A Productive Endeavor

Valentine Decor

2012-02-08T21:22:00.000-05:00

Considering my bins of Christmas decorations haven't yet made it to the attic, I hadn't even thought of decorating for Valentine's Day. But I went to my friend's house (who is a master at home decor) and decided that I had to do SOMETHING. I printed and framed "Love one another" and that's in the livingroom - sorry no pic. I grabbed a couple empty frames, scrapbook paper, a heart punch and alpha stickers. Here are our initials:

Here are the frames on my little shelf in my diningroom.

I sprinkled a few more hearts on my table and that's it. Valentine Decor done.

I know my table spread isn't anything fancy and will never get pinned by anyone (shout out to Pinterest! haha) but I wanted to say that just a touch of effort and fun can totally change the vibe of a home. I don't want to have bins of decorations for every holiday but I DO want to make my home warm and inviting and I think these simple things do the trick. At least it makes my kids happy and that's DEFINITELY worth it.

Reporting vs Tattling

2012-02-05T18:03:00.000-05:00

I love Pinterest for ideas, ideas and more ideas. From organizing to craft tutorials to recipes, the visual online bulletin board is amazing! I saw a printout that someone made that outlined the differences between reporting and tattling. Since I have a 6 and 4 year old, we are BIG into this season of life and I knew I wanted to print this out. So I made up a little chart in Word and voila:

It's now on my fridge after I discussed it with the kids. I already referenced it a couple times tonight. It's glorious! If anyone reading this would like a copy, just let me know and I'd be happy to email you the doc. I have no idea how to upload it here to make it downloadable!

What?! Another change?

2012-02-03T20:20:00.000-05:00

I've been such a good girl training for my 5K. I wanted to get in shape and setting a goal was just what I needed. I always knew exercise was good for me but to actually DO IT was another thing! I've been working out for a month now and I've noticed a big change in something this week. I literally get EXHAUSTED every afternoon. I crash hard. Not the normal "I have 3 kids" kind I was used to but the - I'm so exhausted I'm getting headaches, am moody, get clumsy and don't even care about Facebook exhausted *gasp*!!! Now that is tired! It's been frustrating. I thought exercising was suppose to give you MORE energy.

from photobucket

So I checked in with an educated fitness/nutritionist friend and she said I need more protein. Oooo I sound like such an athlete now needing protein. But seriously, my body is working differently and I can't function on the junk food I've been consuming! My high sugar, grab and go food lifestyle has got to change. It's been on my "to do" list along with many other areas I need to improve so I find it interesting to see this domino effect.

The Cozi calendar

2012-02-01T13:40:00.001-05:00

In a previous post I talked about decluttering my mind. Someone commented (thanks Merlin whoever you are! LOL) and suggested the Cozi Calendar. I looked into it and it is awesome! Jay and I have been using it for a couple weeks now and LOVE IT!

Basically it's a web based system with a free downloadable app for our iPhone. (So you can log into the site from a PC too.) But what I love is that whatever changes Jay makes on his phone, automatically are updated on MINE! No more forgetting when he's working late or when he's working the weekend! It's great with the kids' activities too. You can easily set reoccurring things like cheerleading practice.

Here is a peek at our calendar. You can assign each family member a color to making viewing easy.

And our fav part! The grocery list section!! Jay always called me after work to see if I needed anything. Now I just add stuff to our Cozi list and he doesn't have to grab a pen. It's so easy!

It's funny that I was told about Cozi after writing about decluttering my mind and my to do list, and we don't even use it for that! I decided to use Microsoft Outlook's tasks list. I've always loved that program and been using it for a long time. But a synchronized calendar was def something we wanted anyway! So thanks again Merlin for the great tip! Passing it on!

Pregnant after a "failed" vasectomy

2012-01-29T18:33:00.001-05:00

Number 1 and number DONE. That’s was how Jay answered people who asked if we were done having kids back when we had just Vienna and Lance.

Deciding on a vasectomy
There were many reasons that led us to choose a vasectomy to “finalize” the size of our family.
We decided we were happy with two kids because I always said I’d rather be a good mom of two than a psycho mom of more. Plus, I am not a happy pregnant lady. I was nauseous well past the half way point with my pregnancies and threw up if I didn’t eat constantly. Also we’re a military family. I’m often parenting alone because Jay’s away a lot. Our family isn’t close by. And we’re a single income family and that’s tough in this expensive State of Connecticut. We were satisfied with two children and wanted to finalize it.

Jay’s procedure was January 2009.
We were given the all clear in March after Jay got lab results back.

We always said we were happy with two but if God wanted us to have more, we know ultimately He’s in charge. Glad we always said that!

How I realized that I was pregnant
I was scheduled for surgery in August 2009 that required general anaethesia. My period was over a week late but I wasn’t too regular so no big deal. But I decided to take a home pregnancy test JUST in case I was pregnant because I would need to reschedule that surgery. When I found out I was pregnant, I was shocked. I was scared. I didn’t want to be pregnant. I didn’t want to go thru another painful delivery. Vienna was 4 and Lance was 2. It was fresh in my mind! I was so happy we were past those hard baby years. I gave all my baby stuff away. I didn’t want to start over. Jay on the other hand was really funny. He joked that nothing could hold him down! He was the man! He was excited to have another child and was in a better place mentally than me for the first part of pregnancy.

How did I get pregnant?
I was certain that Jay’s vas deferen must have grown back or his body created a new pathway. He went back to his urologist in October 2009 to get tested again so we could fix the problem. The doctor called Jay to tell him that he didn’t have any live sperm in his lab work. He did have one dead one but a normal sample would have millions. Basically Jay was told that he could not get someone pregnant. After I heard this, I called the urologist back and spoke to a nurse. I wanted to know if Jay could get an ultrasound or something to double check on things down there. She said it wasn’t necessary because the vasectomy was a success based on the lab results. I asked how there was one dead one? Her response was that it probably got hung up somewhere. (How does something get hung up for 10 months?) I asked her what I was supposed to do for birth control. I didn’t want to have kids til I hit menopause! Her response was and I quote: “This sort of thing doesn’t happen unless someone else is involved.” I was too shocked to reply. I was just accused of infidelity! Good thing I believe in a God who is bigger than all medicine and my trust was fully in Him.

Second opinion
In Feb 2010, we went to a different urologist for a second opinion. The lab results came back and again Jay had zero sperm in his lab work. Definitely a successful vasectomy. (And Mary had an immacculate conception. Haha!) Ok seriously though... why was I pregnant??? This urologist said that it’s 99.9% effective. There is room for error. Just like some people win the lottery. Stats are small but they’re there. Ya but most people get pregnant because they don’t wait for the all clear or their vas deferen grows back. I personally wonder if vasectomies are THAT effective. Cause if they were 80% effective how many men would get them? And the doctors didn’t even care about my stats. They just think I was unfaithful. Unless a university does a study, my data will never get collected.

Our baby
Colin was born in April 2010. Healthy and whole and perfect. He brings so much joy to our family and I can’t imagine life without him in it. He brings smiles to everyone he meets – yes he’s just that cute! He looks an awful lot like his Daddy. Good thing right?

Why are we sharing our story?
I know that most people reading this who don’t know me, may think there must be another man, so before we could tell this story, we decided to have DNA testing done. Colin is indeed Jay’s son. Medically we still don’t understand how. Just before our DNA testing in Nov 2011, I called Jay’s urologist and talked to a nurse again. I told her this whole story and she said she’d get the doctor to call me. Never heard from him. We just assume our story is bad for business. And they’re probably afraid of a lawsuit.
But the reality of it is that based on *their* reaction to my pregnancy, my marriage could have ended. Jay could have refused to get tested again but I thank God I have a man who trusts me. If this scenario comes up for others what do they do? Do the men trust their women? Does this end a marriage? End a life? How many women get abortions justifying it with the fact that it wasn’t planned?

What this has taught me
Well I’m not afraid of getting pregnant again! I actually no longer look at a pregnoid and feel her discomfort. I celebrate life in a way I never did before. I love babies and don’t find those early days dreadful. They pass far too quickly to dread them! And they have! My baby will be TWO in April!
I also learned that I am capable of being a loving mom to three.
I learned that zofran is a great drug to take to counteract nausea while pregnant!
I learned that my husband loves me even more for birthing him three miracles.
I learned that God is bigger than any medical explanation could possible offer.
I learned that through my children, I have learned much about life, myself and God’s love.

He is faithful and can carry us through everything. His ways are not our ways. And He has a purpose for us bigger than we can even dream of, if we let Him... If we give our lives to Him. And I don’t know why God blessed us with a three babies but it has taught me much. And I hope and pray that someone reading our story would be encouraged and blessed because of it.

Thanks for listening to our story,
Mary & Jay

(PS. I just want to also share real quickly that we lost two babies to miscarriage. One in Jan 2003 and another in March 2004. We trust that we will see Amelia and Joshua in heaven one day. We know the pain of losing life and so we celebrate the lives of all children who’ve made it to this earthly world and those who only lived in the womb. Last Sunday was the Sanctity of Life day. We felt it suiting to share our story now.)

7 Fitness Myths, Busted | Yahoo! Health

2012-01-24T13:46:00.001-05:00

I just read this article on Yahoo and love reading that NO PAIN, NO GAIN is a myth!

I never liked pushing myself to the point where I hurt and it's so refreshing to know that what I'm doing IS beneficial! I don't need to be some tough warrior chick!! (Not that I was trying.)

Now to share with the world so people can work out and actually enjoy it, not dread it!

7 Fitness Myths, Busted | Yahoo! Health

Couch to 5K update

2012-01-23T21:45:00.001-05:00

I just did the week 4, day 2 of the C25K workout tonight and wanted to document my progress. I was running every other day til just this weekend. I took Sat and Sun off. I was just super tired yesterday and didn't feel like running. Tonight when I got on the treadmill, I still didn't feel like doing it. So I slowed my speed down to 4.0 from the 5.0 I was running the past couple workouts. It took me about 18min to finally get some energy and I finished the workout much better than when I started. I am just so happy that I'm sticking with something!

I blogged about Jan.2-10 here.

Summary:

Jan.2. 1.6 miles in 30min
Jan.4. 1.7 miles in 31min
Jan.6. 1.8miles
Jan.8. 1.89 miles in 31.18min
Jan.10 1.998 miles in 31.23min

Since then here are my stats:

Jan.12th was a big day! 2.05 miles in 31.12min!!!

THIS was an exciting milestone for me. Getting to two miles in ONE workout!! I used my treadmill last year to get in shape but never did stick with it. During those times on the treadmill, I never got to 2 miles. I didn't follow any sort of plan then. Just tried to get as far as I could in a half hour. So I was very excited to see 2 miles on the screen!!

Jan.14. 1.87 miles in 28.09min. I was surprised that I ran at 3min intervals without stopping. Woot woot! This program is awesome!

Jan.16. 1.84 miles in 28.08min. I didn't go as far as last time. But I wasn't functioning at 100%. I yawned a lot, got side pain and just felt sluggish. I had visions of falling off the treadmill and skinning my legs on the conveyor belt.

Jan.18. 1.85 miles in 28.08min.

Jan.20. 2.166 miles in 31.37min.

Jan.23. 1.910 miles in 31.50min. (Per above I slowed my speed tonight. As long as I'm going I'm happy!)

Registration finally opened for my March 5K. I am going to register tomorrow! WOOT WOOT!

Gentleness Challenge check in - week 4

2012-01-22T22:24:00.000-05:00

Well my week started good! But I def got snappy by the weekend. Why is it so easy to yell at my kids? I love this week's check in at Women Living Well. Courtney references Michelle Duggar. I don't know much about her because I haven't watched the show but I def loves this advice:

"Ask God to help you conquer anger because it can destroy your relationship with your children."
"Praise them ten times more than you correct them."
"Anger shows your worst side and often times when we have angry outbursts, our anger is worse than what the child has actually done!"

I find that so humbling. MY anger can destroy my relationship with my precious children. And MY anger outbursts are usually worse than what my child has done. I actually had a revelation recently that ties to this. We parents who claim to love our children more than anything else are actually the ones in our children's lives who hurt them the most. I can't imagine seeing a teacher or friend talk to my kids the way I do and I am the one who is suppose to protect them from this sort of thing! Isn't that food for thought?

Well I love the 3 points above as I start off a new week with a fresh perspective. Love this Gentleness Challenge!

Another gentleness challenge check in - week 3

2012-01-15T21:31:00.000-05:00

This week's post was so beyond amazing. It just about put tears in my eyes. I BEG you to click over and read it!!!
When I yell at my kids, it's almost always because of lack of control of my emotions and because I am annoyed, not because they deserve it.

Courtney lists some reasons that we lose our temper and offers some wisdom with each point. Please go check it out! I know that I related to each one!
1. Too high of expectations. Um ya! Sometimes I forget that my kids are only 6, 4 & 1 and don't know how the whole world works. They need to be TRAINED and lovingly guided! For example, when it comes to manners. I am training my kids how to interrupt my conversations in a polite way. It's not like they're being purposely rude; they just want whatever it is they want, but man do they tick me off sometimes and I yell at them. What a role model I am! ha!

2. Exhaustion. Yes I def was guilty of snapping lots when I had to get up thru the night with a baby. We are passed this phase of life but it's fresh fresh fresh in my mind. But to add to what Courtney said, I think when my kids are exhausted I lose my temper more too. I suppose this ties to "too high of expectations" because I really don't think we can expect the same sort of good behavior from kids who are tired. But exhaustion makes for crabbiness all around no matter who's tired.

3. Disorganization. Feeling rushed to get out the door with kids has to be the big one here. Oh I forgot the diaper bag. Oh I forgot to bring the show and tell. Oh where is your homework? When I am disorganized and rushed, I get grouchy! I once read a sign in an office that read: "Lack of planning by you, doesn't constitute an emergency for me." So many children are victims to this one huh?
If I can just think about what I need to do and plan for my day better, this eases much of that stress. I have been working on all that in a decluttering series over with Glynnis Whitwer and that has helped me along with planning my day the night before in a notebook, which I just blogged about here.

4. Bitterness in your marriage. Wow. I never thought of that one before. But ya, lots of good stuff there. Again I want to add bitterness towards your husband's work schedule. When he's not around we moms have to do carry the load for the home. That's pretty tough and that's often when I struggle. I miss my husband and am doing EVERYTHING with no relief. And the kids get Mean Mommy by bedtime.

I haven't been angry this week but I have been annoyed. I think it's in part that I just want to attack all the projects on my to do list but I can't. Meals, clean up, dishes, laundry... you know, normal life just get in the way. So alas, I must work on my attitude more. And continue with that other decluttering challenge as I manage my task list!

