Thursday, September 29, 2011
Monday, September 26, 2011
Chapter. CLOSED.
We are embarking on a new journey. It is kind of big. Chandler is leaving retail and I am going back to work part-time for the first time in two years. We are excited for many reasons; mainly because God's hand has been so incredibly evident in the whole situation.
Anyone who knows us, even as an acquaintance, knows that for many, many months Chandler and I have hated his job. So. Much. Stress. (And I won't throw anyone under the bus, but I am over his co-workers.) When the economy goes from bad to abysmal, retail stores are the first to suffer; people stop purchasing wants because they can barely afford their needs. Being on this side of retail, employees and their families have suffered the affects of the public's responsible spending. And there's another side to the story: investors; shareholders who put money into the company and expect to see results. Corporate can't go to the shareholders and say, "Well, business is just down, so we aren't making money." So who suffers? The managers. Ugh. (Thanks, Dad, for the shareholder explanation)
(Sorry if the end of the last paragraph and the beginning of the next don't make sense.. Waverly added her flair, unbeknownst to me, so eight hours later after Chandler noticed the craziness, I'm trying to fill in what she messed up)
Anyway, for months we prayed, sometimes desperately, for the Lord to bring something our way. A new job. Or just a change. But there was never a fire under us to actively search for a new position. Part of that is because we knew there would not be a job out there that would be flexible with Chandler's schedule (going to Louisville two days a week for classes) and provide financially for our family. Having been with his current company for seven years, he was doing okay on the payroll; enough for me to stay home and for us to live conservatively.
The thought of Chandler staying in his current position through the holidays (another big headache) and for another 9-12 months was just depressing, but we did not have much hope for any change. Until...about a month ago, now, we received a phone call from the senior pastor of our church letting us know of some staff changes and asking if we would be interested in talking more about an interim position. We were definitely interested and so, so excited. We met with Pastor on a Sunday night after church where we received the details: our youth pastor and his family were approached by a church in Alabama and asked to take a position as their student pastor. They accepted the position and their last day at our church would be October 2. When we first heard this news, we were shocked. We LOVE our youth pastor and his wife. Although he took the youth pastor position after Chandler and I had graduated high school, we knew them very well and are friends with them today. I even sang in their wedding seven years ago. But God was calling them elsewhere and they had to obey. I am glad that another church gets the opportunity to know them and their kids.
Enter: Chandler and Kelli. We were asked to take the youth pastor and secretary's positions on an interim basis until 1. We go to Africa and 2. Our church finds a permanent guy.
Could the Lord's timing be any more perfect? There are definitely a few times in my life where big events have occurred that I knew without a shadow of a doubt that He orchestrated every detail. This is one of those events. And we couldn't be more happy, relieved, excited, anxious... insert positive adjective.
Yeah, we're taking a pay cut, but neither of us want anything more than to do ministry together. Our prayer for the next few months is that God will give us direction for the youth, that we won't screw anyone up, and that we will just love what we do.
God is so good.
Anyone who knows us, even as an acquaintance, knows that for many, many months Chandler and I have hated his job. So. Much. Stress. (And I won't throw anyone under the bus, but I am over his co-workers.) When the economy goes from bad to abysmal, retail stores are the first to suffer; people stop purchasing wants because they can barely afford their needs. Being on this side of retail, employees and their families have suffered the affects of the public's responsible spending. And there's another side to the story: investors; shareholders who put money into the company and expect to see results. Corporate can't go to the shareholders and say, "Well, business is just down, so we aren't making money." So who suffers? The managers. Ugh. (Thanks, Dad, for the shareholder explanation)
(Sorry if the end of the last paragraph and the beginning of the next don't make sense.. Waverly added her flair, unbeknownst to me, so eight hours later after Chandler noticed the craziness, I'm trying to fill in what she messed up)
Anyway, for months we prayed, sometimes desperately, for the Lord to bring something our way. A new job. Or just a change. But there was never a fire under us to actively search for a new position. Part of that is because we knew there would not be a job out there that would be flexible with Chandler's schedule (going to Louisville two days a week for classes) and provide financially for our family. Having been with his current company for seven years, he was doing okay on the payroll; enough for me to stay home and for us to live conservatively.
