The Lake {Photostory Friday}

Every summer my extended family descends on "The Lake" for a week.  Because of crazy summer schedules, my family can usually only spend a day there.  It is beautiful isn't it?

 

Drummer looks forward to this week all year long...just so he can spend a little time with his Uncle G.  They live about 9 hours away, so these few days/hours are truly precious.  And all they were doing was tossing a ball in the lake.

 

Dollie couldn't figure out what to do with herself.  This is what she found...a pile of water guns.  She thought she was so cute...a little Charlie's Angel, don't you think?

 

But in all honesty, Little Miss Ellie was the star of the day.  Isn't she just the cutest thing in her Minnie Mouse swimsuit, enjoying the little pool her Mama filled up and put on the dock for her.

 

What a face....

That's my story for the week...how about you?

 

♥Lori

Linked up with Photostory Friday 
                        Finding Serendipity

Here {Five Minute Friday}

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community..



Here...


Here I sit in the quiet of this space I call my own.  

I hear the clock tick. I hear the birds outside.  I hear the dog breathing softly beside me... 

I  wonder what the day holds.  Oh I have plans, but HE always has better plans...

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."   Jer. 29:11 NIV

I prefer HIS plans.  They may not be easy, or what I "thought" was best, but they are HIS.


I don't always take the time to listen, to hear those plans.


But HERE I sit...listening.  Waiting.  


Here...

♥Lori

Linked with Gypsy Mama

My Little Sunshine

Last weekend we had the pleasure of having a visit with my brother’s family.  We had such a wonderful time with them and their sweet little Ellie!  She’s an eight month bundle of pure sunshine!  Thankfully after only seeing us once, a few months ago, she took no time at all to warm up to us…

And of course, Aunt Lori took every minute she could to cuddle, squeeze and squish every bit of her.  

 That is my {One Beautiful Thing} this week ~ what's yours?

♥Lori

Linked with One Beautiful Thing

My August Goals

AUGUST 3 in 30 GOALS

1.  My Recipe Binders.  I have two of them.  I dismantled my old system months ago, and now I have an even worse situation…slips of paper running a muck that really need a home.  So I’d like to say I want to finish my recipe binders, but honestly, I’d like to start them…

2.  iPhone Photo-a-Day.  I have started this several times now.  And some months I’ve done better than others.  This month I’d like to go the whole month! #photoadayaug

3.  Go to the beach with Hubs.  The kiddos are gone for an entire week in August, and I just want to get away.  With my man.  No dog, kids, phone, etc.

I also do a 3 in 30 list for Books I want to read.  The hardest part was deciding what books to read – there are just so many out there!

AUGUST 3 in 30 BOOK GOALS

1.  The Circle Maker, by Mark Batterson  (for Edification)

2.  31 Days to Finding Your Blogging Mojo, by Bryan Allain  (for Education)

3.  The Harbinger, by Jonathan Cahn  (for Enjoyment)

Last but not least – toward the end of the month I’ll be starting the Hello Mornings Challenge.  I really need the accountability with my morning routine – Quiet time, Exercise, & Daily Planning.

How about you?  

Do you set monthly goals?  How are you doing on them?

♥Lori

Linked with 3 in 30 at Our Good Life
                   Mama's Mission at Mama Jenn's

Lessons learned from the Avengers

A couple of weeks ago we went to the movies, something we seldom do because they are so expensive!  But Drummer had been wanting to see the Avengers so we decided to use a gift card and enjoy an afternoon together. 

I'm not real into super hero movies, but every once in awhile I'm surprised.  This was one of those times.  All of us really enjoyed the movie and I even came away with some "lessons" that we talked about as a family later on.

First, teamwork is essential.  Whether you are talking about a thirteen year old baseball team, a family unit, or any other group, working together is what gets the job done.  Each person (or superhero as the case may be) brings a unique and significant element or gifting to the table, and without each one, the team isn't complete, and cannot function to its optimal level.

But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased.  1Cor. 12:18

Having the right tools is also an important aspect.  Iron man needed that outfit to succeed.  We each have tools at our disposal. The Word, prayer, fellowship and of course we have outlets like our blogs, etc.  Using these tools we can certainly make a difference in the world around us as well as our own homes.  Having and using the right tools is everything to our success.

A good attitude.  One that never gives up is also imperative to the process.  We need to have the attitude that will not give up...not in the face of the toughest situation.

