Be My Valentine

February 14th, 1996 was my first Valentine's Day with Ryan.  From that moment he spoiled me completely and set the bar high!

We were poor college students totally in love!  I made him promise that he wouldn't spend money on flowers for me so instead he did something incredible (you need to understand how much I love fresh cut flowers especially roses).  He wanted our first Valentine's Day to be special so he spent a full week hand crafting a dozen roses, without me knowing his plan!

When he picked me up Valentine's night for our date there sat, in his truck, a vase of a dozen red roses.  I immediately began to get on to him because I told him not to spend money on flowers.  Then he says, "I didn't buy them I made them."  What?????

I have to explain, at that time, I knew he was creative but had no idea how deep the creative juices ran!  I looked closer and realized he had made the roses out of tissue paper and wire!  After taking in this beautiful sight I knew this was a special man!

I kept the vase of roses for 14 years!  Just last year I removed them from our attic.  Ryan continues to spoil me and do very creative things to show me how much he loves me and cherishes our relationship.  I'm always looking forward to the next project on his list, even if it's not for me.  I enjoy watching him create! (Even if projects mean working on them in my living room!:)

Photo Ryan took at Dole Plantation in Hawaii Summer 2009

Pray, Mourn, Praise, & Move On

Last week in the chronological Bible study we took a look at more of David's reign as King. The story of his life makes so much more sense when you read it chronologically. I highly recommend it!

I learned some new things like Bathsheeba was the daughter of one of David's mighty men. So, he knew her before the rooftop scene. One observation stood out the most, David's reaction to the illness and death of his and Bathsheeba's baby. David prayed and mourned while the baby was sick. He poured his heart to God in prayer and made requests for the child to be healed. He was even questioned by those closest to him for doing this. Here is what I saw new, once the baby died David stopped his mourning, worshipped God, and moved on. The blogger asked the question, "What do you take away from David's reaction?"

For the first time I realized that I like to hang out in the mourning stage a lot longer than God intends me to! I'm pretty good about praying about tough situations and having faith that God will do what's best, but when the answer comes and it's a time of loss I like to hang out in the mourning stage hoping the answer will change.

Thanks David for another insight into having a heart after God. Pray, mourn, worship, and move on!

Source of My Almost "Perfect" Day

I'm in the middle of week 18 of a chronological Bible study and we are smack in the middle of David's life.  One of the key applicable lessons I've learned is when God gives me something/anything it's always meant to bless others and not just a treasure for me to enjoy.  He wants me to pass it on so that He can be seen, felt, and heard by others.  It's another way for them to see Christ in my life and how He can affect theirs.

One of those gifts came today.  I had one of those almost "perfect" days, at least perfect for me.  This is how it went...up at 8:30, boys still asleep, spent time in the Word, boys wake up in great moods, go to Grammy's to attempt to make cake balls with Rachel for Tara's shower, all the kids play together, finish cake balls, go home, boys down for nap, actually get 3 rooms of the house CLEAN, 5 friends come over for a SPA night, eat supper with Ryan Sawyer Knox, back home to wrestle Knox to sleep, time for bed.

So, why was this anywhere near perfect?  For several reasons and one big one hit me while I was vacuuming for my SPA night.  I get to be a stay at home mom and own a business that helps other women have their almost "perfect" days too!  I didn't have a boss telling me what time to be at work, I didn't have to leave my kids in daycare all day, I got to sleep in and still have time to READ my Bible not just skim, I had fun in icing up to my elbows, cleaned my house, and helped three women take a little break from the world and just sit and rest! 

So my blessing reminder was God whispering, "I gave you an almost "perfect"day for you to pass it on".  My BeautiControl business was given to me by Him and He uses it to allow me to have "perfect" days.  My paying it forward means I take time to give the women I come in contact with the same opportunity I have and more.

