We all know that time flies, but in 3 days, changes in those around me happened so fast, I am spinning!
SH was gone for 2 weeks doing more engineering graduate course week (12 credits completed since JUNE! Good job SH!!)...anyway, when he came home the most distinguising thing I noticed was how distinguised he is starting to look - in the form of grey hairs beginning to riddle through his beard and temples. Not even 35 years old yet! My dad didn't start turning grey until his mid-60s!!
And then, on Sunday, Princess Sprout wanted to learn to tie her shoes. When she decides she is ready for something, she is ready!! She was 2 years old and 1 day when, as I changed her diaper, she looked up at me and said, "Mommy, no more diapers. I go in the potty." Shocked, I decided to abide by her request as any little sprout that can formulate her thought that completley must know what she is saying. Sure enough, she was potty trained within a few days.
So, I showed her about 5 times how to tie her shoe...within 10 minutes she came running to tell me that she did it! Sure enough. Tied.
A step closer to independence.
Older, in an instant.
And then, that same evening, that same 5 year old sprout came running to me to announce that she lost her first tooth! NO!!! My heart screamed, glue it back on! You are too young. Your brother was 6 1/2 - not 5! I am not ready!!!!
But, she proudly proclaimed that she is growing up, no stopping her.
So for all these moments that came slamming in on me this weekend, I am so grateful for our teacher lifestyle that allows us to be together so much. We leave today for 5 weeks on the road - no phones, no computers, no appointments, no distractions, no work, no more "not now honey...I am busy"....Instead, we get to say YES more to these little sprouts that are beginning to look like little trees.
Giving up good careers in civil engineering (StudHusband) and marketing (me) was the cross-road in our lives that I will never regret. We love the copious amount of time we have as a family - for the next 5 weeks, we will live as millionaires - 'cause if I had millions, it's EXACTLY what I'd be doing. And then again in November when we get 10 more days to be together, and again in December for 2 more weeks and again in March for Spring break....this muchTime together - PRICELESS.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Wall-e I love you!
Wall-e, the latest Pixar movie, is currently my favorite movie. I would love to hear any of your comments about what you think it was trying to say. David and I couldn’t stop talking about it. Such a poignant commentary on us earthlings and the state of our beautiful earth. My favorite point of the movie was when the captain was so moved by the beauty of what earth once was and could be again that he got off his lazy bum and made the first step – which in turn inspired thousands more to act. What a sad existence was depicted in the thousands of people that simply just did what everyone else was doing – the easier road was so lifeless, so devoid of beauty, so riskless and so empty and the sacrifice of a life lived this way was a destroyed earth.
With less words than any movie made since the wordless movies of the 1920s, it says more than any movie I have seen in a long time. The power of connecting with another as Wall-e and Eva did and how it inspired a revolution.
Leave your thoughts here so we can inspire each other with our thoughts from the movie.
A friend just emaild me with this blog post regarding this movie. Great review! http://lazydranch8.blogspot.com/2008/07/walle.html
With less words than any movie made since the wordless movies of the 1920s, it says more than any movie I have seen in a long time. The power of connecting with another as Wall-e and Eva did and how it inspired a revolution.
Leave your thoughts here so we can inspire each other with our thoughts from the movie.
A friend just emaild me with this blog post regarding this movie. Great review! http://lazydranch8.blogspot.com/2008/07/walle.html
Friday, July 18, 2008
A Day in the Life from the Road
One day
Saturday, July 12
After sleeping 3 hrs, I woke up at 3:30AM to get ready for my flight.
4:00 am left for PDX
6:10 am – boarded plane
4:45 pm (1:45 Oregon time)– arrived in NC
5:45 pm – checked into hotel
6:15 pm – running my 6 mile river front run, smiling the whole way
7:30 pm – David and I head out to this amazing restaurant, Sinbad – unbeliebable Greek food, coconut icecream, perfect iced tea
9:45 pm – Watching Wall-e
midnight – hit the bed (was that really ONE DAY???) To be up the next morning at 7:30
am (4:30 oregon time) FOR SOUNDCHECK
Saturday, July 12
After sleeping 3 hrs, I woke up at 3:30AM to get ready for my flight.
