Family

2 Comments Posted on Daily Blogs, Family, Funny Bone

Funny memories

It’s no surprise that I’m a bit of a tightwad. My me-maw always said I was as tight as the bark on a tree when it came to money. 

The term I prefer is frugal. 

The thrill of a good deal, to me, is an important aspect of the shopping experience. 

Today I have outdone myself and in the process created a priceless family memory. 

This year is my niece Skylar’s first Christmas. Like any good aunt, I wanted to be with her the first time she met Santa Clause. (Plus, the first encounter is always the funniest.)

So I took my niece to the thrift store because the picture cost $5, which is a much better deal than $20 everywhere else. 

A picture is worth a 1,000 words. See what that good deal got for me:

  This made us all laugh hysterically. Everything about this picture screams cheapo…
My sister says Skylar will never forget her Aunt Audra now. 

Well, I’d say the day was a success. 

Her next Santa picture will be much better (aka worth spending $20) because Skylar was clearly not impressed with Santa this year. 

Leave a comment Posted on Character Corner, Daily Blogs, Faith Journeys, Family

One thankful girl

Happy Thanksgiving!

It’s hard to believe 2015 is almost over.

It’s hard to believe that I’ve accomplished so much this year. 

Blogging everyday, learning sign language, running a half marathon, and going to Rhema?

Wow. I am a truly thankful. 

Here’s few other things I’m thankful for:

  1. My family. I have a big family and it only keeps growing. I’m an aunt now and we’ve added a lot of cousins. 
  2. My friends. I’m thankful for my friends who’re actually more like family. They’ve been with me through everything. I’m also thankful for new friends. The Lord continues to send the most amazing people into my life. 
  3. My job. I have a great job. It’s been nothing but a blessing since day one. 
  4. Reading. I’m really close to my goal of 50 books. The gift of reading is something that I do not take lightly. 

I can go on and on…

How about you?

What are you thankful for this year?

Take some time to write it out. 

Talk about it with your family over dinner.

 Praise God for being the giver of all these precious gifts. 

1 Comment Posted on Daily Blogs, Faith Journeys, Family

Grace and Restoration, Part 1

The video project has begun! 

My dad was able to edit and upload the first video of our project today. 

I’m including the link below:

Grace over Abandonment Series, Part 1
We still have two more videos to record, so let me know of any questions you’d like for us to answer. 

Also, I plan to type out the transcripts soon. I’ll post them here on my site when I share the second video. 

Leave a comment Posted on Character Corner, Daily Blogs, Family

Shortcuts and Backroads

  Who doesn’t like a shortcut?

Winding country roads, jaunts through neighborhoods, an alleyway….

The GPS gives us the fastest route first. Our friends know all the best back ways. 

Shaving off travel time is important, but you can’t take shortcuts in relationships. 

A lot of people think that the restoration journey between my dad and I took place overnight. 

Let me be the first to answer that assumption with a hearty no. 

It’s been 5 years and counting. Yes, we’ve come a long way, but we still have quite the journey in front of us. 

I encourage you to be intentional in your relationships. Good relationships don’t just happen by chance. They take work. 

This is probably not news to most of you, but knowing something and still choosing the romantized version is the norm. 

In today’s world of social media friends, it’s easy to forget that you actually have to hang out with your friend offline in order for  that person to be a real friend. 

I’m not dissing the use of social media to keep up with friends and family that live far away either. 

Many people, though, only have online friends–far away or otherwise. 

There are no shortcuts to meaningful relationships. You have to put miles on your tires and wear out some shoe leather. 

You won’t regret the extra miles. 

Leave a comment Posted on Character Corner, Daily Blogs, Family

Simple gifts

What’s the best meal you ever had?

Was it a complicated, picture worthy affair? Or was it simpler fare with a close friend or family member?

I remember this one meal with a close relative. He diced up hot dog wieners and put them in a pan with tomato paste, a dash of garlic powder, and some Italian seasoning. 

That was it.

 He stirred it up, got it warm, and dished it out generously on our plates. 

I felt like a queen. Life was going good for this 9 year old! 

I “learned” a new recipe and spent the evening enjoying myself and the time with my relative. 

How many times do we agonize over big, fancy meals? 

How many times do we stress out over minor issues, berating and belittling our family in the process?

There’s nothing wrong with great food, but missing out on the important moments is not worth the exchange. 

The things we attach a memory to are quite small. 

Filet mignon on vacation might be overlooked while cheese and crackers on Tuesday is precious. 


Thanksgiving is a week away. 

Cook up a feast! 

Eat yourself silly. 

Clean up later if a fun opportunity presents itself afterward. 

Just don’t stress out over the inconsequential elements of the celebration. 

Remember: It’s the simple moments of intentionality that make the holidays special–not a gourmet meal. 

2 Comments Posted on Daily Blogs, Family

Happy Birthday, Nate!

My cousin Nathan is a sweetheart. 

Our family expanded over 10 years ago when my uncle married. Mathew and Nathan came into our lives and I can’t imagine life without them. 

