Happy Halloween, from the Elephant in the Room

oh... you guys thought I was referring to the fact that I hadn't blogged in a while...

time is on my side

Today I want to quiet that nagging voice inside of me.  The one that tells me it's already too late.  She's growing up too fast.  The direction of your life is set and will not change.  You will not see or impact the world.  And you'll never own a green kitchen-aid mixer.

Maybe I won't.  But I don't care.

As for me and my house, and my family, and in my role as a wife and believer in the body of Christ:  we will serve the Lord.  It might mean doing the same things we've always done, just in a different way.  And it might just mean we are called to the ends of the earth, or to Laurens County, although I can't say for sure which is scarier.

My time is not my own, and I'm determined that we will not settle for anything less that the great plans that God has for us.  Because this is not my home, and one day I will walk with the Lord in the land of the living.

Amen and amen.

what a stroll through Target can do for the soul

This is literally the story of my life.  Approximately 3 times a week, I feel the need to get out of the house so I go walk around Target.  I put no less than 34 items in my cart, only to realize I can live without them, and I do some soul searching and talking to myself.

Occasionally, I catch Piper's eye in the cart.  She let's out a small giggle, I lean down to give her a big smooch, and then I see this.

I instantly forget how good I have it, because I absolutely have to have those delightful tree prints and those delicious, lime vases.  I literally have to have them.  It's life or death.

And the space would be nothing without that glass bulb lamp and burlap shade.  How have we lived without until now.  Not to mention, I will simply die if I don't have a mustard colored hound's tooth throw on my couch.  It must be mustard colored.  And it must be hound's tooth.

And then I catch Piper's eye again.  This time she gives me a look.  She may not know what she's thinking, but I sure do.

While it's fun to look and mentally re-decorate every room in our house, if I'm not careful I'm coveting things I don't need.  Or I'm wasting the resources that God has given me.

Truth be told, today I almost came away with a pair of clearanced gold loafers.  The one item that would complete my wardrobe.  That is, until I discovered the next item that will complete my wardrobe.

A stroll through Target soothes my soul.  I gather my thoughts, and believe it or not, realize how incredibly blessed we are.  I get to meet people, via the giggles and antics of my sweet little girl, and sometimes I almost convince myself of a genuine need for metallic gorilla piggy banks.  Sometimes.

P.S.  I'm kinda kicking myself over leaving without those loafers.  They really were a good deal.

Bed Head

Approximately 99.9% of the time, we wake up to smiles and giggles from this little.  And occasionally, we wake up to smiles and giggles and mohawks!

 

Have you ever seen anyone rock the morning locks quite so adorably!?  Let's just say that I don't look this happy or attractive first thing...

my hero and our labor day weekend

Isn't it amazing how just one extra day without obligations, without schedules, and with Daddy at home to relax and play can lift our spirits and feel like heaven on earth!?

Our long weekend has been busy.  We've been going and going.  And Piper is in the middle of her first proper nap in days.  I tell you what.  That kid is resilient, and flexible, and all kinds of adorable and wonderful.  She truly is a blessing to us, and we hear often about her easy-going temperament.

It is said temperament that gives us freedom to fellowship with friends and family, and be involved in the body of Christ, and to feel safe to take her to the weddings of people in our lives.  (Just for clarification:  We are not those rude parents that bring their screaming babies into wedding ceremonies, serving to dash any hopes that the parents of the bride and groom have about future grandchildren.  Zach drove around while the little one slept through the ceremony, and they came for the party.)

Photo credits go to Christi Dean on this one.  She is a wonderfully talented, budding photographer who took part in photographing our wedding, my bridal portraits, our maternity portraits, and our future family photos...and she is my hero!  Not only is my kid smiling and does this picture remain in focus, I am absolutely melting over the look that her dad is giving her in this one.  Check her out.

As for this weekend, we are about ready to stick a fork in it.  But not before we put in a movie and settle in for a rainy afternoon and night.  Happy Labor Day, indeed.

Gamecock Football

Last night was the season opener for the South Carolina Gamecocks.  A big night, that we wait anxiously for in this house.  An opportunity for the Gamecocks to keep us biting our nails and shaking our heads in disbelief at a less than impressive showing against a team that should have been easily defeated--especially considering that USC is ranked 9 in the preseason polls.

"A win is a win", says the tiniest Gamecock fan that I know.

Next time, we'll kick their "you know whats"!

Piper in [blurry] Pictures

I'm not quite the slacker that you guys may think I am.  It's not that I don't take very many pictures of Piper.  It's that she is the world's worst model.  I must have hundreds of blurry, fuzzy, distant-sighting-of-Bigfoot pictures of her.  She won't smile, and sitting still is absolutely out of the question.  Observe.

Do you see my predicament!?  If she is smiling, then it's blurry.  Should I manage to actually get a picture that is in focus, then she is staring blankly ahead.  I'm working on remedying this situation.

Notice, I have also inadvertently shown you some of Sweet P's new happening and tricks.

