Today is my sister’s 24th birthday. In honor of her, I wanted to write 24 of the many things I love about her.
1. She has a great deal of courage. She moved out when she was 18 to pursue her college, dreams and career. She also moved to Hawaii even though she knew no one else on the island because she had a dream to pursue.
2. She keeps it real and simple. Stacy’s not afraid to be seen with out makeup (she shouldn’t be since she’s naturally gorgeous) and she’s not too proud to cry in front of people. She’s not fake and she’s not fussy- just herself.
3. She has an amazing ability to interact with children. Stacy has always had such a love for children. She adores her nieces and nephews and has always made time to converse with children. Even as a teenager, she loved the kids she taught swimming lessons to almost as much as they loved her.
4. Stacy has a great sense of style. She can make flip-flops look good with anything and she can pull the best outfit together on a modest budget.
5. She has great hair, which I can’t give her credit for since she was born with it, but it’s hers none-the-less. She has this gorgeous, golden curly hair that makes anyone who sees it, want that kind of hair.
6. She has a priority of family. Our family is so important to her and she shows her love by going out of her way to spend time with everyone.
7. Her example of great work ethic. Since her teenage years, she has been promoted to positions of authority. She takes her work seriously and even missed Delainey’s birth so that she wouldn’t miss her shift because she knew people were counting on her.
8. She has such a great smile. I love the little gap between her front teeth and I love her dimples too.
9. She is a faithful friend. She is still in touch with so many friends from different times in her life. People see her from high school and know that no matter what or how long it’s been, Stacy is still their friend.
10. Stacy cares for the less fortunate. I remember when Stacy was in school she bought a very poor girl a pair of jeans for her birthday because she knew she didn’t have much. Stacy doesn’t classify people or befriend someone because of their status. She sees everyone as equal and as a potential friend.
11. She gives the best massages ever! It helps that she went to massage therapy school and that she has very strong arms. I loved it when she was in training and “needed to practice” massage. I was always a willing recipient.
12. A part of me will always see her as a beautiful little curly-headed girl with big dimples. No matter how old Stacy gets, I can always remember what an absolute doll she was as a little girl. I love that I was old enough to keep those precious memories of her as a baby and toddler.
13. She is very tender hearted. She is moved and touched by sweet things.
14. She’s resourceful. She can make the most of a tough situation and she’s good with stretching a budget.
15. She’s a dreamer and a romantic. She approaches situations with optimism and goodness. Like with owning a dog, she never owned a dog and didn’t know what all it entailed, but loved the idea of having a dog. It was tough, but she’s happily an owner of a sweet dog named Bert. (I call him Mr. Reynolds)
16. She loves old people. Stacy is so respectful and kind to older people. She always shows respect and takes time to talk with her elders as if they were a good friend.
17. Stacy is ambitious and intelligent. She dreams big and goes after it. She is fully capable and I think people who meet her recognize that.
18. She has such a great sense of adventure. She loves hiking, the outdoors and trying new things.
19. She is the perfect mixture of being girlie and a tom-boy. She’s beautiful but also strong.
20. She has dimples. Who doesn’t love dimples? I know I mentioned them before, but they are worth repeating.
21. Her crooked pinky finger. Not sure why, but I love that about her too.
22. I love the way she gets goofy when she’s sleepy. Maybe because I know the feeling.
23. She can beat me in a swimming race (which wasn’t always the case).
24. Her persevering attitude- she doesn’t give up when she’s had 2 car accidents in 2 weeks, a bad report from the Dr. and finances are tight- all at the same time.
Happy Birthday Stacy! We love you and miss you!
The Keslers
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Thursday's 13 ~ Things I will never out grow
1. State Fairs. I love the smells, the rides, the people watching and the highly unhealthy food.
2. Seeing bathing suit tan lines in the mirror. I love the satisfaction that comes from realizing I got a tan!
3. Freshly painted toe nails. They just make you feel pretty.
4. Seeing my parents happy. There's no feeling like it.
5. Being in love with my knight in shinning armor. I've always been a romantic.
6. Wrapping up in a blanket on the couch and watching a good movie. That doesn't happen much these days, but I love the rare ocassion.
