Merry Christmas

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

All I want for Christmas...

Wishlist:

Old Navy - Sweetheart Style- Size 10 Short / Bootcut or Trouser Jeans
http://www.oldnavy.com/products/sweetheart-classic-rise-jeans-C5468.jsp
Coat
http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=5448&vid=1&pid=675618&scid=675618022
Bed Set
http://www.target.com/Springmaid-Jeslyn-Floral-Comforter-Set/dp/B002BUF7E6/ref=br_1_14?ie=UTF8&frombrowse=1&searchView=grid5&searchNodeID=2226597011&node=2226597011&searchRank=salesrank&searchPage=1&sessionID=181-2626299-3469301&searchSize=30
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.home-decorating-co.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000003/lawrence/thumbnail-images-260-260/tn260-lawrence-green-tea-bedding&imgrefurl=http://www.home-decorating-co.com/modern-bedding.html&usg=__rNig9WTG7o9W-hh160LaaBiatDE=&h=260&w=260&sz=91&hl=en&start=59&sig2=7MB7EPPh0hPNu0I038hW8A&um=1&tbnid=5BsMyF_g3BZqJM:&tbnh=112&tbnw=112&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dgreen%2Bcherry%2Bblossom%2Bbedding%26ndsp%3D20%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Dactive%26rls%3Dcom.microsoft:*:IE-SearchBox%26rlz%3D1I7GGLG_en%26sa%3DN%26start%3D40%26um%3D1&ei=k5sQS9LxE5KSnAe2lqHrAw
Embroidery Kit
http://sublimestitching.com/stitchitkit.html
Staniac
http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml;jsessionid=H3X4DE2NS4UOOCV0KQLQX0Q?id=P104014&categoryId=C8360&shouldPaginate=true
Benetint
http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P1272&categoryId=B70
Bare Escentuals/Bare Minerals
Blush - Warmth
Foundation - Fairly Light
Mineral Veil
http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P61003&shouldPaginate=true&categoryId=5737

O How the Mighty Have Fallen

Black Friday

Christmas Wish List

BIBLE BOOKS

FOOL MOON RISING

PUZZLE WITH KNOBS

TOWER

SIT AND SPIN

STACKER

SQUISHY BLOCKS

POUND A PEG

WOODEN TRAIN SET

Thoughts on Reading

How can we undo the media oversaturation that plagues us? I'm reading through Faithful Women and Their Extraordinary God and I'm amazed at the manner and ways that these women went to the mission field. Gladys Aylward, a missionary in China, explains that she "read an article about China that made a terrific impression on me. To realize that millions of Chinese had never heard of Jesus Christ was to me a staggering thought, and I felt we ought to do something about it." This statement took me by surprise. The idea that a simple article about the unchurched in China would be the vehicle by which God would call this woman to serve in China does not fit into my modern framework. I cannot imagine being so impacted by a short piece of writing. The trouble is that writing (and reading for that matter) has sadly lost much of its power. We read more than we ever have before via the internet and texting; we have become so desensitized to the written word. I worry about the implications of what we are losing in relationship to God's Holy Word. Does it impact us the way that it did a generation ago? Are we reading it for all its worth?

the shaping of a christian family

I just finished this book and wanted to document some of the most meaningful portions to me:

Bring them up means much more than merely "allow them to grow."
Bringing up children is a task. It is a positive action... the father is
the priest in the home. This means standing in the presence of God for
others. It means making sacrifices on their behalf. In a deep
spiritual sense he stands in the place of God in the home--His represenative,
the visible sign of His presence, His love, His care. A little child wants
"somebody with skin on" ; he wants the father to be there in the dark, his
weight felt sitting on his bed, his hand on the child's hand, his voice
audible. His own father's arms are all he yet knows of the Everlasting
Arms. (137)

They did not think it a good thing to explain all of their reasons and actions to us when we were small. It is an unnecessary waste of time, for one thing, for the reasoning rarely satisfies the child anyway, but more importantly, it makes it difficult later on for the child to accept what God ways without explanation. He must learn to trust the person, to believe the word, and to let the matter rest there, even when reasons are hidden, a hard but vital lesson for the rest of his life. (142)

