it's weird...as much as i enjoyed dancing in college and as much as i like a great walk or hike, i am a person to prefers to sit still. in fact, i love that we are called to "be still". as i've grown, i've realized one of my pet peeves is someone who CAN'T sit still...that their foot has to always be shaking or their finger tapping or something along those lines. on long car trips or travel days, i find myself relieved when it is over (though i don't get motion sickness) that i can just sit or lay and NOT feel movement.
especially being pregnant, i have taken time to just sit. usually i've got a computer in my lap or the tv or a movie on if it is going to be a long sit, but i enjoy the stillness...
until my little one starts moving...
she really enjoys the moving around, i think. she doesn't care that it's bedtime and me feeling her move around wakes me up like some sort of natural caffeine. she moves to let me know she's there and growing!
so for now, i'm enjoying the movement...knowing that it means our little one is giving us the signals that she is capable of to communicate with her parents!
12.01.2010
11.18.2010
Fall!
I just wanted to share my fall decor with you all...I had FUN putting it together on a day I felt like doing something...most of the time I've been tired and unproductive.
We got the gourds from a great (and CHEAP) farm and I have been picking up other stuff at thrift stores as I see it. :)
11.02.2010
Addicted
I can't help it. I follow about 30 blogs and most of them are craft ideas and "how to"s. Most of them post about once a day...which means I am probably wasting a LOT of time reading...but I have also been DOING!
I was put in touch with a woman who has a booth in a local "antique & gifts" shop in town here and she has let me put some things I have made in it. I haven't seemed to have much luck so far, but I have been told NOT to be discouraged. I also have some great ideas for Christmas and am hoping I can make some things for my own house as well as to sell...
This is to try and do something I love that would allow me to stay home with the baby.
Baby news:
21 1/2 weeks along...she is KICKING and MOVING and DANCING a LOT. My hubs has yet to feel anything but I'm sure he will soon. I am SO thankful I have had little problems being pregnant while some of my friends have NOT been so lucky. I pray for them and hope that they end up with healthy babies (especially Lisa. She is a fellow band-mate from HS that is in the hospital and everyday she has not gone in to labor has been counted a success.)
I will try to be more consistent with posting...no promises but I do hope to get back into the swing of this place to share!
I was put in touch with a woman who has a booth in a local "antique & gifts" shop in town here and she has let me put some things I have made in it. I haven't seemed to have much luck so far, but I have been told NOT to be discouraged. I also have some great ideas for Christmas and am hoping I can make some things for my own house as well as to sell...
This is to try and do something I love that would allow me to stay home with the baby.
Baby news:
21 1/2 weeks along...she is KICKING and MOVING and DANCING a LOT. My hubs has yet to feel anything but I'm sure he will soon. I am SO thankful I have had little problems being pregnant while some of my friends have NOT been so lucky. I pray for them and hope that they end up with healthy babies (especially Lisa. She is a fellow band-mate from HS that is in the hospital and everyday she has not gone in to labor has been counted a success.)
I will try to be more consistent with posting...no promises but I do hope to get back into the swing of this place to share!
10.20.2010
Big News!
Alright alright...most of you already know, but in case you're new around here...
We're having a baby....
....of the girl kind!! :)
We got to see her today and she waved "hi" at us!
I'm trying to post a picture but it's saying error. Will. Try. Later!
We're having a baby....
....of the girl kind!! :)
We got to see her today and she waved "hi" at us!
I'm trying to post a picture but it's saying error. Will. Try. Later!
8.02.2010
Prayer Please!
At my job I see people by the minute who are in need of prayer and on occasion one or two really get me.
Today my ears were offered for a 1/2 an hour to hear a woman's story...Ms K* is a mom of 3 watching TWO of her dear children suffer terminal illnesses. One has the life expectancy of 8 years. The other came into an illness recently. Please pray for them C* and B* and their other sibling who has to endure this with her parents. B* is having surgery soon with high risks...but his life itself is a risk.
She just really touched me and her heart is SO big for her children and those around her.
I count myself blessed to have encountered her.
*names changed to protect!
Today my ears were offered for a 1/2 an hour to hear a woman's story...Ms K* is a mom of 3 watching TWO of her dear children suffer terminal illnesses. One has the life expectancy of 8 years. The other came into an illness recently. Please pray for them C* and B* and their other sibling who has to endure this with her parents. B* is having surgery soon with high risks...but his life itself is a risk.
