Changes!

Hey everyone!  Long time no talk.  :)

I did let my domain go.  So, to get to this blog it you have to use the URL Smallinspirations.blogspot.com
instead of dandeliondayz dot com.   That no longer will get you to my blog...that I no longer write on anyway!  :)

Anyway  - just an update.  Maybe there will be more...  :)

Thankful for 15 Years of Marriage Today!

My 11 year old daughter has started watching a couple shows on TLC called Four Weddings and Say Yes to the Dress.   Sometimes I sit with her to watch the brides plan their weddings and pick out the perfect dress so that it all comes together on their special day. 

One recent afternoon, she asked to see my wedding dress.  So, we got it out.  She tried on my shoes - they fit her and they do not fit me anymore!  Ack!   She tried on the veil - sniff sniff.   She told me that she loved my dress but thought she'd want one of her own.  Of course.  Then she spun around my room in that veil dreaming of who she might meet at the end of THE aisle one day. 

She said, "Do you remember your wedding day like it was the most special day of your life?"
Absolutely.  It was.

In her sweet little girl mind, she is thinking of the wedding - the dress, the veil, the flowers and where it will be - the beach!   I can handle that! 

So, I took the opportunity to tell her that while the wedding was awesome and a day I'll never forget, that marrying the right guy is the most important.

"How do you know when you have the right guy?" she asked
***

I am celebrating 15 years of marriage today.   As a young bride, I lived under this goal to at least make it to 14 years - I don't even know that I thought about marriage past that.    My parents divorced after 14 years of marriage.  I guess in some strange way, I always thought that if I made it past then we were home free!  :) 

What I know now is that I just married the right guy for me.

How do I know that?

• He's the one who I can't imagine doing life without - even when life with him is not perfect.
• He's the one who loved me when I gained 80 pounds with our first child, 70 with the second and 60 with our third and still told me that I was beautiful. 
• He's the one who still makes me laugh.   
• He loves Jesus. 
• The one who still works hard to make me happy. 
• The one who provides for us,leads our family, he wants to be the one who talks to his kids about money,dating, how to be respectful, have God talks and all that stuff we need to tell our kids!
• He believes in me and he supports me in using the gifts God has given me.
• He makes dinner AND cleans up AND mows the lawn! 
• He books trips for us to go away - tonight we will be HERE! (And got a good deal to top it off!)
• I could go on and on... but this is for sure... for me, he is the right guy. 

The advice I'd like to give my daughter is this:   Marry someone who will love God like you love God.  Marry someone who believes that commitment and friendship are the most important parts of a marriage.  Marry someone who when the goin' gets tough will stick it out, will work hard to grow and will love you more because of it.  Marry someone who works hard.  Marry for love.  Marry to make a family.  Marry for joy.   Marry for companionship.  Marry because you have fun together.  Marry because he makes you laugh.  Marry for life.  

Gratitude - Word of the Year 2012

Okay, so I've struggled with this one.   Gratitude. 

A friend of mine says the word chooses you.  So it seems. 

Last year it was WAIT and wait I did.   I waited for that year to be over!   It was truly a year of waiting.  A year of trusting (although, I don't know how good I was at that).  A year of surrendering (most of the time not without a fight).  A tremendous year of growth and survival.  It was a year that at the end, you say something like, "I waited it out and I lived to tell about it!" 

So, as I headed into 2012, I have to say I was relieved to have a fresh start - to not have things looming over my family that were unknown and scary.  Although, I guess life is pretty unknown and scary.  It was for that reason that I really felt my word was going to be LIVE.   I was tired of living in that looming shadow of the unknown and I so was drawn several times to the word LIVE as to not be held back for what God really wanted me to do this year.  

Initially, I was drawn to a favorite verse -  John 10:10  - I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.

That verse eventually led me to THIS verse... 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ¹⁶ Rejoice always; ¹⁷ pray without ceasing; ¹⁸ in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

It's easy to be thankful when life is going your way.  It's easy to open your sunroof and look into a Carolina blue sky and thank God for your life when pretty much all is well.   

What I found out this last year while I was doing all that waiting, was that I was also becoming a bit embittered. I didn't like waiting and my heart was starting to harden.   Ick - not a good way to find yourself. 

