1st Time Mama

officially a family of 4

2012-01-09T06:50:00.003-07:00

rec'd a text at 4am this morning...silas is now officially ours! we hope to travel at the end of february as everything shuts down in taiwan for CNY.

while i'm crazy excited that this little guy is now part of our family, my biggest hope if for him to be part of God's family. i've already started a prayer journal for him, as i have for M, and i am grateful for the privilege of praying for this child...that he will adore and treasure Christ.

jenna asked if i was resurrecting my blog (i have been away for so long...busy with our anti-human trafficking org), so i am not really sure. blogging became a time-sucking idol for me, and yet i remember how invaluable i found blogs as a pre-adoptive parent...so...as the Lord leads!

oh, be sure to check out jenna's blog...she gives away stuff. cha ching!

adopting again!

2012-01-03T10:43:00.002-07:00

after some twists and turns and lots of waiting, we are preparing to bring home our second son from taiwan. we are waiting on the final ruling so that we can get an AIT appt and go pick up that little punk!

trying to wrap my brain around diapers and bottles and sleepless nights again....eeeeeee!

yes, i still have a son...and a new post on the private blog!

2009-06-17T20:36:00.004-06:00

OK, I know this has pretty much turned into an anti-trafficking blog, but actually i don't spend AS MUCH time on the issue as it may appear by my posts. A good amount of time, yes, but I have been really trying to keep it in check...asking GOd not to let me be diverted from my first ministry, my family. And thankfully, thankfully, thankGODfully, M has been napping like a champ lately...so it helps to balance things.

So...there is a new post on the private blog...and photos (although only 3 are of M as I've been trying to give him a little break from the hard life of modeling...and now my camera is in the fix-it shop!

I honestly miss checking in on blogs...seeing what you all are up to...and I hope those of you whose blogs I've followed will know that (I say this genuinely and sincerely) I think of you often!!!

New blog post on PRIVATE BLOG.

Vegas UPdate

2009-06-14T14:17:00.000-06:00

Here is an update letter I sent to my email buds who were praying for the trip, but I know that many of my blog readers were praying, too, so wanted to share here, as well.

I wanted to send an update of the Vegas event and a note of gratitude for your prayers! Both Terri and I were blessed by the experience and feel it was a confirmation that we are moving in the right direction...God's direction.

THE BAD
- we totally got taken by our taxi driver and ended up paying double what we expected to pay (based on info from both the web and our hotel). the quote was, "i could see our hotel from the airport...why can't i see it now????"

- we totally got taken by our hotel when our room was not ready (and would not be ready for another 2 hours)..but we could take a smoking room or pay extra $ for an upgraded room that was ready. the quote was, "what do we expect? we're in sin city!"

- we got to the rally location, i pulled out my camera only to find that my lens had busted....my $300-most-favorite-shoot-with-all-the-time lens. the quote was, "bummer" as now photography will be put on hold for awhile!

- we did not march down the strip but instead planted ourselves at a busy intersection of the strip. this was actually probably a better situation because we were able to talk to the people stopped at the traffic lights...but we were hoping to witness some action taking place just to understand what it looks like...what to look for.

- the event drew fewer people than expected

- i accidentally took full strength dramamine instead of less-drowsy...i was a total ZOMBIE.

THE GOOD
- prior to the rally terri and i discussed many questions we had about various topics, and they were answered so clearly in both the rally speeches and in one-on-one conversations with random people we met. lots of "ah-ha!" moments

- God gave us great favor with the Shared Hope staff, including the founder and her husband, and we feel like this relationship will be vital for our future plans. they even invited us to dinner after the rally! we still aren't 100% certain that we will become official SHI advocates (only because we might then have to get every move approved before we act), but SHI does come alongside and support existing local orgs, so that might be an option.

- important connections were made with people, both individuals and organizations, who have been working against trafficking and can serve as mentors for us as we move forward.

- we met a trafficking survivor who is now running a safe home for victims in DC. it was invaluable to hear firsthand information about the physical and mental brutality that victims endure, and her words made an impact on our hearts and, more importantly, a shift in our perspectives.

- one very specific prayer i prayed was that, during the march, a big gust of wind would come and blow flyers everywhere...just to get them into the hands of people whom we would not see that night. shortly after i made my way to one corner of the intersection, the wind blew and a young woman's flyers went flying across the parking lot. she turned around to go after them and i squealed, "no! i prayed for that! let them blow!"

- the event received GREAT media attention

THE UGLY
- we ate dinner with the SHI staff at PF CHang's in Planet Hollywood. you know i had those amazing banana spring rolls...yeah, baby! anyway, as we waited in valet for our car, i noticed a young girl walking toward us. she could not have been more than 15 and yet here she was, all alone, dressed in a short dress and ridiculously high heels. her blonde hair was tousled and her skin pasty white. she looked sad...and vacant. not the vacant look of drug use...but just vacant. as she got closer to us i smiled at her...and she half-heartedly smiled in return...then she walked past us. was she a prostituted child? was she a victim of trafficking? i cannot say for certain but felt in my heart it was true. and it was hard not to run after her, hard not to ask her if she was OK...but even harder to know that i DIDN'T do those things. to think of what that girl may have just come from or may have been going to breaks my heart but fuels me to move forward in this fight for lost innocence.

THE FUTURE
- we have much to pray about and discuss and consider. we have people to contact and research to gather. we have friends and family to inform, money to raise, and decisions to make. most importantly, we have a God to seek. and as we make HIM our priority, He will make the rest happen. He will.

- if you would like to be on an email list to receive updates and prayer requests, please respond to this email and indicate "UPDATE/PRAYER LIST." if you would like to participate by taking action in the hands-on tasks, please respond to this email and indicate "TO-DO LIST". To-do list peeps will also receive prayer requests and updates.

- again, we thank you for your prayers!!! please take a moment now to thank and praise God for answering them!!! terri and i were richly blessed by His grace and love during our trip!

i apologize for my rotten typing in this email...two full strength dramamine in less than 24 hours has taken its toll on me!

MUCH love to you!!!!
tish & terri

stuff of no real importance

2009-06-11T06:48:00.005-06:00

took this pic with my cell phone the other day. i actually have a few other pics of M to post but time keeps on slippin', slippin', slippin' into the future! leave for trafficking event in vegas tomorrow and doors are really opening here, too. like faster than i can say "i'll take door number 2, please!" seems as if i'm walking on a treadmill and God just switched the speed to SUPAH FAST! thankfully, He has raised up an army of fab chicas with a heart for this issue of human trafficking...so it is unbelievably exciting to see what God is doing/will do.

i've decided M is going to be a lawyer...he has the gift of arguing a point and the tenacity to see his argument to the bitter end. i would say it was cute if i wasn't living the effects of it right now. sadly...and i know toddlers say random things...the other day he told me he wasn't in our family. i asked whose family he thought he was in and he said "nobody." so i just reminded him he was part of our family and sang a song about it...but, even if it was just a toddler thing, it made my heart sad.

though he really doens;t have much interest at this time, M did actually go on his little toilet and squealed in surprise, "it's so funny!!!!"

hope your week is beautiful and blessed!

edited2add...it's been so long since i have blogged that i posted this and then thought, "oh, yeah, i have a private blog, too!"

falling in love through photographs

2009-06-04T06:55:00.004-06:00

One of the things I have loved best about blogging is checking out other bloggers' photos. Seeing a mama's expression as she holds her child for the first time...or the look on a little boy's face when he is "caught in the act"...or a beaming smile from a tiny girl as she runs through the sprinklers for the first time...I fall in love through photographs.

I want to share some photos with you. They are not photos which, by nature, would invoke our human love. No, to truly fall in love with these subjects calls for a love much greater than our own.

May you fall in love...with the love that only God can give for the broken, the weary, the downtrodden...through these photographs.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16

give-UH-way!

2009-05-29T23:58:00.003-06:00

The Wild Olive Tees crew is have a sweeeeet giveaway!!! As in 75-bucks-worth-of-free-stuff sweet! Check out entry rules HERE!

stuffed crust blogpost

2009-05-29T09:01:00.005-06:00

Some updates:

Human Trafficking - had my awareness event last night, and God blessed me with some AWESOME guests! SO cool to see how God might use their unique interests, gifts, and connections to bring light to this dark issue. If you are interested in learning more but don't have time to do research, I would be happy to share my powerpoint with you. It touches on trafficking in general then zooms in on trafficking to meet the growing demands of the commercial sex industry. Just email me at 1sttimemama1 AT gmail DOT com.

Cool thing...while I was preparing for this event, my half-hour napper suddenly became a TWO-HOUR NAPPER! Shout out! What a blessing!

OOPS! - OK, awhile back I got Lightroom for editing photos and did so through what I thought to be a completely legal manner. As I was recently trying to transfer the LR to another computer since our old one bit the dust, I found out that it was NOT legal! Talk about feeling HORRIBLE!!!! Yes, I could go on using the LR and no one would ever know...but I know. And God knows. And I do not want to sin against my good God. So....I went crawling back to picnik with my jpegs yesterday....and it was like trying to perform open heart surgery with a grapefruit spoon. Here are some of the pics:

Scott informed me the other day that he is taking a pledge not to watch any shows that don't have a laugh track. Whaaaaat?

Lil' M asked "what is mama's name?" I said, "mama." He was not satisfied and asked the question again, so I responded, "Mama's name is Tish, but what do you call me?" He stated, "Babes!" Matthew calls mama "babes" like daddy."

I've missed you guys, so I will try to check out all your new blog posts this afternoon!!!! Can't wait to see what is going on in your lives!!!

new post

2009-05-24T14:11:00.001-06:00

on private blog!

happy memorial day weekend!!!

could he be any cuter?

2009-05-22T13:38:00.002-06:00

not sure why M decided to wear my t-shirt as a head covering...with one arm in an arm hole and the other out...but, as he would say, "it's alright and OK!"

website recommendations

2009-05-19T21:27:00.004-06:00

In a little over a week my friend, Terri, and I will be hosting a Human Trafficking Awareness Event! I am super stoked and have been giving my powerpoint program lots of lovin'. Terri is also going to be my travel companion in June when I head to Vegas for an anti-trafficking event! God has been orchestrating some cool stuff...so cool that I might have to write a rap song about it just for you, Jenna!

Anyway, I have some info I thought I would share for any who are interested:

TRAFFICKING WEBSITES:
TO LEARN MORE:
www.Sharedhope.org - focuses on the prevention, rescue and restoration of the victims of sex slavery. One of the few organizations which address the issue of demand.
http://www.lifeimpactintl.org/ - focuses on evangelism and humanitarian aid to child slaves at the Thailand/Burma border.
http://kimberlydaniels.theworldrace.org/ - focuses on ministering to the prostitutes in Thailand bars, providing outreach and directing the girls to safe homeshavens.
www.love146.org - focuses on child sex slavery and offers training in aftercare.
http://stopchildslavery.com/ - focuses on providing a central location for news articles and organization information.
http://www.globalcenturion.org/ - focuses on ending demand in order to stop the sexual exploitation of children.
http://www.fbi.gov/innolost/innolost.htm - Federal Government's Innocence Lost National Initiative

TO DISCOVER UNIQUE WAYS TO HELP:
http://www.stopthetraffik.org/getinvolved/ideas/yourideas.aspx - shares stories of people who have found creative ways to bring awareness to trafficking
http://www.love146.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=21462 - offers 146 ideas to help

TO CONSUME WITH COMPASSION:
http://www.betterworldshopper.com/
http://www.transfairusa.org/
http://www.madebysurvivors.com/
http://chainstorereaction.com/

So, there you have it...now go get your mouseclick on!

the company you keep...

2009-05-19T14:33:00.002-06:00

I received the following email from my friend "C" today. The amazing thing is that these words reflect the desire of her heart ALL.THE.TIME. When you surround yourself with people like C, you find yourself standing very close in hopes that all that fabulousness will rub off on you!

Hope you will join me in praise...

May our lives reflect Christ. May worship and praise of our precious Lord never cease and may we always be grateful and praise Him for His salvation and His completed work on the cross. Praise Him for the life that He gives us and every test and trial that He knows will make us stronger in Him and more useable for Kingdom work. Praise Him for His tender mercies that endure forever. Praise Him that He has given one more day to shine His glory into the darkness.
Praise Him for the privilege of prayer and for you all - His body -- who stand faithfully in the gap for the weak, the weary and the wounded every single day. Thank you for the light that shines so brightly in and through each and every one of you. Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!

And praise God for friends who direct my eyes to Him!

i like big posts and i cannot lie

2009-05-15T01:34:00.002-06:00

if you make it all the way to the end of this post, you must be pretty bored.

PRAYING FOR KIDS

I was asked a question awhile back about praying for children, which is funny since I feel like I am a lousy pray-er, but here goes. Note: These are just my own personal thoughts and what works for me.

I like to pray Scripture for M. Mostly because I don't want my human desires (or frustrations) to color my intercessions for him. So, when I am reading my Bible and a verse sticks out to me, I will pray it for my little guy. For ex, Ephesians 1:18 says "the eyes of your understanding being enlightened..." and that has become a verse I pray almost daily. I may change the words, such as "Lord, please open M's mind to understand your truth," but I feel like if I pray God's Words, then I know my desires are aligned with His.

I keep a journal by my bed in which I write prayers for M. I do not write in it daily, or even weekly, even though I pray for him daily. I simply write as I feel led to pray about specific topics. I will give it to him when he is grown and look forward to seeing how God answered the prayers of this mama.

I pray a lot with M whether it be for other people or for him...or even for me when I am cracking under the pressure of the terrible twos! And now he will often initiate prayer...asking me to pray for him or for someone else. Does he understand? I can't even guess as to what he thinks is going on, but what I want him to see is a mama who loves God and who believes He is a God who loves talking with His children. I try to point out when God answers our prayers...and to share Bible stories that do the same.

Would love to hear if anyone else has ideas to share!

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I DIDN'T SCREW IT UP!

Tried out PW's ginger steak salad tonight and it rocked my taste buds. I had never-as-in-ever bought ginger before...besides ginger snaps, of course...so I was freaky nervous going into this thing. Told myself that if it flopped, I would never-ever-ever try another new recipe again.

