The Love and Respect Marriage Conference

Okay. So there is so much to share about this conference I really don't know where to begin. Let me just start by saying that it was an awesome conference and if you can make it, you should totally fork out the cash and go. It will probably be one of the best things you'll ever do for your marriage. Also, it doesn't matter what state your marriage is in, whether it's never been better or could really use some help, this conference is for any marriage. Basically, Dr. Emerson Eggerichs has taken the verse in Ephesians 5:33 "However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband," and made a mantra for marriage out of it. You know those fights you get into with your spouse where whatever you were arguing about to begin with, turns into something totally different, obviously deep seeded and previously unresolved? Well, the idea is that the wife is crying out for and needs love and so she begins to respond to her husband without respect, and vice versa, the husband needs and wants respect, so he responds to his wife without love. Women have a deep need to be loved and nurtured and men have a deep need to be respected. And so you can see, and as Dr. Eggerichs labeled it, this "crazy cycle" begins where you just go back and forth until one of you gets what you need. And once you realize that you are in the "crazy cycle", one of you, whoever is the most mature *wink, wink*, needs to set aside their needs for a moment and apologize and begin to respond with love/respect. That was a fraction of what the conference covered, but kind of one of the foundations that was built on. He also adressed the differences between men and women, (because for some reason, some people think we are the same, but if you've been around for any length of time you KNOW, that just isn't true) and one thing he kept on saying that I really liked was, that doing/thinking things a mans way or doing/thinking things a womans way isn't wrong, just different. So we were encouraged and given examples of ways to begin relating to our spouse in their own language. For men, examples of how to treat them respectfully, and for women, examples for how to treat them lovingly.

I know all of this may sound simple (that is if I've done it any justice in explaining it, I apologize if I've confused you), and it is simple, but it isn't at the same time. I was really struck by my lack of understand for how the male brain works. I really thought I understood how they worked, but I really don't. Now that I've gone to this conference, I feel like I have a better tool for understanding and communicating with my husband.

I would share more with all of you, but frankly there is way too much to cover (and that could be a bit boring coming from me too). Just know that I highly recommend this conference. If you can't go, I recommend the books. I know my hubby and I wished that every married couple we knew could go. So if you have a chance, and the health of your marriage is important to you, check it out, you'll be happy you did. (The link is the post below.)

Love and Respect

I am supposed to be getting ready right now, but I'm not, basically because the baby just had a meltdown. He is now sitting on my lap watching the words appear as I type them. Anyways, my parents are coming down to watch the boys tonight and tomorrow so my hubby and I can go to this. I'm really excited about it and hope I have some good stuff to share with you on Monday. Have a good weekend y'all!

Da Da Da, Da da-da, Da da-da!!!!

I can't think of anything interesting to write, people, my head hurts too much. You know those lymphnodes that are under your ears and they swell up when fighting sickness? Yeah, they're at work on me right now. So anyways...not going to bore you with mindnumbing drivel. Off to find a picture or two to share. When in doubt of what to say-find a picture!


Long long ago in a galaxy far far away, there was no mistaking children of Jedi Masters...

...and Darth Vader had a hard time seeing out of his helmet...(sorry this pic is a little fuzzy.)

Ariel at 13 Weeks

Okay, so to the best of my abilities and along with my sister, I am going to try and post a weekly picture of her belly development. This is mostly for our sister, Hannah's, benefit, but I thought there are many of you out there who might enjoy watching the progression yourselves. So here we go, she is just about thirteen weeks along, due September 2, having an enviable pregnancy so far, and looking luscious as always.

Ariel and her Pea Pod.

Things to Meditate On, Things to Make You Laugh, Things to Enjoy

Thought I'd like to let ruminate for a while: Having young kids is really a great thing, and I should try to enjoy it as much as possible. Because you know all those years that I remember from being a kid so fondly, and wish I could relive or at least remember a little clearer ? I can really enjoy those again through my kids. I'm so thankful God chose me to be a mother. How blessed am I ?


How my husband captured this look is beyond me, but dern if isn't funny!


Training him to be a future gold medalist in the half-pipe.


I just love the innocent look...


Too bad you can't do the splits on a snowboard.


For those of you who doubted that Drew looked like his daddy.


Goin' for a drive.

