Quick, before I get Sidetrack'd

For several weeks now my sidebar has been home to a cute little “Summer Cupcake Caper” button. When Gibee announced the competition it sounded like such fun that I decided to create an entry. To add to the amusement, I invited my friend Michelle and her two girls (ages 5-1/2 and 2-1/2) to help me destroy my kitchen bake and taste-test my submmission.

On a lovely Wednesday morning a few weeks ago Michelle and the girls came over and the baking began. Having noticed that small chefs can sometimes be eager to add ingredients to the mix, I had gathered all the necessary components and utensils beforehand to help speed the process (next time I might pre-measure the ingredients as well). When the girls came in we drew stools and chairs to the counters and set about making our mess cupcakes.

At my instruction B began breaking eggs into a bowl and, due to Michelle’s diligence, we got them into the mixing bowl sans shells. While they worked on eggs, I measured other ingredients and K (the 2-1/2 year old) licked raw egg off the counter. Then, into the mixing bowl – with B and K alternating turns – went all of the ingredients to be mixed by two spoons and four sweet little hands.

After everything was well mixed we used a scoop to transfer the contents of the bowl into the cupcake pans. Into the oven they went and the excruciating wait between mixing and eating began. K was excited because, “Ooo, we’re making muffins!”

While the cupcakes cooled we went to work creating frosting. There were three frostings concocted from which we would determine our favorite and the contest submission. We started with a strawberry frosting that B quickly deemed the favorite. She enjoyed it so much that Michelle and I kept seeing little fingers go into the bowl for “one more taste.”

Once the frostings were complete it was time to decorate. We had sprinkles, strawberries, and chocolate covered strawberries with which to adorn our cupcakes, and beautiful designs resulted. I wish I had pictures of B’s wonderful cupcake creations, but, unfortunately, my camera batteries were dead.

I believe a good time was had by all. In the end, the counters were sticky, the floor was sticky, there were baking supplies and powdered sugar everywhere; in general it looked like a bakery had exploded. But it was worth the clean up to see the girls enjoying the fruits (or desserts as it were) of their labor.

First, a little of this…

Lauren is so kind; she named me a “Thoughful Blogger”. This was designed to recognize “those who answer blog comments, emails and make their visitors feel at home on their blog; for the people who take others people’s feelings into consideration before speaking out, and who are kind and courteous. This award is for those generous bloggers who think of others.”

I am honored that Lauren thinks of me in this way. Thank you!

And now, a little of that…

Susan and Janice of 5 Minutes for Mom are having another great giveaway. They’ve teamed up with Best Buy to give their readers a chance to win an Insignia 37″ flat-panel LCD HDTV!! Click here for all the details.

I hope you are all having a wonderful Monday!

As I mentioned in my last post, things are not turning out as we had envisioned in regard to our upcoming move.

We were slated to move on Friday, the 20th (a week from tomorrow) and for Matt to begin his new job on Monday, the 23rd. We have a truck reserved, utilities transfers ordered, boxes packed, and are set to sign a lease on an apartment in Nashville on Monday, the 16th.

But now, everything is changing.

The information Matt came across indicated various levels of personality conflict, mismanagement, and incompetence. There also appears to be a huge amount of employee turnover considering the size of the company. In total these factors are significant enough that we began to doubt that things were as good as they originally appeared.

Through much prayer and conversation, we have decided that this isn’t the right position and situation for our family. If the job didn’t require a long-distance move, selling our house, etc, it might be a risk we felt comfortable taking. With things the way they are, it isn’t worth the uncertainty.

Over the last few days we have come to several realizations about God’s work through out this process. From the beginning we have prayed for wisdom, discernment, and that all we did would be about the righteousness of God. I believe this information has come to light in answer of our prayers for wisdom. As my friend Diane said yesterday, it seems like this is protection from the Holy Spirit.

And now, we walk by faith and not by sight. Matt is scheduled to leave his current position as of Thursday, July 19th.

I anticipate the things that are to come. I recognize God’s sovereignty now more than ever. I sit in trust of His faithfulness, of His provision, of His love.

The God I serve has a sense of humor; and if this isn’t proof of that, what comes next will be an even greater adventure!

“Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.” Proverbs 19:21

This week has been one filled with drama, stress, disease, and broken phones.

It all began early Monday morning. As I walked out the door headed for the grocery store, Little dropped my cell phone on the driveway. The top portion of my flip phone is now only attached to the bottom portion on one side. It still functions, although, it is a kind of touchy to open and close. My first thought, was “wow, it’s going to be a Monday.” Little did I know.

Next came the doctor visit and the diagnosis of impetigo. Nothing dramatic here except that we had to wait an hour past our appointment time to see the doc. I’m just thankful she was able to fit us in on Monday morning!

I left the doctor’s office headed for the pharmacy and got a call from Matt. He called to tell me that some dear friends of ours are divorcing. The news shocked me and broke my heart.

And the drama culminated on Tuesday afternoon when Matt called with some negative information about the company he is supposed to start work for on the 23rd. The information is significant enough to make us rethink the job and our move.

As I type, he is on a phone interview with another company. Please pray for us – for wisdom, discernment, and most of all that God’s will be done in all of this.

I’ll be back later with more on the job/move situation, but right now Little is waking up from her nap.

I hope you are all having a happy and uneventful week!

We just got a call for a second showing of the house this evening.

I have a friend coming over in about an hour.

My house is a wreck.

Hopefully I’ll be back later with more!

~ Little’s face is looking much better after 2 doses of antibiotic; I think we’re on the mend.
~I’ve walked 9 of the last 10 days.

Sheryl at Peanut Butter and Jelly Boats is challenging herself to 21 days of prayer and fasting to help her overcome some issues with what comes out of her mouth (see post here). She invited her fellow bloggers to join in the challenge, and I’ve decided to come alongside both in praying for her and challenging myself.

Although I’m not planning to share whether or not I’m fasting (I’ve decided that this is best left between God and me), I will write about the specific things I’m praying about and through and how God is at work in those things.

Now, since that last sentence was clear as mud, let’s get started.

~~ I will be praying, along with Sheryl, about the words that come out of my mouth; this is a constant struggle. I want the words that I speak to be edifying, gentle, and kind whether I’m speaking to a stranger, a friend, or Matt and Little. I will focus specifically on praying the following verses:

~~ I will be praying about the sale of our house and our impending move; that everything we do will be to the glory of God.

~~ I will be praying about finding a new church home in Nashville. It took us a year and a half to find a church here (that’s a long story for another time), and I’m hopeful that the lessons God taught us in that time only have to be learned once.

Today is actually day two of the challenge (yep, that’s me – a day late and a dollar short), so for the next 20 days I will be praying with and for Sheryl about the words of our mouths and also about these other things.

In other (but somewhat related) news, I’m also challenging myself to get back in the habit of exercising; I’ve always heard that it takes 21 days to create a habit, so the timing is just right. For the next 21 days I will walk or do some other form of exercise (like load and unload boxes) for 30 minutes each day. As a kind of accountability, I will add to the bottom of my posts a note about whether or not I’ve had my walk for the day. So far, so good – Little and I walked for at least 30 minutes both yesterday and today.

Ahh! Reminiscences on childhood. I received this in an e-mail from my friend N today, and I can so relate to each one of these. Enjoy!

You know you grew up in the 80s if you:

