Someone's Missing?

Something happened yesterday that has left me a little bit puzzled.

When all three of my children were present and accounted for, I continued to search for one more child. Because there was a sense that one missing. As in a fourth. You know, a fourth child that I really do not have.

And not only did this happen once, it happened twice. Hours apart. In two different locations.

And yes, I was wide awake. Both times.

It was strange. Really strange. Leaving me shaking my head at myself and wondering if perhaps I had taken a step closer to complete madness. I did momentarily forget what side of the road to drive on the other day... Sad, but true.

It makes me pause and wonder if it's God speaking to me. I've made no secret of my desire to see Abigail have a sister - even though I do know that's not how it works. But wow, some days three kids seems like more than I can handle. I was encouraged to hear from a mother of six recently that she had felt overwhelmed at three.

Okay, I was elated to hear that. Because in my mixed up brain, those feelings make me feel like a failure as a mother. Just being real here. The days can feel lllllooooonnnnnggggg. Knowing other moms have those feelings too is just nice.

I don't really know if there are more children in our future, but this strange feeling of wondering where my fourth child is has definitely caught my attention.

No More Tears

I know, sounds like a Johnson and Johnson ad. Or a sappy Hallmark movie.

Yet I speak of a silent, round enemy. One that sends me into tears almost immediately when I see it...the onion.



I recently discovered a trick that has eliminated the not so joyful task of cutting onions. I had never heard of it, but it has saved me a lot of pain. The burning, wanna rub my eyes out kind of pain.

Simply keep your onions in your refrigerator. That's it. Honest. No more tears.

I don't keep mine in the refrigerator, but I try to plan ahead and stick one in when I know I will need it in a day or two. I have also read that you can place an onion in your freezer for 5-10 minutes before cutting and you'll yield the same effect, but I personally have not tried this method.

Not crying over split onions totally works for me!


Check out more Works for me Wednesdays at We Are THAT Family...

Starbucks Winner

Congratulations...




DAVENE!

You won the $5 Starbucks gift card! I will e-mail you to arrange the delivery of your prize. Davene writes at Life on Sylvan Drive and if you have never visited, you are in for a real treat! She has a beautifully written blog and a beautiful family.

Always Check Your Pockets

Before washing...

and drying.

We've been having some problems with Samuel getting into the washer and dryer. I think we've finally gone a full week without him getting in one, so hopefully he's learned. Thankfully, he never shut the doors, because then I would have probably lost it and entered into my own version of a spin cycle. This child keeps me on my toes. I just keep wondering why I don't lose any weight from all the chasing I do. all. day. long.

Then I'm reminded that my Heavenly Father probably has to pull me out of my very own "washing machine" several times a day too. The sin that I just keep walking back into. The one that I keep insisting of partaking. Yeah, puts a whole new perspective on it for me. May I exercise the same amount of patience and mercy with my own children that God generously measures out to me daily.

Swagbucks and a Giveaway

Okay, I've talked about Swagbucks a couple of times now and the last time I mentioned my sister was having a little issue. Well, it ended up being a small misunderstanding (on her part) and the Swag guy was very helpful and speedy in helping her resolve her issue.

Before she got her problem worked out, I decided to trade in some of my swagbucks for a gift card. Just to see if I would have as smooth a transaction as my first time. And then I got the brilliant idea that I should get something that I could give to one of you. And since it's been a time of scaling back on budgets these days, it should be something fun.

I had another great transaction with Swagbucks. So...


I'm giving away a $5 gift card to Starbucks.

Since I'm all about convenience and ease in my life and I'm feeling so excited about someone smiling and enjoying some wonderful concoction, all you have to do is leave a comment. Yep, any plain, old comment. Just be sure to leave me some way to get in contact with you if you win. If not, the prize will go to someone else and it will ruin my fun. *grin*

You know what, I'm feeling reckless and wild, so if you decide to sign up for Swagbucks through my link, I'll enter you another two times. Just leave a comment letting me know so I can verify it. Then you can start searching your own way to more gift cards or other prizes! Updated: And that's the problem with going reckless and wild, you do not have a chance to think. This looks shady, so since this is my blog, I'm changing it up. Everyone gets three chances to win. Period.

