As I continue to think about suffering for Christ, reading more and meditating more, I have been very weary. I also have noticed that I have been pretty "short" with people, especially Adam. I get frustrated and have a wall up, unintentionally, but leading to a mean and deffensive spirit.

I have come to realize that I am not leaning on Christ. I am not praying like I should be and I'm being beat up in what I think is Spiritual warfare. I think about doing this and that "in His steps" but have not fought in prayer. I have not utilized the most powerful weapon that God gives us.

It timed out well, that the Desiring God blog is about prayer and that this is their prayer week. I will also strive to focus on prayer this week and learn more about what it means to really depend on and walk with God.

Andrew's New Favorite Activity... Opening And Closing This Door.

Posted with LifeCast

suffering for Christ or lack there of

"...who are being protected by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials..."

1 Peter 1:3-7 has been tugging at my heart. It speaks of being protected by God's power through faith, about suffering through trials and testing your faith, and about the inexpressible joy that you receive when your faith proves strong sanctifying you and working in you the salvation of your souls.

I've also been reading In His Steps.
"The imitation of Jesus which had begun with the volunteers in the church was working like leaven in the organization, and Henry Maxwell would even thus early in his life have been amazed if he could have measured the extent of desire on the part of his people to take up the cross. While he was speaking this morning, before he closed with a loving appeal to the discipleship of two thousand years' knowledge of the Master,many a man and woman in the church was saying as Rachel had said so passionately to her mother: “I want to do something that will cost me something in the way of sacrifice.” “I am hungry to suffer something.” Truly, Mazzini was right when he said that no appeal is quite so powerful in the end as the call: “Come and suffer.”

Basically, I feel my life is so comfortable. I can't really think of any way that I am really suffering or any trials that I am going through. I can't help but wonder if I'm missing out on something. I want to experience the fullness of the joy that God gives when you follow Him completely sold out. I don't know what that means, but am praying for God's call to be made clear on how I can better follow Him daily.


Now, don't get me wrong... I know that following Christ may not always have "dramatic" evidence of suffering or trials. However, I feel a call to something more. I feel that in order for me to grow, I have to "go". GO and make disciples, GO and serve the poor, GO and take up my cross. This is a day to day battle and there are opportunities right under my nose that I should take as well as opportunities to step out more in the community.

Please pray for God's guidance and growth for me as I seek to follow Him more closely.


NO SCAR?


Hast thou no scar?
No hidden scar on foot, or side, or hand?
I hear thee sung as mighty in the land;
I hear them hail thy bright, ascendant star.
Hast thou no scar?

Hast thou no wound?
Yet I was wounded by the archers; spent,
Leaned Me against a tree to die; and rent
By ravening beasts that compassed Me, I swooned.
Hast thou no wound?

No wound? No scar?
Yet, as the Master shall the servant be,
And piercèd are the feet that follow Me.
But thine are whole; can he have followed far
Who hast no wound or scar?



BY AMY CARMICHAEL,

IRISH MISSIONARY TO INDIA FOR 55 YEARS

Little Fisherman

Posted with LifeCast

missing New Orleans

Today I stumbled across a cd of New Orleans music for children. Of course I got it for Andrew's stocking! I mean he does have to know and love music and culture, especially from New Orleans! Guess what I did when I got to the car? I like to call it "preview". I mean, common parents should always listen to their children's cd's before giving it to them, right? Well, my feet were tapping and my head was bobbing as I listened. Not only that, but I longed to be in New Orleans. Now I want to go to Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest, the Strawberry fest, and every other fun place in New Orleans. The zoo, the aquarium, St Roch, Desire, Marigny, Deannie's, Yum....and Rachel's! I'd like to top it off with a bananna's foster cheesecake from the Cheesecake factory....
I think I just discovered my happy place! When I got home I did put the cd back in its case and into Andrew's stocking, but let me just say, I'm glad the little guy rides in my car so much!!!

Holidays

This year I have been so busy that it hardly feels like we are in the holidays. Working in retail for corporate america is no fun during Thanksgiving and Christmas. On top of that I am busy with starting a business and trying to somewhat maintain the home, while at the same time love and care for Andrew.

