Our first family photo

The Mathews family got their first family photos taken last night. We have a good friend who does photography in Cincinnati and so we scheduled a time to have them done. We met him in an old studio.... in an old building in Cincinnati. We walked up three flights of stairs after entering through a small door on the side of the building. The room was just old dirty wood floors... but was amazing and we had so much fun. The girls do great which I am glad about..... pictures with kids can often be stressful! So, here you go, The Mathews Family Photo...... we are one happy family ;)

I am now 32

Yesterday was my 32nd birthday... it was great. We all went to our first service at church and then Joel surprised me with going to breakfast at First Watch.. one of my favorite places.... then I did a little bit of birthday money spending by myself before heading out to go on a much needed date with Joel. We were able to drop the girls off at our small group and they had a nice chocolate cake there for me!! Then Joel and I went to this place called Reserve and it was amazing. We were the only ones in the place with a guy playing the piano the entire time.... it was great though! My steak melted in my mouth. Then we went and saw Slumdog Millionaire... which was pretty good... not as WOW as I thought it would be. Then we headed back to small group where just a few friends were still there and laughed and ate cake for another few hours. It was a great day. I can't believe I am 32!! Is March almost over.... I just might be on birthday overload!

I have two books that I am super excited to start reading... Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas and Death by Love by Mark Driscoll........ I have not bought books for myself in a long time but splurged yesterday and can't wait to dive into them!

Are people finally starting to wake up?

I am starting to think that people may be waking up a bit to this crazy spending and all the other nonsense this government is up to.... when will enough be enough??? The markets are speaking... no one wants to invest, those who invest are not finding any trust in Obama... yet he just keeps spending and spending our money.. Did you know that some of the stimulus money is actually going to the removal of tattoos?????
I am wondering what will happen when those of us who have figured it out will stand up and say enough is enough!!! I might just have to quit watching the news... I have never had high blood pressure but I just might if I continue.. it makes me so spitting mad!!!! I am not a cursing woman.. but give me a few more months of this and I might be.

My 30's

I am going to be turning 32 in 11 days.... I have to say, the 30's have been amazing for me..... well, if only my metabolism was still like it was in my 20's.... that is my only complaint. Anyways, I feel like in just these last couple of years, I have learned so much about myself, my husband, motherhood, and am still learning about my perception of who God really is. I am learning everyday how to be a wife and a mother...... and how to try and do it to the best of my ability. I guess you could say that I am finally starting to feel like an adult and feel like I have a good grasp on how I want to live my everyday life, who I want to surround me, and what is really truly important to me. I think I kind of knew all these things in years past, but my understanding is better and more complete. I love my life... it is in no way perfect, but I am learning some amazing things along the way and can only imagine what I will learn in years to come.

Mark Driscoll

I have been listening to this guys podcasts lately and have really been enjoying them. I love his style, and the things that he has to say. He uses so much scripture and is not afraid to say things that may ruffle some feathers. I love his take on religion and I love how he always goes straight to the importance of Jesus. I love the things that this church is doing for the Seattle area. It's awesome!

Memorial Service

Last week, we headed to Longview to celebrate the life of Joel's grandma, who we call Granny the Great. It was a quick trip, but really good to see a lot of people we had not seen in many years. This is a pic of the cousins at the service... we are missing little Will though.
The service was at our old church.... walking through those doors was a bit strange, and brought back many memories. It was so great to see so many great people and to catch up with those who loved Joel's grandmother so much.
We had a great time thinking about our memories with her and it was also great to hear all the memories of her before I had the chance to know her. She was a great lady.... but the thing I take away most from her, is her ability to be positive in all things. She was great at doing that.... I want to strive like her to be positive in all things.... to "laugh at the days to come".