Decluttering my mind

2012-01-11T14:00:00.000-05:00

I subscribe to Proverbs 31 Ministries and their encouraging emails. They are one my fav Christian resources and highly recommend them!!! One of their writers, Glynnis Whitwer is blogging a series about ways to declutter. I can't even tell you how much I need this right now! Today she discussed MENTAL clutter which is a biiiiiiiiig issue for me. I love this quote she got from David Allen:
“The big problem is that your mind keeps reminding you of things when you can’t do anything about them."

Ya I've had that problem for YEARS. And that's why I'm so good at starting things or making big plans and never following through. When I first go to bed at night I literally think of all the things I need to get done, like from now til I die. It's exhausting! I got a tip ages ago to keep a notebook and pen by my bed to jot down things as they come to mind so I could stop replaying my list over and over. I used to wake up in the middle of the night thinking about my to do list. It took so much energy because I didn't want to forget. To take it even further, I actually have been doing something for a little while now that really really helps me!

I think about tomorrow and I write down all that I have to do and want to do. It's been helping me since life is getting busier with the 3 kids and extra-curricular activities. So many things I must do when I am home. And I like the timeline to see when I have "free" time. I have another ongoing task list in Outlook which I love too. I put more long term stuff in there. The kinds of things Glynnis suggests we write down, just to get out of our heads.

I know I'm not alone in this and really hope I might encourage someone reading to declutter. When we have too much going on IN OUR heads, sometimes that is worse than a full schedule!! When we hear that we must slow down, I think it might mean our thoughts too!

Couch to 5K update

2012-01-10T13:39:00.000-05:00

I have done 5 workouts so far and I'm doing them every other day. And I LOVE IT! I am getting better each time! I am definitely a girl who needs to record progress and have a goal in mind! I so desperately want to break the 2 mile mark and I was thiiiiiis close today:

A 5K is THREE POINT ONE!! miles. And I'm walking and running for 31 minutes and just doing past half. Ugh. The 5K seems so BIG to me! But seeing my progress really helps!

Another great thing: My heart no longer feels as thought it's going to pulse out of my neck and my side pain/stitches have eased up. WOOT WOOT!

Here is my progress so far. Taken from my treadmill screen.
Jan.2. 1.6 miles in 30min
Jan.4. 1.7 miles in 31min
Jan.6. 1.8miles
Jan.8. 1.89 miles in 31.18min
Jan.10 1.998 miles in 31.23min

I always start the treadmill then my C25K iPhone app. So the times are a little off. I knew I could break 2K today but I want to follow the program and I cooled down when it told me to. Besides, I want to improve on my time and after today, I am sure I can! I was shocked! I wanted to run when they said to walk. And I wanted to go longer! Amazing! Til now I was just happy to be done with it. Could be because today I ran in the afternoon rather than after the kids go to bed. Either way, I'm a happy chickie.

Now to get me some running wear so I don't feel my jibblies bouncing all over the place.

Gentleness challenge check in

2012-01-09T13:31:00.000-05:00

It's week 2 of the Gentleness Challenge over at Women Living Well. I am so glad I decided to jump on board with this challenge (read about it here) because I really have remembered my promise in the heat of things! (Although not always and have much improving to do. BUT! I will say, I have done better BECAUSE of this challenge!)

New this week she suggests we whisper when we feel like screaming and although I have already done that before, I def need to do it more! And not thru clenched teeth. It is a great tip! Courtney gives us two verses to remember and I am going to write out and commit them to memory too.

I loved her analogy of a tree that clings onto dead leaves all thru the winter until the new growth pushes them off in the Spring. I love trees and I love analogies. And as a mom, I'm holding on to dead things like anger and control and definitely want to shed them as I grow!

Man that was a good one! So encouraged!

A life worthy

2012-01-06T16:14:00.002-05:00

In the 'About Me' section of blogger, I have this written on my profile:
"I am a Christian and try to live in a way pleasing to God."

I was doing my bible study homework today and came across this:
"We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God" Colossians 9b-10

See that? My goal in life: "so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way". But did you see what came before that? I need to be filled with knowledge FIRST so that I may live a life worthy. Yet another reminder how I need to read my bible daily and get that knowledge in my head so I can carry this out. Such a simple concept yes. But a big revelation for me this morning.

So grateful that I have the Holy Spirit helping me and giving me understanding. God is so faithful!

Rolling off the couch

2012-01-04T21:45:00.001-05:00

Hi my name is Mary and I have a history of saying I'll exercise regularly but I don't follow thru.
"Hi Mary"say the fellow couch potatoes.
Sure I am moderately active - I have young kids. Yes, I dance regularly, hike a little in warmer weather, shop at walmart (that's a work out walking around that place!) but I don't follow a real exercise program.
I don't struggle with weight so it's not an issue anyone can see. But friends, don't be fooled. I blogged about my cholesterol here post and discussed my arthritis here. I made promises and I failed. Over and over. Sound familiar? I am no different that a 300lb contestant on the Biggest Loser... just higher metabolism.
What is it that finally motivates people? Why do so many of us struggle with taking care of our bodies?
I have no idea. BUT tis the season to start fresh, new beginnings.. so I decided to work towards my goal of running a 5K.
I found the Couch to 5K running program thru a friend and downloaded the app to my iPhone. It helps build endurance. I told a good friend that I was doing this and she said to find a 5K and she'd do it with me. So I did. March 17th is the day. I haven't officially registered because the online option isn't open yet. But I will. March 17th is just 3 days before my 35th birthday. A nice little goal. A goal. That might be key for me. Because just saying that I'll work out each day hasn't cut it. I'm hoping this will kick start good things to come.
We shall see. Wish me luck! Or rather, can you pray for me!

The Gentleness Challenge

2012-01-01T22:13:00.000-05:00

In my last post I mentioned that I can't pass on to my kids what I myself don't possess, specifically bible knowledge. I've been reading an EXCELLENT e-book called: "True Christian Motherhood" by June Fuentes. I found out about this book thru the Raising Homemakers blog, which is a wonderful resource that I don't take nearly enough time to tap into. (In fact, I subscribe to many blogs and usually just skim over them because of time.) I only got the book because it was summarized here and it sounded good plus it was on sale. I've been slowly reading thru it, and each time find so many great nuggets. I highly recommend it. And I highly recommend the blog to moms with girls!

But back to the book. Here's a great chapter just for me: Distracted Christian Mothers, chapter 8. It reads:

"Staying home is not enough, we must pour ourselves into our children--disciplining and shepherding them and not wasting our precious time. As we do this, we must reject feeble time-wasting indulgences this side of the world so that they can live their lives purposefully and on mission for God."

How am I doing this?? Do I reject time-wasting indulgences like Facebook, blog reading, etc? How am I guiding my kids to live for God?

And the question that got me in chapter 10 on Christian Instruction in the Home: "Why is it in modern America, we will spend the time to mentor someone at church but not think twice to mentor our own children?"

That really got me. I couldn't help but think about the times I prepared lessons for Sunday School, devotions for Military Moms, homework for bible studies or even the time I take to post here. I do not take time to prepare or teach my kids with PURPOSE here at home. So this past weekend, I decided to tell Vienna that we were going to do a daily bible study together. I told her so she will hold me accountable. We are using God's Little Princess Devotional by Sheila Walsh and have sat together twice so far. (If you remember this book, I bought it for her birthday last year. 9 months ago and we only read it once. Pathetic.) But things are different now. I am highly motivated. And I am excited to be my daughter's mentor.

So far it's been a good time. I am getting that quality time with my girl that I've been wanting. We haven't just done the study and jumped up... we've been lingering and talking. I showed her how to look up a bible reference. And I explained how the bible is made of the old & new testaments and what that meant. She asked me why we say 'amen' after we pray - great question! I am sad that I haven't taken the time before now to teach these things but I am definitely happy that we are doing this now. And I am MOTIVATED!

But there is so much more that I want to pass on to my kids. I want to pass on certain qualities to them too. I want to be a model of how God wants us to be.... patient, slow to anger, loving and joyful. I want my kids to see Christ in ME! I don't want them to see cranky Mommy who yells because I am quick to anger, unloving and angry. Or a distracted Mommy with her facing looking at a computer screen all day. Courtney over at Women Living Well posted a perfect-for-Mary challenge today. Just click on the blog to read about it. She words it so well. So I have committed to being a gentler mommy. She's going to post videos each Monday and other than that I don't know what it entails but I signed up! haha! I just love accountability. I was already better tonight!

We don't have long with our precious babies before they grow up and are gone. So I just want to make sure that I am using this precious time effectively. If any of you read this and are challenged to join me for a gentler January, please let me know!

Oops

2011-12-31T16:09:00.000-05:00

Ok so I'm an idiot. The next book at my church's weekly bible study will be Colossians, not Ephesians. Crazy mistake that actually put me in the place of committing to the Good Morning Girls group. I guess it's ok to be an idiot sometimes.

Good Morning Girls

2011-12-29T15:02:00.001-05:00

So earlier this year a friend of mine told me about Good Morning Girls. It is an online bible study and you email people in your group each day (M-F) to touch base. It's a great tool to help with accountability. I decided NOT to do it because I didn't want to add to my time online. Plus my kids woke me up early and there was no way I could commit to that. Besides that, I attended a weekly bible study at my church. So I was all set.

But it came up again. As things do when it's something God wants me to do. I went online and saw that a new study was starting in January and it was on Ephesians which is what we're about to go through in my weekly study at church. (I hear ya God!) I haven't been good at DAILY time in God's word so I decided to put it on Facebook to see if any friends were interested. A few were so we now have a group going! I am excited to see how it works, and if it will hold me accountability and give me that extra push to get up and start my day right. I am committed to making better choices in my day, starting with God!

2011 was a year of simplifying and working on my marriage. I can say that there has been great progress in those areas. 2012 will be a year of Mary's spiritual growth. I can NOT pass on to my kids, what I myself do not possess. So that is my goal. Not a resolution - cause I'd just break that! But a goal! Something to work towards.

Hair straightener

2011-12-26T13:59:00.000-05:00

I just discovered something in the past couple months that many have been using forEVER... the hair straightener. I never used one because dah! I have straight hair! Why would I need one? I thought they were for people who had curly or wavy hair. But no! THEY CONTROL FRIZZZZZZZ! and give me a nicer sleeker look. Look how shiny my hair looks afterwards too!

When I wear my hair short, the ends always flip in different directions. Next time I go short, I know I can use my hair straightener to help with that, rather than a dumb curling iron that takes forever to heat up and doesn't work as well. (You can curl your hair with a straightener too but I haven't learned that one yet.)

I didn't buy a high end model, just a Remington one from Target because with such fine hair, I use the lowest setting. Anywho... that's my little tip for other people in the world who might live under a rock like mine! A hair straightener for a straight haired girl! Imagine!

PS. I didn't use product on this particular day but a friend recommended a spray to protect hair from heat damage. :o)

Newman News 2011

2011-12-23T19:43:00.000-05:00

Here is our annual Christmas photo and Newman News, our annual Christmas letter.

Unfortunately I had to cut my list so I apologize to anyone reading who didn't get a card from us this year. I used to mail so many people and as we moved around and as we get older, we just know so many great people and it's impossible to send a personal greeting to everyone. This has been very difficult for me because I am a card girl! I just have to be better about mailing some love throughout the year and not just in December.

Merry Christmas Weekend to everyone!!!

When I think back on 2011, I see God’s work in our lives. While some things surprised us, other things were oh so predictible.

Back in May, lightning struck in our back yard, travelled underground and exited by our garage door. Lights blew out, metal bent and pieces of the door frame blew off. The buried wires for an old electronic dog fence blasted out of the ground, leaving a line of trenches through the woods around our home. It was amazing! God’s power revealed in a split second!
Then in September, Hurricane Irene passed through toppling trees, leaving us without power for a week. We saw how dependent we were on electricity for running water, flushing the toilet, the furnace for hot water, lights, and applicances (especially the fridge and coffee maker!). We were amazined how useless we were without the modern conveniences of man. And oh so grateful to have them back!

In June, my grandmother Melanson passed away. We travelled to Saint John for the funeral and mourned with the family. The end of a life I miss so much.
Then in August, we travelled back to oh Canada for my sister Robyn’s wedding. Time to celebrate a new beginning. We had a wonderful time being with family on much happier terms!

I’m reflecting on a display of amazing power versus the loss of power. Thinking of the end of life versus the beginning of life. How fitting for the bible study I’m doing at church right now in Ecclesiastes. Here’s a part that’s so applicable. There is a time for everything. (It’s not just a Byrds song – think Turn Turn Turn.)

Ecclesiastes 3:1,2&4.

¹ There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:

² a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot,
⁴ a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,

Illness, death, and loss of power come and disrupt our lives, but it’s just a part of this earthly life we live. It’s as inevitable as Colin learning to walk, Lance starting preschool and Vienna losing her teeth this year.
I love what Jesus said in John 16:33: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” It really isn’t so complicated. We have faith in God’s promises and His offer of peace through Jesus. And that’s why we celebrate Christmas and are so thankful for His birth.

♪ Hark the herald angels sing ♫
"Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild
♫ God and sinners reconciled"♪

We wish you a wonderful and Merry Christmas! All the best for 2012 too!!
Love Mary, Jay, Vienna, Lance & Colin

A dozen years of marriage

2011-12-21T19:16:00.001-05:00

We met when we were 14. He was in my bestfriend's class in Junior High. I had a big crush on him but he didn't return it. Who could blame him... look at that jogging suit!!!!

In 1993, I moved away to another province to live with my Dad for 3.5 years. In 1995, he went to Germany on a high school exchange for a year. We both returned to our hometown the same summer in 1996. I looked up old friends. He was one. We reconnected and love blossomed.

Fast forward to 1999. We got married. We eloped while living in Ottawa. Family in two difference provinces and in CT. We didn't have the money to plan a wedding worth travelling for. So my mom and her side listened live on speaker phone. 5 friends sat on my couch in my livingroom. And we rented a minister to lead the shin dig. We weren't even close to being Christian back then. I actually requested all references to God be taken out of the service. Although the minister did say this at the end:
“The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26

After our wedding we went to an Italian restaurant where 10 of us dined. The we went dancing at a bar. It was a fun evening and we have lots of memories, even if not traditional. I wore a burgundy dress and he wore his greens. Christmas colors don't ya know!

And 11 years later....

We are more in love than ever. It's not just the fact that we have three children. Or we share a history... but our love and focus is totally centered on Christ. We became believers months apart in 2000. He was first and I thought he was a whack job. Then the Lord worked on my heart and voila... I understood. My eyes were opened! And good thing we surrendered our lives. If we continued to live for ourselves, I am sure our selfish and stubborn natures would have driven us apart.

One thing that has reallllllly strengthened us this year is FamilyTalk broadcasts with Dr. Dobson. We especially are encouraged by the ones about marriage and family. We have literally learned to treat one another differently because of the viewpoints shared on this show. And of course, all the sound advice is scripture based.
Ephesians 5:25: "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her"

My husband loves me just the way I need to be loved. He enjoys making me happy, which in turn makes him happy. One of his frequently used quotes: "If Momma ain't happy, ain't no one happy." He knows that I don't care about flowers. So he buys me chocolate bars. He also calls me each day after work to see if I need anything, like milk or even supper if I don't feel like cooking. He hugs me and tells me I'm beautiful. He reads to our children each night and teaches them God's word. I could go on and on.

