Some days we are friends, and I celebrate those days.

Like today.

Today we were friends.

Good friends in fact.

I even shouted for joy.

It did take me by surprise because we are not always good friends. Actually for four years, we have been enemies, but this summer, we have close. Very close. And very encouraging actually.

Today, my good friend told me that I have lost 14lbs thus far in my weight loss journey.

My good friend did not say "Good for the 14, but you know you have about 40lbs to go, right?" nope, my good friend, simply said "14lbs down. You can do this. Keep it up girl. Rock it out."

Yes, I am talking about the scale in the bathroom.

Dinner

I made this amazing asparagus, tomato, chicken, feta salad for dinner. I thought it was great! So healthy, fresh veggies, so good.

I look over at Jon and asked him what he thought of dinner.

"It had potential."

Gee. Thanks.

He found it, he found it, he found his voice!

The Diaries of a White Mamma

(a re-occurring post about my journey as a white woman parenting a non-white child)

Caleb's hair is OUT. OF. CONTROL. There is no other way to say it. I love his beautiful afro, and his daddy is quite jealous at the amount of hair that he has, but this white mamma, has NO idea how to "do" this do.

Advice? What products should we use? How often should we wash it?

Add Making My Own Baby Food to the List of Things I Said I Would Never Do.

"I just don't want you to get carried away," my cautious, yet weirded out husband responded as I was making yet another batch of baby food for the day.

"I am not getting carried away. I am on my last batch. Besides, you should be happy I am working hard on saving some money," was my response.

The thing is, I think he's right.

I think I may be getting carried away.

And it has only been day 1.

I LOVE MAKING MY OWN BABY FOOD.

There is something satisfying about see the food, pureeing it, and then watching my lil' man eat it.

There is something satisfying about knowing that this takes just a little bit of time, but the money we save will be great.

There is something satisfying about feeling like, "I might actually be able to do this mom thing."

And so it begins. I add to the list of things I said I would never do. As I go to bed tonight, there are beans, carrots and apples in the fridge, and peas, beans and carrots in the freezer.

What are you baby making food tips????

A Baby is Expensive!

Like you haven't heard that before, right?

And Jon and I knew this. We know it so much more now!

We have been so blessed. So incredibly blessed. Did you know that since we have had Caleb, we have only had to buy formula, 2 packs of diapers, and some preemie clothes? Really! We have had people buy him everything he needs, and more that he does not need. {Smile} It has been such a blessing to have friends and family come around us and support us in this way.

But a baby is still expensive.

So, how do you do it?

We are feeding Caleb baby food now. For all you non-parenting rookies out there, what do you do to save money on baby food?

-Do you make your own? How do you do it? We might try it, but I don't know what to do.

-Do you clip coupons? Are there good online sources that have some great coupon deals out there?

-Do you shop at a certain store? Which store is the cheapest?

Help a mother out!

You can make a baby go to bed....can't make him sleep

This is what I found when I snuck in Caleb's room during his nap. You can see very well, because I was trying to hide, so he didn't see me.

Needless to say.....Caleb can stay in his crib up to 2 hours entertaining himself....er....stalling.....

You could be next.....

What if.....

-10 people gave $100/mo

-20 people gave $50/mo

-40 people gave $25/mo

What if....

-people prayed every day for what is happening on campus

-people prayed for students to be transformed, the campus to be renewed and world changer developed

What if....

-people gave

What if....

-people prayed

What if....

-you gave

What if...

you prayed?

Have you thought about joining my support team? You could be a part of what God is doing on campus through the ministry of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. I need you on my team!

I believe God would change the world. That's why I do what I do. Join me, will you?

True or False?

True of False?
I never want to be pregnant

True or False?
My house is usually a mess and I can't stand it

True of False?
I really want a nice yard with beautiful landscaping, but I can't stand working in the yard

True or False?
I am mildly addicted to several different "guilty pleasure" tv shows

True or False?
I have had a crush on Jon since 7th grade...of and on..

