A Date Night Story

My poor phone ended up in a bag of rice, hoping that would revive it back to life.  Alas, it quietly slipped into technological darkness, taking my pictures and information with it :(.  This fairy tale has a happy ending, though...Jamie got a iPhone upgrade and we're back in business!

Sorry about my crude art skills- I have to work quickly with two kids around.  Thus, Chris didn't get any pants.  Sorry, Chris.

What Marriage Means To Me

 
Four years ago there was a wedding.
The wedding started at 2 pm and ended at 6 pm.
What remained in the aftermath of the celebration was a marriage.

Today, we celebrate the anniversary of a very fun party.
But, more importantly, we remember why we threw that big ol' shindig in the first place...
we had some very important words to say to each other, and some hefty promises to make in front of God and a lot of people.

In light of recent circumstances, I'd like to restate what marriage means to me...this time in my own disheveled, blunt, type-as-I-think words.  I thought this would be a good reminder to myself, to Chris, to our families and friends as we enter our fourth year of wedded "bliss".  Heh.  No, really.  :)

Marriage.
Marriage is doing life as a team.
It's making decisions for us, not me.  
It means ridding myself of all selfishness and putting another person at the front of my mind.
It's about finding my "niche" in our family- taking on roles and tasks that keep our household running.
It's about encouraging my husband as he provides generously for our family.
It's about sacrifice.  Daily.


Marriage is about loyalty.
It's standing up for the other person.
It's about patience and often giving the benefit of the doubt.
It's about respect, being confident in your spouse's abilities.
It's about HONESTY.
It's about being a good friend.


Marriage is NOT cheesy movie love stories.
It does NOT mean there won't be arguments.
It does NOT mean that it won't be lonely sometimes.
It's about sharing every smile and every tear.

Marriage is real life.  Fun stuff.  Hard stuff.
Marriage is HARD WORK.
It's accepting the other as a fallible human being.
It's knowing where they are weak and showing grace.
Marriage is LOVING UNCONDITIONALLY.
It means being open to new experiences.
It's knowing that the hard times will pass.
It's adjusting to different phases of life together, 
it's a constant in a sea of variables.
Marriage is LIFELONG COMMITMENT.

Marriage is a reflection of God's love for us.
It's a person to serve with, pray with, grow with.
It's God's plan for the raising of our family.
Our children boast features from each of us...
...a constant reminder of our union.
It's dedicating ourselves fully to setting a Godly example-
for our kids, our family and our friends.


As our Pastor stated eloquently in our wedding ceremony,
it's being HEROES, champions of marriage in a world that doesn't take it seriously.


Marriage is a GIFT.
And it's one for which I often neglect to be grateful.

Today, Lord, I'm grateful for my marriage and the honorable man you brought in to my life.  In our four short years we've endured some rough seas, which makes me all the more secure going forward- I know we can weather it together.  We surrender, every day, our marriage and our family to You.

Best Thing I've Eaten...

Okay.  If it's worth my time retyping a recipe while my child wriggles and cries on my lap, it's worth eating. 
Hands down, best thing I've eaten in a long time. 
And, takes about 10 minutes start to finish.  It's my kind of recipe :)

Avocado-Based Chicken Salad

1 Avocado
2 large chicken breasts, cooked (or 3 small)
squirt of lime juice
handful of cilantro, chopped
1-2 green onions, chopped
1 tablespoon mayo (optional) for texture
dash of salt


Shred the chicken, combine with other ingredients and mash it up well.  You'll have to adjust the portions to taste...the above is what I used.  However, if you love avocado, add another.  If you hate cilantro (Grandma), well...I wouldn't make this because the cilantro is brilliant.  Trust me.

I scooped it on to Rosemary and Olive Oil Triscuits (um, DELISH!) which added some extra flavor.  However, it can also be slapped on a sandwich (ciabatta, anyone??) or just forked directly into your mouth.  Whatev. 

Interruptions

Life WAS just plugging along, relatively comfortably and rather painless.

