Holding on to Time and Memories

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n less than two weeks our first daughter will be getting married.

These past few days she’s been packing up a lot of her things.  It brought tears to my eyes when I saw numerous boxes stacked in the hall outside her bedroom, with a stuffed animal on the top.  Two of our boys moved out awhile ago, but it was different.  They were gone a lot already.  And, there’s just a little bit more with protecting and guiding a daughter.  And her fiance has spent a lot of time here with our family, like our son spent a lot of time with his now wife’s family during their dating time.  And soon, it will change, and she will be gone . . . and five months later her twin sister too.  It’s a bittersweet time.  It’s what we brought them up for  - this goal to first have a love for God, and then find a godly husband and really, so much more could have happened and more wayward ways than the drama and stresses we’ve endured the last few months as we’ve gotten to these last days before the wedding.  My heart is thrilled for her, but kinda sad too.

That lump was in my throat too when we dropped the wedding invitations off at the post office a month ago.  I remember when my husband and I did this . . . how can it be so soon that we are now doing this with our daughters?  We’ve been looking through pictures, and it just does not seem like over twenty years ago that I had these beautiful twin girls and now they have engagement rings on their fingers and one with a wedding dress in her closet and the other about to order one.  The time has slipped away too quickly and time seems more fragile . . .and precious.

So you might not finding me writing as much in the next couple of weeks.  We have special memories awaiting and to hold on to, a bit longer and new ones to look forward to unfolding.

Park Memories

Do you have a favorite park?

No, we don’t have a favorite park, but I think some of the best memories with my kids has been the simpleness of going to a park and just watching them have fun and running about.  We’ve done it a few times “park hopping” and spend some time at one, and then visit another one or two.  They love this!  And to bring a picnic to a park is even better and really costs no extra money!

This past Mother’s Day we went for a walk with several of our kids and I found it to be a delightful, relaxing time.  They loved discovering treasures along the way, talking of past memories along the way, including where our older kids and dad went hunting and got a deer!  So though we don’t have a favorite park, I am thankful when we make the time to be a kid with our kids and enjoy the outdoors, fun and play!

Join Plinky!

In ‘Other’ Words: Tuesday’s New Quote! JOIN US!

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uesday,  will you please join us in sharing on the quote below for our weekly, In Other Words. Each week a new quote is given here, onWriting Canvas, along with who will be hosting that week’s In ‘Other’ Words.

This week’s IOW will be hosted at Karen’s blog,  In Love W.I.T.H. Jesus. Below is her chosen quote.  Think about it ~ write about it ~ and then visit Karen’s blog on Tuesday and join with the others on writing on this quote.

“ The Christian who has stopped repenting has stopped growing.
Repentance is the tear in the eye of faith.” 

Moody

Please join in!

Want to learn more about “In Other Words” ~ what it’s all about, how it works, how it originated? Click here!

AND THE WINNER IS . . . .

 The giveaway for this 
Glass Locket
has ENDED!
Below in the
COMMENTS
#4 was chosen!
Thank you to ALL who have entered!

I’ve been thinking about a . . . tattoo . . .

If tattoos only lasted for one year,
would you want one?

I may shock a few readers (even family/friends!).  I’ve seriously thought of getting a small tattoo.  I like finger tattoos and thought of getting something possibly in memory of my two children in heaven.  I’ve seen a floral one I really like, but I think I’d do it up further on my finger so I can still wear a ring.  

And, I absolutely love this cross ring tattoo.  My son Matthew wore a cross ring, and I’d just like a permanent reminder of what God paid for me on that cross.  But, I’ve not done it, yet.  I suppose, if I could get a temporary one for a year, that would be good, in case I did not like it.  

And then I really like this foot tattoo, but I cannot see me doing this.  I’ve ugly feet . . . not that, that matters, but it says: 

 ”Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”
Psalm 119:105 (KJV)

 I know feet tattoos are the worst for pain.  :(  So, I’ve spilled it . . . we shall see if I ever get the guts to do it.  Maybe a special “old” feeling birthday!  :)

Join Plinky!