True or False?
Jon had my grandma as a 3rd grade teacher

True or False?
I have a family of teachers

True or False?
I went to college to pursue a degree in Teaching English as a Second Language, but did not graduate with that major

True or False?
I have 3 main regrets in life: 1) not joining a sorority in college, 2) picking the wrong major in college, and 3) not secretly marrying Jon months before our wedding

True or False?
I want my kids to go to a four year college, even if we don't have the money to pay for it

True or False?
I think I am the most liberal person in my church

True or False?
I don't mind baby poop, but baby puke does me in

True or False?
I hate cooking, but would rather do it myself than have Jon mess up my clean kitchen

True or False?
I am an "all or nothing" girl

True or False?
I want a nose ring

True or False?
I have only had one boyfriend

True or False?
For 19 years of my life I did not think it was ok cry in public or in front of people

True or False?
I want to go to seminary

True or False?
I struggle with anxiety and depression

True or False?
You should not talk to me before I have had my morning coffee

True or False?
I have gained 4olbs since my wedding day (4 years ago)

True or False?
My husband constantly tells me I need to work on putting a filter on my mouth

True or False?
I want to live more simply

True or False?
I think going to the movie theatre is a waste of money

True or False?
I would move to Madison, WI in a heartbeat

True or False?
I am afraid to walk on grass because there might be a snake in it

True or False?
I am easily frustrated by Christians

True or False?
I want to open my own photography business, but will probably never do it because I am too insecure about my pictures

True or False?
We just left the year 2010 (by getting rid of cable, and our contracted cell phones) and are going backwards in time

True or False?
I have a lot to say and blog about, but hold back a lot in order to not offend

True or False?
We will adopt a again. A non-white child. Sooner than later.

It's true.
All of it.

Inspired by 4littlemenandgirlietwins

Not trying to be boring

I can't blog. Why? Because there is nothing worth noting going on in my brain right now.

-I am entirely sure that anniversaries are far more meaningful when you have children

-I am learning to love running

-I am crabby

-I am head over heels in love with my husband

-I love seeing Caleb develop a personality

-I am thinking about ministry constantly

And now....it is 12:11am, and I am going to bed. Oh caleb, please let it be for a long time:)

I am not sure but....

I think I am falling in love with youth ministry again.

Oh Yes I did!

This week, Jon and I were a part of the 5 day club in one of the neighborhoods of our town. It was a great experience! Each day we had games, snacks, songs and a Bible story. It was great to build relationships with the kids and their moms (my favorite:)) I can't wait to do it next year and to build on the foundation! Enjoy!

4 years ago today

I married my best friend.

spilled milk

They say....

"Don't cry over spilled milk."

But what about the spilled bottle, on my counter, complete with the expensive formula.

Surely there is a place where mom's gather to cry over spilled milk.

Because really....what do they know?

Proof {That HE DID IT!}

We left very early in the morning to make sure that we could get to the race location in time for Jon to register....both of my boys are looking a little tire. Jon had too much caffeine the night before, and Caleb was asleep until we parked the car......

Racing for Bethany, seeing that Caleb was a Bethany baby, Jon had a friend who works for Bethany and invited him and Saturday was a good of time as any to run his first 5k....

Crossing the bridge....past the halfway point. RUN BABY RUN!

There he is.......almost to the finish line.......

HE DID IT!!!!!

Caleb was proud of his daddy, proud, but also sleepy

Way to go honey on running your first 5k....first of MANY!

But I want to be normal

This afternoon I was thinking about me, about me dealing with depression and an anxiety disorder.

I was mad at myself for feeling this way.

I was mad at myself that I am on medication for these "issues."

I was mad at myself that I have hid this for so long.

I was mad at myself that I claim to love Jesus, desire the hope of Jesus and the peace of Jesus, and yet can suffer from depression and anxiety, regularly.

I was mad.

And ashamed.

And complained.

I complained to God and said, "I just want to be normal. I want be a normal person not worrying about how I will feel and not having to take medication."

And His response to me, "My precious daughter, you are normal. On this side of heaven you will be broken. I want you to run to me, to find peace and joy in me alone, but you will be broken. It is part of the fall. Seek me though. Seek my face. Seek my presence. Fall in love with me. You are normal. You are broken, but I am your Redeemer. I will Redeem. Just wait. Maybe tomorrow. Maybe until I restore the earth. Just wait. "

Ok Lord.

{Loss of the Battle}

What battle?

The battle of the holiday weekend

I didn't even fight it. I just gave in.

And ate.

And didn't exercise.

And ate some more.

And didn't exercise.

And got out of great routine.

But you know what? I am not done. I may have lost the battle, but the war to beat the game of weight loss is still very much before my eyes.

I have less than 3 months to fit into this super cute bridesmaid dress.

So please.....help me to press on friends! Wanna work out with me and push me to keep going? I would love the help!

Happy Fourth of July

Because everyone needs a superhero

Super Caleb to the rescue
His super powers are:
-making mommy melt any time he smiles or giggles at her
-making mommy want to lose her lunch anytime there is baby puke
-the ability to fill a house with an "odor"
-the ability to stop a crowd and to have gawkers and fans at any given moment

And the most recent power discovered.....
-sleeping 12 hours at a time (mommy is most surprised and impressed with that one)