, began to cry. "Dr. Christianson, why can't I help him?"

Dr. Christianson, with tears of his own, said, "No, Steve has to do it alone, I have given him this task and he is in charge of seeing that everyone has an opportunity for a donut whether they want it or not. When I decided to have a party this last day of class, I looked at my grade book. Steve here is the only student with a perfect grade. Everyone else has failed a test, skipped class, or offered me inferior work. Steve told me that in football practice, when a player messes up he must do push ups. I told Steve that none of you could come to my party unless he paid the price by doing your push ups. He and I made a deal for your sakes."

"Steve, would you do ten push ups so Susan can have a donut?"

As Steve very slowly finished his last push up, with the understanding that he had accomplished all that was required of him, having done 350 push ups, his arms buckled beneath him and he! fell to the floor.

Dr. Christianson turned to the room and said. "And so it was, that our Savior, Jesus Christ, on the cross, plead to the Father, 'into thy hands I commend my spirit.' With the understanding that He had done everything that was required of Him, He yielded up His life. And like some of those in this room, many of us leave the gift on the desk, uneaten." Two students helped Steve up off the floor and to a seat, physically exhausted, but wearing a thin smile.

"Well done, good and faithful servant," said the professor, adding "Not all sermons are preached in words."

Turning to his class, the professor said, "My wish is that you might understand and fully comprehend all the riches of grace and mercy that have been given to you through the sacrifice of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He spared not only His Begotten Son, but gave Him up for us all, for the whole Church, now and forever. Whether or not we choose to accept His gift to us, the price has been paid."

"Wouldn't you be foolish and ungrateful to leave it lying on the desk?"

                                                                                                               ~Author Unknown~

Hunger Games Night Out

We had a great time last night! RR and I set out to see the 7:00 showing, but when we arrived at 6:30 it was sold out.  We bought tickets for the 7:30 and got in line.  That's right, there was already a line for the 7:30 showing.  When we were able to go in, it was a mad dash!  People were running and knocking people down and the police were called!  Okay, so that was a little exaggerated. Alright, alot exaggerated, but people were walking briskly. ; ) Anyway, after we after we got seats I got our snacks (no soda: for those following the challenge) and settled in.  I saw my long anticipated Breaking Dawn pt.2 trailer. {Again, I apologize to the girl next to me and the woman in front of me for screaming when I saw the Summit logo flash on the screen, but it's Breaking Dawn I couldn't help it.} The movie started and I was very pleased.  Having read the book, my son and I knew the story very well and would nudge each other or whisper when we noticed something different from the book, but overall, they did a good job.  Of course there were parts that we felt should have been developed more, but as we all know, a book is always better than the movie.  A movie would have to be 6hrs. long to cover the details of a book, plus a director could never capture the picture that we have created in our minds, but again, they did a good job. (Wow, that was a long run on sentence).

 Because this is the opening weekend, I won't go into details and spoil anything for those who haven't seen it yet.  I will write a more detailed review later.  Until then, I will say that whether you have read the books or not, it's a movie worth seeing. BUT, if you can find the time to read the books, read them.  You will be glad that you did.

P.S. We had a post Hunger Games dinner today and it was Delish! I will post the recipes as soon as I can. Till then......READ THE BOOKS! or at least see the movie.  : )

HUNGER GAMES OPENS TODAY!!!!!

Yes, we drank the kool aid....  When I first saw the preview for the movie a couple of months ago I told RR that I would take him to see it if he read the book first.  He wasn't ecstatic with the deal, but didn't go into his normal negotiation mode.  {He usually goes for books like Ender's Game, Force Unleashed or The Lightening Thief}  Always looking for a way to make learning more exciting or interesting, I chose to turn this into an educational opportunity.  I decided that he would read the book, see the movie and write a paper about the similarities and  differences between the two.  In order to do be able to grade it properly I decided to read it also.  Two pages in and I was hooked, so was RR.  We started reading on Sunday night and RR finished his on Tuesday morning. (He was reading all the time; in the car, in the store, at his brother's soccer practice....etc.)  I bought him "Catching Fire" (book two in the series) Tuesday afternoon and he finished that this morning. : )

For those of you who don't know about the hottest series since Twilight, Hunger Games is the first book of a trilogy. * No spoilers * It is set in Panem (the Capitol), which stands within what used to be North America.  Panem is surrounded by twelve districts, inhabited by poor and starving citizens.  The Capitol (where the "wealthy" live) forces each district to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.  Twenty-four go in, but only one comes out.  When her sister is chosen for the Games, Katniss (the main character) volunteers to take her place. While only 16yrs. old, she is the sole protector and provider for her sister and mother, but now she has to fight for her own survival.  There's suspense, action and a great plot.  This book is awesome and I can't wait to start reading the next one, but tonight we're heading to the movies......