But PW did not disappoint! Scott even had seconds, which says a lot because he really doesn't trust salad. But this stuff is gooooood...so good I might eat it for breakfast tomorrow.

Note: I cooked my steak longer than the recipe calls for because I come from a long line of cook-it-til-it's-jerky women.

________________________________________________

NINE

That's the # of sentences in the 2nd chapter of the Epistle to the Ephesians.

And in just nine sentences, you find the ultimate "before and after." It's like a snapshot of a person before and after Christ...a "you WERE" versus "you ARE."

So I made lists. Because lists make my brain happy. Almost as happy as ginger steak salad makes my tongue. And this is what God says...

You WERE
- dead in trespasses and sins
- walking according to the prince of the power of the air
- a son of disobedience
- conducting yourself in the lusts of your flesh
- fulfilling the desires of the flesh & mind
- a child of wrath
- without Christ
- strangers from the covenants of the promise
- having no hope
- far off

Enter Jesus.

You ARE
- alive together with Christ
- saved
- raised, made to sit in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus
- His workmanship
- created in Christ Jesus for good works
- brought near by the blood of Christ
- reconciled to God
- having access to the Father
- fellow citizens of the household of God
- a dwelling place of God in the Spirit

Pretty amazing, huh? But another cool thing is this...there is a word that can be placed on BOTH lists. Yep, both. It's found in verses 4 & 5a:

But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses..

Love.

This passage not only tells us that, even when we were living according to our own lusts and in disobedience to God, He still loved us...but that He loved us with a GREAT love. One of the definitions I found for the original word used for "great" was TOO MUCH. As I consider God's love for me, a wretched sinner, "too much" sounds pretty right on.

One of the reasons I love this chapter so much right now is that, in my human trafficking research, it can be easy to feel anger and hatred toward the oppressors, the abusers, the traffickers...but God's love for them is slowly filling my heart. I loathe what these people are doing but am reminded that they are no more free than the women and children they enslave...for they are slaves to their sin. Just as I was.

This is what the love of God can do in a life...

before Christ:

after Christ:

We look at these photos and focus on the outward transformation of Anthea...but the real change for her, and for all of us, is the inward transformation that comes only through Jesus. This is the work of love. This is the look of love.

God is love, and I want to be love, too.

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NEW POST ON PRIVATE BLOG

life in bullet points

2009-05-07T22:57:00.009-06:00

no flowery stories; i'm rollin' with bullet points today. and no capitalization. just gettin'-my-hurry-on...which i am sure that many of you will appreciate!

WHATSA HAPPENIN' W/HUMAN TRAFFICKIN':

- an interest in human trafficking was sparked in my heart after hearing a radio interview with Linda Smith, founder of Shared Hope Int.

- checked out SHI and requested more info

- rec'd an out-of-the-blue email from a friend (we hadn't talked in quite awhile) telling me all about SHI! when she came in contact with this org, she decided to share it with me. i responded a la francis chan with, "NOOOO WAAAAY!"

- met with friend to discuss and said, "let's rock and roll!"

- started researching human trafficking...and praying for God's guidance

- discovered lots of organizations but kept coming back to SHI

- despite the NUMEROUS needs in this issue, i began to feel led to focus on "ending the demand"...raising awareness about the connection between the commercial sex industry and the trafficking of human beings to meet the escalating demands of that industry

- shared this feeling with a SHI employee...who then passed on my contact info to another staff member who is heading up a national awareness campaign to END DEMAND which will kick off in june

- plan to host an awareness event in conjunction with SHI during the last week of may and, Lord willing, might join them in Vegasbaby for their kickoff event

During all of this, God's Word has been filling my mind.....verses like:

And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose [them]. Eph 5:11

Then Jonathan said to the young man who bore his armor, "Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised; it may be that the LORD will work for us. For nothing restrains the LORD from saving by many or by few." 1 Sam 14:6

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Eph 2:10

Arise, O LORD! O God, lift up Your hand! Do not forget the humble....LORD, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will prepare their heart; You will cause Your ear to hear, To do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, That the man of the earth may oppress no more. Psalm 10:12, 17-18

also, CHOCOLATE:
- children abducted and forced to serve as slaves on cocoa plantations, particularly in the ivory coast

- previously i CHOSE to ignore it because the thought of modern day slavery seemed unreal, i figured US companies would be regulated for such things, and, well, i like chocolate. seriously, i have days where about 50% (ok, maybe more) of my daily intake is chocolate, but i watched a video interview of a young man who was a slave on a cocoa plantation. as he spoke of the atrocities against him, he stated that to eat of his plantation's chocolate was to eat of his own flesh. Gulp. Guuuuulp.

- i've been buying only slave free chocolate...which is understandably more expensive...which means I am not buying much chocolate these days...which means i go into convulsions every hour or so...but the bruises are healing nicely...kidding!!!

- sites for you to check out chocolate: #1, #2, #3 (#3 is betterworldshopper so you can check out other products, too)

WHAT YOU CAN DO:
- check out Shared Hope Int
- host an awareness event (if interested, let me know and i'll direct you further)
- pray for the END DEMAND campaign to receive national media attention that will cause big changes in the hearts and lives of Americans
- kick your M&Ms to the curb and buy divine

more to share later...right now i have a date with my Bible. happy weekend, everyone...and happy mama's day to all my precious mama friends!

new post on private blog

2009-05-06T00:54:00.001-06:00

click HERE!

alive and kickin'

2009-05-05T06:41:00.002-06:00

We are still here! Absent by choice. Thanks for the concerned emails! The motherboard on our laptop fried the other day, which makes "checking in" on your blogs more difficult...since M despises being in our office where the PC is located. Plus our PC is super slow because I have a billion photos on it...yet I can't get in here to remove them. Did I mention that M despises being in our office? Yes, it's that ugly! Still...I'm kinda enjoying NOT having the laptop...especially at night!

I have photos to upload. And some stuff to share from Ephesians...I just cannot pull myself away from it! M seems to be growing like a weed...and is still in the deep end of TWO. The rollercoaster of emotions is exhausting...the demanding, the disobedience, the drama...we're all ready for bed right after dinner!

Will try to catch up soon!

is this the cure for a sleepless child???

2009-04-27T22:52:00.005-06:00

I haven't been blogging...or visiting blogs...very much lately because I have been using M's naptime to to pray and read my Bible. For some reason even when I have a quiet time in the morning, I crave it again in the afternoon. And it's been good. Ephesians is rockin' my world!

But the funny thing about it is that, since I started doing this, M HAS BEEN TAKING LONGER NAPS!!!!!!!

Not even kidding.

Can't wait to visit your blogs and see what's been going on in your lives!!!!!

and they're off!

2009-04-26T15:06:00.005-06:00

edited2add: Sorry, but I only have time to give you one link right now. Click here to read Angie's latest post, "Name."

Compassion International has selected five bloggers to travel to India, and you are invited to join in the adventure! Each blogger, as well as other trip members, will be documenting their experiences via the internet.

Here are links to follow along during the April 26 - May 2 trip:
- http://www.compassionbloggers.com/india - A snippet of every post, every pic and video will be uploaded to this page.

- http://feeds2.feedburner.com/compassionbloggers This is the link to the trip's RSS feed. Subscribing to the feed will send a snippet of every post from every blogger to your RSS reader.

If you'd prefer to follow the trip by visiting each blog here are their addresses:
Bloggers:
Pete Wilson - http://www.withoutwax.tv
Melissa Fitzpatrick - http://livingproofministries.blogspot.com
Angela Smith - http://www.audreycaroline.blogspot.com
Robin Dance - http://www.pensieve.typepad.com

Photography:
Keely Scott - http://www.keelymariescott.com

Videography:
Anne Jackson - http://www.flowerdust.net

Leaders:
Spence Smith - http://www.spencesmith.com
Patricia Jones - http://jonesbones5.com
Shaun Groves - http://www.shaungroves.com/shlog

OOPS! Sorry these aren't showing up as links...will haveto adjust later because right now I must attend to a hungry little boy!

new post on private blog

2009-04-25T14:32:00.003-06:00

what you get for your money in the new post:
language acquisition
why the kids at CH!CK-F!L-A hate me
and so many videos it will blow your mind!

click here!

tagged by phatchik

2009-04-22T11:37:00.007-06:00

OK, so J from Phatchik posted that she had been tagged and then cheated and "tagged" everyone who read the post. Now we all know that cheaters never prosper, but then she sent me a desperately-seeking-taggers email and practically begged me to participate, so I caved to the blog pressure. Just kidding...she didn't. J did not grovel in the least...she bribed with chocolate instead....HOW.I.WISH.

Per J: Here are the rules for "8 THINGS":1.) Mention the person that tagged you.2.) Complete the lists of 8's.3.) Tag 8 of your wonderful bloggy friends. 4.) Go tell them you tagged them!

8 THINGS I LOOK FORWARD TO:

1.) going to bed tonight

2.) returning a hideous children's video to the library tomorrow

3.) starting to exercise again (because the booty boot camp video is gathering major dust)

4.) payday this friday! oh, wait, i don't get paid.

5.) time alone with superScott.....grrrrr

6.) rare self-initiated affection from M

7.) learning more about human trafficking and then kicking its butt

8.) seeing Jesus face-to-face...and seeing my mom again

8 THINGS I DID YESTERDAY

1.) woke up too early

2.) felt bad that i got snippy with a lady who answered the phone as "Esther" (or some E name) and then, when i explained how i had previously left a message and rec'd no response, she admitted to being someone else! what??? ok, i guess i didn't feel THAT bad about being snippy since i am obviously still snippy.

3.) ate salami and jelly beans

4.) attended a fundraiser for a pregnancy center

5.) watched in awe as a lady sang a song about having aborted twins as a teen...and then, by God's mercy and grace, gave birth to twins later in life. then watched in utter amazement as the CD for her second song went haywire and she bravely sang a cappella through almost the entire thing with the music loudly scratching in and out. STANDING O!

6.) ate a huge chicken breast that must have belonged to Big Bird himself...covered with seasonings and spicy peppers. nothing like having a runny nose at a banquet when your table is smack dab in the middle of the room.

7.) pondered this statement i overheard: Be intolerant because some things are just plain stupid.

8.) stayed up too late editing pics from a photoshoot at a local school

8 THINGS I WISH I COULD DO

1.) meet followers of Christ from around the world and see what faith looks like when you don't have the Bible translated in your language...what worship music sounds like when you don't have a band...what a prayer of gratitude sounds like when all that is on the plate in front of you is rice.

2.) respond to M in patience, gentleness, and grace for an entire day

3.) be more organized...have a little more schedule in my life

4.) take photos like Jasmine *

5.) sing WELL...and dance like the brazilians do

6.) hug someone who is hurting right now

7.) wiggle my nose and have a pan full of brownies with cream cheese frosting sitting in front of me...and then wiggle it again and have the brownies and myself on the beach in SoCal

8.) see people i love open their hearts to Jesus

8 SHOWS I WATCH

1.) The Office

2.) The Office

3.) The Office

4.) The Office

5.) The Office

6.) The Office

7.) The Office

8.) The Office

Since I don't care about prospering at this moment, I am going to cheat and tag YOU...yes, YOU, ya lil' bloggy reader. Don't try to sneak out of here by hitting that back button really quick-like. I have FEED-JIT...I know where you live! So get to work on your "8 things" tag!

one thing

2009-04-17T06:58:00.009-06:00

note: NEW POST ON PRIVATE BLOG

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Recently I received a much anticipated package in the mail. An oversized manila envelope, it contained materials for hosting an informational event about human trafficking. That night I stayed up late poring over the materials and went to sleep quite overwhelmed and weary.

Over the next few days I began seeking God more diligently about how I could serve in this area but, by His grace alone, my heart's cry shifted from what can I do to help to how can I know God more. Asking for guidance in how to serve was replaced with asking to know His heart for the oppressed, His love for the broken, His plans for their rescue. Asking to know Him. And this led me more and more to His Word.

Thinking about this, a specific verse has come to mind: But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her. Luke 10:42

The NLT states it this way: There is really only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it--and I won't take it away from her.

This verse speaks of when Mary chose to sit at Jesus' feet and hear His word while her sister was busy doing "stuff." Mary's decision revealed a posture of humble submission to her Master, of faith that His words were truth, and of love for the One who loved her so dearly. She knew that to be close to Him...to hear His words...to know Him...was the ONE THING.

What does sitting at Jesus' feet mean? To hang out in the middle of my living room floor as I wait for the clouds to part and a booming voice to speak to me? That I never actually do anything but just sit and read my Bible?

C.H. Spurgeon explains: It meant, also, service, for though Mary was not apparently engaged in waiting upon Christ as Martha was, yet she was, in very truth, ministering unto him in a deeper and truer sense... The first duty, indeed, of the student to the tutor is that he be cheerful in accepting, and diligent in retaining, what is taught... In that same spirit, had the Master only intimated it, she would have risen to wash his feet, or anoint his head, or wait at table, as Martha did; but she would, while she was performing these active duties, have continued spiritually in her first posture; she could not, of course, have continued literally sitting at the feet of the Saviour, but her heart would have remained in the condition which that posture indicates. She was in the fittest position for service, for she waited to hear what her Lord would have her to do.

Spurgeon goes on to say: Imagine not that to sit at Jesus' feet is a very small, unmeaning thing. It means peace, for they who submit to Jesus find peace through his precious blood. It means holiness, for those who learn of Jesus learn no sin, but are instructed in things lovely and of good repute. It means strength, for they that sit with Jesus, and feed upon him, are girded with his strength; the joy of the Lord is their strength. It means wisdom, for they that learn of the Son of God understand more than the ancients because they keep his statutes. It means zeal, for the love of Christ fires hearts that live upon it, and they that are much with Jesus become like Jesus, so that the zeal of the Lord's house eats them up.

Tonight at church Luke 24:32 was part of the message, and this verse seemed to explain what God has been doing in my heart as of late: And they said to one another, "Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?"

