A look back: 2010 Goals

At the beginning of 2009 and 2010 I shared a list of goals here on my blog. In 2009 I periodically revisited my list to do a personal "check-in." That didn't happen in 2010. As I was thinking about my goals as I look ahead to 2011, I read back through what I wrote at the beginning of 2010. I wrote I wanted to "know God" this year.

I would say that 2010 was a year of lessons for us. To look back at where we started 2010 and where we ended up the year, we know it is all God's hand and timing that brought us here. In January 2010 we knew of some possibilities for a job change for my husband. At the end of April I felt like God was saying "get ready to leave here."


We had our own ideas of how we hoped it would work out, but there were so many unknowns. I was scared about those. I didn't want Caleb to have to start school in one place and then change in the middle of the year to another school. I feared our house would be on the market a long time without selling. I didn't want for us to have to live there while my husband lived away from us during the week to do his job.

It seems like nothing happened as I had thought it would! The job opening we thought would happen in the summer didn't happen at all (and still hasn't). We lived in multiple places and have actually had four addresses in 2010! Caleb has been in two schools. Our house sold in 10 days. My husband started working at his new job and traveled back and forth on weekends (thankfully he could stay at my Mom's house which was closer to his office and we didn't have to do that for very long!).

So when I think about 2010 I'll always remember the lessons God taught us.....to be patient, to trust Him, to know that His timing is best.

Throughout the entire process we prayed that whatever happened God would get the glory. We could never had caused things to come together as they did. We know there was a purpose in how all of this worked out.

I am grateful to those of you who have been so supportive with your prayers and encouraging words throughout 2010. I'll share my goals for 2011 in a future post.

Happy New Year! Have a day of blessings!

Flashback Friday

The Flashback Friday today is about our traditions for New Years.

My flashback:
I don't remember any yearly traditions for New Years. Sometimes we did go to our church to meet up with others and I remember playing games and eating. Mostly I think we stayed home.

My Dad was a New Year's baby so we always had cake and presents for him.

I think this is my shortest flashback ever!

Happy 2011! Have a day of blessings!

Thankful Thursday

I'm late in my posting but have been thinking about what I'll post on my thankful list today.

Today I am thankful for...

~ my husband's hard work to provide for us. He has had so much on his plate with all of our moves, buying the house, and repainting two rooms, plus all of the newness of his new position. I'm thankful for his love for us and his work in all he does.

~ fun days with my boy while he is out of school. Tuesday we stayed home (me in my pajamas, he changed outfits three times I think) and had a great day together playing with his new Christmas gifts. I knew the boxes were there and would be there next week as well when my boy is back in school. Wednesday we did a few errands in our new town (subscribing to the local paper, setting up a bank account for him, etc.) and today we went to trade a Lego he had received that he already had. Plus he had some money he won through a fundraiser at his old school. He wanted to get an air pump for his bike, elbow and knee pads, and a different Lego set. He wore the pads the rest of the day after we found them at Walmart. It was such a fun, happy day! Makes me smile to think about the cute things he said and how he talked all day long! I'll miss him when he's back in school next week.

~ getting moved. We are out of the rental house and completely out of the storage unit now. I'm so thankful!

~ Tuesday I was excited to get a local mail-out from the newspaper that had ads for the local grocery stores. Such a simple little thing, but I'd been debating subscribing to the newspaper. I didn't want it to be a waste of money because I doubted how much we'd actually read it. Plus I really only wanted it for the ads and the coupons on Sunday. Since I found out we get the ads in the mail, I won't have to subscribe yet and can still get the ads along with stopping on Sunday for a paper (they sell them on the corners here).

~ the nice visits we had with our family over Christmas. It was very enjoyable with sweet memories made.

Happy New Year!

Have a day of blessings!

2010 Book #36: Choosing to See

I have wanted to read Choosing to See by Mary Beth Chapman and was excited to find it available at our local library. It was a quick read for me, and I highly recommend this book.

I have been a fan of Steven Curtis Chapman and his music for many years. On May 21, 2008 their daughter Maria was killed in a tragic auto accident. In this book, Maria's mother writes about the very personal journey of grief she is traveling.

This is a very touching book. It is not just about the loss of their sweet Maria though; it is also about the choice we have to see God all through life and how our plans are not always the same as what He has for us.

I have seen various people in my life deal with grief and loss. Some use their loss to point others to Christ; others are just use their hurt to hurt other people. Mary Beth Chapman does a remarkable job in this book sharing how she and her family are trying to do the best they can to point others to Jesus as they travel this hard path He has made for their family.

Have a day of blessings!

2010 Book #35: Living with Less

I have (finally) finished reading this book by Jill and Mark Savage called Living With Less So Your Family Has More. It was a very informative, enjoyable book. I read it off and on, which is why it took me a long time to read.

