So, my sweet sister-in-law Emily tagged me forever ago, and I've been off the Blogger radar for a bit--more to come on that later. I'm finally getting all these random facts about me on my blog, and I will then tag some other fellow bloggers...he he he!! This is actually fun. I love this stuff, and it's a bummer I haven't been able to blog it all before now!! Here goes...
The Rules:
1. I have to post these rules before I give you the facts.
2. Each player starts with 8 random facts/habits about themselves.
3. People who are tagged need to write their own blog (about their 8 things) and post these rules.
4. At the end of your blog, you need to choose people to get tagged and list their names.
5. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.
1. I've always wanted to be a professional singer. I did get the chance to sing on stage with Hillsong a few years ago and got to visit and pray with them backstage, which is one of the highlights of my life. Singing is a passion and I think recording, performing, and being in that world for awhile would have been great. However, I think it would also get really old really quick. There is more to my life than singing, and although I'm not knocking singers or the lifestyles they live, especially those that are Christian artists who really feel called to ministry in music, being in the spotlight all the time would certainly be draining. I think I'll be content to sing in my car. Speaking of singing....
2. The first year of American Idol, the judges actually had a pretty huge audition in Waco. The concept was little known and a number of people from Waco went to the finals in Dallas. The odds were in a Wacoan's favor!!!! I almost went to the auditions, but I decided to go out to school and grade papers instead. I could have sung with Kelly Clarkson!!! Gosh!!
3. I've also wanted to be a motivational speaker. Hmmm....
4. I lived in Ulan-Ude, Russia for a month the summer between my junior and senior year of high school. It was an awesome, life-changing time for me to be with some missionary friends, to enjoy a new culture, and more than anything to get to know my God on an intimate level like never before. It was amazing, and I think truly prepared me for some of the most heartbreaking losses of my life that would come later. That time cemented for me that God is my ever-present, constant companion. He is the lover of my soul, and when all others fail me, when all else is gone, he will not forsake me, he will be my strong tower.
5. I knew I was going to date my husband one day when I met him at church when I was fourteen. He doesn't remember the day at all, but I've got witnesses!!! :) I didn't know that I would marry him later on, but I'm so very thankful that I did!!!
6. One of my feet looks exactly like my mom's and the other foot looks exactly like my dad's. Also, I have one ear lobe that is attached and one that is not, which I understand is a genetic anomoly. Who knew!
7. I had Lasik surgery on my eyes a few years ago. It was the best investment I've ever made--I was almost legally blind and had terminal Great Papillary Conjunctivitus (sounds bad, doesn't it!) and would never have been able to wear contacts again. I've actually begun saving money now on eye expenses--my prescription was so bad that we figured in the amount I'd spend in glasses, contacts, and solutions over a three year period would be about the same amount as my surgery. Good investment!!!
8. I drove a white Chevy Lumina throughout college and into my married years that was lovingly named Bertha. She was a good car. Ugly, large, but good.
Thank you, Emily, for being patient with me. I tag: Angela, Dona, Mimi, Nikki, and Nicole.
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Skyler's First Hair Cut
Tonight was a big night for our little one--another milestone. After waiting as long as her poor dried out frizzy hair could wait, our two year old finally got her first hair cut. It was a trim, really, but took some effort to get all the layers into one straight cut. It was kind of fun to be together and make a "beauty shop" moment of it all, but how bitter-sweet to cut off those little baby hairs and realize she's not a baby anymore. This has been a week of milestones--we accomplished potty-training. She went to church Wednesday night in big girl panties and came home all dry--a pretty big accomplishment for a 27 month old. But I still hang on to every ounce of baby girl I can. Sooner than I'd like she'll be all grown up. This is just the beginning! :)
Saving Your Child's Life
Sunday morning I had the scariest mommy moment yet!!!
Coby was running late and I was on Praise Team, so I grabbed Sky and we were off to church, leaving Daddy to meet us there as soon as he could. We got about halfway there and Skyler all at once began SCREAMING at the top of her lungs. I glanced back at her to see a look of utter terror on her face. She was inching back as far as she could in her car seat and had her little legs pulled up as close to her body as she possibly could.
The rational mom I am thought, "Oh, there must be a bug on the seat." But her screaming only accelerated.
Little did I know...
As I pulled to a stop, I began praying. This was unusual behavior for her. She generally loves the car, and whatever she saw gripped her with fear. She would not look away for anything. I put the Tahoe in park, ran around and quickly opened her door to discover
A SPIDER THE SIZE OF GOLIATH DANGLING IN FRONT OF MY BABY'S FACE!!!!
