Have I mentioned I love the Zoo?

Most who know me well know this about me. I love me some animals. It is strange that our family only has one four-legged member (who sits on my lap as I write this) – but this is where we are in life – maybe we’ll stay at a 1:1 child to pet ratio. Anyhow, once a week I travel to the land of the animals – and my heart is always encouraged. I know the Lord did something unique in me in that he uses his creation so specifically to remind me of his grandeur. I try and bring my camera at least once a month. Here are some recent shots:

My good friend Melissa and Krueger, our Eurasian Eagle Owl

My brave baby touching a ball python

The newest resident at the Zoo – Gypsy, an African elephant

Nigel, a prehensile tailed porcupine

Changa, a female Jackson’s Hornbill (working on crating and recall – will be used on outreach programs)

My version of the crocodile hunter

Since it’s not a good picture – here’s what’s in my hand:

“Any glimpse into the life of an animal quickens our own and makes it so much the larger and better in every way.”

-John Muir-

As promised…

Here he is coming in the door Monday night!

(He’s so kind to humor me)

We’ve decided that we like Wednesdays the best (next to Sundays when there’s no class or work!) because doon doesn’t go into work – so he gets home at a normal time!  Hooray!!!

First Day of School

For some reason, I have Adam Sandler’s voice in my head from Billy Madison. “Back to school, Back to school…”  Ugh.  Today it started.  The beginning of our next two years of life.  Hubby started school.  He, along with the thousands of other students across Dallas, packed their lunch (and dinner), grabbed their syllabi (and laptop) and headed out the door!  All why baby girl cried that her poppa was leaving without her and then blew him kisses as he backed out the driveway.  I am SO sad that I didn’t get a picture this morning.  I realized it as Donald was walking out the door.  I will get one when he walks back in.  At 10:30.  Yep.  Hubby’s a marathoner.  I am so thankful for his amazing diligence and dedication that he’s exhibiting as he heads off to class and then drives up to work (sometimes it will be in the reverse order) to provide for our family.  Plus, he is a SMARTY and will do amazing things with the knowledge that he’s going to receive through SMU’s MBA program.  His heart is so wonderful.  So here we are – first day of school, first day of the next two years, and just another day of me being thankful for my marvelous man.

(Since no picture from this morning – here’s doon and Abi outside one of the business buildings at SMU)

Sanctification through Motherhood – Part II

It has begun.  The discipline stage of parenthood.  We don’t like it.  I don’t like to see this side of Abi.  It hurts my heart.  I love her completely – but this part makes me sad.  Being a parent has so many dimensions.  Goodness.  Why can’t my baby just exhibit her gentleness, her joy, her passion (towards positive things), her sweetness – and be rid of the rest.  Ahh, that’s right.  Sin.  It makes me chuckle (please understand – it’s a sad chuckle.)  What I get frustrated at towards Abi is what I do in my life on a consistent basis.  My sinful self craves something.  In my heart (and often my head) I know it is not the wise course of action.  I think, often I check and make sure no one else is looking – and then I act.  And the Lord must reprimand.  He has to.  He is the ultimate model of a tender, but  consistent disciplinarian.  And I am foolish.  Oh, how I am thankful for grace.

“So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. ²² For in my inner being I delight in God's law; ²³ but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. ²⁴ What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? ²⁵ Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! “ Romans 7:21-25

What is it about water?

“Take a course in good water and air; and in the eternal youth of Nature you may renew your own.” John Muir

Ahhh, water. Yes, please. What is it about water? It just brings peace and calmness. I love that. Here I go again – but our family loves the lake. It is hands down our most favorite place in Dallas. We ♥ White Rock!!

