The Alderman Family Christmas Party 2008

Christmas 2008!!!

Well now I know why the older generation make southern climates their place to retreat for the winter. While, yes, I did miss waking up this Christmas morning to snow.. getting in the car and seeing that the temp was 68 and sunny... that was pretty fabulous. David and I both agree that the lack of definite season changes will take some getting used to, but being outdoor people, being able to go for a bike ride on Christmas eve was right up our alley!

This is the first Christmas that David and I spent in our own home as a family. Usually we go to NY and spend it at my Mother's house. As I posted previously, we went there for Thanksgiving instead, so that we could start our own traditions as a growing family. It was hard not seeing everyone, and waking up to a quiet house with no hustle and bustle of people making coffee, Mom's giggles and whispers as she set up all our stockings in the proper positions on the floor. The excitement of watching the tears and laughter of my sisters as they opened their gifts. But not today; It was my turn to play Mom, to get everyone around, turn on the coffee and set up the stockings. It was good to feel like a "big girl" but at the same time, made me feel very homesick for the first time in quite a while. Makes me realize how special my family is to me, and how dearly those traditions were engraved into my heart.

So Dawson got a big gift this year, I mean really big. We are hoping he gets A LOT of years use out of this one. We found out that we have another boy on the way, so this will be perfect for the two of them to wrestle around in and release extra energy on one another instead of me. LOL




This one of David and Dawson is my favorite! I'm not sure who is having more fun!!

Seeking approval

David, Bubbers and I, made the long trip to NY for Thanksgiving. It was so beautiful to see the soft snow fall as if it were in slow motion. I remember when I was a little girl watching the first snow falling from heaven, and how I always felt like I was in a black and white movie. Such a surreal feeling. It was so great to see the family and drive on local roads that you know every twist and turn to. It came with little surprise to me that I missed being here in NC, my "home", while I was in NY. I love my little life here; I love what we are doing, and the people that God has placed into my life. It was another reassurance that this is home now and this is where we are meant to be.

Dawson was developing an ear infection and getting more and more cantankerous as the days went by. I felt my self constantly making excuses for his behaviour and seeking the approval and acknowledgement from my family that he really is a good child and that I am a good Mother. It was a good trip home, but the energy it took to be on my toes to please everyone, not start arguments, keep Dawson happy (Thank God for David who totally rescued me by helping out with him full-time), interact positively and loving in every conversation, all while dealing with the normal stress of a dysfunctional family environment, going to 4 houses for Thanksgiving; due to separated homes on both David's and my side, and being sick and pregnant.... it was more than I had energy to do. I found myself in my Mothers bathroom, on my knees, crying for help and energy to get through the next day or so till we went home. Why hadn't I started the trip on my knees? Why as Mothers, or even just as people, do we think we can do it on our own? Why do wee seek approval and acceptance from friends and family. It seems only after ending up on our faces, do we admit we need our Heavenly Father to say, you are a treasured child of the most high God, you are loved and special, and then pick us up to carry us through.

This is a little blurb from my devotional that seemed perfect for this. I wish I had read this one before the trip:

People pleasing is bondage; living in fear cripples us. Jesus set an example of choosing to follow God and doing what is right in His eyes rather then trying to please other people. Living by impossible standards we can never meet will make us miserable. We can't do it all; we can't have the perfect job or family or house; we can't make a particular sum of money that will make us happy. Trying to obtain these standards will only leave us frustrated and empty. If you find that the opinions of others are holding you hostage, ask God to set you free and to remind you that His opinion of you is the only one that matters.

There is no fear in love; instead, perfect love drives out fear.
1 John 4:18

I am reminded to live one day at a time, living fully each day. I must live knowing that I am accepted through God, even when I'm not accepted by my peers.

Doing some yard work!

To worry or not to worry... that is the question.

