Toothless no longer

We were seriously concerned that she would be one and toothless.
Yesterday's post had a lie in it-- she popped her fourth tooth before yesterday.
Here are pictures of top and bottom. More are probably coming because we had a "cheerful" Kate yesterday and then she woke up just as easily irritated as she has been the past two weeks while she's been teething. Maybe some molars??

Eleven

Eleven months.
Top accomplishments

1) Walking and running.
2) Standing up without assistance from sitting.
3) Three teeth (working on the fourth).
4) Swimming underwater passes.
5) Attempting to use a fork and drinking from a cup.
6) Giving hugs and kisses on request.
7) Throwing tantrums when she doesn't get the rubber Korean magnet from the fridge.
8) Words-- saying"mama" and "Daddy" indiscriminately; "duck", "nana" and repeating "Ta-ta" for Taylor, even though Connor is her favorite person right now. His handsome looks and ever-fruit-filled hand have won her over.
9) Dancing-- her favorite soundtrack is "Slumdog Millionaire".
10 )Eating. alot.
11) Take books off one shelf and move them to another.

thisisnext#

1998.
I'm eighteen.
Josh Harris has this conference called "New Attitude".
I go. I meet people. It's the best thing ever.
Now it lives on as "next".
My sister sends me a video text with Riley playing worship.
I'm a little jealous, I must admit.
It all comes back to me.
The butterflies in your stomach, the dimmed lights, the band music swells.
All I can say is that I knew John Riley way before and that we sat on a slouchy couch in Philadelphia and he played his guitar and sang right next to me. Let's just say he is way better than any Chris Allen.
Don't you miss that part of your life sometimes? The drama, the intrigues, the girls, the boys.
It was so much fun.
A little part of me still thinks I'm not that old to be so far away from that scene.
But reality states my little brother who is ten years younger went this year for the first time.
And then I crawl into bed next to my husband's warm body and think, this is better.

The envy factor is over. Beautiful winter and spring moments are two months behind us. No more sunny and seventy. We have already seen one hundred degrees ten times or more. What time we spend outside is mostly in the pool but no matter what, we try to get out a little before the real heat sets in. Even the green haze over our dry earth has shriveled up and blown away. It isn't about damp cooler evenings in June here; it is shiver of cold air-conditioning after your afternoon dip in the pool. I enjoy this part of our early summer. It is the months ahead that I try to ignore- the endless amounts of radiating pavement, the hot wind, and the dust storms. This week we have had a welcome relief of two rainy and cloudy days. Those are rare indeed and it reminds me that I do love dry heat, not the humid pressure of moistness I grew up breathing. The rain brings a purity and sweetness to the air, sending earth's fragrances into the air. I miss those smells of moisture-- cut grass, rain, wet pavement, and mulch.
I cannot wait to reinvent them in my own backyard.

A ten year affair

One knee is frayed and ripped. The other has worn through. The thighs have faded into a beautiful white and blue cross hatch. They slide on without effort. They wash and dry perfectly. They have been with me through thick and thin, literally. I wore them through almost every year in college all the way through most of my pregnancy.
Paper and Denim cloth jeans are the best. The thickest denim that wears like iron and fits perfectly. Online, they call them a "cult" jean.
I bought them ten years ago. Before jeans were cool. My friend, Elizabeth, the only sorority girl I have ever known well, had a pair. I was hooked.
I had looked for them in stores, but they don't sell them anywhere. My husband found some new ones for me online. I think he figured I was due.
They are a sweet price too. Not overpriced like some of the other popular ones.
I kept the lightest ones. Perfect for a summer jean.
But now that I know they are on bluefly.com, you better believe I'll be adding to the collection more than once every ten years. Especially when it comes wrapped and put in this beautiful blue bag with a coupon for next time :)

That which goes up...

does not know how to come down yet :)

Provision

Our home is in need of a few upgrades and basics. First, we pursued getting some appliances off Craigslist. The guy turned out to sell us a stainless steel fridge, stove and microwave for less than the price of a fridge itself! Then, today Travis and I took Kate to a local mega-store shopping center to compare some kitchen tables. We walked into World Market and found the exact table that the Nam's have as a floor model clearance. It was less than the price of the ones I had been seeing on Craigslist! We have all the chairs we need-- we just lacked a solid table that can hold all our friends and us around it! It was an answer to prayer as we both feel that the heart of a home is around the table...what can we say but that we love to eat and make other people food. We can't wait to host our friends and family around it.

PLT/PTL

Despite what you might initially think, PLT is not a new take on the classic "BLT" (although I will admit that I have an inordinate fondness for bacon.) 

When I read my baby journal that my mother kept, she was very prolific with her use of "PTL" which in our early church culture was short for "Praise the Lord". 

Today I have my own cheesy shorthand---why? Because as a woman and mother I am quickly aware of how precious is my time.

I woke up acutely grateful for a good night of sleep, a healthy and very busy daughter, and a new house to own in one week. These gifts are made beautiful at moments when you slide your house key on your key ring for the first time. Or when you daughter runs smilying to you with her new teeth popping out. Or how her face beams when she takes her first lick of cookie dough. 

They are priceless moments.

Precious times.

Praise the Lord.

I will be supporting my sister as she serve at Rift Valley Academy in Kenya this next year. Consider supporting her monthly. For more information, visit her blog.

Exercise

Mason and I were trying to have a push-up contest. We think Kate won...