Happy Anniverary to Us!

Here we are. Away, alone. Not sure what to do since we have no toddler to keep up with.

We explored the area a little bit. There were a lot of coffee shops and counseling centers - so I felt very at-home there. I'm not sure why I look I'm in a little bit of pain here. Perhaps I've forgotten how to relax?
Pretty.

I enjoyed the anticipation and relaxation of our customary surprise anniversary trips. Dave plans the odd years, I plan the even. This year, we got in the car with our overnight bag and drove to an adorable coastal town in Connecticut. I have not had so much relaxation in, oh, fourteen months.

I forgot to pack my bathing suit, so we visited a local WalMart. Bathing suit shopping is never fun for me. It's usually unsuccessful. It's always cause for a serious conversation with God about my proportions. But, I wanted to swim. So, we dug through the small selection of suits available at the end of March. In Connecticuit. At WalMart. And ... I found the cutest tankini with boy shorts! (I love when a bathing suit is neither old-ladyish nor a constant comprise on coverage.) Anyway, I swam until my ciatic nerve turned me into an old lady. Even in that cute suit.

On Sunday we walked around two local towns and went to the spa. We had the most delicious baked French fries. We ate sea food. We got to focus on us.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Aunt Jes and Charlie stayed with Haven. Haven went on a couple of hikes and experienced a stream for the first time. When we got home, and I took Haven from Jes, he did a few double takes between us. Did he realize she wasn't me?!

Happy third anniversary to us! Here's to three more! (don't worry, that's my little joke i say every year)

Newsflash

At almost 14 months old, Haven shows that he does, in fact, have teeth inside those gums. The first one broke through today! He just stopped nursing 2 weeks ago; what impeccable timing!

These are the the things that highlight my life right now. They're simple, and they are good.

Sometimes less everything.

I find
Myself here in this
Triage of selves, am I
One of the healers, or one of
The injured. Or both,
Locking eyes in an effort
To create healing, change
And hope.

I am found in this
Silent commission
That is a power
Struggle and an alliance. Is
It always so profound, or
Do I cause the complexity?
I reach to heal, and clearly see
To be healed is to surrender.

All kinds of hope for us

I've had some great times with God lately. It is one of the best times of my day, in the morning, a couple of hours after breakfast. It is just before Haven's naptime and he's in my lap with his bottle and we are reading the Bible. The Jesus Storybook Bible, to be exact.

I haven't gotten so much from Bible reading in a while. Go ahead and laugh; it's funny to see a grown woman cry over a children's version of the story of Abraham and Isaac. Yes, I am hormonal but I (have to) believe that God speaks through that. Sometimes more clearly than ever.

The stories are beautifully clear. You do not have to have a great knowledge of Hebrew culture or history to see that each story in the Bible points to hope. Jesus was coming and did come to make a way for us to be saved from the sin in this world so that we could have a relationship with Him. He sacrificed it all for us. His son. The magnitude of that is something I have only started to grasp since my own son was born. I cannot say that I would give him up for the sake of the world. (I imagine you're relieved that I am not God.)

My Dad mentioned recently how strange it is that Christians don't celebrate Easter as the biggest holiday of the year. We might call it the biggest holiday, but our celebration is on rank with Thanksgiving, while Christmas is in a league of it's own. Maybe it's different in some families, but that's how it has always been for me.

God's sacrifice is something that I only begin to understand. We crave a savior and somebody who will cover us. There are a ton of movies in which the hero gives his life to save others. We love that. We cry and we are stunned. I hope that the great love of God is something that you see clearly this week.

No wonder "no" is one of his first words...

My son is into everything. He does not discriminate. Electrical sockets, the sealant around the fireplace, the entertainment center, pots, trash, the toilet brush. Everything. Except for the mound of toys that litter the living room floor.

The weird white puffy stuff around the fireplace is ugly enough without being picked apart by tiny fingers. I had already pulled him down about a hundred times today, so finally, I just took a picture. Hopefully this stage will be funny one day.

Keeping up with the supermodels.

Let's talk about beauty. I'm not talking about what comes from your heart, I'm talking about looks. Yes, I know people who are loving and kind are beautiful. I agree. I do feel good when I'm all pretty on the outside, though (read: my hair is not greasy and I don't smell). Since these things have lost their commonality for me, I've gotta tell you about the things that clean me up good.

