::se la vi 2011::

2011 has come and gone too quickly. so many plans were made at this time last year. hopes and dreams to be fulfilled. if i made a list i've lost it by now. i'm not sure what goals were and were not accomplished and i'm okay with that. i will start new 2012 with a list. i will intend to complete all the things named. and i will meet you here again in december 2012 to recap what i can no longer remember.

::Favorite Posts of 2011::

You Might Not Be A Christian If
this post is a light-hearted reflection on the fact that our christianity will NOT look the same as our neighbor, or co-worker, or roommate or best friend or church member. we are unique beings with unique takes on life and the brevity or eternity of it all...and that's okay.

We Have It Backwards
this post speaks to the issue of loving the least lovable in and outside of the church.

On Becoming Okay With Imperfection
i think the title speaks for itself.

Was This Planned
this posts announced baby #3 on its way and the joys of dreaming for three little ones at my feet.

How To Keep *Love Love Love* Alive {Part 1}- a guest post
this was a little series of guest bloggers that shared their secrets to a happy marriage.


::Favorite Books of 2011::

One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp
i cannot say enough about this book. it changed my entire perspective on every day life during a very difficult season. i started counting and writing down all the lovely gifts that are so often overlooked on a daily basis. i have filled three journals just this year! her writing is both poetic and inspiring.

Evolving in Monkey Town by Rachel Held Evans
my sweet hubby met rachel at an event and brought home her book for me. it was perfect timing for some of the questions and things i had been struggling with. i read her book every day on the treadmill and dog-eared that book like no other before (it's super hard to use a highlighter while running).

Walking On Water by Madeliene L'Engle
i love the way madeliene brings art and faith together. so often one looks down upon the other. isn't our Creator the ultimate artist?

Organized Simplicity by Tsh Oxenreider
this book was exactly what i needed to jump start the decluttering of my life and home. we have downsized our clothing and our things and have never felt better. i even make my own household cleaners and i am planning to cloth diaper my next bundle of joy. she also has an ebook One Bite At A Time that i plan to start working through at the first of the year.

Bossy Pants by Tina Fey
i read this because i can most of the time be all-to-serious and tina fey reminds me to laugh at myself. i laughed out loud more than once while reading this book. so if you are looking for something light-hearted and fun, this is the one.

::Favorite Bloggers::

Sarah at Emerging Mummy
she writes about life and faith and motherhood. i love her style of writing and never miss a post. if you want thought provoking encouragement, this is your gal.

Ann at A Holy Experience
her blog is like her book, beautiful perspective on the day-to-day. a constant reminder that god is everywhere, involved in everything, if only we have eyes to see.

Allison at O My Family
allison is a down-to-earth, no frills kind of mama. i love the simplicity and truth found in each of her posts. she's a cutie, you'll love her!

Alison at Apearantly Sew
alison is one of my bff''s in real life and i couldn't make a list without including her. she writes about life and motherhood in all its glory. she is also a pretty amazing handmade shop owner with all kinds of goodies for mama's and kiddies.

Jacob at Blogismos
now this fella i cannot say enough about. he's a laid back kind of intellectual that likes to question all things certain and challenge the norm. he writes about faith and invites you to join the conversation.

what posts, books and bloggers did you love in 2011?

::thoughts on how to have a less stressful week::

:photo source:

5 days until Christmas!!!!

i've been asked the question several times this week, "are you ready for christmas?"
the answer is always "yes."

yes i am ready for christmas.
yes i am anxiously awaiting the arrival of christ during this advent season.
yes i am breathing in every special moment spent with family and friends.
yes i am excited about all that this season encompasses.

do i have all of my presents ready and wrapped? no.
have i accomplished everything on my to-do list? no.
do i have the food planned and prepared? no.
am i stressed about it? no.

i decided before we entered this season that i would enjoy it, bask in it. every precious moment. i decided that i would focus on the things that hold value and everything else could just fall by the wayside. earlier in the week i sat down and made a list of things that i would do that would make this week more enjoyable.

