HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

I have rambled on for a week now and I have nothing left to say. So....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

I had a great day, talked to lots of my favorite people wishing me a blessed day, and now I'm going to bed.

30 blessings

My life has been very blessed. It wouldn't be right not to share some of these blessings with you on my birthday week. Especially since it's November and we tend to see this month as a reminder to be thankful for all of life blessings, big and small.
Although there is no possible way to list all of mine I will try to give you a short list, yes 30 of them, of some that I am thinking of tonight.
The very fact that I have so much to be thankful for is perhaps one of the biggest blessings for so many have not the things I enjoy. I hold them tenderly, knowing that some are fleeting, some are eternal, but with each one I say, "Who am I that I should be so blessed?"
To hold what I hold, I know not why for there are others more deserving. To enjoy what I enjoy, I don't quite understand why it is I God has so blessed. But I grasp them with outstretched hand and not clenched fist for they all go back to God and are not merely my own.

1. I can not help but add first- My salvation. My standing in Christ. The blessed assurance that I am redeemed, my sins forgiven and heaven is my home.
2. Next, my husband. Ya'll that man is amazing! Being able to walk beside him through life and know he'll always be there and will always love me, I cherish that.
3. My beautiful daughter and the way she lights up my life.
4. My family- I have the best family in the world!
5. My friends- I love you people! You make me laugh, you share my tears, you walk with me in life. You're all the coolest. :)
6. Our home- Having shelter from the cold, rain and snow. How often we forget that not everyone has that.
7. Our church
8. Our cars. You never know how big a deal they are till you don't have one.
9. Our bed. I love our bed. We splurged on it when we bought our home and every night I sink down into it and have to stiffle an "AHHHHH". I can't tell you how good it feels.
10. Warm Blankets- I have a huge down comforter on our bed. It stays on my side because if it comes anywhere near Vince he throws it and says "get this vile thing off me!". But it keeps me warm and toasty and I love snuggling in it.
11. Baby Moniter- We have a video moniter for Lydia. I can't tell you how useful it has been. I have loved having it and highly recommend them.
12. The smell of supper still in the air.- It means we have plenty and God has provided.
13. A cup of hot cocoa to warm the bones. - It's the perfect evening warm up.
14. Laughter- Laughing because I'm full of joy and God's goodness. How sweet it is! Hearing my family laugh because they are happy- priceless.
15. Making new friends.
16. Fuzzy slippers on a cold evening. Bright multi colored furry ones, to be exact.
17. Smiles. Nothing makes my heart leap like my husband or my child smiling at me with eyes twinkling.
19.  Clean clothes. Another thing you don't realize how great it is until you don't have it. Ask my husband. :)
20. A phone call from someone I love.
21. Getting an actual letter in the mail. It happens so rare these days but it always makes my day to get one.
22. Music- Hearing a song on the radio that is exactly what I need to hear for the moment and it encourages my heart or hearing a song I haven't heard in awhile and it takes me back to another place and makes me smile.
23. Realizing I'm not alone.
24. Doing something for someone to bless them. There's blessing in being a blessing.
25. Being a SAHM. I'm so thankful God has made it possible for that to happen.
26. Dare I say it? My books. I have them simply for enjoyment but sometimes God provides for our enjoyment too.
27. Our computer
28. The toys all over my living room
29. People who pray for me, for us
30. My health

Thank you, Lord, for your blessings on me!

If I Had One Wish I'd Dance With A Fish

30 BIRTHDAY CAKE WISHES

One for every candle

I Wish...

   
1. I had soft fluffy purple gloves. I'd have them on right now. My fingers are in danger of freezing in the typing position.

2. I was at the beach listening to the waves crash on the sandy shore, feeling the sun warm me clean through.

3. I was holding a steaming cup of Starbucks coffee. Black with no sugar. Pike's Place Roast.

    Unless I was on the beach, then I'd switch the drink to iced tea. Strong, no sugar.