I am in prayer that Christ would be glorified this season despite all that is going on around me. I desire to grow in Him and point to Him. I want to be more bold in sharing my faith to those around me. Chances are coming daily at work, now I want to follow the Spirit's prompting and speak up when He leads me. Please pray that my coworkers, customers, fellow artists, and family would see Christ through me. Pray they would know him as their Savior and friend.

catch up

This is a brief post to try to get back in the habit of posting. Unfortunately, several times I have tried posting from my iphone with no luck. Oh well! We are doing great. Andrew is not crawling, but finds a way to get where he wants by rolling, scooting on his butt and crawling in reverse. He's also got one tooth so far. He likes to dance to the rhythm of music and he can recognize certain words and pictures. It's been amazing to watch his personality taking form. He is very active and loves being outside.

I'm continuing to work hard on a.m. Life and have several shows coming up. Between that, work, Andrew, and the house, I stay very busy!

Penguin waiting to take flight.

On our way to Nana's. Andrew's awaitin his first flight.

Having a happy cool day.

We are loving the cool weather for a change. Here is a pic of Andrew in his sweater. It just may be the only time he wears one this year!

Fun with camera lense effects.

Andrew's first boat ride!

Today we took Andrew out on the boat for the first time. He loved it and Adam said it was his greatest birthday present to have him on the boat.

Hints of personal spiritual revival

Lately I've felt a tug at my heart to know Christ and serve Him with more than I have been. I've been blessed to be involved in a couple of studies at my church that have rekindled the Spirits fire within my heart and have given me a longing to live a life more true to my calling in Christ. It seems that in the business of day to day life, I constantly put Christ to the side and make excuses for it because of all that is going on. Now I am seeking discernment to how I should truly live in a way that glorifies God. I know that if I wait until I'm no longer busy as a mom and wife, I will never fully serve Christ to the lengths that he has called me to. Please pray that the eyes of my heart would be enlightened, that I would know the fullness of Christ and He would radiate from me to the lost and hurting as well as to my husband and son.

Love to swing

At the park take two

Uploaded - 10\24\08

It worked. Next step, I'm removing all of you that get the emails when I post. If you would rather stay on the list let me know. I just know you may not want an email with every post if I'm posting a lot. Check the blog at your own lesure.

This is a test, this is only a test

I sent a few pics while at the park with Andrew and later noticed they hadn't published to the blog... Bummer. I'm trying to figure out why. Sorry for the meaningless post.

To long

I've been unmotivated to blog and therefore have gotten way behind on things. Now I'm testing out blogging from my iPhone and am excited about the possibilty of posting things as they are occuring.

Yesturday Andrew got to swing at the park for the first time. He cracked up as I pushed him on the swing. He is really getting more and more fun as he discovers the world around him.

a.m. Life on Etsy.com

hungry little man

This week we introduced Andrew to solids! He loves eating already. We have a nifty video, but I can't seem to load it to the computer, so the pics will have to do for now!!!

Andrew is now 5 months old and continues to make us laugh and smile!

a.m. Life progress

Many have asked me where I am at in my clothing line. I'm excited and encouraged as people are keeping tabs. So far, I have the equipment needed, the legal paperwork needed, some infant shirts ready to print on, a professional plastisol printer lined up, and most of the art work done for a first run of shirts. I need to do some finishing touches on the art work, and plan to send it in early this week. The turn around time to get them printed on plastisol is about 2 weeks because the company I've chosen has a high demand for these types of prints.

What is plastisol, you ask? Plastisol heat transfering is the method I've chosen to print my shirts. I chose it for many reasons, but ultimately it takes up less space, makes less of a mess, and frees me up to do the drawing and dying of my shirts more than screen printing. It is paper that artwork is printed on by a screen printer. The artwork is then transferred onto a shirt, or anything flat, by using a heat press using high heat and pressure. The quality of the print is the same as screen printing.