In this passage the resurrected Christ, though unrecognized by Cleopas and another man, went through the Scriptures (what we know as the Old Testament) to show how every book pictures or prophesies about Him. These truths stirred the hearts of the men, leading to an invitation for Jesus to "abide" with them. Then, as Jesus broke bread with the men, "their eyes were open and they knew Him."

They heard Jesus' words. They chose to abide with Him. He revealed Himself to them.

I can use my camera to take photos of people who cannot afford to buy them but doing so is not the ONE THING NEEDED.

I can blog about needs, causes, and injustices but doing so is not the ONE THING NEEDED.

I can read about nutrition, recycling, treading softly, attachment, parenting, and raising a healthy family but doing so is not the ONE THING NEEDED.

I can fight against human trafficking with every ounce of my being but doing so is not the ONE THING NEEDED.

Yes, these are good things, but they are not the ONE THING.

Yes, I will continue to do these things but, by God's grace, they will not be my ONE THING.

Again, Spurgeon: One thing is needful—let the rest go. What if we have not learning?—what if we have not eloquence? If we live near to Christ, we have something better than all these; if we abide in him, and he abides in us, we shall go and bring forth fruit, and our fruit shall remain; if he abides in us, we shall enjoy heaven on earth, and be daily preparing of that eternal heaven which is to be our portion. "One thing is needful." God grant it to every one of us!—Amen.

new post on private blog

2009-04-15T20:40:00.002-06:00

click HERE!

if you'd like an invite to M's blog, just shoot me an email.

Happy Thursday!

odds and other odds

2009-04-13T20:27:00.004-06:00

The CWA Hope Project will be updating their waiting child list any day now...here is the link. Looks like there are 46 children ready to be matched with their families and 3 still waiting from the last photolist.

Does anyone need me to mail you the 37 tons of Easter candy that somehow found its way into my house this weekend?

An historic day. M actually asked me to take his picture with the flowers. This is what he did when I told him to smile:

This is him when I told him to smell the flowers...see the nostril flare?:

Is anyone else totally burnt out on blogging? I feel like all of my posts read like this: blahblah BLAH blah blah blahblahblah BLAH blah blah.

tasting forgiveness

2009-04-10T14:32:00.003-06:00

A baked ham. Deviled eggs. Peeps, jelly beans, and chocolate bunnies.

No matter what your favorite Easter treat, my wish for you this Resurrection Sunday is that you taste the sweet forgiveness found only in Jesus Christ.

Tasting Forgiveness - Robbie Seay Band

surrounded by beauty...and chocolate!

2009-04-07T20:08:00.002-06:00

Last Friday I invited 5 lovely women to my house for an evening of fun. We had homemade salsa, smoked peppercorn cheese, crab dip, Pioneer Woman's yogurt cream and berries , and ooey gooey brownies.

We also had a chocolate taste test. I purchased ALL milk chocolate bars so we could compare apples to apples:

The winning chocolate bar was Ghiardelli's. Yes, the food was great...but the best part of the evening was the fellowship...hearing what God is doing in each of my friends' lives. As they spoke of their love for God and desire to know Him more, my home filled with beauty and joy...like the wafting fragrance from a bouquet of fresh spring flowers.

Here is M helping make the brownies:

new post on private blog

2009-04-05T22:45:00.001-06:00

click here to view!

discipline? behavior mgmt? layin' down the law?

2009-04-03T06:49:00.007-06:00

NEW POST ON PRIVATE BLOG!

As mentioned in the previous post, I've been thinking a lot about M's heart...spurred on by his behavior of late. We know that behavior is an outflow of the heart (Proverbs 4:23) and that, without an internal change, any external changes may be helpful to our sanity momentarily but not truly beneficial for the child eternally.

While each parent should seek God's will and wisdom for their parenting through prayer and scripture, I always love hearing what God is doing in the lives of others...so, if anyone is interested in a discussion, here are my questions. You don't have to answer ALL of the questions to participate!

- What do you believe the parent's role is in regards to the child's relationship with God?

- Do you talk to your child about the gospel when you deal with behavior issues? If yes, how? If not, why not?

- Regarding outright defiance against your authority, how to you handle such occurences? (i.e. do you give warnings, do you deal differently with blatant disobedience than with tantrums or other issues, does the child's safety in the matter have an effect on your response--such as "stay out of the street" versus "pick up your toys"?)

That's all for now...gotta get ready for a chocolate taste test tonight!!

Happy weekend!

inspired by stefanie (ni hao y'all)

2009-04-02T07:42:00.002-06:00

I clicked on my blog and was going to do a new post about...NOTHING. Because I have NOTHING. So instead I decided to check out sweet Stefanie...who had just published a post saying SHE had NOTHING! (although, in reality, she had some really cute SOMETHINGS).

I guess stuff is going on...I've
got a WACAP pre-app sitting on the desk in front of me.
been ruminating a lot lately on parenting...and on the heart of my child.
planning a Ladies' Night with some awesome friends for tonight!
been given a cool opportunity recently by God to use photography to serve others.
been praying much more than I ever have before.

I hope that today, whether your day is filled with lots of somethings or lots of nothings...whether in the exciting or in the mundane...that you use it ALL to glorify God!

M's book recommendations

2009-03-31T23:37:00.003-06:00

These are M's favorite books from our latest library run. Both are fun and also contain recipes to test out with your little one!

For Shannon (this doesn't mean that if your name isn't Shannon, you can't read, too!):

Yes, I find myself making connections all the time (even though most the time it's not planned out) and going over the same idea quite a bit. I don't think it has to do with me being a good mama as much as it has to do with having a child who doesn't play by himself and who doesn't take long naps (the other day he woke after 23 minutes!) We simply have A LOT of time to fill!

As example, we recently read about the Good Shepherd from one of his bibles, and M made a little shepherd book from a template I got out of a guide. I also like to read little bits to him from my bible simply so he can see me using it! Then I drew a sheep outline on paper and let him glue cotton balls on it. Today we got out some marshmallows to use as sheep and a stick guy we made previously to serve as the shepherd....then we acted out the story with one of the marshmallows getting lost behind a candle on our table and the shepherd going to find it. Then M got to eat the sheep!

night games

2009-03-31T07:05:00.002-06:00

At 1:45 AM on Sunday, I heard loud noises coming from M's room.

They were shouts....exuberant shouts.

"P! Q! R! S! T!..."

the stuff we do

2009-03-28T14:17:00.006-06:00

I love to see what other bloggy mamas are doing with their kids, so I thought I would also share the stuff we do 'round here. We have a big craft drawer, but I also keep a muffin tin of "supplies" handy. The tin usually has dry black beans, goofy eyes, pom poms, buttons, and dry pasta. When I am cooking I always set aside some pasta for crafts.

Sometimes I will draw a big letter for M to fill in with stickers/beans/pasta. I let him use the stick glue, but I use the Elmer's. Usually I put glue in a small area, and then he decorates but sometimes we collaborate!
Sometimes we make faces and other designs.
Or decorate the rocks we find. M has excellent fine motor skills and can handle little items very well. If something does end up being difficult, then I ask him to choose the supplies and location where he wants them placed.

This morning we read a book that we made yesterday about M being a special creation of God. Then I got out a photo album, and we talked about the great qualities that God gave him. Next we made a picture of him...I only drew the head and put the glue in the right spots, M then put everything in its place.
I drew another oval for Daddy's head, put some glue on top and at smile, and just let M go to town.
For this next picture (of me!) I walked him through the drawing...like asking him how many eyes I have and where they are on my face...and then asking where the eyes should go on the paper face. I also asked him what color hair/eyes/lips I have before choosing our markers.
Here we started putting some penguin stickers on a paper and talking about how, even though they were different colors, they are all still penguins. This reminded me that we had a new library book about penguins, so we looked at the different types of penguins and noted their differences. Then I grabbed a calendar of kids from different countries and pointed out the differences between the kids...but talked about how they are all still kids and all special creations of God.
Finally we made stick people for each person in our family and had them dance and jump together.
Then I needed a nap!

new post on private blog

2009-03-27T19:58:00.002-06:00

Just published a new post on the private blog. If you would like access for viewing, please email me.

milk

2009-03-26T19:45:00.002-06:00

when do you recommend switching a babe from whole milk to 2%?

and from white milk to chocolate? haha.

you don't want to know...but you need to

2009-03-24T11:12:00.006-06:00

As soon as I mention the topic of this post, some of you will immediately stop reading. Perhaps you will take the time to scroll down looking for photos...or you may just quickly hit that back button and get the heck out of dodge. Let me say...I totally understand.

But hear me out. I'm not saying you need to do anything drastic. I'm saying you need to know...to be aware. To have your eyes open to the realities of human trafficking.

It's difficult to face. Our minds don't want to "go there." But right this moment a little child, a young girl, or a woman IS THERE. Actually living in the place that we don't want to go.

You need to know that
- human trafficking, the buying and selling of people, is a business that is bigger and more prevalent that you can fathom...and it is rapidly growing in our country,
- forced labor associated with trafficking can be sexual in nature, but also includes working in sweatshops, agricultural settings, and domestic settings,
- the United States is one of the largest markets in the world for sexual slavery.

I'm not going to post stats because I think they can overwhelm and take the focus off the individual. But it's safe to say that by the time you finish reading this an American businessman will have had his way with an 11 year old Filipino child, a vanload of teen girls who thought they were coming to America for school will be herded into an underground brothel in your state, and a young woman will have sexually served, against her will, her 20th customer for the day.

God is not calling everyone to become ICE agents or open a transitional house for victims. But God does call us to free the oppressed. Is there really any who are more oppressed than those who are bought and sold to be used for brutal, humiliating sex or labor against their will?

You can
- do nothing
- pray (I even pray that God will bring the oppressed to my mind so that I remember to pray for them!)
- become more aware (look around when you are at gas stations or public restrooms...notice the people in your surroundings)
- become more active (research sites, donate $, host an event to inform your community)

Some resources:
Shared Hope Int
Life Impact Int
Kim Daniels w/AIM
Hagar Int
The Defenders USA (great site for men!)

I recently watched the movie Human Trafficking. I never watch these types of movies because I see no point in filling your mind with such things, but I feel that this movie accurately depicts various aspects of the scope and brutality of human trafficking. In the final scene, Mira Sorvino's character says that we must face the fact that "none of this horror would be possible if our culture didn't create a demand for it."

UGH! Doesn't it kill you that the men (and a growing number of women) in our cities...in our neighborhoods...are fueling this tragedy? PRAY for the victims, the oppressors, AND the buyers who are creating the demand for this product of human lives. As God answers prayers and brings His light to the darkness, healing and hope will come...but also future lives will be spared the horrors of human trafficking.

"modern day slavery is only occuring because we choose to ignore it..." - Human Trafficking, the movie

private blog

2009-03-23T20:55:00.004-06:00

Our new private blog is up and running, and I have sent email invites to all who requested access. At least I hope I did! So if you didn't get an invitation or have decided you would like one (because all the cool kids are doing it), please email me!

This blog will stay a public blog if you care to join me in discussing topics ranging from trash-bagged windows to human trafficking to chocolate covered strawberries!

crazy

2009-03-23T10:24:00.003-06:00

I recently read that parents are not supposed to tell kids things like "you are driving me crazy."

WHAAAAAAT?

I would just like to know who the goody-two-shoes was that came up with that decision...and give 'em a good thump between the eyes. UNFAIR!

Finally...I was going to be on the giving end of that statement rather than the receiving end...and now it's ripped out of my hands...torn from my arsenal of mama comebacks...

and it's driving me crazy.

POSTpourri

2009-03-21T08:47:00.004-06:00

I LOVE this kid:
I LOVE Play-doh...but not as much as I love the kid.

Love the kid even though he has been miserably tired the past few days...or has it been weeks...and has decided that mama is not interesting AT ALL and says things like "Matthew and Kit play and Mama goes work." For newcomers, Kit is M's aunt...and I DON'T WORK!! At least not outside the home! He is totally trying to give me the boot! I'm so glad my Play-doh people enjoy my company.

Purchasing a camera: To answer some email questions...I have the Canon Rebel Xti, which was purchased as a kit (camera body + 2 lenses). If I had to do it over again, I would not buy the kit. The 18-55mm is just adequate and I rarely use the 55mm-250mm. That being said, I do believe there are some photographers who could take AMAZING pics with a coke bottle duct taped to the camera in place of a lens, so take this with a grain of salt. I purchased the 50mm 1.4, and it is the lens I use 99.999999999% of the time. Keep in mind this lens is prime and does not zoom.

If you are looking at the Rebel, do a comparison between the Xsi and the Xti. One feature that is a nuisance with the Xti is that the smallest metering setting is PARTIAL, and you really want SPOT (which the Xsi has).

You can rent camera equipment, so you may want to consider that option before making a purchase.

Hefty, Hefty, Hefty...Although M has both blinds and drapes on his bedroom window, I thought that it might still need to be darker in his room. My reasoning for this was that he slept so well in CA, and it was pitch black in that room. I decided that, while I wanted to give it a try, I didn't want spend a bunch of money and have a failed project. So I broke out the Hefty. Actually, the generic version of Hefty. And my best packing tape...again, generic. Six big trash bags and half a roll of tape later, my baby's room was ghetto chic. And much darker! No worries, the bags are between the blinds and the drapes, so our neighbors' property value isn't going down due to my frugality. Does it work? No, not really...but not surprised.

Beauty products...My face has fallen, and it can't get up. I am aging faster than something that goes really, really fast. It doesn't help that we have NEGATIVE percent humidity right now. I wish my face could live in the bokeh of life! Any good recommendations on wrinkle cream?

A flip flop, a flippity flippity flip flip flop you don't stop a rockin'...HOORAY for flip flop season! Don't even think about baring your dogs until you grab some Curel's Foot Cream. It is a summer must-have and is less than $5, which makes me happy. It's so marvelous that your feet will send you a hand-written...err, foot-written...thank you card.

Blush, blush...I just got an email from the author of PRAY BIG FOR YOUR MARRIAGE! When I saw his name in my inbox, I recognized it, but figured it was a blogger asking for an invite to my private blog. But then I opened it and realized it was THE Will Davis, Jr! He kindly thanked me for the free airtime . I blushed...and then blushed some more.

