FAMILY Archives • Page 44 of 49 • New Nostalgia

Real Beauty, Fake Beauty

from Dove.com

For Valentines Day, we got our girls gift cards to Clair’s jewelry and accessories. We didn’t buy them very much candy this year, so we thought a $5 gift card would be fun for them.

They loved it! We spent almost an hour in that little store as they decided what to buy. We really got lucky, they had 80% off their clearance items, so that small gift card was able to purchase quite a bit!

Makeup (along with hair accessories and jewelry) was chosen by all 3 of them- glistening lip gloss and shimmery eye shadow.

They have had much fun playing dress up, and my oldest has even left the house with a bit of shimmer on her eyelids. I thought about demanding she go wash her face, but it was just a hint of shimmer, so I let it go. Later I decided that for us, this was a molehill, not a mountain. (heavy black eyeliner would be a mountain:))

Instead of getting all uptight about them using makeup, I stayed pretty relaxed about it. I wanted to see if they would be responsible and figure out the line of what is appropriate and what is not, on their own.

They have really done a great job, and I am very proud. My younger 2 have been playing dress-up much more than usual with their new purchases, and my oldest has been experimenting with different shades and layering, which makes me smile to see the artist in her.

She has come to me and asked, “mom, is this too dark? can you see it? is it appropriate?” The makeup they chose is made for kids, so the pigment is very light and see-through, so it has not been a problem.

What it has done is open up some beautiful conversations about—beauty!

We have a saying in our home that is often repeated in various ways. They go something like this:

*”What matters most is the inside”

* “It’s the insides that matter”

* “What do your insides look like right now, are they as pretty as your outside?” and…

*”AHHH! I can’t even look!! AHHH! your insides!!!”

(must say this dramatically, while squeezing eyes shut, when insides are not too pretty, which usually gets a giggle and then there is beauty again.)

My girls have heard me say these phrases so many times! When I can tell they feel beautiful and are flaunting it, I tell them how pretty they look and many times follow it up with, “but..do the insides matter or the outsides?”

I even hear them ask each other that question while playing “dress-up.” Pretty cute.

My oldest has been fun to watch lately. She loves fashion and likes to look unique. She works with very little clothing, (most of which comes from thrift stores or garage sales) and is able to make great outfits, some I would never think to put together!

I love to see her express what her idea of beauty is, and I love that it doesn’t always follow the crowd. I try hard to let her be who God made her to be and keep my focus on what her heart is telling me, instead of getting wrapped up in what I would want her to wear. As long as she is modest and age-appropriate, I’m a happy mom.

We have been having some deeper conversations about beauty, and I’ve let her watch the videos dove.com videos of a natural looking model being transformed into a flawless runway model, all done by computer, and not reality.

I want to give her a realistic view of what is beautiful, and how the world can distort beauty and tries very hard to redefine what is beautiful.

We talked about how God is the ultimate artist who created us all to be different and unique, and how the world’s message says “everyone needs to look a certain way to be ok,” which is a lie.

Lightbulbs went off as she watched. She was fascinated by the artistic side of what computers are capable of doing, and also seemed to “get it.”

At the end of the first one, she said “she isn’t even ‘her’ anymore” which was the perfect opportunity to talk about how we can lose who we really are if we are too focused on our outsides.

It was a bit deep for her, but I know it was one more time to let truth sink into her little brain, even if it was just a nugget.

ANTI-PROCRASTINATION/ FAMILY/ HOME/ Homemaking/ Organizing/ Simplifying

“Anti-procrastination Tuesdays” Link Party

I’m always thinking about topics to blog about, and usually I just share what I am doing in life. If I am making a certain recipe, I share it, if we are doing holiday crafts, I let you know which ones, etc.

I’ve been trying to think of a way to motivate myself to take care of things that I have been putting off, and this brilliant:) thought popped in my mind “I should do a weekly post on anti-procrastination, so I will be forced to do something each week to share with my readers!”

Not only will I be held accountable to deal my tendency to procrastinate, but here is the best part–ready? WE CAN DO IT TOGETHER! Hence, my very first weekly”link party!” I am so excited!

As most bloggers know, a link party is where other bloggers can link up posts on a similar subject, all in the same place (in this case, my blog since I will be the host). Then we can “visit” each others blogs, and get inspiration and MOTIVATION! Not a blogger? No worries, you can join in by sharing about your anti-procrastination of the week in the comments section, or you could just click through list of links, to read up on what other people have done, and hopefully become inspired!

