Fun with family and Ellen's bday

We had a chance to see family and celebrate my sister's birthday this past weekend! Ellen's day included: shopping, pedicures, and dinner at Tillman's. A very fun day...I was so happy to be with her to celebrate! We also had a chance to visit with my Aunt Donna and Uncle Gary who were in Fort Worth (sadly, I didn't get a picture of them on my camera).  I'm always a bit bummed when everyone goes home and the house feels more empty and quiet, and this time Saylor definitely noticed it too.  She had a blast getting lots of extra attention.

(We are doing lots of "bo-ing" these days. We convinced her to put the whole thing away by herself once, but it took my mom, dad, and me all singing several rounds of the clean up song...this girl is definitely motivated by music)!

Enjoying a peach at the pool. When we got home, Harry had helped himself to the other six that were on the counter. (Why do I keep admitting publicly that I cannot seem to remember to hide all our food from him)? At least he left the pits this time.

(Having a plank contest. Matt beat us, drat).

Love you, Ellen! Happy, Happy Birthday!

Buddies

deep thoughts on a wednesday night

Have you ever wished for a quality in yourself that you do not posses? Or something you wish you possessed more or less of? For example, I wish I did not worry, fret, or pessimistically assume the worst. There are times in life when I have to actively try to control my brain not to do this, just about a myriad of things, ranging from my patients, to how my clothes are fitting, to something I said that didn't come out right, to what will happen when our world runs out of water (because it will). Yes, I am one of those people who assumes my husband has been in a terrible accident if he is running late and I can't get ahold of him.

Anyways, that is not the point of this post. The point of this post is related more to another quality I wish I possessed: that of being articulate. As I have gotten older, this is something I truly long for: to be well spoken, perhaps in writing, but especially in words. I envy people who can convey their thoughts well, especially on the first try. I feel like I have good thoughts, thoughts with meaning and purpose behind them, but most of the time I just can't get them out right.

I guess the real point of this post is related to one of these thoughts.

Bear with me.

One of the things Matt and I have learned a lot about since joining our church is that God sent Christ not only as a means to forgive us for our sins but also as a means by which we can experience life abundantly. The fullness of life. This concept is simple, but not. That we can work, play, eat, sleep, study, be married, have children, etc. on our own, and things are fine. Good, even.  But with Christ, all of these things become more. They become...rich. Full. Abundant. Not that everything is rosie, but that even in sorrow and pain, He is slowly pulling back the veil, in order that we might see more clearly. See in focus.

But it is difficult to always see this way.

Today, I was driving in the car with Saylor. Nothing special, just driving. She was just clapping and "singing" along to the song on the CD. I glanced at her in the rear view mirror and had one of these moments, where He pulls back the veil and lets me see. There are so many moments since she came along that I have this deep, abiding, wonderful sense of happiness. Don't get me wrong, you know I am the first to say that things are not perfect. But still, it's just this feeling that comes along deep in my soul. Maybe its like when you first fall in love, or on your wedding day, but not so giddy or naive.

And I realized today, in this moment: ah, here it is, life abundantly.

Shortly after Matt and I found out we were expecting, my dad said something in a prayer at dinner. (My dad, by the way, is an exceptionally well-spoken person). He prayed that he hoped Matt and I would know the joy through our baby that he and my mom have known through Ellen and me. It was so simple, but I will never forget him saying that.

And I do know that joy. All parents do I guess. I am so thankful for moments when God reminds us of this  fullness of our lives. And for His presence and power which make them full.

So there it is, except that once again, my words aren't adequate to explain it.

Thanks for reading my thoughts, to those of you who stuck with it. :)

The thief comes only to kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10

love this picture

Father's Day 2010

This weekend we enjoyed a last minute visit from Matt's parents (otherwise known as Gammy and Pop Pop). Saylor had so much fun playing with them and asked even asked about them last night when they had left and I was putting her to bed.
We had fun celebrating Father's Day and I am so thankful for my dad, my father - in - law, and of course, my hubby! Matt, you truly are a wonderful dad to our Saylor. Thank you for all you do for us, we are both lucky girls! Happy Father's Day!

Things making me happy these days

• The pool! We've been spending a lot of time there recently with Lauren and Harper. Thank goodness we have something fun to do in this sauna we live in called Texas.

• Swim lessons - today was Saylor's first one and it went well...she didn't even cry when she went under and that's a success in my book.

• Arrested Development. Matt and I started watching this a few weeks ago. I know we are really late on this bandwagon but my goodness, this show is hilarious. I pretty much laugh the whole time Buster is on the screen.

• Saylor's talking. Lots of fun new words all the time, pointing things out wherever we are with urgency: slide! dog! swing! shopping! (when I told Matt this one he rolled his eyes) and some two word phrases: get down! (to Morty or when I'm holding her) sit boy! (to Harry, which actually sounds quite like s**t boy!), and most recently: wuv you (ok, she'll only repeat this if we say it first, but still, i LOVE it). :)
• Family coming to visit next weekend  (including my aunt and uncle from Michigan) and a chance to celebrate Ellen's birthday! Yay!
• Watching Saylor chase Morty around the house, giggling, and then tackle him, and marveling that he lets her do it!

In other news:

• Time out is going slightly better, but only when I can enclose her in something like a crib.
• What the heck is so fun about flushing a toilet repeatedly anyways? (Hence one of our recent needs for time out).
• I got 10.5 hours of sleep last night. 10.5! This hasn't happened in at least 17 months. It was amazing, but shortlived, as alas it is already past 8:30 and I am not in bed yet.
• We tried out the Burger Spot this weekend and it was great! They use all natural beef too, so if you live in Lake Highlands you should check it out for sure.
• Harry ate an entire mango today, including the pit. Hmmm. Slightly worried about this one. Can a dog poop a mango pit?

a girl and her cat

i think we have the most patient anmials ever

Time Out

First attempt at time out: she thought it was a game and laughed

Second attempt: she cried when it was over

Oh brother

a girl and her dog

grilled dinner+family picnic in the backyard=summer time!

new look

Trying out new blog looks...going for something cleaner, simpler. :) Does anyone know how to get that "cutest blog on the block" tag off the top left corner?