7 Quick Takes (Volume 44)

1) My garden looks pitiful, PITIFUL! I haven't grown one in a few years, so I thought my soil would be ripe and ready to grow beautiful produce, but I was sadly mistaken. My soil looks silty and dry and my plants are half green, half yellow. In my cucumber patch I have three hills. One is lush growing, one is the size of my forearm, one is the size of my hand--all in the same area. What's up with that?! I picked about eleven beans, nine of which had bug bites all over them. It's embarrassing. I had my kids helping me pull weeds to which my husband asked, "Why bother?" Something about a weed free, pitiful garden seems better to me than a messy, pitiful garden.

2) My daughter and I have identical cell phones, cheapos we got from Walmart. To dress hers up a little, she put varying colored dots of fingernail polish all over hers. It's cute, I guess. Whatever. I don't mind. It makes them easy to identify, so I don't mind. She left hers behind this week when she went on a missions trip and her sister, the 10-year-old I am dragging my feet about having "the talk" with, wanted to take it to the water park. She usually takes mine.

"What's the difference?" I asked.

"It's more pimped out than yours, Mom," she explained.

Oh boy.

3) There's this stretch of road in my town that drives me absolutely batty. It's just a short distance--one block--but on either side of this block is a stoplight. I travel this route nearly every day and it is impossible to hit a green light at BOTH lights. Impossible! I'll be stopped at one, it will turn green, but by the time I get to the next one it's turning red. (For those of you in my neck of the woods, I'm talking about traveling north on 7th Street between Court and Ella. Have you ever hit greens at both lights? It can't be done, I tell you!) The only way to make it is to run the yellow on the second light, which I never do (well, maybe at least once, just to say I did it).

Yes, I totally understand it was designed this way on purpose, to be safer in our downtown area, but MAN, does it annoy me! Is it some sort of conspiracy to see how long it takes for me to blow a gasket? Are there hidden cameras at the church on the corner documenting my "Christian" response? Are the people at the newspaper across the street taking bets on whether I'll run the yellow or not?

I know, I know. Get over yourself already, Tami.

4) My sons are staging a Facebook war of sorts. They try to catch each other's pages unlogged out of (not sure that's an actual word or phrase or anything, but hey, it's Friday) and fill in the other's status with something goofy. It started out innocent enough.

Tanner Boesiger wishes he was as cool as his brother Keygan.

Keygan Boesiger thinks Tanner is da bomb.

They're getting a little out of hand this week, though, with bathroom kind of humor. If you've seen it, I'm so sorry. How do you rein in boys being boys, especially when they're both bigger than you?

5) I miss my daughter who's in Mississippi on a missions trip. She'll be a junior in high school this year, but I'm already dreading her senior year. Every time that Steven Curtis Chapman song, "I Danced with Cinderella" comes on the radio I think about her leaving and get a little misty. My heart's still recovering from our last graduation over a year ago. Good thing we have a little time. If you see me clutching my chest, sighing and tearing up, you'll know why.

6) I made some points with our gecko yesterday when I bought him some new carpet. Yep, his cage got a makeover. The vet suggested we ditch the substrate we were using and go with something less messy (gotta love the guy!) to help with his shedding problems, so I picked up some Cage Carpet. I'm not making this up. That's the actual name of the stuff. Anyway, he's been poking his head out of his little house ever since and I think he may have smiled at me too. Now, if only they made Lazy boys for lizards. . .

7) In less than two weeks our oldest moves out for college, this time much closer, which we're all happy about. He's ready and miracle of all miracles, I am too. It's time. Enough said. The rest of our bunch has an extra week, but I know the time will fly by. It's okay. It's time. Enough said.


Until then, I plan to enjoy the last few weeks of summer. Take a peek at some other Quick Takes or join in the fun yourself at Conversion Diary.

Steps to Connection: Sacrifice

I'm only on #3 of the 37 things on my to do list when the thought pops into my head. You should give her a call. And though I begrudgingly heed the Spirit's nudging, I find I am the one blessed by the interaction that takes place.