She just really touched me and her heart is SO big for her children and those around her.
I count myself blessed to have encountered her.
*names changed to protect!
6.25.2010
Vulnerability
Lately, I feel like I've been on the lookout for something...some "church camp" experience. At least, that's the only way I can think to describe it. I'm not even sure that's the best way of explaining it...but you know something that when it happens, you reflect on it for a time after and how it impacted you in faith, in life...in something of significance?
I've been trying to pay attention to the small things around me. See if I'm missing something.
I've been paying attention to the conversations of significance. Each person dreams of being able to bare their soul to a close friend or relative. If they don't get it there, they find it on facebook or elsewhere.
My hubs is at a conducting grad class this week so I have made the 45 min trip back and forth from home so I can stay with him at one of our parents' house each night. Last night we were enjoying my parents' new screened in porch and dinner time and he was telling me about his day. See, he's been asked to conduct twice for people who KNOW what they're doing and then immediately go into an office to watch a dvd of himself...a humbling experience.
He has taken it well! He has taken this experience to learn things about his teaching and himself. Last night he was talking about yesterday specificially and the piece...Chacom by Holst (I think it's the first movement of Suite 2?), anyway, it's the same melody repeated like...16 times with different emotions in mind.
Now to my point! (Thanks for bearing with me through the background...) The professor was telling Chad how it was necessary that he express EACH emotion on his face as he led the band so that they would know he was sincere. That he be vulnerable with them so that they will trust him. This particular professor is a VERY passionate man...he has already cried twice in front of Chad's class, but that is one reason he is an EXCELLENT conductor. The group sitting in front of him KNOWS what he is asking of them and what he is expecting of them.
Isn't it cool how in life how important vulnerability is? I look to my faith and the experiences I have had with good and bad friendships...how some seem more intimate because THEY ARE. Why? Because I have chosen to be more vulnerable and bare my soul to those certain people. To CRY with them...but also to laugh with them (sometimes at myself) and to be HONEST. I love that. I love that there are some "Jesus with skin on" people in my life (wow that term takes me back-I don't know where I heard it YEARS ago but it's been a great picture of what I'm trying to portray) that I can be truthful with and open with...no walls or barriers, no watching my words or feelings...just being simply me.
The professor asked Chad if he would EVER cry in front of his band and his response? NO! (He rarely shows that kind of intimate emotion even to me...let alone his MIDDLE SCHOOL band!) The man then said "Then you can never truly connect with your band and communicate effectively what you are wanting from them." (Now, he is taking this all to heart AND with a grain of salt, but how true to life and relationships is that statement?)
I hope this all makes sense put together...it INSTANTLY connected in my mind, but I haven't had my coffee and my brain's a bit foggy.
I've been trying to pay attention to the small things around me. See if I'm missing something.
I've been paying attention to the conversations of significance. Each person dreams of being able to bare their soul to a close friend or relative. If they don't get it there, they find it on facebook or elsewhere.
My hubs is at a conducting grad class this week so I have made the 45 min trip back and forth from home so I can stay with him at one of our parents' house each night. Last night we were enjoying my parents' new screened in porch and dinner time and he was telling me about his day. See, he's been asked to conduct twice for people who KNOW what they're doing and then immediately go into an office to watch a dvd of himself...a humbling experience.
He has taken it well! He has taken this experience to learn things about his teaching and himself. Last night he was talking about yesterday specificially and the piece...Chacom by Holst (I think it's the first movement of Suite 2?), anyway, it's the same melody repeated like...16 times with different emotions in mind.
Now to my point! (Thanks for bearing with me through the background...) The professor was telling Chad how it was necessary that he express EACH emotion on his face as he led the band so that they would know he was sincere. That he be vulnerable with them so that they will trust him. This particular professor is a VERY passionate man...he has already cried twice in front of Chad's class, but that is one reason he is an EXCELLENT conductor. The group sitting in front of him KNOWS what he is asking of them and what he is expecting of them.
Isn't it cool how in life how important vulnerability is? I look to my faith and the experiences I have had with good and bad friendships...how some seem more intimate because THEY ARE. Why? Because I have chosen to be more vulnerable and bare my soul to those certain people. To CRY with them...but also to laugh with them (sometimes at myself) and to be HONEST. I love that. I love that there are some "Jesus with skin on" people in my life (wow that term takes me back-I don't know where I heard it YEARS ago but it's been a great picture of what I'm trying to portray) that I can be truthful with and open with...no walls or barriers, no watching my words or feelings...just being simply me.
