A Whole Lotta New

As we move into the summer months, I am quickly reminded about how much "new" we have going on.

Speaking of NEW, how do you like the NEW blog? I think I love it. I might be joining yellow fan club a little late in the game, but I still love it.

Our foster care licence is officially open. What does that mean? Simple answer: We could receive a placement at any moment now. Any time. We will be experiencing a whole lot of NEW in our family once we receive a placement. There will be lots of transition, and we are not sure if we will have kids in and out of our house, or if we will be placed with a preadoptive infant. Either way, a lot of transition, more chaos and less sleep (I am guessing:).

Potty training is NEW to us. We have introduced the potty to Caleb, he has "tried" but I haven't been intentional about it. I didn't want to put the time and energy into potty training, when I knew that I would be traveling for most of May. After next week, life won't slow down by any means, but I will at least be at home with somewhat of a consistent schedule. Looking froward to saving money on not buying diapers, but sad that it means I now longer have a baby.

A few weeks ago, I did a NEW type of photography shoot. It was a 1940's era theme. I can't say much more until the photos are revealed, but I love to expand my photography skills.

I have a NEW, well, NEW to me car. I have never ever in my life had a NEW car before. I was reminded this weekend about all of my cars that I have had. My favorite--"Watt Pond." It was a teal Cutlass Supreme, the windows did not go up or down, there was no air or heat, and mostly no radio, when it rained, water came in the inside of the car- so much so that I had extra towels in the car, and often had plastic bags for people to sit on. My favorite feature about "Watt Pond," and its name sake---because of all the water in the bottom of the car. When you would get into the car, you had to roll up your pants, and make sure you had sandals on...you would get wet. Sorry about that tangent--all this to say, I LOVE my NEW to me car.

I also have a NEW laptop. Wow, my honey has been spoiling me lately. Traveling for work is much easier when all of the documents I need are on my laptop. It also saves printing, so I don't have to print every document I might need while on a trip.

In the summer months, I will be raising an extra $15,000 in NEW support so I can continue the work here at Albion.

Speaking of working, I will be entering a NEW stage of "work life" next year. I am planning to work 30-40 hours instead of 20. I  C A N N O T wait. God has been preparing this for a while and I finally get to see it come to fruition.

Last year, we tore down our deck. We didn't have the money to do anything then, but we saved and planned and now we have a NEW patio. I love it. I often go out on the patio and read and journal. I had a Bible study prep meeting with students out there. Caleb can go out and play and I can watch him or join him.  It has been a blessing.

I have been trying to garden. This is so NEW to me, it is ridiculous. There is little that I enjoy about gardening, except for the end result. I hate planting....I hate getting dirty, I hate not knowing what I am doing, I hate that my body aches afterwards, and I hate that I just need to do again next year. But my naked patio is thanking me for the hard work.

We did something NEW at the lake this past weekend. And by we, I mean my sister, Jalissa. She learned how to water ski. It is possible that I may try it this summer. I am not really a fan of face planting in the water, but it still looks fun.

I have a lot of NEW reading to do, on my summer reading list. What are you reading this summer?

I am planning on learning NEW things photography wise this summer and continue to build our business.

This is NEW...we have a college student living with us this summer. Actually, it is not really that NEW. It is rare that we don't have someone at our house at any given time, but thought I would still mention it:)

What NEW things have you been up to?

Sometimes and Always

Sometimes: I roll my eyes and think that my favorite show has gone too far. 

Always: I continue to watch it. 

Sometimes: I have hope that mornings will go smooth in our house. 

Always: I am reminded by my two year old, that like his mumma, mornings are not his thing. 

Sometimes: I update my blog with pictures. 

Always: Take tons of pictures of day to day life and they never are seen. 

Sometimes: I go for a walk/jog with my dog 

Always: I wish I was a runner and ran miles everyday 

Sometimes: I wake up early 

Always: It's hard to get out of bed, but I am so glad that I did!

A Mother's Day First

In almost 8 years, I have not spent time with family on Mother's Day. It started when I was in college and went off to Chapter Focus Week with my InterVarsity Chapter. It would ALWAYS fall on the weekend of mother's day. 

And then I joined staff with InterVarsity. Over the years, I have put in 1-3 weeks a summer of Chapter Focus Week and every single one has been over Mother's Day weekend. 

But not this year. Just the way the calendar fell:) 

Instead, Chapter Focus Week ended the Friday before Mothers Day. My mother's Day gift was a hotel room, all by myself to recover from said week. Let me tell you, working with college students is not for the faint of heart. (I think I saw this on facebook from a colleague, so I am going to steal it.) Jon's parents still had Caleb (they watched him while I was gone), so we had to make the trip 2 hours east to pick up my baby. 

