Love

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love

(As a disclaimer… I usually do NOT like talking about these things out in the open because I don’t like arguments, but it has been on my heart constantly and I cannot shake it.  I realize that not everyone will agree with me, and I’m okay with that.  This is just my heart.)

A lot has been going on in the United States lately… and I am, yet again, saddened by all that I saw on Facebook the past few days… on “both sides.”

The Christian response never surprises me, but always saddens me.

In short, I feel that this Rick Warren quote sums it up:

rick-warren-quote

I have found that so many Christians confuse loving someone with supporting someone’s beliefs or decisions and compromising their own convictions.  The two are not the same!

For example…

I have many friends on Facebook that have made their profile picture the ever popular red background with an equal sign.  And I can say that despite the fact that one person’s “quote” set me off (about people who don’t believe in gay marriage being homophobes), I am proud that I have so many friends that believe differently than I do!  I am proud that God has blessed me with many friends to love and share Him with.

I don’t believe that “gay marriage” is necessarily “Biblical,” BUT, I love my friends the same.  Period.  I don’t feel that pushing my beliefs on them will change their beliefs.  I just love.  I also can’t assume that everyone will feel the way that I do.  We were all made with minds to make our own decisions about things.  Even fellow Christ-followers think differently about things than I do, and that’s okay!  I believe that the most important thing is knowing Him and making Him known!  And those who don’t know Christ don’t have His Spirit inside of them, so they wouldn’t have a reason to think about the BIBLE in their decision making.

Have you read the gospels?  Have you read about the people that Jesus hung out with??  Every. Day.  I find that the more that I read about Jesus and how He lived life, the more my eyes are opened to what He has called us (as Christians) to do.  Jesus was not the clean cut, republican, white American that He’s portrayed to be by many.  He was a RADICAL.  He loved people that no one else did.  He spent time truly loving His creation.  He loved the poor, the orphans, the widows, the drunkards, the prostitutes, the tax collectors.  I understand that morals are part of living a life for Christ, but HE is the one that changes people’s hearts.  We aren’t able to do that.  And I have found that the more that we push our “beliefs” on people, the more likely they are to push our beliefs away.

We are ALL imperfect, and the moment that we think we are better than someone else, we are horribly mistaken.  My sin of worry, my sin of anger, my sin of idolizing, my sin of jealousy… they are all equal to other people’s sins.  Sin is sin.  Period.

Again, God calls us to love.  Love.  LOVE.  Love.  Period.

(And I’m not saying that it’s bad to tell people what you believe… I’m just saying to LOVE and to know that other people will believe differently then you!).

God made us all different.  He is a creative God.  And I’m thankful for that.

Trust HIM to make the changes that He wants to make… including the hearts of His people and in the hearts of His creation.  He is powerful.  He is sovereign.  He is just.  He is LOVE.  He is in control.

My Amazing Husband

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robertandkids

I might be biased, but I feel that my husband is amazing… and I think he deserves a whole post!  In fact, I should write a post like this more often.

He tells me that I’m beautiful, constantly.

He tells me that he loves me, all day long.

He allows me moments of peace and quiet.

He makes sure that I get enough sleep.

He helps around the house.

He takes care of the kids as much as I do.

He loves Jesus and others a lot.

He reads his Bible every day.

He puts others first.

He works very hard, and will do whatever necessary to make sure our needs are met.

He very rarely enjoys time alone (or with friends).

He supports me in my crazy, new ideas (including having chickens!).

He constantly encourages me.

He loves me through my constant mistakes.

He is patient with me.

He is an amazing father.

Honestly, there are no words to accurately describe him.

And I am incredibly thankful.

 

Cutting Out Sodas- A Week of Detox

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I have been off of sodas now for a week.  And boy has my body been detoxing hard.  I have been feeling great on one hand, but on the other, I’m just so slllleeeeeppppy.  I have needed a nap most days this week (which is unlike me).  This is definitely unfortunate, and a bit frustrating… but I am welcoming this detox period with open arms because it will be worth it.

It hasn’t been easy, but it I have gotten to the point in which I don’t even consider soda an option.  If I don’t think of it as an option, then I’m less likely to give in to my cravings.

I have found that I’m not near as hungry as I used to be.  It’s crazy to me how much the chemicals (and carbonation) made me crave sweets and just made me hungry all the time.  I had no idea that soda was causing those things.

I also find that I don’t eat junk as much… I would munch on whatever snack we had left at the preschool (pretzels, goldfish, etc) while I drank my soda every afternoon, after school.  Now, I come home most days and eat trail mix or something of the sort.

