Misc...

So, this is my strainer. Why? You ask? Because my mother used before me and she got it from her mother. You know? We don't have many things like that, I don't think most people do anymore. So, I love it. I use it often and I love to wonder of the stories it could tell of thousands of dinners passed. My mother and grandmother both grasped the handles in the same place I do. My mother ate the very meals that my grandma prepared with it, and my sister and I ate meals that my mother prepared with it. I think it is neat to think about, and, yes, I am surely becoming more and more sentimental as years go by. Ha! My grandma raised 4 children, 2 boys followed by 2 girls, like the family I am raising. I love that!

Here is a cute pic of Pheebs, ready for another summer day of play and friends!

and this is me doodling on my hand, the kind of tattoo I would get... but probably never will. :) It is just a vine with little leaves and a flower. The curling at the bottom says 'jesus' in cursive and after this pic I added the Scripture reference Is 46:19 which says, "Behold I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands." The word for Inscribed actually means something like 'cut into'. Precious words, I think. 

My Jacob

My Jacob.

12 years ago, on July 12, 1998, our son was born. 

Here is my first journal entry in his book:

"We didn't know we could love another like we love Nathan. We weren't sure how you could be as cute without looking the same... So much love for you... such an adorable boy! What fun.

You were due July 11th- early the next morning- I was in the early stages of labor- later in the morning we took Nate to Nana and Papa's and went to the hospital - we walked around the halls, sat in the jacuzzi, hard labor came and in late afternoon, 5:29 p.m. you were born!! 

Your name was decided on in the delivery room, after you were born. Nana and Mimi were there with Daddy. You have big sweet smiles they show in your eyes too which are blue as the ocean like Nate's and you have a temper to match your hair! :)

So little Cubbie... what will you be like? Will you be a clown? Or a serious one? Will you be tall? Will you like sports? Will you like books like Mommy? What will you enjoy? What will you love? Will your heart be sensitive to God? I pray that it will ...

I love my Little Red..."

I am so thankful for this boy. One journal entry says he is wild at heart and that is true. He is also tender-hearted and loving. I love that God saw fit to bless us with this amazing person. I love to talk with God about him and wonder what things He has for Jacob Anthony McNamara. How much He has done in our lives, my heart, through him. Thank you, Lord. 

Phoebe's devo

Phoebe brought her devotional book out on the porch this morning to read with me and as has happened many times, in the midst of teaching one of my precious children a life lesson, the Lord, ever so sweetly, taps on my very own shoulder and whispers as only He can, "Adrian, are you hearing this?" 

And I answer, "Yes, Lord, this is a good one, my child needs this." 

And He persists, "Adrian. Are you hearing this?" 

Oh. Heh-heh. Umm, yah. 

"Adrian, are you hearing this?" 

"...yes."  (*Speak Lord, for your servant is listening*)

Humbling to find that the lesson you are trying to teach another is actually for you. Mhm. Happens to me all the time. 

So, back to this morning, the title was Satan Is A Thief. The Bible Verse: A thief comes to steal and kill and destroy. John 10:10 

Yep, heard it. But  I didn't hear it. 

The next section is Thoughts to Grow On: ..."Jesus gives you three clues to determine if something is from the devil. 

1. If it will 'steal' anything of yours, such as your honesty or your innocence, it is of the devil.

2. If it will 'kill' anything of yours, such as your hope or your desire to do good, it is of the devil. 

3. If it will 'destroy' anything of yours, such as your good reputation or your faith, it is of the devil. 

Satan wants to ruin your life. Jesus wants to bless your life. When you choose Jesus' way, you win a great victory over the devil. 

Today: Seek a blessed life in Jesus!

I had not thought about this scripture to this extent! I had just thought of stealing goods, killing life, and destruction of things or buildings. But today, this morning, as Phoebe is reading her 'Early Reader Devotional and Prayer' book aloud to me, I learned more about the enemy's tactics. I love it when He takes a somewhat simple verse, and soaks it fully into my heart. So I will be working on my latest lesson-learned-while-trying-to-teach-my children lesson. Thank You, Lord. 

