Our week at 7000 feet

The pictures are really out of order, but it's late, I'm tired, and I don't think anyone minds too much. 

A secret about me: I am a HORRIBLE picture taker. I'm the mom who takes silly pictures all week and then forgets to take them on Easter morning, or before the birthday cake is served. I miss all the climaxes. I have good intentions. Really, I do. 

About half-way through our week in Colorado my battery died. I just didn't ever feel like taking the time to go and purchase a new one. My silly camera only takes this expensive battery that does not come in re-chargable form. It's a pain.

I am also the person who always opts not to be in the picture because I am terribly unphotogenic, and then wonders why there are NO pictures of me on our computer. Hmmm. 

I am also the person who never thinks to take a family picture.

Durango has the terrific Community Center with an indoor kids water play area. I was unprepared and did not pack bathing suits. I thought about it. Then I thought, where would we swim? So I didn't pack them and of course we needed them. The kids didn't mind though. Noah swam in a swim diaper and basketball shorts and Kayt sported only the swim diaper. I decided buying new suits wasn't worth it, besides those people will never see us again!

Beautiful Downtown. The shades are a new thing for Brad. He's never worn sunglasses before. He found them in our car and decided he would sport them for a while. You like?

chug-a-chug-a-chug-a-chug-a-choo-choo

Noah LOVED the horse statues. He's got a bit of an animal phobia. The only animals he likes are those made of steel, bronze or wood. He actually thought they were the horses from the nursery rhyme "giddy up horsey go to town....giddy up horsey all fall down"...or at least thats how he sang it.

Best buddies.

1 to 10

Today Noah counted to 10!

And he remembered 4-5-6 which he usually opts not to throw into the mix.

1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10

I'm proud of my booger.

Have I mentioned that he can spell and recognize his name?  Giving your children 4-letter names is a big benefit when it comes to learning to spell them. 

A few weeks ago I was changing his diaper and he looked up at his wall and said "N-O-A-H, that's my name. You put my name on my wall. Thanks Asheee!"

Well little buddy, you are very welcome.

And thank you for remembering 4, 5, and 6...they are glad to be back!

Sippin' In Style...and then some...

Is this not the cutest darn thing ever? 

While we treked Main Street (actually I think it's Avenue here. Who has Main Avenue!?) today we spotted a few must haves.  Sadly the only thing we actually purchased were new family Nalgenes that are BPA free. I thought this Nalgene sippy cup for Noah was too precious to pass up. We would have gotten Kayt one, but all they had were blue. I'm not against my daughter using a blue sippie, but having two blue bottles would only be asking for future problems. I will have to order her the green one from the website. 

If you are wondering about our old Nalgenes, well, let's just say that my husband put the indestructible promise to the test. I'm not sure how he managed to break them, I vaguely recall something about running over one with a car and throwing another off a roof, or something to that affect but whatever may have happened they are very gone. 

You could say Colorado has gotten the best of me because I was persistent on getting Noah a pair of Tevas or Keens, but opted not to only because of an overdue nap time.  Kayt just got new kicks right before the trip thanks to Dude (my mom) or I would have been looking to get two pairs.  

Aren't they cool, or tool, as Noah says?   

I have a pesky head cold!

I am sneezing like mad and am having a hard time getting enough oxygen because of my stuffy nose. And my faucets, I mean eyes, are making it hard to see this screen. Pair all of that with the fact that I am chasing two lads at 7000 feet and you have one worn out chick!

I know Jesus is on my side though because both of the kids have been asleep for a few hours already (and only He can pull that off) and I've showered and am enjoying a quiet evening to myself, which is already proving to be theraputic. Brad is at the evening session so I am all by my lonesome (unless you count the sleepers within ten feet of me). 

I have actually had several periods of down time and relaxing this week. Although B-rad is not required to attend much this week, he has made an effort to serve in any way possible and connect with others. He has done a great job of balancing it with family time, so what it has looked like is when the kids are both sleeping he sneaks away which gives me time to nap or blog or shower or paint my toe nails. And when just Kayt is napping it gives Noah and I good one-on-one time to golf or play chase or read books. I also have loved letting Noah play on the big grassy null and spending time with the Lord while basking in the beauty surrounding me. 

We are having a spledid time, but ole' Dorthy always proves to know best!

I mean Dorthy from the Wizard of Oz'...come on peeps. 

I just didn't want you to think Colorado had lulled me in too far. Kevas are far enough for me, no happy grass for this girl ;)

I kid, I kid.

