Awesome Book

If you're looking for a great book to read, check out Looking for God by Nancy Ortberg. It is great for those of us who have been believers a long time but have somehow forgotten some of the easiest ways to connect with God. The chapter titled, "Quiet Time" is worth the price of the book alone. My favorite part is where she claims that the mother toddlers cannot possibly have a "quiet time" in any way shape or form. I AGREE!!

I think it's also great for new (or fresh) believers to find significant ways to know God intimately.

I have really enjoyed it and now I'm working on 2, Taking Care of the "Me" in Mommy and I Once Was Lost. I'll let you know all about them when I'm finished . . . .

WWKW . . .

WWKW? Well, that means "What Would Kim Wear". Kim is my good friend and mentor from TX and I curse her every Friday and Saturday (and Sunday afternoon for that matter). When we lived in TX, Kim's clothing habits wore off on me. She helped me see that work out attire is for the gym, NEVER show a panty line, and it's better to be over dressed than under dressed. I curse her because every time I want to just be sloppy and grunge out, I see her looking in the mirror back at me. It sounds like she's standing there shaking her finger but Kim's not like that. The problem is that her voice has turned into my voice. Kim never told me anything . . . I just picked it up from her. (I have to admit, she's done more for my wardrobe habits than Staci and Clinton but I still watch them habitually.)

This Friday I went to lunch with a friend in the area. She is not a stay at home mom. She works from her house and has an amazing sense of style. I do not . . . and it showed. It was a rainy day around here and I didn't feel like dressing up. Plus, I'm still in the battle of "to maternity or not to maternity - that is the question." I wore regular jeans that are totally unflattering but not maternity and a long sleeve t-shirt with tennis shoes. I looked like a stay-at-home mom. I gave us a bad name on Friday. My friend looked stunning, yet casual. I was depressed. I imagine everyone that passed us thought, "What in the world is that beautiful woman eating lunch with that sad soul." The funny thing is I actually had the WWKW moment that morning and ignored the little voice in my head saying, "NO! Don't leave the house looking like that!!!" Oh, well. I leaned from that. That specific t-shirt is going in the trash and the jean are too when I fit in my other regular jeans.

Thanks, Kim. I promise to heed the warning next time!

Free Time?

My wonderful husband took our two older kiddos to a hotel and spent last night. Isn't he amazing?! I love anything that contains the gift of time! He just wanted to say thank you for all the work I do around here. WOW!

So, the only problem is I have an addiction . . . an addition to crafts. Yes, I'm saying it. "My name is Sharon and I'm a craft-a-holic." Facing the precious gift of time my honey had given me, I decided to crack out a pattern and some material I'd bought pre-baby and sew. Only there was not enough time!!! Instead of having a relaxing evening, I was rushing to get in bed at a decent hour so I didn't waste this morning away sleeping. Of course, I didn't finish what I wanted to do and now I have another unfinished project to complete at a later date.

What I should have done was to finish some of the minor project I had started earlier and then rest in front of the TV or in the bathtub. Oh, well. It was fun anyway. I just think I'd feel better today, knowing I had accomplished something instead of knowing that now I need to find time to finish one more thing.

Back to the addiction thing - I spent my morning leisurely walking through JoAnn's. What a horrible idea!!! As much fun as it was to walk up and down almost every aisle, it was just enabling my problem further. Now I have material for 4 more projects!! (Luckily, it's actually 2 projects twice, but still. . . .) I'm thinking that one day I'll have an hour or two to start them and then an hour or two to finish at a later date.

The root of all this is that I have time to find ideas and not carry them out. It's a lot easier to sit on my butt for 30 minutes and search my favorite blogs for ideas than to sit for hours at a sewing machine & ironing board and complete the project. So it goes!!!!

Secret Stitch Etsy Shop

Ok so the Secret Stitch club I'm always talking about has an Etsy shop now!! They sell some aprons and hooter hiders - it's great! They are having a contest to win something too so check out the store and the blog and maybe you'll win! Well, I hope it's me so maybe you won't win - hee, hee.

Here's the link if you are having trouble:
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6186016

Three Little Bears Bread

Jen gave Jayci a Highlights magazine a few months ago and we saw a recipe for these cute little bears made out of bread. I was feeling adventurous yesterday so we made them and they turned out great!

Both kids made their own bear, including raisins for eyes. Some of the raisins became freckles on the bear and some were eaten in the process but it turned out cute anyway.

Both kids are enjoying their bears one piece at a time with butter and honey of course!

Hopefully we can start doing a few little cooking projects this summer. I think they'll both really like it.

A Year Already?

Guess what today is . . . . our 1 year anniversary in California! Can you believe it? We moved into our house one year ago today. It seems like an eternity ago and yet I feel like the wheels have just begun rolling for church stuff.

I am a little nostalgic today. It feels good to be here. I am reminded of the dream that brought us this way and it fills me up. I'm also filled to think about what God might do out here for His kingdom. I am thrilled to be a part.

I want to share with you the lyrics to a song that encouraged me each time my faith felt weak. It's from Nicole Nordeman's Brave . . . . "But if you believe in me, that changes everything." I would hear this and be reminded that nothing else mattered as long as God was the author of the dream, as long as He was the motivation, as long as I used Him to measure success. It still moves me.

Sign of the Times

Last night the kids and I drove about 25 minutes to Sonic. Mommy had a craving and we had time to burn. Since it is so far, our food is usually cold by the time we get home so I had a fun idea - VAN PICNIC!!! We ordered our food, plugged in the DVD player and ate dinner in the van. It was so much fun! . . . for the kids. Karis cried so I held her and tried to distribute food to everyone. It was a challenge and I think there is more lettuce in the back seat of my van then I would prefer but it was an adventure.

Anyway, while I was sitting there with a crier in my lap, 2 kids eating tots and watching Pixar's Bug's Life, I saw 3 high school/college age girls drive up singing at the top of their lungs to something blaring from the speakers. It reminded me of several years ago. It was me!

It was me in the car next to me and yet me in the mini-van with 3 kids. I wish I had a camera. It was quite a reflective moment to me . . . . seeing what I was, carefree and apparently loud, and what I am, a crazy mom surrounded by loving little babies. I could see myself looking from the car to the van, wanting the mommy-life for my future and I could see myself looking from the van to the car, wanting to shuck all responsibility and play my music loud while drinking Sonic everyday. Deep.