Writers must Write!

  I have always loved to write.  The first time I remember getting lost in a story of my own making was when I was about 8.  Well, that's the first time I wrote one down anyway.  I wrote stories and poems all through high school.  I loved to journal and write lengthy letters to my family and friends that lived far away.  I wanted to be a writer.  Then I grew up.  Somehow my love for writing became buried deep under all my other obligations. About two years ago my desire to write woke up.  It had never really gone away, rather I didn't nurture it and I had let myself think it was something beyond my reach.  I made subtle steps towards my dreams but none big enough to get me anywhere.  This year I decided to set goals and go for them.  I decided to write!  I knew all along that my end goal was to write fiction and that I didn't know the first thing about where to start.  Lately I have been reading blogs by authors that I admire.  I have found books on writing and publishing.  I have been brushing up on my grammar.  It may not lead anywhere, but even if it doesn't, I feel like I have found an old friend.  Writing is worth the effort it takes pursuing it no matter where it does or does not take me.

Cleaning Out

  My husband has orders to a new base and we will be moving in a couple of months.  The closer we get to the moving date the more I crave simplicity.  I do not want to start life in a new location with all my old junk!  I tend to hold on to things just in case I need them someday.   Today, as I was going through my clothes, it dawned on me how many things that I own that I don't need.  I can't take it all with me.  Why do I feel the need to have so much?  In the grander scheme of things very few, if any of these earthly possesions will matter.  ( I must say that some of them make life awfully nice though!) 
    My goal is to pare down as far as I can.  I want plenty of room in my life and my home for the things that matter the most.  I don't want to be held back by things.  When I can, I like to give what I don't need directly to those who can use it.  When I can't,  I donate it.  While I love sharing my abundance with others I am starting to realize that I would save so much time and money if I was just more careful before I ever let things into the house to begin with.  We are military.  We will be moving over and over again.  Hopefully I can be disiplined and keep this in mind when I am tempted to buy things that may be nice but that we don't really need in our lives.

Keeping Easter Meaningful

    My children are so excited about Easter.  They can't wait to go on an egg hunt and visit family.  My oldest son has been pestering me all day, trying to get me to cave and tell him what is going to be in his Easter basket.  ( I didn't cave!)  I don't have a problem with the tradition of getting a basket on Easter morning or searching for hidden eggs.  I have so many fond memories of these very things from my own childhood.  However, I want Easter to be more then a collection of traditions.  I want my children to know that Easter is about God's only Son showing His love for us by laying down His own life for ours.  I want them to be amazed by the miracle of Him rising from the dead.  I want them to realize that because of this miracle that they too can have eternal life.  I want them to have open hearts towards God and accept Jesus as their saviour.  I don't want these amazing truths to be lost in the hype of the holiday. 
    This year two of my children are old enough to really start grasping the reason that we celebrate Easter.  While I love that they are old enough to grasp truths and eager to learn I also find it to be intimidating.  Sharing my faith with my children is such an important task and I feel strongly that as a mother it is one of my main callings.  We have been reading Bible stories that focus on Jesus and His death and resurrection.  Today we went through a set of "resurrection eggs" that I picked up at the local Christian book store.  My children loved it!  They took turns opening the eggs as I read the corresponding passages.  They peppered me with questions and were in awe that someone could love them so much that they would die for them.  Watching their little faces light up was heartwarming.  I hope and pray that my little ones will hold the truth of God's word in their hearts as we celebrate tomorrow.


   John 3:14-17 
As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up;  so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life.  "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him

Book Reviews

   I love to read but I find it hard to get to the library regularly.  My three children are very noisy and I almost always have them with me.  I found out that some publishers offer free books for people that are willing to write and post reviews on the book.  I have two books to review on the way.  I am so excited!  Not only am I getting to read and keep the books, I also get to work on my writing skills by composing reviews.  I love having a reason to write.

Bedtime Bliss

  All three little ones are tucked into bed, fast asleep.  After a long day this can feel like the most amazing accomplishment.  We have been sick with colds the past week and the children have been extra snugly ( not to mention a bit cranky!)   Now that they are sweetly dreaming I can work on my writing, my crochet project and maybe start reading my next chapter for Bible study.  Oh, and pick up after my messy little munchkins. 
  Bedtime seems to be the only time of day that I can stop and think.  Often times I feel like I just keep moving and doing.  Its easy to miss out on the joy in life when one lives like that.  Today I picked up my baby and tickled his belly.  He dissolved in giggles.  It snapped me out of work mode and brought what really matters into focus. I don't want to be so busy caring for my kids physically that I am mentally absent.  I want to cherish their giggles, nonsensical songs and zeal for all life has to offer.  This same zeal can definitely make them hard to keep up with however!  Which is why bedtime is such a blessing.  It gives me the time I need to reflect, accomplish and rest so that I can wake up tomorrow and be present for my children.

Still burning

   That candle of mine is still burning.  I've had it burning all day.  I am hoping to have it melted away by the end of this week.  I am still brainstorming for ideas of how I want to decorate it.  I really should burn candles more often.  It lends such a cozy atmosphere to the room, despite the constant mess and clamor of my little ones.

Melt Candle, MELT!

    I have been searching for a practical yet pretty storage solution for my wooden crochet hooks.  I crochet constantly so I want them to be readily accessible.  I found the perfect glass jar .  It has a clean line to it with just a touch of elegance.  The only problem is that it is a candle jar, complete with candle.  I have been burning the candle for days!  Of course when its a candle that I want to burn quickly it happens to be a quality one that burns forever.  When the candle is finally used up I am going to line the bottom with something soft to protect the hooks.  I am not sure what yet.  I am trying to come up with some ideas to decorate the jar without overwhelming it.  I do not want it to be to cluttered but I do want it to look unique.  Maybe if I burn it all weekend I can get to the decorating part soon!