Colebirds

Smarty Pants

2011-04-06T11:26:00.000-07:00

Asher's vocabulary at 14 months is very impressive (but I'm his mom so everything he does is impressive to me...). I guess all of the days where all we do is read and read some more are showing their fruit!

Mama
Dada
Nana
DooDoo (my sister)
GeGe (Granny)
Tertrude (Gertrude, our dog)
Stinky (cat)
Caleb
Jake
BobBob (Jim Bob)
Hahpah (Harper)
Ellie
Ava
Hannah
outside
hot-ah (hot)
ball
car
truck
hammer
drill
dogdog
cow
duck
block
bear
bird
diaper
swing
bubble
stick
No no
boom boom
Squirt squirt (colloidal silver squirt bottle)
big boy bed
hop on pop (when he wants to get in the Ergo or Boba on Scott's back)
home
shoe
sock
Noonoo (nose)
belly button
bobo (when he wants to nurse)
Peepee
Teetee
Poopoo (he's already pooped in the potty!)
blue
water
beans
chicken
blueberry
strawberry
raspberry (yes, all the berry names sound different!)
banana
Tooper toe (what he calls clementines/oranges...long story)
beef
pea balls (green peas)
kini-kinis (zucchinis)
apple
egg
hummus
poke poke (fork)
spoon
night night
eye ball
Up
cart
noodle
balloon
Hiiiiieeeee (hi)
Hello
Gawgaw (What he calls a phone. No idea why)

From Babycenter:
"At 14 months, your toddler understands many more words than she can say. Her spoken vocabulary likely consists of about three to five words, typically "Mama," "Dada," and one other simple word such as "ball" or "dog," but she learns the meanings of new words every day"

Okay....I'm bragging now. :)

What a little Tooper!! It gets more and more fun...

Pigs Are Flying in the Cole Home

2011-03-25T09:11:00.001-07:00

Most mommies will agree that there is nothing sweeter than snuggling and sleeping with their babes.

2 days old

5 days old

I mean seriously, who would not want to wake up to this??

Some of my most precious memories have been just laying in bed staring at my little miracle. His squishy lips have always been my favorite. I have always had to stay with Asher throughout his naps to keep him asleep, and while I was desperate to be able to get up and get things done at the time, I am SO glad that I stayed and snuggled and stared and soaked up every minute with him. I will always cherish those days.

Fast forward- Asher is 14 months and you will still find a lot of this going on around here:

Nighttime nursing had reached an all time high- 7 or 8 times on average- and no one is getting any sleep. I absolutely love having my sweet boy next to me, but am also seeing how it is starting to wear on our family as a whole (It would also be nice to cut back on the nursing so mommy's fertility will return....). I knew that Asher is not a baby anymore, and that it was time for a little independence. We weren't going to force anything, but I had a mommy-instinct feeling that he was ready.

So one night Scott took him into his room to sleep in his "big boy bed" while he slept on the trundle next to him to help him back to sleep whenever he woke. I expected that night to be a disaster, but it really went pretty smoothly. He woke up around 11 and cried (with Scott holding and comforting him) for 9 minutes and then woke again around 4 and I nursed him. We knew that he was able to understand what "night night" meant and that he could trust us for what was best. We had a brief hiccup while he was teething (worst night ever), but the 4 days since have been PERFECT! He goes down at 8:30, sleeps until 4:30 (!), Scott will bring him in to me to nurse and then take him back and he sleeps until 7:30. PRAISE THE LORD! There was no terrible week of crying and breaking his will. I am so glad that we waited until he was ready and it was such a smooth transition. He will even roll over when he is finished nursing, say "big boy bed" and try to climb up into bed. By the way, we got these Magic Bumpers and they are awesome.

I seriously do not know what to do with all this sleep though. I dream A LOT now and wake up SO zonked because my body is in the restoration phase from the last 14 months of nightly beatings. I sincerely believe that Asher would not be as loving, compassionate, SWEET, and engaging had we forced him into something before he was ready, so every sleepless night was WORTH IT!

I guess my baby is growing up!! Sniff Sniff

(He is walking too:)

One Thousand Gifts Winner!

2011-03-21T09:16:00.001-07:00

Believe me, I would buy you all a copy if I could......but,

Mrs. Brittney Poe!!!
You are the winner!!!

Facebook message me your address and I'll send it your way. So excited for you to get your socks blown off by this book.

So everyone else needs to go read it anyway....and pass it on!

Giveaway!

2011-03-17T14:46:00.000-07:00

There is this book.

One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to live Fully Right Where You Are

It is phenomenal. Beautiful. Poetry. Soul-stirring. Encouraging and challenging and revolutionary.

It will change the way you live, the way you treat others, the way you see God.

I want to give you a copy.

::
‘I walk in our back door to candlelight still flickering, hang the keys on the hook, and look around at the steep mountain of laundry there in the mudroom, the shoes scattered, a coat dropped.

The mudroom sink is grime ringed. Fingerprints smear across the mirror. And I laugh the happiest wonder.

In an afternoon’s drizzle, I give happy thanks for the daily mess with a smile a mile wide, because this is again my chance to wholeheartedly serve God, to do full-bodied eucharisteo with the hands and the heart and the lips.

I can count each task a gift, pure eucharisteo. Grace!

This work—the thousand endless jobs—they each give the opportunity for one to become the gift, a thousand times over!

Because with every one of the thousand, endless jobs, I become the gift to God and to others, because this work is the public God serving, the daily liturgy of thanks, the completing of the Communion service with my service.

While the Deceiver jockeys to dupe us into thinking otherwise, we who are made in the image of God, being formed into Christ’s likeness, our happiness comes, too, not in the having but in the handing over.

Give your life away in exchange for many lives, give away your blessings to multiply blessings, give away so that many might increase, and do it all for the love of God.

I can bless, pour out, be broken and given in our home and the larger world and never fear that there won’t be enough to give. because eucharisteo has taught me to trust that there is always enough God. He has no end. And it is God Himself who serves me as I serve.

He calls us to serve, and it is Him whom we serve, but He, very God, kneels down to serve us as we serve.

The servant-hearted never serve alone.

Serve God alone –spend the whole of your one wild and beautiful life investing in many lives — and God simply will not be outdone. God extravagantly pays back everything we give away and exactly in the currency that is not of this world but the one we yearn for: Joy in Him…

And this eucharisteo wakens me wide-eyed and nodding to the words of Tagore that I, a mother of six, now own, bought with the practice of eucharisteo:

“I slept and dreamt life was joy, I awoke and saw life was service, I acted and, behold, service was joy.”

I reach out and touch the reflection in the splattered mirror over the sink and whisper into those eyes: Yes, today, again, yes, you can bless! Here you can enact eucharisteo; here you can become a current in a river of grace that redeems the world!

Here I can become the blessing, a little life that multiplies joy, making the larger world a better place.

God can be in me, even me, and use these hands, these feet, to be His love, a love that goes on and on and on forever, endless cycle of grace.

I am blessed.
I can bless.
So this is happiness.‘

-Excerpt from One Thousand Gifts by: Ann Voskamp

Leave a comment saying you want it. Share somewhere and leave a comment saying so. Random winner will be chosen.....soon.

Asher's First Zoo Trip

2011-03-06T08:40:00.000-08:00

I had been wanting to take Toop to the zoo for a LONG time, but the weather has been yucky and Scott has been busy with house stuff whenever he has a day off. So when I saw that it was supposed to be beautiful outside, I put my foot down, declared a family day, and we were off! Mommy was more excited than the boys because she used to go to the Ft. Worth zoo all the time when she was little.

We took WAY too much stuff with us

First stop: pink flamingos!

I was so surprised that Ash wasn't scared of the gorillas at all. He gets scared when I sneeze...

I was nervous that the gorilla was going to hit the glass or something and freak him out....

Be one with the monkey

Scott with the chimp I said reminded me of him

"Rhinoceroses snort and snuff...."

**This is the point in the day where I spilled a huge drink all over the camera and video camera. You can see the damage in the pics below...that is until we cleaned the lens**

ELEPHANTS! My favorite part! I thought Asher would be more excited, but he just made the elephant noise over and over. They weren't really doing anything so maybe he didn't know they were real

He thought the giraffes were funny

Eatin lunch. How gorgeous are these boys?

Asher's first choo choo ride. Loved it!

Petting Zoo

Hop on Pop back to the car.

What a fun day! We got a yearly membership so we will be going back a lot! It will be even more fun when Tooper starts walking.....whenever that will be!

Snowflakes

2011-02-04T15:36:00.000-08:00

"That stay on my nose and eyelashes..."

Chubby Baby Wears

2011-02-01T08:56:00.000-08:00

Asher has just recently started to slim out since becoming more active. I'm not gonna lie, I hate to see his squishiness leave. Look at all these rolls!!

At 5 months

Anyway, it has been quite a challenge to find fat-baby-friendly garb....this is why Asher is wearing the same outfit as above in most of his pictures. After a year of searching, I have discovered the brands that just work better for Michelin men (and women) and thought I'd share them in case you are in the same predicament (and I may be mourning the loss of these sweet rolls just a little bit).

Clothes:

I kept Asher in one-piece outfits for as long as possible because all of the pants I found would dig into his gut and make him spit up. My two favorite brands are Zutano and Hanna Andersson. The elastic on Zutano pants is very thin and comfortable- I never had problems with these pants, even at the fattest stage. The CUTEST prints too.

Hanna Andersson's pants are also more generously cut, even for cloth diaper babies. I have had some luck with Gymboree, but their sizing is inconsistent.

Cloth Diaper Covers:

When Asher started sitting up I would always have to undo his diaper cover because it would dig in so much (I used Thirsties and Bummis). If only I had known about Gen-Y covers back then!! I just discovered them recently and LOVE them. They are snap covers so no scratchy velcro and the snaps are at the waist and legs so you can get a great fit. Check out their website here: Gen-Y Diapers. I got some seconds from their outlet and they are in perfect condition.

Shoes:

Asher has very wide and thick feet, pretty much like spheres. He is toying with the idea of walking soon, so I have been looking for some shoes. It's just as hard as finding pants! Even the Robeez are too narrow for him. I did some research and found Bobux. They are similar to Robeez but are cut wider and made from 100% ECOleather (Robeez have some synthetic materials). I love them! They are pricey if you buy them from their website, but I found some brand new ones on eBay for around $8-10 each. He also has some Pedipeds for when we are outside on rough surfaces, but they are still a bit big.
**Go read Dr. Cindy's Blog about the importance of children wearing soft-soled shoes**

I'm going to go kiss on some still-chubby cheeks now. :)

Stream

2011-01-28T18:07:00.000-08:00

Well, Asher turned one on the 15th. I know everyone says this, but where is the time going?? It would make me sad, but every day he is more and more fun! Here are a few pics from his party...we had a bookworm theme because he is OBSESSED with reading!! I love it!

Everyone I know is pregnant. I'm SO ready. In His timing....

We are about to start major renovations on our kitchen. I'm excited. We are replacing the counters and back splash, painting the cabinets, installing a dish washer, building deeper cabinets to hold the dish washer, and new lighting and hardware. It's gonna be awesome. I'm so glad I married Mr. Handyman! This is our inspiration:

Pretty, right? I love white.

So Asher is pretty much the smartest one year old ever. He can:
-make the sound for tiger, elephant, snake, and duck
-say "turtle" "Gerdie" "Stinky" "Duck" "diaper" "shoes" "bye bye" "Hiieee" "Dada" "Mama" "Nana" and I'm sure I'm forgetting something
-I will say a part of one of his books like, "Children, children what do you see?" and he will go and find Brown Bear Brown Bear and bring it to me
-He signs "bird" "all done" and "bobos" (nursing)
-He loves to clap, wave, jump, reach his hands up to the sky, so high! so high! (from one of his books)
-He understands so much more than I realize and he blows me away with the things he responds to.

I've really been trying to get consistent with exercising (gotta get ready for our beach vaca this summer), but with a bum knee and hips/pelvis that are still feeling the punch of birthing a 10lb 9oz baby, it's been a slow and painful start. I've been doing 30 Day Shred...anyone have any other suggestions for something that is lower impact but still effective?

We have been taking Asher to an acupuncturist for his allergies (constant congestion). Scott got great results when he went for his environmental and car allergies so we are hoping Asher will too. It's so hard to have a congested baby who has to nurse to go to sleep. Not fun at all.

So ready for the sunshine and warm weather.

And for little man to start walking so we can spend more time outside and he won't constantly be doing this:

I've been reading One Thousand Gifts and it is rocking me down deep. Please, if you read anything this year (besides the Bible), read this book!!

I'm going to try and start blogging again....we'll see. :)

A Tradition Saved

2010-12-11T13:23:00.000-08:00

In the midst of all of the stress of packing and moving to our new house, Scott failed to secure a load of boxes in the back of a pick-up. This resulted in 23 years plus 3 generations of cherished Christmas ornaments decorating the lanes and shoulder of George Bush Turnpike. To say I was crushed is the understatement of the year. There was not one single box of possessions that meant more to me than that one. My wedding dress could have flown out and been run over 2989 times and it wouldn't have upset me more.
My mom made it a tradition throughout all of our growing-up years to let me and my sisters pick out a Hallmark ornament every year. She let us get whichever one we wanted, even if it was a dumb beaver postman or a dog in a basket for the 100th time. It was so fun to get them out every year and add to our collection. I don't know why we loved it so much; I guess traditions just mean a lot to kids. It's like they feel special knowing that someone cares enough to make lasting memories. Also, a couple of years ago my mom divided up some of her ornaments that she had kept forever along with some that were my Granny's (think beautiful glass globes and vintage stars) and gave them to my sisters and me. You can imagine the display of shattering glass in every sparkling color scattered all over the road.
I was sick when Scott told me. He said that he wasn't going to tell me and write a long letter of apology and give it to me in November. I don't remember when the last time was that I cried so much. Scott circled back around to try and salvage anything, but only found heads. My mom and I also went to the scene of the tragedy and found some squished boxes....SO, it sounds dumb, but I was really not looking forward to putting up a tree this year because I wouldn't have anything to put on it and it would just be a reminder.....

BUT, if you can believe it (and if you know her you can) my mom, the ebay/craigslist/google queen, found some of my old Hallmark ornaments on eBay! Good ole eBay! What a sweet momma I have!

My "Baby's First Christmas"

2nd Christmas- Always one of my favorites. He's fuzzy :)

Another favorite. This one was actually salvaged from the wreckage.

This is one I picked out when I was like 6. It's funny because it's supposed to be a "our new home" ornament. But it's what I wanted!

