Sabbath

"So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone, but that man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord." ~Deuteronomy 8:3

french bread with garlic salt

homemade pasta sauce 

recipe found here.

(so delicious and simple)

thrifted bowls with dinner

(found on a recent trip to Goodwill)

my favorite find? a turquoise Fiesta ware platter. i paid 3 dollars for it!

candles lit for dinner....

....blessed with tangible and spiritual manna.

Weekend reads

A couple of posts I loved this week:

The Awful
A cup of sanity

And an older one I've been meaning to share:

Practicing pursuing love

Enjoy and happy weekend!

Doing what makes me happy

For a long time in my life, I neglected things that made me happy. Not by choice, but by neglect. My life was all about denying myself and pushing my own needs aside for others. Feeling tired and burnt-out but still pushing on. Not stopping to think I was unhappy and unhealthy. Suppressing who God made me to be. There is nothing in the world wrong with denying yourself or even pushing your own needs aside for others. This is the life of a mother. This should be the life of a Christian. In fact, it should just be a natural way of life. It is a life that the Lord calls us to.

But the Lord did not give weeds for the work. He has given us many many pleasures along the path, and we should enjoy them for the glory of Him. When we are off-balance--not taking the time to care for ourselves, to do things for ourselves, then we will burn-out. We will die, we will shrivel into martyrdom and perhaps depression.

Think about who God made you to be. Are you starving for a break? Some people need more breaks than others. Our personalities are not all the same. But I do believe God made us "for His own glory". If we as mothers are living a life tired, depressed, angry, burnt-out, unhappy, grouchy, guilty, ad nauseum, then are we truly glorifying Him? It might take some time to refocus. Refocus on your purpose in your life. Embracing joy. Then it's ok to take some time out to do things that make you happy. Stumped on what to do?

1. Sleep. make sleep a priority in your life. You are more productive and bring more quality to your work when you are well rested.

2. Schedule a two-minute break 2-3 times a day to spend time alone and just "be".

3. Schedule time to exercise.

4. Do something "just for you". This is not selfish, this is restorative. And again, ask yourself who God made you to be. Some people are fine without time alone. Some people need it more than others--(that is me!) I like to find that balance. If my life is full of "must-do's" and busyness then I get burnt-out easily. I am sensitive that way. Making time to sit and breathe and do nothing is restorative for me.

5. Eliminate energy drainers in your life: energy-sapping relationships, unfinished projects, paperwork, clutter, negative images and information, news, depressing movies and books...

6. Dream. Take time out to dream. It's healthy and restorative! It forces us to look inside and see what desires the Lord has put in us so we can give them to Him to do what He wills with them. 

(this is not my image! I am sorry to say I do not know where I got it! I had it saved on my computer for a long time because I liked it so much....)

Seeing green

I was driving down the road this afternoon and was hoping to see green buds beginning to grow on the trees. The mild weather we've had the past couple of days here have made me ready for Spring. I'm so ready for winter to be over! I know, I know, it's only January. I have no hope of any kind of Spring here until at least May. Oh well, maybe the groundhog won't see his shadow and we'll get an earlier Spring. But for now, I'm seeing green in my house today.....you know, in honor of those green buds that will be arriving soon.....soon!!

Green apples in a jar on my counter

Green buds on my lilies

Lovely green worn paint on my computer desk

Yummy green cilantro rice on the stove

Lettuce in my favorite green bowl.

Seeing green? Hoping for Spring? 

Mama Monday

Today's Mama Monday is a local friend of mine. 

I can't wait to introduce her to you all!

She has recently started a blog:
One Thing Spoken, Two Things Heard

So make sure you pop over there and give her a "hello" to encourage her! Pleeeasse??

My friend has a precious heart for the Lord and for people...

She serves endlessly and tirelessly...an inspiration!

I love her honesty...

I am happy to introduce you to

Natalie

Natalie's precious children...

Natalie and her husband Tom

Greatest thing about being a mom— Watching and guiding as each unique person I have been blessed to mother grows and matures. Feeling the pride and joy that result when one of my children master a skill they have been working on or treat another with compassion. Always having someone to snuggle with. Oh, and watching them sing, I LOVE to watch my children sing- especially praise songs!

Hardest thing about being a mom— For me the hardest thing about being a mom is the 24/7 nature of motherhood. You cannot take a break because you are cranky, cannot nap because you are exhausted, cannot just leave the house alone because you need some peace and quiet. You must be always available to little ones who need constant care and supervision. This level of servant hood does not come naturally to me so I must battle my flesh in this area AND take time to refresh and renew my mind and spirit whenever I can.

