Last post of 2015

Happy New Year's Eve!

I wanted to run to the mall to make a couple of more returns, but I can't do anything before I write this end-of-the-year post.

It has been an amazing year all around. My husband and I went on some amazing vacations last Winter.  We justified it because we had sold our cottage and felt very free, especially being empty-nesters. We spent a week in Florida visiting friends in Bradenton and Naples; saw Cuz. DeNaze; drove down to Key West, then spent a couple of days on Marco Island. We went skiing in Colorado and I was able to visit Meghan in California. My favorite memory was probably when L. called me on my lunch hour to ask if I wanted to go to Aruba the very next morning. It was crazy that I was on a plane just a few hours later! Wow! As I re-cap, I feel a little guilty that I'm bragging. Sorry! I appreciate how hard my husband works so much! Oh, I almost forgot to add that we met Meghan in San Francisco, then drove to Napa Valley in the Fall! Oh gosh... I need to stop now!

In February I decided on my birthday that I wouldn't buy any clothes until my next birthday. I failed one time, but for the most part I did well. It was way easier than I expected. I received some beautiful pieces for Christmas, so I will easily make it to February!

In June my firstborn turned 30! I can't believe it! How did that happen? The tears of Joy that I experienced from her when we surprised her and joined her Dad's side of the family (Super classy move on their part!!) for dinner at a restaurant was priceless. I will never forget it!

She is in love and that makes me happy... SO happy! So far I haven't seen any red flags.

Lucky reached out to her and offered her a new job and she accepted. She wanted a new challenge and I admire her! Seven for all Mankind will surely miss her!

John met someone special and has been seeing her for a few months. He introduced us to her... and that's HUGE! She seems very sweet, smart and confident! He is enjoying his job and is getting rewarded for his excellent work ethic.

I loved re-connecting with my children's Granny this year. I tend to get disappointed when my kids aren't included in my husband's family. God helped heal my heart by having me go for a visit to Granny's in Birmingham and see her apartment full of photos of my kids all around. It did my heart well to know that they are loved unconditionally and deeply by their own Grandmother! I always knew she loved them, but it was different. She still loves me and I just need to say that it feels great! Who would have thought? God didn't give me what I wanted a long time ago, but He gave me what I needed this year!

I shot a 40 (almost 39, but I missed a careless one foot putt!) in golf this past Summer and I'm still happy! John helped me with my swing and I played a ton of golf and it was so much fun!

We celebrated my oldest living sister's 60th birthday in Chicago, and my youngest sister's 50th birthday in North Carolina. My sister bought a new cottage (Dune Days//Sunset Nights) in Mears, Michigan so we played and celebrated her double nickels (55th) birthday at the Sand Dunes.  My brother's divorce was final and I'm still sad about it. I can't wait to see how everything comes together for the good, and see how God shows His hand in it from here. Please pray for his children. Thank you!

On a sad note, my boss had to have treatments for throat cancer. We all tried to pitch in and help, but it was very hard to watch him suffer. Thank God he is doing much better now! I still love my job! I seem to squeeze it in between all of the fun we've had!

Our Church (Kensington Community Church) finally opened in our hometown. We had been waiting for years and years for this and we couldn't be happier to have our church in Clarkston! I am on the usher/greeter team and it's the perfect job!

I loved that last year on New Year's Eve we were at dinner with our kids and we all decided on our word for 2015. They were as follows...

Linc's was "Christ-like." I believe with all my heart that this year he was the best husband he has been since our wedding. Our relationship has grown so much deeper and I'm so sure it is because of him; not me. This next year we will celebrate 15 years of marriage. We are so blessed.

Meghan's was... "Grace" and John's was... "Brave." I'm so proud of each of them!

My word was "Focus." I also had a few other words, but I can't even remember what they were right now. I know that this year I was more "fully present" than I have been in the past, especially around Christmas. I want to be even more this next year.

My word for 2016 is "Smart." I want to read more books; listen to NPR; make smarter choices regarding my health, especially eating way less sugar and drinking more water; I want to learn how to use my camera; and be smarter about how I treat those people God puts in my path; I want to be more humble.. and generous... and thoughtful... and kind; I want to start my day the smart way, in God's Word.

My song for 2015 has got to be this one by The Rolling Stones. I know; you were expecting some Christian song, but in light of my healed heart regarding my precious children this year, it had to be "You Can't Always Get What You Want." :)



I hope and pray God reveals Himself to you in 2016 and you are blown away by His Goodness. Be kind to each other!

Here's to a New Year of Gratitude and Good health!
Love,
Angie xoxo

"Her children arise and call her blessed" -Proverbs 31:28

Blessed and happy to have my kids together for Christmas! I promise you they are even more beautiful on the inside than the outside.

"Fully Present" Brunch

This Advent Season was so nice and I have no doubt that it was only because I started my day in God's Word. I really wanted to be fully present this year and make it only about Jesus. I didn't want any kind of stress. 

