For in the day of trouble

he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent
and set me high upon a rock.

~Psalm 27:5

Today we are mourning the great loss of life in the Southeastern US... most notably in Eastern Mississippi and Western Alabama. I am happy to say that our relatives there escaped, but not unscathed. Our cousin, Chris, received a severe blow to the head as he covered his family with his body in their Pleasant Grove, AL basement. Chris, Mandy, Logan and Lindsey are going to be fine, but their house is gone. Please pray for this family. Logan and Lindsey are only six years old. I can't imagine what these babies are feeling right now. They may not even be able to give a name to what they're feeling, but I'm sure they're terrified. Thank God they have a father willing to sacrifice his own life for them. I'm sure Chris didn't have time to think about what he was doing for his children in that moment, but he certainly illustrated to them an earthly picture of the kind of love our Heavenly Father has for us.

The devastation throughout Northern Alabama is overwhelming and we feel powerless to know what to do at this time. I found myself praying almost constantly today. Perhaps Jonathan's waking last night was God's gentle nudge to pray them through last night. Thankfully, Chris and Mandy live in the same community with their parents, our Aunt Lourie and Uncle Thomas. Their home was virtually unscathed. The twins are often at their grandparent's home, so I'm sure it feels almost as much like home as their own. Lourie and Thomas have some of the warmest and biggest hearts around. I'm sure they are all so thankful to be alive and together. We are VERY thankful they survived and we're praying about ways to help. The photo above is courtesy of Stephanie Johnson (my sis-in-law). One of her friends took this picture of a tornado in NE Mississippi. This is the tornado that ultimately hit Smithfield, MS. Mom and Dad Allen are heading from Tupelo, MS to Pleasant Grove, AL first thing tomorrow morning to ferry supplies and administer hugs and kisses. Often, I wish we lived nearer our families... but especially at times like this. I wouldn't feel so useless.

Here's a little Mississippian having a some Easter ice cream. This is my adorable niece, Kirbie Pearl! I am anxious for Jonathan to get big enough to play with his cousins. She calls Jonathan "Baby Joshthanan." Too cute! We're sure thankful that she and her Mamma and Daddy are safe and sound!

In more joyful news, we just found out that my friends, Christi and Josh, will be having a baby boy in September! Christi and Josh lost their precious baby, Addison Laine, due to birth complications on November 2nd last year. God has blessed them again... and quickly. We are so thankful for this precious baby boy. I'll see Christi tomorrow and hope to get her started getting ready for her baby boy with some boy things I'd bought up... just in case (smile). Another baby boy will be gracing the Sanders household right around the same time that baby Williams and baby Womack arrive. Uncle Josh and Aunt Cyndi are having a girl... baby Nora. That's going to be one busy stork! Here's little Nora Lynn - another sweet niece!!!

More reason for excitement... I received part of Jonathan's diaper order this afternoon. I've been using two diaper covers and cheap trifolds from Wal Mart. This should make things easier and make it possible for me to put him in cloth all day long. Up 'til now, he's been in disposables overnight. I also received a bottle of Dr. Bronner's Organic Unscented Baby Mild Pure Castile Soap. I had a little bottle of Burt's Bees Apricot Baby Oil (courtesy of Aunt Stephanie) to mix with it... added some water and voila... cloth wipes solution! It smells fantastic! I soaked some baby wash cloths with it, wrung them out and placed them in my wipes warmer. I also put a little of the solution into a small spray bottle for the diaper bag.

Jonathan had been having some tummy trouble. It seems he has a slow system... inherited from his Mommy. Naturally, now that he's in cloth diapers, the flood gates have opened. The cloth diapers are containing everything thank goodness, and the cloth wipes seem to be working well! I did a little more research and found some biodegradable inserts that can be flushed with a septic system. I may have to order those and use the others when we make it to San Antonio. Up 'til the last few days, I haven't had to do any diaper dunking. I got to make up for that yesterday and today. Eeewwwww!

I am still trying to find the gumption to make some home made bread with my freshly milled wheat flour. Maybe tomorrow? Apparently humidity is good for bread baking, and we've got that in abundance right now. I've never been much of a cook, and although my skills have greatly improved since I married into the Allen family and received some pointers from Mamma Allen, I'm still woefully inept. We'll see what happens! If nothing else, we'll be trying blueberry pancakes with the flour sometime this weekend. I made salmon croquettes with it a few nights ago and they were my best yet! Thanks Melissa!

So Jonathan is pulling up on anything and everything, eating like a horse (and doing other things like a horse), making the sweetest little sounds... like Mamma... THE sweetest sound ever to my ears... and just generally being the cutest, sweetest, most precious baby boy alive... except when he gets his Mamma up every other hour. This is only about every night for the past three weeks folks. I look like death, but I keep telling myself that one day, I'm going to wish for the days when I could just hold him and rock him... so I hold him and rock him and hold him and rock him some more... and try to forget about the fact that I'm going to be dead on my feet in the morning... and try to remember that I will never get these precious moments back. Heaven on earth! Here he is waving, "Bye, Bye!"

Easter Sunday - 2011

Easter Sunday 2011 was utterly beautiful, not only because the weather was so unseasonably warm and we saw not a cloud in the sky, but Jason and I actually got to sleep most of last night. For you seasoned parents out there, you know that one night of average sleep doesn't really do much for the sleep deficit, but it helps just a little.

