My Life In Song

“If I were not a physicist, I would probably be a musician.

I often think in music.

I live my daydreams in music.

I see my life in terms of music.”

– Albert Einstein

I decided to take part in my first writing prompt.  When I started blogging last year I thought I would never run short of ideas.  Lately, I have hit a wall, a brick wall, really hard.  Mama Kat from Mama’s Losing It is hosting a writing workshop this month where she gives a list of writing ideas you can choose from.  I consider myself a musician, at least in my mind.  Ever since I can remember I have enjoyed music although I have never played an instrument, Umm.. maybe I will add that to my list: Learn how to play an instrument. Anyway, I digress…

So, here goes it.. The Songs that tell my life (so far)

This is the Stuff

I am not sure why, but it seems when I am always in a rush,which is often I lose my keys, my glasses, the kids(lol).   Does this happen to anyone else? Since the first time I heard this song I was like this is my life’s anthem from start to finish.  But it is also a gentle reminder how really blessed I am.  As someone once told me, “You’re blessed to be busy.” Selah.

It’s Not Over

This is the year of BIG in our household.  My 6-year-old graduates from first grade next week. My son turns 2 in June and starts 2k in August.  My 4-year-old is starting a gymnastics class.  My birthday is at the end of the month, I am moving forward in a new business venture and for the first time I am getting serious about my health.  And my husband  has several great opportunities before him.  However,  in all this great stuff we had to deal with some tough times but thank the Lord  “It’s Not Over.”  Be encouraged today my friends, “When God is in it, there is NO limits and it’s not over!”

Vicki Yohe-I’m At Peace 

If I could sing, which I can not! I would want to sing like this! Seriously, I have listened to this women since college.  And without fail she has given me the ability to think less about what is going on around me and focus my attention on He who keeps me in perfect peace.

Canton Jones- 5 seconds ft. Milliyon OFFICIAL VIDEO 

This is my get hype song.  This dude, yes, I said dude, Canton Jones is the bomb dot com. Yes, this mama said it. My children enjoy his music.  When we have a praise party at the house this is who we are pumping… so turn up your speakers and Gooooo WILD!!! 🙂

I’m sexy and I know it via M&M’s

Besides the fact that I like M&M’s this commercial is HIGH-larious! Each and every time I laugh as if it’s the first time.  We also play this song in Zumba class which provokes even more laughs.  They say you burn calories from laughing… I kinda believe it!

So what is your life song now and why? I want to hear it!

In His Super Grace

Ro:)

Mother’s Day: What this Mom Really Wants

I need to fold laundry. I need to mop the kitchen. Instead here I am writing a blog post about Mother’s Day.  I know every mom blogger has written or will write a blog post about Mother’s Day.  Well, here’s another. As a mother of a 6,4 and almost 2-year-old I usually get a lot of handmade gifts from school and church.  No complaints here. I love handmade gifts.  However, I have a list of some things that would make me a happy mama this Mother’s Day.

Here is my list in no particular order:

1. a child who won’t puke on me or any object near me. (True story: Last Mother’s Day my son vomited all over my new outfit at church)
2. not to referee any fights especially over a doll, ball or matter of fact any toys
3. to sleep in past 7am on saturday
4. To not say the following words all weekend: “stop it” “don’t do that!” “If I have to pull this car over!” “Do your ears work?” ” You got one more time!”
5. to use the bathroom without the following happening: A) an impromptu family meeting B) Children who are thirsty and need me to fix them a drink( even though they passed Daddy in the kitchen) C) Children who say things like “We need to come in!” D) My son pressing his face and tiny fingers under the crack of the door
6. to shower without an audience(see above)
7. to wear my nice clothes without becoming a human napkin (Wipe Here 😦 )
8. not being awaken at 3am because of a tummy ache resulting in my having to share my bed with my husband and a (wild sleeper) of a child.
9. to not have surprises awaiting me when I get the little man out of the crib (I will let you use your imagination here)
10. to not yell for my husband as if I am a teenage sister…”Will you get them to stop , please?!
11. and finally, to get through a day without someone breaking down in tears due to the following: not liking what’s on their plate, what they are wearing, what someone else is wearing or “just because”

This is totally in humor. I love my little blessings.  I am laughing but I take my role as a mom very serious.  I have the task of shaping young women and men who will grow up and have their own family.  It is my desire to do the job well so their husbands and wives will thank God for me.  To all my Mom’s out there Happy Mother’s Day and if no one told you today, “Thank you for all you do both seen and unseen.”