The thought of Chandler staying in his current position through the holidays (another big headache) and for another 9-12 months was just depressing, but we did not have much hope for any change. Until...about a month ago, now, we received a phone call from the senior pastor of our church letting us know of some staff changes and asking if we would be interested in talking more about an interim position. We were definitely interested and so, so excited. We met with Pastor on a Sunday night after church where we received the details: our youth pastor and his family were approached by a church in Alabama and asked to take a position as their student pastor. They accepted the position and their last day at our church would be October 2. When we first heard this news, we were shocked. We LOVE our youth pastor and his wife. Although he took the youth pastor position after Chandler and I had graduated high school, we knew them very well and are friends with them today. I even sang in their wedding seven years ago. But God was calling them elsewhere and they had to obey. I am glad that another church gets the opportunity to know them and their kids.
Enter: Chandler and Kelli. We were asked to take the youth pastor and secretary's positions on an interim basis until 1. We go to Africa and 2. Our church finds a permanent guy.
Could the Lord's timing be any more perfect? There are definitely a few times in my life where big events have occurred that I knew without a shadow of a doubt that He orchestrated every detail. This is one of those events. And we couldn't be more happy, relieved, excited, anxious... insert positive adjective.
Yeah, we're taking a pay cut, but neither of us want anything more than to do ministry together. Our prayer for the next few months is that God will give us direction for the youth, that we won't screw anyone up, and that we will just love what we do.
God is so good.
Saturday, September 17, 2011
A Poop Story.
Was I so naive to believe that not in a million years would my child play in her poop? I mean, she's definitely made her attempts to take her diaper off, but never when she's had pants on over it. And she's done her fair share of pooping in the bathtub, but not in the past month or so.
Needless to say, I was caught off guard when I opened the door to her room following nap time. The whole room reeked of stink (not a surprise) and she was holding her hand out saying, "shew!" In the dark room, I couldn't see the wreckage right off and thought she was pointing to the dresser where her previous poopy diaper had been left (Daddy's bad habit). I yelled down the stairs to Chandler asking if the diaper on her dresser was poopy and why it was still there Who could possibly sleep haunted by the literal stench of their last mess? Chandler was on his way up to retrieve the diaper, when I was taken off guard. The streaks on Waverly's bed rail and the, as of yet, unidentified object in her hand tipped me off. I was horrified. Waverly had taken her sweatpants and nasty diaper off and was holding remnants of the disaster in her hand.
Okay, so maybe I could believe that Waverly might do something so nasty, but I really just didn't expect it. Although, I probably should have knowing good and well that her father participated in a very similar activity in his toddler years. Gross. Like father, like daughter.
Needless to say, I was caught off guard when I opened the door to her room following nap time. The whole room reeked of stink (not a surprise) and she was holding her hand out saying, "shew!" In the dark room, I couldn't see the wreckage right off and thought she was pointing to the dresser where her previous poopy diaper had been left (Daddy's bad habit). I yelled down the stairs to Chandler asking if the diaper on her dresser was poopy and why it was still there Who could possibly sleep haunted by the literal stench of their last mess? Chandler was on his way up to retrieve the diaper, when I was taken off guard. The streaks on Waverly's bed rail and the, as of yet, unidentified object in her hand tipped me off. I was horrified. Waverly had taken her sweatpants and nasty diaper off and was holding remnants of the disaster in her hand.
Okay, so maybe I could believe that Waverly might do something so nasty, but I really just didn't expect it. Although, I probably should have knowing good and well that her father participated in a very similar activity in his toddler years. Gross. Like father, like daughter.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Saw This on Pinterest
I feel like Waverly will be one of the above-average four-year olds when it comes to asking questions. I already hear, "Mommy" 437 times a day, easy.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
DAY 30! - A Dream for the Future
I mentioned in yesterday's post that beyond the next 365 days I don't really have any hopes, plans, or dreams. Then, I saw the challenge for today. Ha! So, I'll throw something out there, I guess.
I realized I talk a lot about Africa, but it's in the not too distant future; like, starting our career. We have basically lived the last four years with this "end" in mind: no debt, we don't own our house, only one car come January, etc. So, it's always in the forefront of our minds and when I think about the future, Africa is all I see. Forgive me if this subject bores you; it's just my life.
So, if I have a dream for the future it involves my children, career missions, and the great unknown that is Africa. I daydream sometimes, when I'm not caught up in reality, and I like to think of days where Waverly will run around with the neighbor kids, while Chandler and I hang out with their parents. Waverly won't know any differently, she won't miss the luxuries in the States. She's going to have a wonderful life, full of experiences that so many of her peers will not have. She will be surrounded by poverty, but she will be rich in her world view. How could I not want that for her (and our future babies)?
