Saturday, October 30, 2010
the one with awkward photos
Spent some amazing time last night laughing with my man on the couch. What were we laughing at? Awkwardfamilyphotos.com. Enjoy.
Friday, October 29, 2010
the one where I complain
I should not complain. I have no reason to, and let's face it, nobody likes complainers. Plus, this little girl is in my life, so really, complaining is ridiculous.
So I won't complain. I'll just tell you plainly that my life is too busy, I am too tired, and I have too much to do. I feel like I just may snap soon. I really need this first trimester exhaustion to be over.
Sorry for the lack of posts, just know that it's not because I don't love you or that I don't have interesting things to say. It's because I'm struggling to make it all happen these days.
So I won't complain. I'll just tell you plainly that my life is too busy, I am too tired, and I have too much to do. I feel like I just may snap soon. I really need this first trimester exhaustion to be over.
Sorry for the lack of posts, just know that it's not because I don't love you or that I don't have interesting things to say. It's because I'm struggling to make it all happen these days.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
the one about tv
So, if you know me well, you know we don't watch TV. I have to phrase that carefully, because we actually own a TV (it's too old to even pick up the basic channels, we got it for CB to be able to watch Baby Einstein) and because I do watch some select TV shows online (Biggest Loser and Community are my faves). But, all in all, I have relatively low exposure to television. We are super intentional about this. I could probably write a novel about why I hate TV, but I'll just stick to the top two things I hate:
1. It is an abundance of images and stories of things that are opponents of God
2. and thus, I am ashamed of how much I enjoy it.
Just read a GREAT article about TV. I really hope you'll read it. If not, here's my little favorite snippet:
"But when we get immersed in things like the Tiger scandal and reality shows that highlight and glorify our basest instincts (and our narcissism), when we're infatuated by the intimate details about the lives of celebrities (and pseudo-celebrities), we're like kids playing in a dumpster. Sure, it might be entertaining. It might be fun. But in the end, we end up covered in filth."
1. It is an abundance of images and stories of things that are opponents of God
2. and thus, I am ashamed of how much I enjoy it.
Just read a GREAT article about TV. I really hope you'll read it. If not, here's my little favorite snippet:
"But when we get immersed in things like the Tiger scandal and reality shows that highlight and glorify our basest instincts (and our narcissism), when we're infatuated by the intimate details about the lives of celebrities (and pseudo-celebrities), we're like kids playing in a dumpster. Sure, it might be entertaining. It might be fun. But in the end, we end up covered in filth."
Monday, October 18, 2010
the one about my weekend
I'm sure you don't care, but we had a rough weekend.
Friday: Adam worked till 9. Came home and we worked hard to get packed and ready for the weekend.
Saturday: drove to Troy. hung out with friends. went to sleep. Around 4 am, CB's little front tooth came ripping through her gums and she screamed bloody murder for two hours, then was sad and fussy for another hour or so. awesome.
Sunday: CB wakes up 6 am. we get cleaned up and drive to Birmingham. I forgot Sunday clothes, so I teach college SS in my awesome Troy St shirt I wore the day before. eat lunch at church. leave for Alex city for Adam's Pa's bday party. Adam gets the time messed up, party starts at 2, we're planning to get there at 2:30. We get lost in Alex City. Arrive at party at 2:50. drive home. CB is tired of car seat, screams last portion of trip.
went to bed at 8:30.
8 hours of driving, screaming baby, too little sleep. not going to repeat that weekend anytime soon!
Friday: Adam worked till 9. Came home and we worked hard to get packed and ready for the weekend.
Saturday: drove to Troy. hung out with friends. went to sleep. Around 4 am, CB's little front tooth came ripping through her gums and she screamed bloody murder for two hours, then was sad and fussy for another hour or so. awesome.
Sunday: CB wakes up 6 am. we get cleaned up and drive to Birmingham. I forgot Sunday clothes, so I teach college SS in my awesome Troy St shirt I wore the day before. eat lunch at church. leave for Alex city for Adam's Pa's bday party. Adam gets the time messed up, party starts at 2, we're planning to get there at 2:30. We get lost in Alex City. Arrive at party at 2:50. drive home. CB is tired of car seat, screams last portion of trip.
went to bed at 8:30.
