A little linky-linkage

And you're thinking, "What a clever title!" I know. I actually impress myself at times.

Just wanted to share a couple things that have really challenged and moved me recently.

1) Now, there is much out there regarding things husbands need to know about their wives, but I haven't found the same kind of hype surrounding wives really getting their husbands...and to be honest, I haven't been looking. I pretty much think that the issues or arguments in our marriage stem from him needing to understand and get me better. Sound familiar?

I think the Lord felt it necessary to deal with that in my heart and show me a little more of how he's created my husband and how directly I affect him. I listened to 3 podcasts from Focus on the Family (Shanti Feldhahn) that were maybe 30 mins each, and it's been changing how I think about Josh, and hopefully, how I relate to him. I'm starting to understand him more and it's really humbling to see how little I understood, even after 5 years of marriage. Anyway, it's a super easy listen in interview format so the time flies by. If you decide to listen, I'd love to hear your thoughts.

2) Invisible Children is raising awareness about the thousands of children who have been kidnapped by Joseph Kony's rebel soldiers and forced to carry guns almost their size....what's worse, use them. They kill and they die without most of the world even knowing, and most who know do nothing. This story has gripped my heart. They are hosting a huge event this Saturday in cities all over the country, including Charlotte. I'm working on the details to be a part of it. Btw, you can also read about it over at Shawnda's. If you're going, let me know! It's definitely not too late.

⁴⁰And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.'

Will it work?

Spring Break....oh the excitement!

two sick babies

seeds started

the cute gardener built my first little 4x4 garden


And to get some much needed fresh air after living in a germ cloud,
the glorious memorial garden here in the big C....

And to quote Josh as we pulled into the drive way of our own lush paradise (boasting two tulips)...

"Memorial gardens what?"

Memory card unload

A few weekends ago, Josh and I took a weekend away and went to Charleston for one of the days. We took a Gullah tour, given by the father of the pastor who's church we've been visiting. It was pretty interesting and hard to absorb all the rich history crammed into two hours. One of the themes through the tour was the work of an artist who has fashioned wrought iron gates through out Charleston and all over the world, been invited to the White House by President Reagan, deemed a "National Treasure." You can see his work here. This is where he lived...

When asked if he was rich, Philip replied, "Of course I'm rich. Anyone who has Jesus is rich."

Philip moved to a retirement home about 1 1/2 yrs ago. His house and shop are in the process of becoming a national historic site.

For the record, he really has made a lot of money and has sent all of his grandchildren to college as well as many kids from his neighborhood in the projects.

This place is like an all day dessert buffet for your eyes.


We also went to a state park....

Yeah....I'm not sure.

I cannot tell you how much pride I fought in posting this picture. I assure you, I am extremely uncomfortable in a tree of any sort.

I think he's so handsome :)

An entrance to the Atalaya Castle. This is as far as we got because it cost $1 to get in and we had NO cash and there was NO place in the park to get cash...despite what the man at the front gate will tell you.


And the boys....

Manny's band is now decked out in surfer rub-ons.

I don't even know what to say...he's a character!

He hears and He redeems

There are a lot of days when my heart is crying out to God, and, for a time, I just have to choose to believe that He hears and cares. Today is not one of them.

I'm in a season that I knew was coming for a long time...years. It's a little much for the blog format to go into great detail (though I'm a pretty open talker), but my sweet Lord is taking me back to a very dark time in my past and gently drawing out of my heart a lot of junk that has built up because of it. I'm finally dealing with it now and He's healing me...but it's hard to re-live. And it's a process.

I told a close friend today that I just want it redeemed. I want it all to be redeemed. It's the only word that fits. I didn't even know I felt that way until yesterday. And in my human thinking the only way for it to be redeemed would be for my life to have taken a totally different path then it has....a path I really don't want.

Then, I just happened to check Angie's blog today and it truly was as if Jesus just walked into my door, held His arms open to me and as I cried in His arms, said this to me:

***

Unredeemed

(Written by Chad Cates, Tony Wood, Brian Petak)

Produced by Bernie Herms

And had the FIRE sung out of it by Amy Perry and my Toddy.

