Celebrating God's Design in your Marriage

Have you ever seen the movie "War Games"?  You know the Cold War thriller-lite with Matthew Broderick and Ally Sheedy?  Its one of those movies I can't help watching if I flip by when its on even though I have seen it a million times.  One of the scenes, actually the first scene, hit me last night as a very odd metaphor in my marriage.  To launch the nuclear missile out of the silo, there were always two guys on alert.  Both had to turn the key and the keys were so far apart that there was no way one person could physically do it.  I think in a very weird way this is like my marriage relationship.  I am the one ready to fire on any great adventure I see on the horizon and I'm thankful that my husband is God's failsafe in my life, always there to slow down my crazy enthusiasm.  He is thankful that I push us into new frontiers and adventures though.  Its just a beautiful way God has balanced our family.

In Genesis 2:18, "The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him." God knew that my husband would be more cautious and that I would be more impulsive and through miracles that I will never understand this side of heaven, He allowed these two wacky kids to meet and form a family.  We honor God's design for marriage when we celebrate and rejoice in our differences and use them for His glory rather than being frustrated by them.  

What metaphors do you see in your marriage?

Easy Summer Wreath

I know this is REALLY late since it is already Pumpkin Spice Latte season but I wanted to make sure I got it up here for inspiration.  My friend and I wanted a fun wreath for Summer that popped so we headed off to Hobby Lobby.  We spray painted grapevine wreaths and made the banner with the help of my Silhouette machine and twine.  It could have easily been done with some scissor skills and letter stickers.  She made the pretty bows and we hot glued on the flowers.  Easy Peasy!

We Are Debt Free!

So that picture is the result of a two year journey.  Two years ago we realized that our finances were out of control and decided that the best way to fix it was to try Financial Peace University.  It was life changing.  We started with $39K in car and student loan debt and a snowball (monthly debt payment) of less than $200.  It seemed so impossible and overwhelming.

But like a snowball rolling downhill, it grew. It kept going until every month, it was $1000-$2000 and before you knew it, we had done it!  It was amazing and God did all the heavy lifting and to Him be the honor and glory.  We put every "3rd paycheck", tax refund, and any other windfall into this to get it done.  We skipped vacationing, cut down on extras and eating out.  YNAB also was an incredible tool that managed our budget every month.  We learned so much in the process about self-control and knowing God's will and I'm so thankful for the journey but even more thankful it is done.  So now what?  We finished Baby Step 2 (paying off consumer debt) in April and went to Tennessee in August to do our live debt free scream.  Now, we are almost done with Baby Step 3 which is 3-6 months expenses.  It has taken us exactly 6 months which is mind blowing.  

Regarding knowing God's will, my husband had the revelation early on that if we didn't have the cash for something you could pretty much reason that it wasn't God's will for you to have that object you desired.  So that was our litmus test of every "want" that came up.  Do we have the cash?  Can we sell something or find the money?  If no, then the answer was to wait.  Most of the time, the desire went away or it worked itself out.

One of the main goals in this was not only to get financially healthy for just the basic reason that it is the smart thing to do but to ultimately take the next step of faith we feel God is calling us to. More to come..but just to confirm what you are all thinking: yes, the treats in Martha's Place are really that good.  Nothing like a salted caramel cupcake to celebrate!

God and Politics

Maybe dangerous for dinner conversation but what do we do with God and politics?  I grew up in a conservative Republican home going to an Assembly of God church.  I had one set of grandparents that were Republican and Southern Baptists.  We could talk about politics at their home but not our church.  Then I had a set of Democratic voting, Assembly of God grandparents.  We could talk about what we believed all day over chicken fried venison, but never politics.  I loved my Granddad but if he ran over a screw and flattened a tire, I would hear how it was somehow Reagan's fault.

I have heard a lot of Christians say during this election season that we shouldn't talk about politics.  If they feel called to be politically neutral, then they should do it.  But if other Christians do feel called to enter the political arena, I think they should follow what God is calling them to.  I read a Bible filled with prophets and apostles that stood before kings and advocated for God's laws.  I see God use his people like Esther and David, that actually were leaders of the land and used their position for the good of the people.

