todhuntertastic.

one week of thirty-two left.

noreply@blogger.com (ara marie) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 03:15:00 +0000

I'm turning 33 next week. I've loved my thirties so much. I think it's been that I've been different. Life is life. Things happen, good and bad. It's really my attitude and my heart that's changed.

In the last three years, so much has changed in my life:

Two more babies.
Moved to WA for four months and then came back.
Planting a church.
New job.
NO job. :)

Life.

Right now I'm at a place where there are no plans, no expectations, no limits. At first, it scared me to be in this place. Now, I'm just relishing it. "Excited" doesn't begin to describe how I feel.

I'll randomly hear in my thoughts, "You know who's doing it? Yo, who's doing it? God is doing a nu thang." So cheesy, but so my anthem right now. That's right. 90's DC Talk is my anthem.

God is doing a new thing in our lives right now. This is what it feels like to walk the wilderness. It's unknown and all we can do is trust. Trust. Trust. Trust. That's all. The thing is we didn't know what was going to happen a year ago. Yet, we thought we knew the plans.

It is a nu thang. It's unknown and it's exciting.

ara & aria.

noreply@blogger.com (ara marie) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 03:22:00 +0000

I shall call her Squishy and she shall be mine and she shall be my Squishy.

how moms party.

noreply@blogger.com (ara marie) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 04:01:00 +0000

...at least this mom.

There are some days when bedtime is a nice little goal in the day.

elijah sams

noreply@blogger.com (ara marie) — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 23:24:00 +0000

Time management

noreply@blogger.com (ara marie) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0000

Hey. I really miss blogging. It's one of those things I feel like I've totally neglected. Bah. Forgive me? Going to try and write daily. We will see.

Hi.

noreply@blogger.com (ara marie) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 04:32:00 +0000

It's been ages. It really has been. Every night I intend to write and blog because I really have so much to blog about, but life just gets in the way. By "life" I mean baby, chores, hanging with my hubby, etc. It just takes up my time. I'm sure you understand.

Jake has officially gotten a job with Man in the Mirror. It's a ministry directed towards building up the men in our community. This video has some info about it if you want to know more. We are really excited about it, and looking forward to starting it. Jake is officially appointed this month with training to follow next month. Then we literally begin ministry. We are "in ministry." Crazy.....

This has been one of the most intense, most trying time in my life...ever. It's not that it's necessarily difficult or painful, it's just been this ongoing walk with God that has required every bit of faith and trust from me. I've never been a person to be a pessimist or think negatively about the future, but I feel like if something crazy is going to happen, it's going to happen. I don't want to even write a list of the things that have happened in the last four months. Let's just say in the last three weeks, only ONE of our six children has not gone to the doctor for something.

Elijah--sinus & ear infection, iron deficiency
Isaiah--fell on playground, soft tissue injury
Aria--fell down stairs
Layla--fell down stairs, asthma attack, admitted to ICU, now has daily asthma regimen
Noah--fell, was stepped on and cracked his front tooth. Front tooth removed.
Micah--knock on wood.

I've said this to many people, but I know it and have lived it. Ever since we said "yes" to The Church at Antioch, our lives have been turned upside-down. That's not just for us, but for many families in our church plant. We haven't even officially opened yet. I've never been in spiritual battle like I have in these last few months. Many people say we must be doing something right for so much crazy to happen to us. I believe that. It's just hard to live it.

I've been asked over and over again in these last few months to trust God, to have faith. I feel like it's this phrase that repeats inside me daily....Trust Me. Trust Me. Trust Me. At this point, we are. We've given up work, status, friends, Christmas, electronics, comfort, normalcy, teeth, health...All we can do now is trust. We trust You, God.

This Sunday The Church at Antioch officially opens. January 1st, 2012. A new year, a new start, a new hope.

Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

Romans 5:3-5

You know He's doing it. Yo! Who's doing it? God is doing a nu thang.

Merry Christmas!!!!

noreply@blogger.com (ara marie) — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 05:01:00 +0000

We love you and thank you for being a part of our lives.

baby jake

noreply@blogger.com (ara marie) — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 03:15:00 +0000

our bugaboo.

noreply@blogger.com (ara marie) — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 01:20:00 +0000

rudolph

noreply@blogger.com (ara marie) — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 01:17:00 +0000

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer has a special place in my heart. Not because of the movie or anything. I've probably seen that twice. It's the song.

