Footprints of Faith

I ran across this old post of mine the other day. It made me smile as I read it and relived the day and moment this happened. It also reminded me what kind of impressions I can leave in my children’s hearts. You never know what they will remember or take with them into adulthood.

Keep being intentional, mamas. Keep trying. Whether your child is a toddler or a teen – keep loving them and praying for them as you seek to leave footprints of faith in their hearts forever.

~ Dionna

Something fun happened to my oldest daughter today. She was bestowed with a special honor and blessing.  The way she responded to it was by politely and bashfully smiling and nodding. No one else would really know that she was happy about it by the way she had chosen to reply.

On the way home, I was talking to both of my girls about excitement and blessings. I was trying to explain to them that God loves to see us get excited about something that He blesses our lives with. I told them how I had danced around the kitchen when I was excited about something and did a few “whoops.” They were laughing at me as I was talking and yelling in the car exclamations such as, “WHOOHOO! THANK YOU, LORD!” (I was showing them how fun it can be to let out the excitement that you carry within you.)

It was okay to get some giggles and grins out of them. It was even okay to have them call me “weird.”  I just wanted my girls to get the point that it’s okay to be excited about something. We don’t need to hide it or squelch it. We can let loose and praise God with all of our hearts. I think God enjoys it when we enjoy what He sends our way. And I think it shows Him that we are thankful and appreciative.

I wasn’t quite sure my girls got the message… although I was hoping.

Tonight after dinner my husband mentioned having some vanilla ice cream that he’s been trying to talk me out of saving in our garage freezer. I gave in and said, “Okay.”  My youngest hopped up from the table – ran to the window and yelled, “I’M PRAISING YOU, LORD!” 

I think they understood my point.

Nostalgia Is a Powerful Feeling

My husband, daughter, and I were talking one day on the way home from church. We were talking about a “Dunkin Donuts” that was coming soon in a close-by shopping center. My husband asked me, “Are you excited about that?” And I said, “Well, yeah! I haven’t been to one since I was a kid and I want to get a chocolate covered donut with those little mini nuts. I used to love those. It’s my favorite donut.”

Then I thought about it. Would that be my favorite donut if I didn’t have warm childhood memories associated with it? Probably not. I mean, the donut is good – but it’s not out-of-this-world. It’s just a donut. But it feeds more than my stomach. When I eat one, it feeds my heart. It feeds it with feelings of memory and love.  No other food can touch that!

That’s when my husband made the comment that “nostalgia is a powerful feeling.” He is so right. For nostalgia trumps other options and choices every time, in my book. I will choose a little yellow pear tomato if offered to me over any other kind of tomato every time – out of nostalgia. Out of nostalgia, those yellow tomatoes have become my favorite kind of tomato because of the memories associated with them.

I love drinking soda out of a bottle. Out of nostalgia.

I love the sound of old-fashioned sprinklers in the summertime (not the built-in sprinkler system, but the “I need to come out every half hour and move you kind of sprinkler) – out of nostalgia.

Nostalgia has a built-in component to it. It builds in love, joy, good, warm feelings, and tender memories to everything it touches.

And I love that. It takes something ordinary, and makes it timeless in our hearts.

Often, we can be taken by surprise by the emotions and feelings that overcome us when we are taken back to a certain time and place, by a smell, a song, a taste. And for that moment, we are 6 again, riding our bicycle around the neighborhood with no helmet on, or skipping down the sidewalk, or hugging our grandparent and smelling their cologne or perfume.

Those are the beautiful moments of life. The times where we can see how we were molded and shaped by what was in our lives at any given moment and time.

May we never take those precious memories and legacies for granted. Relish that bbq’d hamburger and homemade ice cream that take you back 20 years. Enjoy that chocolate coke or that smell of shampoo.

Let it soak in, for it’s a part of you.

The Life of Gummy Bears

Last Winter, my husband was taking a class.  Each day, he would rise before the sun, and go downtown to study. He would normally be there all day as would some of the other students.  The company putting on this class always had a few containers of snacks on hand for them. One jar of snacks, was gummy bears.

You have to know, my husband is very creative and is all about “fun.” Well, one day, he made a little scene with the gummy bears and sent us a snapchat of it. That was all it took. We asked him to do another one and before we knew it, it became a daily event – to wait and see what scene my husband orchestrated with his gummy bears. I have to be honest, since his class is over and he no longer does the “gummy bear saga” - I miss it!

I wish I would have started saving the photos from the beginning – but I did save most of them. And here they are today, to share with you. They are so cute.

Enjoy…the life of gummy bears.

