BigFatOofta

  Ten years.  Marriage does not always look like belly-laughs and crinkled smile eyes. In fact, in all honesty, if there were a picture for every emotion we have encountered together, I know that the tears would be a thicker stack of photos than the laughs.   Why might I start a “happy anniversary” post with such a seemingly gloomy comment?  Well, because there is beauty in the tears. There are promises that are present that carry both amazing comfort and joy.  Promises that are rooted in God’s faithfulness and plans for his people.   See, there is no security or joy in trying our best to muster up some feelings of love and doing all that is in our power to “just keep swimming, just keep swimming…” Being a Dory might work when you’re trying to find your lost parents, but in the case of marriage, it will lead to fatigue, anger, bitterness, despair and hurt.  Why? Because our own efforts of love are weak at best. They are often tied to selfish motivat...

If I were to make a reference to Dumb and Dumber, you'd know exactly who I was talking about, right?  No?  What if I talked about a current clown show that is happening?  Surely, you could find the circus.  Or, if I just typed a list of slanderous words, you would be able to put a face over top of the list?   I am disheartened.  Overwhelmed.  While social media is a prime spot for it, you don't have to go there to find people, precious souls made in the image of God, talking to people, more precious souls made in the image of God, in ungracious, arrogant, self-righteous, rude, assuming, accusing, hateful, impatient and slow to listen ways.  And the justification for it?  "They deserve it." "They are the problem." "They're ignorant." "If I don't say something, no one will."  "They aren't worth my time or patience."  I doubt many (if any) of you can say you have escaped being on the receiving end of such talk.  I imag...

I have a direct, blunt, not necessarily asked out of love question for "the" Rona V: Why are you the way that you are? I will attempt to not judge or accuse you, but I do want to let you know how I experience you. *Disclaimer INSTAGRAM AND PIZZA ADS: Many of us, as we are in social isolation, are browsing the gram maybe-kinda-a little bit more than normal.  For some reason, Instagram knows.  It.   KNOWS .  It knows that as we have much more time on our hands, our stomachs have more time to send messages to the brain that pizza and pickup sounds really, really good.  But of course, you know, our brains are having to fight back and tell our stomachs that all this extra time is a great  opportunity to get in shape.  So, many of us, we resist.  We stand strong and get that Tik Tok cardio workout dance video made.  Then, we open up the gram to post said video, and BAM.  Pizza ad.  "Support local business, keep the econo...

Hello.  Would you like to read about our family's trip to the Chicago area?  Yes?  Read on. First, some disclaimers:  1.  While you might be about to read a whole itinerary of disasters or disappointments, please know that there are a handful of graces and goodness along the way as well.  I plan to write those at the end as well as sprinkled in between.  1a. I also am adding in drama and sarcasm in effort to be able to laugh off said disasters and disappointments. 2. I love my husband and feel so thankful that in the midst of all of the debacles, we remained a tight team.  Ok, here we go:  Friday :  8:15am - leave relatively on time  8:20am - Older two kids start saying "I'm hungry!" and mind you, they'd already eaten breakfast.  9am - Z starts fussing and not consoling or wanting snacks.  For those of you who know him, for him to refuse a puff or mum mum is highly confusing and concerning.  We ju...

I recently read a blogpost a friend wrote, and she was listing some of her current favorite things (if you are reading this, you know who you are, hi and thanks).  I decided to take a rather large step away from my typical flavor of blogposts and do something similar.  I mean, if you find good things, it's nice to share the goodness with others, right?  Ok.  So in completely random order: 1.    AppleWorks Dutch Apple Pie:  I know this is a local place, but hopefully some of you readers are local.  Joshua and I waited THREE years to finally bite the bullet and buy a mini of these, and let me tell you, it was worth the wait!  I would post a picture of said pie, but obviously it has been completely hidden away in our guts by now.  So, I leave you with a memory made with markers.  Don't be fooled by my amazing artwork, it tasted SO much better than it looks.   2.  Trina Turk for Bluesky Planner:  So, I...