more wordless wednesday here, here and here.
5.01.2013
wordless wednesday :: a little boy and his train
3.28.2013
love overflows
our trip cross-country will be happening soon. i feel like the month of march has been long and short all at the same time. long because it seems like we are always working on the house to get it ready for sale. short because there doesn't seem to be enough time to say good-bye and do all the things we want to do before we leave.
i didn't think that i would feel uprooted when the time came for us to move again. but i do. in the 8 years that we've lived here, there are roots that have formed and begun to grow deep into the earth. relationships, places, community...there has been growth here for us. transplanting will be a little hard (though i don't doubt that we will be just fine in our new environment).
since our decision to move, i've learned two things: 1. God is faithful. 2. God loves his children.
okay, i know those things already, but it's something else to really experience it. He has been so faithful in providing for us the things we need in regards to the move. all in His perfect timing, we have financially been able to take care of the important repairs needed for our house before we leave.
He has provided us with people to help us with our move in different ways. our church family has stepped up and helped clean our home, fix a window, loaned us their car until we move (right now we only have one and having two allows for more flexibility), painted our upstairs...it reminded me of these verses. it's like a family. we share with each other, and help one another out. whatever is needed that need is met so that no one is in need of anything. it's encouraging to see that lived out amidst our friends and church family.
we see God's love overflowing in our lives (not that it hasn't before), and i am humbled and amazed. He has loved on us through pecan pie, get-togethers, words of love and encouragement through friends, prayer, tears and hugs. it has been an overwhelming feeling, and has been a great reminder of God's character, His promises and His will for us.
emma's memory verse last week was from joshua 21:45: not one word of all the good promises that the LORD had made to the house of Israel had failed; all came to. talk about a timely verse for us. God came through on his promises for the Israelites, and He will come through on His promises for us. all we need to do is walk by faith.
i didn't think that i would feel uprooted when the time came for us to move again. but i do. in the 8 years that we've lived here, there are roots that have formed and begun to grow deep into the earth. relationships, places, community...there has been growth here for us. transplanting will be a little hard (though i don't doubt that we will be just fine in our new environment).
since our decision to move, i've learned two things: 1. God is faithful. 2. God loves his children.
okay, i know those things already, but it's something else to really experience it. He has been so faithful in providing for us the things we need in regards to the move. all in His perfect timing, we have financially been able to take care of the important repairs needed for our house before we leave.
He has provided us with people to help us with our move in different ways. our church family has stepped up and helped clean our home, fix a window, loaned us their car until we move (right now we only have one and having two allows for more flexibility), painted our upstairs...it reminded me of these verses. it's like a family. we share with each other, and help one another out. whatever is needed that need is met so that no one is in need of anything. it's encouraging to see that lived out amidst our friends and church family.
we see God's love overflowing in our lives (not that it hasn't before), and i am humbled and amazed. He has loved on us through pecan pie, get-togethers, words of love and encouragement through friends, prayer, tears and hugs. it has been an overwhelming feeling, and has been a great reminder of God's character, His promises and His will for us.
emma's memory verse last week was from joshua 21:45: not one word of all the good promises that the LORD had made to the house of Israel had failed; all came to. talk about a timely verse for us. God came through on his promises for the Israelites, and He will come through on His promises for us. all we need to do is walk by faith.
3.27.2013
wordless wednesday::bunny love
our church has hosted an egg hunt every year for the past 3 years. and my husband (not our kids) looks forward to a photo with the bunny every year...rockin' the same look.
more wordless wednesday here, here and here.
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| 2013 |
3.07.2013
the track
i told my husband a while back that something big was going to happen to us. i didn't know what, i didn't know when, and i didn't know how. but i knew there was something...i just had this feeling.
i wrote about our crazy roller coaster ride of a year in july. there have been lots of changes crammed into the past 18 months from aaron's new job location (resulting in an hour commute), ty relocating to seattle this past summer, having a baby, and knocking down our debt list to two more items (sans the house) to name a few. things were happening, and i've been having this feeling lately that God was preparing something for us...something big.
and now folks, that something big has arrived. we are moving. moving back west. back to where aaron and i first met. back to when we began our journey together as husband and wife. back to our beginning. back to rain city. full circle.
out of the 4 job opportunities within aaron's company that he interviewed for since we've been in cleveland, THIS seattle one is the one he got. i don't think it's a coincidence that he got the job. things have been falling into place for this very moment years before. i can see that now. it's like puzzle pieces coming together. it was kind of like when we moved out here to cleveland. things fell into place years before the move. God is so good that way.
i find that God works change, at least for me, when i'm finally at peace with where i'm at, because that's when my heart is truly ready to follow his lead. a friend told me that despite the ups and downs of a roller coaster, it always stays on the track. i love that imagery, and one that i've not thought of before with roller coasters. the ride itself is exciting, unpredictable, and exhilarating. but it's always on a track. even when we can't see what's ahead of us, God already has a plan in place.
