Ugh

I am in such a weird little funk today, and I cannot for the life of me figure out why. My only guess is that it must be a case of the post-traveling, home to an empty house, doldrums. I really wasn't expecting them this time around, though, because Justin will be back home SOON! But, it's unmistakable; I am feeling quite blah today.

I had such a fun little trip to Dover and DC, filled with kiddos and great friends! I came to be best buds with Laurel (and really wish I had a picture to post--she is such a free spirit and was not afraid of me in the least...unlike most kids, haha); had a great time catching up with Kaylie, Phill, Rachel, and Jill; and then I got to briefly meet Sophia Jane on the way home. Remember my friends Matt and Ann who caught the garter and the bouquet at our wedding and then got hitched? They just welcomed Sophia Jane into the world on Cinco de Mayo.

And she is gorgeous and perfect. And so is her mama, who does not at all look like she just spent the last nine months carrying a child in her belly. You'll just have to take my word for that one, but those of you who have seen Matt and Ann's pictures know that that's the truth.

So now all I need is a big ol' helping of patience, prayers for volcanic ash to stop hanging over the Atlantic already (because even if it doesn't affect us, it is keeping more than a few of our friends apart), and the motivation to stop procrastinating and get to work already so that I have no distractions when my man comes home!!

...

Is it next week yet?

Question...

Do croutons and chocolate chips count as dinner?

Overcomers

For all of you who have shared the pain of a miscarriage with me (too many--I am reeling), for all of you who, regardless of the reason, need a little hope and reassurance that grief doesn't last forever, I just want to share this post with you. It made me cry...in a good way. God is so good. He does so much more than we could ever ask or imagine.

"In this world you will have trouble." Period. That's all there is to it. No room for argument.

But there's more. Thank God, there is more.

"But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33.

Self-discipline...or the lack thereof

A few years ago I decided to give up chocolate for Lent. I had always told myself that chocolate seemed like a silly thing to give up for Lent. After all, it didn't seem very probable that chocolate and spirituality could be linked. But I was on a binge of doing things that scared me--and the thought of giving up chocolate DID scare me. So I gave up chocolate for 40 some odd days, and I discovered that I did not break into seizures if I did not have chocolate on a daily--or even weekly--basis.

But this year I'm thinking that maybe I should make giving up chocolate for Lent an annual thing. For one reason and one reason only. My favorite candy of all time.

When I was in high school and college, there was a limited edition Blue Bunny ice cream that would make an appearance on the shelves every so often. It was, and still is, my gold standard for ice cream. When that ice cream was in stock, I would down a gallon (that's two containers of ice cream, people) a week until it disappeared off the shelves again a month or so later. Fortunately for my waistline and unfortantely for my taste buds, I haven't seen that ice cream in years. Cadbury mini eggs have a similar hold on me. I can easily go through a bag every two days until they go off the shelves. When it comes to these babies, I have no self-restraint whatsoever. And they've been around long enough now that I don't think I'll see them discontinued any time soon.

It might be time to take drastic action. Not just because I might gain 50 lbs by Easter but because regardless of whether chocolate and spirituality are linked, I'm fairly certain that God's a fan of self-discipline...and not so much a fan of gluttony, whatever form that may take.

What's your food-realted weakness?

Well hello, March

Just like the fluctuating temperatures you are sure to bring, so are my thoughts toward you this year.