8 hours of driving, screaming baby, too little sleep. not going to repeat that weekend anytime soon!
the one that's not so cute
remember these super fun posts when I was making my own baby food and it was all colorful and precious?
things are not so cute anymore.
I've started making Chloe Belle turkey. It was not fun to puree, it is not cute, and she hates the way it tastes. Who knows? Maybe after all these awesome vegetables, Chloe Belle has decided to become a vegetarian.
things are not so cute anymore.
I've started making Chloe Belle turkey. It was not fun to puree, it is not cute, and she hates the way it tastes. Who knows? Maybe after all these awesome vegetables, Chloe Belle has decided to become a vegetarian.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Sunday, October 10, 2010
the one when I reflect
Today was Chloe Belle's baby dedication at church. It was a really important moment for us as parents. I've been a bit consumed with thinking about this whole adventure in parenting lately, so I thought I'd put it all down in words here for you [whoever you are that's reading this...]
Thursday night was the parent dinner for the ones dedicating babies. A couple in our church, who I personally don't know at all but who are very well respected, shared with us some thoughts about parenting. One thing the momma said burned into my heart. "One unbreakable law of parenting is this: parents reproduce themselves." She them showed a picture of her mother, her oldest daughter, and her oldest girl grandchild. She showed how they had the same hair, skin, and nose. Physical characteristics though, are the least of what we pass down. She asked how we would feel if someone said of our children, "she has her mother's faith, her father's obedience" or how about "she inherited her mother's sins"...
Certainly I have spent a great deal of the last 9 months concerned about parenting Chloe's sleep schedules, starting training her in obedience, and making sure she is stimulated correctly to help facilitate learning. But what is a constant weight on me is her little heart and her precious soul. I want nothing more than to lovingly guide her in a walk with Christ. I want her to love, obey, and enjoy Him all her days. And what weighs upon me the most is that she will look to me to understand not only how to have a relationship with God, but she will look to me to understand His very nature. My grace will teach her about His grace. My righteousness will be a lesson on His. My faith will be there for her to imitate.
Honestly, this overwhelmed me. I couldn't stop thinking about it. Then I met with God on Friday. I love how He always meets me at my need!!! I've been studying the Patriarchs for the past 4 months or so because we're teaching the Patriarchs at Worship + Study this semester. Friday I dug into Genesis 26 and looked at Isaac and how he reflected his earthly father. Isaac committed the same stupid sin that had gotten Abraham in such trouble twice in his life [they both lied about the identity of their wives]. I was overcome at how Isaac didn't just inherit his father's radical faith, but his sin as well.
I realized that my life will laid bare before my children. They will see my triumphs and my failures. But I left those moments with God no longer overwhelmed by this reality, but encouraged. Because despite how depraved and fallen my life and my sins can be, I serve a God who is capable of redeeming me. Not just redeeming my soul unto salvation, but redeeming my character flaws, my habitual sins, and my deeply ingrained rebellion. And not only can He do this for me, but He is capable for my children as well! My sin will not overwhelm me; instead I choose to be overwhelmed by the transforming grace of my God!
Praise God for entrusting me with this precious life, and for constantly teaching me more about Himself in the process. He is so very very good.
Thursday night was the parent dinner for the ones dedicating babies. A couple in our church, who I personally don't know at all but who are very well respected, shared with us some thoughts about parenting. One thing the momma said burned into my heart. "One unbreakable law of parenting is this: parents reproduce themselves." She them showed a picture of her mother, her oldest daughter, and her oldest girl grandchild. She showed how they had the same hair, skin, and nose. Physical characteristics though, are the least of what we pass down. She asked how we would feel if someone said of our children, "she has her mother's faith, her father's obedience" or how about "she inherited her mother's sins"...
