Suddenly and without warning, I developed a new image yesterday.
No, it’s not a midlife crisis and I really did not plan on changing my style so drastically.
It just happened.
Yesterday afternoon my daughter drew a picture of my husband and me. And, I mean, would you just look at us! I think the diagonal stripes make me look 10 years younger. No, 20. And as hubby pointed out, just look at my hair. She’s got my double buns pegged but I’ve also got plenty of hair still hanging down. Yep, I really like Michaela’s version of me!
And just check out hubby with his thick, curly hair and his groovy tie. His vertical stripes knock at least 20 pounds off. No, 30.
Anyway, that’s the new me. What do you think?
On another note…
This oil carrot cake with homemade cream cheese icing was something I had prepared for our company coming yesterday for lunch. This is the best recipe for carrot cake. Take my word for it. It’s from Joy of Cooking
Enough of that, or I will be having carrot cake for breakfast, and that’s not my norm. I’m still in the green tea phase of the day, and I want to keep it that way. 
Last night I was looking through an old journal, going all the way back to 1988.
Well, there you have it. You can read it for yourself. We had a newborn at the time. We were newly married. (Daniel was born 9 months and 3 days after we married.) We were struggling to make ends meet. I was trying to figure out how to be a mom and housekeeper and Thomas was working overtime to pay for everything we needed.
Lately I’ve heard from several on-line friends about their stressed-out marriages. Communication at an all-time low. Resentment. Anger. Depression. Financial woes.
We’ve been through it too. I think all marriages take work. I’m just glad we’ve kept at it, in spite of the rough patches.
It makes me so thankful for my husband; that he has always been one to forgive and forget and move on. I’m glad we went into marriage knowing that it was a commitment to be taken seriously. His one rule when we married was that we would never go to sleep at night angry at one another. No matter what. Even if it meant being up until 2 a.m., we had to smile at each other and have forgiveness in our hearts before we went to sleep. I know that’s helped our marriage.
Also, having the bible to guide us has meant everything. Our “job duties” as husband or wife or son or daughter are clearly marked out for us if we’ll only follow them.
Forgive me if I sound like I’m on a soapbox. I’m not preaching to anyone, but just some things I’ve been thankful for for myself this morning. In fact, what I’m actually saying is that our marriage would not be anything near what it is without the help we have taken from the bible.
There’s also a verse that I love so much, that comes to my mind so frequently, and I quote it sometimes to my children when they are trying to decide whether or not they should do something. It also comes to mind when I think of my word for 2009: clarity.
Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
I find that if I take something — anything — and look at it through that verse, it is seen in a whole new light. That verse alone weeds out a lot of stuff that might otherwise be appealing.
My children sometimes will say, smiling, “Yeah, mom, we know that verse. We’ve heard it before.”
Good. I want them to have it memorized! Ahhh. In fact, that would make for really good copywork this week.
Well, enough of my meandering thoughts this morning. I have to get over to my work desk. Yes, it’s a work day for me, but that’s okay. I’m very thankful for my job. And thankful to be working from home.
This evening I’m planning to set up a couple of learning areas: one with a Japanese theme as we are still working with Grass Sandals: The Travels of Basho
Oh, and it’s supposed to snow tonight!!! Yaaaay. I know I’ve been complaining about the cold, but my children will love snow!
Lynn
for you to leave a comment, but you can also e-mail me at lynn AT thehealthyhomeschool.com
Loving the double buns and stripes! Have a wonderful day today!
What a nice post, Lynn. I think it’s very honest to share that marriage isn’t always footloose and fancy-free. It takes a lot of work – 100% effort from both sides and that includes communication. Having Jesus at the center of the relationship is critical, too.
I love your marriage depicted through the artwork of your daughter. It’s important that children know that their parents love each other, and not merely co-exist with each other.
Have a blessed day!
Liane
Great picture!
Dear Lynn,
What a sweet picture! And the stripes are indeed SO becoming! Thanks for the marriage reminder, too, it certainly takes patience and daily work, doesn’t it? But then, what great things come easily, right?
