A Rite of Passage

Today the 6-year-old got her own library card.

She's so excited!!

She could hardly wait to show her dad.

As she took possession of the card, the librarian told her she could check out up to 100 books at a time on her card..."Really!"

I looked at the lady...then looked at the 6-year-old...and broke it to her..."You'll have to carry them."

Note:  What's up with the picture?!  It was oriented correctly when I grabbed the file to insert here.  Huh...

ZZZZzzzzzz.....

I love naps.  They are treasured "me" times.

Napping is one of my love languages.

If napping were an Olympic event, I'd totally be a contender.  I would love the training regimen!

During my sophomore year in college, my roommate and I were voted the floor sleepyheads.  We were worthy.

I am not a "power napper"...someone who only needs a twenty minute snooze.  Twenty minutes would only  make me grump...-ier.  I am happiest when I can visit the Land of Nod for two hours...at least.  I guess you could say I'm a long distance napper, not a sprint napper.

My fave time to nap is on Sunday afternoon...after a morning of worship...during a football game.  Meaning that I nap during the football game...not that the worship is during a football game.  I mean...well...hopefully you know what I mean.

I recently confessed that I expect to leave this temporary earthly home with one regret...that I did not eat more guacamole.  As I ponder my love for naps, I now believe that I'll have two...the second being that I didn't appreciate the napping opportunities in my youth way...way...more.

Note:  The above picture is not me.  There is no way I would publish a picture of myself napping.  This is my youngest who had the nerve to crash one afternoon...after getting up before 5:30 a.m.  I did not get to nap.

14 Reasons I'm Showing Winter Some Love

1. Your cold drink stays cold in the car.
2. There's a good chance you will find money in your coat pockets when you pull the coat from the closet for the very first time.
3. You can go to the store in your PJs...because they are under your coat.
4. The grocery store does not have to be the last stop on your errand run because your frozen stuff will stay  frozen in your trunk.
5. Your outdoor furniture will last longer (if you don't leave it out in the snow).
6. The soup and hot chocolate experiences are enhanced by cold weather...I never want a big bowl of Beef Barley soup when it's 80 degrees outside?
7. You can have homebody days wearing your pajamas as a uniform, without worrying that you are "wasting a sunny day".
8. While I realize that Christ was born in a land of sand and palm trees...I still like snow on Christmas.
9. Snow angels are the best...grass angels just lead to laundry challenges.
10. Winter weather and snow help me appreciate summers...and capris...and flip flops...and open windows.
11. While I'm not obsessed about the painting of my toenails...winter really allows me to let it slide on the priority list...because they are not showing.  Don't even get me started on how less often you really need to mow...I mean...shave your legs.
12. Sledding, snowman construction, snowball fights...all much easier in the winter.  And I can read peacefully while the kids are outside screaming, having fun...because I'm inside behind the closed doors and windows.
13. It's easier to avoid wearing a swimsuit during the winter...if you are into avoiding it.
14. We are called to be content..."But godliness with contentment is great gain." (1 Timothy 6:6)...so quit the winter belly-aching already...it doesn't change the weather outlook.  You can only change your outlook.

Update: Another reason...I have a walk-in freezer/refrigerator (depending on the temperature) during the winter...some of you may call it "the garage".  A great asset during the holiday season!!

Good Ol' Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup

I like to cook...I like to try new recipes.

My kids like to eat...but they do not always like new recipes.

Few things make them happier than to find out we are having good ol' grilled cheese and tomato soup.

Have to confess...few things make me happier than to have good ol' grilled cheese and tomato soup. 

It's easy to prepare.

No one complains about it.

Reminds me of being a kid and liking it when my mom served good ol' grilled cheese and tomato soup.

Regarding picture...sorry...didn't think to snap the shot while there was still some good ol' grilled cheese remaining.

Friendship...One of Life's Treasures

Such a special treat today...to get to visit with one of my college roommates.  It had been a while since we have actually been able to lay eyes on one another...touching base periodically through Facebook or email.  A lot of life has happened to both of us in this relatively short time...and it was great to re-connect and share a hug.

