Donovan remains stuck on "Finding Nemo" and insists on watching it at least 12 times a day. Needless to say, we don't really let him watch it 12 times, but he asks MANY times throughout the day to watch "Memo".
Also on a Donovan note: Potty training is in full-swing and I am terrified! It's such a BIG step. It's like the final step from infancy to childhood and it makes my heart weep a little. He gets extremely excited about going potty, but I think it's mostly that he likes that he has his own little chair to sit on. And it's probably a bonus to him that he gets to sit on it naked. :) Have I ever mentioned that Donovan isn't a fan of clothes? Takes them off every chance he gets. Like father like son, eh?
Today I went to Manhattan to see Bitty and tomorrow I am going to Dodge City to see the Crum family. On their way back from Omaha, they stopped in Ellsworth (which is GREATLY appreciated. I LOVE it when people stop through on their way to or from somewhere that takes them right by Ellsworth) and we decided that we needed to make more of an effort to connect. As much as I love talking about such things with people, I love it even more when people actually ACT on it and make efforts to take it from a thought and put it into action. Anyway, it is nice that I have something to do with my week off. Oh yeah, so Monday was the last day I worked and I don't work until Saturday evening, which leaves me with a lot of free-time, unfortunately.
Well, that's about it for tonight. A bunch of randomness is what this is, but it seemed time for another blog, so...
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Saturday, January 16, 2010
"The Things They Come Up With"
So, today when I got home from work, my son came running over, eyes lit with excitement and he was wearing his pajama top and a pair of Spiderman swimming shorts... He looked like THE cutest dork I have EVER seen. I started laughing and asked Josiah what the heck Donovan was wearing and Josiah informed me that that is what Donovan wanted to wear. Apparently, he had taken off Donovan's pajama bottoms that matched the top because they had gotten wet and that he walked into Donovan's room to find him standing in those swim shorts with both legs in the same pant leg. Have I mentioned how nutty my kid is? :)
Donovan's favorite movie is "Finding Nemo." All week long the first thing he has done when he has woken up is run over to the shelf with our DVDs on it, pulled "Finding Nemo" from its place, handed it to either Josiah or I, and told us, "Watch. Watch." He's been kind of stuck on 3 movies: "Finding Nemo", "Muppets From Space", and "The Fox and the Hound." Fortunately, Josiah and I both enjoy those movies as well...
I've discovered that my most favorite thing in the world is Donovan's random acts of affection. Whether it's coming over and hugging my leg, kissing my leg, or running over to come give me a kiss for no apparent reason at all other than he just wanted to do so, it melts my heart like nothing else and immediately my heart is over-flowing again. Sometimes it's as though he senses when I'm feeling a little empty, so he comes to give me lovin's (that's what I call them and it makes him giggle) to fill me back up. I love it...
Donovan's favorite movie is "Finding Nemo." All week long the first thing he has done when he has woken up is run over to the shelf with our DVDs on it, pulled "Finding Nemo" from its place, handed it to either Josiah or I, and told us, "Watch. Watch." He's been kind of stuck on 3 movies: "Finding Nemo", "Muppets From Space", and "The Fox and the Hound." Fortunately, Josiah and I both enjoy those movies as well...
I've discovered that my most favorite thing in the world is Donovan's random acts of affection. Whether it's coming over and hugging my leg, kissing my leg, or running over to come give me a kiss for no apparent reason at all other than he just wanted to do so, it melts my heart like nothing else and immediately my heart is over-flowing again. Sometimes it's as though he senses when I'm feeling a little empty, so he comes to give me lovin's (that's what I call them and it makes him giggle) to fill me back up. I love it...
Saturday, January 9, 2010
"Time For Another Post"
And I've got nothing... Again... So, here goes nothing...
I went and got Donovan from his bed this morning around 10 (and, can I just say how WONDERFUL it is to have a kid who sleeps in til 10?) and brought him in to bed with me so we could snuggle for a while. These are some of my most favorite times. He seems to enjoy them too. Some mornings he is ready to just get out of bed and run free and wild, but other mornings, like this morning, he is more than content to just lay there with me and let me hold him. At some point or another, he reaches up his little hand and strokes my cheek. In return, I kiss his round, soft cheek and he giggles as if it is some sort of "inside game" we play... and I melt.
