A heart of thankfulness

Happy Thanksgiving, y'all! In true night-owl form, I am up late enough to usher in the first moments of Thanksgiving 2011. 

I'm up, but not because I'm frantically running around scrambling to clean my house and get a menu ready. I'm just up toodling around, getting some things ready for tomorrow, mostly because I'm like a little kid and can't sleep when a gathering or something exciting is about to happen. 

As I was cleaning earlier in preparation to host my in-laws tomorrow, I felt abnormally relaxed. Usually, I would be bouncing off the walls, shouting demands like a drill sergeant, and tending to every nook and cranny of my home in hopes of achieving the "perfect" Thanksgiving.

But not tonight. I stopped while wiping down a dining room chair and thought, "Hmm, wonder why I feel so relaxed? Why, I don't feel stressed at all." 

Then it hit me. I realized that Thanksgiving (or any gathering, for that matter) is not about how clean my house is or how wonderful my meal turns out. It's about the love that is going to fill my home, reverberating off the walls and easing the souls that are contained within. 

We are going to eat. Oh, good Lord, yes, we will eat! We are going to fellowship. We are going to share laughs, hugs, and full tummies all around. 

Do I care if my floor's so clean my guests can eat off of it? No way.

Do I care if my guests feel loved and cared for while they are visiting my home? Absolutely. 

That will be the perfect Thanksgiving. 

Have a blessed and happy Thanksgiving!

God bless,

Miss K

31 Days of Natural Nutrition: Day 6 ~ Spaghetti squash

It's Day 6 and things are looking up. This post will be short and sweet, as I'm posting from my iPad since I'm actually in bed before midnight!

Today was filled with much healthier choices and feeling better overall. My nutritional share for today is spaghetti squash. It's one of our favorites and oh so easy to prepare. If you haven't tried it, don't be apprehensive. Grab one next time you're at the farmer's market or grocery.

We use spaghetti squash as a substitute for the pasta in our spaghetti dinner. It's so good, with the only difference being a consistency issue. When I first made it, I cringed upon serving it to my husband because he loves his pasta. Much to my surprise, he prefers the spaghetti squash over the spaghetti noodles. Score!

Here's what to do with the spaghetti squash. Cut it in half and scrape out all the seeds and "guts" as we'd call them. Then flip both halves over in a baking dish and poke the rind of each half several times with a fork. Throw the dish in an oven preheated to 350 for 30-40 minutes or until done. When the squash is done, you just have to hold each side up and scrape the inside out with a fork. The inside comes out in strands, resembling spaghetti. If you have older kids, they'll probably fancy this pretty cool. My three year old just runs!

Toss some squash on a plate and top with spaghetti sauce with meat or marinara for a vegetarian option. It tastes fabulous and is truly healthy! No need to hit the couch afterward due to a carb overload!

Paired with some wine and candlelight, this is a perfect in-home date with your spouse. Molto bene!

Please pray for Tripp

If you've taken a gander down the right-hand side of my blog page, you've seen the pictures of three sweet ones that need prayer. I know they are a few of many, but they are near to my heart as I have been following their stories for some time. 

One of them, little Tripp, needs your prayers badly right now. Tripp has a skin disease called Epidermolysis Bullosa (or EB, for short). You'll notice little Jonah has EB as well. I'm not sure even how I became acquainted with both of these families' blogs, but I'm grateful to the Lord that I did. I have been able to see true heroism lived out in these toddlers and their parents. 

Tripp is battling fevers and infection right now, and is in immense pain (even moreso than what he's typically dealing with from EB alone). The doctors are trying to put him on pain medicine that will ease his discomfort and allow him to get well. To be honest, I don't know the prognosis. I know that the life expectancy of EB children can be short. Tripp just turned two years old; he has so much life ahead that he should be able to live. But, we do not know God's plan; only God knows and He's in control, so we must trust in Him. 

Would you please add Tripp and his mother Courtney to your prayer list? I have been awestruck at the strength that Tripp has displayed as a child managing a pain that he doesn't even understand and that Courtney has displayed at raising, loving, and nurturing this sweet little guy in the midst of a devastating disease. 

It's strange, but I can safely say that I love Tripp. I've never met him and probably never will, but he has touched my heart in a way that I can't express in words. Take a look at Tripp's website, read his story, look at all his adorable photos, watch this little guy inspire you in his videos, and see if you don't love him, too. I dare you. Then, pray for him. Please.

