For the love

So, the other day, on a whim, I filled out an application to be on the launch team for Jen Hatmaker's new book, For The Love, that is coming out in August. And I actually got selected! Super cool! I was just excited to be able to read the book early, but there is also a facebook group for the launch team full of 500 uber excited Jen Hatmaker fans. Which equals a butt ton of posts! It can be a bit overwhelming, but it's also pretty cool how people are being transparent about their need for prayer and struggles and such. One of the most common things that seem to be resonating with everyone is the need for "couple friends" or finding "their tribe" and whooooo boy, I can totally relate to that. BUT, more importantly, it is such a great reminder to me of God's faithfulness in my own story. After Brady was first born, my two closest friends at the time ending up moving away and I felt lost and alone. I was so devastated and had many conversations with my husband about it. I lamented finding new friends, because getting to know people is not something that comes easily for me. I found out we were both in the same place, longing to have a friend that truly knew who we were and loved us. We longed for deep connection. That was the cry of our hearts for a long time. It was incredibly discouraging. Even though it didn't feel like it, God was moving. I couldn't see what he was doing at the time, but he was moving. And reading these facebook posts reminded me of that. They reminded me that when you are in the middle of something, it's hard to "see the forest for the trees". And so I wanted to write a bit from the other side. Hopefully, it can encourage anyone reading it. Because God has more than fulfilled this deepest longing of both mine and my husband's hearts. Sometimes, I feel like it's a little ridiculous. We have amazing friends and amazing community that know us at a heart level and that have loved us at some of our ugliest, most challenging moments. That partner with us to love our community and serve our neighbors and work to love Jesus and bring him glory. That we share life with and laugh uncontrollably with. And I'm not trying to rub salt in any wounds. I just want to let people know, that God knows the deepest longing of your heart. He sees your struggle. And he is not turning a blind eye. You might not "feel" like it, but thankfully, our feelings don't affect the character of God. I would encourage you to reflect on your life and the ways you have seen God show up in your story. Hindsight is 20/20 and remembering the ways God has worked in your past is a great way to be encouraged that he has not deserted you in your present struggles. Remind yourself (and others!) of these evidences of God's grace. It's a powerful testimony of who God is and how he works in our lives. "Here I raise my ebenezer, here by thy great help I've come...." I would encourage us all to make for ourselves modern day ebenezers- physical reminders of how God has shown up. So that when we see them, we can be encouraged. And if you aren't sure, I would encourage you to look over the story of your life and look for God in your story. Because he is there, he's the true hero of the story, yours and mine.

Gavinisms

I love this kid. I love the way he gives unsolicited, tender hugs and kisses, I love how he loves to be tickled and I LOVE the words that come out of his mouth. I just love the way he sees the world. I figured I better document them. I'm sure I'll miss some, but I better start somewhere.

If his smooch is not perfectly timed with yours he'll say he "missed the kiss" and insist on doing it again. Until the timing is perfect.
He loves "rootbeard".
His favorite gun shoots "nissiles" and bullets.
He thinks he's a pretty good "winja".
As soon as he turned four, he wanted to take on tasks he was previously unable to do. He stated he could do them "with my four-year-old strength!".
He always refers to people as "humans". As in, we crossed the street in front of a truck and he informed me that "that human waved at me!".
He is never cold, but "coldee". The "ee" is often stretched out to communicate the extent of the coldness.
And the phrase he is most well-known for (and that we've heard approximately 9,310,052 times)- "I so hungry".

Today, so far.

Gavin is on fire with the funny today. I was feeling all sentimental, talking to him earlier about how 13 years ago, I got married and...he interrupts me to ask "Who did you get married to?". HA! Just a little while ago, Alex was home for lunch and had the following conversation:
Alex- "Did you know in a few weeks, you'll be turning 4?!??"
Gavin- "How many days is that?"
Alex- "23"
Gavin- super serious "Is that close to infinity?"
Oh, my does this little man crack me up!

Back in the saddle?

I (kind of) recently helped Brady put together a timeline of his life for school. The time spent looking over the calendar of his first year where I filled out questions about his first word, books he liked etc. made me realize that I don't even know what Gavin's first word was. *GASP* I'm not going to remember the things I don't document. So, I'm going to try. Because I never want to forget how he calls root beer "root beard". Or that Kellen lost his first tooth right before he turned 6. Or that Zoe is now officially rolling over! I want to treasure these little things. I want to remember. And not worry so much about how long a post is. Or if it's funny or I said things in just the right way. Or even if anyone ever reads my post or leaves a comment. Like sands through the hourglass, so are the days of our lives. Or something like that. ha

Better late than never

So, I'm going to take a break for a minute from my top 50 posts to document some amazing-ness courtesy of Brady last week. We were going to the Seattle Aquarium and so I laid out clothes for the boys to change into after breakfast. (We had to get out the door early, for us, so I was trying to be efficient.) So, I'm getting ready in the bathroom when the boys are getting dressed and Brady comes in and says "Mom, do I look so handsome?". "Yes, you look quite handsome." I respond. "I think people are going to cheer for me because I look so good." I love that kid.

