this little light of mine

Good listening

2012-01-30T22:21:00.000-06:00

Lately, I've spent a lot of time distracted. I have a (mental) list of tasks that I constantly reprioritize and reorganize in my head. You know- get all teeth brushed, make breakfast healthy, make lunch healthy, clean up poop, clean up more poop, are they dressed, are they dressed appropriately, answer that text, is the homework done, who do I need to email today, have I prayed for that person, did I check back with that person, what did I forget at the grocery store... it goes on and on and on. I think about 20 different things in the course of 20 minutes and I've realized that lately, all the distractions of life have gotten the best of me.

My son shouldn't have to ask me the same thing four times before he gets a response. In fact, that's something I should be modeling for him- good listening.

Of course, the Lord highlighted this for me in a couple of different ways and a couple of different angles in the past few days.

Jesus stopped for children and wanted them to come to Him. He He hears our cries. He is near to the brokenhearted. He truly listens.

I felt convicted about listening to my kids, but I also felt encouraged. To be present enough with other people to give them my full attention- even if just for a moment in the line at Target- blesses them, affirms them, and shows them love.

Sunday morning, after I had this heart to heart with the Lord, I spent some time trying to listen to my little people. Zeke and I took an early morning walk in our pajamas. Anna Grace and I read another chapter in our book.

The chapter ended with a sentence that drove home the point quite nicely:

"... a little 'appreciation' sometimes does quite as much good as all the conscientious 'bringing up' in the world." (L.M. Montgomery, of course)

To be like Jesus, to truly and consistently listen and in turn truly appreciate those around us, is an uphill battle for us all. But it's a battle worth engaging, especially when you have the Spirit of God ready and willing to fight for you.

Thank you, Lord, for simply hearing us. That, in and of itself, is profound love.

"The Lord is righteous in all his ways and loving toward all he has made. The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them." Psalm 145:17-19

Deer... dog... whatever.

2012-01-29T22:04:00.000-06:00

It just dawned on me the other day that Asher had never really been to any kind of zoo.

So yesterday, to the "zoo" we went.

Or as close as you can get to a zoo in Shreveport.

After we got through the maze of alligators, Asher kept a safe but interested distance from the deer and kept calling them "dogs." And he kept trying to feed them rocks.

I guess it's a good thing we came.

For a zoological education and family fun, it was a good call.

Pant, moo, stuck, and a strange game of football

2012-01-26T21:16:00.002-06:00

I pulled into our driveway and pulled out the camera to capture Mr. Man in action, reading his book. Of course, I don't have the timing to capture any super fun and funny Asher tricks, so panting like a dog, saying moo, and worrying about the last page of the book being stuck will have to do.

And while I'm at it with the videos, this next one clearly outlines Zeke's current collegiate allegiances. Obviously, he thinks the world of his daddy. At least that's the spin I'm going to give the sort of strange Auburn dis. In any case, it's funny stuff. How I love my boys!

So grateful for my crazy peeps

2012-01-25T22:20:00.001-06:00

This morning, before dawn, I gathered with four dear friends. We prayed, like we do every Wednesday morning, in our pajamas. After I went home and got the kids to school, one of these dear friends and I went to the neighborhood joint for beignets, coffee, and a heart to heart. Tonight, another set of friends had us over for dinner and I laughed and laughed so much that I may or may not have peed in my pants.

What incredible, incredible blessing.

The lamp of the body

2012-01-24T21:24:00.000-06:00

"The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!" Matthew 6:22-23

My brown eyed girl

2012-01-24T12:40:00.001-06:00

Whatever happened
to Tuesday and so slow...

His love, complete in us

2012-01-22T21:33:00.000-06:00

Can you feel the love?

"Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us." I John 4:11-12

It's a pretty profound truth that apart from seeing God, the best way for us to experience Him is by loving one another.

Just loving each other.

God loved us despite our shortcomings and faults and sins and so we also should love each other despite the faults and shortcomings and sins that are so hard for us to forgive.

Lord, make your love complete in us today.

Help us to love each other.

Even when it's hard.

A celebration of happy tummies

2012-01-22T20:03:00.000-06:00

We're feeling much better these days and celebrated with an Icee on Friday afternoon. Thanks for the prayers and praise the Lord!

Visions of health

2012-01-18T21:16:00.000-06:00

We've been watching a lot of Sesame Street and generally laying low for these past string of days that seem to be piling up to make most of a week. My littlest one is not well.

When dear old Anne (with an "e") broke her ankle defending her pride against Josie Pye's dare (Anne of Green Gables, Chapter 23), she considered her medical confinement bearable due to her vivid imagination.

"What do people who haven't any imagination do when they break their bones, do you suppose, Marilla?" she asks.

Asher and I aren't laid up for seven weeks like Anne, but for the past days it seems like all I've been doing is holding a baby boy, then doing quick load of laundry, then holding him some more.

It's not as if I'd rather be anywhere else in the whole world than holding and rocking and loving on my sweet cotton topped baby. In fact, it is a privilege to be at his side as the one who will be faithful to see this through with him. But it helps that I can look outside my window and imagine what that blue sky might look like on top of a mountain in Idaho or on a choppy boat ride through the Carribean. There's nothing wrong with a little imagination.

Pray with me- that he bounces back quickly so that we can get back to our everyday adventures.

I'm imagining that, too.

Running and running and running

2012-01-15T21:33:00.001-06:00

My friend Nora and I are again meeting each Saturday morning under the oak trees on Ockley Drive- right in front of the house that shall be called the house of prayer where we, with our family and friends, worship our Creator.

We run. And run. And run.

We end each run at that same spot under the oak trees on Ockley Drive- right in front of the house that shall be called the house of prayer where we, with our family and friends, worship our Sustainer and Savior.

I've said it before, but starting with Jesus, ending with Jesus, and a lot of patient endurance in between- it's a lot like our calling as Christians.

As the training gets harder and the runs get longer, I'm glad that our we don't have to rely on ourselves, but the One who called us to our race in the first place.

May His name be forever praised and may He be glorified in each of our steps.

"I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free." Psalm 119:32

M week

2012-01-14T22:42:00.000-06:00

Muffins with mom: a marvelous memory with my merry munchkin.

What a mind-blowing miracle to be merited with the ministry of his maternal care. Most magnificent.

I love you, Z man!

Many me

2012-01-11T21:46:00.001-06:00

As I was putting spoons away this morning, I noticed my multiplied reflection and thought about how I could really use the eight extra hands. It set me daydreaming. One set could clean the kitchen (again) while another pushed Asher on the swing while yet another folded laundry and another got started on lunch while I cleaned out just one of the many drawers or cabinets that needs cleaning out and we could all work together as a team. Have you seen the movie Multiplicity? It was like that in my head (except that we didn't get gradually dumber).

But then I remembered to just do my best with the good two hands I've been given and I got back to the task at hand. I can't have it all and that's okay. I have enough. More than enough. Enough time, enough energy just to do my best.

And I know that, one day, I will actually have time to attend to the nooks and crannies of life.

But hey... a girl can dream, right?

My little scholar

2012-01-11T21:10:00.004-06:00

*a little glimpse of a tiny chunk of our day*

*presh*

The Champion

2012-01-10T13:26:00.000-06:00

On a dreary, drizzly January day which also happens so be the day after LSU lost the National Championship of college football to the Crimson Tide, it could be easy for Jack to be a little down.

But how could he be when he's the champion to this crew?

We will forever love and cheer him on.

And as far as being the funniest, coolest, most super awesome dad and husband we know...

he's undefeated.

WE LOVE YOU JACK!

Wearing our history

2012-01-08T21:58:00.000-06:00

Anna Grace and I love to make old things new. I don't know if I've taught her this or if she just comes by it naturally, but when we happen upon a let's-do-something-just-you-and me occasion, you can bet we're either going to Starbucks for a kids hot chocolate, a skinny cinnamon dolce latte, and a hearty amount of girl talk or we are scouring Goodwill for something old to make new again. Both of us become giddy at the thought.

Today, we both wore our grandmother's dresses to church. I'll have to spend some more time photographing the detail of this heavy little black velvet dress with its wide sash and full skirt. It's one of Anna Grace's favorite dresses of all time and I just love to see her walk the halls of our church in it and the boiled wood overcoat with the small bow in the back that was also my mom's. In a quick glance, I can almost see a little Camille.

