elizabeth embracing God

A habit of Love

2012-02-14T10:48:00.000-08:00

REPOSTED FROM FEB.2010

I am really going to spice things up this Valentine's Day for my sweetheart. This may make you blush so you better get a fan. Things are going to be heating up. Whew I can already feel my pulse rising.

There are lots of articles, ads, and ideas circulating on how to spice things up for your man this Valentine's Day. Many of which require a trip to some kind of store selling lots of pink, black, and red articles of clothing. My husband loves me dearly. He makes lovely comments about how beautiful I am and he has a loving embrace that reminds me every single day he walks out the door to work and every single day he walks in the door from work. I am so glad that. Glad that all these colors of love are not what define our love for each other.

Answering the front door in some red hot outfit held together with strings would not be a turn on around here. With a house full of boys I don't need to be making any public displays of my love for David in this way. Yet all the ads are promoting just this. The mall is littered with sexual content promoting LOVE. Is this is what LOVE is all about?

Love in our home is so much more. Those things relating to the physical part of my relationship are just between my husband and I would not honor him to divulge how I might be spicing things up. Sometimes these are the best kept secrets. However I will share a few ideas of how I can expand my love towards this wonderful man. A few years ago I adopted these few things in my marriage. God impressed on my heart the attitudes and moods I may have that affect my relationship with David in negative ways. I asked God to show me how I can change to improve things between the two of. I realize each marriage is different, but these few things have helped me so much and I have a terrific friendship and love affair with my husband. We have struggled, we have had our huge moments, and yet through love, grace and mercy this man is truly my best friend in the world. With a loving measure of my own heart here are some things I have learned.

1. Don't wait, just do it. Don't wait for an act of kindness on his part, to express one back to him. Just do it, regardless of the stress of your day. Stress that often has nothing to do with him is often affecting the "doing it" acts of kindness. Do no allow your process of stress how you love on your man, and how you show him kindness. Just Do It!

2. Give him a blank page numbered 1-10. Give him the freedom to write out ten things YOU can do to express love and kindness for him. Things that are important to him. Then go back to my first idea and "don't wait, just do it." This can be a very helpful way in truly understanding the things that make our husband's smile. David's number one on a list of ten was to greet him at the door afterwork, hug him and give him a kiss. For him, it was a way of saying "no matter what the day was like for either of us we are a team, and our boys can see this."

3. Think first on intentions before you re-act. My husband's nature is very kind and considerate. I loved and adored that about him while we were dating. He had those qualities long before he ever met me. I want to make sure I continue to love and encourage those characteristics in him. So before I get mad over a situation I have to ask myself the "intentions" behind that which made me mad. I can not get upset over a messy house after being gone all day. Is the house a mess because David intended to make me mad? (I am a clean as I go kind of gal, so not everyone is like that including my husband) His intentions are typically to keep busy boys happy, and he's playing or handymanning about. No need to blow a gasket over things done differently than I would do. The heart and the intent of David is always for good, not for harm or hurt. I truly trust that in him. In trusting that in him, it's my heart I must examine.

4. Kiss your man when he walks out the door in the morning, midmorning, afternoon, whenever he leaves. When he returns home so the same. As the sign state in our bedroom "Always Kiss Me Goodnight". It has become a loving habit in our home. Even if I have gone to bed before David or he is out the door before I am awake there is a kissy exchange. I will NEVER grumble if I am rustled out of a sleep for that kiss, nor does David grumble if I am kissing him while he slumbers. There have been days when I am certain my husband is not feeling so loving towards me or vice versa, but never is a kiss and an embrace missed. Our boys now expect that same kiss and it's wonderful for our family to see us as a couple loving each other through thick and thin.....which brings me to my next point.

5. Thick or Thin look hot for your husband. I can be schlepping in sweats all day with being a mom and house full of boys. I am more comfortable that way because we are building legos, playing on the floor lots. I watch the clock every single day. Around 4:30pm I run upstairs, throw on something a little nicer, put some make-up, brush my teeth, and make sure my husband is not walking into a crazy zone and I look good for him. I am not as concerned concerned how I look at the kid's school, the grocery store, or anywhere, but I do want to look put together for my amazing husband.

So there you have it. Not deep and intimate thoughts, just some every day stuff that works well in this home. I can honestly say, and those who know my husband and I will comment on the love they see shared between us. A love that we have fought hard for. I love hearing people say things about my relationship with my husband. When it becomes a loving habit it is so easy. I hear couples say, but it is so hard. Yes, it is hard to think of another person, serve that person, and even honor them in all things. It's easy when it is a habit of Love. So cheers this Valentine's Day to developing habits of Love. Come on Just Do It!!!!

Developing Our Children's Future Careers

2012-02-12T23:45:00.000-08:00

As parents. how do we develop our children's future careers? I listened to a man share his story on the career choice he currently works in. His interest, designing shoes. His story starting as a young boy. Our pastor is teaching a series on partnering with God, as we work in the jobs he gives us. He brought up five people in various careers to share how God is using them, in their individual and very different job. The shoe guy struck a cord with me. He said that a 5th grade report card said something like, "grades might improve with less shoe drawings." I chuckled and could relate, and then asked myself. How am I encouraging my young boys in the God given gifts they have?

