Perception

This is just random, but funny...
One night as we were sitting at the table eating dinner, Elle gave me a disgusted look with her nose wrinkled up and said: "Hers got her sock in it?" She was apparently very irritated with the BBQ bottle, but I couldn't figure out why.

It took me a few times of asking Elle to repeat herself and FINALLY, I realized what was bothering her. Check out the bottle of BBQ sauce:



To her, the picture of the brush on the BBQ sauce bottle looks like a girls foot dipped in the sauce. Once I realized what she was referring to, I could see it. It looks kind of like Dorothy's ruby slipper.

I saw a leg of chicken covered in BBQ sauce. Elle saw a girl's leg dipped in sauce. It's all about perception.

A little bit of this and a little bit of...

I've had people from all directions who have said I need to start blogging again. (As if I have nothing better to be doing). But I know I'm WAAAY behind. So this is an attempt to catch up a little bit.

We've been working hard in the yard preparing for company and some other things. It's getting hot already here in AZ. We've been in the mid 80's all week and I even got sunburned one day while doing some gardening and yardwork. I will post some current pictures of our house SOON. We've come along way, but it is still very much a work in progress. Today, I'll post some BEFORE pics of the house from late December:

This is part of the living room before we yanked that ugly powder blue carpet out:




This is the Master Bedroom in all it's blueness:


This is Bryant's Room before we got his furniture in there: (he and Elle were playing Legos while we worked in the house)


This is looking from Bry's room, into the Laundry room:
(This house has a pretty funny layout. The whole thing is like a big circle around the bathroom. You can go from the Front Office to the Living Room to the Master to Bry's Room to the Laundry Room to the Kitchen and back to the Living Room)


This is the view from the Girls' room. We live downtown in the historic part of our little town. They have a great view of the historic church across the street as well of the town square called, "The Plaza":




This is Caleb working on the floor after we pulled the carpet up in the office. The rest of the house had hard wood floors, which were MUCH easier to cleanup than this tile covered in glue:



As we were still moving in, Elle was playing dress up one afternoon and I found her crashed out on the couch:


I also found DJ one night crashed out with her chin propped up on her hands. Notice her dirty little arms. This is sheer exhaustion:


Okay, more pics to come soon. We have a couple of fun things coming up this month, so I'll try to be good about posting them. Until next time...

Busy, busy busy!

Just a quick note... I've been so busy living my life that I haven't had a spare minute to write about it! Things are going very well here in the sunny West. We have something of a pulse on the house in SC but it will be a process that takes a few weeks. If it's anything definite, I'll be sure to post about it. Please continue to pray that God will miraculously sell it for us in this horrendous market.

We are all moved into our charming little place in downtown. I will try to post pics soon of the house. When we first moved in, we yanked out old powder blue carpet to expose gorgeous, old hard wood floors throughout. It's not huge, by any means, but it's nice and we're enjoying it.

The kids are all doing great. Bry's school is going very well and he is learning so much- I'm learning right along with him. I know that sounds crazy to think that a 3rd grade curriculum could offer so much, but I'm learning (or perhaps re-learning) a great deal about American history. Also, I'm rediscovering a love for late night reading. I guess I love reading at anytime of day, but late night is the only time I manage to squeeze it in. Both girls are doing super too. They are learning, growing and loving this gorgeous AZ weather. I'm sure summer will be another story as far as the weather is concerned. All 3 kids love living near my parents and their cousins. All 3 are very excited about Granny & Pops visiting from MI in the next few weeks too.

Cal and I are good but often don't see each other nearly as much as we'd like. I wish I could share all the details of his job but since that would be a serious breach of security, I'll just say he and the others on his team are doing some great things. Please continue to pray for their safety as they're fighting the war on illeg*l subst*nces coming into our land. I believe lives are being saved because of these guys and the many others like them across the country. It is because of their service that we get to enjoy many of the freedoms we do. Have you thanked an officer lately? Their job isn't nearly as easy as many people think. May we not take them for granted and let us give them the respect they deserve. Not all cops are jerks like the media and a lot of people want to indicate. Most of them just want to do their jobs well and make it home to see their families at the end of the day. (THUMP- that was me stepping off my soapbox)

Well, just wanted to do a quick post. I have some pics I've been wanting to put up. Another day, another post!
I hope to have internet at the house soon so it's not such an ordeal to get online!

New Beginnings

This is what I woke up to one morning this week:

I did not alter these photos in any way


Within seconds, the sky lightened
In minutes the vibrancy of the sunrise was gone


I was laying in bed (in our unimpressive 5th wheel trailer) and I could see a radiant pink coming through the window. I threw on some shoes, a jacket and grabbed my camera to head outside and capture it before it was gone. Much like this sunrise, I don't want to miss the beauty of my life around me.

