A thousand expressions of Wyatt!

I love this boy. He changes each day and adds a new expression that makes me laugh (and a few make me cry). Hope you enjoy a glimpse of what I can't stop taking pictures of...

The Chair

The Chair...

It has adorned my living room since I married its owner 2 1/2 years ago.

This chair that I have threatened to leave on my front lawn with a "Free" sign.

I have offered to have it hauled to the church "Back to School" furniture give away.

This chair that (thankfully) doesn't go with a thing in my house.

This chair that collects cat hair (and won't come off).

The chair that is stained and might even smell a bit funny...

The chair that I try to cover up with a throw blanket, to make it look a little better...

Is the same chair that I remember Mark saying his dad sat in every night.

It is the chair that Mark would sit on the floor in front of and let his dad rub his head (to this day this still puts my husband into a peaceful sleep).

This chair is the same one that we can see in the old home movies and slides - full of fun family memories.

This Chair...This is the chair that I watched my mom and dad hold my son, and love him during the first two weeks of his life.

This Chair...this chair is the one that I fall in love with my husband all over again when I watch him hold, snuggle and feed our boy, Wyatt.

This chair is where Mark took his "turn" holding Wyatt during those first few nights at home when Wy's days were nights and nights were days....and where my boys would drift off to sleep together.

This chair that rocks just enough...has become the most comfortable and my favorite place to be. I can watch the breeze move through the trees outside on the fall day, or watch TV, or watch my son fall asleep after nursing.

This chair which now symbolizes generations, memories, love. This chair will always have a place here...I love this chair.

The BLUE COUCH however....you can have that one!

Wyatt Week Three

Is it true? Could it really be three weeks already? WOW! Our pumpkin is changing so quickly. For the benefit of grandparents, friends and relatives far away...here are the latest pics...I can't help but take pictures when he is sleeping. It is the sweetest thing.... Happy Fall!

Love Others and Live for Their Benefit

Daily Bread today said that we can fulfill the Old Testament regulations by doing one thing - Love Others and Live for Their Benefit. Life is so much better when we take a moment to do this - live for another person.

I have been over-doing it a lot lately. I come home, flop on the couch and stay in a comotose form until I can drag myself up to bed. I convinced myself that I had obligations at work that I had to do. Which I did, but I didn't have to do it in the way that it was happening. It all came to a boiling point this Sunday and Monday. It was our FFA State Contests - and I had to run Ag Mechanics. Me. Ag Mechanics. Why? Because sometime in a weak moment I said that I would. It was rough. My poor, pregnant form wasn't ready for it. I didn't have the stamina that I needed. I came home EXHAUSTED. Truly, as tired as I can remember. I knew I needed to eat, but I could have cared less. Every bone in my body was tired. To my core. I was tired. I couldn't sleep because I ached so bad. I was in poor shape! And I couldn't do anything. It has been two weeks since I made lunch for Mark. Probably as long since I made dinner - but I honestly can't remember its been so long. The laundry is piled, the floors need cleaned, and company is coming next week.

So I wonder why I did it. Is it selfish ambition? I was so tired (and hormonal) that when I went to give my report to all of the Ag Teachers I got that shaky, teary voice!!! Really!!! When I get like that I am no good to anyone. I can't love others and live for their benefit, even those that mean the most to me - like Mark.

So today, after a good nights rest (praise God), I made Mark's lunch. It isn't a great lunch. But it makes me so happy to do this simple act of service for him. Loving and serving others can build us to our very core. Not exhaust us to our very core. It is a huge lesson for me. And the upcoming Bambino. When I find myself tired beyond comprehension, I need to ask, who am I doing it for? I need to search to make sure that serving others is allowed to invigorate me and not wear me out - because otherwise we are like popcorn - one little explosion and no good for the long haul.

Lord, I ask for your forgiveness that I didn't ask for your help and assistance in these projects. Please forgive me for not seeking you to learn what I was to do. Help to learn and constantly be reminded of the true golden rule. Mold me and make me into what you need me to be.
Amen.

"Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law of the Prophets." Matthew 7:7-12.

