{Scraps of Love}

A while back another blogger asked if I’d “guest post” on her blog.

So I began to pray about what God wanted me to share… and the thing that kept coming to mind I was like,
“Nah. Not that. Let’s find something better, Lord.”
But. I couldn’t get away from it.
Actually, it was a post I had written more than a year ago… so I went searching.
Which let me insert here that if you don’t tag your posts, it’s a good idea. : /
Finally finding it I sat and read through.. feeling like I could have just written it, NOW.

I found myself sighing that I seem to constantly be learning the same things over and over..
is that life or something??
But also found myself inspired in a fresh way to put these things into practice…

“We think fighting is a bad thing in a marriage. But not when you’re both fighting for the same thing – - a marriage of oneness. unity. self denial. Christ centered. Christ honoring. This kind of thing is good to fight for!

I remember hearing someone say that anything of value comes with a price. It’s not easy. It won’t be easy. But if you want it, and bad enough, you’re willing to pay. to endure. to go through whatever necessary to get it.”

You can check out the rest here::

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Last night Kate was working on some Valentines in her room while listening to a radio program where people were calling in sharing their favorite Valentines memory…
I sat down on the floor and listened with her, playing around with the scraps of letters and papers scattered around.

No matter how big I get, I still love cutting out paper hearts and the smell of Elmer’s glue!!

 

 

Happy Friday!!!!!

amber.

{Pocketful of Change}

I’ve always had a love/ hate kind of relationship with money.

I grew up in a pastor’s home, so we weren’t exactly rolling in the dough…
but though I didn’t have “everything,” I certainly had all I wanted.

My parents are both fiercely generous people –
they will often tell us kids they hope we won’t mind not having an inheritance someday,
cause they’ve spent it all on us while living!

And though I’d never fault their generosity.. after all it’s what has concealed my true hair color for years.
I will say that there was a slight downside to it that I didn’t realize until getting married.
Being that my concept of money was slightly, “altered.”

Exhibit A: The newly named Mrs.Hutchins gets introduced to, “The Envelope System.”

 

It took me awhile to catch on too…
I didn’t understand that when one envelope was empty, oh.. say like, clothing/ entertainment -
that you weren’t allowed to swap cash from the other less important envelopes, like…..utilities/ groceries.

And though I eventually learned the concept that if the money wasn’t there, it meant you couldn’t buy it,
some things I’ve never completely learned as far as money goes~ like estimating the cost of things.
Shayne always tells me I round down, instead of up.
If something is $10. 99 I don’t see it as $11.00, I see it as 10!
Yes, I can see my more frugal minded friends grinning..
those extra 99 cents adding up on things have shocked me many of times at a store check out line!!

I have done better in more recent years though.
Not that my math skills have improved,
but I think I’ve come {and am still coming} to a place of contentment…
of being okay to get by on the necessities.
And I want to be quick to add, if you looked around our home, or peeked in my closet…
you would see much more than mere “necessities.”
God has been good and I don’t want to give the impression that we’re living on potatoes,
sleeping in lawn chairs, and have only two outfits to our name~ one for school and one for Sunday’s. 

But as I’ve discovered, ever so painfully at times, contentment doesn’t come easy. 
Expectations of what you think you’re entitled to, and comparison of where it seems everyone else in your age bracket is at…
seems to always be peering over your shoulder, ready to rob any hint of contentment you might possess. 

So based upon that I’ll say, no matter how blessed I am..
there are still those “things” I can long for and desire.
Like a second bathroom,
or a dishwasher of my own…
maybe that trip to Disney World before my kids turn 21!

But this is where my contentment has surprised me lately~
realizing that if I never get those things…
it’s okay.
I’m okay with that.    

     

I used to think money was a main source of contention in my marriage~
and though finances do put a lot of extra stress on a couple, and we’ve been there…
God has shown me, especially in this last year that what was causing more contention in my marriage
had nothing to do with money, and so much more to do with my lack of gratefulness.

It was just something that went off like a light bulb in my brain one time during a disagreement Shayne and I were having about…
oh, probably something to do with the envelope system.  

And ya know.. I want to just insert here that finances is a area of expectation that I think needs to be checked at the door when you get married. I hear so many single girls with their “list” of requirements for a man… and yeah, money is pretty crucial to beginning a life together, but it is not something you are always “guaranteed” of~ We don’t know what the future holds… 

When I married Shayne I thought I was marrying a pastor.
My dad had been a pastor for some 25 years or so, and I thought Shayne’s life would be the same…
God’s plan was different.

And that pastor I thought I’d married has also been a company consultant, estate planner, recruit manager, chick-fil-a worker, and business owner. Yet through all those changes God has reminded me again and again I married a man~ not a job, a set income, financial stability, or future security. And I think it’s important for our men to know that even when all those things aren’t there… we’re still WITH them – and so much more than just “physically with.” We can be with our men, but not. And I’m sure you know what I mean~ 

  

But since the light bulb flipped on all those months back I’ve purposed to try to develop the quality of gratefulness more sincerely in my life~
We’re selfish creatures at our core, or I know I am.. so having and showing gratefulness doesn’t always just naturally flow from me!
Sometimes it can come easily… but others, I find I need to be making an intentional effort.
Or atleast attach a sticky note to my forehead that says in big, bold letters – “BE GRATEFUL, GIRL.”

Amazing that when I seek to be more grateful, I find my focus shifts..
things like extra bathrooms and dishwashers and vacations to hot locations are still desired…
but somehow their importance is lessened when seen through eyes that see all I have, and not what I don’t.

 

Shayne and I have had times in our lives of having well paying jobs~ of having abundance.
We’ve also had times of  less… times where we’ve wondered where the next groceries would come from.

Being self employed, as any of you self employed people out there know, the secret word is, “Cash Flow.”
And when it’s flowing good, that’s great!
But all it takes is one customer to not pay.. or raise a stink about something… or tell you they don’t have the money…
to cause that flow to come to a screeching halt!
Depending on the amount owed, the amount invested in other jobs, it might not effect us… and then again, it just might.

As was the case at the beginning of the week… which I didn’t realize until after the fact.

Shayne told me last Sunday night he was sitting at his desk going over figures, planning for the week ahead…
Bills and such had been due, and paid.
So the money owed us from previous, finished work, was what he had been counting on for the materials he needed for the new job they were supposed to be starting the next day~
But when that money didn’t come through, well… it looked like he wouldn’t be working come Monday morning…
and who knew how many mornings after that? 

Feeling really helpless about it all, Shayne stopped and prayed for God to make a way.

Later while doing some paper work he came across something he had totally missed earlier in the week … cash rewards from one of his business credit cards!
I love how God times things..
had Shayne seen that when it first came in it wouldn’t have had nearly the impact it did at that precise moment!

