Don't go too far.
You know who you are.
I've already made these mistakes

But you're almost grown.
You'll learn on your own.
Sometimes that's what it takes.

Friends with the world....
She's a beautiful girl.
But her beauty is only skin deep.

Take care not to love her.
Please put God above her.
Whatever you sew, you will reap.

Reach up or out.
Don't have any doubt.
There's my hand to pull you back in.

When you're scared and alone,
I'll bring you home.
It matters not where or when.

Bread of Affliction

I made mine today. .......(meaningful pause)...... Why is it that my mother-in-law's unleavened bread turns out like nice golden Ritz cracker-like wafers and mine turns out....well.......afflicted? It's the SAME recipe. I've even watched her make it. I do the same things. It's not like it's hard. I think I'll leave the cracker making up to her and make a different recipe this year. I'm much better at an actual "bread".

Only 9 more days!! woo hoo! The whole back half of the house is officially crumb free. Now I just hope Lilly doesn't take off running with a Teddy Graham! Sunday, it's the kitchen and pantry. Don't forget your peanut butter, folks. I was reminded the other day that if you have double dipped in your p.b., you should check it for crumbs. Thanks, Crystal.

Ahhh.....De-leavening

Ok, my fellow Philladelphians. I know I'm not the only one doing daunting tasks every Sunday from the beginning of February through the end of March. You know what I'm talking about - the spare room, lovingly known as the "office", where everything that doesn't have a place is stacked neatly on or around the computer area; the hallway closet containing not only linens but miscellaneous stuff that didn't seem appropriate for the "office"; the dining room buffet that has become the catch-all for everything that shant be seen when unexpected company arrives - all of which need to be de-leavened.

My personal favorite, however, is the microwave. I can honestly say it hasn't had a thorough cleaning since this time last year. How can something you use literally every day become so gross and you don't even notice? Ok, maybe it's just me. Maybe I can blame it on the angle at which it sits on the countertop not allowing me to observe something that looks very similar to, say, a trip to Natural Bridge Caverns. I'm buying into the theory that at some point it's easier to clean when it reaches a certain level of crusty.

YEA, LILLY!!!!!!

Ok - for real this time! Without any coaxing, prodding, nudging, helping, gentle balancing..... SHE WALKED!! All on her own and of her own free will! It wasn't even as if I had to look twice and ask myself "Did she just do that?".

Who knew all I had to do was NOT screech in excitement! - which for any new moms out there, makes the walking baby immediately assume the sitting position with the "deer in the headlights" look.

Hmmmm....... what to blog about.... Ahhh, I know. FEAST '06! Very inspiring. Copper Mountain got Dr. Meredith LIVE on opening night! woo-hoo! We got to see lots of folks we hadn't seen in a while and meet a few new friends that I'm sure we'll have for, well, ever. (i.e. Baton Rouge Ogwyns). We made 4 out of 7 days of services. Some sort of stomach flu was going around on our mountain and several families got the bug, so we weren't alone in our suffering. Nothing like a good day kneeling in the bathroom to make one humble.

It was Lilly's first time flying (and second). She did really well for being at that wiggly 11 months stage.

Lilly progress: She's saying a few words now. Of course, it's in that code that babies know and parents have to figure out. In fact, I've found that other parents who have previous experience with the "code" have caught a couple of her words before I did. She loves "eeze" (cheese) so, that was her first real word (other than mama, dada, and zaiah). She can also say, "stick", "itty" (kitty), and "side" (outside). There may be a couple more that we haven't figured out yet. - She's taking a few steps by herself, although no full-out walking yet. She can run like the wind when she's holding your fingers. I guess she just needs to build that confidence to let go. - I'm really starting to wonder if she has any more teeth in there. After the first 4, I haven't seen any more even trying to come through. Am I freaking out for no reason? Is my child going to be stuck with 4 teeth forever?!?!

Well, that's all I have time for. The baby wakes.
Hope to have a chance to read some other blogs and catch up on everyones lives! Take care!

Spit Bubble Mamas!!

90's alternative band name?? Not quite. It's Lilly's newest accomplishment. After months of waiting and being able to say "dada" for weeks, I finally got my first "mama"!! However, the new feat doesn't come without Lilly's mark of originality and creativity. Somehow she's figured out how to make spit bubbles and the "mama" part is actually just a byproduct. Oh well. I'll take it however I can get it. And, by the way, after being so proud of her new word, the very next Sabbath, she was "talking" to her elder cousin and and actually said his name. It's an easy one though...... ISAIAH!! Go figure. I think she's been holding out on me all this time.

44 Days and Counting!!

Is anybody else as super excited about FOT 2006 as I am?!?! Not counting today, it's 44 days until we actually leave for Copper Mountain, CO. How can this not be my BEST FOT ever? Of course, I only have 3 others to compare with..... but still! It's going to be great! First of all, I'm not 8 1/2 months pregnant like I was last year AND I'm quite sure there won't be any red tide in Copper Mountain (note: Red tide is 1000 times worse for a huge pregnant lady than it is for the majority of others.) Thirdly, Lilly will be there this year (in person). That makes family day ever more special - not having to borrow someone else's kids or living vicariously through other families with children. Fourthly [is "fourthly" a word??], I'll be 15 lbs. lighter which will make eating so much more enjoyable! woo-hoo!! Alas, we won't be able to join most of the rest of our family and close friends in Evian this year. We were really looking forward to it, but circumstances wouldn't allow. I'm quite sure we'll have an excellent time in Copper Mountain though. God's people and God's purpose!

Now that I'm a part time stay at home mom, it's not as big of an issue. But, in past years, I've worked full time and get very few days of vacation per year. For the past 3 years, I've needed all the days for the Feast. Our family doesn't go anywhere or take any other time off during the year besides that time. So, this is a particulary enjoyable time for us. Aside from it being the Feast, it's almost 2 weeks away from work, other influences, household chores, unlike minds..... ahhhhhh...... I'm SO ready!!

Ok, I was doing the running thing..... and I still am.... sort of. Like I said before, I've really never been a runner. Walking is more me. Running for a few weeks produced about 4 lost lbs. and a really sore hip joint that "catches" a lot when I walk. Running 4 times a week is just plain painful. I've noticed that if I wait about 3 days in between runs, I don't have a problem during my run, but it surely hurts afterward. So, I've decided to go back to walking, an occasional run (maybe) and other exercises that don't involve a future hip replacement. I think if I'd lost 10 or 15 lbs. doing the running, I'd feel better about it and maybe endure the pain for the gain. sigh.

Lilly is practicing standing now. She can actually do this new move without holding on to anything. I'm quite sure she is not aware of her new accomplishment. It seems to always catch her by surprise. Especially when she looks around for something to grab on to after she's stood there for a few seconds and there's nothing within reach. Luckily, diapers are padded. I'm anticipating walking in the near future.

Did I mention I'm really excited about FOT 2006?!