This week's blog post is specifically about love. Get ready, I have a lot to say on the topic. :)
I'm always saying the statement "There's a difference between love & like." Not to mention, I think falling in love & loving something\someone is completely different.
I really dislike my generation. That sounds bad, but it's true. I cannot stand the way people throw around the word "love" like it's nothing. Love isn't just a word, it's a feeling, an emotion, it's something we are.
You don't wake up one day & say "Oh hey, I think I love you." And then next week you're cursing them and hating them with every bone in your body. It doesn't work like that.
Maybe I'm not optimistic enough, but I highly doubt that after dating someone over the course of a month you know with all of your heart that you want to spend forever with them.
That's what I see falling in love as. It's finding that person who you want to share your life with. That person who accepts & cares about you despite your flaws. The one person who's happiness is more important than your own, and you'd do anything in your power to give them that.
So please explain to me why kids my age keep "falling in & out of love" every 4 months. A relationship ends, a new one starts a week later. If you love this kid so dang much why didn't you fight harder to make it work? I know if I talked about a guy as highly or as much as some of my friends have...I'd want that boy to get down on one knee!
It's frustrating. Why rush something that is so beautiful? Why become so obsessed with one person that you literally brainwash yourself into thinking you "love" him.
You like him. You think he's adorable. He makes you laugh, and reminds you that you're amazing. Like I said, you like him.
No love. That is so far from love.
Whenever you girls start to see that boy as a man, as a father, as a provider, as a husband, as a man of God, and as somebody you want to spend the rest of your life with...then you can come talk to me about being in love.
Otherwise, I don't wanna hear it. You like him. It's called a crush, not love.
Don't overuse a word that is so precious.
Monday, January 30, 2012
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Blessings
Blessings....they are all around us. Every day no matter what we're feeling. No matter what we're seeing. No matter the circumstances each and everyone of us has more Blessings than we can even imagine.
However, often times, we allow ourselves to be so consumed by what we're feeling, what we're seeing. Sometimes our current circumstances overwhelm us to the point to where we are feeling imprisoned.
This week I was challenged by a close friend of mine who is engulfed in WWWAAAYYY more than most of us. She challenged myself, as well as many others who are keeping a close watch on her husband's daily circumstances, through her Caring Bridge Site to take 2 minutes and write down as many blessings as you can.
I called Hayley, Dylan & Natalie together. I had them bring their writing notebooks along with a pencil.
I pulled out my timer.
My church family.
However, often times, we allow ourselves to be so consumed by what we're feeling, what we're seeing. Sometimes our current circumstances overwhelm us to the point to where we are feeling imprisoned.
This week I was challenged by a close friend of mine who is engulfed in WWWAAAYYY more than most of us. She challenged myself, as well as many others who are keeping a close watch on her husband's daily circumstances, through her Caring Bridge Site to take 2 minutes and write down as many blessings as you can.
I called Hayley, Dylan & Natalie together. I had them bring their writing notebooks along with a pencil.
I pulled out my timer.
Set it for 5 minutes (it takes a few minutes for the brains to start working.)
And wouldn't you know it...at the end of 5 minutes all 4 of us had a list of blessings.
In no particular order here are our 4 lists:
FAMILY
Jesus, who saved me.
(I really dislike modern, earthly photos of Jesus, so...sorry no photo)
Loving & Understanding Husband & Children
The ability to help, when others need it.
Food to eat
(Okay, Okay, I know this doesn't classify as necessity food. But boy do I love chocolate!)
A home to go to.
Warmth on Cold Nights.
My church family.
Niece & Nephews
To live where I can worship freely, health, the ability to watch my children grow & excel in school & their personal athletic endeavors.
Clean Water
My health. My family. My friends. My salvation. My church. Jesus. My hockey family. A warm, safe home. I'm provided with everything I need. A good education. Living in America, where I can freely be who Christ created me. The ability to play hockey.
