Momma made a few hats...
We took the kids down to the river to do some geocaching (or treasure hunting as the kids call it.)
Thursday, February 2, 2012
January in Our Home
This month has flown by in our household. We rang in the New Year in our cozy little living room. We had some wonderful time with sweet friends...
Momma made a few hats...
Kaytie tried out curls in her hair...
We took the kids down to the river to do some geocaching (or treasure hunting as the kids call it.)
We played in what little snow we've gotten this winter...
We had a game night with Grandma, Grandpa, Max and Lakota...
We went to the magic house with Meemaw and Papaw...
One of the biggest highlights of the month was the "Welcome Home Heroes" parade! We headed down with an estimated 100,000 people to welcome home our men and women from Iraq.
We finished up the month with Momma having surgery. We've ushered in February with beautiful weather, wonderful family and a slow pace of life while Momma recuperates. Hope you all have had a blessed first month of the new year.
Momma made a few hats...
We took the kids down to the river to do some geocaching (or treasure hunting as the kids call it.)
Friday, January 13, 2012
Greed: A Misdiagnosis
There's been a great deal of talk about the topic of greed lately. It's been all around us for months, even years now. I'd like to take a quick step back and look at what it really means to be "greedy." I know this will be highly unpopular and offensive to some, but then again...most of what I say is, so I guess it will be in keeping with my character. haha.
I've heard so many people railing against the "wealthy 1%" who are apparently the source of all evil in the world. I'm not even going to take the route of trying to explain that those wealthy people create jobs...that's a useless argument at this point. The problem I take is with people attempting to make poverty a virtue and wealth an inherent evil. Anyone who is wealthy or successful is automatically labeled "greedy."
We have an entire movement that has been going on in our country based on this "greed." People are horribly angry that the wealthy have so much and the poor have so little. I get that. Sort of. Should we be helping the poor, yes. But what they don't even consider is that they ARE in fact helping the poor. But these protesters seem to think that the rich should have to give away everything in order to "level the playing field."
I struggle with this because I, personally, believe that money is a resource. It is not an end into itself. Money is not good or evil. People can choose to use money for good or evil. I personally know many wealthy people who give extremely large amounts of money to charity. Noble individuals who, while they still possess much, would gladly give you the shirt off their back. I do not believe it is wrong for these people to be wealthy. They have worked hard and they are appreciative of what they have, so they give generously. In fact, most wealthy people I know are very aware of what it means to live with little, because that's how they started out their lives. While there are, in fact, greedy, wealthy people in the world, possessing wealth does not determine greed.
On the flip side, I know many poor people. Large numbers of these individuals take money from the government. (If you are in need- honestly in need, that's completely understandable, but we ALL know those who are abusing the system.) They are not working and often times not looking for work. They go through the food line to get food that has been donated by those "greedy, wealthy companies and individuals" and then complain because they wanted a turkey, not a ham...or they would never dream of eating potatoes, how dare someone suggest that they would. They look down their noses at volunteers who have sacrificed their time and money to support them all while texting on their expensive cell phones with perfectly manicured fingernails and the newest Jordans.
But they don't have enough. It's not fair because they don't have a lot of money and someone else does. Those evil "1%" are hogging all the money. Are they? Really? Do they really need to give you more of their hard-earned money so you can get a new XBox and sit in your house while your children run the streets and cause trouble?
And what about those are aren't "freeloading." What about people who are working hard day in and day out, but just don't make much money? My daddy worked his tail off every day of his life and provided for his family. We were never wealthy...but we were blessed. We had everything that we needed. We had each other. We had our faith. And my parents never hesitated to give to someone in need, even if the sacrifice would sting a little. He worked hard from when he was in high school until the day he retired in September. And he still helps out when anyone needs anything. Never...NEVER...did my daddy go stand outside some office building and insist that those people give him more money. NEVER did he complain that he wasn't getting "his fair share." NEVER would he take money he didn't earn or expect someone else to pay for him or his family. And NEVER did he show bitterness to those who had more money.
