Sick Eyes Part 2

We went to the pediatrician yesterday. Poor Eli has pink eye. The doctor gave us some drops and says it should clear up fairly quickly. He also has some inflammation in his bronchials (at least that's what I understood). She gave him a breathing treatment (Albuterol) to see if it would clear things up, but it didn't help. And to be honest with you, I was thankful it didn't help because he screamed like we were torturing him the entire 15 minutes that mask was on his face. Last night I woke to him coughing this nasty cough and suddenly I realized - maybe I want the Albuterol to work...It really made my heart sink to think he was suffering and there was nothing I could do for him. He is sleeping well this morning. So, I am leaving him that way. I will keep my blog up to date on his progress...

Fat Tuesday

Matt and Grandma are really enjoying her tourist time in New Orleans. We have really had a lot of down time with Eli not feeling well, but they still managed to enjoy one of the big New Orleans parades, Bacchus. It was a super great time for them. They were able to enjoy the parade with some of our close friends, Stfanie and Schnyeder, a dating couple in our church, and their family. It was really a good time for them.
On Fat Tuesday, we went up to Veterans in Metairie and enjoyed a family parade with some of our church friends. Dennis (our pro bbq-er) made burgers, brats, hot dogs, chicken breasts and so on. It was so good to get that friend time in. We all grabbed a burger when we got there and then grandma disappeared into the crowd to enjoy the parade. And she didn't return until a couple of hours later when I went to get her from the front lines collecting toys and beads. She was like a kid at a candy store!
Now we are home going to head over to the french market today for some collectables. Then we will enjoy a nice dinner while Eli spends some time with one of his favorite friends, Nannozi.

Eli's Sick Eyes

My poor little baby has sick eyes. It started yesterday with some mucus in both eyes and the day ended with his left eye swollen and yucky. When he woke this morning his left eye was stuck shut and his right eye was starting to look bad. Now his left eye is fairly clear and his right eye is totally gross!! I guess we will go to the doctor tomorrow!!

My Dream Job

I've been thinking of the possibility of enjoying my artistic talent and getting a little money on the side. I always seem to come up with this idea only to shoot it down because I just don't believe I can do it! Recently, for a dear friend's shower, I made a diaper cake. I SO enjoyed making it and have come full circle again hoping and dreaming of my perfect job. I know I would love to be an architect or interior designer/decorator, but really my dream comes from a great desire in my heart to use this talent God gave me. I hope to put some of my diaper cakes on ebay. I'll keep you posted.

Grandma's here!!

Matt's grandma flew in from St. Louis last night. She and Matt dropped off her bags and went straight to the Hornet's game. They had super great seats and a really good game.
We have enjoyed our morning. We went to the gym where Matt and grandma enjoyed a bike ride and some stretching and I did my own thing. We came home and Grandma fed Eli his lunch (apples and bananas). Now we are relaxing and waiting for dinner tonight with the Stephensons. We will be enjoying the Mardi Gras festivities this weekend. More to come...

The World's Wisdom vs. God's Wisdom

We had a super challenging lesson at midweek tonight. It really made me wonder if I am really patterning my life after God's wisdom. The world's wisdom just makes more sense to us. It is so natural for us to run after what feels good and makes our lives easier. (I Corinthians 1:18-20) God didn't call us to comfort. He called us to a radical life of denial of self and death to self. (Matthew 16:24-26) I was most challenged when Bonny read Matthew 15:7-9...Is this me? Do I honor God with my lips, but my heart is far from him...worshipping him in vain and teaching rules taught by men? God calls me to a life of love (Matthew 22:36-40). Love is not natural. We can only do it with Him. I guess the thing I left thinking was I MUST check what I do with the Word. I can't count on my instinct because I will naturally go back to a worldly pattern and therefore not be living within God's wisdom. (Isaiah 55:8) And the conflict goes on.

Confessions of a Remodeler UPDATE...

I am happy to report that we have finished the kitchen floor (grout and all) and finished tiling the half bath and the baseboards are on for more than half the house!! Yay! We have made progress. AND in the process I have not started ANY new projects (unless buying paint for the kichen counts because I DID do that!). Progress feels good!! :o)

Attitude

Omigoodness! I didn't think it started this early, but Eli has become so territorial! When he gets ahold of something, it is HIS and you better keep away!! We were at the grocery store yesterday, and he had my purse...Well, as you all understand at some point, mommy needed her purse. He went into screaming and fitting! I couldn't believe what I was seeing. It has continued today with all kinds of new things...example to the left with the camera...Everything within arms distance is HIS!! He's showing his true colors! So much fun!!

