tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17897098665334252232024-03-05T14:09:29.942-08:00Kathleen R. OlsonA Grace Filled LifeKathy Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11668699397851882212noreply@blogger.comBlogger190125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1789709866533425223.post-89204137926849132332018-09-10T05:34:00.001-07:002018-09-10T05:34:58.899-07:00Kathleen R. Olson: The Last Day I Saw My Son<a href="http://www.kathleenrolson.com/2016/02/the-last-day-i-saw-my-son.html?spref=bl">Kathleen R. Olson: The Last Day I Saw My Son</a>: Alex, Elisa, and Evan McComb, Mississippi January 19, 2016 marked the 20th anniversary of our little boy's death. At times, i...Kathy Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11668699397851882212noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1789709866533425223.post-70512349518051388442018-05-29T12:00:00.001-07:002018-06-01T04:42:24.211-07:005 Simple Joys Is school out where you are? I home school our youngest son and I called it this week. We are officially done for the school year!<br />
<br />
I did a post like this a couple of years back. I love reading other people's lists like this. I'm a pretty simple person and enjoy simple things. (Not that I wouldn't like to hop on a plane and travel to Italy - I would!) But I'm happy with ordinary life, too.<br />
<br />
So here in no particular order are five things that I consider simple joys in life.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
1. <b><i>Watching Kathie Lee and Hoda </i></b>on the Today show. I hardly ever had a chance to sit down and watch it in years past because of the time it came on in the morning. That is a busy time for me. But now that we can DVR shows, I tape it and watch it in the early evening. I love their friendship. I basically just watch the first 15 minutes and kind of fast forward through the rest though:)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--al_OgsXfNg/Ww2fa8SM8GI/AAAAAAAAENw/Z0X6ah1bmUsTB_zqM9Ttc3tEny5mGX97gCLcBGAs/s1600/tdy_style_klg_dresses_171204_1920x1080.nbcnews-ux-1080-600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1067" height="223" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--al_OgsXfNg/Ww2fa8SM8GI/AAAAAAAAENw/Z0X6ah1bmUsTB_zqM9Ttc3tEny5mGX97gCLcBGAs/s400/tdy_style_klg_dresses_171204_1920x1080.nbcnews-ux-1080-600.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
2. Morning <b><i>coffee</i></b>! Our Keurig seems to be biting the dust, so I've been making coffee the old fashioned way. I'm breaking out in a cold sweat most mornings waiting for the coffee pot to fill. Did it always take that long?! I love my morning cup of coffee. It's one of the simple joys of life. My mornings are pretty much the same each day. I'm up very early, have my coffee, read my Bible, watch Joyce Meyer, and catch up on all my blogs.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
3. <b><i><u>The Middle</u>.</i></b> We have been watching this television show for the past 9 years! I'll have to admit that the last 3-4 seasons haven't been as funny to watch. But if you've never seen it at all, the first four seasons were well written and acted. I'm afraid I can relate to Frankie a little too well as a mom, but I especially was a clone for Sue when I was in junior high.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hFy_6qIbwvE/Ww2e5o_i7YI/AAAAAAAAENs/6RgVe_XcPHwPkqePMfipffRQpI7vSxvEgCEwYBhgL/s1600/download.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="268" data-original-width="188" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hFy_6qIbwvE/Ww2e5o_i7YI/AAAAAAAAENs/6RgVe_XcPHwPkqePMfipffRQpI7vSxvEgCEwYBhgL/s400/download.jpg" width="280" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
4. <b><i>Ina Garten's Chocolate Ganache Cake.</i></b> This is one of the richest, most decadent chocolate cakes I've ever tasted. It is linked below.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TjrTvubT2Ck/Ww2h5wO9bTI/AAAAAAAAEOI/jzJiHB7GcGoxcog_t3Pg3t0wMF0q_EGzACLcBGAs/s1600/1495685194371.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="462" data-original-width="616" height="298" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TjrTvubT2Ck/Ww2h5wO9bTI/AAAAAAAAEOI/jzJiHB7GcGoxcog_t3Pg3t0wMF0q_EGzACLcBGAs/s400/1495685194371.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
.<a href="https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/chocolate-ganache-cake-3777191">https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/chocolate-ganache-cake-3777191</a><br />
<br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
<b><i>5. Prince Harry and Meghan's wedding.</i></b> My daughter and I got up at 4 a.m. to watch the ceremony and we loved every moment. I had done the same back in 1981 to watch Diana and Prince Charles marry, and again in 2011 for Kate Middleton and Prince William's wedding. I loved them all!<br />
I especially loved how Prince Charles walked Meghan down the aisle. It was a beautiful moment.<br />
I've prayed for William and Harry for many years now. I really have! Maybe that is why their marriages were so magical to me.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tvLcLn4V1HQ/Ww2iQxGRF8I/AAAAAAAAEOQ/jcH_yYK0-F8QOIVhGrsBXNnT7SM15lZogCLcBGAs/s1600/harryandmeghanmoment-1526748540.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="384" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tvLcLn4V1HQ/Ww2iQxGRF8I/AAAAAAAAEOQ/jcH_yYK0-F8QOIVhGrsBXNnT7SM15lZogCLcBGAs/s640/harryandmeghanmoment-1526748540.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gjs8-vfYFc4/Ww2gJuYVbKI/AAAAAAAAEN8/cHJ6k1k7SOI8l7CRSf14kE92UQFq7Jf4ACLcBGAs/s1600/meghan21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1377" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gjs8-vfYFc4/Ww2gJuYVbKI/AAAAAAAAEN8/cHJ6k1k7SOI8l7CRSf14kE92UQFq7Jf4ACLcBGAs/s640/meghan21.jpg" width="550" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meghan and Harry on the way to their reception</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Do any of these resonate with you? I'd love to hear some of your simple joys. Have a beautiful June!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://momfessionals.com/">momfessionals.com</a> <a href="http://savvysouthernstyle.net/">savvysouthernstyle.net</a> <a href="http://homestoriesatoz.com/">homestoriesatoz.com</a> <a href="http://stonegableblog.com/">stonegableblog.com</a> <a href="http://astrollthrulife.net/">astrollthrulife.net</a> <a href="http://tabanderika.blogspot.com/">tabanderika.blogspot.com</a>Kathy Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11668699397851882212noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1789709866533425223.post-77718549018670127842018-05-01T14:10:00.005-07:002018-05-06T12:09:24.758-07:00Pretty PalettesI love working with colors and putting things together that look nice. It's kind of fun to spend 30 minutes now and then playing around with outfits and jewelry.<br />
<br />
Navy always looks classic and elegant. Burgundy is a fun accessory to add even if you're not a fan of this particular shade.<br />
<br />
The jewelry is from Baublebar, Kendra Scott, and Nickel and Suede. The clothing, shoes, and purses are from Nordstrom.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4YsThMRtPes/WujWOhGfB7I/AAAAAAAAENM/R4XMbYGhQXonu9LR_7XtW27ADe7ZyQWLgCLcBGAs/s1600/My%2BPost%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4YsThMRtPes/WujWOhGfB7I/AAAAAAAAENM/R4XMbYGhQXonu9LR_7XtW27ADe7ZyQWLgCLcBGAs/s640/My%2BPost%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">navy earrings - Baublebar<br />
white necklace - Kendra Scott<br />
white earrings -Baublebar<br />
clothing, shoes, purse - Nordstrom</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UqI4u-58PVg/WujWOFsWJlI/AAAAAAAAENI/sTfC6FL-a_IXLdyMLHiZHUIMBHQm_P3UACLcBGAs/s1600/My%2BPost.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UqI4u-58PVg/WujWOFsWJlI/AAAAAAAAENI/sTfC6FL-a_IXLdyMLHiZHUIMBHQm_P3UACLcBGAs/s640/My%2BPost.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">burgundy leather earrings - Nickel and Suede<br />
Burgundy tassel - Baublebar<br />
Burgundy and gold earrings - Kendra Scott<br />
Burgundy necklace - Kendra Scott<br />
Clothing and purse - Nordstrom<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Thanks for stopping by! Let me know which is your favorite!</span><br />
<br />
<br />
Linking to: <a href="http://savvysouthernstyle.net/">savvysouthernstyle.net</a> <a href="http://stonegableblog.com/">stonegableblog.com</a> <a href="http://mixandmatchmama.com/">mixandmatchmama.com</a> <a href="http://homestoriesatoz.com/">homestoriesatoz.com</a> <a href="http://astrollthrulife.net/">astrollthrulife.net</a> <a href="http://tabanderika.blogspot.com/">tabanderika.blogspot.com</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Kathy Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11668699397851882212noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1789709866533425223.post-28537461399555523782018-04-02T17:45:00.000-07:002018-04-11T05:18:16.033-07:00If Your Dreams Have Shattered<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kpmjfVV5xm0/WsLP9vzgHBI/AAAAAAAAEMs/C4wac3mLfV0gm8VxLiBhAtF0lJeyuodswCLcBGAs/s1600/kathysurgery1_preview.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kpmjfVV5xm0/WsLP9vzgHBI/AAAAAAAAEMs/C4wac3mLfV0gm8VxLiBhAtF0lJeyuodswCLcBGAs/s400/kathysurgery1_preview.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
"We don't care if it's a boy or a girl, as long as its healthy."<br />
<br />
When soon to be parents say these words, my heart stops a little.<br />
<br />
I know what they mean, of course. I probably uttered those words myself once upon a time. I'm sure I did.<br />
<br />
But what if they aren't healthy?<br />
<br />
No one wishes for that ending. No one hopes for that ending. But sometimes, the unexpected happens. Then what do you do?<br />
<br />
When I was pregnant with twins, I was the most shocked pregnant woman you would ever wish to meet. There were no twins on my side or my husband's. We already had a beautiful little boy, healthy and happy. Suddenly, I was pregnant and so sick again with severe morning sickness. Then at a routine ultrasound, we learned that I was having twins. I came home in a dazed state. Was it really possible? Would we actually have two babies? I was thrilled at the prospect.<br />
<br />
I've written before that during the months following, I dreamed of how it would be. I would have a little girl and boy. They would wear matching sailor suits of blue and white. Why sailor suits? I have no idea. Maybe I thought this is what twin siblings were supposed to wear. But in my mind's eye, I saw them toddling down a sidewalk, holding hands. Their backs were to me as they walked on a beautiful sunlit day.<br />
<br />
But it wasn't to be.<br />
<br />
The twins were unexpectedly born 2 1/2 months early. Their lungs could not function yet on their own. The next few weeks were a blur of caring for my little boy at home and going to the hospital to see our twins in the NICU.<br />
<br />
It was a happy day when two months later, they were able to come home at last. Finally, I thought, we could begin our happily ever after.<br />
<br />
A few months went by and I began to notice that they were not progressing as I thought they should be. There seemed to be developmental delays. My daughter, especially, seemed very stiff when I tried to cuddle her. They both cried almost all day long. They were not sitting up on their own. I talked with their pediatrician who assumed the delays were due to their premature birth. But I couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong.<br />
<br />
Some time later, a neurologist did an MRI and the results came back - cerebral palsy. The brain damage looked severe. She could not tell us if they would ever walk or even talk.<br />
<br />
Then one of our twins, Alex, began having episodes where he would suddenly stop breathing. The first time it happened, I was giving him a small bottle of apple juice. He was drinking when he coughed and turned a dusky blue and became limp in my arms. I felt like I was moving in slow motion. An ambulance came and he was taken to the ER. We hoped that this was just an isolated incident, but in fact, this would happen again and again. He was diagnosed with an additional diagnosis of tracheomalacia which meant that his trachea would suddenly collapse, making it impossible to breathe.<br />
<br />
My world suddenly became very small. I wanted to enjoy their childhood and enjoy our days. But fear and exhaustion were constant companions. Every single day was filled with fear. A day could start out normally, but end up back in an emergency room. There were times that he almost died, but somehow would pull through. I think it was hard for other people to understand what our daily life had become. It sometimes seemed we were living hour by hour. There just isn't a way to convey the stress that we were under.<br />
<br />
I wondered where God was. I was so very tired. There seemed to be no end to the circumstances we were now in. I stood in hospital rooms and looked out the window. I craved ordinary days doing ordinary things. I wanted to be standing in my home doing the dishes and watching my children playing with no threat of illness or death.<br />
<br />
One evening when we were all home, there was a knock at our door. A young couple, who also worked at the same ministry, stood on our porch. They came to tell us that they were pregnant and were having twins. I managed to congratulate them. I must have said all the regular things that are said at these times. But as soon as they left and the door clicked shut behind them, I had a conversation with God. "Are You serious? Am I supposed to watch someone else have twins - normal twins that have no health problems? Their twins will be able to walk and run and do all the things my children cannot do. Please, God, it's too much." I was happy for this couple. I would not wish health problems on anyone's children. But now, I not only felt that God had abandoned me, I felt he was giving my dreams to someone else. Why? I didn't know. I couldn't make sense of anything.<br />
<br />
Over time as I tried to give my shattered dreams to God, He was able to bring some sort of peace to my heart. But it was a process - a very slow going process.I would take three steps forward, then five steps back.<br />
<br />
Are you facing a crisis in your life right now? Maybe our situations are different, but on some level, I understand. Are there dreams you have that have been shattered into a million pieces? I'm so sorry. I wish I could put it all back together for you. I wish I could just make it better. But I can, in some small way, say to you that God has not forgotten you. He can put your heart back together. You may be standing in the ashes of all your hopes, but somehow, God can bring beauty out of it all. I can say it and know it's true, because this is what He has done for me.<br />
<br />
It certainly didn't happen overnight. And honestly, at times, I still struggle. I was at a baby shower recently and when I got back in my car, I sat and cried. Grief will sneak up on you like that. I still wonder what might have been. I can't imagine how different life could have been had our twins been born healthy.<br />
<br />
And yet, despite all the trauma, despair, and agony of soul, God has shown His kindness to me a million times over. He has been a very real friend to me and walked with me through the darkest valleys. I think you only get to know someone, really know someone, when you go through a crisis together. Jesus and I have walked and talked and cried together. He has let me know countless times that He was there. Sometimes I was aware of this during a hard time, sometimes not. Oftentimes we aren't truly aware that He was indeed there until time has passed.<br />
<br />
<b><i><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: "arimo" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;</span><span class="p" style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: "arimo" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 13px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></i></b><br />
<br />
<br />
I've thought of this verse many times over the years. There is fellowship of his sufferings each time we go through the pain of not understanding why. But more and more, I want to know Him, really know Him. I was praying today and telling Him how I wished He had never had to suffer all the things that were done to Him. I wish He could have avoided it all. But I know that His answer would be, "You were worth it all." A few years ago, I would never have replied with that answer, at least in regards to myself. But now I know it's true.<br />
<br />
This life is truly so short. We will probably never have all the answers to our whys. But maybe there is something more He wants to accomplish. Maybe He just wants <i style="font-weight: bold;">you. </i>You are better than a thousand sunrises and sunsets to Him. He is really interested in you. You matter to Him. Your life is significant. You can trust Him when there seems to be no answers.<br />
<br />
<br />Kathy Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11668699397851882212noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1789709866533425223.post-46525549169099042382018-01-08T12:28:00.002-08:002018-01-08T12:28:51.233-08:00God Gets Your Question Marks<div class="post hentry uncustomized-post-template" itemprop="blogPost" itemscope="itemscope" itemtype="http://schema.org/BlogPosting" style="margin: 0px 0px 45px; min-height: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-8991526289939934706" itemprop="description articleBody" style="font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 818px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OEMItCPSKBY/WlPUHEtK-AI/AAAAAAAAEMA/DKx45L9WkP8uiyn0xxLdJUfjaSNu24YnACLcBGAs/s1600/0f39ba15e8336a8b2151ce74298c18a8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="330" data-original-width="330" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OEMItCPSKBY/WlPUHEtK-AI/AAAAAAAAEMA/DKx45L9WkP8uiyn0xxLdJUfjaSNu24YnACLcBGAs/s400/0f39ba15e8336a8b2151ce74298c18a8.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-8991526289939934706" itemprop="description articleBody" style="line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 818px;">
<span style="font-size: 17.6px;">I have a funny way of thinking a lot of times, I guess. Since I am a teacher, I will read something and will think about it from a teacher point of view.</span><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This morning, I was thinking <span style="font-size: 17.6px;">about ideas for practicing punctuation for a 10 year old. As I sat and thought about it, I felt God suddenly and quite unexpectedly speak to my heart. Who would've thought? It didn't exactly seem like a God moment.</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 17.6px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 17.6px;">
I felt like God said, "I'm interested in punctuation." It certainly wasn't what I was expecting God to say. I barely care about punctuation. Well, I do really. But why would God? It wouldn't seem to make the cut in the book <i><u>Things God Cares About. </u></i></div>
<div style="font-size: 17.6px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 17.6px;">
But God definitely does have an interest in punctuation when it comes to our lives, if you think about it.</div>
<div style="font-size: 17.6px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 17.6px;">
A lot of times I feel like there is a big question mark over my head in regards to my daughter's health and our little boy. (Our daughter has cerebral palsy and our son has a rare genetic disorder.)</div>
<div style="font-size: 17.6px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 17.6px;">
There's always been a, "Why God?" in regards to Elisa and now, Nathaniel. I think I will always have the question, "Why? Just <b>why</b>?" </div>
<div style="font-size: 17.6px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 17.6px;">
I don't know. I may never know. I know that God sees that giant question mark in my heart. He isn't uncaring or distant. He sees and knows. He just hasn't answered in the way I would like. But I always (at least I try) to counteract that "Why" with the words, "I trust You. I know You. You are kind and good. I don't understand at all. But I know this about You. I can trust You." </div>
<div style="font-size: 17.6px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 17.6px;">
I think I can say that God and I are close friends. I've said before that walking this dark and uncertain road with Him has caused me to draw close to Him. I'm afraid a lot of the times, but He walks very close with me always. Sometimes I've plopped down on the side of the road and said,"I'm stopping here. You go on without me." But He always waits until I sigh and get back up again. Where else would I go? And who else could I possibly walk with?</div>
<div style="font-size: 17.6px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 17.6px;">
Sometimes we put a period where there shouldn't be one at all. We may think a chapter in our lives is done and finished. But God may not want a period there. </div>
<div style="font-size: 17.6px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 17.6px;">
<div class="mod" data-md="61" style="background-color: white; clear: none; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 15.6px; padding-left: 20px; padding-right: 20px; padding-top: 20px;">
<div class="_oDd" data-hveid="29" style="overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 20px;">
<span class="_Tgc" style="font-size: 16px;">A <b>period</b> is a full stop. It marks the end of a <b>sentence</b>. It marks the end of an idea or a thought. It marks the end of an action.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="g" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 15.6px; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 20px; padding-right: 20px;">
<div class="rc" data-hveid="31" style="clear: both; padding-bottom: 0px; position: relative;">
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="font-size: 17.6px;">
Maybe it isn't time to place a period. God may have other ideas for you. You just don't know it yet. </div>
<div style="font-size: 17.6px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 17.6px;">
<div>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
Instead of a period, perhaps there should just be a comma. A comma indicates a pause. Maybe some time just needs to pass - time brings clarity and healing. I'd like to tell you that the pause won't be for long, but I couldn't promise you that. But I can say that where there is a pause, there is hope.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
But when God thinks about you, whoever you are reading this right now, He definitely thinks of you with an exclamation mark. An exclamation mark signifies intensity of emotion. God doesn't think of you and think nothing. He takes great delight in you. The way you think, the way you look, the way you laugh...you are an infinite joy and delight to Him, whether you think so or not. Maybe you think that God could never love you. Ask Him to show you the truth of how much He cares. The Bible says that God demonstrated His love for us, that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. But I think you can also <i>ask</i> God to show you how He feels about YOU. You are definitely an exclamation mark.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This was a strange train of thought, I guess. If you think about it, God is interested in all kinds of things that we may not even think about. He loves science. He created our bodies, the planets, He hung the stars in the sky and calls them by name. The winds and the seas obey Him. Why wouldn't He have an interest in punctuation? :)<br /><br />Punctuation in writing shows the intent of the author. In writing, you are not privy to the inflection of the speaker's voice or their body language. You have to use the punctuation as the guideline as to what the meaning of the words are.<br /></div>
<div>
