In my house with my kids we call a bad tone, a mean voice. I didn't really know how to describe it and this is how it came out. I too often don't listen to my own advice and too often have a mean voice toward God and stomp my way through my circumstances. I love how you really portray this through your blog. You are such a breath of fresh air in an often bad toned world.
Gitz, I love your attitude. Instead of letting circumstances get you down, you march along with life. WAY TO GO. Very pleased to see this post :)
Amanda Marie
· 8 months ago
I just love reading your blog. You have such a way with words. Between you, Angie @ Bring the Rain and Amy Beth @ Ministry So Fabulous... I always read just the right thing to get me through the day. I am blessed to have found such wonderful Godly woman as examples for how to get through the bad. Thanks for always saying it like it is!
Louise
· 8 months ago
working on my tone
Pr 15:15 For the despondent, every day brings trouble; for the happy heart, life is a continual feast.
WOW! This canvas would be perfect hanging in my entryway. Just a subtle reminder to the teenagers that live here. Thank you for a timely, thought-provoking post.
I hope that today finds you well. Your post and canvas are as beautiful as always. If you want to hear some "tone" you should hear my three year old apologize! :) We'll get there I'm sure.
Hey Miss Sara!! So I love the canvas for today. Funny you should have said all that you did TODAY...Miss Kylee and I had a long talk just yesterday about her "tone" with her younger siblings. I told her that we should feel blessed to have each day and each other. You know she is coming up on the big 1-0 (acting like 15) soon and little bro and sis are just so 'annoying' to her...I reminded her of the battles her and lil' sis had to go through last summer and why some of the little petty things just don't matter!! She agreed....I'm having her read your post for today!! She listenes to Sara!! Also....one of our neighbors with three little boys was injured in a wrestling accident a few months ago...he is in Colorado at Craig Rehibilation Center. He and his wife Jenny are so inspriational and have truely put each day in God's hands. I just shared the phrase on todays canvas with them last week....It fitting! Nick is so determined to meet every new day with a strong will and renewed faith!
Hugs to you always my friend!!! Michelle :-P
SusanD
· 8 months ago
This is so true. Our attitude not only affects us but also how others perceive us.
I just talked about using a nice tone with my wanna-be little teenager yesterday!
Love the quote. So true!
Theda
· 8 months ago
I need that canvas... need to see that EVERY day... Thanks, Girl! Theda
Anne
· 8 months ago
Great canvas! And a wonderful reminder... I saw a plaque yesterday in the store yesterday that said "Never underestimate the power of a hissy-fit" -- /sigh\ that reminds me of ME all too often. It's all in the attitude -- the disposition!
Kates
· 8 months ago
What a wonderful attitude to take. I am absolutely loving my canvas and used it for my Wordless Wednesday. Check it out.
Okay, I love what you said and what that canvas says! I've had that dialogue with my kids a hundred times already. We're learning and working on it! :) I must say, too, that Martha Washington was one seriously impressive woman. We read her autobiography this year in homeschool and I was amazed and impressed. We have such great leaders and hero's in our history. She is one I wouldn't mind immulating myself.
You are a hero. You're attitude and example are equally impressive in a different way. Thank you for being so honest and forthright and for choosing differently and living your life with such purpose!
Vicky
· 8 months ago
I think this is very timely indeed. "White knuckling." You put a smile on your face through gritted teeth and say, "yeah, everything is fine." But internally, you are doing battle, and it shows!!
Hey Gitzy - Thanks for the birthday wishes and, even more, thanks for the cookies! I brought them into the office today, and everyone thinks YOU ROCK!!
Love you sis, Hoody
Erin Stark
· 8 months ago
We are already working on the tone of my 17 month old. Little girls really know how to be sassy! :) I LOVE the quote! Have a blessed day!
Chelsea
· 8 months ago
Another great quote and beautiful canvas. I love that you carry this theme so often in your posts. You remind me to Choose Joy and be grateful. Thank you!
Danielle Hodgson
· 8 months ago
Okay, I've only "known" you for a little bit now, but every time I come here, you amaze me. Your heart enables you to take simple life situations and turn them into great life lessons...and then you so gracefully share them with all of us.
I was laughing at the beginnig of this post: we are teaching our 3 year old that now. Yesterday even: dont just say "i'm sorry" but say it gently.
At the end of the post, I was a bit more serious, you challenged my heart. Thank you.