Have I ever mentioned that I love, love, LOVE being a mother? There is nothing that gives me greater joy in life. I haven't found anything else in life to be more fulfilling. Motherhood is, BY FAR, my most favorite thing in the entire world.
Anyway, after I got home from work tonight, I walked into the house and was greeted by way of my son running with his arms open as wide as they could possibly go, grinning from ear to ear with eyes lit with excitement, and yelling, "Mommy! Mommy!"... And, again, I melted...
I went and got Donovan from his bed this morning around 10 (and, can I just say how WONDERFUL it is to have a kid who sleeps in til 10?) and brought him in to bed with me so we could snuggle for a while. These are some of my most favorite times. He seems to enjoy them too. Some mornings he is ready to just get out of bed and run free and wild, but other mornings, like this morning, he is more than content to just lay there with me and let me hold him. At some point or another, he reaches up his little hand and strokes my cheek. In return, I kiss his round, soft cheek and he giggles as if it is some sort of "inside game" we play... and I melt.
Have I ever mentioned that I love, love, LOVE being a mother? There is nothing that gives me greater joy in life. I haven't found anything else in life to be more fulfilling. Motherhood is, BY FAR, my most favorite thing in the entire world.
Anyway, after I got home from work tonight, I walked into the house and was greeted by way of my son running with his arms open as wide as they could possibly go, grinning from ear to ear with eyes lit with excitement, and yelling, "Mommy! Mommy!"... And, again, I melted...
Thursday, December 31, 2009
"On the Verge of Something Great"
In just 10 hours 2009 will cease being and we will embark on yet another adventure in the year 2010. Oh the adventures had in 2009! It is absolutely CRAZY to me that 2010 is about to start. Where did the time go in such a hurry? I remember it turning into the year 2000 almost as if it was yesterday and already an entire DECADE has happened. Even though I remember 2000 as if it was yesterday, it seems as if 3 or 4 lifetimes have passed to get us to 2010. SO MUCH has happened. I feel as if I am an entirely different person, which is a good thing mostly. So, here we go... On to 2010. Here goes nothing, right? Here's to you, 2009! In many ways I am sorry to see you go, but in oh so many other ways I am relieved that you are over. And here's looking forward to you, 2010! I have a great sense that we as a people, as a family, and as individuals are on the verge of something great. I feel ready and excited for that breakthrough. I also feel a smidge of trepidation, but mostly just a high expectation for things to come. There were so many times in 2009 that I was sure were going to break me, but here I am... still standing, still fighting, still here.
May you all be blessed and prosperous this coming year! It is because of friends and family that I even made it through 2009, so thank you. My life is enriched greatly because of all of you.
Ah, Father, I made it through. So many times I was fearful that I would be overwhelmed, but You stayed faithful. Even when I wasn't faithful. Even when I trembled in fear, You stayed strong like You promised. You didn't fail. You didn't leave me alone. I thank You for the lessons learned this past year, and I thank You for Your goodness toward me. I look forward to what You will do in 2010, for I know it will be great and many will tell of Your faithfulness. I know I still have far to go in this adventure called Life, but I know I can and will make it through as I walk with You. Thank You for faithful friends. Thank You for my family. I ask Your blessing upon each and every one. May there be an abundance of joy this coming year. Thank You, Father...
May you all be blessed and prosperous this coming year! It is because of friends and family that I even made it through 2009, so thank you. My life is enriched greatly because of all of you.
Ah, Father, I made it through. So many times I was fearful that I would be overwhelmed, but You stayed faithful. Even when I wasn't faithful. Even when I trembled in fear, You stayed strong like You promised. You didn't fail. You didn't leave me alone. I thank You for the lessons learned this past year, and I thank You for Your goodness toward me. I look forward to what You will do in 2010, for I know it will be great and many will tell of Your faithfulness. I know I still have far to go in this adventure called Life, but I know I can and will make it through as I walk with You. Thank You for faithful friends. Thank You for my family. I ask Your blessing upon each and every one. May there be an abundance of joy this coming year. Thank You, Father...
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
"Blank and Too Much Coffee"
I can't tell you how many times I have sat down to blog about something the past weeks and been unable to come up with anything to blog about really... Now would be a very ideal time to blog as I have had too much coffee and am completely awake and jittery. I LOVE coffee though. There is something comforting and inviting about it. Plus, it helps keep me moving when I haven't had enough sleep. So, what're you gonna do right?
