Where the Heart Is...

Some people have the amazing experience of growing up in the same house throughout their childhood years. And for some, the home is still owned by family and they are able to return to that place of memories now as an adult. What that must feel like! To return to the place that holds so many memories and feelings of sentiment.

Of course, this tends to be less and less of a trend these days, as the average homeowner remains in a house less than 5yrs. My own childhood was filled with moving and starting new schools and living in different homes. With those experiences have come valuable life lessons too. Like learning to adapt to a new setting, making friends, and accepting change.

But I can't help but envy those who have those strong ties to familiar childhood settings. Traditions. Nostalgia. Lifelong friends that have known you since kindergarten. That playground that you remember chasing kids around. The well-beaten path between your house and your best-friend's. Any memories like these that I try to conjure up are immediately assigned to multiple street addresses, and none of those sentiments run very deep, since our family often had to uproot and transplant before strong ties were forged.

Around this time of year, as my sisters and I make plans for the holidays, my mind can't help but run back to this very theme. Because, where is home?? Where should we host the holidays this year?? What traditions can we start, and hopefully keep?? Have you ever seen that saying, "Home is Where the Heart Is"?? Well, in our case, I have decided that "Home is Where the Family Is."

No matter where we hold our holiday meal or settle down to open thoughtful gifts, it always seems like 'home' when we are all together. Because it's the same silly Lindsey who is making us laugh with her homemade gifts and crazy food concoctions. It's always Marilee creatively setting the table and finding a super soft blanky to snuggle in. It's always big sis Jenae serving a well planned and amazingly delicious meal to the rest of the family. It's always Brandon in the corner, gracing us with his heavenly voice as he strums Christmas chords on his guitar. It's always Mom sharing with us her latest story of how she blessed (or was blessed by) a person in need. It was always Dad filling the room with an aroma of music as his fingers effortlessly danced across piano keys. Hmm...and me?? I'm not sure what the others would attribute to me...but hopefully it's the fact that I LOVE stories! And I love to hear all about the things each person is going through at that moment in life. And I always have a camera, ready to snap a silly smile or a precious hug in action. Home is the way someone will start singing the lyrics to a favorite holiday tune or a worship song, and very naturally within moments it will become a 6-part harmony.

This is home. No matter the location. These are the memories that never change. They go far and deep. And they have become such an amazing treasure to me. Thank you Lord for each and every amazing person you have placed in my life. And thank you that the one constant thread that runs throughout the canvas of our family is a love for YOU! Jesus Christ. Lover of our souls. Our Redeemer and Savior.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

I wish everyone a very Happy and special Thanksgiving weekend!
I have so many things to be grateful for...it would take me forever to list them out singly. Plus, sometimes it's nice to tuck those thoughts in my own heart and savor them privately. So I won't try to list them here. But I will mention one thing...and it's that over the past few days, the Lord seems to have revealed a special purpose for my life. And I'm so very excited to see how His plan will unfold in the near future. I'm so grateful that He can use even me! Sometimes I feel so insignificant compared to others who have a powerful ministry calling or a glamorous career, etc... But the Lord longs to use each of us in a very unique way. And He seems to have revealed that to me this week. You'll be hearing about it in time. But for now, let's just be ever grateful for the way He seeks us out, molds and shapes us, and uses us to bless others. ;)

My Hero

This post may seem silly to some people.
Or surprising at best. But I cannot help but mention something my hero of a husband did last night.

He ran out to Blockbuster to pick up a couple movies (rent one, get one free Tuesday). And as he was scanning the wall for a choice flick, a worker approached Ryan and asked him if he needed movie suggestions. The guy immediately pointed Ryan's attention to a racy flick and told Ryan he thought the movie was really good. Ryan told him, "No thanks. I've heard that movie is full of nudity. I'm not interested." The guy gave Ryan a confused look, then moved on to another dvd suggestion. Ryan said, "Dude, that movie is even worse than the first. It's got a lot of nudity. I'll pass on that one too."

The confused worker looked at Ryan and said, "So what? What's wrong with nudity in a movie?"

To which my Knight-in-Shining-Armor boldly replied, "The only woman I want to see like that is my wife."

When the guy shook his head and laughed, Ryan pressed him further, "Dude, are you married?"

"No."

"That's why," stated Ryan. And walked away.

I know that in our culture it's really no big deal for women to display their assets like they are IHOP's cheap breakfast special. And men think it's acceptable, and even desirable, to be lusty, hungry-eyed participants.

