that just happened

John Mark is funny.
But that's no secret.

Recently, he's been coming to the office with me before school on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
This always provides endless entertainment-
both for myself and my co-workers.

He really enjoys taking the silver ruler from my hole punch-
it's his hook,
his sword,
a gun... you get the picture.

Today he decided to use it as a ruler.
He was measuring the walls,
his hands, the desks...

Then Kelly (who is quite pregnant) asked-
"How big is baby Darryl?"

He took the ruler-
held it up, down, sideways...
all around Kelly's belly and said:

"I think... GIANT."

it's the most wonderful time of the year

I love Christmas.
I love the music...
the smells... the cider...
the lights... the trees...
the presents- both giving and receiving.

I love the plays...
the carolers... the food...
family and friends-
all gathered together.

I love the parties...
the excitement in the air...
the anticipation of what's to come...

But most importantly,
I love the promise:

"For to us a child is born,
to us a Son is given-
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And his name will be called
wonderful counselor,
mighty God, prince of peace,
everlasting Father...
And of his kindgom there will be no end."
Isaiah 9:6

this is my confession

I've never seen National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation.
Whew- I feel better already.
All these years, I've been living a lie.
No more.

can't get enough of...

*GLEE- Mallory and I were trying to explain the show to some friends today and our description went something like this: the acting, terrible- the story line, weak- the air- cheesy... but the music, OH the music... seriously.  Go buy the soundtrack- it's like crack.  I can't even listen to Christmas music because I love this music so much.  And the halo/walkin on sunshine remix- best running song EVER!

*Reese's Peanut Butter bells- not the cups, not the minis, not the trees... it has to be the BELLS.  Let's just say that I singlehandedly took care of the candy bowl at the office last week.

*Settlers of Catan- Hi, My name is stephanie and I am a nerd, addicted to a nerd game.  There, I feel better already just confessing my obsession (that's possibly too mild of a word) with this game.  It's like a combination of risk, monopoly, cards... we play at least 3 nights a week and when we're not playing, I find myself thinking in terms of settlers boards.  Wow.  I am a DORK, but I'm okay with that.

*Christmas spirit- I. LOVE. CHRISTMAS.  This really is the most wonderful time of the year.  We put up our tree on Sunday evening and ended the day with hot cocoa and veggie tales Christmas movies.  John Mark's eyes were all lit up and he was SO excited about Christmas.  And there's not even a single present under the tree yet.  But the presents... oh dear, my guest closet is OVERFLOWING with his gifts.  Thank you black Friday!

*This weather!  Don't get me wrong- I love warm weather... I'm probably one of the biggest wimps when it comes to being cold!  But it's hard to feel Christmasy when I'm wearing shorts and flip-flops!  I'm glad it's finally getting cooler.  It's perfect for snuggling on the couch with a blanket and a cuppa tea!

thankful

"for all that you've done I will thank you
for all that you're going to do
for all that you've promised
and all that you are
is all that has carried me through...
thank you for loving and setting me free
thank you for giving your life just for me
Jesus, I thank You."
--dennis jernigan

lately

So... posting everyday hasn't so much happened.  This past week was crazy around our house- we had JM's last soccer game, a party, small group, church, a thanksgiving feast, NEW MOON MIDNIGHT PREMIERE, girls retreat... needless to say- I haven't been home one night this week to even think about posting!!  But it's been an awesome week and I wouldn't trade it for the world.

For starters- John Mark ended his soccer season last Saturday.

It was such a fun "season" if you can call it that.
Did John Mark actually PLAY soccer?
Of course not...

But he did learn a thing or two about paying attention.

And following the rules.

And teamwork.

And he got a shiny medal,

which of course is the best part.

Oh, and snacks.  He loved the snacks.

Not gonna lie- food was always my favorite part too!

And let's see... that Monday night we had a party with some ladies from church.
I love the women that I get to serve with.
They are such a blessing to me-
more than I could put into words! 

Thursday was John Mark's Thanksgiving feast at school.

They made Indian headdresses and cute necklaces.
Then sang some fun Thanksgiving songs.

But did John Mark sing?  Of course not.
He has this funny little way of NOT doing anything we want him to do.
His teacher said he sang the loudest every time...
until we were there.......

After singing their songs, we moved to the gym.
We ate turkey (deli meat) and sides.
Lots of cookies...

And then the boys ran around.
And around.
And around.
That poor teacher...
I hope they just played outside for the rest of the day!

This is turning out to be long, so I'll review NEW MOON and tell about the retreat in another post!

best friends

Ten years ago when I moved to Edmond, I started going to the BCM on campus.  I met a lot of people there and had a ton of fun.  A friend and I would always make up random nicknames for people and never called anyone by their ACTUAL name.  A couple of years into college, we met a girl (I'm using the term MET loosely- observed from a distance and never spoke to would probably be a more accurate term) who we named "Robin's friend."  All I knew about her was that she was Robin's friend (obviously) and that a few years later she was dating our friend Chris Howell.  I didn't DISLIKE her, but I wasn't really looking to be her friend either.

Four years later, we both ended up teaching 8th grade girls at (shocker) Henderson Hills.  We ended up talking a lot every Sunday and actually kind of, sort of becoming friends.  I knew Chris from my BCM days and so we were actually kind of friends.  We all got engaged and married at the same time.

At the end of that summer of weddings, she called me up and invited me to come to a newly married group she and Chris had started attending.  We went and really enjoyed the people and leaders.  One couple in particular seemed "appealing" to us to seek out.

Here is where I will let you all in on a little secret: I'm actually quite shy when it comes to meeting people.  I have a HUGE fear of rejection and I also seem to assume that everyone hates me until I get to know them.  Talking up a person I don't really know is probably in my list of top 10 fears!  So what happens next in the story is a little shocking actually!

One night (probably a month or so after the idea had entered my head, I had to work up the courage to actually DO IT) after FLOCK, I walked up to the girl and just blurted out "So, we all work kind of close together.  I think we should do lunch sometime."  She almost jumped up and down and said "YESSSSSS!"  I think that maybe she was as hungry for a friend as I was!

What started as one lunch turned into lunch once a week.  Those lunches turned into fun nights hanging out together and we would cook dinner every Sunday night after church together.  Over probably three short months, the three of us became SO close.

Five years later- enter my very best friends- my kindred spirits, the sisters of my heart: Jamie and Natalie.

The three of us have walked through some of our lives darkest moments together.  We've shown up on each others porches, crying our eyes out.  We've confessed our hurts, fears, sins to each other.  We've rejoiced over babies being born.  We've cried over things that have hurt deeply.  We've driven hours just to be together when we needed each other.  We've spent many nights in each others houses, studying the Word and just being together.

 

Have you ever had a friend that just "got it" with you?  The three of us just clicked and I couldn't have asked for more from a friend.  These girls have taught me the meaning of unconditional love and TRUE friendship.  When I read "a friend loves at ALL times", I think of these two girls.  I know that we will be the best of friends no matter where life takes us.

Love you girls!