9 Weeks!

Yay! After hearing the HEARTBEAT this morning - we are so excited to announce our baby on the way! We are so excited and are projecting a due date of July 20...:)

Dedicated to our Sci-Fi friends out there...

A little Halloween Fun...

Small Francis Invasion

Last weekend Allison and Joel Francis stayed with us. We had soooo much fun with face paiting and the pumpkin patch.

Kenny noticed that Joel's spaghetti spill was in the shape of a J, and determined it was picture worthy.


Allison requested a clown face. We determined it was awesome.

Laura came to the pumpkin patch with us, where we rode the carriage...

Random pics.

Sorry I haven't posted in a while - but in the spirit of making up for it, here are some fun pics from the last couple of years that I got from my Mom just this past weekend.

Here is a pile of all of us at my parent's house for Christmas.

I'm not sure what to tell you about his one.....Rusl is my favorite in this picture.


Kenny rode in Waco with Russell and his Dad last year. He is also a wierdo.


I like this shot of Kenny - I think riding his bike is when he is happiest....ha!


For Larry's birthday, we took a private tour of Texas Stadium.

Kenny in the tunnel where they run out.

Us girls decided it would be a great idea to run the length of the field. It was actually really fun!

Smiley Max

Vacation pics...

Here are a few pics from our vacation to the coast a week ago.

Deep, Meaninful, Life-Giving, Dangerous Things...

Took this from Matt Chandler's email this week. Liked it so much, I wanted to share. I am incredibly good at filling my day with busy-ness and dwelling on things that take away from the joy and peace that He wants to give me.

Psalm 103:15-16 says "As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more." Life is short. I don't think that is news to anyone but read it again this way: your life is short. With life moving so fast I don't want to get caught up in things that rob me of the fullness of life Christ came to bring. I want to guard my heart against bitterness, anger, deceit, and I want to chase after deep, meaningful, life-giving, dangerous things. I think this is what Jesus was talking about in John 10:10 when He said He came to "bring life to the full." My prayer for you and me this week is that we wouldn't waste our short lives on silly things but rather spend our lives on things that matter. - Matt Chandler

Ummmm....yeah.

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Vegetables...finally.....

So we are finally getting a few veggies from the garden - yeah!

These were very yummy.

Logan's Photo Shoot

I got to spend a long weekend with Larry, Megan and Logan this past weekend. While there, Logan had his first "professional" photo shoot. He was a natural - and really knows how to ham-it-up for the camera!

2 Things I Love

The first things I want to share are 2 links to articles in the Denton Record-Chronicle today. Just a couple of reasons I love my brothers and sisters at The Village.

http://www.dentonrc.com/sharedcontent/dws/drc/localnews/religion/stories/DRC_Local_mission_project_0718.6908f6c0.html

http://www.dentonrc.com/sharedcontent/dws/drc/localnews/religion/stories/DRC_Church_merger_0718.69068bc5.html

Second, I was thinking this morning about the fact that I will be away from Kenny for about 4 days - and how most of our conversations the past couple of days have leaned more toward arguing than building each other up. This is one trap I tend to fall into very easily. So, to try to make up for it a little bit - I thought I would list just a few of the things I LOVE about my husband.

The way he knows how to fix things around the house.
The way he doesn't do anything halfway.
He is open to trying new things - most recently quinoa, hummus and tofu - because I started eating healthier.
He volunteers to go fill up my gas tank when he thinks I am low on gas - because he knows I HATE to pump gas.
He prays for me.
He loves my family.
He loves kids, and isn't afraid to clean messes, change diapers, etc.
He is selfless.
He proudly takes our little poodle for a walk.
He never hesitates to help anyone, with anything.
Bear hugs that make my spine crack.
He reaches for my hand whenever we pray.

I love you honey. I am so proud to have spent almost 10 years of my life married to you.

I asked the Lord...

Daily I have to struggle with the need to want to control things. If something needs to be done, fixed, changed, managed...I am your girl. Here's what I've recently discovered though - most of my frustration and despair comes from moments when I try to have the most control, and it doesn't do any good. I read these words today, and John Newton says it so much better than I can. What a beautiful reminder for us when we struggle with things out of our control! That thou mayest seek thy all in me... That thou mayest seek thy all in me.

