Green Apron Moments

Working at an international super power coffee shop has its ups and downs. I often find myself complaining to friends and family about the hardships and woes. There are times though I find myself thinking "I really do enjoy this job sometimes..." Some recent highlights include..

• A potential drug deal involving a guy in blue and black leggings, swapping of envelopes and me trying to get the license plate number of the car (after unsuccessfully jump starting another customers car).
• Our beloved golf pro just left for Florida for three months...he will be back in March...he made sure and said 'good-bye' to all of us.
• Making up rapper names for the night crew...McDub-no-pickle; T-bone; and mine... Bumble Bee (I know, not too tough or gangsta...just wait till you hear the raps though).
• Talking about the difference between believing and knowing God with a very existential, fudge-brownie loving customer
• Being asked by (multiple) customers how my big paper was going. (It's done, thanks). That in itself was pressure to finish the paper!

I feel like the highlights shared show a weak glimpse into the shift of a barista at my store. I do have so much fun with the people I work with. My abs are now stronger because of the laughing that goes on...fun times, hard work...and lots of spilled milk.

Thursday.

I'm sitting at a coffeeshop trying to slow down a bit. Norah Jones is one of my favorite vocalists of all time and she is playing overhead...such a sweet moment. I am good. Tired, but good. The sunset was beautiful tonight. Thank you Lord, for moments like these.

full yet drained.

My heart is full and my eyes are tired.

I just had a lovely weekend with two of my favorite people in the world (I have a lot of favorites for you worrying). Granny and Grandpa and I enjoyed dinner with the Arnold's, ate lunch at a restaurant decorated like a train station, and then I had to leave. It is always so sad leaving family!

Last weekend I babysat for some friends who were on a retreat. On Saturday afternoon the kids and I joined another babysitter and kids at the park for some football. Upon meeting the youngest who was five years old he looked at me and said "You're puny!" Trying not to be insulted I inquired "What do you mean by puny?" He explained "You're so puny I bet you can't hold a phone to your ear! I bet you fall in the holes in the phone!" Pth. What do you say to that?!

feelin good...

i've got the post-work jitters....

i am
home doing homework with josephine
drinking hot tea
browsing the internet with susan looking at jeep libertys

i had
good conversations tonight at work
an egg salad sandwich and black ice tea for dinner
a productive morning studying at Newport Coffee

i will
be going to bed soon
wear my black jeans tomorrow
possibly dress up as a Disney princess on Saturday...
which one do you think i'll be? :)

Fall Break '09

Fall break is in full swing here at Trinity. While some of my friends are at a retreat at camp...I've decided to fully embrace the Fall break-ness and...break. So, in the midst of studying for a mid-term on Monday I find myself watching football bundled in blankets on the coach. But please, don't ask me anything about the games, I just keep the games on while I work on the computer and rest. Soon I'm off to work and I'll tell people "Yeah, I watched some football today..." as if I know what I'm talking about. I hope they don't ask too many questions!

All I know is...Go Arkansas, Oklahome & Georgia (as I said...I don't really watch, I cheer for my friends and family)!

Check it off!

After months of being on the "to do" list...I finally just purchaed my ticket home for Christmas.

Dec. 22 2009 - January 1 2010.

Get your party hats everyone!

Security Check

You know when you go through the security check at airports and they make sure you don't have certain things in order for everyone to be secure? I was thinking today that my in my life there are certain things I like to have in order to feel secure. When I have these things, I feel as if I'm doing OK in life, I've got it together...I'm safe. These things include (but are not limited to):

• a full pack of gum in my car, purse, and/or backpack
• clean jeans
• a full tank of gas
• a full ice bin at work...and lids all stocked...in general most everything stocked
• oatmeal in my cupboard for breakfast (dried cranberries always a bonus)
• the side door to the basement locked at night
• at least $5 cash in my wallet

These are what first came to my mind though I know there are others. Yet I realize that I will not always have these things, though I really like them. Yesterday while I was thinking about what makes me secure I had a brief panic moment of insecurity. I realized that the things on my list are temporary (and really pretty trivial), but I find a lot of security in them. Leaving the house this morning I carried with me in my mind the words "pure" and "steadfast" from Psalm 51. I knew that today I would need something with more substance than a full pack of gum. Though the words "pure" and "steadfast" may not seem to be secure words...they grounded and focused me.

"Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me" (v.10)

The reminder to have a pure life (honorable intentions, love, thoughts etc.) kept me focused while the fact that the Lord provides ultimate steadfastness kept me grounded. Thank you, Lord! Though I'm sure the list of trivial things I find security in will continue to grow and change, I know that the security I find in God is unchanging. Thank you, Lord.

classy and fabulous

"Every girl should be two things: classy and fabulous"

-Coco Chanel

In no particular order of loveliness...

i just couldn't help but brag a bit.

i just love these ladies so much.

random things

i did not work today. yeah! the negative side is that i feel a tremendous amount of pressure to get things done on the days i don't work. So i...went for a run, took my car for my first ever emissions test (we passed, i was nervous), brought clothes to the salvation army/clothes horse (the've been sitting in my trunk since doug and danae moved), got birthday presents for a neice and nephew, christmas presents for a sister, returned $20 worth at Target, spent $30 at the Vitamin Shoppe (for protein, and trace minerals...i have to take care of this abused-by-running body. anyone have thoughts/info. on trace minerals?), mailed back my new cute TOMS shoes that were the wrong size, talked to Nae (always a joy!), participated in class, worshiped at church and then home for Josephine.

amidst all of that i felt kind of sick. you know those days where it is 2:00pm you feel as if you still haven't "woken up". it was one of those days. now it's the end. i'm going to bed.

happy birthday friend jeremy!

Morning Run

This morning I took a little run downtown along the lake front in the form of a half marathon (13.1miles). :) It was very fun. I am now sore and feel as if I'm sick because I want to go to Starbucks and hang out with my friend, when in reality I know I need to stay here and rest. The run was so good. It was hard, but I enjoyed the challenge. I finished in 2hrs 8 min....which I am so very pleased with! It was my time alone with God where I was able to worship Him with the help of the David Crowder Band and all the onlookers who watched. On the last mile the finish line was not clearly marked which made "pushing it" a bit difficult, because I wasn't sure how long I would have to run hard. Though it was a bit crazy, this morning run was very fun.

www.chicagohalfmarathon.com

come as you are

Today in the drive-through at starbucks I noticed a ladies hands as I handed her her drink. She had fake purple fingernails but some of the nails had fallen off. She lazily made eye contact, and I wondered if she felt self-conscious of her hands.

One of the beautiful thing about working at a coffee shop, is that people come in all shapes and sizes. Some come in the drive-through early in the morning with hair un-combed and make-up not yet applied. Then later they will walk in the store for their mid-afternoon caffiene fix with hair and make-up in place.

So, I had this thought as I was looking at this ladies hands today -the starbucks drive through is kinda like Jesus. People come as they are to the starbucks drive-through. Broken and beautiful. So i started humming a made up song thinking about how we should "come as you are" to Jesus.

I want people to be able to come to me as they are because they see Jesus' accepting, loving cup of coffee being extended to them.

slightly overwhelmed

this is a lot.

school. work. friends. running. i ache.

the name Noah means "to rest" (i learned that in class this week). i need the Lord to be my Noah.

(i heart) Saturday.

I just finished my homework for Monday. :)

I worked until midnight last night at Starbucks and slept in till 9am this morning.
Josephine and I walked to the farmers market to meet Susan after her running group.
I bought BEAUTIFUL fresh flowers.
Susan bought an almond danish.
The weather was cool October weather...we came home and had coffee.
It was a lovely "I love life" morning.

And did I say its October weather? I love October weather.

Night Before 1st Day of School

In a few very short hours I will be sitting in my "1st day of school" outfit (skinny jeans, with billowy mauve/pink collared peasant shirt and bronze flats. Hair down, wavy and jangly bracelets.) I will be sitting with my newly organized binder. If you open the binder you'll find colored folder/dividers with a freshly printed syllabus in each folder corresponding with the name of the class on the divider tag. I will get to be with all the people I have not seen for the past 3 months and of course there will be new people meet as well. I will then be able to sit and soak in all the wisdom my professor has to offer!...have I told you I really, really enjoy going to grad school?!