Now aren't those just cute???

It's Just Money

I’ve been in two lands. The land of having enough and the land of barely getting by. I was happy in both of them, but of course, the land of having enough was more fun.

I’ve decided though, that God needs to put us in the land of barely getting by from time to time so that we keep things in perspective. That we remember what to be thankful for, where are priorities lie, and what truly makes us happy.

Moving to San Antonio in September of 2013, we discovered very quickly that things were more expensive than our “research” had told us they would be. Groceries, hairdressers, insurance, stores, just about everything but gas. And my husband, being unemployed for awhile; this put the “squeeze” on us.

We couldn’t always buy ice cream like we were used to. We had to deny ourselves going out to eat many times. And we had to watch what we spent – carefully.

Yet, I was happy. Sure, I craved things. I wished I could spend on certain things. But I was so thankful and happy to be where I was, that it helped my attitude and it kept my priorities in check.

I’ve always tried to remember that money doesn’t buy you happiness. I’ve seen wealthy people who are very unhappy and so I’ve carried that knowledge within me. I've also been on food stamps. Yet, still, I’ve been blessed.  I’ve seen both ends of the spectrum.

God has always taken care of me. I’ve always had what I truly needed. And although I love having extra money so that I can buy my girls fun things to wear, or go out to the movies, or eat out whenever I want – it’s a good reminder to me that money comes and goes. You may have it for a while, but it can go as quickly and easily as it came. So enjoy it. Be wise with it. But don’t value it.

It’s just money. Use it for what it was created for. Buy what you need, sometimes what you want, and enjoy what you’ve been given.  Don’t be foolish, but be generous and wise with what God has given you. And when it’s gone, you won’t miss it as much because it may come again.

It’s only money. It’s a thing of life to enjoy – just like other things. But it’s never a thing to prioritize and esteem. For it will never hold its value.

A Night Out At Urban Taco

Thanks to the "San Antonio Bloggers," I had the opportunity to try a new place to eat last night. URBAN TACO.

Urban Taco is located over in the Quarry and has a unique niche in the mexican food industry. Their meals aren't your normal "enchilada, refried beans, and rice!" They have many different combos of foods that mix both sweet and spicy together with a flair for gourmet.

Our table got started with some chips and their "salsa trio." They have a list of salsas you can choose from to use in your trio. We chose a guacamole and lime one, some black beans and corn salsa, and a spicier rojo salsa.  The black beans and guacamole were my favorite and I loved the chips! These chips are cut into thick strips and have some kind of seasoning on them that makes you keep grabbing for more. They were yummy.

For our entree, I ordered the pollo (chicken) quesadilla. These quesadillas have 3 kinds of cheeses on them and as you can see from the photo on the left - are very lovely to look at, as well! Again, great seasoning on the chicken. I really liked it and the quesadilla was very filling. I had to box up the rest to take home!

Urban Taco is in a great spot in the Quarry. It's lively inside the restaurant and feels very festive.  When I went, it was packed full inside. I've always said, a packed restaurant means good food!  Parking can be a bit tricky though, since the other shops and restaurant customers fill up the spaces as well; but it's a pretty safe area, even if you need to walk a bit to get to the restaurant.

The menu is mostly in spanish, so be prepared to have someone translate what some of the items are if you aren't familiar with the wording.  Also, I found most of the items to be a bit on the spendier side. It would be a pricey dinner for a family of four, but the atmosphere and quality of food would be a great option for a dinner out for a husband and wife, or a night out with just the girls or guys.

If you're looking for fresh ingredients, good quality of food, a fun atmosphere, and some slightly different alterations to your normal mexican dishes - you'd probably really love Urban Taco. Give it a try and enjoy the experience!




*Disclaimer: I was given a free entree and drink by Urban Taco... but all opinions and thoughts are purely my own.

Alone Time

When our kids were young, there were days where I was simply “spent” come dinnertime. Every young mom knows what I am talking about. You can enjoy your kids and emotionally invest in them all day long and still be worn out by suppertime. Sometimes this causes you to get irritable at the littlest things.

My husband did something wonderful for me once in awhile. He let me have a little “alone time.” I would prepare dinner for my family, then I would take mine and go into our bedroom and eat by myself. It was heavenly. Sometimes I would watch a little television set in there while I ate and other times I would eat in solitude – simply soaking up time to be by myself.  Often, I’d finish eating and just sit in there an extra 15 or 20 minutes to truly recharge my battery.

It was a simple fix on a simple budget.

