Once again...a new hobby!

Okay, okay...yes, I like to change hobbies and interest frequently! I think it is the fact that I LOVE to learn something new. I guess that is why I loved teaching so much. I love the process of learning and applying what you've learned. Now, as far as life lessons, I don't always view them so positively hehe!
Here she is...my new interest...cake decorating! I signed up to take a Wilton cake decorating class at a party supply store here in town! It was great not to have to travel to "the big city" to do something like this! The above cake was my very first to make...yes I baked cakes before, but I made the icing on this cake myself!! I then smoothed the icing out to make it pretty...I liked this cake much better in the above picture. Below you will find my after picture.
HAHAHAHA! I'm cracking up as I type this...this was my final product of a baby shower/clown birthday cake. We started making the clowns...which were cute, but at the same time very cheesy for my taste. I added them to my cake and as we progressed through the class session I began running out of icing!! AHHHHH! Therefore, I just decided to practice my flowers and borders in baby shower blue :) I thought this random cake was hilarious, but Jack LOVED it!! He wanted to eat the clowns the moment I walked in the door! Surprise!
This was my final graduation cake...it was actually only my second decorating session in class. I was pretty proud of it since i am a newbie! The roses are so hard to make but once I got the flow of it I didn't think they were terrible.

Moral of story is...I am now wanting to try some new techniques and different cakes. Therefore, I am now currently selling lots of my scrapbook paper and accessories to support the new habit :) Anyone interested? LOL

I'm tired....

Okay get ready...it has been one of those days and this might not be the most positive blogs I've written....................

I'm tired.

I'm tired of being in this house.

I'm tired after sleeping in a toddler bed from 4-7 this morning due to a yucky cold that won't go away.

I'm tired of repeating myself 45 million times............(this one makes me crazy)

I'm tired of laundry always being there.I'm tired of dishes always finding their way to the sink.

I'm tired of NEVER having things put in their place...something is always messy.

I'm tired of never feeling focused enough to finish any job.

I'm tired of worrying about what everyone thinks of me and my family.

I'm tired of being everything to everyone.

I'm tired of being FAT and no matter how hard I try it is always there (tears are coming now)

I'm tired of bills.....paying bills....receiving bills....this includes checking the mail.

sigh..........

Ok ENOUGH of the pity party!

Things I'm NOT tired of:

I'm NOT tired of Jack when he rubs my face with a feverish hand at 4 in the morning and says, "I love you the most mommy!"

I'm NOT tired of Chris saying he LOVES my cooking when I've cooked a meal for my family. (even Jack won't touch it with a 10 foot pole)

I'm NOT tired of worshiping the God in heaven with my brother and sisters in Christ.

I'm NOT tired of my nightly phone calls with my mom and sister.

I'm NOT tired of coupons and anything that has to do with a good bargain.

I'm NOT tired of learning something new everyday!

sigh.....Ok, feeling better now...I actually should probably not post this cause it will show that I'm completely off my rocker, but hey why not let you in on the secret ;)

What snow brings....

I know, I know, it has been a while since I've posted something deeper than coupons! ha! I think of great posts but then I want to do them perfectly and they don't get done at all...I'm going to try to be better at just posting my thoughts more frequently (not that you care LOL) mainly for myself! My blog seems to kind of be a journal for me and my life....




We had close to six inches of snow fall yesterday! That is the most snow I've seen in years!!! Being from Missouri I was use to growing up and having several big snows a year! Chris kept asking me why I was so excited as I ran to the window to see how much more had fallen in the last ten minutes....I didn't know why....so it got me thinking.



Here is what I came up with:

