Monday, February 25, 2013

Solitude

Have you practiced alone time this week? 10-15 minutes a day. Even 5 minutes of just you time? I'm beginning to see how very important this is for me now that I have slowed down life a little.

It helps that I don't have Facebook around and I can't stalk other's achievements. I'm stuck with my own world. We have been busy at my house. Spring is my most inspired time of year. My intentions when the sun starts to shine is that I will be organic and fruitful. Ha ha. I'm done by May. BUT we do get started with plants and flowers to celebrate the lovely weather.




Yep, peppers, carrots, lettuce, peas, radishes, and basil. Started from seeds. Yesterday there were a few that started to sprout. We have a little nit of green showing up. We have had a garden for 12 years. An unsuccessful garden for 11 of them. I keep spending money and trying but since we just talked about having a healthier relationship with money, I thought I would try to have a garden this year without spending money. Two weeks into it and I've only spent about 10 on some soil. (We'll keep our fingers crossed for success...my goal is to be able to walk around my heard and eat! Come on, you had to know that I'd tie this to food some how!!!)

I like to be outside. And I'm beginning to enjoy the outside with my peeps as well.






Just when you thought the Lewis' couldn't get any cooler.... We whip out our hats and sunglasses.




I want to encourage (and repeat that) you need YOU time and I want you to take a little of it soon. A special place to sit back and stop your mind and enjoy the awesomeness of you!

You are fantastic and give me such joy.

Tiff

Thursday, February 14, 2013

7

Just finished 7 by Jen Hatmaker. I have a lot more time on my hands without my phone in it constantly. ;)



The quote below is the end of 7. GO GET IT!! It's funny and absolutely puts life into perspective. The perfect compliment to the book we are reading by Meg Meeker.

“May we embrace unity over infighting, bravery over comfort, us over me, people over principles, and God’s glory over our own. Together, let’s become repairers of broken walls and restorers of streets with dwellings.

The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace. (Num. 6: 24–26)”

I love that she ends her book with the blessing we have chosen for our family. Lovely!!!

Be gloriously blessed today!
Tiff


Excerpt From: Hatmaker, Jen. “7.” B&H Publishing Group, 2011. iBooks.
This material may be protected by copyright.

Check out this book on the iBookstore: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book//id488032028?mt=11


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Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Love is....

Happy Valentine's day! Or if you are single, Happy second day of lent!

In spite of every calendar I own that has the 14th clearly marked as a holiday and the red crap that has overtaken portions of Walmart for months, I waited until the day before v-day to hook hubby up with something would really show my love. I wam the worst gift giver EVER!! And he is thoughtful and always gives me something I just love. It sucks. So in the last few years I have quit stressing and trying. I'm going to fail still, just without the hype.

So in the mall, we "celebrated" with cookies....





We did not give them up for lent but did have to pause when placing our drink order. It was our first reminder as a family that we are participating in lent....and we didn't do a dang thing about it. Just ordered a lemonade and moved on. Fail!!

Moving on, I'm sure we will remember at some point and have a meaningful conversation and make Jesus very proud. We have 39 more days.

Tonight we are getting the Valentina's ready...at the last minute. Aren't you shocked!






Yes, she's going by Kate now. It's a lot easier to write. Katelynn is SO LONG!!



Michael even wrote out his. In between watching tv. We are very giddy about the holiday, can't you tell?

My goal is to recite the below verses to my family tomorrow and to work on being a person that loves (my family at least). I hope your v-day is fabulous. Remember not to lose it with the kids after school....they will be hyped up on sugar!

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.


Fully in love with my hot husband.
Tiff




Mike: What are you doing?
Me: Taking a picture of you. (Cheesy smile...)
Mike: Well, stop.

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Monday, February 11, 2013

Lint vs Lent

To be completely honest (and what else would you expect from me), I'm unsure about the spelling of the season we are about to enter. I think I'm right and if so, it makes my title more appropriate ... let's move on!

A beautiful friend of mine (in real life and on Facebook) eloquently posted about her upcoming Facebook fast and the reason behind this decision. I can not, for the life of me, figure out how to cut and paste her words into the post so I took a picture of it. And here it is. I hope you can read it...





Now, it's no secret that I have some major issues. One of them being Facebook. I was "tough" earlier this year and deleted the app from my phone. Only to find out that you can access the most recent posts by going through the Internet to Facebook and its much better than the app because FB should not make the decision of what a "top story" would be to me. I want to see it ALL!! (And together let's all say it....FAIL!)

I didn't understand Lent. (Don't judge me, my catholic beauties, I'm trying). I am embracing what I do understand about it and making this season about something more than FB peeps and new clothes. This probably stems from the book I'm reading - "7" by Jen Hatmaker. (Read it and be overwhelmed with life...in a good way)

You've waited long enough. Here it is.... I'm giving up Facebook for lent. I could have probably done it for a New Year's resolution but that sounds too permanent (and let's be honest, I'll be back) and I thought I would stick to it if I tied the idea to Jesus. Jesus will help me give up Facebook. I'm going to feel super lonely without my "friends" "liking" my wittiness all day. (Note: I will still have my phone for calling or texting and email).

I'm gonna try some other things. And since this is probably the most inappropriate placement (right after Jesus), I'm going to steer clear of wine and beer and buttery nipple shots. It seems to me as I'm avoiding Facebook, I should turn to reflect on Him and why I'm avoiding my FB peeps that I shouldn't have a beer in my hand. Maybe?

I will be ADDING some of the following:



And this...



And this...she's not on Facebook-I swear. ;)




(Here's my "lint" reference) I think I may have some time to get to the dust bunnies in the corners, under the chairs, behind the dresser and all the other out of sight places

For Lent, I'll be actively battling my lint. the lint that has gathered in the corners of my house and my head. Maybe without Facebook distractions, we can do some more painting and playing too. It's worth a try. Time to focus on myself and my family instead of everyone else's.

(I just might be on a Facebook binge tomorrow soaking all of the nothingness in one last time....then I'm gone. Kinda.) will you be joining me? Let me know!! Tiffany.lewis@hotmail.com


Joyfully full of it....and trying to FILL up with glorious things!
Tiff


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