But, there is no place like home!

And we are getting ready to be home. Well, Kayt doesn't seem to mind the change of scenery, she has taken to sleeping in a portable bed and loves the constant action around us.  On a Kayt note, she only wants to stand now. No sitting for that girl! She loves to stand in her Pac-n-Play and walk all the way around it. Is it terrible that I am cheering for NO walking for awhile? 

I think my mind must be running out along with my tears because my thoughts are bouncing so wildly right now that even a racketball court couldn't house them.

I know I had mentioned that I showered a bit ago (not that everyone cares to know that), but it got me to thinking about different peoples prefrence of night vs. morning showers.

I typically shower in the morning, but when you are off of your normal routine 'ya get whacha get and ya don't throw a fit,' right?

When I shower before bed my hair does funky things during the night while I sleep. If I re-wet it, it's just not the same as being freshly washed. But, it does feel great to go to bed so clean. 

If you think this is a really odd question, just blame it on the altitude, but what do you prefer?

Do you shower at night or in the morning?

I spy...

Something Angelic...

Something Kissable...

 

Something Magnificant...

~~Sorry about the poor picture quality. I took them with my computer in a dark room. Can't take any chances on waking a sleeping tot!~~

All Aboard!

All Aboard the Ingram Gang Train...

This ride promises an ear full of foul language, a dash of false prophecy and a wholatta New Mexico erraticism.

Train rides leaves directly from the Ingram Gang driveway and is a direct route to the beautiful sites of Durango, Colorado.

Ride includes only one make that two I mean three   four stops.

Included:

-Free diaper changing

-Assistance to and from all car seats

-Endless amounts of Cherios

-Personal screens for video viewing. Options include: Praise Baby, Elmo Potty Time, The Wheels on the Bus or Baby Faith (a.k.a Moses)

-Personal Servant who chooses to go by Mamma

-Chauffeur who answers to Daddy

Departure time: 7:30 am Monday, June 24

Return time: TBA

ALL ABOARD!

_________________________________________________

Durango is beautiful! We have already enjoyed the Lord's creation in our short time here. The mountains, rivers, ponies and cows made our trip so enjoyable.

The kids did such a great job traveling. I am so proud of them.

Ear full of profanity:

Noah cursed the entire way.

One *uck, two #uck, three &uck!  Another %uck, another @uck! 

My son, the profane one; he definately gets that from his fathers side. 

We are working on the 'tr' blend, but for now it comes out as a very distinct 'f'-sound no question about that. And if you have ever driven the old Route 66, you know it is full of TRucks. At least Brad and I are mature enough not to egg him on or laugh each time Noah shouts profanity. NOT! 

Dash of false prophecy:

We watched our beloved Praise Baby vidoes numerous times in the car. Did you know that Amarillo and Durango are only 16 episdoes of Praise Baby apart? Really. A mere 16 viewings of a show full of worship music that would put even the energizer bunny to sleep and voila, you are here! It's just that easy.

I had to laugh when Noah started singing a line from Here I am to Worship. The line goes, "I'll never know how much it cost to see my sin upon that cross..." but in the back seat Noah sang "I'll never know how much it cost to see myself upon that cross..."

I loved it! I just know the Lord takes great delight in hearing praise come from the lips of children, even if one small, minute, tiny, HUGE detail was off....we will work on that as well. 

It's Jesus. Jesus. Jesus. Jesus. Jesus. Got it!

Dash of New Mexico erraticism:

And then there were the sites of New Mexico. 

Oh sweet, dear New Mexico. 

For every one sign telling us the milage to the nearest cities, we saw 7 signs referencing drunk drivers or DWI's. 

At one point we drove past a group of people who were parked on the shoulder of the road. There were 4 people sitting in lawn chairs and 2 laying on beach towels sunbathing. Did I already say that this was on the shoulder of a major highway?  I'm not sure if you heard me. Sunbathing on the side of a highway! Where the speed limit is 75 miles per hour! And they were men! Or at least I think they were men. 

I guess those brave souls either did not see all of the drunken driver signs I mentioned or were one of the subjects the signs referenced. 

All in all, we had a great trip and I am so thankful for and excited about the upcoming week. This is our first big trip as a family of four. And based on the amount of stuff I brought, Brad may choose for it to be the last one for a long, long time. 

The purpose of our trip is not fully for vacation. Brad is speaking-ish in the mornings at a CIY (Christ in Youth) conference, but our afternoons are free for adventure.  

