So we have this thing that we label husband and/or wife righteousness. A behavior that is brought forth to the spouse and presented as proof of righteousness (laundry, work, taking out the dog, back rubs, etc.) for us gets labeled husband or wife righteousness. Grounds for affirmation, appreciation, and reciprocation. It has proved helpful for us to have a label for this anti-gospel mentality. There are so many things that we want to claim credit for in marriage. We want to earn our own righteousness. This is out of step with the gospel. The gospel, one facet at least, is Christ ALONE for righteousness. Even in laundry, fixing dinner, sex, you name it. We so want to claim credit. FAIL.
Anything good comes from Him. Period. If I do laundry as an overflow of being served by Jesus first then I wouldn't dare grasp for the credit. I'd do it joyfully. Full. Not out of a cavernous soul that demands praise. Why in heaven's name would I need praise from my spouse when I have been so loved, so cherished, so graced?
Are you bristling yet?
Resist the bristle. You may get walked over. You may be under-appreciated. OR, you MAY just find, the display of the self-sacrificing, overflowing love and joy is translated as gospel. It may just resonate with the soul. Maybe not at first. But, I do believe, a joyful, non-begrudging back-rub preaches.
"But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For His sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, IN ORDER THAT I MAY GAIN CHRIST and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own thast comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteouness from God that depends on faith- that I may know Him..."
Phil 3:7-10
Monday, April 27, 2009
Friday, April 24, 2009
Creme de la creme Calder
Baby Calder Watkins was born on Monday afternoon. 7lbs, 1oz. Mark, Gracie, Michelle and I drove to visit the new little family on Tuesday evening. On the way there, God provided the most spectacular rainbow. Between Grace and Michelle there was no lack of praise, let me tell you. When God shows off you simply must respond.
The "hospital" was typical for Sarah. OUT OF CONTROL. I was ready to curl up in one of the rooms and never leave. The outside featured manicured gardens complete with surround sound nature music, bell tower, stacked stone edging and fountains. The lobby had a granite water wall feature, beautiful rugs, and receptionists wearing buttons that said "I prayed today." Seriously? We get to Sarah's "room" and there is a flat panel with HGTV on, Edibal arrangments galore, and an adorable black and white check glider. Where am I?! I spotted Sarah's "menu". No scheduled cafeteria meals to speak of. No, grilled talapia on a bed of mixed greens ordered whenever you are hungry. Can I get a percocet with that? Of course you can!
Sarah was so adorable. Calder was perfect. None of us wanted to leave.
Monday, April 20, 2009
BENJI
**UPDATE I am NOT ASIAN. Benji is a regular old white american. He is from Colorado (much of my extended family is) and graduated from BYU. I am NOT mormon.
I'm on a blog-o-roll ya'll. I just can't help but put this up on the blog. A year or so ago someone in our family alerted us to the reality that BENJI is a blood relative. Why not have a family member be a super pop music star in China?!
Here is a link to the youtube clip of his latest performance.
I'm on a blog-o-roll ya'll. I just can't help but put this up on the blog. A year or so ago someone in our family alerted us to the reality that BENJI is a blood relative. Why not have a family member be a super pop music star in China?!
Here is a link to the youtube clip of his latest performance.
cluster
Trace Adkins has taken over the Campbell household. Grace just yelled to Mark that she had gone poo-poo from upstairs indicating that she needed assistance wiping. Mark, of course, affectionately began to sing the chorus of the Trace Adkins song, You're gonna miss this. One of the things we are hoping to do is to write Grace a letter before John is born telling her all the things that we have loved and enjoyed about her over the last four years. I'm thinking the call for a wipe just might make it in.
Here is another ham-hock leg photo to add to my prideful self-loathing.
The ironic thing is that this was taken with the intention of taunting my sister with my fabulous reality at the time. Our gym has a roof top deck with an infinity pool. It is heavenly to sit up there. I fully plan on utalizing the 2 hour child care that accompanies a trip. I probably don't need to tell you that I've given up on the elliptical for the next six weeks till boy Campbell is born. Brown fat is prettier than white fat and so I shall park my dead weights poolside.