Nathan was 2 and cute as a button. (He prefers to be called handsome now that he’s 15.)

  What I love about Nathan is his kind hearted disposition and his quiet, yet funny personality. 

It’s rare to see Nathan without a smile on his face, which has always challenged me to smile more. 

He’s overcome many challenges through the years and each time he’s been brave, defying all odds. 

Happy Birthday, Nathan!

I’m proud of the man you’re becoming. 

Leave a comment Posted on Business Sense, Daily Blogs, Family

Lessons from Toyland 

Toy stores are overwhelming. 

I took my little sister to Toys R Us to buy her a birthday present. 

Thank goodness she knew what she wanted! (Even though the toy looked weird to me at first). 
You could get lost in there. 

I just wonder if it’s healthy for kids to be bombarded by so many options at such a young age. 

Even with parental guidance it’s hard for a kid to navigate the world of entertainment, especially because every company wants kids to grow up with their merchandise. 

Brand loyalty doesn’t happen overnight. And that’s why companies target children. 

Like anything in life, how strict you are as a parent will always be under scrutiny. I don’t have any children yet, but I watch families closely. 

It’s the best way to pick up the dos and don’ts of parenting. 

Kudos to all parents though–no matter how strict or lax in other areas–who monitor their kids’ toys. 

I learned quite a bit from my trip to the toy store about how hard it is to provide educational and fun toys for kids without sacrificing their little hearts in the process. 

Leave a comment Posted on Daily Blogs, Family

A little man and his guitar

My little brother is a future rock star. 

I believe he’s destined to play the guitar. Ever since he was old enough to toddle around, Courage has been drawn to the guitar. 

He plays air guitar all the time and loves any kind of guitar music (which is basically all music).

My family went to a get together at a friend’s house and there was a band. Courage instantly ran over to the group and that’s where he stayed. 

  
His enthusiasm reminds me of the proverb “Train up a child in the way he should go” (Proverbs 22:6). 

A parent’s (and family’s) job is to watch their kids and to encourage them to pursue their God given interests. 

Pay attention to the kids in your life. See if you can notice their passions and desires. 

  

Leave a comment Posted on Daily Blogs, Faith Journeys, Family

All the love you need

God’s love for us is big.

He has children, the chosen nation of Israel, but then He reached out to us Gentiles and offered to adopt anyone who would accept the way of salvation.

God the Father is the first adoptive parent. Adoption is a central theme of the Christian faith.

What makes all of this possible?

Love.

At least, that’s what we tell people.

God’s big love is for you.

His love transcends all other love.

Open your heart to His love.

I now want to shift our attention to the millions of children who need a home.

It’s cool to hear the adoption stories of fellow Christians, but they all have one element that bothers me:

“You know, it took us awhile to accept the idea of adoption because we just didn’t know if we could love a child that wasn’t ours.”

Wait a minute.

All Christians were once orphans, but we have to think about loving a child who’s not ours?

I have a problem with this statement.

How can I not love a child?

There’s no denying the beautiful connection between a parent and a child.  To say, though, that my love can only be limited to those who came from me is selfish.

Ask yourself: What if God had excluded Gentiles?

(A Gentile, by the way, is anyone who is not a Jew.)

Thank goodness His love is bigger than ours or we’d all be in trouble.

Please hear me: I’m happy families are adopting.

That’s awesome!

Is there anything wrong with looking at a situation and saying, “Can we do this?”

No.

Seek wisdom in making the decision because it is a big decision.

Our ability to love, however, should never be a factor. We received our love–and the power to love–from God.

Leave a comment Posted on Daily Blogs, Family

Birthday Wishes to a Great Friend

bffl faveI’m going to do something completely cheesy today.

This blog post is dedicated to my friend, Bethany Fletcher, in honor of her birthday.

We met in college and became friends instantly….NOT!

In fact, I remember the time she told me that the first time we hung out in a big group she went to her room and cried. She also used to lock the door on her side of our Jack and Jill style bathroom suite.

Eventually, though, she and I realized (and began to appreciate) all of the individual qualities that make us both awesome. christmas friends

Bethany taught me about many things, but for some I am eternally grateful:

  1. Fashion–thanks for helping me get past dressing like a granny.
  2. Music–my previous musical tastes involved a lot of Reba and Patsy Cline. I’m still their number one fan, but my musical taste has broadened–a lot.
  3. Blogging–if it wasn’t for Bethany, I would not be a blog lover today.
  4. Encouragement–this chick has walked with me and encouraged me through some pretty dark times. She’s also slapped me back into reality, but it’s always followed by a hug.
  5. Jesus–Bethany’s friendship with our Savior is out of this world. Seriously. I’ve always looked to her example in how to live, love, and serve Jesus.

Bethany, I hope you’re okay with me dedicating a whole blog post to you. It’s just that you know I’m horrible at sending out cards…..but I do want you to know that I am thankful for your friendship.

bffl pumpkinHappy Birthday, BFFL!

I hope that your 26th year is awesome.

Know that my thoughts and prayers are always with you and, of course, Mr. Fletcher.