Wednesday, February 29, 2012
I...
do it... hold it... open it... try it... close it... get it... sweep it... vacuum it... roll it... brush it... rake it... spread it... cut it... you name it, William wants to do everything on his own! While I am thankful for this development milestone, some days it's more than I can handle. Fortunately, he's adapting well to our doing things "together".
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Tenacious Thompson
When it comes to mountain biking, Thompson continues to showcase his courage, confidence, perserverence and skill. We are looking forward to his participation in several youth bike races this year. In an effort to foster his passion for the sport and develop his skill, I took him to Bent Creek for an afternoon ride. And unbeknownst to him, he chose technical instead of distance...4.83 miles with a 466 ft elevation gain. We began up Boyd Branch when he noticed a trail to the left and said he wanted to take it. I had never been on Lower Sidehill and thus couldn't advise, so off we went. While walking our bikes up a steep hill, we discovered Lower Sidehill is better traversed riding the opposite direction (which we'll do next time). But aside from the hill, he rode the trail magnificiently! We then headed to Explorer Loop where he insisted on going to Upper Explorer (note: I've never ridden UE). We passed Lower and Middle Explorer and he remained resolute in his goal to ride Upper Explorer. No doubt, it is a techincal ride with the first third quite steep. But that didn't stop T. He declined the "outs" and other opporutnities to turn around I offered and ode when and where he could and walked his bike in those super steep areas without once complaining. Needless to say, dad didn't believe him when he said he roder Upper Explorer...and we're both proud of his determination.
Monday, February 27, 2012
Because...therefore...
In recent months, Bobby and I both read Andrew Farley's book The Naked Gospel. A book that "rocked our world" and we both recommend. Farley strips Christianity to it's core and reminds us that with Jesus, you need nothing else. To this end, I wanted to share the following post written by Todd Gaylord. His wife Sydney, was a college friend of mine who lost her earthly fight against brain cancer last fall and now lives eternally with her Savior Christ in heaven. Todd's post reminds us of the simplicity of and freedom found in the Gospel.
***
In a previous blog entry, I referenced a freedom that accompanies tragedy in life. There is a certain peace that comes from standing beyond a catastrophe. I mentioned the freedom I have experienced recently as a result of Sydney's passing. I sat beside a woman on a plane this weekend who recently had a stroke. We were connecting our experiences in trials and she said to me, " I certainly don't sweat the small stuff anymore." This is so true. There is a cleansing that occurs, a renewing of perspective, a grounding, and as I said before, a freedom. When a great fear is realized, fear loses its power.
Reflecting on this idea at a conference this weekend, it occurred to me that a similar freedom is gained when a great need is satisfied. What are our great needs? I have one proposition, but first let's look at life for a moment.
What do you do every day? You work, you take care of kids, you strive to care for yourself and your family. Whatever you do, you want to do it well. You want to be a good man or woman, father or mother, friend, family member, or spouse. This is true in the Christian life as well. Are you going to church? Are you reading your Bible? Are you spending time with God?
There is a lot of pressure. Can you feel it. Why? Because underneath it all is a deeper desire to justify ourselves. I deeply need to prove that I am ok, I am worth something, I am good.
Well suppose I told you that you are working towards something that has already been completed in its entirety.
If God has saved you, he sees you through the lens of a perfect human being. As far as your record, you have lived the entirely of your life in perfect virtue, past, present and future. Period. That is the Gospel. That is the message of the Bible.
Your greatest fear may not be realized (and be thankful that it is not), but here is an equally, or perhaps more powerful perspective giver that you have full access to.
If you get this deeply, you will be so grateful you can hardly stand it. So now you are free. What does this do to you? Well, it should do the same thing I mentioned that tragedy does. It produces freedom. Freedom from fear, freedom to take risk, freedom to love other people.
Either one takes our eyes off of ourselves, or as a speaker this weekend said, "out of our claustrophobic kingdom of one" and onto God and others. What a better way to live life.
