Leap (of faith) Day

Today is an unusual day, as you all well know. It only comes around every four years. The only excitement we usually get out of it is that Andy, our bro-in-law, actually gets to celebrate his real birthday! Happy 7th B-day, Andy!

But this Leap Day is extra special for us. We're taking two big leaps of faith:

1) Tonight is our introduction into youth ministry. Exciting and scary at the same time. We get to meet all the youth tonight, get to know them, and see how the youth group at this church runs. We've always known youth ministry was high on both of our "someday" lists, and that someday starts today!

2) God has answered prayer about our next dwelling. Take a look!



Here's the story. After working with a realtor/mortgage broker for several weeks, we came to the very tough decision that though the market is good right now, the timing is not good for our family. While we could swing purchasing, life will be alot less stressful if we continue to rent and save for a while. Much prayer, Scripture searching, and counsel have been part of our lives for this decision. We could not have had a better experience with Rosa and Mike and will FOR SURE use them when the time does come for us to purchase a home. Then we started looking for rental townhomes. Several fell through with alot of disappointment. The last one we looked at was very misleading online and was associated with a terrible realtor, but God used her. She set us up with an online property finder her company runs. Through that, we found the above townhome for rent. We then found it on Craigslist. So we set up a viewing on Wednesday night. The terrible realtor e-mailed a semi-curt e-mail after she found out we were viewing it with a different realtor, saying she was taking us off the property finder list. Fine, whatever. God used that small window of time whether she liked it or not.

We were VERY impressed with the townhome, the area, the price, the realtor, the current tenants (who are ironically moving to Cali!), and just everything. The townhome meets a great deal of our needs AND preferences. 2 levels instead of three, 3br/2.5ba, good sized rooms to fit our large furniture, amazing attic, quiet neighborhood with walking trail to pond/pool/totlot, lots of cabinets in the kitchen, newer appliances, locked in rent amount for two years, shorter commute to work, same commute to church, plenty of parking, space for youth group fun, and I could go on. I had to TOUCH the dishwasher to see if it was running, and it was!

The big thing in all of this is how quickly and smoothly things have gone. It's been one of those, "So when will the catch happen?" But we remember that when you seek God's will, there doesn't have to be a catch. He is good and does good for those who love Him and seek Him. Here are a few things that have been close-to-creepy with how it has worked out:

~The small window of time we had with the property finder. It's only been on the market for a week.

~The realtor of the townhome, Vivian, is a loosley religious Jew who loved the fact we are Christians. Things she said made us realize that she was giving us first chance though several were already looking at it. She is a bizarre woman, in a fun way. She loves the boys, especially their names.

~God worked it out so that our second viewing was without Vivian. We had a solid half-hour to pick the brains of the current tenants, Peter and Sunshine, about the home and the management.

~Sunshine happens to be a mother/baby nurse at our hospital. I have been wanting to ask nurses there who is great at c-sections since I'm locked into that now. And there she was -- a nurse off-duty who I could talk to at length. It was great!

~Last night, we turned in the signed lease. I took it to the front desk because the place was about to close. I had one question -- where was the lead paint pamphlet because we had to sign a page saying we'd received it. The receptionist said they had so many pamphlets in the back that she wouldn't even know where to begin. ::ring-ring:: "Remax Realty, may I help you?" "Oh, hi, Vivian!" She handed the phone to me, and Vivian told me exaclty where she'd left the pamphlet. I told her I had dropped the lease off. She took it off the market. Vivian had already hung up by the time I handed the phone back to the receptionist, and the receptionist said that must have meant she was only calling to see if I had been by. In the two minutes I was in there. The phone call was probably the creepiest but coolest timing!

So there you have it. We can take possession April 1st, and we plan on giving our 60 days notice here today. That means we'll have all of April to paint/prep, leisurely move, and prime the apartment before we turn it over. It's all kind of surreal. We will live in a non-apartment for the first time in our marriage. And for at least two years, probably more. Could NOT have worked out better. God is so good -- we can't say it enough!

Which would you choose?

Reading straight through the life of David in I & II Samuel has been so amazing. What a man he was! So often we compartmentalize him: lowly shepherd boy, meek harpist & poet, fugitive, strong warrior, mighty king. But he was all of these in one body. Read through his story if you haven't. Such a picture of who we are, who we can be, and how God really does work in our lives just as He did in ancient days for His people.

