THINGS YOU CAN DO AND STILL LOVE JESUS! NO REALLY!

Today when I got back from picking up my Sweet Baby Girl from her friends house, instead of getting out of the car and going right in, we sat. We sat, doors wide open, warm sun streaming in. Just me and Sweet Baby Girl. One of those moments a mother hopes for.

We talked about a lot of things. Friends, boyfriends, church, and home schooling. We talked about going to see New Moon at least 3 more times, highlights in her hair, falling in love at 14, and what her 16th birthday party would look like. We talked about words and attitudes given to her recently, that have hurt.

And then we realized that people make lists. Lists of what someone must look like, be like, if they say they are a Christian and love Jesus.

Well Katie and I went through a few things. A list so to speak of our own.

1. Listens to the Eagles and other "Oldies" on a daily basis. Not just Christian music.


2. Goes to movies like, New Moon and Twilight. New Moon was SOOOO much better!


3. Drinks a glass of wine once in awhile.


4. Lets her 14 year old daughter date a wonderful youngman who is 17.


5. Takes 50 mg of Zoloft everyday.
6. Has been heard screaming, "I HATE YOU!!!" at her dogs as they run down the street in the other direction.
7. Sometimes curses when she's angry. O.K. usually curses when shes angry.
8. Says SH-T first, before correcting herself with, "I mean SHOOT!"

Yikes Huh... And that is just a quick list off the top of my head, of me. Me. And I still love Jesus. Yeah I really do. Have for 22 years and counting. And you know what is even better then me loving Him. Jesus loves me. List and all. Can you believe it !

Well my hour talk with Sweet Baby Girl in the warm car was awesome. We realized that as our lives change, as she grows up and I grow older, we both still love Jesus, and He still loves us. Even with the lists.

And Jesus, thank you. Thank you for loving us as we grow in our walk with you daily. Help us to not be quick to point out to others what we feel they should and shouldn't be doing with their lives. Help us to leave that up to You.

Hugs from Maine

IF WE STAND STILL JUST LONG ENOUGH...

When our peeps were little, I knew that they would grow up so very fast. That if I didn't take that time to be home with them, love on and enjoy them, that time would be gone. Never to be mine again..

I am so grateful to be married to a man who knows my mothers heart and loves me deeply. I'm glad that I recognized Gods tugging. His words in my ears were telling me to stop, and enjoy this time as a mom. Really enjoy it. For it is a gift from Him. And I did.

Well, our peeps aren't little anymore. But lately, I've realized that I've stopped. I've stopped being a mom who takes each day home with them, as precious. A gift from God with time quickly going by. Time I can never get back with them. (can we say teenagers ! )

And so I will slow down some. And take a walk with my Sweet Baby Girl and her BF. Out on a bridge to enjoy my time with her. (Her suggestion ). With a grateful heart for the time I have left to be her mom. Blessed that she wants to spend it with me.

I will stop and stand in the middle of a bridge, and take in the familiar cold Maine air. I will recognize sweet first loves, and know it is good. I will use my cheap Walmart camera and take pictures. Pictures of all God is, in every form, and be grateful. I will remember to be purposeful in the day. Enjoying all the precious moments with my peeps. Knowing that it is good to stay away from the negative, controling, legalistic, and fearful. I can choose happiness, joy, freedom, and confidence, in Christ. I can choose.

I will choose to stand still long enough to be grateful... for He is good.

Oh Yeah, all of these pictures are mine ! Imagine that !
Hugs from Maine

YESTERDAY WAS THE STRANGEST DAY !

Yesterday was one of the strangest days I've had in a long time. But it wasn't just me. Seems like so many around me had one too. I did get out on the Two Cent Bridge with Sweet Baby Girl and Justin.

The air was cold, the wind was blowing, and it was soooo peaceful.. Not one for bridges, I went out on Sweet Baby Girls encouragement that I would love it out there. She was right, I did.

She took our cheap Walmart camera and I ended up taking a few pictures of my own.

