Keeping Record of Wrongs

A women of integrity walked back into my life yesterday that I sadly had not seen for years. She was my aerobics coordinator from my days in the club. A no bulls**t kind of gal. Just in passing in the hallway yesterday, when I said I liked working for corporate she asked "why?". No surface crap for her. As much as I like that about her, it's scary. No place to hide. Great for management of a group fitness department that can come jam packed with drama.

Though this women and I were never super close, she was a voice of support and accountability for me while I was just beginning to learn what it meant to walk with God. (I'm of course still learning). In the midst of an icky struggle she reminded me that "Love does not keep record of any wrongs" (From 1Corinthians 13). She said that if she didn't confront a person about a grievance she had with them within 24 hours, she would wipe the slate clean, like an etch-a-sketch.

I need to remind myself that if I'm keeping record, creating a list of "charges" against someone, I'm not loving them. Man, it's hard to forgive like God does. I find myself just wanting to hold on. For what purpose, I don't know, all it helps me do is make them feel guilty or defensive. What about repeat offenders? God wants me to keep forgiving them? Wait, take the question mark out of that...God wants me to keep forgiving them. Not easy. But if it were me, I would want forgiveness without strings attached.

So why is it so hard to forgive? Why do I want punishment, the very thing I myself deserve and yet don't want? Is that what love is about? Is it my place to sit in judgement? I know the answers to all those questions and yet I still ask them. I guess all I can do is pray that God give me the same mercy and grace towards others that He gave me and then leave it up to Him. The next question...do I trust Him enough to leave it with Him? What choice to I have. I've already tried and failed my way, again and again...and again. Now who is the repeat offender? ;o)

Let the Good Times Roll (P)

Sunday afternoon/evening turned into an impromptu gathering with friends…and family. There were eight adults, eight children (including the one still in the oven) and lots of chaos. I love my children dearly and enjoyed seeing everyone but it was crazy. Our friends are great, their always helping out, it’s kind of like having a big family even though I’m an only child. Whether you were there on Sunday or not, I’m grateful to know so many truly wonderful people. So bring your chaos our way anytime or feel free to join in on ours because I’m pretty sure we have enough to go around.

For the McConns who didn't make it to the wedding, here's a picture. Ya, I know it's not much, but even with grandpa and grandma around, two kids at a wedding is a full-time job. I'm really bummed I didn't get a picture of Jackie, Julie, Katie and Angie together, they all looked HOT!

I got to touch the belly! I got to touch the belly! The bun in the oven I was referring to earlier. ;o) I forget how tall Noelle is. Oh wait...I mean how short I am.

The Crib (S)

I knew Brady was heavy, but I didn't think he was over 18 pounds!! At his four month appt. he weighed in at 18 lbs. 1 oz. Haylie was 19 lbs. 1 oz. at her one year appt. No wonder I have arms of steel and am always tired at the end of the day! Last weekend my great uncle Jack almost tipped over when I handed Brady to him. My daycare lady has also stopped helping carry Brady to the car in his car seat. I think I've earned a massage, now I just have to find the time!

Brady doesn't get much time to hang out on his back so the other night when Brady was playing in his crib and Haylie wanted to join him, I agreed. *click on "view all images"

Sing, Praise, Proclaim!

Psalm 96:2
Sing to the Lord, praise His name; proclaim His salvation day after day.

Often when I'm alone in my car, I will sit in silence and construct a dream house or plan my evening at home. Every once in a while I might grab the phone and try to catch up with someone. Or worse yet, I will dwell on negative thoughts or feelings and make little agreements with Satan in my head. Even though I'm not always in the mood, I can never go wrong by turning on the radio and singing along to praise and worship songs. I remember when I first started going to church I hated the singing portion. It's not because I don't sing well, because I really don't, but it just wasn't natural to me, something I wasn't used to. But after a while I realized that singing songs at church, or anywhere for that matter, really put me in a different mind set. It helped me to focus on God and not all those other things. It helped me to remember His blessings and be thankful for His salvation. I still like to construct dream homes and talk on the phone, but it's good to sing praises to the Lord and hopefully I will learn to do it everyday. Even though it didn't come natural to me, it was what I was made to do.

