My Story

This year at church we have a segment in our service called "My Story" and every week someone will share their personal testimony of their relationship with Christ. The pastors and their wives are going first and today is my turn.

I have been faced most recently with several opportunities to stand before people to share about my life and have struggled with the decision to do so because I've just personally been going through one of those valleys in life. I'm being challenged by God in different areas that have been painful and difficult. I knew I could get up and talk about how good God is because that definitely hasn't changed for me, but I knew I couldn't fake my way into portraying the spiritual giant I wish I was.

I realized in my prayers and petitions to God that it was OK, He loves me despite my reluctance and even my stubbornness at times. I'm really understanding the journey and process more. I have even found a lot of encouragement in reliving my own story and seeing how Christ has defined himself in my life over and over again. I've been reminded again that when I put my focus on Him instead of myself or my dilemmas He has a way of changing my circumstances or changing me in my circumstances. So even in times when I feel far from Him, I see that He is always close to me. God is good all the time.

I just want to say to all my dear friends, thanks for being apart of my story and ultimately His story.

My name is Tavia Weatherly and this is (part of) my story.

What we woke up to this morning!

This is for all my non-northern family and friends.  The first snow hit last night and it is still snowing as I type.  It's not even December yet!!!!  

Stairway laced with toys

Yesterday I was cleaning the main floor of our home trying to get ready for Thanksgiving.  It will just be our family around the table, but there are few things as relaxing as a clean home on a holiday around the house with family...so I was placing all the boys things that need to go back to their room on the stairs.  This is a ritual of ours since we live on four stories of house.  We always place them on the stairs and we are all supposed to carry something up whenever we head up the stairs, unfortunately this rarely happens and I usually have to assign them to clean the stairs when I'm splitting up duties.  Anyway, I looked over at the stairs while I was sweeping and the song that Jenette loved as a teen hit me hard.  We all liked it growing up, but now the words pierce deeply.  I am so thankful for my husband and my kids.  They are my life.  My father is always telling me not to blink.  I try to remember, but sometimes forget.  I pray that this weekend of thanksgiving I take in every moment of our family just being.  I hope you do too.

There are watercolour ponies

On my refrigerator door

And the shape of something

I don't really recognize

Drawn by careful little fingers

And put proudly on display

A reminder to us all

Of how time flies

Seems like endless mound of laundry

And a stairway laced with toys

Gives a blow by blow

Reminder of the war

That we fight for their well-being

For their greater understanding

To impart a holy reverence

For the Lord

But, baby, what will we do

When it comes back to me and you?

They look a little less

Like little boys every day

Oh, the pleasure of watching

The children growing

Is mixed with a bitter cup

Of knowing the watercolour ponies

Will one day ride away

And the vision can get so narrow

As you view through your tiny world

And little victories can go by

With no applause

But in the greater evaluation

As they fly from your nest of love

May they mount up with wings

As eagles for His cause

Mercy, Mercy ME!

So last night I got an invitation to go to a BeBo Norman/Mercy Me concert with some great friends from church. We ate at Panera before the show and all sat together and enjoyed the concert. I found that I kept giggling to myself throughout the concert because I didn't stand up once and neither did anyone else for that matter until the final song. I kept thinking, I need to get up and do something, but I didn't do anything. This is sharp contrast to the Toby Mac concert I went to several months back...where I stood for the entire concert except one song and thought then....I'm getting to old for this. So where does that leave me?

My spirit was willing, but my flesh was weak. What else in my life parallels this silliness? This is a question I'm sure to ponder over the next several weeks, I just wonder if I'll be standing or sitting as I sort it all out.

How often do you second guess yourself?

Do you remember what it was like being a teenager and thinking you've got the world pretty much figured out? Those days seem like lifetimes ago...as I age I found that I second guess myself a lot.

It's not like I'm making many life altering decisions, but the little ones seem to take more courage and thought than they use to. Does that mean I'm more mature in my thinking process or am I more apprehensive than ever before. Maybe a little of both?