You may be one who does not struggle with procrastination, (Flylady & I call you people BO’s-“born organizers.” I also call you “lucky dawgs” and “people I’m really jealous of”) if you fall in this category, I WANT TO LEARN FROM YOU! It would be great if you could leave a blog post or comment with a tip or two of what DOES works for you!

If you are one who struggles with procrastination, you are not alone! Please come back each week on tuesdays and link up! Tell us your thoughts, show us pictures of what you’ve accomplished or want to accomplish…it could even be a post showing us what you have been putting off, so that we can give each other tips or encouragement. It could be big or small, from making a dr’s appt to tackling that overflowing storage room.

I think this is a GREAT opportunity for me to get real with you! I’ve joked with my sister that the pics of my cobwebs and dust don’t quite make it onto the blog. We both agreed a “let’s get real” post was in order. Now with Anti-procrastination Tuesdays, you will see and hear about my junk and hopefully that will motivate me to GET BUSY!

So Let’s Recap:

–Anti-Procrastination Link Party @ New Nostalgia on Tuesdays, starting March 9th.

-If you are not a blogger, join in by commenting! Share with us what you have accomplished or would like to accomplish, or just enjoy visiting the different blogs that link up.

-If you are a blogger, share any post you have written about procrastination. It could be sharing about something you’ve accomplished, sharing tips on how to get motivated, or sharing different goals you would like to eventually get to. Any post on something that you have accomplished, past or present, works! I want to see those before and after pics– I’ll show you my junky gunk if you show me yours!

-Can be big or small…finishing a report, taking a load of stuff to goodwill, working on a project with a child, signing yourself up for jujitsu (why not?), cleaning the car, cleaning the shower head (on my list), etc..

Here is a button if you would like to pass the word along (ohh, that button. You don’t want to know how long it took me to make that ^%#%$@! button! It is not a perfect button, but it is two o’clock in the morning right now and I won the battle, er, sort of, and I’m feeling quite proud). The button will also stay in my sidebar for future need.

Bloggers, if you have continued to read this far, if this is something that excites you, or if you know others whom it may excite, I would be honored if you would help get the word out. Feel free to grab and share my button, or even just give the post a little “tweet” by hitting the retweet button. I am still pretty new at this blogging thing, so I for sure need my blogging community to spread the news.

Readers, I’m humbly asking you for help, too! If you know anyone who you think would get into something like this, feel free to share this post via facebook, twitter or email.

It may take awhile to get people to participate, but that is ok! I am pumped! You don’t know how badly I need some motivation to get stuff done! Spring is a comin’ and I got stuff to do!!

So what do you think? Leave a comment and let me know..

Kids/Family

A Saturday At Home

I love a day at home, especially a Saturday.

It is about one o’clock in the afternoon, and it has been a great lazy day. Last night, before starting our Friday Family night, I rallied the troops and we did a quick whole house boogie. I motivated them by saying “wouldn’t it be great to wake up on a Saturday with NO chores to do? Let’s do it all now!” It worked, and because of that stroke of brilliance on my behalf last night, today has been a lovely, LAZY day.

It has gone something like this:

Eyes open. Ears hear major sister fight. Brain thinks “maybe they can work it out without killing each other.” Fall back asleep thinking “either its a miracle they worked it out, or- I might need a miracle to revive the one who lost” Wake up, feeling guilty that husband is up and I am not. Read awhile in bed. Fall back asleep while reading. Get laughed at by husband because I’m still in bed-I love him! Get up, finally. Make coffee. Look around to see a miracle-the house is still picked up. Greet my 3 lovelies with a “good morning.” Get reminded by lovelies that it is almost afternoon. Ignore tinge of guilt. Pass husband who is doing the budget-I love him! Eat a banana and Cheerieos for breakfast at lunchtime. Sit at computer and read my blog favorites on Google reader. Sip my delish coffee. Laugh-LAUGH! at this blog post and love knowing I’m not the only mom who has tried this. See that husband bought a new Wii game for our girls-I love him! Hear girls squeal in delight. Answer some reader emails. Ignore laundry calling my name. Comfort little lovely who has run up from the basement with a large, oozing gash on her leg from a scooter. Wonder why scooters are in the house. Get a band-aid. Get over the shock that they are where they are supposed to be- for once. Kisses and hug for the wounded. Wonder if the kids have had lunch. Delighted to see child munching on a carrot. Hear husband running on the treadmill-so disciplined that man! Ignore tinge of guilt- I have only exercised once this year. Decide to write a post about this “do nothing” Saturday. Wonder if it will bore my readers to death. Enjoy writing it anyway. Wonder what I will do with the rest of the day. Decide to end this as my lovely yells from upstairs…”Mooooom, can we have lunch??”

