Tutti Frutti Reflections

In these past couple of weeks as I have been thinking about my blog and the direction I want it go I have had time to reflect.  In these reflections I have thought of several new posts I wanted share yet have not had the time to sit at my laptop to do so.  One thing that is consistent with my posts is it comes down to family.  

Family is a wonderful part of my every day that it overtakes everything that I am.  Despite any downs and annoyances within our dynamic family the highs we experience coming out winning so strong.  In writing advice for my 18 year old self I would say to continue to cherish the family I have.  My favorite part of being in my family is the laughter we have when we are together.  So many times that laughter continues days later as I chuckle to myself lost in thought on our crazy conversations.   Just tonight as we were at the grocery store picking up mundane items I saw my life complete within in the love I have for each member of my family.   Reflections are good and with this being the end of a year I know that my next year will not only be blessed but will already be covered with love thanks to my family! What more could I ask for year after year?

My Certified Organic Soapbox

Why is it that good natural or organic food (grown without the use of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, genetically modified) has to be labeled certified? What do I mean by this question really? I mean why are we at a point that we have to have standards and labels for natural, organic food? Shouldn’t everything be natural and organic? Shouldn’t we be labeling those food products that are pretty much pieced together with some food and processed items? If there was such a big campaign on how cigarettes were unhealthy and caused damage what about processed food! I just cannot believe how we have been fooled to think processed food is good to eat, how we can just give that to our children and expect them to grow strong! More than anything I have been appalled  with this as I have 3 little kids and the thought of them eating anything with some kind of petroleum form that is processed into food so that we can buy cheaper stirs me. I am no expert on this trust me therefore that is why I say this is my opinion, my soapbox. What I can say is that you can soo taste the difference in food when it is the way God intended for us to grow it!

Testing

Trying to blog from my nook color...seems good so far. Review to come

Triplets...practically!

I never have given myself credit for having my hands full with 3 little kids.  Not just any 3 little kids who are spaced out in age but 3 little kids that are about a year apart!  Yes, a year apart!  Here let me make my point a bit stronger by listing out the years I had them: 2005, 2006 and 2007.  If that is not strong enough how about their age: 5,4 and 3!  So yes, 3 little ones in 3 years!   

When we are out or meeting new people they always acknowledge the fact how close the kids are and how busy we must be with just them.  Maybe now that I am finally recovering from my pregnancies I am not so delusional so I am understanding that statement.  Humor me as I am coming to terms, please…. just for a moment though imagine your youngest one and multiply  that by 3.  Imagine the wiggly, the test  of boundaries, the  fussiness, the questions, the anything your kid does.  Picture the one child jumping of the coach, you repeating yourself for the second time to  not jump again as they are mid-air jumping.  Can you even imagine 3 kids one by one jumping off the coach and really you have no chance in telling them to stop as they are too quick for your words!  I do not even have to go into bedtime with 3 kids doing the wave as they get up to “use the bathroom”….you get the picture.

So From now on I am no longer responding with my usual of saying “oh not really they are great kids”,  which they are.  I will be bold in saying “you bet I am busy!” I am  busy with triple the amount of hugs, triple the amount of kisses, triple the amount of giggles, triple the amount of love!  How could my heart not be full?

Unwrapping

In my quest for blogging I have been going to random blogs for inspiration or to see the possibilities.   That is how I came a across a post about Bloggy Boot Camp in Austin.

In this jammed packed blog I found some neat blogging tips.  Right away I went to the one on how to find your writing voice because trust me I know where and how to use my speaking voice!

This post claims that the answer is simple….  “You give them something they can’t get anywhere else; you give them…you.” Wow that is kinda scary as I must then grab my courage up by the straps and believe that I will become your favorite blogger.  In my first step as an assertive blogger I will take their advice and apply it to my upcoming posts…

Your blog is a compilation of everything you are: your experiences, hopes, dreams, thoughts, values.  All of this is wrapped into a neat little package every time you hit publish.

Therefore since I will be presenting myself to you in a neat little package every time I hit publish I am warning you that what you read is me and only me!  In my honest upfront opinion I am great so this blog has only way to go and that is to succeed….

Let the unwrapping begin!

ps - this has brought inspiration to change my title to "Neat Little Package"

Parenting Thoughts....

