Filling my heart with love

I love that the Bible is so long, so rich, so full, so many books of weaved-together stories, unending. Even if you were to read it all the way through, you can always pick it up and find more knowledge than you ever found the first time. Or second. Or third. How beautiful that God made it that way. Can you imagine if you finished it in a week and then that was it?


I love that not only do long-time Believers provide knowledge to new Believers, but even a 1 minute old Believer can teach a veteran something new. Bring a new thought or feeling to their heart. Open their mind to something they never viewed before.

I love that I can email someone I don't know in real life, and only barely know in online life, and ask a VERY personal Jesus question, and the love just pours out in her response. Without skipping a beat. All typed from a phone. Teaching me and sharing her love for Christ as well.

I love that God provided us with so much room to grow, so much knowledge to absorb, so much of a relationship to learn and draw near to, to the point where we will always have more. Always.

I love that I can read the Bible and get one thing out of a passage. And I can talk with a friend and expand on that knowledge. And listen to a sermon and have even more Truth revealed. And sit at home in prayer and absorb it all together and gain an even greater understanding. A greater relationship with Him.

I love that a sermon from 1971 has the same impact in 2011. Timeless.

Quote from a friend: God is good! He is faithful! And sometimes I think we as believers have to be Jesus in the flesh to each other, too. Without being able to see Him, I think He is revealed so much in our lives in the people we meet and connect with. Which drives me to try to be a good example of Jesus to glorify Him to others and encourages me to reach out to those who can provide insight. And I have been provided many awesome sources that have not failed me in my time of question and need.

What an amazing Bride God has created for Christ. I am not worthy to be part of it, but oh do I appreciate that I am. I cannot even imagine how glorious it will all be in the end, when sin is no longer a part of it.

My heart is filled.

you capture: VIBRANCE

Thinking about this photo challenge since last week, I kept looking for extremely bright colors around me. Of course kids' clothes are vibrant, as are flowers around the house and yard, but nothing that I haven't already photographed in the last month or so, since we have been enjoying spring around here a lot lately (sorry to everyone who doesn't live in Socal).  

But then I decided to look up the definition for inspiration, and the first choice fit perfectly:

a. Pulsing or throbbing with energy or activity.

MY KIDS at the park. 

Vibrant. 

Pulsing with energy. 

So much so, I can't get them (HER) to leave.  But vibrant, nevertheless. 

Head on over to Beth's site at You Should be Folding Laundry for more You Capture entries. Happy capturing! 

Good lesson for marriage: COMPROMISE

When we moved in, our front yard had these 2 large, obtrusive bushes blocking our view. 

I think when we first got here the brown bush by the sidewalk was still alive, 

but it hasn't been for quite some time and the other bush just screams out "70's" if you ask me. 

It was time for them to go. 

That part Rick and I agreed on. 

So last week, we paid to have them taken out. 

But what to replace them with, that was the issue. 

I wanted to get rid of the 2 flower beds and extend the grass to the driveway, 

for a more flowing look. 

Rick wanted to keep both flower beds and put something new in them. 

So, we let it sit for a week, while we figured it out. 

While I pause for a moment, I'll tell you that Avalon LOVED the woodchipper. 

OK, so after several attempts to convince each other that our own idea was fantastic, 

I decided to compromise and go with Rick's idea since 

1) the flower beds were already in place, 

2) he really wanted them and 

3) (my way wasn't selling) his idea seemed like the right thing to do. 

We instantly agreed that a palm tree would look great in the circular flower bed. 

And a trip to the nursery to find something that would work well in the half circle is all we needed.

When I spotted some gorgeous orange and yellow flowers, I knew I wanted to use them. 

Rick liked them too, so we were stoked to have a plan that we agreed on. 

We are both pleased with the results. 

NEXT LESSON:

Learn which flowers you are picking by where they are in the nursery. 

Unfortunately, I picked flowers that do well in the shade, not in direct, bright, ALL DAY LONG sun. 

So, tomorrow, on my day off, I will dig those up and find another spot for them. 

And make another trip to the nursery to find something that can handle brutal sunshine 

(and buy cute little plants to put around the palm tree). 

2 good lessons learned this weekend. 

A very special hat

My mom knit this hat for Loudoun before he was born. 

He wore it until he was about 8 months old. 

In this picture, he was 6 months old. It was July 4th. 

The hat is still in the family. Only now, our almost 4 year old daughter wears it. 

We love this hat. It stirs up such fond memories for us. 

Just looking at the picture of Loudoun as a baby makes me giddy. 

7 years since being a baby is a long time. 

Researching all the way back to 2004 to find the picture, 

looking at ALL of our kids' baby pictures, 

oh the memories that flooded back. 

Such joy in my heart. My babies. 

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

Have you backed up your photos on an external website? 

Or an external drive that's in a fireproof place?

We just did last week, because we were terrified to lose all of our pictures. 

Like kids wearing beanies made by grandmas. 

