Don't Give Up On Me Becca...

Here is that long awaited post... nothing fancy. I was going to add some pictures, but it's past my bedtime... So here goes nothing!

It's been months since I've written... Many things have changed for me.

My motto over 2010 has been "Expect Big Things." I don't know if this should be called a motto, a resolution or a hope. Regardless, this was something that was given to me/impressed on me sometime in January. This was later than usual, as my excitement usually starts sometime around now for the new year. I will tell you that Big Things have definitely happened this year.

My personal favorite: Maesyn Grace Wylie joined us on October 6th. For as much as it may have seemed to my husband that I complained, I truly loved being pregnant. And for as much as it may seem crazy to some, I'm loving being a mom and am excited to do it again one day. One of the best compliments I've received since Maesyn's birth is that I "look very comfortable in my new-found motherhood." I would say that for all the worries I had before Maesyn was born they vanished over the first few days of caring for her. This experience has by far been one of the best of my life.

This next one is an ongoing lesson for me. I realized in February that "Expect(ing) Big Things" didn't always mean they would be happy or pleasant things. In February, we had to put Brie, my first dog, down. This was just the beginning of tough things for me. This year has found my mother with a disease that doctors say there is no treatment for. She has been given a limited amount of time - much shorter than hopef for - bute we pray for spiritual and physical healing. God is the Great Physician. I pray that God will be glorified in my family's response to this circumstance, that we will be given the opportunity to minister to others through this. Please pray with me.

I love the way that God has moved in the lives of many of my friends and family. So many big things... and the year is not over yet. I am praying for what 2011's motto will be.

I hope to post more, getting back into the swing of things. For your reading pleasure, I am sharing my husband's new blog. He is such a wonderful father and writer, so here he is combining the two: http://smittenfather.wordpress.com. Enjoy!

Oh so irritated...

So I had a full, complete post typed and poof it vanished. So here's just a note for you to know I'm working on something... Don't give up hope!

Until then...

The Whole Truth

(Rembrandt - Raising of the Cross)

Recently, I have been convicted of the way I am choosing to live my life. Most of it has to do with the fact that my heart is arrogant and proud, and deep down - really deep down - I believe (and live like) I deserve all that I have AND more. That's right... I just said that. It's not easy to confess or type this for the whole world to see. I don't share this with a cavalier attitude.

If my heart and perspective were founded in Truth, I would be humble. I would generously give of all that I have. I would not worry about security or tomorrow or whether or not the I had the remote to the t.v. and if the pillows on the bed were put on in proper order and fashion. It would be natural for me to speak kindness. I would share the love of Christ with all that I encountered .... in word and deed.

It all started to sink in a few days ago when I was listening to a podcast of a local pastor. First, he said (and I'm not really quoting, I'm paraphrasing) something that I have heard multiple times growing up in the church: "If you were the only person on the planet, Christ would still have died for you." And yes, that tiny, proud voice in my head said, "because He loves me." Then, out of nowhere the speaker blindsided me with: "And if you were the only person on the planet, you wouldn't only be the person who shouted 'Crucify Him,' you would be the one who publicly scourged, mocked and crucified Christ - the perfect Lamb of God - with hammer and nails in hand."

This shattered me... in all my perfectly thought out and well deserved entitlements... in the life that I have lived and become satisfied with.

Who am I? The whole truth?

I am the one who raised the cross, not the one who took it down.

I am the one who doesn't like the whole truth, but prays to God that it become an ever present reality in the way I live (and give) my life and that it break and humble me every day.

More Sewing Projects

This is dress number two. Very comfortable. Slightly modified from the pattern. I removed the zippered portion and left it closed to go over the head. It's been a good maternity dress for this hot, hot summer.

This could be considered dress number three. However, I would wear it more as shirt number one. It still requires a little adjusting to the top, but this is pretty much completed. I'm still trying to get the proper measurements and cuts down so that clothes will fit, but each project brings me closer.

I have two more shirts in the works and possibly one more dress (for a wedding), then starts the fun baby stuff. I'm planning on a feeding cover and maybe some bedding. I'll keep posting completed works.

Oh, the fruit!

God continually amazes me!

In a time of life that is so full of change and ripe with new and exciting things, my life has also had a lot of complicated and confusing things going on...

Things that can leave a person feeling wilted, withered and at times not even fruit bearing - meaning having no purpose, no point, no reward/return/growth.

