Crafting soap holders

I made these a few months ago, quite a few steps in the tutorial, but really fairly easy to put together. I love how easy it is to get to versus digging all over for it- a.k.a the bottom of my purse!
Tutorial here at a Lemon Squeezy Home-its a great tutorial!

Changes

Remember that scene from Mary Poppins when she's about to arrive and a huge wind blows all the other nannies away? Gosh I love that movie and that was one of my favorite parts. I sort of feel like that is happening in my life. Probably not quite the major windstorm that would be-though it would be fun to see some people in my life just blow away with the wind....(did I just say that out loud??) There's change a'blowin' in the wind!

I think change is good. It can be scary, but usually, change is for the better. One thing I can rest assured in, the current changes are with the Lord's guidance and that gives me peace.

I have been fighting some changes for a time now, and while I still am stubbornly holding onto some things, I have come to realize that change is inevitable. Knowing that if I want to grow and let the Lord mold me, I shouldn't even be surprised by change.
He is teaching me so much and this is what I love the most about the Lord. When I am actively seeking Him, when I am spending time with Him-He shows up-He speaks to my heart- He just loves on me in a way no human being can possibly even understand!
This past Sunday during worship He spoke to my heart. I stopped singing, I was too choked up, and then I felt that immense peace.
I was so shocked by the still.small.voice.

"See, I am making a new creation, I make all things new"

At that moment I had peace, which then later-of course as I let it marinate in my head-got a bit fearful. What part is being made new? When? I had to cut out the frantic thinking and just let it rest. One thing I need to remember is to actually do just that-rest. Let Him take care of all the details and stay in tune with Him so I know where to go, when to move. 

Change is coming-here's to God's new creation in me!

Frustration and Discipline

These two words can sum up my past two weeks.

Frustration because I took my eyes off what I should have been doing and focused on a bunch of other crap that in the end, is spurring me on to something greater.

A few years ago I had stopped watching morning news programs. I would occasionally see something if I was checking the morning weather but wouldn't sit and watch for hour(s) like I had before. After I stopped watching then would see something, awful be it a news story and or horrible slanted reporting, I'd rant and rave and shut it off yet again. I've been moving slower in the morning, we'd had every other day waking up to falling snow and I'd get on the TV to see if we had a school delay or cancellation. So I yet again, got caught up in one story or another and started getting frustrated. The reporting, the slanting, the stories of awful things people did-on and on. During that time one of the stories was about Paula Deen. The whole world is upset with her for her cooking and not being up front about her diabetes. I saw this absolutely ridiculous segment with Matt Lauer and "The Power Players" as they like to call themselves-complete nobody's if you ask me. So these "Power Players" are Star Jones, Donnie Deutsch, and Dr. Nancy Schneiderman(spelling probably wrong-sorry) They all weighed in (no pun intended, ok maybe a lil intended!) on Paula Deen's situation.  The thing that got me the most was the Dr.'s comment as the conversation switched to Paula Deen-to Gov. Chris Christie.
The "good" Dr. said, Gov. Christie shouldn't run for Pres. now or ever, because he is unfit. If he tried to get in the Army, he'd be rejected for his weight, the same standard should be for a Presidency. How we would know that Mr. Christie would be able to push himself away from the dinner table and make a Presidential decision?

Its not a verbatim comment, but you can find the video and that is basically her take, and I have to say, I completely disagree.

Yes, this subject hits close to home, as weight is my struggle as well. What struck me is, so if I am overweight, anyone is overweight, they are unfit to lead? Unfit to make decisions? Being heavy is nothing to be proud of, and it is a symbol of brokenness, I will be the first to admit that. My weight is my shame, and honestly its my biggest failure. I have many faults, some you can't see, some you can-this one you can see, and its something I struggle with daily, but that makes me unfit to be a leader? To make a good decision? I am realizing that I'm probably judged on my weight anytime I walk into a room and that snap judgements will be made on who I am as a person, what kind of life I live, because of how I look.I don't want to worry about how I look or what I weigh as the measure of my life, but I think this society does and from now on will do so.
 If we judged everyone by their weight as equal to their brains-we'd be a very stupid society.
Did  we judge our current President on his smoking habit? I'm sure I remember it being talked about but not in this form, that it would render him incapable of making good decisions, which, if you ask me, might actually be true. (don't stone me I"m kidding.. or am I? ha)

I started hearing the word "discipline" tossed around and it hit me. I'm so undisciplined in so many areas in my life, that's what I'm missing, and that's why I'm frustrated so much.
I was undisciplined to keep the morning news off
                              to exercise daily
                              to read my Bible daily
                              to pray daily
 and really the list could go on and on.


