Words for Wednesday

I get daily thought emails. Most of them I read and delete. The ones I really like go into an email folder. There have been several focused on love and marriage lately that I have really liked so I thought I would share them. By the way, I also have the best husband ever.

"A happy marriage is a long conversation that always seems to short. " Andre Maurois


"A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person." Mignon McLaughlin


"Kissing is a means of getting two people so close together that they can't see anything wrong with the other." Rene Yasenek


" Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences and penetrates walls to arrive at its destination, full of hope." Maya Angelou

Life in my world lately

Ok here we go:

* My baby turned 6 months old on Tuesday (3/23). We celebrated by having all of the youth group seniors over the house for dinner. Unfortunately there was a snowstorm and the brave ones who made it out got stuck and ended up spending the night. Josh had made a delicious brisket, potatoes, corn and rolls and we had cobbler for dessert. We played games and watched The Blind Side (my new movie). Snow sleepovers and being a youth minister's wife are so fun! I love this senior class and am really going to miss them next year. They were just little 7th graders when we came to Denver and we have all grown up together. 

*At Addison's check up on Thursday she was 16 lbs, 3 oz and was 26 inches long. Wow! She did the best yet with her shots. I got to hold her while she got poked and then her Daddy got to cuddle her afterwards. Mom gets to be the bad guy. She is so, so fun right now! We like to play in bed in the mornings before we have to finally get up and go to work. She laughs, tries to grab our faces, loves to grab her toes, etc. She can roll both ways and tries so hard to crawl. She is making the sweetest babbling noises all day long. Oh, I just love it!


*Work is busy but good. We hired a new foster care director who will start the end of April. I'm excited for her to start. 


*I could not be more blessed to have Connie watching Addie during the days. Really. God knew exactly what I needed. 


* My mom has been really sick so add her to your prayer list. It started with what she thought was a cold that turned into a sinus infection. About 2 weeks ago she ended up in the ER with pretty bad ear pain and after the Dr. did a CT scan they discovered that her ear infection had gone into a pocket in her skull that I don't know the name of. So she has a severe inner and middle ear infections. She has been on intense meds for 2 weeks and nothing has happened. So, a doctor put a tube in her ear and apparently it fell out so they put in another one today. Hopefully this will finally help relieve the pressure and pain. Mom and Larry are currently in Austin. I guess it's good that they are in a place she lived for a long time and is familiar with while all this is going on. I told her that Addie and I may have to fly out there to take care of her. Or, maybe just take care of Larry since he is getting tired of all the cooking and cleaning....

*I am trying to figure out a way to meet up with my mom when she is in Tennesse to see my brother Sean. That way the last sibling can meet Addison. The problem is Sean is in grad school and his wife Ashley is a teacher and doesn't get out until June. I guess we will see if it works out or not. 

*And lastly, I am exhausted. I am actually going to my doctor on Thursday because something doesn't feel right - like this is beyond tired. I described it to Josh as feeling like I am drugged all the time. It's not a good feeling. I'm getting enough sleep, eating right, still exercising etc but I am just pooped. There have been a few night that I wake up to feed Addie and honestly have no idea what is happening or what I should be doing.  I could just be wimpy but I have a feeling that something is going on and it's beyond just mommy exhaustion. Anyway, my appointment is Thursday. 


I will end with one of my favorite quote that I have above my desk:
"We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures. " 

— Thornton Wilder

James 3:9

James 3:9 "With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness."

I have heard and read a lot of this lately. I am guilty of it too, don't get me wrong. But I have really noticed it recently. This health care debate has everyone on both sides of the issue up in arms. Whether you agree or disagree doesn't really matter to me. We were all given brains and free will and are entitled to our own opinions. But, I get frustrated when I hear things like "Our nation is ruined", "We have failed our Christian calling" or "The only people who are for this plan want to destroy our country.". There are also negative and hurtful things being said on the other side of the issue. I am tired of hearing people who profess to be Christians dragging people through the mud just because they don't believe in the same things. People are being spit on, cursed at, hit with signs and threatened. What about that is Christ-like?

 Jesus was not a Republican or a Democrat. Christians don't have to have a certain political affiliation, they just need to love, serve and commit to Christ. Health care is not (in my opinion) a salvation issue. People are not going to heaven or hell based on if they think government run health care is a good idea. I have had life long health issues. For me, I am thankful that my husband will never have to decided to take or reject a job based on if they have a group plan. I am thankful that my little sister (who is somewhat irresponsible at times) can stay on my parents' plan to receive care if she gets sick. I know its bad for some people but it's not the downfall of America.

I work in an environment that is not very immersed with Christians. All of this debating and negativity has not done anything to encourage people to turn towards Christ. If we profess to be Christ-followers we need to show it with our words and actions! Please prayerful consider your facebook statuses, words, emails, actions etc. Be aware of what image you are portraying and who we are representing.