So now I have some of my favorite childhood ornaments back on the tree! Scott's mom also gave us some of her decorations from when he was little- our tree is filled with memories once more!
Nana also started Tooper out with his own set and got him his "Baby's 1st Christmas". It will be so fun to keep the tradition going!

"Ohhh Mom, I like this! It's heavy and glass...."

"It tastes good too!"

"Okay, give it to mommy"

"But I WANT it!!!"

Oh boy

Fat tears and everything

Mommy's a softie

Parents, don't forget to establish traditions with your kids. It means so much to them.
Thanks for saving our tradition, Mom. I LOVE you!

Birth Slide Show

2010-11-29T14:49:00.000-08:00

I have been inspired by the up-coming births of a few of my friend's babies to finally put some of my pictures into a slide show. It's so fun to look back. What an incredible time! I can't wait to do it again!!

birth - slideshow with music

Day 6

2010-11-04T09:11:00.000-07:00

Day 6 - When your Ipod is on shuffle, what are the first 10 songs it might play.

I'm not quite sure how to answer this. What are my 10 favorite songs? What songs do I listen to the most on my iPod? Because if I pressed shuffle, the songs would be really random and not necessarily ones I even listen to anymore because I have A LOT of music on there. And I'm not going to fess up to listening to O-Town or the Jonas Brothers....what? AND my iPod has been dead for months so I couldn't do it if I wanted to.

So.....here are some songs I like and listen to a lot:

1. Empty Ray Lamontagne

2. Carolina Drama The Racontuers

3. Back to December Taylor Swift (I jumped on this bandwagon way late, but she is so super cute)

4. A Mighty Fortress Christy Knockles

5. Rain Patty Griffin

6. Simple Things Paolo Nutini

7. Lover Derek Webb

8. Right for Me Justin Timberlake (oooohhhhh shoooooooooot)

9. Belle Beauty and the Beast soundtrack

10. Falling Slowly Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova

Ya heard?

Blogging Challenge: Day 5

2010-11-02T12:23:00.000-07:00

Day 5 - Short term goals for this month and dreams for your life ahead.

Goals for the month of November:

1. Plan and host an awesome Thanksgiving family dinner get-together.

2. Get more active: 30 day Shred and maybe join the rec center

3. Finish unpacking (which includes painting furniture to unpack onto/into)

4. Establish a realistic cleaning schedule and stick to it so things don't get out of hand.

5. Simplify wardrobe: only keep the things I wear and make a list of needed staples. I would like to only have 2 pairs of jeans, maybe some cords or khakis or other non-jeans, some long sleeve t-shirts, a few nicer shirts for church, and a black skirt. The end. Simple. Why do I need more than that? It's plenty. Besides, great hair, soft make-up, and well places accessories can make any outfit look good.

6. Have a garage sale.

7. Make ornaments for our Jesse Tree

8. Finally finish doula certification test

9. Pump 50 more ounces for the mother's milk bank

10. Start knitting season!

Dreams for my life ahead:

1. Get pregnant

2. Adopt a little girl from Ethiopia

3. Visit our Compassion children in Nicaragua

4. Finish our home updates

5. Go to England

6. See our children, nieces, and nephews come to know the Lord

7. Start homeschooling

8. Vacation to a beautiful beach somewhere

9. Buy an old Bronco for Scott and the sons to fix up

10. Grow older and more in love, soakin it up with my sssoooouuulllll mate (said like Uncle Rico)

Blogging Challenge: Day 4

2010-11-01T11:49:00.000-07:00

Day 4 - A picture of someone/something that has the biggest impact on you!

Need I say more?

Blogging Challenge: Day 3

2010-10-30T07:26:00.000-07:00

(ssshhhhh, don't tell anyone that I missed posting yesterday. Even a great blogging challenge cannot conjure time from thin air)

Day 3 - A picture of somewhere you have been.

Italy.
aaaaahhhhhh Italy.
Milan, Verona, Venice, Florence, Rome, Ponza.
Italy.

Oh, how I miss you, Italy.

Blogging Challenge

2010-10-26T14:02:00.001-07:00

In effort to get consistent on blogging, I have decided to enter the blogging challenge (thank you Meredith). It gives you a subject every day for 10 days. Sounds easy enough.....

Day 1 - A recent picture of yourself and 15 interesting facts.

1. I spent some of my childhood living in the Middle East- Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi, and Bahrain. It was awesome.

2. I met my husband when I was 14 and married him when I was 19.

3. I LOVE history. I could read historical fiction all day every day. British history is my favorite ranging from the Plantagenet to Stuart era.

4. Asher's name means "happy" and "blessed" in Hebrew. It's funny because Scott's parents almost named him Happy. Kate and Happy Cole. :) I love names and hope to have lots of babies so I can name them (not the only reason).

5. I have a recurring dream that I am battling Voldemort but can't remember any spells besides "STUPIFY". It's so dang scary.

6. Scott and I were very close to moving to Nicaragua. We sold all of our stuff and moved in with my parents to save money. I got pregnant, then lost the baby, and then got pregnant, and then lost the baby, and then got pregnant again. We are still praying about what to do about the calling we have towards the Nicaraguan people. We hope to visit our Compassion children very soon.

7. I love to do laundry.

8. We are going to adopt a little girl from Ethiopia once I turn 25. Scott's company gives a nice contribution towards adoption. It would bring me so much joy if I were able to breastfeed her. I know she won't be a tiny baby, but maybe she will still want to nurse. :)

9. I love tattoos and have one that I am DYING to get on my foot but it's Scott's turn....

10. I wish I had some self-motivation and energy to keep the house more clean and organized. It bothers me so much.

11. I am the bargin shopping queen. I get it from my momma.

12. One of my favorite books and movies of all time is Little Women.

13. I could live on chocolate covered almonds. Dark chocolate, that is...

14. It really bothers me how women dress like prostitutes and then whine that men treat them like one.

15. I am deathly afraid of open water and fish tanks. I cannot swim in the deep end of the pool because I feel like I am in a tank and a shark is about to eat my legs.

Life in Bullets (because it's all I can finish right now!)

2010-10-17T07:42:00.000-07:00

-This is Asher at a park that I used to play at all of the time when I was little. It's so fun to do things with him and take him to the same places that were special to me and stick out in my memories.

-We moved into our new house the first of September. It's been a lot of work, but we love it. Thankfully we are blessed with fantastic family and friends that have been a HUGE help with painting, unpacking, and such. Will post more details soon about our home.

-Asher just turned 9 months old. If you're a mom you can understand when I say, WHERE IS THE TIME GOING?? He is crawling at lightening speeds, pulling up and cruising on everything, and is such a little ham. It's so fun to watch his personality come alive as he is discovering more about the world. He still doesn't like solid food and is only breastfed, but at almost 30 lbs, I think we're doing okay. Sleep is still a challenge, but I don't mind too much about having to lay down with him because he will soon think hugs and kisses are gross. Sigh.

-I'm really really excited that Beauty and the Beast is coming out on DVD. Say what you want about Disney, but those movies were such an awesome part of my childhood and I love them.

-We got cable for the first time in our marriage because it was cheaper to get cable and internet than internet alone. We mostly watch HGTV, but also love How It's Made. It's like the best part of Mister Rogers when they go into the factories. Also, Sister Wives is so weird and ridiculous, but interesting too. We thankfully haven't been watching the TV much at all though....because when would we do that?

-I am really super excited that our friends Rob and Tiffany will be welcoming their baby girl soon and that I get to be a part of her birth team! It is such an honor and will be so much fun! They are going to be incredible parents and I know that God will work awesome things in their family. Also, everyone I know is pregnant.....I kinda wish I were too. :)

-Scott is going to build Asher an awesome swing set/fort soon. I am really excited about this. Isn't it funny the things that we get excited about nowadays? New diapers, baby shampoo, roller shades, doorbell button, socks, dish soap.....

-Asher is OBSESSED with books. He would sit in my lap all day reading if we could. He will be fussing and I'll say, "Would you like to read a book?" and he starts laughing and looking for his favorites. They are: Color Zoo, I'm as Quick as a Cricket, Animal Noises, Tails, Mommy Hugs, Moo Baa LaLaLa, and The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear. We have started going to story time at the library (even though it's for ages 1-3). I think he likes it. I like it too except when we have to dance in a circle around the room and I have to carry the sack of potatoes while all of the other kids can walk.

-I wish Chipotle and Jamba Juice had a drive through.

-I am SUPER excited about the Holidays coming up. We will be having Thanksgiving at our home for the first time. I've always wanted to host. :) And it will be Asher's first Christmas. So fun.

Read the bum

Real Men Wear Their Babies

2010-09-26T08:34:00.000-07:00

Easter 2010

Doing the dishes

Ironing

Asleep at the airport

In Pagosa Springs, CO

4 wheelin in CO

Enjoying the scenery in CO

At a Seryn concert

Fixing up our new house

He is superman and is always so great about giving mommy a break when needed. Asher LOVES to ride around with dad and learn how to be a man. The bond that these two already have warms my heart.

Blue or Green?

2010-08-27T15:46:00.000-07:00

We are moving in 4 days and I need to figure out what color to paint Asher's room (even though all we do is change his diaper in there, sigh). It is either going to be the same green as his room is now, or a blue a few shades lighter than the blue in his bedding. We painted his room green before he was born because we did not know if he was a baby boy or girl. Now that we know, we can go blue crazy.....but I do love the green. What do YOU think?

This is also to show the completed nursery that I never posted:

This is our changing station. As you can see, I use the pegs on the shelf to hang his diaper covers between wearings. Also hanging is a little toy that Geemom rigged up for Asher to play with while we change him. One of those baskets holds his cloth wipes and the other holds powder, creams, nail clippers, etc.

The pictures on the wall are me and Scott as babies. Scott did the drawings of Humphrey the Elephant (a really sweet character from a really sweet series of children's books). Geemom (Scott's mom) made the cover and pillow for the rocking chair. It's hard to tell, but the buttons are made out of the same fabric as the pillow, which is the same as his bedding.

Don't mind the tater head.
I painted his letters after he was born.

Above is the poem and hand print picture that we made for Scott for father's day.

Scott's Aunt Nancy painted this for Asher. Isn't it the CUTEST thing? It matches his bedding perfectly!

So, blue or green??

Lately...

2010-08-22T13:18:00.000-07:00

Alright folks, we're back. It seems that the heat has taken the bloginess out of a lot of us....and a lot has happened since the last post, but we'll just jump right back in.

It seems like time is flying by at an unbelievable pace. I cannot believe Asher is 7 months old!!!! He is closer to being one than a newborn. It's kind of sad, but all of the new milestones and stages are even more fun than the last! He is crawling and pulling up on everything, so life has gotten a lot more exciting for us both. BUT he has also been teething like ca-ra-zee!! He is working on his 6th one- already has bottom two, and almost top four. Teething bites.

Here are some things we have been working on in the past few months:

Working on crawling

Trying food. Sweet potatoes, coconut oil, and breastmilk. He HATES food.

He loves his cup of water

We had his first rhythm lesson!

And piano! He is a natural!

And he found a friend

He has turned into such a little stinker! He is so funny and full of life and so much fun to be with. We still have our crazy days when I spend all day either trying to put him to sleep or keep him asleep, but I am trying to soak in every moment and enjoy every stage. Sometimes we will look over at him and he looks like a 4 year old already. Guess we need another one soon.....:)

Big beautiful boy

He's SO strong!

My boys. Man I love 'em.

Celebrating mommy's birthday

Silly boy!

That's all for now. Soon I will post about our vacation to Colorado and our new house!!!

Ignoring "To-Do's"

2010-05-23T09:39:00.000-07:00

“The cleaning and scrubbing can wait till tomorrow, but children grow up as I’ve learned to my sorrow. So quiet down cobwebs; Dust go to sleep. I’m rocking my baby and babies don’t keep.” ~Ruth Hulbert Hamilton

One thing that I keep reminding myself of is that I am raising a child, not managing an inconvenience. This is easy to forget when I have a million things on my to-do list, and nursing and reading books to Asher ALL DAY takes precedence. So many times I have just had to let the diaper wash pile up and the bathroom stay messy. So many times I have just had to let visitors come over when the house is not as tidy as I would like.

BUT the care I give Asher is shaping him into the man he will become. The decisions I make, hugs and kisses I give, books we read, walks we take, and all the other little every-day moments we have together are growing him up smart and secure. What an honor to mother this sweet gift as he matures!!

So, even though things are a little more sloppy around here, the LOVE we three share is OVERFLOWING!!!

OR, I could employ Scott's way of getting things done.....

"Problem Child" or the Perfect Child?

2010-05-13T12:27:00.000-07:00

I have wanted to write this post for a long time. This has been bottled up for 4 months so here we go....

"You're feeding him too often."
"His cloth diaper is bothering him."
"He sleeps too much/little."
"Why can't he just follow YOUR schedule."
"Just let him cry."
"Just come over and you can put him to sleep in the other room."
"Let's go eat dinner. The noise usually puts babies to sleep."
"Just let him cry."
"His teething necklace is bothering him."

I haven't written much about it because I did not want to seem ungrateful, but the first 3 months of our son's life were VERY difficult. VERY. DIFFICULT. I have taken care of babies my entire life, so I never thought I would have a problem. I thought "colic" was just a fussy baby and there was usually a reason why babies cried and that it could be fixed. I. Was. Wrong. For 3 months I did not leave the house, our living room was a perpetual womb environment, Asher screamed every night for hours straight, we went to countless different doctors to "figure out what was wrong", we tried every kind of colic ease/calm/relief tincture and gadget out there, and I literally had an emotional breakdown every day. I couldn't stand to watch my baby scream red-faced until exhaustion took over. We were so thankful to have great support both from family and friends, as well as chiropractic adjustments that really made a difference and helped us see the light at the end of the tunnel. It was the hardest thing I have ever been through and I only did by the grace of God.

One of the most difficult parts was that some people just did not understand. If you have never had a "high-needs" baby, you will NEVER know how unbelievably stressful it is. We would constantly get comments like the ones above; if you would just do THIS, why don't you just try THIS. It was as if they thought I was trying to make things difficult, as if I didn't want things to be easy. If you are a mom you can relate to this: When someone makes comments about your baby and/or their behavior/habits, it is as if they are directly criticizing your parenting and motherly instincts. So to be frank, I have never felt so criticized and inadequate.

One bright morning (Easter morning actually), Asher woke up a new baby. No more nightly freak outs due to over-stimulation, life as we knew it changed dramatically! He has blossomed into the happiest and sweetest baby boy in the world. According to some, we still have "problems"....but do we?