1. It brought back those giddy feelings of listening to the radio til 11:00 at night to see if school was canceled...which led to my next thought
2. I had a good friend, Jessica, that lived across the street. I was around 10 years old and we use to play ALL day long outside together....that included snow forts, sledding (which my mom didn't let me do much for fear of injury), snowmen, snow angels, hot chocolate, moms yelling not to come in again unless we were staying in, and most importantly my sister Ashley alongside us....
3. Ashley....my sister, my best friend.....she is five years younger than me and even though I may have come across as not wanting her with me all the time, I've learned that I loved her place beside me as my little sister, she was a source of comfort, she always made everything FUN....including the snow!! After we came in from a day in the snow together, we got to have a slumber party on those nights that school was canceled the next day. We had two different rooms but we always chose to sleep together (every night, not just school days)......Looking back she really was my best friend even then!
4. Peace....precious peace...snow is peaceful, comforting, and ever reminding us that there is a God! I like snow because of the peace it brings to our busy world...
5. Comfort = families spending time together, sharing warm meals, watching movies and having no other place to be but with each other
6. Family.....My mom is an awesome mom....I'm blessed! She created so many memories that I didn't even appreciate back then like I do now! She was actually a quieter presence in our home...always busy! We never had to ask on snow days if she could make us lunch...we'd open the door and she would have it ready...hot cocoa was only a mug away....and how did our clothes get dry so fast in between play time???? That's right we never had to ask...she had them in the dryer and ready to go. I don't think I ever told my mom thanks for those things...I'm sure that was OK...because I don't need Jack to tell me thank you, his smile and precious hugs say it all! I can't forget DAD........what was his role you might ask...well, professional 4 wheeler driver pulling a sled, he was awesome at throwing us off! Where Dad is you can always find FUN!
7. Memories.....through typing this I've learned that looking outside every ten minutes was my own anticipation of creating those very same memories for my family. I want to give Jack that giddy feeling of when snow approaches there is fun and family time to be had....Here's to all those memories you made on such a beautiful snowy weekend! You never know....the next time the weather man predicts snow you may find yourself at your window looking out a little more.

Calling all MOMS!!!

Okay so I informed you when I started this blog that I loved a good project....well I've had a particular project on my mind for several months now. However, I need your help! I need some feedback from moms of all kinds! Moms of babies, moms of teenagers, moms of grown children....you name it!

Okay.....here is the question....

If you could gain insight or wisdom from God's word on one particular subject that would make you a better mom, what subject/topic would it be???

For example: Patience, Mommy guilt, Faith

I really need your opinion You can comment on this post, message me on facebook, or email me with your replies...THANKS for you help with this "project".....more info to come! (You can post a comment annonymously if you don't won't me to know your reply :)

cajbutler@bellsouth.net

Mommy Moments - Tied around his little finger

I had to share with you a precious moment I had this weekend with Jack. I think the secret is out.....I think he knows that I absolutely adore him and he has me wrapped around his little finger! We were standing singing the invitation song in worship Sunday morning and Jack wrapped his precious arms around me, gave me a bear hug, and rubbed my face while whispering, " I love you the most Mommy!" Wow! Want to talk about heart melting....mine did! We have always had this saying "I love you the most"....it is reserved for Jack, Mommy, and Daddy. However, I had no idea how good it would feel to actually hear him say it first. He always tell me he loves me whether it be while watching TV, checking books out at the library, or reading books together, but this one felt different. It felt as though he knew exactly what loves was and that if runs deep. I've decided there is nothing like loving your child. It is the scariest, whole hearted, joyful experience I've ever felt. A mother's love is like no other....it runs deep and at times hurts. I tell Jack everyday that I love him more than life itself and I mean that.......that's right folks....I love that precious boy and he loves me......the secret is officially out, he has me hooked!!!


Thank you God for giving me the blessing of a mother's love!

By the way...that is me and my sweet baby boy the week he was born in the hospital!

Choose Something Different

Okay, so lots on my mind as usual! Now before I share all of this I want you to understand that I truly believe that I am blessed in so many ways, and I'm not complaining about life...just pondering on it!

There are several things that I'd like to do differently .... I think sometimes I bring a lot of grief upon myself with things that could actually be fixed if I just made a few changes. As I began to share this idea with a good friend she told me I had to mention a Seinfeld episode where George decides to do everything the opposite way that he usually does them. With that change all the things he had always wanted to happen started happening...Of course it ends in a funny way... with all the changes George made, Jerry starts having terrible luck...and so goes a Seinfeld episode!



I thought the idea worked here though. I think a lot of things in life could be changed if we just "Chose something Different." What if we took those negative habits and began doing what we've never done....can you imagine the changes that could take place!



Why is it so hard to "choose" something different. We often use the word habit in reference to a behavior that we repeat over and over. However, habit is almost a word that makes me think that somewhere along the way we began this "new" behavior and it became the habit, but as I think about some of my own behaviors I don't think of them as habits....I think of them as who I am. Changing your habits will change your behavior...but I'm thinking about something deeper than that. I'm talking about actually changing who you are and where you are headed. It is through changing the inside that those outward habits begin to change.



