P90X...Week One Down!

It's official! Daniel and I have successfully completed our first week of P90X. I don't think I have been this sore since 3-a-day volleyball practices in High School. I am feeling great, though. Don't worry...I will chronicle every aching muscle right here for all to see. :)

I have spent the last hour scouring the internet for healthy recipes that don't break the bank. Any ideas?

Shut-eye

Last night, my mom and I had a wonderful conversation. We were remembering some old songs we used to sing together at home. My favorite was and continues to be I'd Rather Have Jesus.

Christ gripped my thoughts again.

I began reflecting on my life. What is important to me? What drives me?

The truth is...I cannot live without Christ. Not only would my body reap horrible consequences of a life without him, but...who I am...the strengths and weakness that make up my way of living...would not be. I am driven to find him. I chase him until I feel him close.

A few nights ago at bedtime, Evan, my 4-year-old, said "Mommy, Jesus is invisible, but if you close your eyes you can see him." Soon after, Gideon, my 3-year-old , shut his eyes tight and said, " I am trying Mommy...I am trying so hard." I know Gideon will find Jesus. He will keep looking until he does.

Today, I close my eyes tight and look for Jesus. He is my sustanance. He offers me everything. With my eyes on what surrounds me I see anxiety...hopelessness...exhaustion...striving. With my eyes on my Creator, I see peace...hope...joy...contentment.

I'd rather have Jesus than anything...this world affords today.

Christmas in May!

This was really supposed to be a birthday present for Mom last December (her birthday is the 28th), but I didn't get it finished in time. So, since I have PLENTY of time to "sit" right now, I decided to finish it while she is here. It was kind of strange making Christmas trees in May, but I like the finished product. Here are some pics:




Mom likes it too! That's what really counts. She will enjoy snuggling up with it while she watches "It's A Wonderful Life!"


I hopped outside to try to get some better pics. Evan and Gideon wanted to cover up. :)



There's the latest from where I sit. Hmmm...what should I work on next?

View from my seat

This is it! This is the view from where I sit. I fell down the stairs last week, and this is the result. I am now waiting to have an MRI, and we'll see what happens after that. For now, I am not allowed to put any weight on my knee, and am hobbling around on crutches. Good news, though...my mom came to the rescue!


This is a really bad picture, but my mom is saving my life right now. :) She is playing with the boys, washing clothes and dishes, and making my favorite cake (fresh apple). Yummy! At least something good has come of all of this. It had been over 6 months since I had been with my mom...years since I have been with her at Mother's Day.

I'll let you know what happens. It looks like I am at the beginning of quite a journey. I am hoping to learn what God has to teach me. :)

Backyard Veggies!

I have decided to try my hand at a little backyard gardening. My friend, Jen inspired me to grow enough vegetables to can and freeze so that I would not have to buy them through the winter. Well...we'll see. I would love to get enough but, since this is my first attempt...I will be happy with enough to make one great supper. :)

It all started with a few seeds:

These are the tomato plants I just started. I need to plant about 4 more. There's nothing better than homemade tomato sauce from homegrown tomatoes. I also LOVE tomato sandwiches in the summer time. A little mayo...a little black pepper...I am in heaven.


I planted some bell peppers in one of my raised gardens (I must pause here to give my husband much credit for building the beds.) I love bell peppers on the grill. Yummy!


And finally...what I hope will soon be brimming with green bean bushes and a couple squash vines. I have a couple more beds, but you get the idea. How much fun is it to look at a box full of dirt, really? I will keep you updated.

You know, there is something very wonderful and fulfilling about digging in the earth to cultivate something that will eventually bare fruit for my family. If you haven't tried it before, you should give it a shot this summer. Who knows what we could grow! :)


I think I need to go make something to eat...all this veggie talk is giving me an appetite. Bye for now!

Birthdays and Godiva chocolate

Happy Birthday to me! That's right...today is my 10,220th day on the earth (you do the math). This weekend I was able to enjoy a lunch out with some of my favorite ladies. Here are just a few of them:


They are so funny. When I arrived there was a pink and purple feather boa and matching light-up "birthday princess" tiara for me to wear. This picture is a little fuzzy, but you get the idea. :)


Best of all I got to eat my FAVORITE indulgence...Godiva chocolate cheesecake. YUMMY!! They even made it all cute, and sang as the lights on my head danced around. (Do you like the Splenda beside the sugar-ridden slice of "next size up" on a plate??)


Thanks, girls, for making my day out so special! I loved every minute of it.

"Here Mommy!"

Before I had children, I had always dreamed of a little boy picking flowers in the yard, and bringing them to me, lovingly saying, "Here, Mommy! I picked these just for you." Last week my dream finally came true. Well, it wasn't exactly the picture-perfect garden I had envisioned nor the beautiful flowers that were in my dreams. Rather, it was dandelion weeds straight from my crabgrass-ridden lawn. Nonetheless, it was a "perfect moment."


Evan and Gideon found something that was beautiful to them, and their first thoughts were to share it with me. Priceless!


How wonderful to look around and realize God has done exactly the same. His thoughts toward me are so gracious that he has shared his most precious creations with me. My boys continually express the graciousness of God to me! I pray I can be this same expression to others.