is summer over?

even though my favorite season may be coming to an end, today's weather felt right.  here is a peek at my day today...

this time of year seems to encourage me to bake more.  add two overripe bananas and i just couldn't resist making banana bread.  i used this recipe and added a little bit of chocolate and walnuts.

 my poor boots have had a lonely summer hiding in a corner in my closet.  now all i need is a few puddles to go jump in...

while waiting for big brother to get home, the twins were being so loving towards each other.  i love catching moments like this!

here is the big kindergartener!  i am so proud of how well he is adjusting to the long days at school.

the only missing from today was a nice long run around the block...and that one appointment that i completely forgot about.  oops.  :o)

is summer over?

even though my favorite season may be coming to an end, today's weather felt right.  here is a peek at my day today...

this time of year seems to encourage me to bake more.  add two overripe bananas and i just couldn't resist making banana bread.  i used this recipe and added a little bit of chocolate and walnuts.

 my poor boots have had a lonely summer hiding in a corner in my closet.  now all i need is a few puddles to go jump in...

while waiting for big brother to get home, the twins were being so loving towards each other.  i love catching moments like this!

here is the big kindergartener!  i am so proud of how well he is adjusting to the long days at school.

the only missing from today was a nice long run around the block...and that one appointment that i completely forgot about.  oops.  :o)

timely answers...

last night i poured out my heart to God regarding my latest struggles.  mainly trust.  i hadn't ever realized how deep of an issue this was for me.  as predictable as sunshine in the great pacific northwest, people fail me.  i have been let down and i am reaching to find security and insurance that it won't happen again.  it's a ridiculous quest though, for i know that relationships don't work that way.

this morning i read a post that hit the core of where i am at.  go visit sarah's blog and read her post here!

timely answers...

last night i poured out my heart to God regarding my latest struggles.  mainly trust.  i hadn't ever realized how deep of an issue this was for me.  as predictable as sunshine in the great pacific northwest, people fail me.  i have been let down and i am reaching to find security and insurance that it won't happen again.  it's a ridiculous quest though, for i know that relationships don't work that way.

this morning i read a post that hit the core of where i am at.  go visit sarah's blog and read her post here!

...praise...

do not let the oppressed retreat in disgrace; may the poor and needy praise your name.

psalm 74:21

oppressed:  persecuted, downtrodden, abused, maltreated, ill-treated, subjugated, tyrannized, repressed, subdued, crushed, browbeaten; disadvantaged, underprivileged.

retreat:  withdraw, retire, draw back, pull back/out, fall back, give way, give ground

disgrace:  dishonor, shame, discredit, ignominy, degradation, disrepute, ill repute, infamy, scandal, stigma, opprobrium, obloquy, condemnation, vilification, contempt, disrespect; humiliation, embarrassment, loss of face

praise:  worship, glorify, honor, exalt, adore, pay tribute to, give thanks to, venerate, reverence

====================================

God~
i praise you for never leaving me abandoned.  you know my needs better than i do, and i thank you that you are orchestrating my life to glorify your name in the best capacity.  help me honor you in all my actions as i walk through the every day junk in life.  i want to see your name exalted as your glory shines through my weaknesses.  amen.

...praise...

do not let the oppressed retreat in disgrace; may the poor and needy praise your name.

psalm 74:21

oppressed:  persecuted, downtrodden, abused, maltreated, ill-treated, subjugated, tyrannized, repressed, subdued, crushed, browbeaten; disadvantaged, underprivileged.

retreat:  withdraw, retire, draw back, pull back/out, fall back, give way, give ground

disgrace:  dishonor, shame, discredit, ignominy, degradation, disrepute, ill repute, infamy, scandal, stigma, opprobrium, obloquy, condemnation, vilification, contempt, disrespect; humiliation, embarrassment, loss of face

praise:  worship, glorify, honor, exalt, adore, pay tribute to, give thanks to, venerate, reverence

====================================

God~
i praise you for never leaving me abandoned.  you know my needs better than i do, and i thank you that you are orchestrating my life to glorify your name in the best capacity.  help me honor you in all my actions as i walk through the every day junk in life.  i want to see your name exalted as your glory shines through my weaknesses.  amen.

invisible.

where am i?