This is because my daddy understands what money is. It's just a resource. It's not to collect and hoard, it's to use. And we're given exactly what we need. 1 Timothy 6:8 says "For if we have food and clothing, with that we shall be satisfied." My children are learning about contentment this week in our schooling. And this struck me. We do not need more money to be satisfied. And longing for something more than what we need is the essence of greed. If a wealthy individual is satisfied with what he has been given and the poor individual is angry because he doesn't have enough to make him happy, even though he has what he NEEDS, who is the greedy one? Contentment can be found in any financial situation because contentment is not found in our finances. We CHOOSE to be content with what we have. Does that mean we don't work hard? No. Does that mean we don't give to those who have less? No. We are commanded to do both of those things. But we absolutely should not be looking at our neighbors and saying "It's not fair that they have so much. I want what they have."
Greed can be found in the richest of the rich and the poorest of the poor. Greed is a disease of the heart, not the pocketbook. If you're feeling discontent, an inward examination may show a very different diagnosis than what you once thought.
I've heard so many people railing against the "wealthy 1%" who are apparently the source of all evil in the world. I'm not even going to take the route of trying to explain that those wealthy people create jobs...that's a useless argument at this point. The problem I take is with people attempting to make poverty a virtue and wealth an inherent evil. Anyone who is wealthy or successful is automatically labeled "greedy."
We have an entire movement that has been going on in our country based on this "greed." People are horribly angry that the wealthy have so much and the poor have so little. I get that. Sort of. Should we be helping the poor, yes. But what they don't even consider is that they ARE in fact helping the poor. But these protesters seem to think that the rich should have to give away everything in order to "level the playing field."
I struggle with this because I, personally, believe that money is a resource. It is not an end into itself. Money is not good or evil. People can choose to use money for good or evil. I personally know many wealthy people who give extremely large amounts of money to charity. Noble individuals who, while they still possess much, would gladly give you the shirt off their back. I do not believe it is wrong for these people to be wealthy. They have worked hard and they are appreciative of what they have, so they give generously. In fact, most wealthy people I know are very aware of what it means to live with little, because that's how they started out their lives. While there are, in fact, greedy, wealthy people in the world, possessing wealth does not determine greed.
On the flip side, I know many poor people. Large numbers of these individuals take money from the government. (If you are in need- honestly in need, that's completely understandable, but we ALL know those who are abusing the system.) They are not working and often times not looking for work. They go through the food line to get food that has been donated by those "greedy, wealthy companies and individuals" and then complain because they wanted a turkey, not a ham...or they would never dream of eating potatoes, how dare someone suggest that they would. They look down their noses at volunteers who have sacrificed their time and money to support them all while texting on their expensive cell phones with perfectly manicured fingernails and the newest Jordans.
But they don't have enough. It's not fair because they don't have a lot of money and someone else does. Those evil "1%" are hogging all the money. Are they? Really? Do they really need to give you more of their hard-earned money so you can get a new XBox and sit in your house while your children run the streets and cause trouble?
And what about those are aren't "freeloading." What about people who are working hard day in and day out, but just don't make much money? My daddy worked his tail off every day of his life and provided for his family. We were never wealthy...but we were blessed. We had everything that we needed. We had each other. We had our faith. And my parents never hesitated to give to someone in need, even if the sacrifice would sting a little. He worked hard from when he was in high school until the day he retired in September. And he still helps out when anyone needs anything. Never...NEVER...did my daddy go stand outside some office building and insist that those people give him more money. NEVER did he complain that he wasn't getting "his fair share." NEVER would he take money he didn't earn or expect someone else to pay for him or his family. And NEVER did he show bitterness to those who had more money.
