a new day ... yesterday

I did a few new things yesterday, so it keeps kind of a special feeling with me.
well not exactly new new, but things I haven't done in what seems like forever!!  For example -

• I held a 10 day old baby girl.  she was beautiful, and I could've cried because of it.  It took me by surprise that I sort of forgot hold to hold a squishy baby.  She was alert, watching me.  Even though she knew I wasn't mama, she was content.
• I filed my DBA and paid for the publication saying my business has officially arrived and I'm legit.  that is scary ... mostly because if someone called me to do actual work, I'd freak, but I will try to just stay excited about it.  ps.  check out my other blog www.renewtheview.blogspot.com ... that's what I do.
• I bought a dress.  I stopped by Ross on my way home, and ladies if you are in the market, summer items are on the clearance racks.  I suppose most stores will be doing that now, making room for sweaters, jeans, and winter jackets.  I got a dress that is dark denim blue (but NOT denim, because that would be along the lines of hideous).  If I actually wear it, I may or may not post it ... wearing it will be another exceptional day because dresses aren't exactly my thing.

and today ...

• someone gave me a bed in GREAT condition, along with head/foot board.  that same someone also gave me a dinning table & 4 chairs.  AND delivered it all to me.
• my neighbor gave me a perfect all-in-one tool box; a perfect tool set for a girl.  basic, not complicated :)

its easy to feel like I'm doing something right when all these blessings come my way ... I hope thats the truth.  I have no doubts whatsoever, and that feels good too.


how was your day?

Thankful Thursday

I've been following Candra @ Curious Georgi for awhile now, and am finally inspired enough to make a thankful list.  I've been getting HUGE baskets of lemons from life lately ... however ... in the back of my mind I know there are always things to be thankful for no matter what is happening.


and coincidentally, I read this today - "What if you received today all the things you thanked God for yesterday?"
hmmm, what DID I thank God for yesterday?  not nearly enough I'm sure.  sorry God.

1. I am thankful for my {mostly} unbiased in-laws.
2. Thank you God that our needs are met - food, water, clothes, a bed, etc.
3. Doors are randomly opening.  I feel like they NEED to, but it definitely has not been in my timing.  God seems to know when they need to.  nothing like the last minute sometimes, eh?
4. My healthy family.
5. A car that runs.  that was handed over to me without any payment.  that I don't have to pay insurance for (yet).  that gets good gas mileage.  and has a CD player & moon roof to boot.
6. I have not had to cook dinner in over a month.
7. A friend is watching my kids, and not some daycare ... no offense daycares.  This not just any friend, she someone who already has a few kids of her own + pets + she just moved and lives among boxes everywhere + not charging me = a real blessing for me.
8. Freebies on craigslist!
9. Supportive friends.
10. Not sure what this day holds, but I'm going to thank you for it anyway!!

I have NEVER had to impose on so many people at the same time.  its awkward yet humbling.  It amazes me who/what/where/when/why God has the timing down to the most minute detail, interweaving lives to come together and help each other.

To me, there is no luck, no irony.  God is just THAT GOOD.

What are you thankful for today?  Join us HERE.

I luv Starbucks

I was headed to Starbucks the other day ... coffee, wifi, and time alone is the perfect afternoon for me. hey, I never claimed to be glamorous.

so I went to order my drink (grande skinny vanilla latte, hot, no foam ... its seems like a mouth-full, doesn't it?) and she's ringing it up, all is normal.

and then she asks, "so how are you today?"

and I know all sales people do this, as well as, uppity people in coffee shops ... I'm not insulting her, but usually those that work in a coffee shop are "on" coffee, so they are extra happy, you know?

anyway, I told her the truth.  I didn't begin venting and tell her my drama, but I said, "you know, I've been better.  but thanks for asking."

and she stopped what she was doing and said, "you know what?  the drink is on us."

me - "what?  really?  you don't have to do that."

her - "yep.  we want your day to get better, starting right now."

and I looked at the barista there, and all he could do was smile and agree with her.

WOW Starbucks, thanks!

now if you're the stingy type, you can go and try this, however, I'm not saying it guarantees a free drink, but ...

