And she does it again!

As most of you know, I do my big grocery shop with my parents, Grandpa takes Gracie in his cart, and leaves me blissfully alone.

It is always nice because dad always takes us out for lunch when we are all done.

Today was shopping day, Gracie loves her grandpa, she can't get enough of him....

While we were eating our meal, she keeps looking at him.....sorta confused, but keeps her mouth shut.

I was watching her the whole meal, and I knew that something was on her mind.

Then finally she just had to ask as she peers up at his head "Grandpa? Where is your hair?"

Out of the mouth of babes

Last week I got a view of how honeset kiddies were.

Gracie (pointing to a GIANT zit on my forehead); What's that mama?

Mama; that is a zit honey...a pimple.

Gracie; No its not mama!! That is another nose!!!

I imediatly went to to the bathroon and found some concealer.

Some thoughts of mine.

I was reading my friend Jamie's blog (http://www.blessedsoandso.blogspot.com) where she discussed the controversial issue of homosexuality...and that sparked a topic that I would like to write about.
I am not going to get into the semantics of weather homosexuality is right or wrong, however for the record I personally do believe homosexuality is biblically wrong. I am not trying to offend, I am just stating what I believe.
What I want to discuss is "Gay rights". Where we live we are given the 'right' to live and believe as we wish. However I do think that in some cases that freedom is denied us. I am proud to be straight, married and a mother...however if I organized a "straight pride day, or parade" I would be branded as someone who is being bigoted, and putting them down. So if that is the case, why is it OK for a "gay pride day" to not offend me? When it would deeply offend a homosexual if I had a "Straight pride day". Is it not what is good for the goose is good for the gander??
Speaking of religious freedoms, along the same lines, is it is very difficult to speak out when you are a believer. I am proud that I have Jesus Christ in my life and my heart, but when a Christian speaks about his beliefs, he is being bigoted against Muslims, Hindu, whatever....but if they are allowed religious freedoms, shouldn't we also?? Christmas is becoming a holiday that is no longer "acceptable" to other religions...and well Christmas is so commercialized now anyways, it has pretty much lost its meaning...but we encourage those of different faiths to celebrate their religious holidays(Ramadan, Hanukkah etc), can they not encourage us to keep ours(Christmas, Easter, etc)?
My rant today, just makes me want more and more to be able to state what I believe in. What would my faith be if I didn't have such strong feelings and beliefs? I don't think that it is right to hate, or judge people for being homosexual or of a different faith, anymore than I think it is right to treat people badly because they are drunks, or drug users, we all do things that are wrong, and to judge others is to place ourselves higher than them, which is also very wrong. We have groups in place that deal with Alcoholics....We have groups in place that deal with Drug use....I don't desire to offend anyone, I really don't, I just am slightly offended that I am not allowed to state my beliefs.
Of course When I mean that I want to have real freedom in stating my beliefs, you do have to understand that Berating, belittling and completely being rude about things is not my intention...I just want to be able to quietly state how I believe.

Bits and Pieces.

I have been pondering this week what to write in my blog....I am kind of stumped. I want to stay away from everyday happenings, and write about deeper things, but apparantly I ain't too deep this week.

Perhaps it is because wonderful hubby is home this week on holidays. We couldn't really afford to go away, so it has been nice having him around the house pottering around. I have to admit that I am sort of feeling envious of him.....he is on holidays, doing things he likes to do.....playing with Gracie....not at work. He told me that when he was on holidays to think of it like holidays for me too.....sweet of him, but so unrealistic. I of course still have all my regular everyday chores, cooking (which I am NOT enjoying) and don't feel like I am on holidays. I shouldn't complain though, he does make it easier by keeping the little angel out of my hair.

I am looking forward to this evening, the season opener of CSI....I am addicted to that show, I could do with out the excess gore, but I think if I had another life, I would be a CSI, just a glorified Sherlock Holmes!!

I have almost completed my Christmas shopping, that makes me very happy!!

I am reading Gone with the Wind, a little daunting as the book is as big as a two year old child, but good nontheless, it is well written and quite captivating. Scarlette is sure a ___, well!! She is!!

I have just finished reading the Harry potter series, minus the seventh book (no spoilers please!!!) so I am going to start watching the movies again, so that I can have it all refreshed in my mind. I love doing that, reading the book first and then watching the movie.

Well I hope this blog wasn't too mundane, I like to think and learn and be creative, when I read all the other blogs out there, there are so many talented writers, but hey, I need a break from creativity!!

I choose

It's quiet. It's early. My coffee is hot. The sky is still black. The world is still asleep. The day is coming. In a few moments the day will arrive. It will roar down the track with the rising of the sun. The stillness of the dawn will be exchanged for the noise of the day. The calm of solitude will be replaced by the pounding pace of the human race. The refuge of the early morning will be invaded by decisions to be made and deadlines to be met.

For the next twelve hours I will be exposed to the day's demands. It is now that I must make a choice. Because of Calvary, I'm free to choose. And so I choose.

I CHOOSE LOVE.....

No occasion justifies hatred; no injustice warrants bitterness. I choose love. Today I will love God and what God loves.

I CHOOSE JOY........

I will invite my God to be the God of circumstance. I will refuse the temptation to be cynical...the tool of the lazy thinker. I will refuse to see people as anything less than human beings, created by God. I will refuse to see any problem as anything less than an opportunity to see God.

I CHOOSE PEACE......

I will live forgiven. I will forgive so that I may live.

I CHOOSE PATIENCE.......

I will over look the inconveniences of the world. Instead of cursing the one who takes my place, I'll invite him to do so. Rather than complain that the wait is too long, I will thank God for a moment to pray. Instead of clinching my fist at new assignments, I will face them with joy and courage.

I CHOOSE KINDNESS......

I will be kind to the poor, for they are alone, kind to the rich, for they are afraid. And kind to the unkind, for such is how God has treated me.

I CHOOSE GOODNESS......

I will go without a dollar before I take a dishonest one. I will be overlooked before I will boast. I will confess before I will accuse. I choose goodness.

I CHOOSE FAITHFULNESS.....

Today I will keep my promises. My debtors will not regret their trust. My associates will not question my word. My wife will not question my love. And my children will never treat that their "mother" will not come home.

I CHOOSE GENTLENESS....

Nothing is won by force. I choose to be gentle. If I raise my voice may it be only in praise. If I clench my fist, may it be only in prayer. If i make a demand, May it be only of myself.

I CHOOSE SELF-CONTROL..........

I am a spiritual being. After this body is dead, my spirit will soar. I refuse to let what will rot, rule the eternal. I choose self-control. I will be drunk only by joy. I will be impassioned only by my faith. I will be influenced only by God. I will be taught only by Christ. I choose self-control.

Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. To these I commit my day. If I succeed, I will give thanks. If I fail, I will seek his grace. And then, when this day is done, I will place my head on my pillow and rest.

Max Lucado
When God Whispers your Name