Life can be full of tiny little moments that have monumental meaning. It’s easy for us to miss them sometimes. I try everyday to live with intention and eyes wide open to what God has in store for me….but I still fall short.

Tell me I’m not the only one.

For the last few weeks I’ve been fighting a rotten infection. It’s kept me miserable and grouchy! Most illnesses are best slept off, but this particular one would have nothing of it! I couldn’t sleep and ended up exhausted every single day. Pain and fatigue together make an ugly cocktail for crazy train!

I felt hopeless.

Yesterday, I woke up feeling terrible. I tried to call in sick and missed all the call deadlines (in the school world, the sub call only lasts so long). So, I trudged off with another sense of dread. I knew if I called into the doctor, he would want to see me. This seems reasonable, but not if you’re trying to be very careful what you spend on medical care (hello, uninsured lifestyle). So, I just continued to feel miserable and sorry for myself.

I’m really good at that, if you haven’t picked up on it.

After school, I drove straight to Walgreens and threw my body on the feet of the pharmacist (not literally, but in my mind…I was hugging her and calling to her “Mama” help me!?). Once I told her what was going on she recommended I have my doctor call in ___________! What? Geez, why haven’t I thought of that 2 WEEKS AGO?!! I’ve taken this prescription before and completely forgot all about its miracle workings!

Jesus take the wheel! I clearly cannot drive!

Within 30 minutes, I was on my way with the ONE LITTLE MIRACLE PILL that would change my life for the better! It was one of those tiny little moments that had monumental results in my life. TODAY, I FEEL LIKE A NEW PERSON!

Thank you Lord!

Oh and bonus? It was priced at around $15 for the generic (another total miracle, since we only seem to need $150 Rx normally) and with my new discount card it turned out to be $8!

I am not worthy, Lord! But thank you…..you take care of every little detail! All of which are monumental to me!

What will $3 dollars buy? In my world (high school) it might be something like this—>

It’s smell deceived me. It was rather disgusting! Which brings me back to my school rule…Don’t buy school lunch, ever! It was only $3, right? Still, a ripoff!

While I’m bearing my lunch choice soul it’s only fair to show you my most turned to meal—>

It’s actually tasty! I like the cost too, $1.00 for a fast easy meal. The only problem is that it’s small and I still want to eat after I’ve licked my fork clean. Not that I’m revealing poor manners…I’m just that hungry!

What is a good value? Lunches are quick for me so easy is my motto. It helps to be affordable as well. I wish I could say that I’m putting forth good effort to eat a good lunch…. The truth is I’m too rushed and just grab something as I go.

Hence my value issue.

What’s a hungry girl to do?

Signed,
I need a chef

So, tell me…what are other busy mom’s eating for lunch?

Ever feel like a misfit? God can still use you. Each of us carry our own baggage of something that fills us with doubt. I know for myself….I’ve felt many times like my usefulness to God was limited. Because of me, not anyone else. I think satan enjoys dangling that carrot of confusion in the face of Christians. Many never step out and live their faith best because of the weaknesses satan continuously brings to mind.

If you need a little encouragement….read on!

Abraham was old, Jacob was insecure, Leah was unattractive, Joseph was abused, Moses stuttered, Gideon was poor, Samson was codependent, Rahab was immoral, David had an affair and all kinds of family problems, Elijah was suicidal, Jeremiah was depressed, Jonah was reluctant, Naomi was a widow, John the Baptist was eccentric to say the least, Peter was impulsive and hot-tempered, Martha worried a lot, the Samaritan woman had several failed marriages, Zachaeus was unpopular, Thomas had doubts, Paul had poor health and Timothy was timid!

Need more?

Noah got drunk, Zachaeus was short, Miriam was a gossip, Sarah was impatient, Jonah ran from God, Peter denied Christ and Lazarus was dead!

It really doesn’t matter what your shortcomings are….GOD STILL WANTS TO USE YOU!!

And me!

It’s January 25th and I’m already behind on some important (TO ME) goals that I had committed to. They’ve been hanging over me with a neon failure sign blinking brightly! I imagine I’m not the only one who does this, right? After reading that excerpt above from Pastor Rick Warren, I felt encouraged to get back up and try again! Maybe it will do the same for you!!