Family
House
Church
Pet
Four Wheelers
God
Friends
Basketball
Good Life
My family
A roof over my head
Food
Friends
A car to get places.
So, there you have it a few of our countless blessings that we were able to sit down and recognize. How about you? What are your blessings? Take this challenge...sit down for 2 minutes, write down all the blessings that come to your mind. Chances are there will be a lot more than you can even imagine!
Make today count!
Fabric Softener
After my post last week on my adventure of home made laundry soap. Many of you asked for the Fabric Softener recipe.
I apologize for the time it has taken me to post this. I am currently helping a precious friend by helping to care for her 4 children in addition to 8 children. So life has kind of been a bit busy to say the least.
So without further ado....here is the Fabric Softener Recipe I have used and am finding rather nice!
Add the vinegar & mix well.
Store in a large container (empty fabric softener container, empty large vinegar bottle, etc.)
Pour into a down ball or the fabric softener spot in your laundry machine, then wash!
Have any of you started using your own laundry detergent? What have you found the results to be?
I apologize for the time it has taken me to post this. I am currently helping a precious friend by helping to care for her 4 children in addition to 8 children. So life has kind of been a bit busy to say the least.
So without further ado....here is the Fabric Softener Recipe I have used and am finding rather nice!
- 6 Cups HOT water
- 3 Cups White Vinegar
- 2 Cups of Conditioner (any favorite scent). (I chose to look for the best smelling cheapest kind I could find.) I scored with a bottle of .86 conditioner.
Add the vinegar & mix well.
Store in a large container (empty fabric softener container, empty large vinegar bottle, etc.)
Pour into a down ball or the fabric softener spot in your laundry machine, then wash!
Have any of you started using your own laundry detergent? What have you found the results to be?
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Sometimes It's The Little Things....
I was so proud of myself the other night. For over 1/2 a year (or longer) I have been telling myself that I was going to start making my own laundry detergent. I have heard several of my friends talking about how much they are saving each month/year by making their own detergent. At first I just told myself I was way too busy to bother with making my own detergent. Of course I was also very sceptical about whether or not it would truly clean my clothes. I mean, seeing all of my friends & their families in sparkling white clothes was not proof enough for me.
I came home and was ready to go! You will also need to have the following supplies (I happened to have them on hand at home)
Here are the directions for any of you interested:
In a large pan, add 6 cups of water & 1/2 bar of grated ivory soap. Heat until the soap is melted. Then add 1/2 C borax, and 1/2 C washing soda. Heat until dissolved. In a 5 gallon bucket, add 4 C water (room temperature.) Stir in the hot mix from the stove. Add 1 Gallon of water + 6 Cups and Stir. Let stand for 24 hours. Stir & store in containers.
You will only need to use 1/2 cup of detergent per load.
That's it! I am thrilled because it is so easy & makes a TON! (I doubled my batch just because I wanted to use the entire bar of soap.) And the 5 gallon bucket is almost full.
What do you do to save money? Do you have a favorite laundry soap recipe you use? I will tell you about my homemade fabric softener next week! :)
And then it happened....a great friend of mine who is going through so much more than I am has been able to keep up with her homemade laundry detergent. And it hit me, why in the world am I NOT doing this.
On Monday evening, as my daughter was at the ice rink practicing for her up coming competition. I ran to the store and purchased the following ingredients:
 |
| Ivory Soap |
 |
| Borax |
 |
| Arm & Hammer Washing Soda |
- 5 gallon bucket (with lid)
- A grater
- funnel (If you are going to store the detergent in a container other than the 5 gallon bucket.)
Here are the directions for any of you interested:
In a large pan, add 6 cups of water & 1/2 bar of grated ivory soap. Heat until the soap is melted. Then add 1/2 C borax, and 1/2 C washing soda. Heat until dissolved. In a 5 gallon bucket, add 4 C water (room temperature.) Stir in the hot mix from the stove. Add 1 Gallon of water + 6 Cups and Stir. Let stand for 24 hours. Stir & store in containers.