We haven't gotten together in a while and my week is slammed, but I find an evening to spend with her. Though I nearly cancel, I am glad I didn't when our evening turns into a refreshing and healing oasis for my tired soul.

Connecting takes time. Time spent cultivating relationships is time away from some other aspect of life. An investment will be required, but investments pay off in the long run.

Connecting with others involves sacrifice. Something will be required of me. It may mean my living room doesn't get vacuumed or I don't get another chapter read or I have to stay up later to finish my Bible study lesson. Often it means I do more listening than talking. If someone invites me over and has made a beautiful dessert I'll have to sacrifice my diet plan (Are you buying that?). In an effort to work around my family, I've met friends for breakfast, giving up valuable "beauty" rest my aging body needs more and more.

The principle applies to group interactions as well. I can't tell you the number of times I've wanted to blow off an event I've been invited to or miss a rehearsal or Bible study for no good reason other than I didn't feel like going. But experience has taught me I may miss out on something if I do. I may miss the chance to get to know someone better, to understand what makes a girl tick, to make a new friend. One of the most meaningful, bonding, God-showing-up experiences I've ever had happened on a night I wanted to skip because I had a headache.

Sacrificing for the sake of relationships is rarely convenient or timely or easy. That's why it's called a sacrifice! But worth it? Absolutely.

What are you willing to sacrifice for the sake of connection?



More Steps to Connection:
Understand All Have Insecurities
Vulnerability
Time
Availability
Expectations
Be Yourself
Take a Risk
Assume the Best

Darkness and Light

We are only what we are in the dark; all the rest is reputation. What God looks at is what we are in the dark- the imaginations of our minds, the thoughts of our heart, the habits of our bodies; these are the things that mark us in God’s sight. Character is what you are in the dark.

Oswald Chambers
My Utmost for His Highest

It's a heady quote, isn't it?

What am I in the dark? Are any of us honest enough with ourselves to know?

In the dark, I have been

restless,
confused,
lost in my own perspective,
accusing,
overwhelmed with worry,
rebellious,
weary of the battle,
jealous,
hurt,
weak,
angry,
helpless to help myself,
stupid,
self-absorbed,
overcome with emotion

What do these say about my character? Do they say I'm a fake? Do they insinuate I don't trust God like I say I do?

I have to answer yes. Yet I am thankful for my dark, because in my dark I am all too aware of my inadequacies. In my dark, I desire a merciful, loving, forgiving God. My dark and the fears which lie there motivate me to find the Light, force me to seek Him. What I am in the dark may reveal my true character, but it also proves and necessitates my need for a Savior.

If I had no need, would I ever find Him?

Thank You, Jesus, for the dark and for Your light.


Man, o man, Deborah, you've made my head spin with this one. Be sure to get her take (which is bound to be more profound and definitive than mine) and those of others by clicking over to Chocolate and Coffee.

7 Quick Takes (Volume 43)

1) Somewhere in my kitchen, there's a tiny little spider having a lot of fun at my expense. Twice this week I've run into some kind of web trap while opening my pantry door. He's sneaky, the little guy, there's no sign of anything until I've got a thin thread of stickiness tickling my arm or rubbing across my face. The second time it happened I hadn't had my caffeine yet which was very annoying. Can't you just imagine him and his microscopic little buddies hanging out to see it?

"Wait for it, wait for it. . ." the culprit says as the groggy woman approaches the pantry door. Her hand turns the knob and suddenly she's swiping her arm, growling.

"Ha, yeah, that's what I'm talking about," the itty-bitty spiders chuckle and little high-fives abound.

Do you think I need to get out more?

2) We've had a strange little virus attacking our house this week. Only one kid actually experienced vomit and diarrhea, but we've all had some part of it--nausea, dizziness, headaches, fatigue. It's nothing horrible and hasn't stopped me from doing my normal stuff (dang it), but is generally annoying. Hey, maybe that should be my word for the week, huh?