For the past 2 months, the 5 of us have been sleeping in a crowded 5th wheel trailer on the back of my parents' property. I haven't mentioned this to many people for a few reasons. The first being that I didn't want people to worry about us. We are doing fine financially and unexpectedly great emotionally, thanks be to God. We needed to take this leap of faith without the approval of others. The last thing we needed was people worrying about us or criticizing us. So we went for it, even knowing we'd be staying in a little trailer with 3 children for a season.

So, all of our belongings have been in storage and we've lived very minimally. That tiny trailer is so cold at night, you wouldn't believe it. The kids all share a snug room with one bed and a trundle air mattress. Cal and I have been sleeping on a crowded full-size bed. It has been anything but glamorous. The funny thing is, I wouldn't have missed these past 2months for anything.

At first, I wondered how on earth we'd make it through this time, living in a tiny trailer. We wondered if we were completely scaring our children for life. Soon, I grew more and more grateful and could see this is a good part of our journey. I realized that this was a great adventure for our children on the road of gratitude and away from the trap of entitlement. Instead of thinking about all I didn't have, I began to focus on how much we DO have. Yes, the temperature isn't ideal at night, but we never froze. We've had shelter all along. How many people don't even have that? We have each other. We have loving family all around us. We have food, clothing... everything we need to live. We had laughter and joy. We have old memories and new hopes. Perhaps, best of all, we have had simplicity.

Tomorrow, the movers will bring our countless items and furniture out of storage. The power was turned on yesterday to our new house. There is a fireplace and a lovely view. So many things that are little blessings that I don't want to fail to notice and be thankful for. I think the house will serve it's purpose nicely and I'm looking forward to it. But, I don't want to forget this time of living off the bare essentials. I am so thankful to have experienced our "long term camping adventure". I'm thankful for the fresh perspective and the realization of just how little we need. Happiness absolutely does not come in the things we have.

I'm excited about this new beginning. A new year. A new home. A new perspective.

My Mom Rocks!

My mom and dad gave me the best birthday present yesterday! So, really, they both rock, but my mom was the mastermind behind the whole thing.

First, the history...
When I was here visiting in July, I checked out this cool new antique store with my mom and my sis. I fell completely in LOVE with a gorgeous old dresser. I wanted to buy it on the spot with the tip money I had earned, but decided that wasn't a good idea since I didn't live here yet and wouldn't have anywhere to store it. Plus, I had a trip home to afford. I couldn't justify spending the money but I really wanted to.

Just this weekend, Cal & I went back to that antique shop and sure enough that dresser was still there! I was a little irritated because the price had doubled, but I was still determined to come back and buy it as soon as I could. In fact, I told the owner on my way out, "I'm going to come back and buy that blue dresser as soon as I save enough. I hope you still have it!".

Last night, we went to our new house to start cleaning to prep for our move in. I walked in the front door only to find that one single piece of furniture in the house. A lonely, beautiful dresser was sitting in the front room! I couldn't believe it. I whipped around and yelled at my mom and Cal, "WHO DID THIS???"

As it turns out, my mom had made arrangements over a month ago to buy it for me, thus the doubled price. When I stopped by the antique shop over the weekend, the store owner was chuckling at me because I didn't know that the dresser was already mine.

I am so excited about it, I can't even tell you! So here are some pictures of my new/old piece of furniture. Is my mom awesome or what? (this is our new room but we'll be changing the wall color soon)





Also, for Christmas, my parents bought me a gorgeous antique vanity set. Obviously, I really enjoy antiques and vintage things. My mom already knew at Christmas that I'd have the dresser to rest these one. I had no idea.

Reflecting on Christmas

I've been so busy getting ready to move and prepping for the new year, that I forgot to post pictures from Christmas. So, since I know the Grands in Michigan are probably wanting to see pictures of the kids, I better get on it. Here are some of the highlights from our Christmas festivities.

On Christmas Eve, DJ marched in the parade in downtown Ajo, through the plaza. The cheerleaders lead Santa to the town plaza (our town square) where he ended and kids sat on his lap to let him know what they wanted before he went delivering that night. This is right where our new house is too. You can see the church in the background and our new house is just off to the right of it. (I'll post pictures of our new place soon)

DJ is the tiny one right in the middle. Can you spot her?:


Delainey is about a foot shorter than all the other girls on the squad. She loves being the little one though and all the older girls keep telling her how cute she is. She thinks it's a perfect scenario. I'm trying not to let it go to her head.


It was fun to share Christmas with my nephews and niece. They all went to see Santa at the same time and they ended up on the cover of the Ajo Copper News- the local newspaper. This is all 6 of my parents grand children.


