She's A Talker

It seems as though E is quite developed in her language for a 22-month-old. She has a pretty extensive vocabulary and can use it very proficiently not only to name things she sees but to also recall and request things that she doesn't see but apparently wants to have. The more she is able to say, the easier it is for me to meet her needs and the more we can actually communicate - so I'm definitely loving the jabber.

Aside from the many English words she knows, she also has lots of "E" words. She flows freely between using both languages, even changing mid-conversation. I caught this video just a few nights ago by hiding the video camera in her room when I put her down for bed.

(Obviously, though, I didn't hide it quite well enough. When I went back in the room later to retrieve the camera, I had to turn on the hall light to help find it. E had figured out where it was, took it, climbed back into bed with it, and was clutching it tightly to her chest...fast asleep.)

A Kitten for a Day

On Sunday night, the cutest little kitten walked right up onto our front porch and practically came inside our house, directly behind our 95-lb dog. It was apparently too hungry to be concerned about its life, so I fed it a little tuna we had in our cabinet.

I really don't know what I was thinking. I don't really like cats, not even when they're cute little kittens.

To top it all off (and prove that I had truly lost my brain), I thought it might be fun to keep the little furball around, especially if it tolerated our canine family member. So I ran out to grab a few "cat" things from Walmart, and it slept peaceably in the bathroom Sunday night.

When E woke up the next morning - my brain still temporarily on vacation - I showed her the kitten. I decided that it needed a bath before she would be able to play with it. By the way, kittens - when they are wet - are NOT cute.

My brain finally returned on Monday afternoon, and I realized that though I wanted the kitten to survive (which was really the initial instinct that moved in and kicked out my brain), I really did not have an affinity for it and certainly had not budgeted to be able to take care of an additional pet this year. So...we gave it and all it's paraphernalia to the kids next door. Though the mom approved of the transfer before I allowed them to take the kitten, I really don't think she was all that appreciative of my kind gesture to provide food, water bowl, litter box and toys, since those things meant that the cat also came with it.

Today, when E got home, we went all around the house, "looking" in all the rooms, and calling, "C'mere, kitty kitty." I assured her that the kitty went home to find his mommy and that maybe one day it will come back and play with us again. I have a sneaky suspicion, though, that we may be budgeting for a kitty of our own in the future...

Foolish "Wisdom"

I've been tossing around some thoughts about wisdom and foolishness for a few days now, and just yesterday morning, my husband and I had a moment to sit down and talk through some of these things.

I'm a very logical, black and white person in most cases, especially when it comes to morality, and I don't always value my husband's point of view the way that I know would honor God. I'm working on it - the challenge lies in the fact that we see through severely different lenses, not because I intentionally mean to disrespect him. Not only do I want to change, I need to change - I'm certain one of the reasons that God brought us together is so that I can conform more to Christ by learning to value others' viewpoints.

So I was thinking about wisdom and foolishness. Thinking that I could name quite a few times when I felt L was making a foolish decision (and I - because I am more logical by nature - was able to see the folly in it). Remembering how I thought I was simply doing him a favor and helping him to be more wise - more "Christ-like" - by offering my point of view to him.

This morning I felt God's spirit prompting me to see a third point of view - one I had not ever considered.

Proverbs 1:7 says, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." Not logic. My kind of wisdom (logic) becomes hypocrisy if I try to pass it off as Godly wisdom. I cannot tell my husband that he did not make a wise decision simply because it wasn't logical, because wisdom doesn't begin with logic - wisdom begins with fearing God.

Simply put: when we make a decision based off our own point of view without seeking God first, no matter what the outcome, we are not making a wise choice. We may be making a logical choice, an informed choice, an easy choice, a sacrificial choice, a difficult choice - but it cannot be wise unless it is a choice rooted in the will and the Word of God.

Look, Mama! It's Raining!

It's the second day of beautiful fall sunshine here in the South. After a week's worth of muggy, hard rain and lots of associated damage, I think everyone is welcoming the change. E and I have had a lot of conversations about the rain these past several days.

I walked into the room today just as E was saying, "Look, Mama! It's raining!" - only to find her half-dressed, peeing all over the floor.

To which I could only reply, "Yes, baby, it sure is."

In the Kitchen

I'm not an especially good cook. My husband is actually the more adventurous cook between the two of us. I usually stick to the "tried and true, easy to do" stuff, well, for the obvious reasons.

