lessons in shopping

it was nice to get out today but it was a bad shopping day. i decided to go to walmart. i kind of knew it was a mistake going in. i haven't been to the one near us in about a year. it is horrible. it's typically very loud and disorganized. i noticed some of the prices were a little cheaper, but then i'm so overstimulated that i forget to use one of my coupons and then i leave the 3 pears that i buy in the self checkout. so i definitely lost money with that trip. that's not the first time i've left merchandise that i've already paid for at Walmart's self checkout. ugh!
i then decided to check out kohls because i had a $10 gift card mailed to me. that was a mistake because everyone and their grandma was at kohls today. big sale and i'm sure most of them were just like me with their $10 gift card. it was a mistake because there were no stroller carts available. will and i even walked around for awhile - he does not do well with this and doesn't let me stop to look at things. can you believe that? :0) that's why i really needed a stroller. so they didn't get any business from me today. but they probably will later because i can't resist the gift cards. last time i got a carter's fleece sleeper for will for zero dollars and cents.

lessons learned today:

• always have a stroller in the car
• look at all items in cart before purchasing to remember to pull out any coupons or additional coupons needed
• check bagging area before leaving store
• don't go to nearby walmart again

so i wasted a little time and money this morning, but shopping does do something for the soul. even if i don't buy anything it's fun to see what's out there and do a little price comparison. and will was very patient for a 21 month old.

spring in full bloom

these azalea bushes always amaze me and take my breath away!

lee plowed the garden on saturday - he had a hard time moving on sunday.

will likes anything with wheels.

training him young!

plowing

lee begged me to get these pics. the big tractor belongs to lee's dad. the little one was lee's when he was a boy. lee and i had fun with picasa - sepia toned and film grain effects.

this is our garden! or will be. i can't believe how big it is. lee's decision - not mine. i didn't want it to be too big, for fear we would get too overwhelmed by the work. i'm very hopeful for lots of veggies!

will got a tractor ride with papa.

love this pic!

will is 1 and 3/4 years old

i'm sorry if some of you get tired of reading about will, but this is the best and easiest way for me to document milestones. i'm hoping i can print out my blog one day.

so on wednesday will turned 21 months old! he is such a fun little boy. there are still things that make him a baby - like diapers and not saying words clearly and sucking the tags on his blankeys. i'll be happy when the diapers go away, but the other stuff is so cute. oh, and he still has his chubby baby cheeks and legs. :0)

he is talking more and more, but i think only a few people can understand him. here are some new words.

anga - grandma
opa - papa
gog - dog (sometimes he says this word clearly)
hide - outside, slide
bubbers - bubbles

he loves slides, bubbles, running laps in the backyard and on our driveway, running down hills, books, puzzles, kissing stuffed animals, and wrestling on the bed. he loves pretending to give lee and i and also his stuffed animals food and drink from his kitchen. he's very interested in anything i'm doing - washing dishes, ironing, laundry, sweeping, and even vacuuming (he even laughed at the vacuum yesterday.)

sometimes he hears the dogs in our neighborhood and says, "gog" and then kisses the air. he also kisses the air when he sees the baby einstein caterpillar on tv.

he tries to pull the hairs off of lee's arm (lee says it doesn't hurt) as if he is cleaning off lee's arm.

he's been interested in the potty for awhile now. he says oo oo for poo poo and ee ee for pee pee. sorry, tmi! he loves to tear toilet paper off for me and then flush the toilet. he understands not to flush if it's just water, so he will tear off a piece of toilet paper and put it in the toilet just so he can flush.

i want to potty train, but then i don't want to potty train. i think he'll be ready soon. i know that's gonna be a big job on mommy having to ask him about the potty every hour. it's nice to not have to worry about that right now.

he eats just about anything. he's like a little garbage disposal. he encourages us to eat our fruits and veggies. the only thing he doesn't really like is white potatoes - mashed, baked, fried - does not like them.

i love that he is very independent. he plays by himself very well. the only thing i don't like about him being independent is he is a wanderer. he would wander 5 miles away from the house if i let him go. he does hold my hand in parking lots and we go on short walks together, but if he wants to go a certain direction or isn't ready to leave a certain place he lets me know - sometimes this is not pretty.

yesterday, will saw the pollen falling from the trees and got really excited and said, "Bubbers!"

that's will!

Yellow River Game Ranch

i think this was will's favorite part of the game ranch - the playground - with a really fast slide. he couldn't get enough of it.

yes, we had him on a leash some of the time. he's a wanderer - a very independent little booger.

watching the bears. they weren't domesticated unfortunately. :0(

we had so much fun yesterday at the yellow river game ranch in lilburn, ga. the coolest was the domesticated deer. they would come up right to you wanting a snack. you could pet them and everything. of course my favorite part were the lambs - one day i would really like to have 3 or 4 sheep and some lambs. they are so sweet and soft.

here is will feeding some sheep. he also fed a huge pig and a donkey. as you can see, he is eating a snack as well.

