My First

Noah: hardworking, smart, caring, always looking out for others, good negotiator, kindergartner, planner, inquisitive, serious, farmer, my first baby (and by far the largest :)

My first baby will be seven in May. Seven going on 30. He's the hardest working kid I've ever met. He doesn't "play" he "works." He was hesitant to start kindergarten because it was going to cut into his "work" time. While riding with me in the van, he informed me he's just at school to "grow up good and get a job." He wants to be just like his Grandpa Dave, who farms. He's got his entire future planned out. When he is old enough to drive, he will go live with G&G, but I'm not to worry, "he'll come visit me." He's going to go to college, and when Grandpa's ready, Noah will take over the farm, and live in Grandpa's house. I love you, Noah. And even though we butt heads (a lot) because we're so much alike...I know you will accomplish anything you set your mind to. I pray that you will grow up to be a young man of strong character and love for God, and that He will give you wisdom and the ability to adjust to life, even when it doesn't go as you have planned. I can't wait to see what God has in store for you, my little man.

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Cross Dresser

Each of my boys, when 2 years old, went through a cross dressing stage. Jakob is currently in his. He's always clomping around in my heels and wearing all my bracelets and necklaces at the same time. I'm forever getting after him for digging in my purse and smearing my lip gloss all over his face and hands. When I'm getting ready in the morning, I have to lock him out of the bathroom because he digs in all my makeup. Yesterday I let him pick out a treat at the store. He of course picked candy necklaces, and staying true to form, he wore them all at once. My hubs is never very fond of this cross dressing stage, he doesn't find it quite as humorous as I do. I'm pretty sure he doesn't get why I'm forever running for the camera to get a shot of the cross dressing moments. I know I need these pictures...because someday, I'm going to tell our boys what they used to do, and they will deny it....and then I will pull out the pictures! Plus, let's face it, its cute....and soon enough he'll outgrow it. He'll grow up, and be "disgusted" by girlie stuff. So, for now, I'm going to enjoy my little cross dresser :)

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Odd Duck

Have you ever had moments where you know you don't quite fit in...but in a good way? ( I have these ALL the time:) I often refer to myself as an "odd duck." I don't mean it in a negative way! Actually... it may be a little delusional... but I am quite happy being an odd duck. Of course, like most people, I spent several years of my life trying to be who I thought others wanted me to be.

While my hubby was in seminary, God did a miracle in my thinking. He was in seminary all of 2 minutes before it was blatantly obvious that we were both odd ducks. There were many reasons we were a little odd, but the first one brought to our attention was that Ben was one of the only ones there that hadn't come from Bible College, but from Iowa State University. Those couples in seminary were so genuinely kind, and exactly the types of people I pictured God using in ministry in our particular denomination. I knew me, and I was sure God had somehow gotten me confused with someone else. Oh...how foolish am I?!? VERY, is the answer God gave me. God is never confused. He always knew who I was, knew that it was going to be different, and He had plans to use it.

I often ponder this in my heart. I could give countless examples :) but I'll just do the latest. Last night we had midweek church and its very casual...no big deal. After we got home (it takes 27 steps to get from the church to our house...I counted last night, for blogging purposes:) I was sitting on the couch listening to Ben put the boys to bed, and I realized what I had on. Gray long sleeved T, black short sleeved Casting Crowns T over top, jeans, and gray sequin ballet flats. I know, I know, big deal, right? But I thought, in the 150 years that our little church has been in this town, how many of the pastor's wives have worn that to church!?!? HA! probably not many :) and certainly not with the Casting Crowns merch, but seriously...how did this church end up with us!?!? By God's perfect plan, that's how. I hope I never lose sight of that. I'm thankful for God's Word, that is chuck full of odd ducks, all who God used. And I so pray that God will use me and shine through me, and that I won't get in the way. So, to all you odd ducks out there, be who you are...it's who you are that brings glory to God. In the words of Leeland's new song Let It Out Now, "Everyone has their own sound//Let it out now, let it out now// There's nothing wrong with living out loud"//

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Living in a hole

Leeland's Sound of Melodies is one of my FAVORITES! Imagine my surprise, when today I stumbled across their website to find that they released their new album YESTERDAY! What hole have I been living in?!? How could I not know this?!? Needless to say, I am going to head out first thing tomorrow to get me one :) I'm so hoping its as great at the first album!

