the lego card

Nicolas loves LEGOS, so when he was in the hospital after the accident, Eric made him this amazing card. 

The family is doing well and healing. Nicolas is back in our class, but cannot participate in any gym games. Even with all of the metal in his mouth, he is still smiling.

in case you don't have facebook

I (Chris) was tagged on facebook recently and decided to participate. Many of the people who read our blog do not have facebook, so I decided to carry the list over.

25 random things about me

1. I am not addicted to facebook. In fact, I have to force myself to use it.
2. I love llamas. I mean really love them. If we were ever to have a house with lots of land, I would get a few. Once, I came across a pair of Keds llama shoes and I’m still upset that they didn’t have anything close to my size.
3. I wish I had the courage to be an artist.
4. I sing in the grocery store aisles. Loudly.
5. I love to get mail. Sometimes, Eric will take the junk out of the mailbox and leave a letter from a friend for me to find.
6. I want a small life. I want to be able to touch all four corners of it at once.
7. I buy every cute pair of comfortable shoes I find. This usually amounts to me buying two pairs a year.
8. I am shy, but also an extrovert. I talk a lot when I’m nervous or tired.
9. Lately, I’ve been embarrassed when people ask about prayer requests and I have none. At this season in my life, I’m really content and feel abundantly blessed. God has answered my prayers and feel that this is a time to prayer for others.
10. I truly believe that God has put feeding squirrels and birds on my heart.
11. I do not watch scary or tense entertainment anymore. I’ve learned to only allow what is encouraging and uplifting into my life. Instead of gore, I watch Murder She Wrote reruns and Psych.
12. I have dreams that all of my teeth fall out. It is one of my biggest fears in life.
13. Strategy, board, and card games are my favorite way to spend an evening. I only wish I knew more of them. Currently, Settlers of Catan and Bananagrams have captured my attention (both computer and in person).
14. Having people over at our house fills my heart. I never thought I’d like to “entertain” but I feel really comfortable in my space and want people to enjoy the things God has blessed us with - - the Xbox we won, a large dining room table, our cat whom people fall in love with, and us.
15. I have a hard time saying no. To everything. And everyone.
16. I only started to love my hair the past few years. It always felt mousy, too big, frizzy, and ugly.
17. Compliments are a hard pill to swallow. Especially when they are about my kindness, character, outfit, or hair. Hearing praises about my work is easy, but everything else is difficult.
18. I buy my calendar almost six months in advance. Susan Branch sells out quickly and I would hate to have an ugly calendar.
19. I struggle with the idea that there are always two sides to every story.
20. Live music (concerts) is something I avoid like the plague (but then I married a musician), but I love the theatre – both plays and musicals. Watching actors on stage and enjoying their energy is one thing, feeling like your energy must feed musicians on stage is another.
21. I hate to shower. More than you know. And for many reasons.
22. I buy expensive, delicious, amazing soap. I don’t use it as often, so it makes it worth the price.
23. I love blogs. I love being able to see someone’s life unfold. It is a place to share our stories, struggles, and blessings. I feel that I truly know authors of blogs I’ve been following for years. It is like reading an autobiography without time changing any details.
24. The Amazing Race is the only show I would consider being on, but I would hate for how physically weak I am and how I am under constant, intense stress to be on television for me (and everyone) to see.
25. I believe that gardening brings us closer to God and teaches us many of His lessons.

happy friday

we are doing well

Eric's employer, Starbucks, announced some major changes yesterday. Closing more stores, reducing vacation, eliminating personal days, no 401K match, and reducing discounts for stock purchases. Yes, all of the changes (hopefully except the closing store) will affect us, but we are not too worried.
We understand that during this difficult economic climate, tough decisions had to be made. And we would prefer that his benefits be reduced so he can keep his job.

In all of this uncertainity, it is easy to worry and lose focus. But we strongly believe that the Lord has us where He wants us. And that we will always have His protection while following His will. It doesn't mean that we will live in a bubble, unaffected by the changing world; but we have peace. There are so many exciting things we are looking forward to this year and we will not let God's blessings be overshadowed.

awakening

In the midst of all of our snow, ice, and cold - the daffodils on our kitchen table are starting to bloom. They seem to be a miracle; closed one day, open the next. I can only imagine what warm weather will bring to our flower bed outside.

