Marian's Musings

Calm in the Chaos

2012-01-28T11:12:00.000-05:00

We are moving and anyone that has moved knows that your home becomes, well, chaotic. Boxes, tape, bubble wrap, and more boxes. Our home especially has become a little hard to navigate because the space is so tiny and boxes are not so tiny. It's like walking thru a maze. Not to mention moving with a 4 yr. old and an almost 1 yr. old....it's been interesting. I've tried to keep some sort of normalcy for the kiddos but that is becoming increasingly difficult and I find myself retreating at times to the one place in the home that isn't overrun with boxes yet ~ the bathroom. Odd I know but it is bright and boxless and it gives me a min. to recharge.
Oh and did I mention that my 1 yr. old has been sick this past week ~ it's amazing what a mamma can do with a baby attached to her hip! Yet thru all this chaos, we find calm ~ we find rest. God is good to give us sleep, even if it is propped up with a baby lathered in Vicks lying on your chest, or in a swing that he is probably technically to big for. We shut our eyes to one day of God's grace and open our eyes with the goodness of a new day filled with more grace ~ just for that day, just enough for what we need. Praise God who IS OUR CALM.

Presents, Pizza , Pottery, A Princess and of course a PARTY!

2012-01-14T22:24:00.002-05:00

My little girl turned 4 on Thursday. I can't believe it ~ FOUR. Four years ago we didn't even know she existed but God did. He ordered and planned the whole thing and 2 1/2 months after her grand entrance into this world we finally laid eyes on her. Since then our lives have never been the same. Four years of learning, growing, tears and giggles for all of us. We celebrated her day & the day after with a bunch of things she loves, they just happened to be all "p's". She told me today, "my birthday was awesome, can we still celebrate?" Well, yes my little love, we can. I will daily celebrate God's handiwork in you. The way you love, the way you hug, the way you still hum while you eat, the way you act silly, the way you create, and all the wonderful things that make you - YOU! Happy Birthday dear little Tess. You bring joy to our lives and we thank our good Father for placing you in our family.

The Year Thru My Lens

2012-01-03T23:14:00.001-05:00

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To Have and to Hold

2011-12-31T14:12:00.005-05:00

Today I celebrate 17 years of "havin and holding" my groom. Marriage is refining, it brings out the best and not so best at times. It is hard, demanding, and loaded with weighty responsibility. It is also meant to be a visible picture to the world of the covenant that God makes with His people ~ His bride.
God is faithful, so we take vows like "forsaking all others I remain true to you" God's covenant is everlasting, so we take vows like "until death do us part" showing the world just a glimpse of what forever would be (on this temporal stage anyway). God's covenant love is strong and consistent, so we say "in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer". We Christians mirror this precious covenant initiated by God in our earthly marriages. Of course we are human and sinful and faulty ~ God is not ~ so we fail at times. Not fail as in give up on our marriage but fail in loving our spouse properly, fail in terms of showing forgiveness and exercising grace. Like I said marriage is hard. I think if I were counseling young couples today that would be the first thing I would say to them, "it's tough and it takes A LOT of work!" Young love is blind at times to the reality of putting two sinners together to live; it's not easy. So, when things get a little tough a year or two or maybe even five years down the road, they think that their "fairytale" idea of marriage isn't so "and they lived happily ever afterish" and they bail. Usually the most rewarding things in our lives take some effort,discipline and grace ~ parenting, friendships and our marriages just to name a few.
And yes the reward of marriage is great. Resting in the knowledge that, even on my worst day, my husband chooses to love me is a joy. He protects, provides and sets the path for our family. I have the utmost respect and admiration for him and I trust him. I can trust him and rest securely in our marriage because He loves his God far above me, and that's a good thing. He is running hard after God and in doing so he strives to be the kind of husband God sets forth in his word. I could not imagine these past 17 years with any other. We have had our difficult seasons and we still struggle with the ins and outs of marriage but we remain true and steadfast to our covenant. I love this man more today than 17 years ago. He is my groom and I pray I have lots more days of "having and holding" with him.


