I guess there are some things I like about summer…

More daylight.

More time outdoors.

More time with family.

Happy Independence Day, blog friends!  God bless.

Happy and Sad

Today is the day…

 

Do you know what it’s like to be happy and sad at the same time?

I do.

Stats Suck Saturday/Sunday

Well, actually, my stats probably suck every day, but I wouldn’t know.  I hardly ever check them.  I hardly ever blog, either, as of late! …which is one reason my stats, well, you know.

The bullets:

*    So, everyone’s blogging about Michael Jackson.  I don’t have anything to add to what others have written.  I do think it’s pretty significant, though; my husband and I both found the news hard to swallow.  God bless the Jackson family.

*    Also, God bless Farrah Fawcett’s fam.  Man, she was beautiful.

*    For Fathers Day, we went to the Toyota/Savemart 350 NASCAR race at Infineon Raceway.  We had a really goo d time but came home a little sunburned.  Yeah, I brought expired sunscreen.  Oops!

*    Kyle Busch didn’t win.  I was sad.

*    Kasey Kahne did win.  Ryvre was extatic!

*    We’re in the midst of a home loan application process.  Please cross your fingers or pray ~ whichever you believe in!

*    I am constantly battling an onslaught of ants in this old house.  I’m convinced it’s full of holes.  I can’t see them, but the ants know where they are!

*    I’m 22 weeks into this pregnancy.  Baby girl is active and growing.  She still has no name, but I think we’re getting closer…

*    Summer is in full swing now, with temps in triple digits.  Yuck.

*    Malachi starts a summer session of pre-school in three days!  Oh, he is growing up, and I don’t like it.  I hope he has fun, though.

Enjoy the weekend, everyone.

Anyone?

Do people still come here?

ha ha!

Goodbye spring… I’ll miss you!

(My niece, Clover, took this photo!)

 

Spring is coming to a close, and I have to say…

I am so thankful for the REAL spring weather the Lord has given us this year!  It seems like our weather usually skips over spring; we move straight from winter to summer here.  This is the first lengthy mild season I can remember for a long time, and it has been delightful.

Too bad I haven’t had the energy to do all the gardening I wanted to do.  I’ve enjoyed seeing Kristin’s vegies and Barbara’s flowers, though.  And I did FINALLY go out and buy a white geranium plant last night ~ which I’ve been wanting to do for months.  Now, I just have to get around to potting it!

Alas, the first day of summer is just around the corner. 

As is Father’s Day. 

We have fun plans for Father’s Day!  How about you?

What is your ONE favorite thing about summer?

I’m the Baby!

When our son came along, our daughter Ryvre was already 8.5 years old.  She was excited to have a sibling and requested a brother.

She got her wish.

She was very helpful and protective of him.  Now, she enjoys teaching him things and playing with him.  (Sometimes.)

Malachi is only 3.5 years old, and his feelings about a new sibling are a little bit different.  He is excited about the baby and is also requesting a brother…

He even has a name picked out.

However~

He has expressed to us that he does not want to grow up, get big, or go to school.  He wants to stay the “baby.”  He told me this through real tears.

I wasn’t expecting this!

I’ve told him he’d always BE my baby ~ because we thought we were done having kids.  And he may have overheard me telling others how much I love him at this age.  We do everything together.  He’s done with Terrible Two Tantrums and can endure long walks through town.  He’s affectionate.  He’s a great helper.  And although he loves playing games together, he also knows how to entertain himself.

I am glad we have time to talk as a family about how things are going to change.  And Malachi will be well into pre-school by the time Baby comes along.  Still, I’d love some tips!

Any advice to help prepare my young one for the role of Big Brother?

Almost half-way!

It’s hard to believe I am almost at the half-way mark in this pregnancy…  I’m just over 19 weeks along.  According to www.babycenter.com, our baby is actively developing it’s senses.  (I HATE using the word “it,” but I’ll have to until next week.)  If you are my friend on FB, you can see my weekly belly shots.  Here is one:

16 weeks ~ hasn't really changed much since then!

