Popcorn and a movie night. I love a good tradition.
Monday, September 26, 2011
Thursday, September 22, 2011
On the first a day of Pre-k
She picked out her outfit her self. And by the way she purchased that shirt with her own allowance money.
Everyone was excited for a new start! E and C are on the wait list, but we are pray for their first day soon.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Redemption 1 (a series)
John took the girls and I for a drive around town on Saturday. The first few pictures are from a lookout on 2222 and the last ones are by the Lake Travis Dam. Well I looked again and they are all mixed up but we went to those two places!
I'm calling this series Redemption. It could be the "Bloom where you are planted" series as well. I want to share the pictures of life and beauty that we are surrounded by here. I've had a couple of people tell me that God is going to grow me here and how great it is to have spent time being equipped and now is the time to impact. And I agree. I'll post my blooming, growing, impacting thoughts with you. I also want to share some thoughts on church shopping, but that's for another day and another post. As for the grocery store, it's growing on me. Just imagine everything in your life has maroon now turn it burnt orange and there you go! I have seen so many more Texas Tech fans here! Hurray. And more tattoos. Not necessarily on the same people.
I truly wish you could come for a visit. I really want to show you places that have literally taken my breath away. I love open spaces, and rolling hills. I forgot how much I love that feeling of being in nature and feeling God's might hand in his creation. I love feeling how majestic our God truly is. How His creation is so awe inspiring. I'm sad to admit that I quickly overlooked this in Aggieland. It's there just in different ways. Think open fields of bluebonnets ahhhhhhh.
But being in a new environment I get to look at things with fresh eyes. See the beauty in others' commonplace. Challenge yourself today and look for God's mighty hand in your current surroundings. Look with fresh eyes and be amazed.
Monday, September 19, 2011
The After
And by after, I mean all the stuff we brought with us...
See that little nook back there? Thats what sold me on this apartment. A space for the girls to still have a playroom.*
See all three girls fit in one room. It's a party EVERY night but they fit.*
Snacks on the Veranda. How cool are we?
*So I thought you would want to see the pictures of the apartment. I kept putting it off because the only time it's clean is when the girls are in bed and then I can't get a picture of their room. Anyone feel me? Look past the shoes on the floor, the stuff and there you go. Keeping it real.
See that little nook back there? Thats what sold me on this apartment. A space for the girls to still have a playroom.*
See all three girls fit in one room. It's a party EVERY night but they fit.*
Snacks on the Veranda. How cool are we?
*So I thought you would want to see the pictures of the apartment. I kept putting it off because the only time it's clean is when the girls are in bed and then I can't get a picture of their room. Anyone feel me? Look past the shoes on the floor, the stuff and there you go. Keeping it real.
Friday, September 16, 2011
The Emotional Drain of Moving
Apparently when I signed up for this whole moving thing I was blissfully unaware of the emotional drain of moving. Oh I remembered the physical side. Moving furniture loading boxes sure, but trying to find broccoli in HEB bringing you to tears? HARD
Let me back up- so when I was in college I went through a Student Training in Missions to go on a summer missions project. One of the most helpful things I learned was recognizing when you are "red lining." Red lining is the act of being overwhelmed, frustrated, confused, and just plain upset that things in your new culture are not the same as you are used to in your regular culture. Being able to recognize when you red line is important to help you move back to green line and in a learner posture. When we red line we tend to be- this is different this is wrong. They are different, they are WRONG. So you can see how this is unhelpful in loving people as Christ loves them. Now back to the story-
So I was literally about to cry in the middle of the produce section of the HEB. First off, it's no brand spanking new HEB with tons of aisle space and cool open produce section. It's different. Along with everything else in this new city. Red Line. I believe the words- I hate this HEB. It's not as cool as our old one. I can't find anything here. I will not shop here again, may have been spoken by the writer of this. I forgot how emotionally draining new things are for me. This turns into physically draining and many naps needed!
Learning. Growing. Following the path that is set before us. Knowing that it will get easier, it will become normal, and it will feel routine soon. I went back to the HEB today and it wasn't so bad...its close to the Starbucks.
