The Only Hope September 30, 2008

Bebo Norman is one of my absolute favorite musicians.  Very few singer/songwriters send me to a blissful place, but his voice just melts me.  My husband was pretty jealous once when I had a very innocent dream about Bebo and said his name in my sleep:)  Funny stuff!

Anyways, I am loving his new album.  I already have a few favorite songs, but this is one that is appropriate to me at this moment.  I hope you enjoy!

(I cannot figure out how to get a song to play on this wordpress blog.  If any of you legitimately have made it happen, please comment and let me know.  Sorry you don't get to hear it.  It is a great song:)


The Only Hope

I want to run, it’s my nature to run

And I want to fight, it’s my nature to fight

And I want to live, but you tell me to die

I have resolved that I’m much better off in your hands than mine

I’m begging you to hold on tight

Begging you to hold on tight

Begging you to take my life from me

I want a crumb, but you are a feast

I want a song, but you are a symphony

I want a star, but you are a galaxy

And I have resolved that I’m much better off in what you have for me

I’m begging you to hold on tight

Begging you to hold on tight

Begging you to take my life from me

So tell me you won’t let go

Tell me you won’t let go

Cause you are the only hope for me

Take my life from me, It’s the only hope for me

Take my life from me, it’s the only hope for me

And I’ll never want for more

I’ll never want for more

I’m begging you to hold on tight

Begging you to hold on tight

Begging you to take my life from me

So tell me you won’t let go

Tell me you won’t let go

Cause you are the only hope for me

You’re the only hope for me

Yeah, you’re the only hope for me

Wow, cold! September 26, 2008

I do this every year!  The cold weather arrives and surprises me.  I have talked to a couple other moms today that have said the same thing.  Earlier this week we were sweating at the park and then today I had to scramble around (and end up late to school) trying to find long pants that fit and suitable jackets.

It is so refreshing though this cool weather.  Cuddling up on the couch with a blanket and pulling out comfy sweatshirts that are like old friends.  The not-so-fun part though is the dreaded and time-consuming task of switching out summer clothes for winter clothes and figuring out what fits who and what is needed.  Ugh! Anyone else feeling my pain?

It really does take forever and honestly last year for my clothes I just left the totes out in my room.  They became a permanent part of my decor.  Yes, you could call that laziness, I just decided it was fruitless labor, the hauling and moving and such.

So for the next few days I will have stacks of pants and shorts and jackets laying around our house.  I will sift and sort and toss and donate and hopefully, eventually get each of our wardrobe straightened out.  The fun part is seeing how much the boys have grown and seeing Eli now wearing clothes that McCall wore.

And of course the cold weather also means that so many fun things are around the corner.  Pumpkin picking, Halloween costumes, football weekends, windy days, crunching leaves, using the fireplace, anticipating snow? (dare I even say it), family at Thanksgiving and finally all the wonderful days of Christmas preparation and celebrating our Saviour’s birth.

So what do you look forward to with the cold weather arriving?

Little answers go a long way September 24, 2008

Yesterday McCall put his big old “Superhero” Bible in his already too heavy bookbag before leaving for school.  He also likes to carry at least three chapter books and a bottle of water at all times.  So funny b/c that is so, so me.  Makes me feel prepared for any spare time I might happen upon so I will have reading material.

So I asked him why he was packing his Bible.  He said so he can read it during car line.  Wow, how cool is that!!  Music to a mother’s ears!  Thank you God for a small sign of an answer to my prayers that he would love your Word.  Very exciting!

I love the Lord because He hears my prayers and answers them. Because He bends down and listens I will pray as long as I can breathe. Psalm 116:1

In case you didn’t know… September 23, 2008

One of my absolutely favorite things in the world is ice cream (with chocolate in it of course.)  My absolute favorite ice cream is Cold Stone Creamery (their Founder’s Favorite with chocolate chips instead of fudge, light on the pecans).  So imagine my excitement when I received an email that this Thursday they are giving out free ice cream and hosting:

World’s Largest Ice Cream Social
Celebrate the 7th Annual World’s Largest Ice Cream Social and Support the Make-A-Wish Foundation® with Cold Stone Creamery

Throughout the month of September, Cold Stone Creamery will be selling Make-A-Wish wall stars to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation, an organization that grants wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions. Be sure to visit your local Cold Stone Creamery to try two new flavors, Nutter Butter® and Marshmallow, and the very special “Make-A-Wish Creations” inspired by Jack and Emily, two Wish Children.

*
Jack’s Creation – Marshmallow ice cream with OREO® Cookies, Chocolate Chips and Fudge
*
Emily’s Creation – Nutter Butter® ice cream with White Chocolate Chips, Kit Kat® and Yellow Cake

To cap off this special month, don’t miss the 7th Annual World’s Largest Ice Cream Social at participating Cold Stone Creamery locations nationwide, a special night to join together and share the simple pleasures of life with a FREE ice cream and family fun. On September 25th from 5:00 – 8:00PM, guests will be treated to a 3 oz. serving of Jack or Emily’s Creation. All donations will benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Whoo hoo!  See you there?

