I was reading a blog I follow today and the gal was talking about simple pleasures. I thought it would be fun to list some. We are so busy in life and the minutes turn into hours, turn into days, turn into months and than years. Do you take time to have delights or pleasures? In the moment do you say..”Ah, this is delightful!” I know I have. Like…..
Sleeping in (those moms who are up at the crack of dawn with school aged children..I can hear you all saying AMEN!)
A good, and I mean good cup of coffee
The smell of a freshly cleaned home, just love it.
Getting a handmade card in the mail..this has become one of my newest pleasures!
Hot fudge cake all to myself..no sharing
thunderstorms
tall glass of brewed ice tea
Being able to sit and watch a TV show you enjoy with no interruptions
Hearing “I LOVE YOU MAMA” from you kids
Fresh flowers in the house
Pellet ice…like at Frisch’s or Chick Fila
Great hair days
Sassy shoes
Natalie’s smile
Phoebe’s laugh
Elliott’s love
sunrises
An upbeat Christan song on a Sunday morning..the kind where you just have to raise those hands
Hi friends! Can you believe it is the end of January? Slow down 2010. Genny over at My Cup 2 Yours is hosting Talkin about Thursdays, a fun way to meet new friends and get tips and ideas. Today it is, telling 5 things about yourself. So here are mine:
1. I took square dance lessons when I was around 10. (yehaw)
2. I have such a passion for growing in God’s word.
3. I love, and I mean love Mexican food! Especially chimichangas.
4. I was an EMT with our local fire department. (before kids) That is how I met my husband!
5. I like the color purple, coffee, funny movies, christian music, exercising, reading, cooking, and carrot cake!
Now it is your turn! Tell us five things about yourself!
Email Hearts at Home a story or money-saving tip that gives a peek into your daily experiences representing the humor, richness, or spiritual aspects of what it’s like to live with less.
Better yet, blog readers will benefit as many of the money-saving entries will be posted on the Heart’s blog throughout the month of February!
To fill you in on where I have been the past week..things around here have been crazy. Natalie has been sick since Wednesday with an upper respiratory infection possible pneumonia. She had a fever on Wednesday that we couldn’t get to break. Natalie never get’s fever’s so we knew she was really sick. It finally broke around 9 pm. The doctors put her on some heavy antibiotics that seem to be working and she is feeling much better. She is such a trooper. This morning she was all smiles. I told her she was staying home from school again..than the laughs came.
We have a fun weekend planned. We are taking the girls to the library to read with therapy dogs. The kids get to be with one of the dogs for 15 minutes reading to them. I can’t wait to get some pictures. Phoebe has been practicing. I also can’t wait to see how they act with Natalie. Most of the dogs we have encountered are really good with her. I have been told that dogs have a sense for kids like Natalie. They are so calm and gentle, sometimes just sitting right next to her wheelchair or lying down at her feet. Adorable and of course she eats it all up. After the library trip we are heading to the Children’s Museum. We always have a good time there and it allows Phoebe to burn off some energy and use her imagination. On Sunday we have church and than are off to get some fried chicken and have lunch with friends we haven’t seen in a while. Fellowship, friends, fried chicken with all the sides…can life get better?
Have a blessed weekend. Can you believe January is almost over..slow down 2010!
I had an awesome, fun morning, women’s bible study started at church! I am so ready to get back into routine and study God’s word together. We are doing the study, Experiencing God, which is said to be the best life changing bible study around. It was so much fun to be reunited with sisters in Christ. It is a wonderful celebration and it will be an adventure.
I am sure your heart is as heavy as mine! The devastation in Haiti is horrific. Please, please be on your knees praying for this country. They need so much help and hope. I heard today on the radio that witnesses have seen groups of Haitians on hillsides singing hymns…praise Jesus! In times of economic struggle it is easy to ask how you can help, what can I do? Pray and ask God to show you how to serve these people. One way you can is to text “disaster” to 90999 to give $10 to Compassion’s disaster relief program. They will be working directly with the local churches who know where these families live and will be providing immediate relief to them. You can also click HERE to donate.
