I want....A Buzz Saw Louie. Waaaahh.

Our children grew up watching Veggie Tales. Lots of Veggie Tales. And, sometimes in my mom-mind, I speak Veggie Tales. Hence the title.

In one particular video (didn't have DVDs back then), a veggie-child whines, "Jimmy has a Buzz Saw Louie. I want a Buzz Saw Louie!" and proceeds to cry/whine "Waaahhh" while bouncing outside. Surprise, surprise. That one little veggie-child produces discord when all the kids in the neighborhood  start whining for a Buzz Saw Louie.

Comparison, jealousy, envy, selfishness and discontentment can have us all bouncing around crying, "It's not fair. I want what she has. Why can't my life be as easy as hers. Waaaaah!" In fact, while we are having our pity party, those who have to hear us more than likely want to cover their ears and cry "Waaaahhhh!" as well.

Yes, I am a believer in venting. It makes me feel better, I'll admit it. But, think about it with me. Look how easy our discontent rubs off on those around us. The sun isn't shining. Waaahh. I'm having a bad hair day and feel the need to tell everyone around me. Waaaahh. I'm offended by what so-n-so said to me...can you believe it?! Waaaahhh. She is doing what I want to do but am too lazy to do it so you shouldn't like her either. Waaaaaahhhhhh!

I want to be happy for people. I really do. And 99.9% of the time I am truly happy when good happens for someone else. But, it is the little, itty, bitty percent that can turn my 'happy for you' into 'why doesn't anything like that happen to me'. Then I become and two year old and have a poor pitiful me party.

You know what? That isn't love. That isn't the kind of love Jesus showed us. He showed us love. Unconditional love.

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 

Just remember:  Truth without love is harsh, love without truth is compromise. Jesus walked in truth AND love. 

Ode to September

Oh, September. Sweet, sweet September. School in full swing. Hot days and nights turning into nice cool days and very crisp nights. Bugs going crazy. People doing the crazy spiderweb dance (you know the one!). Ahhh.....

Dancer Daughter flew the coop; well, technically it was the last day of August but it seemed like September. It was a sad day for me but such an exciting day for her. A friend of mine had told me about her mission-daughter's departure. All of a sudden it hit my friend and the floor gates poured out in the middle of the airport. Now I understand my friend. The Thursday before our daughter left was a difficult [read weepy] day for me. So naturally I figured I'd be a rock at the airport. Oh, what  fool I was. Let me set the stage for you.

Upstage (inside the airport): Dancer Daughter is waiting in line to check her bags. In walk 50 or more very tall, very muscular men in casual sport team clothing forming a very long line behind her. (we found out they were a college football team from Baltimore)

Downstage: The rest of our family patiently waiting for her so we can give her one last hug goodbye. ONE.LAST.HUG. (do you see where this is going?) All the while trying to see past the very tall men to make sure she didn't have issues when she checked her bags.

Hubs: Where does she go when she is done here?
Me (since I flew from the airport before): She'll exit over there. (pointing) Then, she'll need to go through security next but we'll be able to say goodbye to her first because we can't go past security. SAY.GOODBYE. (insert panic and holding back the tears!)

Moral of this play? You're gonna cry. Just.deal.with.it.

She made it safely to her destination and has been extremely busy with staff training. Very.busy. (yes, today is the day for periods after each word. You.are.welcome.) I did have the pleasure of Skyping recently (what did people ever do without this useful tool?!). May I just say she is in her element? When she was in missions a few years ago, and now...she is just ebullient. It's like she is a different person. So confident. So happy. Okay, I'm not saying she wasn't confident and happy before. It's just different. In a this.makes.a.mom.happy.and.peace-filled.kind of way.

September 1st (day.after.her.leaving.) was deemed 'mental health day' by me. I napped. I read. I watched TV. I napped.

In other news: Firefighter boy had his wisdom teeth ripped yanked removed yesterday. Fun times. He did great. I did not, however. Do you know how much those four puppies cost?! They should have given me some laughing gas, too! Just kidding...not really.