Today, I finished II Samuel. David takes a census of the people, and then realizes (for whatever reason) that it was a mistake. The Lord's prophet, Gad, gave David three choices of punishment: 1) seven years of famine, 2) three months of fleeing from enemies, or 3) three days of pestilance upon the people. Which would you choose?

My thought was that I'd automatically choose the three days of pestilance. It has the shortest time frame, and therefore would seem to be most bearable (though 70,000 men died from it). But that's not why David chose number three.

Then David said to Gad, "I am in great distress. Let us now fall into the hands of the Lord for His mercies are great, but do not let me fall into the hands of man." (24:14)

David chose three days of pestilance because that is the one that was void of other men's hands. Famine -- you go to other countries for food. Fleeing -- obviously from other men. Pestilance -- straight from God Himself. David chose to be at the mercy of God alone rather than God and men. He understood that while God's power was far greater than men, His mercies were also far greater...and more probable...than the mercies of men.

What a beautiful paradox. Wanting punishment from only the all-powerful God of the Universe because His mercies are the most tender.

Sweetheart Banquet

Our new church has a new annual tradition of the Sweetheart Banquet, an evening for married (and engaged) couples to celebrate Valentine's Day and each other. This year, it was held at the Columbia Hilton with great food, wonderful people, and fun dancing! Matt looked so handsome in his suit, new tie, and NO glasses. I had a lot of fun wearing an up to date dress -- makes you feel like a woman instead of a frumpy mom! :-P This was the first time I EVER did my hair up in culrs. I tried Saturday night and failed miserably. So Sunday, because I knew Matt loves curly hair on me, I said a little prayer -- and it worked! I also got the chance to wear my cape. It has been a RARE occasion where I attend a nice function when it is cold outside.



Childcare was provided at several homes, including ours. These are a couple girls who came over with some of the singles to watch the infants -- though it ended up being only our boys and Hannah.



Steve (left picture, right guy) was the head hauncho for the evening. He surprised Pastor Leake (right guy) by asking him to help sing a song often sung to Mrs. Leake by her hubby. It was funny! In the right picture, you see two couples in our small group -- the couple facing away from the camera are two Master's alums we had NO idea were at the same church until we saw each other in the middle of a service.



Kevin and Jamie, another small group couple. Rod and Debbie, new friends. Tracie and Rob, the youth leader and his wife -- our first time in youth is this Friday! Should be fun! Both women are pregnant with baby girls. :-)



Our good friends Tara and Nathan. Many say that Nathan and Matt resemble each other -- and Tara and I often have split seconds of confusion when the wrong guy walks up and we momentarily think he is our hubby. :-P It's a little easier now that Matt has contacts.



The husbands surprised us...hilariously so...by singing "You've Got Personality." Matt took a moment to smile for me. He had lowered inhibition last night which made for alot of fun dancing and silly encounters -- it was a blast! We even got to do the Cha-cha Slide with a ton of people. It was SO much fun...and probably the most exercise I've gotten since Elijah was born. :-P



A match made in heaven!

A Little More Intimate

I can't remember the last time I posted on my other blog (the "spiritual" one). I really don't want to have two blogs. Why not post my spiritual progresses/weaknesses on the blog that I divulge the rest of my life upon? Is not my walk with Christ the greatest side of me because of Him?

I just read a couple posts on Girl Talk, and am prompted to share a quote they spoke of.

God never places us in any position in which we can not grow. We may fancy that He does. We may fear we are so impeded by fretting, petty cares that we are gaining nothing; but when we are not sending any branches upward, we may be sending roots downward. Perhaps in the time of our humiliation, when everything seems a failure, we are making the best kind of progress.
~Elizabeth Prentiss~

They are doing a series on the battles women face duirng hormonal times of life (PMS, menopause, postpartum). I'll admit that while I don't struggle with PMS to the extent most women do, I have a hard time with impatience and anger when "the week" is upon me. Especially on Thursdays of those weeks (odd, I know). But on Wednesday morning, Matt prayed aloud for me that I would have patience with Judah's vibrant personality, childishness, and testy disobedience. Yesterday, the infamous Thursday, was incredible.

