tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53389736066065965382024-03-05T09:02:12.943-06:00Between The TreesJamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14827233269379712505noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5338973606606596538.post-60959471439937005732014-01-28T19:43:00.002-06:002014-01-28T19:43:56.361-06:00A More Disciplined LifeThe last couple of weeks, I have been trying to live a more
disciplined life. In “Christian circles”
we often talk about the spiritual disciplines; praying, reading Scripture,
silence, and the like. While I have
been trying to incorporate that in a little more as well, I am talking about
another kind of discipline. This is the
do the laundry, wash the dishes, make dinner, get your crap together sort of
discipline. Let me tell you folks, I
have been slacking in these areas for quite some time; dreading the thought of
putting together a meal plan, cringing at folding yet one more towel. But guess what?!! Unbeknownst to me, doing these things has
actually made my life less stressful!
Yes; less stressful! Each day, I
have been going to bed feeling like I accomplished something and that is worth
folding one more towel! I’m finding
though, that I still don’t have enough time to do all of the other things that
I love, like reading and sleeping- maybe when the kiddos get a little
older. <span style="font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><br /><div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Also on my mind most of the time are the musings of this
wonderful author named Glennon Doyle Melton.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If you haven’t heard of her, you must, must, must, check out her book,
Carry On, Warrior.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh, and also, read
her blog at momastery.com.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That might be
the best choice you can make today. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Read.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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P.S.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here’s a little
video to tide you over.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbIVi_hFJsg</div>
Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14827233269379712505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5338973606606596538.post-68416011887538940582014-01-24T19:36:00.000-06:002014-01-24T19:36:17.426-06:00A Few of My Favorite Things<br /><br />Wow. They weren’t kidding when they said that three years old is harder than two years old. As of late, I have really been struggling with my three and a half year old. There is pretty much no one else on the planet right now that can push my buttons like my little lady can. It’s pretty unbelievable actually. <br /><br />I have been talking with close friends about methods of discipline, ways to keep my heart and words in check; and how to navigate this crazy thing we call “parenting.” It’s challenging. Definitely one of the hardest things I have ever done in my life. Definitely. <br /><br />I could (and have) talked circles around this subject. And so, while I sip my gin and ginger after a long few weeks of hard parenting, I want to reflect on some of the wonderful things about my sweet daughter. Here, in no particular order, are a few of my favorite things.<br /><br /> <br /><br />- She is just so gosh darn beautiful. Several times throughout the day I just stare at her and wonder how on Earth she could be so gorgeous.<br /><br />- She has a great sense of humor. I mean, belly laugh, sense of humor.<br /><br />- She loves her daddy and tells him that in numerous ways all the time.<br /><br />- She really enjoys art.<br /><br />- As of late, she loves building things out of duplos and blocks. So, so fun.<br /><br />- She is so uninhibited in everything she does; whether it be singing at the top of her lungs, or running around in circles, she is not scared to be who she is.<br /><br />- She has a mind of her own and isn’t afraid to express her opinions.<br /><br />- Her eyes tell me so, so much.<br /><br />- I love when she creeps out of her room after naps and says, “Mama, I just popped out of bed.”<br /><br />- Though she seems to be quite timid in some areas, she is not scared of any rides at a carnival or amusement park.<br /><br />- Her memory is incredible. INCREDIBLE.<br /><br />- She loves, loves, loves to read.<br /><br />- She is learning how to be a big sister and to love her brother. It brings me so much joy to see them loving and enjoying one another.<br /><br />- She cares for me and is concerned when I am hurting, in pain, or upset.<br /><br />- The kid has got a sweet tooth like no other.<br /><br />- She loves her grandparents and often asks about them.<br /><br /> <br />Tonight, I’m tired and worn out and overly emotional. But, it does my heart good to reflect on some of the things I love about this sweet three and a half year old. It does my heart good.Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14827233269379712505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5338973606606596538.post-47718207139588086562013-12-05T19:46:00.004-06:002013-12-05T19:46:39.426-06:00Tonight, I Am Thankful
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">A year
ago tomorrow was the day that changed our lives forever. I think I can remember talking with Andy
around this time of the evening and saying, “If he isn’t better in the morning,
I think I better take him in.” I’m so
thankful I did. At one point during our
stay, Andy asked Dr. Lam (Jeremiah’s surgeon) how “close we were.” All Dr. Lam said was “Close.” It’s still haunting to think about that. Many nights I have to consciously tell myself
to stop reliving those early days in the hospital- just after his surgery when
everything was settling in, when we still didn’t know if he had cancer or if he
would even make it through the worst part of his pain. I wonder if that will ever fade; probably,
with time and lots of prayer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">I was just reading through some of the
messages we received after we posted on social media what was going on with
Jeremiah. It is incredible the support
we received and the prayers that were offered up for our little boy; surely
more than we could ever count. It’s so
strange to look back and see some of the verses and words of truth people sent
and to think about myself reading them a year ago. I know I cried a lot. I was thankful for the encouragement and
still am. Jeremiah will hear the story
many times, and it will be amazing to show him how God worked through His
people to pray for his recovery and healing (I’ll probably have to explain to
him what facebook was haha). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">So, on this night, the eve of an awful day
one year ago, I am thankful. Tonight I
got to watch the wonder in my son’s eyes as we did our advent devotion. I got to see the joy in his smile as he “blew”
out the match when we lit the candle. He
sings with us as we sing and prays with us as we pray. I watched him a little more closely tonight,
just remembering how much has changed in a year. Tonight, I am thankful.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14827233269379712505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5338973606606596538.post-91459899793283229542013-12-03T22:08:00.001-06:002013-12-03T22:08:30.139-06:00Why Can't We See God?