The cruelest words

The coldest heart

The deepest wounds

The endless dark

The lonely ache

The burning tears

The bitter night

The wasted years

Life breaks and falls apart

But we know these are…

Places

Where grace is

Soon to be so amazing

They may unfulfilled

They may unrestored

But when anything that’s shattered

Is laid before the Lord

Just watch and see

It will not be

Unredeemed

For every choice

That led to shame

And all the love

That never came

For every vow

That someone broke

And every life

That gave up hope

We live in the shadow of the fall

But the cross says these are all – just

Places

Where grace is

Soon to be so amazing

They may unfulfilled

They may unrestored

But when anything that’s shattered

Is laid before the Lord

Just watch and see

It will not be

Unredeemed

They may unfulfilled

They may unrestored

You never know the miracles

The father has in store

Just watch and see

It will not be

Unredeemed

***

You can hear the song on her blog today and tomorrow. It's so beautiful. And while you're at it, pray for her as she celebrates her daughter's first birthday tomorrow who's with Jesus.

Finding a routine

I just read this post by SimpleMom and found it extremely helpful.

I have quite a few friends who schedule their days really well. I am more of a fly-by-the-seat-of-my-britches kind of girl...which has led to MUCH fun in the past (like a drive to Charleston and back in the middle of the night, a tandem bungie jump over a famous waterfall in Africa, a large hoop hanging from my eyebrow...you get the picture).

However, I have apparently graduated from college and now have two kids that have to eat and a house that still doesn't clean itself.

SO....the question in my head has always been, "How does one even begin to think about what her routine should look like?" I don't want to copy someone else's because their life isn't like mine and I think I would get frustrated, but these tips help me think through what's most important, what REALLY needs to get done, what I already do and how to whiddle away all the other stuff without feeling guilty.

Super helpful.

So here are my 3 MIT's for today:

1. Fold and put away laundry.

2. Clip and sort coupons.

3. Keep kids alive and the house standing (because the other two are big tasks today).



What helps you decide on your routine?

Spring equals inspiration slash goals slash lists

I am a list maker. I really love lists. They take all the fragments and mismatched, half-thoughts running amuck in my head and make them...complete, whole, real thoughts. I have all the normal lists like grocery, to-do, errands, projects, packing, step-by-step instructions and sometimes even a list of things I need to look for online so I won't get side tracked (which works approximately 2% of the time). I also journal to get my thoughts to make sense, but that's another day.

(I never thought I would need a way to get to complete, whole, real thoughts, by the way, but apparently I do...and badly.)

And, with current technology, I have found myself to be a much better typer than hand writer so I thought I would make my list for spring here. And aren't you glad?

These are all the things running around like rabbits in my brain...things I'll complete, things I'm just thinking about completing, things that just won't leave me alone.

1. Squarefoot gardening. This WILL happen this year. I will make one, only one, and it will be good. Amen.

2. Pillows. I want to make them. Pretty, springy, fresh pillows for our bed and couch. This girl on Etsy has some super cute ones.

3. Thermal curtain panels. The blinds over our sliding glass door do little more than prevent sunburn, get knocked off by a certain two year old and then re-stapled and re-stapled again. Our great room is also a sauna in the summer time, so I'm trying to decide if I should get fabric and make them myself or just buy them...leaning toward buying them.

4. Cute memory board for the boy's room. I have wanted to do this since I was pregnant with Isaiah. It seems really simple (I already have the list of instructions for it). Though not for a boy, I still thought this one was pretty.

5. Make my own cleaning products. Do any of you guys already do this? Organized Home has some really simple ways of doing this.

6. Clean! The yearly (and I do mean yearly) bug has bit. This task is still very overwhelming to me. I would like to get back to doing little things everyday that don't take much time, but maintain cleanliness really well....like taking 39 seconds to wipe down a counter everyday instead of taking a fire hose to it once a month. Real Simple has the best plan for this that I have ever used. I really worked for me back then.

And just for proof of life

Here are a few pics taken recently :)

This is how we relax these days....We've gone off the deep end.

This is the best of about 20 attempts at this picture

Snow get-ups

Just plain happiness

Taking over Mommy and Daddy's bed
(Manny got his band...more about that later)

Tired boys

Isaiah's still silly :)

Manny's getting chunky!

Maybe it's because he's started eating food :)

Meet your new sister

I know it's been ages, but there is no better reason to blog than to introduce you to a new sister in Christ and ask you to share in my rejoicing and prayers for her.