Bonnie
· 8 months ago
I know that at times I use an unkind tone as well. Some days I get so frustrated with my children and think, "How can they sound so rude??" Maybe they have learned from me.... :(
Happy Birthday to Laura & Steve....What a beautiful post and a nice gentle reminder of the way it should be...Glad to have you back! :)
Steph
· 8 months ago
love this quote!
beautiful as always
Juliet
· 8 months ago
I REALLY need to read this today -- I have been in this huffy mood all week and maybe longer, I love that quote. Thanks for this post!
Amanda Strayer
· 8 months ago
Happy Birthday to your siblings!!!
Beautiful reminder, and thanks for being an encouragement. You have no idea how much it means. You remind me so much of my friend from college who was diagnosed with MS. I can see that she struggles, but she has such a selfless heart and wants to please the Lord with her attitude. It's so encouraging to all who have the privelege to know you both, even if it is just through the computer in one case!
Amanda D.
· 8 months ago
what a great quote... and a beautiful canvas!
Steph
· 8 months ago
BEAUTIFUL canvas! I'm going to think about that quote all day.
Happy Birthday to your siblings!!! :)
stephanie
· 8 months ago
The comment on the canvas is so true. Thanks for sharing. Will we be hearing more from you now?
Michelle - I'm Sara's sister-in-law,Patience (her brother Steve's wife). What a small world. We are college friends of Nick & Jenny's. The Smith's are fabulous and we check in on him daily, too. You are right, they do have an amazing attitude! Since you are neighbors, the next time Jenny is home please give her a big hug from the Frankl's! Patience Frankl
Susie
· 8 months ago
Having been a paraplegic for 41 years I know all too well the temper tantrums that go along with wanting to "go out and play," and not being able to. Funny, God has never seemed too impressed with them though!
Rebecca A
· 8 months ago
So true...
Bri Schaaf
· 8 months ago
What a wonderful Post. We have been learning this lesson at our home over the past few months. I recently learned that because of my reaction to news that my husband was going to be laid off, A friend sought God and the saving grace of Jesus because he learned by my example. What a blessing it is to know that God used me as a tool for his kingdom building. Have a blessed day!
Happy Birthday, Laura and "Hoody"...hope you BOTH have a fabulous day!!
Oh, I deal with "tone" issues ALLLLLLLLL of the time being a teacher. Yikes! Don't even think I'll get into that one today!
However, sweeet Sara...I put some pics up of Jorgen if you'd like to hop over to my blog and take a peek!! I thought of you right away and gave him TONS of extra squeezes and kisses this past weekend...with you in mind!!
I love your positive attitude. You are a true inspiration.
Mary @ Giving Up On Perfect
· 8 months ago
Sara, thank you for sharing your heart so fully and so often with us. I know that I'm a better person for it and a more faithful follower for it - and I have a feeling I'm not the only one!
Oh My!!! It is a small world!! Two of our three kiddos are together in school....My Kate and their Gavin (their youngest) and My Kylee and their Nolan (their middle boy) They are really great people and I am very motivated by their faith. Sara is BFF's with my first cousin Susie Faga-Sigwarth. I fell in love with your sis the first time I ever met her! She is an amazing person! Last summer when she started her blog we found out that both of our girls had heart problems and they both needed to have heart surgery to fix it....Sara's blog provided me with renewed faith and strength with our situation....Not to mention her nice messages she left for the girls on their carepage. Kylee (10) fell in love with her blog as well and for the first time in her young life I think she really realized what it was like to lean on God.....and how much we trusted in the Lord to give us the strength to through the rough patchs and look forward to a bright future! If I see Jenny I will pass along a hug from you!! Thanks for contacting me Patience!! Take care.... Warmest Regards.... Michelle Tessman :)
Heather
· 8 months ago
We could all stand to learn something from you! Thank you for being so transparent and even with your circumstances you so look at the bright side (things you can do). I am so grateful for your gift. This is such a great canvas thanks for the opportunity.
Heather in IN
Catrina
· 8 months ago
This would match the colors in my room perfectly. And what a great message to wake up to each day! Thanks for another great giveaway! :-D
Nancygrayce
· 8 months ago
Happy Birthday to your siblings! What a beautiful canvass. And yes, I understand the tone.....sometimes it is coming out of my mouth! I have a certain situation I need to talk to my adult son about and I'm going to try not to get the tone! So thanks!