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Today, my Lydia asked, “Mama, why can’t we
see God? She’s three and half. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">I remember back to what was the worst night,
maybe even worse than finding out our son had a brain tumor, the night that he
was in writhing pain after his surgery.
You can look at our blog, <span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><a href="http://jeremiahsbiggestfight.blogspot.com/2012/12/from-day-of-fear-turned-joy-to-night-of.html"><span style="color: black;">http://jeremiahsbiggestfight.blogspot.com/2012/12/from-day-of-fear-turned-joy-to-night-of.html</span></a>
</span>if you want to read the whole story, but the summary is that he was in
incredible amounts of pain and was being ignored by the doctors. I was enraged; more angry than I have ever
been in my entire life. If my heart was
broken and torn out before, it had been smashed onto the floor into a million
pieces. My body was shaking
uncontrollably, I had no control over my speech, my thoughts, or anything
really. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">“Mama, why can’t we see God?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">I was wondering that very thing. After being told to stay in our sleep room,
as I was no longer safe to be upstairs with Andy and Jeremiah, I remember
taking a shower and pleading with God, crying out from the primal places of my
being. Our friends Mike and Becky showed
up not long after I had gotten out of the shower and into my pajamas. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">(taken from a blog written by Andy)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> </span><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: 'Adobe Caslon Pro Bold'; font-size: 13pt;">If there was one area of
God's clear presence in our life during this time, it was in the presence of
our amazing friends Mike and Becky Nowak. After Jamie became enraged in
the waiting room, I did not feel that it would be safe for her to be back in
Jeremiah's room. While my wife is one of the most loving caring and
people in the world, she is also a mom (and a hockey player) and there was the
possibility that our nurse or the fellow would have been the recipient of an
enraged mother. I called Mike and Becky around 11:30 PM and asked if one
of them could come, and 40 minutes later they were both here to spend the night
with Jamie.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Adobe Caslon Pro Bold'; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">We are so blessed to have
amazing friends who will give up so much to care for us. Mike and Becky -
I honestly don't think we would have gotten through that night without being in
jail or restricted from this hospital room if it wasn't for you. You were
clearly the peace of Christ in our lives that night in caring for us. </span><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Apple Chancery"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">“Mama,
why can’t we see God?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Apple Chancery"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">“Babe,”
I said, “that is a good question. You
know what? We can see God. We see him in other people. When we love people or they love us, we are
seeing God and feeling His love. When we
are kind to people or they are kind to us, we are seeing God. Does that make sense?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Apple Chancery"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">“Yeah
Mom.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Apple Chancery"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">I
remember the conversation I had with Becky that night. I told her I thought Jeremiah was going to
die. I will never forget her face. She didn’t say anything, but just hugged
me. All the while, she was praying. Mike ended up leave that night, but Becky
stayed with me. I asked her if she
thought God would be okay with me sleeping.
She said, “Jamie that is what I have been praying for.” Becky then continued to pray over me,
starting at my head and working her way down to my feet. She told me that once she felt that specific
part of my body relax, she would go to the next, until I was finally
asleep. I slept a solid 6 hours that
night- probably the most sleep I got consecutively the whole time we were in
the hospital. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Apple Chancery"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">So my
sweet Lydia, this was a very, very dark time in our lives. But looking back, I can see God was
there. Even in our darkest of dark He
was there. It still hurts to think about that time. My emotions still run high, my heart beats faster, and I get a pit in my stomach when I re-read the story of that night. But now I have seen the hope of a new day. God was faithful. He showed up in our friends,
in our surgeon, in an incredible nurse, and in our souls as we clung to
Him. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14827233269379712505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5338973606606596538.post-394942250116465442013-12-03T12:46:00.001-06:002013-12-03T12:46:58.678-06:00Climbing out of the Rubble
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">(December 2, 2013)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Today is the beginning of the week that ends
in the 1 year anniversary of finding out that Jeremiah had a brain tumor. Today, I have been so, so sad. I honestly didn’t expect to feel this way,
though I didn’t really know what to expect.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">In the days, weeks, and months after Jeremiah
came home from the hospital, I don’t remember externally processing much (or
internally for that matter). It seems
that I had to just keep going, just keep surviving. There were many follow-up appointments,
therapies to be scheduled, exercises to do, not to mention taking care of a 2.5
year old whose world has just been turned upside down for the last month. Like I said, I had to keep surviving. Well, It has now been a year and things have
thankfully slowed down. We still have
doctor appointments, and therapy, and just recently have been slotted to be
evaluated for orthotics for our little buddy.
But, I’m not in survival mode anymore and I think that may be why I am
finally feeling. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">I had my fair share of sadness and anger and
every other emotion under the sun during our stay in the hospital but those
very raw, in the moment, not thought out emotions; it wasn’t because I was
doing real processing, but because my heart had just been ripped out of my
chest and handed to me. Now, a year later,
I can sit in my home, with my sweet babes sleeping (finally </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">)
and think about what really happened.
Our Great God did a mighty miracle and so this season of advent I am
hoping to have my own hope. You see,
last year, I couldn’t hope on my own. I
am so, incredibly thankful for the dear friends and family who encouraged us
and had hope for us when we could not.