Today I had to get Ethan vaccinated with his second MMR shot, we thought we'd done it last year when he started at Galesburg Christian, but hadn't. I had to tell Ethan as we pulled into the doctor's office parking lot that he was indeed there for a shot. The last 24 hours I have been pondering him getting the immunization. It's such a standard shot, but that 1 in a million still stands out to me. A little boy two houses down from where we lived in Jacksonville was one of those 1 in a million. Needless to say, every time any of the kids has had to get their shots, I go through the whole thing of second guessing it all.

On a less mental note, I have never gotten my hair colored before and second guessed myself right into the salon chair. I did it and now I keep looking in the mirror and wondering, did I make the right choice? Thank goodness it wasn't a heaven or hell decision, but still if I had the chance to relive it, would I have made the same choice?

Do you ever second guess? What about? Love to hear your input.

Time Flies

I know I say this every year (except for the year I waited to turn 16, so I could drive)... it just seems like this year has flown by so fast.

We have had a whirlwind of wonderful things in 2008, I just can't believe were almost to the middle of November. It seems like as soon as November 1st comes, you blink and you're into a new year. I was filling in our calendar for the rest of the year and we have something every single weekend.

My prayer for you and I is that we don't let time slip away from us. What do you do to shut out the noise? What do you do to stop time? How do you brand moments on your heart and the hearts of your loved one's so that they will last a life time? I'd love to hear about them.

We are planning to have a family night packed with lots of fun and remembrance. We are going to take down the family calendar and go through each month and talk about the neat things that God has allowed us to experience this year. Definitely not like its as monumental as crossing the Red Sea, but we have stones of our own to help our children remember what Christ has done in our lives. I don't know if this year has been difficult or pretty easy for you, but God is good all the time. I hope you find the time to reflect on His goodness and remember His grace.

Fall is in the air

Well it is very evident that fall is here. The leaves are falling and I might add in a spectacular array of autumn colors, magnificent I must say. It is also very very cool, the high being 45 today with blustery winds. Emily asked if anyone had fall decorations out, so I thought I would give you a glimpse of some around our house. They are not anything special, but it is amazing how cozy it makes you feel.
1. Front Porch
2,3,4 Foyer area

Mosaic Fun

1.  What is your first name? (Tavia)

2.  What is your favorite food? (Spinach Pie)

3.  What high school did you attend? (Sandalwood Jr. & Sr. High)

4.  What is your favorite color? (Lime Green)

5.  Actor you like? (Matthew Fox, liked him since Party of Five)

6.  Favorite Drink? (Hot Chocolate)

7.  Dream Vacation? (Greece)

8.  Favorite dessert? (Cheesecake)

9.  What do you want to be when you grow up? (photographer)

10. What do you love most in life? (My family)

11.  One word to describe you? (Crafty)

12. Your flickr name? (mommy)

Each block of the mosiac is the picture answer to my question found on Flickr search.  Jenette suggested doing this, so I tried it.  Lots of fun.  You should try.

Kids Annual Talent Night at the church

For the last three years all of our kids have participated in the annual Kids talent night at our church.  This year the boys decided they would all like to do something different so we tried to come up with things that each of them liked.  Jaron was going to do a monologue, but unfortunate for him his parents waited till the last minute to find him one.  So after playing around with Buddy (our dog) and showing the kids some of the tricks he can do, we thought a dog training show would be cute.  The initial plan was for Jaron to bring in Buddy and Lydia to perform different tricks and do some slap stick in between.  Well last night at rehearsal, Buddy was extremely uncooperative.  So we thought we would just have Lydia do it. 

We practice for about 40 minutes this afternoon on the stage in the sanctuary and Lydia did it every time, well then tonight as soon as she discovered there was a crowd she changed her mind.  Jaron was crushed.  He really wanted to do his act.  Evan came and whispered in my ear that he would do it so Jaron could go on stage.  It was a condensed version, but they got the job done.  I was proud of Evan for helping his brother out and for not caring to wear part of Lydia's pink costume. 

Evan did an arting (what he likes to call it) piece where he drew a picture while music was playing.  Evan practiced several times before his performance and I thought he did a great job.  He was under the pressure to complete his picture in about three minutes and he did it with ease and confidence.  I believe he is on his way to becoming a great little artist.