One regret I have in parenting is that I read too much. I do think it is SO important to be educated, but there is also a point where you just need to trust in God that He will provide you with the proper instincts for your specific child. I also think that in my crazy hormonal postpartum haze, the devil took that knowledge and ran with it. For instance, I read that when your baby cries, the cortisol levels in his brain spike and cause developmental issues and the inability to handle stress later in life. While this is likely true if he is left alone crying for hours, I took it to the extreme and had deep fear every time he made a peep. Not good and not from God. I had to quickly realize that books do not hold the answers; my child is a unique gift that no one has mothered before.

SO here we are, Asher is almost 4 months old. It has without a doubt been the most trying, INCREDIBLE 4 months of my life. I can say that I never knew it would be this hard, and I never knew it would be this blissful. I never knew how much fun I could have with a baby or how much my heart could overflow from a little smile or just when I watch him sleep. He still doesn't sleep great- naps for 40 minutes at a time and then I can sometimes nurse him back to sleep (and then have to lay with him throughout his whole nap to keep him asleep), but recently I have discovered that.....I'm okay with it. I was beating myself up about it because "everyone" says that you shouldn't nurse to sleep and that he should be on a better schedule and sleeping in his crib yaddayaddayadda. So in THEIR minds, we have problems....he is a problem child. One of the best pieces of advice I ever got was to not make something into a problem that isn't a problem for you, just because other people say it is. Because we are HAPPY! I am happy to lay down with him, snooze a little myself, and watch my sweet angel sleep. He is happy to have mommy close. Sometimes he will open his eyes in the middle of his nap, see me there, smile the biggest smile, and drift back to sleep- it is the most precious moment. This is a sweet stage where he WANTS me near. All too soon he will be a teenager and never want to cuddle! I also got great advice that God is the perfect parent and to ask Him for advice! Sounds simple, but it's true. I vowed to not open another book and to first seek God for answers.....and I have FINALLY found sweet peace in my decisions.

So, all that to say, Asher is not a "problem child"- He is a perfect child. The perfect child for me and I am the perfect mom for him. Not A perfect mom (by ANY means), but THE perfect mom for him. How good is God to never leave us to figure things out on our own? Even silly little things like baby's sleep schedules and whether or not to give a pacifier- He cares and He is near.

Praise the Lord that we're not on this crazy ride alone!

Home with Jesus

2010-05-11T14:38:00.000-07:00

Sweet Smith Bailey went home to be with Jesus yesterday.
I do not know the why's of this world and it's tragedies, but one thing's FOR SURE

GOD IS STILL GOD AND GOD IS STILL GOOD

Thank you Lord that we have comfort in this- that you only have plans for us that are for our good and eventual JOY, even if we can't see it now.

Please keep Jon, Kori, and their entire family in your continued prayers. The pain they are dealing with is unimaginable and not short-lived.

Praying for Smith

2010-05-01T13:22:00.000-07:00

Our old friends Jon and Kori welcomed their sweet baby boy, Smith Randle Bailey on April 29th. Kori was 23 weeks and 6 days and Smith was born 1lb 8 oz. God has already shown up in mighty ways, but there is still a long road ahead. None of us could ever imagine what this must be like for the entire family. Please join us in continued prayer for Smith as he faces many months and procedures in the hospital.
We praise God that He is good and is working everything for His glory- He is holding Smith in His hands and has already orchestrated his entire life.

Help us to see the good in this and to trust in YOU Lord. Be with Jon and Kori and breathe peace on them- peace that can only come from YOU. Please send your great Comforter in Jesus' name!

They posted a scripture this scripture:
Isaiah 43:1-3 “Now this is what the Lord says—the One who created you, and the One who formed you, Israel. Do not fear, for I have redeemed you. I have called you by your name; you are Mine. I will be with you when you pass through the waters, and when you pass through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. You will not be scorched when you walk through the fire, and the flames will not burn you. For I the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, and your Savior give Egypt as a ransom for you."

What a blessing it is to see them cling to The One with hope.

Click on the button above to see Smith's website with up-to-date prayer requests.

Is there one waiting for us?

2010-04-25T11:09:00.002-07:00

Amos Story

Worth it ALL

2010-04-20T07:27:00.000-07:00

You are mine, you are loved
You have always been thought of
When you hurt I feel it every time
You are mine, you are loved
And I’m never giving up
Till I’ve dried all the tears you cry
Long before you took a breath
I knew your name, I heard you call
You are worth it all

You are worth it all!

Picture update!

2010-04-16T07:03:00.001-07:00

Yum!

He is so smart!

Story time!

Goin out with Nana!

Massage time!

Bath time!

Talkin with dad!

Playtime!

Snooze time!

Life is so sweet with our little Toopweet man. He was 3 months old yesterday!

Awesome giveaway!

2010-04-10T10:42:00.000-07:00

Head on over to:

Ellie Kate and Peyton

For a chance to win some Seventh Generation cleaning products. Everyone needs less toxins around and these really work!

Happy Springtime!

2010-04-09T11:19:00.000-07:00

Love,
The Coles

I'm Sorry I'm a Christian

2010-04-06T18:11:00.001-07:00

5 New Mom Must-Haves

2010-03-22T10:03:00.000-07:00

I am a minimalist by nature. I did NOT want my house overrun by plastic baby things. With that said, here is a list of things that I have found ESSENTIAL in new mommyhood.

1. My Moby Wrap. Asher is sleeping in it as I type this. If there is one baby thing that we cannot live without, it is our Moby wrap. Babywearing is very important to us and the Moby makes it easy and comfortable. Granted, our backs do ache at the end of a three hour nap, but I think they would totally break if we were using any other carrier. 16+ pounds of baby fat isn't easy to carry no matter how you do it! We use our wrap at least once a day and usually twice. Asher likes to take his morning nap in it and he goes in it when we are out shopping because I hate infant car seats and lugging them around; I would rather snuggle with him! Even if he is sleeping in the car, we can usually transport him into the wrap without him waking. Go here to read about the benefits of babywearing.

2. Aden and Anias blankets. These are great for everything but especially swaddling. They keep Asher warm but are also breathable. It's a good thing because he is SO hot natured.

3. Asher's woolie. I had one when I was a baby (still have it....) that I could NOT sleep without. My mom could put it anywhere (usually the floor of an airplane) and I would go to sleep. I hope Asher loves his just as much as I did mine. They are so soft and comforting. Check them out here

(Weird picture, I know. He was OUT!)
4.Baby Swing. I didn't want one. I thought they were "babysitters" and took the place of loving parenting.....then Asher came and we discovered that he was "passionately sensitive" and I am VERY glad my mom got us this. It is sometimes the only way we can get him to sleep. And Dr. Cindy told me that the swinging helps with brain development....so I'm okay with it now. Scott is just trying to figure out how to install an electrical outlet adapter because it EATS batteries.

(This is not me. hehe)
5. My BrestFriend. I use it every feeding when we aren't laying down. I just like the way I can strap it on and then go and pick Asher up. It stays on and we can get into the right position without a bunch of fidgeting. He falls in the cracks of the Boppy.

So there you go. If you are an expecting mom, I hope this helps!

My Boys

2010-03-17T15:37:00.001-07:00

Oh how I love them.

Asher Scott's Birth Story

2010-03-01T12:49:00.000-08:00

Gearing up for childbirth was a confusing thing for me. I have been through doula training and attended a number of births, but did not know what to expect for myself. On the one hand, I was confident in my knowledge of what to do (positions, breathing, massage, etc.), but on the other, I was afraid that my knowledge was giving me a false confidence. I was concerned that I would go into it with great confidence that I would know what to do and be totally taken off guard by the intensity. God is so good though. He was so good to have met me right where I was and take it from there:

I was going on week two of “overdueness” and was super ready to have this baby. I was doing all I could think of to get him out and be free from the huge head wedged in my pelvis making moving VERY difficult and walking almost impossible! It didn’t really help that it was an arctic tundra outside and all I WANTED to do was cuddle up under warm blankets- BUT I knew that he would stay in there forever if I did. My sister Kim and I even took to walking the stairs at the movie theatre before Avatar. That really got my heart pumping! I think what finally did it was me just RELAXING. I know everyone says to, and I really thought I was, but when I really thought about it, I could tell that I was holding him in (kind of like when you are holding yourself to not pee your pants). I was holding him in because when I let go, he moved down and THAT was NOT comfortable. So, when I finally made this discovery, I did all I could to remember to not hold him up and in. I remember one day I was out with my mom and she would constantly remind me to relax those muscles and let go. I did and that day I got my “show” at Kid2Kid (how fitting!). That night I was up all night with what felt like really bad gas pains but they were every 20 min. I now know that they were labor pains! The next day was a Wednesday- Scott was off and he went to Central Market around 3:00 pm while I took a nap. I woke up to contractions coming every 10 minutes or so. I called him and he rushed home. I told him that it was likely that nothing would happen for a long time and just to chill (he was ready to call the midwife! Ha!). Well, telling an expectant father whose wife is in labor to chill is like……well it wasn’t something that he was able to do. So he cleaned the house top to bottom, got snacks ready for me, rearranged the furniture to make room for the tub, and everything was good to go. Then my contractions slowed to about 20 min apart. This was frustrating. We watched the Princess Bride and Arrested Development to try and take my mind off of it. It helped a little, but hardly took my mind off. These were intense contractions! They were long and strong, just not close together. Sleeping was impossible- the rushes would wake me up every time and varied between being 5 and 20 minutes apart. They completely stopped at about 9 the next morning. I was exhausted already and frustrated. We went about our day with no action until that night. My chiropractor and one of my midwives, Cindy, suggested that I get an adjustment to help the contractions stay steady. It was possible that Asher was not in a good position and thus not applying even pressure on my cervix to make contractions regular. So Scott and I headed over to the office in Hurst at around 6. The bumpy drive on 161 was awful! Contractions were every 10 minutes now and I could not talk through them. Cindy was called out to a birth so Jim Bob adjusted me. He wanted us to wait around for an hour and for me to walk to see how my body accepted the adjustment and if he needed to do it again. This was the most intense part of my entire labor. Jim Bob was teaching a seminar in the room next door and I was so afraid that everyone could hear me mooing like a cow! Scott was my absolute hero through the entire labor. Every time a contraction would come, I would grab onto him around his neck, moo, and sway. That was my happy place. The seminar went a little long, so around 8:30 Jim Bob adjusted me again. That really got things going and the ride home was very hard. I do not suggest riding in the car during active labor. When we got home, my midwife Christy suggested that I take a bath and have a glass of wine to relax and try to sleep. I did (this was around 10pm) and woke up at midnight to my water breaking! It wasn’t a gush, more like a steady trickle. I checked the color and it was a little green/yellow which meant that there was meconium in it. Even though I could have freaked out about that, I really felt peace and knew that he was fine. For whatever reason, my contractions became less intense after my water broke (it actually only broke partially).

We called my mom and Christy at around 2 am- rushes were every 4 minutes and I remember telling Scott that I really needed to go to the bathroom (#2), but really I needed to PUSH! Christy was on her way and Scott started to fill up the birthing tub while my mom labored with me. When Christy got there about 30 minutes later she checked me and said, “Kate, do you want some really good news?” I definitely did. When she first checked me I thought I was probably at a 4 or so but was pleased to hear, “You are already at a 9!” Woo Hoo! I got in the tub (which felt SO good) and labored there for a while. We wanted to wait until Cindy got there before I started pushing.

I’ll stop here to say what an extremely peaceful experience this time was for me. I had my birth mix of worship songs playing, candles burning, the lights down low, a nice warm tub, and the best support imaginable. I also felt the Holy Spirit unlike any other time in my life. With every contraction I would hear, “This is for your baby, I’m going to get you through this, my Grace is sufficient, and it is Well!” That was my mantra. I was so at peace and had no doubt in my mind that everything would go well. God was SO near. How great is our God to show up and care about ME and my little labor! But show up He did.

Cindy came and my sisters were there as well and I was ready to push. I never really felt a transition period which was a huge blessing. It was so peaceful and really not that intense. Pushing a baby out is a learned art. After the first hour of pushing, I realized that I wasn’t really pushing and that it was going to take a lot more. I think then was when we began thinking that this baby was a big one. At this point, the exhaustion of not having slept the last 2 nights was setting in. I knew that this baby wasn’t going to come out unless I really put everything I had into it and I was afraid that I didn’t have the energy. Christy and Cindy assured me that my body could do it and that God would give me the strength. They suggested that I squat when I pushed. So when I felt a contraction coming, I would stand up, hold onto Scott’s forearms, and squat down and puussshhh.

I remember hearing Cindy say, “During a push, you are going to get to a point where you think you can’t go any further, but you have to push past that.” I think that was what really taught me the kind of pushes that were going to get this big boy out. I continued like that for a while, but A’s massive head was having a hard time getting under and past my pubic bone. Christy suggested that I get out of the tub and try pushing on the toilet.

That REALLY helped and I made good progress there. She then said that I should probably get back in the tub unless I wanted to birth my baby on the commode. No thanks. I got back into the tub (which was lovingly refilled with warm water by mom and Kim) and pushed for a while more there. Things slowed down so we went to the toilet again and then to the bed so that Christy could check my progress. Back to the tub to have the baby! Through the entire pushing process, Asher’s heart rate never went below 128. Now THAT was God and I was so thankful every time they would check it and I heard the sweet sound of my little (or big) baby’s healthy heart!

I could now feel his furry head and see him coming out with the mirror they placed at the bottom of the tub. What a crazy feeling! I got on my hands and knees and was ready, after 4 and a half hours of pushing, to get him out! The pushing really didn’t hurt; I can just explain it as the hardest I’ve ever had to work. So with lots of coaching on when to push and when to pant, I got his head out and was working on his body. It got to this point where I knew that his head had been out for a while, his cord was being squished, and I had to get him out even if that meant tearing (my biggest fear throughout my entire pregnancy and labor). So I pushed past the feeling of tearing (the only thing I can say actually hurt) and out he came COVERED in vernix. It was 9:00am on the dot. Christy put him on my back so that Cindy could suction him since he did have meconium and they didn’t want him aspirating it into his lungs. I remember feeling this little monkey on my back and I wanted to turn around so badly to see my baby! No one was allowed to say if it was a girl or a boy until Scott and I saw. When I finally turned around and held him in my arms, “A beautiful boy!”