Those people, who God surrounded us with, stand with us today, loving us
and praying for us, and helping us to continue to process through everything we
have gone through in the last year. Just
prior to writing this entry in fact, I sent an email to the women so close to
me to ask for prayer, that God would heal my heart during this advent
season. Advent ends when Jesus is born,
when the people got to see the face of God in a baby boy. Last year, our advent ended with seeing the
face of God in a baby boy as well. We
took our sweet Jeremiah home on Christmas Eve, the very last day of advent. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Throughout this week and probably through
Christmas, I plan to try and process through what I am thinking and
feeling. In beginning to process all of
this, I’m reminded of the Sara Groves song that starts out, “It’s been a hard
year, and I’m climbing out of the rubble.”
Slowly, slowly I’m climbing out of the rubble and mess of this past year
and moving towards what God would have for our family as we live into the
healing and miracle of who Jeremiah is to our family and how we tell our story
in a way that can bring hope and healing to those around us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14827233269379712505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5338973606606596538.post-42095081779908090442011-06-22T09:06:00.000-05:002011-06-22T09:08:42.136-05:00Happy Birthday Lydia Ruth!<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 17px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; ">After a terrible night and next morning, we decided to do a c-section. Lydia w</span><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; ">as born at 1:48pm on June 22, 2</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; ">010.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 17px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><br /></span></span></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrN3tLpy9zy1sYxB5HtJyKWKTRer6r6658DV7LMmUgecP0H1LhyQtjxDPq_aeP1WmNsZw9wuC1OHWhZStx7dB2EQyUQuEHcDUaqN1cgZ-THcRU-cao5uy0qDBO6f7ccCAt4qmNlu2P-rQ/s1600/35697_127530160618516_100000845974212_132652_6654701_n.jpg" style="font-size: 17px; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 102, 204); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrN3tLpy9zy1sYxB5HtJyKWKTRer6r6658DV7LMmUgecP0H1LhyQtjxDPq_aeP1WmNsZw9wuC1OHWhZStx7dB2EQyUQuEHcDUaqN1cgZ-THcRU-cao5uy0qDBO6f7ccCAt4qmNlu2P-rQ/s320/35697_127530160618516_100000845974212_132652_6654701_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620847363434292706" style="border-width: initial; border-color: initial; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "><br /></span></a><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 17px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span">The sound of her first cry was beautiful. Andy was weeping. I shed tears (although not as many as I would have, had I not been so, so drugged up.) I got to kiss my sweet baby and calm her crying before being taken into recovery. I was then unable to see Lydia until early Wednesday evening. That was incredibly hard. Andy, did however, get to spend a lot of time with her that first 24 hours (which I am very thankful for). When I was finally able to sit up and get into a wheel chair, I was taken down to hold my little girl for the very first time. It was beautiful.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 17px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6s1RIquPcUIIe65VQIs3m8Ca-bglmrO1aJm9zmbQ8t9hHlo58iXWx8d2AxHujylpBT8GksImtItEeIeipqvkKRZ_sLY0A2RoQtBE09muv5ncxJpD1NDsmR_QQlbK5jSdsMAXJKo5ymAw/s320/36754_127282967309902_100000845974212_132020_3341598_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620846817118306882" style="border-width: initial; border-color: initial; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 17px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">It is unbelievable how fast babies grow in the first year. Lydia is now so full of personality and spunk. She makes us laugh everyday. She is such a joy I cannot fully express what it means to be her mother; I am so blessed and honored to have her in my life. So today I wish my sweet girl a very happy birthday and look forward to all the years we have together! Happy Birthday Lydia Ruth!</span></p></div><div style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-size: 17px; "><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14827233269379712505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5338973606606596538.post-8833622839478888602011-06-21T19:49:00.003-05:002011-06-21T20:01:49.184-05:00The Longest Day of Last YearMy sweet baby turns 1 year old tomorrow! I cannot even believe it! Wow, that just may be the fastest year of my life so far. Thinking about Lydia turning one, can only remind me of the events leading up to her birth... the longest day of last year. Here is just a little recap of the turn of events for all or any that care to read on.<div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>I had my standard weekly appointment on Friday. The doc was a little concerned about some of the protein counts and had me go to the hospital for more blood tests. I also had to take a 24-hour urine sample (gross right?!). So I did the sample on Saturday, the lab was closed Sunday, and I took it in Monday morning before work. </div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>That day at work, I felt just terrible. I don't remember a lot, except that I did go home early and take a really long nap. Shortly after waking up, we got a call asking us to "come in for more tests." "Don't pack a bag," she said. I did anyway.</div><div> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span> We got to the hospital and the nurses were like, "We have been waiting for you." We were whisked off to "my room," and I was told to put my clothes in a bag, get on a gown, and lie in bed. By the time we realized what was happening, well, we realized what was happening. </div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span> I won't go into all the yucky details of what followed during the next 12-16 hours. It included lots of feeling terrible and lots of wanting the child to be out of me as soon as possible. This was all without even having any contractions, labor pains, etc. It had turned out that my protein counts were in the 6000's. They said they get worried when they are in the 300's. Needless to say, there was no option to waiting a few more weeks. Lydia was coming 4 1/2 weeks early. </div><div><br /></div><div>To be continued...</div>Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14827233269379712505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5338973606606596538.post-52507706539628676382011-06-19T20:09:00.003-05:002011-06-19T20:24:30.384-05:00Creeping Charlie<span class="Apple-style-span" >So I was thinking the other day about weeds. Yep, weeds.