3) A former student, who's an up and coming photographer, took a picture of me at the reunion I attended a few weeks ago. Is this the "death stare" my college girls accused me of having?



Doesn't look so intimidating to me. You girls are pansies.

4) I finally caught an episode of So You Think You Can Dance. Wow. What must it feel like to have that kind of body control? The beauty, the grace, the strength. . .I'm so envious. Wow.

Did you ever see that episode of Malcolm in the Middle where Lois takes dance lessons? Her instructor praises her so much she imagines herself as some amazing ballroom dancer. Wanting to share her exceptional talent with her family, she shows them a video tape of the last session of class. Actually seeing herself in action, she discovers she is really a bumbling klutz her instructor was praising in hopes she would move on out of his class.

That would be me, imagining myself flowing and graceful, only to find out later I was a train wreck. I'm not exaggerating. Just ask my husband. I have great desire, little talent. I blame it on the traumatizing way I learned to dance. That's a whole 'nother story. You'll have to buy the book for that one!

5) Speaking of traumatizing experiences, I think our gecko hates me now. Whenever I come near, he starts panting.

"No, no, not that mean lady, anyone but her. Does she have a tweezers in her hands? Please, God, no!"

Doesn't he know I could have saved his life? Whatever happened to the hero worship some doctors get from their patients? Some day he'll thank me, right?

6) I tried to do a good mom thing and have some mother-daughter bonding time with my girls. We went out for breakfast and were having a great time, when suddenly the whole thing fell apart. We left the restaurant with one of them crying, the other one cobbing a major attitude, their mother lecturing them all the way home and each of us stomping off to our respective places in the house.

Well that was so worth it, wasn't it?

I'm never quite sure how to handle such situations. Each one of us reacted badly. It ended up fine after we cooled off and apologized, but is there a way to avoid these ugly scenes in the first place? PLEASE don't tell me it's all part of the hormonal world we females live in. Yuck.

7) I'm thinking about donning a black arm band. I'm wearing out my "skinny" shorts. I dubbed them that after my husband sidled up next to me and said in a smooth voice, "You're looking skinny in these." Of course, he may have had ulterior motives, but I take what I can get, people.

Anyway, my beloved "skinny" shorts are slowly disintegrating. Yesterday when I slipped them on, a belt loop ripped right off. First my favorite flip-flops, now this. Will my fashion woes never end?

You can feel sorry for me or mock me or whatever. At the very least, have a great weekend and take a peek at more Quick Takes at Conversion Diary.

Being Bad Just Once

But Jonah ran away from the LORD and headed for Tarshish.
He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port.
After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the LORD.

Jonah 1:3

I was the good girl, the one who followed her parents' rules, the one who never got into trouble. My sister and cousin consistently called me "square." (Don't think I haven't forgotten, girls. You forever scarred my psyche!) I didn't let them deter me from doing what I knew to be right, but it did smart a little. Being good wasn't good enough. Being good was the right thing, but being good was (dare I say it?) boring.

Nobody pays attention to the good kid. She does what she's expected to do. There's no drama, no excitement there. I wanted to be bad, just once, to shock everybody around me, to show people this good girl had some spunk. But when the urge hit, I'd ignore it every time. I didn't want to live with the guilt of doing something I knew I shouldn't. Don't be impressed. I was just chicken.

Until one night in college I found myself particularly vulnerable. I was lovesick and my dear boyfriend was traveling across the country, without a stop near Nebraska for months. I wasn't planning on going to the party after the Homecoming game, but some friends convinced me it would be good to get out. I sat among a bunch of happy people, yet felt very alone and sad, not joining the festivities, only staring at two punch bowls marked "yes, it is" and "no, it isn't."