You will only need to use 1/2 cup of detergent per load.
That's it! I am thrilled because it is so easy & makes a TON! (I doubled my batch just because I wanted to use the entire bar of soap.) And the 5 gallon bucket is almost full.
What do you do to save money? Do you have a favorite laundry soap recipe you use? I will tell you about my homemade fabric softener next week! :)
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
In the future...
So, since I'm on this theme of writing letters to people I thought that I would continue that for this week.
Naturally, as a teenager, guys are one thing that I think about. Something that I think about more than guys though...is my future. Who am I going to be? What am I going to be like? Will I be married, or will I wait a little while. Will I be in love? Or will I be called to the life of singularity? When will I have kids, if any kids at all? Will I have a job? Or will I even be alive? How long do I have left on this earth?
So many questions I wonder about. Problem is, I'm running this race... against time. I'm never going to be able to know what is going to happen in the future. Ever. It's just something that I will have to experience.
So here it is, my letter to my future husband. This may be a little personal, but I'm learning that opening up with people isn't as bad as I make it out to be. Whoever this guy will be, whether or not he's in my life right now or not, should at least know what I was like as a teenager...and maybe I'll be able to give him some tips. It can't hurt anything, so here we go.
Dear future husband,
Firstly, if I ever get to the point where I call you my "hubby" you have my permission to tell me to shut up. Personally, I hate that term and it gives me chills to hear people say it. Is it that hard to say the word husband? Okay, glad I got that off my chest.
I'm probably one of the most opinionated people on the face of the earth. I have these feelings & thoughts on life that sometimes I can't even explain. Needless to say, I'm kinda confusing. I don't consider myself normal, at all. And quite honestly, I'm perfectly okay with that. My standards don't rely on what the world thinks is acceptable.
I always tell myself that since hockey is my one true love, I won't ever find a guy. This might be true. Haha. I have this deep passion for the sport that is always burning. I have fallen in love with everything about it, and I hope this is something that I never lose.
I'm not romantic, at all. I'm hoping this doesn't change either. I find romance so cheesy & I am content with not getting flowers, jewelry, or having a fancy dinner. Wanna be romantic? Spend some quality time with me. Write me a note on how you feel. Make me laugh. Get to know my family & siblings, because in the long-run...those are the things that are going to matter.
When I picture myself as a wife, I picture myself as a mother as well. Don't get me wrong, I'm not planning on having kids until I have learned the act of patience. Which means we're looking at maybe the age 35 by the time I have kids. Being a mother and parenting a child is something I really want, and I pray that we can agree as parents together, for our child\children.
One thing I have always look for in a guy is their listening ability. I will listen to people for hours talk about their lives, and I love being able to do so...but I haven't exactly found someone who will do the same for me. I may be rambling about the dumbest thing in the world & you might not understand what I'm talking about but all I ask is that you listen. Regardless if I'm bawling my eyes out and you can't even make out the words that I'm saying, just listen. I don't even care if you don't have anything to say! Just being there means more than I could ever tell.
Get to know my Daddy. He's so wise & down-to-earth that there is no possible way you couldn't adore him. Earn my Momma's respect and trust, and you'll win her over. Reassure my brother Dylan that you're not a jerk, cause he'll put you in your place. Become a protective older brother for my sister Natalie because Lord knows she's gonna have boys trying to get her attention. As for Nathan, become his best friend and he will love you forever.
I think the biggest keys in a relationship are trust & laughter. That may sound naive and maybe a little stupid...but I honestly believe that. My opinion may change as I get older but as of right now I couldn't imagine a happier relationship. If you trust your significant other than everything else should fall into place, right? You trust you know where they stand in their beliefs. You trust they're not lying to you about anything. You trust you know they're not going to leave you. And more importantly, you trust & know that they love you. As for laughter, that's explanatory. A relationship without laughing isn't even a relationship. It's dead.
I have so much more to say...but I'm getting tired of typing. I don't know when you will be apart of my life, but know that I already love you unconditionally and can't wait to start our lives together.