So this being said, about two weeks ago we started to notice the green bulbs on our peach tree were actually getting quite large and turning more yellow than green. Within the last few days, we've picked over a dozen beautiful peaches - and consumed about half of them. Oh so very tasty! These are the first fruits for this tree. Though it can look sad and thirsty some days, it has flourished here with us.

For me, this experience was just a reminder that often times fruit can go unnoticed until it's there. It comes in rainy seasons and dry seasons. It comes when things are going good and when things are going bad. It ALL comes from God, and He is always fruitful.

Below I've attached a few pictures of our pickings and our tree.

Cleaning House!

So, I loath house cleaning. Though I love a clean house. I think the part that I struggle with the most is that it feels like it's a never ending chore. One minute it's clean the next oh so dirty - and the kids aren't even here yet! Really I think most of it is due to our cat, O.W. He loves to leave his hair everywhere. I can spend a half hour sweeping, and less than a minute after I'm done I can see a tumble weed hair roll past me. I'm posting a picture of him so that you can see why we keep him around. He's very handsome. In this picture, he decided he was going to sit in my chair. I walked into the room and couldn't pass up this photo op.

Anyway, back to the topic at hand. I have this dear friend, Stormy, who recently sent me a copy of a book she's been using called "The Naturally Clean Home." She's replacing one cleaning product at a time, as she finishes up what she's already bought. I'm beginning this same journey. We are almost done with our store bought, liquid laundry detergent, and I just bought the ingredients for home made laundry soap. For about $20, I'm anticipating having naturally safe and clean detergent well into next year. I will keep you posted on how I like it, but as of right now, I'm already scoping out supplies for our next "replacement." I had a wood cleaner/pledge substitute highly recommended, but I think I'm going to start with an all purpose cleaner first.

I'm still wanting to post some updates on the new patio, the growing belly and what I've been learning - about being in the home and staying passionate and active in my relationship with God as I'm preparing for this little girl. I'm starting to work on a mission statement, and I'm still working finishing what I start. I also have pictures from our trip to New Mexico. I have to take a picture of where a tree branch decided to fall on our car just minutes after we got out of it. David was lucky it wasn't his head.

Schedules, Plans and Control

Ahhh, I must confess... I love all these things. I am working at giving up more control. I find my "need" for it can make me a not very nice person.
Schedules and plans, however, I love; and I am trying to get better at them. My friend Stephanie recently blogged about how she get's done all she does in a day. It involved planning things out - so of course I loved it.
What her planning lead me to do was to begin making similar plans of my own - using her method and adapting it to my needs.
So I am proud to say that over this last week I have been more productive and consistent than I have been since I quit my job. I manage to find time for my quiet time, extra reading, house projects, house cleaning and more. I am usually ready for bed by the end of the day - but it feels like a full day, and I'm usually ready for the coming day.
This is basically the lists method, with emphasis on prioritizing the daily tasks that need to get done - making them first on the list. Then to continue on and list the tasks that you would like to work on and complete on that day. For me, there are times when tasks get moved to the next day, but not the important ones.
Anyway, I am just really excited about how well this is working for me. I think my husband is not as big a fan, as he is not really a planner - but he can and does appreciate how it changes my day! Especially since he now gets three homemade/cooked meals a day, on most days....
I would also add that even taking time to write this blog is part of my list. I do enjoy writing and sharing thoughts - I'm just not good at taking the time. So I am making the time. I plan to improve and hope to include more well thought out posts along with more pictures as I progress.
Anyway, thanks for sticking with me through this post. I really am very excited about how well this is working for me. For those interested in reading Stephanie's original post, here is the link: www.stephaniecherry.com/2010/06/all-in-days-work.html

Sunday...

So today my husband and I tried out a new church. It's the first time in a while I didn't have a strong "no, thanks" feeling, and we mutually agreed we needed to try it another time or two. We are hoping to make a move to a church closer to home so we can develop a more active community and fellowship.
This past week has been really strange. I'm not even 100% sure how I feel about everything. I spent most of the week at home, I got a lot done... but it still feels like something is/was missing. I haven't even figured out what's missing. It's an unsettling feeling. I'm praying that a quiet day will put things into perspective. I haven't even figured out what all needs to be done this week. Maybe I'm trying to be too productive?
So that wraps up my day and week, I suppose. This is my rambling edition for today. Until my next post.