I remember the first time I sang on a mic and loved it. It was at a Filipino-American Association Christmas party and they invited all the kids to come up and sing that song. I just remember being a total mic-hog. I sang my heart out and I got the singing bug.

I remember the grown-ups complimenting me and probably giggling at the fact that I just hammed it up on stage. Spotlight!

I'll never be a famous singer or even want to be one. Living in the land of "musicians" makes it even more difficult to feel like a "good singing voice" matters. They seem like a dime a dozen out here.

But I'm so grateful for my musical past. I grew up singing at church, at home, in school and with my family. It wouldn't be a complete family function unless we got behind the piano and sang something together. It wouldn't be a complete day without singing with my friends.

I miss that.

If I feel frustrated or joyful, I sing. I love singing with some old school Crystal Lewis whenever I feel especially distraught. It's as if I'm just belting my heart out to Jesus.

So, I'm grateful for Rudolph and the moment I learned that I love to sing.

'Tis life.

noreply@blogger.com (ara marie) — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 05:32:00 +0000

Hey guys,

How are you? I'm sorry I haven't written much. I've been busy with the usual life thing and also, my lens broke. It's so lame. I'm the one who dropped it too. It's one of those gut-wrenching things I don't want to think about.

It has been a different time of life. One I've never experienced before. It's been difficult, but also sweet. God is just molding, changing and making us. Had life been my way, Jake would have a job by now and there wouldn't have been a time lapse between jobs. Had it been my way, it would be easy and not hard. But it's not my way. It's the Lord's and His way is better....actually, it's the best way.

For whatever reason, Jake was offered a job right after leaving Starbucks. He had an agreement and a plan to work intermittently and then commence full-time with the job after Aria was born. That was our plan. Then the job was gone--just like that. At the time, it wasn't a bad blow. We just saw it as God's timing. Then we saw and applied for this position, but the process has stretched into weeks. Now we are waiting to find out if we get it.

Waiting.

I'm grateful for this journey. It's been strange, crazy, stretching and growing all at once.

Merry Christmas!

noreply@blogger.com (ara marie) — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 20:06:00 +0000

ghettoest santa visit ever

noreply@blogger.com (ara marie) — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 04:43:00 +0000

As far as I know, they haven't started charging people to see Santa. This was the Santa picture area they had at our local Wal-Mart Customer Service. I was standing there slightly shocked and trying to figure out if this was a joke. That signs says that Santa will be coming December 3rd from this time to this time.

I couldn't believe it.

Things I love about this:
1. It's right by the Customer Service area where you pick up your pictures, layaways and can go to the bathroom. Perfect.
2. The awesome sweet cardboard background complete with homey Christmas scene.
3. The two trees: The real Christmas tree and the tree in the scene.
4. The best part: The chair for Santa is one of those shoe area chairs complete with tilted mirror!

The only benefit to having it here would be that the pictures may be extremely cheap. No, still not a justification. Most places will let you visit with Santa and take your own pictures if you'd like.

My very first job was as Santa's elf at SeaTac Mall. I loved it and it was so much fun. It's also where I had one my most embarrassing moments. We were having a blast, talking with the kids and passing out candy, when I backed into the photographer's umbrella flash, knocked it over and broke it. Not really a big deal, but I was embarrassed. It made it so that the families had an extra 30 minute wait.

I didn't grow up believing in Santa. After working as an elf, I just loved him. The kids were adorable and the men who represented Santa were so kind to the kids. I loved the interaction. We also used to ask the kids what their names were before seeing Santa and Santa would "magically" know their name.

black friday blues.

noreply@blogger.com (ara marie) — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 20:16:00 +0000

So, my Black Friday was good. We honestly didn't have anything we had to get. So it was pretty much uneventful. I ended up going to JCPenney at around 4; checked out Old Navy and stopped at LifeWay. I did get all the jammies for the kids that I planned on getting.

Unfortunately, the sales were really good this year. I'm thinking that they won't change the time next year. It's disappointing, but I can work with it. :) I am honestly hoping that I can be with my sisters and mom next year. We just have too much fun.

