LOTS and LOTS of birthday pictures

I have to say, I'm very proud of this cake.

Josh made it and crawled into bed at 5 am!

Thank you, Baby!

Our fun table.

Mom lent me the palm tree from her classroom.

Grammie holding Karis

Doria, Torrie and Duree

My neice Trinity

Little cousin Evan

Cousins Serenity and Evan with my Mamaw

Meghann, Jake and James...friends from church

My darling aunt Duree

My sister in law Lora

My sister Doria, best friend Meghann and my mom Denise

My brother in law Dee and neice Kayla (not his, obviously)

Aint Bee (Torrie)

My mother in law Patti

(who graciously volunteered, cleaned and help decorate her beautiful house

for us to use...and then fixed us dinner!)

and her sister Carlene

Josh's 92 yr old grandmother "Sassy"

Meghann and my sister in law Stacey

My sweet Mamaw

My new neice Kayla in her hula girl outfit

3 generations of Hartness boys....Randy, Kayden, Chris and Josh

r
The Gaston Clan aka our card playing partners

Cole, Corey, Laura and Lainey

Sassy and Chris, my brother in law

Chowing down like it's his full time job!

(first taste of cake and ice cream)

After a full day of birthday

All tuckered out in Pop's arms

Pee and chocolate = war

I saw the pee in the hallway first (moan).

Then I walked into the living room and saw part 2 (ugly word).

That's the combination present Max left for me in the carpet when I got home this afternoon. He had found a package of chocolate ice cream mix I had just bought to use in my new ice cream maker that I got for my birthday and had himself a party. I was so mad I didn't (and frankly still don't) care if it made him sick. He totally deserves it.

This is the dog who graduated at the top of both his puppy and intermediate classes, who was recommended to go on to canine good citizen training, and considered "highly trained." The dog that we have loved and treated as our child for 3 1/2 years now. I'll admit that things greatly changed when Isaiah was born, but come on now.

I think he's got some anger and bitterness issues with me, and now I have them with him.

But I WILL WIN.

"For you have done a foolish thing and now you will be at war." --2 Chron. 16:9

Milk and honey = war

Monday I start my new job teaching K4-6th grade music at Covenant Classical two days a week. A week from Monday the students will come. And our finances will change.

The Lord has brought me several opportunities to work part time over this past year and nothing has panned out or felt right until this came along. I feel 100% that this is from the Lord as His provision. And more and more my heart has been stirred about future plans Josh and I dream about (more children, possible adoption, overseas travel), and how they aren't possibilities with debt.

So now we have the opportunity to pay off our debt this year, but if I'm really honest, the idea of not having to live so tightly,buying a bigger house, eating out after church occasionally, splurging at Starbucks, more elaborate date nights, or just feeling a little more room to breath has become very alluring.

I catch myself day dreaming and without realizing it, making little plans in my head about how I'm going to make up this past year to myself. It sounds completely awful and self-serving when I write it down, but it creeps into my daily thoughts so subtly.

Don't get the idea that I'm making a lot by any means, but a little feels like a lot when you're used to little.

I know God knows the temptations I deal with and I came across an article (written when I was 2 1/2) that really got at my heart.

The warning:

Take heed lest you forget the Lord your God, by not keeping his
commandments and his ordinances and his statutes which I command you this day: lest when you have eaten and are full, and have built goodly houses and live in them, and when your herds and flocks multiply, and your silver and gold
is multiplied, and all that you have is multiplied, then your heart be
lifted up, and you forget the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of
Egypt.... who fed you in the wilderness with manna which your fathers did not know, that he might humble you and test you, to do you good in the end.

Beware, lest you say in your heart: "My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth."

Piper continues the warning:

He led them in the wilderness, it says, to humble them and test them, to do them good in the end. What good? The full stomachs, and houses, and herds, and flocks, and silver, and gold?

No.

You don't need 40 years in the wilderness to teach you how to get wealth. The good that God aimed to do through the wilderness testing was to make the people intensely, deeply, and lastingly conscious of their total dependence on God for everything. God aimed to give them experiences in the wilderness which would make it impossible for a reasonable person to say, "My power, my might, or my hand has gotten me this wealth."

The real testing ground of life is the promised land of prosperity. The wilderness is the boot camp, the land of milk and honey is where the battle for the heart is finally fought. There are more scorpions and fiery serpents in the goodly houses, and flocks, and herds, and gold, and silver on this side of the Jordan, than there ever were under the rocks in the wilderness...

Though I'm sure a much more intense wilderness will come one day than what we've experienced this past year, I don't want to waste what it was. I did learn that God is faithful. I did learn that He is for me and that He alone is my Provider. I saw Him part the seas for us on numerous occasions, and I know that He will never, ever forsake me.The battle for me is to not forget the above paragraph when I'm tempted to believe that life is in riches and comfort......and full stomachs, and houses, and herds, and flocks, and silver, and gold.

God, you have brought us through a wilderness that you might humble us and test us, to do us good in the end. You have been kind and merciful over and over and over again. May I not pridefully hoard and take credit for and put hope in the milk and honey you give us.

