Flower seeds, a note, and my son.

My heart is grieved today. A thoughtful gift from my son has brought me a bit of pain. My eight-year-old received a packet of flower seeds at school recently. He carried them home for me in his backpack. My precious little boy thought long and hard about where he could put them. He wanted me to be surprised. He was so excited, he knew he had to place them somewhere I would find them almost immediately.

“Mom, have you been on your computer yet today?” he asked while getting ready for school. “No honey. I haven't.” My laptop was where I'd last left it, by the side of my bed. “Mom, I think you need to open it up.” Samuel smiled, barely able to contain himself.

Walking over, I opened my shiny red laptop to discover the treasure inside. Lying on my keyboard my son had placed his prized package of flower seeds. His gift to me.

I hugged him tight and told him how much I loved morning glories. I told him I couldn't wait to plant them, and hoped he'd help me. He just smiled and nodded enthusiastically. All the while my heart was hurting.

You see, I couldn't help but think of something I'd heard author Elizabeth George say many years ago. “Where would someone leave a note for you, if they wanted to make sure you would get it?” She went on to ask, “Would it be by your telephone, or your computer? How about on your TV? Or could it be possible they would leave your note on your Bible?”

I couldn't help but think of my own mother while growing up. As a child I knew exactly where I would have left my note to her...on her telephone. She was on her phone constantly. Making it very clear to my little girl heart that her friends came first. What I would have given to have her hang up the phone with her girlfriends and spend an afternoon talking with me.

I've been reminded today, I have only been given so much time. My family shouldn't take every waking moment of that time, but should know they are ranked first on my to-do list.

I want to discover my next sweet gift pinned gently to the heart of my children.

"Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away." James 4:14

Take a Moment to Remember and Say a Prayer

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.” Psalm 33:12

As a teenager, waking up first to get in the shower was important. I had to beat my two sisters because I needed as much time as I could to get that "big 80's hair". Each morning when I would shuffle to the bathroom half asleep, I would see my father sitting at our kitchen table.

In the early morning silence, he would be reading his Bible while finishing his cup of coffee. With my eyes half open, I would kiss him good-bye. Lunch pail in hand, my Dad would walk out the front door, hang his American flag and head off to work. Day in and day out, this was his routine.

Each and every morning, my father flew that flag.

One gloomy winter day, as my father was hanging his flag, our neighbor Sid came over. Marching across the street with purpose, he held a small booklet titled Flag Rules and Regulations firmly in hand. Sid made sure to give my Dad an earful when he saw in this steady drizzle, Dad had not taken down our American flag.

“George.” He said, pointing at his booklet. “According to these rules here, you aren’t supposed to be flying the American flag in the rain.” Without a pause in the conversation, my father politely replied. “Sid, I fought for that flag in the rain, so I am going to fly that flag in the rain.”

Friends, today is Memorial Day. A day to remember those currently serving, and many who have given the ultimate sacrifice. Go up to a Veteran and say, “Thank You.” Better yet, teach your children to walk up to someone in uniform and say , “Thank You.”

Take a moment to offer up a prayer for all of the men and women who have fought in the rain for you.

Congratulations Sweetheart

This precious little girl is my Meghan. My firstborn, my daughter, my heart. I took this picture in 1996 during her preschool graduation. Already a headstrong and sometimes bossy darling, she was as proud as proud could be on this day.

And so was I.

On Friday I will once again sit with grateful pride, that my God has loved me enough to give me such a beautiful gift in my daughter.

Time has roared by like a freight train, dragging us along for the ride of our lives. Barbie dolls, father-daughter dances, soccer, school plays, all are flashing by in my minds eye. Only a day away from her high school graduation, I'd be lying if I told you I haven't been weepy this week. Wondering aloud to God if I have taught her enough and loved her enough.

Train a child up in the way she should go, and when she is old she will not depart from it. Is the still small voice I hear.

She will be staying home and attending the local junior college for the next two years. A choice that was difficult for her to make. Almost as difficult as it was when we realized we couldn't afford to send her to the college of her dreams. And still she worked hard, applying for scholarships, working at Starbuck's, getting great grades.

I boast in the Lord for giving me a daughter who will be a CSF (California Scholarship Federation) honoree, walking the stage with her gold sash and gold tassle. Setting her apart from five hundred other graduates for her 3.5 gpa and above, all four years of high school. The recipient of three scholarships. Amazing.

There aren't words to express how proud we are of her and how grateful we are to God.

I'm Sgt. Strict. Who are you?

Today I took a quiz over at We Are That Family. I wasn't surprised at all when my parenting style was graded and I was deemed "Sgt. Strict".

When I come into work or call my girlfriend and share my stories from home (many, many, many that I would never share here), they always are surprised at how strict my husband and I are.

Even more surprising is that I don't think we're all that bad. I think that everyone else is a bunch of softies.

So, I included a few parenting no-brainers from our home and for your reading entertainment below. Feel free to adopt any or all for your very own.

***************************************************************

* Children are to knock on our bedroom door before barging in. Only three things will give them an open sesame without knocking first:

1. If they are bleeding.

2. If they have already thrown-up.

3. If they are on fire.


* Bedtime is 8pm. End of discussion.

