The Intentional Life

Ever since Hannah was born I have been trying to some up with a decent name for my blog. I wanted something short and sweet but still got my central point across. I finally settled on 'Raising Royalty' with a short description of it. It stems from how there is so much out there about little girls being princesses and all about me, me, me. I thought it could be turned around for the good - we can all be sons and daughters of the King - we can all be a princess or prince - but it's not about us, it's about Him. What do you think?

For those of you who don't know, Ohio State is playing Penn State tonight in what is a 'pretty big game.' I don't know a whole lot, I'm just the wife of a big OSU fan, so that makes me sort of a fan : ) But I thought I would dress our children up in the OSU clothes we had in the closet. Apparently Elmo is a big fan of Ohio, too, since he appears on both shirts (who knew? : ) Now for all of you who now feel sorry for our children because they are wearing 'trash' or whatever term you would tack onto the Buckeye name - ha, ha, I'm just waiting for the comments to come - from certain family members who are Illini or Wolverine fans. I don't know enough to talk trash so I'll just stay silent. At least I know the Suvar side of the family will be in support of our children's clothes (I don't think there is any other team but the Buckeyes with the Suvar's...) Unfortunately, the game does not start until 8PM which is Owen and Hannah's be...

Selfishness and impatience go hand in hand. My children have made me realize this. I've already known that I can be a selfish person (wanting time for myself, wanting things done my way) but since Hannah has been born I have been increasingly aware of it and it disgusts me. I have found that when I am most impatient with the kids and start to raise my voice and can feel my blood pressure rise, is when I am being selfish. So I have started to check myself when I feel myself losing my cool. Why am I getting so impatient? Most answers are: I want to get something done and Owen won't let me. I want to be doing something else and instead I am walking around for 45 minutes (or more) holding a screaming Hannah. Most of the time the realization of this makes my impatience decrease (most of the time). It's a reminder to act toward my children the way God acts toward me. I am sure there are many times God would like me to do it His way and in His time but thankfully He doe...

This past weekend we were with Paul's family to celebrate Owen's birthday. Becky did an excellent job on the cake - her train was 3-D versus my little 2-D version : ) We got to see baby Alayna again and took a picture of the three cousins together. Heehaw, Owa, and Yayna (the pronunciations by Owen) And I just had to put another picture of our kiddos cuddled in the stroller together - so cute! : )

I snapped this picture of Owen this morning after he was done eating his breakfast. I was changing Hannah and noticed Owen was real quiet. Well, he had reached over to the table and grabbed the newspaper and was flipping through it. It was so cute I had to take a picture. He had such a serious look on his face, like he really was reading the morning headlines. This evening we cut Owen's hair for the first time. We strapped him in the booster seat and Paul distracted his with reading some books. After we saved a snip for his baby book, I tried my best with the scissors. Owen did really well, didn't fuss at all. He still has some curls, they are just a little more tamed. Here is a before and after shot.

So the Rassi's were out for their annual Columbus Day Weekend get together. We celebrated Owen's birthday on Saturday with them. I made a chocolate cake for Owen and attempted to put a train on it - Owen did call it a train so I must have made it somewhat recognizable : ) Mary and Greg were also out with their son Max, who is just 2 days older than Hannah. We tried laying them beside each other for a picture. We didn't get too much because Max is a mover! I have several shots of Max getting in front of the camera and Hannah just frowning at him. Owen had a great time with so many people to entertain him, and of course all the gifts he got! To the Rassi's that didn't make it - you were missed! (and put it on your calendars for next year : )

Owen's birthday is on Sunday - I cannot believe that it has been 2 years already! Yesterday I made an attempt at taking his 2 year pictures. Here are a few that made the final cut. I was taking the pictures underneath some trees with one being an apple tree, and, well, Owen just had to have one : )

For those of you who don't know U.S. 24 runs right through Antwerp and right now they are working on building a 4-lane US 24 just south of town. It will be about a mile to a mile and a half from us. Right now you can walk right up onto the overpass and walk up and down the on/off ramps. One evening we walked the kids up there to take some pictures. We figured by the time they are old enough to remember, it will be done (plan is 2012). It was kinda fun walking in a place where you know one day will be traffic. And earlier this summer we bought a used jogging stroller off of eBay (very used) so that I could try to get back into jogging again. This has been a pipe dream. Finally this week Hannah actually sat in the thing and we have made it farther than the front yard without her screaming. Maybe next year, if Owen still fits in it : ) OK, the picture of the tree...there were about 30 or so turkey buzzards sitting in this tree in our back year. It was very eerie. I went outside to tak...

I actually got something out of a church sermon! Now, that may sound bad, but sitting with Owen every Sunday, I would say it's an accomplishment. Yesterday we read from James and the part that stood out to me was Chapter 4 verses 13-15: Listen up, you that say, Today or tomorrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:Whereas you don't know not what tomorrow will bring. For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away. Instead you should say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. ( paraphrase ) The minister went on to day that we need to make sure we leave room for God's sovereignty. For me, I am a planner and organizer. And where this struck a cord is with our finances. Paul and I keep a budget and we have plans as far as when we will make a big purchase or pay something off, or save up so much. But I need to step back and stop relying on ourselves to make...