Monday, October 31, 2011

Marvelous Memory Monday


The cooler weather always draws me towards comfort food, crackling fires and warm sweaters. The fall season makes me want to knit! This scripture has so much meaning for me. God knit me (and you) together in my mother's womb. Knitting is not a quick and mindless task. Knitting takes patience, time and a plan. You were not an accident! God created your inmost being. He took time with you and created you exactly the way you were meant to be. He held you and designed every part of you with his loving, capable hands. 

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Friday, October 28, 2011

Fun Friday

Just some random fun Friday stuff for you.

My first printable! Sometimes Dan is working at the firehouse (like the year Mr. D was born) which leaves no one to pass out candy. I wrote a cheesy poem for you. {blush} It would work great to print, trim as necessary, put it in a page protector and leave it on the front porch with a bowl of candy!Trick or Treat

We received this game last year for Christmas and our kids love it! We decided it should be called something else though, our kids want to play at breakfast, lunch and dinner. I highly recommend it!


We have been saving our milk jugs and plan on making these this weekend!









We had this for dinner one night last week and I am already craving it again!






What are your plans for this weekend?

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Thankful Thursday


41. reaching out to others
42. learning to love difficult people
43. changed hearts
44. an amazing church
45. good coffee
46. reconnecting with a friend
47. D coming home from a work trip
48. Doctor for SIL
49. God's unfailing love
50. funny remarks from kids
51. quiet Sunday afternoons
52. Rudy- inspirational people
53. good books
54. dancing trees
55. popcorn
56. "Costa Rica? We have that game!" Mr. D meant Pictureka
57. opportunities to grow
58. The sweetest words, "Mom, can I make lunch?"
59. The sound of a boy playing with his dad
60. lessons learned




What is on your list today? I would love to hear from you!

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Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Wednesday Wisdom


Hello Friends! I have some more great insight from another She Speaks Sister! I am pleased to introduce Tammy. We didn't have a long conversation while in NC, but we did meet briefly. I hope you enjoy her answers and then go visit her blog.


1. What is your life verse? What does it mean to you?

Colossians 3:23,24 "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.


This verse is a constant reminder for me when I want to whine about having to do something, especially when I want to be doing something else. It causes me to remember that it's not me I'm working for or even others, it is the Lord.


2. I realized I was my mother when...

I always finish my salad first even when my hot food is there! She did this because "that's what you do", but I do it because I like the veggies the most anyway!


3. I know now, but I wish I knew then...

With having an overbearing, mean-sprited Mother-in-law that I am a valid human being and I should speak up for myself when someone seems to always been in attack mode. My husband wasn't responsible for "fixing" it, I needed to speak up from the very beginning, versus 34 years of pain.


4. What is one thing you do just for you to relax and refresh?

When I just need to slow down, refresh and re-connect I grab a good book, my Bible, a journal, a mug of tea (or sweet iced tea!) and plop down into a big comfy chair. I tune out my surroundings and become one with His Word and others' words through the written word. Love me some books!


5. By now, I thought I would...

Have resolved my weight issue. Also, that I would have been more confident in myself and who I was. (Thanks to the answer to #3, it often felt like one step forward, 4 steps back.)


6. In the midst of the chaos, a special trick that helps me cope...


I remind myself about Esther and Mordecai when he says to her in Esther 4:14b..
"And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?" Then I think to myself..."this too shall pass, this too shall pass..."


7. If I could go back for one day...

I'd love to go back to Virginia and sit with my Grandma-Granny Ireson, my Grandma-Grandma Meade, my Mom and my daughter and ask all the questions I wished I would have asked them then but was too young to realize how I'd want to know now. I've always had the joy of being around both my Grandma and Great Grandma and was so thankful my daughter had that joy as well.


8. The best advice I ever received about being a Mom...

Always look for things to say "Yes" to rather than always having to say "No". Offer alternative opportunities when you do have to say "No". And "because I said so" is not an answer.


9. Don't worry about...

...the little stuff. Pick your battles. One thing I remember my Mom arguing with me about was what I wore in any professional photo or school picture. I always let my daughter pick out what she wanted for that picture. Now, looking back, we laugh at her personality breaking through each of those pictures and enjoy the happy faces because it didn't start out with an attitude and her unhappy in her clothes!