Let me back up- so when I was in college I went through a Student Training in Missions to go on a summer missions project. One of the most helpful things I learned was recognizing when you are "red lining." Red lining is the act of being overwhelmed, frustrated, confused, and just plain upset that things in your new culture are not the same as you are used to in your regular culture. Being able to recognize when you red line is important to help you move back to green line and in a learner posture. When we red line we tend to be- this is different this is wrong. They are different, they are WRONG. So you can see how this is unhelpful in loving people as Christ loves them. Now back to the story-
So I was literally about to cry in the middle of the produce section of the HEB. First off, it's no brand spanking new HEB with tons of aisle space and cool open produce section. It's different. Along with everything else in this new city. Red Line. I believe the words- I hate this HEB. It's not as cool as our old one. I can't find anything here. I will not shop here again, may have been spoken by the writer of this. I forgot how emotionally draining new things are for me. This turns into physically draining and many naps needed!
Learning. Growing. Following the path that is set before us. Knowing that it will get easier, it will become normal, and it will feel routine soon. I went back to the HEB today and it wasn't so bad...its close to the Starbucks.
Monday, September 12, 2011
The before
Here are some before shots of our apartment.
The girls room. Yes, all three fit in there! It was party central last night but they finally all slept.
Our room. We are still trying to figure out how to fit in our closet. This is harder than getting the three girls in one room. Ask John about his shoes...
Our kitchen. Just a tip- don't go to Sam's and restock on everything before you move to a smaller place thinking you won't be able to get to a Sam's in your new place. It's hard to fit big jugs of oil in apartment pantries. Not that it happened to me. Just someone I know...
Our dinning room.
We are all unpacked. Absolutely no more boxes are left. Now some fun things like a cutting board or cups may have been left in college station, but that's not what's important. What's important is that we are here and I found the coffee!
The girls room. Yes, all three fit in there! It was party central last night but they finally all slept.
Our room. We are still trying to figure out how to fit in our closet. This is harder than getting the three girls in one room. Ask John about his shoes...
Our kitchen. Just a tip- don't go to Sam's and restock on everything before you move to a smaller place thinking you won't be able to get to a Sam's in your new place. It's hard to fit big jugs of oil in apartment pantries. Not that it happened to me. Just someone I know...
Our dinning room.
We are all unpacked. Absolutely no more boxes are left. Now some fun things like a cutting board or cups may have been left in college station, but that's not what's important. What's important is that we are here and I found the coffee!
Thursday, September 08, 2011
The Change
It's happening here at Ludlow Bungalow, that change that itches my soul every end of August and beginning of September. The need for a different a change and more schedule.
But of course, no year is normal. I think just now figured that out as I typed it. Change, different, growth. As my last few days in Aggieland are winding down, I am hopeful, scared, and excited. Change does not always mean good. Sometimes it's hard, but this change in address for us is a bit of both. A chance to be free of the cost of ownership of keeping a large house. Free from yard work, lots of cleaning, and free to enjoy a pool we don't have to maintain!
Hard a bit, in the fear of the unknown and not quite being settled for a few months. But even that is freeing because we will have a chance to scout the land and take the giants. And a bit hard in the different. I've come used to the strange people who call themselves Aggies. I'm going to have to figure out longhorns. Oh my. I wonder if it will take me the five years of living there like it did here to buy a school colored shirt?
Ah change, it happens and we look forward to it. Knowing the God of the universe has each and every day of our lives planned. I keep telling myself and others who ask, God was not surprised by this move.
Psalm 137
13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
But of course, no year is normal. I think just now figured that out as I typed it. Change, different, growth. As my last few days in Aggieland are winding down, I am hopeful, scared, and excited. Change does not always mean good. Sometimes it's hard, but this change in address for us is a bit of both. A chance to be free of the cost of ownership of keeping a large house. Free from yard work, lots of cleaning, and free to enjoy a pool we don't have to maintain!
Hard a bit, in the fear of the unknown and not quite being settled for a few months. But even that is freeing because we will have a chance to scout the land and take the giants. And a bit hard in the different. I've come used to the strange people who call themselves Aggies. I'm going to have to figure out longhorns. Oh my. I wonder if it will take me the five years of living there like it did here to buy a school colored shirt?
Ah change, it happens and we look forward to it. Knowing the God of the universe has each and every day of our lives planned. I keep telling myself and others who ask, God was not surprised by this move.
Psalm 137
13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
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