This is because my daddy understands what money is. It's just a resource. It's not to collect and hoard, it's to use. And we're given exactly what we need. 1 Timothy 6:8 says "For if we have food and clothing, with that we shall be satisfied." My children are learning about contentment this week in our schooling. And this struck me. We do not need more money to be satisfied. And longing for something more than what we need is the essence of greed. If a wealthy individual is satisfied with what he has been given and the poor individual is angry because he doesn't have enough to make him happy, even though he has what he NEEDS, who is the greedy one? Contentment can be found in any financial situation because contentment is not found in our finances. We CHOOSE to be content with what we have. Does that mean we don't work hard? No. Does that mean we don't give to those who have less? No. We are commanded to do both of those things. But we absolutely should not be looking at our neighbors and saying "It's not fair that they have so much. I want what they have."
Greed can be found in the richest of the rich and the poorest of the poor. Greed is a disease of the heart, not the pocketbook. If you're feeling discontent, an inward examination may show a very different diagnosis than what you once thought.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
The Gift of my Grandpa
Seven years ago, my Papa passed away. Usually I spend this day thinking about what life would be like if he were still here, how much of my life he has missed and how much I wish I could talk to him and see him. But today, after the year I've had, I decided that I was going to approach this day differently this year.
For the first time since I lost him, I decided that instead of being sad for the part of my life he has missed, I will be thankful for the part of my life he was here for. Not many people know their grandparents the way that I do. I am blessed to have known all four of my grandparents and not only to have known them, but to be very close to them. I even knew most of my great-grandparents. That's a really rare thing these days.
For those of you who have not been to my house, in our older sons' room are pictures of each of their great-grandpas- Arnold, Allin, Donald, Jerry and Mervyn. I am so grateful that as they grow up I can point them to the men on their wall and encourage them to walk in their footsteps. Those men are examples of the kind of men I want my sons to grow up to be- smart, kind, loyal, dedicated, patriotic, compassionate, frugal, humble, encouraging, loving, honest, hard working, determined, family oriented, men of God.
My grandpa was a huge part of my life. He was my hero and showed me by example how to walk through hard times and keep them in perspective. He was unshakeable. There was no circumstance, no pain that could break him. He knew where his hope was and he had unwavering focus. He was always able to think of others before himself. He lived for his family and he honored his Lord.
I miss him terribly. I do wish that I could sit and talk to him for hours like I used to. I'd love to play another game of chess, or curl up with popcorn and a movie. I'd love to go to "Germany" again with him. But the thing I need to remember is that I had those times. I had dozens of chess games, countless movies and bowls of popcorn and I have wonderful memories of "Germany" as well as Florida, the Christmas lights in the wealthy neighborhoods, the balloon festivals, the beach, the list goes on and on.
So no matter how much I miss him, I am thankful. I am thankful for his life. I am thankful for the example that he left for my sons. I am thankful that I know that he ran his race, he finished strong and he's cheering me on as I try desperately to do the same.
Thank you, God for my grandparents...for the loving family they made. Thank you for all the ways they've been there for me through the years and for the awesome legacy they have established. Thank you most of all for their faithfulness in leaving a godly heritage for their families.
I miss you, Papa. Thank you for the memories we made. I can't wait to see you again. I hope I make you proud. I love you.
For the first time since I lost him, I decided that instead of being sad for the part of my life he has missed, I will be thankful for the part of my life he was here for. Not many people know their grandparents the way that I do. I am blessed to have known all four of my grandparents and not only to have known them, but to be very close to them. I even knew most of my great-grandparents. That's a really rare thing these days.
For those of you who have not been to my house, in our older sons' room are pictures of each of their great-grandpas- Arnold, Allin, Donald, Jerry and Mervyn. I am so grateful that as they grow up I can point them to the men on their wall and encourage them to walk in their footsteps. Those men are examples of the kind of men I want my sons to grow up to be- smart, kind, loyal, dedicated, patriotic, compassionate, frugal, humble, encouraging, loving, honest, hard working, determined, family oriented, men of God.
My grandpa was a huge part of my life. He was my hero and showed me by example how to walk through hard times and keep them in perspective. He was unshakeable. There was no circumstance, no pain that could break him. He knew where his hope was and he had unwavering focus. He was always able to think of others before himself. He lived for his family and he honored his Lord.
