Camryn has been very outspoken in her opposition to walking . . . "If you prove you can walk, they won't carry you everywhere anymore!"
Up until a few days ago, she wouldn't even bear weight on her legs when we tried to hold her hands to walk.
All that changed a couple of days ago. She's decided to be a "Go Go Girl" -- on her feet!
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
A Wise Philosopher
The wisest philosophers throughout human history have often posed many of the same questions about life, physical science, life science, human interactions . . . today Abi asked, "Who made God, Momma, if He made everything else?"
Stunned silence.
I, entirely inadequately, answered, "Well, God has always been. He has always existed, even before everything He made. He'll always be here. That's really confusing, isn't it, Abs?"
"Yep."
Tonight, as I'm reading a book titled "Crazy Love," I come across this:
"God exists outside of time, and since we are within time, there is no way we will ever totally grasp that concept.
Not being able to fully understand God is frustrating, but it is ridiculous for us to think we have the right to limit God to something we are capable of comprehending. What a stunted, insignificant god that would be! If my mind is the size of a soda can and God is the size of all the oceans, it would be stupid for me to say He is only the small amount of water I can scoop into my little can."
Stunned silence.
I, entirely inadequately, answered, "Well, God has always been. He has always existed, even before everything He made. He'll always be here. That's really confusing, isn't it, Abs?"
"Yep."
Tonight, as I'm reading a book titled "Crazy Love," I come across this:
"God exists outside of time, and since we are within time, there is no way we will ever totally grasp that concept.
Not being able to fully understand God is frustrating, but it is ridiculous for us to think we have the right to limit God to something we are capable of comprehending. What a stunted, insignificant god that would be! If my mind is the size of a soda can and God is the size of all the oceans, it would be stupid for me to say He is only the small amount of water I can scoop into my little can."
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
First & Last
Here are pictures of the kids on the first and last day of Mothers' Day Out this year. So much changes during one school year!
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Save Some Tears
At the risk of embarrassing myself terribly, I'll share a secret with you that will save you a bucket of tears -- and the temptation to say some naughty words!
I have one stray nose hair that grows like it belongs on a 90-year-old man. So, I thought I'd just pluck that errant coarse sucker out to keep from having to deal with it again for a while.
Warning! Do not ever attempt such an endeavor! Big mistake!
My eyes are still watering -- like the worst eyebrow waxing experience ever!
I have one stray nose hair that grows like it belongs on a 90-year-old man. So, I thought I'd just pluck that errant coarse sucker out to keep from having to deal with it again for a while.
Warning! Do not ever attempt such an endeavor! Big mistake!
My eyes are still watering -- like the worst eyebrow waxing experience ever!
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
24 Hours
The highlights of the past 24 hours of my life:
- I met with the women of the Dare to Be Lean Challenge to celebrate their successes. Over the past 6 weeks, we've lost a total of over 72 pounds and almost 60 inches! We've embarked on some serious lifestyle changes!
- I snuggled with my Abi Grace and watched her sleep peacefully in the middle of the night.
- I rocked my baby Camryn, knowing that she won't be a "baby" much longer. I sniffed her baby smell, grateful for the miracle God gave us that we didn't even know we needed!
- I heard that same baby tell a boy "tank ew" for a ball at the indoor play center -- aww!
- I bought yummy healthy foods for my family, grateful that we have such abundance available and that our family can afford to buy groceries without thinking twice.
- I finished The Shack -- a very deep and odd book that I highly recommend.
- I thought to myself mid-morning, "I sure haven't accomplished anything very significant with my Mothers' Day Out morning so far," only to hear God say, "Really?! You spoke with the Creator of the entire Universe! That's not significant?"
- I chuckled out loud when I pulled the cutest, tiniest little boy "undershares" out of the laundry basket while folding clothes.
- I received an affirming note from my husband.
- I have taken the first steps in a journey I believe God is calling our family on.
- I have flat-ironed parts of my hair twice this morning, fighting my natural curl, after being out on this drizzly day.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Happy Mothers' Day!
My day was full of precious little gifts from my babies. They made me beautiful paper flowers in Sunday School that now adorn my countertop. They made cards with tracings of their hands that I will save forever to help me remember what it was like to hold their hands and be able to wrap my fingers all the way around them. They colored me pictures that make my refrigerator look like a rainbow. This morning, I heard them shout "Happy Mothers' Day" over and over again in voices that sounded like angels singing. Truly a day to love being a mom!
As a child, I remember some of the little things I made for my mom for Mothers' Day. I remember feeling like I might burst while waiting to give her special gifts on holidays (Remember, Mom, I got you the "same thing I got Grandma!" The best hint ever!) Ha!
As a young child, it is still so easy to choose a gift for your mom -- before you truly realize what motherhood really means.
Earlier this week, as I considered what to give my Mom for Mothers' Day, I reflected on the enormity of motherhood and how silly, really, and how exceptionally frustrating it is to try to find a gift that really shows your heart for your mom. A card, right? Well, what words do you write in it that would adequately reflect your feelings toward Mom? It all falls short. A plant? A book? A collectible? Music? Nothing expresses my thoughts and feelings about my mom, now that I am a mom and am beginning to grasp the enormity of its responsibility and blessing!
So, along with a little trinket I hope she likes, I am giving the best gift I can think to give her this year ... my own motherhood. I hope she can see some of her best (and not so best sometimes) :o) attributes of her own mothering in her daughter as a mother.
Happy Mothers' Day, Mom, for all you mean to me.
Happy Mothers' Day, Sandy, for raising the man I love spending my life with.
Happy Mothers' Day, my Mommy Friends, for sharing this journey daily with me.
I love you all!
