Mainly because I don't feel like I have a coherent thought in this brain today, I am going to take the easy way out and just list off the random goodness that was our weekend. It was one of those weekends that was busy, but good, but when you actually think about it you can't really remember why it felt that busy. Know what I mean?
1. Friday night was filled with friends. We met a few of Cale's co-workers for dinner at Abuelos. We had to get out of there pretty quickly as we had a birthday party to go to. All those weekends with no plans and then two social events in one night. We felt popular!
2. Saturday morning I woke up to a little lady moaning in the monitor. Not really asleep, not quite awake, just moaning. Cale, wonderful Cale told me to go back to sleep. So I did! An hour later he came back upstairs and served me breakfast in bed. Wonderful. And it just got better! Because he knows me so well, he told me to just lay in bed, read and relax. Who was I to argue? I spent another 45 minutes reading Mockingbird which is a biography of Nelle Harper Lee. I'm really enjoying it. So around 10:30 I think I finally made my way downstairs.
3. Unfortunately, the rest of the day wasn't quite as restful as Cale spent hours and I mean HOURS trying to install our new water softener. Cale is incredibly handy around the house, but plumbing frustrates him like nothing else. He didn't make it to bed until 4am Saturday night and he still had some leaks. ARgh. But on the plus side I spent several hours watching old Gilmore Girls episodes on DVD. Lorelai and Rory are always entertaining.
4. Sunday afternoon I was scheduled to do a mystery shop for a fine dining establishment in the area. We had a lovely brunch there and really great service. A free lunch is a good time any day of the week, but especially lovely on a beautiful Sunday. House church was good again tonight; it's always refreshing to be with the Body of Christ.
Tomorrow Cale is headed for Virginia for work so Haven and I are hitting the road as well. We are going to Cleveland to spend the day with Jess and to see my brother, sis-in-law and my niece and nephews. It was supposed to be a 2 day trip but because of illness I think that I'll be crazy and just go for the day. That's seven hours in the car alone with a one year old. Pray for me!
Seriously though, I am really looking forward to some quality time with Jess- it's been too long since we've had one-on-one time (well, one-on-one plus Haven!). See you tomorrow, Jess!!!
Monday, March 12, 2007
Friday, March 9, 2007
Is that spring I smell?
It is 55 degrees here today. That can only mean one thing...it's time to spring clean my house. Argh. Not a task I am looking forward to, but something I know that needs done. I have been mentally compiling a list for the last few weeks, but that list doesn't mean much until it's committed to paper.
And that's what I am avoiding- the commitment of the written list. That's when everything that needs done will just be sitting there staring at me, daring me to cross it off. But oh how I love to cross things off lists. (That should be added to my list of my favorite things.)
As we were walking up to the house this morning we realized that the day lillies are starting to come up and we are reminded that we also have a TON of work to do outside. We bought our house almost 2 years ago and that first summer we did very little in the yard because I was in my first trimester and couldn't be far from the bathroom toilet at any time. Last summer we got a little bit more done out there, but again were limited because we had a newborn who had a keen sense of timing and would wake up anytime we were motivated to get outside.
This year will be different. At least that's what we are telling ourselves right now. The first thoughts of spring make our minds fill with all that we want to do and what we have to do to make our house presentable. And I really want this year to be different. I want to have a clean house inside and out, not because I am trying to impress anybody or anything, but because I want to be a good steward of what God has given us. This is His house and His yard and we haven't take the best care of it of late. I have settled for the bare minimum and the appearance of clean for the last few months and I am tired of it.
So I am going to spend some time this afternoon creating a master TO DO list for both inside and outside the house. And I will laugh in its face each time I cross something off it, knowing that I am honoring the Lord as I work!
And that's what I am avoiding- the commitment of the written list. That's when everything that needs done will just be sitting there staring at me, daring me to cross it off. But oh how I love to cross things off lists. (That should be added to my list of my favorite things.)