Like much of the country, we are braving cold temperatures and ice. Many a day it is a blessing if I can get all of my car doors open or not slip while walking. But we are thankful that we live on the coast, which makes our weather a little more mild than those half an hour from shore.

The new year brought back our schedule. I look back at those few weeks off and wonder what we did with the extra time. It didn't feel like much until we started our bible studies, music practice, teaching, youth group, and birthday parties. Now the calendar seems to be bursting at the seams. Summer is a long way off and will bring its own share of activities - softball, swim 'n studies, and spending time in our new park.

We are enjoying the winter. Warm soups and stews seem to be on the menu weekly and a fresh (cold) salad rarely makes an appearance. Our travels have been safe and we allow extra driving time so we don't rush on icy roads. Our couch is covered in blankets and seems like the perfect spot to cuddle on cold nights while we catch up on good TV and reading. The studio room got another overhaul and cleaning this weekend and is almost 100% functional; there is plenty of space to read while the cat naps.

Work has been going well. My new job has been such a blessing. They kept their word that it would only be 40 hours a week, my co-workers are friendly (no yelling), and my responsibilities are manageable and reasonable. January can be a tough month for accounting because of closing out the previous one while preparing for the next, but it has been smooth sailing and stress free.
Eric's company is falling on hard times (who isn't these days) so they instilled a promotion freeze and for a few months have cut back on hours (while not cutting benefits). This has given Eric more time to practice music, be with friends, and rest. He is still settling in at his new store and has made many friends. Hopefully business will pick up soon.

Even though it is only January, we are starting to put future events on the calendar. While nothing is confirmed, our year could include:
a visit from Eric's mom
Sara & Connor spending a long weekend with us
a late summer missions trip to Brazil
seeing Joyce Meyer again this year

The wonderful family from our church that was in the horrific accident is recuperating. Thank you to those who prayed (Mom)! We are hoping to have Nicolas back in our Wednesday night class soon; we really miss his smile. Their accident reminded us how precious life is.

We hope that you are enjoying this January and staying warm. See you soon!

Praise Song for the Day

by Elizabeth Alexander

Each day we go about our business, walking past each other, catching each others’ eyes or not, about to speak or speaking. All about us is noise. All about us is noise and bramble, thorn and din, each one of our ancestors on our tongues. Someone is stitching up a hem, darning a hole in a uniform, patching a tire, repairing the things in need of repair.
Someone is trying to make music somewhere with a pair of wooden spoons on an oil drum with cello, boom box, harmonica, voice.
A woman and her son wait for the bus.
A farmer consider the changing sky; A teacher says, “Take out your pencils. Begin.”
We encounter each other in words, Words spiny or smooth, whispered or declaimed; Words to consider, reconsider.
We cross dirt roads and highways that mark the will of someone and then others who said, “I need to see what’s on the other side; I know there’s something better down the road.”
We need to find a place where we are safe; We walk into that which we cannot yet see.
Say it plain, that many have died for this day. Sing the names of the dead who brought us here, who laid the train tracks, raised the bridges, picked the cotton and the lettuce, built brick by brick the glittering edifices they would then keep clean and work inside of.
Praise song for struggle; praise song for the day. Praise song for every hand-lettered sign; The figuring it out at kitchen tables.
Some live by “Love thy neighbor as thy self.”
Others by first do no harm, or take no more than you need.
What if the mightiest word is love, love beyond marital, filial, national. Love that casts a widening pool of light. Love with no need to preempt grievance.
In today’s sharp sparkle, this winter air, anything can be made, any sentence begun.
On the brink, on the brim, on the cusp -- praise song for walking forward in that light.

a little insight

What if we treated driving like we treat the arts? 

(excerpt from Danny Gregory's new book The Creative License)

We'd assume that people were either born to drive or not. We'd wait and see if, as children, they started driving on their own, if they had talent and a calling. If they did, we would be careful not to interfere with their talent and possibly suppress it. We would make sure to encourage only those who seemed they'd be able to drive professionally. We'd pay some of them millions of dollars to drive and lavish them with fame; others we would refuse to support, encouraging them to do something more useful for society. Everyone else would assume that they would never be able to drive and would just stand on the sidewalks and watch the traffic.

At least the ozone layer would be in better shape.