4:00 am left for PDX
6:10 am – boarded plane
4:45 pm (1:45 Oregon time)– arrived in NC
5:45 pm – checked into hotel
6:15 pm – running my 6 mile river front run, smiling the whole way
7:30 pm – David and I head out to this amazing restaurant, Sinbad – unbeliebable Greek food, coconut icecream, perfect iced tea
9:45 pm – Watching Wall-e
midnight – hit the bed (was that really ONE DAY???) To be up the next morning at 7:30
am (4:30 oregon time) FOR SOUNDCHECK
Thursday, July 17, 2008
North Carolina these days
Hendersonville, NC
Spent the weekend in Hendersonville, NC doing a summer concert with David at 1st Baptist Church of Hendersonville. Packed the place out with more than 750 people creating an exciting show. What always amazes me is how many people come up to us that have been so deeply touched by our show or something we said. Each time I am humbled that God uses us.
Some highlights for me: a girl that has been reading my blog happened to live near enough to actually go! She came to see the “Pounding the Pavement” blog girl! This blew my brother away – we laughed that maybe I should read some blog posts during the shows since they are there for ME!! So – hi to Bekka and her mom! Thanks for coming! I didn’t end up saying much other than my usual fun bantering with my brother on stage – some shows I speak more from the heart, but just didn’t find the right moment for that this time. Sometimes just laughing is the best thing for the soul. And that’s what we all did that night. David put on an awesome show as usual, including the “seestur” act in the middle of the show.
Another super special highlight was my new super sweet, unbeliebably precious new friend, Suzanne who we met at our shows in Charlotte, NC last April. She drove 2 and ½ hours to see our show, hung out with us that night, got a hotel room that night so we could explore Ashville the next day. Drove through the beautiful rolling hills of Ashville,NC, walked through quaint downtown, got a delicious coconut/mango smoothie and then a vegan pizza. David loved it – the pizza – to his surprise. It has been a long time since I have met such a gentle and beautiful spirit. To think she has been so deeply inspired by things I have said to her just simply humbles me. That God uses me at all blows me away. Most of the time we never know how we impact others, but sometimes God allows us to know which provides the much needed encouragement to continue on Soldier!! I love you Suzanne!
Got 2 awesome runs in – through rolling hills, alongside rivers, through parks, on exclusive running/biking/walking paths that weaved through the towns. Loved it. 97% humidity and all.
Spent the weekend in Hendersonville, NC doing a summer concert with David at 1st Baptist Church of Hendersonville. Packed the place out with more than 750 people creating an exciting show. What always amazes me is how many people come up to us that have been so deeply touched by our show or something we said. Each time I am humbled that God uses us.
Some highlights for me: a girl that has been reading my blog happened to live near enough to actually go! She came to see the “Pounding the Pavement” blog girl! This blew my brother away – we laughed that maybe I should read some blog posts during the shows since they are there for ME!! So – hi to Bekka and her mom! Thanks for coming! I didn’t end up saying much other than my usual fun bantering with my brother on stage – some shows I speak more from the heart, but just didn’t find the right moment for that this time. Sometimes just laughing is the best thing for the soul. And that’s what we all did that night. David put on an awesome show as usual, including the “seestur” act in the middle of the show.
Another super special highlight was my new super sweet, unbeliebably precious new friend, Suzanne who we met at our shows in Charlotte, NC last April. She drove 2 and ½ hours to see our show, hung out with us that night, got a hotel room that night so we could explore Ashville the next day. Drove through the beautiful rolling hills of Ashville,NC, walked through quaint downtown, got a delicious coconut/mango smoothie and then a vegan pizza. David loved it – the pizza – to his surprise. It has been a long time since I have met such a gentle and beautiful spirit. To think she has been so deeply inspired by things I have said to her just simply humbles me. That God uses me at all blows me away. Most of the time we never know how we impact others, but sometimes God allows us to know which provides the much needed encouragement to continue on Soldier!! I love you Suzanne!
Got 2 awesome runs in – through rolling hills, alongside rivers, through parks, on exclusive running/biking/walking paths that weaved through the towns. Loved it. 97% humidity and all.
Monday, July 7, 2008
The Oil Boom!
Back to my time in Texas....
Ranching, of course, is happening side by side to the booming oil business. At the church we played at in Midland Texas the next day,we met the other half of Texas – those employed, in some way or another, by the oil industry. Must admit, they are beaming with smiles as they talk of the current oil boom we are in. I never thought of it as an "oil boom" but rather a "gas crisis"!!! Funny how I have been almost mad at times as I see gas souring into the$4.35/gallon range while millions of Texans are seeing their housing prices sour (while ours plummet), their money clips swell, and their prospects looking glorious.
Note to all unemployed Americans: there are TONS of jobs in Midland and Odessa TX! Every single store,restaurant, and business had Help Wanted signs on their doors. They simply cannot compete with the oil industry jobs and the workforce has shifted to that sector, leaving tons of vacancies. Restaurants have literally gone out of business for lack of employees!!!