4. I had this in my kitchen. Seriously. I've been wanting one of these for so long I actually dreamed about it. Sad, isn't it? A trash can makes my wish list. And that I dream of trash cans. Is there a name for this condition?

5. I was better at finishing projects. I have a huge list of ideas that might get started but very few get finished. Other things always get priority -aka life.

6. I weren't so quick to follow temporary pleasures, forgetting to spend more time with the One who gives eternal joy.

7. I lived closer to family.

8. I had an unlimited supply of blueberries and fresh figs.

9. I had more wisdom on how to be the best wife and mother my family needs me to be.

10. I had this. In blue.
11. I didn't struggle with worry and fear but found it easier to have a God-centered trust in all things.
12. I could go on a southern gospel cruise to Alaska someday.
13. for date nights. What are those again?
14. I could see the Messiah preformed live- just not in Detroit.
15. I liked classical music. I tried but I just can't seem to make myself like it. I'm so uncultured. :)
16. Chocolate was a health food.
17. I would wake up tomorrow morning with a $1,000 Kohls gift card under my pillow.
18. my conduct always exemplified Christ.
19. there was a pomegranate tree in my back yard.
20. there weren't spiders at my house.
21. boots...I'd like some really cute brown boots.
22. my husband could take his dream vacation, just because it would make him happy and I love seeing him happy. His dream trip btw is a tour of the MLB ballparks.
23. my neck wasn't so messed up and I could sleep without headaches again.
24. pray-not wish- that my child(ren) will grow up healthy, happy and most of all with a strong desire to know and follow Christ. This will be God's doing, not mine.
25. I owned the Dick Van Dyke Show complete series on DVD. I LOVE that show and it's the only show that always makes me laugh no matter how many times I've seen it. And it's clean!
26. I could go for a ride in a hot air balloon.
27. Vince would teach me to fly a plane.
28. I was better at remembering where I put things.
29. I could play the piano.
30. for my next 30 years- they will magnify Christ and give Him glory.



Shared Major Events

Besides my entry into the world, here's a list of some of the other major historical events that took place on November 29. Hard to top me being born though, huh?

1864- At dawn in Colorado territory, a militia under Major John Chivington attacks a winter encampment of Cheyenne Indians at Sand Creek, massacring over four hundred Indians, the majority of whom are women, children, or old men

1887- US receives rights to Pearl Harbor, on Oahu, Hawaii

1910- traffic light system was patented in the US for the first time. Earnest E. Sirrine was issued the patent which allowed for a changeable traffic device that would be installed at street intersections to help regulate traffic flow. This first system had two display options: stop and go

1929- Commander Richard Byrd became the first to safely fly across the South Pole.

1934- The first American football game was broadcast nationally on the radio. NBC radio set up a national radio network of 94 stations to broadcast the game. The Detroit Lions were defeated by the Chicago Bears, 19-16.

1942- Coffee rationing began in the US. Though there was plenty of supply, the ships used to transport coffee beans to the United States were needed for war efforts in World War II.

1944 - John Hopkins hospital performs 1st open heart surgery

1947- The United Nations votes in favor of partitioning the British controlled Palestine and to allow the creation of an Independent Jewish State of Israel.

1961- NASA launched the Mercury-Atlas 5 capsule with a chimpanzee aboard. The chimpanzee, Enos, and the capsule orbited the Earth twice. The spacecraft landed in the Pacific Ocean as planned, and Enos was no worse for wear.

1963- The Warren Commission was established to investigate US President Kennedy's assassination.  US President Lyndon B. Johnson established the commission. Its report came almost a year later and presented findings that Lee Harvey Oswald had alone plotted and assassinated the president, and Jack Ruby had alone murdered Oswald. The findings to this day remain controversial.

