adventure #2

David generously revealed the second surprise adventure for Mother's Day last weekend. The dates are reserved on the calendar but the specifics are left for a big reveal an hour before. (how else is a girl supposed to know what to wear!?) This one was prefaced with a disclaimer that they will not all be this grand. Good to know.

Last weekend, he surprised me with a dinner at a restaurant I have wanted to try for a while, Philippe. A Philippe Chow restaurant providing delicious Chinese food. Think PF Chang's goes fine dining. It is making my New York "good to try" list. Good food. Great ambiance. Superb service. Great location. Check. Check. Check.

After dinner we walked leisurely down to Rockefeller Center on a beautiful evening and right into Radio City Music Hall for the premiere of Cirque de Soleil's Zarkana. Neither of us have been to a Cirque show and I had no idea what to expect, except knowing it's an adult circus of sorts? To be honest, even now that I've seen one - I still don't know how I would describe it.

The website says it is "fantastically bizarre" and I could not say it any better than that. The performances are unbelievable. The costumes and staging - like none I have seen before. The storyline was a bit lost on me, though. There were definitel

y moments where I felt like it was all a little on the "dark" side. Have any of you seen a Cirque show and am I just completely missing something? Perhaps.

I left in awe at the many talents God has given unique to each of us. Sometimes, well a lot of the time, I feel like my talents are really not that special. I feel like I'm OK at many things but not really great at any one of them. I always admire those who are masters in their field. These performers are examples of discipline and commitment and ... sheer mastery over their talent. It was inspiring actually what the human body is capable of doing - with a little "nuts" thrown in for good measure.

It's made me really ponder what I want to have mastery over in my life. Lately, I've been thinking about what it would mean to truly have command over the Word. To meditate and delight in reading God's love letter, His instruction manual, in a way that I could not get enough and it was planted deep in the soil of my heart, so that the fruits of peace and love and understanding and discernment would naturally grow in my life.

The past few weeks I have felt a new hunger to really consult and know the Word and what it says about marriage, finances, parenting and education. I have so many "marriage" books, "parenting" books and the like. I am just feeling the need to put those down and pick the Bible up.

What does the Bible say about parenting, singleness, marriage? What does the Bible say about children? What does the Bible say about education? I want my answers to not be because of a particular book and philosophy but because I have dug deep in the Word and prayed about how the Spirit would play that out in our family. How would my parenting change? How would my answers change and deepen to those questioning my actions...daily? How much more could God be glorified as those roots take hold and a strong oak of wisdom grows as shade for my home?

Nothing like going from Zarkana back to the Word, but you know. That's just where my mind is today.

my lil' ballerina.

My lil' ballerina had her ballet recital last weekend. Her group did a performance to "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" by Jewel. Warning: it will bring on the tears.

Proud momma.

We are so proud of you sweet girl.

minute cares.

This morning was not a smooth morning for me as a mother. Not one of my finer moments. Nothing major to write about but I responded in a less than holy manner with my daughter over something quite little actually. A minute that could have been a teachable moment for her became all about me and thus, became ugly. I was not sensitive to her. I was frustrated with her. I was not wanting to care for her, I was more focused on the need to fix something and leave. I apologized and I asked for forgiveness, which she gave freely.

I have had a less than positive attitude this week about a hot summer in the City with two highly energetic kids, living in an apartment with no car to just... get out. I confess my ugliness. My pride. My lack of faith and trust in the Big Picture. I breathe in and breathe out a lot these days and am repeating that famous line, "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can" quite often. There are minute cares that we all experience. They might seem trivial in the moment, but I desire to be more aware of them and pray through the minutes rather than just rely on my own strength. Clearly, this morning, I failed. But, thankfully there are many more minutes to this day. As my kids nap and I'm in a cool apartment while it's 100 degrees outside, I reflect.

This passage from Keep a Quiet Heart by Elizabeth Elliot comes to mind. I sit. Weighed by it's reminder. Thankful for more minutes ... and for forgiveness.