I was just honest.  and I somehow got the message that being honest is a valuable thing and still worth something.

that day, it was a latte.  hey, works for me.

a reason, a season, or a lifetime

People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime.

When you figure out which one it is,

you will know what to do for each person.

When someone is in your life for a REASON, 

it is usually to meet a need you have expressed.

They have come to assist you through a difficulty; 

to provide you with guidance and support; 

to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually. 

They may seem like a godsend, and they are. 

They are there for the reason you need them to be.

Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time, 

this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end.

Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away. 

Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand. 

What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled; their work is done. 

The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

Some people come into your life for a SEASON, 

because your turn has come to share, grow or learn. 

They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh. 

They may teach you something you have never done. 

They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. 

Believe it. It is real. But only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons; 

things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. 

Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person, 

and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life. 

It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.

Thank you for being a part of my life, 

whether you were a reason, a season or a lifetime.

I love this ... is it a poem?  I'm not sure.

but it rings so true, and is a good reminder for all of us.  

we need each other, if only for a short time.  

~ with love, Katie

the good samaritan

I've been driving 1985 Mazda GLC ... you know you want one!

hubby paid $240 for it.  for real.

I have to say, I do miss having a clean, non-rusted car with leather seats, along with a working air conditioning, and also a working CD player.  sigh. 

its FAR from pretty but it works, and that's what really matters.  

its actually been a great car to us, until today.

we've been driving it for a couple of months now.  we typically don't drive it all over the island, but then again, we don't typically do that.  its been a stay-in-town/beach car.

but today we did drive it to downtown Honolulu; about an hour drive from where we live.  its all freeway so nothing crazy, but today on even the small hills, it was struggling.  I was pushing through.  none of the dashboard lights were coming on and the temp stayed in the normal range, so I pressed on.

DUN DUN DUUUUNNNNNN .... 

(feel the drama?)

all of a sudden, the car slowed way down and white smoke billowed out from under the hood.  the car died as I was pulling over.

and I was so close to getting there.  

now I'm your typical girl; I know nothing about cars ... aaaaaaaand I've seen too many movies where cars just randomly blow up from something like that, so I grabbed my stuff fast and practically ran away.  I was really glad that hubby had the kids and not me.  what a headache that would have been.  so I found a spot in the shade (like 50 yards away!) and I was waiting for hubby to come get me on the side of the freeway.

about 5 minutes later, I'm hearing a fire truck.  it past me, then it past the car, but then backed up to the car ... it was kind of funny.  they thought it was already abandoned at first and didn't see me since I was so far away.

there were never any flames, and the fire fighters seemed kind of bummed it was all so uneventful.  sorry guys!!  but they checked out the car and said they think its an oil leak or a blown gasket.  it might be time for this car to officially die, but hey whatever, we've definitely gotten our money's worth out of it.

someone driving by must have called the fire department; that's how much smoke there was.  THANK YOU whoever you are!!

 I was unnecessarily rescued ... it all could have been much worse and that phone call could have saved my life.

lesson of the day: be a good samaritan.  it will make a difference!

good news

a good news update -

by total "coincidence" our neighbors neighbor (people we know in the complex, just on the other side of the complex ... our neighbors, right?  it was their next door neighbors.) was cleaning out the kids room and had some stuff to give away.

I'm told the "kid" is 17 and is just now getting around to getting rid of his toys from youth ... kind of like toy story 3, maybe?  but we didn't know this guy.  he wasn't necessarily giving to give, but maybe he was ... I think it was more like getting rid of junk.  either way, its a HUGE blessing for us to receive it.

there are TONS of hotwheels, along with buildings & roads to build for them, various balls, a kite, a big box of legos ... lots of boy stuff.

it was really making me sad that the boys wouldn't have anything to open from us for Christmas.  I cried.  it was perfect timing.

God gets me.

that's perfect too.

Fingerprints of God

I got this shot of Samuel yesterday.  I LOVE it.

coincidentally, I found this at The Rusted Chain. 

I think the two go together perfectly.

3 of 30

I am thankful for breakthrough.

not necessarily just mine but all that encompasses it, for all who experience it.

it has such a positive snowball effect.