A little work, a little play makes for a happy day on the Ingram Express!

Kayt is Great

I've realized that I devote many of my entries to my son, Noah and few to my princess.  Just because Noah is 2 and says and does things that blow my mind, catch me off guard and make me laugh doesn't mean that I am any more fascinated by him.  His stories and interests just seem to be more entertaining to the general public. 

So let me take a moment and fully devote my attention to the little girl who has changed my world. She is so precious. I mean so, so precious.  

Kayt Emerson is a crowd stopper and I mean that in the truest sense. Where ever we go, what ever we do people stop just to comment on what a doll she is. The conversation usually goes something like this "She is beautiful. Look at those eyes! She has the biggest, bluest eyes I have ever seen and just look at those eye lashes" and then they usually look at my eyes to see if she got them from me, sadly she did not.

I cannot even count the number of times we have been told that an entire table had been conversing about her, or have had cooks or cashiers approach us just to comment on her. 

I know I am partial, but she is just a ball of spunk. Her eyes light up each time she smiles and her smiles  are endless. 

She has been mobile for quite some time now and she travels by way of army-crawling. She scoots her little booty all over our house pulling herself by her right arm and pushing with her toes. She gets on her hands and knees all the time and for a long time I thought she would come to crawl conventionally, but each time she flops back to her belly and is off on her next adventure. And though she crawls like one hiding in the desert, she is fast!  Not only that, but she is a great mop as well. I just wet her shirt down, dab a bit of Pinesol on her belly and let her clean, clean, clean. It works great! 

I kid, I kid. 

When I lay her down for a nap, she will pull up, turn her mobile on and then sit back down to watch it for awhile before she lays down to drift off to dreamland.  After nap time, I usually find her standing in her bed. I cannot believe how she is pulling up on everything. I know it is just a matter of time before she takes off walking and then I will be chasing 2 kids in different directions. It makes me tired just thinking of it.

She will be 9 months old next week! It is a matter of months before we are celebrating her first birthday, this year has passed in the blink of an eye.  

And my Katy is an eater, she can eat her body weight in food. She is a tiny little thing, but has yet to pass up anything offered to her. Her favorites are avacados, sweet potatoes, peas, green beans, oatmeal and bananas.  

She has 2 bottom teeth and her dark hair is long enough to clip bows into.  I just loving having a little girl, it's like playing dress-up every morning! 

She is cuddly and giggly and girl through and through. 

I love her morning smiles and her nighttime snuggles.

She gets excited when I open the pantry and upset when Noah tries to ride her like a pony. 

Her belly laughs make my day.

She is my little stick-tight, a true mamma's girl. But you know, that is okay with me...it's my delight.

She loves to clap and wave and play pat-a-cake. 

Noah adores her and she thinks everything he does is fully for her entertainment. Her biggest laughs are reserved just for him.

All three of us are totally crazy about this little girl. I am so thankful for my munchkin and all the joy she adds to each day.

                   

O+(N*S)+Cpm/T+He

Outdoor Activity + (Nature  x  Social Interaction) + Childhood Memories/ Temperature + Holidays= The Happiest Day of the Year

And according to one British scientist that is what today, June 20th, is said to be...the happiest day of the year!  I did hear that his research was funded by an ice cream shop, so I guess the proof would lie with you. Will today be your happiest day of the year?

Whatever that may mean, I just felt as though the Lord wants all to take notice of the ways he desires for us to experience his abundance. I know many will not have the happiest day of 2008 today for one reason or another, but please take note of the areas in which the Lord is being sufficient and showing provision.

Lord I ask for your goodness to pour out on this day. Pour out your abundant goodness over all, so that on this day, we may experience your love in tangible ways. I ask that your presence would fall in the lives of believers in order that they may experience you in power. May your joy overflow in our hearts and pour out onto those around us. Father you ARE good and because of your goodness, we bask in your mercy and love. Thank you for choosing us and allowing us to share in on your goodness on this earth.

To the Birthday Girl

~Happy Birthday Mandy~ 

We love you!

A Needed Spark

I was in desperate need of a spark of creativity to light my fire. I've had blogs that I wanted to add to my roll and other changes that needed to be made, but have not been able to find the time or the gusto to do so. 

Mandy made my new, fabulous header and it was just the inspiration that I needed. Thank you Mandy! She is talented at so many things, blog headers included. 

I choose friends well. When I review resumes and essays submitted by people hoping to be my friend, I always make sure they are high in talents. I choose the most talented friends, therefore my lack of talent never seems to be noticed.  You see people, I have a strategy. 

