Bliss & a Break

Well, I'm recovering from an amazing weekend at the Hearts at Home National Conference. Can I just say that it does this momma's heart some fantastic good to be in that environment?! Over 6,000 mommas gathered to be encouraged, equipped and recharged, and I was privileged enough to get to be in the midst of it. I came home blissfully exhausted! My littles had a wonderful time with Trace, getting to spend the weekend with Daddy is such a fun thing for them. I love that my sweet Trace is allows me to go and do and serve so willingly.

This week is spring break for the littles, so Trace took yesterday and today off. Yesterday we went bowling and then today we about ran ourselves ragged! We went to a Children's Museum, out for lunch and then got these enormous oatmeal chocolate chip ice cream sandwiches... a family day of delicious! Now I just have to figure out what we're going to do the rest of the week to stay busy. Thankfully the weather has been gorgeous, so I assume the littles will be spending a lot of time outside and I'll be just inside in the kitchen slaving away over cookie orders! What are some of your go-to ideas for keeping little ones occupied?

Thumbs up for ice cream!

By the way, if you've been keeping up with the Better Writer Challenges, I have been doing them, but haven't posted the last few. Just trying to keep my head above water with the busyness... still plugging away! 

Better Writer Day 6~ My perspective

Well, yesterday was a crazy day, so I missed posting the challenge. But I was thinking about it! The challenge was to write something from your perspective, something from your unique voice. Truthfully first thing in the morning I was stumped. The voices in my head were telling me that I'm not unique... 'just a mom'. But friends, I know those voices aren't from God and that is not what He says about me. So I pushed them and out and went about my day. But I still couldn't really think of anything that makes my voice on this page different from anyone else's.

My day yesterday was long. A long, drawn out day with an even longer to-do list. But after it had been put to bed (literally!), this morning I woke up blissfully looking back in deep thankfulness to a Great God, because I spent the stretched out hours doing exactly what He's called me to do.

I'm living in the sweet spot.

Thrive is the word He's given me for this year, and it's days like yesterday that remind me what I'm living for... Amidst the chaos, the feeling like I just may not get everything done, I handed it all to Him, and in His peace, I made the most of each moment. A couple of hours shopping for something that doesn't seem to exist, taking my girl to and from preschool, then nearly ten hours at my table making cookies. I chose to see it all in the light of His Presence and just do.

A sweet friend, home from college joined me for much of the afternoon. As I rolled dough and we made treats, we talked about life and laughed about boys and I stopped every once in a while just to thank Him that through this little bit of Housewifery life is shared at my table. Because I have sort of a mission statement, and that is it exactly: He has called me to pour into others as we gather in my kitchen, as we work these doughs and days with our hands.

Do you have days where at the end, though the hours are long and exhausting, you wouldn't trade a second because you know that you're sitting right in His mighty hand, right in the place He has for you? I'm praying that you do, lovelies! That you diligently seek Him and find His place for you~ that you can thrive there! And I pray that this perspective of mine wouldn't be unique to me, but that you too, through His renewing of your mind you will be able to discern His good, pleasing and perfect will! (Romans 12:2)

Better Writing~ Day 1

Allume is hosting a series for improving writing, and I decided to go ahead and post the assignments here for posterity's sake... Be gentle if you want to comment, haha. I'm always looking for ways to improve my writing skills (or lack thereof...). And if you want to join in, hop on over!

Today's Challenge is: Write five nondescript sentences. Look at them again and re-write them to show and not tell what was happening. Go over them one last time and pump them full of interesting and descriptive words to really drive your point home!

Simple Sentences:

1. Halle woke up happy.
2. My dog tracks in mud.
3. I found a great dress on sale.
4. That was a good recipe.
5. I hear birds singing.

Show vs. Tell
1. Halle got out of bed all snuggles and smiles.
2. My dog's annoying habit of tracking mud into my clean kitchen makes me crazy!
3. I'm so excited that I got a great deal on the perfect dress for Easter!
4. I tried a new pulled pork recipe for lunch, and not only was it simple to prepare, but it tasted amazing.
5. I love that as the seasons are changing, I can hear birds singing during my morning quiet times.

Spice it Up!
1. After a sound night's sleep, Halle came out of her room all snuggles and smiles ready to start the day. A well rested, singing toddler makes for a great morning!
2. Rueger, our precocious doberman, has a terrible habit of tracking mud onto my clean kitchen floor after his many hunting adventures in the backyard.
3. Imagine my surprise when I not only found the most perfect blue & yellow floral Easter dress in my size, but upon taking it to the register, I was told that it was on sale as well. Score!
4. After finding a recipe for Root Beer Pulled Pork on pinterest, my curiosity was peaked and I had to try it. Not only was it super simple and fast, but the flavor was amazing, and everyone in my family loved it!
5. I am reminded that spring is just around the corner, as every day during my morning quiet time the sun is rising earlier, and I can hear the songs of birds. They seem to be as happy as I am that the seasons are changing and warmer weather is on its way!

I've been thinking lately about why I write. Why I write volumes in journals that will never be seen by anyone but me and God. Why I write notes on napkins and gum wrappers. Why I write poems in my calendar and lists on receipts. I am a writer. I love the feeling of a Pilot G-2 in my hand (only the World's Greatest Pen, if you didn't know!) I scribble notes during sermons and phone calls and movies... God has given me words, and it's my responsibility to use them. Wisely. Carefully. Words can be life or death to a person or situation. That's a lot of responsibility, right?