Click here to check out the trailer.

RR's Newest Pick Up Line

This is my son's newest pick up line.  It took me a second to get this one.... "Girl, you must be from Nashville, cause you're the only ten I see."  {Tennessee}

*Needless to say, he's still single  : ) and that suits me just fine, at least for the next ten years or so...

The Spice of Life.....

I have gotten to a place where I am in a "love me or leave me" frame of mind, because now I truly love myself independent of how people feel about me or treat me.  I am not perfect, but I am darn near close and I say that not with conceit, but with pride.  I have worked very hard over the years to get here and I am still working.  I have had to challenge some of my "own" thoughts for proof of authenticity only to find that they were really the thoughts of others, disguised as being mine.  My idea of perfect, is me being true to my thoughts, beliefs, accomplishments, feelings, spirit and yes, even my mistakes.  My perfect may be the polar opposite of yours, but that's okay.  I'm the only one that can be me and you're the only one that can be you.  That's what makes this world so interesting! Off the subject (or maybe not), I have never liked that saying that America is the "Great Melting Pot".  The premise is that we all come together bringing different things and melt together to make something great.  The only problem with that scenario is that each ingredient loses some of the properties that made them unique and/or different and are no longer readily identifiable.  I chose to see America as the "Great Salad Bowl".  Cheesy, I know, but hear me out. In a salad, all of the ingredients keep what gave them their "flavor". You can look at the tomato and know what it is, it tastes the same, it retains it's firmness, and texture.  The same with all of the other ingredients.  They keep what made them special and yet come together to make something bigger, greater and new.  The dressing binds them together, just as the flag binds Americans or a common goal or bond binds any group of people together.  The point: no one should ever feel that they have to lose a part of who they are in order to belong to a group.  Different perspectives ignite conversations and ideas.  I love myself, but if I went to a group meeting and everyone dressed or looked like me, spoke like me and had the same ideas... first, I would pinch myself to see if I was sleeping or in the Twilight Zone.  Then, I would run to the nearest exit and find another group.  Although, it would be a delightful group of beautiful, intelligent, caring, funny women each wearing a hot pair of shoes (wink.wink), I need variety.  After all, as they say "it's the spice of life!"

~I'm not sure if I got off topic, changed the topic or what, but this is where my mind took me and I went with it. I hope that you didn't get lost along the way : ) ~

Contentment: The Ultimate Acceptance

Contentment is the ultimate acceptance of yourself, your surroundings, your past, and your future.  Yet, reaching this blessed state of contentment is not an easy task.  Satisfaction- when you have real unmet needs, freedom from worry when you have overwhelming concerns, patience in letting God work when pressures abound seem like impossible dreams.  Happiness-despite heartaches caused by the past, in the midst of tragedies experienced in the present, based on promises trusted for the future- is not merely a human pursuit but demands spiritual resources only found in the indwelling Holy Spirit.

God has chosen not to give you contentment as a gift.  He chose rather to teach you to be content as you allow him to be ruler in your life. Contentment is learned (Phil.4:11)  As you trust God's gifts to be sufficient and his assignments to be appropriate, you can accept the way you look, the means you have been given, the family in which you are living, the struggles through which you have gone, the job you have, being content and fulfilled in all (2 Cor. 3:5, 6; 12:9).

On the other hand, acceptance does not mean stagnation.  Dissatisfaction with areas in your life that can be changed, within divine guidelines, may help you to see that something is missing.  When this happens, you dare not adopt the "Canaan" syndrome of complaining.  Remember that God's people were not allowed to enter the Promise Land because of their murmuring (Josh. 5:6).  Rather, take that dissatisfaction to the Lord and see what He would challenge you to do, being willing in the meantime to be "content" as you work toward ultimate goals.  This is the balance between "I have learned to be content", and "I can do all things through Christ" (Phil. 4:11,13).

You must trust that God has given you everything needed for this moment in time.  You should be content with yourself, your family, your surroundings, your job, or your past.  As you depend on the Lord, you are content as you pursue His goals for your life.

                                                                                                      ~The Woman's Study Bible~

Thought: How are you worthy to receive bigger, better and newer if you aren't thankful for what you have now? Know that without contentment, you will never be happy, because there will always be something out there bigger, better and newer than what you have.  Besides, many have lost everything by jumping fences, because they thought that the grass was greener on the other side only to find out that it wasn't even grass, but some fake turf or a spray on color. : ) So enjoy what you have now and what is meant for you will come in time.....if it was to be yours...

