Yesterday, my pastor (also my dad) encouraged us a church as he shared about the pause he took to think on what God has done in and through our church over the last 35 days. Because of a guest speaker at the church he did not need to spend his usual 2-3 hours on Saturday night pouring over his message. So he took some time to pause and look back over the past month or so. He said, and I agree, that we so often get caught up with everything...going from event to event, ministry to ministry that we fail to stop and see exactly what God is doing in those ministries. Anyway, our church had had the privilege to have quite an outreach. In this span of 35 days or so we have interacted with and ministered to 1300 people, numerous nationalities, have spent thousands of dollars, put buildings up, roof tops on, cracked over 500 eggs (breakfast at a youth camp for the weekend), and more!! My dad/pastor shared this NOT so we could feel good about ourselves, not so we could say 'oh good...we're done for a while'...it was to encourage the church to keep on keeping on, to give praise to God who is using us and working in big ways, and to remind us that we are not here for US but for HIM!!!
So I encourage you (and myself) to take some time to PAUSE. Look over the last little bit in your own personal life, your family life, your church life...and take notice of what God is doing. But remember...after you hit PAUSE you must hit PLAY! Get out there and serve Him!
Monday, May 19, 2008
Saturday, May 17, 2008
The All-American Past Time and my boys!
Baseball...it is such a wonderful sign of spring!! I grew up watching and playing many sports with my brothers, my father, my uncles, my grandfather's, and cousins. Of course I did the most with my dad and brother's. We played sports outside, inside, with nerf balls, with hard balls, even with balloons!!! Four-square, football, basketball, tennis, soccer, figure skating, badmitton, and of course...baseball! I grew up loving the NY Yankees. In fact I still love the Yankees (though I will cheer the Red Sox on as well, unless they're playing the Yankees). GASP!!
My dad loved baseball. Loved to play, loved to watch it on t.v., and loved to watch his boys play. He didn't love umping his boys' games as much, though... oh those fans were awful!!! He passed on the love of the game to his two son's. I remember them getting so excited for little league. They would get their batting gloves, they would play hours of wiffle ball, and they would call the games as we would watch them on t.v. I distinctly remember laying on the floor, watching a game with Josh and we would try to call the pitch before the ump. Then their was the morning ritual of the sports page. NO JOKE...my brothers read this like their Bible!! They memorized the stats and they could tell you anything you needed/wanted to know about the current season...and how that differed from the season before...and what that would mean for the season ahead!! Of course, we all had our own binders FULL of baseball cards...and we would take them with us everywhere, because you never knew when it would be a good time to make a trade. I loved my Don Mattingly, Ricky Henderson, Ryan Sandberg (who I was in love with), and Greg Maddux..there were others (my memory of who was who is not quite like my brothers). Anyway...they really loved baseball!
Well, I am a mom of 3 boys...and so baseball is something that is often played and talked about and watched. I think one of the first songs my parent's taught Nicholas was "Take Me Out To The Ballgame"!! Nicholas is already an amazing player. He hits well and is really coming to understand the game this year. Luke has grown immensely over the past year. Last year it was the painful 323 pitches before he would finally 'hit' the ball. This year...he can connect quite often. He loves to run the bases...of course the bases are wherever he is running at the time. He loves to catch! He got his own glove for his birthday and he LOVES to crouch down with it and be the catcher (just like his Aunti Abi).
My dad got to take Nick to a baseball game while Chris was in Haiti! I must tell you it was one of those special moments...for my dad AND for Nick. Big smiles and baseball stories Nick had to share when he got back. Oh how it blessed my heart to see my dad sharing with my son just as he did with my brother's.
Well, for the past week my boy's have been doing something that I KNOW will make their grandpa and uncles proud. And, again, seeing this connection passed on to my boys warms my heart in an inexplainable way. Anyway, they now like to see if the Red Sox are on the radio at night (who else would be on Maine's radio). And if they are...that is what they listen to as they drift off to sleep! PRECIOUS!!
