To live.

We are happier in many ways when we are old than when we were young. The young sow wild oats. The old grow sage. -Winston Churchill

I like this quote. I think because I tend to fear becoming old. It seems to be the breakdown of two major things...
-physical
-Emotional


But why fear the inevitable. God had a reason to Create beings in such a manner.I have been wondering Why this wold be the case. Then it hit me.
In so many old people they can keep their physical bodies healthy but in most cases there does come a point where it is just out of their hands. The long process that starts from birth picks up it's pace.
Also I have noticed that emotionally, life becomes difficult. Maybe it is just out of the pure frustration with their physical self. Or maybe it is just their mind giving up to what seems they are unable to outrun any longer.
However out of all of these frustrating breakdowns and deterioration of the body and mind, the one thing that only seems to grow stronger and more intense is the Spirit. I have seen so many elderly where their last years, weeks, and even days are their strongest with the Lord. God is preparing us to release our flesh to be with him for eternity.


I remember when I was about 8 moths pregnant my midwife said to me "I think it is great that God makes pregnancy more and more uncomfortable the longer you are pregnant. That way by the end you are willing to go through the immense pain in birth to be relieved of all the discomfort. It is seemingly only ways to prepare your mind to want to do this one thing that you fear for so long."


I think that this completely applies to life. Discomfort is seemingly one of the only ways for God to prepare us to leave our loved ones here on earth and the only 'home' we have known to truly come home to Him.

I can't wait to grow sage.
This makes me happy.

Testing the bounds

In our house we have a ceramic tiled area on which Elina is not allowed to crawl. I am not just being a mean parent, I assure you, the tile surrounds our wood fireplace. However there have been many times where she will definitely try to straddle the thin line between carpet and tile. Today was the day she crossed the thin line into the tile.I was in the kitchen preparing our lunch. (From the kitchen i can see the entire living room including this tiled area) Elina kept a close eye on me awaiting the moment I would look down. Something on the tile had caught her attention...the cat. She knew of the consequences but all was lost as she gazed into the cats eyes.




I looked down and she took off.




meanwhile in the kitchen...


While cutting some bread I noticed that Goober (brit's cat) was sprawled out on the tile, and Elina was seemingly captured by her. This wasn't unusual, Elina was always captured by 'kitty'. I thought to myself 'The tile must be Goober safe zone from Elina.' I noticed Elina was inching forward toward the tile. I called out her name to catch her attention. Elina looked up her huge eyes full of innocence. I smiled and looked down to cut the bread. All of a sudden I hear the slapping of hands and knees on ceramic tile, quickly followed by shrills of joy and excitement. I look up to see Elina going absolutely crazy!! Jumping around and throwing her hands up, almost as if she were doing some crazy tribal dance!!


then the moment came...when her gaze met mine.


She scooted backwards so fast off that tile I thought she was going to fall over.
quickly covered my mouth to hide the enormous smile. I slowly started to walk around the couter...


The tears came.
I didn't even have to say a word.


I picked her up and placed her in her 'pouty chair' aka time out.
she only sat for about 20 seconds. And then gave me a hug and stopped crying.




All was forgiven.


While Elina was in the pouty chair I pulled out my phone to take a picture...I couldn't resist capturing the moment. (keep in mind this is a picture phone...not great quality)

2 years!!

Happy anniversary baby! I love you.

Agreed.

There never was a good war or a bad peace.
-Benjamin Franklin

Fun with aunt Maymee.

Amy came over today...so we took some pics.

I'm finding it's easier to take pics of Elina alone. Babies are so much more natural than us. :) I guess I am very much still learning.

Here they are.

Photo shoot #2

I'm really enjoying myself. today I have been playing around with the attaching flash. When to use it, what direction so aim it. It has been great! God is so good. I feel so blessed that I happen to have all of these great tools at my fingertips. I think I took a little over 100 pictures! :) Because every time I take a pic I always hold the button down and the camera shoots about 5 more... It's great! If the first one doesn't turn out I get 5 more chances. haha.

I just want to say thank you to Britni! I steal a lot of her ideas for picture framing. :)

Let me know what you think!

passion: a strong or extravagant fondness, enthusiasm, or desire for anything.

So I, as most people know, am a very passionate person. Passionate for many things. For God, for relationship, for having fun, for dancing...etc. A big struggle for me is that I am surrounded b passionate people as well. I just happen to be surrounded by people who are really good at their passions. :) Because of this, it makes it so hard for me to step out in confidence and pursue my passions. There will always be someone who can do it better...haha. And that is true. However God has been showing me that it doesn't matter!! So I need to just start going for it!! He gave me that passion to enjoy! And to have fun!! I don't need to compare! :) There are 3 things that God has put a strong passion in me for. 1) Dancing 2)Photography 3)Painting/drawing

I have decided to start acting in the desire God has pressed upon me. So even if I'm awful it doesn't matter. I mean it is all for Him. I think god loves it. :)

So here are some picture that I took of Elina this afternoon. My first step into 'just going for it'. ( Thanks Caylan for the stacking toy)










Side note: I have to think that God must have a ENORMOUS refrigerator to fit all of his children art work on it!!