Thank you for the gentle reminder. You are an amazing inspiration. I
deanna
· 8 months ago
I've been trying to post a comment all day. ALL DAY I tell you! My internet has been messing up, but I wasn't going to miss an opportunity to try and win one of your fancy canvases! Its beautiful, as is all your others. Hope you've had a wonderful Wednesday!
P.S. Happy Birthday to your siblings!
Carisse
· 8 months ago
"...All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well" -- St. Julian of Norwich, anchoress.
Oh, I LOVE this quote....just love it! Do you have a book of famous quotes or do you search for them? You have found so many perfect ones...this is one of them!
Oh, tone. Hmmmm.....I had a not so great "mommy moment" this morning with Trey. He's 12 and my tone could have been much better! But we do talk about tone and impressions and how we treat others. I always stress to be kind regardless of the situation...to take the high road.
I do agree with your statement that it is okay to feel what you feel, good or bad, but you do have to eventually pull up your bootstraps and hopefully choose joy. I get down about our situation with Trey and get overcome with worry (working on that, yes indeed-y) but ultimately try and choose joy and to live in the moment. Actually, Trey really helps me with that. He is such a happy guy and he has taught me more than anyone I know. I follow his lead and am so proud of his attitude and what he's about. I pray he can hold onto that because I think that will take him far!
Hope you and Mr. Riley are having a great day! Happy Birthday to Hoody and Laura! Take good care and I look forward to reading your blog tomorrow.
Gitz...love this. You amaze me with your inner peace and wisdom. And always your words bring me back to what's true. I love Hoody's comment ~ Happy Birthday Hoody and Laura!!! Love to you Sweetie~
Sara, I love the variety of quotes that you find! Martha Washington, that is so cool! The impact of this post again is in perfect timing for my mom and I will send it to her. Thanks so very much for leading by example and letting your faith show steady and often!
Guest
· 8 months ago
First Happy Birthday to your siblings. Second...What a fab post. As always. I have been needing to have this conversation with my son. Third...beautiful canvas :)
Ed
· 8 months ago
I'll take the sunshine from your heart over the one in the sky any day.
You are exactly right, it's how we say something that counts a lot more than the words we use.
Kids learn what body language, and facial expressions, mean very quickly.
I think of the old western movies where when the bad guy insults the good guy. The good guy says, "Smile when you say that!"
I think it is the same with dogs. You look for the tail wagging, not the the "Woof!"
oops forgot to leave my name for the above comment... I wouldn't want to win as a guest!!!!!
Amanda L
· 8 months ago
What a beautiful post! The quote you chose for the canvas holds so much truth.
Gina
· 8 months ago
What a lovely canvas! Thanks for the opportunity.
Robynn's Ravings
· 8 months ago
:) Oh Gitz, I just love you.....
I'm so glad my own canvas is on the way and if I win this one I'd be thrilled, too. I could cover my home with your beautiful canvases of heart and spirit.
Happy Birthday to your brother and sister! I love, love the canvas!
Blessings!
tam
· 8 months ago
so what does a friend like me do when i read this post? the whole time im trying to figure out ways to get you outside and under the sun without harming you.
im thinking...skylights and heat lamps at first...ya know...get you acclamated. then when mother nature isnt looking...whip you on out for a quick sit on your patio. throw you quickly back in the condo and promptly call your doc.
Skylights was my dream solution, just to feel like I'm outside, but the fact that I'm on the ground floor of a 3 story building kinda puts the kibosh on that one! :-P
All Comments
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I love your attitude. Instead of letting circumstances get you down, you march along with life. WAY TO GO. Very pleased to see this post :)
Pr 15:15
For the despondent, every day brings trouble; for the happy heart, life is a continual feast.
Happy birthday Steve and Laura!!
Recent blog post: Sunday Setlist - March 29th, 2009
Be Blessed today!!
S.
Recent blog post: Life and Death....Do we really get it?
P.S. Happy BirthdayS to your siblings!.
Have a wonderful Wednesday :)
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happy birthday to laura and steve!!!! hope it's a fabulous day for both of you.
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I hope that today finds you well. Your post and canvas are as beautiful as always. If you want to hear some "tone" you should hear my three year old apologize! :) We'll get there I'm sure.
Recent blog post: Resurrection Day
Also....one of our neighbors with three little boys was injured in a wrestling accident a few months ago...he is in Colorado at Craig Rehibilation Center. He and his wife Jenny are so inspriational and have truely put each day in God's hands. I just shared the phrase on todays canvas with them last week....It fitting! Nick is so determined to meet every new day with a strong will and renewed faith!
