Reality check, please!

Is it time to throw in the towel on social websites if everytime you log on there are certain posts that drive you so crazy you want to scream?  It would be easier to scale back the friends list.  Or in my case, I tend to avoid the sites altogether because avoidance is just easier.  I really don't have time to sit on the computer contemplating whether something that was said is worth commenting on, so I just don't.  I often feel out-of-the-loop when I am not in the mix.  However, I have discovered ignorance is bliss.  I never thought this would be true of me, a naturally curious person who pulls at every thread until I have the full picture on everything.  I have arrived at the conclusion that if people continue to "update" us every minute on every detail, however unnecessary or mundane, then I am giving myself the ok to stop listening.  There was a fine line between, "let me post this to my friends for true prayer and uplifting" to "this is great, I get a reaction over everything I say, so let me say more"  and many people are crossing this line, DAILY!   Quit telling everyone how many times you have been to the Dr with a sick baby, stay home and take care of your baby.  Quit posting pictures of dumb quotes and innapropriate articles because not everyone wants to see what you are looking at on the internet.  Please back up when you decide that we all should see your new house lot, not the house, the lot!  What?!  Don't you all have jobs, houses to clean, dinners to cook, baseball games, ballet, CHURCH?!  I am always shocked at the posts that happen when CHURCH is in session.....hello, do you not realize it posts the time and date?  You're caught.  We know you didn't make it to church, but you were cool to sit and surf the web and then post the most ridiculous stuff. 
I realize I am on my soapbox.   I also realize I am writing on a blog.  And yes, I should be getting ready to go to the grocery store and finish up some of my things to do for work at church tomorrow.  I see the irony.  I want to be held accountable as well.  What is good for the goose is good for the gander.  I am ending this rant with a challenge.  Let us really think about the things we say and post on these sites.  Is it unwholesome?  Ep 4:29,  Is it wise?  Ep 5:15-17, Is it uplifting?  Ep 5:19, 20.  Do you want to stand before the Lord and answer for Facebook postings?  Are you really going to explain the wasted time?  Is is worth the moment of gratification?  Just wondering....

The Princess Has a Party

In true princess fashion, my little girl decided during her 2nd birthday party that she should have a princess theme for her next birthday.  I advised her that she should let us finish the Madame Blueberry party we were in the midst of before I would begin thinking about the next year. 

However, as most mothers do, I secretly had been planning a "princess" party in my mind since the moment I found out I was having a little girl.  The kind of dress she would wear, the fun games we could play and art projects and make-up for sure!  I am that kind of mom.  I own it, I am a dedicated fan of the fantasy. 

Now, on to some details.  Sophia is very opinionated (wonder where she could have picked up this trait!) in the nicest way.  Truly, she sweetly tells you exactly what she wants and ends it with a please and thank you.....who could resist giving her the world?!  Not me, and certainly not Daddy!  So, in keeping with her opinions, likes and true princess taste, she requested a princess castle cake.  Well, being that the cake is my favorite part of a party and is in my view point the centerpiece I had already nailed down what I wanted to do.  Unfortunately, I discounted the fact that an almost 3 year old could have possibly had her own vision in mind.  Seriously?  Here is what we loosely call "the collaboration"
Exhibit A: the cake

We had so much fun that we can't wait for next year.  She already has some ideas!  We made princess hats and they played a cute game where they had to put Cinderella in the window of her castle, much in the style of pin the tale on the donkey. 

You can see she is our sweet little princess.  Sometimes I marvel at the blessings in my life, how each day holds thousands of precious moments and I often let them slip by without an acknowledgement, I am working on taking the mental pictures of life so I don't miss anything.  I have a greater responsibility from the cake to bake and the party to plan.  I have a little girl who is learning to be a woman and watching me every second of the day.  She will learn all too soon, the fairytale can be heartbreaking.  Right now I relish her darling enthusiasm.  Dream on Sweet Sophia, your prince is waiting.....



A Day of Rest

While I am sitting here sharing my thoughts, I have 10 different projects I should be thinking about sitting on the back burner.  Although, I do have lists for my lists, so as long as nothing happens to my penned thoughts about each project I should be ok.....well, almost. 

I have had one of those weeks that was VERY unusual.  I was tired (inexplicably) in the middle of the week.  I felt fine on Monday and Tuesday, but Wednesday and Thursday were almost unbearable to get through.  I somehow have managed to pick up speed as the weekend in upon me.  What in the World?  I take my vitamins everyday, eat really healthfully and am too busy to really sit for long periods of time.  I have come to the conclusion that I was MENTALLY *easy, there* worn out.  This is WAY worse than physical exhaustion.  I can handle being physically tired, something a good night's sleep will easily solve.

I took stock of my days and realized I have no "day of rest"....I couldn't find a significant block of time where I could do nothing and feel ok about that.  After some prayer and serious consideration, I cut something out that I never thought I could let go of, and I have felt rejuvinated.  The Holy Spirit has renewed my mind with an incredible amount of peace that I actually feel happy. 

