Some of you are aware of another blog that I follow. It is the blog of Aaron and Heather Jones. They are on staff with Campus Crusade on the campus of UW-Eau Claire. They have an incredible story with the loss of their daughter Peyton just over two years ago and then the adoption of their daughter Olivia just over six months ago. Their faith in God and His faithfulness to them through all that they've experienced is truly an inspiration. Her most recent post about the upcoming election was excellent and I wanted to share it with you because she says everything I'd like to say about it better! And she even includes some other info that I was unaware of. So please head over there and read about why she's voting for McCain.
And please, please VOTE on Tuesday!!!
Friday, October 31, 2008
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Another moving video
This is obviously aimed at Catholics but the message applies to all of us. No issue is more important than that of life. Please vote pr*-life on the 4th!!!
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
15 weeks
Taylor's 15 week birthdayDon't you love those little cheekers? They are soooo smoochable. I love this expression on his face and how he has his little fingers clasped together. Precious.
He's just as precious as can be. His smiles melt my heart and I just can't believe how much I love this kid! He's also huge. When I nurse him in the night and he falls asleep I sometimes hold him for awhile - just trying to savor these precious moments. And I can't help but realize how large he is in my arms compared to just three short months ago. He's getting so big so quickly and sometimes I want him to slow down!!! He's really strong. He's holding his head up with no problem and getting more control all the time. When he's in his carseat and doesn't want to be he strains his little neck forward, trying to sit up. And the past couple days he's rolled onto his side so I keep expecting him to roll the rest of the way any time. His 3 month pics will be in tomorrow and I can't wait to pick them up! Oh, his cold is better but he's still sucking on his fists and drooling like crazy. The teething process is a long one...
Lily pooped on the potty today!!! She'd been dancing around most of the afternoon and I could tell she needed to and I kept asking her but she insisted, "No, I don't need to go potty." Finally tonight Andy talked her into giving it a try. She did not enjoy it but she was so proud afterward. She's really growing up in other ways too. :) Sometimes I can't believe the conversations we have and how well she communicates compared to a few months ago. It's just remarkable what a little person she is. She is VERY much looking forward to trick-*r-treating on Friday night! Friday can't get here soon enough.
My sister was here for a brief visit on Saturday. She had come to MN for a baby shower but it ended up getting cancelled because a relative of her friend's passed away. So she had more free time while she was in the cities and came up to St. Cloud to see us. It was so nice to see her. I sure do wish she and Bryan lived closer. I miss her lots.
Our good friends Lucas and Eir were also here over the weekend. We had dinner with them and some other couples on Saturday night and then hung out together at our place for awhile afterward. It felt a little like old times with them and it was delightful. Eir taught me how to make her S'more bars. Mmmmmm! You have no idea how much I love those bars! I've attempted to make them twice since they moved away but wasn't very succesful either time. So she showed me how. So sweet of her! I think I got it! :)
Dave and April are in town for the closing on their house! They got into town tonight and we'll get to spend some time with them tomorrow night, Lord willing.
My biggest news is that we are officially going on a vacation! An ACTUAL vacation. Flying. To Florida. Do you believe it??? This will be our first "vacation" in our six years of marriage. I'm so excited I can hardly stand it. We have purchased plane tickets and have reservations at a Disney resort. We also have a reservation to eat at Cinderella's Castle! My parents were already planning to be down there for a conference in February, so we're going with them, staying at the same resort as them and will get to spend a few days with them before the conference starts. We're going to spend a couple days doing Disney stuff but the rest of the time we'll probably just lay low, relax, swim, shop, etc. I don't even care what we do! The fact that we're just going is VICTORY!!! And, I just found out today that our friends Ben and Chelie and their daughter Olivia are going to be down there at the same time we are!!! Staying at a resort that's about 15 minutes from ours! So we're going to try to connect while we're down there which will be so fun. I am SO looking forward to this!
Lily pooped on the potty today!!! She'd been dancing around most of the afternoon and I could tell she needed to and I kept asking her but she insisted, "No, I don't need to go potty." Finally tonight Andy talked her into giving it a try. She did not enjoy it but she was so proud afterward. She's really growing up in other ways too. :) Sometimes I can't believe the conversations we have and how well she communicates compared to a few months ago. It's just remarkable what a little person she is. She is VERY much looking forward to trick-*r-treating on Friday night! Friday can't get here soon enough.
My sister was here for a brief visit on Saturday. She had come to MN for a baby shower but it ended up getting cancelled because a relative of her friend's passed away. So she had more free time while she was in the cities and came up to St. Cloud to see us. It was so nice to see her. I sure do wish she and Bryan lived closer. I miss her lots.