Thank you, Lord for this opportunity! I pray a blessing over this semester and year!

Love is Still a Worthy Cause

Have you listed all the times you tried?

Have you called on all your alibis

when somebody asks the question Why are you hiding?

Did you feel the pull, did you hear the call?

Did you take a chance and lose it all?

Do you fear there is no collateral after trying?

Even though your heart is raw

love is such a worthy cause.

Picking up and pressing on

love is still a worthy cause.

Like the touch that starts the thaw

love is such a worthy cause

Or the word that breaks the pause...

Love.

In the midst of pasing bravery

in the face of our own injury

its the constant generosity of grace.

Its the beauty in the tales we tell.

Its the pressing on and ending well

and the joy that comes when we give ourselves away.

And I love because you loved me when I had nothing.

Oh, I love because you loved me when I had nothing.

And I love because you loved me when I had nothing.

And I love because He loved me when I had nothing

When you count the cost and all seems lost

love is still a worthy cause.

when your pressing on and your strength is gone

love is still a worthy cause.

-Sara Groves

This is the song that most struck me on my run today. It challenges my attitudes towards relationships both past and present. It calls me to stand up and confront my fears and push pass hurt. This is also a extremely relevant song for the church. We as a church need to remember that love is still a worthy cause, with those inside and with those outside. Isn't that what Jesus called us to? Love.

God's faithfulness

Sometimes I get overwhelmed with the goodness of God. The joys of sunshine and the sorrow of being far from family. Reading about my friends time in Puerto Rico was like looking at reflections of how trusting in God always works out best. Reading Jeremiah today reminded me that if we would just listen and obey God...we would see God's faithfulness even more.

weekend.

Friday -
6:30am Wake up in Arkansas at Tom & Leah's house. Arrive at airport at 7:20, flight departs with me safe in seat and luggage checked at 7:50am. I love small airports!
9:45am - Safe in Chicago riding back to Deerfield in Maggie's white SUV. Stop at Starbucks for some time in the sun and a crossword puzzle.
2:30pm - Dressed up as a rockstar (pictures possibly to follow) at a 10 year olds birthday party.
6:30pm - En route to Arlington Heights in a cute outfit ready for some time with the girls complete with a frozen pizza and games.
12:30 - home to bed.

Saturday -
7:30 - 12:30pm - REST!!!
1-7pm - Work at Starbucks. One of those days I drove away from work thinking "I love these people!"
8-12:30 -Complete in a Cornhuskers Football t-shirt and cowboy boots I find myself at a birthday party for a friend from Nebraska.

Sunday -
8:20 - Ten minutes later than I wanted wearing heels and jeans off to church to work in the nursery, meet my friend Lindsay's boyfriend for the first time, and meet a new girl named Alana.
1:07-1:45 pm - Lunch at chipotle with "the group" of people who all tend to be together Sunday after church. So much fun.
2:30-8:37pm - Starbucks time again.
9:30-10:30 - more pizza, Josephine is finally home, and one episode of the Gilmore Girls before bed.

I know I need to slow down. I'm learning. I'm trying to balance. I'm so loving the people that are around me right now.

Writing this out I can't help but notice patterns (ie. frozen pizza) and the variety of outfits I wore in a weekend. Thank you Lord, for the details of joy you put in life!

favorites.

favorite things of the moment (in no particular order):
1.) chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream
2.) the carmel sauce at starbucks
3.) www.saribari.com
4.) dreaming of owning a pair of tom's shoes www.tomsshoes.com
5.) filling out my planner with things "to do"
6.) being able to sleep in and then have a quiet time with the Lord.
7.) talking to my new-old friend Leeann on the phone
8.) knowing tomorrow i'll be with Leah, Leeann and Katie (maybe Caleb)

the prettiest i ever was.

I just thought I'd share this thought. When I was in High School I can rememeber specifically thinking "This is the prettiest I'll ever be! I will never be this pretty again!" Seriously, I thought that. I was thinking more about how we (supposedly) digress as we get older, not so much that I was gorgeous. Mind you the fact that I submitted myself to a awful haircut the day after I graduated only affirmed my statement. But seriously though. I was just explaining to someone this story the other day and we laughed and laughed. No deep thoughts about this, just thought I'd share a quirky thinking about me. :) Oh vanity!

