La Famille Armstrong

It's been a while since I posted here. It's been a busy couple of weeks. First the trip to Texas - and all the getting ready stuff for that - and after just a week we headed down to Coos Bay. Mark took a trip with my dad down to CA to hit some race tracks and visit old friends and family. I decided to come down and spend the week with my mom and 2 of my sisters, and of course, the boys too :)

Boy, have they been a handful! Cole is teething with his 1 year molars and has been hot and cold, so to speak. Great for a day or two, then crabbier as I've ever seen him for another day or two. Crazy that he turns 1 tomorrow! And Mark turns 31!!! Asher has been pretty good for the most part. He's been melting down more and more in the evening, most likely just from missing his papa. But overall, it's been a great trip. We had quite a few outings (wal-mart of course)... trip to a park, the playground across the street, the Boardwalk, the Blackberry Festival, coffee and more shopping... eventful enough to keep the boys busy but not too crazy.

But, I'm exhausted! At home it's tough to keep up with the boys, but it gets harder when the house isn't totally baby-proofed and when all your stuff is just in a bag :) I had lots of help tho, just not much sleep! But Mark comes home tonight... within the hour!! So, hopefully next week I'll get some sleep and a break. I also have a TON of work to do, finishing the last 20 photos from one wedding and about 200+ from two other weddings... I'll likely be needed a babysitter one or two days the next 2 weeks, maybe 3... feel free to volunteer!!

Lately, God has been really doing things in me. I feel like I haven't had the chance to break away and really spend time in prayer, talking to Him and listening to Him. I feel like our life is changing (what's new) and I wonder what the future holds. I have ideas, desires, obligations, responsibilities and most of all, I have questions about where God would have me. I know I want to give up all my personal pursuits to chase after His plans and goals, but what's the best route? What does that LOOK like? Does He want me to do stuff here or is there something, somewhere else I should be doing? I just wonder. No answers yet. So, I suppose the best route is to just keep seeking Him and putting all my efforts into what is currently going on in my life and the things that come up. I just wonder, at what point should a person, namely myself, just stop what they are doing and pursue something else? Like missions work or something like that. Anyway, that's a little sneak peak into my jumbled mess of a brain :)

I'll put up some photos over the next couple of days from our little trip. Hope to connect with may of you dear friends soon... I need some down time!!! Love you all!

I always seem to get busy don't I? :) Thankfully, you all understand.

God has been doing so many things in my heart and life and I wish I could explain it all to all of you! I've been reading more in the Word every day and also reading a few books on my iPhone Kindle App. I definitely recommend reading "The Forgotten God" by Francis Chan and "Breaking Free" by Beth Moore. Interestingly, I've taken away several truths from these books that were exactly in line with what God was teaching me. And while these books are about very different things, the underlying truth about God's way is the same. Something I'm really working on since reading these books, is allowing God's Spirit to guide me and acting in obedience once He calls. Doing that is the only way to have victory over sin... to be attentive what God tells me (in my "average" days and extraordinary days) then to actually DO what He desires instead of what gratifies myself and my "needs." I say needs in quotes b/c I'm also learning that this physical world is a lot less permanent than what I admit. Can I get an amen? :)

On another note, potty training Asher has been a huge success!! And I'm so blessed to say that. I was incredibly nervous about this endeavor and like Kristine Blackburn told me, I was really shocked that he is old enough to really be able to do it! Also, the Blackburns are finally moving down to Sacramento where Michael has been working 4 days a week and flying home on weekends for almost 4 years now! It's a blessing and a sadness, as they are some of the "founding fathers" of the church we attend. I will greatly miss her wisdom and grace... this next year of bible study will NOT be the same and I'm curious to see what God will be doing!

Asher is talking more and more every day. He's singing songs, picking out phrases from things he hears in music or movies (or our conversations). He's showing lots of aptitude (or at least desire) to play the guitar. Mark has been letting him strum his guitar and showing Ash a few chords too. Every morning Asher is in our room, trying to grab the guitar saying "Papa play guitar? Please? Say yes?" He plays guitar on any object that is wider than 3 inches. He especially loves to watch himself in the mirror :) He plays on brooms, spoons, shovels, sweatshirts all wadded up, phones, books... and he looks just like he's holding a pick too! So cute. So entertaining. We've video taped it several times... we'll share soon enough.

Cole has really turned into a little boy! He's standing up on furniture and interacting with us more and more. He seems to say "yeah" a lot. Anytime you ask him something. And he does it with a cute surprised look on his face. He also is more into books, sometimes sitting a looking at several for a few quiet minutes. He plays REALLY well by himself too which is a great blessing for us. He wakes up most morning around 5:45 tho, which while it is not directly a blessing, is right along with the theme of self-discipline and acting out in faith... a few more of the things I've been learning :) Cole will walk when you hold his hands and sometimes he can do it while only holding one hand... won't be long!! He also really loves grandpa, and I mean REALLY! Yesterday grandpa came into the room while Cole was in his highchair and there was no consoling that kid until grandpa came back and picked him up! I'm talking about screaming, crocodile tears, sad expressions... it was unreal! But I am really thankful for the bond my kids will have with their grandparents on both sides. Asher is always asking about grandpa Boatright and saying "in Coos Bay?" Our families are such blessings.

Lastly, next week we are going to Texas for Claire's wedding! Claire is one of Mark's cousins and their wedding photographer fell through. Basically, I'll be shooting their wedding in exchange for them bringing Mark and I out there for a few days. It'll be great! I don't feel too anxious, the kids will be in good hands (Mom and Dad A for 2 days, Tracy for the last 2). I feel great about doing the wedding... I'm more nervous about the heat in Bryan, TX during the middle of August!! But honestly, I'm totally fine with either being inside a hotel room or at the mall or movies the entire trip :) Mark and I have NEVER stayed at a hotel together for more than 1 night since we've been married, and we've never been away from both boys for more than 1 night either so this will be quite the treat for us!

Alright, well, I've got to update some stuff on The Giving Portal before Cole wakes up. Check the site for ways to give... I'll be getting more of that stuff done soon! Oh, and I'll post some wedding photos up this week too! Bye.