OK, now as I look at the "blush, blush" above I am starting to sing it to the tune of "Hush, Hush" by Til Tuesday...which you will only know if you are ancient like me. So in my head I am singing, "blush, blush, keep it down now, blog posts carry..." because I am assuming the Pastor found my blog by googling "pray big for your marriage." BAM! And there I was...my little blog post carrying its words around the cyberworld...which confirms my decision to go private with M's blog. And reminds me not to write any posts about al-KY-duh!

for your eyes only...

2009-03-18T13:17:00.004-06:00

Hey, gang...I am taking this blog PRIVATE. Well, actually I am not sure yet if I will make this one password protected or just create a new private blog for personal posts about M.

If you would like an invitation for viewing, please send an email to 1sttimemama1@gmail.com and include your email address and blog/website address (if you have one).

Hope you are having a great Wednesday!!!!!!! (I had to look at my computer calendar to make sure it was Wednesday!)

edited2add: Hey, thanks for all the emails! When we were in CA we stayed in a new section of the resort, which was still under construction. The main resort buildings were nestled at the foot of the mountain, but our condo was higher up the hill. A few times I walked the road down the mountain, and along the entire road was a tall construction fence, obviously erected to keep guests from the danger of the steep hill. One day I noticed a breach in the fence...an opening not too big, but big enough...and on the other side just slightly down the hill was a beautiful tree with bright purple blooms. BEAUTIFUL! And it was calling my name! I wanted to smell that tree...to see the blooms up close. I walked closer to the fence and peered through the opening. I could have easily stepped through the fence...stepped away from its protection...but I turned on my heel and headed back to the road.

I have been praying lately for God's protection of our family...and yet no sooner do those words pass my lips that I also pray that WE will be diligent in building walls of protection around ourselves. Yes, God is our Protector, but we also have a responsibility.

I see that, for me, making my life (and especially the life of my child) so public is like that breach in the fence around the resort. Even with thousands of feet of protective wall along that road, just that one small opening would be enough for someone to fall to danger. My decision to go private is simply a matter of patching up that opening.

I do intend to keep a public blog for God-stuff. While I do not pretend to be a gifted writer, I know for certain that I am gifted struggler! And, if God can use my struggles (that are always outmatched by His grace) to help someone else, then thanks be to Him! Before I go private, I will post info about a public blog.

some stuff

2009-03-17T09:07:00.000-06:00

I am a little commitment-phobic when it comes to decorating. So rather than select, frame, and hang a few photos and then tire of them in a month, I purchased these white magnetic boards from eye-KEY-uh instead. They were about $9/each. I saw some super cool tiny, stainless steel magnets that I loved but, when adding shipping to the total, I just couldn't bring myself to pay nearly $30 for MAGNETS! So I found these little colored ball magnets for less than $3/pkg. I haven't decided which photos to put on the boards yet, but I threw some recent pics on the boards so you could get an idea of their size.

The other day we finally got some rain, so M and I played Noah's Ark! M pretended to be Noah; I played the narrator and God. Here "Noah" is building the ark:
The animals were gathered:
The ark doors were shut when it began to rain:After the rain stopped, there was a "rainbow" of rings in the sky:
The cool thing was that afternoon we really did see a rainbow in our sky! A rare occurence!

back to grace

2009-03-14T14:42:00.011-06:00

Before we left for CA, I published this post and this post about grace. Based on the comments and emails I received about them, I decided to share some more of my study on this topic.

Why I started studying about grace:
At the beginning of the new year I had a few conversations with a friend that left my heart feeling a little heavy. Replaying the discussions in my head, I realized that the problem was my speech. Oh, it wasn't that I had been gossiping or cussing or slandering or even throwing down a bunch of "yo mama" jokes (I save those for my convos with Scott...just kidding, Grandma!). Yet even though those things were absent, nothing about my words was edifying. My speech lacked purpose (other than just trying to use up some of my 30,000 words for the day) and reeked of the world.

We know that our speech is just an outpouring of what is in our hearts (Luke 6:46), but I'll focus on the speech in this post...because the heart surgery is taking longer than expected. Scalpel...scalpel.

God's words about a Christian's speech are pretty cut and dry:
Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.- Eph 4:29

[Let] your speech always [be] with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.- Col 4:6

Do all things without complaining and disputing, - Phl 2:14

In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, But he who restrains his lips [is] wise.- Prov 10:19

The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, But the mouth of the wicked [what is] perverse. - Prov 10:32

A fool has no delight in understanding, But in expressing his own heart. - Prov 18:2

As I studied, God revealed more ways that my speech was in need of an overhaul. I'm going to give you an example because, if you were writing this post, I would be like "What exactly is she talking about?" and then I would email you and ask, "What exactly are you talking about?" To which you would respond, "Away with you, blog stalker!" and set your blog to private. But, since I like examples, I will provide one.

So...for example, (I think I could use up my 30,000 words just with "example") every night as Scott would walk in the door, out of my mouth spewed an ugly laundry list of everything frustrating M had done that day. Why? Was I trying to get sympathy? Was I trying to relay how challenging it can be as a SAHM? That it's not all about eating chocolate covered strawberries while watching Spanish novellas? At least not ALL of it. NOTE: Scott NEVER questions my role, so it's not like I had to defend myself.

Nope, there was no purpose other than a selfish one. Scroll up and re-read Proverbs 18:2 while inserting "Tish" for "a fool." Sums.it.up. NOTE: I'm not saying that I should never discuss M's behavior issues with Scott or that it's not human to vent now and then. I'm only saying that God has called me on the carpet for a sinful habit I had developed.

This is what God says about Jesus' speech:
You are fairer than the sons of men; Grace is poured upon Your lips; Therefore God has blessed You forever.- Psalm 45:2

So all bore witness to Him, and marveled at the gracious words which proceeded out of His mouth. - Luke 4:22

I want my speech to lift the spirits of others...to encourage, to comfort, to edify. I want God to be blessed by the words of my mouth even if His name doesn't pass my lips. I want to speak with purpose...this doesn't mean I never want to chit chat and small talk and gab. I mean, afterall, I have like 30,000 words a day that I just HAVE to get out!

But here's the thing...
My Savior spoke with grace.
His Spirit dwells within me.
By His power I, too, can speak with grace.

I'm confident of this.

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14

BTW, if Scott has written this post, it would be 1/4 of it's current size...because guys only use like 25 words a day.

Easter is coming!

2009-03-13T13:59:00.002-06:00

Just practicing...M was happy to oblige for photos when I whipped out a sucker the size of our nation's debt! I think it was even a little too much for him since he eventually said, "Matthew done soon" and didn't cry when I took it away. I left them unedited because M is back to "flash naps"...yesterday's was 35 mins...so I have little time for such extravagant luxuries!

get your verse on

2009-03-11T20:11:00.003-06:00

As if Stefanie wasn't already in the running for some Nobel-SuperHero-Lifetime Achievement Award, this soon-to-be NINTH TIME MAMA just started a new business venture! On the side. On the side of 1 husband, 9 kids, 2 dogs, and 1 SN adoption support blog.

When does she find time to do it all, you ask? Exactly. Cloning. I suspect cloning.

Anyway...this is good stuff. This is God stuff.

Wild Olive Tees

His Word on shirts, His money helping those in need, His love displayed in a group of friends who are having fun selling Tees!!!

Get on over to Wild Olive...and get your verse on!

takin' care of bizness

2009-03-10T20:32:00.003-06:00

I met Jen and her megawatt smile behind the CO-OP last Sunday. Jen greeted me like a professional with her hand, but she hugged me like a friend with her smile. I met her through our mutual pal, Chelsea...the only sucker I could get to pose for a practice photoshoot a couple months ago. Well, Jen saw Chelsea's pics and asked if I would take some of her...for business cards!!! GULP! PRESSURE!!!!

Since the photos are (potentially!) for business cards, my goal was to get shots that would have enough space for printing her contact info. I actually remembered to meter correctly this time, so I was pretty happy with my exposure...but my focus is horrible. I was shooting between 2.2-3.5 and focusing on Jen's eye, but STILL ended up with soft shots. I think I need to hold my camera differently and really stay planted...I think I pull away before the shot is completed.

Anyway, here are about 20 photos...edited in picnik...I seriously have about 100 more!

serious.life magazine

2009-03-10T00:09:00.004-06:00

You may have seen my sidebar button encouraging prayer for sweet ABBY. Well, in addition to caring for Abby and their 6 other children, Abby's parents own and publish Serious.Life Magazine.

Serious.Life Magazine includes articles about family, adoption, personal finance, spiritual life, humor, etc. If you'd like to check it out, they just released the March issue...and a subscription is FREE! As in FREEEEEEEEEE!

beach videos

2009-03-09T17:14:00.004-06:00

these are long...and probably only Smooch and my grandma need to watch anything more than the first 10 secs...

global food crisis day

2009-03-07T13:14:00.007-07:00

I'm not one of those organized mamas who goes to the grocery store with a complete list of ingredients needed to make a planned meal schedule for the week. I'm lucky to leave with a "meal" for that evening...and a bag of gummy bears.

Whether you are a check-it-off-your-list queen or a grab-whatever-looks-good-at-the-moment mom, I hope you will go shopping this week with this thought in mind:

Is there a way to whittle down your list (or your whims) so that you can send a little love to those in need...to those who don't have the luxury of meal planning or impulse buys? For those who don't even have the luxury (yes, luxury) of knowing they will eat that day?

Here's the scoop:
WHAT IS GLOBAL FOOD CRISIS DAY? Compassion International is partnering with radio stations, media, churches and bloggers to spread the word about the Global Food Crisis and raise funds that will make a real difference to those impacted by it.

WHY IS THE CRISIS? Overshadowed by recent political and financial economic news, the UN World Food Programme calls the current global food crisis “a phenomenon, a silent tsunami,” that is affecting millions of families in every nation on every continent. This global food crisis is more rapid, urgent and devastating than any other in the history of our planet.

WHY IS THE CRISIS HAPPENING? The cost of food staples have roughly doubled in many countries where Compassion serves. Some of the original factors that turned this trend into a world calamity recently include unstable oil prices, increased meat consumption in countries like India and China, droughts in major crop-producing countries, and increased production of biofuels.

HOW CAN YOU HELP? Visit http://www.compassion.com/please to learn more about the Global Food Crisis and donate to Compassion's Global Food Crisis Fund. Add a Global Food Crisis widget to your blog sidebar or posts: http://share-compassion.org/gfc/

WHAT DOES THE GLOBAL FOOD CRISIS FUND DO? Provides food vouchers to children and families needing immediate relief. Provides seeds and agricultural tools so that families can grow their own food as well as earn extra income. Provides supplemental nutrition services at Compassion-assisted centers around the world.

If you cannot send a financial contribution, will you please take a moment and pray for the child who is shown in the Compassion button at the top of my sidebar?

gracias tanto a mis amigos

happy anniversary, baby, i've got you on my miiiiind!

2009-03-05T00:11:00.002-07:00

hooray for six years!!!

i planned to scan more photos from our wedding, but my scanner was having personal issues...so i gave it the night off. without pay, of course.

pray big for your marriage

2009-03-04T07:12:00.001-07:00

I have recommended the book Pray Big for your Marriage before but thought I'd give it some more free ad space. I am moving ever so slowly through it and tailoring the prayer suggestions for my marriage. And...I am already seeing answers to my prayers. I am humbled by God's goodness and by the joy of committing to praying more than just "bless us, God."

Some examples of suggested intercessions in the book include praying that
- you and your spouse won't settle for mediocrity in your marriage,
- your marriage would mirror God's everlasting love and lovingkindness,
- God will expose and remove any barriers that keep you from knowing all the joy He intends for your marriage, and
- you will love Jesus MORE than you love your spouse, etc.

I'd like to be transparent here...not because I think my words are going to be super exciting or profound, but because I know how incredibly helpful the honest sharing of others is to me.

I've mentioned before that I am not the prayer warrior I long to be. I know that God is our Abba (Romans 8:15) and some people converse with Him easily throughout the day just as they would their earthly Dad. However, for some reason I always think of Isaiah's encounter with the Lord (Isaiah 6) and feel like I need to be locked in my closet, face on the ground, and going through the ACTS steps in order to pray. Not for ritual but for reverence! Think Wayne and Garth, "I'm not worthy, I'm not worthy."

BUT...I know that God meets me where I am, and He's been using this book to encourage me in prayer.

I have been praying the intercession listed above asking God to "expose barriers." Let me just say that the first day I prayed this, I did so with the acknowledgement that I am so often a barrier...THE barrier. God must have agreed and started revealing very specific ways that a change in me would lead to more joyful intimacy in my marriage.

Keep this in mind: If you read the account of Adam and Eve in the garden, God gives the instruction about the "forbidden fruit" BEFORE He makes Eve. There is no mention of God reiterating His words to Eve. Perhaps He did, or perhaps Adam shared the news and she was expected to trust him...we don't know. But we do know that Eve was deceived by satan and then gave the fruit to Adam, who ate of it in direct transgression (1 Tim 2:14). However, after they BOTH ate of the fruit, God addressed Adam. Nevermind that Eve ate first. Nevermind that she gave the fruit to her man. God addressed Adam.

I am a girl led by emotions and sometimes volatile ones at that! If up to me we would probably have started an orphanage in our guest room, given our entire savings to combat human trafficking, and be trekking to Mexico every weekend to build homes for those need. All good stuff, right? But is it God's will for our family?

Now because I believe that God designed the husband to lead the family (1 Cor 11:3), I pray often for Scott to have wisdom in guiding our family and our business. Yet, even when not meaning to, I often try to impress my ideas and my timing on him rather than trusting that He is surrendered to and being led by God. I mean, why haven't we sold all of our belongings yet? There is a baby in africa who needs milk!

I think most husbands, like mine, really want to make their wives happy...and perhaps sometimes men can succumb to the desires (or nagging, whatever the situation may be) of their wives in order to achieve this. Is this what Adam did? Did he disobey God in an attempt to make Eve happy? I don't know but I do know that, by Divine design, Scott is responsible to God for our family. Remember how God addressed Adam?