The golden suit I wore was my Gran's- my mom's mom. When I put my arms through it this morning, I could almost smell her house again. I wonder if she ever thought her granddaughter would be wearing it while carrying her seventh great-grandchild on her hip. Probably not.

These pieces of our history won't last forever. The buttons will break and the hems won't hold forever- but there is just something extraordinary about being able to walk around in something old made new. And not just any something, but your grandmother's something. It's a reminder of the gift of family and the very precious gift of mother-daughter-mother-daughter relationships that both precede and follow you.

Lord willing, I hope to have a little stash for my granddaughter to rummage through.

And Lord willing, maybe she'll sport it to church carrying around my seventh great-grandchild on her hip.

Amen

2012-01-05T14:44:00.002-06:00


...Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done

on earth as it is in heaven

Give us today our daily bread


Forgive us our debts as we also have forgiven our debtors

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one


for yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. (Matthew 6:9-13)

Dimensions of this land in all of our days- no wonder it's how Jesus told us to pray.

Like Asher throwing his fit in the grass, I landed on my face today so to speak.

But the good news is, I can pray for His will to be done. I can ask for forgiveness. I can be forgiven as I forgive. I am loved as a daughter and I have a Provider. I can ask for good, holy leadership and I will be led.

His is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.

Amen.

The end in mind

2012-01-04T20:30:00.000-06:00

When Zeke proudly explained that he had drawn a picture of Jesus and a rainbow, I told him he had drawn the end of the story. I explained to him that at the end of the Bible, Jesus sits on a throne surrounded by a green rainbow (Revelation 4:3). And it was a circle rainbow no less- just like he had drawn.

He was pumped.

As we live in this broken world, it's important to live with the end in mind.

Not that it's even the end- it's much more like a new beginning- but living with the end in mind helps us patiently endure stomach bugs and lost jobs and death and all the brokenness that sometimes just seems like too much for our hearts to take.

All things new, emerald rainbows, a Man of love sitting on a throne- these are the stuff hope is made of.

Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-- think about such things."

This little light of his

2012-01-02T20:43:00.001-06:00

Zeke isn't one to share his heart with just anyone, so I feel especially privileged as one who gets to experience all his smiles and belly laughs and imaginations first hand. Between his sister's big personality and his brother's baby-ness, he is vulnerable to getting lost in the shuffle at times, but sometimes it seems he almost likes it that way.

He's got a latent, quiet strength, that Zeke.

I can't wait to see his life unfold- how he receives and reflects the Light of the Jesus in this dark world.

New year, new blog

2012-01-01T13:31:00.000-06:00

In her recent article entitled "Fearlessness", Cheryl Jacobs Nicolai encourages aspiring photographers to "...Do what you do brazenly and unapologetically. You cannot build your sense of aesthetics on a consensus."

It really resonated within me.

The fact is, the Lord has given me a unique voice. I will capture His light with my camera like only I can. Not everyone will like it, but that's okay. It's okay that I'm new and learning. I must take the gifts He's given me and use them.

And on that note, I am starting off the new year with a new venture at www.candacechaneyphotography.blogspot.com

Eeeek!

Even though I'm formalizing and introducing new rates, I still intend to give away services and proceeds as the Lord leads and have this thing remain more of a blessing than a business.

I just still can't believe it's a thing.

Here goes nothin'!

To fearlessness!

Endurance for 2012

2011-12-31T12:32:00.001-06:00

Resolutions have been flying these past couple of days.

At lunch today, some of what we settled on for 2012 is as follows:

Jack: more reading

Candace: earlier rising

Anna Grace: more responsibility

Zeke: better eating

Asher: pooping and peeing in the potty

It's an exciting proposition- the thought of a new year with nothing but blank, fresh days to fill with intentionality and love and great effort.

Looking back, one of my great accomplishments of 2011 was reading through the Bible again with my Kathy. It took us a little longer this time- 90 days became something more like 200- but it was interesting because we always seemed to be right on time.

As we read through Revelation in December, one of the themes that stuck out to me especially for the coming year was the call for patient endurance as in Revelation 14:12.

I make no mistake in remembering that I live a very blessed and privileged life. I am keenly aware of my brothers and sisters in Christ that are living out a far more dangerous reality than me. My endurance looks different than their endurance (at least for now), but nevertheless, if you are living in obedience to the Lord, then there will be some sort of opposition to that and some sort of cost involved that requires endurance. Whether that means giving your time or your money or your heart or your life or your anything else, all of it requires endurance.

When Nehemiah went back to Jerusalem to rebuild the wall, he and his buddies built with one hand and held a weapon in the other (Nehemiah 4:17). The job required a defensive guard and sweaty fortitude as they obeyed the call of God.

I don't know what the year holds for our family- only the Lord knows- but we're wrapping our minds around the persevering defensive and offensive spirit we need to get the job done in 2012.

Happy New Year!

Here's to patient endurance in 2012.

On usefulness

2011-12-28T22:33:00.000-06:00

If you have little boys, chances are you will- at some point- get pretty well acquainted with a certain bright blue engine named Thomas. And my boys love Thomas. Wooden tracks and magnetic coal cars have been strewn across our den's floor for the past four days. The pieces are assembled and zoomed with appropriate boy noises and great gusto. And sometimes, like this morning, I grant a enthusiastic request to watch Thomas and his friends on Netflix.

Apart from the very frequent use of the word "daft," the interesting thing about Thomas the Tank Engine videos is that being useful as a character trait is the highest ideal to which a tank engine can aspire. I mean, Thomas LOVES to be useful. "You're a very useful engine!" are the words that our cheerful little blue hero longs to hear the most.

It's interesting because being useful is not necessarily a highly valued character trait of our culture. Being successful is certainly touted, but being useful is different than being successful. Useful implies service to others but successful- in the world's eyes- implies being served.

How (and to whom) am I being useful?

Good question, Thomas.

"If you keep yourself pure, you will be a utensil God can use for his purpose. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work." 2 Timothy 2:21 (NLT)

Herding cats, aka "Let's take a picture with Memaw!"

2011-12-28T21:09:00.001-06:00

Hysterical.

But we do so love you Memaw and I'm so glad we made the East Texas trip today.

xxoo,

your crazy crew

A nook sequestered

2011-12-26T23:01:00.001-06:00

The love of learning, the sequestered nooks,
And all the sweet serenity of books.
~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

(this one's for you, mom)

Christmas 2011

2011-12-26T00:29:00.001-06:00

Surprise!

I tried this recipe for a new take on green bean casserole. Two thumbs up!

Christmas bread: my labor of love.

Visions of sugar plums.

He walked around the house saying "hoo! hoo!" It was so amusing.

We missed our aunt KiKi and Uncle Patrick and we missed Jack who was sick in bed for much of this year's festivities, but overall, we are supremely grateful for all our blessings not the least of which is our Savior's birth.

From our family to yours, Merry Christmas!

Wow!

2011-12-24T23:23:00.000-06:00

When a 19-month-old baby walks up to a bush lit by hundreds of Christmas lights at eye level and says in a whisper, "WOW," you pay attention.

You smile. You try and enter into that moment with him. You are kinda like, "Yeah... that IS really cool." You say "WOW," too. And you really kind of mean it.

That's what I'm kind of hoping for this Christmas. I'm hoping that the incarnation really grips my heart and all of our hearts as we celebrate Jesus' birth.

It's light in the darkness.

It's immense. It's amazing.

It's WOW.

"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us." John 1:14

Wow.

Merry Christmas

2011-12-22T21:26:00.000-06:00

I, much like the rest of America, spent some of this afternoon at the grocery store. In Shreveport, our grocery stores still have the guys who take your groceries to the car for you, so an older gentleman well into his sixties with a mild form of cerebral palsy and I took a walk with my Christmas bread ingredients across the hustling and bustling parking lot. He told me, without complaining, about his nine hour shift and about how he was tired, but also about how he was looking forward to a good paycheck. He thanked me for helping him load up, and as he turned to leave I managed to get out a "Merry Christmas!" before we parted ways.

People are saying it to each other left and right in these few days before Christmas, but it struck me differently today. It wasn't an "aloha!" or a "cheers!" but a "take heart... our Savior has been born!" It was a "we have hope that things won't always be this way- the Messiah has come!" It was "Emmanuel... God is with us!"

At least it was for me.

Out of all the Christmas song lyrics I've listened to this year, the one that is really sticking with me is "O Holy Night's" proclamation that "in His name, all oppression shall cease."

