Break Time

Taking a break from blogging......to think, dream and pray about the direction that this blog should take. But PLEASE check out this AWESOME bloggers!

Pastor Troy Gramling, Heather Palacios, Country Cuban, Pastor Brian Fuller, Heredes, Scott Williams, Jason Curlee, Ben Reed, Anne Jackson, Micheal Hyatt, Alan Danielson, Lindsey Nobles, Pastor Steven Furtick, Pastor Perry Noble.

Enjoy friends.......xoxoxo

Ho, Ho, Ho

Man oh Man....This Christmas has been an absolute BLAST so far (and it has absolutely NOTHING to do with any gifts received or given). Although giving is an absolute blessing to the giver, being with Family far surpasses that, Big Time!!!

Before I go off on a squirrel moment (if you haven't seen UP, check it out), let me pick up from yesterday's post. I love trying to look for the lesson in everything, for learning and for teaching my rug rats and this year, it came to me late last night.

It's a Heart Matter! My wrapping was all jacked up this year. I wrapped things with masking tape, crumbled paper, target bags, Avon books (take out the staples and tape the pages together & vuala, you got wrapping paper) & anything that I can get my hands on - as long as it wasn't pretty, I was all over it. And man, I was so excited. I couldn't even fall asleep until after 2am, and I woke up before everyone (a first). Oh wait, I didn't tell you, I wrapped their gifts, then put their gifts into one box - so each kid gets ONE box.

They Awake......

Everyone gets up, we all pray together and remind one another of the TRUE reason for the season is, then Mom goes into "The Speech".

• You cannot judge someone by their appearance. No matter how "pretty" they look on the outside, the could be Ugly on the inside. And the same is true for the opposite. No matter how jacked up someone looks, that does NOT reflect how their heart it.
• You cannot assume that you know how a situation is going to play out, because YOU NEVER KNOW. Do NOT always assume that a situation will turn out negative.
• As ugly as we can be towards one another or others, God's sees the gem in us, and we must do the same.

It was short, sweet and to the point. And by George, I think they heard me! (I'm sure they heard it more than me......because God most definitely went ahead of me (as He usually does)).

Now it's time to open the gifts and I forgot who's gift was who's.... Hysterical (and they didn't even get mad/upset). They started to open the box and if it wasn't there's, they had an opportunity to be happy for the other person, and the other person was really shocked, because they were busy open someone elses stuff.

And even after everyone opened their gifts and were very grateful for all they got, the best part of this Christmas so far, was when the family arrived. My mom, dad, niece (she's being deployed to Iraq in a few days), sister, nephew, & in-laws came to join us for our Christmas breakfast. And we LAUGHED, cried and just loved on one another. It was TRULY a priceless moment!! Worth far more than ANY gift that can ever be bought. It just really confirms what I believe. We were created with a deep rooted craving to connect.

Merry, Merry Christmas!

It's late night and I'm TOTALLY wired. Not only because I had an AMAZING time @ Flamingo Road Church (Phenominal Service, phenominal message and it was/is very humbling to be a part of SO much life change), but I'm SO excited for my babies. You see, I absolutely LOVE surprises (not only getting surprised, but giving them - actually, I just might like giving them more).

So, I thought of this really cool way to teach the kids about the value of "looking" at the heart of a person (or issue) rather than the outside of a person (or "problem) (this one gets directed more to my teens rather than my 11 year old, but a lesson to all none the less), AND, there's also a lesson about getting creative with limited resources (my 18 year old hated when I said those words, "limited resources").

What is it you may ask? I'll let you know tomorrow, but for now, have a Very Merry Christmas. Make lots of memories :))

Stress Free Christmas?

Christmas is NOT supposed to be crazy.........but it is.

Christmas is NOT supposed to be stressful........but it is.

Christmas is NOT supposed to be hurried.........but it is.

Christmas is NOT supposed to be hurtful........but it is.

I bombed this Christmas...big time. I waited too long, therefore, having to be hurried, therefore having to be stressed, therefore having no paitence with family and having to be hurt. ARGH!!!

Why does this happen? For me, it is because I'm terrible with planning and thinking things through. I'm the, jump now and ask questions later (I actually think the last minute craziness would be cool.....UNTIL I have to actually go through it...Ahhhh). And you would think I would actualy employ the help of my thinking cap wearing husband. He's what I'd like to call the "Heavy Duty Thinker". He thinks too much for me at times, and maybe that's why I hesitated to ask for his help - because the control freak in me wants to JUST GET IT DONE!

Ok, enough rambling......... What to learn - right now - even three days away from Christmas??

