I am still around! Just very busy. Coach and I just came back from a vacation to see my side of the family. We had a great time... and even learned some things while we were gone...
The word vacation is not synonymous with "sleeping in"
Grandma will spoil you no matter how old she is... or how old you are.
Air mattresses CAN actually stay inflated.
Gummy bears are made with vegetables. Yup, we really heard that.
Restaurants in the South DO run out of biscuits.
One man can convince five women to walk out of a restaurant. Thank you Coach for convincing us that we wanted sushi instead of Friday's.
God can save you from anything. Even a speeding ticket.
You can still love Chipotle after eating it three times in one week.
You can still love your husband after spending FORTY FIVE hours in the car together.
While I'm glad to be back in my own bed and my own house, there are big changes on the way that are going to cause me to need another vacation.... to the spa!
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Monday, June 6, 2011
Coachism's
If you ever want to know how my husband feels or thinks, you usually just have to ask. He's not one to hold back his feelings or philosophies.
Earlier this week, after hearing repeated yelling during a round of Wii baseball, I went to investigate. I walk into the room to see that the game is tied and I ask why he is so frustrated. To which my dearly beloved says...
"Because we all know tying is like kissing your grandma.......... french kissing your grandma."
Well then...
Coach - 1
Kacey - 0
No ties here.
Earlier this week, after hearing repeated yelling during a round of Wii baseball, I went to investigate. I walk into the room to see that the game is tied and I ask why he is so frustrated. To which my dearly beloved says...
"Because we all know tying is like kissing your grandma.......... french kissing your grandma."
Well then...
Coach - 1
Kacey - 0
No ties here.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Optimism helps my world go 'round
Lately, I've been having a lot of "so busy I can't think straight" days. Welcome to life with two jobs, a house and a husband to take care of. After a particularly busy and stressful day, someone came up to me and said "Thank you for being such an optimist. I really needed it today." I was taken aback. I don't mind being accused of being an optimist, in fact, I would venture to say it is probably my tendency to be an optimist, but there are days when I don't feel like being positive. That was one of those days. You know, the days where you want to tell people how you really feel.
Even the most optimistic person in the world experiences times in life when it is just downright hard to find a glimmer of sunlight in a situation. Times when you feel as though the storm is coming... the world is ending... the sky is falling. A child dies, a loved one is given a terminal diagnosis or is facing a drug addiction.
When I find myself in a deep, dark place in life, I seek out some sort of optimism (quotes, Bible verses, etc.) to help me cope. I have to share my discovery during my most recent quest - The Optimist's Creed. I found it to very inspiring and challenging. In fact, it's my new wall art in the office so I can remember the things that really matter.
Promise Yourself ...
To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.
To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet.
To make all your friends feel that there is something worthwhile in them.
To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.
To think only of the best, to work only for the best, and to expect only the best.
To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.
To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.
To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile.
To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others.
To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.
A few things that jumped out at me...
"To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind" -- NOTHING. Not the screaming kids. Not the piles of laundry. Not the unexpected repair bill. Not a diagnosis. Not a death. Nothing means nothing. You've got to have a strong peace of mind (one that can only be found through Christ) to cope with those things.
"To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet." So often we equate health to being negative news. But it doesn't have to be! God is in the healing business and we don't talk enough about it! God has been speaking to me lately about opening my mouth and using my health testimony. I'm not big on divulging my life to strangers, so it's something that I've been working on.
"make your optimism come true." What we think plays a large part of who we become. We've all known a "Negative Nancy" in life and they are not pleasant to be around. If we think optimistically, we are bound to help the optimistic outlook come true. As Henry Ford said, "Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you are right"
"to be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own" Sure, we give people high fives, hugs and handshakes when they have accomplished something great, but deep down, are we TRULY happy for them? Or is there a nagging feeling of jealousy buried deep within?
"give every living creature you meet a smile" Ugh. I'm just not sure about smiling at a spider.... or a snake. Seriously though, this line might be the hardest, even if we eliminate animals. There are people in life who you just don't want to smile at. They are a thorn in your side. But a smile is a simple curve that can set a lot of things straight. It's true. You really can get through to people a lot easier by being nice to them rather than returning their ill moods and attitudes.
If we can follow the creed, we are bound to not only make our own lives more bearable, but we are probably going to impact those around us too. There are a lot of people with squeaky wheels who just need a little bit of optimistic oil squeezed into their lives. A few words or a simple smile can make a profound difference!
Even the most optimistic person in the world experiences times in life when it is just downright hard to find a glimmer of sunlight in a situation. Times when you feel as though the storm is coming... the world is ending... the sky is falling. A child dies, a loved one is given a terminal diagnosis or is facing a drug addiction.
