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

it wasn't pretty...

but we did it!

At mile 2, Natalie's knee wouldn't go anymore...
so we walked the rest of the way.
3 hours, 22 minutes later, we crossed the finish line.

It wasn't what we trained for or expected,
but it was good.

week with the VZ's

Some of our very best friends moved to Houston a little over 3 years ago.  We miss them terribly, and while the girls seem to get together with some regularity, it's very uncommon for all six of us to hang out for an extended amount of time.  When Natalie emailed Jamie and me that they were planning to come to OK for a few days in April, I immediately turned in vacation requests.

We've had such a great time with them this week.  Wednesday, all the girls went to the tea room for a fancy tea.  Caroline got to come with us and we had a great time.  We got dressed up and pretended to be fancy ladies drinking tea, eating scones and wearing funny hats.  All the pictures from that day are on Jamie's camera, so I'll have to share those a different day.

Thursday was "kid-free" day because JM and Caroline had school.  The girls went shopping (MAJOR sales at Gap right now, just FYI) and the boys shot guns or something manly.  We all met up for lunch at Pops.  The VZ's had never been to Pops, so that made it extra fun.

That evening we made PW's drip-beef and macaroni salad.  Kelly & baby Darryl came over to see us too.  The boys watched the NFL draft and the girls played banana-grams.  It was a perfect evening and felt just like old times.  I can't begin to remember how many nights we spent cooking dinner together, just hanging out.


Yesterday we went downtown to the Arts Festival.  It was fun to walk around and see the different booths and art.  The kiddos got their faces painted and we ate some yummy food.

Then we went to the race expo to pick up our race packets.  Natalie and I are running the half-marathon tomorrow.  This is Nat's first big race!  We were so excited to get our bibs and t-shirts and goody bags.

Last night we went to dinner then cuppies to celebrate Micah's birthday.  The guys played video games and the girls watched the blind side.

For today, we're just taking it easy, drinking lots of water and making t-shirts to wear in the race tomorrow.  Oh, and Jamie's making us a fabulous carb-y dinner.  I fully plan on being in bed by 9, since 4:30 is an early morning wake up call!

I'll be back tomorrow with a recap of our race.  Expect lots of pictures- Jamie is going with us as our official race photographer!

completely random

*I went to Edmond Memorial Follies tonight.  This is not your average, run of the mill talent show.  The talent these kids has is amazing!!  Makes me wish I had listened to my mom when she said I should practice the piano because I could be good (but not enough to go back and do it again!).  There was singing, dancing, a string quartet... serious talent!

*I did my last long run before the half marathon last weekend.  I ran 11.5 miles.  I thought I was doing 10 and being slow... turns out I was actually keeping decent time!  Tomorrow I go in search of my race day outfit!

*I desperately need to work on my front flower bed.  I always have grand plans of pretty blooming flowers and such, but I have a tendency to not keep them alive.  Anyone know some easy, pretty plants or flowers for me to stick out there?  I seriously need foolproof!

*VBS Registrations begins this weekend.  I cannot believe that it's that time of year already!  It means summer is right around the corner.

*John Mark has become obsessed with superheroes.  He says that he is silver surfer, Micah is wolverine and I am spider girl.  Hey, at least I'm included.

i REALLY don't like birds...

I'm not a huge animal person.  Never have been, probably never will be.  The way I see it, I'm doing good to keep my family and maybe a few flowers alive and well, I don't need something else to worry about...

That being said, I do love the zoo.  Probably because it doesn't require any direct contact with the animals- I can just look at them and admire our God who made them all.  We have a zoo pass and go on Fridays with John Mark a lot during the warmer months.


Yesterday was no different.  We left the house to check out the new children's zoo they had opened up inside.  It was a really cool place.  I highly recommend it to anyone with kiddos.  John Mark LOVED the petting zoo with goats and pigs and sheep.  You could climb up this rope ladder onto a bridge and go down a really big rock slide.  There was even an area with monkeys and in the middle was a big rope to swing on like the monkeys.

