lucky

My little house is quiet tonight after having Lauren and her younger sister Reegan here since Thursday. Their parents were out of town this past weekend so they came to hang out with me. I love having people in my house with me and we had a great weekend together. Here's a little bit of how our weekend went...

Friday night Lauren and I babysat all the kiddos together while my kids' parents went out for the night. We had a pajama party complete with a movie and frozen hot chocolate (SOOO YUMMY!!! Wendy said it was featured on Oprah a while back. It is most delicious!). :) Not sure what's up with my oldests' smile in this picture! Ha.

My baby loved having the attention of all five of us girls! :) He loved getting to join right in on the pajama party...and got chocolate all over his pajama shirt! He and his sister obviously enjoyed the frozen hot chocolate very much as you can see from their mouths.... :}

The movie was followed by a spontaneous dance party during the movie credits.

Saturday we enjoyed getting out of the house in the beautiful sunshine. We went first to Lily's Bead Box to make necklaces and bracelets, then stopped at the Cupcakery that is right next door. We each chose a delicious cupcake and took them to the World's Fair Park to eat. Then we headed up into the Sunsphere!

I have lived here for 25 years and had never been up in the Sunsphere - and neither had Lauren and Reegan! It was funny feeling like a tourist in my own home town! :) The view from the observation deck was neat though. I think I'd like to go back up at night and see all the lights!

Our car is somewhere in the parking lot next to the art museum. :)

Take a boat down the river here and you will get to my house in just a few minutes! :)

That evening, Shannon text me and said she and Dave had a gift card to a restaurant burning a hole in their pocket and attempted to bribe me into coming to watch Jonathan while they went out to eat. She promised us ice cream and cookie dough and said it sounded like a perfect movie night situation - we were already planning to watch a movie anyways, so we figured it didn't matter which tv we watched it on and headed over. It's doesn't usually take a ton of convincing to get me to come see my "almost nephew" anyways! :)

Jonathan was in his jammies when we got there and we got to play with him for a few minutes before bedtime.

Reegan and Jonathan invented a new version of golf. She would set up the bowling pins while Jonathan stood at his post by the wall.

Then Jonathan would come over and knock the pins down! :)

All of this was a lot of fun and other than a few typical sister squabbles every once in a while, we all got along fabulously well. There was one other little friend though that caused a bit more excitement than I would like! A friend from her church had given Reegan a hampster last Sunday and so she brought him with her. Lucky is a Russian Dwarf Hampster and as we soon found out Friday night, they are very well known for being able to squish their bodies flat and squeeze through very small spaces! We were down at my girls' house and at around 9pm I ran up to my house to get something real quick and happened to glance in at Lucky's cage and there he was just wiggling his little nose at me looking pretty darn cute. About an hour and a half later, Lauren took some things back up to my house and came running back down saying she couldn't find Lucky in his cage! I went back up to check and sure enough, Lucky was gone!! The cage door was closed properly and there were no obvious places for him to get out. We had no idea what had happened!

After searching with a flashlight and even letting one of the dogs in to sniff him out, we figured he was gone for good (oh great! running around my house?!) and even went to the pet store to see if we could get another one. That is where the very helpful hampster guy informed us that Lucky's particular breed is known for escaping and being the most aggressive (biting, etc.). He said he would rather be bitten by any one of their snakes than that kind of hampster! (!) We decided to wait on getting a new hampster. Thankfully!

Late Saturday night, the girls were both asleep and I was brushing my teeth. I felt something against my toe and at first thought a lid to something must have fallen on the floor. Then I thought wait...that couldn't be...??? Sure enough!! There was Lucky right at my feet! I knelt down to try to pick him up but he was too fast for me and scurried back into a TINY hiding place right above the baseboard under my cabinet in the bathroom. I can't really even explain where the hole was - it was definitely somewhere I would NEVER EVER have thought to look!!

I went to get some of Lucky's food and after two tries of coaxing him out of hiding, I finally caught him and quickly placed him back in his cage. It was a bit of a rush to actually find him and catch him again - and then both girls were asleep and there was no one to be excited with me! :) Happily, he stayed in his cage the rest of the time (We put a blanket over his cage whenever we weren't in the house after that!) and is now safely back at Reegan's house!

