Imperfection ---> connection

The year Chloe turned 2, my sweet daddy bought us a new kitchen table. Mama and Daddy had come to our house for Christmas and Chloe's birthday. The day before the party Daddy, Tony and I made a trip to the furniture store, chose the table --I chose it ;)--we loved and brought it home. As the days and years have passed my table is beginning to show signs of aging (aren't we all?!?) I was recently thinking over all that goes on around that table...WOW!! It should be showing it's age or wear. Meals, birthdays, schoolwork, playtime, chores, fellowship, baby showers, serious conversations...the list is endless.

King Cake Party

Owen's BirthdayBoston Tea Party
Laundry :)Playtime
Schoolwork
Celebration of New Life


I see the scratches on my table and after thinking this through, those scratches don't make me frown. I smile remembering all that has transpired at my table. What blessings in all those glorious messes. Danna Demetre says "We are seeking perfection and missing connection." I want connection!! If my table is scratched and imperfect, so be it!

In some recent study I began to be reminded of the common thread of breaking bread and connection of hearts. It was in breaking bread that disciples and followers SAW Jesus. (Luke 24:30-31, 35) I also saw where the early church broke bread together daily in each others' homes, and the Lord added to their number daily through salvation. (Acts 2:46)

Many have come and gone from my table...the one thing I hope most is that--scratches or not-- they (especially my family) SAW Jesus there.

Learning AS we go...

The whole process of homeschooling is becoming more and more a way of life that we love. "Unschooling" ourselves has been an interesting process to say the least. I have probably struggled most. This last week was one in which I will forever be grateful for the benefit of our homeschooling opportunity. Owen has been struggling through abdominal pains and issues that have yet to be determined definitively. Our last ten days have been filled with sleepless nights, ER visits, doctor's offices, X-rays, ultrasounds, lab work...and yet, there is schoolwork to be done. In following the example of my 'mentor' and angel of a cousin, Robyn, I decided to post some pictures of the week past to remind me that we did actually 'learn' this week...amidst the chaos of life. So much teaching and learning occurs when we least expect it...compassion to the hurting, cooperation when others you love are tired, trust (in Him) when you really don't know what to do, humility when you realize the grace extended to you and yours, dependence when we've done all we can do...learning to lean.


8"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are you ways My ways," declares the Lord. 9For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9







6"These words which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. 7'You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. " Deuteronomy 6:6-7

We'll Cross That Bridge...

This past Sunday was the Cub Scout Blue and Gold Banquet (themed from Indiana Jones!!) for Pack 664 of Muenster. An event planned for February that was rescheduled due to our ice/snow barrage. These boys (and parents) have waited a very long time for this day...the bridging over of our Webelo II Cub Scouts into Boy Scouts! What a journey we've had. Our den (Den 3) was blessed to have the BEST EVER den parents! Stick and Angelika went above and beyond in every way imaginable. Our mere words of thanks will never truly convey the feeling of love in hearts for how they loved, taught and nurtured our boys! I am so proud of this den of scouts. They have shown great integrity and compassion from Wolf Cubs to this moment. The den has remained strong over the last 4 years, and our boys have bonded well.

The ceremony for our boys to receive the Arrow of Light was done so beautifully. Each of the boys were so stoic, yet so excited that they had received their award for their hard work! It was serious business to them--and us ;). This is the only award that carries over from Cub Scouts into Boy Scouts. They were each presented with an authentic arrow made with real arrowheads, sinew, feathers etc...WAY COOL!

The banquet, which we've attended at other levels of our scouting, can run long. I remember as a parent of a Wolf Cub thinking it was WAY too long. Somehow, though, when it's YOUR baby crossing that bridge it doesn't seem nearly so long. I actually can't believe it's time for our turn...At the end of the banquet we parents each walked along side our scouts as they crossed the bridge symbolizing their entrance into Boy Scouts. Precious moment for this proud mama ;*)

Scouting has been such a blessing to our family thus far...the values and morals we encounter in scouting reinforce what we teach at home. Raising a child to think of others first, know what he believes and stand strong in that belief is a job we cannot take lightly. I am so proud of my boy as he is growing into a young man who exemplifies just these traits. The traits of Scouts, but more so the traits of a follower of Christ. Learning from our children is humbling, yet awe inspiring. We are blessed....

