MISTY'S MORNINGS

Because it's so much easier to find the flaws... Join in on Thursdays at Faith and Family Live   Re-organized the hall closet . *Major sigh of relief*.  Blissfully easy mornings before school.  Why did I wait so long to do this??? Updated my calendars with all school events and synced with my husband's travel schedule.  Made several appointments that needed to be made.  Feeling on top of obligatory things. Ironed all of my husband's work shirts and even the boys' school uniforms.  I actually like ironing but rarely get around to it.  Now hubby can get ready for work without hassles.  Here's to quick and easy mornings!

In June my husband and I will celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary.  There will be no new diamond anniversary ring, no public renewal of vows, no obvious sign to the outside world that anything of great importance has occurred. But we two know.  It has taken fifteen years to become the couple we are today.  A couple who has known bitter tears, raucous laughs, deep divisions, sublime communions, late night talks and early morning goodbyes.  There has been not enough time, not enough money, not enough me to go around and yet... yet... God has filled the gaps , been there for me when my husband could not, been the miraculous money that got us through to the next month, been the third leg of this matrimonial stool .  And we plan to celebrate because, to us, something monumental has occurred. Something monumental is occurring everyday in this beautiful, messy mosaic of our marriage. While 15 years may seem a lot to some, in reality, we are still ...

Here is the horror that had become our entry/hall closet.  This is where we hang all school uniforms, keep the boys' socks and shoes, hats, scarves, gloves, vacuum, ironing board and iron.  Over the past month the place had been completely destroyed.  Even I was at fault.  I had begun tossing in folded socks willy nilly and just closing the door behind me.  Yes, I am appropriately ashamed.   I hauled everything out of the closet, stacked and sorted uniforms by child on the kitchen table.  We have so many clothes thanks to generous hand-me-downs from friends. Then it was time to tackle all the winter gear, shoes, coats and random items that had migrated into this closet.    After a few hours of tinkering I felt I had accomplished a lot.   Here's the new closet: Just kidding!   That is actually a picture from  http://www.closettailors.com/ .   My actual closet now looks like this: I even got creative...

Outside my window …quiet stillness.  Sun breaking through hazy skies.  Jack Frost was here last night. I am thinking …about how many Superbowl Ads were uncomfortable to watch - especially with my 8 and 9 year olds.  Good thing they were asleep by the second quarter. I am wearing …my favorite black pajama pants and long-sleeved top from Gillian O'Malley at Target along with fuzzy pink slipper socks. I am hearing …"Who Am I" by Casting Crowns on Pandora.  It's a live version I have never heard before.  It will be in my head all day! I am thankful for …my two year old's stitches healing perfectly, my eight year old's stitches coming out this afternoon, the return of health and energy to all of my family after a very long flu. I am going … the dentist this afternoon.  Not my favorite thing to do. I am hoping …to get back into my gym routine this week.  They have added some ...

After we had children I was full of grandiose plans for big Sunday Dinners .  My grandmother had once described how she would put something in the oven before church and come home to a welcoming meal ready to be placed on the table.  Thus began my own sugar-plum visions of roast meats, mashed potatoes and homemade pies being passed hand to hand as we gathered round the lazy Sunday table, laughing, telling old family stories and thanking God for another blessed week. We purchased an ornate set of  table and chairs for the dining room, formerly known as the playroom.  I would use my fine wedding china, my husband and our guests would sip wine from our crystal goblets.  Norman Rockwell could paint the scene. At some point I realized that maybe those visions were really just fantasies.  I didn't want to get up extra early to sear meat so it could go into the oven, boil potatoes to be mashed later.  My family didn't want to stay in their church cl...

Valentine's Day is nine days away and thoughts of cards to write, hearts to glitter and candy to create surround.  In a way it reminds me of Christmas.  Lots of preparation to do and little time for reflection on the spiritual side of the holiday.   How can I put more meaning into the one day a year set aside for love? Many of us heard the same scripture read aloud at our weddings. Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand it's own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NLT As I re-read those words this morning, pausing after each phrase, I asked myself if I could say that about myself.  Not just in my marriage but in all my relationships.  I tried reading it again - this time...