1.  Practicing with small amounts of water from a sippy cup.
2.  Riding in the "big kid" racecar grocery cart.
3.  Cuddling with us [which strangely resembles climbing all over us] first thing in the morning.
4.  Pulling up on EVERYTHING in site.
5.  Growing some wild and crazy hairs.
6.  Walks in the park...on apparently bright days.
7.  Swinging.  Homegirl loves it!
8.  Thrashing said sippy cup wildly about, so that most of it's contents wind up all over her and the floor.
9.  The sort of mobility that requires imprisonment in the pack'n'play if anything is going to get done around here.

Liebster

I've been nominated for the Liebster Blog Award by my wonderful friend and M-I-L, Cathy Baker, over at Rhyme and ReaSON.  Check her out.   

The Liebster Blog Award is given to bloggers by bloggers. It’s a way to acknowledge each other and say “you’re doing a great job”. It is for blogs with 200 or less followers, so it’s also a nice way to spread the word about smaller blogs and get them more readers and followers! 

When you receive the award, you post 11 random facts about yourself and answer 11 questions from the person(s) who nominated you. You pass the Award onto 11 other blogs (make sure you tell them you nominated them!) and ask them 11 questions. You’re not allowed to nominate the blog(s) who nominated you! (To get the button, right click the picture on my page and save the picture to your computer. You can then upload to your blog.)

Here it goes.

11 Random Facts about Myself:

1. I may not be a wizard but Harry Potter and I have one thing in common:  I lived in a closet as a child.  It was a big closet, it was at the top of the stairs rather than underneath, and I chose to live there so that I didn't have to share a room (as in there was no malice from my family in putting there).
2. Many of you know that our dog goes by Ike, which is short for General Dwight D. Eisenhower, but did you know that in middle school I had a fish named General Pierre Gustave Toutant Beauregard?  I guess that was during my "civil war fascination" phase.
3. I know ALL the words to more songs from the 80s than I care to admit.
4. I still have a baby tooth.  
5. I have the most vivid and random dreams, and since I was a child, completely terrifying nightmares.  Zach will be the first to testify to that one because he is the one that I wake up in the middle of the night to put my mind at ease.  The other night I dreamt that I was swimming with several members of the U.S. Olympic swim team, and it was wonderful.
6. I once hiked to the top of an active volcano.  It was the Volcano Pacaya, near Antiqua, Guatemala.  Within a couple years of our visit, the volcano actually erupted so you can no longer reach the top and actually look down into the lava.  We did.
7. I met the love of my life when I was 14 at a church lock-in.  It wasn't until the second time we met (when I was 15) that I began to suspect he was.
8. I was born in Houston, Texas, but that is as far West as I have ever been.
9. More on the swim dream.  Zach always jokes that I turn into a 2-year when I'm in a swimming pool.  I enjoy diving for things in the deep end, doing hand-stands, and playing games like "sharks and minnows".  When I said that I dreamt I was swimming with Olympians, we definitely were not swimming laps.
10. I often sweat when I know that I have to make a phone call, especially one that could be lengthy.  I am a horrible phone communicator.
11. I pray daily that the Lord would use my husband and I, along with our family, for His glory--wherever that may be.  I'm not satisfied if at the end of my days I can simply say I was a "nice" person who attended church regularly and did the right thing.

Cathy's Questions for Me:

1. Would you rather see a movie at the theater or at home on DVD? Why?

Sometimes going to a movie theater feels like more of an escape than just cuddling up on a couch.  When I'm in a darkened theater with a tub of popcorn and I can reach over and grab Zach's hand, I'm more easily able to put out of my mind the to-do lists from home and thoughts on what I did or did not get done that day.  But popcorn is a must, with cherry coke.

2. If someone wrote a book about your life, what would they title it?

"The Soundtrack to Our Lives".  I can attach a musician, band, or musical genre to just about every experience I've had so far.  There is always music playing in the background of my memories, so it would be necessary in the telling of my story.

3. Who's your favorite singer or band?

It's hard to say, considering my answer to the previous question, but the singer/songwriter that I always come back to is Andrew Peterson.  The guy obviously loves the Lord, and his lyrics are so permeated with the truths that we can hold on to in light of God's love for us.

4. If you had to choose a favorite book of the Bible, what would it be and why?

I have always been comforted, encouraged, and carried between spiritual valleys and mountains through reading and meditating on Ephesians.  

5. Fiction or non-fiction? Why?

Fiction.  It's an escape.  I can't wait to show Piper the endless possibilities of stories, so that no matter what, each time she sees a lamp post she thinks of Narnia or some other far away land that exists only in dreams.

6. How would you spend a million dollars? 

I would give and I would travel.  

7. Walmart or Target?

Target.  Definitely.

8. Do you parallel park or drive around the block?

I drive around the block, unless it's the parallel parking spot on the end where you can cheat and just cruise in.

9. What's your favorite cookie?

Double doozies- two chocolate chip cookies with a creamy, frosting center.  These have been a staple item of mine and Zach's relationship, so they are often gifted on anniversaries and birthdays.

10. If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?

Everywhere.  Specifically, I wouldn't mind seeing Ireland or Australia.  An African safari would also be on my to-see list.

