Barbed Wire

Each time I look at this picture I stare at it.

I don't just glance. I stare.

I'm not really sure why, but I can't seem to get away from it. And I don't really want to. There is something that draws me in.

Barbed Wire.

Wire that was once straight and plain and ordinary, twisted into something of purpose. Not perfect, not really pretty, not without pain, but definitely with purpose.

It protects.
It guards.
It secures things in place.
It isn't meant to harm, but can scar.

I don't necessarily see myself as this piece of fencing material, but I do see the need for it in my life.

Who doesn't want to be protected?

Who doesn't guard themselves at times?

Who doesn't want everything to stay in place?


Life is a lot like this strand of wire.
Smooth, sharp, tight, flexible... all at the same time.

It stands the test of time, it doesn't warp easily in the weather... but it does have to be "kept up" if it is going to last.

Proverbs 4:23-27
Keep vigilant watch over your heart; that's where life starts.
Don't talk out of both sides of your mouth; avoid careless banter, white lies & gossip.
Keep your eyes straight ahead; ignore all sideshow distractions.
Watch your step, and the road will stretch out smooth before you.
Look neither right nor left; leave evil in the dust.


Things happen, the wind blows, people change, wire bends, and yet, God remains.

Keep yourself "up" in Him. That's my goal anyway.

WSU Friends for life!

It took a bit of work,

created a lot of laughter,

and definitely added to our collection of memories with these wonderful friends!

Enjoy the "show!"

Dear Mom,

I'm just reminding you that today is my 9 month birthday. Can we celebrate... maybe with some applesauce or better yet, how about a tiny bit of ice cream??
I decided to write you a note to give you a "heads up" on a few things.
In case you missed it, I started crawling yesterday & I'm also building up the courage to start pulling myself up on things.
I weigh 21 pounds and am planning on being a linebacker even though I know you want me to golf.
I love eating cheerios, fruit, veggies & animal crackers.... well, actually I like everything & I have the cheeks to prove it!
One of my top teeth broke through on Wednesday & the other one is close... that's why I haven't been sleeping so well at night lately.
I'll try really hard to get back into my groove by Sunday night so you're ready for work on Monday.
You're the best mama in the whole world, but there are a few things that I don't really like so much...
like getting my nose wiped, having socks on, and getting my nails trimmed.
I'm happiest when I can see you, so... stay close, keep the tissues away & kiss my bare feet as much as you can because I'll be walking before you know it.

Love,

Mack

Signs of Spring

so... I have a confession to make...

the tulips from this morning's post were from my yard at the Windy M last year... and the year before.

Oh, how I miss that place some days, especially when I think of the lilac bush or the 100's of bulbs I planted or the never ending view ... but there are other days, when I see a barn swallow or a mouse trap, and I can't help but smile knowing that I will not be dealing with those fine feathered friends or those creepy little rodents (or the mess they create) any longer.

The good news is, I'm blessed with a new yard that has signs of spring popping up everywhere.

** these were taken today **

Tulips

9 months (almost)

3 teeth. (almost)



crawling. (almost)



loving your brother. (almost always)



smiling. (almost always)



melting my heart. (always)

Can you be 9 months already??

Thank you Shannon for another great session!

MACK (click to see entire shoot)

Good-bye friend.

I'm really going to miss you Jacob!

I'm sure in about 16 years or so, we'll be roommates at WSU!

Enjoy Montana!

... and I promise that mom, dad, Mack and I will come visit
you & Brad and your mom & dad soon... very, very soon!!

Day gone bad.

Ever experienced a day when there seemed to be no end?

Ever wished for a rewind button to "replay" just a few hours of a day?

Yesterday... Easter. Resurrection Day. One of my absolute favorite days of the year, was one of those days. A day gone bad.

There were tears, temper tantrums, defiance, anger, frustration, anxiety, exhaustion, lack of communication, screaming, slamming, breaking... I could go on, but won't.

It wasn't pretty. There wasn't much to celebrate. Our positive attitudes and joyful smiles were few and far between. But God was near.

Yep. He was near. There was hope. There was peace. There was rest.

I struggled all day - knowing that this day of celebration was full of frustration... knowing that it would have been easier to give in and give up... knowing that the joy was being sucked right out of me.

But... God was near.

It was a day of celebration for Him. The tears, the anger, the despair... they were taken away, and as our eyes finally closed last night (more like early this morning), He offered rest like no other can.

Now, can you think of a better way to spend Easter?!

Well, I thought I could, but now, as I think about the events of the day, I see Him at work & alive... as He should be!

Hillsong & Max

I was a freshman in college when I bought my first Hillsong CD.

I was a freshman in college when I read my first Max Lucado book.

Those are two of the best purchases I have ever made.