I miss him terribly. I do wish that I could sit and talk to him for hours like I used to. I'd love to play another game of chess, or curl up with popcorn and a movie. I'd love to go to "Germany" again with him. But the thing I need to remember is that I had those times. I had dozens of chess games, countless movies and bowls of popcorn and I have wonderful memories of "Germany" as well as Florida, the Christmas lights in the wealthy neighborhoods, the balloon festivals, the beach, the list goes on and on.
So no matter how much I miss him, I am thankful. I am thankful for his life. I am thankful for the example that he left for my sons. I am thankful that I know that he ran his race, he finished strong and he's cheering me on as I try desperately to do the same.
Thank you, God for my grandparents...for the loving family they made. Thank you for all the ways they've been there for me through the years and for the awesome legacy they have established. Thank you most of all for their faithfulness in leaving a godly heritage for their families.
I miss you, Papa. Thank you for the memories we made. I can't wait to see you again. I hope I make you proud. I love you.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Mason Jar Organizing
As I have already established, I have a need to join my local chapter of Mason Jar Addicts Anonymous. Although technically, I guess I would no longer be considered anonymous. And I don't think they have a program for mason jar addicts. Maybe I should start one. Or maybe I should just keep writing love songs about those beautiful, versatile glass cylinders that never seem to let me down. Just kidding. I don't really do that. Or do I?
Anyway...today's mason jar musing...organizing. I use mason jars in pretty much every room in my house. I use them to hold everything from silverware to holiday candy to chalk. Here are a few of my favorite organizing uses for mason jars.
I keep this jar full of pens on my kitchen counter. I also keep one on my desk. (That's my niece and nephew's picture in the background. Aren't they cute?)
I use these jars for organizing some of our school supplies. The one furthest back holds pencils, the one in the middle holds children's scissors. The one up front holds various geometrical shapes.
A jar of paintbrushes in our sun room.
Perfect storage for math units.
And chalk...
In our bathroom cotton balls in the bottom and q-tips in a votive holder on top. (Thank you pinterest.)
A few other awesome mason jar organizing ideas I've come across, but not yet done...
I also love mason jars for a more common purpose (food storage) but with a twist. I empty my sugars/spices/salts/etc. into mason jars. I've painted a square label on each jar with chalkboard paint (you could also paint the lid if you're storing them where the top would be more visible than the front). Then I just write what's in it on the label and when I switch what's in it, I just erase it and write something different. I also love that you can see exactly how much of something you have left with just a glance. And they look so cute in my lazy susan...I tried to show you a picture of my cute little jars, but I couldn't get it to go. Sorry. Maybe it'll work later. (as a side note...if you're storing something that needs to be dispensed by shaking or pouring you can reuse a lid from a grated Parmesan cheese container for a shaker or the lid from a pourable salt container for pouring. Both can be used on your mason jar.)
The possibilities are endless! Happy organizing!
Anyway...today's mason jar musing...organizing. I use mason jars in pretty much every room in my house. I use them to hold everything from silverware to holiday candy to chalk. Here are a few of my favorite organizing uses for mason jars.
A few other awesome mason jar organizing ideas I've come across, but not yet done...
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| Pin storage and pin cushion. Find the tutorial HERE. |
 |
| Adorable storage made from wall molding and hose clamps. Cute! |
I also love mason jars for a more common purpose (food storage) but with a twist. I empty my sugars/spices/salts/etc. into mason jars. I've painted a square label on each jar with chalkboard paint (you could also paint the lid if you're storing them where the top would be more visible than the front). Then I just write what's in it on the label and when I switch what's in it, I just erase it and write something different. I also love that you can see exactly how much of something you have left with just a glance. And they look so cute in my lazy susan...I tried to show you a picture of my cute little jars, but I couldn't get it to go. Sorry. Maybe it'll work later. (as a side note...if you're storing something that needs to be dispensed by shaking or pouring you can reuse a lid from a grated Parmesan cheese container for a shaker or the lid from a pourable salt container for pouring. Both can be used on your mason jar.)
 | ||||
| pour spout on a mason |
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