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Diaper Wipes

The things he thinks of...
Last night Ben had Bible study, which meant it was just me and the boys. After another snow-day...it had been a looong day. I'll admit it, I put the oldest 2 to bed around 7:30...they could use a little extra sleep, right? Jakob, however, wasn't tired, so I let him do his thing so I could watch The Biggest Loser. Apparently, the chair needed to be cleaned with diaper wipes. Diaper wipes, at our house, offer countless hours of entertainment. I don't know why. I do know, that our wipe container only has a nice neat pile of wipes in there for about 5 minutes after I re-load it, after that its a huge tangled wad because I shove em back in the container after he's done playing! Whatever works, Jake :)

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Fave Junk

Somewhere along the way my vocabulary changed. I went from calling things "stuff" to "junk." Now, when I call it junk, I'm not really referring to it as trash...I mean stuff. Follow me? This has become a bit of a double edged sword for me. My children now refer to their "stuff" as "junk" (why does it always sound so much worse when they say it?) I am very thankful for all my "junk"...and I want my children to also be thankful for what they have. But honestly, when all is said and done, it really is just junk. Revelation's chapter 18 talks about how all this junk will pass away...so, for me, it's all about perspective :) Here's some of my fave junk that I'm thankful for this snow-laden February!

1. Febreze: I can't buy enough of it. Who knows what my house would smell like without it. I'm not willing to find out.
2. Aveda shampoo & hairspray...I love the smell of this stuff. Wish I could make my house smell like it!
3. Amazing grace lotion, again, love it!
4. Lip gloss...sort of like patent leather shoes...lots of it, but only in clear/nude shades (I'm very boring when it comes to lip color)
5. Biggest Loser workout: I love this show! And this work out is fun, and makes me feel like I'm hanging out with them...little bit sad isn't it?
6. Life Application Bible for Students, Living Bible Translation. This was the first Bible I picked out after I became a believer. I've had it 15 years, its totally highlighted (from high school) and falling apart because its only paper- back, but its still the one I go to when I'm looking for a particular verse.
7. Red Patent shoes...need I say more.
8. MP3 player...again, discussed my music addiction previously.
9. Hair straightener from Aveda...it takes a heat setting of 410' to straighten my naturally wavy hair. Worth. Every. Penny.
10. Jeans from Express...I tried them on and they fit PERFECT! How often does that happen!?! The length, the butt, the thighs....it was a miracle. I ended up going back and getting 2 more, so it looks like I wear the same pair of jean every single day, but I do not care :)
11. Bracelets: Love them...especially big gaudy plastic ones.
12. Red Coat: Got it for $8.95 at Steve& Barry's...had to sew some buttons back on...but STILL!

Well, there you have it... my shallow list :) No worries, although I enjoy these blessings, I know in the end, its all really just junk.

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Patent Leather

I love patent leather shoes. Obviously. It wasn't until today that I realized how much I love them. I started out with a plan to blog about my favorite things (which I will do eventually.) As I was gathering things, my red patent flats were a MUST, so I grabbed them. Then I reached for another pair....and then it hit me. How many are there?!? Yep, there's 7. Which probably seems like a lot :) But, considering all the patent leather shoes that I admire often in catalogs, stores, and online, I'm reasoning that 7 is not so bad :) Also, I'm pretty sure that not one of them is actually genuine patent leather. They're more like "shiny pleather", but I love them nonetheless! If only I had some patent leather snow boots...maybe the snow wouldn't seem so bad! On a final note, I am committing to not further feed this
obsession :) If you see my feet in patents other than the ones pictured above, you have my permission to take drastic action....my husband thanks you :)

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