The amazing napping baby

Ava has been consistently sleeping in and taking HUGE naps (up to 3 1/2 hours) for the last week. The first few days I still woke up wondering, "why am I so rested?" but the last few I roll over to see its almost 9am and think..."WHAT?".

This is an amazing stage in parenthood. 9 months, that is. Ava is spunky, adventerous, happy, expressive... and, energetic. I credit the long naps and sleeping in to have active she is during her day. The girl has to get 40 miles in... :)

It also reminds me that our lives are changing.

With her amazing napping skills have also come some pretty talented ways of disobeying - do we call it that when they are so little? I do. I feel totally unprepared on how to discipline this tiny girl (ok...not so tiny, but, compared to a toddler, small). She does not respond to pats on the bumper, so we stopped that. Hand squeezes and firm verbal "no's" are responded to with smiles and swats at momma's face...grrr. I began hand swats this week - to which she yells back at me and then grins this EVIL grin. It feels unnatural to have to start this so early - but, we know sin knows no age, amen? So, while she was napping this morning I continued on reading my incredible read of the month "The most important place on earth" by Robert Wolgemuth and todays topic just happened to be about Discipline - funny thing. He had several good reminders for me on how to start now so that discipline starts and remains effective. Be swift about it...dont' wait and let things pile up so that I'm about to blow my top because of frustrations. Deal with each incident as they come. Good reminder. Be precise - MUST let Ava know what she's doing that is wrong EACH time. "Do" discipline in love. And this is my favorite part - although she doesn't get it now. Each time she gets a hand squeeze, swat or firm "no" I take her away from whatever it was and hold her - look into her little 9 month eyes and tell her, " I love you, you need to obey momma." And almost always, even so young, she gives me loves - hugs, kisses or just lays her head on my arm. WOW.

My amazing napping baby, growing and changing... I love her. I love this experience. Check out that book if you get a chance. Really good.

When my heart is passion-less

Lately I've been frustrated with myself. I just can't seem to get a grip on attitudes, thoughts of my heart and rediculous habitual sins. Every morning when I wake up I pray that God would give me the strength and wisdom I need for the day... He's already given me the help and hope. And then sure enough opportunity presents itself - and, I fail. I feel like I'm trapped on a hampster wheel lately. Round and round I go with my "issues" chasing after myself...and maybe therein lies the problem.

I'm humbled this morning after reading from the book of Acts about the passion of men like Peter, Silas, Mark and Barnabas. Obviously, men still not without faults and flaws...but men who made their main purpose in life to follow God and do HIS will always. This morning I was blown away by reading how Peter was actually physically stoned...to the point that his tormentors thought he was dead, but he got up (after being dragged away) and continued on preaching, teaching and reaching those in need of a savior. I'm not asking to be stoned - but, why can't I have that passion when I live in such an easy place in life?!

So today as I go through my tedious, somewhat mundane Tuesday I am purposing in my heart to be passionate about my God. I know that if I seek HIM I WILL find him...in all the little ways.

Nature

Not a lot of words to share today...

Just to mention that we are a day away from the start of my FAVE season - Autumn. Brad, Ava and I went on a walk the other day through Union Park here in Des Moines. It was so nice. The trees are just right on the verge of changing colors. The bugs are already frantically gathering those last few pieces of food to hide away...and the last of summers flowers are fading. I've always loved this time of year. I captured a few pics of the last few days of summer to share with you all. Enjoy God's creation!

That perfect balance

(sigh) Good afternoon world... (ok, so, the 3 of you that take the time to read my thoughts...and thank you by the way)

Ava is napping, the bugs are outside "buzzing", I actually had 10 minutes to take a shower and put on real clothes - what a great start to the day. Funny the things you appreciate post-baby. :)

I've been missing out on so many things to blog about. Our lives have once again changed so dramatically in the last few weeks. Here's a recap...

Mid July - found out the rental house we were in sold and we had to be out by the end of August. Continued house hunting for one of our own.

Sept 4 - closed on our 1st house!!! Sept 4-5 we moved in!

