Easter and spring break photos

Adorable little boy

This is the lamb cake Nana (my mom) makes every Easter. (I'm kicking myself for not taking anymore pictures there....we had dinner there and were pooped.)

Lunch at Grammie and Pop's house and then a card game (one of our favorite things to do).

Helping Daddy with his game (he needed it!)

Grammie (Josh's mom) and Sassy (Josh's grandmother)

Cutie Pie!

Pops (Josh's dad)

Ahh...spring break at the beach

Aww

First time Isaiah actually enjoyed the beach

My two beach boys

Washing the sand off

More beach pictures this summer....

Proof we're in the good ol' south

Come an git it!!!

Happy Good Friday!

Tonight Josh and I are going to a passover banquet with my family. It's an annual Seder meal celebrated and hosted by Word of Messiah, a Messianic Jewish ministry.

My family used to celebrate this most years as I was growing up, but it's been a long time so I'm looking forward to it as I'm now able to understand more of what it all means. I do remember some of it like dipping the parsley in salt water symbolized the tears of the Israelites and the bitter herbs symbolized their years of slavery (I think). Also the unlevened bread is a reminder of how quickly they fled Egypt and then the lamb, which is obviously Christ.

It's really interesting and adds so much meaning to what all we're celebrating. I recommend it if you've never done it.

I'll update about it later and try to remember what food means what.

Easter dress rehearsal

Yesterday Isaiah and I had one of the best photo shoots we've had in a long time! I finally pieced together his little Easter outfit and was trying it on for size (there's a lot of pressure on a girl to have her kids shined up for Easter sunday!). Seemed like a good photo opp. I didn't want to post his whole outfit yet (I know it's a little shallow) so here are a few snapshots of our little half naked man in motion.

The funniest part was trying to snap pictures before he could scoot over to me to grab the camera strap. I was laying on the floor just gut laughing because I couldn't keep backing up and get the camera focused before he was at me again swatting at the camera! He's moving really fast these days!


Scooting along!

Capt. Isaiah

big glasses for Big Iz (eyes)

my baby blues

My own superstar

Can I just brag a moment? Tonight I went to a talent show at Josh's school that I was not very excited about. Lugging Isaiah into a crowded gym at 6:30pm where he would have to be quiet for an unspecified amount of time did not appeal to me and I nearly turned the car around and headed home, but I would have missed it.

Surprisingly, I really enjoyed watching the Irish step dancer, rediculous blindfolded pianist, martial artists, step teams, dancers and a plethora of singers. They were all really good, but the best part for me was when a very tall, handsome man stepped onto the middle of the floor with a tenor sax and kids everywhere started yelling and cheering. One group of girls yelled "We love you, Mr. Hartness!" Others were whistling and yelling other encouragments. And then he played his heart out.

They probably didn't understand the years of preparation that went into being able to pull off that jazz tune (that he had to transcribe by ear) or the nerves that he tried to hide, but it was crystally clear that they loved him. No other teacher received that kind of welcome while I was there and I just stood off to the side, holding Isaiah and soaking up every minute, making sure that Isaiah knew that was his daddy - the humble, kind teacher who really loves his kids - making that beautiful music that everyone was cheering for.

I love you, Baby. A girl couldn't be prouder.

Turning Green?

I've been hearing a lot of the buzz about global warming, and even think that we're feeling some of the effects now. I admit to having been really critical on this issue in the past, but now I'm giving it more serious thought. I would like to hear your thoughts....


Do you think global warming is happening? Why or why not? If you do, what changes (if any) are you making?


In the meantime, Time put out an interesting article on "51 Things We Can Do" to save the planet. Lots of interesting ideas including blueprints for your own green house.

Frank has new friends

Most of what is blooming now (these are just a few of them!) is purple but there are still bulbs and plants just breaking through so hopefully we'll have more friends for Frank soon!

An update on the herbs (I know you've been waiting on the edge of your seat):

I have officially starved and killed all of the thyme and mint, however the basil seems to be doing pretty well (it must be impossible to kill or I would have done it with the others). So, when should I move it outside? And what vegetables can I still plant?

Why I love my digital camera

It has a swivel screen that flips out and faces the front.....photo shoot!
(sorry, baby)

***This is Josh's "what if I looked like this" face (above).***

Happy Spring!!!

I'd like you to meet Frank. He's my very first tulip. I'm very proud of him. Frank also has several friends that have sprung up beside him. One of his friends (Bob) is purple like him and the other is orange. Her name is Abigail.

Apparently that's the side of the house to plant stuff on...it gets a lot of sunlight during the day.