After the surgery, we drove down the road to pick up his prescriptions. I was warned by the nurse that if the pharmacy tells me they do not have any meds for him to say, 'the nurse called in the scripts and had to leave a message...so check the voice mail.' Yup. That happened. I knew it would. It's.my.life. So instead of the simple 'go through the drive thru at the pharmacy and get home', it was more like, 'go through the drive thru and go park and wait 15-20 minutes'. In.the.rain. With.someone.who.has.gauze.in.his.mouth.and.wants.it.out.now. One for the scrapbook right there. Did I mention 'in.the.rain.' The kind of hard-driven pelting rain that makes a person, like me, need to use the "facilities"?! Welcome to my life, Ladies and Gentlemen.

Next week we start college visits with him. COLLEGE.VISITS.WITH.MY.BABY. Where did the time go? WHERE.DID.THE.TIME.GO. (hold on a minute...I need to go get a paper bag to breathe in to because I think I'm hyperventilating!)

Firefighter boy wants to be....are you sitting down for this? A.Firefighter/EMT/Paramedic. I know. I was just as surprised as I know you are to learn this. (insert lots of sarcasm) There is a school about four hours away that has a two to two and a half year program. Problem is...after I scheduled the visit I did a dumb thing. I looked online at reviews. The reviews are all over the board. Some scream to run away from this school as quick as you can. Others have nothing but high praise. So, I'm going to be taking along a blood-hound and my discerning magnifying glass on this tour! He is my baby, after all. I'm sure the blood sniffing dog will be a welcomed visitor, don't you?!

I am going to a one-day Beth Moore seminar with a friend this month. Don't shoot me or send me a nasty email but I just think she is ok. I've participated Bible Study classes using her books. I'm just saying I'm not all "ooo I'm going to swoon" over her. I'm going with an open mind. I'm sure I will learn many, many things. I'm just saying if it were not for my friend asking me and me getting to spend the day with this dear friend, I wouldn't have gone. But, I am saying that I will learn something. I promise.

Writer Daughter and I attended a lovely wedding last weekend. (sorry, I'm jumping around... welcome to the depths of my mind) The decorations were minimal but just enough. The bride's dress was beautiful, with a vintage look. Bouquets were modest and charming. It was laid-back yet classy. It really felt like you were participating in the wedding. And, best of all....it was 20-25 minutes top! The pastor delivered a simple yet meaningful message. It was realistic, to the point and personal to the bride and groom. He didn't drone on as some are prone to do. It wasn't a flashy wedding. It was simple and beautiful.

And, finally, we took our cheap, blue swimming pool down. FOREVER.down. Yep. Yet another sign of me getting old. Our children grow up, get jobs and the pool gets neglected. She lived a happy life with us for a time. Sure, hubs and I got into yelling matches when we tried to fix something on her but other than that....we had fun. Many happy memories. Lots of pictures of the kids enjoying her warm, but mostly cold, water. The pool is going to a good family. Maybe that family won't have yelling matches when the pool isn't "feeling well". Their neighbors can only hope.

If you have made it to the end of this droning post, congratulations. You need a reward. Have a cookie, cupcake or a cup of your favorite tea/coffee and high-five yourself. If you hear of someone needing help falling asleep, be sure to send them a link to this post!

Good-bye, See ya, Later...Alligator

Saying good-byes are hard. Especially for those of us who hate to cry yet it is something we can't control. And, if you are an ugly crier like me...well, I feel for ya. I really do.

Tomorrow morning we'll say "see ya" to Dancer Daughter. Yes, she has flown the coop before but this time it is farther away and longer time spans between hugs. As I've been telling friends when they ask, "I'm sad for me but happy for her." I really am excited for her. Really. Not just mere words.

This Dancer of mine is in step with God. Their dances are beautiful. He leads in His magnificent ways as she follows Him step by step. Has it been easy to discern His steps for her in life? No. Not at all. There are questions but faith is never lost. As a My Utmost For His Highest devotion said,

To be certain of God means that we are uncertain in all our ways, not knowing what tomorrow may bring. ...it should be an expression of breathless expectation... As soon as we abandon ourselves to God and do the task He has placed closest to us, He begins to fill our lives with surprises. Leave everything to Him and it will be gloriously and graciously uncertain how He will come in - but you can be certain that he will come. 

