Every day is “casual day” at Lampo. So, one of the new web developers suggested they start a new tradition: Smartly Dressed Friday. Every Friday the guys who want to participate come to work “smartly” dressed. I snagged this photo from their facebook page and it looks a little stretched out. They aren’t really that tall

I love this beautiful girl! How is it possible that she’s not a baby or toddler anymore?

I feel very blessed and loved.

The coolest thing about this is that Ethan went and did this on his own while I was working on my Bible study and writing out my own verses. He saw the verse on the board and copied it and came and sat down next to me with his book. It made my day!

I’m proud of the progress that we made last year on our own and I’m very happy that since the class started a few weeks ago we’ve paid off 20% of our remaining debt.

We have done several things to help put ourselves in better footing financially, but if I were to pick just a couple of things that we have done without that some people might think would be strange I would say it’s probably that we don’t have cable or satellite for TV and we don’t have a cell phone plan.

I want to hear from any of the rest of you who’ve ever gone on a more restricted budget for a while! What did you do without that others might consider a necessity?

For years and years I have kept a journal. Then I had the kids and I really slacked off.  I didn’t even know I missed it until recently. Yesterday I read a blog post that reminded me of the importance of remembering all that God has done. After I finished reading, I was reminded that journaling is about more than processing life, it can be such a powerful tool to help recall all the times where God has been faithful.

I read the story of the Israelites crossing the Red Sea to Ethan and Audrey today. The story of how the Israelites had seen miracle after miracle providing for and protecting them as God prepared Pharaoh to let them leave Egypt. The Israelites were hardly out of Egypt when they forgot and started to question if they would have been better off back in slavery. How could they have been afraid after all that they had seen? Their pursuit by the Eyptians gave them amnesia to God’s faithfulness.

I am just like that, but I don’t want to stay that way. This afternoon, as I was working on a project and praying, I kept saying over and over, “I remember. I remember.”

An extra unexpected paycheck.

Our 6 week preemie baby boy growing strong and healthy.

God’s presence in the ICU with my mom as we prayed as sang.

Broken relationships restored.

Big things and little things.

I remember. I’m remembering.

Ingredients:

1.5 lbs boneless chicken

I package of taco seasoning

2 cups of salsa

Soft taco shells

Your favorite taco toppings

Put the chicken, taco seasoning and salsa in the crockpot  and cook on low for 7 hours. When it was ready, I shredded the meat and put it back in the crockpot (it was off at that point) until Nathan got home so it would stay warm and tender.

Serve it with your favorite taco toppings.

Photo credit: tasteofhome.com

It was so easy and very yummy.

Reading Jon Acuff’s blog and book (Quitter) was really a catalyst that made us think really seriously about starting this adventure. If you don’t know who Jon Acuff is, you’re missing out! He has an awesome blog were he talks about serious stuff as well as humorous things. I don’t want to overwhelm you with links, but here is an example of post from last year that is really funny.

This week, while Nathan was walking back to his desk (from lunch? devotions?), he actually got the chance to say, “Hello” and to tell Jon just briefly how God used him to direct us here. I think it went something like this. “My wife is a crazy fan. She reads your blog and read Quitter, and then I read it and here I am….” Nathan will have to confirm that for you though. I might have missed something.

Being the crazed fan that I am, of course I was happy to see that he posted a funny YouTube video about Downton Abbey and I can’t resist sharing it with you.

I was hoping it wouldn’t take long to find a place that we would feel comfortable. We’re going back to Fellowship next week. So, I guess that is progress. I was disappointed today, though, because I was hoping that Franklin Christian would be awesome since I’ve met a couple of people there from my Moving On Bible study. But Nathan didn’t feel completely comfortable there and it’s on the other side of town. *sigh*

I think I’m just longing for some friends and a way for all of us to connect. I have felt so grateful for the women that I’ve met through Lampo. It just takes time to develop close friendships.

I took a two hour nap this afternoon and that helped.

Parenting has been really hard lately. Toddler boys are very difficult. I just re-read that last sentence. It was a gross understatement. I’ll say it this way- Parenting toddler boys is exhausting, humbling, infuriating, and enough to take me to my knees literally.

We finished out our day with Isaac opening the front door and Max running out. Ack! Nathan ran after him. Max is fast. Catching him without him wanting to be caught is impossible. Thankfully, as Nathan was running after Max, a man who lives in this development  saw what was happening and came out of his house to help. He has a puggle himself and told Nathan the trick to getting Max back. He told Nathan to get Max’s attention (trying to be as close to Max as he could without Max running) and then to turn and run the opposite direction and fell to the ground and that the dog would come to check to see if he was ok. He said the it works with their puggle every time. Nathan did it and it worked! Yeah.

The neighbor introduced himself and did a little small talk with Nathan. He works at Lampo. Crazy small world. So thankful for Daniel’s help!!!

I’m am loving watching this. The first season starts in 1912 right after the sinking of the Titanic. It follows the stories of the family and servants of Downton Abbey. It’s on PBS, but I watched the first season on Netflix and now the second I’m watching on the PBS site online.

2. Hostess (with the mostess)web site for cool party ideas

3. James, Mercy Triumphs Bible Study

I’m less than two weeks into this study and I’ve already learned a ton and I know it’s going to continue to challenge me. It’s an awesome study!

4. Homemade chocolate chip cookies (my Grandma Henning’s recipe!)