A look inside: Sweat, Cheese-Puffs and Roses

Wednesday, August 1, 2007

Sweat, Cheese-Puffs and Roses

Sometimes I am so disappointed in myself and my lack of self-control. It was late last night, Jon was working, and I diligently pulled myself off the couch and worked out on the elliptical. I sweated my jiggly glutes off for 40 minutes, burning 300 calories. Then instead of taking a shower and going to bed. I wandered out to the kitchen and pulled out the laptop. As I sat in front of the computer, THEY called to me....twisty cheese-puffs! My daughter had begged me to buy them for her sleepover the night before. Hmm.... 7 cheese puffs = 160 calories. "I'll just have three" were the fatal words I said to myself. One hour and over half the bag later, my workout completely wasted, I heard Jon trying to unlock the front door. Knowing he had his hands full, I went to the door to let him in. I was quite a beautiful sight to behold as I greeted him: Hair in a ponytail, bangs pulled back with Olivia's sparkly flower clips, mascara smeared around my eyes, stinking of sweat and body odor, and cheese puff crumbs around my mouth. He looked at me and gave me that big grin which still makes my heart pound, and then pulled out a dozen roses he had hiding behind his back. As I smiled in complete surprise, I could feel the cheese-puffs still in my mouth and stuck to my teeth......NICE!

Needless to say, I was very blessed by Jon's display of affection. It had been a very difficult and tiring week, and there is no sign of it lightening up any time soon. And sometimes I feel like I do so much for everyone else, and nobody appreciates it, or even notices. I feel like I'm nothing more then a maid, cook, activities director (not only for my own kids, but all the neighbor kids as well), and even a single mom at times. And just at the moment when the pitty party is in full swing and I'm wondering, "what's it all for anyway?" (and I want to ditch the kids and run off to Nordstrom's for the day with a credit card), my husband lets me know he does notice, and most of all, he appreciates what I do and loves me....sweat, cheese-puffs and all. Thanks Jon. It's the little things like that which keep me going. I folded the mountain of laundry today with renewed vigor. And when I cleaned the toilets, I felt loved and appreciated....thank you :)

Two are better than one.....For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion.

~Ecclesiastes 4:9,10

5 comments:

Anonymous said...: What a good guy!
I am just picturing you with cheese puffs on your face!; August 1, 2007 at 8:24 PM
Unknown said...: Hi Liz, my name is Meghan Diaz. I found your blog from Becca Riddle's. I work with Jon, and actually he is riding with my husband Eddie right now (who I'm sure you've heard about and hopefully good things!). I found your blog a few weeks ago and hope you don't mind that I've been reading it. It's such a joy to read. You write such wonderful things about your family! I especially like this post, as it sounds a lot like me, and its SO honest! I am known to complete a hard workout and then go to McDonald's....eeeewww! Just wanted to let you know I enjoy reading your blog...I had mentioned it to Jon a week or so ago and he encouraged me to post! Looking forward to reading mroe about you and your lovely family! Meghan :); August 2, 2007 at 7:43 AM
Glory Laine said...: What a great post! Wonderful visual and made me laugh out loud. We really need to have you guys over soon. You bring the cheese puffs and I'll provide a excerise video that can play in the background.; August 2, 2007 at 10:56 AM
Michelle said...: ahh... what a sweet post. I am with you... sometimes the life of a mom is thankless... and pity parties are the norm... WAY TO GO to Jon!!! thanks for the prayers for Zeke... he is a trooper!; August 2, 2007 at 10:28 PM
Anonymous said...: hey liz,

enjoyed the pics & story. i can't believe how the kids have grown. i don't think i would have recognized little sarah and olivia.
you have a real knack for writing! have you ever thought of starting to write an editorial like dear abby or something!? seriously, i bet there are a lot of moms out there that could relate to your stories and could use the inspiration and humor.
take care liz and keep up the good work!!!
-trav; August 14, 2007 at 6:54 PM

Words to Remember

"Christ's followers cannot expect better treatment in the world than their Master had. Let them not promise themselves more honor or pleasure in the world than Christ had. Let each live a life of labor and self-denial as his Master, and make himself a servant of all; let him stoop, and let him toil, and do all the good he can, and then he will be a complete disciple."
~Matthew Henry,
English Pastor 1662-1714

"I have held many things in my hands, and I have lost them all. But whatever I have placed in God's hands, that I still possess."
~Martin Luther King

