Monday, May 24, 2010
She's Gone Wireless!
After 21 long months, depriving herself of sticky candy, gum, and corn on the cob...my girl is brace-free. I think she is beautiful!
Friday, May 21, 2010
Makeover
Since it's spring and we've been doing a makeover on the yard, I decided to do a mini-makeover on the blog. What do you think? Does it make you want to come over for tea???
In the continuing saga of the backyard, I've got a couple more pictures.
Here's a picture of the North side of the backyard:
Here's Steve and son planting a tree together:
Here are the first fruits of my garden:
Don't they look delicious? They were. They still are, especially now that I can put them on lettuce from the garden.
Have a great weekend. Check back Monday for some exciting news!
In the continuing saga of the backyard, I've got a couple more pictures.
Here's a picture of the North side of the backyard:
Here's Steve and son planting a tree together:
Here are the first fruits of my garden:
Don't they look delicious? They were. They still are, especially now that I can put them on lettuce from the garden.
Have a great weekend. Check back Monday for some exciting news!
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Scripture Memory Verse #10
We are having the best weather this weekend of the year so far and it is hard to be inside. But my to-do list is a least a mile long...sigh. Thankfully, some of those to-do items involve being outside. I hope you are enjoying the sunshine and warm temps, too.
I have been thinking a lot about security, confidence and perseverance lately. About claiming my security in Christ, putting on confidence even when I don't feel it (especially when I don't feel it) and to just keep doing the thing. I've gotten really good at slacking off when I get tired or it gets too hard or there's a blog to read somewhere or well, frankly, there are a thousand distractions to keep me from finishing what I start. I don't like this about myself. I really don't and it's hard to admit. But I've come to the end of my tolerance for pretense and if I start with my own created pretenses and put a stop to them, maybe it will be a step in the right direction. God doesn't like pretense, either, but he can see the heart and knows what's really going on. I want to be free of what's holding me down because it is for freedom that Christ has set us free and I want the abundant life he gives. (Do you see a theme this year??) So when the temptation comes to slack off, these will be my verses to repeat:
Hebrews 10:35 & 36 from the NIV: So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.
Keep doing the thing, friends. Do it with confidence, yielded to the Spirit and with joy. I am who He says I am and I can do all things through Christ. Believe God today.
Have a great weekend!
I have been thinking a lot about security, confidence and perseverance lately. About claiming my security in Christ, putting on confidence even when I don't feel it (especially when I don't feel it) and to just keep doing the thing. I've gotten really good at slacking off when I get tired or it gets too hard or there's a blog to read somewhere or well, frankly, there are a thousand distractions to keep me from finishing what I start. I don't like this about myself. I really don't and it's hard to admit. But I've come to the end of my tolerance for pretense and if I start with my own created pretenses and put a stop to them, maybe it will be a step in the right direction. God doesn't like pretense, either, but he can see the heart and knows what's really going on. I want to be free of what's holding me down because it is for freedom that Christ has set us free and I want the abundant life he gives. (Do you see a theme this year??) So when the temptation comes to slack off, these will be my verses to repeat:
Hebrews 10:35 & 36 from the NIV: So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.
Keep doing the thing, friends. Do it with confidence, yielded to the Spirit and with joy. I am who He says I am and I can do all things through Christ. Believe God today.
Have a great weekend!
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Life Lessons
We gave our son the gift of animals for his birthday. Three glow fish and two dwarf frogs. They are community animals, according to the experts at the pet store, so they NEED to be together. We purchased a small tank and all the gear needed and that's what we wrapped up for the birthday gift. He then got to choose which exact fish and frogs he wanted.
We had to "establish the ecosystem" before introducing the animals to it. So we set up the tank and filled it with water, installed the filter and waited five days. Five, long days, to my son. Finally it was the day to go get the creatures. This time, the expert recommended only purchasing one at a time, either only the fish or only the frogs, and letting them become acclimated to the new ecosystem before getting the other creature. Who knew this would be so complicated? So we got the fish first. They are very tiny fish and they loved their new environment.
My son had the hardest time naming them, though. We had many discussions over the supper table about the subject. I don't think he even decided until after we got the frogs. The frogs were easy to name. This is my son's sense of humor. The smaller one is Tadman and the larger one is Ikroka. They were named after BSU football players, Marty Tadman and George Iloka (play on words, this one). The fish are named Electron (greenish/yellow one), Reflector (orange one) and Bob (red one).
So we brought home the fish and then one week later, brought home the frogs. It was fun to watch them moving around in the tank, which is in my boy's room, by the way. The next day I go to wake up my son and first thing he does is check the animals. There are two frogs and two fish. two. fish. Where is the orange fish? Not hiding in the fake plant, not stuck in the filter, not in the rocks. No evidence he ever existed. Well, I have one bewildered boy on my hands and I was stumped, as well. Steve came home that night and took one look at the tank and declared what a fat tummy Ikroka had. Shock and disbelief. This frog is maybe one and a half inches fully stretched out, probably closer to one inch.