Our spouse has the power to make us feel like the most important person on the earth and also has the potential of making us feel lower than dirt. They usually make us feel pretty low when they are being selfish. I am so grateful that in this season in life, we have returned our focus from the demanding children to our marriage, and one another. We learned that we can't wait for this oh so tiring time in our lives to be over before we start working on our marriage again. We need to always love one another first and let our love be an example for our children as they grow up. And parenting is so much easier when we're on the same page.

So 12. TWELVE! 12. Wow. That's a long time huh? And I can truly say, we are WAY more in love today then we were in 1999.

My therapeutic post about Christmas

2011-12-19T15:51:00.001-05:00

I am a very happy and blessed person so by sharing what I am about to share, please don't think that I am depressed about the holidays but I really have a confession.... I wish it was January already!

The nostalgia of Christmas for me is gathering with my Mom's little side of the family. We always went to my grandparents' house on Christmas Eve. Drinks, food, grandparents opening gifts... my mom, her two sisters and their families all together. Then Christmas morning opening gifts at home and returning to my grandparents' house for a turkey dinner.

We don't travel to our hometown for Christmas now that we have 3 kids and we have yet to form any traditions that I look forward to every single year here in CT. We moved here in 2000. For the first few years, we'd gather with Jay's mom's side who live an hour away. But since his grandfather died and his grandmother moved to a nursing home, the family scattered. We still get together but never on Christmas day anymore. This year it's in January. Then for a few years we went to Jay's brother and wife's house for an amazing meal. They love to cook but this year, like last, they are headed to our hometown to be with the rest of the family. Jay's Mom, who lives an hour away has spent the last couple Christmases with us. She sleeps over so she can see the kids on Christmas morning. She loves to shop so we call her Nana Claus. It's both a blessing and a curse. A blessing cause I hate to shop and I appreciate that she wants to make the kids happy. But a curse because she buys TOO much - especially battery operated toys. Christmas Day is filled with opening those cursed toy traps. Assembling opened gifts. Keeping the toy pieces together. Cleaning up paper and finding room for toys that we don't have space for.

As I type my anxiety is growing.

What do I look forward to?

The excitement on the kids' faces. Sure, but looking back on Christmas, it wasn't the gifts for me.

The best part about Christmas was gathering with the whole family at one time. To feel a part of the whole. And I don't have that anymore. My kids don't have that. So sad to me! AND, *I* am left with the full responsibility of making my kids Christmas memorable and meaningful in a new way. I have to start and do things that will eventually become traditions. I shop. I wrap. I cook. I organize. I have to do sooo much, physically and mentally. And Jesus, the reason to really celebrate gets lost in the shuffle as do I.

I don't like anxious, task-overloaded Mary.

Grinch on top of my tree

Jay tells me to cut back and not do so much, but I have to. It's Christmas, the most wonderful time of the year. (Should be most nostalgic time of the year. Hard for sooo many.) I could hardly NOT shop for my kids. Or NOT cook a nice meal. And I enjoy my mother-in-law's company VERY much. So blessed to have her in our lives, and very appreciative for her.

Maybe it's because my grandfather just died and I know that even if we did go home for Christmas, everything has changed. I am a big ball of anxiety this week, although I am overall a happy and optimistic person.

I sure wish all the hoopla would be over and I get go shopping again without crazy lines and go to the post office without them running out of postage. Yes, really! Ran out of first class stamps!!

My manger scene

And at church yesterday, the message was about "the Gift of Joy".
"The joy of the LORD... is your strength"... Nehemiah 8:9-12
We are so easily distracted by what amuses us and pleases us that we become blind to what God wants for us. I just find that so applicable to me right now. And I am trying to focus in on the JOY that the Lord wants for me but I am so easily distracted by the clutter in my home, my to do list, missing my family, what I can do to make Christmas meaningful, how to implement new traditions, etc.
So there, I put it out there. Thanks for listening. And I hope I haven't depressed anyone. Just keeping it real. And what a quick way to end it. What a rambling post! Just a glimpse of my scattered brain!

Displaying Christmas cards

2011-12-18T09:51:00.000-05:00

I love the variety out there when it comes to displaying Christmas cards. I had a new idea this year that I wanted to share. I am lining my cards around my diningroom like a border. It helps we have a chair rail. I really like having them in this room because each night at supper, we pray for 2 or 3 families. (Originally I wanted to pray for the people on the day we received their cards but we went away and this threw us off.) We started on one end and are just making our way around. When I forget, the kids are quick to remind me to pray and they always remember where we left off! We especially love the photo cards!

Twilight

2011-12-17T22:17:00.000-05:00

With all the hype, I was never interested in Twilight because 1. I don't read/watch horror/vampire stuff and 2. The movies looked cheesy and I wasn't interested in an over the top teenage romance with dumb computer generated wolves.
But a couple months ago Twilight (the first movie) was on TV. Jay was working late and I was just flicking the channels looking for something entertaining. I missed the first 10 minutes but immediately got drawn into the story. It had been awhile since I watched a great movie and I was hopeful. I can't tell you how many movies I turned OFF because of too much unnecessary vulgarity, nudity or love scenes. Finally I was lost in a fantasy world that was just a good story. The tension between the two main characters was interesting and it was a nice escape - finally! The good vampires eat animals and although there were some dark parts because something bad had to happen - it's a movie!, it was overall really good. Proof that cursing and sex stuff are not necessary to tell a story.
After watching the first movie, a friend suggested we go to the theatre together for #4, Breaking Dawn. But I had to catch up and watch the 2nd, New Moon and the 3rd, Eclipse first. So I ordered the movies on Netflix and quickly caught up. After I saw all the films (still one more to go next year) I was talking to another friend about Twilight and how I wanted to read the books because I heard they were better. She owned them so lent them to me and I whipped thru all 4 books in a month. Of course the books were better. They gave so much more info about the characters. I don't dislike Jacob as much anymore. ha!
If you agreed with my first impression about Twilight but really want a good story, then I recommend both the books and the movies, although the books are far better. Much better details of what's doing on in Bella's head and sooooo good! And slightly addicting. But then again, that's how I read fiction. I wish I had that same desire when it came to all my parenting and devotion books!

My grandfather William Brown 9/12/35 - 12/5/11

2011-12-05T21:58:00.002-05:00

Most knew him as Billy but he was Grampy to me as a child and Gramp as I got older.

Me about 8 months old and a very young Grampy

He battled with cancer the past few years: lung, bowel, and brain. He went thru many surgeries including a colostomy and most recently brain surgery. Throw in a heart attack, radiation and chemotherapy. He was through a lot and he was tired and today was his time. But that doesn't make the loss any less. In fact I feel nauseous just thinking about him being gone. He was center of any room he was in. The jokester. The life of the party.

And our family isn't going to the be the same without his big presence. He has 3 daughters. My Mom is the one on the far left in pink.

And here is another pic from that day with me and my cousin Leah as bookends next to our moms with Nan and Gramp in the middle.

Here he is with his 3 great-grandchildren. This was his first time meeting Colin. We came to visit last November when he had his colostomy.

Nov 2010

My Mom always said I got my outgoing personality from my Dad but I think it’s from my Gramp too. Afterall, he was the male influence for me growing up. My Mom had me when she was 18 and my parents divorced when I was 2. My dad was in the Air Force and lived far away. I have lots of great memories of being with my grandfather. From little things like watching him load the wood stove, dry out his nets after fishing or going to Burger King for a hamburger. I loved going out with him. I felt like I was with city royalty because he always knew people wherever we went. More importantly, I felt special and I felt wanted and I think those little moments made a big impact on my life. I try to do one on one stuff with my kids knowing how special it makes them feel.

If it's not a coffee, it's a beer!

These days I think it's Tim Horton's where he's royalty. I've been away from home for years but from what I know, he hung out at all the different Timmy's on the west side. You know that group of old men talking? They're at every coffee shop. The regulars. I wonder what stories they have about Gramp?

April 2008. Gramp first diagnosed with cancer.

I can hear his voice now saying: "Weeeell helloooo there Mare," followed by some silly joke usually at my expense. Gramp constantly shared jokes. I couldn't believe how quick he was! And the best part, he never repeated the same stories over and over like some people I know!

When I was a little girl, he always gave me $2 at the end of our visit, whether Mom and I went to his house or he came to ours. And as he handed it to me he'd say... "Go buy yourself a hamburger." I'd thank him and he'd reply with "Keep your eyes open." as his good-bye.

Our last group shot. Summer '11. Colin pulling Vienna's hair! lol

Gramp worked at the grain elevator for years and years. When it closed he never stopped working. He painted houses, fished commercially, and built furniture for income. He also hunted, split wood and stayed active and busy. He took good care of his home til he physically couldn't do it anymore.

Meeting Lance back in 2007. Healthier days.

He and my Nan are very different. He was the manly man and she loves her soap operas, bingo, yard sales, quilting and bakes the best strawberry pies a girl could have. Years ago I wondered why they were even together because they didn’t do much together or have similar interests. But now that I am in a marriage with Jay who loves guns, history and politics and I like making cards and watching foolish romantic comedies, I realize that it’s not your interests that makes the marriage. God designed men and women differently for a reason. I think that I’ve learned that when I take my mind of my own selfishness and look at the big picture which is taking care of my family, I am doing what God has designed me to do. I have a peace in my heart knowing that I am living for His will.

I have so many memories of Gramp and will miss him dearly. I wrote him a letter earlier this year in which I told him what he meant to me. To close here, I thought I'd share the last line of that letter.

"Well Gramp, I just wanted to take some time to tell you what you mean to me since I can’t be there and visit. I hope you know how much of you I carry with me. I love you so much and am a lucky girl to be your grand-daughter. Keep your eyes open. Love little Mary."

------------------------------------------------
Obituary:
William "Bill" Brown
September 12, 1935 - December 5, 2011

The death of Bill Brown, husband of Marlene “McKim” Brown, occurred on December 5, 2011 at the Saint John Regional Hospital. Born in Saint John, on September 12, 1935 he was the son of the late William and Helen (Gray) Brown.

He will also be remembered by 3 daughters Debbie (Ron) Mazerolle of Long Reach, Joanne Brown (Larry) of Saint John, and Mary (Eric) Daigle of Saint John; grandchildren Jeffery (Sara) Mazerolle, Leah Mazerolle (James), Mary (Jay) Newman, Robyn (Dave) MacGowan, Michelle Stewart, Bradley Daigle (Samantha), Justin Daigle (Coralee); great grandchildren Vienna, Lance, and Colin; and sister Betty Murchison of Calgary. Bill will also be missed by many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Bill was predeceased by his sister Phyllis Whitten.

Bill worked at the grain elevator for 37 years. He also worked as a commercial fisherman, and his greatest love was fishing in the Saint John Harbour. Bill loved people, he was quite the character, and his stories will be missed.

Resting at Castle “Fallsview” Funeral Home 309 Lancaster Ave. Saint John West (634-1701) with visiting on Tuesday, December 6, 2011 from 7-9 p.m. and Wednesday, December 7, from 2-4, and 7-9 p.m.

No funeral service will be held, and a private family interment will be held at a later date.

The family would like to thank their family and friends for all the support they have received during this difficult time.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Bill’s name may be made to Bobby’s Hospice.

I fixed a zipper!

2011-12-02T16:44:00.001-05:00

I love paper, not sewing/clothing projects, but man, I might have started something! (Watching Project Runway might have paid off!) I bought Vienna a used Lands End coat for $10 from a consignment shop. Sadly after washing it, we saw that the zipper slider was broken! No little tab. I couldn't take it back because it had been too long and I didn't have the original tag so I decided to fix it.

I searched videos on YouTube and decided to go with what this guy suggested. The video is soooo long and really poorly done but hey, it worked! It's how to swap out the zipper slider, instead of ripping out and replacing the whole sewn in zipper.

To get the broken part off, I had to slide it up and off the TOP of the teeth of the zipper while the coat was unzipped. There was a little plastic piece I had get off first. (This piece keeps your zipper pull on when the jacket is undone.) Really tricky and I couldn't get it all off. Jay actually broke it off.

The new zipper was only $2 at Joann Fabrics and man was it fun dreaming in the store that day! This zipper just had a little metal clasp (instead of that impossible plastic) on the top that I bent with a tool and pulled off. Once that was off, I was able to get the slider off.

Back to the coat. Like I said, the plastic at the top was hard to get completely and the new slider wouldn't fit. So I cut a little slit and fed the new slider on the teeth.

I think I better go back and put a stitch or two at the top where I cut the little slit so V doesn't lose her zipper. But look: I did it! I fixed a zipper!

Hate crawling into a cold bed?

2011-12-01T12:45:00.000-05:00

SO DO I! Thanks to my friend Kathy, I don't have to suffer anymore. She gave me this idea last year. I turn my electric blanket on before I go brush my teeth and do my whole night-time routine. By the time I get to bed, it's warm enough that I can turn the heat off and voila... a cozy night sleep waits for me.

Elf on a Shelf... a variation

2011-11-27T16:13:00.000-05:00

I love Elf on a Shelf! That little elf is super cute and in fact, I had one when I was a kid and remember playing with it but my Mom didn't hide him. I asked her about it and she doesn't even remember. I named him Elf-fly because his hands were attached and I tired a string around them and made him twirl around the room. We're going back at least 30 years here because I remember the house we lived in. And we had one in a red suit and one in a green one. I think the green one had blonde hair. Sorry - tangent! Just so fresh in my mind!

Last year I blogged about my opinion of Santa. Click here to read about that. My opinion hasn't changed especially since the kids are still young (6, 4, 1). So keeping that in mind, starting the tradition of Elf on a Shelf would be ME initiating a little tale about Santa and his Elves. Although I play along, like I said last year, I really don't like initiating anything Santa. Soooo taking this idea, I am going to hide our angel. Isn't she cute!

She's floppy and made of felt, just like I remember the Elf. I hid her last night and the kids enjoyed looking for her this morning (Lance found her). I love the idea of looking for the angel because in Luke chapter 2, it says:
⁸ And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹ An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. ¹¹ Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

An angel brought the shepherds good news. So in my home, I want to keep as much focus on Christ as I can. So this is a simple and new tradition in our home!

Here's where I hid her last night. Too bad she fell to the Nutcracker's feet by morning.

I love hearing about different family traditions and I love when my friends post pics of their little elf hiding. Maybe my idea might spark some hiding angels too! The kids love it and it's so easy to do!

New layout

2011-11-26T21:54:00.000-05:00

For those of you who use a reader, I changed my layout. I did a new blog title for the first time using a pretty template rather than just a simple photo. I love it! It makes me happy to look at. :o)
Just sharing since fellow bloggers appreciate this sort of thing! (and i love looking at a certain KK's blog titles)
Happy Holidays friends!