Getting things done... FINALLY

So I'm happy to say that the nursery is almost entirely cleared of things that do not belong there. There's still somethings that will move, but some will have to wait as things get shifted around and re-arranged to make room.
The cat, O.W., is officially locked out of the room - no more cat hair in there for the next few years... or for as long as we can manage. Wish we could swing something like that for the master bedroom as well.
Soon the walls will be painted and the carpet removed. I will have pictures for you then. I am getting excited!
Next, I'm about one hour and a proofing away from finishing the last paper for my first class. It will be submitted by Friday morning. At which time, I will start to work on my second class after having requested the test for the first.
When I started this post, I thought I had a lot more accomplished. Maybe it's just because these two topped my "to do" list this week - and it's only Thursday. It could also be that I've been wanting to get these two things done for about six months.
Anyway, I'm also just going to point out that this is another post for me. My efforts to find things to share, and to write them out are slowly succeeding... slowly, for sure.
Well that's all for now. Done with procrastinating on that final hour of paper work. See you on the other side, hopefully with an A and pictures of the progress made on the nursery.

Ahh the growth!

So since my last post, much has changed. So here's a few photos of the growing and the changing.

First: Here is my FINISHED dress number 1. Not perfect, but has character. Very comfortable and fun to wear. Still haven't figured out for sure if making this was more cost effective than buying it, but I'm thinking the more I learn how to sew the more I'll be able to save.



Next up, the yard. This shows the before and after. Before our yard was all weeds, which David and dad tilled up a couple of times. Then seed was planted, patience employed and much watering done.... and the product? The beautiful green lawn.

So, the last picture is our growing bump. It's definitely growing now - though not always obvious. This is me helping accentuate it for the sake of getting a pic of the baby. This was me at about 4.5 months.

So this is what's going on in my life. Lots of changes and lots of growth, with an ever growing desire to finish what I've started... including making a point to post this post!

OK, enough for today. Off to feed the bump and help it grow a little more!

Realization...

Have you ever experienced a depressing, but true realization about yourself? I did this past week. It's sad really. I will say though, that now that I know about it I am going to endeavor to change it.... and here's how I'm going to start. I'm going to tell you all what my realization was....

I start things all the time and NEVER finish. That's right. This blog is a good example. So scattered, didn't stick with it the way I should have.

I started crocheting. I crocheted two scarves that look almost identical then half of something else...

I started knitting. I have knit almost an entire sweater, but lost steam on the last sleeve.

I started cleaning out the closet, the spare room, the bookshelves, the kitchen.... and got a chunk done of it all.

I've started books that I've never bothered to finish - some of that's on principle - they were not good books, but some just got put down.

I started reviewing books and only made it through two and one-third books.

I started running.... then I started walking.

I started a master's program two years ago.... and I'm still at the beginning (this is probably my most embarrassing unfinished).

Seriously, this could go on forever. It seems like I want to try everything - this week I'm going to sew my first article of clothing... or at least START to... I had my first sewing lesson yesterday.

Now, I'm not saying that I need to be doing all of these things, but there are definitely some things that I should be following through on... and this is my first step to finishing them. Most of these are hobbies or little things (minimal eternal consequence), but some are not. They are things that can effect my day-to-day living, my marriage, my self-esteem even.

So my next thing to start is to start finishing things.... and this one is the only one that I'm going to attempt to stick with...

How you may ask... By taking time to consider if what I'm starting is worth finishing. If the answer is no, then I will move on. If it's yes, then I will strive to finish it - no matter how long it takes. I'm going to start considering if I enjoy what I start or if it's out of guilt that I feel I need to finish.

This is going to be an interesting summer!

So many changes...

Life over the last few months has flown by. I am no longer employed. I have been working on the house, traveling, and spending time with family. A few hobbies that I've taken up include: knitting, more reading, soon to be sewing. I am not consistent or good at all/any of these yet, but they are keeping me more than busy.
So really, this is not a deep, intense or long post. This is really a "breaking in" to help me remember what it's like to post... So here's to me starting to keep up with the changes... and adding blogging to my new hobby list.
Good to be back, friends.

Just ASK!

I've never been a big asker - for help, for information, for anything really. I do ask questions in conversations, socially in getting to know people, but that's it really. Over the past few weeks, I have been learning about asking.

It all started with Exodus and the Israelites leaving Egypt. I never noticed before that in Exodus before Moses left for Egypt (Ex. 3:22), he was instructed about a time he was going to have to ask. Again as the Israelites were preparing for the last plague (Ex. 11:2) Moses instructed the Israelites to ask. Finally the results of asking (Ex. 12:35-36) were seen as they were leaving Egypt.