Are we ever tempted to think that because of fluctuating feelings and harassing doubts, we are no longer aceptable to God? Let us remember that it is never because of anything in us that we are accepted at all. The measure of our acceptance is what Christ is to God; and that remains ever the same. - Evan Hopkins (212)

A Great Day

Right now it is about 7am, and the boys are both still asleep. I have coffee brewing and a quiet time waiting, but I wanted to get down the activities of yesterday for a few minutes. Number one: I was successful in making a chai latte. Woohoo! Number two: I fixed a taco dinner for Trey, a big achievement when I've cooked full meals for him less than a dozen times since we've been married. It was so rewarding to see the smile on his face. Number three: I'm reading Elisabeth Elliot's Shaping of a Christian Family. It's been a real encouragement to me as a mommy and a Christian. It was a great reminder that God is good, and it also gave me simple and meaningful ideas to help share my faith with Owen Ray, like reciting Psalm 23 to him as I am laying him down for bed.

John 8

This morning Trey and I read over John 8. I've never realized how incredibly direct the claims of Christ were and are until now. You see, Trey and I came to the collective realization that we miss so much of the richness and clarity of the Bible when we read a few verses at a time without the proper context. I've read verses in John hundreds perhaps thousands of times. But now that Trey and I are reading it through chapter by chapter each morning, I'm really starting to see the whole picture. The face off with the pharisees and the claims of deity are all so poignant as we read through this way. When I read about them crowd literally beginning to pick up stones to kill Jesus for his "blasphemous statements" I can truly see how incredible and earth shattering His revelations were. These people were not prepared for His radical and "hard" teachings. Trey and I have pondered if we would have been ready had we been there. It is His grace alone that has saved us.

Update

Wow! The apartment had gotten out of control again. We had membership class at church Friday and all day Saturday, so we just stuck around for the Saturday night service. That left me all Sunday morning to get things back in order here, and I'm so glad to report that the laundry has been washed and the dishes have been cleaned.

The school year is definitely off to a roaring start. At first it was extremely difficult, but I think things are easing now.

In other exciting and nerdy news, I figured out how to work the InterLibrary Loan through the Fort Worth library system. Fairly soon I should be sitting down to read some amazing Noel Piper, the wife of a teaching pastor I highly respect. I'm stoked.

Tonka Aviation

Grandpa, this is for you. Ray has figured out that it is fun to make his Tonka plane travel throughout the apartment. He also like to sit in his plush little chair.

So far I really like living in Fort Worth. I have enjoyed getting acclimated to my school district, and I can't wait to get started and meet the kids. Owen Ray is getting to know the other Lil Elks on Tuesdays and Thursdays and he gets to stay with his daddy on Monday, Friday, and half the day Wednesday. I wish there was a way that we didn't have to have him in any daycare like before, but I'm glad that he is so close by me throughout the school day. I'm looking forward to having my parents come with us to church again tomorrow. :) They leave on Wednesday to head back to California, so I'm excited that we'll see them a few more times before they leave.

Eyeglasses

Since flying in to California on July 4th, I feel like I have spent the majority of each day filling out paperwork and delivering or mailing said paperwork. Most of this is related to job stuff, so it is a blessing in that it directly flows from the fact that God has provided me with gainful employment, but it is also a bit trying.
Today I went to Lenscrafters to get my eyes checked out. It has been difficult for my eyes to focus while I'm reading, and I do quite a bit of reading as an English teacher. The woman who helped me was so kind. She made sure that I walked out of the door spending as little as possible. When I received my total bill at checkout with eye exam, lenses, and frames, it turned out that I owed zero dollars. I was an extremely happy lady. The Lenscrafter employee who helped me was a believer who was not shy about her faith at all. She's going through an extremely tough time right now with five children and a husband recently laid off from his job of fifteen years. Because of this, when I said that I was on a tight budget, she responded with enthusiasm and went out of her way to save me every penny possible. She was just as excited as I was when the ending result was that my insurance would cover everything.

