Sickness, thou art loosed!

I'm tired. Tired of coughing. Tired of hearing my family members cough (i think we now communicate through coughing - "marco...polo" style). Tired of snotty noses and cloudy days.

Oh yeah, and tired from no sleep.

I know we are a dime a dozen these days but it doesn't make it any easier when the sum of our four parts are sick and miserable. It seems like this has been dragging on for a few weeks now. I just don't know anymore. I do know I'd like a miracle right. about. now!

So, because I've cleaned as much as I can stand and the kids have watched more pbskids than i can stand, and the sun has stayed away more than i can stand, I'll post pics. It's better than dreaming of wonderfully expensive things to do to my house to make it all that and more! (your insanely-talented fault, Keitha.)

Deconstructing Dishwasher (in happier, healthier times)
A little cartoon watching first thing in the morning before deciding they much prefer bickering.
He's ready to throw in the towel...after Caillou.
Same show, different room, comfy couch.

"We got love, momma!"

Happy Valentine's Day!

A Life Well Lived

Our ABF (Adult Bible Fellowship) completed Tommy Nelson's Ecclesiastes Study, A Life Well Lived yesterday. I am a huge Tommy fan and was extra motivated to make it to Sunday School, er, ABF each week to learn from him. Yesterday he summed up the main points of the book of Ecclesiastes and I'd like to share them with you. Monday seems like an extra perfect day to throw these out - mine has been textbook bad today.

1. LEARN OF GOD AND OBEY HIM.
Dig in. Find out Who you worship, discover the depths, drink in His awesomeness and know Him. But don't stop there. Obey the One you call God. Nothing less will do. The world will do its best to woo and draw you into the shallow enticements it so easily throws around. Learn that partaking is fleeing in fulfillment, dimming your wisdom and hindering your ability to navigate through life.

2. DON'T ASSUME BAD THINGS WON'T HAPPEN.
I think that if you have been walking with God for any significant time, you know this to be true. The fairytale conversion, happily ever after-garbage has been discarded and you now know that it rains on the just as well as the unjust. Also, bad things happening aren't necessarily consequences to your actions or sins. This world is hell-bent and we're stuck, come what may, for the time being.

3. WHEN BAD HAPPENS YOU REST IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD.
You don't have to be proactive and try to sort through it all, like rubble after a bomb. You have no control, anyway. Relinquish and rest. And remember the God you have learned of. This is not a charge to suck it up, it is a call to submit and remember through your pain, the hope we have been promised. I just love the picture of resting. Think Psalm 23.

4. WHILE RESTING IN GOD, HOLD YOUR COURSE BY DOING RIGHT.
I find this idea profound, and profoundly simple. If the sun has come up another day in your world, you know what to do. Do it. Just because the wheels have come off, your call to morality and obedience and self-control have not been suspended. I find that focusing my efforts on others frees me from the pit I feel I am in. My husband has a proverb on his computer that states, "If you falter in times of trouble, how small is your strength!"

5. LIVE BOLDLY.
Don't worry about what is going to happen. In the wisdom you possess by knowing the True God, grab life and go! It's better to be out there risking it, knowing God has you securely in His hand than cowering in fear at the one life God gifted to you. I gotta seriously work on this one. My backbone is primarily made up of fear.

6. ROCKY ROAD! (Enjoy Life)
Work hard, stay the course, then PLAY HARD! Enjoy what life has to offer. The grace that covers us through Jesus has widened that narrow gate so that we might live freely, with no concern for piety or self-righteousness. Wisdom has revealed to us that we are lowdown, dirty sinners made righteous by Another's sacrifice. With that knowledge, let us embrace that grace and be about the business of living!

Folks, I think people will want to know our Great and Mighty God if our lives reflect these truths!

Alright, alright

It is

We are watching
While sipping on
And guess who are asleep? Hee, Hee, Hee.

