Life Lately

In trying to keep this blog going daily I want to post something but I don't really have the time to do a long one and I don't really even know what to post about.

So here's our life in a nutshell lately.

Our kitchen remodel has dominated our life for the last two months. We were without cabinets, counter tops, and appliances for 3 weeks. We managed because we kept the toaster oven and microwave in the garage. We also had a sink in the garage for laundry/brewing so we could wash dishes in there. We lived on paper plates and plastic cups. I also had kept the croc-pot out so we did a few crock-pot meals which were great. I lost all motivation to grocery shop. It wasn't too bad, although it did get old.

We had drywall work done, did some painting and then our cabinets and counter tops were installed. I set to work washing all our dishes before putting them in the cupboards. They had been sitting in boxes on our back porch so they were a little dusty.

We absolutely LOVE the new cabinets and counter tops. They look wonderful. And we now have 3 of the 4 appliances. We're going to be using our microwave in the garage for another month until our new one comes in. It's inconvenient but it's doable. We're still working on finishing the flooring because we'll be doing it ourselves and it will be throughout the hallway, living room, dining room and kitchen. We just haven't had time!! Here are pictures of our remodel.

Hadley is just growing by leaps and bounds. She's talking up a storm, starting to use full sentences. She loves water and "MM's " (aka M&M's). She's learning her letters and how to count. She just loves life and we love her. She's been sick a lot in the last few months, a few colds and a stomach bug. We've been pretty lucky she's overall a pretty healthy kid. We've only taken her to the dr. once because she was sick. I was worried with a recent cold and cough she was getting the Croup but she was fine the next day.

We're getting ready to go camping on Mt. graham this weekend with our bible study crew. I'm really excited to go, I think we'll have a lot of fun! I suppose that will have to be its own post.

Journaling (Apparently it's not a real word but I'm using it anyway)

Part of being a writer, so I'm told, is constantly writing. I've never really been good at journaling. I have certainly been consistent at being inconsistent with it.

I remember the summer our TV broke, I think I was still in elementary school, and my mom bought my brother and I notebooks to journal in. With no school to keep us busy and no TV to help us veg out my mom thought this would be a great idea. I thought so too at first and went along with it. I don't remember how long I did it, but I do know I abandoned it before school started the next year.

I kept a diary as a child too, which I still have. Every now and then I look back at what I wrote and just laugh. Most of the entries were about friends. Some were about vacations and general day to day happenings.

I also had a journal for my trip to the Ukraine when I went in high school. I also, still have that one. I did my best to journal daily during the trip but after about a week and a half (the trip was two weeks long) I stopped. What's great about looking back on those specific entries is reading the details I have since forgotten about the trip.

I then started an e-journal on my now dinosaur- laptop when I went to college. I actually kept that going, inconsistently, for about 4 years. I saved those files and have moved them onto my current laptop. I like to reread those entries but for some reason they're harder to revisit. Part of it is I wasn't as confident in myself back then so I focused on a lot of the wrong things in life. Perhaps part of it is they're still a little fresh.

Currently, as I started my writing journey with the Christian Writer's Guild, I've tried to start up another journal as well as maintain this blog. The e-journal is not going so well although it does allow me a place to vent in writing what I'd like to put on the blog but I know is not appropriate for any audience. Sadly, I'm still not very consistent with it. I'd like to get better because it certainly helps when I'm thinking of ideas for my writing assignments. I've already used two of my blog entries for assignments. As you may know I attempted a Blog-a-day challenge and couldn't keep up with that even.

Journaling is to me what a New Year's weight-loss resolution is for most of America, a lost cause. At least in one aspect: trying to achieve journaling. This goes along with my post from yesterday. If I think I can set a goal to journal everyday then I will achieve greatness, no I mean, I will achieve being a good writer. If I look at journaling as an experience, something that is on-going, then I can let myself off the hook when I don't journal that one day or maybe even one week. I have a desire to do it so I can look back and remember details or so my children can learn more about me and different things that were going on.

What about you? Do you journal?

By the way if you like to journal, I found some nifty, creative journals sold here. A little pricey but a neat gift idea for someone who loves to journal.

Acheivement vs. Experience

I'm going through a study with some women at church discussing Bruxy Cavey's book The End of Religion. I've really enjoyed it and agreed with most of his thoughts. Essentially he says, "Jesus came to put an end to religion, not start a new one." He defines religion as rituals, routines, and most importantly laws that are necessary to have a relationship with God. Jesus came to do away with all of that. Accepting Jesus' deity, death, and resurrection is the key to our relationship with God.

Anyway, toward the end of this book Cavey discusses the difference between achieving a relationship with Christ and experiencing a relationship with Christ. He says, "Christ-followers participate in spiritual practices (like prayer, Bible study, and meditation), not in order to achieve something, but in order to better experience what they already know to be true. I talk with my wife, not in order to achieve marriage, but in order to experience the marriage we have." (pg 220) Most religions, law-based ritualistic religions, have ways in which you achieve something. We could say they are works based. Jesus came to do away with laws and rituals (I say this in a general manner that laws are not needed to experience Jesus) so that we might have a true, uninhibited relationship with God. Cavey continues, "But according to Jesus, the connection already exists, as far as God is concerned. All we have to do is welcome it. God's loving presence surrounds us like air; it is the atmosphere we live in -- we simply need to stop holding our breath." (pg 220)

Achievement, to me, signifies an end result. Experience signifies an on-going journey. God has already offered us the achievement of Grace without having to do any works, so we can experience Him to the fullest. Why do we make things so difficult?

What about you? Are you trying to achieve a relationship with Christ so you can check it off your list and move on or are you longing to experience the wonder that is God?