This would be an excellent book to read to start out the new year. The Savage's give ideas on ways to cut back and create a "less is more" lifestyle. The book is divided into three parts: vision, attitudes, and actions. If you are going to live with less, you will really be living against the philosophy of most of the rest of the world. You will face adult peer pressure. In the action section the Savage's give ideas of various areas where you can choose to live with less including housing, college, holidays, and income.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend it for you. It is very encouraging to find new ways to save money as well as realize how less really is more.

Have a day of blessings!

Thankful Thursday

Today is Thankful Thursday. I am glad I have computer access to participate this week! I would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas. I hope you are enjoying a special time with family and loved ones.

Today I am thankful for...

~ my husband having time off from work.

~ having my boy out of school on his Christmas vacation! I loved having him with me as I ran errands Monday.

~ our new home. I went last Friday and worked on cleaning windows and baseboards. Over the weekend we (meaning my husband and a little help from Caleb!) painted two bedrooms...one was a bright purple and the other was a bright blue. He is done with the purple one and will work to finish the blue one in the next few days. I love being there and it already feels like home! I'm so thankful for God giving us this dream come true!

~ getting one of these for Christmas from my Mom. She told me a while back I hope you all can use what I got you for Christmas. At the time we were between homes, but she knew we would eventually use it! I'm excited to try it out!

~ the fun traditions and memories of past Christmases as well as looking forward to new traditions in our new home.

Have a day of blessings!

Five years

It's been five years since we drove to visit Peepaw in his hospital room.


It's been five years since we decorated a little Christmas tree to sit beside his bed.


It's been five years since he made us laugh at his insisting on eating the chocolate cake off his lunch tray.

It's been five years since we walked out of that hospital room, and I waved our special pinky wave.

It's been five years since the phone rang as my husband and I were driving home from eating out for supper. I knew what my Mom wasn't saying as she asked where we were and told us to come back home.


It's been five years since we got back to Mom's house and she told us that Sis had called to tell her Peepaw had passed away.


Five years.


Five years that I've missed your calls on Christmas morning, birthdays, and all the other random times.


Five years that I've missed your hugs.


Five years that I've missed hearing your voice and that noise you made with your lips.


Five years that I've missed our trips to the ice cream store.


Five years that I've missed having you here to see Caleb grow up.

Five years that I've missed calling you on the phone.

Five years that I've missed your funny sayings.

Five years that I've missed sending you cards and our family pictures.



Five years that we've taken a tiny Christmas tree to your graveside on this day.


Five years that I've missed everything about you.


I miss you Peepaw. I'm grateful that I have all these things about you to miss. You were always so special to me and continue to be important in my life. I'm thankful for our memories.
-------

Have a day of blessings!

Flashback Friday

I missed Flashback Friday last week as we are without a computer right now. I wanted to participate with last week's questions today since I have so many Christmas memories! Linda asked us about Christmas gifts.

My Flashback:
We would open our gifts at home on Christmas morning. I remember one year we went to Meemaw's house and we took the gifts with us. The gifts were always from my parents, they always told me the truth about santa. My gifts were always wrapped. Once we put up our tree there would always be some gifts under it, and a couple would be for me. Then on Christmas morning there would be more under the tree with my name on them along with a full stocking. The stocking had pens, candy, and stickers. I'd go shopping with my Dad to help pick out gifts for my Mom.

One Christmas that I remember was when Peepaw came over to watch me open my gifts. There was one box that was so big. I told him I thought it was an elephant. I don't know how old I was but my perception was that it was a very large box. It turned out to be a baby doll cradle.

I never peeked, I didn't want the surprise to be ruined! I did look to find which ones had my name on them though! One year I saw one long box and said I bet that's a gun. It was a BB gun when I opened it.

We'd go to have Christmas with extended family. One year Peepaw had me come behind the couch with my eyes closed. He had made me a hope chest. It was a very special gift because he had made it for me. He had had some health problems that year and was worried he'd be unable to finish the hope chest. The hope chest is a treasure to me. He had a little engraved label on the top that says To My Sweetheart. I love the picture of me seeing the hope chest for the first time and hugging Peepaw.

Have a day of blessings!

Audio book: Outlive Your Life by Max Lucado

I had the privilege of listening to the audio version of a book called Outlive Your Life by Max Lucado. It was provided through the reviewer's program at christianaudio.

I had previously read this book and posted my review here. When I saw the audio version available, I knew I'd enjoy hearing it because I had enjoyed reading it so much. It was one I wanted to read again anyway and I figured I could learn something new by hearing it.

This book focuses on how we should be living our Christian lives...caring for others, seeing the needs of people, and praying to name a few. It is based on the book of Acts. It is very thought provoking for the listener and causes you to think about how you are living compared with how Christians really should live. I appreciate the real-life examples given by the author of people who are living out their faith in real-world situations.