Then, the next morning a customer called switching his order to a less expensive product, which had already been purchased…
so when Shayne returned the unused material there was that unexpected excess given back~! And while there the guy said,
“Hey.. when one of your employees came in the other day I realized we had been over charging you for those special nails you’ve been ordering..”
The amount he reimbursed was more than enough for what the immediate need was for the new job supply cost!   

And so what looked bleak on Sunday night~ turned into a whole week of Shayne working {and very happily so} his little Canadian bum off.

Later when I heard how all this ended up playing out I kept having one thought going over in my head…

“Your Heavenly Father knows what you need…. even BEFORE you ask.”

 

And no. We don’t always have money come in so “miraculously…”
There have been times. I’m sure many of you can relate…
times of waiting… wanting to see God answer,
to see Him step in and save the day.
But, in the end~ He hasn’t.

Atleast, according to us.

I remember my mom telling me once when just such a thing had happened..
when I had been so confident that we’d have a George Mueller kind of story come from something,
and none of it ended up going down like that….

She told me that though I didn’t always feel it.. God was always working on my behalf.
“On my behalf….” that really stayed with me. He WANTS what’s best for me.
He hasn’t turned away to meet another need and somehow forgotten about mine –
He hasn’t weighed my good parts and bad parts and decided the bad is bigger so He’s not going to help…

No. He never.never.never.never stops thinking about me and what is going on in my life!!!

And mom went on to say – - “It’s like those times in the middle of the night when it’s so dark…
you think morning isn’t going to come. It seems so forever away… the night is endless.
But regardless of how long it seems to you…. no matter how far away… truth is – - it IS coming!”    

God’s working in our lives is so much like that~ maybe not on our timetable..
but something is always going on in the heavens that we can’t see {or comprehend} with our human eye~
And He’s not only always coming. He’s already there!

“When we’re trusting Christ most authentically, we’re not thinking about trusting. We’re looking at Christ.
We can’t trust and think about trusting at the same time. We’ll always be discouraged.
Stop contemplating the… “experience” and look to the Object.
Look to Jesus, and pray for eyes to see!”   -John Piper

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a funny story about money from our date night::

I needed to pick up a few groceries before we headed home…
and I saw we were passing a Aldi’s.

“Hey.. we should try that place out. I hear they have some good prices…”

“Oh yeah.. ” Shayne answered. “I used to shop there all the time when I lived in Chicago… I’d buy their frozen lasagna for 3 bucks a box and live on it for a week.”

: /

“Well, let’s go get some 3 dollar week long dinners then…”

As we headed in we noticed all the carts outside were locked together {apparently a new feature since Shayne’s Chicago days}…
Shayne went over and rattled a few, seeing if they were really chained up, or if it was only an illusion. It wasn’t.

“Perhaps they’re getting ready to close soon… let’s look for a cart inside.”

When we walked in I saw several people checking out and their empty carts sitting in front of them…
“Oh, there’s some.. go get one of those….”

Shayne walked over and asked the lady… “Are you done with your cart ma’am?”
She grabbed a hold of it as quick as if he’d just asked her if he could borrow her credit card…
“No, you can’t. I need it to get my groceries to my car!!”  

He turned to a guy leaving and said, “Do you know where you get the carts at?”

The guy stopped and looked at him with a confused expression…

“Outside.”

“Yes… Yes, I see that. But they’re chained together.”

The guys confused expression turned to annoyance…

“You have to pay a quarter, buddy.” {I actually don’t think he said buddy, but he looked like he could have}

“You pay for the carts?” Shayne repeated…

I don’t think the guy answered that.

Shayne came back and told me the situation…
Which seemed totally bizarre to me – {remember, I’m the one who freaked at the envelope system}

“I’ve never heard of you having to PAY for a cart in all my life!!!”

Yes. All you Aldi shoppers – - NOW we know you get your quarter back, but we didn’t know that THEN!
But it didn’t matter.. neither of us had a quarter. : /

We decided to pick up a few things anyway, since we were already there.
And just as my arms were filled to overflowing with things like Toaster Strudels {a.k.a.-Pop Tarts} and Honey Puffs {a.k.a. – Honey Combs}, Shayne had a new thought…

“I bet they only take cash… “

“Ya think?”

So.. we did a quick breeze by the check out lanes trying to unsuspiciously look for the little friendly Visa/ Mastercard sticker.
Seeing none, we put our no-name bargain deal savings down and left.

“Man! We don’t even make good poor people…” Shayne said as we walked past the cash only registers and chained together carts.

Then. We both busted out laughing and went to Wal-Mart~
where the carts are FREE!  

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My point in all that I’ve shared is simply…
I know the economy is rough right now.
It’s effected many of us.

And I’ve heard from some of you, and read on your blogs where your husband has lost his job, or you have.
You’re in a career change. Or seeking what’s the best direction for your family right now….
And I wanted to remind you.. as I was reminded this week~
God is Faithful.
He knows what’s going on in your life.
He’s not forgotten.
and trust me,
He’s doing something about it.

Sometimes, the change we find in those small pockets of our life… has nothing whatsoever to do with money.

amber.

{See Spot. See Spot Run.}


It was one of those mornings that came way too fast…
cloudy and dark, making it extra hard to get up.

I could hear the kids already awake and I moaned and rolled over,
Telling myself I’d have my prayer time in bed~
a nice. long. prayer. time!
A little ways into my meditative/dream/sleep prayer
Emma came running into the room…

“Mommy, you dot a tum. Dare’s a dog in da house and weeb neber seen it afore…”

“Huh?” I opened my eyes.

Emma ran out of the room calling back, “Tum on… hurby…”

I laid my head back down and wondered what game they were playing that I was supposed to come participate in.

Then –

I heard a bark.

Like the bark of a big dog.

Not a little dog.

And we only have little dogs.

  


Suddenly I heard Ben yell,
“Look out Kate!”

My eyes shot open.
I bolted up,
and promptly ran into my bed post!
My head spun a little as a I grabbed my sweatshirt…
I hurried down the steps to see a black and white dog hunched down
on it’s front legs having a staring match with Ben who was up against the wall!!

Heaven help me if I ever encounter some ferocious animal in the wild,
because in situations like that I just don’t…. really THINK!
 
I’m sure there’s a course somewhere you can take,
or a pamphlet you could read on the proper procedure to follow …
which obviously I’ve done neither since I jumped down the last few steps
and took a swipe at the dog who then turned it’s stare on me.

I could soon see it wasn’t some rabid dog we were dealing with…
only a hyper, maniac, psychotic one.

It would bark and jump straight up in the air…
and any attempts to try to get it out apparently made it think we were playing with it,
which only made the barking and jumping become even more crazy!!

Obviously, it was pretty hungry too…
I had a trash bag on one of the kitchen chairs with leftovers,
things I’d cleaned out of the fridge the night before after going to the grocery…
it went over and tore a huge hole in the bottom causing week old bbq chicken and moldy spaghetti sauce to come spilling out everywhere~

The puppies who had been watching everything from under the kitchen table
suddenly saw the benefit of the stranger in the house and ran over to enjoy the spoils of the split garbage bag!!