Does that seem weird? We're not going there just to live, we're going to share the Gospel and train up new believers and our children to do the same. But while we're working toward our ultimate goal, we're going to be living; adapting to the new culture, learning how to cook, clean, live, raise babies, and getting to know the people who live around us. I dream that it will be a good transition; fun, even.
That's my dream. Keeping it real.
I realized I talk a lot about Africa, but it's in the not too distant future; like, starting our career. We have basically lived the last four years with this "end" in mind: no debt, we don't own our house, only one car come January, etc. So, it's always in the forefront of our minds and when I think about the future, Africa is all I see. Forgive me if this subject bores you; it's just my life.
So, if I have a dream for the future it involves my children, career missions, and the great unknown that is Africa. I daydream sometimes, when I'm not caught up in reality, and I like to think of days where Waverly will run around with the neighbor kids, while Chandler and I hang out with their parents. Waverly won't know any differently, she won't miss the luxuries in the States. She's going to have a wonderful life, full of experiences that so many of her peers will not have. She will be surrounded by poverty, but she will be rich in her world view. How could I not want that for her (and our future babies)?
Does that seem weird? We're not going there just to live, we're going to share the Gospel and train up new believers and our children to do the same. But while we're working toward our ultimate goal, we're going to be living; adapting to the new culture, learning how to cook, clean, live, raise babies, and getting to know the people who live around us. I dream that it will be a good transition; fun, even.
That's my dream. Keeping it real.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Days 28 and 29
I'm skipping Day 28... it's the purse question.
Day 29 - Hopes, Dreams, and Plans for The Next 365
Are you sure you want to know all of this? I feel exposed already. But I'll be honest. Brutally. Okay, we hope to have baby #2, we plan on visiting The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and we dream of celebrating the holidays like every other family with normal jobs. Holidays working for Best Buy suck. Chandler basically works from the day after Thanksgiving to New Years Eve, twelve hour days, and sometimes more. There is no relaxing and hardly any family time.
We hope for a seamless application process with the IMB, we plan on moving to Africa next fall, and we dream of what our ministry will be like once we are there. In my mind, we're climbing the mountain, and when we get to the top next fall, we jump and pray that the Lord protects and sustains us, our family, and our ministry.
Past the next 365, I can't tell you what our hopes, dreams, and plans are because, well, we don't really know.
Day 29 - Hopes, Dreams, and Plans for The Next 365
Are you sure you want to know all of this? I feel exposed already. But I'll be honest. Brutally. Okay, we hope to have baby #2, we plan on visiting The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and we dream of celebrating the holidays like every other family with normal jobs. Holidays working for Best Buy suck. Chandler basically works from the day after Thanksgiving to New Years Eve, twelve hour days, and sometimes more. There is no relaxing and hardly any family time.
We hope for a seamless application process with the IMB, we plan on moving to Africa next fall, and we dream of what our ministry will be like once we are there. In my mind, we're climbing the mountain, and when we get to the top next fall, we jump and pray that the Lord protects and sustains us, our family, and our ministry.
Past the next 365, I can't tell you what our hopes, dreams, and plans are because, well, we don't really know.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Days 26 and 27
I am a little lazy when it comes to these daily challenges.
Day 26 - A Photo of a Place I'd Like to Visit
Day 26 - A Photo of a Place I'd Like to Visit
Greece.
Thanks to The Sisterhood of The Traveling Pants, I really hope to visit Greece one day.
Day 27 - My Dream House
I don't have a dream home. I try not to think about things like that; you know, permanent, American things. My dream home is somewhere in subsaharan Africa and while it will not be nearly as fancy as one here in the States, I'll do my best to make it a "dream home".
A Day with Em and Other Things
Two weeks ago, while her parents went to a wedding, Emersen stayed with us! It was so fun to watch the girls interact now that they're a little older and both are mobile.
Cute butts.
Waverly probably being bossy.
We also celebrated Grandparents' Day today.. Well, there wasn't any kind of celebration, but we made gifts for Waverly grandparents to show how much she loves them.
She contributed the hand prints, I hand-stitched around the hands and hearts. I also hand-stitched the quote, "The best things in life aren't things." The middle photo is sign language for "I love you" and we gave that one to her Grandma and Papa Snyder.
I also made her a big girl backpack, which I am SO proud of. It's adorable..
