A look inside: February 2009

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Proud Mommy

I remember those moments when Daniel and Sarah were in Pre-School and they would be up on the big stage singing in their Christmas programs. I clearly remember sitting in the audience, with a lump in my throat, my eyes welling up with tears, and that feeling of being so proud of my kids overwhelming me. Well, for those of you who haven't had the joy of raising kids past the first grade yet, let me tell you that feeling never goes away.

My sweet Sarah decided she wanted to learn how to sew. Her grandma gave her a sewing machine for Christmas and I enrolled her in a sewing class. Last Monday when I picked her up from class, this is what she made:

Pajamas!!!

In case you're thinking I helped her, think again! I can barely sew a button on a shirt, and have no idea how to even thread a sewing machine. She did this all on her own.

Daniel...ahh Daniel, how do I say this? Well, something that has always bothered me is Daniel is quite often misunderstood by those around him. For some reason he comes across different to people than the person he really is; the person Jon and I know him to be. Daniel is compassionate and full of kindness. His soft heart prompted us to adopt this cat.

Now, Jon and I DO NOT like cats. But due to Daniel's persistence and constant plea for justice and humanity, we took in this stray cat. Since then, this cat has become Daniel's best friend.

She only likes to be in Daniel's room and always goes in and sleeps with him at night (I put her out in the garage after Daniel goes to sleep and then let her back inside in the morning before he wakes up. Shhh...don't tell. I love my clean carpet too much, and would probably kick this cat to the street if I ever found a wet spot on the carpet.)

Another proud mommy moment has been hearing the sounds of TobyMac boomin' from Daniel's room. TobyMac is his all time favorite, we listen to him on the way to school and any time we drive anywhere at all. Recently, Daniel even took one of his TobyMac CDs to school for his teacher to play during class free time! I can't tell you how happy it makes me to know my pre-teen son thinks Christian music is cool...Here's to hoping that never goes away!

Olivia, she is what fills with our home with laughter.

Unlike Daniel and Sarah at her age, Olivia spends her week days with someone other than me. I think it must be hard for a four year old to spend a few days a week with Grandma and learn that you have to obey your Grandma too. But she has done wonderfully, and I'm so proud of her! I come home each week night to a big "MOMMYYY!", huge hug, and an ear to ear smile. She is such a sweet, loving girl and I'm just so proud of how well she's adjusted since I started working full time.

And yes, these mushy pride-filled feelings overflow to my husband as well. He had knee surgery on Feb. 9th and has been ordered to put no pressure on his bad knee for four weeks. That means his left foot stays off the ground at all times. I can't tell you how many evenings I would walk into the kitchen and see him on crutches, hopping around on one leg doing the dishes. I would come home from work and the laundry would be done...He's quite the amazing one-legged "housewife" I tell ya. I've been quite impressed.

And, whoa...hold the phone! Literally, as I'm typing this, Jon just hobbled in the front door with Daniel and lo and behold he has a triple grande skinny vanilla latte in hand...just for me. Sigh, I just love the weekend.

Blessings to you all!

Words to Remember

"Christ's followers cannot expect better treatment in the world than their Master had. Let them not promise themselves more honor or pleasure in the world than Christ had. Let each live a life of labor and self-denial as his Master, and make himself a servant of all; let him stoop, and let him toil, and do all the good he can, and then he will be a complete disciple."
~Matthew Henry,
English Pastor 1662-1714

"I have held many things in my hands, and I have lost them all. But whatever I have placed in God's hands, that I still possess."
~Martin Luther King

"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."
~Jim Elliot

"I am a missionary, heart and soul. God Himself had an only Son, and He was a missionary and a physician. A poor, poor imitation I am, or wish to be, but in this service I hope to live. In it I wish to die. I still prefer poverty and missions service to riches and ease. This is my choice."
~David Livingstone

"I must keep alive in myself the desire for my true country, which I shall not find till after death; I must never let it get snowed under or turned aside; I must make it the main object of life to press on to that other country and to help others do the same. "
~C.S. Lewis

"I want Thy plan, O God, for my life. May I be happy and contented whether in the homeland or on the foreign field; whether married or alone, in happiness or sorrow, health or sickness, prosperity or adversity - I want Thy plan, O God, for my life."
~Oswald J. Smith

songs with meaning

If you hear one of these songs playing while visiting my blog, here is why it is so special to me:

I Will Be Here by Steven Curtis Chapman: I would listen to this song as a young teenager and dream about finding a love like this song describes. Guess what? God gave more then I ever dreamed.