Young love ~ Our Wedding Rehearsal ~ Dec. 30, 1994

Martin Family Christmas 2011 at OneTrueMedia.com

2011-12-25T23:36:00.001-05:00

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If You Can Make It Here....

2011-12-14T09:58:00.003-05:00

My niece Helena (my sister's one daughter out of 4 boys) graduated from high school in 2009 and felt led to postpone collage for awhile to go into a program with AmeriCorp - A program dedicated to national and community service. Within the program there are different avenues one can apply to be involved in. Helena chose a program called City Year. Once accepted into the program, corp members can choose one out of 21 US locations to work...Helena decided on New York City. Below, in a nutshell, is what City Year is all about.

At City Year's 21 locations across the United States, teams of diverse young people called corps members serve full-time in shcools for 10 months working to improve student attendance, behavior and course performance in English and math.

Although this is a 10 month program corp members can re-up for another year if they choose. Helena is on her second year. Her 1st year she worked at P. S 123 New Lots School located in East New York, Brooklyn. This year she is no longer in a local school but works now in NYC as a community liaison to raise awareness and support for City Year.

I'm just so impressed with Helena and  her determination to do a hard thing right out of high school when most of her friends went to collage ~ which will be a cake walk for her when she attends in the fall.   I just don't know many young woman or, let's face it, young men, who would choose to go work in an inner city school in New York City and bypass the "norm" of attending collage. Which, in my opinion is a pretty cushy and easy place to be aside from the academic struggles one may encounter.

She was our "tour guide" when me and kiddos, along with my parents made New York a pit stop on our road trip from Virginia back up to my parent's home in Maine. She lives in an apartment with 3 other young woman, one a Broadway performer, one a Columbia University nursing student and one a PR woman, who in Helena's words is what you would think when you think of a Manhatten type of woman.
Helena navigates the city like she has lived there all her life. She knows where to go to get a good deal, and knows what places are tourist traps. She lives off a stipend and manages her money like a pro. She is active in a local church and has made many good friends in the city and I'm certain has impacted many lives in tangible, real ways.
I love this girl...not just because she is my niece, but because she is unique. She is well-spoken, focused and has a true servants heart.   I pray Tess will look up to Helena as a role model and besides Tess already thinks she is cool because she took her on the Subway!
I like to give "shout outs" where they are due and Helena is definitely due one! I also fully realize she did not become this way by accident. There of course was a natural hesitation and initial concern from her mom and dad, but they let her make that decision and then gave her their blessing to go. So "shout outs" to Suzanne & Charlie for also doing an understandably "hard" thing for them - letting their only girl venture off into the big city on her own. My sister and brother-in-law raised her in such a way to be dependent not on herself but rely fully on God, and with that as a basis, she is not afraid to step out and explore new ventures!

I asked Helena to describe her experience in a few short words, this is what she said...

" City Year was consuming, inspiring and fulfilling. I learned and experienced in 10 months more than I learned in 12 yrs. of public education. I have experienced the world through NYC's diverse streets, and I have learned through the words of my fellow peers."

I told my parents as we left her...

"In the words of the famous song, 'if she can make it here, she can make it anywhere!"


Helena's apt....she is at the north end of Central Park. She said all the metal of the cityscape is tolerable because she wakes up and sees the park.

The itty bitty, teenie, weenie elevator up to her apt. It was just a tad sketchy.

Tess dancing in front of THE tree at Rockefeller Center

It's NYC....need I say more?!

Our very fashionable NYC beenie hats.

He's 10 months old!

2011-12-03T16:08:00.000-05:00

The Ones That Didn't Make the Cut

2011-11-27T19:14:00.000-05:00

Christmas Card Pictures Takes 1, 2 3 and so on and so on.

The boy and the lights

Now for the "proper" Christmas attire because you can't send naked pictures of your baby to great Aunt B! And thanks to my friends Laura & Emily for the wonderful hand-me-downs!!!


Doesn't Joah look thrilled?!

Normally you can't keep this boy from smiling, today however, he was just not feeling it! Tess on the other hand was very cooperative and generous with her smiles!

