So, for the last two summers, my husband I and have worked A LOT. My husband has worked 60+ hours a week and I've worked 40. Both of us worked the majority of our hours outside, playing with kids. So needless to say, we spent most of our summer exhausted. I am a very social person. I love to go and do and see and spend time with people. My husband will do all of that, but I usually have to plan it. Unfortunately, the last couple of summers have consisted mostly of us sitting at home and not doing much besides working. This year, I am determined to change that! The hubby is down to working one job (!!!!!) and that frees up a lot of time in our schedule. So, I've made what some refer to as a "Summer Bucket List." I informed my husband last week that we would NOT spend every night sitting at home, watching Netflix. I told him that we're going to do things and spend time with people. And he has responded well to my challenge, enabling us to cross the first item off our list last night. He took me, and one of our very brave friends, to the dirt track up in Springfield for a night of good redneck fun at the races. We met some interesting people and ended up covered in a thin layer of dirt, but had a great time. So, here is the rest of the list, in no particular order. I'm sure we will add to it as the summer goes on!
1. Go to as many Springfield Cardinals games as possible
2. Go see the new Batman movie
3. Go-Karts and putt-putt
4. Take full advantage of $10 White Water
5. Take full advantage of free SDC
6. Go to Dixie
7. Attend a Machine Gun Symphony concert in Springfield
8. Host a game night at our new BIGGER place when we move
9. Go to the races (CHECK!)
10. Rent a boat and/or go fishing at the lake
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Monday, February 20, 2012
The Last One Chosen
Yesterday, Austin and I were able to go home to Ash Grove for the day and spend some time with my family. It was my little brother's 20th birthday and today is my dad's birthday, so we had a nice day of church and lunch with the family. Dad preached a great sermon on David and it made me think.
When Samuel went to the house of Jesse to choose Israel's newest leader, he instructed Jesse to invite ALL of his sons to the sacrifice and meal. But as we all know, not all of them were included. One of them was left out in the field to tend to the sheep. Dad compared this situation to a game of kickball on the playground. We all know the drill. You choose captains and everyone else lines up. One by one, names are called and kids scamper to join their teams. More names get called and the line slowly dwindles to two. Then it's down to one. The last one chosen. The one that nobody really wanted on their team, but chose out of necessity. I don't know about you, but I've been there. And it stinks. I have never been particularly talented in the area of sports, but I have ALWAYS had a strong desire to be included and fit in, so situations like this were awful for me. I think that everyone has this desire to some degree. But think about David again. He wasn't even invited to the line up. He was left in the fields. Talk about a bad feeling. There are times when I've been excluded from certain groups or left out of activities. That feeling is hands down worse than being chosen last. It makes you begin to question your worth, your value. Think for a moment how David must have felt. I'm sure that he knew what was going on. He knew that Samuel was in town and that he had important business with his family. But rather than being included, David was sent out to tend the sheep. A task that Jesse could have easily given to someone else. I imagine that he was crushed as he walked out into the field and his father and brothers went off to see who would be chosen as king.
But things worked out for David in the end, we all know this. He was the one that God chose first. You see, God isn't bound by the standards of greatness that we create. He sees the value and potential in every single person. When we look at a person, we don't choose them because of their stature, appearance, political beliefs, background, color, education, etc....the list could go on forever. We have become so caught up in things that don't matter that we're doing the same thing that Jesse did. We won't even invite certain people to the line-up because we are so convinced that God could never use them.
I had never thought of the fact that David wasn't the last one chosen, he was excluded from the process altogether. How awful that must have felt. But God had other plans for him. God saw his potential, just as He sees ours.
When Samuel went to the house of Jesse to choose Israel's newest leader, he instructed Jesse to invite ALL of his sons to the sacrifice and meal. But as we all know, not all of them were included. One of them was left out in the field to tend to the sheep. Dad compared this situation to a game of kickball on the playground. We all know the drill. You choose captains and everyone else lines up. One by one, names are called and kids scamper to join their teams. More names get called and the line slowly dwindles to two. Then it's down to one. The last one chosen. The one that nobody really wanted on their team, but chose out of necessity. I don't know about you, but I've been there. And it stinks. I have never been particularly talented in the area of sports, but I have ALWAYS had a strong desire to be included and fit in, so situations like this were awful for me. I think that everyone has this desire to some degree. But think about David again. He wasn't even invited to the line up. He was left in the fields. Talk about a bad feeling. There are times when I've been excluded from certain groups or left out of activities. That feeling is hands down worse than being chosen last. It makes you begin to question your worth, your value. Think for a moment how David must have felt. I'm sure that he knew what was going on. He knew that Samuel was in town and that he had important business with his family. But rather than being included, David was sent out to tend the sheep. A task that Jesse could have easily given to someone else. I imagine that he was crushed as he walked out into the field and his father and brothers went off to see who would be chosen as king.
