I pray that the peace that comes from Christ will rule in your heart. (Colossians 3:15) Today and everyday.
Merry Christmas!
Love,
Kris, Dusty, John Henry, Anna (and baby Jett)
Monthly Archives: December 2009
Born Into His Destiny.
I have to keep this short and sweet, because I have a plethora of Christmas festivities yelling my name in anticipation. Like eating my mother-in-law’s lace cookies and taking a nap later. But I, at least, wanted to share something completely awesome my dad shared this past Sunday. Something I had never heard before about the birth of Christ.
You know the story. Jesus was born in a manger (Anna says this could also be called a barn. She’s brilliant, folks.) Nowhere around was the comfort of a sweet, plush blanket to cradle Him in. So, He was wrapped in a swaddling cloth. These swaddling cloths were not just random pieces of material.
They were burial clothes.
The burial clothes used during this time to wrap the bodies of those passed.
Coincidence?
Come on. This is God we’re talking about.
He so loved the world that He sent His son…..
He was born for the cross.
For you. For me.
He was born into His destiny.
And, I can never look at a nativity scene the same again.
I’m continually overwhelmed by a God who loves us so much.
Filed under God Stuff
Christmas Festivities And Deer Hunting?
We surprised my dad by flying home to Georgia a few days early. We made it home in time for the Eagles Way Church Christmas service and family communion. Communion as a family is always a special time. Especially, when you look over at your children with the overwhelming knowledge that they are participating in one of the church’s greatest sacraments. And, especially, when your daughter takes a bite of the wafer and comments, “Ha. It tastes like popcorn!”
It was certainly moving.
We had a little a family picture made after the service.
Then, Kris made good on his promise to Anna to take her deer hunting for the first time.
They returned home with great father-daughter memories.
But no game.
And, I was really okay with that.
Welcome To the World, Liam!
Hooray for new additions! Leiv and Lindsey, our brother and sister-in-law, have given us a new nephew, and I CANNOT WAIT to get my hands on him.
Liam Soren Takle entered the world (and melted our hearts) Wednesday, December 15th. I get to meet him in person very soon. All 7 pounds, 12 ounces, and 20 ½ inches of him.
I’m sure Liam and his soon to be born cousin will give me plenty of writing material as they grow up together discussing aviation, medicine, and, of course, farming.
I love my family. And, I love Liam already.
Welcome to the world, Liam. You are sure to make it brighter.
Every good and perfect gift comes from above. James 1:17
I’m Hoping There Were No Other Bridesmaid Dresses Available.
Thirty-seven years ago today, my parents said I do……
And, subsequently, forced their wedding party to wear large bow ties and red dresses with white lace that only the Amish could love. We’ll just let the awesome, red veil accessories speak for themselves.
Thirty-seven years is a very long time, especially by today’s standards. Of course, I don’t know every detail of their marriage. But, I do know it has not been without struggle. Nor, has it been without a relentless commitment to working through it all.
Even years into their journey, they saw things in their marriage that needed to be changed. And, they did what they had to do to not just fix it – but make it brand new.
I love their unyielding commitment to Christ.
To each other.
To us.
To the body of Christ.
And, I especially love the fact that they still never say goodbye to one another on a simple phone call without first saying, “I love you.”
I love those two.
Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad.
Fearless.
One of the things I appreciate about my husband is his boldness. He is courageous. He is a risk-taker. He is fearless. This trait shines through in his confidence. It eases my own fears, and I suddenly feel safe beside him.
I noticed this about Kris immediately when we first began dating. On one of our first dates, he called to ask me out for a surprise adventure. He wouldn’t tell me where we were going. When I inquired about what I should wear, he answered like a real man. “A dress. Every man likes to see a little leg.”
Yes. He. Did. Say. That.
He flew in from Oklahoma to the Peach State. He showed up at my door. I kissed my sweet, five-month old baby boy goodbye, and I entered Kris Takle’s fearless world. I ended up at my hometown airport, facing a twin piston airplane. He opened my door, and I climbed in. Showing a little leg, of course. He sat in the left seat, because I clearly cannot fly an aircraft myself. And, we, well he, took off.
I can remember watching him push the throttle forward, pull back on the yoke, full of confidence in what he is was doing. We landed in Hilton Head, South Carolina and went to one of my most favorite restaurants still. I had been out with one other guy before Kris. When I went out this “other guy”, I was so nervous that I hardly touched my food.
Anyone who knows me knows I may fear some things, but indulging in an entrée is not one of them.
But, being with Kris was different. I sat beside him in that restaurant, his confidence making me feel at ease, and I inhaled every morsel on my plate. I so surprised myself that I turned to him and said, “Did you eat any of my food?”
“No. You wouldn’t let me near it,” he responded.
I knew then, well, and after he took me for a walk on the beach, that there just might be something special about him.
