On Turning 40

Today is the first day of my 40s, and so far I have to say it's going pretty well. 

And just in case you were wondering,

I'm not giving up on ducky lips in my 40's, but I do think I should buy a legit pair of glasses.

Meh. 

Maybe Not!!

No mid-life crisis in sight, unless you consider having ducky lips at 40 a crisis?

But seriously, I know I'm only a few hours into this 40's gig but I have a whole life time of stories to tell you that led up to this moment.

And maybe, just maybe some wisdom even though I don't have the grey hairs to show for it! 

Dammit!!

Where are those grey hairs? 

I may be the only 40 year old woman you know who has plans to put some fake grey hairs on my head and still pull off a damn good duck lip, but that's what I feel the 40's are all about.

There is no rule book on what this is supposed to look like and so with that being said, let me tell you some of my thoughts on turning 40.

I saw this quote on Pinterest the other day and it made me feel a little bit better about turning 40.

I love a good story and if I could only approach this birthday with the attitude that now,

I have 40 years of stories then I think I won't feel so old.

I wonder what the title for this chapter will be?

I think I'm heading into this decade with a few heavy duty life notches under my belt like; getting married, having 4 children, moving away, owning homes, a miscarriage, having surgeries, getting degrees, changing jobs, losing loved ones, greeting new loved ones into the world. 

But, there is still SO much of life that I haven't experienced yet and so I find myself in this in-between stage.

The chapter called the Middle. 

When I look back over my life I realize I really do have a lot of great stories to tell and I'm truly grateful for each and every one of them. 

I have that one story of when I married a Giant man named Moses.

Gosh, I love that story.

It's been over 20 years now that, that story began so over half my life has been spent with him as opposed to without. 

If I had to choose only one person to spend the rest of my life with it would still be My Giant.

But before that story I have 19 years of stories that didn't involve a Giant.
And you can't skip those ever important formative years. 

I have the story of my first day in kindergarten when I cried ever so sweetly because I didn't want to leave my momma's side.

I was kind of a momma's girl.

I still am a momma's girl. 

The older I get the more I appreciate my momma. 

Being a good mom truly is a role that will forever be my goal.

She has led the way of what it looks like to grow old gracefully, and I'm happy to follow in her beautiful footsteps.

I have the story of when I met my first best friend at school. We became friends because some bully's where picking on her, and I came to her side and told her that I thought she was perfect. And I kicked those bullies asses... No, No I didn't! But, I wanted to. I probably didn't say anything at all that eloquent either because I was in Kindergarten,  and I'm fairly certain I didn't even give the bullies a dirty look but man was I ever angry on the inside. 

I love that story because it's still ongoing. I'm still friends with this child hood friend.

Old friends are the treasures in this life that nothing else can quite compare to.

I have the story of waiting outside of a retail store that said they would have the popular Cabbage Patch Dolls in stock, and I thought all my childhood dreams were going to come true, only to have my hopes and dreams dashed by a frenzied crowd that snatched up every doll in sight, and an announcement that they were all sold out.

My dad took me out to breakfast afterward to cheer me up and that's when I realized he would forever be one of my life's heros.

 My dad is still one of my life's heros because he has consistently showed up like that when it matters most.

The simple truth of what it takes to be a good parent is somehow wrapped up in the "showing up"!

I have the story of my first kiss that was actually stolen from my lips from a skater kid named Mikey.

That story still makes me angry. What a shit bird that Mikey was.

Girls, don't let that first kiss be stolen or any kiss there after.

Be mindful of where your affections are given. 

Shortly after that, I remember the story where my life would be forever changed by the Lover of my Soul. That story hands down, is my favorite because it has made every story there after better, richer, deeper, and more eternal. 

Make sure your life's story is building for a better eternity.

I have the stories of High School where I lived in the Choir room. I was that geeky choir student.

If my life where the t.v show Glee I was most definitely Rachel, maybe not as snooty, and probably not as confident.

I didn't care that it wasn't cool to be in choir back then because "singing loud for all to hear" was and still is my favorite. 

In this life you have to do what makes your heart sing, no matter what.

