And since their dad is a sweets-freak … they were all over surprising him with something fun!

In the end, I talked Piper out of bringing these for her upcoming birthday treat to making the class some whoopie pies instead!  Whoopie!! ;)

So … it’s Safari Day.  CJ had to leave at some ungodly hour in the morning to catch a flight and I was at it alone with the kiddos.  I was running late, not feeling great {MS symptoms flaring up} and needed to get everyone dressed up in safari gear and make sure we had all accouterments in hand as we rushed out the door.  Hence bugles for breakfast in the car!

So I’m in the shower and miss Hunter starts knocking and saying something.  I couldn’t hear her and what, with my rush and all … I felt a little annoyance rising.  She sat there patiently until I turned the water off.  I asked what she was saying and she asked me to “draw” her a heart.

Honestly, I was in a hurry and didn’t want to spare the … oh, TWO seconds it would take to draw a heart!

But I decided in that moment to push the pause button on my rising stress and put a little joy in my baby’s day.

So I drew her a heart.  And then I put her initial in the center of it.

This was the image I saw.  She radiated pure joy at the sight of seeing that heart.  I smiled.  I forgot we were in a rush.  The chaos around me faded.

The gift I’d like to unwrap for you today is the gentle reminder that these small everyday pleasures or gestures take no time at all … but yet they mean the world to the ones we love.

What can you do today to “press pause” and add an unexpected moment of joy to your {or someone you love} life?

{and maybe I do shower with a camera!}

I’ve gotten some comments and emails about others who have the book, but it’s collecting dust.  For about a year, mine did too.  But when I picked it up again and decided I was determined to do it, be open to the words, be open to looking within, and most importantly … let the Lord convict me … my marriage has been blessed beyond measure!

I’d like to dive in a little deeper and share some of the things I’ve learned … so grab some coffee! ;)

Most important … this book has taught me about unconditional love.  Unconditional.  No conditions.  No matter what … you love.

The first “dare” is about patience.  “When you choose to be patient,
you respond in a positive way to a negative situation.”

The second, kindness.  “If patience is how love reacts in order to minimize a negative
circumstance, kindness is how love acts to maximize a positive circumstance.
Patience avoids a problem; kindness creates a blessing.”
“Love makes you kind.  And kindness makes you likable.”

Third, unselfishness.  “If there were ever a word that basically means the
opposite of love, it is selfishness.”  “The bottom line is that you either
make decisions out of love for others or love for yourself.”

And so it goes …

You know the statement, “be the change you want to see” ? … never more true than in a marriage.

CJ and I have been through stuff.  Icky stuff.  Hard stuff.  Challenging stuff.  And I’m not talking about him throwing a wet towel on the outfit I’ve just picked out to wear for the day {oh yes he does!}, nor am I talking about leaving a fresh box of cereal out on the counter wide open and left to get stale {oh yes I do!}.  I’m talking about stuff that divorces are made of.  Deal-breakers if you will.

Only thing?  I’ve learned there are no deal-breakers in a godly marriage.

Various times in our marriage … almost from the beginning, we had some deal-breaker things to work through.  But it was maybe 3 years ago … something happened to rock my world {in a bad way}.  I questioned, “How much is too much?”  “When is it okay to say I’d had enough?”  “How much more am I supposed to forgive and endure?”

My dear friend Lori, in all her wisdom, told me God wanted me in it for the long haul.  It boils down to forgiveness, or love if you will … and you can read Matthew 18:21-22 for that.  Basically for as long as it takes or how ever many times it takes.

After that conversation, I’d realized I had my “hand on the doorknob” so to speak.  And as much as we can all deny that.  I think in today’s culture, it’s the norm.  “I’m not happy, so I’m leaving … I’m moving on … I deserve happiness.”  I’m the first to admit that was my mindset in my first marriage.

But once I took my hand off that doorknob and realized that I am 100% committed … I fought.  And I’m still fighting.  And it’s not easy.  But I’m committed.  I’m not leaving.  The song I’ve posted below speaks to this …

And because of this book {and God’s blessings!}, I can honestly say {at this moment-in-time}, my marriage has never been stronger than it has the last few weeks.  And believe me! if you knew {and I’ll tell all one day} what we’ve endured, you’d be shaking your head in disbelief right now.

CJ’s noticed a change in me.  In fact, he recently told our counselor that he’s feeling guilty because he feels he’s being left behind in the “happiness” category and is trying to catch up.

