Hear Ye, Hear Ye

Official Announcement:
I am hereby revoking Chicago's nickname "The Windy Cindy" and bestowing it upon it's rightful owner, Corpus Christi, Texas!
**This is being done because for about the hundredth time (this year), I have been running against the wind only to be going a slower pace than a 95 year old with arthritis. Congratulations Corpus, it is blogofficial!

It's a beautiful day!

The pictures describe my last six months (the top being today, the bottom sometime in August).
For the first time in the last seven months or so, I finally had a "GREAT" day!!! I've been wondering if there was ever one in store for us, but lo and behold the day after questionining whether or not my precious Lord was watching out for us...He answers quickly, wholly, and fully! Shame on me for ever questioning my awesome God!

GENEROSITY

So, I've been wanting to write this blog for a long time, but haven't. It is long overdue! It is in dedication to all those people who continue to be generous and giving in spite of everything. Now, I know there are plenty of people around the globe practicing kindness and generosity, but what I choose to focus on are those who have done so in my life in the recent months.

1) My parents (this includes my mother in law). They continue to help their kids out even though we are grown and we don't ask. It's like they have a sixth sense about what and when we are in need of something.

2) Jennifer Lankford, Adde Cowan, Amy Peterson, and various others (family, friends, and neighbors included) that have clothed and entertained my child. She is now a one year old and we have not bought her one single item of clothing or toy (with the exception of the dollar maracas we got her at Christmas). Now Nick and I may sound really mean to our Kya, but we literally have not had to buy anything because she is so well stocked! It is a huge blessing, seeing as how we could never afford to buy any of these. The most amazing part is that these people have REALLY good taste and my daughter wears finer, fancier clothes than most Hollywood babies and plays with the COOLEST toys!

3) Neighbors- They have supplied piano studios, medical reporting, diapers, and lots of sweet treats! I don't know if I could ever move away from these wonderful people.

4) Family (some are not "blood" relatives, but close enough)-who have made Kya's first Christmas and birthday collectively memorable and exciting! All of those who came out to the middle of nowhere to celebrate a one year old's "pink barn" birthday party are just amazing to me! Thanks AGAIN to the grandparents for helping out so much financially and with everything else.

5) Shea Baxter V.-Shae and I grew up together in Midland. We haven't seen each other in probably 15 years, but have reconnected thanks to Facebook. Shea randomly saw on Facebook that we were going to have a carnival themed party for Kya this coming weekend. Shea emailed me and offered to send all of her materials from her child's carnival themed party. I asked if I could buy it and she said no. What Shea didn't know was that Nick and I weren't quite sure how we were going to manage to have a party due to funds. I show up at the post office today where they "drag" a HUGE box around the corner. This box contained pretty much everything we needed for the party. How does a girl who knows me so little now is willing to take the time and money to be so incredibly kind and generous? I'm baffled!

6) Misc.- Those people who continue to to randomly bless us for no reason. Whether it be a random gift, a painting for Kya, referring piano students, supporting my business, giving us their wisdom, and generally blessing our socks off!

I have been hesitant to write this because in no way would I want anyone's charity or pity. Struggling financially has proven to be a blessing in a lot of ways. It has shown us the true importance of things in life and to recognize the goodness of others. I think we had gotten so used to being the ones who "treated" and "gave", that it became more about us and less about God. Not to mention that I get to spend every single day with the MOST amazing little girl who I witness grow and become smarter, cuter, and more precious!

I am humbled and grateful!

Dear Blogosphere,

I know I have neglected you.
I had really good intentions of coming back to you, but time, energy, life, baby, all got in the way.
I am making a vow to be more faithful, if you could somehow make her naptimes longer that would help.
The little one awakes, I must go...too quick to catch up yet again!
Soon, very soon.
Until then,
happy blogging

A game of Tag

I was tagged by Abby to list the 5th pic from my 5th folder. This is a picture that my bestie Jennifer took of my sweet furry babies (who I'm so mad at for waking the non-furry baby up all day yesterday) the month before I had Kya. The idea was that this would be my focal point during labor. HA! Nick kept telling me look at the puppies and I wanted to scratch my eyeballs out (or his). Still, it's a beautiful picture!

I was also tagged by Abby to share 7 random facts about ourselves that people may or may not know.

