Seven Minutes #3

 Forty years 

Our fortieth anniversary

Seven minutes starts now!

Forty years. Together forever no matter what. We've had a lot of no matter what since we married in 1986. A lot of no matter what! We've had financial difficulties since day one. We've dealt with a lot of baggage that we both came into the marriage with resulting from less than ideal childhoods. We were relatively new Christians. We were selfish. We had different ideas on a lot of things. We still do. The fights aren't so do or die now. We don't really fight anymore. It's more likely to be a piddle fight here or there. Those are the little tiffs one has about insignificant things... and of course, tone of voice. ~wink~

Why are we still together? Quite simply, we made a vow to each other and to God. We also agreed, during a terrible time during the beginning of our marriage that we would never say the "d" word. If you never use the word, you don't irreparably damage trust and the relationship. We've known that it was the two of us together no matter what. We've known that separation would just make things harder. We've learned to love each other for who we are and not who we want the other to be or even thought the other was when we married. I've learned that to be married to a dreamer i.e. entrepreneur means that I'm here to hold on for the ride. I've learned to trust in God when I didn't trust the plans my husband made. I'm sure he's done the same with me. 

I've learned that in the hardest, most vulnerable times of my life, both God and Lowell are here for me. Pneumonia, childlessness, four c-sections, many hospitalizations, near death pancreatitis, and cancer among other things brought out the protector and provider in my husband. He always rises to the call. May I do so for him if ever he needs it. 

Time's up. 

Happy fortieth anniversary to my high school sweetheart and one and only husband, Lowell. 

Today at the Bentonville, Arkansas square.

Seven Minutes... #2

 

Seven Minutes— starting NOW!

Last time I did this I had fun. So I'm doing it again. Here we go!

I found this photo of my sewing machine that I took last fall. I was doing a lot of sewing then. I had sewn things to give for Christmas and other gifts. The idea was to find a project bag type that I truly enjoy making. Then, if I truly did enjoy sewing them, I would sew up a big batch and restock my Etsy shop. I've had it closed or on vacation for quite a bit now. 

I've thought of reopening many times through the last few years. I've thought of selling sewn items, vintage items, and maybe even a few knitted items. I just never seemed to get around to it. 

To me, the ideal time to reopen would be in September so that I could take advantage of holiday sales. That would mean a lot of making between now and then. I haven't been doing much making these days. 

Long hours at the office have kept me from doing much more than putting a few stitches in the reader's shawl that I began a bit more than a month ago. I'm using a solid tan held double with one of my numerous scraps. It's all sock yarn. Some is left from other projects, some is from a gift of 5-10 gram balls that I received as a gift last Christmas. It's been relaxing to work on since it's all garter stitch... until I realize that I've made a mistake several rows back! 

Well— my alarm just went off. Just a moment to check my spelling and...

PUBLISH!

Have a wonderful week ladies!

Please send me a link to your seven minute posts in the comments. Let's encourage each other!

'Til next time,

Laura

Seven Minutes

    I've given myself seven minutes to write. Of course, that means my dear husband has come in to show me something. ~smile~ I told him nope, I've given myself seven minutes. I'll come in seven minutes. This is silly and fun. Before I started, I found this photo to share. This is over ten years old now. Maybe close to fifteen years old. I absolutely love it. 

    I did my best to teach my children that they were best friends forever. Other friends come and go. These are my three younger children— Emily, Amy, and Michael. They're still good friends. They're spread out just a bit now; but, all three live within an hour's drive of each other and me! My eldest, Matthew lives about an hour from here, too. He and Emily are farther apart, but I'm so blessed that they all come home at once sometimes. Amy brings her husband and son as well.

    This is one of the greatest joys of my life. I still get to be with all of our kids, my son-in-love, and my grandson regularly. I am truly happy about that.

   I'm in a different stage of life; we all are. I'm thankful for the happy memories that I have raising my little flock of four on a short shoestring budget in a little house by the creek between Oz and the Ozarks.

    Time's up. That was fun! Shall I edit? Nope, you get it just as it was typed. 

God bless you all!

Hey, join me in this. Write a seven minute post or comment, and tag me in the comments. I'll come and read it and write back! 

Laura

Happy Memories

Jesus is the Risen Son of God who came in the flesh. 

Still Learning

 I've learned something about myself recently. I've felt a good amount of anxiety and stress as I've learned my job. It's been hard learning the computer system, the rules, how the insurance works and such. I've also had to hone my customer service skills, though most of it is just being friendly and nice. As a born again Christian, that comes naturally for me. It's just allowing Holy Spirit to work on me and letting the love and kindness of Jesus flow through me.

