04.30.08
The walls have broken down
Nehemiah 1:1-11
The words of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah: In the month of Kislev in the twentieth year, while I was in the citadel of Susa, Hanani, one of my brothers, came from Judah with some other men, and I questioned them about the Jewish remnant that survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem.
They said to me, “Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.”
When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. Then I said: “O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and obey his commands, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s house, have committed against you. We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses.
“Remember the instruction you gave your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations, but if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name.’
“They are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great strength and your mighty hand. O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man.” I was cupbearer to the king.
Have you seen the walls? Do you see that they are broken down? Do you see the hurting children. The girls that reach out for love in all the wrong places. The boys that seek violence and aggression to prove who they are. A society that is marked by no Truth. No right or wrong. Just whatever way feels best. A world that has turned it’s back on it’s Creator. A nation that has forsaken it’s First Love.
Do you see that the walls are broken down? Are you yourself blinded by the fake brightness of wealth and materialism that draws us to self-sufficiency and a life of busyness. Are you yourself hurting so deeply that you can’t feel and struggle to cry out to the one true Savior?
Do you see that the walls are broken down? Will you sit down and weep as Nehemiah did? Will you mourn and fast and pray before the God of heaven? Will you seek His face and confess your sin and the sins of your people and pray for forgiveness and restoration?
Open your eyes. See the walls. See that they are broken down. Turn to the One who can restore.
Thursday, May 1st is the National Day of Prayer. Visit the National Day of Prayer website for more information on events in your area.
I don’t have much to say so I’ll show you some random pictures
Belle returning from a walk with Princess and Daddy.
Belle looking up at Grama Susie.
Finding a place to rest her head.
Princess with a friend being silly. This was before the big haircut!
And after the haircut. Looks fabulous Princess! What’s with the silly face?!?
Belle reading a book with Grama Barb, cousins Stephie and Krissy.
Oh, I guess she was eating the book!
Belle’s having another snack, this time with Grama Susie.
Jeez louise, how do they do that?
Belle holding her bottle all by herself! What a big girl!
Our beautiful (both inside and out) Princess!
Belle having a snack and being very photogenic!
04.28.08
A little sad
I’ve been feeling a little sad lately. I think most of it has to do with the fact that we’re having another baby so soon. I know, I know it’s wonderful and all but the other day it caused me to be a little sad.
I was rocking Belle. She was extra cuddly this day. She isn’t usually very cuddly but on this day she had her arms wrapped around my neck and was snuggling. And the thought came… only 8 months until the baby comes. Only 8 months of just Belle being the baby. And it made me sad.
I know they will probably end up being the best of friends. And that although it will be very crazy and tiring and hectic it will be ok. What made me sad was that short amount of time that we will have with Belle all by herself. No other distractions. No other babies crying. Not too much to wear us out.
Will she feel less loved when there’s another baby? Will she understand that our love doesn’t divide, it multiplies? Will she know that she was our chosen one? Our precious baby, our miracle gift from God.
And so although I don’t like to be sad I consider it a gift from the Lord. A reminder of how short life is. How very few days we have with our children. How each day, each hour, each minute is a precious gift that is not to be spoiled or taken for granted. There can never be enough hugs and kisses. Lazy afternoons of playing and snuggling together should always be cherished. And even a million “I love you’s” aren’t too many.
So although I was sad, it made me glad for the many moments to cherish. And I’ll hug Belle a little longer tonight.
“Ed and Allie are anti-social!”
That’s what I imagine the other doggies were saying to Ed and Allie.
Since getting our van we’re finally able to take our dogs to the dog park in our town. It’s an amazing park and there are always at least a dozen other dogs there. It was a bit chilly on Sunday but nice enough and we were dying to get out of the house.
Our dogs have had plenty of opportunities to mingle with other dogs. My parents have a dog, all three of my siblings have a dog and Hubby’s brother has two dogs. But for some reason on this day they were very anti-social. I think Ed is just a big chicken. And I think Allie believes she has to protect us from everyone else so has to stay near.
This is what the doggies are supposed to do:
Playing fetch. Wrestling. Running. Doing what dogs do.
This is what our dogs were doing:
Staying on the sidewalk, right next to me and Hubby. They would venture off onto the grass every once in awhile but were sure to come right back as soon as another dog came around.
Belle had a blast. Every time a dog barked she would laugh out loud! It was so funny because there were alot of dogs barking, therefore alot of laughing!
So even though Ed and Allie were probably made fun of the whole time it was a good afternoon at the doggie park. Thankfully our dogs are secure enough that I don’t believe they really care what the other dogs say, as long as their daddy is pleased with them!
04.26.08
Inspired by Enchanted
Have you seen this movie? It’s been out for awhile and Princess and I have seen it way too many times already. And you all know that we’ve been struggling to find a nickname for our little one on the way. Well, Princess suggested a name from this movie.
Pip!
Who’s Pip? Well, he’s the cute little squirrel that is definitely the highlight of the movie (other than the song “That’s How You Know?”)!
Thanks Princess! I’m so glad our obsessive watching of chick flicks has finally paid off!
04.25.08
There’s a little something in there!
I’m 7 weeks pregnant today!