Sure, I was living through it!  But not joyfully.  Not to those living through it with me, anyway.  

Being thankful, having a heart of gratitude -  it's in ALL circumstances.  Not just when the sky is blue.  Not just when life is going your way.  

So, this life? This full life I'm to LIVE because of my faith in Jesus?  I can't have it without an obedient life of gratitude.

 To LIVE is to be THANKFUL.  

This Should Keep Me Organized, Right?

Fall has given me a little boost of creativity around my house.   This weekend alone could have provided fodder for at least 3 blog posts!  But alas, I do not have time to post about the caramel apples I made with my kids or the Halloween decorating we did.  Although, I did let them have a little more freedom outside this year.  My bushes are covered in that fake cobweb and big black spiders!     It's cute - Mums and pumpkins just will not do for this crowd anymore! 

I did do one very necessary project that I thought I'd share.   I have been forgetting A TON of really important things lately.   Older age, too busy, distracted by other things in life - not sure.  So, I needed something that I could record these things and see them right when I leave the house! 

 Look! A New Chalkboard!!!



Taped around the outside of where I wanted to paint.  For this, I used an old frame that I removed the glass and picture from.  I just held it on the wall and drew around the inside of the frame.   Then I painted chalkboard paint right on the wall.





Removed tape - a little paint did seep through but that's okay because I'm adding the frame. 



Hung the frame.   This allows me to remove the frame and clean the chalkboard right on the wall!

And there is a little ledge for my chalk built right in!



I also added hooks for my keys and the dog's leash. LOVE!!!



I liked the way it turned out and it was so easy!!!  I can't imagine that I will every forget anything again!

Completely

I love the last words to this song, 

"What can I say, What can I do?  But offer this heart, oh God, completely to you..."

Oh, wait.  You mean even that little dark part that is angry?   Oh, and that part that I've been holding back in fear?  Okay, hold the phone! That part that needs to forgive someone?!?!?

Completely. 

Well, that is a lot harder than just singing words to a song! 

What I Learned THIS week!

When I was blogging a lot, I use to participate in a little bloggy carnival at Musings of a Housewife called What I Learned This Week. I loved reflecting on the past week's life lessons and reading about others. Sometimes about faith, others about raising kids and some just simple silly missteps along the way.


While taking a morning walk today, I reflected on what a frustrating week I had and thought maybe I could salvage it by chalking it up to growth!    So, here's my very own version of  What I Learned this Week! 

Humility is everything. A lesson that bites me often when I am least expecting it. It's really simple. I seldom, if ever, am without fault in a disagreement or situation. Even when all signs point to me being right, if I look hard enough I can usually find a reason how the other person might have felt hurt. I find that by saying, "Did I do something to hurt you?" and a sincere apology tear down many walls and lead to pretty quick reconciliation. The feeling of restoration in a relationship is a much better feeling than being right.   I just don't always know that until after it's been restored. :)

If humility is everything, communication has got to be a close second. Reply to that email, return that phone call, tell someone something even if you thought you already did, if you don't hear a response - try them again. Lack of response can communicate that you do not seem to care.   Do your part to communicate.  

Try to know a person's heart.  Intention, while should not be used as an excuse, goes a long way. I think that if you know a person's heart, ie: what is important to them, where they are hurting and what is going on in their life then it's easier to not take how they may be acting at the moment so personally.

Wait until next week. If you are feeling like making a big decision that could significantly change your future - Stop, pray, wait and get some advice. Making life changing decisions while hyped up on emotions is never a good idea.

Why are the lessons that seem so easy always the ones that I seem to keep learning the hard way?

No More Ads, A Simple Blog

You may have noticed that there are no more ads on my blog.  It really was a long time coming.  When I blogged a lot, it seemed appropriate to have some type ads running - at least it justified some of the time I spent on this hobby.   But now, I just felt bad  having them on there when I so randomly post.

This blog used to be a place where not only I shared my life but I connected with the rest of the blog world.   Lately, it's just been somewhere to keep people who care updated and to occasionally post a thought or two.  I like having it for my kids.   The other day, we did a search on Bubby and looked at everything I have posted about him in the last 4 years.  He loved that.    Yes, August will be 4 years that I've had this blog!!! Unbelievable.   My biggest job right now with this blog is to somehow archive it.  Any ideas?

