wow...2 posts in one day!

Yes, you are seeing right. I'm posting twice in one day! Thought I'd get the info out there in case anyone has anything to offer! A couple of my girlfriends and I are planning on heading to Hawaii next Jan/Feb 2009, you know, a celebration of my singlehoood...since I'm not saving for a wedding or anything anymore. Anyway, we are having a hard time finding a place to stay! It's weird though, cause when we went 2 years ago, we didn't book until the July before, and here we are trying to book 11 months ahead and can't find anything! OH NO! Don't suppose it's God telling me to go to Africa instead!?!?!?!? No...can't be.. Ok, so yeah, there are 3 of us, non-smokers, no pets, and on a budget! Let me know if you know of anything!

check this out....

a couple websites to check out:

hgtv.com; place cursor over "decorating", scroll down to "Rate My Space"; click; on the left hand side, click on "baby nurseries"; scroll down to page 2; click; scroll down to "Modern B & W" and there you will see more pics from the nursery! Enjoy!

Off to play Alice! Laundry, kids, feeding, playdate, lunch, dry cleaning, dinner, playtime, feed the dog, let the dog out, let the dog out, let the dog out.....you get the point!

...need answers....

So, my mind's been running today with questions, so I thought I'd jot them down, and for anyone who has the time, feel free to answer them....

• The sun is shinning, but the temperature says 30`....can I slip on my open toe heels with a pair of jeans? I don't know if I can put on these boots one more time!
• How many times in one day can I reason with a 4 year old? Why am I reasoning in the first place!?
• If a recipe calls for lemon juice and orange juice (recipe is called Double Citrus Tart), can I substitute Pineapple juice for one of them?
• Why does it always seem like Colby the dog is sitting on one of the girls' blankets when he chooses to clean himself? GROSS!
• Was it wrong of me to wear a black dress to Church on Sunday for Easter? I did have a pink head band.....
• I've been telling myself every night before I go to bed that tomorrow for SURE I'll get up and go and work out...why is it so difficult?
• Why are stupid reality shows like The Bachelor so addicting? Here's my weekly list if I have time: The Bachelor; Biggest Loser, Top Chef, Men in Trees, Grey's Anatomy, Las Vegas, Desperate Housewives, and Brothers and Sisters....no wonder I crave Christian music when I'm driving in the car-I watch filth! :)

Alright, speaking of which, it's 8 and the Bachelor is on. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARY!!! Sorry we can't watch it together! Get better, get outta that hospital-the food is awful! Let me know if you want me to bring you something! Night y'all-Rebecca

Ok....time to be serious....

Alrighty, then. You may want to crab a cup of java or tea, and have a seat for this one. Since I haven't written in a while, this may be lengthy...I mean, look, I haven't even done the intro yet, and I already have 4 sentences! My feet are up, the guests are gone, When Harry Met Sally is playing in the background, and the tea is steeping...Here's whats been going on here....

Isabella is SO adorable and Lilli is SUCH a big helper, I can't even tell you. Lilli is great with her, constantly loving on her that at times I have to divert her to something else..