P-Pictures

I have been putting off doing this post because I had a great idea. I really wanted to scan some of my favorite pictures from various times in my life and share them. But, that obviously didn't happen. I know where the pictures are but never could find the time to go through and pull them out the ones I wanted, then I would have to go use someone's scanner etc. It just seemed like a lot of work for one blog post.

The purpose of this alphabet that I have been doing off and on (and maybe will eventually finish) is not just things that I like, but things that I am thankful for. I have always loved pictures. I am so thankful that I am able to look back at other times in my life -  my baby pictures, family portraits, being silly with my siblings, my pooh bear, my pets, grade school friends,family vacations, Christmases, youth group times, camps and retreats, Africa, wonderful college memories, pictures when Josh and I were dating or engaged, wedding pictures, pregnancy pictures and now pictures with Addison. I am thankful for all of those experiences and thankful that I am able to continually look at at them and enjoy the memories. I am also thankful for all the new pictures and memories I will have in the future.

So, you don't get to see some of my favorite old pictures - maybe I will find some time someday because I really would like to post some- but, I will share some recent pictures of Addie (which you are all probably more interested in anyway).

*Daddy got her this shirt on one of his trips.

*She only stayed standing like for about about 3 seconds....

Favorite Things Friday - Cookbooks

Today's theme is cookbooks. I don't use a ton of cookbooks most of the time. I mostly use recipes I have written down or printed off that I keep in a box on my counter. Most of the time if I need dinner quick the things in the cookbooks are too complicated, take to long or require ingredients I don't have on hand. But they all sound yummy so I probably should use some of my million cookbooks more.

I have a few basic favorites - first is Better Homes and Garden's Cook Books. This is a classic. It has everything in it. It's nothing fancy typically but it's things that real people make on a daily basis.

The second is one that Josh had in his bachelor days that I have loved. It's called the 4 Ingredient Cookbook. Everything in it has 4 ingredients and there is a whole section that is all lowfat recipes. There are sections for appetizers, salads, veggies, main dishes, breads, desserts etc.  Some things have one ingredient that is ready made like a boxed cake mix for a dessert. It is easy and most of the things are really yummy, although some just sound like gross bachelor food- think bacon and cheese wrapped hotdogs.

I have several Rachel Ray cookbooks that I like when I take the time to use them. I also have some small $1.00 cookbooks that are breads and pasteries that are really, really awesome that I got at JoAnn fabrics.

I'm excited to see what other people's favorites are!

P.S. - Ashley, I like the theme's but I know it's work for you....I can help out coming up with them if you want, or we can take a break for awhile.

Favorite Things Friday - Health and Fitness

I am excited about this week's topic. I LOVE  to work out. It's not really about being a certain size, it's about feeling good, being strong, being healthy, and being in shape. 

My 1st favorite thing is water. Everyone should love this and drink lots of it. 

A

Another thing that I love is my foam roller. I use this especially on my outer thighs and back. It feels like a hard massage and is great after a good work out. It's also a great tool for balance or core work. 

My yoga mat is always in my car. I love it. Yoga is not for weaklings - at least not my class. It's hard. I sweat. But, it's awesome and it feels so good to rest and relax at the end. 

One more work out favorite - weights - these make my muscles feel so strong and really you don't get bulky unless you try, just toned. 

I have lots of other health and fitness favorites but we'll stop there for now.

Have a great weekend!

Happy Birthday Mom!

Today is my mom's birthday. I won't tell you how old she is. I mailed her package yesterday but she won't get it for a few days when she gets to Austin.

I am appreciating my mom and our relationship more and more the older I get. We talk not just because we have to, but because we want to. I enjoy spending time with her and I love to see her with my little girl. Mom always made our birthday's special when we were growing up and I like to try to do that for her now.

Happy Birthday Momma - Can't wait to see you again!

Irritation

Just needed to share an irritating situation. If you don't like reading about breastfeeding or pumping - stop reading now.

So, I was actually given a pump before Addie was born and it worked great until 2 weeks ago when all of a sudden the motor slowed down drastically and it lost suction. So, I was faced with having to buy a new one since she is only 5 months old. I wanted to buy the same kind I had but didn't want to spend the money (my old one wasn't under warranty anymore). So, I had read some good reviews about a miPump by First Years and it was only about $90 for a double electric so I decided to buy it. Another draw was that I could get it right away instead of ordering and waiting. There are some good points about it but....

I am now thinking this was a bad decision and I am frustrated. It works ok but it is a little more painful than the old one and I'm already having problems. Twice in the last week the milk has backed up into the tubing and the pump itself. I NEVER had this problem with my old Lansinoh pump. It also takes longer to get less milk. I don't want go buy the replacement I should have gotten a few weeks ago because that is spending another hundred dollars or so (at least) that I don't really just have lying around. Plus, even though Addison is almost 6 months old I'm not sure how much longer I will be able to keep pumping/breastfeeding etc. How long does this typically last? She is eating cereal usually twice a day. I want to pump because I don't want to lose my milk supply (that has already dipped lately) because she is still taking bottles but in all honesty I have no idea what to do.