I got a recipe from a friend of mine, M, a few weeks ago, and our little family has enjoyed it immensely. It's so simple, so delicious, and has now been approved by three separate generations - E eats almost as big of a helping as I do.

So enjoy! Thanks M - this is really one of my favorite recipes ever!!!


*Crock-Pot Chicken Nachos*

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 can black beans
1 can corn
3 cans Rotel (drain 2 of the cans)
1 pkg cream cheese
Tortilla chips
Lettuce
Salsa
Sour Cream
Shredded Cheese
Guacamole

Put the first four ingredients in the crock pot. Cook on high for 4-6 hours or on low for 8-10 hours. 30 minutes before eating, chop up cream cheese over the top. When ready to serve, break apart chicken and mix everything together with forks. Serve on top of chips with toppings as desired. Serves 6-8. (We like to use leftovers to make quesadillas!)

A Day At Home

Today E and I stayed in our PJ's until 4:30pm - definitely a record for us. A combination of the rain outside, some good books, and the impending fall weather made for a really lazy Saturday. It was a blast - I really cannot remember the last time we haven't had to be somewhere all day.

I'm trying to be strategic about giving E the gift of being secure with "alone" time. Today was a good opportunity for that, seeing as how she and I were home alone, and I had a really good book that I wanted to spend some time in.

So, I sat her down on the couch next to me, picked out a stack of books that I figured were likely to grab her attention for oh...maybe...3 minutes, and then sat down next to her with my novel. She picked out the first book, opened it up on her lap next to me, and I starting smiling to myself, proud of what a great idea I had just had.

THEN she started "reading." Out loud. With the loudest voice she could manage, she was literally shouting the words she made up as she flipped through the pages. It took about thirty seconds before I totally lost my composure. She read that way for about three minutes before moving on to something else. I wish I'd had a video, but the moment was literally over before I could even think about it.

Oh well. Maybe next time, we'll work on reading silently. ;)

Eternity

I've been thinking a lot lately about E's eternity, and what all I can and must do to ensure that she chooses eternity with the God that I have come to know and believe and trust in and love. There is a small part of me that wants to believe that I have this kind of control...that I can do something - everything - right and thereby know that she will become a Christian.

But I don't have this control.

I don't.

And furthermore - I don't (in the end) really want it.

For what if I did? What if I had the power to ensure that someone would choose Christ and then I (because I am a self-loving human who doesn't always do the right thing) chose not to do what was necessary to bring a person to know Christ because it was tougher than I expected. If it was really up to me, how often would I fail? And if my failure damned them for eternity, how in the world could I myself then be worthy of eternal salvation?

Only our God has the power...praise Him!!! He alone is the One able to call our souls out of the death that sin caused. He alone is the One who extends grace, the One whom we are unable to resist when our souls hear his call. As a mom, my responsibility to E is not to do enough to save her, but to love my God wholly and completely before her each and every day, modeling for her all that Christ offers to us in God through his perfect sacrifice for all mankind. When I succeed at times, she gets a greater picture of our Holy God. When I fail, she understands the grace extended to us through the gospel of Jesus Christ. Amen!!!

Shepherding

For the past two days, I have been privileged to sit under the teaching and grace of two giants of the faith, Dr. Tedd and Mrs. Margy Tripp, authors of Shepherding a Child's Heart and Instructing a Child's Heart. The powerful message that they brought about raising a child with a Godward heart, who loves and fears and knows the Lord, was solidly supported by the fact that these two individuals quite obviously loved and feared and knew the Lord and his Word themselves.

Any parent desiring to have a child who understands that this life is all about the gospel of Jesus Christ that God ordained for his beloved ones should definitely take a look at these books. Straight from the words of their mouths, "these books were formed and eventually written after we struggled as parents to give the gift of a relationship with God - through knowing His perfect Law - to our children without bending to the hypocrisy of legalism." If you can unpack all that...you'll say "Wow" - trust me.

Stayed tuned, too...Mrs. Margy is currently working on a book entitled, "What If It's Too Late?" directed toward parents who have teenage or grown children who are rebelling against the Lord or who simply just do not see the value in living to please our Holy God. If it's anything like I'm suspecting, it's going to be an awesome resource that, in the end, reminds a parent that it's never too late to turn toward your child with a humble and forgiving spirit, living out for your child both the Perfect Law and Perfect Grace offered in a relationship with Christ Jesus.

Twenty Four Important Words

I was wrong.
You were right.
I'm sorry.