When our children are babies we just can't imagine a day when they'll be independent and on their own...away from us. The day does come, sooner than later...to our disbelief. But, God prepares us...He doesn't take the emotion away from it (which is a good thing).

He has prepared her. She is so ready for tomorrow to start a new chapter in her life. A chapter He is writing for her. I can't wait to read it!

Love you, my Dancer-girl. I will miss you...terribly. But, I am so proud of you and happy for you. Now, be careful. Watch out for idiots and don't be one (my famous line when they are walking out the door and getting in a car). Text me! Call me! Skype me! And, have fun. Encourage the young people you'll encounter in their walk. And, be you...the you God made you. Let others "in" to see the beautiful, funny you. God puts people in your path for short times, for longer periods of times, and sometimes forever. Be in the moment and enjoy every moment with those who God puts in front of you. And, "no matter where you are I will keep you in my heart..." (video below)

A Bride In Store

Eliza Cantrell is not the most patient person on the planet earth. Raise your hand if you can relate. She's a feisty thing. So much so, it gets her in trouble. Raise your hand if you've ever done anything foolish. You had no idea there would be group participation when you innocently began to read this post, did you?! ;) She knows what she wants and will jump in without checking to see if the water is clear. Sound familiar anyone? Eliza is laser focused on her dreams...and a little too much on herself.

Eliza arrives in a western town as a mail-order bride. Except her groom is missing. In steps William (Will) Stanton - only to help, of course.

Will. Oh, the good wanna-be-doctor-but-have-no-funds-for-college-Will. He is a good man. But, Eliza seems to think others take advantage of him. Wave your hand wildly if you've ever had to remember to set boundaries. Will is so kindhearted and seems to have a knack at putting others above himself even if it leads to his unhappiness.

Troubles come along. Doesn't that sound familiar in our own lives. One thing after another after another. Their faith, at times, is shaky at best. Will their faith stand these testing times? Relying fully on God looks good on paper but when lives are full of turmoil, will they rely on Him?

Author Melissa Jagears is a terrific author. A Bride in Store is her third book. Her writing will make you feel as if you're there in the dusty Kansas town in the 1880s. I recommend her books to anyone who wants to read Christian Fiction. She has a way of pointing the readers to Christ without hammering the reader over the head.

I received this book from the author. In no way was I forced or asked to write a review. 

Dear Beautiful Bride

Dear Beautiful Bride,

Today is the day. Can you believe it? I would imagine from a little girl through adulthood you've dreamt of a wedding day with your “Prince Charming”.

Memories of this day will always come rushing at you like a flood with the slightest mention of a wedding…any wedding. You’ll remember not knowing your cheeks could hurt so much after smiling for thousands of pictures. You’ll remember the little flubs of the day and laugh. You’ll remember the first time you saw him see you on this day. You’ll remember the holy moments of the marriage service. And, you’ll remember the awkwardness of standing in front of the hotel desk checking in as a married couple, making sure to flash the wedding rings so the person knows you’re a “good girl”. J

Marriage is hard. It’s work. There will be some days when you look at your “Prince” and wonder if he ever was a “Prince”. He is just a man, after all. A man with faults and annoyances along with those loving characteristics you always saw in him. He will change over time and so will you. You and he will not be the same person you are on this day. Life happens. Hardships, joys, children, and work will happen. Situations in your lives will change both of you.

This is when those memories of this day will come in handy. Just as “Mary pondered all these things in her heart” so should you. When he brings flowers just because, treasure it. When he does something extra cute (because, right now, all things are cute), treasure it. When you’re sick in bed and he is caring for you, treasure it. When he makes you laugh, treasure it. If you are blessed with children, treasure the way he loves and makes the children laugh. I would even go as far as encourage you to make yourself a “treasure box” where you can write down the treasures and store them for future use. Because, some days will be hard.

I am so happy for you. Be a woman of great wisdom and character. Your wisdom of the scriptures will serve you well as you and he unite as a family. Root yourself deeply and firmly in Christ. Storms will come your way but if your roots run deep you'll stand strong long after the storm has calmed. I have no doubt you will, one day, teach the importance of that foundation to the next generation.