11. What recent blessing from the Lord would you like to share?  

I am really blessed and encouraged to read about the adoption process in an honest and God-glorifying way via my brother- and sister-in-law over at This Beautiful Truth.  They have waited on the Lord's timing faithfully, and can truly say on the day that they get to bring their little boy home "for this child, we have prayed."  We are all praying for this dear boy, and I am desperately excited to meet my first nephew very soon.

So that's me.  Now for my nominees, of which I only have 7.  Drumroll please... 

1. Afternoons & Coffeespoons
2. Just a Vapor 
3. Behind These Eyes
4. Williams Way
5. One Joyful Housewife
6. Discipleship Means Joy
7. High Heels to Sneakers

Let's hear it folks, spill your secrets and answer these 11 questions for me.

1. What did you dream of being when you were a child?
2. If you could change one thing about your high school experience, what would it be and why?
3. What wardrobe item did you desperately cling to at some point in your life, but are horrified by in retrospect?
4. If you could train for and medal in any Olympic sport, which would it be?
5. If you died today, who would give the eulogy at your funeral and what hilarious story would they share about you?  Is that one too morbid?
6. Knowing what you know now, what is one piece of advice that you would have given yourself 5 or even 10 years ago?
7. Describe your dream vacation.
8. Name a few elements that are must-haves in your dream home.
9. Are you/ were you rooting for Peeta or Gale to end up with Katniss?  (Disregard this question if you have no earthly idea what I'm referring to)
10. What super power would you choose to have?
11. Describe yourself as a paint color.  Give me a name (a simple green won't do) and tell me why it fits you.

Thanks for joining us today, and if you're one of my picks, please be sure to send me a link when you're done!  I want to hear some juicy answers!  Happy Thursday!

being a 9-month old, well-child

Yesterday morning we saw our pediatrician for Marion Piper's 9 month well-child check-up.  Despite her seeming healthy and happy on a day to day basis, it is extra comforting to hear a medical professional tell us that our daughter is "great", "advanced", and that she gives her "no cause for concern" as far as development goes.  The little one charmed us with her smiles and laughs, showed off some of her tricks, and gave Dr. Amanda a small taste of the temper tantrums that we've been seeing.  I guess even showing her willfulness is a sign of her growing up...

So at 9 months and some change

• Piper is 16 lbs 15 oz, and in the 25th percentile for weight.
• Her head circumference is 43 centimeters, which remains in the 50th percentile.
• And her length has evened out in the 50th percentile at 27 and 3/4 inches tall.
• Sweet P is still just that:  Sweet.  She is a very happy baby who still enjoys interacting with people and the world around her.
• Piper loves to clap and wave, and has just started giving "high-fives".  
• She now has 2 teeth on top and 3, make that 4, on the bottom. 
• We have introduced all manner of fruits, vegetables, and some meat.  And she has started to figure out how to use those chompers to chew.
• The biggest change is baby girl's mobility--crawling everywhere and pulling up on anything she can find.
• Like I said, we are starting to see a few temper tantrums here and there, and prayerfully learning to deal with them.  So far, ignoring the fits, refusing to give in to them, and trying to focus her attention on something else has done the trick.  Lord help us when we have a teenage girl on our hands.
• I can't forget to mention that she is still totally a Daddy's girl!  

Zach and I are so blessed to parent this little girl, and praise God for the opportunity to see her grow in His image.  We pray often that the Lord would do a saving work in her heart, and use her mightily for His glory.

I certainly can not believe that we are already thinking about a first birthday party right around the corner!

Look for this fun post tomorrow!

weekend update

Sometimes it feels like weekends around here are a constant tug-of-war between productiveness and family time.  I have expectations of movies on the couch, going on long walks, and lingering over a hot breakfast with my guy and my tiny gal.  Zach has similar hopes (although his list would also include video games), but they share ranks with a long list of honey-do's.

This weekend, I am happy to say, we accomplished happy mediums.  Tons of stuff was checked off of our to-do lists, and we spent time relaxing and giving our little one some extra cuddles.

And as a cherry on top, we got to video chat with these two.  Thank goodness for technology, because it makes loved ones being far away just a tiny bit easier.

Here's to Monday; just 4 days until Friday!

on butt paste and God's love for us

Well I have a hugely busy day ahead.  I really don't have time for dilly-dally and chit-chat.

But I had the strangest encounter yesterday.  It was something completely new to my senses.  I was somewhere.  Where is not important.

If you must know, I was on the other side of town picking up "butt paste" that was mixed especially for us by a GHS surgeon who thinks he's the authority on "butt paste".  It's not for me.  Piper has some pesky diaper rash.

So there I am, just trying to rid my child of the elusive rash that has marked her tush for who knows how long, so that I can get back to our perfect life without worry of how we will pay the next bill or where our next meal will come from, when I get interrupted by people.

The longer I sat there talking to the sweetest 15-year old girl, who clearly had more on her plate than I did back then, the more I loved the people around me.

One thing I love about having a child, especially a child that smiles at anyone who will give her the slightest bit of attention, is that it breaks down all sorts of barriers.  This point also gives me hives, because it means me talking to strangers.    It means that my conversations with the sort at the hospital pharmacy extend beyond hello and goodbye.  It means that they see a beautiful, smiling baby girl and feel at ease to tell me their aches and struggles.