So, here I sit, at my sister Amy's house, still bundled up in my coat and scarf and in her nice, cozy recliner, blogging the randomness that pops into my head. Who knows where this may take us! :)
Tonight I went to the Noga's (for the 2nd time today actually) and watched the season premiere of "The Real World: Washington D.C." as we have a "friend" (I put it in quotes because I don't really KNOW this girl. I met her a time or two at Rock the Planets in Kirksville, MO, so she is really more of an acquaintance of mine)who is on that show this season who was born and raised in a "sister church" but has found herself disillusioned and hurt by people's failures and short-comings, well, among other things, and who is, fairly blatantly, not currently in church or actively serving God... It's always sad and a smidge astounding to hear what people who have left the church or become disillusioned about God and God-things have to say. Even when I was in Illinois this past week, I had a rather disappointing, sad, and even frustrating conversation with people who felt they had been wronged by the church. Which, in all fairness, they had been, but at the same time, the situation had happened over 5 years ago! Five years is a long freaking time to hold such a grudge. They had some not very nice things to say about a few people and went on to tell me how good they are doing in the church of which they are currently a part, which is great and I am happy for them... But, while I'm not judging the state of their hearts, I just can't help but wonder how at peace they really are in their walk with God... Does that make sense? How can one TRULY be in a right relationship with God, yet still have bitterness and, dare I say, unforgiveness, toward their fellow brothers and sisters in Christ? Doesn't the Bible say you have to forgive in order to be forgiven? And, even if the Bible DIDN'T say that, shouldn't that be the natural inclination anyway as a Christian? I can understand it coming from people who have walked away from God and the Church entirely, but I'm not gonna lie... It saddened me to have such a conversation with people who are actively pursuing God. I walked away quite heavy-hearted. Not only was their unforgiveness an issue for me, their entire way of not allowing people to change was a bit atrocious to me as well. What I mean by that is they were still assuming that this particular church and the people in it were still exactly the same as they had been 5 years ago or longer, which is just simply NOT the case. How sad would it be if it were the case?!?! It is beyond a pet-peeve of mine to have people, in their OWN little heads and worlds, not allow people to change. It is such a misfortune and injustice! Because of an assumption and out of bitterness, they are missing out on MANY great relationships, not to mention the fact that they are completely negating the work of God in those people that has, indeed, taken place throughout the 5 years+ since they last saw the people. It would sadden me to have someone keep me boxed in to who I was even a year ago. I feel I have done so much changing and growing in this past year and it has cost me much. I would hate for people to think I am the exact same person I was even a year or 6 months ago... I am just simply NOT the same. Does that mean I think I've figured it all out and see things crystal clearly? No, unfortunately, but I am in the fight and seeking God... I know that this church and a lot of the people in it (especially the leaders with whom they still have a beef) have striven to change and grow and not do things the same way they have for the past decade, and it is something I greatly appreciate and respect. Have "they" always done it right? Of course not! They are human, afterall. But it is the recognition of wrongs done and the intention of making things right and operating differently that makes the wrongs almost insignificant and the past not overshadow the future. The things done may still hurt, but hopefully one doesn't hang onto or operate from those hurts and wrongs done. Isn't that a part of growing and maturing- not holding onto past hurts and things done incorrectly, but instead loving each other and FORGIVING each other IN SPITE OF such situations and hurts? There's a word for such a thing... What is it? Oh yeah... LOVE. For love "doesn't keep a record of wrongs"... That rings a bell somehow... Where did I read that? Oh yeah... the BIBLE. Huh. That is weird... The entire time I was talking to these people, I felt a bit incredulous and was thinking "Are you serious?!?! A) You don't QUITE know what you're talking about as you haven't stepped foot inside that particular church since you bailed, so you don't even really KNOW those people anymore, B) Where is the forgiveness? and C)How about a little grace that allows people to NOT remain the same?" For crying out loud! We cannot keep people in a little box that keeps them small! If a person is actively pursuing God, there is also a pursuance of change and growth and a hunger to be more like God. And, inasmuch, if we continually keep people small, we are, in turn, keeping God small. In essence, we are saying that God isn't big enough to do the work He has promised to do in people and through people. By keeping people small, we are negating the work of God and HIS ability to work and move. Yes, people screw up and injure other people, but is God not, in fact, able to move? Is He not able to breathe life into a situation where once there was death and destruction? Is He not able to merely whisper and bring things and situations about? Is He not able to REDEEM time and situations? My prayer is this: That we forgive one another. And LOVE one another. And have vision for one another. And have grace for one other. And allow people to change and grow, not because of our faith in each other necessarily, but because of our faith in God and HIS perfectness, in HIS work and ability to move and change things. My prayer is also that those of us out there who have, in fact, been hurt by "the church" learn to mature and not keep holding on to those past hurts.