Friday, September 9, 2011
Day 25 - Your Day, in detail
Happy Birthday to my super awesome mother! She's 51 today. Mom, you're welcome.
We, all three, rolled out of bed around 9 am. Chandler had to take Fenway for her appointment, but Waverly and I just had some breakfast to partake of; me - waffles, her - oatmeal with cinnamon. During breakfast, we watched "Oh, toodles" (Mickey Mouse Clubhouse); two episodes a morning, so an hour of TV for Waverly per day. I don't really want her to be attached to the television. I have it on practically all day, but it's only for company purposes; Chandler, on the other hand, could sit and watch TV all. day. long. I'd die.
After breakfast, Chandler and Fenway came home and we all played on the floor for a bit. Then Waverly went down for a "nap".. really it's just become quiet time in her bed. But even then, it's not really quiet time. Waverly plays with the four stuffed animals in her bed: Mickey, zebra, Red Sox bear, and Mouse from "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie". Sometimes she reaches through the slats in her bed, pulls the laundry basket closer, and goes through her dirty laundry. Sometimes she shuffles to the other side of the bed, reaches through the slats and knocks over the bedside table. I don't know why. But she doesn't cry and just plays so I am able to get a shower, which I did. By the time I got ready, it was noon. I got Waverly out of bed and we spent some more time with Chandler before leaving for lunch with my mom at 12:40.
Mom got to pick where she wanted to go for lunch and she chose a place called Wallace Station in Versailles. (For those of you not from Kentucky, it's pronounced Ver-say-els. Seriously. And Louisville is pronounced Loh-vul.) It is a small hole-in-the-wall restaurant and the service is so-so, but the food is really good. Their bread is home-made and most of their products are home-grown. I had a BLT, my go-to for places like Wallace Station, Waverly had a PB&J, and Mom had a turkey reuben. She's obsessed with reubens. It's a lot of sandwich for the price. And all of their sandwiches are served with chips. It was a good lunch. I really enjoyed checking out a new place with my mom. It was fun.
Immediately following lunch, I brought Waverly home to take a much-needed nap during which I sewed. I'm so obsessed with sewing. I finished my project and immediately began looking for another to start. I found a free pattern for a toddler backpack that I am anxious to start on. Toddlers don't really need diaper bags anymore. Anyway, she slept until about 5, I got her up, we did some laundry. Yes, we, because Waverly helps me sort the laundry. I kind of make her help. I think it's good for her to have a little responsibility. Plus, she just loves to help and I am going to take advantage of that for as long as possible.
For dinner we ate at Malone's to celebrate Mom's birthday some more, then headed back to their house for a short bit. At Malone's, I gave Mom her birthday present: a certificate to see The Lion King 3D with me. She took me to see The Lion King when it originally came out. I was 8 when it first came out in the theaters and very clearly remember buying a Simba stuffed animal at Target after seeing the movie. It has been my all-time favorite movie ever since. It just seemed fitting that Mom and I would go see the re-release together.
Now, the baby is in bed. I'm finishing this post and will momentarily working on my toddler backpack project.
Cheers!
We, all three, rolled out of bed around 9 am. Chandler had to take Fenway for her appointment, but Waverly and I just had some breakfast to partake of; me - waffles, her - oatmeal with cinnamon. During breakfast, we watched "Oh, toodles" (Mickey Mouse Clubhouse); two episodes a morning, so an hour of TV for Waverly per day. I don't really want her to be attached to the television. I have it on practically all day, but it's only for company purposes; Chandler, on the other hand, could sit and watch TV all. day. long. I'd die.
After breakfast, Chandler and Fenway came home and we all played on the floor for a bit. Then Waverly went down for a "nap".. really it's just become quiet time in her bed. But even then, it's not really quiet time. Waverly plays with the four stuffed animals in her bed: Mickey, zebra, Red Sox bear, and Mouse from "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie". Sometimes she reaches through the slats in her bed, pulls the laundry basket closer, and goes through her dirty laundry. Sometimes she shuffles to the other side of the bed, reaches through the slats and knocks over the bedside table. I don't know why. But she doesn't cry and just plays so I am able to get a shower, which I did. By the time I got ready, it was noon. I got Waverly out of bed and we spent some more time with Chandler before leaving for lunch with my mom at 12:40.