And, I was sure of this something special, this fearlessness that I so admired, when I watched him with John Henry. Here was this twenty-nine year old bachelor with no experience with infants in the floor with my greatest treasure, turning a stuffed alligator into a real, live show. And, John Henry smiled.
Kris would encourage me to go take time to myself. “Go for a run with your girls,” he’d say. “John Henry and I will have fun.”
His courage to take on fatherhood the way he did still impresses me more than his boldness and skill in the cockpit. And, after almost seven years of being together, he still eases my own fears every time he sits beside me…..and, every time I watch our children crawl into his lap.
He is fearless. I love that about him.
Thank You. Thank You Very Much.
Dad and I were talking on the phone last night just like we do most evenings. I told him about a little anxiety I’ve been feeling. He responded with how excited he is to get to do what he does at Eagles Way Church. We were totally on the same page.
You know. I kid.
EWC hosted their children’s Christmas program Sunday night, which according to many was a comedy show. Dad decided to give all of those families with children involved in the play a free DVD of the program. Dad expressed how much it meant to him for my brother-in-law, Leiv, to walk up to him and say, “Thank you.”
Now, let me clarify, dad wasn’t at all disappointed or distressed that others didn’t follow suit. He was more so acknowledging and appreciating Leiv for the way he intentionally lives his life. So, simmer down now.
And, I know Dad would give and give and give without ever a thought of needing a thank you.
But, I was reminded of the story of the ten lepers that Jesus healed in Luke 17. One of them came back to say thank you. I want to remember to be that person who always says thank you. I’d bet I’ve totally overlooked a lot of little blessings in my life. I want to be more intentional about saying thank you. I want to be the leper who comes back.
But, I don’t want to be leper.
Just thought I should make that clear. Not that you would think I want to be a leper, because, that would just be insane. But, of course, I am with child, and with child women can say insane things.
Just ask my husband.
Or don’t.
On that note, thank you all for still following this very random, sometimes silly, record of my journey as a…….
mother trying to raise children with hearts after Christ,
a wife trying to be the partner God has called me to be, and
a woman trying to love God above all else.
Filed under gratitude
Things I Didn’t Do At Five and Seven.
My kids were invited to tour our city’s Christmas lights in style this weekend.
When asked her favorite part of the experience, Anna said, “I loved every single thing about it!” Then, she added, “Dad, I had Dr. Pepper, and I loved it!”
John Henry enjoyed the ride, too. But, he seemed to talk about the gingerbread cookies most. We were definitely cut from the same cloth, as they say. Whoever “they” are.
Kris and I enjoyed a night out alone together. He was gracious enough to take me to the mall, along with the rest of metro area, to shop for a pair of jeans. A very fun experience in my condition, indeed.
I asked Kris, “Are you ready for me to be skinny again?”
He responsibly answered, “I’m not touching that with a ten foot pole.”
Then, he did what every good husband does for his wife. He fed me.
Date nights with your spouse are so essential to a healthy marriage. And, I mean date nights sans children. Set aside time to be alone together. You’ll be glad you did!
I Like The Hustle & Bustle, But I Need This More.
Hustle.
Bustle.
This Christmas party.
That Christmas party.
Christmas lists.
Christmas shopping.
Christmas travel.
So easy to get lost in it all.
So easy to lose its meaning.
Yesterday, I had one thought in my hustle and bustle:
I just want to put it all aside and throw myself down at the altar of Jesus Christ.
Experience His peace.
Delight in His joy.
Bathe in His love.
Just for a moment.
Maybe longer.
You?
“Love is what’s in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen.” – Author Unknown
A Girl Has To Keep Her Status Updated.
These days when I look at my mobile and notice the school calling, I immediately think, “Anna.” Yesterday was no different. And, my thinking was correct.
Anna’s teacher first wanted to let me know that she had “told a story” the day before. According to her teacher, Anna had told her friends she had surgery on her pinky finger. I let her teacher know we would address the importance of telling truthful stories.
She wasn’t really in trouble for this next little incident. Her teacher just wanted to “make (me) aware” of Anna’s computer skills.
Anna’s Teacher: “Anna was at the school computer, and I heard her saying, ‘Ugh! I can’t log into my account!’”
When she went to view Anna’s computer screen, this is what she saw:
Anna’s Teacher: “I was surprised she could find the Twitter web site!”
Me: “Er, yes. Me, too.”
Seriously. Where did she acquire Twitter knowledge and those skills? Probably her Dad. I’m sure of it.
When I picked her up from school, I asked why she had told her friends she had surgery on her pinky finger.
Anna: “What? I didn’t tell them I had surgery on my pinky finger! I told them I had surgery on this finger!” She said, pointing to her index finger.
Being the mother of Anna Takle, friends, is why I should never be short on blog material.
Ever.
Filed under Kid Stuff, Motherhood
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