stubborn

Yes, my sweet girl is a little bit stubborn. No. Correction. She is very stubborn (even though she is sweet, huggable, and oh so cute).

Here she is below in the car, sucking on her thumb because she is tired. Maybe she knew mommy would take her to the park later in the afternoon, since she resolved to skip her afternoon nap.

"Peekaboo, Mommy."
If you look closely, you may even be able to see her hair sticking to her forehead. It was in the 90s yesterday. Taking Abigail to the park when it is that hot is purely selfless and shortlived:)

Parenting certainly keeps me on my knees. It most reminds of my own stubborn heart and my desperate need of grace. In my study of Isaiah right now, I have been struck by the self-reliance of Israel and Judah - their pride and arrogance strikes close to home - which is quite alarming. I daily drift towards pride and self-reliance - the do it on my own mentality. I confess that I rarely turn to the Lord first when I encounter struggles and strife. It usually takes falling on my face to get me on my knees.

So I was very much encouraged this week by chapter 9 this week.

"But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulon and Napthtali, but in the latter time has has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.

The people who walked in darkness

have seen a great light

those who dwelt in a land of deep

darkness,

on them has light shined.

You have multiplied the nation;

you have increased its joy;

they rejoice before you

as with joy at the harvest,

as they are glad when they divide the spoil....

For to us a child is born,

to us a son is given;

and the government shall be upon his

shoulder,

and his name shall be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of his government and of peace

there will be no end,

on the throne of David and over his

kingdom,

to establish it and to uphold it

with justice and with righteousness

from this time forth and forevermore.

The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do

this." -- Isaiah 9:1-3,6-7

What a picture of grace! Zebulun and Naphtali were a part of the self-reliant tribe of Israel who had "pride and arrogance of heart" (Is 9:9). God judged their arrogance, pride and self-reliance (Isaiah 9 -10:4), but he didn't leave them forever. He leaves them with hope - a light that pierces the darkness - Jesus of Nazareth. So my prayer this week is that I would spend time on my knees, asking for God's daily grace in my life. I need this light that pierces the darkness. I desire to depend on the Lord and allow His peace to guard my heart and mind in Christ Jesus. May I truly know and fellowship with the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. And I pray the same for you too.

finally!!!

Another tooth has arrived! And I can see three more about to pop through, which explains the missed nap today...

So we went out shopping and then spent an hour at the park. Swinging lasted about two minutes and the bouncy animals about one minute. We literally spent most of the hour going down the slides. She would say, "More slide!" and happily trot off to the steps to go down the big slide again.

So, I think before long, we'll be at the end of her toothy grins, at least for a couple of more years.

I love this sweet face!

and I love her "cheesy" smile too:)

Meanwhile, my hubby is working in West Texas at an oil show this week, so us girls are living it up here in Houston. Today we had my "Transforming Women" Bible study at church - so encouraging and awesome. Tomorrow we have BSF, lunch with a friend, and an "Alias" date with another friend in the evening (well at least I do -- the littlest lady will be in bed, I hope). So we're keeping pretty busy, as usual. And when we have times of quiet and girl time, we've been filling our home with the melodies of Keith and Kristyn Getty, who we got to see in concert on Sunday night. The kids album in in the CD player in the house, and their new CD, "Awaken the Dawn," is in the car. Soul satisfying and delightful.

a step...

...in the right direction...

i hope.

personality

Fall routines...

We've fallen into a good Fall routine here in Houston. It's beautiful outside - cool enough again to actually enjoy being outdoors. Last week, we walked down by the bayou every evening. And Abigail and I made our first trip to the park in a great while, celebrating the fact that I can actually stand outside comfortably! She loves the slides and swings and is brave enough to go down the big slides all by herself.

On Friday we went to our local Greek Festival with our friends, John and Jaclyn. I don't think I could ever turn down Greek food. Yum! And Abigail would have eaten all of my baklava if I had let her:)

Jaclyn "Jacky" and John are such a blessing in my life. I daily thank the Lord for Jaclyn, someone who I can laugh, cry and be a goof with.

my handsome hubby and beautiful little girl...

"Daddy, you have big shoes to fill!"
I am in a bit of a daze today because I'm fighting off a cold. I figured I would blog while Abigail fell asleep. And now I'm off to make some homemade bread and take a nap myself.

20 months

Thank you Lord...

for the headache.

Yes. Last night I had a terrible headache. I ended up turning off the movie I was watching and crawling into bed at 8:30. Four hours later I awoke to the ringing of my phone; Rodney was calling letting me know he'd touched down in Houston.

God knew I was going to need that recharge of sleep because Abigail is sick and had a rough night and Rodney was coming home off of a four hour night of sleep the day before and a 19 hourish day. So when I was up every hour or so listening to Abigail coughing and up at 4am taking care of a miserable little girl, I could rejoice and thank God for my rest and presence of mind!

Thank God for headaches! And I'm going to keep praying that my little girl feels better soon.