Well, Praise the Lord, and thank you for your prayers...we had a lovely day today!
Soren is as good as new. We're still going to take him to the vet this next week, for good measure.
The guys took the Odyssey into Honda and got a new tire, then drove to Exxon to have it put on since the wait at the dealership was four hours. (It's a special tire that we had to buy from the dealership....) They were able to get it done relatively quickly and inexpensively!!:)
The girls and I had a successful and fun morning cleaning the house to prepare for Sabbath and company.
We had a photographer from Cooksey Keepsakes come to the house today around 12:00 to take family pictures. We also had five other families come over to have their pictures taken. It was so much fun! I did this about a month ago at my friend Meredith's house. I just had pictures of the girls. They were so fantastic that I decided to host a "party" and have pictures of our family taken. It's a great, laid back environment, and kids do so much better in a home than a studio.
The pictures I got of the girls a month ago were the best pictures I've ever gotten of them. I am so pleased. I'm excited to see the results of the family pics. Plus, having my friends over to get pictures of their children was so much fun. The mom's and I hung out in the kitchen eating some munchies, while the photographer worked her magic.
In two weeks we'll all get back together, without children, sip some wine, and look over the proofs together. It's really fun! This is a growing company so, if you're interested, you should google them for the Cooksey Keepsake photographer near you:)
The last of our company left by around 4:30, and I snuck upstairs while Gavin had the girls, for a little down time. I put on my Rachel Portman playlist on repeat and read a little out of the book I'm into right now: The Shack. (It's so good and thought-provoking. I'm sure I'll have a whole blog about it once I'm finished.)
I was ready to rejoin my wonderful family after a few minutes of solitude.
Opening Sabbath was wonderful, as usual. Nick made his super-yummy-sweet-Marsala Chicken, roasted garlic mashed potatoes, from scratch, caramelized carrots and made-from-scratch Key Lime Pie!!! YUM!
What a blessed day!
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Friday, May 30, 2008
Crazy night....going straight to bed
Our evening started out lovely. Gavin and I were having a little date with Reece. We ate dinner at IHOP, which is always fun. Then we headed over to the "Perils of the Jungle" put-put. Reece has never played put-put before....it was very funny.
We had a great time and lots of laughs. Reece is a bundle of joy.
....then we came home....
Pulling into the garage we noticed Raegan's bike was sticking out a little bit. I also saw that Soren's lead was wrapped around the bike. I thought I had enough room to get by, but I didn't. The right tire ran over the edge of the bike and blew the tire out immediately. I started to back up (unaware of the blown tire) and trapped Soren's leg under the back tire. He began crying out for help immediately. I didn't know where he was so Gavin jumped out and was able to tell me to pull forward slightly.
Soren was limping a little, but after much love and attention he is back to his playful self and LOVING all the attention. We're going to keep a close eye on him over the next few weeks. Praise the Lord, he isn't even limping anymore (only 30min. after the mishap).
Several other "unfortunate events" happened within the next hour, but none really worth mentioning. Any prayers for Soren would be appreciated.
We've all decided that we're heading straight to bed right now to end this as soon as we possibly can.......after some time of prayer for protection over our home and each member of our family, including our little man, Soren.
We had a great time and lots of laughs. Reece is a bundle of joy.
....then we came home....
Pulling into the garage we noticed Raegan's bike was sticking out a little bit. I also saw that Soren's lead was wrapped around the bike. I thought I had enough room to get by, but I didn't. The right tire ran over the edge of the bike and blew the tire out immediately. I started to back up (unaware of the blown tire) and trapped Soren's leg under the back tire. He began crying out for help immediately. I didn't know where he was so Gavin jumped out and was able to tell me to pull forward slightly.
Soren was limping a little, but after much love and attention he is back to his playful self and LOVING all the attention. We're going to keep a close eye on him over the next few weeks. Praise the Lord, he isn't even limping anymore (only 30min. after the mishap).
Several other "unfortunate events" happened within the next hour, but none really worth mentioning. Any prayers for Soren would be appreciated.
