I Give Up

Jason and I have been on a somewhat of a, sorta kinda, on again-off again, when we feel like it...health kick.  We have been fairly consistent with the exercise by running.  We do try to watch our diet...sorta kinda.  Well, I have mentioned before of my love of sweets- they are my ultimate weakness. It is the end of August...which happens to be a very looooooooooong month by the way- our cupboards are bare and screaming for payday to roll around.  So, we decided on this last day of August to eat pancakes for supper.  The kids agreed to it as long as I could scrounge up some chocolate chips to mix in.  Well, I arrive home before my hubby- but he is fully aware of the plans for supper.  I come in and begin helping the kids with their homework.  He finally arrives with this little yellow bag marked with the famous local Dollar General logo.  He bats his beautiful blue eyes, smiles his dimple-filled smile and says...I got a surprise!  He first pulls out  a pack of bacon (I swear he had to have robbed his coin-filled ash tray for) ....and then out comes a convenient 4 pack of Klondike ice cream cookie sandwiches.  4 pack...there are conveniently 4 in our family.  Now how in the world could this girl turn all of that down?  Oh my, all on top of sleeping in this morning and not running! This totally explains our on again off again relationship with this thing called a diet and exercise. 

I give up ;)

Jesus In You

Short and sweet today!  I have become increasingly aware of the reasons God placed certain people in my life. My close friends are people who know my baggage and love me anyway and don't think I am crazy-even when I act like I am.  Some, I even aspire to be like-not be like them specifically, but be like the Jesus I see in them everyday. And if you read this and think...hey! she may be talking about me-well, I probably am:) I so desire to have a true concern and love for people that produces an action...not only a thinking of doing something for them (which I am so guilty of). I do realize how much I have grown in my spiritual maturity, especially over the last few years.  But I also see how much farther I have to go.  I am praying for a boldness like I have never had before.  This boldness will take me higher and allow me to move past my comfort zone.  Right now I am so comfortable- it is pathetic...literally!  I have wonderful visions in my head of me doing lots of things for the kingdom.  I must be in prayer and make sure these are things of God and not of me!  Add me to your prayer list and we'll see what God will do!

Confessions of a Hair Harlot

The only other profession I often think of pursuing is cosmetology.  Maybe when I retire as a nurse, I can have my own "purple hair lady" shop behind my house. Honestly,  I could sit for hours and hours in a hair salon just watching people get their hair cut and styled. I also love to check out all of the styling products and tools in hopes they could all be used on me in one single visit.  If I had money to play with,  I would purchase and try all of them.  But for now, I will stick with my Walmart Pantene products that I purchase only if I have a coupon.  If you have known me for any length of time, you probably know my hair has been various lengths and colors.  I have just about tried everything there is...and I probably am a nightmare to my hairstylist.  I want it long and multi-colored one visit and short and one color the next.  Maybe she loves me enough to look past my flaws;)  Also, hairstylist seem to wear the most trendy clothes and tend to change their hair often.  Wow!  What a life...I truly am envious!  Ooh ooh...and how could I forget the cool bright colored stripes everyone has been getting in their hair lately. How awesome would it be to sit in the chair and order up a thick chunky stripe of bright pink, purple, or blue across the long swoop bang or on the underneath in the back?  I am honestly not joking!  I think it is super cute...but I know I'll never be brave enough to do it in fear of becoming the family outcast.  Let me not forget to mention the cool looking feathers people are getting now.  Oh just to try it...but my hair is super short now and I may look like Yankee Doodle.  
I suppose if I become one of these trendy dressing, frequently changing hairstyle people...I might could pull it off!

I guess for now, I'll just keep dreaming:)

Remember When

These last couple of weeks have been pretty challenging on this ol' mom. We, as a family, have adjusted well to the new routine of the kids changing schools.  It actually is going great and the kids love their new school.  I must say though, the adjustment to new teachers+ the level of difficulty in the homework+ a very strong willed 4th grader + an impatient, easily frustrated, and strong willed mom= disaster! Whew! My mom never warned me of these troubled times. Well, if she did, I must have been absent that day in Parenting 101.  All of these struggles have caused me to recall my former carefree life as a child. 

I remember when...