If anyone else needs a pick me up and you live here in the cities, try KTIS 98.5. They also have an Internet connection on their website (link at bottom of the page).

I Just Can't Help Myself (P)

Getting a new camera to use, I can't help but live behind it a little. Just call me and I'll be there to take a picture of it.

Enough is enough (P)

I barely have any pictures of my son because the kid is either eating or sleeping. I'm not complaining but it would be nice to capture a few family moments that include him. Soon enough... In the meantime, I've been catching up on sleep. Last weekend I attended my friends wedding shower which turned into bachelorette party number 2. I missed the first one since they took a weekend and went to Chicago but I made it to the later, tamer version. I went out...downtown...until 2am!! By the time I got home, got into bed, got back out of bed to feed Brady and went back to bed it was 4. I was doing really good too. That is until Haylie got me up at 7. Then it hurt and continued to hurt until Tuesday, no alcohol required. But Brady made it easy to catch up on missed sleep this week. He is a little sleepin' machine. I guess we'll see how the weekend goes. Tommy was pretty busy all week, thank goodness there will be no fall volleyball (due only to hunting season, of course).

Yes, I know I might look like the drunk one, but that's what happens when you've been sober as long as I have. ;o)

I guess I can't give Tommy too much crap about not working out, though I'm pretty sure I saw a diagram in pediatricians office that said the bottom picture was a no, no.

Trying out my dad's camera (P)

This is for you Jen! ;o)

When will it slow down? (P)

I came back from my parents last Tuesday, had a birthday dinner with my Oma Wednesday night, had a happy hour for a co-worker who was leaving Thursday night and then got to the lake cabin at 1:30 in the morning on Friday. It was a nice weekend at the cabin with auntie Brooke and uncle Chris but we didn't get home from the lake until 9pm on Sunday and now I'm just trying to get my head on straight so I can make it through this week. Both kids got their baths, I've balanced the check book and started another load of laundry all while Tommy's at his fire training. Tommy asked this morning, as we DRAGGED ourselves out of bed, if I would like to go the tracker pull Friday night at the Carver County Fair. Ugh!! Of course if a I say no he'll say "you never want to do anything". ;o) Did I mention the Bridal shower Saturday night, the volleyball tournament Saturday morning Tommy's wants me to bring the kids to to watch. On top of all of it we have four weddings in the next two months, thankfully only one of which is out of town. I suppose everyone has a laundry list like this and if they don't they are probably single and don't have kids. Of course, Tommy's mom just got back from her trip to Mongolia Saturday and is heading out for Vancouver/Seattle Wednesday. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree. ;o) It's interesting how God puts us with people who stretch us. The truth is I DON'T want to do that much and I often do things with Tommy reluctantly. But they usually turn out well without any regrets. Tommy wanted me to go tubing with Haylie this weekend right as we were getting ready to leave the lake. I groaned, but got on the tube (even though I had to dig for the swim suit I had already packed). It was fun and I'm sure Haylie will be talking about it for a while. Thank goodness for those stretches.

Co-coworkers and myself at my co-worker Jackies fare-well bocce ball tournament. The winner was given a day off which of course would not have benefited Jackie one bit. Oh well, we did take a half day off to celebrate her seven years with LTF. She was my cube mate and will be missed A LOT.

Brady snuggling with his cousin.

Haylie and Mommy tubing.

**NOTE**While I was writing this entry I was not thinking, and of course did not mean, that single people are not busy. After posting it and reading it again later, I realized how it sounded. I wondered if others would think I was saying single people without kids aren’t busy, because I know that’s not true. I get exhausted just HEARING about some of my single co-workers busy lives and am grateful I don’t have to keep up with them. It is a different kind of busy though, perhaps more voluntary. So if you will notice I did say “IF”.