THEN, 2009 and the subsequent years happened.

A dump truck load of pain was heaped on me and my family.

My brother's death.

A miscarriage.

A relocation that I didn't want.

My parents' divorce.

And, most recently, a child with a major medical problem.

The following questions have been on auto-repeat for quite some time:

WHY?  Why ME?

Why, God are you PICKING ON ME?

WHEN will this string of heartache come to an END?  

...as if I'm the only one in the world that has to endure such tribulation.

They're the easiest questions to ask.

On a recent road-trip, Chris and I had a timely reminder of God's desire for us during these "interruptions" in life.  We listened to a series by Louie Giglio called "Life Interrupted," where he suggests that we CHANGE the questions we are asking during  life's challenges.  Harder questions, because they require us to look beyond our circumstances to the eternal plan at hand:

1. God, what are you doing in the midst of this interruption?
2.  God, who do you want me to connect with during this interruption?
3.  God, how do you want to use me in the midst of this interruption?
4. God, what do you want to do in me in the midst of this interruption?
5. God, how can you be glorified during this interruption?

Life on this planet will never be free of interruptions.

It's not a matter of IF, it's a matter of WHEN. 

Your phone call, your pink slip, your break-up, your heartache....it's coming.

And WHEN they come, we have the choice to turn INWARD- and pretend that the universe orbits around us and our little lives,

or we can turn our attention UPWARD, and trust the God who is superintending the entire universe...while simultaneously wiping every tear from our eyes.

It may NEVER make sense this side of Heaven.

But one day, we'll see what God sees, and it will all be clear.

Sooo, while we're not exactly giving this newest interruption a big ol' hug, we are certainly not defeated by it...or any of them.  There is purpose in our challenge, power in our weakness, and beauty in the ashes!

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.  -Romans 8:28

Got Blue?

Blue Man Group rolled in to Fargo just in time for Chris' birthday this year, so we made a date of it!  A dear friend of mine from CrossWalk in Stockton tours as one of the Blue Men, and we were fortunate to get hooked up with some super duper seats right in front of the stage.  It was fun to be a part of all the interactive action (if you haven't been to a Blue Man Show, you'll attest to the fact that it's impossible to accurately describe...).  Even better was getting to visit with Kirk on his "off" night.  Our kiddos enjoyed meeting him, and had no idea they were in the presence of a "celebrity" of sorts! 

A de-blueified Kirk and Baby Carter.

Swimsuit Edition 2012

It's been birthday season for Kendall's playmates, and consequently we've been party hopping!  From open gyms to swimming pools, it's kept us busy as we graduate from winter to spring!  When Kendall was recently invited to a swim party, I realized I hadn't yet purchased a swimsuit for her (thought I had a few more months to think about that!).  So, while in California, I "took the plunge" and chose a sweet ladybug suit for her.  She modeled it perfectly...but model it is really all she cared to do, since she was NOT interested in the water!

What a little lady....bug.

An after-swimming treat!

Kendall's buddy Jazzy joins the Stavenger crew...and Chris decides three is a crowd!

The whole zoo (and birthday girl, Olivia- second from left)

 

Chin Up, Little Guy!

We've been giving Carter eye drops three times a day to help relieve the elevated pressure in his eyes...and it seems to be making him a much happier baby!  Stretches of contentment are lasting longer, though his eyes still appear irritated (red and watery).  Still the cutest little guy on the block!

Taking Care of those Baby Blues.

Hi there. 
To say that the last few weeks have been challenging would be a pretty big understatement.
And just as one tidal wave seems to subside, another comes along to replace it.
Locusts, anyone?

However, our family is pulling together and weathering the storms the best we can.
Keeping everyone healthy is a priority.

 The past few weeks, we've been noticing that Carter has been closing his eyes more than usual.
Not sleepy eyes.  The "it's-too-bright-in-here!!" kind of eyes.
So we took him to the walk-in clinic...
which referred us to our normal pediatrician...
who referred us to an eye doctor...
who has now referred us to an eye specialist at the University of Minnesota.