Here in North Carolina, many churches process into the sanctuary with armloads of flowers to decorate a cross at the altar. A rough-hewn structure about the height of an average-sized man is transformed into something really beautiful and meaningful in the space of about fifteen minutes. An added Easter blessing... today was the first day I had roses, so I cut one for each of us to place, some rosemary for remembrance and some sage for salvation/ healing.

The Easter bunny paid a visit to Jonathan last night, leaving a little stuffed bunny and the book, Guess How Much I Love You. Jonathan enjoyed looking at his Easter cards from Mr. Josh and Ms. Christi, from Giggie and Bop and from Aunt Lou. He also had a ball playing with all the kids in the nursery this morning. Often, he's the only baby there, so it's always a treat for him to have someone to play with. Although he took about a three hour nap when we got home from church, he still sacked out early tonight. He played hard in the nursery today!

Jason and I each had roles in the Easter presentation today. Jason was the beginning reader and I sang a small solo. The solo was my favorite part of one of my favorite songs...

"Who taught the sun where to stand in the morning?

And who told the ocean, you can only come this far?

And who showed the moon where to hide 'til evening?

Whose words alone can catch a falling star?

I know my Redeemer lives,

Yes I know my Redeemer lives.

All of creation testifies, this life within me cries,

I know my Redeemer lives."

~Nicole C. Mullen

I've had a life-long struggle with public performance. As I've aged, I've learned to give up that struggle by stages, but I still deal with the jitters when I sing or play for folks. I was able to totally let loose the other night at rehearsal, but today, the nerves got the better of me just a little. Someday I hope I'll be able to completely get beyond myself and find that place where I can worship God with no other thought, but I'm still getting to that place. It didn't help that Joan's reading just before my song was so moving and so beautifully done that I could hardly hold back the tears as the music began to play. For such a small choir in such a small country church, I'd say the presentation went extraordinarily well and I pray someone's heart was touched for eternity by the Scripture and music presented today.

We were invited to have lunch with some sweet friends, but after the crazy week/weekend we had (the open house that no one visited but the realtor), we opted to come home and lay low the rest of the afternoon. We did pop out long enough to take a little walk and grab an ice cream cone this evening.

This week promises to be more of the same crazy busy overwhelming fun that we've been enjoying here this year, but we're getting a little more laid back about it. I'm about done with the constant cleaning. If it shows and it's messy... so be it. We really want to take a day at the beach and maybe another day at Williamsburg and Yorktown. I'm ready to get moved, slow down and just be... but I sure will miss this place, this house, this neighborhood and the NC folks we love like family. I can hardly believe that one month from today, Mom, Jonathan and I will hit the road.

STUFF...

Just wanted to add a little something to yesterday's post. Looking back over... it sounds edgy and judgemental. Right about move time, I declare all out war on Stuff. Stuff is my antithesis. The very word makes me cringe. It seems to indicate, all on its own that it has to be "stuffed" somewhere. I try to keep Stuff at bay during the short time we're anywhere, but somehow it still manages to creep in and take over my life. Move time is the time when I realize how annoying STUFF can really be. I am literally overwhelmed by Stuff and all that Stuff has to be sorted, organized, packed, donated, sold and moved. Stuff steals my joy (and the extra time I might have had to spend with friends or exploring the place we're about to leave).

Please note... my attitude toward Stuff should not be construed as judgement over your attitude toward Stuff. If you and Stuff have a good relationship, I'm happy for you! If we ever get settled somewhere for more than three years, I may learn to embrace, maybe even love Stuff. Until then, Stuff and I will remain bitter enemies.

Cloth Diapers and Other Fun...

It's 8:45 pm and I'm just getting to this part of my Monday. To anyone who thinks that staying at home with your kid involves loads of free time to watch Oprah and even more time to chow down on bon bons... well... try it for a few weeks and then let me know what you think. Here's some proof that it's simply not so.

All of my clothes are too big for me... even the tiny, pre-pregnancy clothes that I couldn't even squeeze into a couple of years before I got pregnant. You know... those jeans you keep around year after year thinking one fine day you'll be able to fit in them again. That day is here folks! This may be my toughest job to date... and I taught junior high!

Maybe Christian conservative/ environmentalist are conflicting terms, but I have strong tendencies toward both... and I personally don't think they should conflict. I guess the strongest tendency I have is toward a simpler, more sincere, more clutter-free world. I know. Linus. But Linus was really on to something I think!

I love that Jonathan is growing up on furniture that my Mom grew up with... that I grew up with... even some that my friends grew up with. The super-practical/ frugal side of me loves that I didn't pay for it! The computer table I'm typing at is a hand-made drop-leaf table that a friend's great grandfather made in Maine. I can't believe he didn't want to keep it, and it's his if he ever wants to re-claim it... but I LOVE that it's holding up my computer right now. I don't really enjoy buying junk. I like inheriting treasures.

On the other hand, at times I HATE that I catch myself buying stuff just to buy stuff. It's just stuff! It might be on sale... it might be cheap, but it's more stuff to make things more complicated, it doesn't make me happier and it junks up my life. I'm amazed sometimes at how many articles of clothing I have, my son has, my husband has... and I only wear a fraction of it. I bought it... it made me happy for about two hours and now it's gathering dust.

