The Shoulder Workout Edition

I've been a bit MIA on the blogging front. I can only offer one excuse. I was working on my shoulder muscles.

I know it sounds eerily like an excuse from Arnold Schwarzeneggar. Pre-govenor days.

It's not.

With the big move happening in exactly 6 days, I have a rare opportunity to paint pre-move-in. That, my friends, is golden.

It took about 5 hours, but two rooms are done. They are move-in ready.

Can I get a "woo-hoo" on that one? I won't be raising my fist in the air, a la Mark Phelps in the 400 meter IM. I'll need a couple Advil before I can use my shoulder like that.

Happy Monday all. Enjoy the Olympics.

The Friday Five Faves Edition - Vol. 6

In honor of 8/8/08, I thought I would do my Top 5 list, with three extras. I know, all three of you who read this are beyond excited.

Before you get too excited, today's Top 5 isn't going to contain any fashion news since I've yet to catch the latest episode of Project Runway. I've been a little busy. Quite honestly, I'm still trying to digest the fact that peg-legging is coming back. Seriously?

This week has been an example of God's glory, providence and love. He has shown Himself to me more in the last 18 months than I have seen in the rest of my life. I'm positive it's because of me not really looking.

Which isn't a thought I like to have, but without my trying to find my own way, I wouldn't have found Him.

1. I have a husband who seeks God and gives his life to God. We haven't always been the couple that prays together, but we are now. Our marriage is stronger because of it.

2. I have life. I almost didn't 18 months ago. God orchestrated a team of tens of medical professionals that would ensure I was alive. It was a rarity that they would all be at the hospital and available. It was actually God's way of opening the door for me to share my faith.

3. I have a daughter. She doesn't have any preemie issues. She's completely normal in relation to her peers. She's full of joy and sweetness. I get to watch her grow.

I've always wanted more than one. I have two, beautiful step-daughters who love me. Not all step-mothers can say that. I'm honored to be part of their life.

4. I have a family that is made up of love. I have blood relatives who show God's love. I have in-laws who show God's love. I have family that isn't biologically tied to me at all, but they show God's love too. God has surrounded me and my children with family that knows Him and loves Him. That's an answer to prayer I didn't even know I had until I had Zoe.

5. I have this moment. God has given me breath. He has given me this moment. He doesn't guarantee I'll get any more, but He does guarantee He has a plan for me.

6. I have better examples of God that help me strive to live for Him in each moment. I was watching the recap of Steven Curtis Chapman and his family on Larry King Live. What an awesome example of Christ's love and a Christ-centered family.

There is a runner in the Olympics who has set the women's record for the 400 meter. Once she's done, she's going to get on her knee, say a prayer and raise her hand to the sky in a symbol of her faith. In a country that doesn't condone displays of faith in non-state sponsored events. I get goose bumps just thinking about that. I'm not sure I would be able to.

7. I have a church that encourages, loves and fellowships as a family of believers. We're in a transition period right now as our pastor (my honorary dad) retired. I am amazed at how God is working in our church, through our associate pastor and through the other pastors/speakers that are filling in that gap. They are speaking His truth.

8. I have a job that provides for my family. Even better, my boss is a believer. I not only can talk to him about professional stuff, but I can share with him how God is working in my life. He also shares how God is working in his life. If I hadn't traveled to Tacoma and lived there for a couple years, I wouldn't have ever met him.

I see all the things that God has provided and I'm amazed that He loves me like He does. He has provided for me emotionally, physically, financially, sprititually and in many other ways I've yet to realize.

God is good ALL the time.

The HOME Edition

The last 72 hours have been a bit of a blur. I think I said that just a few posts ago. In actuality that would make the last week a total blur. If I was technical.

N's grandma is in town to visit. With the newest great-grandson's arrival, she decided to come see what we were all up to. While she's been here, she's decided to invest in some real estate.

N and I were her first choice as occupants in this investment. That means we're moving. Into a home here. Next weekend.

I think it's safe to say the next week will be a total blur too.

The house is perfect. It's 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. For anyone with a husband, you know the second bathroom is of highest importance. The living/dining/kitchen is all open. If you have kids, being able to see the majority of the house from one vantage point is of highest importance.

I am completely awed that she would do this and offer us the opportunity to live in it. We've been living with my mom for 15 months. Which is another blessing completely. It's not easy having your daughter and her family move in with you. Especially when N and I didn't like each other when we moved.

