October 2011

Too much.

Gabe’s game ended up being perfection. Well, except they lost.

But other than that, the sun was shining.

The hills in the background were a rainbow of colors…

And so were Gabe’s socks.

Just the way he likes it apparently….

October 29, 2011 1 Comments

All sorts of fun dreams are coming true today.

As of today, we have 6 basketball players.

These two were so ready to get into the action.

This was Zeke’s “look tough” pose. Um, yes. He’s clearly something to be feared.

Ha.

—-
This one is very, very serious about the whole thing.

As he is with everything.

And it simply cannot start soon enough for him….

—-

And well, this one…

.

….is here with his Dad….

And apparently there is all sorts of boyish happiness going on there.

These are their real seats (gifted to them in dream making generosity)….

And yes, everyone is still glowing in the thrill of the Cardinal victory.

—–

I like it when everyone is happy.

The end.

October 29, 2011 0 Comments

Much celebration last night in our house after that pretty extraordinary Cardinal win.

It was insanity I tell you.

I was so nervous and sick. Why? I do not understand.

But in the end, being in my living room last night was one of my favorite memories ever.

—-

Things that really disturb me about baseball (I’ve never watched enough until now to notice):

*The walk of shame off the mound when a pitcher is pulled.

*And why does the coach have to come out to the mound for that? Can’t trust him to hand it off to the next pitcher?

*I think there should be a mother stationed on the edge of the field to give hugs and cookies to the shamed pitchers.

*Catchers. Those guys are scary. (I kind of like them.)

*The booing when a pitcher steps off the mound to throw to first. Why? That’s not nice.

—-

Got a little bit of really refreshing girl time with a couple friends.

Have to remind myself that even with the busy schedule and the pulling pressures, friendship must be pursued and maintained.

Too important.

—-

My brain is being eaten by spreadsheets.

I have a new found respect for accountants.

Oh my dear.

Lots going on. Lots of work. Crazy, fun stuff coming up.

—

Andy and Dawson are headed early in the morning to the 50 yard sideline of the DUCK game.

Um. Yah.

A couple boys are giddy.

—-

The remaining of us will hit basketball practices and a soccer game.

Another week-end, indeed.

—-

Full heart tonight.

October 28, 2011 0 Comments

“I don’t want to argue the purpose for suffering or why God allows suffering, but I simply want to say this: learn to suffer well and you can change the world.

…consider those you admire, those who live with passion and intention – do they have a story of suffering? It may not be an outward, public brokenness, but I would venture to say that the world changers are well acquainted with grief. A seed must fall deep into the ground, breaking in the darkness of the damp earth before it can spring up and burst forth with life, full and new. And so the suffering of this broken life does not in itself bring about change, rather it is how the suffering is handled in the hands of the broken. “

(Emily Freeman)

October 28, 2011 1 Comments

Today is going to be better.

Sure of it.

I’m not dressed yet.

But I have big plans to be soon.

The laundry is not done yet.

But that also is sure to be done started soon.

I’ve made some significant progress this morning on some exciting things coming up.

I haven’t eaten any vegetables or unprocessed food yet today.

But I’m looking forward to doing that as well.

Dinner for my family is in the crockpot.

They will be watching baseball.

While I meet up with a friend.

I’m about to send a warning to her that I have a lot of unused words.

Got another friend reading a book with me. It’s making me crazy.

Must. process. it. out. loud. with. another. human. or. my. mind. will. torment. me.

It’s one of those things where it gets my blood pumping in excitement.

But at the same time makes me so scared.

Because I at least know now that when that happens it’s going to be really, really hard.

And not that fun actually.

Total growing pains.

I can see the growth potential with excitement.

But the process…well, the process is just yucky sometimes.

Everyone I know is having a baby.

Well, not everyone. But a lot of people.

I love babies.

I love that they are not my babies.

So weird to be the old Mom.

How did that happen?

OK.

A better day awaits.

Onward.

October 27, 2011 0 Comments

“…When I worry, I deny that you are the Lord of my circumstances.

When I turn my head from the hungry and the homeless, I deny that you are a God of mercy who has put me here to be your hands and feet.

When I steal something from another person to enrich or enhance my life–whether it be something material or some credit that is rightly due another, which I have claimed for myself–I deny you are the source of all blessings.

Forgive me, Jesus, for all those quiet ways, known only to you, in which I have denied you.

…And thank you, most faithful of friends, that no matter how terribly I have failed you, I can always look into your eyes and there find forgiveness…”

— Ken Gire

October 26, 2011 0 Comments

“Good intentions don’t end poverty. Enterprise and freedom end poverty.”

October 25, 2011 0 Comments

This was not my most favorite day ever.

Some moments:

1. Reading a really challenging book.

It resonates.

But it’s exhausting.

Because it’s hard.

And sometimes I’m just tired of difficult things.

More on that later.

—

2. In the middle of preparing dinner and clearing dishes to make room for more dishes, the sink handle came off.

I was standing there and water starting shooting forcefully straight out into my face. Soaking wet.

I squealed.

Kora was the only one who saw it happen.

She was trying not to laugh. Honestly, you could tell she was wondering if I was going to lose it.

I laughed with her.

And then yelled at Andy.

I’m such a good wife.

—

3. I called a friend just because I needed to talk.

But I didn’t have a good reason.

She was way busy. Because my “free 20 minutes” are her “dinner hour rush.”

So I swallowed all those words.

And cried.

—-

4. And this is super ridiculous. And not really a reason for gloom.

But this was part of my day:

With my boys being big Cardinal fans, I have watched more baseball in the last week than ever in my life.

Problem is: I feel bad for whoever is losing.

I feel sick whenever someone, regardless of the team, makes an error.

Sick.

I love Pujols.

But I also love that manager for the Rangers. He seems so nice.

It makes the whole thing very exhausting and emotional.

And is super annoying to my husband and sons….

—-

5. Later I texted another friend who is facing a much deeper darkness right now.

me: “You hanging in there today?”

her: “No. You?”

me: “Not so good.”

her: “You come. I’ll pick you up at the airport.”

I wish.

—-

6. The to-do list is long.

My confidence is wavering.

Sometimes I want to fire myself.

—–

As you can see, I have no real problems.

Just fighting a bit of a Fall Funk.

October 24, 2011 7 Comments

The colors in our yard right now are pretty spectacular.

So are these people….

October 23, 2011 3 Comments