Ava Edyn

Ah, it's Wednesday... halfway through the week already! Is time going faster or...is it just me?!
Here's our Ava Edyn - this was after her first "Spaghetti" dinner. I buckled and bought some of the jarred kind...too nervous to make my own. Anyway, she LOVED it! And for some reason - be it the mini pieces of pasta or that yummy sauce made of tomatoes AND apples (ick) she just got extra ornery afterwards. This face says it all! The rest of this day was spent chasing her up stairs, away from trash and recycling bins, off of window ledges and walkers. You see...Ava is very mobile.
Right now she has a cold and shes just about as miserable as could be. She wants to be held constantly, which is alright with me... especially on these chilly fall mornings where I can't feel my feet. I have no problem snuggling under a down blankey on the couch. :)
The last few days I've just been observing Ava and her mannerisms, attitudes and personality. She's a very funny little girl. I could be wrong but I don't think she has any rhythm. When music is on she def dances to her OWN beat. She talks to herself and her toys, then looks at me and repeats the gargles/blabbers/grunts as if she doesn't want to leave me out of the convo. She loves cheerios and anything that takes use of her very fine motor skills - which amazes me. She points at things she likes, then turns to me and lets me know. Just very smart. I love her. I'm also feeling little heart tears as I watch her grow older and older... somedays I wish she was still that 2 week old laying in my arms staring at me. I guess we all go through that. Overall, despite my mush and gush- I am truly so thankful for this child. She makes me want to be a better momma.

My Monday Muse

I'm a scent fanatic. I've always been that strange woman in the grocery store who smells every product and bases her purchase on the one that smells best. I've been known to smell every single pack of dryer sheets or dishwashing liquid on the shelf to make a decision. Ask my hubs! I'm a fanatic about good smelling laundry and have no problem paying a little extra for top quality, amazing smelling softener. I have a bazillion body sprays and lotions and I love using a different every day. Variety is the spice of life. My daughter is always coated in some kind of sweet smelling baby lotion...etc. I think how you smell says things about you.

In my home I'm obsessed with smells - candles and heated oil things are in every room. I read somewhere that each home has a unique smell - I can only hope mine is a good one. My dish towels smell like that great softener I mentioned earlier. I'm also a huge fan of Febreeze and and those old school "Stick ups" in the linen closet, scented with apple or clean linen, of course. I adore the scent of Murphys wood oil soap - and seeing how I have ALL this woodwork now, I'm eager to get scrubbing so my home can carry that scent as well.

I'm sure that more then once my over abundance of scents has offended some sensitive nose. So I do try to tone it down when company is over. But when its just us - I'm obsessed. I love smells and love filling my home with them! Is this a weird post, or what? Ok, I'll get to the point...

My Monday Muse is the "newer" Febreeze Noticeables. They have tons of different "flavors" but I just came across one that is PERFECT for this season and is now sharing its joy in our dining room. It's the Moroccan Bazaar: Ginger and Nutmeg. Ah, DELISH! It seriously just makes me happy...and it IS about the little things in life, right? So, thats my MUSE of the day - I love it and totally recommend it...if you are a scent fanatic like me.

The Lull

Ever had a lull in your life?
I feel like mine is now. We went from transition to transition, move to move, house to house, work world to ministry world... and now things are starting to settle. Routine is fairly in place. And of all mornings - I feel a lull, on this gorgeous Sunday morning.

Sometimes I dispise this sneaky streak of melancholy that I own. When for no appearent reason I feel down or lonely or sad. And those down times always come during "lulls" for me. So today I'm feeling a little lost...

This morning, despite my sad heart...for no appearent reason... I'm also thankful for the "FRIEND who sticks closer then a brother", My God. Who would have known that the life of a pastors wife could be plagued by random bouts of loneliness? Ugh, the lull. What a TRUE comfort that the infinite God of the universe lives in my heart today.

For anyone who loves a good deal...or something free

Good morning blogger friends! Isn't this cooler autumn weather just divine?! I don't know about you, but theres just something about having your morning coffee where you can see the steam rolling around your mug that warms your insides. I'm especially "IN LOVE" with the tiny yellow leaves taking over our yard...they look like mini-leaves. Anyone know what kind of tree that might be?
Anyway, about my title - a good deal or something free. Sound good to anyone? Especially in this economy where we absolutley want to scrimp and save every penny. Well, my friend Emily introduced me to an amazing website...some of you probably already know about it. It's http://www.wickedcooldeals.com/ and I encourage you to check it out. Today she is advertising the FREE starbucks coffee deal that is going on until Monday. In the past she has given links for: free walgreens photo books, coupons off grocerys, free samples of things on line...etc. Give 'er a try and let me know what you think. :) If you look under the "blogs I follow" column she is on there - in case the link doesn't work.

Now for me - I literally have an entire house to clean. I took 2 days off to just "lounge" and now thats coming back to bite me in the... well, you get it. Enjoy your October day!

Psalm 130

"Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord;

O Lord, hear my voice.

Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy.

If you, O Lord, kept a record of sins,

O Lord, who could stand?

But with you there is forgiveness;

therefore you are feared.

I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,

and in His word I put my hope.

My soul waits for the Lord..."

Heir I am Lord

This past week I've been listening, reading and learning about what it means to be an HEIR of Christ. On top of that is the list of things that characterizes (or SHOULD) an heir of Christ...and how religion is NOT relationship. Breathe. In case you've forgotten or maybe never heard - did you know that our lives as believers should look like this... (WARNING: CONVICTING)

*Submissive to authority ..(including gov't and anyone in "charge" over you)

*Obedient...(married? ever struggle with that one?!)

*always ready to DO good...(you mean, works still matter? I cant just sit around and be "saved")

*not speak evil of anyone (gulp)

*avoid quarrels, MAKE peace...(but you don't know my....)

*be gentle...(no tough love here)
*show humility to all...(ah geesh)

Now, I don't know about you...but, that seems to be a tall order sometimes. And in my life lately...all the time. However, I have good news. We aren't at it alone - remember how I mentioned the whole "heirs" thing? The same God who gave these words to Paul to give to Titus calls us his children and despite popular opinion... He doesn't set these standards then leave us lying on the ground to figure it out for ourselves. Praise the Lord, He doesn't! I like how the NLT puts our solution to life in Titus 3 -

"But then God our savior showed us His kindness and love. He saved us, not because of the good things we did, but because of His mercy. He washed away our sins and gave us a new life through the Holy Spirit." (vs 4-5)

So, guess what heirs...princes and princesses... we CAN do the above mentioned and we CAN do them well and with the help of our Loving father! And more importantly, we MUST do these things. As I was explaining to my small group of teens tonight - as royalty, heirs to the King, we have every right and expectation to behave the way Titus 3 explains. I have read this passage several times and I don't see any parenthesis that say (optional) on them. We can do this. We can love and serve our King! Be encouraged this week and be ready to say, "Heir I am Lord..."

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.