Good Friday

the thunder crashes in the heavens, and the earth grows dark in the middle of the afternoon, and a man, beaten to a bloody pulp, cries from a cross between two thieves, "it is finished!" because he did, one day God will wipe away every tear from the eyes of those who trusted him, and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things will pass away and all our hardship will be finished.

writing taken from beth moore's, so long, insecurity

Easter bunny

i started painting a mural in the hallway of my church's preschool department. i have a friend helping me out so progress is quicker than normal. very thankful for that! hoping to finish in the next two weeks if all goes well. check my art website for additional pics and updates - http://lauracoxart.wordpress.com/

nana hid easter eggs in our backyard for will.

saturday, we were invited by one of my neighbors to an egg hunt at the gwinnett braves stadium. this was a great time. i was terrified of the easter bunny when i was young - i don't think will is afraid, do you?

he thought big fuzzy creatures were awesome!

we had a campfire in our backyard friday night. we still have enough sticks from the yard to have another one. better go buy some more marshmallows!

love my baby

will is starting to say mama a lot more! i like this for now. it is sweet.

recently he has been fighting me a lot when i pick him up to put him to bed. (we've had a few rough days with several mini tantrums and defiance, but overall he is still a good boy and today he has been an angel). last night i asked him to hug mommy and he did - so sweet!

this morning, lee touched my cheek and gave me a kiss while i was holding will. will tried to say kiss and touched my cheek and gave me a kiss.

will can now say a few words clearly other than bye bye and daddy and mama. he says book, bed, hat, hot, head, bag. for "peek a boo", he says "book book".

yesterday lee was tickling him and he was laughing so hard he snorted - several times - i loved it!

this morning we were eating breakfast and the sun was shining on the wall - perfect for shadow puppets. we had some fun with that. i noticed will move his head (making the shadow of his head move) and say "boo".

adventures of will as of late

silly boy - smiley

he wanted to play in his crib this morning with his cars. he must have played in there for 30 minutes listening to the radio. i walked in one time and he had his cars parked against the side of the crib. had to take a pic of that!

will and lee at the fountain downtown.

will staring at the fountain. he thinks fountains are hilarious.

will and a friend from church. she is his little mommy.

a book a month

how is march almost over? dad and i are challenging each other to read a book a month - right, dad? this was a conversation over Christmas - memory isn't that great.

books i've read so far:

january - on becoming toddlerwise - ezzo
february - reunion - kingsbury
march - ______ (that's right, a big blank)

i am reading through "so long, insecurity" but i won't finish that until next month.
gotta get my read on.
oh, i heard francine rivers has a new one out!

God speaks to me through parenthood

God speaks to me through his word, through music, through his creation, and through my role as a parent.

God is our heavenly Father - now that i am a parent, i understand this relationship more.

will is 20 months old and doesn't understand everything, but he understands a lot. he has a strong will. he doesn't always want to obey. he wants things his way. when he disobeys, he likely gets hurt or hurts something else. i tell him, you need to obey me. sometimes i remove him from the situation before he gets hurt - this may make him cry for a few minutes, but i know what is best and i am looking out for him. he does not like to be still. there are moments when he is still, and i love it! i know it's then that he's learning something new. sometimes i need him to be still (diaper change) and if he's not, things don't work out as good (he gets a diaper wedgy - haha - just thought of that one). even though he can frustrate me to no end, i still love him. he makes me laugh - brings me joy!

the same can be said about me.

i am 28 years old, and i don't understand everything, but i understand a lot. i have a strong will. i don't always want to obey. i want things my way. when i disobey, i likely get hurt or hurt something/someone else. God tells me, you need to obey me. sometimes he removes me from the situation before i get hurt - this may make me cry, but God knows what is best and he's looking out for me. i don't like to be still (like, in the quiet with no distractions) except when going to sleep. there are moments when i am still before the Lord and I can feel God smiling. that is when he is able to teach me the most and show me something new. sometimes, God needs me to be still, and if i'm not, things don't work out as good. i miss opportunities - i'm not able to give godly wisdom and encouragement - i'm not able to just be there for someone. even though i know i frustrate God to no end, i know he still loves me. i pray i bring him laughter and joy.

Spiritual notes

here's the link i talk about below with the quotes from beth moore and betty robison. please watch - it is so good.
http://lifetoday.tv/qt/2010/03/100311.htm


okay, so God has been speaking - i best write it down.

grace is God's gift. grace is also God's empowerment! just think about that. if you are in Christ, you have God's grace!

wake up, o Church.