I don't think we should ever use a political platform to forsake the call on all of our lives.  We must love those who disagree with us.  Jesus is clear about how we should treat our enemies.  We can't lose our witness or cover our light by being offensive to the other side of the aisle.  Speak the truth in love, but never stop speaking the truth.

The Secrets Every Mom Needs to Know

So here is the stuff I wish someone had told me before I had kids.  I'm not saying this is universal.  Just the stuff I have picked up along the way

1. The reason you don't tell your kids about Disney World
The commercials make it seem like it is just for this magical surprise that you can record on video.  That is a lie.  The truth is that if you tell your kids that your family is going to Disney World (or anywhere really) six months out, you will have to then live with daily questions.  "When are we going? Are we going Saturday?  Can we ride the Dumbo ride?  Can I go to the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique and get my hair done?  Can I bring eight stuffed animals?  Will we meet Buzz Lightyear?"  You get the picture.  Better to save it as a surprise and then they are just so excited that you are going that they forget about the details.

2. When in doubt, wear a costume
This especially applies to events like Disney on Ice.  I had no idea that 70% of the girls would be in Cinderella costumes the first time we went.  I had no idea that snow cones would be $12 either but live and learn.  I also quickly learned to bring Disney light up toys from the dollar store in my purse and eat a very big meal first but I digress.  Just put your kid in a costume if you are going to an event.  Fire Station tour?  Fire truck t-shirt.  Just do it.

3. Buy the best
Don't more than you can afford but buy quality.  This especially applies to school items and things they touch every day.  I'm a huge fan of Laptop Lunchboxes and LL Bean and Land's End for backpacks and coats.  Better to buy one $30 backpack that lasts rather than three $15 backpacks.

4. Nap mats
When taking a nap mat to school, you might think to go to Wal-Mart and by a regular red and blue plastic mat.  Wrong.  You evidently do that and then go buy a monogrammed washable cover with attached blanket and optional pillow.   Etsy is a great source for these.  I was blessed to find this out before preschool started.

5. Stuffed animals multiply
You have to gather them up once a month and donate them because I honestly believe something bizarre is happening in toy boxes across America.  Those buggers must be procreating because no matter how many I take out of the house, more seem to appear every day.

6. Kids will outgrow things at the worst times
My kids only outgrow clothing when it is impossible to replace what they have outgrown.  They wait until February when stores are putting out tank tops to tell me that their snow boots are way too small.  Their tank tops become midriffs about the time all the school sweaters are for sale in August.  I haven't really found a way around this other than just buying a little too big at the first of the season instead of "just right".

7. The worst secret of all.
This is the one I hate.  The one that it has taken me the longest to both learn and implement but it is almost fail proof.  You have to be the person you want your kids to be.  Want them to be patient? Loving? Kind to their family?  You have to be those things?  Want them to grow up big and strong and eat their veggies?  Yep, you have to eat healthily too.  I think it is a kingdom principle back to 1 Peter 1:16, "Be holy as I am holy".  We can't expect our kids to do something we won't do.  So if your kids are being sarcastic and smarting off...start with the way you talk to them and your spouse.  Ask God for forgiveness and resolve to be the best example you can be.

Please comment with the secrets you have picked up along the way that you wished you had known!

Olympic Party

Okay, I know it is early and even in London they would laugh at me for talking about it in February, but I'm already getting excited for the Olympics.  I love watching the games so much that last time I threw a little opening ceremony party for Beijing.  We had Team USA food...hot dogs, Budweiser, etc and then some Chinese food thrown in.  This time you know I'm doing burgers AND fish and chips.  Here is the cake I made last time.  A little advice: don't put the M&Ms on until right before the party or they will run.  The cake is a devil's food with some extra chocolate chips with a whipped cream frosting.

Can't wait for the torch to reach London!

Our Bookmark Valentines

I wanted to come up with a fun Valentine idea for my girls in school.  We made our version of something similar I saw on Pinterest with jumbo pink paperclips from Staples and various 48 cent ribbon from Wal-Mart and made a card that showed my kids holding up their favorite books with this bookmark clipped to it.  Here is the card I designed in Photoshop.

and here it is with the paperclip bookmark clipped to it:

and here she is signing the backs:

Happy Valentine's Day!!!