Thursday, November 4
Monday, October 11
Can you keep up with me?
So, I've been over at Shutterfly with their new share sites for the past couple of months. I've really enjoyed it, but was finding that some things I really did like better over here. Plus, after I went ahead and set up the whole site, I realized that I can directly and easily link albums straight from Shutterfly to Blogger (here!). Yeah, I'm slow, sometimes. So, I'm going to try and double post for a little bit (I think) and figure out what exactly to do over the next couple of weeks. Please bear with me (the two people that even read this!) during this time...
I've really been getting excited about a couple of my favorite blogs lately.
One of them is MoneySavingMom. Crystal runs this great frugal website with tips from everything from couponing, to great bargains online or at stores and even financial planning tips. I really enjoy her Christian perspective on things. I can't believe it but I think I've been reading her posts for the last year now. I've learned a lot of great tips from her and have gotten some amazing deals due to her posts.
Another of my favorite blogs is Women Living Well. This is a new blog that I've been following only the last month or so, but I LOVE it. The women who writes on this blog is Courtney and she is a very encouraging and real mom, wife, and lover of Jesus. One of the cool things that came out of reading her blog is a techno-accountability group called "Good Morning, Girls!" This was so exciting to me because I have always struggled with the consistent discipline of having devotions. So, I ask two of my bestest buds if they would like to join me on this adventure, and they agreed. We're on the start of the 3rd week today! So awesome!!!!
On that note, I'm linking up with WomenLivingWell for her Making Your Home a Haven Challenge. She really started this last week, but I figured I'd still jump in on the second week. The first week's challenge was to light a candle reminding me to say a prayer of peace in my home when I saw it. The second challenge, for this week, is to play soft music everyday and focus on using peaceful words and maintaining peaceful relationships. Now, to be honest, these are things that I should be doing everyday anyway. Plus, hello!, two of my favorite things - candles and music! :) So, I'm excited for these reminders. Because, to be honest, most of the time I'm not focused on keeping a peaceful house. I'm more in a haze and do-whatever-I-can-do-at-the-moment phase. I really want to change that though. Isaiah 26: 3,4 says, "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord is the Rock eternal." I don't know about you, but I want to have the Lord for my foundation in this shaky world!"
I've really been getting excited about a couple of my favorite blogs lately.
One of them is MoneySavingMom. Crystal runs this great frugal website with tips from everything from couponing, to great bargains online or at stores and even financial planning tips. I really enjoy her Christian perspective on things. I can't believe it but I think I've been reading her posts for the last year now. I've learned a lot of great tips from her and have gotten some amazing deals due to her posts.
Another of my favorite blogs is Women Living Well. This is a new blog that I've been following only the last month or so, but I LOVE it. The women who writes on this blog is Courtney and she is a very encouraging and real mom, wife, and lover of Jesus. One of the cool things that came out of reading her blog is a techno-accountability group called "Good Morning, Girls!" This was so exciting to me because I have always struggled with the consistent discipline of having devotions. So, I ask two of my bestest buds if they would like to join me on this adventure, and they agreed. We're on the start of the 3rd week today! So awesome!!!!
On that note, I'm linking up with WomenLivingWell for her Making Your Home a Haven Challenge. She really started this last week, but I figured I'd still jump in on the second week. The first week's challenge was to light a candle reminding me to say a prayer of peace in my home when I saw it. The second challenge, for this week, is to play soft music everyday and focus on using peaceful words and maintaining peaceful relationships. Now, to be honest, these are things that I should be doing everyday anyway. Plus, hello!, two of my favorite things - candles and music! :) So, I'm excited for these reminders. Because, to be honest, most of the time I'm not focused on keeping a peaceful house. I'm more in a haze and do-whatever-I-can-do-at-the-moment phase. I really want to change that though. Isaiah 26: 3,4 says, "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord is the Rock eternal." I don't know about you, but I want to have the Lord for my foundation in this shaky world!"
Friday, July 2
Endurance is the Key!
I learned this past weekend that my training has been instrumental in giving me added endurance.
Some of the Behe family went camping from Friday to Sunday at French Creek State Park. It is a lovely park with over 35 miles of hiking trails, an amazing swimming pool, playgrounds, campsites and a huge lake for boating and fishing. We had a great time enjoying the lovely outdoors that God has created!
