My gift of a husband

I had the absolute gift of almost a week in Colorado with my husband this past week. We had such a wonderful time. He is truly a gift. He continually exhorts me, encourages me, challenges me, and pursues me. I love him 1,000 times more than the day I married him.

I also love Ann Voskamp. Her most recent post, through weeping, made me consider the gift of my husband more than I ever have before.

A few photos:

Founders Ministries Blog: My thoughts on the death of Osama Bin Laden

Founders Ministries Blog: My thoughts on the death of Osama Bin Laden: "Osama Bin Laden is dead. He was killed by American Special Forces in the Pakistani town of Abbottabad yesterday. Justice has been served. R..."

monday musings

1. Easter is over and I thoroughly failed to cultivate tradition or a greater love for our Savior. I could fester up a million excuses but it wouldn't change the fact that I was responsible and I failed. It's been a very sobering Monday and I am having to repeatedly remind myself that God's grace is abundant and available to me in my failures.
2. On a lighter note, Whole Foods' one day Friday deal is organic strawberries for $1.99. Seeing that my family could eat one package per meal (as opposed to stretching them out over a week), I find this deal most delightful!
3. Our dishwasher is broken. I forgot what it felt like to plan your meals around how many dishes you will have to wash.
4. I have found myself longing for a future (say, 2013-ish) sixth child recently. Yep. Some of you might remember when I wrote this. At the time I was rather unconvinced that I would ever find myself eating my words. Perhaps nothing has changed. I just had to voice the "itch". Only time will tell.
5. My fabulous husband has completed  a little over 1/4 of his supervised counseling. I'm so proud of him.
6. I am speaking to a group of ladies this week on three of my favorite things: 1. Jesus. 2. Frugality. 3. Natural and organic living. Pumped? Yes. A wee bit nervous? Yes.
7. My kids continue to grow. I am just certain that any day now Noah's voice will change and Clara will go to kindergarten. I feel like I live life in a bittersweet state.
8. In just a little over three weeks, David and I will fly to Colorado (kid-free) to vacation for one (almost) whole week. We are very thankful for the change to have some time alone and away. 

One year ago

This time one year ago, I had just made my boys a back yard picnic lunch on what was a beautiful day- just like today.

Later that evening, contractions would begin and, 26 hours later, their sister would be born.

I am feeling very sentimental today as I would normally be pregnant- or almost pregnant- by this age.

I love being a mommy and I adore my daughter.

P.S. You will have to pause my music player at the bottom of my blog page to hear the video.

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Funnies from Noah and Sammy's first sleepover

Noah and Sammy stayed, along with the other kiddos, with friends over the weekend while David and I whisked off to Cincinnati for one night. My friend, Amy, compiled a list of the cute and comical comments overheard while they were there. I am so thankful she did! Here we go (told from Amy's perspective):

1. "Mrs. Sargent, I was a blessing to Dillon this morning. I made him a train track even though he didn't ask for one." Smile beaming from ear to ear.
2. An internal struggle between trust and distrust emerged within hours of their parents leaving… The boys went on a walk to the park. One little boy said, "My heart is telling me that you might be taking us to a lab to kill us." But then immediately shrugged it off an kept running gleefully to the destination…
3. Overheard on the monitor at night: One little boy was scared to go to sleep being his first sleepover and Davis leaned over and said, "It will be OK- Just tell God how you are feeling and He will help you feel better. Just try it!"
4. Same wise man, Davis, then proceeded to make funny noises when all was quiet and then snicker and say," what was that noise?" After about the fourth time, the other little boy said- "Davis is that you?" Davis said "yes" with a big laugh. Same boy said, "Davis that sound scarred me." Davis said, "Oh, I'm sorry." Sweet boy said, "I forgive you."
5. Little Comedian- "One day when I was on a plane, I had to make an emergency landing on a cloud. About 20 police cars and ambulances came but I was OK. That happened in February. What is the date today?"
6. Me- "Would you boys like some milk with your pancakes?" Little Comedian- "Only if it is skim milk. I am allergic to all the other kinds of milk."
7. Me: "How about some PB&J sandwiches? Are you all hungry?" With a that does not sound so appetizing expression, one little boy replied, "No, I don't think I will be hungry for a long time Mrs. Sargent."
8. ‎I followed up with, "Ok, what kind of lunches do you usually eat. What is your favorite? " Little Comedian- "Ice Cream Sandwiches!"
9. ‎Two of the boys had a problem when someone was hit in the head with a ball. It was an accident with no real injuries so they were asked to go and try to work it out themselves first. They emerged with it resolved. When asked about it.. Davis replied, " I think (the little boy) learned a lesson." The other little boy- "Yes, I did. I won't throw a tennis ball at someone with my eyes closed again."
10. On day 2 of our adventure- Me: "Let's take your sweatshirt in case you get cold? "Little Comedian: "Ok but can you carry it because it is too heavy for me to carry, I just had arm surgery yesterday."