Carried in snugglies and on top of shoulders. 

Imprinting our hearts with their sweet faces. 

Bigger Picture Moment: Starting a new day

She rolled over and brought her face to mine.
Half asleep and still in dreamland, she curled one arm around my neck and gently said, "I'm going to snuggle you mama, so you can stay warm." Her voice filled with such innocence and compassion.
A snooze button ready to sound off, my desire to leave our warm, cozy bed diminished.
With only 3 and a half years of experience, she has already mastered grabbing my heart.
"I love you to your heart."
A phrase she made up. A phrase I hope she never stops saying.
The phrase that made me want to stay in bed with her all day.
One sweet gesture can take away the previous night's struggle to get into bed.
And can melt your heart all over again.
"Mama, I''m going to be a good listener today."
The promise of a new day, a new beginning.
A reminder to be merciful and kind.
They are learning.
We are all learning.
They teach us so much.


Do you have any simple moments in which you see the bigger picture? Join in at Hyacynth’s!

LA Kids Marathon

Saturday
3 weeks of practice runs at school, plus yesterday's 1.2 miles, added up to a marathon.
And Loudoun did it so well.
He was so excited for the big day to finally arrive.
And if you measured the day by how many people showed up, then this day was HUGE!
We got there early. We woke up even earlier.
We were all groggy.
I grabbed coffee. The kids ate bananas. Rick was just tough.

groggy for sure

excited, and ready to go!

We dropped Loudoun off in the warm-up area.

And then we waited for all the kids to run in their different groups. Avalon had a great seat. Rick and I could barely see.

Until he flooded back into the finish line "water/graham cracker/medal" area. He wore the perfect hat to be able to spot him.

blue and white striped beanie, right in the middle. Can you see him? No?
Rick and I got flustered with each other, trying to find our kid.
Luckily, we found him. So, we're still married. 

Score!

Afterwards, Daddy treated us all to breakfast where we replenished our bodies.

old school 70's diner by our house. Say cheese, Daddy!

extra calories, honey, pile 'em on!

And then we kicked it all day. Before the rain came on Saturday night. And ever since, we have been in our pj's, inside, enjoying looking out the window but really enjoying staying warm and dry.

I heart ice cream

Growing in life, growing in Jesus

In 35 years of life, I've learned people tend to grow in spurts. Maybe we get comfortable, see an opportunity to move forward, do so, and then sit back and settle in to enjoy the new growth for awhile. 


I see the most obvious growth in children, like their growth pattern is accelerated by leaps and bounds. And as a parent, it is the one of the most satisfying things to watch. Witnessing it all right before your very eyes, as both a bystander but someone emotionally attached, is one of the greatest gifts of parenting. 

Growing courage to meet a new neighbor. And learning you can do it.  

I'm assuming the same is true for God, looking down on all of His children. To the infinite degree of course, since He loves more than we could ever begin to understand. Oh, how He must feel when we attain wisdom, or progress on a path He wants to see us follow. 


I am currently studying the book of Hebrews, and I'm deep in Chapter 11 where the subject is Faith. Oh, how this chapter has made me feel a calling to grow and rise up to what Jesus is trying to teach me. I listen to the sermon (from 1973) and I can feel my insides churning. Like the feeling you get when you are having an anxiety attack, but in a good way. Like, I feel my insides are going to explode with excitement and eagerness, but I don't yet know why because He hasn't revealed it to me yet. 


A few of the things John MacArthur said in his sermon stuck in my mind all afternoon, so I had to look up the words and read over them a few hundred times. 

Hang on, worldliness is sometimes an act, but mostly it's an attitude. It's an attitude. You see, now watch this one, it is not just not doing things, hang on now, it is not wanting to do them…Do you know as you grow, and I'm just talking from experience, but as you grow as a Christian you know what happens? You begin to lose desire to do these things…It's a process of growing to the place where you not only don't do it you don't want to do it. You see? That's the pilgrimage of faith but it begins by separating yourself and as you concentrate on Jesus Christ pretty soon you don't even care anymore about that stuff…But I know there's a progressive lack of desire for the things of the world as you grow in Christ…Then as you mature pretty soon you find that all the things you want to do are the things you can do…That means you've reached the level where God is not only control of the pattern of your living, He's controlling the pattern of your thinking. And He's in control of your desires. And that's when your life becomes exciting, when God controls your desires.

I feel all of this happening to me, and I feel Jesus is calling me to draw even closer to Him. I don't want to be double-sided and have feet in both worlds. 
 ^{James 5} If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. ⁶ But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. ⁷ That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. ⁸ Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do. 
I want to move closer to Heaven and glorify Jesus on my way. 

I'm waiting patiently for what He is trying to teach me. What He is trying to impress upon my heart. In the meantime, I will enjoy the butterflies I am feeling in my heart when I listen to His Word. What an amazing journey He provides for us to follow. 

home improvement

I decided I wanted a mantle for our fireplace. 

