Better

I want to be a better: mother, wife, daughter, sister, friend....a better Angie.
I think I will start today.

I Feel Like Im Losin' - Tenth Avenue North

I love to listen to Tenth Avenue North. It is a band that I admire. Everytime a cd comes out....I buy it and listen to it while reading each word on the cd cover. God speaks through this band. Had to share this new song....it's not even on a cd yet but it was shared on their web site. I heard it for the first time last night, listened to it like 20 times in a row...Honest, deep words. Good stuff! Forgiveness is key in our lives - period!


FEELS LIKE I’M LOSING – Tenth Avenue North
http://totalaxxess.typepad.com/total_axxess/2010/08/exclusive-debut-of-tenth-avenue-norths-song-losing.html

I cant believe what she said
I cant believe what he did
Don’t they know it’s wrong
Don’t they know it’s wrong
Well maybe there’s something I missed
But how could they treat me like this
It’s wearing out my heart
The way they disregard

This is love or this is hate…
We all have a choice to make

Oh, Father wont You forgive them
They don’t know what they’ve been doin, oh no.
Oh Father, give me grace to forgive them
Cause I feel like the one losin.

Well it’s only the dead that can live
But still I wrestle with this
To lose the pain that’s mine
Seventy times seven times
Cause Lord it doesn’t feel right
For me to turn a blind eye
Though I guess it’s not that much
When I think of what You’ve done.

This is love or this is hate…
We gotta a choice to make


Oh Father wont you forgive them
They don’t know what they’ve been doin’ , oh no
Oh Father, give me grace to forgive them
Cause I feel like the one losin’

Why do we think that our hate’s gonna break a hard heart
We’re rippin arms over wars that don’t need to be fought
Cause pride wont let us lay our weapons on the ground
We build our bridges up but it’s just to burn them down
We think our pain is own apologies and get them to stop
Well truth be told it doesn’t matter if their sorry or not
Cause freedom comes when we surrender to the sound
Of Your mercy and Your grace, Father, send Your angels down

Oh Father wont you forgive them
They don’t know what they’ve been doin’
Oh Father, give me grace to forgive them
Cause I feel like the one losin’
I feel like I’ve been losing

Oh Father wont you forgive them
They don’t know what they’ve been doin’
Oh Father, give me grace to forgive them
Cause I feel like the one losin’
I feel like I’ve been losing

Oh Father, give me grace to forgive them
Cause I feel like the one losin’

Community

My husband is a big OSU fan. So, a couple of years ago, we took our two boys to see the spring game. I vividly remember walking into the Ohio State Horseshoe. It was an amazing feeling. I wont lie to ya, my eyes teared up. Not because of my love for the game because my football knowledge doesnt come close to most. My tears were a result of the overwhelming sense of community. There werent just "people" everywhere....there were "FANS" everywhere. A sense of "we have a specific in common" saturated the Shoe. Smiles. Cheers. Greeters. Hot dogs. Scarlet and gray. Noise. Turf. Stained glass. Class. I will never forget it. My husband jokes that the Shoe is "church for football". I can see why that is said. I get the same feeling when I go to my church. I get the same feeling when I go to a school basketball game. An Amy Grant concert. When I see another mother struggling with trying to reason to her seven-year-old in Walmart. You find yourself in this place...with people whom you know or dont know....but the REASON you are there joins your lives together...even if it is just for a moment.

I love community on every level. I love being in the stands with the crowd. I love having a common thread with others that I dont even know. But my heart smiles when I look at the Team. The team has a depth of community. It is sacred. It is heart-warming. It is inspiring. Each person on the team is drawn to one another. There is a togetherness with the team. A sense of "whether we are on the sidelines or on the field we are in this game together". They have each other's backs....and for a season, they are as close as family.


I love community.
Jesus demonstrates community in a simple way.
He was on earth for everyone....
He associated with everyone He could get near....
He was real with everyone He came in contact with...
But he chose to do life with 12 guys.
They prayed together.
They travelled together.
They ate dinner together.
They fished together.
They ministered together.
They cried together.
They cared for others, together.
No wonder we are drawn more to some people than to others. Not to say that we are a clique...or to say that we are exclusive in who we hang out with....there is just a simple depth to our community. I have many friends....but there are few that I crave to be with. There are a handful that I have not seen in a decade, but I know that when I do see them again, we will pick up right where we left off. What a gift it is when you find those people. Thankful today for those hearts that God entrusts to me. Praying that I can be the person that they need me to be...the person that God wants me to be for them.

May we be aware of all levels of community in our lives...may we be Christs hands and feet to all we meet. May we feel the weight of the hearts that God entrusts to us. I love community!

