Mother's Day

So much has happened since my last post... but I can't let Mother's Day come and go without jotting some thoughts.

I love my mom. She is a wonderful woman, and I enjoy all moments that I get to spend with her. Our relationship is not a typical relationship. I feel as if we have always gotten along... we have had out spats, but I don't remember a time where I did not appreciate or deeply love her. When we get together, we don't watch TV or movies, we don't do fancy lunches or dinners, we don't have spa days. Eating with her usually involves a coupon or samples given out at grocery stores like Sams although lately she has been treating to a foot long veggie sub which we split from Subway. When we get together, we chat (we never lack in conversations), we shop, and for the past few years, we get up and dance! It has become a tradition to pull out DDR and have competitions or to see who can hula hoop the longest (my mom always wins... she is hands down the best hula hooper I have ever met!).

So, for Mother's Day, my siblings and I purchased her the Zumba dance DVDs. I surprised her late on Saturday evening and we put in the first DVD right away. I arrived in El Campo around 9:55 and five minutes later, we were dancing! We danced for about two hours and then proceeded to slow down, complete some final chores, shower, and go to bed. It was a wonderful evening. We laughed, worked out, and created some forever memories.

On Sunday, we went to church and went to McDonalds (my mom had a coupon)... :)

All in all, it was a perfect day. I believe my mom felt really loved and I loved being there with her and my little sister. Happy Mother's Day, mom.

celebrations of late...

The past couple of days have been full of celebrations.

On Friday night, I got a call from one of my best girl friends saying that she was engaged. Congrats Ashley!!!

On Sunday, my family gathered at Dave and Busters to celebrate my mom's 50th birthday, my brother's 32nd birthday, and my brother-in-law's 40th birthday! I love every opportunity that I get to spend with my family. They are a gift that I never want to take advantage of. I got to play a horse racing game with Addie... she can be SO much fun! I love that little girl. She also has a sassy side. On Sunday, she was asking her Doda (my mom) a question, and I asked, "What do you want?" Her response was, "I am not talking to you, I was talking to Doda." And Brody... he is growing so much! His personality is really starting to shine... I can't wait to watch him grow up!

Then, it was Valentine's Day. My hubby and I have never really fallen into the commercial aspect of the day. He might buy me a potted tulip (which usually dies because of my brown thumb) and write me some sweet notes.

Yesterday, we decided that gifts were not important but spending time intentionally together was. I woke early and surprised him with breakfast taquitos in bed. Then, I made him a yummy steak with mashed potatoes, mac 'n cheese, and green beans. It sure was yummy. While I made dinner, my hubby got my a diet coke with vanilla which I rarely let myself have, but I was really craving one. The hubby also surprised with some chocolate covered strawberries and a little plant that he said was very hardy (I hope for the best). We took a long walk and talked and just enjoyed one another's company. I really love that man; he is my best friend. He is good for me. Happy Valentine's Day beloved!

Overall, it was a beautiful time of celebration! I am so excited about Vegas with my mom for her 50th! Let's continue to bring on the good times!

come celebrate with me...

So... we are entering the month of November. And... when I think of November, I think of cool air, colorful leaves, and Thanksgiving. I have had a desire for the past couple months to celebrate this holiday season very intentionally beginning in the month of November. I have a few thoughts driving me about this season of thankfulness and gratitude.

1. I have a yearning to live life fully, to be joyful in all things, to love deeply, and to walk authentically. I might not do a great job but I realize that I am on a journey of learning... and eventually, I will achieve a life of simple abundance.
2. Within each of us, we have a longing to be joyful. In the book Simple Abundance, the author says that there are "six threads of abundant living which, when woven together, produce a tapestry of contentment that wraps us in inner peace, well-being, happiness, and a sense of security.
3. This journey begins with gratitude.... which is what the Thanksgiving season is all about. Gratitude leads to simplicity (learning to value what is truly important and weeding away all excess). Simplicity leads to order which lends itself to harmony. Harmony gives us the ability to appreciate the beauty in that which daily surrounds us. And... beauty leads us to joy.

Let us celebrate this season well... for in it, I believe we will find true joy.
This holiday journey begins with gratitude... being grateful for all that God has given us, including and especially Himself. Therefore, I propose that each week we meditate on a characteristic of our God being grateful that He is father, servant, provider, master, king, creator, etc. to us. May we apply and learn to incorporate the disciplines of prayer, meditation, silence, celebration, and Scripture reading.

Along with this, I encourage you to think about what is really important in life... if anything stands in your way of focusing on that which matters, I hope that you would simplify and move closer to our goal of living full, intentional, joyful lives.

THIS WEEK: God as our Satisfier... or our Portion.
Here are some verses that might be helpful. As you read and pray this week, I encourage you to share with us via email other verses or thoughts.
Lamentations 3 (you have to read the WHOLE chapter to get the beauty of God as our portion...)
Psalm 16
Psalm 37
Psalm 103

Share... be grateful... live intentionally.

Many Congratulations

My soon-to-be thirteen year old sister, Savannah, made the volleyball team at school. I hope this experience is full of fun, adventure, friendships, and sweet memories. Have a great volleyball season and many congrats! I am proud of you, and not because you made the team, but because you are becoming a beautiful young woman. Love you lots!

Contentment.

Recently, I have struggled with finding contentment in life. Instead of celebrating other's successes, I have envied them... wanting their lot in life and not my own. I have asked forgiveness for my sin and have tried to seek repentance daily... striving to take captive thoughts. But, I always end up coming short; I seem to lose the battle. I begin wondering... why was I not given that opportunity? why do I look like this? why do I have this type of personality? (and the list continues).

Most of my lack of contentment is found with a job. For about a year and a half, I have been nannying three beautiful toddlers. There have been some trying moments, but every day I am grateful for them and their family. (I'll post some pics.) I would never trade the many things I have learned about parenting or the many hugs, kisses, cute phrases, etc. that the kids shared with me. I cry writing this because I love them so much. And yet, I still have struggled with being content. I hear thoughts in my head telling me that I am doing nothing with my life, that I need to grow up and get a "real" job, that I am wasting my college education. How can I be so confused... one minute, I am cherishing every moment I have with the Stephens family and the next I am wishing I was given another opportunity in life and envying what others have.

In a couple weeks, I will be moving forward and transitioning from being a nanny to being a substitute teacher. My heart breaks when I think about not getting to see the triplets often. I hear in my head Jack's voice, "Don't leave... stay with (or "wif" like he says with his lisp) me." I will miss this place I am in now and I wonder why I couldn't find contentment here earlier.

I think the solution is being grateful for all that I have been given even if I didn't think certain steps would be part of my journey. I never thought that these kids would have changed my life the way they did... I began nannying because I needed a job and it would fill the time as I looked for teaching jobs, but God had something different in mind. He taught me how to discipline children in love; He taught me how to make boo-boos feel better; He taught me how to slow down in life and play and enjoy the small moments; He taught me that I enjoy not being stressed out and overly busy in life; He taught me how to make my husband and family and friends priority... not my job.

I am grateful... and continuing on this journey of contentment.









Lots of smiles... you would miss them too, wouldn't you?