I love our staff!

When Andy and I decided to move cross-country to California, the most painful aspect of that choice meant moving so far away from both of our families. It can be quite lonely and difficult to raise children without the support of family. That is why we felt so incredibly thankful that the Jackson and Santos families decided to move with us! Our staff team is becoming more and more like family every week. Caedmon calls both couples "Aunt" or "Uncle" and he loves them dearly.

This week Andy had to go out of town for a church planters gathering. And I just have to brag on how my friends have taken care of me. Yesterday afternoon I was trying to figure out what Caedmon and I would eat for dinner. I knew I wasn't going to cook a meal because Caedmon wouldn't eat it anyway. So I had resigned to pretty much do a repeat of lunch. A few minutes later, Mandy called to invite us over to their house for dinner!

Also, all the ladies from South Bay Church were getting together for coffee last night but I had not planned on going since Andy wasn't home to stay with Caedmon. But then Rebekah called and said, "Archie said he'd come over and put Caedmon to sleep so that you could come with us!" Wow! Those two gestures of kindness reminded me so much of what family would do for each other. I am so blessed!

So Caedmon had a great time with "Uncle Awchie" as they played with his firetruck, watched Boz, and ate Teddy Grahams. That won Caedmon over for life! When Caedmon woke up this morning I went in to get him and he immediately started asking for "Uncle Awchie". "Uncle Awchie in living room? Uncle Awchie in living room?" Watching my child fall in love with our staff makes me love our staff even more!

My Jog Stroller

I have a love/hate relationship with my jog stroller...Today the feeling is mostly hate. Typically I am not an outdoor runner. The jog stroller was more for Andy's benefit as I tend to prefer the climate controlled treadmill where I can program how long and how fast I want to run, and most importantly, it's always flat! Actually I'm pretty much a wimp if the conditions are not absolutely perfect. For me to run outside it has to be flat with the temperature somewhere between 50-80 degrees. (I do not like to break a sweat!) However, our apartment complex has a great running track on the perimeter which is a little over a mile long. It's flat, paved, and well lit. Combine that with the amazing California weather and it's pretty enticing to get outside and run, so our jog stroller has been getting a lot of use since we've been here.

The jog stroller has been getting worse and worse. It's one of those three-wheeled strollers with bicycle tires that are supposed to roll really easily. Well, our poor little guy has seen better days. The front wheel has completely fallen off three times now! The tires are out of alignment so you have to keep redirecting the stroller every few feet or you will be in the bushes. Today, it was so bad that I had to run the entire time with the front wheel in the air! (not exaggerating) I'm sure I looked insane trying to run while balancing my stroller on two wheels! But every time the front tire touched down the stroller made a hard left turn. Needless to say, I only made it one lap today and have resolved to just do workout DVDs (with the blinds closed) until I get it fixed. Argh!!!

I temporarily lost my mind

I had been needing to make a Walmart run all week, but just couldn't find the time. So last night I decided to try to squeeze one in after Caedmon's nap before dinner. Wouldn't you know that there were a million people there. Caedmon and I braved the crowds and fought our way to the Halloween costume section (where everyone seemed to be swarming). We found a cute little knight in shining armor costume and then proceeded to shop for the rest of our needed items. I finally made it to the check out line, scanned and bagged all of our merchandise, and...oh my gosh, I have no method of payment! My debit card was in the back pocket of my pants from the night before and I didn't have my checkbook for some reason. I was mortified. Actually more frustrated and disappointed than embarrassed. So Caedmon and I came home empty-handed...(sigh). That is the first (and hopefully the only) time I have ever done that!

It's Your Choice...

Yesterday, for Family Day, Caedmon was very whiny. Yes, it's true, not every Family Day ends up with us leaping through meadows while holding hands and singing "The hills are alive with the sound of music"! We are really working with Caedmon on using a "pleasant voice" when he speaks to us, but I'm gathering that it's a difficult concept for a two year old.

We were on our way home from the park and Caedmon was whining. None of the, "Gee, Mom and Dad, thank you so much for taking me to the park. I've noticed that every Family Day you do something that I would think is fun. You guys are the best parents!" Yeah, none of that. Whining. Finally I had had enough and I said to Caedmon (who was whining for raisins) "Caedmon if you will stop whining, Mommy will give you some grapes for your lunch when we get home. If you do not stop whining, Mommy will give you a spanking when we get home. Grapes or a spanking. The choice is yours."

Not realizing that this was a rhetorical proposition just meant for contemplation, Caedmon responds, "Hmmm...grapes."

Families Who Run Together...

We've all heard the popular phrase (or perhaps read it on the cross-stitched doily in your grandmother's bathroom) "Families who pray together stay together." Well, I've adapted it slightly into a different, but equally true statement. My motto of the day is: "Families who run together have fun together!"
Andy and I both enjoy (relative term) running and have since before we got married. It was something that we used to do together when we were dating and it has continued (sporatically) in marriage. We have some great conversations while we run and really enjoy that time just being together. It's something that we both naturally have an interest in, so why not do it together?
Now, I am well aware that not everyone would put running in the "Things I Really Enjoy" category, so I would never suggest that the inverse of the motto would be true: "Families who DON'T run together DON'T have fun together." The thought of running may be absolutely no fun at all. But I would encourage you to find some sort of hobby that is mutually enjoyable for you and your spouse to do together. Working on something/ accomplishing something TOGETHER builds a spirit of teamwork, friendship, and comradarie. One marriage book I recently read put it this way, "While women tend to need face to face time; husbands desire shoulder-to-shoulder time." Just do something fun with him! What a concept!
So, in my book, it's important not only for families to PRAY together, but also to PLAY together! Let's go have some fun!

