Month: February 2019

Don’t you just love Valentine’s Day?

I do.

I know I am one of the few.

With it being only two days away, I already gave my husband and son their cards and my five year old is all geared up for his school party tomorrow where they do an exchange.

This year I wrapped up marshmallow pops in the shape of either “Shimmer and Shine” (for the girls) and “the incredible hulk” (for the boys).

I was in Walmart yesterday talking with the cashier about the special day and he said “all kids wants nowadays is the food.”

I’m not sure what this meant but I too, remember when Valentine’s Day meant something more…like how you would be individually addressed a Valentine and how it could so easily be read into if you were really good at it like I was…

Now though, they don’t want anyone to feel left out or to feel cross, so in order to hyper guard feelings no names are to be used when handing out candy or those mini cards. You get what you get.

I think it is sort of a shame, but it reminded me that God’s love for me is all that matters anyways and even though I can share my own love as much as I can, God ultimately is my Savior. He is my love.

I hope you have a good day. It is raining here and icy but our hearts are full of hope.

Until next time—much love to you!

“The steadfast of mind you will keep in perfect peace, because he trusts in you.” Isaiah 26:3

I’ve been married now for seven years.

The years have been bliss.

Well, mostly.

I love my husband with all of my heart. And I’d say that’s what makes the difference.

But I remember those early days of “just getting to know” one another. I think sometimes those days still exist. I was thinking this morning about change and wondered how we can really know anyone if we are always constantly growing and changing.

For me and my husband, the changes have been for the best but there are a few things that haven’t changed:

THE LOVE WE HAVE FOR ONE ANOTHER.

And also—THE LOVE FERN.

Call it tacky, but I take great pride in this dusty ornate piece of garbage. It is one thing that has grown to symbolize our love and commitment and the oldest thing we jointly own.

This may sound so silly, but when I first started dating my husband I remember being so almost, put off, by the “lack thereof” of STUFF.

His house was nearly completely bare without anything even on counter tops. Even the bathroom soap was put under the sink when finished. Everything was clean and clear.

And then I dropped by one day.  With STUFF.

Oh, the look on his face when I brought home, THE LOVE FERN, is still priceless to me. A wonderful memory that I hold dear—one that we both do now.

As the love fern sits in our dining room on top of a big grandfather clock, we are reminded of time and how precious our time together has been.

And it has been the most unchanging thing throughout our seven years together. Yes, it is plastic and gets dusty—as has our relationship at times, but for the most part all we have to do is dust it off and it is green and new looking just like the day I brought that love fern home for us to “share.”

God please remind me that I can easily dust things off and change things up if need be. With You the possibilities are endless. Please remind me to stay humble and loving towards those around me at all times. Amen.

“Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another.” 1 Peter 5:5

Today I cheated.

It was our turn to take snacks to school and they had to be “fruit.”

My five year old insisted on taking apples but instead of cutting up a zillion apples and putting them in baggies, I got lucky.

I found these pre-made apple snacks that include cheese and pretzels at Wamart.

Hallelujah chorus begin!

He was pretty excited to take them but I was happy for feeling somewhat like a crafty mamma.

I am not a crafty mamma.

I do what I can to get by, but for the most part Pinterest alludes me. And some of the Facebook things I see sometimes make me feel ashamed. They don’t always make me feel like a good mom.

It’s then that I realize that I am enough just on my own. I may not be perfect—but NOTHING is. No one is perfect. It is merely a temporary illusion and I need to stop comparing myself to others.

So, until the next snack day—peace out with these crafty little trays. I feel good about them and ultimately God wants me to be happy and to feel good about everything. And Amen to that!

“The Lord bless you, and keep you…and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24, 26

Well if it is not obvious to you by now, it won’t ever be…

I am not a morning person.

This morning my five year old screamed from his room at the top of his lungs:

“MOMMY!?”

It was all I could do but to roll my eyes and turn back over. We had exactly one more hour of sleep (we could have had) if my little one would have let us.

Instead, I became MOMMY.

And I got up.

On the bright side, being an hour early for things has its perks. Like having the time to write this blog post.

“The sun is playing hide and seek,” my son told me when I entered his room.

It was so foggy out this morning I wondered why again…again…we were waking up.

But my son soon reminded me it was because he missed me. I missed him too during the night and this morning gathering became something special.

I thank Jesus for the small moments that at first sight seem insignificant, but then become the most tender and loving parts of our creation. Amen.

For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light we see light. Psalm 36:9

I had an awful panic attack the other day.

I get these. They are awful. They made you feel like you’re having a heart attack. But obviously, you’re not. It is all deception.

I have medicine that I take when I get one but the medicine pretty much knocks me out, making it hard to do much for the rest of the day after I take it so I try to avoid it and work through them if I ever have one.

They come for no reason and at any time.