When I find myself in a deep, dark place in life, I seek out some sort of optimism (quotes, Bible verses, etc.) to help me cope. I have to share my discovery during my most recent quest - The Optimist's Creed. I found it to very inspiring and challenging. In fact, it's my new wall art in the office so I can remember the things that really matter.
Promise Yourself ...
To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.
To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet.
To make all your friends feel that there is something worthwhile in them.
To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.
To think only of the best, to work only for the best, and to expect only the best.
To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.
To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.
To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile.
To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others.
To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.
A few things that jumped out at me...
"To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind" -- NOTHING. Not the screaming kids. Not the piles of laundry. Not the unexpected repair bill. Not a diagnosis. Not a death. Nothing means nothing. You've got to have a strong peace of mind (one that can only be found through Christ) to cope with those things.
"To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet." So often we equate health to being negative news. But it doesn't have to be! God is in the healing business and we don't talk enough about it! God has been speaking to me lately about opening my mouth and using my health testimony. I'm not big on divulging my life to strangers, so it's something that I've been working on.
"make your optimism come true." What we think plays a large part of who we become. We've all known a "Negative Nancy" in life and they are not pleasant to be around. If we think optimistically, we are bound to help the optimistic outlook come true. As Henry Ford said, "Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you are right"
"to be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own" Sure, we give people high fives, hugs and handshakes when they have accomplished something great, but deep down, are we TRULY happy for them? Or is there a nagging feeling of jealousy buried deep within?
"give every living creature you meet a smile" Ugh. I'm just not sure about smiling at a spider.... or a snake. Seriously though, this line might be the hardest, even if we eliminate animals. There are people in life who you just don't want to smile at. They are a thorn in your side. But a smile is a simple curve that can set a lot of things straight. It's true. You really can get through to people a lot easier by being nice to them rather than returning their ill moods and attitudes.
If we can follow the creed, we are bound to not only make our own lives more bearable, but we are probably going to impact those around us too. There are a lot of people with squeaky wheels who just need a little bit of optimistic oil squeezed into their lives. A few words or a simple smile can make a profound difference!
Thursday, April 14, 2011
That takes some Rizpah
When Christian women think of a woman role model in the Bible, they usually go straight to the Proverbs 31 woman. While that woman has some serious qualities to be envious of, there are many other awe inspiring ladies in the Bible. I recently studied a woman who I had never studied before...
Her name is Rizpah. Her story is tragic, yet her character shines through.
Rizpah was one of King Saul's concubines. At one point during his reign, Saul attempted to wipe out the entire population of Gibeonites who were living in Israel. Because Joshua had promised protection to the Gibeonites, they were a little upset over this task and so was God. Israel began experiencing a three year famine after the attempted annihilation. When King David came to rule, he attempted to make amends with the Gibeonites in hopes of ending the famine. They called for the death Saul's sons -- two of those belonging to Rizpah. Her two sons were put to death and left for the animals to devour. Her sons were not given a proper burial, and momma was not going to settle for that.
Bless this momma's heart...instead of getting mad, bitter or depressed over the situation, she gets out her sackcloth and she stands on the mountaintop with her dead sons from approximately late April (during the barley harvest) to early October (when the rains come) to scare away the birds and the animals.
Think about that for a minute. No shelter. No companion. Just her and God and two dead, rotting bodies. FOR SIX MONTHS. She couldn't have gotten much sleep because the animals come out at night. Can you imagine being outside in the dead of night and turning around to see glimmering eyes and a set of chompers staring at you in the face, ready to devour your two sons? That takes some... "Rizpah"
This mother fiercely loved her children and faithfully stood by their side until they were given a proper burial. She fought for what was right. And she won! Not only were her sons given a proper burial, but the other five men were as well. Her faithfulness paid off.
Our faithfulness through tough situations will also be rewarded. God knows your situation and He will provide... in His time. We just have to be faithful and leave the rest up to Him. As Mother Teresa said "I am not called to be successful, I am called to be faithful."
May we find the love, courage and tenacity of Rizpah to be faithful through our toughest situations.
Her name is Rizpah. Her story is tragic, yet her character shines through.
Rizpah was one of King Saul's concubines. At one point during his reign, Saul attempted to wipe out the entire population of Gibeonites who were living in Israel. Because Joshua had promised protection to the Gibeonites, they were a little upset over this task and so was God. Israel began experiencing a three year famine after the attempted annihilation. When King David came to rule, he attempted to make amends with the Gibeonites in hopes of ending the famine. They called for the death Saul's sons -- two of those belonging to Rizpah. Her two sons were put to death and left for the animals to devour. Her sons were not given a proper burial, and momma was not going to settle for that.
Bless this momma's heart...instead of getting mad, bitter or depressed over the situation, she gets out her sackcloth and she stands on the mountaintop with her dead sons from approximately late April (during the barley harvest) to early October (when the rains come) to scare away the birds and the animals.