And because I was melancholy, because I was sick of doing the right thing, because the person who knew me best was in who knows what church that night singing for God, leaving me there to fend for myself, I decided to "live a little" and bellied up to the "yes, it is" punch bowl, the yes, it is SPIKED punch bowl. All night. I always did what God asked and where had it gotten me? Everyone got to slip up. Why couldn't I? And who would even care?

I did some pretty stupid things that night. After the "yes, it is" punch was gone, I started mixing my own. I went cruising with guys I didn't know (Thank the Lord for good friends who were looking out for me. I owe you BIG TIME!). I used words I never utter and embarrassed myself so much I didn't want to leave my apartment the next day. But my belly of the fish moment came when I lifted the glass to my lips for the zillionth time that night and saw a friend over the rim. She was a year younger than me and had been through a tough time herself. She talked to me often. I knew she looked up to me and respected my opinion, but when our eyes met that night, all I saw was confusion. She said nothing, but her body language screamed, "What are you doing?!"

In one fell swoop, I lost my credibility, my respectability, and my dependability, qualities which took years to develop. Stupid.

I'm back to being a good girl according to most people's standards (if you don't count the Ozarks--ha!). I learned the hard way not to flee from God, not even for one night. His ways may be demanding and tough, but they are for our protection. Always. There's no taking breaks from Him, unless you want to roll around in the muck for a while. We can flee, but He'll find us every time.

To join the In "Other" Words meme and read more impressions of this quote, visit MiPa at Miriam Pauline's Monologue.

Calling all Facebook Friends

Yes, I'm talking to you, friend, the person who reads my blog via my Facebook notes. Don't worry, don't look over your shoulder. No one is watching you. You're still free to stalk in peace, but. . .

. . .have I got a deal for you!

Did you know you can have blog posts from The Next Step delivered straight to your e-mail inbox? No logging into Facebook, no sifting through hundreds of status updates to see if you can learn anything shocking about moi. A simple little e-mail can be delivered to you each morning after any new content is posted. It's simple. Just go to the actual blog site, www.tamiboesiger.blogspot.com, and find the subscription box in the right sidebar. It's pretty hard to miss. It says, "Get new posts delivered straight to your inbox." Enter your e-mail address and wait for an e-mail which asks you to verify the subscription (this step is important--if you don't verify, you won't get the e-mails), and voila, you are set up to receive e-mails from The Next Step.

Of course you can still read the posts via Facebook and participate in the comment section there if you choose, but the e-mails allow you to access the blog also and see what others on commenting directly on it.

If you are super techy and want to read The Next Step through a newsreader, click on the link directly below the e-mail subscription which reads, "Subscribe in a reader" and you can get set up that way too.

So many options, huh? I do what I can.

However you do it, thanks for reading, my friend. I love hearing from you. Your comments make this WAY more fun.

7 Quick Takes (Volume 42)

1) Ladies Man went to church camp this week. With his hair at perfect flippable length and styling his aviator sunglasses, he said to me, "Mom, I have three goals for camp. Number 1--Get closer to God."

"Yeah, good answer," I said.

"Number two," he continued, "Make some new friends and Number three. . ."

Can you guess?

"Meet some girls."

He is SOOOOOO thirteen.

2) We had a wonderful time in the Ozarks. There's something about spending time in a different place, living with different people (wait, I should probably rephrase that--LOVE YOU GUYS!) that helps you gain a better perspective on life. I didn't realize how much I needed a break from the ordinary (and from my computer). We laughed, boated, got sunburned, ate WAY too much and laughed and laughed and laughed. We even swallowed live minnows in a shot of pop! (It's our big claim to fame now--we shot the minnow!) What a great time. Now I'm ready for a fresh start. Thanks Mark and Rachelle! And Rachelle and Edie, don't you dare forget...what happens in the Ozarks, STAYS in the Ozarks!

3) While we were laughing it up in the Ozarks, our older two kids were on their own trips. They came back Sunday night and we were up until almost 1:AM laying around our bedroom telling stories about our trips. It was one of those precious moments you don't want to cut off. We have really great kids. Really. I'm constantly amazed at how they're turning out and how God is grabbing their hearts. It's a testament to His grace. Thank You, Lord.