My guess is that we can expect to see more joy in our marriages when we fully commit to praying for our husbands to be surrendered to and led by God and then trusting that it is actually happening. May we be more conscious of what we ask of our husbands...praying that their desire to obey God will supercede their desire to make us happy. When God calls the name of your husband, may it be to say, "Well done, good and faithful servant..."

We Picture {This}

2009-03-03T13:40:00.002-07:00

I have been invited to participate in a "mamarazzi" photo blog!!! If you enjoy looking at amazing photos of super cute kids, click your way on over to We Picture {This}!

vacation wrap up

2009-03-01T17:19:00.007-07:00

Wonderful trip! Matthew slept like a champ (at least we think he did...we put the microwave vent on high speed so he could have danced the cha cha all night and we wouldn't have known). Not kidding, but he was pretty much getting about 12 hours per night + a nap, which is totally unheard of! I was stoked thinking that we were getting into a new&improved sleep schedule...until he's been awake EARLY both mornings since returning home. Just one more reason to move to CA, right?

We lounged at the pool:

I totally blew out this photo but thought it looked cool anyway..

We flew a kite at the beach and had more fun in the sand:

We visited a park:

and we pretty much just relaxed our tails off. It was great...and did I mention that Matthew slept well? Yeah, it was GREAT! Plus, Scott and I had our evenings free from normal "tasks" so I was blessed to enjoy his company. Plus, I read the book From Congress to Brothel which I received from Shared Hope Int. and it led to a lot of prayer...which I loved. Plus, we saw pelicans...I was SO hoping to because they are such magnificent birds...huge!!!

Oh, yeah, and plus Matthew slept well!

having fun...wish you were here!

2009-02-23T21:15:00.004-07:00

Our trip has been fantastic! M has been a real trooper...such a good traveler! We've explored the resort, sang loudly at a FREE Phil Wickham concert and, of course, HIT THE BEACH!

When leaving the concert we were talking about going back to the condo to go to sleep. M said, "NO!" I said, "Daddy is going to go to sleep, and mama is going to go to sleep...what are you going to do?" He replied, "Eat pizza! Eat ice cream!" I think he is a teenager trapped in a 36" body.

The gift of using our friend's timeshare has been a blessing. The resort is gorgeous, and we love being near the beach. Believe me, we are REALLY enjoying our stay. I must say though that as I have walked the grounds, I've been a little heartbroken at the indulgence...the luxury. I've been asking God to not allow these finer things to numb my senses, harden my heart, and distort my priorities because, believe me, I like this stuff. The sparkling white linens, the lush gardens, the 100million channels on cable. I think God answered today in an email from dear Rebecca. She sent me this link. He's good, isn't He?

Here are some photos from today at the beach...

This poor seal must have been pretty sick to let me get this close (no zoom). He was right near the Lifeguard office, so I believe they called for help.

post lite

2009-02-19T12:40:00.005-07:00

Recently I've been serving up some pretty full-bodied posts, so thought I'd give you a "post lite!"

M bolted through the kitchen the other day (as fast as a toddler can bolt), and I asked, "Where are you going?" Without missing a beat, he answered, "Home Depot!"

I just got this new workout video and chose it specifically because it is broken down into five 10 minute sections. With M's nap being so short, I need a quick fix...I just do a section here and there. So far I like it and, while I haven't felt the "pain", I am seeing a little "gain." But the unexpected blessing in it all is that between the sections you have time to grab a handful of Robin Eggs Easter candy! You know, just in case you need some extra protein....because eggs are protein.

Pray Big for Your Marriage by Will Davis, Jr. is a book I am currently reading. LOVE IT! I seriously suck at praying, and this book offers the guidance I need. I know...praying should be as easy as talking to someone you love because you are talking to Love Himself, but it's just really difficult for me. This book is helping me be diligent in seeking God for my marriage.

Speaking of talking, I recently got a phone call from a CELEBRITY! Yes, THE Stefanie of Ni Hao Y'all rang me up the other day! Now let me say that I suck at talking on the phone (hmmm...notice a pattern with my rotten communication skills). For some reason I never know when it is my turn so I am either silent (awkward) or interrupting (awkward and rude), and I pretty much just hate it. BUT...it was THE Stefanie of Ni Hao Y'all, so I sucked it up and answered my phone. Let me just say that she is even more gracious and wonderful "in person" than I imagined. PLUS, if you don't already know, she is headed back to China for her FIFTH ADOPTION (nine children total)...she is utterly remarkable.

Soon we will be trippin' out to CA for M's first time at the beach! Some dear friends have blessed us with their time share, so we are EXCITED!!! I used to live in San Diego, and I miss it dearly so going back gets me all hyped up...or did I just eat too many Robin Eggs?

Here are some pics I took this morning. M is just way too fast for me. He will not hold his head still for even a half-second. So I got some soft photos, but I really like them! He looks handsome in his outfit, which we bought while in Taiwan.

this is what i get when i say "SMILE!":

grace...joy for mourning

2009-02-17T20:25:00.000-07:00

I sat outside the church in my little black Scoupe and watched the raindrops trickle down my windshield in unison with the tears trickling down my cheeks. I didn't see the other car pull up across the street, but suddenly he got out and, with his groomsmen by his side, rushed into the door to escape the rain.

My heart ached.

I knew he didn't love me....not the way a girl with a wedding dress stuffed in her backseat wants to be loved. Nor did I love him that way I guess. But I got out of my car, carefully gathered my dress, and tiptoed through the puddles to the church.

Fast forward: Scott and I watched Fireproof the other night. There is a part where one of the characters reveals that, due to his failed marriage, he carries a scar on his heart. His statement lingered with me because I can relate.

Jon and I were married soon after graduating college. Chalk it up to the ignorance of youth...or the sin of prideful hearts...or a comedy of errors, but we then divorced a few months shy of our 4th anniversary.

A scar on my heart.

That is what sin does. It diseases the healthy. Corrupts the innocent. Cuts with a knife so jagged that a scar is inevitable...

but God.

When I became a follower of Christ, I was forgiven of all my sins, and yet I began to see the reality of my sins in a new way. Suddenly I viewed my marriage/divorce not only as an issue between Jon and myself but as an offense against my God. My selfish, prideful, bitter treatment of Jon was not only mean to him, but it caused anguish to my Savior, the One who paid for those sins. As eye-opening as this was, it oddly enough did not produce feelings of human guilt but instead of godly mourning...the kind of grief that doesn't camp out on your failures but moves to a place of gratitude and praise for His forgiveness for those failures.

May we mourn to think that we have pierced the Savior, that we have transgressed against a God so good, and a Redeemer so generous. -C.H. Spurgeon

but grace.

To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified. Isaiah 61:3

I love this promise in the OT. God says that for those who truly mourn their sin, He will indeed comfort them. As those who accept God's forgiveness through Christ, no longer do we wear the ashes of mourning; by His grace He exchanges our grief for joy. God is faithful on His part; however, I think that often we are unfaithful in looking for the ways in which He imparts this grace. By acknowledging His favor and responding in praise, the last part of the verse becomes true in our lives...THAT HE MIGHT BE GLORIFIED.

A while back God showed me grace in the form of an email from Emily, Jon's wife. Upon learning of my mom's cancer, she wrote to extend her sympathies and encouragement. Since her mother is a cancer survivor, she offered the comfort that comes only from experience and the prayers that come from a knowing heart. We became fast friends because we're both so cool (the fact that I just typed that sentence proves otherwise) and because she always gives good mama advice (hmmm...the friendship seems a little one-sided, huh?).

Emily didn't have to email me, in fact, she probably had every reason not to...humanly speaking. Her act was one of unmerited favor...God's grace working through her. I see this as a picture of God giving "beauty for ashes." To me it is amazing that, while Jon and I had no interest in God while we were married, God had interest in us. While we didn't glorify Him in our marriage, He blessed us both with new godly marriages. We did not deserve His unmerited favor, but God abundantly lavished it on us...what joy!

This is grace. And it is soothing and healing and renewing.

Is your heart scarred? Do you mourn your sin? Go to God and let His sweet salve of grace cover your wounds. And then, in a garment of praise, glorify the Giver of all grace.

For the LORD God [is] a sun and shield; The LORD will give grace and glory; No good [thing] will He withhold from those who walk uprightly. Psalm 84:11

grace (and some photos)

2009-02-15T20:12:00.000-07:00

I mentioned in an earlier post that lately I've been reading a lot about grace. Not because I'm a super diligent student of the Bible but because God's been revealing to me the utter lack of grace in my heart.

Utter. Lack.

Yes, I have a nice little Compassion button on my sidebar, and I post about helping those in need, but we are talking about my heart...not my blog. I may write some posts sharing some of the stuff I've read about but, before I do, I thought it best to start with this basic post about grace.

Before I was a Christian, I had no clue that grace was a term even somewhat related to God. Oh, yeah, I had heard the song "Amazing Grace" a time or two but, at the time, I just thought it was a lame song and didn't really listen to the words.

I know that of the many hits this blog gets daily, not everyone who reads is a follower of Christ. So I don't want to just plow forward speaking in "Christianese"...I want to share what I didn't know before I knew Christ.

Grace is unmerited favor.

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; [it is] the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. Ephesians 2:8,9

For those who follow Christ, the Bible says that our salvation is by God's grace, His unmerited favor, alone. This means that good deeds do not equal a golden ticket to Heaven. Not how much money you give to charity. Not how many prayers you pray every Sunday. Not how many little old ladies you help cross the street.

If you do a Bible search on the words "grace" and "peace", you will find that, when used together, the words are always in that order...grace first, peace second. Grace comes before peace in the Bible AND in our lives. If salvation was attained by works, then people would never know when and if they had done enough good things. If "getting into Heaven" was by deeds, just how many old ladies would you have to help across the street? What if you were one shy of the required number...whatever that number might be? I'd probably be so anxious that I'd bust into a nursing home, grab some unsuspecting blue-hair, sling her over my shoulder and run like the wind across the nearest 6 lane highway. Twice.

In regards to eternity, God's grace brings peace.

The grace is shown in this:
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

God doesn't say that Jesus died for the "good people" of humanity or the ones who have gotten their act together. Nope, he died for us while we were sinners...we didn't earn it, we weren't worthy of it...it was unmerited favor. Because our salvation is a gift of His grace and is secure in His righteousness (not our own), we live in confidence knowing we are at peace with our Creator. And He's not hanging a good-deed checklist over our heads.

But God's grace does not end there. We need His grace to daily live as a follower of Christ. Actually, that "daily" really means "every moment of the day." And sometimes for me it's even "twice every moment of the day" if that moment seems particularly long...like when M is throwing down in the middle of the canned vegetable aisle.

God encourages us to come to Him...even when we find ourselves in the canned vegetable aisle staring in disbelief that such ear-piercing, eyeball popping, blood-curdling screams could emit from such a tiny mouth. God is the Giver of grace, and He will lavish His infinite supply of grace (and therefore His strength, compassion, love, patience, etc. for all issues of life) on His children when asked:

Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16

Here are a few pics I took of the A girls last Friday. They are as cute as can be, but I was a little bummed with the quality of my work, so I have asked for a DO-OVER!

the height of fashion

2009-02-12T23:59:00.000-07:00

or maybe the depth?

praying for mamas

2009-02-12T07:00:00.003-07:00

Yesterday I saw a Facebook friend at the museum storytime hour. Erin and her handsome son arrived just as the storyteller began speaking, so I gave her a little wave with hopes of chatting after the program. I noticed as we were breaking for the craft session that she had packed up her kid and was bolting toward the door. I caught up in time to say bye and, with a look of total frustration and without slowing her gait, she motioned to her son as the reason for her early departure.

Later over FB, she recounted the rest of their day...tantrums at the car dealership, tantrums at the grocery store, tantrums at daddy's office and, to cap it off, her little guy locked himself in the car when they arrived home! She was completely deflated and asked for prayer.

One thing Erin mentioned in her message is that she can feel when people are lifting her up in prayer. As I read her words, I remembered how I felt covered in YOUR prayers when I traveled home after my mom passed.

So I thought it might be nice if today...before you leave my blog...you say a prayer for another mama.

Maybe for a mama you know. Maybe for a mama you don't know...but God knows her.

Maybe for a mama who is struggling to raise her kids alone, or...

who just received a crushing diagnosis, or...

who has no money to buy food for her kids this week, or...

who is watching her child endure excruiating pain.

Or perhaps you may pray for a mama who has healthy kids, money in the bank, and a wonderful husband...but she just had a really tough day today.

Need words for your intercession? Consider using the following verses as a guide for your prayer:

He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake. Psalm 23:2,3

Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me [by Your] generous Spirit. Psalm 51:12

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. James 1:5

For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ...that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love,may be able to comprehend with all the saints what [is] the width and length and depth and height--to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:14, 16-19

what's goin' on...

2009-02-10T12:09:00.009-07:00

My friend, Tracy, was oh-so-kind enough to tell me that Feb 3 was Elmo's b-day. She's mean like that because she spends her days with like 15 non-related kids running around her home. Anyway, I felt compelled to add some kindling to the altar of idolatry that is burning in M's little heart and, so, a party for Elmo! Both Big Elmo and Little Elmo came, as well as Frog. We had a candle in M's waffle and sang with great gusto.

Things can get a little windy around here and, during this recent cold snap, the wind was working overtime in our backyard. Here are some shots of M putting the gutter back where it belongs.

Since right before M's birthday, things have been a little crazy. Or maybe I should say M has been a little crazy. He has carried his overachieving personality into his job as a two year old.

When poor Smooch visited, he was so very mean to her...she couldn't even breathe without him throwing a huge fit. Not exaggerating. So glad you spent all that money on a plane ticket, huh, Smooch? Thankfully the last two days have seen relief from the storm of Hurricane Big Two.

His sleep obviously doesn't help the issue. One night SuperScott and I decided to enjoy ourselves and stay out later than 7:00p with M. So we had a fun night at Scott's sister house playing with her Wii. As we were leaving, I proudly said to Scott, "This must be what other parents do...they just enjoy life now and then and let the baby go to bed later."

