It's the end of November, really?! I see that the last post was Halloween pictures! November has been busy with the normal ol' stuff and getting ready for the holidays. Hopefully that preparation will pay off and I will get to enjoy Christmas this year. I like to have all my shopping done by Thanksgiving, but last year I had barely started, and I felt behind the entire season. And we were still in the middle of all the "firsts" of a new community and I didn't know what to expect. This year, before we left for Thanksgiving, the house was decorated, except the ornaments on the tree--I just couldn't get in the mood for that and SweetBoy didn't want to hear Christmas music before Thanksgiving. I'll give him that one. We got it decorated when we got home and it worked great. The presents were all wrapped even and ready to go under the tree! OK except for one that I'm making, and I have to get my sewing machine fixed before I can finish it. And the kids have their shopping or projects for each other, but we can handle that because the bulk of it is done. So bring on the basketball schedule, SweetHeart's week of training every evening, birthdays, baking, class parties and the calendar surprises--this year I'm more prepared for it...I hope!
Not to skip over Thanksgiving. We had a great time with SweetHeart's family. It was not the typical lastname visit. Usually it is my family that has the projects going on! My in-laws have been remodeling the home that SweetHeart grew up in. We have offered to help before, but for whatever reason, we didn't. This trip we kind of pressed a little harder. SweetHeart's two brothers and our nephew came over to work on it with us. The mission was to put flooring down in two rooms and a hallway. One of the rooms had to have a subfloor put down first. I stayed out of the construction zone of building the subfloor, but had a blast laying laminate flooring! I am so addicted to accomplishing something that stays done! After working on it for three days--I'm glad to report that we were able to finish the job! And just in time! We had planned to go to one of the brother's home for our Thanksgiving celebration, but his son was sick, so plan B was the house we were working on!
We had a great time together! We had our traditional Mexican pile on for dinner. (We had turkey, dressing, and all the trimmings Sunday with Mamaw and the rest of the family.) Then we played spoons! It had been so long since I played that with my cousins. What is it about that game that makes you laugh so hard?! Too fun!
Thanksgiving morning we were ready to veg and watch the parade and football. But the power went out, so we went to see Mamaw, and then went to the brother's house for lunch. It probably worked out best that way!
AND while we were in the area with family and friends...I organized a surprise party for SweetHeart's birthday! It was a little early, which helped with the surprise, and we totally got him! He was so comepletely surprised! That was fun!
I have pictures that I haven't even downloaded from my camera yet, but I'll have to share those later. Gotta run to gymnastics!
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Trick-or-treating 2010
SweetTate as Buzz Lightyear. "To infinity and beyond!"
"Falling with style!"
SweetDoll as a flapper girl.
SweetBoy as a knight. (Not exactly King Peter like he wanted to be, but it had a sword and shield so we're good!)
My three characters!
This is the first year we have gone to houses trick-or-treating. We have gone to a few houses of family before. We have gone to Mamaw's to help pass out candy. And we have gone to the church or school activities, but this year we just did regular ol' trick-or-treating. It was good! We still just went to neighbors we knew. At one house, the ladies were outside and we weren't necessarily going to stop, but they invited us over and it turned out we did know their parents who lived there! That is the beauty of a small town I guess. And let me tell you, this town has some good candy!
We made a short loop around town! Yes, that is a cotton field in the background!
Then it was back to the house to wait for trick-or-treaters to come see us! (You know we had to go out early and get back because the Rangers were playing in the World Series! We saw the pre-game and National Anthem was on in some of the houses we stopped at. It was recording at home so we didn't miss a thing!)
I've never been real big on Halloween, but I must admit, I will be a little sad when my kids are too big to dress up, so I'll enjoy it now!
Speaking of the Rangers...they lost the World Series in game 5. But my Rangers played baseball in November...it was a good season! Hopefully they will make it back to the series again soon. Even if they didn't play well in the championship series, it was fun getting there! This year, beating the Yankees in the ALCS was our championship!
Monday, November 1, 2010
DIY
We have the DIY network for free as a teaser this month. I have found that I’m obsessed with…that might be a little strong, but I really like… change. In my own life I hate change. But on reality TV, I love to watch shows about change—Extreme Home Makeover, Biggest Loser, DIY network with all the renovations that take drab to fab. I love to see the before and after. I love the change!
On the crash DIY shows, the licensed contractor will find an unsuspecting customer at a home improvement store and go home with them. They may have come to the store for a rake and they go home with a guy who plans to totally redo their whole backyard beyond their wildest dreams in two days! Why hadn’t they done it before? Maybe they ran out of time, energy, money, or needed inspiration.
So here is my DIY aha moment. I have had insecurity all my life, and really struggled with it in the last 10 years. In the spring I made some real strides to kicking that bad habit with Beth Moore’s So Long Insecurity. This summer I did Beth’s Bible study, Stepping Up, and at the beginning she asked if we were ready to go to a new place with God. I thought OK, I know more about the roots of my insecurity. I’ve dealt with a lot of that. Now it’s time to move on. I just started Stepping Up again to do it with the ladies at my church, and here I am in the fall still struggling with the same insecurity…again.
In the study Beth asked us to read 1 Peter 5:6, but this second time through I read the verses around it also.
Be aware! The enemy is ready to pounce and he recognizes pride in a heartbeat and will jump all over that. I’ve been there! I need to wise up to the enemy’s schemes! Resist him! Stand firm in what you know! My God of grace who called me to suffer a little to share His glory will “Himself restore me and make me strong, firm and steadfast. To Him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.” (Romans 8:17 says we are “co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in His sufferings in order that we may also share in His glory.”) Amen!