We didn’t do this too often. For one thing – I really did hate to be away from my kids. I enjoyed their company. It was just that sometimes, my husband could easily tell that I needed a break…even if it was a small one. Another reason I didn’t do this too often was that I wanted to be careful that my children didn’t feel like I needed time away from them. I never wanted them to feel like I needed to get away from them for a while. On the contrary, it was more that I needed some “me” time. Time to just focus on me – even if only for a dinner meal.

I remember those evenings with fondness in my heart. I would often come out of our bedroom (for I had closed the doors to help muffle noises that might otherwise lull me out of my quiet time) and I would often look at my husband and say “thank you.” Sometimes what we need the most is often the thing we find the hardest to grab hold of.  Those little breaks rescued me many times when I would have been gruffer with my kids than I ever would have wanted to be. Nothing is worth breaking their spirits or hearts – especially when it’s just that mom is tired.

If you have little ones underfoot and you are feeling weary – why not try some alone time? Often it seems like there is no room in the house where a mom can be alone (not even the bathroom!) But if your kids and husband are eating dinner and are preoccupied – try excusing yourself to your bedroom for a quiet meal alone on occasion. Explain to your children that it’s not that you need to get away from them, but simply that you need some “me” time and that you’ll be out as soon as dinnertime is over.  You’ll be amazed at how this short span of time can help you catch your breath and refocus.  And yet it’s so simple and easy to do.

Shopping Comparisons From Idaho to Texas

So I’m still a ‘newbie’ to this great state of Texas. But I’ve been struggling at the grocery stores so far. Not only am I not familiar with the layouts of new-to-me stores, but they have different products than I’m used to!

For one thing – I’ve yet to find Gallo Salami, Nalley Pickles, or Red Vines (my husband’s personal favorite) here in Texas. I’ve been to four stores and haven’t seen them anywhere. So I’m having to try out different products to find suitable replacements.

Sub sandwiches. Our family loves to eat sandwiches on the submarine/deli type rolls. In Idaho, I’d commonly buy them anywhere from $1.50 to $1.98. Here in Texas they are usually $2.39 to $2.98!! Not only that, they don’t have several different kinds. Like you know, you go to the bread aisle and can choose your brand and style? In sub rolls they usually only have one kind. So I’m stuck with the price. Texans must not be big on eating sub sandwiches!

Their produce departments seem to be big. I’m almost lost in them. I love the selection of tomatoes. They always seem to have both small and big as well as yellow tomatoes (my personal favorite.)

And because of the warmer temps here in Texas, they are still selling flowers! I know my friends are starting to shiver back in Idaho so I know flowers are gone from the stores there and we usually didn’t see them again until spring except your Christmas poinsettia special.

You want beans? They have all kinds and styles of beans. Tons of sauces, rubs, and seasonings.

Cheese seems to be higher priced and not as much selection in the 2lb chunks. Milk is higher too. But gas to get to the store! Tons cheaper!! We are loving the gas prices here.

As for driving around town. I seem to see a Walgreens and a CVS on every corner. (Feels that way.) And Chase bank is huge too. Gas stations are much harder to find and aren’t as common as back in Idaho where you could find THEM on every corner!

I’ve only seen one Taco Bell (not that I was a huge fan.) Taco Cabanas are everywhere and Whataburger. I’ve yet to try either of them.

Strip malls also seem to be hugely popular here. Except I rarely need them. I’d love to find more “fun” fare at them but usually they have a nail salon, dentist, hair place, some kind of insurance place, things like that.

These things aren’t bad. Just different. That’s why it’s Texas and not Idaho! But I do miss some of my favorite foods. I know over time, I will get used to the layouts of the stores and how I can’t just go up one aisle and down the other but aisles are all here and there laid out in odd ways.

And I know I will get used to my food condensating quickly in the cart if I buy something cold and I hang out in the store for awhile or it sits out on my counter for awhile. I will remember over time, to put it in the fridge quickly.

I know I will get used to the “turnarounds.” I will have fun trying new restaurants and new products.

But I don’t think I’m going to get my husband to switch from Red Vines to Twizzlers. I just don’t see it happening. And for the time being, Nalley baby dill pickles are still my favorite.

I Only Have One Life To Live And It Will Include French Fries

The older I get, the more I realize life isn’t going to get easier for me. 

When I was young, I was stick thin and had super fast metabolism. I could eat a whole bag of chips and not worry about the consequences. Now in my early 40’s, it’s not that way anymore. I’m beginning to understand more and more how that ice cream can sit on my waistline.

I may not be vastly overweight, but I’m not super healthy either. I love salads but just as greatly, I love pizza. And I partake. Often.