Our good friends Lucas and Eir were also here over the weekend. We had dinner with them and some other couples on Saturday night and then hung out together at our place for awhile afterward. It felt a little like old times with them and it was delightful. Eir taught me how to make her S'more bars. Mmmmmm! You have no idea how much I love those bars! I've attempted to make them twice since they moved away but wasn't very succesful either time. So she showed me how. So sweet of her! I think I got it! :)
Dave and April are in town for the closing on their house! They got into town tonight and we'll get to spend some time with them tomorrow night, Lord willing.
My biggest news is that we are officially going on a vacation! An ACTUAL vacation. Flying. To Florida. Do you believe it??? This will be our first "vacation" in our six years of marriage. I'm so excited I can hardly stand it. We have purchased plane tickets and have reservations at a Disney resort. We also have a reservation to eat at Cinderella's Castle! My parents were already planning to be down there for a conference in February, so we're going with them, staying at the same resort as them and will get to spend a few days with them before the conference starts. We're going to spend a couple days doing Disney stuff but the rest of the time we'll probably just lay low, relax, swim, shop, etc. I don't even care what we do! The fact that we're just going is VICTORY!!! And, I just found out today that our friends Ben and Chelie and their daughter Olivia are going to be down there at the same time we are!!! Staying at a resort that's about 15 minutes from ours! So we're going to try to connect while we're down there which will be so fun. I am SO looking forward to this!
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Express Care
I ended up taking Taylor to Express Care last night. He'd been pulling on his ear and was so cranky so I just wanted to make sure he didn't have an ear infection. He doesn't. And the doctor thinks it's just a combination of a cold and teething. The exciting part was getting Taylor weighed! He measured 25 1/2 inches long and, with his clothes on, weighed 16 pounds 4 ounces!!!
Friday, October 24, 2008
16-28 lbs
Yesterday Taylor graduated to size 3 diapers and the package says they fit babies 16-28 pounds. Is it even possible that my little baby is 16 pounds already??? He didn't necessarily "need" to move up to the next size yet but we were running out of size 2s and we don't know how much longer they would have fit him so we just bought the next size.
Also, he had a terrible night last night. He was up quite a bit and was crying a pain cry. And today more of the same. I really think he's teething. He's just miserable and sometimes inconsolable. Fun, fun... Thankfully, my mom was here overnight and was very helpful to me! She occupied Lily when I was busy with Taylor and vice versa. And she put Taylor back to sleep in the night! She headed back to the cities but now my dad is here for a bit (on his way to a retreat up north) and he's pacing back and forth with the baby. I thank God OFTEN for my parents!!! They are hugely supportive. And there are times when they show up as I'm just about to pull my hair out. Love you, Mom and Dad!
Also, he had a terrible night last night. He was up quite a bit and was crying a pain cry. And today more of the same. I really think he's teething. He's just miserable and sometimes inconsolable. Fun, fun... Thankfully, my mom was here overnight and was very helpful to me! She occupied Lily when I was busy with Taylor and vice versa. And she put Taylor back to sleep in the night! She headed back to the cities but now my dad is here for a bit (on his way to a retreat up north) and he's pacing back and forth with the baby. I thank God OFTEN for my parents!!! They are hugely supportive. And there are times when they show up as I'm just about to pull my hair out. Love you, Mom and Dad!
Thursday, October 23, 2008
R*e v. Wade
Norma McCorvey "Jane Roe" has an incredible testimony. It's amazing how God can soften any heart! Anything is possible for Him, even the eradication of ab*rti*n. May it be so.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
14 weeks
Well. For starters, I'm exhausted! This kid is not sleeping great at night lately and it's wearing me out! He was doing *so well* for awhile there and now he's up every three hours or so! Ahhh! I can't figure it out. I'm absolutely pooped. Sunday night was terrible. He cried from about 2:30 - 4:00 - it was so weird. Andy and I were both zombies the next day.
