Agape

The word love is definitely overused. Part of the problem is because the English language is so limited, that we decided we only needed one word, love, to explain at least four different types of love.

I came to thinking of this love as I embraced the excitement, attention, and love that my fur-baby poured on me when I came home from church one evening. Now I should say- the dog is "crazy". I can be away for an hour and upon my return, you'd think I was gone for 24 hrs. The same is with guests and strangers alike. He just goes beserk. He's just that high-strung (according to the vet) and absolutely loveable (according to me).

Well as I talk to him, yes, I'm talking to the dog...I realize that its almost 10 pm and he had not yet eaten. No the dog didn't tell me that, but hubby confirmed it for me. It dawned on me, that although Ari had not been fed, although he was locked out of the room and technically being "ignored"...although he may not have gotten sufficient exercise for that day, nor sufficient attention- that his "love" for his masters was unyielding. Although we've never mistreated him, I'm sure if we were too, that he would still be faithful to us. And at this point in my thinking I realized...wow.

Isn't that God's love. I don't always spend time with Him. I don't always spend time in His word. I sometimes ignore his nudgings. I definitely don't always get it right..as it relates to his guidelines for living...yet still He loves. And the crazy thing is, He loves when I'm in the state of rebellion and ignoring Him, as much as He loves when I'm "checking" for him. His love never fails. He (His love) is faithful. I can't go anywhere to escape His love.

That alone makes me squeal inside like a little kid. Oh, what manner of love is this that the Father has given to me!!!!!!!

Go forth today embracing, relishing, abounding in the love of the Father.

Grace peace and love,
Gia

babymoon

That's apparently what vacation before a baby (during pregnancy) is called.

So apparently, that's what we just took. It was lovely. Rest and blessed are my reflection words from this past week.

It started out two weekends ago with a trip to Kansas City to visit the in-laws. Wish I took pics to show but it was an overall nice time. Hubby got some past due quality time with his dad and sister (and step mom) and I got some no-work, no-internship, no-dissertation, no-any-kind-of-responsibilities time.

What did I do? Other than spending time with the in-laws, eating and a bit of shopping, I got enough time to become fully acquainted with all those cloth diapers that was gifted to me (last week's post). I figured out (well, I think) how to use them, got some sense of what else is needed and then somewhat created a plan of action for this new adventure! weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee I'm nervous yet excited about it.

On the final day, we ventured outdoors, it was literally the first time in 4 days, that I left the property. And what girl can't appreciate this- we went shopping and we got a ton of goodies for the little miss from her grandparents. So much so, that it is imperative now (with all the gifts thus far) to take inventory so that any future baby gift selections are not giving me toooo much of the same thing. I think I've officially got enough receiving blankets.

On Wednesday, we jet-setted to Eastern USA and spent another 3 days, this time just the two (or three) of us. What I was hoping to be more of a chance to be tourist in the US capital city, didn't quite pan out but no disappointment here. There is always another opportunity. Besides, I've got an awesome group of women that live in the area who I love getting together with, so that's always a bonus when visiting that part of town.  The highlight of this part of the babymoon other than some awesomely cool deals and alone time with hubby...was the maternity shoot. One of those awesome women I was talking about is a photographer and we got to spent 2ish hours with her. It was a blast.
It was also cool that the location she selected was in the park between the Capital building and the other monument...on the National Mall. Up until now, I'd only seen these major landmarks on tv. uber cool indeed. (pictured above. not mine)

All of the photos from the shoot aren't up yet but the "teaser" is....take a look. Maternity Shoot with Valerie


Grace peace and love,
Gia

Every need...

Every need is provided for!

That's the one thing I can always be sure of. So much so, if I was a betting lady- I'd have to always put all the cash/chips on God! :))

You may be a bit confused as to what this picture is and how it has to do with betting...well these are what I received in the mail from a dear friend and well, it has nothing to do with betting but all to do with needs being met.

What you are looking at is +$500 worth of cloth diapers that I received for the lil missus who will be making her debut in a couple months. I'm not a very "green" person but I do believe in taking care of the space I occupy (not littering, using reusable water bottles, turning off lights...you get the picture). Well my interest in cloth diapering actually has less to do with that, as it does with exploring options and saving money.

If you've learned anything from me in my ramblings, I do not like being boxed in. I like knowing what's out there and exploring. Its okay if something works for you, but the older I get the more I feel the need to make conscious decisions about whether that "something" will work for me too! After my friend (the one who gifted these) mentioned she was doing this for her son 3 years ago- my interest was piqued. ***by the way, birthday shout out to her!!!!! :blows horns and whistles: Happy bday Ro***

Now that my time has come-I'm about 98.9% certain. I'm leaving the 1% because I realize that as much as I want this to work, there are some considerations that I will be faced with and who knows. At the end of the day though- I would have tried and to that, I'm proud of myself! :) Anyway enough of the sopa box rambling...

I know everyone thinks I'm crazy with wanting to cloth diaper (despite all the benefits) and I know even my husband still has his eyebrows raised because of the initial cost to get the amount of diapers that I need ($500-700) and the extra work...but then I get this email last week and as you can see, we probably won't have to buy not one diaper. I will however, get a couple of the inserts (flat white things in the upper left corner @ about $5 each).

Here's the kicker-  if this method works for baby, we literally would have spent no more than $100ish on diapering for our child. And that's from birth through potty training. woot woot. can I get a happy dance here?

The only thing I need to be aware of is that apparently just like pampers, some parents have better use with a particular brand. so I'm praying earnestly that this brand works like a charm with her, so I won't have to invest too much more in testing and adding other brands to the collection

I'm so excited. This was yet another example of how God is taking care of us...even in the small things.

Remember, God has no hands or feet but ours. I love to quote: Be the change you want to see in the world.  Along that vein: Be the blessing you want to receive.

Grace peace and love,
Gia