Being something different than what we've always been is scary....It is new, unfamiliar and at times uncomfortable. I think fear can keep us from changing...."What if" thinking takes control and we can't stand the thought of not knowing what change will be like even though we know we want to be something different. I think in some cases we are scared that change will make those around us uncomfortable. That by making changes in ourselves we are leaving them behind or we are saying to them we want something different from what they are. However, I think there comes a time in our lives that we have to make decisions for ourselves and if it is a change for the better we have to do it knowing that it is necessary at times to take care of ourselves. Also, you never know who else will follow you in those positive changes.....something to think about.



Change is tiring. When we begin to change things about ourselves we can no longer go through this life on autopilot...you know what I'm talking about. Not even having to think about the things we do and the way we live. When change takes place we are all of a sudden very aware of so many things in our lives and on top of the daily stresses that can be an overwhelming experience. Mental exhaustion can be a big factor in going back to the person you were trying to change.



Change must have PURPOSE! If we do things in this life with purpose we will be setting ourselves up to succeed! That purpose in our life must be strong enough to overcome all our complaints, worries, and fears! It will be the only thing that will pull us through change..........finding our purpose it the tricky part. Many are wondering about life jumping from one thing to another searching for purpose. Our most important purpose in this life needs to be living as a faithful Christian! Serving our Lord and bringing others to him....that is our GREATEST purpose, but there are also things on a smaller scale that need to have a purpose behind them. Like weight loss for example....I remember Jillian on the Biggest Loser talking to the contestants about purpose. She was encouraging them to look deep within their souls for the purpose of losing weight....she said once they found it the changes would be easy!



Change sometimes is not an option. We all know the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting something different.......well, think of that on a bigger scale. Doing the same things in this life over and over will lead us where when we are 40, 50 or even 70 years old. The things we are doing now are setting us up for who we will be then. What makes us think we will be different at those ages if we aren't making changes now....very sobering to think about, but also empowering to know that we CHOOSE where we go from here. Christians must make changes constantly as we strive to be more like Christ. Without making changes in our lives from those things that are unholy we make the choice to lose our soul. Yes, I used the word choice....we make the choice of who we serve in this life... God or man!



What choices are you making........where are they leading you.......what will you change?

Perfectionism.....something to think about

This post could go on and on forever but I think I will just hit the "high" points! Ha!

Hello, my name is Amber and I am a PERFECTIONIST! I LOVE when things are done perfectly! However, I am learning that living a perfectionistic life can be extremely tiring and challenging...

Let me list a few things that I WOULD LIKE to do perfectly:

1. be a perfect Christian
2. being a perfect mommy to Jack
3. being a perfect wife to Chris
4. being a perfect preacher's wife
5. blogging....I obsess over the perfect posts
6. perfect dieting
7. perfect couponing
8. perfect cooking
9. perfect praying
10. perfect friend

This list could go on forever, but these were the first few on my mind lately. Now, I'm not perfect at any one of these things (who is?), but I'd really like to try to be. However reaching for perfection is such a tiring life....everyday is ended in let down that you didn't complete the task perfectly. Why is that....well we just can't be perfect. We are human....and yet while we know that humans are not perfect we like to Judge eachother as though others should be perfect.


There are times when my perfectionism actually keeps me from doing anything at all....if I can't do it perfectly then I don't want to do it at all. This may make me appear as lazy or unproductive, but it truly is not that! It is the mental battle that takes place inside my head when a task just seems too difficult to take on knowing it will not be done exactly the way I want it in the end.


I have learned that while I expect myself to be perfect (although not possible) it actually is a trait that can burden the people around me. My perfect mentality can cause me at times to expect too much out of my soon to be 3 yr. old son or even cause undue stress to my precious husband that loves me and my son more than anything in this world. I find myself critical of others and constantly analyzing EVERYTHING! It is so tiring being a perfectionist and it makes each day of life so difficult. I don't want to be that person anymore....I want to be able to roll with the punches so to speak. I want to let go of the need to analyze every situation that comes my way! I guess what I'm asking for is BALANCE.....