I just love my kids perception of life. The simplicity and clarity of how they see things is touching to me.   The innocence of their perception is something that challenges me in who I am.   So many times I am flabbergasted at how I realize that I need to change after a conversation with my 4 year old, worse when it is with my 3 year old!  Am I  not the adult, the parent?  Is this why many times it is hard to be a mom? Is it because our flaws become apparent in such a loving subtle way.  In a way that only ourselves know therefore leading us to change from within?  Funny thing is that my kids have no idea their influence on me…which is where, me as the parent still has control! Haha   

In this endeavor of being a parent I am loving some of the changes in me, the betterment of who I am.  I could allow myself to be lost in the frustration which believe me I was/am!  Thankfully that is where my husband steps in and pulls me up…sometimes it is more like a jolt in my being but once my emotions settle down I see how much I need that.  As the mom that is where I have the opportunity to make the right decision for myself and for my family as it can be true “if mom is not happy then no one is”.   In being a happy mom though it is not about being selfish either it is about being the woman God called us to be within the safety of our family.  So in conclusion my kids innocent perception of life is a blessing that I cherish and hold dear in my heart!

Christmas at my desk

Here is a picture of my desk Christmas lights that my one and only Mr. IT gave me.  Please notice that in reality it is a USB cord with lights that hook up to your computer! Yes, now you can see why I say we are the IT Crowd!  ***confession: I am enjoying my lights and even feel a bit special as no one else has some like these***

These are the moments that bring such a warmth to my heart reminding me of how much I love my husband! The ways that he thinks of me even if they are techy or nerdy…they are ways that make me know that I am IT to him!

Books

I am a reader. Am I a great reader with some kinda of talent to pick up a read that will inspire you, challenge you, guide you or whatever? No, not really.  In the past year I have discovered that melancholy books are my favorite! Reading to me is like when someone says they love movies.  I am not a true critic so I read just for a good story that requires little mind work.  Why am I writing about reading and feeling like I am rambling?? Well because I got a new book this week and just ordered a new book 2 minutes ago! I think I have enough reading for the holidays.  I still have my school reading to do and everything else I am required to do but somehow I always find time to read!!!

Dinner Time

Dinner time is such an important time of the day. Funny though how kids are their fussiest at the end of the day or that you should eat the least calories at night. However when I find myself at the table with my husband and kids there are sweet moments that melt my day away. Despite it all I challenge you to make time to seat at the table and enjoy some simple sweet moments…..

Dear Life....

Dear Life.  I say ‘Dear Life’ as life is dear to me and God who gave me life.  What a great thought to know that God gave us life, God created us, God breathed in us! I say ‘Dear Life’ as I share my life that I have been able to live. In this life I love I am thankful for an awesome husband who believes in me, an awesome super Dad that brings support to our family.  In my dear life I want to journal  how God’s grace and love are the main thread in everything I do, in my everyday life.

I love this life that is dear!

Yard Work In Our Life

Since we have been working in our backyard I have seen how much time, money and effort my husband has put into it.  There are many stages when gardening as each plant requires different attention.  Our life in God's hands is like that.  Not only does God invest time, money and effort but He gave us LIFE! Know that your life rooted in Him will grow and bear fruit.  Be encouraged today that your life will flourish successfully in Him!

³ They (we) are like trees growing beside a stream,trees that produce fruit in season and always have leaves. Those people (us) succeed in everything they do. Psalm 1:3 (Contemporary English Version)

Roller Coaster Surrender

 Listening to Kim Walker's song "I Surrender" this morning made me think about the word surrender.  You can find in the dictionary words like 'to give up possession', 'to yield', or 'to resign'.  however in God when we surrender we can look at the antonyms of surrender, we can 'withstand and stand firm' in Him.  We surrender, stand firm into His Grace and Love, we surrender into His blessings, we surrender into His peace and strength!  As we stand in line for the roller coaster we have that moment of hesitation as we know that we will allow the ride to take over and we give up in twists and turns.  We just take that breath, lift our hands, close our eyes and enjoy the ride with a huge smile.  How much more in God can we ride the roller coaster of surrender? We can lift our hands, close our eyes and enjoy life!

Connecting Lines

Recently my perspective has changed, my outlook, my vision, my view as I have connected new lines to my box.  Do you remember in art class when they taught how to create dimension in a simple drawing of a box by adding lines and connecting them? Your box would turn after looking at it.  Well as I have connected lines of God's love, faith, hope and peace my box has turned!  I see a life where I can be fearless through God. I see a life that is full of positive expectation.  I see a life with good days ahead. I see a life that I love!

Glue

We hear so many references to the influence we have as women.  'Women are the neck that turn the head' to 'women are the ones to get things done'.  My favorite one though is "women are the glue that keep relationships sticking".  As I think of that statement it makes me wonder what kind of glue am I. Do I give love to all my relationships as it is the love of God that never fails?  Do I give to my relationships knowing that in return I will find life?  We should strive to be the kind of glue that gives love in all times because that is what will hold our relationships together for the long run. 