I remember that one time I changed my hair color and got tattoos that was a fun chapter. 

I'm kinda over the chapter of caring what people think about me and as I've gotten older it's been easier to live my life for an audience of ONE.

Live YOUR life, there will only be ONE.

I have had the chapter of little people who depended on me for everything. 

To cloth them, feed them, bathe them, and tuck them in at night.

Where every word was repeated and every moment was precious. 

Now I have big little people

who are so independent and capable that it's almost frightening sometimes. 

And every moment is still precious, but the words ...

well they have a changed a bit is all I'm gonna say about that!

Words are important, use them wisely.

I woke up thinking that turning 40 is so strange because in many ways 

you are too young to be old 

and 

too old to be young anymore.

It's an in between age.

Here's to the in between stage of life!

Thanks for sharing it with me beloved reader.

We Have A Winner!!

If you haven't already found this amazing lady Bernadette

who has an amazing blog 

Barefoot Hippie Girl

Go check her out!

Shes' the winner of this lovely apron that I made from a vintage pillow case.  You can find more of these aprons for sale here; NoDots Shop

AND While you are out and about on the internet today   You should check out what's going on over here; Reno Tattoo Mecca It's my new lil writing project that I started with my sister and I'm pretty excited about it.  Have a great weekend beloved reader. 

The True Christmas Spirit

The above painting is one My talented Giant created a few years back.  It used to bother me SO much, but I have come to really appreciate some things this painting now means to me.  I like it so much so that I leave it up all year long now. I'm not sure what Moses inspiration was for the above painting, but I have an inkling he was trying to make a statement. Giggle.  Moses ... make a statement? Psh...  that's just crazy talk! (insert a huge dose of sarcasm) Now that I have gotten over my offense of the above statement I  have some thoughts about this Creepy, Crazy-eyed Santa as well now. The first of which is the very obvious fact that this is the face of a man/Santa who does NOT have the true Christmas spirit. Or what we have come to know as the peaceful, joyful, and loving face of Santa.  It actually reflects quite the opposite of the that.  This Crazy- eyed Santa reminds me of the frenzy we can all put ourselves in come every December 1st. Enter Buddy the Elf quote, "You're not Santa. You sit on a throne of lies. You smell like beef and cheese!" Oh, how I love me some Buddy the Elf... Rut roh... I feel myself getting distracted from the point I wanted to make here. I suppose why I wanted to write this post is because often times by the end of December that face up there may as well be MY face. Ok... maybe my eyes aren't blue and I'm not a man but whatever you get the point!! I need a few reminders (just a few), and maybe you need them too, that Christmas is about SO much more than the temporal high of retail therapy.  There is something magical about this time of year no doubt about it, but I'm left wondering why it doesn't last? And why is it that this "spirit of Christmas" comes over us all, and the world becomes kinder and people seem more at peace?   I'm going to try and answer some of those questions. At the same time, I'd like to relate to you Beloved reader, what I think the full portion of the beauty of Christmas really is all about. Bare with me as we follow down Dickens road of Christmas Past, Present and Future.  Not really... I just added that for dramatic effect!