All In A Days Walk

2011-11-21T17:17:00.000-05:00

Merry Birthday

2011-11-11T14:25:00.003-05:00

Wednesday was my 39th birthday.

Here are a few random

(and when I say random I'm really embracing its meaning here)

musings from my 39 year old mind. Believe it or not all these thoughts popped into my head at some point on my birthday ~ kind of scary huh?!

I enjoy special days ~ bdays, anniversaries, Christmas. They are just nice little "breaks" from the routine and my sweet husband does little extras to make me feel special (like notes on the dry erase board)

My love for Outback's bloomin onion is as strong now as it was years ago when I first tasted it

I enjoy a verse by verse, chapter by chapter type of Bible Study. To me they are much more helpful then a broad topic study.

I need the empowering of the Holy Spirit to mold me into a better wife, mom and woman.

Paul, formerly Saul the Christian hater, fascinates me. He was hard core, didn't fool around and didn't sugar coat the gospel message.
Parenting is hard.

Most worthwhile things in life take effort and are often "hard".

I adore Autumn.... I mean I really have very fond feelings for everything about this season - the smell of fallen leaves, the colors, the crispness in the air and just the name Autumn - love it!

I really don't like the time change - not sure why we still do this but you can't change something that's been done for so long right?! Even if the reason it was started is no longer relevant to today's society. Sounds like some churches I've been a part of. Click on the link if you just want some facts about why and when Daylight Savings Time began

Change really doesn't bother me...I think Christians should embrace change. Isn't that what sanctification is all about?

Pillsbury Cinnamon rolls rock

I don't feel 39 ~ whatever 39 is suppose to feel like.

I told you they would be random. Now for some random pictures from my big day.

Tess writing some sweet "words" to her mama

I told my husband I just wanted a pair of boots...he surprised me with this also

Bday dinner at Outback

My dates!

Thankful Thursday

2011-11-03T13:18:00.000-04:00

Thankful for this little guy who is 9 months old today!

Happy Costumes, Happy Toes, Happy Harvest & Happy Halloween

2011-10-31T23:16:00.003-04:00

I was determined I was going to finish my 31 Days of Happy on this last day of October. So, here are the last of my happys.

A little aside: Yes we participate in Halloween and instead of pontificating (how ya like that big word) on and on about why we take part in this day I will direct you to a link from David Mathias and a post by Justin Taylor. They, in my opinion, give wise counsel on how to view this holiday for Christians. In the end, however, I know each family must do what they feel is best for them. So I will not pass judgment on those of you who don't participate if you don't pass judgment on those of us who do.

SO CLOSING OUT MY 31 DAYS OF HAPPY ~ I GIVE YOU DAYS 28-31.

Day 28: Happy Costumes
My little ballerina and my little Native American

This is my brother....the blonde with the skirt. (It just feels wrong saying that)

Day 29 : Happy Harvest
A fun evening at my brothers church's Harvest Festival * Click on collage to view larger image*

Day 30: Happy Toes
Joah has found that his toes taste pretty good. To gnaw on his toes makes him happy.

AND....drum roll please....dat dat da ~
DAY 31: Our Halloween evening


We started off handing our candy to others....Tess is not too certain about giving away that candy to strangers.


She finally conceded to the fact that we were not keeping this candy and we made our way out to the front porch to hand out the goodies.


This picture just cracks me up...I told her to hold tight to her brother. Preferably not around his neck.

Happy Little Legs

2011-10-27T19:52:00.000-04:00

Day 26 & 27 of 31 Days of Happy

Day 26

This is the first time Joah actually "walked" holding on to something... making this mamma proud and happy!

Day 27

50 % off all fall scents at Bath and Body...I paid like $2.50 for each of these.
That makes me happy and also smell good!

What makes Tess Happy

2011-10-25T20:56:00.000-04:00

Day 25 : Things that make my little girl happy:
1. Petting Doggies
2. Going to the pet store with daddy
3. The petting Zoo

Notice a pattern here?!