I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.  Phil. 3:14

Along with a good attitude is a sense of humor.  There is just something therapeutic about a good laugh.  I actually have a friend who cracks me up like no one else.  I love to laugh with her!  And if we can't laugh at ourselves, we are taking life way too seriously.  By the way, Iron man cracked me up more than once with his comments.

A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones.  Prov. 17:22

Finally, my favorite line in the whole movie came at the beginning from who else, the villain.  He said: 

"I am burdened with purpose".  

Whoa.  I have asked myself - Am I burdened with purpose?  What am I doing in my life that is making a difference? Is my attitude reflective of that purpose? And am I using the tools God has given me to accomplish the goal?

It's weird to me how a Superhero movie can provoke these kind of thoughts.  Did you see the movie?  What did you think?  

Are you burdened with purpose?

♥ Lori

Linking up with:
Sheila at Wifey Wednesday 
Angela at Good Morning Girls 
Courtney at Women Living Well 

The Birds Of The Air

  Look at the birds of the air;
they do not sow or reap or store away in barns,
and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.
Are you not much more valuable than they?  Matt 6:26

Joining up today with The Sunday Community and Scripture & a Snapshot.

♥Lori

Baseball & Rainbows

This is my very first #OneBeautifulThing post that I am linking up with Brooke over at Surprised by Life.  If you haven’t discovered her already, you really should go take a peek. 

This has been quite a year for baseball.  Drummer (13) decided to play on the modified baseball team at his middle school even though he was already committed to the travel team he made last fall.  We talked at length before he tried out for the modified team, knowing that the time commitment was going to be huge to do both teams.  But we decided to move ahead anyway.

Shortly after making the team, he had an accident.  He was goofing around in the hallway at school with a couple of friends and fell on his left shoulder.  The pain was pretty bad and we had it looked at.  Dr. Tom put him in a sling for a few days, but after that, the pain was no better.  Off to the Ortho we went.  Turns out his shoulder and collar bone were fine.  It was the SC joint, or something like that.  It was swollen and painful.

The effect it had on baseball was the basically bench-warming.

This particular day in the photo - he was ready to play and coach put him in as pitcher.  That’s where he is.  On the mound.  And it was raining most of the game. 

We looked up at one point and saw the rainbow.  Actually there was a double rainbow, but my iPhone didn’t do it justice.

The rainbow is a sign of God’s covenant.  After the flood, HE used the rainbow as a sign of the covenant between HIM and man.

"The rainbow shall be in the cloud, and I will look on it to remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that [is] on the earth."  Gen. 9:16

I really saw that rainbow over drummer on the baseball mound as a sign of the covenant HE has with Drummer.  I talked to him about God always being there and caring about how he plays ball, and even that he plays.  God cares about what Drummer cares about.  And right now, that is baseball.

He has since played a number of games and returned to better-than-normal.  God truly restored his shoulder area.  And HE instilled a love for the game in Drummer that really wasn’t there prior to the injury.

What have you wondered if God cared about?

♥Lori

3 in 30 Jan. Recap

It’s hard to believe January is just about over.  As I sit here writing, I’m with my Drummer-boy who had a tonsillectomy earlier today.  He hurts.  So does his mama.  I hate when my babies hurt.

Anyway, with all of the tonsil drama this month, I am amazed I actually got some things done.  Here is my original post.

My January Goals -

1.  Household:
*Update my Christmas Binder – finish up 2011 and set up for 2012 – Done!
*Change Doctor’s Offices (GP and Pediatrician) – Moved to March after the tonsil crisis.
2.  Blog:
*Update my blog – change header and signature, start our GF Story – still gotta do that story – maybe in March at the 1 year mark…
3. Personal:
*Work on my morning schedule (quiet time, exercise, etc.) – due to the fast at church, I have pretty much established a daily 6am wake up and quiet time. 
*Date Night with Chris (want to do this monthly) – turned into a family date, but we did a couple @ home dates – breakfast and lunch.
*Read my three  two books for this month – will finish the other two in Feb.

So yeah, I think I did pretty good.

How about you?  Did you accomplish what you wanted to in January? 
If you haven’t already, head over and check out the 3 in 30 site.

Enjoy!
♥Lori

Menu Plan Monday–Jan. 30

Is it Monday again already?  Actually it’s heading toward Tuesday as I write this, but I want to get it down on paper so to speak…it’s an accountability thing, ya’ know?