1975- The Microsoft name appears in writing for the first time, in a letter between Bill Gates and Paul Allen about their new company

Birthday Questions

1. What is your favorite birthday memory? 
The first year we was married Vince made my day very special. It was priceless.
2. What was the best birthday present you ever got?
I should probably know this but to be honest It'd probably be money. That's always my favorite gift. Sentimental aren't I?
3. What are you doing for your birthday this year?
Going to Northville to a book sale and then to BD's grill for dinner. I get a free birthday meal!
4. Do you share a birthday with anyone famous?
Howie Mandel, C.S. Lewis and Louisa May Alcott
5. What will be on your birthday cake this year?
That would imply I'm having a cake. I don't know if I will. But there may be cheesecake.
6. What do you want most for your birthday this year?
I don't even have a clue. Really I don't. But maybe, if I had to think about it...books?
7. How many candles will be on your cake?
30- If I had a cake.
8. Do you want a big birthday party?
No, I'd rather just be with my family and a few friends.
9. Do you have any birthday traditions?
Every year V and I go to Zender's restaurant in Frankenmuth for our free birthday fried chicken meal. Since both of our birthdays are in November we get both our meals free. That's a lot of food! Plus we get a free Christmas ornament from Bronners. It's great fun!
10. Who do you want to spend your birthday with that you won't be able to?
My mom and grandparents

Happy Thanksgiving!

30 Years In The Making

So here's me. Here's what 30 years has wrought. The good, the bad and all the stuff in between. These are the highlights if you will. Some of it has shaped me, some of it has tested me, some of it has taught me, but all have been life experience that have been stirred in the mix that make me, well, me.

30 life experiences that have helped define who I am now-

1. I was born. This is sorta the catalyst for the rest of these events so I thought I should start with that.  (interesting fact- My daughter was the exact same height and length as I was at birth.)
2. I was given a loving family.
3. My mom and dad divorced.
4. I was brought up in church.
5. My mom and I moved to Phoenix.
6. My mom married again.
7. I got saved at the age of 12.
8. I decided I didn't need God and wanted to live my own life.
9. We moved back to the midwest, Kansas this time.
10. Started homeschool.
11. Met the girl who would become my very best friend all through my teen years. (Does she ever have the blackmail on me!!!!)
12. Senior year went to Indep. Bible School, graduated in 1998 (a year early) with my class of 11.
13. Took a year off school and worked at a daycare. That job would become my reason for what I chose to major in throughout college. It is still the best job I ever had. (well until the SAHM gig that is)
14. Started college. Independence Community College.
15. Had my first boyfriend. He broke my heart. I add this because it was the first time I really got that God knows best and what I thought would break me only served as God's wise protection and to make way for bigger and better things.
16. Moved out on my own. Back to the town I was born in.
17. Worked two jobs and went to school. On weekends I was almost always at a coffee shop (King's Coffee Co.)  with my best friend Angie. We played Scrabble a lot.
18. Started dating a lot and went further still from God. After two bad relationships decided living life my way wasn't cutting it.
19. Ran back to God and He welcomed me home.
20. Went on a dream vacation to NYC with my mom and best friend (who didn't think it was so dreamy). While on our way, 30,000 ft. in the air, God and I talked about my life and for the first time, I handed everything over to Him, no strings attached - including my future spouse. I told him, while looking out over the clouds, that I would follow His leading in it. Two months later I met this handsome pilot dude. (Angie reminded me that it was on that same trip I stated, due to lots of plane delays, that I would never marry a pilot. Ops.) But I do think it's crazy that I was in a plane when the "spouse talk with God" happened and I ended up marrying into the aviation life.
21. Spent the next year working, taking classes and getting to know the man who would become my husband.
22. Fell head over heels in love with the most amazing man I know.
23. Got engaged March of 2005, got married in June of that year.
24. Moved to Memphis and started learning how to be a wife.
25. Year 2 of marriage I got sick and stayed that way for 11 months. Don't know what it was but it shaped my relationship with God and with my husband. Looking back, I'm not sure God sent it, but I know He used it.
26. Found out we were moving to Michigan and started packing. We got here and found a sense of peace that we were where God wanted us. (Much to my dismay!) We found a good church and settled in to both a new state and new friends.
27. While on a trip back to Oklahoma, we found out we were going to have a baby! My life was forever changed for the better.
28. Came back from that trip and promptly bought our first home.
29. December of 2009 I became Mommy to the most amazing baby girl. She rocked my world.
30. Turned 30. Realizing I am well settled into my life. Blessed beyond measure that I am living out the life I always dreamed.