10. A perfect day for me...

Spending a day at the beach with my two favorite people in the whole world, my hubby and my daughter. With my toes in the sand, a book in my hands at water's edge...ahhhh - paradise this side of heaven!


You can find Tammy seeing humor and laughter in every aspect of life and then telling all about it on her blog: http://tickledpinktammy.blogspot.com.  Tammy’s rough childhood as a lonely, only-child who received much criticism from family is the driving force of her passion to always encourage others and make them smile.  She is a Christian who resides in Ohio with her husband of 30 years, Larry.  They have a grown daughter, Kristen, and a 4-pound Teacup Yorkie, Toto.   You can also connect with Tammy on her Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tickled-Pink-Tammy/140968045978968





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Thursday, October 20, 2011

Thankful Thursday


21. new ideas
22. new recipes
23. a hesitant boy eating new food and liking it!
24. kids entertaining themselves
25. kids eager to learn and ask questions
26. great coaches
27. healing in sight
28. Patient God, always teaching
29. Consistant work
30. gifts from unexpected places
31. smell of cut grass
32. freedom
33. people who believe in a cause
34. inspiration
35. sound of leaves rustling
36. a healthy body
37. forgiveness
38. new friends
39. learning new things
40. deciding to change and old {bad} habit




What was on your list this week? I would love to hear some of them!


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Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Mama Always Said


I am so pleased to introduce you to my mom, Helenann Steensen! We had a conversation a few years ago about all of us getting older, she said, "I wonder when my wisdom is going to kick in? There is so much I still don't understand at my age." Ever since that conversation, when one of us does something mildly brilliant {LOL} we say, "hey, your wisdom is kicking in!" Makes us laugh!

I really have learned so much from my mom. I am grateful for all she has taught me. I truly appreciate her as my mom and even more as my friend. 


1. What is your life verse? What does it mean to you?

John 3:30 ~~ “He must become greater; I must become less.”

As I aged, I thought I would grow up and out... Well, I have indeed grown out, but I am still trying to grow up... I am still the major roadblock to God’s plan. I work daily to make His will -- my will .... The days He is greater in my life are the days that I have the greatest peace!




2. I realized I was my mother when...

I realized I was my mother when I first successfully used “the look.” Growing up, I promised myself that I would never do that to MY kids! But I discovered that “the look” eliminated embarrassment in public! And “the talk” came later in private. Once again, my mother was right.




3. I know now, but I wish I knew then...

Everyone talks/warns about the terrible twos, the independent teens, the challenge of discipline, the cost of education...etc. No one tells you that one day your children will grow up and move many miles away or even to other states!




4. What is one thing you do just for you to relax and refresh?

My morning devotion and prayer time when I take time to sit with God, get lost in His Words, His embrace and His love. That time brings me wholeness and renewal. It pulls me back together when the world and my own flesh threaten to tear me apart.



5. By now, I thought I would...

BE MATURE.... walking steadily and surely in His footsteps without wavering and with increased wisdom and knowledge. Now I know that maturity is recognizing how immature I am and how much I need to learn and grow!




6. In the midst of the chaos a special trick that helps me cope...

Repeat.... “Your will (not mine) be done, Lord.” That means I have to Stop! Be Silent! Humble Myself (usually my pride is getting in the way again). Ask God to take over, teach me, lead me...




7. If I could go back for one day...

I would spend more time communicating to my (or each) child the special and unique gifts God has given to them. I would end everyday, during each child’s prayer time, thanking God for their uniqueness and the gift of their presence on this earth.




8. The best advice I ever received about being a Mom...

You are the model your children will follow. Don’t just say it! You must live it! Second by precious second of each and every day!




9. Don't worry about...

Don’t worry!!! God is in charge. God has a plan. He wins every battle.




10. A perfect day for me...

Being with my family! Spending time together and rejoicing in God’s many gifts! Sharing life, laughter, tears, love and of course giving LOTS of hugs. We are a touchy-feely group!




Thank you for doing this Mom, you are the best! I love you!

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