There is something strange that happens when you start considering your life, and the INTENT. 

Suddenly, you start seeing the world around you differently, and you begin to really look into the beast that life has become.  I'm so thankful that, for the most part, we live simple lives.  We have a house that is just small enough for us, and have toys that are just old enough to enjoy. 

This week, hubby sent me this pic, and as I opened it, a coworker happened to walk by, and said, "Wow!  It looks like 1984 landed at your house!"

She was, of course, teasing, and we both laughed.  But then, I thought about it, and I was proud.  I have a little man that has no idea if the year is 1984, or 2013, or any other time in history.  All he knows is that we have a home that is HIS, and where he knows he is safe.  We have a pickup truck that can help us help our friends (or can be an amazing playscape, as was pictured a couple posts ago).  We have a camper, so we can reconnect with nature, and with each other, and still have a space to be cozy, safe, and comfortable. 

No, these things are NOT new, or "tech-savvy."  In fact, they are all older than me!  But, when things are taken care of, they can last. 

So many people are driven for the latest iPhone, or the newest McMansion, and here I sit, in our little bungalow, with our old toys, and think, "What else do I need?"

I reflect on Ecclesiastes 5:19-20 -

19 Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God. 20 For he shall not much remember the days of his life; because God answereth him in the joy of his heart.

Basically, I read - If I am happy with what we have, and realize that these things are gifts from God, I can live my life with joy, and not look back in sorrow, knowing that just as I take care of my child(ren), God takes care of me. 

Of course, I expect our child(ren) to keep up their end of this relationship, and help us- cleaning their rooms, picking up toys, and such.  But, I think God is the same way.  If we will accept Him, and what He has given, and we use those blessings for His will, we can be blessed knowing that while it may be a 1979 Porta-Cabin here, we are storing mansions in Heaven. 

Although, truth be told, I may rather enjoy my 1979 Porta-Cabin in Heaven, too. 

:)

Vineyards and Hot Dogs

My sister had Ben yesterday afternoon while I worked, and took him to my parents house.  I met her there, and we visited with them all evening, as Dad & my brothers began making repairs to the front of their house.  Mom made dinner, and we all ate in the front yard, and enjoyed our time spent together. 

Because of this new idea in my head, I was reminded of Proverbs 31:16...

"She considereth a field, and buyeth it; with the fruit of her hands, she planteth a vineyard."

Now, make no mistake - my mom didn't make dinner from the back yard clippings, or even from a garden.  That's NOT my mom.  :)

No, I considered this verse a bit more with an interpretive mind.  On an ordinary weekday afternoon, the anticipated number of attendees for dinner instantly went from two to TWELVE (I typed it out, so you didn't think it was a typo).  What do you do on a Wednesday afternoon, when TEN extra people show up at your door, and say, "I'm hungry!!  What's for dinner?" 

Well, I can tell you that my response would NOT be, "How about mostaciolli?  And, we have hot dogs & carrots for the itty-bittys!" 

But, this is my mom.  It's what she does.

How in the world have I associated a vineyard to hot dogs?  Well, that's the magic of The Bible and my (sometimes only understandable to me) interpretation (what an awesome book that can be related so well).  You see, I looked around at this mass of food, and emptying plates, and thought...how in the world do you manage this so easily?  How do you manage dinner for an army, with nothing but moments notice?  With the meager ingredients she had for a planned dinner for 2, she fed us all.  With the fruit that, almost literally, could fit in her hands, she filled a vineyard with tasty dinner.

But it's more than that. 

I sat back, and thought - this is what the ROOTS of the vineyard look like.  We all showed up at Mom & Dad's, and it never occurred to any of us that they wouldn't be prepared with dinner.  Even in our 30s, with our own children, we knew that HOME would provide for us and ours. 

By the fruit of her hands, our mom planted a vineyard. 

This is the kind of woman I want to be.  I want my child(ren) to know that if they stop in on a Wednesday afternoon, they will be taken care of.  They will be loved, and TIME will be given for them.  And, of course, hot dogs. 

Intentional...

In my regular Monday browsing of the blog world, I stopped by a blog hop, and found the blog of an amazing woman that has taken my vain, and whiney life, and turned it on its head.  (Here) is her blog, if you want to see...

I spent what felt like HOURS just picking apart every single little nuance in her life over the last year or so (yes, I went a bit stalker...), and (whether good or bad) comparing her faith and passion to my own.