I woke up this morning with this deep thought about Christmas and the true spirit of Christmas. We have all heard it said that the best things in this life are free, and while I completely, whole heartedly believe that, why is it that every Christmas season I work myself right up into a full blown tizzy about what to get for who, and how much money it's costing, and how there isn't enough hours in the day to get all the crafting, baking and gifts done, nor all the memories jammed pack with my Fab 4 kids, and so on and so forth.  I literally wasn't sleeping the first week of this month because of all the thoughts running through my brain. 
Can anyone else out there relate?  And then I read this scripture  ; "Stop toiling and doing and producing for the food that perishes and decomposes(in the using), but strive and work and produce rather for the lasting food which endures continually unto life eternal; the Son of Man will give, (furnish) you that, for God the Father has authorized and certified Him and put His seal of endorsement upon Him." John 6:26
Hmm... lasting food?  A complete and utter stop of toiling, doing, producing? Gifts that keep on giving? Eternal Food? Does that mean I don't have to grocery shop ever again? ;) What does that even look like? As I read this scripture I was reminded about the app I installed Nov 28th  on my phone called, Advent. It consists of daily scriptures all about Jesus arrival to earth.  It was an easy way to remind myself to be determined in having a different attitude this Christmas.  I also really wanted to participate in Advent this year. The word Advent is derived from the latin word that means, "Coming"  So Advent is a time to remember "The Lord is Coming"  Well, as a Christ follower I know the Lord has come,  and will come again, but as we approach the day we have chosen here in America to celebrate as his birthday I wanted to keep my focus on that phrase.... "The Lord is Coming"
This Christmas season I  wanted to be really purposeful to prepare my heart for HIS coming. I wanted to treat Christmas day like a day that I would prepare my house(my house being my heart) for like a visit from the President. In doing this I realized my thoughts keep coming back to what the greatest thing about Christmas is. If I'm being honest I have to say it has been a challenge. Refer to the paragraph above where I admit that I wasn't sleeping the first week of this month. In my mind and heart I believe the reason Christmas is so special is because we celebrate  the greatest gift to humanity. That is the one and only fully man and fully God, Jesus Christ. 

But, in my actions and reactions I wasn't staying there.

On staying there.

   His arrival to this planet over 2000 years ago is what we are all still talking about today.  And his walk on this planet for only 33 years is what has eternally changed my life and the lives of so many other people. I say all of this because  whether you believe in Jesus or not you can appreciate the words that he said and the love that he gave to so many. Unlike Santa Clause  HE IS REAL!! HE IS STILL ALIVE!! And  You participate in the "Christmas Spirit" every year by doing what  HE DID! You do unto others as you would have them do to you.  You give more than you get.  You love big and judge small. These are all principles and teachings that are from the heart of God. HE is the Father of Christmas.
Those of us who really truly do believe in him, we above all others should be getting that overwhelming sense of peace that some only experience around this time of year.  We have been given that gift for everyday of our lives. A peace that surpasses understanding is what we all long and look for.  If you don't have it, then may I suggest you look to the greatest gift that was ever given. He came as a baby. He died as a 33 year old man. He lived for you to know you are BELOVED. He heals. He restores. He gives peace. Jesus.
Selah.


 

HEY YOU GUYS!!! (a giveaway)

   Goonie fan's is this not THE most amazing picture ever? Does that even need a question mark?

This past summer we got to visit Astoria, Oregon the town where the movie the Goonies was filmed. We had SO much fun and can hardly wait to go back. The town is as cute as it is quaint. And I'm pretty sure we went around all over town shouting...
HEY YOU GUYS!!!
Thank you my Astoria Oregon living friend Tasha for your visit and for this T-shirt, and to Solomon for making my day with your FACE!! Man that kid can make this momma smile SO big.   Now that I have your attention lets go beyond this epic pic.  I want to take this opportunity to say that I truly am so grateful to you beloved reader.  You make this blog here come alive, and I know that although most of you never leave a comment... ahem... I know you are reading, and that makes writing that much more fun. Tis the season to give back, and have gratitude, or say thanks, and I want to say that I am thankful for this space here that I get to share life with you. And although I call you beloved reader all the time I don't ever want you to forget that to me that is not just a term I use to butter you up. 
I really mean to tell you, every single time I write, that you are BELOVED.
And not just because you choose to read here, but because you are loved by the Creator of the Universe more than you could ever know.
Thank you for always listening and especially for chiming in with your own life experiences when you can relate.  I appreciate you, and so because I'm in the Christmas giving spirit I want to give you something....

  An apron I made from a vintage pillow case. You can buy one here; No Dots Shop OR you can enter the giveaway below to receive this package of love completely FREE!!

These aprons are my most favorite creations.

I take old vintage pillow cases, and turn them into something so cute, and so functional in the kitchen or for crafting, and then I hope I get to see people wearing them :)

That's where you come in, if you want one of these beauties enter as many times as you want below.

Thank you beloved reader

and 

Have Fun.

a Rafflecopter giveaway