There was a 45 minute span of time just before lunch that Judah was getting hyper and disobedient...while I was incapacitating by feeding Elijah. Those are the worst set-ups for me -- disobedience I can't immediately get to. I could FEEL the battle inside my heart and my head, so much that my feet got hot and sweaty as I sat there calmly talking to Judah while he was disobeying. The Holy Spirit was working quick and fast against my flesh. I'd feel the angry words about to yell out, then in a split second hear the still small voice say "Have patience...he is a child...he must learn...there is no reason for you to sin because of his sin...sin has no power over you...you have a choice...love him and teach him...he disobeyed and therefore needs correction...it's as simple as that...no need to make it a huge ordeal." It happened several times. I'm still in awe. Praise God for answering Matt's prayer.

To feel and know that kind of Power at work in me against my most binding sins -- impatience and anger -- is encouraging and empowering. I know the Spirit is always there, but so many times I don't listen and allow myself to get out of touch by not spending enough time in prayer and the Word. How much faster I could get down this road to Christ-likeness if I would be aware of His presence much more often than I am! The problem is always self. Self is in my way!

Following Christ is so very simple. And yet we make it incredibly hard.

This is why it can not be done without the Holy Spirit's help. If only we would let Him work!

Our Valentine Celebration

We had a lovely Valentine's Day! For the second time, we carried out our own little V-day tradition of having heart-shaped breakfast food for dinner. Last year was French toast; this year was pink pancakes (with one attempt to make the Star Trek logo, Matt's request). After the scrumptiousness, the boys opened their gifts from Mamaw and Pappy (Matt's parents). Judah's reaction is priceless! Then we went to Kohls for some family shopping. What did Matt and I do that was special with each other? Well, that's this Sunday's Sweetheart Banquet with our church. I got a new DRESS for it (first time in three years), and we found a perfectly matching tie for Matt. I can't wait to post pictures when the festivities are over! I hope you all had a LOVEly Valentine's Day!

Oh, the weather outside was frightful...

...but my boys are so delightful!

MD Primary Breakfast

Today's the big day for our state. Thought I'd have a little breakfast fun with Judah's current copycat ability and show people how hyper Elijah is getting. And Elijah even gave a kiss at the end for the viewers! (Don't miss yesterday's post if you haven't seen it yet.)

Keepin' It...COLD!

We wondered why our apartment was getting so cold last night when we've had recent success keeping it warm (after maintenance redid some weather stripping and thawed our compressor). This morning's wind chill of -1 explains the problem.

We're making a big step in this household -- potty training. We bought a potty seat for Judah last week. At first, he'd barely sit on it with the lid down. Then I think it was Friday night, he demanded to be completely naked and sat on the potty (lid up) for half an hour! He actually did tinkle a tiny bit! The next morning he again demanded to be completely naked and sat for 15 minutes (no tinkles though). The funniest part is that he won't even sit on the potty with socks on. He wants to be in JUST his birthday suit -- which does anyone else realize he'll be 2 in a month?? He is also starting the habit (fun to him) of running away and squealing in delight when you go after him. Especially when you really want him next to you for some practical purpose like getting him dressed. I caught him gazing at himself in the oven during one of these chases. And I still think he's a little top heavy. ::sigh:: Yesterday, before we left for church, he bailed AGAIN and hit his head on one of the legs of Elijah's crib. Instant egg and nasty colors. I just hope he won't end up with a vertical dent because the horizontal dent from the coffee table accident is still there when he raises his eyebrows. I'm not optimistic, but MAYBE they'll go away over time.



We recently had a family pizza/movie night. Matt saw Ratatouille several times on his galavant over the Pacific Ocean, and wanted the rest of us to see it. Judah - was - mesmerized! It is a show about cooking after all. Elijah had fun scooting backwards. He really enjoyed being under the bouncy seat and playing with the tags.



Judah is also starting to get feisty. His actions occasionally make me wonder if this is the kind of personality that Matt's mom speaks of when she tells of Matt's boyhood. The following picture is the FIRST of its kind for us. Hopefully the last.



Matt surprised me last week by coming home after half-a-day with flowers to spend the afternoon with me/the family. They are beautiful and smell so good!



Happy Monday!