The second weekend in March, I went to a Women's Retreat with a girlfriend. I was hesitant on going and was somewhat signed up against my will. But, in the end, I decided that I'd go and try to revive my broken Spirit. I wanted to be spoken to and connect with God, but yet I didn't. It was a weird place that I haven't been in a while. I mean, I know who He is, I know that He will never leave and that He is always there, my faith isn't a question. My relationship and desire for Him seems to be more of the question. But it's not anymore. He and I have had some very interesting conversations lately. So I went to this conference with an open mind. LOL-behold, here it is about "The Wide Open Space of God-A Journey with God through the Landscapes of Life." Hum, well, if I was ever going through a landscape where I needed to see God, it was now. So I sat back and listened...then He spoke. One of the first things out of Beth's (the speaker) mouth was that God is Bigger than ______. And she wanted us to fill in whatever we were struggling with. Disappointment, broken hearts, burnt out ministries, feeling like a wrung out dishrag....etc. Instead of living the life that God intended for me to live, I was fighting Him, living a life that I wanted to live because I was scared. Because of the unknown. You see, since I was O, I don't know, 10 or so, I've wanted to work in an Orphanage. I even went and spent a summer in Bolivia to experience it first-hand. It was that summer, the summer before my Junior year that I told God that I'd go wherever. He told me Africa. I told Him Bible College in Wisconsin first. He told me Africa. I looked into it. I told Him Chicago. He told me Africa. I told Him Oregon. He told me Africa. I told Him Chicago again. He's telling me Africa. A couple days before the conference, un-beknownce to me what the topic was...I was standing at the Kitchen sink washing bottles when God started talking to me. I've never really experienced it like this before. The house was quiet. Lilli was at school, Isabella was sleeping. He said Africa. That phrase. I told Him not right now. He said, "Rebecca. I'm bigger than your fears. I'm bigger than debt. I'm bigger than the unknown. I"m bigger." "I know, God. I know. Not right now." So, what does He do, He HAS to draw in my Mom. Mom calls me a few days later to tell me that God spoke to her, and told her that I'm supposed to go to Africa. AHHH!!! I now walk around all day singing that song..."Please don't send me to Africa..." But, deep in my heart, I know that I won't truly be happy until I am doing His work that He's created and intended for me to do. I think that I'm finally seeing that it might be Africa. I want to embrace the unique calling for my life. Africa. I want to have the desire to live life for a bigger calling. Africa. I came home, set up a budget, and am starting to figure out how I can go. I'm starting, slowly, to ask the question, "is this something that I NEED or WANT?" And, for those who know me well....that's a tough one! Of course I NEEEEDD those Black patent leather open toe strappy back Coach 2 inch heels!!! AGH!

So, the rest of my life is just crazy. For not "having" a life, it seems to be full. Just the way that I like it! Life as a Nanny diffently has changed with adding Bella to the mix! Kim went back to work full time at the beginning of March. It was hard on all of us! I enjoyed having Kim's company, of course the girls enjoyed having her around, and it was so nice to have her to entertain Bella or play with Lilli why I folded laundry or emptied the dishwasher! The best was that she was around to change those dreaded poppie diapers! Bella and I have talks on a daily basis that she needs to wait till 5:30, but for some reason, she still does it at 5:10....Silly girl! I'm thinking of maybe going back to school. You know, in procrastination to Africa! I'm thinking of teaching, or culinary. hum...what to do!

On March 15th, I flew out to Nebraska to help Host my Best Friend Jessica's Baby Shower! What a FUN time! We also FINISHED her nursery, and that was just a blessing!!! It's absolutely FABULOUS, and I can't even tell you...it's just gorgeous! Here's some pics....

She is looking all prego, and it was sad to both of us, and we both actually cried cause the next time I see her, she's gonna be a momma. We can't just run out for coffee or something, it all has to be planned out. Weird. She looks FANTASTIC, and is going to make a Fabulous mom. I rode almost the entire hour with my hand on her belly feeling the baby move. My name will be Fairy God Mother. I don't like the sound of Aunt Rebecca. Everyone is called "Aunt..." I of course, can't have things the same...so I'm going to be Fairy God Mother. They aren't of the "God Parent" beliefs, so it's kinda the same thing....ANYWAY....Jessica told me that my problem is that, and I agree with her, that I hang out with all marrieds that are older than me and have kids...I don't hang out with anyone who is near my age and single. SO, I'm going to look into the "Singles" group at Willow Creek or Harvest Bible....they have a good rep. and I'm not into Match.com or eharmony....Anyway, so I'll let you know how that goes. Not sure if I'm ready to hit that road again or not. Getting thrown in front of the train 3 times in 4 years is enough for me.

