A thoughtful Thursday

I was just looking through my jewerly box today, and came across a beautiful piece that I received a few years a go from my younger brother, Josiah. I instantly remembered how much I loved wearing it and it brought back so many wonderful memories (He gave it to me right around the time that I had my first son, Micah). I wore it daily, until Micah grew into his toddler years and one day inevitably broke the chain that it was attached to. I lovingly placed it in my "special" Jewerly box and assured myself that I would have the chain replaced and repaired shortly. Now here I am, all of these years later, and the pretty piece is still in it's original condition. I decided to write about it anyway because it was so thoughtful. What I really admired about it was how it opened as a locket and it came with a card enclosed that said that "This locket is to carry all of the prayerful thoughts for those you love". I would  write down precious thoughts for our family and then carry it inside. It's amazing how REAL my prayers felt, simply by  carrying them on little notes, close to my heart like that. Anyway, I've placed a ribbon through  the locket, determined that it should never be forgotten again. Although I can't remember what all my my prayers were exactly, I'll like to think it was because they were answered so thoroughly. Just a thought.... but a Lovely one.
*Unfortunately I'm having problems with my computer, so I can't upload pictures right now, but I will later.

I'm Back....!

I feel like I haven't written anything in awhile (with the exception of a few recipes and a giveaway). I have been pretty busy lately, but I missed all of my Bloggy Friends! I 'm on a mission this year to make more time for the things I love to do. Of Course blogging is on top of my list! I'm even creating a New blog dedicated to all of my pretty things, beautiful finds, and places to shop......more on that later. For now, Moms for Morality will still be dedicated to living a lovely life that is filled with great ideas for women and motherhood. In the words of Tasha Tudor "The gloom of the world is but a shadow. Behind it, yet within our reach, is joy. Take Joy!" Here's to more Moms for Morality, hopefully a place that gives you Joy out in blogland like it gives me...........Just a thought, but  a lovely one.

Giveaway winner!

And the winner of my second giveaway is..............My mommy, Thelma! lol! She wanted to support me SO much that she became a follower and left a comment for it. Too cute! Isn't she great?!

Meals with Morals: Warm with Love

I've always felt that waiters and cooks should be treated nicely. It is the golden rule afterall, but I admit to having another reason for why I go out of my way for people in the food service industry: Taste. I believe that when people are angry and upset, you can taste it in the food.I also believe the opposite is true. When people lovingly prepare a meal, you can taste it.  I know what you're probably thinking "Is she serious?" Absolutely. My Family is full of great cooks, both male and female. My parents and grandparents, Aunts and Uncles,Mother and Siser-in love, are excellent cooks and almost every family member has a specialty dish.Everything from homemade Rotini to triple layer lemon cake, it's a delicious family tree to be apart of. It really doesn't matter if your home is full of chefs (or not) it's the feelings behind it all. A rotisserie chicken from the grocery store with ready made potato salad tastes like a feast when it's presented with a sincere smile of hospitality.There's no restaurant that can ever compare to food made by the loving hands of people that care about you (but being kind to those who are serving you does help).I recently made a meal from my favorite cookbook : Taste of Homes 2001 Annual recipes. It was given to me the year that I got married, and it's filled to the brim with recipes from other everyday cooks, so it works out great. My Mommy is in town  and after eating the meal, she exclaimed" I don't think I've ever eat as much as I do whenever I visit you. I can taste the love in every bite". This coming from not only a great cook,  but a family member warmed my heart. Well, here is the recipe. Hope it'll fill someone up with love...just a thought, but a Lovely one.

Warm you up Sausage Quiche

Glowing on a Weekday

It's a Wednesday night and my husband says that I'm Glowing. What brought on this sudden radiance you may ask? I have three words for you: Women's Bible Study. I have to back track a little bit. I may not have mentioned this before, but I'm the wife of a Minister/Seminary student. My Husband Aaron is heavily invovled in Ministry. From helping out with college and youth groups at church, to working on his Music project, to pursuing  a Masters of Divinity degree with an emphasis in Apologetics, the man lives and breathes for God! (A man who loves God is always a good thing, wink wink) And while I admired his passion, I found myself  feeling a little left out. I wanted to become apart of  daily church activities too. Since moving to Georgia, I had found myself consumed with all things domestic. I have had my hands SO busy with my family endeavors, that Sundays had become a "let's see how long the kids will sit quietly" day. I had taught a Women's bible study in college for almost three years, and was born and raised actively in church, so I knew exactly what I was missing out on. I decided that this year, along with my family goals, I would take the time to nurture my desire for more personal quality time with God. I stepped out on Faith and found a Women's Bible Study not too far from my home.(My church  has one, but they only meet a few times a year, and I wanted something more consistent). Tonight was the first night I attended and it was GREAT (smile) It was exactly what I needed. I left the kids at home and for an hour and a half just focused on being a woman of God.  What's really great is that by going to a different church for bible study, I'm able to make new friends and since my family is already heavily committed to our church, I can just come and fellowship with other women that love God. I can't tell you how liberating that is. It's just refreshing knowing that I have an opportunity to go where I'm just me. I'm also excited that the Bible study is based on materials by Beth Moore. While I'm very familiar with Beth moore(she's so popular it's hard not to know about her)  I had never read any of her books (it was on my forever to-do list) It's just the beginning, but I know that I'm in the right place and the right time....I'm really looking forward to the new things that God has in store for me. From insight to fellowship, I have every reason to Glow with possibility.......and that Dear readers, is definitely a lovely thought.