Five Minute Friday: IDENTITY

IDENTITY 

start . . . 

As a kid growing up I questioned my  identity.
Who did I look like?  If I had siblings, did I look like any of them?
Did my mom or dad have dark eyes like mine?
Why would a mother give up her child?

When my first child was born,
I felt like my identity was developing.
I held the first being that was blood related to me.
Some told me he looked like me.
Shortly later I met my birth parents.
I looked the most like my dad,
and even more like a younger sister.

But my childhood  identity was really with the parents who
brought me up – through the good and bad.

My identity now is so many things.
I’m a wife, married almost 28 years.
I’m a mom to a dozen children.
I’m a mom-in-law two one daughter,
and soon, two sons.
I’m a mom to two children in heaven.
I’m a writer, blogger, book reviewer.

But this all really is not my lasting  identity.

I am a child of a King.
I am called His Beloved,
I am valued by Him.
My name is permanently written in His book,
never to be crossed out -
never to be rejected.
Never to be disowned.
I am loved.
I am chosen.
He calls me by name- I am His.

An an ambassador in the Kingdom of Heaven.

I am
 called,
loved by God the Father
and kept safe by Jesus Christ.

This is my true identity.

finish . . .

Don’t miss my Mother’s Day giveaway . . . 
a personalized birthstone glass locket.

Joining Gypsy Mama and her Five Minute Friday.

Wanting to LOVE THE MOMENT IN VIRGINIA BEACH!

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e are on the countdown to our first daughter’s wedding, just a few weeks away, and then we will begin planning the next daughter’s wedding for the fall!  Several have told us we will need a vacation after all this, and I totally agree!  I think, WE will need a honeymoon!  And, I’ve got the perfect place picked out!   Oh how I would Love the Moment in VIRGINIA BEACH!  Want to dream with me?

In pouring over the various webpages and pictures, it just seems like a glimpse of heaven!  It will be easy to get away and find our own little special spot,  with over 4,000 acres of parks and national refuges and 194 navigable kilometers of waterways!  We could take a boat tour to watch the dolphins along the Virginia Beach.  That sure would be an enchanting first for me!

I can only imagine getting a break from cooking for a week!  I am use to cooking for at least 8 at each meal. What a delight it would be to be served and no clean-up or or arguing over who is going to do the dishes!  There’s a wonderful Coastal Food Tours of Virginia guide which is a great resource for finding food tours and culinary events.  One thing that caught my attention would be ideal with a romantic walk on the boardwalk.  There is a Virginia Beach Boardwalk Food Tour where we can learn the history and culture of the area while enjoying local cuisine, fresh caught seafood from the Atlantic Ocean and Chesapeake Bay including the award winning Chesapeake Oyster stew, fresh baked breads and hand made desserts!  And if you know us, I’m sure we’d find some little café and enjoy a latte or two! We’d have to take a few more walks to wear off all we’ve sampled!

After being there for a few days, I am sure we will miss the kids and some of the noise, especially when we see other families together and then, we’d just have to plan another trip with the kids!  As a homeschool mom, I can see the education moments as we Love the Moment in VIRGINIA BEACH!  We’d have to visit the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center along with the First Landing State Park which is the state’s most visited state park and has boating, swimming, nature and history programs, 19 miles of trails, biking, camping and of course, LOTS of sandcastle building!

Virginia Beach sounds like such a delightful place to visit . . .
and for a second honeymoon!

I wrote this blog post while participating in the
SocialMoms and Virginia Beach blogging program.
For more information on how you can participate, click here.

Mother’s Day Giveaway!! Birthstone gLocket Necklace!

This giveaway has ended . . .
the 4th numbered comment was the winner!

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am truly excited to share this with my readers, especially, just in time for Mother’s Day!  I have been given the privilege to introduce you to gLockets - glass lockets that can tell your unique story!  These gLockets easily open to put in birthstones or other special treasures.  What excites me about this, is, with a dozen children, it’s just about impossible to find a mother’s ring or necklace to include a birthstone to represent each of my children without costing a fortune!  I will be getting mine, hopefully, by the end of this week, and I can show it off to you all!