On Saturday, I asked Josh and his brother, Jeremy, if they would like to go hiking with me so that I could get my training walk of 4 miles in. They were both up for it, so they picked a moderate trail that was 3.6 miles long. We picked up the trail about a half mile away, which upped the mileage to 4.6 miles.
As we followed the somewhat sparse markings on the trees that were supposed to guide us, we enjoyed the mix of easy and challenging sections of the trail. However, at a certain point we realized that something must have gone wrong. None of us had a watch on, but we were convinced that we should have been close to the end for a while...but, it just kept going and going! Although we were having fun laughing about it and making plenty of jokes, we all admitted later that we were not certain how or when we would find the end of the trail.
Finally, when we came to our familiar turnoff, we were all relieved. And very hungry! What we thought would take about an hour and a half, had taken 3 hours or more! I'm still not sure what happened. Josh seemed to figure it out since he predicted the location of the turnoff. We estimated that we ended up hiking around 7 miles or so.
I have to say that I was proud of myself on that hike. I know it wasn't an overly amazing achievement. It wasn't even close to the 60 miles I will walk in October. But, I did the hike. And, I wasn't even exhausted! Yes, tired. And yes, in need of some more water and definitely some food afterwards. But overall, I didn't feel any more worse for the wear after a 7+ mile hike. This assured me that my training over the past 7 weeks has been well worth the effort.
I was so pumped after that hike that I couldn't wait to get out the next day for another hike. Although I was disappointed that Josh would not take another hike with me, I can't say I was not surprised! And even after being proud of myself the day before, I wasn't about to get too cocky and get lost in the woods by myself for who knows how long! So, I opted for some extra time in the pool and look forward to more endurance training this week.
Some of the Behe family went camping from Friday to Sunday at French Creek State Park. It is a lovely park with over 35 miles of hiking trails, an amazing swimming pool, playgrounds, campsites and a huge lake for boating and fishing. We had a great time enjoying the lovely outdoors that God has created!
On Saturday, I asked Josh and his brother, Jeremy, if they would like to go hiking with me so that I could get my training walk of 4 miles in. They were both up for it, so they picked a moderate trail that was 3.6 miles long. We picked up the trail about a half mile away, which upped the mileage to 4.6 miles.
As we followed the somewhat sparse markings on the trees that were supposed to guide us, we enjoyed the mix of easy and challenging sections of the trail. However, at a certain point we realized that something must have gone wrong. None of us had a watch on, but we were convinced that we should have been close to the end for a while...but, it just kept going and going! Although we were having fun laughing about it and making plenty of jokes, we all admitted later that we were not certain how or when we would find the end of the trail.
Finally, when we came to our familiar turnoff, we were all relieved. And very hungry! What we thought would take about an hour and a half, had taken 3 hours or more! I'm still not sure what happened. Josh seemed to figure it out since he predicted the location of the turnoff. We estimated that we ended up hiking around 7 miles or so.
I have to say that I was proud of myself on that hike. I know it wasn't an overly amazing achievement. It wasn't even close to the 60 miles I will walk in October. But, I did the hike. And, I wasn't even exhausted! Yes, tired. And yes, in need of some more water and definitely some food afterwards. But overall, I didn't feel any more worse for the wear after a 7+ mile hike. This assured me that my training over the past 7 weeks has been well worth the effort.
I was so pumped after that hike that I couldn't wait to get out the next day for another hike. Although I was disappointed that Josh would not take another hike with me, I can't say I was not surprised! And even after being proud of myself the day before, I wasn't about to get too cocky and get lost in the woods by myself for who knows how long! So, I opted for some extra time in the pool and look forward to more endurance training this week.
Friday, May 21
Giving it up
I started cleaning a lot of junk out of my closets last night. It's amazing how many things can get accumulated over time! All I had time to declutter were two baskets and it was amazing how much trash I piled up and even a small pile for donations. But probably more suprising were the small nuggets of treasures that I found. When I was eighteen I got my ears pierced for the first time. Last night I found the original very, very small diamond studs that did the job. And here I thought they were lost forever! I used to wear them almost everyday because they went with absolutely everything, of course. Plus, the more I tried different earrings, I realized my ears were finicky and needed quality or I would suffer with earlobe infections. Yuck! I can't believe how excited I am to wear them again! And speaking of quality, I also managed to find a couple of pieces of gold jewelry of mine and even my husband's. You know, those gold bands so many of us wore back in middle school and high school that we used to think made us look so cool? Yeah, you know. My husband's were the thick, bulky ones that rappers might still like nowadays, but that's about all. But hey, turns out those silly things might make us some money (albeit small, but money nonetheless). Turns out gold is pretty expensive these days or so the hubby tells me. It's worth looking into.