We definitely live in a "throw society"... and I willingly buy into it all the time. Everything is mass produced and is tossed aside when fashion trends change the next season. It's hard to find anything real and authentic anymore. If I've got it, chances are, at least 5,000 other someones have it too. Of course, like everyone else, I can be a complete hypocrite. We have a lot of the junk parents buy their kids hoping they'll walk earlier or talk earlier or read faster. Even this cloth diaper thing seems to have a trendy edge to it lately. In my own defense, I didn't realize it was becoming trendy when I began researching it before Jonathan was born... or even when I started re-investigating last month.

I got so overwhelmed with all the available products, the initial cost and my concern that I wouldn't be able to keep up with it, that I opted to start with disposables when Jonathan was a newborn. We had sooooo many boxes of disposables given to us (THANK YOU!), we're really just now, at ten months, running out of them. Sure we bought several boxes here and there, but, comparatively speaking, we've really spent very little on diapers and wipes.

Okay - done venting - thanks for letting me get on my soap box for a minute...

So, being the hypocrite I am, I got on Amazon and read reviews on the priciest and most economical diaper systems (Econobuns - Ha! Ha! - Seriously?). After hours and hours of baby gear research (hypocrite), you recognize a familiar trend. People tend to tell you what they end up settling on after trying this and that based on economy and quality. I love reviewers! I found a mid-range cloth diaper system that is actually a US Cottage Industry. Cool huh!?!?! Folks sew these diaper covers and inserts in their own homes and then send them to a distributor. The company urges customers to buy their products locally from small business owners and then gives a little on-line economics lesson on how that philosophy helps the US economy.

I registered for and received some tri-fold cloth diapers at our church shower. My intention was to use them as burp cloths (Jonathan was never much of a burper.) and then maybe try them later as diapers. I have been using them at meal times to wipe his mouth, high chair and tray, and now, finally, they are being used to diaper him. Last week, I bought two adjustable diaper covers... kind of like the plastic covers I grew up in only made from breathable fabric and adjustable from 18-40 lbs. I also bought a completely biodegradable roll of 100 disposable inserts. One reviewer mentioned that these can be machine washed at least once. Believe it or not, Jonathan has used one three times now! These keep you from having to handle anything extremely unsavory. I'll buy a couple more covers, a couple of fitted diapers for night time use, a few doublers and I bought another package of tri-folds today... $1 per diaper. But that's really all the initial expense... probably around $120 total. That adds up to about six boxes of disposables.

Cloth diapers definitely need to be changed a bit more frequently, but they also provide more cushioning on a tiny-hiney when a kitchen chair pull up attempt goes south. Cloth diapers need to be washed... daily... but so far that has forced me to get all my other laundry done early in the day so I can start the diaper soak a.s.a.p. in the morning... and I don't have "other" laundry every day. Because you really do need to dump the "unsavories" into the toilet after a diaper change, your house stays smelling good. Disposable diapers are the third largest contribution to US landfills. Cloth diapers can save a family up to $2000. Wow! It's really not much more difficult than normal diaper changes. In fact... that's one less REALLY big, heavy garbage bag for me to lug to the dump every week. My next adventure... using cloth wipes! Seriously!

In other news, my friend, Melissa, is going to teach me to grind grain... to make my own flour... to make my own bread... and pancakes... and cinnamon rolls... and muffins. :o) She's been doing it for over seven years (I think) with tremendous benefits to her family's health. We plan to wait to try our hand at it until we get moved, but we've been buying and eating Ezekiel bread for the last couple of weeks and we've both noticed a difference in our heath. In fact, Jonathan fed himself a little chicken and Ezekiel bread at dinner tonight and he loved it!

Giggie and Bop sent an Easter package that arrived today. It was filled with adorable little outfits for Jonathan, a very cute Easter card and a nice little stash of magazines for me (a luxury these days since I don't subscribe to or buy magazines much anymore)! I think the plaid with the green polo is my favorite. ;o) Thanks Giggie and Bop! Granny Dee and Pappa Jack sent out our old VHS videos of Peter Pan, The Jungle Book and The Wind in the Willows. We had a great time watching those this weekend.

Jonathan is pulling up on everything and getting into everything else. It's increasingly more difficult to keep up with this little guy, especially since our sleep deficit seems to be increasing at the same rate. This teething thing really bites! :o) I pride myself on having things extremely organized and arranged before a move. I've done almost nothing to prepare for this move and it's on our doorstep... five weeks people! Easter is next Sunday. Open house Saturday. Work farewells... church functions... friend farewells... community garage sale... doctors appointments... one-year b-day party... HELP! At some point I'll be breathing a sigh of relief on the other side of this. I keep reminding myself that we'll be on the other side very soon every other second when I start to panic again. This is not fun.

Jonathan is fun though. I try to stop and just enjoy him as much as I can. I love that he is totally unaware of all the chaos around him. He's totally wrapped up in growing, loving and being loved. He trusts that all is well. Maybe that's why "Jesus Loves the Little Children." Maybe, for once in my adult life, I might just try to be like one of them.

"All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well."

~Julian of Norwich

It's Monday and it's already been a week! Jason, Jonathan and I are all extremely sleep deprived. I thought all those all-nighters I pulled in college might have prepared me for this. Truth is - nothing could have prepared me for this level of exhaustion. Josh and Cyndi - take note!

I'll make this short. It's 2 pm and no realtors have called. I'm making the bold assumption that if they haven't called by now, they won't call today.