I don’t have the desire to go out to eat at fast food places because I don’t drink soda (or eat fried foods).  It is going to save us a lot of money, on top of being much healthier!

It feels good to know that soda doesn’t control me anymore!  I’m just ready to get past this detox stage!

Busy Days

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busybee

I apologize for not writing much lately… life has me busy!

This post will be a bit random… kind of an “update post” of what has been going on in our world, and what’s to come!

We went on our trip, and ended up having to leave early, for many reasons.  One of the biggest is that it was freezing.  It ended up being in the 20s at night, and the temp didn’t rise much till lunch time.  I struggled to stay warm.  We tried for a few days, and I was miserable, so we left.  We also alternated not feeling well… it was just a busy :-/.

We ended up spending the rest of the week at my parents’, had Karis’ “family party,” then left Saturday evening (the 16th).  It was so good to be home!!

Other than the trip being a bust, it has been a good month :-) .  Spring is in the air (kinda), and we have planted our square foot gardens.  That was so much fun!  The chickens are happy and giving us almost an egg a day.  I can’t wait to get more chickens!  I think that we will get some ameraucanas next!

I have found a new co-op to buy my raw milk from that saves me $2 a gallon, and pick up is on Friday evenings, which works so much better for me!  Raw milk is one of those things that I feel is so important because of the health benefits!  And Jersey Girls, the dairy that we buy from, is so well run!  It makes me feel good to know that my milk is coming from such a clean and good source!

Last summer, Robert and I cut out sodas and fried foods for a few months.  This was the one and only time that I have been successful in cutting out sodas completely.  We decided to do it again, but this time, I will NOT go back to drinking sodas!  We are on day 3, and I haven’t really even desired one.  I had the chance to drink sodas during a youth meeting today, and it didn’t even phase me.  This is huge!

One of the big things that really pushed me over the “edge” so to speak with my addiction was talking with my doctor about it.  He reminded me that they are made to be addictive… they are just like cigarettes.  If I quit, then I can’t go back.  He also reminded me that my fatigue would be so much better if I quit.  He gave me the encouragement that I needed to go ahead and make that decision.  I feel that this is finally “it.”  I’m done.

I bought a Fitbit Zip the other night (for $25 off the regular price!), and I have been very impressed with it.  It honestly makes me want to get up and move more because it records all of my activity.  It’s awesome!  It has been a good tool to remind me how important it is to just get up and get moving… even if that means cleaning, working in the yard, or going for a walk.  Movement is so important for health!  It is also nice to see what progress I’m making when I’m at the gym.  I highly recommend getting a Fitbit!

I made the decision last week that I need a plan for my working out.  Last summer, when I was starting training for the half marathon, I was consistent in exercise and eating well, my mental/emotional health was the best it has been in years, and it was just a really good time.  With the issues that I had with my foot, I just gave up on it all.  I have decided to attempt to train for the “Run Like a Mother” 5k, and see how my foot does :-) .  If nothing else, it’ll get me back into the consistency that I once had, which is the most important thing!  I think my foot will be able to handle up to 3.1 miles… just not any more than that.  And I have found that running on a treadmill hurts worse than running in my neighborhood… So I plan to get back to running around here as soon as it’s not so cold!

This weekend has been a blast.  It started Friday night with a fun game night with the kids.  We played a memory/match game, and Levi beat us all!  I was truly amazed at his ability to pay attention that long, and know exactly how to play it.  He even watched what everyone else did.  He did an awesome job.

Yesterday started with a visit to the Perot Museum in Dallas, thanks to my amazing in-laws!  They have a membership there, so she said we can go back anytime!  I can’t wait!  We were only able to spend about an hour and a half there because of Levi, but we had so much fun.  We got to look at dinosaur bones, crystals and gems, experience an “earthquake,” and even create our own bird.  I think next time I will pick one thing to focus on and follow up on it at home.

Than, we had Karis’ “friend party” last night which included 10 1st grade girls, junk food, movies, and the game Headbanz.  It was a blast, loud, and busy!  I love that Karis has so many good friends!!

On another note, I have started subbing on Fridays at our local elementary school (where Karis currently goes to school, and the boys will go).  It’ll be nice to get back “in there” a bit, get to know the teachers and principal, and possibly start teaching full time again in the future.  There’s a long back story to this, but I won’t go into it now :-) .  For now, I’m just going to take one day at a time, and live life right here, right now!

We have so much coming up this summer, so we are gearing up for more busyness!

