Instant Gratification

Has anyone else noticed that our on-demand society has created a "me now" culture? I recognize it most often in Princess Pea Pod and tend to respond by digging in my heels, but in the peace and quiet of some time somewhere I realized that I have become the same way. I recognize it most when I turn on the tv. We don't watch much tv. As a matter of fact, we cancelled our satellite service and use only Netflix or other (on demand) providers. We don't watch a series and wait week to week, or even between seasons, building anticipation and savoring what we've just seen. We do season marathons. Episodes back-to-back-to-back until they've all been seen. And that's not even my point...

Several years ago we went through a personal finance management class, and one of the points that really hit home for me is that our generation sees what everyone else has and tends to think we should have the same things without effort. We fail to respect that our parents have worked hard to get where they are financially, that they put in those growth years, and that they probably didn't begin their adult lives in the family-sized homes we knew. Now we are raising the next generation. What will we teach them about work, about managing finances, about "things?"

This led to a shocking realization about marriage... I was recently talking to a friend who is having some marital "growing pains." We look at our parents' marriages and think "I do" means everything is chocolates and roses. I remember being a young bride, never thinking there might be a moment of disagreement with my as-perfect-as-humanly-possible groom. We would always see eye to eye and neither of us would ever, even accidentally, hurt our beloved's feelings. Reality check: marriage is two INDIVIDUALS who become one. We love and adore each other, but we didn't pledge to become clones of each other. And here's the kicker... it takes patience, it takes grace, and it takes a healthy dose of growth together to learn how to live and love together. We enjoy being together, but sometimes we don't want to do the same thing. Last night he wanted to watch Star Trek and I wanted to be near him, so I read. Sure, a few years ago my feelings would have been hurt that he didn't want to do the same thing, but I've learned to savor what we share even in our differences. And to consider everything we do together. Even the mundane chore of the grocery store is so much more enjoyable when he volunteers to go with me to pick up a few things. He doesn't have to go, but he has learned to consider the little things.

I learned. He learned. It didn't happen on our wedding day. It didn't happen on our first anniversary. It didn't happen the day Princess Pea Pod was born. He didn't do all the work, and he didn't expect me to. I am not the only one who gives grace or exercises patience, and I appreciate the *many* times he does. Loving marriages don't happen overnight and they never stop growing. We never stop learning. Neither did those who came before us. This is what we need to teach those who come after us.

Merry Christmas

Lit & Latte Love

I can't believe it has been nearly two years since the birth of Lit & Latte, which is (in my opinion) the greatest group of girlfriends to ever discuss a book over coffee! It's another one of those strange stories about how God had this plan for me and, even though I really wasn't totally sure I agreed with Him, I went along for the ride and quickly realized that (as usual) He was right. Funny how He's always right and I'm often amazed when... HE'S RIGHT! As usual, I am so glad He is right... L&L has blessed me in so many ways! Book club is amazing. Book club plus coffee is outstanding. Book club plus coffee plus amazing friends I might have completely missed out on without the book club and coffee is SUPERFANTABULAWESOMENESS!

So... flashback photo from last June, when we chatted with the bonniest lass to ever put pen to paper... Liz Curtis Higgs!

If you've ever spent more than 10 seconds discussing literature with me, you'll know that I truly believe Liz is the greatest author to ever grace the bookshelves. She is the first author to make me truly forget I am reading a book. Having the opportunity to discuss her books with her was very (um, very) high on the "Most Fantastic Events of My Life" list. Check her out: http://www.lizcurtishiggs.com/

You won't regret it!

Then one day, on a lark, I got this free book for my Kindle. It was called Love Amid the Ashes and was written by an author who was completely unfamiliar to me, Mesu Andrews. I had no expectations for this book, but I gave it a shot. Then I went and found it in print to share with my friends. Then I went and bought another copy to take to the L&L Christmas party. This was the first book I've ever put down and thought "This woman rates up there with Liz!" Mesu writes this story about Job (yes, THE Job) and Dinah in a way that flows perfectly, conflicts realistically, and ends... well, you'd resent me for telling you! I was left wanting more! Lo and behold, after masterfully handling Job's story, she tackles Solomon and his beloved in her next novel. I've already purchased three copies!

Now, let me tell you this... DO NOT read Love's Sacred Song if you want sugar and gumdrops. You will be disappointed. DO read Love's Sacred Song after you check out the bible study on her site: http://www.mesuandrews.com/ (Look under Free Stuff, then next to the picture of the book cover.) I read it cover to cover the first time, drinking it with gusto as if it was a caramel frappuccino. It was yummy...