<br /> If someone forgets punctuation in their writing, it can change the entire meaning of what is being said.<br /><br /><br /><img alt="Importance of a comma" src="https://cybertext.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/comma.jpg?w=450" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px;" /><br /><br />We can look at our situations, but easily misinterpret the Divine intent behind it. We can look at circumstances and misunderstand what God is doing. Without punctuation, our writing is merely words that can be interpreted numerous ways. When you trust the heart of the Writer, you can trust that His intent towards you is only good (and we know He doesn't mean to eat grandpa!)<br /><br /></div>
<div>
Class, let's review:)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
1. Don't put a period in too hastily. It may not be the end just yet. Allow God the final say in the matter.</div>
<div>
2. A comma means a pause. Maybe God has you on the pause mode right now, but it won't last forever.</div>
<div>
3. God can handle your question marks. He may answer your, "Why?" either directly or indirectly. But He also may remain silent on the matter. It's very possible.</div>
<div>
4. You are <b>definitely</b> an exclamation mark to the One who loves you the most.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Hopefully, you will never look at an exclamation mark in the same way again!</div>
<div>
Have a beautiful August, friend!<br /><br />Linking up to: <a href="http://www.impartinggrace.com/" style="color: #7f5f00; text-decoration-line: none;">www.impartinggrace.com</a> <a href="http://www.astrollthrulife.net/" style="color: #7f5f00; text-decoration-line: none;">www.astrollthrulife.net</a> <a href="http://www.stonegableblog.com/" style="color: #7f5f00; text-decoration-line: none;">www.stonegableblog.com</a></div>
<ol class="lr_dct_sf_sens" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 20px;">
<li style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="lr_dct_sf_sen vk_txt" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif-light, sans-serif; font-weight: lighter !important; padding-top: 10px;">
</div>
</li>
</ol>
</div>
<div style="clear: both; font-size: 17.6px;">
</div>
</div>
<div class="post-footer" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(127, 96, 0); color: #7f5f00; font-size: 14.4px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 20px -2px 0px; padding: 5px 10px;">
<div class="post-footer-line post-footer-line-1">
<span class="post-author vcard" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 1em;">Please leave me a comment! Posted By <span class="fn" itemprop="author" itemscope="itemscope" itemtype="http://schema.org/Person"><a class="g-profile" data-gapiattached="true" data-gapiscan="true" data-onload="true" href="https://www.blogger.com/profile/11668699397851882212" rel="author" style="color: #7f5f00; text-decoration-line: none;" title="author profile"><span itemprop="name">Kathy Olson</span> </a></span></span><span class="post-timestamp" style="margin-left: -1em; margin-right: 1em;">at <a class="timestamp-link" href="http://www.kathleenrolson.com/2016/08/god-gets-your-question-marks.html" rel="bookmark" style="color: #7f5f00; text-decoration-line: none;" title="permanent link"><abbr class="published" itemprop="datePublished" style="border: none;" title="2016-08-05T15:17:00-07:00">3:17 PM</abbr></a> </span><span class="reaction-buttons" style="margin-right: 1em;"></span><span class="post-comment-link" style="margin-right: 1em;"></span><span class="post-backlinks post-comment-link" style="margin-right: 1em;"></span><span class="post-icons" style="margin-right: 1em;"><span class="item-control blog-admin pid-679361342" style="display: inline;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1789709866533425223&postID=8991526289939934706&from=pencil" style="color: #7f5f00; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Edit Post"><img alt="" class="icon-action" height="18" src="https://resources.blogblog.com/img/icon18_edit_allbkg.gif" style="border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: none !important; border-width: initial; margin: 0px 0px 0px 0.5em !important; position: relative; vertical-align: middle;" width="18" /> </a></span></span><div class="post-share-buttons goog-inline-block" style="display: inline-block; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.5em; position: relative; vertical-align: middle;">
<a class="goog-inline-block share-button sb-email" href="https://www.blogger.com/share-post.g?blogID=1789709866533425223&postID=8991526289939934706&target=email" style="background: url("/img/share_buttons_20_3.png") 0px 0px no-repeat !important; color: #7f5f00; display: inline-block; height: 20px; margin-left: -1px; overflow: hidden; position: relative; text-decoration-line: none; width: 20px;" target="_blank" title="Email This"><span class="share-button-link-text" style="display: block; text-indent: -9999px;">Email This</span></a><a class="goog-inline-block share-button sb-blog" href="https://www.blogger.com/share-post.g?blogID=1789709866533425223&postID=8991526289939934706&target=blog" style="background: url("/img/share_buttons_20_3.png") -20px 0px no-repeat !important; color: #7f5f00; display: inline-block; height: 20px; margin-left: -1px; overflow: hidden; position: relative; text-decoration-line: none; width: 20px;" target="_blank" title="BlogThis!"><span class="share-button-link-text" style="display: block; text-indent: -9999px;">BlogThis!</span></a><a class="goog-inline-block share-button sb-twitter" href="https://www.blogger.com/share-post.g?blogID=1789709866533425223&postID=8991526289939934706&target=twitter" style="background: url("/img/share_buttons_20_3.png") -40px 0px no-repeat !important; color: #7f5f00; display: inline-block; height: 20px; margin-left: -1px; overflow: hidden; position: relative; text-decoration-line: none; width: 20px;" target="_blank" title="Share to Twitter"><span class="share-button-link-text" style="display: block; text-indent: -9999px;">Share to Twitter</span></a><a class="goog-inline-block share-button sb-facebook" href="https://www.blogger.com/share-post.g?blogID=1789709866533425223&postID=8991526289939934706&target=facebook" style="background: url("/img/share_buttons_20_3.png") -60px 0px no-repeat !important; color: #7f5f00; display: inline-block; height: 20px; margin-left: -1px; overflow: hidden; position: relative; text-decoration-line: none; width: 20px;" target="_blank" title="Share to Facebook"><span class="share-button-link-text" style="display: block; text-indent: -9999px;">Share to Facebook</span></a><a class="goog-inline-block share-button sb-pinterest" href="https://www.blogger.com/share-post.g?blogID=1789709866533425223&postID=8991526289939934706&target=pinterest" style="background: url("/img/share_buttons_20_3.png") -100px 0px no-repeat !important; color: #7f5f00; display: inline-block; height: 20px; margin-left: -1px; overflow: hidden; position: relative; text-decoration-line: none; width: 20px;" target="_blank" title="Share to Pinterest"><span class="share-button-link-text" style="display: block; text-indent: -9999px;">Share to Pinterest</span></a><div class="goog-inline-block google-plus-share-container" style="display: inline-block; padding-left: 0.3em; position: relative; vertical-align: top;">
<div id="___plusone_0" style="background: transparent; border-style: none; display: inline-block; float: none; font-size: 1px; height: 20px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 32px;">
<iframe data-gapiattached="true" frameborder="0" hspace="0" id="I0_1515443109127" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" name="I0_1515443109127" ng-non-bindable="" scrolling="no" src="https://apis.google.com/u/0/se/0/_/+1/fastbutton?usegapi=1&source=blogger%3Ablog%3Aplusone&size=medium&width=300&annotation=inline&hl=en&origin=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kathleenrolson.com&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kathleenrolson.com%2F2016%2F08%2Fgod-gets-your-question-marks.html&gsrc=3p&ic=1&jsh=m%3B%2F_%2Fscs%2Fapps-static%2F_%2Fjs%2Fk%3Doz.gapi.en.rH_DNAowp7o.O%2Fm%3D__features__%2Fam%3DAQ%2Frt%3Dj%2Fd%3D1%2Frs%3DAGLTcCPjBnH1F4aCnBCh3-1YeKgkbV6kbg#_methods=onPlusOne%2C_ready%2C_close%2C_open%2C_resizeMe%2C_renderstart%2Concircled%2Cdrefresh%2Cerefresh&id=I0_1515443109127&_gfid=I0_1515443109127&parent=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kathleenrolson.com&pfname=&rpctoken=24518989" style="border-style: none; height: 20px; left: 0px; margin: 0px; position: static; top: 0px; visibility: visible; width: 32px;" tabindex="0" title="G+" vspace="0" width="100%"></iframe></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="post-footer-line post-footer-line-2">
<span class="post-labels" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px;">Labels: <a href="http://www.kathleenrolson.com/search/label/Encouragement" rel="tag" style="color: #7f5f00; text-decoration-line: none;">Encouragement</a>, <a href="http://www.kathleenrolson.com/search/label/Faith%20%20Hope" rel="tag" style="color: #7f5f00; text-decoration-line: none;">Faith Hope</a>, <a href="http://www.kathleenrolson.com/search/label/Fears" rel="tag" style="color: #7f5f00; text-decoration-line: none;">Fears</a>, <a href="http://www.kathleenrolson.com/search/label/Fixer%20Upper%20Inspiration" rel="tag" style="color: #7f5f00; text-decoration-line: none;">Fixer Upper Inspiration</a></span></div>
<div class="post-footer-line post-footer-line-3">
<span class="post-location" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px;"></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="comments" id="comments" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 10px; min-height: 0px; position: relative;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="comments"></a><h4 style="font-family: "Dancing Script"; font-size: 30px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0.75em 0px 0px; position: relative;">
10 comments:</h4>
<div class="comments-content" style="margin-bottom: 16px;">
<div id="comment-holder">
<div id="bc_0_11C" kind="c">
<div id="bc_0_11CT">
<div class="comment-thread" id="bc_0_10T" kind="r" style="margin: 8px 0px;" t="0" u="0">
<ol id="bc_0_10TB" style="list-style-type: none; padding: 0px;">
<li class="comment" id="bc_0_1B" kind="b" style="margin: 0px 0px 16px; padding: 16px 0px 8px;"><div class="avatar-image-container" style="float: left; margin: 0.2em 0px 0px; max-height: 36px; overflow: hidden; width: 36px;">
<img src="http://img1.blogblog.com/img/blank.gif" style="border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); max-width: 36px;" /></div>
<div class="comment-block" id="c3602470062511786327" style="margin-left: 48px; position: relative;">
<br /></div>
<div class="comment-replies" id="bc_0_1BR" style="margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 1em;">
<span id="bc_0_1b+seedmKxD" kind="d"><div class="comment-thread inline-thread" id="bc_0_0T" kind="t" style="background-color: white; margin: 8px 0px; padding: 0.5em 1em;" t="0" u="0">
<ol class="thread-chrome thread-expanded" id="bc_0_0TC" style="list-style-type: none; padding: 0px;"><div style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 16px;">
<li class="comment" id="bc_0_0B" kind="b" style="border-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 16px; padding: 16px 0px 0px;"><div class="comment-replies" id="bc_0_0BR" style="margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 1em;">
</div>
<div class="comment-replybox-single" id="bc_0_0B_box" style="margin-left: 48px; margin-top: 5px;">
</div>
</li>
</div>
<div class="continue" id="bc_0_0I" kind="ci" style="border-top: 2px solid rgb(191, 144, 0); color: #666666; cursor: pointer; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 16px;">
</div>
</ol>
</div>
</span></div>
</li>
</ol>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Kathy Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11668699397851882212noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1789709866533425223.post-48980723851764056362017-11-17T06:10:00.004-08:002017-11-21T05:30:53.200-08:00Favorite Things Friday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E0zOOGoKEig/Wg7uCyxr79I/AAAAAAAAEHM/uClxvO-bwtMWA8mL-7ZTafZaJ5j7pAYyACLcBGAs/s320/Friday%2BFavorites%2B01.jpg" width="320" /></div>
I love looking outside this time of year and see the leaves swirling around my yard. This is such a beautiful time of year where everything has a magical, soft back light that seems to illuminate every leaf and every tree.<br />
<br />
I haven't done a Favorite Things Friday in a long time and this seemed a good day to share a few items that make my list.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I saw a lady wearing these boots in the Target parking lot last week. I asked my daughter about them and she said they were Uggs. I'm sure I have seen these before, but never really paid attention to them. I would love to wear these during the cold, Iowa winters. Maybe there will be a big Black Friday sale on these?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" data-original-height="838" data-original-width="780" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HR_rndJFzPg/Wg7pBn9E2qI/AAAAAAAAEGY/ExXPymIGcP8ZkZUv77mKUIVIfXeeuwrCgCLcBGAs/s320/_12934096.jpg" width="297" /><a href="https://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ugg-bailey-button-triplet-ii-boot-women/4366840?contextualcategoryid=2375500&origin=recentsearches1&keyword=ugg+button+boothttps://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ugg-bailey-button-triplet-ii-boot-women/4366840?contextualcategoryid=2375500&origin=recentsearches1&keyword=ugg+button+boothttps://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ugg-bailey-button-triplet-ii-boot-women/4366840?contextualcategoryid=2375500&origin=recentsearches1&keyword=ugg+button+boot">nordstrom.com</a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
We've been listening to this Michael Buble Christmas cd in the car for the past two weeks. I don't think anyone sings <i>All I Want for Christmas is You </i>better than he does, do you?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--lVfDGBL2Jk/Wg7pFI3vqqI/AAAAAAAAEGc/JfFHgd7eABkc8pKzOPVJ9-izAFEaHY0jQCLcBGAs/s1600/71UTGwpfwwL._SY355_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="355" data-original-width="355" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--lVfDGBL2Jk/Wg7pFI3vqqI/AAAAAAAAEGc/JfFHgd7eABkc8pKzOPVJ9-izAFEaHY0jQCLcBGAs/s320/71UTGwpfwwL._SY355_.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="https://www.walmart.com/ip/Christmas/151145708">walmart.com</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
This is one of my current favorite perfumes, but.....<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cLi5JQaYaoA/Wg7pRM3BvSI/AAAAAAAAEGg/5EQXmNe3Jm8JaTfIKexgGPrHZShYVyV2ACLcBGAs/s1600/s1029958-main-zoom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cLi5JQaYaoA/Wg7pRM3BvSI/AAAAAAAAEGg/5EQXmNe3Jm8JaTfIKexgGPrHZShYVyV2ACLcBGAs/s320/s1029958-main-zoom.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="https://www.sephora.com/search/search.jsp?keyword=marc%20jacobs%20daisy&mode=all">sephora.com</a><br />
<br />
<br />
I would really love to try this one - Jo Malone Peony and Blush Suede. I had a sample of the lotion and thought the smell was fabulous.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C-eAfoQwSxQ/Wg7pUXVdtPI/AAAAAAAAEGk/Fqu2NB9usowi1WkgRhZWzwsyLFauzlKMgCLcBGAs/s1600/s1946672-main-zoom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C-eAfoQwSxQ/Wg7pUXVdtPI/AAAAAAAAEGk/Fqu2NB9usowi1WkgRhZWzwsyLFauzlKMgCLcBGAs/s320/s1946672-main-zoom.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://www.sephora.com/product/peony-blush-suede-cologne-P417181">sephora.com</a><br />
<br />
This is an interesting concept for lipsticks. They are vintage, old Hollywood types of lipsticks. You can choose the year you are most interested in such as the 1941 American Beauty or the 1959 Red Hot Red.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZxJ6TGhpRgc/Wg7pYK-sE4I/AAAAAAAAEGo/2g_HldHu0-sAA2qAqvT3dDQLnSVh_F6iwCLcBGAs/s320/s1880319-main-zoom.jpg" width="320" /><a href="https://www.sephora.com/search/search.jsp?keyword=besame%20lipsticks&mode=all">sephora.com</a></div>
Lipsticks will always make my favorites on any list. I haven't tried this one yet, but they have beautiful colors to choose from.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XZKQcjlZVSg/Wg7paeTnVNI/AAAAAAAAEGs/iUF8YeZUowM54cRQ6w6bP4b5VKfa-Us_gCLcBGAs/s1600/s1817188-main-zoom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XZKQcjlZVSg/Wg7paeTnVNI/AAAAAAAAEGs/iUF8YeZUowM54cRQ6w6bP4b5VKfa-Us_gCLcBGAs/s320/s1817188-main-zoom.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="https://www.sephora.com/product/always-on-matte-liquid-lipstick-P409317?skuId=1817188&keyword=smashbox%20bawse">sephora.com</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Nickel and Suede <a href="http://www.nickelandsuede.com/emerald-suede-leather-earrings/">nickelandsuede.com</a> make these earrings which are made out of a lightweight leather. The green would make a great holiday gift.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDM8gqRUZOQMAYqpFuhkLsiJMRBf7jEQtznlvkQb6u31KBJM8iQFNBChuGQHCf7kspsoY0vcoi-fVx5WljPlwutYMjBDEOm9XJn2X5tYDEvY-uu-tf4Dxx-2GjoDcfIzN_n3tEdMTJdHg/s1600/EmeraldSuede-650__51416.1508775881.1280.1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="650" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDM8gqRUZOQMAYqpFuhkLsiJMRBf7jEQtznlvkQb6u31KBJM8iQFNBChuGQHCf7kspsoY0vcoi-fVx5WljPlwutYMjBDEOm9XJn2X5tYDEvY-uu-tf4Dxx-2GjoDcfIzN_n3tEdMTJdHg/s640/EmeraldSuede-650__51416.1508775881.1280.1280.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Starbucks Holiday drinks just make me happy during this holiday season. I don't indulge very often, but my favorite right now is their Eggnog Latte.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aO66QhFR-B8/Wg7p6aCVh9I/AAAAAAAAEG8/pP1DzDOm5ekAXmJrbZ9HWp9B6hBP7fZtgCLcBGAs/s1600/starbucks-eggnog-latte-back.0.0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aO66QhFR-B8/Wg7p6aCVh9I/AAAAAAAAEG8/pP1DzDOm5ekAXmJrbZ9HWp9B6hBP7fZtgCLcBGAs/s400/starbucks-eggnog-latte-back.0.0.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
If you have a little girl in your home, I spotted some adorable things for them to wear.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EgpG6-wp06s/Wg70BsAkmkI/AAAAAAAAEHg/RRP3ucxdQbgvEghTQk9AmHaloWFb91S4wCLcBGAs/s1600/cn13886078.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EgpG6-wp06s/Wg70BsAkmkI/AAAAAAAAEHg/RRP3ucxdQbgvEghTQk9AmHaloWFb91S4wCLcBGAs/s320/cn13886078.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<a href="http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?pcid=5151&vid=1&pid=827053002">oldnavy.com</a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hv_pI2rJqZE/Wg70HP37edI/AAAAAAAAEHk/h18_sY2MUno5V4mfypul6a5Bd3Pp0WGUQCLcBGAs/s320/cn13875693.jpg" width="240" /><a href="http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=1096493&pcid=1096493&vid=1&pid=774563002">oldnavy.com</a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
This movie comes out during Thanksgiving week. I'm a big Charles Dickens fan, so I would love to go and see this.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AUO6nsiQoD0/Wg7tkcLeKlI/AAAAAAAAEHI/uqLqnZCCdOkh0nr3DhXdrI6_YVIvJCDwQCLcBGAs/s1600/man%2Bwho%2Binvented%2Bchristmas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AUO6nsiQoD0/Wg7tkcLeKlI/AAAAAAAAEHI/uqLqnZCCdOkh0nr3DhXdrI6_YVIvJCDwQCLcBGAs/s640/man%2Bwho%2Binvented%2Bchristmas.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I love reading about ladies' favorite things. I wish I could be Oprah for a day and give you one of each!<br />
<br />
I hope you have a beautiful and blessed Thanksgiving!<br />
<br />
Linking up with:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://tabanderika.blogspot.com/">tabanderika.blogspot.com</a> <a href="http://momfessionals.com/">momfessionals.com</a> <a href="http://savvysouthernstyle.net/">savvysouthernstyle.net</a> <a href="http://stonegableblog.com/">stonegableblog.com</a>Kathy Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11668699397851882212noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1789709866533425223.post-50655161902828316092017-09-26T06:34:00.004-07:002017-09-27T06:04:51.199-07:00Fall InspirationThis time of year always makes me think of a quote from <i>You've Got Mail.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yDhoVsHTQ4Q/WcpYZbUscZI/AAAAAAAAEFU/tckZKu2A0KcpWEuiOMtUoQf3XAd-bKLIACLcBGAs/s1600/916f972268e638607e9bb9bba32e3e9b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="317" data-original-width="564" height="358" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yDhoVsHTQ4Q/WcpYZbUscZI/AAAAAAAAEFU/tckZKu2A0KcpWEuiOMtUoQf3XAd-bKLIACLcBGAs/s640/916f972268e638607e9bb9bba32e3e9b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<div class="sodatext" style="color: #333333; font-family: verdana, arial, sans-serif; padding: 8px 12px 0px;">
<div style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2px; margin-bottom: 0.3em; padding: 0px;">
<b><i><a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000158/?ref_=tt_trv_qu" style="color: #70579d; text-decoration-line: none;"><span class="character">Joe Fox</span></a>: Don't you love New York in the fall? It makes me wanna buy school supplies. I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils if I knew your name and address. </i></b></div>
<div style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2px; margin-bottom: 0.3em; padding: 0px;">
<br />
Whoever wrote that line in the movie, got it right! Every September, I get happy seeing shiny new boxes of Crayons, backpacks, and yellow pencils in their packages - a start of a new season always makes me smile.<br />
<br />
I have been to New York in the fall and it is beautiful. But I love the feeling of fall in my home, too.</div>
<div style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2px; margin-bottom: 0.3em; padding: 0px;">
<br />
If you are looking for a little fall/holiday inspiration, then take a look:)</div>
<div style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2px; margin-bottom: 0.3em; padding: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-size: 13px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N3rM9JwCjrs/WcpSPVsUXKI/AAAAAAAAED8/Q5FuSxdImKsbgZmGvt2avDlkUj7n6ssCACLcBGAs/s1600/cfd5733e304112662d76c30128a12c5f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="500" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N3rM9JwCjrs/WcpSPVsUXKI/AAAAAAAAED8/Q5FuSxdImKsbgZmGvt2avDlkUj7n6ssCACLcBGAs/s640/cfd5733e304112662d76c30128a12c5f.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Central Park in the fall<br />
<a href="http://pinterest/">pinterest</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-size: 13px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2ZeO7RBO5f0/WcpSRuAwg_I/AAAAAAAAEEA/2OzRKdeKK9Q7BdqaLLoigV2rzbMa0Ea2QCLcBGAs/s1600/2fc8fdd774147bd1b8df2d2c993bce1e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="698" data-original-width="564" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2ZeO7RBO5f0/WcpSRuAwg_I/AAAAAAAAEEA/2OzRKdeKK9Q7BdqaLLoigV2rzbMa0Ea2QCLcBGAs/s640/2fc8fdd774147bd1b8df2d2c993bce1e.jpg" width="516" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pinterest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2px; margin-bottom: 0.3em; padding: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2px; margin-bottom: 0.3em; padding: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2px; margin-bottom: 0.3em; padding: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2px; margin-bottom: 0.3em; padding: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2px; margin-bottom: 0.3em; padding: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-size: 13px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AjYxQlDNeyA/WcpSlNTv2hI/AAAAAAAAEEk/Swrhjv6aUwkCqKHyArCIwQpZKQVAbKRFACLcBGAs/s1600/646f31e2c53e78edc829220bd493ae26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="752" data-original-width="564" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AjYxQlDNeyA/WcpSlNTv2hI/AAAAAAAAEEk/Swrhjv6aUwkCqKHyArCIwQpZKQVAbKRFACLcBGAs/s640/646f31e2c53e78edc829220bd493ae26.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pinterest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 18.2px; margin-bottom: 0.3em; padding: 0px;">