He is awfully cute, isn't he? Those blue bars are the ones he escaped through! I think if he was mine (which he wouldn't be...) I would name him Hudini.... :}

arms of love

This day always brings back memories. Some of which I myself remember. Others I have only been told about. Instead of describing that day, I am going to post an essay that I wrote in higschool...and again for a couple assignments in college.

Oct. 10, 1997

ARMS OF LOVE

Sunday, February 17, 1985, dawned bright and clear with the hope of good things to come. Little did I know how in a few short minutes my life would be changed forever.

Mom, Dad, and I were sitting at the breakfast table enjoying homemade pancakes with syrup oozing over them and a glass of cold orange juice to wash it all down. Mom looked at her watch and asked Dad to go check on my 17 - month - old brother, Peter, who was sleeping later than usual. The next sound we heard was Dad shouting and yelling, "Oh, no! Oh, no!" With a chill running down her spine, Mom rushed back, took one look at Peter's cold, stiff little body and the blood trickling from his nose, and ran back to the kitchen to call 911 as Dad started CPR. As she knelt on the floor, I clung to her, crying. My 4-year-old mind couldn't comprehend everything that was going on, but I knew something terrible must have just happened to make my parents cry.

After what seemed an eternity, the police and paramedics rushed in and took over the CPR, but in vain; Peter was gone. The paramedics soon wheeled him out on a stretcher. The police stayed to get more information and to give what comfort they could.

For a long time, Dad held me on his lap as he and Mom sat on the foot of my double bed. One kind officer handed Dad a wet washcloth to wipe off some blood had gotten on his cheek. Dad then handed me my brown teddy bear; a bear that would bring comfort in the days and weeks ahead as I feared the night and wondered why this event happened.

Now, years later, I understand that Peter died from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and although I am sometimes curious about how it would be if Peter were alive, I know that God had his loving arms around the whole event. I can be content in the knowledge that because I have trusted in Jesus' death on the cross and dying for my sins, I will one day see Peter in Heaven.

The details that I don't remember myself are that the Browns came and took me to McDonald's for lunch that day. Michael and I had such a good time playing on the playground that I forgot all about what had happened that morning and the first thing I asked when I came home was, "Where's Peter??"

Because it was so long ago and I was so little, February 17th is not a sad day anymore. Just a day to remember my sweet, blue eyed, curly blond-haired little brother. :) As I'm writing this, I have realized that I don't actually own a picture of Peter myself. I will have to try to get one from my mom soon and post it.

happy valentine's day! :)

Since this year's Valentine's Day falls on a Saturday, we made Friday our day to celebrate. I had seen on the show Jon and Kate Plus 8 how last year Jon and Kate did a little scavenger hunt for their kids on Valentine's Day and I thought it looked like fun so we did our own scavenger hunt. Lauren was here and helped guide the hunt while I stayed in the kitchen to get everything set up for the "treasure."

Aaand they're off! Reading the first clue that said "choo - choo!" and lead them to...

the train set in the living room! And I must explain that yes, that is the Christmas tree you see in the background. Last year after Christmas Daddy fell and broke his foot and wasn't able to take the Christmas tree down so Mommy turned it into a Valentine's Day tree. This year my oldest kept talking about how excited she was to have the V-Day tree again...so there it is! :)

BFFs! :} The clues took them all over the house - upstairs and downstairs...just not in the kitchen!

The baby found this one! This was on the guest bed where he loves to "hide" in all the pillows. :)

Not sure how excited she's supposed to be that the last clue says "Wash your hands. It's time to eat!" But when she came downstairs and saw the table, she was not dissappointed!

A Valentine's lunch with a treasure box each (from the $ Tree) and a few little treasures inside (also from the $ Tree...and no! those boxes were most definitely NOT full! But they were cute - the baby's is a gumball machine-looking box and the girls' are castles.)

As much red, pink, or hearts as I could think of - heart shaped sandwhiches (nutella and strawberry jam since peanut butter has been recalled lately! Definitely a great V-Day treat!), heart shaped cheese and kiwi fruit, craisins cuz they're red, strawberries, two little heart-shaped marshmallows and pink milk to drink.

After that it was off to play outside in the beautiful weather!! I think it was definitely a good Valentine's Day celebration.

Keith and Kristyn Getty

A few years ago my parents went to hear some Irish couple in a concert here in town. That's all I knew at the time. Afterwards, my mother, who hardly ever almost never actually buys a CD, bought like ten of them and gave them to seemingly everyone that Christmas! She was totally hooked.