4) I've performed minor surgery on our gecko this week. The poor lizard has a tough time shedding his skin in a very delicate area and needs help getting it out. I don't mind it really. (He's getting nervous at the sight of me, however!) Sometimes I think I should have gone into the medical field because I love squeezing puss out of wounds and doctoring them up, or removing tough slivers, or popping blackheads and zits (My kids don't seem to appreciate my skills.). I've even taken out my own stitches. I think one reason I didn't go into the medical field was because I was afraid of messing it up. I mean it's one thing to make a mistake on a gecko, but another thing entirely to screw something up on a person, you know what I mean? I'm not sure I could take that kind of pressure.

5) Talk about old! Last night I pulled an ingrown hair out of my chin!

6) The time is slowing ticking away to the day our oldest goes off to college again. It's been great having him home, but he's ready to get started at his new school. The school he's transferring to is MUCH bigger and he's been working hard to make their drum line. He's practiced so much he has a blister! It will be cool to see him in a Husker uniform. When I was in high school I made the first cut for the Cornhusker Marching Band, but didn't end up going to school there. His dad and I were both band geeks. His dad was even the drum major in high school and college. And now we've spawned another band geek. It brings tears to my eyes. Not.

7) I still haven't had "the talk" with my youngest, but it will have to happen soon. Last week when I asked if one of her friends was in church she told me, "No, someone said she was home with female problems, whatever that means." I'm really gonna have to do it, people. Pray!

That's all she wrote on this unusually cool morning in Nebraska. Have a great weekend, my friends, and enjoy more Quick Takes at Conversion Diary.

Steps to Connection: Assume the Best

It's too easy to get my panties in a wad.

I over think things. I go over conversations in my head and wonder what her words really meant. When I make a special effort to approach someone and she's short with me, seeming annoyed or preoccupied, I think she doesn't like me. If an individual doesn't return my phone calls, I wonder why she's mad at me. When I get a serious look in Bible study, I conclude the other party disagrees. If she avoids me at Walmart, she must hate me.

Sheesh. Why do I assume every response has something to do with me?

How does someone who wants to build relationships with others handle these sorts of situations?

A true friend gives the benefit of the doubt and doesn't take it personally. Maybe her head hurt or she had a hard day at work. Could she be struggling with hormones? Perhaps her kids have been especially taxing or she's having a problem with her mother. There's a thousand reasons the response is NOT about me. Really. I take myself too seriously. Brother.

People with strong ties assume the best about each other. They show grace and understanding even when they don't feel it. They draw others to themselves by withholding judgment. They allow others to have bad days without affecting the relationship. They put people at ease, thereby providing opportunities for real connection.

Assume the best. It sounds simple, yet takes practice to apply. I know. Old habits die hard. But I'm working on it. I've realized it's not just a matter of what we say either. Assuming the best must encompass our attitude as well or it shows. If we're not in it all the way, we're not in it at all.

What do you think? How could your relationships be enhanced by assuming the best?



More Steps to Connection:
Understand All Have Insecurities
Vulnerability
Time
Availability
Expectations
Be Yourself
Take a Risk

Chasing a Miracle Requires Trust

People occasionally tell me, "You should write a book" or "You should get that published." While I'm thankful for their vote of confidence and try to be gracious, inside I'm thinking, "If only it were that easy."

It takes a TON of work to become an author. A TON. A whole heap of ton! Finding the extra hours in my day to work on writing is challenging and exhausting. It takes time to learn the craft of writing and the less time I spend, the longer it will take. I'm easily frustrated. I'm no spring chicken any more. If this is going to happen, I need to be spending more time on it.

The odds of getting a book published are getting slimmer, even more so with the economy the way it is. Publishing companies are printing fewer titles every year, meaning they're less willing to take a chance on a no name like me. Breaking into the book market is beyond tough. It's next to impossible.