Besides that he's doing really well! He continues to be more alert and really checks out his surroundings. Yesterday I could swear he was batting at a toy with his chubby little hand. I think he was trying to get it. I know he'll be grabbing stuff any day. He also had his first chiropractor appointment yesterday. :) Our Chiro checked him over and said he was locked up in his mid-back and did a little adjustment on him. It was quick and painless and he said it may help him to sleep better at night. We'll see... Last night wasn't a big improvement or anything. But hopefully he's more comfortable at least. He continues to grow like a weed. I can't even guess how much he weighs right now. He was 14 lbs 3 oz at his 2 month check-up and a month later Andy thinks he weighs at least 16 pounds. Just this week I put away some of his 6 month jammies. His toes were squished so he graduated to 9 month jammies!!! Yikes! Most of his clothes, though, are size 6 mos. It's always so emotional for me when I pack away clothes that my kids have outgrown, because I know that it's not like when I put my summer clothes away and get them out again the next year. These clothes will never fit them again!!! Something else has changed this week. He isn't taking his pacifier as often. He can get pretty irritated when I try to give it to him. I don't know how I feel about that. I suppose on one hand it could be nice that he's not still needing a pacifier at the age of four. But on the other, it really has "pacified" him during some fussy times and I'm gonna be sad if it doesn't help anymore. He also used to go to sleep really well with it. I would hold him "like a baby", give him the pacifier and he'd be out cold. It doesn't work like that any more! It's amazing how quickly things can change. What works one day, doesn't the next. You think you have it figured out and then they move on to a different phase. He's keeping me on my toes! He recognizes our faces and smiles when he sees us and he likes peekabo! :)
The novelty of "baby Taylor" has worn off and Lily is definitely vying for attention and has really given us a run for our money lately! More crying, more begging, more whining, etc. There are moments that I think I may go crazy! She says things lately like, "Can you put him in his swing? Can you put him down? Can you put Taylor in his crib?" And a couple times recently she's started to gently "hit" him and see if we notice. I'm thankful she hasn't all-out whacked him! But she's testing the limits. So, we're both trying to find ways to spend more one on one time with her and give her the attention she needs. Taylor is taking a good morning nap so I've been trying to use that time to do something fun with her - play with Play doh, play a game, read some books, or whatever she wants to do. The potty training is interesting. She pees like a pro now but still refuses to try to poop on the potty. She asks for a pull up when she knows she needs to do the big job. So, she knows when she needs to go. We're just not sure how to get her to go. I continue to tell myself she *will* figure it out eventually. In the mean time I just need to continue to encourage her and be patient with her.
Enjoy some photo highlights of our week:
Lily and Grandpa (my parents came up on Friday and took us all out for lunch for Andy's birthday)
Grandma and Taylor
This is what six years of married bliss looks like :)
A family picture in our Minnesota sweatshirts
Go Gophers!
This is at our neighbor's house. They always do cute stuff to decorate their yard so I thought it made a cute backdrop for a picture of Lily
Happy Birthday, Daddy! (A little help from Lily with the presents)
Collecting some leaves on a gorgeous fall day
Taylor's 14 week birthday
Can you even believe the cuteness of this kid?
Me and my babies
Andy and his babiesMonday, October 20, 2008
Oh, Baby!
Nicholas Richard was born last night (on my husband's birthday) at 8:49 pm weighing 8 pounds 8 ounces and was 20 inches long. We got to visit him at this hospital this evening and I got to hold him! Taylor looked *so* big next to him and I can't believe how much a baby can change in only 3 months. Nicholas looks so much like his big brother Nathan and he's such a cutie. Absolutely precious. And Kara looks amazing. They're all doing well. Praise the Lord for another healthy baby!
Such a precious little bundle. The baby. Not me. :) 
So little! It boggles my mind that Taylor was a little peanut like that 3 months ago.
Such a precious little bundle. The baby. Not me. :)
So little! It boggles my mind that Taylor was a little peanut like that 3 months ago.Sunday, October 19, 2008
Happy Birthday, Andy!
Happy Birthday, Husband!!! It's his 29th birthday today so he's got one year left to enjoy his 20s before he joins me in the 30s. :) He took Lily to church this morning and let me and Taylor sleep in since that little stinker didn't have his best night last night. We've had a great day together but unfortunately his Vikings let him down big time with a loss in Chicago. We're gonna do dinner tonight with friends at Applebee's so hopefully we can wind the day down on a positive note. :) I just posted a couple pics of my darling husband with me and the kids.
The two of us at my cousin's wedding this summer. I think we're so cute in our matching blue and white even though I am large and in charge at 8 months pregnant!!!
Andy and Lily at a park this summer
Andy and Taylor cuddling in the rocker a few weeks ago (These jammies - size 6 mos - don't fit Taylor anymore!!!)
The two of us at my cousin's wedding this summer. I think we're so cute in our matching blue and white even though I am large and in charge at 8 months pregnant!!! 
Andy and Lily at a park this summer
Andy and Taylor cuddling in the rocker a few weeks ago (These jammies - size 6 mos - don't fit Taylor anymore!!!)One other note: Our friend Kara (and husband Tim) is at the hospital right now being induced! We're waiting on pins and needles to hear about the birth of Baby Boy Rysavy!!!