Transitions

Transitioning from Oklahoma/Arkansas is always bittersweet. The sweet part is the joy of riding with the windows down in my car at noon with out breaking a sweat! And the ability to wear jeans and sweatshirt after the sun goes down!

The other part is the transition people. I kept expecting to see Grace or David walk into VBS today asking where they were suppose to volunteer, and Christa asking which room Bailey & Caden go in. I waited to see Nathan Jackson come and fix the broken set and Katie bouncing Caleb on her hip and...you get the point. I sometimes think it would be amazing if I could have everyone here yet not change their lives. It would be Montana/Tulsa/Arkansas/Chicago all in the same place. But only the parts I like. :)

Do you think that's what heaven is like?

Twenty (27) Seven

i've so much enjoyed this birthday that i don't want to go to bed though i work in a few short hours. pictures are yet to come from the lovley day. so far...27 is very good. 26 was hard, i'm looking forward to 27.

thank you, Lord, for life, blessings, friendships, and love better and more perfect than i could ask or imagine.

Movies of the summer...

Movies. So, I've never been very fluent in movies. As in, I just really haven't seen very many classics. So this was going to be my summer to watch the movies that have changed our culture, the way we think and have impacted society as a whole. Sister Emily even gave me a few recommendations.

Sometimes though, things don't quite end up the way you plan. Due to circumstances and settings (and because I really do love them)...below are the movies I've ended up seeing so far this summer...

Hannah Montana: The Movie

Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (watched it twice and cried)

Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 (watched it twice and loved the outfits)

He's Just Not That Into You

So needless to say, it has become more of the summer of chick flicks. I will watch some classics, but for now I've enjoyed watching easy, entertaining, emotionally rich movies.

the comfort of eternity.

I realize it has been well over a week since my Grandpa's funeral, but I still want to note it. I walked away from the funeral with a greater desire to live a life that spoke of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Grandpa was an evangelist. I also walked away with the desire to find a husband who is as crazy about me as Grandpa was about Grandma. He was a loving husband.

Since being home I've received many hugs, a card, and even gifts. I feel kind of odd because I know that I'll see him again and also because he is finally home. Yes, Grandpa is very much missed here on earth, but the comfort of eternity helps heal the loss of a humble, quiet, godly man.

Camp High

I feel like I could crash. Today after my final I felt that camp high. The feeling of pushing through something bigger and harder than you thought you could survive. I survived. The last three weeks have been filled with thirty hour work weeks, a summer class, homework, tests, reading, pre-wedding parties for a friend...and a bit of sleep sprinkled in between.

It's in the moments of pushing so hard and feeling so weak that the noise of life turned down and the presence of Jesus became so much greater. That's my favorite feeling. It is almost as if I'm too tired to hear anything else.

"It was the hardest thing I've ever done and the best thing".
That is starting to make sense. Sometimes there are things (realtionships, jobs, circumstances etc.) that are just so incredibly painstakingly hard. Yet the rewards are so much greater. Going through these challenging weeks/seasons makes me realize the reward of hard work and being faithful to what God has called. If he calls, he will provide.

That, my favorite people, is my post-Foundations of Family Therapy Summer 2009 class take-away.

These are a few of my...

favorite things: (inspired by Danae)

1. Spending time with my 14-year old sister at the beach.
2. The $10 leather coach purse I bought at a garage sale today. It's like a blessing straight from heaven on to my shoulder!
3. Nights where I have no social or obligations...I can just study or fall asleep to a movie on the couch.
4. Grilled peanut butter and honey sandwich with chicken noodle soup (my version of grilled cheese and tomato soup). The perfect study meal.
5. Sunshine! It's been cold and rainy for so long, the sun was out for a bit to dry us off!

Life is currently pretty high-stress between work and school...so I thought some favorite things were in order. By this time next week I will be at a wedding reception with my class behind me and the summer ahead!

Home

I do like Tulsa.  For every reason I don't like Tulsa (allergies, humidity etc.), there are more reasons I love it (Clarks, Castles, spontaneous fab reunions, cool nights, happy hour at Sonic...). 

