Thursday, May 31, 2012

Marathon

So my husband is training to do the Detroit Marathon and we finally convinced my dad to do it. He is one of the most incredible athletes I know and he still has yet to run one. He keeps making excuses that he is too old or something. So a few days ago he finally agreed. He didn't start official training yet but I just got a text from him saying something like, "just did a light 7 mile run. the cool air was so nice." Yeah dad, so old. My 50 something year old dad is not gonna have a problem.  Excited for my guys to do this.

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Just Go

I don't know what hit me yesterday but a big part of me just kinda started to produce all these feelings. Its the part of me that wants to put everything i need into one back pack again and drive and bike across america and sleep in tents and hike everywhere and meet as many people along the way that i can and hear their stories. I want to go to the most remote town and meet the old regulars at the local restaurants. I want to go on runs and catch my own fish to cook and write in my journal every night by a bonfire somewhere quiet where I can listen to God. Ever since my college years to now I have always had times in my life where I need to step back again and just get as simple as possible and put everything back into perspective. Without electronics and the day to day routine.  I never crave elaborate vacations. I just need nature, my running shoes, a fire, and a covering over my head, and some people to meet.
I don't want to run away from life responsibilities at all i just am trying to figure out how to satisfy this part of my spirit.
Gonna get creative on this with having a 14 month old. But I think we can modify it to be just as wonderful!!!!

Friday, May 25, 2012

Juggle

I think everyone needs to see Matthew try to juggle.
It is hilarious, and impressive. :)

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Peace

Tonight, I have peace. I am so thankful for my God. A few of my tunes tonight, in time of uncertainty.
I feel His Love, LIFE, and sovereignty!



Matthew and I were reading Ephesians today.

"But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved- and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus." Ephesians 2:4-7

The Sun

We are soaking up every ray of sunlight we can get during these awesome temperatures.
Life is just better outdoors.
Oh, what another beautiful morning spent with my Matthew.






Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Favorite Things and Thoughts

*Mike bought me Daisies for Mother's Day! My favorite Flower.

*Mike also bought me a shirt that he picked out all on his own. It is now my favorite shirt.

*We went to my favorite park full of lots of memories here in Michigan the other day. Too bad Stony Creek is 35 minutes away. It is just full of trails, nice beaches, open fields, playgrounds, and hills. I would live 5 minutes away from there and go everyday if I could.

*My new favorite kinda big goal. To start writing every detail I can remember from all the countries I have been to, before the World Race and from the World Race. I want to write the smells and sights and stories. All for our children to read one day. Maybe I will share blurbs of it here and there. I want to write it down while it is still mostly fresh in my mind.

*My husband gives me my favorite complements. "You are the best thing since sliced bread"

*My friend just had an all natural home birth. And she said she slept most of the labor and only felt 3 contractions the whole time till she had to push for 15 minutes for the baby to come out. THAT would be my favorite labor.

*My next favorite thing is that I finally introduced myself to our Pastors wife who is so wonderful. I was crying because of the message she gave and my favorite is that when I met her she recommended a good waterproof mascara. HAHA. So sweet.

* Lastly, we are doing a book in Women's Bible Study on pursuing our God given dreams on not just being complacent and living for something bigger than ourselves. Dreams that seem impossible to us. So I am a bit excited about how God is going to use me for some of my favorite things on my heart. Right now, I'm thinking the elderly, ill, and neglected, and waiting on my PTA license to get official. Taking forever, but being patient.


 Oh. And our other favorite thing is to be outside!

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Another Beautiful Day





Not OK

I am not one to throw out my political opinions on the internet. Much of the time, there is really not a point. With typing, it only causes people to argue unproductively. There are many things I disagree with but lots of things are very personal to lots of people, and certain issues, we must be very sensitive how we use our words.

But in New York, ugh, I am sure everyone has heard about this. I don't have any social media where I would see everyone posting about this. But a New York court just legalized online viewing of child pornography. I CANNOT see both sides of this issue. NO way. This is disgusting. This will only feed into the industry and put more minors at risk. If the demand is high, there is just more risk to the vulnerable. Someone I know just met a one year old whose parents had video taped some horrible things done to her for profit. This is so not even OK. What are they thinking?

Monday, May 14, 2012

Good Morning

Matthew and I had just a prefect little morning.



After some yummy breakfast in cozy pajamas, we headed out to the zoo for a little bit. The nice thing about a zoo pass is that you don't have to stay forever to make it worth it. We saw so much in just an hour and a half on a cool Monday morning. And we were able to leave when he lost interest. We saw the polar bears swimming, and the close up shot of him was what he thought about the weird looking camels. =)
And look at the cheese ball on the bottom. That is what he does when I ask him to smile. Just like his daddy. His towers are getting taller too. Such a sweetie.


Sunday, May 13, 2012

Happy



Maybe this is a piece of heaven on earth.
The Kingdom of God just shines through those smiles and giggles.
I'm so in love!

