Wild at Heart

I just finished Wild at Heart by John Eldredge. This book was written for men about men by a man. Naturally the question arises...What are you doing reading this book?

I love this book for three reasons:
1. It gave me so much valuable perspective on the men in my life, most importantly, though, on my husband.
2. It really spells out the role of the woman in creating a sense of masculinity for a man. Chapter 10 is entitled "A Beauty to Rescue" and this was absolutely powerful in my life. One quote I'll share, just to give you a taste, is this:

"Just as every little boy is asking one question, every little girl is, as well. But her question isn't so much about her strength. No, the deep cry of a little girl's heart is am I lovely? Every woman needs to know that she is exquisite and exotic and chosen. This is core to her identity, the way she bears the image of God. Will you pursue me? Do you delight in me? Will you fight for me?" (p. 182)

3. From the quote above, you see that this book is powerfully effective in giving a guy some great perspective on the woman in his life.

My upper case "F" Favorite quote of this book is found on page 140...it gives me goose bumps:

"...if we reawaken that fierce quality in a man, hook it up to a higher purpose, release the warrior within, then the boy can grow up and become truly masculine."

I am so glad my husband loves to read, because, let me tell you, Wild at Heart just jumped to the top of his "Books to Read" list. (It just jumped to the top of my "Books to Read Again" list.)

Birthday Week

Katy and I were born a year and four days apart. Her birthday is April 21st and mine is April 25th. I don't know how many times I've said that in my lifetime, but I love that fact. I have many special memories of shared birthday parties. I remember knowing when it was Katy's birthday that I only had four more days until mine. There were those few years when I watched her turn 12 and she got her ears pierced, turn 14 and got to wear make up, turn 16 and got to drive and date, etc. and I had to wait a whole year for my turn...I guess on her end, it wasn't always easy going first. Here's to you, Katy, and to many more Birthday Weeks together.

 

Thankful for 30

(Warning: Extremely LONG post!)





One of the biggest temptations for me as I turn 30 has been to think, "I'm three decades old...what have I really accomplished? I've wasted so much time, I could have done more already, what I wouldn't give to be 25 again and have those five years back, etc." I don't feel old, but I feel a great sense of responsibility, a sense that I am, in fact, a grown-up woman, not a college girl. Taking control of my thoughts has become a battle for me, so I am winning over the negative thoughts by remembering things I am thankful for and proud of:

1. I have amazing parents that led me to the Lord when I was young and brought me up in a safe environment. More than anything, the thing I love best about them is their constant belief that I can do whatever I put my mind to.
2. I am extremely close to my siblings...there are so many things I could say about my memories of them, the things we've shared, how much we talk, how much we love each other. I could go on and on...
3. My spiritual foundation was built in Saline, MI at a small Assemblies of God church/school.
4. I had some of the most amazing winters as a child in Michigan.
5. I learned to dive, tube, and water ski at my Aunt Chrissy's lake house in Oxford, MI. Niece's Weekend always rocked!
6. I have an amazing extended family, mostly in Michigan, that loves getting together at any available opportunity. It doesn't matter how long we've been apart...it's always a good time.
7. I moved to North Carolina twenty one years ago. I will always love my roots, but I think I can claim to be a southerner...
8. I attended both private and public schools. I personally thrived in the smaller schooling atmosphere.
9. In elementary school, I met some of the coolest girls and guys at First Assembly of God in Raleigh, NC. Even though we're a bit spread out-Florida, Texas, Madagascar-we remain friends and stay in touch.
10. I achieved Missionette Honor Star status as a fifth grader.
11. I made it through middle school. ('nuf said.)
12. I made the JV and Varsity cheerleading squads in high school. (Most definitely some of my best memories from FCS and NRCA.)
13. My family was among the founding members of North Raleigh Christian Academy. I love that school and will always feel like I belong there.
14. One of my first jobs was an after-school counselor at Jeffrey's Grove Elementary School where I met Aron.
15. Aron and I started dating Summer 1997, right before my Sr. year.
16. I graduated from NRCA in 1998-it doesn't feel like it's been 12 years...
17. I went to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and received a degree in Elementary Education and found one of the coolest friends around, Emily Nimmo.
18. Aron and I got married June 16, 2001.
19. I gained four of the most amazing parents-in-law a girl could ask for. They have always been Aron's biggest fans, but I feel like they're cheering me on just the same.
20. I rededicated my life to the Lord in 2002.
21. I taught 2nd grade and 4th grade at North Raleigh Christian Academy. I loved working with the teachers who taught me and getting to know my students and their families. Those kids are turning 16 and 17 this year...CRAZY!
22. I discovered my love of scrapbooking.
23. 2005 was a BIG year-We found out we were pregnant and Aron and I did a lot of growing up-one of the hardest and absolute best years of my life.
24. I became a Mommy: John Palmer Hall was born October 7, 2005.
25. I made a HUGE career move: from teacher to stay-at-home mom.
26. I became Mommy a 2nd time: Elizabeth Leigh Hall was born December 21, 2006.
27. Aron and I felt led to help start True Life Church along side Mark and Darcy Carr. We've helped mainly with Family Ministries. (I can't believe it's been three years.)
28. I attempted to start my own business. Robyn's Nest Scrapboooking no longer exists, but I discovered that I have the "entrepreneurial spirit" and want to be my own boss.
29. In February 2009, Aron and I, with the help of a local business association, started our own Ecommerce business, Hall Team Consulting. Side Benefits: amazing opportunities and friends.
30. I became Mommy a third time: Abigail Rose Hall was born July 6, 2009-three children before I was 30, just like we said.