Any Song by Keith Green!!! I first heard Keith Green as a young child and knew all his songs by heart. As a teenager, I loved his music because he is so honest and authentic. I also read his autobiography when I was in my teens. He is one of my all-time heroes! I remember my friends laughing at me when they were in my car, wondering why I would be listening to songs from the 70's. Yes, the music is cheesy, but the lyrics are simply amazing!

How Could I Ask For More by Cindy Morgan: My senior year of high school I was on homecoming court with four other girls, who were all good friends of mine. We all picked this song to be played during our ceremony. I still love this song!

Have I Told You Lately by Rod Stewart: The song Jon and I danced to at our wedding. I smile every time I hear it.

I Can Only Imagine by Mercy Me: This song was played at Brian Ditchen's memorial service. Brian was Jon's cousin who he grew up with, and who I went to school with, and he was a dear friend. He passed away in March of 2004 in a tragic plane accident, he was only 28. It shook the core of our faith. The only comfort came from knowing, without a shadow of a doubt, who Brian lived his life for: Jesus Christ. He was a dedicated believer, and we can't wait to see him again. Every time we would hear this song, it touched us deeply, it still does. Heaven has become very real to us.

The Scientist by Coldplay: My younger brother, Ben, sang and played this song on the piano at my brother Jeremy's memorial service. Jeremy passed away suddenly in September of 2004, he was only 31. Once again our faith was shaken (see next song)....

Cry Out To Jesus by Third Day: Whenever I hear this song I am reminded of my brother Jeremy...."To everyone who's lost someone they loved, long before it was their time, you feel like the days you had were not enough, when you said goodbye....cry out to Jesus" I am reminded to turn to God in the midst of my pain and loss, and it's OK to go to Him with my questions

We Will Dance by Steven Curtis Chapman: My current love song. It so beautifully describes mine and Jon's relationship.

I'm Not Cool by Scott Krippane: This is Daniel's song.Not in a mean way. He absolutely loves this song and sings along with it every time. The funny thing is, it describes him perfectly.

She's a Dancer by Phil Keaggy: This is Sarah's song! It so sweetly reminds me of Sarah...."she's a dancer, she loves to dance, she's a singer, she loves to sing, she's a lady, walkin' round in mama's shoes, standin' tall in mama's shoes" Sarah has also been caught singing into the bathroom mirror. And when she was younger she put on many "dance performances" for us in our living room.

Olivia by Phil Keaggy: Obviously Olivia's song! I've sang this song to her since she was a tiny newborn. She knows the words and sings along now. Whenever I put this song on, she stops what she's doing and gets a big smile on her face, and says "my song!"

Beautiful by Bethany Dillon: OK I'm 32 now. And sometimes when I look in the mirror, the depression creeps in. I don't look like I did ten years ago, I don't see a beautiful young woman looking back at me. And that can get you down sometimes. This song reminds me that true beauty is who I am in God's eyes. I could be perfect in every way on the outside and yet not be beautiful in the eyes of God, and when it's all said and done, my life would have been lived only for myself. I want to be beautiful in God's eyes, I want Him to look inside my heart and smile, and most importantly, be pleased.

Who Am I?, The Voice of Truth, and Praise You In The Storm by Casting Crowns: All three of these songs are very special to Jon. These are three of his all-time favorites. These songs brought him close to God when he was going through a hard time in his life.

I Am by Nicole Nordeman: The first time I heard this song was at a Women of Faith conference. She played it live on the piano. It was so beautiful and moved me so deeply. God is truly my "I Am", He has been my one firm anchor through every season of my life.