Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World

Why would my mom leave her cozy house and drive for 30+ minutes early one morning to stand in line for hours in the mist/rain?

This very line right here. 

Why would my dad subject himself to such things, serving as family photographer of her sitting on her stool that she brought in her car so she wouldn't have to sit on the ground? What could be worth wearing this bright lime green rain coat and red boots in front of other adults?

For this moment. To sit and chat with Martha Stewart herself. Martha was at Sur La Table in Dallas on Tuesday to sign her new book for a few adoring fans. Mom soaked it up and was thrown off when Martha started asking her questions. We warned Mom not to say anything to her. Mom was prepared to smile and say, "Thank You," but then Martha starting chatting. I'm sure Martha got a kick out of Mom telling her that both Mom AND Dad rush home during their lunch hour to watch her show every day. This was like Christmas for Mom--soaking up what Martha had to say AND bringing home her brand new cookbook. Oh happy day.

I'll Stay Where You've Put Me

If you have been reading the devotional Streams in the Desert by L.B. Cowman you have seen this poem, which I have to assume was written by Cowman since there is not another author mentioned. It is a wonderful, powerful reminder that God is in control of our lives, no matter how small our lives might seem to us at a given time. On Sunday our pastor gave some very easy guidelines to follow/remember about living a life that reflects our belief and assurance that God is sovereign and the impact that that assurance has on our world around us. The hard truth, he said, is that it is our fear and anxiety that robs us of this assurance. Our distrust that He is still on the throne, monitoring every thing that happens around us. Our fear that maybe He forgot us, left us to our own governing, our own despair. Read this poem and hopefully be reminded that He is indeed still on His throne and he certainly has a plan for your life. Even if your day is at home with little people hanging on you, without much outside interaction. Even if you have been waiting for your other half to show up in your life, and you have waited a long long time, and you feel alone. Even if you feel trapped in your job and you are sure your gifts aren't being used.

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"Stay there until I tell you." (Matthew 2:13)

I'll stay where You've put me; I will, dear Lord,

Though I wanted so badly to go;

I was eager to march with the "rank and file,"

Yes, I wanted to lead them, You know.

I planned to keep step to the music loud,

To cheer when the banner unfurled,

To stand in the midst of the fight straight and proud,

But I'll stay where You've put me.

I'll stay where You've put me; I'll work, dear Lord,

Though the field be narrow and small,

And the ground be neglected, and stones lie thick,

And there seems to be no life at all.

The field is Your own, only give me the seed,

I'll sow it with never a fear;

I'll till the dry soil while I wait for the rain,

And rejoice when the green blades appear;

I'll work where You've put me.

I'll stay where You've put me; I will, dear Lord;

I'll bear the day's burden and heat,

Always trusting You fully; when sunset has come

I'll lay stalks of grain at Your feet.

And then, when my earth work is ended and done,

In the light of eternity's glow,

Life's record all closed, I surely will find

It was better to stay than go;

I'll stay where You've put me.

I would show you a picture but...

I would show you a picture but...you'll have to trust me on this one. Let me give you a little history: I have my dad's teeth. They aren't good. They aren't much tougher than thin sheets of ice. My dental history is long and my file is thick. Growing up in a small(er) town I went to the same dentist my whole life until I got married. I would drive home from school, work, graduate school, wherever I was to go to him because well, he had my file. Once I got married it became clear that driving over an hour every time I had a tooth issue was a little much since I lived among 50 dentists per square mile. Luckily, there was a great referral for me once I decided to see someone closer to my new home. Two years ago I went to him at the urging of my sister-in-law Amy. Her best friends' husband is a dentist and he's got some serious rewards/honors under his name. The first time I saw him they took pictures of all of my (I think,) 5 teeth that needed help at the time. I was pregnant with Ty. I hadn't gotten around to fixing things so I went every other day for about 3 weeks to get things fixed. Then when I was newly pregnant with Charlie I broke another tooth. Now when I say break I mean break. Like pieces of the tooth crack off or completely shatter. Sorry if this is gross but at least it didn't happen in YOUR mouth. In two years it has already gotten to the, "Well, you weren't kidding about being a frequent flier here..." statements from his staff. 