Couple of funnies September 23, 2008

Thought I would share some things over the past couple of days that the boys have done to make me chuckle:

• this weekend we spent some time at Broadway at the Beach.  No trip is ever complete without at least three trips to the bathroom.  On my venture with Haig he was getting tired walking and so I gave him a piggyback ride.  He is riding on my back and whispers in my ear, “Mom, thanks for all the things you do for us like carrying me when I am tired.”  Awww, he is so sweet:)
• He really is but I tried hard to refocus on that sweetness when we walked into the public bathroom and as I politely smile and nod at the sweet little old lady in front of us Haig announces, “It smells like old lady in here!”  Ugh!
• Sometimes this summer when Eli had a late nap and was having a hard time falling asleep at bedtime, he would stay up with Mommy and Daddy and watch the episodes we taped of Wipeout. You know that silly game show/reality show where the contestants have to complete this crazy obstacle course and the two comedy announcers make fun of them the whole time.  No he was not scarred by their sarcasm.  It really is a hilarious show.  Anyways so Friday Eli was up in his room, and he has a cloth swing in his room (impulse buy from IKEA).  He was jumping from his bed and grabbing onto the swing and then running into the wall and falling onto the floor.  I was putting away clothes and watching him when he ran up and pretended to hand me a microphone.  He said, “Mommy I fall into mud and you ask me questions.  I get knocked down by punching things.”  I was thinking, “what?”  So he further explained, “I in wipeout and I need a helmet.” So he runs outside and puts a bucket on his head with the handle under his chin and proceeds to continue throwing himself on the floor/into the mud!  He wanted me to be the interviewer and ask him questions each time he fell.  For those of you that are familiar with the show Wipeout, I hope you find this as humorous as I did.  I wish I had caught it on camera!
• Eli is also currently obsessed with guitars, particularly the electric sort.  Everything becomes a guitar, from a fork, to a thermos or his favorite is his long stick riding horse.  He hooks the rein across his body like a strap and then holds the bottom up and strums.  More like jams.  Today he told us he was doing a concert.  We turned on some Lenny Kravitz and he went to town.  He sings, “Everybody!!!!”  over and over and over and then jumps off the “stage” into the “crowd” and plays his guitar in all kind of strange poses.  I am not sure where he has seen this phenomenon.  I do allow him to watch my younger brother Jeremiah online at times play the drums in his band Manchester Orchestra but I don’t think he has seen any crazy guitar moves.  I truly do look forward to the teenage years with my little spitfire:)
• Lastly, McCall this weekend made a sweet comment.  He was just hanging out, thinking I guess and randomly said, “Mom, you know what I can’t wait to be when I grow up?  A dad!”  Pretty cool:)

Peace September 22, 2008

You haven’t heard from me over the weekend because we spent it at the beach.  Mark’s family blessed our socks off by allowing us to stay at their condo since it was not rented out this weekend.  This was preplanned but of course the Lover of our Souls knew that we would need a little space and time just this very weekend.

We didn’t have internet access (which was a nice break actually) so we could not blog nor read anything online.  We love our nightly routine of laughing and talking over blogs but having a break was good for our souls.  We both ran a couple of times, enjoyed some great podcasts by Perry, Mark and Clayton, took naps, visited with friends, watched football, listened to the ocean, made some new friends thanks to our outgoing little guys, watched our children dig in the sand… and just tried to not think about the circumstances of life.

Not gonna lie to ya’ that things are peachy keen at the moment.  This is the hour for transparency I would say.  Mark was “displaced” on Thursday from his job.  Honestly that is hilarious to me, that term at least.  The cool thing is though that Mark is not displaced, at least not by the Lord.  The term “displaced” makes it sound like Mark is lost or shuffled somewhere or something.  We aren’t exactly excited about not currently having an income but by no means does this catch God by surprise.  Mark is exactly where he is supposed to be and we are anxious to see what is next for us.

The weekend was busy with wonderful friends and family calling to say that they love us and are praying for us.  We so appreciate everyone’s prayers.  This year has certainly been challenging.  Amazing too.  We know these rough spots are certainly when we experience intimacy with the Lord in new and precious ways.  We certainly are praying that the Lord quickly brings Mark another job.  But please pray with us that Christ will be glorified during this season in our lives and that we will listen closely and be courageously obedient.

We are excited and honestly do view this as a bit of an adventure.  We are all about chasing the Wild Goose.  So pray with us…

“Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to Your name be the glory, because of Your love and faithfulness. “

Psalm 115:1

Tattoo artist September 19, 2008

Should I be concerned that Eli is already wanting to have a tattoo?  I thought it unusual that he wanted to quietly color, but then was relieved to find that my motherly instincts are still accurate, when I came in later and found he had colored not the coloring book but rather all over his legs and even the bottom of his feet.  When I reminded him that we are supposed to color on paper not our bodies, he replied, “I-I-I-I-I wanted a tattoo, Mommy!”

The last picture is him trying to show the tattoo on the bottom of his foot, not him attempting a karate move.  At least he didn’t color here right?  Read the link, seriously it is hilarious!

Interesting x 12 September 18, 2008

So everyday McCall wants to create something after school.  It bubbles out of him and he either wants to do something crafty or sciency.  (I realize that is not a word.)  Today I had cleaned the house and really did not want to get the craft stuff out because as most moms realize making a craft actually means vacuuming, wiping down, washing off body parts, etc.  So I chose the sciency route and since he has been asking to freeze something for about two weeks I told him to go on a treasure hunt in the yard and find 12 things he would like to freeze.

I don’t really know what all 12 were but I think I saw dirt, pecans, leaves and a grasshopper.  Yes a grasshopper. So we put them in an ice cube tray and they are now freezing in our freezer.  Don’t worry I put them in the apartment freezer.  Not sure how it is going to turn out:)

Fun in the rain! September 18, 2008

Yesterday during dinner it started to rain and Haig asked if they could run in the rain once they were done eating.  Mark and I looked at each other, shrugged and said sure.  So they ate their green beans more quickly than I have ever seen and actually without complaint:)

We let them jump on the trampoline until it started to thunder.  We called them in and by the time Eli got to the steps the thunder cracked and scared the poor little squirt to death!  They had so much fun though!

trampoline rain dancing

Off button! September 17, 2008

Dear heavens!!!  Does anyone know where the off switch is for two year olds?