TJMAX pulls through yet again. I managed to procure a Petunia Pickle Bottom sling for $29.99, and a Macclaren stroller for $79.99. The sling alone retails for $91.00. The stroller is usually $115.00. I never used a sling with Grace, but for $29.99 I'm willing to try it out this go round. Here is the sling stretched out.
The stroller is a total non-essential. I have a rickety umbrella stroller, but this glorified version proves lighter, nicer, and it came with a rain cover. I mean, seriously. How would I have gotten by without that? The foam handles make maneuvering Bath and Body Works a piece of cake. Did someone just say cake? Anyway, speaking of the Bath and Body, you see another indulgence above. Liz and I were commenting why it is that you become a mom and then have trouble justifying pajama purchases. This set is to pack in my bag for the hospital. It is sobering when it occurs to you that NONE of your pajamas are suitable for public viewing. To my husbands disappointment perhaps, the reason is not because they are inappropriate for the right reasons. They are inappropriate for all the wrong reasons. Stains, holes, mismatched, ghetto. Most of the things in my drawer I've been wearing since college. Tragic. SO, I'm very pleased that I now have a coordinated, washed in Method Sqweeky Clean Baby wash set, folded and ready to pack for the hospital. Cause you know the doctors and nurses really care.
So we cut down a tree in our front yard. The vine bed was not enough for me, clearly. I needed to use a chain saw, a borrowed truck and some man power to further improve the landscape. I'm waiting on the weather to clear but have intention to lay some seed starter over the bare areas this week.
Last, and certainly least, is my PATHETIC lilac bush. The first year we moved in it was covered in blooms. This year, our tree is suffering. There seems to be no cure. If anyone knows anything about lilac bloom booster, please pass along the info. If you can't tell, there is one bloom cluster at the top.
Here is another ham-hock leg photo to add to my prideful self-loathing.
The ironic thing is that this was taken with the intention of taunting my sister with my fabulous reality at the time. Our gym has a roof top deck with an infinity pool. It is heavenly to sit up there. I fully plan on utalizing the 2 hour child care that accompanies a trip. I probably don't need to tell you that I've given up on the elliptical for the next six weeks till boy Campbell is born. Brown fat is prettier than white fat and so I shall park my dead weights poolside.
TJMAX pulls through yet again. I managed to procure a Petunia Pickle Bottom sling for $29.99, and a Macclaren stroller for $79.99. The sling alone retails for $91.00. The stroller is usually $115.00. I never used a sling with Grace, but for $29.99 I'm willing to try it out this go round. Here is the sling stretched out.
The stroller is a total non-essential. I have a rickety umbrella stroller, but this glorified version proves lighter, nicer, and it came with a rain cover. I mean, seriously. How would I have gotten by without that? The foam handles make maneuvering Bath and Body Works a piece of cake. Did someone just say cake? Anyway, speaking of the Bath and Body, you see another indulgence above. Liz and I were commenting why it is that you become a mom and then have trouble justifying pajama purchases. This set is to pack in my bag for the hospital. It is sobering when it occurs to you that NONE of your pajamas are suitable for public viewing. To my husbands disappointment perhaps, the reason is not because they are inappropriate for the right reasons. They are inappropriate for all the wrong reasons. Stains, holes, mismatched, ghetto. Most of the things in my drawer I've been wearing since college. Tragic. SO, I'm very pleased that I now have a coordinated, washed in Method Sqweeky Clean Baby wash set, folded and ready to pack for the hospital. Cause you know the doctors and nurses really care.
So we cut down a tree in our front yard. The vine bed was not enough for me, clearly. I needed to use a chain saw, a borrowed truck and some man power to further improve the landscape. I'm waiting on the weather to clear but have intention to lay some seed starter over the bare areas this week.
Last, and certainly least, is my PATHETIC lilac bush. The first year we moved in it was covered in blooms. This year, our tree is suffering. There seems to be no cure. If anyone knows anything about lilac bloom booster, please pass along the info. If you can't tell, there is one bloom cluster at the top.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
never got the chance
I never got the chance to post some of these pictures from Christmas. I know, lame. Mark preached this morning and mentioned the cabin and now he is teaching a community group training session so I have taken over his iphoto.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
I won!