I decided I would host a brunch for the friends God hand-picked to be in my life. I am so Blessed. I don't have a single photo of the faces of the women, but that's okay; I was fully present in the moment. I had several different groups of friends and it was so nice to have them all together. I was determined to make every gathering one of only God's Peace and I was more calm than ever. You should have seen my kitchen the day before when the egg from the quiche had spilled all over! I was also determined to get enough sleep and plan my events so I wouldn't get stressed-out or sick. I loved serving my friends. I couldn't believe I had almost 20 women attend on a Wednesday morning. I was sorry that a few couldn't be here, but I hope they know that they were dearly missed. 

I wanted to add a few photos that I took before anyone arrived. I think my mom would have been proud. I kept thinking about how grateful I was that she taught me well.  God blessed us with a pretty nice house and I think He would want me to share it. 

Welcome

It wasn't about presents, but presence. ;)

So many complimented me on my salad. 

Our Family Christmas Card 2015

Praying you have a beautiful holiday season, filled with the "Fruit of the Spirt..." Love, Joy, Peace Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-Control." ~Gal 5:22-23

I'm looking forward to having the four of us together this week! This photo was taken at Meghan's 30th Birthday dinner at Wright and Co., this past June.

Merry CHRISTmas!

The absolute Greatest Gift

My friend sent me a book a few weeks ago. If you don't have a copy of "The Greatest Gift" by Ann Voskamp, you need to get one. Today. You may remember Ann because she wrote another book that literally changed my life. Her other book is called, "One Thousand Gifts." In her previous book she inspired me to be intentional about looking for God and listing the ways He shows me His Glory in the everyday things. It made me stop and think about the many gifts God has given me, and encouraged me to make it a habit to be grateful by listing 1000 things I might normally take for granted. I finished my list and I think I'll start another one in 2016.

As I type this post, I'm feeling like you might think I am doing her a favor by promoting her book. I was not asked to review it; I'm just speaking from my own experience. Her latest book has been on my end table this Advent Season. I have looked forward to waking up, making myself a cup of coffee and reading the daily devotions. I cannot think of a better way to start my day. The sweet way Ann writes is unlike any other author; she has made me stop and feel this Christmas season like I've never felt it. 

Between this book my friend Annette gave me and going to the women's retreat at Kensington I have felt the Peace of God like never before. So many years in the past I have made this season into a stressful month. This year has been different. I've felt God's Presence more than ever. I've enjoyed each and every gathering. 

I hope this post finds you hungry for God's Presence in your life. It is a gift that is waiting for you and God is such a gentleman. I pray you stop what you are doing and breathe... and notice all of the gifts He has given you and whisper a quiet, Thank you...

If I don't have time to come back here before Christmas (because I hope to be 'fully present" with my loved ones), I pray you rest in His Promises and His Presence and enjoy the people God hand-picked to be in your life. And remember, God loves you unconditionally and He always will. 

Merry CHRISTmas!

All my love,

Angie 

Trash or Treasure & my "challenge"

Hey! How are you? It feels like forever since I've added anything to my blog!

You're probably dying to know how my challenge is going regarding not buying clothes until my birthday (Can you say Valentine's Day?!). It's funny how people stopped asking me how it is going a long time ago. Maybe they were just being kind and didn't want to make me feel badly if I had failed. Well, I'm here to tell you that actually it's been going quite well. My only slip-up was back in June when I bought a jumpsuit for my daughter's surprise 30th Birthday Party that was hosted by no other than... my ex-husband and his new (still calling her new after almost 20 years- Ha!) wife. I'm sure you'll give me a pass, all things considered. Really though, it hasn't been as hard as I thought it would be. Summer was probably the most difficult because I had gotten rid of so many of my clothes, thinking I was going to get a few pieces to replace what I had given away. Now that it's sweater weather, I'm feeling a little more comfortable. I have enough coats and scarves, so I'm good to go!

This is the blog-worthy part so far...

This year I have made more trips to Salvation Army than I have to the mall. I've almost become addicted to giving stuff away. The other day the guy who I see when I drop stuff off recognized me and said, "Oh, hi. You sure are here a lot!" I had to laugh to myself. I remember going to JCrew with my husband last year and cringed when the salesman recognized me and welcomed me back!

It's really been great. I've enjoyed cleaning out and giving away. I've learned a lot of much-needed lessons.

Oh, this is pretty funny...  My husband has wanted to get rid of our great big, heavy pine armoire for a very long time. He never really liked it, but I wasn't ready to part with it until recently. I loved it; I remember how much we paid for it- $$$$; I was sure the kids were going to fight about who got it and it was "classic." I put several photos of it on FB, asking people to throw out an offer to buy it (again, sure I'd have a zillion people who wanted it) and not one person! I wanted to change my "throw out an offer" to "come over and you can have it for free," but I didn't want anyone to feel badly that they'd take it for free, but didn't want to pay for it. Anyway, after asking all of my family members if they wanted it, I finally had a friend of mine come take it for her daughter and son-in-law. They really appreciated it. When they were here, I had them go in my back storage room and take several more items. Anyway, I was stunned. I haven't missed if for a second! That's the weird part. I haven't missed anything I've given away. I feel so free and I love how that feels!

All's good on my end. I hope all's well on yours, too!

Much love,
By Faith... Angie
xoxo

p.s. If my husband or kids ask you for ideas for me for Christmas please tell them to buy me clothes! ;)