Quotes by C.S. Lewis

2011-11-17T20:22:00.001-05:00

A lady at my bible study shared a quote by C.S. Lewis that I wanted to include in my annual Christmas letter. I just went online to find it and holy smokes I was amazed by all the great quotes to capture! I have only read one of his books and am currently reading another (one of many books in progress), but this man is genius. I wish I could string words together so poetically as him! Nevermind the wisdom!
I found the following quotes gathered at this site.
This is only from page 1. I had to stop because I found so many good ones. Clearly I need to read more literature by this man! I wanted a reference page for myself and it was too good not to share.

“I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.”

“If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world.”

“A children's story that can only be enjoyed by children is not a good children's story in the slightest.”

“Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art.... It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things which give value to survival.”

“I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept his claim to be God. That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic — on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg — or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God, but let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.”

“I didn’t go to religion to make me happy. I always knew a bottle of Port would do that. If you want a religion to make you feel really comfortable, I certainly don’t recommend Christianity.”

“The homemaker has the ultimate career. All other careers exist for one purpose only - and that is to support the ultimate career. ”

“It would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.”

Women of Faith part 2

2011-11-13T22:46:00.000-05:00

When I went to Women of Faith, I didn't recognize the other speaker's names aside from Angie Smith. When I got home I went online to read their bios, because I definitely got some great take away tidbits from all the women and wanted to know who they were! Turns out I did know some of the organizations they were associated with and I have the Gigi, God's Princess DVD and devotion book by Sheila Walsh! Sometimes I am slow with connections when names seem familiar! Dah!

Lisa Harper spoke first and she is a great speaker. She made me laugh, a lot! She shared about her history of abuse and how she kept her heart guarded because of it. She never married and always wanted to be a momma. She is involved is a ministry that helps young girls who are recovering from addictions and she's on the path to adopting a baby girl thru one of those relationships. I was in tears hearing her story and just how faithful God is, in His time. She said a couple things that I loved:
God would rather DIE than live without us. (enter Jesus!)
She impressed me when she had Psalm 139 memorized. Loved how she delivered it.
And for people in tough times: "God designed you for more than this."
All great reminders of His love!

Sheila Walsh is from Scotland and I could listen to her all day with her beautiful voice. She said that we can anchor our souls in God's promises. The bible doesn't change! She was treated very badly by her dad and totally enlightened me with this statement: People going through rage take their anger out on the people they're closest to because they know that those people will love them no matter what.
Many parents wonder why their teens treat them so badly and I thought that was insightful. And the last quote I love was: "Guilt tells me I did something wrong. Shame tells me I am something wrong." Great perspective.

Nicole Johnson is an author, performer and speaker. She shared her own personal story first and later shared a motivational piece called "The Invisible Woman" which I found on YouTube... click HERE to watch it. What I liked about it was the thought that builders of cathedrals long ago would work hard on projects that they never saw to completion. The project went beyond their lifespan. So how selfless is that job and who'd sign up nowadays for that kind of work? We live in a different world, that's for sure. She ties that story to our lives as mothers and wives, doing seemingly unimportant work like laundry and dishes day after day. But the big picture is pretty awesome. Just watch the video if you have a chance. It's 5 minutes long so if you don't want to watch it, here is a written summary on her website. It really spoke to me.
Her ministry is called Fresh Brewed Life and I love analogies. She said that when people offer you a cup of coffee, they aren't thirsty... they want to spend time with you. It's a invitation. Warm and inviting. Love this because when someone offers me coffee, I hear the message: I have time to sit with you. Big message in such a simple gesture and I never thought of it like that before. Makes me want to be better about offering coffee!
She talked a lot about anger and that's definitely an area I'm working on. She said that anger is buried alive. Anger is not buried dead. She said anger is like a check engine light so ask yourself 3 things when angry:
1. Where does it hurt?
2. Where I have I compromised myself?
3. Am I mad at God?
All great things to think about to deal with the anger in my life.

Luci Swindoll was the oldest speaker and there was just something about her voice that drew me in and held my attention. She is an amazing story teller and she stressed the importance of living to our full potential. She repeated the line: "I did it because nobody told me not to." quite a bit thru her talk so that's what stuck!

It was so great to hear these ladies speak and I just listened with an open heart to whatever they had to teach. They clearly are on the Women of Faith team for a reason! They are so talented. I have a few more books to add to my "must read" list!

Women of Faith 2011

2011-11-13T11:30:00.000-05:00

Three years ago I had a ticket to attend my first ever Women of Faith conference. Sadly, my great-grandfather passed away and instead of a weekend of encouragement and refreshment, we travelled to Canada for a funeral.

I've been wanting to go ever since but in 2009 we moved and were very busy.

In 2010, I had a nursing baby and didn't want to take him so didn't go.

And then this year, 2011, ironically my other grandfather is in the hospital, sick with cancer. I didn't want to see a deja vu so refused to buy a ticket.

Then I got a call from a friend last week to say that she knew someone who had extra tickets. It's a two-day conference and two ladies in the group could only go Friday leaving Saturday open. I called one of my BFFs and miracle of all miracles, she had a free Saturday. (If you knew this girl, you'd know how rare this is!) So she and I scooped up the tickets which ended up being FREE! FREE FREE FREE!

Did I mention my husband was also available so he watched our three kids for the first time all.day.long? I left before 7am and returned 12 hours later. I have NEVER been away from all my kids this long. I missed all three meals. But Daddy handled that and 3 poopies just fine - his biggest nightmare - haha!

Here is the first photo I took... they had a countdown to start time and they were prompt! I loved how organized it was and that they stuck to the schedule. It was awesome to see so many Christian women together. That alone was really encouraging, nevermind the amazing speakers and music.

Angie Smith started a blog years ago and she was one of the first I started reading. She is married to Todd Smith who sings with the band Selah. I have all but one of their CDs and LOVE their music. Def my fav Christian band. I bought my first CD in 2003 when my husband was deploying to Kuwait. Their hymns are uplifting. And I love the few they do with an African vibe/language. Todd Smith's parents were missionaries. In 2007, a friend of mine posted on Facebook to pray for the Smith's because the baby Angie was carrying was sick. I read her blog and thru tears read all the back dated posts to catch up on their story. I won't even try to explain it here, but what an amazing testimony to how God can carry you thru all things. She has since published a book called "I will carry you" about the short life of Audrey Caroline. What a legacy!!

Soooooo wouldn't you know, Angie Smith toured with Women of Faith for the first time this year. I was giddy with the chance of seeing her speak and prayed she'd share on Saturday, not Friday. Prayer answered. Then a friend of mine, Darcie, held a spot in line for ME TO MEET HER! Oh my goodness I just about died when she called me on my cell and told me to walk to where she was waiting! I was so star struck I was a blubbering mess. I didn't have time to think about what I'd say to her. And I just got emotional and tongue-tied. She is so beautiful. I didn't know how much time I had so just rushed thru - I was the 2nd last person!!! But I got a pic and she signed my program. I know, I'm a dork. I'm not going to embarrass myself again and repeat what I said to her but I just wanted her to know I knew her story and mourned along with her during her time of loss. But how do you say all that in 2 minutes. Do you like my stalker fan face?

Other women shared who were really great, and I loved hearing them but Angie was def my fav. She had me laughing the hardest and crying the hardest. She is being used in a mighty way FOR SURE. I hold my kids tighter and love them more because she shared her story.

Mary Mary sang for us! Oh my goodness I was groovin to their music. I heard their music on Pandora but to see them live gives me a new appreciation. My BFF said that she needed to download their music to run to! haha! It really gets you moving! The one is the silver shirt is expecting a baby. :o)

When I got home, I was so.tired. I have a cold and had a headache all afternoon. I went to bed at 8:30pm! But I had a great day and definitely recommend Women of Faith. Just to spend a FULL day with this girl, who blesses me with her friendship:

So to recap.... blessed with free tickets, available friend and husband, carpooling with a different friend, seeing a fav blogger, meeting fav blogger bcs of thoughtfulness of a friend... God loves me that much to work out so many details. :o) So so so thankful. :o)

Book Review: Bringing Up Girls

2011-11-09T11:19:00.000-05:00

Sold here.

I LOVE THIS BOOK! Anyone with daughters should read it. I love that Dobson writes as a psychologist and Christian. I love reading about the biochemical make up of people and how estrogen vs testosterone plays a vital role in who we are as people. And I love being inspired and encouraged as my husband and I raise our children with Christian morals and in the faith.

I really had so much to say about this book but as I started I realized there is just too much. Here are some quotes:

Why he chose this title: “It assumes that parents have the responsibility of not simply overseeing the growth and development of their girls (and boys) but of raising them purposely – building into them certain qualities and traits of character.” Page 2

“how could we send them into a dangerous world without laying a secure foundation to hold them steady?” P.4

“A longing for love and connectedness lies deep within their feminine souls.” P.11

Advice for dads:

“I urge all parents, but especially fathers, to work at building your daughter’s self-concept throughout her childhood. Tell her she is pretty every chance you get. Hug her. Compliment her admirable traits. Build her confidence by giving her your time and attention. Defend her when she is struggling. And let her know that she has a place in your heart that is reserved only for her. She will never forget it.” P.21

“... good parenting almost always requires sacrifice. Childhood lasts for only a brief moment, but it should be given priority while it is passing before your eyes. Watch your kids carefully. Think about what they are feeling, and consider the influences they are under. Then do what is best for them” P.21

“...children are worth everything they cost us.” P.22

“Women not only talk more, but their enjoyment in coversation is far more intense. ... It is why teen girls are obsessed with text messaging and computer chat rooms.” P.33

And then I had to stop! Really who would read my post if it was super long filled with quotes. Besides what speaks to me may not apply to someone else's life so READ THE BOOK! hehe

I so desire to be a good mom and can't do it alone. As I raise my kids, I draw on God's strength and wisdom. I am so selfish and angry on my own. Books like this really give me perspective and help me work towards the goal of being the Mom I want to be. It's eye opening, explaining why girls whine, are dramatic, clicky, etc. Rather than dread all the issues that come with raising a girl, I want to embrace them and understand how to guide my daughter along the way. I want a loving relationship with my girl, not a battlefield. I want my home to be a safe haven for her from the world. Lots of great stuff in this book.
I highly recommend it? And there is one for boys too. Bringing Up Boys also by Dr. James Dobson.

Failure. Forgiveness.

2011-11-03T08:21:00.000-04:00

Ok I'm actually writing this while it's fresh. I was a major failure this morning. I yelled at my daughter to get ready and out the door. I normally am cool in the morning because I know how much time I need to get ready. Lack of planning by me doesn't constitute an emergency for my kids. (adapted quote I got long ago). Our morning is always better when I stay 10-15min ahead of schedule. But today I wasn't. I lost it the last 5 minutes that we were trying to get out the door. I screamed. I yelled. I made V get into the van with her socks on and shoes in hand. I rushed to the end of the driveway to catch the bus. Vienna was crying. She was frustrated. And so was I!
Where does A PRODUCTIVE ENDEAVOR come in?
When I humbled myself with my daughter. When I asked for her forgiveness for my bad mood. And when I prayed with her.
She got on the bus with tissues in hand and tears still in her eyes. And I waved at her with tears in mine. She is so precious to me. I love that girl so much I ache sometimes. It would have hurt my heart all day if I didn't stop there and get control of myself.
I am so glad we started fresh in those few minutes together.
(Strangely the bus was 6 minutes earlier than normal.)
I share with you because we all fail miserably at this parenting thing. But it's how we dust ourselves off and move forward. I also share this with the hope that someone reading this might learn to let go of the guilt. I have struggled with this and am still working on it but asking my kids for forgiveness really helps me get thru the rest of my day.
Some people say tomorrow is another day and think they can just start fresh then. I say, now is a fresh minute and make the change NOW. We never know what tomorrow may bring.
Matthew 6:34 - Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Stopping to take it all in

2011-10-24T14:37:00.000-04:00

OCTOBER is my favorite month! The scenery is just breathtaking! I always see great photo ops and miss them so today I decided to grab my camera before I took my son to school.
And good thing I did!
It was early morning (and a very COLD morning!) as I saw the mist rising off a pond. I was driving on a busy road so didn't want to stop even though I thought about my camera. As I just praised God for His awesome creation, I saw a sign for a boat launch coming up. Knowing I could definitely park there, I decided to take the turn.
And good thing I did!
LOOK AT THIS VIEW!

LOOK AT THESE COLORS!!!!

I just love the surprise that was waiting for me.
I was still and knew HE was God! (Psalm 46:10)
Suddenly I heard honking as a flock of geese flew overhead.

And ducks quacked and caught my eye!

Thank you God for urging me to take the turn. To slow down on the way to school long enough to be honored to enjoy this awesome awesome morning and your magnificent creation!

And this isn't just a song by The Byrds!!....

Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8

¹ There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: ² a time to be born and a time to die,
   a time to plant and a time to uproot,
³ a time to kill and a time to heal,
   a time to tear down and a time to build,
⁴ a time to weep and a time to laugh,
   a time to mourn and a time to dance,
⁵ a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
   a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
⁶ a time to search and a time to give up,
   a time to keep and a time to throw away,
⁷ a time to tear and a time to mend,
   a time to be silent and a time to speak,
⁸ a time to love and a time to hate,
   a time for war and a time for peace.

Good quote

2011-10-15T16:25:00.000-04:00

"A bible that is falling apart often belongs to someone who isn't."

I saw this quote on a wall hanging in the Terry's Village catalog. I really like it!!!

Thirty-One Gifts

2011-10-14T20:04:00.000-04:00

A friend of mine Stephanie, sells Thirty-Ones Gifts. Here is a link to her site.

They have the BEST bags and organizers. Some women are shoes girls, but I am totally a bag girl!!! Can't get organized enough! Here is the "organizing utility tote". I LOVE this bag! It's my everyday bag right now.

12 inch ruler to show the size

I have my small purple purse in there along with Colin's diaper bag, etc. It's holds a lot nevermind the pockets along the outside.

See! All that was in there!

You can get most of their stuff personalized, which I love. I bought this bag with the intention of using it for my cardmaking supplies when I go out, but I just love the bag so much I use it all the time. I stamp "Made by Mary" on the back of my cards which explains this:

For the month of October, this bag is $7 when you spend $31. OMWord! GIDDY!

I also love this Picnic Thermal Tote, which I use a lot, especially in the summer. It kept drinks cool in the hot hot van. It also is large enough to fit enough food for five. I love the shape because it fit so well on the floor behind the passenger seat.

The strap is adjustable so there were times it was over my shoulder and other times I slung it when I had a lot to carry. We used it for our road trips too and it fit nicely up front when our van was packed to the max.

There's my ruler again just to show the size. Lots of space!