"Emily, wife of America's first foreign missionary, Adoniram Judson, wrote home from Moulmein, Burma in January 1847:

'This taking care of teething babies, and teaching natives to darn stockings and talking English back end foremost ... in order to get an eatable dinner, is really a very odd sort of business for Fanny Forester [ her penname - she was a well-known New England writer before marrying Judson] ... But I begin to get reconciled to my minute cares."

She was ambitious for 'higher and better things', but was enabled to learn that 'the person who would do great things well must practice daily on little ones; and she who would have the assistance of the Almighty in important acts, must be daily and hourly accustomed to consult His will in the minor affairs of life.' "

one.

my sweet boy is now one.

cruising like there is no tomorrow. not quite walking on his own yet.

climbing on anything that is elevated. oh, and posing like a model. hilarious.

learning quickly how to push his sister's buttons and is holding his own in sibling rivalry already. pretty frightening and quite impressive. they have so much fun together.

getting more and more teeth. eating everything in sight: including, play dough, rocks, dog food, sticks from the park, you name it!

speaking of eating. he enjoyed a nice little cupcake on his birthday. what a treat!

his sister even came to help him and share some of the attention. :)

although, i think he was just fine on his own.

happy one year, little one! we love you beyond measure.

good food. good company. good memories

Mother's Day treated me to several delicious meals - two of my very favorite on any given day: a tea and a brunch.

A tea:

Mom took us girls to a special tea room. It was housed in a darling store - of which I could have bought everything and brought it right back into my home. Tres Jolie - I will be back.

A brunch:

Upon returning home from Colorado, David surprised me to a kid-free, Mother's Day brunch (complete with FREE babysitting thanks to Uncle Dan and Ashley)! That, my friends, is the key to my heart. Just feed me - and plan it. Do I hear an Amen!? Sweet husband and very thoughtful. His actual Mother's Day gift was several surprise outings - to come - and just mentioned as "surprise adventure" on the calendar. Love that! This was Surprise Outing #1.

He chose a wee restaurant, Clinton Street Baking Company. You may have heard of them on the Food Network or in one of the many surveys as they have been voted "Best of" for various things over the years, including: brunch and pancakes and ... the biscuits. So, that's just what we ate!

Now, time for a confession. After seeing the menu, we ordered not one, not two but THREE entrees. We just could not decide. Two savory and one sweet. FYI - the pancakes did not disappoint! You pretty much can not go wrong at this place. Believe us - we almost tried them all! Ha.

I say wee restaurant not because it is not significant, but because it is just that - tiny. I think a max of like 30 people can be inside at any time, including the employees. Not as small as others, I know. So - here is a tip if you are going to visit. They open at 9am. Get there at least by 8:30am or 8am if you want to eat within an hour and a half. They don't take reservations, but David and I enjoyed a nice visit together on a stoop of a nearby building while waiting for our coveted table. Such a City moment. It was sweet in every way.

Proof: check out the number of people waiting outside as we were leaving. It was 10:30am.

Side note:

Then we went strolling around afterwards with no plan whatsoever. One of our favorite New York City pastimes. We walked through historic Little Italy on Prince Street. Uh - LOVE. Who knew one street could be so cute and fun?

While we were walking, we saw a familiar dining establishment and realized it was familiar because we had just seen it in a movie (Morning Glory) that we watched the night before.

It was one of those times that it actually hit us that we call this City home, and have now for almost 8 years. Really? And it's a City that a lot of movies are made in and about. (Although we have yet to find one that portrays a realistic NYC apartment. I"m just sayin'.)

And...

This was my favorite building that I saw on Prince Street. It's amazing what beauty you can find when you just look up.

Hmm...deep. I'll end on that note.

the view.

This week as I visit my family in Colorado, I am given the greatest of blessings - time to sit in quiet and pray, read, reflect. As all mommas know, that is one to be treasured and enjoyed when given the opportunity. Today, I am sitting and reading. Stopping every few pages and looking up to see the landscape around me. The view. Pausing to reflect on the women in my family who have sat in this very same place over the past 20 years doing the same thing. Praising God for the perspective, the reminders, the view, the pioneer mothers that have gone before me and those who continue to walk out authentic, raw faith in my presence.

