Once again I've let my blog go a few days without updating. I seem to go in spurts, two or three days of continuous posting and then nothing for a week. Oh well, I do my best! There hasn't been anything new or overly exciting the last few days, and I just haven't been feeling it.
Tuesday we did go swimming again; Ryan really seems to like the water. Grandpa and Nana were both at the pool too, so that certainly added to the fun! However, I did push it just a little too long and Ryan got very sleepy and a little fussy. Yesterday we did our Wednesday morning childcare up at church, went to Five Guys with the Isbells for lunch (yum!), and visited the bank.
Today is Barbara's birthday, so happy birthday!! We hope you have a wonderful day - I heard rumor we might head to the pool later on to celebrate!
Well, I suppose that's all for now. Like I said, just not feeling it today! :)
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Happy Father's Day!
Ryan and I are very blessed to have a wonderful group of guys in our lives! We are super thankful for them today and every day.
Coleson, not only are you a great husband, you are the best father to our son that I could have ever hoped for. Ryan is so lucky to have you! You are kind and gentle and fun, yet a wonderful leader and role model. Thanks for always loving and taking such good care of Ryan and I! We love you!!
To my Dad, thanks for always being there for us and for being such a great dad and grandpa. I know you will always be a wonderful grandpa and teacher to Ryan - he's already to looking forward to playing catch with you in a few years! We are all so lucky to have you and I really don't know what else to say other then we love you!!
To Jim, thanks for stepping into our family and loving us as your own. We are blessed to have you in our lives and we thank you for being such a wonderful Pop-Pop to Ryan. (sorry though, no motorcycles or sharkfishing yet!)
To Clay, thanks for raising such a wonderful son and for sharing him with me! Thanks also for loving Ryan and being such a good grandfather - it's so wonderful that you and Coleson and Ryan can talk and see each other so often on the webcam. We look forward to seeing you in person again soon!
A final shoutout to all the other dads out there, including Steve, David, and Jeremy - you are all great fathers and are raising wonderful sons. It's so awesome and encouraging to see a group of men so in love with their children and so committed to their families. Thank you!
Coleson, not only are you a great husband, you are the best father to our son that I could have ever hoped for. Ryan is so lucky to have you! You are kind and gentle and fun, yet a wonderful leader and role model. Thanks for always loving and taking such good care of Ryan and I! We love you!!
To my Dad, thanks for always being there for us and for being such a great dad and grandpa. I know you will always be a wonderful grandpa and teacher to Ryan - he's already to looking forward to playing catch with you in a few years! We are all so lucky to have you and I really don't know what else to say other then we love you!!
To Jim, thanks for stepping into our family and loving us as your own. We are blessed to have you in our lives and we thank you for being such a wonderful Pop-Pop to Ryan. (sorry though, no motorcycles or sharkfishing yet!)
To Clay, thanks for raising such a wonderful son and for sharing him with me! Thanks also for loving Ryan and being such a good grandfather - it's so wonderful that you and Coleson and Ryan can talk and see each other so often on the webcam. We look forward to seeing you in person again soon!
A final shoutout to all the other dads out there, including Steve, David, and Jeremy - you are all great fathers and are raising wonderful sons. It's so awesome and encouraging to see a group of men so in love with their children and so committed to their families. Thank you!
** This is really driving me crazy that I can't get all my text and pictures to line up like I want. I think I have to give up now before I go nuts. I'm trying to convince myself it doesn't have to perfect, but I'm still frustrated with it and I've pretty much wasted all of Ryan's precious nap-time. So fathers, please remember it's the thought that counts! **
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Psalm 46:10
I wasn't sure how personal I wanted to be on this blog, but I've decided to go ahead and blog about what I've been working on in my quiet time today. I don't know yet if I'm doing this for myself or someone else. I'm not sure if I need to tell ya'll what I'm up to because I need to be vulnerable and I need accountability, or if I'm writing this to encourage someone else and allow God to work in their life through this blog. All I know is that I'm a big time introvert and it's pretty scary to open up and be honest like this for me.
Yesterday I decided to fast from TV and radio through Sunday at the earliest. I feel like there's a lot going on right now - the house not selling, losing my pt babysitting job, trying to find a spiritual mentor, etc. I'm not actually overly stressed or worried about it, I just feel like I need God's guidance right now and I need to make sure I'm on the right path. I truly believe that I am very blessed - I feel close to God, and I have a terrific husband, the best baby in the whole world, a wonderful church family, a great extended family, a roof over my head, and a fairly decent amount of savings, to name a few of the blessings. I know things could be tons and tons worse, but I also feel like I could and should be a better person and I am seeking God and His wisdom and direction.