And the third bag that I currently own is this large utility tote. It holds BOTH of the other bags. The pattern I got is discontinued but they have lots of coordinating patterns/fabric like this. LOVE LOVE it! I used this "Newman Monkeys" bag when we travelled and it made things so much easier. I'd tell Jay and the kids to look in the "Newman Monkeys" bag or the "Made by Mary" bag when they were looking for something. I really love the personalization!

I just had to share a couple of my fav bags. I've had a few people comment on them and really want to tell more people about them! haha. There is an online catalog and it's organized by patterns and then the back has a photo index of all the items. Not all the bags come in all the fabrics because some are soft, hard or waterproof. So don't be too overwhelmed if you check it out.

I am NOT selling this stuff, I swear! If I ever did a home business, it'd probably be Stampin Up! ha! So just passing along some info about a company I love.

Simple photo collage

2011-10-11T16:19:00.000-04:00

I updated the photos behind my couch and I love how it looks! I used to have really old photos of the kids up there but changed it to Fall themed paper. I printed the N from my computer. Easy smeasy.

And a bit closer:

Not sure that I'll like changing out the frames each holiday but for now, this is a simple and a cheap way to decorate. :o)

A family weekend

2011-10-10T21:37:00.000-04:00

It's a holiday weekend with PERFECT weather for just about anything you'd want to do. And what did the Newmans do? Nothing super exciting to blog about. But what I did want to blog about is that after seeing all the pics on Facebook: families apple picking, doing corn mazes, tractor rides, going to the beach (it was that warm today), BBQs, concerts, shopping, etc... our weekend was awesome anyway.

Saturday we went out to get our photos professionally done.

Sunday we went to church.

And today, Monday, we didn't even start the car. We stayed home all.day.long.

See... nothing seasonal and fun. Nothing exciting.

But you know what? Sometimes you just got to stay home and keep life simple. Sometimes chores and housework beckon. Sometimes you just need a nap on a sunny day. And sometimes you just gotta stay home and let your baby actually get both his morning and afternoon nap!

But we did have a fire last night. Our first one in the fire pit that was waiting for months.

And we did eat on the deck tonight for the first time yet in 2011. (Did you notice it's October?)

I just wanted to say that sometimes we can get caught up with what everyone else is doing that to stay home sounds so pathetic. There are no grand photos. No special events this time. Just every day life here.

And I thought I'd just share that. Because as we post our BEST and most FUN events, some might not realize that there are a lot of normal plain Jane kinda days too.

Space heaters

2011-10-07T13:56:00.000-04:00

So the temps are up and down and all over the place this time of year. Low of 49F today and a high of 82F Sunday?!! And man oh man was this morning COLD! I still don't feel it's cold enough to turn the heat on, especially when it warms up as the day goes on.
When is being cold simply unbearable? If you're like me, it's the morning at shower time. I hate taking my clothes off and I hate stepping out of the shower this time of year! Soooo a handy dandy space heater makes a WORLD of difference. The bathroom gets nice and toasty and I can manage getting thru my shower without wincing in discomfort!
Helps save some money we'd be otherwise spending on oil!

We can layer up through the day and take off the sweaters as we need to.
Hope this little tip can help someone else deal with the crazy flexing temps.
Now it's time to go vacuum all my base boards in preparation for turning on the heat for real-zees! Won't be long now!

Eating

2011-09-28T21:44:00.000-04:00

I just watched Food Inc. I think I'm going to give up eating.
This suits me just fine since I don't like to cook.
Ugh... too bad I have children to feed.
Now I gotta get my butt in gear and plan better meals. Thankfully this was a goal of mine anyway. I really struggle with mealtime. I have picky eaters. And I really really hate spending lots of time prepping and cooking.
If I had lots of money, I would totally hire a professional cook.
And that's my current goal. Whip myself into shape to cook better for my family.
Ugh!

We remember

2011-09-10T21:39:00.000-04:00

A symbol for the day.
But we remember all the tragedy. The pentagon, PA, and all the men and women who have served since then. It affects us all deeply. And we will never forget.

Irene vs Newman

2011-09-05T11:55:00.000-04:00

Hurricane Irene was downgraded to a tropical storm by the time she hit CT. Even so, LOTS of trees and power lines fell and we lost power for 7 days. Thankfully there was no damage to our home. Each day I took time to journal and here is the summary. A big thank you to the neighbors and friends who helped us out!!

Sunday, Aug.28
Our power went out at 4:30am. We were almost fully prepared. We caught up on the laundry, brought in the lawn furniture and kids toys, got some extra food and bottled water, filled pots and jugs with water, did the dishes BUT left filling the bathtub til the morning. Sadly the power went out well before the storm hit. We missed filling our tubs by 1.5 hours!! (Jay heard a rumor that our power company purposely turned the power off before the storm hit for safely reasons.)

We used my old ghetto blaster from the 90s (complete with shoulder strap) to listen to the radio. Takes eight D batteries! hahaha But it was our only source of information from the outside world. I love this beast!

We didn’t get much rain but it was gusty. We had a few tree limbs down in our driveway but nothing major.

Lots of leaves in the driveway too. NOTHING to complain about!

A tree cracked about 50 feet from our house but there was no damage to our property. So thankful!

Sunday was spent watching the weather, Jay taught Vienna how to play chess, and we just relaxed all day.

Vienna and I worked on our Christmas cards. (Making them this year!)

We started to get worried about our fridge and freezer food and flushing the toilets. Our neighbor Ed came over and we swapped stories. He doesn’t have a generator either. But he has a pool and said we could use it to fill buckets for flushing the toilet if we needed to. That was a better option than filling up our buckets at the rain gutter!!

Monday, day 2 without power.
Jay had to go to work. I took the kids to our neighbor Ashley’s house. They had a generator so lent us coolers and got us some ice when they went out.
We went to another neighbor, Mary’s house, to swap stories and the kids played a bit.
In the afternoon our neighbor Greta came over to say that they had their generator hooked up to their well and hot water!! She offered to let us shower there.

Friends of ours, Michael and Dianne noticed that I hadn’t updated FB for a couple days so he emailed Jay (who got email at work) to see if we needed anything and offered their generator since their power was back on. They came over in the afternoon to get our fridge working. We lost the little we had because I only put the kids’ milk in the coolers and we went 2 days before getting a generator. But now we can buy more food and keep it fresh.

Michael also brought us an old Lego stash so the kids had something new to do for hours!

We went to Greta’s to shower, cook our supper with them on the grill, and have smores. It was a nice evening spent with two other families.

Tuesday, day 3.
So nice to have a fridge and give the kids milk with their breakfast. After breakfast we went to Greta’s again to use their land line phone and check messages for the 1st time. Neighbor Donna came over after hearing we didn’t have water and offered some and we swapped stories. (I declined because we are ok for drinking water. It’s dishwater and water for the toilet that we really need.)
Kids played well today and I made a few cards.
Late afternoon we went to Jay’s work so I could shower and check email. I updated Facebook and checked my email accounts. We went to a grocery store there too. On our way there and back, we saw many trees leaning on power lines.

And telephone poles were knocked over:

I can see why this clean up is taking a long time. And I was just seeing what was on my route, never mind all the side roads. Funny how some friends on FB were just back to normal living and I’m stressed out because all my bathrooms smell like outhouses and we’re flushing with pool water.

Wed, day 4.
Woke this morning to another day without power and water. We went to Greta’s to use the phone again. Vienna’s 1st day of school was suppose to be tomorrow but was rescheduled to Tuesday. And Lance had a doc appt scheduled for tomorrow but the office lost their power too so it was canceled.
Came home to lunch, tidy up the yard and for Colin to nap.
Having a bad day today.
Hate not having a phone at home.
Left new deli meat in the van overnight and didn’t notice til lunchtime!!!
I hurt my arm starting the generator.
Tipped over the gas can and spilled it in the garage.
AND in an attempt to flush the toilet, the handle on the kids’ pail I was using broke sending the bucket to the floor where it shuttered, dumping a gallon of water all over. Took 4 towels and a mop to get it all. I was moody!
Until today the temps have been cooler but the humidity was sneaking back up.
Then angels arrived. Mid afternoon, Dianne and Michael came over to set up the generator to our water pump!!! Running water is GLORIOUS!
We left to meet Vienna’s teacher and see the classroom. After that the kids and I went to McDs for supper and to use their wifi so I could check messages and update Facebook. Came home and cleaned my toilets, sinks and dishes. I love running water!

Thurs, day 5.
I had a bad night last night. Jay worked late and didn’t get home til 11pm. I don’t like the dark and had major anxiety. I went to bed early so I didn’t have to deal with it or the shadows but I woke up hearing a man’s voice. I thought for sure Jay was home but he wasn’t. Gotta love the ole imagination. I stayed awake all tense til he got home.
This morning I packed the kids up early and left for my friend Tami’s house. They live 35min away and have power. I showered. The kids’ bathed for the first time since the outage. And I did a load of laundry. In the afternoon we just played at home while Colin napped. Another early night.

Fri, day 6.
Jay had today off so today was much better! Makes a big difference when he is around. Overall a good day but I got stung by a hornet. I haven’t been stung since I was 9 years old and today of all bad weeks in my life, I get stung by a hornet! This afternoon we spent cleaning the yard and house. My friend Tami gave me the brilliant idea to heat water with my electric kettle. I hadn’t even thought of that! Takes no time and we just unplug the fridge same as we do to run the Keurig machine for coffee. I was able to do some dishes. Yay! Jay grilled chicken and rice for supper. As we ate I said that today was a good day. Almost getting used to living this way. Plus I felt better with a clean yard and house. We definitely don’t miss the TV. Planning to cancel extended cable after this.

Sat, Day 7. While Colin and Lance had afternoons naps, the power came on at 2:30pm!! Sadly, it was short lived. As we were getting the kids ready for bed, it went back out around 7:15pm. What a tease! At least I managed to give Colin a bath, do a load of laundry and vacuum the kids’ rooms in and around supper and bedtime. I just didn‘t get a chance to shower before bed.

Sun, Day 8. Power was restored last night after we were in bed. It came on around 11:30pm and woke us up - not a complaint! haha. We got our cable, internet and phone today around lunch time. Life is back to normal as we play catch up from the week!

---
So we survived and now that we are back online, I am seeing the devastation in the news from Irene. The flooding and loss of homes and life is horrible. I certainly had NOTHING to complain about after seeing the news. But I am not going to edit my journal because gotta keep it real. In the end we are VERY blessed by the community around us and the resources available. And most of all, great friends.

PMS

2011-08-24T15:55:00.000-04:00

I listened to an excellent broadcast today about PMS on FamilyTalk radio. There were two parts, each about 22min. (I love listening to these in the van!!!) This two parter was an insightful discussion about PMS. I like how the guest Lorraine Pintus described estrogen as energy and progesterone as peace... and how they hit a low 3 or 4 days before you get your period which is why it's tough for women AND their families. They discuss symptoms and strategies to cope. I HIGHLY recommend it if you suffer in any way! Again the link is here.

Here is a poem by Lorraine Pintus found on her website.

The Crowd that is Me
Within this body live many women
There's one that is holy and one that is sinnin'
One woman signs loudly with shouts of praises
Another spreads fear for rage that she raises

One wife is gracious, selfless and kind
Another is toxic and out of her mind
One mother is gentle and stunningly wise
Another is foolish even in her own eyes

The woman that emerges depends on one thing
The nature of her hormones and the height of her swing

Look around not down!

2011-08-22T20:09:00.001-04:00

I've been wanting to write a post about how I don't text and how I don't have a fancy blackberry type phone. I've put it off because I know I will seem like an old fogy. I'm not with the times. And how it's just socially the norm. BUT people I just can't keep quiet any longer!

I took my kids to a popular town park today. It was the first time this summer that we've gone simply because it's a distance from our house and we have a new swing set that the kids enjoy. I couldn't believe that sight all around me. I literally felt like I was in a hidden camera show... I was in disbelief staring at all the parents.... all but one were on their phones staring at screens.

The first time I noticed was when I arrived. Two ladies were sitting in the gazebo on their gadgets. Then I noticed another Mom walking around with one in her hand, checking it often. I saw her reading and saying to her 2ish year old son, "down down down" as he went down the rolly slide. Sure she was talking to him, but that is not interacting!
Then I saw a Dad watching his child play in the sandbox. Later he was in the gazebo too, on his gadget. And I can't forget the lady who was good enough to stand next to her child while she spun in the little strawberry cup thing. When the child moved on to something else, she followed barely looking up from her gadget.
At one point there were FIVE out of 7 parents on their fancy phones and I wished I had a camera with me capture the moment.
It was pathetic.
They were expressionless zombies. Is this how they want their children to remember them? Do they really think they are spending quality time with their kids at the park??
I think cell phones are great for calling a friend to say "Hey I'm at the park, wanna meet me?" Or even if a Mom is burnt out and she needed to get out and just let the kids run around. But honestly I don't think that was the case with these people.
Is checking in with people on Facebook or texting more important that being present in that moment in your life?
In 10 years are you going to wish you were on your gadget more or that you spent more time talking to your children, your family and your friends?

This is why I don't own a fancy gadget. I can wait til I'm home to use the internet.
This is why I do not text. Messages can wait til I check my emails.
Nothing is that urgent.
If it was then I'd get a call.
I realize I am behind the times by not texting but I can't be the only one looking around me seeing how pathetic society is becoming.
We need to get our nose out of our gadgets and be more present with the people IN FRONT OF us.

I felt so overwhelmingly sad when I left the park today.
And I had to share. Because maybe someone reading this just didn't think of this before.
Look around not down!

Disclaimer:
I am in no way the perfect Mom. I ignore my kids plenty. But I am aware of the time I spend and am always trying to be better. And I know my own temptations well enough to know that I shouldn't own a crackberry.

Baby bottle brush

2011-08-18T21:47:00.000-04:00

Whether you have a baby or not, I highly recommend a bottle cleaner for your home! I use this thing all the time for narrow cups, especially sippy cups and our travel water bottles. I have one where the little nipple brush for bottles folds out and I use it on anything narrow, like sippy cup spouts and also my teapot spout. Here's a pic of what I'm talking about. This is a nice one because the little brush pops in the end and there is a suction cup on it.

Photo from Babies R Us

If you shop for one, make sure you pick out the longest one you see (water bottles can be long) AND one that has the little brush with it (cheap ones don't have it). It shall make your dish cleaning easier!

Maid of honor speech

2011-08-08T11:10:00.002-04:00

Yes I know I am married and was the 'matron of honor' in my sister's wedding but 'maid of honor' just sounds better! Here we are getting ready!

I wanted to post my speech so I can remember it. I had it written out but did wander slightly from what is here, but this is the jist of it. It was a beautiful day - couldn't have asked for better weather. Congrats Robyn and Dave. Love you guys!!!

----

Hi Everyone: For those who don't know me, I am Mary, Robyn's older sister. For those of you who do know me, don't worry... I won't talk too long. I wrote it down to make sure I don't ramble!