I won't do that again.
Please forgive me.
(I forgive you)
I love you.
Thank you.

Source: Nathan & Jane Phillips

Battlefield Ministries, Inc.

The Choir

I love going to a church with a choir, for the simple reason that I love watching people truly worship. Nothing gets me more excited about how awesome our God is than to watch other people truly celebrate it, live it, feel it, until it overflows so much that I can’t help but catch that feeling too. It’s incredible.

I had that experience this past Sunday at my grandparents’ church. One man in the choir who I just knew was singing solely for His Creator God. I would glimpse up at him during the singing just to peek at God being glorified. It felt a little taboo, but I just couldn’t help it.

Then, right before the preacher came up, this same man from the choir walked on the main stage and grabbed a microphone. And I sat on the edge of my chair in anticipation. To be honest, he didn’t have a voice like Frank Sinatra. And the sound system wasn’t stellar, so when he hit a note really loud, it kind of made you jump in your chair out of shock. But I swear to you – he believed every single word he sang. It was so real, and so focused on Jesus, that all you could do was think about Jesus too.

I love it when choir members “get it” that they are like the angels that are in heaven forever praising God. That they go before us to the throne, and reflect the glory of God in their faces so that we, the congregation members – who woke up late, dropped pancake batter on the floor, let the dog clean it up, realized too late that their clothes needed to be ironed, then showed up at church with a child without shoes on – can be ushered in the presence of God where we are able to leave behind all that other stuff and just focus on Him.

My Sister and Me

I've mentioned before how incredibly different my sister and I are. Just the other day, I was trying to explain to someone who didn't know my sister just how great she really is. The conversation went something like this:

Me: "Oh my sister? She's awesome, a really nice person. We are polar opposites, but I love her."

C: "What is she doing now?"

Me: "She's doing an internship at I.H.O.P. in Atlanta. I'm not quite sure all that it entails, but I know that she's taking some classes and has several hours a day where she is at the church in the prayer room, praying for specific needs both here and abroad."

C: "Wow, she sounds like a really cool girl."

(Awkward pause in conversation)

C: "I'm just wondering though. You said you guys were polar opposites, then you said that she was really nice and prays a lot."

True, true. I really wish I were a lot more like my sister sometimes!!

(By the way, Aunt K, we miss you!!!)

Maw and Paw - Double Take

E and I stole away again to Mawmaw and Pawpaw's house, this time with Nana. It's been fun seeing how easily she got back into cadence with them.

There's no internet service here at the house, but we're going to try to make it to the local library tomorrow for an outing. Maybe we'll have a fun video to post by then!

The Terrible Two's

Thinking of this makes me laugh. Out loud. I love this age - it is far from terrible. Granted, she's not quite two yet, and I'm sure I've definitely got more attitude coming my way, but to be honest - I am now in a place where I am humored 24/7 by a three foot tall mongrel. And I love it.

Today, I am noticing that more and more "two-ish" behaviors have emerged in my little one. In order, starting with my favorite, they are:

1) Repeating everything I'm saying. Even the not-so-great stuff. The other day, after knocking over a stack of magazines, she looks at them, looks up at me and says, "Crap." That one I'm blaming exclusively on her father, though. ;)

2) Whole-body tantrums. It's as if their little bodies are not yet big enough to hem in the great emotion they feel when something doesn't go their way, and in an effort to communicate this overwhelming surge of energy, they must fall to the floor and flail like a balloon that has been untied, yet with lots of air still inside. Hysterically funny to me. Not a good idea to laugh, though. Trust me.

3) Clothing preferences. The inability to communicate this one usually leads to #2 above. We had one this morning over jeans (Anybody in need of size 18-24 month jeans? 'Cause we're not wearing them here). We had one the other morning over shoes (Anybody in need of size 6 tennis shoes? Only Crocs here, folks).

4) Obsession with the lovie. Until now, it's just been a prop. Now it's an "I've got to have it or I die" thing. Totally and completely annoying, and is testing this mama's patience more than any of the above behaviors. They nearly ended up in the trash the other day, if not for the saving grace of E's Nana. They might yet still make their way there, though...

Sin is sin is sin is sin...

If you are anything like me, this is how the Celebrity/Media world has played out for you the past few days:

-I didn't watch the Music Awards the other night. I don't have cable. I don't know that I would've watched it if I did.

-Heard about the whole Kanye West thing through Facebook, my "reliable" source of media nowadays. Read everybody's comments about what a jerk he was. Thought, "That's probably true."