 
(Jack’s face cracks me up.. so much like an old man)


I quickly weighed the option of risking getting bit or having an even huger mess to clean up…
I went with the first and grabbed the stray dog and drug it to the back door with every ounce of energy I had~
it was squirming and twisting and trying to get loose.

By the time I came back the puppies had eaten far more of the garbage food than they should have and were starting to puke!
So… they had to be put out too….
but I couldn’t hardly get the back door open because hyper maniac psychotic dog was sitting there…
when the door even opened a crack he tried to squeeze in!!

{which I later found out the whole way he got in to begin with was Kate had opened the door to let the puppies out and he ran in}

So, I had to come up with a plan.

In my pink plaid pajamas, with Ben’s too small tennis shoes stuffed on my feet, and broom in hand I went running out the back door pointing the broom at the dog yelling and hollering as loud as I could chasing it as far away from the house as possible….

I was hoping the neighbors weren’t out.
They’re an old farmer couple who are a little on the grumpy side.
I can imagine the conversation -

“Come look at this Martha! That crazy Christian woman is out again!!!”  

My distraction worked so we could get the puppies outside~
But I had to do it again in order to get them back IN! : /

Ben took a picture of the cat who was watching the whole thing, rather amused I’m sure~
I can imagine the conversation there, too -

“Now you know what it feels like to be chased, buddy!”

  


Besides “Spot” sitting right outside staring at the back door in a creepy kinda way,
and a nice little red bump on my head from the bed post,
things are back to normal around here~

Whatever that is, right!

amber.

{Cooking. Having babies in my old age. And a few things in between.}


Growing up I was never one of those girls who loved to sew and cook
and sit around practicing piano…
I would much rather be in the barn than the kitchen.
And playing football with my brother and his friends than trying to sew.

I think my mom secretly worried about my future husband.
And to assure me.. and mostly herself, she’d say every now and then -
“Oh, you’ll be okay. If you can read you can cook!” : )

I remember Shayne asking me when we were engaged what all I could make, and I said,
“I honestly don’t know…”
So… he must have loved me an awful lot to take that risk!!! ; )

But mom was right.
My reading skills proved to be okay,
and soon cooking became something I really loved doing.
{shocking my mother}

(my favorite cook book~ a gift at my bridal shower)

I’m not a huge baker. I’d rather cook than bake.
But what I’d really rather do is just eat!!

I used to enjoy planning a 2 week menu~
going to the grocery to buy everything.
Trying new stuff. Making up my own.

I found it relaxing to be in the kitchen.

(great biscuit recipe~ I like adding cheese and garlic)

Then. Something changed.
I think it’s called kids. and time and them getting older and running here and there every night~  
this past year especially it seemed that trying to make a decent meal was so complicated.
We got into eating out alot – I think we all still groan every time we pass a Wendy’s.
But, they call it FAST food for a reason, and fast is convenient when you’re on the go..

And though I never really make New Year’s resolutions I did make one this year….
To get back into cooking and making sure we’re having as many home cooked meals as possible.

Besides just being healthier and saving money,
I think there’s something to sitting down around a table together.
A meal time is such an intimate time in my opinion..
a time for everyone to connect..
to have undivided attention in front of the whole family to talk and tell about your day –
I’ve never bought into the theory that kids are to be seen and not heard!

But goodness! As I’m rediscovering.. preparing meals is hard and Wendy’s gets to sounding pretty good when that 6 o clock rush of daddy’s coming home, get the house picked up, change from my sweat pants, stick on some deodorant and be standing in the kitchen all pretty and wifely looking, with something yummy in the oven, trying not to look cross eyed with frustration when he walks in the door!!!

Anyone else know that feeling~  ; )

(brown sugar~ my favorite ingredient.. it’s like building sand castles)

I have found not waiting till the last minute is helpful.
To get back into my meal planning and stick to it.
And try to do as much of the prep early on~
I love meals that can slow cook all day too.
That’s heaven come dinner time, to just have to pull it out!

If you have any good suggestions shoot them my way….
 
Here’s my favorite from last week~ Homemade Chicken noodle soup…
which with all the butter you use, it would make even Julia Child proud!

(my mom’s recipe~ if you have a cold, I promise this WILL cure you)

(the biscuit recipe above~ when you roll the dough thin they come out more like crackers)

(best brownies ever)

(also mom’s recipe)

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I officially made up my mind about something the other day…

I would rather go through labor than go to the dentist!

honestly.

No matter how hard I tried to “find a happy place. find a happy place.”
When I hear the bizzzzzzzz of that drill in my mouth, there is none to be had!  

I had cracked my front tooth…
the one I had cracked previously, that I filed with my nail file….
But now was too big to file on my own…
and I cracked it trying to bite off the acrylic nails I got with the gift card Shayne gave me for Christmas….
which I didn’t want to get the fill-in’s because they were too expensive…
so, instead…. end up with a tooth repair that was 3 times as much!!

I can hear my friends saying, “This is such a Amber story!”

Yes. it is.

But the Amber part only gets worse~
I had called the office and asked how much the repair would be…
the same tooth had chipped back in 07, and the receptionist looked it up and told me it would be 68 dollars.
That sounded reasonable, so I set up my appointment.

But once I was there…
laying back in the chair, with the little blue paper bib already on,  the metal clamper thing holding my mouth open, and the tool tray pushed up to my chin ready for the procedure…
the doctor said~,
“I see a sticky note on your file that says you called to ask the price…”

I nodded.

“It’ll be 203.”

“Two hundred and three dollars?” I repeated. Though not quite as clear as that since I had this huge metal thing stuck in my mouth.

He nodded.

“The receptionist said it would be 68?”

“That’s because last time we didn’t charge you for the office visit…” He answered. Though not quite as clear as that since he was wearing his mask over his mouth.

“Oh.”

I wish I were quicker in math and could have tallied that up so I would have known what that actually meant was,
the office visit was 140 dollars while the procedure was only 68…!
Of course I didn’t realize this all until my husband did the tallying later that day,
and was frustrated with me that I didn’t just leave. :/

But I assured him next time I’m in the dentist chair and find out the price is more than double what I was quoted…
I’ll jump up, tear my paper bib off, rip the metal clamp from my mouth, and march out!
promise. : ))

Who cares if I don’t get my free tooth brush.

  
(before and after pictures my dentist sent~ scary)

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Another thing I promised him I’d start doing was cutting his hair. : /
Which you have to understand this is a huge promise…
even bigger than the “flee over priced dentist” one.
I hate cutting hair.

I don’t ever remember when I was little, having someone ask me what I wanted to be when I grew up, and saying…

“A Hair cutter!!”

But, as I’ve discovered as a wife and mother there’s lots of job descriptions I never bargained for!
 