Psalm 46: 1-7 God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.
Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth melts.
The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Selah
We are well into the new year, 2010, can you believe it. Where did the decade go? I follow a few blogs and Kelly over at Kelly’s Korner is doing this fun Show Us How You Live topic. This months topic is New Year Resolutions or what I like to call “goals”. So let’s share! You can click on the link above to get to Kelly’s blog.
Five goals for 2010:
1. Regular date nights with my hubby. We have let this go and life get’s ahead of us. You can get so wrapped up in the day to day stuff and before you know it another month, year or decade is gone.
2. Develop a quiet time. This is an ongoing goal of mine. I really want to cut out time to fellowship, praise and dig into God’s word. I want to grow patience allowing God to stretch me in adventures that I believe he has for me. I desire to follow God’s lead in my life, doing his will, being a faithful follower. Be and have kindness and gentleness reside in my heart so I can model to my daughters what it means to have compassion towards others and teach Phoebe self control.
3. Work out three times a week. I am a mom of young children and I don’t want to place un-necessary pressure on myself. As long as I am eating healthy and getting in my 3 workouts I am good with that.
4. I want to read more. I love to read. I don’t get the chance often but I want to start a book club or something. This allows me to slow down and take some time to myself. Plus it helps your kids. When they see you reading you can tell them to go and get a book. Reading is food for your brain!
5. I want to discover me. This is the biggest one for me. Jesus made me like he wanted me and I have lived in bondage thinking I don’t measure up. This is such a lie and I want to break free. I want to see what I like and what I enjoy and be the true me. I believe many gals have these chains because let’s be real..we all want others to like us and think we are special. The one that I want to impress by being who he created me to be is Christ. There is something in each of us that only we possess and we need to discover it, unlock it and use it so that we can work for God’s kingdom.
6. Okay I said to list five but I have another one. I want to be a better mom. I want to take the time out of my busy life to truly disciple my children. Who else will do it and who else would I want to do it? Once again it boils down to being disciplined with TIME. Making sure we are not allowing BUSYto get us. You know the acronym for BUSY is: being under Satan’s yoke. The evil one keeps us busy so we can’t develop our quiet time, spend time with our husband, deepening our marriage, disciple our children according to God’s truth and not of this world, build friendships and on and on. He likes to isolate us or keep us running all the time and than her has our minds for a playground and boy does he have fun! Be aware of his schemes. Be on the lookout!
So there is my list for 2010. What do you have on your’s?
Hey out there. It is snowing and cold here in Ky. The kids have been off 3 days this week. Phoebe has had so much fun playing in the snow. She was making snow angels yesterday. As I sit here and write, she and Elliott are out there sledding in the backyard.
So, I just finished a great book and wanted to see what you all were reading or wanted to read. I really enjoy reading. I don’t get much time to do it, but it does give me a respite from the daily life. The book I just finished was “When Women Walk in Faith” by Lysa Terkeurst. I love to highlight things in books that take me into deep thought or convict me. This book is so highlighted! It is great. It walks you through the 5 steps of walking in faith. If you have a list going of books to read in 2010, put this one on it.
So, what’s on your list to read in 2010? Are you gearing up to dive deep into God’s word with a bible study? Do you have a favorite author? When do you find time to read?
Our women’s bible study is going to be starting “Experiencing God.” I did this study when I was pregnant with Natalie back in 1999 (which I was on bed rest and while at study had to sit in a lawn chair that reclined) so I really don’t remember alot about it. I am eagerly anticipating the adventure Jesus has in store for me during this particular study! I am sure it will be one not to forget.
