I {heart} the Olympics

1. Speaking of Olympics. Don't you just love watching the athlete "spotlights" that they do? I always find myself wanting to do that sport. If you ever hear of me making my way to the half-pipe...please do an intervention.

2. Today I took Jonas a little date after school. We went to McDonald's for fries. Don't judge me. It was really sweet sitting on the same side of the booth with a little ketchup stained boy.

3. While we were at McD's, there were about 8 older people there having coffee together. Some of them came in with Valentine's treats to share with their group. It was fun to watch and eavesdrop a little. I sure do hope that I am meeting my friends for coffee and treats and talking about insurance when I reach "retirement" age.

4. About Valentine's Day. We are doing a family date this year. Partly because we wanted to and partly because all of our babysitters were out of town for the weekend. I think it will be fun. We'll take pictures to share.

5. Next week my friend who more like a sister to me is getting married. I am so excited to be flying to Houston to celebrate!

6. And, in addition to a wedding celebration, Jonas and I get to see my family. So excited!

7. Today the sun came out for the first time in I don't know how long. Honestly, it had been over 2 weeks I think. We've had a crazy winter with lots of snow and really cold temperatures. I'm usually not ready for warm weather, but I am finding myself longing for spring days.

8. I really like Anderson Cooper - the CNN reporter. You should check out his blog http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com. His report of the happenings in Haiti is exceptional. I also resonate with the way he writes, thinks, and tells the story.

9. I was seriously considering adopting a Hatian baby the other week. Maybe that will be in our future. I decided that I shouldn't do that without first talking to Paul and second waiting until the emergency in their country had settled down a little.

10. Paul is on his way to get ice cream to eat with the heart brownies I made. And, the Opening Ceremonies are on. I've instructed him to come back with vanilla bean AND coffee ice cream. It's all about options, people.

11. Our boy is getting so big. He will be 21 months old next weekend. It is hard to believe that a year ago at this time, he had just been in the hospital and we were uncovering the huge medical mistakes made during his Cystic Fibrosis testing. Thank you, Lord, that Jonas is healthy today!

12. I've grown a new love for cooking. For the first time in my adult life, I would usually much rather eat at home. I still love eating out, but unless it is one of our favorite restaurants, I would rather cook. Anyway, my point is that it has been really fun to learn more and try new things.

13. Paul is walking in the door. I've got to go!

Monday

Today, I wish I were here...

in Cabo San Lucas

or here...

on the San Antonio Riverwalk

or maybe here...

the mountains of Colorado

snow day!

:: resolve ::

A new year brings new hopes that we will achieve that goal we've set out to achieve (usually) before. Like lose weight, get out of debt, work less, spend less money. How many of us have already adjusted our new year's goal? We vow to simply "get in shape" instead of lose weight. My point is that we set new year's resolutions very unrealistically. Then, the 3rd week of January we feel like a failure because we aren't achieving the goal. It is too hard to do what it takes to reach the pie in the sky resolution we set for ourselves. Maybe we just don't know ourselves well enough (maybe we like sweets way too much to give them up). Maybe we think this time will be different. Maybe we are setting the wrong goals.

I think losing weight, getting out of debt, working less, etc are wonderful goals. But, I wonder if goals like this (and you can insert your own...these are just examples) are symptomatic. Do we tend to set goals for the desired result or for the real issue at hand?

My thought is that I should set new year's resolutions that push me toward being who I was designed to be. Some of the goals I've mentioned may be part of that, but the practice needs to start with my own heart.

This year, I've resolved to BE INTENTIONAL. To be honest, I am still figuring out how that plays out. Some ideas...be intentional about my interactions with Paul. Be intentional about learning new things (cooking and photography among other things). Be intentional about diving into relationship with Christ. Etc, etc. This type of "resolution" fits who I am. I think it has taken 30 some odd years to figure it out. But, it is much more freeing than beating myself up because I ate a brownie AND I didn't exercise.

2009 in review

Better late than never. Our 2009 in review by way of pictures...
You will notice a few things. 1.) Jonas was in the hospital in February and the emergency room in June on Paul's birthday. 2.) I am wearing the same shirt in May and again in June. 3.) the empty office in March is mine that I left behind. 4.) my hair got lighter as the year went on. 5.) we have a cute kid!

and we're back...i think

Good gracious. I have gotten really lazy about blogging. But, I've renewed my commitment...I think. I wanted to share the best Christmas present that I've ever received (well I'm sure I have other "bests" but this one is pretty darn up there), and it happened to be that I received this gift just this past Christmas.

Paul absolutely surprised me this year. I'm not sure I will ever get anything ever again. I've asked several times for all the various gift-giving events, but it has always been more of a wish than asking with any sort of belief that I might receive it. Here it is...





And, this is the very 1st picture I took. My sweet mom and sister on Christmas day...

Mercy

I've been really struck by the devastation in Haiti. Please consider not only praying for the Haitian people but also giving to the relief efforts.

Compassion and World Vision in addition to the Red Cross are good places to donate funds specifically for Haiti. You can also text "HAITI" to 90999 to donate $10 to Red Cross relief efforts. It will be charged to your cell phone bill.

Join us in asking for God's mercy on Haiti.