Like a School Girl - Part II

Laughter Fun Sunglasses (almost everyone) Food Sleeping Partners I don't want your 50 SPF Golf Carts Shopping, Returning, Shopping again, Return to Me Finishing (and not finishing) Books Groceries Goats Hockey Babies Deserted Islands The Right Friend to take take to a Party Defining Moments Dairy Queen Cakes Oreos "MOO" Plastic Surgery Pets Missed Conversations Texting Shuttles at 3:30?? Guacamole Trips for Coffee that take an hour Sweet Rolls Children Raising Boys and a Girl Being all that we are... and more Improving Aging Gracefully Inspiring Lottery Tickets Changing Nicknames Families Bus Trips Memories Miss American Angus Sleepless in Seattle Baby Showers Waking at 5:30 am Walking at 6:00 am Sun Worshippers Make Up Shopping Worshippers Cooking Food Network DVR Enchanted More Guacamole Washing Heifers Being "on top" of Everything Cleaning Ladies Laundry Rooms Orange Poppyseed Dressing from Safeway Gnocchni (or something like that) Surprises Amazing Women Amazing Moms Amazing Friends Conversations Recycled In Laws Conversations Designated Drivers Wine Phoenix Noodles Gate Codes Frogs and Rats

What is all this?

The making of the BEST Girls Weekend Ever!!!

I wonder this morning when KayDee will check my blog. I wonder if she knows how much I appreicate her graciousness?

I wonder if Ryan made 2nd or 3rd team in hockey (and if Lisa's stomach settled down).

I wonder how many things Lori got done before she went to work this morning.

I miss them already. These amazing, inspiring, lovely women who I call my life friends. Aren't I just the most blessed woman in the world to have them? I want to go back.

Lord, I pray for these women and their work. Lord, let them know how much they are loved and admired. Remind them today that they are the friends of a lifetime. Thank you, father, for the wonderful weekend. Help me, in the business of today and the days ahead, to remember the gifts of these friends. Amen

Like a School Girl...

It usually takes me a half hour to come awake fully. I always ask Mark to wake me 30minutes before I really need to get up. But Mark woke me, and I was up today. I was excited like a school girl.
See, this semester has been busy and a bit brutal. But today, NO WORK. I am going to Phoenix Arizona for a weekend with the "girls." Lisa, KayDee, Lori and I (but alas, no KYM and it won't be the same without her)...and we will talk, and read, and sit by the pool, and eat, and laugh and share. And I am so excited. I was not ready to repack my bags AGAIN for the 6th week in a row, but then this morning - those lifetime friendship beckoned me to relax and enjoy the weekend. Without a laptop?? Well, we will see!
And Lori and Lisa don't know that I am expecting - but it will be pretty obvious - so I am also excited to share (btw, we are due on September 22nd).
I love the memories of childhood, of friendships from days a long time ago now (coudl Oklahoma bus trip really be over 20 years ago)? I love the enduring friendships that last beyond marriages, moves, kids - based, truly, on one main thing...a shared past.
I can't wait. Must go and get the laundry!!!

Routines

I crave the routine of life. Throughout the last week we left for Saratoga, WY for 3 days for the CSU ranchs' bull sale. Home on Monday night, Left at 5:30 Wednesday morning for Park City, Utah, and home again last night. I am tired and craving the routine of life. I miss my home, I miss having time to do my job, I miss time to spend in the Word and in prayer, I miss time to clean my home and file the paperwork. I miss....lots. I have been carried away by lifes "trips" and not focusing on the important things.

Oh yea, and I am going to have a baby.

I know it must be normal to worry, but I worry a lot. I pray that things are ok and that we will have a healthy and happy child. I worry. I worry about getting the new position. I worry about having a baby and a new job. I worry that I can't do anything the way I really want to do it. I worry. Please tell me this is normal. Please tell me that this is the routine of life. I worry that time just rolls on and I fail to see the beauty in it. I worry.

But, I thank God for spring. The birds chirping, the trees budding, the sun with just a hint of heat in it. I anxiously await the summer for some time to think. And worry!