7. Going to a high school football game. The big lights, loud crowd, the band and silly young cheerleaders.
8. Reading kids books that rhyme. "I will not eat them in a boat, I will not eat them with a goat..."
9. Taking road trips. I guess this comes from growing up in a small town where going out of town was a regular part of our routine for groceries and stuff. I love maps, travel plans and new places to see.
10. Tea parties. Loved to pretend when I was little and love to do them for real now.
11. Playing tag. There is something hilarious and exilerating about someone trying to get you. Last time I played tag in my backyard with the kids, I laughed so hard that my stomache hurt!
12. Camping. Love everything about it. My absolute best childhood memories are camping in the White Mountains of AZ when I was little.
13. Wanting my mom when I'm sick. Caleb is sweet when I'm sick but there's just something about Mom's TLC when I'm under the weather.
2. Seeing bathing suit tan lines in the mirror. I love the satisfaction that comes from realizing I got a tan!
3. Freshly painted toe nails. They just make you feel pretty.
4. Seeing my parents happy. There's no feeling like it.
5. Being in love with my knight in shinning armor. I've always been a romantic.
6. Wrapping up in a blanket on the couch and watching a good movie. That doesn't happen much these days, but I love the rare ocassion.
7. Going to a high school football game. The big lights, loud crowd, the band and silly young cheerleaders.
8. Reading kids books that rhyme. "I will not eat them in a boat, I will not eat them with a goat..."
9. Taking road trips. I guess this comes from growing up in a small town where going out of town was a regular part of our routine for groceries and stuff. I love maps, travel plans and new places to see.
10. Tea parties. Loved to pretend when I was little and love to do them for real now.
11. Playing tag. There is something hilarious and exilerating about someone trying to get you. Last time I played tag in my backyard with the kids, I laughed so hard that my stomache hurt!
12. Camping. Love everything about it. My absolute best childhood memories are camping in the White Mountains of AZ when I was little.
13. Wanting my mom when I'm sick. Caleb is sweet when I'm sick but there's just something about Mom's TLC when I'm under the weather.
Friday, October 12, 2007
What's Cooking?
There once was a girl named Bella. She was a typical stay at home mom, often doubting her self worth and struggled through common issues of finances, being fun and creative with the kids and staying focused. After a long season of frustration and feeling defeated, she woke up one morning and decided to do her best that day. She couldn't do a lot but she could give her best effort at a good attitude and filling her home with love. She got up early and had the right attitude. She settled the matter of Who was her Authority nice and early then danced on through her chores, changing diapers, doing laundry and spending quality time with her little ones. Bella was on a tight budget but remembered she had several apples and all the necessities in her modest pantry to make a pie for her friend who just had a baby. She involved her kids as they added dashes of cinnamon, tabs of butter and a lot of sugar. The pies looked beautiful as she put them in the oven. She opened her kitchen window to let in some of the cool Fall air and to let some of the oven's heat escape the small kitchen...
Bella's neighbor Miss Emily went outside to mow. The moment she walked out the door she smelled something that was heavenly. It reminded her of growing up in England when her grandmother would make puff pastry apple tarts. Miss Emily decided to make some of these little tarts and take them to the retirement home she sometimes volunteered at. It had been years since Miss Emily baked these but she managed to find the recipe and she couldn't deny they were the best she'd ever made! At the retirement home a young intern sampled one of Miss Emily's tarts and she was so moved at her generosity that she decided to do some baking later that evening. She baked some peanut butter cookies and took a plate to the young couple in the apartment under hers. The young wife invited her in and they talked for over an hour as they began a friendship that they would find to last a lifetime. What a pleasant surprise the evening was for both of them. A few days later, the wife made a large meal and returned her neighbor's plate with a beautiful dinner for that evening. The apartment complex smelled so delicious with all this cooking happening that people throughout the building were baking this and cooking that because of the wonderful smells that inspired them.
I wondered how this story would have gone if Bella didn't wake up ready to give her best at the beginning of the story. If she would have sat around in defeat and decided that making a pie wasn't her idea of a fun day. Maybe no one else would have been inspired to bake either. That wouldn't have made for a fun story. Moral of the story? We don't always know how we're inspiring or impacting people. We can just do our best and hope His fragrance reaches others.
What's cooking at your house?
