Jireh

We are coming off of one very full but very refreshing weekend! Our discipleship training school met all day Saturday and Monday night, and Sunday brought the regular morning church service and the bonus of the World Mandate Tour that night.

Along with another couple, we went to World Mandate last year, and I attribute it to being an important catalyst for changing the way I see God. It was that amazing! This year, because of some scheduling conflicts, the conference moved to September. Thankfully, they decided to do several mini-versions this month in various locations, and Norman was one of them. It definitely has us excited for the full-blown event later this year!

The teachings and the worship were highlights of the weekend, but one moment in particular was the sweetest of all. Levi's favorite song is "Jireh," written by Jonathan Gulley. We know this because it is literally the only song that relaxes him and frequently puts him to sleep. This is funny because if you listen to the song, you'll quickly realize that it's no lullaby!

We love the song, too, and I love watching Gib sing it to his son, who is cradled in his arms, slowly losing the battle with sleep. We sing it in church service sometimes, as well as in our training school. Every time it's sung, everyone goes wild, which is so fun. I imagine that Levi heard it enough during my pregnancy that it's comforting to him.

Well, Jonathan Gulley was in town this weekend to teach on Saturday and attend the events on Sunday. Our pastor called him on stage Sunday morning to sing Jireh, and the place went absolutely nuts - it was a blast! We had the chance to introduce Levi to him, and I know it may sound silly, but it was one of those moments that really moved me. Perhaps it's knowing how life-giving the song is, as I love the lyrics and the song itself. Perhaps it's because we got a firsthand experience to hear Jonathan teach, and know how genuine his heart is. But whatever the case, it made for a very sweet moment.

Jonathan shared that the song was written very quickly - that it was one of those songs that just came from the heart as they were preparing for a trip to Africa. He laughed because as a pastor, he has spent considerable time writing sermons and songs, and yet this song is the one everyone remembers. Of course, it was funny for him to hear that it put infants to sleep!

I wish I'd had my camera for the big introduction, but nonetheless, here is our little frog-outfitted boy ready to head to the World Mandate Tour:

Here's to you, Mr. Robinson and Hey Jude!

I couldn't resist the song references - it's been such a fun day!

Two of our good friends gave birth to a simply precious baby boy, Jude. I'm glad to have another boy baby in the mix of lots of girls! We got to visit them in the hospital today, and let me just say, this woman was made for birthing kids. The Lord blesses her with some amazing labor testimonies, and she just has this glow about her.

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Three years ago, some great friends of ours set off for Boston in pursuit of a Ph.D. We've known for years that Chris was brilliant, but now it's official - he's Dr. Robinson! We are so excited for both him and Joanna, knowing how hard they've worked for this. We selfishly hope that this achievement means that they'll be moving back to the Midwest, at least within driving distance!

In addition to getting to celebrate the new doctor, we also got to meet their beautiful daughter. She and Levi are one week apart, and I think they are already good friends after tonight. Here's a series that demonstrates our active little guy along with the pretty lady:

Finally, a fairly still photo. Isn't she a beauty?

Our little Mr. Wiggles has also discovered his tongue in the last two days, which is pretty much the most adorable thing ever (to us, at least). He rotates between sticking it out and blowing bubbles.

Happy weekend, everyone!

Crockpot goodness

I am the first to admit that I'm no gourmet chef. Instead, I prefer meals that are simple and budget-friendly, and hopefully healthy. I've always been a fan of the crockpot, but now that my hands are literally full with a cute little cuddlebug, I'm even more appreciative of the ability to throw some ingredients into one pot and have dinner ready hours later.

In case there are others out there like me, I feel it's my duty to pass on this recipe we tried tonight. What grabbed my attention was the fact that there are a mere SIX ingredients, with one of those being water. Not only was this dish simple, but it was delicious. I think even Susan Horan might appreciate me posting this one (hi, Suz!).

Crockpot Beef Stroganoff

1 lb. cubed beef stew meat (I used eye of the round steak instead.)

1 can (10.75-oz.) condensed golden mushroom soup

1/2 cup chopped onion

1 tablespoon Worchestershire sauce

1/4 cup water

4 oz. sour cream

In the crockpot (or slow cooker, as some would say), combine the meat, soup, onion, Worchestershire sauce and water. Cook on low for eight hours (or high for five). Stir in sour cream before serving.