I kid, I kid. 

But honestly, I am surrounded by many talented people.

Recently I feel like my life has been moving at lightening speed. I'm sure you feel the same way. I can remember being in kindergarten, getting home from school at noon each day and sprawling out on the floor to watch Days of Our Lives with my mom. I clearly remember one day, sitting in front of the t.v., eating macaroni and cheese and thinking "kindergarten lasts forever." 

Now, I am not far removed from having a kindergartener of my own and I find myself wondering where the last 20-something years have gone. 

All this to say, I have not had much time to read my own blog lately let alone other peoples. But when I do get a few seconds to spare I have a few musts that I always check.

Of course I love reading the blogs of all my close friends (which are at the top of my 'real life friends' list), but I have stumbled upon a few others that I also find delightful. I cannot say that these are daily reads for me; I don't even look at my own blog daily, but they certainly top my list of ways-to-pass-time.

Pioneer Woman

My memory is fogged in exactly how I stumbled upon this blog, and to be honest, at first I wasn't so sure of her ranch-life existence. But somehow I started readiner her Black Heels to Tractor Wheels journey and I was am hooked! 

I tell ya, this woman can draw an audience. It took me several days to read the entire saga because I started from the beginning (which you must do) and during that time no one in my house ate or had clean clothes. I was engulfed and I spent every free minute getting caught up on this strangers romantic journey. I tried to explain it to Brad as a 'novel on the computer,' but he clearly did not understand. If you've read it, you will understand though.

Not only is this romance a great read, but her recipes are really great. I have tried a few and let's just say, I keep comin' back for more. 

The lasagna and the apple dumplings are splendid!

I also like the way she posts step-by-step pictures with each dish. It just adds a little extra spice to each recipe!

Suz's Quads

She has quadruplits. Enough said. It is one of those, How Fun! But I am SO glad it's not me type of reads. She has lots of spunk and personality and that is why the Lord chose to bless her with 4 babies at one time, I'm sure!

I think Megan told me about this one. It is oozing with life.

Holding Little Hands

Now, this is a friend of mine that I don't get to see anymore. She lives in the Dallas area and was such a sweet presence in my life at one point. She is just such a gifted writer, and I enjoy her choice of words and creativity in writing. She's a hoot!

There are many other blogs I enjoy reading and  the 3 I listed only account for a very small portion of my entertainment, but I wanted to share my reading wealth.

What about you?

What are your favorite blogs to read?

You can either leave a comment with them, or leave a comment saying that you are telling your favorites and write about the sites you enjoy most. 

Because come on, let's face it we all need a few more distractions to keep us from doing all of the other tasks gnawing at our heels. Right?

I'll Just Read Me

I am currently re-reading and fully engrossed in every discipline book I own, all two of them!

I've read these books in the past and at that time I implemented tid-bits of their wisdom, but honestly they gave me an undeserved sense of pride.  My thoughts sounded something like this: "My child obeys. He responds well to our requests. We must have been doing things right...right? He has been such an easy child."

And then...he turned TWO! 

My child has gone missing. Where is he? And who is the strong-willed, defiant dude in his shoes? The same boy that has charmed his way into the depths of my soul has now made me want to pluck my eyebrows out.

I've said "No" and "Don't" about a plethrazillion times over the past few weeks.

And coming from a person who has always been very reserved to say the N (no) word, this is quite trying. 

I do the church thing alone. 

On Sunday mornings my husband leaves for church a little after  7am so I get both of the kids up, fed, dressed to impress, and to church on time. Well, kind of on time. I consider all start times to have a  5   15 minute grace period.   All the while, I cannot go in my pajamas so somewhere in the chaos joy of Sunday mornings I get myself dolled up as well. One particular Sunday morning closer to the beginning of May, I was less than thrilled to drrraaaggg my son into church. I'm sure I was quite a sight carrying a seven month old, 2 over-stuffed diaper bags (since they each have to have one in the nursery), a Bible and a journal while dragging a whailing 2 year old in a tie across the walkway.  I know his shoes must have left skid marks on the pavement. He was refusing to go to "this church" because he wanted to go to the "basketball church". Seeing as though there is no such thing, this made perfect sense to me. 

Recently at dinner, this same tot shoved his plate of food back at me just as I was placing it in front of him. 

There has also been a very recent hand-washing meltdown involving this same subject. 

You get the picture?