It won't always be hard. We won't always be striving and tired and broken. He has come and He will come. The implications of Jesus' birth are as far reaching as anything ever.

The man in the parking lot who loaded my car with the use of only one good arm can find salvation and true hope in the face of the One who was born in Bethlehem that first Christmas. Those who mourn will be comforted. Those who endure all kind of pain now will receive reward- and all of this because of what happened when God came to Earth and was born of a woman.

I wish I could say "Merry Christmas" every day. I wish this sentiment lingered on through the dreariness of January. I wish Easter was preceded with as much gusto and emphasis.

Because it's really spectacular news. The Messiah has come. The Word has been made flesh. It is profound and true and incredible and can never be trite because of its centrality to the Gospel.

So Merry Christmas, friends.

Happy Tidings, Great Joy, Good News, Glad Hope.

HE IS BORN.

Taking matters into her own hands

2011-12-21T22:06:00.000-06:00

A true Texan beauty

2011-12-21T11:14:00.001-06:00

I had the great privilege of shooting my very first bridal portrait yesterday with one super sweet Texas bride.

her something blue

She was all kinds of gorgeous with her perfect eyebrows and beautiful heart and handmade bouquet. Of course, I won't post her in her dress in the unlikely case the groom stumbles across these pics. We would NOT want to ruin that breathtaking moment in which he catches his first glimpse of his bride in all her glory. That, I think, is one of the most amazing moments of life.

But trust me, she was stunning.

After we were done, in true Texas fashion, she pulled on her boots and got in her pick up truck to direct me to her home where she showed me and Jack some true hospitality. Like I said, she is one super sweet Texas bride.

Thank you, Chesley, for a great experience! It was a first for us both and I'm glad we were in it together!!!!

A few of my favorite things

2011-12-20T12:37:00.001-06:00

tooth twins!

bokeh

Southern Maid deliciousness

our new fire pit... ah!

my Christmas babies

candid moments

families

brotherly love

squishy, beautiful babies in Christmas pj's

laughter

Sinking deep

2011-12-19T21:11:00.002-06:00

Last night's "Angels Aware" production was wonderful and hysterical and profound all rolled up into one little heavenly bundle.

Of course, I was so proud of my Gabriel.

There was A LOT of action going on up on that stage. One angel decided to disrobe, one angel had a little yelling episode with his mother, and the microphone seemed edible to at least one little angel.

It was memorable to say the least.

But overall, it was profound. To have your children ponder the angelic proclaimation of Jesus' birth- what it must have been like for the angelic host to experience the Word being made flesh- is nothing short of profoundity. They rattled off scripture like it was their job. I have to think that some of that is sinking deep.

My little angels soak in all manner of things- I'm so thankful that this Christmas, heaven's perspective on the Messiah's birth was one of them.

Singing to our King

2011-12-18T14:28:00.003-06:00

"They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." Acts 2:42

At 9:15 every Sunday we start filling up our drab little room with talk of college football or parenting mishaps or jokes about the little quirky things we know about each other. We move from small talk to deep things of the heart in a matter of minutes as we transition from announcements to what is on our hearts to lift up to the Lord in prayer as a group. We pray. Then, we spend the next half hour to 45 minutes studying scripture, discussing it, or in this week's case unpacking the Messianic story by comparing Charles Wesley's "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" to biblical proclamations of Jesus.

And this week, we sang.

We worship together. We pray for each other. We help each other. We eat together (often). We know each other. We serve together. We love each other. Our community is not just confined to one hour on Sunday morning- it is the context in which we live.

Jack teaches, Eric plays, Heather directs, Jamie sings, Jennifer organizes and the list goes on and on and on.

And this morning, as we sang praises to Jesus our Emmanuel, it was that much easier to know that God is with us, among us, working in and through us.

Hark, the {YAT class of FBC Shreveport} sings,
"Glory to the newborn King!"

The true light

2011-12-17T09:34:00.001-06:00

"The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world. He was in the world, and thought the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him." John 1:9-10

Richly decked

2011-12-14T22:25:00.003-06:00

My Bradford pear tree is showing off.

I like to think she's decking herself out in red and green (and the occasional yellow) to announce cheerful Christmas tidings.

My very own Christmas tree.

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
How richly God has decked thee!
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
How richly God has decked thee!
Thou bidst us true and faithful be,
And trust in God unchangingly.
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
How richly God has decked thee!

An attempt

2011-12-14T13:26:00.001-06:00

Homemaking does not come easily for me. The learning curve has been steep and long in part because I don't love to cook and I don't love to organize things and I don't love to decorate and I for sure don't love all the little, mundane things that go along with it. What I DO love, however, is a good home.

So I home-make.

And, of course, it's worth it.

My latest home-making endeavor has been to have a premeditated and pre-made Sunday lunch because if you have small children, you know that they turn into ravenous crazy people directly following a church service. My mother, who raised four pretty awesome kids and was an excellent, hard-working homemaker, was always proficient and on top of this dilemma. When we didn't have the Sunday roast, carrots, and potatoes, we had creamy chicken casserole and it was always ready when we got home.

Inspiring.

So I've been trying to follow suit and get my crock pot on or in this past Sunday's case, my casserole-in-the-oven on so that we could come home and eat a peaceful and easy Sabbath lunch.

But- and this is where I fell off the learning curve again-

for the love of all that is good and right in the world,

if you try this yourself,

make sure you tell your husband that the oven needs to remain on when you leave for church.

With one unsuspecting beep of our oven's button, my plans were foiled and we came home to a cold chicken swimming in crunchy rice and cream of chicken soup.

Ah, next time...

He may not be able to sing yet, but...

2011-12-12T22:30:00.002-06:00

The Mother of All Christmas Mixes

2011-12-11T20:28:00.000-06:00

the little man staying warm with his Nana

Jack has created the Christmas mix to end all Christmas mixes. And while I won't list all 118 songs here (although you can join Spotify and find them there), I am going to highlight some of my favorites. Here goes:

What Child is This? - by Sarah McLachlan

O Come all Ye Faithful- by Weezer (this may not be your thing if you didn't rock out to Say it Ain't So in college with your bestie, but it sure is fun for me to bring that same angst to adoring Jesus)

Hark the Herald Angels Sing- by Amy Grant

at our trip to the Rose Center on Saturday night

The Little Drummer Boy- by Stevie Wonder

three very excited wise men at our school's Christmas play

We Three Kings- by The Beach Boys (I know... the Beach Boys... but it's really a good rendition)

Go Tell It on the Mountain- by David Crowder Band (Asher loves to rock out to this one. Understandably 'cause it's awesome, but so is the rest of the whole album)

Jingle Bell Rock - by Randy Travis (I love Randy's voice and the twang is a shout out to my mister's Texan side)

Friday night's Christmas sweater winner

Merry Texas Christmas You All- by Micheal Martin Murphy ( I kind of feel like this is a classic since I've been ~~subjected to~~ acquainted with this one since I was little)

Jingle Bells- by Booker T & the MG's Soul Christmas (This one is just like the organ or something and it is totally fun.)

Zydeco Christmas- by CJ Chenier (of course)

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen- by the Barenaked Ladies (again, surprising, but they bring on the comfort and joy like nobody's business)

The Christmas Guest- by Johnny Cash (more of a story than a song, a bit trite, but still good, good, goodness)

Good King Wenseschlas- by Bing Crosby

Of course, Jack has loaded up on versions of O Holy Night which is my favorite- everything from Wynonna Judd to Nat King Cole to Tracy Chapman, but it's David Crowder's version that gets me every time. All of the versions make my heart soar and ache, but this one makes me cry.

So whether you catch me driving or cleaning the kitchen or cooking dinner or even running, I'm probably singing along to the "Mother of All Christmas Mixes" this holiday season.

Because it is stinkin' awesome.

Get yourself on Spotify and consider it Jack's Christmas gift to you.

My big little one

2011-12-11T13:48:00.001-06:00

at church*children's lesson*pre-candy cane*post-pew snuggles*typical lower lip bite*tulle and bun*AG

Let it snow!

2011-12-10T13:33:00.001-06:00

We had a fundraiser for our school's Parent's Club this Friday that was pure genius.

A big snow-making truck came and made three patches of snow for our deeply Southern children who rarely see the white stuff. Like I said... genius.

Needless to say, the kids had a blast.

And what kind of snow day is complete without a good snow cone?