If you have any idea about what I'm talking about let me ask you this....Have you ever met those people in this world that are balanced? I have....I'm so intrigued by them and the peace their life seems to bring to them. They have it all together and they live life to the fullest! I'm going to be that person someday....I think acknowledging the problem is the first step to perfectionist recovery :)

Wow after this post I'm thinking I should start a support group...anyone want to join me! :) No really, do any of you out there struggle with the same thoughts and feelings? Are any of you recovered perfectionist? I'd love to know any pointers or struggles you face as well.........

I told you to stay tuned.....more of my faults for all to see coming up in future posts :)

Putting myself out there....

Here goes nothing...



It has been one LONG day for me. You know those days where you literally feel like a ticking time bomb ready to explode. Well, it happened...I exploded and fell apart.



Now before I tell this story I must fill you in on some background information...I have this really annoying personality trait that I like to appear as though nothing is wrong and everything is in order...in fact I hate when others become aware of my imperfections. Not sure why I'm this way but it can be at times a huge burden to carry around. Always being afraid someone will notice I'm not perfect (as if my weight doesn't indicate that already...that is a whole other blog post). I mean how ridiculous is that....NO ONE (other than Christ) is perfect! So, why am I so afraid to allow my imperfections to show? I'm not one that tries to judge others for their faults, in fact I seem to be quite the opposite. I find joy in reaching out to those that need a lift or a pick me up...so why is it so scary for me to put myself out there. I have been this way since I was a child so I know a lot of it is a personality trait, but I think it was magnified as I became a preacher's wife. I try to pretend that it isn't any different than being the wife of a man that doesn't hold the position as a preacher, but let's call a spade a spade....all eyes are on the preacher and his family! Now, you need to know that I LOVE what we do! I can't think of another "job" that brings with it as many blessings as our family gets to experience, but like all "jobs" it brings with it challenges. Living in a fish bowl isn't all it is cracked up to be...especially on days like today! So there you have it....now I can talk freely about my faults....I think the point of this background information is to ask you not to judge me, learn from me :)



Okay, back to today....so I could feel the negative thoughts creeping in from the moment I woke up to Jack in my bed around 5:00 this morning (I don't remember him even getting in my bed...scary!). I took him back to his bed and to keep from hearing the crying tucked him and myself into his toddler bed...why I didn't just stay in the big bed with him is a mystery. I tried my hardest to get myself and Jack ready in time to make the devotional at the nursing home, but after fighting with Jack that there was no reason to be afraid of going to the bathroom by his self and that he had to comb his hair before we left, I realized we weren't going to make it in time. So, we opted for lunch with Daddy.

Next comes Kindermusik at 4:30...all was well until we got to the car. Here is where the story makes a turning point. Jack without a nap is hard enough...Jack tired AND hungry is enough to make one crazy! So, since i wasn't completely unprepared for dinner we had to make a stop before heading home. I tried to concentrate on what it was we needed but couldn't hear myself think through Jack's screams for GUM! (Anyone that knows Jack knows he is a gum ADDICT!) Refusing to give in we made our escape finally...On the way home I called a good friend back and we spoke on the phone as I was getting Jack and the groceries in the door. Here is when the bomb begins to go off....Jack continues to scream for food knowing I am cooking dinner. I think while on the phone I put Jack in time out twice, administered discipline once, and screamed as he spilt spaghetti all over the floor. The friend on the phone is a blog reader and she reminded me that this was just one of those Mommy Moments :) I wised up and got off the phone and tried to finish dinner....



Chris killed his first doe of the season so he got home later than usual...and as he walked in the door I fell apart. Crying, crying, and more crying....all I could think about was what a terrible mother I was and how could I yell at my son over spilt spaghetti....more crying. As I sat on the couch worrying and crying that I would never be the mother my son deserved my precious Jack came to give me a hug and asked me why I was sad. All I could do was hug him and say I was sorry for being impatient and yelling at him. He just rubbed my arm...



