Thursday, November 29, 2007

ladies, don't blink...

because it seems that in that amount of time this
becomes this
I have a few bloggy friends that have tiny babies right now and I always have to blink back the tears when I see pictures of their fresh little ones... life moves at a breakneck speed when children enter the picture.  I remember my sweet little Bradie, all cozied up on the boppy like it was the previous moment.  But the real miracle is I wouldn't trade the walking and talking and laughter that is now for any part of then.    What a blessed life it is!

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

these are irrisistable sometimes...

You Are An ENFJ
The Giver You strive to maintain harmony in relationships, and usually succeed. Articulate and enthusiastic, you are good at making personal connections. Sometimes you idealize relationships too much - and end up being let down. You find the most energy and comfort in social situations ... where you shine. In love, you are very protective and supporting. However, you do need to "feel special" - and it's quite easy for you to get jealous. At work, you are a natural leader. You can help people discover their greatest potential. You would make a good writer, human resources director, or psychologist. How you see yourself: Trusting, idealistic, and expressive When other people don't get you, they see you as: Bossy, inappropriate, and loud

Stolen from Lucy's blog. Think it's fairly accurate? I do. Except for the title: giver. Not one of my love languages according to that one guy :) Mine was Time, if I recall. That's why Maggie is such a good friend to me. Hers is Time too. (except she's good at remembering to get cards in the mail and quilts made...I suck at these. Especially quilting...tee hee.)

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

just a funny

We have an ultrasound picture near our desk, which is close to our dining area.  Today Bradie pointed at it while eating in her highchair,  "mommy tummy baby....cute."

When she says "cute" she actually says it like a lady at a baby shower.  Her eyebrows slant imploringly and her voice gets a little higher.  Precious, no?

Then she looks out the sliding glass door at the porch where there is a small pile of dog doo. "Oh, Franky poopy cute!"

Not so much, young Bradie, not so much.

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

loving at the moment

-most things chocolate
-curried egg salad sandwiches...yum
-cold skim milk
-David Gray... Marcus? Brad?  Bueller?  His tunes are my November salve :)
-obsessing over the Writers Guild strike (go to officetally to learn more)  It's so interesting to me to read the debates between both sides
-feeling The Boy move in my belly
-painless "practice" contractions
-Nerds, as in the candy
-the fact that Bradie is napping after skipping two days...hooray!
-that Marcus continues to assure me of my beauty though I am gaining ounces daily
-the prospects of the Two Hour Turkey next Saturday! If you aren't sold out on your method, take a peak at Safeway's recipe.  I made it twice last year and it kicks major arse!
-eggnog chai latte, the powers combine to make a Captain Planet sort of drink :)
-and this girl, of course

Here we are channeling some Pines & Sprague bag lady action 
(you must be a Spokanite to appreciate, sorry!)
Bradie and "I" are into paper crafting.
 glitter glue, construction paper, magazine clippings and, strangely enough, camels.  I have cut out more camel shapes than I ever thought possible. These are the kind with double humps, so I'm pretty sure I'm getting arthritis in my hands
contrary to MaryLou Retton, Cheerios are the breakfast of champions. 
Or of highly adorable and athletic toddlers.

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

You Are Special by Max Lucado

I became an owner of this book during my DTS with YWAM.  Max Lucado wrote it for kids. Our DTS leader would read this to large crowds of teenagers in our audience.  I would cry every time and there would always be books purchased from our merchandise table after the shows.

Now I am a mommy and Bradie requests I read it to her occasionally.  Maybe we should read it everyday, because I still cry, and it might lessen the blow.

For those of you who have read this book it's the line:

"She has decided that what I think is more important than what they think.  
The stickers only stick if you let them."

The simple tenderness that Eli, the woodcarver/creator, speaks to Punchinello, one of his little wooden people, hits my heart as truth every time.   I am Punchinello and I get so turned around in our world that I forget of God's love and passionate sacrifice for me.

Less tender but equally thought-provoking, is an image a few pages earlier.  It shows a group of wooden people busily giving one another stickers- star stickers and gray dot stickers- as seals of approval or disapproval. 

Down in the corner, the illustration darkens a bit and you see a wooden man in a dark suit.  He carries a box of gray dots only and bears no stickers himself.  Curious isn't he?  The lion that waits to devour also carries a box of simple discouragement.  I can't tell you how real and helpful the imagery is in this little kids book.  Find a Christian book store and buy it for Christmas, or at least read it.


Tuesday, November 6, 2007

Happy Birthday!

Tiffany and Kory welcomed miss Avery Jeanne into the world today!  I just got a text from Tiff and can barely contain myself!!!  Keep an eye out for pictures and details on Tiff's blog over the next couple of weeks :)

*picture dance of joy*


Friday, November 2, 2007

you name it

Okay, if you have time and are inspired with ideas, please leave a suggestion of a boy name. There's a couple that I kinda like, but that's it.  This whole naming thing seems to be harder with boys.

I'd love to hear your thoughts! :)

Thursday, November 1, 2007

pumpkin day


This picture kills me.  Look at our mouths... she DOES look like me a little bit! :)

the "gaffe" costume.

Yesterday also marked Bradie's first candy experience.  Gummy Savers, to be exact.  Unless you count the popsicle she had at the Leffel's last spring :).   I couldn't tell if the other parents were simply shocked or appalled also.  Two years is pretty good to be candy free.

Unfortunately, we may never have candy again.  At 2am Bradie woke up crying and talking...loudly.  This was not the crying out in a sleepy state that is easy to ignore.  I brought her into our bed and tried to return her at 3:20...more angry, LOUD tears.  She then slept through both of Marcus' alarms and up to 7:15.  Related to the candy?  Who knows.  But I am not going to take my chances anytime soon :)