I created a blog button...

I seriously can't believe I just did this. Gosh, I really miss working in an IT department where the guys would show me how to do things like this. Instead, I just kept working at it until I figured it out on my own.

Voila. A blog button. Complete with HTML code.

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I read a post by Elizabeth about a family of five living on $1200 for the month of June. I thought that sounded like a great challenge, and I wanted to join her in this endeavor. I also told her she needed a blog button, so I started playing around with it.

It was fun!

So here's to my new button making ability. And to my $1200 budget challenge!

<center><a target="_blank" href="http://www.trenchesofmommyhood.blogspot.com/"><img src="http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk192/chrissyrenee79/SAVINGS4.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />

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<a target="_blank" href="http://thefabulousmrshaid.blogspot.com/2010/08/go-blogs-go-youre-cordially-invited-to.html"><img src="http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk192/chrissyrenee79/blog%20awards/blogmeetup-1-2-1.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><p><br />

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Falsely Accused

Christian Devotional by Pastor Cecil Thompson

Matthew 5:11-12

"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."

Have you ever encountered a situation where you were pronounced guilty before a "trial" or without being able to even explain yourself? Let me share with you [an incident] that I had to encounter.

[It] happened to me when I pastored a church in Oregon. When I came to the church I learned that a young woman cleaned the church each week. She did not attend the church, but that was agreeable with the church board.

After I had been there about a year I heard that this young lady had accepted a position at the local lumber mill. I called her to determine what her plans were as far as continuing the job at the church. As I spoke with her on the phone I heard her brother in the background say I had called to fire her! The family became incensed that I had "fired' her by phone instead of meeting her face to face.

Even though I repeatedly explained that we did not want her to quit, but just were interested in her plans—in their minds I was the dirty guy who fired her!

Perhaps most people have encountered a similar situation. The thing that hurts the most is that nothing can be said that will convince our accusers that we are not at fault for what has happened.

That brings us to the implication of today’s Scripture. HOW ARE WE TO REACT WHEN PEOPLE FALSELY ACCUSE US?

In this portion of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, He says that we are to rejoice! What?! How can we rejoice when we are innocent and are being falsely accused? The answer is simple—because Jesus says that is what we are to do!

The world is anxious to see believers who act differently in the face of adverse situations. To give sincere praise in the face of adversity and unprovoked attack is the most powerful witness we can give.

In Acts, chapters six and seven, we read about a faithful servant of the Lord named Stephen. Not only did he wait on tables to distribute food, but he was full of the Lord’s grace and power to perform mighty works.

In spite of his faithful service he was arrested and accused of blasphemy. Even in the face of severe consequences he proclaimed the pure Word of truth. He was stoned to death, but he never reacted with resentment toward those who were killing him.

What were the last recorded words of Stephen as he was being pounded to death by those wicked stones? "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." That, dear heart, is the kind of testimony this old sin-sick world is waiting to observe!

Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!

-Pastor Ceci

No Secrets

I'm electing to answer just one of the questions on Mama M's Five Question Friday today.



If you had $100 handed to you in cash without your significant other knowing about it, what would you spend it on?

First of all, I find the wording of this question either interesting or disturbing. I'm guessing some might think I'm weird for saying so, but it implies that I would hide this $100 from my husband. Even as an adult, I have been given money for my birthday (for example) and I have never hidden the amount from Josh. I have always opened the card, looked at the check or cash and said, "Wow, honey, so-and-so sent me [this amount]! Wonder what I should do?" And then we often use it on a night out together.

When asked "Have you ever lied about how much you paid for a purchase to your spouse?" 66% said "of course" in a Redbook Survey.

If you argue with your spouse about money once a week, your marriage is 30% more likely to end in divorce. -National Marriage Project

I honestly don't understand the concept of keeping money issues a secret from my spouse. As Dave Ramsey calls it, it's financial infidelity. I remember once seeing an episode of Oprah (don't throw something at me for watching her) where a woman - who was married to a man making a six digit income - had maxed out tons of credit cards equaling over $100,000 in debt. He just didn't understand why she would do this because he was more than willing to give her basically whatever she wanted.

Yes, there are independence issues with someone like the woman in that case. I find myself feeling the need for a little financial independence as well since I am a stay-at-home mom who does not work outside the home or earn any income on my own. If this is an issue, I believe open communication about these feelings is so crucial. I once heard someone say that her husband paid her on a bi-weekly basis. Some call it their allowance. I realize that some women might think this is old fashioned or unliberated, but if our family has decided that the best thing for me to do is stay home and put all of my time and energy into our children and our home, I think the concept of Josh putting aside some money just for me is a wonderful way to show his appreciation for me and to give me a since of financial independence that I would otherwise not have.