<div style="font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KI02Uxb7ZxQ/Wcrc45B9sLI/AAAAAAAAEFo/UlxivZkVK9ELLAHYQtjrYP414Nv5tanJgCLcBGAs/s1600/44dfcd5d89770403480aab45223590ac.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="662" data-original-width="500" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KI02Uxb7ZxQ/Wcrc45B9sLI/AAAAAAAAEFo/UlxivZkVK9ELLAHYQtjrYP414Nv5tanJgCLcBGAs/s640/44dfcd5d89770403480aab45223590ac.jpg" width="482" /></a></div>
<div style="font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="font-size: 13px;">
<a href="http://allleft.tumblir.com/">allleft.tumblir.com</a></div>
<b><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"> I'm sure it might cost a gazillion dollars to live in one of these NYC brownstones, but i would LOVE it!!</span></i></b><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3WpTwqvWkmE/Wcrc43-5Y9I/AAAAAAAAEFw/7URXzNZeA8sH0wey0zIpZCk_saFRYxq8wCLcBGAs/s1600/4884bd305068ef1029afd3e8fb8ba879.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="500" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3WpTwqvWkmE/Wcrc43-5Y9I/AAAAAAAAEFw/7URXzNZeA8sH0wey0zIpZCk_saFRYxq8wCLcBGAs/s640/4884bd305068ef1029afd3e8fb8ba879.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div style="font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2px; margin-bottom: 0.3em; padding: 0px;">
<a href="http://autumncozy.tumblr.com/">autumncozy.tumblr.com</a></div>
<div style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2px; margin-bottom: 0.3em; padding: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2px; margin-bottom: 0.3em; padding: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TcUGD9BhQGM/WcpSiGmX6RI/AAAAAAAAEEM/tRKgtRaffBcWd78SPHkO9qW7hkrhgVZvQCLcBGAs/s1600/0e2c0e6050e8ef48c8fe36595af4c836.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="560" data-original-width="435" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TcUGD9BhQGM/WcpSiGmX6RI/AAAAAAAAEEM/tRKgtRaffBcWd78SPHkO9qW7hkrhgVZvQCLcBGAs/s400/0e2c0e6050e8ef48c8fe36595af4c836.jpg" width="310" /></a></div>
<div style="font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kSUV8Ktto18/WcpSiK2GyaI/AAAAAAAAEEI/6t_rLE7gLIgb3DTL-rPLhsC8l8aPCSKYACLcBGAs/s1600/00d05e6ee5036ed4eb6efdb165423f1b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="426" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kSUV8Ktto18/WcpSiK2GyaI/AAAAAAAAEEI/6t_rLE7gLIgb3DTL-rPLhsC8l8aPCSKYACLcBGAs/s400/00d05e6ee5036ed4eb6efdb165423f1b.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<div style="font-size: 13px;">
<a href="http://everydayhomeblog.com/">everydayhomeblog.com</a></div>
<div style="font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-osOfIw171LU/WcpSiEGfCqI/AAAAAAAAEEE/nKGa3GNdSKwwsabtFosQ9L0gc4O8WSEiACLcBGAs/s1600/00ff38ff3d4cb0c643d38d22c5b8a466.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="360" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-osOfIw171LU/WcpSiEGfCqI/AAAAAAAAEEE/nKGa3GNdSKwwsabtFosQ9L0gc4O8WSEiACLcBGAs/s400/00ff38ff3d4cb0c643d38d22c5b8a466.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-size: 13px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tAhwTWwDLXk/WcpSlmp_DxI/AAAAAAAAEEo/EDCZskVPWdwSDLR0qqvXzxAq0fALfZWxwCLcBGAs/s1600/8b360c1616a4bff673aa8d8aaa13176b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="753" data-original-width="500" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tAhwTWwDLXk/WcpSlmp_DxI/AAAAAAAAEEo/EDCZskVPWdwSDLR0qqvXzxAq0fALfZWxwCLcBGAs/s400/8b360c1616a4bff673aa8d8aaa13176b.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://heatherbullard.com/">heatherbullard.com</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-size: 13px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="533" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VrBdG1W7jgQ/WcpSjIo7seI/AAAAAAAAEEU/7flmy2Fj_vEFbXqwWrIPJDiXuegCx1VWwCLcBGAs/s640/3269b5b22d3e3af14dd66d3870541cb0.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="426" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://anita-faraboverubies.blogspot.com/">anita-faraboverubies.blogspot.com</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" data-original-height="850" data-original-width="564" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LG8wzOJM_a0/WcpSkIGVJCI/AAAAAAAAEEc/qDIasUhB9YgU1MqLiRntn4MapBjfKk4fwCLcBGAs/s400/40396f0f25789178b73eaa2f1726b96e.jpg" width="265" /><a href="http://justataste.com/">justataste.com</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" data-original-height="711" data-original-width="553" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSbYa1UmZurwsIfqhJGcsszeQzKxoo7sK4xW3ffMggR-SqqxIvG-IN0GAuuQyPQXdpiv0Gv-pRBp2_SrG4WkR_rLJFgBYGmpLPldbWE0GEf8oVSECO_dPIYF2Nu1itcXHxwzs1bKdntXY/s640/42629facae34a6e81d5d626b4ae7ecac.jpg" width="496" /></div>
<div style="font-size: 13px;">
<a href="http://bhg.com/">bhg.com</a></div>
<div style="font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nHGlw8jbYQY/WcpSirtxtkI/AAAAAAAAEEQ/HSAbIP-YYpE_MMpbayuCjhgAZQTAaGkNwCLcBGAs/s1600/217908b5643e0f405be58b48ca24124b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="500" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nHGlw8jbYQY/WcpSirtxtkI/AAAAAAAAEEQ/HSAbIP-YYpE_MMpbayuCjhgAZQTAaGkNwCLcBGAs/s400/217908b5643e0f405be58b48ca24124b.jpg" width="331" /></a></div>
<div style="font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TRL4c2-olLw/WcpSmJQEI2I/AAAAAAAAEEs/m3lnO96TOrgXYck0wD7_uTho2e2NkydQgCLcBGAs/s1600/c084523759c5f0f2b2a7ce6c47855c22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="400" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TRL4c2-olLw/WcpSmJQEI2I/AAAAAAAAEEs/m3lnO96TOrgXYck0wD7_uTho2e2NkydQgCLcBGAs/s640/c084523759c5f0f2b2a7ce6c47855c22.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2px; margin-bottom: 0.3em; padding: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2px; margin-bottom: 0.3em; padding: 0px;">
<a href="http://jonesdesigncompany.com/">jonesdesigncompany.com</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ay7vCib9ArM/Wcrd2-JEDZI/AAAAAAAAEF8/MKKzzFiUP9kamZyACtc_v_IowRqOcG1AgCLcBGAs/s1600/31e748516c599fcde012b6ba9aef8f74.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1030" data-original-width="564" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ay7vCib9ArM/Wcrd2-JEDZI/AAAAAAAAEF8/MKKzzFiUP9kamZyACtc_v_IowRqOcG1AgCLcBGAs/s640/31e748516c599fcde012b6ba9aef8f74.jpg" width="348" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pinterest (Home Goods)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="564" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZrGLTjgdxnU/WcpTwDjlP2I/AAAAAAAAEE8/V28MIr8Ideo0YW43bJSYwf-8fxJeMuPlgCLcBGAs/s640/7b649b0d2a3431b972fe49ebc925c0bf%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="394" /><a href="http://thistlewoodfarms.com/">thistlewoodfarms.com</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-size: 13px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CWTJVf8GLPA/WcpSjoUTmeI/AAAAAAAAEEw/aMBh3kpXJUUv-HOAA23TAOOUGTIDjub7gCEwYBhgL/s1600/3f405c2bcbb0afb40489fbbb24f7c223.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="460" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CWTJVf8GLPA/WcpSjoUTmeI/AAAAAAAAEEw/aMBh3kpXJUUv-HOAA23TAOOUGTIDjub7gCEwYBhgL/s640/3f405c2bcbb0afb40489fbbb24f7c223.jpg" width="460" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pinterest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2px; margin-bottom: 0.3em; padding: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 13px;">
Take some time to enjoy this time of year. Order a Starbucks pumpkin latte, pick up a few pumpkins at the grocery store and set them on your front porch, make pumpkin bars, make caramel apples, and watch It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown with your kids (even if my kids are all <i>mostly</i> grown up, we still try and do that together).<br />
<br />
I love the way the light comes in the windows during this time of year. There is a softness and shimmer to the sunlight. I like to have candles burning and things baking in the oven. I've always felt that your family just feels happier when Mom is making good things in the kitchen.<br />
<br />
This is the time of year to savor every moment. Don't get in a rush and let it pass you by.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 13px;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TA6vPm0qIE0/WcpV-gubUeI/AAAAAAAAEFI/MhydAABtf5o0DMa62ltHPkQSUXfHex7CQCLcBGAs/s1600/9688afbbcd9ee6977a2f64fd124df277.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="690" data-original-width="564" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TA6vPm0qIE0/WcpV-gubUeI/AAAAAAAAEFI/MhydAABtf5o0DMa62ltHPkQSUXfHex7CQCLcBGAs/s640/9688afbbcd9ee6977a2f64fd124df277.jpg" width="522" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pinterest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 13px;">
<span id="goog_1704026071"></span><span id="goog_1704026072"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 13px;">
Linking up to: <a href="http://impartinggrace.com/">impartinggrace.com</a> <a href="http://momfessionals.com/">momfessionals.com</a> <a href="http://savvysouthernstyle.net/">savvysouthernstyle.net</a> <a href="http://stonegableblog.com/">stonegableblog.com</a></div>
</div>
Kathy Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11668699397851882212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1789709866533425223.post-47012898221419456702017-06-22T09:33:00.000-07:002017-06-23T10:11:35.938-07:00Tassels and TopsI hope you are having a wonderful June! It's hard to believe that July is almost upon us.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I found a few pretties that I thought I would share with you.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The tops are from a site called <a href="http://shein.com/">shein.com</a> and most are under $20. The earrings are from <a href="http://baublebar.com/">baublebar.com</a> . </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-skULY-QoW_0/WUvu-zU6RVI/AAAAAAAAECg/spXjDjL_RtQ_CAx2n_BfXUc5Za7Gh_UaACLcBGAs/s1600/PicMonkey%2BCollage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-skULY-QoW_0/WUvu-zU6RVI/AAAAAAAAECg/spXjDjL_RtQ_CAx2n_BfXUc5Za7Gh_UaACLcBGAs/s640/PicMonkey%2BCollage.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://us.shein.com/Contrast-Trim-Cold-Shoulder-Ruffle-Top-p-312239-cat-1733.html">Black Shirt, top row</a>.<br />
<a href="http://us.shein.com/Blue-Striped-Off-The-Shoulder-Ruffle-Sleeve-Blouse-p-290729-cat-1733.html">Striped shirt, second row</a>. <a href="http://us.shein.com/White-Layered-Sleeve-Bow-Tie-Off-The-Shoulder-Surplice-Top-p-306713-cat-1733.html">White shirt, second row</a>.<br />
<a href="http://us.shein.com/Multicolor-Striped-Off-The-Shoulder-Bell-Sleeve-Blouse-p-283351-cat-1733.html">Third row striped off shoulder top</a><br />
<a href="http://us.shein.com/White-Belted-Scallop-Trim-Off-The-Shoulder-Top-p-306064-cat-1733.html">Third row middle</a><br />
<a href="http://us.shein.com/Royal-Blue-Ruffle-Off-The-Shoulder-Blouse-p-275409-cat-1733.html">Third row blue off shoulder</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f1KyU7Vm_Mg/WUvwkF4anRI/AAAAAAAAECw/SAuhHWq7M4crXRpp8AqHSG2n-hiStxB8ACLcBGAs/s1600/_8636477%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="489" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f1KyU7Vm_Mg/WUvwkF4anRI/AAAAAAAAECw/SAuhHWq7M4crXRpp8AqHSG2n-hiStxB8ACLcBGAs/s320/_8636477%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="208" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://nordstrom.com/">nordstrom.com</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="248" data-original-width="203" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ji-En1DBC7I/WUvwkFdlbPI/AAAAAAAAECs/CXwwXo2SAeoq8qXlgufy1rsdPItom4TkQCLcBGAs/s1600/download.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sephora.com/">sephora.com</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
I love these last two items, also. They help foundation go on smoothly and not melt away during the heat of the summer.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Have a beautiful week!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BVXrdGcY_Vo/WU0BwbgRlPI/AAAAAAAAEDA/CY_uTPMkDTMfQ8pxjmImfy4ALl7BsDXHACLcBGAs/s1600/Friday%2BFavorites%2B01%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BVXrdGcY_Vo/WU0BwbgRlPI/AAAAAAAAEDA/CY_uTPMkDTMfQ8pxjmImfy4ALl7BsDXHACLcBGAs/s320/Friday%2BFavorites%2B01%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://impartinggrace.com/">impartinggrace.com</a> <a href="http://savvysouthernstyle.net/">savvysouthernstyle.net</a> <a href="http://momfessionals.com/">momfessionals.com</a> <a href="http://tabanderika.blogspot.com/">tabanderika.blogspot.com</a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Kathy Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11668699397851882212noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1789709866533425223.post-73319716703092531072017-04-04T08:55:00.001-07:002017-04-06T10:43:15.492-07:00My Five Favorite MoviesIf you know me even slightly, you know I love a good story. I love to read, but movies are probably my favorite way to experience a story.<br />
<br />
Over the years, there have been several movies that have left a deep impression on me. Some of these movies are funny and light hearted, and some deal with grief and pain. I like both kinds. One of these movies in particular was a way in which God spoke truth to my heart of how He looks at me. You may question that, but that's okay. God can use anything He wants to show you something - even a movie.<br />
<br />
My five favorite movies in no particular order are:<br />
<br />
1. <b>Father of the Bride -</b> starring Steve Martin. The original with Spencer Tracy and Elizabeth Taylor was good, but my favorite version is this one. Do you know the feeling you have when the sun is shining, the birds are singing, and all is right with the world? That's the feeling I have each time I watch this movie. Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Diane Keaton create something magical. I also fell in love with their house. The exteriors are a real house, of course, and the interiors are stage sets, but still...I loved that house!<br />
The bond between a father and his only daughter getting married is shown in such a hilarious and sweet story. I've never gotten tired of watching it. I've lost count on how many times I've seen it (as my children will say with a groan). Smile.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hGHLoYOnNwQ/WOPAiluINSI/AAAAAAAAEBc/lOYo75R-2bUc-7pryiFuMefK_fFhq5sMwCLcB/s1600/MV5BMjM3NzE4NzIxOV5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTgwODg2NjIyMDE%2540._V1_UY1200_CR90%252C0%252C630%252C1200_AL_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hGHLoYOnNwQ/WOPAiluINSI/AAAAAAAAEBc/lOYo75R-2bUc-7pryiFuMefK_fFhq5sMwCLcB/s400/MV5BMjM3NzE4NzIxOV5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTgwODg2NjIyMDE%2540._V1_UY1200_CR90%252C0%252C630%252C1200_AL_.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
2.<b> Little Women </b>- starring Wynona Ryder, Susan Sarandon, and a young Christian Bale. While I love this story of the March family and the love between the four sisters, I'm also drawn in by the beautiful photography of this film. There are several opening scenes that are so visually stunning. That may be an odd thing to notice, but it's always been something I've paid attention to. Christian Bale is perfection as Laurie, but I don't think I will ever get over the fact that he and Jo don't end up together.The music is also hauntingly beautiful. (I'm listening to it right now while I'm writing this post.)<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BGImWaNdhZc/WOPAaQdAe-I/AAAAAAAAEBQ/74fZkJYVv7Ib9WBdaePzOg123uW2DxLfACLcB/s1600/Little-Women-1994-little-women-4024757-1024-576.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BGImWaNdhZc/WOPAaQdAe-I/AAAAAAAAEBQ/74fZkJYVv7Ib9WBdaePzOg123uW2DxLfACLcB/s400/Little-Women-1994-little-women-4024757-1024-576.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
3. <b>Home Alone </b>- starring Macaulay Culkin This is also another movie where, while I love the story, I may have loved the house even more. But I do love the plot and any scene with Joe Pesci is wonderful.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pkUwV_8mYqk/WOPAbojDxKI/AAAAAAAAEBU/Tp6qhRzqiyUPhImFaXdCtWDX0C39Z2DgwCEw/s1600/home-alone-2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pkUwV_8mYqk/WOPAbojDxKI/AAAAAAAAEBU/Tp6qhRzqiyUPhImFaXdCtWDX0C39Z2DgwCEw/s320/home-alone-2.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
4.<b> Signs</b> - starring Mel Gibson. Directed by M. Night Shyamalan. I have to start out by saying that this director is so gifted. I wish I could sit down with him and hear his thoughts on directing and creating a story.<br />
This is not a horror film, but it is a suspense film. It does have a couple of scary scenes, but not violence or gore. You may be surprised to know, if you have never seen the film, that it is really a story of <i><b>faith.</b></i> Mel Gibson plays a minister who suffers a loss in his faith after the death of his wife. Whenever it is on, even if I can't watch the whole movie, I will stop whatever I'm doing and watch the last five minutes. The reason is (<i>spoiler alert</i> here) that Mel Gibson's son almost dies from an asthma attack, but in the end, he lives. I like that happy ending. It fulfills something in my heart to watch it because, in real life, we didn't experience that happy ending with our son. For a few minutes, I feel happiness and joy that someone had a happy ending with their child, even if it is just a movie.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IlzJTRvy2b4/WOPAixX7UMI/AAAAAAAAEBg/BIwYKF83jPsZrC1NnxtdEl--gUaXVp6tQCEw/s1600/Signs_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IlzJTRvy2b4/WOPAixX7UMI/AAAAAAAAEBg/BIwYKF83jPsZrC1NnxtdEl--gUaXVp6tQCEw/s400/Signs_2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
5. <b>Slumdog Millionaire -</b> starring Dev Patel. I think I wrote a short blog on this movie a few years ago. Ever since that time, I have planned on writing a lengthier post about it, but haven't. Here's why. It evokes such an emotional response in me that I've kind of shied away from it. I know that I will need to sit down and watch it again, and while I love the movie, the way that God opened up His love for me through it makes me react in the same way all over again. I literally cried for days after I first watched it. I was totally engrossed in the story and had no idea that God was about to say anything to me at all. God is funny that way.<br />
The movie takes you back from Jamal's childhood with his brother Salim and their meeting of a girl, Latika. It takes place over a several year time span where he is reunited with Latika and then loses her again. In the end, he doesn't know where she is, but comes up with a desperate plan to find her. The love that he has for her and the efforts he goes to to find her are so moving. God suddenly and clearly spoke some very personal things to me near the end of the movie.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q99Q0LGp5sQ/WOPAicxVczI/AAAAAAAAEBY/euCQOwamHw8nAl1A1kvJyoLB7Uf9gcmngCEw/s1600/Slum5_L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q99Q0LGp5sQ/WOPAicxVczI/AAAAAAAAEBY/euCQOwamHw8nAl1A1kvJyoLB7Uf9gcmngCEw/s640/Slum5_L.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<i><b>Another movie </b></i>worth mentioning is the recent movie, <b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Lion</span>,</b> also starring Dev Patel. It is based on a true story and it really touched my heart. It's a pretty intense, emotional movie.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-djd0jp-upYs/WOY78vVh32I/AAAAAAAAEBw/970VBLE5d0EPRXn-p5EnLwqYagvMgMVbACLcB/s1600/download.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-djd0jp-upYs/WOY78vVh32I/AAAAAAAAEBw/970VBLE5d0EPRXn-p5EnLwqYagvMgMVbACLcB/s400/download.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I've also enjoyed two other movies recently- <b><span style="font-size: large;">The Intern</span></b> with Robert DeNiro and Anne Hathaway (not a family movie) and <b><span style="font-size: large;">Joy </span></b>with Jennifer Lawrence. If someone had told me I would love a movie about a lady named Joy that created a mop, I would have laughed. But it is such a masterfully told story with so many interesting characters. I loved it.<br />
<br />
There you go! If you wanted to know a little about me (you can tell a lot about a person by their tastes in movies) or were looking for a good movie recommendation, I hope this helps. I'd love to hear some of your favorite movies, too. We have a daughter with CP and is wheelchair bound,and watching a movie is about the only thing we can do as a whole family.<br />
<br />
Much love to each of you! Happy, happy April!<br />
<br />
Linking to: <a href="http://impartinggrace.com/">impartinggrace.com</a> <a href="http://savvysouthernstyle.net/">savvysouthernstyle.net</a> <a href="http://momfessionals.com/">momfessionals.com</a> <a href="http://astrollthrulife.net/">astrollthrulife.net</a>Kathy Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11668699397851882212noreply@blogger.com37tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1789709866533425223.post-66024476983695534002017-02-17T06:06:00.001-08:002017-02-17T12:55:57.876-08:00Sweetness in Hope<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You've often heard the term, "Hope springs eternal." I was thinking about that saying today and how true it really is.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lately when I've been feeling discouraged, I will stop what I'm doing and just wait for a moment. If I can get in a quiet spot, I will wait and search deep within myself. Then I will think, "It is still there!"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The "it" is hope. I can literally feel it moving around inside my chest. It is almost like a translucent bubble that I can sense bouncing around inside of me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">From the outside, my problems are still there just as big as they ever were. My outward trials haven't went away. But inside my heart, I can feel hope floating and soaring- reassuring me that even though I haven't received an answer, my hope remains.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One version of Romans 15:13 reads:</span><br />
<br />
<div class="singleverse-row" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; display: table-row; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
</div>
<div class="singleverse-row" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; display: table-row; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<div class="singleverse-text text-html" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: table-cell; padding-top: 10px; vertical-align: top;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">May the God of your hope so fill you with all joy and peace in believing [through the experience of your faith] that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">and</i> be overflowing (<b>bubbling over</b>) with hope.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I am like anyone else. I often ask the Lord, "Oh, Lord, how long? How long?" to whatever trial I am facing. There isn't always an answer the way I would like to see an answer.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But there is a sweet hope that is like a bubbling stream deep on the inside of me. And I know that hope remains. Where there is hope, there is life.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sometimes when I read about someone who has taken their life, my heart grieves. That hope within them must have been lost. It is crucial to keep that hope alive.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sometimes people will say, "Get your hopes up." I would rather say, "Keep your hope alive. Keep feeding that hope with reassuring words."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> I speak things over myself. I speak things that I believe God says about me. That causes that little bubble of hope to float happily within me day after day.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Are you feeling unhappy or filled with despair? Activate that hope once again. Tell yourself that you will hope in God, no matter what the circumstances look like. Circumstances can look gloomy and quickly fill us with despair, but our hope can remain intact. Practice speaking words of life to yourself.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i>"Spring up, O well!"</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-GRn9CQfcrH0THn9EBCn8wfON3dRHh-Bq8yUrsrNL5sLpD7pPjcmUmsB9EmEmpul4m6o0AwlJr2PtdbNr_JHUK3t_W5IG6hEUBjDapOpxSSo2-vrkkuSU4jMOPinXdBJWQy1OHDCDhw42/s320/Friday+Favorites+01.jpg" width="320" /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i>Linking Up to: <a href="http://momfessionals.com/">momfessionals.com</a> <a href="http://savvysouthernstyle.net/">savvysouthernstyle.net</a></i></b></span></div>
