Jan 18, 2010 | Baby Photos
Today is the Bear’s 17 month birthday. I am happy to say I don’t really feel like time has flown by, although it is amazing that he is so far along the road of life already. I’ve been able to spend so much time with him thanks to our work situation and, at the urging of so many others, I have been working on savouring and treasuring this special time. Although I think I am occasionally missing something while buried in my laptop, I still feel like I’m doing a pretty good job of getting on the floor and playing with him, savouring the moments of giggling and reading together, stacking cups and blocks and taking apart puzzles (since we don’t have the putting them together part down yet). It does feel like it’s happening quickly, but I don’t feel filled with sorrow or regret that I’ve missed something. And, to conclude this long digression, that’s a nice feeling.
Here’s a glimpse of the life of the Bear at Sweet 17.
These days the Bear is thoroughly enjoying the dishwasher box house.
We are still in the throes of discussing the imminent necessity of a first hair cut. But having fun with his long locks in the meantime.
After listening to an economy lesson on Baby Einstein, this clever 17-month-old has begun implementing the important principle of not enjoying things all at once, but instead carefully saving things for later…
That’s a piece of biscuit by the way. As previously mentioned, he is also a budding geologist, and a connoisseur of fine rocks and other specimens.
Yes, I see that the hat folds his ears over. But isn’t it cute? He has become Mommy’s little helper, aiding me in stuffing clothing into the washing machine, closing the soap drawer and even pushing the start button when directed. He however occasionally struggles with an impulsive desire to push the button again, when not directed…
Unfortunately, he has confused 17 months with 17 years, and is considering leaving home soon.
He’s all-around being a cutie-pie bear who brightens up our every day.
Happy Birthday to the Bear! We are VERY thankful for you, and our lives are so much brighter with your little face in them!
Jan 17, 2010 | Uncategorized
I thought I’d share this website with you in case you haven’t come across it yet. At the Hope For Haiti blogspot, there are lots of cool giveaways, you can win some great prizes, and each dollar you contribute goes toward relief efforts in Haiti AND counts as an entry for whatever prize you’re hoping to get! Perhaps one of each? There are some adorable accessories, scrumdiddlyumptious-looking cookies, advertising spots, photo shoots, web design packages…a little bit of everything. I highly recommend checking it out! Just click here:
Jan 16, 2010 | Stories
As I’m sure many of you have been feeling, my heart aches as I see all the destruction and devastation resulting from the earthquakes in Haiti. We don’t have TV at home, but when we’re at the gym I’ve been watching the news footage constantly, and it is such a strange and unsettling and surreal feeling to stare at the little TV screen on the Elliptical, see the hurting faces of so many children and adults, and just keep working out as if it’s just another day. I’ve been praying for the people who have lost loved ones, the loved ones who are trying to find each other, the survivors still in the rubble waiting to be found, and those hurting and waiting for medical attention, for someone to touch them, to help them, perhaps even just to tell them it’s going to be okay. May the Lord bring peace in the midst of chaos, rescue and reunion, and restoration.
I’ve also been thinking a lot about the Haitians overseas, seeing the expatriate actors and politicians of Haiti who are around the world pleading for people to help, to give, and to go. I remember that I’d only been out of the country for a few months when Katrina hit back in the US, and my heart ached to see “my people” suffering so much. I remember praying for my sister when she travelled down to New Orleans to help. I remember how sad I was to see the devastation, the sorrow, the anger, the outrage, the blaming, the places where it looked like things hadn’t come together as they should have…things that even looked a lot like chaos. It is hard to be far away watching and feeling like you’re helpless to make a difference. To the Haitians living abroad wondering if your family is okay, waiting to hear some good news, perhaps heavy-hearted to be far away and unable to help, I’d like to say hold on to hope, and if you believe in prayer, keep praying. I hope you find encouragement in knowing that people are thinking of you, and praying for you, too.
I hope we can continue to pray, to give and to go. I have a lot of respect for Compassion as a ministry agency, so I’m attaching their link below, in case you’d like to consider giving to help the relief efforts in Haiti.
Lord, please be with those suffering in Haiti, and please bless us with the peace which surpasses understanding when things don’t seem to make sense.
Jan 16, 2010 | The Good Word
Are you any good at sitting still? I’ve been working on being still lately. Which sounds funny to say, because you’re actively trying to be in-active for a bit. It seems like I am in a perpetual state of wanting to be doing for the Lord, or just to be doing, while sometimes I think He wants me to just be being for Him. He keeps reminding me that He loves me, and cares more about me than what I can do for Him.
Lately we’ve taken the time to just be for Him in some different ways, and it has meant we’ve been available to others in a way I didn’t expect. Our decision not to jump in and start doing like crazy — to give ourselves time to settle in and find our feet in a new country and new circumstances — has meant we’ve been able to open up our home and our lives to a friend who needed some space and a place to be as well. It has also meant we’ve been being with our neighbours (not just doing, and baking cookies for them, although that is happening, too!) and in the midst of our being, we’ve decided to start studying the Bible together every week or two. When you aren’t so caught up in doing for God, or for whatever, and you take the time to just be it seems like it makes you more available to do the things God would have you do, and you don’t get caught up spinning your wheels, just so you can cross tasks off the to-do list.
The Lord is still the Lord. He is still sovereign and He is still on the throne. Whatever is happening in the world around us, it is sometimes good to remember that. And sometimes, the best place for us to be isn’t in the kitchen trying to make something happen for Him, but instead at His feet, quietly just being with Him.
Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!
Psalm 46:10
My friend Amanda wrote a post about this subject recently that I thought was really good. Check it out here.
Jan 15, 2010 | Baby Photos
Do you think
that I need
a haircut?
Probably so, my Mom’s just not ready yet.
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