it will be hard to leave. i cried that first sunday at church after we found out we were moving. it's so funny that after all these years of wanting to be back in seattle, it's harder than i thought to go back. while i won't miss the winters here, i will miss the people. beautiful, friendly, down-to-earth people. cleveland is full of them.
there have been little pockets in my day, where i would just burst into tears thinking about leaving behind all the people we care about, or the moments that we'll miss that i thought we would be here for. we will be leaving friends. we will be leaving family. we will be leaving friends that are like family. that last good-bye is going to suck, big time. but the new adventure that lies before us is exciting. there will be more opportunities before us to do God's work. there will be new friends. there will be old friends and family re-united again.
and now, a new chapter unfolds...one that is familiar and new all at the same time.
i wrote about our crazy roller coaster ride of a year in july. there have been lots of changes crammed into the past 18 months from aaron's new job location (resulting in an hour commute), ty relocating to seattle this past summer, having a baby, and knocking down our debt list to two more items (sans the house) to name a few. things were happening, and i've been having this feeling lately that God was preparing something for us...something big.
and now folks, that something big has arrived. we are moving. moving back west. back to where aaron and i first met. back to when we began our journey together as husband and wife. back to our beginning. back to rain city. full circle.
out of the 4 job opportunities within aaron's company that he interviewed for since we've been in cleveland, THIS seattle one is the one he got. i don't think it's a coincidence that he got the job. things have been falling into place for this very moment years before. i can see that now. it's like puzzle pieces coming together. it was kind of like when we moved out here to cleveland. things fell into place years before the move. God is so good that way.
i find that God works change, at least for me, when i'm finally at peace with where i'm at, because that's when my heart is truly ready to follow his lead. a friend told me that despite the ups and downs of a roller coaster, it always stays on the track. i love that imagery, and one that i've not thought of before with roller coasters. the ride itself is exciting, unpredictable, and exhilarating. but it's always on a track. even when we can't see what's ahead of us, God already has a plan in place.
it will be hard to leave. i cried that first sunday at church after we found out we were moving. it's so funny that after all these years of wanting to be back in seattle, it's harder than i thought to go back. while i won't miss the winters here, i will miss the people. beautiful, friendly, down-to-earth people. cleveland is full of them.
there have been little pockets in my day, where i would just burst into tears thinking about leaving behind all the people we care about, or the moments that we'll miss that i thought we would be here for. we will be leaving friends. we will be leaving family. we will be leaving friends that are like family. that last good-bye is going to suck, big time. but the new adventure that lies before us is exciting. there will be more opportunities before us to do God's work. there will be new friends. there will be old friends and family re-united again.
and now, a new chapter unfolds...one that is familiar and new all at the same time.
2.28.2013
forever young
my sweet man had a birthday last saturday. we had a bit of a crazy week, so the usual birthday plans had to be condensed into 3-4 days. no matter. we just went with it, and still had a great time.
a new pair of shoes and a new tattoo was his birthday gift from him to him. i think that was a good start to the week's celebration.
we made our usual run to the market for crepes and beef smokies.
there was a stop at the zoo's rain forest, and to say a little hello to the elephants.
then we spent an afternoon bumming around downtown, with a required stop at CLE clothing company.
and to finish the week, an awesome friend surprised him with a birthday gift of sausage links and bacon! he knows my husband well.
happy birthday my sweet man!
a new pair of shoes and a new tattoo was his birthday gift from him to him. i think that was a good start to the week's celebration.
we made our usual run to the market for crepes and beef smokies.
there was a stop at the zoo's rain forest, and to say a little hello to the elephants.
then we spent an afternoon bumming around downtown, with a required stop at CLE clothing company.
happy birthday my sweet man!
2.20.2013
wordless wednesday :: these two
from little playmates...
to making plans to save the rainforest...
it's been so fun to watch emma and her friend grow together. they have BIG plans people. plans to help save the rainforest. plans to help save the whales. plans to make this world a better place.
more wordless wednesday here, here and here.
to making plans to save the rainforest...
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| photo credit: debbie calaway. |
more wordless wednesday here, here and here.