</div>
Kathy Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11668699397851882212noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1789709866533425223.post-18746686343763793772017-01-16T16:34:00.000-08:002017-01-20T03:43:51.570-08:00My Five Favorite Bloggers Right NowI am up early most mornings. I usually have coffee and a quiet time before the sun even rises. Next, I usually read several posts from various bloggers while Joyce Meyer is on in the background. I love the early morning hours when the whole house is sleeping.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Many of the following bloggers I have been reading for several years now. Some of them are young moms with small children and some are in their forties. I enjoy each season of life and reading about what's going on in their lives. Some write about their faith and some combine faith with fashion. I love each one for their uniqueness.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The first one has been my favorite for a long time.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
1. <a href="http://kellyskornerblog.com/">kellyskornerblog.com</a> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LKFSjL0HEtQ/WH1jd4ISmxI/AAAAAAAAD-Q/p3ONSYE_pDQ_S7HlVUkKj53pqigBkzT5wCLcB/s1600/20151016-IMG_2184-498.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LKFSjL0HEtQ/WH1jd4ISmxI/AAAAAAAAD-Q/p3ONSYE_pDQ_S7HlVUkKj53pqigBkzT5wCLcB/s400/20151016-IMG_2184-498.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Kelly Stamps is well known in the blogging world. She has a beautiful, authentic faith that she shares with her readers. We've all come to know her three children: Harper, Hollis, and Will Holden. She had her last baby in her forties as I did, so I feel a connection to her. She is from Arkansas.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
2. <a href="http://sheaffertoldmeto.com/">sheaffertoldmeto.com</a> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xA-5WMPHHh0/WH1jmp8ORdI/AAAAAAAAD-U/YUZN_Rw7IxQlyKpaMvDlYWrE7rtrsyv7QCEw/s1600/sheaffer-told-me-to-header.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xA-5WMPHHh0/WH1jmp8ORdI/AAAAAAAAD-U/YUZN_Rw7IxQlyKpaMvDlYWrE7rtrsyv7QCEw/s640/sheaffer-told-me-to-header.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Sheaffer is probably a tie for 1st place. She has a fresh, fun way of writing. Her emphasis is primarily fashion, but she also has a heart for moms of special needs kids. She has a big Nordstrom giveaway each year for those moms. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
3. <a href="http://hisugarplum.com/">hisugarplum.com</a> </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIkcayTnR8q2h4zi926qml1p9IPq0w21EELR7po1bsRGjcFnU3kZC6qzZvaI2TpZltiWrV19wiBcLwFZcuDNW3_ayJVo1o9X-bN4z8zYzo1DqySp-EFpF-KxAjsHWaY2cKgFbxrGHzQX0/s1600/CassieDateNightOutfit-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIkcayTnR8q2h4zi926qml1p9IPq0w21EELR7po1bsRGjcFnU3kZC6qzZvaI2TpZltiWrV19wiBcLwFZcuDNW3_ayJVo1o9X-bN4z8zYzo1DqySp-EFpF-KxAjsHWaY2cKgFbxrGHzQX0/s640/CassieDateNightOutfit-5.jpg" width="504" /></a></div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Cassie is just a beautiful lady. Her blog is primarily fashion oriented also, but she and her husband also have a love for travel. They went to Portofino, Italy, last year.</div>
<div>
The name for her blog came from something her grandfather had always said to her:)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
4. <a href="http://mixandmatchmama.com/">mixandmatchmama.com</a> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qasnPKwttfw/WH1kT-O6T0I/AAAAAAAAD-g/u_a16TJ2AZImn8Lng-sObuGIs_3Dd6ErwCLcB/s1600/82-11_November_MixandMatchMama-CLAIREMCCORMACKPHOTOGRAPHY-0523-1-1-683x1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qasnPKwttfw/WH1kT-O6T0I/AAAAAAAAD-g/u_a16TJ2AZImn8Lng-sObuGIs_3Dd6ErwCLcB/s320/82-11_November_MixandMatchMama-CLAIREMCCORMACKPHOTOGRAPHY-0523-1-1-683x1024.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5CXsPLyP9jk/WH1lHxZnyYI/AAAAAAAAD-o/d7eFRK0aC8Qmw2QD3AgmDjvhlDF2gIcqgCLcB/s1600/15276532_1487471781282842_572134745278775296_n-820x1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5CXsPLyP9jk/WH1lHxZnyYI/AAAAAAAAD-o/d7eFRK0aC8Qmw2QD3AgmDjvhlDF2gIcqgCLcB/s320/15276532_1487471781282842_572134745278775296_n-820x1024.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4knmrd_q8y8/WH1ltkUH8EI/AAAAAAAAD-w/ZvbX8yLnDkgVQ-5U074__M08eyoa4f_4gCLcB/s1600/IMG_0727-768x1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4knmrd_q8y8/WH1ltkUH8EI/AAAAAAAAD-w/ZvbX8yLnDkgVQ-5U074__M08eyoa4f_4gCLcB/s320/IMG_0727-768x1024.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Shay Shull is a cookbook author and blogger. She writes about family, food, fashion, and adoption. They recently adopted their second daughter from China. She also runs a travel agency and she and her family do a lot of traveling all over the world.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
5. <a href="http://www.momfessionals.com/">www.momfessionals.com</a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nGoaz_oK6po/WH1jUn9r_uI/AAAAAAAAD-M/bLNDL4m8Gqs7EsS6ckQHFf2dXjrnHrfnACEw/s1600/_DSC3389.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nGoaz_oK6po/WH1jUn9r_uI/AAAAAAAAD-M/bLNDL4m8Gqs7EsS6ckQHFf2dXjrnHrfnACEw/s640/_DSC3389.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Andrea is a middle school math teacher in Texas with three beautiful children. She writes mostly about her family life and loves to decorate for the holidays just like I do. I love her sweet outlook on being a mother. I don't think I've ever seen anyone make every moment count the way she seems to be able to do. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
There are many other bloggers out there that I love. Would you believe that most of them, including numbers 2-5 on this post are from Texas? There must just be something about Texas!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
A few more that I read are:</div>
<div>
<a href="http://www.thequeeninbetween.com/">www.thequeeninbetween.com</a>, <a href="http://getyourprettyon.com/">getyourprettyon.com</a>, <a href="http://southerncurlsandpearls.com/">southerncurlsandpearls.com</a>, <a href="http://tabanderika.blogspot.com/">tabanderika.blogspot.com</a>, and <a href="http://thebigmamablog.com/">thebigmamablog.com</a>. I just couldn't leave those out!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
If you are looking for a new blog to read, I highly recommend each one of these ladies. They always have good, fresh content and are very consistent bloggers. It's funny that I can mention the first five ladies above by name to my husband and he is familiar with who they are:)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Happy reading and I pray that the month of January is especially blessed for you and your family!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Linking to: <a href="http://momfessionals.com/">momfessionals.com</a> <a href="http://tabanderika.blogspot.com/">tabanderika.blogspot.com</a> <a href="http://savvysouthernstyle.net/">savvysouthernstyle.net</a> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k-_OWU4YJTo/WIH38l9S0WI/AAAAAAAAD_U/y2V_ki0IeLQTcYVsM4K30EgeNkVYanhSACLcB/s1600/Friday%2BFavorites%2B01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k-_OWU4YJTo/WIH38l9S0WI/AAAAAAAAD_U/y2V_ki0IeLQTcYVsM4K30EgeNkVYanhSACLcB/s320/Friday%2BFavorites%2B01.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FRYr6e3Pb6s/WH4bkh-BZ0I/AAAAAAAAD_E/XTVz7BNPZEclwhz0AhtTJrz8OybZZ6NGwCLcB/s1600/image1%2B%252813%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FRYr6e3Pb6s/WH4bkh-BZ0I/AAAAAAAAD_E/XTVz7BNPZEclwhz0AhtTJrz8OybZZ6NGwCLcB/s320/image1%2B%252813%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Kathy Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11668699397851882212noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1789709866533425223.post-27184273645196437582017-01-16T06:16:00.005-08:002017-01-17T12:59:50.396-08:00I Dream of ClosetsOur home is almost ten years old now and I still pinch myself that I get to live here. There isn't a whole lot I would change if we were building again. But now that I've become a little more interested in things like clothes and shoes, I sometimes dream of closets!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WqsQEa5UffM/WHlM5N2vz1I/AAAAAAAAD8A/TxzPV5xS-5EobGCR8u5WMII9MI4EjXdfgCEw/s1600/7b7b7233d65e99e5fc4a66cd41de6067.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WqsQEa5UffM/WHlM5N2vz1I/AAAAAAAAD8A/TxzPV5xS-5EobGCR8u5WMII9MI4EjXdfgCEw/s400/7b7b7233d65e99e5fc4a66cd41de6067.jpg" width="347" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://freshamerican.com/">freshamerican.com</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Our closet is off our bathroom in the master bedroom. It is nice, roomy space. But if I were going to design a closet, here are a few things that I would incorporate.<br />
<br />
1. Bring on the <b>GLAM</b>! If I am going to dream big, then I might as well go all out, right?<br />
<br />
A <b>chandelier</b> and an <b>island </b>would be key for my dream closet.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DGueNj_I9eA/WHlT85539_I/AAAAAAAAD8s/XSayglEFmRsrmGMiw2KqO9agrtKQ3EDLACEw/s1600/5936340749_2499bbaff1_o.0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DGueNj_I9eA/WHlT85539_I/AAAAAAAAD8s/XSayglEFmRsrmGMiw2KqO9agrtKQ3EDLACEw/s640/5936340749_2499bbaff1_o.0.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://curbed.com/">curbed.com</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n35bYD5Nk8c/WHlM1qpS8eI/AAAAAAAAD7I/LViw96zFbVQWZwPQJjof4VVvBzCcAV41QCLcB/s1600/fe42d54a15b1d4159722bc253ba005f9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n35bYD5Nk8c/WHlM1qpS8eI/AAAAAAAAD7I/LViw96zFbVQWZwPQJjof4VVvBzCcAV41QCLcB/s640/fe42d54a15b1d4159722bc253ba005f9.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<a href="http://forum.purseblog.com/">forum.purseblog.com</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dBmprDQ8uZE/WHlM5F-qaGI/AAAAAAAAD7U/dUjegPD3nOUTR8_b5fylMiNYig7V0ROOwCLcB/s1600/8f20485160340dcb6bcbd9dabb479938.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dBmprDQ8uZE/WHlM5F-qaGI/AAAAAAAAD7U/dUjegPD3nOUTR8_b5fylMiNYig7V0ROOwCLcB/s640/8f20485160340dcb6bcbd9dabb479938.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/">pinterest.com</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cayblzRl3uY/WHlM8iSMo1I/AAAAAAAAD7Y/YBf5Yx92XP8DANtPESRiK5u8p5Blp6OjQCLcB/s1600/48a42bf902b4b8ccfb631fcc8e1e9d49.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cayblzRl3uY/WHlM8iSMo1I/AAAAAAAAD7Y/YBf5Yx92XP8DANtPESRiK5u8p5Blp6OjQCLcB/s640/48a42bf902b4b8ccfb631fcc8e1e9d49.jpg" width="430" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lovika.com/">lovika.com</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q6lKg977nYI/WHlM9DerqCI/AAAAAAAAD7g/Sk6FkLqvnWwXS-N9Ok8gRDnT0VbVxGaRgCLcB/s640/656b0ccd0d0cd820ba27f38141f22d6f.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="512" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://decorpad.com/">decorpad.com</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IZhHm8mA6O0/WHlM9dUKxqI/AAAAAAAAD7k/1LSitQX97Kwtk91GiQ0BM4KkHu0i5leOACLcB/s1600/872df2e6ddec4190c2624148101ac1cc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IZhHm8mA6O0/WHlM9dUKxqI/AAAAAAAAD7k/1LSitQX97Kwtk91GiQ0BM4KkHu0i5leOACLcB/s640/872df2e6ddec4190c2624148101ac1cc.jpg" width="486" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://decorpad.com/">decorpad.com</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8cr8sOiN3vM/WHlNEJ1jM5I/AAAAAAAAD7s/YLZcVcE0PdI2HnoJfO9bLGF4YHdpIbXsQCLcB/s1600/ab9a1bd4efd0970f217b4adad186deea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8cr8sOiN3vM/WHlNEJ1jM5I/AAAAAAAAD7s/YLZcVcE0PdI2HnoJfO9bLGF4YHdpIbXsQCLcB/s640/ab9a1bd4efd0970f217b4adad186deea.jpg" width="428" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://deringhall.com/">deringhall.com</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dzvYg6ut0hM/WHlRHkKbq5I/AAAAAAAAD8c/3NuTRXyqeSATrRfaJRZvFOVvTkVrf5snwCLcB/s1600/6209dd768b076207d3cf948418b9d9be.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dzvYg6ut0hM/WHlRHkKbq5I/AAAAAAAAD8c/3NuTRXyqeSATrRfaJRZvFOVvTkVrf5snwCLcB/s400/6209dd768b076207d3cf948418b9d9be.jpg" width="335" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://babble.com/">babble.com</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bL14uejPT70/WHlNEvg3GNI/AAAAAAAAD70/lubDTeDHqSsZV676Cqt7TVaObFl5xsieACLcB/s1600/cc781f729e056876b8caefd5797af913.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bL14uejPT70/WHlNEvg3GNI/AAAAAAAAD70/lubDTeDHqSsZV676Cqt7TVaObFl5xsieACLcB/s640/cc781f729e056876b8caefd5797af913.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://decorpad.com/">decorpad.com</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xbf7Aou6Vy8/WHzQ310939I/AAAAAAAAD94/1LXxvdPxZzItWvJ6IyH7uTQKdZc4uxeeACLcB/s1600/091614-lauren-conrad-7-888_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xbf7Aou6Vy8/WHzQ310939I/AAAAAAAAD94/1LXxvdPxZzItWvJ6IyH7uTQKdZc4uxeeACLcB/s400/091614-lauren-conrad-7-888_1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://instyle.com/">instyle.com</a><br />
Lauren Conrad closet<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Lighting is such a key element in designing a closet/dressing area. The link below can help in selecting the type of light you could use for your dream closet.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.arhaus.com/furniture/lighting/pendant-lighting/">https://www.arhaus.com/furniture/lighting/pendant-lighting/</a><br />
<br />
2. Another thing that would be key for me is hidden storage space. Somewhere in my closet I would love a hidden storage area for all holiday related stuff - boxes, wrapping paper, luggage, etc.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_XDKpM5qd9U/WHlPEEqG_pI/AAAAAAAAD8I/f547qrx6kMMj0iqKj6VbQVAfNOhzvucRwCLcB/s1600/291cbd8a68a8c2298a5ad7ff6335858a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_XDKpM5qd9U/WHlPEEqG_pI/AAAAAAAAD8I/f547qrx6kMMj0iqKj6VbQVAfNOhzvucRwCLcB/s640/291cbd8a68a8c2298a5ad7ff6335858a.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://charlesandhudson.com/">charlesandhudson.com</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Isn't this a neat storage idea? I love it!<br />
<br />
3. A <i>marble</i> counter in the closet for my perfume (okay, I only have one bottle of perfume at the moment, but in my dream closet, there are lots of perfume bottles!) makeup, lighted makeup mirror, jewelry, and any other little pretties.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uIQaFUHqvPI/WHlWm7UWgJI/AAAAAAAAD88/CVWez4tACPgzFP_f7jQXgrt1PpWSHMSuACLcB/s1600/dd99a20875163a16b386bc43c17d86cc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uIQaFUHqvPI/WHlWm7UWgJI/AAAAAAAAD88/CVWez4tACPgzFP_f7jQXgrt1PpWSHMSuACLcB/s400/dd99a20875163a16b386bc43c17d86cc.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thebookofsecrets.tumblr.com/">thebookofsecrets.tumblr.com</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
4. A valet pole in my closet. It would be nice to have this feature so that I could put together what I was wearing the next day.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yUjt60Rm0_o/WHlWKHBvv7I/AAAAAAAAD84/ju59Aj9rdpEVs4ygC4QxKraMV9p8PWvCwCLcB/s1600/CI-Closet-Maid_master-suite-valet-rod_s3x4.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.966.1288%2B%25281%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yUjt60Rm0_o/WHlWKHBvv7I/AAAAAAAAD84/ju59Aj9rdpEVs4ygC4QxKraMV9p8PWvCwCLcB/s320/CI-Closet-Maid_master-suite-valet-rod_s3x4.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.966.1288%2B%25281%2529.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://hgtv.com/">hgtv.com</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
5. A chair where I could sit and take boots on and off.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G1l6oUt6sQY/WHlYz3UdhkI/AAAAAAAAD9I/8n4MlmZdC7UBR8MY7a0N_Lc1vxuKHslhACLcB/s1600/2bca082cf6fd2c124487bd3d458ce863.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G1l6oUt6sQY/WHlYz3UdhkI/AAAAAAAAD9I/8n4MlmZdC7UBR8MY7a0N_Lc1vxuKHslhACLcB/s320/2bca082cf6fd2c124487bd3d458ce863.jpg" width="247" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://fullbloomcottage.com/">fullbloomcottage.com</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
6. A leopard print rug/carpet in my closet would make it feel like a special space.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhER3QPtx-jXuQRG5FH4PQiayRHmtfheHbTBKVxoKnoyUbnQiWUGBFX9WiKJW7AHnQd8qD-t0dXzuYAor6ysb-mrFHcaRneK3SHH5m1axh2-n6_K8Jl_w9BMCHAHpx2mGRqu3tlPCMogSk/s1600/043ddd2cebd3d3ddd6d40dc882dddcc3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhER3QPtx-jXuQRG5FH4PQiayRHmtfheHbTBKVxoKnoyUbnQiWUGBFX9WiKJW7AHnQd8qD-t0dXzuYAor6ysb-mrFHcaRneK3SHH5m1axh2-n6_K8Jl_w9BMCHAHpx2mGRqu3tlPCMogSk/s640/043ddd2cebd3d3ddd6d40dc882dddcc3.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://pinkpeonies.com/">pinkpeonies.com</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
7. Finally, in my GLAM closet, it would <b>not </b>be his and hers. I am sorry, Dave, but my dream closet only has room for one. I'll make sure your closet is just as nice:)<br />
<br />
<br />
What would you have in your dream closet?<br />
<br />
*This post was inspired by Arhaus furniture.<br />
<a href="http://arhausfurniture.com/">arhausfurniture.com</a><br />
<br />
<br />
Linking to: <a href="http://savvysouthernstyle.net/">savvysouthernstyle.net</a> <a href="http://astrollthrulife.net/">astrollthrulife.net</a> <a href="http://stonegableblog.com/">stonegableblog.com</a> <a href="http://impartinggrace.com/">impartinggrace.com</a>Kathy Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11668699397851882212noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1789709866533425223.post-35077402419462805342016-12-28T14:58:00.002-08:002016-12-28T16:37:54.834-08:00The God of All Comfort<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oThDItAWw4U/WGRDYSdfGvI/AAAAAAAAD6s/w1hdScayVScDi7dbog7r85zKaPP8h269ACLcB/s1600/6ce44375384d76c8ca1a6ff75f1ce533.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oThDItAWw4U/WGRDYSdfGvI/AAAAAAAAD6s/w1hdScayVScDi7dbog7r85zKaPP8h269ACLcB/s640/6ce44375384d76c8ca1a6ff75f1ce533.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo courtesy of Pinterest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I hope you all had a wonderful and joyous Christmas.<br />
<br />
It seems I had a little trouble getting into the Christmas spirit. I baked, watched Christmas movies, and spent time with family. But some years are just like that, I guess.<br />
<br />
We received sad news a week ago today. One of the young moms in our church suffered the unexpected loss of her brother and nephew. We attended their funerals today. It broke my heart to see her grief and the grief of her family.<br />
<br />
I wish I could wave a magic wand when people are crushed and are suffering such brokenness. How I wish I could call their loved ones back for just a few moments so that they could know and see that they are okay and with the Lord.<br />
<br />
There is something so unsettling about death. It hardly ever comes with warning. It is when it comes so unexpectedly that it causes our grief to almost break us.<br />
<br />
When our son died, it was unexpected in some ways, but also not a total surprise. Alex had come close to death before, but had always somehow pulled through. I thought that night in the emergency room would be like the other times. But it wasn't.<br />
<br />
There isn't a lot we can do except pray for those who are hurting. Sometimes, I could sense the prayers of people praying for us after Alex died. At other times, God seemed very far away. I wondered if He were indifferent to what I was feeling. I know now that He was very near, but at the time, I couldn't always feel Him there. The Bible says that He is touched by the feelings of our infirmities and that He is close to the brokenhearted. All during those days (and even now) when I felt so broken and wondered where God was, He was actually very near. We can't go by our feelings during these times - we can only go by faith that He will never lie to us. He is with us. He sees the beginning and the end. He sees our loved ones. They are not lost from His sight or His care. We that remain are not lost from His sight. He cares and sees every tear, every sigh, every groan, every thought.<br />
<br />
Still, how I wish I could make everything right for those who are hurting today.<br />
<br />
But one day, we will see our loved ones again. I will rejoice with them and I will rejoice for all of those who are finally reunited again forever.<br />
<br />
So I begin this New Year with hope for myself and for others who are hurting today. Only God can restore and give hope once again. It isn't something we can work up. We can rest in knowing that He will bring healing and peace once again.<br />
<br />
If you are hurting today, can I pray with you? Lord Jesus, I declare peace and hope over anyone reading these words today. I ask that You do the impossible and give hope where there isn't any right now. I ask that you reveal Yourself in their dreams at night and during the long hours of the day. I speak peace, peace, peace. Let their eyes be opened to your majesty and your glory. Let the supernatural become natural. In Jesus' name. Amen.<br />
<br />
I send love and blessings to each one of you. Remember that God is the God of comfort, who comforts us in <b>all</b> our afflictions.<br />
<br />
Linking to: <a href="http://savvysouthernstyle.net/">savvysouthernstyle.net</a> <a href="http://stonegableblog.com/">stonegableblog.com</a> <a href="http://impartinggrace.com/">impartinggrace.com</a> <a href="http://astrollthrulife.net/">astrollthrulife.net</a>Kathy Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11668699397851882212noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1789709866533425223.post-14290209734005096872016-12-14T15:26:00.001-08:002016-12-14T15:54:23.091-08:00Christmas Gifts I Would Definitely Buy For MyselfIf you are still looking for gifts for the females in your life, and you aren't tired of reading one more blog post about gift ideas, then look no further. I'm here for you.<br />
<br />
If I were buying a gift for myself, then these would be a few that I would choose.<br />
<br />
<br />
1. It's really too, too bad that I discovered this place a little late in life. But now that I have...<br />
<br />
A Sephora Gift Card<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HgnOmBN6Wa0/WFHQBrqcJ6I/AAAAAAAAD5o/rygpKw4H8TUlZsTJC7b41Yb3G7wr3h9dgCLcB/s1600/312nJ34LE%252BL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HgnOmBN6Wa0/WFHQBrqcJ6I/AAAAAAAAD5o/rygpKw4H8TUlZsTJC7b41Yb3G7wr3h9dgCLcB/s320/312nJ34LE%252BL.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Your mom, sister, girlfriend, or wife can get perfume, makeup, and lots of other things that women love - and your purchases come in a little black and white striped bag. It just makes me happy.<br />
<br />
<br />
2. TJ Maxx Gift Card (can also be used at Marshalls or Home Goods - so,win win)<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O2CeZrd-vlA/WFHQObdyFPI/AAAAAAAAD5s/a0-0fKGiflEUNX6gxN7u4NctckDlKAbKQCLcB/s1600/218_card_img_1424811237_TJX-Gift-Card.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="204" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O2CeZrd-vlA/WFHQObdyFPI/AAAAAAAAD5s/a0-0fKGiflEUNX6gxN7u4NctckDlKAbKQCLcB/s320/218_card_img_1424811237_TJX-Gift-Card.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I love buying things for the home at Home Goods. Their inventory changes all the time and I love that I'm not paying full price.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
3. Her favorite restaurant/coffee gift card. I love my Starbucks!<br />
<br />