"Let no man look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe." 1 Timothy 4:12

Poised for Humility

How on earth did I get the privilege to parent this angelic being? This past weekend was the spring dance recital for Premier Dance Studio. What a fun time. I never took dance when I was growing up...not sure why, just didn't. I don't even feel like I missed out. Watching my daughter dance has become one of my favorite humbling, melting moments. WHY would God chose me to birth and raise this precious, beautiful one? Her grace on stage astounds me. She has poise beyond her years when she slips on those ballet shoes. Will she be a professional ballerina?...not highly likely, but I don't think I'd be anymore proud if she were on stage in New York or here in Texas. She makes my heart melt. And the crazy thing is, it's not even something she's wildly passionate about. She likes it, but would take a break...if I'd let her. I'm not for forcing children to participate in activities so that parents can live vicariously through them, however sometimes we can see what they cannot through their innocent eyes of youth. Will she be taking a ballet break?........not yet my dear, not yet. I think there's more in store for her than she realizes. I don't want to shortcut what might be a gift. While I received NO gift of dance, maybe she got my share.... "They should praise Him with dancing. They should sing praises to Him with tambourines and harps." Psalm 149:3.
Dance away, my daughter, dance away!

Laissez les bons temps rouler! !

In keeping with the name of my blog, I'm sharing about some 'roots' today. Next Tuesday is Fat Tuesday, but today was full of Mardi Gras at my house. Last year my dear friend, Chanda and I had both been craving a good king cake. Not being able to find one around these here parts, we decided to make our own. Let me say..It was unbelievably good, especially for our first time to make one. Quoting Dizzy Dean, "It ain't braggin' if you can do it." Well we did it alright! So good in fact, we did it again this year--times 4!! Four king cakes were magically created here today and 1 was completely consumed!!!

I found this card in a king cake I bought years ago. So for those of you unfamiliar with the delicacy, here's some background."The King Cake is believed to have originated in France around the 12th century. These early Europeans celebrated the coming of the three wise men bearing gifts twelve days after Christmas calling it the feast of Epiphany, Twelfth Night, or King's Day.
The main part of the celebration was the baking of a King Cake to honor the three Kings. The cakes were made circular to portray the cirucular route used by the Kings to get to the Christ Child and confuse King Herod, who was trying to follow the wise men so he could kill the Christ Child. In these early King Cakes, a bean, a pea or a coin was hidden inside the cake. The person who got the hidden piece was declared King for the day or was said to have good luck in the coming year.
In Louisiana, Twelfth Night also signifies the beginning of the carnival season, which ends on Mardi Gras Day. The beans, peas, and coins have been replace by a small plastic baby to symbolize the Christ Child. The person who gets the baby is expected to carry on the carnival festivities by hosting the next King Cake Party."

So today at our Second Annual King Cake party, we had gumbo, sweet tea and king cake...perfect combo for this Southern girl and her Texas friend who has lived around the Southeast almost as long as she lived in this great state. While you can find good food lots of places, Southern cuisine, in my opinion, cannot be matched. It's pure comfort for the soul! When it is matched with good company it's almost more than you can stand!!

While I'm not promoting the indulgences of typical Mardi Gras, I do love the food and fun festivities and want this tradition of baking and fellowshipping with good friends to be an integral part of my children's heritage...to take root in their lives. Blessing others and being blessed by them while having them in your home and kitchen is a Southern tradition I am thankful found it's place and took root in my life. It feeds my soul to love and serve those God brings into my life whether it involves the most extravagantly festive meal or the most basic ham sandwich. Giving of our time and ourselves are roots that give us wings.

Today's lessons...

