Prodigal

Do you ever have days where you're just crabby for no good reason?

That's me today.

I started a bullet point list of all the things that are making me cranky (you know, in attempt to justify it)...turns out, the list just ended up annoying me so I deleted it :)

Turns out, there really is no reason...no really good one anyway. Dang it. It's so much nicer when I can blame my heart condition on some outside circumstance...like the ungodly weather right now...

Truth is...my heart has wandered from it's true source of joy, wisdom, hope...truth...which only comes from one person....my Jesus.

I know this doesn't make sense to some...but when I met him 16 years ago, He gave me a new life.

He replaced anger with joy, and rationality with faith, and selfishness with love. But my heart...it's forever wandering...trying to run back to what it was...because that's easier.

Sometimes I let it. And then become miserable. And then, like a child, I realize where I'm at...and turn back for home.

The prodigal in the story.

But Jesus...always the Father in the story...always.

*The story can be found in Luke chapter 15 verses 11-32*

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Enough

There are many things that I seem to forget quite easily.

Other things I can't seem to let go of.

Seems like many times I forget the things I should remember most, and remember the things that should have been let go.

All of it...and I mean ALLLLL of it boils down to this:

All of Him, is more than enough for, all of me.

Still more awesome than I know...

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I Had a Secret...

It's Saturday.  It's snowing.  There's a blizzard warning. My house is a disaster.  Blah blah blah.

But I do have one useless piece of information for you to treasure today.  A little secret that's only between my treadmill and I...and now you.

You see, when I get on our treadmill, the evil piece of machinery wants to know how much I weigh...for calorie-burning-purposes.  Now generally, I like to subtract 5 pounds whenever mentioning an actual weight (just ask my drivers license) but not on the treadmill.  On the treadmill, I add 70 pounds.

Yep.  SEVENTY.

Know why adding seventy pounds makes me feel better?  

It's simple really.  

This way, it looks like I'm burning more calories when I'm running.  :)  

I don't even care that I'm not burning the number I see...all I care is that those little calorie counter numbers click by FAST.  Makes me feel better.  

It's the little pretend bubble I live in.  Welcome to it.

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I Like You

We got 10" of snow (give or take) last night. Ben stayed at my parents house, which is close to his work (not the pastor work, cuz that would be here:) so the boys and I had a wild and crazy night. I put them to bed at 8 and watched a movie...all. by. myself.

You should have seen Odie try to go to the bathroom this morning...it's a tad difficult when your legs are approximately 3.5" long...I assure you that when I was laughing-my-butt-off it was at him and not with him. Poor short dog...he got an extra scooby snack for his quick maneuvering.

After some coffee I'm gonna head out and do some shoveling...because I have no idea how to run the snowblower. If you never hear from me again...at least you know why.

One quick thing before I go...I pulled this out of Noah's backpack the other day. It's a little rectangular piece of paper, colored red and green on the outside. When you open it up it says:

I of course asked him who it was from.

"It's from Lainey, mom...but she just means it as a friend"

I assured him that I knew that already (because he's my son who was traumatized in kindergarten when a little girl kept telling him she loved him)

I looked at the note again, and thought...how cute, and sweet....and oh. barf. ;)

You'll have to excuse me now...I can hear my children yelling and screaming at each other...outside. Good morning tiny-town.

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Littlebit Ugly

Today is the day. I'm going to share with you my own little style secret. Nail-biter moment, I know.

I came up with this little theory after wasting hours of my life investing much time looking through magazines. My favorite is the local CVS Pharmacy. The magazine aisle is directly across from the toy aisle. Genius. The kids gawk and whine about what they want, and I tune them out while flipping through magazines. It's the key to good mothering. *wink wink*

I like the pics when they catch celebs (who you KNOW have been dressed by a stylist no matter how casual they may look) with outfits that make me go hmmm, woulda never put that together, but it looks pretty good.

My style theory and these, my favorite of all dolls, have something in common. They're both cute...and a littlebit ugly all at the same time. Don't deny it, you know it's true.

On with my point: So when I was shopping with friends the other night, I grabbed a shirt and said, "I like this...it's cute...and a littlebit ugly" ...that's how I choose.

Deep isn't it.

My style tip: Something in my outfit should border on the littlebit ugly side. You know, be a little weird, a little off...

Not too weird, now. Too weird puts you into the "what the heck?!?" category...a littlebit ugly gives you your own sense of style. Makes an otherwise boring outfit look interesting.

