Mediocracy Is So Much Easier....

How about A Warm Cup of Coffee and my favorite blog post of the year? I love the blog world, because when we see a great idea we share it! Sarah Mae at Like A Warm Cup of Coffee, got this idea from Heathalee. I am joining the party and having one of my own! My first official Mr. Linky Party! What is your favorite blog post from your blog this past year? Just click Mr. Linky at the bottom of this post. Add your title and the the direct URL to your actual favorite post. Do not just link back to your blog. Also, add a link back to my blog so readers can find their way back here! You can copy and past the address from the URL Bar above! Whew! It sounds harder than it is! Here is mine from
August 27, 2009.


Mediocracy Is So Much Easier....

This has been so true in my life over the past couple of weeks. Last week, I began a study with my girls called "Eight Days of Honor." We have been talking about what honor means, how to have a good attitude and to look for opportunities to demonstrate both in our home and in our relationships. Since we started this adventure it seems like bad attitudes and whining have only increased! I have found myself saying, "Is any of this making a difference?"

The second thing I started was a new Bible study on the book of Revelation. I have found my quiet times super charged with truth and encouragement. But as my study time has deepened, the light and momentary afflictions have escalated. Now don't get me wrong, none of these are major ordeals, but when you put them all together they have been draining and frustrating to me.

But then I realized that though mediocracy is easier, it is not what I am called to. I am not called to comfort - though I crave it. I am not called to an easy life - though it sounds great. I am called to do hard things and they are not always easy or fun. Rewarding? Absolutely. Do I always see it immediately? No. But I am holding on the the fact that when I am faithful, the Lord enters into the situation and He promises to "strengthen those hearts who are completely His." (2 Chronicles 16:9a).

Now, let me just finish this thought with my love for my profound and funny friend. She is an amazing woman of God. She has challenged me on many occaisions to do hard things and is the one who really set me on a course about 9 years ago to get serious and study God's Word. I pray that I can and will be that kind of woman for others!

Looking Forward,
Stacey

Calling All You Southern Ladies!

Amazon.com is offering Southern Living Magazine 1 year subscriptions for $5.00! I just had to let you know! My email came directly from Amazon, and it said "For all Amazon customers living in Florida." I do not know if this offer is also valid for non-Florida residents. But since it is a sweet deal, I had to pass it on to you! Hurry, the offer ends August 29!


Finally a real Southern Girl!
Stacey

Strong Girls & New Sidebar

Today we are going to start a new time together called "Strong Girls" where I begin to help them discover what makes them unique and strong girls. I will primarily be using a workbook put together Jennifer Fox but I will also use art and other things I think will help us on this journey.

Today we are going to start by doing a fun art project with their names and I'm going to interview them. Here are some of the questions:

1. Who is your best friend?
2. Who is your greatest hero?
3. What is your most precious possession?
4. What is the last book you read and did you like it?

I will also be adding a new sidebar to the blog called "My Children are Reading". I love to get suggestions for great books and thought you might like this too.

Looking Forward,
Stacey

Worth Mentioning

"If we lose the gift of reading in this generation, we will lose the ability to reason, to understand God's greatness, to think well, to have convictions. We must keep literacy up! One of the most important works of our lives. If children do not learn to love to read, they will not become readers of the Bible--the best words. They will love reading if you read outloud to them and cherish them and celebrate great stories together with them in peace and joy."

Quote by Sally Clarkson
I Take Joy - blog (see the link on the right side of my page)
August 20 2009
"Reading as a Source of Soul Strength"

Design Girl Wannabe

I have been on some sort of Design Girl Wannabe journey for about a year now. You see, in the past 7 years we have lived in 3 houses and during that time added 2 children and we have one on the way! I think all these things have contributed to the lack of decor and design in my home.

I mentioned in an earlier post that I have been truly inspired by some awesome design blogs and the ability of these women to be creative on a budget. I have also realized that I have a deep need to be creative and reflect that creativity in my home. My children have played a part as well. Last January, we were taking down our Christmas decorations and my oldest said, "Mommy, why do we only decorate for Christmas? The house looks so sad the rest of the year." This eye opening conversation helped me to see that it is their home too.

Now, I'm not too much of a theme decor girl, but I do have a beautiful antique library table that sits near my entrance. I decided to decorate it according to the seasons. It is simple, easy and inexpensive to focus on such a small space. My best find was the clear glass jar that sits in the center. I picked it up at Goodwill for about $1.99. This summer I filled it with seashells from our favorite beach. Currently, I have a Back to School thing going on. I really love the new little slate chalkboard and bright red apples. My goal is to reflect the season without being too over the top.

I also now keep a list of projects, paint jobs, and items I am always on the lookout for at Goodwill, TJ Max or clearance sales. My next project is drop cloth curtains in my kitchen! Go to "The Lettered Cottage" on my favorite blog list, and search for 'Drop Cloth Curtains'. They are so cool, especially for those of us who are sewing challenged!