Friday, October 17, 2008
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
13 weeks
My baby will be three months old tomorrow! Where have these three months gone? Can you even believe it? It's been an amazing and exhausting three months. It's absolutely amazing how much he has changed since the day he was born. First of all, he's enormous! :) And he's developing in other ways too. He's really getting "verbal". He talks a lot! Or squeals is more like it. It's so fun to listen to him and to interact with him. There's a lot of inflection in his voice - it's like he really is telling us big stories - so cute. And he's giggled a few more times as well. He has to be in a good mood and we have to work pretty hard for it, but it's the BEST! He's spent some more time in the exersaucer as he's getting stronger and supporting his head better. He's like his big sister in that he poops while in the exersaucer! :) It must be easier standing up. ;) Yesterday was a "milestone" of sorts. I moved the straps of his carseat up because he was getting a little snug in there. I don't expect him to fit in the infant carrier much longer. Although I'll make it last as long as I can because it's so much nicer in the winter to be able to carry him in there and keep him covered up. I'm not looking forward to having to bundle him up in a snowsuit when he graduates to the other carseat. I took him to Sears to get his 3 month pictures taken tonight and he did un.be.lievable! He had the cutest expressions on his face and was very smiley. I can't wait to get those pics back in a couple weeks!
Lily got a haircut on Wednesday. She needed it - she was getting pretty shaggy and it looks adorable. She has the cutest hair. It has a mind of it's own but when she has a good hair day, it's really good. :) I was talking with Andy about her last night and we were discussing how much she has changed in the past few months too. She's come a long way in her conversation skills. She's a lot better at talking to daddy or grandma and grandpa on the phone now and at just plain expressing herself. It's so neat - she's growing up before our eyes! I know that Kindergarten will be here before we know it and it totally freaks me out! We pray with her before bed and she's begun to want to do it herself and it's so cool to listen to her pray. It usually includes prayer for her friends - Brianna, Nathan, Aubrey, Olivia, Lauren, Benjamin, Jenna, Emma or some combination of them.
On Saturday the Young Couples Ministry of our church went to Fairhaven Farms. It turned out to be a *gorgeous* day and we had a really good time. Lily and Andy went on the hayride (I was nursing Taylor so I missed it) and Lily chose a pumpkin from the patch. It was a lovely time. We all then caravanned to Neil and Lorelie's house to roast hot dogs and have s'mores. Mmmmm!
If you missed my post on Sunday, Andy and I celebrated our 6th anniversary! Yay us! :)
So here are the pics from the week. Enjoy!
Lily's haircut at Kids' Hair
Beautiful
Lily reading to her brother
We were at the mall on Friday and Lily "needed" to sit in the cars. She tried several of them out. :)
Snuggling with my baby
The Beckers at Fairhaven Farms
Lily got a haircut on Wednesday. She needed it - she was getting pretty shaggy and it looks adorable. She has the cutest hair. It has a mind of it's own but when she has a good hair day, it's really good. :) I was talking with Andy about her last night and we were discussing how much she has changed in the past few months too. She's come a long way in her conversation skills. She's a lot better at talking to daddy or grandma and grandpa on the phone now and at just plain expressing herself. It's so neat - she's growing up before our eyes! I know that Kindergarten will be here before we know it and it totally freaks me out! We pray with her before bed and she's begun to want to do it herself and it's so cool to listen to her pray. It usually includes prayer for her friends - Brianna, Nathan, Aubrey, Olivia, Lauren, Benjamin, Jenna, Emma or some combination of them.
On Saturday the Young Couples Ministry of our church went to Fairhaven Farms. It turned out to be a *gorgeous* day and we had a really good time. Lily and Andy went on the hayride (I was nursing Taylor so I missed it) and Lily chose a pumpkin from the patch. It was a lovely time. We all then caravanned to Neil and Lorelie's house to roast hot dogs and have s'mores. Mmmmm!
If you missed my post on Sunday, Andy and I celebrated our 6th anniversary! Yay us! :)
So here are the pics from the week. Enjoy!
Lily's haircut at Kids' Hair
Beautiful
Lily reading to her brother
We were at the mall on Friday and Lily "needed" to sit in the cars. She tried several of them out. :)
Snuggling with my baby
The Beckers at Fairhaven Farms(Lily has her candy corn costume on. More pics of that will be forthcoming after October 31st.)
In the pumpkin patch. She loved it!
Enjoying all that fresh air!
Asleep in his swing - precious!
Taylor's 13 week birthday!
Such a happy kid
It was her idea to hug him. She just put her arm around him. So sweet. I hope they'll be great buddies.
In the pumpkin patch. She loved it!
Enjoying all that fresh air!
Asleep in his swing - precious!
Taylor's 13 week birthday!