So we got a brand new clipper set to help with my job, since our old one nearly pulled your hair out before it would cut it.

(Ben got to be the first to try them out)

(see how shiny~ that weird Avatar looking person is me!)

(look how many whatever they’re called came with it!!)

Do they honestly think you’d put each one on and go in order??
It would take me 3 hours to cut someone’s hair that way.

Ben prefers hats to haircuts.

I think I do too. :p

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Shayne brought me these tulips the other day which I guess was a good exchange for a hair cut~
though it was before I had actually cut his hair, so I think they were “just cause.”

Reminds me spring is around the corner.
And I’m glad about that.

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If you want to hear a fun song, full of truth, scroll down to my playlist to #19
{let me know if you hear any weird rap songs} ;0
The kids and I love dancing around the house to it.
I was going to link it on my post I did recently about relationships, but forgot.
Maybe it’s been around awhile~ but I just discovered it.


(valentine m&m’s are the best~ love the pink& white colors)

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This is Ben’s first year on a league team in basketball…
he’s played Upward in the past, and we love that program,
but felt he was ready to move into something more competitive.

Ben plays hard, and he has alot of natural talent his coach says…
but one thing he really needs to work on, and the same was true in football,
is being more aggressive!

Which the other day while yelling from the stands it all struck me very funny…

As parents we work hard to try to teach our children to be gentle and kind, to share and not be too rough or too loud….
then we stick them on a playing field and we’re like, “Kill em!!! Get that ball!! Take him down!!! Be AGGRESSIVE!!!”

No wonder there’s a confused look on most kids faces for the first few years upon joining organized sports!!!
And we thought it was because they didn’t know what to do with that ball once they got it. : )  

(Ben’s tongue hangs out when he runs.. one of these days I know he’s going to bite it off)

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After Ben’s game Saturday Kate took our picture cause she said we matched.

I think I look like my brother Jeff when I wear a hat.
So I guess this is what I’d look like as a boy.
A boy with pink lipstick that is.

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In a few weeks I’ll be 36, and that just seems crazy to me to be four years away from 40.
I’m not really bothered by it… just sobered maybe.
40 seems halfway….
halfway to where, I’m not sure.
death?
But then again I’ve never really thought I’d only live to be 80..
so not sure where that feeling comes from!

One thing that does kinda nag at me when I think about my age is having more children… of course, we’d love to.
But sometimes, with each year that passes I wonder - and at this rate, my other kids would be so much older.

But then I remember this guy~

 

who turns 19 in two days.

I can’t imagine life without him…
and suddenly I realize that 17 years between siblings is really no big deal at all.

amber.

{the truest kind of fellowship}


“It is not necessary to always be speaking to God…

 

Or always hearing from God, to have communion with Him;

There is an inarticulate fellowship more sweet than words.

The little child can sit all day long beside its busy mother and, although few words are spoken on either side,
and both are busy… the one at his absorbing play, the other at her engrossing work –

yet both are in perfect fellowship.

He knows that she is there, and she knows that he is all right.

So the saint and the Savior can go on for hours in the silent fellowship of love…

We can be busy about the most common things, and yet conscious that every little thing we do is touched with the complexion of His presence, and the sense of His approval and blessing.

And then, when pressed with burdens and trouble too complicated to put into words and too mysterious to tell or understand -

how sweet it is to fall back into His blessed arms, and just sob out the sorrow that we cannot speak.”

~ Streams in the Desert

I was looking for an old post and came across this one from June 07… and thought I’d re post.
neat to see the comments then, and some of the friendships that have grown more dear through the years.
Amazing I’ve been blogging that long {even longer}.. and my baby is such a BABY in these photos!

It was good for my heart to be reminded of this truth again…
and though much has changed from the first time I posted this, till now…
one thing remains~
Him.
and I’m glad for the open invitation always available me to draw near,
sit at His feet…
no words needed.
He knows I’m there.
and most importantly,
He’d glad to have me around.

Do you ever think about God looking at you and a big ole smile breaking out on His face!!
    


amber.

{they say it’s in the details}

I’m just now getting around to getting my Christmas decorations down…~

I was telling a friend that I don’t know if I’ve become more relaxed in my old age,
or just grown more lazy.
She assured me it was the first.
I hope so.
But I’m afraid that second one factors in there somewhere too..

While packing everything away I was struck by the fact that tearing things down is always so much easier than putting them up!

Even as I’ve been trying to fill in the empty holiday decor places here and there, and get things looking how I want them,
it’s occurred to me more than once that trying to create. build. piece together. and invent, takes time….
effort. thought. attention. and simply, stopping to notice the details.

Amazingly, the total opposite is true of tearing things down – - 
it takes hardly no time at all,
minimal effort,
we can do it without alot of thought.
not that much attention.
and who cares about details at that point!  
 
Proverbs 14:1 has been coming to mind alot throughout the whole taking down and putting back up process around here lately ….

“A wise woman builds up her house, but the foolish tears it down with her own hands.”


And for the past several days I’ve been ruminating on these questions-

“What am I doing every day to build my home?”

 and even more importantly…

“What am I doing to tear it down?”

{click on the detail image to enlarge}

 

Ya know, I can put alot of effort into making my home look cozy and inviting.
I enjoy that. The little things…
A picture frame angled just right
A inspirational word or saying on the wall.
 
But as I’ve realized in a new and sobering way lately - 
who cares if I have darling pictures of my kids, if I’m not letting the little faces inside those frames know they matter to me…
or cute inspirational words and sayings hanging about, if I’m not living a life that enforces what my walls are saying!

Building a home is about so much more than what is SEEN.

It is the attitudes portrayed.
The spirit that is felt.
 
And as I hear more and more alarming numbers of families and relationships and homes falling apart
I’m reminded that just because something “looks the part” on the outside we shouldn’t assume it’s so~
we need to be paying close attention to what’s underneath the surface… far more than what’s above it!

I think about seeing Shayne’s work…
custom made patios, walls, driveways, outdoor living spaces -.
such gorgeous productions, but I know the grueling amount of work behind the beauty.. 
things of good quality {that endure} don’t just get thrown together.
You have to take time to notice and bother with the little stuff.
To be intentional.
And yes.. it isn’t always the easiest job in the world. 

I want to care about the details of my home..
the real details.
Which is way more than decorating and baking and cleaning and doing the obvious.

My home is so much bigger than the four walls I look around and see.. 
it’s what’s taking place inside those walls,
and greater still, WHO it is that happens to be in them!

I haven’t exactly been the best home builder, in many areas~ I see that in myself.
But I want to do better.
And that’s the beauty of the whole thing…
when you’re in the building business, there’s always room for improvement! 

I sat down and made a list of ways I recognized that I was tearing down,
and also a contrasting list of ways I was building up .. and ways I could do more.
I was going to write it here, but thought since I already know what it is I’d like to hear YOUR thoughts instead.