<span id="goog_274788666"></span><span id="goog_274788667"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Di1N-VO8u40/WFHSXRAiCNI/AAAAAAAAD58/rgj2Y5kz-XkeVdsFbUojpstpRi8SaCdCgCLcB/s1600/516nsy8Rf2L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Di1N-VO8u40/WFHSXRAiCNI/AAAAAAAAD58/rgj2Y5kz-XkeVdsFbUojpstpRi8SaCdCgCLcB/s640/516nsy8Rf2L.jpg" width="470" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
4. Hair salon gift card. I always have a mini heart attack at how the prices keep rising. A gift card would help immensely.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
5. A new car with a bow on top is the thing that dreams are made of as well as plane tickets to a distant city....but really, an <i><b>experience</b></i> can make for a nice gift. It's as cold as the North Pole where I live, but I've always thought a sleigh ride in a horse drawn carriage would be so much fun followed by apple cider or hot chocolate.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FVNDMyu2Af4/WFHQ_rVtltI/AAAAAAAAD5w/HNLrQW7EWgoiD8K0eiWaxnoY1s1GsDCUACLcB/s1600/bbff76871cebafbe3ff309ca570433b5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FVNDMyu2Af4/WFHQ_rVtltI/AAAAAAAAD5w/HNLrQW7EWgoiD8K0eiWaxnoY1s1GsDCUACLcB/s400/bbff76871cebafbe3ff309ca570433b5.jpg" width="277" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://weebly.com/">weebly.com</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
*My son and daughter are going to Chicago this weekend to see a sing along version of White Christmas with Bing Crosby. For someone who loves Christmas, this would be a great gift surprise.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5sTMS_FfJmo/WFHRRkE1tFI/AAAAAAAAD50/Pz3TaWJp4pkoxJCj9Q3v0vis1lRI2PuAQCLcB/s1600/gallery-1449156201-white-christmas-lead.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5sTMS_FfJmo/WFHRRkE1tFI/AAAAAAAAD50/Pz3TaWJp4pkoxJCj9Q3v0vis1lRI2PuAQCLcB/s640/gallery-1449156201-white-christmas-lead.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://musicboxtheater.com/">musicboxtheater.com</a> (Chicago, IL)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
*I don't have any interest in a sky diving experience, but maybe your wife or girlfriend does:)<br />
<br />
*You could also purchase tickets to an event that you know she would enjoy. The Sound of Music will be playing at the Civic Center in DM next year and that is something I would love to attend.<br />
<br />
<br />
One last experience idea. A few years back we worked at a non profit ministry. I wanted to give my husband a gift that he would remember. I wrote one of his favorite authors to see if he could possibly call my husband on Christmas. I never heard back from him, so I just assumed that he either hadn't received it, or it was just an impossible request. So, on Christmas Eve, I told my husband what I had tried to give him for a Christmas gift. He was very touched. Guess what? The author actually did call my husband on Christmas Day!<br />
<br />
So you can basically bug your spouse's favorite author and hope that they will call them, too. lol<br />
<br />
6. A gift card for her favorite shop.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jPVEhdrdmMA/WFHTiZJgMiI/AAAAAAAAD6E/yBjdzWzCtEANa3zp5VzAvj50ahOmVwxlwCLcB/s1600/pottery-barn-gift-cards-c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jPVEhdrdmMA/WFHTiZJgMiI/AAAAAAAAD6E/yBjdzWzCtEANa3zp5VzAvj50ahOmVwxlwCLcB/s320/pottery-barn-gift-cards-c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I love going to Pottery Barn for inspiration, but I <i>don't</i> usually buy unless I run across a great sale, especially after Christmas. I have a lot of beautiful holiday things that I have purchased from Pottery Barn, but they were purchased ON SALE:)<br />
<br />
<br />
7. Either a movie night at home with takeout food, or going to a special movie would be a gift I would love. I saw <b>Hacksaw Ridge</b> recently and really liked it. I'd like to see the movie <b>Lion</b>, also. Just purchase the tickets in advance and wrap it up!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ay2DB34B09U/WFHarbC3WeI/AAAAAAAAD6U/qY2TiJqIgsk1r7xjwwd_9dWq_-3gos2WQCLcB/s1600/8bfaba096d829566a8629ecdd803fff2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ay2DB34B09U/WFHarbC3WeI/AAAAAAAAD6U/qY2TiJqIgsk1r7xjwwd_9dWq_-3gos2WQCLcB/s400/8bfaba096d829566a8629ecdd803fff2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fsk90SlT2Is/WFHauTEe0BI/AAAAAAAAD6Y/WS6WF2iVgRUhObnaALR3bmGtr6Mxg_oWwCLcB/s1600/images%2B%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fsk90SlT2Is/WFHauTEe0BI/AAAAAAAAD6Y/WS6WF2iVgRUhObnaALR3bmGtr6Mxg_oWwCLcB/s400/images%2B%25282%2529.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
These are a few of the things that come to mind. I hope it may help someone out.<br />
<br />
I pray each one of you reading has a very Merry Christmas!! God bless you!<br />
<br />
<br />
Linking up to: <a href="http://astrollthrulife.net/">astrollthrulife.net</a> <a href="http://savvysouthernstyle.net/">savvysouthernstyle.net</a> <a href="http://homestoriesatoz.com/">homestoriesatoz.com</a> <a href="http://stonegableblog.com/">stonegableblog.com</a>Kathy Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11668699397851882212noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1789709866533425223.post-52698969985218922192016-11-17T08:46:00.000-08:002017-02-14T12:49:18.373-08:00My Beautiful Aunt LorettaI must say that I've been blessed with some very beautiful aunts in my family. On my mom's side I have Linda, Loretta, Lena Mae, Frances, Brenda, and Pam. On my dad's side I have Sandy, Charlotte, and Mary Frances. They are all lovely.<br />
<br />
Sadly, two of my aunts have passed away. My aunt Frances died just a few years ago. I will always think of her as she was when I was about ten years old. She was stunningly beautiful. I will always remember her with her long black hair wearing a crushed velvet pantsuit (it was back in the day of crushed velvet hot pants and couches, wood paneling and shag carpeting). I distinctly remember one afternoon when she picked me up at school when I was in the third grade. I hoped with all my heart that all my friends would see me walking down the sidewalk with my pretty aunt. I was so proud of her.<br />
<br />
My aunt Loretta passed away when my kids were small. She was something extra special. She didn't live near us, but several states away in Florida. It was a wonderful time when we would learn that she was coming down for the holidays. If you think of a Hollywood premiere with spotlights on movie stars, then you have some inkling of what it was like when Loretta would arrive. It helped that she looked a lot like the movie star, Ann Margaret. She would walk into the room and the atmosphere would change. Her laugh would ring out as she embraced everyone. You just had to be happy around Loretta. She would enjoy everything that came out of your mouth no matter who you were. I look back now and realize what a gift that is. To make the person in front of you feel like they are valuable and important is a rarity. She truly seemed to enjoy hearing all about my ten year old, thirteen year old, or sixteen year old self. She made everyone feel that way. No wonder we all looked forward to seeing her.<br />
<br />
My very first plane ride was with my aunt Pam to go and visit Loretta in Ft. Walton Beach, Florida. She took us to see Jaws and then we were too scared to swim in the Gulf of Mexico (at least for a day). It was a special visit because after years of wanting a child, she and her husband were finally expecting a baby. She radiated joy and happiness. Her little girl, Adria, was an answer to their prayers.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XiVIyY-apbE/WC3dswpD8mI/AAAAAAAAD5E/zB-tF6crysAT_12m5TpFP56KN4WqeFO0wCLcB/s1600/395588_359463727406646_2047751347_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="328" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XiVIyY-apbE/WC3dswpD8mI/AAAAAAAAD5E/zB-tF6crysAT_12m5TpFP56KN4WqeFO0wCLcB/s400/395588_359463727406646_2047751347_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Years later, she was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease and died a short time later. A beautiful light went out when she passed away.<br />
<br />
But every holiday season, when I am preparing for Thanksgiving, I think of Loretta. Over the years, I've tried to make the holidays special for my nieces and nephews. I've tried to keep alive that joy that she always brought to the holiday season and even the ordinary days (which she made extraordinary) when she was able to come and see us.<br />
<br />
So to all my nieces and nephews, and especially to my own children, I hope I've been able in some small way, to make Thanksgiving and Christmas as special for you as she did for me.<br />
<br />
Thank you, Loretta:)<br />
<br />
Linking to: <a href="http://impartinggrace.com/">impartinggrace.com</a> <a href="http://savvysouthernstyle.net/">savvysouthernstyle.net</a> <a href="http://stonegableblog.com/">stonegableblog.com</a> <a href="http://astrollthrulife.org/">astrollthrulife.org</a> <a href="http://homestoriesatoz.com/">homestoriesatoz.com</a>Kathy Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11668699397851882212noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1789709866533425223.post-11627088426850655922016-10-23T16:42:00.005-07:002016-10-26T11:31:32.380-07:00PAIN<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://photos-1.dropbox.com/t/2/AAAqT6qqqyh1CQte32Hvc2tshXQ9hWBOrBDLBNehR9TfWA/12/593513289/jpeg/32x32/1/_/1/2/kathywatch.jpg/EIb9l-QEGDMgAigC/RrrNEjGVw6PUxOKJDqCi2H4-Sp8qo0RCGobc4Jlt0RA%2CspaYsWXZNfx_2CF-Fzs2mQmcNJ9mcKhMh9StSzlMYGc?size=800x600&size_mode=3" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's time to move past pain.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
I was praying one day and told the Lord, "Well, I've pretty much written about all I know to write about. Do You have any ideas of what I should write about?" I really wasn't expecting an answer, to be honest. I say a lot of things to God and He doesn't always clearly answer me. But on this day, He did. He said, "Write about pain." That wouldn't be my Number One choice, but after a few weeks, I started writing about pain and a few experiences that came to my mind.<br />
<br />
When I say the word pain, what immediately comes to your mind?<br />
Is there an event in your life that coincides with the word pain?<br />
<br />
Pain can feel like it is cutting us to ribbons, even years after an event. On the outside, perhaps we look normal. But in the invisible realm, we are gushing out blood from our wounds.<br />
<br />
No one can avoid pain.<br />
<br />
Everyone experiences pain.<br />
<br />
The experiences I'm sharing are really small potatoes compared to other people's memories of growing up with an alcoholic parent, or because of abuse, or divorce. I realize that. Those are much deeper hurts. I would never minimize those experiences by comparing them to mine. These are just meant as examples of painful situations many of us have experienced.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
In the fourth grade, I can remember a girl coming up to me as I had my hand on the door to go outside for recess. We had spent many afternoons playing at each other's houses. I clearly remember her words, "My mom said I don't have to play with you at school." as she headed out the door. I remember stopping and thinking, "But why? We've played together all our lives. Why can't we play together at school?" Even now, I can remember and feel that pain. I didn't understand. My heart didn't know what to do with the hurt. I must have opened the door and went on outside. But I can still recall the pain I felt at hearing those words. A little seed was planted that said I was found wanting in some area and I didn't even know what area it was.</div>
<br />
In the fifth grade, I was the new girl at a tiny school. I was painfully shy, but smiled and tried to be friendly.<br />
A girl was passing out birthday invitations. She passed them out one by one as we all stood in line. When she got to me, she looked at me and said, "I'm not inviting you."<br />
While I understood on some level as a fifth grader that it was because I was new and she didn't know me, it still hurt deeply. All the other girls were standing there admiring their invitations and I wasn't included.<br />
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
When I hit the 7th grade, it was the year of Farrah Fawcett and her famous hairstyle. I had read that this style only worked if your hair was thick and wavy. Mine was, so I was convinced that I could be beautiful if only my hair was cut like Farrah's. But it wasn't to be. In your mind's eye, place a bad haircut on one of the tallest girls in the 7th grade (me), one of the skinniest girls in the 7th grade (again, me), and the one whose front teeth stuck out a little, and you can kind of get the picture. I <i>hated</i> what I saw in the mirror.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
Fast forward a few years later when our 9th grade class was voting for class officers. I attended a small school and had been a class officer each year. But that year was different. My name was called along with several others who were nominated. We were asked to stand out in the hallway while the class voted. When I came back in, I found out that I hadn't won that year. But I was even more surprised and hurt when a girl I considered to be a friend, leaned over to me and said, "I didn't vote for you." I was at a loss as to why she wanted me to know that. The remainder of that last year at that school was very hard. I felt like I didn't fit in anywhere.<br />
<br />
Probably none of us escaped our school years unscathed.<br />
<br />
I often felt like I was a disappointment as a kid. If I made the honor roll, I felt like I was okay and good. But I wasn't the prettiest, the smartest, the most popular, the most anything. When I looked in a mirror, I was always disappointed.<br />
<br />
<br />
The hardest time of all for me during those years were the yearbook photo days. Maybe I could somehow persuade myself that I looked okay when I saw my reflection in the mirror each morning. But photos just don't lie.<br />
<br />
I dreaded the day when the teacher passed out that envelope with our photos inside. Do you remember those big envelopes where your picture showed through the window of the envelope? I always had hope in my heart. Maybe this year, I would look better. Maybe I would have taken a good picture. Maybe I even looked a little pretty. But every year, my hopes were crushed. It seemed I looked worse every single year! My teeth stuck out, my eyebrows were bushy, and my hair was big, but not in an 80's good sort of way. If I tried to work on one area of myself, it literally seemed another unmanageable area made itself known....pimples, sciolosis...all I needed were glasses and braces, which somehow I managed to avoid.<br />
<br />
I began to believe what I saw in those photos. I believed I was ugly.<br />
<br />
Sometimes pain can lead to shame. For many years, I've had a sense of shame always being there, covering me, and speaking lies to me.<br />
<br />
"They don't like you."<br />
"You aren't pretty enough,"<br />
"You never do anything right."<br />
<br />
It can go on and on.<br />
<br />
My husband often says this<i>, "Guilt is feeling bad about something you've done, shame is feeling bad about what <b>you are.</b> It's an identity issue." </i><br />
<br />
Pain and shame can define us and convince us of things that are not even true about ourselves. If you hear something long enough, you start to believe what you are hearing, even if it is coming from your own head.<br />
<br />
<br />
My husband remembers a time when he was the new kid at school. He and his brother were wearing jeans and cowboy boots, while the other guys were wearing bell bottoms. He had been well liked and popular at his previous school, but now at the new school, he felt he had been dropped in the middle of a mine field.<br />
<br />
One day, during lunch, his classmates were reaching over and helping themselves to tator tots off their friend's plate. When my husband casually decided to do the same, that student went into a rage, picked up his lunch tray loaded with food, and slammed it all over him. He was covered in lunch room food and left the room while all the students laughed. He felt totally humiliated. But that experience, along with some others during those awful years, left an imprint on him - that he wasn't acceptable as he was. He made a decision to do whatever it took to fit in. That decision would affect his life negatively for many years.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
All of our painful experiences, if not healed, can define us as who we think we are.<br />
<br />
When I look in the mirror, I have to fight to see who I am now. I have to strain to not see the unattractive 7th grader staring back at me in the mirror.<br />
<br />
Over the years, I've often thought I missed an important class in school. The class that teaches you how to walk, how to talk, how to do your hair and makeup, and what clothes to wear. It feels like a memo was sent out that I somehow missed!<br />
<br />
I was helping with a GED class a few years ago with Teen Challenge students. While assisting a really sweet young man in his twenties, he suddenly became very emotional. Being back in a school environment suddenly caused him to recall how a teacher's words to him had made him feel stupid. Even though that had occurred years ago, working on his GED brought back all those memories of feeling that he wasn't bright enough or as smart as the other kids in his class. He was a grown man now, but that pain and those words were still a part of him. He was actually very bright, but the words of that teacher had convinced him otherwise.<br />
<br />
This reminds me of something I read the other day about Thomas Edison.<br />
<br />
<img height="640" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/52/46/b5/5246b59e2f338276d2ae589692c0291f.jpg" width="336" /><br />
<br />
<br />
Amazing, isn't it? He would grow up to be one of the most famous inventors of the century, but because of his different learning style (this article said that he was probably dyslexic), he was labeled "addled"(dumb) by a teacher.<br />
<br />
Maybe there are words that were spoken to you that you have had a hard time getting past.<br />
<br />
Has someone such as a teacher, told you that you were dumb or slow or stupid?<br />
<br />
You're not. Maybe you have a different learning style, but you aren't stupid.<br />
<br />
Has someone called you worthless? Maybe a parent said that in anger or a spouse or someone else close to your heart has said that to you.<br />
<br />
That label isn't true either. You are extremely valuable. So much so, that Someone saw you, loved you, and was willing to lay down His life for you. You have great value to God. Jesus' love for you isn't just a fairy tale story. It is real. He sees you, knows you, and loves you right where you are today.<br />
<br />
Did your family struggle financially when you were growing up? Sometimes that feeling of lack can create a great insecurity even when those times are years behind you. Do you still struggle with feeling that you or your family aren't as good as other families? God wants to heal that area of your heart.<br />
<br />
Were you hiding a secret that caused you shame and pain?<br />
<br />
God longs to bring us into a place of peace where we no longer struggle with hearing the voice inside our head telling us we can never be good enough, never achieve anything, never do anything great. None of that is true, although if it is something you've heard in your head for a long time - <b><i>it can seem true.</i></b> You've just gotten used to it.<br />
<br />
But that doesn't mean that we can't start over by replacing those lies with what is really true.<br />
<br />
The older I become, the more I realize that Jesus isn't just our Savior or a Healer. He is that prince on a white horse that wants to rescue us.<br />
<br />
Our four year old son passed away twenty years ago. That is hard for me to believe sometimes. I still remember details very clearly from the night he died. There is still pain there. You aren't supposed to see your little boy on a hospital gurney when there is no longer any life in his body. I still struggle in a very, very big way with fear concerning our other children. I will wake up sometimes and think, "Will I have to go through that again? Please God, don't let that happen again." I recognize that I need healing in that area. There is still a lot of pain there that needs to be healed.<br />
<br />
A couple of days ago, I was in line at Walmart to return an item. There were two young men in front of me. Something about one of them caught my eye. For some reason, the moment I looked at him, I understood that he felt bad about himself, as if he felt he wasn't as good as other people. I don't know how I knew that, but it just seems I did. Inside my head, I prayed for him. I prayed that God would show him how valuable and loved he really was.<br />
<br />
It hurts my heart to know there are people we pass every day who feel this way. They live and function in pain because it is all they know. I truly want to see that kind of thing healed up in their hearts by the One who loves them the most. I just don't always know how to move from Point A to Point B in how to go about that. I've been thinking about that verse lately that says, "Do the work of an evangelist." I'm perfectly willing if God will lead me in how to do that.<br />
<br />
My husband often teaches on our identity. A couple of things he says are:<br />
<br />
1. We can actually argue against the word of God when we continue to believe the wrong things.<br />
<br />
2. Assuming we already have the truth is one of the biggest barriers to receiving the truth we need.<br />
<br />
Part of the process of overcoming pain is in our court. We have to choose to do things in a new way.<br />
<br />
Pain hurts. Pain is painful. But God can use even your most painful experiences.Sometimes pain causes us to forge ahead with God in ways that perhaps we would not have done otherwise. He can bring beauty from your ashes.<br />
<br />
If I could pray with you, it would be this prayer: "Lord Jesus, open their minds, hearts, and spirits to the truth of who You are and who they are to you. Even when they are sleeping, begin to awaken your love in them. In everyday ways that the can comprehend and know, begin to show them how valuable they are to you."<br />
<br />
<br />
Much love to each one of you!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Link up: <a href="http://astrollthrulife.net/">astrollthrulife.net</a> <a href="http://impartinggrace.com/">impartinggrace.com</a>Kathy Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11668699397851882212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1789709866533425223.post-8914075983192193972016-10-10T13:33:00.005-07:002016-10-11T05:27:21.337-07:00Dreams Do Come True<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zsx5nZRS34g/V_v31Z_22rI/AAAAAAAADyE/9o1gMODsnBUoLWkMobEdP9p531joK4DnwCEw/s1600/central-parks-ice-skating-rink-central-park-new-york-city-new-york-city.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zsx5nZRS34g/V_v31Z_22rI/AAAAAAAADyE/9o1gMODsnBUoLWkMobEdP9p531joK4DnwCEw/s640/central-parks-ice-skating-rink-central-park-new-york-city-new-york-city.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">www.centralpark.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F0Cm-5AdkMs/V_v5H2kDxoI/AAAAAAAADyQ/fCalJf68cXcnnMTgkvE83L_DLwwyhvueQCLcB/s1600/635505719231940009-Nothing-says-the-holidays-in-NYC-like-a-visit-to-Rockefeller-Center-s-Christmas-tree-and-skating-rink-credit---NYC-Company---Will-Steacy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F0Cm-5AdkMs/V_v5H2kDxoI/AAAAAAAADyQ/fCalJf68cXcnnMTgkvE83L_DLwwyhvueQCLcB/s640/635505719231940009-Nothing-says-the-holidays-in-NYC-like-a-visit-to-Rockefeller-Center-s-Christmas-tree-and-skating-rink-credit---NYC-Company---Will-Steacy.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">www.usatoday.com<br />
Rockefeller Center, NYC</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7Q8iftqOv3A/V_v7HV2WnZI/AAAAAAAADyc/eNZGH2OaTgchXRgIpvT8NIuLPRXn1A2-wCLcB/s1600/6-Central-Park.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="420" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7Q8iftqOv3A/V_v7HV2WnZI/AAAAAAAADyc/eNZGH2OaTgchXRgIpvT8NIuLPRXn1A2-wCLcB/s640/6-Central-Park.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">www.fodors.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