Ethan did a martial arts piece to "Eye of the Tiger".  He has been taking classes this fall and really loves it.  I thought it would be good for his self-confidence and I've been proven right.  He was great up there and everyone got a "kick" out of him.

They all concluded with a song, but I didn't want to over do it...hahaha.  I hope you enjoy the show as much as we did.

Friendship that goes the distance...

Eleven years ago Glen persuaded me to meet someone new at the church we attended at the time.  He said that he thought we would hit it off.  "I can see you guys being good friends."  I was hesitant just because it gets more difficult to make good friends as an adult.  But heeding his wisdom, I met her.  Little did I know that I would find a best girlfriend (soul sisters is what we like to call it) that day.  We hit it off immediately and haven't looked back since.  

You would think me moving 1100 miles away seven years ago would put a damper on our friendship, but it has blossomed deeply because we both go the distance.  We have been there for each other through some difficult and wonderful times.  We've held each other up through miscarriages and deaths of loved ones, and we've been there for each of our children coming into the world.  She has even come to visit just to throw me a "retirement party."  (If you want to know what I retired from, you'll have to ask.)  We've experienced the highs and lows that any friendship goes through, but have always grown together from whatever is going on in our lives.  

I believe what makes our friendship so special is that we continue to make the effort to stay connected, but it seems effortless.  We make each other a priority no matter what is going on in life.  She is a testament of Christ's unconditional love.  

She is headed this way in a couple of weeks to help me celebrate my birthday and our 11 years of friendship.

Ode to Melodie...

Friendship isn't a big thing - it's a million little things. - Author Unknown

In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out.  It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being.  We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirt. - Albert Schweiter

A good friend is cheaper than therapy. - Authur Unknown

The most beautiful discovery true friends make is that they can grow separately without growing apart. - Elisabeth Foley

A friend knows the song in my heart and sings it to me when my memory fails. - Donna Roberts

Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art...It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things that give value to survival. - C.S. Lewis

The best kind of friend is the one you could sit on a porch with, never say a word, and walk away feeling that was the best conversation you've had. - Author Unknown

It is the friends you can call up at 4 a.m. that matter. - Marlene Dietrich

A friend accepts us as we are yet helps us to be what we should. - Author Unknown

It is one of the blessings of old friends that you can afford to be stupid with them. - Ralph Waldo Emerson

In my friend, I find a second self. - Isabel Norton

Some people come into our lives and quickly go.  Some stay for a while, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never, ever the same. - Flavia Weedn

It is my true belief that a bestfriend invented the masterbath. - Tavia Weatherly 

Am I repeating myself?

Ok, so I'm hitting the other side of 30 in a matter of a couple of weeks (other side meaning 36) and 40 is looking closer than ever.  And I am wondering, do I repeat myself to much?  I am always telling my dad, "yeah, I heard this one already."  But staring someone completely in the face with my undivided attention I am starting to second guess myself...scary thought.  I begin my sentences with "I may have already told you this, but..." or end my conversation with "Did I already discuss this with you?"

I believe this has nothing to do with age, but with the fact that I have four children.  I know I repeat myself with them what seems like a thousand times.  Put that away when you are through with it.  Remember to put the seat down, flush the toilet and wash your hands.  Be quiet.  It's time for bed.  Stop talking and go to sleep.  Stop talking and go to sleep.  STOP TALKING AND GO TO SLEEP, Did I already discuss this with you?  I'm gonna stop blogging now and hopefully go repeat myself for the last time tonight.

It's that time of year...

Every season since we moved here I have had to rotate my family's wardrobe.  This week has been unseasonably cool and so I have been digging into the plastic containers to find long-sleeved shirts. This is a sure sign that tank tops, sun dresses, shorts and bathing suits are on their way to the bottom of some dark container where they won't be seen for at least nine months.  