Yet coming home to Susan's hospitality, Josephine's hugs, kisses from Darius, our crazy chickens...are all good things.  I got in my car tonight and thought "this is right".  

Tomorrow begins my adventure of an opening shift at Starbucks for three days in a row!  Back to life, not that it ever stays the same, just life as I know it in Deerfield.  

One more thought, in my heart is an eternal longing for home.  As much as I find home in Tulsa, Deerfield, and Montana my heart is never really satisfied.  It's as if God keeps a bigger desire in my heart for a home that won't be satisfied till I'm with Him.  

And lastly, I love those kiddos...Bailey & Caden, thanks for a wonderful, special week!  I miss you so so much already!

Only a few days left...

We just keep having fun...

Ribbons in our hair!

Bailey loves shopping! You can't see it, but Caden is crying too...

Danae had the amazing idea of playing with water outside...

It has been so much fun! I don't know if it's Tulsa, the night air, or being with family but tonight was so fun and special.

Andrew leaves in the morning, which is so sad for us here! He has been an amazing friend, assistant, co-pilot, car maintenance guy, cleaner-upper...oh just a great brother! So, a little shout out to the bro who made this week possible! THANK YOU ANDREW!!!

bc- inserting a photo onto my previous post was tricky

i created a new post.

here's to friends.

me, katie & leah at the zoo.

bff's.

Day 4

So, I can no longer sneak into Christa's blog...below is documentation of the last couple days...

Day 3: this is the day we did not leave the hosue...

Bailey likes to carry things...

bailey showed us her mad word skills.

still in the house...

Day 4:

Then lovely friend Katie called, Leah drove over from Arkansas...and we all took a trip to the zoo with Caleb!

Andrew was in charge of bathtime tonight...

One happy aunt, uncle, niece & nephew!

The inside scoop

Bailey & Caden rock!

It's been HARD work, but a lot of fun being with the coolest niece & nephew. Caden is goofy and will sometimes just start laughing at Bailey, and Bailey tries to sit on your lap while your holding Caden...not possible.

Andrew & I keep trying to have deep, meaningful conversations -but to no avail.

We're ready for July to be here so we can all be together.

Now for the numbers...

6 - days till Christa & Jason are back.

5 - Emily is the coolest 5th sister ever.

4 - poopy diapers today!

3 - days until Danae&Doug are here

2 - times I was peed on by the boy!

and for the double stuffed oreos Andrew and I got today at the grocery store.

1 -time BAILEY (not caden) spit up on me!

I'll do my best to do updates, but this full time mom business takes a lot of hard work! Thanks for the phone calls and love!

I'm Done!

In celebration I am going to....

1. 
   
   Take a nap.


2. 
   
   Go to Nordstrom Rack and Target.


3. 
   
   Buy a birthday present for Susan (May 20th).


4. 
   
   Read the Boden and Runners World magazines waiting upstairs.


5. 
   
   Call Katie Baskins about hanging out next week while I'm in Tulsa!

and I'll probably walk a little lighter while I'm doing those things.

thank you Lord!

I'm Not Quite Sure.

So I'm taking a break between studying and bed to check the blogs. I love reading about everyone's coming & goings. Things here in Deerfield are speeding along...the following are some higlights as to what's been...

• Yesterday we planted a garden complete with strawberries, peppers, pumpkins, beans, tomatos and more. We let two chickens come help us plant the garden. After we were finished planting the garden, and all the neighbors who came to watch us left - we watched the movie The Aviator and listened to the rain water our newly planted garden.
• I leave in 6 days for 9 days in Tulsa. yikes!
• I have 4 tests to take in the next 4 days. And then the semester is over!

I feel like this is beginning to become too random. On that note, I'm off to let my brain recharge before a new day tomorrow.

ABC's of Life

(Montana sunrise found online)

Order is good. As one who often lives spontaneously and randomly I crave order. This is why I have a cute planner to motivate me to write in it. The need for order is why I have an organized binder for school. Awhile back a friend taught me a way to order my thoughts of God while on a run. It is to go through the alphabet and ascribe truths beginning with each letter. Though I do get distracted, this helps me in my runs, quiet times etc. A couple days ago I wrote the following:

God, you are...

