Date Days Are The Best

I live for days like this.

I woke up on the couch this morning, after having apparently fallen asleep there last night. I had a pajama-clad, tornado-haired mess free climbing across my lap to start the morning, and although my couch doesn't have a sleep number, waking up was no issue.

First order of business?
Pancakes. I mean, when it's a date day with Sydni, you'd better plan on pancakes at some point, otherwise you'll end up eating them for dinner (she's a focused kinda girl..). It may seem like a small formality, but I know better, and as I'd expected, it was a good call.

With bellies properly filled, we set off on a course for the woods. With the trees still bare, it's not the type of nature outing I generally envision, but that didn't detract from the satisfaction of fresh air and uneven footing, an uprooted tree and treads of dog prints scattered across the path recovering from last week's heavy rainfall. For the majority of our adventure, we were the only two on the trail, which afforded some genuine Sydni conversation.

and we're off! 

the joys of self timers! ;) 

the this tree almost fell on me! face
[for the record, no, it did not]

As always, I was reminded again today just how proud I should be - and am - of this girl, for the perspective on the world that she's happy to share with me, and that every single day, a new part of her personality blooms and makes its statement in a new facial expression, unexpected quip or something otherwise random or unique. Goshhhh, love this girl..

my favorite from the day

sassy lil thing! 

We finished our hike, and I agreed to continuing on our date day by indulging multiple requests for froyo... haha. IYO it was. We ran into one of the pastors from Syd's other side, who I've met once before but of course invited Sydni back to assist with the operations for the short time we were there. 

cashier in training! 

Our day out and about ended with a heaping bowl of pasta and a Disney Netflix marathon. There's a tired little bug snoozing away in her room with two pups using her feet as pillows, and I'm one happy mama.

Rob's back tomorrow, but it won't be before the post-service informational meeting for SonRise Panama, round 2!! Any eyes that cross this post before tomorrow morning, please know that prayers are hugely appreciated and needed for this - I believe the plans are still in their infancy stage now, but I know June will be here before we all know it. 

So for now, good night, loves! 

xo | cmd

Here We Go, Weekend!

Rob left for Illinois this morning, which meant Sydni and I got to kick off the weekend on our own. I picked her up after work and we got started in on our first order of weekend business: starting a Mommy-Daughter notebook. It was Sydni's idea, and I think it's an absolutely terrific one!

It wasn't long at all after we got home that we were both doodling in our joint notebook; Sydni got the best of the artwork for tonight, but I'm excited for her to come back next week while she's at her dad's to find some notes I'll be leaving just for her ♥.

i love this girl!! 

I've come a loooong way from the Friday nights of the late 2000's; tonight I wanted nothing more than a quiet, disconnected marathon of silly doodles, cuddles and bedtime stories. I still dearly cherish those friends from the times of late nights and sore dancing feet, but I couldn't imagine trading my 8pm PJ's and sticky little PB&J fingers for anything a night on the town could've ever offered. 

bedtime stories!

It's gonna be a fun weekend, I can tell. For now though, there's another round of glitter-encrusted books with frilly tales of jibber jabber and tall-tale fun. My little bookworm is reading most of these on her own now, a fact that makes me feel both proud and pathetically nostalgic all at once. 

Don't ever lose your spirit, mini me ♥.

TGIF!

xo | cmd

Small Group :)

I haven't talked much about this lately, but I feel like tonight would be a good one to express how much I appreciate our small group. Woops - they're called small groups at Sonrise, but same thing. I'm especially appreciative for the study Chris is currently walking us through: A study of the Old Testament. We had a packed table tonight, as we continued the journey through the foundation of the OT and how it shapes the rest of the Bible. 

old testament study

And no, this isn't a Baptist church [shout out to the Tower, alllll the way back in Illinois; I love & miss you guys!], but that doesn't stop us from getting our snack on during studies. I'm very much accustomed to small groups that are casual and warm all the way around, only incorporating serious focus when it comes to the studying at hand. It's funny how the presence of good food can and will always aid in the cultivation of a group or team atmosphere. 

Blogbots, I hope your Thursday was a wonderful day, and that Friday ushers in an even better weekend! TGI[almost]F!

xo | cmd

Bible Notes

Happy Wednesday, blogbots :)

I was digging through an old Bible last night, looking for a some of the notes I'd scribbled in there from some long-ago study in the book of James; I found that, but also dug up a couple of index cards I'd saved from another study - the compilation of verses from Thomas Nelson's 150 Most Important Bible Verses. 

There are verses crucial to our core existence, daily living & resolve:

There are verses directed at the men, for their households, their jobs, their leadership capabilities and parenting:

The same for women, as matriarchs, friends, leaders, workers and self-recognizing entities: 

For teens, the forever petulant range of years that tests and builds the stuff we'll take with each of us into our early adult lives: 

And last but certainly not least: our calling in life - to be leaders. To lead in one shape or form, whether over a class, or a family, or a church group. Whether over a team or multiple teams. Within our familial and/or social groups. We are called to lead our own lives, with discipline, grace and diligent prayer. We are each leaders, in a unique path carved specifically for each of us. 

