Footed PJs
Just last night after I put the kids to bed I thought to myself, “Man! I’m freezing. Where are the footed pajamas for moms?!” I envied my children as I zipped all of them up in their full coverage of fleece especially since I hadn’t even figured out where I’d last seen my winter pj pants.
Well, well, Target to the rescue, my friends.
Have you seen these? Awesome!
Check out those pretty pink bunny feet!
I was so excited that I begged Lydia to take my picture right there (she’s not old enough yet to be embarrassed by my dry humor) before we headed out for the Tea Farm Grand Opening party.
I didn’t see any of you there! And to think I wore my pink pajamas! (Nah – I’m just pulling your leg…or, your rabbit (har) – but Shepherd wore his…see?)
Ha… It was really fun, though. The kids had such a great time, made some new friends, and all of us enjoyed the crowd, food, music, and shopping.
All I have to say is my sewing buddies better look out — I think I’m coming to our next sewing night with some pink bunnies on my feet. You know you can’t wait!
This is How we Roll
Anyone want to go grocery shopping with me?
Ha! Ha!
Highway 52
Highway 52 ends at Meeting Street in downtown Charleston, SC. I ride on that road at least 3-4 times every month. I hadn’t before realized that it ended there. “I wonder where it ends going North?” I wondered. (I wondered wondering.) 
The North Dakota / Canada line, for cryin’ out loud!
Did you know that? I told Eric, and he said we have been on ’52 in NC, KY, and MN. Who knew? I guess he did. Ha. (He calls me “carcoleptic” because, well, you can probably guess…) Anyway, I think that is just fantastic information.
Does anyone want to take a “Highway 52″ road-trip with me from start to finish? I think it would be so fun! hahaha!
Life is…
… full to the brim.
God has me looking up higher and higher these days and counting my blessings. He is so good to me. Jesus is my Savior, eternity is my inheritance, and I am blessed on earth beyond what I can measure. I know that I really don’t deserve this wonderful life I’m living in so many ways.
Count your blessings, one by one
Times with my children have been so sweet recently. Our days have been busy and evenings at home have been relaxed and full of music and laughter. Many days we are blessed to spend outside at the beach with friends. Sometimes I think Christians assume all pastor’s wives have a little black book wedged into their bibles, but I know I don’t. I’ve found it really difficult to maintain solid friendships for the last few years with small kids. I’m so thankful for the new friends God has been putting into my life in the last several months, especially the ones who answer their phones at 8:30 am and catch my drift for spontaneity!
My husband and I spent a morning at a horse jumping show with the kids last week. It was a gorgeous sun-filled day, and the horses were beautiful. I let them sit on the bleachers and eat Cheet-os, and I even ate my own little bag (you know what? I didn’t die!) haha
We drove away in my new supercool ride. That’s right! For you Florida friends who still picture us in the gigantic blue “bus,” it’s back to BigVanVille for us! We cried “Remember the Astro!” for too long! Okay, so I’m being really dorky here. But seriously it’s a huge blessing to have a roomy van again that I enjoy so much, especially since we are on the road almost every day. I adore the little hanging hearts my husband gave me this month, too. Aren’t they cute? They jingle every time we pull into the driveway (haha). We almost drove 2 hours away to buy a Eurovan, but we decided to play it safe with the Safari. I am such a hippie mama! (Shhh. I secretly like it. Grannnnnola! hahaha)
Count your blessings, see what God hath done
It’s a dream come true to have my own “craft room” after using a little wooden square table for the last seven years. We took Meredith out of her room and put her in with her siblings, and now I am able to design, cut, and create in the same place. We do have another large room in the house, but I like to keep it free of my craft clutter to use for guests and a playroom for the kids.
When I got married, I would have told anyone that I probably would end up selling my sewing machine and that I wasn’t good at hardly anything domestic. I’m so glad I didn’t do that! God knew I just needed some time and passion, and my husband has nudged me some, too. Several years later my mind is constantly spinning with project aspirations and ideas that don’t equal the calendar space. My husband was happy to help me make this craft space a reality, and it really humbles me that he sees how important that part of my life is to me. I hope to have some new things to share from the craft room soon that I will be putting up for sale.
Count your blessings, name them one by one
I experienced one of every mother’s dreams when I watched Lydia dance in her first ballet recital this week. Tears flowed as my husband and I clasped hands and agreed without words that our little girl is really growing up (too fast).
She proves to be more like her mama every day. I was amazed while watching her dance at how intense and serious she was. She was concentrating so hard (just like someone, uh hem, I know very well)! She gets nervous and shy in public, though — hmmm, must have gotten that from her daddy!