- the feelings of accomplishment & confidence

- the comfort & peace that comes when one hears from God. nothing substitutes for this.

- a glass-1/2-full-perspective

- and usually, how simple it is

... this last one is love/hate for me.

we all NEED breakthrough.

here's a good quote: "if you're going through hell, keep going"

this can apply to so much.

my translation: hell is temporary and the only way to get out of it is to keep going.

there is always a light, a breakthrough, but its up to you to find it.

you have to want it.

and that other saying,

"its better to love and lost than never to have loved at all."

I think this one is true too.

yes there is so much bad out there, but how else will we know the difference?

how else can we learn from our mistakes?

God hits you at the core for a reason, its to get your attention.

its a bittersweet process.

so often the bad will lead to the good.

because life, as a whole, really is a beautiful thing.

what are you thankful for? blog about it like the rest of us!

thankful

I don't blog when my mind is full. I know I've told you this before, but there it is again. my mind is full ... and no, I don't really want to talk about it.

**HOWEVER**

even during struggles, I still know better. I still know that there are ALWAYS things to be thankful for. after all my bible tells me over and over that I'm destined for trials, but also, the great prize for persevering through. amen.

good timing Morgan, thank you.

in no particular order ...

1. I know my family loves me even though they don't agree with my decisions.

2. my children are healthy & happy.

3. my God makes sure our needs are taken care of during financial famine.

4. as strange as this may sound, I am thankful for facebook. without it, I would have never been able reconnect with certain people I have thought of daily for years.

5. vanilla lattes!

6. my father-in-law who butts in because he's needed, not because he's wanted.

7. the beach ... Hawaiian beaches at that!!

8. the opportunity to homeschool.

9. waking up with hope.

10. the brownies that just came out of the oven. mmmmmm!

simplicity

I hate it when my revelations are so simple, don't you? don't get me wrong, I am very thankful for it, but I sometimes feel like "why didn't I think of that?!"

humans are far from perfect, me specifically.

I just came back from a long walk. no music. no babies. just me and my thoughts.

so we're moving again (as you know) and I'm wondering why we have this pattern of moving. I don't think I have final clarity on that, but I did get it on part of it. the answer - people.

my husband is a people person, definitely an extrovert, and has finally accepted it as a gift with the intent to use it righteously. me on the other hand I am an introvert, which I realize is not bad, I just have a different approach to people. the boys so far are following their father's footsteps on that one, which I love to see.

I used to think that I wanted/needed to stop all this crazy moving and get settled, grow some roots, and get connected with people. I did get connected with mom's clubs and church groups, but when we had to move, I was disappointed and hurt that I had to [sort of] give up these relationships. you can only do so much over facebook. :) after this loss I didn't rejoin anything in the next town, and so when we moved again, I was glad I didn't have to go through that heartache all over again. I kind of saved myself from it.

I brought myself to a place where I saw people everywhere I went and they became sort of faceless. its easy to generalize people, and that's what I did. I saw them as a group, all the same, not needing, or necessarily wanting to get to know any of them. I thought, why bother?

but what I realized that know matter where we go there will be people (obviously!) and they all need/want a source of light. why do I forget that I am a source of light?!

we are a source, to someone, for something specific. no matter where we go, our light will not be dimmed. we need to see each person, for each person. we ought to see them the way God created them, as individuals; unique, gifted, and as His children, to be loved.

my idea of connecting with people is different than what God just taught me. I thought "connecting" was having life-long relationships, to know their hearts desire, to know their families, to talk about their perspective on God, etc. if/when a spiritual connection presents itself between two people, words and time are almost not necessary.

in my opinion, being a christian means to be thankful for each day, each second even. to appreciate what's been given to you (even the things not necessarily given to you) and take advantage of those situations God has you in. circumstances change, and I believe with good reason from above.

Matt and I have talked extensively about how and why this is happening for our children. always trying to keep the glass 1/2 full, we thought maybe this is conditioning them for mission work later on in life. Matt and I had always talked about getting involved with that, and maybe we still will later on, but I know that following generations take things a step further than the originals ever did. God only knows! it's just a thought.

it doesn't matter where we go, we can make a difference. it isn't necessary to stay in one spot to get connected to people. I think I just got a step closer to something.

aloha

I'll be here for the week if you need me.