The Allen family skipped church yesterday and slept... and slept... and slept some more. This morning, after another, albeit easier, night of little sleep, Jonathan and I got ready and went to the pediatrician's office. As we assumed, most of Jonathan's sleep issues are really teething issues. He does have a slight cold but NO EAR INFECTION. Yeaaaaaahhhhhh! Congestion is keeping the little guy from sleeping laying flat in his crib. Poor baby. Jonathan is now napping and sleeping some in his toddler seat. We put him down in his crib initially every night (don't want to get out of that habit!), but if he won't be soothed in the crib, he's picked up, cuddled for a bit and laid in his seat. Often he goes right to sleep there.

On Thursday, Jonathan will be ten months old. Tomorrow we go to the dentist and Friday we have Easter pictures made. Aside from terrorizing the household at night, we have a few new tricks and favorites. We love to play with and rip paper and we're a big fan of balls. We are also getting acquainted with the word "no." Jonathan knows what it means, but he's not sure he always wants us to know that he knows what it means. I have to say, he can be very good about obeying... when he's in the mood.

Today I found him with a particularly interesting book. :o) I promise he took it off the shelf all by himself.

Our new favorite diversion... pulling up on the mega-sized toilet paper package we brought home from Wally World the other day. This is sooooo uncharacteristic of me, but it's such a hit that it's staying in the living room floor until we have to start using it (or until the house shows again).

We're getting super fast with this crawling thing and we're shaking our head no. Mom is trying to teach the yes gesture, but with no success. The bottom two teeth are definitely in and the top two are on their way.

Off to clean house!

Life In Limbo...

Moving has become a norm with the Allen family. It is to be expected that every 2nd or 3rd year, we will be on our way to another destination. In some ways, this kind of life suits us. But sometimes, we each long to put down a nice deep tap root somewhere. As usual, the calendar for our final months is busting at the seams. We're exhausted already and have no idea how we are going to come up with the energy for all of the social engagements, doctors appointments, and packing/organizing sessions. On top of that, the yard still needs to stay mowed, the beds need to stay weeded, the house needs to stay clean and meals still need to be prepared. We'll get there though and as usual, we'll be energized by visits with folks we've come to love like family.

Just about three months before our scheduled pack out date, I start into some hard core reminiscing. Stanley was with us when we arrived here and spent 19 glorious months with us. I miss him terribly and imagine him playing with other fur angels in Elysium, white fur flying... that precious puppy smile on his face... racing through the grass with wild abandon. I remember all the walks we took in this little neighborhood... a neighborhood that was specifically chosen for its aptness for strolling and its numerous empty lots for puppy potty breaks. The constant breezes off the Atlantic, the roses that bloom profusely here, our little garden, the moon over the goldenrod in late September, the song of the owls and the finches in the woods beyond our house, late afternoons swinging, talking and laughing on a neighbor's porch... they all paint a picture of three lovely years spent in a very lovely place.

I think about the morning we realized that Jonathan was on his way and the afternoons and evenings spent decorating a nursery and researching baby gear. I think back to early mornings in late June... trying to catch some z's on the recliner while holding a precious tiny baby boy, Jason asleep on the love seat and Mom asleep on the couch... Kenny Loggins singing...

"Christopher Robin and I walked along

Under branches lit up by the moon.

Posing our questions to Owl and Eyore

As our days disappeared all too soon."

Indeed, the "days disappear all too soon." This week we served at our final breakfast hour at Salem Church. I have three more choir practices and will sing in one more Easter service. Jason will teach three more Sunday School lessons and we'll see our friends and church family just a few more times. In less than 60 days, we will leave Jonathan's first home and Stanley's final home forever.

"How fading are the joys we dote upon!

Like apparitions seen and gone.

But those which soonest take their flight

Are those most exquisite and strong,-

Like angels' visits short and bright;

Mortality's too weak to bear them long."

~John Norris

What a bummer, right? Time to liven up this post. Jonathan is into everything!!! Everything that he's not supposed to be getting into that is. He is crawling and pulling up. He's a riot! Unfortunately, he takes after his Mamma and he doesn't know when to quit. Mamma and Daddy are hurting they're so sleep deprived. Jonathan likes to practice his moves at all hours of the day and night. Unfortunately, he doesn't know how to get himself back into a sleeping position once he's standing or on all fours in his crib. He's also developed quite a will. Unloading his toy baskets and clearing all the DVDs out of the TV cabinet are his favorite activities these days.

Our favorite food this week... blueberries! And not the pureed, watered down kind. They're not quite as good unless Jonathan can get them all over his hands, face, ears, nose, clothing, Mommy and high chair. I finally gave in and have scheduled a professional photo sitting for him (with a live bunny) for next Friday. I'm also trying to figure out exactly how to plan a traveling birthday party for a nearly one-year-old. Should be interesting!

This is unrelated, but I thought it was too cute not to share. This was one of Jason's birthday gifts to me last week. In case you can't see the small print, Jason, the CFO of our house has signed over to me the right to go nuts when I purchase Jonathan's next car seat... if I ever settle on one that is...

And so - good night!

So I'm writing on Saturday instead of Monday in hopes that I can get ahead on everything this coming week. I started the trend by preparing Sunday dinner ahead - a dish we actually had last Sunday (Rosemary Ranch Chicken, tossed salad and spiced rice). We loved it so much that we're having it again.

