Friday 3

Up late last night wooping it up (can't say what so Jeno doesn't know) So here is yesterday's...

Gratitude
1. Wild Berry Skittles. Waaaaay better.
2. Singing in the car with the boys after not so hot behavior in the store to change attitudes. It worked.
3. Making new friends and finding we can "swap" skills.

Remember
1. Even yellow days have tons of great moments. I can choose what to focus on.
2. Running outside and playing football means cleaning the kitchen can wait.
3. I am no longer afraid of not having plans for the day. Ok still haven't arrived but I am growing in this drastically. Wonderful week and planned NONE of it in advance. Zoo...McDonalds...Hobby Lobby...Park...

and one more...we have TONS of stuff that we don't use enough like puzzles, art, stickers. It is good to use what you have before looking for more.

Thursday 3

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Gratitude
1. More of Aidan sharing willingly. Gave Micah the last banana at dinner tonight.
2. My cell phone. Seriously how would I know to switch McDonalds location because the first one was too full and my friend scoped it out first?!
3. Depositing checks.


Remember (can't choose just 3 today!)
1. "Be still and KNOW that I am God" Emphasis not just on the still but on the knowing that comes through that.
2. The preciousness of a little boy falling asleep on his floor.
3. Counting on God Worship CD blows me away time after time.
4. Man the Israelites were a bunch of drama queens. I know I am too.
5. Aidan giving Daddy his helicopter from when he was a kid that he bought for him on ebay. Love it.
6. Boys who played "North Pole" at McDonalds and were amazing friends to each other and those around them.
7. Cool ideas for the kitchen recipes from generations past.

Wednesday 3

Gratitude

1. Jeremy having the wisdom to realize that I am tired and that I need to find a way to take a nap. I did.
2. Little Ceasers. After working this afternoon I didn't have it in me to do one more thing and we found a way to "go out to eat". The boys think tailgating is great and we like the price :)
3. Aidan thankful when Daddy brought water to drink for him with the pizza. I am thankful that he is thankful for whatever he gets.


To Remember (either lessons or moments)
1. Umm...yeah "biking" to the park with Micah sounded much better in concept than reality. He needs to learn to ride first.
2. Aidan stopping at telling his friends that did the race "great job" as we were walking out of church.
3. I love the Veggie Tales with Josh and the Big Wall. I watched this back in August as I got ready for the retreat and it gave me perspective then about true reliance and trust on God. Same reminder today.

Tuesday 3

It's early in the day but here is what I am thinking as of now...

Gratitude

1. Another green day at school.
2. Crazy warm weather for February.
3. Mikey's enthusiasm for hot dogs. I hope it can always be that easy.


To remember

1. I'm learning to let go more all the time. Watch a movie in the basement even if the weather screams come play outside. Not take a shower and instead...watch the movie with the boys.

2. Grocery shopping and hearing "...and your change is 17 cents" and being used to that. Cash is good. Jeremy has good ideas.

3. Getting up early to put out the garbage from the bathroom demolition.

The Challenge of 3

Just for me but you can follow and join in. I just needed a kickstart in my creativity. And a desire to simplify at the same time. I am developing my mantra of "what is essential, what is the heart of it?" (So that I stop saying "bottom line" ;))

So for this week each day:

3 pictures
3 things I want to remember
3 things of gratitude

Sunday 2/22/2009








Remember
1. Jeremy needing help in the bathroom but instead telling me to go run.
2. The unity of a sendoff for Forefront at the Rock.
3. Eating popcorn in Mikey's room during bedtime stories.

Gratitude
1. Washing machine.
2. Food without even grocery shopping for the week.
3. Time to scrapbook and reflect on good stuff.


Monday 2/23/2009




Remember
1. Aidan checking off what he saw on the zoo map to keep track of it. And his million questions to the Elephant and Hippo zoo guys. How old the hippos are (52 and 6).
2. The boys peeing the backyard to "water the grass".
3. Micah giving Aidan the smiley face receipt from Costco when he got home.

Gratitude
1. Warm oatmeal, warm coffee, and warm house.
2. The freedom to be spontaneous even though I stink at it.
3. Socks.

AND The realization of how can I not be thankful?

"Busy, you?"

How do we answer that usually?

"good, you?"

"good...yeah busy but good"

"yeah me too"

So humor me as I reflect on the last month...

For some reason lately when I've been asked that I have this whole slew of answers that I can't really wrap up into a one word answer . But who really wants to hear how we are doing beyond good? I can no longer say "good but busy". I'm not busy. Don't get me wrong I have plenty to do. I have laundry and dishes and projects like always but I have emptied my schedule, myself, and I am left with an openness that is strangely redefining. Pre-January Jeremy and I used to sit down on Sunday night and look at our schedules. Monday-small group, Tuesday-WM meeting, Wednesday-kids connection, Thursday-worship practice, Friday...Sat... You get the idea. We were slammed. We were busy and we were good.

But what if good isn't good enough? What if like "Hitch" fine isn't good enough, what if we want extraordinary? Are we willing to empty ourselves to get that?

It's hard. It is stinking hard. For somebody who so likes to be defined by what I DO. This is so redefining. If we aren't defined by what we do, what are we defined by? Who we are? Who is that? Looking out is a lot easier than looking in. Being busy keeps us in "good mode" but being still moves us to extraordinary.

In the last month we have made a lot of changes. Went to cash. Cut the boys school schedule in half, gone back to the "Mother Church" in preparation for a new church plant, canceled TV programming, sold a lot, got rid of a lot, ate at home A LOT, and I even went to the gym less. And because of that I have lost weight (yes I am weird I know), had a Sound of Music picnic, went swimming at the Rec center a ton, went useless shopping so much less, created art, had many friends over for lunch, and read. Reading definitely way of making you look inward. When the books you are reading are the Bible and Grace Based Parenting...you can't help but look in instead of out.

It is better...but it is hard. Why is that? I'm guessing that the move to extraordinary doesn't come without some sacrifice "surrender of something for the sake of something else". So as I surrender I am guessing that there are going to be some times that despite all the blessings...they don't come without surrender. Which is always going to be tough.

I am got a book that walks me through Psalm 23. I carry it in my purse (so it doesn't count as another book that I am reading, ha) and I love the promises that it gives...

...restoration
...goodness
...contentedness
...comfort
...overflowing

We all desire that in life. If you ask me that doesn't sound just good but extraordinary. But it doesn't come without allowing God to be the Shepherd and Us to be the sheep. Not the other way around. And he is leading beside still waters. Not crazy busy rapids.

Just some thoughts...Who knows what God is doing in me in all this. I know busyness will come again but not without me first changing my answer to "how are you?"