ABC's of Me.

The ABC's of me!

I've seen a few of these around Blogland recently, I thought it would be a fun summer activity to do with the boys. Give it a try and then come back and let me know. :)

A. ADD: Why yes, I am thank you. Or as my husband and kids put it, "Gee, do you think!?!?"
B. Bake: Love to bake, hate to cook.
C. Chore I dislike: Mopping the floor
D. Dog: I have a 5 lb. malteepoohuahua named Abby
E. Essential start to my day: Make bed & write my 'to do' list.
F. Favorite color: turquoise, orange, black and white (all together)
G. Goals: Too many to count. I love setting goals and once in a while achieving them, hence the ADD comes in and whisks me away to something else. :) My biggest goal right now is to run a half.
H. Homeschool: It was challenging but SO rewarding, I'll always be fond of those 2 years, I also squeeze some into our summers.
I. Indulgences: Laying out & Bravo T.V.
J. Julie Ann: My favorite fitness instructor. Her Mixx class is the best dance/aerobic class EVER!!
K. Kimball's Custom Masonry: Our business since 2002
L. Lake Powell: One of the most fabulous places on earth!
M. Motto: My 2011 motto is 'Keep Calm and Carry On'.
N. Nicknames: Jess, JAP, six pack (obviously in my younger years) & often call my husband Big Papa.
O. October: Favorite month & my birthday month = Halloween
P. Pet peeves: Tardiness, bad breath and dishonesty
Q. Quote from a movie: "Hey Mrs Rumsfield...no tan lines this morning, looks nice!" (The Burbs)
R. Random: I once ran over a cat on my bike...oops! Laughed so hard I crashed!
S. Siblings: Youngest of 4 brothers & 2 sisters
T. Travels: My favorite trip was to New York last fall and a ten day cruise to the Caribbean years ago. My honeymoon in Mazatlan was pretty sweet too!
U. Utah: Where I call home.
V. Vegetarian: For about 7 years I didn't eat meat of any kind, fish or eggs.
W. What makes you run late: Having to get all the kids ready for church.
X. Xanax: Keeping one on hand for when Jaxon goes to summer camp for 3 1/2 weeks, LOL.
Y. Yummy food you make: Soups 
Z. Zebra print: I love zebra print...have a purse, chair, lamp and pj's in it. 

xoxo,

the wheels on the bus...

in my efforts to simplify and save,

i signed the boys up for the school bus.

while this may not sound like a big deal...

it is.

 to me.

it's one more step I take toward letting go...

baby-steps.

up until this point the boys have been spoiled,

having a personal driver to and from school.

i'm afraid now they think they're "slummin' it"!

if the loud cluncky noises weren't enough for my little worrier kade...

seeing the body fluid clean-up kit about sent him over the edge.

i can't stop laughing about that one!!

but if i survived the bus,

i know kade will too.

*******

to give you an update on this post...

with much effort jaxon has an A in math,

and kade thinks he just might like school;

it helped that he received the leadership award and got to eat pizza with the principle.

of course it didn't help when a fellow classmate told him to

"suck it".

that's what he gets for being bossy i guess...

all business that one!

sophia's finally loving preschool,

it seems she's crazy about a few boys there...

i fear what's to come. :)

big pappa got me this {my kids rock} tee for v-day,

thanks paperlili,

now sophia and i are twinsies...she loves it!

sorry to my facebook friends,

but i'm taking a break...

again with the simplifying.

-happy weekend-

Spreading My Wings...

Sophia wheeled this thing around all day.

I finally had to break it to her...

she wasn't coming to Blissdom,

new luggage and all.

So I promised when she's "this tall"

we'll make it a girls trip.

Since then she's talked about growing up non-stop,

and Kade's "stressed" about me going.

At least I know they'll miss me.

Then there's my tween Jaxon,

he's got BIG plans of staying up way too late,

playing all kinds of Xbox,

eating loads of sugar cereal, sushi and Flaming Hot Cheetos,

all in the name of

'Mom's out of town!'

