[climber-for karie]

sylvia found this little guy the other day and brought him to me :) Of course I wanted to take pictures. She named him Climber and kept him for almost a whole day until micah dropped him off the porch accidentally. (?) Haha.

he's a pretty cool guy :)

fave :)

I was doing dishes as Micah struggled to reach a cup from the cupboard. With his arm lifted up towards it, I poked him in the underpit. He grinned, and wiggled, then asked me, "Can you get me that cup?" (still pointing)  I poked him a couple more times, then made him say please before handing it over. He ran around to the other side of the counter and proceeded to pour pineapple juice from the can into his cup. I watched him and was thinking something like, "Somebody's getting too big for their britches..." 

But then, he finished pouring and went towards dad's office, saying, "Dad usually likes to have the juice.." 

That floored me. It doesn't sound like much. But Micah really wanted to please dad. And it was a mini life lesson for me. Am I willing to give up my 'pineapple juice' to please my Father? The Christian life isn't just about don'ts. It's about doing things that will please God.

Sami took this on Sunday. And I like it :) Perhaps those who object to my serious picture faces will like it too ;)

[surprise!]

Soo, anybody remember this post from last summer? Well, today his whole family came over to our house randomly for brunch. Well... it was a random invitation on our part, and they were free and accepted! It was rather surprising when the ten of them walked into the house, though, haha. Mom didn't tell me she was inviting them...it was all a rather last minute affair. So we put together a quick brunch and ate together, and then they spent a good part of the day with us, just hanging out and getting to know each other. We've met them just in passing at the park or something a few times over the past year, and have never really met the whole family formally. So it was really cool! They have eight kids, and they have a Micah and a Levi (pictured), hahaha. It's*really* confusing, haha. Soo, it goes Micah, Caleb, Jayden, Justice, Joshua, (oh yeah, they have a Joshua too... oh dear, hahah. Now we have three Levis and three Joshuas....) Hosanna (yep, ONE girl) and Jeremiah. (Who is four months old, soo chubby, and sooo adorable.) Anyway, it was a fun day.

Right now I'm wondering if my first 'real' day back home was super frustrating, or if I'm just having a hard time getting back into the swing of home life. I'm going with the former. ;) 

I have good reasons, though :) This morning the kids didn't go to school as planned (Sam and I were counting on having the whole day to focus on moving me in and planning for this weekend) because mom didn't sleep at all last night. Then my brand new pants ripped :( 

Tomorrow is a new day! And there's a cool breeze coming through my window right now... the sun is casting a beautiful backlight on the greenery to the west of me. It's a beautiful evening.

-slightly encouraged shaina

[quote!]

"What day is it?" 

"It's today," squeaked Piglet.
"My favorite day," said Pooh.
- A.A Milne

"The worst thing you can do for a student is to answer a question for them before they've asked it." 

This is a quote from an interview my teacher did on a radio show the other day. Feel free to take a listen; he's speaking specifically on astronomy. It was quite interesting! 

-Shanaynay

I am more willing to believe and look a fool in this life than to disbelieve and look a fool in eternity.

[this is my heart]

Why must fear follow me everywhere, like a tiger waiting to pounce and kill? 
"Fear not, for I am with you." 

Lord, be with me always.
"I shall not leave you or forsake you." 

Lord, this hurts so bad. 
"My flame shall not hurt thee; I only design/ thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine."  

[i think my tongue is moldy]

So, two, three days ago: I get out some marmalade, slap it on a biscuit, and... *gulp* "MOM, this tastes moldy."

"No, it doesn't, I just got it recently." "Nooo, seriously, Mom, taste it!" *nom nom* "It doesn't taste moldy. Do you want me to finish it for you?" *nod nod* Today I pulled out some new toothpaste and start foamin up.... *gulp* it tastes moldy. I'm starting to think maybe it's my tongue. Someone please help? Haha. 

On a separate note, I'm totally shocked and surprised at the response I've gotten on my poll. I had no idea I had that many readers. (and I certainly didn't know how many people obsess over my blog, hehe) It has even caused me to question the integrity of the poll, presenting the possibility that some of you have been voting more than once. (ridiculous, I know. I just don't see any other explanation for the amount of votes I've gotten. Which... is not very many, haha. But still a lot more than I thought there were.)  As you all know, curiosity killed the cat, and asking the one question led to many more questions, like, "Who on earth would want to read my blog? And who would obsess over it?"  However, all that being said, let me very subtly remind you all that anyone can comment, even if you don't have a blogger account. Just choose the anonymous option and leave your name, nickname, or initials in the comment so I know who you are. And if you're some random internet stranger, no problem. Just.. say you're a random internet stranger, or something. I'll try my best not to be creeped out. ;) 
Love always,
Nay-Nay (As this lil dude calls me)

Note to self: 

Don't use 'literally' right before a figure of speech.