Love,
Marqueta
Good Morning Lynn,
So there is Snow in your future. There is a magic in that (as I’m sure you know) every snowflake is unique. God is an amasing artist! (Now for the English teacher’s metaphor!) Every marriage like every person is a unique creation designed and executed perfectly by God. If we can remember to be like a snowflake and float instead of flounder through life our partnerships will be joyfilled. I am not deminishing the tough times for without them I would not grow and we would not grow as a couple. I have always learned more through the difficult times in my life and each of those experiences made me stronger. (And how would we know joy if we never knew pain? I was asked once by a theology professor if I was a Tourist or a Pilgram in this life? It was an amasing question that brought me to a committment to live life-all of it-the good and the bad and learn as I travel.
I truly believe that my purpose in life is to love God and be of service to others. Everything else is like the frosting on your cake! Know I sound like I’m on a soapbox!
So before I close please ask your princess if your arms in her picture are long so you can give huge hugs and please tell her she is a wonderful artist!
Have a productive day,
Diane
~Beautiful~ I especially love the heart between you and your dh in the picture! And, what a wonderful testimony of the power of the Bible in your marriage.
LOVE the drawing…and your Princess Leah buns…LOL
Carrot cake for breakfast sounds divine!!!
Lynn,
I was on the edge of my seat wondering if you cut your beautiful hair. I am glad to see the picture rather than scissors.
These last couple of days have been a test. This year I purpose to love. Or, I should say I want to be very purposeful with love.
I spent my birthday first with tears as my once very purposeful husband gave me money instead of a gift. Then, I decided not to be pitiful but powerful. I took the money and brought cards,flowers and fruit tarts for others. Some were also celebrating birthdays.
Others were happy to be honored.
I had to overcome and believe to sow the right seeds for my future.
I am thankful for the overcoming power of Love!
Demeca
I love this post. Especially about marriage. I feel I can relate to everything you said! Our husbands are very similar. I know the bible is what helps us most in our marriage too! And I am so thankful for that. Sorry I haven’t emailed you lately. I think it is my turn. I do think of you all the time.
Hi, Lynn! I love that verse! I often shorten it when I am trying to decide if something is good for us or not. “Is it just pure lovely?” If the answer is no, than we don’t need to do/see/read/hear it!
I love your new look…
Carrot cake is my very favorite and that looks so good.
Marriage is a lot of work…
I wake up every morning and thank god that I have
my husband by my side…
You and your hubs are such a groovy looking couple!
I loved reading your thoughts on marriage. Marriage is a commitment through good times and bad. Sticking together through the hard times makes the good times that much better!
Thanks, Sheri!
Liane, my husband has always said that a marriage is not 50/50. Someone’s giving 100% all the time, and sometime both are.
Kate, thanks! I’m definitely putting it up to keep!
Marqueta, exactly; anything worth having takes constant work and patience.
Diane, I appreciate your thoughts. You don’t sound like you are on a soapbox. What you said is true. My long arms? She said, “yeah.”
Chris, I noticed the heart in between us too. It shows how she feels about us being together.
Robin, my husband picks on my about my buns looking like something from starwars — in real life too.
Demeca, I love your thoughts. Did I tell you about the year Thomas got me two can openers for Christmas? An electric one? And then a manual one in case the power went out?
That was so sweet of you to share your gift and benefit others with it. Looking very forward to seeing you this week.
Jessamy, I think of you so often. You have a man on your hands there.
And a son. Who is absolutely adorable. I was looking at one of the pictures I took of you holding him and his hair is the exact same color as yours. It may be my turn to e-mail. I can’t keep up with anything anymore.
Amber, I love that. That verse if often convicting for me.
Louise, thank you! tee hee. My new look. I love carrot cake too!
Randi, aren’t we groovy, though?
Lynn
I love your thoughts on marriage here. it really is hard work, but the work is made much easier and clearer when we keep the Bible for our reference. It really makes all the difference!
I love the sweet picture she drew, don’t you love to see how the kids view us parents…it can really be something to think about!