A Happy way to end the day

2011-10-24T22:32:00.001-04:00

Day 24 of 31 Days of Happy

Happy Little Children

2011-10-24T07:28:00.001-04:00

Days 22 & 23 of my 31 Days of Happy

I really can't believe I've actually stuck to this 31 days thing....I often struggle with beginning things and not finishing them to completion. So I must say, and I'm completely boasting here, I'm very proud of myself. (can you see me patting my back now) I've got 8 days to go and although I have doubled up on a few posts I've hung in there!! Woo-hooo - way to go Marian!!! (again cheering for myself!)

So without any further adulation of myself... here are days 22 & 23.

My kiddos just make me smile and I love their happy smiles!

Look at the "happy" on this girl's face! Leaf throwing - who knew it could make one so happy!

A happy hideaway

2011-10-22T23:28:00.000-04:00

Day 22 of 31 Days of Happy

My mom use to make tents for me when I was growing up. She would carefully and skillfully construct my fortress and in an instant that space became something other than a sheet thrown over a piece of furniture. It would become my castle, my hideaway, my secret place, although clearly visible to the rest of the family. I made Tess her own hideaway today...she thought it was great. She filled with things that make her happy~ her little toys, some books, a few puzzles and lots of stuffed animals. Such a simple task with a great reward...look at that face!

The Word by candlelight

2011-10-21T06:46:00.003-04:00

Day 21 of my 31 Days of Happy

My son has been congested for several days now so his sleeping has been a little, well, disrupted. This morning he was awake at 4 am...his little nose just a mess. After rubbing him down with Vicks & letting him play for about 40 min. I rocked him back to sleep and decided this would be perfect time to study. Why by candlelight you say? Well just because it makes me feel good and it also makes me feel a bit Little House on the Prairie-ish and that's a good thing in my mind.

Rise early, start your day with the word, (and of course a good cup of joe) and then put your hand to the plow - doing all for the glory of God.

Women who make my heart happy

2011-10-20T16:50:00.001-04:00

Since I am two days behind with my 31 Days of Happy project I thought I'd blog about two of my dear friends who make my heart happy. One I have know since high school, the other I have known since April 2010. They are both so precious to me and both of them live too far away ~ boo hoo. They are alike in so many ways. They both have blogs that encourage my heart. Check out Laura's blog here and Emily's blog here. They are both moms ~ one to 4 little people and the other to 3. They mother with all grace and humility and they honor and respect their role as a Christian wife. I often pray I can emulate some of their characteristics in my life. They are both familiar with military life. They both can make me laugh so hard my side hurts and they both are very witty (yes ladies I think you are witty). Although they are similar in these ways, there is one similarity that stands out above all. They both, with a fervent passion, love their God above all. I can have an in depth conversation about God, his word and all things spiritual with both of them with such ease. I go to them for honest, heartfelt advice, to vent or just to gab. They are true and faithful friends and they make my heart happy. I thank my good Father for allowing these women's paths to cross with mine...my journey in this world is much sweeter because of them.

Happy pictures and happy drinks

2011-10-18T15:48:00.002-04:00

Days 16 - 18 of 31 Days of Happy

Day 16

Tess' 1st drawing of our family...they have no faces but none the less I was so proud of her and the fact that she called it a masterpiece.

Day 17: My Keurig ~ need I say more?!

Day 18:

While I was picking up a few things at my new favorite feel good store Wegmans

(that store alone could be on my happy list - but that's for another day)

I spotted this...now I don't like Egg Nog - at all - it actually makes me gag a bit, but, seeing it out in the store makes me a little giddy. Like seeing the 1st present under the Christmas tree even if it's not for me. It's the "knowing" that Thanksgiving and Christmas are right around the corner and it always makes me think of happy family times so I included it.

Happy pumpkin time

2011-10-15T20:35:00.001-04:00

My 15th day of 31 Days of Happy is something I didn't think much of until I had little people. I would just go to Wal-Mart and pick a pumpkin out of the big bin and be done with it. Well not now ~ now we go to the place where the actual pumpkins sprout up from vines in vast fields, and then we get to navigate those pesky vines looking for that one perfect pumpkin! Add popcorn, hayrides, various farm animals and you have one happy Autumn day.