The campaign for a replacement fish began. The parents didn't think they should pay for another fish. The boy didn't think he should pay for another fish. It wasn't his fault his birthday gift was eaten. In the end, though, we split the cost of another fish. It really wasn't anybody's fault. (The frogs have been getting an increase in their regular food supply after this whole incident.) So, Sunday, after lunch, we went and picked out another fish, named Reflector 2. All was right with the world again.
Until Monday morning. I woke up my son for another day and looked in the tank. Two frogs and ...two...fish. Are you kidding me?!? Two fish. The yellow one was gone. My boy was mad and disappointed and said, "I don't want that frog anymore." It never, not once, occurred to Steve or me that this would happen again. Obviously, we wouldn't have purchased another fish if we had thought that. What is up with that Ikroka frog? Steve re-named it "I-make-a-you-a-croak-a." Funny. Not really. But, yes, funny. But, not really.
Life is hard, and kinda funny.
We had to "establish the ecosystem" before introducing the animals to it. So we set up the tank and filled it with water, installed the filter and waited five days. Five, long days, to my son. Finally it was the day to go get the creatures. This time, the expert recommended only purchasing one at a time, either only the fish or only the frogs, and letting them become acclimated to the new ecosystem before getting the other creature. Who knew this would be so complicated? So we got the fish first. They are very tiny fish and they loved their new environment.
My son had the hardest time naming them, though. We had many discussions over the supper table about the subject. I don't think he even decided until after we got the frogs. The frogs were easy to name. This is my son's sense of humor. The smaller one is Tadman and the larger one is Ikroka. They were named after BSU football players, Marty Tadman and George Iloka (play on words, this one). The fish are named Electron (greenish/yellow one), Reflector (orange one) and Bob (red one).
So we brought home the fish and then one week later, brought home the frogs. It was fun to watch them moving around in the tank, which is in my boy's room, by the way. The next day I go to wake up my son and first thing he does is check the animals. There are two frogs and two fish. two. fish. Where is the orange fish? Not hiding in the fake plant, not stuck in the filter, not in the rocks. No evidence he ever existed. Well, I have one bewildered boy on my hands and I was stumped, as well. Steve came home that night and took one look at the tank and declared what a fat tummy Ikroka had. Shock and disbelief. This frog is maybe one and a half inches fully stretched out, probably closer to one inch.
The campaign for a replacement fish began. The parents didn't think they should pay for another fish. The boy didn't think he should pay for another fish. It wasn't his fault his birthday gift was eaten. In the end, though, we split the cost of another fish. It really wasn't anybody's fault. (The frogs have been getting an increase in their regular food supply after this whole incident.) So, Sunday, after lunch, we went and picked out another fish, named Reflector 2. All was right with the world again.
Until Monday morning. I woke up my son for another day and looked in the tank. Two frogs and ...two...fish. Are you kidding me?!? Two fish. The yellow one was gone. My boy was mad and disappointed and said, "I don't want that frog anymore." It never, not once, occurred to Steve or me that this would happen again. Obviously, we wouldn't have purchased another fish if we had thought that. What is up with that Ikroka frog? Steve re-named it "I-make-a-you-a-croak-a." Funny. Not really. But, yes, funny. But, not really.
Life is hard, and kinda funny.
Friday, May 7, 2010
Where's the Pause Button?
Today, according to the calendar, our family begins a new journey. We are entering the teenage years. Do not ask me where the last 13 years have gone. They slipped by while I was doing ... something...I'm sure it was terribly important whatever I've been doing...had to be so important...because ALL OF THE SUDDEN our girl is 13. Steve and I were talking last night that five years ago we moved into this house and in five years our girl will be ready to move out of this house. My heart. It cannot take it. Can Not.
August 1996, we had been living in a rental house downtown. We had just moved from Eastern Idaho in the Spring. Both of us were working. I came home to discover we had been robbed. Someone broke into our house and touched all our stuff and took a lot of our stuff. It is a horrificly violated feeling. Two day later, we were robbed again. I kid you not. We moved out by the next evening. Put our belongings in storage and parked in the last extra bedroom of Steve's parents house. Steve's cousin and wife were in the other extra bedroom for the summer. Full house.
We were ready to start a family and decided this setback wouldn't discourage us from that. Steve told me years later that he didn't think I'd get pregnant so quickly or he would not have agreed so easily. ha. I dreamed of a little girl with dark wavy hair with a specific name. I mean, I literally had a dream of this girl. (Incidentally, same thing happened when I was pregnant with our son. Dreamed of a boy with a specific name.)
