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Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Operation: Bless my Mom!




Well you've waited long enough:) Just got in last night and I have to admit the mission was a complete success! I couldn't post about my plans because my mom is my most loyal reader. It would blow the surprise for sure. So I had to be all sneaky;)







Thursday morning the Chicks and I took off for Illinois. Our mission...to shock the socks off my mom. Thursday we spent the night with my friend Marylynn and then the next day, after my mom had left for work, my sidekick (a.k.a dad) helped us clean up the house and get ready for our stay.


That afternoon we surprised mom by walking in on her at work. She has worked for 23 years at a union hall and they were having a retirement open house party for her. She was in back making the punch, and when she saw us she stopped...her mouth dropped open and she looked confused. Then it all sank in and she started bawling. IT WAS AWESOME!!! Let me tell ya, it's hard surprising my momma. We usually talk several times a day and I'm an "open book", so for me to not let it slip or for the girls or dad not to spoil it...well it was a miracle:)







It started at 2:00 and lasted until 6:00! My girls were unbelievably good. They didn't complain at all until almost the very end, and then it was written all over their faces how incredibly bored they were:)





That's a long time to just sit around with nothin' to do. OOHH I love my girls.





We got to catch up with a lot of old friends. These sweet people taught me Sunday School when I was Big Chick's age. It was wonderful seeing them again...this time as an adult.


So many people came up and told me how much my mom meant to them and how she was going to be missed. I was so proud of her.





She
has sat at this desk for 23 years. I remember coming into the hall when I was little and she helped type out my book reports. I would call her when I got home from school... I would bop in and say hi. Just a lot of memories.


It
hasn't always been the best atmosphere for her to work in. She's had a lot of trials and worked with some difficult people. But her light and love for the Lord has helped her be a tremendous witness with all walks of people there.






This
painting hangs in her office. It's so dated and old, but every time I look at it I think of my mom. God placed her in that office and used her day after day to be a blessing. She shared her faith. She prayed with people...she led several to the Lord. I am so proud of her. Time for her to move on to bigger and better things in the next chapter in her life:)





Have a blessed day.






BTW I missed you!!! My parents internet was down, so I was going through major blog withdrawal. So glad to be home and back in touch:)
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Friday, March 26, 2010

Mission Impossible




Can you keep a surprise? I'm going on a mission, a top secret operation. And to blow my cover by giving you nitty gritty details...well that just won't happen! Hee hee:) You'll just have to stay tuned. Wish me luck. I'll be back the middle of next week;)




Have a blessed day.


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Wednesday, March 24, 2010

What should have been fun...



My Honey is a drummer. It's just his God given gift. He's really good. Ten years ago he sold his set...his dream set, and with that sell so went his gift...for a bit. But all of a sudden after a 10 year lull he has the bug. It's bitten him hard and he can't wait to get his hands on another pair of drumsticks.




So
last night we packed up the girls right after school and headed out to kind of an iffy part of Minneapolis. We suburbanites definitely felt a little out of place in this neighborhood.


When we entered the music store the smell of smoke about knocked me over. I have asthma, and so the air was really getting to me after a bit. My throat was burning. I had a horrible headache. I felt dizzy. Weird!




He found a set he really really liked, but the guy helping us was shifty. Nothing had prices on it and I felt like I was at a used car lot. He kept asking us what we wanted to spend and then he would disappear and "appear" to be tallying things up for us, but wouldn't get us anywhere near the price we wanted. It was really frustrating. After what seemed like hours and no progress we decided to go eat and think about it.




For
my husband this was like his dream moment. He was getting something he wanted really bad and the pull between want and need was in question. For me it was a chance to see him happy. He NEEDS these drums as an outlet...a happy place. As much as I fought it at first... it takes up a lot of room, invades my peace and quiet etc... I know he needs to use his gift.


We
ended up leaving empty handed. We were tired, grouchy and just frustrated. Not a good time to make a big purchase decision. I know he will find them soon. It's like a vision quest:) God has the perfect set just waiting for him somewhere out there!





Do you have any gifts or talents that have been put on a shelf for a season??




Have a blessed day.


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Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Protect this House




Honey and I were browsing through an Under Armour store recently and noticed their tagline, "Protect this House". It struck a chord with both of us because it has so many different connotations. You can protect your physical "house" by eating right and exercising. You can protect your earthly possessions and the people you love etc... It's just a great line, kind of like "Just Do It".






At
church yesterday I thought of that phrase again. Our pastor's message was titled "Pray Hard and Protect Well". He talked about when we are faced with opposition our typical response is to have fear, fight or to retreat...not to pray.





However praying about something does not release us from taking responsibility either.


For instance, if we are struggling in our marriage we should PRAY and seek Godly counsel. If we have lost a job we should PRAY and get a resume together. If we are having weight issues we should PRAY, eat less and exercise more etc...


It's
so easy to just say you are going to pray about it. But practically speaking we need to pray, give it to God and move toward a solution. How else are we to protect this house...our lives, our livelihoods, our future. God will give you wisdom to know how to come against any opposition you face. Give it to Him and pray for the next step...






Nehemiah 4:14
I looked them over and rose up and said to the nobles and officials and the other people, Do not be afraid of the enemy; [earnestly] remember the Lord and imprint Him [on your minds], great and terrible, and [take from Him courage to] fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.