Favorite blogs/websites—
Oh boy! I have too many but since you asked :)

The Pioneer Woman
Big Mama
Boo Mama
Beth Moore's Blog
The Flourishing Mother
Bring the Rain
My Charming Kids
A Life Outside the Box
A Holy Experience

Oh and Facebook! How could I forget???

How do you find balance in your life—
This is something I am always working on but I have discovered that those mornings that I get up before all the kids and have an uninterrupted quiet time with the Lord always lead to a more peaceful morning routine for us all. I've have also taken the time to understand myself more and the unique way God created me. For many years, I just pushed aside these needs and inclinations and focused almost completely on my role as mother. But that was not healthy and led to negative patterns of behavior and interaction with my family I am now working to change. I am trying to honor the way He made me by making time for intellectual pursuits (reading, blogging, visiting museums, etc.), socializing with friends, etc. I have found that honoring these parts of my personality have enhanced my patience and ability to think clearly and parent my children with more grace.

One word that describes you- Witty

Favorite color-- Periwinkle

Hobbies/interests--- Facebook (just keepin' it real :), reading blogs, writing, scrapbooking (though it's been a long time)

I couldn't live without— Well, besides my Lord, my family and my friends, right? That would have to be my iPhone and Macbook. We may need to plan an intervention soon ;)

What helps me through tough days--- Knowing I have friends praying for me. Taking time alone in a quiet room to catch my breath, meditate on scripture and pray. Calling my husband or a friend to talk it out or just vent.


What the Lord has been speaking to you about lately— This year has been one of great growth in the Lord for me; one in which He has revealed to me, with gentleness and grace, of course, just who He created me to be. A year in which I have learned that I have not been honoring that unique bent He gave me. I would love to say I have learned this without pain, but that would not be true. It took a season of despair and turmoil, that has not yet completely passed, to get my attention. But He has it now and I know that I need to be stretched, to look inward and begin to operate on God's opinion of me and to begin to honor the way He made me.

What do you like best about yourself— I like that I am organized and can think analytically.

If I could encourage a young mother, I would say--
Wait, aren't I still a young mother :)(hee, I meant a first-time mother!)  O.k., I would advise her to always remember who she is as a unique woman made by God and to honor that creation by taking care of herself and her needs and even some of her desires. I would tell her that God loves her, the person, and expects her to mature into her full potential not just as a mother but as a woman, His daughter. I would explain to her that doing this is an act of service to her family, who will benefit from a happy, healthy wife and mother, and an act of worship to the God who created her.

One book you would recommend to read--(besides the Bible)
Wow, this is hard! Can I give you one book and one bible study?
Book- Left to Tell by Immaculee Ilibagiza. Such a compelling biography about how one woman's faith helped her endure the Rwandan genocide and its aftermath.

Bible Study- Believing God by Beth Moore--  Life changing! Love Beth Moore!

Thank you Natalie!!!!!!!

Weekend reads

A neighbor and young woman from my church is on a fascinating journey with Haiti. Her blog is here. Please pray for her.

Living happily within my limitations

Reacting to life instead of living it

Have a wonderful weekend. Mama Monday is on Monday!!

A thoughtful gift

A good friend gave me a crocheted garland that she made today. I couldn't wait to go home and hang it up. It has all my favorite colors in the whole wide world: turquoise, red, hot pink. I love it when people take the time to give thoughtful gifts. It only takes a little more time and energy to make a huge difference.

I've got it hanging on my favorite turquoise cabinet. I think the cabinet and the garland are now my two favorite things in the house--besides the people, of course.

Thanks, Dorothy!

Mama Mondays

It's baaaack!!

I know, it's been a long time...

But I'm so excited to bring you, after a long hiatus..

Mama Mondays!!

I've got a beautiful mama to introduce you to today...

It's the lovely, poetic, heart-baring Joy

from the equally lovely, poetic, and heart-baring blog

Memoria Arts--where "where faith, he{art}, and life intersect"--...beautiful.
Joy has a brand new look to her blog, so make sure you pop on over and check it out. Leave her a comment while you are at it.

Joy and her precious family

Ladies, I bring you:

Joy

(what a fabulous name to have)

Greatest thing about being a mom—
Seeing and learning through my kids eyes. The things that bring them joy, the simple loves...sometimes it takes my breath away. With the wonder of children, everything is fresh and new and full of possibility.

