three years

I wanted to reach but the dreams were so far away

I wanted to speak but the words were so hard to say

You didn’t know where my heart had been

There wasn’t a time or a moment when I could or we could be open

I needed a reason to speak but I couldn’t find it

I knew that it wouldn’t last forever

(**not referring to relationship, referring to inability  to speak**)

I wanted to blink but I thought I might miss a minute or a memory

I wanted to write but I couldn’t contain it on a list of a thousand and rising

You didn’t know where my heart had been

There wasn’t a time or a moment when I could or we could be open

I needed a reason to speak but I couldn’t find it

I knew that it wouldn’t last

You were more than enough for my best

The one that I was dreaming of

‘cuz you were an ocean apart from the rest, yeah

you were more than I could ever guess

the prayer that only God can give

‘cuz you were an ocean apart from the best I’d ever seen,

the rest that’s ever been shown me, a lesson in being

‘cuz you are an ocean apart

< at Heathrow seeing each other after six weeks of separation >

I wanted to wish but I couldn’t believe it

The way that it seemed there was no way

I wanted to be strong but I couldn’t control it

My emotions inside wanted to run away

You didn’t know where my heart had been

There wasn’t a time or a moment when I could or we could be open

I needed a reason to speak but I couldn’t find it

I knew that it wouldn’t last

You were more than enough for my best

The one that I was dreaming of

‘cuz you were an ocean apart from the rest, yeah

you were more than I could ever guess

the prayer that only God can give

‘cuz you were an ocean apart from the best I’d ever seen, 

the rest that’s ever been shown me, a lesson in being

‘cuz you are an ocean apart

Andrew Scott Rennie,

You truly are more than I could have ever guessed.

You melt me, you move me, you challenge me, you teach me, you lead me, you love me.

happy three years, baby!

what makes a mother

A mother is someone who is willing to sacrifice her time, her looks and at times, her sanity, in order to nurture her child.

A mother is someone who doesn't give up entirely when her child screams for hours and hours (even though it's probably very tempting).

A mother is someone who will hold out her hands so her child can throw up in them.

A mother is someone who will stop what she's doing to watch the scary parts of Little Mermaid with her child.

A mother is someone who can stop her child dead in her tracks just by giving her a Look.

A mother is someone who informs her child of the rules and disciplines the child when the rules are not obeyed.

A mother is someone who takes ear infections, sinus infections, allergic reactions, chicken pox, stomach bugs and the flu in stride (because a mommy falling apart is way worse than anything)

A mother is someone who loves and respects her husband, and shows her child how to love and respect others.

A mother is someone who doesn't take ANY guff.

A mother is someone who won't let her child buy clothes that make her look skanky.

A mother is someone who will say "cheeks" or "lips" when her child could use a little color on her face (and it might drive the child crazy, but she will appreciate that someone is looking out for her)

A mother is someone who will do her child's hair (even when her child is married and in her 20's).

A mother is someone who will read everything her child writes and will say it's brilliant.

A mother is someone who tells her child that she is proud of her, that she loves her, that she is beautiful.

A mother is someone who tells her daughter about Jesus.

thank you mom, for letting me puke in your hands. thanks for helping me get through the scary parts of Little Mermaid. thanks for being my personal cheerleader and for guiding me in the right directions. thank you for all of the sacrifices you have made for me. Happy Mother's Day!

the cry of my heart

"May my cry come before you, O LORD; give me understanding according to your word.
May my supplication come before you; deliver me according to your promise. 
May my lips overflow with praise, for you teach me your decrees.
May my tongue sing of your word, for all your commands are righteous.
May your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts.
I long for your salvation, O LORD, and your law is my delight.
Let me live that I may praise you, and may your laws sustain me.
I have strayed like a lost sheep.
Seek your servant, for I have not forgotten your commands."
Psalm 119:169-176


sometimes when I wake up and my heart needs helping, you hold on to me tightly and tell me of all your lovin', I thank you oh Lord for listening to me now and out on the front porch for sitting me down, I needed to hear, you remind me of how you love me just for who I am, I thank you oh Lord for these times that we spend.- swb (sunday worship band-probably nowhere on the internet)

gift basket ideas

I just got home from a beautiful bridal shower for my dear friend Jessica. It got me thinking about my favorite gift ideas, especially since it seems like everyone is either getting married or having a baby!

