random
Catch-up… Again
It has been a looong time since I last posted and even before then it was quite sporadic. I have this deep longing to keep blogging and actually be consistent with my postings. Literally I think about it EVERY DAY. Yet the reality is I find it SUPER hard to find the time. And it seems to take me an insanely large amount of time to string together a cohesive readable thought :-) All those mommy bloggers out there amaze me. I only have one kiddo and yet you would think I have 10 considering how non-existent my updates are.
But here I am. And I am going to try to write more. Consistency I cannot guarantee but attempting I can {I know that doesn’t help you, but at least I can then set your expectations—nice and low ;-)}.
Frankly, there are a few things I’m still grappling with that have also kept me from posting. Like how much of our little guys life should really be on the In-ter-net. Really, that’s a BIG one to me. So we’ll see what I write, when I write and how much it’s really about him.
But for now, as I work through my own head and convictions, here’s a little update on the Z family.
I take a picture of our sweet little one every month with the same chalk board I used when I was preggers to show how much the belly was growing. I pretty much love it :-)
Other than the babe growing, I left my full-time and started a part time one where I work one day in the office {and the little gets to spend the day with his grandparents} and two half days from home. Frankly it’s a HUGE answer to prayer.
Mr. Z has been working hard and studying even harder for his exams. I am one proud wife!
We celebrated two years of marriage, woohoo!
And we’re gearing up for a spectacular holiday season filled with family. We are seriously blessed to come from two very loving and fun families!
I hope you all are well and I promise to update occasionally, share thoughts sporadically and perhaps give you a glimpse of a photo or two ;-)
An Open Letter to Matchmakers
Someone once told me that the most important decision of my life, second only to choosing to follow Christ, was to choose my husband. When I heard those words they hit hard and to the core. When you believe in Death do us part and only by death will we part, you somewhat understand the weight of those words.
Matchmakers, I ask you to remember that statement. Remember it to the point that if you desire to set someone up with someone else that you have prayed the dickens out of it before subjecting two people to your well-intentioned schemes. I know you want to be helpful and now being married I can see why you would like others to experience the blessing, but remember that God’s timing is perfect in all things and so are His ways.
For the conservative Jesus-following girls, many of us believe in God’s design for a man to pursue us. We don’t believe we should pursue them. Some of us have even been blessed with witnessing the errors of our ways when we try to take the lead, and once we see the disaster that tends to follow, we want nothing to do with it. Have at it men. Lead on. Therefore, if you find a lovely godly man that you think is the perfect fit for your single sister, before you do anything PRAY. Secondly, don’t tell her. She won’t pursue him anyway. And don’t say well maybe she could pull a Ruth. Ruth was the exception not the rule. Let’s be honest, she was one “lucky” girl that Boaz didn’t kick her out.
Chances are the girl you desire to get hitched also desires to get hitched. And if that is a deep desire embedded in the depths of her soul then her beautiful little heart will begin to dream about the possibility of this being the one God has chosen for her. You may think it’s harmless to mention the cute guy you met at a ministry event that you think would be perfect for her. The one who is burdened for the same things as her and who happens to have the same love of Dairy Queen. And she might try to brush it off too. But deep down her heart has heard his name and she begins to wonder. The desire has been stoked and it is hard, especially when the pickings seem slim, to not begin to wonder if God is now moving. But if nothing happens, or even something does and it doesn’t work out, she is left disappointed and even hurt. And she had no choice in the matter.
Now I’m not saying we are to avoid heartbreak and pain. Not at all. When we choose to follow Christ we are opening the door for a life of suffering. But what I am saying, is do not put the single sister you love in this place where she can do nothing but watch from the sidelines and wonder what might happen next. If there ever is a next. {Remember Song of Solomon? Do not awaken love until it so desires.}
So what can you matchmakers do? Talk to the guy. Tell him about this girl. Throw a party, game night or some other kind of get together and make sure they both come {and a bunch of other people too}. And unless the guy says he would like to meet this girl for coffee and asks you for her number, don’t tell her. Let her be pursued by him. Let her watch how God unfolds the next season of her life.
As a woman who has tried to take many situations in my own hands and seen how they often fail to work out, I wanted nothing more than to see how God would bring me my husband, the one He chose for me. God put my husband on my heart for weeks but I did not once pick-up the phone. Besides the fact that I thought I was crazy {that’s a whole other story} I knew that I needed to know that I know that I know that this was God bringing us together and not any scheming of my own. I’ve never asked, but it is possible my friends were scheming to bring us together, but I did not know that. All I knew was I was praying specific, not telling anyone my prayers and asking God to do particular things that proved to me He was making our paths cross. My husband pursued, I responded.