But…isn’t life like that?

Expect anything! Hahaha. And at any moment.

Today we have what I like to call sludge outside. It makes it hard to get any Vitamin D and something that western Pa definitely needs right now—more sun!

I hope this blog doesn’t send melancholy, because it’s not meant to be. I thought about not writing at all today, but because I didn’t yesterday I know how it feels. Isn’t it the worst feeling when you’re supposed to do something but then actually don’t?

There is no pay off.

But today, more than looking for the pay off I’m looking to get back on schedule. And if that means I have to trudge through the sludge I’m ready! And Amen to that.

With God on my side, I can do anything. I need to remember this and to be joyful during the process of life. We only get one day at a time to make the most of things. And I plan to make the most of each and every day—panic attack or not.

“You of little faith, why did you doubt?” Matthew 14:31

“Mommy, look.”

My five year old son was sitting on my bed and mournfully looking at his sock.

“My sock is broken,” he said…

I had to laugh.

This whole sock thing though this morning went right along with what I was already pondering about for my blog today.

Balance.

And how our sense of feeling worn out might be telling us something…

I am missing a lot of what I feel is balance in my life and I’ve decided to do something about it.

What that is just yet, I’m not sure, but the decision to slow down and become more conscious and constructive is enough for me for now.

“NO, your sock is not broken. It nearly needs mending,” I said. (Even though I threw it away in the garbage can without him seeing and put a new one on him).

It got me thinking though about God and how much mending He is always willing to do within us and how grateful I am for this. Holy socks and broken hearts—He mends them all. So, I will pray for balance.

“Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus.” Hebrews 12: 1-2

Every morning, my five year old son eats three small white powdered donuts.

And chocolate milk.

This is his routine and to get him to eat anything is a major challenge.
Today though, we were out of both.

As challenging as it was without coffee, I made the run to Walmart and got these items.

I was greeted at home with open, happy arms and much unlike the donuts, I felt whole… 

I didn’t want to go out this morning, but I did so because it isn’t anyone else’s responsibility to donut run but mine. But I reminded myself, if there are chores in life we must do, do them with God and things seem much easier.

I relied on the Lord this morning as I knew that He would get me through the long Super Bowl lines and through the already crazy traffic with patience and virtue. And He did.

Also, the end result, which is always worth it—love from my son and happy smiles as I’m greeted at home made it that much better. It’s the place where I belong. Home. And along with the Lord, it’s what helps make me feel whole again and again.

Consider the power of Christ within you as you do ALL things. It truly makes a difference.

“Stand firm in the Lord.” Philippians 4:1

I’ve got great news.

The groundhog did not see his shadow.

Early spring—here we come!

If you are from western Pa, you are well- aware of this yearly superstition/tradition in which we call, “Groundhog’s Day.” There was even a movie about it. You know, the one where the guy repeats the same day over and over.

Lately, I have felt like I’ve been trapped in sort of Groundhog’s Day.

Every day with all of the snow seemingly the same…and not getting out and socialized.

Today we are going to a birthday party and it made me anxious. It’s at a bowling arena and a place with high stimulus. Laser Tag. Arcade. Lights.

My five year old son was invited, so of course we are going…but it sounds like possible chaos.

But it made me think of what a hypocrite I am.

Here I am, running this awesome website called, “Party Gatherings,” and I’m not even looking forward to a birthday party? What gives? Celebrating life is what I live for and some anxiousness shouldn’t keep me from what I love to do best—to be with others and to party!

I do suffer from anxiety. But I do have a God that has promised me to always be steadfast and true. And Amen to that! Today I will get out of this house (something I have been complaining about for a week now), and today I will celebrate life!

Life is for living. And with God anything can happen. Birthdays especially, SHOULD BE celebrated! Just like Groundhog’s Day–they only happen once a year but they are a perfect reminder of how grateful we should be to simply be alive and enjoy God’s grace. 

“The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer.” Psalm 18:2

We have been snowed in for a week now.

No school.

And I’ll be honest with you, it’s getting hard.

By the time my husband gets home from work my son and I nearly jump on him as we are merely glad for a change of face and events. We are slowly getting what I believe they call, “cabin fever.”

And yet we love one another with all our heart.

It got me snippy today though when school was cancelled yet again… and I looked outside to see it snowing. Again? I thought…again?!

It made me think of God’s love for me though and how He can make so many things again and again and still not grow weary. With His strength I can be comforted if I look to Him instead of trying to do things on my own. And today was one of those days I needed cleansing.

It always helps too when God gives you a little reminder of His LOVE for you.

And this window sticky—as tacky as it seems, did the trick. Perception is important when you decide to be positive about life. Things seem to suddenly get much better. Just look up.

Have a good day. Celebrate life and love.

“Create in me a clean heart, O God.” Psalm 51:10