Words

“Words carry very specific meanings, non? Which is why you must be more careful in your choice of them.”
— Véronique Girard (“Remembered” by Tamera Alexander)

“Where do they get this ability?”

“Where do [men] get this ability? This talent for looking extaordinarily adorable when apologizing for something stupid they’ve done. How do they do that to us? Why are we so willing to let them?”
— Lindy Edwards (“My So Called Love Life” by Allie Pleiter)

Bravery

“Bravery isn’t being fearless, but having a strong enough desire to push one’s natural fears aside in trying to obtain an important goal.”
— “The Narrow Door At Colditz” by Robert L. Wise

 

Note:  You would really have to read this book to truly appreciate the quote.  And it is a really good book, by the way.

“Love Starts With Elle” by Rachel Hauck

    “Love Starts With Elle”  by  Rachel Hauck   

I loved this book!  I had been wanting to read it for quite some time, so, when I finally got it, I practically devoured it!  Finished it within a day.

What can I say..?  Rachel Hauck is a pretty great author.  The characters were very real to me (which makes a good book just that much better!).  My two favorite characters were  Elle (obviously) and her dad.  Loved the relationship between those two — it was really special.  Ms. Anna was another truly wonderful character.  The world needs more prayer warriors like her.  My least favorite character would have to be Jeremiah.  Gosh!  That guy just totally got on my nerves!  :(

I didn’t read the back of the book, so I had no idea what part any of the characters played or what to expect. However, within the first few pages, I had decided that Elle would not end up with Jeremiah.  What I wasn’t sure about was how exactly the author would go about switching things around.  I did like the way she did it, though.

To quote the book — “It must seem like the world is ending, but wait and see what God will do.  He must have something wonderful in mind.”  Seeing the way God can use what we humans consider “bad things/situations” and “tragedies” to work good in the lives of His children… Wow.  Elle & Jeremiah, Elle & Heath, Heath & his daughter, Julianne & her family, etc. The issues that the characters in this book had to deal with were numerous.  One of the “victories” gained that I particularly liked was Julianne’s in dealing with her child, the child’s father, and her own parents.  I also really liked the way Elle tried to advise her sister — which all good sisters should try to do.

One part that really touched me personally and got me thinking: “Seek Him now when nothing is demanding your attention.  No schedule, no expectations.  Then, when demand comes, you’ll be ready.“  That statement really challenged me to do better at this myself.

If you have read “Love Starts With Elle” and liked it, you might also enjoy  ”Dining With Joy” by Rachel Hauck.

The boy who forgot Mother’s Day — reblog

This is only part of the blog post The boy who forgot Mother’s Day by gardengoatquote.  I really enjoyed it and wanted to share at least part of it.  The whole post is great, though, so check it out!

“Dear Son:

Given that Mother’s Day has eluded you again this year I thought I would help you to express your appreciation and affection for me in ways you can afford and remember.

• Look after your own laundry, yes, YOU, clean it up off the floor and forget living from pile to pile. Oh and if you really want to rock my socks pick up your own! Don’t stop there…wash your own clothes and continue doing it for the remainder of your life! (If you master this your future spouse will rejoice!)

• If you use it…please replace it…yes, that means that when the milk is empty you get out another bag open it and put it back in the fridge so the next person can find the milk ready to pour just like you did. Be sure to keep this one up for the next 365 days! Careful…might become a habit (your future spouse will appreciate).

• Oh yes and while replacing things…the toilet paper belongs replaced on the roll so that when I hit the bathroom I am not hunting (half –dressed or less) through the rest of the house for the basics.

• Please develop a more extensive vocabulary (beyond the customary “Yep, Nope, Uh-huh, Sure and Bye”) for people who although not your friends (per say) do call our family and are victim of your secretarial services.

• Dishes never do themselves. If you are in the kitchen take a moment to contribute to my overall appreciation of you. Unload and/or load the dishwasher. Five minutes out of your day and I would be thrilled. Remember, no man has ever lost his life while doing dishes.

• Learn to anticipate the task I require you to do. Do it before you are asked. This is the key to ensuring wedded bliss in the future.

• Showering is not an “option”, a “nice-to-have” or a “maybe” ….it is a mandatory requirement as long as you live within 500 yards of any other creature on the planet. No, cologne and deodorant are not substitutes for soap and water.

• When using the bathroom please keep the seat down after you use it especially in the middle of the night (this not done could totally “sink” your marriage in the future) and pick up your towel (and whitie-tidies) off the floor.

• A big one is the garbage. Dump the household garbage and put out before it is overflowing, vermin are materializing and/or by-law is at the door. The car is NOT a garbage can (more on that…read below).

• If you borrow the car you clean it and remove your stuff out of it (not to mention replace the gas…do not return home with the tank on EMPTY) also this is not a place to store your laundry or anything else you want to leave behind.

You need not worry about remembering or acknowledging me next Mother’s Day as I will be basking in the glow of how thoughtful and appreciative you were all year round.  In return you will have developed some life skills that will allow you to share your future in hopefully happy accord with a spouse. Sometime perhaps teaching children of your own the mysteries of what a Happy Mother’s Day every day all year-long looks like regardless of your financial status!