We've all decided that we're heading straight to bed right now to end this as soon as we possibly can.......after some time of prayer for protection over our home and each member of our family, including our little man, Soren.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Tea Party
Yesterday Raegan invited her daddy and sisters to a tea party. I helped her get everything ready. She wanted chamomile tea and some kind of treat. It was her idea to have cinnamon graham crackers and some strawberries.
Gavin was very happy to participate in the tea time. He read a few passages from W.B. Yeats. The girls were attentive.
Some of the pictures are outside, where the tea party began. When it started to rain they moved the party indoors.
I love these times! The girls adore their daddy. It is a precious gift to be a daddy's girl, and to have a daddy that adores you right back!
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Thursday, May 15, 2008
A Few Pictures
I ended up not getting very good pictures of Jenny's homecoming, which is such a bummer. But here are the few that turned out alright. Background: Jenny thought that just mom was meeting her at the airport. Instead there were about 20 of us waiting at the bottom of the escalator! Needless to say, she was very surprised!
The last picture I just HAD to throw in there, because it is of me standing next to Trish's book, "He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not", at the local Barnes and Noble!! Though the picture is not a flattering one of me I still had to add it! I'm so proud of Trish and all the work she's put into this great memoir. I also couldn't help myself as I grabbed a copy off the shelves and put it on one of the front tables, up by the door....I have NO self control...I know this. Feel free to pray for me.:)
The last picture I just HAD to throw in there, because it is of me standing next to Trish's book, "He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not", at the local Barnes and Noble!! Though the picture is not a flattering one of me I still had to add it! I'm so proud of Trish and all the work she's put into this great memoir. I also couldn't help myself as I grabbed a copy off the shelves and put it on one of the front tables, up by the door....I have NO self control...I know this. Feel free to pray for me.:)
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Abide in Me
These are words that I have recently felt spoken deep in my spirit. "Abide in Me". At a moment when I was calling out for understanding, these are the words He spoke to me. And as I think, wonder, pray over what those words mean to me right now, in this present season, a new chapter of faith is unfolding before me.
My times of prayer have, in great measure, been spent asking "what does that look like right now?". Certainly this phrase is not a new concept to me. However, as each new season, trial, etc. presents itself the meaning of that phrase is not so easy to define. Sure, I could offer up the definition of Abide:
"continue, remain, survive, last, persist, stay, live on; obey, observe, follow, keep to, hold to, conform to, adhere to, stick to, stand by, act in accordance with, uphold, heed, accept, go along with, acknowledge, respect, defer to"
...but those are just words. I love them - lots of great words there, but what do they mean to me, living out this life of faith, day to day? This is where the beauty of the living, Holy Triune - three in One, God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit speak into my life; speak to my spirit. This moment of questioning is where I surrender my understanding of these words "Abide in Me".
I come before my Holy, Holy, Holy God and ask for wisdom and insight. ...and He meets me there.
Brilliant!
Suddenly my eyes are opened and I see wounds that have not been forgiven - never even dawned on me there was a need to forgive this person. This woman who the enemy has used, and my dad allowed, to tear our family apart by having an ongoing affair with him for the last 10 years - I'm supposed to stop hating her (I've HATED her for 10 years) - even more, I'm supposed to forgive her.... I can't believe I was so blinded by my hatred that I couldn't see this no-brainer!! I thought forgiving my dad was enough, and am still walking down that road with minor set backs from time to time.
And yet, here I am again....."what does that mean, Lord?", "forgive her?!", "what does that look like?".
"Abide in Me"
I trust You, Lord. Forgive me. Change me.
My times of prayer have, in great measure, been spent asking "what does that look like right now?". Certainly this phrase is not a new concept to me. However, as each new season, trial, etc. presents itself the meaning of that phrase is not so easy to define. Sure, I could offer up the definition of Abide:
"continue, remain, survive, last, persist, stay, live on; obey, observe, follow, keep to, hold to, conform to, adhere to, stick to, stand by, act in accordance with, uphold, heed, accept, go along with, acknowledge, respect, defer to"
...but those are just words. I love them - lots of great words there, but what do they mean to me, living out this life of faith, day to day? This is where the beauty of the living, Holy Triune - three in One, God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit speak into my life; speak to my spirit. This moment of questioning is where I surrender my understanding of these words "Abide in Me".