Last night she showed me how to alter them on this awesome site.

I got to spend time with Sweet Baby Girl on a very strange day.

It's all good.

Hugs from Maine

SIMPLE CHRISTMAS INSPIRATION !

I like simple. Simple works for me. As simple as simple can be... Simple is my friend.

Yes, I'm drinking coffee this morning. Only coffee.

These photos from Country Living are reminding me to stay simple for Christmas this year.


Color is huge and can really set a mood for our homes. This blue color with heavy on the white and cream, says simple to me.

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, and everyone already starting to decorate for Christmas, I appreciate the simpleness of this beautiful home and its Christmas cheer.

Hope your simply inspired today!

Hugs from Maine

HOBBY LOBBY, COME THIS WAY!!!

A blog friend over at Life at Eventually Cottage, went to Hobby Lobby for the first time recently,

This is what she had to say...

Ladies, I had my very first trip to Hobby Lobby recently! Yes, very first! Until last month, Hobby Lobby didn't exist in my area here in NY.

There is only one word that will describe my feelings for this store... LOVE!!!!

Seriously, I felt like a little kid in a candy store or on Christmas morning!!!

I had heard that it was like Michaels on steroids, but I had no idea!!!!

I don't think the smile left my face the entire time I was in there, and I don't think there is one inch of that store that I didn't visit.

This scrapbook paper is like none that I've seen before... beautiful! I've been searching for black and white toile scrapbook paper for months and found it!!!Can't wait to get started on some projects with this paper!!!!!!!!!!!!Ladies, if you have a Hobby Lobby in your area... don't walk, RUN there NOW!!!!
_________________________________

If ever it comes in our area, you can bet I will!!! Hey, maybe they don't know where Maine is...

Hugs from Maine

TRACY PORTER BLOG !

Today was one of those days when I felt yucky. Not sick, but almost. Sweet Baby Girl said, (hold on to your hats ),

"Mom, you do everything around here, why don't you just relax today."

No she wasn't kissing up. Well, now that I think about it... I had taken her cell phone away last night. Anyway, I decided to listen to her, and I took a 3 hour nap with my hot water bottle filled with very hot water. I woke up feeling rested, but not better. I came across one of my favorite blogs and thought I'd share it with you so you too could enjoy it. It is Tracy Porter Blog.

One of her most recent posts caught my eye. Probably because my body hurts, my head hurts, and I feel like crap! (You can say crap and still love Jesus, I checked). So not that I'm going to run out and get all that I might need to enjoy this, (I've been drinking tea by the ton today), but it looks good, and helpful. Enjoy,

Perhaps I have shared this with you once before…but in case you missed it, lost it….. or have somehow forgotten the beauty of this elixir…. I feel it is my duty to get you back on the right path! It pops into my head as my throat is killing me and my cough is non stop….and it is the evening…(I cannot lie down so I write!).. that+ that+ that= hot toddy! Horray for me…..and now you. If you are well, this is quite lovely also…say …..apres ski….or skate….or walk…..or read…..apres anything! You will take this gem in as an old family friend…and share it with all those you love no doubt! This is one to tinker about with…we all have different tastes when it comes to a strong hot drink!


Hot Toddy…Chez Porter


1 Big shot of brandy (if you want the REAL Irish version, then by all means go with Whiskey)
A hearty squeeze of fresh lemon
A nice long pour of honey

Put all that goodness into a mug and then fill it with boiling hot water. Mind you, don’t scorch your throats….but it is good hot. I do change my version of this year to year…just depends on the moment I suppose!




Cheers & Good Health to You!!

Tracy Porter

________________________________

Hugs from Maine

IF I LIVED CLOSER...

WOW!!! I just found a blog that I love, love, love...

Cathleen Alyce from Vintage Home Lifestyle blog, has a sale in her barn where she lives.

Can you imagine going there. Looking, shopping, buying...

This is my kinda place !

Hugs from Maine

I LEARNED MY LESSON YESTERDAY

Yup, I learned my lesson yesterday. I sure did.