Ava turned 9 months old this past Wednesday.

Youth group is officially in full school time swing. Brad almost has something going on everynight.

So, amidst all of those little details we continue to live life here in the Pausley home. We love our new place. The house was built in 1914 and has some really cool little things about it... the built in china cabinet, linen closet and bookshelf/bannisters are a few of my faves. I am so eager to really make this place our own. Look out Home Depot here I come!!! I haven't been able to find a way to really capture good pics of the place...but here's what the back view looks like. We have 3 bedrooms, an upstairs sunroom, 1 bathroom, but one blue toilet (working) in the basement, living room, dining room, kitchen and full basement, oh, and a HUGE front screened in porch. We feel so blessed! Besides transitioning to a house - we've been transitioning into a new phase in parenting, as well. As I mentioned, Ava turned 9 months old this week and wow have things changed. Gone are the days of laying my wee one down on some sort of play mat while I lazily dust the house or skim through the tv channels. This girl is everywhere and fast! She went from laying on the floor, to attempting to crawl to crawling in about a week - then went straight to standing and climbing. I've found her on top of her walker chair, hanging on the back of one of our chairs (while I was in it!) and up two stairs!! eeeek! She's literally into everything and all at once. This week she has -pulled out an entire box of wipes from the holder, emptied my makeup bag at least 3 times, pulled out most of the spoons from my utensil drawer, strewn about the contents of her diaper bag, and my personal favorite...found the airwick air freshener and was sucking on it. Yum, scented oil! I learn my lesson every day that NO I really can't pop away somewhere for even just a second. But, although she is moving and learning and changing... I just find that the more she grows and changes, the more I fall in love. She is amazing. While most of the time she is way to busy for momma to hold her, every night for a few treasured seconds she just "wants" me. She reaches to me and just wants her head on my shoulder and an arm around my neck. It melts me. She's learning to give kisses too! If I make the smooch sound a million times she'll lean in and plant a wet one right on me, then smile. She's starting to get things! She wants to be with me all the time during chores, too. Which, occasionally presents a problem - loading the dishwasher for example... as every possible crumb she eyeballs seems to invite her to eat it. yuck. She's snuck more then a few tasty morsels. Makes my stomach churn even thinking about it. Any attempt I make at putting makeup on is also an invitation for Ava to put hers on. She's especially fond of my Mary Kay compacts and mascara. At least she has good taste!

I love every second... and I knew I would, but I guess its just more evident to me lately. What an amazing miracle motherhood is. I'm blown away.

Before I end this blog I need to make two book recommendations. I remembered this time to take pictures of the books so you can identify them if you ever see them. I went on a theme of reading books with the word "creative" in the title. No, not really...but thats whats happened this summer. First, Creative Counterpart - its taken me MONTHS to read because of how lazy I was with reading it...but really is a good book. Topical based on Prov. 31 and how to be a "creative counterpart". The parts about how to honor and respect my husband was especially thought provoking. I will warn you - it was written in the 70's and has some old school ideas and language, but still pretty good. Second book I recommened is this one by Emilie Barnes - especially if you enjoy having a well organized, non chaotic life...to which I am striving for. Its page after page of bullet points of ideas on how to maintain life and be better stewards with what you have. She covers everything from kitchens to garages to wardrobes to cleaning stuff... just really really good ideas, some of which I'm incorporating already. I especially loved her ideas on "make your own" household cleaners... etc. But, like that guy on Reading Rainbow always said, "don't take my word for it"... :) If you get a chance to check them out - let me know what you think.

Psalm 33

"The Lord looks from heaven;

He sees all the sons of men.

From the place of His dwelling He looks

On all the inhabitants of the earth;

He fashions their hearts individually;

He considers all their works."

Psalm 33: 13-15

FASHIONS THEIR HEARTS INDIVIDUALLY...

As soon as I read that this morning that Caedmon's Call song came to mind, "Hands of the potter" or that song we always sung at camp, "the potters hand". What an amazing thought for my day today. My strong and mighty God intimately knows my heart and is fashioning it!

