Written on 04/06/2011
I love blogging and I love bloggers! I love the world of blogs. I’ve been faithfully blogging for over 5 years now! Wow. And in that time I have created a long and beautiful list on my google reader. I a have few *faves that I particularly look forward to when I see a new blog post has been published! One being Lindsey’s incredibly lovely and inspiring blog {onegoodreed.blogspot.com} Her blog is filled with so much wholesome goodness and creativity! She’s about as beautiful as they get so I covet her beauty recommendations and admire the godly woman and sweet wife she is! It’s a must reed :-) Thank you, sweet Linds for acknowledging my blog! You made my day!
Here are the rules for the Versatile Blogger Award:
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When you receive the versatile blogger award…thank the person who gave you the award{thanks,
Linds!}
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Link back to their blog in your post
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Tell seven things about yourself
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Award seven recently discovered bloggers
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Contact the bloggers to let them know they received the versatile blogger award
7 things about me…. hmmmm…..
Since I am currently drinking a beer I will say…
1. I LOOOVE beer. I love it ice cold in a frosted glass with a big old splash of fresh lemon juice! YUM!
2. My favorite book I ever read was The BoxCar Children. I know… I hope this doesn’t reflect my intellect….
3. I love shopping. I know this is a bit cliché being a woman but seriously. Can’t.get.enough.cute.clothes in my closet. And sometimes when all my laundry is hung in my closet, I go and bask in their glory. (I’m working on this superficial trait) I am a major bargain shopper so I think that makes it a little bit ok.
(Like those mad photoshop skills?)
4. I want a vintage camper so so so so so badly. Like, SO badly!
One day pink camper, one day.
5. I loved giving birth. In fact, you will commonly hear me say, “I’d rather give birth than do that.” I mean it.
Cohen left, Isla right.
6. The only reason I live in Oregon is because I won’t leave my Mom and my Grandma!
7. I want to be a nurse when I grow up.
bloggers that I have recently discovered (or just LOVE) and would love to pass the Versatile Award on to!
1. Jess Harvey {www.jessharvey.net}
2. Diary of Mama Drama {www.diaryofmamadrama.com}
3. Emma Mason {www.littlemrsmason.blogspot.com}
4. Reflections {beccalenamann.blogspot.com}
5. The Blabbery {www.brittanycox.com}
6. Oh, The Places she’ll go! {emily-ohtheplacesshewillgo.blogspot.com}
7. Dashing Dish {www.dashingdish.com}
Thanks for reading, friends!
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Written on 04/06/2011
I am a true Oregonian. Born and raised here. I can handle some rain.
This past year has been not only a literal record since the 60′s I believe but also a HUGE test to my spiritual walk. The rain hasn’t stopped long enough to allow the grass to fully dry! Sometimes I feel like I am stuck in the twilight zone! Shame on me for neglecting all the goodness in my life and allowing the weather to control my emotions.
Another thing this rain does is makes me stop and evaluate where and what I am relying on for joy, peace, strength etc. When I place my joy in the weather, I am basically ignoring God’s ability to give my heart a sense of peace and a sense of contentment. If we’re relying on this world for happiness, we will never be content in this life no matter where we are. When we take it upon ourselves to find our own joy in life, we are saying to God, “I don’t need you, I just need some sunshine and I will be happy.” Basing our lives and our emotions on money, possessions, cars, houses, weather etc is such a sad and disobedient thing to do as Christian’s. We are called to live according to the spirit and fill our hearts and lives with Christ and His treasures. When we find our joy in Christ alone, we could be living in a dungeon and be happy. We’re selfish. We want our lives to be exactly the way WE want them. We don’t stop to think about what we will leave behind when we die, or what good we have done to share God’s love with others. Rather we build up our treasures in our lives to bring ourselves happiness. We ignore the needs of others, we ignore the calling of God and we fully pursue what makes us happy. Remember this life is temporary and remember why you are here.
I’m taking a different approach today. In fact I feel this week will be a perfect week to rely on God’s strength. I see SNOW in our forecast…..
2 Corinthians 12:9
9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
Just trusting God today has made my frown turn upside down. I know He will do the same for you!
Kesha.
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Written on 04/04/2011
Cohen has an absolutely wonderful day! We ventured off and Cohen had a professional manicure! She did so well. I love seeing her in situations where she’s in the care of someone else. She is always so kinda and polite.
