Movin' and Groovin'

Well we finally have a walker on our hands.  Little Britches had walked enough for us to get it on video, but not enough for any of our real life friends or family to see it up close and personal, but two weeks ago everything changed.  Little Britches decided she would put those great walking skills to use and started walking all around the house, the yard, the store, the tub..anywhere she thought she could.  She has only had one major fall, but it was a doozy.  It was such a doozy I forgot to take a picture of it because I was so worried about it being a serious trama to the head.  Good grief!  Way to get mama worked up!

Here are a few pictures of her on the move.

Names

I hope you all had a wonderful Labor Day weekend! We sure did!




We had a weekend full of friends and family. Some of them we were expecting to see and some of them were a total surprise. As I went through the weekend I found it interesting to think about the relationship I have with each person we ran into and their name...yes their name.



On Saturday morning our little family got up and headed out the door to the Ladybird Lake Hike and Bike for a 10 mile run. While on the run we saw a girl who had attended our church while she was in high school and was good friends with my sister-in-law. We have not seen this girl since my sister-in-law got married 5 years ago. Because of the amount of time that had passed since I last saw this girl, and because I was running and when I run I do not have a lot of extra breath, I did not call this girl by name. I just waved as we passed each other on the loop twice.



After our run we met up with dear friends of ours for a little play date at Zilker Park. Not only did I call them by name, but I asked about how things were going in specific areas of their life. I shared a train ride, some playtime, and a meal with them. During the course of these activities our conversation passed naturally from serious subjects to the mundane. We loved knowing and being known by our friends.



When we were leaving the park my husband recognized a family that is a friend of a friend. We remembered their last name, but could not quite recall their first names. We had, once upon a time, shared a race experience and a meal with them. We had enjoyed our time with them and wanted to say hello, so I did go up and call them by their last name, admit my forgetfulness on their first names. We exchange a few friendly words and then went on about our day.



As we were walking into lunch I saw a co-worker who had moved away last year. She had her first child just a few months before I had Little Britches. I had not seen her since we said good bye at work over a year ago. In my pure surprise and delight I called out her name, though there was a tree between us that made it hard for us to see each other at first. I was so excited to quickly catch up on the major things going on in her life, including expecting her second son. So fun!



Later Saturday evening we had a cook out with my husband's side of the family. During the course of our time there I called everyone by name. I found out what milestone my niece and nephews were hitting. I learned about my brother-in-law's opinion of cyclist and saw my husband's passion for sharing the road on display. No one was looking to see if you were wearing your best dress, using your best manners, or even picking up after yourself.



Sunday afternoon found us picking up my sister and heading to San Antonio to see my side of the family. We again, sat with those we love and who love us and shared some of our lives together. We would call out someone's name and ask a question, trying to squeeze in 3 months of conversation into 3 hours. Everyone was a part of the conversation. My two year old niece had something to add and it was valued as much as my 80 year old grandmother's opinion. There was about half an hour when everyone in the house was standing by or sitting next to another family member, looking in their eyes and talking. I felt so comfortable there. When my family gathers there is always at least one who is not "family" by blood or marriage, but simply family because our family circle is always open to those who need a crazy group of people to come around them and love them. Sunday was no exception. Our newest "family" member has not been around long, so I am still getting to know her, but I love her already because of what she has meant to other members of my family.



My sister came home with us and spent the night with us. She hung around on Labor Day and even came with me as I had lunch with a friend I haven't seen in over a year! When we arrived at the restaurant I called out my friend's name and her kids' names because I was surprised at how much pre-teens and teens change in just a year's time. They are really grown up. Still the sweet and well-mannered children I know, but now they are certainly young adults.



All this catching up got me to thinking about how the first thing you get to know about someone is their name, but as you get to know the person better and better their name carries a meaning or a memory for you. Your name is what you use to identify them, but the memories you have built with them is what brings a feeling of fondness to mind as you say or think about their name.



So of all the people I spent time with this weekend which situation most reflect the way I am with God or the way you are with God? Do you know his name, but it's been awhile since you've seen him so you just kind of give him a passing nod? Do you enjoy him as you would enjoy a play date and lunch with friends? Does he bring a smile to your face? Is he family? The kind of family you can be yourself around? Can you talk to him- really look into his heart and talk to him? Can you listen to him? Can you know him and be known by him? Is he a friend of a friend and you really don't know anything about him at all? Is he a friend you love but haven't caught up with in a long time? Do you try to do 3 months worth of God time in one sitting because you have been out of touch?



