A wedding that made me happy-and gave me a new sister

Jen and Justin Crompton
September 17 2006



Witnessing this marriage was rather extraordinary for many reasons. The first, and overwhelming one was the fact that both have struggled with almost fatal injuries. Justin was in a car accident while biking, and was run over-his helmet was all that saved his head from being crushed. His family was told in succesion that he wouldn't live, then that he would never walk or talk again. He graduated college with a degree, and is now married to the sweetest girl ever.
Jen had leukemia and had to undergo chemo. She had been 'clean' for 3 years now-the time limit they put on survivors to be declared cured.
It's just amazing to see two people who God has touched in such amazing ways being joined together. They have shared so much of the same experiences.
And i love gaining such a great girl as a sister!'
And it was pretty cool seeing my shy Nathan walking down the aisle in a tux. He was the best man.

Three little girls that make me VERY happy

2 videos that make me happy

Cape Cod




land of mystery and wonder
just kidding.

But it's pretty darn sweet. Nathan and I actaully walked across this bridge together as newlywed honeys. I loved Massachusetts enough already, without being married to someone who grew up there and still claims it as home.
We leave tonight! So excited. Not as excited as Bella, but close.
I used to think of Massachusetts as my home, too, so going there is a little like going home, too.

Processing

The story of my life lately. Processing, analyzing, organizing and taking out the trash. My mind and life feels like my mom's attic. So packed you have to take everything out to find anything. Filled with old things, things that are molding and falling apart, things you should have gotten rid of YEARS ago, but couldn't let go or forgot you had. I have been praying for God to clean me, to streamline my life, make me more efficient. My mind feels like a messy house that you can't quite get on top of and keep clean. I feel like I am failing in every aspect of my life, and I am, quite frankly, freaking out. And breaking. But I am hoping that this is just a major spring cleaning and that this is what I have to go through to clean house. I am so majorly, newly (again) aware of my massive need for God and his mercy and love and wisdom.
I really need balance. I need to know what God has called me to, and what He hasn't.
I've gotten used to being the mother of toddlers and baby's, but Bella is not a baby or toddler anymore. She is almost out of preschool age and i feel like that has snuck up on me. Where did the time go? It takes a whole new level of discipline to be the mother of an almost 5 year old-especially since i plan on homescholing.
Please pray for me, that i can be that girl again that could get up at 4 every morning and work 2 jobs. That God would give me supernatural powers to be the best mom ever. That I would know who I am called to help-and who I'm not.
I feel so lazy, and my main thought every day, (for those of you who've read Laura Ingalls,) is "how on earth did the mom's work as hard as they did?"

Something worth visiting Michigan for.
and i finally found the recipe.

Lebanese garlic sauce.

2 bulbs garlic
1 cup oil (olive oil, if you want to be real healthy)
juice from one lemon
salt to taste (at least a teaspoon.)

Use a blender. Blend the garlic, then add the oil slowly.
Add fresh lemon juice. Blend til thick and white.
Eat with anything garlic tastes good with.
I dipped pizza in it last night and it was great.

IT WILL BURN YOUR MOUTH.
if you are anything like Renae, or Bella, you'll keep forcing it down anyways cuz it's gooood. Good enough to travel 3000 miles for. And i found out today that people eat the same ingredients together to do a liver flush. Super bonus.