Some crazy storms have been cutting through the Midwest this week, from snow to high winds causing blizzard conditions.
It has been interesting to go through this week and see how much a little weather can cause your life to change.
Monday school got out early which meant that dance was postponed. We moved it to today, but I thought it might be nice because I wasn't going to work Friday as I had to work Saturday at our winter sports area for work. However, school has then been out and had the schedule changed, and winds changed snow conditions, so I wasn't sure if we would have dance or if I would be working Friday or Saturday.
It ended up that my schedule was completely normal, even a little freer than usual because dance was once again postponed and the wind blew all the snow away from our sports area at work so there is no need to work this weekend.
However, we were thankful for the storms that blew in when it meant that everything was cancelled tonight and all my college girlfriends and I could actually get together and chat. We try to do it every two weeks, but it doesn't usually work out for all of us at the same time. Tonight, the storms freed all our schedules to coincide.
Chatting about pregnancy, people we know in common, movies, work, tattoos --- it's just nice to be a five-some once again.
Living in the Midwest, we usually see winter as rough, cold, long and miserable. We wonder why we live in such a cold place, where it sometimes hurts to walk outside.
But when those snowy days bring everyone into the living room to play a game in front of a warm fire, or puppies run inside and want to cuddle up on your lap, or tight schedules are loosened and allow old friends to catch up, it seems like winter might just be a treasure that brings people together.
They say "cold hands, warm heart," and since pretty much everyone in Midwest has cold hands in the winter, it must warm up all our hearts.
Thursday, January 8, 2015
Wednesday, January 7, 2015
What I want to wake up to
What would you wake up with today if you only had what you thanked God for yesterday?
It's important to go through life with thankfulness, and I think this question makes us think about how many things we want and like that we don't thank God for.
So here are 10 things I want to wake up with tomorrow that I'm thankful for today.
1. My husband --- I certainly want to wake up with him every day.
2. My job --- We have lots of financial goals, and I would like to help my husband meet them by continuing to have a job!
3. My warm home --- With temperatures in the negative digits, I'm thankful for this warm place to live.
4. My dog --- She is grumpy but her cuddles are the best.
5. The rest of my family --- I have a wonderful family that I'm very thankful for.
6. My faith --- Of course, I would be nowhere without Jesus.
7. A free country --- We never know what's going to happen, so each day I'm thankful I still live in a place that's free and where I can safely have my Christian beliefs.
8. Money --- It's hard to not be thankful for a safe account in the bank that we can have bless others and still have fun.
9. Friends --- Although I like to think I don't need anyone other than my man, I'm blessed with some wonderful friends and I want to have them when I wake up tomorrow.
10. Food on the table --- The fish in the oven downstairs are filling and yummy and I'm thankful we don't have to worry where our meals are coming from!
Tuesday, January 6, 2015
Men and marriage sermon
I am obviously not an expert on the topic of men and marriage, because I am neither a man nor have I been married very long. So I thought I would leave you with the words of a great role model of a man and of marriage --- our pastor.
His sermon on Sunday was on men and marriage, and it made me realize just how wonderful my husband is. It seemed like most of what our pastor was recommending my husband is already doing. So I thank God for that.
First, he recommended men learn their wives. When it says in 1 Peter for husbands to live with their wives in an understanding way as we are the weaker vessel, it doesn't mean for them to shake their heads at us and be "understanding" at our limitations. This "understanding" means to know us, to learn us, to acclimate to who we are.
Men need to realize that women are different, specifically because we are women. We are emotional thinkers, we're physically weaker in general, we like different things than men. However, husbands also have to realize that their wife is different because she is her own person. He needs to know her and learn who she is as an individual as well as a woman.
Everyone has a love language as well, or several. Husbands and wives should learn what their spouses' love languages are, because it's not enough to show you care but you have to show you care in a way the other person understands and truly feels cared about.
The five love languages are touch, quality time, words of affirmation, gifts and service. If you want to show your husband you love him by cuddling with him, but what he really wants are words of affirmation and a love letter, cuddling might not show him what you think it does. You need to speak his language, and he needs to speak yours.
Husbands are also commanded to honor their wives. Honor your wife in your speech, both to her and about her. Honor her with your time. Honor her with how you choose to spend money. Honor her parentally and emotionally.
Protect your wife from others, from yourself and from herself. Make sure she is taken care of. Protect her both physically and emotionally.
Finally, lead your wife spiritually. Although the typical U.S. congregation is 61 percent female and 39 percent male, to be a good husband you need to step up and lead your wife and family spiritually. That means praying for her and with her. That means encouraging Bible study together, not just apart. That means discussing spiritual topics. That means seeking God on your own so you can be strong enough to lead her as well.
I think one thing that makes marriages suffer is that men and women think once they have tied the knot that's it. They're done trying. Out come the sweatpants, out the window goes the patience. Marriage is work. It takes thought. So men, be men of God and stand up for your relationship. Take care of your woman!
His sermon on Sunday was on men and marriage, and it made me realize just how wonderful my husband is. It seemed like most of what our pastor was recommending my husband is already doing. So I thank God for that.