OK, I think that I'm fading, and Sally's at the part where her boyfriend breaks up with her, and Harry comes over to comfort her, and they start kissing, realizing that they like each other and I just don't think that I can handle this...ugh. Gonna fold laundry and get to bed. I have to teach Sunday School tomorrow both hours since Jayne is gone-actually looking forward to it!

Night y'all! Love, Rebecca

Ponder...

My latest pondered question that is haunting me....

How is it that something that felt, and still feels SO right - go wrong?

I was reminded last night that God has a plan and a purpose for EVERYTHING and that His hand is in EVERYTHING. I need to surrender it to Him......can I surrender it to Him with my input on how a situation should go? I know that sounds silly, but that's how I feel. "Um, excuse me God, but, well, I was wondering, if I hand this situation over to you, can it turn out like....." Though, deep down, I know that He is God, and He will do whatever He wants to! I will rest in that truth. I will rest in the truth that God's plan is Perfect. That God is Perfect. That His love for me doesn't change because of situations or my lack of trust. I will rest in the fact that God's will will be done and in His perfect timing none-the-less! A couple quotes that were shown to me......

Vindication does not come from self-defensive arguments; it stems from integrity (Ps. 26:1). It requires that I allow God to examine my mind and heart (v.2) and that I walk in His truth (v.3). This, of course, requires patient waiting (25:21).
When we call on God, He will help us—but in His perfect time and in His perfect way

I prayed: the answer long deferred brought not the thing I sought;He answered better than my plea,Yes, better than my thought. —Anon.

The purpose of prayer is not to get what we want, but to become what God wants.

Wow....

Yeah, so I noticed that it's been almost a month......sorry about that. I'm hoping that I'm back on schedule now. Though, after thinking a bit, which is a hard thing to do in my state of being, I've decided to try for every other day. My life isn't exciting enough to blog about every day.................the news for today is that I didn't vote. I know, I know, save your breath. I've already been chewed out by countless others.....:)

On a better note, my sweet new nephews pics are up on the web...go to www.kaelitephotography.com , click on online proofing, and then click on "Colin". He's adorable, tons of black curly hair like his daddy.

This past weekend I spent in Nebraska painting and getting my Bestest friends Jessica's nursery ready for her new bundle of joy arrival in April. It is absolutely fabulous and so posh! I'll get photos up as soon as I can. I forgot my camera and she has to send it back to me. Just to give you an idea, it's black and white with polka dots, and lime green accessories, and just so posh and elegant, I'm SOOOOO happy for her, and that little baby that gets the best nursery ever!

I'm signing off now, can hardly keep my eyes open.....Kim is at work tomorrow, and I've got the girls all day. Isabella pooped all over everywhere today, so can't wait to see what she's got in store for me tomorrow. Lilli doesn't listen, and Kim calls her evil. Basically its stubborn vs. stubborn. Kim's mom says she was just like that as a child, hum......Just another day in the life of a Nanny.

It's gonna be a while...

OK, so...........it may be a while. My laptop goes to the tech. doctor tomorrow..maybe it'll be fixed by the time I leave! Leaving? Yes...6 days.....I'll be able to do a few blogs between now and then on Kim's computer, but after that, I don't know where I'll blog from on vacation..maybe I can find a little "Internet Cafe". Weird that you can go somewhere and do that. I hardly remeber what the 80's and 90's were like before all this stuff. Paula Abdul, Tina Turner, Alf, all good stuff of the 80's. Anyway...it's going to be another crazy week. Kim's trying to get everything done before she herself goes on vacation starting on Saturday, so between her and me trying to get everything done, taking care of Bella and Lilli, 3 playdates, swimming, ballet and gymnastics, a birthday party, laundry, painting little fingernails and toes, babysitting, and a little of this and that, I'm thinking that this week is going to go by fast, at least I'm hoping that it does....I AM SOOOO STOKED TO SEE.............my parents!!! Enough of my rambling, I really have nothing interesting to say..pretty boring around here.

6 days!!!!!!!