My husband is giving me tutorials in the art of grilling. The grill may be my new best friend. Grilling cuts down on clean up, and just about everything that comes off the grill tastes great! I am also utilizing my rice cooker/ steamer that Jason and I received at our wedding. It is one of those small appliances that gathered a lot of dust over the years on the top shelf of my cabinet until I discovered that I could cook large quantities of rice to freeze in smaller portions and that I could steam vegetables with much greater ease than on the stovetop.

Something I've been meaning to share... if you're in the market for car seats, strollers and pump accessories, good and bad ways to increase milk supply, call me, write me, come see me. I have logged countless hours researching these subjects and have made some good and bad purchases/ decisions. Now that I've made all my mistakes, I might be able to keep you from doing the same. I'm the person that just can't leave well enough alone. I make the purchase and

continue the research. I am very faithful to write reviews, but I'd much rather share what I've learned with the people I know and love.

One bit of advice I'll give you now... don't flip out over the fact that you'll probably end up buying multiple strollers and car seats. It's just a fact of life these days. I don't care how many people ask you how we survived "back in the day." Things are definitely different now and there are standards that we have to conform to. Otherwise, we'll get to pay the piper if officer friendly decides to have a chat with us on the side of the road one fine day. Moving as we do every 2-3 years, we try to keep our lives as clutter-free as possible. Although I tried to keep it to one or two strollers and as few car seats as possible, we now have three strollers and are already in the market for another car seat. We bought a super nice car seat that would take Jonathan to 35 lbs. and a small stroller frame. This saved us money that we then used to buy a glorified, somewhat stylish, lightweight umbrella stroller. What we didn't realize was that the company that makes the glorified umbrella stroller was slightly misleading in their marketing of said stroller. "Six months plus" should have read "one year plus". We needed another stroller to fill the gap. Right about the time we realized this, we received a gift card from Giggie and Bop.

I had already started research on an inexpensive stroller that would recline a bit and offer a little extra cushioning for baby boy. The option I came up with only put us out about $35 and filled the bill. It's lightweight (if just slightly ugly), reclines and folds pretty small to fit in the closet or the back of the van or truck. Again, the reviews weren't as true to form as I'd hoped. The "gender-neutral" pattern looked pretty feminine to me, so I spent a couple of nights with my sewing machine and one of the many blankets we received at showers, and designed an easily removable, plush seat cover that's a little more masculine. I'm so proud of how it turned out that I think I'm going to make another one. They get dirty so fast, it won't hurt to have another cover to interchange. We've decided that we really like the stroller because Jonathan seems to like it so much.

Tomorrow is my 37th birthday and though I'm about as exhausted as I could possibly be right now, I still don't feel as though I'm just three years shy of the big 4-0. My sweet husband had flowers sent to the house and took three days off to help me get some much needed rest. My Mom and Dad sent a beautiful Willow Tree figurine (Happiness), the Max Lucado book Fearless (a book that is seriously speaking to me right now), and a gorgeous card, my Mamma Allen sent a beautiful card and some money and I received several other lovely cards from friends and family. I share a birthday with my Sis-in-Law, Stephanie. Happy Birthday Stephanie! My Brother-in-Law's birthday is today. Happy Birthday Jeremy! My Father-in-Law's birthday is Tuesday. Happy Birthday Bop! On April 3rd, my Sis-in-Law, Cyndi has a birthday as well. Happy Birthday Cyndi! Sweet Cyndi is expecting. She and Josh have the whole family anxious for a blessed day coming in September.

The Max Lucado book is getting me primed for our return

to San Antonio. We will be living just a couple of exits northwest of the church that he pastors. I am anxious to sit under him again (Pastor Jeff, if you are reading this, I want you to know that we've loved sitting under your teaching for the past three years and we hope we'll get to come back for more someday.). I will sorely miss the gorgeous and unique Albemarle Country... the Sound, the Outer Banks, the interesting dialects, the soft evenings, the swans, geese and bald eagles, the warm-hearts of the folks here and the beautiful hardwoods, pines and swamplands bordering the farms. Still, I can't help but pine for a little house sitting just at the edge of the Texas Hill Country, the sun setting just beyond those hills, the days upon days of sunshine and warm temps, the live oaks, and the bluebonnets, indian blankets, indian paintbrushes and evening primrose that cover the countryside in spring. We'll be leaving one type of heaven to live in another. What a life.

On to more important things...

Jonathan definitely has two teeth coming in at the bottom. He is making all sorts of new and interesting sounds and he's getting really good at spraying his Mamma with pureed food. He likes to show us what he can do with those things in his mouth. This boy is still not exactly crawling, but we REALLY have to keep an eye out as he can get where he wants to go VERY quickly. He crawls forward a foot or so and then ends up on that tubby little belly. He pulls to a stand on his toddler seat but hasn't quite mastered that trick on anything else. I really need to lower his crib mattress one more notch. Jonathan doesn't like to nap much anymore, but he gets so tired at times, he just can't fight it. I sometimes have to restrain him in my lap to get him to go down. It takes just a couple of minutes to get him to close those sweet eyelids and go limp for 1-2 hours. He is just about as happy as they come and has a smile and wave for everyone. He is getting into stage three food and falling back on his milk consumption a bit. Last night we discovered that he's a big fan of pancakes. The next few days are supposed to be dreary and cold, so we won't be able to take this boy to his favorite place... the great outdoors, but soon enough we'll be able to stroll our neighborhood again and enjoy pulling grass and feeling the wind on our faces.