The professor asked Chad if he would EVER cry in front of his band and his response? NO! (He rarely shows that kind of intimate emotion even to me...let alone his MIDDLE SCHOOL band!) The man then said "Then you can never truly connect with your band and communicate effectively what you are wanting from them." (Now, he is taking this all to heart AND with a grain of salt, but how true to life and relationships is that statement?)
I hope this all makes sense put together...it INSTANTLY connected in my mind, but I haven't had my coffee and my brain's a bit foggy.
6.16.2010
our Texas Vacation
Chad meeting Grandma Joan and the McKillips...
Fun experiences in San Antonio and the Riverwalk...
Seeing my old stomping ground in Dallas...
We were truly blessed for a great end of school trip! Much needed rest and exploration!!
6.03.2010
Posting
Alright alright!
I WILL post...after our vacation is over and I have my computer and my pictures. :)
I made Chad a video to recap our first year of marriage that I hope will post.
I have some cool pictures of some places that are significant to me (in Texas).
I have some good stories.
Sorry this is a teaser. :)
5.20.2010
It's been awhile!
I have moments of pure creativity...inspired...and then I fall asleep and by morning it has wiped itself from my brain. Bummer.
We are coming up on a year as a married pair this Sunday (but more on that later)!
I saw something awesome Tues night at the band banquet for my husband's band...
A girl...a senior, in fact, fell up the stairs (going on to the stage) to pick up an award. She was obviously embarrassed but just brushed it off as graciously as she could. The directors moved on and I had all but forgotten it until....a different senior, one I have been watching all year, took his turn up on the stage and HE tripped. It was clearly comical and on purpose, but I heard the girl say "Thanks". After that, two more guys tripped as well...all people just hoping to make light of a pour girl's mishap. I love these kids. They are THERE for each other. I wished that when I had fallen up the stairs when I was in HS that someone had come to my rescue.
We are coming up on a year as a married pair this Sunday (but more on that later)!
I saw something awesome Tues night at the band banquet for my husband's band...
A girl...a senior, in fact, fell up the stairs (going on to the stage) to pick up an award. She was obviously embarrassed but just brushed it off as graciously as she could. The directors moved on and I had all but forgotten it until....a different senior, one I have been watching all year, took his turn up on the stage and HE tripped. It was clearly comical and on purpose, but I heard the girl say "Thanks". After that, two more guys tripped as well...all people just hoping to make light of a pour girl's mishap. I love these kids. They are THERE for each other. I wished that when I had fallen up the stairs when I was in HS that someone had come to my rescue.
3.15.2010
The Mother and The Daughter
This weekend was a whirl of surprise and reflection-though I turned 30 a week ago.
Friday evening, I went out to a nice dinner with my hubs and his mom and step-dad. I thought some of her actions curious, but just thought she was excited to see us (she insisted on bringing her camera and charger to the restaurant). Afterwards, in the spring rain that has caused my allergies to flair up (BIG), we headed to my mom and Steve's house for what I thought was playing cards...
to find about 20 people there to surprise me. I haven't seen the pictures yet, but I KNOW my face showed what I was feeling...shock! Big shout out to Linz for conspiring with my mom!
Saturday, I met with the search committee for finding a new Praise Team Coordinator for our church (since I'm on the Worship Purpose Driven Team) and we spoke with 2 individuals, both with big hearts for God's people to learn to be vulnerable and truly empty themselves to worship.
Wow. Good vision was shared and reflected upon.
The meeting afterwards with one particular woman...She is the first of whom I truly want to share with you about. This mother found out during an Alaskan cruise last August that she has cancer. She has been undergoing chemo treatment since November. She has been serving the church in various leadership positions for the last 20 years while raising her children and seeing grandchildren born. She has SUCH a desire to see the people at our church to grow in the Lord. She has a desire to see them fully commit themselves to God's work for their specific talents. She has a heart for the community and children...
and she has been given the verdict that her time is limited on Earth. She admitted that she has her days of sitting at home feeling sorry for herself, but I have seen the fruit of kindness, faithfulness, generosity, love, peace, patience...just to name a few. She said that she had been struggling with her joy because...she wants to SEE the outcomes of the things she has so fervently prayed and hoped for. She wants to be not just a part of the process but the finished product as well.