Happy Pockets

2011-10-14T08:22:00.002-04:00

Day 13: This makes my pockets very happy. That my son is eating more of this:

Which means he doesn't need as much of this:

And that makes me happy because that stuff is
ex-spen-sive !!!

And continuing on with the the "happy pockets because I don't spend as much money theme", here is my happy for today - Day 14 : Finding one of these in the paper!!! Wahooo

Some happy from the Word

2011-10-12T07:11:00.001-04:00

Continuing my 31 Days of Happy - what better place to go for the foundation of a heart that is truly happy and content than the word of God? There is no other. This love letter from God the Father to me about his son Jesus Christ is the source of all happiness.

Day 10:
Job 5:17 (English Standard Version)
Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: Therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty.

Day 11:
Psalm 127:5 (American Standard Version)
Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them:(children) They shall not be put to shame, When they speak with their enemies in the gate.

**And a verse that has brought me much encouragement and my happy for today, Oct. 12th ! **

Day 12:
Psalm 113:9 (NIV)
He settles the childless woman in her home as a happy mother of children. Praise the LORD.

My man makes me happy

2011-10-09T22:53:00.000-04:00

So here I am on Day 9 of my 31 days of happy project. Thinking about things that make me happy has been pretty easy, trying to capture them and blog about them a little tougher.
While at our church gathering today I just happened to "peek" at my husband while he was praying ( and many times I pray with my eyes WIDE open ~ gasp) Anyway, as I looked at him and the banner he stood under I thought, "That man makes me happy" and then I thought "he makes me happy for a lot of reasons but the main reason is because he truly lives his life under the premise of that banner".
He is a man that lives for something bigger than himself, he knows that he is not his own. He belongs to Almighty Father. Life in ministry is hard. He knows that even in those hard times his labor is not in vain because he does not "work" for those that pay him, he labors for the ONE who bought him. I'm not certain people can truly grasp how difficult ministry life is until you have walked this path. We have walked it together for over 16 years now and I would choose to walk it with no other.

Happy little toys

2011-10-08T16:08:00.001-04:00

This is day 8 of my 31 Days of things that just make me happy. There is no deep theological meaning or message in most of these posts, however I guess when I evaluate some of the things that make me happy they are, in some way, good gifts from our heavenly Father. A sunset, beauty from Autumn leaves and my precious family.
So with that perspective here is my Day 8 of happy.
Tess loves her little toys, I find them everywhere, in her bed, under her bed, all in her dollhouse and just today in our Keurig coffee holder and on her bookcase. She is satisfied to play with these simple toys for hours, oh that we would be so content with such a simple life.

Notice Mr. cow precariously perched on the bookshelf.

A little happy catch up

2011-10-08T10:46:00.000-04:00

Ok so I'm already behind on my 31 Days of Happy...and if you are behind on what that is click here or just go down a few posts to find out where all this happy talk started.

So in order to catch up here are Days 5, 6 and 7 of things that make me happy.

Day 5 - red doors

Don't know what it is, I just like red doors.

Day 6 - red leaves

I mean, look at those leaves, makes me smile every time I see it.

Day 7 - slippers

Nothing better than sliding your cold tootsies in a pair of worn, comfy slippers.

There. Caught up ~ for now!

4th day of Happy

2011-10-04T20:00:00.001-04:00

I'm a sucker for Autumn decorations, however this year I have not put up any except for these hand towels. I'm not sure what has changed...oh wait, I have a 3 yr. old and a 8 month old! When I lay my head down on my pillow in the evening I think "tomorrow I will get to ___________ (fill in the blank with whatever activity I haven't gotten done that day) and decorating has seem to be left off that list everytime! Anyway, when I do put out my Autumn decor it makes me happy. I just look at those rich fall colors and go...."ahhhh" That may not do it for you but this is my 31 days of Happy so get your own list. :)

8 months of happy!

2011-10-03T13:08:00.000-04:00

Day 3 of my 31 Days of Happy.
I know yesterday was also a post about my little fellow but today he is 8 months old and he just makes my heart happy! But not to exclude his big sister who also is one of my "happys" here is a picture of when she was 8 months old!

