Valves are valuable

Little did you know that a small circle could have so much value. Not just any circle. A valve. This cylindrical device  regulates the air and has a particular function which must be intact. If any leakage occurs, it is defunct and cannot perform its duties.

This particular valve has been redesigned to not allow for any leak to permit and therefore be stable for the space station. This redesign took over 11 months to complete, but the work involved was worth the perfected device.

This valve also has had a great analogy for our year. How?

    1. The valve is a complete circle.
    Circles are associated with wholeness, unity, and the closest thing to perfection. It is a place of safety to be inside and surrounded by a border of love. Maynard James Keenan wrote, “A circle is the reflection of eternity. It has no beginning and it has no end .” Circles have no sharp edges revealing comfort and gentleness.
    With the people in my life, I see this as incredibly symbolic. Especially with Doug. We’ve been through so much in two years, and the pointy moments become smoothed out with much prayer and communication. We’ve remained INSIDE the circle knowing that the surrounding space is God’s loving arms. This concept transcends to my daughter as well. There is no beginning or end to my love for both of them BECAUSE I have learned from Jesus what love really is. This leads to the next valve teaching.
    2. Valves can leak.
    The reason this valve came down from space was due to an infinitesimal leak, undetectable to the human eye.
    It can happen slowly and under the radar. A negative thought gets nurtured in our mind and festers which can lead to an unkind word spoken; a misunderstanding can inhibit communication and cause one to shut down; an expectation is not met leading to a hurt feeling. And on and on it can go. A small pinhole is poked into the circle and a breath of air compromises the fidelity of the valve. These leaks happen without being aware. Therefore, just as with the testing method for the space station for the valve to be 100% foolproof, we must continue to pray and communicate plugging these small pinholes before they become a gaping abyss.
    Why do we go to all of this work? It seems like so much effort to keep the valve intact. So much effort to keep the circle of a relationship leak-proof. Well, because….
    3. Valves are valuable.
    This circular valve which was up in the space station for years had a primary function, although extremely small. The small leak it produced led to the breakdown of the whole device!!!
    The same holds true for our circle. We edify. We honor. We trust. We honor. We respect. We honor.
    Without the circle, what is life worth? Things? Stuff? Busyness?
    Remember, the sixth day, and the final day of creation, God created man and woman to be in relationship with each other and Him. It was His greatest masterpiece. We owe it to God to be in harmony because that was His intention. Plus, it makes Him smile.
    This newly redesigned valve is back in space because it went through a hard year of reconfigurations and testing. It’s ready to perform its duties. Is it perfect? By no means, but its ready to take on the harsh conditions of space. Built inside the valve is a device to keep it clean and leak-proof. Just as with our circle.  We will continue to refine, refresh and reconfigure throughout our life as we attempt to make us leakproof.
    This tiny circle teaches me so much about my past year and what I want to take into 2017 with my guy and my family. This valuable valve.

 

 

Dancing Queen!

Today, while we were at Dance class, they called us parents in to see the past few months of dance. They are preparing for their recital in May.

I am sure by May, this little teapot will be stellar.

Tummy trouble; giving gifts help!

Today was a tough day for the Tot. She woke up with a tummy ache!

She even laid down in the kitchen while I made breakfast. 

Later on she felt much betterSo we made gifts for her teachers!

Gingerbread houses that we made a few weeks ago filled with cookies and Starbucks card.

Along with her Minnie shirt, she was ready for school.

I think she’s feeling much better now as she dances in the car. 

Sometimes Mommies need to have some fun. Twice in one weekend.

And this one did. With her honey Doug.

Doug hosted a Christmas party at his house for Christmas, and mom and I enjoyed every minute. He goes to extra measures to make sure everyone had a great time. When mom and I arrived, he had to snap our picture.

And then we got to get snapped! Pretty good lookin’ eh?


He had to get back to making the salsa from scratch. It only took him about two minutes to whip it up, the big stud!


The rest of the night was pure joy with all of our good friends.

The NEXT night was our concert to Esteban, the classical guitarist. I had purchased tickets for us to see him live.

He came to pick me up, and of course we needed to snap a pic. Tot joined in. 

We headed to the MIM just in time for Esteban. Each and every song was introduced by him with a small story. He was so gracious and kind, edifying his band and his daughter violinist. Wow! He was absolutely brilliant in his guitar playing.

He even came out and signed CD’s in between shows. What an honor!
Thank you, Doug for the treat of being my date these two nights in a row.

We are sure to go see Esteban again!

 

The Polar Express and all its wonder

Mom treated Doug, Tot and me with a trip to the Polar Express! We would drive up to Williams where it can be quite chilly (!), board the train, head to the “North Pole,” then sleepover in the hotel.

So, we headed out on Monday right after school. Apart from stopping a few times for yours truly, we arrived just in time to put on our jammies. Nobody (except Tot) knew that we would match and that I would look ridiculous, but that made it more fun. And honestly, I just did not care that I was in a…..

Penguin onesie. Yes, this exists and I had it adorned with hood and slippers. We were a cozy pair!

Got outside and OOOOOOH, baby, it’s cold outside!

We headed out to hit Santa’s workshop before boarding. Tatum and I found the Nutcrackers and who should we find!!????

Mrs. Clause!

Santa’s mailbox was next, so Tatum whispered what she hoped to get. Little did she know she might just see Santa on board!


Before we boarded, we came upon this vintage. Wait! I think we hear the choo choo to board!!!

Phew! We made it! All aboard!!!

Cozying up with my honey!

Honeys!

Tatum was ready for the Hot Hot HOT chocolate! She checked with the chef???

Here it comes! What more could you want? Cozy jammies, Christmas carols, cookies and chocolate. Dancing waiters? Hmmmmm (not sure if I needed this part)

Well we started the story, and I brought a book aboard to follow along.  The conductor made sure we had our tickets because it was time for our arrival to the NORTH POLE

As he punched away, guess who was boarding the train …..

with a bag full of…. Jingle Bells!

And it did ring; we all heard it. Christmas spirit is alive and well!

Well, we get back to the hotel, and I was supposed to share a bed with Tot.

I think she forgot.

The next morning, it was frigid cold outside, but that did not stop us from finding a park to get our wiggles out before the road trip home.

We discovered the tetherball…(well, I had flashbacks of my middle school recess days with large people hitting the ball beyond my strength.)

Tatum found it fascinating.

But the wind had us and so….

We took a few pictures on the sleigh. REALLY FAST.

Did I say FAST!!?? 

The wind had us icy, so we hit the road and headed home.

Benefits???? Celebrating the season with my family makes the cold warm and the warm snuggly soft. Blessed.