I'm not sure when I became interested in visiting New York City. I never really thought I would get to see it, though. There were a couple of reasons:<br />
<br />
1. The expense of a trip. Sometimes you can get a good deal on flights, but then there is the question of hotels in Manhattan - they aren't cheap. Plus, in my dreams, I attended a Broadway show. Another cost. Then there are taxis, subways, museum, food, etc. So, it didn't seem like a likely event in my little corner of the world.<br />
<br />
2. Our daughter and our son both have some medical issues. Our oldest daughter has CP and in a wheelchair. She is unable to bathe, eat, or get in or out of bed on her own.<br />
Our youngest son has a g-tube and requires a special formula and meds 2x a day.<br />
Those two things in themselves seemed an insurmountable obstacle to me. It makes it very difficult to just pick up and go somewhere. If you have children, you can arrange child care, but special needs kids really have special needs.<br />
<br />
<br />
For our 25th anniversary, my husband really wanted to take me to NYC. Our church, with so much kindness, gifted us with money to help with all the expenses. I was so touched by their <span style="background-color: white;">generosity.</span><br />
<br />
Even after plane tickets were purchased and hotel reservations made, I was very skeptical that I was really going. Our two kids in particular weighed on my mind. My husband said to me, "You really aren't sure we are going, are you?" I really wasn't. Sometimes I would wake up in the middle of the night with a panicked feeling. Or I would think things like, "Maybe I just have this built up in my mind. Maybe I won't even like it there. Maybe it will be awful. Is it even safe?" My kids laughed at that last one. It's a typical thing only I would ask.<br />
<br />
There was so much uncertainty. Would my mother-in-law really be able to come and stay with the kids? Would there really be someone that could come and put our daughter to bed each night? Would the bath aide cancel in the morning and Elisa wouldn't even get a bath? Would the home nurse come when she was supposed to? (At that time, we had some home health care workers that weren't reliable).<br />
<br />
But you know what? All the details fell into place and one morning, we arrived at the airport for our early flight to Chicago (only 45 minutes by air from where we live) and then on to New York!<br />
<br />
I'll never forget flying into LaGuardia airport. As we walked through, I kept telling myself, "You are here. You are actually here!"<br />
<br />
I wanted to throw my arms around our taxi driver and tell him how glad I was to see him. I wanted to grab perfect strangers and tell them how happy I was to meet them. I didn't do either, but it was in my heart. I could feel happiness radiating off of myself as we put our suitcases in the trunk and climbed into the back seat.<br />
<br />
We drove into the city and I was the typical tourist, craning my neck to see all of the skyscrapers. We pulled up to our hotel in midtown Manhattan and checked in. We literally plopped down our suitcases, changed into comfortable shoes, left the room to explore, and didn't come back into the room until dark.<br />
<br />
I had been a little concerned that my husband would only want to do a little sight seeing. But I didn't need to worry. He was game for wherever I wanted to go.<br />
<br />
We were within walking distance of Rockefeller Center and went there first. I watched the people ice skating beneath the statue of Promotheus, and felt like I was having an out of body experience. We walked on to Grand Central Station after that. I've lost track of everywhere we walked to on that first day. I don't think I had ever walked that much in one day in my life! But it seemed there was something spectacular to see on every street corner.<br />
<br />
A couple of days later, on a bright, sunshine filled October afternoon, we walked across the Brooklyn Bridge towards the One World Trade Center. It was such a beautiful day. The Brooklyn Bridge is simply majestic. It has been standing there over the East River for 146 years! As I walked, I prayed that God would be with the people of this great city. As I did, I could feel God's heart for New York, too, and for every person that called that city home.<br />
<br />
It's strange, I know, to have such a love for a place that isn't my home. Of course, I'm only a guest there when I visit. It is a romanticized time for me. I don't live there, work there, or have to pay rent there. I'm just on vacation. I get to enjoy all the wonderful things the city has to offer in a very compact time.<br />
<br />
But I wanted to share this for you. Whatever dream you have in your heart, no matter how far fetched it may seem, God can work out all the details. He is very kind and wants to give you the desires of your heart. I always think of that verse, "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (Matthew 6:33). I think as we try and live our lives for God, He will add those things that mean a lot to us.<br />
<br />
Last year, we took our daughter to NYC for her first visit. It was so amazing and wonderful to see all the sights through her eyes. That entire trip still has a dreamlike quality.<br />
<br />
My husband just recently said, "It feels like we should be taking a trip to New York." We both said he probably felt that way because of the time of year. We visited New York in the fall these last two times. But hopefully, we will get to return again next year. At least, I am hopeful that we can.<br />
<br />
What dreams do you have right now? What places do you imagine going to? God is interested in making those dreams come true!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6nopktMOYP8/V_v3hrdpVRI/AAAAAAAADyA/DQCoUWsPRbY3UBiSvQmLodfYf3M99t4YACLcB/s1600/634eee95582906e88b425f2fc06de00f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6nopktMOYP8/V_v3hrdpVRI/AAAAAAAADyA/DQCoUWsPRbY3UBiSvQmLodfYf3M99t4YACLcB/s640/634eee95582906e88b425f2fc06de00f.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 2.15em;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><b><i><span style="color: grey;">Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or </span><span style="color: red;">imagine, </span><span style="color: grey;">according to his power that is at work within us. (Ephesians 3:20)</span></i></b></span></span><br />
<b><i>_______________________________________________________________________</i></b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: lato, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 2.15em;">
I'm a mom of six living in the Midwest. I know that I may never get to meet you in person, but somehow, through this blog, I want to somehow convey to you that you aren't just a face in the crowd. God sees you and knows you. He loves you. If you've never been sure that He is real or cares about you, He does. If I could sit with you over coffee, that is what I would want you to know. (And if you are from NYC, please say hello. I'd love to hear from you:)<br />
Much love to you!</div>
link up: <a href="http://savvysouthernstyle.net/">savvysouthernstyle.net</a> <a href="http://astrollthrulife.net/">astrollthrulife.net</a> <a href="http://frenchcountrycottage.net/">frenchcountrycottage.net</a> <a href="http://myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/">myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com</a>Kathy Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11668699397851882212noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1789709866533425223.post-79847176571817269882016-09-28T19:15:00.001-07:002016-09-29T15:21:14.190-07:00Everyone Needs a Father<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Image result for the intern movie" height="640" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/c9/The_Intern_Poster.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="432" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">www.wikipedia.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I've often heard the term "Spiritual Father" ( meaning a mentoring type, older godly man who will be a father figure to you ) and have been quite frankly, turned off. I would hear this term and think, "Why would you need that?" But recently, I began thinking more about it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I had a father, of course, but my dad passed away in 2011. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Maybe you had a father, but not a dad. Maybe your father left your family and he was never a central figure in your life. Maybe your father was present in the home, yet you never really knew him. If this is your experience at all, then a spiritual father (or if that term rubs you the wrong way like it did to me, then substitute with father-like figure) could be an immense support to you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At times, I've felt faced with insurmountable problems and have really wished I had a dad to bounce things off of. A husband is great, but there is something about a father.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My husband talks with his dad daily. I often wish I could pick up the phone and just ask a dad a question on what I should do about any given circumstance.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I recently watched the movie, The Intern, starring Robert De Niro and Anne Hathaway. I really loved it. The main reason was that I loved the father figure played by Robert De Niro. After seeing it about five different times, I told the Lord, "Okay, I wasn't interested in a father in my life, but now, just possibly, I could see myself with one. Could I order one exactly like Robert De Niro or, if he isn't too busy, could I just have Robert De Niro?" Yeah,I <i>know</i> that he was simply playing a part. But seriously, if there was such a thing as designing and placing an order for a man to be like a father to me ...he'd be it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you haven't seen the movie, here is a brief synopsis.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ben Whitaker (Robert De Niro's character) is a 70 year old, retired widower. He seizes the opportunity to become a senior intern at an online fashion site. At first, his presence is considered humorous at best by his coworkers, but Ben soon becomes popular with his younger co-workers, except for Jules Ostin (Anne Hathaway), the boss and founder of the company. But in spite of her habit of keeping people out of her personal life, Ben's charm, wisdom, and sense of humor gradually helps him develop a special bond of friendship with Jules.</span><br />
<div class="kno-ftr" style="background-color: white; clear: both; margin: 0px -35px 0px -8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 4px 20px 0px;">
<div style="color: #252525; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.5em;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
<div style="color: #777777; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;">
<a href="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ZU3Xban0Y6A/maxresdefault.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ZU3Xban0Y6A/maxresdefault.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #777777; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #777777; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #777777; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #777777; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #777777; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;">
</div>
<div style="color: #777777; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Image result for the intern movie" src="https://static01.nyt.com/images/2015/09/25/arts/25INTERNALT2/25INTERNALT2-master675-v2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">www.nytimes.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="color: #777777; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #777777; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #777777;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At first, Jules didn't want an intern at all. But in the midst of personal crisis and the stress of running a company, she and Ben develop a deep bond, becoming best friends. The internship progressed into a father/daughter relationship.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There are a couple of scenes from the movie that illustrate that father/daughter bond. In one part, Ben looks out the window and sees Jules' driver drinking from a paper bag. He goes directly down to the driver and strongly "suggests" he tell Jules that he would not be able to drive her anywhere today. The driver briefly resists, but Ben's face tells him that he means business. He was being her protector.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Another scene I like is where Jules is sharing a deep fear of her heart. I don't want to give anything away, but Ben's response is absolutely priceless.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<div style="color: #777777;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I've prayed about a father figure, but honestly, I don't know if I've met this man yet. Sometimes, I feel like it's a case of, "There's no room at the inn." Any man that I may already know, could have a daughter already. Having another "daughter" could be an uncomfortable thing for them. I get that (and to be honest, that may be why I haven't asked someone yet).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> And there is always the true statement of, "God is your Father." Yes, that is true. But I don't think God feels threatened in His job description. I think He gets it.</span></div>
<div style="color: #777777;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #777777;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Why would I like a father figure in my life? There are a few reasons.</span></div>
<div style="color: #777777;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #777777;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1. Someone to talk to.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Having a husband to talk to is wonderful, but as I said before, there is something about having a father to talk things over with. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Right now, I feel like I am juggling so many responsibilities. There is home schooling, my son's appointments and health needs, my daughter's health needs...it's been a struggle trying to keep it all afloat and at times I wonder if I'm doing a good job at any of it. To hear a dad say to me, "You are doing an awesome job" - that would mean a lot.</span></div>
<div style="color: #777777;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #777777;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2. Someone to listen.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I would love to have someone hear me out and redirect any areas in my thoughts that I might be getting a little off track about. When your thoughts are in your head alone, they can get kind of skewed. I would love to be able to bounce things off someone who was older and wiser than me. Their objectivity would be a God send.</span></div>
<div style="color: #777777;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #777777;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3. Someone to be proud of me.</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Everyone needs a cheerleader. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That is a little uncomfortable to type, but there it is. No matter how old you are - </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">that approval can help you to keep going.</span></div>
<div style="color: #777777;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A few years ago, I was facing a hard time. It felt like I had nowhere to turn. Many times during that period, I wished I had a dad who would be at my door and just be there. No questions asked. He would just be there to listen, to advise, to help, to stand alongside me and walk through that time with me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A protector, an ally, a friend. That would be an awesome thing.</span></div>
<div style="color: #777777;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #777777;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Maybe in reading these last few lines, you can relate. Maybe there has been a void in your heart for many years in this area.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I have a hunch that many of you reading might be feeling the same way. My heart goes out to you if your dad was distant, unkind, or uncaring. That isn't the way God feels about you. You matter to Him. You aren't a mistake or a bother or a nuisance.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Many of you reading may have a hard time viewing God as a Father because of your earthly father. Maybe you felt you could never please your dad. Perhaps you had a father who was abusive. It can be hard to relate to God as a father when you are faced with memories of a dad who wasn't the man he should have been to you. But God can and is willing to be the dad you have been searching for. I believe that with you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I like the verse that says God will be a "Father to the fatherless" (Psalm 68:5). Maybe God does send fathers to some, but to others, He wants to be that special Dad. That could be, I guess. Either way, I'm open to what God has in store.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'll keep you posted!</span></div>
<div style="color: #777777;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #777777;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Much love to you!</span><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #777777;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">*</span><b style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">FYI</b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">...As much as I loved the movie, there are a couple of scenes that wouldn't be appropriate for children.</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 11px;">
<br />
<br />
Link ups: <a href="http://impartinggrace.com/">impartinggrace.com</a> <a href="http://savvysouthernstyle.net/">savvysouthernstyle.net</a> <a href="http://astrollthrulife.net/">astrollthrulife.net</a></div>
</div>
<div class="_OPd kno-fb" style="color: #777777; float: right; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; margin-left: 2em;">
<div data-async-context="async_id:duf3-2-0;authority:0;card_id:%2Fm%2F011136dk;entry_point:0;feature_id:;header:0;open:0;type:2">
</div>
</div>
</div>
Kathy Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11668699397851882212noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1789709866533425223.post-89915262899399347062016-08-05T15:17:00.002-07:002016-08-05T16:21:47.036-07:00God Gets Your Question Marks<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="School Teacher (Happy Birthday Miss Jones, Teacher's Surprise) Canvas Giclee: " src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/0f/39/ba/0f39ba15e8336a8b2151ce74298c18a8.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo Source: Pinterest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
I have a funny way of thinking a lot of times, I guess. Since I am a teacher, I will read something and will think about it from a teacher point of view.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This morning, I was thinking about ideas for practicing punctuation for a 10 year old. As I sat and thought about it, I felt God suddenly and quite unexpectedly speak to my heart. Who would've thought? It didn't exactly seem like a God moment.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I felt like God said, "I'm interested in punctuation." It certainly wasn't what I was expecting God to say. I barely care about punctuation. Well, I do really. But why would God? It wouldn't seem to make the cut in the book <i><u>Things God Cares About. </u></i></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
But God definitely does have an interest in punctuation when it comes to our lives, if you think about it.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
A lot of times I feel like there is a big question mark over my head in regards to my daughter's health and our little boy. (Our daughter has cerebral palsy and our son has a rare genetic disorder.)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
There's always been a, "Why God?" in regards to Elisa and now, Nathaniel. I think I will always have the question, "Why? Just <b>why</b>?" </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I don't know. I may never know. I know that God sees that giant question mark in my heart. He isn't uncaring or distant. He sees and knows. He just hasn't answered in the way I would like. But I always (at least I try) to counteract that "Why" with the words, "I trust You. I know You. You are kind and good. I don't understand at all. But I know this about You. I can trust You." </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I think I can say that God and I are close friends. I've said before that walking this dark and uncertain road with Him has caused me to draw close to Him. I'm afraid a lot of the times, but He walks very close with me always. Sometimes I've plopped down on the side of the road and said,"I'm stopping here. You go on without me." But He always waits until I sigh and get back up again. Where else would I go? And who else could I possibly walk with?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Sometimes we put a period where there shouldn't be one at all. We may think a chapter in our lives is done and finished. But God may not want a period there. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="mod" data-md="61" style="background-color: white; clear: none; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 15.6px; padding-left: 20px; padding-right: 20px; padding-top: 20px;">
<div class="_oDd" data-hveid="29" style="overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 20px;">
<span class="_Tgc" style="font-size: 16px;">A <b>period</b> is a full stop. It marks the end of a <b>sentence</b>. It marks the end of an idea or a thought. It marks the end of an action.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="g" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 15.6px; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 20px; padding-right: 20px;">
<div class="rc" data-hveid="31" style="clear: both; padding-bottom: 0px; position: relative;">
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
Maybe it isn't time to place a period. God may have other ideas for you. You just don't know it yet. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
Instead of a period, perhaps there should just be a comma. A comma indicates a pause. Maybe some time just needs to pass - time brings clarity and healing. I'd like to tell you that the pause won't be for long, but I couldn't promise you that. But I can say that where there is a pause, there is hope.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
But when God thinks about you, whoever you are reading this right now, He definitely thinks of you with an exclamation mark. An exclamation mark signifies intensity of emotion. God doesn't think of you and think nothing. He takes great delight in you. The way you think, the way you look, the way you laugh...you are an infinite joy and delight to Him, whether you think so or not. Maybe you think that God could never love you. Ask Him to show you the truth of how much He cares. The Bible says that God demonstrated His love for us, that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. But I think you can also <i>ask</i> God to show you how He feels about YOU. You are definitely an exclamation mark.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This was a strange train of thought, I guess. If you think about it, God is interested in all kinds of things that we may not even think about. He loves science. He created our bodies, the planets, He hung the stars in the sky and calls them by name. The winds and the seas obey Him. Why wouldn't He have an interest in punctuation? :)<br />
