Chasing Blue Skies

For the Mamas and Mama-Mentors {Free Printable!}

Every so often, as my almost-taller-than-me children and I cruise the aisles at the grocery store or Target, some sweet soul will notice one of my sons sporting his favorite Maui t-shirt. They want to know: Did you vacation there recently? Once they find out we lived there, they follow-up with the same question: What’s that like?? But given the drive-by nature of grocery store encounters, we have to answer in a way that sums it all up.

So, one of us usually gives an answer along the lines of,

“It had it’s highs and lows, but we wouldn’t trade our time there for anything!”

It’s a whole lot easier to say this than go into all the details.

When I think of all that encompasses our lives as a Mama, I think the same words pretty much sum up our job title.

“It has its highs and lows, but we wouldn’t trade our time there for anything!”

free printable version here

If you would like a little extra something special to give your own mama or mama-mentor in your life, maybe print this off and place it in a frame or card for her?

Mama: Such a simple word for such a busy calling.

Much love to all the mamas, aunts, friends, and mentors out there who freely and generously invest in others.

Enjoy your day, friends!

May 8, 2013 3 Comments Filed Under: Being a Woman, Family, Holidays, Parenting

When You Want to See Yourself More Clearly

By Kristen

He finds me in the kitchen stirring jambalaya and adding parsley to the crockpot bowl. He sidles up next to me and almost whispers it,

“Guess what happened today, Mama?”

I turn to find his eyes flickering warmth like a good spring day and ask, “What happened today?”

“Well, I showed some of my drawings to my friend Harry, and he liked them! He said he thought I was a really good artist.”

I smile big and answer, “Well, that’s because you are a very good artist!”

He gives me a look that says You have to say that because you’re my Mama.

No son, I say it because it’s true. But perhaps it’s more expected that Mama-me would say it. It’s not expected from others, and I think that’s what makes it exciting. I see this written all over his handsome little face: Kind encouragement from others wipe the grime and dust from our own mirror showing us a more genuine, beautiful picture of ourselves.

It makes the real us feel known.

“For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I am known in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.” ~1 Corinthians 13:12

God knows us fully, right down to the dustiest corners of our heart. We rest in this always because He loves us always. But sometimes, He surprises us by dropping unexpected encouragement into our laps from other folks, the kind of encouragement that can turn an inheritance of grief into an inheritance of grace. The kind that surprises us by helping us see ourselves more accurately.

Recently I read a beautiful, poignant memoir called The Artist’s Daughter by Alexandra Kuykendall. I met Alex at Allume last fall and then again in Denver a couple weeks ago. She is honest, genuine, and pure delight – all qualities that dance in her lovely writing.

In The Artist’s Daughter, Alex writes of her childhood as the daughter of a single doting mother and a famous Spanish artist who was not regularly involved in her life. While I have no idea what it’s like to grow up without a father, I can identify with wounds caused by disappointing realities and wishing for different, of wanting to be fully known as only God sees. And really, who couldn’t?

Alex writes of how she learned to turn an inheritance of grief into one of grace, and what this looks like in herself, her marriage, and her mothering. It is a compelling story that touches tender places relevant to my life and probably yours, too.

Because I loved it so much, I’m {surprise!} giving away one copy to one person who links up *or* comment below. I will draw a winner from the total link-ups and comments and announce that winner on the blog next week. But if you don’t want to wait for your own copy of The Artist’s Daughter, you may now find it here or here.

May it bless you as wildly as it blessed me.

Giveaway copy generously provided by Revell.

If you are sharing your own surprise story, here are some things to remember:

1. New to link-up’s or have questions? Read this first.

2. Since we all dig surprises, please surprise another writer by leaving a comment on her post *or* by giving her a facebook shout-out or tweet. Use the hashtag: #outoftheblue.

3. Be sure to include the out of the blue banner {see below} in your post or link back to Chasing Blue Skies so your readers can join in the fun. That way, we can all easily find each other.

Next week’s prompt: A memory of spring that surprises you! I’ll just tell you right now mine might have something to do with all the springtime snow we’ve seen. {Hello, 2 hour school delay on May 2nd!} I look forward to reading how your own unexpected surprise story of spring increased your joy or made a difference in your life!