Punch Bread Down

Lately I have been making a lot of homemade bread and starting to really feel comfortable with the steps.  Mix flour and spices, yeast with warm water, add to flour, shape and let rise.  After you let the dough rise you punch it down so that you can shape it and let rise once more for baking.  As I was thinking about the steps I wonder how many times do we feel like we are being punched down? But even more than that how many times do rise again! We should be encouraged that we can only rise up and conqueror to be who God has called us to be regardless of circumstances. 

"No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us." Romans 8:37

Truth

We were discussing an action plan with a doctor and she was explaining that we should go ahead use the time that we have to collect data in presenting a case to the insurance company.  I was remembering the quote that I recently read in my devotional about facts and truth.  Regardless of the 'data' facts that we are looking at I am glad to know that we can collect on God's truth for our life! We can trust and stir faith within us leading to drown out the facts.  Let us be encouraged to collect and present our case with truth that God loves us and has given us everything we need!

"What is the difference between fact and truth? Facts change but truth, the Word of God remains" Joseph Prince

8th Anniversary

Bobby and I are celebrating our 8th year anniversary today so I am taking this time to celebrate.  I remember being in the place where I was not sure if this relationship was from God, the place that many times we put ourselves in with our questioning.  I learned how to follow peace and apply that to my life through Bobby.  He has been more then wonderful to me but really my complement then and in the person that I am now. He loves me for who I am, he believes in me and he makes me laugh, how could there not be peace with a man of God like that?  1626

Parenting Manual

Sitting at the dinner table with my kids and husband is my favorite time of the day.  I ponder many times on if there is a guarantee in parenting and where I can find it.  I have come to learn after asking many parents is that there is no guarantee other then just loving each child for who they are.  What we do have is a guarantee that God's love conquers all! In God's love that we give to each of our children we can trust that they will grow into the adult they are to be.  The best advice I received as a new mom was that my newborn did not come with a manual on how to be a newborn and I did not come with a manual on how to be a new mom but that together as a family we would find what works best for us.  I can tell you that God's love has worked best for us!

No Man's Land

In midst of a conversation I was having this week the comment was made "you are in no man's land" and I responded with "that is not a bad place to be because you can step back to find a new perspective".  This made me think and I believe that is so true!  If we just take a moment in the times that we feel like we are in no man's land we can actually take advantage of the situation and find a new perspective, a new out, a new solution.  In these moments we can trust God's promise of always giving us an out, giving us a new perspective.  Therefore we are not in no man's land but in a land of opportunity! Let us strive to walk in a perspective that leads us to open doors....doors of blessings!

Lentil Soup

Just recently I discovered that I really enjoy lentil soup!  I have always stayed away from it as I thought I would not like them for random reasons.  Reasons that were all wrong for example I thought they were slimy.  I have been pondering on how much I enjoy learning new things about myself even as small as I like lentil soup after all.  I wonder now what other things about me is there to discover if I put down my 'reasons' or perceptions.  What other things will I like, what other people will become dear friends, what other co-worker can I lead to the Lord?  Funny to say but thanks to Lentil Soup I am ready to discover more about me........

Hope

Hope has been a term that I have grown up with throughout my life but until recently I have come to grasp what it means in my life.   Hope as it was explained to us by our Pastor is "a positive expectation".  As I have been pondering on this I realize that hope is more present then what I thought.  So many people around us and ourselves do  have a hope but it is not positive.  You might hear it in comments like "I hope that this project will go smooth but this and that" - its hope with a negative expectation and not with faith.  How much more can we have a positive expectation, a hope filled with faith when we have God's love, promises and grace?   Let us watch our hope that we may hope in positive things as 'God is with me so who can be against me?' or 'My God shall supply all my needs' or 'Nothing can separate us from the love of God'.   I am encouraged in my hope today!

Building Blocks

Last night  as my husband and I were talking I began to tell him about how I want to make daily decisions that I build on through the year rather then making  New Year's resolutions.  He reminded me that we should have short goals that we can attain as that helps us to reach our long term goals.  My daily decisions for this month is to cook more as that builds and grows our family time but also builds us financially.  As I make these daily decisions through the month then  I know that it will carry through the year therefore I will have accomplished my goal of growing my family and finances. What are the areas in your life, in my life that we want to see growth or resolution in?  We read in Isaiah 28:10 line upon line, precept upon precept....one step at a time, one choice at a time will lead us into a life we love in God!