Love x 10 years.

Fall 2000- We meet. You ask me to play ultimate frisbee. I look at friends and say: "How cute. A freshman wants me to to play ultimate." Little did I know you were 2 years older and a senior?

February 2001- You pursue. I'm rude (at least according to you). I disagree. You IM me. We have a lot in common. I hear you tell your friends you could marry me because I like to shop at Goodwill. 

March 2001- First date. I don't even remember what we did. I don't remember fireworks. I remember a very awkward evening. You were cute- and I liked you.

March 20, 2001. We begin "dating".

Easter-ish 2001. I love you. Wow- that didn't take long.

October 7, 2001. Engaged! Unfortunately, you were too nervous to follow through with the original plan and propose in the parking lot of the dorm.

June 7, 2002- Married! Honeymoon for 2 beautiful weeks in the Poconos and NYC!

May 2003- Baby on the way? NO! Can it be? Little did we know, news like this would become the norm in our family.

December 2003- We graduate college. I can barely squeeze in my desk.

December 31, 2003- Noah is here. A boy! Whoduthunkit?

April 2004- Pregnant again?!?! Our Noah just started sleeping through the night. *Sigh*

December 4, 2004- Our Sammy is born! Here we go again! ;)

January 2006- Baby number 3 coming! Obviously abstinence isn't a good new years resolution for us??? Yep- I said it. 

September 12, 2006- Simon is here! We're getting pretty good at this parenting thing!

December 2006- Our biggest adventure yet! New Mexico. I love you more than ever and sometimes it feels like all we have is each other. Some of my sweetest memories!

May 2008- A new King is on the way. Could it be a girl???

November 2008- We move back to Kentucky. We'll miss you, New Mexico!

January 8, 2009- Nope. Not a girl. It's Kaedmon. What a blessing! 

July 2009- Ready or not, number 5! A girl? Perhaps? A daughter for Daddy? Could it be? I mean, could it? Could it?!?!?!

October 21, 2009- Yes- a girl!!! We are thrilled. Shocked. Blessed. Clara Noelle!

March 20, 2010- Clara is here! We are beyond blessed!

Today. February 14, 2011.

We've come a long way from who we were in 2001 to who we are today. Our love is perfectly imperfect and God is very good. Each year is another gift to share with you. I am entirely yours forever. I am so thankful that God has given me a husband beyond what I could have ever asked for or hoped for. He was exceedingly gracious when He gave me you.

I don't expect the coming years to be easy- at all. We'll be together, however, and that is enough.

I love you. 

A prayer for Monday (and every other day, for that matter)

God-

On my own, I am:

weak

inadequate

insufficient 

overwhelmed

lonely

unfulfilled

ill-prepared

angry

lazy

...and more.

By your grace:

strengthen me

equip me

be everything to me

calm me

surround me

fulfill me 

help me

remind me of your steadfastness with ME (the chief of sinners)

empower me

...and more.

You ALONE are holy.

You ALONE are good.

You ALONE satisfy.

Amen.