THE MEMORY OF MUSIC IN THE AIR

Can I tell you something? I love a concert in the park. I am swooned by hanging out on the grass. I love little bare feet and itchy skin from prickly grass and little hands finding something to do while the grown ups keep busy...

I am quite fond of messy kids and sticky ice cream fingers.

And I'm serious, quite serious actuallly. I love the memories made outside sitting in the park, while music fills the air. It reminds me of when I was littlle, it takes me back to a time when I sat on sweet soft grass, sharing a blanket with my sister, lost in our own little world, while the music filled the air.

I think one of the fun parts about being a mother, is getting to watch their memories be made. Knowing, hoping that one day, they'll remember all of this. Sometimes, the times are rough, but even in that, how often do we say "Someday, we'll laugh about this."

 

As we enter Mother's Day weekend, I am very humbled and honored to enter the ranks of so many other Mothers. I am blessed my the memories already locked away from the last few years being a mother, and I am exited for the many more yet to be made!

 

It's early, but Happy Mother's Day, to the rest of my Tribe! To the woman who have memories of their own! To the woman who hang in there during the rough times and late nights and tears and triumph to make another beautiful memory!

 

As I continue this calling to be a mother, as I try to do my best and teach them love and guide them into the wonderful being God created them to be, I am blessed by this scripture:

 

"Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age" - Matthew 28:20

 

He is with me in every memory, in every moment. He is comforting me and holding me up in the moments that are tough, and he is with me in the beautiful ones, the ones that fill the air and my heart. He is with me always, I am never alone in this task.

 

BURIED TALENTS

I thought I'd share a little glimpse of what I've been up to during some of my "free" time...you know, late at night, in my pajamas and while the kids are sleeping or preoccupied with morning cartoons. I've opened up a little "shop" of my own, it's called 'Little Revelations', and if you've been following me on instagram or facebook, you've probably caught wind! Being a mom, I just figured I'd make things I already make for my kids or would want for my kids. I am not always brave when it comes to trying something new, I get extremely nervous putting myself and my talents out there...anyone else with me? I decided, I'd take a leap, try not to worry too much and see what happens. Here are some glimpses of GOOD:street food + design market, that I got to participate in...

I won't lie, I was nervous the whole time! We didn't do too bad though, and most of all, I had my love by my side  the whole time and some really sweet feedback. It's such a great event in itself, so it was fun to be on the vendor side this time.

 

I'm continuing to try to remind myself not to overthink the road I am on, to continue to let God have control. To take leaps of faith big and small, and learn from every experience.

 

If you want to take a look at some of my goods, you can! I have an online store here and you can also find me on facebook here.

 

Today's Reflection:

Sometimes Steve and I can sink into the 'conservative' life. It's a bit of a smoother road if you don't always go down an unknown path. He has been bringing to my attention the parable of talents, Matthew 25:14-30.

 

If you're not familiar with it, I'll paraphrase. A Master goes out of town and gives 3 of his servants money to invest for him. When he returns he finds that two of the three, did just as he asked, they invested the money and it multiplied. The Master was quite pleased. The third however had the following to say:

 

“The servant given one thousand said, ‘Master, I know you have high standards and hate careless ways, that you demand the best and make no allowances for error. I was afraid I might disappoint you, so I found a good hiding place and secured your money. Here it is, safe and sound down to the last cent.’" -Matthews 25:24-25

 

The master was pretty upset when he heard this and had some 'choice' words for him (I'll let you read it yourself). The point was he did not invest what his Master had given him. He did nothin with it, "buried" it!

 

I don't want to bury what my Master gives me. I want to try and do something with it, remembering, that my master does allow for error, he gives grace instead of punishment for those seeking him. I will try to multiply the investment he's made in me.

 

CRAFT NIGHT

Let's just pretend I haven't had such a long absence from here. Let's just act as old friends do and pick up where we left off!

 

I think I've mentioned my mom's group...MOPS, here before...right? It is my Mom club, my Homies with kids, my gal pals with diaper changing skills. It's been such a fun group to be a part of. One of the things I love most is just the talent and love that comes from these women. I see that they are much more than just a group of 'moms' they have such beautiful gifts, but hanging with them helps me to realize that I too have much more inside on top of the mom skills! So recently we decided to put together a 'Craft Night', threw it out into the world, prayed for the best and here is how it went...

We had a good turnout, met some new friends and had such a fun time.

There were 4 crafts we taught, Floral Crowns, DIY Wrapping Paper, Banners and Party blowers...

So now with the first Craft Night under our belt who's ready for the next one?

 

I realize that doing something new, starting something you may think you have no business doing can be scary. But when you take that first step, when you let all the fears go and open yourself up and trust the talents and skills God gave you, you can succeed. I need to remember that. Take confidence in the person God has created you to be.