And in between all of that, I've done a lot of living and learning, laughing and crying, growing and changing. I've made memories, I've dreamed dreams, I've become..me. Through every page God has stamped His imprint on my life and experiences. I look back, smile and say, "God has been so good to me!"

Day 2 of Me

15 Things I Like

1. Graham crackers & milk in the evening

2. Soft music playing in the background

3. Sweet smiles and baby giggles

4. A lazy summer day spent outside with people who make you laugh your head off.

5. Shopping thrift stores. Finding a good bargain. Making something fun out of it.

6. Hearing my husband say "I love you"

7. Curling up in my big comfy chair with a cup of hot cocoa at the close of day, looking around and thanking God for my beautiful home and the sounds that fill it.

8. My laptop. Okay, Vince's laptop

9. Lilies- Lilies make me smile

10. Being in the country, breathing in the fresh air, listening to nature sing, walking down a dirt road

11. Coffee & Friends- A great combination

12. Going somewhere new

13. Mediterranean food

14. Sinking in my blissfully comfy bed, wrapping up in my warm fluffy blankets, and falling asleep, knowing I have accomplished something that day

15. A warm gooey cookie

15 Things I Don't Like

1. Headaches

2. Watching Vince leave on a trip

3. Being cold
4. Sauerkraut
5. Spiders
6. Scary movies
7. Paying full price for something
8. Opera
9. Long winter evenings
10. Traffic
11. Football (stepping on some toes there but....)
12. Alarm clocks
13. Losing my cell phone. or keys. or purse. or money. etc. (Vince may hate this as much if not more than I do)
14. CNN
15. Roller Coasters

Let's Celebrate Me!

One week from today I will be turning (cough) 30. In celebration of the event I am having a one week blog celebration of myself.   *throw the confetti*
I will be posting something about me every day this week. Won't that be fun?
For the grand kick off I thought I would share 30 random things about me. For added fun, if you wish you can leave a comment about how many you did or didn't know.
I wonder how well (all 3 of you) know me.

 And now...

30 completely random things about me you may or may not know and frankly, may or may not care about. But it's my party and I'll share if I want to!

I am a peanut butter junkie.

One of the most horrible things you can do to me is touch my toenails. I'll kick you.

I have watched "Anne of Green Gables" over 50 times. I counted. I still love it!

Coffee is my comfort food.

I can not parallel park.

Purple is my favorite color.

My favorite book in the Bible is Colossians, followed shortly after by Psalms.

I am a horribly random person and I like that about me.

My husband is my best friend. I keep falling in love with him over and over again.

I am addicted to the show America's Funniest Home Videos. The more someone is hurt or the more stupid they come off looking, the funnier it is.

One of my goals in life is to visit all 50 states and 5 countries. I've been to 29 states and 2 countries.

My favorite smell is baking bread.

I am terrified of mice.

I hate being alone. Married wrong for that one, did't I? LOL- I look at it as God stretching me and constantly teaching me to lean on Him and reminding me I'm never really alone.

I can't cook an egg to save my life. Can. NOT. do. it.

I have never been stung by a bee. (Give me some wood so I can knock on it.)

I've already owned my dream care (RIP, Mustang). A Mustang Convertible. But it would have been nice if it would have had a tad more power. The sound you hear is my husband gasping in horror at the thought of me having more power. Someday, Baby! Zoom Zoom

My two best friends live on opposite sides of the country, one about as far south east as you can go and the other about as far north west as you can go. I'm stuck smack dab in the middle too far away from both of them. Now the sound you hear is me sobbing.