First, he recommended men learn their wives. When it says in 1 Peter for husbands to live with their wives in an understanding way as we are the weaker vessel, it doesn't mean for them to shake their heads at us and be "understanding" at our limitations. This "understanding" means to know us, to learn us, to acclimate to who we are.
Men need to realize that women are different, specifically because we are women. We are emotional thinkers, we're physically weaker in general, we like different things than men. However, husbands also have to realize that their wife is different because she is her own person. He needs to know her and learn who she is as an individual as well as a woman.
Everyone has a love language as well, or several. Husbands and wives should learn what their spouses' love languages are, because it's not enough to show you care but you have to show you care in a way the other person understands and truly feels cared about.
The five love languages are touch, quality time, words of affirmation, gifts and service. If you want to show your husband you love him by cuddling with him, but what he really wants are words of affirmation and a love letter, cuddling might not show him what you think it does. You need to speak his language, and he needs to speak yours.
Husbands are also commanded to honor their wives. Honor your wife in your speech, both to her and about her. Honor her with your time. Honor her with how you choose to spend money. Honor her parentally and emotionally.
Protect your wife from others, from yourself and from herself. Make sure she is taken care of. Protect her both physically and emotionally.
Finally, lead your wife spiritually. Although the typical U.S. congregation is 61 percent female and 39 percent male, to be a good husband you need to step up and lead your wife and family spiritually. That means praying for her and with her. That means encouraging Bible study together, not just apart. That means discussing spiritual topics. That means seeking God on your own so you can be strong enough to lead her as well.
I think one thing that makes marriages suffer is that men and women think once they have tied the knot that's it. They're done trying. Out come the sweatpants, out the window goes the patience. Marriage is work. It takes thought. So men, be men of God and stand up for your relationship. Take care of your woman!
Monday, January 5, 2015
Dinner for a chilly night
My husband is shoveling the lovely, massive amount of snow that is hitting the Midwest and dance was postponed due to weather so I'm making something warm for when he comes in.
The teakettle is heating up so I will quickly share my recipes!
Cheesy potato soup
1 stick butter
1/2 cup flour
6 cups milk
6 potatoes
1-2 cups cubed ham
8 ounces cheddar
1 cup sour cream
Melt butter and make a roux with thw flour. Slowly add milk, stirring constantly five minutes. Add cubed potatoes and ham. (We always baked the potatoes, cooled and peeled them but it's less time consuming if you use raw).
Simmer 20 minutes, add cheese and sour cream. Simmer until thickened!
Apple crisp
4-5 cups sliced apples
1/2-3/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup oats
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/2 cup melted butter
Layer sliced apples in buttered 9x9 baking dish. Mix topping ingredients in separate bowl and add melted butter. Sprinkle on apples. Bake about 30 minutes in 350 degree oven.
Friday, January 2, 2015
Planning the garden
Flat beige pepper seeds, teeny tiny cherry tomato seeds, chunky snap pea seeds.
Open, half-filled packages were lined up on my white-painted wood floor as I decided what seeds to plant in my garden this year.
It seemed only fitting that as the new year started I should order seeds for my garden, where new growth is always a sign of impending bounty and beautiful weather.
I have a lot of seeds left from last year that I didn't need since my garden area is so small, but Nate said to buy new seeds anyway because who knows where the world will be in the next couple of years. We might need those extra seeds in a time of less bounty.
I spent lots of time scouring my Seed Savers catalogue when it came in the mail about a month ago and had narrowed the offerings down to the top couple in each variety. Then I finally had to make some decisions as I ordered each.
Two kinds of beans, carrots, peas, tomatoes, peppers, spinach, romaine lettuce, basil and oregano. I got close to the amount you had to order and not pay shipping, so I threw some broom corn on there as well to grow for a beautiful decoration next fall.
Gardening brings so much joy, year round. It's not only when the plants grow and I get to see them turn from tiny sprouts into bountiful harvest, but it's when I look in the freezer and see all that we have that came from the work of our hands and God's blessing. It's so nice to know that you have worked hard and saved money and what you have done is paying off.
I'm already excited about getting those seeds and planning the garden for this year. I think with all the half packets I have this will be a test year. I will get to see which tomatoes really do grow quickest and have a bountiful harvest and which beans taste the best and which carrots grow in the soil we have.
With a new year comes hope of things to come!
Open, half-filled packages were lined up on my white-painted wood floor as I decided what seeds to plant in my garden this year.
It seemed only fitting that as the new year started I should order seeds for my garden, where new growth is always a sign of impending bounty and beautiful weather.
I have a lot of seeds left from last year that I didn't need since my garden area is so small, but Nate said to buy new seeds anyway because who knows where the world will be in the next couple of years. We might need those extra seeds in a time of less bounty.
I spent lots of time scouring my Seed Savers catalogue when it came in the mail about a month ago and had narrowed the offerings down to the top couple in each variety. Then I finally had to make some decisions as I ordered each.
Two kinds of beans, carrots, peas, tomatoes, peppers, spinach, romaine lettuce, basil and oregano. I got close to the amount you had to order and not pay shipping, so I threw some broom corn on there as well to grow for a beautiful decoration next fall.