What a glorious family day! We took a long bike ride around the neighborhood b/c yes, I got a new bike! It's the pretty gal in the front. We spent a little time looking at bikes this morning and Shawn and I had two different price points in mind. I know it might surprise you, but I was the one holding the reigns on spending too much for a "good" bike. I just want something that has two tires, pedals and handle bars. I haven't been on a bike since my summer cycling class in '95(and the saying is true: some things you never forget, like riding a bike). It wouldn't take much to qualify as a bike in my head. Not so for Shawn. BUT, fortunately we found this cute number at Target for a very reasonable hundred bucks. PTL!

A short stop to say hi to Cowboy. Since we are not in the market for a pooch, we've adopted some pups around the neighborhood.
The one accessory every girl needs for a good bike ride - pearls.

Now back to my show.

Oh yeah, and the hubs asked me to plug a little CD release party at our church tomorrow night. A band called Dutton who leads our 10:50 service has, well a CD coming out. They're good - used to fill in for Crowder at UBC when he was on the road. I believe it starts at 7PM in a nifty little place called The Brick at The Heights Baptist Church.

NOW back to my show.

bona fide lazy

I've been lazy on the posting pics front because it's just too much dern work! Get your camera, connect with USB cable to computer, transfer pictures (are you sweating yet?), choose pics to size in Fireworks, actually size them and save them (pause for drink of water). From there, they are mine to do what I please but the whole 5 minutes it takes me to do this seems at times insurmountable. Pa-THE-tic.

Once upon a time, there was such a thing as physical labor. Poor folks caught in that trap!

And now, a few photos.

The hubs and me down in Houston for friend Dom's wedding. Shawn is in tux, beard not out of control at this point.

Avery likes to take pics around the house and comes up with some fun ones. Here is her brother, at close range. He was not willing to oblige the little photog and stay at a proper distance.
A wonderful birthday gift! An umbrella to paint. This is part 2 of the painting. You know, attention spans, four year olds, limited nap time for little, oh-so curious brothers. Our goal was to have it done and dried in time for the chance of rain on Tuesday...come on rainclouds, don't let us down.
I got the boy trained early, future daughter-in-law.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend with your families out in the amazing weather. I think I might be getting a bike today!! After much grumbling (and walking) while Shawn rode his bike with Ash in the trailer and Avery on her bike, I think I made my case about being the odd man out and that just ain't gonna happen.

Ever.

Oooh, oooh, witchy woman

Excuse me, moms out there? Can you hear me? I'm talking to you! Well not all of you, just the ones who's children sleep. Yeah, are there any of you out there? It's me, the haggard, aging faster than humanly possible, racooned-eyed woman over here.

Help me. Help me.

My children apparently think sleeping is for the dead and that time with momma is at a premium in the dark, devilish hours of the night. What they don't seem to recognize, which is completely unfathomable, is that momma is not nice, not really, not in the dark. She is why 3 AM is called the "Witching Hour". So why, dear fruit of my womb, would you want to demand the presence of a strung-out zombie when you could be frollicking in dreamland with nice momma, sweet momma. Momma that is bright-eyed and bushy-tailed (Can someone explain that saying?).

Better yet, wait until the sun comes up, she's had a cup of coffee and the wisdom of scripture to guide her.

And wisdom right now says to step away from the computer and tend to the ever-growing morning demands before my computer is taken hostage and held for the steep ransom of chocolate milk and Dora.

The bald one goes beardy

I don't know if I'm about to out myself...but I hadn't really noticed the hair growth on my husband's face. Okay, he's always had facial hair but it is usually contained to around his mouth and possibly as cool chops, but, well, we've entered new depths of hair production on the face region.

Ladies, my hubby has a full-grown, mountain man beard. It's, um, how do I say it - poufy! And when I say I hadn't noticed it, it just hadn't dawned on me what exactly was going on. My hubby's face is the one I see all the time, so little changes slip past me, but my oh my, grow a chia pet and you've got my attention.

And, now, I'm getting comments from folks at church.

"I didn't know you had a new husband." from an older guy who's attempts at humor, well fall just a tad short of...humorous.

"I saw your husband today...he's sure got..." at this point I tend to pipe in to save the speaker some face since I've got none left to salvage. I say, yes, he is quite hairy and...

One friend said she got her husband to shave his face once she stopped shaving her legs. Said it worked like a charm. Her clean-faced hubby was standing right there, nodding emphatically.