Even though this December we will be living here for seven years, I still find the concept of rotating clothes extremely foreign.  Growing up in sunny Florida, everyone owned a couple pairs of jeans and a couple sweatshirts and we kept them in our bottom chest of drawers where they might be worn a couple times a year.  It has become at least a two week ritual to expel one season's clothes as they go through the wash and to slowly add the next.  Of course, after I have switched everything over we will have an "Indian Summer" couple of days or a cold front pass through.  This means that there will be a couple pair of shorts tempting my children in mid-October to be worn. 

The other sad thing about living up in an area of the country where there is truly four seasons is the fact that I can't wear flip-flops all year round.  My feet love to be free.  They prefer to breath in comparison to being smothered by thick socks and unpleasant feet restraints (shoes).  I hold out as long as I can, but when my toes start to get hypo-thermia, I cave into wearing real shoes.  I have a friend that also finds this a dilemma and together we pay homage to our fond flip-flops about the same time each year.

So there is a feeling in the air....the ritual is nearing.  I always look forward to putting the winter away and pulling out the spring, but it is sorta sad putting the summer away for the fall. So I pray...Indian Summer days, please stay!!! 

 

Had to post this too...

My friend Emily post this on her blog and I had to share it with my other friends as well.  In my tagged blog I wrote that I love almost everything about the 80s.  The music had to be one of my favorites.  It was just so much fun.  It's bizarre how many songs I know and love because generally my parents only let me listen to christian music when I was young.  Mercy Me (a christian band) has this thing called cover tune grab bag that they recreate songs from the 80s.  They are all hysterical but my favorites are Eye of the Tiger and Never gonna give you up.  I loved it!  It made me laugh.  Hope you enjoy it as well.

I've been tagged...

I've been tagged to clue you in on six things you may not know about me...

6.  In my alter-life, I would be a size 6 (don't want to be too greedy), drive a lime-green GTO and would have won Amazing Race twice.  I'd also be a beautiful contemporary dancer.  

5.  I love almost everything about the 80s.

4.  I hate touching feet.

3.  I dream in color and my dreams have detailed dialogues.

2.  I'd like to be a super-hero fighting for the injustice of children.

1.  The older I get the more I realize there is little I know about myself. (I still can't figure out what I want to be when my children grow up.)

It's the Greek in me...

As I've gotten older I have truly acquired a taste for Mediterranean food.  The last few days my taste buds have been craving Spanakopita (Greek Spinach Pie).  Since there are not a lot of Ethnic restaurants in Galesburg, it was up to me to try and make some.  I wasn't sure it would turn out so good, but it actually turned out delicious. (that's actually it in pixs above) Surprised myself!  By the way if you've ever seen "My Big Fat Greek Wedding"  my family is the greeks and Glen's is the dry toast.  Not sure either of those is a good thing, but we're stuck with each other.  Good thing my dry toast likes spunk!

One of those Days...

I had one of those days yesterday.  You know the one I'm talking about.  At the end of it you regret pretty much the whole day.  I laid my head down last night and just wept.  It had been a long and disappointing day and I just was ready for it to be over.

It started out well, with good intentions and full of possibilities.  Glen had told me that he would watch the boys all afternoon so that Lydia and I could have some girl time.  He had things that they could help with at the church to get ready for our Summer Theater production of "Charlotte's Web" we are doing next weekend.  I was delighted to have some time to get a few things done and a few minutes where it was just a slight bit quieter around here.  Don't get me wrong I love having all my children home during the summer, it has been a great summer so far, but the volume in our house gets a little bit overwhelming at times.  

The only thing on my to-do list was getting Ethan to the Doctor to check his feet.  He has been having some trouble with severe cracking and I was worried that he could get an infection.  So I called at 8 am to make an appointment, but to my dismay the only time they could fit him in was 2:15 in the afternoon.  That was right smack dab in the middle of my afternoon away.  I figured I could get him to the doctor and still have a couple hours afterwards before the fam came home and Glen said we could grab some dinner so I was relieved of kitchen duty and thought it was still doable.  