I don't know where you are. I don't really even know exactly where I am, but I know that when we know someone, really know them their name brings something to mind. So I think I am going to sit and think about God's name and what it brings to mind. Then I am going to pray that I have the privilege to know him more- to know him by name.

Also it makes me think a little about my name, what do people think of when they think of my name.  It just makes you curious, doesn't it?

Do Something!

I feel like I have little control over what happens in the world.  I am not a great leader of a big company or organization.  I don't create policy or laws.  I am just an average housewife, in an average neighborhood, in an average size town in Texas. What can I really do to make a difference in any one's life long term?  I try to think seriously about that question often and one topic I keep coming back to is adoption.  Scripture gives us clear instructions when it come to widows and orphans- make a difference in their lives long term!  How can I do that?  I don't know all the answers to that question.  Honestly there is a part of me that is a little scared to dig too deep into the issue.  I am afraid God will call me to adopt 17 children.  Right now I am wondering if/when we should even have 2!  But while God and I are discussing how I can be obedient to him in this area I still want to do something.  I don't have to adopt 17 children today to make a difference today.  One way I can make a difference is by spending my dollars in places that make a difference in the lives of orphans.  One place I spend money is on running races.  Now, I don't spend a lot compared to some, but I did sign up for at least 2 big races a year.  They usually cost $50-$100.  Where does that money go?  Often it goes to a "good cause", but sometimes it goes back to the race.  I have decided that I want to do races that not only benefit a "good cause" but benefit causes that are close to my heart.  I just want to think critically about where I am spending my racing dollars.  That doesn't mean I won't do some races that are just for fun, but I just want to think about it before I spend.  

This process has led me and my hubby to decided not to do the San Antonio Rock N' Roll Half Marathon as we have done the past two years, but instead to do the Chosen: Marathon for Adoption Half Marathon.  It is the goal of the race directors that all money raised by the race goes directly to families who are in the adoption process.  A process that can be very costly to families.  I am excited to be running for such a great cause- a cause that is close to my heart.  Who knows.  Maybe one day I will be of the families who will benefit from the run. 

My training has started.  I want to take a short video each week to mark my progress and give a short update.  Look for those soon.

A Toddler Lives Here!

Our little girl turned one recently! Can you believe it? It gave me a chance to reflect on the year that has passed. I realized that I have not shared the story of her birth. The reason is that all four people who read my blog were there or have heard it already, but MGM may want to read it some day, so here goes!

Dear MGM,

Your BIRTHday was a very special day in the lives of your mommy and daddy, as well as the rest of the family. You mommy had a wonderful pregnancy. She was never sick and was able to workout all the way until the very end. She was healthy and felt beautiful pregnant. She traveled to Indonesia, taught school, and planned and directed camp. I think camp may be what did her in, though, because you were not due until July 13, but you come on June 28. Here's how it happened.

On June 26 camp was over and your Aunt Andi was picking up Julianna from our house. Julianna had come to stay with us for the week so she could go to camp. I told Aunt Andi I felt like you might be ready to come, but I wasn't sure. I called my doctor to see if she thought it might be time for you to be born, but she was out of town visiting her family, so she asked me to go to the hospital so they could check and see if you were ready to be born. That made me a little nervous because Daddy had gone out of town. He was doing a big triathlon on Sunday morning in Lubbock. I wanted to go with him, but Dr. Grimes said I shouldn't go unless I was okay with you being born in Lubbock. Lubbock was a long way from your Grandma, Grandpa, Bella, and Papa D, so I decided to stay here. When I called Daddy to tell him I was going to the hospital to let them check on you he stopped in Brownwood in case he needed to turn around and come home. After several hours of checking the nurses and doctor at the hospital said you were not ready yet and I should go home. They did tell me to try to rest a bit because it wouldn't be long an becoming a mommy takes lots of energy.

Aunt Andi, Julianna, and Melody went home that night, but then on Saturday they returned to help me get ready for your arrival because they were going to be in Florida on your due date seeing Uncle Jason, who had been in Iraqi for 6 months. All Saturday we baked, cleaned, and hung up the decorations for your room. We all went to bed Saturday night tired. I was going to start resting up for your arrival starting Sunday. I was going to take naps and read books. I was going to take it easy, but God had other plans.

About 3am on Sunday morning I my tummy started hurting a little bit. I thought it was strange, but I went back to sleep. Soon my tummy was kind of hurting a little bit every 10 minutes. I knew that meant you might be ready to be born, but it also might mean you were not quite ready yet, so I didn't know what to do. I decided I should pack a bag to go to the hospital just in case. I didn't know if I should call your daddy or not. He was about to start his big race. I knew I had just a little bit of time to catch him before he started. Once the race started it would be very hard to get in touch with him. I prayed and ask God to help me know if it was time for daddy to come home or if he could do his race. I was trying to listen and see what God said when Aunt Andi woke up and asked me how I was feeling. Just then you let us know you were ready to be born really soon because my water broke. I called Daddy and told him to come home quick.

