Kenya or bust!

Wow...I can't believe that a life dream of mine is coming to fruition. I am happy proud ECSTATIC to announce that I am going on a Mission Trip to Kenya in June! Oh my word!!! I have been blessed to be accepted as a member of "Team Kenya June '09 Trip" (better name TBD).

Right now I am living on the high of knowing that I am going on an amazing trip, literally on the other side of the globe. Amazing!

I do know that I will struggle from time to time with the same fact that I will be on the other side of the globe. Oh yeah...did I forget to mention that I'm going alone? By alone, of course, I mean without Scott. I am still shocked by my sense of adventure here because I would never have thought that I would ever do this alone, but I am trusting God that he will replace my anxious thoughts with peace.

I would love for you to pray with me through this journey. The verse for our team is this:

Ephesians 2:10- "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus
for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in
them."

If you would, please pray that this verse will stay in the forefront of my thoughts, and be the foundation of my heart during these next few months as I prepare to leave and then as I venture off into the mission field.

Also, I am going to have to raise $3500+ dollars in support to be able to finance my trip. Please pray that I will receive money from those who desire to further God's Kingdom. Please pray that those who do give won't do so out of a sense of guilt or expectation, but rather that they will give out of a sense of purpose and a sense of awe in all of the amazing things to come in Kenya.

Wow! I'm excited! If you'd like to know more about the trip please visit http://www.410bridge.org/ . There are amazing things in store!

My "extra"

"He who has God plus stuff, has no more than he who only has God."
~C.S. Lewis

Since church on Sunday, I have been thinking about the "extra" that I have in my life. Although I don't always feel it or act like it, I am abundantly blessed.

Andy Stanley said something a few years ago that has stuck with me - "Comparison is the cancer that robs you of the joys of your life." When I compare myself to others, I can always find areas where I fall short (no pun intended by this 5-foot lady). There are so many different aspects where others are "better" or have "more" than I do. And, that's OK.

My goal for this week is to enjoy what God has blessed me with. When I think of my list, I am ashamed that I ever complain.

My God.
My church.
My husband.
My daughter.
My son.
My friends.
My freedom.
My house.
My car.
My jobs.
My food.
My clothes.
My warm water.
My clean water.
My bed.

All of these are what I consider necessities. Everything else, is extra.

My cell phone.
My computer.
Decorations in my house.
Clothes that I never/rarely wear.
TV + DVR.
A yearly vacation.
I won't go on...

I hope that you feel blessed today. If you don't, try to remember that you are. We all are.

An absolute heart breaker!

I had the pleasure of photographing this little fella a few weeks ago...

I had the even BIGGER pleasure of editing his pictures. Little "B" was easy on the eyes, let me tell you!

This poor mommy is going to have her hands full in a few years! Watch out! These brown eyes are going to steal many, many hearts.

And, what kind of mama would I be if I didn't include a picture of my own handsome fella?!?! (It's funny that these two boys are polar-opposites, but both as handsome as can be!)

Caffeine

Yes, this will be the second post in a row with no pictures...but you know I'll make up for it!!!

This morning I had coffee for the first time in years. Why the need for caffeine? Ella Beth was up 5 (yes, five) times last night. She has not been sleeping "through the night" for the last three weeks.

Does anyone have a clue what may be going on? Nothing significant happened or changed before her night wakings started. Actually, we just converted her crib to a toddler bed over the weekend thinking maybe that would help. Maybe she wasn't comfortable??? Nope. She didn't sleep any worse, but she didn't sleep any better either.

She has been cutting her 2-year molars over the last month, but she has never acted like they have bothered her. I've even asked her about her teeth, and she says they don't hurt.

Ugh!

So, I'm just throwing it out there...hoping for an answer from someone else who's had this experience.

Anyone?

OK - so a word of encouragement (or a reminder that being a mommy really is wonderful) would be gladly accepted, too. ;)

Must remember these

I have been writing down things in Ella Beth's baby books that I always want to remember. Lately, almost everything I write down are things that Ella Beth says. She cracks me up!

Mommy: You sure are goofy!

Ella Beth: Mommy, I'm not goofy. I'm Minnie!
--

M: Would you like some lunch?

EB: Umm, yes I would like some lunch. It is lunch time, Mommy.
--

While eating...

M: So, Honey, how was the job you worked on today?

EB: No, Mommy. Don't talk to Honey with food in your mouth.

M: Oh, OK. I'm sorry.

EB: Don't say, "OK." Say, "Yes, ma'am."
--

After gymnastics...