Think about that for a minute. No shelter. No companion. Just her and God and two dead, rotting bodies. FOR SIX MONTHS. She couldn't have gotten much sleep because the animals come out at night. Can you imagine being outside in the dead of night and turning around to see glimmering eyes and a set of chompers staring at you in the face, ready to devour your two sons? That takes some... "Rizpah"
This mother fiercely loved her children and faithfully stood by their side until they were given a proper burial. She fought for what was right. And she won! Not only were her sons given a proper burial, but the other five men were as well. Her faithfulness paid off.
Our faithfulness through tough situations will also be rewarded. God knows your situation and He will provide... in His time. We just have to be faithful and leave the rest up to Him. As Mother Teresa said "I am not called to be successful, I am called to be faithful."
May we find the love, courage and tenacity of Rizpah to be faithful through our toughest situations.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Happy Birthday Honey!
This year marks this 8th birthday that I've known you. Wow, the time flies!
I can't blindfold you and drive you three hours to the beach this year like I did for your 19th birthday because we don't have the time. We don't even have time to drive 45 minutes to the beach! We are busy... and broke but we still make time for each other. And those moments and memories are what I love and look forward to.
Little things like this...
I love how you get excited when you know we are going to have something good for dinner... like tacos. (PS - We are having those tonight for your birthday)
I love that you sing your heart out in the car, no matter who is in the car with us.
I love that you talk football with me like I'm one of the guys. One of these days I'm going to get it!
I love that you make me laugh by being your silly self.
I love how you are spontaneous, yet easy going. You provide a balance to my planned life in a way I never thought I needed.
I love that you lead the high schoolers in FCA and men's group at church, among all your other responsibilities. You are such an amazing example of what a man should be -- loving, smart, dedicated, determined and respected.
I love that you can carry on a conversation with anyone about anything. You are incredibly gifted in connecting with people.
I love that you love and care for my family as your own, even with all their crazy tendencies.
I love that you clean the bathrooms and take out the garbage in the name of love.
I love that you say you want lots of little boys, but secretly, you want to have lots of princess girls. hehe.
I love that you sit with me at the dinner table every night and listen to me, believe in me, and value my opinion.
I love that you pray with me and for me.
I love that you wear NFL apparel of my choosing!!
And most of all, I love that you love me. You tell me I'm pretty even when I'm in my old pajamas, my makeup is off, my hair is crazy, I have morning breath and there are pimples all over my face.
You are certainly more than I ever could dream of and more than I ever thought I deserved. Today, and every day, I celebrate you :)
I can't blindfold you and drive you three hours to the beach this year like I did for your 19th birthday because we don't have the time. We don't even have time to drive 45 minutes to the beach! We are busy... and broke but we still make time for each other. And those moments and memories are what I love and look forward to.
Little things like this...
I love how you get excited when you know we are going to have something good for dinner... like tacos. (PS - We are having those tonight for your birthday)
I love that you sing your heart out in the car, no matter who is in the car with us.
I love that you talk football with me like I'm one of the guys. One of these days I'm going to get it!
I love that you make me laugh by being your silly self.
I love how you are spontaneous, yet easy going. You provide a balance to my planned life in a way I never thought I needed.
I love that you lead the high schoolers in FCA and men's group at church, among all your other responsibilities. You are such an amazing example of what a man should be -- loving, smart, dedicated, determined and respected.
I love that you can carry on a conversation with anyone about anything. You are incredibly gifted in connecting with people.
I love that you love and care for my family as your own, even with all their crazy tendencies.
I love that you clean the bathrooms and take out the garbage in the name of love.
I love that you say you want lots of little boys, but secretly, you want to have lots of princess girls. hehe.
I love that you sit with me at the dinner table every night and listen to me, believe in me, and value my opinion.
I love that you pray with me and for me.
I love that you wear NFL apparel of my choosing!!
And most of all, I love that you love me. You tell me I'm pretty even when I'm in my old pajamas, my makeup is off, my hair is crazy, I have morning breath and there are pimples all over my face.
You are certainly more than I ever could dream of and more than I ever thought I deserved. Today, and every day, I celebrate you :)
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Spring Cleaning
This past weekend I took advantage of an extra day off work to do some serious spring cleaning around the house. Just so you know how serious it was -- I cleaned the oven.
Except I didn't. Yes, I cheated. The oven cleaned itself.
Thank God for whoever invented self cleaning ovens. And bless our landlords for buying one :) The one problem of the self cleaning oven is that after the cleaning process, you have a house that is about 7,000 degrees. Great in the winter.... Not so great in the spring when the temp is 75 degrees. Oops.
After I wiped my oven down and it was all sparkly, my life seemed so much better. With the exception of the blazing hot house. While icing myself down, I had a revelation. Ready for it? Our oven is like our heart.