The feeling of holding my baby for the first time is something that I cannot put into words. If you are a mother, you know. After everything we had been through with trying to get pregnant and a difficult pregnancy, he was here and he was perfect! It was so magnificent and the most intense moment of our lives. We got to hang out in the tub for a while to wait for his cord to stop pulsing before they cut it. He was so sweet and just cuddled up next to me. Christy decided that she wanted me out of the tub to deliver the placenta so that she could monitor my blood loss. When I stood up and stepped out of the tub, everything went black, I was falling, and blood was pouring down my legs. They laid me down on the floor and Christy worked on getting my placenta out because they thought I might be hemorrhaging. Placenta came out, and I was still bleeding. They gave me a bunch of herbs to stop the bleeding, some IV fluids, and I was able to nurse and cuddle with Asher.

Cindy and Scott weighed Asher, and to my surprise, was 10 pounds 9 ounces! Whoa! He was also 21 and ½ inches long and had a 15 inch head. It was then discovered that I wasn’t bleeding from my uterus but from my 3^rd degree tear. Awesome. But God used even this to show me how He was in control, I was not, and to just trust Him. The tear was more severe than could be repaired at home, so Christy told me that we had to go to the hospital. I was pretty bummed, but nothing could have bothered me with my new baby in my arms. She also said that if I could stand up without fainting, we could drive ourselves, but if not, we would have to call an ambulance. I stood up, and couldn’t see or hear anything. Hello 911. It wasn’t an emergency, but we didn’t want to risk fainting and things getting worse by trying to drive ourselves. So here come like 20 huge paramedics into my living room (Richardson doesn’t get to see much action) and I’m lying there with it all out. They hoisted me onto the stretcher and wheeled me out to the ambulance, trying to dodge my noisy neighbors. My sister Kristen got to ride with me because she is an ICU nurse while Scott, Asher, and the others followed in the car. I hated that my 3 hour old baby had to ride in the cold car! We got to the hospital (no sirens, darn), went up to L&D, the doctor on call stitched me up (OW! Worst part of everything), and I got my blood drawn to check my H&H levels after all of the blood loss. Levels weren’t great so I had to stay for observation and IV fluid until later that night. The nurse said, “The doctor would really like for you to stay overnight, but understands if you feel really strongly about going home.” Bye Bye. We went home and I finally got to snuggle up with my, at this point nameless, baby boy and hubby.

The first night home was so magical. I remember drifting between being awake and sleeping and seeing my darling boy relaxed at my breast, staring up at his mama. The recovery has been slow trying to build back up my blood volume, but we are getting there. I can say that after 6 weeks, being a mom is the most challenging and amazing experience of my life. I am forever changed and I cannot wait for all of the fun seasons with my sweet Asher. By the way, Asher is Hebrew for happy and blessed. And we definitely are.

And Leah said, “Happy am I! For women have called me happy.” So she called his name Asher. -Genesis 30:13

And of Asher he said, “Most blessed of sons be Asher; let him be the favorite of his brothers, and let him dip his foot in oil. Your bars shall be iron and bronze, and as your days, so shall your strength be. -Deuteronomy 33:24

All in all, my birth was such an amazing experience and, even with our little hiccup, I would not have changed a thing about it. God totally used it all to teach me to rely on Him and His strength to get me through. I do believe that the Spirit came and took away my pain so that I could birth my big boy. How else could birthing an almost 11 pound baby not really hurt? I’ve had more painful bowel movements. Too much info? Sorry. I am so thankful for every part, and especially every person, that made up the birth of my perfect Asher Scott. God is so good.

My big, strong 4 week old

6 weeks. Goofy man.

2010-01-19T09:50:00.000-08:00

Asher Scott Cole
Born January 15th, 2010 9:00am
10 lbs 9 oz 21 1/2 in

"The Lord has done great things for us and we are FILLED with JOY!!"

A Call to Women

2010-01-06T15:24:00.000-08:00

Great thoughts/motivation for the New Year.
Can't do it alone....

From DesiringGod.com:

That all of your life—in whatever calling—be devoted to the glory of God.
That the promises of Christ be trusted so fully that peace and joy and strength fill your soul to overflowing.
That this fullness of God overflow in daily acts of love so that people might see your good deeds and give glory to your Father in heaven.
That you be women of the Book, who love and study and obey the Bible in every area of its teaching. That meditation on Biblical truth be the source of hope and faith. And that you continue to grow in understanding through all the chapters of your life, never thinking that study and growth are only for others.
That you be women of prayer, so that the Word of God would open to you; and the power of faith and holiness would descend upon you; and your spiritual influence would increase at home and at church and in the world.
That you be women who have a deep grasp of the sovereign grace of God undergirding all these spiritual processes, that you be deep thinkers about the doctrines of grace, and even deeper lovers and believers of these things.
That you be totally committed to ministry, whatever your specific role, that you not fritter your time away on soaps or ladies magazines or aimless hobbies, any more than men should fritter theirs away on excessive sports or aimless diddling in the garage. That you redeem the time for Christ and his Kingdom.
That, if you are single, you exploit your singleness to the full in devotion to Christ and not be paralyzed by the desire to be married.
That, if you are married, you creatively and intelligently and sincerely support the leadership of your husband as deeply as obedience to Christ will allow; that you encourage him in his God-appointed role as head; that you influence him spiritually primarily through your fearless tranquility and holiness and prayer.
That, if you have children, you accept responsibility with your husband (or alone if necessary) to raise up children who hope in the triumph of God, sharing with him the teaching and discipline of the children, and giving to the children that special nurturing touch and care that you are uniquely fitted to give.
That you not assume that secular employment is a greater challenge or a better use of your life than the countless opportunities of service and witness in the home the neighborhood, the community, the church, and the world. That you not only pose the question: Career vs. full time mom? But that you ask as seriously: Full time career vs. freedom for ministry? That you ask: Which would be greater for the Kingdom— to be in the employ of someone telling you what to do to make his business prosper, or to be God's free agent dreaming your own dream about how your time and your home and your creativity could make God's business prosper? And that in all this you make your choices not on the basis of secular trends or yuppie lifestyle expectations, but on the basis of what will strengthen the family and advance the cause of Christ.
That you step back and (with your husband, if you are married) plan the various forms of your life's ministry in chapters. Chapters are divided by various things—age, strength, singleness, marriage, employment choices, children at home, children in college, grandchildren, retirement, etc. No chapter has all the joys. Finite life is a series of tradeoffs. Finding God's will, and living for the glory of Christ to the full in every chapter is what makes it a success, not whether it reads like somebody else's chapter or whether it has in it what chapter five will have.
That you develop a wartime mentality and lifestyle; that you never forget that life is short, that billions of people hang in the balance of heaven and hell every day, that the love of money is spiritual suicide, that the goals of upward mobility (nicer clothes, cars, houses, vacations, food, hobbies) are a poor and dangerous substitute for the goals of living for Christ with all your might, and maximizing your joy in ministry to people's needs.
That in all your relationships with men you seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit in applying the Biblical vision of manhood and womanhood; that you develop a style and demeanor that does justice to the unique role God has given to man to feel responsible for gracious leadership in relation to women—a leadership which involves elements of protection and care and initiative. That you think creatively and with cultural sensitivity (just as he must do) in shaping the style and setting the tone of your interaction with men.
That you see Biblical guidelines for what is appropriate and inappropriate for men and women in relation to each other not as arbitrary constraints on freedom but as wise and gracious prescriptions for how to discover the true freedom of God's ideal of complementarity. That you not measure your potential by the few roles withheld but by the countless roles offered. That you turn off the TV and Radio and think about...

The awesome significance of motherhood

Complementing a man's life as his wife

38 weeks!

2009-12-29T09:30:00.000-08:00

Hopefully this will be my last belly picture!

Gratefulness

2009-12-20T07:23:00.001-08:00

So as of today, being 37 weeks pregnant, I am pretty much ready to be finished. I am really tired of being huge, it taking a crane to lift me from the bed, not being able to shave my legs, my pubic bone threatening to break in two at any moment, and the lovely waddle. I just want to hold my bundle of baby!

But I was thinking back to one year ago, after just having said goodbye to another little angel, and you know what? I would have given ANYTHING to be feeling every one of those things times a million if that meant that I was about to bring a healthy baby into the world. I was at peace with the reality that it might not be what God had for me, but I am so very grateful that it now is.

Father you are so good and loving. I praise you and THANK you for every discomfort and all the inconvienant pregnancy-related things. I thank you that you have always been near, never far from any of us, and what a beautiful picture this 9 months has been of your love, provision, and creativity. Be near to those who are hurting this Christmas, with empty arms and longing hearts. Remind them that what you give is always for their good and eventual JOY!

THE Crib!!

2009-12-09T14:11:00.000-08:00

We got this crib back in like July off of Craigslist. I loved the vintage-y look and the fact that it is really well made. All of the new cribs are the kind that make into a full-sized bed and they just look like a headboard to me. So anyway, we knew when we bought it that it would need to be refinished (I wanted white furniture anyway), but had NO idea what a project it would turn out to be!

before

We also knew that we wanted to use no-VOC paint and primer so that the little one wouldn't get poisoned by the toxins in regular paint. But first, Scott had to tighten some of the rails and do some wood filling.

Next began the insane task of sanding. Look at all of those detailed spindles! It took FOREVER and was NOT easy because Scott wanted it absolutely perfectly smooth.

Then came priming, and sanding, and priming, and sanding again. I'm not too sure how many times this was done, but I know it was over the course of a few months! Once again, the spindles made painting very difficult because it was hard to get the brush strokes smooth.

When it was finally time to paint, Scott made a very disturbing discovery. Even though it was primed so well, the original mahogany stain was still seeping through and making the paint pink! Ah! SO frustrating! So....after many talks with the fine men at Elliot's Hardware, Scott finally found a solution. He got some no-odor Kilz spray primer and something to add to the paint that would make it thicker. So he primed and sanded (those dang drips!) and primed and sanded some more! Poor guy. THEN it was time to paint!

Nice hair babe.

Then we had yet ANOTHER set back. There is this guy in our complex that likes to walk his big fat dog with no leash which, may I add, is against the rules. Well, one day he comes walking by while Scott is working out in the garage. His dog runs into our garage, knocks the crib out of Scott's hand onto the ground, and TOTALLY nicked a huge piece out of it. I have never seen my husband so angry. Smoke was coming out of his ears. I mean, he was going on hour 349893 on this stinking crib! We kind of hate that dog. SO he had to fill that part of the wood and sand and prime and sand and prime again.....you get it.

He finally found an easier way to get to all of those dang spindles by hanging the railings from the garage door opener tracks. He is so smart. :)

So after I think three coats of paint with sanding in between, it was FINISHED! What a happy day. My sweet man put SO much hard work and time into this crib. It was definitely a labor of love. All of his days off for the last I don't know how long have been spent on this piece of furniture that our baby isn't even going to sleep in for some time!! Oh me. Have I mentioned what a blessing my husband is? Because he is amazing.

AFTER!
I love it! It looks so beautiful. All of Scott's hard work really paid off. It is flawless!

Tying on the bumper with Gertrude's help. Also, this is my wonderful flannel robe that I live in.

Pictures of the completely finished nursery coming soon!

9 months

2009-11-29T14:33:00.000-08:00

I realize that I have not been very good about blogging recently, especially all of the "fun" details of my pregnancy. So without further delay, and no more ado...

The First Trimester:
Wow, where to start without totally being a negative Nancy.....ha! My first trimester was extremely difficult. I spent the entirety of it and then some in bed sick. I usually threw up twice a day and sometimes could not even keep water down. I was on progesterone supplementation and we think it had something to do with the insane sickness because of the excess hormones. It was really difficult for me because I had always been so excited about eating well for my baby and there I was, grasping for ANYTHING that I could keep down....namely plain waffles. Yum. The heat outside did NOT help either. I never knew it could be so bad. Everyone told me that I just had to get past 12 weeks and everything would be better. 12 weeks came and went and.....no better. That was annoying. I finally started getting some relief at 16 weeks after we weaned off of the progesterone. Scott was absolutely superman during this time. He would come home from work, make me anything I needed to eat, do ALL of the chores, go grocery shopping, hold my hair when I puked, hold ME when I was so fed up and emotionally unstable, take care of the animals, take care of my niece and nephew when we watched them, and SO much more. I think God knew I would be okay with being so sick because I had him. Even though it was so terrible, I was SO very thankful for the sickness and all of the yucky symptoms because it reminded me of what they were there for. I had a sweet little bean growing and I could withstand anything for that! We were just so very thankful for a healthy, growing baby.

The Second Trimester:
Like I said earlier, I was still sick until 16 weeks and not totally functionable until around 18 or 20. After that I got really excited that I could eat and I ate a lot. My appetite came back with a vengeance. I remember eating a lot of lasagna on my birthday.....so good. I started feeling the baby move a lot at around 15 weeks which is supposedly pretty early for a first time momma. We really did not want to do any ultrasounds because of the radiation exposure, but decided to have a very quick one because my midwife thought there was a possibility of twins and that was why I was feeling so much. My HCG levels were also very high and that can point to multiples as well. We had the ultrasound-only one baby. Probably a good thing. :) As I progressed along in my 2nd trimester, I never regained any energy or felt like one should during that time. My blood pressure was also getting high and I had some protein in my urine. My midwife suggested some dietary changes (no gluten and LOTS of protein) to see if we could get things under control. It was hard at first to find a whole new way of eating and cooking, but I soon felt much better and my bad symptoms totally cleared up. Thank you Lord! This was also a really fun time of planning and getting the nursery ready. My mom has blessed us immensely with gifts for the little bambino and we have had fun making our "rounds" to different kid2kids (they know her name) and resale shops. She has definitely spoiled me and this baby already. :)

The Third Trimester:
This has been my best trimester of them all! I have a good amount of energy, am able to eat well and feed my baby and body what it needs, am SO enjoying getting beat up from the inside out, and the big belly is fun too (most of the time). I am trying to stay as active as possible and the ole bod is holding up pretty well (thanks to my incredible chiropractor Dr. Cindy Haggerton here is their website Lifetime Family Wellness Center). We also went through our childbirth preparation class which was a lot of fun. I am SO excited about birth and having such a great support team in Scott and my midwives. It will be fun. Throughout this time I have also been measuring large at my prenatal visits. It was a possibility that I might be further along than we originally thought, but I have since leveled out and am pretty confident in my dates. Seems like this is just a big ole baby! I am happy about that too. I would rather it be big and healthy than little and shrimpy. The nursery is pretty much finished (with the exception of one rail of the crib....coming soon) and most everything is purchased....so now we wait! We have been organizing the house bit by bit and getting everything together for the home birth which makes it all so real! We are so ecstatic and cannot wait to meet our sweet angel!