* Every minute late past curfew = one day restriction.
(Our oldest teenager was nine minutes late coming home - ONCE.)


Head on over and take the quiz yourself. Then make sure to come back and let us know how you scored.

T-Mobile Mom to Mom Quiz: "

Take the fun, Mom to Mom quiz and discover your parenting style.

"

From Lemons to Lemonade

Forgive me friends. I made the big mistake of posting yesterday when I should have kept my delicate and angelic Proverbs31 mouth tightly shut.

You'll be happy to know that I turned to the Lord later, and was reminded of just what He says about busyness and burdens.

I took lemons from my post yesterday and made lemonade. Please head over to Laced with Grace today and acquit me of my whiny post-misdemeanor.

I think I'm gonna be sick...

Life is moving fast and furious around here. I feel like I'm being pulled in thousands of directions, and quite honestly am about ready to hand in my two week notice.

From awards ceremonies, to spelling bee's, high school graduation, to end of year projects. I'm getting dizzy (and slightly irritated) just thinking about it.

And don't you think teachers who give end of year projects have a dark side to them?This week my 2nd grader is supposed to create a three-dimensional dinosaur, of whose name I can't even spell. And my 4th grader's big task is to make a shoebox diorama in great toothpick detail of something or other.

This means "I" will be the one with the projects to finish, graduation to orchestrate and everything else that's on our plate.

Anyone else out there want to stop this ride and get off?

Seriously, I think I'm gonna be sick.

I have a question for you...

So, what are you blogging for?

Do you blog to make friends? Do you blog to take a break and have some adult conversation while your little ones nap? Or maybe, you blog to share how green or not so green it is on the other side of your fence?

Why do you blog?

As a woman who is in love with Jesus, my prayer is for my blog to encourage, inspire and hopefully touch another person's heart for Him. Over the past couple of years I have been blessed by so many of you, watching as you use your Internet real estate to further His gospel.

Some of you share the gospel by teachings of His word. Some of you are His hands and feet while using your blog as a prayer ministry. And still others of you encourage one another and further the gospel with your honesty and transparency. You show the world with your funny words and humorous wit, an internal joy that communicates just how much you love Him.

I am sharing all this today because there is a conference coming up soon that will encourage future bloggers and seasoned bloggers alike to be equipped and encouraged to blog for Him. For His kingdom and for His glory.

Free To Be Me will be held on Friday, October 23 and Saturday, October 24th. It will be held in Sneads, Florida (Northern Florida) near beautiful Lake Seminole. The cost is $100.00, but if you girls are quick it's only $75.00 for the first twenty-five who sign up!

And, have I mentioned who the guest speakers are yet? You are going to be as excited as I was. I can't wait to meet some of my favorite bloggers in person. I don't know who I will get to hug first. Maybe it will be Marsha Harwood from Marsha's Musings, or Tiffany Stuart from Tea with Tiffany and Laced with Grace. Or it could be Lynn Donovan from Spiritually Unequal Marriage and Laced with Grace, or possibly Lisa Shaw from Sharing Life with Lisa.

My precious friend Angie Knight from The Knightly News and Laced with Grace has been praying this gathering of blog women into existence for quite some time. So please, grab the "Free to be Me" button above and make sure to post about this conference on your site. It would mean so much to her, and to me too.

And one last thing...I'm very excited to share with you, that yours truly will be teaching a couple of classes too. I will be getting on a plane and flying cross country and praying that I finally get to meet many of you in person!

Friends, I will be praying for you. In this time of economic unrest, if the Lord wills you to be there, you will be there. He will find a way.

And just in case you are in California before I leave in October, you can stop by my place and I'll stuff you in my carry-on luggage.

Teenager for sale.

Why? Because we said so.

How come? Because we love you.

Why are you and Dad so strict? We're sorry you feel that way.

Why don't you trust me? It's not you we don't trust.

Brittany is going, why can't I? We'd tell Brittany “no” too, if we were her parents.

You don't want me to have fun. Yes, that's it.

You don't care about me. You've found us out.

Are you trying to make my life miserable? You've uncovered our dastardly plan!

You and Dad aren't like other parents, you are way too old fashioned. What can we say, we're overachievers.

Are you trying to ruin my teenage years? How did you guess? Your dad and I wake up thinking of ways to ruin your life.






...and this is why animals eat their young.

Happy Mother's Day Friends!

First off, let me wish all of you moms and future moms out there a very Happy Mother's Day.

I will be getting up with my family to make the early service at church, then we're off to my mother in law's for lunch. That should be fun. I've been blessed with a wonderful Step-mom, Linda, and mother-in-law, Jane. I'm working on Sunday evening from 11pm - 7am for a friend who is taking the night off. I do hope she has a beautiful time with her little one and hubby, getting to sleep at night like a normal person.

If you are planning to make a special Mother's Day post, please make sure and head over to Angie's at The Knightly News and join the fun! She is hosting a mother's day meme that you must join. That way I can read about your special day and the very special mother who raised you up.