*****

I feel extremely lucky to have an awesome husband

who lets me try new things

flips the bill for said 'new things',

so I can venture out

and spread my wings.

Thank you Big Papa!!

XOXO

Blissdom Bound & Setbacks

I'm getting SO excited for my trip to Nashville next week!! It's my first time going to Blissdom and there's all sorts of butterflies partying it up in my stomach.


Handouts for some of my favorite bloggers.


It's really not like me to try something like this...the crowds, the strangers, over the top estrogen levels, but this year I'm trying new things and pushing myself to grow and stretch. I'm looking forward to meeting some of the awesome woman I've been blogging with for three years now. I can't believe it's been that long. Edie's been asking me for a few years to go and be her roomie...I'd committ then chicken out forty-something times (remember how I hate committment), but I finally took the plunge and bought my tickets. I'm rooming with Patty from Finding Serendipity and maybe we'll convince Edie to stay a night, but due to her situation I'll be happy if I can just give her a big old hug!

It'll be rough leaving my laundry behind, oh and of course Big Papa and the kiddos...more specifically Sophia. Her constant shouting "Mom, where are you?" or her demands for cold pizza, her monopolizing the office computer and her public announcements that she needs to go pooh! But seriously I'm totally going to miss her little ;) winks and "I wuv you's". I trust that Patty's not an axe murderer, that I'll learn a lot while I'm there and come back with a swing in my step and a bunch of fun, new ideas.

This week bloggers all over are asking the million dollar question...

What are you wearing to Blissdom? Followed by pics of cute outfit ideas, what shoes to wear, what kind of shoes NOT to wear. I'm pretty sure my new little friend would qualify in the NOT category...

(this is where the setback comes in)

A week before Christmas I was a clutz while wearing my clogs and injured my foot. Yeah it killed and I knew I'd hurt it but I'd just started training for the Sedona 10K, so I channeled my inner Favre and powered through it. Turns out that was a dumb idea, it's progressivly gotten worse even with a 1 1/2 week running break, so I finally went in for an Xray. There was no fracture maybe tendonitis? So they sent me home with this hot little number. I'm suppossed to wear it and stay off my foot (which we all know is impossible)!

Hopefully it will feel better by next week because I'm not rockin' it at Blissdom!! 

Since I have a bazillion things to do before I leave, and I am going to need this foot for say the next 50-60 years, I'll {try} to stay off it with help from my new giant wall hanging...

fitting isn't it?

Kimball and Jaxon both asked me if we were really going to keep it right in our living room and my response was, "Heck yeah we are!"

It's pretty much my new motto...comes in handy in almost any situation.

*don't forget to enter the love banner giveaway winner is picked Friday morning!!

this housewife is...

living in the laundry room...

widdling away at this...

hopped up on this...

decorating this...

while sporting this....

so here's my question...

are camoflage pants out?

because certain members of my family tell me they are,

and once again,

i refuse to believe it.

*****

while i'm on the subject

lemme just say...

the worst fashion fopa {in my book}

are moms {in particular}

that wear every accesory known to man...

at the same time.

you know what i mean...

the giant flower, chunky bracelets, big belt, headband, chandelier earrings, layered necklaces and a scarf,

leaving them looking like claire's boutique exploded on them!!

but who am i to judge?

 (refer to above photo)

*don't forget to enter the love banner giveaway!!

Sharpen The Saw

It had been a rough week as I mentioned in the last post, so we decided it was time to "sharpen the saw", as they teach in this book and at the boys school.

Work hard play hard!! We've definitely been working hard, so we called it a family day and went to lunch at Flancer's (an oldie but a goodie). The food was fabulous and this goat cheese bruschette was delish!

We then went bowling at Brunswick in Gilbert. It was a first going to this place (not sure why), but we loved it. It's like the Nordstrom's of bowling alley's...so try it out if you haven't. I have a feeling we'll be back soon.

This was Soph's first time bowling and she was hilarious! She loved every second of it, screaming and jumping up and down with every single pin.