Where is that balance of healthy yet relaxed? How can we truly enjoy today without dreading about the consequences of tomorrow?

I’m struggling. I’m struggling to stretch and work out and truly eat better. But in the process, I refuse to quit living. If I focus so much on every bite I put into my mouth, to me, that is just as bad as overeating. It becomes a priority that outweighs common sense.

I want to have low cholesterol. I want to be fit so I don’t have a bunch of health issues. But I also want to enjoy the only life I’ve been given.

So I will eat French fries. And I will eat pizza. But I will eliminate or reduce foods when I can and when I feel I can do so in a productive way for my life that doesn’t rule it. I hardly drink soda anymore and that has been a positive change for me. I want to make more actions steps like that, but feel free to drink a Dr. Pepper once in a great while without feeling guilty about it.

I want to be fit. I want to tone my arms and legs and walk more often. But I also don’t want to be militaristic about it. I’m not going to punish myself if I don’t exercise today. I’ll just try again tomorrow.

I do want to look good. I want to feel good. But I also want to LIVE good. I want my mind and heart to be at ease and at home to say yes or no. Not because they have to but because they choose to – for the love of life and living and having an experience.

Offering Fine Dining To Your Guests: Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

How many times do we fret over our meals? When company or visitors stop by, we stress and strain over what to make them. It has to be elaborate. Gourmet. Fancy.

Why the fuss?

Is it about filling them up with good food and good company…or is it about us and our image?

I’ve decided (for the most part, because I’m still human and get caught up in vanity and pride) that I’m done cooking “fancy.” I’m going for simple. Casual. Comfortable.

I’d much rather spend less time fussing over food in the kitchen and more time enjoying good conversation and company with my guests. I’m not fond of cooking anyways – so why try to impress?

I do want to make those who enter my home feel special. Valued. Worth my time. But I don’t want to get sucked into pretense. I’m not about pretending I whip up huge home-cooked meals, when our family is simply content with sub sandwiches or tacos on most week-nights.

The only thing I struggle with is feeling a bit….”less than.”  I feel a little immature and childish if I serve grilled cheese sandwiches to company. But trust me, I’m trying to get over that – because honestly? Grilled cheese sandwiches are so much more “me” than lobster anyways.

How about you? Do you struggle to cook fine meals for your guests? Or are you comfortable going with something that is more in your budget and low-key? Do you avoid having company all together because you feel inept to serve them?

God often broke bread with others in the Bible. I wonder how they felt about having the great “I AM” in their presence and simply eating bread instead of a lavish meal?

If it’s one thing I’m learning as each year goes by it’s that life is more about WHO we are than WHAT we do.   We should certainly make the effort to love on others  - as long as our hearts are in the right place. But we should also remember to strive for authenticity. And let’s face it, sometimes pizza that we ordered out is so much more authentic than chicken cacciatore.

A Lack of Self Control?

We live in a society where it doesn’t seem like we need to have a lot of self-discipline or control.  How do I know? Because when we try to tame the beast that has become who we are, it is very tough.

I try to have just a “few” potato chips and they soon turn into munching straight from the bag. I try to be intentional about walking on the treadmill in the winter time and I easily put it off. Both, are examples of a lack of self-control and self-discipline.

We are constantly facing a barrage of “do what feels right” kind of advertisements. If you want to leave your spouse and are unhappy? We are told to leave.  Want that house? Buy it. Never mind that neither one may be the right choice.

God told us that just because something is permissible, it doesn’t mean that it’s beneficial for our lives.  I have seen that first hand. If I eat too much junk, I don’t feel good on the inside. I don’t feel as fit or as healthy. It was only temporary satisfaction. If I don’t have self-control or self discipline, I harm myself in the long run.

Boundaries are set in place in our lives for a reason. God did not place them there to hinder us from having fun or to control us. He put them there out of His great love for us. He wanted to protect us!

I believe that we live in a society that fears any kind of moral guidelines being placed on them. It’s as if we are afraid that being people of morality will rob us of something! Of what…I have no clue. But the further we have strayed from morals, values, and character – the more lost we have become. The sadder we seem to grow and the deeper we search for something we KNOW is missing in our hearts and lives.

Character and moral traits are what FREE us. They don’t handcuff us to something to which we don’t want to belong to.  What we perceive as freedom (eating as many chips or junk food as we want or buying ourselves into debt, etc) those in turn end up being the catalysts to which we become slaves to.

Anything good worth being a part of in life, has boundaries. But in time, we see that those boundaries are more like flashing lights guiding our way. And we all need more of those.