One of the cool things about this stage is that the baby can most likely hear my voice.  I am consciously aware of that when I am singing.  I love that this young one can hear my worship!  So cool.  Less cool is that it can also hear all the weird sounds my tummy makes, but I guess that goes with the territory of living in the womb.

I’ve been feeling soft movements for a few weeks, now.  Especially after I eat.  The other night, I could even feel the baby kicking into my hand, as I cradled my belly.  Not surprisingly, it completely stopped when I placed Ryan’s hand in the same spot.  Right?  I guess I am the lucky one for now.

I don’t plan to turn this into a pregnancy blog, but I just wanted to share what’s going on…  I’ll probably do that from time to time.  It’s kind of the major thing that’s happening in my life right now!

One thing we are struggling with is NAMES.  Your ideas are welcome and appreciated!!!

Work is busy.

The home hunt is still on.

School is out.

I am so blessed.  I pray that you are, too!

PPT ~ 8 Years and counting!

Ryan and I are on a 4 year cycle. 

We first got together in 1989 (junior high).  That lasted for about 8 months, if I recall.

We remained in contact, though, and I believe it was 1993 (high school) when we had another brief time of “going out.”  I don’t remember how long it lasted or why it ended!

In 1997, we had a baby.  We’d reconnected in 1996 and decided that we were serious this time – no more games.  We’d dated others.  We knew that our friendship could stand the test of time, and we felt like that gave us a strong foundation.  The baby, of course, was unplanned.  (By us, that is.  God is the One who anticipated her and made her!)  I was in college, at this time.

2001:

 

Four years after our wedding, our son came along.  We decided we wanted another child in 2002, but God knew that 2005 was the year.  I think He is orchestrating this 4 year cycle…

Now, in 2009, we are expecting our 3rd (and probably last) child.  So exciting!

I love that God gives us free will, and yet, He always has a hand in our lives.  He’s such a better Planner than I am.  I find comfort in knowing that He has the reigns.  Even when I screw up, He manages to work things out for my good.

Anyway, today, Ryan and I celebrate 8 years of marriage.  It seems like a whole lot longer.  In a good way!  Love you, Ry. 

I wonder what God will do in 2013???

This post is part of Positive Post Tuesday (PPT).

Spring Blooms

I just love spring.  Aside from the allergies it brings…

I get giddy when I start to see daffodils on the hillsides.  They are my favorite.

This is another favorite of mine:

 

My Uncle Chris gave me this amaryllis bulb for Christmas years ago.  It ended up being packed away for a few years!  But when I finally planted it, it came right up, and I was introduced to these most beautiful flowers.   They’ve been faithful every year since, and I look forward to their arrival each spring.

Do you have a favorite spring bloom?

For you, for me… for me, for you

 

Anyone watch the whole two hours last night???

My husband went online to find out the winner early and promised not to say anything to Ryvre and I, so we could enjoy the suspense.

I thought it was a great show.  Loved Black Eyed Peas, Lionel Richie, and Cyndi Lauper.  Could have done without Rod Stewart…  But for a show that long, when all you are really tuned in for is the END, they did a pretty great job filling time.

I thought all of the Top 13 performances were well done.  Among them, I hope to see Megan Joy, Alexis Grace, and Matt Giraud go somewhere musically in the future. 

Something about David Cook still bothers me, but I can’t put my finger on it.

Tatiana.  Oh, Tatiana!  I’d been ok with forgetting all about that crazy.  She’s something else.

And then, the actual results…

Well, I have to say that I’m on the fence here.  On one hand, I am quite disappointed that Adam did not win.  As the judges say, “This is a singing competition,” and from the beginning, this guy was in a different league than the other contestants.  His voice and creative arrangements are unmatched.  Hands down.  And I can’t help but feel like the winner of the contest should be the BEST singer.

