Chubby Holy Hands

At the end of our church service, we sing the Gloria Patri, and raise our hands. Lifting holy hands is such a beautiful worship posture, and one that both our boys can partake in easily and joyfully. We also lift our hands at home in our morning and evening devotions, and the other morning after breakfast, while singing the Doxology, David, as he often does, lifted up his little hands and arms, looking up with a smile, and then he did something he doesn't often do--sang along. In his way. More of an "Aaaaaaaaa....aaaaaaahhh...."

Taken from Isaiah's blog

This survey was stolen from my brother, who took it from someone else for whom it was particularly intended! Can you believe it?

1) What would you say your most outstanding characteristic is?

My big mouth.

2) What are your favourite: colour, name, sport, food, season, hobby, and toy?

Color: Almost every shade of green. Blue, yellow, cranberry, purple, brown, grey, etc. The color of a sunset from up on my hill.

Name: I like way too many names to list. There are a few, though, that I don't like as much as I used to. (Jedidiah, for instance, has a very cool meaning, but I don't think I'd bequeath it on a child of mine.) I really like my own name.

Sport: speed skating, figure skating, um, if I'm going to a game, I can follow hockey...baseball I like more for the summertime atmosphere than for the game itself. I'm not a 'sports' person.

Food: Here we go...Mushrooms, tomatoes (and sauces made therewith), garlic, coffee, pie, ice cream, potatoes, homemade bread products, fettucini alfredo made by Bethany, Chinese food.

Season: Presently spring. In late May, it'll be summer. In early September, it will be Indian summer. In mid-September, it will be fall. In early November, it will be winter; and in January it'll start all over again. My all-time favorite time of year (i.e. when I'm not looking forward to the next season) is early September. And not just because it's my birthday.

Hobby: Writing a good poem. Actually, writing in general. And singing.

Toy: Hmmm....dunno.

3) What is the most interesting thing you remember ever doing?

Not sure. I've done lots of interesting things. Interesting to me; not necessarily to anyone else.

4) What is your dream vacation?

For this year I'm thinking, a trip to Steamboat would be dAwesome, or up to Kootenai Lake and the Ainsworth hot springs, or again to the Oregon coast, or down to Monroe maybe to see a new baby niece or nephew. :-)

5) What would you do if a long-lost uncle willed you $1,000,000?
a) refuse it
b) shopping shopping shopping!
c) give it away
d) your choice (please elaborate)

How much of that would be spirited away in taxes? is what I'd like to know. So okay, we might have $300,000 left? Buy a house, and give to the poor.

David

A toddler's dance

Smiles and bounces in pajamas

His joy in the morning

There is much rejoicing

Check out Rick & Rachel's latest post!!!
That's all I have to say. :-) :-) :-)

Writing etc.

Funny thing about that is, I wasn't even trying, but ended up writing that haiku in "proper" form-- 5/7/5. I actually made that one last night at about midnight, while trying to fall asleep.

I've been thinking about reading and writing lately, and while I love to write, there's no way I'm going to be able to do it well if I don't get reading a great deal more than I have been. Life is a bit busier now than it was four years ago, and seems to just keep getting busier. However, I feel more "on top" of my everyday life now than I did even a year ago...not to mention a couple years ago. While it's gotten busier, I've been forced to be more diligent. A very good thing. My greatest desire right now, and you could say in a way my new year's resolution (which I've really never seriously made before) is to read more. Primarily from Scripture, but not limited to that. I want to read good fiction and poetry, and maybe further into the year I'll try reading some Christian living/commentary/theology. We'll see. Personally I've been a bit turned off to theology, not that it's bad or unuseful, but because I've seen too often people (including myself) trying to interpret Scripture by the system, and I just want to read for a while the Bible itself, to kind of get the center back in focus, if that makes sense.

And speaking of books, we have a bookshelf (even occupied by books!) in our livingroom finally! I'm very pleased. Forrest is planning to make a bigger one for that room, and I think then we'll move the current one upstairs, where we'll keep our less-liked, less popular books.

And I found my Jeeves book, after thinking it had been missing. All's right with the world.