My heart swells with emotion each and every time I hear Darlene Zschech sing.

My spirit is encouraged and inspired by Max and his way with words.

Someday, yes someday... I will meet these inspiring people & praise Jesus with them.

... but until then, I'm just going to keep reading and singing in preparation for that wonderful day when He returns!!



At the Cross
Oh Lord You’ve searched me
You know my way
Even when I fail You
I know You love me

Your holy presence
Surrounding me
In every season
I know You love me
I know You love me

At the cross I bow my knee
Where Your blood was shed for me
There’s no greater love than this
You have overcome the grave
Your glory fills the highest place
What can separate me now

You go before me
You shield my way
Your hand upholds me
I know You love me

You tore the veil
You made a way
When You said that it is done

And when the earth fades
Falls from my eyes
And You stand before me
I know You love me
I know You love me

(c) Hillsong - from the album Mighty To Save


"God would rather die for you than live without you" ~ Max Lucado

This Easter, may you feel His immeasurable, indescribable, and infinite love.

You Saw Me

This is one of my favorites right now.

It speaks loudly... especially as we celebrate Easter.



You Saw Me
Your glory fills the heavens
Your glory fills the earth
Still You chose surrender
You gave Yourself for me

God of my salvation
Hope of righteousness
You paid the price of freedom
You took a lonely cross

Bless the Lord always
Bless Your holy Name

And You saw me
When You took a crown of thorns
And Your blood washed over me
And You loved me
Through the nails that You bore
And Your blood washes over me

Amazing like no other
Grace without an end
As Your word had promised
You died and rose again

(c) Hillsong - from the album Saviour King

All For the Love of This:

After a quick shower & a 10 minute drive to town, I pulled into the Wal-Mart parking lot.
There were quite a number of available spots right in front due to the fact it was 8:30 a.m.
I got Mack situated in the cart, grabbed his favorite little toy/teether thing & made my way into the store.
The cart was almost full & I suddenly realized that the toy was missing.
UGH.
I back-tracked and made my way down all the aisles we had cruised through.
No toy.
I went to the customer service counter and asked if any toys have been turned in.
No toy.

My heart was heavy.
I know for a fact that I have more attachment to the toy then Mack does.
I'm not really sure why, but I've always loved this litte colorful ball shaped thing... and can't imagine not having it.

Maybe I had dreamed putting it in the cart.
Maybe it was still out in the car.
I continued to shop, but couldn't stop "searching" for the toy.
I payed for my groceries.
I opened the car door.
No toy.

Again, I felt sick to my stomach, but what could I do??... reminder to self... it's just a toy.
I put Mack in his car seat.
I put the groceries in the back.
I left.
Approximately 1.5 miles, I realized that I forgot the pull-ups.
Ugh.
They were the real reason I had gone in the first place. (figures doesn't it?!)

Do I go back or do I send Ian to the store later? (um... seriously?!)

I quickly turned around.
The parking lot was not near as empty as I had found it earlier.
I was dreading the crowd & the lines.

I found another close parking spot. (Thank you Lord)

A man parked next to me gave me his cart. (Thank you Lord)

I made my way to the back of the store & suddenly remembered that I had forgotten the paper towels on my list as well.
I made a sharp right, and headed down the aisle.

Something caught my eye.

The toy.
The colorful ball that I've grown to love, was just barely sticking out from under a shelf.

My heart sang with joy. (Thank you Lord!)

That toy, that little thing, that object that God used to speak to me, was found.

No longer lost.
Found.

**Thank you Lord for sending me back into that store at just the right time & to just the right place. I continue to be amazed by your timing and grace.

HUGE

Have you ever been a part of something HUGE ?

HUGE... as in life changing, mind altering, breath taking... you get the drift?


Each and every day I am so very blessed to work some the most amazing people. They are talented in a variety of ways.

Some are passionate about science.
Some are masters at math.
Some take writing to a whole new level.
Some have artistic ablilities & talents oozing out of them.

All of them encourage kids every day.
All of them bring education to a new level.
All of them have the best interest of children in mind.

One of them is an artist.
One of them is teaching our students about oil pastels and canvas.
One of them is helping our children create this:



Michelle, your talents amaze me & I'm so very proud to call you friend!

** more pictures to come as it is a work in progress!!

It will be sold here: HEF Art Auction .

... and, if you live in the area and want to support our schools - buy a ticket & enjoy an evening with friends, good food, and ART!

Saturday, April 5th, at the Hermiston Conference (Community) Center - 6:30 p.m.

On the Move (close... but not quite)

Mack is ready.

So, so, so ready to move.

AKA: crawl, pull himself up, chase after Mason.

Most of the time, it consists of scooting, wriggling, & falling over... a LOT!

Tumbling over, bonking his head... he doesn't mind... he's ready.

