Third file, Third sub-file, Third photo

Ok, so while I was looking through some friends blogs, a rare thing... don't usually get a chance to check out other people's writings but I did today. I was on Heidi Thompson's blog and she was tagged to go to her photos and click on the third file and then post the third picture, anyone who read her blog was then supposed to do the same.

Here it is:
My third file is "Babies," which then has four babies in it, that third file is Nolan Pics, and then there was a file for his fourth month being born (third file) and then this was the third picture. SO- I had to do a few extra thirds. :) However, this is my picture. Nolan Jay Church is my oldest and only nephew thus far, and this is a picture of him when he was four months old. I think this is November of 2007. He is now 2 years and 3 months old. He has brown eyes and blond hair (usually spiked into a phohawk.) His favorite foods are tomotoes, mac & cheese and cucumbers with lime. He enjoys using his dirt devil vacuum (that his favorite aunt bought him for his 2nd birthday) and watching Toy Story, Madagascar 2, The Incredibles, and Rainbow Bright (I know, the last one is random, old school movie from when Cassie and I grew up.) He is also an avid golfer, and likes to play with his 2 dogs; Blue and Duke (both HUGE hair-shedding dogs). He is loved by all, he has a killer smile, and cute little legs. You can see him Sundays in the 2 year old class at Sandals Church. I love my little nephew, he is so much fun. He is one of the reasons we decided to have our own.

SO- if you are reading this, you are tagged. You must go to your photos file, and click on the third photo (you may have to do a few third's to get to it). THEN- post a comment below so I can check out your "third photo."

Even in Hard Times

"4 How happy is the man
who has put his trust in the LORD
and has not turned to the proud
or to those who run after lies!

5 LORD my God, You have done many things—
Your wonderful works and Your plans for us;
none can compare with You.
If I were to report and speak [of them],
they are more than can be told."

Psalm 40:4 & 5

When things are going well, these verses seem easy to boast about and quote. However, right now is not one of those times. God has placed many challenges in our path the last year and we have tried our best to trust in Him. We have been learning a lot at church recently about God's pupose and direction for our lives. This morning while I was reading one of the final chapters in the book, "Youniquely Woman," and the verses above in my daily Psalms reading two things popped out on the page. First, the two verses from Psalm 40 and then the following statement,
"If you are going through one of those times when positive change seems to elude you, when you feel restless or confused, or when you don't like where you are but don't know what to do next, I advise you to be especially watchful. Do your best to persevere in doing what you know to do. Open your heart to what God is preparing for you."
That is exactly how I have been feeling the last few months. What is my pupose God? Where do you want me to grow, change, work for you? Am I to be still in your presence to learn more patience, and how to slow down? Is there something bigger for my family? While I wait, I know I can rest in what he has provided: food, shelter and a family to love and care for.
Questioning is good, doubt happens. My prayer is that my impatience will not lead me to discouragement and wrong choices, and then I miss out on God's blessings.

Switchfoot

On September 13th, Colin and I went to the Dave Matthews Concert in Irvine for his 28th Birthday. He was pleasantly suprised to find out that "Switchfoot," was opening for them. While we were enjoying their opening performance, the lead singer Jon, came out into the crowd to say hello and sing a number. He shook some hands, gave some high fives and took pictures with cameras that people weren't supposed to have. (Opps, I video taped). Thought this was cool, so I took a short video of him mingling. They really are good live. I definitely recommend checking out a concert.

Switchfoot from Mindie Gilliland on Vimeo.

Baby Boot Camp from Mindie Gilliland on Vimeo.

That's right ladies and gentlemen, he already crawls, UP STAIRS!! It is somewhat unbelievable but he's such a stud boy. SO, we have made this a daily activity so that he is really tired by the time he needs a nap! I'm thinking about timing him soon to see how fast he can really go. If he is smiling that isn't child labor or endagerment is it? :-P

Boo Boos

OK, I almost forgot to post the worst day of my life. The day Kellen got his first boo boo, and it was ALL my fault.

We were at church about a month ago and Kellen and I were in the middle of our usual routine. We attend church in Riverside, at Sandals, and arrive early so Colin can serve at the coffee cart first service and then we attend second service. I usually hang out with Kellen during first service and then he goes to Flip Flops, the children's ministry during second service. Depending on whether or not he wakes up before we leave, I usually leave him in his PJ's nurse him and then he gets dressed and fed some cereal after we arrive.

This particular morning, I got him dressed and put him inside his "Jeep" umbrella stroller. I figured it would be easier and cleaner to feed him in a chair then just in the back of the Outlook. I wasn't planning on moving him so I did not strap him in. BIG mistake.

He was eating fine and the morning was going great until a giant beetle looking bug started flying around us. I sort of freaked out and moved Kellen in his stroller to the side of the car. The beetle followed us! As I was ducking and running around, I pulled the stroller back with me to the back of the car, and that is when it happened. Kellen flew out of his stroller and onto the pavement. It all happened so fast that I didn't even realize that he wasn't in his stroller. I turned around to seem him, face down on the ground. He hadn't made a noise yet. One of those moments when they want to but can't breath. I ran right over to him to pick him up and he let out the loudest scream he's ever done to date. I held him in my arms and put my hand over his head. I tried to calm him down. His face was covered in black asphalt and a bruise was already started to develop in the middle of his forehead. He calmed down a little and a few Flip Flops workers came over to see if everything was OK. They helped me get some of my stuff and we brought Kellen to the nursery. Amanda, a church employee and friend, brought me an ice pack for Kellen's face. I sat in a rocking chair and put the ice pack on his head and he let me leave it there for quite a while. We gave him some Tylenol and he seemed to be OK. By this time it was just the two of us and my mind had time to wander.

In between my continuous apologies to my poor little boy I was thinking about possible brain damage and concussions. Someone had informed Colin of what had happened and he arrived just in time to distract me from my thoughts. But, unfortunately as I tried to describe to him what happened they began to flow. Tears down my eyes while I recalled what had just happened. It was just as awful to think about the second time. It wasn't comforting to know that Kellen was still extremely mellow in my arms.

Fortunately, he is fine. The marks on his face in the picture above were horrible, but they have since healed. The small reddish purple mark above his eye, we later realized, was from the curb. He was very close to hitting his eye, and I was EXTREMELY thankful that nothing happened to his sight.

I don't like "Boo Boos," and with him being a boy I know there are plenty that will probably come. I just hope that they aren't my fault. Is it wishful thinking to hope that he never gets hurt again? :-) Probably.

Another one comes through

As of last week, another tooth finally came through. He now has 3, all on the bottom. You can barely see the newest addition. However, the top two right in the front are going to come through any day now. They are pulling so hard on the gums!! He doesn't complain much, but he has been waking up early, I think it is because his teeth hurt. Sometimes he goes back to sleep, but most of the time he will only go back down after a little milk and cuddle time. I don't mind, I love cuddling my little boy, it is a very precious time between the two of us. As soon as he is done eating, he puts his head on my shoulder and relaxes his entire body. I'm such a lucky mom, he is so much fun.