I have to say, though, as rewarding as last night was, it's still a daunting task to continue clearing out all my clutter. And I've only barely started with my closet so far! Maybe it's only me, but what makes us hold onto all those dear, precious possessions that eventually over time will only get discarded or misplaced? Or pushed back into the darkest corners of our closets never again to see the light? I have so many piles of things I've saved for scrapbooking over the years, that if I ever would get to making them, there's no way I'll remember what half of the stuff is even for by now.
After all of that work in the bedroom closet, it seemed only fitting that God seemed to wake me up early this morning for some decluttering in the dark recesses of the closet of my mind, as well. Only, I was less than thrilled with the prospect. I tried hard to fall back asleep. Why does that never work when one wants it to? At least with stuff you can make the keep, trash, and give away piles and be done. It doesn't work so easy with one's thoughts. We don't have one of those handy-dandy trash buttons that we can click, drag and drop all of our past hurts, feelings and insecurities into. Wouldn't that be nice?
Or do we?
This morning I trudged through things I haven't thought of for fifteen years or more. Like last night, I could almost physically feel myself pulling out one corner basket of experiences. Some things I haven't even admitted to anyone before. Feelings of shame and failure were flooding over me. I was drowning, and nothing in my power could rescue me. One basket, but it was heavy. Too heavy. Heavier than I could handle. I felt myself getting so overwhelmed as things gushed over and out into my memory and I wasn't sure what I could do next. Until I heard it. "Give it to Me." Sweetly and oh, so gently the Lord nudged my heart. "Yes, it's mine to bear. I can handle it." Willingly, and without complaint or fear, He let me lay my load on His shoulders.
That's when I realized. There are really only two choices. Keep or give away. God has given us the option to give everything over to Him. I Peter 5:7, "Cast all your anxiety on Him for He cares for you." (NIV) He actually wants to take the burden for us. We're the ones that so desperately cling to things thinking that, like my scrapbooking, we may need it or deal with it sometime later. God knows what we need and don't need. Why not let him make the choice instead of us?
So, it may not seem like we have a convenient little trash button that we can just empty at will. But, in reality, we have something way better and much more powerful! God is more than willing to take our troubles and fears. Yes, He's up for the "challenge." We are the ones that fight and scream through the process, trying to hang on to whatever it is we're battling with. But, if we really want to, God is always there patiently waiting for us to hand it over to Him.
His words ring true in my heart -
"But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christs' power may rest on me." II Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)
Psalm 55:22 "Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken." (NASB)
Psalm 37:24 "Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with His hand." (KJV)
Now, I know Josh is just wishing that I would give all of my "junk" in the closet (and everywhere else for that matter) over to him as well! :) Sorry, love, not this time!
I have to say, though, as rewarding as last night was, it's still a daunting task to continue clearing out all my clutter. And I've only barely started with my closet so far! Maybe it's only me, but what makes us hold onto all those dear, precious possessions that eventually over time will only get discarded or misplaced? Or pushed back into the darkest corners of our closets never again to see the light? I have so many piles of things I've saved for scrapbooking over the years, that if I ever would get to making them, there's no way I'll remember what half of the stuff is even for by now.
After all of that work in the bedroom closet, it seemed only fitting that God seemed to wake me up early this morning for some decluttering in the dark recesses of the closet of my mind, as well. Only, I was less than thrilled with the prospect. I tried hard to fall back asleep. Why does that never work when one wants it to? At least with stuff you can make the keep, trash, and give away piles and be done. It doesn't work so easy with one's thoughts. We don't have one of those handy-dandy trash buttons that we can click, drag and drop all of our past hurts, feelings and insecurities into. Wouldn't that be nice?
Or do we?