Live in love. Practice grace. Show mercy. Act in kindness. Walk very humbly. Cling to God then each other and you and your husband will do wondrous things.

Congratulations.

Personality

Have you ever taken a personality test? I know this controversial since many say taking a test like Briggs Myers is not necessary an accurate test especially when used for employment purposes. However, I found it to be interesting and pretty accurate, although not 100%.

A certain family member, who shall remain nameless, thought it would be good for our family to take the test individually. Everyone's test result seem pretty spot on, although a few thing didn't line up. Like most of these types of tests, I found myself saying, "Well it depends on the situation" for a few questions.

Which leads me to this question that I've asked a few friends over the years. Is your personality something you were born with or are there factors (experiences in life) that make you...well, you? Or is it a little of both? I'm not a psychologist, I just play one on TV...joke....but I just really wonder if I would have taken the test when I was a teen would I test the same today. Just pondering....unless you're a psychologist then I'd really love an answer.

I did find with our family  taking the test that it does explain some things in our family dynamic. Which I believe understanding is important when living under one roof. Again, I'm not saying it is 100% accurate if you take the test. I'm saying it is interesting and quite startling how accurate it seems to be. ☺

Have you taken a personality test? Was it pretty accurate for you? What are your thoughts?

Captured By Love Review

To Whomever finds this missive, 

Excuse me if I am a little queasy and have trouble with my words. I've been rocking in a canoe for a few days. You see, I've been sold to the highest bidder as a bride by my step-father, Ebenezer. And, gulp, the highest bidder is an Indian-man. I'm not sure where we are going but I'm scared. 

All I can think about is the last few months and how everything has gone terribly wrong. Is God here? Does he care? What have I done wrong to deserve God leaving me? What has happened to the man I truly love?

As long as I did what my step-father, Ebenezer. wanted everything was okay. He's a tough one to please but I tried. Boy, did I ever try. His new wife was jealous and caused me a great deal of problems. I tried to get along and not make waves. She and Ebenezer always found ways to get me in trouble and punish me. I'm not perfect but I didn't deserve his harsh treatment.

I loved helping others. And, that included someone who is like a mother to me. Miriam is almost blind now and both of her sons are away. I sneaked food to her and helped as much as I could. Food has been in very short supply ever since the British took over the island. And, if my step-father found out about sneaking food away from him, he would lock me in the attic. It's a chance I had to take.

When my mother died, Miriam took me under her wing and loved me. Treated me like family. And, her sons? Well, they were like brothers and, I, their little, following-them-everywhere-sister. So much so I became a tom-boy. I loved to fish and swim. Still do. Not a very lady-like thing to do in the Michigan Territory of Michilimackinac Island in 1814. (you may know the island as Mackinac Island)

One day, one of Miriam's sons, Pierre, came home. I loved him. Still do. But, he still treated me like the little girl he left me behind. I'm angry with him for leaving us....I mean, Miriam. After he came back we discovered our hidden love but so many things made it difficult. Like me being engage to his brother. It's a long, long story. One in which you should read. My friend, Jody, wrote it all down so I wouldn't forget.

Well, I need to keep breathing deeply to quench my stomach's desire to empty itself from the constant rocking of this little canoe. If I only knew where this Indian-man was taking me. Is there really a caring God who will take care of me even in this depressing situation? What will happen to me?

Your servant,
Angelique


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Filled with action, suspense, danger and clean romance, you'll find yourself neglecting your chores and maybe even thinking about calling in to work with an illness so you can find out what happens next. Author Jody Hedlund is a master story-teller in all her books.

Captured By Love is the 3rd in a series but all 3 are stand-alone novels. I highly suggest you read all of her books! I love that her books are based on a moment in history or a historical person. Her writing puts you in the time period and makes history way more fun & exciting than my history teacher in high school!

Amazon or your favorite bookstore is waiting for you to run and purchase it! If your favorite bookstore doesn't sell it, tell them to order it in for you. 

Go to Jody's website to see how to connect with her socially.