Such a happy kid
It was her idea to hug him. She just put her arm around him. So sweet. I hope they'll be great buddies. Sunday, October 12, 2008
6 years
Today is our 6th anniversary! In this day and age that feels like a big accomplishment. It *IS* amazing what can happen in two people's lives in just six years. Our proudest "accomplishments" are definitely the two people that we've brought into the world. I thank God every day for blessing us with Lily and Taylor. And I thank God for my husband. He continues to be the Lord's perfect provision for me. God takes care of me and loves me through Andy and also refines my character through Andy! :) We aren't perfect but we love each other and we're in this for the long haul. When I think about the last six years of our life together the word that comes to mind is Grateful. I'm just so grateful for God's faithfulness to us as we figure out life and grow up together. And I'm so grateful to Andy for being who he is and trying to be the man/husband/father God wants him to be. And I'm so grateful for his patience with me and how he forgives me time after time when I'm crabby and irrational. :) He's such a peach and I love him so much. :)
6 years ago today!
6 years ago today! I posted this pic last year on our anniversary and again this year because it's the only picture of our wedding that I have on our computer! 6 years ago 35mm cameras were still more common than digital. :)
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
12 weeks
Big news! He giggled today! I was sitting on the couch holding him and Andy and I were both talking baby talk to him and he let out a little giggle. It was the cutest thing!
I don't know if this is even possible but I think Taylor is teething! He is drooling like crazy, sucking on his fists, rubbing his tongue against his gums and has been kinda fussy a couple days this week. Poor little guy! Despite that he's such a great baby! He just gets more fun all the time. He talks a lot and is so expressive and has the sweetest voice! He's getting more aware of his surroundings. He follows me with his eyes as I walk around a room. He watches the mobile on his swing and the mobile in his crib. And there are a couple little toys hanging from the handle of his carseat and I feel like he's going to reach out and grab them any day. It just blows my mind how much he has changed in 12 weeks.
We've taken a couple steps back in the sleep department. Lately he's up about every four hours which feels like such a let down after being spoiled by 6 or 7 hours! I don't know if he's going through a growth spurt and wants to eat more often or if the teething is bothering him.
Lily has made so much progress with going potty. When I think about what it was like a couple months ago I can't believe how far she's come. #2 is still a challenge so we'd appreciate your prayers for her. We sing the "tushy pushy" song a lot! :) Dance class is going pretty well. She's so funny to watch. She's kind of in her own little world and doesn't always listen very well to her teacher. But she seems to be enjoying it which is the main thing. She has a "holiday" show on December 20th so that should be fun! She's so cute in her little leotard and I can't wait to see the show! I haven't reached any conclusions about the napping situation. She's skipped her nap altogether some days and then is ready for bed by 7 because she's so pooped. Other days she's laid down for a "rest" and has fallen asleep. We've then woken her up after about an hour but I hate doing that because she's so crabby!!! She's just at a tough transition point as far as naps...
My cousin Sarah was in Minnesota (her husband was here for work) so she and her two boys came for a visit on Wednesday morning. They drove from Idaho with an 18 month old and 3 week old. Drove. From Idaho. With an 18 month old and 3 week old. I can hardly imagine!!! But it was absolutely delightful to see her and to meet litte Brodie and Logan! She brought coffee and bagels from Panera and we had a great chat in between taking care of our kids. Lily was trying to make sure Brodie didn't get into her things and kept calling him Rudy! It was so funny. Anyway, it was so nice to see them and I wish they lived closer.
On Saturday the four of us drove to the cities. Our anniversary is on Sunday and every year we celebrate by going to the Custom College Shop in the MOA and buying new sweatshirts. This year all four of us got Gopher sweatshirts. I'll have to post a pic sometime. We ate at the Rainforest Cafe which was fun and stopped at a couple other stores in the mall. The kids did well in the car and it was a fun little trip.
So we celebrate 6 years of marriage on Sunday. I'll let you know if we get out for a date or do something special. It's going to be a busy weekend already because Andy works and Saturday afternoon we're going to Fairhaven Farms with other young families from church. It should be a lot of fun - they've got an apple orchard, pumpkin patch, corn maze, hay rides and other fun things to do. The kids will wear their costumes and I can't wait to take pics of that!!! Lily is going to be a candy corn (she LOVES candy corn) and Taylor is going to be a bumblebee. :)
One more thing, our friends Dave and April sold their house!!! Woot woot! They moved a year ago August and their house has been on the market since July of last year. This has been a major prayer request and it has been an agonizing, frustrating process for them. They knew that it would sell in God's perfect timing and tried to trust Him as they waited for a buyer. They're coming to St. Cloud at the end of the month for the closing so I'm excited to see them.
Here are some pics - enjoy!
Taylor and 3 week old Logan Jonathan! Taylor is a giant next to him!
Lily and "Rudy"/Brodie
Sittin' in his bumbo chair :)
Playing at the library
12 weeks old today! What a big boy! Couldn't you just smooch those cheeks???