My midwife, Christy Martin has been such a blessing throughout our entire pregnancy and even before. We know without a doubt that God brought us to her and are SO thankful. Every appointment has been so encouraging, even when we were faced with uncertainties or difficult decisions. She has always been there with a prayer or uplifting word. She is so thorough, wise, and has such a God-given sweet spirit and compassionate heart. We are so excited to have her welcome our baby into this world gently and naturally. Look her up if you are pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant soon. It will totally make a difference in your entire pregnancy and birth experience.

I would also like to recommend some books that I have really enjoyed and have impacted my pregnancy and decision-making. As with anything, it is so important to be educated and informed about all of the aspects of pregnancy and birth, and to make prayerful decisions that you believe are best for you and your family.

1. Spiritual Midwifery by: Ina May Gaskin- may be a little "eccentric" for some, but is such a beautiful picture of what birth can be when you just let it happen

2. Ina May's Guide to Childbirth by: Ina May Gaskin- similar to above but with more information about hospital procedures and birth practices

3. Christ Centered Childbirth by: Kelly J. Townsend- SO essential to any Christian woman who yearns to use her pregnancy and birth as a way to grow spiritually and glorify God

4. The Lord of Birth by: Jennifer A. Vanderlaan- similar to above but in a more devotional-like setting

5. Gentle Birth Choices by: Barbra Harper- Very informative about your different choices as a pregnant woman, the history of obstetrical care, and the benefits of gentle birthing. It also comes with a great birth DVD

6. The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth by: Henci Goer- gives fact-based data on the benefits and risks of all of the interventions that you may face during birth. It is important to be educated on these things, but be aware if the information is causing you to fear some things that may end up being be unavoidable (cesarean, induction, etc).

So, pregnancy has been a fun ride......BUT I am ready to meet my baby now thank you!
:)

10 Weeks

34 weeks!

30 week belly

2009-11-01T08:59:00.000-08:00

Rockin the overalls baby!

The Nursery Part II

2009-10-16T10:16:00.000-07:00

The Great Green Room

We decided to paint the nursery green. Since we had to go gender neutral, it was really either yellow or green to match our bedding. I read some about color therapy and everything said that yellow makes fussy babies....so we went with green. But not just any green, REALLY green. It took a few tester cans to get it right, but I am pleased with the bright, cheery finished product. I am usually afraid of color and tend to stick with neutrals.....but I like it. :)

The Book Shelf

Before

We found this cute little book shelf at the same resale shop as the dresser for 10 big ones. It is solid wood and sturdy and I knew we could fix it up real cute like. Since Scott has been laboring over the crib for the last few months (more on THAT later), I decided to take on this little project myself. He sanded it, I primed and painted. We then popped the back part off to get rid of the lovely yellow. I really wanted to cover it with a cute fabric, but was having a hard time finding one to match the decor. Enter supermom. She found a random extra bed skirt on Ebay that is the same as my bedding so we decided to use that.

We put some batting on first and then glued/stapled the fabric.

Then Scooter nailed the back onto the shelf....and.....

Voila!

After

So cute, huh?

Coming soon: An even bigger belly

"Butt Wipes"

2009-09-25T14:58:00.000-07:00

And here we have yet another fun baby project. I've always known that I wanted to use cloth diapers on my babies. Partly because I'm obsessed with cotton and softness and comfort and partly because I do not want my baby's genitals to be sitting in crazy chemicals. (read this )
*Side note* We set up a registry the other day and got one of those welcome pack thingys that had a newborn pampers diaper in it. Scott took it out of the package and immediately started sneezing like crazy. No thank you

Anyway, back to the project. When I started looking online at cloth diaper websites, I saw that all of them sold and recommended using cloth wipes as well. They say it is easier because you can just throw the whole mess in the pail and washer without having to separate the wipe into the trash. They are also much cheaper than the "natural" chemical-free wipes because you just wash and reuse. Well, being the frugal gal that I am, I decided to make some myself. Seriously, how hard could sewing two pieces of flannel together be? I had some old flannel sheets lying around and decided to use them, making the project F-R-E-E!

My mom helped cut out the material and retaught me the art of machine sewing (I hate it). I had to cut, sew them together, cut up to the seam, wash and dry, and then cut the frayed edges.

Needless to say it was a bit more work than I originally thought- especially since I made 84 of them. I am such a perfectionist and probably took way too much time on them, but I love the result. They are so soft and cute.

I am going to keep them in this little basket on the changing table and spray them with a homemade solution of olive oil, baby wash, and essential oils to moisten and wipe. They are 8x8 and will fit into a regular wipe dispenser if I want them to.

The finished product. Precious, huh? The top one is the "fancy one" but the stitch took too long and used too much thread. So fun!

I know I'm weird. Don't care though. :)

Yum Fest 2009

2009-09-20T11:46:00.000-07:00

I made a delicious lentil soup in honor of the arrival of my favorite season, and the new adventure of gluten and dairy-free eating. Let me first tell you that I am a pretty picky eater but LOVE this soup. It is easy, cheap, and so nutritious. Make some and see!

Lentil Soup

Ingredients:
1 onion, chopped
1/4 cup olive oil
2 carrots, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
1 large potato (I added this for filling properties), chopped
2 cloves (or more) garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 (14.5 oz) can tomatoes (I used stewed and squeezed them)
2 cups dry lentils
8 cups water (or stock of choice- I used chicken)
1/2 cup spinach, rinsed and thinly sliced
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
sea salt to taste
ground black pepper to taste

Directions:
1. In a large soup pot, heat oil over medium heat. Add onions, carrots, celery, and potatoes; cook and stir until onion is tender. Stir in garlic, bay leaf, oregano, and basil; cook for 2 minutes.

2. Stir in lentils, add water (or stock) and tomatoes. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for at least 1 hour. When ready to serve, stir in spinach and cook until it wilts. Stir in vinegar and season to taste with sea salt and pepper.

ENJOY!

23.5 Week Belly

2009-09-15T18:07:00.001-07:00

Isn't it huge and high?

The Nursery Part Uno: Dresser

2009-09-06T08:59:00.000-07:00

Let me first start off this post by telling you about my illness. I am a ridiculous bargain shopper. I never EVER buy anything full price. Just ask about my awesome stroller finds! I would rather search through re-sale shops and thrift stores than the mall any day. It is such a great feeling when you find that perfect, original piece that no one else will have- and the hunt makes it all the more fun! I get this from my mom so blame her. Even if I did have $1000 to shell out on a Pottery Barn dresser I wouldn't because where is the fun in that?? There is no story or work behind it. Boring.

Moving on..... I knew for our furniture that I wanted a dresser/changing table combo, so my mom and I started our quest on Craigslist and used furniture stores for the perfect one. Let me also say that we are sticklers for good quality, solid wood furniture and you can't really find that affordably anywhere nowadays.....so we like to get old stuff and fix it up. We finally found it a resale/thrift store in The Colony. It is the Christian Community Resale Store and if you haven't been you should really go. It's awesome. The dresser has 6 drawers, is the perfect height for changing (I am going to attach a changing pad and put some cute baskets at the end), and is solid maple!! The price tag said $60 which we already thought was pretty sweet, but then the guy knocked it down to $45!! Such a steal! I of course had to call Scott first to see if the project was something he wanted to take on (on top of the already arduous task of refinishing the crib-more on that later) and he said ooooh yeah. The finish was messed up and scratched and there were a few places in the wood that needed to be filled, but we knew we wanted to paint it anyway.

Step 1: Sand

Step 2: Fill wood

Step 3: Prime

**Side note: We found a really great no-VOC paint and primer at Lowes. I was skeptical as to how well it would cover, but it was actually really nice. If you don't know what that means or think it doesn't matter, go here: Creating a Chemical-Free Nursery**

Step 4: Sand again
(because Scott is a perfectionist!)

Step 5: Paint! two coats

I know this is still a priming picture but I didn't get a painting one. :(

Step 6: Sand once again
(we like the lightly distressed look)

Step 7: Paint hardware
(actually- sand, primer, paint, clear coat hardware)

Scott had a genius idea of drilling holes into this piece of wood we had laying around and screwing the pulls into it. He then propped it up with a broom so the little handles would stick out and painted. Saved probably 2 hours of work. He is so smart!

Step 8: Affix hardware

Step 9: Apply drawer liner
(I am weird about this. Anyone else?)

And Voila!

I really love it. Scott did such an amazing job. We saw one that was refinished similarly at Cat and the Fiddle for $900 that wasn't nearly as well done. The cutest part was how all of our neighbors got into the project and would come by everyday to see how it was coming (and talk for hours!). One of the maintenance ladies here asked Scott if he was a carpenter. hehe.

I am so proud of my little changing dresser and love that daddy got to fix it up!

Coming soonish: THE crib

18 weeks

2009-08-11T17:47:00.000-07:00

It's gettin big and I'm lovin it!

Birthday Fun

2009-08-06T11:46:00.000-07:00

Purdy birthday flowers from my sweetheart

We had such a wonderful, relaxing day for my birthday. Scott and I first went to my absolute favorite place for breakfast, The Original Pancake House. Oh so yummy. You would not believe how thankful I am to be able to eat again. It is so wonderful to actually be able to get out of bed at a decent hour and go places and EAT and feel good and no puking!! I honestly was having a hard time seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, but am SO THANKFUL that it is finally over. I am now able to concentrate more on enjoying this pregnancy and bonding with our sweet little baby....who by the way gave us the incredible gift of first kicks! Scott and my sisters were able to feel them from the outside! It is such a crazy sensation to feel someONE squirming around in your belly. I LOVE LOVE LOVE it and can't get enough!
Anyway, after breakfast we piddled around the house hanging curtains and such and then took a nice nap. The family came over in the afternoon and got the party started! We went down to the pool to hang first.

Swimming with my man Caleb

I have really loved being able to swim for exercise. Feels so nice.

He is 4 and already snorkeling! He calls it a "goggle breathe" Such a doll!

Scott and Miss Lily Lu

After swimming for a while, we went back to our place and ate yummy lasagna and salad. My ffaavvoorriitteee. Baby liked it a lot too. Thank you baby. Then it was present time! I got some great contributions to my "stock the kitchen to be a good wifey" fund. There are just some important cooking/baking pieces that I don't have (another bread pan, cake pans, muffin tins, etc.). I always just improvise and it never really turns out well. So that will be fun :). My sister Kim got me this Belly Chime. It is so precious. Baby can hear the sweet chime bouncing against my belly and then after it is born, the sound will remind him/her of being in the womb.

Scott gave me a prenatal yoga DVD that I've been wanting and some delicious beeswax candles to burn now and at our birth (so I don't breathe toxins :). He is such a dear.

Happy birthday to me

Thank you to my wonderful husband and sweet family for making my birthday and everyday so special! I love you!

*Coming soon* 18 week belly. Beware.

Pug Love

2009-07-25T11:39:00.000-07:00

Well, we all knew it would happen someday.

Gertrude has a gentlemen caller.

It was only a matter of time- she is just TOO gorgeous. He is a pug (of course) and a bit of an older man, but she doesn't mind. His real name is Noah but we call him Wilber Wilberforce (who names their dog Noah? Seriously...). The best part is that he lives right above us! It was totally fate. She is so smitten and spends all day staring out the window hoping to catch a glimpse of her heart's dearest. Hopefully I can get a picture of the lovebirds soon.

What Matters More?

2009-07-22T08:15:00.000-07:00

You say you always treat people like you like to be
I guess you love being hated for your sexuality
You love when people put words in your mouth
'Bout what you believe, make you sound like a freak

'Cause if you really believe what you say you believe
You wouldn't be so damn reckless with the words you speak
Wouldn't silently conceal when the liars speak
Denyin' all the dyin' of the remedy

Tell me, brother, what matters more to you?
Tell me, sister, what matters more to you?

If I can tell what's in your heart by what comes out of your mouth
Then it sure looks to me like being straight is all it's about
It looks like being hated for all the wrong things
Like chasin' the wind while the pendulum swings

'Cause we can talk and debate until we're blue in the face
About the language and tradition that he's comin' to save
Meanwhile we sit just like we don't give a shit
About 50,000 people who are dyin' today

Tell me, brother, what matters more to you?
Tell me, sister, what matters more to you?

14 1/2 week belly

2009-07-15T18:49:00.001-07:00

Yes, I am looking a little haggard these days. I am confident that things are looking up though! All good things.

Can't Wait

2009-07-05T11:31:00.000-07:00

I actually cried while watching this- I am THAT excited. Or maybe it's pregnancy hormones.....whatev

The sound track should be awesome too!

It made me really excited to start building up the children's section of my library.

sigh

Life since we last spoke.....

2009-06-30T09:53:00.000-07:00

Well we heard the heartbeat last week! 164 strong beats per minute. It was the best sound I have ever heard. It sinks in more and more each day that I actually have a little person inside of me. Everything I do/eat/hear/smell/say/think/touch/experience is not just affecting me anymore- there are two of us now! I am responsible for everything that comes in contact with our growing baby.....what an awesome gift! Our baby has no way of experiencing the outside world except through me and the decisions I make. I am so excited to only let peaceful, loving, and nurturing things enter my body for our baby. I feel like this great protector or something :). God is good and is opening my eyes even more to His great love for me through this pregnancy.

I am still sick, but have learned to take it one day at a time instead of looking ahead at how many more days until I feel better. Hearing the heartbeat also gave me more of a glimpse at what I am going through all of this for....and boy is it worth it!!!

We are moving on July 17th and are so very excited. I love our beautiful new home and can't wait to decorate and make it our own. The nursery is going to be so ccuutteeeee.

My sister is about to pop any day now with baby #3. I cannot wait to meet the little booger. I think he is going to be a bigun like his sister. I guess around 8lbs 10oz. (hopefully not the 9lbs 4 oz that Lily was... for Kristen's sake). We shall see.

I guess that's it. I will post a belly picture soon. It's gettin big folks.

p.s. Go see Away We Go. It is a good film.

'spectin

2009-06-13T11:10:00.000-07:00

We are.
I am almost finished with my first trimester. It has been the longest time of my life.....but I am beyond thankful for every minute. I have been very sick, but Scott and I agree that it is God's way of keeping fear from creeping in. So, once again, very thankful for sickness.

I cannot wait until I can eat again! I miss food a lot. I am excited to eat and eat but hopefully not go overboard...

We get to hear the heartbeat next week and I really think it will sink in what is happening.
We's havin a baby.

yay!

Japanese words that don’t exist, but should

2009-06-04T07:39:00.001-07:00

In The Meaning of Tingo, author Adam Jacot de Boinod admits that — in researching his book — he found many unusual foreign words that he could not, in the end, verify.

Two of my favorite of these unverified words were attributed to Japanese:

* Age-otori, which means ‘to look worse after a haircut’
* Ariga-meiwaku, which is ‘an act someone does for you that you didn’t want to have them do and tried to avoid having them do, but they went ahead anyway, determined to do you a favor, and then things went wrong and caused you a lot of trouble, yet in the end social conventions required you to express gratitude’.

