Finished

Though we still have college furniture, the basement is done!!

The "P" word

In our home, that "P" word is PROJECT. Joel has a constant list of them going on in his head at all times.

A couple weeks ago, we had a small breakdown about our basement. It's been the ugliest two shades of yellow since I moved in. And since we put our only t.v. and computer down there, we see it more often than we used to. I wanted to repaint and clean out some of the junk we had been keeping. I also wanted a small corner for Annabelle to keep some toys in.

BEFORE (the beautiful model is Sarah Peterson who was my first roommate):

AFTER (This is an unfair picture but part of the basement is still getting work done, so you'll have to wait for the full finished version!) This doorway did not have any casing or molding on it before.

Joel finished the other side of the basement before Annabelle was born.

The second project is something we have discussed for a long time. We currently have no access to our backyard (small as it might be) from the inside of the house. You have to either go through the garage or the front door. Since we got married, I have been asking for a sliding door from our dining room. And I'm getting it!

Here is the before shot (the door is going where the window on the left currently is):

Once it is finished, I will present the new and improved!

The last project (for the time being) is the toy box that Joel is building for Annabelle for her first birthday. I can't wait to show it off, but again, you'll have to wait for the pictures!

Milestones

I hit a milestone. Yep. I prepared my first meal with a clingy child holding on to my legs. At night, Annabelle is wanting a little more attention than usual. The kitchen was littered with blocks and Tupperware and spoons, but Annabelle only wanted me.

Annabelle also reached a sweet milestone. She now plays "So big" with us! I'm not sure if other parents have felt this way, but it is about the sweetest thi

ng you'll ever see.

Let me show you...

What's fun for us lately, is that she's starting to see cause and effect. As in, when the camera comes out, the flash goes off. Therefore, I should blink my eyes so I don't have to see so many spots.

Evidence #1 (she's also showing off her mouth full of teeth and looking completely ridiculous!):

Evidence #2 (and what I think is cuter than the first):

a year later

Easter 2010Easter 2011

How deep the Father's love for us

How deep the Father's love for us
How vast beyond all measure
That He would give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the Man upon a cross
My guilt upon His shoulders
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no powr's, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom

Holy Week

It is interesting that as we are creeping our way towards Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter, that I am reading about the birth of Christ in the book of Luke.

Today I was reading about two characters that we don't talk much about. Simeon and Anna. They both encounter Jesus as a baby. And they both proclaim that he will bring redemption and salvation. We're talking about a baby here...really?

What incredible faith.

As I was thinking about that, attempting to picture it in my head, the FedEx man was knocking on my neighbor's door. And my mind was filled with new images.

Make the jump with me.

Jesus comes to my door. I let him in. Do I recognize Him? Am I humble enough to lower myself to my knees and worship Him? Here. For real.

I wish I could say it was easy to picture and my heart leapt with joy just thinking about it. The truth? I couldn't even picture it. I couldn't picture myself on the floor of my home at the feet of a man. At the feet of Jesus. Even after so many years of attempting to follow Him. My mind drew a blank.

My prayer this Holy week is that God would move my faith from my head to my heart as He has done so many times before. And that from there, it would pollute my whole life.

Good Friday. The Cross. The silence of Saturday. Easter. Resurrection Sunday.

I stand at the door and knock. Revelations 3:20.

Sippin'

We're officially down to one bottle a day.

Awesome.

And we're now bouncing in our bed during nap time, instead of napping.

Umm....yay?