P.S. Don't try to keep up with the Joneses, because they are broke!

Don't Be Afraid......

"Our worst fear is not that we are inadequate, our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.  It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.  We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be so brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?' Actually, who are we not to be?  You are a child of God: Your playing small  doesn't serve the world.  There is nothing enlightening about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.  We were born to make manifest the glory of God within us.  It is not just in some of us, it is in everyone and as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.  As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."
                                                                                                            ~Marianne Williamson~

Easy Shrimp Linguini w/Mushrooms & Spinach

This recipe is one of my favorites for many reasons. The biggest reason: because it's DELICIOUS!!!!! If that's not enough, it's also quick, easy, only has four ingredients, and it makes me look like I know a little something about being in the kitchen. ; )

                      Here is what you will need. See, I told you there were only 4 ingredients.

Preheat oven to 450 and arrange the frozen shrimp in a single layer in a 2qt casserole or any oven safe dish.  I actually used a 9x13 dish this time. (I forgot that I broke my 2qt a couple of weeks ago : ( and my heart was set on having this for dinner.) It worked and I'll use this one from now on. Oh yeah, bake for 10mins.

Meanwhile, rinse and slice the mushrooms. 

Boil the noodles according to the package or your liking.  We like our pasta 1min. past al dente and I use whatever pasta I have on hand. Linguini, Fettucini, Vermicelli...this time I went w/Linguini.

{You can lightly salt water if you like, but I didn't}

After 10mins, separate any shrimp that were frozen together.....

Add the mushrooms....

Mix...

Then, stir in the spinach and bake for 2mins or until the shrimp is cooked through and the spinach and mushrooms have absorbed some of the buttery, golden deliciousness, but don't overcook...

* The shrimp should be tender and the mushrooms should have some bite ; ) *

Drain the pasta and add to shrimp mixture.... Use tongs to toss all of the ingredients together and VOILA!

Just eat and enjoy!......Yummy!........and 30 mins later....

Yep, it's just that good.

Ingredients:

* 12 oz. Sea Pak Shrimp Scampi (frozen)

* 9oz. Green Giant Chopped Spinach- NO SAUCE (frozen) or brand of choice (I used 7oz.)

* 8 med. Baby Bella Mushrooms or more if you like

* 3/4 pack of Linguini Pasta or whatever you have on hand

This is what I use for my family of 4. Double recipe if necessary. (adding more pasta w/o increasing the other ingredients will change the flavor.

14 Days on the Wagon....

Ok, so it's time for another update.  I was going through withdrawals for a little while, but now I'm doing great.  I went out to lunch today and had a burger and fries and didn't think twice about not having a soda. YEAH!!!!!!. I don't want to get too excited, because when you get cocky, you can relapse and I don't want that.  I'm not saying that I will never have a soda again, but I think that if I do have one they will be few and far in between.  I hope that everyone is still on track, but remember that there is no shame in falling down, only shame in choosing not to get up......If you are still on the fence about giving up sodas or reducing the amount that you drink, click here for more info.  The choice is yours, but it always good to be informed.  Enough with the heavy, here is the update of the members of my family that are apart of the challenge.  Unfortunately, I may have to start a rehab group  :  )

1. Me
2. My 8yr. old
3. My oldest sister
4. My sister, Nessi
5. My brother-in-law (K)
6. My niece, (E)
7. My husband


Revised Challenge: My 12yr old said that he would reduce to 2 sodas per week to start with and he is still on his wagon. ; ) {He said that going totally soda free would contradict one of his resolutions for this yr., which was to set realistic goals. ; ) Welcome to my world,}

8. My 12 yr. old

Thought for Today...

'Take the high road, there's much less traffic, because few take it."
                                                                                                             ~Dr. Phil~

Grow Up!

The word "mature" is defined as having reached an advanced stage of mental or emotional development characteristic of an adult, while "immature" highlights one not fully grown or developed. {or deficient in maturity, lacking wisdom, insight, emotional stability}

Wise men increase in learning and understanding.  They never stop learning.  "A wise man will hear and increase learning, and a man of understanding will attain wise counsel... Give instruction to a wise man and he will be still wiser; Teach a just man, and he will increase in learning" (Proverbs 1:5, 9:9)

Children will fight and argue with one another; adults  learn to compromise to get along. Children are selfish and only think of receiving; adults are selfless and learn to love giving. Children cannot control their emotions; adult learn to rule their spirits and emotions. Children pout when they don't get their way; adults learn to overlook hurt. Children envy others for their advantages; adults rejoice in the blessings upon others. Children are moody and let others know it; adults crush their moods and hide them.  Children fail to look in the mirror or ignore it; adults cover their blemishes (James 1:25).