After a car ride to chat with a good friend I began seeing a little more clearly again! She reminded me that as long as I'm giving Jack the things God has instructed me to do for him then the rest will fall into place...and you know what....I'm really not a bad mom. I love my son more than life itself. I want nothing more for him than to guide his precious soul to heaven, and if that means I have to tell him no a lot...well, I'm prepared to do that. I'm learning that I will NEVER be the perfect mom...there is no such thing. I'm thankful children are forgiving and love us despite our faults. I think about my parents and to this day I love them so much it hurts...they were never perfect and they made mistakes, but at the end of the day they loved me enough to teach me what was right and forgive me when I too made mistakes. Motherhood is TOUGH! Some days will be "rainy"...but I've decided I'm going to try to enjoy the ride. Jack will be three in a few weeks and I'm realizing that one day I'm going to blink and he will be gone. I might as well learn now to enjoy my "mommy moments" and hug him while I can.



Thanks for listening while I put myself out there....you never know....I may let you know about a few more imperfections I have :)

Random acts of Kindness

We've had a VERY long week this week! Jack woke up Sunday with a fever that lasted 3 days! One of those nights we ended up in the ER for the first time ever with my child gasping for breath! He had a bad case of croup but we are definitely on the upswing now! I know this because Jack was into everything today and talking NONSTOP! Whew...I'm TIRED!

I say all of that to bring up a point I've had on my mind this week in the middle of the madness! Wednesday afternoon I discovered this precious, green bag hanging on my door knob. It was addressed to Jack by his sweet Bible school teacher, Mrs. Mary Lynn. You need to know that Mrs. Mary Lynn is one of the sweetest ladies I believe I have ever met. She speaks in a soft tone...and when she speaks the children LISTEN! I am so thankful she is having an influence on my child's life! Ok....back to the bag....inside the bag was a matchbox car and a note that said she missed Jack and hoped he was better soon so he could come back to Bible class. I know there are many people like Mrs. Mary Lynn out there in the world, but there seems to be fewer and fewer people willing to perform acts of kindness.

I really got to thinking about kindness and the little green bag that showed up on our door step this week and I began to examine myself. Am I LOOKING for opportunities to show other's kindness?? Sadly I began to see a life PACKED full of places to be and things to do. My to do list doesn't often have random act of kindness written down. However, I will say that after I spoke at a ladies day a few weeks ago I have tried to do better and will continue to look for more opportunities.

A beautiful example of a woman of kindess can be found in Acts 9:39-41.

" Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them. But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up. And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive. "

Dorcas is an example of a woman who LOOKED for those she could help. As I read this text a few weeks ago I really began to imagine the sadness these widows experienced when they discovered their Dorcas was dead. It says they stood weeping...I don't imagine that was just a few tears, I see a picture of women mourning the lose of a woman they had grown to love very much. They had the evidence of her good works not only in their hearts and memories but also in their hands! Do we have evidence that we have been kind to others by looking for opportunites to fulfull needs whether they be physical, mental, or spiritual? What would be said of us if we were to pass away today? Would we have evidence that others could show that proved we had been kind to others?

Read Matt. 25:31-46 and ask yourself these questions. Are good works required of me? Is showing others kindness important to our God? Who will others see living in us by our good works?

When is the last time you left a simple green bag on someones porch to find? Are we looking for opportunites to do good unto others, or are we using the excuse "I don't know what they need." I'm challenging each of you that read this to perform two random acts of kindness this week....I'd love to hear how you feel and how your acts affected those around you!

I leave you with one last question...Will it be said of you in the end by our Lord, "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."

Here goes nothing...

Okay, so I tend to LOVE a good project! I've been a blog addict for a little over a year now...I feel like I need a group meeting! I actually maintained a personal family blog for a little over two years now, but I've been entertaining the thought of my own blog for a few months . I find myself lost in blogs reading about other moms and their families searching for a link that we share in common. It is fun when you discover someone you connect with. I think being a stay-at-home mom brings with it many challenges and adult communication is one of those! Blogs tend to be an outlet for lots of women and I hope I can help others as I put my own life out there for you to learn, laugh, and connect with. The plan for this new blog is to have a place you can come and learn more about family life, cooking, money saving deals, and spirituality. I know you're thinking...wow, that is quite a list, but I tend to be a person that bites off more than she should!

So, as you read over this blog in the coming days my vision is that you see a mom that isn't perfect but is trying everyday to connect the pieces to this thing we call life. Some pieces are bigger than others, while some are also prettier than others. However, at the end of the day with the pieces all put together, my prayer is that it is a beautiful life....hence the name...

"A Mosaic Mom"