Mud House

There is now a Mud House in Crozet, ya'll! It's fabulous! Tonight Mark and I grabbed a coffee date. We took in the knotty pine wide plank floors, white painted punch tin ceiling, exposed brick, iron chandeliers, cozy chocolate brown leather chairs, and the best lattes of your life. Complete delight!

coffee and corona

Perhaps not the most ideal post to follow the Tozer quote, but nonetheless real. As I tidied up the nursery this evening I happened to take downstairs a coffee cup and a corona bottle. Both beverage containers sat next to one another on the end table sitting right beside the glider where I nurse the baby. I'm not saying it's right or wrong it just is what it is ya'll. My glider is the backdrop for much of my reality these days. Believe it or not, I often take in a sermon or two.

That's all. I made myself laugh at least.

not even chief of all treasures

"Whoever seeks God as a means toward desired ends will not find God. The mighty God, the maker of heaven and earth, will not be one of many treasures, not even chief of all treasures. He will be all in all or He will be nothing. God will not be used. His mercy and grace are infinite and His patient understanding is beyond measure, but He will not aid men in their selfish striving after personal gain. He will not help men to attain ends which, when attained, usurp the place He by every right should hold in their interest and affection."

A.W. Tozer

things i'm loving

John, at one month old, you...

- weigh 11 lbs! The doctors say you are thriving. You are a voracious little eater! I am thankful that you didn't have any trouble nursing as that can be a real challenge. You eat every three hours like clockwork.

- You fell asleep in your tub. What baby does that? As soon as you felt the warm water it so relaxed you that you shut your eyes and fell asleep. We were laughing at you and thought you were so adorable.

- You could take or leave a pacifier. Your sister was obsessed with hers so we are delighted that you aren't so freakshow with the pacy.

- You have slept one 7 hour stretch, two 6 hour stretches and you regularly sleep for two 4 hour stretches at night. We are so thankful. Mostly, I am so thankful because I am the one who gets up with you.

- You frequently make a great big smile in your sleep. I never remember Grace doing that. It is so adorable. I can't wait until you smile when you are awake. It won't be long!

- You are really strong. You can already hold your head really well and you don't mind tummy time.

- Your newborn hair is just starting to come out. I'm guessing by 4 months you will be all blonde.

- I just love you to pieces. You are such a little laid back joy and delight.

the lovable wife revisited

So, Mark never got around to providing me with his "list" of characteristics that make for an easy to love wife. No matter....

Has anyone else noticed that trying to be a more lovable wife made you no more lovable? I sure did. I felt certain that the Holy Spirit was prompting me to ask myself if I was easy to love. However, upon concluding that at times I am NOT easy to love I set out to make the change.

FAIL.

The easy to love wife is one who isn't trying to make herself lovable. Though she may succeed for a season she will undoubtedly slip back into the autopilot of disrespect or end up boasting in her self-righteousness. I'm convinced that the truly easy to love wife is one who is IN love with the One and Only, Jesus Christ. When her efforts are directed not at self-improvement, but rather, toward finding Him and abiding in Him she can trust that whatever fruit develops will be of the Spirit and bring glory to God.

Matthew 11:28-30

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

product love

I am a huge fan of this product line. The all-purpose cleanser lasts forever when mixed with water and used as a counter-top spray. I just replaced my ginger pompeo with the sea salt neroli. I love the stainless steel spray, too. It creates a film over stainless surfaces that discourages finger prints and smudges. They carry the entire product line at the cooking store at the Main Street Market, and Happy Cook. A must-have, ya'll.

It's ALL FOR ME!!!!

This is so my daughter. Thank you Aunt Haley and Uncle Toad!

Happy Birthday of July!

capture it

On June 13th, eight days after John Hawken was born, the Campbell family got together to take some pictures. The last time we were all together was in Hawaii for Christmas 2006. Mark's brothers are both pilots in the AF so we were thrilled that they could both be off and able to visit at the same time here in VA. Our friend Anna took some great pictures.

Revelation Song

Praise can change your day. Check this out.