Am I, and have I, increased in all measures of spiritually mindedness and spiritual fruit? Am I stuck on a rut with little progress? Or have I actually regressed in recent months/years? Do I reflect the person, the grace, the character, and the gospel of Jesus Christ?

Am I a child or an adult?

                                                                                                               ~Min. Steve Miller~

Just Buy The Cookies! and No One Will Get Hurt! ; )

Ok, so if you haven't been cornered yet watch your back, because they're on the prowl.  They will corner you at your grocery or home improvement store, the library and parking lots.  They will enlist others to pounce on you in places where they cannot go, like at your workplace or gym. You're not even safe in your own home.  They know their prey and they know how to get what they want.  YOUR COOKIE ORDER!  Their organization has uniforms and tactics that have been tested and updated to make sure that get optimum results.  How do I know?, because the got me!  Now, I feel it's my duty to inform others.  What's the name of their organization? The Girl Scouts. They gave it an innocent name for a reason, don't be fooled. These girls are hard core, determined and rarely take no for an answer.  The uniforms are green and blue. Relaxing colors.  They want your guard down. (or did you think that is just a coincidence, I think NOT!)  They are very polite and sweet. (Sales Training 101)  The clincher..... the mesmerizing stare.  Whether their eyes are blue, green or brown, they have all been TRAINED to perfect this skill.  They call this training "Cookie Rallies".  Yeah right, it's really a training camp and they all graduate with honors.  I am writing this to warn you, though I am sure it will not do you any good.  After all, as I already told you, THEY GOT ME!  I don't even eat cookies regularly and I bought FOUR boxes and was baited into selling two additional boxes to someone else.  (I don't even remember doing it, it was like I was in a trance and then when I came to, I had an order for two boxes of Thin Mints and money in my hands.)  They have special powers and are not afraid to use them.  So, for your own safety, don't fight it, just buy the cookies.  Find them, before they find you. Don't give them home court advantage and don't make direct eye contact. I know what they are capable of, because until I went rogue...I used to be one. Dun. Dun. Dunnnn! (the sound effect sounded cool in my head, oh well) So trust me, just give them the money and no one will get hurt!  ; )


BTW: I bought two boxes of the Thanks-a-lots (a shortbread cookie w/chocolate on the bottom) and two boxes of the Lemonades (a shortbread cookie w/lemon icing; perfect with vanilla ice cream) from my favorite Girl Scouts in the whole wide world.....my nieces..... : )

It's A Miracle...

"There are two ways to live your life.  One is as though nothing is a miracle.  The other is as though everything is a miracle."       ~Albert Einstein

I choose the latter.  I am exhausted tonight, but I am truly thankful for all of my miracles.  It's a miracle that we completed our school work, I ran all of my errands, made a real dinner, played soccer with my boys, did three loads of laundry (even though I only put away two of them), washed dishes, took the boys to the movies and still got everyone in bed on time.  I am so thankful, that I just made a pan of brownies to celebrate. [Yes, I know what time it is.]  And it's gonna be a miracle if I don't eat the entire pan by myself ..... that may be the biggest miracle of them all!  : 0 )

*Choose to be positive. Your life might be jammed pack, exhausting and maybe even frustrating sometimes, but the alternative is that it could be empty.  See the miracles.

March Challenge: Update

Ok, so in my last update there were already two casualties.  As of yesterday, there were three.  My husband is also off the wagon. {I think he may have fallen off before then, but he admitted it yesterday}   ; )  He joined the challenge just so that he could prove to me that he could do it.  "It's not a big deal.", he said...but  he couldn't make it past seven days.  So, ha! ha!  Okay, now that I've gotten my bragging done, let me be real..... I am STRUGGLING!  One lesson that I have come to realize is that when I eat certain foods, my body expects a soda to be it's bubbly companion.  Think about it.  Imagine your favorite burger..can you see it?..thick and juicy, with crispy lettuce, does it have bacon?, or cheese? or both? Think about the fries on the side.  After all, you can't have a burger without fries. (I think that would be a misdemeanor in the south.)  Are they shoestring or steak fries?  regular fries or sweet potato?  mmm...yum yum....Now, you're thirsty.  Pick up your cup.  What's in it?  If you said anything, but a soda...you lie...you lie...you lie.  Now clear your mind.  A new meal.  Your plate is now a bowl full of a fresh medley of greens...fresh diced tomatoes, crisp sliced cucumbers, a sprinkling of bacon pieces and maybe even a few seasoned croutons.  It is lightly covered with the dressing of your choice.  Again, you reach for your drink.  Now what is it?  For most of you, it will be water....for some, a lemonade or tea, but only a few will say soda.  Lesson one of this challenge, when we make healthier choices our bodies will crave healthy things.  Yes, I knew that before the challenge, but there is a big difference between knowing something and truly accepting it.