-Hayley
Naturally, as a teenager, guys are one thing that I think about. Something that I think about more than guys though...is my future. Who am I going to be? What am I going to be like? Will I be married, or will I wait a little while. Will I be in love? Or will I be called to the life of singularity? When will I have kids, if any kids at all? Will I have a job? Or will I even be alive? How long do I have left on this earth?
So many questions I wonder about. Problem is, I'm running this race... against time. I'm never going to be able to know what is going to happen in the future. Ever. It's just something that I will have to experience.
So here it is, my letter to my future husband. This may be a little personal, but I'm learning that opening up with people isn't as bad as I make it out to be. Whoever this guy will be, whether or not he's in my life right now or not, should at least know what I was like as a teenager...and maybe I'll be able to give him some tips. It can't hurt anything, so here we go.
Dear future husband,
Firstly, if I ever get to the point where I call you my "hubby" you have my permission to tell me to shut up. Personally, I hate that term and it gives me chills to hear people say it. Is it that hard to say the word husband? Okay, glad I got that off my chest.
I'm probably one of the most opinionated people on the face of the earth. I have these feelings & thoughts on life that sometimes I can't even explain. Needless to say, I'm kinda confusing. I don't consider myself normal, at all. And quite honestly, I'm perfectly okay with that. My standards don't rely on what the world thinks is acceptable.
I always tell myself that since hockey is my one true love, I won't ever find a guy. This might be true. Haha. I have this deep passion for the sport that is always burning. I have fallen in love with everything about it, and I hope this is something that I never lose.
I'm not romantic, at all. I'm hoping this doesn't change either. I find romance so cheesy & I am content with not getting flowers, jewelry, or having a fancy dinner. Wanna be romantic? Spend some quality time with me. Write me a note on how you feel. Make me laugh. Get to know my family & siblings, because in the long-run...those are the things that are going to matter.
When I picture myself as a wife, I picture myself as a mother as well. Don't get me wrong, I'm not planning on having kids until I have learned the act of patience. Which means we're looking at maybe the age 35 by the time I have kids. Being a mother and parenting a child is something I really want, and I pray that we can agree as parents together, for our child\children.
One thing I have always look for in a guy is their listening ability. I will listen to people for hours talk about their lives, and I love being able to do so...but I haven't exactly found someone who will do the same for me. I may be rambling about the dumbest thing in the world & you might not understand what I'm talking about but all I ask is that you listen. Regardless if I'm bawling my eyes out and you can't even make out the words that I'm saying, just listen. I don't even care if you don't have anything to say! Just being there means more than I could ever tell.
Get to know my Daddy. He's so wise & down-to-earth that there is no possible way you couldn't adore him. Earn my Momma's respect and trust, and you'll win her over. Reassure my brother Dylan that you're not a jerk, cause he'll put you in your place. Become a protective older brother for my sister Natalie because Lord knows she's gonna have boys trying to get her attention. As for Nathan, become his best friend and he will love you forever.
I think the biggest keys in a relationship are trust & laughter. That may sound naive and maybe a little stupid...but I honestly believe that. My opinion may change as I get older but as of right now I couldn't imagine a happier relationship. If you trust your significant other than everything else should fall into place, right? You trust you know where they stand in their beliefs. You trust they're not lying to you about anything. You trust you know they're not going to leave you. And more importantly, you trust & know that they love you. As for laughter, that's explanatory. A relationship without laughing isn't even a relationship. It's dead.
I have so much more to say...but I'm getting tired of typing. I don't know when you will be apart of my life, but know that I already love you unconditionally and can't wait to start our lives together.
-Hayley
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Sibling Love
I'm the oldest of 4 kids. As well as the first born grandchild in the Money family.
I am so blessed to have the siblings I do. Some people who have just met our family will say "Wow, I can't believe how well you guys get along!" When in reality, we fight and tease eachother just as much as any family does.