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Lydia and I go for a walk, nay, multiple walks everyday. I usually find myself getting lost in nature; looking at the various trees, flowers, and even the weeds. Now some of those weeds actually look like flowers. Creeping charlie, for example- those little purple flower are actually quite attractive. Maybe they are the charlie part, and the creeping part is the part that takes over your yard and kills all your grass, and your neighbor's grass, and their neighbor's grass. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Anyway, I was thinking about how pretty some of the flowered weeds are. I mean, from the time we are young most of us are attracted to weeds. How many of us gave our moms bouquets of dandelions on numerous occasions? And then when they turned, you can bet your bottom dollar all the kids were out blowing the little fuzzies off those things. Little did we know we were just spreading more weeds.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >So yeah weeds. Their a lot like sin. Sometimes its really attractive and we get tied up in the beauty of it all. Before we know it, the sin is spreading like those little fuzzies; all-over-the place. Still there are those pretty flowers; and sometimes I wonder if those flowers are less like sin and more like redemption. That even in the weeds God is showing us a small taste of who He is. Even in the weeds He shows up, places a little purple flower, and says, "See even in this, I am redeeming. Even in this." </span></div></div>Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14827233269379712505noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5338973606606596538.post-2187896976985140212011-06-10T18:50:00.001-05:002011-06-10T18:50:44.932-05:00So Good<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; "><strong>Beautiful Things</strong></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; "><strong>Gungor</strong></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; "><strong> </strong><br />All this pain<br />I wonder if I’ll ever find my way<br />I wonder if my life could really change at all<br />All this earth<br />Could all that is lost ever be found<br />Could a garden come up from this ground at all<br /><br />You make beautiful things<br />You make beautiful things out of the dust<br />You make beautiful things<br />You make beautiful things out of us<br /><br />All around<br />Hope is springing up from this old ground<br />Out of chaos life is being found in You<br /><br />You make me new, You are making me new</span><div></div></div>Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14827233269379712505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5338973606606596538.post-61605161485126270432011-04-02T10:08:00.002-05:002011-04-02T10:28:42.126-05:00Jesus Made Mud<span class="Apple-style-span" >The gospel reading for this week is John 9:1-41. After reading it multiple times this week, I am incredibly struck by the reality of this story. Jesus tells a man, born blind, to go wash in the pool and be healed. Picking it up in verse 10, </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; ">But they kept asking him, "Then <b>how</b> were your eyes opened?"<br /><br />9:11 He answered, "The man called <b>Jesus made mud</b>, <b>spread it </b>on my eyes, and <b>said</b> to me, '<b>Go</b> to Siloam and <b>wash</b>.' Then<b> I</b> went and <b>washed and received my sight</b>."</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Just like that. The man washed and received his sight. Can you imagine what it would be like to see life for the first time? Your own hands; the water washing over them. Suddenly you are open to the entire world. Experiencing everything new. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >No one believed that he had actually been blind from birth. They called his parents in and they acknowledged the man was their son and that he had been born blind. The Jews were still in disbelief. They continued to ask the man what had happened.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; ">9:24 So for the second time they called the man who had been blind, and they said to him, "Give glory to God! We know that this man is a sinner."<br /><br />9:25 He answered, "I do not know whether he is a sinner. One thing I do know, that <b>though I was blind</b>, <b>now I see.</b>"</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >The only thing the formally blind man knows for sure is that he was once blind, and now he sees. After the unbelievers are driven out, Jesus approaches the man again. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" > </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; ">9:35 Jesus heard that they had driven him out, and when he found him, he said, "<b>Do you believe</b> in the Son of Man?"<br /><br />9:36 He answered, "And<b> who is he</b>, sir?<b> Tell me</b>, so that I may believe in him."<br /><br />9:37 Jesus said to him, "<b>You have seen him, and the one speaking with you is he</b>."<br /><br />9:38 He said, "<b>Lord, I believe</b>." And he worshiped him.<br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >I wonder what it was like to see Jesus for the very first time; having never seen anything at all. I wonder how I would have reacted had I been one of the Jews seeing this miracle take place. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >As we see Jesus in our everyday lives, I hope we would be reminded of our past blindness and the blindness that may still exist. Lord, I pray you open my eyes. For I know that once I was blind, and now I see.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div>Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14827233269379712505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5338973606606596538.post-81842623658963882142011-03-25T20:35:00.003-05:002011-03-25T20:50:55.778-05:00A little doting...<span class="Apple-style-span" >It's been quite the last couple of months. We started off the year with Lydia's first ear infection. Andy went on to get a cold, another cold, and then pneumonia. Then, last week, I went in for an appendectomy! Needless to say we are glad that we have good health insurance. </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Amongst the craziness of being sick and getting healthy again, I have really treasured my sweet little girl. Truly, I didn't realize how much I missed the little things until I had to spend an overnight in the hospital and then not lift her for a whole week. Lydia has such a great personality. She is happy almost all the time, grinning from ear to ear, and laughing at the antics of her mama and daddy. We will do almost ANYTHING to make her laugh. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >It is so fun to watch her explore her world. She is so observant; takes everything and everyone in. You can just see the wheels spinning in her head, trying to figure things out. When she plays with toys she usually picks one up, looks at it, turns it around a couple times, and then it goes straight into the mouth for a little tasteful exploration. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >I also love meal and snack time. Lydia has now mastered the pincer grip and actually prefers it to me putting finger foods in her mouth for her. And she loves her sippy cup. I love watching her drink from a sippy cup; so grown-up. :) </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >I could go on and on, but this will suffice for now. My sweet Lydia is growing and learning so quickly. I am so in love with her and can't get enough!</span></div>Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14827233269379712505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5338973606606596538.post-82721873414107587412010-12-06T10:55:00.004-06:002010-12-06T15:36:20.884-06:00That Time of Year<span class="Apple-style-span">It's that time of year again. Every grocery store and mall has them. Heck, I've even been one of them. It's that time of year again. It's bell-ringer season. </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">Does anyone else try to avoid eye contact and hurry into the store without having to interact with these saints of people? Do you try to pretend you are absolutely freezing and bury your face into your scarf so you can just get past them? Do you talk to your children and make them a false distraction? Do you just plain pretend they don't exist? </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">I am definitely guilty of doing most, if not all of these things. And I don't know why. The other day I pulled into the grocery store parking lot and thought, "Oh I'm just going to dig some change out of the console so I don't feel so bad walking past this poor man who I swear has been ringing this bell straight for the last oh, 10 days." I was stopped from digging out my nickels with this thought, "You know what? I am not going to give money out of guilt. I'm just not." It ended there. I did manage to ask the man on the way out if he was staying warm, like that really mattered.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">So what is the answer? Even if I don't give money, is it still appropriate to strike up a short conversation with these faithful servants of the Salvation Army? Should I bring them a cup of coffee or hot cocoa? Should I just continue to walk past them and give the standard, "Sorry I don't have any change. ?" </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"> When do we give and how do we give and what do we give? Any thoughts?</span></div>Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14827233269379712505noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5338973606606596538.post-60725237254108403562010-11-03T10:37:00.003-05:002010-11-03T11:47:15.646-05:00Good to the Last Drop?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.boston.com/business/technology/innoeco/Coffee-Cup.png"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 285px;" src="http://www.boston.com/business/technology/innoeco/Coffee-Cup.png" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Anyone else out there never completely finish their cup of coffee? Almost never do I drink every last bit of coffee in my cup. I attribute it mostly to the fact that by the time I get towards the bottom, the beverage is already to cool for my liking. ALSO, I hate it when I am at a restaurant drinking coffee and they keep filling my cup. I drink like two sips and they are already coming around for a warm up. One would think I would enjoy this, but after two sips, who is ready for a warm up? Not me. In a perfect world, the waitress would know at the precisely correct moment when my coffee has become too cool for consumption, thus giving me the much needed warm up. Of course I know that this perfect world will never exist, though I think Starbucks could make a valiant attempt at such a system. Thoughts anyone?Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14827233269379712505noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5338973606606596538.post-28613623711578377332010-10-21T13:08:00.005-05:002010-10-21T13:29:30.117-05:00Ready or Not, Westmont here we come.I finally feel like I am in a place where I can read something intelligent (I thought that day might never come again). I decided to start reading Frost and Hirsch's, <u>Shaping of Things to Come.</u> The sub-title is "innovation and mission for the 21st-century church." The line that I just read was something to the effect of "we don't want to provide another model for church, but rather a mode." I must say that I agree with what they are saying thus far. Churches can't all look the same. They have to be shaped by the cultural context of which they are a part. This has got me wondering, what on Earth is the cultural context of Westmont? We have only been a part of this community since the end of June (and I probably feel like less of a part just because I have been consumed by trying to figure out what the heck it means to be a mommy). But I have really started to wonder what our church will look like, in light of the Gospel and our cultural context. The group of us that are down here is somewhat homogeneous. A lot of us like art and coffee, are parents of young children, care about the environment (in varying degrees), love Jesus, and want to meet our community members where they are at instead of making them come to us. But do the people in Westmont like art and coffee? I know there are a lot of parents with young children, so that must be an interest of some sort :) A lot of people recycle. Ha. These are clearly just a few of the surface observations that I have made thus far. I know we are here for a purpose and that God has called us here for this specific season of our lives. I just don't quite know what that looks like yet. But I am okay with it. I know God will show us in His perfect time. Reading on to see just what else I can learn!!!Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14827233269379712505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5338973606606596538.post-28274937147265943592010-09-17T16:31:00.004-05:002010-09-17T16:36:20.303-05:00Victory!!! For today :)<span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" >Lydia is sleeping in her own crib during nap time and I couldn't be happier. I may have found the trick that helps her to do so; albeit after an hour of sleeping with me in the rocker. Not once, but twice today I have put her down in the crib, nestled in her Boppy and she has loved it. She slept for an hour during her morning nap and is just passing an hour now on her afternoon nap. For those of you who know, I have been trying to figure out how to get her to sleep in there during the day for quite some time. It might be only today, but hopefully it is a little trick that might ease her into sleeping better during the day. Ha. Life has changed from a year ago; that is for certain. I never thought I would be finding so much joy in the little tricks of motherhood. I also must add that I have really been cherishing the times I do have to rock her and snuggle her up. Soon enough she will be running around and probably won't sit still to snuggle very often. What a sweet little girl I have. Oh I love her so much!