I am stunned to even be standing here. My little sister Robyn is married! It seemed like yesterday that she was born. We are 10 years apart. I'm the older one in case you couldn't tell. When we were younger, she was my little doll. I dressed her up, put and put make up on her. So I take full credit for the girly girl we all know as our Robyn!

I can't take any credit though to how amazing she turned out. She is now a grown married woman and I am proud to call her my sister and friend. And I'm excited to share this day with her and all of you guys who are important to her.

Robyn: I pray that you will remember the vows you made today each and every day. I promise to remind you of them when times are tough and stand by you and Dave and this little family you are starting. And I have some advice for you. The man you are marrying today is the man he will always be. You can not change him. No woman in the course of history has changed her man. He will leave whiskers in the sink when he shaves. He will leave the toilet seat up. He will leave laundry on the floor next to the laundry basket. He will empty his pockets and leave change and junk on the coffee table, the counter and all over the house. And when you talk to him, he may not be listening. Men do not care about the details of your day. They just want the quick summary. So tell the details to a girl friend and just tell him the quick of it. They don't care. They really don't.

Davey Crockett: Thank you for treating my sister so well. You love her EXACTLY the way she needs to be loved. But I have some advice for you too. Your marriage will grow apart with time. Unless you work at it. Guard your heart and work on your marriage. And love Robyn for who she is today. Because she will nag. She will be emotional. She will be unreasonable. She is woman. Hear her roar. You need to adapt and overcome and love the crazy. It'll make you a better man. As Frank Barone from Everybody Loves Raymond said to his son: "Didn't I teach you anything? You gotta problem with your woman you don't go out and get another one. Then you got two problems."

I pray that both of you would not take life too seriously. And don't whatever you do EVER EVER! suggest taking a break, or needing to cool off, or sleeping at your mom's or separate or divorce. This life you are living is a choice. It's done. Deal with it. And Marriage can be really awesome too. You two can love eachother and build eachother up in a way that no one else can.

Robyn and Dave: I am so happy for you both and happy to share this day with you. A day you made a deeper commitment to one another. If you have glass please raise it. Congratulations as you start the next chapter of your lives. To Robyn and Dave!!

My grandmother 1925-2011

2011-07-05T10:25:00.001-04:00

My grandmother passed away on June 29th. She was my Dad's Mom and I was very close to her.

My parents divorced when I was 2 but I spent lots of time with my Nanabanana.

My cousin Bo and I with Nan.

She was everything you think of when you think of a grandmother: She knitted, baked, played bingo and gave lots of hugs. She also told lots of jokes, said what was on her mind and prayed faithfully.

Nan's beautiful hands.

Nan loved her treats. She always had candy laying around. She made the best banana bread and peanut butter cookies, and gave us some at Christmas time along with gum drop bread. Her freezer was always stocked with ice-cream. I can not eat three flavored (aka Neapolitan) ice-cream without thinking of her. And what made her extra cool was that she always had cones in her cupboard.

She loved gardening, plants and flowers. I remember working with her in her garden up Cambridge Narrows. And when she lived in apartments, she was surrounded in all kinds of plants and flowers.

Nan and I surrounded in her potted flowers.

She was proud of her family. She loved to talk about her parents, her siblings, her children, her grandchildren and the next generation even... her great-grandchildren. She had tons of family photos in her livingroom. When I think of her livingroom, I remember things wrapped in baggies to keep the dust off! haha!

Summer 2002 w/Dad & 2 of my sisters.

When I smell Imari from Avon or Baby's Own soap, it always and will forever remind me of Nan. I own a bottle of Imari just so I can smell her when I want to.

She despised soap operas and couldn't stand them being on the TV even for a minute. But she loved her wrestling. She'd stay up til the wee hours of the morning just to watch a match!

She gave so much of her time to the Legion. She recruited her grandkids to go door to door to sell poppies for Remembrance Day. She won awards like the Palm Leaf. She was so proud of her achievements. Those and working at the Provincial Hospital. She worked there after she was widowed with 4 kids at age 32. (She later remarried and was with Clifford for years before divorcing. She had 3 step-children. So there are many grandkids and great-grandkids in our family.)

Nan loved singing and whistling. She was involved in the choir til she couldn't physically walk up the stairs to the choir loft. If fact, I remember her talking about how she had to go down the stairs backwards because her legs were so bad, but she did it. Many of us grandkids sang in the choir at the Assumption in the 80s and she loves to recall those days. If she wasn't singing, she was whistling. I loved the sound of Nan's high pitched whistling that was no song in particular. I think of her when a kettle whistles. She used to joke that was the only thing that whistled at her anymore.

Nan front and center in her choir robe.

The choir loft at the Assumption during her memorial service on July 1st.

The choir sang for her, including O Canada.

Nan knit til just months ago when arthritis took over and she couldn't hold her arms up anymore. I admired her skill and she taught me when I was kid, not that I remember how to start or finish. (I'm more of a paper girl.). She entered her masterpieces in the Exhibition and has won. We all knew she was good but I think winning gave her an extra boost of confidence.

When we travelled to Saint John in Nov 2010, I didn't realize it would be the first and last time Colin got to meet his great-grandmother. She declined quickly and her body failed her although she was sharp.

There will be a huge void in my life without this wonderful woman in it. We talked on the phone regularly and the last time I spoke to her was June 17th. It was a brief conversation because she was on pain meds at this point and she was difficult to understand. The phone call before that was just a couple weeks prior and we reminisced about the old days and where she grew up. I wish I took more time to hear those stories.

Flag on our car as we drove to the gravesite.

We left for Saint John at 6pm on Tuesday, June 28 after getting the news that she was unresponsive, her kidneys had stopped working and her lungs were bad. I knew it was the end but hoped to get home to say good-bye. We stayed in Maine overnight to split the trip up. My Dad called me in the early hours of the morning as we slept in the hotel to tell me she passed. I was sleeping with Vienna who woke up and I told her that Nanabanana just died. Vienna's response was quick: "I hope she has a good time in heaven."

That I'm sure of. As I write this I think of the Proverbs 31 woman. My grandmother was very much as close to this as anyone I have ever met.

Proverbs 31:10-31

¹⁰ ^[b]A wife of noble character who can find?

   She is worth far more than rubies.
¹¹ Her husband has full confidence in her
   and lacks nothing of value.
¹² She brings him good, not harm,
   all the days of her life.
¹³ She selects wool and flax
   and works with eager hands.
¹⁴ She is like the merchant ships,
   bringing her food from afar.
¹⁵ She gets up while it is still night;
   she provides food for her family
   and portions for her female servants.
¹⁶ She considers a field and buys it;
   out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
¹⁷ She sets about her work vigorously;
   her arms are strong for her tasks.
¹⁸ She sees that her trading is profitable,
   and her lamp does not go out at night.
¹⁹ In her hand she holds the distaff
   and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
²⁰ She opens her arms to the poor
   and extends her hands to the needy.
²¹ When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
   for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
²² She makes coverings for her bed;
   she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
²³ Her husband is respected at the city gate,
   where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
²⁴ She makes linen garments and sells them,
   and supplies the merchants with sashes.
²⁵ She is clothed with strength and dignity;
   she can laugh at the days to come.
²⁶ She speaks with wisdom,
   and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
²⁷ She watches over the affairs of her household
   and does not eat the bread of idleness.
²⁸ Her children arise and call her blessed;
   her husband also, and he praises her:
²⁹ “Many women do noble things,
   but you surpass them all.”
³⁰ Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
   but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
³¹ Honor her for all that her hands have done,
   and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

---------------

Obituary from the newspaper:

Vera Viola Melanson
(September 8, 1925 - June 29, 2011)

The death of Vera Viola Melanson, wife of the late James "Bob" Robert Melanson, occurred on June 29, 2011 at St. Joseph’s Hospital. Born in Kingsville (Milford), NB on September 8, 1925, she was the daughter of the late Angus Joseph Robichaud and Lolie May (Gallant) Robichaud.

She is survived by daughters Geralda "Gerry" (Frank) Stevens, Assunta "Bunny" Patterson; sons James "Jay" (Pamela) Melanson, Bernard (Debra) Melanson; stepson, Kenneth "Ken" (Cathy) White; brother, Vern (Dorene) Robinchaud; sister, Selina (Bob) Farrington. Vera will also be missed by 14 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren, as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Vera was also predeceased by 9 brothers and 1 sister.

Vera was a practical nurse, graduating from the Lincoln School of Nursing, and worked 18 years at the Provincial Hospital at Simms Corner before retiring in 1979. She was a Life Member of both the Ladies Auxiliary and Carleton #2 Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion. She was awarded the Meritorious Service Award with Palm Leaf. Vera was a Girl Guide leader, taught catechism, and served the N.B.P.E.A. Inc in various capacities for 50 years. She enjoyed singing in the Assumption Parish Choir for 25 years, cooking for her family, gardening, watching wrestling, and playing bingo.

Resting at Castle “Fallsview” Funeral Home 309 Lancaster Ave. Saint John West (634-1701) with visiting on Thursday, June 30, 2011 from 2-4, and 7-9 p.m. with a Ladies Auxiliary service taking place at 7:30 p.m.

The Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, July 1, 2011 at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of the Assumption. A reception will follow at the Fallsview Family Reception Centre, 293 Lancaster Ave. The interment will take place on Saturday July 2, 2011 at 9:00 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Cemetery.

The family would like to thank the doctors and staff on the 5th floor G.E.M. unit, St. Joseph’s Hospital for their kindness and dedication shown to Mom.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Vera's name may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or the I.W.K.

End of school

2011-06-16T09:14:00.001-04:00

When I was a little girl, I got money or a gift for grading. I talked to my husband about what we should do but he said he never got a grading gift. So I think I'm going to start new traditions. I love the Tip Junkie. She has so many great ideas on her blog. I am going to make a banner saying WELCOME TO SUMMER. I invited our two neighbors over who are finished kindergarten too. We're going to have lunch together with cupcakes for dessert. I was hoping to turn the sprinkler on or something but the weather isn't in our favor. I'll save that idea for another year. So just the banner and lunch this year. But that is different than our normal routine. It doesn't take much to make kids feel special and to build memories! I want to take advantage of these opportunities for my kids making our life a productive endeavor rather than just existing mindlessly (as I do many days!). Soon I'll have a first grader!!! Crazy!

Vienna's first day of kindergarten 10 months ago.

Special Day

2011-06-01T20:34:00.000-04:00

At my son's preschool, they take turns having a "special day". On that day they get to do the weather, be the line leader, etc. I decided to adopt this concept at home to solve all those pesky fights like:
"I want the green cup."
"I want to wash my hands first."
and surprisingly: "I want to let the dog out."
Problem solved.
I wrote their names on magnets and keep their names on my fridge so I remember whose day it is.
That kid gets first dibs and it has ended so many minor battles in the past week.
Thank you awesome Preschool!!

Lightning strikes!

2011-05-17T15:43:00.002-04:00

**EDIT** Sorry the pics didn't work. Should be ok now!

----

We had some excitement yesterday afternoon! The sky was overcast but there were no thunderstorms. I was upstairs in my office on the phone and Jay was downstairs in the kitchen. The kids were sleeping. Suddenly there was a LOUD boom followed by the rumble of thunder so I knew lightning hit or something exploded. I ran downstairs to Jay and he was looking out our back door and we saw smoke rising all around our house. My adrenalin started pumping! He went outside to check things out and I ran back upstairs to check on the kids. Then I went outside to join Jay. We found that our garage door was damaged:

The metal frame around our door was all bent up! Pieces were scattered in our yard. We thought lightening must have hit the top of our house and went thru exiting here. We went back inside to check in the attic for damage but there were no signs of anything.

We had power but our phone, internet and cable were not working.

I called the fire department rather than 911 because we weren't in danger but we wanted someone to come inspect things. This was also a good idea for our insurance claim.
I always thought that it was a waste of paper to print phone books but this baby sure came in handy while my internet was down. (Note to self: Keep your cell phone charged at all times. I had to keep it plugged in while making my calls because the battery was just about dead. So glad we had power!!)

The light bulbs broke inside and outside our garage. And the door on the left won't open.

The Fire Marshall came and so did a firetruck. When the firefighter got out, Lance exclaimed: "A real one!"

They said that the lightening hit in the woods, travelled in the ground and exited at our garage door. Sure enough, we figured out exactly where it travelled... The previous owners had an electric fence (cord in the ground) that ran all through the woods and along the nature trail Jay made for the kids. It was not connected anymore and the end of the cord was just dangling unattached to anything in the garage.
Jay and Lance went out to explore. Here's Lance posing next to the charred line from the explosion! (It's running from his left foot towards the camera.)

More charred marks... amazing! (From the rock and towards the camera)

Crazy!!!

The plastic casing on the wire was in pieces all over the place. The wire itself vaporized!

Jay found craters from the blast! If you look closely (click on the pics to enlarge), you can see green plastic and exposed tree roots.

Lance standing behind the crater.

Melted:

Amazing!

I always thought we should dig that old cord up so the kids wouldn't trip on the trail. There were parts that weren't buried. No need of that now!

We have Metrocast cable, internet and phone. They were here right away to help because many neighbors had damaged transistors. Everyone else got online last night but we had to wait until today because the buried cable was fried and they needed to replace it. We were back online within 24hrs! That's service!!!

So that was our excitement! We are so thankful that the damage was minimal. It certainly gives us perspective how POWERFUL our God is. It was just amazing to see the damage and how far reaching it was! Grateful that we are ok!!!

When the people saw the thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain in smoke, they trembled with fear. Exodus 20:18

For the Son of Man in his day will be like the lightning, which flashes and lights up the sky from one end to the other. Luke 17:24

Sorting socks and organizers!

2011-05-11T12:24:00.000-04:00

I read about a brilliant idea over at I'm a Lazy Mom's blog and finally am going to start doing it! She suggests giving each child one of those mesh laundry bags for lingerie for their socks. I have always used dollar store ones for my bras but Target sells ones that are larger, like this:

12" ruler for scale.

I bought three last night and I'm going to use it for socks AND underwear! (I can do this while they are young and have little feet and butts!) This will save so much time sorting (the boys are 3 years apart and their socks are already hard to tell apart). I'm excited about so many little pieces confined to one space!
Target has a great selection of home organizers. Here is the packaging up close. I found them in the section by the laundry hampers.

They're in the same aisle as these shoe bags that I use for crafting supplies:

And near the jewelry holders that I use for my embellishments. I love this line of organizers!!!