So that is my goal for every day, to learn to be disciplined in my life, in all I do, though I will have to start small to get there, but I will get there. I will also have to realize that in this life, people will fail, I will fail, but God never fails and when my hope, my everything is placed in Him, my life will be as it should be.

Exodus 14:14 The Lord Himself will fight for you, Just stay calm

Your Child is Not Your Best Friend

We got off track a bit in our house and I was caught off guard at how frustrated I was daily with my kids' attitudes, behaviors, lack of respect and most of  all lack of responsibility. I looked at their room, watched their behavior with me and each other, listened to what they said and I was not pleased with what I saw and heard. I don't know how we got here, but we're here and it's time to shut it down.
My first question I had to ask was, how did they get so irresponsible?? When did it become ok to throw shoes, coats, gloves, paper, apples, etc on the floor?? I literally watched my 5 year old take a bite out of an apple and proceed to then set it on the floor slightly under the chair, as if I'd never find it.

Mama lost it. 

I answered my own question within a day when I realized how much I direct their every step. As we walk in the door from school, I say the same thing I've said every day-

"Go hang up your coat, put your back pack on the table, put your shoes away and come back to work on homework." 

 Even though I've said that everyday(with a modification being there are no coats to put away) they still don't follow through, and as I've looked through backpacks and pulled out homework, made piles and gotten out pencils, I've neglected to follow through with checking that they did as told and have later found coats strewn on the floor of their room and "lost" shoes by next morning.  I'm figuring that by ages 9,7 and 5(I'll give the 5yr old a tiny bit of leeway as this is her first year of school, but not much) they know to hang up their coat, put their shoes away and get their own homework out. 

Basically I'm teaching them to BE irresponsible.  

I gave them the details yesterday. I'm not going to repeat myself. You know that when we get home from school, we do the same routine everyday, and I should not have to tell you what to do-you need to just do it. Not doing what you know you are to do will result in a consequence for failed behavior. 

My oldest was the first to cop  an attitude and got the first punishment this morning. I let my husband give it out as I was fighting the urge to let it go. I didn't want her day ruined at school because she disobeyed and we had to punish her. I knew he was right and let him punish her and we both hugged her and told her we loved her before she left. How easy it would be to let it go and "deal with it later" when probably we'd both forget and we'd stay in the same routine. I don't know about you, but I know as an adult even, that when I make a mistake, something hurts me in a situation, I make sure I don't do it again. I don't want my children to hurt, but the small hurt now will save from a big hurt later. 

I'm in charge of growing my children to be responsible, contributing members of society, to learn to support themselves financially and most of all I pray that they know, love and serve God. 

We all learn from our failures and mistakes. If I direct every step of my children's lives, expecting them to do little, never letting them learn from their own mistakes, I'm failing as a parent. They may not like me too much right now, but its not my job to be their friend.  Hopefully one day they will understand that. When they grow up, have kids of their own and realize what I'm doing is for their best interest, just like my parents did with me, we can be great friends, like my mom and I are now. 

Boundaries-Choices

I've read the book Boundaries by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend a few times now and its been life changing for me.
 Why have I read it multiple times? Well, basically because I am someone who needs things beat into my life, I can't just hear something do it, and change myself.  I take the "easy road". The road that looks pretty, safe, and simple. Yet as I walk it, I realize my mistake and as I reach to smell the rose on the lovely path, the thorn cuts, the dream fades and my eyes are opened to the fact that the pretty, safe, simple way is really an illusion.
 So I picked it up again after some unpleasant things went on and Josh and I both realized we have to fix the problem we keep having with some people. The book is just so good though, that it didn't just hit me in on area, it hit me in multiple areas.
 Currently I'm convicted on this one tiny paragraph on choices. It starts explaining on choices lead to the fruit of self-control(Galatians 5:3) The common problem with choices, it explains, is disowning them-laying them at someone else. They lay out how we use the words, "I had to", "She/he made me" when explaining why we did/didn't do something.