But as a couple who is desperately and defiantly fighting daily assaults on our marriage, Ryan and I have decided that we will keep our eyes pure and reserved for only each other. I realize that this battle can be much more difficult for men. So I am so honored and esteemed that Ryan would choose to take the stand he did, even in a little Blockbuster store, which seems like an unlikely battlefield. I respect him so much for his strong sense of character, even when no one is looking. I LOVE you baby!!!

2nd Annual Brody Turkey Bowl

Roughly twenty competitive boys playing flag football in 32degree weather, refereed by some dedicated, fun-loving dads, followed by some warm, tasty cookies and hot apple cider served up by Mom.........Mmm, mmm! That's the recipe for another very successful Brody Turkey Bowl!

Blah!

Fever. Raw throat. Muscle aches.
Being sick is no fun at all. Blah!

Julia Juggershnaut

Today in Kid's Connection, Ryan and I led the Jungle Room (2nd and 3rd grade) service. After worship, I put some crazy glasses on my nose, and transformed my personality into "Julia Juggershnaut," a geeky, clumsy girl who finally got the chance to put on her own show on the 'Food Network.'

So, I got up on stage and introduced myself to the kids, naturally drawing lots and lots of laughs at my crazy, clumsy, geeky character. Then, after choosing two volunteers from the audience, I went about teaching the kids how to make bread. We went thru the ingredients, taking a special moment to explain the yeast. As we mixed and kneaded the dough, I humorously explained how such a small amount of yeast will transform that dough into a large loaf of bread.

Afterward, Ryan came up and tied it all together with today's theme: that even a small amount of faith can be used by God to complete GREAT things! It was super fun. And the kids had a blast. Last week the lesson was about DIRT. This week it was about YEAST. Hmmm...wonder what they'll have us pull off next week. xoxo

This week...

This week was quite a roller coaster ride for Mommy and Daddy!
(Starting from the youngest) Little Marina learned that shoving mini lego pirates' gold pieces up her nose nostrils is very unpleasant, makes her nose hurt, and makes Mommy very upset and anxious. In the process, she also learned how to blow her nose, with her mouth shut. (Thank the Lord, that's all it took to get those things out!)

Sweet Reese learned how to write the letters 'z' and 'w.' He also learned that, if he pulls a chair from the table to the counter, he can climb onto the counter, stand up, and reach just high enough to pull the big blue bowl off the top of the refrigerator. (That is, the big blue bowl that holds the remaining Halloween candy). Hmm...little Sneak!

Marky-Mark has had the roughest week of all. On Wednesday, he fearfully came home and showed me a behavior slip that stated he was to serve a silent lunch the next day...for spitting from up on the monkey bars. Not a huge crime, but still disrespectful and against the rules. So he accepted responsibility and served his punishment. Thursday, he came home from school visibly shaken, with yet another behavior slip. This time, he did something much worse. In an effort to make kids laugh, he had held up his snow glove, and pushed all the fingers down except the middle. I had to read it a few times to let that one soak in. Not MY kid!!! Not at a CHRISTIAN school!!! I told Mark I was going to let Daddy handle this one when he got home from work. And Mark said, "Oh no! That's the worst!"

He started giving me excuses, but I cut him off right away, saying, "Mark, if you start making excuses, you are only going to put yourself in more trouble! You know you were wrong. Just accept responsibility, Man-up and serve your punishment, and then move on knowing that Daddy and Mommy still love you!" So he quietly endured the agony of awaiting Daddy's return home (and inevitable punishment).

Being the wise father he is, Ryan had a very good talk with Mark. We realize that Mark doesn't understand the gravity of what that gesture means. So, I guess you can add that to what Mark learned this week...that sticking up a middle finger is like swearing at someone. He looked appalled when we told him that! He'd known it was a bad gesture. But didn't know HOW bad. Then Ryan reminded him that everyone in the 4th grade will probably hear about this little stunt. And Mark was equally appalled (and humiliated). Today, Mark intends to go apologize to his teacher, as well as his circle of friends, for not setting a good example and for doing something so wrong.

And Mommy learned that she should never think, "My child would never...." because you just never know. What's most important to me is that my kids would know they can come to us when they screw up. Even when they screw up big time. And we will hold them accountable for their actions....but we will also stand behind them and love them no matter what. I hope this instance can be the beginning of that kind of relationship with our eldest son.

Phew! Thank goodness it's the weekend!