Seeing Green

The Corned Beef and Cabbage are all set to go for dinner tonight with Chocolate Chip Mint Ice Cream for dessert of course. 
Yum, Yum, Yum!!   

And after the fun we had with our Valentine's Hair-Dos, the girls and I decided we needed shamrocks in their hair today-

Oldest Princess

Littlest Princess

Directions for hairstyles are from this site: http://www.cutegirlshairstyles.com/ 

All Ready for a Green Day at School-

No Pinching! 

Hey!!  Did You Forget Someone, Mom! 

 See I'm wearing my green, too- 

My husband's family on his mom side came from Ireland only two generations ago, and although I can't claim as much, there's some Irish blood in me, too.  We have a lot of fun  celebrating our Irishness and St. Patrick, a man credited with bringing the good news of Christianity to Ireland and who was described as being "humble" and "thankful" for that honor.  

Happy St. Patty's Day Everyone! 

Love, 

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Princesses Show Off Their Heart Hairdos and Final Made to Crave

We were all so proud of the girls' Valentine's Hairdos this morning, I wanted to show them off:

The girls woke up and asked for hearts in their hair this morning.  I didn't know if that was possible, but figured Google is good for everything.  : )  We stumbled on this amazing hairdo site here and decided to give it a shot.  It's a miracle we made it to school before the tardy bell, but it was very easy and so much fun.  

I hope you all have plans for snuggling your family today and remembering the greatest Valentine of all:

Don't forget tonight is the final Made to Crave webcast.  You can watch it here.  I'm so thankful for all I've learned from Lysa these past six weeks and for the honor of being a part of her blog tour. 

Happy Valentine's Day everyone! 

Love you!

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Merry Christmas

the cross in christmas from tammi dryden on Vimeo.

Make sure to enlarge the video to full screen to fully enjoy it. When you hover your cursor over the video, you'll see a four cornered symbol by the word Vimeo that will enlarge it for you.

Love,

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Why Just a Day? How About All Month Long?

Thanksgiving is on its way!

In a few short weeks, my home will fill up with my family who are coming to help me celebrate, and I am so excited for that special day.

Amidst my busy preparations, house cleaning, and menu planning, I don't want to make it to December missing what the holiday is all about- Thanking God.

Last Sunday night, our pastor talked to us about Thanksgiving coming and challenged us to consider dedicating this entire month to giving thanks instead of relying on the one day.

His challenge resonated with me. I'm excited about how much better prepared I will be on the day, if I spend the whole month actively identifying my blessings and purposefully saying, "Thank You!"

It's been special already. Each morning during our drive to school this week, the girls have been listing the things they are feeling thankful for that morning. It's interesting to hear the creative things they appreciate, and it has given me fresh perspective. For example, one of the girls said, "I'm thankful for the colors. I'm glad the world isn't black and white." Now I've been looking around and seeing color in a new way.

"Yes, little girl, I'm glad this world isn't black and white, too!"


I want to use my blog as a place to highlight my gratitude and I know just where I want to begin.

This afternoon, I thought it would be interesting to see what pops up when I Google my name, and I stumbled across this article about me on my church's website. It made me incredibly grateful to re-read it today.

So, Father, I want to publicly thank you once again for your faithful presence in my life and the knowledge that you hold my future as well!

Love,

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Miscellaneous Musing

• A Little Worried-  My girls are both home sick from school today which means I was able to sleep in with no alarm clock and will not have to be the chauffeur to and from school today and won't be sitting at gymnastics for two hours tonight.  Uh oh!  That sounds a tad like a day off.  Yikes!  I don't want another one of THOSE!    Trust me!  I have absolutely no expectations for today.  Did you hear that, Murphy?  No expectations!  So you just keep your law to yourself today, OK? 

• On the Novel Front-  I've been plagued with writer's block.  I was telling my Writer Buddy yesterday that I've written a whole four paragraphs in the last two weeks.  Not exactly stellar progress, but I'm encouraged because writing those four paragraphs was fun and not frustrating like it has been.  Maybe I'm breaking through the block?  I hope so. 