Confessions of a Remodeler

ok...i have a confession to make. i love remodeling. i can't get enough of it!! my problem is i can't just have one project going at once...maybe it's a little bad, but i am always doing 3 or 4 projects at a time. this means when i start something new it will likely be months before i finish it if ever. oh...and i won't try new things without someone present (matt most of the time) so if something goes wrong, we can work together to fix it. it makes life hard for matt becaus he could care less about remodeling, but he is always getting drug in on my crazy projects. i am actually in the middle of remodeling a half bath in our house. this one has been especially fun because we (matt) had to use a jack hammer to get the floors out. well, the floors have been out for around 2 months and we have made no progress...we bought the new fixtures so they are junking up another portion of the hosue and the toilet is on our back porch. i also have to finish tiling the laundry room and grout the kitchen floor...and reinstall a whole house worth of base boards that we took off to lay the flooring. needless to say i have too much going...and i may never finish!

Mardi Gras Craft

It's funny...When Matt and I moved to New Orleans we had this ugly view of Mardi Gras...almost like we should leave the city when it's coming because it would be unbearable to be around all the drunkenness and sin (won't get specific on this). I would have never believed the church people not only attend the parades, but have a barbeque at one of the parades in our area (Metairie) for the church and friends! It is such a fun event and a great reason to get out and relax with friends...and to celebrate life. When do we ever do that any more?!
This past Sunday after church, some of the church women came over, and we made Mardi Gras wreaths. Another way the city celebrates is to put up decorations and one of the decorations commonly seen is a wreath on the front door covered in Mardi Gras beads, masks and other decor...
That is one thing I love about New Orleans...people here are always looking for a reason to celebrate!
Mardi Gras CAN be inappropriate, but it doesn't have to be!

Eli's 8 Months Old

Elisha is 8 months old! We went to see the Pediatrician and he weighs 18 lbs. 6 oz. and is 16.5 in. He is a little less than average on his weight and height, but is above average on head circumference. My Eli has a big head! I guess he's smart! ;o) He is in perfect health (Praise God!). He is even thinking about crawling and cruising (picture attached). I am sure we have some time before he's going on his own, but he it thinking about it!! He has a new love for his feet. This complicates things when I'm changing his diaper!! He's really becoming a little character. He has a lot to say and wants everyones' attention!! We are enjoying every minute!

I'm going to be 28...

It is so funny how life gets away with you...It seems like the time between 18 and 28becomes a blur and all you remember are a couple of key moments.
My key moments...
1. Finding Matt and setting out to marry him and accomplishing that task at all cost! and believe me, it cost A LOT! That's a long story. I'll tell it sometime if you are interested! :o)
2. Finding God in the most unlikely place (a single brothers' household in our apartment complex in SD). And realizing that after so many years of searching, He was right there all along waiting for me to give up myself and do things HIS way!
3. Having 2 sons: one living and one "lying down in peace; asleep and at rest with kings and counselors of the earth." (Job 3)
So, here we are with me soon turning 28. Is this supposed to be a tough age to get past? I guess it just feels so grown up...So unlike me! Maybe it's having and holding a son, a precious gift from heaven and knowing he depends on me for everything or maybe it's one step closer to 30 and not really sure I want to take it, but here I am.
I can't say I'm wise by any ones' standards, but a couple of things I have learned along my journey...
1. It's not a good idea to open your home to just anyone. We have learned through the school of hard knocks that too much love can cause a heart to grow sour. Time and time again as we have been willing to invite outsiders in (mainly men who are not following God) we have found them to eventually hate us for it. It's a sad truth. (2 Cor 6:14-15; Prov 25:21-22; Prov 29:10)
2. You are never more happy than you are when you are giving of yourself. I find that in my marriage and my relationships there is an evil at work. Satan is always wanting me to think of me and do things for me, but when I turn and obey God's command to put others first (Rom 12:10; Phil 2:3-8) I am so much more satisfied and taken care of. My heart truly finds joy and satisfaction when others are my focus.
3. One can never know all they need to know. There is so much to learn especially for Believers...The Bible is an endless mystery and as soon as you know something you must learn something else! The learning and growth never ends. I love this about the movement we are a part of. It is so encouraging that our leaders may have been teaching and learning for 30 years +, but they are still eager to learn today...and to learn from someone like me! That takes humility! I pray that when I'm in their shoes I will be that moldable, that humble!
4. There is no doubt in my mind that God's way is the best way. I said in #2 above that I found Him in the most unlikely place. I just wasn't looking in the right place. He isn't found in a church building, on a mountain top or in an emotional experience (Jn 4:21-24)...He can only be found in His Word. (Jn 20:30-31; Jms 1:22-25) His guide book for life. (2 Tim 3:16-17; Jn 8:31-32) I won't be fooled any longer by eloquent speech or good intentions. (2 Tim 4:2-3) God's word is clear and it is my only guide. (Heb 4:12-13)
I'm turning 28! Wow! I pray this year will bring much fruit and MUCH honor to God! I can't wait to see what's in store!