Awesome - in the brilliant sun rise this morning at 5:30am on the way to work.

Beatuiful - in the tulips by the train tracks and the green grass at school.

Caring - in the way you care for every little chick in our garage, and even more so in you care for your children even more.

Delight - in your children, laughing with Doug & Danae after work.

Eternal - not termporary. This truth keeps me focused beyond the troubles of today.

Faithful - need I say more?

Generous - in providing delicious food for us (thinking of the pastry case I organized this morning at sarbucks right now...)

What are some that come to mind for you?

Crunch Time

It's been awhile since the previous post, so I thought I'd let you know a.) I'm alive b.) I'm lovin' life c.) I'm working on a paper and every non-work moment is being filled with writing.

It's crunch time.

Chicks!

So many things to say...to update you on the very newest thing going on in my life is just about ten minutes ago Susan & Josephine brought home 20 baby chicks - yes, real, live baby chicks. It's been a dream in the making for some time. The chicks have a house built for them in the garage complete with heat lamps. After the chicks grow up we will return them back to the owner who will take care of then take care of them. Just another day in the life of me!

Spring Time!

Oh yeah for Friday! First week back from Spring Break so Friday came quickly. Some higlights...it's been quite the week.

• I found out my red-headed-funny crush (kinda) has a crush on me too (kinda is a good thing). :)



• I found out I no longer have the practicum at the counseling center due to reorganizing for next year...this too is a good thing. I think it could push me in some other good directions.



• I found out my 29.30 minute run was 3.1 miles! I want to do it in 28.30 minutes next time! Sweet!



• I found the beauty of Kirk Franklin on youtube. Seriously, this is my theme song for the week!

These are off the cuff highlights. Thank you Lord for another week complete!

Thawing the Bones

Spring is springing in the suburbs of Chicago.

Today it was at least 60 degrees for a the second day in a row!

For those who have never lived North of St. Louis, in the winter one can get so cold that it is almost impossible to warm up. The phrase "chilled to the bone" comes to mind. Today I felt the winter chill begin to melt away. Similar to the snow that has melted and the grass that is turning green...so I feel like my "bones" are beginning to warm up. I sat in my warm car today for a bit and then I rested in the hammock outisde in the sun. All attempts to warm up. It's still chilly in the morning and at night, spring is not here yet...but it is on its way. And I feel it in my bones.

Spring Break Trip 2009

Spring Break is a time to get away and have fun with friends...so as a cost-effective alternative to going to a far away land my friend Adriana and I drove an hour and plus north/west to Rockford for theevening on Sunday! Once at her apartment Erin, Adriana and I drank coffee and talked. We then proceeded to eat a lot of delicious food at the restaurant Granite City and talked. And then finally came home and Erin made Banana Foster...and we talked.


We talked so much I woke up Monday morning with out voice. Seriouly. Very weird.

The other things Spring Break thus far has consisted of is...

1. A good run every day (but yesterday)
2. Working every morning @ 5:45...but not tomorrow bc- lovely Doug switched shifts w/ me so I can sleep in! Yeah for friends!
3. Extreme Makeover Home Edition! (sniff..sniff..)
4. Listening to Kirk Franklin (The Nu Nation Project)
5. And my favorite...living at a slower pace!

One step closer

So, part of the program I'm in requires us to do a practicum. A practicum is comparable to a pre-internship. It's a time to get your feet wet, observe and learn about counseling.

At the practicum meeting in October the Counseling Center here at school presented the opportunity to do practicum at their sight. I was slightly intimidated and definitely not interested. The intimidation was followed with a feeling of conviction. Maybe this would be a good opportunity to grow and challenge myself.

So I interviewed last Thursday.

And I got it.

And I called mom, and she was excited.

And I am really excited. I kinda get butterflies in my stomach when I think about it.

So next semester I will be spending 8 hours a week in a healthy, Biblicaly centered environment learning what it means for me as an individual to become a counselor...or whatever it is the Lord is preparing me to be.

I'm Growing Up, Mom.

It was one of those weeks. A growing up week.