Gardening brings so much joy, year round. It's not only when the plants grow and I get to see them turn from tiny sprouts into bountiful harvest, but it's when I look in the freezer and see all that we have that came from the work of our hands and God's blessing. It's so nice to know that you have worked hard and saved money and what you have done is paying off.
I'm already excited about getting those seeds and planning the garden for this year. I think with all the half packets I have this will be a test year. I will get to see which tomatoes really do grow quickest and have a bountiful harvest and which beans taste the best and which carrots grow in the soil we have.
With a new year comes hope of things to come!
Thursday, January 1, 2015
Time to enjoy 2015
After a break, I know that I need to start blogging again in 2015.
You know why?
It makes me think. When I know that I need to blog, it makes me contemplate what is going on around me as I try to come up with a topic to write about. The past two months when I haven't written a post, I've realized that I've been going along and living life without thinking much about it.
It's a new year, and I know that I need to appreciate each day as it comes and really soak in those little moments and little things that make everyday life worth living and enjoying.
You don't have to constantly do something "fun" to enjoy life. It's those little moments, like I say in the description of this blog, that are so wonderful.
Last night, most people went out and partied to celebrate the new year. Nate and I discussed what we wanted to do since we both had the night off, and we ultimately came to the conclusion that we didn't have a desire to go out and deal with crowds of people.
We picked up a taco pizza and watched "Mike & Molly" until we went to bed about 9:30 p.m. (don't judge us, we're both sick) and watched some of "The O.C."
I was thinking about it, and I realized that many people go out on New Year's Eve to find someone to kiss and go home with, but we already had that. What was the need to go out and get annoyed at the crowds and waste money? We had a perfectly good time, and we're plenty rested today!
Plus, this morning I got a special treat. Nate was heading downstairs to get a bowl of cereal, and I asked if he would make us French toast --- because for some reason I am terrible at it. He brought me up a plate with four pieces of deliciousness topped with syrup and whipped cream and himself a bowl of cereal. I figured he would make French toast for both of us, but he made it just for me instead of saying he was in the mood for cereal. I'm sorry if it's bragging, but what a wonderful man!
So it's those little moments like last night and this morning that I am going to cherish this year.
Happy 2015, and enjoy the little things.
You know why?
It makes me think. When I know that I need to blog, it makes me contemplate what is going on around me as I try to come up with a topic to write about. The past two months when I haven't written a post, I've realized that I've been going along and living life without thinking much about it.
It's a new year, and I know that I need to appreciate each day as it comes and really soak in those little moments and little things that make everyday life worth living and enjoying.
You don't have to constantly do something "fun" to enjoy life. It's those little moments, like I say in the description of this blog, that are so wonderful.
Last night, most people went out and partied to celebrate the new year. Nate and I discussed what we wanted to do since we both had the night off, and we ultimately came to the conclusion that we didn't have a desire to go out and deal with crowds of people.
We picked up a taco pizza and watched "Mike & Molly" until we went to bed about 9:30 p.m. (don't judge us, we're both sick) and watched some of "The O.C."
I was thinking about it, and I realized that many people go out on New Year's Eve to find someone to kiss and go home with, but we already had that. What was the need to go out and get annoyed at the crowds and waste money? We had a perfectly good time, and we're plenty rested today!
Plus, this morning I got a special treat. Nate was heading downstairs to get a bowl of cereal, and I asked if he would make us French toast --- because for some reason I am terrible at it. He brought me up a plate with four pieces of deliciousness topped with syrup and whipped cream and himself a bowl of cereal. I figured he would make French toast for both of us, but he made it just for me instead of saying he was in the mood for cereal. I'm sorry if it's bragging, but what a wonderful man!
So it's those little moments like last night and this morning that I am going to cherish this year.
Happy 2015, and enjoy the little things.
Friday, November 7, 2014
Pride comes before a fall
You know what? I'm not as awesome as I think I am.
I've realized in the last couples of weeks, that I have a huge issue with pride. And it's not all that easy to change.
I've started to see that I think pretty highly of myself, in my personal life and also at work. I have gotten into trouble thinking that whatever I do is great and that no one else needs to check up on what I'm doing.
I've started to see that I'm wrong.
In the past, I've had some issues that have only affected me and my relationship with God. An issue with pride, that involves my relationship with others. When I brag about what I'm good at, that turns people off. When I tell my husband he made a mistake and act like I never do, that makes him upset. When I jump ahead at work and take control when I'm not supposed to, that makes my co-workers angry.
What's also difficult about an issue with pride is that I don't often notice when I'm doing it. When it's a conscious sin, I obviously know when I'm committing the error. Little prideful moments sneak up, and I don't realize I have done something wrong until I have to deal with the ramifications.
That's where God steps in. I know that God wants me to deal with my pride and overcome the temptation to do it in the future. I can't overcome the issue without realizing when I'm doing it though, so I have to rely on God to show my as the temptation for pride comes up.
This is going to take some time. I hope that people around me are forgiving enough to be patient as I learn to humble myself one day at a time.
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