I come before my Holy, Holy, Holy God and ask for wisdom and insight. ...and He meets me there.
Brilliant!
Suddenly my eyes are opened and I see wounds that have not been forgiven - never even dawned on me there was a need to forgive this person. This woman who the enemy has used, and my dad allowed, to tear our family apart by having an ongoing affair with him for the last 10 years - I'm supposed to stop hating her (I've HATED her for 10 years) - even more, I'm supposed to forgive her.... I can't believe I was so blinded by my hatred that I couldn't see this no-brainer!! I thought forgiving my dad was enough, and am still walking down that road with minor set backs from time to time.
And yet, here I am again....."what does that mean, Lord?", "forgive her?!", "what does that look like?".
"Abide in Me"
I trust You, Lord. Forgive me. Change me.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Happy Mother's Day!
This is a little over the top, but it makes me smile thinking more about my mom than any experiences I've actually had as a mother yet. Enjoy:)
Happy Mother's day!
Happy Mother's day!
Friday, May 09, 2008
Great Friends
Our dear friends, Trish and Steve, came down this past week for a few days, on business. I've mentioned before that Trish is a recently published author. Her book, He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not, is a funny, revealing, honest, inspiring (among other adjectives) memoir of her journey through faith and love. It's hilarious! I LOVE it! GO PICK UP A COPY AT YOUR LOCAL BARNES AND NOBLE OR BORDERS!!!! SERIOUSLY, you will NOT be disapointed!!!
She is currently on a book tour, and D.C./NoVa was one of her stops. We were honored to spend any available time they had, with them:) We met this couple when we lived in Cambridge four years ago. We were attending the Cambridge Vineyard and were looking to get involved in a small group. There were only two that we were interested in because they were specifically for married couples and we knew that was what we needed. After a series of events we ended up at a prayer/worship meeting of one of them. Steve and Trish were one of the couples we met that night.
The evening was a powerful one, as they usually are when "Vineyardites" are involved! Trish had a vision for me (the first of many throughout the years) that ushered me into a season of healing some deep hurts. The Lord has given Steve and Trish a ministry for Gavin and myself like no other, since that night. We have been connected ever since!
I always feel so loved when they are with us, and accepted. Steve is a Truth-speaker, and functions in that gift well!! He doesn't get Gavin's "theology talk" but loves him and humors him anyway.:) That's real love! He has a simple, yet profound way of understanding how to walk in faith and persevere on this journey we're on. He calls out men of God to be better than they are.
We LOVE this couple, and we're thankful for their friendship.
Gavin and I were just discussing today how incredibly blessed we are to have such amazing friends in each of you. The Lord has continued to blow us away with the friendships He consistently brings us. We are a better couple because of you all, you know who you are. Thank you for your love and friendship. ...from our friends from college who have loved us through the good and the bad, to our recent friends that choose to walk along beside us on this journey of faith.
Our cup overflows...
(By the way, so cool! I went to my first ever book reading/signing to hear my new favorite author, Trish Ryan, read several excerpts from her book "He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not" and it was so much fun!!! She's so cool and down to earth! You would never have believed she was this accomplished new author! She signed my copy of her book.....it was SO cool. If you haven't already, you should pick up one of her books! It's a great read!....just in case I haven't already said that...)
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
Jenny's Back!!
Yay!! Jenny is back and is finally home! (I'll post pictures soon)
We drove down last week to surprise Jenny at the airport. It was SO hard for me to try to viably convince Jenny that we wouldn't be coming down to see her until Friday, in time for the party on Saturday. I really don't know how I was able to do it. (This proves that I completely missed my calling as a multi-million dollar actor...I'm just sayin'.)
The party on Saturday was great fun. Mom and I had the idea to have a party that would represent all the different holidays that Jenny missed, with food of the season and decorations, etc. So we had a Christmas section with a Christmas tree and wreaths; a Thanksgiving section with turkeys and harvest baskets; the New Year's table was the drink table; we had a Valentine's table with chocolates and lasagna; the birthday table had a birthday cake with her face on it....funny:) and noise makers, etc.; there was a 4th of July table and a Halloween table. We had a great time - lots of fun.