Her ball went VERY slow but eventually (thanks to the bumpers) it would hit the pins and the celebrating ensued.

To be honest, my favorite part (besides watching Soph's celebrating) was the music and lights...so fun!

Too bad I was the only one in the mood for the dance party.

Oh well...

It's my duty as a parent to totally embarrass my kids.

BTW, they try to tell me it's not normal for moms to dance in the car...seriously!?!?!?!?

I refuse to believe it.

Winter Woes & Little Things

Kade's had a rough week...a really rough week. Monday started off at a 10 and by Tuesday he'd gone to a 1, maaayyybbbee 2.

He was SO excited to get his expander off and braces on....

he thought it'd be glorious.

All the attention,

the instant 'i'm a big kid' factor....

not.so.

Instead he had a LONG appointment and a LOT of pain.

This kid's mouth is so jacked up it requires all kinds of gear.

My favorite Kade quote this week was when he climbed into the car

after his appointment and threw 'said gear' into the car saying...

"Now I've gotta do all this crap!!!"

To make matters worse, he hates school.

Notsomuch hates school but he loves to homeschool.

For those of you that missed it,

as of 2011 the boys are back at their old school.

What's that? I never told you? Well, that's because I'm totally embarrassed that my tween

gets my panties in such a bunch that I refuse to teach him any longer. 

It's all I can do to mother this strong willed child.

Love him to death but paybacks are a (you know what)! :)

Anyhow, it wasn't easy for me to make the decision of sending Kade back too because,

1. He wants to homeschool

and 

2. I want him to homeschool

but after him going it alone last year,

I know how lonely he gets.

It was rough on him especially when we would dropoff/pickup Jaxon

and Kade would see his bff or "only the best aide in the whole entire

WORLD!"

So I sent him back,

against his will.

He's sad about it and I'm sad about it...

so I'm just praying I made the right decision

because I'm well aware this bouncing back and forth

is no good.

Being a parent seems to be kicking my butt this week.

Jaxon tested up 2 levels in math to Algebra.

How that happened I'll never know,

he's super smart but math's never been his best subject.

Anyway, his homework's a beast and he's struggling,

 yet the teacher insists he stay at that level.

Thanks to Big Papa for tutoring him

every.night.

So even with the tears this week,

and the power struggles (with every kid),

I'm reading this

and learning to find joy and happiness in the little things like

family scripture study and

Miss Sophia learning to tie her own robe....

saving me from doing it fifty-seven times a day.

Feel free to give me  a tongue lashing some advice

on how to parent because frankly, I'm not feeling so hot about it!!

What do you currently love?

I've never been a big collector,  a pack rat...call it what you will.

Being in a cluttered home is honestly enough to make me go crazy...even for just a few minutes.

I need things neat and orderly to feel comfortable. You know...breath.

I'm constantly throwing out, donating and decluttering. It's what I love.

However, a while back I finally found something worth collecting.
Globes.

I remember getting my first globe about seven years ago...that was a good day.

They're colorful, educational, and to me, this world we live in is just plain incredible! 

I have big dreams of traveling the world some day,

but for now I'll just fancy my globes.

Then there's my forty-five pair of $1Target socks.
One dollar. Who could resist?

The weather lately has been crazy cold.
Every night I crawl into bed & literally lay right on top of Kimball...sound asleep and all.

He's like this giant, snuggly teddy bear...always perfectly warm.
I'm like a human ice block (poor guy).

How does he do that?

If I could, I'd only leave the house in an emergency.
I'd sit by the fire homeschooling in my boots and socks,
waiting for the UPS man to bring me books
 and stare at my globes...
all day.

Hmm, retirement's sounding pretty good.
Guess I'll take it easy on the globes and dollar socks
or we may end up eating cat food!

Oh yeah...and polka dots.
So what are your current loves?





Participating in Snapshot Sunday.