Well once lunch was over it was nap time for Lydia.  She couldn't disagree more.  It was a battle and around 1:30 I knew it she had won.  We arrived at the doctors office right at 2pm and didn't get called back to a room until 2:45pm.  Lydia had hit the fence by this time and was terribly tired and uncooperative.  We got into the room and she wanted to touch everything. (Two year olds are God's way of showing our own stubbornness towards Him.)  I tried to get her to lay in my arms several times, but to no avail.  Keith came in around 3:10 and we finally left around 3:35pm.  By the time we got to the car, I was exhausted from just dealing with her and realized there was no way we could go out.  Disappointment and frustration had set in.

When dinner time came around, I was crazed.  I was snappy and grumpy and down right pitiful. I had let the day get to me and I was no fun to be around.  The more I spoke the more I regretted.    I was glad when the day was over because I couldn't be a terrible mother, wife, sister or friend anymore.  

As I laid in bed last night, trying to forgive myself for the ugliness I had inflicted on everyone a song stirred up inside of me.  "Refiner's Fire".  The lyrics go like this...

Purify my heart

Let me be as gold and precious silver

Purify my heart

Let me as gold, pure gold

Refiner's fire, my heart's one desire

is to be holy

Set apart for You, Lord

I choose to be holy

Set apart for You, my Master

Ready to do Your will

Purify my heart

Cleanse me from within and make me holy

Purify my heart

Cleanse me from my sin, deep within

The statement that stuck out was the "choosing" part.  Yesterday I felt like I was on a rollercoaster ride that I couldn't control.  Once I chose to get off, I was able to refocus.  Regrettably, but off none the less.  I want to choose holiness, but often times I don't choose right.  My prayer today is that I will choose instead of randomly acting out.  I am thankful that His mercies are new every morning and that I have a husband and children that give mercy as well.

An Afternoon at the Pond with Friends

Today we went fishing with Steve and Seth Peachey.  We went to a little pond by their house and fished off of a little bridge.  I went with the anticipation of running after Lydia the entire time, but to my surprise she was relaxed and really wanted to fish.  

We were there for about an hour and a half and Lydia and I only caught one fish.  Ethan caught three, Seth caught three and Evan caught SIXTEEN.  No that isn't a typo.  He would drop his line and catch within a couple of minutes time.  It was ridiculous.  Steve and I were laughing around 7 and 8, seeing as Lydia and I hadn't caught one yet.  

It is in his blood.  He has a long line of fishing lovers in the Haralambou/Ardine family.  Evan absolutely loved it.  I decided that the fish knew I was on the other end of the line and refused to bite.  I remember too many "family days" that consisted of fishing and crabbing growing up.  Before Daniel was born I would sit on the beach/shore/bridge/pier and read magazines and bask in the sun, after he was born I was the babysitter.  I just didn't get into the whole fishing thing.  Funny thing is, Daniel doesn't care for it either.  Just the two of us, because the rest of my family loves it.  Nick is borderline obsessed with it.

So now I've got a fisherman in my own family.  Good thing is I truly enjoyed watching them fish.  I got a kick out of Evan pulling them in.  I laughed at Ethan because, like me he was content to do anything else...and Lydia she touched all sixteen of those fish and threw a few back herself.  The boys didn't want to touch the fish or the worms, Lydia on the other hand couldn't keep her hands off them.

It was a great fishing day!  Thanks Steve and Seth

Don't know what I want to be when my kids grow up?

Mommy Camp

Jaron and Glen are at Kids Camp this week, so the rest of the kiddos are calling this week at home "Mommy Camp".  Knowing that they expected fun, I enlisted one of the Peachey kids (Seth to be exact) to be a camp counselor.  Yesterday we went to Peoria in search of a birthday present for Jaron, a few errands and a trip to Chuck E. Cheese.  Seth was amazing with the kids and such a great help to me.  It went splendidly.  We had a fantastic time. 

Today we went to the Peachey's house where Seth had set up a mini kiddie camp for the boys that consisted of a slip & slide and water balloon fight.  Evan and Ethan were thrilled when they jumped out of the van and saw the yard set up for fun.  Our friend Gail gave them a picnic lunch under a shaded tree.  Lydia stayed and enjoyed the fun as well while I ran a few errands.