Mom got to pick where she wanted to go for lunch and she chose a place called Wallace Station in Versailles. (For those of you not from Kentucky, it's pronounced Ver-say-els. Seriously. And Louisville is pronounced Loh-vul.) It is a small hole-in-the-wall restaurant and the service is so-so, but the food is really good. Their bread is home-made and most of their products are home-grown. I had a BLT, my go-to for places like Wallace Station, Waverly had a PB&J, and Mom had a turkey reuben. She's obsessed with reubens. It's a lot of sandwich for the price. And all of their sandwiches are served with chips. It was a good lunch. I really enjoyed checking out a new place with my mom. It was fun.
Immediately following lunch, I brought Waverly home to take a much-needed nap during which I sewed. I'm so obsessed with sewing. I finished my project and immediately began looking for another to start. I found a free pattern for a toddler backpack that I am anxious to start on. Toddlers don't really need diaper bags anymore. Anyway, she slept until about 5, I got her up, we did some laundry. Yes, we, because Waverly helps me sort the laundry. I kind of make her help. I think it's good for her to have a little responsibility. Plus, she just loves to help and I am going to take advantage of that for as long as possible.
For dinner we ate at Malone's to celebrate Mom's birthday some more, then headed back to their house for a short bit. At Malone's, I gave Mom her birthday present: a certificate to see The Lion King 3D with me. She took me to see The Lion King when it originally came out. I was 8 when it first came out in the theaters and very clearly remember buying a Simba stuffed animal at Target after seeing the movie. It has been my all-time favorite movie ever since. It just seemed fitting that Mom and I would go see the re-release together.
Now, the baby is in bed. I'm finishing this post and will momentarily working on my toddler backpack project.
Cheers!
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Day 24 - My Favorite Book
Duh.
But only good books. Unlike my mother, if the book sucks, I don't hesitate to throw it aside, middle of the chapter, middle of a sentence even. I do the same with movies, much to my husband's dismay. It doesn't matter how terrible the movie may be, he will watch it to the bitter, terrible end. So, anyway, I love the Harry Potter series, but the last book is my absolute favorite. I am also a big fan of The Stand by Stephen King. I've read it a few times.
Oh, and I totally judge books by their covers. Literally.
Oh, and today Waverly wore skinny jeans for the first time. Can you say, cutest thing in the entire world??? I wanted to squeeze her to death with all of that cuteness in her skinny jeans and TOMS.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Day 23 - Something I Would Never Tire of Doing
This depends on the day. Today, I don't think I'll ever get tired of sewing. Some days I could sing forever. Other days I could sleep.
I will never be tired of the innumerable ways that Waverly makes me laugh. It seems like everyday she is doing something new; she picks up on something we do or say without us realizing, then just pulls it out of her bag of tricks when we least expect it. Tonight, following bath time and her regular performance of the "hot dog dance" (Thanks, Mickey Mouse), Chandler taught her to bow and say, "thank you, thank you". Absolutely hilarious.
Mom, I completely understand why you laugh at everything Jacob does and/or says.
I will never be tired of the innumerable ways that Waverly makes me laugh. It seems like everyday she is doing something new; she picks up on something we do or say without us realizing, then just pulls it out of her bag of tricks when we least expect it. Tonight, following bath time and her regular performance of the "hot dog dance" (Thanks, Mickey Mouse), Chandler taught her to bow and say, "thank you, thank you". Absolutely hilarious.
Mom, I completely understand why you laugh at everything Jacob does and/or says.
Car Game.
Maybe the title is a a bit misleading; it's not a game that we play, per say, it's more of a tradition or just habit. Without fail, when we are traveling in the car, Waverly has to ask about each one of her family members. It goes something like this... Disclaimer: Don't worry, grandparents, she never asks in the same order.
W: BB?
Me: She's at work.
W: Gee?
Me: He's at work.
W: Jacob?
Me: He's at school.
W: Kiki?
Me: She's at home.
W: Memaw?
Me: She's at work.
W: Papa?
Me: He's at work.
W: Go go?
Me: She's at home.
Then, sometimes...
W: Nana?
Me: She's at work.
W: Juju?
Me: She's at school.
W: Nana?
Me: She's at work.
W: Nana?
Me: Waverly, she's at work.
W: Mamaw?
Me: She's at home.
W: Nana?
Me: What about Grandad?
It's exhausting and she's relentless, but I love that she's concerned about everyone's whereabouts.
W: BB?
Me: She's at work.
W: Gee?
Me: He's at work.