Happy New Year {2011 Resolutions}

this year will be simple

i resolve to do one thing

*run a half marathon*

Running a half will be a huge challenge for me since the only races I've done are a few 5k's and since training for a half will require me to live a healthier lifestyle (which is a good thing) and stay focused for more than two weeks a long period of time.

I originally vowed to do three things in 2011
but let's face it...
there's nothing "simple" about me running a half marathon,
which is why I decided to only have one resolution.

View from the Empire State Building 2010

i wish i was in new york city to see the ball drop

 but until then i just have fun on picnik

really though, we are heading to chantell's

for what's bound to be a super fun party with the kids...

i'll be hopped up on caffeine

trying for year two of

up 'till midnight!

Happy New Year!!

*revised on 1-2-11 :)

On Faith {or lack thereof}

My week has been filled with many 'life lessons' that I know were put in my path for a reason.

It started out on Sunday with a great lesson in Relief Society. I was reminded that we all have insecurities at times but by caving into these doubts, we only digress. We need to stretch ourselves and practice faith in all things...even the little things like knowing Jaxon will be OK as he enters junior high next year or when he leaves on scout campouts.

As my week progressed, I came in contact with three different people who happened to confide in me some of their trials and insecurities. It was a real eye opener to me, I learned I need to seek out those who I can help in any small way, to be compassionate; you never know what someone's circumstances are or when you'll be in their shoes, and then there was that same old reminder of how important it is to be frugal...times are so uncertain!!

I don't know why it is we need to be reminded of these same lessons, but we do. I guess as humans we constantly have to check ourselves to keep us from veering off the beaten path.

Then I read a tragic story about a woman named Immaculee Ilibagiza. The book is called Left To Tell, in it she speaks of her horrific experience in 1994 during the Rwanda genocide. I am in awe of her strength, her courage, her ability to forgive, and most of all her faith in God. Her parents were also amazing examples of charity and how we should give until it hurts.

”I am afraid the only safe rule is to give more than we can spare…If our charities do not at all pinch or hamper us,… they are too small.  There ought to be things we should like to do and cannot do because our charitable expenditures excludes them.” -C.S. Lewis in  Mere Christianity

This always reminds me of my parents, who are so generous that they've always  lived a lot more frugally than they needed to because they're always helping family, friends and even strangers who are hurting financially. I love this about them, they don't even think twice, they just do it; it's what makes them happy.

Since I was a kid I've been the type who worries a lot, I still am. As an adult my anxiety has gotten even worse. Earlier this year I decided rather than getting on some 'I don't give a crap pills', or paying $85 out of pocket to sit on some guy's couch every week, I'd use natural ways to control my anxiety like deep breathing, daily exercise, meditation, healthy eating, turning off the news or violent shows, read books before bed etc.  It's all been very helpful, but even more than that, I've come to realize something...worrying is just a lack of faith. If we let fear and self-doubt rent space in our head  satan wins. Yes, we do need to be concerned about certain things however, if we prepare, pray, and then leave it in God's hands He will carry us.

St. Matthew 21:21
"Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have ^afaith, and ^bdoubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this ^cmountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done."

Joining up with Tuesday's Unwrapped

This is where I go to blog...

I love that my new house has enough space in the master bedroom for me to have my own little 'woman cave'. I wish I could paint but since I can't, I just add bright cheerful colors. Kimball thinks it's a little juvenille but it makes me happy!

I also blog on the couch when football's on, or when I feel like having a comfy seat.

Visit Centsational Girl for more 'where I blog' posts.

Missing them.

I've been without my boys for nine days and nine nights.

I miss them so much tonight I feel as though my heart will burst.

My only comfort is knowing they are having a blast with their cousins...

in "Terabithia",

building tree houses

and staying up 'till one.

Discussing books and playing far too much Xbox.

I can't believe I agreed to this,

no wonder I had a panic attack the night before we left!

Soph's on the phone with them.

She totally misses them too...

Two more days to go.

Not enough hours in the day!

                      

I feel like there's just not enough hours in the day!!

There's just way too many fun and educational things to do. I've been reading some

great books, growing herbs and anything else I can keep alive in this 110 degree weather.