I would rather read a book than watch TV.

I've read the entire Bible in a month.

I detest doing dishes. It's hands down my least favorite household chore. Give me a toilet to scrub any day!

I miss living in Kansas. Why can't Independence have a major airport?

My child constantly steals my heart and gives me depths of emotions I didn't know were possible.

I am living my dream life. Thank you, LORD!

I love thunderstorms.

I was baptized on Easter Sunday.

My favorite game is Scrabble but my husband won't play with me because I win and he doesn't like that. *evil laugh* Angie, I miss you!

I try to learn one new thing every day. Today I learned- Camels can drink more than twenty gallons of water in a ten-minute period—a feat that would kill almost any other mammal—then store the water in their blood for up to two weeks. *source- AIG*   See? Random.

If I could have any animal for a pet, I'd choose a skunk. De-skunked of course.

My favorite place in the whole world is anywhere with my hubby and daughter. There's no place I'd rather be and no one I'd rather be with.

Baby Talk

What your baby would tell you if she could talk:

1. I have my thumb, you have your caffeine. Enough said.

2. Don't be jealous, but I think I'm in love with the ceiling fan.

3. I know where the remote control is, but it'll cost you.

4. To you, it's just an empty water bottle; to me it's PlayStation 2.

5. Actually, I don't mind sitting in a bathtub that I've peed in.

6. Bang a screwdriver slowly and steadily into your gums. That's what teething feels like.

7. Two words I'd rather not hear from you: rectal thermometer.

8. There's no point in teaching me to say "mama" or "dada." My first word is going to be "dog."

9. I've told you five times what cow says. If you can't remember, I'm not telling you again.

10. There is no question that I can cry longer than you can listen.

11. I'm not just wildly throwing my food. I'm exploring the laws of gravity, estimating mass, and testing wind velocity.

12. If you wanted a good sleeper, you should have gotten a cat.

13. If my bottom is so cute, why is someone always trying to cover it up?

14. What you secretly believe is true: I am much smarter than other babies.

Superhero

*WARNING: Much longer post than I expected. I may have rambled. But it's good stuff so read it anyway.*

When most people think of superheroes they think of muscular men wearing tights and a cape, landing in the middle of some disaster with puffed up chest, hands on hips, cape flapping in the breeze. Doesn't that just scream "manly man"?

Most people don't think of ordinary people going about their ordinary lives doing ordinary things. But I do. Because my superhero is my husband.
He isn't the most muscular and I'm pretty sure he wouldn't be caught dead in tights or a cape. But he's the only hero I need.

In the ordinary-ness of life he constantly comes to my rescue. Sometimes with a needed hug, sometimes a kind word, sometimes a helping hand, sometimes a smile. And the list goes on. He has so many "powers" that I can't name them all!

He isn't afraid to step in to help and he's not afraid to take over when I can't do it anymore. He's always there to run to. He's always there to take care of me, of our family. He's always there to love me, wipe away my tears, make me laugh and hold my hand. He's always faithful. He makes me feel safe. He's there to save the day. In good times to make them better, in bad times to lean on and in it all, to be right there.

Does this make him extra special in a world full of men? No, I guess not really. Although his superhero breed seems to be dwindling fast.

But to me it makes him extraordinary because he has chosen me. He didn't have to love me. He didn't have to marry me and he didn't have to be the wonderful husband full of all those "super powers". But he chose to. He chose to be my hero and he chooses to continue day after day to do all the things he does to take care of us and love us. Even above and beyond what is "necessary". Even at the expense of his comfort and desires.

I don't think we women give the men in our lives as much credit as we should.

I have been guilty of this. But by the help of God I will be guilty of it no more.

Men carry the world on their shoulders.

They go out and work hard every day. They get tired. They get sick. They feel discouraged. They wanna quit sometimes. But through it all they keep on keeping on. Why? For us. For their family. Because we depend on them to provide for us. Don't you think they ever feel the weight of our dependence on them? I think they do. Would they want it any other way? No, but that doesn't make it easier.