At the end of the day though, we all love one another more than we could express. I think we laugh more than any other group of kids I know.
So...Dylan, Natalie, & Nathan, here is my letter to each one of you. I love you all, never forget that.
Dear Dylan,
My baby brother! Truly, you are my best friend. I can't think of someone that I feel more comfortable around. The memories we have made, I will never forget for as long as I live.
Remember when we were little and I dressed you up like a girl? I put your blond hair in barrettes & laughed hysterically as I took pictures of you. From the endless hours of playing Hide-n-Seek, going down to the school to play soccer, making up our own secret handshakes, creating new, lame games to play (Three Strikes Your Out), singing songs loud & off-key, playing street hockey, and riding 4-wheelers, we've been through it all.
We stay up late & watch movies together. We rode a whole 12 hours in a car together to North Carolina and made up songs like "We're going to Raleigh...HORSES IN THE BACK." We get mistaken for a couple, which is weird because we also get mistaken for twins as well. We have endless inside jokes, and can tell eachother everything.
Deep down, Dylan...even though I despise the sport of basketball...I honestly adore watching you play.
It saddens me to think that you're already a teenager, but I also look forward to the memories & times we will be able to spend together in the future.
Love you, bro. So much. Btw- Sawyer Brown.
Dear Natalie,
My sweet, tiny sister! Oh how we are so different, but so alike at times.
You have one of the most stubborn personalities on the planet.
You are so beautiful, and when I watch you skate I see your determination and love for the ice. Even though we don't always get along, you must realize that I cherish our sister relationship so much & love you more than I could tell you. You make me smile with your witty remarks and "I don't care attitude." I am loving watching Christ mold you into the woman you one day will be.
I love you, cutie pie! Know that I am always here for you when you need me.
Dear Nathan,
My best friend! You are the coolest little 5 year old in the world.
I hope that your passion & drive for hockey is something that sticks with you for the rest of your life. I am so in love with watching you play hockey and your celebration after you score goals. I couldn't be a prouder big sister. I think you're the only person in the world who fully understandswhat it means to fall in love with the ice.
I can't wait to see what God has in store for you life. You've got so much personality & our bond is something that nothing could replace.
I love you more, Nathan James! And you do not have blue eyes, they're brown! ;)
I am so blessed to have the siblings I do. Some people who have just met our family will say "Wow, I can't believe how well you guys get along!" When in reality, we fight and tease eachother just as much as any family does.
At the end of the day though, we all love one another more than we could express. I think we laugh more than any other group of kids I know.
So...Dylan, Natalie, & Nathan, here is my letter to each one of you. I love you all, never forget that.
Dear Dylan,
My baby brother! Truly, you are my best friend. I can't think of someone that I feel more comfortable around. The memories we have made, I will never forget for as long as I live.
Remember when we were little and I dressed you up like a girl? I put your blond hair in barrettes & laughed hysterically as I took pictures of you. From the endless hours of playing Hide-n-Seek, going down to the school to play soccer, making up our own secret handshakes, creating new, lame games to play (Three Strikes Your Out), singing songs loud & off-key, playing street hockey, and riding 4-wheelers, we've been through it all.
We stay up late & watch movies together. We rode a whole 12 hours in a car together to North Carolina and made up songs like "We're going to Raleigh...HORSES IN THE BACK." We get mistaken for a couple, which is weird because we also get mistaken for twins as well. We have endless inside jokes, and can tell eachother everything.
Deep down, Dylan...even though I despise the sport of basketball...I honestly adore watching you play.
It saddens me to think that you're already a teenager, but I also look forward to the memories & times we will be able to spend together in the future.
Love you, bro. So much. Btw- Sawyer Brown.
Dear Natalie,
My sweet, tiny sister! Oh how we are so different, but so alike at times.
You have one of the most stubborn personalities on the planet.
You are so beautiful, and when I watch you skate I see your determination and love for the ice. Even though we don't always get along, you must realize that I cherish our sister relationship so much & love you more than I could tell you. You make me smile with your witty remarks and "I don't care attitude." I am loving watching Christ mold you into the woman you one day will be.