OK, so I am exaggerating a little. It was only about the size of a silver dollar. But, if you know anything about me at all, you know I am deathly afraid of spiders in any form. Regardless, the moment was at hand that I had to battle the enemy alone and save my distraught daughter's life (I think it was a garden spider, that's all).
My mind was racing. I quickly grabbed a shoe from the floor board, and jumping hysterically from one three-inch heeled foot to the other, I tried to thwack that sucker to the ground. I missed, he dangled, I tried to hit him again, and finally I succeeded in directing him to the top of the passenger seat. THWACK!!!! I thought I got him, but he wasn't on the top of the seat anymore, so he must have dropped to the seat itself--or into Skyler's bag which was sitting open in the front seat. I opened the front door and noticed a web gleaming in the morning sun. It ran from the floor board to my purse, up the diaper bag, and over the seat. I must have let him in when I opened the door at the house. But now, I thought he was back in the bag.
I proceded to empty Sky's bag carefully, shaking out each article of clothing or loose item, and then I finally dumped the whole thing out. No spider. This makes any person nervous, especially one that is afraid of spiders more than death itself. But this is my child. I MUST protect her at all costs, so I continue the search. I look all over the floor board, the seat, everywhere. No spider. Finally, as I am getting ready to close the doors and proceed to church, I LOOK UP.
AHHHHH!!!!!! I scream. Bad move, because then Skyler starts screaming. Then the spider starts running frantically and decides to descend once again IN FRONT OF SKYLER'S FACE!!!! Oh, Lord! Help me!! Send Coby here NOW!!! No such luck, but I did think to grab the diaper changing pad that was still laying on the ground and try to hit the beast outside the car. This under any normal circumstance with any calm individual would have worked, but not with me. I couldn't hit it, and even though my body was freaking out, I was trying to keep as quiet as I could so Skyler wouldn't be any more traumatized than she was already.
With this last ditch effort not working, I knew the inevitable was about to happen. I was going to have to do SOMETHING to get that spider away from my child. With all the strength I could muster, I grabbed at the spider WITH MY BARE HAND and threw as far and as hard as I could.
All was still. The wind blew calmly and I think I heard the faint sound of an old western theme song in the background.
Skyler said, "Mommy, where'd the spider go?" I reassured her that he missed his mommy and daddy and so I put him back in the grass so he could go home to eat his dinner. I had saved her, but I have to tell you, we have both woken up in the night with dreams of spiders since then. We are now trying to reinforce that spiders are our friend and that Mr. Spider just got lost.
It was quite the event...and the good news is, I beat a spider and I still made it to church in time.
Coby was running late and I was on Praise Team, so I grabbed Sky and we were off to church, leaving Daddy to meet us there as soon as he could. We got about halfway there and Skyler all at once began SCREAMING at the top of her lungs. I glanced back at her to see a look of utter terror on her face. She was inching back as far as she could in her car seat and had her little legs pulled up as close to her body as she possibly could.
The rational mom I am thought, "Oh, there must be a bug on the seat." But her screaming only accelerated.
Little did I know...
As I pulled to a stop, I began praying. This was unusual behavior for her. She generally loves the car, and whatever she saw gripped her with fear. She would not look away for anything. I put the Tahoe in park, ran around and quickly opened her door to discover
A SPIDER THE SIZE OF GOLIATH DANGLING IN FRONT OF MY BABY'S FACE!!!!
OK, so I am exaggerating a little. It was only about the size of a silver dollar. But, if you know anything about me at all, you know I am deathly afraid of spiders in any form. Regardless, the moment was at hand that I had to battle the enemy alone and save my distraught daughter's life (I think it was a garden spider, that's all).
My mind was racing. I quickly grabbed a shoe from the floor board, and jumping hysterically from one three-inch heeled foot to the other, I tried to thwack that sucker to the ground. I missed, he dangled, I tried to hit him again, and finally I succeeded in directing him to the top of the passenger seat. THWACK!!!! I thought I got him, but he wasn't on the top of the seat anymore, so he must have dropped to the seat itself--or into Skyler's bag which was sitting open in the front seat. I opened the front door and noticed a web gleaming in the morning sun. It ran from the floor board to my purse, up the diaper bag, and over the seat. I must have let him in when I opened the door at the house. But now, I thought he was back in the bag.
