Count Your Blessings!

Right now there is a car horn outside, honking like crazy, and I can't help but be aggravated by it. I have found myself lately wishing to be out of this apartment and into our first real house. I have noticed things that other people have and can afford (or can they?!) that we can't afford, and I feel a little envy. Then, today, as I was listening to Beth Moore on my computer, she mentioned our blessings, if we ever sit back and think upon our blessings. So, I sit back on my couch, as she said, and think...

First I see the fan above me and it makes me think about our apartment. If I never have a house, if I live in this small 850 s.f. apartment until the day I die, how blessed am I?! I think back to the village houses that I have sat and had dinner in while in China, and I remember the lack of everything they had.
How can I ever look at someone's house that is bigger than what I will ever have and be jealous?! I know that jealously is part of our sinful nature, but if we consider how blessed we are by what we have -- how can I be jealous?!

How blessed am I that my husband makes enough money for me to stay home with Tristan? So many people don't have that option, especially those single mothers. We don't make a lot of money, but staying home with Tristan is so much more important to me than having a nicer car or a bigger house or all those gadgets that I wouldn't know what to do with anyways! It's hard staying at home everyday, but it is worth it, to see my baby boy get on a beautiful napping schedule for once since we are finally in a consistent situation, to see him learn new things daily, to learn new things about him. I'm blessed with being able to do this, for this to be my "job".

I am blessed that I was raised in a loving Christian family in a healthy environment. Not only do so many children in our country face child abuse and neglect, as well as poverty, but those children in other countries that face malnutrition, disease, neglect, orphanages because they are girls and not boys, child soldiers who are brainwashed, child prostitution, etc... Why was I allowed to grow up in a country that is so blessed not to have most of that? I am so blessed.

Anyways, I could go on and on with my blessings but I need to do a few things before the little guy wakes up from his nap. Remember to count your blessings today and everyday.

New Year's Resolution

So, I'm making a New Year's Resolution. Not to be more organized, not to become a fantastic cook, not to learn to crochet (even though I hope to!), not to do any of that. My goal is to become closer to God, to become more like Him, to know Him better. I told Nathan the other day that even though I want a house so badly, I feel that we are in an apartment now so I can have more time to focus on Him then putting a house in order. Our time for a house will come.

Anyways, that is my goal, but what is my resolution for 2011? Scripture memorization. Memorize, memorize, memorize! And memorize what? Colossians. All of it. In a week? no. In a month? no. In a year. Truly memorize. I want it deep in my heart, deep in my soul. A friend had put on her blog this website -- http://www.aholyexperience.com/a-bible-memorization-booklet-colossians-in-a-year-printable/ -- something that she is planning on doing. It really spoke to me and I've decided to do it too. In the introduction, the blogger puts "'What a heart knows by heart is what a heart really knows.' urges Dennis Lennon. And what the heart knows by heart is all that can calm the heart. And direct the heart. And strengthen the heart." So true. My heart sometimes feels like it is in chaos, and I need that calming spirit. It needs to be strengthened. For life is filled with chaos, hard times, troubles, confusion. And the only way to get through that is with the Father's calming words, with His truth deep in our souls.

So, that is my resolution for the New Year. Thank you, Patience, for showing me this website. I wish you and Jonathon luck with this as well!

Prioritizing

Tristan is sleeping and I found myself wondering "What do I need to do right now? What, of the many many things on my list, should I do right now? Should I research planting, since I would like to have some veggies/herbs growing on my balcony? Should I study my receptive sign language by watching videos online? Should I clean my apartment? Should I organize something? Should I be clipping coupons off the internet to save money? Should I bake something for someone? Should I...should I...should I... because I feel like I need to...need to...need to... Why do we always feel like we always have to be doing something? Why do I feel like, since I am now a stay-at-home mommy that I can't take time during Tristan's nap and read a book? Why do I always feel like I am not getting anything done that I need to get done? During Tristan's morning nap, I usually tried to get a lot of things done then because I am most productive in the morning. But I realized that I often didn't do my Bible study because I was "too busy" doing other things. So, I decided that during his morning nap, I was to have my study, and if nothing else got accomplished that morning, that was ok. I figured that if I had my priorities straight in that area, everything else would fall into place.

Transition (poorly done, I know, but my thoughts aren't really organized right now -- I just felt the need to blog :)... I guess it is hard for me to prioritize everything right now when I don't know what I am supposed to be doing. I am supposed to be a wife and a mommy. I know that and I am glad to have those roles. But before, I was supposed to be a missionary to the Deaf people in Asia. And now that I am not there doing that, I feel like I'm not sure what I'm supposed to be doing, so I try to fill my days with everything I feel like I "should" be doing -- you know, all that "productive" stuff that makes our lives so mundane at times. Maybe my job right now is to be a wife that loves, respect, encourages, and uplifts her husband, and a mommy that teaches her (overly-active :) son about Christ and His love. But not only that -- my job is to be still and listen to God, to listen for what His will for my life is. I do know that He is calling me to be more of a devoted prayer warrior for my friends in Asia as they spread the Good News and to the people there that hear it. He is calling me to learn about His love and how to share it to those around me. He is calling me to learn about the need for missions. He is calling me to UNDERSTAND and KNOW HIM better. Ironically, I think I lacked in all those areas while overseas. It thought I did know it and understand it. I thought I was ready to do "great things" for Him overseas. But I wasn't even doing "great things" for Him here, because I didn't fully understand. I think now is the time for me to learn...and grow...and become the person God would have me to be.

