Secrets

I have a little secret.

I say little prayers.

Mostly, this is inspired by my mother, who always prays for a parking spot. If any of you have been to Montgomery Mall in Maryland, you know this is a neccesity. The spots are few and far between if you want to be near the Nordstom's entrance, which is the most convenient one in inclement weather.

Then I read The Praying Life. He has a whole chapter on praying over life's littlest things.
As a mom, I could identify over the silent prayers issued when your little one goes to pour milk.
My faith has been renewed reading about those little moments God sees fit to listen to. I have been aware of how much He does listen as he answers little prayers. I beleive it is a result of praying more (because we know He hears us) and watching more for how He will answer.

On Sunday night, I was trying my best to keep my house clean and not make too much of a mess coming upon this busy work week. I hadn't made any definite plan for dinner. Then Travis and I got to talking. At one point in our conversation, I looked up at the clock from my cozy seat and realized it was quickly heading towards five o'clock. I just couldn't muster the energy at that point to deal with it. I prayed, "Lord, help me with dinner."

And then our door bell rings.

Our sweet neighbor, Hayley, was at the door. She said her mom made too much pot roast and was wondering if we wanted some.

Dinner.
Provided for.
He certainly does hear the littlest prayers.

The Zoo

My parents joined us by narrow escape between Maryland snow storms for a nine-day visit to enjoy Arizona's liquid gold sunshine.

Today we headed to the Phoenix Zoo. We have loved belonging to the zoo and being able to go for just an hour and a half-- it's enough to go and see the major animals, get a good walk in and not ruin nap time! I am looking forward to being able to take the kids all this year-- in the summer they have a water-park to beat the heat.

My parents treated Kate to the experience of feeding the giraffes and the merry-go-round. I thought Kate might be scared of the giraffes, but she loved it. She did not, however, like the merry-go-round. "Stop, pease, stop" was all she could say once she realized that the lion went up and down, AND around and around.

ps...Emily we miss you!

Pregnancy Update

Can you believe I've only posted twice about this little boy? We have about 90 days to go and the thought that consoles me is that boys don't really want to read all the gory details of their in-utero experience like girls do. Here's a pregnant picture of me (by request) at almost 7 months.

My pregnancy has gone well this time, without any major differences. I am tired, which I expected, but it still suprises me. I realized that my pregnancy with Kate was only different because we lived with other people who did most of the cooking, cleaning, etc...all I had to do was light cleaning, laundry once a week and ironing. So it is no wonder that my home routine with a full-sized house involving cleaning, cooking, shopping, laundry, ironing added to the activity of a toddler is leaving me ready for bed so early!

He is constantly reminding me of his little life around eight pm, when I sit down at night-- I hope this is a pattern he will not continue once he is finally here! I tjink he is bigger (longer) than Kate as his little feet seems to run into my inner parts much sooner. And his head--o my. If his head is up (which I never felt with Kate) I can hardly breathe or eat...so I am expected a bigger headed, longer boy.

I may have a different allotment of energy for this baby but my heart has been more inclined to pray for him. I have sensed, with some trepidation, that God will call him to carry forth the legacy of the gospel from our families. We do not have a first named picked, but his middle name will be John, after Travis' great-grandfather, a godly man of faith. Both of our children come from strong families of faith. Both of our great-grandparents (our children great-great grandparents) have a strong and reliable heritage of a heart inclined toward faith in God.

I pray that for this little one, our first son, and the first grandson on both sides. I pray that whatever his name will be and whatever path he will take, that God would take hold of his heart and direct his paths.

Happy Tandy Day

Trying to explain Valentines to a 20 month old is a lot easier when you explain that it involves "tandy" and "tocolate". She woke up and said, "TANDY DAY!"

Happy TANDY Day to all our dear loved family and friends!

NOT snowed in...

Hope for spring is in the air here. News around the country doesn't sound so similar. My parents squeaked out of D.C. between storms on Monday night to arrive safely here in sunny AZ. We are enjoying sunny, warmer afternoons after a couple of weeks of unusual rainfall. Here are some pictures of my pots for all of you buried in pure white.

I bought a groupon for a garden shop around Christmas, in hopes of obtaining a nice pine wreath. A disappointing selection of greenery led me to buy hardy annuals instead. Only problem was that the javelinas thought they were a snack I planted for their enjoyment. In the small, lower container, they ate only the non-woody stemmed plants, leaving the root clumps behind on the ground. They left the scene of the crime, my front steps, a disaster, which my friend, Patty, said looked "agricultural". Fortunately they have left them alone since. Guess I shouldn't doubt their existence.

According to...

my husband, "I never noticed before. Your eyelashes are short. I mean, compared to mine, yours are like Bermuda grass". Thanks honey.