whew!

Man, what a week!  I feel like I've done nothing but run, run, run all week long.  I haven't even had a chance to catch up on all my blogs.  I think my google reader is at a million or something.

Why was I so busy this week?  Because on Monday we load up with 208 middle school students and head to Camp WOW for an AWESOME week.  MS Camp is hands down one of my favorite weeks of the entire summer.  I love every aspect of camp, especially rec.  It's no secret that I'm competitive... so I love getting to play crazy games and cheer like a maniac all day everyday.  It also helps that I never lose my voice so I'm always still loud on the last day.

All the sponsors are divided up with partners and then the kids are put in groups.  You're given a name and mascot and basically told to run with it... It's so much fun!  I love coming up with crazy chants and cheers and dances for us to do.  This year I'm paired with one of my favorite high school boys and we are the "praying colonels."  I sent Spencer on a hunt for a colonel sanders costume and I'm in the process of making shirts that look like him.  I'm not exactly crafty, so we'll see how it all turns out.

Do you have any brilliant ideas to help bring my team to victory?

a confession

It's no secret that I love Glee.  I mean, who wouldn't love the perfect combination of music, dancing and teen angst?  Anyway, last weeks episode featured Rachel singing Total Eclipse of the heart.

Now is the time that I embarass myself and admit that I absolutely love soft rock.  When I was in high school, I was too scared to break out of the whole Christian music scene with the music all the cool kids were listening to.  Instead I decided my rebellion would be in the (much milder, more appropriate) form of the local soft rock station- the breeze 99.5, soft rock favorites for a Lawton workday...  I spent many nights listening to Fridey Eppley's dedication show (think a small town version of Delilah) and making mixed tapes of my favorite songs for my best friend Amanda Lyn. 

Anyway, this song brought back many memories of those nights.  So, after immediately purchasing this version of the song and listening to it non-stop on repeat for a solid two days, inspiration hit me.  A playlist of all my favorite old school soft rock favorites.

My playlist includes only the greatest- "It's All Coming Back to Me Now" by Celine... "Insensitive" by Jann Arden... "The Glory of Love" by Peter Cetera... I could go on, but I'm afraid you might not be able to handle the awesomeness. 

What did you listen to growing up?

i am SO cool

Sunday afternoon, I went for a run.
This was before the giant storm.
So it was CRAZY humid.

Anyway, the neighborhood where I run has lots of trees.
Cottonwood trees.
With blossoms that blow everywhere.

As I was running, I sucked one up my nose.
up. my. NOSE.

So I spent a good minute trying to remove the blossom from my nose-
without blowing my nose everywhere.

And then I carried on my merry way.
I am SO cool.

blessings

On Tuesday night I found myself being a little grumpy and jealous of some of my friends.  Isn't it funny how we can look at our lives and see all that we've been given, but in one moment Satan can blind us to that by pointing out one thing someone else has. 

I've been reading So Long Insecurity and the biggest thing that has stuck out to me so far has dealt with this very thing- that we can pinpoint areas of our own insecurities by what we perceive to bring others security.  For example, so and so is skinny, therefore she must be more secure than me  Or they have a big house and nice cars so they are secure.  Or she has a husband so that gives her security.  To say this chapter screamed "stephanie" is an understatement.

I digress.  Back to Tuesday... I found myself sulking that other people had more stuff than me, that certain people were more well-liked than me, blah blah blah.  I got myself nice and worked up about something completely ridiculous and far-fetched.

Since then, I've been made painfully aware of all the blessings in my life.  A friend's husband leaves, another has a child in the hospital...  People lose their homes and cars and jobs everyday...  How could I possibly complain about all that I have been given? 

I have a husband who loves me, a child who is healthy and happy... I have family who supports me and friends who put up with me... I have a home, a car, food... I have a church that strives to be biblical in every way... I have doctors that let us come to their house late on a Sunday to look at JM's ears and pray over him before we leave...

So I'm making it a point to be more aware of the blessings in my life.  I want to start each day with a heart of thankfulness.  Because, really, I could never ask for more than all I've been given.


What are you thankful for?

uh-oh...

I took the baby center height predictor test today for John Mark...

