Happy Birthday Tim!

Happy 29th Birthday to my Love!!

I have always cherished birthdays with Tim. Another family tradition: celebrating birthdays with a bang! :) We enjoy celebrating another year of life, joys, trials, and the precious gift of another day. It's definitely something we want Neela to see and experience in our family. Not what we do each year but the joy and the gift each year is from the Lord.

Happy Birthday to the Man of my Dreams.

Here are a few things my heart is celebrating and I thankful for this year.
(not listed in any particular order)


29. Love his great Humor. He knows how to laugh, joke around and just be silly.


28. He is a strong Godly husband and to leads his family to walk in obedience to the Lord and to glorify the Lord.

27. He has mad bowling skills!

26. He has a personal desire to know God and being obedient to Him.

25. He has a sweet ability to be in touch with my emotions just with a look and know when I need a break, need to be alone, or just need a glass of wine. :)


24. He is so patient when I am being emotional or just being crazy headed. :)


23. He has a fun passion for playing and watching sports.

22. Love his ability to relate to people and speak truth into their lives.



21. Love the passion he has for parenting Neela. He is always thinking through and processing how we interact with her, how we discipline, and even how we introduce her to sports. :)

20. Thankful he has close guy friends.


19. Love your hotness!! (that's a given)


18. Love that he is a Lumberjack. :) Thankful we met in college and have been through so many phases of life together.


17. Love that he is a hard worker. He is given difficult tasks and always figures them out. I am always so impressed!

16. Love your business skills! Your ability to be able start a business www.austindogwalking.com Totally boomin!

15. Love how driven you are. You know what you want, and strive hard toward the goal.

14. Thankful for your tenderness and the quiet nights at home.

13. Love how you support my chocolate addiction. :)



12. Love how Neela loves putting her arm through his arm because you are so cuddly!

11. Love when you sing kiddie songs to make Neela smile and just bring joy to her life.

10. Love that you love Taco Bueno. It's the cutest thing ever b/c we don't have a Taco Bueno near us so it's a true treat to you.

9. Love the tender moments of you sharing God's truth with Neela through daily conversation and joyful moments.

8. Love your hugs. They are the best!

7. Love your ability to have a good time. You knows how to let loose and enjoy whatever the situation is.


6. You are smokin! Have I mentioned that yet.:)


5. Love that you speak wisdom to your family and friends around you.

4. Love how you are so good at computer stuff. So impressed by you.

3. Love your passion for Mexican Food!! It makes it easy to surprise you with a fun dinner. :)

2. Love when you make a decision, do a thorough job of researching and comparing about different brands. I love how you share the info with me and discuss all the options. it's so cute. :)


1. Love that you married me. I am one lucky girl and grateful you are my best friend.

Happy Birthday Tim!!
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Cornfest 2011

Family Tradition- Cornfest.

The 3rd Saturday of each June is Cornfest in my hometown. This has been common knowledge my whole life. It's put on our calendar at the beginning of each year and we plan our events around it. It's when my hometown blocks the downtown street so we can have corn cob games, kernel spitting contests, and vendors selling homemade crafts. A carnival is set up for the kids a few days in advance and the big day of Cornfest. We even have a street dance at night with a live band.

I loved growing up in a small town. I don't think I would have said that as a child, but looking back I am thankful for the years. Nothing can replace the feeling of going back each year and seeing the same faces I have come to know so well. Even though I have been gone for 10 years, they treat me like I never left. Tim and I have been going back each year since we have been married and now with our little one. It's such a joy to see my little girl doing the same traditions I did as a child. I love family traditions.




Getting set up for the "big" Holland Parade.


The horses were amazing in Neela's eyes. She stared wide eyed and in amazement of how big they were.



Neela made her first "Sand Man" at Cornfest. She had a blast pouring the sanding in the funnel to the glass bottle. Tim and I ended up helping her toward the end because she was taking so long. :) The joy of an independent child. :)


We spent our yearly Cornfest afternoon at Joey's, chilin. :) It was fun this year because Neela was able to hang out and chill with Nayan and Sanjay. She always has so much fun with them.



Father's Day with the grand kids. My Dad was one happy camper! :)

Not in Vain

This is a blog I follow and has been a HUGE blessing in my life. This post was such an encouragement to me today. Thankful the Lord lets us be a part of what he is doing in the lives of others around us.