Yesterday was lesson day for me. And boy was it a good one. I think it was one my mom mastered probably after her 3rd or 4th child. She had 7, me being the last. Glad she kept going.

My lesson for the day was to BACK OFF !!! Yes sirreeeee. Just BACK OFF !!!
Sounds simple and probably is. But not for me. Funny thing is, I have recently encouraged a couple of my good friends to do just that. Back off. Not from me of course, but from their own situations. You know the ones that can ultimately cause stress, sleepless nights, unnessary damaged relationships. And they have done so successfully. They are smart. Me, not so much.

In my attempt, (here is where my excuses come in so put on your boots on, its gonna get high ), to know what was going on, give direction, BLA, BLA, BLAAAAAAA... I got WAY, WAY, WAY, too involved. Yeah, me.

And so yesterday, I made myself some humble pie and ate the whole thing. I tried to stop at one piece but realized I needed it all.

And so it goes. With God in the lead, I will learn to BACK OFF!!! I will learn to mind my own business only putting my little turned up nose, ( Blue Eyes loves my nose ), in others business when necessary, allowing them to go to God themselves and figure it out with Him. I can hear my peeps now... "Yeah Right!".

I am grateful for a Heavenly Father who shows me daily who He is, and reminds me who I'm not. Its all good !

(thanks for the picture Michelle F. I this is just how I felt yesterday)

Hugs from Maine

SIDWALK PROPHETS, THE WORDS I WOULD SAY

I sent this to Benjamin today... enjoy




Hugs from Maine

A HUMBLE THANK YOU

With the deepest of gratitude, to all Veterans for your service, commitment, and sacrifice... for God and Country, I humbly say, from my heart and my families ... Thank You



We love you son...

Hugs from Home

IT'S SNOWING HERE IN MAINE... YUCK !

It's snowing here in Maine today. Yup snow. It's the heavy, wet, melt on the ground flakes that don't amount to anything, but still we call it snow.

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, Maine snow. I was born in the middle of it, (February), grew up playing in it, (with my brothers and neighborhood kids ), and one of my favorite things to do is go for long walks while its flakes are falling beautifully from the sky.

But I have to say, I'm not ready. For the snow. Nope, not yet. You know how we all have our own little made up schedule of how and when things should happen in our lives? You know, like some of mine would be... Your first born son doesn't join the Army but goes to college instead... The discussion of thinking about a boyfriend doesn't come up until your Sweet Baby Girl is at least 16. Not to mention that she would have a boyfriend at 14!
And snow does not start to fall until after Thanksgiving. The day after is fine.

Well what I'm learning as of late is that things,life, doesn't happen according to MY plan/timing. Surprise surprise !

I've had to learn to deal with and make the very best of the first two things. God is showing me the "how" because I didn't want either one. And all is good in both.
Our first born son is doing well in the Army. He has grown much and appreciates more. Sweet Baby Girl has chosen a wonderful young man, and we are so pleased with him.
And the snow, well... It does look pretty falling on the remaining leaves with all Gods glory.
Yeah, it's all good.

Hugs from "snowy" Maine

A BLOG ANNIVERSARY AND A GIVE AWAY !

I have been blessed for the past year with this young ladies blog, Blessed Femina.


This young lady loves the Lord, her family, and boy can she bake, cook, and sew. I don't know if there is a lot she doesn't do, and do well. She is celebrating her one year of blogging with a beautiful giveaway... See this apron, yeah, she made it.

And these lovely pot holders! Skip on over to her blog, (click on the link on the right hand side of my blog ), leave her a comment, and you will be entered into her giveaway.

I have been encouraged many, many, times by this sweet young ladies blog, her love for God and His word, and all things femine. In a world where that can be hard to find, I'm grateful to have found her.

Congratulations Miss Jenn !

Hugs from Maine

JUST YUMMM !

(this is not my picture... but yummmmm anyhow !)

HUGS FROM MAINE