At the other end of the area was a bird exhibit- Lorikeet Adventures.  You could buy a little cup of bird nectar and take it in to feed the birds.  (I'm sure you see where this is going).  We bought the nectar and walked in the doors and heard the instructions.  Micah walked through the rope door first and went to put the stroller away.  I walked through with John Mark.

Within two minutes of walking into the bird area, birds started dive-bombing at me and landing on my shoulder, arms and hand.  You know that movie birds?  It was like that.

Immediately I begin to FREAK OUT.  I start crying, yelling "I HATE BIRDS!  GET THEM AWAY!  I REEEEALLY DON'T LIKE BIRDS!" and trying to get Micah's attention.  A lady behind us says "you probably shouldn't be holding the nectar"... (which makes perfect sense) so I start trying to hand the nectar to John Mark- who is also freaking out (because of me, I'm sure!) because a bird is on his shoulder. 

I finally make my way across the exhibit to Micah- who is standing there, watching the whole thing and LAUGHING AT ME!  I throw the carton of nectar at him and crouch down.  The birds all flock to him and I start to calm down (and calm JM down too...)

I look around the exhibit and realize that everyone in there is staring at me.  (I wonder why?) The zoo worker is just smiling behind his hand, probably trying to contain his laughter.  I was almost embarrassed... but not really, because I REALLY don't like birds.

easter weekend

The Easter festivities began on Thursday with John Mark's Easter party and egg hunt at his school.  We took cross shaped sugar cookies (that I bought at McLaren's) and I found fun little peep bag toppers that I put together for his friends.

He had a great time hunting eggs with his friends.  It was CRAZY windy outside, so in all the pictures I got of him with his friends they are all squinting and holding their hands over their eyes. Still super cute though.

One of the perks of working at the same church where he goes to school is getting to walk over to his parties with Micah.  I'm going to miss being right across the lawn next year when he is in pre-k in public school.  (WAH!!)

Friday morning we loaded up at headed to Central High to see my parents and have an egg hunt with all of John Mark's friends down there.  It's one of my favorite things that we get to do and this year we invited some new friends to come play with us.

Before the egg hunt though, we dyed Easter eggs.  This was John Mark's first experience with real Easter eggs.  He wasn't too sure about it, but thought it was really cool when we were done with the whole process.  He loved getting to work with his daddy too.

Nanny came by to see us too.  She loves John Mark and over spring break, he nicknamed her "baby doll."  It's the funniest thing, especially since he makes her call him "daddy-o".

We headed back to Edmond Saturday afternoon so Micah could work the Saturday night service at church.  Sunday morning Micah had to be at church early.  John Mark and I got up and headed to church for the 10:45 service.  He looked so handsome in his Easter outfit.  Unfortunately, he wasn't exactly cooperative when it came time to take photos of him wearing it.  This was about the best I could do. 

We spent the afternoon at home and then went to Micah's grandparents for dinner that evening.  It was a great Easter weekend filled with the ones we love!

resurrection eggs

I love Easter.
Of course, I do love most holidays.
But I especially love Easter.

The celebration of what my Jesus did for me...
The starting point of salvation for mankind.

I wanted to make this day about THAT for John Mark.
Not just eggs and candy and baskets...

I've heard of Resurrection Eggs from several people,
so I went to Mardel and bought a set last week.

Last night we sat down on the floor and read the story.
It's the sweetest thing.
John Mark loved opening each egg to see what was inside.

Each egg has a something small in it-
a donkey, coins, nails, etc.

But the last egg, the gold egg- is empty.

When John Mark he opened it and said-
"Empty... Jesus is alive!  He rose from the dead!"

These are awesome tools for teaching young kids about Easter.  I would highly recommend them to anyone with kiddos!

Happy Easter everyone!

thank you

Thank you for the cross, Lord
Thank you for the price You paid
Bearing all my sin and shame
In love You came
And gave amazing grace

Thank you for this love, Lord
Thank you for the nail pierced hands
Washed me in Your cleansing flow
Now all I know
Your forgiveness and embrace

Worthy is the Lamb
Seated on the throne
Crown You now with many crowns
You reign victorious

High and lifted up
Jesus Son of God
The Darling of Heaven crucified
Worthy is the Lamb
--Hillsong

home

It was a LOOOONG trip home,
including an overnighter in Albuquerque,
(thank you spring snow storm!)
but we made it.