-Heard about it a little more on the radio. Decided I was glad I don't watch TV, and even more glad that I'm not the type of person to get caught up in caring enough about those kinds of things to write about it on my Facebook page.

-Read this. Embarrassingly convicted of my crazy, self-worshipping pride.

-Posted on my blog about Kanye West...which is infinitely worse than posting it on my Facebook page.

Ahh, the Romance

On Sunday night, my husband and I stole away once again for a date night, this time to do some elements at a ropes course...his ropes course, in fact. Many of our friends think that because my husband is a Ropes Course Instructor Extraordinaire, that I must have climbed every tree out there. Not true. Not even a little bit.

I screamed - an unstoppable and unexpected scream - when he cut us loose on the giant dual swing. It was exhilarating and terrifying all at the same time. The second element was a 40-ft telephone pole that you climbed and stood on the top of...blindfolded, with only the help of your partner's voice. It was an awesome step outside of the norm for me, and some sweet cleaving time with my man. He truly is the one for me.

Later that night, instead of the cuddling we might have otherwise been doing, I stayed awake until 4 am throwing up the popcorn, m&m's and diet coke that I'd snacked on at the course. And my knight in shining armor became the sleepy, half-dressed butler standing in the bathroom door with a cup of water in his hand. If only you could've seen the (exact same) looks on my husband's and my dog's face after I woke them up for the fourth time with my late-night activities. It certainly was a moment of humor in the midst of the torment.

We survived, nobody else caught it (miracle!!), and we live to tell another story of this life as we know it...

A Love For Reading

It's soooo easy to let the TV be a free babysitter. This fact alone is one of the top three reasons we don't have cable TV in our house. It's just too tempting. Still though, we have movies galore, and E is a huge fan of anything Disney. So the temptation is still great to let the film roll while I do laundry, wash dishes, read a book - everything is easier uninterrupted.

Truth is, though, I want to establish a love for reading in E. Not only is it educational, but it's also one of the primary ways that we are able to get to know our God - so it's a rather important skill to have.

Her favorite book so far is Dr. Seuss' "Hop on Pop." She's now asking for it by name, and is starting to "read" a few of the memorized pages. I've been trying to catch this on video for a few weeks now!

Blogger World

I'm enjoying this new blogging phase of life. It's given me accountability to do something I've always wanted to do but never made time for, which is documenting the really great stuff in life.

It all started with my friend G recommending that if I only read one blog ever, I needed to read this one. So one morning, I made a cup of coffee, got E's video started, opened up my laptop to do a bit of Facebook browsing, and decided to check out what "JMom" had written for the day.........and two videos, three cups of coffee, a box of Kleenex, and an hour later, E peeled me away from the computer screen, back into our world and to the life that was happening right before my eyes.

It took me about eight months to gather up the nerve to venture out onto my own blog. I'm a perfectionist, Type A personality to the core, so I stood frozen on the cliff for a long time, trying to think about the perfect way to jump. It's a little nerve-racking knowing that somebody else is going to be reading your mind, literally. Especially when I'm quite comfortable with the fact that, up to this point, I've been described as someone who's pretty hard to read, even by my husband at times. It's a sobering place to be, for sure.

For all of you out there who are getting to know me and our little family by way of the world wide web, welcome. My theology may be a little "off" at times, but only because I have the handicap of peering at a great, big, infinite God through a teeny, tiny, finite pair of human eyes - not because I am intending to fit him inside my own little box. I hope you enjoy the glimpses into our lives, but even more, I hope you are encouraged to get to know this God that offers us the joy and the hope that gives our lives meaning.

To Meet a Lion

I think we all have a desire to be safe - free from harm, danger, risk, difficulty, hurt, loss, controversy or contradiction. It's probably honestly one of the things I value most in my life, and - I'm realizing - the one thing that I consistently choose over obedience to Christ.

I'm being blatantly confronted with just how much I truly value safety in my life, and how paralyzed I am by unsafety. The possibility of being unsafe quickens me to fear, to anxiety, to negative thinking, and many other self-defeating thoughts. I run away from people who, for one reason or another, have presented themselves unsafe by my standards, and I avoid danger and risk, hurt and loss at whatever cost to my spiritual and emotional growth.

In the midst of these battles, I am reminded of a passage from C.S. Lewis’ children’s book, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, which tells of the adventures of four children in the magical kingdom of Narnia. Jesus is represented by the lion Aslan. When in Narnia, the children meet Mr. and Mrs. Beaver, who describe the mighty lion to them.