My boss/trainer has said many times when I make a mistake, "But, did anybody die?" She, and the others who have helped me to learn my job have been amazing. No one has, in any way, made me feel inadequate or like I cannot learn it. Except me. 

I've worried about how difficult it has been to learn. I've worried that I'm too old to learn it. I've fretted a lot.

That was not what God had in mind.

Everyone has been so patient and encouraging to me (including parents of patients). It finally dawned on me. The anxiety about learning this job came with me. It didn't originate from my coworkers or the ministry. It was all stuff that I've internalized through the years by growing up and working in negative environments where I was never good enough, where I was micro-managed, where I felt I had to earn love, kindness, and respect.

That's not the way it is where I am now. I didn't win this job, I was recruited into it and placed there by God. I now believe that one reason is so that I can heal emotionally and mentally. It's amazing, but they trust me to do my job the best I can and ask for help when I need it. I don't have to make a tally mark when the phone rings, or I order information, or answer a question. It's an amazing feeling.

I am very thankful. God's still growing me at 60. Thank you, Jesus!

What has God been teaching you lately?

Blessings,

Laura

What do You Want to Be When You Grow Up?

 

What do you want to be when you grow up?

How many times were we asked this?

How many times have we asked this?

Does the question even make sense?

I wanted to be a:

Princess

Mommy

Nurse

Lawyer

Singer

Zookeeper

Teacher

Handmaker

Writer

and to live happily ever after.

    Well, life doesn't work out the way we want it to or expect it to. BUT—

• I married my high school sweetheart as his princess, and I'm still the queen of his life.

• I was a homeschool mommy to two little boys and two little girls. Now I'm grammy to one little grandson.

• I nursed my children and husband during illnesses and injuries.  Now that everyone's grown, and I'm preparing for retirement (again), I work in a doctor's office.

• I had to know homeschool laws for the states we lived in, and I had to settle disputes between my four little clients. ~smile~

• I made up songs and sang to my children a lot as well as worshiping and praising Jesus. My husband and I were even  on worship teams a couple of times.

• I've been zookeeper to dogs, cats, newts, fish, chickens and a goat. 

• I homeschooled all of my children from birth—my first until  tenth grade and the rest through high school. 

• I have old-fashioned Christian morals.

• I love old-fashioned hobbies. Over the years, that's meant:  embroidery, sewing, cross-stitching, soap making, knitting, sewing, scratch baking, bread baking, rug making, and reading about it all!

• Last of all, thanks to my husband insisting I had something to say, I began my blog in 2007, and I've been writing ever since. 

So, I guess you can say that I've lived happily ever after. BUT, 

if you've been around for long, you know that I've also fought depression, anxiety, cancer, low income, an entrepreneurial husband (lol), and the stuff of life. BUT GOD.

It's now, with 20/20 vision, that I can look back and say it's been good. I'm enjoying the happily ever after, now that I can see it for what it was and what it is. Life with Jesus, my husband, my family, and my friends. Nothing else really matters. Truly trusting God has given me the peace that passes all understanding. Thank you Jesus.

Laura

 

The Morning Countdown!

 

   John Maxwell said, “You will never change your life until you change something you do daily. The secret of your success is found in your daily routine.”

    This is so true. For years, I wanted to get up early.  When I became a substitute teacher, I realized that I must get up at 5:30 to be ready to leave by 7:00. If I got up later, I would be stressed out from hurrying by the time I met the students at 7:45. I am just slow in the morning.  

    I read a book by Mel Robbins a couple of years ago. It was called The Five Second Rule. What it boils down to is this. From the time you have a thought or impulse, you have five seconds to follow through, or your mind will talk you out of it. That's super over-simplified; but, here's how I used it to solve my hit the snooze problem.  I set the alarm for the time when I actually needed to get up. For me, that was 5:29 (before my husband's alarm). When it went off, I'd turn it off. Then, aloud, I would say, "Five, four, three, two, one"; then, I'd get up. No hitting snooze. Just do it. It made my life much easier.

    Fast forward, I'm now working at the doctor's office. I don't really need to get up until 6:00 now. It's crazy; but, I keep hitting snooze! So, this week I'm going back to "Five, four, three, two, one". Before I go to bed tonight, at 9:30, I'll decide whether I want to make it 5:30 or 6:00.