I Asked The Lord
(by John Newton)

I asked the Lord that I might grow
In faith and love and every grace
Might more of His salvation know
And seek more earnestly His face

Twas He who taught me thus to pray
And He I trust has answered prayer
But it has been in such a way
As almost drove me to despair

I hoped that in some favored hour
At once He'd answer my request
And by His love's constraining power
Subdue my sins and give me rest

Instead of this He made me feel
The hidden evils of my heart
And let the angry powers of Hell
Assault my soul in every part

Yea more with His own hand He seemed
Intent to aggravate my woe
Crossed all the fair designs I schemed,
Cast out my feelings, laid me low

Lord why is this, I trembling cried
Wilt Thou pursue thy worm to death?
"Tis in this way" The Lord replied
"I answer prayer for grace and faith"

"These inward trials I employ
From self and pride to set thee free
And break thy schemes of earthly joy
That thou mayest seek thy all in me,
That thou mayest seek thy all in me."

Max is very bendy.

I know this is dark, but I took it with my phone in a semi-dark room. This is just weird.

He layed like this for quite a while, though I can't see how it can be comfortable.

It's Okay if My Dreams Don't Come True...

One of the blogs I read regularly is 97 Seconds With God. Yesterday's post really nailed ME on the head ...click here to view it.

http://97secondswithgod.blogspot.com/2008/07/genesis-29-safety-of-wait.html

Waiting (for any number of things) has been one of my biggest struggles my entire adult life. The world around us does not promote waiting for anything... and I have only recently started to accept that things WILL NOT happen on my time (begrudgingly). When I got married, I had so many expectations of my husband and our life and where we would be when we are 30 - and none of those things have happened yet! (I'm 32)

But what has come along with that is a new perspective on what my time of waiting should consist of...reflecting HIM to others in my everyday life. Sounds like a simple Sunday School answer - but I wonder how many others are like me in taking so long to see things this way - like the job I go to everyday IS my mission. I work for a non-profit. I always knew I was doing good...but until recently did not really see it as the purpose God has for me RIGHT NOW. Maybe something really important will come out of the little things I do today, that would not happen if all of my "dreams" came true.

I think this is the difference between knowing something, and truly believing it (For those of you who attend the Village - the gospel finally "dropped" on this one for me!). I "knew" that God had a specific purpose for me, but had to realize that it wasn't necessarily the same as what I "imagined" that purpose would be. And I am beginning to be okay with that.

Laura, in case you didn't know...

Laura, in case you didn't know, we have quite a lot of fun with Angel when she comes to visit. Just a couple of pics to give you an idea of the kinds of fun she has...

And for those of you who haven't been to visit yet, a couple pics of the living room and kitchen. It is all still pretty much a work in progress..

Sarcastic Wednesday

In observance of Sarcastic Wednesday, I want to share a blog that I read that I absolutely love! With a healthy (vitamin packed) dose of sarcasm, it addresses various aspects of the christian life that we struggle with, or at times should at least question! Today's post addressed the prosperity gospel that seems to be the new fad in so many mega-churches...( and beyond).

Here are a couple of quotes from his blog today, and the comments posted in response.

I couldn't find a single example where Jesus fixed someone's problem with money. I could not find where He healed a situation with more stuff. I know you will tell me that Abraham was rich and Joseph had a really nice coat, but what about Jesus? I could not find a passage in His life where a possession was the solution. The second problem was that I could not get around the idea that being prosperity focused did not make it easy for me to keep the number one commandment, which is love God. And it didn't make it easier to love others. It almost felt like I was trying to rewrite those verses and reorder them to say, "Love yourself, Love God and love others." I can't be first though. I have to be last. - John Acuff

"I have three things I'd like to say today. First, while you were sleeping last night, 30,000 kids died of starvation or diseases related to malnutrition. Second, most of you don't give a shit. What's worse is that you're more upset with the fact that I said shit than the fact that 30,000 kids died last night." - Tony Campolo


www. stuffchristianslike.net - Just check it out. If you don't like it, I promise not to get my feelings hurt! He also writes a couple of other blogs that I think are excellently thought provoking and are mentioned on his site.

Maxwell in the House!

Okay, so we now have a new "kiddo" in the house - Maxwell, a 5 month old golden retriever. He is soooo sweet! Even Murray likes him - which is really saying something cause Murray doesn't like many other dogs!


