Just enough faith to see the beauty

   I didn't think this flower had much potential to be completely honest with you. This past early spring I was buying my seed packets. All organic and probably more packets than I needed for the space I had. I was dreaming. Once I tallied up how much I had spent I spoke to myself at the store, "Alright, that's enough for today, Jame. No more. You've got a lot of work ahead of you." Yes, I speak to myself when spending money :) (but not out loud...haha). Such as "Those 3 shirts are adorable but you must only choose one today." or at Costco (if you know me, you know it's my happy place) "It's either guac or hummus today." Hard decisions I tell ya.

   So on this particular shopping excursion I wasn't going to spend a cent of money more on seeds or anything to do with gardening. But then, I saw packages of gorgeous flowers with vibrant reds and oranges for cheap. Real cheap. Like 20 WHOLE cents cheap. How could that be?! Yes, I can do that I told myself. I tossed two packages into my already full cart. And I thought if they work...great! And if they don't...no worries! No guilt trip for wasting money. I planned on buying already bloomed flowers later in the spring anyways. Flowers from under someone else's careful and expert care. I've never planted flower seeds before but have done a few vegetables. 

   In my heart I think I already set my mind up that these probably would not amount to much. So as I planted my tomato and pepper seeds into a special seed starting tray inside my house I also worked on the flower seeds. They were so small. But those I put in an empty egg carton with soil. Nothing fancy. I carefully watered the all seeds and allowed for the sun to shine on them directly. Placing them on the deck on warm days and on our kitchen counter on cooler days and at night. The other veggie seeds had sprouted but not yet the flowers. Still I waited patiently and eventually at the end of May there were a few thin green stems that had sprouted of the 15. I squished those stems that were still alive into one of my outside planters. This planter that had already been filled with beautiful flowers. At this point, I was thinking those thin green sprouts were possibly just weeds. However, I wasn't going to give up just yet. THEN, one day at the end of July this gorgeous orange Zinnia had bloomed from a long stem. It took me by complete surprise! Surprised because deep down I wasn't entirely sure much would come from those 20 cent packets. Because that's inexpensive for a hearty flower to grow isn't it? How naive I was. I stood in AWE and amazement at the beauty. I think I even teared up at God's faithfulness. And in delight at the incredible gift it is to garden and be able to reap those benefits. And a week later another one bloomed, a pink one. And I think a third one will be blooming very soon :).

A smile came over my face and I was grateful. Grateful that I didn't just give up.Grateful that I continued to try to do the best I could day after day. Grateful that my mustard seed faith was enough to keep going. To keep believing that possibly something beautiful would finally come. 

He replied, "If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it will obey you.

Luke 17:6 NIV

   This story isn't really about having faith regarding seeds growing. But rather having faith that God is at work when the surrounding factors seem against your favor. It's about believing that God has a plan when our faith seems small. He tells us if we have faith even as small as a mustard seed that is enough. That is enough to do big things because nothing will be impossible for you. Trust in Him and He will allow you to bloom to your full potential. He will not give up on you. 

He replied, "Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."

Matthew 17:20 NIV

P.S. Next spring don't hesitate to buy a few packets of those cheap seeds, I know I will :). 

Airplanes and Blessings

I am guilty for doing just about anything to make my kids happy and quiet on the airplane.

 This past week when we were flying home I was not exactly prepared. In my carry on bag I had books and coloring books with crayons in the front pocket. However, that bag got checked on at the gate to go under the plane during the trip. Whoops! I completely forgot to grab those things. 

When we were on the plane I was digging through my bag finding things for my littlest ones to play with. Hey, I even let my youngest color in my new book because I didn't have any paper! The book which I purchased at the airport in hopes to read. My sweet Mom even had Smarties suckers for the kids as a last resort. They definitely came in handy at the end of the flight.

The reason I tell this story is because if we can OPEN our eyes and hearts and see other people we can experience huge blessings.