In the line up for my first run of shirts: Cownose Ray, Snook, Crawfish, Redfish, and one other (maybe blue crab).

Though I have only infant shirts, I do plan on ordering bigger sizes. If any of you want a shirt for an older kid, please let me know and I can get it for you. My plan is to have some ready to sell at the end of the month!

Thank you all for your encouragement. I've been having a lot of fun making this official!!! Still in the works are a website, marketing, and ordering larger sizes, bibs, and blankets! Also, a few adult shirt designs are in the making.

Rolling into month 4!!!

August 3rd marks month 4 for our little buddy! It's amazing how much he continues to grow and his personality starts to show itself. He cracks me up sometimes. Last week he started making some kind of noise in the back of his mouth somewhat between a gurgle and a hiss...if you can imagine that! When I made the noise back, he laughed and repeated it to me. This game has not stopped!!! Today I put him in the baby einstein play center (whatever it's called). He loved it, turning himself around to explore every toy around him. It is so exciting to see him figure stuff out and grow as a little boy!

a. m. Life is moving along. This week I'm sending of some of the artwork to get printed and I hope to print some shirts by the end of a couple of weeks. It's been an up and down process as I figure out the ins and outs of business and clothing. I spend a lot of time researching and reading at t-shirtforums.com. Once I get some shirts printed, I'll open up a store on hyenacart.com as well as begin working on a site of my own. Scrounge up the change
from the couch cusions so that you can buy a t-shirt for your favorite little ones! I'll also have some adult shirts soon.

You crack me up!

Andrew and his Nana

3 months old!

Andrew rounds the 3 month mark today. No longer can I just hold him without noticing, because he is getting heavy! We are having so much fun with him. He loves to talk and smile at us. When he actually learns to use words, I have a feeling he will talk non-stop. Must take after his poppa!

In business news, we have decided to name the clothing line "a.m. life" (andrew micah life). All of the names were good in one way or another, but this one just fits in so many ways. Here are some of the reasons, I may elaborate on them later: 1. the whole idea is because of him, 2. in so many ways he has brought new life to me, 3. the shirts are about nature and christianity (Life). 4. it is not overt, but has potential to be a Light for Christ and opportunity to share Him. 5. it is all inclusive and can grow past baby and toddler clothes.

I have ordered the most expensive startup item, a heat press. I found a great deal on the most reputable brand and can't wait to test it out. So far I have three fish designs and one monarch. (For those of you with girls, let me know what kinds of things you think would be a hit). I still need a printer combo, blank clothing, and to get some of the work professionally printed on plasticol paper, ready to put on shirts. For the dying of fabric, my aunt is graciously sending me here paints and some shirts. I need to get my LLC and want to raise money to trademark my name and logo. We are planning for this to be a big production that I will work on for a long time.

Also, I returned to work at ATT on July 1. I will be working 20 hours a week until we can afford not to. It is difficult, but okay. I am actually excited, because the new I phone comes out on July 11. I am sure that sales will be high and hope to do well from now through the holidays. If we do well enough, I can probably stay home starting in Jan.

Andrew is napping so when he wakes, I'll try to get a good 3 month old shot of my handsome little buddy.

Thanks to everyone for your excitement and support for my idea of the clothing line. It energizes and encourages me to know that this can be a big hit.

business name vote

please take a moment to let me know what name you like best by using the poll on the right on my blogsite.

My vision for the clothing company is that it display original artwork by me. The work will be nature and fishing based as well as Christian based. I will start with infants and toddlers, but also want to print clothing for youth.

What do you think? Do you have any other ideas?

That's all for now. I need to catch some shuteye!

shocked.

I'm a little shocked. What I thought was a before bedtime power nap for Andrew ended up being a really early bedtime. That leaves me in a present state of confusion, not really knowing what to do with myself!

Today I had a tooth extracted. I let a broken tooth get bad and the overall best long term solution was to have the tooth removed and look towards an implant. To my surprise, I didn't feel a thing. It is strange to have such a big gap in the back of my mouth!