This week is one of “the unknown.”  Drummer has surgery on Tuesday to get those blasted tonsils out, so the meal planning HAD to include easy to prep meals.  I thought ahead just a little bit and roasted a chicken today in the crockpot, and aside from my house smelling divine all day, I have a large bowl of cooked chicken just waiting – like a blank canvas…

AND now, I have the broth simmering away in the same crockpot for use at the point at which Drummer is up to a little homemade broth.  I just love when a plan comes together…

ANYWAY, here is the menu plan, though it is completely subject to change…

Sunday – CORN – Clean Out Refrigerator Night

Monday – Burgers, Fries, Broccoli (Drummer called it his “last supper” at least for a week or so…)

Tuesday – Chicken Enchiladas

Wednesday – Chili – maybe.  Anyone have a good recipe?

Thursday – Red Beans & Rice

Friday – Chicken Noodle Soup (given Drummer wants it…)

Saturday – CORN (Clean Out Refrigerator Night) or homemade pizza

What’s on YOUR menu?
For hundreds of other ideas, visit OrgJunkie.

Enjoy!
♥Lori

Five Minute Friday–Tender

Each Friday we gather with Gypsy Mama and write for a mere five minutes on a single topic.  Today the word is tender.  And boy this was a tough one….(pun somewhat intended…)

Photo is my brother holding his 3 week old baby daughter in the palm of his hand…

Tender…

 

Tender are soft words spoken between husband and wife.

 

Tender is holding your newborn babe for the first time. Or any newborn for that matter…simply miraculous.

 

Tender is holding your teen daughter as she cries over the loss of a friendship.

 

Tender are kind words spoken after a disagreement – forgiveness.

 

Tender are the “words fitly spoken” by a true friend – honesty, trust.

 

Tender is the Holy Spirit who leads and guides in all situations, relationships and life itself – love.

 

Tender…

Enjoy!
♥Lori

Standing or Flowing?

At this time of year in the northeast, we see a lot of water – in the forms of rain, snow and ice.  And in the last week or so we’ve had it all.  We had a bunch of snow fall late last week – and it melted.  Then we had a bunch of rain fall – and it gathered into giant puddles.  Then we had the temperatures drop – and ice formed.  We’ve had it all!

What God has been showing me is about the standing water.  I wish I had taken a photo of our neighbor’s back yard the other day when it was completely under water.  Most of it is gone now, down where it’s needed most, into the water table, except for a few low spots where it stands today, as ice.

What He showed me about that standing water was that is doesn’t move.  It doesn’t flow.  It just sits.  And if it’s summer, bugs and the such start to accumulate.  But in the case of today, it freezes and really doesn’t move.

As I thought about that, I realized it’s kind of like our walk with the Lord. He is the Living Water…and we have the privilege of housing His living water within us as well…

“He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”  John 7:38

How often to we tap into that source of Living Water?  Is it daily, maybe in our morning quiet time?  Is it at night when we lay our weary bodies down to sleep?  Is it a constant thing throughout the day – relationship?  That’s what He really wants…constant interaction, moving and flowing with Him, being ready in an instant to do what He needs done, relationship.

Unfortunately, we don’t always tap in and flow with the Lord.  I know I have been guilty of letting my days slip away from me, only to breathe a prayer as I drift off at the end of a long day.  Too much of that and that’s when the standing water goes from merely standing to stagnant.  Icky.  That’s when we begin to feel more tired, and oppression and depression can be more heightened.

Friends, that’s a choice we make.  We make the choice to spend time with Him or not.  To pray, to worship with a cd in the car, to read a book instead of watch tv, to fellowship with other believers of like mind…all choices we make that can keep our water – our living water from becoming still and stagnant.

“For I am the LORD, I do not change”  Mal. 3:6

God doesn’t change…we do.  He’s always there, whether we are or not.  He’s waiting.  He’s provided that living, sustainable water for us, BUT He invites us to stir it up and flow with Him.  And I know for me, I am doing a whole lot of stirring and changing these days.  Some visible, some not so much.  But changes nonetheless.  And that is good. 

As I have implemented the 6am wake up time, prayer and more study of the Word, I feel a lot less weighted down, and I’m more ready “in season”.  More in tune with Him and His desires.

How about you – do you struggle with choosing to keep your river of living water flowing and moving?  What things do you do to keep it flowing?

