Cookout

Being gone from campus for 5 weeks was quite challenging...to our strength, tires, backs (kids in pack-n-plays for a month), friendships AND VISION. It was difficult to stay focused on the campus when we were not there. We missed out on a lot I am sure but we have jumped right back in with renewed vigor. Support was not as great as we had hoped but God continues to solidify in our hearts that this is where we are to be. I told some friends the other day that I am actually glad that support has been a weakness. It would be easy to say this is where we are supposed to be if ALL was going as planned (in our minds). Instead, we know this is where God wants us to be DESPITE the struggles. Below are some pictures from this past weeks cookout. It was great to be around the students, outside in a relaxed atmosphere. Streed enjoyed the open play area and the sand volleyball court.
PS--this hasn't always been my attitude. God has done a lot in my heart this week.

Ahh the Sun

Now that the weather is so nice we have enjoyed the park. Our mommies group is starting to meet out there once a week. Streed loved it so much yesterday that today we went back with Daddy.

She may LOOK like me...

But she has got her DADDY's personality. This became evident to me when we were on our support/appendix hiatus. We were eating at a restaurant and she kept turning around and starring/smiling at the next table. That is Chip, however, he tends to listen to their conversations as well. Anyway, I am noticing it more and more everyday. She is a PEOPLE PERSON--she can't stand to be in a room by herself. She has a TEMPER--she will get mad and stretch out and stiffen her arms and legs. She also keeps us LAUGHING. Hopefully she will also be one who is loved by all, just like Chip.



Here she is trying to make Streed laugh when he was trying to take his nap today. She was supposed to be sleeping but her mouth is really bothering her--she got her two bottom teeth in yesterday. I can tell her humor is going to keep her from getting too many spankings. It is actually funny to me when she makes a certain noise with her lips while she is eating, which in turn spits food all over me. I am thinking the humor in that may run out soon.

VA Tech

Working on a college campus makes this week's events even more real. I told Chip months ago that it would be so easy for someone to get onto campus and do something awful. I think we all realize it is a reality but we really don't think it will happen, at least not on our campus.

There is CAMPUS OUTREACH at VA Tech, and apparently they just went there this year. If you click on my friends' blog, "Dowdy's in Brazil", you can read an email from one of the staff guys at VA Tech. If you don't, he says they (the staff) were not surprised when they learned that the first shooting was on the 4th floor of AJ Hall. Out of all the dorms, that is where they were spending most of their time and that there were multiple bible studies going on ON THAT FLOOR and many students were investigating a relationship with God. Just Monday a student who this staff guy had been ministering to since January trusted his life to Christ.

We often forget that spiritual warfare is real. If you have heard the recent reports about the shooter you can see and hear how empty and tormented he was spiritually. Jesus looked among the crowd and had compassion on them because they were harrassed and helpless like sheep without a shepherd...the harvest is plentiful and the laborers are few. May you be challenged to be part of the few.

Hobby

hob·by1 /ˈhɒbi/ Pronunciation Key - [hob-ee]
–noun, plural -bies. 1. an activity or interest pursued for pleasure or relaxation and not as a main occupation

Chip has several hobbies, all revolving around sports, and all for relaxation. He is constantly telling me I need hobby. The problem is finding the time. But, I definitely see the value in it. I have enjoyed taking pictures lately. I had put down my camera for a while, as far as actual photography goes. Because Streed is obsessed with railroad tracks, as is apparently the norm for 2-3 yr old boys, we spent much time on them while in Mobile. My mom has a track right by her house. This picture was taken on one of our afternoon strolls. So, here is one of my latest projects. The picture reminded me of a song by Mo Leverett and therefore inspired me to find the corresponding verse. Enjoy!

Explosion

We ate dinner with my extended family tonight at a local Mexican restaurant. Since we live out of town we hadn't met my cousin's husband (they were married a few months ago). He and Chip talked most of the night while Ella sat quietly on Chip's lap. Later during the meal Chip passed Ella to me only to find that her spinach lunch was coming out of her diaper and up her back. Upon further examination it was also all over Chip's shirt. For some reason this really embarrassed Chip. For the life of me I still cannot figure out why. Regardless, he was. As I am walking out of the restaurant to change sweet Ella, I hear the tail end of Chip and Joe's conversation.
J: I bet it is a new shirt, too.
C: (emphatically) It is BRAND NEW! This is my first time to wear it.
J: I know, the tag is still on it.
Chip looks down to find the size sticker on his pocket. Needless to say, his level of embarrassment was hightened at this point. But, I must say, it seemed to be an ice breaker and bonding moment for us all.