Do you ever have those?

By Friday I had to call mom and tell her of my growings...and she agreed.

I am growing.

In her perfectly mother way she told me to "stop it".

I don't think she meant it.

Sometimes it's hard -

like when I have to face truths about myself that I'm not proud of. In counseling we call these "growth edges"...I'm definitely not finished growing.

Sometimes it's good -

like when I have a voice that a younger woman listens to about experiences and lessons God has taught me in my life. love it.

Life is messy and good. Today I'm one mark taller on the wall of life. It comes with pain I warn you, but the pain can turn into some beautiful tools useful for later.

You Gotta Serve Somebody

With a combination of homeopathic remedies, antibiotics, rest, and lots of Advil I am now feeling much better! So I had lots of sweets last night in celebration! :) Thank you for the sweet card Granny, and the love from everyone!

You know those seasons of life where it is almost as if you can hear the Lord talking to you every moment. It's as if He is guiding every step and every choice, and there is a empty feeling in your stomach when you disobey.

The late great Bob Dylan sang..."you gotta serve somebody". This has been my theme as of late. Who am I serving? With my time and choices of how I use my time? Who am I serving with my thoughts? Energy? Am I serving my friends? my desires? I've been reading through Isaiah and chapters 44-46 and the theme that resounds is

"I am the Lord,
and there is no other,
beside me there is no God" (45:5;18)

We all have idols in our lives, but it is only the Creator of everuthing who is to be served in our life (Is. 45:7-12). We must listen to the voice of the Creator that is guiding and obey - out of love and grattitude. Because He is God, and there is no other. This may take me awhile to learn, so be patient as future posts may have the same theme...

Temptations

Since I am sick and on antibiotics in my house going up my mother told us to stay away from sugar. So...today I resisted the lone strawberry pop-tart in the zip lock bag that needed to be eaten and had plain oatmeal instead.

I also resisted the free cinnamon coffee cake at work just sitting waiting for me to eat during break and ate toast with almond butter.

I even resisted the delicious homemade gourmet pastry/berry/powdered sugar dessert made by our neighbor Kat delivered especially for me.

But I could not and did not resist two, three...ok maybe closer to five spoonfuls of Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough ice cream from the freezer! Oh, so good!

Favorite Things About my Valentines Day

a couple days late..

1. A love poem written by Susan for Josephine and I.
2. The new pajamas from Susan that say "love.love.love."
3. Eating dinner with friends of all ages.
4. Hugging a wonderful suprise named Andrew Keena at Doug&Danae's.
5. Swing dancing at the masquerade and feeling - so happy!

Valentines Day was so much fun I had a "love hangover" Sunday. Since I'm still technically sick I ended up spending most of Sunday in bed after church.

But it was a very fun Valentines!

Sick

We are wholistic beings. I knew about a week ago I was not getting enough sleep and I would probably get sick. Sure enough, I woke up on Saturday exhausted. Once home from Tulsa I had allergies like crazy, then this morning I woke up with a throbbing ear! By noon it felt like the entire left side of my jaw was numb and I couldn't chew well. You know that popping pain you get in the airplane, it was like that but not popping - just piercing. Weird. I called a doctor's office nearby and cried on the phone when describing my symptoms. Once at the doctor she pretty much told me "take pain reliever". grrr... She did give me some amoxicilin too. I do want to say that I'm grateful my dad made me buy health insurance, becuase I used it. And, I had money set aside for these moments so I was able to pay the doctor & get the perscrption. Such a good feeling.

Hi Babies!

I get to see these two Saturday morning...1.5 days and counting...

Jeans & Haydn

One of my favorite things in this world is a good pair of jeans. A couple of my jeans are beginning to wear out and have holes in them. For the past couple moths I have been looking for a new pair. I had found some jeans on sale for $10 last week, but after consulting with a friend I decided not to get them. A.) To be a good steward of money B.) She said they weren't that great (good friends are great!).

All that to say...last night I went to a friends house and she gave me about 5 pairs of very nice jeans that are all my size! These are the type of jeans that look great, and should last a long time!
And the reason I love Haydn is because I just heard some of his music on pandora.com while studying...God is so amazingly creative and beautifully seen in music!