Haiku

A tiny sunset

glimmering, drops from the end

of an icicle

A Survey About me

Go ahead & fill it out....if you dare!
1. Where did we meet?
2. Take a stab at my middle name
3. How long have you known me?
4. What was your first impression of me?
5. What color are my eyes?
6. Do I have any siblings?
7. What's one of my favorite things to do?
8. What was one of the first things I said to you?
9. Name one of my favorite musical groups?
10. What do you consider my best feature/trait?
11. Am I shy or outgoing?
12. Am I a rebel or a rule-follower?
13. Do you have a favorite memory of me?
14. Would you consider me a friend?
15. What would be a good nickname for me?
16. If we were stranded on a desert island, what one thing do you think I'd bring?

What is it to be a Christian?

"Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world."

(If anyone reads this blog:) What do y'all think of the tsunami disaster? Let's keep those survivors in prayer...

Scents

Bath & Body Works is having a really big sale right now, so we went there yesterday. I got 3 bottles of shower gel (26 fl. oz. altogether) for $11.5o and a little 4 fl oz bottle of Sweet Pea spray for $4. The sweet pea was a good choice, I found out, because it not only makes me think of our honeymoon, but reminds Forrest too.
I like their store, even if their stuff is really expensive. Scents I got: Peach Nectar, Orange Ginger, and White Ginger & Amber. About the only time I like to shop there is when there's a 50% or more off sale...and the stuff I got will last probably a year.

I can hardly believe it's been almost four years since Forrest and I met. This time of year is rich with nostalgia for me...
Four years ago, I was at a point in my life that felt very unsure, but at the same time, freer than it had been. I was "single" again after being engaged. Although I wanted very much to meet some guy and get married, I was content with where God had me for then. That time makes me think of listening to Sarah Brightman albums...spending lots of time with Rachel, Isaiah, Taneisha, Ryan, and Travis...having my bedroom window open just enough to bring in the lovely, early spring fragrances inside...listening to Don McLean sing, "And I love you so".
Three years ago, Forrest and I were busily preparing for our wedding. Ordering flowers, getting a piper and a pianist, making up wedding programs, buying candles...I know most people look back at their wedding preparations and think it was just too crazy, too busy...but I love planning for a wedding. I could almost make a career of being a wedding planner, if I wasn't as opinionated about how things should be. Memories...of Grandma Eyre giving us money for dishes, of driving in our nice old Subaru, of Heidi and Holly giving me an apron in a Victoria's Secret bag, of the scent of Sweet Pea lotion...
Two years ago, our little Timothy was a brand-new baby. We were getting used to life with him (kids are interruptive--and not just when it's convenient!) and growing to love him so much. Forrest and I spent a lot of time just reading books together (particularly the Chronicles of Narnia) and on--was it Monday nights?--watched "Antiques Roadshow". Ahh...drinking that herb tea with blackstrap molasses, listening to Selena, and watching the movie about her, going out to Chevy's...
And last year, at this time, I was hugely pregnant with David. It seemed to take forever for him to decide to be born. He didn't come until February 13th. Timothy had his first birthday, and we had my family and Isaac & Heather over to celebrate with us. Ryan and Taneisha came over, I think the next day. That time reminds me of protein shakes...being excited about Rick and Rachel's upcoming wedding...having Holly visit...going through the baby clothes.
And always, from years and years past, this time of year makes me dream of romantical things (what with St. Valentine's day and all) and of the upcoming spring, of planting seeds and gardening and the good earthy smell of--well--earth.

Catching Up

Today was my first son's second birthday. It's hard to believe he's that old already! We had my parents and siblings over to have cake and presents for Timothy. David is going to be a year old in six weeks.

We had a wonderful time down in Nevada for Christmas. It just reminded me again how much I wish Forrest's family lived a lot closer.

It's great to be home, though. And now that Christmas day, New Year's Day, and Timothy's birthday are over, maybe we'll get back to "normal" life. We'll see.

It snowed and stuck for the first time since the beginning of December.

My sister-in-law, Heidi, as of December 28th, is being courted by Tim Enloe. I'm so happy for them, and very encouraged to see once again that prayers are answered! My sister and I were talking about how silly we people are, to pray and then be practically surprised when God answers our prayers--as if we hardly expected Him to hear us, much less answer us!!

Now we just need to find a guy for Holly...

Okay I can't think of anything else for now.