***

It's the summer after my Freshman year at Baylor University and I am anxiously giddy about a summer internship in the youth ministry of a mega-church downtown Denver. Not only am I able to serve in ministry and disciple young women but I am able to live life with my mentor and

grandmother. Living life with a mom of six children - some who have chosen to pursue Christ and some who have walked away. A mother and grandmother who has walked the road of burying a husband - her one love - and the unthinkable, a child. A mother and grandmother who seeks the Lord daily, hourly, minute by minute and reminds those she loves to do the same.

There was nothing but love - living in the humble two-bedroom apartment with my Grandma. Simplicity at it's finest. Not large enough for two to pass down the same hallway. A stove that I swear is the next step up from a pot dangling over a fire. No dishwasher. No air conditioning. Simple. Humble. Completely enough for my Grandma and a grandchild guest. Reality is that it is more than enough for her. Jesus is enough for her. Her children know it. Her grandchildren know it. I know it.

I go off to my job each day and she spends time every morning either at the breakfast table or out on the concrete sidewalk connecting to her back door, praying, reading, praying. Neighbors on either side of her and yet she earnestly seeks and finds solitude in time with her Lord. Her view - the mountains straight ahead, a church on her right.

I imagine her looking up and seeing these mountains stretching beyond the unattractive gas station directly in front of her. I imagine she gave great praise on the very sight of these spectacular creations. I imagine on days when the world was a scary and unknown place, she would look to these mountains and be reminded that her Savior's thoughts and ways were higher than hers. That He had a purpose in everything. That He ultimately was working for her good and for His glory. I imagine this view was a reminder to her of the mountains and valleys along life's journey and a reminder of the ultimate reward awaiting her in eternal life in the presence of Her Redeemer.

***

Now, over 10 years later in the same place. New life grows. Grandma has been gone for five years. The new tenants of the same humble apartment are my parents. My mom. My dad. Grandma's daughter. Funny how life goes, isn't it? A full circle of sorts. This simple, humble apartment is now great provision for my parents. Just enough for them in this season.

Each room is a reminder of the legacy that lived here before us. Each tight space and outdated appliance is a reminder that all we need is God. Not more on this earth, but more that is above. High above. That He was more than enough for my Grandma and He is more than enough for my mom and yes...He is more than enough for me.

As I sit and ponder the generations and the many changes that have taken place, I am reminded that our God remains unchanged. His grace is neverending and His love is steadfast. His purpose, strong and true. His Word, our rock. I am grateful for the mothers in my family that have passed on a legacy of true reliance on our Savior.

Especially as Mother's Day approaches, I am especially grateful that I have a mother who continues to choose a view that is only possible with the Spirit's help. A view that extends beyond her current circumstances and trials. Her current tears and pain. She has a view that even stretches above the unattractive gas station directly in front of her and the glorious mountains. It's an unwavering view. A view to Her Provider, Her Redeemer, Her Lord.

By God's grace, I pray I am able to keep the same View and follow in the legacy of the mothers before me.

adventures.

Our life in New York City is always full of adventure. Some welcomed, some unexpected - but I really am thankful for them all. They each have a purpose I have learned.

One of our recent City adventures took place a few weeks ago. We recruited some dear adventurous friends to join us on a trip to Chinatown for an impromptu Dim Sum lunch. They took some fabulous pictures (especially of Kate) and share more about it here (http://hopewithfeathers.com/journal/2011/5/1/rainy-day-dim-sum.html) at Kristen's blog.

Might I add - you will want to save this blog to your roll. She is not only a dear friend but such an encouragement to us mommas. I think you will enjoy the visit and might even stay a while.

Speaking of adventures: the kiddos and I are on a surprise adventure to the Rocky Mountain State. We showed up and surprised my mom last week and are here enjoying family and those glorious mountains. More to come next week!