Below is the link to the actual post:
30 Days of Encouragement for the Church Planter's Wife: Day 3: Not In Vain

30 Days of Encouragement for the Church Planter's Wife:: Day 3:: Not In Vain

Moving.
Opening your home.
Initiating conversations.
Being an outsider.
Learning a culture.
Meeting the neighbors.
Hosting a playgroup.
Meeting for coffee.
Sharing the gospel.
Raising support.
Being disappointed when someone leaves.
Praying for your husband.
Creating the website.
Making a meal.
Setting up chairs.
Leading a ministry.
Encouraging a weary husband.
Consoling the distraught.
Carrying the burden.
Discipling a young woman.
Going to church alone.
Asking questions.
Remembering their name.
Making the bulletin.
Celebrating with others.
Praying for the church.
Serving the community.
Meeting new people.
Believing.

It's the work of the church planter's wife.
And when it's done in the name of the Lord, it is not in vain. My favorite verses tell me so:

"Therefore (because He gives us the victory), my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." (1 Corinthians 15:58)

"For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister." (Hebrews 6:10)

He sees and is pleased with you.

Daddy Daughter Date

I know I don't post enough of Daddy/Daughter time on this blog. I need to keep a better log of that! :) Tim does such a great job of spending one on one time with Neela and treating her like the joy and prize she is. He brings her treats home (a few times a week), takes her to the park, introduces her to new things, and even this week took her to a water park all by himself. :) What a man!

Ok, so it was no Schlitterbahn, but it was in her eyes. It's a water park in Round Rock that is perfect for her age. She LOVED it! She loves swimming and can actually do it really well by herself with the arm floaties. She knows she needs to "kick, kick, kick". (it's a song we sing) He also bought her a snow cone after they swam and she loved that sugar!! :) I am so thankful for a man who loves spending time with his little girl and being an expression of God's love to her.

This action is even an expression of love to me because it gives me time to relax by the pool, run errands, or even sit with a good book. It's funny how in our marriage (now being parents) how we express how we love each other. Don't get me wrong, I still love one on one time, hugs, and special treats, but with being parents it can add a challenge in this area at times. Tim knows me so well. I mean, it's to the point he can finish my sentences or when he ask me something he will jokingly say back to me what my response will be. And he's right! We laugh about that. But he knows how I love my alone time and at times it's hard to have this with a sweet little one running around. Thankful for Tim and him loving me well.

Dancer

A cute moment. Last week we were listening to a cd from Neela's school with all the songs she sings at school. I can't remember the exact song, but her and I were dancing to the song. By dancing I mean we were basically moving our hips and shoulders back and forth.

Well, my little pro dancer decides I need to step it up a notch and tells me to turn around in circles. When did not do it right away she said, "Mommy, turn around in circles!" So I obeyed. :)

Then she said "Mommy, kick your legs up and down." So I proceeded to do as told.

Then she said "Stop." When I did not stop she said, "Mommy, stop!!" And then we had to stand still even though the music was still playing.

This story may not sound very funny written out, but the moment was hilarious! I was laughing so hard. She was basically telling me to do what they do at school. I love that she is so verbal now because I know what they say to her at school because she says the same things to her dolls, Elmo doll, and puppies.

As parents we have to be careful of how we talk to her and our dog because she does repeat what we say and how we say it. God has put a desire in our hearts for her to see God in every aspect of our lives. In our marriage, in our family life, in our discipline, with our friends, and the intentional relationships we have with people around us. God has used a book called "Sheperding a Child's Heart", "Crazy Love" and my current book, "Parenting with Love and Logic" to give us practical ways of parenting and discipling. Great books! totally recommend them. Book reviews to come soon!

Another sweet moment that just came to mind. Last night I was reading to her from her bible ("The Jesus Story Book Bible", another one i totally recommend) and we were reading about how Jesus calmed the storm. It's funny because it shows a picture of Jesus sleeping and Neela could not get passed the idea of Jesus sleeping. The story shared about how God cares for us and rescues us and she could not get past the idea of Jesus sleeping in the boat. I panicked a bit because I thought, "I don't want her to think Jesus sleeps and miss the truth that God cares for us and has rescued all of us from death!" But we talked more about how God rescues us because he loves us more than I can show her and express to her. I know God is in control and sitrring her heart and I know I should not worry. I have my moments of weakness. :)

We earnestly pray daily for her heart to know she is loved beyond what Mommy and Daddy can give and we pray she would be known as His. thankful for the gift of children.

Control of all things

Thankful you are in control of all things.


Psalm 104
1 "Praise the LORD, my soul.
LORD my God, you are very great;
you are clothed with splendor and majesty.

2 The LORD wraps himself in light as with a garment;
he stretches out the heavens like a tent
3 and lays the beams of his upper chambers on their waters.
He makes the clouds his chariot
and rides on the wings of the wind.
4 He makes winds his messengers,[a]
flames of fire his servants.