A little background:

In 2001 I was an RA for a girl's floor in Moore Hall at UNCC. I was involved with a campus ministry that had a passionate vision for discipleship and I primarily became an RA to share my faith with the girls God would bring me. 2001 was my last year as an RA, but I built precious relationships that I still keep in touch with. One of those relationships was with Corey. She was lost, insecure and needed guidance. She was open to talking about anything, but completely shut out the gospel. She would just say, "I'm sorry, Dana. I know that's important to you, but it's just not for me."

Over the years I would see her at our annual Christmas parties and other get-togethers and it was obvious that her life was not good...I'll just leave it at that. Things were bad. Several of us girls who are Christians would talk about how we just wished Corey knew Jesus, and what do we say to help her and how she didn't want to talk to so-and-so (usually me because they looked to me like a mom) because she was embarrassed, etc. A few months ago, she finally called me out of desperation because she didn't know what to do, but was still very determined to "figure it out." I told her the gospel again and that I really believed God was using her circumstances to chase her down....and that He had been doing that since she was a freshman.

Anyway....here's an email I just sent out to people who I had asked to pray for her:

Hey Ladies,

Just wanted to thank you for praying for Corey. She called me a few days ago and wanted to get together for "spiritual guidance." We met last night and for an hour she very tearfully told me the story of how God drew her heart to Him the other night while she was by herself, and how she gave Him everything.. .her mess, her sins, her life. She said that Chris (the father of her child, who she lives with but is not together with...it's a mess) told her that to have a relationship with God you have to talk to Him and confess your sins. How amazing that God would use him, or me, or any of us! God has been bringing back to her mind conversations that we've had over the last 8 years...things I don't even remember saying.

To hear her tell it was so pure and real and beautiful. I don't think I've ever heard a story so beautiful. She really knows nothing about the Bible....she' s been to church twice and didn't even know if she believed in God before...but she knows that He has forgiven her and that He's with her and always will be. That's it! How simple and pure her experience is and nothing can ever take that away from her. I really have no words to describe listening to her last night. I wish you all could have heard her.

I explained the gospel to her in a little more detail (like the Jesus part) and even drew out the "bridge diagram" (shout out to CO folks!). I didn't want to overwhelm her but everything I told her just went straight to her heart, bringing more tears.

We are going to meet weekly so please continue to pray for this journey for her...she told me that her circumstances have only gotten worse, but that now she has Someone to turn to. I can't express how precious this all is to me. When I was her RA in college (when I first started talking about the gospel with her) it was probably the worst year of my life and I was a real mess. Isn't God good?

Love you all.

Amazed again by His grace,
Dana

"The Lord has done great things for us and we are filled with JOY!"

Topic at dinner: Isaiah's holiness

I: Mommy, God is holy. Jesus is holy.

J: And what does that mean, Isaiah?

I: (long pause) Cause....God...not...sin.

D: That's right, Isaiah! God is holy because He doesn't sin and Jesus never sinned. We are not holy without Jesus because we sin.

I: Uh huh. I'm holy. God is holy and I am holy! (going back to eating and mumbling to himself) I am so holy.

D: No, we are not holy because we sin. We disobey.

I: Well...I'm holy.

(A few minutes later after disobeying and dealing with that)

D: See, Isaiah. You disobeyed so you are not holy. Mommy and Daddy disobey too. We need Jesus.

I: Well, I don't disobey. I'm a boy and I'm holy.



God help us.

This is straight crazy

Kate Gosselin is on the top of my "I can't fathom how she does it" list, but this lady might just beat her out.

EIGHT BABIES, PEOPLE!

For my brother....

Happy Birthday, Darren!

Question about your prayer plan

I really hope to able to post something substantial here soon, but I just started back to working 2 days a week so things have picked up even more around here. Ah, such is life, right?

So I just really have a question. I'm putting my prayer plan together right now...something I have done in the past, but very inconsistently. I want it to be a good plan that covers more than my family and our needs, but I also need it to be do-able in a short period of time or spread out in blocks of time.

My tendency is to make it too long and then get frustrated with not being able to keep up or praying some generic prayer just to get down the list. Yeah, that's sad. So, if you have a plan that works well for you I'd love to hear about it.

Rolling around in my head....