There are probably many more special people and memories I could include...but I have accomplished a lot. I'm just getting started. So, yes, I am thankful for 30.

Birthday Ring

I just got this ring for my birthday and I absolutely love it! This is kind of different and brave for me because of it's size and shape. I normally stay pretty small and understated, but my personal style is definitely changing. The ring is actually made from recycled metals and finished in white gold. The mother of pearl in the middle helps the piece to go with most any outfit, casual or formal. I can't lose with this one. It's a keeper.

I am by no means a hand model, but check it out:

 

 

April Afternoons

 

The weather has been so beautiful this week. The pollen seems to be under control, it's in the 70's, and sunny. I couldn't have asked for more when I need to get the kids out of the house and burn off all of that three and four-year-old energy. Having the trikes has been invaluable. They're doing more of a "Fred Flintstone" technique then peddling. Either way, it's effective. The time between nap and dinner has been way more productive and the kids have been much more calm as I prepare the food.

Let's Go Fly a Kite!

Let's go fly a kite
Up to the highest height.
Let's go fly a kite
And send it soaring
Up through the atmosphere
Up where the air is clear.
Oh, let's go
Fly a kite.
(from Mary Poppins)

 

 

One of the most beautiful weekends in a very long time, yes, because of the weather, but mainly because of the quality and quantity of time we spent together. Upper-case "A" Amazing!
(April 3, 2010)

Easter 2010

 

My goal was to get a great group shot with all of them looking at me and smiling. Well, I didn't accomplish the whole "looking at me and smiling" thing. However, I do feel like I did get one great shot. This picture is so representative of these kids right now. Ellie doesn't always do exactly as I ask, but she does hear me and gives me a really creative interpretation of my instructions. John Palmer is usually busy watching over his sisters making sure things are in order and taken care of. Abbie is exploring everything right now-shaking, touching, tasting, chewing, grabbing, standing, scooting.

We had a lovely Easter this year, Abbie's first. The kids looked absolutely adorable in their navy outfits (I love the nautical look for Easter.) The weather was amazing and we spent a great deal of the weekend outdoors.

Thank you Jesus for your Resurrection so that we can know you and experience an amazing life here and now AND look forward to a future with you in Heaven forever!

Withdraw

I'm having a little blog withdraw. Last weekend was one of our best EVER and I took lots of pictures. On Easter, I left my camera over at Mom's house and I haven't gotten it back yet. Soon to come: Flying Kites and Easter Egg Hunt. (There, now I feel better.)

First Set of Wheels

This weekend, Aron and I bought John Palmer and Ellie their first set of wheels. Thankfully, for now, it was inexpensive...not the case in 12 years.

Jalm and El were so excited. They helped Aron assemble them Thursday night and rode around on them Friday.

They're still learning how to peddle, but their having a blast rolling along! Fisher Price Grow with Me trikes are the JAM!

(notice how they parked them in the parking spots)

"What about Abbie?" you ask. She'll just have to live with the stroller for a bit longer.

Good, Great, Amazing Friday

Sometimes when I was little, I wondered why it was called "Good Friday" when the thing we observed was Jesus' death...a horrible, awful, cruel, lonely death. As a child I believed that Jesus was God's Son and that He did, indeed, die for my sins. Up to that point and through most of my younger years, the fact that He died for my sins didn't really sink in...I think the worst things I did when I was little were sneak treats out of the pantry, hit my siblings, tell little white lies, etc. The enormity of what Jesus did on the cross never really hit me until I was grown and realized I had done things I swore I would absolutely never, ever do. I recognized my shortcomings, received forgiveness, and from that time, upon thinking of the cross, cannot help but be appreciative, thankful, relieved, awed, overwhelmed, etc. Jesus' grace and mercy became so real to me and I will never be able to hear the phrase "Good Friday" without absolutely thinking that "Good Friday" is a gross understatement. Today should be known as Great Friday. No...Amazing Friday.

[Sidenote:I am not saying that to appreciate this day, you have to have lived a life of ugly and disappointing mistakes. Regardless of your background, Jesus died for YOU. We were all born into sin and live separately from God until we acknowledge that we have sinned and that Jesus is the Son of God and that He is our Rescuer.]

Here is what Good Friday did for everyone:

Romans 6:6-11
"Our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin. And since we died with Christ, we know we will also share his new life. We are sure of this because Christ rose from the dead, and had will never die again. Death no longer has any power over him. He died once to defeat sin and now he lives for the glory of God. So you should consider yourselves dead to sin and able to live for the glory of God through Christ Jesus."

Because I have believed, I share in new life and CAN live a powerful life over my sinful nature. That is good, great, amazing!