Journey to a Gracious Woman

Our culture seems to misunderstand what it means to be feminine. As a result, a confused sex goes around not knowing what attributes are meant for us, created by God, and which are meant for men. I have read what others’ takes are about being “feminine” – what they believe that to mean to them. I am not interested in giving my opinion, just the facts. I decided to look up the word feminine, along with femininity and feminism to see just how closely related they are or what makes them different. As you can see, I’ve laid out the definitions for you below, courtesy of dictionary.reference.com.

Feminine is defined by dictionary.com as:

femininity is defined as:

…of course, I didn’t think to get ANY pictures because I’m so GOOD at remembering things like that!

Anyhoo! I hosted 10 other people (family) and I think it went really well. Everything went smoothly…even though the turkey finished an hour earlier then expected (and per package directions! But it really was DONE!) But we really didn’t notice too much…we ate so well it carried over into the evening! We had delicious, gourmet coffee that we bought esp. for the holidays. All the food was delicious! The turkey was moist…no complaints here! Probably the biggest challenge was deciding what movie we were going to watch and decision was never full agreed upon.

Now, Jon and I are earnestly doing our Christmas shopping for the kids. We are being rather proactive this year about it…and actually choosing “toys” most people wouldn’t choose. In fact, many of them you can’t even buy in the local stores! I have to get them off the internet. I just like toys that encourage creative play and basically don’t like toys that do the “work” for you. Simply put…anything that makes noise is a ‘no-go’. I have seriously noticed how fast those toys get set aside compared to toys that encourage imaginitive play: where the noisy toys say the same thing over and over no matter which day you pick them up, imaginitive toys can be and do whatever strikes a child’s fancy on any given day! If my son wants the blocks to build a city, they can build a city…if he wants them to build a farm, they can build a farm. He can make them into whatever he wants. Cars, trucks, trains (w/out batteries) are wonderful hands and knees toys.

I used to think stuffed animals were the worst toys ever – and they are if you have figurines and baby dolls that talk already. However, if you don’t, stuffed animals and plush can create wonderful imaginative play! They can have tea parties, a simple bear can be turned into a child’s favorite story time character such as Corduroy. I was even tempted to buy the “Corduroy” bear for my eldest because she likes the stories and created her own Corduroy using a bear and finding boy overalls from her doll clothes! I decided there was no reason to stifle her imagination!

For more wonderful toy ideas, visit Best Child Toys and Games.

Delish, eh?!

I baked 6 dozen of these wonderous chocolate chip cookies and gave 5 dozen away to our surrounding neighbors. We went out, as a family last night, knocked on each door and simply presented them with a plate of cookies and said “Happy Thanksgiving”. I was rather astonished at all their astonishment! I guess we no longer live in an age where being a friendly neighbor is……well…….normal. Either way, it took us out of our comfort zone, but I loved every bit of it! I loved being able to dumbfound people with kindness and blessing! I plan to do the same for Christmas, only we will present them with a loaf of gingerbread.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

The pine cones are scented with the aroma of cinnamon–

Visit www.5minutesformom.com for more Wordless Wednesdays!

Today was my second attempt at getting up at 5am, and though I didn’t make it as far, I was much closer than I was yesterday! It definately takes practice and routine to do it! It may take some time but I will plan  for it every morning! And I look forward to sharing my mornings here afterwards.

Well, it’s the holidays! Besides doing cleaning to have guests over, there will be baking…lots of baking. Since we are fairly new to our neighborhood, I thought I might make cookies for our surrounding neighbors to say “hello” and sign our names so everyone knows them! I started this feat last night, but have several more batches to make by tomorrow evening, Then, as a family, we will knock on the door of each neighbor and deliver them some goodies!

So, here is a wondeful pic of what I need to tackle today–

4 more batches to go!

This is just your typical Tollhouse cookie – recipe is found right on the bag of chocolate chips!

To see more Tackle It Tuesdays, click the button above! Happy Tackling!

(I notice a trend with me, I tend to blog about what I plan to tackle, not what I’ve already tackled. It’s just that I can’t think that far ahead! LOL Perhaps once all the cookies are baked, I’ll update the post and show a pic of just a line up of cookies on my counter!

Hey everyone! I want to shed some light on some awesome giveaways over at www.5minutesformom.com!  They are doing so many giveaways that I cannot even list them all here, but among them here are a few:

100 Gift Card to Sears
Wooden Animal Set
HP Photosmart D5460 Printer
Lands’ End Giveaway

Click on the button above to find out all the details of what you need to do to enter and have fun!!!
Plus many more!