Hardest thing about being a mom—
Keeping a balance. I find it to easy to swing from one extreme to the other, whether that be discipline or homekeeping or what have you. I just saw a commercial for a diabetes diet product and it has a woman talking while her home tilts crazily around her. That has to be the best visual I have seen in a long time, and I could really relate to it. I think the balance bothers me the most because without it, our family falls into disarray. I start yelling. The kids take advantage of my distracted gaze and get into trouble. I get emotionally and physically drained in a rapid fashion and then no one is happy. A lot of my journey over the last year has been learning to say "no". No to a lot of outside activities, no to people who drain me emotionally, no to a lot of extra "stuff". It has been freeing. Incredibly difficult, no doubt, but worth the pain it took to get there. Lack of sleep is also difficult for me.

Favorite blogs/websites—
How about I narrow it down to "if I have five minutes these are my absolute must-reads?"


Inspirational:
Holy Experience (Ann Voskamp) (aholyexperience.com)
A Path Made Straight (Elise Hooper) (mamahooper.blogspot.com)
Pleasant View Schoolhouse (pleasantviewschoolhouse.blogspot.com)

Artsy-Scrapbook:
Just Me, My Soldier, and my Two Little Chicks (stephaniehowell.blogspot.com)
The Moments In Between (gluestickgirl.typepad.com)
Out of Hand (rebeccasower.typepad.com)
{A} (aliedwards.typepad.com)

Homeschool/Learning:
In the Heart of My Home(ebeth.typepad.com)
Wildflowers and Marbles (wildflowersandmarbles.blogspot.com)
I Take Joy (wholeheart.typepad.com)


How do you find balance in your life—

As I said before, this is a part of my life where I struggle a lot. If there is one thing I can say without equivocation, what we think is balance and what is actually balance in reality can be two entirely different things. We may think it means a picture perfect home or what have you, and to our kids it's just a good book and a snuggle, and to our husband it is a place to be 'safe'- no matter how many toys are on the floor. You can only know what the family needs and expectations of balance are by having the conversations. So ask and listen. You might be really surprised! I've learned over this last year or two that I really have to make an effort to stop and think and re-evaluate. I tend to get going and going and going before I realize everything is off kilter, and have usually dug myself in quite deep. I am learning to fight for the quiet moment, even it means I have to lock myself in the bathroom for a few minutes.

One word that describes you—

Thoughtful.

Hobbies/interests---

I love to read. I have a bit of a book addiction, as my husband can well tell you. Scrapbooking, art, and photography. If I get time "off" I am usually found either with my nose in a book or down in the basement covered in paint and glue and paper.

I couldn't live without—

Coffee. (Not sure my family could live without me not having it either!*big grin*)

What helps you through tough days---

Scripture and Song. Scripture set to song is even better! Elise (mamahooper.blogspot.com) gave me some wonderful advice about three years ago- when you can't dig deep into the Word, make sure to visit Psalms and Proverbs daily. Most of them are easily read in the smallest amounts of time. I've memorized a lot of the Psalms- and having those available in my head when it is really getting tough- remembering the Lord's promises- that's what keeps my head above water. I have a few playlists on my iPod and on Pandora that really help me to keep my focus on the rough days. Lots of Fernando Ortega, Kari Jobe, Kathryn Scott, and others. Quiet and worshipful.

Favorite color--

Deep eggplant purple, sometimes also called plum. Light mint green or sage. I can't decide which is my favorite, to be honest!


What the Lord has been speaking to you about lately—

To know that He is Lord, that He is in control, and that He loves beyond measure. This last year has literally been about His provision from day to day and week to week, month to month. My husband lost his job in September of 2008, and just when we thought the last penny was gone, the bank account would fill up again, in the most amazing of ways. Learning what 'enough' is. Learn to trust, trust, trust. He is faithful, so faithful! (And as a side note, we just found out that James has a wonderful job with a great company, and we are amazed! We couldn't ask for a better situation.) To be patient. Oh, to be patient. And wait upon Him. It's hard to encapsulate in just a few sentences.


What do you like best about yourself-

My hair. I have been blessed with long, thick, wavy, reddish brown hair. If nothing else goes right, I can at least count on my hair to look right. It's been a constant when little else on my body stayed "normal" through five pregnancies. *weak smile*

What's on your ipod—

Right this second, it's playing all of Shawn McDonald's (http://www.shawnmcdonaldmusic.com/). But my iPod catalog is huge, because the only thing I love more than books is music!