M: You did such a good job today! Did you have fun?

EB: Yes, I did. I was awesome!

M: You were awesome!

EB: Yes, I was. That's what I said.

--

I call Landon "Stinker Boo" a lot when I'm playing with him...

Lady at store: Well, hi there. You sure are a cute little girl. Is this your brother?

EB: Yes, he is. His name is Landon.

L: He sure is a cutie.

EB: He's not a cutie. He's a stinker.

9 months, 10 months, and FINALLY!

So, I realized that I never posted anything about my sweet little Landon at 9 months. He has been very sick since Halloween, and taking pictures of him was next to impossible. Taking the time to post anything was also very challenging. He started pulling up and doesn't want to be on the ground unless he's crawling to stand somewhere else. It's fun to watch, but he keeps us busy running after him!

This is my favorite picture from his 9th month.

(He got to "eat" some of a marshmallow at the Kinsey Family Farm while Ella Beth roasted hers. You think he liked it??!!)

So, at 9 months Landon decided to take after his big sister in one area...he weighed 15 lbs (not on the chart) and was 27 in (10th percentile). I pray every day that he will grow strong and tall, so I'm trying not to let myself worry. It doesn't help that my little fella is the pickiest eater. Ever. The boy won't even eat mashed potatoes.

Well, at 10 months I decided to try and get some cute pictures of Landon. I was pretty successful. My mom got him the cutest outfit from the Polo Outlet, and I was just waiting until he grew into it. He looks like such a big boy!

He really is a smiley baby. These last couple of months have been rough with him not feeling well, meds not working, not getting good rest, etc. I love that he can still put on a smile with little effort! If you look closely, you can also see 4 teeth! (His top two came in first, and his bottom two came at Christmas.)

and...
F-I-N-A-L-L-Y...

I have two pictures that I am going to cherish forever. Ella Beth and Landon both decided to cooperate at the same time for a portrait. These are the first "nice" pictures that I have of them together in 10 months. It was no small feat. Scott was doing jumping jacks, falling on the floor, playing peek-a-boo behind me, anything he could to help me capture my babies beautifully.

 

This one is my favorite. I have already ordered a LARGE, matted print of it. I can't wait to have it framed and placed on my wall!

FIT UPDATE: I have been very successful so far, and it's paying off! I have done some form of exercise every day of this year - all 6 of them.:) Every other night I have done 125 jumping jacks, arm reps, and my thigh master (yes, I really own one...love it...it works!) I have also gotten on the eliptical; it laughs no more.

When I say that my exercise is paying off, I mean only in attitude (thus far). I have noticed a bit more energy, but I also just noticed that I have a little more "comfort" in myself. I know that I'm trying to do something good for myself, and my "self" is rewarding me. ;)

What's your fit update? Megan??? :)

I Challenge YOU!

I challenge you to get FIT!

You read that right! My challenge to you, and to myself, this year is to get fit...for the right reasons.

I
have been thinking a lot lately about how I feel about myself. Most of
it isn't good. I feel flabby. I feel unsexy. I feel yucky. I feel worn out.

For
a while I just talked myself into believing that it was because I am
pushing 30 and this is how 30 year-olds are "supposed" to feel. Well,
I've changed my mind.

I
was talking to my friend Kimberly (who is a psychologist), and we were
discussing how most women tend to lose their libido in their late 20's
- early 30's. Once again, I clumped my feelings with my age.

But, like I've already stated -- I have changed my mind!

I
started thinking about why so many women in their late 20's and early
30's feel the same way. Well, here is my (unprofessional) opinion: It's
because we don't take care of ourselves. Face it, most women within
this age-range have young children. We put ourselves last in just about
every area. Out of all of my friends, I can only think of one who
physically takes care of herself. And guess what??? She feels fantastic!

I am not encouraging anyone to get fit to lose weight. I am encouraging every woman I know to get fit to FEEL GREAT!

The science behind endorphins is amazing. With just a little bit of exercise, we could all start feeling better. So let's get to it!

For
me, the most important reason I have for challenging myself to get fit
is this: When I feel better, I perform better -- in all areas. I am a
better wife because I feel more confident in my self and in my body. I
am a better mother because I am in a better mood and have way more
energy. I am a better employee because I have more focus. And I feel as
though I am honoring God because I have decided to really (finally)
take care of this body that He gave me.

There. That's it. Care to join me? Care to start off 2009 with a challenge to GET FIT TO FEEL GREAT? I hear the benefits are amazing! :)
(I'd love to have an accountability partner here!!!)