You are the rich reward.

My husband was dumped....

....by Scarlette Johanssen. Here's the scoop from some girl somewhere....

Scarlett Johanssen and Josh Hartness broke up. Dunzo. Finito. Kaput. Well, who cares. I don’t like Josh, I’ve never liked Josh, and I never understood all the hubbub about him..."

And I am a vet and a scout troop leader

Go ahead....you know you want to waste time googling yourself.

Let the games begin!

I find myself feeling this way often now. I feel like I can handle keeping a baby's schedule, feeding, diaper changes, analyzing cries and rashes...for the most part. But this discipline thing has got my head spinning a bit.

Honestly, I think I'm further into it than I thought I'd be at this point. I wanted to have read several books by now and had long conversations with every mother I could throw a rock at. My little boy is smart, determined, curious and sinful. I knew all of those things early on, but I didn't know how much they would demand my response at just one year (er, 12 months).

I'm constantly wondering, "should I discipline for that," "does he even understand me," "that's not a big deal now, but will it be later," "what things should always be a no-no," "when I have to discipine how should I go about it (esp. in public or at other people's houses)," etc. etc. etc... (And if you're from Crossway...yes, I did take the parenting class. Perhaps I was sleepy).

So, at the advice of several, I'm reading "Don't Make Me Count to Three" by Ginger Plowman. I read the first 3 chapters as soon as I got it home, and so far she's laid a great foundation for my thinking...addressing the heart issues in your child and not only the behavior....which is definitely my tendency after teaching middle school where you don't have much time or authority to get at the heart. She's written about working from the inside to the outside and training your little one to reflect on their own motives and sinful hearts so that they might truly repent and think like a Christian.

However, I'm struggling with how to apply that to Isaiah at this age. I looking for practical "this is what you do" kind of answers. I know there's not a manual (or mine got lost in the mail). I know that this is a season of training for us so what are the important things to begin instilling in him?

So moms....please respond and tell me what your manual says :)

12 months vs. 1 year

It's almost midnight and we just got home from a day filled with leis, palm leaves, pineapple, hawaiian music, and lots of people. We had Isaiah's very first birthday party today - although his actual birthday is Monday-and it was such a blast (pictures to come)! Now both of my boys are fast asleep and I'm left with my thoughts so I thought I'd write them out as a way of clearing my head.

Tomorrow will be the first time in a year that I will have the opportunity to sit through an entire church service without having to take Isaiah out to be fed, changed or to play. He's now old enough to go to the 1 year old (the age that our nursery starts) class room in children's church.

It's got me thinking about how at first people describe their child's age in weeks and then that eventually changes to months. For example, I think I started saying Isaiah's age in months somewhere around 14 or 15 weeks. Instead I would just say 3 months. Nobody ever says, "He's 64 weeks"...and if you do, please stop.

I remember when I stopped talking in weeks and how it felt like the end of something so sweet in his life as a baby. So now I feel faced with whether I will say Isaiah is 12 months or 1 year. I know some people continue talking in months for awhile, but eventually that will stop too and their once teeny tiny 2 month old will be described in years for the rest of their life.

I'm kinda doubtful that many other people think about stuff like this, but I guess I'm saying that I'm not quite ready to give up months yet. The "months" phase of his life has been so sweet for me and I can't say goodbye to it right now. Isaiah is now 12 months. He's only 12 months. He's just 12 months. He's still very little.

These past 12 months have been precious to me beyond what I can describe with words....but you know. I love my little boy and have truly loved watching him grow into an adventurous, energetic, busy, inquizative, funny, flirtatious, smiley, beautiful, healthy 12 month old. This year has been a gift from the Lord is so many ways. I have to say that it started with much fear, uncertainty about our finances and whether or not we could afford for me to stay home, and nervousness about being responsible for another life.

Oh how God has met me! What grace He's poured out on us so freely! I have never seen God provide so clearly in circumstances where we truly couldn't have made it any other way. This year has been a Red Sea for me, and I saw God part the waters...mainly in our finances. I needed to see Him do that....fulfill His promises, provide for our every need and equip us for the task He was calling us to. Not that He hasn't always done that, but this time there was no place for us to pridefully try to take credit. The numbers simply didn't work out on paper, but every bill was paid and we never were close to hungry. I'm still in awe of what He did and fight the urge to go back and try to figure out the numbers again as if there has to be a concrete, logical explanation.

I'm sure more Red Seas are to come and now, I'm sure more than ever, that God will again part the waters.

So, I'm grateful for the last 12 months....the first 12 months (~52 weeks) of precious Isaiah's life that have given me greater joy, happiness and assurance of God's faithful love to us than I ever expected last August.

Wait....I was supposed to go SOUTH?!?

Yes, this was what I said on the phone with Meghann (best friend) for over two hours of missed exits and traveling in the wrong direction on my way back from hanging out with her in Raleigh (though I now know where Henderson is). It took me 4 1/2 hours to get back. I have no idea what happened to me since I had no problem whatsoever getting there.