“Is he a man?” asked Lucy.

“Aslan a man!” said Mr. Beaver sternly. Certainly not. I tell you he is King of the wood and the Son of the great emperor-beyond- the-sea. Don’t you know who is the King of the Beasts? Aslan is a lion – the Lion, the great lion.”

“Ooh!” said Susan, “I’d thought he was a man. Is he – quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion.”

“That you will, dearie, and no mistake,” said Mrs. Beaver; “if there’s anyone who can appear before Aslan without their knees knocking, they’re either braver than most or else just silly.”

“Then he isn’t safe?” said Lucy.

“Safe?” said Mr. Beaver; “don’t you hear what Mrs. Beaver tells you? Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.”

It's terrifying to consider giving up my safety in order to approach the throne of the One Who is worthy of my praise. I don't want to lose everything I have. I don't want to risk injury to my physical or emotional being. I don't want to die. I don't want to be made a fool in front of others. I want God to guard me, to guarantee my security, to bless me, to be my personal bodyguard, my Santa Claus, my child's round-the-clock healer and babysitter.

I want the promise of Matthew 6:33 without the sacrifice first required. "Seek Me first, dear one...." And I'm met with the question, "Which do I value and trust more: His eternal goodness or my ephemeral security?"

Triathlon: Season 2

Today our family closed the book on Chapter 2 of Triathlons for my husband. It was a successful year for him, and I am very proud of his accomplishments. My typically easy-going guy has become quite competitive and even took a 3rd place finish at one of the Sprints (minus a stray goo pack...a great story if you ever have time to ask him about it). He's got a great team of guys that he trains with, and the races are always a fun family event (though I haven't quite yet figured out how to push a toddler, leash a dog and snap a picture all at the same time - so a big "shout out" to Nana for the extra hands and G for taking extra pictures of my man with her camera!!).

Here are a few shots of my triathlete in action this summer. Looking forward to what next year brings!

John Tanner Sprint

Peachtree City Olympic

Sloppy Floyd Sprint

The Triathlon Crew

WWJD

I don't typically wear Christian tees, I don't have any cross jewelry, and I haven't stuck a family of fish to the bumper of my car. I have many friends that do, though, with very honorable reasons for these actions. I certainly take no issue with those who use these tools as a reminder to themselves the kind of life God calls us to lead - I have a tattoo on my ring finger for the very same reason, so I'd be a hypocrite to suggest otherwise. My challenge sometimes is, however, whether these "treasures" inspire deep heart change or shallow self-focused actions.

Though we can gain a lot by studying the life of Jesus, modeling our lives after his, and serving others the way he did, we will still miss eternal life if we do not commit our hearts completely to him. Our actions must be inspired by a Godward heart, not the other way around. Simply doing the things that Jesus once did will not gain us eternal life, if we have not been bought by his blood. A person striving to do great things "for the benefit of the earth" is simply worshipping the Ruler of this Earth, not returning glory to the God who created the Earth and everything in it.

Jesus was a "good person," no doubt. But this was not his purpose. His purpose was to carry out the mission that God set him on this earth to do. His focus was on God and the step-by-step action of glorifying Him, not on surveying the crowd to see what miracles were available to be performed. His power and His authority to do great and miraculous things came from His total dependence on God the Father, not on His own judgment of the present situation. The cross symbol is valuable to us today first because Jesus hung on it in total submission to the Father and then because through Jesus' obedience God brought salvation to mankind. Through Jesus' complete and total obedient submission to the will of His Father, God is able to offer to me and to you His favor, but throughout the whole process, Jesus only knew His obedience was of far greater value than what He was able to understand.

Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will." ~Matthew 26:39

Father, I am really tempted some days to do things that would allow me to be seen as a "good person," without first stopping to scrutinize Who/who I am doing these things for. As a human, I want to be seen as successful, beautiful, notable, lovable, and trustworthy. As your child, I want to glorify You in everything that I do. Help keep my eyes from shifting away from your gaze, so that I don't start sinking into the waves of this world. I want you to get the glory for everything that you call me to do, whether it is seen favorably by this world or not.

A Real Photo Shoot

This past Monday, we subjected Elle to the mercy of a camera for two hours (which is, by the way, the breaking point for photographing a toddler). Nathan Maloney, a new friend of ours who is easing into the world of portrait photography, snapped away while I changed outfits and scenery and props for two hours straight.