"God doesn't like our leftovers." - Anne Graham Lotz

we are feeding our thoughts - whatever your thought life is like - you're feeding it.
as a western culture - we are so allergic to the disciplines of the Spirit that we are living in defeat.
get your mind preoccupied with the thoughts of God.
memorize and meditate on scripture. - beth moore paraphrased on lifetoday - can't get the link to work on my mom's computer but you can watch this online - so awesome!!! the whole thing.
the most blessed i am, is when it's just God and me....yes, we are encouraged at church and in the teaching of others, BUT there is nothing like the fellowship with God. - betty robison

May I know the hope to which you have called me, the riches of your glorious inheritance in the saints, and your incomparably great power for us who believe. that power is like the working of your mighty strength which you exerted in Christ when you raised him from the dead and seated him at your right hand in the heavenly realms. ephesians 1:18-20 (changed some of the pronouns to make more personal)

satisfy me Lord in the morning with your unfailing love that i may sing for joy and be glad all my days. psalm 90:14

i've been wasting a lot of time, filling up on chocolate and chips and facebook. praise God for his word - for fellow believers who speak truth and encourage.

you are all i want - you are all i need - everything my heart could hope for - we are longing for the glory of the Lord - cuz we know there's so much more - only you - fill my soul! kim walker, i have found

Insecurity robs us...

insecurity makes us settle. insecurity makes us distracted. insecurity robs our confidence in our rich inheritance from God. insecurity makes us put our gifts on a shelf to gather demonic dust. insecurity disturbs our sleep. insecurity derails our life.

He has enough security for both of us, and for those of us who call Christ Savior. He slipped His own secure Spirit within our simple jars of clay. It is in you to be secure, dear one.

beth moore - so long, insecurity

I AM ...

a worship service i went to last night reminded me of these. considering doing some paintings.

Seven "I AM" Statements of Jesus

1. I AM the bread of life.
   • John 6:35: Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.
   • John 6:48: I am the bread of life.
2. I AM the light of the world.
   • John 8:12: When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
   • John 9:5: While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
3. I AM the door.
   • John 10:7: Therefore Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep."
4. I AM the good shepherd.
   • John 10:11-14: “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me...."
5. I AM the resurrection and the life.
   • John 11:25: Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies."
6. I AM the way, the truth and the life.
   • John 14:6: Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
7. I AM the true vine.
   • John 15:1, 5: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."

a perfect day in my book

today will and i caught most of toddlertime at the library. he actually paid attention to the book for maybe 2 minutes this time. an improvement. they did bubbles and he loved that of course. there were no tears and even a few smiles - this was awesome!

we then went to joanns. any trip to joanns makes the day happier.

then we went to the park. i love living here because there are about 5 or 6 parks that are less than 10 minutes or less from my house that have really cool playgrounds! tax dollars at work i guess.

the sun is shining and it's over 50 degrees! spring - bring it on!

then we came home and ate some lunch (leftovers - not sandwiches - i get so tired of sandwiches sometimes). and with no prompting from me, will does this...

the picture above - will carries the monkey to his booster seat and says "snack" (sounds like dack). (i think he was wanting me to get him one of his snacks - i get out his fake food though. i told him the monkey wanted a carrot and a banana so he fed him).

then a few minutes later, will says "diaper" (sounds like bop - don't ask, i have no idea. i repeat the word diaper to him over and over very clearly and he still wants to say bop). so apparently, the monkey now needs a diaper. will lays him on the couch. this is where will gets his diaper changed often.

he puts the monkey on the diaper and says "good boy" (sounds like bi bee). then he says "be still" (sounds like ee iwoh). can you tell he hears that when he gets his diaper changed. i just wish he knew what it meant!

then he wipes the monkey - HAHAHA. i did not tell him to do any of this.

happy birthday to me!

i turned 28 last week. i know it's still young, but seems like time is getting away from me.

we went to zapatas in downtown norcross for dinner on my birthday. this place is sooo good. the service is great too. it is authentic mexican. no chimichangas there as paul found out. my brother paul was able to join us and i share a birthday with my mother-in-law so lee's parents were there as well.

will reads my birthday card.

lee tries to take a pic of us blowing out our candles, but gets a picture of paul and jerry instead. this is me and his mom laughing afterwards.

me and pauly

lee got me my first sewing machine for my birthday. haven't done anything yet, but hoping to make a pillow or something soon. maybe with having my own i won't be so intimidated by it. i do love fabric!

