Oh the Bliss!

It's gonna break his heart one day when he figures out the implications of the word "COUSINS".

It is no surprise that I have to fight to get face time with each of my children, or rather they have to fight to get face time with me. Sometimes it's 6pm and I'll grab a face between my hands and say, "Have I even SEEN you today?" Isn't that sad? I look at my kids all day long. I look at them when I'm helping them pull a shirt over their head, or buckling a bike helmet. I look at them around the dinner table and when I tuck the blankets under their chins bedtime. But do I really see them? It is a conscious decision for me to stop whatever it is I'm doing and turn to my child to answer their question - after I've let them complete the question - while looking them straight in the face, really seeing them. When Ben had his moral interview for his school, over a year ago, one of the habits he showed was this: He fully listened to the questions they asked, and answered them spot on, but kept his eyes on other things, almost like he was too busy to stop

We like to have a chapter book to read to the kids before bedtime. We've done the first three books in the Narnia series, then The Jesus Storybook Bible (which we adored and still read often) and just recently I picked up this little beauty from our church's bookstore, Dangerous Journey: The Story of Pilgrim's Progress. Loving it, loving it! I read Pilgrim's Progress in Jr.High and really enjoyed it, and this version stays true to the original by John Buynan, but in a more concise form. It doesn't shy away from the evil of this world but also beautifully illustrates the (eventual) victory Christians have over evil through Christ our Savior. And did I mention the pictures are gorgeous? They are. If you're looking for something a little heavier to read with your kids, and they love action and adventure stories with a Biblical theme, then pick then check this book out. PS. Compass Bible Church sells the book for a dollar less than Amazon, if you're in the Al

I talk too much. I defend myself when I should be humble. I'm a one-upper, especially when it comes to talking about my kids. I think about what I'm going to say next while barely listening to the person who is still talking. I talk a lot about things I want to do and then do hardly any of them. I misrepresent my God, which is heartbreaking and scary. I hurt people's feelings. I comment on facebook and blogs like it's my job, no really, like it's my duty to put my two cents worth in, like I'm doing people a great service. I'm kinda grossed out by the amount of ME I put out there. It's not about me. It's about Christ, period. And when I talk and talk and talk I take that focus away, and kind of borrow his glory for a moment, and it has got to stop. Proverbs 29:11 A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back. Isaiah 32:17 And the effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust f

"34% OF CHRISTIAN FAMILIES CONSIDER ADOPTING & ONLY 1 % OF CHRISTIAN FAMILIES ACTUALLY DO." (Sarah's reasons) Why we haven't adopted: 1. I'm afraid of what our families will think, say behind my back, or say to my face. And that they'll treat our child differently. 2. Money, or the lack thereof. 3. I'm afraid of feeling isolated as a mother, or like my friends won't feel like they relate so they'll disengage even more (having "a handful" of kids has produced this to some degree already). 4. Am I just being trendy? 5. How does a different ethnicity, adopted child feel in a family full of whites, in a city, county and state full of white people? How will that play out when that child is an adult? Why we will: Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. I John 3:18 Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and

When I first met one of my nearest and dearest friends, Lolly, I very quickly noticed the way she talked about, and talked to, Jesus - all. the. time. I think pretty much anyone who has met her has noticed this sweet little truth about her, she talks like he is her best friend, because he is. Many, many times I would be hanging with her and she'd just start talking with the Lord like He's sitting right there with us. I think she'd say, "And why not? He is, isn't he?" I loved this about Lol. So I started doing it too. And the more I talked with Jesus the more I realized he's not a "One bff" kind of guy, and he became my best friend too. Jesus and I talk all the time, all day long, into the night. We talk a lot because I am a lousy mommy on my own, but with a constant spirit of prayer I get to pull from God's love and strength. It is painfully obvious when I am acting of my own accord. I pray out loud so frequently that my kids will sometimes d

This girl is no different than my other fearless fish. Loving lots of swim time this summer!

Mark and I got away for the night last weekend! It was SO refreshing to just be with him. No agenda, except the fantastic wedding we made it to late Saturday afternoon. We ate when we wanted, what we wanted (without sharing with anyone!) and just breathed and talked and relaxed. I was giddy the entire time. (Thank you to my stellar mom-in-law and Nonny who loved on our kids and kept them alive for 36+ hours!!) We toured Stone Brewery . I've never toured a brewery before, so it was really interesting. The architecture was probably my favorite part. You can guess what Mark's favorite part was... If you're ever in the San Marcos/Escondido area check it out. Free tours + free beer = nice kick off to our get away. :-) Plus they serve their ( locally roasted ) coffee in a french press. Hello! That was awesome. The next morning we ate breakfast at a hole-in-the-wall cafe in old town Carlsbad, it was perfection. I'm so happy that my parents raised me to love and appreciate t

B- "Mom, I need to save my money for ten more years." Me- "Why ten years?" B- "Because then I'll be 16 and can drive and can buy a Corvette." See why a day without luxuries might do us some good?

I keep having this vision of doing "A Day in the Life of..." with my kids. One day, when they least expect it, I want to plan an entire day where we do as much as we can to emulate the life of another family in a poorer culture. Upon waking up we could go for a very long walk that circles back to our house where we will fill and carry jugs of water gotten out of our hose. Instead of walking from the hose back to our house we'll walk the very long walk again. We won't wear shoes. Or turn on the AC. We won't sit on the couch or use the computer or any other electronic devise. We won't snack on teddy grahams or Pirate Booty, we won't snack at all. (For this I will remove all the food from the house.) We will have a mash of lentils and rice for lunch and dinner, and sit on the floor while we eat. We will play with toys that we make out of stuff that we find on our very long walk. I will wear Mia on my back - or maybe Ben will wear Mia on his back? They will na