When I put the boys clothes in the dryer from the washer, I didn’t know there were so many extras with them.  I soon found out that not only had I washed a sandwich baggie, a candy wrapper and a fruit snack package, but also one lone rock that I imagine was placed in a pocket as a treasure that was found.

Sometimes I get annoyed at things like that.

Sometimes I don’t.

And this morning when I went to retrieve the laundered and dried little boy clothes, I saw the rock.  The little item that prevented sleep from gracing me for at least 15 minutes while I laid on my memory foam mattress next to a very heavy breather.

The reason I didn’t get annoyed with this is because the empty-nester in me showed up again.  She visits regularly to give me perspective.  She tells me that it won’t always be like this and that I won’t always do their laundry and that I will actually miss the fact that I have cleaned more fruit snack packages than most moms.

I don’t mind it when she appears.  She’s good for me.  She keeps me grounded about what to lose my cool over and what to let go.

I’m curious:  Am I the only one who gets a visit of perspective like this?

SEVENTEEN gloriously, difficult and full of both amazing joy and awful despair kind of years to the man of my dreams, my Knight in Shining Armor.  Well, maybe not armor, but at least a nice pair of Buckle jeans.

And with these 17 years, comes some experience.  I don’t have all of the answers but I can tell you a few pieces of advice.  These little morsels are going to be directed toward the menfolk because well, I am a woman and I can only tell you what doesn’t work for women.  I imagine my husband can list three dozen things that a wife shouldn’t say or do, but well, this isn’t his blog.

And there you go.

Advice-giving time:

#1 – When giving a compliment to your wife, don’t use the work look or follow the compliment with today or in that dress.  For example, “Honey, you look wonderful in that dress” or “Wow, you look pretty today.” Men, what we are hearing is this: “What?  I didn’t look good yesterday?  And do I have to have this dress on to look pretty?” Your best bet is to simply say, “You are gorgeous!” The verb “are” is key here.  It means now and always.  And you might even consider saying it when we have a 7-year old pair of red sweats on while we are wearing a hot pink t-shirt.

#2 – This is a family show so I will refer to “you know what” as “hanky panky.”  Men, when you are in the mood for hanky panky, please don’t think you can start things at 10:25 when you didn’t remember to take the trash to the street or offer to get the kids ready for school or send a sweet text message for no reason, no reason at all and expect a little somethin’, somethin’.  And that’s all I’m going to say about that.  I think you get the picture.  We are crock pots, not microwaves.

#3 – If you find yourself at home all day with the kids and your wife walks in the door just prior to supper time, please don’t ask, “What’s for dinner?” You are most assuredly going to get a set of rolled eyes thrown your way and maybe even a few choice words.  Another option is to actually see what you can make for her so that after she’s been gone or at work while you have been home.  This could lead to a positive response on #2.  Just sayin’.

Now, these are just hypothetical situations.  I am sure none of this stuff ever happens.  I, for one, have no idea if it does since I am clearly living the dream with my Knight.

I am sorry.  I know that these things are absolutely ridiculous.  We women don’t deny we are a difficult bunch.  But, I promise you that these little nuggets will make a difference in your woman’s world.

And when momma’s happy, ain’t everyone happy?

Always has been, really.  And since I’ve become a mom, well, that has only intensified.  I am not sure why guilt becomes a close companion when I think about getting my nails done or consider getting a new pair of jeans because the ones I’ve had for nearly six years are about to disintegrate.  It just happens.

But not today.

For the next 36 hours I am doing something for me.  I will be driving my car loaded with my closest friends three hours south to Dallas, Texas.

And. The. Excitement. Is. Killin’. Me.

There will be eleven, count them ELEVEN of us women going on our short overnight getaway.  In a nice hotel.  And you know what that means: I don’t have to make the bed tomorrow morning nor do I have to cook for the next five meals.

It’s the little things.

We girls will laugh, cry, stop for restroom breaks because we have two pregnant women in the group, shop, eat, laugh some more, shop, eat, laugh a whole lot more and definitely talk about how blessed we are that God brought us into each other’s lives.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got a car full of crazy 30-something women to drive for the next few hours.  And a few extra bucks that is ’bout to burn a whole in my pocket.

Gone.

If I could do it over again, I would.  Choosing a nice, broth-like soup with some whole wheat crackers on the side would have been a more suitable choice.  But, life doesn’t always let you have what you want.

I’d just learned that my husband’s father had passed away and I was rushing around the house trying to get things packed up for a week-long trip to Texas with my boys.  The last thing I was thinking about was getting Daniel Fast appropriate snacks for the road.

What?

I mean, I knew I would have to break the fast early upon learning about his death.  It would be a near impossibility to maintain this spiritual act while we were staying in the homes of our parents as we dealt with the loss of my father-in-law.

What’s funny to me about the whole Daniel Fast is that I was certain that I would love the taste of Diet Dr. Pepper when I could have it again.  So I had it again.  But I didn’t enjoy it.  In fact, I was incredibly disappointed in the taste.  Not sure if I will even introduce it to my normal diet again.

The Milk Duds?  Well, now that’s a completely different story.

You don’t expect it at all.  I mean, you sort of know it’ll happen one day but you don’t know when that one day will be here.  So, you go about your merry little way.

There you are one minute checking Twitter, responding to three-day old emails and seeing which friends have “taken their turn” on Words With Friends.  The next minute, you see the name on your caller ID and you get this feeling in your gut that something is wrong.  Sure enough.