Enjoy!
♥Lori

Linked up with:
Women in the Word @ Good Morning Girls
Wordless Wednesday @ 5 Min. for Mom
Wordful Wednesday @ Living Out Loud

Five Minute Friday–Vivid

Every Friday over at Gypsy Mama we just write for five minutes on a particular topic. 
This week it is the word Vivid. 

Ready.  Set.  Go.

Vivid, that is how I would like my life to be defined.  I’d like to be one who is bold and outspoken, always going-for-it in life.

I’m much more quiet and reserved than that.  I’m not outspoken and I over-think just about everything.

But does that mean I can’t live a vivid life?

If my days and relationships are constantly filled with the Presence of the Lord, then I believe they are vivid.  Not because of me, but because of Him who is in me!  He is the strikingly bright and intense, full of life, strong, and distinct therefore there is no reason I can’t be either – after all, He lives in me!

Stop.
Your turn……
♥Lori

One Snowy Day….

We live in the NorthEast. 

Today the forecast was windy, snowy, and cold.  And zero visibility. 

It started about two o’clock.  I left work at three.  Made it to pick up Dollie at her school in about half and hour.  It’s a 15 min drive.  Then we headed over to get Drummer from his school.  Another 15 minutes.

While we were sitting there waiting for him to appear, the snow started to pick up and then there was a “ding”.  It was a loud “ding”.  Then I noticed a symbol on my dash that hadn’t been there minutes before.  We checked the manual and it was a tire pressure warning signal. 

{I’m sure you know where this is going….oh yes it is….}

We proceeded to get out of the car in the blowing snow to see if we had a flat tire, and they looked ok to us. 

Drummer appeared and we took off.  We drove a couple of miles to the grocery store on the way home to grab a loaf of GF bread so Dollie could have a sandwich, because I just couldn’t even think about dinner.  I dropped her off with $5 and a mission and I proceeded to drive around to get ready to snag her when she emerged.

A kind woman trudging her very full cart through the 2+ inches of parking lot snow drifts stopped and informed me “that my tire was just about flat.”  Oh man!!!  We pulled over and I checked and sure enough she was right.  What did I think – she would lie to me? 

I wasn’t at all sure what to do.  Hubs is out of town this week.  Really out of town – like across the country.  So I made my first call – to our fabuloso mechanic!!  Voicemail.  Bummer.  My second call – to Hubs, across the country…what did I think he could do?  I was hoping for an idea of what to do…any idea would do….

He told me to drive home…slowly.  We both knew it would ruin the tire, but honestly, didn’t care.  I just wanted to get home. 

Meanwhile, he called the fabuloso mechanic, and reached him.  In true fashion for Dan, he took care of everything…called the tow truck, will change to the spare in the morning and get a new tire by afternoon tomorrow.  We won’t have a vehicle in the morning…kids are bummed – they can’t get to school….oh well.

How was your Thursday?
♥Lori

Linked with PhotoStory Friday with Lolli & Better in Bulk.

2012–Intentional

Intentional.  That’s my word for 2012.

I’ve never assigned a word to a year before, but this year, after reading various blogs, I was compelled to seek the Lord and see what He thought.  Even that was intentional, deliberate. 

When I looked up the word intentional, this is what I found.

Intentional – done by intention or design
Intention means – a determination to act in a certain way
Synonyms include:  conscious, deliberate, intended, knowing, purposeful, purposive, set, voluntary, willed, willful

So far, this new mindset is working for me.  For that is what I feel it is, a mindset.  Though I am getting things done, and thus have more time for things like reading and movie-watching which of course is a wonderful side benefit, the purpose I think is much bigger.  Much more purposeful.

“A man’s heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.”  Prov. 16:9

“Commit your ways works to the Lord and your thoughts will be established.”  Prov. 16:3

It’s more about me focusing in and really seeking the Lord on everything!  I’ve gone so far as to ask Him what to do, what to focus on today, and He gave me a list.  Really, a list.  And unlike my to-do lists which seldom get finished, His list is DONE.  AND I had a lunch date with my kiddos, and I’m headed back in to watch a show or two with them before bedtime.  And maybe even a little more reading before bed.

Nice.

So my goal, or one of them for this year…I guess it’s kind of like the “Master Goal” upon which all the others are built, is to live each day with intention…deliberately…purposefully…taking it all in, not just letting the days go by and Enjoying the Process as I go along!!