The priestly blessing

The LORD said to Moses, "Tell Aaron and his sons, 'This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them:

" ' "The LORD bless you
and keep you;

the LORD make his face shine upon you
and be gracious to you;

the LORD turn his face toward you
and give you peace." '

numbers 6:22-26

what's will been up to?

this was my kitchen as a child. i just touched it up with some new paint and added the new detail to the eyes on the stove.

i'm hoping will is gonna cook for me one day. he already likes to offer me his food. today he started giving his stuffed puppy a "drink" from a play teacup. he likes to serve.

i forgot to post these pics of him in the snow two weeks ago. he was happy to be outside but frustrated that his car wouldn't go like it normally does.

will checks out the winter wonderland.

Haiti mission trip

these are some pictures from my dad's trip to haiti. he is back safe as of last friday. he's the one with the syringe. he has white hair and really big glasses - hehe. i'm gonna post some excerpts from some of his emails below.

http://www.paulbrown.us/haiti/album1/

...I hope to get my first shower tonight. The team here is good, with 2 leaving today and us adding 2 new ones. I have a new roommate from Kansas. Food is good. Last night not much sleep. Work is good and not hard. I am doing the pharmacy and spending some time in the rooms with our staff and patients. Everyone is here for the right reasons and their priorities are right and the Lord is truly the Lord of their lives.

Hello from Haiti! Things are going real well here. We actually have empty beds in the hospital but there are still patients with earthquake injuries in the hospital and they are still showing up for treatment. It has really settled down. Samaritan's Purse has now committed to be here through March and discussions are underway to go past that. Four of our team left today and eight will leave on Saturday, which will leave only 4 of us here for about 8 hours until a new team that is mostly Canadian joins us. There are a lot of great stories happening here and none can be explained by man so we are just trusting that God is adequate and He is still in control. The current team is still good and it is the 4 of us left on Saturday to transition this operation over to the new arrivals. There is very little overlap between teams now. I watched a C-Section today and held the baby that was probably less than 15 minutes old. Probably did not do that with my own children. Things are expected to be slow for the next few day because Haiti has designated Feb 12-14 and a time of national mourning. Our cooks are gone as of today so we are on our own for a few days. I think we will survive. Temperature here is about 85 each day and we are all working in T shirts and scrubs.

Such a difference in medicine in a 3rd world country as compared to the US. Hospitals have no private rooms, grand pianos, water walls, or air conditioning. Our internet has been out for more than a day, and most of the computers are leaving Sat. Do not know when the next communication will be. Hope everyone has a great (and chilly I understand) Happy Valentine's Day.

It's Friday night in Haiti and it was a wonderful sun shiny day of about 85 here at the Baptist Mission. We are into to now turning the hospital back over to the local doctors but that full transition will take place over the next 4-6 weeks. Feb 12-14 is 3 day national holiday for the mourning of those lost in the earthquake. The church on our compound seats about 600 and there was over 1000 in attendance today. They were lined up around the walls and into the streets. They started before 8am and went to 12noon, with about 3 hours of that being singing. The pharmacy is located through the wall from the sanctuary so I got a full dose of that service. We had a great fellowship tonight with the missionaries with the 8 that are leaving the medical team tomorrow sharing their thoughts. The common theme was the love and thankfulness of the Haitian people towards us being here. We are truly the ones being blessed by a people that have so little in material possessions but have such a dependancy on the most important thing, the Lord and His acceptance of all of us no mattter what our circumstances.

Monday in Haiti was a very busy day. Even though many of the earthquake victims have been discharged, there is still some major efforts having to be done with those that we still have. Our sickest patient with a spinal cord injury from laying under a fallen wall for a long time was medEvaced to the US today. This has been being worked on since before we got here and it all of a sudden happened today when the Navy called and said their helicopoter was on the way. Another patient needed parenteral nutrution and I was able to find 4 bottles stashed away and only out of date by 6 months. We started it today and are trying to work it in between antibiotics so that we don't blow the IV line. Very interesting practicing medicine in a stop and go world when we are so used to running absolutely on schedule and everything expected at a moments notice. An 8 person Canadian team joined us on Sun and it is amazing how quickly people can come together when the same goals and beliefs are common. We are seeing a lot of things happen here that are out of the ordinary and know that we are just observers to something that is coming from a Higher Power. Sunshine and clouds here and still 70-85 degrees every day. We are blessed and know that we are in to turning this hospital back over to the Haitians.

sermon notes

judges 6

the illusion of sin - it promises what we desire but delivers the opposite

instead of pleasure - you end up with pain
instead of prosperity - you end up with poverty

generational sin cycles

"prone to wander Lord i feel it
prone to leave the God i love
here's my heart Lord take and seal it
seal it for thy courts above"