• Time to Climb That Mountain Again:  Oh joy.  It's time to lose weight again.  Here's me sticking out my tongue-  : p 

• W.O.W. : We are going to have a very full house for Thanksgiving this year.  I'm so excited about it.  My aunt and uncle and cousin are coming to visit for the first time since we've been married.  My mom and dad and grandma, my brother and sister-in-law and their four kids, and great friends who really are family will all be joining us.   I've got a long "to-do" list but its a labor of love because I want it to be special for everyone.  The front porch project went well, but once I walk IN the house I'm bombarded with all I see that I'd like to make better before everyone arrives.  It is definitely time for another Within One Week challenge.  I'll post more details soon, but I wanted to make sure you got it on your calendar so you'll join me.  It will be Nov. 8 - 15.  

I suppose that's enough rambling for now.  : )

Have a very happy Thursday everyone!

Love,

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My Latest Project- Before and After Photos

We are hosting Thanksgiving again this year, and I've been looking around our home lately and seeing all of the poor neglected spaces I'd love to spruce up before our company arrives. 

 




One of the first places calling to me was our poor, sad, neglected, cobwebby, front porch. 
 
 

 

And the entryway was just as uninviting. 

Making Bets on Who will fall through first -    

 

I love to sit out with my friends and drink coffee while we watch the kids play, but lately I've begun to wonder which one of us will be the first to fall through the chairs.  Classy, huh?  : ) 


So armed with coupons, I ventured into the sacred grounds of  Hobby Lobby. 

Here are my after photos: 

So I might need an intervention. 

I'm a little addicted to creating chalkboards. 

Here's my latest: 



From the fullness of His grace we have all received one blessing after another. - John 1:16



 I hope the new look will say to friends and family -

Come on in! 

Sitting area all ready for relaxing and coffee sipping:

Shannon from Bless Our Nest inspired this project:




There was so much more I wanted to do, but alas, I ran out of money.  I was able to do all of this on a small budget, though, and I'll tell you more about how I made the changes in my next post. 

Hint:  I had a willing and talented labor force: 






Thank you, Mom!!! 


Happy Fall Everyone! 

Love,





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My Favorite Christmas Song This Year

The Christian radio station I listen to only plays Christmas music during the month of December. There were times in the past when I thought this was a little over the top.

Now it has become a tradition and I really look forward to it. And every year, a new song makes its way into my heart.

Last year it was "Here With Us" by Natalie Grant.

This year, it is "How Many Kings" by Down Here.

It's the lyrics that make me love it. I ponder them for a long time after the song stops playing.




My favorite line?

How many Gods have poured out their hearts
To romance a world that has torn all apart?

Merry Christmas!

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It's Not TOO Early is it?

I'm listening to Pandora.com and just made a Bing Crosby White Christmas radio station. It's not TOO early for Christmas music is it? I just needed it today. : )

I spent the afternoon at JoAnne's Fabrics buying supplies to make gifts for my girls. I'd tell you all about my planned craft, but my girls are known to check out Mommy's blog. I'll have to wait to show you the result after Christmas.

"It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas" and I couldn't wait for after Thanksgiving to start listening to Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole, and Perry Como.

Anyone else been bit by the Christmas bug early this year?

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Great Expectations

Remember our jaunt through the neighborhood and how it didn't quite live up to what I envisioned? : )

Well, I should learn the danger of expectations. Life rarely lives up to the expectations a romantic, sentimental girl can dream up. This Easter was no exception.

If you read my last post, you can see that Saturday was a blast. We had so much fun that day, and the fun continued into the evening. We went to the Saturday night service at church and my girls got to wear the beautiful dresses Grandma made for them. Two families joined us afterwards for food and more fun. The guys played Texas Hold 'Em and the girls sat in my living room and laughed until we were crying.

Saturday was fun, but the whole Easter experience this year was a letdown for me. I love Easter so much and wanted it to feel special, especially spiritually. The Saturday night service was just fine, but I had a hard time feeling connected, and it just felt wrong to be celebrating at night and not on Easter Sunday. It was quick and the music wasn't my style.