In other news, the house showed again this week, and we sold our Civic. Things really are coming to a close here. Jason does seem to have a pretty serious case of reflux although we still haven't heard from the doctor's office. He is feeling much better this week and we are working to create a menu that will naturally keep him heartburn free. Thanks so much for the prayers. Within the next few weeks we'll be giving an open house, we'll be serving our last breakfast at Salem church and I will be singing a little solo in our Easter presentation. Our last weeks here have been, and will continue to be, very busy ones.

I am coming to another place in my spiritual walk... learning that although I want to be in complete control of everything concerning Jonathan Clark, Christ wants complete control of me. Lessons learned this week - my tongue has a damaging effect and I still haven't placed it under His control, and I still haven't learned to die to self in the way that a Mommy really should. I am thankful for the prayers of friends and family and hope that in motherhood I can find a ministry and become more like the One who gave His life for me.

²⁸ Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, ²⁹ for our “God is a consuming fire.”

~Hebrews 12:28-29

It is the beginning of a new week, it's SPRING... and it's my birthday week! I received two gifts from my sweet hubby already - the first season of Downton Abbey on DVD and a very nice camcorder to capture sweet baby smiles, giggles and sighs. Friday we travel to Williamsburg, VA to deliver our Civic to its new owner. Maybe we'll have time to stroll around Colonial Williamsburg and the Yorktown Waterfront before heading back. I'm voting for Baker's Crust or Red Robin if we get to eat lunch out.

Last week was quite challenging and gave me an opportunity to try and live by one of my new favorite verses (the one posted just under the main title of this blog). Thanks to my friend Anna for bringing it to my attention. Tuesday, Jonathan was just down for a nap when the realtor called. Show time! Fortunately I was given two hours to let him nap, during which I blazed through here and made everything as presentable as possible. I was a sweaty mess when we showed up on my neighbor's doorstep to wait out the showing, but we had a nice visit with Ms. Brenda and Hannah (her puppy dog). Thank goodness for Brenda!

Mid-week, the ice maker on our fridge went out during the night and we literally waded into the kitchen Thursday morning. Jason missed the first half of the work day. We had wet molding, wet sheet rock, ruined food... the whole bit. Our appliances remained in the middle of the kitchen most of the day. Later that evening, Jason checked in the crawl space under the house and found a nice little pond just under the kitchen area. That had to be soaked up, the sub floor dried and the insulation replaced. Thankfully - no calls from realtors that day!

Our Wednesday had been nice, but hectic. Jonathan and I got to visit with his friend Austin for the morning and Miss Cassie came for her first piano lesson. I got to spend some Mommy time with my sweet friends, Melissa and Lorrie and that evening I got to sing with the choir during our revival service. Maybe the fact that Wednesday was such a nice day allowed us to manage a difficult Thursday and Friday with a bit more grace.

If it wasn't already hard enough to cook for Jason (He's not a cheese eater.), I am now trying to find recipes that are easier on a guy with GERD. He was officially diagnosed last week and Wednesday morning he goes in for an Upper GI. I am worried and hoping he can be treated with as little medication as possible. Unfortunately Jason married a Texan. I like it spicy and that's the way I cook it. It's time to expand the repertoire. If you're reading this, pray for Jason. Not only is his food getting to him, but I think he's dealing with some pretty major stress at work, not to mention his job as brand new daddy. He's been in a lot of pain... so much so that he hasn't eaten much this week.

Yesterday, Jason and I were both on the roster to teach Sunday School as our youth leader was out for a youth function in Western NC. Jason teaches every week and I fill in when our youth minister is out. Our lesson covered chapters 5-8 of Genesis... a genealogy of the descendants of Adam, and the story of Noah (a guy who certainly knew the meaning of extreme obedience). I was impressed to find three of the youth (young men in our church) studying the lesson having already prayed and completed the roll. Sundays are always hectic for us, but it turned out to be a really nice day and Jonathan enjoyed being in the nursery with little Caroline.

That brings me to today. We are enjoying a beautiful day complete with all the trappings of spring. This morning, thunderclouds rolled through creating a nice cozy backdrop for some nap time on the recliner (Mommy has dispensed with trying to lay little boy in his crib for his morning nap on Mondays.). All the green that has appeared seemed all the more

green. The clouds rolled away just as nap time was ending, some laundry went in the wash and the windows were opened. We had some play time in the floor and enjoyed watching Little Bear together. We also visited Stanley's daffodils... in full bloom. We sure miss that little guy and will miss the yearly show at his grave. I hope the folks that buy our home take care of his "spot" and care for his daffodils. At some point today I will need to do some major house cleaning and a lot more laundry, but for now, we're just enjoying the day.

Jonathan is loving his yogurt and apricots this week. He cut a tooth on St. Patty's Day and is drooling and chewing like never before. He is on the move and getting around faster and faster. He is crawling backwards but still trying to figure out how to move forward. I can hardly believe this boy is now over 9 months old. He is a joy and a blessing.

Today, Jonathan is nine months old. We paid a visit to Dr. Robinson who told us that Jonathan is VERY consistent on weight, but falling off a little in height. Everything seems normal, even with Mommy's laundry list of concerns. As we can't have him vaccinated early, we will be going back in a month and a half for a height/ weight check and finding a pediatrician asap when we get to San Antonio. Jonathan was a lot of fun at the doctor's office. He's quite a ham. He made at least two friends before we went back.