The rest of the pictures are from the Tulip Festival I was privileged to see while visiting Meghann in Seattle last spring. Words and pictures don't do it justice. It was AMAZING.

So, what are you growing?

How Rich Are You?

I just found this at the Desiring God website. Check out where you rank in wealth compared to the world. I was in the top 6.57%!!! That should give you some perspective!

Reasons I'm happy today

Since I've picked journaling back up I have digested more truth and spewed out more garbage than I have in a really long time. I love just getting it all out on paper and chronicling the journey of God bringing my heart back to rich truth all right there in the moment.

This morning I was journaling about how blessed I am, and how strongly encouraged I am by the people God has put in my life to sharpen me. That led to being reminded of the reasons I trust God...specifically with our finances and the decision for me to quit teaching and stay home with Isaiah (I know I'm 7 months into this, but it's still a continuous challenge to trust).

I know that I'm in a season of life that's very temporary and it will change, but for today (and for us) these things are true.

A little of what I wrote about what I would miss out on if we hadn't decided for me to quit my job and stay home.

--"I would miss the relationships that You are cultivating in my life - the women that speak so much wisdom and grace into my life, that push me closer to You. That help shape me into the woman You want me to be. That shape me into a more godly wife and mom to better serve my family and bring You more glory.

--I would miss out on watching Isaiah grow and change DAILY, discovering little by little the treasure You have made in him - the little boy that You designed with Your own hands. Watching it all unfold and even having a part in molding him into the boy and man that fear You and desires You and delights in You and treasures You above all else.

--I would miss out on the freedom and time and ability I have to love my husband by serving him in greater capacities than before. Cultivating a deeper love and respect for who You have made him and called him to be. Watching him grow into a more godly man, husband and father right before my eyes (I wouldn't notice as much if I weren't around). Learning more about his likes and dislikes (esp. with food), dreams and just everyday thoughts that pop into his mind. Discussing more topics than what happened today and what's for dinner - like the sermon, something we read that day, conversations we had and what we thought about them, etc.

I know this is a season and life won't always look like this, but I'm soaking up where I am right now. You have poured out such riches into this season that I almost laugh at the idea of trading that for a paycheck."

Interview with Noel

Girltalk is starting a series called "girl-to-girl talk" that features great Christian women who are making a huge impact today.

They (appropriately) started with Noel Piper and will continue highlighting their interview with her over the next 3 days.

Good read.

X-rays

We went this afternoon to get them done and the reading was that they were completely normal!!! Nothing is wrong with Isaiah's hips! The doctors said that there is a "varient" in hip rotation and his was fine.

I am so thankful for the mercy God met me with this morning in my time with Him and through the day as I battled anxiety over this. I know that many of you prayed.

What a comfort to know that I have friends that care about the little things....and even more that our Father takes even greater care of us! Thank you for your prayers for our precious Isaiah's little hips.

A few matters....

I would love for you to pray about when you think of us.

First, several weeks ago I took Isaiah in for his 6 mo check up (we were a little late) and it seems that he is just going to continue his trend of being a light weight, weighing only 15 lbs 13 oz and 26 3/4 in long. Tall and thin....hmmm. I feel sure he gets this from me.

They weren't concerned with his weight because he has gained steadily. What they are concerned about are his hips. The last several visits when they tried to rotate his little legs around there has been some tightness. This past time we were there, the lady we saw went and found the doctor we saw last time for a second opinion. He's usually really conservative, but said that since it's been noticed twice we should go ahead and get x-rays done. They both said it could be nothing more than tightness that will loosen up over time or...it could be hip dysplasia where the bone is actually popping out of socket. I obviously really don't want this because, according to them, it would probably mean a series of castings and molds that he would have to wear. He's just starting to crawl so that's a little discouraging.

I plan to get those x-rays done today or tomorrow.


The other matter is a job interview I had yesterday. Let me first say that I wasn't out looking for a job. This one came and pursued me and was described as being very part time and minimal hours. The position is the children's chior director at Hickory Grove North. I had mixed feelings after the interview. It went really well (according to the guy who interviewed me) and I feel like I really clicked with Jason. The vision he has for this program is pretty big and he wants it to grow into some other job descriptions. I was really excited about what I would be doing and it would help a lot financially (the main reason we considered it an option to begin with). Aside from that it would give me a little break outside of the house and an outlet to do something I really enjoy.

The down side is that my hours working would have to be done on campus, and they're not entirely sure what the policy is about me not attending church there. I'm not really sure how I feel about that either which may end up being the easy answer here.

Anyway, we just really want to honor God here and all the reasons we believe He called me to stay home with Isaiah. At the same time, we don't want to pass up what may be His provision for us. So, if you don't mind, just pray for wisdom on both ends.