I entered our church in a drawing on the LPM blog to receive a free DVD set. Our women's ministry budget is zero, and so we qualified for the scholarship. WELL, we won!! Leave it to Living Proof to wrap the package in pink paper. I knew I liked those ladies. We recieved the Measureless Love DVD. I had the privilege to hear this teaching live at a Living Proof Live event in Charleston WVA a year or so ago. I can't wait to share it with the ladies of Portico.
Friday, April 17, 2009
not attractive
Please, we are not spiraling into a pit. Don't worry.
Mark told me there was someone at the gym today who was wearing a tee shirt that said:
BREAD. THE OTHER WHITE MEAT.
Why would you ever wear that to work out in?
Mark told me there was someone at the gym today who was wearing a tee shirt that said:
BREAD. THE OTHER WHITE MEAT.
Why would you ever wear that to work out in?
i'm NOT making fun
In all fairness, I actually watched the entire TLC documentary. The second woman pictured here has a profoundly optimistic outlook on her situation. The first, not so optimistic. Mandy, a British world record holder, has huge legs. For some reason, recent pictures of my legs are also appearing gigantic. I don't feel like my legs are that huge, but apparently they are swollen or something?? The pictures don't lie. I know it is a normal part of pregnancy, but seriously, why the hugeness. I'm beginning to wonder if I am operating in complete denial and have been scandalously revealing my led weights publicly. I've received many "whoa" statements from strangers recently regarding my roundness. Plus, Dr.Wolanski told me to watch out for the carbs this morning.
Behold the reality:
Please do not comment and tell me my legs are not huge.
ALSO...Can someone PLEASE tell me why Mandy needs platforms??? Come on. I just took another glance at those shoes. One could only imagine that they must be custom made. Why the height increase? Now, THAT is something to comment on...
Behold the reality:
Please do not comment and tell me my legs are not huge.
ALSO...Can someone PLEASE tell me why Mandy needs platforms??? Come on. I just took another glance at those shoes. One could only imagine that they must be custom made. Why the height increase? Now, THAT is something to comment on...
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
you know you love this blog
I am continually amazed that anyone ever reads this blog. I mean that completely sincerely. I am a very strange person as it turns out. Evidence abounds. Here are some recent pictures of my whereabouts and doings of randomness.
Best Texas Sheet Cake of your life. The recipe was provided by one of my beloved community group sisters! Thanks, Jen!
La Cocina Del Sol, ya'll. This group of Jesus loving ladies closed down the place. I could eat Mexican every day. They shut off the light when we left. We had a complete blast, laughed our heads off, and are not too old to be planning our next get together...a sleepover, of course. We missed you, Louise and Ruth!
On the way back from Greenwood, SC for grandpa's funeral we stopped to get gas and I insisted on washing the windsheild. I hate when it is splatted and speckled. Mark thinks it is ridiculous and thus snapped an entire album of me with the sqwegee. We also recently traded in the CRV and got a little bit bigger car to tow Grace, boy Campbell and the dog. We got an amazing deal thanks to USAA's car buying services. If you are fortunate enough to be a USAA member, be sure to use their service next time you need a car. My sister tells me their home buying service is equally fabu. Gotta love the military.
Speaking of which, did anyone else love that song that Trace Adkins sang at the ACM awards? You can download the live version on itunes. I also downloaded Ladies Love Country Boys and the Badonkadonk song. You just have to like those songs.
We added an Asian to the mix!! We love you, Trang! All four of us are within a month of each other. There was concern that my shirt did not adequately expose my belly and that is what the one picture depicts. Sarah is expected boy Calder Watkins on April 29th, Trang is expecting baby Faith on May 3rd or 4th I think, Annie is expecting Isacc on June 11th, and baby John is due June 5th. It was a glorious day, two Friday's ago, and we feasted on grilled chicken over mixed greens balsalmic with toasted pecans, warm Sister Schuberts rolls, and the sheet cake listed above. We chatted about everything from our spiritual lives to those "cleansing bottles" they give you at the hospital post partum. Mark lasted about 45 minutes in the house before fleeing. The fourth belly was a bit too much to handle.