And as a result, I can't help but open my heart up to them and want to take a small chunk of their pain upon myself.

I didn't have the words to say when I left.  I can only hope that stumbling over a "have a nice day" conveyed what I really meant...you can be a part of our world if you want to.  We can love you, and you can love us back, and maybe you will see Christ in this.

Just so you know, I kissed my baby a little harder last night.

and she dances too...

Excuse our mess.  We were cleaning off some bookshelves when Zach pulled out this drum that he bought in India, back before the days of bills and babies.  And I would be remiss if I did not share these moves with the world, as well as Piper's future prom date.

p.s. Sorry it's sideways.  Computers are so fancy these days...

the storm

Well, Sweet P is mobile.  She is more than mobile.  She is quick as lightning, and cunning as the wind.

Despite scooting around around and showing more interest in taking off on two bare feet, Piper officially took her first crawl in the last few weeks.  And as quickly as our world turned upside down the moment she entered it, life has changed again.

This summer, we've felt busy.  But not the busy that you write home about.  We're trying to lead lives that are radically changed by the graciousness of God, and discovering new normals with the insertion of a tiny family member into our craziness. 

It has been a specific goal of ours to include Piper in "Kingdom work", as a member of our family, rather than to remove ourselves for her sake.  It often means getting out of the house with her, when staying in would be easier.  It means that sometimes, our bedtime rituals take place in the home of someone else, and she dozes in the car.  It means desperate attempts at teaching her flexibility, and learning about it ourselves.  So far..totally worth it.  Lord willing, should more children be added to the mix, we may be re-learning.

This morning we awoke early to the sound of heavy rain.  I sighed, thinking about what it would mean for me to be stuck in the house with an infant and a dog (who normally has the freedom to run around the backyard), and chose to grumble.

Zach turned it into a positive.  We were up early enough to share coffee on the front porch with the pup, before Piper stirred.  We talked about the many things we are anticipating this Fall, like Piper turning one and possibly meeting her first cousin.  We listened to the downpour and the occasional thunder, and we were quiet.  My grumbling was turned to rejoicing.

What a beautiful storm to remind us this morning, just who we serve.

Games of the XXX Olympiad

In honor of the opening ceremonies this evening, I will share my favorite childhood Olympic memory.  It's this one.

I was in 2nd grade, and had just started tumbling classes.  I absolutely fell in love with the 1996 women's gymnastic team, the "magnificent seven".  I still remember watching Kerri Scrugg's vault, which clinched America's team gold, after a disappointing fall on her first attempt.

I remember her amazing one-foot landing.  I remember her being carried to the podium by Bela Karolyi.  And I remember going to tumbling class and landing all of my passes on one foot, with my arms proudly lifted into the air to imitate her signature landing.  I so badly wanted to be a part of that Olympic team, and my favorite thing about these games is that we can vicariously dream through these athletes and feel like we are a part of the team.

Truth be told, I cry like a baby when I watch this video.

p.s.  I just remembered.  All the other girls at school picked Shannon Miller and Dominique Moceanu as their favorite, but I always like Dominique Dawes because she was tall like me.

eh...

Ya'll, I've got little to say.  My writing mojo has left me for the time being, and I'm ashamed to say that I have abandoned the search in favor of wilting away in this summer heat with those dearest to me.  Perhaps August will find me intoxicated with the promise of school supplies and happenings to divulge. 

For now you should all know that Marion Piper makes us laugh.  Every.  Day.

birthdays

Today marks eight months since Piper first entered our lives, and we love her more each day.  She is growing so fast, and becoming quite the wiggle worm.  I Can't wait to see the things that are to come, but I sure do wish that I could bottle time. More on that later, because...

..we celebrated Zach's 25th birthday today.  To a wonderful husband and father who works so hard and always keeps us laughing:

We love you so much, and wish you the very happiest of birthdays!  What would we do without you!?

What do you "do"?

I've sat down about a hundred times to write this post.  The post in which I define my role. In our home.  In the "workplace".  As a mom who is seeking part-time work, but not in exchange for cutting my "mom" hours. 

The truth is, I can not and will not define this role myself.  I can only be faithful with what God has given me.  A wonderful, God-fearing husband, a beautiful little girl who needs Jesus, and more than we deserve.

I fail daily as a wife and a mother and a woman who claims to know and love God.  Sometimes to the point where I'm tempted to cast aside this work as yet another failed experiment in my search for the perfect, fulfilling, well-paying dream career.  But the Lord is faithful, and gently reminds me that the point of my failing is my failing. 

Does any of that make sense? 

I guess what I'm trying to say is that as much as I would prefer a list of dos and don'ts, tasks next to a small, black box that I can fill with a check-marks and never think of again, motherhood and wifehood and christianhood doesn't work that way. 

So there is no clearly defined role.  The perfect mom, who always has it together.  She showers daily and dinner is never burned, nor is there a speck of dust on her side table or the inner workings of her heart.  She is not here and may not be anywhere, except a pinterest board.

Instead, I'm full of imperfections and love for a great God and family.  And that great God is each day molding our family into one that will struggle and, Lord willing, do things for His kingdom.  I guess that's what you could say I "do".

