Since it has been a super long time since I've blogged I feel that I really need to post something. I am stuck in a conundrum, there really is nothing to write yet at the very same time there is so much to write I could never cover it all. Hmmm... Throughout my days I often think 'I could really post this' but then life sweeps time away, the sun falls out of our sky just to climb back up a few hours later and all my well-intended plans dissolve out of my brain.
So, as I wrote the above paragraph one topic did come to mind. I am preparing to embark on a whole new realm of adulthood...Quicken - finance tracking!! For all the years and summers and holiday vacations I worked for my Dad I entered more expenditures into Quicken than I believe was countable. I believe I was Quicken-ed out. Well those memories have faded enough that I believe it is time for me to get a glimpse into where our money is 'invested'. hehehe.
Don't read into this, we are not struggling in any way. We, to the best of my uninformed knowledge, are doing just fine. The problem is that I really don't know percentages. You know, what percentage goes to basic needs, food, shelter, etc. and what percentage goes to fluff.
I should really be spending my time setting up this new Quicken account and not babbling on and on about this. There probably is not another person in all Douglas County who is like me in this area. People here are way too in touch with their money, did I just say that??
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Monday, August 25, 2008
Eli's Newest Trick
Needless to say we've had an exciting lunch hour! While I was in the kitchen preparing lunch Addie was nestled in the couch watching The Magic School Bus and Eli was happily entertaining himself upstairs!! I had checked on him two times before this, the first time he was playing with toys in A's room and the second time he was playing hide-n-seek with Fizz in our shower, too cute. Back down stairs I went to finish preparing lunch.
A few minutes later lunch was ready so back up I went to retrieve my little bundle of wiggles and giggles. At the top step I could hear the water running, the bathtub filling!! My first thought, unfortunately, was not of his safety, "he could be drowning!!" No, my first thought was, "Ugh, I bet he is standing outside of the tub, wasting water down the drain while he pours water all over the floor!" I don't know which is worse!?!? This was definitely a 'quick, grab the camera' moment.
People often say to me, 'Wow, three little ones, you sure are busy." Actually, I belive that Elias alone keeps me on my toes, he definitely adds the most 'excitement' to the day. Now that he knows how to turn on the bathtub faucet I don't know what I'll do! Any ideas??
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Thanks, Lord
Thanks, Lord, for never giving up on lil' ol' me. I am so thankful that the Lord's patience with me will last my lifetime. In my fallen state I cannot comprehend how He will persistently guide me along this journey teaching and reteaching and reteaching me (sometimes the same lesson over and over again) for the past 32 years and the next 60 or so years.
My MOPS leadership retreat was this weekend. The book upon which the weekend was focused was an allegory of a woman's journey from being hopelessly fallen to a new creation in Christ. It is called Hinds' Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard. The lessons I've taken away from this book are life-changing. Thanks to God who met me at the retreat this weekend I am a little more like him.
One of the themes of the book centers on the enemies in our lives who walk along our path with us doing everything they can to turn us back. In the book Much-Afraid's enemies happened to be Self-Pity, Pride, Craven Fear, Resentment (notice the capitals, the author personified each trait). After much reflection over my life I recognize that I have several enemies who walk at my flank whispering or sometimes yelling insults at me in hopes of making me turn my journey back to the valley from which I came.
The most interesting thing I learned, besides my constant companions, is that these used to be parts of me! An example is Anger. Right now Anger is outside of myself, always hanging around waiting to spring. Before when my walk with Christ was much newer Anger lived with me, it was a part of me, actually, it was me. I was angry much of my teen years. I see the redeeming work of the Lord in my life as he has amputated Anger from my being so now it is an annoying enemy who no longer has a hold on me.
Does any of this make sense???
My MOPS leadership retreat was this weekend. The book upon which the weekend was focused was an allegory of a woman's journey from being hopelessly fallen to a new creation in Christ. It is called Hinds' Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard. The lessons I've taken away from this book are life-changing. Thanks to God who met me at the retreat this weekend I am a little more like him.
One of the themes of the book centers on the enemies in our lives who walk along our path with us doing everything they can to turn us back. In the book Much-Afraid's enemies happened to be Self-Pity, Pride, Craven Fear, Resentment (notice the capitals, the author personified each trait). After much reflection over my life I recognize that I have several enemies who walk at my flank whispering or sometimes yelling insults at me in hopes of making me turn my journey back to the valley from which I came.
The most interesting thing I learned, besides my constant companions, is that these used to be parts of me! An example is Anger. Right now Anger is outside of myself, always hanging around waiting to spring. Before when my walk with Christ was much newer Anger lived with me, it was a part of me, actually, it was me. I was angry much of my teen years. I see the redeeming work of the Lord in my life as he has amputated Anger from my being so now it is an annoying enemy who no longer has a hold on me.
Does any of this make sense???
Thursday, August 7, 2008
school days
We've arrived, I cannot believe it but it is here, the first day of school. Addie's was yesterday and Traeton's is tomorrow.
I was excited for Addison to begin because she is still in the safe bubble of Mom's school. There are three new little girls who've joined her class this year, her best buddy from the cul-de-sac, Taryn, being one of them. She is thrilled to back in school and I am thrilled for her.