It's the little things in life. God totally knew I needed jeans and he knows how much I appreciate good jeans! So thank you Lord for new-to-me jeans & Haydn!

Words of affirmation are my love language.

I am taking a Statistics course this semester, which is a big thing because a.) I am not a math person b.)It is required for me to graduate c.) I thought I'd never take this class unless I was really serious about graduating...and now I am.

With that preface in mind tonight I worked on the homework with a friend for almost 3 hours. I was so proud I decided to take a picture. I think I can actually feel my brain growing. I zoomed in on my favorite part...yes, this is slightly ridiculous but somehow affirming.

My Favorite Boys

Yesterday was my last day babysitting two boys ages 4 & 5. I spent most of my time with the 4 year old Dylan. Here is a list of a few of my favorite things about my time with them. I'll still babysit occassionally just not as often.

• Dylan took a drink of ice water and said "It's feeehzing!"
• Dylan would only eat crunchy things. Apples, goldfish crackers, and waffles (toasted obviously).
• When I would ask Dylan anything he would say preface his answer with "of course". Ex. "Dylan, do you want an apple" Dylan, "Of course!"
• When asked about the new babysitter Dylan said "I don't like her. She's funny. I don't like funny girls, I like nice girls. You are a nice girl." (I was slightly sad he didn't think I was funny but honored that he thought I was nice).
• After giving them baths for a couple months one day they became too modest to let me give them baths anymore. It was just kinda cute.

Thank you Lord for my time with the boys! Their mom is pregnant with boy #3, if you think about it say a little prayer for her!

Ode to the Sweet Potatoe

Growing up I thought of sweet potatoes in an "mah...ok at Thanksgiving only" kind of way. No longer do I have that sort of apathy towards the Vitamin A & C packed wonder root. According to one expert, "the sweet potato was widely cultivated in colonial America, where it often provided chief means of sustenance for early homesteaders. As one colonial physician put it, the sweet potato was the "vegetable indispensable"" (Wellness Encyclopedia). All that being said...below is one of my new favorite recipes.

Sweet Potato Fries

1 Sweet potato
1 Apple
Cinnamon Sugar
Olive Oil
Sea Salt
Nutmeg

1. Preheat oven to 375
2. Cut the sweet potato & apple into frie like pieces.
3. Lightly cover in olive oil.
4. Generously sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.
5. Season with a bit of salt.
6. Throw on a dash of nutmeg.
7. Toss all ingredients till fries are evenly covered.
8. Cook for approximately 30 minutes - or until soft & browned.

The sweet potatoes become almost carmely and the apples add a sweet/sour taste to the dish. Because I was experimenting I do not have the exact measurements hence the words dash & bit. Enjoy!

My Mom Day

Yesterday I was on baby-duty. I was able to get in a run before Darius woke up at around 9am. (please note previous entry "Hilarious" for pictures). He is 11 months, teething and fighting an ear infection which means he needed lots of love. I tried to do homework for a bit while he was playing on the floor, but he would grab my book from me and insist on sitting on my lap. I can only complain so much... :) Then I went upstairs to make some breakfast and I was able to sit him down for a few precious moments before he came crawling over tugging on my leg to hold him. It was around this point when I thought..."I feel like a mom". It was my goal to keep him up till noon before laying him down for his nap. I had an hour and a half to go. There was nothing much to do other than play with him. It was good - I got nothing else done - but I enjoyed pouring into this creation of God. It felt very purposeful and eternal. So kudos to all you moms! I only had a day of it (Darius slept from noon till 4pm...I wiped him out!) but it was wonderful, exhausting, and fulfilling day!

Oh yes, and I got a small nap in too! :)

Past, Present & Future

Completely unrelated things...

• The other day Takota (Brad's son that lives at our house sometimes) who is 12 was so completely enjoying his Christmas present from Josephine - a woopi cushion! Ah the joys of woopi-cushioning throughout the house! It reminds me of home!
• Today was my first day back babysitting. It was a good sitting day.
• Tomorrow I begin a new semester. I'm starting strong with a class that shows my dediction to the program - the class is Statistics! For a non-math person, that is a lot of deciation.