But things worked out for David in the end, we all know this. He was the one that God chose first. You see, God isn't bound by the standards of greatness that we create. He sees the value and potential in every single person. When we look at a person, we don't choose them because of their stature, appearance, political beliefs, background, color, education, etc....the list could go on forever. We have become so caught up in things that don't matter that we're doing the same thing that Jesse did. We won't even invite certain people to the line-up because we are so convinced that God could never use them.
I had never thought of the fact that David wasn't the last one chosen, he was excluded from the process altogether. How awful that must have felt. But God had other plans for him. God saw his potential, just as He sees ours.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Our New Addition....
Well, Austin and I finally took the plunge. We got a dog. Last week, I was on the phone with my mom as she walked into the hairdresser. On the door was a sign for a free King Charles Cavalier Spaniel. Mom asked some questions, I made some calls, and to make a long story short, a few days later we had a dog. Belle is the sweetest little thing and is absolutely perfect for life in our tiny apartment. However, the poor girl had quite a shock today when Austin and I both had to go to school. We got her last Friday night and were home all weekend. Then, Austin had two snow days. So, I think that she had come to the conclusion that life in the Baker household consisted of sitting on the couch, watching Dog the Bounty Hunter, and taking naps.
As Belle got more comfortable with us, I began to see some behaviors that reminded me of Savannah, the dog we had growing up. The most obvious similarity is the ability to sprawl out and relax anytime, anywhere. Now I know that lots of dogs do this, but it's the manner in which it is done that makes it unique. For example, Savannah used to spend FOREVER scratching at and adjusting her pillows and blankets until she thought they were just right. Belle does the same thing. Also, Savannah was very intolerant of pain and cried like a baby anytime you barely hurt her. Belle is the same way. Another memory I have of Savannah is when mom would make our lunches. As soon as Savannah heard the familiar crinkle of the potato chip bag, she would jump up and run over to mom's feet. Last night as I made Austin's lunch, Belle did the same thing.I guess the thing that makes me so happy is that they both share a pleasant, laid back nature. Savannah was rarely in a hurry, only barked on occasion, and was always excited to see her family come in. Belle shares all of those qualities. I was lucky to have Savannah when I was growing up and I know Austin and I are certainly luck to have Belle now.
As Belle got more comfortable with us, I began to see some behaviors that reminded me of Savannah, the dog we had growing up. The most obvious similarity is the ability to sprawl out and relax anytime, anywhere. Now I know that lots of dogs do this, but it's the manner in which it is done that makes it unique. For example, Savannah used to spend FOREVER scratching at and adjusting her pillows and blankets until she thought they were just right. Belle does the same thing. Also, Savannah was very intolerant of pain and cried like a baby anytime you barely hurt her. Belle is the same way. Another memory I have of Savannah is when mom would make our lunches. As soon as Savannah heard the familiar crinkle of the potato chip bag, she would jump up and run over to mom's feet. Last night as I made Austin's lunch, Belle did the same thing.I guess the thing that makes me so happy is that they both share a pleasant, laid back nature. Savannah was rarely in a hurry, only barked on occasion, and was always excited to see her family come in. Belle shares all of those qualities. I was lucky to have Savannah when I was growing up and I know Austin and I are certainly luck to have Belle now.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
The Diet: Days 1-3
Well, Austin and I started the 17 Day Diet on Monday. I'll be honest, it hasn't been very easy. The first night, I was so hungry that I could have devoured about three pounds of chocolate in one sitting. Tuesday was a little better, but I did give into the temptation of the candy dish my boss keeps on her desk. However, I felt like I was slightly less hungry throughout the day. I'm going to credit that to my filling breakfast of eggs and a smoothie. Also, I have lost two pounds, so I feel pretty darn good about that!!
In other news, Austin has started his student teaching. Yesterday his students played a get to know you game with him and among other things, they asked him what kind of pickle he would be. Gotta love 6th graders!
In other news, Austin has started his student teaching. Yesterday his students played a get to know you game with him and among other things, they asked him what kind of pickle he would be. Gotta love 6th graders!
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