The first garage sale

Jude, Zane and I were on the way back from the store Saturday morning, and I saw it!! The first garage sale sign of the season. Granted, it's a little early, but I've been yearning for a garage sale. I nearly tipped the van over whipping it around to make my turn. (not really)

I wish we had seen the sign on the way *to* the store, because the girl said they were sold waaay down in stuff by the time I got there.

Nonetheless, I got a super cool kukui necklace and bracelet from Hawaii (I love learning about new stuff... http://waynesword.palomar.edu/tungoil1.htm ). I love them and I've worn them everywhere I've been since I got them. I'm going to wear them when I get to Hawaii one day too. :)

Anyway, I got my necklace and bracelet, a bike helmet for Jude, a Jimmie Johnson hat for someone I love enough to buy Jimmie Johnson merchandice, two sweaters and three shirts for Jude and two shirts , one of which is a Scoobie Doo shirt, for Cody,who is presently in a Scoobie Doo phase.

My grand total???

$3.75

I LOVE GARAGE SALES *twirling around in circles*

I agree with Ann Coulter

So either the world has stopped spinning, or it has frozen over in the deep nether regions.

I do think she is a deplorable woman. But I find myself agreeing with her. Heaven help me..

http://www.anncoulter.com/

Here is a summary:

"If Hillary is elected president, we'll have a four-year disaster, with Republicans ferociously opposing her, followed by Republicans zooming back into power, as we did in 1980 and 1994, and 2000. (I also predict more Oval Office incidents with female interns.)

If McCain is elected president, we'll have a four-year disaster, with the Republicans in Congress co-opted by "our" president, followed by 30 years of Democratic rule.

There's your choice, America. "

Happy Birthday, Jude!

Four short years ago, in about seven hours, my sweet baby Jude was born. I cannot even express the joy that he brought to my life that night. I walked around, holding him, thanking God for him for days and days after he was born.

Jude just has a sweetness about him that is so recognizable. That's the word I hear used to describe him the most. Even from strangers. He is sweet. To the core.

I know that God has such an incredible life planned out for him. I can't wait to see him embark on that journey. But not too soon. I want to squeeze every bit of time I have with Jude that I can. He says he'll live with me forever. I'm sure he'll change his mind, and that's fine. He's got an amazing life to lead.

We have a new game. It's called "I love you more than...." It's usually silly. Things like "I love you more than toes."

"Well, I love you more than bubbles."

"I love you more than chocolate."

We go on and on like that forever. But every now and then, he buries his face in my neck, and says, "I love you more than anyone in the whole world." And in all fairness to my other children and my husband, I love him more than anyone in the whole world. He's my Jude, and I love him in that special way that only a mother can love her child. We understand each other, that Jude and I.

(I love each of my children in this way. I promise... and my husband even more.)

I'm so incredibly honored to be able to be Jude's mother. I feel like God entrusted me with this amazing little boy. He makes me want to be a better person. Walk with God closer. Show him what it's like to be in love with Christ. I want to be an amazing person like he is. I want to be worthy to be his mother.

David prayed this over his son, Solomon. We're studying it this week. I can't think of anything more fitting for Jude's life...

"My son [Jude], acknowledge the God of your father, and serve Him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts." 1 Chron. 28:9

Happy birthday, Buddy!! I love you...

I hate money

Take me to a small Caribbean island where we can live in a grass hut and barter and trade for everything. Really. I hate all this materialistic mess we've gotten ourselves into.

Or "we have a new budget." I guess this is the reason for the above paragraph.

I'm fine with not spending money. I'm fine with a tight budget. I'm fine with not eating out much and pinching pennies. I'm not okay with having to think about money this much.

Obviously I'd rather spend and not think about it at all. Could that be part of the problem??

At least with the new budget, there's not much guesswork. It's in the budget, or it's not. That's easy.

So I have a new spending plan. I'm resisting calling it the "no spending" plan.

Feel free to ask me how it's going. I need accountability. And don't let me rationalize or justify.

And you'll probably see a random admission of how things are going here or there. I'm going to put it out there. Sort of a way of shaming myself into obedience.

Because I can do this. I have the spirit of the living God inside of me. That living God can resist the Target dollar spot, for goodness sake.

This message is brought to you by...sponsorship?? Anyone?? :):):)

Soaked in love and mercy

I heard a sermon on Sunday where the pastor used this phrase. 

I just sat there, thinking. 

I want to be that. Soaked. Dripping. Saturated. Oozing. Flowing with love and mercy.

Boy was I far from that this weekend. I was rude, judgmental, selfish and harsh.

*sigh* 

Do you ever get tired of running around the same old mountain? I am so tired of the areas in my life where I battle. I'm war weary.

We stay at home a lot. It's essential for all of our well being. When we're at home, I am quiet, reflective, prayerful, praising and peaceful. I measure, most of time, what I'm going to say and how I'm going to say it. 

But get me busy. Put me out in the world. I act just like the rest of the world.

Blech.

I can't live my life at home. I've got to become merciful and loving all the time. Not just when I'm not too busy. 

The sermon was about David. I love that my spiritual life runs in parallels. We're doing a study on the life of David, and so is a church we've visited. 

This really got me. Nathan, a prophet, came to Bathsheba. The last time they met, was 30 years prior when Nathan judged her sin with David. He came this time to help her and her son-David's son, to get him on he throne. Nathan showed love and mercy. He put past him exactly that-the past.

Solomon was Bathsheba and David's son too. According to this pastor, Solomon was the viable and visible sign of God's mercy. They lost their first son, as a consequence to sin. Their second son took the throne in his father's place. That's a big jump. God is merciful and quick to forgive. And full of love.

It's trite to say that God is soaked in love and mercy. He is love and mercy so much so that He sacrificed His baby boy. 

I am desperate to be this. Soaked in love and mercy. Gentle. Patient. Understanding. NOT judgmental. Not prideful. And busy. Outside my four walls. Pray for me, please. I really want to get there...

To the ZOO!!

Zoo Pictures

**Laney was in charge of the camera for a large part of the trip. She can't wait to make an animals lapbook of her zoo trip!!!

Aunt Sandy and Uncle Van gave us the best Christmas present this year. We got a family pass to the zoo. We took advantage of the WARM weather and headed that way.

Some of our friends were there too, so we met them for lunch. Michelle and her two daughters, Hazel and Violet were there. Kathy was there with Maddie and Nicholas. Jennifer (and/or Laura Teague) was there with Katie and William. We had big fun.

After lunch, Jennifer and her two sweet babies and we toured the zoo. We loved it!

Jenn left us to get her sleepy girl home, and we were so lost! We found what we wanted to see, stopped in the gift shop for a special birthday treat, and headed home.

It's definitely a place that we'll go over and over again. WE LOVE THE ZOO!!!

(And yes, I do get sad seeing the animals in confinment. I guess this isn't the time to discuss that!:) )

*sigh*

"While they [us] are praying, he gives them sweet views of his glorious grace, purity, sufficiency, and sovereignty, and enables them, with great quietness, to rest in him, to leave themselves and their prayers with him, submitting to his will and trusting in his grace and faithfulness."

Jonathan Edwards on Prayer