For My Mom

A couple of weeks ago, I made this post, and if you read it, you may have wondered what I might be talking about. What is 'disappointing' and 'catastrophic'?
So here goes-last month my precious mother whom I am so close with and adore so much was diagnosed with MS. I apologize in advance if this post comes out a bit funny. This is difficult and weird for me to try and write about, but for my mom's sake and my family's sake, I just wanted to make sure this situation was represented in the right light.
First of all, to those of you who know and have offered your prayers and support and any other help, THANK YOU! We really appreciate you and are glad to have you on board with us while we face this thing head on. To those of you who are just finding out, we hope finding out in this venue isn't offensive to you. One of the most difficult things about this has been telling people.
As for my mom, she is a fighter. She isn't going to let this thing have her. How is she fighting? She is educating herself on the disease and treatment options, and seeing an MS specialist. (And if you choose to do some research on the disease, she asks that you seek info from the National MS Society, since it is the most accurate and up to date.) She is staying active, snowboarding, and teaching. She is eating healthy (has been, for a long time!) She is laughing and making good use of humor. She will be starting a drug therapy soon, that should halt any progression of the disease, if it works. So right now we are praying that it works! Which brings me to the spiritual side of this. We are keeping our eyes on God. When we begin to look astray and focus on the disease and what may or may not happen, just like Peter, we start to sink. We are praying vigilantly, and invite you to do the same. Yes, we believe that God can heal Mom and are even praying that He will, but at this moment, it is still present in her body and we are going to confront it where it's at and hopefully nip in the bud by going forth with the drug therapy.
And at this point, that is where it all stands. Any encouragement, prayers, accurate and helpful information, are welcome. Just know that my mom and our family with her, are fully dependent on God. He is our strength. He is our answer. Not only do we know He is in control, but we are aware of it and grateful.

More Encouragement

I get daily emails from the MOPS website, and this was today's and I thought I would share it with you in light of this post. You know, even if you can't devote a whole hour or two for a nice substantial quiet time (in my idealistic, but impractical world), something is better than nothing. So without further ado...


Time For God
There was time for dating, getting married, and having a baby. Now, there is a renewed desire to have time for God.
Many of the moms I've met through MOPS seek out Christianity when they become mothers. Some are returning to their roots; others want a new perspective on life as they parent. All can find hope and guidance in the teachings of Christ as they take time to learn who he is and what he can teach us about himself. Robert D. Foster wrote a tiny booklet many years ago called Seven Minutes with God. In it, he outlines how a regular person like you or me can begin talking to God with just seven minutes of our day. Sometimes that's all a mother has without an interruption! Where can you find seven minutes?

-When you first wake up
-After a shower
-While you dry your hair
-In the car after you drop off your child at preschool
-While you are walking or jogging or riding your bike
-When you are feeding your baby late at night
-At the beginning of naptime
Once you find seven minutes, Robert Foster suggests thirty seconds to clear your mind of all the responsibilities and worries calling you, four minutes to read the Bible, and two and a half minutes to pray. Whatever amount of time you have to spend with God, he will bless you with rest, hope and courage to face whatever mommy challenges you may face that day. Twinkle and shine this month as you enjoy each new day God has given you.
From www.MOPS.org.

Dear Beau,

It's the 15th and I was supposed to write a letter to you on the 8th! Whoops!
Well, little buddy, I can't believe you are going to be a year old in just a few short weeks. Your looks are beginning to change and some of your baby fat is melting away. You're slowly becoming a toddler and will no longer be my little baby. I hope you always are a cuddler though. If you always want to cuddle with me, I think I will get over the fact that you are growing up. Lets see, milestones this month: you're getting your 5th tooth. This one has been a doozy I believe (I hope it's the tooth and not your ears) A couple days ago you were so clingy I was thinking of renaming you 'Velcro'. Having you not take to teething so well still throws me for a loop, because Drew was so easy in that respect. Now I understand what all the parents were groaning about when they explained that their child was teething. So hurry up and sprout them things out, no need to prolong this pain for either us, K? Can you do that fer me? And you're progressing a little more with eating solid food. I discovered that you like pizza for instance. I'm still nursing you primarily and letting you go at your own pace with the solids. You are such a headstrong little guy, you don't want me putting a spoon to your mouth anyways. You have also become a professional and industrious climber this month. If it can be climbed, you are there. Today you discover how to turn the laundry basket over and climb on top of it to get things previously out of your reach. Yes, ladies and gents, I am in trouble! Which brings me to my next point, a redundant one at that, you have developed an independent and determination streak matched only by your father. I don't' really know what else to say about that except that I have my work cut out for me. (At least I know it!) We also finally moved you into your own room this month. Glorious and heavenly sleep has returned to me, only to wake up in the morning with rock boobs...but hey, you can't have it ALL! I knew you'd start sleeping through the night if you were in your own room and I was right, there has been a rare few nights that you have woke up crying to eat, which is fine by me because I still enjoy having your chubby little body asleep next to mine. You have also developed this comforting little habit of caressing my side with your soft little baby hands while you nurse. How did I get so lucky? My child massages me while he nurses! And today I gave you your first haircut. The mop was getting a little long on top, so I took the clipper to ya. You handled it like a pro. I tried to save most of your cute little curls in the back which I think are absolutely adorable. Your father has threatened to cut them off.I told him if he did, I'd cut him off, ehem. Bonus: your brother saw how unaffected you were by the clippers and let my buzz his head too! Thanks buddy! You are learning to speak this month as well, with your hands! I decided to try the whole sign language thing. And though I admittedly don't know what I'm really doing, whatever it is that I'm teaching you, you are certainly picking up. The first sign I taught you was for milk and you picked up almost instantaneously. I was amazed. I figured it would take you a lot longer. But if there is one thing I have learned from growing up and from being a parent, is that parents tend to underestimate what their kids are capable of. So I know if I keep it up, pretty soon you are gonna be out-communicating me with your hands. I chose to teach you American Sign Language, so you are basically going to be bi-lingual. You can thank me later. (Once I teach the sign.) Did I mention last month that you are walking like a pro? As if it wasn't obvious with my earlier mention of your climbing feats...
Well, I love you buddy. I hope you know that, and I'm sure you do, every time I try to eat your cheeks whole. My mom always called my sister Hannah, her second child, her Sunshine, and I think I finally understand that. You are my Sunshine too! Keep on smiling, babe!
Love, Momma