That’s my goal for 2012 – how about you – do you have a word for this year?

Enjoy!
Lori

Linked with The Better Mom!

 

 

 

Five Minute Friday - AWAKE

Photo Credit: dascrooge

I giggled to myself just a little bit when I opened my RSS this morning and found that Gypsy Mama had chosen the word AWAKE for her Five Minute Friday topic.  I knew this was one week I wasn’t going to miss…

Here we GO.

Awake.  I’ve been awake a lot in these past few weeks.  A Lot.  Between Drummer and his seemingly endless nights of feeling sickly over the holidays and the month of January, I have been awake.

January at church was designated as a Corporate Fast.  Everyone fasts. Every day.  You choose the “way” with the direction of the Holy Spirit, but it’s up to you. 

I felt led to fast sleep.

Strange huh?  Well, a fast is about denying the flesh, and what I’m learning as I get up each day at dark-o-clock, is that my flesh is feeling it.  You see, I like to sleep.  I crave it.  I will avoid other things for it.  It had to be fasted, in order for me to discover these things, and admit them.  That’s the key.

Have I taken a nap or two.  Yeah, late in the day usually when I still have many hours left, but only 15-20 min. The key for me has been getting up and spending that dark, early time with My Maker…and enjoying it.   I am learning so much about Him AND ME!  Imagine that.

Will I continue to get up like this after January is over?  I don’t know.  I hope it becomes a habit, because I kind of like the effects….but will I be able to continue denying this flesh of mine? We shall see…….

STOP.
Lori

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. Most important: comment and encourage the person who linked up before you.

…a few of my favorite things…

These are a few of my favorite things…can’t you just hear Julie Andrews singing that???

I decided to join JoLynne over at Musings of a Housewife for a post about my favorite things.

My favorite new song – You Are More by Tenth Avenue North.  This plays and it’s stuck in my head for hours…really.  Here it is.

My favorite new toy – that would have to be my iPhone!  Got it a couple of months ago when the camera on my Blackberry drove me just a little too crazy.  I love love love it!!  It has been a bit of a challenge learning it, but I’m doing ok.

My favorite new app – I’d like to agree with JoLynne and say InstaGram, but honestly, it drives me a bit crazy…I’m still trying to get it...  I really LOVE the Calendar app that actually came on the phone!  I’ll tell you what, that there app is worth the whole phone!  Literally, everything in one place!  Literally!!!!

My favorite (old) Christmas story – Gotta go with The Nativity Story in the book of Luke.  I like lots of the Christmas stories, but this tops them all for me!

My favorite new snack – Caramel Corn!  Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!

My favorite new recipe – Tough one.  Most recipes are new to me at this point, since Dollie and Hubs are now gluten-free and I have to alter so many of the old stand-by recipes.  Some work better than others, but it’s usually edible.  Cannot wait to try the bread JoLynne shared!

My favorite new TV show – Last Man Standing with Tim Allen.  Loved him on Home Improvement years ago, and this is a close second!   The story of this family and each one’s drama just keeps me laughing for the whole half hour.

My favorite new lipstick – Buxom Lips by Bare Minerals.  I am a big BE girl, and I just love the tingly feel of this gloss! 

My favorite new accessory – My Kathy Van Zealand bag…I have been wanting one for quite awhile, and when I found this one at TJMaxx, I snagged it.  Love it!  Though I wish it had a bit more structure to it.  I’ve been thinking about one of those “organizer inserts” – any thoughts?  Epic fail on that photo!  Sorry about that…but see what I mean about the structure?  Oi Vey!

My favorite Christmas Tradition – We’ve actually created a couple new traditions in the last couple of years.  Probably my favorite is the Stocking.  Around October 1, we each draw a name out of a hat and we get a set amount of money to fill that person’s stocking.  It has proven to be a great tradition that everyone looks forward to.  I especially like it because I was always the one to do everyone’s stocking, and I always ran short on time, money and creativity….now everyone enjoys the challenge and it’s cool to see what each person comes up with!

My new favorite beverage – the Dunkin Donuts Latte with cinnamon or mocha peppermint!! Mmmmmmmmmmmm!  Drummer really likes the Mint Hot Chocolate!

 

Well, that about does it….wanna join us?  Hop on over to Musings of a Housewife and tell us about your favorites…
Lori