Do we see as parents, the very gifts that God designed in our children? Are we aware of them? Do we then build opportunities around our children to grow in those passions. I am going to use Ethan as an example. He is OBSESSED with airplanes. He was never a crayon or marker kid. He wanted a fine point to design and draw airplanes. I use to sit for hours and read "fact" book on airplanes. It made no sense to me, but that was his reading choice. Now that he is a strong reader he has taking this plane thing and gives new meaning to his passions with long studies of World Wars and how planes were used. What am I doing to continue to grow this passion in Ethan? Being deaf, some say that he may never fly a plane. I am not going to be the one to crush that dream. He is going to pursue his dreams and as parents we do all we can to bring more of his passions to him. Our last visit to the Air Museum in McMinnville turned into a private tutor and showing for Ethan. An old pilot with a young boy asking questions. Taking Ethan from one plane to the next. Asking me how on earth this little boy knows so much. (Good Will has tons of books to collect on planes.) All of Ethan's school papers come home with airplanes doodled all over. Drawings with battles going on. Airplanes on the cover of his biweekly report, to the point that his teacher, bless her heart, allows him to make that cover page of planes.

I think about Emily and her music love. Asking me when she was 12 years old if she could have a mandolin. Okay, sure. Elliot picking up a guitar and leading a Bible Study. As parents, speaking of the wonders of how God gives us our desires and passions. It may not make sense to me, but it does make sense to a child who had not had the limitations of an authority in their life who shuts those interests and passions down.

That man at church reflecting back to his childhood of taking a pencil to paper to design athletic shoes. Would he being doing this, if he was shut down and redirected to something else?

I have asked God over and over why He gives me so many blessings in the same career that has followed me for the past 22 years. I love it. I enjoy what I do. The blessing of working for myself, which allowed me to also be a full time stay home mom. Double blessings. Not working now for almost five years, and the minute all the kids are in school the doors open up to go right back to what I was doing. Why God? Why do you keep dropping me back into this?

I was the girl who always helped their friend's change their rooms around. My parents let me decorate my bedroom exactly how I wanted it. While my friends were looking at teen magazine I was pouring over Architectual Digest on our coffee table. I was the girl who sewed all the matching bedding, curtains, placemats and napkins for my college dorm room. I have never been board in all these years. I have grumbled at times when sitting over a sewing machine, but I thank God that he has given me a gift that I can use. More importantly I get to be in this world, rubbing elbows with people who do not know Christ. Who ask me questions about my life and I get to give God credit for the blessings in my life. My parents did encourage the designer in me. I have to admit I rebelled the idea of this for a short while. But they provided the resources for me to use the depth of my passions that God designed in me.

Looking to my children and those little minds being developed. Am I developing the passions in my boys and one girl? Is there really something about the 7 year old who can play with a calculator for two hours and is a total geek with numbers, facts, math. I really wanted to ask Eric if he wanted the pencil pack to go with it. A dollar investment in a calculator. Feeding his God given passions. I don't get it. A calculator, really. He comes from a long history of engineers and rumor has it his Pop-Pop, Uncle, and cousin, all engineers and they too found joy in this kind of young play.

Praying that my children will grow in their passions, understand how God has designed them. Also praying that David and I will continue to encourage them in developing their future careers.

He Knows My Name

2012-02-09T00:34:00.000-08:00

This afternoon, my lungs grasping for air, my inner joys being rattled and realizing that truly man, the imperfections we have, do not compare to the perfections in knowing Jesus. Do you ever need to be reminded of this? Getting caught up in the emotions and drama and taking it all on for what? The compromising, even for a day, what He knows and that joy that only comes from walking with Christ. Walking boldly and confidently, because He Knows My Name.

She called and reminded me of one thing. I needed that reminder. I needed that inner joy of knowing Him, because sometimes I do get distracted. The past few days I have been distracted. Do those every day things that occupy our thoughts distract enough that we forget. It does for me. So her phone call and reminder brought me to the most joyful tears I have cried all week.

"He Knows Your Name, Elizabeth" and she did not have to say anything more. You see I got my heart distracted by silly events brought on by just being part of this world. Part of being a wife, a mother, a friend. He does know my name. He knows my heart, he knows my intentions, he knows my thoughts. And then His kind of peace comes over me. Guess what He Knows YOUR name too. He knows your struggles within, the challenges, the broken promises and in designing you, He gets you and He Knows Your Name. Take a moment and click on the link below. Close your eyes and listen to the words. What joy and comfort that He truly does Know My Name.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXsiWoyjw60&feature=related

A Tie in a Tree

2012-02-06T13:48:00.000-08:00

Does a picture really paint a thousand words such as a Tie in a Tree?

Where did they go? A beautiful sunny Saturday afternoon. A beautiful day for a wedding. Emily called and asked if Ethan could be her date at a wedding we were attending. I thought this wedding would be a good first wedding for Ethan to see and attend. Emily did his hair, chose his clothes and even his tie. Teaching her younger brother how to honor a wedding, with fancy clothes. Ethan was game. He went along. That is until he realized that it was a sitting affair. He leaned over and asked if he could go climb trees during the wedding. I said no. He then asked if he could take off his tie. I said no, not until your climbing a tree. His sister help pass the time with some silly face making.

He got a little wiggly. The wedding was over and then they disappeared. Before I spotted Ethan, I saw his tie hanging from a tree. I then looked up and saw him. His sweet big sister took him to go climb a tree. He was not so fond of attending a wedding, sitting still, knowing the sun was shining and a tree was waiting for him.

This young man thinking about life, in the sunshine up in a tree. It's good to be a boy without a tie on and in a tree.

We made a stop at Guitar Center.

