Why I Didn't Eat at Chickfila Today...

Seriously, I really try to practice Separation of Politics and Blog - mainly because I am admittedly uneducated on such topics and prefer to make myself look good here - but there has been SO much hype in the Christian community recently (all over Facebook, Twitter, blogs, etc.) and I just can't keep quiet any more!

(This might, of course, also have something to do with the fact that I have been with academics all week discussing the power of the written word and the development of an argument... But, whatever.)

So... It is Wednesday, which is the day for confessing around here, and here's my confession: As I write this, I am sitting alone (and I mean, literally, alone - as in no one else is in the restaurant) at a fast-food sushi/rice bowl restaurant in a strip mall when there is a perfectly delicious looking Chickfila just across the parking lot.  I can't really explain it, but I just could not bring myself to eat there today.  Tomorrow for lunch, you better believe I'll be the first in line, but not tonight.

Here's where I'm going with this...

1. I love Jesus.

2. I genuinely strive to love all people - even the ones that think or act differently than I do.

3. I love Chickfila.

Those things are pretty much basic truths in my life; and, if you've been reading for any amount of time, I hope they have been evident. *Yes, they are in a particular order; and yes, there are quite a few things that come between the second item and the third - just in case you were worried about my priorities and/or theology.

Anyway, until recently, I never questioned whether any of those things were mutually exclusive...
I like Chickfila.  I think they have the best darn chicken in America.  I think they know how to treat moms and kids. I think their oreo milk shakes are life changing.  I still plan to make it a regular part of my life, I just do.  BUT, I didn't want to eat there tonight, because I don't want to somehow be a part of this whole show...

My feelings for the chicken sandwich is NOT a statement about my feelings for people.



Jesus LOVED people folks.  He was about everybody pulling up a chair and eating TOGETHER - the adulterous woman, the tax collector, and the Pharisee - the churchy person who thought they had the right to judge other people.

I've seen a lot of quotes about Jesus loving sinners; and, I agree.  But, here's the thing... We are ALL sinners, every last one of us.

If you DID wait in line for your #1 today, that's ok.  If you never want to see another buttered bun with chicken and pickles again, that's ok too...  But, bottom line?  Jesus just LOVED.  He didn't support the groups that hated, but he didn't turn down an invitation to dine with them either...

That's it. 

(P.S. Jen Hatmaker puts this A LOT better here.  Seriously, just go read her here.)

How to Host a Cute Party If You Are Not Crafty or Rich

How to host a cute party if you are not crafty or rich - just a few things I learned from Sam's first birthday party.... (and I promise this will be the last time I talk about it!)

1. Skimp on invitations. I really love to design cute post-cards/invitations/etc., and I had big ideas for this party.  But, when I settled on a budget, I quickly decide that an Evite was the way to go.  It was easy, cute (they even had a couple of designs to choose from in my color scheme), FREE, and people actually RSVP'ed.  I think there is a time and place for the paper invitation; but, this was the way to go for this one.

2. Speaking of invitations, keep your guest list small.  I learned the hard way back in my wedding planning days, that the best (maybe only) real way to save money and stress on a big event is to cut your guest list.  It is definitely one of the hardest things to do, but it makes such a difference.  Would I like to have had every single person Sam had met in his first year of life at his party? Sure! But, keeping our invites to just family and close friends eliminated a lot of pressure and added expenses/stress.  PLUS, the smaller you make your guest list, the less people get their feelings hurt if they aren't invited.  I'm sure we have plenty of parties in our future where we hand-out invitations to every kid in the class, but I'm glad we kept this one more "intimate."

3. Don't be a shopping snob.  NOTHING from my party came from Etsy.  (I know, can you imagine?!?)  Not that I don't love Etsy, but I learned from this party that you can find a lot of these cute "trendy" party items at places like the Target dollar bins, The Dollar Store, and Amazon.  Walmart's party section probably impressed me the most.  They had TONS of photo-booth accessories, paper products, favors, etc. for REALLY great prices.  (The 1st Birthday Banner was $1.50 and the mustaches on a stick were 97 cents for three.  You get my drift?)