As we were walking up to the house this morning we realized that the day lillies are starting to come up and we are reminded that we also have a TON of work to do outside. We bought our house almost 2 years ago and that first summer we did very little in the yard because I was in my first trimester and couldn't be far from the bathroom toilet at any time. Last summer we got a little bit more done out there, but again were limited because we had a newborn who had a keen sense of timing and would wake up anytime we were motivated to get outside.
This year will be different. At least that's what we are telling ourselves right now. The first thoughts of spring make our minds fill with all that we want to do and what we have to do to make our house presentable. And I really want this year to be different. I want to have a clean house inside and out, not because I am trying to impress anybody or anything, but because I want to be a good steward of what God has given us. This is His house and His yard and we haven't take the best care of it of late. I have settled for the bare minimum and the appearance of clean for the last few months and I am tired of it.
So I am going to spend some time this afternoon creating a master TO DO list for both inside and outside the house. And I will laugh in its face each time I cross something off it, knowing that I am honoring the Lord as I work!
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
So much for spontaneity
Lesson learned yesterday...the best laid plans mean jack squat when things get cancelled! Cale and I had big plans yesterday. In an effort to recapture our youth we were going to go on a road trip to see a band play in Nashville. Back in the day we became friends because we liked the same bands and would go to shows together, so the whole trip had sentimental attachment for us as well.
We had been planning our adventure for 2 days which is as spontaneous as you can get with a 1 year old when it involves overnight travel. It was perfect! We have family in Nashville so we had agreeable childcare and lodging all lined up. Free food, too. Does it get any better than that?
Only one small detail was missing- we didn't know what time the show started. After some failed attempts to find out this info on Monday, the efforts were intensified on Tuesday morning as our departure time of noon neared. As Cale was driving home to pick us up he finally got ahold of someone in the band's management office. He called me and asked if I wanted to hear the bad news or the bad news. Not good...the show had been cancelled two weeks ago. What?! Doesn't anybody ever update their webpages with pertinent information like shows being cancelled?!!!
We were disappointed to say the least. Our attempt to be spontaneous was dashed and as quick as the whole idea began, it fizzled out. No road trip (no 5 hours in the car!), no seeing family and no night out with my favorite boy.
But all was not lost!!! We now had a free afternoon and had to decide how to best utilize it. Since great minds think alike here at our house, Cale and I had the same idea. We had been given tickets to a nearby aquarium for Haven's birthday (a great gift idea!!). So off we went.
An hour drive, a few hours looking at all sorts of amazing examples of the creativity of God, some shark petting, a bit of shopping and a fabulous dinner with my two favorite people in the world. A girl can't ask for much more than that. We had a wonderful time together as a family and made me feel so blessed.
No, it wasn't the big adventure we had originally hoped for, but I know that it all worked out in the best possible way. So until we can plan to be spontaneous again, I will remember a happy day spent just being us, together.
(BTW- the band was called Future of Forestry. They are amazing and you should totally check them out!)
We had been planning our adventure for 2 days which is as spontaneous as you can get with a 1 year old when it involves overnight travel. It was perfect! We have family in Nashville so we had agreeable childcare and lodging all lined up. Free food, too. Does it get any better than that?
Only one small detail was missing- we didn't know what time the show started. After some failed attempts to find out this info on Monday, the efforts were intensified on Tuesday morning as our departure time of noon neared. As Cale was driving home to pick us up he finally got ahold of someone in the band's management office. He called me and asked if I wanted to hear the bad news or the bad news. Not good...the show had been cancelled two weeks ago. What?! Doesn't anybody ever update their webpages with pertinent information like shows being cancelled?!!!
We were disappointed to say the least. Our attempt to be spontaneous was dashed and as quick as the whole idea began, it fizzled out. No road trip (no 5 hours in the car!), no seeing family and no night out with my favorite boy.