Bella's neighbor Miss Emily went outside to mow. The moment she walked out the door she smelled something that was heavenly. It reminded her of growing up in England when her grandmother would make puff pastry apple tarts. Miss Emily decided to make some of these little tarts and take them to the retirement home she sometimes volunteered at. It had been years since Miss Emily baked these but she managed to find the recipe and she couldn't deny they were the best she'd ever made! At the retirement home a young intern sampled one of Miss Emily's tarts and she was so moved at her generosity that she decided to do some baking later that evening. She baked some peanut butter cookies and took a plate to the young couple in the apartment under hers. The young wife invited her in and they talked for over an hour as they began a friendship that they would find to last a lifetime. What a pleasant surprise the evening was for both of them. A few days later, the wife made a large meal and returned her neighbor's plate with a beautiful dinner for that evening. The apartment complex smelled so delicious with all this cooking happening that people throughout the building were baking this and cooking that because of the wonderful smells that inspired them.
I wondered how this story would have gone if Bella didn't wake up ready to give her best at the beginning of the story. If she would have sat around in defeat and decided that making a pie wasn't her idea of a fun day. Maybe no one else would have been inspired to bake either. That wouldn't have made for a fun story. Moral of the story? We don't always know how we're inspiring or impacting people. We can just do our best and hope His fragrance reaches others.
What's cooking at your house?
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Great book?
If you're looking for a GREAT book, I just read "The Grace and Truth Paradox" by Randy Alcorn. I read it about 3 years ago and it impacted me so much, I wanted to read it again. I think I'm going to read it once a year to remind me of this balance that I need in my life. It's a short read but it truly is life changing. The theme of the book is the essential, perfect balance of grace and truth. It also touches on many different topics, here are just a few: conservative vs liberal, our society's mindset of entitlement, and looking at our own sins -are they any better than say, Hitler's? ...check it out!
"When a musical instrument's strings go loose, it sounds awful. But you can also overtighten the strings, breaking them or creating discord. There's a perfect tension to grace and truth which makes the gospel (good news) music."
"When you know you deserve eternal hell, it puts a 'bad day' in perspective! If you realize you're undeserving, suddenly the world comes alive- you're surprised and grateful and God's many kindnesses that were invisible when you thought you deserved better. Instead of drowning in self-pity, you're floating on a sea of gratitude."
"Pride is a heavy burden. There is nothing like that feeling of lightness when God graciously lifts our self-illusions from our shoulders. Even refusing to forgive ourselves is an act of pride- it's making ourselves and our sins bigger than God and His grace."
"When a musical instrument's strings go loose, it sounds awful. But you can also overtighten the strings, breaking them or creating discord. There's a perfect tension to grace and truth which makes the gospel (good news) music."
"When you know you deserve eternal hell, it puts a 'bad day' in perspective! If you realize you're undeserving, suddenly the world comes alive- you're surprised and grateful and God's many kindnesses that were invisible when you thought you deserved better. Instead of drowning in self-pity, you're floating on a sea of gratitude."
"Pride is a heavy burden. There is nothing like that feeling of lightness when God graciously lifts our self-illusions from our shoulders. Even refusing to forgive ourselves is an act of pride- it's making ourselves and our sins bigger than God and His grace."
Sunday, October 7, 2007
Lost and Found ...and not giving up!
Our morning started early today- Caleb's earlier than mine. He was up a little after 6am, which is unusual for a Sunday morning. He got up to get some chores done before the kids and I rose. (What a guy) He came back into our room later and said, "I set your alarm to let you sleep a little longer. Oh, and I found your sunglasses" My tired body perked up at these words, "WHERE?", I asked. He said they were right next to my side of the bed by my nightstand.
I have been looking for these sunglasses for over two weeks now. I have looked in every place I could imagine and have called a couple places I thought I might have accidentally left them. I even went so far as to wait in line at the Walmart customer service place to check with their lost and found. What's the big deal?, you might think. The thing is, Caleb bought me these $120 Arnettes a couple of years ago for Christmas and even though they're just a pair of sunglasses, they're special to me. Well, at the 2 week mark and after looking every where I could imagine, I had given up on Friday. I knew they were lost forever. Both Caleb and my friend Annie kept saying, "They'll turn up", but I was certain they really wouldn't.