Love/ Spiritual

The Potter

Isaiah 64:8

Yet oh Lord. You are our Father. We are the clay you are the potter,

we are the work of your hands.

I am reading a book called “Identity.” It is part of the Connect Series. It is a study book, and asks the question…

How do you imagine the experience of being on the Potters wheel in His hands?

My answer:

The Ultimate Creator sees beauty in me, a clump of earth.

He holds me with a gentle touch.

Holy hands envelope, surround.

Patiently He works, and calls for patience,

as He creates beauty He’s already seen

I spin, slowly giving in.

My mess covers His hands

He molds mess into beauty

I feel Him,. Holding.

I feel safe. At rest. Settled.

I feel like a priceless creation

I feel cherished.

I feel shaped.

I am a work of my Potters hand,

I am vessel surrounded,

I am filled

FAMILY/ Love/ Marriage/ Spiritual

Great Friends, A Miracle, & Anti-Procrastination

Pro-cras-ti-nate

verb [intrans.]

-delay or postpone action; put off doing something.

(I’m really good at that!)

Our friends from Chicago came to visit us this weekend, Porter and Sharon. It was SO good to see them! We have been friends for at least 12 years now.

We met at church in Illinois, and have walked through much life together. It is pretty amazing that we have kept the bonds we have since most of our relationship has been long distance.

We lived close to them in Chicago for 2 years, then moved back to Nebraska to live closer to family. Boy, it was hard leaving our friends!

The first few years that we lived in different states, we made it a point to see each other at least a couple times a year. Then we started poppin’ out babies, and our visits became more like once a year.

Now, after having 6 kids between the 2 of us couples (3 each!) we see each other about every year to year 1/2. It has been so fun seeing our kids form bonds with each other. They have 2 boys, 10 and 7, and a little girl who is 5.

This trip, just Porter and Sharon came. They are huge John and Staci Eldredge fans, (and now, so are we!), and it so happened that John and Staci Eldredge were going to speak here in Nebraska, so the pull of that, and, of course, our lovely selves, was enough to get them here!

The latest book the Eldredge’s have authored is a marriage book called “Love And War.” We loved hearing them speak, learned much, and I plan on buying the book!

Seeing them did my heart such good. You see- they shouldn’t be here. It truly is a miracle that they are.

Last summer, they were on a road trip as a family and were in a very serious car accident. “No one should have lived” is the message they received from police officers, paramedics, doctors, insurance agents…everyone who saw the accident was amazed that anyone walked out alive.

Our great God did a miracle for our great friends.

Porter and their ten-year-old son were both thrown from the van, that was going 85 mph and had rolled several times.

Porter landed on the highway, in the middle of the night, tried to move and passed out from the pain.

He doesn’t remember much but does remember hearing his family, hearing his wife comfort their son, and thinking he was done, as he heard a large semi pass him in the opposite lane.

Sharon was heroic in her actions.

She gives God all the credit for how her mind worked during that time. Her husband is on the street, her son is gasping for air where he landed in the grass, her other son is terrified by the absence of his daddy and brother and the sight of the deep wound on his leg.

Their little girl was shaken and very scared, but unbelievably, not physically hurt. Sharon did what she needed to do for her family, and did not succumb to the shock until she was laying in the ambulance, knowing her family was in good hands. She was amazing.

There are so many beautiful stories of how God met them in this horrific time. They are continuing to make beautiful stories as they allow God to use them to tell their story, and as they continue to heal.

Physical healing has come quickly, especially when there should not have been any.

Despite a head injury, back injury and many contusions from glass and landing, Porter is doing well. He is the same smart, loyal, wise, Godly, active and caring man we knew, which is truly a miracle.