Give me your ideas and experiences on how we can become better builders..
and ways we might be tearing down, even without realizing it.

No matter what category of life we fall –
wife.mother.grandmother.daughter.girlfriend. 
we’re all on the same amazing journey of womanhood,
learnING together what it means to build things of eternal value.

“Your home is the single most important arena on earth to change a life for God.” 
 

“By wisdom a house is built,
        and through understanding it is established,
                and by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches. {Prov. 24}

 
Happy Building,

amber.

p.s. don’t know if anyone ever listens to my playlist at the end.. apparently i never do, until tonight that is when i realized the last song was some weird rapper thing that was pretty raunchy~ not even sure how it got on there? but wanted to apologize if that was offensive to anyone. i admit i had to laugh though.. after all the songs about God and worship and love and aspiring to greater things suddenly there’s some rap song about sex!!??  : / oh, dear. /  

{getting ready for heaven}

Relationships are so… I don’t even know what the right word is – fascinating, maybe.  

 
They have so much power in our lives.
Power for joy. Power for pain.

And I know in order to have a relationship with someone they must want one back.
Relationships are unique that way – it’s a two way street.
And no matter how much effort you might give. How hard you might try…
some just don’t want that with you.

As my husband will candidly remind me from time to time…
“Not everyone’s gonna like ya babe!”

What?????? : (

         

But I’ve been thinking about this whole area of relationships alot this last week…
having some old hurts re visited. some new ones made.
And sheesh! people can just be downright baffling.
I mean, I throw myself in there as well cause I’m sure I’ve baffled more than just one person in my lifetime with my behavior.

We’re humans. It’s life.

But this is what God’s been bringing me back to….
Though some relationships are optional,
love never is.  {Matt.22}       

We wish it were at times.
And often live like it is…
But Christ tells us, and more than that LIVED IT HIMSELF~ Love whether you’re loved back or not.

“You’ve heard it said, Love your friends. Hate your enemies… but I say unto you –
Love those that don’t love you… those who use you… even persecute you.” {Matt. 5}

Ouch! But I don’t like loving people who don’t love me back!

Or my favorite excuse to use….

“If I ACT like I love someone, when I don’t – I’m being a phony.”

But as a good friend once reminded me when I told her that…
“Sure. You trying to love that person will be phony – but not Christ in you!”

That’s why as Christians we can.
That’s why as Christians we’re supposed to.
It’s not us. It’s Him.
 
Christ wouldn’t tell us to do something He hasn’t enabled us to do~

   

“Therefore if any man be IN CHRIST he is a new creature:
old things are passed away; behold all things are become new.”  {2 Cor. 5}

But….
it. sure. is .hard. to. turn. loose. of. the. old things.  
honestly,
there’s times I’d rather just live in my flesh, thank you very much.
Keep all your love verses to yourself, please.
Surely they don’t apply to THIS situation.
To THAT person.
You don’t know what they’ve done.
How they’ve acted…. 

“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and evil speaking be put away from you,
And be kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another…
EVEN AS GOD for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”  {Eph. 4}

That last part, even as God.…
gets me every time.
If ever someone had the “right” to not love based upon wrongs done towards Him..
to not forgive…
to not show mercy and grace…
Yet He did. and He does.
over and over and over {and add a million more overs in there} towards US every day!   

To that, I’m quick to remind myself, “yeah.. but I’m not God!”
To that, God is quick to remind me, “yeah.. but I AM and I can do it through you!”

oh.

Victory is not found in me overcoming sin.
Me overcoming the world.
Me overcoming Satan..
Me overcoming the hurts in my heart
and the people who’ve caused them.
Victory is found when I allow Christ to overcome ME!

But ya know…. it’s harder to live, than write about.
I can have a super easy time in the quietness of my own home allowing Christ to overcome ME…
taking the hard relationships to Him…
seeking to see things from His perspective.
But the minute I walk out of my home and come face to face with that person that I’m struggling with….
wow. man… it’s suddenly not as beautiful and meaningful and spiritual as I thought it would be.
Instead it’s strange and awkward and I don’t like it.

But I’m realizing – that’s okay.
My emotions don’t have to be in line before I obey Christ.
I do what He asks because He asks it, whether I feel it or not.
Because whether I feel it or not does not change the truth. 

And sometimes I think we deceive ourselves by thinking that genuine Christian love is going to have all these warm fluffy emotions attached with it.
I just don’t think that’s the case.In some relationships there will never be the warm fluffy emotions…
but the reason to love isn’t because that’s what we’re after – -
we love because we name the name of Christ and we’re to be like Him.

  

I’ve been asking myself alot lately, “what does it mean to love with Christ- like love?”

When Shayne and I were first married I was accused by a lady in the church there of, “Trying too hard.”
She didn’t understand why I wrote notes to the women or gave little gifts or hugs… 
And through the years that has come to mind and hindered me from obeying the things the Lord has asked me to do at times.
Worrying that someone will see it as “trying too hard.” 

But God has shown me.. even in this last year, that there will always be those who question your motives…
people who will misjudge and misunderstand.
And though that’s hard and hurtful and there’s still times I feel like I need to put a sticky note on a card or gift “explaining” my reasons behind it…
bottom line, there is ONLY ONE judge of my heart – -
ONLY ONE who sees and knows my motives – -
and ONLY ONE who I will give an account to someday.
And when I feel I’m obeying what He’s given me to do, I owe no one else an explanation!  

Still, seeking to love others in obedience to Christ will never be easy.
There will always be those people who feel like the burs under our saddle…
Irritating. Frustrating. Confusing.
Those who seem their whole purpose in life is to bring others pain.
And the more you try to forgive, the more they seem to make it impossible to.

Some people are like porcupines, they have to be loved from a distance.

Some relationships are not healthy. But only cause damage.
I don’t think genuine love means making yourself a doormat for others to wipe their feet on.
I don’t think God requires us to love everyone the same way.
To have to do something to PROVE that we do…
No. I think it’s more the attitude of our heart.
Keeping our heart open and tender towards that person.
So that yes, if God does ask us to put legs on that love from time to time we can do that.
Living out Christ- like love towards that person is not hindered because of our bitterness.  

I’ve concluded and I think come to a place of being “okay” with the fact that not all relationships are going to work out like I want.
Do I believe that God could do a miracle and bring restoration? Absolutely.
But reality. Even though some walls might be broken down it doesn’t mean a park is going to go up in it’s place-
Suddenly I’m just lovin to hang out and talk and spend time with this person.
No. sometimes to just be able to be around someone without feeling like you’re going to hyperventilate,
or smile a genuine smile, or give a genuine hug, is enough miracle in and of itself right there of letting God love someone through me.  

And if that smile. that hug. that kind word or action is never reciprocated, it doesn’t mean I’m entitled to give up….
People may never respond the way I think they should, but that does not lessen my responsibility to respond as God asks me. 