I'm rethinking the clothing name. I need something that is somewhat all encompasing. I will do mostly nature and christian based themes so I need a catchy name for that....

New thought is my old design name, New Creations or CreationWare,
Created Critters... i don't know... give me some input here!!! I have to have the name to apply for my LLC.

Happenings

WORKING HARD TO LIFT HIS HEAD!

1st Drawing for infant shirt

As of last week, they say that Andrew should be able to recognize his name. I have no doubt that he does, but more often it seems he thinks his name is handsome! Anytime I say "Hey Handsome!" his face lights up more than ever. He continues to amaze me and remind me of our Awesome God as he grows and develops. Speaking of names, I think that I will call my clothing company "Little Lights." I am still open to suggestion, because I'm not completely sold on this one. I wonder how the prominent clothing stores got their name, ie "Gymboree, Gap, etc.". I want a name that will stick and stand out. The snook is a drawing for the clothing. the back drawing is incomplete, but will include bait to catch snook. I also have a monarch design in the making, and plan on having 2-3 designs a week. In addition, I'm looking for a good quality heat press, sources for blank infant clothing, and looking towards getting my LLC shortly. My hope remains to stay home with my boy. I'm having fun getting back into drawing and want art to become a bigger part of my life. I'd hate for Andrew to grow up never knowing that I am an artist because I fail to practice it! I want him to be surrounded by art.

Wow, what's that in my hand?Doing what all babies do best!

Somewhere between the toys in the bathtub, the rattle on the grocery list, the baby monitor on my hip, and the endless attempts to get my boy to nap, it has begun to sink in: I AM A MOM. After wondering when this little game of house would become reality in my mind, at two and a half months and counting reality has hit that this is no game, but indeed my life. More importantly, it's Andrew's life. I say this with a smile and excitement, "I truly love motherhood and my son."

Andrew continues to grow strong and hit all the milestones at a rapid rate. I can't believe how exciting I become as he hits each one in stride. Yesterday he rolled over from his tummy to his back and he grasped his rattle with delight as he realized he could shake it and make noise. And of course he did what every baby does best, put it right in his mouth. "Way to go Son!!!" I think the rolling over was a complete accident and don't know that it will happen again soon. Also, he now sleeps in the crib in his room at night...what a big boy!

Plans continue to develop to start a babies and children's clothing company. Right now the major task remains to come up with a catchy name and get the needed supplies. Do you have any ideas? I have so many ideas about what to do, but try to keep myself from running to crazy. I need to keep it small and simple at first so that I don't become overwhelmed and I can gauge how much we can handle!!!

ONE HAPPY BOY!

At
GREAT GRAMMA aka GG

Search for day care...

This week I visited an in home day care and was really turned off by the idea of sending Andrew to a stranger while I go to work. I began daydreaming about possible ways for me to earn money at home. I often shop at a site that sells hand made goods online (Hyenacart.com). It is mostly stay at home moms who make stuff! Anyways, I get diapers there. SO what I am thinking is that I can make baby and toddler shirts and rompers to start. I will dye them (like the one pictured above that my aunt made) and design artwork to print on them. I want to get a simple screen printer to print my artwork on the shirts. I will also make matching diapers for all those crazy cloth diapering mamas!!! Maybe even hats, bibs, and booties to match.

My plan is to scrounge up enough money to buy the necessary supplies, make the clothes, start selling, and work at ATT as I start up to make sure that it brings in enough cashflow. We don't need much really. And I really want to stay home with my boy!

2 months old

I am blown away that it has been two months since we welcomed Andrew into this world! WOW!!! He is growing so fast! With many of my friends and people in my church having babies, he is no longer the new kid in town! However, we are still so new at this. I feel like my life and outlook has transformed so much in just two months. Life changes when looked at through the lense of motherhood. It's hard to explain, but you mothers out there know what I am talking about. Love and Joy have blossomed within me, but so has worry and anxiety. I usually don't think about myself first now, but of Andrew. I am filled with joy when I hold him or he gives me a smile. I never was one to worry about anything, but now I find myself constantly checking to see if Andrew is still breathing in the middle of the night, not to mention the nightmares I consistently have of something bad happening to him! Now I know what God's Word means when it talks about worry. Now it's time to grow in those areas and trust in Him more and more for his grace and provision.