</span></span>Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14827233269379712505noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5338973606606596538.post-75017369607508785852010-09-10T19:22:00.002-05:002010-09-10T19:25:44.371-05:00New NormalLately I've found that when other people around me are having conversations, and those conversations don't have to do with something baby, I don't have much to add. Not only don't I have much to add, I sort of space out into my own little "mommy world." It's weird how being with a little human 24/7 sort of makes you forget about a lot of other things going on outside of our four walls. I've heard this is pretty common and that after about a year I will be "back to normal." Whatever that means. I'm pretty sure as of now I have acquired a new normal. More on this later.... Lydia is crying.Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14827233269379712505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5338973606606596538.post-38912562916231672962010-07-29T15:42:00.003-05:002010-07-29T15:58:56.511-05:00Things I Don't Want to Forget<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0wCEyXhZrzr1_49huJhcoOsZ0yVFqAyoSLOdVaf1hyphenhyphenJ5dOXUsENelwQnPBcFVxWwenqOH2HkB4Ifjy4BYKN2NTPPneKoK3oAOuBZD7sEOFJq0Dth_rHxrBlPlczdO-YiaZVGJgVOKqBU/s1600/DSC_0081.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0wCEyXhZrzr1_49huJhcoOsZ0yVFqAyoSLOdVaf1hyphenhyphenJ5dOXUsENelwQnPBcFVxWwenqOH2HkB4Ifjy4BYKN2NTPPneKoK3oAOuBZD7sEOFJq0Dth_rHxrBlPlczdO-YiaZVGJgVOKqBU/s320/DSC_0081.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499435164214027810" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">So for the past month i have had a running tally of things in my head that I don't want to forget. My sweet girl is only so little for so little and I have to write these things down before they are gone from my memory forever :) (which could happen sooner than you think) So, in no particular order, here are a few things that have been mulling around in my head when I think about my Lydia.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">- The way she hates to be woken up. She is a grunter in general, but when she is woken up before she wants to be, there is a fit of grunting that one would never think could come out of such a tiny human being.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">- The grunting. Although it doesn't really seem all that amusing when we are trying to sleep at night, during the day it is so stinking cute. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">- Crying. Rarely does she cry, but when she does, it is so sad and adorable all at the same time. When she really gets going (again rarely), her wide open mouth shows her tiny little gums and that wailing can be heard for miles. So sad, but oh so precious.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">- I must document this.... currently she is sleeping and making little wimpering sounds. Adorable.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">- I love when she is eating and she makes noises like it is the most nourishing and pleasurable thing in the world (which it probably is). She eats and swallows and makes noises like one would make when he or she gets am ice cold glass of water on a hot day. Oh so refreshing. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">- She has a face that likens to that of Popeye. One eye closed and round little cheeks :)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">- Stretching. Always she is stretching. Usually she has kicked out of her swaddle by the time she wakes up. I have to be creative if I want her to stay swaddled until her next middle of the night feeding. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">- When she is awake, she is wide-eyed in wonder; alway taking in her surroundings.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">- I love when she looks at my eyes. She just stares and stares. Oh she has completely captured my heart.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">- She loves her daddy. Andy is so good with her and she loves spending time with him. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">I am sure the list will go on and on. But for now, these are a few things I don't want to forget.</span><br /><div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div>Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14827233269379712505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5338973606606596538.post-9624097795978168902010-07-22T14:55:00.004-05:002010-07-22T15:36:16.594-05:00A Month Already!!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAPVY5fbqV3hRqMGxRWn9heLqpEwnqaJBL8xUeXaFgBSNpDtiwBYC7q5MHZ6OVpKh4DY5fI98ruqVG3cQ_vGhUFmXQnqSJAl9RgOgi4zOg48svLSYnGdb8eSNU8pEP_FPR6mP9uatvfhY/s1600/DSC_0550.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAPVY5fbqV3hRqMGxRWn9heLqpEwnqaJBL8xUeXaFgBSNpDtiwBYC7q5MHZ6OVpKh4DY5fI98ruqVG3cQ_vGhUFmXQnqSJAl9RgOgi4zOg48svLSYnGdb8eSNU8pEP_FPR6mP9uatvfhY/s320/DSC_0550.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496829042450094674" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"> My baby girl is one month old today! Consequently, her due date is tomorrow. Funny how we plan things that never turn out the just how we think they should. A week or so ago I was looking at my "list of things to do before baby comes." Ha. Life has a way of surprising us.<br /> At this moment, my sweet girl is rest closely against me (with the help of the wonderful Moby carrier). I can feel every breath she takes and hear every little squeek. It is hard to believe that a month ago yesterday Andy and I were called into the hospital to have "more tests taken," which really meant, "We're going to try to induce you and get this baby out!" Looking back, Lydia and I were in a dangerous spot. My protein levels were through the roof as well as my blood pressure being too high for comfort. They told us I would have a c-section and although I had originally planned to have a natural birth, at this point it was not an option. I recall being so relieved that she would finally be here and that this dangerous part would be over very soon.