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...

Julie once told me when I have writers block or whatever that I should at least post pictures of kids. Noted! Gross. Isn't that one of Ben so disturbing?? Did you notice the shadow profile? I love that. LOVE YOU JULIE!!!

Yum.

Our new house is fantabulous. I am loving living here! It's nothing fancy, but I think that's what I like most about it. We are not a fancy family, so we fit right in. Our little neighborhood was built with the intention of being part of Leisure World, which pretty much surrounds us. I'm not sure why it didn't make the cut, but it was left with all the special little features of an old folks home. Like no gas. And light switches that are super low - like Mia low. And ramps for wheelchairs, which makes for some excellent scooter riding. You know what else living in a highly concentrated city of elderly people makes for? Reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeally slooooooooow check out lines at the grocery store. But it also makes for a surplus of grannies chomping at the (toothless) bit to ooo and ahhh over my kiddies while I wait (eons) in said lines. And it give us a chance to practice patience, graciousness, and honoring our elders. Our house has a lovely breeze and lots of beautiful flowe...

I struggle with one of my children who's heart has hardened in some areas. It scares me to see a hardened heart at such a young age! The sin of pride is such a difficult one to uproot and remove, and it breaks my heart to see my little one battling it already. Sometimes the breaking of pride can be very, very painful, and who likes to see their child experience pain? Isaiah 66:2 "... But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word." I wish I could make my child tremble at the word of God! Sometimes it can be so frustrating to say the same thing, over and over again, obviously not getting to the root of the problem. It is my tendency to respond with, "Look at all you have! You are so well provided for! You want for nothing, you have no needs, you are lavishly loved, and all I ask in return is that you trust and obey. Why is that so difficult? Why won't you let me lead you?" I have cried over this many t...

I believe one of Satan's most effective tools to disable The Body is guilt. So frequently I hear people (mom's mostly) mention at some point in the conversation how they're feeling guilty about something. I did a very quick word search in my Bible today of the word 'guilt' and skimmed over every passage that uses that word and my general feeling after I was done was that the guilt of the Bible is not the guilt that people feel when they say things like, "I feel so guilty because I took a shower while my baby sat in the crib and cried." What I gathered, and this is largely the reason why I want to dig in deeper and read more about the topic of guilt, is that the guilt in the Bible is a result of sin. And the guilt one might feel for leaving a crying baby in a crib is not so much guilt as it is a feeling of remorse. BUT, like I said, the search I did on this was very quick and I'm excited to find out more. Here's what I know, and please correct me ...

She REALLY loves me. Love might be an understatement. Obsession comes to mind. So does leech. I know this is a phase, I know it - I know it - I know it. But COME ON girl! I decided to document parts of her day, and by "her" I mean "our". I needed to fold laundry, so she had to sit over here. But got closer. ... and closer VICTORY! (hers, not mine, I know that.) One time I removed her and ran, and came back to this... which she thought was hilarious. I know the right thing to do; the girl needs some hardcore heart training. If another mother came to me with this attachment problem I'd have buckets full of sound, even biblical , advise to nip this baby in the bud. But when it comes to me, and my Mia, it is SO DIFFICULT. I have my reasons (cough cough - excuses - cough cough) but the truth is this little mini-me has me wrapped around her finger. Cus she's just so cute. "...For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the L...

I am sorry about the break from my blog, I didn't mean to make it so long, I didn't mean for there to be a break at all, actually. It's not for lack of material, as I have kids to constantly provide something right? But here's the truth, the honest truth of why I haven't written. I have a friend who just spent 10 days in Uganda with her husband working with Katie Davis and Amazima and spending time with the least of the least. They were bombarded with emotions - and I can't help wondering how they're going to come home and process it all. How does one come back to Orange County and pick up right back where they left off and carry on? Or maybe they won't, maybe they'll be completely different and they'll pack their bags and move to Africa before any of us can say, "How was your trip?" How can I even ask her that question?? Where will she begin? So I haven't been able to write because for nearly two weeks my brain and my heart and ...

Want to know one of the best pieces of advice ever given to me? I will tell you, because I feel like we've gotten closer and because I go on all the time about loving Jesus more and saving the world and you hang with me, so you deserve to be privy to such a treasure as this. First I should tell you that my first real crush was on Prince William. Not this one: This one: When he was young and his sweet mother had just tragically died. I don't even know how i knew about it, but I did and my heart was so heavy for him because I felt like he wasn't going to be able to be sad or happy or anything as long as he was living within the palace walls. So I wrote him a letter, dead serious here, I wrote him and told him that if he ever needed to just "get away" he could come stay with me and my family and I would tell everyone he was an old friend from Mississippi. (How he was going to mask his British accent with a southern drawl was up to him). Needless to say he did not tak...

I don't think I'd consider myself a judgmental person, but I was (thankfully) called out on this recently and it stopped me dead in my tracks. Not only was it judging- it was gossiping, and if there's two things I really don't like it for SURE is judging and gossiping. (Shout out to a good friend who called it when she saw it - LOVE THAT!!) I've been thinking a good deal about this and have come to the conclusion that I've never considered it being judgmental before because I'm super sweet about it. Mmmhmm, sweet like strawberry lemonade on a hot summer day. I say things like, "Her ...* i nsert annoying personality trait *... is not really my favorite thing about her." Or I spin it like it's my problem and say, "It's a challenge for me to like that about him." Or I twist it into something positive (ha!) by saying, "I'd really like to work on not being like that girl." See what I did there? Pretty smooth, eh? NO! It...

I worked in a restaurant years ago (I'm old enough to say "years ago"!) and just about every Friday night a couple would come in and sit at a table for hours. And pretty regularly, just as they were finishing their meal, the husband would take a stroll around the dining room and find the youngest couple in the place and tell us servers that he's got their bill. The man and his wife remembered what it was like to be young, newly married, perhaps with small kids at home, and even though they weren't dripping with money themselves they knew - odds were - they had more money than the young couple. So without ever saying anything to the young couple, the older couple blessed them in such a cool, tangible way. I LOVED being the server of the young couple and getting to tell them their check had been taken care of!!! But I also loved being the server of the older couple because they generously gave without expectation or pride. I am tempted to wallow in the "whoa is...