So, if you could come up with your own list of Mother’s Day gifts what would be on it? Please leave a comment. I do read them.

In His Super Grace (God knows we need it)

Ro:)

PS. I will have a more serious post tomorrow 🙂

Happy I love you forever… to us!

I will admit next to my birthday month, March is my favorite time of all.  7 years ago today, I married the man who I truly believe is just for me.  We just returned from a short trip without our children.  The time was overdue.  We had a wonderful time of connecting, reviving and enjoying one another.For the past few weeks I have thought about how we got to 7 years of marriage.  7 years seems short to our parents 80 years of marriage collectively.  Whoa, that’s a long time of waking up next the same person!

Our story started at Winthrop University.  Affectionately called “The WU”. Winthrop is the place where I met several people who have changed my life in many ways.  First, my Savior, Jesus Christ, friends who later became sisters, my Pastor and his wife and my husband(that handsome guy on the left).

Boy, do I love him.  However, it’s funny to think I did not like him at first.  But, little did we know God had a plan to intertwine our lives.  Our relationship started off as a “work relationship”.  We had mutual friends involved in campus ministries.  We worked closely in helping others fulfill the vision God has placed in their hearts.  Meanwhile, we were both involved in relationships that were not the best.  Let me talk about that for a minute. To all my single ladies (in my Beyonce voice), as a born again Christian it was very important that the guy I was with loved the Lord just as much as I do.  The guy I was “dating” at the time said he’s a Christian but compromised in his relationship with the Lord, thus leading me to compromise as well.  Remember this ladies, whatever the man “is” now he will be that same person once you married.  Ultimately, I let that person go and decided I would be recklessly abandoned to Christ.  No more “dating” for me.   The time alone with Christ was awesome.  Our relationship developed during those times alone, during those times of me being focused that even now many years later I am still experiencing the benefits.

After spending time together, we joke because all of our friends in our group starting “courting” we had no other choice.  We realized our lives had changed and really we liked each other.  As I type this I still remember when I realized “I loved” this man.  I was living in Rock Hill, SC at the time with two other friends. I was standing there in my bedroom looking at my walk-in closet and suddenly felt overwhelmed.  You know the feeling you get when you have a task before you but just don’t know what to do? I became overwhelmed with the thought that this man was precious to God.  I became overwhelmed with the thought that I “sucked” at my previous relationships and never been involved in a healthy relationship with a man where sexual intimacy was not an issue. I  became overwhelmed by his story of his past relationship and did not want him to experience the feelings he had with the “other” woman.  I cried. I mean, I cried the ugly cry, fell to my knees and prayed.  at that moment I realized two things: I really loved this person from a pure place.  In my previous relationships there was still a bit of selfishness but this time I cared more about him than I did about myself. Secondly, the Lord spoke to me and said these simple word which I still remember today and shared with a dear friend when she started “courting.”

This is what I heard: ” Just be a good steward.”

Those words have wrapped around my heart from that day up until the present.  This is really the short story of our courtship.

Engagement pictures taken at Winthrop University(2004)

These last two years have been a testing ground for us.  We are both in ministry, raising three young children under 6 years of age, business owners and involved in our community.  Service is at the core of our relationship, after all it is what brought us together.  However, on my end I had to deal with some feelings that I never had before when our third child was born.  Stress and outside influences were attempting to tear us apart.  We argued, we went to bed mad some nights, I even cried myself to sleep because I “felt” like my needs were not being met.  But something happened, that changed my “mind”.   I realized I was the problem.   Yes, I was the PROBLEM!  I focused too much on what was wrong and did not concentrate on what drew me to love my husband in the first place.  I was not doing what the Lord taught me long ago, ” Just be a good steward.”  Sometime wives we have to do that even when it seems like nothing is changing! So I changed. I returned to my first love(Revelation 2:2-5).  Now, today our marriage is not perfect, however, I rather not grow towards perfection with anyone else.

So here is what I have learned in 7 years of marriage:

Wedding anniversary last year at Swan Lake(photo courtesy: DL Acken Photography)

 1. Communion:  Time with the Lord is key.  When focused on Christ and His promises, I am less consumed with thinking about what my husband is or isn’t doing.   Marriage is holy! It is a holy institution, and we must remember that.  I remember when I read that in the Love Dare  I was totally floored by that concept. I know the Lord is holy but I never equated that with my spouse.  Unfortunately, I believe people including me forget and start treating our spouse like a “dish towel”, a common object.  A “dish towel” wipes up the mess, its wet and sometimes smells, its ordinary. Our spouse is not ordinary.  They are “noble” (2 Timothy 2:20) not plain.