So, I'm not ready to give it up yet.  It's random but not closed.  :) 

First Day at the Pool!

Last year at this time,  I was about to enter one of the hottest Summer's on record in North Carolina.  And I was 7 month's pregnant.   Yeah - it was not my favorite Summer.  But I was anticipating the arrival of our sweet boy.

I truly did not know how much this little guy would bless our life.  "They" all say that, don't they?

He is sweet, funny, calm, easy-going and just plain fun.   I'm glad I to call him mine.

Here we are enjoying the start of this Summer with his first trip to the neighborhood pool.   Remember what it was like to have a baby at the pool?!?!?  I quickly remembered yesterday the work involved in getting a wee one ready for a swim.  We lasted about an hour.    It's all fine, though - I'm just enjoying him.  This time around I am smart enough to know how fast it really goes. 

Happy 10 months,  Baby T.  You have been the light of our lives for 2011 for sure! 

Tornado

As I sit here editing this post, tornadoes are hitting areas of our country again.  Praying for those already hit and for their loss.  Praying for safety of those in the path of these storms.
***

Of the over 700 tornadoes this year in the US, at least one of them traveled right through my little town and specifically right down our street.    Honestly, I never thought of a tornado hitting this area. I'm from the Midwest and tornadoes are par for the course there.  But in North Carolina?  Sure enough, y'all.
  Pardon the picture quality - they are from my iPhone.

Our house suffered minimal damage.   Too many lost shingles to count will most likely leave us with a new roof.  We lost shutters, a patio set and our kid's swingset will need repair.  The trees, though - so many.  Our neighbor lost over 50 alone.   The craziest thing is that many of them, the very biggest ones, were turned over from the roots.   Usually, in high wind situations, we lose pine trees and pear trees because they snap so easily.   But this crazy storm just lifted trees right out of the ground.   And then left the birdbath beside it untouched.    So, weird don't you think? 

We are counting ourselves very lucky as so many others around us have suffered so much more loss.  Our insurance will fix what we cannot.   We are wounded but not devastated. 

The day of the tornado, I was running errands with two of my three kids.  My husband was out of town with Bubby.    My mom called me two or three times to tell me that a storm was coming.  She wanted me home.  As I finished up shopping in the local home improvement store, it lost power and went black.  I decided it was time to get home.   That is about a 10 minute drive down a long and winding road filled with tall majestic trees on both sides.    The rain was pouring and traffic lights were down.  The sky was a dark gray.   It seemed like a normal storm at first.   Then the lightning started - it was downright scary.  I was sure that if anything got us it would be that.  There was a point when I passed a local YMCA that I considered stopping.     I thought we'd be fine.   It was only a few minutes later that my mom called again to tell me not to come home, that she had taken cover in the bath tub of her own home and more scared than she has ever been in her life.  The tornado was on top of exactly where I was headed.  Then the phone went dead, the wind picked up, debris was flying into my car and the sky when black.   I felt like I was descending into an abyss - the intense lightning a true reminder of the danger in which I was headed.

So, I pulled over and told my 10 year old daughter that I was going to open the door to the van, she was to jump out in the ditch and that after I grabbed the baby I would be on top of her in that ditch.  She calmly said, "Yes Mommy."

But then, I looked at the ditch and the rain and the mud and the big tall trees and thought to myself that there was no better chance for survival there than in my car.   So, I turned around and did exactly what they tell you not to do in a tornado - ran from it!  It felt right, though and so I drove back to that YMCA.  As fast as my van would go in the rain we went the opposite direction of the storm.  I pulled into the circle drive, slammed my car into park, grabbed Baby Tand B and we ran inside.

The manager was awesome - calm and collected he led me to the women's locker room where a group of women and children were taking cover.  It was only then that my daughter and I both broke down.   The adrenaline that kept me going was now a puddle of tears.   The women calmed us and we were safe.

When I left the Y, I turned down the road to go home and found it blocked by HUGE trees that had fallen.  Actually about 100 yards from where I had just a decided to turn my car around.   I felt grateful.