Big News

Yaawwwnnn... I am a little on the drowsy side after getting out of the pool. Owen Ray was rocking out in his little baby float. It was adorable to watch him kick his legs as hard as he could to try to propel himself forward. There was a brief moment in the pool when I turned to Owen Ray and wistfully told him that I wished his daddy was here to play with us. However, Trey had sent me a message just the night before rejoicing at all that God was doing at the camp he is pastoring at this summer, so I knew that in my heart of hearts I was glad that he was right where God wanted him to be.
I wanted to take a minute to document all the new things that are occurring lately. It's a pretty exciting time. After four different interviews, God has chosen the perfect job for me, and I am so thrilled that I will be teaching in Burleson next year. I felt an overwhelming sense of relief when I heard the news about this job because I had the most positive feeling when I walked onto the campus for my interview. As I drove through the little community (little in comparison to Fort Worth, that is) it felt so welcoming and warm and that feeling continued onto the school grounds. The actual position is going to team me up with another young teacher, and we will get to do some pretty exciting things as we seek to get an ESL program underway on a campus that hasn't really had one before. This was the last piece we were waiting to fall into place as Trey and I transition to our new life in Texas.
In between interviews, I had some time to kill, and I used it to visit Garrett Manor Apartments, the housing assignment we received from Southwestern. It appears to be rockin a 70s exterior design, but there was a little playground in the center of the apartment complex that stole my heart. We had a chance to visit all the housing options at Southwestern before applying, and this was our first choice.
We have had a chance to visit the church that we will be attending several times, as well. I just can't believe that we are right around the corner from this huge life change.
I am definitely excited about how well things appear to be working out.
We will be moving into our apartment on August 3rd, and I will report to Burleson ISD on August 17th. Trey starts full time school on August 21st.
As far as Owen Ray's exciting news, he is a walking talking man! He is having so much fun taking a handful of steps at a time and trying out new sounds and words. We are blessed beyond blessed.

School's Out for the Summer

... and I can't wrap my mind around it. In fact, I never realize that things are happening until they have already happened. It's really not a good way to go through life at all. I was shocked when I was expected to drive myself places alone after getting my license. What were these people thinking, after all? Despite studying for the written portion and enduring the behind-the-wheel prerequisite sessions, I was shocked that I had my driver's license. My wedding was the same. I had bought the dress, picked out the colors, and chosen my bridesmaids, yet I was shocked that I actually got married. In fact, even as I was putting on my veil and heading into the church, I didn't actually expect to be married. Fast forward to this Friday, and I can tell you that I did not expect for my students to walk out of the door and not see them again on Monday. It was disorienting when it did hit me. I'm worried that I will do the same thing with our move to Texas. It will not hit me until we are in the car driving away that we are actually moving away from my family. I wish I knew how to change this, but I don't even understand how it works. :(
On a brighter note, I got to talk to Trey today, and he sounds like he is doing much better. Poor guy. At least he got to wear a cool eye patch and talk like a pirate.

Missing Trey

I officially miss my husband. He has been gone 11 days, so I feel I have every right. Tonight was Katie's graduation (yay KT), and as a faculty member I had the privilege of donning a black gown and hat and marching in, as well. This meant that I had to leave Ray at home with a babysitter. I was husbandless and babyless, and I kinda like those two guys so it wasn't my definition of the perfect evening. However, it was really neat to see Katie lead the pledge of allegiance and transferring of the tassel for her class. Back to the opening; I miss Trey. Driving home tonight at 10:00 PM, I pressed the CD function instead of the radio and it was Hal Ketchem. I want to see my sweet, handsome husband. I want to cross state lines late and night and sing Small Town Saturday Night at the top of our lungs. I want to laugh as hard as he makes me laugh, and I want to smile as big as he makes me smile. I miss his gorgeous smile and mesmerizing eyes (well... I guess it's only eye right now... funny story). But very soon I will get to see him, so it's not so very bad after all.

Standing Up

Ray is standing up! He loves to let go of things and try out his own balance, and it is so exciting.
My dad's car was likely totaled today. The amazing thing was that he wasn't in the car. Thankfully, the four kids who were in the vehicle all appeared to be fine.
I'm so glad the school year is almost over, and I am so pleased with my students progress in our last unit.
I've been able to talk with Trey on the phone more recently. It's so nice to hear his voice and listen to his thoughts. I love it! I miss him, but I am so very excited for what he is doing right now.

