Emery - GooBoo

There are some things we need to get clear about Emery. First of all, she was SIX months old on Wednesday. And obviously - she's lots of fun. Here she is helping Beth and I scrapbook. She's in such a good mood, and was so helpful. Well, she WAS in a good mood and then Gigi tried to get in the picture. Really she loves me. Really.

Again - the hair. It's soft, it's blonde, it's flully. I love it.

She finds her feet when her socks are off. It's been so cold that hasn't happened all that much, but it's so cute when she makes a grab at them.

An no, she's not all that happy about tummy time. But it's getting better, and we get such cute pictures when she's on her tummy.

Emery Elizabeth - you're adorable. Oh I almost forgot - yes, Beth and Matt call her GooBoo.

I Had A Little Bit Of A Bad Day Yesterday

I had a little bit of a bad day yesterday - and not really BAD, just questioning, wondering, asking why kind of day.

Really there were some fun moments - I met Beth and Emery at Babies R Us and I held Emery while Beth bought diapers. I worked on a sewing project, planned out my lesson for Wednesday night (16 little whippersnappers - it's a big class). I cooked pizza and made a big salad. We watched Lost and I still feel a little lost about it all. I stayed up and finished Anne of Green Gables. So you see I actually had a pretty nice kind of day.

But my mind would not leave me alone with peaceful thoughts about babies, Bible class, pizza and TV shows. I kept thinking about the people of The Gathering/Karing Kitchen. What am I doing down there? Am I helping? Are we doing any good at all? Are people loving Jesus because of it all? Why do so many who come choose the same destructive behavior over and over? How do they live with all the sadness and struggle in their lives?

Pam - a single mom who has been in an abusive relationship for the last 3 years. Her boyfriend is in jail because he beat her, but she's saying things like, "He's really not so bad." And "I miss him." And "I wonder how he's doing?"

Sheila - got married a couple of weeks ago to a man she'd known for about 5 minutes. It's not her first marriage. Sigh. Why?

Regina - a crack addict who on Monday night said, "Miss Dana, you know I take drugs and I can't stop - don't you?" Yes I knew. She's got kids.

Mary Jane and Robert - a couple who have had their little daughter taken from them, and probably with good reason. But they miss her, mourn for her, and they don't get to see her. Their electricty is about to be cut off. Do I give them the $50 to keep the lights on?

Darryl - seemed really down Monday night. I know he struggles with depression.

Joy - a beautiful schizophrenic whose Honduran boyfriend was deported last week. He'd lived in the US for 14 years and was rounded up at work. She said to me, "He kept me sane! What am I going to do!!" I went to check on her Monday evening and she was watching movies with a "friend". How do I even begin to make a difference in her life?

The two tables of Hispanic men who come every Monday night. I really can't communicate with them, but they always smile and try to tell me thank you for the food. I know they're separated from their families and probably stand out on the corner at El Michoacan every day to get work.

These are just a few of the people that were on my mind yesterday. Don't get me wrong - there are many stories of faith and absolute victory that come out of The Gathering. But yesterday they would not leave me alone with all of their suffering, bad choices and neediness.

I let Greg have it at supper last night. What! Why! How! He listened patiently and said, "We're making a difference. It may not be obvious right now. But we have to love these people. We have to keep trying. We have to pray." I love him so much. I love the words that come out of his mouth. I love his positive attitude and reliance on the Holy Spirit.

So I guess I'll work on my attitude today.

Yee Ha - Camryn's First Birthday!

We celebrated Camryn Joy's first birthday last Saturday night. Sarah, Tyson and Camryn made the trip to Tyler and brought the party with them. Sarah decided on a Western theme and the creativeness (is that a word?) was pretty impressive. Yes, we live in Texas, but STILL.

First of all Sarah sent a cute invitation that said western wear was optional, so of course we all dressed western! Sarah made Camryn's little shirt from a bandana. So cute. Emery wore her cowgirl pink bow and bluejean skirt.

Tyson's grandmother, Momo attended. She didn't make her famous rolls, but we still let her stay. Sarah cooked for everyone. She made cowboy stew and cornbread. AND...

cupcakes. Chocolate cupcakes with cream cheese icing. And this picture doesn't do them justice, but she made chocolate toppers in the shapes of cowboy boots, the number one, and the state of Texas.

The table decorations were adorable. I now have this yearning for a pair of pink cowboy boots. They were so cute.Beth said that Greg's shirt was more "vaquero" and less cowboy.

We even played a game. Sarah made copies of the pictures that she had taken of Camryn month by month. They were all mixed up, and we had to put them in the correct order. It was the girls against the boys and yes, the girls won. But every couple got a little calendar with the pictures and notes on Camryn's accomplishments for that month. I love it!

Family picture time. Tim (Tyson's dad) borrowed this adorable pony from a friend. It looked so real and was motorized too! It neighed, turned it's head and batted it's eyelashes. Camryn loved it.

Time for presents - let's just say that she did ok. Emery and Beth got in on the fun.

Emery loves her Aunt Sarah.

Rice cereal - not cake - but she loved it and ate it all.

Camryn wasn't sure what to do with her cupcake, but she finally figured it out.

When we got home Greg said, "That was so much fun." And it really was. Happy Birthday Camryn Joy!

PS: Sorry about all the exclamation points, but I just can't help it!

My Feet are Frozen!

And my hands are too... because I don't have snow boots or good gloves! My goodness I live in Tyler, Texas and shouldn't need them, but today I sure do. Here are a few pictures from our walk this morning - our neighborhood has been transformed!

Pizza 101

Sarah and Tyson gave me a cookbook for my birthday (and an apron). Thank you Sarah and Tyson- it's titled The Pioneer Woman Cooks and this is my first from scratch pizza. You see usually I GO OUT to eat pizza, but I couldn't resist this pizza dough recipe and it was really easy. The times I made pizza at home in the past, I resorted to the canned stuff, but this was super easy - you just have to let it rise. It makes enough for 2 crusts, so I have one in the freezer (bonus).

Beth and Matt gave me a membership to Premier Gym which I LOVE, and I'm going to need even more if I keep eating stuff like Pioneer Woman pizza. Thank you!

I think I'm going to try the jalepeno poppers next - jalepenos looked pretty good at Super 1 today. This recipe involves cream cheese, bacon and you guessed it, jalepenos. Oh and more gym time.

Squash

Did you ever wonder what someone looks like when they take their first bite of squash? Well wonder no more because Emery is demonstrating it for you. Actually she finished off her squash and then ate a bowl of rice cereal!


Oh and here is Camryn with her first bite of cereal. This happened a few months ago - about six. She's a pro now and such a good eater.
These little girls are a constant source of fun and joy.