Oooooh, open wide, Miss Smug...you are about to eat your words.

That night M was up at EVERY single hour of the night except the 3 o'clock hour...and every since he has been waking around 3 am.

Not quite as enjoyable as boxing on the Wii.

But I have been reading a lot about grace lately....because I have needed it so desperately...so soon I may share some stuff that I've read...

Hope all is well with YOU!

sunday night dinner conversation

2009-02-08T18:18:00.000-07:00

"Poops come out Matthew booty." - Matthew

M's book list

2009-02-07T23:14:00.002-07:00

Currently the following books are getting some serious giggles out of M. Thought I'd share with you...

my love

2009-02-06T09:18:00.001-07:00

If I had to explain to someone what it means to follow Jesus, I would simply point to my husband. I have learned more about grace, longsuffering, and sacrificial love from him than from anyone else. He is proof that people who surrender to God can, by the power of His Spirit, live a life that looks different from the world...one that reflects the absolute goodness of God.

My humble husband does not like to have my camera pointed at him, and I try to respect that...but the other day I was desperate to complete a final assignment for my class and; therefore, I asked him to be my supermodel.

That night, Scott walked into the house after a long day of work. Before he could even get through the door, Matthew began pulling at him and yelling "HOT TEA! HOT TEA!" at the top of his lungs (it is their nightly ritual)...and I started pushing them both outside so I could snag some shots before the sun set. And Scott handled it all with the same graciousness that he always displays...putting the needs of others before his own.

Here are a few of the shots. They may seem super bright and grainy on your computer...because I shot in RAW for the assignment, I had to use an editing program that I am not familiar with.

Here is my unbelievably amazing husband.
My undeserved blessing from God.
My love.

kid sites

2009-02-06T07:22:00.003-07:00

i haven't had a chance to check out all of the links but thought i would share this site because yesterday i actually found rocks in my dryer:

month o' love

2009-02-02T17:00:00.003-07:00

Happy February! As I see the store displays of Valentine's Day decorations, cards, and candy (of course, the candy!), I can't help but think back to my sweet wedding day! I don't know that I have had another day in my life that was so absolutely peaceful and so gloriously perfect...even in the imperfections!

Yet I also think of how much marriage takes a beating when a baby comes into the picture. Romantic coastal escapes? Gone with the wind. Dynamic dinner conversation at a cozy table in your favorite restaurant? Flew the coop. Indeed the addition of a child brings a new look to the marital relationship.

And so...I'm asking for YOUR ideas/tips/tried & trues of how to celebrate the month o' love all year round. If your husband is as fantastic as mine, you sincerely want to make an effort to give your marriage the attention it deserves.

So share a comment, and share the love!

Not sure why my scanned photos always show up so small, but this is from our wedding day in Kona, HI:

edited2add: Funny! I have had more comments about the photo than tips on loooove. We were married on the beach in Kona by a super fun pastor who is connected with our church. His kids were the flower girls/ring bearer, his wife did the video taping, and a lady from the church VOLUNTEERED to take our photos. She said she was an "amateur" and just enjoyed shooting, so she wouldn't even accept the money we gave her...she donated it directly to the church. I think she did a wonderful job and will share more photos next month for our anniversary post!

chocolate lovers have no pride

2009-02-01T20:11:00.002-07:00

this is the way we eat our fruit,
eat our fruit,
eat our fruit,
this is the way we eat our fruit
so early in the morning!

You won't see much naked fruit at our house. Strawberries dipped in chocolate. Apples cooked in cinnamon and brown sugar. Bananas covered in peanut butter.

We're all about accessorizing.

Especially if the accessory comes in the one-size-fits-all milk chocolate.

ABC, easy as 123

2009-01-30T09:53:00.007-07:00

M has an intense love of letters and numbers. His eyes are always on the lookout for ABCs and 123s, for example:

He picked up our shower squeegee and said "Big T, Big T"
A coffeee table was moved and left an indentation on the carpet. M said "L!"
When he noticed a horseshoe nailed to the ceiling of an art gallery, he exclaimed, "C!, C!"

This morning our plans were changed, so I needed to get ready quickly. I decided to let him watch a cartoon and there was a show called "Super Why" on PBS. From my bathroom I heard the character ask, "What letter makes the "tuh" sound?" and M responded "T!"...so I went in to see what was up. This continued with the letters O and P. He got both correct. Then I asked him "what word did you spell?" He said matter of factly, "stop." (Now I must say that we have talked about the word stop before when we see stop signs).

I listened to M participate in the rest of the show...answering all of the questions correctly. I decided to take him to the PBS SuperWhy website for some more action. In the "spelling bee" game, he correctly spelled cat, can, and bell all by himself by listening to the sounds and picking the right letter.

I am astounded not only by his development in this area but also by his interest. We haven't tried to push learning the letters and numbers on him. In fact, I have been a little leery about it wondering what in the world he will do in kindergarten if he already knows such things. But M is just really interested in them (intense looooove), so we have tried to follow his lead.

Now if I could only get him to love sharing his toys!

b-day pics

2009-01-30T07:18:00.005-07:00

Listening to the Birthday song:

Trying to blow:

Excited to see Elmo...not knowing that he will have to hit him! Charles kept making the pinata go up and down, so M stood there with a smile on his face saying, "up....down...up...down."
Listening to dad's instructions

The big hit...check out that sucker flying towards his face

Holding Elmo's hand afterwards...
Happy boy

A couple pics of little S. I was trying out the "eye enhancer" on picnik...so they are a little "overdone." He is still as cute as can be!

quick b-day recap

2009-01-27T15:55:00.003-07:00

smooch in photo

2009-01-24T21:55:00.005-07:00

smoooooooooooooooooooooooooch:

Smooch is on her way!

2009-01-22T12:29:00.003-07:00

In an hour I will be picking up little sister from the airport but, due to the craziness of her trip so far, this may be her last visit! Let's just say it has involved a loose dog in cargo...dog poop on her suitcase...and dr. pepper all over her brand new uggs and her suitcase (which I said would at least take away the dog poop smell, right?)

We heading into a weekend of mall-ratting (is that a word), late nights of mancala tournaments, a fun photoshoot...oh, and I guess I will let M play with her, too!

some shoots and stuff

2009-01-18T17:04:00.006-07:00

Before I post anything else, I want to again share sweet Abby's site and ask that you pray for this precious little one. The strength of this family is an amazing testimony to God's grace in the most difficult of trials.

On Sat, I had the pleasure to hang with my friend, Chelsea! She agreed to let me photograph her and didn't cancel even though she was sick! She is super cool...and gracious...that way. Here are a few from our afternoon:

And...here is M in the BIG TWO shirt!!!!! Sorry there are so many, but how is a mama to choose?

oh, happy saturday!

2009-01-17T08:26:00.009-07:00

On Friday we had a playdate with the adorable M kids. I was worried that M would be a crazy man when he saw the kids playing with his toys...but he did so well! He was even proactive in sharing, so I was relieved! When we were at the market buying some snacks for the playdate, he was all worked up about about the idea of having to share Elmo crackers, so I stopped the cart and asked, "Do you want me to pray for you?" He nodded. So next to the canned vegetables, we asked God to help M have a generous heart. This morning we were talking about the playdate, and I reminded M about our prayer in the store...and how God answered our prayer by helping him share. He nodded.

Here's a few photos of the three monkeys...M is laughing because my friend said "poop."

OK, if you can't sleep at night do I have a site for you! POLYVORE. It is like a virtual mall. You can put together outfits from the comfort of your own computer chair. They have so many cool, funky things...and yet, I STILL came up with a very plain jane outfit! I didn't even choose a purse! The super thing is that a wide variety of stores are represented...which means a wide variety of prices. I just picked what I liked and later realized that quite a few of my items were from very affordable stores...like KMart! So this is the outfit I would choose for dinner out with Scott (I think you can click for larger view): For anyone who knows furiture...I am looking for a couch like the one below for our family room. I actually really like this one, but it is a total LOWRIDER...like only 2 feet high. So if you know where I can find a taller version, let me know. BTW, I like inexpensive!
FACEBOOK BACK! My friend, Kari, is a facebook member and the other night her husband took a picture of her hunched over her computer...he said she has "Facebook Back!" Quite funny...but leads me to ask what kind of exercise other mamas are getting. Do you workout regularly? If so, at home or gym? Does anyone know of a great workout program you can do, in say, 10 mins or less? haha!

I hope you all have a great weekend! It is sunny and warm here, and I have a photoshoot with a friend today!

adios, ONE!

2009-01-15T22:27:00.005-07:00

Oh, ONE, we are so over you. You and your baby ways. We're moving on to bigger and better things...to number TWO. EEEEEEEEEEEEEEK!!!! Two????? I hadn't given it much thought...until I ran across this photo:

Just look at that little baby! Baby. Not big boy. Not even little boy. Baby. Where did he go? Sadness depart, leave gladness in my heart.

So we're heading into the week stretch before M's birthday! Smooch is coming to town, so excitement is in the air! We've got a superstar guest list for the fiesta, including the M kids, Layne and Baby Mia, and an Elmo pinata (that's right, go ahead and beat the idol of your little heart with a big stick til hoards of sugared candies come crashing down on your head). Good times are a comin'!

M says goodbye to being one:Below are pics I took right before his first birthday. Soon we will retire his "1" shirt, and I will post his "2" photos!

buckle up...it's long

2009-01-14T14:10:00.007-07:00

I was encouraged by the comments and emails I received to this post. I know I write about and and share some pretty heavy stuff, so to see others in agreement was wonderful.

I have posted about many international issues, but I think that we can often feel detached from the suffering of those who live so far away...in a world so much different than our own. And so we say a prayer or write a check because we know of no other ways to help.

I have been struggling with this and just last night was discussing my feelings with Scott. I know that I am not supposed to strap my baby on my back and head to Africa or SE Asia, but yet my heart burns to do more. While this is not Scriptural, I envision meeting people in Heaven only to say, "I'm sorry I did not help you. I'm sorry I did not act when your little girls were stolen from your arms and sold for sex. I'm sorry that I did not share when your babies were dying because they had no milk."

I was reading World Racer Kim Daniels' blog and, after watching the movie HUMAN TRAFFICKING, she put into words exactly the way I have been feeling:

And now that I know, I can't go back to not knowing. I can't pretend like its not happening. I can't have mere coffee table conversation about it, and then move on to the next subject of politics and the weather. I can't find a place of reconciliation in living comfortably at home while over 18,000 children, both boys and girls, and young women are kidnapped and swept away with force from their families and homes, coerced to be sex slaves for hundreds of men over the course of their young lifetime... and then just thank God for my American given freedom.

I can't find a place of peace in thinking that I'll just let other people deal with it, or some other kind of cliché that says "its just not my calling in life". I am not satisfied with excuses or every reason in the world why WE can't be the generation to actually DO something about it.

I have more questions than answers. I don't know where to start. Except to begin raising awareness to my family, friends, and anyone else who will listen. I WILL yell freedom off of the rooftops and I WILL pack up and go to where its dark when God says so.

Sooo...today two "nevers" happened. 1. M fell asleep in the car. 2. Because M fell asleep, I turned on the radio. I was just about to change the channel when I heard the announcement that the Focus on the Family broadcast would be about Human Trafficking. At home I watched Focus interview Linda Smith, the founder of Shared Hope Int. While Shared Hope is an international program, Mrs. Smith focused on the sex trafficking epidemic in the United States. It's worse than you would imagine.

IF YOU DESIRE TO HELP, THIS MAY BE FOR YOU: If you visit the Shared Hope Int. website, there is a TAKE ACTION section on the upper right side of the screen. Even a small action is better than no action. Below I have included a sting video that was conducted by this organization.

Here's another thing...I think that women have a naturally soft spot for helping the defenseless, the oppressed, the children. However, I would encourage you to share this with a man you know (your husband/father/brother). Men are designed by God to be protectors...defenders not only of their own children, but of all children. The men of America need to take a stand against the evil in our country.

Many men don't want to speak out against porn and sexual immorality thinking it is none of their business what another dude does in his private life, but Mrs. Smith shared that so many of the "sex buyers" of these young girls in America are the white collar business men. Perhaps your husband/father/brother knows of men who are actively involved in porn...they may not be the ones stealing away at lunch to have sex with an underage girl, but they are glued to their computers every night...they are buying the images of these girls and, therefore, perpetuating the crimes against them. Perhaps it's time for these men who are living in sexual bondage to know that God loves them and wants more for their lives...to know that they have been created and designed to care for and protect the innocence of children, not rob them of it. Perhaps God will use your husband/father/brother to share these words of freedom.

This is heavy stuff...and it would be too heavy for us to bear IF we didn't know that there is victory in Christ. Because of Him, we can refuse to turn a blind eye...refuse to settle back into our comfortable, happy lives...and instead shine His light in the darkness.

nose growth?

2009-01-14T09:08:00.003-07:00

do little boys' noses have overnight growth spurts? M's nose looks bigger...perhaps swollen...at the bridge, but he hasn't hit it this morning at all.

p.s. i'm ridding my house of all cookware...one burnt pot at a time.

p.s.X2 fat brain toys. check out the site...sorry i'm not linking it, no time right now.

hope everyone is having a great wednesday!!!!!

owen is in his mama's arms!

2009-01-13T06:37:00.000-07:00

Check out sweet OWEN!

m's first medal!

2009-01-12T16:21:00.005-07:00

Today was M's last day at the gym, and they had a little awards ceremony! We have only been attending since mid-November due to all of our travel back to IL, but even in that short amount of time, I saw a huge improvement in M's confidence and gross motor skills. We have decided to try out a different, but similar, program run by a lady from our church. It is about $30+ LESS per month, so it is worth a try. I'm sure God has a good place for that extra $ to be used.

Yes, today my baby had a good day. A great day. Playing at gym. Getting a medal. Helping pick out fun items for his upcoming birthday party. A great day.

This is not true for all the babies in the world, but you know that.

