God's Grace.

The Mayonnaise Jar and Two Cups of Coffee

When things in your lives seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 cups of coffee.

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf ball

s. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with an unanimous "yes."

The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.

"Now," said the professor as the laughter subsided, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things--your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions--and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.

The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car.

The sand is everything else--the small stuff. "If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you.

"Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your spouse out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first--the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand."

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented. The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked.

It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend."

My favorite Cuz posted this and it's so true. I'm really realizing the last couple weeks what is the most important parts of life :) I love taking the time each night to play and read to Brinn. I love being sure to go on that date with my husband. Being gone and being a working Mommy does come with a little Mommy guilt, and there are mornings I wake up and watch my sweet little girl sleep and wish that I would be able to take her to the park and paint her nails. Some how God reminds me that life is precious and somehow He always manages to point me to the things that matter. My house isn't spotless and most likely I have a heaping mound of laundry. One thing I know for sure the time I do get with my family is the best time of my day and the most valued. I'm SO grateful for that Grace God gives me each day :) 

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding" Proverbs 3:5

Brinn's First Day Of School.

We call daycare School in our house, so no Brinn is not already in Preschool. Next year she will be! Today was the first day of the Big Girl Job as I call it. Bitter sweet I'll have to say. I woke up with knots in my tummy praying that I've made the right decision to teach. I asked God to show me in multiple ways today that this is all right, and that this was HIS choice and not mine. He got me where I am today. 

Knots in my tummy I got ready for my first day. Woke Jono and Brinn up and headed out the door. We drove to Brinn's new school which is located about two blocks from my school which is so convenient! I feel so close to her :) I need to tell you Deb is amazing. They had colored their sidewalk with chalk welcoming us to school!! The door had a sign saying WELCOME!! It was the sweetest thing! They had a sweet little Bin for Brinn to put her things in so comforting. (that was the first thing that God poured down on me!) Next, Brinn started to play and pretty much forgot that we were there, we kissed her goodbye and out the door we went. The tears didn't pour till I got in the car... pure JOY! Grateful that she didn't scream and yell and get scared. She was comfortable and relaxed.

Then the second piece came in I actually was excited walking in the doors of school. Excited to see what this year will bring for our family, excited to meet my sweet little Kindergartner's, excited for the year God will provide for me in my profession. As hard of a decision it was to choose to work, today was worth every minute of God pouring his GRACE down on me reminding me that nothing matters in this life but the path we choose to take and my path is definitely with Him. "All the glory goes up to him and all the blessing fall back down on me!" Gabby Douglas Amen sister. 

These are all pictures Deb took and sent to us! 

Love you all!! 

Cafe' Curtain.

I've been wanting to do a little cafe' curtain above my sink. I couldn't find fabric that I loved. Then I went to Okoboji with my Mom a couple weeks ago and found this beautiful vintage table cloth and I wanted it for my curtain. I got it at an antique store and I still ahve a lot of fabric letft over. This was such an easy project! We also got a new sink in our kitchen which makes it looks so much nicer.

Happy Friday :)