God bless, 

Miss K

P.S. Grab a button for your blog while you're at it and spread the word. Tripp needs all the prayer warriors he can get! 

The kind of wife and mother I want to be

<sup>Proverbs 31:10-31


10</sup> A wife of noble character who can find? 
   She is worth far more than rubies. 
¹¹ Her husband has full confidence in her 
   and lacks nothing of value. 
¹² She brings him good, not harm, 
   all the days of her life. 
¹³ She selects wool and flax 
   and works with eager hands. 
¹⁴ She is like the merchant ships, 
   bringing her food from afar. 
¹⁵ She gets up while it is still night; 
   she provides food for her family 
   and portions for her female servants. 
¹⁶ She considers a field and buys it; 
   out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. 
¹⁷ She sets about her work vigorously; 
   her arms are strong for her tasks. 
¹⁸ She sees that her trading is profitable, 
   and her lamp does not go out at night. 
¹⁹ In her hand she holds the distaff 
   and grasps the spindle with her fingers. 
²⁰ She opens her arms to the poor 
   and extends her hands to the needy. 
²¹ When it snows, she has no fear for her household; 
   for all of them are clothed in scarlet. 
²² She makes coverings for her bed; 
   she is clothed in fine linen and purple. 
²³ Her husband is respected at the city gate, 
   where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. 
²⁴ She makes linen garments and sells them, 
   and supplies the merchants with sashes. 
²⁵ She is clothed with strength and dignity; 
   she can laugh at the days to come. 
²⁶ She speaks with wisdom, 
   and faithful instruction is on her tongue. 
²⁷ She watches over the affairs of her household 
   and does not eat the bread of idleness. 
²⁸ Her children arise and call her blessed; 
   her husband also, and he praises her: 
²⁹ “Many women do noble things, 
   but you surpass them all.” 
³⁰ Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; 
   but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. 
³¹ Honor her for all that her hands have done, 
   and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.





We mothers have been commissioned to the highest calling: training up the next generation in the ways of the Lord. Although it seems as such at times, it's about more than spit up, diapers, potty training, learning ABCs, and swimming lessons. It's about molding and shaping these little minds and bodies into responsible citizens of the world. We give freely of ourselves so that we may better our children. In turn, we will see the fruits of our labor develop and flourish as our children grow. What an amazing gift we've been given! 


Thank you, Lord, for this daunting, yet splendid task you have laid before me. I am in awe that you have entrusted one of your precious little children to me that I may bear the title "Mother." I wear it proudly, as a badge of honor, knowing that it is, by far, the most important thing I will do in my entire life. Please give me the ability to translate your grace and mercy accordingly and bestow it upon my dear son with the same unfailing love that you've bestowed it upon me. 


Happy Mother's Day! 

It's been a long time, I shouldn't have left you ...

Without a dope beat to step to ... RIP Aaliyah :)


Seriously though. It's been quiet entirely too long on this blog. I know why, and I intend to expand upon it in a series entitled "Under Enemy Fire." 


Look out for it, starting sometime within the next week ... 


God bless,
Miss K

I choose to ...

Love. 


That's it. A very simple, short blog post to iterate something that's been on my mind and heart for a while now. 


We have two choices in this world: we can love or we can hate. We can uplift or we can demean. It seems in today's society, it's cool to judge, criticize, condemn. It's passe to uplift, encourage, love. 


Let's put love back at the forefront. Not just because it's 13 days to Valentine's Day. Because it helps us be the best version of ourselves.


I'll leave it with this, an excerpt from my favorite book of the Bible.


Romans 12:9-21, subtitled "Love in Action"


 ⁹ Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. ¹⁰ Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. ¹¹ Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. ¹² Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. ¹³ Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
 ¹⁴ Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. ¹⁵ Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. ¹⁶ Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
 ¹⁷ Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. ¹⁸ If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.¹⁹ Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. ²⁰ On the contrary:
   “If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
   if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
 ²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.


Blessings,
Miss K

Thankful on Paper, Week 2: My better half

*My grandfather sang this song at our wedding. As soon as I sat down to begin gushing about my one-and-only, I was reminded of this moment in our wedding. This song is so special. It says exactly how I felt then, how I feel now, how I'll feel always.


It's Week #2 of Thankful on Paper and it's a doozie for me. It's time to thank the most incredible man I've ever known and I'm overwhelmed with stress in thinking I cannot find enough words to do him the justice he truly deserves for the man he is. Along with his vast amount of admirable qualities, my hubby is humble, so I'll spare him a bit and just refer to him as "G." 