Protection

One reason that I was thrilled when our offer was accepted on our house was because our house was in a safe neighborhood.  Extremely low crime rate, the NW Dallas Police Station is literally minutes from our home – you get the picture.  Safe.  Protected.  And it is – our little neighborhood of Lake Ridge Estates is still all of those things.  Mostly.  I get weekly crime alerts from our HOA and most of the time it’s “no recent activity in our neighborhood during the week of X to X”  I’ve come to take that for granted.  Sometimes I’m tempted just to delete the e-mail.  But, over the past week there have been two minor break-ins.  And that has somewhat rocked my world.  I am terrified at the idea of someone else being in our home.  Terrified.  The idea makes me want to get a large dog and a top-of-the-line security system.  Especially as my macho hubby will be gone more frequently.  But, these fears that have gripped me this past week have really been a source of self-reflection – a time to sit and think about how the Lord feels about my fear.  I know he cares.  He cares about me.  He loves me perfectly.  He is my ultimate protector.  He is the creator of all things – he is intimately connected and familiar with each person on this earth – both those whose homes have been burglarized and those who commit the crime.  He knows and loves both.  He loves both.  His heart must break over one child actively and intentionally harming another child – yet love is still present.  And his heart must grieve at one child’s security being ripped away.  But love is there.  And perfect love casts out fear.  We are trapped in an imperfect world – but we are loved perfectly from our protector.

A new “Welcome to the Wallaces”

So, only 11 months after installation – the door is completed.  What ended up taking a bit longer than expected (“Oh, I’m sure I can get this done during Abi’s nap.”), ended up being an afternoon project – but we’re really happy with the results!

Pre-Stain:

Mid-Stain:

Post-Stain!!:

Our new door would love for you to come and knock on it and sit a spell.

Summer is:

Hanging out at the park!  Oh, we love the park(s) near us.  And, as of late, we have been able to make trips to the park in the evening after Donald gets home because it’s somewhat cool!  It is amazing how temperature becomes relative.  The days of 80 degree weather seems like a dream.  We have three main parks that we love to visit – one for shade, one for more baby-friendly, and one for good views and diversity!  It is good to be outside.  Souls don’t do well with too much inside time.

Rook, welcome to the Wallace family

A sad event occurred about a week and a half ago in our house.  Phoenix drove out of our driveway for the last time.  What makes the story super interesting is that she drove out for the last time at about 10 o’clock in the evening.  Thanks so the scare of the CARS (cash for clunkers) program ending early, and that car dealerships are crazy and are willing to stay open until 12:30, also, our Dess buddies had a similar problem last month and let us test-drive their Elantra thus making the “quick-decision process” possible, plus that my sweet and darling hubby values a good deal and HE is willing to be up at a car dealership until 12:30 – we got a new car.  Her name is Rook.  Out of respect to our dear Phoenix, we wanted to name her replacement with a mythological name (don’t you judge us) – and Donald found Rook.  Here’s what you need to know about mythical Rooks: they were able to sense the approach of death (believe me, Phoenix has been close for a while), and rooks were responsible for escorting the souls of virtuous dead to heaven (don’t need to explain that one, our Phoenix was virtuous without question).  Now, I know that we sound a bit crazy how attached we were to a ‘97 jeep.  But we’ve had some incredibly special memories in that car – she will be missed.  I got teary-eyed.  We even went to the car dealership again to take our final pictures with her before she “was escorted to car-heaven.”  But, alas, Rook – welcome to the family.

Mythical Rook:

Our Rook:

Goodbye Phoenix:

Another year has gone by…

Today is my mom’s birthday!  She is such a special lady.  I am thankful for many aspects of her life and personality; however there are a certain few which I greatly desire to be mirrored in my own life.

1) She is a woman who truly has a servant’s heart.  Through our family (cleaning dishes, running errands, doing the less glamorous work, etc.), through meals-on-wheels, through Steven’s Ministry; my mom is a lady who is gifted at and loves to serve.

2) She believes in the power of prayer.  I never doubt that if I am in need that I can turn to my mom and know that she would be on her knees for me.  She is active in daily petitioning before the Lord on behalf of her friends (and those she doesn’t know), believing one-hundred percent that the Lord is faithful to his children’s prayers.

3) She finds great value in being a mother/grandmother.  I have grown to appreciate this quality about her during the past year of my life.  She takes great joy in her family, and finds its members precious.

Happy Birthday, Mom!  We’re thankful for your beautiful life!