Learning to be HIS wife!

I know. I know.  This is about as basic as it gets.  But it has also been a slow and painful lesson for me that I need reminded of ALL the time!  David and I married young.  Like "a month after graduating high school young".  But I had wanted to marry him for a VERY long time.  All I wanted in life was to be David King's wife.  (For some very young pics go here )

After we got married I read every marriage book I could get my hands on.  I was going to be the PRO!  I found all sorts of great ideas, things that "every" husband would like.  This was the first time I was faced with a harsh reality.  My husband was not "every" husband.  I don't think I could count the times I've poured myself into some great plan or scheme only to be left feeling unnoticed or unappreciated.  This was a wonderful place  to wallow in self pity.  Here was I was being the "best wife ever" and this man I was married to didn't even care.

I remember the first time it hit me, because I fought it tooth and nail.  Someone proposed the idea that I was supposed to be concerned about pleasing my husband.  Not the the majority of men in America.  Not the leading poll of husbands. My own husband.  But, but, but.  There where plenty of buts.  Eventually it sunk in though.  My own husband. My own amazing man that I longed to marry and serve.  What did it matter what "most men" liked?  I was called to love MY husband.

Like I said, this has been a painful lesson for me.  I've had to swallow my pride continuously.  And my self-pity even more often.  And it really has gotten easier.  When my goal as a wife is about loving the Lord by loving my husband and not about my own "perfect image", the rewards are overwhelming!

I still have to be reminded of it all the time though!  Tonight brought just another simple reminder.  Today felt like a good day to try a new recipe that sounded scrumptious.  I spent all afternoon following Pioneer Woman's Chicken and Dumpling recipe to the letter.  Pan frying the chicken,  removing it, adding it back in,  shredding it, adding it again etc.. Homemade chicken stock.  A dash of whipping cream.  It looked gooooood!  It smelled gooooood.  I thought it tasted gooooood.    

David's report.  He likes my other soup better.  You know, the one with chicken bouillon broth and packaged noodles.  Well, now I know!  No more Pioneer Woman's Chicken and Dumplings here!

Where I've Been and "The Wonder Roast'!

Where have I been?  Quite honestly, I've just been living life!  The girls and I have been rolling with school and we are all reaping the benefits of an even more modified schedule (more on that to come later!).  Life these days has just been fun.  It feels great getting things done regularly, touching areas of the house that seemed untouchable and watching my girls learning at an alarming rate.

On top of just "good old life", we had a wonderful visit from Jonathan, Laura and our sweet niece Talia last weekend.  It was spectacular.  Laura is one of my dearest friends (not to mention a fabulous sister),  David would rather spend time with Jonathan than almost anyone and of course we eat up every moment we have with Talia. 

The babies had so much fun together.  Talia is only 2 1/2 months older than Ella and they adored each other!

David and Jonathan made good use of their time and built me a fence on our front yard.

I'm so excited!!!  I have visions of flowers all over my front yard this summer.  Of course I also have visions of our resident deer moving to another state.  I'm afraid that one is as likely as the other.  I can still hope though!

Our days have felt full, mostly productive and sometimes just a little crazy.  It was on one of the crazy feeling ones that I remembered one of my favorite "so yummy I can't believe it's this easy" meals.  I call it "THE WONDER ROAST".

I learned about this roast from a Home and Garden Party rep who fully convinced me that my life would never be the same without the marvelous bean pot and the recipe for this roast.  I have to admit.  My life is pretty much the same.  That being said, I do enjoy my bean pot and I LOVE this recipe!

Now get out your pad of paper and take careful notes as I give you the ingredients for this secret recipe.

One roast.  Any kind.  Mine is usually 2-4 pounds (I think).

One can of Cream of Chicken Soup.  Actually it calls for Cream of Mushroom, but I'm a mushroom hater so I substitute all recipes with chicken.

8 oz. Coca-Cola.  The real stuff. Not diet.

And that's it.  Coke, can of soup, roast.  Mix the soup and Coke together.  It looks very yucky and doesn't smell very appetizing, but just give it  a chance!  Pour over your roast which is sitting comfortably in your bean pot or if by some random chance you haven't acquired one yet, a regular crock pot.

If you have a bean pot (or equivalent) place in the oven on 350 for 4-5 hours.  If you're using the crock pot, turn it on low all day or high for the afternoon.  Either method works the same. 