Why wouldn't I risk preterm labor on some unruly vineage that PAINS ME. This embankment has been haunting us for years now. We loathe it. I think I took the nesting instinct a bit too far and began ruthlessly tearing into it yesterday in the rain no less. Picture the sight. Make sure you picture me in Mark's old denim colored Nautica high water sweatpants and an oversized Carolina sweatshirt, high pony tail, no makeup. DISASTER. The worm was only fitting at that point. Grace was entertained for hours, yes hours, while mommy heaved and hauled the vines away.
I hate to conclude with the earthworm, but sadly no Easter pictures were taken of my darling four year old. I am going to stage some this week if the rain ever quits. Tragic. Mark is in the process of fundraising for our new digital Canon SLR. Indeed.
No time to re-read, not that it would help.
Best Texas Sheet Cake of your life. The recipe was provided by one of my beloved community group sisters! Thanks, Jen!
La Cocina Del Sol, ya'll. This group of Jesus loving ladies closed down the place. I could eat Mexican every day. They shut off the light when we left. We had a complete blast, laughed our heads off, and are not too old to be planning our next get together...a sleepover, of course. We missed you, Louise and Ruth!
On the way back from Greenwood, SC for grandpa's funeral we stopped to get gas and I insisted on washing the windsheild. I hate when it is splatted and speckled. Mark thinks it is ridiculous and thus snapped an entire album of me with the sqwegee. We also recently traded in the CRV and got a little bit bigger car to tow Grace, boy Campbell and the dog. We got an amazing deal thanks to USAA's car buying services. If you are fortunate enough to be a USAA member, be sure to use their service next time you need a car. My sister tells me their home buying service is equally fabu. Gotta love the military.
Speaking of which, did anyone else love that song that Trace Adkins sang at the ACM awards? You can download the live version on itunes. I also downloaded Ladies Love Country Boys and the Badonkadonk song. You just have to like those songs.
We added an Asian to the mix!! We love you, Trang! All four of us are within a month of each other. There was concern that my shirt did not adequately expose my belly and that is what the one picture depicts. Sarah is expected boy Calder Watkins on April 29th, Trang is expecting baby Faith on May 3rd or 4th I think, Annie is expecting Isacc on June 11th, and baby John is due June 5th. It was a glorious day, two Friday's ago, and we feasted on grilled chicken over mixed greens balsalmic with toasted pecans, warm Sister Schuberts rolls, and the sheet cake listed above. We chatted about everything from our spiritual lives to those "cleansing bottles" they give you at the hospital post partum. Mark lasted about 45 minutes in the house before fleeing. The fourth belly was a bit too much to handle.
Why wouldn't I risk preterm labor on some unruly vineage that PAINS ME. This embankment has been haunting us for years now. We loathe it. I think I took the nesting instinct a bit too far and began ruthlessly tearing into it yesterday in the rain no less. Picture the sight. Make sure you picture me in Mark's old denim colored Nautica high water sweatpants and an oversized Carolina sweatshirt, high pony tail, no makeup. DISASTER. The worm was only fitting at that point. Grace was entertained for hours, yes hours, while mommy heaved and hauled the vines away.
I hate to conclude with the earthworm, but sadly no Easter pictures were taken of my darling four year old. I am going to stage some this week if the rain ever quits. Tragic. Mark is in the process of fundraising for our new digital Canon SLR. Indeed.
No time to re-read, not that it would help.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
back flip
I learned at grandpa's funeral that he once did an unannounced back-flip at age 70 something. How could you not love that? Everyone was just sitting around and grandpa with his round tummy and bird legs climbed the ladder, went to the edge of the diving board, turned around, and did a back flip! I took such delight in hearing that story for the first time this past weekend.