Sisterly Visit Review

Ok, so for once, I'm going to actually do what I said I was going to, abeit late, but I'm doing it: talking about my busy week a few weeks ago when family was visiting. My sister Hannah graced us with her presence for a week. It was so nice to see her, since it had been six months. I do have to say though, that we missed her hubby Darin who was unable to come this time do to work. Next time dude! (Hopefully, like, in March, right?)
I am such a family person. My closest relationships are with my mom and my sisters (besides my hubby of course!) When we are all together are some of the happiest times in my life. I look forward to the day when my sister and her hubby move back here and hang with us all more often...either that, or we begin to make enough money to afford to fly out to see each other on a monthly basis. Ha ha! Anyways, here are some of the more lovely shots of her visit. Enjoy.

Now you know where Beau gets the red hair from. He could totally be Hannah's son.

Drew and Hannah lovin' on each other.

My two beautiful sisters, and that is MY son, I repeat...despite appearances, he belongs to me. Thank you very much.

Can't resist, he's just so cute!

No...we're not related or anything... (Mom standing behind us.)
Checking out, gasp! blogs all together. Please ignore the fact that it looks like we've all been sitting in front of the computer for hours on end...oh wait...we have.

A Bit of Encouragement from MY Mom

My mom called the other day because she had something special she wanted to share with me: she read me this passage from a book she is reading because she thought it might be encouraging to me as a mother and a Christian. I had her type it up and send it to me so I could share it with the rest of you.

From "The Life You've Always Wanted" By John Ortberg


"Wise training will take into account our season of life. There is more good news that our season of life is not a barrier to spiritual growth. A mother in our small group suggested that it was easier for her to ''work on her spiritual life'' before she became a mom. As we talked it became clear what she meant. To her, reading the Bible and praying were the only two activities that counted spiritually. As a mother she felt that ''time alone'' was an oxymoron. In this the church had failed her. She had never been taught to see that caring for two young boys, offered daily with expressions of gratitude and prayers for help, and patient acceptance of trials, might become a kind of school for transformation into powerful servanthood beyond anything she had ever known. Somehow having a ''quiet time'' COUNTED toward spiritual devotion, and caring for two young boys did not. It took creative effort for this young mother to carve out time for solitude and stillness, and even then she could not free up the amount of time she had in college. But as a mother she had new opportunities for growth she did not have back then. OUR SEASON OF LIFE ---- WHATEVER IT IS----- IS NO BARRIER TO HAVING CHRIST FORMED IN US. NOT IN THE LEAST ! "

I was really encouraged by this. I have never thought of my time spent being a mother as spiritual training grounds for the future, let alone counting toward my spiritual growth. I am constantly beating myself up because I didn't have the time to sit down and read my Bible, thinking I was falling that much more behind in my spiritual growth. I feel a renewed sense of freedom with this bit of knowledge that has been passed on to me. I will certainly keep trying to make time for reading my Bible, because that is always important, but I'm not going to feel guilty for missing. I know God is using my everyday experiences to teach me. I will look at motherhood with a bit of a different spiritual perspective, and each time I encounter a fussy child or an intensely smelly poopy diaper, I will know that somehow, through this, God is making me a better, more equipped person, so that when I am finished with the job of raising my kids, I will be fully trained and ready for the next calling God has on my life.