No Such Luck

I had so been looking forward to some good time laying on the beach with some of my friends for a few days during Spring Break. But wouldn't you know something would happen to thwart those plans. Early in the week 1 girl came down with a stomach bug. The next day 4 had it. The next day 3 more. So, all but 3 got sich. By the day I was planning to go, they were all claiming to be well. If you remember a previous post, we had the stomach bug...and we passed it around for days across a few states. So, I decided to opt out of the relaxing vacation, thinking that it might turn out to bite me a few days later.

But, I did lay out a few hours those few days I had planned to be at the beach. It was probably better for me anyway.

Just Because

I just put these pics of Miss El because I think she is really cute today. I actually think she is getting cuter by the day. Her hair is growing a lot and I love it. I am sure this will get a laugh, but, we really think she is slimming down some. You can see she is doing some push-ups. I don't know if you can tell by these pics but certain parts of her body are not as billowy anymore. It is a little sad to me. I know she is a far cry from skinny but I just love her fluffyness. She is getting a lot more active...trying to crawl. She scoots all around, just not forward. The push-up pose is one of her attempts at crawling. She pushes up and starts yelling in frustration. She is just raring to go.
(I am well aware that I used some words in here that are not actually words)

Neighborhood Playmate

A little boy named Christopher knocked on the door this morning. I asked if he was looking for Streed. He said yes. I told him he was eating lunch. To this he replied, "Well, let him finish his lunch and then tell him I need to talk to him." I said OK. Christopher is 6 and lives a few doors down. We met him several months ago while he was driving his kid-size Escalade by our house. I am not sure what he needed to tell Streed, but I know they ended up playing at our house for the next few hours. He was really sweet to Streed...he even asked if he needed to clean up before Streed's nap!

Monkey See...Monkey Do

I got these pictures back the other day. Apparently it was a roll that was misplaced during the early days of newborn insomnia paired with the madness of having your house on the market. I pumped almost exclusively for a few/4 weeks. So, you can imagine "my little shadow" got an eyeful along with an education. I hope I didn't scar the poor little fella.

Happy Easter!

The cutest little bunny wants to wish you a very WARM and Happy Easter. Yes, this was her Easter outfit (minus the ears). Thankfully I hadn't bought either of them any specific outfit. We all wore what we had and celebrated Easter just as well as if we had worn a bonnet.

It's Potty Time!

We've been lazily potty training over the past several months. I thought it would be easier to train by just using a small seat on the big potty. But, Streed really is not too fond of it. So, the other day I bought an actual potty chair. It is called the Royal Potty AND it makes music when you do your business. Streed LOVES it! I thought the music was just a waste and not really a big deal. Why I thought this I don't know. Streed has loved music since he was only a few months old. He gets so excited and immediately begins to dance when the music starts. Mama sent him a potty chart that has a choo choo train on it, which also excites his little 2 1/2 year old heart. You will notice I put the potty chart high on the wall. I didn't want him messing with it and pulling it down repeatedly. We are putting ABC stickers on it with each successful potty attempt. He did great the first day, Friday, and has been not as forthcoming since then. However, this morning he walked right in there and sat down and tee tee'd on his own accord. So, I think we will soon be buying only one set of diapers. I cannot imagine what it will be like to have him potty trained. I am shooting for him to be fully trained by Beach Project.

HOME...for a few days anyway

We decided to come home last night. We had been gone 4 weeks to the day. It was a little weird getting back into town. You look around and see that life has been going on as usual without you. Kind of humbling. It is like we tell our students when they are returning from a summer project--You are re-entering a Moving Stream. You can't expect that people have put their lives on hold because you have been gone. You just have to jump back in and start swimming.

We left in early March so it was still a little cold outside and the trees were bare. While we were gone Spring arrived. (My yard looks really pretty by the way.) I was only planning on being gone for two weeks so I packed according to that weather. As the weather warmed, I was so aggrevated being gone because I knew Ella had a closet full of cute dresses that she was quickly out growing. I was so excited to come home in early April thinking she could begin wearing them. Wouldn't you know the weather would turn cold/cool again. I know we can usually count on one last cool snap but I thought it had past. Thankfully a dear friend loaned me some really cute clothes that "should" carry Miss El through the hot months.

Good Friday begins SPRING BREAK so we are going to head out again for a few days. I don't mind though because I may getting to get a day or so of THE BEACH!!! Some students we work with are going for a week and they invited me to come along. Chip is so sweet to let me get some rest with them for at least a little while.

For your heart

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." Romans 12:12

This verse was on an email from our church the other day and it ministered to my soul at just the right time. May it bless you as well.