one of those days

this has been one of those days. It was Josh's first day of Summer - and I suppose we both had some grand expectations of what life with no work for a couple of months might be like. Well, the first day looked pretty much like all of my days.

chasing and entertaining Annie.

and getting thrown up on. a gazillion times. by millie.

I'm sure we'll settle into some kind of rhythm soon enough- where we can actually accomplish some tasks around the house.

but until then.

more craziness at the jareds....

words

my heart is heavy today in the wake of the loss of my old pastor, Steve.

There are few people who have awakened my heart towards the spiritual like him- and much of what I have found myself pursuing and longing for over the past 10 years is a result of his wise words, sermons, and care for worship and communion.

Steve was also broken, and that story is a complicated one, one I have no business retelling- for I really know so little. I know I lost a pastor- and I have taken time over the years to grieve that- and often find myself still grieving that loss of a shepherd at times. But, time moves on, and eventually you lay some things to rest, and pray for the wideness in God's mercy- for you and everyone you know. We certainly need it. He was no different.

I have thought about Steve today. Released from this world that we fight so hard to stay in, because all the people we love are here, I guess. This same world that fights us back at every turn, it seems. I was just watching the news, at the tornado devastation just a 100 miles from our home. I long for a truly safe place. but there is no such thing, it seems. Not this side of heaven.

When Steve started our little church Red Mountain- he always quoted C.S. Lewis's "The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe"

Is - is he a man?" asked Lucy

"Aslan a man!" said Mr. Beaver sternly. "Certainly not. I tell you he is the King of the wood and the son of the great Emperor-Beyond-the-Sea. Don't you know who is the King of Beasts? Aslan is a lion, the Lion, the great Lion."

"Ooh," said Susan, "I thought he was a man. Is he - quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion."

"That you will, dearie, abd make no mistake," said Mrs. Beaver; "if there's anyone who can appear before Aslan without their knees knocking, they're either braver than most or else just silly."

"Then he isn't safe?" said Lucy.

"Safe?" said Mr. Beaver; "don't you hear what Mrs. Beaver tells you? Who said anything about safe? 'Course he isn't safe. But he's good. He's the king I tell you.

Thankful tonight, for words that live on.

rain and grace

the rain falls steadily outside this morning.

it's quiet, in between baby tears and toddler demands.

I do not let them overcome me. this morning, anyway.

Instead I tune my ears to the rain, and the rest is background noise.

I think about the rain, how it makes things green. makes us slow down. watch our steps.

my dear friend drove through Oklahoma the other night. the conversation was so good- and I am reminded of how much we need those conversations.

years pass between us, but the roots are deep and wide. wide enough to contain a continent.

Fitting for it to rain this morning, watering those roots, giving them more drink to sustain the long years it may be until we meet again.

Living in Oklahoma, I feel this way about so many people whose presences are few and far between.

I pray for the rain.

to water them so we survive the distance.

opinions, questions, this and that....

ok- Anne Curry as the new Today Show host? I like Anne- she seems really compassionate, down to earth, etc...but that role seems to need something fresh- a bit more personality, maybe? I've watched the Today show for a long time- I don't know- maybe she'll surprise us. I just don't love how she interviews. I would have put my vote in for Campbell Brown. I loved her when she was on weekend Today- and she is very news savvy and fun. Why didn't they ask me????

Potty training? anyone have a good book/method? Annie doesn't really seem ready to me, but again, I am willing to be surprised....chime in.

have you guys heard of pinterest.com? I love this site. A great place to bookmark your favorite sites- kind of a like a social networking site for your favorite things....go check it out!

Not having much luck with Amelia sleeping during the day. lots of catnaps, but nothing real substantial. She's only 3 months, and it seems like Annie was a little bit older before we really settled into any kind of consistent nap pattern. I am tempted to just role with it, but then I know the structure is good. Sometimes I wish I was more together....

well- baby is crying, and I am pooped.