Yesterday we had the ultrasound. I was anxious and nervous and apprehensive and excited. Those are the only words Hubby could think of while we were sitting in the waiting room asking me how I was feeling. But they all do a good job of explaining my feelings.
I was most concerned that it would be an eptopic pregnancy (hint: don’t surf the internet). And that they wouldn’t tell us anything. And we’d have to wait until my first ob appointment on May 4th to find out. Silly, huh.
The technician was so wonderful. Thank you Lord!
And look, the little guy is right where he’s supposed to be! (Sorry I can’t get the picture the right size but you can still see him.)
We saw his (I’m saying his because Hubby is certain it’s a boy but it’s too soon to actually find out) little heartbeat racing 147 beats per minute, which is just perfect by the way. So amazing! And he’s about 1 cm long. So interesting how such a little guy can cause such strong waves of nausea!
I’m really feeling no different than I did at week 6. The nausea is maybe a little stronger than before. And it’s very annoying because it comes on the strongest when I’m hungry. It’s hard to eat when you’re nauseous but I’m hungry so I want to eat! If I am constantly eating then I’m feel great but I probably won’t feel great in a few months if I’m constantly eating!
And we have yet to decide on a name for the little guy while he’s growing in my tummy and for blogland. Hubby has now changed his mind from Emilio to “the blob” or “the speck”. I really like Jenny’s suggestion Beaner and also Jen’s idea of keeping with the royal theme. I asked Hubby about the royal theme and he said, “ok, how about ogre or troll?”
Um, I’m thinking Emilio is just fine!
33 weeks to go!
Frugal Cooking Carnival
I was so planning on participating in Owlhaven’s Frugal Cooking Carnival. I managed to get one picture of some groceries but that’s all the farther I got. But you can still participate by checking out all the great ideas and recipes. Head on over to Owlhaven’s now!
04.24.08
Happy 1/2 Birthday Belle!
Belle is 6 months old today! I do believe I’ve said this a million times and I’m sorry but I’ll say it again: I can’t believe she’s only been home 4 months. It seems like she’s been with us forever. Every day I thank God for blessing us with her.
She is quite the little comic that girl is. She is constantly making us laugh with her funny faces and noises. She’s starting doing this thing where she sucks on her lower lip, almost making a fishy face and makes this slurpy noise while spitting all over. Ok, the spitting probably won’t be funny for very long but for right now we all laugh so hard we cry.
And to see her with Princess. It is the most precious thing. As soon as Princess comes in the room, Belle’s eyes are glued on her. And they have this secret communication thing going on. Belle will suck in and make this noise like a Valosa Raptor. But she’ll only do it to Princess. Hmmm, I wonder what they’re conspiring?
Let’s see, Belle is just about sitting up all by herself. She still needs a little support. And she’s so close to crawling. She can scoot herself all over but can’t quite lift herself up on her arms. She’s rolling like crazy and has started to roll herself over to her tummy when she wakes up in the morning. And then she gets stuck and gets mad!
We’ve been going through all types of yummy fruits and veggies. She has rice cereal once a day and also a fruit or veggie. She’s had bananas, applesauce, sweet potatoes and squash. It seems like there’s been more than that, but I can’t think of any others. Oh, beans. She HATES beans. People have told me beans are too much for a baby her age but they are 1st stage so I’m not sure. Anyway, the first time I tried it she ate them for a little bit and then started squirming and making horrible faces. Well the other night Hubby gave her some again. She took one bite. Not bad. Took another bite and started with the squirming and the faces. And then she started gagging. And then she wouldn’t open her mouth for anything. She’s no dummy! It took us awhile to convince her the next time we weren’t feeding her beans but yummy sweet potatoes!
Belle had been sleeping through the night up until about 3 weeks ago. It actually started the day I teased my friend Jenny about her little boy getting up at 3 o’clock in the morning. Seriously! Every since then she’s been hungry at 3 or 4 or 5. The last week she’s been making it til 4:30 or 5 so hopefully that’ll continue!
Here are some recent pics of our sweet girl!
Nope! Doesn’t like beans!
Sitting with one of her doggies. This one is named Chloe and yes has a shirt that says Belle! 
Is this not the coolest kid in town?
04.23.08
We are officially those type of people
I knew it would eventually come to this. Hubby tried to tell me otherwise. That it would never happen. And I would tell him that he can fight it as much as he wants but someday we will be those type of people.
That some day has come.
Yes, we are now van driving people.
Even before P Day we had agreed that it was time. Although we would have loved to get a fancy dancy SUV we just can’t afford it and honestly don’t really want another humungous car payment. We wanted to lower our car payment! But we also need the room. Our car isn’t horrible crowded with Belle and Princess on just your normal day. But when we go see my parents and have to pack a day or two of stuff it’s a tight fit. And I don’t think we’ve been able to take the dogs anywhere for a year. Poor doggies. They deserve some park time.
So that was our excitement last weekend. Driving around in our new used van. Checking out all the cool features that although are cheaper than the car we were driving are still outrageously expensive. Who knew you could get so excited over a cup holder ?!?
And let me just tell you that Princess is thrilled with the van. Really. Absolutely thrilled.
Better said
My friend Leah just wrote a post about the same thing I was trying to convey yesterday. Except she is much more eloquent! Check out her post here.