<br />
Punctuation in writing shows the intent of the author. In writing, you are not privy to the inflection of the speaker's voice or their body language. You have to use the punctuation as the guideline as to what the meaning of the words are.<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
<br />
If someone forgets punctuation in their writing, it can change the entire meaning of what is being said.<br />
<br />
<br />
<img alt="Importance of a comma" src="https://cybertext.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/comma.jpg?w=450" /><br />
<br />
We can look at our situations, but easily misinterpret the Divine intent behind it. We can look at circumstances and misunderstand what God is doing. Without punctuation, our writing is merely words that can be interpreted numerous ways. When you trust the heart of the Writer, you can trust that His intent towards you is only good (and we know He doesn't mean to eat grandpa!)<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
Class, let's review:)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
1. Don't put a period in too hastily. It may not be the end just yet. Allow God the final say in the matter.</div>
<div>
2. A comma means a pause. Maybe God has you on the pause mode right now, but it won't last forever.</div>
<div>
3. God can handle your question marks. He may answer your, "Why?" either directly or indirectly. But He also may remain silent on the matter. It's very possible.</div>
<div>
4. You are <b>definitely</b> an exclamation mark to the One who loves you the most.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Hopefully, you will never look at an exclamation mark in the same way again!</div>
<div>
Have a beautiful August, friend!<br />
<br />
Linking up to: <a href="http://www.impartinggrace.com/">www.impartinggrace.com</a> <a href="http://www.astrollthrulife.net/">www.astrollthrulife.net</a> <a href="http://www.stonegableblog.com/">www.stonegableblog.com</a></div>
<ol class="lr_dct_sf_sens" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 20px;">
<li style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="lr_dct_sf_sen vk_txt" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif-light, sans-serif; font-weight: lighter !important; padding-top: 10px;">
</div>
</li>
</ol>
</div>
Kathy Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11668699397851882212noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1789709866533425223.post-68727130882768250082016-07-07T07:48:00.000-07:002016-07-07T08:03:38.022-07:0020 Simple JoysI read a blog post about 40 Simple Pleasures in Life recently. That got me to thinking about the things that give me so much joy in my daily life. I didn't tackle 40, but chose to do 20 instead. So, here they are in no particular order.<br />
<br />
1. Reading blogs/vlogs. I have about<b> 10 </b>that I read daily and they just make me smile. Most of the blogs I read are written by thirtysomething moms with young children. A couple of examples are <a href="http://www.kellyskornerblog.com/">www.kellyskornerblog.com</a> and <a href="http://www.mixandmatchmama.com/">www.mixandmatchmama.com</a> .<br />
I have a couple of vlogs that I really like, too.<br />
<br />
2. Clean sheets at night<br />
<br />
3. Rainy days<br />
<br />
4. Sunsets. Occasionally, we've driven to a lake near our home and watched the sun setting over the water. I love that!<br />
<br />
5. A Starbucks frappuccino - non fat white chocolate, hold the whipped cream.<br />
<br />
6. Reading - It seems I don't always have time to read a book anymore, but when I do, I'm so happy. I read <u>The Blue Castle </u>by Lucy Maude Montgomery a few months back. It was such a sweet, old fashioned story.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yhZOFeIlrKc/V35lfY1WxLI/AAAAAAAADws/LENzkla7IHYj15lQat33BFsZGbsjFSI9QCLcB/s1600/95693.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yhZOFeIlrKc/V35lfY1WxLI/AAAAAAAADws/LENzkla7IHYj15lQat33BFsZGbsjFSI9QCLcB/s320/95693.jpg" width="190" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I've also read <u>Bread and Wine</u> by Shauna Niequist a couple of times. Some books just speak to your soul.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eUlwc5t6ZmY/V35lROwdntI/AAAAAAAADwo/-kTXe_y4AtUe8_-r3MoxVirDiSHExmHtACLcB/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eUlwc5t6ZmY/V35lROwdntI/AAAAAAAADwo/-kTXe_y4AtUe8_-r3MoxVirDiSHExmHtACLcB/s320/images.jpg" width="218" /></a></div>
<br />
7. Sunday dinner. Everyone is home to eat together and I really like that:)<br />
<br />
8. Mexican food.<br />
<br />
9. Sephora (I could wander around in there for a long time.)<br />
<br />
10. Pottery Barn (I could wander around an even longer time in here. If you need me during the fall months, I'm most likely in there.)<br />
<br />
11. Home Goods (Any place that specializes in things for the home is a favorite for me.)<br />
<br />
12.I love watching my little boy describe great sport moments to me. He's so into it. I have heard all about Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson, George Foreman, Evander Holyfield, and also every NFL player you can think of.<br />
<br />
13. Going to TJ Maxx with my daughter, Caitlin.<br />
<br />
14. Watching a good movie. I watched <u>Guarding Tess (</u>Nicholas Cage and Shirley Maclaine) recently. I had never seen it before and really loved the story. I happened to see a version that blocked the curse words, so just beware that there is some language.)<br />
<br />
15. Taking walks with my husband or one of the kids<br />
<br />
16. Cooking a southern meal - fried okra, corn on the cob, and ham, for example.<br />
<br />
17. Cleaning house. I just love a clean house. If you do a little at a time, it can stay clean.<br />
<br />
18. Snapchat. I like it so much better than Facebook.<br />
<br />
19. Re-watching a movie or television show that makes me laugh out loud. On some days, you need a little pick me up. Two that come to mind are <u>I Love Lucy</u> and the movie, <u>My Big Fat Greek Wedding.</u> Even if I've seen it before, I'll still laugh like it's the first time I've ever seen it.<br />
<br />
20. Costco. I don't know why exactly, but I love walking around Costco or Sam's Club!<br />
<br />
That's my 20 things for July 2016. What are your favorite, simple things that you enjoy?<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Linking up to: <a href="http://www.momfessionals.com/">www.momfessionals.com</a>Kathy Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11668699397851882212noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1789709866533425223.post-4641397304759918922016-06-17T07:04:00.002-07:002018-01-05T05:10:45.376-08:00Our Dining Room<br />
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijUd0bLRELYKVVeMeKyA9yOxxyo-YNoobe-s-H046NGGTH0uN7h2hSs3bHe0X_-IKygvlnErcOx5wRqsKzB8STJnHSMgtSLbLG8n8TQ_HamZit4cFLFfN-_kQN_VkvLrBSD7r9P3BoJdUi/s400/Houses-5-.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Happy Friday! I'm linking up with <a href="http://www.kellyskornerblog.com/">www.kellyskornerblog.com</a> for her Every Day Real Life Home Tours.<br />
<br />
We don't use our dining room daily. We do use it when we have guests over, but it is especially on display at the holidays.<br />
<br />
When we built this home, I remember walking through the dining room while it was still in the bare bones stage. As I walked through, I could "hear" the voices of my kids and their cousins running through the room and saying, "Hi, Aunt Kathy! or Mom!" It made me smile thinking of all the family holiday dinners we would have in that room. We've now lived in this beautiful house for nine years, so we have had many Thanksgiving and Christmas meals there.<br />
<br />
This is our dining room from last Christmas.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--Z4Nlx_Lav4/V2P9azOvOSI/AAAAAAAADv0/fppAAMB328wAG2_afvtmwYtz5iUybiG7wCLcB/s1600/12370690_1121786931166135_3301979114659577726_o%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--Z4Nlx_Lav4/V2P9azOvOSI/AAAAAAAADv0/fppAAMB328wAG2_afvtmwYtz5iUybiG7wCLcB/s640/12370690_1121786931166135_3301979114659577726_o%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Youth Progressive Dinner December 2015</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cGYADkFdFk4/V2P9N2do1vI/AAAAAAAADvs/_ZR44xVypT8xcUSGcF5MYdonKNzpKD22ACKgB/s1600/12274459_1113011688710326_179296984135211658_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cGYADkFdFk4/V2P9N2do1vI/AAAAAAAADvs/_ZR44xVypT8xcUSGcF5MYdonKNzpKD22ACKgB/s640/12274459_1113011688710326_179296984135211658_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanksgiving 2015</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OPJMRGICfjQ/V2P8NAeOA9I/AAAAAAAADvo/BdgRS0w933sbOzoR0qVLoDDN20oUavZ9QCKgB/s1600/grad14.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OPJMRGICfjQ/V2P8NAeOA9I/AAAAAAAADvo/BdgRS0w933sbOzoR0qVLoDDN20oUavZ9QCKgB/s400/grad14.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our daughter's graduation party</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://attachment.outlook.office.net/owa/OLSONSFORCHRIST@msn.com/service.svc/s/GetAttachmentThumbnail?id=AQMkADAwATdiZmYAZC04MTVlLWRlOTMtMDACLTAwCgBGAAADcih3ru4KX0iu4sSTz53vLAcAKZIUMSLP4kmAOqJbtw9v1wAAAgEMAAAAKZIUMSLP4kmAOqJbtw9v1wAAAJni9%2BYAAAABEgAQAI7YBhKzpVhBvaXrloWrleo%3D&thumbnailType=2&X-OWA-CANARY=q3oDJ_YiWkSHznBKSg_vh0CdP9S1ltMYfLQF9VkFPbu9_W2FLyhPvRRMWl3eX-A4CnhErYQWKeA.&token=a3f2c9ef-3351-45db-9c87-894d98086830&owa=outlook.live.com&isc=1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From my instagram November 2014</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RtXlRwVIwo8/V2QPeQsNzyI/AAAAAAAADwU/ot1WRa8F6WswMh7aLB8jaG4qOLp33qlOgCLcB/s1600/thumbnail_IMG_2934%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RtXlRwVIwo8/V2QPeQsNzyI/AAAAAAAADwU/ot1WRa8F6WswMh7aLB8jaG4qOLp33qlOgCLcB/s640/thumbnail_IMG_2934%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="358" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EQ_imhj6Is8/V2QL_Q6lbxI/AAAAAAAADwI/dv3b199vj1kJvlpGppE6DsZpPPJtBzYlwCLcB/s1600/150666_542675585743942_496803105_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EQ_imhj6Is8/V2QL_Q6lbxI/AAAAAAAADwI/dv3b199vj1kJvlpGppE6DsZpPPJtBzYlwCLcB/s640/150666_542675585743942_496803105_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">December 2012</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<img height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-siKUssCdlt4/VaO21-JeFKI/AAAAAAAADQg/orgTPioHFW0/s640/grad6.JPG" width="480" /><br />
<br />
<br />
I love this room and look forward to having family over each year. It means a lot to me that I'm helping to create wonderful memories for my children and their cousins each holiday season.<br />
<br />
<br />
Linking to: <a href="http://www.kellyskornerblog.com/">www.kellyskornerblog.com</a> <a href="http://topreveal.com/daring-dining-room-ideas">http://topreveal.com/daring-dining-room-ideas</a>Kathy Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11668699397851882212noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1789709866533425223.post-7068121410110162752016-05-26T14:39:00.001-07:002016-05-26T19:21:46.347-07:00What's Up This Week<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJMlxtPYy1JYDgAhGhUHG6DNSiRJRSNRUu3x8b-4dJl8xvwej_gnUX2wfOaOlvHx6Y9S1MfDziXDnMR_byWqpkfDd7DBgnzMc0bXMGQDUef9Z2lDn-ESTAqYwFC0slmkBQc8m3974z0aw/s400/whatsupwed1.jpg" width="400" /></div>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;">
I hope you're having a great week! We finished up our school year today and I"m feeling pretty happy about that. This fall, I will have an 11th grader and a 5th grader! I started this homeschool journey about 20 years ago and although I have had four graduate, I still have a ways to go. What in the world will I do with my time when my 10 year old graduates? I have no idea.</div>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;">
I'm joining <a href="http://www.thelarsonlingo.blogspot.com/">Mel,</a> <a href="http://www.shullfamily.blogspot.com/">Shay,</a> and <a href="http://sheaffertoldmeto.com/">Sheaffer</a> for What's Up Wednesday (although mine is on Thursday!) . I read these girls every day and just love them.</div>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;">
Here's a few things that are happening right now in our household:)</div>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;">
1. <span style="font-size: large;"><b>What We're Eating - </b>I've been trying to eat more healthy foods this month. As long as I have vegetables on hand, it hasn't really been a problem. I especially love stir frying some zucchini in olive oil with a little Parmesan cheese. It's so good!</span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">T</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://img.sndimg.com/food/image/upload/w_555,h_416,c_fit,fl_progressive,q_95/v1/img/recipes/31/41/78/piciexgDd.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo from www.food.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
2. <b style="font-size: x-large;">What I've Been Reminiscing About. </b> My youngest son, Nathaniel, and I have been talking about our love of holidays today. He told me his favorite time is Thanksgiving and watching Grandma set out her pies. He also likes to see his cousins come over that day.</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
3. <b style="font-size: x-large;">What I've Been Loving </b>My daughter and I have been taking walks around the block each evening. It's so nice to finally have nice weather to enjoy that time together.</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
4. <b style="font-size: x-large;">What We've Been Up To </b>Basically, we've just been busy finishing up school.</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
5. <b style="font-size: x-large;">What I've Been Dreading </b>Our oldest daughter has cerebral palsy. She had hip surgery five years ago and hasn't had to have a surgery since. But now it looks as if she will have to have jaw surgery and it will be quite a recovery process. I've woken up at night dreading this procedure.</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
6. <b style="font-size: x-large;">What I'm Excited About </b>I'm excited to not have to do school for the summer! Besides that, we don't have any trips planned at this time. I would love to go to New York, but I would always like to go to New York:) We'll have to save for a couple of years before we can go back.</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Okay...I did think of a small thing I'm excited about. I've just discovered Sephora! I've only ever bought drugstore makeup, but hey, that place is amazing! What do you like to buy there?</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
7. <b style="font-size: x-large;">What I'm Watching/Reading </b>I've been watching reruns of Fixer Upper and Downton Abbey. I love those two shows, but do wish I had another choice. Any suggestions? </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I've been reading this...</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">T</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41B9lbKJGKL._SX322_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amazon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
If you are interested in writing, I highly recommend this book.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
I also saw this movie.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Image result for the man who knew infinity image" height="200" src="data:image/jpeg;base64,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" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Man Who Knew Infinity</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br />
It was an interesting, true story. Dev Patel is one of my favorite actors, so I would pretty much like anything he was in. It also stars Jeremy Irons.</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
8. <b style="font-size: x-large;">What I'm Listening To </b>My little boy and I listen to the radio on our way to appointments. Have you heard that song that (I think) is called <b>7 Years?</b> Goodness, it makes me choke up. The other song that I've been loving (and crying over) is from <b>For King and Country</b> called <b>Priceless.</b> I think I've cried puddles over that song.</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="180" src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/_ej9T4bTAGI/maxresdefault.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For King and Country<br />
<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
9. <b style="font-size: x-large;">What I'm Wearing </b>I need to go shopping because I honestly can't figure out what I wore last summer! I did buy these pretty shoes, though.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://images.solesociety.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/452x452/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/l/o/lolita_black_11854.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">www.solesociety.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">T</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
10. <b style="font-size: x-large;">What I'm Looking Forward To/ What I'm Doing on the Weekend </b>Memorial Day is coming up on Monday. I think we will be grilling and making ice cream. </div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
11. <b style="font-size: x-large;">What's New? </b>My niece's wedding is tomorrow night. It's hard to believe that time has passed so quickly! I remember when she was just a little thing running through our house. That will be a special time of celebration with her.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I hope your week has been a good one. It's hard to believe that June is so near. Of course, when June arrives, I always think the same thing....Christmas is only 6 months away! ha</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Sending lots of love to each one of you!!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Linking up to: <a href="http://shullfamily.blogspot.com/">shullfamily.blogspot.com</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;">
<br /></div>
Kathy Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11668699397851882212noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1789709866533425223.post-30418341105664477422016-04-17T13:11:00.000-07:002016-04-18T06:23:19.352-07:00Have You Ever Tried Striking a Bargain with God? <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dUNxcTyg-Ew/VxPtdV1YxII/AAAAAAAADvI/qakbLD9fS14is6CgItiJMLbsb9jAeKpHACLcB/s1600/ad3f2b13ab8c7c816ebd496e6299afb9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dUNxcTyg-Ew/VxPtdV1YxII/AAAAAAAADvI/qakbLD9fS14is6CgItiJMLbsb9jAeKpHACLcB/s400/ad3f2b13ab8c7c816ebd496e6299afb9.jpg" width="257" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo Courtesy Pinterest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Have you ever been faced with such insurmountable problems that you don't know exactly what to do?<br />
<br />
It's easy for others to give us advice. It may even be great advice. But unless they have been through some hard times themselves, words can often seem hollow, can't they? I like to listen to people who have passed through deep waters.<br />
<br />
I've mentioned before that we had twins born with cerebral palsy. One of our twins, Alex, passed away at the age of four. His twin sister, Elisa, is now 24 years old. She is having a crisis with her faith. She appreciates sincere people and their prayers, but essentially she has told us, "Enough is enough. I have to accept this condition that I have and not have people pray for me anymore." I do understand what she is saying. I don't fault her at all. It would be easy for me to say something like, "Oh, you shouldn't feel that way." But I don't live in her body and don't have to deal with the realities of her daily condition. At least, not in the way she has to.<br />
<br />
It's hard for me as her mom. I've prayed for her countless times and will continue to do so. I know that God is bigger than cerebral palsy. I know also that sometimes people aren't healed, for whatever the reason. I don't want to live in an agitated state with God. I know how kind He is. I have to leave my questions with Him. I can trust Him, even in my darkest moments.<br />
<br />
We also have a ten year old son who was diagnosed at the age of two with a rare, genetic disorder. At the time of this writing, he is the only one in the state of Iowa with this condition. There are a whole host of issues that are present with this diagnosis. There is also the possibility that his condition could worsen.<br />
<br />
So, I've found myself at times bargaining with God. I'll say things like, "I'd like You to heal both of my children,but if I had to choose one, I would have to say Nathaniel. Elisa's condition won't worsen as much as his could, so please heal Nathaniel."<br />
<br />
<br />
It's funny how I would think that God would require me to choose. I guess after all these years of not seeing Elisa get better, I feel the need to strike a bargain. I can imagine God saying back to me, "Do you<i> really </i>think I would force you to make a choice? Do you think I'm like that?"<br />
<br />
No, I don't really believe God is forcing me to make a choice, but it can seem that way sometimes.<br />
<br />
I've went round and round with this situation in my mind. Oftentimes, I am busy with school or things at home. I will just have fleeting thoughts about the whole situation. At other times, I'm filled with such sadness.<br />
<br />
Sometimes, when I'm walking down the stairs in our home, I'll say, regarding Elisa, as my foot touches step one, "If for some reason healing is not in her future, for whatever the reason, could You just heal her hip?" When my foot touches step two.... "Could You heal her feet?", then on step three..."Could You maybe heal her hands?" God must often wonder about how stingy I seem to think He could be.<br />
<br />
His love and compassion are limitless. I'm bound by what I see or don't see so much of the time. If I don't see it, then it must not be happening. If I do see something, then, "Whew, what a relief. I thought You might have forgotten me." Sometimes the pathway is so smooth and beautiful. I can rest and take in all the sights around me. But other times, the road is so rocky. I have to carefully watch my steps. I fall down and cry and wonder if God is near.<br />
<br />
My walk with God reminds me so much of one of my favorite books, Hinds Feet on High Places. The main character, Much Afraid, has told the Chief Shepherd (Jesus) that she will follow Him anywhere, no matter the cost. But she is disheartened at His choice of Guides to accompany her on the journey - Sorrow and Suffering. She shrinks away from them at first, but the path is so hard that she ends up reaching for their hands. As time goes on, she finds that not only has she changed, but her name has changed as well. Her two Guides have also been transformed and at last, she has reached the High Places.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
No one ever said our journey would be without a cost.</div>
<br />
As moms, we begin a journey with our children. At first we are their provider and protector. We kiss and hug away all the hurts. We wipe noses, read books together, take walks, and watch countless episodes of Sponge Bob.<br />
<br />
But then, it begins to change.<br />
<br />
Now, I'm not sure what my job is anymore. Sometimes I don't know what to do either. I can't make these situations, like Elisa's, better at all.<br />
<br />
I can only speak the truth of who God is to them and to myself.<br />
<br />
Even when I look up at the sky and wonder, too, if God is really there, if He really hears me, if He is aware of me and my children.<br />
<br />
Yes, He is there. Yes, He really cares. Even when I am unaware of Him, He is beside me. Everyday He gives me strength to accomplish all the tasks I have to do in regards to their care. Sometimes at the end of the day, I'm even a little surprised at all I have done that day. But it isn't me at all. I know that all the credit goes to God and His loving care over me.<br />
<br />
<div class="rc" data-hveid="101" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; position: relative;">