Thank you everyone for your texts, phone calls and thoughts of me. I'm glad I'm partly synonymous with Black Friday.

it's begun.

noreply@blogger.com (ara marie) — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 05:58:00 +0000

Thanksgiving is here. I can't believe it! My goal is not let this next month fly by and to enjoy every moment of it. I have a feast planned, along with a fun day with family. It's a vast contrast some of our first Thanksgiving Days here. Well, at least I hope it is. :)

It's been fun having to create new traditions with my family. Of course, I've missed my usual big family functions, but life has changed for all of us in so many different ways. With all the change, our holidays have to change as well.

A few things:

Our kids believe in Santa Claus and the other day at Target Noah was asking if he could get something. I said said that he could ask Santa for it and that we would be writing our lists out this year. Noah, all super serious, whispers, "How do we talk to Santa though?" I explained to him that we would either send him a letter or go see him. He said, "send him a lettewr."

Aria Joy is getting so big. She is just so wonderful to have around. I just love every minute of it. Jake is ridiculously ooey gooey over her. Today was the first day she smiled and cooed a bunch.

Jake played MASH with the kids. All the kids wanted to marry each other. It was cute.

Lastly, please pray for Jake and for our family. He's been in the process of interviewing for a ministry position with Man in The Mirror ministries. He has an interview in Orlando soon. Please pray that God would make this clear and obvious. We would also be raising our own support. This is a new area for us. So, trust.....Also, please pray protection over our family. It's been intense lately and are feeling the onslaught.

Anyhow, baby is crying. Love you guys. Thank you.

belated halloween...

noreply@blogger.com (ara marie) — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 05:05:00 +0000

Defrost....

noreply@blogger.com (ara marie) — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 03:18:00 +0000

I wanted to get a 14-16 pound turkey. I ended up with an 18 pounder. That's pretty big. I know we have a lot of children and all, but small children don't each much. We do love leftovers though. Yum. I need to get my turkey out to defrost it.

So....I haven't decided about Black Friday yet. I'm still bitter, but what can I do? I signed this petition the day I wrote my post about it. I was the eleventh person to sign it. Now there are over 186,000 signatures. I guess I'm not the only person that feels slighted. I think that with all the uproar and protests, retailers will be more considerate next year. I just plan on having a blast. That's all.

Yesterday, Jake posted this as his status on Facebook:

Ever wanted to be a social outcast? Here are a few tips to get you there faster 1. Have lots of kids. 2. Lose a job 3. Love Jesus

It's so true. I guess that's just life, but all our circumstances combined right now make life a little "different." It also made me realize that most everyone is oblivious to what happened with Jake and Starbucks. Honestly, I can't really give details without it negatively affecting certain people and also, Starbucks. Resigning was the only option for us. God made it clear that we were done with Starbucks and it was time to move on. If you want to have a heart-to-heart sometime, we can talk details. :)

I just feel like God is calling us to draw closer and to focus on Him regardless of the circumstances. I always think of the Bible's persecution as the crazy, stone-throwing, ending-in-death persecution. What I don't always realize is that we can be persecuted in the daily: having too many kids, waiting on Jesus for direction on a job, moving away from our family. Doing things that really don't make "sense."

This whole week I've felt oppressed and down. From family to friends to children, I just felt like everything was going wrong or I was getting shunned, persecuted. Then I heard this amazing sermon by Chuck Swindoll one morning. He was talking about worry, and he challenged me to pray every time a worry crept into my thoughts. Just stop and pray. It changed my thoughts from focusing on myself and my worries to thoughts of gratitude.

I love that God is so good. That's definitely something to be thankful for.

Pass it on....

noreply@blogger.com (ara marie) — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 04:03:00 +0000

Do teenagers still pass notes? I know that texting is probably the main form of communication now. I get why. It's easy, convenient and instant. I text.

We used to pass notes like crazy. There were the people I would write to everyday and the others that I would write whenever we had a reason to write. Clarisse and I kept a notebook (which is scary to read now) that we would exchange back and forth between us. I still have a whole box of notes from junior high and high school in my mom's attic.

Note ettiquette--according to me:

--The note should involve some type of bubble letters.
--The note should have an interesting fold. (I forgot how to fold interestingly.)
--Notes should be dated.
--Notes should have some sort of code name in it.