We have joint accounts, so anything I spend or anything Josh spends is not going to be hidden. Neither of us have credit cards. We are in this together. No secrets.

So if I were to reword the question, I might say, "If you were given $100 to spend however you wanted, how would you spend it?"

And the answer would be...I'd either save it and buy myself some new clothes when I reach my goal weight (I'm feeling more determined lately) or I would use it for a night out with my husband!

No secrets.

***

A Reason, a Season, or a Lifetime

I remember reading this as a college student and thinking it made sense to me. But now I realize that reading it as a 30-year-old woman is far different than reading it as a 19-year-old girl.

A Reason, a Season, or a Lifetime

People come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. When you figure out which one it is, you will know exactly what to do.

When someone is in your life for a REASON . . . It is usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally, or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend, and they are! They are there for the reason you need them to be.

Then, without any wrong doing on your part, or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end.

Sometimes they die.
Sometimes they walk away.
Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand.

What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered. And now it is time to move on.

When people come into your life for a SEASON . . . Because your turn has come to share, grow, or learn. They bring you an experience of peace, or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it! It is real! But, only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons; things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person, and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life. It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.

***


"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven." Ecclesiastes 3:1

Wordless Wednesday

Josh took Caleb and Sarah for a day of fun in the sun with mini-golf and go-carts! April 10, 2010.

A Story of a Friendship

If you're married and have small children, do you have a "couple" friend who you and your spouse visit with from time to time? You know...you take your children to their house one night and hang out, and then maybe the next time they bring their children with them to yours? I hope you do. Those are wonderful friendships to have.

Did your parents do this?

My dad had a childhood friend named Jim who grew up to be one of his groomsmen. Through the years they stayed in touch, and between the years of 1984 and 1992, we lived in Rolla, and so did my dad's friend and his family. Every now and then we would get together; his daughters were my age - one was exactly one year older (we share a birthday!) and the other is a few months younger but the same school year. I remember playing with dolls, playing school, playing house. Whatever little girls can come up with. We don't remember for sure, but we think we may have played on the same softball team during summer youth league; if not, we definitely played against each other.

When our family moved away, I no longer kept in touch with the girls. My dad continued to get his hair cut in Rolla, though, because he loved his barber. On those Thursdays every other month, he would schedule his hair cut on the same day and time as Jim. This is how they got to see each other even though they had busy schedules with work and family.

Jim's name would come up from time to time in conversation, and I would wonder what ever happened to those girls I used to play with. I wondered what they were doing, and I wondered if they would remember me.

Then arrived the magic of facebook.

One day I saw that a girl had posted a comment on a picture of a mutual friend, and since her maiden name was listed, I decided to send her a message. It was something like this:

Hey Erin, I know this is totally random, but I noticed your maiden name is Ramsey. Are you by chance Jim Ramsey's daughter? This is Bill V's daughter. I hope you remember me.

She replied with the sweetest message. She said she did remember me, she was Jim's youngest, and she sent my message to her sister, Maegan, asking if she remembered. What I didn't realize was that I was seeing Maegan every Tuesday and Thursday at Caleb's preschool! She had a daughter who also attended there, but I didn't even realize it.

Of course we added each other on facebook and have been keeping in touch for about two years now. We've joked about this and that, but we've also shared about more serious things like parenting, our faith, and our families.

And on Saturday, Maegan and I were finally able to spend time together in real life.

I wondered what it would be like. Our personalities seemed so similar when we would send each other messages or chat. Even on the phone it seemed like I'd always known her - I guess technically I always have! And our road trip - 3 hours down and 3 hours back - seemed like I was talking to a friend that I had talked to every day since I was 12. We had fun, and it was really nice to connect with not only that little girl that I used to know, but connect with another Christian mother who has the same vision for her children and her family.

Thanks, Maegan, for being a Godly woman that I can turn to. I loved our trip together.

And Erin, I loved seeing you, too. I look forward to seeing you again sometime soon, maybe when you come up to visit!

My Movie Monday {Singing With Kids}

I like to sing. The people who know me in real life - specifically if we've gone to church together - understand this about me. It's not that I'd try out for American Idol or anything - besides the fact that I'm too old now - but I do love to lead in worship if given the opportunity.

Or sometimes sing with my children.


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These are not exactly examples of videos I'd send in to try out for America's Got Talent, but these have been times when my kids and I have had way too much fun with a simple song. Remember this post where I confessed which commerical was currently my favorite? Well, my kids liked it, too. We had way too much fun with that one.




Also, there is a song that my kids know, only because it's on one of their favorite movies, that they love singing. Sarah decided to make it her own by emphasizing a part of the lyrics. I'd recommend not having the volume up too loud on this one!





I hope you've captured something fun this week! Link up if you have!

I'll take Bob. Or Jillian.