Still…
Some things are difficult to let go of.

I had a situation here on xanga where a “lady?” was writing to some others telling them things about me…
things that weren’t true. things that were obviously for no other reason than to bring division and confusion.
I’m grateful for the one who came to me about it… for her desire to believe the best about me… and to recognize the situation for what it was. {Eph.6}

Obviously the one spreading the humors had a problem with me…
and that was tough for me because I’ve never had to deal with a problem with someone where I didn’t know who that “someone” was.
I’ll be honest, the fear of man really got ahold of me with it all…
for almost a year I struggled.
It was hard not to wonder.. is it her? her? what about her?
Some of you know that.

Maybe the hardest relationships of all to yield to the Lord are the ones that seem “hopeless.”
Like there will never be a true restoration or closure.
That person may never come and ask forgiveness,
or even try to talk things through.
Or, weird as it may seem, you might not ever even know WHO exactly that person was that did the damage…. 

But just because something doesn’t go like we want it to, or think it should, doesn’t mean God’s ways do not work.
That somehow Forgiveness is useless. Grace unnecessary. and Love, obsolete. 

No. Anything that drives us to Him is “working.”

 

My mom shared this with me this morning about a different situation,
but I think it applies here too…

“Don’t waste energy regretting the way things are, or thinking about what might have been.
But start at this present moment accepting things as they are,
and search for His ways in the midst of these circumstances.

Be eager to gain all the blessings that Christ has hidden in all the difficulties.”

I kinda like that idea of hidden blessings in the difficulties.

——

last week we had a dear friend of ours pass away.

As we got ready for her funeral I knew it was going to be an “interesting” time…

People who had not spoken in years would be there.
Relationships that had been severed would come face to face.
Communication that had been cut off would now possibly have to speak.
Those who said they’d never darken the doors of that church again, would darken them.
And those who had walked out of those doors angry, hurt, offended, upset…
would walk back in them to people who were angry, hurt, offended, upset that they had left.

As everyone filled the hall waiting in the receiving line, you could feel some of the awkwardness and nervousness…

But as the service began, and a short way in, everyone stood to sing “When I survey the Wondrous Cross.”
I stood from my position on the side towards the back,
and glanced around at the different faces that filled the auditorium. 

And it struck me…

This is what heaven will be like.

When differences are laid aside and we gather in celebration around a life we all have in common ~  Jesus Christ.

Sad that we have to wait until heaven for that to be possible.

———-

The verses I’ve been going over with the kids lately…

trying to remind them {and myself} that way beyond what we ever put on our outward bodies, there’s an inner person that needs to be clothed and prepared and made ready each day as well~

“PUT ON as the children of God, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long suffering; Forbearing with one another and forgiving one another, if any of you have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do the same. And above all these things,  PUT ON LOVE, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which you are called in one body, and be thankful.” {Col. 3}

 

Read this quote this week:
“The sooner we give up the illusion that a church {or person} must be perfect in order to love it, the sooner we quit pretending and start admitting we’re all imperfect and need grace. This is the beginning of real community.”  – Dietrich Bonhoeffer {martyred pastor by the Nazi’s}

The pictures in this post are from the ones I already had on file here..
because the computer with my pictures is broke! : /
And some of the ones I stuck in are pretty old..
but fun to look back through all the memories stored here. wow.

 

  
 
 
 
   

 

Wishing you a happy weekend ahead~

amber

{… and I’ll take that with extra cheese!}

Domino’s pizza has this new thing on their website where you can build your own pizza – then, once you place the order you can watch as a chart pops up and tells you ever stage your pizza is in~ 1. Being Prepped 2. Baked 3. Coming out of the Oven, and 4. Ready for Delivery.

Since discovering this handy little feature seems the kids have been asking for pizza more than usual lately, and I think it has nothing to do with the taste!

 

It is kinda fun knowing exactly where in the process it’s at ~
one night last week while watching as the light flipped on above each step {yes, we’re easily entertained people}
I thought of how nice it would be to have an “observation chart” like this for life…
where you could go and see precisely what “phase” you’re in, and how soon it’ll be ending. ~

Every now and then {okay.. more than that} I’d like to have a glimpse, even just a peek of how things are going to turn out…
to know the prep time is worth it and the baking, almost done!
Sometimes I wonder if I’ve been forgotten in the oven – ever feel that?

    

I’ve been thinking alot about faith lately. What it is. What it’s not. And if we knew the outcome of everything, well.. why would we need faith anyway.

The way I perceive a situation can be so far from how it truly is~

Like last week when I happened upon a giveaway that Pioneer Woman was having and seeing that no one else had yet commented, thought maybe I’d have a shot~ after all, the quiz seemed simple enough… answering questions about movies from the 70′s and 80′s. But an hour later, and near googly myself from all the Googling I’d done, I realized that maybe this wasn’t so easy. Who knew Molly Ringwald had made more than just the movie, “Pretty in Pink.” Or what the dinosaur dna from “Jurassic Park” was found in. Or what the girl in “Scream” was eating right before she died ~ which happened to be Jiffy Pop, in case you’re ever doing a movie quiz and that happens to be one of the questions.

When I finally submitted my answers I couldn’t believe there were still no comments~ suddenly I was feeling super smart… or something.

Several hours later when I checked back and still only my comment, I knew that couldn’t be right. I’m sure thousands of women hadn’t suddenly stopped reading PW and I was the only one left! Then, something caught my eye I hadn’t noticed before – in smaller print than the rest of the post. It read, “Comments will be hidden until answers are revealed.” and in bold, “It will look as if yours is the only comment.”

Duh!! of course it will!!! :/

Later, when the comments were visible I discovered that I was actually number nine hundred and something!

yes, things in life are not always as they seem. And at times it’s because I’m not SEEING the whole picture~ there is no handy chart that pops up for me to see the process.

but.there’s.faith.

 

I had these things churning in my head last week and wrote about it in my journal…
then, last night~ these thoughts took on much deeper meaning to me.

Kate had recently auditioned for a role in the play, Mulan.
The cast list was to be posted no later than Sunday night, 8:30 pm.
All day she kept checking the computer..
waiting.waiting.waiting.

Later, when she went to a basketball game w/ Shayne she said,
“Mom, if you see the cast list has posted don’t tell me the results when I get home.. I want to see with my own eyes.”

I kinda forgot about it, but later when Emma spilled something I was by Kate’s desk cleaning it up and decided to check.
There it was….
And as I scrolled through…seeing her cousins names and several friends names, my heart began to beat faster….
her name wasn’t there.

I knew this meant alot to her~ and it might seem like something terribly insignificant, but there’s more details around it that I can’t divulge here…
she had been praying – we had been praying -
and I felt the hurt and disappointment I knew she’d be feeling rising up inside me.
I went to my room  for a good talk with God about it all.
My response was not one of faith and trust and knowing He sees the bigger picture, but a plain and simple, “why?”
How easy it would have been for Him to answer this one request!