The verse that came to me last night was Psalm 46: Be Still and Know that I am God. At first, I thought it was just to remind me of my fast - be silent and listen. But the more I dug into it today, I realized that's not exactly what it means. I read through all of Psalm 46 and then googled it. I liked one particular devotion lots. It explained how being still means to be slack, weak, drop our hands, go limp, chill out. I like that so much better then simply being silent. The devotion uses phrases like: "reliance upon God," "enjoying a calm confidence in Him," and "as your world crumbles around you... don't flinch in your Faith in God." While I don't think my world is crumbling by any means, I find it very uplifting and a great reminder of how awesome and powerful our God is. The bible notes on Psalm 46 say: "He will not fail to rescue those who love Him." That's just so amazing and so wonderful to hear. He is so much bigger then me and my house and our income and I know He will take care of us. "God is always there to help, providing refuge, security, and peace." I'm not going to worry - if our house is supposed to sell, it will. God will help us make ends meet until it does or else He'll help us become super creative and even more frugal then we are now. And until then, we'll enjoy being close to Ryan's grandparents, and we'll continue loving and serving Him through Mountain Lake from afar.
Yesterday I decided to fast from TV and radio through Sunday at the earliest. I feel like there's a lot going on right now - the house not selling, losing my pt babysitting job, trying to find a spiritual mentor, etc. I'm not actually overly stressed or worried about it, I just feel like I need God's guidance right now and I need to make sure I'm on the right path. I truly believe that I am very blessed - I feel close to God, and I have a terrific husband, the best baby in the whole world, a wonderful church family, a great extended family, a roof over my head, and a fairly decent amount of savings, to name a few of the blessings. I know things could be tons and tons worse, but I also feel like I could and should be a better person and I am seeking God and His wisdom and direction.
The verse that came to me last night was Psalm 46: Be Still and Know that I am God. At first, I thought it was just to remind me of my fast - be silent and listen. But the more I dug into it today, I realized that's not exactly what it means. I read through all of Psalm 46 and then googled it. I liked one particular devotion lots. It explained how being still means to be slack, weak, drop our hands, go limp, chill out. I like that so much better then simply being silent. The devotion uses phrases like: "reliance upon God," "enjoying a calm confidence in Him," and "as your world crumbles around you... don't flinch in your Faith in God." While I don't think my world is crumbling by any means, I find it very uplifting and a great reminder of how awesome and powerful our God is. The bible notes on Psalm 46 say: "He will not fail to rescue those who love Him." That's just so amazing and so wonderful to hear. He is so much bigger then me and my house and our income and I know He will take care of us. "God is always there to help, providing refuge, security, and peace." I'm not going to worry - if our house is supposed to sell, it will. God will help us make ends meet until it does or else He'll help us become super creative and even more frugal then we are now. And until then, we'll enjoy being close to Ryan's grandparents, and we'll continue loving and serving Him through Mountain Lake from afar.
banana puffs are yummy
Ryan can feed himself! Despite putting everything else in his mouth, it was not until lunch today that he finally figured out how to eat the banana puffs on his tray. It was super exciting to watch him practice and get so close and then finally succeed. And once he got it, he got it! He's eating them as fast as I'll let him now. We'd been trying off and on for probably two weeks - at first he had no interest and then he'd just pick them up and look at them. But now he's an old pro. And if you don't believe me, check out the youtube video of him. I'm a very proud mommy! :)
Monday, June 9, 2008
A great group
Our growth group is an amazing bunch of people and I just wanted to let ya'll know that I've loved doing life together for the last months and years. Our group is Anna, Jeremy, & Noah (10months); Coleson, me, & Ryan (8+months); Steve, Alyx, & Caden (7+months); and David, Alicia, & Asher (7months). Each person, couple, and family has been a blessing in our lives. I absolutely meant what I said in your mother's day books: "Being able to go through such exciting life changes with such wonderful friends is certainly something special, and I am so thankful that God has brought us all together at this stage in our lives. I hope we will always be close and that our sons will grow up loving each other as brothers."
