in the blink of an eye

my sweet baby boy who entered the world just before midnight on the 23rd (his daddy's baseball number) is a teenager.
my sweet baby boy who played baseball at 4 years old,
watched "i wonder how they really build roads" over and over.
my baby who wouldn't go a day without wearing his baseball cap for 2 years straight.
my little pacifier loving baby who carried around a blanket like linus.
my sweet baby boy who loves people with all that he is.

i am so, so proud of the man he is becoming before my eyes.
he is gentle, but strong.
an artist, and athletic.
a good leader and good listener.
he roots for the underdog, always.


happy 13th birthday my blue eyed baby boy Isaiah Cole,
you make me proud every single day.
i am honored to be your mom.
i love you son.

my kind of love

i've been thinking on a few things these last couple of days.

if you haven't read crystal's story yet.. go read. www.182days.com
if you don't know steffany's heart... go read. www.toliveloveandlaughtoday.blogspot.com/


if you don't know my heart... please read.



i am passionate about love.

my greatest desire is to love people well.

it keeps me up at night.

if fuels my actions, my thoughts, my daily life.



i don't think about stuff much before i do things... i act.

i used to think this was a bad thing.

i don't anymore.



i am not the kind of person who says, "that sounds like a good idea, let me pray about it, i will get back to you."

i always wanted to be that kind.

but i'm not.



i read an analogy on a blog this morning that nailed it on the head.

i am the kind of person that stands in front of the mountain and screams at the top of my lungs, "MOVE!!!"

and when it doesn't, i grab a shovel and start moving it.



i have come to the conclusion, that i can't really feel bad about that.

it is who i am.

and maybe, instead of dwelling on what i am not, i should start passing out a few more shovels.



today is valentine's day.

a day when we are supposed to show love to those around us...

if you love me, act.

pick up your shovel.

move a mountain.



if you are in need of a mountain, i happen to know a good one.

donate at www.becauseeverymothermatters.com
and put crystal's name in the memo's.

she is a screamer like me.

our family 6 months out...

 

clearly still as crazy as ever

 

let's do coffee

i have been struggling with the particulars of this post for days.

i have been given the incredible opportunity to serve as photographer for the org. Because Every Mother Matters. I serve as the VP on the board of directors for them, and the things that my dear steffany has been able to accomplish are unreal.

i am supposed to leave on Feb. 28th, with the director of BEMM, steffany, the director of Delivering Hope jaime glandon, ICU nurse jodie herring, and a video guy named phillip.
we will be documenting and serving the people BEMM has come to love and admire. we will be visiting the center we are building with Doma, the women from the Sisterhood Project for Project Hopeful, The Orphans of Zeway with Funky Fish, a village in Assela through BEMM's partnership with MOPS International, and to serve those we come across who need our help.
By going...BEMM is able to continue to raise funds for several organizations.

but here's the rub,
i don't have the money.. in fact, neither steffany NOR i have the money.
we both have 6 kids, and are stay at home moms.
and i just returned from Ethiopia in June... after a very expensive process.

we need the tickets now.
and steffany is convinced that we can raise the money needed,
but i have to admit,
my confidence wains.

i struggle with asking for support.
why would anyone give me MORE money to go BACK to Ethiopia?
and the only reason i feel justified at all, is because it is not about me.
i look at all the mom's that BEMM has helped, the potential to help more, and have no excuse not to ask.

so here i am,
asking.

i was thinking this morning about what i do well,
and what it is,
in all honesty, is hang out, drink coffee, listen.
so here is what i am asking,
you don't have to donate a ton, or any for that matter, but if you want to...
just give coffee money.
five bucks.
and i promise that when i return, the next time, or the first time, or the millionth time we are together, i will buy YOUR coffee, and tell you how Ethiopia has changed me, what BEMM is doing to change lives.

you can donate on steffany's blog, there is a donate button on the right side that says, help BEMM get to africa.
find it here.

looking so forward to that cup with you.
thanks.

16

 

the start of our 17th year of marriage...
i have done nothing this long,
not even live with a parent.
incredible really.

firsts...

lost tooth

 

and turquoise boots

 

a good time had by all

 

 

 

 

fun city

 

 

 

 

christmas came and went

 

 

to blog or not to blog

i don't even know anymore.
i am busy, yes...
but that is not it.

i guess maybe i might be done feeling like i need to share who i am with the world.

maybe i am okay with you not knowing me.
not knowing my family.
not validating my every whim.

at least for today.

why not?

it was past bedtime,
the kids had been in their beds for awhile,
and she walked in.

"mom, church, they say bring money for kids.. cups, plate, school books of their own. kids, have none mom."

"are you talking about bringing money for the kids in Liberia?"

"yes mom. they have none. i have dollars mom. i have 3 dollars. i bring it?"

"well honey, that is really nice, and you can bring some of your money next sunday, but you don't have to bring all your money."

"why mom?"

"well, you can keep some of your money, they aren't asking you to bring it all.. (and now realizing how terrible i sound) but if you want to bring all 3 dollars, of course you can, but it is your choice. the kids will get books if you bring just one."

"um... ok.... i bring all 3. thanks mom."

and off to bed she went.
i learn so much from her, every single day.

anyone who ever said she was the lucky one has no idea.

braces, and a haircut...

 

and just like that,
my baby is all grown up.

 

family.

 

notice the old man not playing along...
sometimes i think he is more like a 3 year old than an old man.

 

dinner cont.

 

 

 

 

dinner

 

 

 

 

a few favorites

 

 

 

 

love.

no words really,
except to say,
i love having them at my house.
they are familiar,
history,
security,
and love.

 

 

 

 

trick or treat!