Why I love my job...

Because I am a stay-at-home mom, some people may say that I don't work. I would have to disagree and would invite anyone who would make that assessment of my life to join me for a day of being a mom. I think after one day they would agree with me that stay-at-home moms definitely do work! (Can I get an "Amen" from all the stay-at-home moms out there?!)
But, I've gotta say, I love what I do! Caedmon is at a wonderfully fun stage and is on a great schedule, so this is probably the easiest season of "mommy-hood" that I have experienced. I think it is super-important for moms to be focused on their families, putting their most creative energy toward making their home a place that is honoring to God. At the same time, I think it is crucial for moms to model for their kids a life lived intentionally and on-purpose. Combining the two of those can be tricky and require a lot of creativity and teamwork from both parents, but it can be done (and should be a top priority).
Right now, I am having a blast combining those two elements. Because we are in the process of starting the church, one of the most important things for me to focus on is building a lot of relationships. Caedmon is helping me so much to accomplish that goal. Almost every day of the week you'll find us outside playing with other kids and their moms. Yesterday our team hosted a neighborhood cookout that over 50 people came to. The kids played while the parents talked. It was so natural, so easy, so fun! Earlier this week another young mom and I ate lunch together after the play group that we went to. It has been so fulfilling to me to get to focus so much energy on building friendships and getting involved in people's lives.
Balancing ministry and motherhood can be a struggle. I don't ever want to get so busy ministering to other people that I neglect the needs of my own family. The great joy about this season is that I am able to accomplish both goals without having to compromise one or the other!

Reading the Bible

Jeremy Kingsley is famous for always saying, "When you read the Bible you should read to change; don't just read to finish." I always make this my ambition when reading the Bible...trying to find at least one truth that I can immediately apply to my life that day. But lately, I'll have to be honest with you, it's been hard. Here's why...
This year I decided to read through the Bible, beginning to end, in one year. I've attempted to do this many times, and have come very close, but I always get bogged down in the books of prophecy at the end of the Old Testament. But this time I am determined to finish. The Bible that I'm using is a Chronological Bible that puts the Bible in the sequence in which the events actually took place (as opposed to dividing the books by genre which is how a regular Bible is organized). It segments the reading into daily assignments which works out to be about 3-4 chapters a day.
Well, I am still in the Old Testament! It is never ending! If you stick to reading plan, you should read Old Testament from January 1-October 14! Then from October 15-December 31 you finally get to read the New Testament. Ten months of Old Testement and 2 months of New Testament. That's crazy! I never realized what percentage of the Bible is Old Testament.
So, after 10 months of Old Testament, you could say that I'm ready to start reading about Jesus' life and ministry! That is why I find myself in the state that I am currently in...just reading to finish. I fell a little behind in my reading, but I REALLY want to get to the New Testament so I have been reading 3 days worth of reading every day! That's about 10-12 chapters a day which is a chunk for me. I'm almost caught up, so by the end of this week, I will be diving in to the Gospels and I am very excited about that!

Down With Adult Acne!!!

I don't know why, but my skin has been so broken out the past two weeks! And can I just say that that is rediculous! It's to be expected (although tragic and emotionally devestating) for a middle schooler to have a pimple. It's normal in high school, and maybe even college. But, come on, people! I am almost twenty-seven years old and I have had ENOUGH! I'm so close to calling one of those info-mercials with Jessica Simpson on them!
And don't try to comfort me by saying, "Oh, it's not that bad. I didn't even notice." Because I will know that you are lying. The reason I am so confident that you would be lying is because even my two year old has noticed. Over the past couple of weeks, as I lovingly give him a bath each night, he tenderly looks at me and says with deep concern in his voice, "Mama, boo boo, face. Mama, boo boo, face." Thank you, Caedmon, for pointing that out EVERY night! I guess my efforts with cover up and powder just aren't getting the job done! I think I'll go wash my face now...

Honoring your husband

Andy and I went to Crossroads Church on Sunday which is our local sponsoring church. The pastor, Paul McGovern, began a new series called Fireproof Your Marriage. One thing that he emphasized in the message was the importance of always portraying your spouse in a positive light to others. It's true that every marriage (and every spouse) has areas that "need improvement." But those should be discussed in private with the intent to build up. So many women speak negatively about their husbands to their friends or in public which shows a total lack of respect for their husbands. As wives, we should be the greatest protectors of the honor of our husband's name. This was a great reminder for me, so I thought I would share it with you!

Family Fun Fridays

Fridays are our favorite day of the week because it's Andy's day off! We always try to do something fun together as a family in the morning before Caedmon's afternoon nap. This week, Andy found a Pumpkin Patch in Half Moon Bay that we went to. It was about an hour drive, but once we got out of the city it was so beautiful. The farm was right off of Hwy.1 which overlooks the Pacific Ocean. It was such a fun day!

I'm a huge horse-lover (used to own a couple when I was younger)...and evidently that gene got passed on to Caedmon. Caedmon is not typically a dare-devil kid that will try anything, but he LOVES animals. He's gotten to ride a horse twice now and both times he has had a blast!