Let me tell you, this stuff is good.  I'm drooling now.  It is the tenderest roast I have ever eaten.  Cut it with a fork, chew it with ease and best of all, have it take five minutes to prepare!  Mmmmm! 

My "Pick Me Up"

You know those days that are just "off"?  Nothing is wrong.  It's just me.  And I can't seem to break free of it.  I feel myself searching for the perfect thing to make it all better.  Usually I settle for a cup of Earl Grey tea, a lavender and chamomile bath or maybe a bit of chocolate.  Most the time it doesn't really work though.

A couple of years ago I discovered something that really does work for me.  It's simple.  It's easy.  And it does much more for me than "pampering" myself ever could.  It's worship.

I'm not going to go into a deep discussion here about "what" worship "is".  I do believe worship is about living, but I also know that there is something incredibly beneficial in soaking in truths about the Lord and dwelling on them. I'm talking about old fashioned "worship music". Now, when I'm feeling "out of it" I know what I need.  My playlist is ready and waiting and it takes only a few moments for my mind to turn to what is true and noble and right and pure and lovely and admirable and excellent and praiseworthy. 

I challenge you to ready your own playlist.  Take advantage of itunes, pandora or whatever else you listen to your music on.  Spend some time listening to something that will turn your heart to the truth.  It does wonders for me!

I know that there are many different opinions, convictions and criteria for what you choose to listen to.  When it comes to worship music for me, I like a wide variety of styles.  My main criteria is, is it singing about my God (truths, not just feelings) or is it only focusing on me and how He makes me feel?  There is something irresistible about God's truths.

This is just a sampling of my playlist.  My feelings won't be hurt if you don't like my music!  Feel free to drop me some songs that encourage you.  (Oh, and just for the record, I'm really not a huge fan of watching people worship on a video.  I'm just posting these so you can listen to some words!)

King of All Glory~  New Life Worship
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Af54VkOEf3I

No Other Savior~ Starfield
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdHe7KNG6JI

Great Are You Lord~ Phillips, Craig and Dean
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUo58me9TK4

Beauty of the Lord~ Desperation Band
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2bEuHo1dbs

Beautiful~ Kari Jobe
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3Jv1Hf2oCw

Center~ Charlie Hall
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KE3HKym0tRE

Savior~ New Life Worship
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wS4T1r2JMA

You are Good~  Gateway Worship
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLY8wnsEtTQ

Don't forget about about some of those amazing songs we sing all the time like Wonderful, Merciful Savior,  You are God Alone,  In Christ Alone and MANY others.  Also those beautiful hymns that are packed with truths!

A Valentine Giveaway!

Just popping in here to let you know about our gracenotes "Valentine Giveaway".  gracenotes.biz is carrying a new line of Valentine's Day jewelry for a limited time.  On Wednesday, February 9, we will be drawing a winner who will be able to have their pick of one of our "Valentine" jewelry pieces.

Entering is EASY!!!  All you have to do is go to gracenotes' facebook page and leave a comment.  Don't miss out on this fun opportunity!!!  Drop by gracenotes.biz to view our entire selection.

Lovin' February!

It's very true.  I have favorites.  Favorite seasons, favorite foods, favorite songs, favorite flowers.  Definitely favorite months.  Many, MANY that I love.  In fact I get excited about almost all of them.  But my favorites are without a doubt February, June and December (with maybe a late September thrown in!).

I have my reasons for all of them.  February is very simple.  I'm sentimental and I'm a hopeless romantic!

All my life I was enchanted by Valentine's Day.  I know!  How obviously soppy.  But it's true.  By the time I had my own valentine, I knew this would always be a special time for us.  Not a time for expectations, but a time to rejoice in the love God has poured into our life.

February was also birthday month for my family growing up. My sister, my dad and I all have birthdays within ten days of each other (now a father-in-law too!).  Birthdays are another thing I'm very sentimental about!  To me, they are simply fabulous!  Even the thought of a rather big one coming up can't detour my excitement!

(My 10th birthday party, Grace's Gorgeous Green Gala.  I'm the one with the subtle green face.  All others shall remain nameless for privacy!)

 

So if you run into me these days and I seem a little unnecessarily buoyant, remember it's February! Hooray!!!