I proceded to empty Sky's bag carefully, shaking out each article of clothing or loose item, and then I finally dumped the whole thing out. No spider. This makes any person nervous, especially one that is afraid of spiders more than death itself. But this is my child. I MUST protect her at all costs, so I continue the search. I look all over the floor board, the seat, everywhere. No spider. Finally, as I am getting ready to close the doors and proceed to church, I LOOK UP.
AHHHHH!!!!!! I scream. Bad move, because then Skyler starts screaming. Then the spider starts running frantically and decides to descend once again IN FRONT OF SKYLER'S FACE!!!! Oh, Lord! Help me!! Send Coby here NOW!!! No such luck, but I did think to grab the diaper changing pad that was still laying on the ground and try to hit the beast outside the car. This under any normal circumstance with any calm individual would have worked, but not with me. I couldn't hit it, and even though my body was freaking out, I was trying to keep as quiet as I could so Skyler wouldn't be any more traumatized than she was already.
With this last ditch effort not working, I knew the inevitable was about to happen. I was going to have to do SOMETHING to get that spider away from my child. With all the strength I could muster, I grabbed at the spider WITH MY BARE HAND and threw as far and as hard as I could.
All was still. The wind blew calmly and I think I heard the faint sound of an old western theme song in the background.
Skyler said, "Mommy, where'd the spider go?" I reassured her that he missed his mommy and daddy and so I put him back in the grass so he could go home to eat his dinner. I had saved her, but I have to tell you, we have both woken up in the night with dreams of spiders since then. We are now trying to reinforce that spiders are our friend and that Mr. Spider just got lost.
It was quite the event...and the good news is, I beat a spider and I still made it to church in time.
Coby's Birthday
This weekend we celebrated Coby's birthday since he had to work all day on his real birthday. It was fun to surprise him with a scavenger hunt of sorts that tracked him through a "Daddy's Great Day." Then he got his Calloway irons--and needless to say, he was pretty excited!!! Skyler also got some "thematic" presents along the way. Here's some pictures of their combo-gifts: planting roses together with their new gardening tools and gloves, mowing the lawn, and playing golf. It was a lot of fun!!!
Friday, August 17, 2007
My Girl
Can I just say that Skyler is one of the most fun, most adorable, most hilarious children on the planet? This summer, even though it has been busy, has given us some great memories!!! She's explored the water a ton with swimming lessons, visits to the Y, and little trips to the splash park with her cousins. She's had a ton of fun playing dress up with her sitter Loren. And as a family, we've had a great time hanging out and enjoying each other. I'm amazed every day with how much of a big girl she's becoming. I will say, she is potty trained almost all the way. She had only one accident each the past two days, and that was at the potty--she just couldn't get her panties down fast enough!!! And she wore big girl panties ALL DAY LONG!!! What an amazing feat!! I couldn't have done it without Loren's dedication!!! And she's beginning to say and do these big girl things that seem too "big" for her little two year-three-month-old self--at least when she's awake. She still craves cuddle time and wants to be rocked to sleep, and she asks to pray and sing the night-night song as our regular routine. I love that she's still that much of a baby, and I'm not in a hurry to dismiss those moments. Isn't it great being a mom? And isn't she just cute!!!
He Loves Me...
Yesterday I was on my way home from a meeting. I was by myself, which is VERY rare, and of course my mind was racing with all the things I have to get accomplished as a mommy, a wife, an educator. All the things of my world were filling in the void.
I was in Coby's car, which has XM radio and as I scanned the channels, I stopped on a Christian station. There was nothing particularly amazing about any of the songs I heard last night, nothing particularly emotional or moving or inspirational. My mind was going--I wasn't even really paying attention to the "words" or the music for that matter. But I found myself overwhelmed by a sense of longing--a deep desire to rest, to cry, to get emotional. The Adrielle I am reasoned it away for a minute, blaming it on stress or the rythme of the music--HOW ANALYTICAL AND HOW SILLY!!! :)
As I wondered at my wondering, I said, "Lord, are you saying something to me? Am I supposed to be listening to you?" In that still, quiet nudging that is so real, so intimate, so close to my heart, so a part of my uttermost being, I heard him say, "No, I just want you to know I love you so very much."
I stopped thinking in that moment.
I stopped analyzing.
I allowed myself to be loved by my Abba. I entered worship, right there in my car, without singing a word. Without thinking about it for one second. I just let myself BE.
It was nice.
So all you sisters out there, let God love you. In the stillness of that little moment, he just desires to envelope you in his arms and let you know that you are on his mind. He loves you. PERIOD. No matter what. He knows what you need, what you desire, what makes you sad, what makes you happy. He knows, and he cares so very intimately. Rest in that today.