Just needed to vent. Any advice regarding pumps, how long to breastfeed, cereal feeding, etc is appreciated.

Update

Just a quick update...

Addie is 5 months old and recently rolled from her back to her tummy (neither Josh or I have seen it yet though). She is talking up a storm and has such a sweet disposition. I constantly get compliments on what a well tempered baby she is - I don't think that has anything to do with me though. I am loving all the new things that she is learning. She brings so much joy to Josh and I.

2 weeks ago Addison and I flew to see my mom, step-dad and sister in Las Cruces. This is the first time that Aletheia (Ant Goober) had met Addie. We also got to spend some time with Aletheia's boyfriend Ryan. It was a great trip. I hadn't seen my sister in almost a year and that is way to long. Now I just have one more brother who needs to meet Addison - hopefully that can happen in May.

Here are a bunch of pictures. Enjoy!

                                                Josh's shirt says "dads against daughters dating"

                                            Shopping with the girls

                                                    Napping with Grampy

        

Drinking Grammy's Starbucks

                                                           Playing with Sandy

                                                   Meeting Grandmama (my mom's mom)

                                                             4 Generations on my side

This weekend Josh's mom (Gigi) is here for a quick visit while Gramps is umpiring baseball tournaments. 
We will have pictures of that soon!

Unsafe!

The theme of Winter Peak this year was Unsafe. My dear friend Casey McCollum was the speaker and he did a great job bring this message to the teens. It was a theme that I was very personally excited about and something that I have always been passionate about.

The basic idea was that God does not call us to be safe or comfortable. In fact, it's the opposite. Casey talked about that every bible should come with a warning label that says "Can be dangerous if followed". He used Purell hand sanitizer as a great object lesson and visual by squirting it in a bible and saying that too often we sanitize the Word to make it safe or more comfortable to follow. Instead of  "love your enemies" we may sanitize it to "don't hate your enemies"; instead of  "flee from immorality" we sanitize it to be more like "stay away from the really bad stuff". If we truly follow the bible we WILL experience loss. We may not be persecuted or lose our lives for our faith like some of the characters we looked at over the weekend, BUT, we may lose our reputation or our friends. God's calling is one that is drastically different from the world.

Another topic that seemed to really resonate with the teens and adults was that we need to be Kingdom-Followers not just Church-Goers. (Hopefully I will be quoting Casey Pate correctly here) Church -Goers worry about the world changing the church. Kingdom-Followers go out to change the world. We need to stop staying in our safe, comfortable buildings and be out in our communities and our world loving people for Christ.

I was convicted of a few things - first that too often I am not the kind of light that I should be in my office. The second is that I know God has given me a passion and love for things unsafe (unsafe things of faith and unsafe things like rock climbing). I frequently get ideas that I really believe are from the Spirit of how to share the word etc but I'm not always great at following through. I want to be consistent. I want to actually do the things that I feel God pricking my heart to do. I have a few things that I am currently praying about that wrestling with. Hopefully I will be able to share them soon!

It was a great weekend overall. Tonight in the youth group class we will be talking about the ideas we came up with of what the University Church of Christ youth group needs to do and deciding on some things that the group can actually DO instead of just talk about. Pray that our teens and all of the teens and adults who went to Winter Peak will not forget what they heard but will continue to grow in courage and faith as they live a life that is Unsafe for Christ.

2 Years

I was on the Winter Peak (Colorado Area-wide retreat) with Josh this weekend. It was a great weekend and I will try to write more about that later.

This is the retreat the 2 years ago (yesterday actually) Josh and my friend Melanie had to leave because I was in the hospital after about to have emergency surgery after finding out we lost another baby - this time due to an ectopic pregnancy. The past two years have been full of peaks and valleys - some of those valleys being in very dark places. But, this year I was at the retreat with a sweet, beautiful baby girl. Wow! God truly is faithful. During the weekend I had several things running though my head - a song and then a psalm.

"Well, everyone needs compassion

A love that's never failing, let mercy fall on me

Well, everyone needs forgiveness

The kindness of a Savior, the hope of nations

Savior, He can move the mountains

For my God is mighty to save, He is mighty to save

Forever, author of Salvation

Where He rose and conquered the grave, Jesus conquered the grave

So take me as You find me

All my fears and failures, fill my life again

I give my life to follow

Everything I believe in, and now I surrender, I surrender

Savior, He can move the mountains

My God is mighty to save, He is mighty to save

Forever, author of Salvation

He rose and conquered the grave, Jesus conquered the grave"

****************************************************

"How long, O LORD ? Will you forget me forever?

How long will you hide your face from me?

How long must I wrestle with my thoughts

and every day have sorrow in my heart?

How long will my enemy triumph over me?

Look on me and answer, O LORD my God.

Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death;

my enemy will say, "I have overcome him,"

and my foes will rejoice when I fall.

But I trust in your unfailing love;

my heart rejoices in your salvation.

I will sing to the LORD,

for he has been good to me." Psalm 13