For baby showers
-- baby bath filled with bath toys, lotion, wash, washcloths, towel
-- stack of books tied up with ribbon (don't forget to write a note in them- I've forgotten before)
-- handmade coupons to babysit, cook, girls night, etc.
-- a small stuffed animal or toy for baby and then a bigger gift for mom (spa certificates are always appreciated)

For bridal showers
-- honeymoon basket (my favorite! this can go naughty, but really think about the bride and her personality. keep it simple and G-rated for your more modest friends with advil, travel size lotion and shave gel, a sleep mask, magazines, a big floppy hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, etc)
-- specific room basket (for family room, get a big blanket, a movie or two and a popcorn bowl-- I most recently gave a medicine cabinet box, which isn't super exciting but trust me, it'll come in handy)
-- a weekend bag (TJ Maxx usually has cute ones- I use mine constantly)
-- a book of recipes and a meal planner

For weddings
-- movie tickets
-- restaurant gift card
-- a cooler or insulated bag (fill with ice packs and maybe some fun outdoor dishes)
-- an appliance and something to go with it (pair a crockpot with crockpot recipes, pair a coffee maker with coffee and filters)

happy gifting!

what's going on w/ the Rennies

We are on week six of p90x. Andy is ripped. I am not. That's OK, though, because I'm not using heavy weights on purpose. I'm hoping to see more definition appear in my abs and arms, but I'm feeling great. I first blogged about p90x here and was down 18 pounds. I'm now down 23 and have only five more to go!

The best part of p90x is how cute Casey is when we're working out. She likes to bite our arms and hands when we're doing yoga, plyo or kempo. She play growls at us and runs in circles around us. She wants a workout too!

Yesterday the women's ministry at our church (Aletheia) hosted a tea. We wore hats, ate yummy treats and got to hear three beautiful testimonies. I finally got to wear my butterfly dress outside of the house (I like to walk around the house in it), and I paired it with my new Seychelles. It was fun to get dolled up.

I've been using our slow cooker quite a bit lately. It's so nice to not have to make dinner at night! Last weekend I put three chicken breasts in the slow cooker with 3/4 of a chopped onion, some chicken bouillon, little water and salt and pepper. I served it over potatoes and stuffing. It could have been more flavorful, but it was still really good. We had TONS of chicken leftover somehow (seriously, some loaves and fishes action was going on in our slow cooker), so I shredded it and mixed it with bbq sauce. We ate the shredded chicken for four days, sometimes for both lunch and dinner. It was really good heated up and put in a salad. Three chicken breasts = 8 servings. Boggles my mind. On Friday I made a big pot of chili and sadly, I'm about to eat the last bowl. I can't give you the recipe because I might make it for the church's chili cook-off in the fall. After I win I will share the recipe.  :)  Today my slow cooker has got some pork shoulder in it for pulled pork. I'm taking it to a couple who just had a baby, but I'm going to use the rest of the pork (Andy got a LOT) for us. I just came across this black bean and barbecued pork soup recipe and since Andy's heartbroken that our chili got eaten so fast, he'll be glad to have another big pot of soup to devour.

check out this list of recipes from a woman who used her slow cooker EVERY DAY for a year! I have to say, some of the recipes don't sound appetizing to me, but I'm really impressed by her accomplishment. She admits she spent more money than usual because honestly, a family can only eat so much (they froze a lot and gave some food away), and she gained eight pounds. 

andy is closing today (1-11pm) so I'm spending this rainy Sunday getting stuff done around the house and doing my workout all by my lonesome. I have coffee with my dear friend Kelly to look forward to, though, and I have some good music to listen to.