I was in Coby's car, which has XM radio and as I scanned the channels, I stopped on a Christian station. There was nothing particularly amazing about any of the songs I heard last night, nothing particularly emotional or moving or inspirational. My mind was going--I wasn't even really paying attention to the "words" or the music for that matter. But I found myself overwhelmed by a sense of longing--a deep desire to rest, to cry, to get emotional. The Adrielle I am reasoned it away for a minute, blaming it on stress or the rythme of the music--HOW ANALYTICAL AND HOW SILLY!!! :)
As I wondered at my wondering, I said, "Lord, are you saying something to me? Am I supposed to be listening to you?" In that still, quiet nudging that is so real, so intimate, so close to my heart, so a part of my uttermost being, I heard him say, "No, I just want you to know I love you so very much."
I stopped thinking in that moment.
I stopped analyzing.
I allowed myself to be loved by my Abba. I entered worship, right there in my car, without singing a word. Without thinking about it for one second. I just let myself BE.
It was nice.
So all you sisters out there, let God love you. In the stillness of that little moment, he just desires to envelope you in his arms and let you know that you are on his mind. He loves you. PERIOD. No matter what. He knows what you need, what you desire, what makes you sad, what makes you happy. He knows, and he cares so very intimately. Rest in that today.
Monday, August 13, 2007
My Wonderful Life
Last night our family just relaxed together. After a trip to the pool with Skyler, we came home to Daddy who was just finishing up the yard. Coby started the "Wego" (Diego) sprinkler, I grabbed us some drinks, and we sat on the patio revelling at the awesomeness of our life. Our little girl was running into the water, giggling with glee at the pitter-patter of water on her little head. Milly and Bogey laid side by side gnawing on their own sticks, contented to be together doing what dogs do best. Coby and I sat there, looking at our corner lot, our baby, our dog and our cousin-dog, and thought we pretty much had every single thing we ever needed.
In my spirit I knew this weekend was the eve of big changes for Coby, even though his day today seemed somewhat "normal" as far as work was concerned. I knew last night, though, that this day was the beginning of a great commissioning for him, and a new beginning for us. What an amazing God we serve! What an awesome pleasure to enjoy the little things--a warm summer evening, locusts chirping, breeze blowing, and family spending time together--and the big things--a new position at a new job that TOTALLY fits him, a secure, "profitable" business that ministers to kids and helps them become better readers while they're at it, and the ultimate joy of being mommy and daddy to Skyler, the joy of our lives!!!!! The most important job ever, might I add!
I wonder where the next year will take us and what new adventures we will encounter. I wonder what will change and what will stay the same. I wonder so many things, but I don't wonder at the goodness of my God. I don't wonder at his faithfulness and that he longs to answer our prayers if we will just ask. I don't wonder at his purpose and his calling, if we will but only listen for his voice. Praise you, God! It is you alone. It's so humbling--I'm not worthy of all this blessing. I'm not worthy of all this promise, but you have called me your own. You have set in motion plans for my family I can't even begin to fathom, and I say that it is YOU, God. It is all for you. I say yes and AMEN to all that is good, all that is hard, all that is before us. What a blessing. What a precious blessing!
In my spirit I knew this weekend was the eve of big changes for Coby, even though his day today seemed somewhat "normal" as far as work was concerned. I knew last night, though, that this day was the beginning of a great commissioning for him, and a new beginning for us. What an amazing God we serve! What an awesome pleasure to enjoy the little things--a warm summer evening, locusts chirping, breeze blowing, and family spending time together--and the big things--a new position at a new job that TOTALLY fits him, a secure, "profitable" business that ministers to kids and helps them become better readers while they're at it, and the ultimate joy of being mommy and daddy to Skyler, the joy of our lives!!!!! The most important job ever, might I add!
I wonder where the next year will take us and what new adventures we will encounter. I wonder what will change and what will stay the same. I wonder so many things, but I don't wonder at the goodness of my God. I don't wonder at his faithfulness and that he longs to answer our prayers if we will just ask. I don't wonder at his purpose and his calling, if we will but only listen for his voice. Praise you, God! It is you alone. It's so humbling--I'm not worthy of all this blessing. I'm not worthy of all this promise, but you have called me your own. You have set in motion plans for my family I can't even begin to fathom, and I say that it is YOU, God. It is all for you. I say yes and AMEN to all that is good, all that is hard, all that is before us. What a blessing. What a precious blessing!
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