But all was not lost!!! We now had a free afternoon and had to decide how to best utilize it. Since great minds think alike here at our house, Cale and I had the same idea. We had been given tickets to a nearby aquarium for Haven's birthday (a great gift idea!!). So off we went.
An hour drive, a few hours looking at all sorts of amazing examples of the creativity of God, some shark petting, a bit of shopping and a fabulous dinner with my two favorite people in the world. A girl can't ask for much more than that. We had a wonderful time together as a family and made me feel so blessed.
No, it wasn't the big adventure we had originally hoped for, but I know that it all worked out in the best possible way. So until we can plan to be spontaneous again, I will remember a happy day spent just being us, together.
(BTW- the band was called Future of Forestry. They are amazing and you should totally check them out!)
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
better late than never!
So I finally made it to the party! Woo-hoo! This is your official welcome to fell in love at 22- I'm so glad you decided to come for a visit. I guess the best thing to do is to introduce myself and let you get to know me a little bit.
I am married to a wonderful, patient and servant-hearted man named Cale. We have the distinct pleasure of shepherding a sweet little girl named Haven. She just turned one and is best described as sassy. She makes us laugh and keeps us on the run. We wonder how long it will be until she is smarter than we are.
I am fortunate to be able to stay at home with Haven and really love being the keeper of our home. I love to cook for my appreciative husband and I love to have a clean house, but hate getting there most of the time. I take seriously my job as a stay-at-home mom and am thankful that my boss hasn't fired me yet for my less than stellar performance on certain days. I like to think that I am growing in my role as a wife and mom on a daily basis.
Some of my favs- reading a good book, date night with my favorite boy, spending quality time with friends, finding me a bargain, good music, road trips, movies, laughing, a good storm (rain or snow- I'm not picky), pizza, the color red, Thursdays, home decorating, ebay, Target, and back rubs
Some of my not so favorite things- broccoli, not getting enough sleep, gray snow that won't go away, Mondays, ebay snipers, credit card offers in the mail, improperly folded laundry, cats, and people who laugh at their own jokes (especially when that person is my husband)
I could go on and on, but I think that's enough mindless info for one post.
Welcome to the party- come back anytime!!!
I am married to a wonderful, patient and servant-hearted man named Cale. We have the distinct pleasure of shepherding a sweet little girl named Haven. She just turned one and is best described as sassy. She makes us laugh and keeps us on the run. We wonder how long it will be until she is smarter than we are.
I am fortunate to be able to stay at home with Haven and really love being the keeper of our home. I love to cook for my appreciative husband and I love to have a clean house, but hate getting there most of the time. I take seriously my job as a stay-at-home mom and am thankful that my boss hasn't fired me yet for my less than stellar performance on certain days. I like to think that I am growing in my role as a wife and mom on a daily basis.
Some of my favs- reading a good book, date night with my favorite boy, spending quality time with friends, finding me a bargain, good music, road trips, movies, laughing, a good storm (rain or snow- I'm not picky), pizza, the color red, Thursdays, home decorating, ebay, Target, and back rubs
Some of my not so favorite things- broccoli, not getting enough sleep, gray snow that won't go away, Mondays, ebay snipers, credit card offers in the mail, improperly folded laundry, cats, and people who laugh at their own jokes (especially when that person is my husband)
I could go on and on, but I think that's enough mindless info for one post.
Welcome to the party- come back anytime!!!
House Church
On Sunday night our house was filled with our church family for our weekly House Church gathering. We meet once a week in someones home and share a meal, take communion together, get into the Word and meet in quads (which are small groups of ladies together and guys together).
We have had the privilege of leading this group for the past year and the people in it have truly become like family to us. We have loved having the chance to really be involved in people's lives, and them in ours, especially as they have loved on Haven. Leading has been a huge challenge for Cale and I, but it has been a major blessing, too. We have had a tough year and leading this group was not always something that we wanted to do, but as we have submitted ourselves to the Lord, He has always been faithful and we can't imagine not being a part of this group.