When I got back the kids were in the pool, so I sat and put my feet in.  Gail and I chit-chatted while everyone was swimming and during our conversation she asked me where I saw myself in a couple years.  I have to admit the question hit hard.  Last semester I went to a guidance counselor at the local college to get information on Sonography (Ultrasound), but disappointed about the hardship of getting into the program I back down from the idea.  

The boys want me to work in their school cafeteria when Lydia gets into school, but at home that is my least liked job (cleaning the kitchen).  Glen wants me to be more involved in ministry and just do whatever (which would end up being 40 hours a week just scrapbooking to catch up).  My own father has an opinion as well, he believes I'd be bored at home and should do something.  I just don't have a clue.  

I thought about being a breastfeeding consultant, but there isn't a high demand for one in these parts.  I also thought about being a Duola, but I would need to live in Chicago to get anyone to pay me to do that.  So I'm left with not knowing what I want to be when my kids grow up.  I know I want to be home when they are home.  I know I don't want to be tied down to something that might prohibit my schedule from doing ministry.  My major was Art with a concentration in photography (a hobby major - a friend recently told me) 15 years ago.  Now everything is digital...yikes I just don't know.

I guess I'll just take it one day at a time and see where the Lord leads me.  Tomorrow we're headed out to lunch with friends and then to the Children's Museum.  I'm enjoying "Mommy Camp" and I think I'll just keep doing that for as long as I can.  

By the way, I have to mention again how terrific Seth Peachey is...He has taken the time to make "Mommy Camp" a lot of fun and his enthusiasm is contagious.  Thanks for all your help Seth!!

A sure sign of summer

You can tell by the infrequent amount of blogs the last couple of weeks that I am getting into the busyness of summer.  Next week is Soul Survivor, our big camp we put on each year for the youth. Plus with the kids home from school there is little time to sit and think, much less write anything intelligent or interesting.  

I've been preparing for company all week.  My mom and brother, Daniel are coming tonight for Soul Survivor.  Early next week, my best girlfriend and her family (including mom and dad) are coming also.  I'm very excited to be spending some special time with them all.  I'll try to keep you posted on our happenings.

Hope everyone is enjoying their summer so far.  Remember to stop and smell the roses, take in some sun and laugh a lot...I plan to.

Tav's Picks

At Daniel's Open House I met a very interesting couple.  They happen to be one of Daniel's bestfriend's parents.  We talked for a very long time about faith, family and friends.  It was an engaging conversation that could have lasted long into the evening.  During our conversation we talked about books that have really opened our minds in the spiritual sense.  I talked about how I truly love every single one of Donald Miller's books.  I especially like "Blue Like Jazz".  I just think it is healthy to investigate different ways of looking at our relationship with Christ.  They talked about how they loved the book called "The Shack" by William P. Young.  They said that when they were finished reading it they went out and bought a stack of them to give to their friends.  It sounded intriguing, so the next day my sister, Crystal and I set out for Borders and each picked one up.

That night I had to share a bed with Crystal, something I haven't done since we were young.  Before going to sleep she opened up the book and read the Forward outloud.  I was hooked.  I read most of the book while traveling home on Tuesday.  At the airport, on the plane, in the restaurant, at the gate, on the plane again...I just couldn't put it down.  I continued reading on Wednesday during Lydia's nap time and since then haven't had the opportunity to finish the last 20 pages.  I will probably try to devour the last few savory words tonight.  I kinda don't want to finish it because there is a little bit of a let down when you get to the end of a great book, you just don't want leave the experience, maybe that's why I have let it linger for a day or so.  I have already decided to read it again when we go on vacation.  The author truly has a way with words and he challenges you to look at things with a new perspective.  I hope if you have some free time this summer you will find the time to give this book a chance.

What are you reading?  I am always looking for something fresh and inviting to read.  Let me know. 

Glen informed me this afternoon, that Bobby Downes, one of the producers from the movie Glen helped with; gave him a copy of this book before we left Florida from our sabbatical.  So we actually have two copies of this book.  Apparently Bobby had several copies he was handing out.  If you go on christiancinema.com it is actually one of only a few books they are selling on their site.  I told you it was good.  Anyone wanting to read it, we have an extra copy.