She's given us shelter and an environment for our marriage to strengthen and grow.

Now N's grandma is giving us the opportunity to have a home where our family can strengthen and grow.

To say I'm overwhelmed would be an understatement. My prayer is that N and I don't make the same mistakes we did when we first got married. That God's love and glory can be demonstrated in our home.

Joshua 24:15b - But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.

The God's Best Gift Edition

Over the last several weeks I’ve realized how blessed I am. I have a husband who loves God, loves me and loves his family. In that order.

With our situation as it is, he works 80 hours a week and we only have Sundays together. In the first couple years of our marriage, this type of schedule would’ve broken us. Thanks to the military, it almost did.

Now, we’re actually a team. There has always been an underlying current of unconditional love. Which is what God used to strengthen our marriage. Now we have a connection I only dreamed of having. We pray together almost every night, we communicate on a level this Doubting Thomas didn’t think would happen and we have a mutual respect.

N, you are the man I prayed for, the man I dreamed of and the man I’m so glad to share my life with. I am in love with your character. I love to watch you love our girls. I am beyond blessed that you’ve picked to live the rest of your days with me.

Thank you for always being by my side, holding my hand and calming my fears. You let me freak out and love me the same. I can’t wait to see what God has in store for us.

I hope it’s more hiking dates!

The We Are Family Edition

It was a whirlwind weekend. I woke up at 2:30 this morning to Zoe crying and was seriously contemplating that it was Saturday. That's either an indicator of a disturbed REM cycle or sheer exhaustion.

Saturday morning Zoe and I woke up and got ready for Shrimp/Kipper class. We did swimming lessons last year, but she was only 6 months old and we were still doing her corrected age, which was 4.5 months. She lasted maybe 20 minutes last year before the meltdown. The class is only 30 minutes.

This year, she's a new kid. She LOVES being a Shrimp/Kipper. We sing songs like Motorboat, The Hokey Pokey and Do you know the Popcorn Man? It was tons of splashing, kicking and giggling. Her favorite part was jumping into the pool. She kept saying "more" after every jump. I'm so glad she feels safe enough to know that I would catch her.

Let me tell you, 30 minutes in Shrimp/Kipper class and my legs are sore. Who knew all that walking in the pool would be the equivalent of 1,000 lunges!

In addition to swimming, we also had family in town. N's family came to see Micah and fall in love with him. You've seen him, what's not to love?

What a huge blessing it is to have in-laws that you actually, thoroughly enjoy. It is so nice to be able to spend time with all of them and just feel like I'm one of the family. There is no "in-law" to our relationship.

The best part Zoe gets to know them too. They live in either California or Texas, so seeing them isn't always easy. N and I have always wanted Zoe to have a relationship with his family like she does mine. While Zoe played a little shy at first, she definitely warmed up to them and was playing, sharing and giving kisses by the end of the weekend. You know you're in when she lets you give her a kiss.

What's an even better end to this post, their in town for the remainder of the week. Zoe and I can't wait to go back and visit.

The Friday Five Fave Edition - vol. 5

This week I've seen some very scary things. I'm not talking scary, like Freddy Krueger because that would send me into the fetal position. I hate horror movies. The logical part of my mind knows that they aren't real. My subconcious thinks that at any moment I'm going to be killed. Quite honestly, I value sleep entirely too much to voluntarily give up three weeks of it to nightmares that are completely avoidable.

I've departed in talking about my scaredy cat movie tendencies.

I'm talking about fashion horrors. It would appear designers choose to "modernize" the hideous fashion foibles of the past. I'm not talking Elizabethian attire (although that would totally ROCK), I'm talking things from the last century. Specifically from my lifetime. If you know me, you know that spans 3 decades.

In an effort to keep all two of you readers in the loop, I thought I would post this Friday Five Fave as a warning for the fashion trends that are returning.

Cue horror movie music.

1) The ankle boot. I remember these from the late 80's and early 90's. I desperately wanted a pair. I wanted to be like Madonna. Or like Molly Ringwald in Pretty In Pink. Apparently my mother didn't think that was an appropriate look for the elementary school scene. To this day I thank her profusely for that.