Ethan looking all music dude-ish that I had to snap it. He would now like this picture made into a poster for his room. I shall comply. I have slowed down my picture taking in the past few months. It's hard to know what to do with them all and I am not one who gets much satisfaction out of managing, organizing and making special books of pictures. I am saving all that for when I am an old lady in a rocking chair. So these snippets are more memorable to me.

It's a sunny Monday. The weekend is over and as I see God's hand working in and around my life. I pause to look at life in these two sillies of mine and thank God that there is light in this world and in the hearts of my children. As this week starts off I am reminded of this verse:
Proverbs 16:9
"A man's heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps."
Perhaps your week is starting out with ponderings of life from a tree. Maybe you are uncomfortable and have to take your tie off and just hang things up for a while. Perhaps you just need to lighten up and make silly faces, or grab a guitar and make some music. God promises to direct your steps. As you make your plans this week, keep God in those plans and truly as His word promises He will direct your steps. Blessings and Love, Elizabeth

Happy Sunday

2012-02-05T12:21:00.000-08:00

Today, now, a lovely Sunday just approaching the afternoon. Bacon still lingers in my house. David let me sleep in. Coming in late after a concert. I just snagged this photo from Elliot. I was cracking up when I went back to bring him a drink. He had written out a code on the sound board for the mics & musicians. Take a look at his graphics on the bottom of the picture.

This next picture I also snagged from one of the musicians. It has a cool effect to it. I really have to say that this was a fun evening. Thankful that it was not too late, and even more thankful for my friends who came out to hear.

I am certain if you read here often, you caught a wiff of struggle in my heart in my last post. Thanks to those who emailed and texted me on the subject of mentoring others. We put ourselves out there to come alongside others, and often that can get messy. I want to be real, with how I write and I want to be an encouragement too. Most important is to seek out what Biblical context all of my life falls under. Not just Elizabeth blabbing, but how God views our hearts on those important matters. I hope when you read, you come away wanting to know more of God's grace, direction and love.

Happy Sunday!!!

Now

My Heart

2012-02-01T11:34:00.000-08:00

My heart has been very heavy the past 24 hours. Prayerfully asking God what my part is when others have issues in their lives that I am not responsible for or able to ever control. I think that when we/I (women who mentor other women) meet with a number of women on a regular basis, there is this assumption that we/I am a "Godly Woman" which I embrace and value. However "Godly Woman" does not ever mean that I can take your hand and lead you out of the sin in your life. Sin is sin. we all know this and I have issues in my life that God exposes in me. I am working on those things daily. I have people in my life who hold me accountable, but it is not their job to place handcuffs on me and walk side by side keeping me out of trouble. God gives me a clear picture of what is right and wrong, and it is my decision which direction I choose and my responsibility.

My heart hurts when I see decisions being made that will have a lasting impact on lives and the life of families, spouses, friendships. Perhaps that hurting heart comes from having walked in similar shoes. I can come alongside and give solid Biblical guidance, but I can not take your hand and lead you out of that sin. That is your decision and choice. I can throw you the rope, and I will get down on my tummy and reach down to grab you, but if you don't take the rope, or reach your grip into mine I am only to pray for you, and offer the best guidance I can.

Twice this past year, I have been blamed and attacked for my lack of coming alongside and doing the right thing. What is the right thing to do when the sin is being walked in and around by another? To confront, ask questions and pray? If that person continues to walk in that sin, to gather with another sister in Christ to ask that you walk away from those temptations of sin? That would be the best intentions and Biblical what we are called to do.

Often I am not aware of all in your community, and if church has not been a regular event in your life, I am not always sure who to bring in and alongside. I do know this. I am praying women. I am praying hard for you, and the path of destruction you are on. Who are you? You are anybody. You are me. About fifteen years ago I shared a situation in my life with a very strong mentor who was regularly in my life She prayed with me and I already knew all the Christian-ease, but I did not have ears to hear it. Sometimes when in the depths of some deep sin, we don't have ears to hear, even if the words are being spoken. I may speak words of truth, but if you don't have ears to hear, I can not be held responsible for the sin and disasters in your life. If you do hear the words of truth spoken and still make choices apart from Christ there will be consequences to that sin in your life.

For those of you who mentor others, speaking and pouring the life of biblical truth, it's important to keep your heart in check. To know that God is using you in the good the bad and the ugly. I know you are not perfect, but God is perfecting you. I know that I am not perfect, and God is also perfecting his will, guidance, and grace in my life. We may not be able to reach everyone, and if after we have poured into someone, with the best of what we have, at the end of the day our best, may not have been the expectation of best put on us.

God calls us to love, and if a brother or sister falls, we are to love them like an unsaved person, which comes full circle because we are called to love the broken. The broken may not love you back, and Jesus certainly breathes His life into the unbroken and into me. May the God who teaches us to love, live in our hearts as we pour into the people we love. Love and Blessings, Elizabeth

Late Night Blabbing

2012-01-29T00:58:00.000-08:00

I wrote a post earlier this evening about Sleep Glorious Sleep. As of now the entire house is settled in for the long sleep. The dog is next to me with his paws in the air experiencing Glorious Sleep as well. The down side to sleeping in, which is wonderful, is that I am wide away. Emily, David and I enjoyed watching an old musical, and then some Alaska back country living show, and off to bed they all went. I sit in quiet just thinking, only one light on.