Anyway, Josh gave me the sweetest gift of taking care of Isaiah for a few days while I hung out with Meghann for her birthday. I had never left him (Isaiah) overnight before. I admit that there were a few tears on the drive up, but it was so good to get a break. We literally wined and dined at Rockin' Robin, The Grape and The Cheesecake Factory, and when we weren't eating we were chatting about all of our upcoming life decisions and lingering things on our hearts, reading (I finally started Don't Waste Your Life...two years of good intentions preceding), watching a movie, shopping, analyzing relationships....all girl stuff. And, it turns out, both of my boys were alive and happy when I got back.

Now, I'm back and hitting the ground running with Isaiah's first birthday already here.

Ugh.

My heart hurts a little every time I type that, but what an amazing year God has given us with this little guy. What a treasure he is, unique in so many ways and custom made by the Creator for our little family.

I'm sure I'll write more about that later....

Where's my blogroll???

I got inspired by Kelly's new template and have been wanting to change mine, so I thought I'd give it a try. Well, here it is and now my blogroll is gone and I can't get it back (you can see my sorry attempt to the right).

Please help, someone.

Hate to make fun of Josh's people but.....

Rot iron from Landis, anyone???

Photo update

Baby blues

My beach boys

Sweet Karis

Here they are!

Kayla, Isaiah, Karis and Kayden

Sand beard....great.

Attempt at beach picture

Another attempt
(these were my best shots)

Pops and Grammie

Kayden and Grammie watching the dancers
at Johnny Rockets

My most favorite one
(just coming up from a wave)

Keeping it good

I just read this short article by Abraham on blogging, and thought it was helpful, honest and important (I needed to read for sure).

Thought I would share.

Josh's character (not a Jane Austin fan)

You scored as Edward Ferrars, Edward Ferrars from Sense and Sensibility is one of the most awkward characters you'll come across, but it's endearing once his better qualities come out. He's devoted, extremely true to his word, and gentle. Edward Ferrars 93% Mr. Darcy 53% Captain Wentworth 53% Willoughby 27% Which Jane Austen Hero are You? (For Guys) created with QuizFarm.com

I had to for my mom....but whatever.

You scored as Emma Woodhouse, Emma is possibly one of the most loyal characters of Austen, always wanting better for those around her and doing all she possibly can to make it happen. Her motives sometimes get in the way of her good intentions and her own opinions can end up ruling her actions, but she has a good heart. She loves to be social and is welcoming to most, unless they are too silly to tolerate. While she sometimes changes her behavior to make others feel comfortable, she knows who she is and is always bettering herself. Emma Woodhouse 88% Marianne Dashwood 69% Elizabeth Bennet 69% Jane Bennet 44% Elinor Dashwood 44% Lady Catherine 44% Charlotte Lucas 31% Which Jane Austen Character are You? (For Females) Long Quiz!!! created with QuizFarm.com

I'm good....just lazy

I really love the summer, ya'll. Sorry for the delay in posting during the last month, and thank you to those who have been concerned. Lazy summer days are here and I'm soaking them up. Plus, I have soooo many pictures and videos I'd love to post that I get overwhelmed thinking about it and therefore procrastinate like it's a pap smear.

Quick snapshot of the last month:

1. Spent a good 8 day stretch at the beach.

2. Been cleaning out closets, rooms and the garage of junk and furniture and storing it at family's houses to get the house ready to sell (like we're always doing).

3. Been playing phone tag with the headmaster at a nearby Christian school about the possibility of teaching music part time there in the fall....which, I'm happy to report, resulted in God providing me the job.

4. Been chasing little man all around the house as he's getting really fast and now enjoys opening every door, cabinet and drawer he can reach and pulling himself up to grab whatever's available on that surface.

5. Been trying to decide what's important to implement discipline for and what's not (very tiring).

6. Been endlessly shopping for cute fabrics to make my burp cloths, and then trying to decide if it's worth the effort to try to sell them.

7. Been really enjoying having Josh home with me everyday (yes, that's honestly how I feel...though he does hog the computer).

8. Been walking at the mall with Kristin (who still doesn't have a blog that I can read, but gets on me when I don't update) at least 2 times a week...and 5 days lately.

9. Been trying to sell all my Mary Kay on ebay to fund my fabric shopping.

10. Been planning my first one year old birthday party, which makes me more sad than happy right now.

11. Been playing A LOT of cards....which happens to be what I was doing almost a year ago when my water broke ("Uh, Josh could you deal for me?")

12. Been hanging out with friends from church and deepening those relationships.

13. Been trying to read more and spend more consistent time with the Lord...not always successful but really good every time I do...I feel like my desire to be deep in prayer and the word is being restored (I feel like I've been in a dry spell), which is very sweet of the Lord.

14. Been spending really good time with our families on both sides (and Mom is doing AMAZING. Thank you for praying for her.).

15. Been looking to take advantage of the outdoor festivities the city offers in the summer time.

16. Praying and discussing plans for our finances and possibly baby#2 sometime in the future.


Ok...does that get me off the hook? Probably not, since all of your lives are busy....so thank you for continuing to update your blogs.

It gave me something else to do while I was not updating mine :)