Even when seeing them in person, it was still hard to fathom what they had been through. Other than a few scars, the only evidence was strength of character, which truthfully, was very strong to begin with.

Their kids have all healed and are doing well, thanks much to parents who had the wisdom to allow them to talk and process whenever they needed to, and to a big God who has taken care of them.

Sharon is also doing well. There is a deep beauty within her, a beauty that has been refined by fire and made new by her Protector. She has such feminine strength, a steadfastness, a firm grasp on the one she calls Saviour, and an eager anticipation of the ‘what next?’

I personally can’t wait to see what is next for these great friends of ours, but I know without a doubt that God kept them here on this earth because He is not done using them, to radiate Him.

I truly didn’t want to let go when we hugged them hello, or as we said goodbye. It was a gift to hear from them, in person, what they had been through. I am so thankful to have them in my life.

So how does this all relate to procrastination?

Well, two ways:

First, life is short and fragile. Do not put off, do not delay, telling those whom you love that you do.
My prayer is that through text, facebook, email and the phone that my friends will continue to know how much they are loved. Keeping in touch over the phone is NOT my strength, but combined with text and email, they just might get sick of me.

Second, having company is a GREAT way to stop procrastinating and get things done! Here are a few things I accomplished because we were having visitors:

*my oven cleaned (it was nasty. beyond nasty.)
*sheets washed (they were not nasty, but gettin’ there)
*hair cut-I wanted to look my best for our night out
*laundry room cleaned up
*couches spot cleaned
*car picked up
*leggings bought for my ‘going out with friends’ outfit

I think I will purposefully have some more “anti-procrastination days” and tell you all about it. Maybe you can join me? It could be our chance to do those “little things” that we have been putting off.

It is always amazing to find out that the “thing” I have been waiting for the perfect time to do actually only needed 10 or 15 minutes to complete. All we have to do is take the first step and get started or keep inviting great company over, like mine…

…don’t you wish they were your friends?:)

Love/ Spiritual/ Valentine's Day

3 New Loves

I was not going to post tonight, but then I was looking at the different blogs I read on Google Reader, and once again found some great stuff I have to share with you, but I will be quick!

Love has been the theme of the day, as it is February 14.

Happy Valentines Day!

3 Loves connected for me by my Ultimate Love–Father God.

Here are 3 new loves of mine:

1. Grooveshark
I was reading my friend, Kristin’s blog, the_uncomplication_project, and she wrote a fun little post about a springtime music playlist. She listed some great songs, (go look!) then suggested groveshark.com. Here is what she has to say about it:

“For free listens, visit Grooveshark and search for any song. You can create spur-of-the-moment playlists from just about any song. It’s free & they don’t put any ads in the middle of your music!”

I was intrigued and bookmarked the site.

2. Meteor Shower by Owl City
I finished up reading Kristin’s post, and was still on Google reader came upon my sister’s new blog, “Beauty Divine.” She just moved to Kansas, and boy do I miss her, so to read her blog does my heart much good. She just oozes beauty, inside and out, so check out her beautiful blog and experience some!

Today she wrote a post about some of her “loves,” and one of them was a song called Meteor Shower by Owl City. I got excited the minute I saw a music recommendation by her, she is the queen of great music finds. My sis posted these lyrics which intrigued me…

“I can finally see that you’re right there beside me / I am not my own, for I have been made new / Please don’t let me go, I desperately need you / I am not my own, for I have been made new / Please don’t let me go, I desperately need you.

Those lyrics just hit a chord with me, as they express much of what I have been feeling lately, which I will explain more in my love number 3. I remembered Kristin’s suggestion to go to Grooveshark to listen to any song, so I headed over there to check out Meteor Shower. Let me tell you, I played the song 3 times and the sound of it brought my girls running, and they all had it memorized by the last play. I loved it.

3. A book called “Identity”
It is actually a study book, from the Connect series. I am part of a Women’s Bible Study group that meets once a week. We just started this book, and I can’t tell you how much I think we are going to grow and learn. I am so excited! This is from their website:

What Is CONNECT?

The Connect series invites you to have your whole person changed from the inside.

visually engaging and relationally interactive
relevant to real-life issues
deeply biblical and rooted in Scripture
geared for people wherever they are in their spiritual and life journeys

If I were to summarize my feelings about starting this study, the lyrics to the song above would just about do it. The study is about who I am, because of who God is, and what it means to be made ‘new.’ The song above could be our studies theme song!