Yesterday he hammed it up with the ladies at church. This week is the start of our revival services and we had a big family meal after big church. Jonathan did not protest at all as he was handed from person to person. In fact, he loved it! Wednesday, Austin comes for a morning visit. We might have Cassie, Colin and Ms. Melissa over for a piano lesson too. Jonathan loves company and Mommy almost always sees an improvement in his skills after he's spent some time playing with other kiddos.

Jonathan is trying hard to crawl. He likes to sit himself up, go forward onto his hands and knees, roll and then sit himself back up again. Sometimes he takes a longer spell on his hands and knees, rocks back and forth and then pulls up on his feet like a little teepee. He hasn't quite mastered the moves to really crawl. He ends up pushing himself backward. He is pulling up on his toddler chair, the love seat and the side of the tub. We think he'll be crawling any day now. He loves to clap. He also loves to fling his little arm out at me, wave to himself and say "Heh!" I think he's saying "Hi!" or "Hey!"

Jonathan loves books, balls and people. He is fascinated with faces and he could watch Praise Baby all day long if I let him. He protests loudly now if he is not allowed to have exactly what he wants when he wants it. He is also getting good with the sippy cup, although he doesn't always use it for drink. Most of the time he just chews on the spout.

Mommy and Daddy are learning to deal with sleep deprivation. This is a time when we could really benefit from having family nearby. We have lots of sweet friends who offer help, and we are beginning to think we need to take someone up on those offers. The house is a wreck, but thankfully, no calls from the realtor today. Whew.

I am trying to get back into my quiet time routine and it's making all the difference. My natural tendency is to be a hermit crab. Both words are soooooo applicable to me these days. Hermit and crab. Hmmmmm. The Lord knows I want to obsess on this house and every flaw within its walls. I want to make sure it's spotless "just in case" the realtor calls. I want to be prepared for every eventuality. The eventualities I forget... I will forget about this house, but I won't forget about the friends and family I've neglected while I obsess on getting my list of "to dos" perfectly complete. I won't forget that I missed moments with my tiny son while I sanded and touched up walls.

Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you. He will never let the righteous be shaken. ~Psalm 55:21-23

Search me, God, and know my heart;

test me and know my anxious thoughts.

See if there is any offensive way in me,

and lead me in the way everlasting.

~Psalm 139:22-24

It has been a very long time since I updated our blog. I hope to make this a weekly endeavor, but since it's Monday, let's just say, I'll update when I can. Let me explain.

If the Allens make it to church on Sunday, Mondays are disasters. If we're lucky, a load or two of laundry gets done, Mom washes her face and brushes her teeth and supper gets cooked and eaten. Jonathan won't nap in his crib until Tuesday morning, Mom probably won't get out of the clothes she slept in and the house will stay dirty. I accept this. The fact that the house was recently listed has made me a bit more anxious about Mondays, but today I decided, I'm over that. I can be thankful on days when the phone doesn't ring because that means we won't be showing the house. I can also be thankful that I have finally allowed Monday to be a disaster. Let me qualify by saying that disastrous days are only really disastrous if you don't expect them to be. Mondays are now fully devoted to the reading/ singing of Snuggle Puppy at least a half dozen times, slobbery kisses, lots and lots of cuddles, living with the distinct possibility of b.o. and bad breath.... oh, and maybe this blog.

Don't get me wrong. I love going to church and I love taking my son to church.

We both need the socialization and he LOVES the ladies at church. The production involved in getting us there wears me out before 8 am, but I definitely want to be there.

Here's the rub. Jonathan's morning nap coincides with the Sunday School hour.

Jonathan will not nap in the nursery crib. Jonathan's morning constitutional

also coincides with the Sunday School hour. By the time Big Church rolls around, Jonathan is very tired, has a dirty diaper and is not at all happy about the shift change in the nursery. Melt down.

Mommy generally always has plans to cook after church. Mommy generally always persuades Daddy to drive through Cook Out or Dairy Queen (or both). Thank Heaven for Dairy Queen and Cook Out! Thank Heaven for spicy cajun fries, large chocolate/ vanilla twist ice cream cones and understanding husbands.

Jonathan was dedicated in Salem Church on February 27th. He was wearing a darling outfit that Giggie and Bop gave him for Christmas. Mommy held him in the blanket she made during the months she carried him. We were so thankful that we were able to have the dedication at Salem. Jonathan has spent his first year in that church and our church family has been very gracious... giving us a shower, putting up with nervous new parents and dealing with a baby boy in the nursery that is rarely separated from his Mommy. I'll enjoy bringing him back to the church when he's older.

Despite the fatigue and frustration of being new parents, we are feeling very blessed right now. This little boy is precious and we really cannot imagine life without him. He recently learned to clap and will clap every time Mommy and Daddy say "yeaaahhhh." He waves, but generally at himself. Jonathan is becoming so mobile that he doesn't want to stop practicing to eat or sleep. He is very involved in learning how to crawl, sit up and pull up. Jonathan also does a lot of talking. We're not sure what he's trying to say yet, but a lot of noise comes out of that mouth. This is what nap time has been looking like this week. Not a lot of napping going on. He actually managed to move the pillow in the back left corner and turn off the monitor today...