Things like, “This will deepen her…” and, “God knows best…” were some of the few things coming to mind –
but I’m afraid I wasn’t in any mood to have anything deepened in my life or those I love, at the moment.
Fry the spiritual mumbo jumbo – - sometimes life just hurts.
And there’s no hurt like knowing your child’s about to be hurt, and there’s nothing you can do to stop it.
And so yeah.. sometimes I just want my own way.

Maybe you never feel this way, but I do. And I did.

But I felt such a conflict in myself~ I knew Kate would need me. and I knew what she needed more than anything would be for me to point her to Christ…
but I wasn’t there myself. How could I direct her to be?
I was still struggling an hour later when I saw the van headlights pull into the driveway.
Kate came inside and went straight to her computer.
I sat on the couch and watched her from behind…

All of a sudden she stood up quickly and started walking past me on her way to her room…

“Kate?” I called after her.

She stopped, “Mom, I’m fine.”

“No you’re not… ”

Then she came over and buried her face in my shoulder and cried and cried.
my heart felt like it was gagged with all the right responses I wanted to say…
All I could do was hold her and cry too.

I knew that feeling.

I had just started my period that day and felt the old familiar tinge of disappointment, yet again.
But this… holding the baby I DID have and seeing her experience pain and disappointment of her own was worse.
Much… much worse.

When Kate finally pulled away and went upstairs, Shayne, who’d been watching the whole thing, followed after her.
And as one earthly father went to comfort his daughter… I felt my Heavenly One reaching down to me.

  

I sat there for a long time on the couch.. staring out the dark window.
I don’t understand why God does what He does all the time – and I’m not going to pretend like I do…
His ways of being God are often so different than my ways of being God!

And sometimes in these moments we console ourselves with,
“It’ll make sense someday…”
“We’ll see what God was trying to do, eventually…”
“All things work together for good…”

Do I believe these things? Sure I do…
but the making sense, and seeing things as they are, and the good that will come, might not be exactly what I had imagined them to be.

Sometimes, thoughts we think are Scriptural, aren’t.
Ways we think we’re turning to God, we’re not.
We try to muster up some kind of faith inside ourselves, but it’s a phony faith…
it’s not based upon yielding, and maybe never getting back.
It’s based upon someday, somehow.. if I only pray longer, believe better, do this, do that…
things will work out as I want them to~

But what if……….

*long pause*

Life isn’t as simple as pizza~ things happen that hurt and confuse and disillusion us,
and we may never understand the why or how behind it…
it might seem senseless. unnecessary. undeserved. or even cruel.

yes, when that end finally comes that you’re waiting for.. it might not be the end you thought it would be.

And as all these thoughts churned in my head I felt God whisper,
“But when the outcome isn’t what you want… and yet you trust me, regardless. THIS.IS.REAL.FAITH.”

Faith isn’t about me somehow doing my part – and doing it good enough to merit some kind of “reward” from the Lord…
Faith is believing that God is always good. Always right. And loves me in ways I cannot comprehend….

and even if that means we never get the things we find ourselves so desperately wanting and hoping for~
whether a part in a play. a baby. a new home. a better marriage. a hurt relationship resolved. financial security.

Will we still believe God is always good. Always right. And loves me in ways I cannot comprehend?  

And as I climbed the steps and turned down the hallway towards Kate’s room I was becoming more acutely aware that parts in Mulan plays will be peanuts compared with what’s to come in the future for my girl learning what real faith is all about as she lays down her desires for His~

Not peanuts now though, as I opened the door and saw her swollen red eyes.
Sitting on her bed with her knees drawn up under her chin.
Her Bible sitting next to her, which made fresh tears fall down my face.

I wanted to take a picture of her Bible tonight to stick in this post…. just because.
But she went to spend the night with Jeff and Bryn and took her Bible with her.
That makes my heart smile in a million different directions~
because one of the things she said to me last night was,
“Mom, I think one of the reasons God did this was so I’d read my Bible more…
I haven’t been reading my Bible much lately.”

And as I sat and listened to her talk, through little sobs now and then, from crying so hard earlier…
I was in awe! Really, truly in awe as I saw her simple trust and love of God come pouring out.
I had no great motherly words of wisdom.
I just listened.
And I was convicted.

When I heard the news I went to my room and pitched a fit to the Lord~
When she heard the news she went to her room and trusted it to the Lord.

Faith.

All I could do was tell her how humbled I was to have her as my daughter…
how proud I was of her….
how much she had taught me.

And as we talked more and I saw her smile growing wider, the sobs disappearing…
as she sipped on her big glass of chocolate milk that her sweet brother had brought in for comfort,
I felt this special comradery forming between us that hasn’t been there before…
{I wanted to make sure comradery was the right word of choice, so I looked it up…
“It is the feeling when others around you are set to the same goal as you are.
This does not need to be a group of friends, but often comradery is a stepping-stone to a great friendship.”
yes – I think I chose the right word}
I saw something powerful happening in my girl’s life, right before my eyes~
suddenly, and you could literally see this on her face, the light went on as she realized that life isn’t all about me –
having things turn out like I want, or think they should…
but it’s learning to see God in everything and knowing that He has a purpose so far beyond what I can even wrap my brain around.

Doesn’t mean we’ll always like it. Or get it.
And I don’t think we have to act like we do either~
God doesn’t minimize the hurts that break our hearts…
but as we turn over the pieces to Him,
surrender the outcome,
we can believe by faith He’s creating something in us that is so extraordinary~
the image of His Son.

And let me just add too that Domino’s Pizza has nothing on His ability to carefully monitor and watch and pay close attention {AND CARE!} to every step of the process!

“Though He cause grief, yet will He have compassion~ according to the multitude of His mercies.” Lam. 3: 32

Multitude of His mercies.

Love that.

 
amber.

p.s. guess what Shayne came home tonight and said he wanted for dinner? yup, you got it!

  

{Sugary Sweet Snow Days~ Sometimes}

Sometimes, when you wake up to a white blanket of freshly fallen snow….
if you’re homeschooled – it’s nice to pretend you’re not… 
and take THE DAY OFF! ~

Sometimes, I think snow looks too much like sugar because it seems to trigger wanting it~

Sometimes, you have to give in to the craving~

Sometimes, when I make homemade syrup it reminds me of our first year of marriage~
when Shayne tapped his own maple tree and tried his hand at syrup of his own…
we had a sticky film that coated way more than our pancakes FOR WEEKS.