I can't remember others but I know people are thinking things. Thankfully my husband is one of the nicest guys you'll meet so he can get away with fuzzy fuzzy fur face.

Our exchange this morning as he's COMBING it:

Me: "When are you going to shave that thing? Why do you like it?"
Him: "I don't like it, I'm just not done having a beard."
Me (confused): "Uh, that means you like it!"

That has got to be some whacked logic, right? It surely doesn't compute in gal language. I mean, why would you carry a teddy bear around on your face if you didn't like it? It can't be sentiment since facial hair grows at the speed of light. He wouldn't have time to miss it before it would be back again.

And oh what a joy that would be.

A Prayer for Victory

If I haven't had a chance in the morning to steal away to pray and focus myself, I'll pull out my journal and write my prayers down. I can do that while with the kids when they are watching cartoons. I pray the Holy Spirit inhabits those prayers as much as the ones uttered from my lips. After all, they are coming from the same desperate heart, right?

As I was writing out my prayers, one verse whispered itself repeatedly. It is a verse I call to mind when I'm feeling out of control and wondering how things are going to come together. I read the verse (7) in it's context of Psalm 20 and wanted to encourage you all with it. Today I asked the LORD that He would remind His children that we are remembered. No matter what your circumstances I pray this Psalm for you:

1"I pray that the LORD will listen when you are in trouble,
And that the God of Jacob will keep you safe.
2May the LORD send help from His temple and come to your rescue
from Mount Zion.
3May He remeber your gifts and be pleased with what you bring.

4May God do what you want most and let all go well for you.
5Then you will win victories, and we will celebrate,
while raising banners in the name of our God.
May the LORD answer all of your prayers!

6I am certain, LORD, that you will help your chosen king.
You will answer my prayers from your holy place in heaven,
and you will save me with your mighty right arm.

7Some people trust the power of chariots or horses,
but we trust you, LORD God.
8Others will stumble and fall, but we will be strong
and stand firm.

9Give the king victory, LORD,
and answer our prayers."

Can I get an AMEN?

what if???

On our way home from church today, I witnessed a near miss accident. One car layed on his horn and I muttered, "oh my". Avery, never missing a thing, started in on the "what" rant. I told her there was almost an accident.

That was all she needed to pepper me with a million and one questions. I'll spare you b/c quite frankly, I tend to tune out when she starts tossing out every conceivable and some ill-conceived questions. But I did catch this:

"Mom, what happens at an accident?"

"Well, cars run into each other, people might get hurt and the cars are a mess."

Mom, who comes to the accident?"

"The firefighters, policemen and paramedics."

"Uh, what about the aliens?"

Hmmm, what about the aliens?

"You mean the ambulance?"

"yeah."

"They come too."

I'll spare you our conversation on the way to the movies last week. Let's just say it was a little question something like this:

"Mom, how are babies made?"

I tapdanced my way through that one without having to use cute names or any names for that matter having to do with human anatomy. And arriving at the theater provided the perfect distraction.

Now I gotta get ready for when she throws that one out again. Maybe it'll be daddy's turn to squirm :-)

a very good idea...

livehealthyamerica.org

check it out.

so comfy

Just a bit ago, Asher and I did a quick trip to Sam's for some bulk items. As we headed down the aisle, they had the yoga pants pulled out in the middle along with all of the workout stuff - get the new year off to the right start and all that. I paused. I really want those yoga pants. They just might be the motivation I need...and I really do "need" more workout clothes. If you visit the LA Fitness by my house, I'm the one in the sad old sweats and oversized t-shirt - nothing cute about my workout attire.

Now I've been channeling wisdom lately in trying to discern want from need. I know that God will provide for my needs and I know that I apply the word "need" to many "wants". At that moment the pants were a "want" teetering on the "need" side. I tossed them into the cart and went on my merry way.

Fast forward to home. I pull out the pants, so hopeful that they will fit, inspire, transform my very tush. My plan is to put them on and do pilates while Ash naps but if the pants don't work, where will I find myself?

Ah, glory, glory, glory! They are most definitely in the "need"category. These pants are beyond comfy (my new "fat days" go-tos), cute and even a bit flattering. They have this wide band at the waist that is forgiving and slimming at the same time.