If you want to know more about Beth moore or her books, you can go to http://www.cbd.com/
*Don't forget to enter my giveaway here

Making a Difference

My Thoughts for the New Year has been mostly on my family. Of course I have personal goals, but  I've been thinking of what kind of family makes God smile? Certainly one that takes all of the encouraging words and biblical principles learned at church  and are able to exercise them daily. Right away even( and believe me, our church parking lot is a testing ground of patience for my kids if there is no juice cup and snack in sight,lol) I want to be the BEST wife and mother possible. No easy feat for an imperfect perfectionist. I love to read stories of other wives and mothers who raised EXTRAordinary children in sometimes regular circumstances. Right now I'm reading a book called "Mothers of Influence: Inspiring Stories of Women who made a Difference in Their Children and Their World". How amazing would that be? not only to make profound impact on the lives of your own children, but as a result of their upbringing,  make a positive effect globally. I know that this goal is a lofty one, but it's one that I think is definitely worth reaching for. What if Every mother reached for this same goal? What kind of legacy or imprint would that leave on society? I know that most mothers want what's best for their children, but  I'm challeging myself to go the extra mile. Our Boys may be the next Billy Graham, Martin Luther King, Abraham Lincoln, or William Wilberforce. It's funny, but when I think of the kind of Mother that I want to be, it's a dynamic combination of My Loving Mommy Thelma,Caroline Ingalls (Laura Ingalls Wilder's mom), Claire Huxtable (Phylicia Rashad from the Cosby show), The Pastor's wife of My church from childhood(Mary Scott) and of course the Proverbs 31 woman.....I know what you're probably thinking, but what can I say? Some women dream of being a size 2, others want to own more shoes than Nordstroms( not a bad Idea acutally, if you have the space...wink) some want to be CEO's. I think all of that's great, but for this year, I'm thinking more along the lines of a warm, caring, and attentive home . I wonder what my little treasures that God has given me to raise will become? Athletes,Scientists,Firefighters, Authors,Ministers.......Only God knows, and as long as I trust him and put them in his hands, and keep my two hands together in prayer I feel confident that my goal is attainable. In the words of Anne Klein "Clothes aren't going to change the World, the women who wear them will." I hope you'll become one of the Moms for morality that not only wears high heels, but reaches new heights for motherhood everywhere!.....Just a thought, but a Lovely one.

Lovely idea:If you're interested in finding out more about the book I'm reading, you can click on the link below

Show and Tell Friday 2010: A touch of ornate decor

Happy 2010! I am definitely feeling blessed this New Year! I am sharing a few of my favorite decorative pieces around my home for Cindy's Show and Tell Fridays. I admit, I've always been attracted to lavishly, ornate pieces. Blame it on the French Musical GiGi. When I saw the Aunt's home, I knew that was exactly how I wanted to live. Well, Thank God I have a whole New Year to pursue that dream,Wink Wink. Until then, here are a few things that I've collected. I've only shown a couple, but it's my favorites.

Isn't this piece Beautiful? It looks smaller on the picture but It's actually  quite large. For years I used it above my headboard for a little bit of Romantic whimsy.

This was a real find. I just bought it over the Holidays while shopping with my Mother-in-Love, Cindy. I Love how it matches My wall grill in the picture above. (I haven't bought candles yet, but that's another story and another shopping trip. wink)

A pretty Journal for the New Year. Beautiful thoughts deserve a beautiful place to be preserved.

Such a pretty way to add fragrance to the room. Smells Heavenly, looks Divine.

My Absolute Favorite! We used this decorative birdcage in our wedding reception. When I found it at an home decor store, Kirklands, I knew I had to have it. This piece was orginally white, but I spray painted it to match our theme and colors: Silver and Gold. We had a little picture of ourselves hanging from a swing I created with a scroll that said " Love Birds". I removed some of the decorative elements to make it more refined for our home, but it's still a gorgeous reminder of one of the happiest days of my life. (I love the glass table that we purchased for it too..)

I know ladies don't match their shoes with their bags anymore, but I couldn't help matching my curtains with my ornate embellishments, lol. A little over the top, but so am I, so it works.

I hope you enjoyed my little tour. Don't forget to see what the other ladies are showing at Cindy's Show and Tell Fridays, and if you haven't already, don't forget to enter my New Giveaway!Here

It's a New Year, Make it a Lovely one!