In June we have VBS at church, then in July we are going on two trips with the junior high.  At the beginning of July, we are going on two separate leadership trips (they call it Kenosis).  The guys are going to Colorado, and the girls are going to Galveston.  I’m sad that we’re not going to Colorado this year (which means we are missing out on white water rafting!), but it’ll be nice to have a relaxing trip at the beach!  The week of the 21st, we are going on a mission trip to Memphis, TN.  I’m more excited about that than anything.  I cannot wait to love on kiddos!  It’s going to be amazing!

I also plan to do some “school” with the kiddos as much as I can this summer.  Karis has already told me that she really wants to do school at home, and Ethan needs a little bit more to be ready for Kindergarten.  I’m excited about working with them.  I will post my plan on here once I get it ready!

I will be back soon and will attempt to be more consistent with posting… though I make no promises!  I have had a lot going on in my mind to write about, but I just haven’t had the time to sit down and write!

I honestly love staying busy because it keeps my mind from thinking too much, and it keeps my body moving.  We’re in a great season!

My Big Girl is 7!

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I cannot believe how fast the past 7 years have gone.  I am amazed daily by the person Karis is turning into.  She is thoughtful and caring, very smart, loves Jesus and others, and is very creative.  I’m so blessed to be her mama!

Here are some pictures of my girl as she has grown up :-) .

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karis5 karis3 karis4 karis2

karis1

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karis11

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This picture was taken today.  We went to Marble Falls and I told her she could go anywhere for lunch. She chose Starbucks because she wanted a cake pop :-) (she also had a panini, of course).

Now she’s just enjoying playing outside in this beautiful weather, and tomorrow she’ll have a big family party!  I enjoy celebrating my girl.  I’m so blessed by her!

Week-Long Break

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Alpine Landscape

I won’t be around for at least a week because my husband and I are taking a backpacking trip!  We’ll be in the Guadalupe Mountains National Park, enjoying God’s beautiful creation!  The kids will be staying with my parents getting spoiled.  It’s a win-win for all!

I’ll be sure to post lots of pictures when we come back and share about our adventure!

Frugal Monthly Meal Plan

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frugalmonthlymealplan

It’s ready!  I feel as though I may have missed SOMETHING, but for now, this is what it is.  I will keep it updated as I think of things… and I will include this in the page at the top titled “Meal Planning Sundays” (which I SO desperately need to update!!).

Here’s the link:

Frugal Monthly Meal Plan

Just a reminder of what this is (in case you missed it!)… Our family is going to be on a tighter budget from now through the end of the summer, so I have decided to come up with a plan so that we stick with real foods and stay with-in our much smaller budget.  I will do what I can to continue buying organic, but that won’t be priority #1 at all times because it just won’t be in the budget.  I’m going to do my best to continue buying raw milk, raw honey, etc, but again, it may not happen.  I’m trying to cut out all non-essentials, but with life being busy, there will be times that I buy things that aren’t essential.  Again, this is my “ideal plan,” and I’m hoping to be able to mostly stick with it!  I will give myself grace at times because life is life!

Some things that I will be (mostly) cutting out in order to stay with-in our budget: Vitamins (the desire is to eat well enough to be able to cut these out!), eating out (which isn’t healthy anyway!), most processed foods (even healthier ones), cutting down on my coffee habit (giving myself some grace/freedom, but trying to cut down),  and I’m mostly cutting out anything “special” and keep things super simple.  I’m planning to just shop at Costco and Trader Joe’s (with the exception of getting our wheat berries through Azure Standard every few months and our milk through the co-op every two weeks).

Let me know what you think!!

Fun Things Ahead!

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almostspring!

Okay, these things may not be that fun for you… but they are for me :-) .

I have been working on some things that I’m excited to share!

The one that I’m most excited about is a “Frugal Master Meal Plan.”  Things around here are tight and will remain tight through the summer, so instead of being down about it, I’m seeing it as a challenge!  I will use this challenge to become more frugal and more organized in this area.  I’m hoping to get this up on the blog in the next few days.

Not only are we going to try to grow more of our food (planting several gardens and growing our chicken “family”), but we are also going to make our meals more simple, and well, cheap.  I’m also going to continue making our own detergents, using cloth napkins and handkerchiefs, using reusable bags for grocery shopping, using reusable water bottles, and using reusable containers for lunches.  Not only are these things frugal, they are better for this world that God made :-) .  The only paper products that we plan to continue buying is toilet paper… because honestly, I’m just not ready to give up on TP.  We’re hoping to “grow” in this area over time!