*found this post at Rolf Pott's vagablogging.net

10 things I want to do this summer:

2009-06-01T09:22:00.000-07:00

1. Go to Italy and lay on the beach all day and swim in the turquoise water

2. Buy a house or move into a different apartment

3. Make watermelon popsicles

4. Find another book series to get obsessed with

5. Go tubing on the lupe

6. Swim Swim Swim

7. Play guitar more

8. Meet my new nephew! :)

9. Good concerts

10. Go water skiing on a Texas lake

....let's make this happen.

Happy Mother's Day!

2009-05-10T13:28:00.000-07:00

Our first meeting

For those of you who aren't already aware, I have the best mama in the world.

She was always right there throughout my childhood, teaching, guiding, and loving my sisters and me. I have the best memories of exploring nature, laughing till we hurt, learning at home, awesome birthday parties and holidays, but most of all- the constant presence and love. She was always there.

Now that I am grown, it is even more clear how much she sacrificed and cared for our family (and still does!). I call her every day with a question or to get her opinion......because my mom knows everything. It is such a comfort to know that no matter where life leads me, I will always have her there.

She planned my dream wedding

Three generations of mommys

My mama has not had an easy life, but has overcome everything with strength and grace. She went back to school and just graduated with a nursing degree! She just had brain surgery and was back to work in 3 weeks! I am telling you, she is one tough lady.

Graduation day!

Always making the BEST food for gatherings and holidays.

Mama-
I love you so much. You have shown me what it means to love unconditionally and care even when it hurts. Thank you for everything you have been and done for us. I can only pray that I will be half the mom that you are to us. Happy Mother's day!

-Your Robin

Mexican Roasted Potatoes

2009-04-22T17:06:00.000-07:00

Prepare to be blown away.

These are incredible. I make them with sweet potatoes and boy howdy! Soo good!

8 medium potatoes, peeled and dice
1/3 cup of olive oil
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon sea salt (plus more to sprinkle on top)
freshly ground black pepper
3 garlic cloves, minced (I add more. The more garlic, the better in my opinion.)
1/8 teaspoon cayenne powder
1 tablespoon dried mustard

1 lime, juiced (or more to taste)

**I never make 8 potatoes, and just adjust the amounts of spices. I don't really ever seem to measure anyway....**

1-Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

2-Combine all of the ingredients, except the potatoes and lime in a jar and shake to thoroughly mix ingredients (or whisk in a bowl).

3-Pour your diced potatoes into a jelly roll pan, and toss with the oil mixture. Sprinkle with salt and freshly ground pepper.

4-Roast for about 30-40 minutes, until the potatoes are well cooked, and browning on the edges. Take out of the oven, and sprinkle the juice of one lime over it. Taste test, and add more lime juice or salt, if needed and serve.

If you make with regular potatoes, you could use them in burritos or with eggs in the morning. We just eat them alone cuz they so good!

Enjoy!

I got this from Nourishing Gourmet. GREAT recipie site.

2009-04-22T06:03:00.001-07:00

READ me...

2009-04-17T19:42:00.000-07:00

So I know that I'm the one here who only posts links to articles...

But this is an interesting take on the future from the WSJ. It could be applied in all of our lives (Kate and I have been working on it for about a year, now.)

Just because things are getting cheaper (they're not, btw.. the price tag says 30% off, but if your dollar to buy it with is too... well, you get the point -- you're being lied to!) doesn't mean we need to fill our closets and garages and storage units and living rooms with more crap we don't need.

I think Christ telling us to sell all we have and give [the proceeds] to the poor would be best interpreted into modern vernacular like this... maybe clean the phrasing up a little bit here, adjust the lighting a bit and then--- sell all we have and give [the proceeds] to the poor!

Now does Christ actually mean that? YES! But I think what he means even more than that (joking aside) is that we need to have the attitude of readiness and open-handedness to do just that. Constantly be looking for ways to shed your possessions for the blessing of others.

Greatest movie line of all time

2009-04-11T18:18:00.000-07:00

This makes me smile

2009-04-06T17:23:00.001-07:00

Read this

2009-03-11T15:54:00.000-07:00

here is a great post from someone else

worth your time more than facebook or youtube anyway.

WAKE UP!

-Scott

Cheesy Quinoa Pilaf with Spinach

2009-03-08T08:55:00.000-07:00

This recipe is so good. Quinoa is my favorite grain and this is a great way to prepare it. Serve with chicken or salmon.

Why you should eat it:
Its protein content is very high (12%–18%) and unlike wheat or rice (which are low in lysine), quinoa contains a balanced set of essential amino acids for humans, making it an unusually complete protein source.It is a good source of dietary fiber and phosphorus and is high in magnesium and iron. Quinoa is gluten-free and considered easy to digest. Because of all these characteristics, quinoa is being considered a possible crop in NASA's Controlled Ecological Life Support System for long-duration manned spaceflights

Pretty groovy.

Ingredients:

1 cup quinoa
1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 cup raw sunflower seeds
6 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups fresh spinach leaves
2 tablespoons and 2 teaspoons lemon juice
1-1/3 cups grated parmesan cheese

*This makes 4 servings but I usually fiddle with the amounts. I use less oil, seeds, and cheese and more spinach. Add the lemon to taste because it might be too strong for some*

Rinse the quinoa with cold water until no froth remains. Bring a pot of lightly salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the quinoa, and cook until the quinoa is tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Drain in a mesh strainer, and rinse until cold; set aside.
Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat, stir in the sunflower seeds, and cook until lightly toasted, about 2 minutes. Stir in the garlic, and cook until the garlic softens and the aroma mellows, about 2 minutes. Stir in the cooled quinoa and spinach; cook and stir until the quinoa is hot, and the spinach has wilted. Stir in the lemon juice, and all but a pinch of the cheese. Stir until the cheese has melted. Serve sprinkled with the remaining cheese.

Try it! Iz goud.

2009-03-04T14:04:00.000-08:00

Heal my heart and make it clean

Open up my eyes to the things unseen

Show me how to love like you have loved me

Break my heart for what breaks yours

Everything I am for your kingdoms cause

As I go from earth into

Eternity

DETOX

2009-02-16T15:39:00.000-08:00

I started my week long detox today. It is pretty intense. I am hoping it will help cure me of my addiction to sugar and carbs.

Here are the ingredients:

Add some protein shakes and a couple of tablespoons of olive oil every night and you've got it. That's it. Nothing else. And everything is mostly in liquid form. AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!

Are these not the most horrendous things you have ever seen? I am seriously scared of them.

Anyway, I will let you know how it goes. I am determined to follow through. I just cannot let those beets go to waste.....

Rob and Tiff are going to try it next week. Ha!

Galaxy Drive-In

2009-02-15T11:02:00.000-08:00

Scott got off early on Friday night so we decided to trek over to the Galaxy Drive-in Theatre. We left at about 6:15 even though the movie didn't start until 8. We figured that it would be pretty crowded. It only took us about 30 minutes to make the lovely drive, complete with PB&J sandwiches, Jeff Buckley, and a beautiful Texas sunset.

The drive-in is absolutely ADORABLE. Totally 1950's and no frills. We got there an hour and 15 minutes before it started, so we got a great seat (or parking place). They have restored all of the little speaker things and play oldies with their very own deejay until the show starts. I wanted to have a dance party..... maybe next time.

You can listen to the movie from the speakers or they give you a radio station to tune into. The sound was awesome!

It is a good thing we got there when we did because by 8:00 the place was PACKED with the line out on the highway. The movie didn't start until around 8:30 because all of the stragglers. So by this time we had been waiting for almost 2 hours and were kinda bored (next time we will take cards or a book or our dancing shoes). They found vintage shorts to play before the show which was super cute. Anywho, we saw Push first and then Taken. Two for the price of one!! $6 by the way. You really can't beat this date. SO much fun!! Both movies were pretty good and Liam Neeson kicked butt in Taken.... must be left over Jedi powers.

I really recommend going on out to the drive-in. They have 4 screens so there is something for every one! Just get there early and take a book!

2009-02-08T16:09:00.000-08:00

**Details soon to follow**

I dub you genius

2009-01-24T20:11:00.000-08:00

This rocks my innards.

Ode to Apple Cider Vinegar

2009-01-23T07:32:00.000-08:00

So I have had a sinus infection going on 25 days now. I don't believe in antibiotics unless I have meningitis or something, so I have been letting my body fight it. I finally decided to look into giving my body a little help..... since it has been taking a little longer than preferred.
I have always heard of the benefits of PURE RAW ORGANIC UNFILTERED (this is important) apple cider vinegar, but could never really get over the taste to take it everyday. When I googled "how to cure a sinus infection naturally" everything came up saying take ACV. I just so happened to have some in my cupboard and took 1 tablespoon in some water. Within 10 minutes my sinus were clearing, my INSANE headache that I've had for 2 weeks was depressureizing, and I could actually blow my nose (sorry, TMI).
I was so pumped that I started doing some reasearch on what else this miracle elixir would fix and this is what I found:

Apple cider vinegar is a powerful detoxifying and purifying agent. It breaks down fatty, mucous and phlegm deposits within the body. By breaking down these substances it improves the health and function of the vital organs of the body, such as the kidneys, bladder and liver, by preventing excessively alkaline urine. It also oxidizes and thins the blood, which is important in preventing high blood pressure. This powerful potion also promotes digestion, assimilation and elimination, all the while neutralizing any toxic substances that enter the body. Apple cider vinegar has been found to neutralize any harmful bacteria that may be found in certain foods. When a mixture of cider vinegar and water is taken before a meal (particularly food served in restaurants or at picnics where the preparation or duration of food left uncovered and not refrigerated is questionable), it seems to prevent diarrhea or digestive upsets.
Apple cider vinegar contains a potent supply of potassium which researchers feel is helpful in easing the effects of common colds and allergies, including mucous formation, watery eyes, sinus and catarrhal problems. Apple cider vinegar can also be beneficial for symptoms such as tooth decay and splitting of the fingernails, which are symptoms of potassium deficiency. When the body is lacking certain minerals or salts, ill health can be the result. Toxic build-ups within the body can cause boils, blisters, acne, etc.
Apple cider vinegar detoxifies and helps with the cleansing and clotting processes of the blood, by helping along the blood oxidation process. Apple cider vinegar is beneficial in the treatment of arthritis, as a beverage or with compresses soaked in hot vinegar applied directly to the joints. It is also helpful when used to treat asthma, nose bleeds, osteoporosis, cancer, candida, high cholesterol, colds, constipation, muscle cramps, colitis, diabetes, diarrhea, depression, dizziness, ear discharge, eczema, fatigue, gallstones, kidney stones, hay fever, headaches, heartburn, hiccups, indigestion, insomnia, kidney and bladder problems, metabolism, nasal congestion, sore throats, stiff joints, ulcers and weight loss.

A little history for you:

Apple cider vinegar has been traced to Egyptian urns as far back as 3000 B.C. The Babylonians used it as a condiment and preservative, while Julius Caesar’s army used ACV tonic to stay healthy and fight off disease. The Greeks and Romans kept vinegar vessels for healing and flavoring. It was used in Biblical times as an antiseptic and a healing agent and is mentioned in the Bible. In Paris in the Middle Ages it was sold from barrels by street vendors as a body deodorant, healing tonic and a health vinegar drink. Even Christopher Columbus and his crew on his voyage to discover America in 1492 had their vinegar barrels for prevention of scurvy as did the soldiers in the American Civil War. For centuries in Japan, the feared Samurai warriors drank it for strength and power. ACV has been used for thousands of years not only for health reasons, but also as a cleansing agent to remove bacteria, germs, odors, and even stains and spots.

So, if you have any of the above ailments, I strongly suggest taking a swig. If only so you can be that much closer to becoming a Samurai..........
A lot of articles talked about the use of ACV for weight loss. When I have taken it, my appetite has been noticably curbed making portion control (not starving yourself) easier.

How I take it:
1 tablespoon in equal parts water and juice twice a day.
It is not that terrible. Some people say it has more benefits to add it to some water and sip throughout the day...... you can let me know how that works. It is also widely used as a salad dressing mixed with olive oil.

Like I said before, it is vital that you get RAW UNFILTERED ORGANIC ACV with MOTHER. Mother is that stuff that's floating around in the bottle. Braggs is the best brand. Otherwise, it is useless. And don't take it for 2 days and then stop because you can't tell a difference. Like all other natural remedies, it can take a bit longer to build up in your system.

Happy health to you!

Repost cuz it's true yo

2009-01-07T12:28:00.001-08:00

I don’t know the suffering of people outside my front door

I join the oppressors of those who I choose to ignore

I’m trading comfort for human life

and that’s not just murder it’s suicide

this too shall be made right

Celebrating the Second Year of Man and Wife Love

2008-12-30T17:06:00.000-08:00

Originally for our anniversary we were planning on staying holed up in a hotel. Instead, in effort to save moolah, our wonderfully generous and hospitable friends Rob and Tiff offered us their sweet home, as they would be out of town. So with Gerds in tow, we headed to Ft. Worth (consequently the same city where the vows went down!).

We had such a fun, relaxing time just hanging out, enjoying and basking in the celebration of our wedded love. We made a big pallet in the living room floor by the fire and played 60+ games of Mancala and watched Benny and Joone and Elizabethtown. We also went to Sundance Square in downtown Ft. Worth to visit my favorite Barnes and Noble, eat at P.F. Cha Changs, and walk to The Ashton hotel where we spent our wedding night.

"Join us for Mancala hour!"

We have decided that I must be a vampire and just don't know it yet.

12-28-06

12-28-08

Yummy asparagus. I have had to start training my taste buds to like new things, having now fully embraced vegetarianism. It has been pretty liberating actually. I am no longer scared of onions and peppers. :)

The next day we went with Kraig to pick out my sweet guitar. It is really beautiful and will make beautiful music. But more on that later.

Fun.

From that moment.....

2008-12-27T14:40:00.000-08:00

December 28th, 2006

Two years and counting....

I love you Scooty Booty

We're havin a hell of a time.

2008-12-22T19:15:00.000-08:00

Watch.

Updizate

2008-12-20T08:30:00.000-08:00

I know so many of you are needing an update on the Coles to breathe. Here you go:

-We moved in with my parents a little before Thanksgiving to save money in order to leave the country. Maybe Guatemala, maybe Australia, maybe England, or.. anywhere....... we have no idea at this point, just that we have to GO. We are just waiting for the word. It is really frustrating to not know one week to the other what you are going to be doing- it changes constantly. We need prayer for TRUST.