I'm so glad I found these. I hope that something on that list of quotes appeals to you, or speaks to you in a way that you may have needed today. I know I find worth in more than one of those daily. 

Love you, blogbots. 

xo | cmd

Confessions: Shadowhunters

Anyone who knows me knows that I have what's probably an unnecessary affinity for angsty teenagers battling some completely nonsensical and overly-creative apocalyptic war of somethingsomethingsomething... etc. 

The Hunger Games
Divergent
[and now] ... Shadowhunters

 

Am I ashamed of this vice, the way I probably should be?
Nah. 

Do I have any idea, really, what the book series is actually about, and do I have the urge to read them?
No, and actually.... no. 

Okay, so the superfandom has yet to hit me for this one, and truthfully the cast, aesthetically cast as they are, isn't JLaw & Co., but hey, it's a new book-based series that'll do for now. So while Rob was out with Chris at their weekly independent study, Sydni and I cuddled up for a night of coloring and books before she went to bed. Then it was time to watch this, which still baffles me that I'm legitimately watching multiple episodes of this show [on purpose], but whatev'. I'm good with this :). 

Also, I've always been a fan of Harry Shum Jr., but not because I'm Asian... 

Okay, maybe. But seriously not; he's hilarious. #asiansrepresent! 

Yeah, so it looks like I'll be needing another real-life grown-up TV vice, too, and since The Office really isn't going to make a reprise anytime soon - although if it dooooesss....... 

Anyway, thanks Harry Shum Jr., and Kat McNamara for making this easier to watch, and mildly entertaining. 

And uhhh yeah, that's Tuesday!
Hang in there folks: There'll be some substantial content to these suckers sometime soon, I'm nearly sure of it. 

Til then, g'nite blogbots! 

xo | cmd

My Monday Mini

Is it weird that I didn't hate Monday this week?

For some reason, I have a feeling that this week's going to be a busy one, but a good one, too.

It couuuuuuld have something to do with the fact that this critter is home:

Actually, I'm pretty sure it has everything to do with that little critter being home.. haha. I'll tell ya - this little chickadee can put a smile on a mud puddle. I spent the first three quarters of the day pacing at light speed; my desk didn't stop for more than a few bites of salad and exactly 2 bathroom breaks. Monday did what it could to remind me that it was there, but that wasn't happening today. There is absolutely no greater joy in this world than the presence of family, specifically the antics between a mama and her mini.

There's not going to be a lot to this entry today; that mini up there gets me for the night.
I'm off, loves.

xo | cmd

I Have Decided - Pursue the Battle Lines

And here I thought last week's Sunday sermon was designed to rock me to the core. I mean, it did, but today's was the refresher course that I really needed. Rob, too. We were privileged to be in the audience for the guest preacher, a Zimbabwe native with a first hand glimpse at life on the other side of the spiritual line.

I would much rather let him share his message with you himself, via webcast, so I'll most definitely post it when SonRise gets it up on the website. In the meantime, we'll have to settle for the Storytellers' abbreviated version:

Today we listened to a man whose childhood consisted of a life of rituals, witch doctors and spiritual seances purposed to channel the voices of the deceased. He was witnessed to by a nun, and that led to a decision that would change his life, and ultimately provide him with the information and passion to share his testimony with congregations along the way, just like ours.

What I love, is when something is stated simply: In his case, the fact that whether we want to acknowledge it or not, we are on the front lines of a spiritual conflict. No, it's not a mystical, fantasy, imaginary world. It's the world in which we live, where we are faced with the decisions daily of who and what will influence us, and in what ways.

We must be armed. We must be prepared. We accomplish preparedness by reading the Word. We ready our hearts and minds by establishing the truth in them, so that when false words and claims are presented, that truth will acknowledge. We resist temptation by understanding our limitations and relying on our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ to stand beside us in the seasons where our areas of weakness may otherwise distract us. It's a commitment that we must have, to pray. For protection, for guidance and for perseverance of ourselves, our brothers and sisters, our families, children, friends and those who don't yet even know Christ. It's a full-fledged war, in which we put our trust in the power and ability of God.

I can't wait to share the full vido here; I'll absolutely do that as soon as it's up live!
In the meantime, a friendly reminder that the first meeting for this year's Panama trip is next Sunday. I found the video on the SonRise site and thought I would share it, just in case you're curious about what it is in which we invested ourselves last year in April.


For now though, it's the day of leisure that Sunday should be...  .... okay, well maybe with a little bit of Pinterest to boot. I mean, we're going to have a couple of rooms to decorate here soon, right? 
:)  xo | cmd