Refresh Shampoo by Trader Joe's

Unlike most people, I don't think Trader Joe's is an excellent place to find bargains. However, they do have a few little gems in that store. This shampoo and conditioner smells great and costs about $3 a bottle. It's very clarifying, which is helpful for a person who showers about 3 times a week. (What? Do you shower more than that? Sowhat.)

(FYI, their other bargain is wine. If you're lucky enough to live near a Trader Joe's that sells wine, you'll be surprised by the delicious taste for $3-5 a bottle!!)

Anyway, on to more beauty products...guaranteed to make you non-gross!

Oil of Olay facial cleanser: is inexpensive, gentle and effective. Helps keep some of the zits at bay.
Mary Kay balancing lotion is so nice and smooth and non-greasy. When I can't get that for a bargain, I sometimes use straight vitamin E lotion. I like to think I'm delaying wrinkles (don't we all?) but they're already starting to show up.
I love all things Burt's Bees, and this toner is quite refreshing. Though, I've been told by experts that toner is pointless.
Degree deodorant ... you know the drill. Some deodorants just work for you, while others, well, you learn the hard way that they don't. So far, this one has been good to me. Helps with the smell-free thing.

This is a hair product Dave and I can both use on our hair - his is super curly and mine is pretty fine. It keeps his hair under control and gives mine a little life. What's that? You think it must be magic? Maybe it is, but it can be your magic for less than $4, baby.

What stuff do you use?

Haven's photo shoot...

Entertainment & stuff

I am reading a couple of great books. I'll elaborate once I've finished, by for now, they are Searching for God Knows What by Donald Miller and Sex God by Rob Bell.

Through our cable company, we receive two free tickets to the movies on Tuesdays nights. (If anybody from home group reads this: this has nothing to do with why we asked to switch home group from Tuesdays to Wednesdays. Absolutely nothing.) Anyway, Dave and I have taken turns since that's easier than arranging childcare. A couple of weeks ago I saw Vantage Point, which was mediocre and that is all I'll say about that. This week, Danna and I saw The Other Boleyn Girl, which was intense. Though I'm not usually a fan of historical fiction, I found the story gripping. I have never associated with anybody so desperate and shameless for power and this story about the controversies in birthing a male heir for King Henry revolved around just that.

Haven and I have had some fun lately. We joined a playgroup on Thursday mornings and he has successfully avoided a beat down by the older kids. Mostly, he loves running and crawling around the giant room. I love the conversation, mommyese at it may be, but mostly I love that Haven can roam around and there is nothing for him to destroy or be destroyed by.

I think that the weather will break any minute now and I can't wait to explore the trails around our house. Is it safe to put Haven in a back carrier while I'm pregnant? Our pastor and his family were missionaries to Tajikistan before they started the church and she told me that in Tajikistan they work pregnant women harder so that the baby will be strong. This is what I tell myself when I wonder if I'm going to literally break in half when I lug Haven, his diaper bag and three bags of groceries in from the car. Of course, I am then rendered useless on the couch, but at least I got us all inside.

I hope to have an excuse to put down all of this indoor entertainment very soon. This winter was long for me. It has only been a couple of weeks that the majority of our yard was not covered in some variation of snow. I can enjoy my books and movies, but in my heart, I'm an outdoor girl.

Are you two twins?

Uh, no, mother and son.

Dave posted this on his blog, but I had to post it here as well.

Bored much?

We had a fun weekend in Delaware with our friends Janet, Andy and their two kids. Haven had a great time traveling around their house and was rivetted by their boys (ages 2 and 4). He laughed a lot, which made me laugh a lot.

We are home now. Again. As usual. Doing our normal thing. Breakfast. Blocks. Maybe a show (we like to cheer for people on American Idol). I told Janet that I think Haven gets bored at home with just me, she said, "Well, don't you get bored with just him?" I have my moments.

Now that he takes two naps a day, we have a window of about 2 hours in which to get out of the house each day, before we're in the danger zone (read: if he falls asleep in the car, forget about the afternoon nap and any cranky-free time with Daddy later). Since we live about 15 minutes from most stores, this limits us. We're getting to know the librarians well.

I know. I've absolutely captivated you with these thoughts.

There is nowhere I'd rather be, though. I'd rather stare blankly at Haven and wonder what to do next than be a thriving professional. For now. This is the time to be home and it's good. The identity storm I've battled the past few months is starting to subside.