We all arrived back here around 1am Sunday night - technically Monday morning. Life is slowly getting back to normal for Jen. She is adjusting beautifully! She lost so much weight on the trip that we took five bags of clothes she could no longer wear to Goodwill today!! Isn't that great?! She's determined to continue progressing to a healthy size, so please keep her in your prayers.
We're SO happy to have our dear "aunt Jenny" home!! She has easily become more than a sister and more like a friend, and I am thrilled to have her back in hugging distance. She has learned so much throughout this year abroad. I am gleaning as much as I can.
We're all praying for direction and clarity as this new season is approaching. Our house in Cambridge is on the market for the fifth time. Though our new Realtor is really great and is bringing a lot of traffic through, nothing is moving as of today. If it doesn't sell then we really don't have much of a choice but to move back there. We LOVE Boston. We LOVE NC. We really like it a lot here. But that really has nothing to do with it. We just want to be where God wants us to be - His best! So please join us in praying for clarity. I'm praying that He will close any doors that would be a distraction, and swing wide open the door that holds His blessing. I'm at the point where I'm finally neutral about location. I just want to be right in the center of His will for our family, whether that means staying here, moving back to Cambridge or moving to NC, or anywhere else, for that matter. I want His best! I want to be obedient and am ready to serve more actively.
This time in D.C./Northern Virginia has been an amazing time of rest. What an unexpected and needed blessing!! I'm so thankful that the Lord knows what we need so much more than we do. He is so good. I can only choose to bless His name! He gives and takes away but my heart will choose to say, Lord, Blessed be Your name!
much love dear friends,
em
We drove down last week to surprise Jenny at the airport. It was SO hard for me to try to viably convince Jenny that we wouldn't be coming down to see her until Friday, in time for the party on Saturday. I really don't know how I was able to do it. (This proves that I completely missed my calling as a multi-million dollar actor...I'm just sayin'.)
The party on Saturday was great fun. Mom and I had the idea to have a party that would represent all the different holidays that Jenny missed, with food of the season and decorations, etc. So we had a Christmas section with a Christmas tree and wreaths; a Thanksgiving section with turkeys and harvest baskets; the New Year's table was the drink table; we had a Valentine's table with chocolates and lasagna; the birthday table had a birthday cake with her face on it....funny:) and noise makers, etc.; there was a 4th of July table and a Halloween table. We had a great time - lots of fun.
We all arrived back here around 1am Sunday night - technically Monday morning. Life is slowly getting back to normal for Jen. She is adjusting beautifully! She lost so much weight on the trip that we took five bags of clothes she could no longer wear to Goodwill today!! Isn't that great?! She's determined to continue progressing to a healthy size, so please keep her in your prayers.
We're SO happy to have our dear "aunt Jenny" home!! She has easily become more than a sister and more like a friend, and I am thrilled to have her back in hugging distance. She has learned so much throughout this year abroad. I am gleaning as much as I can.
We're all praying for direction and clarity as this new season is approaching. Our house in Cambridge is on the market for the fifth time. Though our new Realtor is really great and is bringing a lot of traffic through, nothing is moving as of today. If it doesn't sell then we really don't have much of a choice but to move back there. We LOVE Boston. We LOVE NC. We really like it a lot here. But that really has nothing to do with it. We just want to be where God wants us to be - His best! So please join us in praying for clarity. I'm praying that He will close any doors that would be a distraction, and swing wide open the door that holds His blessing. I'm at the point where I'm finally neutral about location. I just want to be right in the center of His will for our family, whether that means staying here, moving back to Cambridge or moving to NC, or anywhere else, for that matter. I want His best! I want to be obedient and am ready to serve more actively.
This time in D.C./Northern Virginia has been an amazing time of rest. What an unexpected and needed blessing!! I'm so thankful that the Lord knows what we need so much more than we do. He is so good. I can only choose to bless His name! He gives and takes away but my heart will choose to say, Lord, Blessed be Your name!
much love dear friends,
em
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