In case today you are feeling a little too comfortable...a little too self-absorbed...too full of complaints rather than gratitude, I ask that you read this blog post. After you read it, feel free to cry...to weep...not only over Michael Angelo, but also over your own selfishness and complacency and ingratitude. But then don't forget to read the P.S. link...and then shout cheer and praises over what God can do through a willing and available life.

if loving you is wrong....

2009-01-09T13:43:00.008-07:00

i don't want to be right.

Yes, Moose Munch, you temptress, you...beckoning me to the pantry with your sweet siren song. Utterly irresistable, and you know it. You have my number, and I don't mind.

Seriously, who buys their "friend" FOUR BAGS...as in FORTY OUNCES...of Moose Munch for Christmas??? A friend who lives too far away to throttle, that's who. Yeah, secretly it was my favorite gift!

PHOTOS FROM OUR WALK BY THE RIVER:

A little "action" shot as M "runs" down the "hill"....hmm...just so you know, every time I use quotations, I stop typing and make little air quotes with my fingers for effect. Not.

Not an exciting photo, but I love the color of the bushes behind M:

Not sure what to do with the mud on his hands. It ended up on my jeans...but I didn't mind!

isn't she lovely...

2009-01-08T13:23:00.005-07:00

isn't she wonderful?

I was blessed with the opportunity to welcome Baby A into the world early Wednesday morning! Since I left the room when Mama A was ready to push and was invited back moments later after Baby made her grand entrance, it was as close to childbirth as I will ever get! And without the epidural, thankyouverymuch!

She's a precious little peanut, and we're so glad she is here!

total off-track sidenote: I took M to a storytime at a library today. I envisioned in my mind what it might be like and was excited for a little interaction for our Mr. Antisocial. When we walked in the room...the dark room...an eerie feeling came over me. In the corner, the storyleader danced...a very strange dance...which made M point at her and yell, "WHOA! WHOA!" She began to sing and read stories in a manner that would give Edgar Allen Poe the chills. M sat on my lap with his head pressed into my chest. I started doing the slanty-eyed look around the room. Was I the only one who was wiggin' out? I mean, this lady was FREAKY! Everyone else seemed mesmerized by her and I swear I started hearing the Twilight Zone music coming from the closet behind us. Is this some kind of Stepford Mamas thing, I wondered? And then...the lights came on, storytime was over, and the storyleader wheeled out a huge cart full of fun toys. Big sigh.

We're going back next week...they have slinkys.

no time for a title

2009-01-06T20:02:00.003-07:00

For those who don't know, Rebecca and Andy will be leaving Thursday to travel to China! Owen will be their arms very soon!

Does anyone else
- have a really difficult time putting a jacket on over a shirt with 3/4 length sleeves?

- hate knee socks but love OVER-the-knee socks?

- wonder how the word "poop" can be so funny to boys...even as toddlers?

- have your thoughts filtered through the lyrics of 80s & 90s songs?

- wonder at what age you stopped thinking "bunny ears" were amusing?

- think that being let loose in Sephora would be the ultimate toddler hands-on experience?

- LOVE this verse: I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the [life] which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. gal 2:20

- cringe when your doorbell rings because either your house looks a wreck...or you do?

BTW, two missionary girls rang my doorbell today. I invited them in (because it was chilly) but only in the foyer (because my house was a disaster)...and they barely got out their names before M dropped the big bomb. I was like "what's that smell?" EEEEEEK!!!! It was N.A.S.T.Y. And my eyes were tearing up. And my mouth was gasping for air. But those little girls just kept on smiling and talking...smiling and talking...smiling and talking! I wonder if God was chuckling at us.

M is getting quite skilled at playing with his train. Amazing improvement!

ACK!!!!!! I just got the call that M's new little kissin' cousin is ON THE WAY!!!!!!

sunday evening post

2009-01-04T20:14:00.006-07:00

I've had a few people ask recently about Matthew's age...he will turn 2 this month. He is a tall drink of water, and I'll be interested to see where he is on the growth chart at his next dr.'s appt.

Here is a video of M counting:

I think it is so amazing how much babies absorb before they begin speaking. Just out of the blue, M will say words like "pineapple" or "sit down", and I'll be like "When did you learn that word???"

I asked what he wanted to have at his birthday party. He said, "hot tea."

He has come to the toddler stage where sharing is a dirty word. It's so bad that he doesn't even want Scott or me to share our stuff with anyone (except him, of course!). Since we read about Zaccheus in his Bible (but we say that Z didn't share because the whole tax collector thing is too hard to explain right now), I asked M if he was like Zaccheus, and he nodded yes!

We've been groovin' to Cory Asbury this weekend. M likes "So good to me."
We love checking out new bands, so feel free to recommend your favorites!

OK, I'm going to post this next part only because I have posted really odd things before only to have people say, "Me too!"...so here goes. Lately (as in months and months), my thoughts have been consumed with people who are in great need. Now I've had feelings of sympathy for others before...cried over suffering in the world...but, somehow, this seems different. It doesn't feel like normal sadness coming from a normal train of thought about the need of others. Out of the blue, these intense images invade my mind...and break my heart.

As I watch M "washing" the dishes at the kitchen sink, I'm broken over how much clean, fresh water we are pouring down the drain while others drink filthy, contaminated water.

As I type "Happy New Year" to a friend, I'm broken over those for who the new year means nothing...no hope, no future, no joy.

As I water my plants, I'm broken over the fact that they are housed in pots that cost more than some people in the world make in a day.

Everywhere I look, I am bombarded by the reality of living in extreme wealth as compared to most of the world. My heart weighs heavy in my chest. This isn't simply an "oh-I-need-to-consume-less" thing. It's almost as if I have come to a point where I cannot turn back. But I am not even sure what I mean by that statement.

Scott is like, "OK...this is a recurring thing...what are you going to do about it?" but I honestly don't know. I'm not sure if God is preparing me for something...or just stripping me of worldly things...or filling me with His love for others. Just not sure.

So...anyone else got this goin' on?

afternoon walk

2009-01-02T19:36:00.004-07:00

M and I went for a walk today! I think the temp was in the high 50s, so it was warm and sunny...just the way we like our winter weather!

Even though I just posted about post processing, I am happy to say that I did not edit any of these photos at all! Thankfully, they came out much better than that overexposed bunch I posted awhile back.

As usual, M isn't smiling in the photos. I was lucky to get him to look in my direction! He actually did have a great time...playing and laughing...but he would turn it off the moment he heard my autofocus beep!

Hope everyone has a great weekend!!!

toys for the car

2009-01-02T13:30:00.002-07:00

Anyone have any recommendations on toys for the car? Looking for something that can keep a toddler's interest for longer than 5 minutes and, if possible, somehow attach to the carseat to keep the toy from being flung across the car when it has lost its entertainability.

happy new year!

2009-01-01T21:36:00.004-07:00

Happy 2009!

Did you try singing "tonight we're gonna party like it's two-thousand and nine?" I did...but I refrained from wearing any purple velvet pants.

I've never been very reflective at New Year's...nor have I been resolution-y. I guess it's because I'm just too focused on remembering to write the new date on my checks.

However, this year I did think about it all since it was a year ago NYE that my mom went to the ER and found out she had a tumor. Not the best way to ring in the new year.

But then this morning Scott's first words were reminding me that it was 6 years ago today that he asked me to be his bride. A lovely way to begin a new year!

And so...a new year awaits both with its trials and its joys. May we embrace all that lies ahead trusting that our God goes before us. He already knows every squeal of delight and every tear of grief that will be ours in 2009. And He will be with us during it all. He's a good, good God.

OK...I know the photo below is way small...but I found it the other day and thought I'd post it. It was NYE December 2000. As I downed the bubbly (ummm, OK, it downed me) and talked of the year to come, I had no clue that 2001 would be the year that God called me to Himself. I get giddy thinking about it because He just completely consumed me with His tenderness that year. He lavished me with His love, and I can feel myself blushing right now because it was so unmerited and yet so amazing. The God of all creation was pursuing me, and I surrendered to His love. OK...totally sidetracked! I really didn't intend to say all of that...so anyhow, here is a small, red-eyed, funny photo....

This year may you know God's wonderful, passionate love for you...and may you remember to write the correct date on all your checks!

post processing - picnik

2008-12-29T20:19:00.001-07:00

Any post processing junkies out there?

I'm always checking out different editing tools and programs. I used the 30-day free trial of Lightroom and loved it, but the program is $300...too much money for my SAHM uses & needs. I've been using the free version of Picnik lately and, until today, hadn't really branched out into its "creative" tools.

I thought I'd share the finished products in case there are others who are looking for a post processing program. In the "creative" section of Picnik, there are a variety of actions and each is represented by a little frog who has been processed with that action. Not very attractive. But some of the actions actually do look nice when applied to people!

After some failed attempts to get some new closeups of M, I used an old photo of him and then took some of myself. Yes, go ahead and call me a desperate dork but, if you do, you have to come model for me! I am really glad I did this though because it ended up being good practice. M and I have different skin tones and the editing/actions seemed to affect us a little differently.

ORIGINAL PHOTO: No editing.
ORTON-ISH:
1960's: Love those rounded corners. Notice the orange-ish cast to his face.
CINEMASCOPE: This action seems to squish the subject when it adds the black bars.
CROSS-PROCESS:

CINEMASCOPE: The "black bar squish" isn't as noticeable in my photo.
ORTON-ISH: I think this pic looks really freaky since my eyes look different colors and my pupil is so severe! If I didn't know myself, this is the kind of photo that would give me bad dreams. I DO like the way Orton-ish seems to smooth out hair and face. It gives a soft look to the subject.

DUO-TONE: This may look like B&W but is actually an action that allows you to pick two colors for the editing. I ended up choosing dark blue and light gray but, for a moment, I was looking quite lime green!

HOLGA-ISH: While it looks like a huge square spot-light is on my face, this action actually changed where the light was hitting my face. I don't like it on this photo, but Holga-ish would look cool if your entire subject was in the highlighted area. I think LOMO-ISH does the same thing except in color.

I tried both 1960s and CROSS PROCESS on mine and the colors were funky...I think the blue background in M's photo kind of neutralized the orange-brownish cast of those actions...but not totally sure. Other things: Every time I use Picnik, I have major slow-down issues. At first, I can edit quickly but after about 3 pics, my computer starts grinding like crazy and I can finish mowing the lawn before an action finishes applying itself. This, however, could be an issue with my computer. Also, the FREE Picnik only allows you to upload 5 photos at a time.

If you have an editing tool that you recommend, feel free to share!

O, Israel!

2008-12-29T12:17:00.003-07:00

This morning my homepage was full of news headlines declaring the crisis in Gaza:

Hamas calls on Arab nations to break peace treaties with Israel.
War to the bitter end.
No signs that conflict will end soon.

Then my eyes looked to the top of my screen...to the Bible verse of the day...and it read:
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there you may be also. John 14:3

What good news in the midst of the stories of fighting and bombing, hatred and death!

If you are familiar with the Bible, the situation in Gaza doesn't surprise you. Events are unfolding just as God said they would, and we can take comfort in His faithfulness even when things look chaotic and frightening.

If you are interested, Joel Rosenberg of the The Joshua Fund is keeping his blog updated about the Gaza situation. Due to the Fund's relief support to Israel (and her neighbors!), Joel has many connections to those living right in the heat of the battle.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you. Psalm 122:6

Christmas 2008!

2008-12-27T10:00:00.005-07:00

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! Ours was very relaxing and fun. M was lavished with gifts from friends and family, and he LOVED every single one. Scott and I have been watching movies at night...a welcome treat!...and all of our Christmas decorations are down and boxed for next year!

Slideshow photos are from making a birthday cake for Jesus (yes, the cake was THAT red and, yes, it did stain his face), singing into the tinkertoy microphone, a few from Christmas morning, and one of M and cousin Layne at a family gathering.

The train set. Yes, it was a hit, but I now concede to toy makers and their recommended age for toys. The train says 3+, and M is not even 2. I didn't even think about this because he plays so well with the set at the bookstore...um, yeah, but it is BOLTED DOWN! Even though M has some kickin' fine motor skills, he lacks the finesse and gentleness to drive the train without causing some major destruction (picture M pushing the train with his hand through the tunnel and then lifting his arm without taking it out of the tunnel.) And so this toy that I had hoped would help him play on his own and allow me to get through a sink of dishes....well, the dream is dashed for now. BUT...he likes his train!

Scott said of M's tiny train town: "A series of natural disasters has hit this week..."

Here is a bit of the video from Christmas morning when M first saw the train set. Nothing overly exciting...he just got down to playing!

the Bright and Morning Star

2008-12-24T00:14:00.005-07:00

"I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am...the Bright and Morning Star." Rev 22:16

My heart seems to smile when I think of this description of Jesus. The Bright and Morning Star. Perhaps it's because I have a "visual aid" that keeps this title fresh in my mind.

A mountain range is located to the east of us, and daybreak brings a faint light outlining the mountains...a hint of what is coming. Then, as a warrior conquering his enemy, the mighty sun rises over the mountains, ushering forth its light and declaring victory over the darkness that had covered the city.

At Christmas we reflect on Jesus coming as an infant, but we also look ahead to His return. And as the morning star arrives to dispel the darkness of night, one day the Morning Star will return to dispel the darkness of sin and death. Forever. We have so much more than our Savior's birth to celebrate!

I'm sad. I'm sad, and I miss my mom. But just as the sun gives promise of a new day, Jesus gives promise of a new life...an eternal life with Him. How grateful I am to know...to be absolutely confident...that I will see my mom again.

Today I have been thinking of those who are alone...or are in a crowd but lonely...or are simply sad this Christmas. My heart aches for you, and I would love to pray for you over the next few days. As I pray for God's comfort for myself and my family during this first Christmas without my mom, I will lift you in prayer, too. If interested, you may email your prayer request to 1sttimemama1 AT gmail DOT com.

May your hearts smile as you celebrate the birth of Jesus and anticipate His return (may it be with the excitement of a child awaiting Christmas morning!).

Merry, Merry Christmas, my friends!

when a photoshoot turns sour

2008-12-23T12:49:00.008-07:00

I just looked through some photos that never made it to blog because most of them were WAY overexposed and because they do not represent M's most flattering side.

see how oVeReXpOsEd??!!!