I want to make my yoga pants proud! I want to raise that tush, shrink that waist and tighten up those thighs.

Thank you, Bally's Fitness. Thank you Sams. Thank you, Sim, for seeing beyond the "want" to the heart of the "need".

Now go burn some calories!

Also, let me let you in on my new fav breakfast:

1 nutrigrain waffle (70 calories)
1 tbsp dark choc. chips (7o calories)
half a dozen pitted tart cherries (come in water in a can) - not sure the calories, but not much.

toast waffle, melt chocolate chips, smear chocolate on waffle, add cherries and enjoy!!!! Very filling. Let me know if you try it. I saw it on Good Morning America when they did a story on the Flat Belly Diet.

Ponder this

A couple of weekends ago, Shawn and I were in Katy for a wedding of a dear friend (Shawn had the honor of donning a tux...that makes THREE times within the span of a month that my dear casually-clad man had to wear suit-like clothes. Hee-hee!). Before heading back home, we visited our friend Neil McClendon's church. I had yet to hear the man preach and was looking forward to a good word. Well, I got a few...

First, while visiting in his office before the service, I learned that the week before Christmas is the last OFF-Peak week at Disney World! Eighty-two bucks a night on property! I had us packed and ready to go...for Avery's next birthday. I mean, c'mon - cheap!!

Then I remembered - plane tickets for four, park passes for four, food for four.
Not so cheap anymore.

So we'll save and go in two years, Lord-willing.

Second good word: Neil is now in the pulpit, wonderfully frank, preaching from Luke about the leper asking Jesus to cleanse him - if He is willing. Jesus replies, "I am willing. Be clean."

The challenge? To remember the LORD is always willing. When we ask of Him, worship Him, come to Him broken and despairing b/c we have failed again, He waits with the same response, "I am willing". Neil has taken to repeating that to himself in all situations: "I am willing, I am willing!" Nothing is too great for our Lord.

I liked that. A golden nugget to meditate upon. A simple phrase to repeat, remember, internalize.

Neil asked of the congregation, "what would it take from the Lord to show you that He is willing?" Mmmmm, that's good. I didn't have an answer right then. I never do well, this whole on-the-spot thing. So I left it out there for God to answer when He was ready.

And He did, at about 2 o'clock in the morning, laying in Asher's room, wishing my son would go to sleep. It won't be significant for you, probably. But it was sweet and is sweet when the Holy Spirit plants the words in your head. You know what I'm talking about.

If my God is willing, He will shift my focus from me and on to others in an unconditional, free from expectation kind of way. He will help me forget me.

Ah, that was music and life to my ears. I am an extremely self-centered person and I hate it. I am the victim, I'm never wrong, I have pride oozing out of every pore, I am the one that always has to sacrifice, endless comparison, blah, blah, blah. Ugly, ugly, ugly. I lie to myself about who I really am and then wonder why my marriage is struggling or why I can't get along with my mom, etc. I have to know Truth in my innermost being, like Psalm 51 says. David is desperate for forgiveness and change in this Psalm. He knows God is his only hope. And God says, as always, "I am willing."

And you know how I know God will be true to His word? Four sleepless nights with a poor sick little boy. Nothing gets your focus off of you faster than your children needing you.

I pray that each of you reminds yourself that the Lord is willing. He is so willing. So very willing.

Love to you!

Birthday Part Deux

Hello again! Avery is out circling the block with my parents on this:

Shawn and I got her a bike for her birthday and she loves it. She got it when she got home from school today, along with the Polly Pockets helmet (chosen b/c it came with a Polly Pocket, of course). She keeps talking about how proud she is of her bike. She's doing a great job too! She's just not little anymore :(

I brought cookies to her class and stole a few pics. Ms. Davis (her teacher) had a cute "Happy Birthday" tiara for her to wear and the kids sang happy birthday. The little boy in the pic is her best friend Braxton. He's a cutie.
Tonight is pizza night with Braxton and his family to round out Avery's birthday festivities. Praise God for his blessings. We adore our beautiful Avery.