5 He set the earth on its foundations;
it can never be moved.
6 You covered it with the watery depths as with a garment;
the waters stood above the mountains.
7 But at your rebuke the waters fled,
at the sound of your thunder they took to flight;
8 they flowed over the mountains,
they went down into the valleys,
to the place you assigned for them.
9 You set a boundary they cannot cross;
never again will they cover the earth.

10 He makes springs pour water into the ravines;
it flows between the mountains.
11 They give water to all the beasts of the field;
the wild donkeys quench their thirst.
12 The birds of the sky nest by the waters;
they sing among the branches.
13 He waters the mountains from his upper chambers;
the land is satisfied by the fruit of his work.
14 He makes grass grow for the cattle,
and plants for people to cultivate—
bringing forth food from the earth:
15 wine that gladdens human hearts,
oil to make their faces shine,
and bread that sustains their hearts.
16 The trees of the LORD are well watered,
the cedars of Lebanon that he planted.
17 There the birds make their nests;
the stork has its home in the junipers.
18 The high mountains belong to the wild goats;
the crags are a refuge for the hyrax.

19 He made the moon to mark the seasons,
and the sun knows when to go down.
20 You bring darkness, it becomes night,
and all the beasts of the forest prowl.
21 The lions roar for their prey
and seek their food from God.
22 The sun rises, and they steal away;
they return and lie down in their dens.
23 Then people go out to their work,
to their labor until evening.

24 How many are your works, LORD!
In wisdom you made them all;
the earth is full of your creatures.
25 There is the sea, vast and spacious,
teeming with creatures beyond number—
living things both large and small.
26 There the ships go to and fro,
and Leviathan, which you formed to frolic there.

27 All creatures look to you
to give them their food at the proper time.
28 When you give it to them,
they gather it up;
when you open your hand,
they are satisfied with good things.
29 When you hide your face,
they are terrified;
when you take away their breath,
they die and return to the dust.
30 When you send your Spirit,
they are created,
and you renew the face of the ground.

31 May the glory of the LORD endure forever;
may the LORD rejoice in his works—
32 he who looks at the earth, and it trembles,
who touches the mountains, and they smoke.

33 I will sing to the LORD all my life;
I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.
34 May my meditation be pleasing to him,
as I rejoice in the LORD.
35 But may sinners vanish from the earth
and the wicked be no more.

Praise the LORD, my soul.

Praise the LORD."

Happy 2nd Birthday!

What a special moment. It's funny because when N turned 1 year old it was anticipated, planned, and momentous. N turning 2 years old has been all that plus... a bit of a surprise. What I mean is, it came way too fast. She was such a fun 1 year old full of joy, personality, and a learning sponge. To see her invitation from her 1st year b-day party to her 2nd year birthday party invitation, she is so big! My baby girl is no longer a baby, but a big toddler/kid. She talks in full sentences, wants to do everything on her own (and can actually do a few things by herself, and is our personal repeating parrot.

So thankful for our time with her and we cherish every moment. She is definitely starting to test her independence and we are seeing her rebellious heart because we can relate to it perfectly. It's funny how so many ways I can relate specificially to her not trusting us as her parents who have her best interest and love her so much. Man, so many times this is how I respond to God. I am not saying it's right, I am just stating where my heart is sometimes and I have to fix my eyes on Him and not on things of this world. I pray often for God to be glorified in me in my weaknesses to Neela. She would see us daily putting our trust in the Lord's faithful hands to lead us, strengthen us in Him, and to share his love with her and others around us.

She is our bundle of joy and I cannot wait what this year holds for us. We enjoyed celebrating her birthday yesterday. I had planned a fun filled day of outdoor activities such as a playground, swimming, and going to Kiddie Acres, but due to the pouring down rain, we spent most of the day inside. :) We started the morning as a family at Chick fil a for a fun breakfast out. Well, she did not eat very much, but did play hard on the playground. :) Then her and I came home and read a few books, did a few puzzles, and colored. We then ate lunch, she napped, and then picked up her new table from Nana and Nani. We spent the evening at Gattiland with Nana and Nani eating pizza and playing games. She LOVED it! She could play alot of games, but she loved the Jarassic Park game with the gun. Weird I know, but she was fascinated. ;0

What a fun, memorable day. We love being her Daddy and Mommy and are soaking in every moment.




Here are a few pics from my sister's camera:


Our special birthday girl with her cupcake!


Sugar table!



Playing the music game.


Playing pin the flower on Dora. Neela was the only kid who could do this game without the blindfold due to her being the birthday girl. (also she didn't quite get the game. :) )



You can't quite see the table, but this is the beautiful table and chairs from my parents. Neela loves this!


With her cousin Sanjay. She loves spending time with them.




Happy 2nd Birthday to our sweet baby girl! We love you so much!