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done
I keep a separate blog for our relatives to keep up with our family, but every now and then I like to record bits and pieces here of what is going on from my camera lens. Life is not always pretty. My life hasn’t been a bed of roses in the last year or so, but I know one thing — God is faithful even when I am like a withered stem boasting only ugly thorns. I look forward to seeing what amazing things He will do starting tomorrow and on into the days ahead of me.
My family overflows my cup with blessings. God must have known that I tend toward loneliness, so He shines His love through my house as daybreak pitter-pattering feet dance their breakfast waltzes. Those four children are bright beaming rays of joy in my life, and I’m awestruck and humbled with gratitude that God continues to give them to me every day. When I’m not busy counting sandwich halves or sippy cups, I’ve got to count my blessings. Thank You, Jesus.
Don’t Waste my 5K
I started running regularly again about four months ago. My husband helped me jumpstart with P90 (not P90X – I wasn’t ready for that yet), and it was really the first time since before I had Lydia, my first child, that I have had a steady diet of exercise. (Highly recommend P90 by the way.) Nothing physically helps me like a good run. My only companion is a teeny refurbished ipod shuffle (also highly recommend!) packed with a mixture from my favorites — Fernando Ortega, Alison Krauss, Anna Vandas, Mozart, Telemann, Nigel North, and Waterdeep.
This week Eric ordered a new cd for running, and I love it! I’m not huge on rap/hip hop, but I am huge on John Piper. Remember Jock Jams? Sermon Jams is a compilation sort of like that of Piper sermon clips set to music. It’s good stuff. I kind of chuckle as the songs begin until Piper starts talking, and then I’m convicted by the Holy Spirit to sober up and really listen to the message. It’s great. I think I might have to import some more stuff like it to get me going as I trudge over the big bridge here in town.
Desiring God, the ministry of John Piper, has a partner site called Don’t Waste Your Life that I have been reading so much in the last several days. I love this video (it is not on the Sermon Jams cd, though) from LaCrae:
Sweet Sleep
Tonight I’m in a hotel room listening to my favorite guitarists (Ah, Mr. Keaggy…) ring through my headphones, checking email and reading up on the world, while some of the most beautiful children I know snooze around me in the darkness. My feet are propped up on the side of the bed as I rub my toes against each other. That’s a habit I’ve never been able to kick (pun intended) after doing it as long as I can remember. I love that feeling although it annoys my sister to no end! Still the sound of my socks brushing each other can’t possibly be as soothing as the symphony of breathing that resonates beyond the fluffy pillow nests and crisp white sheets that hold my dear ones in sweet sleep. It is the ostinato of innocence, the river of everything hidden within the beating hearts of children. I am the audience mesmerized in front-row awe.
Before you sigh and click on to the next blog, I’ll admit I’m musing here. Acoustic (as well as darkness) does that to me for some reason. But anyway I really do think there is a real encouragement to be found in all that my senses are taking in tonight. As my husband worships with hundreds of other pastors several rooms away and vehicles swirl in constant city commotion below my frost-kissed window, I find myself comforted at the reality of what I can hear but not see.
Unless the Lord builds the house,
those who build it labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city,
the watchman stays awake in vain.
It is in vain that you rise up early
and go late to rest,
eating the bread of anxious toil;
for he gives to his beloved sleep.Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,
the fruit of the womb a reward.
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior
are the children of one’s youth.
Blessed is the man
who fills his quiver with them!
He shall not be put to shame
when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.
– Psalm 127
As each child takes half and quarter turns sharing the late evening air, I cherish the knowledge, understanding, and wisdom God gives to His children. I believe in His goodness, and I thank Him that sleep is a gift from His hand. Lord, You are good.
Sometimes we have to work hard to receive the gift of sleep (and train our children to do the same). Sometimes it’s a fight (cue pregnant women roaring sound)! Sometimes we have so much on our minds, or we literally have too much on our bodies that prevents us from true rest. God, however, desires that His children lie in total vulnerability, trusting that He will be Himself, above all, and we can surrender to Him the darkest night again into the bright morning. We give into the air and the handiwork of God, and He renews. And it is very Trinitarian. The melodic aromas exhaled from my children tonight remind me of this. Thank You, Holy Spirit, for your presence. Thank You, Father, for Your sweet gift of sleep. Thank You, Jesus, for purchasing this for me at the highest cost. To know You is better than anything.
There are many who say, “Who will show us some good?
Lift up the light of your face upon us, O Lord!”
You have put more joy in my heart
than they have when their grain and wine abound.In peace I will both lie down and sleep;
for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.
– Psalm 4:6-8
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