So, word from Midland and Odessa to the rest of the country: Thank you for supporting our amazing boom!! We are having ourselves a great time! Keep driving!! (More or less, anyway!!)
Ranching, of course, is happening side by side to the booming oil business. At the church we played at in Midland Texas the next day,we met the other half of Texas – those employed, in some way or another, by the oil industry. Must admit, they are beaming with smiles as they talk of the current oil boom we are in. I never thought of it as an "oil boom" but rather a "gas crisis"!!! Funny how I have been almost mad at times as I see gas souring into the$4.35/gallon range while millions of Texans are seeing their housing prices sour (while ours plummet), their money clips swell, and their prospects looking glorious.
Note to all unemployed Americans: there are TONS of jobs in Midland and Odessa TX! Every single store,restaurant, and business had Help Wanted signs on their doors. They simply cannot compete with the oil industry jobs and the workforce has shifted to that sector, leaving tons of vacancies. Restaurants have literally gone out of business for lack of employees!!!
So, word from Midland and Odessa to the rest of the country: Thank you for supporting our amazing boom!! We are having ourselves a great time! Keep driving!! (More or less, anyway!!)
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Nepal, the USA, and a sad goodbye
What a weekend. On Sunday, June 28th, we headed up to our favorite lake for a week of camping. We enjoyed some great times with some friends. These are the friends I mentioned in my last post. You can check out their work in Nepal and India and learn so much about the truths over their on their blog: http://daniel-karina.blogspot.com/
Our days were full of sprouts running from our campsite down to the water, swimming, canoeing, fishing, biking, and a few hikes. Cade woke us all up one morning proclaiming, "I just saw two hawks dive into the water and grab fish at the same time!!" What a way to wake up!! In the middle of our peaceful week, with our lovely trailer parked right on the beach, we took a hike with our friends to the top of Paulina Peak. My phone registered 3 voice messages, which is unusual as I rarely use the thing. I knew something was up. Sure enough, our family had lost another Godly pillar of the family in my Great-Aunt Pauline Sager-Foster, my grandma Ruth's sister. We quickly packed up and headed home on Thursday so we could attend the memorial on July 5th.
It allowed us time on Friday to have the sprouts enter the 4th of July Parade as little cutie pies decked out in Red, White, and Blue. They were part of the float for Crystal Peaks Ranch where our sprouts have been riding horses. The ranch rescues abused horses and pairs them up with hurting or disadvantaged children. 20% of the kiddos at the ranch are from healthy homes, but the ranch seeks to open it's doors to all kids as being a kid these days is just tough!
princess Sprout couldn't add enough red,white, and blue to her look!
The Sprouts pictured above with one of their favorite staff - Sarah from Texas!
This is the incredible lady who started it all - Kim Meeder. She and her husband have rescued over 400 horses and have served thousands of children on their 9 acres. They simply rose to the challenge of "whose going to do it" and DID IT!! 
Our 1000 mile trek to Mt.Vernon, WA and back was a blessed time indeed. Incredible family my Aunt and her hubby have fostered - huge welcoming arms these 2 had at their home on Big Lake. It was never, "Nice to Meet you" but always, "Glad to Know you"...you were instantly swept into the fold, and counted as one of them. She leaves an amazing Godly legacy, with a huge family that all live near each other and gather together often. So Aunt Pauline, as you enter his Gates, go give your precious sister, Ruth, a great big hug. You are home! You will never be lonesome for your sister again (after all those years of living so far apart).
Our days were full of sprouts running from our campsite down to the water, swimming, canoeing, fishing, biking, and a few hikes. Cade woke us all up one morning proclaiming, "I just saw two hawks dive into the water and grab fish at the same time!!" What a way to wake up!! In the middle of our peaceful week, with our lovely trailer parked right on the beach, we took a hike with our friends to the top of Paulina Peak. My phone registered 3 voice messages, which is unusual as I rarely use the thing. I knew something was up. Sure enough, our family had lost another Godly pillar of the family in my Great-Aunt Pauline Sager-Foster, my grandma Ruth's sister. We quickly packed up and headed home on Thursday so we could attend the memorial on July 5th.
It allowed us time on Friday to have the sprouts enter the 4th of July Parade as little cutie pies decked out in Red, White, and Blue. They were part of the float for Crystal Peaks Ranch where our sprouts have been riding horses. The ranch rescues abused horses and pairs them up with hurting or disadvantaged children. 20% of the kiddos at the ranch are from healthy homes, but the ranch seeks to open it's doors to all kids as being a kid these days is just tough!
princess Sprout couldn't add enough red,white, and blue to her look!