They are concerned that Carter has Pediatric Congenital Glaucoma, an eye disease that causes a great amount of pressure on the eyes and sensitivity to light.  We'll know more after we see the specialist in the cities later this month, but the treatment course is likely to end in corrective surgery.  Thankfully, we've caught it pretty early, and it tends to be reversible in these cases.  Gotta give credit to that mother's intuition...

Please keep Carter and our family in your prayers.

Today's Lesson:

Struck Me Funny...

Which of these things is not like the others?

I'll bet you could come up with a pretty cool caption for this :)

Great Is Thy Faithfulness

When is the last time you read these lyrics and really absorbed their truth?  I have highlighted below the phrases that have encouraged me lately.  Seems like this song has popped into my head many times lately, and I don't think that's a coincidence.  Whether it's a time for blessing for you, or a time of trial, what a wonderful reminder of God's ever-present faithfulness from the ol' Baptist hymnal...

Great Is Thy Faithfulness

"Great is Thy faithfulness," O God my Father,
There is no shadow of turning with Thee ;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not
As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.

"Great is Thy faithfulness!" "Great is Thy faithfulness!"
  Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided—
    "Great is Thy faithfulness," Lord, unto me!

Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above,
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thy own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow ,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is Thy faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23

May you experience the peace, strength and hope of God's great faithfulness in ABUNDANCE today!

Not Just A Cardigan.

I've admired and respected the faith and character of Fred Rogers (Mister Rogers, as he is well-known) for many years.   His wisdom has lasted far beyond the framework of his children's television show and the span of his lifetime.  I received a couple books for Christmas full of "Important things to remember," according to the man in the cardigan himself.  Small quips and quotes, I thought I'd share some of the ones that have resonated with me in recent days.  Just a little "neighborly" gift from me to you.  :)

Some days, doing the "best we can" may still fall short of what we would like to be able to do, but life isn't perfect- on any front- and doing what we can with what we have is the most we should expect of ourselves or anyone else.


Confronting our feelings and giving them appropriate expression always takes strength, not weakness.  It takes strength to acknowledge our anger, and sometimes more strength yet to curb the aggressive urges anger may bring and to channel them into nonviolent outlets.  It takes strength to face our sadness and to grieve and to let our grief and our anger flow in tears when they need to.  It takes strength to talk about our feelings and to reach out for help and comfort when we need it.  


When I was a boy, I used to think that "strong" meant having big muscles, great physical power;  but the longer I live, the more I realize that real strength has much more to do with what is NOT seen.  Real strength has to do with helping others.


People have said "Don't cry" to other people for years and years, and all it has ever meant is "I'm too uncomfortable when you show your feelings.  Don't cry."  I'd rather have them say "Go ahead and cry.  I'm here to be with you."


Mutually caring relationships require kindness and patience, tolerance, optimism, joy in the other's achievements, confidence in oneself, and the ability to give without undue thought of gain.  We need to accept the fact that it's not in the power of any human being to provide all these things all the time.  For any of us, mutually caring relationships will also always include some measure of unkindness and impatience, intolerance, pessimism, envy, self-doubt, and disappointment.

I'm so glad you're my "neighbor" today!

Every Child Matters to Jesus!

While in Stockton, we had the privilege of dedicating our little Carter to the Lord at First Baptist Church.  I have always considered First Baptist my family, having spent 25+ years involved in the church body.  Chris and I love going back to visit, allowing distant friends to love on our kids as they grow. 

Baby Dedications are a special time for family, as we make a covenant before God and our church body to make  

Christ the head of our lives and our  

Home, where all are safe, loved and encouraged to build one another up in ever 

Increasing Christ-likeness while setting our hearts on Godly priorities

Living a life towards God and one another with a

Determination and passion to fulfill the good news of the Kingdom of God!