MAAAAMAAAA

I love my new name. Mama. Today is a wonderful Mothers Day so far. Matthew is napping and Mike is running out for some food to make dinner tonight. All I wanted to do today was be given the time to hang out with Matthew while the house was still taken care of. It is so nice that Mike is taking care of everything so I can be fully mama today.

And Mother's day couldn't have been more applicable then last night when Matthew woke up three times in the middle of the night which is three times more than normal. At 3am I rubbed my finger along his gums and his left upper gum was so swollen it made my stomach churn and my body a bit dizzy to even touch it. All he wanted was to be held for a few minutes each time when he would lean in for a kiss and go back in his crib to try and sleep again. It just feels good that Matthew has someone to cry to in the middle of the night when he is uncomfortable. And I am so happy I get to be that lady. Happy Mothers Day to all the moms out there! I am so happy I'm a mom.

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Nursing

ME: "For some reason I thought of starting to wean Matthew from nursing."
MIKE: "REALLY? Why?"
ME: "He just felt so old to me today, walking and everything, asking for it with sign language. I mean, he is a toddler now.
MIKE: "No. He is still a baby!"

Oh my gosh, I love my husband. Nice to have the support. And he is not just a father to Matthew. He is a total Daddy!

Matthew is only 13 months so I don't know if I will quite wean yet since it is so good for him and it is encouraged to go past a year as well. But I don't think it is too far off.

Health

Not too long ago Mike felt very strongly that God wanted to just do a huge makeover on him. Mentally, Spiritually, Emotionally, and Physically. We often tend to set goals and when the feeling isn't there anymore, just let it pass away. But this time feels so much different. We were running the other day and it felt real. normal. Like our lifestyle was naturally changing. We were never unhealthy people, and we work so hard on keeping Matthew eating healthy, and slowly forgot about ourselves. It is sticking. We feel great. There is nothing like strong legs and lots of energy. I'm proud of him, for recognizing the need for change. We have some big changes coming up in our life and we want it to be a habit to live healthy. Ive been running tons and it makes me feel like I can do anything. God says that our bodies are a temple of  God. I better be careful how I take care of this temple. God says that we are his dwelling place, and since he is inside of me, I want to make it a clean home for him. =) =)

Get Healthy.

P.S. Has anyone heard of Ezekiel bread? We are sold. SOOOO good for you.
It is in the frozen section of the store. It has no flour and packed with nutrients made from sprouted grains.

"And you, take wheat and barley, beans and lentils, millet and emmer, and put them into a single vessel and make your bread from them." Ezekiel 4:9

A recipe from the creator of the world can't be all that bad I suppose.

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Duck

MIKE: "Matthew, one day Ill teach you how to eat like a duck. I do that sometimes."  

           .....................and you have just as much explanation on that comment as I do.

Car Rides

Since I'm not the mom who hands back toys and snacks unless its looong car rides, 
he has learned to make the best with what he's got.
hahaha.


Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Little Beach, Little Feet

I took Matthew to a little beach near our house today.
His little bare feet on the sand were just loving every minute of it.
I can't wait to bring him on his first real beach vacation.

Monday, May 7, 2012

Rainy Day

Every so often you need a good rainy day. Matthew and I have been on the go lots, so this is the perfect rainy day to sit at home and read lots of books and drink hot drinks. I'm hoping to start some new sewing projects too. And since Matthew is a bit fussy because I'm pretty sure he is teething, it will mean for lots of cuddles too. =)

Happy Monday!

Saturday, May 5, 2012

Back Home

Matthew and I are back home from Ohio. He had so much fun there. It was very refreshing to be at my parents and it made me so happy to see him remembering them and loving being with them. We also had a day in the country at his little friends house. Fun. We went to the zoo for the first time with Matthew today. The prairie dogs were the biggest hit. The tiger and giraffes received no oos or aahhs, but the prairie dogs, they got a few giggles out of him.

Life is going pretty exciting over here. Hope everyone is having a safe weekend!

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Fewer Posts

I am slowing down on my public bogging just a bit. As Matthew is getting older I feel very strongly that I want to respect him as a person and not just throw everything about him on the internet. He has no say in it right now, so I'm just holding off. So I am making a completely closed and private blog just for Mike and I to write letters and updates to Matthew himself as he is growing up. Its our journal to him but the blogging setup makes it so easy to write and posts pictures and date it for us. Then we can also print it out in a hard cover book for him, by year. I will still post updates on here in our life, but it won't be as detailed ( I might make this blog private too). Plus, for some reason I am becoming a bit more private via internet. We really appreciate when friends can find out about Matthew or us because they care to email or call us to ask.
I may be kinda old school when it comes to relationships. ;)
I can't tell you enough how cool it is to find out friends are pregnant or getting married because I see them and they tell me in person; not by facebook. Or even by word of mouth. It's just cool that way. Anyways, enough of my rant.

Have a great week. Matthew and I are off to Ohio tomorrow for the rest of the week. So excited.

Love,
Denise