I am SO pleased with the pictures!! They are a perfect representation of her little personality in this stage of life, with the major benefit of a photographer who is thoughtful and artistic with a camera, and totally unafraid to catch a beautiful candid moment. Professional pictures are worth every penny.

We've got some deciding to do before we start ordering, but here is a sneak peek of a few of my favorites.

Fall 2003

In early September of 2003, my dad and I filled my little Nissan Altima to the breaking point, climbed in, and tag-teamed the drive all the way to Colorado Springs, CO (with a little pit stop on the way to visit my grandparents who were motorhoming across the country). We got there, moved my stuff into the 2BR apartment that I would be living in with three strangers for the next 4 months, and I drove him to the airport to catch a plane back home.

I had been accepted to attend a one-semester academic journey into the how's and why's of the Christian life. It absolutely revolutionized the way I view the world, which impacted every sphere of life from family to politics to science to psychology. I was challenged to give an answer for what I believed, why I believed it to be true, and what believing those things meant in day-to-day life.

I never could have possibly imagined the importance of the foundation those few months laid in my life, or the impact that the Institute would have on the way I parent, the movie choices that I make, and the friendships that I have.

If you are/are going to someday be 20-26 years old, if you know someone who is 20-26 years old, if you have a child that will be 20-26 years old at some point (I'm thinking this should cover everybody), you really should check out the Focus Leadership Institute. It's one of those moments in life in which I would have pressed the "pause" button indefinitely just to never stop experiencing the richness and depth of education, community and truth that is totally inescapable at that place.

Biographies

Sometimes when I sift through biographies at a book store, I get a little jealous, wondering what it is that made that person's life so special that someone else would write a whole book about them, then go to the trouble of getting it all published and printed...apparently thinking that many others would also enjoy a glimpse into that person's life for years to come.

I also wonder what motivated the famed characters to lead the kind of life that is "writeable." For some, it's very clear what most ardently inspired them; for others, it almost seems like sheer happenstance that their lives become noteworthy. They weren't intending for fortune or fame, but they were met with it nonetheless.

It's these last characters that most often draw my attention. The unexpected heroes in time. The ones whose lives didn't seem to make much sense when looked at piece by piece, but when woven together through the lens of another, became beautiful, vibrant, awe-inspiring.

Just because we can't always see the purpose in our momentary appearance here on this earth doesn't mean it doesn't exist. Because God is the architect, it is impossible to see this purpose without looking at our lives through His lens, which is impossible to do without knowing Him fully. The closer we draw into His side, the more we seek to know Him, the more He will reveal to us about His purpose and plans for our lives.

For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome. ~Jeremiah 29:11 (Amplified Bible)

Dominion

E is beginning to understand that humans have been given dominion over animals, and is trying to figure out exactly how to carry out that authority with all the creatures that cross her path. She has found, for the most part, that most wild animals, such as squirrels and stray kittens, simply do not come when called. Other animals, such as our own Indiana, come all to quickly to slay her with kisses, even when not called. She has successfully learned to tell him "back" (very seriously, with the finger point and all), and just tonight she tried "popping" him on the nose after watching me do the same a little earlier for a foul he had committed. Truly, she is taking it all in these days.

Just about a week ago, she figured out that if she holds onto his tail while he runs around the house, it's a little like...well...flying. And it's apparently quite fun, too. She begins by calling him, then grabbing his tail, then counting, "One, two....ONE!" And this has become his cue to take off; in some cases trailing her behind him, and in other cases, leaving her sprawled on the floor - but either way, giggling hysterically.

We're working on capturing a video, but until we do - here are a few fun shots of the good times these two have been having together lately, only this time with a leash instead of by the tail.

Moose Tracks

I was making a dessert today which involved Mayfield Moose Tracks ice cream, and had a momentary flashback to a time in my life where things weren't quite so "illuminated" in regards to my future. My then-boyfriend (now-husband) and I were in the aftermath of a really tough break-up, and I was having a tough time getting a handle on what exactly God was doing in my life.

It was late at night, and I was sleepless and in a somber mood, thinking about all that had transpired in the relationship and wondering what in the world was going to happen between us. I went hunting in the dorm for something sweet and stumbled upon a carton of Mayfield Moose Tracks ice cream in the kitchen.