Matchmakers, you may not be aware, but as an older woman (and I know there are plenty older than I) who really wanted to be married, when people I trusted brought men to my attention that actually seemed like a good pick, my heart would begin to wonder and it was an awful place to be. Hands tied and wondering if the deepest desire of your heart was going to be fulfilled.
So Matchmakers, encourage the men. Help them encounter these women in different ways. But leave the ladies out of it. Let them see God move in their situation and let them be pursued.
Read MoreWeekend fun
It was a BUSY weekend hence the late post. I thought I would recap in pictures because well, I got the new iPhone 4s and I’m obsessed. And I wish I was kidding. It might not be healthy to love a piece of technology like I love this phone. My favorite thing about is the camera as well as that little app called Instagram. LOVE IT. You’ll most likely see tons of Instagram photos in this space now as I just can’t help myself with all the different filters and borders and such. I said I was obsessed… But I’m not writing an entire post about the phone and Instagram. So without further random ramblings, here’s the weekend in photos :-)
I think I secretly buy bananas knowing I will not eat them but I sure as heck will bake them. Saturday morning started off in the kitchen making three loaves—one for us and two for friends. Mr. Z is home studying most of this week which means Mrs. Z probably enjoyed her last bite of this heavenly baked good last night… sigh.
We had dinner with some wonderful friends Saturday night and I was tasked with bringing the dessert. I toyed with the idea of writing a blog post called imposter because frankly, that’s what I am in the kitchen. I’m not a fancy baker or cook, but I am a master at finding recipes that make people think I am. Seriously, doesn’t that Blueberry-Peach Galettes look tasty? {Don’t ask me what Galette means, I have no idea.} Read the recipe online and you’ll see just how easy it is. I told you, I’m an imposter.
On Sunday my old roommate and bff and I watched my other old roommate and bff’s baby twin boys {yep, 31 and still using the term bff, you might want to pray for our unborn child and the embarrassment he/she will ensue from me being his/her mother}. I knew I loved Baby Wise. After spending a couple years in the nursery at church you can tell a Baby Wise baby from a non-Baby Wise baby in a split second {that’s not to say it works for all kids nor that all kids need, I’ve just seen drastic differences in a lot of them}. Well these twins are Baby Wise and are they wonderful!
And finally we received our very first baby item :-) My bff with the twins has loaned us this lovely bassinet which I hear has seen many babies before—I think two families had it before she did! It is such a blessing to not have to buy things that I know we’ll only need for a couple months. Mr. Z stared at it for a short time before we moved it into the future nursery. I think we were both trying to visualize having a baby in there, not sure if we were successful.
It was a busy, busy weekend but definitely the good busy—filled with good food and great friends. What did you do over the weekend?
Read MoreA to Z
I ran across this little “game” on a blog that I read occasionally and since I’ve been struggling to find the time to write lately I thought I’d just have a little fun :-)
A. Age: 31
B. Bed size: A queen. Praying one day we’ll have room for a king!
C. Chore that you hate: Cleaning the bathroom. I LOATHE it.
D. Dogs: I grew up with Labradors and still think they are the best dogs on earth. One day we’ll live in the vast western states on a plot of land where we could let two or three of them run around like crazy things. Until then we’ll pass on the doggies.
E. Essential start to your day: Shower. I can’t do my quiet time or anything remotely productive without showering first. It wakes me up.
F. Favorite color: I don’t have one. Although considering lot of my wardrobe consists of black, my friends might say it is in fact black.
G. Gold or Silver: I lean towards silver almost always, but have grown a liking for gold as well.
H. Height: 5’5 {my husband is almost a foot taller than me!}
I. Instruments you play: I have these insanely long fingers that are perfect for piano and guitar. Too bad I don’t have a musical bone in my body :-( SAD. I did play piano for about two years when I was 12 and learned to play St. Elmo’s Fire and Stairway to Heaven. I wonder what a therapist might say about that?
J. Job title: Director of Public Relations {sounds a lot more important than it really is, promise.}
K. Kids: Lord willing someday.
L. Live: the Windy City
M. Mother’s name: Debbie {she’s awesome by the way and I know you’ll think so if you ever meet her.}
N. Nicknames: Hmm… When I was little my family called me the human garbage disposal because I ate ridiculously large amounts of food. My best friend fondly calls me bootstraps. Another friend calls me Captain… Hmm, those aren’t all that flattering are they?
