Category Archives: Project 365

P365 – Day 87 (One pathetic picture)

It’s not that we had such a busy day. I could have taken more pictures. The children were brilliant and photogenic as always. We went places and did things – all potentially photo worthy.

Joshua made chocolate chip cookies for Sarah’s AWANA class – that would have been a great series of photos, featuring Chef Joshua (Baker Joshua?). Rachel and I ran some errands this evening. We could have taken some shots of Trader Joe’s (love that store) or the bulk food section at Fred Meyer. Julee and I went for a great walk this evening. Gorgeous sunset over the water.

Nope.
Nothing.
Nada.

All I ended up was this one, rather pathetic picture. I almost hate to post it, but I do have a Project 365 obligation to meet. Here it is. My picture for the day:

kids at the park

Kids at the park – even the title is rather pathetic.

I had a meeting at the park this afternoon with some awesome friends from the Women’s Retreat Team (we need those capital letters – helps us feel official). Normally I would spend most of the park time running (okay, walking) after the kids and taking fantastic pictures of their adorable cuteness, but this time I actually had to sit down and do some work. I guess my “awesome friends” don’t really understand the significance of this blog. Sigh. After the meeting I considered restaging the whole park/play time for the sake of some good pictures but I was so darn cold from sitting on the bench that I hurried us all home instead.

I can just see the little shake of his head and hear the scorn in Joshua’s voice as he reads this blog, “Only one picture, Mom, one?” Not quite a question, more a statement of disbelief. Such disappointment. I’m not sure how I will look him in the eye.

Tomorrow is another day, Joshua, that’s all I can say.

Kathy

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P365 – Day 86 (I won!!)

Unlike Lindsay Lohan, in Just My Luck, I am not a particularly ‘lucky’ person. Of course, as a Christian, I can’t really subscribe to the idea of ‘luck.’

The Bible seems clear that God is Sovereign over all and thus nothing is merely the matter of chance:

In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will…Ephesians 1:11

Remember the former things, those of long ago;
I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is none like me.

I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.

GotQuestions.org has this to say about luck:

“From an earthly perspective, as Ecclesiastes 9:11-12 share, things may seem to happen at random, but throughout the whole of Scripture, it is clear that God is in control of all of His creation and is somehow able to take the random acts of natural law, the free will of both good and evil men, and the wicked intent of demons and combine them all to accomplish His good and perfect will (Genesis 50:20; Job chapters 1 and 42; John 9:1-7). And Christians, specifically, are given the promise that He works all things, whether seemingly good or bad, together for God to those who love Him (Romans 8:28).”

How wonderful to serve a God who loves us enough to care about our character and our hearts more than our comfort.

cute bag

This gift bag is so cute. Can I use it as a purse? Would anyone realize it’s just made out of paper? What would happen in a good rain? Hmmm.

With all of that said, I certainly won’t say no to a little blessing coming into my life. I had a meeting this evening with a friend. We scheduled it before realizing there was a baby shower at church. Of course, we wanted to go and celebrate that sweet little baby. We decided to go to the shower and then have our meeting afterward.

At the shower we played a version of Bingo – Baby Bingo. You fill out a blank Bingo card with the items you think the mother is going to receive. As she opens the packages, you mark off a square until you get Bingo. I won in the first 10 minutes!! Being mature and in the company of godly women, I restrained myself from jumping up and down and shouting, “BINGO!” Of course, I’ve won games at showers before and the gifts were often less than impressive. Still, the competitive side does flare up from time to time and winning is always fun.

This time the gift was something quite lovely. I won this adorable bracelet by Lillian Vernon:

bracelet

The great thing about this gorgeous gift is that if you don’t have time to put in your own pictures, you can just claim the ones on the bracelet as your own family.

bracelet

During the lull between food, games and gifts, Michelle and I went ahead and started our meeting. We decided to scrap the coffee shop (original plan) and go the Y instead for the rest of our meeting. We managed to sneak in a good, solid hour of cardio. Oh yeah! That’s what I call a Power Meeting!

Michelle made me try her favorite elliptical (for 30 grueling minutes) and I promised to post a picture on the blog.

elliptical

Unlike my fave, the Precor, this one is by Cybex. Again, it’s a bargain at $3500. Here’s one going on Ebay for over $5500. Let me just say, my monthly Y membership seems much more reasonable when I factor in the costs for all the machinery they offer (not to mention classes and pool time and so on).

The night ended (is it over yet? I’m up so late I’m not sure if it’s morning or night) with a call from my wonderful Thai missionary friend.