Here we go:
1. "Domestic Diva":
I never thought these kinds of things were all that important, until I got older. Now, I absolutely LOVE cooking, gardening, sewing, and hosting. I am not all that great at any one of them, but I'm trying to get better with all. I get a serious high off a clean house, a day of yard work, an oven with a roast,a shirt stitched up, and friends on the way. I would have made an excellent 50's wife, no doubt.

2." Mission Field Wimp"
I would love to be a missionary, in fact I know that God has called me to be on the mission field one day. I really in my heart of hearts would be happy the rest of my life feeding the hungry, holding the dying, educating the poor, etc. I want Kya to be raised with these core values and I want to live a life less ordinary. However, the three things that hold me back: My extended family, my dogs, and my insatiable love of hot showers.

3. "Freaky Phobic"
I have a really weird phobia that only a few people know about. It's kind of hard to describe. Anything that is "embedded". It can be rocks stuck randomly in a cement wall, those frogs with the eggs on their back (oh my gosh, I'm losing it just talking about this). The only explanation I can think of (I didn't know about this until a year ago when my mom told me, I've had this phobia for years) is that when my mom was pregnant with me, she had a nightmare that she was covered in sesame seeds under her skin. It haunted her so bad, she wouldn't let my sister watch sesame street for months. Something about the thought and the word just makes me freaked out. Okay, I have to go throw up now.

4. "Rah, Rah, Rah"
A lot of people know that I was a cheerleader from junior high through college (a couple years off here and there-I was a mascot a couple of times too). What some of you don't know is my love/hate relationship with cheerleading. I wanted to be a cheerleader from the time I can remember. They were superstars in my eyes, and I have no idea why. It was my dream in life. Something about the rhythmic nuances of chants and cheers, the jumping, dancing, being thrown through the air...it's exhilerating! I never quite fit in with the cheerleaders though, I was always kind of on my own (until Tamara in high school and a few girls in college). The hate part, there are some REALLY mean cheerleaders out there! I've seen them and been in their wrath (i.e., being told the wrong uniform on purpose). I even married a man who loathed cheerleaders. And seriously, who decided that these girls needed to be practically naked? I remember coming back from Samoa as a missionary in college (where you weren't allowed to show your shoulders or legs) and my coach handing my new and improved uniform top... that was missing the bottom 6 inches. Would I let my daughter be a cheerleader? I don't know, I doubt it. If they had a cheerleading squad for 30 + year olds, would I join? NO DOUBT!

5. "And the winner is...DORK!"
So, I was a cheerleader, but an outcast of one. I have always been somewhat awkward in social situations and get intimidated by elitist. For some weird reason though, I was voted a class favorite every year in high school, and homecoming queen my senior year. Now, this may seem like I am boasting, but I really am not. You see, I am a HUGE dork! Like, the biggest! I think I went to ONE party in high school. I didn't hang out with the "popular kids", I wasn't in the "in" crowd. I just typically like everyone,unless they are mean. So, the lesson here: Being a nice person is more important than status. I hope I can teach Kya that. Poor thing will have to grow up with a goober of a mom.

6. "Do-Over"
If I could go back to my senior year in high school (ah...good times) and know then what I know now, I would do the following: 1) Study a lot more and make better grades 2) Not be such an immature brat (a.k.a. treating really good people not so good) 3) Follow my dreams. What dreams, you say? I would absolutely love to do one of the following for a career: a) Be a National Geographic Photographer (I'm no good at pictures, but I'd love to learn how and travel the world doing it). b) Become a farmer (the dairy kind where no animals are hurt and I can ride a horse). c) Be a rockstar!

7. "WATCH OUT"
Those who do know me, then you should know this little fact: I am a world class klutz! I run into walls, trip on my own feet, fall out of my chair. You name it, I've done it (and probably in the most socially embaressing moment possible). If I try to be sexy, it is laughable (my friend's favorite story of mine is when I tried to do that whole "dip your foot in the swimming pool move" in front a cute boy years ago and ended up slipping, straddling the the pool deck and the water and banging my head on the ground.) Yep, I gave up on sexy and smooth years ago.


I now tag: Adde, Jennifer, Becky, Mom, and anyone willing to share.

