It's called "Lurking"

To you dear ones, (you know who you are ;) who are popping in on the blog to see 'what's up' with the McNamaras in MT and not leaving comments, they have a word for what you do in the blog-world. It's called 'lurking'. And all you have to do to come out from under that label, is leave a comment...:)
It's really easy... come on, give it a try! Here is your invitation. Just say Hi, stopped by. Or Ha-Ha, that one made me laugh. Or, Hey, we love ya! Anything! :)
Oh, you know I am just kidding. I don't want to give anybody an anxiety attack that is uncomfortable leaving a comment. So, go ahead and lurk, I don't really mind. But feel free to surprise me sometime!
Love ya!
XOXO

Have mercy...

warning to my sweet friends here in MT, Vicki and Jamie, you may not want to read this one... I love you bunches! xoxo

Last night we were looking through pics emailed and I said to John, honey we need to go home. And he said, I know.

We are so over this moved away thing. Lord, help us! We wanna go home!

Now I know (and you know) that doesn't mean we start packing boxes tomorrow. What it does mean I am not sure. I don't think John is exactly sure either and that is probably why I get the impression he doesn't really want to talk about it with me. Possibly because I did a little tiny excited shiver shake with just my arms and hands while we were lying in bed drifting off to sleep last night. Possibly because the last comment I made to him was, 'Maybe we could put the house on the market in the Spring?'. And I don't think he really answered, he just sort made a sound, which at the moment I took as affirmation, but maybe it was more of a "Oh, no, here she goes..." kind of a moan. Or maybe I made one more comment after that one about it probably being a good time to buy in Boise because of where the market is there.

SO, I commit to you now, not to harrass my husband to the point of driving him crazy... only to the point of getting him to move us back! :)JK...no, I'm not. Haha!

No, really, I don't know what that means timeline-wise. Only God knows. At one point John said for us to move back he would need a job and a house for us there. Obviously, right? So, there is a direction for prayer. A job and a house in the Boise area. And... for patience for me. :)

Love you all!

xoxo

Birthday Lists...

Well, we have made up a calender and are counting down to the girls' birthdays, and they are coming up fast. I thought you might like to read their lists. The list- making was inspired by Jacob when his crept up on us. So, Ellie got right on the bandwagon(her birthday is Aug 23rd) and pretty soon Nate was in on it (even though his isn't 'til December, what the hey, right?). Phoebe decided she better make one too (her 6th birthday is Aug. 13th). However, when I found out that she had a kitty on her list I was afraid she might not grasp the fun, wonder-ment and w-i-s-h-fulness of a birthday list. So, we talked about how the list is for helping people with ideas and some things you might not get but is is mostly for fun anyway. She was very upset to find that her wishlist wasn't more of a grocery list where you put things on the list that you want/need and people get the things for you and when she heard she would probably not get a kitty, she crumpled up her list and threw it away! So, I will have to do some brain-storming for you there... but first, I will share Ellie's list with you;

*Heelies, or walmart's Spinners, shoes with wheels, you know.

*Easy Bake Oven

*Butterfly House from commercial

*Butterfly net

*Games

*A real baby cat (here is one of the WISHlist items, please do not consider :)

*Puzzles

*and more soap making supplies

and yesterday we had a chat about how she would like to take a dance or gymnastics class. I asked her what she thought about putting that on her list so that instead of some of the gifts, people might just pitch in towards a unitard and a class. She was very up for that and would really like to take a class. SO there you go!

Also, she has requested that we have separate parties this year, she said she would like to have a cake of her own with just her name on it. Sounds fair doesn't it? She said she talked to Gran about it on the phone and she understands. I said well, of course she does and I do also. So, separate parties it is!Oh! And this morning I was receiving instructions/requests for the party. Could it be a surprise party? Where will the gifts go? Will there be streamers and balloons? Can the people hide the presents and could the people hide? Did you put my birthday list on the computer yet?

okay, so now I am a little anxious about my going- to- be- 8 year old's birthday this year. I hope it is up to her expectations!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Now for The Pheebs...

she likes games, she likes notebooks and pens, stuffed animals, hats. She loves to ride her bike, maybe stuff for her bike, like a basket and bell, a flag. Maybe outside stuff, like a fun sprinkler, kids yard tools, etc.

Love to you ALL!

XOXO

"Two shakes..."

me: "Jacob, you are about two shakes from trouble."
Jacob:"Are the two shakes strawberry?"

I l-o-v-e it when they dissolve the problems with their humor!

I Made My Son Laugh Last Night!

I thought of a couple of other funny titles for this post but this one takes it because its the best part of the story!

Thursday night I made a dinner like I should every night, turkey breast, potatoes (cheated with a box of instant sour cream and onion, but hey, give me a break), rice, corn. My husband was happy. Then last night, (stay with me here!) we planned to ride our bikes to meet John at the snow shack when he was off work. So we were sitting there eating our pink, orange, brown (root beer flavored), and yellow (banana) snow and John says, what's for dinner? And I answered with a sigh(and a bit of a whiney voice), "I just made dinner last night." And (this is the best part!) Nate cracked up!