Fun, fun stuff.

MOO!

2011-12-08T22:25:00.001-06:00

My Zeke may have been dressed as a cow for the annual St. Marks White House Christmas Sing, but when it comes to performance, my little man wears a bit of a sheepish look on his face.

That's not to say he wasn't the absolute best of course. He gave me a grin the size of Texas when he stood up and said his line with a smile.

Moo.

What's a manger scene without a good cow?

He was the best. And precious as all get out.

He is a soccer-playing, car-loving, boy noise-making, gusto-filled, almost-five-year-old who loves well and has stolen my heart. AND he made a great cow.

Fab performance, Z.

Udder-ly fab.

A+ work

2011-12-08T21:34:00.001-06:00

Love it.

Cherished

2011-12-08T20:21:00.001-06:00

His favorite words are touchdown, popsicle, Zeke, and balloon.

He eats (almost) anything put in front of him and sometimes even what's not. (Look at those jowls)

He tears our house apart like it's his job.

But oh my... how he daily melts my heart.

*sigh*

Expecting the unexpected

2011-12-07T21:12:00.001-06:00

We started to read the Jesus Storybook Bible's nativity story when Anna Grace stopped me suddenly.

"What?! What's happening?! What do you mean?!"

She was frantic. Later, she admitted that she panicked.

The story had started with the following lines:

"Everything was ready. The moment God had been waiting for was here at last! God was coming to help his people, just as he promised in the beginning."

The frenzy in Anna Grace's brain and heart was because she had confused the advent about which we were reading. She thought that somehow this was new information and that she had somehow missed the second coming.

It didn't take her long to realize her mistake when I read on.

Whew. You can imagine her relief.

But in spite of her mistake, it revealed the spirit of advent in an interesting way.

She knows the Messianic story. She knows that the Word became flesh. She knows He went to the Cross. She knows He is coming again to make everything right again.

She knows- because of the mystery and wonder of the Nativity- to expect the unexpected.

To watch for it.

In this way, she is living up to her namesake, Anna, the prophetess who worshiped and prayed and "spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem." (Luke 2:38)

Anna in Luke's account had an expectant heart. Anna Grace has an expectant heart. And they are both living in the context of a continuous narrative that is as nonfiction as it gets.

So my prayer today is for an expectant heart this advent season. That we might walk in love and obedience as we remember, celebrate, and honor his first coming and wait patiently and watchfully for his second.

Sickie

2011-12-07T15:16:00.000-06:00

I thought this picture perfectly conveyed the essence of a stomach bug.

Not to worry- we're on the up and up now after our day of movies and pajamas.

The house has yet to recover.

At this point, I'm just glad there's a smile on sweet Zeke's face again.

Hallelujah.

All she wants for Christmas is...

2011-12-05T21:30:00.001-06:00

...well... you get the idea.

He will be great

2011-12-04T23:02:00.001-06:00

"²⁶ In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, ²⁷ to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. ²⁸ The angel went to her and said, 'Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.'

²⁹ Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. ³⁰ But the angel said to her, 'Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. ³¹ You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. ³² He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, ³³ and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.'"

Luke 1:26-33

The Chaney Christmas tree happy dance

2011-12-02T14:55:00.001-06:00

I've actually never seen my children this excited about anything. And that's saying a lot. They are excitable kiddos.

But to their credit, it was pretty fantastic. Despite my war with the little white lights that did NOT want to cooperate, our tree is up and it is a beauty.

a Branch

2011-12-02T13:34:00.001-06:00

"A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit." Isaiah 11:1

You will do well

2011-12-01T22:08:00.001-06:00

Photo credit: AGC

"And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts." 2 Peter 1:19 (emphasis mine)

Advent and prophecy go hand in hand. That Jesus' birth and messianic story was foretold hundreds and even thousands of years (Genesis 3:15) before it even happened is- for lack of a better word- incredible.

This year, I'm on a mission to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place.

We have the word of the prophets made more certain.

We will do well to pay attention.

"Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you." Isaiah 60:1

Lord, help us pay attention as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in our hearts. We find ourselves in so many dark places. Let us look to your light as we remember your birth this Christmas season.

My oxen

2011-11-29T22:04:00.001-06:00

Before I was done dreaming this morning and certainly before I had my first glimpse of a steaming cup of coffee, I had to change a very nasty diaper.

Very nasty.

Thankfully I had an email from Jack waiting on me (he was out of the house before said coffee as he was away on business) and the encouragement sank so deep and was so powerful, I thought I'd share it with those of you who are in the midst of the mess and the glory of raising children. The email read as follows:

This verse struck me for you with the house and the kids. Our strong oxen, who are often unruly and often mess up our stable, will produce a large harvest.

Love you.

Proverbs 14:4 NLT"Without oxen a stable stays clean,but you need a strong ox for a large harvest."

I may not have a clean stable, but I've got my eyes on the prize... that large harvest.

Amen and amen.

Nasty diapers pale in the light of that kind of reward.

Onward, my beloved oxen!

Clinton

2011-11-29T08:38:00.001-06:00

We traveled

to small town south Louisiana (Jack's grandparent's home) for the Thanksgiving holiday.

It is an easy, breezy, lovely, wonderful place-

a great place to count your blessings.

One.

Two.

Three.

We are blessed indeed.

The transitive property of fanhood

2011-11-28T13:51:00.001-06:00

I was kind of taken aback on Saturday when my sister off-handedly described me as an LSU fan.

Am I?

I guess to a third party observer, you'd never know that this gold and purple clad momma has a degree from Auburn University. I guess you could call me a sell out. I guess you wouldn't really know that I still love my Auburn Tigers.

But the thing is, I really love my family. And they really love LSU.

So I guess I'm an LSU fan by default. If they were into underwater basket weaving, I guess I'd get out my snorkel and twine and do that, too.

As it is, I'll be wearing purple and gold and changing my -o's to -eaux's for a long time.

Because I love my LSU family.

The Kid Table

2011-11-28T13:42:00.001-06:00

This our hymn of grateful praise

2011-11-24T11:02:00.001-06:00

Old hymns still resonate:For the Beauty of the EarthFor the beauty of the earth,For the beauty of the skies,For the love which from our birthOver and around us lies,Lord of all, to thee we raiseThis our grateful hymn of praise.For the beauty of each hourOf the day and of the night,Hill and vale, and tree and flower,Sun and moon and stars of light,Lord of all, to thee we raiseThis our grateful hymn of praise.For the joy of human love,Brother, sister, parent, child,Friends on earth, and friends above,Pleasures pure and undefiled,Lord of all, to thee we raiseThis our grateful hymn of praise.For each perfect gift of thine,To our race so freely given,Graces human and divine,Flowers of earth and buds of heaven,Lord of all, to thee we raiseThis our grateful hymn of praise.For thy Church which evermoreLifteth holy hands above,Offering up on every shoreHer pure sacrifice of love,Lord of all, to thee we raiseThis our grateful hymn of praise.

Giving Thanks

2011-11-23T18:45:00.001-06:00

Even amidst inordinate amounts of crying and poop and difficulty, I am SO VERY grateful for my three little ones this year. And for pajamas and mornings and coffee and encouraging words and pumpkin muffins and my funny hubby and the way open eyes catch light and giggles and Cascade Complete and hope and long runs and mommas and a certain miniature schnauzer and music that moves my heart and a gaggle of true friends and a Savior who loves more than I even know.

Happy Thanksgiving, friends.

Potty time

2011-11-23T11:10:00.001-06:00

Also not the Christmas Card I had hoped for

2011-11-22T08:24:00.001-06:00

I wish I had the skills of the good folks at www.awkwardfamilyphotos.com. They caption "precious" photos like this one to perfection.

Not that this one is awkward. Not at all...

Seven

2011-11-20T13:00:00.001-06:00

She is so full of life. I try to tame her wildness, but not so much as to quench her beautiful and full and whimsical spirit.

Windblown hair, vintage green sweater, loose teeth, big dreams, and a full heart- I love every piece of this my seven-year-old Anna Grace.

Tree

2011-11-18T22:48:00.001-06:00

A glorious ugh

2011-11-17T22:39:00.001-06:00

I've never really considered gleaning any sort of profundity from a toothpaste dispenser.

But after this week, I've realized that the path of flouride-laden destruction left by my children each morning reminds me of something really profound. It speaks to me. What I realized is that it reminded me of that list I made- the list of some of the things that make us yearn for Jesus.