My Day 2 Happy

2011-10-02T19:46:00.002-04:00

This little guy just makes me happy. He makes this "machine gun" type noise and will mimic me when I do it ~ it makes me smile every time.

If you want to know about my attempt at 31 days of Happy, click here.

31 Days of Happy

2011-10-01T17:49:00.000-04:00

I got this idea from The Domestic Fringe and thought I'd join in...however I'm not promising anything. I tried this idea at Christmas last year and got thru about 10 days I think ~ so... we will see. I like the idea because no matter how chaotic the day is, or how overwhelmed I feel with all the "stuff" life throws at me, I always seem to find something, even if it is tiny, to make me smile. A reminder that God orders my days and I am HIS child and HE is for me!!! So here we go with Day 1 of my happy.

God's beauty

It looks almost painted but I actually took this picture while we were away for a couple of days in the mountains. Look at it...can you not smile when you see it? God's creation just testifies over and over of His goodness to us. That should make you smile, or make you fall humbly on your knees and acknowledge that you need this God.

BSF and big dinosaurs

2011-09-14T17:23:00.000-04:00

I was recently asked by my dear friend ~ whose encouraging blog you can read here ~ if I had any advice on how to answer people when they ask why she and her husband have chosen to homeschool without sounding "preachy". I simply told her to respond with humility and honesty. That she believes this is the best option for her and her husband to consistently train and teach Godly character thru an education based on a biblical worldview. Then I told her that she cannot control how people respond to her decision. People will respond with a LOAD of misinformation, with preconceived ideas, and many times automatically become defensive because "they went to public/private/christian - whatever kind of school and they turned out fine." Our response to those people should be one of grace & humility but also seasoned with confidence and security in our own decision for our family.
Which brings me to today...Brent and I chose not to enroll Tess in preschool, which, at least in this area, seems to be the "norm" for 3 & 4 yr. olds. We just believe that since I have the privileged of not working outside of the home I can take on that responsibility of teaching Tess some of the basics. As far as her social adaptation we have many different outlets for her to interact with others, playdates, library time, music class - you get the point. Today we added another "class" ~ not just for Tess & Joah but for me also - and I'm so excited for all of us! I joined BSF, (Bible Study Fellowship) and if you would like to learn more about this international systematic bible study you can click here. It is 2 hours every week and every age group from babies to adults are studying the book of Acts. Tess was so excited today as we packed up her things to go to "bible class" - just imagine if adults were as excited as my 3 yr. to learn scripture and sing songs like "Holy, Holy, Holy" ! I can't wait to see what she soaks in every week, however, today after her class I asked her what her teachers talked about and she said "big dinosaurs" - highly unlikely but she was convinced that was the topic - so we will see how the "soaking up" goes! :)

We have lift off!

2011-09-13T06:28:00.004-04:00

He learns to sit up. BAM ~ He learns to crawl. BAM ~ He cuts his two front teeth.
BAM ~ Now he's learned to pull up! All so close together.
I can't slow this boy down!

Pretty soon I'll be hearing "can I borrow the car keys?"

So proud of himself!

3 years ago today

2011-09-10T18:45:00.000-04:00

It was 3 years ago today that this sweet little person became an "official" member of our family. We celebrate this day because, although she was ours long before the court decreed it, her status officially changed forever with that court document. Her name changed, her family changed and her life changed...it makes me think of OT stories when God changes peoples name to declare their new future. That's how it was with Tess, she was no longer Baby Jane Doe she was now Tess Elizabeth ~ she had a new name ~a new future.

Thank you Great God for blessing us with this talkative, imaginative, and sensitive little girl. She brightens our home with her smile and laugh. We are humbled to carry the responsibility of parenthood. Mold her tender heart to your will, make her your child in due season so that she may carry your name to the ends of the earth. Make us wise parents, teaching her from the rising of the sun to the going down of the same that YOUR name is to be praised. She has been entrusted with a great story, a story of adoption, help her to share it with humility and thanksgiving. Grace her future days with contentment and peace as she works through the ins and outs of "her" story. Thank you for adopting us as sons and daughters so we can stand side by side with her and tell her that our names were once changed too ~ from enemies of God to children of the MOST HIGH!

