Birthday Girl

I am incredibly in awe of the gift of our sweet little girl, Zoe Mae.  She has a story. She is our miracle. She is treasured. She is loved. She is 1 today.

Many of you know how her little life began surrounded by doubts and fears of her survival. We were given hard facts, met with genetic counselors and encouraged to "terminate".  We were scared.  We were trusting of God. 2 opposite feelings yet both equally strong.  And God intervened. He saved our little girl and gave her abundant "life"(what the name Zoe means in Greek).

My heart is full of joy and yet heavy as well.  As I write this, I think of friends who have recently lost their little ones: said goodbye too soon or had the doors closed to receiving their children home.  My heart aches for these families. My heart is burdened by the brokenness in our world. My heart trusts in a Sovereign Creator who is purposeful. 2 opposite feelings yet both equally strong.

I don't know why God chose to heal our girl. I don't know why He calls others home.  But I know that He is the same. I know that He is good and that even before we knew the outcome of Zoe's life, we said we would give Him glory. We would not stop telling others of His greatness.

I'm so thankful for my girl. Thankful for her energetic personality, her left eyebrow that raises when she is mischievous, her deep love affair with cheese & blueberries.  Her playfulness with her siblings.  I'm thankful for God's peace & faithfulness to be with us--regardless of outcomes or circumstances.

Would you pray with me? Pray for these families who are still choosing to trust the One who creates.  Even in the pain, they are running to Him. 

Pray for our family, that we will never stop telling His story of healing our sweet little girl.  Pray that she will be a testimony of His grace: nothing we did deserving of this lavish gift.  Pray it is all for His name. 

Happy birthday, little peanut!

5 on Friday

Linking up with Aubs for things on my mind this week. 

1. I actually cleaned my desk. Major win, people.  It was way too crowded with junk.  Now, I'm reminded that the wall above it hangs empty. But I'm working on it. Thank you, Pinterest.

2. We went on a fabulous double-date on Tuesday with some good friends. We ate at a place called the Barrio Brewery and it's in the neighborhood we really love---just out of downtown.  I am so thankful for these people in our lives...who are super fun to hang out with!

3. I had a BAD day the other day.  When my husband walked in the door, he was carrying a bouquet of flowers.  He knew it had been a  rough one and wanted to cheer me up :) LOVE him.

4. This guy (stud in the pic) has been stealing my heart.  He has recently started trying to hop in bed during the night with me because he is a self-proclaimed "snuggle-bug". It's true. He's really a great snuggler.  One morning he woke up saying he was sad because he missed snuggle-bugging with me :) Meltin' my heart, kiddo.  But you've still gotta sleep in your own bed. We now save the snuggles for the morning!

5. I started a Bible study called True Woman 101. It is awesome.  Such rich theology and truth for women seeking to understand womanhood. I love it and look forward to the ladies/friends I get to have in our home every week!

Enjoy your weekend!

11 months already?!

Figured since she's almost 1....I'd better post this update fast. And yes--I am hoping to post more frequently very soon.  Some big changes have been happening, so I've been preoccupied!

At 11 months old, Zoe enjoys:

• CHEESE. any type of cheese. She will walk to the fridge & find it. No joke. 
• Walks/runs everywhere. 
• Can say "mama, dada, up, yes, yeah"
• Uses sign language for please, more, all done. 
• Nods her head yes. Vigorously. and says "Yeah, yeah!"
• Likes to read books
• LOVES her siblings
• Loves playing "Peek-a-boo!" mostly by pulling our kitchen towel down, putting it over her face and saying "boo!" as she pulls it down.  It's cute. 
• Has quite a little temper streak in her (I wonder where THAT comes from?!?! hahaha)
• Truly adds so much life to our family!

5 on Friday.

I'm back with another link-up for 5 on Friday! I made it! Here's some fun things I'm excited about.

1. Thanksgiving was super fun.  We were sad, at first, to be absent from our good friends "Pajamas, Parade & Pancakes" in California. But we did it ourselves and joined them in spirit. Then, we drove to Phoenix in the afternoon. My mom goes all out.  Beautiful tables. LOTS of food. Take-home plates.  It was fun to share it with my family, including my mother-in-law, and some new friends here.  The best part was watching little Zoë devour her turkey and mashed potatoes. That girl can eat!! She takes after her mama... I drove home full and happy.

2. The little Miss turned 9 months old this week.  Upon her list of accomplishments are: standing unassisted, taking a few steps between couches, clapping, saying "hi" and "up", eating EVERYTHING (including crayons, stickers, bandaids, tree leaves & rocks).

3. We started visiting schools this week as we look to enroll the triplets for next year.  Oh, man. My heart is bursting with this new step in our lives.  Praying for wisdom in our choices

Following the principal...

4. We love grilled nachos. My hubby loads 'em up with meat, beans, cheese, bell peppers & jalopeños. YUM. They are our new favorite special meal.

5. Dave's brother and his family are coming to visit this week from Missouri! Our niece is getting married in San Diego next weekend, so they are flying out here to hang out and we'll caravan to the wedding together.  I can't wait to get the cousins together. 4 five-year-olds in our house and 2 infants. Let the games begin!!