In less than three months, we will be leaving this little corner of the world, and returning to Texas. Although we still have a lot to learn, Jason and I did a better job of immersing ourselves in our surroundings this go around. It's going to be very hard to leave Elizabeth City and our friends here. Many of our friends have become like family. If we had the choice, we wouldn't move right at Jonathan's 1st birthday, but we are very thankful for Jason's job and thankful that we get to move to a place we know... closer to family and childhood friends. That will be a major relief for me as my Mom has not been able to visit since Jonathan was in his first week (due to illness). We repeat the same scenario from day to day. Mom only ventures as far as Wal Mart most weeks and we spend lots of time in the living room floor, practicing our new moves. This week we're traveling over to the TV cabinet and unloading the bottom shelf.

Here he is, picking out a movie!

MYSTIC PIZZA ANYONE?

Proven! A little whim can take you a long - LONG way.

Jason and I spent several weeks in near dread of our impending vacation to central CO. Okay - - "dread" is really too strong a word. We both think way too much. For some time, we have been mulling over the fact that we live on the east coast, and yet we continue to vacation in the west. We know very little about our adopted home state - - much less our region. Conclusion - we are not so good at blooming where we're planted.

Stanley had a bit of surgery the Monday before we were scheduled to fly to CO. The surgery and post surgery care were a bit more extensive than either of us had planned. After many long-faced discussions and many more glances into the precious long-suffering face of our fur kid, we canceled our plane tickets and decided to stay home. Who could resist this face?

Once again, the wheels started turning. Wouldn't it be fun to take a quick trip into New England? I had never been - - unless you count the jog I took through the Philadelphia airport at age 12. Jason had really only visited Cape Cod. One idea led to another. Wouldn't it be even more fun to buy a travel trailer? Then the fur kid could go! As luck would have it, a little Casita travel trailer was for sale and waiting for us in Narragansett, RI.

After very little planning, the suitcase was loaded up and we were off. The first big experience...

The Chesapeake Bay Bridge/ Tunnel and DELMARVA (Peninsular Eastern Shores of Delaware, Maryland and Virginia). This is not just any bridge. It takes travelers more than twenty miles over and under Chesapeake Bay. On the way over the "big bridge," we could see Cape Charles Light in the distance.

The evening of our first day was spent in a little suburb of Philadelphia, PA called King of Prussia (I need to look up the history on that one. I'll get back to you on that.). We crossed the street into the mall where we power walked for an hour. Since it wasn't quite the hour for mall walking, we got a lot of strange looks - - but once we got back to our room, we were definitely ready to hit the hay in preparation for another big day on the road.

We spent the night near Valley Forge, PA. For those of you who are not up on your Revolutionary War history, that's the spot where Gen. Washington and his men spent a long, cold winter before they crossed the Delaware into Trenton, NJ. Of course, we had a schedule to keep, and the historic site did not open until 10 am the next morning, so we plugged away at the highway until we ended up here...

Okay - - so Jason was probably wishing I was "feeling 'bout half past dead" when we pulled into Nazareth, PA and discovered C. F. Martin & Co. Amid all my excitement, the super - time conscious Jason had no choice but to stop. My talented Daddy is the proud owner of a Martin guitar that he acquired at age 18. It is still in perfect condition even after sixty years. Just kidding!

Owing to the break-neck pace of our trip, we chose to bypass the factory tour and head straight for the Poconos in an attempt to avoid NYC traffic. It was a very nice detour. We took a drive up the Delaware R. between Allentown and Milford, PA before crossing into New York State. Somewhere in the middle we stopped at Bushkill Falls. We have since learned that the suffix "kill" is Dutch for creek. Sooooo... when you see Peekskill, Catskill, Fish Kill, etc., well - - now you know. The falls were beautiful, as were the fall colors surrounding them. We capped off that part of our trip with a nice lunch at the local diner in Milford, PA.

We stopped momentarily on our short ride through NY to use the roadside facilities. I think most would agree - the south does a much better job at providing clean/ inviting "pit stops." Sigh. The highlight was crossing the Hudson and looking down into the Hudson River Valley.

A "small"farm in New York

Connecticut was a nice surprise. I guess I always imagined that state as the "connection" between New York and the rest of New England... sort of an afterthought. In fact, Connecticut may have been the best part. The towns were exactly the sort of charming places you might think of when you picture New England. Much of it was mountainous and hilly. No where else on our trip was it more evident that fall was beginning to "fall."

We ended day two with a visit to Narragansett, RI. The gentleman with the travel trailer lives there - - less than a mile inland from the bay. He showed us his Casita travel trailer, his pictures, and even shed a tear or two in telling us of the passing of his wife. Another big surprise - - a New Englander who may be more conservative than we are! We spent several hours with him, but have yet to make a deal to buy his trailer. We're still deciding.

It was too late to try to start heading back by the time we left his place, so we spent the night at the Village Inn on Narragansett Bay. We checked into our room, took a quick peek at moonrise over the bay from our seaside balcony and then headed out the back door for some late-night pizza. Here's what we woke to the next morning...

If you look really close, you can see some guys out surfing at 5:45 am on Sept. 30.

After strolling around Narragansett, we hit the road for home.


Our favorite pit stop - - Mystic, Connecticut

Everything was closed but Dunkin Donuts.

Even had we not enjoyed the rest of our trip, we both agreed that Mystic would be worth coming back to explore.

And of course - - we'll have to try the pizza.

So, maybe this means we're turning over a new leaf. Pardon the pun. The jury is still out on the travel trailer and whether or not we prefer New England to Colorado in the fall. But - - we are learning to enjoy living on the East Coast and we are anxious for more adventure in New England - - say - - maybe - - next weekend?


P.S. - Check this out Dad!