I love it when God puts things into my life that continue to show me that He is active and present and thoughtful of me- like a song that expresses my heart because of a book I am reading, that I could easily listen to thanks to Kristin’s music site recommendation

Love/ Spiritual/ Valentine's Day

The Very Best Valentine

For many people, Valentines Day can be a drag.

A reminder of what you don’t feel.

A reminder of a desire that has not been granted.

A reminder that even if you have a love, they will never fulfill the void.
A reminder of a heart that is broken.

If you are one of those people, I want you to know that

YOU ARE LOVED

by the very God who created you, exactly how you are, RIGHT HERE. RIGHT NOW. He is a personal God, who cares about every one of your desires and wants to fulfill them. He is a God who takes broken hearts and makes them whole again. If Creator God were to write you a Valentine, I believe it would go something like this. These words come straight from His Word.

Listen, YOU WHO ARE LOVED, and know.

My Child,

You may not know me,
but I know everything about you.
Psalm 139:1

I know when you sit down and when you rise up.
Psalm 139:2

I am familiar with all your ways.
Psalm 139:3

Even the very hairs on your head are numbered.
Matthew 10:29-31

For you were made in my image.
Genesis 1:27

In me you live and move and have your being.
Acts 17:28

For you are my offspring.
Acts 17:28

I knew you even before you were conceived.
Jeremiah 1:4-5

I chose you when I planned creation.
Ephesians 1:11-12

You were not a mistake,
for all your days are written in my book.
Psalm 139:15-16

I determined the exact time of your birth
and where you would live.
Acts 17:26

You are fearfully and wonderfully made.
Psalm 139:14

I knit you together in your mother’s womb.
Psalm 139:13

And brought you forth on the day you were born.
Psalm 71:6

I have been misrepresented
by those who don’t know me.
John 8:41-44

I am not distant and angry,
but am the complete expression of love.
1 John 4:16

And it is my desire to lavish my love on you.
1 John 3:1

Simply because you are my child
and I am your Father.
1 John 3:1

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could.
Matthew 7:11

For I am the perfect father.
Matthew 5:48

Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand.
James 1:17

For I am your provider and I meet all your needs.
Matthew 6:31-33

My plan for your future has always been filled with hope.
Jeremiah 29:11

Because I love you with an everlasting love.
Jeremiah 31:3

My thoughts toward you are countless
as the sand on the seashore.
Psalms 139:17-18

And I rejoice over you with singing.
Zephaniah 3:17

I will never stop doing good to you.
Jeremiah 32:40

For you are my treasured possession.
Exodus 19:5

I desire to establish you
with all my heart and all my soul.
Jeremiah 32:41

And I want to show you great and marvelous things.
Jeremiah 33:3

If you seek me with all your heart,
you will find me.
Deuteronomy 4:29

Delight in me and I will give you
the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:4

For it is I who gave you those desires.
Philippians 2:13

I am able to do more for you
than you could possibly imagine.
Ephesians 3:20

For I am your greatest encourager.
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

I am also the Father who comforts you
in all your troubles.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4

When you are brokenhearted,
I am close to you.
Psalm 34:18

As a shepherd carries a lamb,
I have carried you close to my heart.
Isaiah 40:11

One day I will wipe away
every tear from your eyes.
Revelation 21:3-4

And I’ll take away all the pain
you have suffered on this earth.
Revelation 21:3-4

I am your Father, and I love you
even as I love my son, Jesus.
John 17:23

For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed.
John 17:26

He is the exact representation of my being.
Hebrews 1:3

He came to demonstrate that I am for you,
not against you.
Romans 8:31

And to tell you that I am not counting your sins.
2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled.
2 Corinthians 5:18-19

His death was the ultimate expression
of my love for you.
1 John 4:10

I gave up everything I loved
that I might gain your love.
Romans 8:31-32

If you receive the gift of my son Jesus,
you receive me.
1 John 2:23

And nothing will ever separate you
from my love again.
Romans 8:38-39

Come home and I’ll throw the biggest party
heaven has ever seen.
Luke 15:7

I have always been Father,
and will always be Father.
Ephesians 3:14-15

My question is…
Will you be my child?
John 1:12-13

I am waiting for you.
Luke 15:11-32

Love, Your Dad Almighty God

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