<br /> I don't remember much about all that happened in that 24- hour period, but I do remember hearing my baby cry for the first time. Those wails were music to my ears. I remember looking into Andy's eyes, both of us crying, and listening to our sweet little girl. I remember seeing her, fresh out of the womb, all bundled up and though not able to hold her, able to kiss her head and tell her I loved her, in person, for the very first time. After being away from her for an entire day, recovering from being various drugs, etc. I was able to finally sit up in a wheel chair and be taken to hold Lydia for the first time. A moment without words is all that can describe what it is like to have your first child put in your arms. A child that you have been dreaming of for so long, just wondering what she will look like, smell like, be like. And then she is here; just like that. It was amazing to meet the beautiful little girl God had created.<br /> Over the next few days I would continue to recover and Lydia continued to grow stronger and stronger. We spent most of our time in the Special Care Nursery, holding and caring for our little girl. She passed all of her tests and was able to go home after just five days in the hospital.<br /> We came into the hospital on a Monday evening and left on a Saturday evening. I remember finally laying down in bed on Saturday, being pretty much terrified of how to do anything. This baby was under our full care now, no nurses or doctors to help us along. Lydia slept well that night; going three hours between feedings. A good start to her first month of life in our new home. </span>Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14827233269379712505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5338973606606596538.post-52549998384636474032010-06-12T14:00:00.000-05:002010-06-12T14:00:01.147-05:00Bloggable<span style="font-family:verdana;">It's not like I don't have anything to say, that I don't think about anything. It's just that I keep forgetting every time I think of something I should blog about. I think it has something (well almost everything) to do with being pregnant. I have a thought one moment and then the next it is completely gone; like it didn't even exist. Often I am driving to work and see something or think, "oh yeah, i should write a blog about that." Then, by the time I get home, a million and a half other thoughts have gone in and out of my consciousness and I no longer have a bloggable topic; I have mush head. So today, "here's to having a mush head."</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">And, as a further thought... if you would like to know, my baby now urinates about a pint a day. Fun factoid of the week.</span>Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14827233269379712505noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5338973606606596538.post-58542508562523420022010-05-06T20:33:00.003-05:002010-05-06T20:46:48.992-05:00Reflective<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiggzH-MgtzEk6U3Zai8CWq56bFh3fHBc_bWS-GoHvbFHLMryVXilqAcSgl0V7nDD_8IGuIQ9n_XXe51mkcwtd63NXwNG3AD9hyANdWv1uTt4IKZ82OIVItgs2TmaxOq5vuHzu_G4CeGuA/s1600/00830023.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 212px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiggzH-MgtzEk6U3Zai8CWq56bFh3fHBc_bWS-GoHvbFHLMryVXilqAcSgl0V7nDD_8IGuIQ9n_XXe51mkcwtd63NXwNG3AD9hyANdWv1uTt4IKZ82OIVItgs2TmaxOq5vuHzu_G4CeGuA/s320/00830023.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468338623670973218" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Often when I am home without Andy for the night, I get a mode (or mood) of reflection. I usually find myself thinking about the past, and looking toward the future. Tonight I watched a dvd that my students created for me when I left the church in California. It was crazy to see just how young I looked only a few years ago. I can't believe that it has already been 3 years since I was living out there. As I watched the video, I found myself so thankful for the time I did have and for everything that I learned. Also, I find myself so thankful for where I am now. I have an amazing husband who loves me more than I even understand, a great community, a baby girl on the way, and the hope of living some version of my dream of what community in Christ can really look like. I remember back on the days of Riverview Church with fondness, but look forward to the journey we find ourselves on now.<br /></span>Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14827233269379712505noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5338973606606596538.post-90153377282831005332010-04-18T10:19:00.003-05:002010-04-18T10:46:48.899-05:00Every Blade of Grass<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh57NszM_ChMxlemvHpZ7SFazMc-yY-vO_SlmVvqR1Iwa5W87ugatvhzFUXmlRTDwq5L2pTjKpPPKIJM6vfzCoHBq6mbxGlsSz6xWBStfSY24r10pTjXpz7nTN9EoWFQL3OPfPO9xjMDlY/s1600/DSC04802.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh57NszM_ChMxlemvHpZ7SFazMc-yY-vO_SlmVvqR1Iwa5W87ugatvhzFUXmlRTDwq5L2pTjKpPPKIJM6vfzCoHBq6mbxGlsSz6xWBStfSY24r10pTjXpz7nTN9EoWFQL3OPfPO9xjMDlY/s320/DSC04802.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461504296406694290" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Andy and I spent this weekend at Wheaton's annual theology conference. We have gone to various sessions in the past but decided that this weekend would be one worth investing in. The title of the conference was, "Jesus, Paul and the People of God; A Theological Dialogue with N.T. Wright." For those of you that know my husband at all, you will know that he might have a little bit of a man crush on Bishop Wright (not to mention he really likes his theology). Knowing this myself, and hearing little bits and pieces about this theology of Jesus, Paul and the kingdom of God, I endeavored to read Wright's <span style="font-style: italic;">Surprised by Hope.</span> Although I didn't get completely through the book before the conference, I was glad for what I had read and it helped in deciphering some of the lingo that was used over the past two days. As I listened to different speakers, and as I reflect on it now, I am beginning to like more of what I hear from Wright. However, upon opening my Bible this morning I realized that I may be going through a huge shift in all I have ever known.<br />I am realizing that the way I read Scripture is probably going to change. I no longer want to read it, seeking to understand only what I can glean for practical purposes today. The Word is so much more than that. It is a specific text, written for a specific people, with a specific purpose. I want to understand more of what that purpose was. Now, I am not saying that we can't take away anything from the text for practicality today, just that it isn't the whole point. Scripture is so much bigger than I ever understood it to be.<br />The same applies for how I view Jesus. I have thought about Jesus and have understood him to an extent. However, I am beginning to see that Jesus is so much more than who I have boxed him in to be. A truly historical Jesus is most likely nothing like the man that I have pictured in my own head. He is someone far better.