We received the above reminder on a special plaque, along with a letter to read with Carter on his 10th birthday.  The letter shares the promise we made to him and God on this day, and hopefully someday he'll make the decision to follow Christ for himself!  

 Thank you to all who came to share in this celebration and who continue to love our family, even from afar!

Going Green

Starting traditions with our kids is something that has been on my mind lately.  If we want to say in the future, "We've been doing _____ since you were born!", it needs to start now!   So, I'm busy creating new traditions and making sure old traditions are kept up.  (Anyone else singing "Tradi-shuuuuuuns!  Traditions!.....Truh-di-shuns!" to yourself as you read this?   If you weren't, I bet you are now.  *wink*)

St. Patrick's Day was on Saturday and, though I am not Irish, it's still fun to use the occasion to play with green a little bit.  So, I prepared a "green dinner" for the family.  Green pesto, green grapes, green Sprite (okay, I was too lazy to create a green drink), and GREEN CAKE!  Pretty low key this year, but I plan on doing it up bigger in years to come...when kids can appreciate it (or, at least notice it).

Kendall added to the festive meal with some headgear :)

Kendall REALLY liked the "Deet Cack" (Green cake)

I think I'm pretty "lucky" to have such a wonderful family to spoil!

The Heart Melts...

...when moments like this sneak up on you.  Good thing I had a camera in hand.

You Had Me At "Grilled Cheese"

When Chris and I started dating, he told me many times that he was a good cook.
AWESOME!  I was thinking lots of gourmet goodness was in my future!
Reality:  "Cooking" means he is able to throw a couple things in the oven or whip up a grilled cheese sandwich.

I guess that's okay with me, since I LOOOOOVE grilled cheese.
However, in my world of grilled cheese, I like to shake things up a bit. 
You know, add a little of this, a little of that. 
Thanks to some recent inspiration, we've been trying out some new combos lately.  ALL delicious and highly recommended!

Caprese Grilled Cheese:  Mozzarella, Tomato, Balsamic/Basil Aioli

Rosemary Apple Butter Grilled Cheese with Brie

Pepperjack. Avocado. Bacon. Apple Slices. Sourdough.

Bacon Guacamole Grilled Cheese

And from the GRILLED CHEESE ACADEMY, the ultimate in Grilled Cheese:

I present....the Lisa Marie

 8 Slices of bacon, brown sugar, maple syrup, peanut butter, bananas, hot fudge, and Wisconsin Butterkase Cheese.  Whhhaaaaat? 

 (Somebody make this and tell me how it is.  I'm completely scared of it.)

A Little Bit of Sweetness

Hope your Saturday is super sweet!

DIY Disasters.

I used to be crafty.
Sometimes I think I still am.
But then I undertake a project, and what was a great idea in my head usually goes horribly wrong.
Thanks, Pinterest, for making me feel incompetent.  Everyone else makes it look so easy!
Here are a few of my recent *fails*.

 This lampshade is for Kendall's room.  Thankfully, I got it on clearance for only a few bucks since it might not stay in her room long.  I HATE it. 

 The ribbon I added is too wide and doesn't lay flush against the lampshade. 

 And the top......sigh.  Not sure what I was thinking there. 

 Can you guess the flavor of these cupcake gems?  LEMON.  Yep.  I decided to throw some extra berries in the mix, but did so too early instead of folding them in later....hence the gross brown color.  And if the left one looks a little lumpy, well, that's because I forgot to add WATER to the first batch.  How does that even happen!?!  (PS. they were actually pretty good.)

 I wanted to make some hangers for the kids' rooms, and found these wooden shapes at Hobby Lobby on clearance for $0.40 each.  It would have been great if the actual hangers FIT on the shapes.

I'm actually pretty happy with this one.  Just to show you I'm not a TOTAL crafting disaster zone, I picked up this navy lamp at Target.  I had some leftover felt stars from another project, so I lined the bottom of the shade with them and, voila!  The perfect addition to Carter's nursery.