Thursday, July 31, 2014

July 2014 (because I can't think of any other cute name titles)

Another full month...
Have you been to the one in Lexington.....Yummmm!!  Look soon for Loveland Coffee concentrate on their drink menu as we met with the owners to work out some drinks for their new menu!!!  Amazing!
 The kids did well there...I always get nervous about public places and how things will go.  Getting three kids 4 and under to sit calmly is no small task.

We had several drink sample combos that were created...the top two are amazing!!!  You will want this!

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We will look ridiculous for free food!  Well at least once a year.  And mainly because I think I have a couple of cute cows.
Although getting Zoe to dress up meant threats that she had to or else not go - and a timeout.  Lucky that usually changes her attitude.  She is just so particular about what she wears and this did not meet her standards.
Zoe loved getting to see the cow while Shiloh hid in the corner.
So thankful that my mom was able to go with us.  She is such a great sport and support!
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 Our friend's Sharron's hair is amazing in many ways and Ez found another use....chew toy.
We were thankful to make it to her Thrifted Sisters party!
Love me some big eyed blondes!
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Lake Murray is 2 minutes from our house...but without a boat we mainly just appreciate the view when driving over the dam. 
However, they do have a park there, that I had not been to in about 20 years.  Since Zoe keeps talking about the beach, we decided this would be a way we could get (somewhat) of a fix in.
Beach took off a couple hours in the mid morning, we brought a picnic and enjoyed some amazingly great July weather.  
 I just attempted to ignore the cigarette butts and fish smell; it was (almost) like we were at the real beach.  Of course the girls thought it was great and we didn't even have the long drive home!
  So thankful for the beauty that is so close!
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Our last zoo night for the summer and Zoe wanted me to be sure to invite her aunt Lauren!  I love this picture.  It was right after Zoe whispered in my ear that I needed to tell Lauren how she invited Jesus into her life. She is so excited for others to know!  Happy tears!
Free rides are the best. Picture credit to the conductor who asked to take our picture for us (even though there was a long line waiting).  I was thankful that God gave me His eyes for a bit to see a hard working man that really enjoyed his job and how it brings joy to others (instead of the fact that he was so slow and we had to wait forever).  It makes me want to see even more things the way that He does (instead of my faulty critical fleshly spirit).
Their faces!
There is something magical about a child's gaze (along with some fear of the merry-go-round).
Ez is a drooling machine!
Lauren had her friend and friend's daughter come along with us.  She was so great with my kids and the girls LOVED having an older buddy!
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Library puppet show....and Ez asking, "How LONG did you say this thing was going to be?"
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 Another awesome swap night....this time I recruited a couple of friends to experience the awesomeness as well!  And I brought some new items....including Almond Milk!
 I can always count on my mom and sister having amazing goodies!  If you have no idea what a food swap is you can see my blog about it here and here.
 I, again, came how with a stash! Peach cobbler, two different types of raw energy bites, spaghetti sauce, two different types of amazing homemade soap, pizza sauce, heirloom tomatoes, pizza dough, pesto, oatmeal pancake mix, Ghee, peach butter, dry essential oil shampoo, and an awesome engraved cheese platter.  Bam!
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Aaron has our only Summer SC birthday.
Ezra is working on getting caught up with his older cousin....soon enough babe!
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So this gorgeous babe and I had a celebration....10 years at The Nurturing Center.
Big Sexy and I started around the same time and are still there just plugging through.  I'm thankful for her friendship and her passion.  
Hard to believe (and yet not) that it has been so long.
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Lessons from Shiloh for the month.....when life turns you upside down - enjoy it.
Get dressed up (including potpots) and dance!

Sunday, July 27, 2014

The Emotionally Healthy Women (that I'm hoping to become)

This book.  This book.   It has challenged me and opened me up so much.  Each chapter more and more.  I feel blessed even getting the book, as I won it from the blog, Called for Such a Time.   God knew.  Knew that I would never buy it myself, knew that I would never take the time to read it (as a huge part of me screams you don't have time to read!!).  But the more I did read, the more I realized different areas of my faulty thinking and the easier it became to carve out the time I needed to take care of myself.

 Something that has hit me in the face recently is on the concept of work and sabbath.  I'm a worker, a do harder, work longer, push more kind of girl.  A Martha to the core.  It's a love/hate thing I have about myself.  Perhaps something I pride in yet something I know can be a huge stumbling block (isn't all things we pride in that way anyway?).  
So when I read how the author, Geri Scazzero, has learned to take a Sabbath (in the form of one day a week, one week a year and for 3-4 months every seven years) I was taken aback.  Then I was excited  that she was able to do that (and slightly jealous of her - because of course I could never do such thing....I had to work hard).  Yet then it struck me, that's what the Lord wanted for me, for his people, as well.  What???!!?? No, that cannot be right, that would cut all my work down by at least 14%  and we are just barely hanging on....so surely that could not be correct.  I mean we own our own business...so we only make money if we work and it's not like we have much to spare.
But, yes, God spoke to my soul and let me know that He does want that for me.  Tears.  And somehow I realized that I had not felt worthy.  Not worthy for a break. Then a flood of His love came over me, more than I can explain.   I realized this is, also, tied in my faulty belief of having to work for my salvation (somehow as much as I know this is not true, I pick it back up again).  And a true excitement, for upcoming REST and REJUVENATION!  That He wants and created this for me. Honoring the Sabbath was not just another rule to follow but a blessing, an amazing gift.  It still blows my mind.  (I'm still not at the point I can accept the longer break BUT we are talking about how we make make the weekly Sabbath a reality in our home). 
 I also realized how much Beach needs this as well....and how my demands on myself have leaked over to him where he no longer allows this for himself.  Having the coffee business makes this very hard, there is always more to do.  I know different now and I couldn't be more excited!  He will provide all that we NEED and we are invited to rest in His provision.  What a relief, what grace and mercy!  Thank you Lord!

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

A quarter of a year old!

We are definitely beyond the newborn stage.  This I have mixed feelings about, as it is such a reminder of how quickly things change. 
BUT I LOVE seeing Ezra's adorable smile, that he is so quick to show us.  Such a happy boy!
(I don't know if I like the color or b&w better)
Of course there is still a lot of nap and night time snuggles!
His biggest thing is that he is an expert at finding his thumb.  It's my sign that he is tired.  I have never had a thumb sucker but I am thankful that has found a way to self sooth!  (I may regret this later when/if this becomes too hard of a habit to break but trying just to roll with the punches right now.)
Ezra has found his voice and he sure can be vocal when he wants to be.  Hearing those cute baby sounds....melts me.
He often has his mouth open in a smiling way, as if he wants to breath in the joy.
Scariest moment of Ezra's life (for me) so far:  When my mom told me that while she was watching him one afternoon, he managed to get out of the swing (with the ledge still attached) while she was in the other room.  I was sure Zoe had done something for the longest....but she stuck to her story....and the next day when mom was watching him....she witnessed him almost doing it again!!!  So thankful he is alright and that we get him adjusted!
We finally busted out the bumbo....it's like I had forgotten that this amazing thing existed.  He is great now at sitting in it.
And makes a nice addition to our counter (don't worry, we keep our eyes on him!).  Knowing how good he is at wiggling out of things....I'm glad it has a seat belt!
He seems to be bulking up a lot more, gone are those skinny legs!  Although he will kick them like crazy when in the bouncy.
Oh how I love him!
PS = Ezra doesn't wear clothes at home (if you couldn't tell).  The combo of it being so warm and him in this massive drooly phase = Slip and Slide