I wrote Jake a note the other night like the olden days. It's kinda weird that we've known each other since 7th grade. Sometimes we'll be sitting with our friends and we'll mention some teacher we had in high school together, and someone will always say how strange it is. We did used to pass notes occasionally. It was more that he wanted me to write him notes, but I'd have to twist his arm to get him to write me back. :) Usually, he would write me, but it would say, "I'm writing you back since you told me to." It was cute.

So, I say bring note writing back. Write a note today and pass it to someone.

You want to comment on this....

noreply@blogger.com (ara marie) — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 04:19:00 +0000

Alisa and Matty are having their second baby due in April of next year. Next week will be 19 weeks. I want to know what you think....boy or girl?

I'll tell you what I think in a couple of days.

Tell me now....Owsley's on three.

what the hey now.....

noreply@blogger.com (ara marie) — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 05:16:00 +0000

As you know, I am an avid Black Friday shopper. (See here, here & here). It has been a tradition in my family since I can remember. One of my first memories is going to Mervyn's at SeaTac Mall. Then, getting some type of free penguin every year along with a little gift-card-type thing that you'd receive at the door that had a secret dollar amount. So much fun. For our family, it's an event we participate in together. We plan our day, scan the ads and make it a team effort to get the items we want. It's our tradition.

Yesterday, Alisa texts me to tell me that Target is opening at midnight for Black Friday, and that Wal-Mart is opening at 10pm on Thanksgiving. The news about Target frustrates me! They've held out so long and have not infringed on our Thanksgiving Day when others have! Why, Target, why? Every year retailers are opening earlier and it's getting ridiculous.

Reasons as to why this is TERRIBLE:

1. It completely intrudes on our Thanksgiving night.
Instead of being stuffed with turkey, enjoying family, and hanging out, I am now supposed to wait in line in order to get my deals. Not good.

2. It ruins the tradition of waking up early, getting coffee and being freezing.
Part of the fun is getting up early before everyone in our sweats, scarves and comfy shoes. Then getting Starbucks before the crack of dawn.

3. Now, anyone and everyone is Black Friday shopping.
With the sales traditionally starting early morning, it typically weeds out the less enthusiastic shoppers and makes it a fun event for those who do love to shop. The crowd has changed over the last few years.

4. More disgruntled shoppers....
Now shoppers are expected and forced to stay up all night after cooking and eating the day before. People are naturally going to want to get the best deals and will do what they need to to get them--even if it means staying up all night.

5. Hurt feelings....
Quite honestly, I feel disrespected as a faithful consumer and shopper. I feel like they're pandering to the masses and abusing the fact that we want good deals. Why can't we have the same deals at four AM!?!? Grrr.....I almost want to liken the situation to a donkey that has a carrot dangled in front of it.

So, I feel like I have to choose now. Am I going to go at midnight? I don't know. I wish we could all boycott the Thanksgiving openings, but I know that would just mean others would get the fabulous deals. I despise this dilemma. I may just do JCPenney since they don't want to ruin their employees' holiday and will open at 4:00 AM. (Plus, I got the best deals on jammies last year.)

I was looking up Thanksgiving activities for the kids, I came across this article from The New York Times. It makes me so happy that I'm not alone in this; To know there are other tweeters, shoppers and bloggers that also feel this way. I tweeted Wal-Mart about my frustration and plan on tweeting the other retailers I frequently shop on Black Friday. Maybe we can't change it this year, but at least our voices can be heard.

What are your thoughts? I know many of you don't even care to shop the day after, but what about those of you who do? Do you like the change in time? I'd like to know.

Happy Holidays...Happy Holidays...

noreply@blogger.com (ara marie) — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 12:00:00 +0000

So, are you feeling the whole Christmas vibe yet? At about this time, I like to start a list of everything I'd like to do during the Thanksgiving/Christmas season. That way I can make sure that we accomplish all the thing that we want to. We also won't miss events that are happening around us.

With it already being November and almost Thanksgiving, places are already decorated for Christmas and there are already Christmas activities about to start. Seriously, one of our neighbors has their decorations up already.
My plan for this year is to get everything planned out
and supplies bought before December 1st.

Plans. Plans. Plans.....