Notice there are no pictures here.  I simply don't have it in me.

on Marion Piper and growing up

We're growing up around here.  All of us.  MPG get's bigger by the second, and I'm reminded of my selfishness by the (nano)second.

This weekend will make eight whole months since the little one showed herself, and our hearts were stolen.  I realized that I never did give you guys stats from her sixth month appointment.  My hope is to cover growth from 6-8 months in a near future post.

For now you should know that

Marion Piper is desperately trying to climb up on everything..including me.  I suspect that she will be on the move sooner than later, although her interest does not lie much with crawling.

She holds her own bottle now.  This has changed my life and freed my hands.  But, oh, how I will miss cuddling my little one while she eats.

Piper even fancies grabbing her own spoon, right out of my hands, every now and again to feed herself.

Something you probably already knew:  we're simply smitten with her.

Happy Monday!

checking in

I ran a 5k on Wednesday morning.  My time was nothing to write home about, but I reached my goal and was a sweaty mess as I crossed the finish line into the arms of cheering family members.

After finishing the race I have been training for in recent months, all motivation went out the window.  Which means I need a new goal to work towards.  A new 5k to look forward to...preferably in a new city.  With a new time in mind.

I had three goals (with a secret fourth one).
1.  Finish. Check.
2.  Finish, not in last place.  Double check.
3.  Finish without yelling at my faithful and supportive coach/husband.  Half check.  I wish you guys could see us.  He is shouting praise, telling me where to pick it up or where to prepare for a short uphill.  I'm snapping at him.  I'd say a "half check" will do us, and I'll work on it more.
(Secret 4.)  Finish in less time than it took me to run the course a few weeks ago as part of my training.  Check!

Isn't it horrible that sometimes I don't blog simply because I don't want to take the time to take/edit/insert photos.  It's the truth, ya'll.  It's the pictures.  And these lazy summer days.  And this terrible heat that keeps on keeping me from blogging.  And my not wanting to face the truth.  Be honest with you guys.  Put myself out there. 

But mostly it's the pictures.

I wish we could "feel" summer's haze without having to deal with the hot, sticky days.  But it's all too true that in order for us to sleep in, eat waffles dripping with homemade blueberry syrup, and peruse local farmer's markets that are overflowing with fresh florals and peppers that are as big as your head- it must be no less that 142 degrees outside with 99 percent humidity.  I'll take it.

good grief

Blogger is not my friend at the moment.  I have a post all ready to go, with a video, about the blissful weekend we just had.  Once I finally got the video to upload...the darn thing won't publish.

Our weekend (which is long gone..seeing as it is now Tuesday) was a breath of fresh air.

There were runs, and farmer's markets, and family time, and big piles of french toast..that were almost as good my husband's french toast.

There was this.  At 6:30 on Saturday morning.

I love being a spectator at these things.  Not only because I love to cheer Zach on, but most importantly for that reason.  It also provides LOADS of people-watching opportunities, and the eavesdropping on conversations between runners about things like what their time was after their last marathon, and how the gradual incline on mile ten just killed them.  Let's just say I didn't over-hear anyone talking about where they were going for french toast after the race...

Zach ran in Simpsonville's own Sunrise 8K on Saturday.  So it was even better getting to watch him run through the streets that we travel every day.

As for Tuesday, and the rest of the week for that matter, it is filled to the brim with goodness and goings-on.  Which means that if I don't want to fall behind, I had better get a move on!

sag

p.s.  I know I say this all the time.  I promise to try and be better.  See you soon.

a postcard

Wish you were here, from  sunny windy Garden City Beach, South Carolina!

we need a vacation, ya'll

Would you believe that I have no less than three half-written blog posts about life as of late.  Each of which was left right in the middle in favor of distractions, needs of the little one, and just plain ole' life.

They were good.  Maybe they'll be finished at some point.  For now we are in desperate need of some away time.

Which is why it's a good thing that we currently have a beach vacation countdown of:  THREE DAYS!!!

The little one and I need to get out of this house.  And the mister not only needs a vacation, he double-deserves one.  Zach works harder than most, and expects little in return.  He faithfully gets up and goes to a full-time job five, sometimes six, days a week.  And then he comes home and faithfully looks after the needs of his family, does yardwork, fixes things that need fixin', and serves the church.  I'm so thankful for him, and glad for an opportunity for him to rest.

This was the scene at our house this morning.  Wouldn't you know that on the eve of Piper's six month well-child appointment, she wakes up all throughout the night complaining of the sniffles.

And although the check-up went great (more on that later), I've already been on the phone with the doc this afternoon--no less than four hours after leaving her office--due to a spiked fever.

I'm telling you what, the next three days are jam packed.  But there is a light at the end of the tunnel, in the form of a huge balcony by the sea.

running playlist

I've been running a little bit.  Heavy emphasis on little bit.  More on that later.

I absolutely can NOT go running without my tunes.  You know my jams.  Motivation music.  Nothing kills any form of exercise quicker for me than to get going and have my ipod go dead.  That's the worst.

Not just any music makes the running playlist cut, though, and it is about time to revamp.