Mollys first shopping trip :)

We took Molly to Pet Supplies Plus today. She got a bath, a new brush and some treats. It was such a good time. She is really a good dog. She nicely sat for her bath....and loved walking around the store allowing people to pet her. She also tried a few pet beds out. She found one she liked but she has to save $60 first though. Coen had a ball with her. Josh helped with the bath...then he went with daddy to get the oil changed in the van. Over all....great experience....we will totally go again :)

Tenth Avenue Concert

We are huge Tenth Avenue North fans! We were blessed to see them last weekend in Charleston with Casting Crowns. Great concert....great family time :)

Oh yeah....AND we met the band!! Thank you, Lord! And they are as great one on one as they are on stage. I love when bands are authentic who live what they preach! :)

AB, Coen and Josh running in races last weekend

Loving the sunshine

We had winter this year. I mean....we really saw snow. It was so neat. We got to play in the snow, enjoyed a few snow days off school, watched it blanket the yard and woods. It was beautiful. It was a great thing. But, I am so ready for the snow to go...and the sunshine to stay.

The last 5 days or so have been georgeous. Sun shining.....high 50's. Birds are chirping! Spring is right around the corner and I am glad :) Yesterday, I opened the curtains to see the sunshine come into the room. I cleaned the windows so nothing would hinder the beams of light from filling the room. It was great. I had more energy. I felt happy. Isnt it alot like when we experience Winter in our lives? In our hearts? I call it a "funk". We look around...we see the coldness....we are aware of the bitter moments....we cannot shake it. Then, after a season...it passes. Sun comes back into our lives chasing away the funk...and we are glad.

We really experienced winter this year....and because of that...Spring looks all the better. Thank You ,God, for allowing us to learn from the Winters in our lives...it helps us value the Spring all the more! Take that for what its worth to you today :)

Things I love # 22- I 28

Ok...so gotta finish this idea of things I love in honor of February. Because #22 I love to finish things. #23 I love my Day Planner #24 I love being task driven. #25 I love a clean house #26 I love quality time with friends #27 I love hearing my kids laugh #28 I love making AB smile.

This Februaru BLOG project was fun :) I am encaouraged to blog more often now. Hmmmm...wonder what my next blogging goal should be????

Josh is 7

Wanted to share some pic's of Josh's birthday party.
He had a great day with family and friends!

16-21 of the THINGS I love...

Ok...so I am a little catching up to do.

Focusing this month on things I love....

#16 I love vacation.

I love thinking about it. Watching Aaron plan for it with his spreadsheets :) I truly enjoy planning fun things for the kids during the trip. I always make goodie bags for the occaision. The boys totally look for these goodie bags now. As we drive out of the neighborhood...they are already wondering what is in the goodie bags!

Vacation. I love it. It is such a treat to get away from the every day rush and pause a little. And I like when I am allowed to pause.

#17

I love my mom. I am really missing her these days. I miss what might have been. I wish I could see her with my kids. I wonder what she would have done to celebrate Josh's birthday. I think of her often and see her in my kids. She was the best!!

#18

I love being a mom.

The hardest thing in my life...but the most rewarding. Hard...because it means so much. A mom is a comfort. A mom is safety. A mom is love. A mom is tough. A mom can smile. A mom can cry...but mostly, a mom is constant. A love that never dies. A mom makes you strong...

I love my boys. I get to be their mommy! Wow! God has entrusted these two precious lives to me. What pressure! :) What an honor! I pray that I can be all I need to be for them. Living by example. The catch is....some times I lead the correct way....and sometimes I do not. Sometimes I gotta say...."hey, I screwed up." I dont really like those times. I guess we all have those times. I know that God has a plan for them. Aaron and I are just assisting Him. And as much as I love them....I realize that God loves them more.

#19

Disney

I know that this is shallow...but Disney rocks! I have such fond memories of my family at Disney. What a fun place. I want to go back...and go back often!! I smile every time I think of our vacation there, summer 2008. I took tons of pictures. I will never forget how wonderful our family time was at Disney!!

#20

I love birthdays. Yesterday, Feb 20th, was Josh's birthday. He is seven! My baby boy is 7 years old. I love seeing him smile. It takes my breath away when he giggles and his eyes light up with joy. I hope that my kids are enjoying their childhood. Funny thing about childhood...you dont really appreciate it until you have grown beyond it....

#21

My bed.

I love my own bed. There is nothing like jumping in my bed when I am tired and snuggling up in the covers. My down comfortor and cool, soft sheets make me happy. Now, if I could just cure my insomnia and really get rest for once. Some day.

# 14 and #15 of February Things I love...

Things I love....

#14 flowers. I love flowers. I cannot wait to plant new plants this Spring. Crossing my fingers that my Hydrangea blooms THIS year. I love watering them....cutting them and placing them all over the house. "Miracle Grow" Tuesday is something to look forward to this year. (it is the day of the week when I remember to add miracle grow to the flowers....idea created by my neighbor and sister-flower-lover, Lindy)

#15 A clean house. Isnt it the best feeling ever when your home is reallllllly clean? I hope to have that happen....TOMORROW :)

Ok...so I have some catching up to do:
10-13....Im not too far off task :)

(continued from below...."Things I love".... See 1-9 below)

Things I love:

#10 Panera Soy Caramel Latte's - nuff said.


#11 Good lyrics. I love when a song speaks to me right where I am. I mean, really....isnt that an amazing thing? Great cd's to listen to.....Tenth Avenue North. EVERY song on tha CD is a devotion. I like to get in the van (the sporty, cool, mini-van) and turn a song up realllllly loud. Surrounded my music. I love being there!!