Smiles
I love this kid!
I love this kid!
Chillin' while watchin' TV
I don't know if this is even possible but I think Taylor is teething! He is drooling like crazy, sucking on his fists, rubbing his tongue against his gums and has been kinda fussy a couple days this week. Poor little guy! Despite that he's such a great baby! He just gets more fun all the time. He talks a lot and is so expressive and has the sweetest voice! He's getting more aware of his surroundings. He follows me with his eyes as I walk around a room. He watches the mobile on his swing and the mobile in his crib. And there are a couple little toys hanging from the handle of his carseat and I feel like he's going to reach out and grab them any day. It just blows my mind how much he has changed in 12 weeks.
We've taken a couple steps back in the sleep department. Lately he's up about every four hours which feels like such a let down after being spoiled by 6 or 7 hours! I don't know if he's going through a growth spurt and wants to eat more often or if the teething is bothering him.
Lily has made so much progress with going potty. When I think about what it was like a couple months ago I can't believe how far she's come. #2 is still a challenge so we'd appreciate your prayers for her. We sing the "tushy pushy" song a lot! :) Dance class is going pretty well. She's so funny to watch. She's kind of in her own little world and doesn't always listen very well to her teacher. But she seems to be enjoying it which is the main thing. She has a "holiday" show on December 20th so that should be fun! She's so cute in her little leotard and I can't wait to see the show! I haven't reached any conclusions about the napping situation. She's skipped her nap altogether some days and then is ready for bed by 7 because she's so pooped. Other days she's laid down for a "rest" and has fallen asleep. We've then woken her up after about an hour but I hate doing that because she's so crabby!!! She's just at a tough transition point as far as naps...
My cousin Sarah was in Minnesota (her husband was here for work) so she and her two boys came for a visit on Wednesday morning. They drove from Idaho with an 18 month old and 3 week old. Drove. From Idaho. With an 18 month old and 3 week old. I can hardly imagine!!! But it was absolutely delightful to see her and to meet litte Brodie and Logan! She brought coffee and bagels from Panera and we had a great chat in between taking care of our kids. Lily was trying to make sure Brodie didn't get into her things and kept calling him Rudy! It was so funny. Anyway, it was so nice to see them and I wish they lived closer.
On Saturday the four of us drove to the cities. Our anniversary is on Sunday and every year we celebrate by going to the Custom College Shop in the MOA and buying new sweatshirts. This year all four of us got Gopher sweatshirts. I'll have to post a pic sometime. We ate at the Rainforest Cafe which was fun and stopped at a couple other stores in the mall. The kids did well in the car and it was a fun little trip.
So we celebrate 6 years of marriage on Sunday. I'll let you know if we get out for a date or do something special. It's going to be a busy weekend already because Andy works and Saturday afternoon we're going to Fairhaven Farms with other young families from church. It should be a lot of fun - they've got an apple orchard, pumpkin patch, corn maze, hay rides and other fun things to do. The kids will wear their costumes and I can't wait to take pics of that!!! Lily is going to be a candy corn (she LOVES candy corn) and Taylor is going to be a bumblebee. :)
One more thing, our friends Dave and April sold their house!!! Woot woot! They moved a year ago August and their house has been on the market since July of last year. This has been a major prayer request and it has been an agonizing, frustrating process for them. They knew that it would sell in God's perfect timing and tried to trust Him as they waited for a buyer. They're coming to St. Cloud at the end of the month for the closing so I'm excited to see them.
Here are some pics - enjoy!
Taylor and 3 week old Logan Jonathan! Taylor is a giant next to him!
Lily and "Rudy"/Brodie
Sittin' in his bumbo chair :)
Playing at the library
12 weeks old today! What a big boy! Couldn't you just smooch those cheeks???
Smiles
I love this kid!
I love this kid!
Chillin' while watchin' TVSunday, October 5, 2008
Renovation Part II
This is a section from chapter 5 which is titled Who We Are, Not How We Act.
The Primary learning in spiritual formation is not about how to act, just as the primary wrongness or problem in human life is not what we do. Often what human beings do is so horrible that we can be excused for thinking that all that matters is stopping it. But this is an evasion of the real horror: the heart from which the terrible actions come. In both cases, it is who we are in our thoughts, feelings, dispositions and choices - in the inner life - that counts. Profound transformation there is the only thing that can definitively conquer outward evil.
It is very hard to keep this straight. Failure to do so is a primary cause of failure to grow spiritually. Love is patient and kind ( see I Corinthians 13:4) so we, mistakenly, try to be loving by acting patiently and kindly - and we quickly fail. We should always do the best we can in action, of course; but little progress is to be made in that arena until we advance in love itself - the genuine inner readiness and longing to secure the good of others. Until we make significant progress there, our patience and kindness will be shallow and short-lived at best.