In trimming the fat off of my current playlist and searching for new songs I began thinking about my criteria for running songs.  And I've come to the realization that if I'm going to hit the pavement, the music I'm listening to must be associated with a memory of some sort in order to suffice.

Just a few examples:

• Chris Brown's "Forever" is the song that Zach and I danced to at our wedding reception, and "The Way You Make Me Feel" by Michael Jackson takes me back to the weeks we spent taking dance lessons together, leading up to the big day.  It was so much fun and I will never forget that time in our lives.

• "Good Life" by One Republic reminds me of my dad, and the way that he gets fixated on pop songs every so often and sings them ALL the time.  He's goofy and it makes me laugh.
• This one is a tad embarrassing, but "Party in the USA" by Miley Cyrus reminds me of my days living in Brashier with some of my best gal pals.  No lie, we would dance around our apartments singing that song at the top of our lungs.  I miss those days so much sometimes.

• "Your Love is Strong" by Jon Foreman puts me in mind of one of the most beautiful weddings I have ever attended; where I was reminded of the loving God that Zach and I committed to serve together.  The couple are dear friends of ours from college, and their wedding was truly a worship service.  Love it!
• Throughout our relationship, people have reminded Zach and I of 'our' Ben Folds Five song-- "Zak and Sara".  It reminds me where we've come from and where we're heading.  And of course, how I get to fall in love with Zach every day, all over again.

What are some songs that you guys like to sweat to?  What is your exercise music criteria?  Any song recommendations from my faithful readers?

fighting the germs

This little one has been fighting a cold for what seems like weeks now, but you wouldn't know it by the sweet disposition that she still exudes.  Poor thing has issues with those tear ducts getting blocked ...any other moms ever experience this?... and the congestion just makes it so much worse. 

What's awesome about today, though, is that there is just one thing on our agenda:  hang around the house and cuddle this cold away.

rainy days and mondays...

...always drain my motivation.

Since we last spoke, we've traveled a little bit; and we've been sick a little bit; and we celebrated Mother's Day a little bit.

This happened.

I got these flowers from my beloved.  On my very first Mother's Day.

We all had to laugh when our pastor, who very rarely deviates from a sermon series on behalf of cultural holidays (you know...the one's "just created by the greeting card industry"), deviated from a sermon series to talk about mothers.  He taught from 1 Samuel, about Hannah who was faithful to God.  She was unable to conceive.  She prayed earnestly for a child.  The Lord gave her a child, and she gave him back to the Lord.

I was simultaneously validated as a mother- which spoke to the lack of surety I've found in my role as a "SAHM"- and gently called to repentence- which spoke to my constant need to receive validation from sources other than my Lord.  Bottom line:  mother's have potential to change the world.  But not in a fame and glory kind of way.  In a bringing up children who have seen a demonstration of what it is to lead quiet lives in which we are faithful to King Jesus kind of way.  My heart is full this morning. 

And my girl is 6 months old.  And she sits up.  Be still my soul.  Our check-up is not until next week, so I'll share some stats then.  But you should all know that she is 6 months today and I'm pretty sure tomorrow she will be graduating high school and trying to leave me.  Our pastor also mentioned that little tid bit...about them leaving...even if they want to go off with some missionary. By God's grace I'm ok with it, at least for today.  

 
This morning, Zach and I were both up early.  We sat on the porch in the rain with the pup and our coffee.  Eventually the little one joined us with her bottle, and we had our own blissful 1/2 birthday celebration.  And we praised God for his goodness in our lives. 

we're still here.

promise.  see you guys on monday.

the mean girls

I am constantly falling victim to random articles and things that people post on facebook.  More often than not, they're a waste of time.  This one caught my eye, however, and I think it is beautiful.

It is from a mother to a daughter.  It is sincere and loving about harsh realities, and the ever present "mean girl" that lurks in the bathrooms and dark corners of every middle and high school, cheerleading team, or church youth group.  It is lovely in its refreshing course in the direction of moving past things that aren't ultimate, because bitterness is a deep root.

When sharing this with my own little girl, who heaven forbid, should one day be eight years old, and then twelve years old, and then bless my soul, sixteen years old, I would add this:

I will, of course, always love you.  I, too, will be there waiting with scripture, and milk and cookies, and the movie Pollyanna when you step off of the bus in tears because the "mean girl" has struck, and you happened to be the target she zeroed in on that day.


But, so help me, do NOT become the "mean girl".  That path is treacherous, dangerous, and full of heartache.  Just imagine how alone you felt when she attacked; because her loneliness is far greater.  The "mean girl" has fallen prey to all the lies she's been told and told herself.  She does not know what it means to be a daughter of King Jesus, and you can show her...just don't become her.  Unfortunately, I'm speaking from experience.

It is actually for reasons like these that Zach and I prayed for boys.  We had plans for backyard mud piles and orange slices after football games.  But the Lord gave us something so much better than our plans.

trains

We live approximately twenty yards away from the train tracks.  And approximately twenty yards away from the "other" side of the train tracks.  I'm not saying that there is anything wrong with your home if it is on wheels.  I am saying that we Americans get ideas in our heads about what exactly the "dream" is, and proceed to turn up noses at different versions of it.  Myself included.  Lord forgive me.