So, if you, like me have been working hard in life, and recognize an undercurrent of pressure to preform, let it go. The "If, then" argument is not valid and doesn't work (If I do these things, then I am good, or I will be happy, or life will go well for me). The true argument form is "Because, therefore." Because Jesus lived and died to win me back to God, I am declared perfect. Therefore, I no longer need to prove myself. I am freed and motivated by love.
Take risk. Give your life away. Be about others. Be about good.
***
In a previous blog entry, I referenced a freedom that accompanies tragedy in life. There is a certain peace that comes from standing beyond a catastrophe. I mentioned the freedom I have experienced recently as a result of Sydney's passing. I sat beside a woman on a plane this weekend who recently had a stroke. We were connecting our experiences in trials and she said to me, " I certainly don't sweat the small stuff anymore." This is so true. There is a cleansing that occurs, a renewing of perspective, a grounding, and as I said before, a freedom. When a great fear is realized, fear loses its power.
Reflecting on this idea at a conference this weekend, it occurred to me that a similar freedom is gained when a great need is satisfied. What are our great needs? I have one proposition, but first let's look at life for a moment.
What do you do every day? You work, you take care of kids, you strive to care for yourself and your family. Whatever you do, you want to do it well. You want to be a good man or woman, father or mother, friend, family member, or spouse. This is true in the Christian life as well. Are you going to church? Are you reading your Bible? Are you spending time with God?
There is a lot of pressure. Can you feel it. Why? Because underneath it all is a deeper desire to justify ourselves. I deeply need to prove that I am ok, I am worth something, I am good.
Well suppose I told you that you are working towards something that has already been completed in its entirety.
If God has saved you, he sees you through the lens of a perfect human being. As far as your record, you have lived the entirely of your life in perfect virtue, past, present and future. Period. That is the Gospel. That is the message of the Bible.
Your greatest fear may not be realized (and be thankful that it is not), but here is an equally, or perhaps more powerful perspective giver that you have full access to.
If you get this deeply, you will be so grateful you can hardly stand it. So now you are free. What does this do to you? Well, it should do the same thing I mentioned that tragedy does. It produces freedom. Freedom from fear, freedom to take risk, freedom to love other people.
Either one takes our eyes off of ourselves, or as a speaker this weekend said, "out of our claustrophobic kingdom of one" and onto God and others. What a better way to live life.
So, if you, like me have been working hard in life, and recognize an undercurrent of pressure to preform, let it go. The "If, then" argument is not valid and doesn't work (If I do these things, then I am good, or I will be happy, or life will go well for me). The true argument form is "Because, therefore." Because Jesus lived and died to win me back to God, I am declared perfect. Therefore, I no longer need to prove myself. I am freed and motivated by love.
Take risk. Give your life away. Be about others. Be about good.
Monday, February 20, 2012
Forget Not...
(although I wish I could take credit, it's a reminder we all need!)
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Our Valentine's Day = Today
Glad Bobby didn't give up after 2 1/2 months of trying to ask me out...for that first date 14 years ago tonight was the first step to what is a super special marriage that continues to grow and deepen daily.
Coupon Date Night
As a bit of background, a year or so ago, we started the tradition of giving "coupons" to Thompson (and now William) on special occasions and holidays such as Valentines, Easter, etc. Coupons have included an extra TV show, ice cream with mommy, Dunkin' Donuts with dad, stay up 30 mins extra, etc. You get the idea...
So, Thompson's teacher's birthday was yesterday. After school, T told me he made a card (aka coupon) for Mrs. Brown for a date night. When seeking clarification, he said it was going to be Saturday somewhere in Biltmore Park perhaps dinner at Brixx and a stop in at B&N before slipping over to OP Taylor's, REI and Ya-Ya's. I love that boy! Can't wait to get to school Thursday to get Mrs. Brown's take on her date night.