This morning I trudged through things I haven't thought of for fifteen years or more. Like last night, I could almost physically feel myself pulling out one corner basket of experiences. Some things I haven't even admitted to anyone before. Feelings of shame and failure were flooding over me. I was drowning, and nothing in my power could rescue me. One basket, but it was heavy. Too heavy. Heavier than I could handle. I felt myself getting so overwhelmed as things gushed over and out into my memory and I wasn't sure what I could do next. Until I heard it. "Give it to Me." Sweetly and oh, so gently the Lord nudged my heart. "Yes, it's mine to bear. I can handle it." Willingly, and without complaint or fear, He let me lay my load on His shoulders.
That's when I realized. There are really only two choices. Keep or give away. God has given us the option to give everything over to Him. I Peter 5:7, "Cast all your anxiety on Him for He cares for you." (NIV) He actually wants to take the burden for us. We're the ones that so desperately cling to things thinking that, like my scrapbooking, we may need it or deal with it sometime later. God knows what we need and don't need. Why not let him make the choice instead of us?
So, it may not seem like we have a convenient little trash button that we can just empty at will. But, in reality, we have something way better and much more powerful! God is more than willing to take our troubles and fears. Yes, He's up for the "challenge." We are the ones that fight and scream through the process, trying to hang on to whatever it is we're battling with. But, if we really want to, God is always there patiently waiting for us to hand it over to Him.
His words ring true in my heart -
"But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christs' power may rest on me." II Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)
Psalm 55:22 "Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken." (NASB)
Psalm 37:24 "Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with His hand." (KJV)
Now, I know Josh is just wishing that I would give all of my "junk" in the closet (and everywhere else for that matter) over to him as well! :) Sorry, love, not this time!
Saturday, November 7
Halloween
Jorja was a pretty good sport for getting all dressed up in this cute puppy outfit for Halloween night. Obviously when they are this little the only fun is really for the grownups, so we traipsed her around to all the grandparents! We wouldn't have minded making more stops, but Jorja would! She still hates her car seat. And the more she's in it, the fussier she gets! Josh and I got some good candy and treats out of it, though!
Pumpkin Carving
We had fun carving pumpkins again this year with Jynell...although we got it in just under the radar! :) We set up our table in the living room so that we would not have to miss any of the World Series.
Josh even got out his drill at one point in the carving. I think he only used it for the toes in the footprint.
And Jorja just had fun roaming around the room and under the table where we were carving away!
Here was the end result -- Josh's, mine and Jynell's
This one didn't come out real good. Josh carved "STINK" in the bottom which is Jorja's nickname and then of course, her footprints.
Jorja helping Aunt Beanie text.
And then trying to get a little posing action which is pretty much impossible with a nine month old. 
Josh even got out his drill at one point in the carving. I think he only used it for the toes in the footprint.
And Jorja just had fun roaming around the room and under the table where we were carving away!
Here was the end result -- Josh's, mine and Jynell's
This one didn't come out real good. Josh carved "STINK" in the bottom which is Jorja's nickname and then of course, her footprints.
I cheated with a printout of a face and Jynell was cheering on our team. Poor Phillies! :(
And then Jorja had tons of fun playing with the pumkins...
Jorja helping Aunt Beanie text.
And then trying to get a little posing action which is pretty much impossible with a nine month old. Thursday, August 6
Six Months Old!
It's hard to believe that Jorja is six months old today! How time flies! We're just having so much fun watching her grow and develop. She's rolling over, sitting up by herself, drinking from a sippy cup, eating rice cereal and talking, talking, talking! :) I'm always telling her that she's going to be a talker like her daddy!
Laughter
There's nothing like the laughter from a child. And our little Jorja is no exception to us! Nighttime seems to be the best time to get her rolling and Josh and I have tons of fun doing whatever it takes to make her laugh.
This video is from a couple of months ago, though, when she just started to laugh out loud! Josh had the camera on video mode capturing me making a fool of myself to make Jorja laugh. Thankfully, he didn't get me in it. Unfortunately, it must have been pretty dark in the living room, because the quality is very poor, to say the least. But the most important thing is that you can hear Jorja's sweet, sweet laughter. Click here to see the video.
This video is from a couple of months ago, though, when she just started to laugh out loud! Josh had the camera on video mode capturing me making a fool of myself to make Jorja laugh. Thankfully, he didn't get me in it. Unfortunately, it must have been pretty dark in the living room, because the quality is very poor, to say the least. But the most important thing is that you can hear Jorja's sweet, sweet laughter. Click here to see the video.