G and I met half of our lifetime ago, at the age of 17. We worked at an amusement park, where he was a sweeper and I was a balloon girl. He loves to tell people this story and then add the line "I swept her off her feet." Ba dum bum! ;) Did I mention he's a comedian?


To spare the long and winding details of our road to marriage, I'll keep it brief and say that we dated on and off for seven years before deciding we couldn't stop God and making it official in year eight. 


We've now been married nearly 10 years, and my heart can barely contain all the love I have for this man of mine. 


Enough exposition, let me tell you why he's a keeper!


G is my honest-to-God soulmate. He is it for me and I for him. We're like peas and carrots. Seriously. He's actually the only person I think who truly knows me in and out. When we're standing barefoot, I fit just perfectly underneath his arm. We fit. We work. We're a team.


Knowing me as G does is no easy feat, and he takes it in stride. He knows me angry. He knows me ugly. He knows me bratty. He knows ME. He's seen my kind of crazy and he accepts it. He not only accepts it, he bought a daily subscription to it when he signed the marriage license. It's legit. I'm pretty sure there are days where he thinks, "What the heck did I sign up for?" but he's never let me know it. Not once. 


He's my hero. He has rescued me from myself more times than I care to count. He's also other people's hero. I've never come across a better friend than him. He cares genuinely for people and their circumstances. He's found/gotten jobs for people, he's given money to people, he's given housing to people. There's not much he won't do if it can help someone else. I often wonder how he walks so swiftly carrying that huge heart around in his chest. 


He is ambitious and driven, but he doesn't let it consume him. He works SO very hard in a high-stress job, but his countenance is consistent every time he walks through our front door after work. He's smiling. It doesn't matter what happened that day. He's smiling. He's happy to see his family and get to spend some time with us. That's admirable. 


He's funny. Real funny. Not funny queer. Funny haha. He has a loud voice and an even more booming, boisterous laugh. I recall seeing Ace Ventura with him for the first time in high school and being riveted by his laugh. It's contagious. It brings joy. 


He's authentic. He's the real deal. What you see is what you get. I often compliment him because he can say anything to anyone and get away with it. Because they know it's from the heart. 


He takes care of us. GOOD care of us. We are blessed by a life that is beyond anything I could've imagined in my wildest dreams. He works hard so I can stay home, raising our boy (and hopefully more to come). 


He gave me my son. My pride and joy. My burst of energy topped with a mess of blonde curls and the kind of blue eyes that make girls melt. I pray he turns out more like his father than like me. 


G is a picture of Christ to me. He loves God with all his heart, soul, strength, and mind. And it shows. He's a wonderful example. He is a man of prayer and faith. I can't tell you how awesome that is. He's so encouraging. Just today, he told me, "Try to get in the word today, at least one chapter. God wants to speak to you." It's beautiful to have that kind of encouragement. 


I don't know if I'll ever figure out what I did to deserve such a prize. One thing's for sure though: I've got my prize, I'm greedy, and I'm not letting him go. Ever. 


I'll be loving him always. With a love that's true. Always. Not for just an hour. Not for just a day. Not for just a year. But always. 

Free your mind ... and the rest will follow

Have you ever noticed how it's much easier to criticize than to commend? Well, just because it's easier doesn't make it right. 


Criticism has risen to power as a predominant character trait in our society today. It's cool to be critical of things, people, places; everybody does it. We live and breathe it. Society is spewing its criticism out on us all the time, and we are absorbing it, conforming to it, and, in turn, spewing it out on others. It's disgusting. 


Magazines criticize us for being too fat or too thin. Paparazzi stalk celebrities so we can criticize their look, their families, their diets. We live under an ever-expanding microscope where, pretty soon, we're all going to finally realize that *gasp* no one's perfect. 


With the advent of social networking, it's become even worse. We are now criticizing our own friends for what they choose to post as their Facebook status. "Can you believe so-and-so said ____? That's so lame!" People are criticizing other people they have never even met face to face, all in the name of what? 


When did we all become so critical? A better question is: when did we all become so perfect that we didn't have any self-analyzing and self-betterment to do so we decided to turn to others and "help" them? Everyone's a critic. 