Love Your Mom”

I Love Photography! — Mothers (and babies)

In honor of Mother’s Day, I decided to share some photos of Moms.  Now for the Mommy/Baby photos…  :)

Enjoy!

MOTHER & SON  by  reece kasitz

Untitled  by  Your Story Captured

Unconditional Love  by  AzFiqs

Kiss  by  *Siena*

First Connection  by  inneriart

H E A V E N  by  Shana Rae

a mother’s love  by  jaki good

Note:  I like each of these photos and would love for anyone to look at them.  They are not in any way inappropriate.  Though I have included links to the photographers’ Flickr pages for those interested, I cannot vouch for what you will see there.

If you like this post, keep your eye out for more…

I Love Photography! — Mothers (and the “baby bump”)

In honor of Mother’s Day, I decided to share some photos of Moms.  Since the “baby bump” photos are the earliest photos you see of mother and child, I thought I’d start there.

Enjoy!

Katie + Bean (#1)  by  GirlsEyeView

Katie + Bean (#2)  by  GirlsEyeView

17.  by  StarkImages

Smile momma  by  MPH Photography

Mommy in waiting by  alexsommersphotography

Mamiya  by  photostargirl

Note:  I like each of these photos and would love for anyone to look at them.  They are not in any way inappropriate.  Though I have included links to the photographers’ Flickr pages for those interested, I cannot vouch for what you will see there.

If you like this post, keep your eye out for more…

From Their Mouths To My Blog

I’ve been telling my brothers for a while now that I’m going to share on my blog some of the goofy things they’ve said. So, here they are. Enjoy!

13 yr. old boy (very sarcastically about a 5 yr. old boy) — “He’s smarter than me now! He knows that CAT rhymes with VAN!”

4 yr. old boy — “This guy is so strong, he can pick up this whole boat and jump over this airplane! Ya know… he’s this strong ’cause he ate strong guy cereal!”

Me (jokingly about #7 brother who was taking a nap) — “Is he still alive over there?”
13 yr. old boy — “No, he’s just sleeping.”

Mom — “What does this say?”
5 yr. old boy — “B-b-b- Carrots?!”
Mom — “Uh… no.”

5 yr. old boy (about a little girl he calls his “best buddy”) — “I can’t marry her when I get big.”
Mom — “Why not?”
boy — “She is just too bossy!”

3 yr. old boy (about a 2 yr. old girl) — “I don’t want her to play!”
an adult — “Why not? Isn’t she your friend?”
boy — “No!”
adult — “Why not?”
boy — “She don’t like me!”

3 yr. old girl (my niece, not one of my brothers, but I had to include it since it’s one of my favorites) — “Daddy, my tummy says it’s hungry for pizza.”

No, these aren’t the only funny things they’ve ever said… I promise you, there’s not enough time or space to record it all! However, I just might share some more later.

“That’s not heroic.”

- I’ve never done anything heroic.
- You give up your seat every day on the train.
- That’s not heroic.
- It is to the person who sits there.

 

Just a reminder that “heroic” deeds don’t always have to be huge deeds. Sometimes it’s the small things that are most appreciated and best remembered.

Never underestimate the power of a small gesture of kindness.

It’s Been A Year…

One year ago, my grandpa passed away. He was ready to go. I wasn’t so ready…

When Grandpa died, I was happy for him because I knew that he was ready to go Home and he had gone to be with his Saviour. However, I was anything but happy for myself. In a way, I guess I felt cheated. I wanted my grandpa to be a part of my future. I wanted him to — one day — meet the man I would marry and approve of my choice. I wanted Grandpa to be at my wedding. I wanted my children to have the chance to know him. I wanted so much…

It took a while for me to stop pitying myself and think of how blessed I’ve been. If not for the grace of God, I would’ve never even known my grandpa. A few years before I was born, my grandpa had cancer. The doctors told him that he might live a year. Surprising many, he lived much longer; and I was granted 20 1/2 years with him. I could’ve had a grandpa who was grouchy or hateful or mean, but he was none of those things. Never was I given any reason to doubt his love for me. He was proud of me and encouraged me to do what I love.

Looking back, I realize that there were some important things to learn from Grandpa.

1. Words aren’t as important as actions. Grandpa rarely said the words “I love you” to me, but his actions said them loud and clear. He never told me, “I am a Christian”, but I never doubted that he was. His actions did more to convince me than his words ever could have done.

2. Time with your loved ones is precious, don’t waste it. I can’t count the times (especially during the last few months of his life) that I saw my Grandpa hold my Grandma’s hand or kiss her on the cheek or something similar.  It was so sweet to see him do that.  I loved to sit back and watch them…  I know they loved each other and they weren’t afraid to let it show.  I’m thankful that they let us see that.

3.  Do your best to leave behind a legacy you and your family can be proud of.  Make sure that people will not be ashamed to say, “I knew that person” or “I was kin to that person”.  I have never been ashamed or embarrassed to say, “That is my grandpa.”  I’ve actually had people tell me, “I wish my grandpa was like yours.”  I’m proud of my grandpa.  I’ve never heard him called worthless, a liar, a cheater, or a bum.  People don’t remember him for being unfaithful, mean, abusive, ungrateful, unforgiving, unreliable…  They remember him with love and affection.  And that’s the way it should be.