“Glory to God in highest heaven,
and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”
Luke 2:14
Merry Christmas!
Friday, December 25
Glory to God!
Sunday, November 15
Thistle Farms
This morning an Episcopal priest named Becca Stevens came to our church and spoke about about two amazing ministries, Thistle Farms and Magdalene.
She quoted her book, Find Your Way Home: Words from the Street, Wisdom from the Heart:
She quoted her book, Find Your Way Home: Words from the Street, Wisdom from the Heart:
The thistle blooms in streets and alleys where women walk and sleep.
We spend a lot of time considering the thistle --
it's rough exterior,
its soft and regal center,
and its capacity to break through concrete to blossom.
In a world that names weeds,
we taste the riches of thistles and savor their beauty.
We are thistle farmers.
The world is our farm, and we harvest where other people
do not want to travel.
I was going to attempt to describe Thistle Farms and Magdalene on my own, but I'm sure they say it much better:
Thistle Farms is a non-profit business run by women who have survived lives of violence, prostitution, and abuse. Thistle Farms products are hand-made by the very women they benefit. All proceeds go back into Thistle Farms and the residential program, Magdalene, where the women live in community for 2 years. Into every product goes the belief that love is the strongest force for change in the world.
Saturday, November 7
One Year Old
Can you believe it? My baby girl is a year old!
Look at those cute little (sharp) teeth!
We celebrated Baby Bee's special day with a pumpkin carving party. This spider was carved by a third grader. Impressive!
We learned that jack-o-lanterns don't do well in wet 80 degree weather. They didn't make it to Halloween. Yuck!
This is the chocolate pumpkin smash cake I made for Baby Bee.I made one just like it for my dad. His birthday was the next day.
Chocolate and coffee cake with milk chocolate ganache and buttercream frosting.
The pumpkins are covered with chocolate poured fondant.
The sweetest little pumpkin, ever.Wednesday, October 28
Monday, October 5
Spend my time
Lets get ready to ramble! I'm apologizing up front for the scattered nature of this post. :)
My sponsor called me Saturday. She said that she is concerned about my recovery. She said that she wonders if I spend my time on good things when I could be spend my time on great things. Understandably, I'm a mom of three, so I am busy. She doesn't want to me to add anything new, but wants me to evaluate how I spend my time now. My assignment is to write, after thinking about it for a few days.
So, it is two days later, and I've been thinking. Honestly, the phone call annoyed me. This assignment annoys me. I guess I don't want to confront my poor time management tendencies. I love my sponsor. She isn't afraid to give me annoying assignments.
I look around me and it is painfully obvious that my family and I are pigs. Everyone here detests cleaning. Yardboy and I were raised by pack rats, so we weren't taught how to get rid of junk. I'm afraid that we are passing that trait on to our poor kids.
Another trait I got from my parents is creativity. I get an idea in my head and I have to make it. Over the past three months I've designed and made a sling and dressing cover for Little Man, sandwich wrappers, cloth diapers, and a harness for use in restaurant high chairs or shopping carts. Today I purchased fake pumpkins and tonight I carved them to use as decorations for Baby Bee's first birthday party. This Thursday I'll be heading to my Step Study. I'm bringing my beads, so anyone that wants to can make a Serenity Prayer bracelet. Of course, I still make my cakes too.
Okay, yes. I know I spend too much time on the computer. I'm on the computer now. Does this count? I check email at least twice daily and I do Facebook, blogs, and general surfing too. Also, I edit photos and do some online shopping. I know that I will always check my email, so I have my daily devotional emailed to me. I like to read the same passage in several versions, so most of my bible reading at biblegateway.com. When I get worn out (or bored) I often sit down at the computer and get stuck here for much longer than I intended. Today I got stuck looking at pumpkin decorations--such cute ideas.
I tend to get overwhelmed with the state of my home and just give up. I don't know where to start. Several months ago, my friend Crickey helped me out so much with organizing and getting rid of excess stuff. I learned a lot from her, and I'm doing better, but it is still a struggle.
When I get overwhelmed like this, I look for an escape. Here are some ways I like to escape: computer, television, bath, crafts, cooking, baking, shopping, meeting with friends, talking on the phone, texting, sleep, eating, and spending time with my family.