W: Jacob?
Me: He's at school.
W: Kiki?
Me: She's at home.
W: Memaw?
Me: She's at work.
W: Papa?
Me: He's at work.
W: Go go?
Me: She's at home.
Then, sometimes...
W: Nana?
Me: She's at work.
W: Juju?
Me: She's at school.
W: Nana?
Me: She's at work.
W: Nana?
Me: Waverly, she's at work.
W: Mamaw?
Me: She's at home.
W: Nana?
Me: What about Grandad?
It's exhausting and she's relentless, but I love that she's concerned about everyone's whereabouts.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Day 22 - My Celebrity Crush
I have like, five. Chandler refers to them as my boyfriends; as in, 'Kelli, your boyfriend is on tv'.
So, Matthew McConaughey has been my fave for many years now; although, I must admit, I don't dig his au naturale style of not wearing deoderant. Yuck. I just bought 18 deoderants for $.50 a piece. We don't stink.
Johnny Depp, as Captain Jack Sparrow.
I am also a huge fan of Ryan Gosling in Crazy, Stupid, Love. No, I don't dig his reckless, womanizing lifestyle as Jacob, but can that guy wear a suit!
Josh Groban.
I'm sure Chandler can name a few that I have forgotten (haha).
So, Matthew McConaughey has been my fave for many years now; although, I must admit, I don't dig his au naturale style of not wearing deoderant. Yuck. I just bought 18 deoderants for $.50 a piece. We don't stink.
Johnny Depp, as Captain Jack Sparrow.
I am also a huge fan of Ryan Gosling in Crazy, Stupid, Love. No, I don't dig his reckless, womanizing lifestyle as Jacob, but can that guy wear a suit!
Josh Groban.
I'm sure Chandler can name a few that I have forgotten (haha).
Monday, September 5, 2011
Day 21 - Five Pet Peeves and My Super Model
In no particular order, my top five pet peeves...
1. Being argued with when I know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that I am right. I may be a bit daft at times, but when I know, I know. Chandler does this to me all the time.
2. Gum smacking and food smacking, in general; however, it is just cute when Waverly smacks her food.
3. Having to repeat myself when I'm tired. So, I mumble when I'm sleepy, listen harder.
4. I don't like being copycatted. Supposedly, imitation is the greatest form of flattery and while I do believe that is true, I just find it extremely irritating.
5. Fenway whining from her room early in the morning. This isn't an every day thing, thank goodness, but when it happens, it's like nails on a chalkboard. Ugh.
And now... the main event... I have to apologize for the quality of these photos. The lighting in our house is abysmal, like hardly any natural light. BUT look at the subject.. she's the cutest thing I have ever seen sporting her new fall clothes. I had to take some pictures because my baby is looking more like a little girl, so I asked her to "smile" and pose and this is what she gave me...
1. Being argued with when I know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that I am right. I may be a bit daft at times, but when I know, I know. Chandler does this to me all the time.
2. Gum smacking and food smacking, in general; however, it is just cute when Waverly smacks her food.
3. Having to repeat myself when I'm tired. So, I mumble when I'm sleepy, listen harder.
4. I don't like being copycatted. Supposedly, imitation is the greatest form of flattery and while I do believe that is true, I just find it extremely irritating.
5. Fenway whining from her room early in the morning. This isn't an every day thing, thank goodness, but when it happens, it's like nails on a chalkboard. Ugh.
And now... the main event... I have to apologize for the quality of these photos. The lighting in our house is abysmal, like hardly any natural light. BUT look at the subject.. she's the cutest thing I have ever seen sporting her new fall clothes. I had to take some pictures because my baby is looking more like a little girl, so I asked her to "smile" and pose and this is what she gave me...
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Days 19 and 20
Day 19 - A Photo of Me Last Year and Now With a Description of How I've Changed
What a loaded challenge! (sorry for the grainy photos :/)
What a loaded challenge! (sorry for the grainy photos :/)
Boyds Orchard, Oct 2011
Lake Cumberland, Aug 2011
I had to include my family in these photos because 1. I love my family, and 2. They are the catalyst for the changes that have taken place in my life over the past year, especially that little one. I know that the change is the Lord working in my life through Waverly. He brought her to us in March 2010 to reveal Himself to us in whole new ways. Loving your child(ren) is like no love you can experience for anyone else, just like your love for your spouse is unlike any other love. Through Waverly, He has taught me to be patient and to keep my cool. I don't think only of myself anymore; everything we do is with Waverly in mind and we can't be selfish and, oddly, I'm okay with that. I like who I have become over the past year.