Believe it or not- it's not the pasty tri-colored mess itself that makes my heart long for His return, but my own heart's response to that mess.

Instead of being eternally grateful for the clean teeth and the healthy children who obediently brush their teeth daily, I scowl at the mess. Instead of being thankful for a husband who works hard and who loves me despite my foul moodiness, I complain. Instead of being very present with my boys who will only want me to play Hot Wheels with them for a handful of years, I'm thinking about all the other things I could do with my time.

I have been selfishly ungrateful. At best.

Ugh.

In the moment, it's hard to see and I can kind of rationalize my emotions, but afterwards, I'm starting to see my utter depravity and my sin as plain and ugly as it is. And that UGH of mine can be a discouraged UGH or it can be a glorious UGH full of repentance and hope. Maybe the Lord is just opening my eyes a bit. Maybe it's His great mercy. Maybe this repentant UGH can propel me to yearn, yearn, yearn for Jesus more and more and more.

It's no Autumn wind or blazing fire or astronomical wonder- it's just the simple truth that I need Him- desperately- that makes me yearn for more of Him.

Who knew that Aquafresh could make that list?

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8

Not the Christmas card picture I had hoped for

2011-11-17T12:49:00.001-06:00

At the Lake of Shining Waters

2011-11-15T19:57:00.001-06:00

The fun thing about the fall in the South is that the leaves change around Thanksgiving. And aren't the fall colored cypress trees just the prettiest? They are eerie and beautiful and inviting all at the same time.

Throw one of your best friends twenty years strong and her sweet little Lucy in front of one and you have a picture that makes you smile.

Solid

2011-11-13T21:46:00.001-06:00

What do you see?

I've noticed that since I've been getting into the art of photography, I've been seeing things a little differently. And I've maybe even been seeing more of things.

Of course, I'm blind to more than I know.

But as I've been snapping away, I've been reminded that the Lord doesn't see like I see- He sees the end from the beginning, so His perspective is a bit different than mine (which is probably a gross understatement).

And not only does He see differently, but He loves more completely and fully than we understand.

And His love beautifies.

It imparts joy.

It makes us strong.

This weekend as I had the privilege of capturing my a dear friend's family, I was reminded of how He sees us in our weakness and yet calls us beautiful. He is ravished. I don't think Nora would mind me telling you that she doesn't always feel like being patient or kind or gentle. She doesn't always get huge happy hugs from her absolutely perfectly obedient children (no one does), but she most certainly is stunningly beautiful in the eyes of her Father who made her and she is perfectly righteous in the shadow of the cross. He loves her and has empowered her to be an incredible mom and a faithful servant to her Lord Jesus Christ.

She is beautiful. From her heart to her hair, from her soul to her smile, she is beautiful.

Not only that, but her precious kiddos love life and each other in big ways.

On Christ the Solid Rock they stand.

My friends Nora and Jason?

Solid.

Thank you, Lord, for a little peek into how You feel for these dear friends of mine who are eternally children of Yours.

Beautiful.

Can't buy me love

2011-11-10T22:13:00.001-06:00

Scene: After the yelling and arguing were interrupted by one of my oh-no-you-are-not-fighting mom rants, I made these two sit in time out whilst holding hands (a technique I once heard of in a family magazine I was lent by a friend of mine). There they sat- the two unmoved in their sense of justice. Then the littlest Chaney decided he needed to join them on the steps. Let me assure you that Anna Grace did eventually turn. They did hug and laugh and then go on to make a stuffed animal parade winding around the halls of my house. But the moment was frozen in this picture and I love it. It's not easy to teach little people how to love- especially when I don't even have it completely down yet- but even in moments like this, you get the sense that the "harvest of righteousness and peace" will come. Eventually.

"Beloved, let us love one another..." 1 John 4:7

{Some of} My Favorite Things

2011-11-10T19:55:00.001-06:00

funny expressions

sunshine

healthy, calming deliciousness

adding chocolate chips to the pumpkin muffins

something warm on the stove on a chilly day

my chatty cathy

my mandevilla

sun flare

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of heavenly lights who does not change like shifting shadows." James 1:17

It only happens once

2011-11-07T22:26:00.003-06:00

(for the record, I have no idea why he does this, but sometimes he just gets the sudden urge to lay down)

*a Monday in November 2011 that I will never have again*

Sometimes it's so easy and fun. Sometimes it's hard and I have to fight for it. But either way, I must, must, must cherish these days and this time with my children.

There are no days like these days.

And oh, how I love my little boys.

Raising a runner

2011-11-07T21:28:00.001-06:00

{who runs like a ballerina}

Makes me smile.

Yearning

2011-11-06T21:22:00.001-06:00

Our small group discussion tonight led us to the very interesting question of what moves your heart to a longing for more of Jesus. What makes you think of Him, worship Him, yearn for Him?

There were six people present all with different answers. And as I listened to them, some scriptures popped into my brain so I thought I'd match them up and write them down.

1. bonfires
"for our 'God is a consuming fire.'" Hebrews 12:29

2. running
"...let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." Hebrews 12:1

3. family time
"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him." 1John 3:1

4. space
"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands." Psalm 19:1

5. windy days
"He who forms the mountains, creates the wind, and reveals his thoughts to man, he who turns dawn to darkness, and treads the high places of the earth- the Lord God Almighty is his name." Amos 4:13

6. being alone in a quiet house
"Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." Psalm 46:10

7. the beauty of creation as in the Grand Canyon
"For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities-- his eternal power and divine nature-- have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse." Romans 1:20

I would add light in all its forms to my list.
"This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all." 1 John 1:5

Of course, I had help from my BibleWorks software, but it was interesting that all of these answers had clear scriptural counterparts.

What's yours?

Geography-defying bonds of love

2011-11-06T20:57:00.000-06:00

I'm very aware that on this little venue of mine where I mostly post about things like new puppies and children in bunny costumes and love-filled 90th birthday parties you could get the very wrong impression that I am somehow floating above all of the pain and sorrow and struggle of this life.

Not so.

I fear. I rant. I worry. I sin. I struggle. I grapple. I mourn. I lose my temper.

I'm thankful that I do less and less of these things as the Holy Spirit continues to work in my heart and life, but still, I struggle through my 24 hours day after day after day.

Just like everybody else.

My friend Kayla has been posting about her and her family's struggles recently and I love how she referred to "the illusion, which comes and goes in life, that everything is OK."

It IS an illusion, it's true. But one twinge of pain in your back can help you remember. One painful argument with someone you love and you know that this life? It ain't right.

You know, when hang up the phone with a tearful friend who has to go comfort her mourning sister over the loss of her child, that everything is not OK.

You know, when you turn on the local news and watch the anchor matter-of-factly speak of homicides, that everything is not OK.

You know, as long as their are NICUs and PICUs and ICUs in general, that everything is not OK.

We need our Savior to come and make it all right again.

And He will.

But until He does, He gives us each other. To uphold one another, encourage one another, carry each other's burdens and pray when our friend just can't anymore.

It's one of God's greatest gifts to us: each other.

I'm so glad I have friends I can pray with in person (which I was so privileged to do both this morning and tonight), but even those friends with whom I am separated by miles and miles and miles, the love is still real and present and our hearts are united in the bond of love that only Jesus can impart.

Everything is not OK, but it will be.

I'm so glad we have each other in the meantime.

Continue to pray for our friends and especially Brave as he recovers in a Thai hospital this week.

Profundity and sweet eyes

2011-11-04T15:52:00.000-05:00

sweet girl giving me her sweet eyes

What a big time we had with our friends this past weekend. One of the many highlights was marveling over and over at the wonder that is adoption. When you're around her and them, it's easy to forget that their little girl is adopted, even with the obvious darker skin and eyes. She's so wholly and fully loved- so much a little sister with protective brothers, a doting father and proud mother in every way.

I've said it before, but I find it to be such a privilege to be in relationship with these friends and watch the heart of the Father play out before my eyes.

She will know Him better because of them.

And that, my friends, is just about as profound as it gets.

How (and why) to throw a fantastic slumber party

2011-11-04T14:36:00.001-05:00

All you need is a few sweet and silly friends

some dress up clothes

a homemade and absolutely delicious chocolate cake with pink and purple frosting

(thanks again, Bethany!)

a few gifts

a super fun dance party (a la Party in the USA)

a movie and some popcorn

a curling iron or two

finger nail polish

(photo credit for above picture to Korrie Harper)

a pancake breakfast

with sprinkles, of course

a craft project (in our case, stencils on pillowcases)

a bestie to spend the night and help with all the duties involved (thanks again NTG!!!)

and voila... your daughter is well celebrated.