Ah! Presents, an awesome workout, and a call from a friend. That’s a pretty blessed evening! Thank You, God, for orchestrating all of those details.

Why would I ever give fate or faceless luck the credit for the good things that come into my life when there is so clearly a holy and sovereign God who loves me and wants to be a part of my life?

Kathy

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P365 – Day 85 (Incognito)

I realized at the end of the day that I hadn’t taken a single picture. What kind of a Project 365 person am I if I can’t even remember to take one photo??? Alas, Mondays are often difficult for this little family and this one was busy as usual.

daniel 2

Thankfully no one took a picture of me falling asleep during our reading time (Bible reading time no less – I don’t remember anything the kids read in chapter 16 of John). Or a picture of me sweating on the elliptical machine (do women sweat, perspire or glow?).

kathy

This is NOT Nutella I’m reaching for, as some people have implied.

In fact, I think the most of the family was incognito today. No doubt hiding from the camera.

joshuasarah

daniel 1
I hope these pictures aren’t a sign that the children will be going on Project 365 strike anytime soon. Thanks, Rachel, for grabbing the camera and covering for me. I’d hate to end the day with an empty, boring photo-less blog.

david

Do you find people like their picture taken or resist it? One of Joshua’s friends winces every time I pull out my camera. I can’t tell if he’s shy, hates the flash, or just doesn’t like his picture taken (can’t be bothered). Most of my children look up with their “Photo Ready” smile when they catch a glimpse of a camera. I sometimes use my camera to video the kids. I find it amusing to see how long they will hold their little photo-shoot-model pose before asking (always out of the side of the mouth), “Are you video taping?”

Do you remember to bring your camera along or forget it more times than not? Is there one person in your family who is the photographer and takes a majority of the pictures. If you have a great tip for taking great pictures, PLEASE SHARE!!!

Always curious!

Kathy

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P365 – Day 84 (Chocolate Brownies)

Somehow I don’t think this is what Jesus meant when he said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Mt. 19:14

brownie attack

Plus, one of those “children” looks a little big. Mr. P couldn’t resist sneaking into the picture. Some would say he’s just a ‘big kid’ anyway so he’s invited into the kid photo. :)

We had our small group Bible study this evening and the P’s graciously brought chocolate. The pan was just barely enough to feed the whole crowd (I blame the ravenous children for the lack of leftovers). We’ve moved our study to an earlier hour which is working out great except the children are often famished by the time we’re done meeting. They descend like locusts when the snacks are revealed.

Lately I’ve been starting dinner while the guests are visiting and gathering up their things. I don’t mean to be rude as I pull together things for a quick dinner, it’s just that the children rapidly move into starvation/grumpy mood the later the hour gets. Thankfully I am a multi-tasker so I can usually gather food for dinner, chat with friends, and take pictures all at the same time.

It’s a gift and a curse.

Kathy

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P365 – Day 83 Squish Ball War

It wasn’t enough that we had the Civil War or the Poke War, now we have Father/Son Squish Ball War. Folks, this one isn’t pretty.

tim throws
blanket graygrabbingwrestling down

Just when you think it couldn’t get any worse, Joshua makes a startling comeback. He’s reaching for the ball, he makes a play, can he do it??

joshua wants the ball

Yes, not only was Joshua victorious, but he managed to work some magic with the prized ball.

joshua tosses the ball

People who live in Washington state understand how father and son can fall to such desperate straits. It’s the rain. It never stops. It’s grey and rainy and depressing. Boys, who need to go outside and run around and ride bikes and toss baseballs, are forced to terrible measures.

They should be:

tossing ball

Or even:

daniel scooter

But no, it’s too wet and grey and rainy to go outside. Sure we end up with a beautiful green state with gorgeous flowers and waterfalls and the like but it comes with a serious cost. All of that cooped up energy and testosterone leads boys to vicious wars with their siblings and, at times, even their fathers. Testosterone is one of the most important hormones for men. If its level is low, you should learn how testosterone therapy can help.
Poor Rachel. She was trying to talk to our friends in Thailand (who NEED to start posting on their new blog) amidst this Squish Ball War. The picture I took of her was so full of despair and frustration, I immediately had to delete it. It wasn’t fit to post. Thankfully the boys settled down and Rachel handed the Skype headphones over to Daniel.

daniel skypes

Strangely enough, the action and roughness and loud volume of the Squish Ball War didn’t seem to faze Daniel one bit. I’m not sure he even noticed.

b and w danieldaniel talks

Just when you think you can make a difference in life, that your little blog can bring cheer and even spiritual encouragement to people out there in the blogosphere, you end up with a post like this.

It’s the rain, friends, the rain.

Kathy

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