I do this all the time

Sad, embarrassing and true. Here's my best example. 

"Hey Josh, we're going to have to go out to eat tonight, pick something up and bring it home. I got caught up with work today, the kids were awful, I had extra errands to run, I'm cramping, I'm tired, I didn't start the dishwasher and well, basically, we have no groceries either." 

True story.

I've made about 50 bad choices in exchange for not making my family a meal, then blamed it on my family, my work, my body... the list goes on.  I'm realizing I make a lot of bad choices, excuse or blame them away and hardly ever take responsibility for them or even come close to changing them. 

Paul in Romans 8:13 explains it very simply how our choices can have dire consequences-, if we choose to live by the Spirit, we will live, if we choose to follow our sinful nature, we will die. 

One of many things I need to work on this year, rather, every day, to change this behavior around and get rid of it. 

I know it isn't going to be easy, I'm not particularly looking forward to it, but I know I will be a better me once I can conquer this sin in my life. 

Black Friday Shopping Tips

I L-O-V-E shopping on Black Friday.

Why?

Oh just let me tell you!

Ok, first, I honestly can't stand crowds, they make me anxious and usually its just not fun. I've found a few ways to get over that feeling, at least for one day or few short hours I go into the madness.  I learn more every year as I go out so here are some tips I have to share from my personal experience.

Rules: Each store has them, the time they open, the line you have to stand in, the time you can actually purchase your items. The best way to find out the rules is to ask the store the week of, or read all the fine print in the ad that comes in the paper on Thursday morning. Each store will do it differently. For example, last year Wal-Mart allowed you to come in to shop by midnight, but you weren't allowed to purchase or even take the item until 4a.m. We got in line for a ticket for the item(ours was a flat screen t.v.) at midnight and then you wait until 4a.m. to actually pay for it. One year the first 100 people got a $10 gift card for Sear's, but you had to go to a specific door to actually get it. Another thing to note is, even though you might know exactly where your item will be, electronics, toys, etc. they most likely will not be on that shelf. Most stores will have it out on a pallet and will move other merchandise to make a row of pallets for these things.  If it is a small electronic item,it is possible it will be locked and you will have to ask a clerk to get it for you. Sometimes stores will hand out a map of where the specific pallet may be so you don't run around and miss it, other stores like for everyone to run around like idiots anyway and let you guess where it might be.Always bring the ad for the store with you-should the store decide to change a price or you want to show someone exactly what you are talking about-BRING THE AD!!

Lines: There will be lines, be prepared for the longest line waiting of your life. Before you get in the store, for the item you want, and for actually purchasing your items. Do not EVER cut in line. For the obvious reason its just rude, especially to those who have been freezing or have had no sleep get to where they are in line, jumping in when the door opens can cause people to go mad, I have seen people get punched and pushed for cutting in line. Also, most stores have security guards or even cops, and they will take you away or arrest you if you cut in line-its grade school but its not joke. I know you're laughing, but I'm telling you-its the way it is!!

Time: Black Friday actually doesn't even just happen on Friday anymore, stores are opening at 10pm on Thursday now even so again, check with the store and the ads to find out when it opens. Depending on how badly you want the item or the store you are going to is how you factor what time you actually go to the store to wait. If Toys R Us opens at midnight, you can guarantee that people will being showing up at 10, maybe even 9pm,ok let's face it people might just start eating their Thanksgiving dinner's in line!  One year I went to get a couple of Barbie's that  were going to be in the price range of $2, a midnight only deal. I drove up there at 10pm and found that if I wanted a parking spot-I'd be walking from the mall, Northpark mall-the surrounding lots were FULL, I wasn't going to do that for a barbie, sometimes you just have to weigh the importance of the item. This year Wal-Mart is open at 10pm, I have no idea what time the items will go on sale but a 2hr time cushion might be wise if you think it might be something that will sell quickly.

