snow day!

NC received it's second dumping of snow this season already!
It's still coming down, although now it's more of the sleet variety. We bundled up and went out to enjoy it. It's too powdery for any good snowball fights or building a snowman, but plenty deep to stomp around and play.

(I know, you northerners are laughing at this accumulation total, but this is pretty good for us!)


("Kissing" the snow, lol.)

chapter books

Last night, Lynn and I were reading together from a chapter book. Our latest is James and the Giant Peach. With some editing (my, those aunts are evil!), she's been enjoying the fanciful idea of living inside of a giant peach.
I also just ordered a few books from Children's Book of the Month Club (via bonuswii.com) and am excited to see how Lynn will like them. I got a trio of books by E.B.White (Charlotte's Web, Trumpet of the Swan, & Stuart Little) as well as a set of Ramona books by Beverly Cleary. I remember reading Cleary's books when I was younger, but have no recollection of them now except that I liked them. I hope they're good! :)
Some of the newer series' that Lynn enjoys are Junie B Jones and Nate the Great. We've gotten several of these out of the library and have enjoyed them.
Do you have any recommendations - new or classic? What chapter books do you read to your child?

Wordless Wednesday - anniversary

My hubby totally surprised me when he left in the morning to take our daughter to school, then came back with arms full. Happy Anniversary to us!

yoked

When I think about being yoked to something, it usually comes across as a negative thing... being pulled down. Even when it comes to being yoked in marriage, comedians usually use the bond as the brunt of a joke. I was challenged today to think otherwise.
One of the definitions of "yoke" is the use of something that represents a bond between two parties. In Matthew 11:28-30 Jesus tells us to rest if we are burdened and heavy ladened. Then immediately He tells us to take His yoke upon us. Seems counter-productive, doesn't it? He's telling us to rest, which to me means taking off something, disconnecting myself from others or commitments. But that's not what He instructs. Put on my yoke, He says. But check it out: His yoke is easy, and His burden is light (v. 30). So by putting on the yoke of Christ, we actually lighten our load. Wow. What an image. Be silly with me here and imagine putting the yoke of Christ as if we were wrapping ourselves with a light, feathery boa. If we wrapped that boa around another, we'd be yoked, but with a light load. Certainly is a lot more appealing that making the load heavier. So let's try it. Rest today by taking His yoke. Tim Tangen from EBC, says the "Biggest enemy of rest is our selfish ambition." What are we striving towards that really doesn't matter? What is zapping our time, our energy, & our strength that doesn't allow us to rest? Let's take off those selfish ambitions and work by putting on the yoke of Christ. When we're yoked to Him, he'll lead us to what He wants for us. The burden will be easier and lighter as it will be shared with Him.

my makeup drawer

Jo-Lynne, over at Chic Critique, is hosting a "What's in Your Makeup Bag" Carnival, so I thought I'd play along.
My makeup bag is actually a makeup drawer (that is organized at the moment!), so I'll share a pic first.



What's in that drawer? Well, you'll see I wear two brands: Mary Kay and Clinique. There's no big reason behind that except that I got started with Mary Kay as a preteen (with their skin cleanser routine) and moved to Clinique later on after scoring some great samples and getting hooked (lol).

Cleansers:
Clinique's Step 1, 2, and 3

Eyes:
(two examples of colors in my drawer)
Mary Kay's mini mineral eye color quad (honey spice, sienna, blue metal, vintage gold)
Clinique's color surge eye shadow trio (rose chocolate, luck penny, confetti)
(two liners in my drawer - I used to use liquid liner, but now have found that I like these two pencil options better)
Clinique's kohl shaper for eyes, black honey
Mary Kay's signature eyeliner, steely
(mascara "must have" - I have thick lashes and like small bristles on my mascara wand. I have found this one to be the best. No clumping, etc.)
Clinique's lash power mascara, black

Face:
Clinique's sun-care UV-response face cream, SPF 30 Clinique's superbalanced foundation, cream chamois
(very seldom do I use blush, but I like how this is not a powder but more of a powdery cream that I spread on with my fingers, if that makes sense)
Mary Kay's signature velvet mousse cheek color, berry

Lips:
(my most recent purchase - I like that it's a "thicker" lip gloss)
Clinique's vitamin C lip smoothie, goodness grapecious

Ok, well, now you know what my makeup regiment looks like. Of course, as I type this I am "au-natural" with no plans on going out for the day! :)
So, what's in your makeup bag? If you play along, be sure to leave your link in my comment section as well as linking up at the carnival.

project life

edit: Becky is giving away three free print-outs from the digital version of Project Life. Click here to enter by 1/27.