Three books that changed your life--

I want to be all esoteric and say all the wonderful books I've read over the years, but right now, some practical books have really been changing my life in a good way.

A Sane Woman's Guide to Raising A Large Family by Mary Ostyn
Real Learning: Educating in the Heart of the Home by Elizabeth Foss
Eat this Book by Eugene Peterson

Candlelight

Winters in New York are hard for me. I grew up in the South where winters were mild and Spring came very quickly. Winters are long here, I dislike the cold, I dislike bundling up (let alone all of my children), I get lonely during the winter months when it seems everyone just wants to stay in their homes and not venture out. I miss the sunshine and the light it brings.

Every year I try to embrace winter in some small way, even though it is my least favorite season. There are some things about winter here I do like: cozy scarves, being able to wear warm sweaters and warm boots, fires, watching my children delight in the snow, the peaceful feeling a snowfall brings, the winter sunsets. See--there is always *something* good in something you do not like! =)

This winter I am loving candlelight. For Christmas decorations this year I bought lots of candles to light around my house. I liked it so much I kept them up and I try to light them every night. It gives my home a wonderful glow, and everything feels so cozy and warm, which makes me feel so thankful for my abode. If I can't have sunlight, then I'll take candlelight!!

I like to buy glass candle holders at the craft store (so cheap) or even old vases from Goodwill, and fill the bottom with stones and rocks that my children collect. Then I put the candle on top of the rocks and it makes such an easy decoration. I usually buy cheap unscented candles but I have a few scented candles I like when I can splurge:

These candles are my favorite. They are spendy, but well worth it. I love to put these little candles in the bathroom or in odd places around the house. They are small but give out a big scent! And they are "natural" smells, no chemical smell. I tend to like essential oil smells, I'm not a big fan of Yankee candles. =)

This is also one of my favorite kind of candle. Made of natural soy.

Don't forget about Etsy. They have a great selection of handmade candles. You can't go wrong there.

Do you enjoy candles? What kind do you like? Please share!

Jesus said of His people: "'You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.'" (Matthew 5:14-16, NIV)

Prayer

Every time the Lord Jesus faced an important decision, He prayed. When He was being tempted to do things by the world's methods instead of the Father's, He prayed. (Matt. 4) When it was time to choose His disciples, He prayed the entire night. (Luke 6:12) If the Son of God required a night of prayer in order to determine the Father's mind, how long might it take us in prayer to clearly determine our Father's will? ~Henry T. Blackaby, Richard Blackaby "Experiencing God Day-by-Day"

I am a firm believer in the power of prayer. I am also a firm believer that prayer is the best choice in any situation. Prayer brings us closer to the Lord, and opens us up to what He wants to tell us. Before I do, I aim to pray. I am convinced it is what we should "do" before we "do" anything.

Doing this brings me peace. How wonderful it is to be able to go to the Lord of the Universe and converse with Him about all matters of our hearts. He is able to do exceedingly beyond our wildest dreams--if we let Him.

I learned a lot about prayer when I was sick in bed for three months with extreme morning sickness. I could not "do" anything. I was really just trying to survive. I was, essentially, an invalid. I understood what it was like to be terminally ill and unable to function. I am not exaggerating! =) Thankfully I was not terminally ill, but just pregnant, and had a clear light at the end of the dark tunnel I was in. And a beautiful baby at the very end! =)

When I could not "do", I prayed. That was my "doing". I "gave up" worrying for Lent last year. Instead of worrying, I prayed. That was paradigm-shifting for me. It taught me the best thing I can do in any situation is pray.

When I think about Jesus and the hours and hours He spent in prayer, it makes me want to pray even more. The Lord God had to pray for guidance!!! That is saying something powerful! Living in this world is very confusing. I am tired of trying to figure it out by myself! I am tired of trying to figure people out by myself! People disappoint, people are unreliable, people are self-centered. (I being one!) The world doesn't give us truth. The world misinforms. The Lord does not disappoint or misinform. He is reliable. He has answers. He is not confusing. Hallelujah! I breathe a big sigh of relief because of that.

Some thoughts on prayer:

A mother's greatest weapon
Praying for our children From Elise.

New digs

So my blog got a makeover. You dig? (Click over if you are in a reader. I want to know what you think!) Thanks to Aarean at La Ditta Design for my blog re-do. She was a pleasure to work with and really "got" my vision. Thanks Aarean!

