January 23, 2011

Back to my first love...

So I have a confession...if you have blogged, facebooked, or done anything remotely computer related this week, I haven't read it. And here is the second confession-- as much as I love each of your blogs, facebook pages, etc., I have never felt more refreshed or rejuvenated after a week off. I must explain...
A little over a week ago, I felt a tugging at my heart that I was a little addicted to technology/media. While I don't think technology itself is bad, I think we can easily be sucked in and not come out for what seems like days. Can anyone else relate? I mean, sometimes I can pop on facebook for "just a minute" and all of a sudden an hour has passed. Or another time I can start reading blogs and just keep linking to another and another and another and then my whole evening is gone. Again, nothing wrong with a good blog or catching up with folks on facebook. And nothing wrong with a funny show on TV. But when it starts to consume our lives, I think it is time to take a step back...at least for me.
So that consuming happened for me as I mentioned about a week ago. And the Lord just kept quietly nudging me in different ways through different people that perhaps I needed a little time away from what had seem to become my new love...and what had replaced my first love-- Christ. For me, that meant giving up all forms of media and entertainment for the week and just focusing on God's Word, my family, and my love relationship with Jesus. Can I just say...REFRESHING!! I mean, yes, I went through a little withdrawl (what's a girl to do when the Bachelor season is in full swing...and I just know I was missing something good on all my blogs...) but as the week progressed, I must say, I had the sweetest time with the Lord and found myself not even missing my regular shows and updates on facebook.
Anyways, I don't share this to pass along any guilt or condemnation about watching TV, checking facebook, or being a blog-follower-- I do all of these things and will continue to. I only share because I was SO thankful to have a week off and would highly recommend it sometime. I was able to clear my mind, my heart and truly return to my first love. My prayer is that I will find a balance...not sure what that looks like but praying the Lord will show me.

For those of you just here for the pictures- I get that too :) Here are a few updated ones of the twinkies...




This one might be hard to tell...but this would be Emma Kate tackling her brother before bed. He wasn't loving it :)


January 3, 2011

A Trip Downtown...

One of the nice things about living so close to Washington DC is that we can hop in the car, drive 20 minutes, and be in our nation's capital that is so rich in culture and diversity. We decided to take advantage of it this weekend and we went to check out the National Christmas Tree. I always love seeing the display of trees and the babes loved running around. Here are a few shots from our evening out.

The tree with the White House in the background
Had to take a picture of this...the Nativity scene is still one of the central parts of the display. Praise God!


Sweet Emma Kate and the Washington Monument

Happy boy!