Yes, I am somewhat selective of which Five Question Fridays I participate in. But guess what? I'm participating today.



1. Do you have an iPhone and, if so, how do you get apps and what are your favorites? No, I do not have an iPhone, but my husband has an iPod touch, and he downloads apps every now and then. I'm not sure if movies are considered apps, but Josh has downloaded several of the Pixar shorts, and they are so cute and funny. Plus, the kids love them.

2. What is your fondest memory of K-3rd grade? When I started kindergarten, my mom was a little over 8 months pregnant with my sister. If memory serves me correctly, this was my mom's first year at the school she was teaching - the same school she still teaches at today! It was a Friday morning on September 20, 1985 that I remember my mom deciding to stay home instead of going to work. Since I was only 5-years-old, I didn't realize that her staying home probably meant she felt that the baby was on it's way that day. I rode to school with one of my mom's co-workers, and that afternoon as I stood in line to meet her and go home, I saw her come out of the office and say, "Chrissy! You have a baby sister!" I was so excited. Who knew it would take about 12 years and my leaving for college for us to actually decide to like each other! :o)

3. What makes you cringe at the thought of touching. The first thing that pops into my head is when something falls into the kitchen sink and I have to pull it out...like a knife or a spoon. I think I just have a huge fear that the garbage disposal is going to spontaneously turn on all by itself. I know. So dumb. But I really do think that every time.

4. If you could have any celebrity show up at your doorstep, who would it be and why? Easy. Jillian or Bob. I'd prefer Bob. But I'd take Jillian, too. And you know why.

5. What would you say is your best physical feature? I would have to say my eyes. My sister would say my lips - because she says they are like Angelina Jolie's, and I didn't pay to have them done or anything (you're so funny, Sonja). I used to love my legs and am working to get them back to "Barbie" status like they used to be - because I am 5'9 but have the same inseam as my dad who is 6'5 - you could say I'm all legs. You can tell more so when I'm thinner, like in this picture from my senior year in high school.














By the way, this is a great example of an illegal pitch. The back foot is to remain on the ground throughout the entire pitch. Something about flying through the air causes an unfair advantage? :o)


Happy weekend to you.

Racing Thoughts

Last night I woke up at around 1:30 am with an overwhelming feeling of anxiety. This is not normal for me, I have never had panic attacks or anxiety attacks - especially over something as ridiculous as what was on my mind.

As you may recall, I won two prizes from the Ultimate Blog Party over at 5 Minutes for Mom. Since I already had a large Scentsy burner, I decided that since it was the end of the AWANA year, I would give one away last night to Caleb's Cubbies director after awards night. I also had a small one that I purchased back in December that I never used, so I gave that one to Sarah's Puggles director. They make nice gifts, and I thought they would enjoy them as much as me.

When I handed one to Sarah's Puggles director, I explained to her what it was, and she asked, "Is it a really strong scent?"

"Well, it can be, but you can easily adjust how strong it is by cutting the little squares in half," I responded. I also told her that I had a smoother scent at my house if she wanted to trade. Evidently she has asthma or some sort of breathing condition where strong smells can cause her to have trouble breathing.

And would you believe, that is what was racing through my mind at 1:30 am. I couldn't stop thinking about the fact that I gave something to someone that they might not be able to use. I felt guilty for not knowing that she couldn't have a Scentsy burner.

Then I began to think about the smaller gifts I gave to the "leaders" in Caleb and Sarah's class. (There are "directors" and "leaders" - all of which are important, but I was trying to be pracitcal with the gifts, and so it may have appeared that the directors got something "bigger"). I began wondering if they would think I didn't care as much or if I thought less of them as leaders.

Over and over these thoughts went through my mind. I think my heart started racing a bit, my mind was thinking quickly, my stomach even started to turn. After allowing myself to be consumed with something so petty for over an hour, I got up, went to our bathroom, and took two Tylenol PM capsules, hoping it would make me feel better and help me sleep.

It did.

I barely remember my alarm going off at 5:40 am to meet Kim for our run. But I do remember hearing rain, so I turned it off, rolled over, and quickly fell back to sleep. Good thing it was raining, Kim, I would have been a doped up running buddy this morning. I didn't even hear Josh get up to get ready for work, and that is not normal for me. I usually at least hear the shower start. He kissed me goodbye and said that all of the kids were awake. I knew I needed to pry myself out of bed.

After reflecting on why I was awake last night, I couldn't understand why I was so upset and so consumed with anxiety over something so small. It doesn't bother me now the way it did at 1:30 am. Why did my thoughts race like that at night?

Has this ever happened to you?

(Somewhat) Wordless Wednesday

The woman, having had a rough day at home with her children, became a little spiteful when the husband asked, "Why can't you water the dog?" So she did. Mommy style.