Serving others brings me joy and purpose. I'm involved in Celebrate Recovery leadership, Celebration Station (CR children's ministry), decoration/setup for our church service on Sunday morning, Moms in Touch International, and Kidstuf (quarterly family production). Of course, I'm also the 24 hour concierge for my kids and husband.
I have to be careful not to over commit myself. I'm learning to say no. I'm no longer in a MOPS group, I declined a bible study at Little Man's school. I no longer do the shopping for CR dinners. I don't volunteer at Sunday School. I dropped out of the food ministry for sick congregation members. I quit La Leche League. I'm planning to give back the serger I borrowed since I don't need to spend all my time and money on sewing. I rarely read for pleasure (although I like reading).
Okay, there are some other things I else guess I'm hiding from--my Step Four Inventory and exercise. Actually, I'm nearly done with my inventory. I can probably finish in just a few hours. I'm not afraid of finishing it or exercising. It just seems that so much else is more pressing. Yes, tonight the stupid, cute pumpkins for my baby were more important than my Moral Inventory and exercise. Sunday night straightening the living room and doing laundry were more important. Saturday night sewing diapers was more important. Two weeks ago, writing my testimony was more important. Not that I profess the things to be more important, but my actions prove that they were more important.
With all of that said, I don't exactly know what I will do now. Maybe I should make myself a daily schedule. We will see. Hmmmm. I guess I should also pray about this. Duh.
My sponsor called me Saturday. She said that she is concerned about my recovery. She said that she wonders if I spend my time on good things when I could be spend my time on great things. Understandably, I'm a mom of three, so I am busy. She doesn't want to me to add anything new, but wants me to evaluate how I spend my time now. My assignment is to write, after thinking about it for a few days.
So, it is two days later, and I've been thinking. Honestly, the phone call annoyed me. This assignment annoys me. I guess I don't want to confront my poor time management tendencies. I love my sponsor. She isn't afraid to give me annoying assignments.
I look around me and it is painfully obvious that my family and I are pigs. Everyone here detests cleaning. Yardboy and I were raised by pack rats, so we weren't taught how to get rid of junk. I'm afraid that we are passing that trait on to our poor kids.
Another trait I got from my parents is creativity. I get an idea in my head and I have to make it. Over the past three months I've designed and made a sling and dressing cover for Little Man, sandwich wrappers, cloth diapers, and a harness for use in restaurant high chairs or shopping carts. Today I purchased fake pumpkins and tonight I carved them to use as decorations for Baby Bee's first birthday party. This Thursday I'll be heading to my Step Study. I'm bringing my beads, so anyone that wants to can make a Serenity Prayer bracelet. Of course, I still make my cakes too.
Okay, yes. I know I spend too much time on the computer. I'm on the computer now. Does this count? I check email at least twice daily and I do Facebook, blogs, and general surfing too. Also, I edit photos and do some online shopping. I know that I will always check my email, so I have my daily devotional emailed to me. I like to read the same passage in several versions, so most of my bible reading at biblegateway.com. When I get worn out (or bored) I often sit down at the computer and get stuck here for much longer than I intended. Today I got stuck looking at pumpkin decorations--such cute ideas.
I tend to get overwhelmed with the state of my home and just give up. I don't know where to start. Several months ago, my friend Crickey helped me out so much with organizing and getting rid of excess stuff. I learned a lot from her, and I'm doing better, but it is still a struggle.
When I get overwhelmed like this, I look for an escape. Here are some ways I like to escape: computer, television, bath, crafts, cooking, baking, shopping, meeting with friends, talking on the phone, texting, sleep, eating, and spending time with my family.
Serving others brings me joy and purpose. I'm involved in Celebrate Recovery leadership, Celebration Station (CR children's ministry), decoration/setup for our church service on Sunday morning, Moms in Touch International, and Kidstuf (quarterly family production). Of course, I'm also the 24 hour concierge for my kids and husband.
I have to be careful not to over commit myself. I'm learning to say no. I'm no longer in a MOPS group, I declined a bible study at Little Man's school. I no longer do the shopping for CR dinners. I don't volunteer at Sunday School. I dropped out of the food ministry for sick congregation members. I quit La Leche League. I'm planning to give back the serger I borrowed since I don't need to spend all my time and money on sewing. I rarely read for pleasure (although I like reading).