Why does this stand out to me? He is a generally fun-loving, witty, happy kid. He has been laughing and splitting his cute face with big smiles since he was a month old! But, we are seeing many signs of him entering the frightening teen years (this December he will be 13), surliness, defensiveness, causing trouble with his siblings, argumentative...okay I will stop, I am sure I already crossed a line there and lost some of your sympathies to his defense! He is a precious, great kid and I exalt in the glimpses I see of his heart. Which brings me full circle to the reason for this post... I love his sweet smile and laugh, and I, myself, get the kudos for bringing a chuckle out of him. It was great! Just wanted to share that with you!
Love you!
Adrian ~xoxo!

Dad, you should fire yourself.

Upon finding out that Dad was headed back to work after lunch and he wouldn't be able to join us bikeriding to the children's matinee, Phoebe, in her great 5 year old wisdom says, "Dad, you should fire yourself so you can come with us!"

Aaah, the wisdom of the young....

NOGS

At the beginning of the summer, I read a post on Beth Moore's blog, www.livingproofministriescom, about an idea for Victory over the summer months in a Bible study called, No Other Gods, by Kelly Minter. (click on the title of this post to get to her site)
The idea is to create a casual, safe environment for women to share, be encouraged and be led into closer relationship with the Lord. So, we share some yummy food, a little dessert, light a pretty candle kick off our shoes and open our hearts. I was totally up for this! Our house lends itself to it and though I am not a good cook, I do have the desire to offer up something pleasing to eat and walk through a good study with some other women. So, I put the word out to the women I have met here in MT in the last year and a half, got the word back from several and ordered some books!
We have met three times now, food eaten together, candles lit and thoughts shared. Good stuff. This study is precious. It is about making room for God. Looking honestly through the heart and letting the Holy Spirit lead in what we have made an idol out of, things we have given place to that belongs to God alone. Being freed of it and giving God all of the praise and worship He deserves and requires.
So, there. I just wanted to share this neat thing that God is doing and recommend this study if you need a recommendation or have the opportunity to join it.
Love and prayers!
xoxo~Adrian

Quote from the movie "P.S. I Love You"

"This is my one and only life...and its a great and terrible, short and endless thing. And none of us come out of it alive. "

Summer camp!

My babies got back from camp today! Nate was a junior counselor, Ellie and Jacob had their first year as campers! I got to hear about all kinds of fun. Blast! And next week Nate goes as a camper to youth camp. My children are getting bigger and we are entering a new stage. Its exciting!
Phoebe got to play only child this week. She was sad at first, but then she said she liked being an only child but not forever. Good times!

More fun in the summer...
dear friends are without a doubt treasure beyond measure. Even more deeply appreciated when you are far from family. Dear friends with a pool... BONUS! John grew up swimming in the sweet Swansons pool, those friends that become family. And we have made friends like that here in MT. And now those friends, the Banta's, have put in a pool! :) There was swimming in the fourth and bbq and fireworks and homemade ice cream. I think that pretty much covers it, eh?!

Summer Updates...

Well, sweet friends and family,
this one may be power-packed!
~A funny first:
Jacob walks through the room while I am working out to a dvd and the girl on it says something about glutes. He asks what are glutes? And I said its your behind, the muscles of your behind. And he replies, "T.M.I"

So far this summer 'break', we have had Jacob's baseball games, Vacation Bible school, Jacob had basketball camp and now the older three are at church camp this week and Nate will go for youth camp next week. We also continue to have our friends' little sweet 5 month old, Aliese, two days a week. We are having bike rides often b/c Phoebe was more than ready to have hertraining wheels off and John finally had moment to remove them and take about five minutes to get her off and riding her two-wheeler on two wheels! So now we can take real bike rides. We rode downtown for the parade on the fourth of July, and one day Nate and I rode all over town to his school and John's work and stopped in for a frozen coffe drink, too! :)
So, a fun-packed summer so far!

And on a different note,
my sister had her mastectomy. It went well. Lymph nodes were clear and genetics test negative. And beyond that, what can be said? A difficult thing... and no matter what we all try to offer in words or actions to give comfort and encouragement and sympathy, it is a lone journey of sorts. Even to talk to others who have gone through it, still she must walk her own way through it. I see only prayer as a real thing to offer, only the Lord knows us to our core. Only He can give healing to our souls and comfort to our hearts. And so I pray, Jesus, our Comforter, the all- knowing God, You alone give peace that surpasses understanding, may Your perfect will be done and may she receive comfort and healing body and soul from You, Lord. In Your strong Name I pray, Amen.

And lastly, my birthday is the springboard for our family's birthdays each year, and so we are off! :) I had my 36th birthday and it was good! Although I don't know where the last 8-10 years went, I am glad to be here and feeling good. God is gracious and merciful. He has been faithful and ever so patient to continue the work He started in me so many years ago. My heart is at peace, I have been excercizing to be and feel healthy since February and I have made a bit of progress. Long term goals and yet living my life with intention and an appreciation for the here and now. I have been blessed, as I think it is Martina McBride sings.

So, that is enough of an update!
Thank you for stopping in! Would love to hear from you! Praying God's blessings on you. Love, Love, Love!
Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and present you before His glorious presence without blemish with great joy. To the only God our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power and authority forever and ever, Amen!