Have a great week!

Dear Drunk Girl:

Dave and I were given tickets to attend the biggest game of the year in our city. UA vs. ASU.  It's an in-state rivalry that runs deep and is, by far, the best part of college football.  As former Wildcats, we were stoked when someone offered us tickets in the student section to cheer on our team.  It brought back a flood of memories: shaking our keys during kick-offs, high-fives all around, standing the entire game, helping our mascots crowd surf, etc.  But when you're squished up against tons of people, you notice all sorts of things.  Standing right in front of us was a group of friends. 3 out of the 4 were totally drunk.  It made me angry...then sad...to see how they were treating the girl.  I decided to write her a letter today; if I actually knew her, here's what I'd say:

Dear Drunk Girl: 

I see you.  I see your friends.  Or what I think are your friends. That's what they call themselves and what you are calling them.  From my seat, it's easy to think that they are really good friends to you: their arms are wrapped around you as you sway back & forth. trying to keep your balance so you don't tumble forward into the crowd.  You laugh and smile with them as they make fun of your drunken state. Who's that guy by your side? Oh right. Your boyfriend.  I can only tell because you kiss him more than the other guy.  He's drunk, too, and his friend is having to babysit him. Telling him to lean forward, pull up his pants and calm down.  He says he's your boyfriend pretty loudly, I'm guessing so others will make sure he's cool--with you as his token.  I've known a lot of girls like you. And a lot of guys like him. Let me tell you---you don't need him.  You deserve to get treated better than that.  At the time, it may be funny that he was placing his friends hands all over you---violating your body and treating you like some piece of clay.  It's not funny.  You deserve better. You deserve to be treated like the beautiful woman you were created to be.  You were made in the image of One who is honored. Treasured. Adored.  You don't need to have a boyfriend that disrespects you.  You were made to be loved with an everlasting love.  One that sees your heart and wants to platform your unique qualities.  A love that isn't afraid to guard you, protect you...and give you freedom.  You were made to be filled with the fullness of joy by the One who created you...not by some cheap knock-off joy that comes from too many plastic bottles of Vodka or kisses from a drunk guy. 

I have 3 daughters.  My hope and prayer for them is to know this Love that never stops, never gives up, is always and un-breaking.  My desire is that they grow up knowing that no boyfriend, no matter how much he says it, can ever fully satisfy them.  I want them to know they are beautiful and deserve to be treated royally for the wonderful creation they are. 

I hope you have friends that will tell you things like I am. I hope they will point you to the One who is delighted by you. And I hope you ditch the guy that treats you like dirt and trade him in for One who will never leave you or desert you. 

Sincerely,

 Broken-hearted mom 

5 on Friday

I am finally hooking up with one of my closest friends, Aubrey, for her 5 on Friday posts.  This is a chance for me to share with you some of my favorite things from this past week. Or things I've been doing. Or thinking. So, without further delay...here we go:

1. I saw this link on pinterest for making your own chocolate syrup and am never buying Hershey's again. My friend, Jenn, had told me about it but I'd forgotten all about it until a few days ago.  Hello, world.  It is delicious.  You really need to make it. Like right now. And it's so easy and free of all those crazy additives! YUM. 

2. My kids have really been making me laugh lately.  Zoe has started making this insane kissy face.  How can you not laugh at this?!

3.  Starting in January, Dave &  I will be leading a missional community group through our church. In order to lead, we are given some reading material and will go through an assessment process (which I'm excited about).  One of the books I am reading is so good. It's called You can Change by Tim Chester. The first few chapters are slow, but now that I'm in it--it's really good.  I've loved reading and thinking about how much the Lord wants to do in my heart as I submit to Him.  He is the ultimate source of all joy. 

4. We started a Thankful Tree this year for the month of November. We walked around our neighborhood, picked up some branches and decorated for Fall. The kids have gotten quite into it--and I'm praying it helps usher in the season of Thanksgiving---instead of rushing past it to get to Christmas.

5. I've been trying to keep on track of meal planning & budgeting. So far, it's been good. I had one lapse and didn't do so well the other week; but, most weeks have been great. It helps Dave & I figure out our schedule and it's been fun to experiment with fun recipes! 

Okay, that's it, people! What are YOUR favorite things? Enjoy your Friday!

My View.

Dave let me get out of the house last Saturday afternoon for a little walk.  He firmly suggested that I take the Santa Cruz River path that runs behind our house. Don't be confused. There is no river.  I think there once WAS a river...but not now.  Regardless, it was breathtaking.  If you've never been to the desert, you should come. This is your invitation!  I think it is such a unique and beautiful landscape.  It's ok if you disagree. :) we're still friends.

This walk refreshed me. Encouraged me.  Here is my city.  My new home. The burden to reach people with the good news was awakened again in me and my heart ached for those who are hopeless, broken and hurt.  Would you pray with me for my city? Pray that we will be able to start a church that ministers to those broken people/families/cultures.  Pray that Jesus would be made much of.  That He would heal. That He would redeem hearts and bring people back to the life He intends for them to have.