I bopped around with my daddy, topless...yes...topless- just like he did, cut off jean shorts and all

I started school early at Gordon Ivey because my mom had nobody to keep me  and then I passed "some sort of test" that said I was "qualified" to move on- very complex- I remember fitting shapes into a plastic octagon ball.

writing my name as Leah Parker, Jr. on my papers

having hair that was very difficult for mama to manage and after trying beer, mayonaise, and Lord knows what else...she finally took me to get a true Orphan Annie perm.

becoming an aunt in the 3rd grade...man was I cool

crying just about everyday for the first month or so of school and making my older sister late for her classes frequently

watching my favorite television shows at night, George Jefferson, Sanford and Son, Good Times, and really getting lost in the moment- lying on the floor of our yellow tiled living room  propped on my elbows, feet in the air.  No worries!  Man I really miss times like this:)

playing daily with the neighborhood crew...Charlene, Debbie, Bonnie, Angel , and Merry

telling Gena and Lynn they weren't my mother because they consistently made Bonnie and I do all of the cleaning while mama was gone...eespecially Gena

getting into Gena and Lynn's high heel shoes while they weren't home.  We used to fight over the wooden soled wedges that could be worn very easily today

pretending to be solid gold dancers...yep...on that same yellow tiled floor

riding Debbie's mo-ped EVERYwhere...this was our transportation

surviving our first 3 wheeler

Mr Lantz letting me drive his old white chevy truck on old toomsboro road...I was maybe 10 or so;)

selling lemonade from our lemonade stand in the front yard

buying ice cream from the ice cream truck that used to round

going to the "Irwinton" fair

being the "tattler" because I was the youngest of the neighborhood crew...my punishment- I was always stuck with the BROWN m&m pillow, while they got to enjoy the lavendar and red; I had to watch for indians in the cherry tree we used to use as a hideout/tree house

I hesitantly return to reality...and realize how blessed I am when I remember...

my husband, who is now my laughter and care-free living

my peanut and my goober


Life is good!

A Mother's Love

I have waiting patiently to blog about this...I was waiting until after Sunday when we told our family and church family.  And before you form any assumptions...I am not pregnant!  This is just as exciting as that feeling was but, to me, it is even greater than that. There is nothing more satisfying than seeing one of your own accepting Christ.  Well, we had the pleasure of experiencing this on Thursday, Aug. 18th.  My precious "peanut" shared with me her decision to ask Jesus to come into her heart.  Needless to say, I was sooooo excited! Her father and I prayed with her and for her. I didn't feel like I could tell her enough about the love of God and what it means to be a Christian.  I had to remind myself she was only 9 and she is not going to understand everything I tell her.  Sunday, our pastor  made mention of child like faith.  I smiled and thanked God for this reminder of how kids are very simple minded and we, as adults, are the ones that "know" too much and make things way too complicated.  I breathed a sigh of relief, not feeling like, I had to make her understand everything at this point.  I only wish I could always have that simple minded faith, just trusting in Him and believing He is who He says He is and He can do ALL He says He can do.  Without all of the ifs, ands, and buts. 

My prayer for her is that she will be bold in her faith!

I'm Yours, Lord!

Teachings from my current Bible study- When Life Gets Hard by James McDonald.

Hebrews 12:6-8 The Lord disciplines the one He loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.  It is for discipline that you have to endure.  God is treating you as sons.  For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?  If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. 

What a revelation!  This is a great reminder that I am a part of the family of God. I love James McDonald's definition of a trial- he says a trial is a painful circumstance allowed by God to change our conduct and our character.  Boy howdy...thanks God...if that's what it took ..and sorry I was such a hard case to crack.  I can honestly say I give thanks for my trials I have endured.  Now, this is easy for me to say...during- now that was a different story.  Also McDonald shares this- not to forget:  if God allows your life to become hard, His motivation is always love.  He loves you.  His eyes are on you. His attention is directed toward you.  All of His thoughts are about you.  The goal of the pain is your restoration to a deeper sense of His love.  Sorry guys, if you missed God for a while- because He was right there with me focusing his attention on me.  Didn't mean to be such a hog- but for 5-6 years if you felt neglected...it was because he was working hard on me.  Psst...I really know that's not the way it works, silly!  Omnipresent is He!

Also a great illustration given...the nail that doesn't remain under the hammer will never reach its destination.  We must remain in the place of pain (endure) until the goal is reached or God's end result is acheived.  Do not bail!!!!

Thank you, God, for the pain that has made me realize just how much you love me and work all things for good- no matter how bad it gets!

Yours truly!

These are a few of my favorite things!

my God time in the morning

the smell of rain

the smell of fresh cut grass

star gazing

a good cup of coffee

bed time for kids...rubbing Jordan's back and hearing her say "rub it like it tickles, Mama" and Britton saying "will you lay with me for a few minutes?"

when my kids randomly say I love you!

worshiping while running

when my husband tries to convince me I am the most beautiful thing he has ever seen

when someone says I look and act like my mother and...

when I chuckle on the inside because I know really I look like my daddy

Saturday mornings with no agenda

Sunday night family time...extended family time...family includes friends in this case

a clean house... this one gets me in trouble sometimes

and if any of you know me well enough you already know my weakness.....I love anything sweet!!!!

Armed and Dangerous

Honestly, it should be "Armed and Safe", but that doesn't sound catchy. 