Daddy had just taken his bike down off the bike rack of the car when I called. He put the bike back on the car and asked the man parking cars if they could stop the flow of traffic and let him drive out because his baby was on the way! Jason had ridden with Daddy to Lubbock so he drove Daddy to the airport where Daddy got on a plane and flew into Austin in time for your birth. We are so thankful for cell phones and airplanes!

While Daddy was going to the airport I called Aunt Jackie to say you were on your way. It was very early in the morning and you know "Aunt Jackie" doesn't do early mornings well, but she was awake after I said you were on your way! She came over to watch Julianna and Melody while Aunt Andi and I went to the hospital.

Once we arrived at the hospital the nurses checked to see if everything was going well. It was! You were going to be born soon! I wanted to try to have you without taking any medication because I wanted you and I to both be as alert as possible when the special moment we had been waiting more than 9 months for finally came, so when the nurses tried to give me medicine to speed up your birth I said no. God has been allowing babies to come into the world a long time without medicine, so I didn't think I needed it since everything was going so well.

Not long after getting settled into our room at the hospital people came to visit, Grandma, Bella, G.G. Moore. I was not really in a visiting mood. I was having contractions and though they were not bad yet I did not want to host a party in my room with people taking pictures! Having a baby is not your prettiest moment. They stayed until your daddy arrived from Lubbock. Then I had everyone but Aunt Andi and Daddy leave.

The next several hours were full of hard work, but Aunt Andi and Daddy helped me relax and as best I could enjoy the process of your arrival. I even fell asleep once! Soon I felt like it was time for you to be born. I told Daddy. He went and told the nurse, but she wasn't sure that was the case, because if it was time for you to be born that would be really fast. But when the doctor passed by she checked on us and sure enough it was time!

You surprised the hospital staff with how quickly you wanted to be born so they had to hurry and get everything ready. They got everything ready and here you came! You were beautiful! A gift from God! The doctor handed you to me and you began to nurse, but soon you stopped. The lights were still dim in the room so I couldn't see you very well. I said to Daddy, "She is either slepping or not breathing." He could tell by the little light we had that you had turned grey, so we called the nurses and they said you had stopped breathing. That made Mommy's heart skip a lot of beats. They quickly started working on you to make sure you were okay. You were fine. Sometimes brand new babies can't do too much at once and you were trying to suck, swallow, and breathe. You just forgot to breathe!

They whisked you off to the nursery at to do some more checking and make sure everything was fine. Daddy and everyone else went with you. I was left alone. I missed you terribly while you were gone, even though it was just for a little while.

Soon we were all back together, you, me and Daddy, starting our happy lives together now as a family of 3! We love you MGM. We are so glad you that you arrived one year ago to change our lives forever.

There is more to this story that has to do with insurance, dogs, and your Daddy sleeping in a parking lot, but we will save it for another time.

Then 6/28/09

Now 6/28/10

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

First Day of Summer, First Day of Heroes Camp

It is the first day of summer, and fittingly, it is the first day of Heroes Camp. Each year our church does a week long day camp in June.  This time last year I was 9 months pregnant, about to become a new mommy.  Fun memories. 

This year our theme is Royal Heroes of the faith. We are going to learn about Josiah, Esther, Asa, Jesus, and David. We are going to worship to David Crowder and Hillsong United. We are going to dress up as the royalty we are on Friday. We are going to have so much fun.

Camp is a huge undertaking. One that I have always HELPED direct, but this year I am directing by myself. That makes me a little nervous. I am tempted to feel like it all comes down to me, but I know that is not true. It all come down to Christ. I can find my rest in Him this week, knowing he can take what I have to give (limited talents and time) and make it more than enough to make camp great. I am trusting Him for a fantastic week.



I have been meditating on Philippians 4:6-7 Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.



I know this week will be wonderful. God has already placed such a wonderful group of leaders and staff around me to help and really carry out the mission of camp. All I am going to do is sit back and watch God work. I am excited to see what he does.

And when the week is over  and we have taken teh weekend to recover, I will be the mom of a 1 year old, toddler on Monday! 

Sad Day

Being an adult means that some days you have to make hard decisions that don't feel good.

