32 Weeks!

Hello baby!

I can't believe I'm 32 weeks already...time is flying by, and it won't be much longer now. Jim and I are both incredibly excited to meet our little guy, but also incredibly nervous. I find that I fluctuate between just wanting him to be here, and freaking out because I feel like we're never going to be ready, and it's going to change everything, and we don't know what we'll be like as parents...and on and on and on. But then I remember-this child is God's, not ours. We're being entrusted to take care of him and love him and help him grow, but God is much more concerned about his well-being than we could ever be. So we'll be fine. One thing I am looking forward to...being able to bend over again.

~Alisha

Graham's Nursery

I decided to put up a few pictures of Graham's Nursery. This picture below was taken right after we got our crib and before we really started working on the nursery. It turned out pretty differently by the time were done. Enjoy!

We painted the walls a bluish grey below the chair rail and a grey on top. We took a few decorations from elsewhere in our house and bought a few to create his little room.

The boat in this picture we bought a few years ago at Target. At the time it went very well with our nautical theme we were planning to implement in our attic, but it fits much better in Graham's room. The rocking chair was given to us by my parents, and is the same chair that my parents used to rock me in when I was a baby. The table was a black end table that we didn't think went very well in the room because of it's color. Instead of buying a new table at $50+ we decided to re-vamp this one by covering it in some leftover fabric and bought some rope from Lowes for $0.47 p/foot. (4 feet was just long enough despite what I thought we would need).

The photo collage was a mixture of new and old frames. Some of these we had sitting in our attic and we bought the silver ones to make a cool combination of old meets new. The rectangle and oval frames and the mixture of styles makes it an interesting focal point. The light we made from an old wire basket and used fabric to sew a liner for it. We then attached the liner with kitchen string and a large-eyed needle.

My mother in law helped us when she was here by making these awesome curtains (which I didn't take a very good picture of now that I am looking through them - hopefully I will take a better one soon). They reminded us of sail cloth when we bought the fabric and we used the extra fabric to make the liner for the light fixture in the picture above this one. The globe, mirror, and moulding squares were all elsewhere in our house.

This dresser we found a year or so ago at an antique shop in Roanoke. We painted it with the same paint as the chair rail and moulding in the room and we really like how it turned out. We also found the oar for $5 at a shop in Salem. I used a staple gun and some wire to make hangers on the back to put it up.

The shelf was given to us and we painted it with the same paint as the dresser. The oil lamp was another decoration we took from elsewhere in our house. The blocks we found a year or so ago and I had to buy them - I love blocks! I actually made the sock monkey as well (my first attempt at knitting in the round) and we bought the little candle sticks and round frame.

The 'G' hook Alisha found in Charlottesville at Anthropologie. I wasn't sure about it at first but really like it now (she was right). On the floor (you can barely see it in the picture) we found an amazing wooden alphabet block board for about $3 in Appomattox. Again, we bought this about a year ago and have been holding on to it since then. Alisha wasn't sure if we would use it for a girl's room, so I was pretty excited that we were having a boy as I thought it was so great.

This has been a lot of fun and we saved a lot of money by doing so much ourselves and repurposing furniture and decorations. We are so blessed and thankful for God's provision and abundant blessings in allowing us to decorate this nursery for our boy.

Remember Sweatshirts?

So, maybe once or twice per year, either my wife or I (usually me) will say something funny that gets us both laughing so hard we can't stop laughing or crying, and we can't breathe! Last year, that hilarious statement was 'remember sweatshirts'? I know it doesn't sound very funny out of context, but Alisha and I had just gone to bed and I had the air on and the fan going (can't stand to be hot when I sleep) and just blurted it out - "Remember Sweatshirts"? We both laughed so hard! Every once in a while one of us will just say it to each other and crack up laughing.

This week, we had another moment like this. It was Saturday morning, and Alisha and I were talking, and a song lyric came into my head. I couldn't remember the tune so I made it up. I started singing in a flat, monotone voice - like a durge - "when I was a child, I thought as a child" - I still couldn't remember the tune and Alisha interrupts me, and says "why are you singing 1 Corinthians 13"? I busted out laughing, not realizing what I was singing, and then we both started up and before I knew it we were both crying and laughing and so I kept going, "now I am a man, I have put away childish things"... followed by more laughter and tears... any ways, I am truly thankful for laughter and little moments I get to share w/ my wife like this!