Steve Madden made these beauties in silver to wear during a night on the town. Now they come with a peek-a-boo toe as a modern touch. Please tell me you've seen these on the sales racks!

2) The bell bottoms. I had a slight fear they were coming back at the turn of this century with the "flare" or "boot cut" jeans. I was glad to see that didn't materialize.

Now they have the trouser jean. While it's a bit more wide-leg, goucho pant, it's not a bell-bottom. I, not-so-secretly, want a good pair of trouser jeans. I think that could be my BFF for fall fashion.

While I was at my salon a couple weeks ago, I was watching television. They stream in runway shows as entertainment while you wait. I saw these.

They have returned. With the help of a bedazzler. What fun.

3) The hypercolor shirt. I owned one of these beauties in junior high. In my pre-teen mind I totally thought it would make me part of the in-crowd. I would have the cool shirt like all those girls who looked flawless in their Guess jeans with the ankle zippers, Espirit bags and perfect wall-o-bangs.

What I failed to really think-through was this shirt's ability to showcase overactive sweat glands.

Apparently they've returned as part of global campaign showcasing global warming and "going green." I will applaud them for their creativity using this amazing technology to showcase global warming. However, it's going to open up Pandora's Box of Humiliation to a whole generation of sweaters.

4) The peg-leg/tight-toll. In February I was driving home from work and saw a teenager at the bus stop. With his pants peg-legged. I laughed out loud. I was sure he was thee only kid in the entire city to do that.

Then I did some on-line shopping at Banana Republic and saw a model in their catalog with jeans peg-legged.

Yesterday, I saw this picture of Katie Holmes. Who I would've thought knew better from personal experience.

You know what this means? Less leg circulation, more people bent over trying to get the perfect roll on that one leg and indent marks from the denim.

What's even more sad. There are websites dedicating to helping you create the perfect peg-leg.

At least the jeans are no longer acid washed.

5) Neon. Bright pink, blue, yellow, orange and green. So bright that under a black light you could be a beacon to the Mir Space Station. Since Project Runway is on, you know I have to use Blayne's dress from this last challenge to showcase this point.

Granted Blayne is a neon orange color himself from all that tanning. If you read his bio he loves all things neon. He's not the only one.

All things neon are coming back. In a very 80's way. Which almost makes me want to peg-leg and wear a hypercolor shirt.

Consider yourself warned. Why they couldn't bring back the striped Unionbay shirts, hunter green and navy v-neck sweaters and Member's Only jackets is beyond me!

Happy Friday all!

The perfect ten Edition

Parenting has so many rewards. I get to watch this little person that God used N and I to create grow, have ideas, voice her opinions and to see the world through her little eyes. It's a gift that I cannot describe, but want so much to soak up every moment I can. Each day Zoe learns something new and she's an older, wiser girl than the day before. I never want to take those moments, however small, for granted.

Zoe is really trying to use words. She jabbers all the time, but there are moments where you hear a phrase or word perfectly. We have this game where we count to ten and show her how you'd hold up fingers for that number. She loves it. In the past we've thought she has tried to say "four" or "five," but last night she clearly said "ten."

It was the most perfect "ten" I've ever heard.

We clapped and, like any parent, tried to get her to say it over and over and over for the following 15 minutes. She loves an audience, so she graciously agreed to play along.

As I watch her grow, I'm so excited that my friends and family get to experience parenthood. They'll get to experience their "perfect ten" moments. My brother-in-law Chris has been very graciously sending updated pictures of Micah in the NICU. I have to say, even though he's got awhile before he says words, he's a perfect ten.

As I watch my sister and brother with Micah and N with Zoe, it is a reminder of Christ's love for us. I never fully understood what that meant until I saw Zoe, laying in that isolette, struggling to live outside my womb. In that moment, the emotion and feelings were so overwhelming that I think I cried non-stop the first four weeks of her life. They were the most joyous tears I've ever cried.

My prayer, as a parent, is to demonstrate Christ's love to all three of my girls. Because I'm completely human, that's not always an easy task. I get tired, stressed and impatient. Despite the fact that I will always love them unconditionally, I want to show it. That type of unconditional love is what every child needs. Every child on earth and every child of God.

When I see my precious Zoe's smile or hear her giggle, I reminded of Christ's love for me. Imperfect, less-than-ten me. Yet He sees me as a perfect ten.

Ephesians 5:1,2 - Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.