They want to have this person hired by sometime next week.

Events of the Weekend

It's been 10 years since I graduated high school and just recently everyone from our class (of 32 people) has been tracking each other down to plan our reunion. Saturday night, one of my best girl friends from high school hosted an all girls party at her house for us to get together and just reconnect. It was a blast! Crazy how 10 years can go by, and it just feels like yesterday when we're all back together again. I miss those girls....you bond a lot when you've been together since 6th grade.




Then Sunday, my mom hosted a birthday for my grandmother. Happy 77th, Mamaw! I'm so thankful God has allowed you to be with us all this time. You're an amazing woman with a great legacy of women following you! Most of mom's sister's and their families came and we had a great time (as we always do....they're a hoot!).


THEN....my brother Darren finally popped the big question to his girlfriend Brittany. I can't believe it!!! He's my little brother....he can't get married!!! He's like, 7 or something.
Seriously Darren, a big sister couldn't be any prouder. I love you dearly and am so thankful for this beautiful woman God brought you to share life with. Welcome to our crazy family, Brittany. Don't worry...we all get more quirky the longer you know us...it'll be fine.





How was your weekend???

Funny thing happened....

First, let me tell you the events leading up to this. Last Wednesday my friend Julie had her 9th baby. I was honored to be there in the delivery room with her and her husband (under the guise of their picture taker) to experience what I can't describe as anything but super cool and miraculous.

So, it's been a busy week with both Isaiah and I battling colds, running to Dr's appts, keeping track of who had which medicine when ( you know the deal), but I really wanted to make a meal for my friend and her rather large family.

I had all the ingredients together, making what I could while Isaiah was napping but I needed to run to the store for a few other things. I get us all loaded up and ready to go when the car wouldn't start. Completely dead. So I called my other friend who's organizing all the meals and she graciously took over from there....what a sweet friend.

I calm down and happily went about feeding Isaiah, making myself lunch and then some trail mix with raisins, peanuts, banana chips, marshmallows and......white chocolate chips.

So, I'm wondering who can tell me why WATER spilled out of the bag onto my shoulder when I pulled it out of my spice cabinet (no liquids). I tested it myself. Yep, water. Just enough to cover the rest of the chips in the bag.

The really strange thing is that I felt like I could vaguely remember doing it.

Am I sleep walking or just multi-tasking WAY too much???

Make stuff

I just found this cool little website called www.make-stuff.com.

Here are a bunch of things you can do with used baby food jars.

On John's dad, William Piper

This was posted yesterday on Justin Taylor's blog. Worth reading and I hear the book is life changing. After 27 years of life, I think it's time I read it.



From DG blog, for your prayers:

Pastor John is keeping vigil at his dad’s bedside as he prepares to meet Jesus. His death is imminent. Please pray that his communion with Jesus would be sweet and unbroken and that his body would be restful.

(Pastor John will not be traveling to California on Wednesday to speak at John MacArthur’s Shepherds Conference.)

Here is how Pastor John began his book, Don't Waste Your Life:

My father was an evangelist. In fact he still is, even though he doesn’t travel now. When I was a boy, there were rare occasions when my mother and sister and I traveled with him and heard him preach. I trembled to hear my father preach. In spite of the predictable opening humor, the whole thing struck me as absolutely blood-earnest. There was a certain squint to his eye and a tightening of his lips when the avalanche of biblical texts came to a climax in application.

“I’ve Wasted It, I’ve Wasted It”

Oh, how he would plead! Children, teenagers, young singles, young married people, the middle-aged, old people—he would press the warnings and the wooings of Christ into the heart of each person. He had stories, so many stories, for each age group—stories of glorious conversions, and stories of horrific refusals to believe followed by tragic deaths. Seldom could those stories come without tears.

For me as a boy, one of the most gripping illustrations my fiery father used was the story of a man converted in old age. The church had prayed for this man for decades. He was hard and resistant. But this time, for some reason, he showed up when my father was preaching. At the end of the service, during a hymn, to everyone’s amazement he came and took my father’s hand. They sat down together on the front pew of the church as the people were dismissed. God opened his heart to the Gospel of Christ, and he was saved from his sins and given eternal life. But that did not stop him from sobbing and saying, as the tears ran down his wrinkled face—and what an impact it made on me to hear my father say this through his own tears—“I’ve wasted it!
I’ve wasted it!”

This was the story that gripped me more than all the stories of young people who died in car wrecks before they were converted—the story of an old man weeping that he had wasted his life. In those early years God awakened in me a fear and a passion not to waste my life. The thought of coming to my old age and saying through tears, “I’ve wasted it! I’ve wasted it!” was a
fearful and horrible thought to me.