Day 20 - My Worst Habit
So here I've talked about all the positive ways I've changed in the last year and they want to me talk about my worst habit. Oy. I don't bite my nails, I don't fidget... I think I would say my worst habit is that I'm easily distractible when I should be paying attention. If I should be doing something that I don't want to or listening when I don't want to, I look for excuses to not do it or not pay attention. For example, when I worked at the restaurant, I hated closing duties, so I'd go talk to my manager and get him/her engaged in a funny conversation, so they don't realize that I'm not working... Bad? Yes. If I'm having a hard time paying attention in church, I think about other things going on and sometimes make comments to Chandler... Really bad? Yes.
Friday, September 2, 2011
Day 18 - A Photo of Somewhere I've Been... and an update
Just 6 months ago, I had the amazing opportunity to visit Malawi, Africa on a mission trip. I've written all about it here and below is a photo taken on one of our four hour drives.
It was hard to choose just one photo to post, so.. I chose five more.
I love that the challenge has forced me to blog every day; however, I realized last night (yes, 17 days in) that the challenge is taking away from the original purpose of the blog: everything Waverly. So, here's what's new with my girl...
The terrible twos are here... at 18 months. Not a whole lot of "no", but there are definitely some temper tantrums. She has challenged our patience and discipline strategy like crazy. We do a lot of talking through why her behavior is bad, while trying to back it up with Scripture. A conversation may go something like this, "Waverly, you do not hit. That is ugly and you need to treat others with respect, yes ma'am/sir?" and we expect her to respond with "yes ma'am/sir" which she's really good about doing. In public, when she screams or acts defiantly, one of us takes her somewhere private and we have a discussion. When we get back, we redirect her attention. At home, I do more ignoring because I know she is doing something for the attention. Our last resort, when she is especially defiant and disrespectful, we spank, but always follow up with why her behavior was unacceptable, a hug, and an "I love you."
Is it working? Well, some days are better than others. She's pretty independent and can be stubborn.
On a more positive note, Waverly is just a bundle of energy and fun. I have said it before and I must reiterate: she is a spongy parrot. Her fake sneeze is so realistic and funny. When I sew, she likes to be right up in the chair with me watching everything I do.
Little girl loves her daddy. He makes her laugh and she gets upset when he has to leave for work. She's a Momma's girl because she is with me all day, everyday, but she love, love, loves when her daddy is home.
She loves to watch "Oh, toodles" (Mickey Mouse Club) every morning, particularly the "hot dog dance" at the end of each episode. She's becoming more interested in cartoons and animated movies.
And does this child ever love to talk. All. the. time. And she talks about everything.
She is the best thing that has ever happened to Chandler and I. Babies rock!
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Day 17 - An Art Piece
I jacked this challenge from the same blog as yesterday's challenge because my original challenge was "A photo of something that means a lot to me". So... they want me to post yet another photo of my adorable child and smokin' hot husband? Come on, ask me something you don't know about me. Besides, I don't have a photo handy of an object that means a lot: my childhood blanket. I admit it, I still have my "blankie," much to Chandler's dismay. It is literally a rag with about 5% of it's original stuffing and the decorated side is worn (literally) to shreds from rubbing it.
It is white eyelet. This is eyelet... you know, the embroidered flowers...
It is white eyelet. This is eyelet... you know, the embroidered flowers...
For whatever reason, I rubbed the heck out of those flowers until they became holes. We all have our quirks and I am a very tactile person. (I just put myself out there big time)
So, anyway, since I didn't like that challenge... ? I am going to post an art piece. The background story goes like this: Summer 2007 I took a mission trip to Paris with five others from my church to work alongside a missionary couple trying to lay some ground work for them. Of course, we also had opportunities to do the "tourist-y" thing. The photos below are close-ups of Notre Dame... This is some of my favorite art work.
Notre Dame.
Across the front of the cathedral, the 28 kings of Judah
Three portals under the 28 kings - This is the middle portal: The Portal of the Last Judgement
The left portal: The Portal of the Virgin
The right portal: The Portal of Saint Anne
She represents anti-semitism
The story of Adam and Eve
Notre Dame took over 200 years to complete and it is absolutely beautiful and full of symbolism. A good website to learn more http://www.notredamedeparis.fr/
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