You know, I do believe God gives gifts in many ways. Take baseball...a game that many play and many watch. A game, however, that holds an amazing connection that I see and that, yes, I hold very dear. For in this game I have experienced another piece of what it can mean to be FAMILY!!! Thank you, Lord!
P.S. Baseball glove: $15.00 Single game Right Field Box Ticket to Red Sox game: $50.00
3-year old Luke falling asleep to Red Sox on radio with baseball glove on hand: PRICELESS!
Grandpa, Uncle Josh and Uncle Dan...you have passed on much more than a game!
My dad loved baseball. Loved to play, loved to watch it on t.v., and loved to watch his boys play. He didn't love umping his boys' games as much, though... oh those fans were awful!!! He passed on the love of the game to his two son's. I remember them getting so excited for little league. They would get their batting gloves, they would play hours of wiffle ball, and they would call the games as we would watch them on t.v. I distinctly remember laying on the floor, watching a game with Josh and we would try to call the pitch before the ump. Then their was the morning ritual of the sports page. NO JOKE...my brothers read this like their Bible!! They memorized the stats and they could tell you anything you needed/wanted to know about the current season...and how that differed from the season before...and what that would mean for the season ahead!! Of course, we all had our own binders FULL of baseball cards...and we would take them with us everywhere, because you never knew when it would be a good time to make a trade. I loved my Don Mattingly, Ricky Henderson, Ryan Sandberg (who I was in love with), and Greg Maddux..there were others (my memory of who was who is not quite like my brothers). Anyway...they really loved baseball!
Well, I am a mom of 3 boys...and so baseball is something that is often played and talked about and watched. I think one of the first songs my parent's taught Nicholas was "Take Me Out To The Ballgame"!! Nicholas is already an amazing player. He hits well and is really coming to understand the game this year. Luke has grown immensely over the past year. Last year it was the painful 323 pitches before he would finally 'hit' the ball. This year...he can connect quite often. He loves to run the bases...of course the bases are wherever he is running at the time. He loves to catch! He got his own glove for his birthday and he LOVES to crouch down with it and be the catcher (just like his Aunti Abi).
My dad got to take Nick to a baseball game while Chris was in Haiti! I must tell you it was one of those special moments...for my dad AND for Nick. Big smiles and baseball stories Nick had to share when he got back. Oh how it blessed my heart to see my dad sharing with my son just as he did with my brother's.
Well, for the past week my boy's have been doing something that I KNOW will make their grandpa and uncles proud. And, again, seeing this connection passed on to my boys warms my heart in an inexplainable way. Anyway, they now like to see if the Red Sox are on the radio at night (who else would be on Maine's radio). And if they are...that is what they listen to as they drift off to sleep! PRECIOUS!!
You know, I do believe God gives gifts in many ways. Take baseball...a game that many play and many watch. A game, however, that holds an amazing connection that I see and that, yes, I hold very dear. For in this game I have experienced another piece of what it can mean to be FAMILY!!! Thank you, Lord!
P.S. Baseball glove: $15.00 Single game Right Field Box Ticket to Red Sox game: $50.00
3-year old Luke falling asleep to Red Sox on radio with baseball glove on hand: PRICELESS!
Grandpa, Uncle Josh and Uncle Dan...you have passed on much more than a game!
Where I've Been
Sincere apologies to any of my readers who try to keep up with what may be going on in my world...to many it may appear NOTHING has been going on. Well, first let me assure you that is NOT true. My husband was gone for 10 days (11 sleeps as my children say) on a missions trip to Haiti. During that time I had some real fun times with family and friends, I had the opportunity to teach my kids how THEY can be involved in missions by prayer, I had medical issues with all 3 of my children (of course), and I had the opportunity to depend on God as I entrusted my husband to him in a special way for those 11 sleeps. I am SO grateful for the precious moments I was able to have with my 3 boys, and I am SO grateful that God has given me a husband who loves me and is a father who is present and a help!!!
