31March2012 Eleven

A couple days ago we celebrated, well for the last several days we have been celebrating, J's eleventh birthday.  Thank you God for our 11 year-old son.  May he walk strongly with You all the days of his life.

28March2012 Nearly Genius

So yesterday I thought I'd stumbled upon a clever idea.  L. woke up from her evening nap ready to eat and her mama was nowhere near.  I tried to console her by giving her Cheerios to gum but she wanted MILK and let me know it in no uncertain terms.  In the middle of the conflict my cell phone buzzed indicating a text.  I read it and noticed Lily stopped screaming and becoming fixated on the screen.  So, I started showing her pictures of our family.  Genius!  She smiled, cooed and even talked (baby gibberish but talking nonetheless).  Genius I tell you...until I came to a picture of her mama.  She instantly remembered she was starving again and let me have it.  DOH!  Back to the drawing board.

Parenting is so like this!  Just as quickly as you think you've got the whole daddy or mommy thing figured out, when you've struck upon a brilliant, problem-solving idea, something happens sending you back to square one.  Man those are some frustrating moments and I find myself questioning why in the world God entrusted me with the responsibility of raising kids.  I'm not a fan of cliches, especially churchy ones, but in this situation I've got to concur.  "He never gives us more than we can handle." It's right on!  I know it because I just read a similar sentence in the Word. Check out 1Cor.10:13.  The Message states it like this, "...all you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he'll never let you be pushed past your limit..."  Perfect!  There are very specific moments when we parents need to remember this.  Even the genius ones.  So, all you Dads keep trying.  Mom don't give up.  He is perfectly equipping you to raise your family.  Brilliance isn't necessary...and thank God for that!

24March2012 Quickshot: Psalm104:14

Psalm 104:14 "He causes the grass to grow for the cattle, And vegetation for the labor of man, So that he may bring forth food from the earth,"

23October2012 Quickshot: Dogwoods

Hello dogwood blooms.  Oh how we missed you!

20March2012 Seeding Seedlings

Some shots of our garden helpers getting our first seedlings started.  We so love and sorely missed gardening.

14March2012 Left-turn Lesson

My drive to work normally takes 15 minutes.  There are 3 different routes I can take but the drive time for each is basically equal.  This morning I went one way and decided, at the last minute, to take a left onto a street I don't normally travel.  I was making good time and hopeful that today I would finally break that magical quarter-hour barrier (men are crazy like that).  As I neared the office I saw a car with flashing lights, and a man standing on the shoulder of the road, talking on his mobile phone.  "I should probably stop to help," was my first thought, quickly followed by, "Nah, he has a cell, he'll be fine" and off I went.  I got about half a mile down the road and that little nagging voice said, "You really should have stopped."  A quick u-turn, another u-turn and I was pulling up behind the car.  

The gentleman smiled nervously when I asked him if he needed help.  He edged closer to the passenger side of the car and I noticed a lady, presumably his wife, and small girl, his daughter, sitting inside.  I asked again, this time speaking slower, if he needed help and he nodded and said his tire was flat.  Switching on the hazards, I stepped out of my car and walked over to inspect.  The front tire was indeed flat...and mangled.  The gentleman, Prikash, turned about to be a Nepali refugee and he'd never had a flat before.  We messed around and found a spare tire, lug wrench and jack in the trunk.  As we worked together to change the tire, we talked about life in America, his job and family, and other things two men working side-by-side discuss.  His wife, daughter in arms, stood behind us and watched, laughing at our mistakes, and giving instructions in Nepali and asking questions about my family.  

After 30 minutes of wresting with poorly designed tools, we had the spare (nearly flat itself) installed and I followed Prikash back to his home to ensure he got back safely.  They were grateful, and of course they invited our family to come eat a "real Nepali" meal at their home soon.  As I drove toward the office I couldn't help but be grateful. Although I didn't listen to the voice in my head the first time God didn't give up on me.  Like usual, it took me a couple times to head in the right direction and like always, He gave me a second chance.  I can't wait to hang out with my new friends, and eat some homemade momos and chicken curry and....

11March2012 Quickshot: Bloomin'

Oh Bradford pears!  We have missed thee! 

2March2012 Quickshot: Exersauced

As you can see L is growing.  She's a little over 4 months old and it's impossible to imagine our family without her.  Here she is enjoying one of her favorite pastimes, playing in an exersaucer.