May 2, 2013 21 Comments Filed Under: Authors Extraordinaire, Being a Woman, Family, Giveaway, out of the blue

Keeping It Real

By Kristen

I threw open my front door this past Saturday and welcomed friends old and new into my home.

I wasn’t the only one, either.

Now just between you and me, a whole lot of my to-do’s for this shindig went undone. I didn’t mop my doggy streaked floors, place freshly laundered rugs and hand towels in the guest bathroom, make my mushroom appetizers, or arrange crafts and ice breakers. I did hang a few Chinese lanterns, fill vases with daffodils and sunflowers, prepare a couple goodies {guests kindly brought everything else}, and set a tea table pretty enough for Princess Kate but laid back enough for us non-royals.

Basically, I prepared things I find fun to prepare while forgetting a lot of the rest. And wonder of wonders, no one seemed to care a lick about all the things left undone.

It was the real (in)RL, where the come-as-you-are philosophy shows up not just in sentiment but in real life. Every heart needs a home to rest in, and who rests amidst polished and perfect?

To those who came to my home: I had loads of fun, and I hope you did too. Thanks for the relaxing conversation and abundant laughter and for listening to my Rambly McRambles self go on and on about crazy stuff. That’s what you get with me.

In real life.

April 29, 2013 21 Comments Filed Under: (In)Courage, Friendship, Fun Stuff

Because Darth Vader Isn’t the Boss of Me

By Kristen

We stood in her kitchen talking when she made a remark aimed straight for my jugular. White knuckled, my hands grasped the countertop so I wouldn’t shake from the hit.

Sometimes words speak just as loud as actions. Words can dice a heart into a thousand pieces and no matter how you curl inward, you can’t hold them all.

When I drove home later that afternoon, I watched as the road turned to liquid and I felt myself travel down a too familiar street:

A good friend: F

Kristen’s grown-up report card: F, F, F.

My how quickly my mind gets lost in a dangerous part of town, the part of town where voices sounding like Darth Vader and Voldemort stir up trouble. But as I pull into the garage, I tell myself:

Ya know, Kristen, you don’t have to let Darth Vader be the boss of you.

That’s true, but I’m going to need more than platitudes to get me on the right road again. So I get out my sword and say the Word out loud,

“We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ. Our tools are ready at hand for clearing the ground of every obstruction and building lives of obedience into maturity.” ~2 Corinthians 10:5-6 The Message

When I rest all my thoughts in Jesus, I find myself in a much better place.

Jesus is alive and in Him is my joy and I remember the purpose of living a Christ-filled life is to walk in the power of His resurrection. So dang it, I’m gonna walk like I mean it. I repent when I need to repent but I’m not defined by my sins or other people’s opinions, good or bad.

I took this picture of my sons’ Darth Vader Easter eggs just before he carefully but swiftly knocked them into his Easter basket. One quick movement with his hand and they were gone. So when I see this picture, I am reminded how with one swift move of my hand, I can open the Word and quiet the voices.

And surprise: Darth Vader really isn’t the boss of me.

If you are sharing your own surprise story behind a photo, here are some things to remember:

1. New to link-up’s or have questions? Read this first.

2. Since we all dig surprises, please surprise another writer by leaving a comment on her post *or* by giving her a facebook shout-out or tweet. Use the hashtag: #outoftheblue.

3. Be sure to include the out of the blue banner {see below} in your post or link back to Chasing Blue Skies so your readers can join in the fun. That way, we can all easily find each other.

Next week’s prompt: You pick the surprise prompt! Yup, write about whatever your creative heart desires, just make sure your post includes the element of surprise. Choose from any of the topics we’ve covered: a surprise answered prayer, friendship, adventure, appreciation, mistake, apology, confidence, goodbye, special place, or a photo. Or you may choose something brand new, whatever the Lord puts on your heart. I look forward to reading how your own unexpected surprise story increased your joy or made a difference in your life!

<a href="http://chasingblueskies.net/?cat=47" title=""><img src="http://chasingblueskies.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/outoftheblue_final_draft_A.jpg" alt="" title="" style="border:none;" /></a>