And then there's the fact that I was a MATH MAJOR in college. I have no formal writing training (I'm not sure the correspondence course I finished years ago would qualify.). I'm not the smartest, the most creative or eloquent, nothing close to a master wordsmith. There are countless others with greater abilities than I. I have no platform (a recognizable name, a speaking career, a hugely successful blog, basically a position in which to sell books) which is required to publish a nonfiction work these days. I'm just a middle-aged homemaker in Nebraska with nothing new to say, only the desire to say it.

It seems silly to spend a tremendous amount, a heap ton, of work on something with little chance of publication. If I am completely honest with myself, I have to admit from a business and experience standpoint, I've got no reason to think I'll ever see a book that bears my name.

Except. . .

I have a great big God.

He puts within me a nagging to write that never goes away, even when I try my best to shake it. Something in me (or rather Someone) tells me to keep doing it, keep working on it, whether the end result is a book contract or not. He brings people who spur me on with their comments. He says not to worry about where it's headed, but concentrate on the present work, making it the best it can be. He says, "Trust Me. Let me surprise you with how I can use your willingness to listen to My voice."

Could He accomplish the impossible? Could I witness a miracle by heeding Him?

"If all you ever attempt is that which you know you can do or have the resources for, how will you ever discover what He can do?"

My Jesus is . . . . Everything!
by Anne Graham Lotz

I don't want to miss out on His hand at work. I'm willing to wait to see it, no matter how long it takes. I look for His unconventional ways of answering prayers, knowing His miracle may not be a book contract. I'll keep answering His nagging and continue writing. One day He may take my breath away.

What about you? Is God waiting to show you a miracle? Is He primed to reveal Himself to you in a fresh way if only you'll step out of your comfort zone or give your all? Don't miss it, friends. Take a deep breath, trust Him with everything you have and take the risk.

What might you miss if you don't?


To join the In "Other" Words meme and read more impressions of this quote, visit Nina at Mama’s Little Treasures.

7 Quick Takes (Volume 41)

1) I'm actually writing this week's Quick Takes on Wednesday. By the time you read this, I will be lounging in the Ozarks with some really fun people. Can you say aah?

2) The 20 year reunion of my former students was very fun. I saw lots of kids and teachers I worked with. The time flew by and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I've always had it in my head that I've changed a lot over the years, but as I talked with people who were in my life twenty years ago, I was surprised to find myself much the same. I guess I want to believe I've changed for the better, and I suppose everyone does, but not as drastically as I once thought. I am thrilled to be making progress in the self-conscious department. Age has a way of giving you perspective.

3) "I am NOT going to eat at McDonald's ever again," our thirteen-year-old announced, "Their food doesn't break down in your system. It's not real food!"

"What?" my husband asked.

"No, really, it's true. I saw it on You Tube."

"Oh." we uttered in unison.

"It's true," our son insisted, "it's not just some lonely guy doing a video."

I'm not sure what he said after that. I was laughing too hard.

4) My husband likes the show Wipeout. I cringe every time I watch it. Man, those people punish their bodies! I can't understand how more people don't get seriously hurt. I wonder what our chiropractor friends think of it.

5) We spent Independence Day with my extended family. Watching my kids have a blast with their cousins made me so thankful we live close enough for them to know each other well. There are some real advantages to sticking close to home.

6) I've had lots of people ask me if I'm sad summer is flying by. Honestly? No. I've never been a big fan of summer. I've never looked good in a swimsuit. I'm not crazy about the heat and humidity. If you're cold in the winter you can always put more clothes on, but if you're hot in the summer, there's only so much you can take off!

But I must say summer evenings, with nice breezes blowing really trip my trigger.

7) Do you dream much at night? I do and I often remember what I dream about. A strange phenomenon has occurred in my dreaming lately. Whenever I dream about our church, we are located in a shopping mall. Not one of those strip malls, mind you, but a huge mall with hundreds of stores. Those of you who know me well will find this comical since I'm not much of a shopper, have a hard time spending money, and grew up with a fear of escalators.