Here he is recouperating after our first "walk on a leash". It was pretty traumatic!



Murray and Max hanging out in the yard.



Maxwell enjoying his new bed.

The reason Maxwell no longer has a fancy bed, but now sleeps on an old blanket.

Emily and Bethany

Here's a great video of my beautiful, sweet and talented cousins, Emily Jane Laird and Bethany Warren singing an original song by Bethany.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hV90dRg02FM

Finally finished Mother's Day gift.

I finally finished my Mother's Day project, and got it in the mail to my Mom. I think it turned out pretty good. Been feeling extra crafty lately, and looking for ways to use my sewine machine -and I think I may be on an apron kick for a while - this is the first one. Sorry you have to turn your head to the left to see it - for some reason I couldn't get it to post the right direction!

Okay, If you are paying attention, you will notice that this is my 3rd post in the same day. It will be the last for today - just wanted to get a lot up! New pics of the house, now that we are moved in, will be posted soon (probably when the curtains are up - my goal for the weekend...) but in the meantime we had to share pics of our newest project - our organic vegetable garden! I am so excited about this! Monday we just had time to purchase our gardening tools (hoe, wheelbarrow, etc.) and mow and get the spot ready to till. Tuesday we spent tilling, spreading the humus/manure mixture and tilling again. Finally tonight we were able to actually create rows and plant our veggie plants and seeds. Since we are getting it done so late in the spring, we bought a few plants that had already been started, to have something to reap soon - but most of the plot is seeds (2 kinds of tomatoes, green onions, spinach, lettuce, cucumber, red and green bell peppers, jalapeno peppers and an eggplant). So let the experiment begin! Here is what it looks like so far. And by the way, even though Kenny is in all the pics and not me - I actually did a lot of the work too..

By the way...

A pic I hadn't gotten around to posting before now - we had a lot of great help moving into the house a couple weeks ago - thanks to Jeff, Charlie, Clay, Bob, Brad and Jen. Here you can see Jen trying out our really great "climbing tree" while the guys are in the back "working". Seriously Jen, you are awesome...

Six Flags

Okay, so as I sit and post these pictures, I realize that Kenny and I have had so much going on lately - I have a ton to post! So I'll just start here...this past Saturday, Kenny's sister Shelley brought our niece and nephew to visit and go to Six Flags. We had a lot of fun - but ended up staying the whole day (literally, 12 hours...crazy, I know). The kids had a great time (their first visit) and did really great all day long.


My beautiful niece, Erin, trying to decide if the next ride really is for her... Look at those eyes!

Shelley and Trent in the hot air balloon ferris wheel -I am not sure what Trent is doing here.
Walking between rides...very seriously...
Uncle Kenny on the carousel.

Phooning

If you don't know what this is, visit the web site www.phoons.com to become educated. It is a world wide phenomenon - and something my family has been doing for years when on vacation or in really cool places. And yes...we are amused by strange things...



Just got this phooning in "the crib" picture from my 2 week old nephew - he is so smart and such the trendsetter...

Food Drive

So to top off this uneventful (HA!) week, I had the food drive on Saturday - so tiring, but turned out to be a great event - lots of volunteers showed, and we brought in about 14,000 lbs of food for the Denton Community Food Center.

This community never ceases to amaze me - we life in such a generous town! You post a need, and people really show up! Thanks to the Post Office, American Red Cross, UNT Golf Team, American Humanics, Boy Scouts, DATCU, and so many others for your amazing work!

Here's a taste - for more pics, you can view the photo album on my facebook page.

More Logan pics!

Well, after a day or so of adjsting work schedules, we finally made it to The Woodlands to see our new nephew - he is so amazing. Here are some of the pics from our visit.









He was not very happy with us when we dressed him up for his photo shoot! But still oh so cute!

Logan Wallace!!!

Wow. I am so overjoyed that I have been crying all morning! I know, sappy - but for those who don't know me that well - I can be pretty sappy. Anyway, I digress.





My beautiful nephew was born this morning!

He arrived at about 7:45am. He weighs 6 lbs 19 1/2 inches. He is a little early, but both he and Mom are doing great.

That's all for now - I have to get on the road. I will post more later.