Little sidebar: when we met, I was “happy Tracie” … but happy Tracie has fallen apart of the years and it’s been a complaint of his for a long time now.  He wants “happy Tracie” back.  Crazy!  But it’s his wish.  Anyway … she’s back!!  At this moment-in-time … she’s honestly, truly, and purely back.

Okay … so here are some things that I’ve learned in reading this book:

Love is patient
Love is kind
Love is not selfish
Love is thoughtful
Love is not rude
Love is not irritable {can I get an amen!?}
Love believes the best
Love is not jealous
Love makes good impressions
Love is unconditional
Love cherishes
Love lets the other win
Love fights fair
Love takes delight
Love is honorable
Love intercedes
Love promotes intimacy
Love seeks to understand
Love is impossible {without God}
Love is Jesus Christ
Love is satisfied in God
Love is faithful
Love always protects
Love vs. lust
Love forgives
Love is responsible
Love encourages
Love makes sacrifices
Love’s motivation
Love brings unity
Love meets sexual needs
Love completes each other
Love celebrates godliness
Love is accountable
Love is God’s Word
Love agrees in prayer
Love fulfills dreams
Love endures
Love is a covenant

I came across this song recently and found it so encouraging!  So true!  So in line with what I’m learning and living!  I pray you’ll take the time to listen, to read the lyrics, and let the Lord speak to you and your marriage through it.

For those of you that have the book … blow off the dust and open it up.  For those of you that are curious … head over to amazon and pick it up!  Come on … I dare you! ;)

One last thought from the book, “Learning to truly love is one of the most important things you will ever do.”

Love Is Not A Fight {Warren Barfield}
Love is not a place
To come and go as we please
It’s a house we enter in
Then commit to never leave

So lock the door behind you
Throw away the key
We’ll work it out together
Let it bring us to our knees

{Chorus}
Love is a shelter in a raging storm
Love is peace in the middle of a war
And if we try to leave, may God send angels to guard the door
No, love is not a fight but it’s something worth fighting for

To some, love is a word
That they can fall into
But when they’re falling out
Keeping that word is hard to do

{Chorus}

Love will come to save us
If we’ll only call
He will ask nothing from us
But demand we give our all

{Chorus}

I will fight for you
Would you fight for me?
It’s worth fighting for

My friend Tiff sent me this even that Chipotle is sponsoring for MS.

Six Chipotle locations throughout Wisconsin will be donating 50% of your purchase when you present the coordinating flyer to them on Tuesday, March 9 between 4-8:00pm

Each participating location requires their own flyer.  Please click on the appropriate following city to download the flyer:

Appleton
Madison :: East Washington & Frontage Rd.
Madison :: State Street
Milwaukee :: Bluemound & Moorland Rd.
Milwaukee :: 124th & Capitol
Racine

Please pass this info on … and if you don’t live in Wisconsin, but know someone that does … go ahead and forward this to them.  We need to do all we can!

I just seriously can’t even describe the abundance of feelings that went through me when I saw this!  To put it plain and simple … it was 4:45ish in the morning, I’d just finished my prayer time … prayer that included this blog … when I started checking my reader, and got to the Internet Cafe Devotion post announcing the “winners” and to click through to view them.  I half-heartedly thought, “oh, alright” … and what followed, I’m not sure I can fully explain.

Oh geesh, that wasn’t putting it plain and simple, was it?  Okay, here’s my point … I immediately started bawling.  Like the ugly cry.  I cried out to the Lord.  I thanked Him.  I blessed Him.  I asked Him to work in me in a way that would even surprise me.  I committed to glorify Him with all I do here.

And talk about God’s perfect timing?

I have to think that other bloggers feel this way … I sometimes get discouraged.  I sometimes feel bloggie pressure, envy even.  And believe me, I’m on my knees for that one!  Sometimes I measure my worth by the comments given.  Sometimes I feel empty … what can I possibly say that someone else wants to hear?

But the Lord is good.

As I’ve mentioned … I have been praying.  A lot.  About this blog.  This place that I claim is a source of inspiration.  I pray I’m doing right in the eyes of God.  I don’t want this to be a self-motivated or self-fulfilling place.

And right when I’m feeling down, I get a few emails from readers … that I didn’t know … telling me that I’ve been inspiring them.  More importantly, and this was the “ah-ha I-wanna-keep-doing-this moment” for me … I’ve been witnessing to them.  Through this blog, my faith has been a witness to others.  That gives me shivers just thinking about it.