2. Stewardship:  We must remember our spouse is not “ours” but a gift God has entrusted to us.  It is our responsibility to take care of them as Christ would.

3. Watch Your Mouth!:  Words are powerful. You have what you say (Proverbs 18:21).  I was complaining so much about what was happening, I even did it in my prayer.  I had to speak more time speaking about where “we” were heading together, keeping that before my “spiritual eyes”.  I also learned it is very important who you allow to speak into your marriage.  The wrong words from a well-meaning person could be the lighter fluid to an already raging fire.

4. Perspective: What is really true? I had to remind myself my husband is not trying to intentionally hurt me.  I have to make a point to live in the truth, God’s word is the truth.

5. Be obedient: I think this by far has been the most important in the pass few months: I have learned to do what I believe the Lord is leading me to do. I was waiting on my husband but there are things God will speak to you do and may not speak that to your spouse. Don’t condemn them for it, just be obedient.

Since doing the above my relationship with my spouse has changed a lot.  Happy Anniversary baby, here is to 7 plus 60 more years of growing in the GREATER. I love you today, tomorrow and always.

In His Super Grace

Ro:)

DIY ABC Art Work for Nursery

 Happy freestyle Friday! I am so excited about todays craft idea because it has to deal with welcoming a new baby.  I love babies! How they smell, their tiny feet and hands and oh how peaceful they look when sleeping.  Well, I am helping a friend welcome her little girl in the world.  I wanted to create something for the nursery.  I spotted a DIY project by fellow blogger Le Zoe Musings. You’ve gotta to check out her little girls nursery.  It puts my bedroom to shame! Her instructions which I have below are easy to follow(see my version below). I just modified a bit, I used a Dollar Tree picture frame which I painted white. I also scored sticky letters from Michaels for $1.25 on sale. And to highlight the baby’s name I painted my letters with acrylic paint. What do you think?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The following are Le Zoe Musings. Directions via her blog.

Ok. So I know this word has been redundant in my blog but this project really is SIMPLE! Every nursery needs an ABC artwork so why not integrate your baby’s name into it and make it personalized?

It started with a black frame that I got from Ikea’s AS IS section. I had no use for it but b/c it was dirt cheap, I figured I would use it ‘someday.’ Surely enough, I did and it serves its purpose fairly well!

I had to paint the frames stark white b/c nothing in Zoey’s room is black.

Got these white glitter (subtle) letters from Michaels. They always have 40% off coupons on their website so print them out and utilize them.

From my scrapbook stock paper collection, I chose a pale pink as the background and a patterned blue as the letters for Zoey’s name.

A quick glance at the color combo of the artwork and I approved!

Lay the letters out onto the frame so you can have an idea of how it’ll look.

For Zoey’s name, I traced the letters of her name onto the blue card stock and cut them out.

Have fun doing this for your little one. However, zif your child is old enough to spell his/her name this would be a fun project to do with them. Creative bonding time!

To see where this cute artwork lives, please visit Zoey’s Nursery Boutique!

Til next post, Kellie.

Raising BOY

There are not many boys in our family. Matter of fact, especially on my side all the recent births were girls.  That was until my sister and I finally had a boy! Yeah, team blue! My son is 19 months now. He is very busy, curious, fun-loving and adventurous, really adventurous. Over this past year of raising him, he has taught me and my husband a lot about life.  This is a list of some of the things this tiny tot has taught me.  I hope this list brightens your day.  And if you have a little boy I would like to hear what you’ve learned.

1. Take a RISK: Sometime you just have to climb up on the couch and dive off the edge(even if it’s head first and your mommy is squealing and screaming “Get Down.”

2. Don’t Take No for an answer: When it is right keep asking and asking eventually you’ll wear them down or God’s favor will work on your behalf.

3. SMILE: It makes you look good and helps others.

4. Size doesn’t matter: The youngest and  smallest in the bunch does not mean anything but don’t let that stop you from rolling with the big Dawgs!

5. Finally: When people try to cage you in break out the box. (sidenote: This refers to my 19 month old breaking one of the bars on the crib through excessive kicking)

I could never truly prepare for mothering a “boy” however, the book by Dr. James Dobson, “Bringing up Boys” is a great resource. 

In His Super Grace

Ro:)