Something was wrong.

“Dad’s on life support,” was all my husband’s twin sister could get out through her tears.  I tried not to panic and make the situation worse because after all, it wasn’t my father she was talking about.  It was hers.

Or was it?

I remember the first time I met him.  It was April of 1992 and I was forced coerced persuaded to sing a song for my soon-to-be husband’s parents.  How embarrassing, huh?  It was.  But, I think they knew it was for real and they figured that any daughter-in-law of theirs better be able to make some music with her vocal chords.  Apparently, I was a shoe in.

Since that day, I was treated by my in-laws as if I was their 7th child.  Of course, most of their children’s spouses feel that way. My father-in-law was a one-of-a-kind man who became my father over the last 18 years since my Daddy had departed this earth just two years prior.  He showered me with encouraging words and oodles of love just like a father would toward his daughter. I loved his wit, his charm, his talent and his heart.  He did not achieve perfection on this earth but he did leave a legacy that will be passed on to generations.  His six children and nineteen grandchildren will make sure of that.

Within 24 hours of that life-altering phone call, we lost Charles Joseph Beall.  Our earthly loss of a loved man was Heaven’s gain of a faithful servant.  He’s no longer with us in this world because he’s joined a heavenly chorus and I’m most certain that he has the lead role.

You will be missed, Dad.

Thank you for loving me.  It means the world to me.

Meeting Cindy from Sarah Markley on Vimeo.

Because that’s what moms do.

It doesn’t happen all the time, but it’s not completely uncommon for my boys to wake up during the night and journey down the stairs on their own.  They won’t trip or fall because I’ve placed lamps very strategically along their pathway.  Whether it’s a seasonal thunderstorm, a bad dream or growing pains in their long, lanky legs, they scamper downstairs to the living room.

I’ve woken up in the morning a few times to find one or both of them asleep on the sofa and over-sized chair we have in our living room.  They don’t care that our entire great room is lined with floor-to-ceiling windows.  It doesn’t seem to frighten them when the shadows of the trees form scary monsters on the walls.  No, they just automatically feel safer knowing that they are on the same floor as their momma and daddy.  Within twenty feet of their security.

I love being their shield.  Their protector.  Their strength on this earth.  What they don’t realize is that I am often just as scared as them when a tornado is on its way or when I can’t get their fever to subside or when a bad dream strikes.  But I don’t tell them.

Because the chain of fear and concern should go up.  My kids tell me and I tell my Heavenly Daddy.  When I do, He comforts me with his peace that passes understanding and He lets me lean back in his very comfortable, everlasting arms.

Then, and only then, do my babies rest peacefully.  Because I’m resting peacefully knowing the Creator of the universe loves and cares for me.

I went to random.org and generated some winners.  Yes, I’m that spiffy and technologically savvy.  This is the moment you’ve all been waiting for.  Well, for at least four days.  Ready?

And the winners are… (insert drum roll)

Monday – The journal from Z as in Zebra goes to…LIZ THOMAS

Tuesday – The apron from Pink Licorice goes to…KELLI WALTERS

Wednesday  - Lisa Whittle’s Books go to…GINGER BALES

Thursday – Goodie Basket from J Brooke Designs goes to…GINA LEDLOW

This was a fun week!  I hope you enjoyed it.  Even if you didn’t win, I certainly hope you will check these ladies out who have such great items.

Live Blessed!

Jaime Trendle is talented and creative woman whom I have called my friend for nearly 8 years!  She is wonderful, just wonderful.  Not only that, but the girl has some serious decorating skills.  I love the touch she adds to a room.

And she’s beautiful.  Here she is with her husband, Chad, and their twin daughters.

I know, right?

You can find stationery, notepads, calendars, and bag/luggage tags at Jaime’s website.  The item she is best known for is her invitations and announcements.  I can always tell when she has done an announcement or invitation that I receive in the mail.  Love them!

Check out her site: J Brooke Designs.

Here are the awesome items that she has given me to give to you!  This box of delight is worth $76.  SEVENTY-SIX DOLLARS!  You’ll find a several note pads with adorable ribbons, notecards and a candle.  Jaime, you rock!

My question for you folks today is this:  If you could have one talent that you don’t currently have, what would it be?

(I would love to have a decorating eye.  But that’s just me.)

I met Lisa through the Internet a while ago.  And then I got to meet her face-to-face in November.  I loved her through emails and blogging, but just squeezed the ever-lovin’ life out of her when I finally saw her beautiful, peaches ‘n cream skin up close and personal.

(Even if it was over Mexican food.)

Lisa is married to Scott, a senior pastor, and is a published author and speaker.  She is a firecracker and full of wisdom.  She shares her life and experiences with people by writing and speaking at different conferences.  She is currently working on her 3rd book that is sure to bless many.

As many of you know, I’ve been on a journey to publish my book.  Lisa has taken the time to not only encourage me to press on but also to give me pointers and so much insight into the publishing world.  She didn’t have to do that for lil ole me, but she did.  I love that about her.

Her first two books are The Seven Hardest Things God Asks A Woman To Do (Shepherd Press, 2007) and Behind Those Eyes:  What’s Really Going On Inside The Souls of Women (Thomas Nelson, 2008).

You are eligible to win these two books if you will tell me a couple of things: What is your favorite book?  Who is your favorite speaker?

The winner of Lisa’s books will be chosen on Friday, January 29th!