• We CANNOT do it all on our own!
• We MUST employ the help of our loved ones - MUST!
• We MUST plan ahead (and if you are like me, GET SOMEONE to help "map out" a gameplan)!
• We CANNOT leave God out of our day's.....No matter how busy!
• We CANNOT starve our soul - no matter how busy & short for time!
• We CANNOT forget that Our God gives us grace and mercies anew EACH day!
• We CANNOT forget that the enemy wants to derail and side track us; especially when we screw up. DO NOT believe the lies!
• And most importantly, We CANNOT forget the TRUE reason for the season. Jesus was born (for you and for me)!

Mommies, your family is counting on YOU to keep face, to keep steadfast, to stay on track. Do not let one screw up derail you! I am here to tell you that I've screwed up COUNTLESS times, even have given up a few (embarrased about that, but will not stay shut any longer); but thankfully, God has picked me up, dusted me off and reminded me that there is absolutely NOTHING that I can do to warrant His FREE gift, His Love for ME, & His promises for Me.

Let's not take this all on by ourselves, but seek those that can rally around us and help us in the areas in which we are weak. May the next three day's be filled with peace for you and yours!

Tools > Knowledge < Action

2nd Timothy 3:7

"always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth."

Man, this one jumped out at me.....AWESOME stuff!!!

And I thought.....We can have all the "right" tools (pens, pencils, commentaries, pda, notebook, phone apps, podcasts, music, the "right" people on speed dial, and even the "right" experience in your field)...... learn from those tools (gain knowledge, wisdom, & "know how")......However, if we fail to put it into ACTION; those very same tools can become The Distraction that keeps us in a wandering state.

Deployment Ceremony

This is my niece, Sonia (the one with the biggest smile in the center, right behind the guy holding the flag...who is also turning 23 on 12/21) who will soon be shipped off to Iraq (12/27/09). I had the amazing opportunity to be there for her deployment ceremony (BTW...LOVE the Army and there short, sweet and to the point kind of style), not only with my girls, but I got to go up with my sister (Sonia's mommy). My sister and I have not done anything like that (the trip) in forever, so it was a major treat/memory for me and the girls.

It all kind of felt surreal until the ceremony began. That's when it all became "official"/real. Here I am listening to the Chaplin pray and the master of ceremonies go all over all the training that this group of men and women had to go through in order to prepare for......WAR. Wow...talk about hit me like a ton of bricks. I mean really...she was just for years old, like yesterday. Her and I playing dress up (or me playing with her like she was one of my dolls), then she was 9, sleeping in the dogs bed, then 16 and in full swing with every sport available, then 18 and off to Hofstra University.......and Now off to defend our country. As I stood watching her company and listening, I could not help but begin to weep. She's leaving us...this is really happening!

Sonia, if your big green eyes should stumble upon this page, I want you to know a few things. First and foremost, God absolutely adores you and sees you as a precious gem. He formed you, knows every hair on your head and has a GREAT plan for your life. He has never, nor will He ever forget you - NEVER. Seek Him my girl....seek Him with a passion!

I am Extremely Honored & Blessed to have been woven into your life, and I am VERY proud of you. I am seriously grateful for it ALL, Zone. The tears, disappointments, joy's, Starbucks runs, mall runs, laughing so hard we hurt, midnight talks and most of all, I'm grateful at how God used YOU to shower me with His love.

Thank you Zone....for being a part of my life....and for defending my freedom...Our freedom. I absolutely adore you baby girl.

God speed!!

Truth or Dare

I remember playing truth or dare in Junior High School (that's what we called it (middle school) in NY). Did you ever play? It was pretty intense at times - right? I mean, here you are, leaving yourself open for anything - gulp. Will they ask me if I like him or will they ask me to be honest about something that may possibly hurt someone?

Things haven't changed much though - if you think about it. Don't you kind of avoid "confrontational" situations because they'll either make things way too uncomfortable for you, or even worst, it might hurt someone you consider to be a friend. Argh!!!

What do you do then? Don't we all want people to be honest with us, don't we want our friends to be truthful even to the point of feeling that discomfort? Hey, what if you walked around with a snot hanging from your noise all day and no one told you? Or worst, what if you had toilet paper hanging from the back of your pants and no one told you? You, along with me, would be completely embarrassed (and yes, the toilet paper thing happened to me), and I think it's safe to say you'd be a bit ticked off and say something like, "how could you"?

Dare I to ask, "How could WE"?:

• call a friend a friend without being truthful with them. And that also means taking the time to truly think through your thoughts and approach them with an attitude of love. They are your friends after all, and deserve not only your honesty, but your best effort.
• call a friend a friend and not want them to reach their potential. Speaking out of love, don't you think, will make them (and you) a better person? Absolutely! All healthy things grow, and a relationship that is dedicated to truth will flourish.

"Truth and tears clear the way to a deep and lasting friendship"

-Danielle N. Renfield