And then.

This “award.”  I feel so completely blessed.  I’ve loved “meeting” new people already!  Other bloggers listed, people clicking through for fresh inspiration … I feel so blessed to be a part of it.

It’s crazy how my reader is now being filled with more and more inspirational and Christian blogs, while the stationery and design blogs don’t seem to hold as much value to me anymore.

I love how the Lord works!

Thank you … everyone that voted … thank you!  Lord God … thank You for giving me a voice.

They were allowed to bring stuffed animals, blankets, books and even a tent!  And of course safari attire was required.

Early in the week, the girls started planning what things they were going to bring … which included lugging in two over-sized stuffed animals … as big as the girls!

I found these cute costumes around the web.  And given that I’m not a procrastinator, I didn’t even have to use overnight shipping.  Yeah.  ;)

Okay, here’s the thing.  As excited as the girls were, Piper had a bit of a diva moment meltdown when it came time to get ready.  I couldn’t find outfits that were the same for all 3 girls, in each of their sizes.  So Hunter got something different than what Wynter and Piper got.  Her’s was actually a cute little skirt with a monkey that velcroed around her body.

But the other girls got these super cool sunglasses!  Didn’t matter.  She wasn’t happy.  She put some other outfit on … leggings with a plaid shirt and had all kinds of drama going on.

Admittedly, I did a bit of huffing and even gave a godly talk on appreciation and a thankful heart.  Then examined my own.

I realized she was struggling and a hot mess of fashion vs. sensibility.  So we worked through it.  I explained that tomorrow was going to be casual day, so she could wear the beloved outfit then.  We worked together and found a different pair of shorts.  And despite the sad Piper eyes {behind the knock-off RayBans}, she had a great day!

OH! until a girl in her class told her ever-so-matter-of-factly, “No offense, but you have weird legs and your shorts are weird too.”  Yeah.  But that’s a whole different post … so don’t even get me going!

AND! do you remember this post?  I talked about the joy I found in listening to the girls singing worship songs … well … I got it on video yesterday!  It warms my heart over and over and over and over and over and … :)

The video might have been better if the baby wasn’t trying to sing through eating bugles for breakfast!

Anyway.  So she has this over-achieving little thing she does … theme of the week … please let it be known that I think it’s “all that” and more!  I’ve pretty much told her so, when she ever so innocently suggested “I try one and hey! maybe I could even guest post on her site.”  No offense, but that’s just some sort of crazy talk as far as I’m concerned!

I kind of get the prickly sweats of anxiety {and don’t go pretending you don’t know what I’m talking about!} looking through her themes and photographs!  Nevertheless, she patiently encouraged me and gave me some great suggestions.

I figured I should get a couple of “themes” under my belt before I go thinking I’m guest post worthy! ;)

So!  What to theme?  Well … when I decided to try something, we were smack dab in the middle of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.  Perfect!

Bonus that there was lots of inspiration around the web that I could draw on.  And as you’ll see … there was one particular team we were supporting!

Color sorting and cake making with Hunter

Learning Fun: sorting; spelling; and patterns

We also learned the meaning behind the Olympic flag & it’s rings {pretty cool stuff!}

Snack time:  food the color of the Olympic rings; cake with M&M colored rings; bagels with cream cheese
colored rings; star-shaped cutout cookies; oreo cookies {disguised as silver medals}

{note to self: disclose to kids if something that looks like frosting, isn’t frosting … especially if it’s cream cheese}

Crafts & Activities:  bracelets; baking; torch & medals

Activities: torch relay; medal ceremony

Games: balloon races; cracker whistling contest

Book: tacky & the winter games

Ideas & Inspiration:
Food crafts :: Taste of Home
Olympic flag lesson :: A to Z Kids Stuff
Torch & Medals :: Alpha Mom
Bracelets :: No Time for Flashcards

Who needs gold?

Takeaway Thoughts: I’ve seen Katherine’s themes for a few months now and would sort of stress myself out
wanting to do it “just like her.”  Kind of that whole bloggie pressure thing.  Why oh why do we do that to ourselves?

It almost seemed like such an overwhelming thing to do, that I didn’t even want to give it a try.  I didn’t want to “fail”
so I didn’t even try.  Not cool.

Thanks to Katherine’s gentle encouraging … I’m so incredibly happy I gave it a go!  I gotta be honest, I’m not happy
with my photos and of course the crafts could’ve been better and on and on I go.