Then L&L enjoyed a call with Mesu to discuss Love Amid the Ashes and in preparation for an upcoming call with her to discuss Love's Sacred Song, she challenged us to look for the Christ figure in the story. That prompted me to really get into the bible study and discussion guide for LSS. In my second reading of this story, which has already taken a week (6 days longer than it took me to slurp it up the first time,) I am only now getting to chapter 8. Why? Because every other sentence is highlighted, with notes on my Kindle and notes in my notebook... papers scattered all around me as I read. I can't wait to discuss it with Mesu and my L&L girls! (I sure hope I get through it again in time!) Here's the pic from our call with Mesu last month.

Shameless plug (in case you didn't notice that the whole post was a shameless plug!)...

You can find this fantastic group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lit-Latte/128330210566983

Of Trebuchets & Chubby Bunnies

My super fantastic family was here last week, and I took time off work to enjoy every possible moment with them. They live in Indiana, and we don't get to see them nearly as often as we would like. So when they were coming to visit for a few days, I dropped everything. (I offer my laundry and dishes... and vaccuuming... and bathroom scrubbing... as examples.) I don't know how it started, but within hours my dad and my cousin were on their way to Lowes to get supplies, and by the next morning they were test firing this beauty (the trebuchet, not the chicken coop.)

There was talk of firing off the feathered menace, but Billy Bob survived the weekend. They got the best results with rocks, but the biggest fun with water balloons.

While they were busy with the trebuchet, the other kids were having fun with the balloons that didn't get launched. Apparently Fat Albert wasn't meant to fly...

To top it all off, the kids played Chubby Bunny. That was pretty cool while it lasted, but the other kids were no competition for Anna, so the appeal wore off pretty quickly.

We're always sad to see them go. Now we're looking forward to next time!

While I Was Sleeping

It has been four weeks since my little ER visit. Vertigo is a beast. This post isn't about that event, which we're still working through, but about everything that happened while I was sleeping it off. Because even when I'm awake, I'm still not totally involved in any situation... I'm pretty much sleepwalking.

So while I was sleeping...

Easter came and went. This was right after the incident, so this is all we have. Thanks to Papaw for grabbing the camera.

Our principessa had a solo in her kindergarten program. She had been working on it for months. I'm super proud of her!

And our principessa turned SIX years old! How did that happen? She was so little and now she's so...

And riding roller coasters! Yikes!

In other news: Way to go, Baxter Bomb Squad! FIRST Robotics World Champs! (You can watch a video of decisive match, during which I am pretty sure I completely forgot to breathe, at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1BphZdFhJ0) The team members and mentors worked very hard and are so incredibly dedicated. This was a hard earned and much deserved honor!

Sometimes God's Plan Doesn't Look Like Mine

***Note: I started writing this post on 2/26/12, but I have only now gotten a chance to finish it.***

Last week I was reminded that sometimes God's plan doesn't look like mine. I've been learning that lesson over the past few years (see the Walking by Faith posts here) and He has been doing great things in my life. I thought I was going to be posting here that He had finally answered our prayers for a baby. After 3 positive pregnancy tests we were thrilled! But on Valentine's day we miscarried. That was less than thrilling. That was awful. My body hurt, my heart hurt, and even worse - my husband hurt.

But here's the thing about losing our baby: it was not ours to lose. That baby was a gift from God. Never getting to hold and hug it doesn't mean that the gift was lost. The great gift that we received is the reminder that it is easy to praise God when things are going the way I want them to. It is a little more difficult to praise God when things just aren't going, but praising God when it looks like life on this earth absolutely stinks... that's how you know He has done great things in you. I am pretty sure the first 6 weeks of this new year has brought more drama and trauma than the last 30-ish years combined, and it would be so easy to crawl under the covers and wail that the Lord has abandoned me. But the truth is just the opposite; He has been here with me through it all, to comfort and guide me. He has a plan for us, He has a plan for me, and it's a good thing it doesn't look like mine. After all, I can't see the big picture, but I know it is written in His book.

Christmas Card Conundrum Resolved

I am a little late posting our Christmas card. Work was hectic and I spent the week after Christmas totally unplugged. It was refreshing! We took a new year's trip to visit family in Indianapolis. So we hope you had a very merry Christmas, and that your 2012 is blessed!