Since then, we have sung several of their songs in our church and I have gotten to know their music better, so about a month ago when our pastor announced that the Getty's would be coming to our church on February 8th, I knew I would be going and had a rather sneaky suspision that I would have at least a couple other people sitting next to me! :)

Last night was their concert and Mom, Dad, my grandmother, my best friend, and I all attended. Michael and I had gotten a preview yesterday morning in church when Keith and Kristyn lead our worship. The concert was wonderful, uplifting, encouraging, and fun (That Irish music just makes you want to dance!). Kristyn has such a pure clean singing voice and her speaking voice is soothing and almost musical with that Irish accent! :) But more than that - their songs are awesome! They have started writing "modern hymns" - their desire being to teach the faith and bring a style of music that crosses generations. The melodies are beautiful and the words are rich. But instead of trying to describe their hymns more, here are the lyrics to one of my favorites - and probably the one they are most well-known for - one you may have even sung before! :)

"In Christ Alone"

Words and Music by Keith Getty & Stuart Townend

Copyright © 2001 Kingsway Thankyou Music

In Christ alone my hope is found;

He is my light, my strength, my song;

This cornerstone, this solid ground,

Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.

What heights of love, what depths of peace,

When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!

My comforter, my all in all—

Here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone, Who took on flesh,

Fullness of God in helpless babe!

This gift of love and righteousness,

Scorned by the ones He came to save.

Till on that cross as Jesus died,

The wrath of God was satisfied;

For ev'ry sin on Him was laid—

Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay,

Light of the world by darkness slain;

Then bursting forth in glorious day,

Up from the grave He rose again!

And as He stands in victory,

Sin's curse has lost its grip on me;

For I am His and He is mine—

Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death—

This is the pow'r of Christ in me;

From life's first cry to final breath,

Jesus commands my destiny.

No pow'r of hell, no scheme of man,

Can ever pluck me from His hand;

Till He returns or calls me home—

Here in the pow'r of Christ I'll stand.

To hear a small clip of this song or other songs of theirs, or to learn more about them, visit www.keithgetty.com . I will also put a link under my "check out these websites!" list on the right side of my blog page.

chickadee circle

Nathaniel, Rebekah, Anna Walton, and Olivia

Let me introduce you to a very dear friend of mine. Her name is Rebekah and I met her when I started working in the nursery at my parents' old church a few years ago on Wednesday evenings. We were under the watchful care of a fabulous guy we fondly refer to as Barney Fife. He used to stop by the nursery once or twice each Wednesday to check on us and as he would leave he would say, "Well, I'm off to make my rounds!" :) But back to Rebekah. As we chatted together for an hour every Wednesday for about two years, we became good friends as we realized we have similar interests, values, and faith. We have both been teachers and nannies, enjoy scrapbooking, stamping, and other crafty projects, love Starbucks coffee and Panera Bread chicken salad sandwiches and broccoli cheddar soup! :)

Two and a half years ago her husband, Nathaniel, graduated from the UT vet school and found an internship and later a job closer to where they both grew up. So they moved from their cute little house that was actually right across the river (and over a hill) from where I live. We are now separated by about three hours but still keep in touch regularly by email, facebook, blogs, pictures, and once in a while a phone call. When my baby was a newborn, even though I had cared for many infants since I started babysitting at the age of eleven, I had never had the responsibility of caring for an infant all day every day. Rebekah told me not to be afraid to call and ask any mommy questions I had - and I did on more than one occasion! (I think baby sleep schedules are sometimes the hardest things to figure out - especially when I'm only there during the day! They grow so fast that just when they seem to get into a good routine, they seem to move onto a new phase...and thus a new sleep schedule!)

Many times she has let me ramble on about a situation knowing that sometimes all a girl needs is a listening ear, even if she didn't have the answer to my problem. She is a great friend and although I most definitely wish we still lived close, I am thankful for her friendship and that it is pretty easy to keep in touch.

She is a wonderful, fun mom and is raising two beautiful, happy little girls to love and serve the Lord. A couple months ago I got an email from her that started out, "We're expecting our third child...but I am not pregnant!" Talk about the range of emotions that can go through you in about 2.5 seconds! :) She went on to share that she and Nathaniel both felt God calling them to adopt their third child. They had both felt this tug separately and prayed about it for a long time before discussing it with eachother. I am sure that when they realized they both felt the same way, it felt like a confirmation that this is the path they were to take.