<br />And then there is the view of the kingdom. I am only just begin to grasp what it means to talk about the kingdom of God; to understand what it means to talk about the kingdom being here now and to understand what it means to say that creation is being redeemed slowly, over time. I do know that creation is groaning out, crying because it knows things are not as they should be. One day, God's glory will consume the earth. Every blade of grass, every wave, every rock will radiate with the glory of the Lord. As I seek to understand more fully all of these things, I cling to the hope of God's glory, to the hope of redemption.<br /></span>Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14827233269379712505noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5338973606606596538.post-69474214342632226442010-04-10T12:05:00.003-05:002010-04-10T12:15:58.253-05:00Two ThingsMost days, my mind is consumed by one of two things: our baby and finding a job for Andy. For those of you who don't know, we have decided to pursue a path of bi-vocational ministry in a church in Westmont, IL. We find ourselves in a place of believing that our church's funds can be better used to share the love of Jesus with each other and the community around us, than by paying full-time pastors. This has left us with the task of finding a job for Andy that is not a full-time pastorate position (as we had originally planned at the beginning of seminary). We have found this task to be draining and quite defeating. Although we have only been searching for a couple of months, it seems like an eternity. With thousands of people out of work, it has proved to be almost impossible to get a job. We understand and trust that the God of the universe knows our needs and intends to fill them the way He sees fit, but my belly isn't getting any smaller and soon we will have to care for another little family member. We earnestly covet your prayers as we seek to remain faithful to the calling we have received.Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14827233269379712505noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5338973606606596538.post-14684710211933382572010-03-16T20:52:00.003-05:002010-03-16T21:05:57.370-05:00Andrew James<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhegoLYYSNMWbzQ5prjkilFmEkO_Z-SMa_JIDNYRLHxpBJwj0eQSLeewAA76xXAdrBDmkrCJZXMPOUjwSi4370naanditwDbg5nkrUbv1IqXJnNcTXf2SbDf8e9E9dmZek2HR1u7JvKpvk/s1600-h/DSC_0691.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhegoLYYSNMWbzQ5prjkilFmEkO_Z-SMa_JIDNYRLHxpBJwj0eQSLeewAA76xXAdrBDmkrCJZXMPOUjwSi4370naanditwDbg5nkrUbv1IqXJnNcTXf2SbDf8e9E9dmZek2HR1u7JvKpvk/s200/DSC_0691.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449418171937510258" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I love my husband. He makes me smile (even in the morning) and makes me laugh when no one else can. He reaches into the depths of who I am and encourages me to be just that, who I am. He is gentle and kind, always seeking to love me rightly. Even when we argue, I see how much he loves me. He is my mirror, telling me I'm beautiful and loving every part of me. I can already tell what a good daddy he will be to our little girl. It makes me cry just thinking of how wonderful he will be at being a father. I don't have to worry about our baby girl not feeling loved or valued by daddy, because he already cherishes and loves her so much. It is truly hard to put in correct verbiage, just what Andy means to me or how we have grown in our love for one another. I know one thing; every day I fall deeper and harder for this man. My life is forever changed because of who he is and who we are together. I love him with all of my heart. </span>Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14827233269379712505noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5338973606606596538.post-87741072145995876752010-02-27T14:00:00.001-06:002010-02-27T14:00:01.358-06:00Outie or Innie<span style="font-family:verdana;">The other morning I was standing in front of the mirror and it occurred to me that quite potentially, as I become more pregnant, my innie might eventually become an outie (I am speaking about belly buttons of course). I've always liked having an innie and it really is sort of a shock to think about having an outie. Then the question becomes, will my new found outie go back to being an innie after I give birth? AND, what happens to a woman who already has an outie? Does it just go more out? All of these questions I am asking and so I have taken it upon myself to google this very topic. Here are my findings:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#009900;">"The belly button is the scar of the connection of the umbilical cord. The deepest part of the belly button is tethered to the abdominal wall fascia. The shape of the belly button is from the overlying fat and skin with the deep attachment holding the typical "innie" shape. With the distension of the belly of pregnancy, the abdominal wall pushes out. This can change the shape of the belly button, for some more shallow and for others, "pop out." "In a distended stomach, the belly button expands. The belly button diameter is bigger. Belly button thicker walls become thinner. The umbilicus central depressed area spreads out. It is distorted like a feature of a balloon during inflation. For most pregnant belly buttons, this is a temporary situation that reverses after delivery. If the skin shrinks back to normal, the belly button typically reverts. For a small number of women, a weak deep belly button attachment can loosen leaving an "outie" after pregnancy."</span> <span style="color:#33cc00;"> </span><span style="color:#009900;">(taken from plasticsurgery4u.com)</span><br /><span style="color:#009900;"></span><br /><span style="color:#009900;"></span><br /><span style="color:#009900;"></span><br /><span style="color:#009900;"></span>Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14827233269379712505noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5338973606606596538.post-22584542039013340142010-02-24T15:50:00.003-06:002010-02-24T15:53:59.337-06:00Loud NoisesBeing pregnant has made be ultra-sensitive to noise. Anything too loud and I absolutely freak out. Honestly, I can't tell you how many times I have been at work and had to grip the end of my desk in an effort not to fly off the handle about a person talking or even (if you can imagine) stapling too loudly. Then at home, I am constantly turning the television and/or music down. It has really become somewhat of a controlling thing. I wonder if this is a normal pregnancy experience or if it is manifesting itself in me alone. Strange, very strange.Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14827233269379712505noreply@blogger.com0