Movies to see:
Home Alone 1 & 2
The Santa Clause 1...maybe 3
The Polar Express
A Christmas Story
Elf
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
Maybes--
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Miracle on 34th Street (Jake mentioned this one since he's never seen it.)
White Christmas

Things to do:
Reading Christmas books and different iterations of the Christmas story
Weekly movie night with goodies and crafts
Bake goods and deliver to friends/neighbors
Crafts--lots of them!
Giving & Serving--not sure what we're going to do...We usually did something with Starbucks. So thinking of letting the kids choose a child off the Giving Tree or doing the shoeboxes with Samaritan's Purse. Ideas?
Caroling
Advent calendar
Dickens' Festival at Franklin

Places to go:
Opryland sights and Shrek show (free!)
Church activitie/nativities
The bundt cake place...
Visit Santa
Christmas decorations and lights
Shopping

*sigh*

Um....that's a lot. I feel like I'm missing a movie or two.

I am pumped.

Repost: Are you ready?

noreply@blogger.com (ara marie) — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 12:00:00 +0000

This is a repost from last year. I loved the ideas from it (since they're mine and all).

Make your lists.

Write out all the people you are going to buy gifts for. List them by categories: family, long-distance family, friends, co-workers, etc. I like to write ideas for each person or group. The biggest reason I like doing this, other than for general planning, is in case I ever encounter a great deal, bargain or gift when out shopping. I can then see if there's someone that I could purchase it for. Don't forget to include a list for those little things you need to buy--stocking stuffers, ornament hooks, etc.

Think ahead.

Have cards printed and ready to go by the end of November.
By the end of the first week of December, you should have those packages prepped and ready to send.
Have all the tools to wrap gifts ready at home.

You get it.
Thinking a step ahead of yourself will save you a lot of time, stress and even money.

Plan & schedule activities now.

I like to list all the things my family likes to do together. We coordinate the date now because the time does fill up, but also helps to make sure we don't get overloaded either. Also, if I know my schedule ahead of time, others can join us because everyone knows we do a Friday movie night, etc.

My favorite things to do:
We plan a weekly Christmas movie night with friends, crafts and food. (Easy, cheap and cozy)
Go see lights at Opryland. We could do this several times. (Free and beautiful!)
Downtown shopping? Doesn't exist in Nashville....shopping at Green Hills?
Christmas caroling

Jesus.

How are you going to infuse your Christmas time with Jesus? I know sometimes it can be difficult to focus on Jesus while everything is happening. However, I think that if we focus from the very beginning on Jesus's birth, all the hub-bub will continually remind us of Him. There is so much that is beautiful about the holidays--Thanksgiving through New Year's--that should make us think of God's faithfulness and blessings.

We like to remember Jesus by singing/playing carols that praise Him.
Reading the different accounts of His birth throughout the months.
Attending Christmas Eve service at church or doing a service at home.
Reiteration of the Gospel story and message.

I love your ideas. Lend me your ideas.

zombie mom.

noreply@blogger.com (ara marie) — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 02:24:00 +0000

Maybe it's
the fact that I'm 32 or...
the fact that I have six kids or...
the fact that we've had visitors since Aria was born or...
maybe it's the fact that I have a newborn baby, but
I am seriously lacking sleep.

The weird thing is that it doesn't feel like I'm tired. I just more feel grouchy and irritable. But when I do actually get a chance to relax, I do fall asleep....instantly. Let's just say that I can remember the TWO times that I've woken up remembering my dream in the last month. That's bad for me. I normally can recall my dreams quite frequently.

Anyhow, I do feel like a zombie. Probably not the whole flesh-eating thing, but more the walking around kind of numb to the world around me. I'm just looking forward to real sleep. Someday....

bedtime....

noreply@blogger.com (ara marie) — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 02:32:00 +0000

This may be a repeat for you, but I love this pic.

With her being our sixth, we are just savoring every

moment with her.

Our evening routine has been me

waking her up around ten (two hours before my bedtime)

to wash her down, change her, swaddle her

and nurse her. It's just been a really sweet time.

My friend Renee commented on this photo:

"Those were some of my favorite moments with my kids -

when everyone else was asleep and

I got them all to myself! Enjoy the moment!"

That is so true! It's those quiet, evening moments

that I just love with them at this age. I've been getting
that panicky they're-getting-too-old feeling.
I hate that. She's four weeks.
Calm down. Seriously, calm down.

snuggly baby

noreply@blogger.com (ara marie) — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 01:37:00 +0000