Well, I am off to get something warm to drink and see how the gang is outside. Bet there will be some kind of snowman or fort built. We have around 5 inches of snow and it is flurrying. Oh, how do you like the new look of the blog. I just love the colors…they are me. I have been going through this journey of rediscovering who I am, what I like and don’t like. I recently had the epiphany that I am a people pleaser and would make decisions based on if someone else would like it or not. Would they think I was weird, judge me or change their view of me. Instead of being the person God created me to be I would be like a chameleon with whoever I was with. This is a topic I would love to dive deeper in future posts. If you have insight or are reading this thinking that sounds like me, let me know.
Wow, can you believe we are closing a decade. I am so excited about starting a new year and a new decade. New, new, new!! I have some new adventures I am praying about. What do you have that is new coming in 2010? I am so excited to be moving into our new home in a few months. We have waited so long for this home and it is such a blessing from God. It will able us to care for Natalie easier. We are truly blessed!! I will also be teaching a lesson for our women’s bible study. I have to admit, I am scared to death. I just keep praying that God takes “me” completely out and fills “me” with Christ. Those are just a few…so what is “new” with you?
I want to wish you and your family a safe and refreshing New Year. I have added a new page called Tips and downloads. There is a great download that has 20 questions to reflect on from 2009. It is really good!! Check it out and let me know what you think. I hope to add more tips and downloads in the future. If you have something you want to share send it my way!
Once again, Happy New Year!! May God bless you and your family abundantly in 2010!!
Psalm 51:10
Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
I hope you and your family have had a blessed Christmas! We serve such a marvelous, miraculous, loving, forgiving, gracious God. Our home was filled with laughter and relaxation Christmas day. We received the Toy Story Mania Wii game. Watching Elliott and Phoebe play this game was a hoot. For one, Phoebe does not like to loose. We are working on that whole winner/loosing thing. The funny part was seeing them hopping around swinging their arms, shooting targets. The game is themed off the ride at Disney, which is 3-D. It is really a fun ride, Natalie loved it. The games and levels are things like, throwing pies, throwing balloons, catching fish from a pond. Natalie received a Nerf gun. We had fun with that. Phoebe received a dog…yep the best kind. They are called FurReal. It came in a purse. Doesn’t need to be fed, let outside or see the vet..awesome! Natalie received lots of girly things..hair clips, lipglosses.
As another year comes to a close I hope you take time to praise and pray to Jesus. Praise him for answered and unanswered prayers. Praise him for who HE is. Praise Him with all your heart, soul and mind. Be in deep prayer regarding the new year. What can you do to make your walk with Christ deeper? What can you bury to make you more like Christ? Think about where Christ has taken you this 2009. As you think about this I ask that you take 8 minutes out of your day and watch this powerful..and I mean powerful video. My question to you is “WHAT WOULD YOU WRITE?”
Are tears running down your face? Is your heart racing? Do you know what you would write? God is awesome! He is in the business of redeeming lives. How cool is that!! We live in such an evil world and bad things do happen and we go astray, but I know for a fact that Christ will always bring glory out of despair and hard times. We just have to allow him. Be open and willing to where he leads. Be obedient. God is always there, waiting, hugging on us. We might not feel it, but he is. He cries when we do. He doesn’t like to see us in a pit. He wants to take us farther, grow us. Will you allow him to do that in 2010?
Have a great week. If you can and are okay I would love to see what you would write. You can do it anonymously! Take a moment to Praise God. Turn that worship music on, get out of your seat and raise those hands. What do you think heaven will be like…come on..you know it sounds fun!!
We save money so we can get that one special gift. We go to tons of stores searching for that one special gift. We can’t find that one special gift. UGH! The stores are packed with people all looking for that one special gift. This time of year we get into a mood that we should have all year long. Giving special, thoughtful, loving gifts. It doesn’t have to come from a store. It could be a card, a meal, helping someone who is under the weather clean up their home. Swapping childcare with a mom whose hubby is gone alot. A cup of coffee with a new mom who is lonely and needs a friend.