This past Sunday found Cale and I both exhausted. Neither of us felt prepared and we really wished we could just not go this week. That wasn't really an option as we had 15 people headed to our house expecting food, fellowship and some good discussion on John 12. I was less than hopeful about the evening. But we did what we had to do and waited for everyone to show up.
And you know what...the most important person showed up. The Lord was in our midst on Sunday night by His Spirit and we had a wonderful evening. We had a great meal and were able to welcome some new people who joined us this week. Our discussion on the passage was really good and I was encouraged and challenged as we talked about the way Jesus is the perfect fulfillment of OT prophecy.
But more than that (although that is pretty good), I was just convicted about my bad attitude. Yes, I did feel worn out from a long week and I didn't feel like having to entertain people in my house. The problem is that it really wasn't about me and my vision was very near-sighted. I forgot that I could choose to have a better attitude and trust that the Lord would meet us as we gathered in His name. Because that is exactly what He did this week.
As we closed the door behind the last people to leave, I didn't sigh with relief, I sighed with satisfaction after having spent a night with our HC family and because I felt uplifted and refreshed and ready for the week.
Hopefully I will remember that next week when Sunday afternoon rolls around and we are getting ready for everyone to come over. Hopefully I will choose to have a better attitude and prepare my heart for what the Lord wants to teach me rather than worry about my house or food or whatever else.
And I know that He'll show up, ready to meet with us.
We have had the privilege of leading this group for the past year and the people in it have truly become like family to us. We have loved having the chance to really be involved in people's lives, and them in ours, especially as they have loved on Haven. Leading has been a huge challenge for Cale and I, but it has been a major blessing, too. We have had a tough year and leading this group was not always something that we wanted to do, but as we have submitted ourselves to the Lord, He has always been faithful and we can't imagine not being a part of this group.
This past Sunday found Cale and I both exhausted. Neither of us felt prepared and we really wished we could just not go this week. That wasn't really an option as we had 15 people headed to our house expecting food, fellowship and some good discussion on John 12. I was less than hopeful about the evening. But we did what we had to do and waited for everyone to show up.
And you know what...the most important person showed up. The Lord was in our midst on Sunday night by His Spirit and we had a wonderful evening. We had a great meal and were able to welcome some new people who joined us this week. Our discussion on the passage was really good and I was encouraged and challenged as we talked about the way Jesus is the perfect fulfillment of OT prophecy.
But more than that (although that is pretty good), I was just convicted about my bad attitude. Yes, I did feel worn out from a long week and I didn't feel like having to entertain people in my house. The problem is that it really wasn't about me and my vision was very near-sighted. I forgot that I could choose to have a better attitude and trust that the Lord would meet us as we gathered in His name. Because that is exactly what He did this week.
As we closed the door behind the last people to leave, I didn't sigh with relief, I sighed with satisfaction after having spent a night with our HC family and because I felt uplifted and refreshed and ready for the week.
Hopefully I will remember that next week when Sunday afternoon rolls around and we are getting ready for everyone to come over. Hopefully I will choose to have a better attitude and prepare my heart for what the Lord wants to teach me rather than worry about my house or food or whatever else.
And I know that He'll show up, ready to meet with us.
Saturday, March 3, 2007
Deal-O-Rama
There's something you should know about me...I'm a thrifty girl. Some might call it cheap and that's fine by me- the bottom line is that I just love a good deal! I love the unexpected good deal, especially; like when you take something up to checkout and it rings up cheaper than you originally thought it was. That's exciting! Or like today when we were trying to order a water softener online and because of a lot of hassle and back-and-forth with the store, they are upgrading us to the next model for free. That also gives me a little thrill.
I spent the morning with my fellow deal hunter, Amber. We went to a huge sale this morning where over 100 moms were trying to sell their kids clothes and equipment. It was insane! There were so many people there that you had to stand in line to actually get up to the racks to look at clothes. But it was worth it! Good deals abounded for both of us.