Okay, there are some other things I else guess I'm hiding from--my Step Four Inventory and exercise. Actually, I'm nearly done with my inventory. I can probably finish in just a few hours. I'm not afraid of finishing it or exercising. It just seems that so much else is more pressing. Yes, tonight the stupid, cute pumpkins for my baby were more important than my Moral Inventory and exercise. Sunday night straightening the living room and doing laundry were more important. Saturday night sewing diapers was more important. Two weeks ago, writing my testimony was more important. Not that I profess the things to be more important, but my actions prove that they were more important.
With all of that said, I don't exactly know what I will do now. Maybe I should make myself a daily schedule. We will see. Hmmmm. I guess I should also pray about this. Duh.
Sunday, September 27
Survivor
I sat down tonight to blog about cloth diapers. Yes, we've made the switch to cloth,and yes, we like them.
However, that isn't what I need to blog about tonight. I'll save the diaper talk for another post.
Friday night I went to my parents church in my hometown to read my recovery story. This is no wimpy, skim the surface testimony. This is down and dirty, warts and all testimony. I even invited several friends who aren't in recovery. I stood in front of about 100 people and shared it all.
If you've read my blog at all over the last few years, you know that struggle with anger, depression, codependency, and food addiction. But there is one thing I've kept private. I've never mentioned my biggest, toughest, darkest area of recovery. Friday night I openly spoke about it, so I might as well speak of it here too.
YIKES! Here goes... I'm a SURVIVOR of childhood sexual abuse. Oh my goodness, I can't believe I said it. I'm feeling quite exposed right now. I really want to talk about cloth diapers.
Please, no sympathy comments. I survived and I'm working through it with God's help. Three years ago, this secret was crippling, but it isn't anymore. I guess I'm putting this out there just in case someone else needs encouragement.
Healing is possible! Freedom is possible! I'm celebrating recovery from childhood sexual abuse, and other survivors can too!
However, that isn't what I need to blog about tonight. I'll save the diaper talk for another post.
Friday night I went to my parents church in my hometown to read my recovery story. This is no wimpy, skim the surface testimony. This is down and dirty, warts and all testimony. I even invited several friends who aren't in recovery. I stood in front of about 100 people and shared it all.
If you've read my blog at all over the last few years, you know that struggle with anger, depression, codependency, and food addiction. But there is one thing I've kept private. I've never mentioned my biggest, toughest, darkest area of recovery. Friday night I openly spoke about it, so I might as well speak of it here too.
YIKES! Here goes... I'm a SURVIVOR of childhood sexual abuse. Oh my goodness, I can't believe I said it. I'm feeling quite exposed right now. I really want to talk about cloth diapers.
Please, no sympathy comments. I survived and I'm working through it with God's help. Three years ago, this secret was crippling, but it isn't anymore. I guess I'm putting this out there just in case someone else needs encouragement.
Healing is possible! Freedom is possible! I'm celebrating recovery from childhood sexual abuse, and other survivors can too!
Tuesday, September 8
End of Summer Summary
Wow, I've seriously neglected my blog this summer. Anyway, school is back in session now, so I better get back to typing. Here's a rundown of what We've been up to:
The first couple weeks of summer I enrolled the kids in gymnastics, swim lessons, and Vacation Bible School. Baby Bee loved the water, as did Tater and Little Man. Hooray! Tater can finally swim! VBS was okay, but not a big thrill. We never even made it to gymnastics (over $80 wasted).
We also spent a week at the beach with my family. The water, sand, and sky were amazing, but it was sweltering. We spent our days inside and went to the beach in the evenings. I even took the kids for their first roller skating trip. Can you believe that I didn't fall?
On July 1 the real excitement began. Little Man got his middle finger on his right hand stuck in the bathroom door. He came out of the bathroom screaming and holding his hand. The soft tissue up to the first knuckle was gone and bone was sticking out. I found the amputated portion sitting on the door hinge.
After a 911 call, a ride to the hospital in the ambulance, morphine, emergency plastic surgery, and a night on the pediatric floor, we got go home. Little Man's hand was wrapped up for four weeks and then he had his second surgery. A week after that, the bandages came off for good. I must say, his finger looks better than I expected. It will always be a little funky, but it really isn't that noticeable. I am so grateful!