I wandered over to facebook to look at pictures. I really enjoy taking the time to look at people's pictures and I wondered too if people even look at mine? I will look at every picture my older two kids put up and then halfway wander in and out of the pictures that are on the ticker tape. I actually got great pleasure in looking at hundreds of pictures this evening. Things about people I may not have known before. I stumbled on some hiking pictures from a few years back with some ladies from our church. I was suppose to go on that hike and a dear friend was encouraging me. A few years back I had a 2-4-6 year olds and did not think I should leave all the boys in David's care after he puts in a sixty hour work week, so I did not go. It was not until now that I really looked at these pictures and realized, that now, this time in my life I can go. So friends let's get planning.

I have no camping gear. Well I own a cute little red tent. That is a start. Elliot bought it and then didn't need it so I bought if off him. I should go and set it up for the boys tomorrow so they can camp indoors. I do own hiking boots and some good socks but other than that, what more do you need. I am going to start looking up some good hikes around Jefferson. It's been over 15 years since I hiked those parts, but I am sure very little has changed and after looking at these pictures am very excited.

Who is in? Ladies I will be the fearless leader if I have to. Or enlist you as the fearless leader.

Another thing about looking at pictures this evening was the reality of how some people's lives have really changed, the tragedies, the heart aches and acknowledging, in my own life, how important community is. Those times when life is so hard and you have only one choice and that is to be real and honest with the people closet to you. Looking at those who have been there for me, and seeing the strength in smiles made me so appreciative of the people in my life. Tonight, over dinner I told David that God has sure blessed me with amazing friends. Then to look at those faces and the pictures, yes I do have amazing friends. My longest Portland friend, she and I met shortly after I moved to Portland in 1993, are still good friends and have seen each other through every season those years have brought us. I loved her pictures most this evening, because one of her kids was an infant in her arms, literally the first time we met, and he is such a neat young man today.

Then the youngin's. I love using that word, as if I am old enough to make that kind of a reference. Elliot and Emily's friends who were little bobbly kids, now married or engaged or off into wonderful careers. Yes all this warm fuzzy business in the wee hours after midnight. Noticing how they are decorating thier starter homes, the things that make them smile. I just sigh and smile out loud in my one light on room. No matter what kinds of things happen in life, one thing is for sure. I am still here. Still embracing the journey of life with the blessing of friendships and family.

Thanking God is part of my everyday conversations with Him. Tonight I am thanking him for each of you. I always assume I know everyone who reads my blog. Apparently, according to my "stats" I have 10 readers from Germany, 18 from Italy, and a few other random places. So this late hour as I write know that you are being prayed over. Because in these moments of quiet, faceless readers I am thankful for you too. Happy Sleeping, because many of you are there now (except my German and Italian readers) and I shall now head up.
Blessings & Love Elizabeth

Sleep Glorious Sleep.

2012-01-28T20:56:00.000-08:00

Sleep Glorious Sleep! Last night I had a wonderful evening out on the town with such amazing young women. We checked into our hotel, got all perdy and then went to a local concert. Josh White, a favorite for all of us , and then a late night dinner. Getting back into the hotel and then thinking time for bed. No we all gathered on the two beds, cozy jammies, and hearts ready to share. Nodding off to bed around 2am with two others in my bed. Yes, Emily and Jenna, forgetting they are now grown up, squishing into bed.

My plan was to get up before all the gals, and sneak out and then go and bring back gourmet coffee's for everyone. They collectively, got up before I did and the decision was made to let me sleep. I woke up very slowly, thinking I was up early only to realize I had SLEEP GLORIOUS SLEEP! They had all had their breakfast, coffees, and as I rolled out of bed at 10:30am I realized, even more, what a blessing these gals are to my life. Such a simple way to bless me. SLEEP GLORIOUS SLEEP which was nice because I had a busy day ahead of me. Thanks all of you lovelies.

The Sun Is Shining

2012-01-27T13:11:00.000-08:00

Wake up Portland, THE SUN IS SHINING!!!! Really such a rare beauty in these parts. Yesterday Emily wanted to go and walk, and she said, "come on ma the sun is shining and it could be gone in 20 minutes." So we went. Along the way we heard the chirping on Finch's in the trees over head. I would never think that the sun effects my moods, but today, for no known reason, super charged energy. Getting done so much, and each time stopping and just staring out the windows. Throwing open the doors and breathing in the crisp cold air. Wake up Portland, THE SUN IS SHINING!

Working Mom

2012-01-25T19:46:00.000-08:00

There is this working mom. She was once this mama who blogged a lot.(now blogging every single day at www.hungouttobuy.com) She had stories of her life to share, but most important it was how she embraced God that she wanted to share. She is still here, and she is the one typing.

My days and time on the computer have taken me to working. I mentioned here, several weeks back that I am starting a business, have started a business and now refining all the fun stuff. It has taken a lot of work and time. My master bedroom and office are a full time work room. I try to get it all cleaned up before David comes home but tonight, with kids in bed I will work until the projects before me are completed.

Working from home is a big bonus and I feel so very blessed. I am reminded of this verse in

Ecclesiastes 7:4...."the end of a matter is better than it's beginning, and patience is better than pride."

I am beginning to see the end of some very big projects, and things are looking and feeling a whole lot better. As the ending of these big projects grows close the beginning of something new will come and again the beginning a little harder. It's hard when you have your own business and patience is truly what I am learning more of and growing more into.

A few days ago, with all the rain pouring outside my office window I decided to sort buttons. I wanted to see color when I looked out the very big picture window. So as the rains keeps coming, I get to bask in a rainbow every day. I call this Button LOVE.