Jesus, we need You. I don't know what else to do or say except to ask Your grace and mercy. Please help us to see that it isn't the people (flesh and blood) that we war against, but instead "against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places (Eph 6:12 ASV)" that are trying to shut us out and down. Help us truly forgive one another that we may have true communion with You. The next time such a conversation arises, please help me know what to say to potentially help change the course of the conversation and maybe even their perspective. You know I tried, but I felt a little stuck, so grant me wisdom and give me Your words to speak. "Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace..."
So, here I sit, at my sister Amy's house, still bundled up in my coat and scarf and in her nice, cozy recliner, blogging the randomness that pops into my head. Who knows where this may take us! :)
Tonight I went to the Noga's (for the 2nd time today actually) and watched the season premiere of "The Real World: Washington D.C." as we have a "friend" (I put it in quotes because I don't really KNOW this girl. I met her a time or two at Rock the Planets in Kirksville, MO, so she is really more of an acquaintance of mine)who is on that show this season who was born and raised in a "sister church" but has found herself disillusioned and hurt by people's failures and short-comings, well, among other things, and who is, fairly blatantly, not currently in church or actively serving God... It's always sad and a smidge astounding to hear what people who have left the church or become disillusioned about God and God-things have to say. Even when I was in Illinois this past week, I had a rather disappointing, sad, and even frustrating conversation with people who felt they had been wronged by the church. Which, in all fairness, they had been, but at the same time, the situation had happened over 5 years ago! Five years is a long freaking time to hold such a grudge. They had some not very nice things to say about a few people and went on to tell me how good they are doing in the church of which they are currently a part, which is great and I am happy for them... But, while I'm not judging the state of their hearts, I just can't help but wonder how at peace they really are in their walk with God... Does that make sense? How can one TRULY be in a right relationship with God, yet still have bitterness and, dare I say, unforgiveness, toward their fellow brothers and sisters in Christ? Doesn't the Bible say you have to forgive in order to be forgiven? And, even if the Bible DIDN'T say that, shouldn't that be the natural inclination anyway as a Christian? I can understand it coming from people who have walked away from God and the Church entirely, but I'm not gonna lie... It saddened me to have such a conversation with people who are actively pursuing God. I walked away quite heavy-hearted. Not only was their unforgiveness an issue for me, their entire way of not allowing people to change was a bit atrocious to me as well. What I mean by that is they were still assuming that this particular church and the people in it were still exactly the same as they had been 5 years ago or longer, which is just simply NOT the case. How sad would it be if it were the case?!?! It is beyond a pet-peeve of mine to have people, in their OWN little heads and worlds, not allow people to change. It is such a misfortune and injustice! Because of an assumption and out of bitterness, they are missing out on MANY great relationships, not to mention the fact that they are completely negating the work of God in those people that has, indeed, taken place throughout the 5 years+ since they last saw the people. It would sadden me to have someone keep me boxed in to who I was even a year ago. I feel I have done so much changing and growing in this past year and it has cost me much. I would hate for people to think I am the exact same person I was even a year or 6 months ago... I am just simply NOT the same. Does that mean I think I've figured it all out and see things crystal clearly? No, unfortunately, but I am in the fight and seeking God... I know that this church and a lot of the people in it (especially the leaders with whom they still have a beef) have striven to change and grow and not do things the same way they have for the past decade, and it is something I greatly appreciate and respect. Have "they" always done it right? Of course not! They are human, afterall. But it is the recognition of wrongs done and the intention of making things right and operating differently that makes the wrongs almost insignificant and the past not overshadow the future. The things done may still hurt, but hopefully one doesn't hang onto or operate from those hurts and wrongs done. Isn't that a part of growing and maturing- not holding onto past hurts and things done incorrectly, but instead loving each other and FORGIVING each other IN SPITE OF such situations and hurts? There's a word for such a thing... What is it? Oh yeah... LOVE. For love "doesn't keep a record of wrongs"... That rings a bell somehow... Where did I read that? Oh yeah... the BIBLE. Huh. That is weird... The entire time I was talking to these people, I felt a bit incredulous and was thinking "Are you