A Mindful Moment

Well, as the story goes Emerson caught my cold. Poor little babe can barely breath. Tonight I washed everything on hot in an optimistic attempt to keep Josh from joining us sickies.

All of this is mute though in comparison to news I stumbled upon yesterday. An old high school friend's son, who was not much older than Emerson, passed away last week due to complications from an outpatient surgery. It is all I can think of as I go about the day. I wonder how her mama heart can go on.

"I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland." Isaiah 43:19

This weekend we are celebrating some friends welcoming their first child soon. We head into this weekend mindful of the privilege of being parents and the gratitude of being able to raise a child.

Staycation

Sorry for the radio silence. After our staycation I came down with a cold but I'm still basking in our overnighter. Josh booked a room at Terranea in Palos Verdes and it was heaven.

The food was so-so, the staff half professional, half not-professional but the grounds and the accommodations were spectacular.

We saw whales off the coast while on a walk, laid out by the pool, slept in and that was pretty much it. It was wonderfully simple. We even held hands while walking around and sat still to watch the sun go down.

And gratitude to my mother in law for taking such good care of our little. We missed her something good though. This is what we came home to.

Friday Favorites

Say hello to Blane on the left and Aimee on the right. ;)

Two of my new international kids stuff favs // mylillelimon  /  gardener and the gang

Our staycation is happening this weekend! Instagram, I'm a comin. :p

Retaining Wall, Up!

Guys, Josh and I are going on an overnighter away from the baby for the first time this weekend - an early anniversary gift from Josh. I am equal parts thrilled/dreading it. I know it comes at a good time though. Yesterday I put deodorant on my lips thinking it was chapstick and today I brewed coffee without the carafe. -_-

Happy Hump Day!

My daughter spent 4 weeks of her walking life wanting to hold our hands. 

And only 4 weeks. *parents crying 

My little body builder is grow'in on up ya'll.

Grandma

Today is my grandma's 91st birthday. We celebrated yesterday afternoon with lunch in the park.

My grandpa did a write up in the senior bulletin at church for Mother's Day. This is what he had to say.

The person you see me with in church every Sunday morning is my wife and companion of almost 70 years, Marian. She is the mother of my three children who are now in their 60's. 

The seventy years have been good years. We were married when I was a theological student in Chicago and she was a student at the Art Institute. It was during the WWII years which was a somewhat hectic time. 

Unlike weddings today, ours was a very simple affair. Both of us were separated from family who were still in various stages of resettlement from the Poston relocation center. We managed through the kindness of family and friends. We hurried back from San Diego, where we were married, to Berkeley for seminary classes the following week. 

Our first home was a room in the home of a member of the Berkeley church. We had no car but got around by city buses and street cars. Marian supplemented my somewhat meager salary working as activity playground director in the city of Berkeley. She was later employed in a business office in Oakland to where she commuted by street car. 

She also helped in our church running errands to various places by city bus and street cars. Our home situation improved when we moved into facilities at UC where I took classes in German to qualify for residency. 

We were next appointed to Glendale Arizona. The parsonage had an outside toilet and a bath facility. We checked nightly under the bed for scorpions and other night intruders. 

During my twenty eight years as conference superintendent, Marian was invaluable to my work. One night a group of discontented members of one of our churches packed themselves into our home. I was away and Marian hosted them until I returned. 

We have traveled much together in every continent except Australia. We traveled to churches in Japan, Hong Kong, Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Peru. We also visited Israel, Greece, Egypt and Rome. 

Marian has been with me through peace time, war time, health and major illnesses, in English and Japanese speaking churches. 

I bring these things up because of my thankfulness to God for her.

93, 91, 3, 2, 1 1/2, 1 and 1. 

These little kiddos have been given a strong DNA - one that can weather the storms of life by holding steadfast to the promises of God. One day that quiet strength will see them through something.

God is good.

Friday Favorites

"What matters is not that we do all we might have done or all we dreamed of doing, but that, while we live, we live by faith in future grace and walk in the path of love. The times are in God's hands, not ours." John Piper

You know you've earned their trust when they rest their tiny hand on your leg. 

We love Uncle Luke.

Painted!

When I pulled up to the house today I yelped in sheer relief when I saw the paint color. This is going to sound nutso (because it absolutely is) but when we bought the house we had no idea what color it was going to be. There are like four shades in the neighborhood and you just get whatever you get so I threw in the towel on the exterior. But seriously, what a relief!

My neighbors (Lord, please give us great neighbors!) got my least favorite look, the orange brown/burnt red combo. But they may like it right? Right...

We were in the neighborhood because we had our windows measured and priced for coverings. Guys, window treatments are not cheap. Please remember that when you buy a house and budget accordingly. You know what else is not cheap? EVERYTHING. ;)

Six weeks till Josh carries me and E over that threshold! ;)

Friday Favorites

Noe has gotten pretty selective about who she'll go to. No men (except for her daddy) and really not many woman. I am unabashedly proud that she lets me hold her. My poor little has been sick this week so I haven't been able to see my little niece. She has no idea the onslaught of kisses that are coming her way ~ Noe girl, I'm a com'in!

//Web Finds //

I love it when you can get past the system to try something different. Fascinating to see if it works. 

Would your grandparents like this?

YES to Game of Thrones with no cable!

Spain and Japan, here I come.

What the earth would look like if the ice melted. 

4 Things That Kill Relationships

IKEA innovation for refuges. Really great.

Sweden + Father Maternity Leave. 

Aperture + Shutter Speed + IOS for dummies (like me!)

Shutters Up!

This week we put in notice at our apartment complex and next week we are picking window treatments. Folks, we have a move-in date.

Crazy.

Weekend Recap

We can barely move. It's 7:53 and Josh and I are sitting on the couch completely immobilized. This weekend's activities beat the crap out of us but it was so so wonderful that I would do it again in a heartbeat.

I think. =)

We are so fortunate to be surrounded by family. After church there was a small egg hunt and Emerson had 9 family members alone come to watch her participate in her first hunt. Nine! 

A lot happened this weekend and all of it good and even if it wasn't, I am filled with hope because death has been defeated, my sins have been forgiven, my debt has been paid, and I am free. I hope you are filled with hope this Easter too!

//

We stutter and we stammer 'til You say us
A symphony of chaos 'til You play us
Phrases on the pages of unknown
'Til You read us into poetry and prose

We are kept and we are captive 'til You free us
Vaguely unimagined 'til You dream us
Aimlessly unguided 'til You lead us home

And by Your voice, we speak
And by Your strength, no longer weak
We are no longer weak

And by Your wounds we are healed
And by Your wounds we are healed

Passed over and passed by until You claim us
Orphaned and abandoned 'til You name us
Hidden and disclosed 'til You expose our hearts

And by Your death we live
It is by Your gift that we might give
That we might give

And by Your wounds we are healed
(Tell me what kind of love is this)
And by Your wounds we are healed

What kind of love would take Your shame
And spill His blood for you
And save us by His wounds

And by Your wounds we are healed
(Tell me what kind of love is this)
And by Your wounds we are healed

(What kind of love)
And by Your wounds we are healed
(Tell me what kind of love is this)
And by Your wounds we are healed, healed