Also, Dawn and I have just about completed three room designs. Here are some of those stories....just a very little sneak peak.

"Emma"

"Margaret"


"Vivian Blue"

These three pictures show a very small section of duvet covers. Imagine what the paintings, wall racks, shelves and other fun accents will look like and coordinate with each of these. I am always reluctant to write or say anything on my private and personal blog concerning business. I have already had a few complaints on "self-promoting". The reality is that this designing kids rooms have been my passions for well over 20 years now and God continues to bring people into my life to bring Him too. So yes, self promoting is what builds business, sharing my love and heart is what builds friendships.

God is blessing this process from the very start in ways that do not even make sense. Even yesterday, Dawn and I working so hard to figure out some of the harder technical stuff and we "get it" and then laugh and we have not yet cried, but it's a joy doing what I love doing, from home and sharing little tidbits along the way.

If you know of a darling, handmade clothing line that has a vintage feel to it, can you comment, link me or email me. We are getting ready to shoot our pictures and I would love to promote some local Portland, OR mama who sews lovelies for children.

In addition Dawn and I would like to feature you, your creative accents in your home or your child's room that is fun.

How Is God Fitting Into Your Day

2012-01-17T12:24:00.000-08:00

How is God fitting into your day?

This morning, the snow if falling, the boys are outside playing at 7:00am, in their school clothes, and I find my way to the coffee maker. Grumbling, not just a little but a lot. I got my full eight hours of sleep, but boys excited before the sun comes up was not shared by me.

I pretended to be overly enthusiastic. I went along with hopes of a full "ten feet of snow mama", but really I was not not ready to face the world. This was a very easy morning. The boys know that the basic routines are "get dressed and then breakfast." All of which they did on their own BY 7:00am. (AH-HA they do know how to get their own breakfast, especially with the incentive of snow.) As I fumbled for mix matched dry mittens my heart and intellect asked me..."Elizabeth, how is God fitting into your day?" My selfish mommy heart just wanted more time to linger in bed, more time to linger over fresh brewed coffee, more time linger into things that have nothing to do with anything.

How does God fit into my day of mothering? Am I serving my children and loving them as God would have me love on them. Seems easy enough. I mean they are about the loveliest creatures I know. This morning, there was no God in my selfish thought process. It was not even a draining morning, I just wanted to be doing my own stuff and kids were interrupting what was going on in my own head. I asked God to give me a special enthusiasm for the morning. Not just the faking and pretending I was doing. I asked God to give me ears to hear their hearts, that joy of being a boy and exploring snow at 7:00am. And a funny thing happens when God fits into your day. He hears and He does give that softening of a mommy's heart. My coffee went cold as I watched the thrill of the boys. I got towels to wipe up the wet hardwood floors, where minutes earlier I was on the edge of yelling, "wipe your feet or take off your shoes" and even if they forgot, this morning I was needing God.

Right now I need him to, and five minutes ago and in the future moment, minutes, hours and days to come. God isn't not an appointment of just a quiet time at a specific time of day. God wants to fit into every part of our day. This morning, and now, as I work on projects for work.

After sitting in the car, through car line my heart so content. Then hugging and kissing three sets of rosy cheeks that hopped out of the car, I drove home, thanking God for fitting in with me. I more anxious to sit in my dining room and read my Bible, journal and pray more over the day to come. How is God fitting into your day?

Speed Friending

2012-01-12T16:14:00.000-08:00

I just stole this off of Sheri's Blog and thought it was fun to read each of the answers. Apparently it had come off of a speed dating website. How about some SPEED FRIENDING instead. Cut and paste in the comments and let me know you more. Here are my answers.

Beverage... Anything Starbucks

Vacation Spot... Maui, Hawaii

Current TV Show... Friends reruns

Body Wash... ivory soap

Movie... Hmmmm, none really.

Holiday... Chrstmas

When are we going to plan a trip to Hawaii? We can sit in the sun and drink EVERYTHING STARBUCKS

Dessert... Double Choc. cake with icecream. It can never be too rich,so I will eat my own.

Food... Nachos

Toothpaste... Aqua Fresh

Smell... Lavendar

Time of day... 3pm-7pm

Season... Summer

Excuse... "I forgot?"

Book... The Holy Bible

New Years Resolution

2012-01-07T15:29:00.000-08:00

Here, I start my New Years Resolution post with, I am in the mood for a dance party. How come 30 minutes on a treadmill and I can hardly walk away with a smile, and then two hours dancing to 80"s music, sweat flying and I am smiling like nobody's business? My daughter just answered that question with, "is it all in your head." Yes, she is correct. It is. I am a people person. The only time I ever showed up at a gym, for almost two years consistently, is when my friend would meet me at the treadmills at 9:00pm. We would run and chat for 45 minutes and then go upstairs and get a beverage and chat more. Gym membership is not on the list, but last night dancing with girl friends was a hoot and I am will now become a regular.
New Year's Resolution One:
Dance with my husband and girlfriends alot. I loved the night out with girls, but several times in the evening I said, "David would love this."

We are all now settled into the first week of 2012. My brain cramp last weekend took my New Years blog post and lost it into the atmosphere, so I am starting again. I actually do have some changes to happen in my life. It was a new season in my life when all three boys went back to school. I thought I would take a few months to figure out what to do with all that extra time in the day. I had decided to not keep any tight schedules and enjoy being footloose and fancy free. Well that changed with one day of the calendar. I found myself dusting off my consulting skills, managing Emily's busy music schedule, and working alongside an angel investment firm, and taking an IP class through Portland State. Wait, this is NOT footloose and fancy free. Needless to say my fall season launched an unexpected, God's blessings, kind of season. As business closed down for the Christmas Holiday I vowed not to pick up, look at, read, or write any business related stuff. I think I did very well. I love working, and those of us who love what we do know it's hard to stay away for very long.