I'm so excited ~ I am a scrapbooker at heart, despite me officially "giving up" the hobby last year due to space and time constraints. Somehow I stumbled upon this new company/product and I am super excited. It's called Project Life and is a scrapbook system that sets you up with all the supplies necessary to capture each day of your life for one year. She gives several ideas or "inspirations" that are a variety of the 365 day/photo idea, but I have been snapping pics (almost) every day this month and jotting down a few notes with those pics for future journaling and can't wait to capture what God is going to do in our family's life in 2010, especially with the upheaval in our lives that has occurred already in 2010. She offers a digital version as well, due to release soon. I emailed the product to my hubby for a Mother's Day idea and he's given me the go ahead to order now so that I can begin work on assembling it. I ordered it and am eagerly awaiting delivery.
What do you think?

a glimpse

Every now and then God gives you a glimpse of how you're impacting your child, positively, spiritually. Those are such sweet glimmers of hope.
Some background: When Lynn was a baby and had fussy times, I would begin singing to her. One of the songs I sang regularly was "I Love You Lord." The simple lyrics are as follows: "I love you, Lord; And I lift my voice; To worship You; Oh, my soul rejoice!; Take joy my King; In what You hear; Let it be a sweet, sweet sound in Your ear." I would silently chuckle, as even my off-tone singing and the screams of my infant could be lifted up as sweet, sweet sounds to the Lord.
I have recently begun singing those to Zane occasionally and Lynn has asked me to sing them to her at bedtime. Tonight I sang "I Love You Lord" after praying with her and tucking her in. I closed the door and went into my bedroom to get something. As I walked back down the hallway, I heard the sweet simple strains of "I Love You Lord" coming from behind her door... what pure fellowship between my little one and a Lord I pray she comes to know and accept one day.

Wii anyone?

Free wii? No kidding. I'm working towards getting a wii for free and wanted to pass along the opportunity to you as well. Ok, don't tune me out... although it sure does seem like a long shot, I've heard about the Bonus Network from a regular reader of my blog (& IRL friend) and am taking a stab at it.
Check it out via this link.

Since he is an "expert" at it, receiving many "toys" for free (right Dana?) I'll post an explanation from Tim Schmoyer:

How it works

1. Companies (like Blockbuster, for example) are looking for new potential customers to try out their products and services.

2. Blockbuster goes to the Bonus Network and says, “Hey, we’ll give you $80 for every customer you send our way to try out our online DVD rental service.” (Some advertisers pay Bonus Network $80, some pay them $40.)

3. So Bonus Network comes to you and says, “If you try out Blockbuster’s service and refer other people to try it through us, or one of our other advertising partner’s services, we’ll split the $80 with you for each person you recruit.”

4. You try out Blockbuster’s service and get 6 (7, actually, for the Wii anyways) other people to try it, too (or another product/service offered through Bonus Network’s site) by giving your friends and family a special link that Bonus provides for you to share. (Of course, your friends can then get people to sign-up under their special link so they can work toward a free prize, too, but know that the people they refer have no benefit for you.)

5. After your 6 (7) friends try a product or service, Bonus Network says, “Thanks! We’ll give you $240 ($40/referral x 6 referrals) or an iPod Touch. Which do you want?”

6. About a week later, your prize shows up in the mail, or your money shows up in your PayPal account.

waiting. longing.

I am finishing up the Esther study by Beth Moore, which I missed while having Zane. In watching the video portion today, something Beth said really stuck with me. "Longing is part of waiting, otherwise it's just a passing of time." Waiting. Longing.
I read blogs by other moms who have lost children that are now pregnant again. Mindy, Jess (who recently had her baby!), Ebe, Molly, & Stacy. These are just a few of the precious women out there that have taken the leap of faith and conceived another child after losing a previous one. Longing is most definitely a part of waiting when it comes to pregnancy after loss. The fear of losing another never fully disappears. I was just talking with my husband about how nothing is taken for granted with the next one. I praise God each time my milk lets down while feeding Zane. I know that a woman's body is so perfectly intricately designed for housing and sustaining a baby, but it's not incapable of failure.
Longing signifies a desire for an outcome. I think Beth is right on when she insinuates that waiting encompasses that desire as well. My prayers are for you that have lost children, but also for those that find themselves in a time of waiting. The reward can be so sweet.

Wordless Wednesday - bitty shoes

just thinking

Being a psychology major in college, I have always been incredibly interested in genetics and personality and pretty much the uniqueness of individuals. I enjoy finding out what makes an individual "tick" as opposed to another. Recently, with what we're going through, I've been more observant of differences... between husbands and wives within a married couple (myself included), between teen girls, between people in the same job position, between parents. Different people respond differently to the same situation. It's so easy to get caught up in right and wrong and think that our selfish way is the best way. I'm guilty of judging others. God is working on my heart for that. ("Mercy triumphs over judgment." James 2:13). He gave me an interest in people, but I need to make sure that my interest doesn't turn into judgment. That is left for Him, not me. Each of us are unique, completely created by God. ("...by your will they existed and were created." Rev 4:11).
It's hard not knowing what's next. It's hard living in a town that you know you came to because of the church you're no longer a part of. Nothing is holding us here, yet I feel settled here and I'm not ready to leave here. What gives me hope is that God has created me, my husband, my daughter, and my son uniquely for the experiences that He is going to allow us to go through. We may each respond differently to those experiences, as they will impact us each slightly differently, but the common ground is that if we cling to Him, He'll guide us through. It won't matter if it's my way or someone else's way if it's God's way we're going.