It wasn't mine, but it was perfect. I took it back to the Commons area, sat in the middle of the couch, turned on a really sappy movie, ate all the peanut butter cups out of the ice cream and cried until I had no more tears left. Then I put the leftover ice cream (with no peanut butter cups left) back into the freezer. It was a totally heathen thing to do, and I never confessed to the true owner of the ice cream. In fact, it's been my secret until now...

I look back on it and wonder just exactly how amused God was at my ridiculously young and immature self. I hope he was laughing at me, sitting in my puddle of tears stuffing my face with Moose Tracks peanut butter cups, wondering if "life would ever be okay again." It's amazing how quickly we humans lose sight of the bigger picture, forgetting that every single piece of broken glass fits into the huge stained-glass window that he is making from our shattered hopes and dreams.

To this day, a carton of Moose Tracks makes me laugh, and reminds me how incredibly BIG our God is. To my friend to once owned a carton of Moose Tracks ice cream with no peanut butter cups...I am truly sorry!!

Happy Days

Last night, I took a MAJOR leap out of my comfort zone, put on a 50's dress, and sang my heart out like the fun-lovin', extroverted June Carter look-alike that I became. Luckily, there were no video cameras, and not many in the crowd that knew me for who I really am, which eased the pressure a teeny tiny bit. My little duet with Johnny Cash kicked off a fun-filled night of 50's karaoke, diner milkshakes, fries, onion rings and Orange Crush (in the bottle!) - it was a blast!

We did manage to get a picture, if only for the sake of remembering the good ol' days!!

"Jessie & the Lawbreaker"
(our official band name)

A Little More Marriage, Please

We've had a very full week, as I look back on it, but it's been full of the goodness of God in the midst of all of our busyness. We've used four babysitters in the past five days - a habit I am definitely not accustomed to! But all in all, God has used this week to stretch our little family just a little bit more, growing us all into who He most certainly intends for us to be.

Tomorrow, my husband and I will enlist a babysitter once again, as we begin the first of an 8-week series focused on strengthening and encouraging marriages in our community. Every Sunday night for the next two months, we are committing to leave E home (with an awesome sitter) in order to prioritize each other and give God an opportunity to deepen our commitment to one another. I'm looking forward to the many ways He is going to both challenge us and bless us in these moments.

Apparently, my post about Marriage vs. Parenting struck a chord with many people in the same boat. I will be the first one to admit that it is sometimes really hard to serve my husband in the way I know that God intends, simply because my intensely strong history of serving myself grabs hold of my heart and head when I am not being intentional about my actions. We all have our struggles; letting my husband know that I respect him, that I admire him, that I am proud of him is simply one of mine.

So I am praying to become a wife of noble character. I am praying that I will be open to my husband's deep pleasure in me. I am praying that I will be responsive to his pursuit of me. I am praying for an ever-increasing love for him. Even more so, I am praying for an increase in all of these things in my relationship with my first love, Jesus Christ, so that I may learn from him all that I want to know more fully in my relationship with my husband.

(Note: This is certainly not a suggestion that our marriage is in crisis. We are so blessed, and he is absolutely without a doubt my best friend in the whole world, a better husband than I could have ever dreamed of, and the perfect dad for E's tender little spirit. I simply have this unexplained burning in my heart that there is more out there for us than what we currently have, and I want it!!!)

Go Dawgs!!!

Glory, glory to old Georgia!
Glory, glory to old Georgia!
Glory, glory to old Georgia!
G-E-O-R-G-I-A.

I'm not really this crazy about anything else ephemeral, but I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE college football season. This year, thanks to a friend, we get to enjoy it baby-cheerleader style! Even better!!!

Confessions about Dollar Bills

Conviction about the way I spend money? Check.

Repentance about the way I spend money? Check.

Prayerful planning about a budget? Check.

Being accountable to a budget? Check.

Getting a little prideful and controlling about the budget? Check...

Conviction about the fact that this is all still God's money? Check...

Reminder that I am SO not in control? Check...

Repentance for my wayward and self-glorifying heart? Check.

Grace for my mistakes? Check.

The incredibly awesome love of a Father who covers a multitude of sins and blesses me beyond my wildest imagination? Absolutely!!!

Faith and Being Faithful

I had a sudden realization today that, in my life, I define faith and being faithful two very different ways, and then it occurred to me how very strange and ironic that fact was. See, I have this tendency, when I say "I have faith in God" to actually mean, "I trust that God is in control." Yet, when I say that "I have been faithful," it always seems to mean that I have done something that honors God (I have been faithful with my tithe, I have been faithful to the ministry that He has called me to, etc., etc.).

