The book of James...

If I was forced to choose a favorite book of the Bible, it would be James. I really, really love reading in James. Even though I've read it many times, it never ceases to convict and encourage me.

Here's chapter one.... May it permeate your heart.
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James 1:1-27

Greeting to the Twelve Tribes

1 James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad: Greetings.

Profiting from Trials

2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

The Perspective of Rich and Poor

9 Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation, 10 but the rich in his humiliation, because as a flower of the field he will pass away. 11 For no sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat than it withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beautiful appearance perishes. So the rich man also will fade away in his pursuits.

Loving God Under Trials

12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. 16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. 18 Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first fruits of His creatures.

Qualities Needed in Trials

19 So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; 20 for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

Doers—Not Hearers Only

21 Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. 22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; 24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does. 26 If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless. 27 Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.

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I hope you read it all....
Now, will you leave a comment and tell me what your favorite chapter/passage/book is?

I love REI

I love REI for so many reasons. Here are 2 of the many.

1. They pay the bills (Sean works at HQ).
2. They have really great stuff.

Check out these new kids chairs we got for our upcoming trip to the Oregon Coast.... Seriously, do kids chairs get much cuter? And check out the chair models! Aren't they cute?!

My husband is a blogger!

How fun is this??

Sean decided to start his own blog and I'm so proud of it already!

Check it out here

Nice work babe!

More surprises in the backyard!

Look what we found in our backyard!! (and side yard and front yard.... uh oh)!

Reagan and I had a great time picking these this morning. And now we're enjoying them for lunch! The previous owners have left us many surprises in the backyard....

This surprise just happens to be really yummy!

I've waited THREE years for this...

From the moment I found out the precious little one in my belly was a girl, I have hoped she would share my love for dance. I started taking dance classes when I was 3 years old and didn't stop until college. Then... I got a little crazy and took another class in 2005-- Recital and all! If you've ever had a passion for something, then you know what I'm talking about... you get excited watching it and the adrenaline rush you experience when you actually get to participate in indescribable. This is how I feel about dancing. I grew up in the dance studio... taking ballet, tap, jazz, pointe and lyrical. I have participated in more classes, performances and competitions than I can count. My parents were so incredibly supportive and I know they sacrificed a ton of time and money to let me enjoy dance. Dancing brings me more joy than I can explain. (This would also help explain my obsession with this show.)

I can only hope that my children feel this way about something in their lives. And, of course, I would be thrilled if Reagan felt this way about dance. Goodness knows, she has it in her blood!

Anyhow... all that to say.... TODAY was Reagan's very first dance class. Seriously, I could have cried. She did very well for her first time. She got distracted at times (I have that problem too :) ), but all in all, she did fantastic! The look on her face as she sprinted to the lobby to see me after class made it all worthwhile. She absolutely LOVED it!

Here are some pictures from her class... (Sorry for the poor quality, I was taking the pictures through a glass door... I felt a little like the paparazzi)

The Cake Smashing!

Today was Ian's first birthday party. He had a great time! His (and our) favorite part was the cake smashing event. We thought he might do a really good job at this... and we were right. He was a happy boy! Reagan had a great time too-- she was so excited for her brother's birthday party!

Nice work Bubby!








You're really going to let me do this???








The cake in the hair is compliments of Aunt Lish... she was standing in front of him saying "Ian, where is your head??" Thanks, Wisha!



How did I do?




Okay... now can I have a bath?

Taking turns with cousin Tatum on the new fire truck toy!

Happy 1st Birthday Ian!!

One year ago today.... I was in labor... sort of.

I was having contractions... sort of.

Okay, so I had a weekly doctor's appointment (you know the kind... the going-every-week-during-the-last-month-of-your-pregnancy-until-the-baby-decides-to-come appointment) on the morning of June 8, 2006 at 9:30. When our doctor "checked" me (fun), I was already dilated to 5 cm. Okay, so apparently I was in labor.... again, sort of. The doc called over to the hospital to see if there was room for me to just head over and have a baby... seriously, can he make it sound any easier? Anyhow... there was room at the hospital so they let me come and check in. Sean and I had gone to our appointment that morning with our hospital bags packed and in the car... hoping something like this would happen.

So I checked in and started to get settled. A nurse came in and I asked her if it was too early to tell her I would be wanting an epidural... ;)

Yes, I want the epidural. Make it snappy.

Not so long story short, Ian was born a quick 3 1/2 hours later at 1:59 pm weighing 7 lbs 15 ounces and 20.75 inches.

We picked his name for a number of reasons... "Ian" comes from the same Irish root as "Sean" (daddy) and therefore have the same meaning-- "God is Gracious"

Sean got to choose Ian's middle name. "Charles" was my maternal Grandpa's name-- he was a fun-loving man with a wonderful sense of humor. We miss him very much. It was an emotional moment in the delivery room when Sean told me he had chosen "Charles". My Mom and Grandma were there which made it so special. On an extra special note-- he was born on my Grandparents wedding anniversary... it was the perfect choice.

This picture is the moment Sean told me what his middle name was.

He is an amazing little boy... and he won me over immediately. He has this way about him... he can melt a heart instantly! And his dimples... oh my. He is so happy... crazy happy. He smiles almost all the time- and that means a lot coming from the one who is with him all the time. In fact, my dad once asked me-- "If you could guarantee that the next baby would be this happy, would you have another one?" He can light up a room and make strangers laugh with his hysterical facial expressions and sweet smiles.


Ian-- You are such a gift. An amazing, perfect, gift. We thank God daily for you and are so proud to be your parents. Just like your sister, I hope you read this one day and know that we love you unconditionally. Our prayer for you is to come to know Christ as your Savior-- your only Lord. Thank you for the joy you daily bring us... for the unending smiles and laughter. Thank you for showing us more of what God's love for us looks like.
We love you Bubby... more than you'll ever know.
Mommy & Daddy