Praise God for William Piper, his tireless passion to spread the gospel, and a life not wasted.

Beatboxing flute player

Quite possibly one of the coolest things I've ever seen.

You've never heard Inspector Gadget like this before!

Jesus, my former professor and Time magazine

Back in January I was buying two dvds for my father-in-law's birthday at FYE. As I was checking out, the cashier asked me to select a couple magazines that I could receive 2 free issues from and then cancel if I didn't like them. I chose Real Simple (love it!) and Time.

While I still haven't gotten my free Real Simple issues, the second issue of Time came today.

I've been hearing the buzz about Jesus' tomb and Him not raising from the dead or some other rediculous idea that Hollywood throws at us, but didn't tune in until tonight while eating burgers with Josh. I picked up the issue and started reading two articles outloud to him:
"Rewriting the Gospels" and "Hollywood vs. Jesus."

I have to admit that some of the wordyness and political jokes flew right over my head but this caught my attention:

"Jacobovici [the guy who apparently came up with all this nonsense to begin with] claims that 10 bone boxes from an ancient Jerusalem-area crypt bear such a suggestive combination of names that it must be the holy family's tomb. His statistician has set the odds at 600 to 1 in favor. He thinks an inscription, Mariamene E Mara, denotes Mary Magdalene, and another, Judah Son of Jesus, her son by the Saviour.

Ok, so that's disturbing and irritating enough. Then it hit close to home.....like 15 mins close to home:

"The Jesus Dynasty, by James Tabor of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte [Old Testament Survey...The JESUS class, anyone???], who also aided Jacobivici, emmeshes a plausible story of early church strife in speculative material suggesting that Jesus had a human father and hoped for an earthly kingship."

I added the bold....and rightfully so. I thought back to the several classes I took of his and how much he intrigued me with his tales of translating the Dead Sea Scrolls, negotiating with David Koresh in Waco, digging up history in Israel that was later written about and put in a museum somewhere. Ugh.

I also thought back to hearing the founder of our church talk about the time he went to one of Dr. Tabor's public lectures and went head to head with him over suggesting that Jesus was not the Son of God. He talked about how challenging that was and how he was treated by Dr. Tabor, NPR news people and the crowd that came out to hear him.

I guess I'm posting about this because I'm really disappointed. I know that lately I sound like I'm permanently nailed to a soap box, but seriously, this is rediculous. These guys come out of nowhere, say something crazy that they claim will destroy Christianity as we know it, and the public flocks to hear what they have to say. Da Vinci Code? The Temptations of Jesus?

It's interesting to me that as much as Hollywood bashes Christianity, they also depend on us for big box office numbers. Who else would have seen "The Passion," "End of the Spear," and now "Amazing Grace" (Sure, there would have been a few, but come on)?

It will be interesting to watch Hollywood completely contradict itself yet again when Easter rolls around.

Done with Oprah

I'm embarrassed that I was ever "not done" Oprah.

I have excused her long enough because "she brings light to situations in other countries that our media doesn't cover" or "I like to watch her rediculous give-aways" or "she may be twisted but she helps a lot of people" or "I loved watching her bra and jean interventions."

I'm not saying that I'm making a life long vow to never watch her again (though worth the consideration), but that I refuse to allow her subtle and not so subtle ideas about life, God, fulfillment, etc to infiltrate my thinking.

It has and that's hard to admit. I thought I was immune because I know the truth, but I am being convicted of my responsibility to take great care as to what I allow to come into my mind, heart and home.

"The Secret" has pushed me over the edge and now I'm fed up. A friend recently commented that someone she knows calls Oprah the anti-christ. Not going that far, but oh how the Deceiver is using her powerfully! I couldn't believe what I read about the masses of people that are buying up this book faster than they can print them! She is such a loud voice among a people desperate for truth and meaning and joy. What a waste.

I keep asking myself, "Why is it that her voice completely drowns out the church?" Is it her smooth speech, gorgeous clothes, lavish lifestyle? Are people across the nation buying into "The Secret" somehow hoping that they will attain the life that Oprah has (though she adamently preaches that money doesn't fulfill....only you can fulfill yourself)? I'm sure it's not that simple, but perhaps it's part of it.

I pray that I and other Christians will have the wisdom and grace to respond to this with the gospel. After all, hasn't Oprah (and Satan) gripped the hearts of many self-claimed Christians with millions of partial truths strung together like pearls?

I know you have thoughts on this and I would love to hear them.

Justin Taylor shares his thoughts here.