Top 50 continued

You've been waiting on the edge of your seats, I just know it. Well, wait no longer friends. Here are some more of my favorite songs. I've already been questioning this list and thinking of songs/artists I didn't add, but I'm sticking with the list, just for the sake of being able to say it's done. ha ha

Losing Hope, Jack Johnson

I really like Jack Johnson. I feel a bit alone on this amongst my friends, but I just don't care. His music feels to me like laying in a hammock on a sunny day. And I LOOOOVE me some hammocks. This song isn't exactly happy, but it still embodies the mellow vibe that weaves it's way through Jack Johnson's music. I don't know how to explain it. I love the drums and bass in this song especially. SO much. Oh, and I like how he changes the chorus at the end. Good stuff.

Regulate, Warren G

I am so hardcore. That's really the only way to explain this song choice. Ha ha! I've just always liked this song. The bass is awesome and I love the beat. It became a guaranteed favorite when my first baby busted out his booty shaking moves every time we'd play it for a good chunk of time there when he was very little. Babies and g-funk, it's how I roll yo.

Smells like teen spirit, Nirvana

Pretty much all through high school, I refused to listen to anything but grunge/alternative music. This song is classic. I am a bit more eclectic in my music choices now (as you can see by this list), but this song still kicks ass. Whoa, I just said ass. Maybe I am hardcore.

Song for the dumped, Ben Folds Five

So, um, if you thought my use of "ass" was bad, please don't listen to this song. It's a little, how you say, rougher on the language front than most of the songs on my list. I don't generally like swearing in my music. And no, I can't relate to this song on the bitter, angry, dumpee level either. But I still think it's awesome. I love the way Folds is just pounding the crap out of the piano and it sounds amazing. I love how this song is angry and aggressive and FUNNY. The world would be a better place if people wrote bitter break up songs like this instead of writing bitter break up posts on facebook, amiright?

Queen of hearts, Juice Newton

Growing up, my mom only listened to country and oldies. I went through a phase where I acted like my ears were going to bleed each time my mom turned on her music in high school, but I joke and say I either had to come around to being more open-minded or go crazy. This is one of the songs I remember my mom listening to a lot. I can picture her dancing around the house, playing Juice Newton. This song is a bit goofy (just a bit, ha ha) but it makes me happy. And her name is JUICE Newton. Come on, that rocks.

Top 50 songs (or giving in to peer pressure)

I have accepted/joined in on a challenge from friends to compile a list of my top 50 all time favorite songs. I must like punishment or something, because I have NEVER been able to do this. I still feel like it's an impossible task. Even though I have my list finished. But I'm sure I've missed something. I'm not satisfied. And there is no way I can rank them. But I'm copying two of these friends and blogging about it. Because I can attempt to explain my choices. (I love reading their stories behind each song.) And I'm hoping it actual helps me blog. Because I need all the help with that I can get. So, I won't be working up to a #1, but I'll be working up to songs that I love just a little bit more than the rest. Yeah. If that makes any sense. And I'm hoping to stick it out until I make it through all 50, but I'm not making any promises. ;)

Could you be loved, Bob Marley and the Wailers

I love Bob Marley's music. It feels like summer to me. This song makes me want to drive around with my windows down and the volume up. And I can't help but move my feet when I hear it. And his lyrics carry meaning (although I don't always know/agree with the meaning, but hey). Then I went to Jamaica on a study abroad trip in college and now his music embodies that period of my life and has a permanent place in my heart. This song just happens to be my favorite of his currently.

Kerosene, Miranda Lambert

This song really speaks to me about how you can never rely on others for your happiness and how true fulfillment lies in the.....nah, not really! I just really like it.

Black and White, Three Dog Night

We had a 45 with this song on it when I was growing up and I would listen to it over and over. A 45 is a record. You know, those black circle things? This makes me feel so old. But I loved listening to this and I can still hear the static-y goodness of the record player when I think of this song. If I heard it for the first time today, I'm sure I wouldn't exactly be blown away but it's nostalgic and stands the test of time for me. Feel good stuff right here.

Bohemian Rhapsody, Queen

Such a classic song. I love Queen and I have lots of memories of listening to them while working up in the cannery in Alaska. Cheer in a dismal place. :) I love the story this song tells (albeit a super sad and sometimes bizarre ride) and doing my best Wayne's World impersonations in the car.

Gomer's Theme, Third Day

I love Third Day- not so much their contemporary worship stuff, but their early, Southern rock band stuff. I love the story of Hosea and Gomer, it's such a great picture of how God loves us, and I love Mac Powell's gritty voice. Third Day nailed the emotion in the story for me with this song.