After the Haiti trip I had kindergarten registration/screening for my first-born child!! Nicholas passed with flying colors and mom almost failed. If the room I had to go do my paperwork in was empty I would have dissolved in to tears. However...I quickly regained composure and did my motherly duty as I told this school all about my child. It is an exciting time but SUCH an overwhelming time as I prepare for this FIRST in his life and mine! More to come on that in the future (far too near future for me).
Besides that...laundry, bike rides, baseball games, American Idol, laundry, grilling out, LOST (my hubby and I have watched seasons 1 and 2 and are in the midst of season 3), Arbonne business, and washing the car...more of what I've been doing as we here in Maine get ready for summer!! It has been very nice here with sun and warmer temps...keep it coming Lord, please keep it coming.
Well...just a quick re-cap of where I've been! I've missed you...have you missed me?
After the Haiti trip I had kindergarten registration/screening for my first-born child!! Nicholas passed with flying colors and mom almost failed. If the room I had to go do my paperwork in was empty I would have dissolved in to tears. However...I quickly regained composure and did my motherly duty as I told this school all about my child. It is an exciting time but SUCH an overwhelming time as I prepare for this FIRST in his life and mine! More to come on that in the future (far too near future for me).
Besides that...laundry, bike rides, baseball games, American Idol, laundry, grilling out, LOST (my hubby and I have watched seasons 1 and 2 and are in the midst of season 3), Arbonne business, and washing the car...more of what I've been doing as we here in Maine get ready for summer!! It has been very nice here with sun and warmer temps...keep it coming Lord, please keep it coming.
Well...just a quick re-cap of where I've been! I've missed you...have you missed me?
Friday, April 25, 2008
"He eat me mommy"
I love, love, love, love getting in to the mind of my boys as they share their perspective of what is going on around them. My three year old, Luke, shared his perspective on a little foul play that occured to him while playing at his preschool. We were sitting at the table tonight with my parent's and their two remaining kids at home (my youngest brother and sister) and my mom was sharing today's woes at the preschool/daycare she directs. There was a biting incident and the kids started sharing their war stories. Luke perked up and said (of a day that happened quite a while ago) "Mommy, remember when he EAT me? He eat me right here on my cheek. Why he EAT me mommy?" Luke just didn't seem to understand why some little boy would find his cheek to be something worth trying to eat. :)
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Pay Attention
So I am a sucker for drama/chick flicks, etc. And tonight I cried and laughed (all by myself I must add) with the movie "Griffin & Phoenix". Not that it is the best of all movies or anything, but I did enjoy it...and something that stuck out to me...
I did so many things for the last time and I didn't even know it...but this I have done and I paid attention (emphasis mine).
I want to PAY ATTENTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I did so many things for the last time and I didn't even know it...but this I have done and I paid attention (emphasis mine).
I want to PAY ATTENTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sunday, April 6, 2008
My Old TV Flames
I have a friend, LULA, who possesses a certain quality that endeared me to her...her love for TV. Yes, I agree there can be too much TV and that there is a whole lot of TV that is just plain ol' trash...BUT...I am grateful for those moments when I can sit down and be someone else for 30 minutes or more.
Lula just shared some of her TV loves and she inspired me to do the same. So, I proudly introduce to you my old TV flames.
1) The Cosby show...oh my goodness I loved that show! I would laugh so hard when Cliff would roll his eyes in his special way...and I loved the scene when the Hugstable family sang for their grandparents anniversary...and what about Denise and all her crazy life adventures...Theo and his earring?...Kenny and Rudy and their friend, you know the fat boy who would always run out and barely talked...oh so many memories. I wish I could sit on the couch and watch 1/2 hour of the Hugstables with my kids just as I did with my parents
2)Growing Pains...Mike Seaver...is there anything more to say?
3)Family Ties...loved loved loved Alex P. Keaton...my all time favorite was when Alex and his current wife (can't remember her name on the show...Ellen?), anyway when he found her at the train station to tell her he loved her and the song "What Would You Do..." (not quite sure if that is the title, but if you watched that show you MUST know what I'm talking about
4)West Wing...incredible dialogue, and I love Washington D.C.