So today was my day off **Yay me!**...got my nails done by "Tina," renewed my car tag, grocery shopped, bank, post office, pharmacy...you get the idea. Daddy did school today. While they completed their assignments, I think the after school activities gained them much more wisdom...fishing, pulling a calf, etc. Sounds like more fun to me...and more learning that will stick. My 11 year old knows more about birth than most men when their first child is born! So it felt like a really good, really productive day here at the Tolar house....until....

Boy did I learn and get reminded of some lessons this afternoon through a not-so-fun phone call. Knowing that many people may see this and not wanting to do any more damage...the call shall remain very vague, and I will only detail the lessons I learned and was reminded of today from my receiving end....

1. NEVER assume anything.
2. ALWAYS be kind...stand your ground when it's worth standing, but do it with kindness and dignity. You will likely face the person again in other circumstances.
3. Don't judge motives of people you barely know, especially in an accusatory, condescending tone. It gets you NOWHERE FAST!!!
4. Everyone makes mistakes...even you. Own up, fess up and move on.
5. Just because someone makes trivial choices that you don't prefer, it doesn't make their choices wrong and yours right. {NOT referring to morality issues, just day to day preferences.}
6. Sometimes silence is best. Remember what your mama said "If you can't say something nice...."
7. Maybe they are having a bad day and you were the last straw...benefit of the doubt is a good policy.
8. You don't always have to prove that you are right to actually be right. ;)
9. A kind word and a listening ear is invaluable --and tears never hurt either :*)
10. Even mama bears get their feelings hurt.
11. Don't mess with my cub...grrr!!
12. God's grace and His people can heal many, many hurts--big or small.

I will no doubt encounter my offender again. Today unfortunately was our first conversation. :( I plan to be kind, but still stand my ground and next time, I will be guarded, but prepared (spiritually speaking).

No coincidence that our verse this week on our board is Colossians 4:6 "Let the words you speak always be full of grace. Season them with salt. Then you will know how to answer everyone." I can't help but hope in my flesh that 'she' will think twice before she speaks to others as she chose to deal with me today.

Fort Worth Stock Show CXV = Little Canada?

This past weekend was spent at the 115th annual Fort Worth Stock Show. It's truly one of my favorite places to be. This year above other years will hold such a special place in my heart...not because we won Grand Champion or any other placings in particular, but because of the friendships that were made and solidified.

Our stall area was fondly coined "Little Canada" this year as we had many Canadian friends along for the ride!

In November, Tony, Owen and I traveled to Canada to the Canadian Western Agribition. It was such an amazing experience to see the cattle and Agribition itself as well as the country of Canada. We met some really neat people and have carried out relationships with many of them through Facebook, etc. , and successfully persuaded them to visit us and experience Texas at it's finest...BOY did they! The weekend started out in the 60's and mid 70*F and finished up at a whopping 4*F with ice and snow...typical Texas.

One of these precious people was Justine! FW stock show was on her 'bucket list' and so she joined us at FW this year. What a TREAT!! The kids absolutely love her...as do their parents ;) Such fun to get to know her and build on a friendship that will likely last for many, many years! We'd love to think we'd make it to her wedding this summer...need to use those passports, hey? I would be so honored to be there for her big day!

Justine helping the little girls (left)

Justine and Chloe after Tony has won reserve division champ (right)




The Blairs.Ag crew sent Kelly and his family along to help get their heifer sold. Chloe and Hadley enjoyed each other, and Justine showed them some great grooming skills!

We were also fortunate to have our dear friends, Clint, Angela, Laurie and Layne along as well. Having just met Clint and Laurie last January I'd say our friendship with the family is growing quickly and well. We were blessed to have them come to our place and stay a couple extra days--or three due to the snow/ice event :\. The boys made fast friends...all five of them ;) and I certainly enjoyed Angela's company. While the ice and snow were a pain, we were able to get some time in before it's arrival and check out the herd and the ranch.

I do love being a part of the Red Angus community and the fact that it has afforded me and my family far reaching benefits and relationships. SO many people I have met and enjoy here in our area. These precious Canadian people would still be strangers were it not for our reds...but now they are friends. How blessed am I! Whatever God's purpose is in our new-found friends, I look forward to the future He has for us....