Aloha!

the power of prayer

I rarely get sick, but usually when I do it gets nasty. it hit me last night; massive headache, chills, and a very sore throat. I thought the flu was coming in full force. and the icing on the cake was Aunt Flo came to visit ... tmi? sorry.

anyway I went to bed early, before the kids' bedtime. Samuel is so sweet and compassionate; I think I can see his spirit developing some days.

he came in to tuck me in and he wanted to pray for me, just the way I pray for him when I put him to bed every night.

"dear God, bless my mom. get her healthy and strong. I pray her cough stops. in Jesus name, Amen."

extra cute because I wasn't coughing at all :)

today I'm congested with a minor headache, so better.

the extra rest was good, but prayer from my son was priceless.

God hears every single one. thank you son.

lunch

did your mom ever put notes in your lunch at school? a kid remembers that kind of stuff.

Sam only goes to school 2 days per week, but I insist he gets a homemade lunch rather than whatever school is serving. for a few reasons -

1. I'm cheap

2. I'm paranoid about what the school serves; extra preservatives and such

3. he's got the cutest lunch bag; a dinosaur no less!

4. I can give him a note on his napkin :)

here is a link to help a kid get a lunch. lunchables is giving away lunches, with your promise of adding a special note to your childs' lunch. it's too easy. thanks to Robyn for this!

a simple request

this was brought to my attention from a friend of mine on facebook.

A friend of a friend of a friend has a 5 yr old son Noah. He is in the last stages of 2 1/2 yr battle with Neuroblastoma Cancer. The family is celebrating Christmas next week and Noah's request is to get lots of Christmas cards. Let's get him some!

Please send cards to:

Noah Biorkma

1141 Fountain Viewcircle

South Lyon, MI 4817

if you're wondering what neuroblastoma cancer is, check this out. pass it on!

unbottled

I know something isn't right spiritually when everything on the outside is perfect, but somehow I'm still unhappy. it's easy to think "if I had this" or "if this would just happen," life would be great. if it were only that easy, right?!

I have a great, beautiful home

a family, happy & healthy

food in the fridge

money in the bank

a God who loves me & is always there

I stay home with my kids

and on and on and on I could go.

during the season I was involved with church, I was pushed spiritually in a way I never had been before. although this church is no more, it was a major tool God used to get through to me.

in that time I was upset a lot because I was made uncomfortable; pushed to go to an unexpected place. a place I didn't know existed until I got there. I now miss it.

currently I am not in a church, and get upset a lot because stuff gets bottled up. no one pushes me; I'm stagnant. blah.

both may be an uncomfortable place, but at least in one of them, change happens. and I know God wants us flexible to change; willing and knowing we're able. I'm realizing I need self-discipline for sure, but also, how important accountability is for my progress.

in my hearts of hearts, I believe in His power. my faith lacks in His willingness. His mercy and grace constantly amazes me, but that's different than bringing change to me, to you, or to the world. the world is in a place where all He can do is bring revelation to believers, with ears to hear and a passion in their hearts.

there is a root of something in me, nagging at me. God get me uncomfortable. give me a revelation, because I'm ready to rip it out.

I was listening to an older CD of mine - Michelle Branch. I don't know where she is now, but 5 or so years back I discovered her music and many of her christian lyrics stick with me day to day. here's one -

and when I catch my breath, it's You I see

You're everything I know, that makes me believe

I'm not alone

life gets crazy. busy. how do you keep the world out? is that even possible? I get caught up in it and eventually feel it. I think the goal is to feel it sooner, always sooner. when I feel it and catch my breath (spiritually), then it's You I see.

your thoughts on my thoughts? leave a comment.