Warning: The Following Post Contains References to Flatulence

Okay, so I've been reading most of you peoples blogs instead of posting on my own...
Feeling much better thank you, to all of you for your hugs and prayers and well wishes. I still don't know what I had, but I think it may have been a bit of food poisoning...via some lettuce that was supposed to be triple washed...but probably got contaminated after the fact (or didn't really get washed 3 times.) So anyways...out with the lettuce, and we're being careful with anything else we prepare these days too. Not that we weren't before, we're just overly careful now...or extra..extra's not bad when you've been puking and don't want to do that again for well...ever...I don't ever want to do that again. But anyways, it's Friday and I was inspired by Na Uh! Ya Huh! and decided to share one of my own, majorly embarrassing moments.

So it was Christmas 2004, I was 8 months pregnant. We had steak for dinner. And all of us, meaning, my family, and my in-laws were playing Balderdash together around the table. Being that I was pregnant, and that we had a significant amount of protein for dinner, I became a little gassy. (If you are, or have been pregnant, you can vouch for the extra gassiness, thank you very much!) So I'm sitting there trying to let out a little flatulence, slowly, so it wont be loud and embarrassing. Fortunately it wasn't stinky so the noise would have been all you would have noticed had I let it rip. It comes out quietly, but still making an audible noise, if not identifiable. To my horror, my husband looks up at my mother and says, "What was that?" And my sister interjects and says, "Sounds like someone was trying really hard to hold in a fart but it squeaked out anyways." There must have been guilt all over my face because my husband then asked me if it was me, to which I lied, "NO!" Then my mom and he were worried that it was the dog in the back yard and were about to go check on her, and I, who cannot tell a lie (for very long anyways) said, "Okay, fine, it was me!!!" At this point I am burying my head in shame and Kev asks, "Really?" and noticing my state, says, "It must have been, because look at how red you are turning!" Then everyone pretty much erupts in laughter. I could not look at my FIL, because I was SO embarrassed. Somehow, having him be a witness to all of this made it much more embarrassing... So there you have it, my most embarrassing moment to date, probably, and I wasn't even in a whole crowd of people I didn't know. Just goes to show you what a pregger mind (and body) can do to you.

Anyways...hope I made ya laugh today : )

Ug.

Oh dear. This has been one of those weeks...and its only Wednesday. Yesterday I was pretty sick with something...I'm not quite sure what, but I'm scared to eat some of the leftovers in my fridge. So today, I have just been wiped out, recovering from yesterday. I've actually gotten things done today, believe it or not. I've just been in the same pajamas for 48 hours. So here's to a feeling better rest of the week.

Strange Happenings in the Ladies Bathroom at Wal-Mart

So while we were in Wal-Mart this Saturday (yes I know I am crazy) Drew asked to go to the bathroom. Not one to hinder any progress at all in the potty training department, I agreed and left Beau with Kevin while Drew and I headed for the ladies bathroom. So I sit him on the toilet (with a seat protector, of course!) and we are just kind of sitting there waiting for things to happen. Then the toilet, which is the self-flushing kind, starts to flush, and I look at Drew to see how he is going to react, expecting at least for him to freak out a bit. His eyes get really big, and I know he is a little scared, but he looks at me and can see the laughter in my eyes. The toilet finishes flushing and he exclaims loudly, (everyone inside and outside the bathroom could hear, I'm sure), "THAT'S NOT VERY NICE!!!" Then I explain that it was just flushing and that it flushes all by itself. Then, the toilet flushes again, and we both start to laugh. Drew is really thinking this is pretty funny, and I haven't heard him squeal like this in quite some time, or ever, maybe. And the toilet flushes again. And we laugh even harder. At this point, I swear that somebody is watching us and controlling the toilet flushing, because it started flushing one right after the other and Drew's laughter kept getting louder and higher pitched with each flush. I was trying to quiet him down, but couldn't contain my own laughter, so nothing was helping. Finally, the flushing stopped and Drew decided he was finished (dropping no kids off at the pool, mind you.) So he hopped down and we finished our strange, but funny little excursion to the Wal-Mart bathroom.

I Am Not Dead

Just have family visiting this week, so I've been a little too busy to blog. I'll have lots of pics and fun stuff to post soon. I promise!