I have not yet jumped on the holding your life in your hand technology. I did go and buy paper inserts for my day-timer. For those of you who are new to paper. It's an actually insert of calendar pages that you write in with a pencil. You can see your entire month wide open without turning on anything. It's a different kind of turning, as in turning a page of paper. With various schedules to juggle I am now going back to keeping a daytimer.

New Years Resolution Two:
Writing out my schedule and keeping track of where I need to be and when. I also have set up my google calandar, which that part of technology I love, it's just not always held in my hand. I sent my husband an invite, so he can keep track of me, but he thought it was spam. I have always kept my house calendar for all to see, but with working a little here and there and the more time I have for spending long lunches and coffee's with friends I need to keep tighter hold of myself.

The boys rooms are all in order. I have gone in and purged and cleaned and upgraded and hung up and put away and wow!! As they get bigger it's gets so much easier to manage. In that process I spent HOURS with each boy. They take after their mom. Ten minutes into cleaning and we would be distracted with reading stories, building Lego sets, and playing games. It was during this time during our Holiday break that I decided to something different.

New Years Resolution Three:

Sit, and play, as in a special at home play-date with each boy once a week. This may sound silly for some. I am with my boys each morning and everyday after school. I have one on one time when helping with homework, or reading stories, and at bedtime. I will have those moments of a boy asking for my help or to play and then the reality is I do not sit for hours, or have I made time to hang in one room for hours and what I learned is that I must do this. I have those times with Emily all the time. It's during those time I discover and learn the mysteries of her heart. Now, with the boys getting older and our hours of cleaning, I see their need to unwind the mysteries in their hearts and the questions that other little siblings chime in over.

New Years Resolution Four:
Some things are private. I have a big one for number four, and as the month moves along I will blog alot in February about this one. God is already showing Himself in this number four resolution, in ways that are amazing.

I love the reality of change and the need for it. It's a new year, a new beginning. Even if some of this is taking some of what worked well in other times of my life and adding it back in, it is still new for 2012. What are some things you are doing different this year. I would love to hear from you. All over the nation I see visitors, say hello and share some of your New Years Resolutions.

Kids Choice Design

2012-01-05T11:00:00.000-08:00

I just put up a new blog post on my business sight. If you would like to go and visit you can go here:
Hung Out To Buy

Cramp of the Brain

2012-01-04T16:50:00.000-08:00

Cramp of the brain has resulted in typing away for an hour last night and losing, what I thought, was a brilliant, witting, and charming blog. It was not just my first blog of 2012 but truly my first containing all three...brilliant, witty, and charming. Never to be repeated I am sure. Perhaps it was good that I lost it forever. There is no more pressure to write in such a manner. It's been done, and I am happy. Happy New Year.

Christmas Wrapped Up

2011-12-26T23:08:00.000-08:00

It has been a lovely Christmas in our home. Now it's time to wrap up Christmas, I feel incredibly blessed to have all my family around me. Healthy, happy, and all who can hang in the same room for hours and still enjoy each others company. I lost at Star Wars Sorry game. I won at Battle Ship. I have built lego's, and enjoyed the constant use of the microphone Karaoke machine. I slept in my Christmas Footie Jammies and swear I lost ten pounds sweating the night away. I wore my new perfume, Angel from David, and indulged in far to many See's chocolate cherry candies. Tonight it was just the family. All seven of us gathered around the Dining Room table. The SEVEN together again. Elliot will get back into his own schedule as will Emily. We will move meal time back to the breakfast table, but tonight just enjoying ourselves and laughing together. This night ends a wonderful Christmas All Wrapped Up.

Here are some pictures of our Christmas. There are lots. Sorry I tried my best to scale them down. ENJOY!

Starting the evening out on Christmas Eve. Having kids as musicians means extra special Christmas music.

Emily and Elliot bless us with an evening of music at Sonrise Church.

Matt and his family joined us for dinner. It's always the big kids I have to keep in line.

Emily and Eric in their Christmas Eve jammies.

Eric, Emerson and Ethan ready to walk out the door to deliver treats to our neighbors.

Three striped shirts, three smiles, three sets of blue eyes, and three boys who melt my heart.

Emerson watches over Elliot.

They call themselves "Bosom Friends", having known each other for about ten years.

Elliot, Shennna, and Emily at a very Solid Rock Christmas.

Remembering the message of Christmas at Solid Rock's Christmas Eve service.

The boys wating patiently to open their gifts. I love their new jammies.

Emerson is truly excited about his new Karaoke machine.

Papa and Ethan playing Battle Ship.

Elliot and Emerson building Legos.

Each year the boys get a new set of animals. Stories are told of these animals long before Christmas. Stories made up leading up to the delivery of the animals of this years stories. This year is was about three bears who came to life in the Adventures of the Magical Forest. (Someday I will write children's books.)

This was truly a wonderful year of celebrating. We celebrate many things. The birth of a Savior who came into this world to walk with us. We celebrate being a family who embraces that Savior. We celebrate the life we have in Christ Jesus. Merry Christmas!
Please Be Blessed by the video below. Close your eyes and listen to the words.