-I have decided to become a rock star. You can see me at a Potbellies near you in the distant future.

-I made most of my Christmas presents this year which was fun and took off A LOT of unnecessary stress.

-We are selling one of our cars to get rid of the payment. (Anyone need a 2003 Toyota Corolla? It's silver and pretty sweet) So slowly but surely getting used to having one car. Scott has started taking the DART which is interesting/scary at times.

-Scott found this website: http://www.netflixorigami.com/ It is really fun ny

-Despite our current circumstance and the lack of alone time that comes with it, Scott and I are madly and nauseatingly in love

-We are extremely blessed to have amazing friends that really help us through this unsure time. You know who you are and aren't.

-My mom graduated from nursing school!!!!!! After 3+ years of h-e-l-l she is finished! We are so so proud. She got a job at Presbyterian of Dallas in the Postpartum unit! WWWOOOHHHOOOO!

Mom getting pinned. Sorry so fuzzy.

Caleb was so excited to see Nana on the stage. He asked when she was going to sing.

-We have come to the realization that we absolutely HATE Christmastime and have decided that when we have a family, we are going to celebrate in February . Everything from the traffic, unnecessary gift-giving, lack of any kind of remembrance of why we have this holiday, people racking up debt on stuff that no one needs, charities that boast of "Doing the most good" (seriously?), to fricking Angel Trees that give kids MP3 players when there are MILLIONS of kids without even clean water. It you want a MP3 player that means you have a computer....... all I can really say is AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The only good thing about Christmas (the way Americans celebrate it) is the movies. Christmas Vacation, Santa Clause the Movie, The Snowman, Small One, ELF! And recently All I Want for Christmas. Greatness.

-Our two year anniversary is coming up!!! 12-28! These last two have been so wonderful that I cannot imagine what the next 80 are going to be like!

So that's about it I guess. You're welcome.

Gertrude says, "Merry Poopin Christmas"

2008-12-04T11:05:00.001-08:00

Praising God through a second miscarrige

2008-11-18T07:42:00.001-08:00

It is hard to explain this peace.
It hurts, but doesn't consume like you would think. I cannot attribute it to anything but Jesus. I have lost the thing that I have wanted more than anything in my entire life, but I have hope. How? How can I have hope when my mind tells me that everything is lost? Even I think should I be completely broken and ruined. What is with me? Why do I not despair? HOW DO I HAVE HOPE?
It's like He has come and carried me through it all. I want to wallow and throw the sheets over my head every day..... but I don't. Why not?

I always read the verse, but never completely knew until now:
HE HAS TURNED MY MOURNING INTO DANCING!

I have no idea how..... well, that's silly- I do know how. I know that God is a mighty and loving God and that He could never give me anything other than blessings and things for my good. Right now I am not sure how this is for my good, but I believe and have faith that it is. His ways are so much higher than mine. If Christ is glorified through our sufferings, then so be it.

So we do grieve, but we grieve with hope. Hope that someday we will meet our sweet Hosanna in heaven, hope that we will look back and clearly see this as blessing, hope that Jesus is glorified through this, and hope that we will have children someday... in whatever way God chooses.

"But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope." (1 Thessalonians 4:13)

"Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God." ( Psalm 42:5)

**I had a dream a few weeks before we found out we were pregnant. I was rocking a baby girl and singing "Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna in the highest" to her when I heard, "That is what she will be." So we were going to name our baby Hosanna. I see now what God was saying. She (this pregnancy) will be Hosanna (PRAISE!). We will praise through this suffering. We will praise God for His love and grace... no matter the circumstances.**

Be our everything, Jesus. For Your name and Your glory, are the desires of our hearts
It is well.

2008-10-26T12:15:00.000-07:00

I give you praise, O Great Invisible God, for the moon in the space of a dark night, for the smile on a face in the sunlight.

I give you praise, O Great Invisible God, for the sound of the storm on the window, for the morning adorned with a new snow, for the tears on the face of the old man made clean by the grace of the good Lamb.

I long to see your face, Invisible God. All the works that you have made are clearly seen and plain as day, so mighty and tender.

O Lord, let me remember that I see you everywhere, Invisible God, in the seed that descends to the old earth and arises again with a new birth; in the sinner who sinks in the river and emerges again, delivered.

I long to see your face, Invisible God. All the works that you have made are clearly seen and plain as day, so mighty and tender.

O Lord, let me remember, your power eternal, your nature divine. All creation tells the tale that Love is real and so alive.

I feel you, I hear you, Great God Unseen I see you in the long, cold death that the winter brings and the sweet resurrection spring.

Monarch Migration

2008-10-15T10:12:00.000-07:00

Have you noticed all of the butterflies lately? I was driving down George Bush the other day and happened to look up and see these sweet little monarchs trying their hardest to fly against the wind. I was having a particularly frustrating day, and couldn't help but smile at how God has everything perfectly worked out, even for the butterflies. If He has a perfect plan for them, shouldn't I rest assured that He has one for me too?

From Wiki:

Monarchs are especially noted for their lengthy annual migration. In North America they make massive southward migrations starting in August until the first frost. A northward migration takes place in the spring. (In Australia, they make limited migrations in cooler areas, but the blue tiger butterfly is better known in Australia for its lengthy migration.) Female monarchs deposit eggs for the next generation during these migrations. By the end of October, the population east of the Rocky Mountains migrates to the sanctuaries of the Mariposa Monarca Biosphere Reserve in the Mexican states of Michoacán and México. The western population overwinters in various sites in central coastal and southern California, United States, notably in Pacific Grove and Santa Cruz.

The length of these journeys exceeds the normal lifespan of most monarchs, which is less than two months for butterflies born in early summer. The last generation of the summer enters into a non-reproductive phase known as diapause and may live seven months or more. During diapause, butterflies fly to one of many overwintering sites. The generation that overwinters generally does not reproduce until it leaves the overwintering site sometime in February and March. It is thought that the overwinter population of those east of the Rockies may reach as far north as Texas and Oklahoma during the spring migration. It is the second, third and fourth generations that return to their northern locations in the United States and Canada in the spring. How the species manages to return to the same overwintering spots over a gap of several generations is still a subject of research (GOD!!); the flight patterns appear to be inherited, based on a combination of circadian rhythm and the position of the sun in the sky.

Monarch butterflies are one of the few insects capable of making transatlantic crossings. They are becoming more common in Bermuda due to increased usage of milkweed as an ornamental plant in flower gardens. Monarch butterflies born in Bermuda remain year round due to the island's mild climate.

A few monarchs turn up in the far southwest of Great Britain in years when the wind conditions are right, and have been sighted as far east as Long Bennington. Monarchs can also be found in New Zealand. On the islands of Hawaii no migrations have been noted.

Monarch butterflies are poisonous or distasteful to birds because of milkweed poison stored by the caterpillar stage; their bright colors are warning colors. During hibernation monarch butterflies sometimes suffer losses because hungry birds pick through them looking for the butterflies with the least amount of the poison onboard, but in the process killing those that they reject.

How awesome is that? Thank you God for your glory evident EVERYWHERE!! Even in butterflies. Even in me.

We're sorry Britney

2008-10-10T10:33:00.000-07:00

My heart has always broken for this sweet girl

We gots too much stuff....

2008-09-24T08:38:00.000-07:00

I take a break from my cleaning to ask this question: WHEN DID WE GET SO EXCESSIVE??
We are going through our house to find things to sell to lighten our load as we plan to move out of the country. It is really maddening to see all of the stuff that is just stuff, serves no purpose, I don't even like, I wasted our money on, and just weighs us down. Take, for example, candles. I can see 11 candles from where I am sitting at this desk. I do not burn them. They collect dust (and dusting candles is not an easy task). At Pottery Barn a 3x6 pillar candle is $8. 8x11=88 Go here www.bloodwatermission.com (link to the right) and you can see that $88 can buy 88 Africans clean water for a YEAR! Wow, I really needed to buy those candles, huh? Not only that, but they totally clutter the house. I crave SIMPLICITY!!! So don't buy me candles.

Shoes: Do I really need a closet FULL of shoes when I wear 3 or 4 of them?
Perfume: Do I really need 5 bottles when it gives me a headache so I don't wear it?
Books: (this one hurts) Do I really need a library full of books when I probably won't reread half of them?
The list goes on and on and on and on.

It disgusts me. I want to fit all of my possessions in a backpack. I really do not think we can achieve the call of God when we are constantly buying and storing up things we do not need. It is not okay. Jesus says so:
Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. -Luke 12:33-34

You really can't argue that. Stop buying things thinking they will make your life happier or easier. It is not okay to be excessive. Your wealth is not "a blessing from the Lord." It is, but not so you can horde it and spend it on crap. Did you ever think that maybe He blessed you with it so you can bless others? Give till it hurts. You don't need it. I am speaking to myself here too.

Why would you want to work your whole life, day after day, to earn money just so you can buy things you don't need. Where is the sense in that cycle?

I'm sorry to keep posting only lyrics.

2008-09-19T08:52:00.000-07:00

No, actually I'm not. Music has been even more impactful to me recently.

This is by Jason Upton. A good deal of his songs are written on the spot in the middle of his concerts/ praise & worship times.

Will of God

I’m tired of living in this world of sin
Tired of living in this game we’re in
Been to town and now I’m back again tired of living for the pride of men
And the world may think I’m crazy when I don’t run with them
But it’s just plain idolatry, when God can’t have all of me

I want to live for the will of God
Oh Lord, I want to follow
With all of my mind, all my heart and all my soul
I want to follow you Oh Lord

How much time will I keep wasting?
How much cheap wine will I keep tasting?
Been to church and now I’m back again
Tired of living for the pride of men
And the world may think I’m crazy when I don’t run with them
But it’s just plain idolatry when God can’t have all of me.

Wow.

2008-09-18T06:46:00.000-07:00

Both of Us’ll Feel The Blast

by Don Chaffer

We’re both dirty, baby- that’s just the way it goes
We’ll try to cut the fuses off before everything blows
And if it blows and both of us are standing real close by
Then both of us’ll feel the blast and both of us’ll die
But dying’s overrated, it’s a ticket on a train
And as long as I can hold your hand, I’ll know that I’m still sane
Maybe I’m an idiot for thinking that that’s true
But I believe that Jesus knew what He was doing when He gave me you

Lately I’ve been wondering- what are we gonna do
When we wake up in the morning and its just me and you?
Cause we ain’t never done this thing but I guess that’s how it goes
You breathe deep as it comes to you and hold tight when it blows
And if it blows and both of us are standing real close by
Then both of us’ll feel the blast and both of us’ll die
And dying’s underrated, it’s a ticket to the feast-
The one we’re all invited to, from the greatest to the least

I hope we sit together when Jesus serves the wine
So I can look into your eyes when I taste it the first time
And I know there’s no secrets when you’re sitting at that table
But I believe we’ll smile real knowingly when we read the label
And it says “passion sacrificed to keep from going crazy.”
We’ll tip our glasses to the Host who used to look so hazy
And drink it down all sweet and slow and slip inside His mind
And realize as it goes down- this is communion wine

This is communion wine
This is communion wine
This is communion wine

This is in the player to the right for your listening enjoyment.

2008-09-13T13:50:00.000-07:00

Everyone needs to open their eyes and stop being so disgustingly selfish. What are you living and working and striving for? Yourself? A new car? A new house? More money? Your spouse or children? How is that working out for you? Are you happy?

WAKE UP!

Health

2008-09-10T07:22:00.000-07:00

I would like to include a post from my sister-in-law's blog about their approach to health. It is a part of their family's manifesto! Scott and I wholeheartedly agree and, since it is worded so well, would like to share it as what we believe as well. You can check out more here

Alright, I have to start this one off with a longish quote. I tried to synopsize it but this is written so succinctly that I can't do better.

"The whole idea of man versus nature can be traced back to the origins of western medicine more than 2000 years ago. There are two competing health philosophies. Is each individual governed by a 'vital force' that, through unique reactions to external stimuli, is capable of participating in the healing process, as empiricists, including Hippocrates, have maintained? Or are all human organisms simply a series of complex chemical reactions governed by the laws of physics, chemistry, and mechanics, as rationalists, including Louis Pasteur, have maintained?

Empiricists accept the existence of viruses and bacteria as part of nature and illness as part of the life process. They consider fevers, diarrhea and runny noses good, not bad, and do not suppress them with chemically based drugs that might interfere with the body's natural ability to harness the immune system to participate in the healing process. They stress that each individual is unique and that individualized therapeutic techniques can stimulate the body to restore health....

Rationalists believe that all living organisms are more similar to one another than they are different and that a common, universal approach to public health will attain individual health. Viewing symptoms of illness as a sign that a foreign virus or bacteria has invaded the body, they create therapies such as drugs and vaccines to destroy the foreign invader...." (Barbara Loe Fisher)

We are not just physical beings. We are also mental and spiritual beings. These three things are what make us a whole person. They lean on each other and affect each other. We are made in the image of our Creator, the triune God. He is Father, Son and Holy Spirit and all 3 parts are 1 God. So, if we are having a health probelm, we have to consider our whole self - all three parts. All of them are equally important. Health can have as much to do with surroundings and emotional states as it does with nutrition and physical manifestations of symptoms. Our approach to healing involves looking at all of these aspects. Everything is connected.

Not all of life can be measured or completely understood and in trying to do this, modern medicine has come to see the body as fragmented. The medicine that is practiced does not treat the 'whole' body. So here we are faced with two belief systems. We can choose man's path, which includes treating the symptoms and ignoring the rhythms of the natural world or we can believe that God has created us to live in harmony with nature. We feel like we are taking chances in relying of man's chemicals and fragmented view. Our "faith stands not in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God." (1 Cor.2:5)

This is how we believe that God has planned for us to live. Our bodies are awesome and sensitive and created to live in this world. We want our children to learn from birth how to take care of themselves - how to eat well, how to live in tune with nature and how to be positive in a negative world. We are not fanatics about health. We want to live simply and in harmony with nature, not bombarding our bodies with unhealthy preservatives and chemicals; but we are not perfect and we will not escape illness. Constantly fighting and avoiding germs, microbes, viruses, etc. would just bring stress and fear. "Life experienced through the fear of illness and death is not life at all but a grand avoidance." (Aviva Jill Romm)

We are empiricists (I guess - if we have to have a label). When the kids get a fever, I make them comfortable and support their immune system with herbs and let the fever work. When they get diarrhea, I encourage them that their body is working right and cleaning something out and I support them with fluids. When they get a runny nose I let them run - the body knows that it needs to get the germs out of the lungs so it makes more mucus and sends it out! We don't vaccinate - but more on that later. We use prayer, acupuncture, chiropractic, herbs, oils and nutrition - all with great results. This is something that I have prayed about and researched enough to know that I know that I can trust God and His plan for me and my family and that His creation is beneficial to me.