My plan will include a simple plan for breakfasts, lunches, and dinners (to rotate), as well as a list of foods to choose from for snacks.  Following these plans will be a list of our whole foods staples that we keep on hand (and plan to use to make these simple meals!).

My goal is going to be to spend less than $350-400 a month (about $90-100 a week)… and I would prefer to spend even less.  This will mean that we will only eat meat a few times a week, many things will not be organic (unless the price difference is minimal), I will only shop at Trader Joe’s and Costco (with the exception of our milk through the co-op), and I will buy very few processed foods (meaning, I will be in the kitchen a bit more).  I plan to make most of our snacks, and all of our bread products (which, I already make most of our bread products, but will do even more).

I am spending this week weaning myself from caffeine because next week Robert and I are backpacking, and I don’t want to be having caffeine withdrawals while I’m hiking a mountain with 25 pounds on my back ;-) .  I’m hoping and praying that when I get back, I won’t need coffee every morning, and my soda consumption will be gone.  I realized the other day that even though stopping by Sonic during happy hour isn’t expensive up front, the cost grows over time, and the styrofoam cups are SO bad for the environment!  Also, there is NOTHING healthy about sodas.  This will save us money!

So, along with my Frugal Master Meal Plan will be pictures of our more secure chicken pin (that should be finished soon!), pictures and our garden plan (we will finish that when we get back from our trip), and pictures of our backpacking trip (which, these aren’t really part of our frugal living… but they are a part of our desire to be outdoors more!).

It’s so nice to feel like myself again, and to be back to enjoying this part of life.

I’m Thankful

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peace

After months of feeling “blah,” I’m finally starting to feel more like myself :-) .

I’m so thankful that God led me to make the changes that I did… I feel amazing!

I am now able to see clearly, think clearly, and enjoy the little things again!

I am so thankful for life… despite the difficulty.

I’m thankful for my amazing husband.  I’m not sure what I would do without him.  He loves me for me.  He is an amazing daddy to our little ones.  He helps take care of things when I can’t.  We are truly best friends and I couldn’t imagine doing life without him!  I look forward to our Spring Break trip, backpacking the Guadalupe Mountains together.  Being outdoors has become a hobby for us that I’m looking forward to continuing well into our empty nest years :-) .

I’m thankful for my beautiful daughter, Karis.  She has an amazing heart.  She loves Jesus and others.  She has shown so much maturity lately… she writes praise songs, makes cards for others constantly, plays with her brothers, helps around the house, and has a heart for justice (cares for the poor).  I’m so excited about the little person that she’s becoming.  I pray that this will continue as she grows.  I cannot wait to see how God will use her to impact our world!

I’m so thankful for our little independent Ethan.  He loves to take care of things… he could truly take care of himself if need be ;-) .  He also loves praying for others, and praising God for His blessings.  He is all boy, doesn’t know how to sit still, and could just play for hours and hours.  He is really into super heroes right now!  He has huge, bright eyes, and an amazing dimply smile.  He will be a heart-breaker for sure.  I truly enjoy being with him now, after years of struggling with his behavior.  He has changed completely.  I love cuddling with him!

I’m so thankful for our little tornado, Levi.  He is a mess, but I wouldn’t want it any other way.  He likes to get into everything.  He’s learning to be independent.  He’s trying so hard to be like his big brother!  He loves to sing.  He walks around singing praise songs all the time!  Some of his favorites are “10,000 Reasons” by Matt Redman, “Hosanna,” and even a Toby Mac song :-) .  He likes us to “turn it up” when those come on!  He also loves “Joy to the World” and often sings it to draw attention to himself ;-) .  He is also a cuddler, and is our “class clown.”  He loves being funny and being the center of attention.

I’m thankful for our amazing, supportive family.  We could not do life without them!  We always know that they are there anytime we need them!

I’m thankful for our amazing friends.  We are so blessed in this area!  We consider so many of our friends to be family!

I’m thankful for the little things… yummy coffee, amazing books that God uses to change our lives (we’re on a Jen and Brandon Hatmaker “kick” right now!), green smoothies, homemade bread, a small gym to workout in, our chickens, gardening, flip-flops (which I desperately miss wearing!), jeans and t-shirts, camelbak water bottles, Trader Joe’s, dancing and singing, Jesus music (especially David Crowder, Matt Redman, JJ Heller, Charlie Hall, among many others!), REI, local coffee shops (which are hard to find here!), simple living, internet, and the beautiful mountains!

I’m going to enjoy this beautiful day and praise God for making it :-) (despite the fact that my three year old is throwing a tantrum right now… ha!).