4. Cut the fat.  Err... That's just a cute way of saying that you really don't need to have TONS of food.  I decided that giving people the option of hotdogs and hamburgers at a summer cook-out was not a necessity.  For Sam's party, we opted to do hotdogs only because, to be frank, they are cheaper (and delicious).  They also require less time on the grill and fewer condiments - chili, onion, mustard, ketchup.  Shockingly, not one guest complained about the absence of hamburgers. :)  I'm sure this concept could apply to lots of different menus (steak and chicken?), but this is the one that mattered to us.

5. Ask for and accept help.  This one should be underlined fifteen times for emphasis.  I COULD NOT have thrown Sam's birthday party without the help of our friends and family.  (Ironically, the same friends and family we invited to the party... You see how that works?)  When people asked if they could bring something, I said "yes."  In fact, I hardly made any of the food that was served.  When people asked if they could make something, I said "yes."  That adorable banner? Jeff's mom.  The candy bar? All my mom. Sometimes, I even asked for help - like my friend Bekuh and the cute chalk photo frame.  It was as easy as that... There was a time in my life (not very long ago) that I would never have accepted help.  I would have wanted to do everything myself so that people thought I had it all under control and so that I could take all the credit.  But, again, if motherhood has taught me one thing it is not to take myself so seriously.  I needed help, and I am lucky enough to have people in my life that are willing to give it.  It's a win win.

6. Multi-task with party decorations etc. A LOT of my party-supplies were things I already owned (or swiped from a relative's basement).  For example: the highchair, the wheelbarrow, the tent and quilts, the vases, bulletin board, etc. etc. etc.  This is the BEST way to go.  BUT, if you do decide to make some purchases put them to work for you after the party too.  Case in point, you will likely see the same teal and red theme (i.e. paper fans, lanterns, and banner) in my "classroom decoration" post in a few weeks. 

Ok, I'm certainly not an expert, but I learned a little and always like to share.  Now it's your turn!  What are your tips for throwing a party without breaking the bank or the sewing machine/glue gun?

Tucker

I hadn't planned to blog today - we are rounding out our little vacation afterall - but, it is stormy right now and the beach house is quiet as my parents are out and my boys (both of them) are napping, so I decided to catch up on some reading... One of the first posts I saw was Libby's announcing that her friend, Ellie had delivered a baby boy last week.

I'm a sucker for birth stories, but this one immediately stood out to me because I met Ellie back at Laura's shower in February - where we talked about blogging (she and her husband have a really awesome DIY blog that I actually talked about on here one other time).  Anyway, she wasn't pregnant then...  So, I knew something wasn't quite right.  As I went on to read the rest of Libby's post, I learned that Ellie had delivered Tucker at just a little over 25 weeks last Friday - Sam's first birthday.  Although he seems to be a little fighter already, Ellie and her husband Tommy (who is the area director for Young Life in the Richmond area) have a long road ahead of them...

I really don't know the Sibigas, other than our one little meeting a few months ago, but this is especially resonating with me as the mom of my own little boy born on July 13th just a year earlier.  Things like this put life into perspective so quickly.  While I was worrying about the after-party mess in my house and whether or not Sam was too young for a petting zoo last week, this sweet family was beginning the toughest battle of their lives... I don't really have the words to express how much gratitude and un-worthiness I feel right now.

Tommy and Ellie love Jesus.  They are not doing this alone.  Their Tucker is a very very loved boy already.  And, I have no doubt, they will get through the next three months, year, lifetime, stronger and more in love with each other and their God.  BUT, a little extra prayer on our parts won't hurt either.  Will you join me in holding your loved ones just a little tighter this weekend and praying (hard) for Tucker and his brand new mom and dad? Thank you!

Read more about his story here.