2008-09-08T08:36:00.001-07:00

I don’t know the suffering of people outside my front door

I join the oppressors of those who i choose to ignore

I’m trading comfort for human life

and that’s not just murder it’s suicide

this too shall be made right

2008-08-15T08:25:00.000-07:00

I don't really feel like blogging about all that is going on in our lives. Instead, I will leave you with the absolute genius of Robert Downey Jr. You're welcome mom.

I Want Love

Homemade Fun!

2008-07-05T13:28:00.000-07:00

I have been wanting to make homemade laundry detergent for a while now. I was always hesitant because a lot of people have said that is does not work as well as store bought. I thought I would try it nonetheless. Not only is it A LOT cheaper (Tide is about 30 cents per load and this is less than 5 cents), it is 100% natural and detergent-free so it is great for sensitive skin and allergies. No toxins for me thank you. And it is better for the environment if you are into that. I recommend using the powder recipe instead of the liquid sludge one.

So here is how it works:

Ingredients: 1 bar of Fels-Naptha soap (you can substitute Zote, or Ivory)
1 cup washing soda
1 cup borax

*All of these ingredients can be found at Kroger

Process:

STEP ONE- Grate soap

STEP TWO- Grind soap shavings in food processor or blender until fine

STEP THREE- Pour soap into a large bowl. Add 1 cup Borax

STEP FOUR- Add 1 cup washing soda

STEP FIVE- Mix well and pour into favorite air-tight container

Voila!

Easy, right? You only need 1 tablespoon for normal loads and 2 for large/soiled ones. You can also add your favorite essential oil to the wash if you want a smell. I think the soap smell is pleasant enough. After two weeks of using my concoction, I can say with confidence that IT IS GREAT! And I recommend everyone trying it out. Two things you should know if you do: 1. pour soap into washer basket first, then start water and let it dissolve for a few seconds before you add clothes 2. Soap will not lather. That does not mean it is not working. It just does not have the harsh detergents that others do. Fels-Naptha is 100% pure beef tallow soap, no detergent.

:) Hooray for homemades!

*Check back soon for homemade deodorant post*

regarding the previous post....

2008-07-01T19:40:00.000-07:00

Raquel. 1st let me say that I am sorry I ruined your week and you lost your job and all your friends because you were watching that non-stop for 3 days. I apologize. Kate and i have decided to adopt you to make up for it.

Let me sum up...

We have a theory that the TV station in question (based on Arthur's name tag, we are assuming the stations call letters/ affiliate is... you guessed it... "TV". Anyways, "TV," the TV station, enacted a new policy in order to make the Haitian locals they hired as newscasters/ morning show hosts look more professional. That being the matching Khaki jackets. Of course they (the hosts) hate this. They feel stripped of individuality. They feel violated. Of course there is water-cooler talk, but no one can REALLY speak out, for fear of retaliation, etc.

This was her chance. Interject it in an un-scripted quip; a simple response to Arthur's casual, all too unnecessary comment on the weather. IT'S HAITI. The people who live in Haiti, the only recipients of the TV station "TV," are well aware of the lack of temperature shift from day to day.

But she did it. She stuck it to the man. Good for her. And good for Arthur for being of the moment enough to catch it. It took him a second, but he caught it like a pop fly that didn't come down for three minutes. Good for Haiti.

I'm not going to comment on the 3rd gentleman, who reminds me of Carlton from the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

Thanks, Arthur !

2008-06-25T19:59:00.000-07:00

I need to explain something before you watch this. It's not that funny the first time. Each time that you watch it however will exponentially raise the laugh quotient. Trust me. 10 times. That's 90 seconds.

Laughter is the best medicine.

Fun-filled Weekend

2008-06-23T16:55:00.000-07:00

We (finally!) got to spend a whole weekend together without any outside plans or people. Just us. It was so lovely. Friday night we stayed in and watched P.S. I love You. It is extremely sad. Like whoa sad. It made me realize that I need to live in the moment more and stop constantly looking ahead to what is next in our lives. I have the most amazing husband in the world and I just need to enjoy him- especially while it's just us.
Then on Saturday Scott got up early and went to the driving range while I got really into my new book. It may be dumb, actually it IS dumb, but I like it. So there. After that we went to the Galleria. It has been a REALLY long time since we have just strolled through a mall and piddled. It was relaxing and fun. After a few great finds at Williams Sonoma, Pottery Barn, and The Gap we headed home and hit the pool. Another really relaxing and fun time. Even though it was pretty crowded and there were people blaring 106.1 it was still nice to just chill. Unfortunately, I grew up spending 10+ hours at the pool at a time and Scott didn't (he's not a strong swimmer) so he weenied out sooner than I had hoped.
We then got ready to go to our fabulous dinner. One of Scott's clients gave him a gift certificate of appreciation to his (really fancy schmancy) restaurant. It was fun to be able to dress up and eat incredible food that we wouldn't normally get to have.

These are my shoes. Yes, I took a picture of my shoes. I love my shoes.Scott was taking a really long time getting ready.

After the really yummy dinner we had planned to go to Sundance Square to see a movie and go to my favorite Barnes and Noble but......we went home instead. Surprise. We are such home bodies. I sometimes feel guilty that we hardly go out like other people our age, but I don't really care. I love being at my homey home with my sweet husband and our crazy pets just hanging out. I don't think that's wrong. So we talked and read (by this time I am REALLY into my book).Gertrude's reading material

Sunday Scott went and played golf with some buddies while I did laundry and read the rest of my book. Then we went to Half Price Books, got the new Coldplay, and came home and watched Gone Baby Gone. Good movie.
Wonderful weekend, even better food, and the BEST company.

p.s. I just found out that Scott has never seen all of The Little Mermaid. WHAT THE HECK??

Today, you need to think...

2008-06-06T08:30:00.000-07:00

Today, June 6th, marks the beginning of the Operation Overlord, namely the Invasion at Normandy. Our troops landed on Omaha beach as dawn approached. It marked the first time in the war that we had our head on straight. We were in a downward decline until that moment, based very much on the same lack of action as in the early 30's that let Hitler rise so quickly. America had decisions to make and the "leaders" thought they should "talk" with him...

One of the nominees for President feels he should "talk" with terrorist leaders of the world, namely Ahmadinejad (very reminiscent in his rise to power and similar in ideologies to Hitler...)

I interrupt my train of thought with a quote from this article, which you should read...Link

" There is one big difference between now and the 1930s. Although the West's lack of military preparedness and its political irresolution led to three solid years of devastating losses to Nazi Germany and imperial Japan, nevertheless when all the West's industrial and military forces were finally mobilized, the democracies were able to turn the tide and win decisively.But you cannot lose a nuclear war for three years and then come back. You cannot even sustain the will to resist for three years when you are first broken down morally by threats and then devastated by nuclear bombs.",

I have a very hard time imagining what America would be like in 4.5 years if B. Hussein gets elected. I hate to be the 1,000,000th person to say it, but I might become an expat. At least in body.

2008-05-30T20:57:00.000-07:00

So here I sit, ready to rant on politiks. I'm not sure if it's a great idea, considering that my views are quite different from others. Ron Paul is my nomination for president in 2008. Who?!?! you ask... The only candidate (still in the race, by the way) that has any functioning brain matter whatsoever. Whatsoever is a fantastic word --it is all encompassing. He is the only candidate that would vote to cut his own salary (one one-hundredth of a percent of the Forbes average CEO salary). He doesn't care a thing about government programs that only serve to fill the needs of those who don't contribute (read: WELFARE). This isn't a socialist country (yet...) so why are we functioning as one? I'll tell you why -- because we continually and incrementally give up our civil liberties and Constitutional rights in order for the government to "HELP".
God said that he would be enough for us. I believe Him. I don't need a government to do anything for me. Anything. Ever. I am thankful that God blessed me with the opportunity to live in America. I don't hate it here. Anyone who says they do has never been to a country where people are hungry. I have. Bottom line = eating.

I haven't even started.
>

peace and love be yours in abundance.

Caleb's Birthday at the Zoo

2008-05-28T06:26:00.000-07:00
Yesterday we took the train to the Dallas Zoo for my nephew Caleb's 3rd birthday. It was fun but we got VERY wet. The theme of the adventure was Diego Jungle Safari. Kristen (my sister/Caleb's mom) had the cutest idea for us all to wear safari hats and the kids had a safari box complete with field journals, spotting scopes, compasses, a bean bag of fav animal, Diego stickers, and tattoos. We may have looked like crazies, but we were all more than willing to do it for Caleb. Scott and I also thought it would be funny to wear matching clothes with safari boots. Turns out it wasn't that funny.....only uncomfortable.
Once at the Zoo we saw a few animals. Lemurs, gorillas, penguins, alligators, chimps, flamingos, giant turtles, etc. Caleb had to stop and write about every animal in his field journal so we didn't move very fast. He is so amazing. Then it started to rain. Not rain, pour. We were walking and could see sheets of rain up ahead coming straight for us. We all ran to the indoor food court to wait it out. All except Scott who decided to run in the opposite direction of all of us and got lost. He claims that he was waiting in a separate food court but I don't think I believe him. I think he was just lost. We ate lunch and it never really let up so we just decided to go back to the train. It was really pouring now so we all booked it to the train and got drenched. All in all it was a fun trip, cut short by the rain but excited by it as well.
I cannot believe baby Caleb is 3 years old. It makes me really sad. My mom got him a bike for his birthday and he looked SO big riding it. He is a kid now. No more toddler. I am going to really miss him as a baby but know that he will be the most precious kid too. I love him so much.
Happy birthday big boy!
2 days old
Sweet baby
On the train
Checking out the penguins.
Writing about gorillas in his field journal
Scott being Scott
After a run in the rain. Lily didn't seam to mind. Kristen on the other hand.........
Kim of course found a broken umbrella in the trash and fixed it with some ribbon. It makes sense if you know her.
Nana and Caleb all wet.

2008-05-25T15:34:00.000-07:00
Do I praise God in EVERYTHING? Regardless of the situation or if things aren't going my way? No. Things aren't going my way and I am mad. Mad at God? Pretty crazy. I always heard people say they were mad at God but could never understand it. How could you be mad at the One who gave you life and salvation and everything around you? But I am.
I want God to be in my laughing AND in my mourning.
Be with me as I hope, wait, dream, and wrestle.
I know that His ways are so much better and higher than my own. Why can't I embrace that?
I say, "If I pray and read the bible and am happy God will give me this."
God owes me nothing and I must not seek Him for what I can gain.
Oh that I may seek Him for Him and love of Him and desperation for Him.
To count everything else a loss.

I don't want this to be my fire but I guess we don't get to pick it. God is smart to choose this. It is the thing that means the most to me in life. I must throw it aside and run to my Creator. I want Him to be enough. But I don't know that He is right now. I don't know how I would handle tragedy in this. Would I worship and believe that His ways are perfect? Would I scream, bite, curse, and turn away?
Lord, increase my faith!

How many times did I say "I" in this post? Pretty ridiculous.
More of HIM and less of me!!!!!!!

But as for me, I trust in you, O Lord.
I say, "You are my God. My times are in your Hands."
Ps 31:14

Watch this. Twice.

2008-05-19T11:02:00.000-07:00

15 reasons why I have the best husband ever:

2008-05-10T12:16:00.000-07:00
1. He always takes the dog out and never complains

2. He puts up with my hormonal mood swings

3. He washes my night guard every night even if he is already comfy in bed

4. He is really good at manly things like working on the cars and fixin stuff

5. He makes me feel beautiful and ladylike

6. He is slow to anger and very quick to love

7. He has a "tool world" in the outside storage closet that I am not allowed to enter

8. He paints my toenails and likes it

9. He always puts my needs before his own

10. If ever he wakes up suddenly in the middle of the night, the first thing he says is, "What can I do for you?"

11. He is not messy

12. He inspires me to be the best wife I can be

13. His first response to any problem that comes up is to take my hand and pray

14. He cleans out the cat box because he is afraid that if I do it I will get toxoplasmosis

15. He can't keep a straight face when we argue

I love him.

I can't help myself

2008-05-10T11:52:00.001-07:00
This makes me roll on the floor every time I watch it. I can't help it.

Tattoo

2008-05-04T13:48:00.000-07:00

Kate acquired a new piece of body art.
It's on her right arm/shoulder. It's in my own handwriting.

2008-05-02T06:32:00.001-07:00
Scott's coming home today. YAY!
He has been away in New York since Monday morning. :( He had a lot of meetings with his company and they all went really well. :) We missed him a lot but it wasn't as bad as I expected; guess I am growing up or something.....
Now I get to clean the house to get ready for his homecoming. Woo Hoo.

Tomorrow we go to Scarborough Fair! I am super excited! No, I will not eat a turkey leg for you. Gross.

The end.

p.s. I got a new tattoo. It is pretty amazing. More on that to come............

Overwhelm Me

2008-04-25T13:44:00.000-07:00

I stand amazed in the presence
Of Jesus the Nazarene,
And wonder how He could love me,
A sinner, condemned, unclean
For me it was in the garden
He prayed: “Not My will, but Thine.”
He had no tears for His own griefs,
But sweat drops of blood for mine.

O how marvelous! O how wonderful!
And my song shall ever be:
O how marvelous! O how wonderful!
Is my Savior’s love for me!

In pity angels beheld Him,
And came from the world of light
To comfort Him in the sorrows
He bore for my soul that night.
O how marvelous! O how wonderful!
And my song shall ever be:
O how marvelous! O how wonderful!
Is my Savior’s love for me!

He took my sins and my sorrows,
He made them His very own;
He bore the burden to Calvary,
And suffered and died alone.

When with the ransomed in glory
His face I at last shall see,
’Twill be my joy through the ages
To sing of His love for me.

Fare thee well

2008-04-23T06:52:00.000-07:00

We had to say goodbye to a member of the family. Hobbes (the Maine Coon) has relocated to greener pastures, where he will be the only non-human.
He just couldn't handle being the number two man in the house.
It is hard to give up something you've raised since infant hood. The mommy in me cries, but it is for the best. Stinky will have a much better life now that he is not attacking her every 3 minutes. And we all know Stinky is #1 in the Cole household. Hobbes man is now living with my sister, Kristen. She is going to rename him Lobster or Hobby Lobby. I really hope it works out and he is sweet to the kids. He really is a great cat.
We will miss you Hobbesalicious.

This was written by Kate whilst signed in under Scott.