Recently, I have started waking up much earlier than usual.  I use this as my time to do my Bible study, run, etc...things that are solely for me.  Because "me" gets put away about 6am.  The past few days I slept in and my whole household suffered.  Today, I vowed to get back on track...only to find out that my running partners were sleeping in.  I sleepily turned my alarm off, after convincing myself not to utilize the crafty snooze button.  I am horrified to attempt to run in the dark alone so I forced myself out of bed with the promise of having more time with God. 

What a refreshing morning...God gave me a great message this morning! 

Ephesians 6:13-18
Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.  Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.  In addition to all this, take up the  shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 

My belt of truth...Satan is the father of lies.  God detests a lying tongue. 

My breastplate... righteousness. This protects my heart from accusations and charges of Satan and secures my innermost being. If this weren't present, the blows could be fatal. This righteousness is not works of righteousness done by men.This refers to the righteousness of Christ, received by faith.
My feet... are prepared with the gospel of peace for spiritual conflict. Satan places dangerous
obstacles in my path. When I tread on the enemy's territory, I will be aware of these traps but exhibit grace as Christ did...with a goal of allowing others to see and desire that for their life.

My shield of faith ...This protects me from doubting the faithfulness of God and His word. 

My helmet of salvation...guards my mind so I will not receive any false doctrines or fall into temptation.   

My sword... I have the word of God as an offensive weapon. It is unique as all of my other gear is defensive in nature.

I am now prepared, fully armed,  to begin this rat race called life!  For now, "me" is signing off to get busy with my mini mes. 

God Speaks

After an amazing God-filled weekend and experiencing some answered prayers, I must say my week started out a little apprehensive.  My kids changed schools this year and just the change in routine and the change from something that I knew was working well to something that I totally had to put in God's hands was scary.  We prayed about the decision to move the kids and felt like there were no reasons not to so we accepted that as confirmation.  The kids have been super excited!  This school requires them to wear uniforms and guess what... they are even excited about that.  In fact, the first week they allowed them to dress down with the understanding not all of the kids would have their uniforms...but my kids chose to go in full uniform this morning! I actually got to drive my own kids to school because their new school is located near my work!  Wow, I never expected to get such a feeling of satisfaction from just driving my kids to school.  It was a feeling of being a full fledged mother!  They walked in with pride...each with their own book bags and two huge bags of school supplies.  My oldest, the little mama, said  "Mama, I don't want you to walk us in, I can get everything and take brother to his class."  I couldn't even talk them into even acting like they wanted their mama to walk them into school the first day.  Oh well, I decided to give in and let them go on their own.   Wonder what the teachers thought?  Oh well, they have to grow up sometime!  I totally held it together until the drive to work and then I broke down crying.  My mind couldn't let go of the feelings of me not being needed by my kids, and them just growing up.  I then decided to look at my daily verse that I receive on my phone every morning.  Then God spoke....it was my favorite verse...2 Timothy 1:7  For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.  I then could breath easy...that is after the overwhelming feeling of love I felt.  God knew I needed that verse today of all days with the uneasiness of starting a new school!  God amazes me, especially when He speaks directly to little ol' me:)

About Me

I am a small town girl. Born to parents who both were successful business owners for many years.  I am the youngest of four girls...poor daddy.  That would make me "the baby girl"...before you jump to assumptions...I am not spoiled.  I have worked hard for everything I have.  Doesn't matter what people think because before I am "the baby girl", I am a child of God and He is my Provider.  I own nothing I have, it all belongs to Him.  I had a carefree childhood with no major tragedies. After my wild and crazy teenage years, I met someone who made me the happiest girl on earth.  After a short courtship of four months we were engaged and married a year a half later.  Perfect life one would say? Not quite.  My trials in life came all at once and I thought they would never end.  Briefing of my life: Undergrad nursing school, job seeking, birth of my daughter, attended graduate nursing school, birth of my son, extended illness with my mother and father, death of my mother...all while my marriage was spiraling and I was too busy to recognize it. I worked part time as a Nurse Practitioner at what I would call a dream job, but that was it ...nothing permanent only temporary work was available.   I was blessed with a job at a family practice in Gray.  Great job for the career woman but not so much for a wife and mother.  It was super stressful and busy!  God made a way for the dream job I originally had to be made into full time/permanent.  I was able to return to the job I loved and the people I loved even more!  This sounds like a happy ending?  Well...Satan wasn't finished yet...and even better God wasn't either:)  Satan attacked my marriage once again.  God is so awesome and has navigated every turn in my life! Even placing me where I needed to be when I needed to be there and who I needed to be with. Jason and I are happily married for 14 years and are now totally surrendered to God and know that we are nothing without Him!  I needed lots of refining fire and God knew it....He put me through it and brought me through it a better person!  This brings us to today...why did I start this blog?  (1) I was inspired by a special friend who blogs and I love reading hers...I can hear her saying every word as if she is speaking to me (2) I am a strange twist of a wordy person that is slightly introverted and my brain and my fingers work better together than my brain and my mouth.  Hope you will follow and enjoy! Until next time...