It is love itself - not loving behavior, or even the wish or intent to love - that has the power to "always protect, always trust, always hope, put up with anything, and never quit" (I Corinthians 13:7-8). Merely trying to act lovingly will lead to despair and to the defeat of love. It will make us angry and hopeless.
But taking love itself - God's kind of love - into the depths of our being through the way of spiritual formation will, by contrast, enable us to act lovingly to an extent that will be surprising even to us at first. And this love will then become a constant source of joy and refreshment to us and others, indeed it will, according to the promise, be "a spring of water gushing up to eternal life" (John 14:4), not an additional burden to carry through life, as the attempt to act lovingly surely would be.
I've really been chewing on that since I first read it. I have definitely been guilty of trying to *act* lovingly rather than *be* loving! The idea of God's kind of love being taken into the depths of my being is more fabulous that I can express! It makes me feel so free! It's not about *trying*. It's about *real* love flowing more naturally out of me as I grow. Wow. I want that.
At the very end of each chapter there are "experiment" ideas. This chapter's experiments are so excellent that I'd like to challenge you to choose one and try it today!!!
The Primary learning in spiritual formation is not about how to act, just as the primary wrongness or problem in human life is not what we do. Often what human beings do is so horrible that we can be excused for thinking that all that matters is stopping it. But this is an evasion of the real horror: the heart from which the terrible actions come. In both cases, it is who we are in our thoughts, feelings, dispositions and choices - in the inner life - that counts. Profound transformation there is the only thing that can definitively conquer outward evil.
It is very hard to keep this straight. Failure to do so is a primary cause of failure to grow spiritually. Love is patient and kind ( see I Corinthians 13:4) so we, mistakenly, try to be loving by acting patiently and kindly - and we quickly fail. We should always do the best we can in action, of course; but little progress is to be made in that arena until we advance in love itself - the genuine inner readiness and longing to secure the good of others. Until we make significant progress there, our patience and kindness will be shallow and short-lived at best.
It is love itself - not loving behavior, or even the wish or intent to love - that has the power to "always protect, always trust, always hope, put up with anything, and never quit" (I Corinthians 13:7-8). Merely trying to act lovingly will lead to despair and to the defeat of love. It will make us angry and hopeless.
But taking love itself - God's kind of love - into the depths of our being through the way of spiritual formation will, by contrast, enable us to act lovingly to an extent that will be surprising even to us at first. And this love will then become a constant source of joy and refreshment to us and others, indeed it will, according to the promise, be "a spring of water gushing up to eternal life" (John 14:4), not an additional burden to carry through life, as the attempt to act lovingly surely would be.
I've really been chewing on that since I first read it. I have definitely been guilty of trying to *act* lovingly rather than *be* loving! The idea of God's kind of love being taken into the depths of my being is more fabulous that I can express! It makes me feel so free! It's not about *trying*. It's about *real* love flowing more naturally out of me as I grow. Wow. I want that.
At the very end of each chapter there are "experiment" ideas. This chapter's experiments are so excellent that I'd like to challenge you to choose one and try it today!!!
- Read through a gospel, pausing to reflect on and relish each loving thing Jesus did.
- Focus on just one loving thing Jesus did and picture his face as he did it. Maybe even put yourself in the place of the person Jesus loved for a moment and absorb that love. And then hold on to that loving look on Jesus' face as you go to sleep tonight.
- Spend a few minutes with the most loving person you know, thanking God the entire time for such a window into the heart of God standing right there next to you.
- Do some small act of service for someone you love who is feeling overwhelmed. Make his bed, clean her toiilet, or make that difficult telephone call he has been dreading.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Renovation of the Heart
This is a book I'm reading by Dallas Willard and Jan Johnson. I received it as a gift last spring and am finally reading it in all my spare time. ;) But seriously the chapters are all 2-3 pages so it's really easy to catch a chapter here or there and feel like I'm actually reading a book!!! :) And this one is so good. It's so convicting and I love to be told the truth even when it's hard to hear. I chose an excerpt to share with you but it was difficult!!! I wanted to share so many passages that I think are so good. But you should just buy the book yourself because it's that good.
Here are a couple paragraphs from chapter 3 which is titled Change Me on the Inside:
Our lives are a result of what we have become in the depths of our being - what we call our spirit, will, or heart. From there we see our world and interpret reality. From there we make choices, break forth into action, and try to change our world. That is why the greatest need of collective humanity is the renovation of our heart. (LOVE that!)
