My Kind of Photography.

I just love this kid. She has an amazing sense of humor for an almost-eight-month-old. She's starting to play games, scoot(ish), and pull herself up(ish). I love her tongue, it spends most days and most hours of the day outside her mouth as you see here.

I have had the privilege of spending the past 3 nights with her in our big queen bed, and poor Daddy on the couch. I think a combination of growth spurt, teeth(ish), and some sniffles. And maybe she just likes our queen bed better than her lame crib mattress. Quite possible.

I'm trying to soak up every moment... even the not so fun ones. Through a lot of advice from experienced parents and grandparents out there, what's stood out the most is "It doesn't last forever." Nothing does... at least on this earth.

So I've been trying to snap images in my mind of moments right now, that I can remember when I'm 80, if that ever happens.

- Wanting to pass out and fall asleep while carrying a wide-eyed Ana around the apartment at 1am
- Nursing in bed, and waking up every 30 minutes because Ana and I both kick and make noises in our sleep
- Walking out of the room, looking back at Ana and seeing the look of absolute terror because she thinks I'm leaving her for good
- trying to discipline Ian, and looking into his eyes while he growls or tries to change the subject ("Hottt Cocoooaaa")
- a mountain of laundry piled up on the bed because I've been playing with kids all morning and completely neglecting housework
- trying to drink a mug of coffee while nursing Ana and telling Ian not to stick REAL stickers on the TV

I guess I'll miss these moments someday...

Temples.

No, not the big crazy buildings with towers and shiny objects... I'm talking about our bodies.

The notion of "our bodies are our temples" has been on my mind a lot lately. It comes to mind every time I have a glass of wine, every time I eat a delicious cinnamon roll, and every night I don't sleep well.

God wants us to always be mentally AND physically ready and capable of doing his will. We're always supposed to be alert, and ready for whatever comes our way. Right now, I'd say my alertness factor is only possible with a cup of coffee (with French Vanilla Coffeemate).

I have been having a hard time with this, and this next statement may seem judgmental... but its more of an open-ended hypothetical than a judgment call on anyone. It seems like even the most committed, strong Christians make decisions and poor choices that negatively influence this whole "bodies are our temples" concept. And I will be the first to admit I am one of them.

I love a glass of wine or beer, but do I need a second one? or a third?
I love sweets and all things indulgent, but do I need one? or for that matter, what does God think when I put those kinds of things into my body, which He intended to be strong and fit?
The lack of sleep thing with small kids is inevitable, but I COULD help myself by NOT watching TV till 10pm and going to bed an hour earlier.

On one hand, I know God meant for us to enjoy this life. NOT to the fullest, in the hedonistic, greedy way though. He meant for us to enjoy the beauty of what's around us, enjoy our relationships, and enjoy doing things that please Him.

So where do we cut off the hedonistic side of us? Where is the line? How do we treat our bodies as temples in this self-indulgent world?

Thoughts, Part One.

With so many things going on in life right now and so much to write about, I thought I'd hit the superficial end of things first...

Today's discussion is on The Bachelor, of all things. It was a typical season... hot guy, a bunch of beautiful women, and drama. The season ended with the Bachelor, Jason, dumping his fiancée on national television, and asking the runner up to give him a second shot at love. At first glance, this would be considered probably one of the WORST character decisions made on reality television.

However, I have one point, and two completely opposing arguments, to make:

1. Do you really expect someone who has already had one divorce, and has thrown himself into the limelight on a reality TV show to be watched constantly while he pursues 30 separate women at one time, not to change his mind? I am not dissing people who have gotten divorced one bit... I am just assessing the individual situation of this guy and his unique circumstance. (Also, did you WATCH any of Temptation Island? Come on really, that situation was WAY WORSE... I barely made it through one episode before quitting it entirely).

So...

Why I agree with Jason's decision: He was practically on a "game show," and that guy had to make a decision on a certain day, and at a certain time. In real life, it "usually" takes at least 3 more months, if not MANY YEARS to decide if someone is right. So I can understand Jason needing to go with his gut on the first one, Melissa. When you have to make a choice, you make one... and sometimes its not the right one. He gave it a six week shot, which honestly IS long enough to determine whether someone is ultimately WRONG for you, but possibly not long enough to know if someone is RIGHT for you. At that point, Jason decided it wasn't worth the long-term commitment, and chose Molly. (But... breaking up with Melissa, then asking Molly on national TV was NOT COOL, JASON).

Why I disagree with Jason's decision: He said multiple times in the final show that "You have to follow your heart, even though it may hurt people, and many people will not like it... you just have to follow your heart." Really? So, if I'm having feelings for this one guy (and I'm not, don't worry), and decide I married the wrong person, am I supposed to follow my "heart" and get a divorce and go running after another guy? NO! I made a LIFE LONG commitment. That's what happened when we said our vows, and that's even what happened BEFORE our wedding when we promised to marry each other. I promised that whatever life dished out, I would always love, and be honoring and loyal, to my husband. So when Jason PROPOSED to Melissa, then broke up with her on national television, he wasn't only doing Melissa a total injustice, but his future commitments as well. If I were Molly (his NEW pick), I wouldn't let him get by that easily. He'd be working to keep me.

So, there you go. My thoughts on a very trivial, unimportant topic that happened to go a bit deeper.

Hey y'all, I know its been a while since my last post. I'm in one of those ruts... but not one where I have nothing to post. I just have too much stuff on the brain! Keep checking...