Snowman?

So, I've been getting Aspen's clothes from last fall and winter ready to sell on ebay. I've tried a lot of things on her lately to see what fits and what can be sold. Every time I put a coat or a sweater on her this is what she says.

"Oh, snowman"


????

One of THOSE days...

It's just been one of those days. I don't feel well physically, mentally, or emotionally. I feel a little bit spiritually fatigued. I know I'll probably be better tomorrow, but today is, well, kinda yucky. Chronic illness has a way of being discouraging sometimes. I think I handle it pretty well most of the time, I really try to. But today I'm weary and frustrated with the widespread effect of this part of my life.

Usually, I try to blog about uplifting things, but today I'm just being real and transparent. And I'm ok with that. I'm in a funk.

Off to read my Bible...

Peace

"Peace is the ability to wait patiently in spite of the panic brought on by uncertainty."
-Chuck Swindoll

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
John 14: 27

A few weeks ago we spent the afternoon at Lake Billy Chinook with my sister Jenn and her hubby Ben. It ended up being quite an eventful trip... I don't feel like going into detail so if you haven't heard the story ask me sometime.

Anyway, here are some pics from before all the chaos!


We rock the big shades.


Neat rocks.


Kelly caught a fish on Aspen's BARBIE pole!


Aspen's not too fond of fish up close.


Barbie pole catches another.


Kissy kissy.


I put my finger in it's mouth! (ew)


Ben is wondering why the Barbie pole is catching the most fish.


I'm done with pictures mommy.


Beautiful sunset skyline over Billy Chinook.

The honda has been excavated.

Well, most of you know Kelly totalled the honda this morning right after he left for work. He ran into a huge excavator machine that was sitting partially in his lane. The excavator was sitting stationary facing oncoming traffic. The tree over the excavator (which is what was being removed) and the way the sun was shining impaired Kelly's sight and he didn't see it until the last second! There were not any flaggers, cones, etc. warning of machinery in the roadway. The police have faulted the excavator and the company, but we still have a lot to work out.

Praise God that Kelly only has mild injuries. It could have been A LOT worse. He initially had the wind knocked out of him and gasped for air for a few seconds. (That scared him!) The entire glove box came flying out of the dash upon impact. Good thing no one was in the passenger seat. Kelly sprained his right elbow and arm, and cut up his index finger, and is really banged up and sore.

And praise God for the small things...a friend who lived right by the accident site and came immediately to support Kelly (thanks Michael), the police officer assigned as being one Kelly knew through a training they had together a few years ago, towing that was free (thanks to Ryan), a friend to look after Aspen while I took Kelly to the Dr.(thanks Kristen), legal help (thanks to Laura and her attorney boss), and absolutely amazing and caring friends and family who have offered their immediate prayers, concern and support. Even the hospital volunteer at the entrance to the ER (where we went for x-rays) was a familiar face from our church family. God has been so evident in all the details.

I lost it temporarily at Worship practice tonight...just singing about praising the Lord...and praising the Lord in prayer for his protection...well, it just caused my heart to overflow with emotion. The reality of what COULD have happened hit me. Our God spared Kelly's life today, as he has everyday thus far, but today we were loudly reminded how fragile our life on this earth is. I'm extremely thankful tonight for the Lord's tender care.

Unrealted to the car accident, Kelly broke his pinky toe. Right before we were leaving the house to go to the Dr., he stubbed it on the door jam. He also has a banged up leg (see last picture) from sliding in softball last night and has cleat marks from where the 3rd baseman stepped on him. He's kind of a mess. The nurse suggested I wrap him in bubble wrap. :)

You can kinda see the beginning of the brusing of the seatbelt marks.

I'm not really sure what the other big line is! LOL

Good ol' church softball injuries.

Sweet baby (yes, she's still our baby)

Girls- please raise your big toe and repeat after me!

The Open Toed Shoe Pledge:

As a member of the Cute Girl Sisterhood, I pledge to follow the Rules when I wear sandals and other open-toe shoes:

I promise to always wear sandals that fit. My toes will not hang overand touch the ground, nor will my heels spill over the backs. And the sides and tops of my feet will not pudge out between the straps.