Today proved me wrong. I cannot tell you how much this encouraged me on so many levels about many issues in my life right now. I had slept just a couple of feet from those sunglasses every night for the last 15 nights! I have vacuumed right by them and made my bed without noticing them. They were there, hidden away all along. I know it's crazy, but it has given me the encouragement to hang on in some areas I've been very tempted to give up in. Now I'm glad I lost my sunglasses because maybe I wouldn't have been inspired to "keep on keeping on" with some things that appear hopeless to my impatient eyes. I think in some situations maybe the answer is nearby and I just need to wait for the right timing to FIND the solution.
I have been looking for these sunglasses for over two weeks now. I have looked in every place I could imagine and have called a couple places I thought I might have accidentally left them. I even went so far as to wait in line at the Walmart customer service place to check with their lost and found. What's the big deal?, you might think. The thing is, Caleb bought me these $120 Arnettes a couple of years ago for Christmas and even though they're just a pair of sunglasses, they're special to me. Well, at the 2 week mark and after looking every where I could imagine, I had given up on Friday. I knew they were lost forever. Both Caleb and my friend Annie kept saying, "They'll turn up", but I was certain they really wouldn't.
Today proved me wrong. I cannot tell you how much this encouraged me on so many levels about many issues in my life right now. I had slept just a couple of feet from those sunglasses every night for the last 15 nights! I have vacuumed right by them and made my bed without noticing them. They were there, hidden away all along. I know it's crazy, but it has given me the encouragement to hang on in some areas I've been very tempted to give up in. Now I'm glad I lost my sunglasses because maybe I wouldn't have been inspired to "keep on keeping on" with some things that appear hopeless to my impatient eyes. I think in some situations maybe the answer is nearby and I just need to wait for the right timing to FIND the solution.
Saturday, October 6, 2007
Gratitude
Have you ever kept a gratitude journal? I have one but I'm ashamed to admit I haven't written in it for quite a while. My purpose for starting a gratitude journal was to challenge myself to come up with 10 things everyday that I am thankful for without duplicating anything. So, you know, the first week you cover all the expected things that you're obviously immeasurably grateful for... husband, children, family, God's love, good health, a warm home, food, clothing... the most important things in our lives. Then week after week it gets more challenging to think of things to thank God for. When I journal in this way consistently, I find myself getting more and more creative and really thinking about the millions of blessings we enjoy each day. Beautiful sunsets, cool breezes, flowers, trees, a car with A/C, running water, shoes that fit, grocery stores nearby, money to buy groceries, friends who tell you the truth- even when it's not what you want to hear, competent people, eyes to see, morning rain... I could go on and on.
Today at lunch Delainey started eating and she gasped, as she sometimes does and said, "I forgot to pray!" So she prayed out loud and thanked God for her food and then thanked Him for every person in our family as well as grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. This is something her and Bryant often do and the thing that surprises me is that we've never really taught them to. It's almost as if they can't wait to say each person's name to God to really tell Him how glad they are to know that person. I love to hear them do this because it's precious to hear them go through this long list of names in their head while their food is sitting in front of them but the food isn't the most important thing at that moment. I think they really have it right when it comes to gratitude. They don't go through a list of toys, video games or any material item that they're thankful for. They go through a list of the people they are glad to have in their life. What a good example to me to be thankful for so many great people in my life! Also, what a great reminder that my children don't want more stuff, they want more quality time. No matter what my budget, I can provide that! I want to think more like them. Simple and grateful.
Today at lunch Delainey started eating and she gasped, as she sometimes does and said, "I forgot to pray!" So she prayed out loud and thanked God for her food and then thanked Him for every person in our family as well as grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. This is something her and Bryant often do and the thing that surprises me is that we've never really taught them to. It's almost as if they can't wait to say each person's name to God to really tell Him how glad they are to know that person. I love to hear them do this because it's precious to hear them go through this long list of names in their head while their food is sitting in front of them but the food isn't the most important thing at that moment. I think they really have it right when it comes to gratitude. They don't go through a list of toys, video games or any material item that they're thankful for. They go through a list of the people they are glad to have in their life. What a good example to me to be thankful for so many great people in my life! Also, what a great reminder that my children don't want more stuff, they want more quality time. No matter what my budget, I can provide that! I want to think more like them. Simple and grateful.
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