They are now just starting the adoption process and have found a good agency to work with. While I know they are both excited and long to hold their next child and welcome him or her home, the process can be long and definitely seems almost impossible when they add up all the costs required for an adoption.

Which finally brings me to the point of my post today! :) As I mentioned before, Rebekah enjoys crafty projects and decided to use this hobby to help offset some of the cost of their adoption. She has started an Etsy store online and is making and selling some adorable boutique-style cards, little girls hairbows, pillowcase dresses, burp cloths, etc. Below is a picture of just a few of her items.

pillowcase dress, thank you note cards, and designer burpcloth

She has not asked me to write a post about this and has no clue that I am doing so. :) But if you or anyone you know is ever in need of the perfect baby shower present, thank you notes, or just want a fun outfit for your child, please check out her little store! All proceeds go to help fund their adoption.

Rebekah and Nathaniel are well aware that God will provide every penny they need to bring their baby home and recently saw just how much He provides. Once they decided on the adoption agency, they had to fill out an application and send in an application fee. Rebekah added up the money she had made so far from her online store and a few sales to friends who lived close by and the total equaled the amount needed for the application fee - down to the penny! :)

"And my God will meet all your needs according to his

glorious riches in Jesus Christ." Phil.4:19

If Rebekah and her family happens to come to your mind, please pray that this whole process will go as smoothly as possible, that they will be able to stand the wait for the child that God has for them, and that at every step of the way His name will be glorified. I will be very excited the day I can write a post introducing the newest member of their family to you! :)

The link to Rebekah's etsy store is on the right side of my blog page under the "check out these websites" heading. It is called Chickadee Circle. The link to her blog is the first one in the list of blogs I follow - Wright Family.

fun lunch

I'm not doing so well at actually posting our fun lunches on Mondays! This week we had other more exciting things to post - like snowdays! :) Here's the lunch we did this week. It's another "duh!" idea that was so simple to do and yet the girls thought it was awesome.

Take any cookie cutter and cut a shape out of one slice of white bread (we used hearts since it's close to Valentine's Day)...and the same shape out of wheat bread and flip flop them to get....

...two totally cool slices of bread! :) Now, the book I have made PB&J sandwiches with these because you need something to make the pieces stick together (otherwise when we picked them up, our hearts would fall out), but since everything with PB in it seems to have been recalled lately, we did grilled cheese and ham sandwhiches instead.

Grilling the sandwhiches kind of takes away the difference between the wheat and white bread colors - but you can see the outlines of the hearts just as well!

snowday fun

I have always had the opinion that homeschoolers should get snowdays just like any other public or private school. Of course, the fact that I developed this opinion in the 10 years I was a homeschooler myself had nothing to do with that...! :) But even as a homeschool teacher now, I love the excitement and fresh change a snowday brings to our everyday routine and schedule and I most happily did not even attempt any school yesterday. Instead we had our "fun lunch" (which I will post later) and Mommy came home and later I came down to watch the outside fun.

Being a good big sister, my oldest helps her younger sister onto the sled.

And down she goes...backwards! She didn't mind though! :)

Then they tried it together.

Even the dogs got in on the fun.

We fulfilled a longtime wish of my oldest - to build a snowman ... er...woman! We had fun out in the snow and would love for more to come!! :)

steady

It is snowing today and even I got a day off of work! I LOVE snow and wish we got it more often! Yes, I know, I know...people who live up north and have it all the time wish they didn't. But I am not one of those people! :) I love the comfy cozy feeling of looking out and seeing a white world around me - all the while being snuggled up on the couch with a warm cup of hot chocolate and one of my two favorite snowy day movies - Anne of Green Gables or The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe!

As I walked back up the stairs to my house today, I paused yet again to admire the view from my deck. When I reach the top of the stairs or as I look out the sliding glass door that goes from my living room onto my deck, there is a tree that is the first thing that greets my eyes. I am realizing that it has come be my little (or not so little!) friend, standing watch throughout the year. The seasons change around it but it stands steadily at its post at the edge of the river...

Summer 2008

Fall 2008

And today - Winter 2009

Some days this tree catches my eye as the sun bounces off its leaves or the fog envelopes it or the snow frosts it and the beauty of the tree and the scene surrounding it makes me thankful to live where I do. My little tree friend is a gift and a reminder of it's Creator - the One who is also steady and never changes. :)

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

James 1:17 NIV