So, Thompson's teacher's birthday was yesterday. After school, T told me he made a card (aka coupon) for Mrs. Brown for a date night. When seeking clarification, he said it was going to be Saturday somewhere in Biltmore Park perhaps dinner at Brixx and a stop in at B&N before slipping over to OP Taylor's, REI and Ya-Ya's. I love that boy! Can't wait to get to school Thursday to get Mrs. Brown's take on her date night.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Monday, February 6, 2012
William meets Dr. Chad
William visited the dentist for the first time this afternoon. While he knew he was to open his mouth wide for Dr. Chad, after getting the shades on and lying back in the chair, he decided he was "done, mommy". But all in all...it was good.
Hammer Time
Thompson just before his 11.25 mile bike ride through the NC Arboretum and Bent Creek (including boyd branch, single-track down, lower explorer loop, and the single track behind the Lake Powhatan) Sunday afternoon. 
Friday, February 3, 2012
Things to remember
It seems like each day William gives us another reason to laugh and so before mommy-brain settles in too bad, I wanted to write down those "things to remember" about WY at 26 months. (I'm sure I've forgotten some!)
...gets up during amost every meal to "give hug-kiss-nose kiss"
...frequently says "oh, nice" "pretty funny" and "pretty cool"
...has a unique way of pronouncing "tonight" - with emphasis on the "to" sounding like "ta"
...enjoys hanging like a monkey from my left hip
...prayer time in Thompson's room with him picking the order
...bedtime routine of singing "Jesus Loves Me" followed by the "ABC's"
...can count down from 10 to 1
...requests music to be played loud in the car - "play louder mom" (somehow he knows when I haven't reached volume level 8 yet)
...remains a creature of habit
...give hugs to T and daddy before they leave for school and work
...loves taking showers (and baths)
...has staked the brown leather chair in the living room as "his" chair
...favorite show is Team Umizoomi
...favorite songs are "Call to Me" and "Out of the Mud", both by Seeds Family Worship
...loves riding his scooter and has mastered the brake
...has amazing hand-eye coordination, especially when it comes to swinging a tennis racket
...likes to run and tell us he is exercising
...is methodical in how all of the stuffed animals and books are placed in his crib before going to sleep and requests "cover me up"
..."mom" has transitioned to "momma"
...is a home-body, often asking to "go home" when we are out and about running arrands
...like PB&J sandwiches "peanut butter and jelly, that's what I like in my belly"
...loves wearing comfy pants (just like Thompson) and his pajamas
...gets up during amost every meal to "give hug-kiss-nose kiss"
...frequently says "oh, nice" "pretty funny" and "pretty cool"
...has a unique way of pronouncing "tonight" - with emphasis on the "to" sounding like "ta"
...enjoys hanging like a monkey from my left hip
...prayer time in Thompson's room with him picking the order
...bedtime routine of singing "Jesus Loves Me" followed by the "ABC's"
...can count down from 10 to 1
...requests music to be played loud in the car - "play louder mom" (somehow he knows when I haven't reached volume level 8 yet)
...remains a creature of habit
...give hugs to T and daddy before they leave for school and work
...loves taking showers (and baths)
...has staked the brown leather chair in the living room as "his" chair
...favorite show is Team Umizoomi
...favorite songs are "Call to Me" and "Out of the Mud", both by Seeds Family Worship
...loves riding his scooter and has mastered the brake
...has amazing hand-eye coordination, especially when it comes to swinging a tennis racket
...likes to run and tell us he is exercising
...is methodical in how all of the stuffed animals and books are placed in his crib before going to sleep and requests "cover me up"
..."mom" has transitioned to "momma"
...is a home-body, often asking to "go home" when we are out and about running arrands
...like PB&J sandwiches "peanut butter and jelly, that's what I like in my belly"
...loves wearing comfy pants (just like Thompson) and his pajamas
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