• i will spend less time online this week.
• i will spend more time outside- trips to the park as weather permits.
• i will do crafts with my children and ignore the mess made along the way.
• i will stick with simple meals - tacos, pasta, ham, brinner.
• i will not stress over less. we have spent less money this year than ever before and i'm good with that, happy in fact.
• i will spend time reading scripture on my own and with my kiddos as we reflect on the meaning of the season.
• i will get to the store asap so that my cubbards are stocked for food prep this weekend.
• i will relax, let go and soak in the spirit of chirstmas.

what are you doing to make your week less stressful?

::thoughts on motherhood [gentle and humble in heart]::

four year old girls are a special breed of people.
mine is loving and kind yet firey and determined.
she is her own person that marches to the beat of her own drum.
and i could not love her more.

i was a sassy and defiant child....teenager....er..uh....adult.
it's my nature. i fight it daily.
i fight the urge to be hateful and demanding.
i fight the urge to embrace entitlement.
i fight the urge to give back whats given to me.
it has taken me years to push back against this nature and i fail often.

in the moments when my four year old chooses sassiness, unkindness and selfishness, i am learning to gently guide her towards a better path, a better way. i'm learning that she responds best when i respond (not react) to her. when i get on her level, eye-to-eye, face-to-face and have a conversation with her.

what's going on here?
what is causing you to act in this way?
wouldn't it be better if you made this choice?
what if we did this instead?

sometimes it's a simple hug that breaks those barriers she has put around her tiny little heart. i feel her melt and her coldness turns to warmth as she feels the love of mommy.

"a gentle answer turns away wrath but a harsh word stirs up anger" proverbs 15:1

i whisper this to myself 99 times a day.
gentle melisssa. be gentle.it is often second nature to become firm and harsh, to demand obedience. 
gentleness? i have to work at that.

"take my yoke upon you and learn from me [jesus], for i am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls" matthew 11:28-30

who doesn't want rest for their souls?
if i can learn to be gentle, if i can teach her to be gentle, we will have rest for our souls.

peace.
gentleness leads to peace.
this is my journey.

your thoughts of gentleness?

::handmade christmas [gift idea no.2]

want a super cute gift for super cheap?
well here you go....

{handmade coaster set}

supplies:
set of 4 tiles ($.16 @home depot)
12x12 cardstock ($.49 @michaels)
mod podge ($10 for 16oz @amazon.com)
matte sealer ($6 for 6oz @amazon.com)
heavy duty felt pads ($2.99 @home depot)


step #1
brush a thin coating of mod podge on each of the tiles. so simple even the kiddos can jump in and help.

step #2
cut card stock into 4 4x4 squares and place one on each tile making sure to rub out bubbles.

step #3
brush a thin coating of mod podge on top of each piece of card stock

step #4
let mod podge dry for 15-20 minutes. during your wait grab a few photos of your darling children.

step #5
spray each tile with matte sealer

step #6
add felt adhesive to each corner on the back of the tile to protect furniture

step #7
bundle up in jute and ta-da! a handmade christmas gift for less than $5 a set

merry {handmade} christmas!

::cold hands warm heart::

i signed up for the cold hands warm heart swap, because ya know, i like to be crafty and i love the whole [pen-pal] idea behind it all.

my swap partner was traci, mom of five boys. you can check out her blog here.http://fromamomofboys.blogspot.com/

she sent a lovely package full of goodies!

gloves & a scarf
mum earrings that i love love love
mini calendar
note cards
bookmark

a big thanks goes to sandy and illy for hosting this cute little swap!

:does yours heal or hurt?:

:photo:

it comes out in our reaction to certain circumstances.
it comes out in our response to others.
it comes out in our posture and language.
it comes out in our work and our play.

story.
we all have one....or two....or three.
our lives are a constant flow, chapter after chapter.
the question isn't do we have a story to tell? rather what kind of story are we telling?
stories that hurt or stories that heal?

and i remember my elder granddaughter's ninth summer, most of which was spent on the pediatric floor of a city hospital after she had been hit by a truck on her way home from swimming. she could not be given any painkillers because of the head injury, and she was in great pain.

as she returned to full consciousness, she said to her parents and grandparents, "i love you," and then, "read to me." so we read to her, hour on hour. when our voices would tire and we would slow down, we would immediately hear, "keep on reading," and so we kept on.

story was pain-killer, quite literally. when her brain was focused on a story, then it was not on the pain center. story was a more effective pain-killer than any chemical medication.

excerpt from madeleine l'engle [walking on water]

our stories can heal the wounds found in those around us.
are you sharing your story?


*linking up with heather for just write

:what i'm NOT doing today::

i'm NOT sleeping in, nope that's not it. up at 5am as usual for coffee, reading and writing.
i'm NOT starting my day off overwhelmed with my to-do list for the week.
i'm NOT starting my day off exhausted at the thoughts of another 40+ hour week at work.
i'm NOT starting my day off discouraged because of time that won't be spent with my children.
i'm NOT worried about my husband and how he will manage on so little sleep today.
i'm NOT concerned with numbers and being mid-month and what that means in the corporate world.
i'm NOT planning to be anywhere but here at 8am.

most important, the reason for all of the above, i'm NOT going to my full-time corporate job today. nope, NOT today, NOT tomorrow, or the next day.

{{i'm officially a part-time work-at-home-mommy!!}}

so today,
i will turn off my computer at 7am and welcome my precious children to the breakfast table where i will sit with them and talk about the season of advent and the great expectation of the arrival of christ.
i will eat with them instead of giving them kisses good-bye.
i will take my girl to preschool and pal around with my boy.
i will color with him and play cars.
i will read for pleasure.
i will cook dinner slowly enjoying the moments in the kitchen with the children at my feet.
i will enjoy dinner with my family, including my husband because he will not be sleep deprived.
i will play chase after dinner, give baths and put them to bed all with great joy, because THIS is my joy, THIS is my calling and it will no longer take second place to a job.
i will trust.
i will breathe in all that this season has to offer.
i will be thankful.

what will you NOT be doing today?



*linking up for life made lovely

::beauty in the distance::

:photo:

the fourty minute daily commute gets long and old. i pass the time with the help of these guys:

• homebrewed christianity podcast
• simple mom podcast
• pandora
• NPR radio

there is a particular spot in my drive where i top a tall hill and descend into the foothills of the mountains. hitting this spot is the highlight of my drive.  the blue ridge mountains come into clear view. it's glorious all on it's own, but yesterday as i anticipated this spot, looked out, and breathed in the majesty of the creator, i saw something more. something more beautiful than the sight that woos me every day. out in the distance, past the initial beauty of the blue, i could see snow caps. just a slight dusting to but enough to notice.

beauty.
beauty beyond.
beauty beyond where i am now.
it's there. in the distance. within reach. all i have to do is keep going.

do you feel weary?
do you feel overwhelmed?
lost?
do you feel like each day gets harder?
like you cannot go on this way for one more minute?

keep going friend.
there is beauty in the distance.

:everyone gets them, how will YOU use them today?:

:photo:

moments.

life is made of lots of moments. specific pieces of time where decisions are made and lives are changed.

this kid had a moment on stage that will impact his future. (warning: strong language)




this family had a moment where they made a decision to sell their belongings and give themselves in service to others.


this man had a moment where he chose to turn the other cheek, go the extra mile and possibly change a troubled kids life.

how will you spend your moments today?

when you little one wants to play with you?
when someone is rude to you?
when you are cheated?
when you are blessed?
when you get the bad news?
when you are discouraged?
when you are happy?

"you will find when you look back at your life, that the moments when you have really lived are the moments when you have done things out of the spirit of love"

-henry drummond

::thoughts on faith [it's the heart]::

:photo:

we snuggled close as i read about the scrawny one. the one whose dad didn't even think to introduce him because he just wasn't much to offer at the time. we talked about how he was the one god wanted to use. we talked about how his heart was much like gods. we talked about how god looks on the inside, not the outside.