Certainly I have spent a great deal of the last 9 months concerned about parenting Chloe's sleep schedules, starting training her in obedience, and making sure she is stimulated correctly to help facilitate learning. But what is a constant weight on me is her little heart and her precious soul. I want nothing more than to lovingly guide her in a walk with Christ. I want her to love, obey, and enjoy Him all her days. And what weighs upon me the most is that she will look to me to understand not only how to have a relationship with God, but she will look to me to understand His very nature. My grace will teach her about His grace. My righteousness will be a lesson on His. My faith will be there for her to imitate.
Honestly, this overwhelmed me. I couldn't stop thinking about it. Then I met with God on Friday. I love how He always meets me at my need!!! I've been studying the Patriarchs for the past 4 months or so because we're teaching the Patriarchs at Worship + Study this semester. Friday I dug into Genesis 26 and looked at Isaac and how he reflected his earthly father. Isaac committed the same stupid sin that had gotten Abraham in such trouble twice in his life [they both lied about the identity of their wives]. I was overcome at how Isaac didn't just inherit his father's radical faith, but his sin as well.
I realized that my life will laid bare before my children. They will see my triumphs and my failures. But I left those moments with God no longer overwhelmed by this reality, but encouraged. Because despite how depraved and fallen my life and my sins can be, I serve a God who is capable of redeeming me. Not just redeeming my soul unto salvation, but redeeming my character flaws, my habitual sins, and my deeply ingrained rebellion. And not only can He do this for me, but He is capable for my children as well! My sin will not overwhelm me; instead I choose to be overwhelmed by the transforming grace of my God!
Praise God for entrusting me with this precious life, and for constantly teaching me more about Himself in the process. He is so very very good.
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Thursday, October 7, 2010
the one about Kara and Jesus
I wasn't feeling so great last night at Worship + Study. I was just sitting in my seat quietly during the worship time. I looked around me and saw college students praising God with wholehearted devotion and bent over in their seats in fervrent prayer. Students were either focused soley on God or drawn in focusing on themselves. Then I looked to my right at the girl who sat one seat down from me. I love this girl. LOVE her. Next Wednesday will be the one year anniversary of her mother's death. She was neither lost in worship or deep in prayer. She was staring blankly at the chair in front of her. Immediately I was broken over the pain and grief that seemed to be draped around her like a cloak.
I thought about the body of Christ. So often we come together for worship and get lost. Lost in the Lord, lost in our own hurt, pain, and needs. And we don't look around at the people surrounding us and feel their hurts, pains, and needs. I was ashamed of myself. Ashamed at how me-focused my walk with Christ can be. Ashamed at all that I do not see.
Then Bobby began to sing a new song:
Although I may be blind to the pain and grief around me, my gracious and intimate Father is not. He sees the hurting, He pursues the grieving, and He makes the broken whole.
I thought about the body of Christ. So often we come together for worship and get lost. Lost in the Lord, lost in our own hurt, pain, and needs. And we don't look around at the people surrounding us and feel their hurts, pains, and needs. I was ashamed of myself. Ashamed at how me-focused my walk with Christ can be. Ashamed at all that I do not see.
Then Bobby began to sing a new song:
On that day when I see all that You have for me
When I see You face to face there surrounded by Your grace
All my fears swept away in the light of Your embrace
When Your love is all I need and forever I am free
Where the streets are made of gold in Your presence here to hold
Let these songs of heaven rise to You alone
No weeping, no hurt or pain
No suffering, You hold me now
You hold me now
No darkness, no sickening
No hiding, You hold me now
You hold me now
In this life finally stand through my joy and my pain
Knowing there's a greater day there's a hope that never fails
When Your name is lifted high and forever praises last
For the glory of Your name I'll be living for the day
When the world has finally cease; all creation rest in peace
Let these songs of heaven rise to You alone
No weeping, no hurt or pain
No suffering, You hold me now
You hold me now
No darkness, no sickening
No hilding, You hold me now
You hold me now
Although I may be blind to the pain and grief around me, my gracious and intimate Father is not. He sees the hurting, He pursues the grieving, and He makes the broken whole.