The kids have been learning to cook dinners and yummy desserts, they love it!

My plan is for them to love it so much they'll want to cook dinner every night. :) 

We've all been focusing on our goals...

Soph's improved greatly in her speach and social skills and ditched diapers for good,

Kade's improved in his reading, math, cooking and brotherly skills,

and Jaxon has been reading several (7) books from the library, things like

How to Write Your First Best Seller.

He's determined to publish his first book and is currently working on his second. He's on a strict schedule...boot camp style, so he can be found writing or illustrating 24/7.

We all take turns on the treadmill, Soph loves to do yoga and pilates...she's a natural!

The circus came to town and we had a blast with my bff Chantell and her kids, my only

complaint is that she's already back to work...again with the more time thing.

I just LOVE spending time with her, maybe when we're retired we can live next door to each other!

On a sidenote: this is what I want for my birthday (it's not until Halloween).

A copy of Johanne Vermeer's 17th century painting Girl With The Pearl Earring.

Now for a week in Utah and then a week to prepare before our school year starts, I'm so sad for summer break to end, but anxious for another year of home schooling!

Catching my breath!

Well I've been kind of wishy washy in the blog department. I've decided to take a blogging break and focus on more important things for awhile...spend less time on the computer. Life is currently too crazy for me to be rambeling on, so this will be it for a while.

We have sold our home and are moving about 15 minutes south, close to a piece of land we are purchasing. We really want more room to run around and well...breathe! I think we'll build a single story (w/ a basement) to help save on our A/C bill each month. We are also using block that way Kimball and his guys can do as much work as possible. This won't happen for a few years. For now we'll just save up and try and keep riding out this bad economy. I have been looking at the mediterranian/southwestern styles. Sure I love classic designs but I may as well embrace the desert life. I like the picture of the house above but would definitely add a little splash of color here and there.

Sophia has 2 favorite songs right now. Soul Sister by Train and No One by Alecia Keys. She is too funny going around singing in her sweet little soft (and cracky) voice. She makes us play it over and over for her on the car stereo. She is hanging with her new bff Adi nonstop and loves church now. Yay! No more crying at nursery every week.

Jaxon sang in the school talent show last week. He is a hoot! I can't believe how brave he was. He used to be too afraid to sing in public even though he really enjoys singing. His friend at school heard him in music class and told him he had a good voice, that's all he needed to build his confidence. I have to say, he did REALLY good!! By far the best one at the talent show and that's not just a biast mom's opinion, many teachers told him the same thing at school. He belted it out like nobody's business!

Kade has been a good little helper and patient with me on the homeschool front. I'm sneaking in as much as possible, but it will be good to get back to our routine.

Life is good, a little uncertain and stressful, but still good. I have so many blessings that I can't understand how I fell into such a great life. I hope I'll keep sight of what's important and remember to cherish these days with my sweet little ones.

My A.I. Predictions

It was the summer of 2002

It was hot...

very hot...

115 degrees hot.

I was pregnant with a 10 pounder!!

American Idol - Season 1

saved me.

It gave me something to do,

something to look forward to

and most of all helped me

forget about my swollen feet for 60 minutes.

I can't say I've been a loyal viewer every season,

but I'm on board this year.

Is anyone else watching?

If so, what are you predicting

and who is your favorite past winner?

My favorite Idol is hands down Carrie Underwood. 

The Silver Lining

The rain has been crazy this spring, (not the kind of crazy you're thinking of but for AZ standards it's a lot). I'm not complaining...I love it! We went on our 2nd hike and toughed it out in the rain, but had to cancel today's hike...it was just a little too wet. Instead, Kade and I are going on a date to see Diary Of A Wimpy Kid. We had another picnic scheduled for tonight, but it too will have to wait. It's so nice to get a dose of cooler weather before summer hits.