I've been thinking the words of this song all day today. I can hardly ever sing it without crying (for good reason!). It's been my prayer for Manny today...that the truth in these words -the gospel- would saturate his heart and spill over into his affections, his work, his play, his relationships, bringing great glory to the Father. What a good, good hymn.

How deep the Father's love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One,
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the Man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice,
Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom

Josh circa 1995

Josh took a moment to re-create what he looked like in 9th grade

(complete with the feathered hair).
Glad they fixed his eyes.

I want a shower for Christmas

Gosh, I haven't posted in awhile. It's funny how busy I get, but then don't know why I'm so busy or what I've been doing. I love when a friend calls and asks, "what are you doing?" and I've got nothing...I don't even know. What am I doing? There is no such thing as a "normal" day around here.

And I STILL can't figure out how people are able to feed their kids, cook dinner, do chores, go anywhere and still get dressed... and, dare I say, even shower! I just can't seem to make it all happen. I know it's a phase, it's a season. But Manny is an easy baby. He's not fussy or needy...so what's wrong?

Ok, so here's what I'm asking: how do you do it? I'm convinced there's a magic secret that you know and that I desperately need to know.. so what is it? Maybe I need to get up a lot earlier. I do go to bed late (stay up for Manny's late night bottle) and thus wake up late (8:00ish most mornings). Maybe I need to start getting flylady's bazillion emails again but I don't have time to read them.

I just want to be able to get some things done in a timely manner such as dishes, laundry, light cleaning and groceries/meal planning. I would also like a shower more than once a week and to get out of my pajamas on days that I don't leave the house (for poor Josh's sake).

Ok..now flood me with wisdom :)

The cute, cuddly reasons I'm dirty.

The coolest thing in the world

This morning I was looking for some kind of live radio stream of Christmas music and, LO AND BEHOLD, HALLELUJAH, I discovered Pandora.com. (Am I late? Do you already know about it?) I LOVE it! You can list an artist you like and it will immediately start a playlist from that artist and other's that are similar. You can also listen to music from favorite genres. I was in the mood for Bing Crosby Christmas classics so I've been listening to a playlist of him, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and others. I also have jazz Christmas, peaceful Christmas, swingin' Christmas and a few other playlists waiting for me. They don't offer a huge selection of Christian categories, but their contemporary Christian stream is pretty good (don't think 91.9...sorry if you like them). Chris Tomlin, Third Day and Passion were on the list.

So go try it!

Feelings...

M: I love you, Isaiah.

I: I love you, Mom.

M: Aw, Isaiah! That makes Mommy happy!

I: Sad?

M: No.

I: Frustrated?

M: No.

I: Mad?


I guess we talk about our emotions a lot around here. :)

For Josh....

I got to him first ;)

Isaiah: "Mommy, it needs batteries."

Update: I sent this picture to one of my main trumpet instructors in college. He started playing when he was 4.....I know. To quote him, "and that child has terrific embouchure!!!" I love it! You can go hear him (Dr. Harding, not Isaiah) at Grand Central uptown. He's also directing the CPCC jazz ensemble, Queen City Brass and plays often with The Four Tops and The Temptations...if you're ever in the mood for some good brass playin'. :)

Sweet boy

In the middle of the night last night Josh came crawling into bed. Isaiah has been waking up a lot and crying for his daddy so Josh had gone to comfort him.

He said that he knelt down beside Isaiah's bed and rubbed his back for awhile, and then fell asleep himself on the floor next to the bed (Hartnesses will sleep anywhere). He woke up a little while later to Isaiah gently rubbing his arm saying, "It's ok, Daddy. It's ok. Get in bed with Mommy."

That just melted my heart :)

baby brain

I'm convinced that after the birth of each child I have gotten about 30% dumber. So basically, I can have one more child before I'm full blown retarded. Normal, everyday tasks are harder.
I can't concentrate. I can't talk (yes, I know I said that about pregnancy too). I ask dumb questions. I'm clumsy and drop things ALL the time. I tune out a lot. I forget general information needed to normally function through a day at home.

In fact, I just called a credit card company to complain that I couldn't log into my account. The nice man offered to verify my information for me and, lo and behold, we immediately realized that I had been entering my maiden name instead of my mom's.....I must have re-read that question at least 4 times trying to figure out what possibly could be wrong.

Ah, my poor children.