Hi Dada

I am trying to be diligent to record Ray as often as I can so that Trey gets to see him in action and doesn't feel like he's missing anything. Yesterday, Owen Ray was very obliging for the camera. He knew that it was an important moment, so he turned on the charm for Daddy and said "hi dada." I'm pretty sure that my son is a Narnian prince. I'm reading about them, and I think I'm fairly convinced. I've been trying to explain to my parents that he fits the bill of a sort of child king. I know this sounds ridiculous, but this kid is just amazing. That... or I'm getting way to involved in the the Vogage of the Dawn Treader.

Ray Goes Swimming

Yesterday was nice. My mom drove with me to the airport to drop Trey off (those 66 days are up), and I am now officially moved out of the parsonage. Ray and I are taking up residence with his grandma and grandpa for the next several weeks, and I am really excited about having all this homemade bread :) Tom came over for our Memorial Day gathering yesterday. It was nice to see him. He has a very fun, infectious personality. My dad was excited about Memorial Weekend. So much so, that he planned for Owen Ray to get a chance to swim. He had fun splashing!

I'm not on a countdown until the day I get to see Trey again, but I do miss him. Hopefully, I will stay busy enough that I can avoid being pitiful and just look forward to seeing him.

P.S. I just began the Voyage of the Dawn Treader and am pretty excited because the Horse and His Boy was so good.

An Unexpected Vacation

I have missed 9 days of school in the past two weeks. At $105 a pop that's a lot of moolah to throw out the window. However, it has been nice to get to stay home with my son and husband as we hack away with our flu-filled congestion. I'm looking forward to getting back to the classroom on Tuesday. I can't believe that there will only be 9 more days of school left at that point. I feel like I have missed so much.

Car Seats and Recruiters

As of yesterday, both of Owen Ray's new car seats have arrived. I installed them last night to make sure that they are a good fit. I can't believe he has already grown out of his infant car seat. It was really nice to have the two bases, one in each car, so that we could easily transition from one vehicle to the next without having to worry about reinstalling the car seat or buying two separate seats. Now that he's nearing 25 pounds, he is too heavy for me to transport in his infant seat.
Owen Ray now spends most of his time climbing up things, searching out things to climb on, or thinking about searching out things to climb on. He loves to stand up; not such a fan of the falling over.

I meet with a recruiter in Fort Worth on Monday, April 13th for a teaching position. I am excited but nervous. The district I serve in California is very different from FWISD, but I need to find a good job that will support our family while Trey is in school full time. He's hoping to be able to supplement our income, and he's already dong that this summer as a Camp Pastor at the University of Mobile, but I know that a lot of his days will be spent either in class or working on class assignments. If he has to get a job in the evenings, that would mean that we wouldn't have time together as a family. I'm really hoping that it works out for me to find a position as close to the school as possible.

Hard Water

During passing period, I sent Trey an e-mail today about suggestions for ways we might organize our house to make things easier for us. I outlined a series of signs we might hang to indicate the functionality of different areas of our house.
left sink in back bathroom: kitchen sink
right sink in back bathroom: bathroom sink
sink in front bathroom: laundry sink
sign over front of house: condemned

That's right: sheepcreek water you have won. We have been utterly defeated.

66 days

Trey has just looked up how many days he has left before he leaves for Camp Pastor training: 66 days. Owen Ray and I, however, will be a little while longer. Trey will be the M-Fuge pastor at the University of Mobile in Alabama. While this is a summer camp, his training starts earlier, so I'll still be teaching while he's away. I am thrilled for him, but I know I will miss him. Thankfully, I have my second favorite Kenneth to get me through.
Right now is a really tough time at church. Strange things that I never would have predicted are happening. People aren't getting along, and I am glad that the Lord has already planned for us to leave so that Trey can pursue his M.Div. I know that may seem selfish, but I don't think I can handle becoming jaded toward church ministry. I just don't want to have to deal with those feelings of bitterness and hurt. What I really need to do is totally remove myself from the situation, but it's difficult to do when it involves so many people that I love and care for.
On a more positive note, Kelli found out that she is having a baby boy this past Monday. I did a happy dance for a long time. I am so thrilled for her and Matt. How exciting to have one of each! Owen Ray will have buddies in Texas.
Speaking of Texas, I cannot wait to see some green. It has been draining on me to be in the desert these past few years. I miss vibrant colors and grass. When we were out at the soccer fields I felt the need to properly reintroduce him to the grass.
Right now he is trying to get my attention, so I'm afraid I'll have to go.