On a spiritual level, beware of the enemy seeking to steal, kill, and destroy. Your honesty, your innocence, your hope, your desire to do good, your good reputation, or your faith. 

Satan wants to ruin your life. 

Jesus wants to bless your life. 

Blessings, love and prayers! XO  

A couple o' pics...

funny.

cute.

Not at the table, Dad.

Sitting at the table having lunch, and Phoebe says, "Mama, I don't really feel like chips, can I put these back?"
Daddy says, "You don't look like chips, Phoebe."
Ooo, corny-dad-joke.
Phoebe says, "Oh, Dad, not at the table."

Ha.

And here are some Father's Day pics! Enjoy!

Traditional breakfast in bed. 

Stack o' pancakes! 

Sweet, huh.

Here they are again! :)

and, bonus, a pic of L.E.

How do you choose what you're wearing for the day???

I was helping Phoebe get dressed this morning and I picked up a cute little brown skort, looks like a skirt but has shorts underneath.
She groaned, is that a skort?
Me: Yes, but lets just try it on and see.
Phoebe: Usually I can't lift my leg very high with a skort, Mama, how I test the skort is if I can lift my leg up.
Me: (laughing) Why do you choose by how high you can lift your leg? What are you doing? Peeing on a tree?(sorry MomMom, hang in there it gets better!)
Phoebe: No! To see if I can lift my leg high enough to get on a horse.
Me: OOoooooh, of course. To see if you can get on a horse.

*HOW AWESOME IS THAT?! Making sure her clothing doesn't hinder getting on a horse! A horse!

Um, dear Phoebe, we...don't...HAVE...a horse. I'm sorry. I love you. Don't worry, you can change out of the skort after church and put on something more appropriate for horse-riding. Love, Mama. xo

...a title...what to title....title...hmm.....

First Softball Game-
Oh my, where to start for you...
Ellie and Phoebe are on a softball team together this year. First year. 6-9 year old girls, I think was the age range  I overheard a woman say tonight. 6-9 year old. girls.
Some of these girls knew what they were doing. sort of. You know, they had played before and could get a hit when it was pitched right to them. Others...(my adorable daughters) swung at almost anything, barely swung, and needless to say, struck out. They are just starting out and giving the game a try. They get 3 pitches by a player and 2 from the coach. Each of them. Which is most of them, like I said, a few of them could get a hit. And most hits were either out of bounds or right in the very, very in-field. So the first time in from the outfield, Phoebe came over and I was talking to her about keeping her mit on her hand and watching the ball game. Yes, yes, mom, I am... Did you see the horses?! I said, horses? No, I did not see the horses. Oh Boy. 2 hours later, is all I am going to say. 2 Hours. First game. Part of the time I amused myself imagining how the 4 men coaching were handling  it. I didn't see any signs of impatience or anything, I just wondered if any of them were pondering knocking themselves unconscious with one of those baseball bats. Ha-ha.
It will be fun interesting to see how things progress over the next few weeks. :) Anyway, John had to work and I didn't know any other parents very well, or at all, so I just sat there. Did I mention it was for 2 hours? Yep, 2 hours. I texted my sister and mom a bit and told them I wished they were there! And I did! I wished someone were there with me to... enjoy the game with me... for 2 hours. And I do get the people who bring their own chairs... and bags of things to do.... for 2 hours.  :)heehee  Okay, I am kidding, a little. Ellie actually asked between innings at one point, Mom are you bored? Whenever I look at you you are just sitting there with your head on your hands. I told her I was just peacefully watching. Which is true. It was interesting to 'people watch' and 'people listen' and just relax. (although, again, not loving the bleachers). for 2 hours. Ha-haaa