When they get home, they don't always get to relax like they want to. They have a lawn to mow, projects that need done, bills to pay, cars to take care of and on top of that, they deal with family issues, financial issues, life issues and they have to carve in time to be with us and the kids. Are they happy to do that? Yes, but that doesn't make it less tiring.

Being the head of a home is hard work, full of labor, worry and pain. But also great joy.

They have other responsibilities or commitments as well. Some days/months the list seems to go on forever.

But they don't normally complain. Even when they feel worn to the ground.

God must have built them that way.

With all that going on you have to admit, no superhero could do better.

My challenge to women is this- be what God intended you as his wife to be.

Be there for him. Be his helpmate. Everyday. Respect him. Love him.

As women, by the end of the day we feel like we've run out of power. We sometimes feel beaten by the day. Our superwoman-ness has long since worn off by the time our men step through the door. Ladies, when he comes in, lets remember that though we've had a hard day, he probably has to.

It's easy to say, "Oh good you're home, here's the list of things to do, watch the kids and do you want to hear how rotten my day was?" Wow, that's enough to deflate any heroes cape. Welcome your superhero home and let him know you missed him and that you love him. Give him a breather before you start in.

When he starts doing all those wonderful things that give him superhero status in your eyes, let him know he's appreciated and respected for it. Let him know that he is and always will be your biggest hero. Let him know you believe in him and the things he does for you mean the world to you.

Here are some questions to ask yourself everyday that will help you respect your man and appreciate him for being the amazing person he is.

1. What can I do today that will be helpful to my husband?

2. What does my husband most need from me today?

3. What will bless my husband today?

4. What will most show my husband that I love him today?

Here's the thing. My husband will always be my superhero but even heroes need sidekicks. All the best ones have them. We are our husbands sidekick. We were designed to help them. They can't always be the hero without our help.  

I give you a warning as well. I can tell you one surefire way to kill that superhero power. Be naggy, be critical, put him down, disrespect him. That's kryptonite. It'll slowly but surely kill him. Just as sure as we can help him, we can kill him. That's the power of a wife. Their heart is in our hands. You lovingly encourage him, he'll get stronger, you tear him down and he'll grow weak. Ladies, respect and love on your men and they will respond by being more than you could dream!

One more thing, be aware of the fact that some times even superheroes need to fold up their capes for awhile. They need down time, they need a break. In those times, don't nag and whine and tell him how you've done all this big long list of stuff and how you're so tired and it's his turn and he doesn't understand what it's like for you.

He may not. Yes, you have a stressful day and you don't get time off. But really, neither does he. As much as you want some you time, so does he. Is that what he needs from you right now?

Enjoy being the sidekick to your hero. Like any good sidekick, find out what your hero needs at that moment and do it. Help him be your hero. Let him know you are grateful when he saves your day or your moment.

Ask yourself those 4 questions- I've been asking them more than once a day as situations come and go.

And thank God for the amazing hero He has given you.

Thanks, Babe, for being my hero. I love you so much.

I know you sometimes carry the weight of the world on your shoulders and I'm amazed that the only time you bend is to bow the knee to the One who is your power source.

You make me proud to be your sidekick.

Praise

Elizabeth Park-Trenton, MI

From the rising of the sun to its going down

The LORD’s name is to be praised.

Ps. 113:3

So It's Come Down To The End

It's November now.
It marks a change that's a comin' just around the "looming ever closer" bend.
This is my last month of being in my 20's. This is it. oh.
Well, so long then. It's been fun. Well, most of it has anyway.
I guess I'll be a thirtysomething soon. Really?
Hm, I think I was supposed to be a grown up before I became 30.
Well, shoot. I missed that one.
But really, it's not so bad. I think I'm actually embracing this new decade.
I'll savor a few more days of being 20something and then boldly step up to take on what's next.
No weeping. No sighing. No temper tantrums.
Look how mature I am?