You've got a hold on me

This will be a short post, but it's one I don't really want to put as a Facebook status so I figured this is a good place to do it.

If there is one thing in my life that can really take hold of my thoughts, emotions, and even affect my relationship with Christ, it's my relationships with other people.

If I think I've offended someone or upset someone, it's all I can think about until it's smoothed over. If someone says something that bothers me, I can't get over it until I feel like I've figured out why they said it. I say it gets a hold of me, but usually I only let it take control for a week at most. I can't stand to wallow or play the victim for too long. It takes too much energy and robs me of good times.

In the past I would work extremely hard to please everyone, now I only work at pleasing people. I praise God for helping me grow in this area as it has had a more positive effect on my relationship with Him, however it still lingers.

I'm learning to trust God more in this area. Allowing Him to stretch me beyond what I am capable of doing on my own. He is faithful.

Ok so this was a little longer than I first thought, so I guess it was a good thing I blogged about it instead of putting it as a Facebook status.

I feel like Chicken tonight, like Chicken tonight....

Here's a new favorite crock pot recipe: From Fix it and Forget it 5 Ingredient Slow Cooker cookbook.

Lemon Pepper Chicken and Veggies

2-3 Chicken drumsticks (skinned)

2-3 Chicken thighs (skinned)

4-5 Red potatoes chopped in 1 inch cubes

4-5 Carrots cut in 1/2" discs

2 Cups of Frozen Green Beans (optional)

Chopped Garlic (optional)

14 oz Can of chicken broth

Lemon Pepper

Sprinkle lemon pepper on both sides of chicken pieces.

Layer carrots, potatoes, green beans and garlic if using, and then chicken. 

Pour in Chicken broth and cook on low 4-5 hours or until chicken falls off the bone and veggies are cooked through. If you're crockpot doesn't cook very fast or very hot, you may need to increase the cooking time.

Justice

There are days when I just want justice to reign down on the heads of those who think they're entitled. Is it because I'm jealous? No...well not usually...maybe like 2% of the time. Do I care what they think about me? Not really. I care about what they think about themselves. Does that even make sense?

Those drivers who think the roads were made just for them. I'm so glad they're passionate about reminding the rest of us nobodies we shouldn't have even considered driving down the same road as them. Those who chase after materialistic things like new clothes, new TV's, new cars....anything they really can't afford but 5 different banks and 5 different credit card companies told them they could. Go ahead flaunt that new car on Facebook to all your friends and then please also flash us your monthly car payment added to your gas bill and insurance bill because you "worked so hard you deserve this debt...errr...I mean car". If you worked so hard why are you going in to debt?

Those customers who think return policies don't apply to them. You know what? You're right all return policies are completely made up and just for show. Really those policies are for the stores to make more money off of the rest of us suckers, it has absolutely nothing to do with creating boundaries and protecting their business. Those who feel their schedule is more important than anyone else's. Ironically, the "real" drivers fall into this category too. Why should you have to wait? You've got a lot to get done and the rest of us are just dilly-dallying around. We'll move over so you can get on with your busy day.

I know justice belongs to God. And boy, will those people get it. After I go through my rant, all in my head of course, I remember I'll be getting what I deserve too. I know I've probably fallen into each one of these categories too at some point. I would hope it's not often or for a long amount of time but I know I have a poor attitude as well.  What drives you crazy, only to realize you do the same thing?

News Flash - Parents Compensated for Hazardous Pay

Washington, DC - Just this week Congress passed a law for all parents to be compensated for hazardous duty pay. Certain military personnel rightfully receive a hazardous duty incentive pay for their dangerous positions defending America and now parents will join the ranks.

Cara Hasbrouck, mother of a 22 month old girl, pushed for the compensation to be signed into law. "People without kids may not realize the danger parents put themselves in every day to nurture the lives of the upcoming generations. It really is a war zone out there." The Hasbroucks and other parents around the nation banded together to bring awareness to the situation through their coalition aptly named Parents for Hazardous Pay (aka PHazP). John Smith of Columbus, Ohio says, "If society expects us to raise the next cancer-fighting doctor or the future President of America, we're going to need some support."

What exactly is so hazardous about raising kids? "You don't know what might come at you," shares Lisa Green of Cheyenne Wyoming. "My husband takes hits from all sides and angles in his groin. I've broken an ankle after stepping on one of their toys and sliding down the stairs in the middle of the night. And don't get me started about the damage done by breast-feeding those little rug rats."

In their presentation to Congress PHazP shared evidence that even from day one, newborns wreak havoc on the world around them.  "Never mind the fact that a woman has just given birth to a mere 8 lb. human (and that's just the average weight) and both parents lose more sleep in the next 3 months than they ever got in the previous 18 or more years. Infants, toddlers, children, and teenagers can each cause destruction to the health of their care-takers. From being punched, slapped, flicked, and or kicked in the groin or other sensitive areas, to gouged out eyes, pulled on lips and hair, shredded nipples, scratched faces, head-butted noses, sore feet from toys, ripped ear lobes from pulled on earrings, heart-attacks from beginning drivers and broken hearts in empty-nesters. There is a plethora of damage done to a parent's well being."

PHazP is seeking any sort of compensation available. Tax refunds, discounted hospital or doctor visits,  or a weekly check. "Really anything would do. We're just looking to get the word out there about the hazards of raising the future generation," Hasbrouck says. And Congress agreed. While all the details have yet to be determined on how the actual compensation occurs, they all at least agreed on one thing: being a parent is dangerous.

When asked why anyone would have a kid after hearing about this, the entire group agreed, "Because without them life would be just a little more boring and empty. We love our kids even if it means to death from slipping on the one forgotten marble in the middle of the night."

Being a parent is dangerous, because you end up loving your child so much you would do just about anything for them.