    Who's with me? Who wants to "Five, four, three, two, one" to an easier morning? It'll take several times to make it a habit; but, eventually, you won't even have to count. You'll just do it.

Happy week!

Laura

Summing up a Childhood

Hello everyone!

    My daughter sent this to me in an email a few months ago. I just found it again and realized that it sums up her childhood as she remembers it. I don't want to lose this. I read it again today, and it filled me with nostalgia for the hard good old days. More about now at the bottom of the post.

Laura

~~~~~

Emily to mom

I can't sleep and started feeling nostalgic.

Thank you for all the times that you rubbed my back and gave me water when I was sick.

For holding me when I cried over things we couldn't control

For listening to my silly stories and embracing my goofiness

For encouraging me to be creative

For taking me for slushies, cappuccinos, and just us time

For getting me in music lessons when you knew I didn't have much else

For trying so many times to get me into groups

For playing fiddler on the roof and musical numbers while we cleaned

For field trips and park days

For ice cream cones after the water park

For library days and video store nights

For pajama runs

For Apple cider slushies

For hot cocoa, homemade chocolate chip cookies, singing in the rain, and loving gloomy days

For new ornaments every year

For $1 movie matinees

For thrifting and garage saling

For the gift of music in our home

For homemade honey oat bread and white rolls

For all the meals you made with love

For resurrection cookies and communion good Fridays

For Easter baskets, stockings, 4th of July fireworks, and pencil hunts

For Little Debbie snacks

For little adventures

For sunsets at the farm

For holding me through my ear aches and getting me the care I needed

For hiding my Barbie cuz of my irrational fear

For gracie, my favorite dog

For birthday parties

For holidays

For crosslines and food stamps

For scrapbooks

For fundraisers

For Walmart bag kites

For old musicals

For readathons

From movie nights

For date nights with mac and cheese and hot dogs

For Scooby-Doo and cyberchase

For sticking out hard situations because you thought it would help us

For praising me and encouraging me

For including me in your book reviews

For being my friend

For listening even when you weren't sure of the answer

For encouraging me to keep going even when I wanted to give up and college

For letting me live with you for so long

For Betsy despite her cancerous existence LOL (1st car)

For snack runs on paper route nights

For picking apples, berries, pumpkins, and vegetables

For chickens, a very weird goat, and lots and lots of kittens

For the blogs

For visual Latin

For caring what we watched and listen to

For the hours and hours you spent calculating our homeschool hours

For the many nights where you didn't want to cook but you still made sure we were fed

For never leaving us never giving up

For choosing to fight through everything you were taught as child to be the best mom you know how to be

From Maple leaf parades in the cold

For chocolate old fashions on Maple leaf morning

For all of our Christmas traditions

For walk through Bethlehem

For trusting me to go to summer camp

For trusting me to watch Michael and Amy

For forgiving me for breaking half of your dishes

For forgiving me for my many mistakes and many meltdowns

For forgiving me when I speak before I think or speak emotionally

For allowing me to choose my own path and never trying to limit me

For surviving

For forgiving my unkindness in the hardest years of your life

For being there for the hardest years of my life

Thank you for being you, loving me and raising me the best you knew how. Thank you for loving and honoring me for who I am. I love you very much and I love the precious memories we made as I grew up.

~~~~~

MY THOUGHTS:

    All those years on the edge of poverty so that I could homeschool the kids were most definitely worth it all. As I see so many kids from broken families come into the office, I've realized that my kids weren't disadvantaged at all. They had two married for life parents who gave them as much stability as possible. They had the best life could give them—a mom and dad who loved each other in spite of hard circumstances and sometimes hard hearts, who were selfless and selfish and discouraged and hopeful, who trusted that somehow, some way, the LORD would provide. He did. He has, in many ways, restored what the locusts have stolen. 

    We toured the house next door today. It's been fixed up for sale. The listing price is twice what we paid for ours just seven years ago. Prices began skyrocketing after the pandemic. Sometimes we think we should downsize, but God has made this place for us. My car broke down last week. It's not such a big deal since I'm three minutes from work. It's easy for my husband to drop me and pick me up.  

    I am thankful. I am thankful that my high school sweetheart husband and I will finish this life together as long as we live.

    I am thankful that my daughter has thankful memories of her childhood.

    I am thankful for writing this blog. It encouraged and still encourages me to trust in God and love this life He's leading me through.

    Thank you all for being part of that!

God bless you all!

Laura 

Happy in the place God's put me