Friday, April 10
World Travelers
My brother Tim should be in Italy by now. His plane left Philly around 6 last night. He's going to spend about 4 days touring around different parts of Italy with my dad and comes back Tuesday. I'm a bit jealous! I would love to go, too! Although it's much too short of a trip in my mind. Actually, I'm very happy for him - but hopefully, someday, Josh and I will make it over there. I love the time I've spent in Europe. Though, I haven't been to Italy yet. My dad sent us an email on Wednesday showing us where he's been staying in Italy. It looks absolutely beautiful!!!
And, it won't be long until Chelsea goes to Italy, too! Chelsea has an amazing opportunity to go over this summer to nanny for one of my dad's co-workers. She leaves in the beginning of July and doesn't come back till the middle of September. How fun is that?! Bet she'll come back with tons of cool stories!
Wednesday, April 8
Papa G meets Jorja Rose
Once again, I'm getting a little behind in posts...but what's new?! :)
I must have a newborn or something!
However, I just got these pictures from my sister and wanted to share. Because my dad had business in Italy for two and a half months, he was not able to be here for Jorja's birth. He came home for a long weekend though, in the beginning of March, to celebrate my sister Chelsea's birthday and to meet his granddaughter. He's coming home in a little while, but may be returning back again for another couple of months. Imagine my fright though, when I got on the computer Monday morning and saw the headline, "Earthquake in Italy kills 50." I quickly called my dad and was glad to hear that he was fine. My heart goes out to all of the people who were affected by the earthquake or who lost loved ones...especially because Monday morning I knew what that may have felt like. I love you, Dad!!!
Friday, March 20
Our Little Sleepy-head
I was organizing Jorja's clothes one day and put her on the boppy pillow in her crib. She fell asleep (which, by the way, is a big no-no according to the tag!). What a cutie! I couldn't pass up getting some pictures of my precious little girl.
Tuesday, March 17
Thursday, March 5
Tuesday, February 17
Thursday, February 5
D-Day!
Well, tomorrow is delivery day!
I will be going into Grandview Hospital tomorrow morning and am scheduled for a c-section around 11:30 a.m. We would appreciate any and all prayers. We're praying that everything goes smoothly and that the baby is healthy. We will soon be telling you all the news of our little one.
Interestingly enough, I had an ultrasound yesterday and the baby is measuring around 11 pounds. Granted, they do tell you that the accuracy goes down at the end of the pregnancy, so they did say that it was + or - 1 and 3/4 pounds. However, I think it will be very intersting to see what the baby actually weighs, after just hearing this 11 pound figure 2 days before the baby is actually here! Should be interesting!
How our lives are going to change in one day! :) Very exciting though!
I will be going into Grandview Hospital tomorrow morning and am scheduled for a c-section around 11:30 a.m. We would appreciate any and all prayers. We're praying that everything goes smoothly and that the baby is healthy. We will soon be telling you all the news of our little one.
Interestingly enough, I had an ultrasound yesterday and the baby is measuring around 11 pounds. Granted, they do tell you that the accuracy goes down at the end of the pregnancy, so they did say that it was + or - 1 and 3/4 pounds. However, I think it will be very intersting to see what the baby actually weighs, after just hearing this 11 pound figure 2 days before the baby is actually here! Should be interesting!
How our lives are going to change in one day! :) Very exciting though!
Friday, January 23
Josh Pregnant???
The last several Monday nights, Josh and I have been attending a Labor and Birth class through GrandView Hospital. I've been especially looking forward to the evening when the 'empathy belly' comes out. So, camera on hand, I and our childbirth instructor were able to capture some fun pictures of Josh, with a 35 pound pregnant belly on.
The first thing they put on is actually a band around the chest.
It's supposed to help the husband feel the lung constriction.
Josh actually said that this was the most annoying thing.
Strutting his pregnant self
I especially liked the 'maternity clothes' they gave him to wear.It reminded me of the smocks you had to wear in elementary art class.
I think I'm still bigger!
For some reason, Josh was the only one in the class that tried it on!
It was pretty hilarious seeing him with this on, but let me tell you, nothing could compare to wearing it for nine months.
Then, maybe, I'll call it an empathy belly.
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