Divide

I have lived here just a couple of weeks, but it feels like longer. I mean that in a good way. I love it here. this house feels like home already, and usually for me, that takes awhile to get. I pray God will keep us here for a long time ... I have learned to never say never, but also, never say forever. only God is forever; can I get an amen?!

since my camera is broken, I thought I'd google Divide, CO. here is what I got -

yep, this is exactly what it looks like. in fact, this looks identical to the road you have to take to get to my house. the clouds aren't usually so dark, maybe this winter as the storms are coming. but here in CO the clouds are always beautiful. if you are a cloud person, you would love it. I have discovered that about myself; I am always noticing the clouds. leaves me speechless most of the time.

that is Pikes Peak in the background, which is at 14,000 feet. our house is at 9,200 feet, so you want snow, come visit us! we are planning on lots of snowmen, ice skating (there is a pond behind our house!), shoveling, and sledding. of course if you come, you might get snowed in for a few days!

in and out of these woods are lots of elk. I've seen the females up close and they are huge. I'd say 3x the size of a doe. I've seen a buck from afar, and you can definitely tell, he's even bigger. it's truly amazing. I actually found an elk watching trip, it's 2 1/2 hours walking all around the picture above. I expect it to be pretty awesome!

feels good turning into a mountain girl. I promise to shower daily and still shave my legs!!

I am not my own

more and more I am being shown that I am not my own. we are taught by the world to have, take, or keep control of our lives, but really, God has control. total control. to me, that's comforting. scary at times, but ultimately, it's comforting.

change of subject, but I'll bring it all back together ...

moving to CO I had to chop my hair. the elevation totally flattened it and I didn't know what to do with it. honestly, I don't care about my hair. sometimes I try to be a girly girl, but it's fake and it lasts only a short time. it's just not in me to care or get excited about it.

with these 2 thoughts running around in my head, I finally got to put them together with a 3rd thought ...

for whatever reason, my heart aches for people affected by cancer. it's a disease that comes no matter what you do to avoid it. a disease with no sure cure available. people of all ages gets it. no one knows why or how.

I really don't have too much experience with cancer. I don't know my family tree that far back, but of the ones I know, there are a couple that have died from cancer. but their deaths came from their lifestyle of smoking; in my opinion, their own stupidity. but from what I remember, I don't think they had to go through chemo and loose their hair. the cancer was either too far gone or came on too fast.

I also got involved with a mom's club a couple years ago, and I became the community outreach contact for the group. I'd set up park clean-up days, get us in the local parades, and one year, got us involved with the Relay for Life, which is a huge event to raise money for cancer awareness and research. I was so happy to help and so heartbroken at the candlelight vigil held that night.

all that put together equal this ...

seeing and understanding that I am not my own, and I don't really care about my hair, and I somehow want to help ease the pain of cancer, I've decided to get involved with Pantene and their Beautiful Lengths program. I don't particularly like Pantene products, their too heavy for me, but they have this great program with the American Cancer Society.

so hair donation has been added to my bucket list. :)

wish me luck to grow my hair that long!! should be interesting. I haven't had long hair since high school I think.

Here are some other programs to get involved with if you're interested too.

21 days

I've heard it said that it takes 21 days, or 3 weeks, to create a habit. and yes, there are some habits you WANT to create, all are not bad.

some I've tried in the past, and am trying again -

drinking more water - this has always been so difficult for me. I have a hard time drinking when I'm not thirsty. and especially now, I'm living at 6,000+ feet elevation, about to move to 9,200 feet, so I need even more than before. do you know how much you are suppose to drink? find out here. it's usually much more than you think!

taking care of my teeth - I got the bad teeth in my family. I had no cavities my whole childhood, then at 17 I had a few at once. it's been downhill ever since. I've had braces due to TMJ, oral surgery a couple times, too many cavities, no root canals or anything (which I've heard are sooooo painful!) but enough to make me dislike going to the dentist, ever.

watching what I eat - I've NEVER been good at counting calories, and my nutrition knowledge is limited ... but I'm learning. mostly, my common sense leads me on this one. that said, I still have a big weakness for sweets. sometimes it's multiple times a day that I give in. bad. bad. bad. it has to stop. yes I'm overweight for my height (really, who matches the doctors stats on that one?!) but not overweight enough to look like I REALLY need help. have you seen that commercial where the beautiful lady gets out of a limo for the red carpet, and then faints? it's for diabetes; beautiful on the outside, but on the inside she was messed up. I've been getting that image more and more lately.