Well, I've been doing pretty well with the crown(s) that I already have and I've been careful about which ice I chew--a major problem with teeth anyway and I've been told to steer clear of anything but Sonic ice--and my million dollar teeth as Sean calls them have been hanging in there. Until yesterday. I was bonding with a high school student at church while sharing her Halloween candy and chewing on some DOTS when I heard a loud crack. Oops. The bonus is that is a tooth that has already been fixed once. 

I'll keep you posted. I know you're excited. I would show you a picture but the whole idea is to have it fixed before people notice. :)

Max In The White House

This many posts in a row...I know it seems a little much but I just had the best idea. I read on People.com (I need counseling,) that the Obama girls are in search for their puppy to take to the White House and they need to look no further. If you know them please send them my best and also send them a picture of my beloved family kid-friendly dog Max. He should fit right into the White House family and is already trained...kind of. He is being given away free of charge. I think I could get away with this one because it's for the new President and his kids. Maybe Sean would go for it?

I Get Bored

I get bored easily so to kill two birds with one stone I changed my background. Do you like it? Now I won't get bored and since I was getting sick of trying to read other blogs through the little white dots that problem is gone too. I can imagine that you won't miss them either!! 

The Space Cadet and the Monkey

**Edited to add miss Caroline...thanks Carley!! 

Sean must have read over my shoulder while I was typing yesterday because he finished the pictures and this morning they were on my computer! Here they are: my astronaut (I prefer space cadet--it's more fitting for him,) and my monkey.

The wagon was a great idea for moving them from house to house. Let's be honest they didn't even get out of the wagon--a little young for trick-or-treating. They don't know what they're missing yet so let's leave it that way as long as possible. Ty did eat Skittles for the first time and he loved the lemon ones. Smart kid.
My little bean the monkey. I bought this costume for $4.99 at a resale shop in Frisco and it fit perfectly. 
My space cadet. Is that hilarious or what?! I had already bought him another costume and when we were on a date at Costco (I know, I know we are die-hard romantics,) we saw this and agreed it was better than the one we already had. Returns are a beautiful thing especially when you aren't trying to do them at Target.
The cousins (minus the three oldest,) on the Wilborn side. Samantha the princess (3 yrs), her brother Will the frog (23 months,) Charlie the monkey (11 months,) Caroline the policeman/woman (7 yrs), Baby Kate the princess (4 months,) Cole the Pikachu(sp) (5 yrs), Ty the space cadet (2 yrs,) and Luke the Darth V. (5 yrs.) The three oldest cousins live in Graham, TX and don't usually make the drive for Halloween but we will see them soon for Thanksgiving and Christmas. 

Do What?

Am I a little behind on posts or what? Sean is still editing the Halloween pictures and I hope they are as cute as I think they will be--I have a little frame for each kid to put pictures from this year in and I keep dropping hints that I need to put the Halloween decorations away so...

Soon maybe? Can I just tell you what he HAS been doing with his week off from work? Finishing the fence, cooking, helping me fold laundry since I'm about 3 weeks behind, (since I nap now during nap time and I used to get laundry done then,) taking the kids out of the house when I'm nauseated, and overall just doing what seems like everything. He's the greatest.

I went to my Dr. today and I'm exactly 12 weeks pregnant. I heard a good strong heartbeat so the fact that we're expecting another baby is hitting home. DO WHAT? You would think it would have by now!! I keep looking at the kids while they are having fits going, "What are You thinking, Lord?" I must say dependence on Him for answers/guidance is becoming more and more necessary which is, I know, where He wants me. I just can't fathom raising another child in the midst of the mediocre job I'm doing now. I am truly thankful for another chance at it but the reality is just scary. He will surely answer my prayers! After all, He has proven that He will meet me where I am.