"So we as pastors would exhort you all to flee covetousness. Topple all your idols. “Count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ.” Be in the word every day. But also find those who live this way and “keep your eyes on them.” What you will see, if you look carefully, is the power and the beauty of Christ. This sight will satisfy your soul. And your satisfied soul will keep you from stealing and lying. And your life will make God look supremely valuable. " - J. Piper

the cousins hang.

Uncle Marc, Evan, and Miles.

the three boys

Fun few days with my cousin Nicole, her husband Marc, and son Miles.

18 weeks.

Here we are...growing. I gained 60lbs. (ugh it was so nast.) with Maxwell, 40 with Evan, and I am going for 35 with this one. Less would be better, but I'm trying to be realistic here! We will be finding out the sex at the end of the month! Yee-haw!

Jared.

Jared and Evan. 2006. I love this picture.

Today my brother in law Jared turns 29.
Today he remains at his parents house, in their care, unable to speak.
Today he kisses your hand as you greet him. He tries to communicate as best as he can,
he walks as well as he can, he shows love.
Justin and I often reminise about old times. I love hearing stories from their childhood.
I love remembering his laugh, the way he talked and genuinely cared for others. The way he took tongs and dunked like 5 oreos in milk before he ate them. The not one but three times he rescued me from the side of the road and fixed my flat tire because Justin wasn't around and probably would've been much help anyway.
Although he is so different than he was six years ago when on that February day his life (and ours) was forever changed, there is one thing that hasn't.
Jared loves Jesus, he belongs to him.
He had such a passion for life, for others, but mostly for Christ.
This is how I remember him.

Happy Birthday Jared Paul. We love you.

a little perspective.

Last week as I was out running errands I was stopped at a stop sign. Crossing the road were two little ones..both of whom looked under five years old, and a woman, who I assumed to be their mother. She was also carrying a car seat with an infant inside. If you have ever carried one of those you know how heavy they can be!

She seemed to be struggling as sweat ran down her temples, it was a hot day. Here I sat in my mini-van air conditioning blasting, my boys and I very comfortable on our way to get a few things we needed and maybe a few extras. At the moment I think I was a bit stunned.

I've been known to complain about my van, mostly I'm joking but if I'm honest there is a part of me who longs for a SUV...you know the big ones that cost like $200. to fill up. Ridiculous I know. I must be insane...or at least just really selfish.

I soon realized how often I think that way. I look at the very wealthy and exclaim how selfish they with thier fancy cars and gorgeous homes. HELLO! Examine yourself Anne! I'm just as, if not more selfish then they. People less fortunate than I am probably think that I'm a selfish pig.

And so the story goes.

While I know it's not wrong to have nice things, it is wrong to make them a centerpoint in your life. I think I too often think about what I can buy next for me instead of thinking how I could use the money to help someone else.

Everything in life is a gift from God. We deserve nothing. Apart from his grace we have nothing.

" If we follow our desires we cannot please God. You are no longer ruled by your desires, but by God's Spirit, who lives in you. People who don't have the Spirit of Christ in them don't belong to him. But Christ lives in you. So you are alive because God has accepted you, even though your bodies must die because of your sins. Yet God raised Jesus to life! God's Spirit now lives in you, and he will raise you to life by his Spirit.
My dear friends, we must not live to satisfy our desires. If you do, you will die. But you will live, if by the help of God's Spirit you say "No" to your desires. Only those people who are led by God's Spirit are his children. God's Spirit doesn't make us slaves who are afraid of him. Instead, we become his children and call him our Father. God's Spirit makes us sure that we are his children. His Spirit lets us know that together with Christ we will be given what God has promised. We will also share in the glory of Christ, because we have suffered with him.
A Wonderful Future for God's People I am sure that what we are suffering now cannot compare with the glory that will be shown to us. In fact, all creation is eagerly waiting for God to show who his children are. Meanwhile, creation is confused, but not because it wants to be confused. God made it this way in the hope that creation would be set free from decay and would share in the glorious freedom of his children. We know that all creation is still groaning and is in pain, like a woman about to give birth.
The Spirit makes us sure about what we will be in the future. But now we groan silently, while we wait for God to show that we are his children. This means that our bodies will also be set free. And this hope is what saves us. But if we already have what we hope for, there is no need to keep on hoping. However, we hope for something we have not yet seen, and we patiently wait for it." Romans 8:8-25

I pray that I would be reminded of this more often and live for Christ!

4th weekend.

My boys at a baseball game July 3 with a group from our church. Fireworks afterwards...it was fun!

On the 4th we went to our bff 's the Mondragons for an outside party. Well, it began to pour just as we walked in thier front door. So, the party was inside. Here is Evan, Maxwell, and Juliana playing together. I can't believe I didn't get a decent picture of the three of them in their 4th of July gear. I'm so dumb.

We still had a blast and Justin is the next American Idol...according to the Wii.

And finally, I think I'm about done with this project. I will probably add a few more, and I like the mirror idea Megan has on her wall... so it will probably be never ending...

help me people.

Two posts in a day...can you believe it?!!!