5)Alias...did y'all know they based the character of Sydney Bristow on me? LOVED HER! I always thought it would be nice some days to sneak away from 'mom world' and go kick some butt like she did...and for my country!!!! I was SO sad when that show ended.
6)24...thanks to my brother Dan I am a 24 follower...although, thanks to the good ol' writer strike I have not seen any of that action since last May! What an amazing writing staff...all the twists and turns...Chloe is the BEST...and when they shot Milo standing only feet away from him, right in the head...you could hear me gasp a mile away! My plan is that they should jsut go ahead and do double seasons. A fall season (that I should be in the midst of right now) and then a Jan-May season. We shall see...24 come back to me!
7) Currently, thanks to my dear friend Lula, I am LOST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I remember when I saw the previews for this new show called Lost...I really thought it was not going to be anything I loved. Thank you, Lula, for showing me the light...I am a people person and LOVE character development on TV, and that is totally what LOST is about! I LOVE IT...I just started watching this season, which I believe is season 3, but my husband and I have started at season 1 and are trying to get caught up (though I have to say that doesn't make me feel any more FOUND).
Well...that are a few of my favorites...and only one am I currently able to watch. I enjoy TV...and I LOVE to watch it with comfortable friends :)
5)
Lula just shared some of her TV loves and she inspired me to do the same. So, I proudly introduce to you my old TV flames.
1) The Cosby show...oh my goodness I loved that show! I would laugh so hard when Cliff would roll his eyes in his special way...and I loved the scene when the Hugstable family sang for their grandparents anniversary...and what about Denise and all her crazy life adventures...Theo and his earring?...Kenny and Rudy and their friend, you know the fat boy who would always run out and barely talked...oh so many memories. I wish I could sit on the couch and watch 1/2 hour of the Hugstables with my kids just as I did with my parents
2)Growing Pains...Mike Seaver...is there anything more to say?
3)Family Ties...loved loved loved Alex P. Keaton...my all time favorite was when Alex and his current wife (can't remember her name on the show...Ellen?), anyway when he found her at the train station to tell her he loved her and the song "What Would You Do..." (not quite sure if that is the title, but if you watched that show you MUST know what I'm talking about
4)West Wing...incredible dialogue, and I love Washington D.C.
5)Alias...did y'all know they based the character of Sydney Bristow on me? LOVED HER! I always thought it would be nice some days to sneak away from 'mom world' and go kick some butt like she did...and for my country!!!! I was SO sad when that show ended.
6)24...thanks to my brother Dan I am a 24 follower...although, thanks to the good ol' writer strike I have not seen any of that action since last May! What an amazing writing staff...all the twists and turns...Chloe is the BEST...and when they shot Milo standing only feet away from him, right in the head...you could hear me gasp a mile away! My plan is that they should jsut go ahead and do double seasons. A fall season (that I should be in the midst of right now) and then a Jan-May season. We shall see...24 come back to me!
7) Currently, thanks to my dear friend Lula, I am LOST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I remember when I saw the previews for this new show called Lost...I really thought it was not going to be anything I loved. Thank you, Lula, for showing me the light...I am a people person and LOVE character development on TV, and that is totally what LOST is about! I LOVE IT...I just started watching this season, which I believe is season 3, but my husband and I have started at season 1 and are trying to get caught up (though I have to say that doesn't make me feel any more FOUND).
Well...that are a few of my favorites...and only one am I currently able to watch. I enjoy TV...and I LOVE to watch it with comfortable friends :)
5)
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
April Fools, Paper Airplanes and more
So, I don't know what my problem is...but my creativity for blogging is just not there. At the end of the day I sit down and try to concoct (sp?) something up that will sound witty, inspiring from my day to share with y'all...and nothing comes.
I think I have put too much pressure on myself to have a witty blog...so I am making a disclamor at this point. For readers ONLY interested in reading witty and inspiring blogs...look elsewhere! HA!