Back to the tracks, though.  I love those train tracks.  It's not necessarily because they remind me of a friend of ours from college who was sweet and quiet and utterly fascinated with ALL THINGS TRAINS.  And it is definitely not that it brings back memories of the horrendous nickname that my older brother gave me when I got braces during my already traumatic middle school years. 

I love the consistency.  No matter what is going on in our lives.  Hectic schedules.  Teething babes that don't seem to stop growing.  That darn dog, who can steal my affections and make me want to strangle him all in the same breath.  Church folk coming in and out of here, and making sure that I have enough coffee creamer to go around.  The sound of the train whistle coming through always gives me pause.

It is as if God Himself takes these opportunities to remind me that He is good and faithful and loving and whatever I need at that moment.  He is a God of hessed  or "loving kindness" for His people.  I'm no linguistic scholar, so don't think I'm getting all fancy throwing out Hebrew words.  But I do remember once hearing a teacher talk about that word.  You see loving kindness is the closest English translation.  But it is stronger than that.  It refers to the way that God feels for Israel.  His people.

I mostly love the sound of the train at night.  When all is quiet and I am left alone with my thoughts about what I did or did not get done that day and lying to myself about what defines me and my worth, the Lord stops me in my tracks.  He reminds me that I don't earn favor with Him.  It is a free gift of grace.  And at the sound of that whistle, I roll over and sleep.

april frost

There is a chill in the air.  In April.  After our temperatures reaching the 70s in February.

On Sunday, our pastor was talking about a way of thinking that is powered by the gospel.  He was talking about how people, including himself, will say things when making small talk like, "Boy the weather sure has been good to us."

These statements are harmless in many ways, but if we're not careful, we remove the creator from the equation.  Mother Nature is fiction.  She has no power and will not thwart the plans of the almighty God.  The God who calms waves and storms, gives us chilly blustery days, and sunny birds-chirping kind of days is real.  In fact, the glory of God will one day render the sun that we so often pay homage to completely useless.

 Revelation 21:23

²² And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. ²³ And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. ²⁴ By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, ²⁵ and its gates will never be shut by day—and there will be no night there. ²⁶ They will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations. ²⁷ But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb's book of life.

All that being said, even our weather belongs to the Lord and it is a demonstration of His glory.

I'm not one to complain about about a bit of chilly weather in April.  Especially if it means one last opportunity to obtain photos of Piper that will be tucked away for future use in warding off any unwanted attention from the opposite sex.  Also, she was nice and warm on our walk this morning.

seven pounds three ounces and beautiful: installment two

This has taken too long to finish.  Read installment one here, if it suits you.

Now where was I....?

Right.  Zach and I had just spent a weekend relaxing with family and friends, before dozing off late Sunday night on the couch.

I began stir around midnight.  I rubbed my eyes and fumbled around for my phone to check the time.

I was laying there awake and uncomfortable when I suddenly felt a strange pop and a gush of liquid.  I apologize if this is more information than anyone wanted to know, but it felt similar to peeing in my pants.

I nudged Zach, and told him I was pretty sure my water had just broken.  Zach is not one who likes to be woken up, and he later told me that he was about to get very upset with me...until he realized the reason he was being awakened from his blissful repose.

We called the hospital to describe what had happened, and they said to go ahead and come on in.  I remember feeling pretty calm.  I changed into something more comfortable, we grabbed our hospital bags, and headed out.  We sent a text message to family, telling them we were heading to the hospital but that nothing would probably happen until at least the morning.  You see, at this point I was feeling a tiny bit of pressure but almost no contractions at all.

We got to the hospital sometime around one am and sure enough, they checked me in OB Triage, and I was only about a centimeter dialated, but because my water had broken I was moved into a delivery room.

Everyone said to "get some sleep".  One of the most ridiculous statements ever uttered.  I tried, but was too amped.

Family started to arrive in the morning, and continued to arrive throughout the day.  I told many people later who asked about our experience, the first twenty-two hours of labor were pretty boring.  We hung out for the day, watched episodes of our favorite TV shows, and were basically bored.

I wasn't progressing much.  The doctors started pitocin at some point during the morning, and I still don't think I was progressing much.  I was told several times to let nurses know when I was ready for an epidural, as we had already discussed our decision to include that in our birth experience.  I finally said, I'm still not feeling a ton (just pressure and discomfort) but let's go ahead.  That was around mid day.

Late in the afternoon, I was getting tired and overwhelmed.  I had heard someone say that they really don't like for your labor to go longer than twenty-four hours after your water has broken, as you and the baby run the risk of infection.  I am so thankful that no doctor or nurse ever mentioned the word "c-section", because I was beginning to worry myself about it.  We were going on twenty hours since my water had broken, and there just didn't seem to be much progress.

Eventually it was time to clear the room of everyone except Zach and focus and talk about our options.

Finally, a nurse came in to check my progress.  She said I'm just going to see where we're at.  It will probably be a few more hours, though.  She nonchalantly takes a look, then says wow.  Not only are we ready to push, but your baby has a head full of hair.  (That may have been a graphic detail)

In an instant, the room seemed to transform.  They had me almost ready to go when a nurse came in and said that our doctor was prepping for an emergency c-section that had just come in, and we would need to wait a few minutes.