fearful that i would be overwhelmed with life, this summer i have retreated.  i have taken a step back from nearly every relationship but depth is what i have been yearning for the most.  the situation baffles me until i realize how much i desire to be seen.  when i disappear, will anyone see me? 

i haven't really gone anywhere.  physically i am present, but my interactions are just skin deep.  i answer questions with trivial nonsense that are relevant but not deep.

a week ago, a dear friend looked me in the eyes and asked me how i was doing.  it had been an amazing day...perfect weather, i had run and worked out that morning, had strawberry pancakes for breakfast and was wandering downtown enjoying family, cars, and seeing lots of friends.  in the midst of the busy crowd, i ferociously fought back tears as i replied.  i had been seen and i knew they wanted to know the truth.

i'm afraid to be real.  i don't want to burden my stuff on anyone else.  i don't want to be the emotional, unstable one.  i'm afraid people don't really want to know where i am.  i'm scared out of my mind that the people who i think are my biggest supports don't want to support me.

something desperately needs to change and risk is inevitable.  i can't do this alone.

invisible.

where am i?

fearful that i would be overwhelmed with life, this summer i have retreated.  i have taken a step back from nearly every relationship but depth is what i have been yearning for the most.  the situation baffles me until i realize how much i desire to be seen.  when i disappear, will anyone see me? 

i haven't really gone anywhere.  physically i am present, but my interactions are just skin deep.  i answer questions with trivial nonsense that are relevant but not deep.

a week ago, a dear friend looked me in the eyes and asked me how i was doing.  it had been an amazing day...perfect weather, i had run and worked out that morning, had strawberry pancakes for breakfast and was wandering downtown enjoying family, cars, and seeing lots of friends.  in the midst of the busy crowd, i ferociously fought back tears as i replied.  i had been seen and i knew they wanted to know the truth.

i'm afraid to be real.  i don't want to burden my stuff on anyone else.  i don't want to be the emotional, unstable one.  i'm afraid people don't really want to know where i am.  i'm scared out of my mind that the people who i think are my biggest supports don't want to support me.

something desperately needs to change and risk is inevitable.  i can't do this alone.

oh yeah....

the sun is shining...

there is laundry to fold and a kitchen to clean and i have wasted most of naptime on picnik.

time to get moving so we can spend the afternoon in the pool!

oh yeah....

the sun is shining...

there is laundry to fold and a kitchen to clean and i have wasted most of naptime on picnik.

time to get moving so we can spend the afternoon in the pool!

why i run...

:: i feel so amazing after i complete a hard workout ::
:: it is great to achieve goals and see the progress ::
:: it relieves my stress ::
:: it renews my energy ::
:: my lungs feel phenomenal afterwards::

why i run...

:: i feel so amazing after i complete a hard workout ::
:: it is great to achieve goals and see the progress ::
:: it relieves my stress ::
:: it renews my energy ::
:: my lungs feel phenomenal afterwards::

joyful.

deliriously joyful are the ones who believe that if God has used sticks, rocks, and spit to do His will, then He can use us.
--max lucado

joyful.

deliriously joyful are the ones who believe that if God has used sticks, rocks, and spit to do His will, then He can use us.
--max lucado

taking it slow...

i am exhausted.  this week has been packed full of adventures with the family.  fantastic food, whale watching, fossil finding, OMSI observing, shopping and swimming have kept us busy.  yesterday we headed out to Silver Falls State park to peruse the breath-taking waterfalls.

typically, my motivation drives me as i push myself to put one foot in front of the other.  i tend to want to continue on while others meander.  this hike was different.  i took more opportunities to sit on benches along the way and just breathe deeply the beauty that was surrounding me.

that is where i am today.  this season of change has taken a toll on me, but only now can i sit back and be amazed at where God has brought me.

taking it slow...

i am exhausted.  this week has been packed full of adventures with the family.  fantastic food, whale watching, fossil finding, OMSI observing, shopping and swimming have kept us busy.  yesterday we headed out to Silver Falls State park to peruse the breath-taking waterfalls.

typically, my motivation drives me as i push myself to put one foot in front of the other.  i tend to want to continue on while others meander.  this hike was different.  i took more opportunities to sit on benches along the way and just breathe deeply the beauty that was surrounding me.

that is where i am today.  this season of change has taken a toll on me, but only now can i sit back and be amazed at where God has brought me.