Sleeping late Breakfast: Bacon, eggs and cinnamon rolls Putting up all laundry in the house Nap time Making a recipe for dinner that I’ve been needing/wanting to make Staying in pj’s all day Hearing the kids laugh their heads off … Continue reading
I decided this morning that I wanted to go to an Ash Wednesday service. I’ve never done this before. Shoot! I’m a Baptist girl turned Church of Christ girl, so I’ve never done anything Lent-related before But more and more, … Continue reading
The picture above is of the shelf in my office of the books that I want to read about work-related things ASAP! The shelf is always full! And the list of books that I want to read for fun is … Continue reading
We still have a good while left in Winter. But if you’re like my house, it’s Frozen all year long! My second round of hats are on sale! I have 23 Elsa hats and 17 Anna hats available. They are … Continue reading
I have lived in bondage. Shackled by the chains hoisted upon me…
by myself.
Smart. Successful. Funny. Interesting. Put together. Organized. Well liked. The best.
These were just some of the labels I had attached to the chains.
I couldn’t keep up.
I was drowning.
I grew up thinking I had to be the one to help others. I couldn’t be the one to ask for help myself.
I finally realized I needed help. It was time to swallow my pride. I prayed about it, and God sent me a few women to talk to. To join me on this journey. To share my heart with. To help guide me.
I’m learning so much, and I am so thankful for my new friends!
With each conversation, the chains are beginning to fall. One by one.
My eyes are being opened.
I’ve realized I can’t do everything on my own anymore…but it’s still hard. I’ve got a long way to go.
I’m slowly learning to lean into community. To not coop things up inside all the time. To allow myself to be vulnerable.
There is so much strength in vulnerability.
Do you feel like you need someone to talk to? I encourage you to take the plunge. Pray about it and see where God leads you.
“Maybe we need to think wildly different. Maybe we need to go in our communities and serve them. Give them things they do need. Maybe they’d consider going to a meeting and engaging with a group of kind people who have loved on them for a while. Maybe we need to fix our communications so that they’ll know.” – Mark MacDonald
“So I want you to consider making your life one long gift to others. And why not? All you have is on loan, anyway. All that lasts is what you pass on… So I ask you to begin giving, and to continue as you began. I think you’ll find in the end that you got far more than you ever had, and did more good than you ever dreamed.” – Stephen King
“When we explore options for increasing what the master has entrusted to us, we will reap the reward and be found faithful.” – Nelson Searcy
I HATE the school parking lot in the mornings. If we don’t get there early, the parking lot is nuts and no one will let you out! Nothing makes me more mad than sitting there blocked in my parking spot! I’m serious! I have no patience for this! But this morning, after sitting there forever, the lady next to me backed out and then waved to me to back out too. I don’t know who this lady is, but she is my new best friend! And new friend, I saw Jesus in you today!
Earlier this week, a friend I haven’t talked to in awhile called me up. We had a good talk and then that afternoon on the way home from work, I ran into her at the store. I looked up and there she was! It was such a nice surprise. We hugged and talked for a second and then went our separate ways. I love how God was in that day!
Our church staff prays for a different family in our church everyday. We contact the family to let them know that we’re praying, and I love writing those emails every morning! I get to reflect on how I see God in others and pour out some blessing and encouragement on them by letting them know I see those things in them. It’s a blessing in my life and helps me appreciate others and notice more how others live out their faith.
God is everywhere and in everything! We just have to stop and slow down enough to see Him!
I’m going over generalize here and say that there are two types of people in the world:
People who can do things in moderation.
And those of us that can’t. 🙂
I sat in a group of friends awhile back who were talking about how their husbands did not seem to be able to do anything in moderation. And I was like, WHOA! That is me!! I can’t do anything in moderation either! (OK, I can do some things in moderation, but I lean toward the far end of the no moderation spectrum.)
For me, this means if I decide to do something, I go all out. Nothing is done half-way. I’m hard-core. I give it everything in my being. And If I can’t do all of that, I don’t want to even start it! It’s just not worth it to me if I can’t be all in.
It also means I’m terribly/wonderfully loyal to the thing I decided to do, relationships I decided were worth my effort, etc. If I’ve decided to something, I will do everything in my power to make sure it is done well and it will be extremely important to me. I’m invested!
A year after I had my first baby, I decided it was time to lose weight. I went to Weight Watchers, paid my fee, followed the rules to a tee with no cheating and lost all the weight (that I have since all gained back. I’ve now decided I’m committed to good food. Don’t judge! 🙂 )
I throw myself into my work and constantly push myself to do more. I’m harder on myself than any boss ever could be.
If you’re my friend, I will do anything in the world for you.
I’ve always admired how my mom can eat half of a yummy piece of dessert and save the rest for later. I can’t do that! 🙂
When I was dating, I couldn’t have casual dates. I either decided pretty quick that it wasn’t what I wanted or I was immediately hooked and wanted to spend a ton of time with the other person.
Last week, I decided I wasn’t going to drink Cokes for a week (for the first time ever, and I wasn’t sure I could do it). But after I made the decision to do it, it wasn’t even hard! It was too easy. Because the decision was made. That was it all it took.
It’s interesting to me that it took me this long in life to realize this about myself.
It makes me think about the decisions I make more because I throw so much of myself into them. They affect me greatly. And thus my family too.
Honestly, I hope my kids will grow up to be better at keeping things in moderation than I am. Even though I don’t even really know what that would look like! 🙂
Are you someone who is able to do things in moderation or all you an all-or-nothing person?
Last year, I shared the story of Sadie & Luke. This year, we have been partying hard! We had a family party on Saturday. Today, the twins got to have cupcakes at school. And tonight, we had a party … Continue reading
I felt overwhelmed last night.
When I picked the twins up from school, Sadie hugged me and said I was the best Momma ever. When we got home, she threw down on the front porch and had a fit. I wasn’t the best Momma ever anymore. 🙂
Caleb does all of his homework on Monday nights. And it takes all. night. long. Not fun.
My house is a wreck and it’s driving me nuts!
Etc.
When it was the kids’ bed time, I was done. And of course they were not easy to put down. They kept getting up. They used every stall tactic in the book. So I was frustrated.
This morning, I could not get them to get up and get ready. We were pressed for time and they would just not move!
Again, I was frustrated.
When we got into the parking lot at my son’s school, it was time for a little pow-wow.
I apologized for the fact that I had been so frustrated with them last night and this morning, but I also let them know that they are going to have to help me out. We are going to have to get better about bed times, mornings, picking up after ourselves, not being so loud all the time, being nice to each other, etc. Especially since Chris is at school 3 nights a week and is pretty much busy the rest of the time.
We’re in a crazy period in our lives. I’ve learned to let many things go, so I don’t feel overwhelmed too often. But when I do, the little things that the kids do frustrate me more than ever. And I don’t like being frustrated at them.
So after I apologized for being so frustrated, Sadie immediately said “It’s OK Momma! God is with you!”
Aww! Yay! Parenting win!
It was super sweet and cute for a few seconds, and then I was like “Thank you, Sadie! You are right! God is always with us and I don’t have to be frustrated. But still!! You guys have got to help me out!”
Here’s to hoping we have an easier night tonight! And here’s to a God who is always with us!
Stephanie Carroll 