Hugs to you always my friend!!!
Michelle :-P
Birthday Blessings to Laura and Steve.
Recent blog post: Wordless Wednesday
Love the quote. So true!
Love from WI
KATE ;)
Recent blog post: Wordless Wednesday (almost)
Recent blog post: Breakfast in 'bed'
You are a hero. You're attitude and example are equally impressive in a different way. Thank you for being so honest and forthright and for choosing differently and living your life with such purpose!
Great canvas!
Happy Birthday to Steve and Laura!
Recent blog post: Red River second crest.
Love you sis, Hoody
I was laughing at the beginnig of this post: we are teaching our 3 year old that now. Yesterday even: dont just say "i'm sorry" but say it gently.
At the end of the post, I was a bit more serious, you challenged my heart. Thank you.
Recent blog post: Easter
beautiful as always
Beautiful reminder, and thanks for being an encouragement. You have no idea how much it means. You remind me so much of my friend from college who was diagnosed with MS. I can see that she struggles, but she has such a selfless heart and wants to please the Lord with her attitude. It's so encouraging to all who have the privelege to know you both, even if it is just through the computer in one case!
Happy Birthday to your siblings!!! :)
Recent blog post: Junk in the Trunk
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Patience Frankl
We have been learning this lesson at our home over the past few months. I recently learned that because of my reaction to news that my husband was going to be laid off, A friend sought God and the saving grace of Jesus because he learned by my example. What a blessing it is to know that God used me as a tool for his kingdom building. Have a blessed day!
Recent blog post: The Simple Woman's Time Journal - April 14, 2009
Oh, I deal with "tone" issues ALLLLLLLLL of the time being a teacher. Yikes! Don't even think I'll get into that one today!
However, sweeet Sara...I put some pics up of Jorgen if you'd like to hop over to my blog and take a peek!! I thought of you right away and gave him TONS of extra squeezes and kisses this past weekend...with you in mind!!
Love ya
Recent blog post: Full of Words Wednesday!!
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Warmest Regards....
Michelle Tessman :)
Heather in IN
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P.S. Happy Birthday to your siblings!
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thanks for the giveaway... all of your art is so beautiful... thanks
Recent blog post: Oh, Brother....
Oh, I LOVE this quote....just love it! Do you have a book of famous quotes or do you search for them? You have found so many perfect ones...this is one of them!
Oh, tone. Hmmmm.....I had a not so great "mommy moment" this morning with Trey. He's 12 and my tone could have been much better! But we do talk about tone and impressions and how we treat others. I always stress to be kind regardless of the situation...to take the high road.
I do agree with your statement that it is okay to feel what you feel, good or bad, but you do have to eventually pull up your bootstraps and hopefully choose joy. I get down about our situation with Trey and get overcome with worry (working on that, yes indeed-y) but ultimately try and choose joy and to live in the moment. Actually, Trey really helps me with that. He is such a happy guy and he has taught me more than anyone I know. I follow his lead and am so proud of his attitude and what he's about. I pray he can hold onto that because I think that will take him far!
Hope you and Mr. Riley are having a great day! Happy Birthday to Hoody and Laura! Take good care and I look forward to reading your blog tomorrow.
:)Lynn (www.likestotalkalot.com) lol
Recent blog post: The Guy In 19B...
I love Hoody's comment ~ Happy Birthday Hoody and Laura!!!
Love to you Sweetie~
Recent blog post: TED - Ideas worth spreading
Second...What a fab post. As always. I have been needing to have this conversation with my son.
Third...beautiful canvas :)
You are exactly right, it's how we say something that counts a lot more than the words we use.
Kids learn what body language, and facial expressions, mean very quickly.
I think of the old western movies where when the bad guy insults the good guy. The good guy says, "Smile when you say that!"
I think it is the same with dogs. You look for the tail wagging, not the the "Woof!"
Recent blog post: Temptation
I'm so glad my own canvas is on the way and if I win this one I'd be thrilled, too. I could cover my home with your beautiful canvases of heart and spirit.
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Blessings!
im thinking...skylights and heat lamps at first...ya know...get you acclamated. then when mother nature isnt looking...whip you on out for a quick sit on your patio. throw you quickly back in the condo and promptly call your doc.
i know. not very well thought out or practical.
dang.
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