Rick seemed not to care either way, so he backed me up in my decision. 

I mean, look at it. This 1964 fireplace is screaming "gimme a mantle!"

So, I went to the local hardware store and bought an untreated 

mantle, stain, brushes, clear coat, and other misc. items we would 

need to get this baby ready for hanging.

And when it came time to install it, I left it ALL to Rick, because I 

absolutely HATE measuring, getting things lined up, getting things even, 

getting things level and did I mention MEASURING? 

I held things in place. I was supportive. I placed the level 

every time he needed to check. 

Avalon came out of bed to watch, but drilling through brick is quite loud. 

And voila, we have a mantle!

It's exactly what we wanted and we are so excited it is done. 

And we are stoked with each other for our great teamwork. 

Now we just need to replace the gold fireplace cover and clean the brick. 

Oh, and go splurge on a new piece of art. 

Who cares that I lost an hour of sleep?

80 degrees.
daylight saving day. (<--- did you know it isn't "savings"?)
Outside all day.
Just the way I like it.

Bougainvillea CRAZINESS

When we first bought our house, we LOVED this Bougainvillea, or should I say 4 Bougainvilleas. Yes, there are 4 of them in there! I know this, because we have decided while the pink flowers that normally bloom on it are gorgeous, 

(photo courtesy of wikimedia.org, since our crazy plants aren't blooming right now)

the plants themselves are CRAZY and we just can't keep up with them. We want them gone. They grow out of control, and when you try and trim them back, BEWARE! They have HUGE thorns on every branch. 

So, last weekend I decided I was going to try and take them out...myself. Hedge trimmer, gloves, sunglasses and full clothing in 80 degree weather, and I was ready to go at it. 

Before and after pictures were necessary to remember the monstrosity we call the Bougainvilleas. 

  

   

After 2 short hours, I completely filled up our green yardwork trashcan and had to call it quits. I removed 1 little Bougainvillea on the end. At this rate, it will take 6 weekends to get rid of all of them! I made the decision to hire someone to come out and complete the job for me. 

    

At least I only got 2 thorn stabs (through the gloves), and one scratch on my leg. Oh, and my arms were falling off sore the next day. 

  

It was pretty when we first got here (read: previous owner paid for a gardener), but now we just want it out and think replacing it with a small palm tree and pretty plants will do the trick. 

More pictures to come, when it is all said and done. 

Current weekend project? Installing a fireplace mantle. Nope we don't have one, and yup, I think our house needs one. Pictures to come on that project, too. 

Have a great weekend!

Seven

Do you remember when you were 7? I remember bits and pieces. I remember being a Brownie, my first grade teacher, riding my bike, roller skating, sleepovers, my first home perm with my best friend and our moms, swimming and gymnastics. Lots of gymnastics. Oh the early 80's were so awesome. 


Rick and I have had our share of hard times as parents from 7 years ago until now, with both kids creating typical challenges and their own unique challenges. Raising our kids has been so rewarding and our hearts are filled. With joy and terror. 


But I have to say, 7 is a really fun age. Loudoun is so fun to be around these days. Almost all days, which is the key part. The good days are more normal than the challenging days, like they can be with toddlers. 


As I type this, my 3 1/2 year old is crying in the hallway because.....I don't know why. 


Anyways. 


I once asked my mom what her favorite child raising age was between my sister and I, and her reply was "7-12." And I can see how that would be true. We've entered that time frame and Loudoun is a little man. 


He loves school. He always has, but now he's liking specific subjects as favorites. MATH!
He tells jokes. FUNNY ones. 
He cleans up after himself. 
He gets so excited to ride his bike in the street or around the block with his friends. Such independence!
He loves to create his own art projects. 
He loves playing with all of the neighbor kids. 
He's learning to bargain and reason. 
And save his money. 
He watches out for his sister in a more responsible way. 
He cuddles on the couch and shares about his day. 
He likes to make us breakfast in bed. 
He cries at the drop of a hat when his heart hurts. 
He can pogo 400 times in a row, and bounces all over the driveway in the afternoons. (thank you Bryce and Jamie!)
He likes real movies (not just cartoons!) like Beethoven and Start Little. 
He sleeps in.
He uses an alarm to get up for school. A Spongebob one. Adorable. 
He loves his Mama. 
He looks up to his Daddy. 
And vice versa. 
He still crawls into our bed in the middle of most nights. 
Which defeats the point of the alarm clock. 
But we get to snuggle. And that is my favorite. 
When he has a bad day he expresses it and when he has a good day he bounces off the wall with excitement and energy. 

This balance of new independence but still pure innocence is so refreshing to witness. It melts my heart. Rick and I are so eager to provide opportunities for him to grow and learn, but are so excited that he still wants to be a kid. 


Can I just hold onto this for awhile? Ya know, like until I give the green light for him to grow up? 


I am so proud of the little guy he has become.