Going easy on myself

2011-05-03T15:43:00.001-04:00

I was getting so overwhelmed recently with these thoughts:
Gotta spend time with my kids
Gotta have more date nights with Jay
Gotta find quiet time to pray each day
Gotta read the bible every day
Gotta eat better
Gotta learn to cook
Gotta be better about housekeeping
Gotta work out
Gotta get together with friends regularly
Gotta gotta gotta...!!!
Man am I drained just writing that out! I think most women understand my list though. I'm not unique. But how I might be unique, (at least at this point in my life), is that I am no longer holding onto my GOTTA list and stressing about it or feeling guilty about not being so great at life (aka being a Proverbs 31 woman!)
Here's what I am doing successfully each day though... I am joyful. I choose to be happy whether my kitchen is cluttered or the kitchen is clean. And I am loving my kids whether we are running the roads or just looking at ant hills in our yard.
I have also decided to let go of the guilt I feel about my bible time. I have never been one to just sit and open my bible and read. I prefer bible studies. But the way I am staying tapped into God's word and His way of living is to listen to broadcasts on FamilyTalk, to read encouraging emails sent regularly from Proverbs 31 Ministry, read Christian books, and spend time with encouraging people.
I refuse to stop beating myself up over all the things I should be doing, and just choose a good attitude first and foremost. I find the rest falls into place much better when I do that anyway.
So that's where I am today. I'm wondering if this is a common revelation of women in their mid-30s? haha... either way... I'm glad to be in this place in life. It really feels good. And I am grateful to God for the life He has given me.

Pancakes

2011-04-18T14:52:00.001-04:00

Once a week, I always make chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast.... and I always use the just add water Aunt Jemima ones. Easy. Fast. Edible. But today I didn't have any mix so I got out a trusty cookbook to find a recipe using ingredients I had on hand. I am forever converted. After not tasting real pancakes for so long, I forgot how delicious they are! So here is the easy recipe I used in case you were looking for one yourself!

Chocolate Chip Pancakes, p.204
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
1 cup milk (I used almond milk)
3 tablespoons vegetable oil (I used canola)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips (I used regular size)

I won't type out their directions... pretty standard... mix dry ingredients, then mix wet. Merge them. Don't overmix. Poor batter on greased griddle or pan. Add chocolate chips at that point (otherwise they'll sink into the batter bowl). Cook. Flip. Cook. Eat. Enjoy!

Oh they were YUMMY! The kids thought so too! Forever converted. Sorry Aunt J!

baby pool

2011-04-11T22:19:00.000-04:00

I shared a tip with a friend the other day that I heard awhile ago. Thought I'd share it here since it's a good one! Summer is a comin' and so are the outdoor picnics. To keep food chilled, fill an inflatable baby pool with ice, and lay the dishes in that. They are small enough to easily fit on a table and you don't have to worry about those mayo-based dishes! Here's looking forward to warmer weather!

Good quotes

2011-03-29T20:01:00.001-04:00

I am cleaning up my office and found these quotes jotted down from church a couple months ago. Worth saving...

"You're the only bible some people may ever encounter." - Pastor Roseland, 12/19/10
"If it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it might be a robot." - Pastor Roseland again. haha

Remember the elderly

2011-03-23T19:27:00.000-04:00

I have been listening to FamilyTalk broadcasts and highly recommend them. They cover all sorts of topics relating to the family. Yesterday and today was about the elderly. Jay's grandmothers are in a nursing home, I have one in the hospital and another who has some serious health ailments. I heard this poem on yesterday's broadcast and had to share. Something to think about when it comes to our aging family. This poem was shared during a discussion about our elderly and how they are often lonely and in nursing homes. Many never receive visitors. I never really thought about these things before.

Photo of me with my paternal grandmother

who is currently in the hospital (long term care)

Minnie Remembers

by Donna Swanson

God, my hands are old.

I've never said that out loud before but they are.

I was so proud of them once.

They were soft like the velvet smoothness of a firm, ripe peach.

Now the softness is more like worn-out sheets or withered leaves.

When did these slender, graceful hands become gnarled, shrunken claws?

When, God?

They lie here in my lap; naked reminders of this worn out body that has served me too well.

How long has it been since someone touched me?

Twenty years?

Twenty years I've been a widow.

Respected.

Smiled at.

But never touched.

Never held so close that loneliness was blotted out.

I remember how my mother used to hold me, God.

When I was hurt in spirit or flesh,

she would gather me close,

stroke my silky hair,

and caress my back with her warm hands.

O God, I'm so lonely!

I remember the first boy who ever kissed me.

We were both so new at that!

The taste of young lips and popcorn,

the feeling inside me of mysteries to come.

I remember Hank and the babies.

How else can I remember them but together?

For out of the fumbling, awkward attempts of new lovers

came the babies.

And, as they grew, so did our love.

And, God, Hank didn't seem to mind

if my body thickened and faded a little.

He still loved it and touched it.

And we didn't mind if we were no longer beautiful.

And it felt so good.

And the children hugged me a lot.

O God, I'm lonely!

God, why didn't we raise the kids

to be silly and affectionate

as well as dignified and proper.

You see, they do their duty.

They drive up in their fine cars.

they come to my room

to pay their respects.

they chatter brightly, and reminisce.

But they don't touch me.

they call me Mom, or Mother or Grandma.

Never Minnie.

My mother called me Minnie.

So did my friends.

Hank called me Minnie, too.

But they're gone now.

And so is Minnie.

Only Grandma is here.

And God! She's lonely!

Oatmeal

2011-03-16T22:16:00.000-04:00

For breakfast these days, I take 1 package of this stuff:

And I add 1 half cup of this stuff:

I put them in a bowl then I add about 1.5 cups of boiled water and walk away. I change a diaper, get a kid dressed or check facebook. Then when I go back to the bowl, it's ready. Stir and it serves 2. Well it actually serves 3 in my house bcs baby Colin has been eating this too. (Plus it saves money and is healthier than eating straight packaged oatmeal.)

Chuck E Cheese

2011-03-10T13:51:00.000-05:00

I signed up my kids on the Chuck E Cheese website a couple years ago for the great coupons. The kids get 20 free tokens on their birthdays. I also just found some great reward charts on there! Kids can earn 10 free tokens for brushing their teeth or going potty... and I just printed a certificate for Vienna called the "Tooth Fairy Award". She'll get 10 free tokens for losing a tooth. I had to recommend since I had no idea this existed!

Changes

2011-03-05T08:28:00.001-05:00

As you probably noticed many of my latest posts have had to do with CARDS! Oh how I love them. Because I am playing along in so many card challenges, I decided to start another blog JUST for those entries (CHANGE 1). I'll still talk cards over here now and again but this blog is called "A Productive Endeavor" and I want to get back to that. (On a side note, I wish I had thought of PURPOSEFUL as the P when I was first trying to find a clever phrase using the letters APE - my fav animal!).

So late last year I shared here that my friend and I were doing a bible study by phone together. We started Power of a Praying Parent. After getting to the 3rd or 4th week, we decided to change directions. Neither of us were doing our homework. We struggled with finding time to pray. Life was busy and our prayer life was something we tackled IF everything else in our home was in order. Ha! Isn't that crazy! We were doing it WRONG and in that we decided to shift gears (CHANGE 2)... get to the roots... and study PRAYER itself and commit to making our prayer lives better. THAT is the true priority after all. My friend Amy gave me this book ages ago and I started and stopped it a couple times. I mentioned it to Kaley and now we are going to work through this together.

I am already super excited. I've been a Christian for 10 years and still have much to learn and the author committed herself to getting a better prayer life at the beginning of her 2nd decade too! So that's where I am these days with my bible studies.

First time using buttons

2011-03-01T15:51:00.006-05:00

I save all the buttons that come with our clothing. (I always wondered why companies do that... I mean how many people really lose a button on their clothes and sew a new one on that they kept from the day they first tore the tags off.) Anyway... glad I did because buttons are fun to put on cards!

I used my NEW Big Shot to emboss the background paper. WOOT WOOT! I am so excited about it! The cupcake stamps are from Stampin Up! "The more the merrier" which was a hostess gift from my party last year. I used colored pencils on them with a touch of blue gel pen. (You can click on the photo make make it bigger.) The sentiment "sweetest ever" came with the set. Photo corners and ribbon complete the look. I was thinking this would be a good birthday card for a friend of mine who has a bakery but I think the sentiment would work well as a friendship card too

I am entering this card in two different challenges.

Stamp' Sisters in Christ is a new blog I found and they share a devotion as part of their challenge. I love this site and the creativity there. They want us to use buttons so this was the blog that first inspired me for this card.

Sentimental Sundays has a challenge to do anything (#44). Complete freedom. They have wonderful freebies and I like their blog a lot.

So that's it for today. Happy first day of March!

Spring card challenge

2011-02-27T16:14:00.004-05:00

I love the drawings over at Dustin Pike's blog. He had a challenge today to make something with the theme "Spring is in the air"and challenged us to use one of his own drawings too. This bear was a freebie awhile back.

Background paper is from a stack I bought. I love how the butterflies and little flowers on the paper tie into the picture and embellishments so perfectly.

The stamps and punches are Stampin Up! except for the green leaves which I got at a local craft store. I used SU! jewels for the first time on this birthday card.

Loving my family

2011-02-24T13:19:00.005-05:00

We are working through a great book at our Military Moms group. The other leaders and I are taking turns summarizing the chapters and I just had the ones on loving your family. Funny how we have been getting the areas we feel most challenged in! I had typed up my notes and wanted to share them here. I highly highly highly recommend this book!!

Chapter 11 - A Woman’s High Calling to Her Family

p.157 worded well: blessing to have children to love and a privilege to raise them

p.161 “What is a godly mother? A godly mother is one who loves the Lord her God with all her heart, soul, mind, and strength and then passionately, consistently, and unrelentingly teachers her offspring to do the same”

p.166 “No one else is called to love our children but us. And no one else can love our children like us.”

p.167 “I see God’s high calling as being fivefold: If you have children, you are to:

1. Love them and make loving them your highest pursuit.
2. Look to the Word of God for His guidelines for being a loving Christian mother.
3. Look at the modeling of older Christian women as they express Christlike love to their children.
4. Look to the older Christian women to teach you the how-to’s of such love.
5. Learn from such women.”

Chapter 12 - Loving Your Family - An Essential for Godly Living

p.170 “Time is subtle. It appears to be passing slowly - too slowly for our impatient ways!”
LOVE THIS QUOTE! "Time is subtle." Goes along with the quote I love and have on my blog already: "These are our longest days but our shortest years." Great reminder!

p.171 “We can so easily get caught up in trying to hurry our life (and our children’s lives!) along, to get past these seemingly unimportant and sometimes bothersome days.”

p.171 Ten Ways to Love Your Children

1. Teach them
- “On and on the list of worldly “must knows” goes. But the weightier things - the fundamentals of the Christian life… are treated as secondary or are completely absent.”
- Do you love God enough… and do you love your children enough to sacrifice:
Your self (it will cost you personally to put this discipline in place)
Your time (lesser pursuits will have to make way for the greater)
Your energy (training is rewarding work… but never easy work)
You money (Bibles and books and music and materials will have to be obtained to help aim your teaching of God’s truth straight into your youngsters’ hearts)?

2. Train them
To work and fulfill their responsibilities and do things “heartily” and with a good attitude
To obey (parents and what Bible teaches)
To respect

3. Talk to God about them. Aka Pray.

4. Talk to them about God.

5. Take time to read on mothering. Read to keep sharp as a mom and to keep actively reaching to do a better job.

6. Take time to read to them. “The God-inspired words of the Bible must take root in our precious youngsters’ hearts!” p.177.

Focus on what’s important “instead of puppets and cartoon figures, instead of caped and masked super-heroes, instead of teen idols and rock stars!” p.178

7. Teach them to pray.

8. Take care of them. ““loving” your children means taking care of them. Food, clothes, rest, a safe home, order, a schedule, a place of peace are your children’s rights.”
THIS IS A SIMPLE CONCEPT BUT A STRUGGLE FOR ME BECAUSE I DON'T LIKE SCHEDULES AND ROUTINE. BUT MY KIDS DESERVE THAT.

9. Tell them about Jesus.

10. Try your best - with the Lord’s help - to model godliness.

p.181 “The world is tugging at our children’s hearts, pulling them down and away from God. Loving our children means we are willing to get down in the trenches and fight to turn our children’s hearts toward God - toward His Word and His ways.”

And lastly some SCRIPTURE to leave you with that was referenced in the book. Elizabeth George is great at tying in bible verses to back up what she says.

Deut 6:6-7 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

Prov 1:8 Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.

1 Tim 2:15 But women will be saved through childbearing - if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety. (Translation of saved more accurately preserved.)

Titus 2:3-4 Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children

2 Tim 3:15 and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

Card challenge: Red, pink & white

2011-02-13T18:55:00.007-05:00

I love Sentimental Sunday's blog. They're having a card challenge using the colors red, pink and white.

The text was a freebie (available to download for one week only from Raindrop Echo Designs - link on the Sentimental Sunday's blog). When I saw this one, I knew I wanted to make a card for a good friend going thru hard times. I built the card around the sentiment: "The art of love is largely the art of persistence. -Albert Ellis"

I printed the sentiment on pink card stock. I layered pink, red, black and white card stock after using a corner punch to get those round edges. Then I inked the edges with black ink. The swirl is stamped on white card stock and I cut it out (no fancy Cricut here!). Finished it off with a recycled white ribbon.

My fav part of the card is the swirl that I cut out and how it matches the swirls mixed in the with the word LOVE.

The inside is done with stickers. "Love bears, believes, hopes and endures all things. Faith, hope, love abide these three; but the greatest of these is love." This is found in 1 Corinthians chapter 13 if you want to read more great verses about love.

Although this card appears to be a Valentine's Day card, it is more of an encouragement card. Marriage can be a tough ride and I love the fact that my friend is committed to working thru the issues they have in front of them. I pray that they'd feel the Lord's tug on their hearts and grow closer together and tighter than ever before and look to God for direction as they journey through this earthly life.

Garbage bowl

2011-02-13T18:03:00.002-05:00

I saw this idea on Rachel Ray years ago and LOVE it. When she cooks, she keeps a big bowl for her peelings, wrappers, etc. I do that AND I use a bowl when I'm cleaning the kitchen. All the little bread ties, leftover food, straws, etc. go into the bowl so I don't have to make a million trips to the garbage can. If you have a garbage can conveniently located in your kitchen then this idea probably seems silly. But my can is in the corner out of the way and I love using a bowl. A simple time saver tip I wanted to share.

Simple Valentine's Day card

2011-02-11T16:44:00.003-05:00

I made a few cards that look just like this for Vienna and Lance's teachers. I printed the text from my computer. Made the edge lacey with a border punch. Stamped the heart (SU!) in Whisper White ink (SU!) and embossed it. Added the black and white polka dot sticker border at the bottom which is actually the inside of the card.

I love how the dots around the heart coordinate with the dots on the bottom. I also like the little heart in the word love. Did you catch that? Love subtle touches like that.

I started with pink paper because I'm playing along in the card challenge at a new site for simple cards called "Less is More". I am super excited about this new blog since it's right up my alley!