Here's the deal. I think the wall on our stairwall has potential. I had it blank for awhile...B-O-R-I-N-G. Then I had it like this. It seemed like it wasn't enough for the space. Now I am working on this:

Keep in mind it is still a work in progress, but you get the idea.

So I need your help. Should I?:

a. keep it up...it's lookin' sassy.
b. go back...what were you thinking?
c. I have a way better idea! (and share what it is!!)

pool & stitches

Last week we had met my friend Jaime and her daughter Camryn at the pool. The boys had so much fun with her. When we left Maxwell and Camryn held hands...so cute, and of course my camera was at the bottom of my ginormous beach bag.

The boys love the pool, Evan thinks he is so cool, he loves jumping in off the side, and heading to the deep end with the "big" kids. We usually go at least once a week and yesterday he bumped his face while trying to climb up the edge and ended up with this...

Yep. 5 stitches on his chin. As I saw the huge gash I wanted to toss my cookies and he was ready to head back in the pool. I took him to the lifeguard office while he chatted with the lifeguards and entertained them while they make-shifted a bandage for him. We got to Urgent Care and he didn't even flinch as the Dr. stitched him up. I think he's a bit proud of his battle wound.

He's still as happy as he always is. Love that kid.

We are kicking off this weekend with a baseball game and fireworks tonight.

Happy 4th of July weekend! Have a safe one!

farmer's market & downtown.

Saturday morning the boys and I went to the farmer's market and walked around downtown while Daddy (& Uncle Jordan who is living with us this summer) slept in. Maxwell wanted his picture taken at every doorway we walked past. It was hot, but a blast!

It's real life.

Today I join Megan in It's real life. I thought it would be fun to do. So here are my snapshots.

1. Curb Appeal. notice my non-existent potted plants on the porch that I love dearly.

2. Junk Drawer.

No junk drawer...but I do have a junk shelf...or more like junk cabinet.

3. From whence I blog.

I love our kitchen nook. Should I paint the table black or white? I can't decide.

3. Favorite jewelry.

Ok well my favorite jewelry is really my engagement ring, but I refuse to take a picture of my hand...I hate hand pictures. So this necklace is my second fav. I get so many compliments on it!

5. best feature.

I hate to be lame here, but I'm gonna go ahead and copy Megan on this one. I too think my best feature is having Jesus. For when others see his work in my life, how I am because of who he is, it brings out the best in me. Christ does that! What a great gift!

the best gifts.

I recieved this scrumptious gift about a month ago. I love it. It rocks.

My Aunt Sue made it for Justin and I, and I love it. I cherish it. It means so much to me to have a quilt made from her.So awesome right? Don't you love the strips at the top? So rockin'

the backside...so cool isn't it?

Thank you Sue.

I love you!

Ungrind: Simple Gestures

Check out my latest publication at Ungrind.

excuse the potty language...

Maybe we'd respect the toliet more if they were more like this...doubtful, but maybe.

(image: www.boston.com.)

DISCLAIMER: If you find the talk of toliets offensive I suggest you refrain from reading this post.

Here's the thing, public bathrooms are gross.

But do they have to be SO gross?
I remember walking into a bathroom once and turned right around and walked away as quick as I could. I swear there was a minor explosion in there.

On vacation a few weeks ago I walked into 3 of the 4 stalls before I found an acceptable toliet.

I have to say I've never complained to the management about nasty toliets but I'm beginning to think I should.They always have those signs in the restrooms stating something like, " If you find these restrooms unacceptable please let us know."

I almost always do find them "unacceptable"

Listen, I don't spend each day scrubbing the toliets in my house, but nobody in my home seems to have a problem (for the most part) doing thier business into the toliet...and I live with all boys.

Nobody who has visited my home has had a minor explosion.

I just would like to meet one of these people who, for lack of a better phrase, "let it all out" and then some. Look, I'll be honest I've heard some people in obvious pain in the stall next to me before. I also know that I myself have had an emergency situation but even then I manage to leave the toliet the way I found it.

We all know the port-a-potty has a bad rep. but we expect that.

Why has the public toliet gone so downhill?

Maybe it's just that people don't have respect for property that is not their own. Perhaps they save their nasty business for the public so they don't have to clean it up at home.

People clog toliets with baby wipes...not supposed to flush those people!

Woman do who knows what with their items at that time of the month...come on ladies!

I don't get it.

All I know is I've had it.

Respect the toliet people.

Respect the toliet.

Vent of the day now over. Happy Monday!

The Fourth Bear: A Nursery Crime.