No, our hearts don't make our houses feel like the Sahara Desert. Nor do they bake delicious mounds of bread or cakes or anything else. Here's my thinkin' Lincoln...
I don't know about you, but I don't put "clean the oven" on my weekly to do list because the inside of the oven isn't something that a visitor could see right away. I admit, on most days, my house LOOKS clean, but if you really start looking, you are going to find some hidden crud. Specifically in my oven.... after I bake a lasagna.
We, too, can also LOOK like we are doing well. We can do our hair and nails, wear a smile and pretend to be "doing great" when we really aren't. Just like my oven, I let slime and grime build up in my heart because people can't see in there. I can appear to be okay when deep down, my heart is being hardened because I haven't made time to read the word. Or it is being littered with anger, worry and negativity because I refuse to let go. Or, it is being dirtied with unforgiven sins because I become too busy to ask for forgiveness.
Cleaning my oven just took a switch of a button and enduring some heat. Heart cleansing just takes submission and confession. Jesus already took the heat. The gunk of our hearts will be "burned off" when we confess our sins:
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.1 John 1:9
Maybe it's time to do a little spiritual spring cleaning. Don't let your heart get dirty. Allow God to create in you a clean heart.
Except I didn't. Yes, I cheated. The oven cleaned itself.
Thank God for whoever invented self cleaning ovens. And bless our landlords for buying one :) The one problem of the self cleaning oven is that after the cleaning process, you have a house that is about 7,000 degrees. Great in the winter.... Not so great in the spring when the temp is 75 degrees. Oops.
After I wiped my oven down and it was all sparkly, my life seemed so much better. With the exception of the blazing hot house. While icing myself down, I had a revelation. Ready for it? Our oven is like our heart.
No, our hearts don't make our houses feel like the Sahara Desert. Nor do they bake delicious mounds of bread or cakes or anything else. Here's my thinkin' Lincoln...
I don't know about you, but I don't put "clean the oven" on my weekly to do list because the inside of the oven isn't something that a visitor could see right away. I admit, on most days, my house LOOKS clean, but if you really start looking, you are going to find some hidden crud. Specifically in my oven.... after I bake a lasagna.
We, too, can also LOOK like we are doing well. We can do our hair and nails, wear a smile and pretend to be "doing great" when we really aren't. Just like my oven, I let slime and grime build up in my heart because people can't see in there. I can appear to be okay when deep down, my heart is being hardened because I haven't made time to read the word. Or it is being littered with anger, worry and negativity because I refuse to let go. Or, it is being dirtied with unforgiven sins because I become too busy to ask for forgiveness.
Cleaning my oven just took a switch of a button and enduring some heat. Heart cleansing just takes submission and confession. Jesus already took the heat. The gunk of our hearts will be "burned off" when we confess our sins:
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.1 John 1:9
Maybe it's time to do a little spiritual spring cleaning. Don't let your heart get dirty. Allow God to create in you a clean heart.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Patience is a.....pain
Seriously. Let's forget the virtue thing. Patience is painful.
Let me start off this post by saying I absolutely hate being late to anything. I can remember hating it as a child. We were ALWAYS late and everyone was waiting on us. I have vowed to not be late to things. (I know, wait until I have kids, right?)
I don't have to wait. I am being trained right now. This morning as my beloved husband decided to get in the shower 20 minutes before church began, I found myself reciting "Love is patient... Love is patient... Love is patient" We walked into church 5 minutes late and my little punctual self was not a happy camper.
But then God said "Hey my Pouty Princess, listen here. When you have to wait on people, I am training you to wait on ME." Humph.
Okay, okay. The world didn't end because we were five minutes late. In fact, those five minutes might have kept us from being a part of an accident. And the world won't end because God doesn't answer His door when I want to. He'll open the door when He is ready. I have a hard time remembering that God's delays are not God's denials. I just have to WAIT.
Sigh. I'm not good at waiting. But I'll work on it....
Let me start off this post by saying I absolutely hate being late to anything. I can remember hating it as a child. We were ALWAYS late and everyone was waiting on us. I have vowed to not be late to things. (I know, wait until I have kids, right?)
I don't have to wait. I am being trained right now. This morning as my beloved husband decided to get in the shower 20 minutes before church began, I found myself reciting "Love is patient... Love is patient... Love is patient" We walked into church 5 minutes late and my little punctual self was not a happy camper.
But then God said "Hey my Pouty Princess, listen here. When you have to wait on people, I am training you to wait on ME." Humph.
Okay, okay. The world didn't end because we were five minutes late. In fact, those five minutes might have kept us from being a part of an accident. And the world won't end because God doesn't answer His door when I want to. He'll open the door when He is ready. I have a hard time remembering that God's delays are not God's denials. I just have to WAIT.
Sigh. I'm not good at waiting. But I'll work on it....
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