At the end of the sermon he called on the people who were struggling with opposition to come forward. The aisles filled and the entire altar area was overflowing. It brought tears to my eyes to see all those men and women on their knees praying for wisdom from the Lord. Thank you Lord that we can take anything to you in prayer and that you will give us the fight to protect our homes.







Have a blessed day.









****WINNER of the $50.00 Lisa Leonard Gift Certificate is...
Home's Where My Heart Is! Congratulations Erin:)****








All Photos are found on Etsy 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
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Saturday, March 20, 2010

Did someone say give-away??



Oh yeah it's give-away time:) The fabulously talented jewelry designer Lisa Leonard is giving away a $50.00 gift certificate for her online store to one of my lucky readers...YIPPEE!!


To enter leave me a comment and let me know your favorite design. Feel free to blog, tweet or tell a friend...leave an extra comment for each and I'll announce the winner on Tues. March 24th. Good luck everyone:)





Have a blessed day.





BTW ladies... thank you for your interest in my glass pendant jewelry.
I'll be listing some in my shop within the next few weeks. YAY:)
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Friday, March 19, 2010

Would you go?




There has always been a part of me that has wanted to go on a mission's trip. When I was in high school our choir went to Canada and England. Both were amazing opportunities...we sang in front of lots of people. I got to be part of an outreach. It felt good.





But I really want to see a third world country. It's one of my heart's desires. In most pictures the people always look so happy. Even though they have so little and the conditions are horrible...there is joy. Maybe it's my search for contentment or just my curiosity, but hopefully someday I would love for my whole family to experience this first hand.




One of my very favorite bloggers Meg Duerkson from Whatever just got home from Sierra Leone, Africa. She's been documenting her trip and I find it absolutely mesmerizing. I leave her site everyday with tears in my eyes.






She gave me permission to use these amazing photos. Thank you Meg. If you haven't already, you need to go check out her blog. Go back several days and read from the beginning of her journey. I guarantee you will leave humbled and moved.







Have you ever been on a missions trip? Would you like to?






Have a blessed day.








All photos courtesy of Meg Duerkson
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Wednesday, March 17, 2010

A walk to remember



One
of my favorite things about being a stay-at-home mom is the ability to go on field trips. I LOVE field trips. Today we had one planned. I arrived at school promptly... ready to go, but when I got there the bus was GONE! The teacher told us the wrong departure time, so I drove my car in panic mode to the nature place and arrived about 10 minutes late. I was all in a tither, but Little Chick was just fine. She wasn't worried. She knew I'd come! So glad she had faith in me;)





We
got to stomp around in the muddy woods in our cute little...





Rain boots:)




The
lakes are still thawing out. But the snow is almost completely gone and the ice is melting:) That's CRAZY. It's usually much later than this...YIPPEE!!!








Did
you know squirrels build nests in the tip tops of trees?? I thought they just lived in the holes in the trees. See you learn something new everyday:)





We
held snakes, petted turtles and salamanders. It was crazy fun;) I was so proud of my Little Chick for being brave. Some of the boys wouldn't even hold the snake.





Good times:)
It seems like yesterday I went on this exact same field trip with my Big Chick. Time goes so fast. Just want to remember every minute.





Have a blessed day.


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Monday, March 15, 2010

Whatever...


I just wanted to show you guys some artsy stuff I've been working on. I haven't added anything to my Etsy store in a while. I guess it's just easier for me to make things and give them away sometimes. What's wrong with me??:)


Anyway
this piece I made for a school auction. I love Phil 4:18 Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.






Jesus rescues me...yes HE does!





These two girls were made for my friends Lori and Marylynn back home. They are wooden plaques. The second one has 1 Cor 13 handwritten on it..the LOVE chapter.





I made this one for Sasha. She had lots of creams, browns and greens in her house. I also remember seeing a Nest pillow on her couch, so I thought what would be better than to "bless this nest"!





I've been wanting to branch into jewelry making. I made this for Lissa when I went out to see her in Seattle. What do you think? Would you buy something like this?






Have a blessed day.





BTW I can't believe how many of you have scary rooster stories! How funny is that? Who knew:)
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Sunday, March 14, 2010

Tom



I've
been known to buy myself cards. I LOVE cards. They inspire me, crack me up and just speak to me. When I saw this one I knew it was for me.


I grew up with a mean rooster. His name was Tom and every time we walked out of the house we had to carry a broom. This was for survival...so we could get to the car or wherever without him attacking us with his scary talon things. My dad kicked him once (in self defense) and it blinded him in one eye. So after that fiasco he got even meaner, if that was possible. Until one day someone ran over him in the driveway. Shocker...anyway that is my twisted childhood pet story:)





This
is the inside of the card. Isn't that hilarious??! I'm not much of a morning person...or a late night person for that matter. Just ask Jeanne and Lissa:) Anyway unfortunately my Chicks are. So every morning when I wake up they are all over me; pecking me with questions, singing songs...talk, talk, talking!! Now don't get me wrong they are just precious, but I need it quiet first thing.





You
would think that I'd hate roosters after my childhood experience with one, but on the contrary I find them adorable. I have several scattered around my house.






This one is from Tracy Porter designs. LOVE her! It's pulling our Christmas cards:)






I've
had this wall hanging for years. Can you tell I love farmy stuff?? It hangs right outside the Chicks' rooms.




I bought this tray at an antique store a while ago.



Finally to round out my rooster collection, Tara sent me my very own flock recently:) Isn't that funky and fun?? Reminds me of Tom;)



Do you have any fun collections
?








Have a blessed day.


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