P.S. I'm not giving up my occasional burger, but I will try to "see" something healthier in my glass when I do have one.  : )

They make it look so easy....

Okay, so I was on my way to yoga and I'm pretty good at taking pictures of everyone else (really I am) and I wanted to try to get a quick picture of myself.  As you can see, it turned out blurry  : ( .....how do all of those facebookers take pics of themselves with one hand, a mirror and a cell phone that look like they had a professional photographer and lighting specialists??????

P.S. I guess leaving my earbuds in didn't help the pic either.  ;  )

RR's Pick Up Lines

At dinner today, my son shared two of his sure-fire pick up lines with me: {brace yourself}

" Is your dad a thief ? 'Cause he must have stole the stars and put them in your eyes." and my favorite, "If I could rewrite the alphabet, I would start with u."

OMG! Needless to say his brother and I couldn't stop laughing.  All I could think was, "really?" Thank goodness he's smart, cute, kind-hearted and obviously funny.  Otherwise, he would have no chance.  Hopefully, he will find a girl that will look pass his lack of "smoothness".  I can only hope....                                                                   

*****Disclaimer***** These pick up lines are endorsed by and ONLY by my 12 yr. old son.  I will not be held liable or responsible in any way when they fail.  

*Actually, they may just be corny enough to work.  The ability to make someone laugh or smile can work wonders. : )

My Sister and Niece Are Off The Wagon....

Okay, so we are three days into the challenge and my oldest sister and niece are off the wagon.  My niece had a ginger ale on day 1 and my sister had several on day 2.  My niece drank one out of habit without thinking and has promised up and down that she is back on task.  Likely story, I know, but she is a sweetheart and I believe her.  My sister on the other hand, would normally have to be interrogated by a seasoned CSI detective.  But this time she has a legitimate excuse.  She had minor surgery and the doctor told her to drink ginger ale to settle her stomach while she is recuperating.  I told her that she could get ginger from the store or drink ginger tea, but she shot that down pretty quick.  I knew it was a long shot when I brought it up, but I had to try.  : )  Anyway, she says that she will be back on the wagon in a few days......we will see....to be continued...

March Challenge: Soda Free

FYI: The goal was to have this posted on 2-28, but in dealing with an unfortunate event that changed.  I sure could have used a Pepsi or Mountain Dew to cope, but I am proud to say that I stayed faithful to the challenge.  If you are joining the challenge, but have had a soda yesterday or today, don't let that stop you from starting right now.  You can do it!


Ok, so I made up my mind. February 29th at 11:59pm will be last time that I can have any carbonated drink of ANY kind for at least 31 days. OMG!.... I don't drink alot of soda anyway (probably 2x a week at most), but I wanted to see if I could do without it at all.  I could tell you about all of the bad stuff in sodas, but we all know about them and I could tell you about all the calories, but we know. It is time to do something about it.  The goal during for this challenge is to replace sodas with a healthier alternative.  Otherwise I might as well keep drinking sodas...Duh! but it's a good thing that I didn't realize that March had 31 days until I told other people about the challenge otherwise I may have changed it to a shorter month. : ) Oh well, it is what it is.  Feel free to join me or at least wish me luck. (I'm gonna need it.Wink. Wink.)

P.S. I typically drink "healthier" sodas like Switch or Izze (fruit juice w/sparkling water), but even those are off limits during this challenge.
P.P.S. For you loop hole finders, for the purpose of this challenge if it's carbonated, it's soda. Sorry. : (

Saying Goodbye to Robin

I literally just got back in town from attending Robin's funeral service.  I am mentally and physically exhausted, so I will keep this short.  I always knew that Robin had a beautiful spirit, but it wasn't until I listened to others give their account of memories of her that I realized just how beautiful.  She was older than me, so by the time that I reached the age when I could truly appreciate her spirit she had moved away.  She would visit from time to time, but now I know that those visits were not long enough.  Her service was beautiful.  We cried, laughed and cried some more, but it closed with everyone in a good place.  She touched so many in a good way and if only a few pay it forward, the world will be a better place for it.  No more tears, we must live this life in a way so that we will see her again.  This was not goodbye....only goodnight.