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.