I am also entering this card in Annabelle's challenge to use polka dots. Lots of great resources to get creativity flowing!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Card challenge: Pink, blue & brown

2011-02-08T16:06:00.002-05:00

I hosted a Stampin Up! card party on Saturday. When I sat down to make my thank you cards on Sunday, I looked online for a challenge first for inspiration. I couldn't find one so I just made a card all by myself - no challenge or color themes. I wanted to use my monkey stamp and happy colors so I just.made.this!!!

What was super ironic is that TODAY I saw this challenge on Annabelle Stamps. Pink, blue and brown were the color theme! Crazy or what?! So now I get to play along and maybe win a prize after all!!

The stamp is a Stampendous Changito monkey stamp. I stamped it in brown then colored with Crayola colored pencils. The thank you stamp is SU! as is the pearl and pink "regal rose" paper. I love how the paper and ink match PERFECTLY!

I used a piercing tool to make little markings on the edge of the pink paper too.

Finished with a little blue bow and voila.

An unexpected card challenge entry. Thanks Annabelle!!

Mommy encouragement

2011-02-08T13:37:00.004-05:00

I received this email from the MOPS email and thought it encouraging. Wanted to share. I thought the stranger's gesture to pay was really nice! I'd like to be that kind of woman.

~Mary

You’re Not Alone

By Christa Hogan, mom of two

After a particularly long, sleepless night, I decided I’d earned a latte. I dropped my oldest son off at preschool and headed to Starbucks with the baby. But as soon as I pulled into the drive-through line and placed my order, he woke up and started to cry. I knew he was fed and clean, but he wouldn’t stop crying no matter what I tried. My car was blocked in the drive-through line, and I had no choice but to wait it out.

"I was still exhausted.
But I was no longer alone"

Hormonal, exhausted, frazzled and leaking breast milk, I finally pulled up to the window for my latte after what felt like an eternity. I was fighting back tears as the barista at the window handed me my drink. But when I tried to pay he shook his head.

“The lady ahead of you in line already paid for your order,” he explained. “She said, ‘From one mom to another.’ ”

I felt a wave of relief. The baby was still crying. I was still leaking. I was still exhausted. But I was no longer alone. I was reminded that I was part of a larger, sometimes anonymous, community of moms doing their best for their kids. I don’t remember if the baby stopped crying before I drove all the way home, but I do remember how good that latte tasted.

Personal Stamp recommendation

2011-02-03T18:10:00.005-05:00

If you are looking for a personal stamp (or address stamp), I wanted to recommend the seller StampOutOnline who I actually found on Etsy. I bought a custom "Mady by Mary" stamp for the back of my cards for $20. I emailed the seller and asked if she could make something with a shared M for the words made and Mary and she sent me a sample right away. I didn't like the font but loved the third one she sent me. The turn around time was amazingly fast and here is my stamp:

I have it in my hands now and it stamps well! I am so happy! Can't wait to make a new card and add this personal touch to the back.

Bruschetta Chicken casserole

2011-02-01T21:19:00.003-05:00

This is one of the easiest recipes ever. It's on the back of the Stove Top dressing box. Wanted to share an simple meal idea. (I put the cheese on top though). I got this from the Kraft website here.

Enjoy!

Mary

1 can (14-1/2 oz.) diced tomatoes, undrained

1 pkg. (6 oz.) STOVE TOP Stuffing Mix for Chicken

1/2 cup water

2 cloves garlic, minced

1-1/2 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces

1 tsp. dried basil leaves

1 cup KRAFT 2% Milk Shredded Mozzarella Cheese

HEAT oven to 400ºF.

MIX tomatoes, stuffing mix, water and garlic just until stuffing mix is moistened.

LAYER chicken, basil and cheese in 3-qt. casserole or 13x9-inch baking dish.

TOP with stuffing. Bake 30 min. or until chicken is done.

DYSU card challenge: patterned paper

2011-01-31T16:52:00.004-05:00

Playing along at Do You Stack Up. Found me some pretty patterned paper and voila:

FLOWERS:

I saw a pattern for these 3D flowers in a book I have and I like how they are triangular and flow with the patterned paper.

The green bud of the flower was just a triangle I cut and used funky scissors on one edge. I cut the stems out of green cardstock and the leaves are from a punch. The punch was actually a branch and I just used the leaf on the end.

I used my piercing tool and added some holes in one corner.

And one of my favorite things about this card... I added this pre-made pop up sticker and look at the background! I love how it matches my patterned paper. And I just chose this sticker for the colors! Oh how this made me happy!

Card challenge: for a boy

2011-01-26T15:00:00.004-05:00

Allsorts is doing a challenge this week that I decided to participate in since I had a boy's birthday card to make. I asked my friend what her son was into and what his fav color was. Based on her answer, Lego and blue were my inspiration and starting point.

LEGO

I made the Lego buy cutting paper 2x1 and 1x1 then I used my Stampin Up! 3/8" circle punch for the tops.

TEXT

Cole is spelled with The Scrapbook Wizard stickers I had. I put them on the same blue cardstock as the Lego.

The happy birthday stamp is one I got ages ago. I can't recall where.

BALLOONS

The balloons are just stickers and I tied a piece of embroidery floss around the bottom for fun!

The yellow and red strips are just border stickers.

I think that's about it.

Sentimental Sunday color challenge

2011-01-23T19:24:00.005-05:00

I'm participating in a color challenge over at Sentimental Sunday. I didn't use these exact colors but found stuff that was pretty close. Sadly my picture isn't great but I hope you can still appreciate it.

TEXT

My sister's birthday is next month so this is for her. I used the link on the challenge for the "Sending good wishes and butterfly kisses" which was done by Sylvia's Sentiments. I downloaded it then printed it out on yellow cardstock. I colored the butterfly orange. The corners were cut with a corner punch from Creative Memories.

I printed "Happy 20th Birthday Michelle" on white card stock. Used my Stampin Up! oval punch and inked the edges. I layered the orange scallop oval behind that, which is also a SU! punch. That's held on with pop up dots so it's raised.

BORDER

The lighter green border was made with a Fiskars border punch. I just punched a narrow piece of paper on both sides.

BUTTERFLIES

The large butterfly is a SU! punch. I covered one wing with a post-it note while I stamped a big flower over the other wing. Then did the other side the same way. Only the body is glued to the paper so the wings are free. I colored the body black and drew antennae with a silver pen.

The smaller butterflies are just stickers.

Think that's about it. :o)

Pink card challenge

2011-01-21T21:23:00.004-05:00

A simple card for a simple card challenge over at "do you stack up?"

Theme: Think pink.

I layered two squares of light pink paper after using my lace corner punch on them. I added ribbon to the forever friends sticker. The leaves are from a punch. And some pretty corner stickers to tie it all together. Doesn't have to be elaborate to be pretty.

First time homemade chicken broth & soup

2011-01-20T14:39:00.007-05:00

I referred to my all time fav cookbook "The America's Test Kitchen Family Cookbook" when I wanted to make my first chicken broth. I followed the recipe for turkey broth but other than the bird type, everything else was followed to a T.

(You can click on the image below to enlarge it.)

I love this cookbook because of the little side notes. I learned why a gentle simmer is best for soups. And I put the noodles and meat in last per their tip.

I also made dumplings. Here is their recipe for those too. So easy and delicious!

Mojo Monday week 174

2011-01-19T18:30:00.006-05:00

Mojo Monday time! I had a card to make for someone who had a baby girl. Here is the template:

And my creation:

The moon and star are from a set of die cuts. The star is 3D with sequence inside. I found paper to match. I stamped the dotted swirls on the brown background paper. The sleep tight circle is a hard sticker. And I made the welcome baby girl embellishment. I printed the text from my computer, used my circle punch to cut it out. I punched out a bigger circle to layer behind it and glued on sequence to tie the card together. Two layers of ribbon finish the look.

Electric kettle

2011-01-18T10:28:00.007-05:00

I got an electric kettle for Christmas and it is glorious! I drink many hot drinks a day (tea, coffee or hot chocolate) so boil water a lot. As a mom of 3 kids ages 5 and under, I often get sidetracked from the time I put the kettle on to the time I sit down to have a sip.

If this sounds familiar then YOU MUST get an electric kettle!!!

It heats the water in 3 minutes! So I can have my drink before something comes up. Well the odds are in my favor anyway... AND it shuts itself off when the water is done so if something does come up, I don't have to dash to the kitchen to turn the whistling kettle off.

Oh the ways I love simplifying my life....

Card challenge RRR16

2011-01-16T10:00:00.005-05:00

Really Reasonable Ribbon is hosting a card challenge using ribbon and hearts. My grandmother's birthday is in February so I decided to do her card with those elements. She loves the color red too (her kitchen is even red) so how perfect is that?!

PAPER:

I started by going thru my red papers and was inspired by the paisleys. I edged that paper with my Fiskars lace border punch.

RIBBON:

Inexpensive stuff from the local craft store. Offray brand. 1/4 inch. I made the bow separately and then glued it on.

HEARTS:

I used a stencil to draw the red heart they layered the darker red behind it. I used scallop edged scissors to go around that layer. Then I used a paper piercing tool (Stampin Up!) on the edges of both hearts. Note that the holes are in the center of each scallop and I just eyeballed the spacing on the inner layer. Two pearls (from SU!) for a mature look and then finished it off with Crayola glitter glue around the outter edge.

The smaller heart is a sticker.

FLOWERS:

I made the flowers using a scallop circle punch (SU!) and cut into the center to create petals. I rubbed the edges in two different shades of red ink. Another little flower punch (SU!) for the center. Little pearls (SU!) complete the look.

SENTIMENT:

I hand wrote the text "Birthday Love to you" with the white pen from Stampin Up! The quality of that pen is better than the cheaper ones I've gotten at the craft store.

I think that's about it!

Distressing card challenge

2011-01-13T19:43:00.004-05:00

I'm entering the card I posted about below in a challenge on a very interesting new blog:

http://www.doyoustackup.blogspot.com/

Coincidentally I just made this card yesterday and their challenge was to do something distressed! So I had to add my name to their list. I really like this new blog so far!

Miss Mary card teacher. Lesson 1.

2011-01-12T16:34:00.010-05:00

Pay it forward - the card making knowledge version...

I started going to a card making group at my old church in Feb 2009. The ladies there had been making cards for years and are a talented bunch! (I'm on a hiatus right now since having Colin and nursing but still connect with them regularly.) As a group they make cards for a stash and the leader mails them out to members of the church as various things come up: a need for encouragement, sympathy, get well, baby dedication, missionary Christmas cards, etc. As a group, they not only make cards but they pray for the recipients too. It's a wonderful ministry!

It was at these meetings that I learned so much about card making... from which glue to use to funky techniques. I have much to learn but now have almost 2 years experience so thought I'd pass on some of what I've learned. :o) There is a lot of card making lingo so pardon all my brackets as I go on little tangents!

I made a card today and used a "bone folder" in a new (to me) way. The bone folder is for making crisp folds and scoring (indenting to make folding easier). Today I used it to distress (make rough looking) edges of paper, which gives my card a different feel. I have this one from Stampin Up! but you can get them at a local craft store too:

SU! is a home based business, like Tupperware and their supplies are awesome! Plus I have a friend from the card group who is a demonstrator. The paper matches the inks and the ribbon and the buttons and it's just so coordinating and wonderful! If this makes you giddy in your chair and you are not making cards yet, you need to be! hehehe

Here is the sympathy card I made today. I stamped the butterflies and text. I colored in the butterflies with watermark colored pencils. The bigger paper is linen paper (nice texture) and the cream colored paper is the one I distressed. It's hard to see in this picture but note the bottom left corner. I curled that.

And here is a closer view of the distressed edge. There is actually a gadget you can buy called a distressing tool that is like a razor blade but I don't have one. I looked on YouTube for ideas on how to do this technique without the tool. I saw ideas using finger tips, scissors and even a nail file. I just did the same thing but with my bone folder.

My card is clean and simple but you will see that's my thing. I don't use many fancy embellishments (card accessories) that much and if I do not a whole bunch at once. Another thing I'm starting to do is make the inside pretty to coordinate with the front.

And that completes lesson 1.

Card challenge

2011-01-04T19:11:00.003-05:00

Oh how I love following fun templates and playing along with the crafters at Mojo Monday. I don't use half the embellishments as all the creative ladies, but I'm not intimidated. hehe... *sideways glance*

Here is a card for my friend who had her baby around Thanksgiving. Better late than never! I stamped the jeep but the rest is just patterned paper and stickers. Fun to coordinate and fun to play in my crafty room.

Baby boy card

2011-01-04T16:07:00.004-05:00

I followed a nice layout from Mojo Monday's site to make a baby boy card for a friend. Here is the template and my creation below.

Just simply layering paper... cutting with funky scissors and adding a cute raised sticker with sparkles. I picked the striped paper first and rolled with that.

A Productive Endeavor

Valentine Decor

Reporting vs Tattling

What?! Another change?

The Cozi calendar

Pregnant after a "failed" vasectomy

7 Fitness Myths, Busted | Yahoo! Health

Couch to 5K update

Gentleness Challenge check in - week 4

Another gentleness challenge check in - week 3

Decluttering my mind

Couch to 5K update

Gentleness challenge check in

A life worthy

Rolling off the couch

The Gentleness Challenge

Oops

Good Morning Girls

Hair straightener

Newman News 2011

♪ Hark the herald angels sing ♫"Glory to the newborn King!Peace on earth and mercy mild♫ God and sinners reconciled"♪

A dozen years of marriage

My therapeutic post about Christmas

Displaying Christmas cards

Twilight

My grandfather William Brown 9/12/35 - 12/5/11

I fixed a zipper!

Hate crawling into a cold bed?

Elf on a Shelf... a variation

New layout

Quotes by C.S. Lewis

Women of Faith part 2

Women of Faith 2011

Book Review: Bringing Up Girls

Failure. Forgiveness.

Stopping to take it all in

Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8

Good quote

Thirty-One Gifts

Simple photo collage

A family weekend

Space heaters

Eating

We remember

Irene vs Newman

PMS

Look around not down!

Baby bottle brush

Maid of honor speech

My grandmother 1925-2011

End of school

Special Day

Lightning strikes!

Sorting socks and organizers!

Going easy on myself

Pancakes

baby pool

Good quotes

Remember the elderly

Oatmeal

Chuck E Cheese

Changes

First time using buttons

Spring card challenge

Loving my family

Card challenge: Red, pink & white

Garbage bowl

Simple Valentine's Day card

Card challenge: Pink, blue & brown

Mommy encouragement

Personal Stamp recommendation

Bruschetta Chicken casserole

DYSU card challenge: patterned paper

Card challenge: for a boy

Sentimental Sunday color challenge

Pink card challenge

First time homemade chicken broth & soup

Mojo Monday week 174

Electric kettle

Card challenge RRR16

♪ Hark the herald angels sing ♫
"Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild
♫ God and sinners reconciled"♪