The other day just the boys and I went hiking. It was invasion of the senior citizens. Seriously, there were like 40 of them at the top. They use walking poles and go really slow and take lots of breaks. Being in the midst of that many elderly is like getting a GIANT hug from your favorite grandma. They were so dang cute...discussing fiber and such. Kade referred to them as 'cheek pinchers', he and Jax had me laughing my guts out! I love that my boys are old enough to do fun things with, I'd rather hang out with them than anyone.

Spring break has been fabulous. Having Jaxon around 24/7 has been so fun. The boys are bonding like the good old days and I am cherishing every second of it. They had their first flag football games of the season. Kade's team got creamed and he couldn't have cared less, Jaxon's team lost by one point and he was devastated. It's funny how different their personalities are and yet they get along so good.

I've been listening to The Secret a lot lately. I'm totally convinced our mind is a powerful thing. We can either choose to think positive and feel good, or think negative and slip into a funk...needless to say, I've decided to snap out of my 3 year funk!

We are very excited about our new property. For a few years we will be down sizing, then we'll build on it.

I'm anxious to move even though it's to a smaller home...sometimes less is more.

Dancing With The Stars is back, Celebrity Apprentice is back, the sun is rising earlier...life is good!

thinking out loud...kinda, sorta

i'm learning...

to worry less and breathe more.

i find...

blogging therapeutic.

i discovered...

my fifth grader held hands with a girl. 

i'm ok...

because it's shakespeare.

i'd worry...

if he liked it, & since he does (i practice breathing).

i've surrenedered...

to my battle with Soph.

i don't care...

if she wants to sleep in the hall.

i preferred...

to sleep in the hall as a child (funny huh)?

i'm finished...

with beth's book.

i'm saying...

so long insecurity.

i'm loving...

my new roxy flip flops.

i'm clinging...

to my comfy hoodies.

i have...

mixed feelings about the weather changing.

i'm annoyed...

with the olympics.

i'd rather...

we spend billions feeding the hungry.

i no longer...

feel guilty sneaking out for a run.

i don't just...

want 'me time' i need it.



Hop on over to Blessed Moon for a fun way to meet other bloggers.

spring cleaning...

it's that time of year again.

a-a-aaachooo!

excuse me.

yesterday my allergies showed unexpected.

they've crippled all my big plans.

plans of 'cleaning house'...

the garage.

the closets.

the cupboards.

the windows (ok i'd planned to hire that out).

i already needed more hours in the day.

a set back like this just plain bites.

i'm hanging onto hopes my claritin will kick in soon.

PRIORITIES: Speaking of 'cleaning house' (this time metaphorically), I've done some re-evaluating, straightening up my personal life a bit. First of all, I've taken a break (possibly permanent) from Facebook, devoted more time to personal reading, prayer and journaling.

RELATIONSHIPS: I've also done some 'cleaning house' in my relationships over the past few years and even more so recently. I've said "bye bye" to those who gossip, radiate drama and just plain bring me down. I have to tell you, it feels great, I don't miss them a bit! This may sound a little harsh but it's important to be selective about who we give our energy and time to. Life's too short, and our family deserves our best self.

We need to ask ourselves if the people we allow into our lives are helpful, positive and uplifting or are they burdensome, destructive and unsupportive? If they've proven to show a pattern of drama, distrust, and ill feelings toward you...see ya! They're toxic and will only clutter your brain and cause you undo stress.

Sure it's important to forgive them and not hold onto feelings of anger and hurt, but that doesn't mean you have to keep allowing them into your life, draining your energy and self worth.

So while you're doing your spring cleaning this year, don't just evaluate whether that old sweater has gotta go, or if it's finally time to donate those pre-baby jeans, ask yourself:

"Am I In Good Company?"

So Much More Than A Paycheck... (Repost)

This is a repost from last February, (originally on my old homeschool blog). I decided since my allergies are kicking my butt this week, it would be a good idea to repost this for those of you who are new.

I'm on to another Dr. Laura book, this one is The Proper Care and Feeding of Marriage. I also read The Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands which I also recommend, oh and don't forget the movie Fireproof, that's great too.