It doesn't get any simpler than this! And it was tasty. We served ours over no-yolk egg noodles. I cooked this round on high, but I think next time I'll use the low setting, as some of my sauce stuck to the pot. Also next time, I'll double the recipe. This makes about four servings, but I like my crockpot meals to offer some leftovers.

Celebrating Aunt Kim

Happy birthday, Aunt Kim! Your gift should arrive soon... just a heads up that it likes to eat around 2:30 a.m and goes through approximately 15 diapers a day. Haha! I kid, I kid - we'd miss the little guy too much.

Aunt Kim has been part of the Team Park story from the very beginning. We shared floor space in the church in Greenwich Village in the summer of 2002. The room had a lone shower partitioned off in the corner, affording our group such little privacy that we resorted to entertaining ourselves with timed shower races to see who could shower fastest (to clarify: we showered individually!).

She was there when I walked through NYC barefoot after my brand-new J.Crew flip-flop fell on to the subway track, when Gib managed to get brown paint on the backside of his jeans and when the subtle sparks began flying between the two of us. In fact, she had an active role herself, telling me, on our last day in NYC, that she thought I was the kind of girl she could see her brother marrying and weeks later hitting "send" on the e-mail that led to our first date. We ended up being roomies later that summer for Project Transformation and she graciously couriered little gifts back and forth on her trips home. Since then, we've been mistaken for one another on more than one occasion.

After living the aloha life in Hawaii, we're fortunate to have her back in the same state. She is a great sister and friend to both of us.

Happy, happy birthday, KRP! We love you!

In addition, my Uncle Jimmy (who is now a GREAT-UNCLE in addition to also being a great uncle) celebrated a birthday this week, too. Happy birthday!

Two months!

GP and I have differing opinions of when to celebrate Levi's two-month birthday. I've been counting the weeks, so as of yesterday, he was eight weeks old, which equals two months, right?! Gib prefers to celebrate on the 22nd of each month, no matter which day it falls on. I think he is actually the correct one in considering how we celebrate birthdays in general. But, I'm going to split the difference and wish our Levi Blaze a happy two-month birthday today!

A well-known blogger I used to follow regularly wrote a newsletter to her eldest daughter each month. I always loved reading them, so I'm adapting that idea to my own blog. Here goes...

LBP,

So much has happened in the last month! You are one of the most alert babies we know, as you are constantly looking around intently with those big blue eyes.

We introduced you to a mobile in the last few weeks, and you are in heaven... so much so that we actually bought another one, so you have two! Your favorite one hangs over your changing table, and every time we put you down, whether you are crying or not, once we wind up the mobile, your entire face lights up. You smile and giggle and coo and wiggle like crazy, and we will stand there for ten minutes sometimes, continually winding that mobile just so we can watch you. The other mobile is on your crib, and it entertains you for twenty minutes at a time!

You have begun standing up on our laps in the last week, and once you figured out that you could do such a thing, it's about all you want to do when we are holding you. You still love to be held, though, and we love that about you.

As I type this, you are asleep on your daddy's stomach, and he is asleep on the bed. While you've come to recognize my voice, particularly when you are hungry, you most certainly know your daddy, too. He can put you to sleep more effectively than I can most of the time!

Your personality shines more and more each week, and we think you are going to be quite the little firecracker. Little did we know that your middle name might fit so appropriately from the very beginning!

Here you are with one of your besties, Miss CL, both of you captivated by the TV:

I know I say this every week, but time has flown. It's hard to believe you have been in our lives for eight weeks now. Happy two-month birthday, little guy!

Like father, like son

As if there is any question as to whose son this is, I present:

(Onesie created by another talented friend, Nurse Kayla!)

SAHM

Today was a momentous day, albeit bittersweet. Today, I said farewell to a great boss, a pretty posh corner office and a steady income. But today also means saying hello to spending my days with Levi, having more time to spend investing in relationships around me and getting to know more international students and families.

After five and a half years with the university, I don't think I would have predicted this day even a year ago. But, after considerable prayer and discussion, we know this is the right decision and we are pretty excited about this opportunity.

So today, I have become an acronym - a Stay At Home Mom, and I welcome all of the adventure that comes with it!