The picture below was taken in 1979, after the birth of my baby brother George. I'm the oldest with the hippy-dippy long hair. My sister Jennifer has a Mork from Ork shirt on...remember those? And my sister Amy is just waiting to hold her baby brother. There are lots of things I don't remember, but that day I remember clearly. Thankfully, I have my own children to keep my mind off of the sadness I can feel on Mother's Day when I think of her. She died from cancer nine years ago, at the age of 54. So, before I hit the hay, I will give you five things I miss about my mother.



1. I miss calling my mom about the trivial and laughing about the ridiculous.

2. I miss sharing news about my kids with her. She would have loved that Meg received two scholarships at her award banquet last week.

3. I miss smelling vanilla candles and Jean Nate. Quite a delicious combination!

4. I miss talking with her about family and the hurts I know she would make better.

5. I miss hearing her joyful "Hi Honey" when I walked in her house for a visit.


For those of you who have your moms on this side of Heaven...cherish every moment. And for those of you who have little ones to hug tight....cherish every moment.

Motherhood is a precious and miraculous gift from God.

Yoohooo....Anybody out there doing Beth Moore's ESTHER study?

For those of you currently working on Beth Moore's Esther Bible study, are you in for a treat!

I'd like to introduce you to Charlotte. She is a gifted writer from Placerville, California. Though I've never met her in person, her poems have crossed my path numerous times, thanks to my Titus 2 friend Melba. And I have enjoyed every single one.

During breakfast with Melba recently, she gently pushed Charlotte's newest poem across the table, "This is so wonderful, I brought it for you to read dear."

I asked Melba if she would get permission from Charlotte so I could post it to share with all of you. Thankfully, she was more than gracious and willing to share this blessed piece.

I do pray you will leave a comment for Charlotte today. She has never been published and I would LOVE to encourage her to pursue that possibility. Her poems would be a blessing to so many.




Such A Time As This
By Charlotte


As His royal daughters,
He placed us here today.
To be a light of hope,
In a world that’s gone astray.

Not to hide in silence,
Secluded from the crowd.
But out among the people,
Wearing faith out loud.

He’s promised us His presence,
No matter where we go.
His Spirit dwells within us,
His power ours to know.

His Truth in us stands ready,
To counter every lie.
The destroyer has been preaching,
To the people passing by.

We hold in us the answers,
Asked by dying men.
And knowledge of the only One,
Who saves the world from sin.

Will we embrace our destiny,
Or His calling will we miss?
Let’s have no doubt He’s chosen us,
For such a time as this!



“And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14

You simply have to listen...

When I write, I love to have soft music playing. You'd think with the six of us at home, I'd demand peace and quiet.

Nope. Not me.

Maybe it's because I was raised in a family of four kids and now have four of my own. My body revolts against complete silence.

Recently, my husband and I have found an appreciation for classical music and just plain old music without the words. What would you call that type of music?

See how refined I am.

Jon Schmidt is one of my favorite pianists. I have loved listening to him from my Pandora playlist. His piano is music to my ears. What makes this song even more beautiful is that it was inspired by his seven year old daughter Sarah, music to my heart.

p.s. Thank you Beetle Blogger!

Forgive me...

Why didn't you talk outside? Or better yet, somewhere else? My plan was to sit here over my iced soy-chai and work on my writing. I know, I shouldn't have been watching. I tried not to. Why in the world would you sit at the table right across from me? What were you thinking? You had the pick of any table in this place. Seriously? Right in my line of sight. It was impossible not to peek at you from time to time.

I am so weak.

From the moment I saw him walk in with a rose for you, you had my attention. You seemed angry at first. You spoke together in hushed whispers. I noticed his wedding ring, but your ring finger was bare. Did you take yours off? Was it never there to begin with?

I strained to listen, forgive me.

Senior Prom Pictures

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Cinderella goes to the ball.

Our oldest daughter is beside herself with excitement. In a few short hours, our precious "Cinderella" is going to the ball, ahem, Prom. Her Senior Prom is tonight and she has had a smiled plastered across her face since Wednesday.

I was experiencing the same joy over twenty years ago. Back in the days of big hair and shoulder pads. I may have to find a picture. But for now, I just have to ask...


What are your Senior Prom memories?

Blessed...blogs of the month.

Yep, it's that time again. If you haven't already noticed the left side of my blog - it's time you did. This is the part of my blog-real-estate that I use for my monthly blogging hall of fame.

Pay attention to the left side of Blessed...it's here I highlight seven blogs each month. You will discover blogs that inspire, encourage, make you laugh and sometimes even make you cry, right over there at your finger tips. Take the time to peruse their sites and get to know some of these precious people.

I look forward to having all of you there soon. But, if you're impatient like me and just can't wait, then hop on over to my BlogFrog thingamajiggy on the right side there and check out my blogroll. Make sure to add your name to the list. That way, people don't have to wait, they can visit you today.

Now, take your cursor and make a sharp left turn and check out my Blessed...blogs of the month list. I hope you have your comfy shoes on - pop on over and pay a visit to all of these Blessed... blogs. And make sure to tell them Joanne sent ya!