 In front of us sat one of the MOST wonderful Moms I have ever met. She had a beautiful, calm, sweet and thoughtful voice. And she was very prepared...unlike I. Next to her sat her very pretty daughter who had Autism and mostly communicated with her I Pad. In which I learned from talking to the Mom. Watching that Mom (and Dad) interact with her daughter was amazing to witness, they were such awesome parents.  Her daughter would peek through the middle of the seats and look at myself and my kids with delight. And my kids were so happy to see her as well. Across the hall sat the Mom's husband and in front of the Mom sat her other daughter and son. 

When one of my kids started getting fussy that sweet Mom let us have 2 pages of Disney matching cards to play with. And how helpful that was because the kiddos were intrigued by them. She was like an angel. She spoke to me and wanted to find out more about where we were from and how our trip was. She had her own family to care about but out of the goodness of her heart she wanted to show us love. 

Because of that Mom this airplane ride went more smooth. She was an absolute inspiration and I feel completely blessed to have met her and her beautiful family!

Lovingly,
Jamie

Forever changed...

I went bowling this past Valentine's day with my sweethearts! 

And I met one of the kindest Grandmas while there! She was with her Grandson and we were talking about doing the photo booth. We both found out it was $5 and so we said that was kinda pricey. I went back to my family to get coats on to go. 

She came out of the photo booth and I smiled and said

 "You did the photos! How did they turn out?"

smile emotic?"

She smiled and said her grandson didn't smile but that's ok. I told her at least he's in it, that's what counts. That's what I say about my kids.

She then said "I have cancer and I want to do special things with him now." After talking more I find out she has stage 4 lung cancer. I teared up and said that I'm an oncology nurse. After talking I find out that I know of her oncologist. She goes on to say that she teaches Christian preschool and I told her I was a Christian, too. We hugged and both were teary. She gave me $5 and said she wanted me to do the picture booth with my family. I told her I couldn't take her money but she insisted. She told me I can pray for her. I told her I will. 

She's living her life to the fullest blessing others with joy. As a family we left the bowling alley forever changed. 

And she has impacted my life in a huge way! May God bless her. 

And will you say a prayer for her? 

Thank you!

Lovingly,

Jamie

My Friday Favorites!

It feels like a Saturday to me today. I think it's because there is no school for the boys. Which is awesome! And it's also terrific that Halloween lands on a Friday!

 And then tomorrow is daylight savings...1 extra hour of sleep. Hallelujah! It just keeps getting better :)

On Monday I have a very special post I've been working on for awhile. You may laugh and cry. I'm just saying :)

Today, I'm linking up with the beautiful...

Andrea from Momfessionals, 

Narci from Grace and Love Blog 

and Erika from A Little Bit of Everything blog 

1.) This week I got the chance to have lunch with my sweet oldest! And I am so grateful! It was a FAVORITE moment of my week forsure! He was super excited for me to come. I brought Subway Flatizzas for us. When I came to his classroom a little early, his girl classmates saw me. And they peeked their cute heads outside the room and asked who I was. Then they giggled when they found out I was Austin's Mom. :) And they yelled for Austin and told him I was there. So cute! 

At Lunch we sat by my nephew (Austin's cousin and bestie) and some other friends. Austin was begging me to stay for recess and play soccer. His guy friends were so excited when they found out I was going to play soccer with them. It's nice to know that it's still cool to hang out with Mom at school! I hope he will always want me to have lunch with him and play soccer at recess :). His sweet friends kept getting the ball for me so I could make a goal! And they were so happy to get some attention and encouraging words from an adult telling the "Great job" or "You are such a rockstar soccer player!" They were absolutely adorable!

Great memories!!

2.) Flashback Friday FAVORITE to Halloween 2011. My Batman, Superman and Batbaby! I worked this evening but my awesome Hubby took the kiddos to my parents, his parents and some other family member's homes. He is the best :)! 

3.) My Mom is one of my FAVORITE women in the world! I just love and adore her so much! She came over yesterday morning (early) to watch my kiddos when I needed to leave for work. She is constantly encouraging me and my sweet kids. And the best thing is that she is a beautiful woman of God! I pray that I can be like her when I get older. Her heart must be made of pure gold! :) God is so good in blessing me with her as my Mom.

What are some of your favorites of this past week? I'd love to hear!!

Happy Halloween to you!

Jamie :)