Here is a picture of Grandpa with 4 of his great-granddaughters. At the time of his passing, he had 5 great-granddaughters and one great-grandson on the way. He will be missed!
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
heavy hearted
Grace and I finished the day off today at morningside assisted living. Our beloved community group rallied together in order to be a blessing to some elderly people in our area. It went well, I suppose. Mark did not go with us tonight. An hour or so before we were slated to be there his grandfather passed away. Needless to say, the last place he wanted to be was an assisted living center. The funeral is scheduled for this weekend. This will be such a complex week for us. Sweet Gracie will be twirling about filled with all the joy and delight of Easter Sunday, while funeral plans are being shared. Grace has been pining away over her Easter dress, basket, etc. for weeks now. We feel blessed to be able to comfort family this week, though we will greatly miss Easter at Portico. I'm so glad that Jesus is not confined to a time or a place. We are asking to sense His presence with us all week long.
May you and your family have a blessed Easter. Sunday is coming!!!
May you and your family have a blessed Easter. Sunday is coming!!!
Monday, April 6, 2009
delight
It says:
The blossoms of spring wildflowers, butterfly violets & honeysuckle with a teeny bit of apple, lemon & mint, so gentle for you and your little one. Shh, the baby’s sleeping...
At $4.99 I could not resist this delightful spritz. I have long been a fan of Mrs. Myers cleaning products, but this baby line is new. I highly recommend! This is the freshening spray. Think all-natural Febreez.
The blossoms of spring wildflowers, butterfly violets & honeysuckle with a teeny bit of apple, lemon & mint, so gentle for you and your little one. Shh, the baby’s sleeping...
At $4.99 I could not resist this delightful spritz. I have long been a fan of Mrs. Myers cleaning products, but this baby line is new. I highly recommend! This is the freshening spray. Think all-natural Febreez.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
primordial dwarf at dance class
This is for real. My husband needs to be stopped. His commitment to blog-worthy photos has crossed the line. Please tell me HOW IN HEAVEN'S NAME he was able to inconspicuously snap this picture??
So there was a legitimate primordial dwarf at Grace's dance class the other day. Evidently, there are only 100 in the world! The small little boy on the chair is actually 4 years old. He was incredible!! One of the other moms was watching him for a friend. Needless to say, he captivated everyones attention and interest.
Other than the photo, please know that our hearts were totally touched by this amazing little guy. I cannot even imagine what it would be like to have a child like this. We were so blessed to see him so confident and able to interact with the other kids. What a great friend too, for that lady to watch him and feel comfortable taking him around town. Unreal.
So there was a legitimate primordial dwarf at Grace's dance class the other day. Evidently, there are only 100 in the world! The small little boy on the chair is actually 4 years old. He was incredible!! One of the other moms was watching him for a friend. Needless to say, he captivated everyones attention and interest.
Other than the photo, please know that our hearts were totally touched by this amazing little guy. I cannot even imagine what it would be like to have a child like this. We were so blessed to see him so confident and able to interact with the other kids. What a great friend too, for that lady to watch him and feel comfortable taking him around town. Unreal.
free range
Pregnant girl is out of control. I totally caused an entire dozen of eggs to crash to the ground at Whole Foods the other day. My adoring and compassionate husband responded with cat like reflexes and captured the embarrassing moment on the iphone. He really cares about my blog, ya'll. The real sadness is that I was not embarassed. Instead, awkward and irritable hormonal girl pointed to the cracked dozen and told the employee that the wreckage was an illustration of my life. Why did I feel the need to say that?
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Memorize it
A blog can be helpful to the sluggish. The Lord has been asking me to deliberately memorize scripture for, I'm not kidding, literally years now. I cannot believe that He has been so patient. In my natural ability I am terrible at self-discipline. It takes a lot for me to commit to something and follow through. So, I'm enlisting my own help with blog-accountability. You post it, you own it.
Here goes:
"But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many." Mark 10:43-45 ESV
My memory helps:
great-servant
first-slave
Jesus serves
Here goes:
"But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many." Mark 10:43-45 ESV
My memory helps:
great-servant
first-slave
Jesus serves
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