lifting up my head

So the week continues. More heartache as more details come out. People we thought were our biggest supporters were involved in a behind-the-scenes "sounding board," led by the senior pastor, which "unanimously" agreed that we needed to be let go. Leaders which we invited into our home monthly, for prayer times, leader meetings, and personal dinners... I am feeling torn, believing they were put in a tough spot by the senior pastor but knowing they didn't stand up for the student ministry. Bits and pieces are coming out. Who's the bad guy? Or, as God whispers... does there have to be a bad guy? God's working on my heart and I'm trying to sort out feeling with fact... His facts.
The process of grieving this week is much like the process I went through not so long ago, after losing Nathan. Losing a job doesn't compare to losing a child, but a ministry job is more than just a job, it's encompasses our whole life - friends & beliefs, as well as the day to day of a "job." It's been surreal and hard to go through this process again. It still doesn't feel quite real. I have discovered something about myself, though. When the shock or event first hits, I can deal with it calmly and level-headed. It's a couple of days later that I break down. After a few days, I am ready to run away from it all. Unfortunately, I do this by pushing away from everyone, which tends not to be the best for everyone else in my family. :)
Signing off with lyrics from Lift Up Your Head by Meredith Andrews. The song has been rolling around in my head this morning. Clinging to all who God is for us - lover, redeemer, father, friend, shelter, healer...

lift up you head
lift up your eyes

let us soar as the one draw near
to the one who meets us here
let us all fall down
before the god who rescues us in

lift up your head and throw off every chain
lift up your eyes to the one who doesnt change
lift up your hands, their broken he will mend
lift up your head

let us all fix our gaze on the offer of our faith
from what else we turn away
for the joy, that conquers shame

lift up your head and throw off every chain
lift up your eyes to the one who doesnt change
lift up your hands, their broken he will mend
lift up your head

he is lover
he is redeemer
he is father
he is friend
he is our shelter
he is our healer
he is the lifter of our heads

he is lover
he is redeemer
he is father
he is friend
he is our shelter
he is our healer
he is the lifter of our heads

lift up your head
lift up your eyes.

lift up your head and throw off every chain
lift up your eyes to the one who doesnt change
lift up your hands, their broken he will mend
so lift up your head

Wordless Wednesday - boo TN

How to turn an unacceptable bib into a GREAT one!...

A little fun for you TN fans... go VA Tech!

whispering..

...A Broken Hallelujah. The song by Mandisa seems to resonate in my life. Almost two years ago, I sang this song when words couldn't come close to expressing the heartache I felt and the magnitude of my need for God to carry me through.
Today I sing the song again. While my precious second son healthily smiles and grins here next to me, God has allowed us to come to another valley, of a different sort. With no warning, my husband lost his job yesterday. For the past six years we have served in three churches. Two and a half of those have been at our current church. My heart finally felt settled in this area. In this church we spent our deepest time of need for love and support, in which we received it from friends and church members when they banded together to help us through the loss of our son. Unfortunately it feels like betrayal when some of those same members and staff decided to cut my husband's position. I'm not saying that their support two years ago wasn't sincere or that they still don't care for us, but it hurts when those that you have leaned on and counted as friends pulled the rug out from under you. This is the nature of a vulnerable and tender life/position in vocational ministry. Those that we share our lives with so intimately, that we share our spiritual journeys with, are those that hold your future in their decision-making hands. We are confused, hurt, torn, and (trying not to be) bitter. But we so desperately want God to make sense of this and are open to His leading. We ask for your prayers.

Wordless Wednesday - new cat

This thing meows, even when you're not in the room.... closest she'll ever get to a real one!

recycle Christmas cards

What a great program ~ you can recycle by sending your used Christmas cards to St. Jude's Ranch as a fundraiser for them. See their website for details!

praying for our children

Sometimes I am at a loss of how to pray for my children. Beyond praying for their salvation, some days I get stuck. However, recently I came across a Moms In Touch flier. I don't know much about the organization, however appreciate the examples they give regarding Moms praying scripture for their children specifically.

Let's start the new year off right and make the commitment to daily pray for our children or grandchildren.

Place your child's name in these Scriptures...

Relationship with God:

Merciful Lord, I ask that _________ will love You with all his/her heart and with all his/her soul and with all his/her mind. (Matthew 22:37)

Purity of Heart:

Dear Father, I pray that _________ would flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. (2 Timothy 2:22)

Protection from the Evil One:

Almighty God, You are faithful. I pray that You would strengthen and protect ________ from the Evil One. (2 Thessalonians 3:3)

Eternal Love:

Loving Father, I pray that ________ would know that you love her/him with an everlasting love. (Jeremiah 31:3A)

Relationship with Friends:

Dear Lord, I pray that _________ would choose godly friends, who will build them up in You, and be kept from harmful friendships that will lead them astray. (Ecclesiastes 4:10; Proverbs 1:10)

Plans for Future:

"For I know the plans I have for _______," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper _________ and not to harm _______, plans to give ______ a hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11)