Gifts from God through BeautiControl:
-ability to be acne free! (if you've never struggled with a daily skin issue you can't even comprehend what a gift this is)
-answer to prayer before I knew I needed an answer - a way to stay at home with Sawyer and Knox
-spiritual mentors I would have never met in any other avenue of my life
-new relationships with women met at Spas that I would have never met otherwise
-learning how to really see and pray for the needs of women
-watching a friend find confidence and freedom in speaking in front of others
-watching others feel financial freedom and dreams come true
-"any time money" to pay bills

This gift isn't just a skincare and makeup company.  He reminds me daily that it's an avenue to share His mercy, grace, love, peace, and all that He is.  When I'm at a SPA there's a room full of women that may be stressed to the point of breaking, distracted, hurting, depressed, in need of love, in need of time to just BE and not BE NEEDED.  I get to give them the gift of rest, fun, pampering, and opportunity to lessen or get rid of stressors.  It's a pretty amazing job!

Thanks God for the reminder that this day and every day comes from you!  Thank you for providing the job that allows me to have almost "perfect" days and pass them on. 

4 Already!

Sawyer is now 4!  He's grown so much.  His first gift was a Snow Day for his birthday!  I knew having you was going to be fun but we had no idea it would include silly songs, cowboys, Indians, early morning bathroom snuggles under the heater, swimming like a fish, driving tractors in your underwear, and being such a great big brother!  Happy birthday, we love you!

Climbing trees has begun

 

 

He's now 41 & 15/16 inches tall! 

First real bike!

Important vs. Urgent

Jesus, I Am Resting, Resting

Jean Sophia Pigott

Jesus, I am resting, resting,

In the joy of what Thou art;

I am finding out the greatness

Of Thy loving heart.

Thou hast bid me gaze upon Thee,

And Thy beauty fills my soul,

For by Thy transforming power,

Thou hast made me whole.

Refrain

Jesus, I am resting, resting,

In the joy of what Thou art;

I am finding out the greatness

Of Thy loving heart.

O, how great Thy loving kindness,

Vaster, broader than the sea!

O, how marvelous Thy goodness,

Lavished all on me!

Yes, I rest in Thee, Belovèd,

Know what wealth of grace is Thine,

Know Thy certainty of promise,

And have made it mine.

Refrain

Simply trusting Thee, Lord Jesus,

I behold Thee as Thou art,

And Thy love, so pure, so changeless,

Satisfies my heart;

Satisfies its deepest longings,

Meets, supplies its every need,

Compasseth me round with blessings:

Thine is love indeed!

Refrain

Ever lift Thy face upon me

As I work and wait for Thee;

Resting ’neath Thy smile, Lord Jesus,

Earth’s dark shadows flee.

Brightness of my Father’s glory,

Sunshine of my Father’s face,

Keep me ever trusting, resting,

Fill me with Thy grace.

Refrain

I was reminded today of one of my favorite hymns (lyrics above).  The reminder came while I was reading a podcast about PRIORITIES (DeMoss).  How the urgent isn't always the important.  I am notorious for being distracted by the URGENT and never getting to the IMPORTANT.  I've teased my middle sister for years about being DISTRACTED.  She was even given the "Spice Girl" name of "Distracted Spice", however I think roles have turned and I'm about to be given the title.

On this December 31st, I'm reviewing 2010 and wondering if I accomplished the IMPORTANT things, or I've stayed distracted by the URGENT.  Then  I look at my PRIORITIES: wife, mom, business owner, speech pathologist, Sunday School teacher, children's helper, friend, sister, daughter, etc., etc.  Your list probably looks much the same.  Those priorities are my IMPORTANTS, then the URGENT DISTRACTORS come: house work, bills, things I loose, things I over commit to, television, naps, music searches, Internet, etc, etc.  So the verdict is.. I have been more distracted with the URGENT than focused on the IMPORTANT.

I don't do New Year's Resolutions so, my commitment to 2011 is...
-to try to daily focus on the IMPORTANTS and pray that God will steer me from the DISTRACTORS when needed, some DISTRACTORS are in His timing
-to be FULLY present in whatever task I'm doing, if I'm working then FULLY working, if I'm playing with kids-FULLY present with them (cell phone off), when studying God's Word-FULLY thinking and listening, when my husband is home-FULLY present with him
-to keep the clutter removed from the house (this is the BIG one)
-Whatever you do work at it with all your heart as working for the Lord and not man, Colossians 3:23
-So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the Glory of God, 1 Corinthians 10:31

So, back to the hymn lyrics I shared in the beginning, staying focused on the priority of the IMPORTANT task of resting daily in Christ will keep me on track to my 2011 commitment.  "Keep me ever trusting, resting, fill me with Thy grace"

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

All things new!