[it's the heart that god cares about]

i have to remind myself of this frequently as i have spent most of my adult life working for the approval of those around me.

youth leader....check.
sunday school teacher....check.
attend church three times per week...check.
participate in the easter play....check.
ready my bible every day...check.
pray every day...check.

this was my life several years ago.

currently, i am not a youth leader, not a sunday school teacher and i do not attend church three times per week.

i read my bible not to check it off my to-do list but because i want to know him more.
i pray not to check it off my to-do list but because i am trying to figure out the point of it all.
i love people not because others are watching but because i truly desire to love like jesus.

i talk with him in the still small moments of the night when eisley has had a bad dream, rohen is kicking field goals and i can't get back to sleep. i talk with him during my 40 minute commute to and from work every day. i talk with him constantly, knowing him more with each word.

i think about the life jesus lived and how madeleine l'engle thinks we should be able to live out our lives just as jesus lived out his.

like standing for women and speaking out about their value.
like standing up for the outcast and touching the untouchable.
like standing for children and letting their voices be heard.
like taking time to relax and fellowship at weddings and parties.
like taking time to know and be part of community.
like living with less so others can have more.
like turning the other cheek
like putting others before myself.

there is no criteria for knowing god.

he is not waiting for the strong or the pretty or the pure.
he is waiting for you.
he wants to know you.

people look at the outward appearance, but it's the heart that god cares about.


*linking up with heather for just write

::handmade christmas [gift idea]::

if you are like me you are still scrounging around for handmade gift ideas for neighbors, teachers and random people you would like to bless this holiday season.  so here is a super easy pie recipe for your baking enjoyment.

ingredients:

1 jar (11 3/4 oz) caramel
1/2 cup cold milk
2 pkg (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding
2 tubs (16 oz each) whipped topping
2 large hershey almond candy bar
3 ready made graham cracker crust

in a mixing bowl beat milk, 2 pkgs pudding and 2 tubs of whipped topping until smooth.
chop 2 large hershey almond candy bars in food processor.
mix in  3/4 of chopped candy bar to whipped cream mixture.
lightly cover bottom of the graham cracker crust with caramel.
top with 1/3 of the candy bar mixture.
sprinkle the top of each candy bar mixture with remaining candy bar pieces.
spinkle top with caramel.
cover and refrigerate for 4-6 hours before serving or freeze for 3 months.

makes 3 pies.

i'd love to hear some handmade ideas for this holiday season.


*linking up for life made lovely

::in december, i will::

:photo:

i already feel the pull. the need to rush and hurry. the to-do lists turn over in my mind at night. the calendar pages seem to flip over like leaves in rushing wind.

chaos.

it insists on being a part of the holiday season. it pushes and prods into every moment planned like it has the right to be there. it loves to change our focus to the negative. it loves to bogg us down and make us feel overwhelmed and unaccomplished.

i have decided to receive december differently this year. to welcome it like a warm blanket on a cold winters day. to wrap myself in all of the loveliness it has to offer. to focus on the gift and not the gift-giving.

today is the first, a new beginning. i can start over with my to-do list. i can start over with my plans. i can take another look at my calendar and weed out the unnecessary.


in december...

i will sit and hold my coffee tight, breathing in the aroma and feeling the warmth between my fingers.

i will put aside my computer, my books, my dirty floors and dishtowels and go running when the little ones call.

i will sit and play with them, imagine with them undivided by my to-do list.

i will make memories with my family.

i will laugh more and be silly.

i will have more coffee dates and play dates unconcerned about the appearance of my home.

i will take more walks with my family.

i will make hot chocolate and play pretty pretty princess.

i will anticipate the coming of christ with great expectation this advent season.

i will take great joy in hiding nat our elf on the shelf each day for the children to find.

i will admire the beauty of christmas every day.

i will roll with the punches that may come.

i will stress less.

i will steal more kisses from jacob and hugs from my darlings.

i will write notes and cards to those i love and care for as time allows.

i will not worry that i do not have a christmas card to send out this year.

i will not worry that my gift is or isn't enough.

i will not worry about what i do not have time for.

but i will praise the slowness of december.


how about you friend? how will you spend december?