How do I do what He is instructing here in 1 Peter? He’s been teaching me for two years now to set my heart, mind, and eyes on Him and Him alone. When I’m weak and defeated, I know my focus is on me instead.
So my Heavenly Father has been “stalking” me like they guy at the home improvement store, waiting until I got so sick of my situation that I’m ready for anything He has to offer. Then when I buy into His plan for my renovation, it will be beyond my wildest imagination! His plan is restoration to make me strong, firm and steadfast in Him. That sounds so good to me! Not doubting who I am, not dreading rejection, not feeling beat up and defeated, but strong. firm. and steadfast. Right now, I cannot imagine going into a particular situation with that attitude. That is where I want to be.
Here is the catch. I’m just like the people who haven’t done their home projects. Why have I not already done this change? I’m afraid of failing and being defeated—again. I’ve tried to do it myself and run out of resources. I want it quick, but it takes time. Unlike these guys who come in and they knock it out in a few days or weeks, this takes little changes every day. But my Contractor is going to be with me every step of the way.
I got an email from Becky Tirabassi that spoke to this very thing. (Imagine that...I’m telling you, it is like God is stalking me!)
All of that to say 1 Peter 5:5-11 are my verses I'm working on this month. I have to keep the blueprint in mind!
BTW, I hear Beth Moore is going to start up the Siesta Scripture Memory Team again in 2011. When she did it in 2009, I was too afraid to invite people to do it with me because I didn't know if I could do it. This time around I want everyone to do it with me! Memorizing Scripture has had the most profound impact on my life, and I would love to share the experience with you!
On the crash DIY shows, the licensed contractor will find an unsuspecting customer at a home improvement store and go home with them. They may have come to the store for a rake and they go home with a guy who plans to totally redo their whole backyard beyond their wildest dreams in two days! Why hadn’t they done it before? Maybe they ran out of time, energy, money, or needed inspiration.
So here is my DIY aha moment. I have had insecurity all my life, and really struggled with it in the last 10 years. In the spring I made some real strides to kicking that bad habit with Beth Moore’s So Long Insecurity. This summer I did Beth’s Bible study, Stepping Up, and at the beginning she asked if we were ready to go to a new place with God. I thought OK, I know more about the roots of my insecurity. I’ve dealt with a lot of that. Now it’s time to move on. I just started Stepping Up again to do it with the ladies at my church, and here I am in the fall still struggling with the same insecurity…again.
In the study Beth asked us to read 1 Peter 5:6, but this second time through I read the verses around it also.
1 Peter 5:5-11I responded: God knows it is hard to submit to others. My pride says to bow up. But God gives His grace to the humble. I need His grace so I can grace others. I bow down to God alone. He knows it’s hard and He cares about my hurt feelings...
Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,
“God opposes the proud
but gives grace to the humble.” (Prov. 3:34)
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To Him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.
Be aware! The enemy is ready to pounce and he recognizes pride in a heartbeat and will jump all over that. I’ve been there! I need to wise up to the enemy’s schemes! Resist him! Stand firm in what you know! My God of grace who called me to suffer a little to share His glory will “Himself restore me and make me strong, firm and steadfast. To Him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.” (Romans 8:17 says we are “co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in His sufferings in order that we may also share in His glory.”) Amen!
How do I do what He is instructing here in 1 Peter? He’s been teaching me for two years now to set my heart, mind, and eyes on Him and Him alone. When I’m weak and defeated, I know my focus is on me instead.
So my Heavenly Father has been “stalking” me like they guy at the home improvement store, waiting until I got so sick of my situation that I’m ready for anything He has to offer. Then when I buy into His plan for my renovation, it will be beyond my wildest imagination! His plan is restoration to make me strong, firm and steadfast in Him. That sounds so good to me! Not doubting who I am, not dreading rejection, not feeling beat up and defeated, but strong. firm. and steadfast. Right now, I cannot imagine going into a particular situation with that attitude. That is where I want to be.
Here is the catch. I’m just like the people who haven’t done their home projects. Why have I not already done this change? I’m afraid of failing and being defeated—again. I’ve tried to do it myself and run out of resources. I want it quick, but it takes time. Unlike these guys who come in and they knock it out in a few days or weeks, this takes little changes every day. But my Contractor is going to be with me every step of the way.
I got an email from Becky Tirabassi that spoke to this very thing. (Imagine that...I’m telling you, it is like God is stalking me!)
“For those of us who have gone through a recovery program, we know that no matter HOW MUCH we want or need to change our lives, it won't happen unless we make DAILY, LITTLE CHANGES first!”I had a test this summer that went ok. I was working on my memory verses, had my sword ready, and my eyes on my Father wanting only to please Him. I have another test coming up in a few months that will really show the change. And the enemy is already trying to get his footing, and I’ve had days that I lost some ground. Everyday I’m going to have to work on it, but I have the end in mind. I will be able to show up empowered by the Spirit at work in me strong, firm, and steadfast. I can’t just Do It Yourself. I have to Do It with Yahweh! My covenant God who fights for me, believes in me, and loves me more.
All of that to say 1 Peter 5:5-11 are my verses I'm working on this month. I have to keep the blueprint in mind!
BTW, I hear Beth Moore is going to start up the Siesta Scripture Memory Team again in 2011. When she did it in 2009, I was too afraid to invite people to do it with me because I didn't know if I could do it. This time around I want everyone to do it with me! Memorizing Scripture has had the most profound impact on my life, and I would love to share the experience with you!
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