The Portable Office

We were in the position that many seminary and young families are when they find out the great news - "You're pregnant"! That particular question was - how exactly do we change what was previous the OFFICE to the Office/Baby Room. For many men, this would be a hard concession. However, my husband Ryan was extremely gracious and didn't even complain about finding a new home for his mounted deer head (thanks Bawbaw for housing it for us until we get a little larger home!). But it has caused some flexibility in when Ryan uses the office, as Brooklynn is old enough to be distracted from sleep by Ryan studying. So Ryan could not be more delighted by his new addition to our house - his portable office!!! You too can make your own if desired. Simply - find a good microwave stand or portable island - and there ya go! The best part? The office can now be ANYWHERE...kitchen (roll, roll, roll)...living room (roll, roll, roll), or well, anywhere really! It's been revolutionary...and there is actually a home for all of those stacks of books that would pop up all over the house! Happy husband! Happy wife!

Summer Fun!!

Last Friday was Cow Appreciation Day! We had the whole Bebee HERD present!! The VanCourt girls got to join us too! Love me some Chicky-fil-A!!Aburndale has been having playdates throughout the summer! Last week we visited Graeter's main location where they MAKE the ice cream!! We had so much fun and were able to sample some GREAT ice cream! Afterwards we headed to the park! Love those ABC ladies!

Brookylnn was DIVING for the grass!! She loved being outside and at the park! (Thanks Emily for hanging with her and keeping that grass out of her mouth! :o)

Girl Talk Blog

Carolyn Mahaney (C.J. Mahaney's wife) and her daughters have a blog that is extremely encouraging and informative!! I recommend all women to regularly check-out there blogs and learn from their wisdom as mothers, wives, and women of God. You will love it. I have enjoyed their love for truth, their recipes, and their humor! But especially this week, because each Friday they have the Friday funnies - and one of my close friends, Cara Croft MADE the Friday funnies this week!! So check it out here!!!

4th of July

Our 4th of July started early this year! We were out of the house and ready for our 5K by 7:45!!! Brooklynn had her first race, and even "won" a medal for being a part of it!! We live within walking distance of a huge 4th of July celebration in our neighborhood. We had a cookout and enjoyed fireworks from Michael Riedl's window!! All in all, a wonderful way to celebrate the birth of our country. We are definately reminded of the blessing it is to live in America where we have such freedom to love Christ openly and publicly. May we be more persuaded to boldly share the gospel as we reflect on our great opportunities here!

TEXAS!!!

Brooklynn and I had a Wonderful time visiting family in Texas! We spent lots of time with my mom and sister, and we had the utmost pleasure of seeing so many family members that Brooklynn and I both feel entirely loved!! Here are a few of the highlights! Enjoy!

Cousins!!!

The little cousins LOVED Brooklynn and let her know with lots of kisses! They were both SO sweet to her the whole trip!

Aunt Bambi!

Aunt Susan & Aunt Deborah

Our sweet Meme!

Brooklynn's 1st Visit to the Pool!

She was completely exhausted afterwards!! Took a little snooze!

We had a Gourmet meal at Bam's house -

with stuffed mushrooms, steaks and grilled onions! No place like Texas eh!?!

Gigi got lots of loving in and Brooklynn took it ALL in!

We were able to visit my daddy's sister and niece as well! We love Aunt Linda and Kristi! Lindy and A.J. got to meet Brooklynn too and we had a great visit!

Trip to Texas

So...Brooklynn and I are flying to Texas on WEDNESDAY! We are excited to see family and friends as we visit Canyon! We are flying in on Gigi's birthday!! As I am thinking of flying with sweet little girl alone, I have to imagine there can be nothing as long as going to Texas in the car....with a dog...

Bella did good traveling to Texas last Christmas, but things sure do change when you have a kiddo! Keep posted for some good Stephens family pictures!

Also - for those that haven't discovered skype yet...it rocks! We have LOVED talking to friends and family - and actually getting to SEE them!! Plus - everyone gets to meet the Brooky!

Womanly Dominion

I have recently finished a book called Womanly Dominion: More than a Gentle and Quiet Spirit, by Mark Chanski. After Ryan was recommended to read Chanski's book about Manly Dominion and LOVED it he picked this up for me. While many of us will quickly cast aside the thought of reading another book on how to be godly women, let me say that this is NOT like all the other books. I found it encouraging, thought provoking, convicting, and enthralling. He does a great job of debunking our cultures subtle, and yet pervasive attempts to convince even well-meaning Christians of feminism. Now I may have been more highly exposed having received a degree in science, which is not the best atmosphere to find a Christian worldview. But you might be surprised how YOU react to how Chanski presents the Bible's instructions on a woman's role in the world.

Have you wondered:

Does culture influence how I am to act as a woman?

What Biblical role models am I to follow in this pursuit?

What lies have I believed about being a godly woman? or even what it means to have a gentle and quiet spirit?

Submission?

How to approach my husband boldly and yet humbly if I don't agree with a decision or action?

What does this look like if I'm single? a wife? a mother? a single mother?

Chanski challenges women to "Play their position". But to play your position, you first have to know your position. Chanski's book is a great place to help you understand scripture and the Biblical call for womanly dominion.

Check out the Girl Talk's blog post also recommending this book!