Children: Do not bring your children to Black Friday, teenagers are one thing-they can handle themselves, but your baby's *ok, if you are breastfeeding and are carrying your baby in a moby wrap/cling you are ok*  toddler's or children under teen years. I repeat DO NOT BRING YOUR CHILDREN. It's no place for them, if it were a movie I'd rate it "R"  It's potentially dangerous, the language can be a bit much from people who are sleepy or are getting angry,there is always a possibility of violence, and sometimes, there are just questionable people out late at night! Now that's just for your children's sake. For you and those around you, still, DO NOT BRING YOUR CHILDREN. Adults barely have the patience to stand in line sometimes and you want to bring your child? No. They will hate it, they will whine, get hungry, thirsty, cry and have to go to the bathroom, as much as I love children and others do-we don't want to hear whining. Get a family member, friend or babysitter to sleep at your house so your adorable children can sleep at home, warm, safe and peaceful.

Clothing: It's November, and you potentially will be waiting outside for 2hrs. You want to dress warmly, but you also need to remember that later you will be waiting in line for 2hrs inside. Layer up well, especially on your feet, standing still for a long time out in the cold is the worst on the toes! Now, whether you pay in cash, check or credit card will depend on what you wear-really-here's why. Carrying your purse is fine, especially if someone cuts in line and you need to smack someone with it(which I would never do but lets say you might need to)it can come in handy, but sometimes it slows you down and with all the shoving to get in the door I worry someone is actually stealing my life away from me during this time. So, if you can carry your purse on your arm INSIDE your coat-that might be safer. If your coat has pockets on the inside consider a small wallet and put the essentials  in it only. Essentials being, credit card, debit card, check, cash, driver's license, and/or store credit card. Extra pockets in your clothing or coat are also helpful for breakfast items, such as an apple or granola bar, don't bring a water bottle unless you are a camel and can hold it in your body for 4 hours. Did you not read my paragraph above on lines? This is serious people! Getting out of line is risking every point of getting up early or losing sleep that night!

Attitude: It all depends on you. If staying up late or getting up early makes you grouchy-check your attitude at the door or stay home. Like I said earlier-people are serious about these sales-they will get ugly with you over the smallest offense. It's sad but true. I've learned to ignore the rudeness and have fun. Yup, you heard me. JUST HAVE FUN! The world isn't going to end if you don't get that flat screen T.V. or a $2 Barbie. It's no doubt disappointing, but its just stuff and we can't take it with us. It's fun to have, and even better to get it cheap(er) but its not worth fighting someone over it and getting arrested. Nothing ruins the day for me more than seeing people get ugly over stuff and hurting someone else in the process. Make it fun, go with family or friends and spread out to help each other get what you want. Meet new people in line around you and enjoy the time you are out shopping for others-or yourself!

Maybe I'll see some of you out there this year?
Good luck, and may the best shopper win.

Trust

Not a lot to actually say, just need an outlet.

Something God is teaching me is trust. I would normally say I totally trust God in all things. His plan, His ways, I mean-why wouldn't I? Not trust the creator of the universe? The Author of my days, my every breath?
Fact is He is revealing to me that I don't trust Him as I should.

It seems the visual everyone likes to use for trust is where you have 2-4 people stand across from each other, locking arms. Then you, the one who is displaying what trust looks like, falls backward into the locked arms.

Trust. I trust you will catch me, hold me, keep me safe.

In the core of my being, I know beyond a shadow of a doubt I can trust God. The real question is, do I live like I trust Him?

There isn't one speck of my life that God doesn't already know everything about. So why I don't go to Him first, and lay it His feet? (control)

Yea.. control freak here. I like to know what's going on, what will happen next, when I don't know-I try harder to know, control and eventually take over.
When I see my kids doing things they shouldn't be-doing things that are just too big for them to do yet-i.e. pouring a full gallon of milk into a tiny bowl of cereal.

Big.Mess. 

In my frustration I throw my hands up and back down at my side-"what in the world are you doing? You can't do that, that's too hard for you, you  need to ask for help next time"
I picture God the same way-looking at me thinking-"you should've asked for help with that." 
In some cases, the milk will still spill-but what will my attitude look like. Will I be frustrated and trip in my own mistake? Or will I clean up the mess and press on, because my trust is in the correct place?

Trusting Him completely-its my current work in progress.