I'll admit - the last few days I've been feeling a little frustrated with life. We found out this past weekend that the house we are renting temporarily has sold and we have til the end of this month to get out. Thankfully we hadn't unpacked all of our belongings and they are still neatly stacked in the basement ready for another move...but, still.

It's easy for me sometimes to think that God is so busy with everyone else that he isn't too concerned about my life. Which is silly. God has brought us here to Iowa, He has provided in every way...He does care about every detail. The reminder for me this morning that God truly is on high watching and caring is refreshing. Deep down I love the fact that I know God is using all of these transitions to His glory - and we can come out purified if we are willing, well, even if we aren't... I'm relieved to know that God knows the whole story and sees the whole picture. I'm in awe of the fact that I am just a lump of clay being pulled and molded and sometimes broken, melted and reused when my potter sees it necessary.

So, while I wait to see what will happen - I can rest that God knows. And thats enough for me. Since I dont' know how to post videos yet, I will give you the link...take a minute and let yourself be reminded of just exactly who you are and who God is. It's so refreshing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Kn6PIQvF-A

A good cup of coffee

This day has started off GREAT! Ava and I took Brad to work so we could make our way over to West Des Moines to visit with a new friend. Our final destination was Friedrichs Coffee http://www.friedrichscoffee.com/Main.html over off of 22nd?! (still learning my way around) The website is almost as fun as the actual shop, so check it out if you get a chance.

What is it about those cozy little coffee shops that just make you feel a little more warm inside...a little more wiser...a little less lonely? I dunno. Anyway, I had a great time getting to know a new friend, Laura, and adored the warm cup of coffee in my hands. I believe we were drinking "snickerdoodle" of which I promptly bought a 1/2lb of my own to take home. Yes, it was that good! As a treat I got a 1/2lb of dark Italian Roast for the hubs - he loves that really rich, dark stuff. An added bonus to this mornings adventure was that our cups of coffee were FREE! From 9-10 today Friedrichs gave away free cups of the lovely liquid! What a treat! Thank you to Laura for the invite and the sweet fellowship this morning... what a delight to get to sit in a nice shop like that to start off my day. :)

After the coffee was gone Ava and I headed across the street to Babies R Us. Oh dear... I admit, I love that place, but my frugle side somehow disappears and all of the sudden I feel like Ava NEEDS everything in that store. Good grief! Thank goodness we don't have a lot of money and that the Holy Spirit convicts me when I start to pile outfit after outfit into that blessed purple cart. whew! However, we did come away with some good buys - actual needs. :) Two adorable bath towels (she for some reason no longer fits into the newborn ones)... a new footed pajama, swimming diapers, a bathing suit (I waited til end of the season so I could the $20 suit for $6) and some new Nuby bottles - that Ava doesn't know how to work. Ugh. My favorite purchase is the new brown and pink mini-diaper bag I picked up for $9! I've been using my Vera Bradley tote since Ava was born...but, I miss it and want it back. This new little bag is perfect for our needs and comes a great price. :)

Overall, great day so far... now its onto the housecleaning portion. Not as much fun, but, I do enjoy tidying up a bit! And since that excellent flavored caffeine is still doing its job... let's go!

When did my baby grow up?

Yesterday we were at a rehearsal dinner for Brad's cousin, Will and his soon to be lovely wife. What a fun time of family, food and fellowship - in that order. :) I always enjoy those massive family gatherings - sometimes I tend to sink into the background and just people watch. So many different personalities and "people types" mixed into one blood. Wow, just amazing. I credit our Heavenly Father for putting this mess together in a great way.
Anyway, it was a great afternoon and after all of the pictures, eating and socializing we all kind of retreated to the picnic table area where small talk started. I especially enjoy those times...getting intimate with family, hearing their heart speak, learning new facts and old stories, getting baby advice from all those who have done it before.
In the midst of all of this...I look down only to realize Ava is clapping. Clapping! When did my baby girl grow up?!