The Binder of the Broken

Clarence Church is our worship leader at Vineyard church and he is the writer and singer of this beautiful song. Lately I have been playing it repeatedly and soaking in the truth of it's powerful message. If you are hurting or waiting or longing for something, let these words wash over you and just be still.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2q_gSO5J0Wk

"The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives, and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion-to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair."

-Isaiah 61:1-3-

Strawberry Pickin'

Today we picked our first crop of fresh strawberries from the front porch garden. Eli happily volunteered to be the official taste-tester. They were delicious! Nothing says summer like homegrown sweet, juicy strawberries.

Diaper Duty

Last night I put Eli to bed around 7:30 pm. The kid was obviously not tired yet because I continued to hear him chatting and jumping around for the good part of the next hour. I kept running upstairs to make sure he didn't have a dirty diaper because that is often the source of a sudden second wind. After 3 trips upstairs I finally decided to let him play himself into exhaustion and went to do some laundry. 30 minutes later when it is now 9pm, I went in the kitchen to take a peek at the video baby monitor. The picture is black and white at night and I could see Eli standing up throwing something from one end of his crib to another. And then I looked closer and saw something else. Butt cheeks. An adorable, chubby, naked, rear end. I ran back upstairs and the little man was just as pleased as punch that he had disrobed himself. He stood up, handed me the diaper and said "uh-oh." It's hard to give a stern discipline when you're laughing so hard you're about to pee your pants.
Thanks Eli, I needed a good laugh today.

Sun, surf, and oh so sandy diapers

We just returned home from our annual Costello family vacation. This year we headed to the Outer Banks beaches of North Carolina. Now, you might think that 14 adults, 8 children, and 2 nannies all under one roof might be a tinsy bit overwhelming, and you my friend, would be right. However, vacation with this crazy bunch is always a blast and many wonderful memories are created are on these trips. There is nothing better than young cousins laughing together, watching grown brothers boogie boarding in the ocean, and sharing delicious meals cooked in pots big enough to bathe in.

Eli was made for the ocean. He was fearless in the face of the powerful waves. He consumed enough sand for several "organic" colon cleansings. We are so blessed to be part of this enormous fun-loving family. A big thanks to mom and dad Costello for making this whole trip possible.

Here are a few of my favorite moments:
Costello brothers picture

Splashin' in the waves

Two peas in a pod busy in the pool

Sun bathing beauties

6 kids later and they still got it

Costello sisters picture

One very sandy little boy

A hilarious attempt at a cousins picture

Eli watching the waves crash into shore

Shake your groove thing

On our way to the park earlier this week, Eli, my niece Lily and I were jamming to some Sunday school praise songs. (Yes, I have fully accepted the fact that, as a mom, I no longer get full control over the choice of car music. Not if I want to win coolest mommy and aunt of the year, which I do.) Anyways, Eli starting showing off his latest dance move, which I call the "no" shake. I captured this quick video when we pulled up to a red light.
*Note: In the background you can enjoy my 3 yo niece explaining how her daddy tries to skip over certain songs on the Little Praisers CD and how she tells him "NO! Daddy". *

Meanwhile, Eli is just jammin away. Is it too early to sign him up for dance class??

Look out world!

I am not a blogger. I never ever thought I would start one. Do I love reading blogs? YES. Do I love them so much I neglect the laundry, cleaning, and other responsibilities when I get lost in bloggerspace? NO! OK maybe sometimes. But me keeping my own blog? No thanks. Until now....

My change of heart is mainly due to the fact that time starts to fly when you have kids. My sweet baby Eli, who I swear was just born yesterday, is already 13 months old. I blinked and it happened. And that's sometimes how my memory is as well. This never-gonna-happen blog is dedicated to you Eli, and of course my husband. I don't ever want to forget all the funny things that this little boy does every day. This is my technologically improved "scrapbook." And it's a heck of a lot cheaper then all those cutsie little stickers. Bonus! So look out world, I am a blogger.