It has been a little while since I was able to post. School started back for me (I work at a school - I don't attend school, just in case you were wondering), and things are in full swing. I was hesitant about how many changes were taking place but things have truly gone well (although busy days!). I have much to be thankful for!

96. It is chilly outside - no lie! It is wonderful. Alisha and I went for a walk tonight and I wore a long-sleeved shirt! I LOVE IT!

97. I love being able to whip up a batch of chocolate chip cookies, and am thankful for the resources to be able to do so - not only the ingredients, but the supplies, power to be able to cook with, and working appliances... sometimes I take these for granted...

98. We have truly been through a lot in the last week or two - an earthquake then a hurricane, and we had very minimal damage and no loss of power! God was truly gracious to us.

99. I am thankful for friends who challenge me during the week - getting e-mails from my small group and reading others' opinions on current topics or ways the gospel is ring subtly attacked in our society - it is truly a reminder to 'test the spirits' and not just take it for what it appears

100. I am thankful for the assurance of my salvation, though sometimes I doubt it - and assurance that Jesus Christ is completing His work in me until completion

101. I am thankful that someone donated some tickets to a sporting event that I get to go w/ my family and a friend! Truly a blessing in a financially difficult time for my family.

102. While things didn't work out as I anticipated with a potential new (to us) car, I am thankful that Alisha and I have two safe and sound cars to transport us around freely and without worrying if they will break down.

103. I am so thankful for the blessing of my parents who take the time to help and serve us. My mom came down and helped me get a bunch of things done around the house. My dad has done a lot of work on our cars and let his wife come down to help us (while he had to fend for himself).

104. I am thankful for rest! The sermon on Sunday was reviewing the Sabbath and the concept of rest, and although I tend to be overly 'busy', I am thankful for moments of peace, rest and relaxation.

105. I am thankful for the kindness and encouragement of friends!

I'm back!

I've been slacking the past couple of weeks in posting my additions to the blog. It's not that I haven't been looking for God's everyday gifts, but just haven't put them into blog form. We had a great 5th anniversary weekend away at the beach...it was perfect timing as this past week has been very hectic for me! Between work and finals for school, I think that is almost all I did most of the week. Jim was able to get some things done he'd wanted to work on and just take time to relax during his week off before the school schedule begins-it was a full week for both of us, which has resulted in a little bit of chaos around the house! My goal today is to try to clean...although I don't even know where to start. :S Even in the midst of our bit of chaos, God continues to provide daily reminders of beauty and grace.

85. a much-needed break from school...in God's perfect timing (funding was unavailable this semester-a forced but welcome break!)
86. finishing the semester well
87. rest for my hard-working husband-a well-deserved week off!
88. sounds and smells of outdoors in the early morning
89. quiet solitude on the beach at sunrise
90. golden light on rolling waves-heavens displaying God's glory
91. trials throughout the past year-Romans 5:3-5
91. basking in the truth and beginning to understand that God is FOR me.
92. pre-storm breezes blowing through curtains
93. late summer rainstorms
94. opportunities to use skills (interpreting jobs given)
95. anticipation of coming celebrations

~Alisha

Sometimes this is hard!

So, today has been a difficult day for me. I went out to my car this morning to quickly grab something and realized someone had broken in and stolen several of our belongings including a $600 camera, satellite radio receiver, and some other things. At first, I was okay w/ it and maintained a good attitude. As the day progressed, things continued to etch away at that good attitude, and I was having a difficult time being thankful. In fact, Alisha was trying to encourage me to be thankful, and I just didn't want to do anything but lay in my bed and shut out the world for a while. I can't believe how stubborn I am in moments of difficulty. My true self shines through in these tough times and I realize how self-centered/self-focused my life is. At times when I get discouraged, I don't truly want to change my mindset - instead I want to wallow in it and make others feel bad for me too. I have much to learn. I pray that God changes my heart as left to myself I will continue to be this way...