Criticism is a nasty habit. By definition, it's "to find fault; judge unfavorably or harshly." Ouch. Why do we want to do this to other people? Does it make us feel better about ourselves? Do we honestly think we're doing someone a favor by criticizing them? In this warped day and age, do we even realize when we are being critical or do we think we're just stating facts?


What do you think the world would look like if we replaced every criticism with a commendation? Do me a favor. Don't just read that question and think to yourself, "Yeah, that would be great." Really think about it. Really. 


Start with yourself first. Think about how you would feel or who you would be if the critiques that are constantly being thrown at you were converted to praise? If you were never told you weren't good enough, but were actually told that you are valuable and one of a kind. If you could exchange the negative for the positive, your self-esteem would skyrocket. 


Now, broaden it to the world around you. I think the world would be a beautiful place if we practiced praise regularly instead of judgment. Call me a dreamer if you will. I bet there'd be less stress, strife, disease, crime, disillusionment, and contempt. If we weren't all being judged so harshly, we'd be free to be who we really are. We would live with the bumps on our noses, stretch marks on our bellies, and those not-so-perfect teeth. And guess what? We would actually live. Let me tell you: nobody's ever been denied entrance into heaven because they have cellulite. Likewise, no one will be granted entrance for having a flawless body. 


Criticism does nothing but tear people down. Praise builds people up. I don't think many people would cheer themselves on for demolishing another person's house, but I do think many people demolish other people's spirits without even blinking an eye. 


I'm reminded of this quote: "Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle." Plato got it, and he was from 400 BC, for goodness' sake. Why haven't we gotten with the program yet?


Why blog about this? What's the purpose? I mean, do I really think I'm going to rid the world of all its injustice with one little blog post that, say, maybe 10 people will read? No, I'm not that delusional. 


I'm blogging about this in hopes of helping myself and others realize when our criticism is in overdrive. We're all guilty of it, but that doesn't mean we can't change it. We can, starting right now, choose to keep the criticism at bay and let the praises ring. We can look past what society says is "right" and make up our own minds. We can extend a word of love, forgiveness, or sympathy in hopes of shining a light in this dark and dreary world. 


I could really use some of that. Couldn't you? 

Procrastinating putting pen to paper for purposeful prose

Thankful on Paper officially began yesterday. I was supposed to write a letter to one person I love in my life telling them how grateful I am for them and why. Let me be honest with you. I have not written my letter. Yet. However, I am going to (either tonight or tomorrow morning). 


When I decided at the eleventh hour to participate in Thankful on Paper, I immediately began obsessing over how I was going to whittle it down to only four people in my life. Who would I choose? Would anyone be offended if they weren't included? In true Miss K fashion, I have over-analyzed this task and picked it apart to a point where I've almost sucked the joy out of even doing it. I tell you, sometimes it's downright painful to be in my head. 


Alas, I've since worked myself back out of my overly analytical tizzy and settled on starting at the beginning, with those who created me: my parents. I'll call them "Ma" and "Pa" to protect the innocent. ;) Yes, I chose two people because I couldn't thank one without thanking the other. They both raised me to be the woman I am today. And I like to color outside the lines just a little bit, so two instead of one satisfies my rebellious streak. 


Here's what I will say to my dear Ma and Pa:


Thank you for, at the ripe young age of 18, deciding you loved me enough to keep me. You could've taken many other avenues, but you didn't. You chose me. You chose to start a family, to be responsible, and to settle down. Without that choice, I surely wouldn't be here. 


My gratitude for you grows as I get older. It's been heightened since I became a mother and can now see through your eyes a little more clearly. A short, and not nearly complete, list of my gratitude follows:


~ Working tirelessly through the years to give us a home and everything we wanted
~ Establishing and maintaining a close family connection that never wavered as we toured the States (and then some) as a military family
~ ALWAYS supporting me in my endeavors, no matter how outlandish or short-lived
~ Teaching me manners and the difference between right and wrong
~ Nurturing and developing our relationship with extended family, no matter the distance between us all
~ Passing on a love of literature and poetry (Ma) :)
~ Passing on a love of classic rock and cars (Pa) :)
~ Giving me my twin brothers, who I first thought wrecked my world, but now realize sweeten my world
~ Loving my husband like he's your own son
~ Loving and spoiling my son like only wonderful grandparents can 
~ Loving me unconditionally despite all my thorns, which are many and sharp at times


Lastly, and most importantly, thank you for giving me the genes of really, really ridiculously good-looking people. ;) In all seriousness, thank you for giving me a strong sense of humor, without which I would've surely shriveled up and died at least a few times in my life. 