I am actually looking forward to God restoring my mental rest as I observe a day of rest.  He knows us better than we know ourselves.  How could I presume to know what is best for me above what God says is best?  Resting in Him.....

Lord, Change my Attitude!

Yesterday I began a new chapter with a new job.  My first day was VERY long, and exhilarating exhausting!  Today, I woke up early and started the day with a new Bible study "Lord, Change My Attitude".  It was very good, and as I sat there trying to absorb his words and the Bible, and the prayer I had just prayed I realized it was storming outside.  A rainy Monday.  One of those things I had always said I am so glad I don't have to go to work in that.  '

While I wasn't headed to the office for several more hours (hopefully, sans children), I did have plenty of "homework" ahead of me.  There was bread to bake, laundry to start and the daily homeschooling of my preschooler.  I got off my feet and began the day's work.  I found a surprise in the laundry, a pull-up had been left behind that I didn't catch and silly puddy on my favorite blanket of my 2 year old.  I tried to brush the frustration aside and focus.  What?  Why didn't you flush the toilet and wash your hand after you used the bathroom?  Focus.  It's time to start some school work.  However, between the storm (complete with thunder and lightening), the phone ringing, no one knowing what a 10 looked like, spilling water on our work and the constant fighting between siblings, I LOST IT!  I was looking for the number to the local private school we had considered ( I am still on board as I write).  I was determined that obviously I couldn't do it all, no way.  I was sinking and all before 11 in the morning!  The song "Rainy Days and Mondays" was blaring in my head and I usually love the Carpenters. 

Where was I going wrong?  Was I not hearing right?  Had God switched the play book on me while I wasn't looking?  Is this a BLITZ?  

I stopped (admittedly angrily) and told the kids, we're done!  Took a moment to reevaluate.  Deep breaths, some tears and then broke up another fight. 

Here is the truth that came to me from my study this morning.  "God hears your complaining and your wrong attitudes, and it drives Him crazy.  WHY?  Because a grumbler doubts God's character and denies that He is at work.  When you complain, you are denying that God can and will be in control of the situation."

I was complaining about all the things I needed to do silently in my head.  My attention was divided amongst the timers and demands all around me.  I couldn't do anything to 100% because I was spreading myself too thin.  I began to complain because the perfectionist in me can't stand to be wrong, look stupid or not win.  I was worried that something was going to fall.  Instead I fell.

I should have stopped when I was at the edge and said "getting XXX done in this amount of time may not be feasible today.  What can I get done reasonably without alienating everything around me?"  I don't have to do it all, I can't do it all, and I will never be less than who God has made me to be if  I don't. 

LORD, change my attitude~ 

No sugar Sugar...

Ok, so here's the skinny.  I have decided to take a 30 day no sugar challenge.  I began this trial on Monday the 2nd.  I really wanted to get back to basics, cleanse myself of unusual habits and really rediscover how food tasted again.  Being aware of sugar in everything you consume is a BIG challenge.  I tend to make everything from scratch at home from bread to salad dressing and everything in between.  Knowing food ingredients hasn't been a problem.  However, cutting the few teaspoons I do have daily in things like coffee and tea has been a colossal issue!  I never thought of myself as "addicted".  I have always prided myself (wait for the fall) in eating as naturally as possible.  Anything we consume at home is 95% on a raw/natural level.  I rarely add sauces to food, cheese to vegetables or anything of the like.  What I have discovered is that I have consumed just enough sugar daily that now that I have removed any sugar intake I have come to a horrifying conclusion.  I AM ADDICTED TO SUGAR!  I feel weak, lathargic, gripy, I snap over nothing, I am not sleeping well, and I have tried to quell the cravings with carbs, which don't make it go away!  I had the misconception that you had to intake a large amount of sugar daily to feel any side affects if you didn't reach that intake daily.  I am very mistaken.  I actually have reconsidered my plight almost hourly the last two days.  I suddenly sympathize with heroine and crack addicts, I never had that empathy before.  I realize I am comparing a hard core drug with......lightbulb, another hard core drug!  Oh My Goodness, it is the same thing!  The only difference is that sugar is legal and in EVERYTHING that is not homemade.  Even jam.  We are an organic family, however that means nothing when you are concertedly cutting sugar out of your diet.  I am not even having ketchup!  I know the reward will be worth the journey.  I have seen it already.  I also know that as I turn the corner into the next week, it will consume my thoughts less and less.  When I have my first bite of something sweet, which I am going to try to extend beyond 30 days and allow a sweet treat at my daughter's birthday next month, it will taste all that much sweeter.  Without the fogginess of an addiction, I will really see how truly sweet is my life!

Tell me, will I suffer much?

Ok, I will admit that I have been anti-blogging.  I frequent other blogs when an idea arises and there is a blog name attached.   There are always cute layouts and bright ideas when I have visited these blogs, yet my neurotic need for privacy has always crippled me from jumping on board.  However, in an attempt to try new things in this new decade, I have resolved that "blogging" might be a fun way to get creative juices flowing!  SOOOOOOOOOOO here goes.....