“For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.” --2 Corinthians 11:13-14

Her long awaited happy home

Many of you know this already, but our precious friend Linda got to meet Jesus tonight.

He took her home with Him at about 7:30 after a long, tiring and joyful journey of experiencing God through cancer. What a battle she fought and what great glory she brought to the Father because of her fight. God enabled her to do much for the kingdom before and while living with this disease.

I can't imagine the homecoming she received tonight.

Please pray for her sweet husband Court, sons Rick and Nathan and Nathan's future wife Heather.

That God would provide much grace...that they would believe that "to live is Christ and to die is gain" and be able to bless God in the midst of this incredible and painful trial.

a little more paradise never hurt

Enjoy the pan of Trunk Bay but please ignore the giddy newly-wed.

Are you in the mood?

These temperatures outside are really playing with my emotions. I can't think of any previous year where I wanted spring to come so badly, but I will say that usually about this time of year I start sorting through my junk mail box for cruise deals. I stay hopeful every year that I'll find a deal that we can actually do.....still not the wisest decision.

Josh and I now have a joke that when we pay off our credit card debt we'll reward ourselves with a cruise, putting in on the credit card, of course. Then we'll go on another excursion when we get that paid off and just make a fun game of it. Good idea, right?

Well, since that's a way off I thought I would share with you with pictures from our honeymoon. We went on a Carnival cruise to the Bahamas, Dominican Republic, St Thomas and St John.

When I look at these pictures it's hard to imagine that Heaven will be so much more beautiful. More of a paradise. But it will be.

Aaaaaaahhhh. I can still feel the warm sunshine and hear the crystal clear waves.....


***Pictures: 1 -- Paradise Island, Nassau
2 -3 -- Trunk Bay, St. John (rated in the top 10 most beautiful in the world)
4 -- Dominican Republic

grace in liquid form

A sweet friend recently posted this announcement and I wanted to share my extreme joy with you.

Get free brewed coffee during "Starbucks Coffee Break" on March 15 from 10 a.m. to noon

A Starbucks press release says: "Starbucks will host its first-ever Starbucks Coffee Break, inviting customers across the country to enjoy a complimentary cup of freshly brewed coffee. In stores and on street corners, from insulated brewing equipment and giant coffee backpacks, partners (employees) will pour tall (12-ounce) cups of coffee to surprise customers and delight commuters.

Alright, now who's going to meet me???

V day delayed

***Try to guess what this picture says before reading***


I guess since I posted on Valentine's day three times I should update on how it played out. After discussing what we wanted to do we realized that a week night just wasn't going to do, so we postponed it. Josh had an abnormally difficult week at work and with his stress levels it seemed like the best decision. But even though we said that, I still wanted to do a few little things to make his day special and a little easier.

My PLAN was to wake him up with cinnamon rolls and coffee. Then to show up at his school during his planning period with heart shaped chocolate chip cookies that I decorated and Isaiah was going to wear a shirt that I made that says, "my daddy rocks." I also planned to have a good dinner ready with a homemade card and a few other things (still secrets).

What HAPPENED was me waking up to a dressed up Josh kissing goodbye as he headed off to work and me yelling, "you were supposed to wake me up when you woke up!!! Why didn't you wake me up?!? Oh no!!! I was going to make you cinnamon rolls!!!" (I know it's a little dramatic but I was half asleep) He calmly replied that he had a staff meeting and had to be at work 1 hour early. Ugh.

So, no cinnamon rolls and coffee for Josh (I had coffee). I woke up, went to the bathroom and there greeting me on the mirror was a sweet little note from Josh telling me I'm beautiful and that he loved me. I looked in the full length mirror and there was another one. They were in cabinets, on doors and in the fridge....so sweet. Then I got dressed and put Isaiah in his onesie that I was so proud of. I had ironed on the words "my daddy" and under it a picture of a pile of stones. The idea was for it to be a cute and obvious "my daddy rocks."

Well.....I met a bunch of ladies from church at Chic-fi-la for their heart shaped chicken biscuits and debuted Isaiah's shirt for them. One of them understood it. Even Stacey stared at it for awhile so I knew Josh wouldn't get it (did anybody else guess it?). I was right. He stared and stared and I finally had to tell him. Oh well. The cookies came out ok.

Somehow the day got away from me and I don't even remember what we had for dinner (I think chicken) so it wasn't the extravagant dinner I planned or the card and little "extras" but I have to say, it was one of my most favorite evenings we've had in a long time. Just cuddling, talking, kissing, watching a favorite show and eating our favorite Norwegian chocolate with candles lit and the smell warm vanilla sugar seeping out of my oil burner. It was such a sweet time and I still have Valentine's day to look forward to!