The narrator, Dan Butler, was interesting to hear overall. At times I found his voice to be a bit monotone. He did a nice job reading this book and gave me the feeling he understood what he was reading, making it personal and not just words he was reading.

Have a day of blessings!

The audio version was provided through christianaudio Reviewers Program.

Flashback Friday

What was Christmas like at school when you were growing up? Were there parties, programs or other activities? Did students exchange gifts? Did you have a part in a Christmas play? Did teachers decorate their rooms? Was it permissible to refer to the holiday as Christmas? If you attended church, what special things did your church do? Were you or your family involved in any of those programs, cantatas, or activities? Have you ever gone caroling? Did your parents ever host Christmas parties?

Our Christmas topic for Flashback Friday continues this week. We are remembering Christmas at school and church.

My Flashback:
We always had a Christmas party at school. I do not remember any specific party. My Mom was always a room mother. She or one of the other mothers would give us all a plastic apple ornament with our name, the year, and our grade on it. I have a whole box of little apple ornaments!

In third grade we did a Christmas play of the Nativity (in public school). I have a picture of myself standing on a chair dressed as an angel. I don't remember anything about it!

In middle school and high school we would have Christmas choir concerts. These always seemed to last so long!

At church we usually put on a Christmas play. There was a different one each year. One time we were singing a song and shaking some bells that were sewn onto a small ribbon. Some of the bells flew off as we were singing and rolled down the steps. It was hard to sing and not laugh!

Have a day of blessings!

Thankful Thursday

I didn't get a post up last week for Thankful Thursday so I am doing one early this week to get it posted!

This week I am thankful for...

~ my husband's care for me and how he is so protective and loving.

~ the way my son makes me laugh. Lately he thinks it is funny to jump out of a surprise location in the mornings and scare his Mommy! He has scared me twice, he laughs and laughs about this!

~ update on our house!!!!! ---------WE ARE CLEAR TO CLOSE!------ I can't believe it! We don't know a date yet, but the lender told me it won't take very long to update our paper work from the first time we submitted everything.

~ fun holiday traditions we have. I am looking forward to creating new traditions in our new city!

~ sweet friends of our past as well as the new relationships we will make in this city.
Have a day of blessings!

What would you give?

I have a post today called What would you give? It is over at Laced with Grace and I'd like to invite you to read it.

Have a day of blessings!

Update on us

I thought I'd give a little update since I haven't written lately.

We loaded up on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. We had Thanksgiving at my Mom's. Then on Friday we unloaded the rental truck. We have a house we are living in that our Realtor found for us to use without a lease or contract, which is very helpful. We are still deciding/waiting on the house to buy....either the first house we wanted or a different one.

Caleb is enjoying his new school. I'm so proud of how well he had adjusted and thankful for his positive attitude. We really like his school and teacher as well, it's such a blessing how well it has gone.

We don't have Internet right now so I'm not posting regularly. I visit the library to read blogs and post for now.

We are getting ready for Christmas. I'm not sure when we are going to get our tree, probably soon. Caleb has been asking about that. I don't feel quite excited about it this year as I normally do. I think that is because this place feels temporary since we aren't really unpacking or settling in, so it feels weird to me to think of decorating for Christmas when I don't know how long we'll be here.

We love being here in this city and are so thankful to be together. Keep us in prayer as we make decisions regarding the house and all the other things that go along with moving like finding a new church, bank, doctors, etc.

Have a day of blessings!

Flashback Friday:

Like Linda, I've been looking forward to the December prompts for Flashback Friday. This week we are remembering our family traditions regarding Christmas trees.

My Flashback:
I have so many happy memories and Christmas time was certainly a happy time. We got a real tree each year. We usually got it around the 10th-15th I think of December. The three of us would go pick it out together. I remember one year we were waiting in the truck and a girl in the truck next to me stuck her tongue out at me. I don't know why I remember this, but I still have that image in my head. Once we got the tree home my Dad would put it in the stand. Then he said we had to wait to decorate it so it would "draw out." This meant he wanted to let the branches open up a little before we decorated it. I'm not really sure why and that still makes me laugh today. I didn't like waiting to decorate it!

We had a star on the top of the tree. Each year it was the tradition for my Mom to put on the star and we'd take her picture as she posed with her hand ready to place the star atop the tree.

We had a mixture of ornaments. Many were homemade or gifts. We had one set of tiny plastic candy canes that my Dad likes to put on the tree. When I was 2 or 3, my Mom and I made ornaments with dough that hardened and then I painted them. I did this with Caleb also and we hang those on our tree each year. We always got an apple ornament with the year and grade at our Christmas party at school. When we got too old to have a Christmas party my Mom continued to make me an apple through my school years.

Another decoration we always had out at Christmas was a little white and blue church made out of plastic canvas by my Meemaw. It had a music box inside.

Have a day of blessings!