2.13.2013
2.12.2013
:: 24/12 ::
my baby cash,
2 years ago you made your entrance into this world. for a while you were our little baby peanut, because you were the youngest and you were a bit on the smaller end (compared to your big brother at the same age, that is). but somewhere between last february and this february, you sprouted big time. out of the blue your legs turned into tree trunks, and you can now easily wear many of your brother's shirts.
i look at you and i don't really see a baby anymore. you are still sweet, and still enjoy a little rocking and cuddling before bed. but you have turned into a little boy. there is no more toddling or sitting in the high chair or going in the stroller for walks. you want to keep up with your older siblings so things like strollers and high chairs are for the birds. you won't even settle for crayons when everyone else gets to use markers.
one of the things i absolutely love about you is your affection for your little baby sister. you love showering her with drooly kisses, and i think you would literally smother her [with love] if i didn't hold you back. i've even caught you trying to "read" to her a few times. it is seriously the sweetest thing!
you are starting to figure out all these different words, and in the past 6 months, you have been able to communicate your needs pretty clearly. that means no more floppy fish tantrums or beating up your big brother! it is interesting to watch you navigate yourself between emma and gibson, trying to claim your own space yet be a part of the group at the same time.
i love you my sweet baby. and daddy loves you, and your brothers and sisters love you too. i am looking forward to watching you grow this coming year. you are a sweet blessing to our family.
love,
mommy
2 years ago you made your entrance into this world. for a while you were our little baby peanut, because you were the youngest and you were a bit on the smaller end (compared to your big brother at the same age, that is). but somewhere between last february and this february, you sprouted big time. out of the blue your legs turned into tree trunks, and you can now easily wear many of your brother's shirts.
i look at you and i don't really see a baby anymore. you are still sweet, and still enjoy a little rocking and cuddling before bed. but you have turned into a little boy. there is no more toddling or sitting in the high chair or going in the stroller for walks. you want to keep up with your older siblings so things like strollers and high chairs are for the birds. you won't even settle for crayons when everyone else gets to use markers.
one of the things i absolutely love about you is your affection for your little baby sister. you love showering her with drooly kisses, and i think you would literally smother her [with love] if i didn't hold you back. i've even caught you trying to "read" to her a few times. it is seriously the sweetest thing!
you are starting to figure out all these different words, and in the past 6 months, you have been able to communicate your needs pretty clearly. that means no more floppy fish tantrums or beating up your big brother! it is interesting to watch you navigate yourself between emma and gibson, trying to claim your own space yet be a part of the group at the same time.
i love you my sweet baby. and daddy loves you, and your brothers and sisters love you too. i am looking forward to watching you grow this coming year. you are a sweet blessing to our family.
love,
mommy
2.07.2013
6 months
dear baby peanut,
yesterday you turned 6 months, and i don't think i was quite ready for it. yet at the same time i was. i know...that doesn't make any sense at all, but it does in my head.
i wasn't quite ready for you being half a year old, because i have really been enjoying you being a sweet baby. baby coos, baby smiles, baby hands, baby smells, baby feet, baby snuggles. i love it, love it, love it. feeling like you are going to forever be the youngest in the family, i kinda want to hang on (REALLY TIGHT) to all the baby-ness.
but at the same time, i am ready to see you grow and grow. sometimes i like to imagine you toddling around after your big brothers and sister, or doing girl time with me and emma, or date time with your daddy...it brings a smile to my face.
you have gotten more vocal these past few weeks filling the room with lots of high pitch squealing. one of my favorite things you've been doing lately is reaching for my face and squeezing my lips or my cheek between your baby fingers. it's actually kind of painful when i have forgotten to trim your fingernails, but it's so stinkin' adorable i am more than willing to put up with the pain.
and speaking of those baby fingers, you are getting quite adept at putting a couple of them in your mouth to suck on. it seems to make you quite happy when you manage to do that. sometimes it even helps you fall asleep. now all you need to do is figure out how to do that more often, and i'm quite certain your napping habits would improve.
remember that you are loved, my little peanut. mommy and daddy love you so very much, and it's evident from the attention you get that your siblings love you just as much as we do.
love,
mommy
yesterday you turned 6 months, and i don't think i was quite ready for it. yet at the same time i was. i know...that doesn't make any sense at all, but it does in my head.
i wasn't quite ready for you being half a year old, because i have really been enjoying you being a sweet baby. baby coos, baby smiles, baby hands, baby smells, baby feet, baby snuggles. i love it, love it, love it. feeling like you are going to forever be the youngest in the family, i kinda want to hang on (REALLY TIGHT) to all the baby-ness.
but at the same time, i am ready to see you grow and grow. sometimes i like to imagine you toddling around after your big brothers and sister, or doing girl time with me and emma, or date time with your daddy...it brings a smile to my face.
you have gotten more vocal these past few weeks filling the room with lots of high pitch squealing. one of my favorite things you've been doing lately is reaching for my face and squeezing my lips or my cheek between your baby fingers. it's actually kind of painful when i have forgotten to trim your fingernails, but it's so stinkin' adorable i am more than willing to put up with the pain.
and speaking of those baby fingers, you are getting quite adept at putting a couple of them in your mouth to suck on. it seems to make you quite happy when you manage to do that. sometimes it even helps you fall asleep. now all you need to do is figure out how to do that more often, and i'm quite certain your napping habits would improve.
remember that you are loved, my little peanut. mommy and daddy love you so very much, and it's evident from the attention you get that your siblings love you just as much as we do.
love,
mommy