Monday, October 4, 2010
the one where I eat
Tonight we went on a little impromptu date because Community Group got canceled last minute, so we still had a babysitter. We went to Johnny Rockets. I'm clearly pregnant. I ate my burger before Adam was halfway finished with his, and then I had completely finished my milkshake [the glass jar and the extra cup they give you] before Adam had even eaten the whip cream off his.
I'm sure people were staring.
I'm sure people were staring.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
the one where you vote
We're not finding out the gender this time around [take it up with Adam] so until he/she pops out, we'll be referring to it as Nugget. But, we're struggling with the girl name. You vote.
If it's a boy: James Walker. No debate on that one.
If it's a girl: Hannah, Anna, Ivy. What d'you think???
If it's a boy: James Walker. No debate on that one.
If it's a girl: Hannah, Anna, Ivy. What d'you think???
the one about family
All the 5 Flowers were together in town last weekend to celebrate Wendi + Shea's marriage at a reception at Barehands. I'd by lying if I didn't say I was totally worn out [emotionally and physically] at the end of it, but it was great to see everybody. Tod came in town with his girlfriend, Kate. It was good to meet her-she seems really fun and totally in love with Tod, which is awesome. The party for Wendi + Shea was tons of fun. Chloe Belle was the most beautiful girl in the room [and the world] and she was dressed up specifically for her aunt weeze-all brown and blue with awesome biker boots on. Good times.
the bride and groom
loves chewing on everything
precious to me.
chloe and aunt weeze
brother, me, and kate
the bride and groom
loves chewing on everything
precious to me.
chloe and aunt weeze
brother, me, and katethe one where I'm back
Hi friends.
So sorry its been three + weeks since I've blogged. Life has been a bit hectic lately. I'll try my best to catch you up on what's been going on.
#1: I'm pregnant!
Crazy, right? We found out on Sept. 3rd and it was a BIG surprise! Adam asked me for about 20 minutes straight, "Are you joking?" I'm 9 weeks on Tuesday. The due date is May 9, although this time around I'll be ready a month early. Here's a precious picture of little CB so excited about her big news:
#2: We've made some big decisions lately. We've decided to stick around Birmingham for the next few years. Adam is going to start working on his Educational Leadership [administration] degree. He's going to start Montevallo in May. It'll take him two years to get the degree, and then the hope would be for him to get an administrative job here in Birmingham.
#3: We're looking for a house here in Birmingham. It's fine for us to stay here where we are paying rent, and we just might do that. However, we'd like to be in the Hoover/Vestavia area to be close to our friends and our church. Problem is, we can't afford Hoover/Vestavia. But alas, we're looking around. It's an interesting journey.
#4: Come May I'll officially be a stay at home mom. I'm going to try and soak up each second of this last year with my college girls. It's a surreal idea, staying at home with two kiddos, but I'm looking forward to it.
all for now. more catching up later.
So sorry its been three + weeks since I've blogged. Life has been a bit hectic lately. I'll try my best to catch you up on what's been going on.
#1: I'm pregnant!
Crazy, right? We found out on Sept. 3rd and it was a BIG surprise! Adam asked me for about 20 minutes straight, "Are you joking?" I'm 9 weeks on Tuesday. The due date is May 9, although this time around I'll be ready a month early. Here's a precious picture of little CB so excited about her big news:
#2: We've made some big decisions lately. We've decided to stick around Birmingham for the next few years. Adam is going to start working on his Educational Leadership [administration] degree. He's going to start Montevallo in May. It'll take him two years to get the degree, and then the hope would be for him to get an administrative job here in Birmingham.
#3: We're looking for a house here in Birmingham. It's fine for us to stay here where we are paying rent, and we just might do that. However, we'd like to be in the Hoover/Vestavia area to be close to our friends and our church. Problem is, we can't afford Hoover/Vestavia. But alas, we're looking around. It's an interesting journey.
#4: Come May I'll officially be a stay at home mom. I'm going to try and soak up each second of this last year with my college girls. It's a surreal idea, staying at home with two kiddos, but I'm looking forward to it.
all for now. more catching up later.
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