Sunday morning, Dad left on the airplane and my husband had to work, so Mom and I and the girls had a lazy day. I didn't even shower that day. I was grumpy and irritable and felt so guilty for not creating the right Easter environment. I worried that Mom would regret coming to our house and wish she was home. I didn't feel the joy that I usually do celebrating the Resurrection.

My kids were perfectly happy playing outside in the dirt, but there is a neighborhood church that backs up to our property and I could see the kids getting out of their cars in their Easter clothes. I felt like the neighborhood HEATHENS!

I finally gave up and had a good prayer time and God started pointing out to me how all of the problems were about feelings and expectations. I wanted everything to feel right. I wanted to be in a celebratory mood, but I just wasn't. I also felt responsible for making everyone else feel something special. I'm the mom, right? It's my job, right?

In my prayer time, I started to realize that the miracle of the Resurrection is still just as miraculous even if I didn't feel it this year. The gift of salvation is still mine, not because of good feelings, but because it is fact, and I've accepted it by faith. Truth is solid, unchanging, and not dependent on emotion. Emotion is unpredictable, and deceptive.

So, the holiday traditions may have fallen flat this year. Oh well! I can have the joy of the Resurrection any time I want it. The same truth will be true forever. The grave didn't hold Jesus. The grave won't hold me either because I'm His! What a miracle!

The funny thing is I'm actually feeling it today. Guess I'm just a day behind. : )

I hope that this truly was a joyful weekend for you all.

He is Risen Indeed!

Love,

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Fun, Fun, Fun

Grandma and Grandpa are here! Yippee. We're having so much fun visiting and my kids are getting spoiled, spoiled, spoiled. : )


I've been a little camera happy this weekend. I hope I don't bore you to death with all these photos. : )

Here's Grandma!

Before he leaves tomorrow, I need to snap a picture of my dad so Grandpa gets some airtime on here, too. : )

This morning we drove out to our good friend's farm and then on to an Easter Egg hunt at a park near their home.

Holding them back! I don't know him, but I love the big-eyed expression of the little boy on the right. He was ready to go!



I distracted the kids long enough to get them to pose for me. This is Littlest Princess with her two buddies.


That had to be the fastest egg hunt EVER. It couldn't have lasted longer than 1 1/2 minutes. Fast and furious, but fun!


Here's my sweet sister, Jen. OK...maybe not my REAL sister, but close enough. : )



I even stepped out from behind the camera for once to get a hug from my beautiful mama.



And another one from my Littlest Princess.



Hugs all around. These two girls have been so special to each other for so long. We prayed and prayed for this special friend until she got here from China when she was two years old. They are only a month a part in age and have loved each other for as long as they can remember.



I hope their friendship lasts a lifetime.



This Grandma is TOO much fun!


Did I mention my mama's here??? Hee Hee


Now that's the way to travel!
He used to carry me like that. I'm jealous! : )
I can't believe I didn't get a picture of his face this morning. There has to be one. I'm going back to search for one now.

Ah Ha! A Grandpa sighting! He was just too busy helping his granddaughters have a good time to stand still for the camera. : )

Oh yeah! This guy was there too, but I think he gets a little too much air time during this holiday, so I kept him for last! LOL.

Later this evening, we'll be going to church. I know it is non-traditional to celebrate on Saturday, but my dad has to fly out of town for a business trip on Easter morning. We were so thankful that our church has a Saturday night service planned so he won't miss out on being able to worship. I'll try to get good pictures to share of all the festivities. Especially the pretty dresses my mom sewed for the girls to wear! She retired this year and has so much more time to sew. We are reaping the benefits. I can't wait to show you what she made for Littlest Princess for her birthday. Stay tuned!!! : )

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My Story: Part Two

On June 22nd, I began to tell my story. It was a long story, so I promised to be back "tomorrow" with Part Two. Oops. Here we are 10 months later, and I'm finally back to it.

(You can click here for Part One if you missed it.)