There’s so many ideas with these gLockets.  First, there is a choice of either a curved heart (1 1/8″ tall x 1 1/8″ wide x 3/16″ thick) or a circle shaped (1 3/16″ diameter; 3/16″ thick) and comes with a 16″ chain. I love the idea of having each of my children’s birthstones in it, including my missed ones in heaven.  But I can imagine this being ideal for a couple just marrying – having their anniversary stone in it, along with each of the couple’s birthstones and then when babies come along, adding their birthstone in.  Or, what a great gift this would make for the first time mom finding out she is pregnant and giving her just the necklace and adding the birthstone later.  It would make a nice purity necklace too – the heart shaped charm with mom and dad’s birthstones in it until she is married!

And as the website suggests, it does not just have to be for charms.  It would be nice for baby’s first haircut or some other special little keepsake.  Again, my heart goes out to moms who have lost a child – and having a special keepsake just for that – be it the birthstones or locks of hair.

And, I am especially excited to give one away on my blog!  No, you won’t get it in time for Mother’s Day, but you can let the special mom in your life know on Mother’s Day and can get it shortly afterwards.  Entering is starting now, and will end at 10 pm EST, Saturday, May 12th when one comment/person will be randomly selected to a locket of their choice!  So hurry!  Here’s the entering details:

Just leave your name in the comment section, along with which locket you’d choose and how you’d make it uniquely yours and you are entered! That’s all you have to do! But . . .  if you want more chances for entry, for each of the following, leave an additional comment for each one (do not put it all in one comment – it will only be counted once!)

• Write about this giveaway on YOUR blog with a link back to this post! (http://wp.me/p97XK-3VM) Leave a comment here with the link to your post.
• Tweet about it by copying and pasting the red portion:
  #MothersDay Birthstone Necklace Giveaway! Glass lockets tell your unique story!  See http://wp.me/p97XK-3VM for details about @glockets
  (Be sure to leave a comment here with the direct link to your tweet)
• “LIKE” gLockets on Facebook
• Share on your Facebook wall:
  I’ve entered for a Mother’s Day Birthstone Necklace Giveaway at http://wp.me/p97XK-3VM from @glockets
• “Pin” the locket picture above on Pinterest  (in your comment let me know your Pinterest link/name)

This giveaway is only open to those in the United States.

And, if you do not want to wait until Mother’s Day, DON’T!  You can get 20% off your order, just by entering the word “MOM“  for the coupon code during check out. 

Information Article: Round Rock Steam Cleaning

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pring is finally in the air, and one thing so many households do is major house cleaning – getting rid of the clutter from the winter and cleaning things out good.  Cupboards and closets are emptied; under beds cleaned out and clothes are sorted through.  Windows are sparkling without finger prints and dog nose slobber! But the final thing that needs to be thoroughly cleaned and freshened up is the carpet and furniture.  Without round rock steam cleaning done, the home really is not clean.

When looking for the right company to do this for you, make sure they know what is the best method for the type of carpet you have and also the right treatments for the soil and stains you may have. Ask if they do spot testing on your carpet or furniture in a hidden place to make sure the color does not change or fade. Be sure to point out the stains you are concerned about and check afterwards to see if it indeed has been removed to your full satisfaction.

Once the cleaning is complete it may be worth seriously considering carpet protector especially in high-traffic areas.  This helps keep the carpet fresh longer and when you vacuum more dry soil will come up easier.

Spring is air and your carpet wants to feel fresh too!

In ‘Other’ Words: HOPE

“ Once you were alienated from God
and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior.
But now He has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body
through death to present you holy in His sight,
without blemish and free from accusation—
if you continue in your faith,
established and firm,
and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. ”

Colossians 1:21-23a (NIV)

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here’s so many precious words that spill over to me today in these verses.  