 

Well, with that...I'll see you all later! 

 

I'M NOT THAT COOL.

I'm not that cool, but the people I hang around are! Over the weekend I got a chance to hang out with my sister and her little black truck Gypsy. I am extremely proud of her. I've seen her take her passion to next level, I've seen a lot of people living a life full of passion, something I'm incredibly humbled by. Before I keep rambling, let me share some photos from the event... 

It's amazing, when you're around people that are way...and I mean way...more talented in certain areas. It is of course, humbling, but it's a great glimpse into the life God wants us all to have. A life of passion, passion for him and each other and the talents he's given us to do it! I think that it's important that we encourage each other that when we see someone running their race, we are there to cheer them on. Instead of chasing them, trying to beat them or outrun them, sometimes you have to have an honest moment when you realize, they're better. But don't fret, this isn't to admit ultimate defeat, God, has a race for all of us, he instilled passion inside of all of us, and won't it be awesome, when we began to unleash this passion, that there will be other's there to encourage us? Those we've encouraged now rooting for you! God, now bringing you to the front of the race for you to win!

 

So friends, know that I'm rooting for you, in whatever race you're running! I'm rooting for God to shine through you, for his love to overwhelm you and for his blessings to encompass you!

 

"So speak encouraging words to one another. Build up hope so you’ll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind. I know you’re already doing this; just keep on doing it."

-1 Thessalonians 5:11 (MSG)

 

" For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

-Luke 14:11 (NIV)

A DIFFERENT DAY

Today I am sick. It's a bummer. Being sick...no fun! But you know what is fun? A sister date. A sister date out of the house for a little bit while you're still healthy and the sun is still shining.

 

With a house full of sickies, My husband was sweet enough to let me sneak off for a little, Sunday afternoon and hit the Antique Faire with my sister. It's always fun and a treasure hunt for her and I.

In the end I walked away with some sweet vintage dresses for my little girl, a world globe, some accessories for myself and a display rack. The next morning, sick.

 

Today's Reflection:

My circumstance from yesterday has changed.

As I sat on the couch this afternoon with my husband, both of us home sick, a big turn from how we were yesterday, we watched as the bombings in Boston unfolded. The whole thing saddens me and angered him. I realize that there are many emotions that go on when horrific events like this take place. Our circumstance from yesterday can change. Today shook people and their world. Today was not the same. But lean on a God that is. Have faith in a God that will not change. Who's love is the same as it was yesterday, who's grace, who's strength, who's protection, who's peace is the same, today, yesterday, forever!

 

" Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever."

-Hebrews 13:8

EASTER...ONE WEEK LATER.

I realize if I were a better blogger, I probably would have shared Easter Pictures last week. You know, right after Easter. I'm not a better blogger though. I'm the woman who shares a week later. I'm the woman, who does the laundry only because someone in the house has ran out of clean underwear. I'm the woman who openly talks about the status of my family's underwear. Yesterday, while I was talking to Henry he told me "I got no time for that" a phrase, well a misphrase from a YouTube video that I watched too many times (and, what he meant to say was "Ain't nobody got time for that"). Yes, I'm the mom who shamefully watches YouTube videos because a woman can only watch the Mickey Mouse club house for so many hours in her lifetime before she needs a good "ol' fashioned" YouTube chuckle.

 

I don't even know where I'm going with this.

 

As I write this, this morning, both my children are cuddled up to me. They have insisted on snuggle time. A request I love. The love they have for me is irrelevant to my mess. They do not care about "The type of woman" I am. They love me and need me regardless of my laundry habits, my bad habits, my lack of being a good blogger. I mean, they notice those things, my son has told me a number of times how "Grandma's house is not as messy." Still yet, I am mommy, they love me and on mornings like this I am aware of the bigger picture.

I realize that God also loves me regardless of my mess. I can not get hung up on the things I am not. He needs me for the things I am. He sees the bigger picture, even when I can not. He is aware of the areas that I lack in and is still wanting to "snuggle up" to me.

 

In an effort to take a picture of my kids together on Easter, I walked away with this series...

Thinking I had nothing, I went through them again. Upon further inspection I realized I had a shot. It was there all along. It's not perfect or even shot with great technique, but it's exactly what I needed and wanted.

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Friends, God has already inspected us. He sees the good in us. In you and me.

 

"I, God, search the heart and examine the mind. I get to the heart of the human. I get to the root of things. I treat them as they really are, not as they pretend to be.”

-Jeremiah 17:10 (MSG)

 

Also! Thank you everyone stopping by from the UBP Link Up! Glad you're here! Love meeting new bloggers!