Here's where I left off:

So, yes, my childhood testimony is my parents' story, but as time has gone on, I've seen how God has been faithful to give me my own story, a story that isn't my mom and dad's story, but Becky's story...

There are many chapters in "Becky's Story," so for this post, I'm focusing on a memory from my college years.

College was definitely a time of self-discovery. Throughout my teen years, my identity was wrapped up in being a "good" girl. I had perfect grades, I lived to please my parents and teachers, and I took pride in being a Christian. My support system was my youth group and other Christian friends. I had never even been to a "real" party.

I arrived at Washington State University one week early for orientation week. I got "oriented" all right. : ) As my parents drove away, leaving me outside the dorm, I stepped into a new and unfamiliar world. That first week was a constant party. Imagine three towers of 13 floors each, full of co-eds away from home for the first time, and no classes to go to for a week.

It was insane- booze, drugs, lots of puking. My roommate decorated her side of the room black, replaced her study lamp bulb with a black light, smoked pot laced with opium, and played Nine Inch Nails on her stereo over and over and over again.

I didn't know who to be in this new world. I didn't know who I wanted to be. I knew I didn't want to be my roommate! Ha Ha! I tried hard to find my place. Maybe this was what it meant to be "adult" and I had just been too sheltered to realize it. Maybe I was tired of being a goody-goody. Maybe I needed to live a little.

So I started living a little. I was living a double life, hanging out with my believing friends and doing some partying, too. I didn't give up on being a Christian, I just wanted to know what life was like out there.

I went to WSU for a year, tried Western Washington University for a year, and then transferred AGAIN the following year. I was a nomad. I'm thankful my parents just let me "find" myself without complaining.

I landed in a small Christian college which was a good place to land. It was refreshing and sweet to be back in a familiar world of Christian kids with similar values. I love that school. BUT I began to be troubled by the way the athletes were being treated. It seemed like they were idolized on the basketball court, and then no one knew what to do with them after that because they were "in to things" that were "sinful."

"Well, duh," I thought. They weren't there for the "quality Christian education." They were there for the FREE education.

I decided it was my mission to befriend the basketball players (didn't hurt that I had a crush on one of them...or maybe two...or three???) I was going to show them what a non-judgmental Christian was all about.

It was a noble idea, but I just got sucked into doing things that left me feeling so ashamed and not that great of a witness to these guys I wanted to share Jesus with. : )

As I drove home for Easter, I was crushed. Three years of "living a little" had left me feeling confused and ashamed and not at all ready to go to church. I felt dirty and lost and not sure who I was any more. I was supposed to be the GOOD girl!! I walked into church Easter morning and started crying. I don't think I stopped throughout that entire service.

At one point while everyone was singing, I looked up at the cross on the wall. All of a sudden, it was almost like I could see Jesus on that cross and he looked right at me, straight into my soul, and said to me, "Becky, I did this for you."

I've heard of something called godly sorrow. I had it that day in that church service. It became so clear to me. I NEEDED A SAVIOR. Me! The girl who had been a Christian her whole life. Me! The GOOD girl. All of a sudden I got it.

The Bible says that our righteousness, all the good we could possibly ever accomplish, when compared to God's holiness and His goodness is nothing but filthy rags. Even when I was good, I still needed His forgiveness. And sitting there in that church, stripped of all my spiritual pride to lean on, I knew I had His forgiveness.

My identity wasn't in how good I could be. My relationship with Jesus, my eternal destination, none of it was dependent on how good I could be either. I couldn't earn it if I tried. It was just a gift. And that day I was so grateful for that gift I thought my heart would burst. I felt forgiven, I felt free, I couldn't sing loud enough or long enough. And Easter has been my favorite holiday ever since.

I walked out of church feeling clean and light and all of the burdens gone. I had discovered myself. I was His!

And all the "living" I had been doing didn't hold a candle to the abundant life of being sold out to Him. I didn't leave ready to be perfect or to "get my act together." I went back to college that week ready to just be His period.

We all need Him. No matter how "good" we are, we aren't good enough. No matter how "bad" we are, we aren't outside the reach of his grace. He loves you.

And so do I! : )

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