Good Stories

I've totally forgotten to tell you all about God's amazing provision while I was in AR for the holidays! We had an impromptu girls' day out because Hope needed a nicer coat for church. We went to this store called Belk and spent quite a bit of time just browsing around. It was a fun day! Hope found a black pea coat that was very nice and on sale. We went to the register -- and (if I'm remembering correctly) this $400 coat rang up for $11!!! All of us, including the clerk, were shocked and couldn't believe it. Of course, my aunt and I went straight back to the coats to find more like it. Out of all those coats, there was ONE left. In MY size. And I didn't have a nice heavy coat for middle-of-winter church services. We went to a different register to buy the coat for me. It rang up at $110. (Correct me on the numbers, Momma.) We explained to the clerk at that register what happened over at the other one with Hope's coat. She got VERY snippy and ugly. I was pretty shocked again. So we went back to the original register. And it rang up at $110. The manager was called over, and I think what happened was that the wrong tag had been scanned. But the manager said, "You got yourself a good deal on a coat!" because she was not going to make us return the $11 one. My mom bought both coats so I could have one with the reasoning that she was planning on spending that much on just Hope's coat. So I got a very nice black pea coat for free that only cost my mom $11. WOW! Now I just need to sew the two buttons that have fallen off back on. I assure you, though, this coat is high quality (orginally $400 means it'd better be). I just think the buttons were not sewn on as tightly as I need them to be. In this pic, it shows nicely with the scarf my older sis' knitted for me for Christmas. :-)



Judah was NOT a messy eater. He still hates to have dirty hands. He also hates toe jam. He hates Elijah's toe jam. He'll try to hand me specks that are bothering him...when I can't see anything on his fingers. Elijah? Different kid, different story. He is getting better about not smearing quite as much now.



Elijah's hair is starting to grow more on top (save for that tiny bald spot where Judah gave him a hair cut). After his bath, it gets very curly on top! Guess who he gets that from. ;-) I love his expression in the second pic. What caption would you give it? The flash on our camera distracts him from smiling and produces these kind of expressions.



Guess what! Matt got contacts! He was handsome before, but he's oh-so-handsome now. It is so wonderful to be reminded that he doesn't have just brown eyes. It's amazing how much glasses can hide the nuances of someone's eyes. They are quite green around the outside and medium brown on the inside. Very cool. And very mine.



They love to hang out together! Just today, the three of us were sitting on my bed having fun. Judah will hug and lay all over Elijah, and Elijah always tries to grab at and swat Judah...both laughing all the while.



We had an impromptu Groundhog Day Party because Nathan and Tara celebrate the small holidays. We had several people over for Tara's chocolate fondue and the movie Groundhog Day. It was lots of tasty fun -- but I managed to NOT watch the whole movie. Hey, I had to bake for the Superbowl party the next day. ;-) I might make it my goal in life to never watch Groundhog Day all the way through. I've never heard good things about that movie. And hey, once you've seen one of the "days," you've seen it all, right?



And this is what I baked for the Superbowl party. I made them once before for Paul & Tracie's wedding, only those were topped with strawberries. Since strawberries are ridiculously expensive here for the quality (and just in general), I opted to try making chocolate shapes on wax paper. I've tried it before but failed miserably. It worked this time! I made footballs, helments, NY's, and NE's. They were SO tasty! I want some more...right now. But they are long gone. :-(



Hope you enjoyed storytime!

Raaaainy Days, Meltin' the Snooow Away

Might I inquire as to who else is getting copious amounts of rain today? There is such beauty to a rainy day. Relaxed, sedated, slowed pace. But these effects are only present in occasional rainy days, not weeks of rainy days (e.g. Central Coast California).

I've had lots of various thoughts building up in my brain to post about. Who knows if I'll remember them all. I shall intersperse these thoughts with photographs of my offspring. In order to conserve space, I shall upload the photographs in the small format. If you wish to view the cuteness larger, simply click to enlarge.

Tip: If you get annoyed by tangled strings from your window blinds, here is what I discovered. While the blinds are down, knot the strings together at the highest possible point. It is important to have the blinds down for this otherwise the knot will get caught in the gear mechanism when drawn up. Then, braid the strings below the knot. A cord of three strands is not easily tangled. ;-)



Fact: Just because a valance fits your window perfectly does not mean that the coordinating curtain will also fit. It's still cute though, and the boys love to look at the animals while being changed. We have darkening drapes on the way to block light, sound, heat, and cold.