One of my parenting goals is to have my house be a safe and fun place for my children and their friends to congregate. I want my kids to want to be here. I know it might be pie in the sky for me to think that they will be homebodies forever, but as much as possible, I'm going to keep making pancakes with sprinkles, instigating dance parties, and setting pallets out on the floor so that they'll hang around, know that they are loved and precious and free to be who they are and not who the world says they need to be.

So happy birthday, Anna Grace. You're seven, you're treasured, you're as beautiful and wonderful as ever, and I love it that you let me dance with your friends in my pajamas.

What a gift.

Sleeping in peace

2011-11-03T23:14:00.002-05:00

"I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety." Psalm 4:8

Nine minutes of awesome

2011-11-03T22:25:00.001-05:00

An encounter with Tanya and Dorise at a New Orleans wedding compelled my sister (in law but more like sister) Kate to share their musical gift with me. She knew I'd love it as much as she did.

And she was so right.

Canon in D never made me smile so wide.

Thanks, Kate.

Distant

2011-11-01T21:02:00.000-05:00

I was in the balcony of a grand cathedral today, holding a discontented 17-month-old Asher. Even with a sucker to inspire quiet, he just couldn't handle sitting still during the All Saint's Eucharist at his big sister's school.

Imagine that.

But as we bounced between stairwells and stained glass, my mind and heart were still plugged in and still looking for what the Lord might be saying today.

First of all, I wanted to take so many pictures. I always want to take pictures. But when circumstances line up to be inappropriate, cumbersome, or impossible to take actual photographs, I've learned to frame a picture in my mind. I practice placing the edges carefully and considering the temperature and brightness of the light sources at hand. I can almost hear a click in my head when I decide what I would take if I could.

Today's picture is still with me. There is a large light fixture in the left foreground, black rimmed and circular at the bottom, followed by cathedral arch after cathedral arch with the tiny officiants of the service in the right center of the picture. The light is low but warm and very present, drawing you in to the moment.

I don't know what it is- why the Lord has chosen to move my heart with images like this, but today, it was some kind of comfort to know that He is opening my eyes- in part- to His light and His love. He knows that November 1st is painful for me and my family. He meets me in my mourning for my dad. Every year, He imparts some kind of glimpse of light and hope and love.

Today's photograph would have been captured "distant."

As the saints commemorated in Hebrews 11 did, so do I welcome my hope from a distance, recognizing that "faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." (Hebrews 11:1) I will not receive, in this life, all the promises of God including freedom from death and depravity, but on the contrary, I only welcome them "from a distance." (Hebrews 11:13)

But even so, the Lord's light is warm, and very present, and it draws me in to that distance.

It's my hope, my everything.

The tree of life, life everlasting, death overturned and the never-ending reign of Love Incarnate are in that distance. I may not be able to make it out quite yet, but it will come to pass.

And I'm so thankful for the reminder to fix my gaze on His love and light as I keep up my pace, living by faith every step of the way.

As seen on Unadilla

2011-11-01T20:05:00.000-05:00

My mom's street is THE place to be for Halloween. It's mostly just silly and sweet and safe and almost Norman Rockwell-ish, so of course, we invade Nana's in all our costumed glory each year. I thought I'd feature a Who's Who of Unadilla this year.

Tinkerbell (ok, so not really seen on Unadilla, but at the Fall Festival on Sunday night- I just had to inclue it)

Cutest pumpkin ever

Mini-Jack (also not seen on Unadilla, but costume contest winner at Fall Fest)

Mini-Jack and his friend the princess fairy Haley

A puppy dog that panted on command

a ballerina princess and a tree (the tree won my mom's "best costume on Unadilla award" )

a sweet bunny rabbit climbing a tree

a very angelic angel

Captain America and a beautiful butterfly

DJ Jazzy Jeff- no... DJ Lance Rock

pretty cute giraffe

Captain America in action with his lovely bride who happens to be a Spartan cheerleader

mini- Jack with a fun cat, a sock monkey lady, a jack-o-lantern - also at Fall Fest

a delighted and happy and pretty little girl

the most enthusiastic and passionate Spiderman EVER

and one very shady whoopie cushion (yes, she was soliciting candy)

You just never know what you'll see on Unadilla the last day of October.

You should come next year.

I bet Nana will even let you have some of her delicious jambalaya and her festive cupcakes.

Fun, fun stuff, people.

As spooky as we get

2011-10-31T16:10:00.000-05:00

You know what's scary? A momma that doesn't get regular showers.

But you know what else is scary? How much I love my Zeke.

Beignets to plays and everything in between

2011-10-29T22:34:00.001-05:00

What a day.

A good roux

2011-10-28T09:41:00.000-05:00

I remember the first time I made a roux. I was in college (do you remember this, Lisa)? It took us so many hours to get a good gumbo going.

So many hours.

Nowadays, I can throw the skillet on in the morning and whip up a batch of gumbo in no time flat.

I think living life well is kind of like making a good roux.

As you stand watch over your life and endure the heat that comes with living as a fallen person in a fallen world, you look to your instructions and with great care and intention, you stir and mix and do things on purpose.

Then, at the end, you can present your life as a just-right gumbo of love and truth and service to the One who gave you all the ingredients and the gift of the opportunity to do something at the stove in the first place.

As you persevere until then, you press on in the hope of that great meal with Him.

Yep. Life's like making a good roux.

You've got to follow directions, you've got to watch, you must have the right ingredients.

As for me, I need to continue to acquaint myself with the recipe as I commune with the master Chef so that my living well becomes as easy as whipping out the next batch on an October morning for some road weary friends.

"Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love." I Corinthians 16:13-14

Peas and ZZZzzz's

2011-10-27T12:08:00.002-05:00

I guess it was all just too much for my sweet pea.

Ode to Karen

2011-10-25T22:45:00.001-05:00

I used to throw her on the back of my banana seat bicycle with a blue pom pom atop my head as a wig while pretending to be "Bubba Blue Hair," the absent minded (or maybe intoxicated) bus driver. Then we'd purposely crash and fall off and laugh.

And now, my little sister cracks me up.

Here's to you, KK!

You win "BEST FACES AWARD."

Congratulations.

Second place might go to your hubby, WWD. I've never seen him make that big of a grin. I guess being around Jack Chaney just makes you all giddy.

Happens to me all the time.

Honorable mention: cousin Sarah.

If only I had a blue pom pom and a Huffy, I probably could have joined in the zaniness.

In any case, I enjoyed the laughs.

Thanks, sister.

Let them be little

2011-10-25T09:46:00.003-05:00

Seven sweet little girls for a perfectly sweet seven-year-old birthday sleepover graced our home this past Friday night. I haven't had time to go through all the pictures yet to tell the whole fantastical story, but this week's photo challenge at iheartfaces.com is "let them be little," and even though I don't have time to link and enter, I was still struck by how this picture fits right in

Because it was little girls being little girls at its best.

Honored

2011-10-24T00:03:00.000-05:00

my sisters Jennifer and Karen, me, and my brother Jonny

"Children,

my aunt DD, my grandmother, and my uncle Karl, my dad not pictured but with us again one Day

obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.

Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise), that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on earth." Ephesians 6:1-3

My grandmother was honored yesterday with what Jack likes to call "The Best 90th Birthday Party We've Ever Been To." My aunt and uncle organized a warm and fun and memorable event complete with crazy performances complete with ridiculous-looking costumes,

a "this-is-my-life" slideshow,

a few serenades,

a hymn sing, a BBQ dinner, all kinds of dancing with everything from the Boot Scootin' Boogie to the YMCA (of course), and a fabulous cake made by my talented big sister Jennifer.

Anita Morris Dent, you are one amazing lady!

I can only hope I'll be leading the congo line on my 90th birthday.

Happy Birthday, Memaw! We love you!

Baby Mac

2011-10-23T22:16:00.001-05:00

Curls and lashes and eleven months of a sweet little boy.

Mariposas

2011-10-20T20:43:00.002-05:00

Butterflies and balloons are swimming in Anna Grace's Lavender Lake in honor of her seventh birthday.

How very bittersweet. Lovely and fun, but bittersweet still. My baby girl is growing up.

