Summer is coming to a close

I cannot believe that summer is almost over, and I am supposed to be gearing up to start a new school year. It just flew right by. Trey left for nearly six weeks to work in Charleston, SC. He was busy as a camp pastor at Charleston Southern University preaching the gospel to lots 'o' kids. I really don't mind having him gone because God has given him a gift of teaching, and I know that He has called Trey to this particular ministry.

My mom came out for four of those weeks, and I loved getting to see her. She is such an amazing woman, and it was so nice just to stay up way too late most nights talking about life. Dad joined us for a week, as well, and Owen Ray had a blast getting to see his Papa. I was devastated when they left. By devastated I mean that I called my husband while he was driving them back to the airport and demanded that he turn around and bring them back. It sounded reasonable to me at the time. Nevermind my three siblings that still live at home. They'll do fine fending for themselves.

The highlight of my summer has definitely been time with Owen Ray. I cannot wait until I get to stay home with him full-time. Until then, teaching is the next best thing. Speaking of teaching, my beloved got a full time job teaching Chemistry in a nearby school district. As I type he is at his new teacher orientation. I am so thankful that he is willing to tackle grad school and full time employment so that we can commit to paying off our student loans (probably more appropriate to specify my student loans here). One of the most visible and persistent blessings in my life is the fact that God graciously gave me Trey.

Aviator Nursery and MAF

It is so much fun to plan a nursery! I had a few things that I needed to keep in mind before settling on Chandler's nursery decor. First, I wanted it to have the navy, deep red, and celadon green that are in Owen Ray's room. I knew I wasn't going to re-buy the same pattern that Owen Ray had ($$$ what was I thinking!). But, eventually, these two guys are going to be sharing a room, and I want to be able to move in all Chandler's stuff rather than buying new things when the time comes. I wanted the theme to be 100% boy. I also wanted to incorporate my love of all things vintage. The result of my scouring the internet for fabric samples has produced the following: "Wild Blue Yonder." I ordered lots and lots of this fabric, and I am so excited for it to arrive.

In my quest for coordinating accessories, I happened upon an adorable (but way too expensive) model plane. The plane is sold through MAF. What's that you might ask? I didn't know either. It is Mission Aviation Fellowship, an organization that reaches unreachable people through their missionary pilots. In their gift shop, it said people who bought the model airplane I was looking at also bought Jungle Pilot and other books about missionary aviators. Jungle Pilot is evidently a missions classic that recounts the life of Nate Saint, who was martyred by the Waodoni while trying to bring the Gospel to them. I knew this story already, but I found myself clicking links to read articles about Nate and other missionary pilots. The result? Instead of exploring nursery decor, I find myself fighting tears (unsuccessfully) while being incredibly touched by missionaries who forfeit their earthly lives for the glory of God.

Start of Summer and Shopping on Craigslist

I can't believe that summer vacation is already in full swing. Trey headed out to Charleston a few days ago, and Owen Ray and I have been left to our own devices. I decided to not only unplug the television, but to actually move it into the coat closet. It's amazing how easy it is to waste away hours of your day watching TV. I didn't trust myself enough to even leave it unplugged. Better to just make it go away :).

Owen Ray and I have had some shopping luck on Craigslist. We scored a great storage bin set for his room that we were looking to purchase at Target (3x the price we paid).

We also got the double stroller I wanted for 1/5 of the price at Babies'R'Us. It does mean traveling around DFW a bit, though.

I am on a quest for the perfect b-day present for Owen Ray. Here are some of my thoughts:
1. City Rug

2. Simple Wooden Train Set

3. Radio Flyer Tricycle with Handle

4. Small table and chairs

Discipline

In school, the kids have had to take their district checkpoints. This isn't wasted time for me because I take my seat at the front of the class and happily catch up on some reading. I picked up Elizabeth George's "A Woman's Walk with God: Growing in the Fruit of the Spirit." In the chapter devoted to self-control, there were some really insightful comments about the role that self-discipline should have in our life and the fact that it isn't possible to excel in any of the wonderful fruit that God has seeded in our life if we do not cultivate this last of the list. I admit that discipline is such a struggle for me, and I did not always used to be this way. I keep telling myself that there are just too many things that need to be done and that something has got to give, but this isn't true. If I have time to watch episodes of my favorite TV shows or check my facebook, then I have time to do the dishes and I certainly have time to spend with God in prayer. However, I find myself neglecting important God-given duties that will bless me and my family, in favor of laziness. It is so important that God is bringing this to my attention because this neglect will only worsen as time progresses if I don't take steps to make changes. So... praise the Lord for perfect timing... and district checkpoints.

Hungry

The title of this entry says it all. I am H-U-N-G-R-Y. I wish I was speaking of spiritual things, of a hunger and thirst for righteousness, but I'm afraid that I am talking about the more physical type of hunger that can only be satisfied by a successful venture to the nearest drive thru. I can definitely say that pregnancy #2 has felt different. The most noticeable change is this constantly growling stomach of mine. I do not understand why food doesn't seem to stick with me. I eat and an hour later I feel like I am running on empty. Fortunately, I have stocked my teacher's desk with boxes of Little Debbie Nutty Bars. Chocolate and PB can fix the world.

Easter Egg Hunt

Today Owen Ray's preschool class had an Easter party. Part of this party consisted of an easter egg hunt. Trey had picked up a super cute dragon basket for Owen Ray to collect his eggs in. I wondered how these toddlers were going to do with this new fangled notion of hunting and gathering.

Owen Ray did not disappoint. That little man ran out the the yard, yelled "balls" at the top of his lung and stamped his feet, then proceeded to collect one egg after another, even holding them under his chin. He would not, however, transport them to their rightful holding area. His dragon basket lay woefully empty even while I implored him to release his arm full o' eggs. He refused but watched frustrated as the other little ones swooped up the eggs around him. I wondered at the spiritual implications of this. What can I learn from Owen Ray's unwillingness to let go of his easter eggs? He would not put them in his basket and thus missed out on getting the amount of easter eggs the other little ones did. He walked out with 4 easter eggs, all that his little hands could carry, while he watched the rest of his buddies collect a dozen at least. Do I do this? Am I so tight fisted, so untrusting with what I perceive as mine that I won't relinquish control even for a moment and therefore miss out on much more? It was just an easter egg hunt, but I wonder if there isn't a lesson in all of it.

Baby #2

Trey and I found out this past week that we are pregnant with baby #2. We are so excited!