Cat-Scratch Fever a.k.a. Stretch Marks

When I was pregnant, I was one of those really annoying women who boasted about how I didn't have stretch marks with a big irritating smile on my face. Well, the Lord continually humbles me and did so again after Kya was born.
You see, the stretch marks came AFTER the stomach was stretched to capacity, then released. Much like a rubber balloon; after you blow them up...it's just never quite the same.
I got stretch marks on my stomach....bad! It really looked as though the government had created a new torture technique; dropping a feral cat down one's shirt while spraying the feline with water. And I was the test dummmy in this experiment.
Yes, I put lotion on nearly every day of my pregnancy and afterwards, you mean women who insist on that being the reason you didn't get called into the torture chamber.
So, for my 30th birthday, I bought "Bio-Oil". I'd seen advertisements, so I thought "why not".
Holy Crap! This stuff freakin' worked! In less than a month, my stretch marks were hardly detectable. Well, don't go sniffing my belly button or anything to look, but they are a far cry than before! I am still using it and hoping that the rest will fade into a complete oblivion.
If you are a sufferer of stretch marks anywhere...try it. If not, I loath you! (ok, not really. I just hate that your genetics in this area are better than mine).
I don't need "battle scars" to prove Kya's mine. I do however, want to possibly wear a bikini again...someday.
p.s. The above picture is my best effort at being a spokes model. I am SO glad the good doctor gave me some reports, I seriously was having too much time on my hands!

Watch Out Martha!

So, being the broke bloke that I am, I have to use my creative capacities in all areas. Upon taking out the Christmas decorations this year, my faithful wreath my mom made 7 years ago was quite literally falling to bits in my hands. So, I knew I didn't have the money to buy a new one nor materials to spruce up this one (get it..spruce...spruce pine...oh, never mind).
Rummaging through the dresser known as my arts and crafts mall, I found the following supplies: shredded bandanas (from making necklaces with my students), puffy balls, ribbon, hemp, and jingle bells. I used the original wreath (R.I.P.) and "TA-DA". It definitely fits my personality.

Lighten up!

Okay, my last post was so serious I couldn't stand not lightning the mood a little. Confession:
I decided to steal pretty flowers from a neighboring house while I was running and put them in my kitchen. Truth be told, every time I run by this house I take 3. I have just never seen hibiscus this color before and they last forever! So, I'm sure now when they see me coming they're thinking, "here's the crazy, flower-stealing jogger lady". Aww...aren't they so worth it?

Growing Pains

I am being stretched, pulled, manipulated, and banged up all in the name of the Lord. At least I think.
You see, resigning from my job was not ever an option for me. One morning I woke up and felt the Lord was putting it heavy on my heart to resign and teach piano. I prayed fervently about this decision and felt completely at peace with it, as did Nick. However, our finances now are saying something quite different. We haven't been this strapped since grad school. We are still tithing faithfully and without question. To non-tithers I know this sounds crazy to think of giving money away when you are the poor family who needs it, but it is God's money and it is an act of obedience and faithfulness (thanks Becky for the awesome book we've learned so much from). No, this is not financially strapped, like "oh darn...meager Christmas this year". It's the kind of "oh crap, I hope we don't foreclose on our house".
With all the stuff going on with Nick's parents and the toll it's taking on him, it's any wonder he gets up in the morning. There is very minor drama in my family, fortunately it's all about reconciliation type things...that's a positive, just taxing.
It has always been a habit of mine to think that if I am being obedient to the Lord in an area, He will automatically bless that area (i.e., tithing, purity, etc.), but that isn't how it works...the blessing is supposed to come from being obedient. OUCH!
I have been crying out asking where God is in all of this, only to have it smack me upside the head yesterday that He is right here (duh!). If this is my "valley", then am I really complaining (this is nothing)! If I can't trust in the Lord during this time, how will I be able to when times are harder. It's so easy to love and praise Jesus when our lives are feeling blessed and full, how much more powerful and growing is it to do so when we are feeling stripped? This is an elementary concept, yet hard for me to keep in mind. I just got done sending Adde Jeremiah 29:11, when typing I realized how applicable it is to my own life right now. "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. This verse pulled me through the hardest thing we've been through (losing the first baby) and look at the blessing that came afterwards!
So, in this season of growing and deepening of our faith, please pray for our attitudes towards Christ above all....and if you'd like you can pray we sell the boat or Ed McMahon shows up at our door.

Harvard, here she comes

We don't work on her ABC's or numbers. However, being the ever so diligent,mindful,thought-provoking mother that I am, it should come as no surprise that we do practice "taco tongue" at least 82 times a day.
Wonder if the Ivy Leagues consider this a pre-requisite?

New fave???

So, I was playing on itunes tonight and accidentally ran into a songwriter of a song that I love and have been wanting to download ("I'm Yours"). So, I started listening to Jason Mraz's music and was really impressed! He is our modern day Sinatra or something other great, jazzy icon. It doesn't hurt that he toured with Jewel,who just happens to be the greatest singer/songwriter of all time in my personal opinion.
So, I told Nick, this Jason Mraz might be one of my new faves. Check him out and see if you like too (Look for him on my playlist at the bottom of the blog).
(Oh yeah, did I mention he's slightly dreamy...I can say this considering my husband admitted tonight to never reading my blog.)

I thought I was having fun.....

So the other day Jason said something along the lines of, "now you're a brunette". I have to say, it took me off guard. How dare he??? I'm a blonde, dang it! Then, I saw this picture of myself a day later and realized, he was right. My friend Micah recently told me that my long blonde hair was my "signature". I've lost my haircolor and my signature? Are you kidding me?
It all started about six years ago when I first got married and we were both in grad school. We were so broke, buying groceries was a luxury, so things like salons/haircolor were out the window. So, after years of my dad telling me to go natural, I did. I liked it. My hair felt healthy and "real"for the first time in ten years. No more "roots" showing (as my mom liked to nag me about).

Growing up, I idealized the beauty of blondes. Weren't they always the "beautiful women" in videos and movies (i.e., Christie Brinkley and the chick from the "cherry pie" video). I had thought that was the epitome of beauty.

Now, I'm on the other side of the color spectrum trying to digest this new role for myself. Brunette. I guess it's better than "dirty blonde" or "dishwater blonde" (I always hated those terms! Um..GROSS). Does this mean I can now tell blonde jokes with no guilt? So, now I guess I need to look to Kelly Kapowski and the chic from "weird science" (Hey, who doesn't think of the 80's for beauty icons?). They were brunette and beautiful!

I seriously thought about dying my hair blonde again, but once again groceries are luxury (due to Ms. Kya and with me staying home), so I swallow my pride and accept the color God's graced me with. Gentleman may prefer blondes and blondes may have more fun, but.....okay I'm still trying to figure that out.

Hypocrite

Why do men insist that playing "shoot 'em up, bang, bang" games are a good use of their time? I mean...come on!
I gotta go, I have catch up on facebook.

Rub-a-Dub-in a dirty tub? Don't think so!

So, I gave Kya her first "real" bath by herself in the tub tonight (Yes, I am one of those weird moms that showers with her baby nightly. Dr.'s orders for bonding when breastfeeding became impossible). I first rinsed and washed the tub as best I could, then put a towel down so her precious, perfect, soft baby bottom does not have to touch the bottom of the tub (those of you who have bathed a child over the age of 6 months are laughing hysterically, I'm sure). During her bath, my mind was 75% enjoying her squeals of excitement and 25% on "oh my gosh, there is a mystery hair on the side of the tub 4 inches away from my baby".
I purposely washed my bathing beauty in the guest bath, thinking it is used the least (by guests and the occasional surfer), but it still was not clean enough!
I scrubbed my bathroom down last week, the kind of scrub where a toothbrush is involved and upon finishing you're on a disinfectant high. Yet, one week later all I can see is "dirty" way too close to where I'm trying my hardest to get clean. So, I bathed with my eyes half closed (not recommended during shaving).
Granted, I live with a boy and that never helps the clean factor. However, all these years I thought my sister was the one with the OCD tendencies, not me (just ask my parents). Maybe that is part of the reason I bath Kya with me because I know she won't be touching ANY bathroom surface.
I seriously should seek help about this, right after I clean my bathroom again.

Overnight Stalker via Feedjit!

So, I saw this Feedjit thing on my friend's blog and thought that was really cool, so I installed it. Now, every time I go to mine or Kya's blog I can't help but see it. I feel so guilty, like I'm spying on people looking at my blogs. It doesn't give exact names, just locations (unless you come from your own blog I think). This oogie feeling just comes over me every time I see it, yet I don't want to take it off, because it is kind of neat knowing somebody has seen your blog (even if it is only one person, thanks Adde)! Do I have insecurity issues or something? I don't need to know someone's looked. Yet, I don't have it in me to take it off.
Sick...that's what I am. It all starts with blogger stalking, I'm sure.