1AM on Sunday the bus pulled in.
My church has never looked so good...
my shower never felt better...
I wanted to kiss my toothbrush!

And don't get me started on my bed.
That was just heaven.

I'll post a full recap later.
But for now- I'm just glad to be back.

Thanks to everyone who prayed us home.
I am convinced they led us.

leavin' on a jet plane

well, a charter bus anyway...
tomorrow we head out for the great state of Arizona.
with 35 high school students
and 10 college students.

we have to be at the church at 4:45 AM.
it's currently 9:15 PM.
am i packed?
nope.
am i sitting on the couch with rach getting new music?
of course.

sometimes people ask how we do it-
the crazy schedule, always going.
i say that's just how you know you're called to something-
when it seems crazy to the rest of the world,
but makes perfect sense to you
and you couldn't imagine life without it.

that's what i love about God-
we're all equal parts different and important.

if you think about it- say a prayer for us.
safety. obedience.  peace.
all of those would be appreciated.

what's your manna?

"For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."  Hebrews 4:12

I love this verse and the promise that every time I read His word, He wants to speak to me.  No matter the number of times I have read a story, I can learn something new.

I've read the stories of the Israelite journey to the Promised Land more times that I could ever count.  With each and every reading, I've judged those silly people more times than I want to admit.  And each time I've judged them, I've felt conviction over the moments in my life when I have done the same thing.

But last night as I read this story, a verse stood out to me in a way it never has.  "And we hate this wretched manna."  Pretty harsh words from a people who, 40 days prior to this had begged God for this very thing.

And it struck me- I DO THE SAME THING.  As I look over my life, I can think of two very specific times in my life I have lived in bondage- my Egypt.

Both times, the Lord moved in mighty ways to set me free.  I walked out of my Egypt head held high and marched across the Red Sea.  I watched as my enemies were drowned as the water crashed down onto them.  I knew in my heart of hearts that the Lord had moved- and provided me this opportunity, this freedom.

I walked along, basking in new found freedom, until my heart became calloused.  I noticed that I was hungry and cried out to the Lord.  He was gracious (so very, very gracious) and sent manna from heaven.  It was sweet, unexplainable and nothing I had ever experienced before.  My heart was happy again.

Weeks turned to years and eventually the manna started to get old.  What I had once viewed as an amazing and perfect gift from the Lord quickly turned to something else- an annoyance in my life.  I found myself exclaiming "I hate this wretched manna..." and wondering if maybe God misunderstood what I had asked for.  And asking him to maybe make the manna a little more like ________.

Isn't it funny how we can pray and pray and ask God to give us something.  And for a while that something exceeds our expectations and makes us happy... but as our happiness becomes more attached to the blessing, we forget the Giver of that gift.  We find ourselves loathing the very thing we asked for all those years ago.

And so I ask you today- what is your manna?


forgive me, Lord.  i have taken so many blessings in my life for granted.  i have become complacent in the wilderness without trusting you to move.  i've given up and stopped moving forward towards the freedom you've promised to me.

babies babies babies

We are so blessed by our fabulous group of friends.
Every Tuesday we meet to do small group.
For 3 years, we've been the only one with a kid.

But last April, Daryl and Evan had sweet baby Logan.
And last month, Chris and Kelly had baby Darryl.
So our small group has grown.

It's so fun to see the different stages of life.
And I love watching my best friends become parents.

Being a parent is such an awesome responsibility...
it can be overwhelming and scary...
rewarding and fulfilling...

I can only pray that I can be a good mommy example.
And that in all I say and do,
The words I say... the way I love...
Will show my son the love of Christ.

This is the cry of my mommy heart:

"God, our God! God the one and only!

Love God, your God, with your whole heart: love him with all that's in you, love him with all you've got!

Write these commandments that I've given you today on your hearts. Get them inside of you and then get them inside your children. Talk about them wherever you are, sitting at home or walking in the street; talk about them from the time you get up in the morning to when you fall into bed at night. Tie them on your hands and foreheads as a reminder; inscribe them on the doorposts of your homes and on your city gates."