The afternoon was going abnormally well….. then when the nice nail lady set Cohen under the little purple lamps to help her nails dry…. Isla thought she should probably do the same but took it a step further and grabbed the scalding hot light bulbs and ended up burning her two fingers! Blisters and all! Then, Cohen burns her pinky…. the tear flood gates began to open.
After I carried both my sobbing girls in my arms and got them in the car (sweating like an animal), it was non stop crying all the way home! We fixed up the owies with bactine spray and sparkle band-aids and all was right in the world! I could sense some serious tiredness happening so we headed off to read some books. Isla went to bed pretty effortlessly, and Co about fell asleep while I read her a story. *thank you Lord.
I had some time to unwind from my crazy birthday centered morning and before we knew it it was time to head to our birthday bash at the one and only (seriously) Chuck E. Cheese! Wow. Can I just say it’s a lot different going as the adult.
After lots of fun, cake, friends, family, tokens, dancing and probably LOADS of bacteria and germs we headed home.
My girls are now resting sweetly and I am about to call it a night!
Here’s a quick picture of my beautiful 4 year old before we left.
Thank you to all who love and care for Cohen, and mostly who came to celebrate with us. You’re support has helped mold Co into the beautiful girl she is!
Much love!
Kesha.
2 Comments »
Written on 04/04/2011
My sweet, amazing, lovely, precious, smart, gorgeous, incredible, outgoing, princess, Cohen Noelle’s 4th birthday!!!
We’ve had a good morning so far! We’ve picked out the celebration dress, hair accessorie and shoes. We’ve had waffles with butter, nutella and piles of whip cream, we’ve played with bubble and sang songs. Up next… a little special birthday girl manicure!
Here’s some snap shots of Co’s day thus far! We’ll be partying it up at ChuckECheese tonight. (pray for me)
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Written on 04/02/2011
Yesterday was fun and busy and I had no complaints. Ok, maybe I had a few but who doesn’t? Our day ended with a big bunch of friends over for a BBQ. This is something Vin and I both love and it reminds me of how truly blessed I am to have the people I love and care about so much so close to me. I don’t think I could get through life without their love and encouragement.
Now. As bed time crept into sleep time my body was not having it. I began to think. Now all of us women know what happens when we start to allow our minds to think before bed. It’s like someone let open a den of wild lions in my mind! I was fighting thoughts of stress, feeling overwhelmed, my heart rate was pounding rapidly, my body began to twitch and I started to sweat. I got up to walk it off and see if maybe a chocolate chip cookie might help calm this madness happening inside my mind! It did for a moment and then it kinda sent me into overload. I RAN for the toilet. I paced my breathing and stayed stationary for a bit to see if the waves of immense nauseousness would let up. It didn’t. I gripped my stomach and hunched over to my bed. I laid in the fetal position (this always helps a tummy ache) and laid my head on a cold spot in our covers. I began to pray. I simply began to talk to Jesus and tell Him I can’t handle everything happening right now in my life all at once. I told Him I wanted His peace and His comfort. Before I knew it I was asleep and didn’t wake up until my alarm sounded this morning. Boy was that a bad night.
Our bodies are so sensitive to stress. When we allow it in our minds it takes over. For me, it comes like a wave and washes over me. It makes me sick (literally) it prevents me from sleeping, it sends me into panic.
Why!?
Why do I do this? Why am I worried about things to come? This morning as I came down to enjoy some coffee and opened my back door I heard birds. They were singing such lovely songs. It sounded like a jungle outside! They seem happy and carefree….
Do Not Worry (Says God)
25“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his lifeb?
28“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
There you have it, friends. Seek FIRST His kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well…..
God cared enough to allow these beautiful flowers to grow healthy and strong, of course He will do the same for His sons and daughters!
3 Comments »
Written on 03/31/2011
Despite the record breaking gloom we’ve had. Despite the things that try to cause me stress and anxiety.
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Written on 03/23/2011
It’s been forever since I posted some good old candid pics of my cutie pie-heads. They are just too cute for words. Crumbs on their faces, hair still messy from the bath, their typical at home attire, undies and a diaper.
They’re the cutest.
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Written on 03/19/2011
We’re home. We’ve been back home since Monday. I’m not saying I am happy about it other than the fact that I couldn’t wait to get my lips on my sweet babie’s cheeks. I snuggled them until they started a “No more snuggles” protest. Signs and all! *just kidding.
Hawaii is paradise. I felt my spirits lift every morning to the warmth of the sun and the sound of the tropical birds singing me songs. I’m convinced they were singing to me. I’ve kinda always had a “Snow White” kinda relationship with animals. We planted ourselves in the white sand and dipped our toes and bodies in the 80 degree ocean. It was pure bliss.