Looking forward,
Stacey
http://twiceremembered.blogspot.com/2009/08/make-your-monday-week-five-add-your.html

Traditions

It is funny how some traditions are very purposeful, and others evolve over time. I think no matter how they develop, they have a powerful effect of bringing stability and predictability to the lives of our children.

Yesterday we started school for the 2009 - 2010 school year. We are excited to have a lively 3 year old, as well as a first and fourth grader. Every year my girls look forward to donuts (the good kind with icing and lots of sugar) and making posters and taking pictures. This year, my sweet husband even threw in a Starbucks Coffee for me. I think that is a tradition we will be keeping as well!

It is funny, because even though we have 5 years of "1st Day of School" under our belts, they still with anxious eyes ask me, "Mommy are we going to have donuts and make posters?" As mom, it is my blessing to say, "Of course!" and watch them light up!

It can be just a simple thing. I think the whole "tradition" cost at most $10 this year. But it is worth a million more!

Looking Forward,
Stacey

1 Year and Counting

One year ago, my husband and I made a decision to turn off our cable television. Now let me just say, that I had a deep love for my digital recorder capable cable television. Our decision came primarily to save money. We were also concerned about some of the kid's channels that advertised teen targeted programming that came on later in the day. We began to see this impacting them and decided to cut it off. Now, I did not say we cut off television completely. My husband is a technology genius and hooked us up with an HD Tuner and a small computer with Eye TV installed. Eye TV is our channel navigator and we can still digitally record our favorite shows. We have local and public tv stations only. And joy of all joys we saved enough to pay for ballet lessons for our girls!

My children have adjusted like champions and only fussed a bit in the beginning. I felt enormous pride while on vacation this summer, they chose to watch PBS over another popular station they used to love!

I, on the other hand have greatly mourned the loss of my favorite channels like HGTV, TLC, Food Network etc. I do not watch a ton of TV, but when I have the time, I want to watch a 30 minute program that does not require me to think or come back next week for the conclusion. Oh how I love a design show! And I miss Friday nights watching "What Not To Wear" - I must confess it now. The unitended effect has sent me looking for other ways to feed this entertainment need.

So I turned to my computer and began blog hopping. I have found some of the most amazing blogs that have truly inspired me. I have listed a few on the right side of my blog and will add more in the days ahead. I have been challenged by these blogs to:

• Memorize 2 Bible Verses each month.
• Be a better mom.
  
• Fall in love with a can of spray paint.
• Become a Thrift Store Fanatic
• Save Money!
• Begin a blog myself!

Plus, I learned something else about myself - I learn more by reading and looking at still pictures over a 30 minute show that I find myself later saying, "Now what did they do and how did they do it?" With a blog post I can always go back and read it again and agian.

I still miss watching those shows - in fact I opted to watch them while on vacation and away from my computer! But, I am thrilled with how my lack of entertainment has led me to inspiration that has truly blessed my life!

Looking Forward,
Stacey

Books and People

I have heard it said that the two things that will change your life the most are the books you read and the people you meet. I think, if I'm not mistaken, it is a quote by Howard Hendricks. Most recently I heard it quoted by Linda Werner of Circle Christian Schools. I love this quote regardless of who said it! I am reminded in my own life that God has used these things over and over to grow me up and to mold my heart to be more like His.

Here are a few books I have read recently (other than my daily Bible Time) that have greatly impacted me:

1. Strengths Finder 2.0 - Tom Rath
2. Handoff - Jeff Myers
3. You Are My Hiding Place - (Devotional Readings of Amy Carmichael) - David Hazzard
4. Say Goodbye to Whining, Complaining, and Bad Attitudes in You and Your Kids! - Turansky & Miller
5. Your Child's Strengths - Jennifer Fox

So, what have you read recently that has had an impact on you?

Looking Forward,
Stacey

Welcome to my blog!

Call it a long time coming, but I have thought about doing this for well over a year. I am not sure why I picked today, over any other day to start this blog, but here it is. Thanks for stopping by and my hope is that this will be a place you enjoy and visit often.

In the days ahead I will share more about me and my blog ideas, but let's start off with the title. Why 29 Lincoln Avenue? This is the name of the street I lived on when I was a little girl. As the song goes, "I was born in a small town....my parents live in the same small town." I have many wonderful memories about that place. We had great neighbors, quiet summer evenings and mom cooking in the kitchen. Even the shag carpet was wonderful! So fast forward 30 or so years and now I'm the mom cooking in the kitchen. We don't live in a small town and my kids don't ride their bikes down the block to buy candy at the local grocery store. As a family we don't have the luxury of knowing "everyone in town." But, it is my turn to make our dwelling place a home that has great memories for them. My desire is that it be a place of faith, love, grace and growth.

So in general that is what this blog will be about: How our home is becoming a place my kids will always want to remember. It may be something I'm learning, a book I'm reading, or a creative idea I've found that I must pass on.

Looking Forward,
Stacey