"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."
~Jim Elliot

"I am a missionary, heart and soul. God Himself had an only Son, and He was a missionary and a physician. A poor, poor imitation I am, or wish to be, but in this service I hope to live. In it I wish to die. I still prefer poverty and missions service to riches and ease. This is my choice."
~David Livingstone

"I must keep alive in myself the desire for my true country, which I shall not find till after death; I must never let it get snowed under or turned aside; I must make it the main object of life to press on to that other country and to help others do the same. "
~C.S. Lewis

"I want Thy plan, O God, for my life. May I be happy and contented whether in the homeland or on the foreign field; whether married or alone, in happiness or sorrow, health or sickness, prosperity or adversity - I want Thy plan, O God, for my life."
~Oswald J. Smith

songs with meaning

If you hear one of these songs playing while visiting my blog, here is why it is so special to me:

I Will Be Here by Steven Curtis Chapman: I would listen to this song as a young teenager and dream about finding a love like this song describes. Guess what? God gave more then I ever dreamed.

Any Song by Keith Green!!! I first heard Keith Green as a young child and knew all his songs by heart. As a teenager, I loved his music because he is so honest and authentic. I also read his autobiography when I was in my teens. He is one of my all-time heroes! I remember my friends laughing at me when they were in my car, wondering why I would be listening to songs from the 70's. Yes, the music is cheesy, but the lyrics are simply amazing!

How Could I Ask For More by Cindy Morgan: My senior year of high school I was on homecoming court with four other girls, who were all good friends of mine. We all picked this song to be played during our ceremony. I still love this song!

Have I Told You Lately by Rod Stewart: The song Jon and I danced to at our wedding. I smile every time I hear it.

I Can Only Imagine by Mercy Me: This song was played at Brian Ditchen's memorial service. Brian was Jon's cousin who he grew up with, and who I went to school with, and he was a dear friend. He passed away in March of 2004 in a tragic plane accident, he was only 28. It shook the core of our faith. The only comfort came from knowing, without a shadow of a doubt, who Brian lived his life for: Jesus Christ. He was a dedicated believer, and we can't wait to see him again. Every time we would hear this song, it touched us deeply, it still does. Heaven has become very real to us.

The Scientist by Coldplay: My younger brother, Ben, sang and played this song on the piano at my brother Jeremy's memorial service. Jeremy passed away suddenly in September of 2004, he was only 31. Once again our faith was shaken (see next song)....

Cry Out To Jesus by Third Day: Whenever I hear this song I am reminded of my brother Jeremy...."To everyone who's lost someone they loved, long before it was their time, you feel like the days you had were not enough, when you said goodbye....cry out to Jesus" I am reminded to turn to God in the midst of my pain and loss, and it's OK to go to Him with my questions

We Will Dance by Steven Curtis Chapman: My current love song. It so beautifully describes mine and Jon's relationship.

I'm Not Cool by Scott Krippane: This is Daniel's song.Not in a mean way. He absolutely loves this song and sings along with it every time. The funny thing is, it describes him perfectly.

She's a Dancer by Phil Keaggy: This is Sarah's song! It so sweetly reminds me of Sarah...."she's a dancer, she loves to dance, she's a singer, she loves to sing, she's a lady, walkin' round in mama's shoes, standin' tall in mama's shoes" Sarah has also been caught singing into the bathroom mirror. And when she was younger she put on many "dance performances" for us in our living room.

Olivia by Phil Keaggy: Obviously Olivia's song! I've sang this song to her since she was a tiny newborn. She knows the words and sings along now. Whenever I put this song on, she stops what she's doing and gets a big smile on her face, and says "my song!"

Beautiful by Bethany Dillon: OK I'm 32 now. And sometimes when I look in the mirror, the depression creeps in. I don't look like I did ten years ago, I don't see a beautiful young woman looking back at me. And that can get you down sometimes. This song reminds me that true beauty is who I am in God's eyes. I could be perfect in every way on the outside and yet not be beautiful in the eyes of God, and when it's all said and done, my life would have been lived only for myself. I want to be beautiful in God's eyes, I want Him to look inside my heart and smile, and most importantly, be pleased.

Who Am I?, The Voice of Truth, and Praise You In The Storm by Casting Crowns: All three of these songs are very special to Jon. These are three of his all-time favorites. These songs brought him close to God when he was going through a hard time in his life.

I Am by Nicole Nordeman: The first time I heard this song was at a Women of Faith conference. She played it live on the piano. It was so beautiful and moved me so deeply. God is truly my "I Am", He has been my one firm anchor through every season of my life.