Traeton, however, is a different story. Tomorrow he'll begin first grade. At our school that means he will be in five full days now. Last year in kinde he was in only half days. This is going to be quite the adjustment, surely more for me than for him. I cannot imagine him being away from home under the instruction of others for a greater amount of time per day than he is with us. As of tomorrow my 'cannot imagine' will have to dissipate into reality. I've heard this can be a painful transition. I've heard the empty feeling strikes without warning and an overwhelming feeling of 'something missing' engulfs you. We'll see... I don't even get to pack him a lunch on the first day as the teacher really wants him to buy his lunch since she'll be with them all day walking them through the process.
For those of you who are curious, Todd and his team completed the Wild West Relay beautifully. The twelve men completed all their assigned legs without injury. Their final time was something like 29 hours with a per mile average of 9:30:00 or so. Thanks for all your prayers, I truly believe he was protected as a result. While Todd was very, very sore and limping painfully for a day or two he reflects that the whole experience was mostly enjoyable.
I will post a picture or two.
ERB
I was excited for Addison to begin because she is still in the safe bubble of Mom's school. There are three new little girls who've joined her class this year, her best buddy from the cul-de-sac, Taryn, being one of them. She is thrilled to back in school and I am thrilled for her.
Traeton, however, is a different story. Tomorrow he'll begin first grade. At our school that means he will be in five full days now. Last year in kinde he was in only half days. This is going to be quite the adjustment, surely more for me than for him. I cannot imagine him being away from home under the instruction of others for a greater amount of time per day than he is with us. As of tomorrow my 'cannot imagine' will have to dissipate into reality. I've heard this can be a painful transition. I've heard the empty feeling strikes without warning and an overwhelming feeling of 'something missing' engulfs you. We'll see... I don't even get to pack him a lunch on the first day as the teacher really wants him to buy his lunch since she'll be with them all day walking them through the process.
For those of you who are curious, Todd and his team completed the Wild West Relay beautifully. The twelve men completed all their assigned legs without injury. Their final time was something like 29 hours with a per mile average of 9:30:00 or so. Thanks for all your prayers, I truly believe he was protected as a result. While Todd was very, very sore and limping painfully for a day or two he reflects that the whole experience was mostly enjoyable.
I will post a picture or two.
ERB
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Wild West Relay
As you think about it over the next few days please pray for Todd. He is going to be joining a relay team in the 5th annual 'Wild West Relay'. It is a 195 mile run where teams of 12 take 36 hours to run... actually, I copied and pasted a few bits of info from the website.
This Colorado relay race begins by the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Fort Collins, and finishes in the beautiful ski and summer resort town of Steamboat Springs. Held on open public roads, much of this very scenic and remote course runs through National Forests or on dirt roads. The route winds through Roosevelt, Medicine Bow, and Routt National Forests, and through small, mountain and ranching communities.
Please be aware that the WWR is is held on public roads - there are no road closures, traffic control, or aid stations. All participants must understand that there will be vehicle traffic at all times and several of the Exchange Points are along busy roads. Also be warned that any road hazards along the course are NOT marked, the route goes through National Forests and other unpopulated areas where wildlife lives, and that there are cattle guards and areas of open range (livestock not fenced in) so caution is required from all runners and drivers.
As you can see there will be dangers of all types from busy roads to wildlife. Please pray for his safety as he has calculated that one of his routes is going to be around 1 a.m. or 2 a.m. Also, as you know the forecast is to be 102 tomorrow and 101 the next day. For those of you who know, Kolby Lathrop and Dusty Anderson will also be running.
The children and I will head to Ft. Collins in the morning to see them off then come home for the night. Then we'll head up to Steamboat early Sat. morning to meet them at the finish line.
This Colorado relay race begins by the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Fort Collins, and finishes in the beautiful ski and summer resort town of Steamboat Springs. Held on open public roads, much of this very scenic and remote course runs through National Forests or on dirt roads. The route winds through Roosevelt, Medicine Bow, and Routt National Forests, and through small, mountain and ranching communities.
Please be aware that the WWR is is held on public roads - there are no road closures, traffic control, or aid stations. All participants must understand that there will be vehicle traffic at all times and several of the Exchange Points are along busy roads. Also be warned that any road hazards along the course are NOT marked, the route goes through National Forests and other unpopulated areas where wildlife lives, and that there are cattle guards and areas of open range (livestock not fenced in) so caution is required from all runners and drivers.
As you can see there will be dangers of all types from busy roads to wildlife. Please pray for his safety as he has calculated that one of his routes is going to be around 1 a.m. or 2 a.m. Also, as you know the forecast is to be 102 tomorrow and 101 the next day. For those of you who know, Kolby Lathrop and Dusty Anderson will also be running.
The children and I will head to Ft. Collins in the morning to see them off then come home for the night. Then we'll head up to Steamboat early Sat. morning to meet them at the finish line.
Friday, July 25, 2008
"Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem!
Praise your God, O Zion!
For he has fortified the bars of your gates
and blessed your children within you.
He sends peace across your nation
and satisfies you with plenty of the finest wheat."
Psalm 147:12-14
Today, July 25, Todd and I celebrate our tenth anniversary! I am brought to complete humility when I reflect on the years we've spent together. The Lord has blessed us beyond measure, He has protected us, guided us, gifted us and counseled us countless times - 'he has fortified the bars of our gates.'
In this world where marriages are disposable, temporary and victimized I feel that Todd and I have conquered many a battle that would have otherwise destroyed our union. We are resolved that our marriage has a lifetime guarantee since it was formed by God and is sustained by our threefold cord.
We praise God for he has 'blessed our children within us,' 'sent peace to our nation (family),' and continuously 'satisfies us with the finest wheat (basic needs).'
I love you Todd! Here's to the rest of our lives!
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