A few weeks ago on a Sunday morning we allowed him to watch the band during the praise time. My son, the music lover, delights in this.  When we chose to do this, my worship may not be with hands lifted high, but it is truly a place that my spirit finds worship. The only difference between this week and the others is that this time I carried him out of the sanctuary screaming as the worship set wrapped up. I mean the "hand over the mouth, straight-jacket wrapped, running up the aisle" type of carried.

And at that moment, I became "that lady". You know who that lady is.  

Why in the world did that lady bring her son into the service?

Did you see that lady's screaming child?

Who in the world is that lady?

What is that lady's deal?

Is that lady hurting that poor child?

Doesn't that lady know better?

I'll never be like that lady!

You know you've thought it. I know I have, and now I am her! 

That's the problem though. It's not about me. It isn't about how I look. My children's behavior doesn't determine my honor. I forget that. I forget that it's about the Lord and the heart of my two year old son. My children will sin. I know this, but sometimes I forget it and then I'm blind-sided by blatant acts of disobedience.  

I sin. In all of my diligence and my overwhelming love for the Lord, I still sin. Although the Lord is not blind-sided by my choice to sin, I have to believe that it still hurts him. I know this because my son's sin hurts my heart. 

It hurts me because I can see that training is for his benefit. I can see the bigger picture, not just the moment he is living in. I know that often we withhold something from him in order to give him something better in the future. I know that in gaining self-control, character is built.  I know that just because something seems appealing, it may not be the best thing for him.

You get the picture? 

Recently as Noah was sleeping peacefully, I laid my hand on his back and prayed over him. As I was praying, the Lord began to speak to my heart.  

"Pray for you," he told me. Pray for guidance. Pray for forgiveness from letting up on training your son and giving into his charm. 

Tonight I was given a sweet reminder. It is not about me, yet it is. 

I am to "train my children up in the way they should go so that when they are old, they will not depart from it."  I am to love them unconditionally. I am to exercise patience beyond what seems acceptable. 

I am to cast all limits aside. What seems like a reasonable limit for patience is nothing in comparison to the patience the Lord pours out over my trying soul. 

When I can take a step back and see how the Lord views my sin, and how he responds to me with discipline, pruning my growing soul, loving me beyond measure and using each of my falls as a chance for growth I can do the same for my children.

When I do this, I don't grow weary in the midst of trials. When I do this, I exercise love and patience beyond what comes naturally.

Thank you Jesus for writing a discipline book with my life. I love that I can open the pages of my life and read a book with all the scenarios already played out. I've tried and tested the Lord, yet he has proven faithful and true.

Jesus I ask for strength to be proven faithful and true as well.

If anyone would like to purchase the book of discipline written by my poor choices, it will go on sale very soon!

For all that you've done I will thank you...

I'm thankful because...

*I am soon to spend an entire week in the mountains with my husband.

*Our family is gracious enough to not only keep our kids all week, but to have planned an action-packed-week-o-fun! They are getting their very own vacation within the city limits.

*The Lord gave me a word through a friend to "SHUT IT DOWN" and he has been merciful to help me shut down the thoughts that aren't glorifying. Thank you Jesus!

*I can finally see the light at the end of the packing tunnel. There were many times this weekend that I thought I would never get everyone packed for the week.

*My toe nails are an eye catching pinkish-redish-orangish and I must say, the color is very summer-y. 

*JOY!

*Kayt melts my heart each time she claps and waves. Oh, I could eat that cute little grin right off of her face!

*I am anticipating much time to myself this week to sit and think and pray and just be Abba's delight.

*Our new rug should be ready sometime this week! It will be much more crawl-friendly.

*And my new prescription sunglasses should be ready as well. This just tickles my fancy.

*Noah has began to call me momma...at least a few times. I love it! It's just the sweetest sound, but I also love when he calls me Ashee, it's just so...him! 

*I had Taco Villa for dinner, mmmmm. Nasty indulgences delight me!

*Gone IS the Wind!!! The past few days have been gust free, I'm please with that.

*God is faithful! 

We are soon headed to the mountain tops of New Mexico, please pray for us as we are away this week. 

Pray for safety, the Lord's power to be heavy, and my special time with the girls during our class session.

Pray also for my children and my family. I am having a really hard time leaving them, it is such a hard thing for me to do. I've already cried on a few occasions today and I do not want my thoughts to be so consumed by longing to be with them, that I am absent from the place the Lord has called me. Pray also that I can serve my husband and be a blessing to him this week!

Thanks Dudes!