My sweet friend Alicia @ More Than Words tagged me (actually a while ago and I haven’t had a chance until now to respond!) Here is the tag: I am supposed to post 15 things I am not afraid to admit…

1. I hate talking on the phone…only because my children tend to get rowdy and I like to be available to them. I don’t mind it as much if they’re in bed, BUT then I’m taking time away from my hubby by chatting on the phone. It just depends on the circumstances. If I am in a position to actually be available, I enjoy it.
2. I love country music – obviously there are some that arent’ exactly my taste, but a lot of it I like
3. I love, love, LOVE coffee! I thank God all the time for creating it!
4. I find myself being everyone’s “rescuer”. A few weeks ago the Missionettes coordinator at church stepped down and was offering the position up and after everyone said “no”. I felt bad and accepted the position. Although I would love it, I knew I couldn’t handle it in this season of my life. On the way home all I could think was, “what did I get myself into!?” I had to email her the next day and “change my mind”. Of course she understood – she’s an amazing friend.
5. I start a lot of books I don’t finish – I find so many wonderful books that I end up getting excited about the next “new book find” that I tend to abondon the other one(s) and start a new one!
6. I have a hard time staying focused sometimes and am easily distracted. (i don’t have ADD!)
7. I don’t like jewelry or painting my nails
8. But I love pink and purple
9. I love to journal
10. I often start things I don’t finish (too often!) I’m working on that
11. After going over a year without owning a tv, we bought one last weekend I’ve missed those cuddle times on the couch with my hubby!
12. I often forget to eat (until I realize my stomach is growling)
13. I like junk food way too much (also working on this!)
14. Francine Rivers is my favorite author
15. I hate washing floors

And now it’s my turn to “tag” some people that I would love to get to know more about!

Kim @ Homesteaders Heart

Cathy @ At Home on Basket Flat

Sheri @ On the Right Track

I found this meme through Homesteaders Heart on her blogroll. I couldn’t resist! I encouarge you and challenge you to join the 5AM Club! The meme goes like this:

Starting today (and every Monday) Sarah Mae will have a Mr. Linky up where you can post on your blog and then share:

1. What you have learned and/or how God has spoken to you over the past week and,

2. Some advice, wisdom, practical applications, tips you’ve learned, etc. from the week that you think would benefit others.

God has really spoken to me this weekend about not dwelling in the past and focusing on today. It’s not that I am dwelling on my childhood, rather, I am dwelling on a previous pastor whom I miss. He resigned a couple of years ago to move to another church in Mt. Vernon, WA. He is a very dynamic preacher and he challenged my husband and I greatly in our spiritual walks. We watched one of his old sermons on Sunday, and wouldn’t you know, his very own sermon (which we orginally heard live, as he preached it) spoke to us to move forward and not wish for the past.

We have new pastors, and admittingly, it has been hard to cope with the change. I have to keep reminding myself they are not the same as my old pastor. (They refers to two: they are married). However, they are wonderful people and I was challenged to just support them, pray for them and encourage them as our new leaders.

If you have every faced something similar, I challenge you to look to the days ahead and support whoever it is you are reluctant to support, for whatever reason it is. Support them through prayer, encouraging words (if possible..email them), being at events, etc. That may be just the thing they need to continue moving forward and growing in their ministry.

To share in this meme or read other challenges click: Like a Warm cup of coffee

I really don’t like uncertainty. I don’t like not knowing where we’re going or whether we are going to have our needs met from one day to the next. I am tired of living pay check to pay check because it leaves room for too much uncertainty. I don’t like the day-to-day”ness” of a job paid on flat rate (or commission). It can be very nerve-wrecking. Even though God has always taken care of us in the past…why is this so bothersome for me?

The constant talk of the tanking economy and people being laid off certainly doesn’t help. I struggle because I think, if God allows other people to go through such trials, what makes us exempt? Having enough “faith” isn’t going to stop God from carrying out His will for us, whatever that may be. He has done nothing but propser us, why do I have any concern that He’d take it all away? Christians are hurting all over – they are still His children…why would He allow some to struggle and others not to?

These are just some thoughts I’m having. I am not critisizing God or His ways, by no means. These are more on the curious side of “why?”