Better dust off the old basketball shoes...
Gotta use that height for something!

a mother's day note

Dear John Mark,

Tonight you asked to sing "How Great" as we were putting you to bed.  That song will forever remind me of being pregnant with you.  As I sit here, on my third mother's day with you, I can't help but be reminded of all I have learned in these years as a mommy.

First of all, I've learned the meaning of unconditional love.  I realize that it really is possible to love another human with every ounce of my being, and nothing can ever change that- that's the love I have for you.  I've seen what love without boundaries or strings can do when given to another person- because that's the love you have for me. You've given me a tiny glance into the heart of God.  Thank you for that.


I now recognize that I am capable of more than I ever imagined.  I never thought I could have a son or be good at "boy" things.  Now I see that God created me just for you- to be YOUR mommy.  And I don't have to be perfect, or do everything right... I don't have to say the right thing every time  or always look my best.  You've shown me insights into the depths of my heart I never knew were there.  You, as a three year old, have helped shape me into who I am today.  Because of you I'm a better wife, friend, daughter, person. 

Sweet, sweet angel- I love you more than words could ever say.  I am so thankful that God chose me to be your mommy.  You are the smartest, bravest, sweetest, most precious little boy in the whole world.  I'm glad you made me a mommy.

Love, Mommy

All Because Two People Fell in Love

Last weekend we celebrated my grandparents 60th wedding anniversary.  It was a great weekend filled with family. 

We started the weekend with dinner at Abuelo's.  Mom and her sisters had planned everything to be a huge surprise for grandad and nanny.  They thought they were stopping in the city to eat lunch with Micah, JM and me.  Little did they know, everyone had flown or driven in and were waiting at the restaurant!!

After we all yelled "surprise" and heard "I can't believe you are here!"  and "This is the closest I've ever come to fainting" (all quotes by nanny) we got to sit back and enjoy lunch.  Sweet Jamie met us at the restaurant and got some great pictures of everyone together. 

We took a ride on the bricktown canal to see downtown.  They've done a lot of work to the canal and it was pretty cool.  Photos were taken, ice cream was eaten and then we checked into the hotel.  It was a fun afternoon.  I think nanny and grandad were both still in a little bit of shock that we really were together. 

The Redhawks were playing in town on Friday evening, so we went to see them play.  Grandad played baseball in high school, so this was just for him.  The announcer had them stand up and told the stadium why we were there.  Then the whole stadium stood and sang "Oklahoma" to them.  Such fun!

Saturday morning dawned cloudy, cold and rainy.  Not the ideal conditions for the outdoor photo session we had planned with Sara.  I talked to mom, tiffany and sara a few times and it was decided to go ahead and meet downtown, all the while praying for the weather to clear off.  It rained the whole way downtown and my heart was nervous.  I prayed and prayed and prayed.  As we walked out of the parking garage, the skies were clear and the sun was shining.  Praise the Lord!!

As we walked into the myriad gardens, we were met by a security guard who informed us the gardens were closed.  There was some begging and he let us go in and take our pictures.  If you are in need of photos, seriously, go check out sara e photography.  Such talent!!  She did a fabulous job getting exactly what we wanted.

Lunch was at Iron Starr, then we walked around the Oklahoma City Memorial.  Several of our family members from out of town had never been there. 

From there we headed north to Tiffany's where we ate cake, watched a slideshow of pictures I put together and told family stories.  It was such a priceless treasure to be together for the weekend.

I am so blessed by the family God has given to me.  We're not perfect, but we love each other.  And I know that this love we have for one another and the Lord has been passed down to us from grandad and nanny.  It all started 60 years ago- all because two people fell in love.

My Mommy -by John Mark

My mommy is so special,
she likes tacos to eat.
My mommy has black hair
and her chicken nuggets just can't be beat!
Her eyes are a lovely brown;
They look really swell.
What I like best is that she
plays with me so well.
She's very smart and knows a lot, I'm told.
That's because she's 5 years old.
I know my mommy perfectly,
She will say it's true.
Because I know that loving me
is the greatest thing she'll do!

Underlined words given by John Mark
May 2010

all over the place

I feel a little scattered, and I don't like it.
I think I need to take some "me" time and regroup.
Because as crazy busy as life has been...
It's about to get crazier.

"I want to sit at Your feet
Drink from the cup in Your hand
Lay back against You
Feel Your heartbeat..."
--the more i seek you, kari jobe