On the other hand, I see how Kris winning is actually better for them both.  Kris is talented ~ no doubt.  And cute.  And, from what I have read, he’s a Christian.  All things that make me like him.  I’m happy for him and the opportunity God has blessed him with.  I am also happy for Adam, that he doesn’t have to release that awful single to start out his career!  It suits Kris better, even though it’s a terrible song (in my opinion).  The way it’s worked out, Adam will have the freedom to sign with whomever he wants, and hopefully, sing whatever he wants.  The Cowell contract would have cramped his style.

I almost turned the tube off angry last night, when they were celebrating Kris at the end.  It’s been bothering me for weeks how they never show him with his wife.  They don’t mention her in his “video bios,” and she’s hardly recognized as part of his life at all.  I sort of wished Kris had taken more liberty to publicly thank and love on her when he had the mic in his hands…  But who am I to say what he should or should not have done?  Maybe she requested to be in the shadows?  Anyway, I was happy to see her make her way to her man at the end.  It was a beautiful embrace, and we saw a close up, during those few final seconds, of how much those two seem to mean to each other.  AI just barely redeemed itself for me there!

Well, those are my thoughts… 

What did you think?

Did the right person win?  If not, who do you think should have taken the title?

Is Cara Dio Guardi a good fit as a judge for the show?  or does she annoy you as much as I can’t stand her?

Was the “Judges Save” a good idea?  or does it even matter?

Are you planning to see the AI Top Ten tour?

The Steve Martin gig…  Huh?

Happy Thursday!

Monday Perspective ~ Be still and wait…

Yesterday, I triumphantly got my kiddos ready and out the door for the early service.  We wanted to spend as much time as possible at my parents’ house, since we’d missed them on Mother’s Day.  Oh, and also it was like 100 degrees, and they have a pool.

I found myself sitting in the sanctuary, Bible open, at the edge of my seat.  The regular pastor was not there.  Speaking instead was a pastor that my family used to hear at our “old” church.  Now, I can’t say he had me at the edge of my seat back then, but yesterday, his message hit home for me.  Also, he’s been a much bigger part of my life since those days, but maybe I’ll write about that another time.

Anyway, part of the message was based on this scripture: 

Psalm 37

 ¹ Do not fret because of evil men
       or be envious of those who do wrong; ² for like the grass they will soon wither,
       like green plants they will soon die away.

 ³ Trust in the LORD and do good;
       dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.

 ⁴ Delight yourself in the LORD
       and he will give you the desires of your heart.

 ⁵ Commit your way to the LORD;
       trust in him and he will do this:

 ⁶ He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn,
       the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.

 ⁷ Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him;
       do not fret when men succeed in their ways,
       when they carry out their wicked schemes.

 ⁸ Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;
       do not fret—it leads only to evil.

 ⁹ For evil men will be cut off,
       but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land.

There’s a lot there.  I think it is relevant encouragement for Christians in these economic times.  All around us, people are doing whatever it takes to to maintain their lifestyle, keep their toys, put on a show, survive.  Becoming a criminal may be better than showing weakness or asking for help.

We know better, right?

But the most significant part of the scripture to me was the part in bold:  Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him.

The fast pace of life can be overwhelming.  The world tells us that we deserve immediate satisfaction.  The Bible doesn’t say that.  The Bible says, “Be still” and “Wait.”

I choose to wait patiently for…

…an open door to share my faith with my coworker.

…some stability in my paycheck and job security.

…the means to pay off my debt.

…a dog for my kids.

…a comfortable home.

…my daughter to grow out of boy-craziness.

…the miserable season of summer (which hasn’t even officially started yet) to end.

…our newest family member to arrive.

Some of these things may never happen. 

All of these things have the capacity to bring worry and anxiety into my life.  But our Lord also says:  Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  (Philippians 4:6)

Time is a funny thing.  It causes us fear and stress.  But if we learn to trust and wait patiently on the Lord, we find that His timing is a gift and a blessing.  

 

 

Happy Monday!