At that point, I remember being really concerned about this other child.  I couldn't stop wondering if the mom and baby were ok.  Someone mentioned an accident of some sort and I began to wonder if the doctor wouldn't arrive for our delivery with a heavy heart.  I never did find out.

The doctor showed up.  We pushed for about forty minutes.  It was the most physically taxing and exhausting forty minutes of my life.  And at 9:59 pm, on November 14, 2011 Marion Piper was born to us.  She came out screaming, and calmed down as soon as she was laid on my chest.  I was elated and exhausted.

Not long after, Zach sent out the text to our family in the waiting room.

seven pounds three ounces and beautiful.

God is good to us.

Sweet P meets Sweet Potatoes

That's right.  Homegirl is getting started on some solids.  So far we have ventured into rice cereal and pureed sweet potatoes territory.  We are slowly wading in and trying new things.

This was her initial reaction to sweet potatoes.  Her first taste of rice cereal was pretty similar, and she eventually grew accustomed to the taste after a few feedings.  I imagine this pattern will continue as we add more to the mix.

As of now, meal time is part eating and part face painting.  I love it.

mere civility is not a fruit of the spirit

Nowhere in Galations does Paul tell us that simply tolerating your brothers and sisters in Christ is how we bear fruit as believers.  At least I don't think so...let's take a look.

Galatians 5 

²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 

Yep.  Nothing about the law abidingness of smiling, nodding, and ducking into the nearest bathroom.  And yet, I often find myself sighing through a difficult or annoying conversation, just waiting to talk about something more pleasant, or to someone "cooler".  Lord, forgive me for exchanging genuine fellowship with the saints for shallow musings about the weather and Gamecock football.

Merely being civil towards one another is reserved for high school girls who are incapable of confrontation, and are just waiting for you to walk away so they can talk about your knock-off shirt, whether or not your coach purse is real, and who you think you are talking to the boy that they had a crush on last summer.  Please know, that I was this girl.  I am still this girl at times.

For believers in the Lord Jesus, we have fellowship around the joy of God's grace and mercy towards us.  And despite our sin nature, we can have patience with one another, because God was first patience with us.  Praise the Lord for His loving-kindness and faithfulness toward us.

sag

P.S. I don't want anyone thinking that I took an extra dose of my judgy pills this morning.  I am writing a reminder necessary challenge to myself in hopes that all believers are encouraged.  As followers of Christ, it is good for us to preach the gospel to one another in love.

Happy Birthday Aunt Megan!

Just stopping by to wish our Aunt Megan a very Happy Birthday!!  We love you, and can not wait to see you guys at the beach!

And speaking of Aunt Megan and Uncle Brandon, check out this very special announcement that they made yesterday, and how you can help.  We are so excited, we can't stand it!

as for our weekend

The laundry has piled up and the dishes are practically stacked to the ceiling, but our hearts are full and our fun-o-meter gauge is sitting at capacity.

It was one of those busy-whirlwind-yet somehow peaceful and relaxing weekends.  I'm actually going to include last night as part of our weekend.

My husband sent me to the nail salon for some birthday pampering.

Zach ran a mud run.

 

Lots of our friends, also, ran a mud run.

Never once did I consider running a mud run.  Until the end when everyone was done and had so much fun.  I'm beginning to think I may be convinced for the go around in the Fall, but don't tell anyone.

Photo courtesy of Emily Hoffman.

We planted.  For real.  Zach has been doing some yardwork; in an obsessive, come home from a long day at work and go outside to weed or mulch or mow kind of way.  I am not the biggest fan or yardwork, but can't complain about the results.

On Sunday when we were planting these two old ladies driving by slowed down their car right in the middle of the road, rolled down a window, and hollered
 "It's looking pretty good out here.  It is so nice to see some young people ACTUALLY working."

Uh..thanks?  Compliments that are actually insults =  complisults.  Copyright pending.

 


Zach and I stayed up into the wee hours Saturday night.  On the front porch.  With dear friends.  Discussing the gospel and Jesus' church.  I haven't been able to stop thinking about the church since.  I should mention that by "wee hours" I mean eleven pm.

Somewhere in there, I became twenty-four.  I don't feel twenty-four.  Some days I feel thirty-four, but other days I feel fourteen.  I wonder if I'll ever feel my age?  And by feel, I mean wake up with a new sensation and say to myself, this is it.  This is what twenty-four years on this earth feels like.  Not the way that I said, man, I'm feeling my age.  I can no longer remember things without writing them down, and there are new aches and pains, and the gray(ish) hairs.  My goodness the gray(ish) hairs.  I refer to eleven pm as the "wee hours".

Just a thought, when does "feeling" our age become more thinking about the years we already have and less thinking about the years that are yet to come.  Maybe when babies that are our own enter the mix.  We are a vapor, people.

Any who, last night we had family birthday celebration.  Low country boil was my birthday request, and a gathering of loved ones.  Both were achieved, and it was a party, hence it was counted as a continuation on the weekend.