A friend loves at all times, and a brother (or sister!) is born for adversity. ~ Proverbs 17:17

As iron sharpens iron, so one man (or gal) sharpens another. ~ Proverbs 27:17

"If I had to sum up friendship in one word, it would be comfort." ~ Terri Guillemets

"Friendship is not a big thing, it's a million of little things." ~ Anonymous

"Friends are kisses blown to us by angels." ~ Anonymous

"The better part of one's life consists of his Friendships." ~ Abraham Lincoln

"A friend is like a four leaf clover, hard to find and lucky to have." ~ Anonymous

"I awoke with devout thanks giving for my friends." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

"True friends are those who care without hesitation, remember without limitation, forgive without any explanation and love with even little communication." ~ Anonymous

"Count your age with friends but not years." ~ Anonymous

"Ah, how good it feels...the hand of an old friend." ~ Mary Englebright (I mean 'old' in the best way possible.)

"In a friend, you find a second self." ~ Isabelle Norton

"Never shall I forget the days spent with you.  Continue to be my friend, as you will always find me yours." ~ Ludwig van Beethoven

"You can count on me, 'cause I can count on you." ~ Bruno Mars

Forgiveness

Just before heading out the door this morning, I remembered that I needed to help the 6-year-old  clean up her pony tail.  Comb in hand, I hurriedly tried to remove the elastic band already in her hair, accidentally pulling on her hair a little too hard.  As she winced and vocalized the pain I had caused, I immediately expressed my apology and remorse for causing her discomfort.  I then asked her, "Do you forgive me?"  She answered without pause, "Not yet."

A few minutes into our car ride that followed the incident, I asked her again..."Do you forgive me?"  Again, the response was "Not yet. But I will before we get to Grandpa's house."  And as soon as we turned the corner, with their house in sight, she shouted out from the backseat "All right, Mom, I forgive you."

I took the opportunity to explain to her that when we do something wrong, God forgives us the instant that we say we are sorry.  She acknowledged my lesson and went off on her merry way.

But my mind remained on our topic.

Our sins are way more unsavory to a Holy God than they would be to any person.  Yet, the other sinner that you may have wronged will be much more indignant, self-righteous and slow to forgive than the Heavenly Father...as though they have never made a poor decision or reacted emotionally or sought forgiveness for their own actions.  And I can say all this as the person who has struggled to forgive...as the person who voiced forgiveness but internalized anything but forgiveness...as the person who has sought forgiveness sincerely...and insincerely, rationalizing my own actions...and as the person who has forgiven, even when no forgiveness was sought.

Forgiveness is taught throughout the Bible.  Remember the parable of the Prodigal Son?  Check it out in Luke 15.  In his letter to the Ephesians (Ephesians 4:32), Paul instructs "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." In his letter to the people of Colossus (Colossians 3:13), Paul teaches "Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another.  Forgive as the Lord forgave you."  In what is commonly called The Lord's Prayer, Jesus teaches us to ask God to forgive us as we forgive those who have sinned against us. Evaluating your ability to forgive, would you want that same level of forgiveness from God?

Forgiveness is not easy whether an apology is sincere, insincere or even provided.  But we are to do it anyway.  And when you really forgive...when you hand it off to God...you will be blessed with peace...a peace knowing that you have vacated the poison from your mind and heart that comes only from anger and indignation, created by a wrong and the process of dwelling on that wrong...and a peace from knowing that you are doing as God has instructed us to do...and as He has done for you.

He Will Direct My Paths

I was reminded today...that life is hard...the answers are not always easy...I'm not in control...and that just pertains to myself and my role/responsibilities.  And it becomes more complicated as additional people become entangled.

When I'm overwhelmed...unsure...here is where I find peace.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." ~ Proverbs 3:5-6

Now to make it mine...pardon me while I take some liberties with Scripture.

"I will trust in the Lord with all my heart, and lean not on my own understanding (I often have none!); In all my ways, I will acknowledge Him, and He will direct my paths."  Amen.