Update: Elijah's newest tricks this week are sitting by himself (while supervised) and staying on hands and knees for several seconds at a time. It is so cute and scary to see both Judah and Elijah sitting together playing with toys. Two boys sitting. Not a bump on a log and a toddler. I have been having flash forwards this week of what it will be like to have two boys so close in age, everything from fighting over toys and movies to playing imaginary stories together to being best buds. ::silent awe::



Tip: If you have bibs and little socks in your home, laundry day(s) can be frustrating. Bib velcro inevitably undoes itself and sticks to your fancy undies or a nice shirt and therefore roughs up the surface when you detach it. Little socks are easy prey for washers and dryers that like to gobble up socks anyway. What to do? Put them in your lingerie bag! Not a sock is lost if you make sure each pair gets in there, and the bibs rarely if ever unfasten in the bag (and even if they do, no biggie to rip it off the bag rather than clothes).

Update: Smart + Different = Judah. Has any other mom out there looked at her young toddler and said to herself, "Who ARE you, child?" I have done that alot with Judah the past few days. He is - high energy, crazy personality, silly, moody, rapidly increasing in mental capacity. What is going ON, I ask! Still cute though. ;-)



Fact: The last bit of baby flab will NOT just go away by itself. This I have been told by media and friends. This I now find to be 100% true. ::sigh:: So here I go with baby steps to rid my body of the baby flab. Snack by snack, meal by meal. Every moment is a choice. And I did exercise and stretch today, if only for 20 mintues. Baby steps...and the slightly motivating knowledge that I am now the "biggest" female in my immediate family. A very strange and slightly depressing thought. Yeah, yeah. But I can't really use the "just had a baby" excuse much longer if at all anymore. A bigger motivation and excuse killer? I NEED more energy! And despite what Larryboy thinks, I can't get that extra energy with chocolate. :-P

Update: Elijah's check-up was yesterday. He dropped in weight to 18 lb 4 oz. He's 75% for both height and weight, 25% for head. So opposite of Judah. :-P He is in great health -- save for that silly right ear. There is no longer infection, but it still has fluid in it. One little look through the otoscope and BAM! Same meds as Judah until March 10th. I love how the nurses and other patients' moms just dote on the boys when we are there. They get so much joy and giggles out of their smiles...and Elijah's beefiness. Our nurse yesterday was so tickled by his size that she actually brought in another nurse to see! Four shots landed him 2 really cool blue camo bandaids.



Tip: Sit down to color with your kids and color a picture or card for your hubby from YOU while they color whatever they wish.

Update: Some of you know I have been having issues with the skin on my cheeks (facial, that is). I did alot of researching and have self-diagnosed myself with a mild form of eczema -- common to those with allergies/asthma (yes!) and those who live in cold climates (double yes!). My mom has been telling me for a while that I should try Cetaphil products. So I got some the other night. Oh. My. Word. After one use -- ONE use -- my cheeks did not look or feel dry. And with each passing day, they just get better and better. I really hope this does the trick long term. I was getting so frustrated with such a red, blotchy face after showering; dry skin galore after powdering; and bumpy roughness to the touch all the time. Here's to the next few weeks of testing!

Fact: Only a mom could get really excited about a child's first construction of a lego tower all by himself.



Requests: Matt and I are meeting with a real estate agent tomorrow! Pray for us that we will be sponges and soak up all the real estate and financial information we will be educated with. Pray we have a good experience mixed with much wisdom. We also may be going car shopping. I found out today from the MVA that if we get a new car, we have to pay taxes/title/registration no matter when we get it. We have been in the process of doing so for the Pilot, all the while knowing we are planning to downgrade so our monthly payment will be at a more budget friendly price (the less we spend on the car, the more we can put towards a home!). Why pay taxes/title/registration TWICE when there is a possibility of finding another car within the time it takes for the MVA to receive the info they need from Honda? Again -- much wisdom needed and perhaps even pray that God will rapidly take us to the car we need!

Trivial: LOST is back. Woot!



I hope you enjoyed this multifaceted post! Enjoy your SUPERBOWL weekend!