Christmas Surprise

2011-12-18T19:54:00.000-08:00

The fun of hosting a surprise evening for the Young Life girls in downtown Portland. What a surprise it was to pull up to a hotel and say, "here we are!"

The stockings were hung on the pillows with care, waiting for girls to each choose a pair.

Santa hats, candy and Christmas surprise wishes, tonight this mama will not be doing dishes.

Christmas Elves dance and sing in Pioneer Square.

Santa showed up and coffees we shared.


So happy to get a chance to hug Santa.

I am so blessed to have a wonderful evening in Portland with the girls from Young Life. My heart just swells. I told them that it would be a surprise. Their parents each called to make sure of "the plan". I picked them all up with the help of another Young Life leader to transport to downtown and a surprise hotel stay in the city. The fun started the minute the girls had on their hats and stockings, out the front door of the hotel, and the girls singing carols from one block to the next. We ate out, played freeze tag in pioneer square, sang carols with many onlookers, filmed by the news and ended up on TV, late night coffees, Santa delivering stockings, and late night chats in our cozy jammies and bed. Thanks Lord Jesus that you created and made these girls, you love them and give me a heart to love them too. Merry Christmas.

My Birthday Box

2011-12-13T09:50:00.000-08:00

Remember the stories of our past, can be stories that have you rolling on the floor with laughter, deep serious conversations, or stories that you wish you did not have in a chapter of your life. I have been asked, and I have asked the question, "what are some of your fondest memories of Christmas past?" Given the dramatics of my childhood one might thing I run for cover when asked this question. There is one story I like to tell. In telling it, it reminds me of a young girl who loved Jesus and trusted. A young girl that could turn what most would think tragic into a party. If you know me, you know I love little parties. When I think of this story, I smile, even now as I write I smile. Did God design me as a party girl, even at the age of nine years old?

It was December 21, 1974. I woke up to a special day. No one said Happy Birthday. My mother was in one of her deep dark depressions. Days when she did not get out of bed and the curtains closed. I got dressed and found my favorite shirt. It was easy to find, I had very few. My older two sisters always ran out the door earlier. I gathered my younger sister and we walked to school. She said "Happy Birthday" and we walked the four blocks to school. It was not often that my birthday came on a school day. Typically school was on holiday, and my birthdays would quietly pass, but today was P.A.R.T.Y. day. Our class Christmas party.

Mrs. Davidson had Barbara Streisand on the record player singing Christmas songs. The room was decorated and I went to my desk. Mrs. Davidson came over to me excited, she asked, "Did you give the note to your mom? Is she going to come for the party and bring treats to celebrate your birthday?" I never gave her the note. I did not want her to feel bad that she could not come that day, or any day. "She is sick today," is all I said and Mrs. Davidson's smile faded. Mine did not fade. I knew every word of Barbara's Christmas Album. I found my friends and the party was getting started. We said the pledge to the flag, and then we were handed out our crafts for the day. Mrs. Davidson gave us boxes to decorate, this way we could take our boxes home and put something in them for our parents.

The day went on with merriment and soon it was time for the treats and parents to show up. It was a party like I had never seen. Plates of cookies, cupcakes, candy-canes, chocolates. I collected all that I could and neatly placed my treats into my box. There were Christmas pencils, and glitter pens, and even super balls with Christmas sparkle. All fit tightly into my little box. Sometime during that day, Mrs. Davidson had me come up and put the birthday hat on me. For five minutes it was my very own party. Everyone sang Happy Birthday. The teacher got her paddle and pretended to spank me, and then she hugged me tight. Poke her fingers into my dimples, like she did almost every single day and told me I was a terrific kid. I am not sure those were her exact words, but words that made me feel ten feet tall. A P.A.R.T.Y.

The party did not end there. I carefully carried my box home. I hid it from my sisters and brother. I gathered some of my stuffed friends in a bag and then went into the field next to our house. It was bitter cold outside, but today, was going to be the first day I remember being responsible for my joy and happiness. I sat in the field and laid out my stuffed friends and a favorite doll. I took my decorated box of treats out and served up the treats to my party attenders. I thanked Jesus for loving me and giving me such a wonderful birthday to celebrate. A nine year old girl, out in the cold enjoying her party. It brought me so much joy.

When Emily was three years old, her birthday started with all her stuffed friends gathered around a box. In her room on the floor I collected her favorite animals. I bought little gifts and placed them in the box, and she could wake to the joy of her birthday. A tradition that started when I was nine years old, a gift to myself when no one really noticed or cared turned into treasures and fun for my own children.

I do not grieve that little nine year old girl that did not get birthday parties or notice of a special day. Rather I take joy in knowing that Jesus showed up in my life, brought joy to me, and I could see it, even at the age of nine. Many have situations and circumstances that are hard. A time of year when we get asked the questions of Christmas past. There is joy in this season. We have to take responsibility for owning that joy and then passing it along. I did not live in a home that was filled with merriment and cheer. My home was dark that year, no presents under the tree, no Christmas dinner served, yet today I think it's the most memorable because I saw Jesus blessing me in ways that only a nine year old girl would understand on her birthday. Now a mother of many kids, so far three nine year old kids on my resume of mothering I see that they see Jesus in their lives too. He is waiting, He is there holding that box of whatever you want to put into it. Merry Christmas Friends, Love Elizabeth

Hung Out To Buy

2011-12-08T18:57:00.000-08:00

This first picture is the results of a project I have been working on for two years. It's been a growing side hobby of collecting fine things for children's rooms. New and used lovely Kids Room Bedroom Fashions as I like to call it. Two years of storage, buying more storage bins, and sewing a little here and there and this is what I end up with. My husband is glad to see that it's all contained. Up until about three weeks ago it was tucked and placed in various available spots all over my house and garage. Now contained nicely.