This is the oldest (16) and the youngest (2) of my parents' grandchildren:


Here are the girls:


A long-time friend of ours who's in charge of youth at the church we're attending, asked Cal to teach the kids a medley of Christmas songs for Sunday's service. Here are the kids practicing with Caleb:









Elle taking it all in:


Then, they sang in church. It's a small group of kids & all ages.
A very sweet group.


One of the highlights this year was that Bry got a new 4 Wheeler. It is pretty small. In fact, when I ride it, my knees hit. And it doesn't go that fast because it has a governor in it. (Can you hear the mom in my voice?) Bry has a newfound love of riding and the freedom that comes with that. I love the motivation it gives him to get his school work done!

A Few of My Favorite Things

Today I turned 32! So, I want to list 32 things I'm thankful for today. For my birthday, please read all the way to the bottom and leave me a comment when you're done. Thanks!

Here it goes...
I AM VERY THANKFUL:
1. That I have a daily relationship with God, the Creator of the universe. He knows my name, He knows my hurts, my ugly sides, areas He wants to change in me, my insecurities, my joys, my hopes, my potential and my heart. Yet, He loves me beyond any love I could ever imagine.
2. For my husband who loves me and trusts me more than I ever hoped for. He is more than I knew I could have and he loves me like I am the most amazing woman in the world -and I'm so NOT.
3. For 3 beautiful, healthy, happy, smart, precious children who bring more joy than I knew a human heart could contain.
4. That I have parents who love me and support me and I always know that will never change.
5. For in-laws who love me and support mine & Cal's crazy, unpredictable life.
6. For an extended family who knows a lot about unconditional love and is great about accepting each other through good times and bad times.
7. That we have so many friends across the nation and even in various parts of the world who are like family to us. We have been blessed so abundantly with friendship!
8. For mine & Caleb's marriage which started out amazingly well and keeps getting better and better. It seems the longer we're married, the deeper our friendship and the truer our love.
9. For good hard laughs with people I love with everything in me.
10. For the many, amazing opportunities I've had in my lifetime. Too many to count.
11. For people who have given me a chance for no particular reason. I am so grateful!
12. To be born in a nation where freedoms are great and life is good.
13. To know God is still at work! I can see Him working in lives all around me, including my own. He still has a huge interest in mankind- even when we're in the midst of rebellion and deception. He truly is at work for world redemption.
14. For Grace. If I had one theme for my life, it would be GRACE- hands down. For those who know my whole story, you understand how real grace has been for me.
15. That God is creative and made all kinds of different people and cultures in the world.
16. For hard times & struggles because they bring us closer to God, to each other and they make us stronger. They help make us less prideful and less judgemental of others who face struggles.
17. For modern technology that makes communication, travel & health a lot easier on us.
18. For amazing true friends who love me enough to let me know when I'm wrong, who pray for me faithfully, love me no matter what and sharpen me year after year.
19. That there are simple things in life that are free and bring so much joy. (sunsets, going for walks, connecting with a friend, a kind word, a warm smile)
20. For the wondrous terrains and such a variety of landscapes that God gave us to enjoy.
21. For the times God clearly moves on our behalf. They are ALWAYS worth the wait!
22. For options. I love when I have choices and don't feel trapped. We have choices every day. I'm thankful for that!
23. For growth and maturity. Oh, I have SO FAR to go, but seeing progress is so encouraging!
24. My children's' laughs. There is no better sound on earth!
25. For gifted teachers who have a huge influence on my life. Beth Moore, Jim Warren, Curt Bradford, David Yarberry, Ravi Zacharias are just a few of my favorites.
26. For good buys at thrift stores- silly but true.
27. For excellent photography equipment. I still need a lot but I'm so thankful for the stuff I've been able to get so far!
28. That God gives each of us unique gifts and talents. I LOVE THAT! Every person has so much to offer and I think that is such a display of God's goodness.
29. For shelter, a place to sleep and food to eat. Recently, I've realized how good we have it. We never freeze and we never go hungry.
30. For nieces & nephews who I love so much & have been such a joy to watch grow and change over the years.
31. For older generations. I love old people, I really do. For some reason, their stories are always better, their words more sincere and their wisdom deeper. I am thankful for the old people who have taken time to impart great things into my life. I am better because of them. (my grandparents, Caleb's grandparents, Jim & June... just to name a few)
32. For gardening time. There's just something beautiful and raw about digging in the dirt and watching things grow that God has put in order.

Sorry for the book, but it's my day so I can get away with it! If you read all the way to here, KUDOS! Please leave a comment and let me know if you did!