In my opinion, this is another book that should be highlighted, and within reach at all times. It's like going to church, we keep learning the same stuff because we need that bonk on the head, that reminder to get us back on track.

I truly believe that men are simple creatures and they only need a few things to be happy. In fact at dinner the other night, Kimball said almost that exact thing to me and yet I so often forget and start with the whining, complaining, and acting pouty or I start taking him for granted and not giving him the praise he deserves.

I look back to a time when Kimball was getting our business going, working like a DOG in the 110 degree Arizona sun, six days a week, 12-15 hour days and yet I did more criticizing and complaining than you can imagine. Sure I was working equally as hard with the kids, house and book keeping, it was an extremely stressful time...but I wasn't showing him how much I appreciated all he was doing. That's the number one thing I believe men need is to be shown appreciation for their hard work, to know that they are your hero so when they walk out that front door every morning, they feel loved, supported, and needed. Of course on top of that they also need affection, a warm meal, and to know their kids are being well taken care of. It's pretty simple really.

Kimball and I have had our share of ups and downs (oh my have we), but I am SO grateful we continue to work out our differences and try to make the other one happy. I know when I'm doing the above mentioned things, Kimball is one happy man and in return he'll treat me like a QUEEN.

Here's the 3 main tips she gives:

1. Treat your spouse as if you loved them with your last breath-no matter how contrary to that you might feel at any one moment.

2. Think hard every day about how you can make their life worth living.

3. Be the kind of person you would want to love, hug, come home to, and sacrifice for.

They are all great points, but #3 stands out to me because I think it's so important to try and have the house picked up, look presentable, and hopefully have dinner on the table or close to it. I don't always succeed and I'm working on serving my man more meat (since we all know the way to a man's heart is through his stomach). I'm also noticing my actions more when he walks in the door. Do I instantly bombard him with whining or complaints? Or do I just glance over from my lap top and say "hey"?

I'm also working on not being a drama queen when it comes to problems or mistakes. This isn't always easy for me because I'm the worrying type, but if our spouses can't come to us without us acting like an over powering parent, then how will they ever feel safe to share? We should be the one person they can come to with anything.

BTW, I'm speaking to myself because I have a lot of room for improvement in this area. OK so I'm off to do more reading, get more advice and hopefully build a stronger marriage. Hope you'll read these books if you haven't already.

Sometimes the hardest things and the right things are the same...

Have you ever known a person who has a wild imagination,
 a PhD in meddling, and can't be trusted?

The type that just when you think you've distanced yourself enough, you realize
 you haven't.

One word...MERCY!

Obviously I'm venting and seriously need to pray for mercy.

Pray that somehow, someday I will have genuine, kind and caring, feelings for this person, (that last for more than just a week or a month.)

Pray they'll practice some mercy toward me, stop interjecting false and misconstrued ideas and take up Solitaire or something.

We all know this type of person is toxic to our lives and relationships, and we don't have to just sit there and take it, but we must remember our own need for mercy, and therefore must pray for merciful feelings toward those who dislike us, even in our hurt and anger.

How do we start?

By acknowledging our own imperfections, false judgments, and hurtful words.

By asking God to forgive us of our ill feelings and short fuses.

By praying for more compassion,

thicker skin and,

more mercy-giving people in our life.

We all need a support team, people who are there for us no matter what. I had decided that I'd pray this week for more mercy-giving people in my life, and just a few hours later, I received several kind emails, texts and phone calls...totally out of the blue.

{I know that it wasn't just a coincidence.}

I've accepted that I can't please everyone, and not everyone is going to like me, but that's OK, I only have control over my words and actions.

When typing this post a few scriptures came to mind...

Lamentations 3:23-33 

23They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

24The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.

God's love and mercy for us is new every morning.

Matthew 5:43-48

43Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.

44But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

45That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

46For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?

47And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?

48Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

Forgiveness isn't an option...it's a necessity.

Lastly, I'm praying for self control with these Thin Mints...darn Girl Scouts!


For Tuesday's Truce click here