This beloved girl has caused my heart to be walking around outside of my body for 13 years now. She is why I am a mother. She is why I am trying to get my act together, so she'll have an example of a woman who continually seeks God, his forgiveness, his mercy, his wisdom, his strength, his security. She is literally why I have not given up on this thing called life. There was a time I was very very tempted to call it quits. Depression is a very dark place to go but God is light and he used the face of my daughter to keep me going day after day after day. Praise Him.
This beloved girl is so smart, funny, fun, sweet, compassionate, and loving. She is becoming a young lady who is all that and so much more. God has a great plan for her and I am excited to see what it's going to be. Happy birthday, daughter. I love you so very much and I am so very proud of you.
I really wanted to post a picture of her as a toddler, but we didn't get a digital camera until 3 years ago. This was her 10th birthday:
P.S. Any of you with daughters may want to check out this post here. I want to encourage us to be aware of our culture so we can talk to our girls about what God values. If we don't tell them, who will?
August 1996, we had been living in a rental house downtown. We had just moved from Eastern Idaho in the Spring. Both of us were working. I came home to discover we had been robbed. Someone broke into our house and touched all our stuff and took a lot of our stuff. It is a horrificly violated feeling. Two day later, we were robbed again. I kid you not. We moved out by the next evening. Put our belongings in storage and parked in the last extra bedroom of Steve's parents house. Steve's cousin and wife were in the other extra bedroom for the summer. Full house.
We were ready to start a family and decided this setback wouldn't discourage us from that. Steve told me years later that he didn't think I'd get pregnant so quickly or he would not have agreed so easily. ha. I dreamed of a little girl with dark wavy hair with a specific name. I mean, I literally had a dream of this girl. (Incidentally, same thing happened when I was pregnant with our son. Dreamed of a boy with a specific name.)
This beloved girl has caused my heart to be walking around outside of my body for 13 years now. She is why I am a mother. She is why I am trying to get my act together, so she'll have an example of a woman who continually seeks God, his forgiveness, his mercy, his wisdom, his strength, his security. She is literally why I have not given up on this thing called life. There was a time I was very very tempted to call it quits. Depression is a very dark place to go but God is light and he used the face of my daughter to keep me going day after day after day. Praise Him.
This beloved girl is so smart, funny, fun, sweet, compassionate, and loving. She is becoming a young lady who is all that and so much more. God has a great plan for her and I am excited to see what it's going to be. Happy birthday, daughter. I love you so very much and I am so very proud of you.
I really wanted to post a picture of her as a toddler, but we didn't get a digital camera until 3 years ago. This was her 10th birthday:
P.S. Any of you with daughters may want to check out this post here. I want to encourage us to be aware of our culture so we can talk to our girls about what God values. If we don't tell them, who will?
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Scripture Memory Verse #9
The verses I'm choosing today are from the So Long Insecurity simulcast last weekend. They are from Ephesians 4:22-24:
You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put of your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
Every day I get dressed on purpose. That means, I make a conscious decision as to what clothes I'm going to wear. These verses can be applied the same way. Every day I need to make a conscious decision to follow the Spirit and to be the new person that I am in Christ. I don't have to continue to do what I've always done. I am clothed in strength and dignity Proverbs 31 says, so I imagine every morning putting those characteristics on as I would a coat. This new self starts in the mind with my attitude and then I am to walk it out daily. I cannot wait until I feel secure to act secure. Heavens knows, I'd never get there if that's what it was dependent upon. This part of the simulcast was a light bulb moment for me. I have a choice here. I don't have to continue being corrupted by my old deceitful desires, I can choose to be a new creation in Christ. That is freedom!
What are you learning about God and his Word right now? There is something for everyone and every situation. All glory to His Name!
Leave your verse in the comment section. Keep up the good work!
You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put of your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
Every day I get dressed on purpose. That means, I make a conscious decision as to what clothes I'm going to wear. These verses can be applied the same way. Every day I need to make a conscious decision to follow the Spirit and to be the new person that I am in Christ. I don't have to continue to do what I've always done. I am clothed in strength and dignity Proverbs 31 says, so I imagine every morning putting those characteristics on as I would a coat. This new self starts in the mind with my attitude and then I am to walk it out daily. I cannot wait until I feel secure to act secure. Heavens knows, I'd never get there if that's what it was dependent upon. This part of the simulcast was a light bulb moment for me. I have a choice here. I don't have to continue being corrupted by my old deceitful desires, I can choose to be a new creation in Christ. That is freedom!
What are you learning about God and his Word right now? There is something for everyone and every situation. All glory to His Name!
Leave your verse in the comment section. Keep up the good work!
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