What do you suppose it means? Is church stressing me out like shopping? Naw. I find our body refreshing and encouraging. Do I approach attending church like shopping, a "have to" sort of thing? I used to, but not anymore. I'm taking it as God's nudging to "go out into the world." Do you have any other theories?

That's it for me today, friends. Have a great weekend and catch more Quick Takes at Conversion Diary.

Traveling with your Husband

We were young and in love. Every time wedding plans got the best of me, I dreamed of laying on the beach, holding hands with my favorite person. It was going to be Paradise. All was well with the world as we set off for our honeymoon to the Bahamas. (I'm pretty sure I even heard birds singing on the plane.)

We flew into Nassau amid the wreckage of several planes. Thanking the good Lord ours was not one of them, we walked off the tarmac and followed the herd into customs. I was a little freaked out in a new strange place. The natives spoke English, but had an accent and spoke so fast it sounded like a foreign language. By the time we got to the gate to present our proof of citizenship cards, I was a nervous wreck. The lady behind the counter was unwelcoming and stern. She sized me up and said, without any expression at all, "Is that a perm in your hair?" Thinking she had my driver's license with a picture BEFORE the perm, I was afraid she wasn't going to let me in. I went off on a LONG explanation about how we just got married and the perm was new and on and on and on. She listened, totally deadpan, handed my card back and said, "It looks nice," never cracking a smile.

Stupid tourist strike number one.

We rented a motor scooter to explore the island a little. Because we were low on cash (and I didn't mind the thought of wrapping my arms around my new husband all day), we decided to share one. We drove it around the parking lot a little to get the feel for it, then proceeded onto the main highway, the ONLY highway in and out of town. I panicked when the scooter leaned into the road, so I leaned in the opposite direction, causing us to completely wipe out, stopping traffic on the only thoroughfare in town.

Stupid tourist strike number two.

Our little accident produced matching scrapes on our elbows and knees, but we were so embarrassed, we jumped back on the scooter and bled all the way out of town. What happened next I blame on both our embarrassment and our in-love euphoria. After traveling a few miles out of town, we decided to clean our wounds. In the ocean. Yeah, these stupid Nebraska farm kids forgot not all bodies of water are freshwater. OUCH!

Stupid tourist strike number three.

But don't count us out! We may not be the smartest travelers, but we know how to have a good time. Despite our scooter wounds and bad sunburns from snorkeling, you'll be happy to know (or maybe just disgusted and completely grossed out) we were quite able to enjoy our honeymoon anyway and came home with lots of fond memories.

Many, many moons later (nearly 23 years!), I still love getting away with my husband. We manage to do it a couple times a year. It's nothing as exotic (or painful) as the Bahamas, usually a destination a few hours away in a different hick part of Nebraska, but I love it. I could do it once a month if time and money allowed.

I feel like we NEED it. Life gets demanding, stressful, exhausting. Everything and everybody pull us in opposite directions. It's easy to lose each other in the busyness of every day life. Getting away helps us remember who we are as a couple, a unit. It's important, necessary even, to sustain a lasting, thriving relationship which not only benefits the two of us, but our children as well.

Give it a shot, friends. Go grab your man and hit the road! You won't regret it.

For more Marriage Monday posts, join Christine at Fruit in Season.

7 Quick Takes (Volume 40)

1) Right now I'm sitting in my upstairs porch which is like sitting in a big tree house, leaves and tree branches surrounding, listening to the rain fall gently, a window open, allowing cool great-smelling air to waft in as day begins. Mmmmmm. . .

And I'm actually thankful God woke me up at 5:AM to experience it. SOOO soothing.

2) I've been thinking a lot about peace and contentment and rest this week. At some point I have to wonder if all my thinking is taking up too much time!

All my stressing about getting my work done is making me an irritable, strung out mom. Yuck. I think I need to trust God more to order my days, to direct the moments. I can't continue in the tense manner of this week.