Sarah to Stephenson

2011-10-18T22:02:00.001-05:00

For all your celebration photography needs in Northwest Louisiana, I HIGHLY recommend Sarah Baker Photography. Sarah Baker herself is (among other things) talented, funny, a whiz at the computer, and very kind. Like come-over-to-your-house-on-her-lunch-break-to-help-you-download-Photoshop-actions kind.

Thanks, Sarah, for helping me be all that I can be! What a great friend you are.

The helpful Swedish guy and the meth lab

2011-10-17T22:22:00.003-05:00

Since Jack brought it up in the comment section of yesterday's post, I thought I would let you the blog reader in on our pre-concert experience.

Long story short, it was getting late and we hadn't eaten dinner. Our only hope, it seemed, was an unmarked building that seemed to have people inside, but you couldn't really tell because the windows were tinted. Maybe it was a restaurant? I thought it could be anything. What if it was a meth lab, I kept suggesting? To me, the possibilities were endless and mostly on the spectrum of dangerous to disgusting.

But Jack was determined to get his grumpy wife some sustenance.

So what did he do, but march me right up the door and open it for me as if he always opens the door for me and gestures me in with an up-turned hand and raised eyebrows.

"How could he?" I thought. He's escorting me in to the gates of hell- and he's making me go first.

It turns out that it was a restaurant (lucky for Jack) but since they were completely booked for an hour, the helpful Swedish host directed us down the street with a smile and wished us well.

But I was so mad. Not only was I still hungry at 8:00 pm (gasp!), but I was treated like a yellow canary in a coal mine!

So I fumed for a little while, but as we stood in line at the Palladium, Jack helped a sister out.

I was mad, he pointed out, because it had been a few hours since I had eaten. It was such a burden standing in line to be entertained by a great band on a date alone with my husband, right?

Oh yeah.

Not a burden. Not even close.

Life is full of little trials in little places that probably don't add up to much, but I consider them practice. If you're faithful in the small places, you'll be faithful in the big, right?

I think my biggest fear in life is that I won't measure up- that I won't persevere to the end. If I get mad when I can't eat right away, what will happen if I can't buy food? If I can't be patient and kind with my children, how can I be patient and kind with my enemies who Jesus told me I should pray for and love?

And it's true. On my own, I will fail. Always.

But the good news is that "He will keep [me] strong to the end, so that [I] will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God, who has called [me] into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful." I Corinthians 1:8-9

Apart from Him, I can do nothing, but with Him, all things are possible.

Hallelujah.

If you've been blessed in any way by me, you've really been blessed by Him.

If you've seen me in a yellow-canary-in-the-meth-lab kind of moment, well... that's just me trying to be my old self again. Forgetting that I'm a new me.

Turns out, Jack bought me a delicious chicken wrap inside the venue. We had a blast that night and the Lord truly blessed our night together.

Let's just hope that next time, I'll remember how much I don't even deserve the breath in my lungs and that I'll pull through the empty stomach with a smile and a thankful heart.

And for poor Jack's sake, let's hope that next time I don't become the drama canary of the century.

Play on

2011-10-16T21:43:00.002-05:00

The Avett Brothers * Palladium in Dallas, Texas * heart broken over not being able to bring my camera * shuffled in a crowd of men with glasses and plaid shirts and girls in cowboy boots * basking in the blue glow of the lights, laughing with Jack before things got started * moved to tears with opening song * concerned Texans that Jack was wearing a Detroit Tigers hat (LSU? Oh... that's ok. You're cool.) * "I wish you'd see yourself as beautiful as I see you" * Jack's whoop at a certain lyric, then winking at me citing the eternal perspective of the song * "my, my heart like a kick drum. my, my love like a voice" * happy happy dancing with my eyes closed * wild Asian man with long silky black hair playing the cello, breaking a string and frantically repairing, then back to swinging his cello and his hair * nod to Merle Haggard * "say love, say for me love" * smoked gouda popcorn and an amazing night with my favorite person

"If music be the food of love, play on."

William Shakespeare

Happy Holidays - Repelican edition

2011-10-14T08:19:00.001-05:00

Christmas came early for Jack this year. We are now the proud new owners of a Repelican (here's where I wish I could link you to our artist friend but can't because the Repelican has not yet created its own website but if you go to the men's bathroom at Wine Country on Line Avenue, you might just see a Repelican or two).

I can't begin to describe what this gem means to us on this kind of forum, but if you come over for dinner sometime, we can stand and stare and admire and smile as I explain all the ins and outs.

Merry Christmas to us!

Flashback Friday: 2007

2011-10-14T08:06:00.004-05:00

Oh my word.

October

2011-10-12T22:35:00.001-05:00

It's October. And even though the leaves haven't changed and I still sweat walking the half mile to St. Marks and back, October is glorious, is it not?

I'm with Anne (of Green Gables): "I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers. It would be terrible if we just skipped from September to November, wouldn't it?"

Now, Shreveport is no Prince Edward Island in the fall, but while Anne has her royal crimson maple branches and dark red and bronzy green wild cherry trees, I have a list of my October loves myself.

First up is the Red River Revel. This year, Anna Grace and I enjoyed her first ferris wheel ride together. It was all dark except for the blinking carnival lights and the air was cool, especially as we rounded the top and got the wind in our hair and the butterflies in our stomachs. It was so dreamy.

Secondly, October is birthday central at our house. (BTW- the birthday party at Bistro Byronz was a great success- I am SO THANKFUL for those of you who could make it and even those who couldn't but still donated). Come to think of it, some of my favorite people were born in October: Anna Grace, my Memaw, my Aunt DD, both grown up Rupps, and of course... Nora aka NTG born six days before me. Birthday fun.

I love the hope you get from that early morning coolness. After a scorching Louisiana summer, any hint of change makes me a little giddy I must admit. Oh, and then there are the mums of course. Chrysanthemums.

And this year, which may be a little different from other years, I am really thankful this October for my children's backyard sanctuary. August and September's temperature and bugs keep us out of it, but my kids have discovered its wonders with the cooler weather. Sure, I may have to give them more than one bath a day. And yes, Asher and Zoe may very well be working on digging a rather large hole in the dirt. Of course it adds to my laundry load. So what? They piddle and tootle and are mostly content in their little backyard paradise and I am CRAZY grateful for that.

And then, of course, there's all things pumpkin flavored, but that goes without saying, right?

I'm so with you, Anne with an "e."

I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.

Worshipful wagging

2011-10-11T22:49:00.000-05:00

"For he purrs in thankfulness, when God tells him he's a good Cat.

For he is an instrument for the children to learn benevolence upon."

from Jubilate Agno by Christopher Smart regarding his cat Jeoffry

"If you have men who will exclude any of God's creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity, you will have men who will deal likewise with their fellow men."

St. Francis of Assisi

Zoe received a blessing this past week at Anna Grace's school among all the other dogs and lizards and turtles and hamsters and even some animals of the stuffed variety on Blessing of the Animals Day.

She's such a good little puppy and I often think about how she praises God by just wagging her tail and pouncing and doing all the things she was made to do.

"Let everything that has breath praise the Lord." Psalm 150:6

Good dog.

Lots of life

2011-10-09T22:42:00.001-05:00

These past couple of days, I've spent a lot of time celebrating life.

Baby shower number one honored my dear and old friend Lesley (we've known each other since preschool). She's the pregnant beauty pictured above. She is beautiful and joyful and graceful and always smiling.

And before I crossed the river for Saturday's baby shower, I snapped a few hundred shots of this sweet baby girl and her momma and daddy who, as a side note, are absolutely hilarious people. And as my friend Heather would say, this baby is so sweet you just want to eat her up. She has this little mouth and perfect smile that is just contagious.

And then there was a shower on Sunday for one of our Sunday school class members. And just so you know, my friend Jennifer did these little bags as favors filled with PINK POPCORN. "About to pop!" So clever, right? She's a crafty genius.

Speaking of genius, my other friend whose house we invaded had all kinds of baby pewter hanging from her chandelier. No, this picture is not out of a magazine. This is just how my crew rolls, I guess. They are some pretty talented ladies, I tell you.

Thus ends my weekend full of birth day celebrations and tomorrow begins my Monday full of birthday celebrations!

And don't forget if you're local to come on by Bistro Byronz tomorrow to our jubilation to celebrate even more life by supporting the Rupp family!