“Once” – past tense, no longer alienated.  It means despite my failures, He won’t disown me.  I am still His.  Isn’t that a lot of hope, just in those first few words of this verse?  

“Holy” – without blemish – in Jesus’ sight.  That is hard to wrap my mind around.  Even with the struggles, stresses, and sins that still catch me, I will be brought before God, without blemish and free from accusation.  This is big for me, because I can struggle so much to “be right” and feel so misunderstood, and yet, for eternities perspective, if I could learn to let go of things more . . . it does not really matter so often . . .God knows and HE is enough!  And because of this, I am I am firmly established with Him.  I cannot be yanked away from Him.  The ties won’t be broken!

And when I question, wonder where I am . . . where He is . . . I am reminded by that still small voice, to not move from the hope held out in the gospel.  There’s always hope.

Today IOW is hosted at Miriam Pauline’sMonologue. Above is her chosen quote.  Think about it ~ write about it ~ and then visit Miriam’s blog and join with the others on writing on this quote.

ALSO . . . please don’t miss the personalized birthstone glass locket giveaway for Mother’s Day.  It’s beautiful keepsake!

Information Article: New Florida Kia Dealer

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f you are in the West Palm Beach area, and you’re in the market for a car, there’s a new Florida Kia Dealer worth checking out!  If you are looking for a new car, be sure to check out their new Kia specials. They keep in stock what the customers are looking for – the high-demand vehicles in a variety of trims.  You can also find some great monthly lease specials along with Kia incentives so you can find some tremendous deals.

If you are on the lookout for a used car, they also have quite an inventory of used cars that can meet just  about every need and budget,  including a Ford to Honda to BMW to Mercedes-Benz.   All of their used cars are first  hand-inspected by their factory-trained technicians and come with a CarFax Vehicle History Report, so you can know what you are really getting and the kind of care it received.

For more information and to find out what is available, visit their Kia News Blog which features many pictures of current special or follow them on Twitter.

Product Review: Rylstim Budget – A Money Management Calendar

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ith my husband having a home business,  keeping track of our income and daily life expenses can be quite a job  . . . . just remembering to pay all the utility and cell phone bills is quite a chore! It’s easy to get behind in recording and then doing crash catch-up, especially when it’s close to tax time.  Each year I try to start doing it on a regular basis, but even getting a few weeks behind can be disasterous.

I’ve been given the privilege to try out the Rylstim Budget and I absolutely love it and the number one reason is it’s simplicity and ease. I’ve used different ledgers for keeping track of our household and business expenses which is okay, but this is simple calendar budget system.  You merely click on a date and there is a pull-down menu to choose the category.  It’s already somewhat set-up, yet, I was able to personalize it for our personal use – taking some categories out and adding others in.  It is easy to get a budget report, which will be great for tax time.

This is also great for visually seeing where your money goes.  Keep track of your clothing and pet expenses.  See where you are losing money!  Keep track of your donations.  And get reminders for those monthly bills after only entering them one time into the calendar.

Take a look at the Rylstim Budget webpage and download the program which includes a 30 day trial.  This  system is amazing and something I plan on continuing to use.

In ‘Other’ Words: Tuesday’s New Quote

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uesday,  will you please join us in sharing on the quote below for our weekly, In Other Words. Each week a new quote is given here, onWriting Canvas, along with who will be hosting that week’s In ‘Other’ Words.

This week’s IOW will be hosted at Miriam Pauline’sMonologue. Below is her chosen quote.  Think about it ~ write about it ~ and then visit Miriam’s blog on Tuesday and join with the others on writing on this quote.

“ Once you were alienated from God
and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior.
But now He has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body
through death to present you holy in His sight,
without blemish and free from accusation—
if you continue in your faith,
established and firm,
and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. ”

Colossians 1:21-23a (NIV)

Please join in!

Want to learn more about “In Other Words” ~ what it’s all about, how it works, how it originated? Click here!

What’s your favorite way to cook eggs?