Pick up & start again. There is no flaw big enough to stop you!

This morning I caught a NEWS STORY about a father who turned in his teenage son for a fight caught on a YOUTUBE video. It wasn’t really a fight, it was more like an attack! He and his friends are shown beating the snot out of another boy all while some upstanding friend captures it (for fun) with his cellphone. Nice, huh?

The parent was speaking out because of the treatment his son was receiving since the arrest. He was concerned that the boy was being held to a higher standard than the other’s involved. He didn’t understand why the authorities were taking such a harsh stand. His reason? He had no prior criminal record!

I thought immediately (after watching the video aired on the show) that the only reason he has no prior record is because he hasn’t been caught until now. As a mother, it would be hard for me to NOT KNOW my kid was a bully or a kid that participates in fights. {I don’t have my head in the sand! Do you?}

What does it take for a parent to raise healthy and mature kids? I’ll tell ya, constant effort! You can’t turn your head when it comes to parenting. It’s not funny when they do cute little mean behaviors (take a gander on Youtube). It’s serious! Don’t allow your kids to “perform” inappropriate habits because they seem funny! It sends a confusing message!

Like: People laugh at me when I do bad things!

It’s important how your kids treat other people — > classmates, peers, friends, elderly, adults and strangers. Our society is becoming more and more mixed up. I see it all the time…..I can’t tell you how many times I’ve walked into a building behind a grown or young man that let the door shut right in my face. Or stood in a waiting area/room while more than one man sat watching me stand there. How embarrassing FOR THEM!

Manners are becoming a thing of the past.

So is accountability! Surely, you’ve heard the news of the Italian cruise ship? The disgrace of a captain jumping ship? I’m sure his family feels so proud of his valiant efforts to save himself. It’s all part of that ME syndrome. I care about me more than anyone else around me so I COME FIRST! I can’t see this as normal and neither should you.

It’s a privilege to be a parent. Take it seriously. Train your children to love others and to treat them with respect. Fighting on a youtube video isn’t honoring to God or even funny!

I’ll end with this last thought. The news story mentioned that the dad was alerted to the video by family members who’d watched it on Youtube. My question is WHY?

Who’s watching that garbage?

Want to read a great post on chivalry? Go here!

We’re a little like a moth to a flame when it comes to rash decisions. My kids are no exception. Last week while I was off slaving away at work, two of my kids thought it would be a great idea to visit the humane society. You, ok WE cannot do stuff like that. We’re too soft!

Here’s what happens—>

Her name is Gracie and she’s super sweet! And a busy little puppy that needs lots of attention and care. Gavin is now referring to himself as a single father and seeking out all help and compensation that “those less fortunate” might qualify for. (Not that single parents aren’t worthy of help) But he’s parenting a pup….not a child!

The weekend has gone pretty well with a new baby in the house. She’s kennel trained (thanks dog pound folks) and actually sleeps very quietly all night long with no crying and howling! Halleluia! She is playful and loves to snuggle. I think the funniest thing about her has been training her to GO THROUGH A DOORWAY and UP OUR STAIRCASE! She was pretty leary of both….she would slam on the brakes and look at them like they were secret portals into the abyss. Such funny moments!

I’m now battling a major sore throat in which I will be sharing with 1600+ people this week since I had to take off sick on Friday. Sorry, everybody! I just feel guilty calling in again. I feel cruddy! Darn it! But I’m pretty psyched about another MANNING boy playing in the Super Bowl!

Let’s go Giants….Indy is ready for ya!!

PS-My daughter’s boyfriend won tickets to the Jimmy Fallon show being taped in Indy during Super Bowl week! She has been trying to win them like mad! Isn’t that cool?

I’m home sick today. It’s not anything discussable, so just feel sorry for me and keep truckin! I’ll just say, misery has been my constant companion and I’m praying for some relief! Home remedies work–you just need to stay home to actually use them!

I’ve just found some fun stuff on a blog called Southern Belle Secrets. They’ve posted the cutest stuff about southern gals and the way they think. I’ve snagged a few of my fave’s! I hope you get a giggle!

And one that I have to explain ALL THE DINGDANG TIME…

Have a great weekend, friends. Stay warm wherever you are and drive safe if you’re in the messy winter weather like me!