<h3 style="color: #545454; line-height: 18px; max-width: 42em;">
<span class="st" style="font-size: small; line-height: 1.4; word-wrap: break-word;">You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book. (Psalm 56:8)</span></h3>
<div>
<span class="st" style="font-size: small; line-height: 1.4; word-wrap: break-word;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="st" style="font-size: small; line-height: 1.4; word-wrap: break-word;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 15.6px;">
<span class="st" style="line-height: 1.4; word-wrap: break-word;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 15.6px;">
<span class="st" style="line-height: 1.4; word-wrap: break-word;">All the tears I have are remembered by and will continue to be remembered by God. The things that cause us to cry are noted by God and collected by God. My tears and your tears are precious to Him. Maybe He pulls out the bottle one day and remembers those ti</span><span style="line-height: 22.4px;">shed </span><span style="line-height: 1.4;">mes with us. Maybe He shows us how He was present when we cried. I don't know. But I know that everything He does has a purpose for our good.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 15.6px;">
<span class="st" style="line-height: 1.4; word-wrap: break-word;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 15.6px;">
<span class="st" style="line-height: 1.4; word-wrap: break-word;">Whatever you may be facing today, you aren't alone. I pray today that God will show you how He is there with you. Maybe this is the darkest and loneliest time you have ever faced. Maybe you are wondering if God is even there and if He is there, does He really care about me? He really is there and He really does care about you and everything that has to do with you.</span></div>
<div>
<div style="line-height: 15.6px;">
<span class="st" style="line-height: 1.4; word-wrap: break-word;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 15.6px;">
<span class="st" style="line-height: 1.4; word-wrap: break-word;">Part of the reason that I am writing down these thoughts is for the sake of remembrance. One day, if Elisa were healed, I will reread these lines and remember. </span></div>
<div style="line-height: 15.6px;">
<span class="st" style="line-height: 1.4; word-wrap: break-word;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 15.6px;">
<span class="st" style="line-height: 1.4; word-wrap: break-word;">Whether Elisa is healed or isn't doesn't lessen the importance of who she is in our home. It's not that I won't be happy unless she is healed. It's just that I believe that God is a God of healing. It is part of His name and part of His character. The Bible is full of instances where Jesus had compassion on people who could not walk and healed them. I don't hold a magic ball or have some inside track of God's plan. But I do believe in and won't change my mind about His kindness.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 15.6px;">
<span class="st" style="line-height: 1.4; word-wrap: break-word;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 15.6px;">
<span class="st" style="line-height: 1.4; word-wrap: break-word;">And so, maybe, one day I will read these words again, but the circumstances will have changed in an incredible way.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 15.6px;">
<span class="st" style="line-height: 1.4; word-wrap: break-word;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 15.6px;">
<span class="st" style="line-height: 1.4; word-wrap: break-word;">Until then, I believe God is who He says He is. I believe He is aware of me and my tears. I believe He knows what He's doing. I believe He is walking with me and daily giving me strength and grace. I believe He loves me far beyond what I am aware of at this moment in time.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 15.6px;">
<span class="st" style="line-height: 1.4; word-wrap: break-word;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<span style="line-height: 22.4px;">He isn't bound by time and circumstance. He calls things that are not as though they are.</span></div>
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Kathy Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11668699397851882212noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1789709866533425223.post-13407285248861751302016-03-15T11:23:00.002-07:002016-03-16T15:45:57.669-07:00Fixer Upper Inspiration - Touches of Red<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Two of my favorite decor colors are red and black. I have black chairs in my kitchen and antique white cabinets. I love that combination. I have black lampshades in our living room with a few touches of red here and there.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I was watching Fixer Upper, one of my favorite shows on HGTV, a few weeks ago. Jo had found some beautiful red pendant lights while antiquing. I loved the finished look!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tXI07_bdZhA/VuiAgmYXJ6I/AAAAAAAADug/e3yab8RCWjgH9W5nYWRAk9Z2khGalnDWQ/s1600/168172dc18af78a89cceb31496bf5157.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tXI07_bdZhA/VuiAgmYXJ6I/AAAAAAAADug/e3yab8RCWjgH9W5nYWRAk9Z2khGalnDWQ/s320/168172dc18af78a89cceb31496bf5157.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joanna Gaines finds the pendant lights at Round Top, Texas<br />
<a href="http://4bp.blogspot.com/">4bp.blogspot.com</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-upWN93lhTEg/VuhIuOFLl9I/AAAAAAAADtg/w_MEYOCFWgMUUKE5a1U-4-rdBXuG1YJoQ/s1600/fcdd1a99175dd695f034908c50dd913b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="418" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-upWN93lhTEg/VuhIuOFLl9I/AAAAAAAADtg/w_MEYOCFWgMUUKE5a1U-4-rdBXuG1YJoQ/s640/fcdd1a99175dd695f034908c50dd913b.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://magnoliamarket.com/">magnoliamarket.com</a> Fixer Upper HGTV<br />
This room is from Season 2 entitled, "The Tire Swing House"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2015/2/10/0/BP_HFXUP206H_Gulley_dining-room_AFTER_160404_503256.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.966.644.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Different angle from Season 2, "The Tire Swing House".</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2015/2/10/0/BP_HFXUP206H_Gulley_dining-room_AFTER_detail_farm-table_160404_503255.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.966.644.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fixer Upper HGTV - Season 2 "The Tire Swing House"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C8NVUBKRbxI/VuhFqwymc4I/AAAAAAAADsw/7zVnKPWZ2doT1lCBFKMzPqJlnYmUcsc7w/s1600/photo%2B%252896%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C8NVUBKRbxI/VuhFqwymc4I/AAAAAAAADsw/7zVnKPWZ2doT1lCBFKMzPqJlnYmUcsc7w/s400/photo%2B%252896%2529.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red doors are my favorite, too!<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gFAnlHVyuHU/VuhFufrcBKI/AAAAAAAADtE/kUNGs-vPjz0LIMTD-FCImjGDzvVzkI3cA/s1600/img2c%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="574" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gFAnlHVyuHU/VuhFufrcBKI/AAAAAAAADtE/kUNGs-vPjz0LIMTD-FCImjGDzvVzkI3cA/s640/img2c%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://potterybarn.com/">potterybarn.com</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qHwUCOVP-Lc/VuhFu-1KaVI/AAAAAAAADtI/T-duh6PUPswaYWV49Y846Ltw-4bZa6aEw/s1600/img93c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qHwUCOVP-Lc/VuhFu-1KaVI/AAAAAAAADtI/T-duh6PUPswaYWV49Y846Ltw-4bZa6aEw/s400/img93c.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://potterybarn.com/">potterybarn.com</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5hW7ItXsTxU/VuhFvNYj8ZI/AAAAAAAADtQ/iAENJwAdmOMe7GGHKWUqbG-qb0sjT_edg/s1600/industrial-pendant-lighting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5hW7ItXsTxU/VuhFvNYj8ZI/AAAAAAAADtQ/iAENJwAdmOMe7GGHKWUqbG-qb0sjT_edg/s320/industrial-pendant-lighting.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://houzz.com/">houzz.com</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cc1bRZvYmqM/VuhLCPI8eSI/AAAAAAAADts/xiixCypHkmEKUkiMB27BSXX2l3rwnHI4w/s1600/img73c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="564" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cc1bRZvYmqM/VuhLCPI8eSI/AAAAAAAADts/xiixCypHkmEKUkiMB27BSXX2l3rwnHI4w/s640/img73c.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
<br />
<a href="http://pbkids.com/">pbkids.com</a> $99</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Su6NVzYrqSE/VuhLREaf0tI/AAAAAAAADt0/kFNwvVwHMmUn1eZHpuWCvrLLlShgPwslQ/s1600/7K318cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Su6NVzYrqSE/VuhLREaf0tI/AAAAAAAADt0/kFNwvVwHMmUn1eZHpuWCvrLLlShgPwslQ/s400/7K318cropped.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lampsplus.com/">lampsplus.com</a> $199<br />
<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wvA51iv6tvc/VuhMyMVR97I/AAAAAAAADuE/i46_IQgwkWI_Z88vc4teOrvjQWIGxdypQ/s1600/FixerUpper2.6_018-500x750-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wvA51iv6tvc/VuhMyMVR97I/AAAAAAAADuE/i46_IQgwkWI_Z88vc4teOrvjQWIGxdypQ/s640/FixerUpper2.6_018-500x750-1.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://magnoliamarket.com/">magnoliamarket.com</a> Fixer Upper HGTV from Season 2, "The Tire Swing House".</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tqdMnEtyDvM/VuhLQ2YR8yI/AAAAAAAADtw/VUVxha7yjzwyEC1HGmIT5PRHKspCQ_Jpw/s1600/sea-gull-lighting-6519-21-364.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tqdMnEtyDvM/VuhLQ2YR8yI/AAAAAAAADtw/VUVxha7yjzwyEC1HGmIT5PRHKspCQ_Jpw/s640/sea-gull-lighting-6519-21-364.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lightingdirect.com/">lightingdirect.com</a> $79.90<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m0t40eoL9Ms/VuhPvrnDTWI/AAAAAAAADuQ/xHpxn5BVXMsZaMjokDpJ20OMZzLK03ohA/s1600/9dc791e46fb3a1460cc31c1f5f4efbd2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m0t40eoL9Ms/VuhPvrnDTWI/AAAAAAAADuQ/xHpxn5BVXMsZaMjokDpJ20OMZzLK03ohA/s640/9dc791e46fb3a1460cc31c1f5f4efbd2.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="http://nellhills.com/">nellhills.com</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
Red and black complement each other so well. Do you like using certain colors in your home?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
============================================================================</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
P.S.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
On the blog, <a href="http://theinspiredroom.net/">www.theinspiredroom.net, </a>she offers the following advice on decorating. (/theinspiredroom.net/2009/06/09/the-best-decorating-advice-ever/)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25px;"><b>“Every room could use a touch of black.”</b></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25px; margin-bottom: 25px; padding: 0px; text-align: start;">
<b>“Avoid hanging pictures too high, keep them at eye level (unless you are going to cover a large expanse of wall top to bottom).”<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />“Start with one inspiration piece (maybe a rug or a pillow) and build your room and color scheme around it.”<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />“Choose your paint color last to complement everything else in the room.”<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />“It doesn’t have to MATCH, it just has to “go”…”<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />“Add a touch of whimsy and the unexpected.”<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />“Pull the furniture out from all the walls.”<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />“Mix things up.</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/25113835/list/every-room-needs-a-little-bit-of-black </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
This article also has some great advice.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;"><b> Joanna Gaines tips for your home: https://magnoliamarket.com/simple-and-clean-in-2015/</b></span></div>
<br />
<br />
Linking up to:<br />
<a href="http://savvysouthernstyle.net/">savvysouthernstyle.net</a><br />
<a href="http://impartinggrace.com/">impartinggrace.com</a><br />
<a href="http://stonegableblog.com/">stonegableblog.com</a><br />
<a href="http://astrollthrulife.net/">astrollthrulife.net</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />Kathy Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11668699397851882212noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1789709866533425223.post-15737192457624337982016-03-11T06:20:00.002-08:002016-03-11T10:00:16.761-08:00An Introduction<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3itlxokqRF8/VuLVFnYHtqI/AAAAAAAADrY/_PGXfYTTVe4FGFqMttJoFE2h4rybCmVbQ/s1600/207784_213980188613485_7914710_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3itlxokqRF8/VuLVFnYHtqI/AAAAAAAADrY/_PGXfYTTVe4FGFqMttJoFE2h4rybCmVbQ/s320/207784_213980188613485_7914710_n.jpg" width="234" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Hi! My name is Kathy and I'm a wife and mom to six kids. I'm linking up with one of my favorite blogs, <a href="http://www.kellyskornerblog.com/">Kelly's Korner</a>, today with my introduction. As it says on my sidebar, I'm a pastor's wife, but I don't have a perfect life. Not by a long shot:) But it is a joy filled, grace filled life. Life doesn't have to be perfect in order to be happy.<br />
<br />
Our six kids range in ages from 25 all the way down to age 10! I wrote about our last little surprise <a href="http://missgracefilledlife.blogspot.com/2012/05/having-baby-in-your-forties-is-sweetest.html">here</a>. He was born when I was 42 years old and oh, the joy he has brought to our home! Don't worry if you find yourself in your forties and you are unexpectedly pregnant. It will be okay and it will be wonderful!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H42RZy-akKc/VuLHNUb2uLI/AAAAAAAADpY/tQhpSqjpLAAGhyPVI06M57dD5vjIQ6f0A/s1600/547950_455910804420421_1110649694_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H42RZy-akKc/VuLHNUb2uLI/AAAAAAAADpY/tQhpSqjpLAAGhyPVI06M57dD5vjIQ6f0A/s640/547950_455910804420421_1110649694_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AmaRWiqVYgk/VuLW5PZHYiI/AAAAAAAADro/yavg-d4k4uUzOGx_lQoi_zwBU4lNd00yA/s1600/12592746_1152082414803253_8351262639257071084_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AmaRWiqVYgk/VuLW5PZHYiI/AAAAAAAADro/yavg-d4k4uUzOGx_lQoi_zwBU4lNd00yA/s320/12592746_1152082414803253_8351262639257071084_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ymx6Oc1rZDg/VuLMARQDI7I/AAAAAAAADpo/vJzkoPf3bj4dh417It160rB0yjayUZtlQ/s1600/25529_109934635684708_5560662_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ymx6Oc1rZDg/VuLMARQDI7I/AAAAAAAADpo/vJzkoPf3bj4dh417It160rB0yjayUZtlQ/s320/25529_109934635684708_5560662_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our youngest a few years ago:)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I met my husband at a Bible college in Louisiana. He was a Teen Challenge graduate and later, we lived and worked at a Teen Challenge ministry in Iowa for fourteen years, where he was the director of the men's program. In 2002, he became the lead pastor at a church in a nearby city. He has been the pastor for the last fourteen years and loves his job so much.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Back to our family, our oldest daughter has CP. Her twin brother passed away at the age of four. I wrote about that day recently<a href="http://missgracefilledlife.blogspot.com/2016/02/the-last-day-i-saw-my-son.html"> here.</a> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0E27hhUZb9Y/VuLYdtKbgaI/AAAAAAAADr0/UBKi9eXGq3gXxN1xaWhEhGJ-lLTn8Nbkg/s1600/Evans%2Bgrad%2Bdisc%2B048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0E27hhUZb9Y/VuLYdtKbgaI/AAAAAAAADr0/UBKi9eXGq3gXxN1xaWhEhGJ-lLTn8Nbkg/s320/Evans%2Bgrad%2Bdisc%2B048.jpg" width="232" /></a></div>
<br />
A little about me...I love reading blogs, and most of my favorites are from young moms. I remember the days when all my kids were young. Believe me when I say that some of your best memories are being made today, even though you are so tired and you wonder if you are doing a good job. You are! I write a little about those days <a href="http://missgracefilledlife.blogspot.com/2013/05/to-young-moms.html">here</a> with a post called "Advice to Young Moms". You are doing a phenomenal job!<br />
<br />
I love all things to do with New York City.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h0Yz7b3TEp4/VuLQv5GZACI/AAAAAAAADqs/tfSzslBnvskwiMegEO1AAGEJ23UEl2rHA/s1600/FullSizeRender%2B070.jpglt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h0Yz7b3TEp4/VuLQv5GZACI/AAAAAAAADqs/tfSzslBnvskwiMegEO1AAGEJ23UEl2rHA/s400/FullSizeRender%2B070.jpglt.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MP_xeXVNCR0/VuLQv-MXQrI/AAAAAAAADqw/7MZQJNCBrc0xboWHe8fWfILtlbLJs3qlw/s1600/FullSizeRender%2B0280.jpglt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MP_xeXVNCR0/VuLQv-MXQrI/AAAAAAAADqw/7MZQJNCBrc0xboWHe8fWfILtlbLJs3qlw/s640/FullSizeRender%2B0280.jpglt.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ukKJzh6YOyU/VuLQy6QgSiI/AAAAAAAADq0/AbRtOBiH0ScGcTuWqDyszYtgiqvCTECaQ/s1600/FullSizeRender%2B%25284%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ukKJzh6YOyU/VuLQy6QgSiI/AAAAAAAADq0/AbRtOBiH0ScGcTuWqDyszYtgiqvCTECaQ/s400/FullSizeRender%2B%25284%2529.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I remember reading an article where a mom wrote that she had begun being interested in NYC while watching Sesame Street with her little ones. I remember thinking that my interest had been piqued then, too. I really don't know for sure when my love for that great city began. But I've been blessed to have gone twice now. Our first visit was two years ago for our 25th wedding anniversary. I wrote about that magical visit <a href="http://missgracefilledlife.blogspot.com/2014/10/who-cares-that-much-about-youve-got.html">here</a>. If you love the movie "You've Got Mail" with Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan too, then you will want to read that post:) I hope I get to visit NYC again soon.<br />
<br />
I love the season of fall. To me, it's the most magical and special time of year! You can read a little about my love of fall<a href="http://missgracefilledlife.blogspot.com/2013/08/fall-pinspiration.html"> here.</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbbG9ZE6x4cqNxitHZQBIPxdB56nqklv2xJ4apd3jsWzYXRcJ6c8LH2xmwd1uYtJ_-BPt4bxP_qfMx_z7u6WqaJE4sfOsNXqXx-z8EkfOZ1XxUm3Bypw0N5jgFxb5V_Vf4zH0z9TJCkrY/s1600/4a0fb4d49dbd1195ef3603a9e59ec6ce.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbbG9ZE6x4cqNxitHZQBIPxdB56nqklv2xJ4apd3jsWzYXRcJ6c8LH2xmwd1uYtJ_-BPt4bxP_qfMx_z7u6WqaJE4sfOsNXqXx-z8EkfOZ1XxUm3Bypw0N5jgFxb5V_Vf4zH0z9TJCkrY/s400/4a0fb4d49dbd1195ef3603a9e59ec6ce.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
I love lipsticks. Isn't that funny? But a lipstick in my shopping cart makes me happy. Maybe because I'm so pale and you can hardly see me until I have lipstick on?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8jKUx4xgPTQ/VuLQPcypJII/AAAAAAAADqk/qrtcsauSt5Um_dfN6IzNthiQvN5rhqqOA/s1600/mac_sku_M2LP02_640x600_0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8jKUx4xgPTQ/VuLQPcypJII/AAAAAAAADqk/qrtcsauSt5Um_dfN6IzNthiQvN5rhqqOA/s320/mac_sku_M2LP02_640x600_0.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I do fashion posts now and then, which is funny really, because for years I owned about one shirt. Well, that may be a slight exaggeration, but not much. Thank goodness I found blogs like Kelly's and also this one. <a href="http://www.pinteresttoldmeto.blogspot.com/">www.pinteresttoldmeto.blogspot.com</a>. Shaeffer's blog is about the most fun blog you'll ever read. Here she is below.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="284" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gVaDFhfvbhw/VuLOgFczo6I/AAAAAAAADqM/EuOvGrfPdIUCsFofEz_xm7ygSq6OZNbVg/s320/tunic%2Bcollage%2B13.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.sheaffertoldmeto.com/">www.sheaffertoldmeto.com</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
One of my fashion posts is <a href="http://missgracefilledlife.blogspot.com/2014/05/what-i-wore-wednesday.html">here</a>.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XJ9LSk7Q7Ls/VuLRSLri0QI/AAAAAAAADq8/gl_8u68AQacw6a10bmfdbh1J1g4ibBflg/s1600/PicMonkey%2BCollage.jpg2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XJ9LSk7Q7Ls/VuLRSLri0QI/AAAAAAAADq8/gl_8u68AQacw6a10bmfdbh1J1g4ibBflg/s320/PicMonkey%2BCollage.jpg2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xjlmwxjxsB8/VuLZTrZvL6I/AAAAAAAADsE/3SiuAfvRQqYfhOQF79VIVk5HFzU8WXauQ/s1600/IMG_2331.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xjlmwxjxsB8/VuLZTrZvL6I/AAAAAAAADsE/3SiuAfvRQqYfhOQF79VIVk5HFzU8WXauQ/s320/IMG_2331.PNG" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
I love holidays, too! My favorite of all is Thanksgiving with Christmas right behind that.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TTmLLTNNgKw/VuLObkKDxdI/AAAAAAAADqA/feWGn4PQr44ilgvUzXl_XYtG7Yyc-1gxQ/s1600/87e72a18606c1c485fe04db987d824af.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TTmLLTNNgKw/VuLObkKDxdI/AAAAAAAADqA/feWGn4PQr44ilgvUzXl_XYtG7Yyc-1gxQ/s320/87e72a18606c1c485fe04db987d824af.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ySiqP6K3t10/VuLObo5fmfI/AAAAAAAADqE/1uPhOaE-jK4YBrKr726hX5miCpPErL80w/s1600/f3ac808f87b29aa5a79301528ded42b2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ySiqP6K3t10/VuLObo5fmfI/AAAAAAAADqE/1uPhOaE-jK4YBrKr726hX5miCpPErL80w/s320/f3ac808f87b29aa5a79301528ded42b2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YqfY4PJa3as/VuLOlg_mdUI/AAAAAAAADqQ/0uShZ94aJNws8FOk_QfdXo3PFC-cYO29g/s1600/photo%2B%252897%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YqfY4PJa3as/VuLOlg_mdUI/AAAAAAAADqQ/0uShZ94aJNws8FOk_QfdXo3PFC-cYO29g/s320/photo%2B%252897%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo Courtesy - Nell Hill</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UA_MVsL3Fgk/VuLOfsVMf4I/AAAAAAAADqI/fg5W-HmBV6gJczMEdE2VIfyp3O2PQp53Q/s1600/Picmonkey%2Bchristmas%2Bcollage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UA_MVsL3Fgk/VuLOfsVMf4I/AAAAAAAADqI/fg5W-HmBV6gJczMEdE2VIfyp3O2PQp53Q/s320/Picmonkey%2Bchristmas%2Bcollage.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two years ago at Christmas (our home)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nFKH_o9qXyM/VuLT11HGLqI/AAAAAAAADrQ/1dlpl2JpWMgYXWEScX6x_sJcEqivJP-Bw/s1600/12308449_1118534678158027_1403001388356294199_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nFKH_o9qXyM/VuLT11HGLqI/AAAAAAAADrQ/1dlpl2JpWMgYXWEScX6x_sJcEqivJP-Bw/s400/12308449_1118534678158027_1403001388356294199_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our living room this past Christmas:)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
I love movies. My favorite movie is Father of the Bride with Steve Martin. My favorite drama is the movie Slumdog Millionaire. I'm going to write about that movie soon. It really changed my life. Can a movie really do that? It can when God is involved:)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-559dLpf4TzM/VuLP5Xhq-nI/AAAAAAAADqg/xBGS2x-Fi0gwX-gB-9_2UTL1rghRqEqUA/s1600/p179969_p_v8_ab.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-559dLpf4TzM/VuLP5Xhq-nI/AAAAAAAADqg/xBGS2x-Fi0gwX-gB-9_2UTL1rghRqEqUA/s400/p179969_p_v8_ab.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VzxUiABH1us/VuLTwTBnJbI/AAAAAAAADrM/WKDUdPkwNLwWPIVYgO2rw14D_ECVl9BOw/s1600/12662469_1153761967968631_5364039798499197597_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VzxUiABH1us/VuLTwTBnJbI/AAAAAAAADrM/WKDUdPkwNLwWPIVYgO2rw14D_ECVl9BOw/s320/12662469_1153761967968631_5364039798499197597_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
That's a little bit about me. I would have to say that I'm only an occasional blogger. But I would love to hear from you, especially all the young moms out there. I have a soft spot in my heart for all of you. Much love to each one of you!<br />
<br />
Linking up with<br />
<a href="http://www.kellyskornerblog.com/">www.kellyskornerblog.com</a>Kathy Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11668699397851882212noreply@blogger.com6