In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.
Proverbs 16:9

Thanks for your gentle advice, friends. I have mulled it over lots. May I hold loosely to my plans for each day and trust God to multiply my efforts.

3) I had a great day with my youngest on a little shopping excursion this week. She "got to" help me pick out a new swimsuit. I brought her in the fitting rooms to get her opinion and she cracked me up. She didn't want to see her mother in all her glory, if you know what I mean, and had to turn her head when any actual flesh may appear. When I absentmindedly stripped down before her eyes were shielded I heard, "Hello, children in the room" as she turned her back.

This is the same child who was traumatized seeing real live boobies in the locker room at our local YMCA one day. "It made me feel weird, Mom," she said through tears.

Do you see why I've been dragging my feet about having the sex talk with her? She's still so innocent. Is it possible for a ten-year-old to have an aneurysm? I can see her hyperventilating now.

4) I'm having a really good friend week, spending lots of quality time with people I love. Of course this is contributing to the "I'm not getting anything done" feeling. Yeah, I know you want to slap me. It reminds me of a blog post I read yesterday from Big Mama who was complaining to her husband about her busy week, much of which included swimming outings. His response to her was, “Wow, I feel bad for you with all your pool obligations. Your life is really hard.”

Yes, I'm fully aware I clog myself with all my socializing and I've recognized my need for better balance (gasp, did I really use that word?) in this area. But I have really great friends, people!

5) Last night I was so thankful to have taken the time with a friend. I thought about cancelling, feeling overwhelmed with everything I need to get done in the next week, but I'm so glad I didn't! We spent several hours sitting outside, summer breezes blowing all around us, eating cheesecake, drinking lattes and enjoying meaningful conversation until we realized all the stores around us had closed. To be known and understood and freely able to express your heart no matter how irrational and whacked and self-centered your feelings may be is a tremendous gift I never take for granted. I am blessed to know people who let me be who I am and somehow still like me. See why I have a hard time balancing my social time?

Thanks for a wonderful evening, my friend (you know who you are). Our time together was absolutely healing for me.

6) Today's the big day I go to the 20th reunion of former students of mine. I've debated some about what to wear, what makes me look the thinnest or accentuates the black, not the gray in my hair, ya da, ya da, ya da. I realize I'll have more fun (and probably look better) if I just assume I'm fine and have a confident countenance about me. Now, will I be able to do that? I hope so. We'll see. Tune in next week.

7) I've had some really good food experiences lately. I've been thoroughly enjoying my food! My husband even laughed at me as I went on and on about a fabulous dinner we had at a restaurant in KC last week. And last night's cheesecake--white chocolate raspberry mousse--MMM, MMM, MMM, PERFECT!

It would make my dad proud to see me enjoying it so much. He was a great lover of food who often said, "It's a shame a person has to get full."

That's it for me this rainy Friday feels-so-good morning, friends. Happy Independence Day! Catch more Quick Takes at Conversion Diary.

Is Contentment the Key?

I've been frustrated this week. Demands on my time feel suffocating, yet when someone innocently asks what I did today, I have nothing monumental to say and feel stupid. The day and a half of solitude and productivity I had last week were a tease. At home reality hits and I'm left feeling tense. I don't know how to fit everything in. And it makes me crazy trying.

I don't think God wants us to live this way. So what can I do?

In an e-mail exchange with a friend who's WAY busier than me, she said, "Acceptance is key. I really have to accept the craziness of every day instead of trying to wish it away."

Can that really work?

And then I read this post by Susie Larson which seemed to say the same thing. Contentment brings peace, order, calm.

Maybe I've been trying too hard. Maybe I need to be content with my life and trust God to direct each day. Am I thinking too much about it, stressing over things I shouldn't?

Help me out here, friends. How do you find peace and contentment amid the busyness of every day?

May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us--yes, establish the work of our hands.

Psalm 90:17