Friday, August 29, 2008

Mercy

Ps. 51:1 "Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your unfailing love; according to Your great compassion blot out my transgressions."

As Spurgeon said this morning, "How sweet the remembrance that inexhaustible mercy is waiting to be gracious, to restore our backsliding, and to make our broken bones rejoice!"

What an amazingly kind God I serve. New mercies are mine this morning!

Monday, August 25, 2008

First Day

Well, to quote my teacher friend Kristin, "No one died; no one cried. It was a success." That about sums up my first day back to school with the kids! All survived and no tears were shed, not even by me. However, I forgot what it was like to be on my feet all day. I am utterly exhausted, but realize how blessed I am to have four students this year. The dynamic between them was great, especially since my trouble maker moved on to the high school this year. I think the next 58 days until my retirement will fly by!

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Word of the Day

I learned a new word today. Did you know that a primigravida is a woman who is pregnant for the first time? I certainly did not.

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Marley and Me

August is my month to host book club, and therefore, my month to choose the book. I went for a light, easy read, "Marley and Me: Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog," by John Grogan. My aunt had recommended the book, saying I must read it, given the fact that Cuzco is such a....uh, well trained, mannerly dog. This book, however, made my dog look like a saint! Honestly, jumping and licking are nothing compared to the shoe eating, leather couch destroying, gold necklace swallowing dog, named Marley. I laughed as Grogan vividly described Marley's almost daily antics. I cried when Marley passed away.

In light of the book choice, I thought I would share this recent dog story. BEWARE, it's not pretty! Machito, our dog's brother, is an avid food lover. His physique proves this--slightly over-weight and poky. He will devour anything put near his mouth, and I mean anything. The other night, Erika was changing Zion, and noticed that his umbilical cord had fallen out. Aaron started looking for it on the floor around the changing table. He found the clamp, but no umbilical cord. Upon further inspection, Aaron realized that the clamp had teeth marks all over it. Machito had managed to eat the umbilical cord and leave the plastic clamp. Bet that tasted yummy?!

Sunday, August 17, 2008

Wall Stickers

I found this great site called Blik. It is a site dedicated to wall stickers. Some are fun, and some are just amazingly beautiful.










I love these, called Anise. You can the stickers in several color combinations. I can see using this scheme in my bathroom that is currently cream and green.

Friday, August 15, 2008

What I've Learned from Martha

...Stewart, that is.

1. There is a difference between cake flour and all-purpose. Using all-purpose will NOT work as a substitute, unless you want a dense cake.

2. Not reading through a recipe thoroughly will cause your scones to turn out much like cookies, because you added the extra egg yolk meant for a glaze.

3. I LOVE to bake, especially with lots of butter, white flour, and REAL sugar!

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Happy Birthday, Love

As I have recounted the events of last year, God has brought about amazing changes in us as a couple, and especially in Miguel. As we are quickly approaching this new season of parenthood, I have seen Miguel grow and mature like never before.

Where fear once ruled in the area of finances, peace and faith in God's provision have taken its place. Miguel has diligently pursued sidework to ensure that we have adequate savings set aside for the time when I am no longer fully employed. He never ceases to amaze me in the way he works late hours, at times to exhaustion, gets up early and does it all over again. How easily I grumble and complain, yet he cheerfully labors so that our family will be abundantly cared for. I love that about him.

Miguel has visibly and verbally displayed a growing excitement for his role as father. When I asked what he's most looking forward to in the coming season, he stated, "I just want to hold her in my arms." A huge smile spread across his face, and I could see his deep love for our little one before she's even born. It has made me fall more in love with him daily. His gentle and quiet spirit, which I so admire and am jealous of, is one that will serve him well as he learns to be a daddy and leader of our little one. Isabelle is blessed to have a father with a heart as kind, gentle and tender as Miguel's.

I am blessed to have a husband with a heart so kind, so gentle and so tender. I pray I will become more like him as we walk through life together, year-by-year.

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

94 days

I looked at my baby ticker this morning and realized we are under the 100 day mark. How did that happen so quickly?! Time has literally flown by, and I am wishing it would slow down just a bit. Though I am feeling more and more ready to have Isabelle with us, I am NOT ready in the life-altering-change sense. But then again, would I really ever be ready for that? We've begun the practical steps to welcome her into our home. We registered at Babys R Us; we bought baby bedding; we picked out paint colors for the nursery; we are scoping out furniture; and we are starting to plan for her actual birth. Through all of this, we are growing in excitement to see our baby and hold her in our arms.

In other news...Miguel and I went to Fogo De Chao's on Saturday night for his birthday dinner. We'd heard a lot about it, and were excited for an "all-you-can-eat" meat restaurant. It was quite an experience, to say the least. There was more meat in one restaurant than I thought possible! By far, our favorite was the lamb. If you flip your coaster to the green side, waiters rush over with skewers of meat and slice it onto your plate. When you want a break, flip the coaster to red. Green, Red. Green, Red. Green, Green, Green. You get the picture. We walked away quite stuffed, and not quite sure we'd go back. It was worth the visit, but not all the hype we'd heard. If you've been, what was your experience like? Would you go back?

Sunday, August 03, 2008

CJ's wedding

Two pictures from CJ's wedding. For more, see my facebook page =)



My silly sisters, poking fun at my expense!














Me and Miguel, at the "Louisville, KY" table.

Saturday, August 02, 2008

HP

For all of those vocal and closet Harry fans:

(Click on image to watch the newest trailer)

"Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" is slated to arrive in theaters November 21st.