The problem is... I'm not.

Always Thinking

Are you anticipating your next ride in the tractor?

Are you wondering when your dad is going to pick you up?

Are you pondering the fact the pick-up truck door is broken?

What is it you're thinking about?


My Mason is always thinking.
He's always on the go.
He's a lot like me.
Did I just say a lot like me?
Yep. I did. And I'm smiling.
Busy, thinking, moving, living.
That's us.
We both experience frustration, pain, happiness, joy... but I'm sure I worry more.

Oh to be a child again.
That child that we are called to be.
That child that lives from moment to moment, not worrying about what they should have done, but anticipating what they will do... knowing that it is their best & that they have nothing to lose, but everything to gain.

I've spent some serious time during the past couple of days thinking about WWJD. I've always known it to stand for "What Would Jesus Do"... when really, it probably should be "What Will Jesus Do."
I can't help but agree with the author of THE SHACK, and see that I need to be living in the future. I need to know that Jesus is alive in me and at work now. He wasn't just there yesterday or the day before, but he is with me moment to moment.
Am I actually living in the moments that I'm given each and every day?
Not in the past?
Trusting, believing, anticipating His best, surrendering, forgiving...
Not worrying about the "shoulda, coulda, woulda?"

Hmmm...

Are the words believe, live, pray, speak, listen, give, forgive, expect, love... are those words verbs in my life. Are they actions I'm living out on a daily basis? Am I thinking them, but not applying them? Is my life a noun or a verb? Hmmm....

I'm a thinker.
I over analyze.
I worry more than I should.
I say one thing, but don't always follow through.
I'm human.

Yep, I'm human.
I'm the freckled, short-haired, farm wife, full time working mama that He has made me to be.
I'm a human, who is striving to live a life full of action verbs that are giving God, Jesus, & the Holy Spirit reason to smile... making them more & more fond of not just who I am today, but who I will be tomorrow!

Happy St. Patrick's Day

from our farm... to yours!

In My Spare Time (video added)

Between driving, shopping, sleeping, swimming, feeding, holding, loving, singing, eating, celebrating, kissing, and sneezing (there was a reason I left the juniper and huge amounts of sage brush behind) the past 3 days ... I've been reading this:

and I just finished.

... and let's just say, my mind hasn't stopped processing, thinking, praising, questioning, and admiring. Good thing I have a 3 hour drive home ahead of me. Lots & lots to think about.

Go get it. Order it. THE SHACK

It is worth every minute spent reading it. In fact, it's worth a lifetime of minutes.

** Here is a video with the author ** William P. Young

Happy Birthday Kirsten!!

so, so, so thankful that your sweet Ava made it in time to celebrate this milestone #30 with you!!
We love you & are blessed because of you!!

Happy, Happy Birthday!

**and seriously... can you look any stinkin' better after just having a baby 3 days ago?? :)

MAC is where...

the water is warm.

kicking & splashing is required.

laughter is expected.

smiles aren't optional.

my boys LOVE to go!! (especially with Papa & Mor Mor)

Finally!

So... we met today, Ava & I... and well... I just can't get enough of this sweet little girl!

Here She Is!

So... they weren't joking when they said she had a head of hair!

Isn't she beautiful?! Ok... so I know I'm a biased auntie, but seriously... she is precious!!

Praise God for His goodness!!

** Head on over to Kirsten's blog to see Ava and her proud mama & daddy! **

Ava Elena

arrived Wednesday, March 12th at 8:24 p.m.

She weighs 8 lbs 9oz and is 21 3/4 inches long.

She has lots and lots of black hair, and looks a lot like her daddy.

She is beautiful.

She is healthy.

She is here!!

Now... the countdown begins until I get to meet her!

Wednesday.

After yet another sleepless night filled with tears, high temperatures & exhaustion, I'm off to work & hope to be able to stay the entire day. We'll see. Mack seems to be doing better this morning.

Ugh.

~ Lord, give me strength when I feel week. Give me patience when I'm rushed. Give me understanding when I want to shout. Give me energy... as it would be easier to collapse. Give me joy.

Kirsten, my beautiful sister, is headed to the hospital this morning. Please be praying as this new little life makes its way into the world. I'll let you know as soon as I hear any news. Exciting. Exciting.

Thought for today:
As you hurry about your day, scrambling here and there... as you interact with others... as you speak - remember to think first... and most importantly... take time to stop and check out the view.

What do you see? Are you being still enough to watch, or is everything in fast-forward? My sweet, 3 year old who thinks he's 30, Mason is constantly on the go... but he does take time just to watch & observe & learn once in a while. This picture proves it. (I think I'd better frame it)

Today, I'm going to learn from him.

Make the most of your Wednesday!

Just in Case

you haven't seen enough...

Here are a few more that I took: