Life in the Parsonage

Good Questions and Yummy Donuts...

2009-11-04T06:45:00.003-06:00

Man this picture makes me want some donuts. My love for donuts runs deep...very deep.
Moving on.
I'm joining in on the fun with Linda over at 2nd Cup. I think all of my readers probably already know Linda, but it you haven't met yet, I highly recommend you take a trip over there. She's a hoot.
1. It's early morning, about 2:00AM, and you're driving home. You come to a red light and sit there. There is no one in sight for miles around. Do you wait it out or run the light?I sit there...until I've convinced myself that the stoplight must not work properly at 2AM therefor justifying my need to go through it. And then, I think to myself *wait!* it's 2 in the morning and there are probably drunk people driving all over the place and if I break the law by going through the stoplight they will probably show up out of nowhere and crash into me. Welcome to my thought process...it's exhausting.
2. If you had the chance to re-do the last 24 hours, would you change anything?I might change my tall Peppermint Mocha to a grande because sometimes bigger is better.
3. When you reply to someone's comment on your blog, do you reply in your comments or go to her blog and comment? (Or email her)It just depends. But I am not very good at following up like many people are. I'm always amazed when I leave a comment somewhere and the sweet person emails me about it. Makes me feel special... and then bad because I am not as thoughtful. I do have some good excuses though...I can email ya if you're interested. ;)
4. Your favorite Disney movie is: Aladdin and Beauty and the Beast.
5. Do you recycle?I do! Only for the past year or so...I'm a little slow at jumping on this band wagon. I don't really enjoy it though...but I can do my part.
6. Games of strategy or games of chance?Can I say a little of both without cheating the question? My current favorite game is Dutch Blitz. It's a card game with Amish people on it. And I think it involves both strategy and chance...that being said, I am very annoyed that my husband beats me at it 80% of the time.
7. Do you have any recurring dreams?YES. I keep dreaming that we are moving into another parsonage. Still the same church, just moving us to a different house. Anyways, the houses are big old houses and in the dream I'm trying to figure out where I'll put everything and who will sleep in each room and then I'm trying to figure out what colors to paint all the while I'm wishing I could just go back to my small house where I don't have to worry about any of that.
8. What did you learn from your first real job?I'm gonna count babysitting as my first real job because I was a hard-core babysitter and man was I good at it. I could keep the kids happy and safe AND clean their kitchen to boot. I was in high demand. I learned to multi-task with kiddos around. Too bad I don't have my 15 year old energy to keep me going these days.
9. Do you buy or borrow most books?I think I borrow most books. I've just recently started using our little library on a regular basis. I've gotten over my bad habit of not returning books so now it's not quite as scary :) Just yesterday I checked out this book. I KNOW! I saw the author on The Today show and this town in the book is in our general area. My step dad grew up there and we have a good pastor friend who is now pastoring there. I think it will open my eyes to my own tiny town too. I'll let ya know more about it once I pass page 15.
10. What fashion trend of the past did you say you'd never wear again but did?Pretty much all of them. I tend to eat the word never whenever I use it.
11. When do you start Christmas shopping?Not until December. It's all about atmosphere for me.
12. Have you ever been so happy that you literally jumped up and down for a few seconds? If so, what was the occasion?
Yes. It usually involves me clapping too. For some reason they just go together.
Go over to Linda's to join in on the fun!

Pictures...

2009-11-03T09:38:00.003-06:00

Just for the heck of it, I took some pictures yesterday and today. Something I haven't done in quite awhile...

I thought I'd document my increasing belly/decreasing lap. At 15 1/2 weeks the lap still wins.

And the baby bump...

And the purple shoes that I've rekindled that loving feeling for recently...

And a new hair cut that was loooong over due thanks to nausea and barfing...

It's good to feel somewhat normal again. Well, maybe normal is a bad choice of word...it's good to feel like me again.

Details...

2009-10-29T08:43:00.002-05:00

I should give you a Julie update. She's doing really great. Is that enough information? Her grades are excellent, she's easy to have around, and has put up with my mood swings amazingly well. Sometime soon I'll have her do a guest post on her thoughts of living here. It's sure to entertain. ;)

Julie traveled with friends to an apple orchard last weekend. Along the way they found a little store in a little town that sold Norwegian stuff. She brought back this mug for us. It says:

Living with a Norwegian Builds Character

It makes me smile. Now, if I could only find one for her that says:

Living with a Pregnant American Host Mom Builds Character

Poor girl. I think my nausea and laying around for the past couple months may have scared her away from ever wanting children. I think it's best that come April, she stays out of the delivery room. ;)

Last winter when we were contemplating hosting a foreign exchange student I remember joking with my Bible Study ladies that I'd probably end up getting pregnant AND hosting a student...because that would of course be INSANE. At the time I was completely joking. Because God certainly would not do that to me.

Or maybe He would. And maybe just to show me who's in charge of it all, He'd set up the fact that baby #4's due date would be the birthday of the Norwegian girl He'd ordained to live with us. None of it is by accident.

Because God is big on details.

PS - Remember when you all voted for the Iowa hospital to win a chance at a new game room? Well, they ended up in 2nd place so THEY WERE ONE OF THE WINNERS!! YAY! Thanks for voting!

Hearing the Big News...

2009-10-28T10:33:00.004-05:00

I thought I'd share with you the video of the boys hearing the news about the baby.

It cracks me up every time.

Little background info: We hid baby items in three separate bags and then had them find the bags. When they did they opened them up together...that's where the video starts.

*smile*

Goodbye Long Week...

2009-10-23T09:00:00.002-05:00

I love Fridays. I do I do I do. I like the counting down of hours until BAM I'm done with all of my obligations (except the family ones) and the only thing that lies ahead is two days of freedom. OK, so that's a slight exaggeration, but you know what I mean.

Friday nights are sort of our Family Date Nights. Sometimes it's a high school sporting event or something like that. The favorite though seems to be what we did last Friday night...dinner at McDonald's and then rented a movie to watch together. The boys love to turn off all the lights and pretend it's a movie theatre. We all cram on the couch...including the over-weight wiener dog who seems to think the couch belongs to him. They love it. I love it. It's a moment in the week where we just get to enjoy each other. So many other moments I'm just funneling them through what they need to do and where they need to be.

Wake up, get dressed, eat breakfast, stop running around the house, brush your teeth, get your shoes on, make sure you have your homework, have a great day at school, pick kids up, drop kids off, supper, homework, blah blah blah. I sound like a load of fun, don't I?

Our date nights are cheap, and the activities are really sort of insignificant. But I'm gonna treasure them...and I think they will too.

All too soon they will have different kinds of date nights...probably with girls I think are immature and annoying. Oh I'm kidding. No, I take that back...I am so not kidding...I'm certain I'll think they're annoying *wink*

Around the House

2009-10-20T09:02:00.003-05:00

I got this idea from Melissa at Breath of Life. I couldn't resist.

Around the House: October

Reading: This Present Darkness by Frank E Peretti

Enjoying: My family. Ben was on vacation last week and it was so nice to just have him around. The boys never cease to amaze me. They are each so unique, that when we're all together it's just plain amusing to me.

Learning: How to deal with people that drive me absolutely CRAZY. Maybe pastor's wives aren't supposed to admit that they find certain kinds of people very annoying to be around. But this one does. And although I'd like God to zap me with the ability to just "like" them, it's not that easy. Instead He's teaching me how to love them even in their annoyingness...which goes against my natural tendency. Very against.

Watching: I'm part way into season five of 24. I rented the season for a week, which means I really need to plow through it. I love that. Anyways, Sunday night Julie was quite horrified at how scary and violent it was. I tried to explain to her that she'd just have to watch it to "get" why we love it so much...I also may have explained that although the show is fictional, our government in America really does have to fight crazy terrorists and it is going to be violent...it's just too bad Jack Bauer isn't real. I digress. By last night, she sat through a couple episodes and I even heard her say "I see why you think it is so exciting"...she's coming around ;) But I am now convinced that you have to be American to truly love Jack Bauer.

Anticipating: Christmas. I know, I know it's only October. But I've been listening to Frank Sinatra's Jolly Christmas all week. Christmas in the Parsonage is going to be very different this year and I'm excited about it. Most years I spend, what feels like forever, making lists and endless shopping trips trying to find a present that someone won't hate and doesn't really need. It makes December fairly well...not fun. This year we're stepping back from present exchanges so that we can give to those who really need something and we can spend some time as a family doing meaningful traditions that will last far longer than toys and material things. Oh, there will still be some presents, but it won't be the flying though of package after package as in years past. Our new plan is bound to cause some to think we're crazy...but that's ok...we are.

Realizing: How blessed I am. Even in the tough stuff...blessed beyond measure.

Pondering: Why at the clinic and hospital yesterday (where I got to see and hear this little baby growing inside) everyone that found out this was my fourth baby had the same reaction, "Wow! Four?!?" As if three is normal but FOUR, gets a wow? Weird.

Studying: Daniel by Beth Moore. I had no idea how timely this study would be for me personally and so many others.

Wondering: If this little baby is a boy or a girl. What its name will be...because at this stage in the game I don't like any boy or girl names.

Remembering: Greater is He that is in me, than he that is in the world.

Praying: That our family stays healthy and miraculously avoids the flu and H1N1.

Happy Tuesday!

This Present Darkness...

2009-10-16T10:37:00.003-05:00

On my way to take the boys to school today I was listening to our local Christian radio station. They were having people call in and share things they appreciated about their pastor because October is Pastor Appreciation Month. The other question they asked the callers had to do with any preconceived ideas they'd had about pastors or ministry before getting to know their pastor.

I laughed to myself. I'm the chief sinner when it comes to preconceived ideas about Pastors. It's likely why I was pretty sure I'd never EVER be a pastor's wife.

Ideas like:

All Pastor's ever think about is spiritual stuff.
They know the correct answer or action for every situation.
They don't understand what it's like to be a normal, average person.

Obviously I was quite the idiot.

But the whole thought process led me to think about my preconceived ideas about ministry, or in the very least the things I didn't fully understand back then.

The biggest eye-opener for me the past few months has been the aspect of spiritual warfare that goes on within church...not just the 4 walls, but within the people that make up that church. I expect a spiritual battle when dealing with those who do not worship the same God I do, what I did not expect was the battle that plays out among those professing a personal faith in Christ.

I picked up one of my favorite books of all times called This Present Darkness. Because I need a reminder of the battle that's raging. That what I see with my eyes is not all that is going on. And that the power of prayer is crucial in protecting my husband, my family, and others around me from some that seek to destroy them.

Have you read the book?

Any preconceived ideas about Pastors and ministry?

Any one else in a battle?

I'd love to hear your answers!

Just Reminding Myself...

2009-10-14T08:28:00.002-05:00

I recently saw a quote somewhere that said,

"The days pass slowly but the years fly by"

Or something like that. I remember thinking to myself, how stinkin' true.

This pregnancy is kicking my butt. Big time. Each pregnancy of mine was different, but they all had one thing in common...the nausea was not this bad and it certainly did not last this long.

Now, I know it's for a good cause. I keep reminding myself of that hourly. But even in the reminder, I still feel like I'm missing life on a daily basis...or in the very least surviving it rather than enjoying it.

In the past few months...

I've barely taken any pictures of anything going on. Many times I've missed out on what was going on, because who really wants a barfing lady sitting next to them? Frankly, I'd like her to go away.
I've sent kids to school without reminding them to return books, homework, etc. because just getting them up and fed and out the door was all I could muster.
I am so tired of laying on the couch that I've resorted to laying on the hard floor. I think I may have worn the couch out.
I have had to cancel 2 hair cuts because I didn't think I could make it through the hour-long appointment. My hair is outta control and my next hair cut...November 3rd. It'll take her 2 hours to cut all this hair.
All vanity diminishes in the face of nausea. I have worn sweatpants and t-shirts 90% of the time. Even picking my children up from school wearing the same shirt 2 days in a row. Good times.
My husband has had to pick up the slack...big time. He's done a great job, and so have the kids...but I miss doing what I do...which is take care of them.

In the mean time, I've learned a lot about myself. Including the fact that I don't like to be slowed down. And even more so, I hate barfing or the feeling that I'm going to barf more than pretty much anything.

I've also learned that my family is incredibly gracious with me. Nobody has made a comment about the messiness of the house, or my excessive laying around,moaning and groaning. It's as if they instinctively know something that I keep losing sight of...there will be and end to it...and even more importantly, there's a purpose behind it. A little life.

Soon, (please God let it be very, very soon) I will stop feeling like I want to barf all day every day. I will have get the energy back. I will take pictures of them once again. I will be me again...eventually ;)

Oh That Kid...

2009-10-13T08:37:00.004-05:00

Jake, our four year old, has been coming up with some crazy stuff lately.

He particularly likes to tell stories...which is a nice way of saying he lies. It's not hard to figure out the difference between his lie and the truth because he always follows up the humdinger with I'm not even kidding.

Here's some things we heard from his mouth just the past few days:

I hope we have a baby sister, then she can be my slave. (He's apparently a chauvinist already)
I want to go with dad, I don't want to stay home with mom, she's naughty to me. (Which made me utter...I'll show you naughty...)
Mrs. Simons (his preschool teacher) lives at the school...she told me. I'm not even kidding.

This is the same kid who won't dress himself in the morning because he just can't... yet asks me not to walk him into preschool anymore because he's too big for that.

He's the kid who comes down the stairs 500 times after being tucked in for the night. Each time with a convincing story and dimpled smile while saying "I'm sawee mama"

He's also quite insistent that "Corn" would be a great name for the new baby.

He thinks he's got me fooled. He thinks he's got me wrapped around that dimpled smile. And he does. For now. I wish I could bottle up his four year old cuteness...even the "story-telling."

A Winner and a Baby

2009-10-09T11:04:00.004-05:00

I want to say a HUGE thank you to all you who voted the other day on this post!

There is a little less than a week left and The University of Iowa Children's Hospital keeps bobbing back and forth between 3rd and 4th place...SO CLOSE! Each day you can vote up to 10 times, so please please pretty please keep on voting.

I mentioned a $5 Starbucks card to anyone who commented that they voted. I drew the number the super scientific way of having my 4 year old pick a number. He picked 6.

Ariane, YOU ARE THE WINNER!! YAY! Now email me at (lifeintheparsonage@gmail.com) with your address so I can mail it to you. :) Turns out, Ariane is a real life friend who I went to high school with AND youth group. She also married Ben's sister's husband's brother. Follow that? Yep...we go WAY back. She's also a mom who has spent much time at the very hospital we are voting for. Congrats Air!

In other news...and I'm just throwing this out there, but I should probably let you know that in April The Parsonage Family is due to grow by one more.

Yep, you heard me right. This time we're expecting and it's actually a baby...rather than a 17 year old Norwegian girl.

Pregnant. Preggo. Preggers. However you want to say it. We just told the boys and our church last weekend. News spreads like wildfire around these parts. I debated how long to hold off on the blog...12 weeks seems sufficient...plus I'm really good at confidentiality when it involves someone else...not so much when it involves myself.

To answer a few nagging questions I'm sure you have...or at least it's what everyone has been asking me.

1) Yes I am sick. Very sick. Zofran is my new best friend.

2) NO WE ARE NOT TRYING FOR A GIRL. It's the question everyone asks. It's as if they can't help themselves. When someone has 3 boys they are just compelled to say it. I am compelled to not give them my "you have got to be kidding me that you think I would try to have a baby given the 1% chance it might be a girl, and what the heck is wrong with 4 boys?!?" look. I'm working on it.

3) Everyone will have to wait till April to find out if it is a boy or girl.

4) The boys are ecstatic. Although Jake wants a boy and a girl...so he's just been telling everyone that we are having one of each. Good times when you live in a tiny town.

5) Julie will be here till the beginning of June, so she gets to be in on the whole ordeal!

6) Remember the 1/2 mary that I couldn't run because I was barfing? Yep...this was the barfing reason.

I think that pretty much covers it.

Phew! What a relief that it's out there now. *smile*

Random

2009-10-07T09:13:00.003-05:00

1. On an average, how often do you splurge and buy something for yourself?

Generally, waaaay too often. God is working on me to reign. it. in.

2. Are you more like Hall or Oates? Just kidding. Real question: What is the last creative project you began/finished? Feel free to post a pic of it.

I'm not creative. I don't enjoy the process very much. I just like the finished product...which leads me back to question 1.

3. OK, Goldie Locks, do you consider your house too big, too little or juuuust right?

Most of the time I think it's just right. It borders on the small size by most home standards today, but I love small spaces. The downside, is that it makes entertaining others hard because of the space...especially with lots of kids involved.

4. What is your favorite outdoor chore?

How sad that I don't think I can come up with a favorite outdoor chore...does watching my husband mow the lawn count?

5. If you knew that cigarette smoking was not bad for your health but would be a weight loss tool, would you use it? Why or why not?

No. Way. I hate it. Hate the smell of it...hate how it looks, etc.

6. On a road trip, would you rather drive or ride?

Ride.

7. What do you consider a trivial pursuit?

Money.

8. This weekend, we downloaded the movie "Duplicity" with Julia Roberts and Clive Owen. Within 5 minutes, I was bored and annoyed, but I kept watching 5-10 minutes at a time hoping it would get better between small chores. I finally gave up and Jorge watched it alone, and then regretted wasting that time because he disliked it intensely, too. So ... how long do you watch a movie or read a book before giving up on it?

We watched 1/2 of that movie and I decided I was going to bed because it was so BORING. Usually I'll stick it out even if it's dumb...but not this one.

9. Is there a song that you really love but are embarrassed to admit because it's not cool or it's racy or because it's by Hall and Oates?

The list of songs that I like that some would deem "inappropriate" for a pastor's wife to like is pretty long. Nothing too racy or with cussing, stuff my kids can still listen too but makes my husband roll his eyes at me ;) Like the other day when Eli, (my 7 year old) told me his favorite song was Ice Ice Baby by Vanilla Ice...it was a proud moment. Word to your mother.

10. On a scale of 1-10 (10 = extremely) how spontaneous are you?

Probably a 4. Boring. It's not that I'm very scheduled either, it's mostly the fact that I just go about day to day doing the same thing...which I happen to like.

11. Are you a food and/or beverage snob?

Nope. Can someone who enjoys a #3 from McDonald's ever be considered a food snob? I think not.

12. Who/What are you trying to control in your life? (I hear people gulping and see them sweating in anticipation of how to answer this one.)

The shorter answer would be who/what am I not trying to control in my life. It's a constant daily battle for me...handing back over the desire to control stuff.

Head on over to Linda@2nd Cup to see more Random Dozen.

A Favor and A Reward

2009-10-06T09:26:00.007-05:00

I have a tiny little favor to ask of all you nice people.

Remember The Bald Buddies? Who could forget right?

There's a chance for you to join in The Bald Buddies, and you won't even have to shave your head!

Noah & Tate: Self Portrait

The hospital that is treating Tate is called the University of Iowa Children's Hospital. There is currently a voting contest going on and the top 3 hospitals that win receive a game room for the kids. Tate's hospital is currently in 4th...SO CLOSE! Tate and his family, along with so many others spend a lot of time away from home and within the walls of this hospital. Who couldn't use a game room?!? :)

Plus, every time you vote your email in entered into a contest to win an XBox 360. Bonus.

The contest is in the final days so there's no time to waste. Click here to vote for the University of Iowa Children's Hospital.

Yesterday Tate and his family found out that the results of his latest MRI showed a decrease in the masses that they are treating, which means the Chemo plan is working and they'll stay the course. Praise God!! Praying healing for this sweet little guy's body, and peace and strength for him and his family.

Tate's mom, who is also a good friend of mine, has this quote on her facebook.

Yesterday is history

Tomorrow is a mystery

Today is a gift.

How true. How easily I forget that.

If you happen to go vote, please leave me a comment letting me know you did (honor system here) and your name will be entered for a $5 Starbucks card! Yeah baby.

Is that bribing?!? Of course not! It's encouraging.

Now go vote.

Help Me...

2009-10-05T09:17:00.004-05:00

I woke up in a mood this morning. You know the mood, the one where I'm quite certain that I am the only one in this household that bothers to pick up, clean, move, or remember the needs of anyone other than myself. OK, maybe it's just me...

It's not pretty. It involves me huffing around muttering under my breath about the slobiness of all. I think the word "ungrateful" may have been thrown in as well. Along with the phrase, "WHY AM I THE ONLY ONE THAT *fill in the blank*"

Poor, poor pitiful me.

I do this. It's a cycle. I go for quite a long time cleaning up after everyone, not minding it all that much. After all, my job is to stay at home and take care of the stuff that needs to be taken care of...it's what I choose to do. I reason that the others go to school and to work, so I should pick up more slack. In part, that is true. But the other part....well that's a whole other story. The other part is what causes me to snap every so often. The other part is that in reality, there are not enough hours in the day for me, myself and I to do all that needs to be done around here for everyone else.

The other part is now called Picking Up After Ones Self. Oh, I say it around here all the time. Maybe they just don't know what I mean. They claim they "just don't see" the stuff. *insert eye roll*

I need your help. They need your help. How do you get the family to pitch in without throwing a fit first? :) What are reasonable expectations for them? How do you keep track? How many chores, how often? Rewards for them? Punishment for them? :)

*disclaimer: My hubby does a great job (most of the time) about helping out...but if you have a system that works for husbands, I'd be happy to listen ;) *

Anyone else throw fits? Seriously, I just need to know...

Little Bit of This, Little Bit of That...

2009-10-01T08:35:00.012-05:00

Let me just say that I am a little ~~jealous~~ annoyed that it seems like everyone around me has turned into a fantastic photographer. Some of your blogs I visit and each and every time there is a perfect picture to match your post.

Barf. :)

For awhile I liked to just blame it on my camera...it's not fancy enough. But reality has settled in, and it is in fact not my camera but a certain someone named Sarah that operates the camera. It's not my gift. Reality hurts sometimes. As my friend Shanon would say...Buck-Up Barbie.

Plus, pathetically poor pictures are still entertaining, right?!? Good.

Here's a list of some of my favorite things lately:

1) God. Period. And this song in particular just keeps summing it up perfectly. "Even when I'm caught in the middle, of the storms of this life I won't turn back I know you are near. I will fear no evil, for my God is with me. And if my God is with me, whom then shall I fear?" So thankful He never lets go of me...

2) My husband. Watching him love the flock God has entrusted to him is something I can't quite explain. Thankful for the new understanding I have of Pastor's and their calling. Praying each church goer everywhere understands the love and burden their pastor feels for them...he's fighting for you, and he's on your side. Love him, and lift him up in prayer.

3) Believers that I can go to who encourage and offer support and prayer. Over the big stuff and the trivial.

I got his little doohickey at a Scentsy party. It plugs into the wall and you put these little scented wax squares in the top of it and it makes the whole house smell yummy! Genius.

I can't get blogger to flip this picture...imagine that. Our Ladies Bible Study is in week three of this study. Words cannot express how much I love it. Love it, love it, love it.

I bought these magnets in the dollar bin at Target. Makes me smile every time I go to the fridge...so quite often.

Fake pumpkins and gourds that I cannot kill.

There are also a few things I am not loving...

1) The house goes from picked up to disaster in about 3.2 seconds. If I could just learn how to function well in mess then I would be set. Instead, I start to feel claustrophobic and get crabby.

Exhibit A:

Exhibit B: Their version of picking it up.

About three articles of clothing in that pile are actually dirty.

The stuff that used to be piled in baskets on the desk, until I walked past it this morning and my hips knocked it all on the floor.

I guess I've avoided the mess for long enough...better get at it. You can bet I'm gonna be listening to this song while

getting the job done. If I only had a tambourine... *wink*

Happy Thursday!

Pan of Deliciousness

2009-09-29T16:25:00.004-05:00

I posted the recipe for this beautiful pan of deliciousness last year. (they really do taste delicious...it's my poor photography skills that do it injustice.)

I've actually had requests from bloggers for the recipe again. I think it may be the only thing anyone has ever asked me to repeat. Yep, they are that good. For the record, it's not really my recipe, I got it from my Aunt Dawn. On behalf of everyone, Thank You Aunt Dawn!

You can click HERE for the recipe.

Welcome.

And so it is....the added winter poundage begins....now.

The Bald Buddies

2009-09-28T09:08:00.003-05:00

The Bald Buddies

When I think back to when I was a kid, there are certain events that just stick. Occasions that I'll always remember. Saturday night, after their flag football game will be one of those moments for my boys.

When we moved to tiny town four years ago, Tate (red shirt, 2nd from right)was one of the first friends Noah made. To meet Tate is to love him, it's pretty much that simple. This Summer Tate found out that he has Hodgkin's Lymphoma stage 3. The fight is on. As the boys learned about Chemo, and why it was necessary to make Tate better, they learned that it was likely Tate would lose his hair. Without batting an eye, the boys were certain they should shave their heads too so that Tate didn't have to do it alone.

Kids are amazing little creatures. As I heard of Tate's diagnosis, my first thought was how unfair it was. I wrestle with the reality of it, almost unable to wrap my head around it, yet those boys...they just knew they needed to join him, to let him know he's not in it alone.

And that's what they did.

Ben shaved the heads of eight little boys Saturday night. It was a night filled with laughter...I'm pretty sure all of tiny town heard us. It's a night none of us will forget.

This morning, as my bald headed little boys hurried to find stocking hats to cover their cold heads, I smiled, wishing I could be in the classroom today as those bald headed little guys arrived, smiling about the way they now feel bonded together. Bald Buddies.

If These Walls Could Talk

2009-09-24T11:05:00.004-05:00

It has been quite the week here in the parsonage. One of those weeks where I think to myself...if these walls could talk.

Actually, I think Sunday night those walls were trying to give me a heads-up. I filled the bathtub to take a bath, and that's when the water began seeping though the bathroom floor/kitchen ceiling, raining through the ceiling fan light fixture. We surely aren't the first to get that lovely experience in this parsonage.

Many of the pastors and their families that have ministered here in our church over the past 152 years of its existence have lived within these walls. They likely knew what I am currently learning; that ministering to people is much like parenting your children. They can bring you the greatest joy or the deepest pain. Either way, they drive you to your knees before The One you truly serve, with tears of joy or tears of pain.

For me, there's a sense of comfort within these walls, a sanctuary of sorts. Not only because it's home, but because I know that God sustained those in ministry before us, some through the same trials and joys of life ...and some through much, much tougher ones. He will see us through just the same.

I've learned something about myself this week. There are trials and circumstances in my life that feel like mountains. Huge mountains. I tend to wander around at the base of those mountains...pacing. Viewing them as permanent fixtures, because after all, they're mountains. That view, leads me to pray that God would be with me, sustain me...which is fine...but what if, what if they're not meant to be permanent. What if God is just waiting for me to exercise some faith in who I say He is, in what I know He's capable of. What if I believe He is the God who does the impossible? What if those mountains are meant to be moved?

Time to stop pacing at the foot of the mountain. Time to start standing on the truth of His Word that has never failed me, not once.

...Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you. Matthew 17:20-21

And when He does it, may the first words out of my mouth be glory and honor to Him.

Because I'm a Mom Blogger...

2009-09-21T14:37:00.006-05:00

Friday I promised you all some pictures. Let the record show that I actually followed through this time even though blogger wouldn't cooperate with me ALL DAY LONG.

Friday night we totally got our butts kicked on the football field. I say "we" but it was really not me...all I contributed to the game was sitting in the bleachers and chatting while consuming hamburgers, nachos, and various sugary treats. Despite the loss, Julie had fun at her first official American homecoming.

Here's Joe and Julie at the homecoming dance. I was not actually there to take the picture...but don't think I didn't think about it ;) Cute aren't they...poor Joe, I shouldn't be so hard on him. He's not actually done anything wrong...except being alive and a boy and interested in my Norwegian daughter. He did friend request me on facebook, so that earned him some brownie points...it makes spying a tad bit easier...not that I'd ever spy *cough*

I'm sure I'll eventually come around from tolerating Joe to even liking him...as long as he doesn't fail any of my impossibly high standards. And there I have another post...my semi-impossibly high standards...I could also blog about how I hope Joe doesn't know I have a blog. :)

To be fair, I'm not being hard on boys. I have three of them. I will be equally unexcited about teenage girls that come along. Just to prove it to you, last Friday night at the game, a little girl in Noah's 2nd grade class came up to Ben and I to ask where Noah was. Ben started to tell her and then saw my "don't you dare tell her where my sweet little boy is" before we both looked at her and said, "Sorry, not quite sure" Don't judge...it wasn't a lie, I wasn't exactly sure ;) I'm not gonna help the girls find my son...2nd grade or not! Oh I kid...a tiny, tiny little bit.

Moving on...

Ben and Julie before the game...

Seriously, it was adorable. He looks good with a daughter...it's a good thing we borrowed one.

All the queen candidates (Julie is 2nd from the left)

This is Julie and Leika. Leika is the other exchange student in the school.

The End

The One I've Been Dreading...

2009-09-18T10:35:00.003-05:00

I've been avoiding my blog so that I can avoid this post...because I don't really want to write about it. It's a bit of a sore subject. I'll summarize and then we can just move on without mentioning it again...sound good?

Let's Bullet it...

Trained all summer for a 1/2 mary.
1/2 mary was last Saturday, Sept. 12th.
Paid $40 to register.
Friday before race begin really not feeling well.
Barfing is next...hello dehydration.
Realize I'm not going to be able to do the race.
Weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Drag myself to race to cheer on my running partner, Billie, who does great! So, so proud of her.
Pity party for myself continues...apparently I don't know when to leave a party.
Wrestle with God on the timing issue...begging Him for some wisdom.
Pity party over.
There will be other races.
The end.

No need to send condolences. Trust me when I tell you I've spent enough time feeling sorry for myself. Way more than enough.

The barfing happened for a reason...His timing is perfect...even when I don't understand it.

There...enough of that. Let's move on to some fun updates that I know you'll find interesting ;)

Tonight is our homecoming. Julie gets to be one of the honoraries on the homecoming court so Ben gets to walk her across the field. How cute is that? I will totally have pictures for you.
Julie's date for homecoming is also the homecoming king and one of our star football players. It may be just me, but I'm finding that as a parent of a teenager now, it doesn't matter how nice and wonderful the person they want to date seems, I still tend to view them as the enemy. *smile*
Happy Friday! WOO HOO!

He's a Man Now...

2009-09-09T14:03:00.003-05:00

Conversation at our table two days ago:

Me: Eli, don't you want more *something I can't even remember now*?

Eli: No, I don't like it anymore.

Me: Since when?

Eli: Since I became a man.

Me: When did you become a man?

Eli: Two days ago.

He never misses a beat. Love him.

The Journey

2009-09-07T11:44:00.003-05:00

I ran the 10 miles on Saturday. I've had high hopes of hitting double digits since last April when I started training for this dang thing. Double digits is sort of a big deal...to me anyways. I never dreamed I'd be able to run that far. I never wanted to run that far...until God set something into plan that I couldn't say no to.

The 10 miles wasn't as great as I'd pictured it to be, but I accomplished it...so we're gonna go with "good enough" on that one.

Next Saturday, the 12th, I will be starting the race at 7:30 AM. God help me. He started this. And all these months He's sustained me, even though along the way I sometimes lost sight of the purpose, He was always patient and faithful to gently remind me. Recently, a course of events has really caused me to question what He's doing amidst this running thing...I think I thought He changed His mind...He did not. He just wants to show me how limitless He really is.

And that my friends...is a little scary to me. It shouldn't be. I wish I could tell you that I have no doubts...that my faith is so huge I'm not concerned one bit about what He's asking me to do. But even though I know He's with me, and I know He's gonna sustain me, I also know the pain that's involved. Months of training has made that very obvious. It all comes down to this...

Even when it seems and feels impossible...do I trust Him?

I do. It doesn't take the scariness away, it just gives me the the strength to jump...or in my case line up with 400 some runners at the starting line.

That race next Saturday...it's for Him.

Thanks to all of you for joining me on the journey!

It's Better Than Nothing...I Guess.

2009-09-02T11:52:00.004-05:00

Apparently when I don't blog often I just feel like updating you with bullet points.

Here Goes:

I am super excited for Labor Day Weekend because we have NOTHING planned. The past, I don't know, 100 weekends or so have been busyness. I heart having nothing planned.
Saturday I am scheduled to run 10 miles, we'll see how it goes. My body is not cooperating lately with my running plans. If the 10 goes well then I'm gonna go ahead with the 1/2 mary on the 12th, if it doesn't, then I'll surrender ~~in tears~~ graciously and try to remind myself there will be other races.
Julie taught me to knit on Saturday. I am ridiculously slow. I'm also a huge idiot because I wanted the scarf I'm making to be THICK...thick means more work, more time. Dumb. Maybe I'll just change my mind and decide to make a dishcloth.
I am so excited for new episodes of The Office. I'm watching old ones to get myself all geared up.
By the way, right now I am unable to knit and watch TV at the same time because I have to pay complete attention to the knitting to make sure I'm doing it right. It starts to make me dizzy after awhile. I might start taking Dramamine before I knit.
I've lost that loving feeling about blogging right now. It will probably return eventually. Maybe.
Is it Friday night yet? I'd like to get the weekend started...the weekend of NOTHING TO DO! YAY!
Happy week to you!

I'm THAT Mom...

2009-08-28T08:55:00.003-05:00

Before Julie, our exchange student, arrived I was quite confident I'd be the cool mom. I mean, the math alone is in my favor. With my own children, I'm 23, 24 and 27 years older than them which likely destines me to uncoolness in their eyes...eventually. But with Julie, being that she's not really mine, I get to be 14 years older, making the generation gap just small enough to keep me cool, right?

Wrong. Turns out, the age difference doesn't matter, when you're a mom, you're a mom. And to add to it...when you're me, you're me. :)

It doesn't matter that she is technically not mine.

It doesn't matter that she is smart, and seventeen years old.

It doesn't matter that she is brave enough to leave her family and country to live with strangers...

I still...

ask a million questions.
ask around to find out the reputations of her new friends.
feel the need to protect her from making any choices she might regret.
feel the need to dislike and question the intentions of any and all teenage boys, except for the ones where I personally know their mothers, because for some reason that makes a difference.
ask what happened during the day...with the who, what, when, where, why, and how following.
tell her not to stay up too late.

One day, I even asked her to change clothes. Yeah...way, way uncool. The benefit to her not being my "real" daughter is that A - she wasn't purposely trying to push the limit and B - she didn't baulk or complain, but simply changed clothes. It may have been harder on me than her, because it sealed the deal: I'm officially THAT mom ;)

Nailed It

2009-08-26T12:21:00.004-05:00

Sometimes I come across another bloggers post and think to myself...Dang, they nailed it.

Go visit my friend, who is also named Sarah (seriously, there's millions of us) and you'll know what I mean.

Good stuff. Hard stuff. True Stuff.

Life

2009-08-25T09:02:00.003-05:00

Life in the Parsonage...

Ben's car started on fire as he pulled up in front of our house last night. We had to use the fire extinguisher from the kitchen. I am not even kidding.
School has been an adjustment for all of us this year. Mainly, the "going to bed very early so that all of us can function the next day"...it's tricky after late Summer nights and lazy Summer mornings. I miss you Summer.
But I do love cool crisp mornings and evenings...especially for running. Bring it on.
Julie is doing well. It is totally different to have a teenager in the house. I don't mean that in a bad way...it's just all of a sudden there are curfews and lots and lots of activities. It changes the dynamics of the family, yet all seem to be adjusting well. We joke that it seems like she's lived here longer than three weeks, because she's just part of the family now.
Currently there are several men outside our office window building a garage. It's for the parsonage, which means we get to park in it. It's ginormous. I'm looking forward to NOT scraping the windshield this winter.
Odie has a tumor. They give him 6 months to a year to live. We've decided not to treat it because of his age. Instead, Odie continues to live the life of luxury...napping all day. We also no longer worry about his weight problem...instead we give him bacon and hamburger...he may as well live it up.
God is blowing me away with His timing lately. I'll share more later, in the mean time, I'm still trying to process all He's set into motion...it's a little dizzying.
Have to go pick Jake up from his 2nd day of preschool. Happy Tuesday!