Yay for life!

Ale gr-EIGHT-ful (one)

2011-10-07T11:14:00.001-05:00

When a cold Ale 8 One made it into my hand this week- imported from my friend's recent trip home- memories and emotion bubbled with the twist of the aluminum top.

Jack and I spent a little over three years in Kentucky starting in year number two of marriage and ending in year number one of parenthood. In those three years, the Lord brewed a number of major, life-changing blessings in life including but not limited to: a rededication and renewal in my walk with Him, an amazing and precious mother/spiritual mentor in the Lord (seriously, it was like an adoption as a 24-year-old), incredibly profound friendships, and a beautiful baby girl.

It's almost too much for me to process- how all of those things converged in one place over such a short time and how they will impact my life forever.

I think there's something to the concept of place. Something holy- at least between you and the Lord.

For me, like the song, the sun always shines bright on my Old Kentucky Home. And I'm forever grateful for all the ways my thirst was quenched by those days in the Bluegrass State.

Cheers.

And is it just me or do you have a holy place too?

Crazy Tiger Eyes

2011-10-07T10:39:00.003-05:00

For you, Cajun Tex. Shoutin' out to the LSU Tigers who are gonna put a whoopin' on the Florida Gators tomorrow.

Geaux.

It was egg-cellent

2011-10-06T21:32:00.003-05:00

There were bagels and cereal boxes and yogurt cups and cans of peas in the Revel's miniature and pretend grocery store. But Asher stuck with the eggs.

Seriously. He kept going back for the eggs. It's like he wanted to make the world's largest omelet.

Eggs, eggs. He loves eggs.

And I'll leave you with a shout out to Carpoolqueen.

~~Hatch~~ Have a nice day.

Remember when?

2011-10-03T22:59:00.002-05:00

John 5:17 " Jesus said to them, 'My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working.'"

There are many advantages of living within the context of a community of believers. You develop good and true friends. You have fun at football games and at the lake and at each other's homes. You pray together when things are hard and you rejoice together when things are good. But one of the most powerful things about community life is watching the Lord work in the lives of those around you. Watching the Lord lead your friends, seeing how He answers prayer, and having a front-row seat to watch His plan unfold in their lives is a really powerful way to know His faithfulness.

This past weekend, I was gifted with some time to spend with my dear friend Rendi. We didn't really set out to, but we ended up spending a lot of time recounting her story and how her story has intersected with my story and how they might even intersect in the future. Having been in close relationship with my friends Rendi and Josh and little curly cotton-topped almost-four-year-old Sanders since well before Sanders was born, I've learned their story really well. Not only have I learned it, but Jack and I have been privileged to be a part of it, to pray with them and to rejoice with them and serve God with them. When I think about it and when I think about how the Lord has led my friends so well in small and big ways, I can't help but breath praise to the One who is working- all the time- in and through those who say yes to Him.

He's always working.

He was working at the beginning of time. He was working before Abram had Isaac. He was working before David was crowned King of Israel. He was working before He came to be born in humility in Bethlehem. He was working on the Cross. He was working when He ascended to Heaven. He is working now. He is working in the small places that seem so insignificant. He is working in the grand and the overwhelming. He is working. He will be working. He never gets tired, He never sleeps, He never gives up. He will accomplish all He promises.

There are a lot of questions about what the future holds- for me, for my friends, and for you, but as we continue in the grace He gives us day by day, we can rest in the knowledge that our Savior is working.

Always working.

It's trite but true. Hindsight is 20/20. It's hard sometimes to be in the midst of life's uncertainties and to see what the Lord might be doing. But it's really cool to be able to tell our stories together and have those "Remember when?" moments. To testify again and again and to recount the Lord's provision and His strong and supremely good leadership together.

The Lord is always at work in the world and in our lives, but sometimes it may not seem like it. In the middle of our messes or our trouble or our apathy, we can't see it. We're so blind, so dull. But the good thing is that He gives us friends who come alongside us and help us remember.

Faith journeys are hard on your own. It's much better to have each other so that we can remind each other to remember to look back at what He's done, to look around at what He's doing, and to look forward to what He said He's going to do.

I'm so thankful that His plan includes an assembly of believers and not just us trying to make it on our own.

I'm so thankful that that's just one of the ways He works.

Purple and Gold

2011-10-02T22:16:00.000-05:00

We all went to the Tiger Party (who doesn't love a good Tiger Party?), but Rendi, Asher, and I hung back while Jack and Josh took Sanders and Zeke to the game as Anna Grace cheered from across the field with her BeBe and Pop Pop.

They only made through half-time (it was a long game, Zeke aptly noted), but so it was so good for these boys (big and small) and their fierce hearts.

We may have been wearing purple, but the love we shared with our friends?

It was pure gold.

Priceless.

Snips and Snails and Puppy Dog Tails

2011-10-02T21:32:00.001-05:00

Yep, that's what little boys are made of!

Minding our manners

2011-09-29T10:33:00.001-05:00

The first grade experience at Anna Grace's school includes a tea party aimed at learning to mind your P's and Q's. Anna Grace wore her Nana's white gloves, her friend Jesse's hat, and this particular dress because we've been reading of Anne of Green Gables and her affinity for puffed sleeves.

It was a great learning experience, but also one of the most adorable events I have ever witnessed.

There were white gloves, mom's high heels, pearls, fancy hats, over-sized coats, and all kinds of cute everywhere you looked.

They practiced being ladies and gentlemen.

They drank ~~tea~~ punch with pinkies up.

And then the piano drew them to the dance floor as the giggles commenced from both kids and parents alike.

Anna Grace, of course, thought it was the best thing since sliced bread. Truly, the event was as sweet as the punch and petit fours.

Here's hoping the lesson sticks.

"Manners are a sensitive awareness of the feelings of others. If you have that awareness, you have good manners, no matter which fork you use." Emily Post

Our Jubilation at Bistro Byronz

2011-09-26T22:03:00.000-05:00

Attention Shreveporters! (Shreveportians?)

On Monday, October 10th, from 5-9 pm, you have a chance to eat a delicious three course meal at the fantastic Bistro Byronz on Line Avenue for a great cause. Not only will it be delicious and fun, but 30% of the proceeds will go to the Rupp family for the adoption of the beautiful Jubilee Rupp!

So organize your girls night out or your family dinner or call up that friend you haven't connected with lately and make your reservation TODAY! And help me spread the word.

Not having to cook dinner on a Monday night and instead eating etouffee and a steak and bread pudding while supporting an amazing family adopt this precious little girl?

Yes and yes.

Please join us!

Hugging the family tree

2011-09-25T22:11:00.000-05:00

Parent-teacher conferences kept us out of school on Friday and because my youngest two children had never been, I called an audible and took a field trip to my family's land in Henderson, Texas- Dent since 1889.

Seeing as though Dent is my maiden name, you can imagine how much time I spent at my family's "farm" (think land, not animals) growing up.

Let's just say it was a lot.

The White House on a Hill: the house my grandfather built with his own two hands when he was 18 years old.

As we ran around a bit, I almost felt dizzy from all the memories that flooded my brain, especially watching my children run in those same fields that looked so different in a time that seems like ages ago.

Because I've found that taking pictures is very therapeutic for my heart and mind, I had my camera on hand. And when Anna Grace took to this old mirror we found, the sentiment was perfect.

It was almost like I was the blonde-tressed six-year-old looking in an old mirror- back into time.

I could almost make out my rosy-cheeked grandmother washing babies in the upstairs bathroom singing a song about keeping the bathroom "warm, warm, warm."

I could almost see the tractors pulling trailers full of people dressed in red, white, and blue followed by little girls waving little flags in stars and stripes swimsuits, fried chicken and potato salads adorning long tables and lawn chairs scattered everywhere.

I could almost see my sister and I rope swinging and gathering up Indian Paintbrushes for my Memaw and my mom.

I could almost see the Jeep bounding out of the woods and kids piling off like clowns from a clown car.

I could almost see the aunts and uncles snickering at the disjointed yet dramatic plays put on by giggling cousins on stage at Care Bear Lodge.

I could almost see my dad and my Paw Paw again.

I could almost see- almost- beyond the broken glass and the overgrown bushes- a family farm made new on a New Earth with a reunited family in the power of the resurrection.

It was really dim and clouded and certainly a daydream, but still, it was like I could almost see it...

1 Corinthians 15:22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.

Dent since 1889, eternity to come.