Happy Birthday, Sweet Avery!

Four years old today and an absolute doll!

We had her birthday party on Saturday - an indoor pool party. And yes, it felt insane to put on a swimsuit in that crazy cold weather. But the kids had fun and that's all that matters! Avery hit the princess dressup jackpot. I'll have to get pictures of her in each one and share.

Her school Christmas program last Thursday. I was thrilled that she sang, smiled and had a good ol' time. She is normally on the shy side so this was greatness!

Asher's new favorite pasttime - dressing up in sis's stuff. I do have another picture with him in her "Princess" ball cap.The red mittens on his hands - he's taken to wearing those at bedtime during story/song time and even into bed. After awhile I hear him in his bed yelling "mama!" when he's ready to take them off. He is the most adorable mess.

asher and avery

My baby boy is 18 months old today...

Also, a few pictures from the "Arboreto". There are more but this is a start (ahem, Creth).

A certain sassy girl turns 4 next Tuesday!
Hangin' with the newly-reweds...
I just think these last two are cool.
So organic.

Song of the Season

I have come across the most beautiful song for my Christmas this year.

Last Saturday (as in the 1st), our church hosted Behold the Lamb by Andrew Peterson. He was accompanied by a few other singer/songwriters (Bebo Norman, Sara Groves, Jill Phillips and her husband Andy, and Andrew Osenga). They spent the first half of the program doing an Artist in the round deal. After that, they came back and performed the "musical". It really is just a series of songs that tell a story - no acting or costumes or live animals :-)

Having worked in a christian bookstore years ago, I was exposed to Jill Phillips and Andrew Peterson but hadn't heard anything from them in years. I like Bebo but don't have any recent stuff of his and I had no familiarity with Sara Grove's music. I don't make it to concerts too often and spend too much time listening to talk radio. So, this was a great night! I was debating about even going b/c I had had such a crummy day and was stressing about Asher spending the night at my parents for the first time and was feeling guilty about being short with Avery. Shawn had to direct the concert so he was at the church for the day. I texted him at one point saying I wasn't coming. He said to wait until closer to the time to make that decision. Thankfully the cloud lifted and I went. God used that time away from the kids and the music to refresh my soul.

Okay, so Jill Phillips has a gorgeous voice! One song from Behold the Lamb is called Labor of Love and man, it floors me everytime I hear it. I can't sing but there are a handful of songs out there that make me want to sing for all I'm worth. This would be the Christmas song for me.
Go here , scroll down until you see Behold the Lamb and then click on Open Player. Find Labor of Love and click. Take a listen and let me know what you think! (I'm sure there is a much easier way to embed a song on here but I haven't a clue how to do it.)

I'm avoiding work right now. Our Neighborhood Life ministry is coming to an end and I've more than checked out. It really hits home how hard it is to "finish strong". But I don't want to not complete our commitment through this month. It feels like that would negate three years of work and service.

We spent the day at the "arboreto" (according to Avery) today with Shawn's recently re-married parents (PRAISE GOD!). Despite a diva daughter and nap-less son, we had a nice time and the weather made it very enjoyable. Santa was there as was Mrs. Claus, a rather odd bird-like Snowman and a cute Rudolph. Avery braved a hand-holding drive by of the snow"bird"man but wouldn't touch him. She liked Rudolph and went as far as a high-five. Ash preferred them a good bunch of feet away but would wave and "talk" to them. Shawn took pics so I hope to get a few up here...someday.

There is a chocolate exhibit right now at the Arboretum. You follow the stages of production from tree to finished Dove chocolate. As you leave the Arboretum, you're given a piece of chocolate. You have the choice of milk or dark chocolate. I asked for "four darks please". I guess most folks don't go for that because she said how about 8? and heaved a pile of Dove chocolate into my hands. Oh well, one man's meat is another man's poison, right?

I'm a bit rusty so I'll close for now and get back to my overdue work before my eyes shut (Sleep is a high commodity ever since Asher decided to get all of his molars and front teeth AT THE SAME TIME! Poor kid, poor mom).

Halloween Hangover...