My husband and I have been struggling with a hard decision. What to do about our first dog, Amelia? We rescued Amelia 5 months after we bought our first house. She had been picked up by a rescue group out of a junk yard. She was about 10 months old and deaf. We loved having her and she loved having us! It was a match made in heaven. But sometimes when we took her walking she would lurch at other dogs or if she thought another dog was coming near her food then she went into fight mode. This was disturbing, but we solved the problems by having her on a short leash as we walked and not feeding her around other dogs. Pretty simple fixes. Fast forward a year or so and we rescued another dog. She was about the same age as our first dog, but smaller and more timid. The moment we brought our second dog home there was tension, but we chalked it up to them establishing the pecking order. It seemed to get better and we would have days, yes, even weeks, with no incidents, but then, for no apparent reason Amelia would attack our second dog, Cecilia. We made adjustments and managed the situation. When we found out we were pregnant we talked about how to deal with the dogs. Amelia has never been aggressive towards people, but we didn't want to run the risk with little ones around. When Little Britches came home both dogs adjusted just fine. Our house was large and our back yard was large. They spent a lot of time behind a baby gate or in the back yard. Amelia was still being aggressive towards Cecilia at times. One time while Little Britches was napping Amelia attacked Cecilia and would not stop. I could not stop her. We knew that day we had to make a decision for the safety of our family. We pursued many options: giving her back to the rescue group, training her at home, where the problem happens, using a muzzle for part of the day, finding a family for her that had no other dogs, children, or neighbors with dogs, prayer, hope, and denial. But yesterday reality hit us. She had to be put to sleep. The rescue group would not take her back due to her aggressiveness; we could not in good conscience give her to another family and something happen. We would feel so responsible. Two different trainers worked with us to understand she could not be "cured", but could possibly be better managed. Yesterday a dog that was unleashed stormed towards us out of his driveway and began to bark and try to bite Cecilia who got out of her collar and cowered, but Amelia, feeling threatened grabbed the dog by its neck. She was defending herself. BUT she WOULD NOT let go. My very athletic husband could not in any way get her to release the other dog who was now injured. We could not regain control of this scary situation for many minutes, which felt like an eternity. Once the dogs were apart, the owners of the other dogs ran into their house with their dog visible and understandably upset. My husband was upset and full of adrenalin so Cecilia and I went on a walk. While we were gone my husband had a chance to talk to the injured dog's owner and let them know that our dog's behavior was upsetting to us and we had made the decision to put our dog down, but that their dogs are required to be fenced or leashed and they were not, which created a dangerous situation. They agreed and took their dog to the closest vet. The dog had some minor injuries but is going to be just fine.

Last night we cried. This morning we cried. This morning Amelia got to stay on the chair she is not supposed to sit, eat a sausage kolache, and go to the lake for a swim. Then my very brave husband took her to the closest vet, who happened to be the same vet the injured dog had seen the night before. The vet confirmed that we were making the right decision. He was very supportive and understanding. My brave husband stayed with our Amelia until the end. My heart hurts. She wasn't sick, but she we couldn't trust her to not harm other animals and perhaps any one who happened to get in the mix. And what if that was our child one day? or someone else’s, if we gave her away? We just couldn't take the chance.

Our home feels a little less full today. We will always treasure the Amelia we knew 95% of the time- sweet, happy, energetic, intelligent (she did many tricks she learned by sign), and fun. She was our first pet. She will always have a special place in our hearts.

Amelia when she was a puppy

Amelia sleeping on her favorit ball.  Every other toy she had she tore the stuffing out of, but not this ball.  I have no idea why

Our first dog- we loved you well, even when it was hard.

Eating Local

We like do to our part to be green and reduce our carbon footprint and all that jazz.  We also like to support others who had a great idea and are working hard to execute it and run a small business.  (Somewhere deep in my heart I am aware that this might be us someday and I will be hoping there are people out there who seek out local like we do.)  Anyway, we you live in a major city it is pretty easy to find local places to support, but as you move out to the outskirts of the greater metro area is gets harder to find places that are 1) local and 2) seem like they would pass a health inspection, but on Saturday we managed to do both!  Not five minutes from our house we found Mr. Spud's.  We loved it!  Not only was the food good and reasonably price, but the staff was really friendly and glad to see us. 

My sister and I split a potato and a sub. I ordered a sub combo so we also got 2 cookies with our meal. My husband ordered a pizza and Little Britches got to use the coupon for the free Kids' meal, which included a chicken sub, chips, and a drink. I took her chips and drink. We were all stuffed! Jackie over at Jackie Hearts Movies went with us before she ran off the movies with some friends and had a delicious looking salad. All in all, we would recommend Mr. Spud’s for a alternative to your local sub sandwich chain.