I spent the afternoon scrounging around my house to find things I could sell online or on Craigslist to buy another camera before Graham comes... I listed several things, and this evening after small group found out that I sold one thing and had an inquiry for another. There's $35 I didn't have this morning...

81. I am thankful that God in His providence, allowed these things to be taken and that I can trust Him to continue to provide abundantly for my family.

82. I am thankful that I had such a quick response on a few of these items already

83. I am thankful for a wife who does challenge/exhort me during times when I am so self-centered

84. I am thankful for a small group who cares for each other and supports each other. We put together a care package for a deployed small group member tonight and had a blast taking pictures, writing funny notes and making some videos...

5 Years of Marriage = Much to be thankful for

Alisha and I celebrated our five-year wedding anniversary last Friday! That night during dinner, we had a chance to reflect on the past year. We started this ‘exercise’ (if you will) last year where we share the top three things in various categories, such as: funniest moments, things we have learned, favorite trips, hardest times, most memorable moments, etc. This has truly been a blessing both years we have done it, and I know we will continue doing it for years to come.

I think it is important to look back and reflect, although I rarely do it. This blog is a way to reflect, a discipline I hope to internalize – reflecting on the blessings God has poured out so lavishly on our lives. I have much to be thankful for!

71. I am thankful we ended up leaving late yesterday (although it was very stressful until we arrived) because we missed a lot of traffic and an accident on 64. We would have been sitting forever in accident-traffic

72. Thankful for amazingly delicious seafood on the waterfront to celebrate 5 years of marriage

73. As strange as it sounds, I am thankful for the little lights you put up in front of a camper shaped like different things – they remind me of when I was younger and used to go camping w/ my grandparents…

74. Thankful for times of reflection and talking about the great and difficult things that happened this year

75. Thankful for some quality time w/ my parents and Megan

76. Thankful for the eye-opening experience of watching a toddler for a whole weekend

77. Thankful that my wife and I have stayed together for 5 years – through ups and downs

78. Thankful for hospitality of some good friends and yummy food!

79. Thankful for good talks with distant friends – encouraging and thought-provoking

80. Thankful for forgiveness from others when we hurt or disappoint them

O Happy Day!

I had a wonderful day today. I don't suppose I truly feel that way very often, so I will capitalize on this moment. This is the first week without any clients at work - this is our training and preparation/catch up on paperwork week, and I wasn't really sure how it would go today. I was met with a wonderfully busy day filled with laughter and accomplishment. We were able to do some team-building activities (always worried about those, LOL) which turned out to be hilarious and in my opinion, were huge success.

After work, my co-workers went to Mangia for 'happy hour', and while I didn't drink, those $2 appetizers hit the spot. This time was also filled with lots of laughter and was just a fun time! In the midst of occasional uncertainty, it was great to know that there are some good relationships being formed.

Alisha is doing a project for school where she has to interview and do vocational testing on two individuals, of which I am one. Through the experience, I do believe I am where God has gifted me, but am also uncertain about the longevity of this type of work, and am wondering what kind of career path is in front of me. I don't know why I have this ridiculous need to know what I am doing with my life - the allure of control I suppose is ever beckoning me. I am blessed to have a wife who is full of wisdom and who will listen to me, naming things/tendencies in me that can get me in trouble, and helping to ground my craziness. I am trying to rest in God's goodness and His perfect will for my life.

61. The Shower Being Done!

62. A wife who provides wise feedback - full of grace and humility, and reality!

63. Barriers being broken down and relationships being built!

64. Laughter and fun at work!

65. A nice break from the chaos that is 'summer Therapeutic Day Treatment program'

66. I am thankful for the road/path that God has brought me vocationally over the past 3 years

67. Talking to my boy en-eutero and feeling him kick

68. A Lunch break! - First one I have had since I started at DDS! Got to walk across the street and visit with Alisha for a few minutes today.

69. I am thankful to have a wife that is so active in the community - now she is piloting a study of how technology (iPad, iPod, iPhone) can be used in supportive employment (cool toys!)

70. Prospect of the beach this weekend! I am eagerly anticipating the smell of the ocean!