O. Overnight hospital stays: None to date.
P. Pet peeves: Inefficiency and bad drivers {because of course I am the definition of a good driver—total sarcasm}.
Q. Quote from a movie: Well this is embarrassing, I never remember movie quotes…
R. Right or left handed: Righty
S. Siblings: Three younger sisters. Love them so much and miss them tons.
U. Ultimate Vacation: New Zealand.
V. Vegetable you hate: Lima beans. They taste like chalk! {wait, is that a vegetable?}
W. What makes you run late: Umm, I’m always late. Period. I think it’s because I’m trying to do to many things at one time…
X. X-Rays you’ve had: My foot once.
Y. Yummy food that you make: I LOVE to cook for people. Most recently we went to a party and I brought spinach and artichoke dip and everyone seemed to love it.
Z. Zoo animal: Honestly, I really don’t like the zoo.
Read MoreGood times
via things about love on pinterest
Not often, but sometimes there are weekends that are so fulfilling they simply make going back to work on Monday a little easier.
Friday was spent at my favorite little neighborhood eatery where we talked about our future and some immediate decisions. We may have also bought some of these vintage types. What we will do with them I have no idea, but for the steal we got them for Mr. Z was a happy camper. One day I dream he’ll have his very own “man room” {a.k.a. his own office with a flat screen and comfy couches and a pool table} like my dad has, perhaps we can save them until then? I suggested I make a garland out of them. He didn’t like that idea.
Saturday morning was a tasty breakfast at another favorite spot in this windy city we call home. We met a friend who was in town from Dubai, a friend I gained through marriage. Every time we hang out with him and say goodbye I tell Mr. Z how much I wish he still lived here. Such a blessing to know such wonderful people.
The afternoon was spent doing three loads of laundry, making banana bread for fun and spinach artichoke dip for the evening’s activities. We left the house a little before 5 p.m. and headed to the suburbs. We were both looking forward to the evening but had no idea just how much fun we would have. There is something so sweet about an evening with new and old friends, full of laughter and good food.
For church the next day we decided to surprise some friends who recently, in the last five months, have come on board at a church as the pastors. It was such a blast to surprise them. The looks on their faces when they saw us were priceless and the happiness in our hearts was too.
We ended the afternoon with our small group, sans one member and ended the afternoon with much to think about and consider in light of whom our God is and how to live this life honoring Him.
And after baking a dozen or so chocolate chip cookies Mr. Z and I began planning our little staycation to celebrate our one-year anniversary in a little less than a month! Looks like there might be a spa involved :-)
I lay my head down tonight grateful for the relationships God has blessed us with, the roof over our heads, His presence in our lives and the means to celebrate milestones in fun ways. Going to bed tonight with a heart full of thanksgiving.
Read MoreBe Brave
Whitney Justesen on Flickr
I’m an introvert. I’ve found most people don’t believe me when I tell them that but once they get to know me they see it more and more. I remember one Saturday when Mr. Z was in tax season, therefore working on the weekend, he came home and asked me what I did all day. I told him I ran errands and took care of some things around the house. He asked, “Did you talk to anyone today?” I smiled and said, “Nope.” Almost in a proud way. He looked at me seriously puzzled, “Really? You didn’t talk to anyone?” And I said, “Well, I said ‘Hi’ to the cashier at CVS and asked how she was going.” He looked at me dumbfounded. He couldn’t believe I could spend an entire day alone and not talk to anyone.
I loved it! And I love days like that. When I can wake-up when I’m ready to, spend time reading my Bible, praying and just being in the presence of Lord and then wandering through the day running errands and doing chores, whatever needs to be done really. I love it.
Well, this weekend I am stepping way outside that solo comfort zone of mine and I’m going on a women’s retreat. This is a BIG deal for me. I know ONE person going on this thing. And typically I don’t attend things like this unless I have some kind of responsibility. If I have a role to play then I can hide behind that and not worry about the awkward moments when I need to initiate conversations with people I don’t know and try not to worry if I come off strange. I can be horribly insecure in these situations. Not to mention I am awful at small talk, which is pretty much the death of anyone when they’re in a place that requires small talk to open the door to deeper conversations that lead to long-lasting relationships.
But I am going to BE BRAVE. My prayer for this weekend is that I would be bold enough to step out of my comfort zone and just let God do His thing. I know I need time with my Jesus and I know my soul has been longing for ministry opportunities, both to be poured into and to pour into others.
So if you think of me this weekend please feel free to pray for boldness and peace :-) I’m pretty sure there are going to be some incredible ladies at this thing, they’re probably all a lot cooler than me (I know I’m a total nerd and I’m okay with that), maybe their coolness will rub off on me. I’ll let you know how it goes ;-)
When was a time you purposely stepped out of your comfort zone? How did it go?
Read More