Why do I go around with this feeling that being faithful is anything other than being "filled with faith" that what God has began in me, He will carry on to completion until the day of Christ? Because...the Enemy doesn't want me to remember that God has total control and yet is totally for me, even when I can't see it. The Enemy would also love nothing more than for faithfulness to be all about ME. When things go "wrong," the Enemy wants me to look straight at God and say, "Why? How can you do this to me, God, when I've been so faithful?!?"

Hebrews 11, The Message (It's long, but don't miss the last paragraph!!)

Faith in What We Don't See

^1-2The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It's our handle on what we can't see. The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd.

³By faith, we see the world called into existence by God's word, what we see created by what we don't see.

⁴By an act of faith, Abel brought a better sacrifice to God than Cain. It was what he believed, not what he brought, that made the difference. That's what God noticed and approved as righteous. After all these centuries, that belief continues to catch our notice.

^5-6By an act of faith, Enoch skipped death completely. "They looked all over and couldn't find him because God had taken him." We know on the basis of reliable testimony that before he was taken "he pleased God." It's impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him.

⁷By faith, Noah built a ship in the middle of dry land. He was warned about something he couldn't see, and acted on what he was told. The result? His family was saved. His act of faith drew a sharp line between the evil of the unbelieving world and the rightness of the believing world. As a result, Noah became intimate with God.

^8-10By an act of faith, Abraham said yes to God's call to travel to an unknown place that would become his home. When he left he had no idea where he was going. By an act of faith he lived in the country promised him, lived as a stranger camping in tents. Isaac and Jacob did the same, living under the same promise. Abraham did it by keeping his eye on an unseen city with real, eternal foundations—the City designed and built by God.

^11-12By faith, barren Sarah was able to become pregnant, old woman as she was at the time, because she believed the One who made a promise would do what he said. That's how it happened that from one man's dead and shriveled loins there are now people numbering into the millions.

^13-16Each one of these people of faith died not yet having in hand what was promised, but still believing. How did they do it? They saw it way off in the distance, waved their greeting, and accepted the fact that they were transients in this world. People who live this way make it plain that they are looking for their true home. If they were homesick for the old country, they could have gone back any time they wanted. But they were after a far better country than that—heaven country. You can see why God is so proud of them, and has a City waiting for them.

Lord, please help me to be FULL OF FAITH!!

Top Ten Places to Take a Toddler

1. The Pet Store. Yes, the stinky, dirty one that has real dog bones in a crate on the floor at the front of the store. We went by today to get some dog food for Indiana, and completely lost track of time. She went around the store, peering through the glass windows, naming hamsters "rabbits," and lizards "frogs," and trying to tweet like a bird.

2. The Book Store. Free reading material! Plus display toys and train sets - we get hours of entertainment out of this one.

3. The Bakery. Thanks to this one, our downtown street is now affectionately named, "Cookie Street" by E.

4. The Library. Another great place for a free outing, especially on a rainy day. You can even rent movies from the library...who knew?!?

5. A Great Babysitter. We absolutely adore Mrs. T, our 3-days-a-week sitter. She is totally irreplaceable in our hearts, and every morning when we get in the car, E says, "T?" as if to say, "Are we going to Mrs. T's house today?" It's a wonderful feeling to know your child is going to have just as much fun, if not more, at the sitter's house than she would at home with you. I love the confidence that it's built in her to be away from mommy and daddy for periods of time as well.

6. Kindermusik. We're in our third week and LOVING it. E gets the funniest little looks on her face when I sing, as if she's never heard me make those sounds before. Plus it gives me great ideas and props for playing with her during the other days of the week.

7. Walking. Something about the rhythm of walking chills both of us out. She's still and quiet and taking in all of the beauty of God's nature, which gives me a moment without having to meet any demands or come up with anything fun to do besides watch TV. On some days, it's the one moment of quality "me" time that I can manage to get in the midst of a lot of crazy busyness.

8. Inflatables Place. DON'T FORGET YOUR SOCKS!

9. Out to Eat. This one is fun for us, simply because we don't go out all that often. When we do go out to eat, I leave all baby props at home - child-sized utensils, sippy cups, etc. I figure this is a chance to test our family survivor skills.

10. The Park. We're still working on the swing with E - it's strangely terrifying for her at this age. Be prepared to get your own exercise in as well!

These are some of our favorite places to go! What's yours?