Amy Grant - Yes, she taught me to sing into my hairbrush at the age of 5. I am forever indebted to her...she inspired me to love music...to celebrate REAL life in the moment.

Toby Mac....Bebo Norman....etc



#12 Naps. I love a good power nap.


#13 Productive Ministry Meetings with my friends. I am energized by ministry planning. I love it. Today, I got to hang with some wonderful people who love Jesus....and love the thought of connecting others to Jesus. What a wonderful start to the day!

continued from "things I love". see 1-8 below :)

I love

#9

Today is February 9, 2010. So that means I am on task as of NOW :)...since I am writing about #9.

Today I want to be thankful for a warm home. I am grateful. As I ran some errands today in the cold, snowy, wet weather...it was refreshing to come up the hill and see my house. I knew that I was almost home....in the warmth....in the comfort of my own home. There is no where quite like home. No where. It used to exist for me outside this house. Before mom died. I still dream about what it would be like to pack up my kids (whom she never met) and take them along with Aaron and sweet Molly to see my mom and dad for the weekend. What would she do with them? What would she bake? What toy or outfit would she have bought them while she was away from them? Would she be louder than they would be when they first saw each other?? They say "you cant miss what you didnt have"...but, I do.

I am grateful that I have a house...and I am even more grateful that it is a HOME. Candles burning...something baking...bubble baths, bleach, laundry, crockpots, iced tea, warm tea, a broken dishwasher, wooden floors, painted walls, the stocked fridge, tableclothes, messy cabinets, the sound of the boys wrestling in the other room, toys on the floor. It is home. Good and bad...messy and clean...it is still home.

I want to preserve "home" for my kids. I want to always have "home" waiting for them each day....even when it is loud and grumpy. :) Still....it is "home".

I want to live long enough for them to bring their kids to me and Aaron. For us to be louder than they are when they arrive. I want to give them that gift :)

Home.

A place.

A feeling.

A blessing.

A gift.

I am so grateful for HOME.

I love...

#8

I love the seasons. I am totally in favor of each season having its own time. I mean, that is even Biblical, isnt it? (Eccles. 3:1)

I love how the snow is nestled in the woods right now. How the snow rests on the evergreens. Even the bare trees look beautiful. Seasons remind me that things change...that renewal happens. There is a sense of stillness in winter time. Is in almost like nature is in awe of God's extreme presence. It is captivating.

I love....#7

I love....

#7 - I love A Reason To Cook. Cooking with purpose is a favorite thing of mine. Cooking for a family event...a holiday...a special day...friends...is so fun for me. I love planning the menu and being with everyone. It is so thrilling to find that special recipe too. My favorite recent one: Lemon Pasta (A Barefoot Contessa recipe shared with me from my dear friend, Kelly.) It is amazzzzzzzing!

See my February Blogs (Dwelling on the things I love 1-6) below:

So, I am reading my friends blog (Kelly, "The Feathered Nest") and I see that she is inspired to spend the month of February dwelling on things we love. I too, must join in! I am 6 "days late to this party" sooooo here goes....my first 6 and then, I will try to keep on task for the month :)


I love:


#1 My real God. I am so thankful that God loves me. A real love. I am thankful that He is for me...and that I dont have to be afraid of Him, but I can embrace Him as my biggest fan. He loves me unconditionally to the extent that I need NO words to explain myself to Him. Grace is wonderful. His love is overwhelming.



#2 My family. God gave me the best husband in the world. I am serious. I totally won. He is amazing in how he loves me and our boys. I want to be the wife that God wants him to have. My boys challange me to truly BE the person that God wants me to be. Every move I make influences them. No pressure there! :P



#3 My Goldendoodle. Molly is God-sent. Another reminder of how God loves me and cares about the details of my life. She is SUCH a gift!!




#4 My laptop. Ok. I know that I am not being deep here....but I love the fact that I can connect with others in a click of a mouse :)




#5 My friends. And NO...these are in NO particular order...for those friends that are reading. It is just what is coming to mind at the moment. Where was I? Oh...friends. I am so blessed with AMAZING friends who love me. God has placed blessings in my life...and I am in awe. I get to "do life" with great, genuine people.



#6 Music. It connects my soul to God. It connects my soul to the moment....the memory... What a gift music is to my heart!



Ok...so there are my first 6 ...to catch up with the date 2-6-2010. This will be a great thing to do for me....to remind me of what is GOOD in my life. We all need a reminder sometimes, huh?

Molly Doodle sporting her cool hair due!

I Cannot be trusted with a full can of frosting

I Cannot be trusted with a full can of frosting...

I made cupcakes for a group of friends the other night. I made 24 cupcakes...and left two of them unfrosted....because I could not see opening the other full can of frosting for 2 cupcakes.

I found myself the next day....frosting the 2 last cupcakes....really thick...and eating them both!! I love frosting. One main reason I love birthdays? FROSTING on the birthday cake.
Cake....it is really just a way to deliver the frosting to your mouth.

It never fails....if I know that a can of frosting is in the house...I will open it and slowing enjoy it spoonful by spoonful...until it is gone.