You know I think some of my trouble is that April 1st in Maine was a total day of snow. Thankfully only bits of it stuck to the ground and trees, but still...I am SO over winter!! It has been a great one, with PLENTY of opportunity for the boys to play and experience snow and ice and all the great things that can come with it...but it is time to be SPRING!!
Anyway...my moments of bliss today were given to me by my children. My oldest son is a definite student by nature. He studies people, situations, etc. and unlike his mom after seeing something only once...he then can wonderfully execute and apply it. Apparently he did a bit of that over the last two days. I picked him up from preschool this morning and one of his teachers says to me "Nicholas got me with an April Fools joke today." This is how it went.
Nicholas: "Miss Ann, I don't like cheese pizza anymore"
Miss Ann: "You don't?!"
Nicholas: "April Fools" with the biggest grin apparently.
It was funny how PROUD I felt at that moment...can't even really explain why. Well, Nicholas spent the rest of today April Fooling us (even though he knows April Fools Day was yesterday as his dad informed him). Now, I never mentioned April Fools yesterday, mostly b/c it ended up being a very serious day for Chris and I concerning a situation...but Nicholas, in observation of people around him, watched and learned. Too cute...though a great reminder to me as a parent how much a child can pick up simply by watching the world around him/her.
And my other moment of bliss came tonight while I was feeding my 7 1/2 month old Gabriel. Chris had gotten Luke a Curious George book and at the end of the book it gave a demo on how to build a paper airplane. So...I decided to have that be our 'late night' activity. I built them an airplane (dad wasn't home so they had no choice but to have mommy be the builder) and then they spent 15 minutes having a BLAST of a time. I just sat back and smiled as they came up with their airplane games, laughed with each other, amazed themselves with how far they could fly their planes, etc. For me it was just one of those simple childhood memories that I was SO thankful my children could share in.
Well, that's it from this non-witty blogger!
Later!
I think I have put too much pressure on myself to have a witty blog...so I am making a disclamor at this point. For readers ONLY interested in reading witty and inspiring blogs...look elsewhere! HA!
You know I think some of my trouble is that April 1st in Maine was a total day of snow. Thankfully only bits of it stuck to the ground and trees, but still...I am SO over winter!! It has been a great one, with PLENTY of opportunity for the boys to play and experience snow and ice and all the great things that can come with it...but it is time to be SPRING!!
Anyway...my moments of bliss today were given to me by my children. My oldest son is a definite student by nature. He studies people, situations, etc. and unlike his mom after seeing something only once...he then can wonderfully execute and apply it. Apparently he did a bit of that over the last two days. I picked him up from preschool this morning and one of his teachers says to me "Nicholas got me with an April Fools joke today." This is how it went.
Nicholas: "Miss Ann, I don't like cheese pizza anymore"
Miss Ann: "You don't?!"
Nicholas: "April Fools" with the biggest grin apparently.
It was funny how PROUD I felt at that moment...can't even really explain why. Well, Nicholas spent the rest of today April Fooling us (even though he knows April Fools Day was yesterday as his dad informed him). Now, I never mentioned April Fools yesterday, mostly b/c it ended up being a very serious day for Chris and I concerning a situation...but Nicholas, in observation of people around him, watched and learned. Too cute...though a great reminder to me as a parent how much a child can pick up simply by watching the world around him/her.
And my other moment of bliss came tonight while I was feeding my 7 1/2 month old Gabriel. Chris had gotten Luke a Curious George book and at the end of the book it gave a demo on how to build a paper airplane. So...I decided to have that be our 'late night' activity. I built them an airplane (dad wasn't home so they had no choice but to have mommy be the builder) and then they spent 15 minutes having a BLAST of a time. I just sat back and smiled as they came up with their airplane games, laughed with each other, amazed themselves with how far they could fly their planes, etc. For me it was just one of those simple childhood memories that I was SO thankful my children could share in.
Well, that's it from this non-witty blogger!
Later!
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