So there you have it. You get three entries for leaving any random comment. (Please leave me an e-mail address if it's not in your profile. I wasn't kidding when I said it would ruin my fun if I have to pick someone else.)

I'll pick the winner on Tuesday, February 24th.

Oh, and both companies might like me to state that they have absolutely nothing to do with this giveaway or my blog. Just a feeling...



P.S. If the thought of leaving a random comment makes you nervous and your hands sweaty, please feel free to share your favorite money saving tip. I wouldn't want you to leave here uncomfortable.

Funerals As Viewed From An 8 Year Old

Let me apologize in advance if this offends anyone. That's always a great way to start isn't it?

We had a dear sister in the Lord recently pass away and as we were discussing the viewing and funeral, I had a humorous conversation with Caleb that I want to remember. And I think Darlene would have gotten a chuckle from it anyway. (Since she's dancing with Jesus right now I especially don't think she'd care...)

Me: I'm going to be leaving in about 15 minutes.
Caleb: Can I come with you?
Me: No, you guys are going to stay here with Daddy while I go.
Caleb: Aw, I really want to go.
Me: Why do you want to go?
Caleb: Ugh, because I want the food. It is so good.
Me: Caleb, I'm going to the viewing, not the funeral. There won't be any food there.
Caleb: Oh. *insert pause* What's an interviewing for anyway?...

Someone better make sure I have really good food at my funeral or this boy is going to be awfully disappointed. *grin* In his defense, he has attended two funerals, one of my grandmother's and Richie's dad. Both had very good church potluck meals for us.

You Are...

You are the apple of my eye,
the pumpkin in my pie.
The soft, blooming flower in spring.

You are the funnel cake at the fair,
the smell of autumn in the air.
The brilliant color in my world.














You are the snowflake on my tongue,
the silliest song ever sung.
The warm breeze on a summer day.

You are the puddle in which I jump,
the juiciest strawberry, nice and plump.
The sparkling dew on the grass.

You are the eskimo kiss on my nose,
the tickle on my toes.
The laughter dancing in the air.

You are the finer things of my world,
You add so much to my life.
I thank God for making you mine.

You are so very precious to me,
yet there is One who loves you more.
And His you will always be.

Testing The Waters

The greater danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it. -Michelangelo

I was visiting a friend's blog last week, when I happened to see the above quote in a little sidebar gadget. It made me chuckle as I had just posted some new year goals I had made for myself and I wondered if I should have aimed higher. You know, perhaps shoot for 15 pounds of weight loss instead of 10? But I decided to practice making boundaries and left it at 10...

But the more I chewed on it, the more I thought about my spiritual walk. And if I'm brutally honest with myself, I know that I've been aiming low.

Coming through a season of deep pain and hurt, I found myself in a place of distrust, anger, and fear. And inadvertently, a portion of it became directed at The Kingdom.

I stopped seeking and reaching out for His supernatural power. I wanted very little to do with it. I knew that I loved God and that He loved me, but I just could not . It wasn't about my relationship with Him, it was with the supernatural. I just wasn't sure how deep I could go in the Water anymore. Keeping what I deemed to be a safe distance.

I became skittish. Much like a swimmer who is taken out into deep waters by someone trusted and then is abandoned. That's how it felt. Suddenly, I was all alone. Everything I thought I knew, I began to question. Healings I watched take place with my own eyes. Questioned. People being set free. Questioned. Prophetic words. Questioned.

I really don't know how to adequately describe it. God in it all has been so patient. So gentle. Loving and tender. Helping me come through it. At a much slower pace than I'd like to admit, but through it nonetheless. And that's the important thing.

Because I don't want to have any limitations in my life when it comes to God. I expect the extraordinary to happen. I long to be in that deep place of communion with my Father. Sitting in His lap as He shows me His glorious Kingdom. Because once you've tasted it, you're ruined. Nothing else can satisfy.

So, I find myself ready to step back into the water. A bit hesitant, a little nervous, but knowing fully well that my Daddy God has called me there. It's time to reposition myself and aim high again. And I have to admit, the anticipation and the excitement bring a smile to my face.