Even better- we got to spend some time together without kids thanks to our fabulous husbands. We ate lunch in a restaurant and didn't have to have disjointed conversation because of trying to feed other little mouths- we only had to feed our own! It was delightful- and the food was good too. We rounded out our time together with a quick swoop of the Hobby Lobby and we both find some lovely, cheap treasures there as well.
While I love the good deal (like super cute Old Navy capris for Haven for 50 cents!!), I love having a good friend to spend time with who just so happens to love a deal as much as me. And if you are looking for some more reading material check out Amber's new blog here. She is just getting it up and running, but I assure you it will be a worthy read.
I spent the morning with my fellow deal hunter, Amber. We went to a huge sale this morning where over 100 moms were trying to sell their kids clothes and equipment. It was insane! There were so many people there that you had to stand in line to actually get up to the racks to look at clothes. But it was worth it! Good deals abounded for both of us.
Even better- we got to spend some time together without kids thanks to our fabulous husbands. We ate lunch in a restaurant and didn't have to have disjointed conversation because of trying to feed other little mouths- we only had to feed our own! It was delightful- and the food was good too. We rounded out our time together with a quick swoop of the Hobby Lobby and we both find some lovely, cheap treasures there as well.
While I love the good deal (like super cute Old Navy capris for Haven for 50 cents!!), I love having a good friend to spend time with who just so happens to love a deal as much as me. And if you are looking for some more reading material check out Amber's new blog here. She is just getting it up and running, but I assure you it will be a worthy read.
Thursday, March 1, 2007
Sicksville
Sickness has descended once more on this house. Hopefully this time it will be a brief stint and will effect as few members of the household as possible. Like maybe only one. I'll let you know how that goes, but for now I need to go haul out the Purell and put it in strategic locations and keep my Clorox wipes (actually they are the Target ones, same difference!) at the ready to wipe off any and all surfaces where the cold germs are lurking.
Good news is that my handy, handsome husband pulled through for me again. Yesterday I was out running a few errands which included going to the bank. I had to make a deposit, so found it necessary to roll my window down. Now keep in mind that I drive an old Jeep around and have manual windows, none of that fancy powered stuff for me! As I rolled it down I heard some bad cracking sounds. Well, those cracking sounds turned out to mean that the window would not roll up. At all.
So we drove home in the 30 degree weather with my window down. Poor Haven is in the back getting most of the breeze right in her face. I'm sure that did wonders for her runny nose and fever!! Thankfully, the bank is only about 3 miles from our house so we didn't freeze for too long! And I turned the heat on to full blast, but I think that had little effect.
All that to say that Cale in his wonderful handiness fixed the window for me in just a few minutes. I had already envisioned the car going to the garage, being gone for several days and winding up a few hundred dollars poorer. But oh, no! My husband fixed it right up and came back in the house reminding me to not roll it down that far again. Um, thanks....I think.
Good news is that my handy, handsome husband pulled through for me again. Yesterday I was out running a few errands which included going to the bank. I had to make a deposit, so found it necessary to roll my window down. Now keep in mind that I drive an old Jeep around and have manual windows, none of that fancy powered stuff for me! As I rolled it down I heard some bad cracking sounds. Well, those cracking sounds turned out to mean that the window would not roll up. At all.
So we drove home in the 30 degree weather with my window down. Poor Haven is in the back getting most of the breeze right in her face. I'm sure that did wonders for her runny nose and fever!! Thankfully, the bank is only about 3 miles from our house so we didn't freeze for too long! And I turned the heat on to full blast, but I think that had little effect.
All that to say that Cale in his wonderful handiness fixed the window for me in just a few minutes. I had already envisioned the car going to the garage, being gone for several days and winding up a few hundred dollars poorer. But oh, no! My husband fixed it right up and came back in the house reminding me to not roll it down that far again. Um, thanks....I think.
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