So I messed around in picnik postprocessing to salvage a few...here's the recount of the madness:

We arrived at the river on a beautiful fall day. M saw some kids and, because they were more than 10 ft away from him, he decided they were OK.

Laughter, great! We're going to get some awesome photos!

We headed up to the bridge; the happiness continued.

As we began to walk through the bosque, the revolt began...

...and the walls came tumbling down...

...no matter what cool thing I showed him...

...or what area in which we walked...

...MAD.MAD.MAD...

...so I had to resort to photographing a plant:

Now here is where it gets good. I asked M on the way back to the car if he would like to sit on the bridge and eat his snack. Affirmative. I got him settled, and pulled out the ziploc of treats...a trio of animal crackers, puffs, and alphabet crackers. As I offered each one to M, he would shake his head "no." I explained that these were the only snacks we had and, again, offered each one to him. With more zeal (read: throwing a huge fit that caused nearby walkers to raise their eyebrows), he not-so-politely refused the snacks again. In all of my motherly maturity, I took the ziploc...stuck it through the bars of the bridge...and dumped the entire contents into the flowing waters below. "I guess the fish will eat your snack then" I replied. ACK!!!!!! Did I just do that? I quickly glanced over my shoulder to see who was watching then slunk back to my car...screaming kid in tow.

I did manage to snag this cute one because I am sooooo sneaky:

POLL FINALE: 60% said they would have plastic surgery but only if medically necessary. 40% said, "just do it!"

i'm getting giddy!

2008-12-22T20:13:00.003-07:00

sitting on the floor with the following:

1 screwdriver (both flat & phillips in one, thankyouverymuch!)
a 100+ piece Classic Train Table with Roundhouse
a 156 piece Lifesavers Halloween Variety Bag

i'm being careful not to get my "pieces" mixed up...

and getting ready to crank some carols!!!

oops...

2008-12-22T12:23:00.004-07:00

Is anyone knowledgeable in external hard drives...and know why the photos that I transferred from my computer to the hard drive are no longer there? As in NO.LONGER.THERE!!!!??? The file folders show up, but they are now empty.

prosperity...

2008-12-21T11:28:00.000-07:00

Mother Nature, Father Time

2008-12-18T13:00:00.006-07:00

I think it was right after my 35th birthday that I received the message. It went something like this:

Dear Tish. Stop. Happy Day after your 35th birthday. Stop. The party is over. Stop. Yours truly, Mother Nature and Father Time. Stop.

Yes, that was the year in which Father Time cackled as he pushed the "warp speed aging" button on my life, and Mother Nature lifted her wing of protection and, well, kicked me to the curb. Since then, my physical self has been coasting downhill at the speed of a Jamaican Bobsled Team.

Now...I know that in God's economy, a youthful appearance is not what it's all about. And I am so grateful to know that, by His grace, as my "outer man" is perishing, my "inner man" is being renewed day by day. It's like having some serious 100% effective anti-deterioration cream slathered on my soul by the hand of God.

HOWEVVVVVVER, I inherited two lovely traits from my Papa. #1. Big hands. #2. Some funky-droopy-eyelid thing. I'm thinking that, unless Jesus calls me home soon, my eyelids are going to start brushing against my kneecaps when I walk. Not even kidding. In my mind I picture holding them up with toothpicks, but really, when did toothpicks ever make good fashion sense to anything but an olive?

And so...I heard that this can be corrected with surgery. Suuuuurrrr-gery. Not a word that gets me giddy. I scar like madwoman (hmmm...could it be from vitamin deficiency from lack of vegetables in my body?), and I'd rather spend the money on something useful like clean water for villages. BUT...on the other hand being able to see without having to tape my eyelids to my forehead could be considered useful, I guess...and due to the sight-hindering nature of funky-droopy-eyelid thing, some insurance plans cover it!

Now I don't need these lids propped in the next week or anything...but we might as well "poll" about it, so let me know your thoughts about plastic surgery in the sidebar.

unimportant sidenote: have you tried the Archer Farms Hot and Spicy chips? They will make your mouth cry "UNCLE", but your hand will be going back for more!!!

A baby is coming!

2008-12-17T10:49:00.010-07:00

M has a little kissin' cousin on the way!!! She is due in January, and I had the pleasure of hosting a shower for her. I got some adorable photos of some of the kids who attended, but I won't post them w/out parental permission. However, I am posting some pics of big sister since her mama has allowed me to do so in the past. We actually had the shower at the baby's home so that guests could see the nursery and presents wouldn't have to be hauled back and forth. It was a very fun...and pink!...event!

(Hey...anyone who edits with Lightroom know why the photos lose their sharpness when you blog them?)
Selfish heart: There are days when I just want to build a cool structure of Mega Blocks without having little hands try to add to it or knock it down.

Funny husband:

Me: I'm having a Mexican dinner and Asian salad dressing.

Scott: Fusion!

Me: These berries are sour...do they taste sour to you...I think they're sour.

Scott: Anything south of chocolate is sour to you.

New model:

Since M and Scott get facial tics when I ask them to model for me, I called on an old friend for a class assignment. She was a joy to work with and didn't even complain that I failed to wash her face before the photoshoot. Her name is Poor Pitiful Pearl. Yes, that was the name on the box!!! And I asked for her because I was afraid that no one else would buy her...with her ragged, patched clothes and stringy hair...and that she would be sad and lonely! Some toy exec sure knew my number, huh?

Christmas cards

2008-12-16T11:43:00.003-07:00

OK, I am interested in your thoughts about Christmas cards!

Why do you send them? What is your purpose?
How do you choose your annual card? How much thought do you give to your selection?
Do you include handwritten messages?
What do you do with the cards you receive from others?
Any other thoughts?

Comments appreciated!

let's face it!

2008-12-14T18:51:00.006-07:00

The many faces of Matthew...please excuse the runny nose!

Hope everyone is doing well! I'll be catching up on your blogs soon...I've missed you! We've been busy lately with hosting a baby shower, enjoying an overnight guest, going on a date (WOOOHOO)...and being bitten on the lip by M (he and I were wrestling and he got a little excited, bit my lip, and left me a bloody, swollen, bruised mess...but it healed quickly!)

Scott is enjoying M's recent verbal explosion and has taught him to call me "mamacita!" M is speaking very well and now will say things like (when I get out his blue hat), "no, red hat" and if you ask where to put something, he'll tell you "right there."

martha, martha

2008-12-11T09:46:00.001-07:00

This post has been bouncing around my brain for a while now, and yet it never seemed the right time to publish it. I guess it was never God's time until yesterday. Because yesterday was when He made it real for me.

I've been thinking of the story in Luke 10:38-42 where two sisters, Mary and Martha, are contrasted. You may be familiar with the story but, if not, here's the lowdown:

Jesus came to town. Martha invited Him to the home of her family. Mary sat and listened to Jesus talk while Martha worked feverishly to get everything "just right." Martha got ticked and questioned Jesus, "Don't you care that Mary is sitting on her duff while I do all the work? Tell her to help me!" (my paraphrase)

Jesus responds, "Martha, Martha..."

sidenote: I once heard a message that was focused on this initial part of Jesus' reply. The speaker noted that Jesus said Martha's name...twice. If He had just said "Martha", we might convey that He was angry (MAR-THA!!!!) or frustrated (Marthaaaaaa...). But He said her name twice, and when we are angry or frustrated we don't usually do that. Try it. Just yell "Martha, Martha" in a really angry tone. Doesn't quite sound right, does it? Nope, even as Martha questions and commands Him, Jesus responds in tenderness.

Anyway, the Bible says that Martha was "distracted with much serving." Distracted...suggests she had turned away from her original focus of attention. Much serving...suggests she was going over-the-top, busy with unnecessary details.

Jesus continues His response to her, "...But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her."

This year I have been doing less holiday shopping/stuff and have been trying to choose the "good part"...to spend more time in God's Word. So, while this passage has been stuck in my brain for the past weeks, I didn't think it was really applying to me during this holiday season. (You can laugh now.)

Yesterday morning after breakfast I decided to bring out the playdoh in hopes that M would entertain himself while I did some other tasks, but something stopped me from taking my busywork to the table.

Martha, Martha.

UGH! But I have stuff to do! And the baby never takes long enough naps! And...

Martha, Martha.

I found myself reaching into the drawer for the playdoh "big guns"...the utensils I get out only when I play with M. As M and I sat at our table enjoying the squishy dough, soft music and falling snow (lasted a few minutes and never stuck), I was reminded that Jesus was there with us. He was there. So I talked to M about Jesus...His Presence with us, His love for us.

Suddenly M put down his playdoh and reached over for my hand. With a big smile on his face he gazed at me...then pointed to Scott's chair...and then turned his sweet face back to mine. His countenance was one of joy.

As I was enjoying time with my baby, I was sitting at my Savior's feet. It was the good part. THE GOOD PART. And it dripped with His tenderness.

You know, if the story of Jesus' tenderness toward distracted, demanding Martha stopped there, it would be enough. But if you read John 11 you will find another gem. You see, Martha's sister Mary was the one who seemed to really "get it." In humble adoration, Mary sat at Jesus' feet. Nothing else mattered. She was the one who would later anoint the feet of Jesus with very expensive oil and then wipe them dry with her hair. (Note to self: grow hair out!) Mary was, Biblically speaking, "da bomb."

Yet John 11:5 states, "Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister..."

Just WHOM is mentioned by name? Yes, good ol' Martha, Martha. Not that it is a competition. God has enough love to go 'round. But I find this very comforting...that the God of the universe chose to speak of His love for and mention by name the sister Martha. A woman who was too busy to sit with Jesus but then questioned His care for her. One who lost focus of the Good Part, Christ Himself.

I love, love, love my times alone reading God's Word, but often as soon as my Bible snaps shut, I become distracted. Yes, I know He is with me all the time, but I don't live like He is with me all the time. I am like Martha who invited Him into her home but then was too busy to enjoy Him...to hear Him...to be with Him. I allow my focus to be diverted too easily...and too often on things that really don't matter (except in my little mind!). This doesn't mean I stop doing housework and sit in the middle of my living room floor all day (although on days that would be nice!), but instead to be more mindful of His Presence with me...even in the mundane and in the busywork.

What about you? Are you more like Mary or Martha? Do you find it easy to sit at His feet even in the midst of a busy day? Or do you lose focus and become distracted with much serving? Feel free to share!!!

another sidenote: At lunch I was reading to M about King Saul and how he became prideful and no longer loved God. M started making funny squeals, and I looked up to see him pointing at himself. I asked, "What?...Do you love God?" He nodded with exaggeration and then picked up another cracker to stuff in his mouth. Rationally I question a toddler understanding any of this, but with M you just never know.

Christmas Songs

2008-12-11T08:50:00.005-07:00

The wonderful Fernando Ortega has a new CD entitled Christmas Songs. I watched his video about the making of the CD, and his hope for the music was to draw people back to the the lyrics of some oh-so-familiar tunes...to highlight the words proclaiming and celebrating the birth of our Savior and Lord. To listen to a few songs, go HERE. There is a also a button (as shown below) to download a song for free.

laughter!

2008-12-09T07:28:00.001-07:00

not sure what i said to get this reaction, but it was a good one!

Hope your day is filled with laughter!

RE-DO!

2008-12-05T07:21:00.006-07:00

I Wednesday I had the privilege of photographing the ADORABLE M kids. We were outside on a warm, sunny day...the conditions were perfect...the kids couldn't be cuter...I had reviewed my teacher's lesson on photographing outside in the light...and I STILL FLUBBED UP. If I had taken the photos a few months ago, I would have been very happy with them. But now...I notice the shadows on the faces, the overexposed backgrounds from shooting toward a lighter background, the lack of good composition, and on and on.

And I just want to scream, "RE-DO! I want a RE-DO!"

But here are a few of the shots anyway because the kids' precious faces are going to make you smile!!!

edited2add: I must have been in a state of chocolate sedation when I wrote this because I meant to say "Do-over! I want a do-over!" Not a RE-DO!!!! Re-Do??????? What was I thinking?????

the polls are closed!

2008-12-03T23:30:00.003-07:00

Thanks for voting in my very important polls!

I have to say that I got a little queasy when I saw that SIXTY-TWO percent of responders keep their opened, refrigerated items until the expiration date! I am so freaked out by rotten food that I throw things away like 2 weeks after opening them! One week for cottage cheese! Scott, on the other hand, would keep items waaaaaay past the expiration date if he could.

The shower question was brought up by my cousin, and I figured this would be a great place to test her hypothesis! She was right! More than half of the voters said that the male in their marriage faces the showerhead while the female faces away! Isn't that interesting???? Or am I the only one intrigued by random information like that?

BTW, for all of you who said that BAKED CHEETOS were as good or better than the regular kind, I have one question. ARE YOU DRUNK????? It is like comparing a year-old Halloween Baby Ruth to the Great Wall of Chocolate from PF CHANGS! No comparison.

Since we had such a great turn-out at the polls, I have another question....coming soon!

Tish's Top Model

2008-12-01T13:29:00.014-07:00

My friend and personal artist (grin), Kim, agreed to give up her Saturday painting time to let me practice photography on her. She was game for anything I suggested, she held still (unlike M) and actually smiled (unlike Scott), so she has stolen the spot as my favorite model!

This is my very favorite shot of the day because I think she looks so beautiful and this photo is straight out of the camera...so no retouching! She is just that gorgeous!

For my online class we are practicing post processing in Lightroom, a great but intimidating tool, so I gave some of the other shots some heavy Lightroom lovin'. Thankfully, since Kim is an artist, she's not scared of a little SHA-ZAAAM!

This is from M's Jesus Storybook Bible, a paraphrase of John 1:12-13:

For anyone who says yes to Jesus
For anyone who believes what Jesus said
For anyone who will just reach out to take it
Then God will give them this wonderful gift:

To be born into a whole new Life
To be who they really are
Who God always made them to be -
Their own true selves -
God's dear Child.

And this is from me: Today, if I could just reach through my computer screen, take your precious face in my hands, I would look into your eyes and tell you, "God is crazy in love with you...let Him love you."