But wait a minute … even as I’m writing this post, I’m smiling looking back on this time we spent together.
And remembering how excited the girls were each night coming home and wondering what the days “theme” would bring.
How we laughed and laughed at them trying to waddle with a balloon between their legs.  And how Wynter just came up and saw
these photos and starting smiling and talking about the things we did together.

And that’s what it’s all about.  Family time.  Fun time.  Building memories.

We’re definitely going to be doing this again.

{images via twistband}

We were traveling a few months ago and I found these awesome hairbands in the hotel gift store.  I love, love, love them!  They’re super stretchy and comfy.  The headbands don’t squeeze your head so tight that you get a headache {feel me?}.

Sadly, I’ve lost two of the three I bought and had no idea where I could find them again.  “Losing” things tends to happen when you live with four other girls.  Especially when the youngest of them has a tendency to “shop” in your bathroom and closet.  Yeah.

Anyway, I’ve actually been contemplating calling the hotel we stayed in, to see if I could order more from the gift store.

Hold up!  Yet one more reason I love the blog world … I totally can’t remember where I saw them {sorry!}, I was just too excited and immediately ordered more!

So yeah … if you’re looking for a totally-awesome-looking and comfy-to-boot headband … look no further … Twistband has it all!

Today I’m joining Emily at chatting at the sky to unwrap one simple word.  Aware.

Awareness.

What does it mean to be aware or have awareness?  It means you educate yourself.

How many of you really know what Multiple Sclerosis is?  I sure didn’t.  And why is it, we don’t feel the need to educate ourselves on something until it affects us or hits close to home?

So sad really.  And trust me … I’m not pointing any fingers here.  I’m as ignorant much to blame as the next guy.

But what a gift we have in all of the tools available to us … instantly, at our fingertips … to make us aware.  To help educate us.

The National MS Society is hosting an MS Awareness Week {March 8-14} with ways to “move it toward a world free of MS.”  I urge you to follow the awareness link to find ways you can make a difference {MS Walk, MS Bike, volunteering, donating}.

Other ways to raise MS awareness?  Consider:

1. Using one of the MS badges as your Facebook, MySpace or Twitter profile pic.
2. Using a Twibbon on your current profile pic.
3. Using one of these downloads as your email signature.
4. Putting a banner, button, or badge on your blog or website and forward information to everyone you know to do the same.  Heck, you could even post about it! ;)
5. “Donating” your Facebook status and profile pic during MS Awareness week with the following status:  {your name} is donating {his or her} status to MS Awareness Week: www.nationalmssociety.org/msawarenessweek

If you’d like to do any one of these things, but have questions or can’t work the download, etc.  Please don’t hesitate to leave a comment, or drop me a note.  I’m more than willing to help out!

One last thing … I’ve put together an MS Walk team … {stier}ing For A Cure … do you love it? ;)  We’re walking on April 18.  My beautiful friend wrote a post about it here.  You can use her link to donate or join the team.  Or you can go to my personal page to donate or join the team.

And … I realize not everyone can donate funds … but the very least we can and should do … is raise awareness.  And quite honestly … I don’t mean just for my cause, but for every cause.  Now that would be a gift we could unwrap for someone everyday.

I posted this video last August.  Reading over that post … I feel like I’ve come so far.  Minus the fact that, in that post I say that I haven’t cried that much about my diagnosis {while watching video}. since my diagnosis.  Quite honestly, I just watched it again … and I don’t think I’ve cried as much as I just did {about my diagnosis}, since the last time I watched it.

I’m not sure what it is … but it just gets me.  I really hope you’ll take the time to watch this very important video.  And I especially hope that you’ll take the time to educate yourself and raise awareness on a cause that is new to you {whether that’s MS, a disease, the environment, the global water crisis, or even the local food shelter down your street}.

“Faith means being sure of the things we hope for and knowing that
something is real even if we do not see it.”  Hebrews 11:1

Faith is the belief that God is real and that God is good.  It is a choice to believe that the one who made it all hasn’t left it all and that he still sends light into the shadows and responds to gestures of faith.

Faith is the belief that God will do what is right.

God says that the more hopeless your circumstances, the more likely, your salvation.  The greater your cares, the more genuine your prayers.  The darker the room, the greater the need for light.

God’s help is near and always available, but it is only given to those who seek it.

{via max lucado, grace for the moment, volume 1}