On July 31, Yardboy went to Nicaragua for a mission trip. He played the drums in several worship concerts and helped in a free medical clinic. Apparently, they really think highly of drummers in Nicaragua. Everyone that went on the trip jokes about my Yardboy being a rock star. How funny! Yardboy came home on August 8. We were all so happy to have him safely home again. It will be my turn to do a similar trip next year!
School started back a couple of weeks ago. Tater is in the 2nd grade, and Little Man is in K4, five mornings a week. They both really enjoy school. I'm so glad they like it, especially since I absolutely hated school.
Baby Bee is amazing! Now at 10 months old (gasp) she is into everything. Right now she is under my computer desk reeking havoc on old papers. She uses several baby signs including: bye bye, all done, where did it go, milk, and more. She is growing normally and sleeps all night long (insert angelic voices here).
I started a new Celebrate Recovery Step Study a couple months ago. I'm struggling with my compulsion to overeat, so I'm really focusing on my relationship with food this time. I'm currently working on Step Four. Also, I'm writing my testimony. I'm scheduled to read it aloud for a large group on September 25. Oh my goodness! Prayers please!
I had a fantastic Labor Day weekend with my family and now we are all really dragging. We had lunch with my extended family, and dinner with Yardboy's parents on Saturday. We camped in the back yard with the kids Sunday night. Yesterday we went to a theme park an hour and a half away and had a blast. It was tough to get everyone out of the house this morning. Tonight we will be going to bed early.
That was my summer. I'm looking forward to autumn, my favorite season of all.
The first couple weeks of summer I enrolled the kids in gymnastics, swim lessons, and Vacation Bible School. Baby Bee loved the water, as did Tater and Little Man. Hooray! Tater can finally swim! VBS was okay, but not a big thrill. We never even made it to gymnastics (over $80 wasted).
We also spent a week at the beach with my family. The water, sand, and sky were amazing, but it was sweltering. We spent our days inside and went to the beach in the evenings. I even took the kids for their first roller skating trip. Can you believe that I didn't fall?
On July 1 the real excitement began. Little Man got his middle finger on his right hand stuck in the bathroom door. He came out of the bathroom screaming and holding his hand. The soft tissue up to the first knuckle was gone and bone was sticking out. I found the amputated portion sitting on the door hinge.
After a 911 call, a ride to the hospital in the ambulance, morphine, emergency plastic surgery, and a night on the pediatric floor, we got go home. Little Man's hand was wrapped up for four weeks and then he had his second surgery. A week after that, the bandages came off for good. I must say, his finger looks better than I expected. It will always be a little funky, but it really isn't that noticeable. I am so grateful!
On July 31, Yardboy went to Nicaragua for a mission trip. He played the drums in several worship concerts and helped in a free medical clinic. Apparently, they really think highly of drummers in Nicaragua. Everyone that went on the trip jokes about my Yardboy being a rock star. How funny! Yardboy came home on August 8. We were all so happy to have him safely home again. It will be my turn to do a similar trip next year!
School started back a couple of weeks ago. Tater is in the 2nd grade, and Little Man is in K4, five mornings a week. They both really enjoy school. I'm so glad they like it, especially since I absolutely hated school.
Baby Bee is amazing! Now at 10 months old (gasp) she is into everything. Right now she is under my computer desk reeking havoc on old papers. She uses several baby signs including: bye bye, all done, where did it go, milk, and more. She is growing normally and sleeps all night long (insert angelic voices here).
I started a new Celebrate Recovery Step Study a couple months ago. I'm struggling with my compulsion to overeat, so I'm really focusing on my relationship with food this time. I'm currently working on Step Four. Also, I'm writing my testimony. I'm scheduled to read it aloud for a large group on September 25. Oh my goodness! Prayers please!
I had a fantastic Labor Day weekend with my family and now we are all really dragging. We had lunch with my extended family, and dinner with Yardboy's parents on Saturday. We camped in the back yard with the kids Sunday night. Yesterday we went to a theme park an hour and a half away and had a blast. It was tough to get everyone out of the house this morning. Tonight we will be going to bed early.
That was my summer. I'm looking forward to autumn, my favorite season of all.
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