I love you, cutie pie! Know that I am always here for you when you need me.
Dear Nathan,
My best friend! You are the coolest little 5 year old in the world.
I hope that your passion & drive for hockey is something that sticks with you for the rest of your life. I am so in love with watching you play hockey and your celebration after you score goals. I couldn't be a prouder big sister. I think you're the only person in the world who fully understandswhat it means to fall in love with the ice.
I can't wait to see what God has in store for you life. You've got so much personality & our bond is something that nothing could replace.
I love you more, Nathan James! And you do not have blue eyes, they're brown! ;)
Family Traditions
Family traditions are really something I never thought I grew up with as a young child. When I started my own family I felt such a connection & desire to have traditions with my own immediate family. The funny thing is, as an adult and having my own family, I realized that I actually did have traditions as a child growing up. Maybe they just weren't labeled as traditions.
Our family is not a traditional family (according to the world's standards.) We homeschool, we spend a huge chunk of our time away from home in an ice rink, our dog eats socks, we are very serious about missions, and we do not celebrate Christmas like most families do on Dec. 25th in America.
We started a family tradition 3 years ago with our family, and I am optimistic that we will see this tradition continue when I become a grandmother and beyond. (I am NOT rushing this time, but would like to see it continue as our family grows once my children are grown.)
What do we do, you may be asking? Each year in November, our family celebrates Christmas, Thanksgiving, and each other, by getting away from our every day life & travels to a cabin for an extended weekend.
Our first year we went to this beautiful cabin Red Wolf Falls located in The Hocking Hills area.
Our second year our family enjoyed a weekend of movies in the Movie Theater Room at Cranberry Lodge one of Wyrick's Hillside Lodges. (Again in Hocking Hills.)
This year we decided to try a different location. While we love the Hocking area, it never hurts to try something different once in a while.
We packed up our belongings.
Put the table in the van.
And headed for good Ole' West Virginia to Colonel Lowe's Last Stand.
We had our annual treat of candy corn & peanuts. Nothing beats the sweet & salty snack.
And made many memories together as a family.
Worth more than any plastic toy, another piece of clothing, or anything else you can fill in here. We have memories that will be with each of us for a life time.
So what are your family traditions? Do you do something a little out-of-the-ordinary according to the World's Standards?
Our family is not a traditional family (according to the world's standards.) We homeschool, we spend a huge chunk of our time away from home in an ice rink, our dog eats socks, we are very serious about missions, and we do not celebrate Christmas like most families do on Dec. 25th in America.
We started a family tradition 3 years ago with our family, and I am optimistic that we will see this tradition continue when I become a grandmother and beyond. (I am NOT rushing this time, but would like to see it continue as our family grows once my children are grown.)
What do we do, you may be asking? Each year in November, our family celebrates Christmas, Thanksgiving, and each other, by getting away from our every day life & travels to a cabin for an extended weekend.
Our first year we went to this beautiful cabin Red Wolf Falls located in The Hocking Hills area.
Our second year our family enjoyed a weekend of movies in the Movie Theater Room at Cranberry Lodge one of Wyrick's Hillside Lodges. (Again in Hocking Hills.)
This year we decided to try a different location. While we love the Hocking area, it never hurts to try something different once in a while.
We packed up our belongings.
Put the table in the van.
And headed for good Ole' West Virginia to Colonel Lowe's Last Stand.
We had our annual treat of candy corn & peanuts. Nothing beats the sweet & salty snack.
And made many memories together as a family.
| This is NOT a trick picture. Hayley really did throw the pizza dough onto the ceiling. |
| Yes, he really is going to the bathroom. haha |
Worth more than any plastic toy, another piece of clothing, or anything else you can fill in here. We have memories that will be with each of us for a life time.
So what are your family traditions? Do you do something a little out-of-the-ordinary according to the World's Standards?
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