Today Andrew had his first round of shots. Besides turning purple in the face and bolting out a loud scream, he took it pretty well. Good thing, because I did not look forward to it at all! Now he's sleeping and recovering.

photos of the week

Sunday at the Oceanagraphic Center
About to try out the pool for the first time!
Happy to be out of the pool... it was too windy!

multi tasking

I've been stepping over crumbs long enough! Today I tested out the power of a sling. I still have to figure out how to put it on correctly, but I got it to work. I was able to get some house cleaning done, though there always seems to be more! I also discovered Andrew's love for the vacuum white noise!

We made it to 6 weeks!

Today Andrew hit the 6 week mark. As you can see, he still sleeps a lot. I think it's because he's growing like crazy. Six weeks seems like a big hump to cross over in many ways. I'm just thankful that we got this far and haven't "broken the baby"! Maybe we just can do this parenting thing. Andrew sends his love!

Here's Andrew in one of his snazziest cloth diapers. I think it's so cute!!! I've really enjoyed using cloth more than using disposables. It feels better to not have to buy new diapers all the time and the ones that I have seem to do better than the disposables. No blowouts in cloth to date... several in huggies and pampers. Laundry is not so bad. I actually enjoy it!

mother's day

the longest trip ever

I honestly don't know what I was thinking. Actually, I think it is safer to say that I wasn't thinking.

Yesterday, I ventured across the state of FL with Andrew. Adam is teaching a boat training class in Ft. Myers, FL Monday through Thursday. I hated the thought of being without him and left at home to care for Andrew.

Mistake number one: Driving 4 hours, thinking it would be easy to travel with a one month old baby.
Mistake number two: Thinking I could do it by myself.

The first couple of hours were fine. After that it was a nightmare. I stopped at every possible stop, whether that be gas stations or a driveway on the side of the road. By the end of the trip I had heard Andrew's cry in every octave possible. And just think, I have to make the same drive on Thursday!

Now that I'm here it is not that bad. A change of scenery is good. Plus, free cable is a bonus! and it's nice to be with Adam, having his encouragement to push me along.

On the upside, Andrew has started smiling at me! It's not the gassy, we'll pretend it's a smile grimace, but an actual smile that lights up his whole face. I love it!

His one month check up was yesturday. He weighed in at 9 lbs 1 oz and is 21 3/4 inches long.
Doc said he is growing well. His eyes, ears, and heart were all good. All previous testings came back good. He has been fussy in the evenings and has had bad gas, so we were given a colic prescription. What we thought was diaper rash is actually and infection so we are on antibiotics and watching that very closly. In addition, he is airing out with no diaper whenever possible. Translation... pee on mama! I have learned that he likes to pee when he nurses and to take extra precaution. The rash is on the front on the lower abdomen, so I have progressed to a large diaper open at the front to let the air in. hopefully that will keep him from covering everything in our hotel room!

What an adventure!

"Hi, I'm new here!"

Hey everybody! My name is Andrew and today I'm 4 weeks old. Mom says she can hardly believe it and that I'm growing so fast! I am learning so much! I love to move my arms and hands. Sometimes I can even get my hand into my mouth. I can also lift and turn my head and everyday I'm getting stronger. I can't wait to be strong enough to go fishing with dad or shoot hoops with mom. For now I am exploring the world around me and having a great time! I can't wait to meet all of you! Mom says its time to go change my diaper! TTYL

It's great to get out!!!

We have had a few chances to get out of the house and it has done wonders for my mental state! Yesterday was my first time back at church and it has never felt so refreshing. I loved showing off Andrew, but even more it felt like life had some sort of normalcy to it. Worship and fellowship renewed me from within.

After church we were able to go out to lunch with a few friends. It was fun to talk about parenthood with the other moms and again, things seemed "normal". Andrew was a breeze throughout, though last night he was up every two hours.