Getting home was challenging as most of the roads were blocked with trees at this point.  Fallen power lines were everywhere.   I got a call from my neighbor telling me the damage to our home.  

When I got there, it was not even minutes later that  friends from church arrived to assess the damage and start their chainsaws.    It was comforting, encouraging and gave me all kinds of hope.   That is church, people.   

We are recovering and will be fine.  I'm thankful to be alive. I'm grateful for my family, friends and my church right now.  My awesome church took an offering the day after the storm especially for victims.  And just this week we adopted 10 families from one of the worst hit areas - a local mobile home park where they lost everything.  I am proud to be a member of a church that walks the talk.   
   Well, there's not much more to say and there's still much actual work to do.   I'll finish with what I said on my Facebook page a couple days ago and it rings so true.

A tornado can cause great destruction. But nothing can measure the strength of a community banding together to rebuild in the aftermath.

May you be a part of a community like that.    You will either be blessed or be a blessing and either way, that's a win. 

Banana Pancakes

You don't need banana pancakes to make conversation with your kids but just in case...

Banana Pancakes

First of all, I like to keep things simple around here.  So, here is a simple homemade pancake recipe with ingredients you most likely have around your pantry. 

INGREDIENTS

• 1 Cup All-Purpose flour or whole wheat pastry flour
• 1 Tablespoon Sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons canola oil or melted butter
• 1 cup milk or almond milk
• 1 egg  
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 1/2 - 1 whole very ripe banana - smashed (depends on how much banana taste you want)

DIRECTIONS:

Mix dry ingredients. Mix wet ingredients. Mix together. Heat the griddle to medium heat. I use a little melted butter on the griddle - we believe in butter around here!   Cook.



For mine this morning, I got to use a fresh egg from my neighbor's chickens, whole milk,  melted butter and all-purpose flour.  My family likes the all-purpose flour better than the whole wheat flour in pancakes.  I personally like the whole wheat pastry flour - it has a better texture than regular whole wheat flour and it's healthier than all-purpose.   But anyway....

Also, if you want to be even more simple and use a pre-mixed pancake mix - just add a very ripe banana to the mix. My in-laws do this, so I cannot claim this bit of genius that pumps up a normal pancake. I just enjoy the fruits. :)


This morning we enjoyed them with fresh mango, strawberries and maple syrup.   YUMMY!!!

Here's a picture - my family also likes them on the thin side.  I think that way they think they are actually eating more of them!
 
 

Heros are Made

In a conversation with my son this morning, he told me that he was going to have to study really hard in school to be a superhero.

He's 7, you know. And he is serious.

So, in between bites of banana pancakes, we talked about what being a superhero means to him and what super powers he thought he has to be a super hero.

It went a little like this...

"Well Mom, Superman was born on another planet and he did have powers.  But most superheros got their powers kinda by accident, like Spiderman (bit by a radioactive spider) and Ironman (heart transplant).   But Batman and Robin, they are just really smart.  They make cool gadgets and use them to save people.  That's the kind of hero I'd like to be."

Then over the last bite, he finished it up with this,

" Superheros are not born, Mom.  They are made."




A superhero in the making - age 3

 
Todays life lesson brought to you by a small child with big dreams. 

Winter is Past!

See! The winter is long past;
  the rains are gone are over and gone.
Flowers appear on the earth;
  the season of singing has come,
the cooing of doves
  is heard in our land.
The fig tree forms its early fruit;

  the blossoming vines spread their fragrance.

Arise, come my darling;

  my beautiful one, come with me.

--Song of Songs 2:11-13

 

I am SO loving this arrival of spring - literally and in my spirit.   

I hope spring has sprung in your world, too!

You are God Alone

Claiming the words to this song today.

The Plan - reposted

I'm re-posting this from 2008 - a great reminder about new beginnings at any age.  I needed to read this. 

The Plan

February Fun

 For a short month, it sure was packed with a lot of fun and activity!

It started out with a quick weekend trip to the beach -yes, in February - we needed to get away.  A good friend was kind enough to offer their condo for the weekend so we took her up on it.