Sometimes, people forget to tell you you’re supposed to cook it outside!~

Sometimes, I let work go for a day to play instead~

 

Sometimes, because I did…
that night I have to make forts in the hall for beds~

{a little certain someone can’t help that she shares her room with the washer&dryer}

Sometimes, I don’t think she really minds~

 

Sometimes, you have to dig up your winter gear to go out with the kids…
discovering, the boots you bought 13 years ago for your new blizzardly home are still as good as new~

Sometimes, other things are not….
like skillets, also bought 13 years ago, that suddenly quit working mid use.
Apparently 13 years is a skillet’s life span.

Sometimes, uncooked french toast isn’t a great idea {ever} ~

Sometimes, if you’re 4, and can hardly wait for breakfast to be over to go play in the snow…
you lay out, oh, so carefully, what you’re going to be wearing once it is~

 

Sometimes, you need that little added touch of style~

Sometimes, girls ride sleds in their nice girly way~

 

Sometimes, boys don’t ride sleds like girls~

Sometimes, the passenger on your sled looks like he’s wishing for a different driver~

Sometimes, your kids really can become angels~

Sometimes, life has those perfect, giggly moments…
that make you giggle back at the one doing the giggling~

Sometimes,  an accidental fall becomes a fun new invention to try…
sliding backwards on your bum down a hill~

Sometimes, you like to just watch~

 

Sometimes, you have to try it for yourself..
of course, giggling the whole while~

Sometimes, you just have to get a taste~

Sometimes, some people happen to really like the taste~
 

  

Sometimes, you like to walk alone…
out front – with no one near~

Sometimes, you like some company….
especially if you’re the little person in the middle~

  

Sometimes, since you are the little person..
you get to be carried~

 

Sometimes, I get a little carried away with the “boost color” effect on my computer~

 

Sometimes, I like it~

Sometimes, I remind myself to never forget how blessed my life is with these 3 great kiddos~

 

 

Sometimes, boys forget their mom knows how to roughhouse~

  
  
Sometimes, you have to stop for a posed picture~ {because mom makes you}

Sometimes, those involved don’t always want to be~

Sometimes, if you sit still long enough…
you might just meet a new friend~

 

Sometimes, you need some hot chocolate to un-thaw…
{or “warm chocolate,” as Emma says since she doesn’t like it too hot!}~

Sometimes, you can never have too many marshmallows~

Sometimes, I don’t drink my hot chocolate at all.

Sometimes, I eat only the marshmallows…
with a spoon~

Sometimes, you need other sweet things to go with your marshmallows dipped in hot chocolate~

Sometimes, you get to use mom’s new little dessert plates she found at the Thrift Store… {and thinks are super cute}

Sometimes, though… as a kid, you really don’t care~

 

Sometimes, things happen in life you weren’t expecting~

Sometimes,  you just can’t believe they even did~ {again}

Sometimes, when the road is covered in snow…
and the tires are bald on your van…
and you turn into your driveway…

SOMETIMES….

Sometimes, in those moments…
you don’t know whether you should laugh or cry.

Sometimes, you choose to laugh~

Sometimes, you’re glad you have a husband that will laugh with you.

Sometimes, you’re glad he’s the kind of husband that owns a big 4 wheel drive truck…
and can pull you up the driveway to your little parking spot by the patio~

 

Sometimes, you’re reminded in ways you never thought of before why you him~

Sometimes, you wish you hadn’t decided to do a giveaway.

Sometimes, it’s hard to have ONLY ONE win~

Sometimes, you get help with the choice~ {i stayed completely out of it}

Sometimes, that choice makes you smile.

Sometimes, that person who said they NEVER win – wins!

Sometimes, your {year after year} resolution to go to bed earlier is really hard to do.

Sometimes, on certain days, it’s not.

Sometimes, you like the idea of crawling into your cozy warm bed…
after a day of tons of fun…
too much sugar…
and another mailbox added to your resume…
and dreaming of days to come with no mistakes in them~

Sometimes.    

 

amber.

{Welcome 2010 Giveaway}

 

Happy New Year Everyone~!

On the news last night I heard there’s a “debate” among people on what to call this year…
Twenty-ten or Two thousand and ten?

I thought I’d say Two thousand and ten since that’s what I was used to…
but find myself thinking Twenty ten more.
Not that it’ll be a common word in my vocabulary either way.
I wrote it on a couple of checks yesterday, and did a few double takes. It looked a bit strange.
or maybe the double takes were because I wrote 2008 on one a couple of weeks ago…
for the girls ballet classes, and the owner called to let me know.

Shayne says he’s going to say Two Zero One Zero…
just to be different. ; )

   ————–

Funny, how there’s always so much hype and excitement over a new year~
we feel ambitious, and set goals…
optimistic, and rekindle old dreams. 

A new year is like a clean slate. A fresh start.
And our hearts gets pumped with hope and inspiration…

But I was reminded as I woke up yesterday morning,
no matter how futuristic and cool the new year sounds-
with all my ambition.hope.inspiration.and optimism….
that Monday is still Monday.
Amber is still Amber.
And man! how I need the grace of God every minute!

The monotony of yet another start to a week of school was broke up with a huge happy spot in the afternoon though~
I got to go to the airport to pick up these beautiful people for a wonderful, cozy lunch.

We had never met, but I instantly fell even more in love with my sweet earring-less friend.
Such a precious. sincere. warm soul.

  ————–

And our Tuesday was brightened up today from a surprising tap on the window while we did school…

 

We always like when this visitor stops by at unexpected times.

   ————–

On New Year’s Eve we went to Mom and Dad’s house…

Emma and I making chocolate covered strawberries to take over~

this is my absolute FAVORITE sweet thing in the world to eat!

 
And speaking of sweet things…
I had bought this box of jelly beans for the kids~
they took them along.. and we actually ended up making a game out of someone closing their eyes, getting one, and having to guess what flavor it was.

  

There was even a jalapeno flavor..
and no, I do not recommend it. : o

    

   —————

We had fun playing games.

I love this one~

Miss Scarlet in the kitchen with the pipe!  

This game makes for alot of laughs….

Emma and I tag teaming…
I would whisper in her ear what the word was, and she’d act it out… or try.
Guess what the word was in that second shot?

————–

Ringing in the new year with hugs. kisses. smiles. and lots of messy confetti everywhere!!

I thought this one of Shayne and Kate was sweet~
I can’t help but think how that before I know it daddy won’t be the only New Years kiss she’ll get!  

the happy newlyweds~

Thanks mom for always letting us be crazy~
and beating on your pots and pans too.

 

We took about 15 shots and this was the only serious one~ seriously. Brothers! : P

————-

I thought it would be fun to give something away in honor of the new year~

This is a picture from Kindred Hearts.
And I love the saying… 

It was one I wrote in my journal when I lost the babies this past year.
So it’s special and personal.

To be entered in the drawing just leave a comment with the answers to these questions~

What is your favorite…

I’ll have those in the hutch house pick the winner by sometime Thursday evening!

    ————–

Welcome Twenty-ten….Two Thousand and Ten….Two Zero One Zero….

Whatever you’re called – We like you. !

amber.