Ever wonder why Momma and Poppa Bear slept in separate beds? Or the real reason Goldilocks was in the house that morning? Or why, if the three bowls of porridge were poured at the same time from the same pot, each of them was at a different temperature?
In Jasper Fforde's "The Fourth Bear" is not only crazy and perhaps a little insane it will bring you many chuckles and out loud laughter. It is the second book book in the nursery crime series although I think "The Fourth Bear" is worth reading alone and you certainly do not have had read "The Big Over Easy" to enjoy it.
Jack Spratt is the detective in charge of the Nursery Crime Division and the main character of our story, deals with all crimes that are related to PDRs -Persons of Dubious Reality(characters from nursery rhymes). Jack's popularity in the press plummets down after his division fails to prevent the wolf from swallowing Granny and Little Red Riding Hood, and Jack is soon in an enforced "rest" period -with his sanity called into question. But when the evil and sadistic psychotic murderer The Gingerbread Man escapes from the asylum Jack won't let his "rest" time stop him. He and his partner Mary Mary, along with the help of binary-speaking alien, Ashley, are determined to solve this case making Briggs (Jack's boss) look like an idiot by solving the case themselves. It's all to do with bears, the missing journalist named Goldilocks, and an unexpected secret that lies beneath the growing of gigantic cucumbers. Yes, cucumbers! One of my favorite parts of the story has to do with Jack's newly purchased car, which seems to repair itself and whose odometer is running backwards! Yes, backwards!
Loved this book, and you will too!

aurelia & annalise

Got these cutie patooties off of Etsy(three cheers for Etsy!)...and if I don't have a girlie, someone is getting some great shoes.

a few from Door County 2008

back from paradise?

monday. 6.09.2008 - self portrait.

tuesday 6.4.2008- sunday 6.08.2008
julia. joelle. anne.

yep. It rained and stormed for most of our holiday. But we still had fun. More pics to come.

going away on a holiday...

We will be on holiday( I say holiday for coolness effect...sounds so much cooler than vacation) for the next week. Can't wait to get there...pray our flights all go smoothly. We will be on our annual trip with Justin's family on lake Michigan...on our very own private beach. It is pure bliss. Meanwhile enjoy these chubby legs from last years trip. Don't you just want to squeeze them?!

max.

At the end of this summer you will be four years old. It really is, unbelievable. You have really grown this past year. From random words to full on sentences you have become quite the young boy.

I love that your my oldest. While you are very reserved and apprehensive, you also show great care and concern for others. You are very observant and on the lookout for those in need. Makes me wonder what kind of future your life holds. Perhaps you'll be a Doctor as you love to care for others. Perhaps a chef as you pay attention do detail and love to help me in the kitchen. Maybe a professional skater as you recently have developed a love for skateborading.

You still are in love with playing cars. It is a daily occurance you get them out and line them up. Your love for them has rubbed off on your little brother too. I love when you two play together with all your cars lined up. Usually once a day you two end up in some sort of scabble over them, usually resulting in you two grabbing one anothers shoulders and Evan trying to get a bite in.

For the most part though, you get along.

You love the outdoors...but not the bugs. You and Evan can spend hours in the yard playing in the sandbox, baseball, soccer, golf, and riding your bikes all over. It is fun to watch you two enjoy the outdoors for so long and come in with red sweaty faces begging for some water to drink.

As I mentioned before, you recently developed a love for skateboarding. Your friend Nathaniel LOVES Tony Hawk and has rubbed off on you. His older brother Wynn is really into it, and he practiced a bit when we were over at thier house there a few weeks ago.

This summer I signed you up for swimming lessons which I have to admit I'm a bit nervous about. You have always been a bit leary about the pool. You love going in, about waist deep, but never have stuck your face in. I hope the experience is good so I can continue to send you each summer to learn to swim.

What I love most about you is your sweetness. If Evan gets hurt, you are always there to help him in whatever way you can. You comfort him, and speak kind words. You usually listen to Daddy and I very well, and do what we ask of you. Your not perfect, but we love the boy you are becoming. We hope and pray that you would long for and love a Savior who loves you much more than your Daddy and I ever could.

Love you Maxwell Jared.

xoxo,

Mommy

Can I get a yikesa?!

(image: Lex. -Fayette Urban Country Government webpage)

6:30 this morning I was awakened by the sound of a large truck.
I quickly remembered we forgot to take out the garbage. Again.
I looked out the window to see what truck it was and it was the recycling truck.
Eh. Not worth it. We still had room to squish boxes in our can. The thing is huge.
I checked everyone else's cans to see if the garbage truck had been by.
It seemed like it had. Their bins were not right next to the curb so it appeared I had missed the truck.
Again.
I went back to bed fretting about where we were going to put our garbage until next Friday since our can was full and I didn't want to have stinky trash in our garage. I also wondered how we were so bad about remembering that Friday is garbage day, because seeing everyone else's garbage cans out is apparently not a good enough indication for us.
Can you believe I spent ten minutes thinking about this?!
Anyway, I fell back asleep.
Around 7:30 am I was awakened again, looked out and indeed it was the garbage truck.
I quickly scurried out the door and ushered "Herbie" (yes, our city names our receptacles) down to the curb. As I headed back up I noticed a neighbor outside, some lawn care people taking care of a neighbors lawn, and of course the garbage men themselves who were present all looking at me. Disheveled hair and pajamas. A nice look. In my defense, I wear cute pajamas to bed, no moo-moos or baggy T's. I like to go to bed in style.
Anyway, I didn't care.
I got my garbage to the curb and didn't have to worry about a stinky garage the rest of the week.

Hope you have a great weekend!

ready for summer.

This afternoon the boys and I had a picnic outside and played. It was SO gorgeous out. Bring on summer!