In myself, I was weighed and measured, and found wanting.

This year, she has chosen to live life (more or less) by a single word - INTENTIONAL.

It seems such a simple word, but wow...the impact that the IDEA of this word has had on me!!

Things as simple as a good morning kiss shared with my husband, or picking up dirty laundry.  Every single move I make, I have considered this word this week, in ways I had never EVER considered before.

It had never occurred to me before that in my pursuit of "social media," I had become disconnected from my own family.  It never occurred to me that in my desire to reach out to others, I had left my child(ren) "alone."

I have committed myself to leave pinterest and facebook, and the knit/crochet websites, and the little phone/Kindle games to their own devices for the evenings, and instead to spend time with my boy(s).  While I realize the games won't play themselves, they also won't notice that I'm not playing them.  There is other time for those things.  And if I come to a place where there isn't time for that?  What have a lost, really...?

And do you know what happened?  The first night, I slept.  Peacefully.  I spent time with my child, that wasn't rushed, and wasn't strained.  It was beautiful, and therapeutic, and a MOVING moment for me. 

I woke up the next morning prepared, knowing that in the evening, when I returned home, my boy and I could enjoy our time together, and not just share the same street address for an evening.

And that night?  He slept.  In fact, he slept in!

I know this is a new process for me, and that it will certainly take some adjusting.  And, all week, with all of this going on inside my head, and not SHARING it, my husband has somehow unknowingly supported this.  My desire to make REAL INTENTIONAL time for the boy(s) was complemented by my husband's hard work during the day, to prepare the house for our absence, while we walked to baseball, or spent time with our neighbors, or just sat and shared a hot dog on our front porch.

I *know* that God gave me my husband, to teach me, to help me, and to remind me that I can do things I never thought possible, or to do things I never had a desire to do. There are times when my husband has helped me, or supported me, and he doesn't know it, or heck- msot of the time, I don't even know it!  But, when I turn around and look back, I see that if it wasn't for his steady hand, and his faithfulness to US, I would be LOST (and probably wearing dirty underpants, or drinking last Thursday's coffee).  I don't know how to tell him properly just what he means to me.

Thankfully, he has given me the chance to spend a lifetime telling him, and showing him, just how special he is. 

There will (hopefully) be much more to come on this idea.  I hope that I can keep up with this journey, and I definitely need to start TALKING about it.  Or at least writing about it, and hoping someone sees.

No update since MARCH?? REALLY??

I decided to stop in, and take a moment to write some.  When I did, I see that the last post was from March - WOW!  I knew time had gotten away from me, but not that much! 

So, with such a hot summer, we've taken as many chances as we can to do THIS:

Yep, that's the Jammin.  He's kept us busy, but makes us laugh every single second.  :)

He's such a good baby. 

Personally, I've been looking at ideas to hand-make a LOT of things lately.  Some in an effort to save money, others just because it seems a nice thing to do.

I've dipped my toe, ever so slightly, into the sewing world, which has been a BALL.  And, I'm now debating some other ventures - perhaps "green" toymaking.  :)

I've seen some simple ideas of toys from generations past that I'd LOVE to recreate.  :)

This idea really occurred to me after Ben spent some time with his Nonners & Great Aunts, and has now become slightly obsessed with what seems to be the best toy ever invented.  What is that?  A small, empty water bottle, with a few pennies dropped in it.  He's been fascinated by it, and just loves it.

It got me thinking to old pull toys, and old wooden cars, blocks and quilters cotton baby dolls.

The idea of becoming a "green santa" just has me mesmerized a bit...

Maybe the feeling will pass...or maybe this is the push I'm looking for?  Who knows...need to do some more research.

In an effort to start this, I'm debating Hubby & I making some toys for all the happy birthdays we have coming up within the next six or seven weeks. 

I have a question...if anyone actually reads this...does anyone have any ideas or tips for 100% NATURAL wood stains?  I saw an idea somewhere about boiling onion peels in water, to get a natural yellow stain.  But, I'm not sure how this works. 

Any advice?  Or suggestions on places to look?  I'm hoping for stains that DO NOT include chemicals.  For one, most of the gifts I'm planning to make are for little boys (many first birthdays), so I need something that is 100% "chewable." 

If you have any suggestions, please share!!!



This Moment...my fave...

This Moment...

It doesn't get sweeter...

This Moment...