serious?!?! A) You don't QUITE know what you're talking about as you haven't stepped foot inside that particular church since you bailed, so you don't even really KNOW those people anymore, B) Where is the forgiveness? and C)How about a little grace that allows people to NOT remain the same?" For crying out loud! We cannot keep people in a little box that keeps them small! If a person is actively pursuing God, there is also a pursuance of change and growth and a hunger to be more like God. And, inasmuch, if we continually keep people small, we are, in turn, keeping God small. In essence, we are saying that God isn't big enough to do the work He has promised to do in people and through people. By keeping people small, we are negating the work of God and HIS ability to work and move. Yes, people screw up and injure other people, but is God not, in fact, able to move? Is He not able to breathe life into a situation where once there was death and destruction? Is He not able to merely whisper and bring things and situations about? Is He not able to REDEEM time and situations? My prayer is this: That we forgive one another. And LOVE one another. And have vision for one another. And have grace for one other. And allow people to change and grow, not because of our faith in each other necessarily, but because of our faith in God and HIS perfectness, in HIS work and ability to move and change things. My prayer is also that those of us out there who have, in fact, been hurt by "the church" learn to mature and not keep holding on to those past hurts.
Jesus, we need You. I don't know what else to do or say except to ask Your grace and mercy. Please help us to see that it isn't the people (flesh and blood) that we war against, but instead "against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places (Eph 6:12 ASV)" that are trying to shut us out and down. Help us truly forgive one another that we may have true communion with You. The next time such a conversation arises, please help me know what to say to potentially help change the course of the conversation and maybe even their perspective. You know I tried, but I felt a little stuck, so grant me wisdom and give me Your words to speak. "Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace..."
Thursday, December 24, 2009
"Travelling and Sickness"
So, the past few days my son and I have both been very sick, which has put a bit of a dampener on out visit in Illinois with Josiah's family. No fun at all. I'm doing a bit better, but we had to finally take D to the urgent care center here to get his ears looked at and, sure enough, he has an ear infection. Poor kid! The doc put him on a strong antibiotic, so hopefully that will kick in and do its job before we head to Pitt. I hate it when Donovan is sick. He just isn't the same happy-go-lucky kid, and it breaks my heart for him.
This evening, Josiah and Den will be picking Levi up from the airport, so we are all excited for that. Unfortunately, the weather where Levi is isn't cooperating very well, so he's running into all kinds of delays and such. We are keeping our fingers crossed that he will actually be able to make it out tonight! So far, it sounds like he will be able to do so, but Mother Nature may, once again, take control and leave us all helpless. The weather here in Illinois is rainy and not too overly cold, so if he could just get at least somewhere CLOSE to us, he'd be in the clear. If you read this, please pray for safe travels for Levi!
Well, Dora is announcing that it is time to hang up stockings, so I will go for now. Just thought I'd give a quick little update on the going-ons with us since I haven't blogged for a while. Merry Christmas Eve to all! Everyone be safe and enjoy the warmth and comfort of being home with loved ones.
This evening, Josiah and Den will be picking Levi up from the airport, so we are all excited for that. Unfortunately, the weather where Levi is isn't cooperating very well, so he's running into all kinds of delays and such. We are keeping our fingers crossed that he will actually be able to make it out tonight! So far, it sounds like he will be able to do so, but Mother Nature may, once again, take control and leave us all helpless. The weather here in Illinois is rainy and not too overly cold, so if he could just get at least somewhere CLOSE to us, he'd be in the clear. If you read this, please pray for safe travels for Levi!
Well, Dora is announcing that it is time to hang up stockings, so I will go for now. Just thought I'd give a quick little update on the going-ons with us since I haven't blogged for a while. Merry Christmas Eve to all! Everyone be safe and enjoy the warmth and comfort of being home with loved ones.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
"Beautiful Snow"
Donovan wasn't able to make it out to play in the snow today, but Josiah has big plans to take him out tomorrow and make sure he experiences playing in the snow. Hopefully that won't get too out of hand... Here are some pictures I couldn't help snapping out our back and fronts doors. :) Even if I don't like the coldness of the snow, I can't argue its beauty. I will be sure Josiah takes the camera with him tomorrow to get pictures of D in the snow!
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