As a child, I remember some of the little things I made for my mom for Mothers' Day. I remember feeling like I might burst while waiting to give her special gifts on holidays (Remember, Mom, I got you the "same thing I got Grandma!" The best hint ever!) Ha!
As a young child, it is still so easy to choose a gift for your mom -- before you truly realize what motherhood really means.
Earlier this week, as I considered what to give my Mom for Mothers' Day, I reflected on the enormity of motherhood and how silly, really, and how exceptionally frustrating it is to try to find a gift that really shows your heart for your mom. A card, right? Well, what words do you write in it that would adequately reflect your feelings toward Mom? It all falls short. A plant? A book? A collectible? Music? Nothing expresses my thoughts and feelings about my mom, now that I am a mom and am beginning to grasp the enormity of its responsibility and blessing!
So, along with a little trinket I hope she likes, I am giving the best gift I can think to give her this year ... my own motherhood. I hope she can see some of her best (and not so best sometimes) :o) attributes of her own mothering in her daughter as a mother.
Happy Mothers' Day, Mom, for all you mean to me.
Happy Mothers' Day, Sandy, for raising the man I love spending my life with.
Happy Mothers' Day, my Mommy Friends, for sharing this journey daily with me.
I love you all!
Friday, May 8, 2009
Where there's a Will ...
There's God.
Life has gotten a little boring around the Coston house! Schedules are fairly predictable. The Small Ones are fairly well-behaved. We have only one home mortgage, with no second homes to sell. There are no surprise buns in the oven. My baby weight is (again) fairly whittled down. There are no major illnesses in the family. Finances are fairly stable. Friendships are comfortable. There's been no recent storm damage or leaky roofs.
However, however, however, I've been feeling a stirring, that restlessness I believe God uses to prepare me for something big ... or several somethings big.
It's a love/hate relationship between me and that feeling! I am such a planner. I like to see what's around that next corner -- and I don't want just a glimpse like in those mirrors used to see around curves or buildings when driving. I don't want a blurry, kinda' morphed view of what's coming up, let alone just a restless feeling inside.
Conversely, the times of big change in my life, immediately following that poison ivy itchy restless feeling, are the times I feel closest to God. Those are the times that I'm truly seeking His Will for my life, being obedient, and walking with Him when things might not be the easiest, most comfortable, or most well-planned (by me, at least).
There are several big decisions that Nick and I are mulling over right now, and I struggle with discernment. I am completely willing to be obedient to what God wants from me -- I just need to know what it is He is calling me to do. So, I'm constantly praying for clarity in my decisions, especially when I begin to feel "the Stirring." I know that God is sovereign over all, and I certainly am not under any illusion that I could mess up God's Plan with my disobedience or lack of discernment. But I don't see any need to wander around aimlessly when I could just walk straight where God told me to go (unless maybe I'm going to burn some calories doing it!)
So, last night, I was praying about some things I read in my quiet time yesterday, applying those concepts to our mulling process right now. And, God spoke. Like I should be surprised, or something? One of the verses from a quiet time last week was Jeremiah 29:13: "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." I was, so I did.
God said to me that regardless of x, y, and z in my decision-making process and even the actual outcome of my decisions, it is ultimately about Him. It is ultimately about me glorifying Him with my heart and actions. When I change my focus from being more about the people, things, and details involved in these decisions and turn my eyes toward Him, the decisions themselves become significantly less important. Are my motivations right in these matters? Is my heart fully set on bringing glory to God and sharing his love and redemptive plan with others? If so, my decisions will fall into place.
Where there's a woman seeking God's Will, she will find God Himself.
Life has gotten a little boring around the Coston house! Schedules are fairly predictable. The Small Ones are fairly well-behaved. We have only one home mortgage, with no second homes to sell. There are no surprise buns in the oven. My baby weight is (again) fairly whittled down. There are no major illnesses in the family. Finances are fairly stable. Friendships are comfortable. There's been no recent storm damage or leaky roofs.
However, however, however, I've been feeling a stirring, that restlessness I believe God uses to prepare me for something big ... or several somethings big.
It's a love/hate relationship between me and that feeling! I am such a planner. I like to see what's around that next corner -- and I don't want just a glimpse like in those mirrors used to see around curves or buildings when driving. I don't want a blurry, kinda' morphed view of what's coming up, let alone just a restless feeling inside.
Conversely, the times of big change in my life, immediately following that poison ivy itchy restless feeling, are the times I feel closest to God. Those are the times that I'm truly seeking His Will for my life, being obedient, and walking with Him when things might not be the easiest, most comfortable, or most well-planned (by me, at least).
There are several big decisions that Nick and I are mulling over right now, and I struggle with discernment. I am completely willing to be obedient to what God wants from me -- I just need to know what it is He is calling me to do. So, I'm constantly praying for clarity in my decisions, especially when I begin to feel "the Stirring." I know that God is sovereign over all, and I certainly am not under any illusion that I could mess up God's Plan with my disobedience or lack of discernment. But I don't see any need to wander around aimlessly when I could just walk straight where God told me to go (unless maybe I'm going to burn some calories doing it!)
So, last night, I was praying about some things I read in my quiet time yesterday, applying those concepts to our mulling process right now. And, God spoke. Like I should be surprised, or something? One of the verses from a quiet time last week was Jeremiah 29:13: "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." I was, so I did.
God said to me that regardless of x, y, and z in my decision-making process and even the actual outcome of my decisions, it is ultimately about Him. It is ultimately about me glorifying Him with my heart and actions. When I change my focus from being more about the people, things, and details involved in these decisions and turn my eyes toward Him, the decisions themselves become significantly less important. Are my motivations right in these matters? Is my heart fully set on bringing glory to God and sharing his love and redemptive plan with others? If so, my decisions will fall into place.
Where there's a woman seeking God's Will, she will find God Himself.
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