I will go polish-free or vow to keep the polish fresh, intact andchip-free.I will not cheat and just touch up my big toe.I will sand down any mounds of skin before they turn hard and yellow.I will shave the hairs off my big toe.

I won't wear pantyhose even if my misinformed girlfriend, coworker,mother, sister tells me the toe seam really will stay under my toes ifI tuck it there.

If a strap breaks, I won't duct-tape, pin, glue or tuck it back intoplace hoping it will stay put. I will get my shoe fixed or toss it.I will not live in corn denial; rather I will lean on my good friendDr. Scholl's if my feet need him.

I will resist the urge to buy jelly shoes at Payless for the low, lowprice of $4.99 even if my feet are small enough to fit into the kids'sizes. This is out of concern for my safety, and the safety of others.No one can walk properly when standing in a pool of sweat and I wouldhate to take someone down with me as I fall and break my ankle.

I will take my toe ring off toward the end of the day if my toes swelland begin to look like Vienna sausages.

I will be brutally honest with my girlfriend/sister/coworker when sheasks me if her feet are too ugly to wear sandals. Someone has to tellher that her toes are as long as my fingers and no sandal makes creepyfeet look good.

I will promise if I wear flip flops that I will ensure that theyactually flip and flop, making the correct noise while walking and Iwill swear NOT to slide or drag my feet while wearing them.

I will promise to go SOMEWHERE at least once per season and have a real pedicure (they are about $20-30 and worth EVERY penny).

I will promise to throw away any white/off-white sandals that showsigns of wear...nothing is tackier than dirty white sandals..

Don't keep this to yourself - pass it on to other sisters, ladies, and female friends.

(I didn't write this...and I need a pedicure myself ASAP!)

On my mind...

Amanda- Thank you so, so, so much for your help yesterday!


Summer-I'm praying for you, thinking about you, nervous for you, and excited for you...



That's all for now.

July 4th celebration-part 2

Our afternoon consisted of some quality time with the Cordero fam (before they leave us!) The kids played and swam and we all enjoyed a yummy bbq! It was a wonderful day.



Cutie patooties!


The babies "noodling" around


When it finally got dark, we started our own little fireworks show. Aspen wasn't too sure of them though...



Cathy was really into the sparklers!



Pretty Emma.

Will had the time of his life.

Aspen finally ventured out of the garage.

They like fire a little too much.

SMOKIN!

July 4th celebration-part 1

We spent the morning of July 4th downtown Bend having some good old fashioned, not so-small-town-anymore, fun. The annual pet parade is a favorite of ours. Anyone can be in it.

There were all sorts of dogs with their owners proudly showing them off. Tons and tons of BOONS and BUBBOS (balloons and bubbles). A sea of red, white, and blue. Lots of dressed up kiddos riding their decorated bikes. A few cats. Pretty horses with their hooves painted sparkly pink. A bunch of random costumes like wonder woman and a large green frog costume that scared poor Aspen. And of course, it would not be a Central Oregon parade without goats and cows, yes cows.

Then we were off to the park to browse through different vendor booths and enjoy the music of the gospel choir. Aspen really has some sweet dance moves.


On Aunt Jennie's shoulder...with lips sticking out.



Feeling the music at the park.



Resting on daddy's shoulders.



Best seat in the house. Watching the pet parade.


part 2 coming soon!

His eye is on the sparrow

I feel the need to explain why I posted this...since no one commented! :)

You will see me posting the lyrics to songs quite often. Both Kelly and I find much encouragement and solace in the God-inspired lyrics of many songs. His Eye is on the Sparrow is an oldie, but a goodie. I just love some of the words. I highlighted my favorite parts.
********

Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come,
Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heav’n and home,
When Jesus is my portion?
My constant Friend is He:
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free,
For His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

“Let not your heart be troubled,” His tender word I hear,
And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears;
Though by the path He leadeth, but one step I may see;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise,
When songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies,
I draw the closer to Him, from care He sets me free;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.