My 7 month old poem

2011-09-03T20:13:00.002-04:00

...and I drool most all of the time.

My tongue has recently found my new teeth -

I think my sister, whose making me smile,
is just plain HILARIOUS ~

...and at 7 months old ~ I'd have to say ~
I'm really quite GREGARIOUS !

Love in Action

2011-08-17T16:17:00.001-04:00

Our family has been supporters of The Voice of the Martyrs for a few years now. We have had, on two occasions, the privilege of hearing the Gills speak about their involvement in this organization. I will never think the same about the persecuted church. I was challenged more than ever to pray for our brothers and sisters in chains. I want to teach my children that there are Christians all over the world who meet under tremendous persecution...yet they still meet - still proclaim the name of Christ when it could literally cost them their lives. We American Christians know nothing of that kind of persecution. I want them to visible help these Christians so we ordered Action Packs from VOM, a simple way to show our love to others. You order vacuum sealed bags, fill them with the items from a pre-approved list and then mail them back to Voice of the Martyrs and they distribute them around the world - simple as that.

For more info about these Action Packs or about The Voice of the Martyrs click here or on the link on my sidebar.

Something as simple as a bar of soap can make a difference

Tess listening to daddy explain why we are stuffing the bags

Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity,

as being yourselves also in the body.

Hebrews 13:3

A young head thinking about old hats

2011-08-14T16:18:00.002-04:00

These are my grandmother's hats...they have been sitting in these hatboxes for years ~ some of them for more than 4 decades. They are beautiful, they scream refinement and I would love to wear them...but I'm not a hat person, not these type anyway. A baseball hat is about as fancy as I get. But I think I every women secretly wishes she could pull off wearing hats. Didn't you just love watching all those hats displayed ~ good and bad~ at the royal wedding? I was one of those little girls who wore a hat every Easter with the accompanying white gloves and shiny new purse...it just made you feel, well, girly. I unwrapped these hats on a recent trip to the farm, then after taking pictures I gently placed them back in their protective boxes, tied the ribbons and put them back in the closet...like a secret treasure waiting for another little girl to find. Maybe one day I'll be brave enough to wear one...my grandmother would be oh so proud!

He's half way there!!

2011-08-03T09:46:00.001-04:00

Little guy is half way to a year old today!!!

6 MONTHS OLD

A great link for you moms out there!

2011-07-15T10:11:00.000-04:00

I know I have a link to my husband's blog on my sidebar with this particular post but I just wanted to reemphasize it again here. This is a great reminder to all of us moms that motherhood is a humbling & courageous calling!! Take a few min. to be encouraged moms ~ what you are doing in regards to motherhood matters so "live the gospel in the things that no one sees"
Where Your Children Rank

Family Vacation 2011 at OneTrueMedia.com

2011-07-13T10:14:00.001-04:00

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

5 months old

2011-07-04T17:29:00.001-04:00

Yes...we are trying rice cereal...isn't it lovely?

Driving down the lane

2011-06-29T21:58:00.000-04:00

I have posted about the farm previously and what memories this place holds for me. My little girl is making memories of her own...this time, like me many years earlier, sitting on her grandfather's lap driving down the lane.

Reading on the front porch with Memoo

One of five

2011-06-29T20:36:00.000-04:00

A career mom, a hard working retail dad, a pastor, a dentist and me - manager of the home.

These are my siblings...all unique, all loved and all pretty good looking if you ask me!!

They humored me and let me take a picture of all of us together

after being outside in about 100 degree weather ~

not ideal for looking fresh for a picture but they did it for their little sister!!!

They humored me a 2nd time when I asked them pose again...this time for a goofy shot. They even humored me one.more.time when I asked them to pose for my signature "jumping" picture but some of my siblings forbid me to post that pic as some body parts were revealed mid jump - not making for a very flattering picture. That one will be our little "family secret"!