Be creative...but not too creative...and most important of all....put on some confidence with that littlebit ugly fine fashion accessory. :)

My sweater today: *sorry about the terrible picture* Cute and a littlebit ugly. I kid you not.

Oooh, and if you currently wear anything that's a littlebit ugly and you LOVE it because it works, please please do tell!

*cabbage patch courtesy of Google images*

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The Recap

I had an absolutely fabulous birthday! Maybe even better than this one:

I was four. I know this, because I counted the candles on this rockin' Holly Hobby cake (which matched the wallpaper in my bedroom)


And because of it's fabulousness I feel the need to walk you through my day yesterday...with an excessive amount of pictures...and details that will likely bore you to tears.

I woke up to my Ben's super sweet post for me...and was completely impressed with his use of bullet points...I'm thinking his sermons should just be in bullet points from now on ;) and ALL of your comments were just icing on the cake...and I love icing.

As I was heading out this friend dropped off the best card ever:

When you open it...HE TALKS. Michael says, "Presents, are the best way to show someone how much you care. It is like this tangible thing that you can point to and say Hey man, I love you this many dollars worth." HA! I'm surprised the card still works...I've listened to it 6,000 times. Bonus: inside was a giftcard to, of course, STARBUCKS.

And then my favorite neighbor gave me this:


which I'm currently eating for breakfast :)

When I got mail at the post office, there were bunches of Christmas cards (which are my favorite kind of mail ever) and another Starbucks card from my aunt!

There was snow expected...4-6 inches, but snow was not going to stop me taking the 30 minute drive to Target and Starbucks. I enjoyed a venti caramel machiato...one hour later I drove through a different Starbucks and enjoyed a salted caramel hot chocolate...because that is what birthdays are for.

In the mean time I stopped by my parents to pick up my birthday present. I've been waiting and WAITING for these. For years. You know, when there's something you really want but you know you're never gonna get it because no matter how good you are at justifying purchases there is NO WAY you'd ever be able to justify this certain thing? THAT is what they got me for my birthday/Christmas/anniversary/Valentines...oh I kid...a little. Here they are in all their fabulousness:

*sigh* I only took them off to sleep. They are the warmest most comfiest things ever. And in this frozen tundra I live in...they are perfect. Thanks Mom & Dennis!

I also came home to find this lovely little package of goodies from the little guy that hangs out with us, James. Aren't they lovely?!? And inside that package is Starbucks ground coffee ;)

All my boys made lovely cards...and Eli knows the way to his mommy's heart...he made me a purse...out of paper.

Ben and I were supposed to go to Olive Garden for supper, but the weather was not cooperating (although quite beautiful!) so Ben brought Olive Garden home to me :)

I ended the night by watching a Hallmark Christmas movie that was made in 1985...they don't make 'em like they used to. It was classic.

Thanks so much to everyone for making it so fantastic!

Oh, I almost forgot...my other aunt sent along this package (which had my favorite Yankee candles in them (do ya'll have Yankee candles down south?!? :) Anyways, the ornament on top says it best.

"All I want is peace on earth and really cute shoes." *smile*

Which leads me to my final thought (I promise) tomorrow I am going to share with you my #1 style tip...it will change your life....ok, it won't, but still...

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It Worked...

Today is my birthday.  31 for any of those who are wondering...I'm good with that...not too old, not too young...still plenty of room for improvement :)

You might remember that the other day I mentioned Ben doing a guest post for me.  After your peer pressure encouragement you totally helped me convince him.  I will, from now on, be bringing you all to my side when I need to persuade anyone.  Well done bloggy friends, well done.

Without further ado...my husband's first guest post:

Happy Birthday to the beautiful pastor's wife!

Wow!  Where should I start?  Sarah doesn't know what she has done in letting me do a guest post for her birthday.  I think the best way to honor her today is with a bullet point list.  

Sarah, I love you because...

• Living in the parsonage is a lot more cozy with you at my side.  
• You are a great multi-tasker, able to keep so many things going, clean, happy, etc.
• Generosity springs from your heart, one of the many things that attracted me to you.
• You love God more than you love me.  
• You love Me more than our boys.  (at least that's how I feel)
• As a mother you are caring, protective, responsive rather than reactive, positive and hopeful.  
• Of the encouragement you offer to those who need it.  
• Yes, you do have a sense of style that complements your personality and warms up a room when you enter.
• You have such a big heart for the people of tiny town and bloggy land as well.

 I could go on and on.  Maybe in another post.  For all of my wife's friends, thank you for always encouraging Sarah with your words, prayers, and actions.  

Happy Birthday, Sarah

From your hubs and pastor

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