I love you both to the ends of the Earth, and thank the Lord for you. 

Deep Thoughts from a Toddler Mind

As my little man grows and discovers his vocabulary, his personality is really beginning to shine through. I just have to share a few of the things he's said recently that should give a good, hearty belly laugh. I also want to document these things so I can one day use them as blackmail when the appropriate situation arises. ;) 


This morning, as we woke up (yes, he goes to sleep in his own bed but somehow ends up in mine every morning), we were having our typical few minutes of snuggle time. They usually consist of him coaxing me out of bed because I'm a night person and have typically not had enough sleep due to working/playing/Facebooking into the wee hours of the morning. But, I digress ... 


I asked him for my usual first morning hug and kiss, and  he promptly said "Shoo!" upon reaching over to hug me. He then told me, "Mama, you have macaroni and cheese in your mouth! That's SO gross!" Yes, ladies and gents, this was my little creative man's way of telling me I had bad breath. I just about laughed my head off! It might make more sense if I tell you that this is the only kid in the universe (I think) that won't touch macaroni and cheese with a ten-foot pole. He'd rather eat his toenails than try mac-n-cheese. Seriously. So he was thinkin' there was some real stinkin' going on in my mouth. 


A few days ago, he had a similar spurt. We were at a playdate with friends and he had gotten into trouble for taking a toy from one of his little buddies. As I was prodding him to apologize to his friend, he looked at his friend and said, "Sorry, crazy." Needless to say, both of the mommies involved had to turn our heads to keep from cracking the whole "lesson" in two with our giggles. 


Tonight, he told me "I do it ALL BY MYSELF" when I told him it was time to go brush his teeth. In turn, I replied with my best neck roll with one finger up in the air, "Well, excu-u-use me! Mr. 2.5 going on 14!" He thought this was hilarious and giggled ferociously. Then he asked me to do it five more times. Which I did. Because I can't get enough of this kid's giggles. Ever. 


As he nears the ripe old age of 3, he seems to have it all figured out. He may not have it ALL figured out, but one thing he's pegged for sure: he has us wrapped so tightly around his little finger. At times, I have to stop myself because I hang on his every word. I can only imagine what words are to come as he continues to grow and learn. 

Howdy! It's share a lyric Sunday y'all!

I've got a whole mind full of things to blog about, but not enough wits about me to put any of those thoughts together into meaningful sentences, let alone a whole blog post, so I'm going to keep it short and sweet tonight. Forgive me, for I've just spent the last almost hour and a half at the sink doing dishes. Seriously. That's what happens when I let my routines go by the wayside, and then I turn up sick on the day I plan to catch up. Things do not go well around here if I don't stick to my routines. Lesson learned. 


I'd like to get back to my idea of sharing song lyrics that mean a lot to me, so I'm sliding this one in here on a Sunday instead of Saturday. Who really cares anyway? :) This is actually an entire chorus from a country song called "Love Like Crazy" by Lee Brice that's currently in heavy rotation. Bear with me here if you're not a country fan because this chorus is absolutely beautiful. 


Here's a little background on what happens in the song before the chorus starts for those who haven't heard it. There's a couple who've been together for 58 years (I can only wish) and this chorus is the man's response to how they've managed to stay together that long. He says:


Be a best friend, tell the truth
And overuse I love you
Go to work, do your best
Don't outsmart your common sense
Never let your prayin' knees get lazy
And love like crazy


I am totally in love with this song. It reminds me every time I hear it to be sweet to my husband and always remind him how much I love him, even when I think he'll tire of hearing it. Because he won't. Ever. He'll never tire of hearing how I love and adore him any more than I'll ever tire of hearing how much he loves and adores me. That's what true love's all about. It's a magical codependency like I've never experienced, until I became a mom. 


There I go getting all sappy on you. Sorry, but the emotion I feel when I hear this song is mostly why I LOVE music so much. It touches your heart and your soul, and when it's done well, it can make you a better person. 


As a quick aside, while I am typing this, I can hear "Oh How I Love Jesus" softly emanating from my son's room. This is our hope and prayer for him. I pray that one day, when he's grown, he will love this song as much as I do and will sing it with pure conviction and a love of Jesus realized. 


God Bless,
Miss K