Accordingly, the revolution of Jesus involves the objective of eventually bringing all of human life under the direction of his wisdom, goodness, and power as part of God's eternal plan for the universe. The revolution of Jesus is one of character, which proceeds by changing people from the inside through an ongoing personal relationship to God in Christ and to one another. It changes their ideas, beliefs, feelings, habits of choice, bodily tendencies, and social relations. From these persons, social structures will naturally be transfored so that "justice roll(s) down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream" (Amos 5:24). Such streams cannot flow through corrupted souls.
Spiritual formation for the Christian refers to the Spirit-driven process of forming the inner world of the human self so that it becomes like the inner being of Christ himself. (!) To the degree in which spiritual formation in Christ is successful, the outer life of the individual becomes a natural outflow of the character and teachings of Jesus. Christian spiritual formation is focused entirely on Jesus. Its goal is conformity to Christ that arises out of an inner transformation accomplished through purposeful interaction with the grace of God in Christ. Obedience is an essential outcome of Christian spiritual formation (see John 13:34-35; 14:21)...
Are you still with me??? Hang in there!
...When we say phrases such as, "He caught me off guard," or, "That bad word just slipped out," we refer to the truth that our outer actions aren't accidental - they mirror our character within. When regrettable words "slip out," we didn't have time to dress up what was in our heart before it came tumbling out of our mouth. Unsavory thoughts leak out in objectionable words and behavior. Such "slips" reveal publicly the private inner working of our heart. Jesus explained that "out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks" (Luke 6:45).
Our task, then, is to cooperate with God in being changed on the inside so that we take on the personality of Christ. As we let what is stored in our heart be transformed, we behave as Jesus would behave.
If our insides are renovated, what comes out of us will bring about peace and righteousness. (I LOVE that statement) We won't have to try to love. Unloving thoughts and actions simply won't occur to us (hallelujah!), just as loving ones will begin to spring up without our awareness...To cooperate with public greed or dishonesty will offend us to the core, and we'll find ourselves unable to do it.
Okay, so that was almost the whole third chapter but it's all so good! Isn't is SO true??? And so scary to think that some of the ugly things that come out of my mouth reveal what my heart is really like. Ouch. Lord, change me on the inside!
Here are a couple paragraphs from chapter 3 which is titled Change Me on the Inside:
Our lives are a result of what we have become in the depths of our being - what we call our spirit, will, or heart. From there we see our world and interpret reality. From there we make choices, break forth into action, and try to change our world. That is why the greatest need of collective humanity is the renovation of our heart. (LOVE that!)
Accordingly, the revolution of Jesus involves the objective of eventually bringing all of human life under the direction of his wisdom, goodness, and power as part of God's eternal plan for the universe. The revolution of Jesus is one of character, which proceeds by changing people from the inside through an ongoing personal relationship to God in Christ and to one another. It changes their ideas, beliefs, feelings, habits of choice, bodily tendencies, and social relations. From these persons, social structures will naturally be transfored so that "justice roll(s) down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream" (Amos 5:24). Such streams cannot flow through corrupted souls.
Spiritual formation for the Christian refers to the Spirit-driven process of forming the inner world of the human self so that it becomes like the inner being of Christ himself. (!) To the degree in which spiritual formation in Christ is successful, the outer life of the individual becomes a natural outflow of the character and teachings of Jesus. Christian spiritual formation is focused entirely on Jesus. Its goal is conformity to Christ that arises out of an inner transformation accomplished through purposeful interaction with the grace of God in Christ. Obedience is an essential outcome of Christian spiritual formation (see John 13:34-35; 14:21)...
Are you still with me??? Hang in there!
...When we say phrases such as, "He caught me off guard," or, "That bad word just slipped out," we refer to the truth that our outer actions aren't accidental - they mirror our character within. When regrettable words "slip out," we didn't have time to dress up what was in our heart before it came tumbling out of our mouth. Unsavory thoughts leak out in objectionable words and behavior. Such "slips" reveal publicly the private inner working of our heart. Jesus explained that "out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks" (Luke 6:45).
Our task, then, is to cooperate with God in being changed on the inside so that we take on the personality of Christ. As we let what is stored in our heart be transformed, we behave as Jesus would behave.
If our insides are renovated, what comes out of us will bring about peace and righteousness. (I LOVE that statement) We won't have to try to love. Unloving thoughts and actions simply won't occur to us (hallelujah!), just as loving ones will begin to spring up without our awareness...To cooperate with public greed or dishonesty will offend us to the core, and we'll find ourselves unable to do it.
Okay, so that was almost the whole third chapter but it's all so good! Isn't is SO true??? And so scary to think that some of the ugly things that come out of my mouth reveal what my heart is really like. Ouch. Lord, change me on the inside!
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