It's feels like yesterday we were throwing each other baby showers and visiting each other at the hospital. And it certainly doesn't feel like three years ago that we were in our very first group led by Casey and Kacie and just meeting everyone. Who can forget Coleson getting bit by the fish and dropping the f*word?! And then we picked up Anna and Jeremy at connection groups and poor Jeremy dropped his plate of food (apparently we are pretty scary people!). Yet in some ways it feels like we've been friends forever - I can't imagine my life without ya'll. And here we are with our babies barely babies anymore and already doing big kid things - Kindermusik classes, pool parties, swinging at the park. I'm so lucky and blessed to be sharing this special time with you guys. I know our group dynamics will be changing in the fall, but I love each one of you and I really do hope we can continue to be a part of each other's lives for a long, long time to come. Ya'll rock! Thanks for being my friends! :)
It's feels like yesterday we were throwing each other baby showers and visiting each other at the hospital. And it certainly doesn't feel like three years ago that we were in our very first group led by Casey and Kacie and just meeting everyone. Who can forget Coleson getting bit by the fish and dropping the f*word?! And then we picked up Anna and Jeremy at connection groups and poor Jeremy dropped his plate of food (apparently we are pretty scary people!). Yet in some ways it feels like we've been friends forever - I can't imagine my life without ya'll. And here we are with our babies barely babies anymore and already doing big kid things - Kindermusik classes, pool parties, swinging at the park. I'm so lucky and blessed to be sharing this special time with you guys. I know our group dynamics will be changing in the fall, but I love each one of you and I really do hope we can continue to be a part of each other's lives for a long, long time to come. Ya'll rock! Thanks for being my friends! :)
Fun Firsts
During all the excitement of camp, Ryan got his top two teeth. He doesn't like to show them off so I haven't gotten a great look at them. They weren't there when we checked during lunch on Thursday, and then Friday night they were! The left one had already broken through and the right side was white so I imagine it's in now. But when I try to look he gets upset and waves me off. So he now has the bottom two and the top two.
Saturday afternoon Ryan went swimming! We've dipped his feet before, but he's never actually gotten in. After the intial shock, he loved it. He would smile and splash and laugh. It was so fun! Saturday we celebrated Alyx's 30th with a surprise party at the pool (happy birthday Alyx!) and Ryan and Noah both swam. Sunday we went to Grandma and Grandpa's and swam over there.
Today we are off to Anna's Kindermusik story time. Hopefully Ryan will have a good time and behave himself!
Saturday afternoon Ryan went swimming! We've dipped his feet before, but he's never actually gotten in. After the intial shock, he loved it. He would smile and splash and laugh. It was so fun! Saturday we celebrated Alyx's 30th with a surprise party at the pool (happy birthday Alyx!) and Ryan and Noah both swam. Sunday we went to Grandma and Grandpa's and swam over there.
Today we are off to Anna's Kindermusik story time. Hopefully Ryan will have a good time and behave himself!
Sunday, June 8, 2008
FUEL
Summer camp was amazing! We all had a great time and I think the students really enjoyed it. From what I could see they connected to God and each other in big ways and lives were changed. I know for me it was a wonderful chance to step back for a couple of days and spend some time with myself, with God, with my husband, with the littlest kids, and with a great group of adult ladies. Not only did we have a good time being silly and playing pass the pigs, we were also able to get just a little deeper and have some honest conversations and confessions. It was a great glimpse into real friendship and I am grateful to have been welcomed into the group. The adult leaders of the student ministry are amazing people and Coleson and I loved hanging out with them. And of course the students were wonderful and they were excited to have Ryan and I at camp. Ryan made several new friends this week! We can't wait for Fuse on Tuesday!
Karen, me, Beth, Heather, Jan, Crystal, Farah
Monday, June 2, 2008
camp
Alrighty, don't have time to write much since I'm trying to head out. Ryan and I need to leave the house in about an hour to start our journey to church camp. We're headed to bonclarken near Hendersonville, NC. That's about all I know about it, and I'm driving! Guess I need to figure that out. :) Fortunately I'm driving Beth and Peyton and Coleson says Beth has been there before; hopefully she remembers how to get there! We'll be there until Friday, so it's likely I won't be blogging for a while - not sure that I'll have internet in our cabin. But be sure to check back this weekend for fun stories, updates, and photos. I'm really looking forward to it, and I'm praying God will show up big time for the students and us. Please pray for a great week and a wonderful camp!
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Dinner and a movie
Happy Anniversary to us! Yesterday we celebrated the big 0-5! We started the day very romantically by going to the bank - oh wait! Seriously though, we did have a nice lunch at Frosty Frog where we ate the best chicken salad sandwiches around. Then Nana babysat last night while Coleson and I went on a real date! Being ever frugal though, we did use giftcards.
We headed down to the Perimeter mall area since we had to find somewhere that had both a regal cinema showing a movie we could agree on and had a PF Chang's (giftcards are great!! Merry Christmas to us!!). After driving around for probably 15 minutes trying to find the theater - google maps led us completely astray - we saw Narnia Prince Caspian and it was pretty good. Fortunatly we did the movie first - a 4:35 showing. There was a decent number of people in the theatre but nothing too bad. However, when we walked out of the theater at 7ish it was mass chaos. The lobby was absolutely packed and we had to work real hard just to get to the door to leave. And then in the parking lot there were cones and a cop and a line of cars back on to the road. I'd never seen anything like it. We were wondering if the world was ending or something, but I think that many people were just trying to park and go to the movies. Obviously I don't speak for the majority, because I can't imagine waiting and circling like that to park and then standing in line to pay $20 (I'm not exageratting that - it was $10 a ticket) to squish in like sardines to watch a movie. It was absurd. But thanks to Coleson driving like a bat out of you-know-where, we made it out of the parking lot and were on our way to PF Changs for dinner.