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e raise chickens and have lots of eggs so I cook eggs in various ways.  You’d think with all the eggs we have that I’d never order eggs in a restaurant.  But I do!  One of our favorite places to go is just a family owned local restaurant (or as my husband calls it, a “greasy spoon” restaurant.  We always order their “two eggs & toast” – the eggs over medium; homemade wheat toast for me; homemade white toast for hubby and one side of bacon.  And, it’s the best!  The two slices of toast for each of us is super thick and the eggs are made just right – done, but runny.  :)

We make egg meals in so many different ways – lots of quiche and breakfast casseroles.  I just saw two recipes on Pinterest – one being an avocado egg salad, another for an egg baked in an avocado, and lastly, and a similar one,  Egg in toast with Avocado.

Yes, I love avocados too, and I cannot wait to try out these recipes.

A Prayer for Peace by Grace & Not Performance

A Prayer for Peace by Grace and Not Performance

“Father, thank You that I exist by grace, I live by grace, I am ‘measured’ by grace—and the ‘measure’ of grace is as wide as the outstretched arms of Christ on the cross, and as infinite as the love that sent the Son away from the Father—from heaven to earth. 

Father, thank You that there is nothing that I can do to earn Your love and acceptance…and that there is nothing that I can do to lose Your love and acceptance. Your grace love is not only unconditional, it is infinite and initiatory—it starts with You and not me, it flows from You endlessly and joyfully to me.

Father, thank You that You love me just as much when I am ‘behaving and good’ as when I am a prodigal moving away from Your grace—my movement away never creates any true distance because You are ever and always the Pursuing One. And when I finally ‘come home’ You race to me, throw your arms around me, embrace me as You’ve always been embracing me, and kiss me impetuously and ceaselessly.

Father, thank You that You delight in me ‘just because’—just because You are love, You are joy, You are delight. You fearfully and wonderfully, creatively and uniquely, hand-crafted and created me as Your one-of-a-kind display of Your ceaseless joyfulness. You made me and said, ‘Look, look! Look at who I have made!’

Father, thank You that Your love knows no time limits. You loved me from before the foundations of the earth and You will love me forever after this world fades away. Thus, You love me yesterday, today, and tomorrow—by grace I was loved before I was born; I was loved on my ‘worst day’ from a ‘human perspective;’ I was loved the same on my ‘best day from a human perspective;’ I am loved today as I awake, as I act, as I rest, as I sleep; and I will be loved again tomorrow without fail, without interruption, without having to earn Your lovingkindness.

Father, thank You that while You rejoice in my unique use of my unique gifts—my unique me-ness—what I do with what I am is not the epitome of me. I am free from performance because I am free in Your grace love. I am free from evaluation because I am free in Your grace love. I am free to try because Your grace always holds me, always catches me, always surrounds me, always upholds me.

Father, thank You that Your love is a redeeming love—when everything in this world feels ‘shattering,’ You not only pick up the pieces, You tenderly yet strongly re-shape the pieces into yet another beautiful poem of priceless worth. When everything in this world feels ‘works-oriented,’ Your grace shouts, ‘I love you for you! Rest, My child.’

Father, thank You that who I am, my worth, my value, my being loved, are not based upon what I do or accomplish, or on my ‘successes’ or ‘failures,’ but rather upon Your self-giving, sacrificial, infinite love.

Father, thank You that even when I don’t love and adore You, that You love and adore me. In fact, You love and adore me equally on my ‘best days’ of loving You as on my ‘worst days’ of unloving You.

Father, thank You that Christ is the measure of Your love and not my actions or attitudes, accomplishments or accolades. You enjoy me. You delight in me. You love me. You want me. You like me. You accept me. You rejoice over me and in me and with me and for me. You celebrate me.

Father, thank You for grace. I embrace Your grace. I embrace Your face. I embrace You. I celebrate Your grace.

Your beloved child.”

I was graciously given permission to repost this today
by Dr. Bob Kellemen from  his blog,

RPM Ministries.
It touched my heart today . . .
thought it might my readers as well.