~ ever ended a sentence with the word SIKE.
~ can sing the rap to The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and can do the Carlton.
~ know that “WOAH” comes from Joey on Blossom.
~ ever watched Fraggle Rock.
~ remember when it was actually worth getting up on Saturday to watch cartoons.
~ wore a ponytail on the side of your head.
~ got super-excited when it was Oregon Trail day in computer class at school.
~ made your mom buy one of those clips that would hold your shirt in a knot on the side.
~ played the game “MASH” (mansion, apartment, shelter, house).
~ wore stone-washed Jordache jean jackets and were proud of it.
~ know the profound meaning of “Wax on, wax off.”
~ wanted to be a Goonie.
~ ever wore fluorescent clothing.
~ remember what Michael Jackson looked like before his nose fell off and cheeks shifted.
~ have ever pondered why Smurfette was the only female Smurf.
~ took lunch boxes to school and traded Garbage Pail Kids in the schoolyard.
~ remember the craze, then banning of slap bracelets.
~ still get the urge to say “NOT” after every sentence.
~ thought your friends would never leave because you exchanged friendship bracelets.
~ ever owned a pair of “Jelly” shoes.
~ saw Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure and kept saying “I know you are, but what am I?” (or wanted to dance every time you heard the word “Tequila”)
~ remember, “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up.”
~ remember going to the skating rink before there were in-line skates.
~ have ever played with a Skip-It.
~ remember boom-boxes and walking around with one on your shoulder like you were all that.
~ remember watching both Gremlins movies.
~ thought Doogie Howser / Samantha Micelli was hot.
~ remember Alf, the little furry brown alien from Melmac.
~ remember New Kids on the Block when they were cool and don’t even flinch when someone refers to them as NKOTB
~ knew all the characters names and life stories on the original class of Saved By the Bell.
~ still sing “We are the World”.
~ tight-rolled your jeans.
~ owned a banana clip.
~ remember, “Where’s the beef?”
~ have said (or still say), “What you talkin’ ’bout Willis?”

I’ve been thinking lately about some of the things that I would consider my favorites. This is not a comprehensive list, but in the spirit of Spring, here ya go (in no particular order)…

1. The warm days of Spring
2. Tulips and daffodils
3. Fresh creamed corn with fresh tomatoes
4. Budding and blooming trees
5. Little cuddling up on my chest
6. Relaxing with Matt
7. Sitting on the seashore or in the mountains marveling at God’s handiwork
8. Laughing with Matt about silly things
9. A good movie
10. Being outside
11. Re-reading Sense & Sensibility for the upteenth time
12. A good book – the kind that absorbs me and I don’t want to put down
13. Talking to and laughing with girlfriends
14. Little’s grin and laugh

These are things that make me feel good, that relax me, that I could enjoy over and over and over again. These are things for which I thank God.

I’m sure you have seen the e-mail forward that says friends come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. I can name several people who have been in my life at one time or another that fall into the reason or season categories. There are only a very few people that I consider lifetime friends.

A lifetime friend is someone who is always there. You might lose contact for awhile, you might not see or talk to each other for several years, but when you do meet again your friendship picks right up where you left it. It is comfortable to reconnect with a lifetime friend; it is satisfying somewhere deep in your soul to have this person in your life again. These are the friends that you miss deeply when they aren’t actively a part of your life; the friends you dream about; the friends that pop into your thoughts when you least expect it.

My friend Pat is a lifetime friend. She and I have been friends since I was a child. This wasn’t your typical childhood friendship, though; Pat is about 20 years older than I am. She has pictures of me in Sunday School when I was 2 or 3 (she was my teacher), and she has pictures of me at the beach with her children when I was 15 or 16. She was one of the first people (besides my roommates) who knew I had kissed Matt, and she made our wedding cake 4 years later. I baby-sat her children and she was at my baby shower.

When I was about 10 years old I started spending a lot of time with Pat and her family. She had just had her first child and had recently moved into the house she and her husband were building. I remember being at her house before it had baseboards, interior doorknobs, or a porch. I remember both of her children as infants (they are in high school now, the oldest is a Senior – that makes me feel old!). I remember laughing together, singing together, watching movies together, cooking together, and eating together.

I was at her house at least 1 weekend per month for several years. In my Junior and Senior years of high school I spent less and less time with Pat; when I started college I only saw her for a few minutes here and there. After I got married and moved away we pretty much lost contact all together. Pat e-mailed me again not long before I found out I was pregnant with Little; I was so happy that I was able to share that time of my life with her.

Pat and I had a lot of fun over the years – more memories than I could ever record in one place (and more than anyone but me would care to read) – but she also taught me a lot about life and about loving God. Her house was a safe place for me to share all of those things that a young girl sometimes has trouble sharing; we talked about friends, about boys, about the past, and about the future. Over the years she showed me so much of her heart for God – both in conversation and in action; she’s had a true and lasting influence on my walk with Christ. I am blessed to call her friend.

I pray that my daughters will have friends like this; women who take interest in their lives and walk beside them through the rough years of middle school, high school, and beyond. I pray that I can be “Pat” to someone’s daughter.

I love you, Pat, and I will always cherish our friendship.