I am going to pose a question that I hope you really ponder on for a while. You know why don’t you go get you something to drink, coffee, tea, water, a soft drink, and I will wait for ya…go on..get a snack if you need one. Okay..so here is the question. What gift are you going to give Jesus this Christmas? I will give you a minute. (the Jeopardy tune is playing in my mind..is it in yours?) Will it be, more time with Him, reading your bible daily, a better prayer life, serving others more, getting involved in church, forgiveness, repenting from sin in your life. Think about this, Christ came to earth as a baby when he could have come as a KING, what he is. God sent his son, humbly to live as we do, to serve us and to in the end give the ultimate gift..salvation through death on the cross. I really want to pray about what I am going to give to Jesus and I am going to write it in my bible so I can remind myself of it.
In the hustle and bustle of Christmas we make our list of who we need to buy gifts for: husband, kids, parents, extended family, friends, teachers, etc. Do we ever place Jesus on that list? I want to make it tradition that when I sit down to write out my list for gifts,Jesus is at the top.
I pray that you and your family have a wonderful Christmas filled with love, laughter, joy, peace, and health. May the true meaning of Christmas flood your heart and home. Many blessings to you and your family this Christmas and in 2010.
Hey y’all! I pray that you had a blessed Thanksgiving. We did here in the Cross home. My hubby had to work, that is the name of the game in the Fire Dept. Some holidays he is off and some he works. He will be off Christmas eve and Christmas day though. I got up Thanksgiving morning and chatted with Jesus. Thanked him for many, many, things. I just adore and praise Him. I than started in the kitchen. Had to make sweet potato casserole and stuffing. I just love homemade stuffing. There is something about sauteing onions and celery with some sage. It smells up the whole house.
We headed to my mom’s house that afternoon. Such a relaxing day filled with laughter and chatter. The food was scrumptious. Turkey, stuffing, this yummy potato casserole that my mom has made for years, green beans that had been on the stove all day, cranberry celebration, sweet potatoes and rolls. Whew, we were stuffed. Filled to capacity. But, a little bit later we had to have us some pumpkin crunch. It is so, so good! Elliott did get to come down to her house to spend some time with us. He was gonna eat with the guys at the firehouse. The day and evening was a delight. The girls and I went home, got tucked into bed and slept like rocks. Full tummy’s and joy in our hearts.
I have to say that I have never been out on Black Friday…until this year. My mom and I ventured out around 10am. We went to the Family Christian Bookstore, Toys R Us, and ran into the mall to one store and back out. It really was not bad. I got a start on Christmas shopping. Once I got home we put up the Christmas tree and all the decorations around the house. There is just something about having your home decorated for Christmas. I love to sit and look at the tree all lit up and reminisce about the ornaments. Good times, yep good times.
Saturday, Elliott put up the lights outside. Our home looks like a gingerbread house. So adorable. We went to church. It is the first weekend in Advent. The kids came through singing a song and ringing bells. Natalie loved it…all smiles! After church we went out to dinner for my mom’s birthday. Had some delicious Italian food. I think Phoebe could have lived on the bread they brang to the table. After dinner we all came back to our house for some cake. Great end to a great day.
So, today I rested. Well, not really, I ran 3 miles (gotta get some of those calories shed). My mom came over and we ran with the girls to the craft store and that was it.
I look forward to the coming month. My schedule is cleared off some and I want to really cherish quiet time. I bought a fun Christian novel and I plan on curling up in my comfy chair with a cup of coffee, the tree lit and reading. I look forward to my quiet time in the morning with my King. I love to ponder on his birth, what it would have been like back then? What did Mary think when she first heard His cry? What was going throughout Joseph’s mind? To see that star!! Amazing and powerful!
We are truly blessed by the gift of Jesus that God has graced upon us. Let us not forget it this Christmas season by being so busy with baking, shopping, wrapping, and business. Let’s make it our mission to allow Jesus to live in our heart so bright that we beam with love and compassion.