I'm looking forward to things continuing to fall into a state of mild "normalcy"

gotta love him!

Andrew Micah's Birth Story

"For you created me in my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." Psalm 139: 13, 14


Has anyone ever recorded just how many emotions there are? And I wonder how many
one person can experience in a small amount of time. Also, how many changes can really occur in a life in just a few days?

I am so small in relation to all that is going on around me. My life is at this moment a whirlwind of excitement, elation, fatigue, exhaustion, praise, joy, thanksgiving, confusion, love, nervousness, appreciation, fear, pain, relief, oh and love…love…love.

As April 3rd rolled in with the clock changing from ll: 59 pm to 12:am, my world was about to be rocked. A few minutes after midnight, I leaped up from my slumber leaving a small puddle behind me and a stream following me to the bathroom. "This must be it, but when should I actually leave? I tried to lay back down… way to painful. Then I started to time contractions, which seemed strong but irregular and confusing. Two and a half hours later I woke up Adam, we timed contractions, but ultimately didn't get it and decided to go to the hospital. We arrived at the hospital at around 3:30 AM and learned my water had broken and I would be there for the long haul. All anticipated a quick delivery, because I was close to 4 cm dilated and very very effaced. For a few seconds I thought about having no epidural. Those thoughts lost to the pain of each contraction, and I took the epidural, which carried me through the next several hours. I was amazed as I watched the monitors show the contractions soar off of the chart and my baby's heart rate fluctuate with each one. A little before 2 PM, contractions began hurting again, the epidural would not quench them, and I started to feel the urge to push…PUSH!

The pushing was welcomed and actually felt good as I worked with each
contraction to bring Andrew into this world. GOOD, but EXAUSTING, to all who were involved! I used rhythm and visualization to focus on pushing. Those who know me will not be surprised to learn that I pictured myself playing around the world in rhythm to the
nurses counting to 10. Each series carried me around the arch and back with focus, determination and power using a muscle I had never used before. When basketball didn't work, I tried many other means of focus. And at the end when we were so close, but just couldn't come over the top, I went into the strongest prayers that I had ever offered. I gave it to Andrew's Lord and Maker, asked him to make it happen and to bring His child into this world, because I could not do anything more. Every time it came time to push, I would focus all my attention in His direction. At this point, his head was so close to being completely out, the doctors and medical team seemed to multiply around me, and everyone was shouting "just one more!" I dug down deep in prayer, pushed, and Andrew came mostly into this world. His shoulder was caught, and I don't remember all that really happened, I just know that one of the nurses had actually jumped on my bed and we were all pushing and pulling in one direction or another to get Andrew here once and for all!

Praise, Elation, Joy and amazement poured through me as I heard his cries and all took a deep breath of relief after a hard days work for the nurses and doctors, and a life altering one for Adam and I. My hands went up in the air like I had just been a part of the biggest victory of all time, with tears of extreme joy I shouted out "Yes! Yes! Yes!" I offered aloud thanks and praises to the One who pulled me through.

It was 3:58 pm when Andrew Micah Tarplee was born. He weighed 8 pounds 2 ounces and was 20 inches long.

Adam and I are in love with this little life changer and are thankful to our Maker and Father for bringing us a healthy baby boy. Most of the time we don't really know what we are doing, but we are learning as we love, feed, change, and nurture our little boy.

Anticipation

This is my first post, and if I let myself it could be a loaded one!!! Think I'll hold back though. I'm now 30 weeks pregnant and will have a little pooper in 8-12 weeks!!! Wow! Adam and I are excited, but scared. Is this really about to happen??? Nothing is ready around the house, but with each day we are closer to the reality of parenthood. But forget the fact that the house isn't ready...what about us? It is a scarry reality that we will be responsible for a baby before we know it.

All that said, every baby I see, I melt and can't wait to see my little man. I wonder what he will be like, what he will look like, if he'll be as unorganized as Adam and myself, or if he'll be the one that is particular and clean. Will he love sports like us? Will he be artistic? I can't wait to see!