It was Baby T's first trip and he did find it pretty interesting!

Atlantic Beach February 2011

First Walk on the beach!!!

Love this picture so much! First touch of sand. Ahhh.

We are eating solid food now...and obviously loving it!

And dancing in talent shows at school - she made her costume!

And giving reports on Bruce Lee at school - notice he is wearing his orange belt! 

And winning First Place at the Awana Quiz - the girl knows her bible!

Hope Community Church Blog

Have you seen my church's blog? Awesome stuff on here - check it out.

Hope Community Church Blog  

Here is a great online workshop, Understanding the Gospel - it's in 3 parts.
Understanding the Gospel - Part 1
Understanding the Gospel - Part 2
Understanding the Gospel - Part 3

I am SO loving that because I'm not able to take the class when it's offered at night.  A new baby and a husband who works at night leaves me pretty much the adult in charge around here.   What an awesome opportunity for me to people to take these classes if they need to from home.  Like me!

All Things Chic

Remember when I used to blog for Chic Critique?  That was a fun gig talking about girly stuff all the time.

Anyway, Jo-Lynne of Musings of a Housewife  creator of Chic Critique and Girlymama have merged their style blogs to create  All Things Chic!  Check it out!

Keep Dancing

Some of you know what my job is because I go to church with you and I work on Sundays at church.  For those of you that don't - I work on Sundays at my church.   My job is to work with an amazing team of volunteers that are there to make our church the welcoming and warm place that it is.  It may look like we are just parking cars and handing out bulletins when in fact, we are so much more!

There is a lot to remember, a lot to do and the day just flies by as I work with the different teams, welcome guests and spend time with volunteers.   It is an energizing day for me actually.  

I have to admit something, though -  just between you and me. 

I often feel like I didn't do enough.   Sometimes I even feel like I failed at my job.  I look back on the day and I think, "I could have done that better." Or "I missed that!"

It didn't really occur to me that I thought this way until I was having a conversation with my B.  She's getting ready for a talent show and has choreographed a 3 minute dance routine.   She dances all the time and is in several recitals a year.   She's a pro! 

Anyway, she was rehearsing for me and after she finished she became very critical of her performance.  She was saying things like, "I could have done that better."  And,  "I missed that!"

It hurts me because all I see is this amazing dance!  I don't even notice the one thing she missed or the move that she needs to work on.  I see my beautiful child who prepared for and remembered 3 minutes of choreographed moves! I am almost always moved to tears as I watch her dance. Even when she was just 3 years old!   She has grown into this beautiful young dancer who finds so much pleasure in doing it.

You know, I'm pretty sure God feels the same way about me on a Sunday.  I bet he doesn't even notice the things I missed or could have done better.  I'll bet he is so excited at how I prepare and dance through the whole day.

It probably hurts him to hear me criticize myself so much.  And when you get right down to it -  I'm focusing on my own performance and not Him.  I'm pretty sure that's a little thing called Pride.  It comes in  many forms doesn't it?

Look What I Found In My Bathroom Sink Today

Boys. I'm so glad I get to raise two of them. :)


Apparently, this alligator is going to grow.  We have now found him a new home so that we can use the bathroom sink again.  

Favorite Apps

Well, I finally got the iPhone for Christmas! Yay! I love this phone. I think I've been waiting my whole life for a phone like this. :)

So, I've started downloading some apps

I love this new one called Momento - I can record moments like Baby T rolling over and my daughter doing the splits on both legs in dance class or Bubby getting a new belt in TKD. A special date night -whatever. It's like a diary in my phone and I can tag it and catagorize it just like my blog except it's private. Unless I want it to be on Facebook or Twitter and then I can link it. Or even download it to another place on my computer. It's not free but it is cool!

I also downloaded The Holy Bible, Angry Birds, Weather Channel, the Dictionary, Pandora, some talking cat, google calendar, my local news station, All Recipes, Facebook and Twitter. I LOVE LOVE LOVE Pandora. It's my #1 favorite. Oh well, Facebook is but I still have some quirk with downloading photos to Facebook through my phone. Dislike.

So, what is your favorite? Free would be best, but I'm willing to pay a small fee. :)

Thanks!