Every time I go to compose a post I get lost in the words floating, sky diving, and hurling through my mind. I think that I have all these conversations that someone will be interested in and then realize, I'm really the only one who cares what is floating around in my brain. I'm not ironic with words, not great with grammar, or comical in a delivery. In spite of all this, I'm going to take a shot at it. I've been recently inspired by several people I went to college with who seem fearless to me.

These "fearless" people, as I have deemed them, would probably say to you that they aren't, however, in my eyes they're unstoppable and not afraid to try things new and out of the box. Now that I'm in my 30's I'm beginning to question if I'm just living or if I'm taking life by the horns, like they are. So, what would be fearless for me?
-Reading all the books I think I don't have time for
-embracing photography like I've always wanted
-singing without reservations
-being completely "present" with my boys
-running my business successfully and still having time to do all these other things
-cooking, really cooking with recipes and everything!
-becoming fluent in a second language
-using coupons!!!!!
-finishing a year long chronological Bible study

This is beginning to sound like a bucket list, not my intention. I guess I just want to wear too many hats or maybe I know that God created us all to fulfill His creation by being creative with the mind and body He gave us.

Regardless of the never ending list, I'm going to start looking at my day through the eyes of a 3 year old and 5 month old. So much is new, the smallest thing is inspiring, tasks are carried out with giggles & determination, and every day is new with excitement! Who cares if my eyes don't focus right, my abs are invisible, I think I don't have the resources, and my house is a scary mess. God makes all things new and I can be fearless too.

**The little guy above is one of my inspirations!!!!

New Year New Adventures

Well Christmas, the New Year, and Sawyer's 1st birthday flew by quickly! We had a great time with his firsts - Christmas, birthday, presents, and his 1st hair cut was this week! He was very cooperative. I was a little nervous because he had slept most of the day and his teeth were bothering him, but he did great! He actually had fun I think!

YEAH!! for Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is my FAVORITE holiday and I think Sawyer enjoyed his first Thanksgiving! Even though Ryan didn't get any sleep due to a crazy tooth! We all ate the traditional meal at mom's and Sawyer of course is spoiled rotten now. Why would any kid be rotten after being allowed to sit in the middle of the table and eat off every one's dessert plate! All the kids went to our traditional movie Thursday night - Enchanted. We redeemed ourselves from last year's horrible movie! Then spent the rest of the time helping mom and dad pack. Caldwell here we come!

Little Stinker

So... Sunday night I was talking to mom and dad on the phone and I could smell Sawyer. So, I asked Ryan to go change him. While they were in the bedroom I got off the phone and continued to cook. As I walked into the living room I saw something on the floor that I didn't remember being there. In the middle of turning around I realized what it was before I looked at it again! Yes, a ball of Sawyer's diaper contents rolled out of his diaper, down his pants leg, and onto the floor!!!!! We have no idea how it happened because he didn't have any residue on his leg or his pants! I have never laughed so hard!!! I took a picture of it but Ryan said it would be inappropriate to post it on the blog!

How Time Flies

Sawyer is now nine months old! I can't believe how fast time is flying and how quickly he is learning new things. just in the past couple of weeks he is waving bye on command, sitting on his knees to play, getting more teeth, crawling away from us very quickly when we're trying to take something away from him, and attempting to stand without holding something for balance. I can't even keep up with everything he is doing.

Last week Jada turned 1. I can't believe it's been a year since we found out about her! Now we can't imagine not having her around. Sawyer loves playing with her so much. they both get very excited when they see each other.

Last weekend was OBU Homecoming and the whole crew, minus a few who we missed very much Ginny- Cindy- Amber, went to the cabin again. This year there were many kids and babies. Jared mentioned several times that the dynamics have really changed in the past couple of years! It was fun to watch all of them interact together!

Several times at the cabin people mentioned "I can't believe I'm 30 now", or "I can't believe I'm almost 30". I think I'm kind of liking this getting older thing. I can't stop it so I might as well enjoy it! So, for all you 30 haters- Yeahhhh for 30!