I got the chance to pour words of truth and hope into her. It was such an amazing time of listening and prayer. This mother doesn't care about a legacy (though the one she has been preparing has been AMAZING), but more about doing God's work and spending time with her kids, grandkids and husband. She says she's more sad about what she will miss now that she is aware of her shortened time with them.
The other person I am wanting to share with you about is one of my Sunday School kiddos. She has had a rough growing up so far with a struggling family dynamic and different interests than most girls her age. At our tea party, she was surprisingly the most polite and cordial. She is already a great prayer warrior for the Kingdom. She is wise beyond her years not only when it comes to facts, but also when it comes to being aware of how to pray...for Haiti, for her non-Christian friends at school and for her little sister's attitude. Though her father is absent, her mother does a great job of consistency in her schedule and activities, but she still has bad days. Yesterday, she surprised me again by saying the things that make her feel happiest include her father. It made me think...
Yet another instance of the importance of a present father. I struggled at times with this concept as I didn't always live near mine. Knowing and understanding that our Heavenly Father is truly present at all times is a hard concept to grasp. This daughter hasn't seen her father in...years, yet her identity STILL lies in his approval of her. What if we all treasured the approval of our Father the way she does her father? What if us daughters (and sons) could be proud of ourselves and joyful by simply knowing His presence and love showering on us?
I know that's awfully deep for a Monday morning following Daylight Savings, but I laid awake til after midnight pondering all this last night.
Friday evening, I went out to a nice dinner with my hubs and his mom and step-dad. I thought some of her actions curious, but just thought she was excited to see us (she insisted on bringing her camera and charger to the restaurant). Afterwards, in the spring rain that has caused my allergies to flair up (BIG), we headed to my mom and Steve's house for what I thought was playing cards...
to find about 20 people there to surprise me. I haven't seen the pictures yet, but I KNOW my face showed what I was feeling...shock! Big shout out to Linz for conspiring with my mom!
Saturday, I met with the search committee for finding a new Praise Team Coordinator for our church (since I'm on the Worship Purpose Driven Team) and we spoke with 2 individuals, both with big hearts for God's people to learn to be vulnerable and truly empty themselves to worship.
Wow. Good vision was shared and reflected upon.
The meeting afterwards with one particular woman...She is the first of whom I truly want to share with you about. This mother found out during an Alaskan cruise last August that she has cancer. She has been undergoing chemo treatment since November. She has been serving the church in various leadership positions for the last 20 years while raising her children and seeing grandchildren born. She has SUCH a desire to see the people at our church to grow in the Lord. She has a desire to see them fully commit themselves to God's work for their specific talents. She has a heart for the community and children...
and she has been given the verdict that her time is limited on Earth. She admitted that she has her days of sitting at home feeling sorry for herself, but I have seen the fruit of kindness, faithfulness, generosity, love, peace, patience...just to name a few. She said that she had been struggling with her joy because...she wants to SEE the outcomes of the things she has so fervently prayed and hoped for. She wants to be not just a part of the process but the finished product as well.
I got the chance to pour words of truth and hope into her. It was such an amazing time of listening and prayer. This mother doesn't care about a legacy (though the one she has been preparing has been AMAZING), but more about doing God's work and spending time with her kids, grandkids and husband. She says she's more sad about what she will miss now that she is aware of her shortened time with them.
The other person I am wanting to share with you about is one of my Sunday School kiddos. She has had a rough growing up so far with a struggling family dynamic and different interests than most girls her age. At our tea party, she was surprisingly the most polite and cordial. She is already a great prayer warrior for the Kingdom. She is wise beyond her years not only when it comes to facts, but also when it comes to being aware of how to pray...for Haiti, for her non-Christian friends at school and for her little sister's attitude. Though her father is absent, her mother does a great job of consistency in her schedule and activities, but she still has bad days. Yesterday, she surprised me again by saying the things that make her feel happiest include her father. It made me think...
Yet another instance of the importance of a present father. I struggled at times with this concept as I didn't always live near mine. Knowing and understanding that our Heavenly Father is truly present at all times is a hard concept to grasp. This daughter hasn't seen her father in...years, yet her identity STILL lies in his approval of her. What if we all treasured the approval of our Father the way she does her father? What if us daughters (and sons) could be proud of ourselves and joyful by simply knowing His presence and love showering on us?
I know that's awfully deep for a Monday morning following Daylight Savings, but I laid awake til after midnight pondering all this last night.
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