I wish!!
Our family has been fighting the stomach bug around here. That means no candy overload...boo-hoo.
But man, last night was perfect!! The past two years we've gone to downtown McKinney where they have Scare on the Square from 4 to 6 PM. It's a good time but sooo many folks. We did catch a quick hayride, lots of sweet tarts and asher "lost his lunch" once again all over my dad. Sorry dad!
We had a brisket dinner before heading out to trick or treat old school. With Asher in bed getting much needed rest and my dear parents listening out for him, Shawn, my aunt and I took Avery around the neighborhood. We had a blast!!! We live in a fairly small neighborhood that is still under construction. Because of our involvement in Neighborhood Life the past 2.5 years, we know a ton of our neighbors. So, it made it that much more fun seeing everybody out last night. Perfect weather and a party atmosphere made last night great. It was Avery's first time to go door to door and she ate that up! One of the greatest things about Avery growing up is getting to experience things you loved as a child through your own child. Sweetness!
Here are some pics from Scare on the Square as well as our church fall fest last week.

Best friends and cousins.

Prince Eric (AKA Asher) wouldn't stay still for a true pic.
The Mermaid pose, right? Just imagine a sandy beach, ok?

Way behind the 8 ball

Sorry, Ang! I should've been a better tag-ee.

Here's the stuff on my man:

1. Who is your man? Shawn Timothy
2. How long have you been together? 9 years total next month. Married 7 years on the 18th of Nov.
3. How long dated? 1 year 8 mos. Engaged - 3 mos.
4. How old is your man? 34
5. Who eats more? I'll say Shawn, okay?
6. Who said "I love you" first? Shawn - on my birthday back in the day.
7. Who is taller? Shawn - 6'2, me - 5'7.
8. Who sings better? nah, don't even want to go there. (that means we're both pretty sad)
9. Who is smarter? Both of us have our strengths. And I know I've dumbed down over the years...
10. Whose temper is worse? MEEEEE!
11. Who does the laundry? me.
12. Who takes out the garbage? i take it out, he makes sure it gets to the curb on trash day.
13. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? Shawn, unless it's "that" time of the month and I need my heating pad...too much info??
14. Who pays the bills? I do, except for his business stuff.
15. Who is better with the computer? need you even ask?? Shawn, of course.
16. Who mows the lawn? that's ALL shawn.
17. Who cooks dinner? Me, the majority of the time. Shawn will step up if I ask. He is kinda too creative sometimes...
18. Who drives when you are together? Shawn
19. Who pays when you go out? Does it matter? It's all coming from the same place.
20. Who is most stubborn? That would be a tie. I think he wins more often, though. So, really that's not a tie, is it?
21. Who is the first to admit when they are wrong? Mostly Shawn...
22. Whose parents do you see the most? mine - the folks live in the neighborhood across the street - hallelujah!
23. Who kissed who first? i sure tried to be first :)
24. Who asked who out? well, we were hanging out a lot as friends and just started "hanging out" as more than that. Shawn considers a DC Talk concert as our first date back in Feb '99.
25. Who proposed? shawn
26. Who is more sensitive? me - I easily get my feelings hurt...a lot.
27. Who has more friends? I don't know. We are both blessed to have lots of folks in our lives.
28. Who has more siblings? shawn - a bro and sis
29. Who wears the pants in the family? huh???

So, technically...

It's after the 17th...right??
So, a bit of an update on the Davis clan:

Avery started preschool and loves it! I love that she loves it.

First Day of School

I am HOOKED on this show! (sorry it's tiny...The Office...ahhh, don't ya just love Pam and Jim and the whole crew??)
And THIS show. (House)
Bedtime ritual
A little R&R

My interest has waned from the ol' Grey's Anatomy. I do have it on right now but that's only b/c I was able to get the kids down early and Shawn is out of town.



Speaking of Shawn, he and lots of the guys on staff are in Atlanta at the Catalyst conference. It's been busy but I think he's really liked it. I have to tell ya, a certain Matt Chandler spoke and Shawn thought he "brought it". Shawn has 2 guys that he regularly podcasts and the great Mr. Chandler would be one of those.



I need to catch up on all of you guys!! I think I'll make the rounds now.