The Sprouts pictured above with one of their favorite staff - Sarah from Texas!This is the incredible lady who started it all - Kim Meeder. She and her husband have rescued over 400 horses and have served thousands of children on their 9 acres. They simply rose to the challenge of "whose going to do it" and DID IT!! Our 1000 mile trek to Mt.Vernon, WA and back was a blessed time indeed. Incredible family my Aunt and her hubby have fostered - huge welcoming arms these 2 had at their home on Big Lake. It was never, "Nice to Meet you" but always, "Glad to Know you"...you were instantly swept into the fold, and counted as one of them. She leaves an amazing Godly legacy, with a huge family that all live near each other and gather together often. So Aunt Pauline, as you enter his Gates, go give your precious sister, Ruth, a great big hug. You are home! You will never be lonesome for your sister again (after all those years of living so far apart).
Friday, July 4, 2008
4th of July Give-a-way!!
I've been writing a bit about American values like community living and America the Beautiful. Starting next week, I will be posting more from my healthy living pamphlet. Weight loss, nutrition, healthy lifestyle ideas will all be discussed.
Leave 3 comments about what Freedom in the USA means to you (and your email) by Sunday, July 6th, and I will send you the hot of the press Star Spangled Banner mp3, just recorded in LA by Klink. Amazing how fast things get on the net! I just found this video, featuring David's latest song:
http://www.godrev.com/disprss/?/GDTB-FEATURED/focus/2051668/The-Star-Spangled-Banner.html
I love people from around the world and have family and friends that live all over this globe. I have learned so much from other cultures. I do, though, have to take a few seconds here and share about some of the freedoms that I love about the country that I call home.:
1. A recent conference featured multiple pastors speaking on the CURRENT horrors happening around the globe. Unspeakable torture, gang raping of women, child slave labor starting at 6 yrs of age - and these troubles are hugely magnified if you are a Christian. In some of these countries, it is punishable by death if you are a Christian. I am free to worship as I please here.
2. New friends of ours that do extensive social work in Nepal and India were sharing that her day starts out with her cup of coffee and then a trip to her roof. She scans the streets to see if it is a day she can venture out. Then she listens to see if it appears safe. Often it is not, so she returns to her kitchen and knows she and her kiddos will be inside. I love that any day of the year I can safely walk my kids outside on our sidewalks, go running, and go anywhere I chose.
3. I love all our PUBLIC LAND!! It simply does not exist in so many countries. I take for granted the thousands of acres I can just go play on. All the rivers I can go sit by. All the trails I can hike on.
4. Snuck a 4th one in - I love that as a woman, I still have as much say as a man in this country. I can not only vote, but my voice is heard at any forum I go to - town meetings, City Hall, State Government, Federal Government - women are allowed to voice their opinions equally with men.
Thank you America!!
Leave 3 comments about what Freedom in the USA means to you (and your email) by Sunday, July 6th, and I will send you the hot of the press Star Spangled Banner mp3, just recorded in LA by Klink. Amazing how fast things get on the net! I just found this video, featuring David's latest song:
http://www.godrev.com/disprss/?/GDTB-FEATURED/focus/2051668/The-Star-Spangled-Banner.html
I love people from around the world and have family and friends that live all over this globe. I have learned so much from other cultures. I do, though, have to take a few seconds here and share about some of the freedoms that I love about the country that I call home.:
1. A recent conference featured multiple pastors speaking on the CURRENT horrors happening around the globe. Unspeakable torture, gang raping of women, child slave labor starting at 6 yrs of age - and these troubles are hugely magnified if you are a Christian. In some of these countries, it is punishable by death if you are a Christian. I am free to worship as I please here.
2. New friends of ours that do extensive social work in Nepal and India were sharing that her day starts out with her cup of coffee and then a trip to her roof. She scans the streets to see if it is a day she can venture out. Then she listens to see if it appears safe. Often it is not, so she returns to her kitchen and knows she and her kiddos will be inside. I love that any day of the year I can safely walk my kids outside on our sidewalks, go running, and go anywhere I chose.
3. I love all our PUBLIC LAND!! It simply does not exist in so many countries. I take for granted the thousands of acres I can just go play on. All the rivers I can go sit by. All the trails I can hike on.
4. Snuck a 4th one in - I love that as a woman, I still have as much say as a man in this country. I can not only vote, but my voice is heard at any forum I go to - town meetings, City Hall, State Government, Federal Government - women are allowed to voice their opinions equally with men.
Thank you America!!
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