So we get to PF Chang's and they have regular parking and valet, and Coleson and I both hate valet. We drove round and round with no luck at a regular spot. But of course the area that was blocked off for valet was almost empty, which pissed us off. So we drove to a parking lot across the street and parked ourselves. Then we proceeded to run across four lines of Ashford - Dunwoody road, down a steep grassy hill, and into the restaurant. And oh, did I mention I was wearing heels?! We actually had a great time though - as Coleson said it was much more us that way! Plus it makes for a better story and hey, we didn't give in to the valet service! The food was yummy and we went all out since we had a giftcard - eggrolls, soups, general chu's chicken, chicken fried rice, and even a glass of wine. We were certainly out of our element though trying to order the wine. We didn't know what to get and then I remembered that Laura likes Reisling, so we decided to go for that. Except they had four different types. Not knowing any other way to pick one, we got the cheapest one! But it was still good. :) And we still have $5 left on our giftcard...
Anyways, it was a wonderful evening! We did realize we are a bit sheltered living way out here in the subarbs, but that's okay! It's fun to go to the city for a night, but also nice to come back. I think over time the crowds and traffic would get to me.
Well dear, Happy Anniversary to us!! I love you so much!! I look forward to many many more anniversaries. I love you and I love that we get to spend the rest of our lives together. Even though I'm still not sure what you saw in me ten years ago, I'm certainly glad you liked me enough to ask me out (twice!) and stick with me through my crazy years and my purple hair. I love you always and forever!!
We headed down to the Perimeter mall area since we had to find somewhere that had both a regal cinema showing a movie we could agree on and had a PF Chang's (giftcards are great!! Merry Christmas to us!!). After driving around for probably 15 minutes trying to find the theater - google maps led us completely astray - we saw Narnia Prince Caspian and it was pretty good. Fortunatly we did the movie first - a 4:35 showing. There was a decent number of people in the theatre but nothing too bad. However, when we walked out of the theater at 7ish it was mass chaos. The lobby was absolutely packed and we had to work real hard just to get to the door to leave. And then in the parking lot there were cones and a cop and a line of cars back on to the road. I'd never seen anything like it. We were wondering if the world was ending or something, but I think that many people were just trying to park and go to the movies. Obviously I don't speak for the majority, because I can't imagine waiting and circling like that to park and then standing in line to pay $20 (I'm not exageratting that - it was $10 a ticket) to squish in like sardines to watch a movie. It was absurd. But thanks to Coleson driving like a bat out of you-know-where, we made it out of the parking lot and were on our way to PF Changs for dinner.
So we get to PF Chang's and they have regular parking and valet, and Coleson and I both hate valet. We drove round and round with no luck at a regular spot. But of course the area that was blocked off for valet was almost empty, which pissed us off. So we drove to a parking lot across the street and parked ourselves. Then we proceeded to run across four lines of Ashford - Dunwoody road, down a steep grassy hill, and into the restaurant. And oh, did I mention I was wearing heels?! We actually had a great time though - as Coleson said it was much more us that way! Plus it makes for a better story and hey, we didn't give in to the valet service! The food was yummy and we went all out since we had a giftcard - eggrolls, soups, general chu's chicken, chicken fried rice, and even a glass of wine. We were certainly out of our element though trying to order the wine. We didn't know what to get and then I remembered that Laura likes Reisling, so we decided to go for that. Except they had four different types. Not knowing any other way to pick one, we got the cheapest one! But it was still good. :) And we still have $5 left on our giftcard...
Anyways, it was a wonderful evening! We did realize we are a bit sheltered living way out here in the subarbs, but that's okay! It's fun to go to the city for a night, but also nice to come back. I think over time the crowds and traffic would get to me.
Well dear, Happy Anniversary to us!! I love you so much!! I look forward to many many more anniversaries. I love you and I love that we get to spend the rest of our lives together. Even though I'm still not sure what you saw in me ten years ago, I'm certainly glad you liked me enough to ask me out (twice!) and stick with me through my crazy years and my purple hair. I love you always and forever!!
Friday, May 30, 2008
Happy Anniversary!!
Tomorrow is our 5 year wedding anniversary!! Be sure to check out the newest folder in my online photo album - I've been putting together a slideshow of the last 10 years. More to come, but I'm off to spend time with my husband! I love you always and forever my dear!!
http://picasaweb.google.com/TheFamilyChase/HappyAnniversary
http://picasaweb.google.com/TheFamilyChase/HappyAnniversary
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