I wasn't sure where I was going to go with this when I started it...and I don't even know if it flowed at all. Forgive me if it didn't. Just wanted to share a little of my heart today.

Ten months old!

I missed blogging about Tristan's 9 month birthday, so I'm catching up with his ten month (even though it really isn't until Wednesday). At his 9 (actually 9.5 month) appointment, Tristan weighed 18.8 lbs (14%) and was 28 1/2 inches long (51%). He's still getting into everything, especially the things he isn't supposed to get into...of course! I tell him no with my stern look and firm voice and he just looks at me smiling and giggling. Oh my... We've been eating new foods, especially adding some finger foods, which usually ends up in a big mess. He's gotta learn somehow, I guess! He now likes cottage cheese, sliced cheese, wheat bread, peaches, green peas (loves!), sometimes green beans, and sometimes oatmeal. He still LOVES to play outside. He even cries when we come back in. What are we going to do when it gets too cold to go outside?? Here are some pictures to brighten you day :)


Nine month pic :)


Ten month pic :)


He didn't fall here -- he's just pulling the bear on top of him. Funny boy!


Where is Tristan?


There he is!


Playing outside once again. We brought out our tunnel this time to play!





Precious, handsome, funny, adorable, opinionated, stubborn, temperamental, needy, perfect son of mine!

First Saturday in Austin

So, today was our first Saturday as a family in the state capital of Texas! We couldn't just stay at our apartment all day, so we threw out Tristan's napping schedule and went to town! First we had to look at some of the markets around. There is a "farmer's market" store called Sprouts that we visited first. Sales on produce are great, but the rest of the store -- a little too expensive for us. Pretty much all organic foods, but it sure was interesting to see. Next, we went to an Asian market, which made us feel like we were back in China :) It was crazy how the smell brought back so many memories of our life there! We couldn't believe some of the foods we saw there -- we haven't seen much of that since being overseas. And I got to buy a fresh steamed bun, and it was delicious! Afterwards, we did decide to come back and let Tristan nap and have some lunch. We then decided to go to Zilker Park, which is a very nice park here in Austin. They even have a hot spring that stays at 68 degrees year-round that many people were swimming in today despite the cool weather. We also took a train ride around the park. Tristan did great as long as I was stuffing him with yogurt chips. He wasn't all that keen on just sitting there and looking at the pretty scenery. What were we thinking?! Anyways, afterwards, back at the apartment, we decided to put up on of his Christmas presents -- a tent! He really enjoyed it, as you can see in the pictures :)


Enjoying the swing at the park!


The family after the train ride. Sorry for the bad picture!


The tent and tunnel! We set it up in the living room to try out, but the tent (minus the tunnel -- that is folded up in his closet for now)is now set up in the corner of our dining room with the rest of his toys. Just think of it as a toy tent :) Please ignore the TV stand. We are going to mount the TV on the wall as soon as we borrow a drill. We really aren't that tacky!

Christmas in Kansas!

This Christmas, Tristan and I were able to go to Kansas with parents to visit my mom's side of the family. Sadly, Nate couldn't come with us due to his job, but he was happy we were able to go. After almost 8 hours in the car with a 9 month old, we made it there! We had eighteen adults, a 7 year old, 3 year old, 2 year old, and three under the age of one in one house! It was chaotic, but lots of fun at the same time. Here are some pictures of our stay there:


The three babies with their mommies! On left is my sister with Cooper (9 months old). Middle is me with Tristan (9 1/2 months old). On right, is my cousin-in-law with Laine (8 months old).


Trying to get a good picture of Grandma with her great-grandchildren (hard with three babies!)


Take twenty. A little better even though there aren't many smiles...they were all tired by this point...


Two of the grandmothers (my mom with Tristan on the left) trying to get their grandbabies to sleep -- it didn't quite work :)


Grandmas with their grandbabies -- don't they look proud?!


My Aunt Kaye with Tristan and Laine -- her great-nephew and great-niece.


Random picture of Tristan doing his thing...he was called "Wild Man" by the end of the weekend. Ignore the wet shirt -- he's drooling a lot right now :)


My cousin Rachel with Tristan -- he looks a little tired, but he's just fooling you!

Had a great time with the family -- can't wait for next year!

Tristan's Best Friend

At one of my baby showers, a friend gave me a huge teddy bear, which we have used to monitor Tristan's monthly growth. Now, Tristan absolutely LOVES this bear :) He loves for the bear to lay on top of him. He'll just peek out his head and kick his feet. It is so funny watching him with this bear. He is just a funny child!


Here I am!


I love this bear so much!


Oh, I'm so exhausted!


Do I look like a redneck baby?