If you're reading this in an email, click through to the blog. I've made some changes and there's a poll for you guys to vote in! Just to satisfy my own curiosity. :)

[very random happy post]

I think I'm falling in love with country music again. Which makes me happy. The thought of Easter coming up also makes me very (though unrelatedly) happy. And the fact that though we're done with Confessions,we're still reading Augustine makes me super happy as well. The rain does not make me happy, but you can't win em all, haha. I'm definitely going to have to tag this one under 'random', because I really don't have any logical reason behind posting this, loool.

[lorna doone]

Sam and I have been pining to watch a chick flick together lately. So when she came over randomly this evening, we thought, "Why not?" We dug up something we hadn't seen yet, which happened to be Lorna Doone. (made in 2000)  I have mixed feelings on it, haha. While it was a really good story, and had some really good looking actors in it, the acting could have used some help. But it interested me and I'd like to read the book now. And it had some really great scenes. :) The main actor I totally thought was the actor that played Eomer in Lord of the Rings... but nooo, he's not. Hahah recognition fail.

~Shaina

[for bre]

Remember what I look like now? ;) Johnny took this :)

Yeah, we painted mud on our faces :D Josh took this one.

Does anyone else stab themselves in the nostril with their pinky nail when applying lotion? 
...I thought not. I'll go hide in my weird person cave now.

[random]

It is so nice to see that list of people to email/write getting smaller.. what a sense of accomplishment. Of course.. I didn't exactly get a ton of school done today... but we don't talk about that.


A real post coming soon :D Unless I get caught up with packing/plans for THE WEEKEND!!!!!!!!!! Muahaha.

[goodbye]

Random ramblings for you....
1. I'm going to be without my computer for a few days. So no pictures probably. And most likely no posts either. 
2. Phone tag is not the most fun game ever invented ;)
3. Reminiscing is fun :)
4. I'm soooooper excited about this weekend :) 
5.  Funniest. Story. Ever.
6. I'm going to miss you guys!!

[three oh three]

Something about dead flowers is just.... compelling.

i heart this.

[three oh three]
7.21.11

i've always loved button down shirts with the sleeves rolled up.

[two sixty two]

A while ago on Flickr I mentioned that these are not the best years of my life by any means. I tried not to convey the idea that I don't love my life now, and I hope that I didn't. But I would like to clarify what I meant further.

Although my life right now is wonderful, and I feel so amazingly blessed, I have come to realize that with increased age come increased responsibilities. That's a bit of a no brainer. But the one that many people don't realize is that with increased responsibilities come increased blessings! So, when I say that these are not the best years of my life, I by no means intend to say that I don't enjoy my life right now, but simply that I look forward with anticipation to the life ahead of me, the responsibilities ahead of me, and the blessings ahead of me. I hope to "rejoice in suffering" (Romans 5:3) and "persevere in doing good."  (Romans 2:7)

Today I sat alone by the creek and read C.S. Lewis' book "The Four Loves."
It was amazing and peaceful. I think I might have even gotten a little bit burnt :)

I dabbled my toes in the water. I listened to the wind in the
trees and watched the ripples on the water.
I enjoyed God's creation. I thought. I wrote.

I didn't bring my tripod, so I set my camera on the
opposite bank and made a wild dash for this one.

[two sixty two]
6.7.11

Some random "Get to know Shaina" facts:
1. I very, very rarely turn music up louder than it needs to be for me to hear it above the surrounding noise. When the other noise dies down, I turn my music down. I am the only one in my family I think that does that... am I weird that way? 

2. I went on a run today and saw an amazing sunset. When I got home I grabbed my camera and drove to where it was but I was too late. 

3. I love it when my neighbor comes and drinks tea with us and speaks German with our houseguest. The amazing thing is I can really get the idea of what they're saying most of the time. It's so cool. 

4. I like cut off sleeves on t-shirts. :) 

5. I want to write but the words haven't been coming.

The end. :)

"Christ, who said to the disciples, "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you," can truly say to every group of Christian friends "You have not chosen one another but I have chosen you for one another."
~C.S. Lewis

I just love this because.. it's so true. And it reminds me of my friends :)

[random thoughts]

[two fifty eight]
6.3.11

How can He rescue us if we won't let Him? What are friends for if not to care? Why am I surrounded by such beauty when others are in despair? How can I help?

 

Peace. The Great Conductor does not conduct aimlessly.

This set of photos is one of my favorites in a long time. I love the light and the subject. You?