Things That Make Me Happy

So I mentioned on facebook a few months ago that my pampered chef pizza stone BROKE while cooking in the oven. I was soo sad. And we didnt have the receipt nor was it new enough to return. So this stone sat on our counter for ..... a while. Just like this. 

Finally I said we need to get rid of it. Michael said, "Let me try to get a hold of pampered chef to see if they will replace it before we throw it away." Michael told them we got our old one for our wedding and had no receipt. So the kind pampered chef lady said, "Oh, we will send you a new one."

Yeah!!!!! My lucky day!!!! So we had to send back a piece of the broken stone and then they sent us our NEW and IMPROVED Pizza Stone. Its a glorious day! The new one has HANDLES!!! woohooo!!!

I was also able to use some of our wedding gift card money (yes we still have some) from a wonderful store called Williams and Sonoma. That store is crazy! But I was able to get myself a new Tea Kettle. And I LOVE IT!!! (So does Michael)

Now I can enjoy my new Starbucks 'Vanilla' coffee and Chai Matte Tea. 

Oh life is good! :) Its those little things in life that make me SO HAPPY!

Family for Life

On my way to work today I began thinking about the things I am most grateful for right now. The women in my family being some of those things. My sisters and mother have been a true blessing to me. And Im realizing this more and more as time goes by. I think about our years growing up together and how much we used to fight and not like each other AT ALL! I will never forget the time Michelle said, "Hey you want to hang out?" Im sure my mouth dropped in awe when she asked me that question. She was my older sister and I always wanted to be cool like her. But she had her friends who always had a way of trumping my efforts of coolness. Michelle and I have had a bond since that day. We are complete opposites but in some weird way we "complete" one another. She has changed so much (for the better of coarse!) after becoming a mother to one of the cutest little girls around! I remember in high school people were scared of her because she was so outspoken. And I would just laugh thinking to myself... you have no idea. Michelle is a busy bee! Shes not mean but fun! :) Michelle has a heart for people that most dont get to see. Shes beautiful inside and out.

Little Breanna on Christmas Day 2010 (1 1/2 years)

And then there's Megan. Oh Megan... when we were young we were forced into sharing many things together. (Bedrooms, Birthdays, Clothes) There was always a little bit of distance between Megan and I. I think the biggest reason is because we were always together. We stepped on each others toes. Megan has become one of my favorite people to talk to. She is a very Real person. She tells it like it is... and although it may not be what you want to hear at times, she will say it. I think there is a lot to say about a person who can be honest and not feel belittled by others. Megan is strong and I love her. She too has changed (for the better) after little Jay entered into this world. Her life revolves around him. Its cute really. I will never forget this comment made by her. Me: "So what is your schedule like this semester?" Megan: "Well I have classes these two days and I work these days. And every other day Im just a mom." (With a big grin on her face.) Now I dont remember the work and school schedule because the later comment is what I really remember. She loves being a mom.



Little Jay Butt Christmas Day 2010 (9 months)

Last, but never Least... MOM. Mom has been there since day one... obviously, she birthed me :) Thanks for that by the way. As the years have krept and gone I have learned many things about this lovely woman. She has the biggest kindest heart of anyone I know. She loves to give to and please people. Although, sometimes I truly believe she needs to slow down and take a breather, I dont know if she would know what to do with her time. :) Mom has taught me how to truly care for friends and to hold those people near [and dear] to me. Everyone knows Kim Maschmidt. I know that no matter where I go, I will see someone or run into someone mom knows and is friends with. Its crazy! She knows everyone! And they always have something wonderful to say about her.... ALWAYS! I love you Mom!

Left: Michelle, Mom, Melissa
Bottom: Megan

Mom, Melissa, Michelle, Megan

               I am truly thankful for these ladies! Love you all!

What are we Thinking?

I don't know any other way to start this blog other than to get right to the point. I encountered a heart wrenching conversation tonight with one of my co-workers. I was joking with this person about lying and I said "that is a lie straight from hell." They understood that I was joking. All the sudden this person said, "I don't believe in hell... actually I don't believe in heaven or hell." This struck me odd, so I probed the comment. "Why don't you believe in heaven or hell?" They replied with a strong face but eyes that screamed hurt, "I wasn't accepted in my last church. I am a full believer in Pro Choice and they told me I was wrong for believing that." This person felt jaded by the church. They felt like the church was full of cliques and if you didn't believe what they wanted you to believe; i.e. Pro Life and not Pro Choice, then you were wrong and not able to be a part of their "clique". When this person finally chose to leave the church, they said no one came to visit them or their family.


My heart broke while listening to this story. I couldn't help but agree with them. I told them that the church is full cliques at times because we are all sinners but that doesn't mean every church was the way their previous church was. I invited this person to my church. Although I truly believe every church has its cliques, some people fit better together than others, we can't just let people go by the waste-side because they don't believe or think the way we believe or think. Obviously this person has some sort of story behind their decision of agreeing with pro choice. Something really bothered them to even speak of the topic. The wrong thing to do is tell them how wrong they are. The right thing to do is to invest in them. Show them Jesus. 


What really shocked me out of this whole conversation was the fact that this person now chooses not to believe in Heaven, Hell, or God. All because people were unloving towards them. What are we thinking!?! Although I think choosing not to believe in God just because people treated you poorly is an emotionally charged decision and not based on truth, I think SO many people do this. They stop coming to church because they don't feel involved or loved. And when they notice that no one even cared they left, it pushes them even further. People are running away from the church because of our lack of love and understanding. People like this don't understand Jesus yet, they don't have the Holy Spirit living in them. And we are just proving to them why they don't want any part of it by the way "followers of Jesus" are acting towards them. Instead of cliques, lets have groups of people who share in the best common interest... Jesus. No one needs to be left out. 


I am NOT PERFECT! I know I have been careless at times. Lets start caring for those who are "different". Show those people who don't follow Jesus with their lives a life that does follow Jesus. Because they are truly missing out. Lets not push them away from Jesus.