It is not anything new to my ventures. I had a plan when I was 24 years old. I worked on it, prayed about it and found myself wanting to keep a little busy while children napped, and then went off to school. That little project turned into a fully run business and about 40 employees. I am not going there again. That was way to busy. I want to start with the same enthusiasm, the same creative twists and turns. I want to still have time to allow God to keep me available to be used by Him. Yet He gives me these creative bursts, He designed me that way and now getting ready for the next step.

I was reading on someone's facebook status, a verse I have been trying to find. I was searching the New Testament and then she posted it. Boy was I way off....it's in the old testament.

"Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken." Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 NLT

For my newest business venture I wanted to have a theme verse. It's a good solid base from which to pray and build on. I have someone who is helping me with this business. Dawn Gorski is the mother of three children of her own, a dog and a very supportive husband. We are both blessed to have husbands who see our creative craziness and embrace it. She brings much organization. I could have never contained all this stuff like this had it not been for her help. She helps me stay on task, mixing and matching our goods and back end web stuff that I desperately needed help with. Together we sorted two years of collecting, inventoried it all and we are now working to make things happens by January 2012. Dawn and I share the same passions for design, function, pretty things, fun things, and creating amazing rooms for the places and spaces for kids.

Twenty years ago there was no internet. I never set out, when I first started out, to run a large business. I would work in my little shop, painting, sewing, designing and doing the things I love. Once the store was bigger than life I was swept away from the day to day creatives I loved so much. I am really looking forward to going back to doing those little things. Dusting off the sewing machine. I even bought new push pins today. Little pearl white on the ends. Pretty.

I have my paints ready, my fabrics chosen and even started naming the collections. Here are some themes I will be building off of. I put these on facebook too.

Meet "Simply Sabrina"
These lovely fabrics will turn into bedding, accent pillows, embellishments on little surprises to decorate with.

And then as I was thinking over the next collection, I thought of my childhood friend Margaret. She would climb trees with me, loved pretty things, and shared her lunch with me. So meet this lovely "Margaret". I will make this into some bedding as well as fun throw pillows, mixing and matching fabrics.

And just to get you excited about just one more collection I am working on, Meet "Vivian Blue". I met little Vivian in Emerson's class a few weeks back. I had to look for her as Emerson said he liked saying her name. This fabric reminds me of her so I named this collection after her.

I will be working these next weeks to sew up some cute bedding, pillows, window treatments. Adding in paint selections to add into each room, some lamps and fun accents. My hope is that the website will not only be a website to visit and buy cool things, but people will go there and learn how to mix and match and put cute rooms together. It's pretty much what I have done my entire adult life. The fun is doing the creating. For the past 15 years I have had a sewer, and I am pretty nervous getting back into the driver's seat, but I am assured by the cuteness of these fabrics, my pearl white push pins, and new fancy scissors, that I am going to do fine.

If you want to go and take a peak the basics of the website are there. www.hungouttobuy.com. I am keeping it very simple, so hopefully it's easy to navigate and take a look at. So blessed by the provisions God has made to bring this together.

What Confidences Do You Have?

2011-12-07T09:33:00.000-08:00

He does show up every single day. No matter where I am, what I am doing He is here. Do you see Him? He whispers sweet things into my ears, and as I sit in the quiet I hear Him? Do you hear Him? His words dance off the pages. My eyes pause on this one line..."For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:6.

Today, this morning, just one verse and my heart leaps. I pause, stop reading and ponder. He wants to perfect me, and everyday He shows me what that perfection in Him looks like. So different than how the world would want Elizabeth to be. It's our code of ethics. Me and God. God speaking little pieces of perfection of Him and me waking up each day to learn His ways, hear His voice, and see His perfection to give me that continued confidence in Him.

When I feel less confident, I realize that I am placing myself into the hands of this world, rather into His hands. When He is holding my hands I can face each beautiful day He gives. I can smile, and love on those who come into my space. My intellect asking myself sometimes..."who am I, where did that smile come from?" My heart knowing that God, is giving me more, inside to share on the outside.

Prayerfully in each day I ask God to show me what next, that next moment, that next thought and He shows me so much peace and beauty. Beauty in little boys with dirty chocolate faces. Beauty in a long drive. Beauty in that the gas station attendant and praying that his moment of pumping my gas gave him a glimpse of God's love through my smile. It's that kind of confidence in knowing Him I want everyday and trust through His presence in my life. He began that good work in me, and I want to allow Him to perfect it. Listening, seeking, doing, and loving Him with confidence and obedience.

He asked me ..."mama can you keep brushing my hair because you make it look so nice." I wonder sometimes, as I do my motherly things..."is this what you are perfecting in me God? Hair-brushing? As I stand brushing his blond hair as he eats his breakfast, he tells me this.."mommy God has made you a very good hairbrusher mama." He's only five, what does he know?. Perhaps it took the fifth kid to perfect this morning routine of hair brushing, but it's a very bold reminder to my heart that in ALL things God is perfecting me. Giving me precious times to chit chat while brushing a little silly's lovely hair. What is God perfecting in you today? What confidences do you have in Him who is perfecting you every single day?

It is such an honor to know that I am worth His time to perfect.