Ok. Not every moment was bliss. We did survive a stinking TSUNAMI!!!! Day one. We are there. Jessica is very pregnant and without Chad. He is stranded in Oakland California waiting for a standby spot on the next plane. This didn’t go so well. (Never fly standby unless you actually like spending ridiculous amounts of time in airports and NOT in sunny destinations). Jess was emotional to begin with. She missed her hubby and she’s been up way to long.
We survive our first day of gorgeous sunshine and island music. We have a lovely dinner and a *few Mai Tai’s. We skip happily back to our hotel and get ready to call it a night when suddenly the island music stops and Fox News takes over.
Tsunami watch for Hawaiian Islands.
WHHHHHAAAAAA!?
An hour later….
Tsunami Warning for Hawiian Islands.
FREAKING OUT.
Another 20 mins later…
A Tsunami WILL hit the Islands of Hawaii.
Saying my prayers and calling my loved ones!
We were completely frantic with the sounds of very loud and very creepy sirens sounding off all throughout Maui. We didn’t even grab our luggage, we just headed up to higher ground as directed. We waited at an Elementary School without food, water, blankets or BATHROOMS for about 8 ish hours. I imagine you catch the drift…. paradise had turned into a little taste of heck.
And thank you At&T for having ZERO service during this fiasco. I didn’t want to keep family and friends posted anyway.
Well, we made it back to our hotel exhausted (is there a word that’s even worse than this, cause that’s what we were) and we slept half of our second precious day away. We only had 4 nights I might add.
Finally that morning Chad and his goofy grin came walking through the front door of the hotel. Jessica was thrilled, we now had a rental car, the tsunami didn’t kill us and it was time to start enjoying our vacation!
As soon as I walked outside into the sunshine that whole nightmare faded fast. We definitely enjoyed the rest of our trip complete with floating in the ocean (with a hippo floaty) LOTS of beaches and laying out, lots of good food, and a Luau to end the trip. I’m already panning my next escape only this time my two little girls are joining us. I don’t think I can go through that feeling of separation again!
Sorry this is a bit “in a nut shell” I’m currently rocking a robe, two blankets, mass amounts of sweat, a fever and a horrible cold. My windows are closed because I don’t think I can bare the sight of gray skies and rain right now… being this sick is depressing enough. Thankfully Co and Isla are actually PLAYING together It’s pretty cute. I wish I could hear them and talk to them though. Ears are plugged and my voice is gone.
Praying for sunshine and health…. and another trip (or permanent move) to Hawaii :-)
Blessings,
Kesha.
I am working on the pics. Those will come in the next day or so! Also you can skip over to Jessica’s blog to read her rendition of our trip and see a bunch of pictures (thanks Jess!)
Ps. Please excuse any spelling errors or punctuation. I’m not in the proof reading mood…
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Written on 03/10/2011
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Written on 02/28/2011
Today is the two year anniversary of losing my Dad. This month has been a tough month. It was his birthday and also the month he died. He was only 55.
Life without him is sad. Life with him was sad. He wasn’t a healthy man but he was still my Dad and he still isn’t here to see his grandchildren grow up. I’m thankful he knew Cohen for a short while. Unfortunately she doesn’t remember him. My dad was probably the most un-perfect person that I knew but you know what? Jesus loved him. When my dad hit despair he cried out to Jesus. He asked for forgiveness for the life he was living and I have no doubt that he received that forgiveness. Jesus wanted nothing more than to see my Dad in heaven and I know that is exactly where he is.
I truly believe God had mercy on my Dad that day when he left this earth to be with Jesus. Every day was a desperate battle to be sober. His body was falling apart. He was in the deepest of depression. He was living hell on earth. He was so entrapped by his sin it’s as if he had chained himself to a dungeon and threw away the key. I think God saw his struggle and his pain and He said, “Enough is enough. It’s time to end your pain and bring you home to glory.”
God doesn’t expect us to pull ourselves up by our boot straps. He’s there to take away our pain if we choose to let him. In my dad’s case I believe it took God taking him away from this earth to end his suffering here, and I don’t doubt my Dad asking God to take him.
I wish I could go sit by the ocean and hear the waves and reminisce on the good days I had with my Dad. I try to not allow my sadness to take over my joy, it’s hard sometimes… My girls deserve a happy Mommy.
Prayers needed and welcome,
Kesha.
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(Like those mad photoshop skills?)
One day pink camper, one day.
Cohen left, Isla right.