Mama Mondays

Mama Monday will return next week!

If you would like to be featured as a "Mama Monday" or want to suggest someone to me to feature, please email me at flourishingmother@hotmail.com

You don't have to blog!!

All kinds of mamas are featured here!

Don't be shy!

And stay tuned....

Delight

Did you know the word "Eden" means "delight"?

Sundays are my Eden.

I fellowship at an amazing church,

I spend the day with my family,

I rest. I relax.

It's delightful.

My good friend Eve told me about a new cupcake bakery very close to our church.

So after church today I stopped by and picked up some delicious cupcakes for our delightful Sunday.

Thanks, Eve!!

How are you spending your delightful day?

Isn't the Lord so good to give us this day of rest?

May we all have eternal rest in Him daily, not just on Sundays.

Love them anyway....

People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway.

What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. Create anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, will often be forgotten. Do good anyway.

Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway.

In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.

~credited to Mother Teresa

::loving::

What I'm loving lately:

::popcorn every night in bed::
::coffee with cream first thing in the morning::
::warm baths with bath oil at night::
::watching my growing baby::
::seeing my four-year-old son delight in Lego's::
::rearranging my living room and loving the outcome::
::my turquoise cabinet that holds all our craft supplies::
::fires first thing in the morning::

::cherry Garcia ice cream::

...and thinking how good God is to give us the little things every day.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. ~James 1:17

"Like candy"

I can't take all the credit for this.

My wonderful sister-in-love made this for us on New Years' Eve.

(do you have a sister-in-love? it's a sister-in-law who you love so so soooo much.)

It's now my new favorite.

Roasted beets and steamed, sauteed beet greens.

A perfect winter dish.

First...peel and dice the beets. Toss with olive oil, salt and pepper and a sprinkling of sugar.

Place on a lined pan and roast at 400 until soft.

Take those luscious beet greens and steam them.

Then toss in olive oil and saute for about 2 min.

Mix the beets and greens together in the pan to warm.

Can you say "deeee--lish"?

The best thing?

Tell your children it's like candy.

They'll eat it. I promise.

(thanks, Helen (my sister-in-love)

Make me something good to eat

We are a (mostly) vegetarian family. If I cook meat, then it is usually a side dish most nights. I have found it to be a challenge over the years to feed my children vegetarian meals without always resorting to beans and rice or pasta. They will eat their vegetables, but not "all mixed together" and there are some certain vegetarian dishes that my husband and I will eat, but are just, well...weird.

I discovered Tamara Davis and her

fabulous cooking show on You Tube a few months back. I was instantly smitten with her easy, simple, fresh way of cooking for children. I ordered her cookbook and I was so pleased with it. No fussy, take forever vegetarian recipes. These are easy, quick and kid-and-adult-friendly vegetarian recipes to add to your repertoire. For example--pesto pasta is "Shrek Pasta". "Green and Orange Muffins" are simply muffins with carrots and zucchini and *gasp* spirulina to make them more appealing to the children. Davis eats fish, so there are plenty of good fish recipes included in here.
If you are looking to add more vegetarian recipes to your menu, and you have small children, this is the perfect book. Don't forget to watch some of her cooking shows!

New voyages

"The only real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes." ~Marcel Proust

As you can see, the layout of my blog has changed quite a bit. I'm in the process of giving it a new look for the new year. It's been almost 3 years since I've had the same layout, and while I love the old layout, I'm looking to switch it up some. So hopefully by the end of January I'll have something! ;)

Many people around the blogosphere (do people even say that anymore?) are coming up with words to define 2010. Last year my word was "health". At the end of 2008, I was in a bad place mentally, spiritually and physically. So my goal for 2009 was to focus on getting myself healthy. I have gone through a lot in 2009. Much sadness mixed with much sweetness. Much confusion mixed with much enlightenment. Much staying in one place with discovery. But I am thankful for where I am now, and I look forward to the journey ahead.

I discovered this quote above by Proust the other day and I just can't get it out of my mind. Much of 2009 has been about me accepting where I am and looking at it with fresh eyes: the eyes of the Lord. When we see things through His vision, things are so much more clearer. 

This year I don't want to search for new landscapes, but want to see things with new eyes: God's eyes. I have learned that my circumstances do not define me, but that if I rest under His wing, that He protects and leads me in His way despite what is going on around me. How wonderful yet how painful to learn that--to really, really learn that.

Here's to a brand new year, faithful readers!!

May we all have new eyes to what He has in store for us!