And I was able to see my little sister celebrate her first Mother's Day. 

While everyone was together, we had an impromptu photo shoot. I shutter at this picture. (Notice...open garage and car.Now that you see it, you can' take your eyes of it, can you?) 

We had to get a picture of mom and her girls. 

Time for Dad to join the picture. 

Our family tree is growing. Adding Raegan and Caleb to the mix. 

Sisters and their babies. (Even though Caleb looks like he is my size, I assure you, he is and forever will be my baby Cay-ub. 

My youngest sister, Jalissa with her niece and nephew. 

I think we have some hillbilly kids. Both with no shoes and Rae's diaper hanging out of her dress. Where are the parents? 

All of the sisters together. 

I

Happy Mother's Day!

He knew what I needed

He knew that I needed some time with my little man playing outside today. 

He knew that I was going to laugh all day when Caleb came up to me and said, "So what is that mumma?" (per usual). I replied, "It's the engine to your lawn mower." His response. "Yes! Good job mumma." As if he knows all that there is to know about lawn mower engines, and I was just given an uknown quiz. 

He knew that I had a really bad headache, premigraine, and all I wanted to do was to go to bed early. 

He knew that I also would have loved a quiet night down stairs, laying on the couch watching Grey's Anatomy while the boys were fast asleep. 

He knew that it would he would be storming outside, so much so that we would lose power. 

He knew that I needed to prep for the Mark track at Chapter Focus Week. 

 He knew I needed to be in the word. 

He knew I needed to be refreshed by the word. 

He knew I needed some Jesus tonight. 

He knew it would take some drastic measures, because I have been avoiding Him lately. 

He knew that I take a break from my study time to take pictures, edit photos and write a blog post, and yet He still waits for me to go back into His presence. 

He knew. 

Brain dump

Right now--- I am sitting on the couch, watching Modern Family, knowing that it is time for a blog update, it is time to prep for Chapter Focus Week, time to clean my house and finish editing some photos. 

So it seems all I have the mind for is the Basic Blog Brain Dump. 

1. I am itching to have some more photo shoots this summer!! So, tell everyone you know. I have some fun creative ideas and dying to try some new things. Visit www.ordinarymiraclesphoto.com to check out the work. 

2. I love shooting photos of newborns. Love it. 

3. If you have been around me at all, I ask a lot of questions. It is great way to get to know people and to figure out what is really going on in their life, because no one really answers when you ask, "How are you?" One of the questions I always ask, is "What are you reading these days?" I love this question, because it helps me to know what people are thinking about, wrestling through and interested in based on what they are reading. It occurred to me this week, while again asking that question, that my answer has been the same for about a year, just with different titles. For the last year, I have been reading books about women, specifically the theology for an against women in ministry, and the role of ministry. It has been a journey. I think I should stop asking that question until I have different answers:) 

4. I am so excited for Chapter Focus Week next week. 15 students from Albion are attending. I am so excited to spend time in prayer, to plan, to train students and to be a part of what God is doing in the lives of college students. 

5. Almost licensed for foster care. Just a few more things and then the adventure REALLY begins. 

6. May 11--Jon and I start p90x for a second time. 

7. I want to ride my bike. Now. Except that I don't think there are air in the tires. 

8. Caleb asks for a nap during the day, almost begging for a nap. When bed time rolls around, he could stay in his bed and talk and play for hours. Literally. His bed time is 8:30 and he has talked to himself until 11:30. 

9. I am LOVING being a mommy of a two year old. I never thought I would see that day. Two has been SOOO hard. I have never seen a more strong willed child. In the past few weeks, he has calmed way down. he has learned to communicate. Before he does anything, my sweet, cautious boy, says, " Can I do ______, Can I have_________, Can I eat_______________." I love that he is able to communicate. Frequently, he says, "I want my mamma." Be still my beating heart. I love when he says that when it is just he and I together. He could just jump up in my lap and let me snuggle him, but instead he says, "I want my mamma." Ok baby boy, you get whatever you want:) 

10. The two year old had a little run in with the pavement and received his first "big boy owie". He has shown everyone and it is his claim to fame. 

11. I hate how Caleb's Sunday School curriculum portrays Jesus as a white guy. Seriously? Who is not aware the Jesus is from the middle east? Each week when Caleb brings home his papers, we talk about what he learned, and read his stories, and say, "caleb, Jesus doesn't actually look like this. In fact, we don't REALLY know what he looks like, but you can bet that he is not white with blue eyes." And then he looks at me like I am crazy. 

12. My husband really loves me. Really. And he has been  showing it lately. And he bought me a laptop. And some Arnold Palmers. And he talks to me while I edit photos. And, I know he loves me:) 

What's on your mind today?