A few weeks ago we did a whole lot of celebratin' !

2011-06-28T22:40:00.000-04:00

Brent's 40th birthday!

Making dad a cake!!

My nephew's high school graduation party!

The right place at just the right time

2011-06-28T21:36:00.001-04:00

For All His Heart - A Father's Day Wish

2011-06-19T05:06:00.001-04:00

While I was buying Brent's gift I told Tess she could pick out anything she wanted for her daddy. I knew some of the things she would choose...a lollipop was a definite.

She also picked a notepad with purple flowers and a purple folders and some pink pens ~

of course he loved them all.

A new appreciation & a prayer of peace

2011-06-12T20:52:00.003-04:00

My son has been in the hospital since Friday evening ~ his pediatrician admitted him after I took him in for a high fever. We just found out late yesterday afternoon that he is battling a urinary tract infection. Doctors are very cautious with little people and infections so he has been monitored for the past couple of days.
He was discharged today and now we are happily at home!

This was our first stay or even visit to the hospital as parents...it is all very unsettling at times. However sensitive they are to people's lack of understanding of all things medical, it, at times, is unavoidable for a doctor or nurse to use medical terms that just plain confuse or lead to more questions...our team however,was very patient with us and answered all our questions in the best layman's terms they could. There are procedures that, quite frankly, suck for little people and for us parents. After 30 min. and 4 different unsuccessful attempts to find a vein for an iv, I thought I was going to scream..."NO MORE...JUST PLEASE STOP !!! ~ I know my husband was feeling the same ~ the words in his mind probably wouldn't have been so nice. :)
It was after that horrendous experience, while sitting in a cold room holding my finally calm & resting son, listening to the beeps of a monitor and surrounded by tubes and cords that, praise God my baby didn't need, it hit me...there are babies that do need all this stuff, on a long term basis; and their parents live with it everyday ~ the hospital, their new norm.

It was then that I looked at those nurses who quietly came in every two hours to check Joah's vitals, who always, always asked us if we were comfortable & if we needed anything, who were more than willing to make a fresh cup of coffee for a mama that looked a little frazzled and who at 3:30 in morning gladly fulfilled my request for a big cup of ice for my warm diet mt. dew, it was then that I realized the enormity of their job. They make people like me & my husband feel comfortable in a very uncomfortable environment. They provide a face of continuity when there is a lot of uncertainty. I know nurses, my sweet friend Emily (whose blog, by the way, is a huge encouragement to me...check it out here) her dear mama Mrs. Nan, our friend Mary, who has graciously braided Tess' hair a few times, all nurses and all whose opinion I value, and now I know first hand know how valuable they are to the medical community.

It was also in that moment that I offered up a prayer for mama's & daddies who fight the daily battle of living with a child who is chronically ill. I know several of those people also and I can only begin to grasp what life must be like for them ~ only by the grace of an Almighty God.

My child is soundly resting in his own bed tonight, no monitors, no 2 hr. vital checks, no more shots, no cries from other children in the unit...it's just us ~ mom, dad, big sister and a recovering little boy.
For this Father we thank you.
For those who are not resting in their cribs tonight, we petition you...to grant comfort
For those by the sides of their children, we plea to you...to offer peace
For those who job is to care for these little ones...we again thank you...for their gentle hands and soft answers.

Big sister finding entertainment in simple things.

Even with a fever and not feeling his best, this guy can offer up the best smile.

A link worthy of a few minutes of your time

2011-06-08T08:56:00.000-04:00

During my morning devotion reading (my how times have changed...I know read, along with my WORD, blogs that offer encouragement, correction and instruction - go figure) I came across this short article that brought to mind what a godly, Christian wife should be focusing on. It's worth a few minutes of your time to check it out and mediate on the words. Here is just a snippet of wisdom from the article.

"Dying to yourself because the Savior died for you is the call for the biblical wife. Your marriage will thrive because of life found in Christ; recognizing your daily need for a Savior and dependant upon his righteousness alone."
click below for the whole article
BEING A WIFE IS ALL ABOUT JESUS