So, if you didn't go look up the passages it's the verse where God instructs the Israelites to request/ask from the Egyptians (neighbors and those above them) for articles of silver and articles of gold and clothing. The result, v. 36, "and the LORD had given the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they let them have their request. Thus they plundered the Egyptians.

Did you catch that? Just by asking!

Moses asked/prayed to see God's glory (Ex. 33:18).
Abraham asked for Sodom and Gomorrah to be spared if 50, then 45, 40, 30, 20, finally 10 righteous men within the city (Gen. 18:23-32).
Hezekiah beseeched for years to be added to his life (2 Kings 20:1-7).

And the list can go on and on. I love these examples because they are seemingly impossible things that we would never think to ask. Yet bold men asked and God answered in a big way. I love that all the Israelites had to do to plunder Egypt was ask.

So I have been learning about prayer and asking. Learning to go before God with requests and desires. I've also been learning to ask family and friends. God has been faithful to open my eyes to his answers, and he has been so faithful in teaching me and showing me his character and love.

On a side note, I would say that these were all asked and answered to God's glory. I do not consider myself a believer in the prosperity gospel (that God wants us to have all we want/need because we just do, and the world tells us we need it - this is not a biblical truth). I believe God gives us what we need to do the work he's called us to, not to live a cozy, comfy life.

In closing, two of my favorite quotes

Andrew Murrary on prayer

"God knows far better than we what we need. But as we get a deeper insight into what prayer really is, this truth will help much to strengthen our faith. It will teach us that we do not need, as the unbelieving, with the multitude and urgency of words, to compel an unwilling God to listen to us.... It will, when once we have been led by the Spirit to the certainty that our request is indeed something that, according to the Word, we do need for God's glory, giving us wonderful confidence to say, My Father knows I need it and must have it."

"Christ has opened the school of prayer specially to train intercessors for the great work of bringing down, by their faith and prayer, the blessing of His work and love on the world around. There can be no deep growth in prayer unless this be made our aim. The little child may ask of the father only what it needs for itself; and yet it soon learns to say, give some for sister too. But the grownup son, who only lives for the father's interest and takes charge of the father's business, ask more largely, and gets all that is asked."

Happy Anniversary!

My wonderful husband and I celebrated our one-year anniversary December 27th. He continues to surprise me with unexpected romance. Granted, he knows I'm too much of a planner to be completely "surprised," but I'm learning to let go. He let me help plan, but really it was all his idea.

We spent the night in downtown Austin at the Stephen F. Austin. I would TOTALLY recommend it for a lovely, romatic evening out. We had dinner at Eddie V's. Um... YUM! We split their salad (with crab and shrimp), a filet mignon with crab rice and mac and cheese. To top it off we split their melting Godiva chocolate cake.

This past year went by so fast. I think we're both looking forward to this year and those following. God has been opening our hearts to new things - from Sarah moving in while Aaron is away to hopes for children to convictions about what we need to be doing with our lives - the time, energy and money God has entrusted to us.

You're so Bed, Bath and Beyond

So this it's been a while since I've posted. The last month has been busy with the holidays and household changes. So the title to this blog came from an interesting encounter I had this past month. Here's the story:

On the day before Christmas Eve, it was about 70F degrees outside. My husband got off work early so I met him and a couple of friends for a drink at a wonderful little neighborhood bar by his office called Nomads. I had been running around Christmas shopping, so I thought it'd be nice to unwind, enjoy friends and of course, the wonderful winter weather.

There was another couple at the bar; the woman had obviously had one too many and was there for one (or three) more. She quickly made friends with all of us. Almost immediately I loved her.

I don't know if it was the straightforward, honest inquiry of who we were and why we were there or if it was the clear pain and insecurity when she spoke of her job, family and the upcoming holiday celebrations. She had a slightly veiled insult for everyone at the table, with a hint of buried envy beneath every one.

You may have guessed by now that my insult is the subject line. Everyone at the table, including her boyfriend, was worried that I would be offended by this (she waited till I was away from the table before sharing mine). So I heard it the second time around. Maybe I'm missing something, but I heard more the desire to be clean, nice and organized than an insult.

I don't consider myself Bed, Bath and Beyond.... yet.

So JenniLee, thank you. It was a pleasure to meet you. I'm praying for you. May 2010 be a year full of blessing, love, restoration and Bed, Bath and Beyond.