becoming a morning person so I can have time with God - I have been getting up when the kids get up. when that happens, I get so swept up in what the boys are doing and getting them ready, that by the end of the day, I realize I've missed having ANY time with God at all. I feel withdrawn, thus my current conviction of self-discipline.

this a-ha came to me while in CA. I saw a mini-van that had the fruits of the spirit (Gal 5:22-23) printed on the back windshield in different fonts. Self-discipline stood out the most to me, partly because of the font it was in, but mostly because I struggle with it and God wanted me to see it. I saw that van a few times, and if you've ever been in SoCal, you know it's almost difficult to run into anyone twice there.

21 days ... maybe. this time I have conviction, which is stronger than my own willpower any day.

my verse for the day (week, month, year) is Proverbs 14:10

each heart knows its own bitterness

and no one else can share its joy

birthdays

my husband is the first person I have ever met that sincerely does not enjoy his birthday.  it is not so much about getting older, but he just does not care one way or the other.  he wants to treat July 21 like every other day.

me on the other hand, I love my birthday.  growing up, I always felt special on my day (thanks mom and dad!) and so I like to do that same thing for my family.  small birthday parties, maybe a few presents, special dinner, and decorations.  nothing extravagant, but enough for that particular day to stand out from the rest.  your birthday is a celebration of what God has created - YOU!!

if hubby ignored my birthday, I would definitely be upset and disappointed.  my MIL told me earlier last week, by not receiving the blessing someone is trying to give you, you steal their blessing too. him not allowing me to celebrate him yesterday, I was also upset and disappointed.

what to do with a year-round Scrooge?  he is really not a fan of any holiday because he believes it is just corporate america making the rich richer ... to some extent I agree.  he also believes that all tradition is bad ... this I do not fully agree with.   still, no birthdays?

got any suggestions for me?

the BIG 1!!

Happy 1st Birthday sweet Elliott!!

the days are long, but the year(s) are short

someone profound said this ... anyone know who?

such is the case with kids.  there are days I wish would end so much sooner than later, and of course there are other days where I wish I could freeze us in the moment.  this year flew by!

everyday Sam has tried to play with Elliott.  he loves to be the big brother, although I do have to fend him off most days.  I end up saying things like: "his crying is the way he says STOP IT!!" "your his big brother.  love him, don't hurt him" "just wait until he can hit you back"

hahaha!  boys are crazy!

Elliott started walking around 10 months, so now that he's 1 year,he's pretty good at it. He can say Mama & Dad, and just recently added Papa and ball to his vocabulary.  do most boys develop physically first?  this is how Sam did it too; his first word was duck.  so cute!

Since he is so physical and strong, I thought it was time to put him facing forward in the car.  He definitely likes seeing what is going on, as you can see in this picture.  He still takes 2 naps a day, so when he falls asleep in the car and the carrier is no longer an option to keep him asleep, I have to try and transfer him to the stroller.  9 out of 10 times, he wakes up and we all lose that peace from his naptime.  I can't go back now, that would be mean to him and a bit selfish of me, don'tcha think?   ... he is growing up after all.

We had a little birthday party for him.  He LOVED his birthday cake! Grandpa said "aw, let him have another piece.  you're only 1 once!"   so I happily agreed ... and then someone mentioned a puking baby and I quickly changed my mind.  luckily Elliott did not get sick ... but geez, why didn't I think of that?!

His personality is really emerging.  He is a very observant boy, mostly watching how his big brother does things.  He is also turning into a funny guy, just like my other 2 boys.  In this picture, he wanted to show me what he was eating while screaming!  the laughing kind of screaming, not the tantrum kind.

Elliott has taught me a lot about myself this last year.  We've been in a season of trials (still are) and since Elliott has required so much of me this year, I've had to learn to slow down and not get so caught up in all the "stuff."  Having a baby really, I mean REALLY, puts things into perspective.  and any good parent will know that no matter what is happening, family comes first.

hug and kiss your kids ... while they will still let you!!