Life for the Aldermans has been pretty great lately. Life is finally settling into a routine;, David's shop is all in neat little shelves and cubbies all organized with cute little numbers(I use these descriptions to get him all fired up "Cute is not how you describe a man's shop!" I can hear him say it now, teeth grinding as he reads this) I am flowing effortlessly into friendships with wonderful Moms in my play groups and have actually met a couple families who may want to join us on the Church journey. Dawson finally got a tooth at 15 months!!! Crazy little monster, he is such a joy to watch grow and develop. Some more good news, David and I found out we will be expecting another little one sometime late May or June. After having lost a baby in May, I am very quick to assume every little thing is going to go wrong, but the Lord is teaching me to trust Him, even with my thoughts, that He will never give me more than I can handle and that He has a plan for our lives. So with happy hearts, we welcome the new life developing in me and pray everyday for the baby's health and blessing in our lives.

My Mom flew in for a quick visit this past weekend, as my younger sister Brooke had a biopsy on a lymph node that had swollen and started to pain her greatly. After the surgery on Friday, she was in poor condition as the surgery was much more complicated than originally thought, but she has recovered well, and having my Mom here was such a blessing. We got news today that the lymph node was filled with scar tissue and was bleeding into it, and it had also attached to her muscle, which is why it started to hurt so bad. They said there was no indication of any cancer and that they don't expect it to come back as they were very thorough to remove it all. God is so good.

We had our first Sunday together as a Church! The kids seemed to really enjoy the activity that Chris Pratt put together for them. How fun to be able to worship together as families. Brooke even stayed for church and our team meeting afterwards.

There is a lot in my life that come and go everyday, and then get forgotten, even if at the time they seemed monumental. God is teaching me not to worry. That He is bigger than my biggest fear or worry and that I can't put Him into a box. He simply won't fit into any that I could imagine. I visited a church with one of the families we have become very fond of and their pastor had a profound quote from a woman who survived the Holocaust:

"Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow;
it empties today of its strength"
~Corrie Ten Boom

What a great idea and something I have been looking at from a lot of different points of view. Its so true and from a Christian point of view, God needs us to be present in the now, to be able to give Him all of our strength and courage, not melting wastefully into the worries of days to come.

Lord help me to look to you for every doubt, fear, and question. Help me to remember that you are a big God, and also a God that is small enough to know my heart. Thank you Father, for your diversity and grace.

Summer is winding down...here comes, more summer???

Yeah that's right... Its funny that June-August is summer here to people who were born and raised here, yet September-November feel like the summers I remember in NY, and I'm sure this is the same many other implants are feeling as well.. and I love it. 102 is a little to hot for Dawson and I so sunny 70's and 80's is like paradise to me! When Dawson wakes up after his morning nap I run upstairs and smile on the inside and out as I see his one-tooth grin beaming at me, elated to see Mommy appear once again from behind the door. We bop down the stairs and make our way out side and sit on a chair I have placed on our patio over looking the canal. As he lays cuddled on my chest soaking up the last couple minutes of being sleepy and I soak up those last couple minutes of him smelling sleepy (Moms will understand the sleepy smell) and my cup over-flows with love, pride, and joyfulness. And I think to myself, today is going to be a good day.

I wonder if this is what God feels like when we curl up to the bible and soak up His word. Or when we put a little extra in the offering plate, go out of our way to be kind to a stranger, do something something for our spouses wanting nothing in return other than their smile, or asking for nothing but giving everything... or something just as simple as having a quiet moment to say "I love you Lord, I love you for who you are, and I thank you for loving me" I wonder if He thinks "Sarah, today is going to be a good day."


We have ventured to the beach a couple of times so far. It was too hot for a stretch, but we are hoping to get there more now that the weather is cooling off. Get this, they close the pool in October! Just as I was thinking that Dawson and I could enjoy it. I guess they forget how many northern implants they have here!



Dawson playing to cool for the ladies walking by!


Dawson and David enjoy playing Wii together. Must be the boys were playing shirts and skins!


Dawson and I hanging out at a playdate I hosted for my Moms group. I have been involved with a wonderful, supportive group of women who get together daily for playdates and lunches, or adventures around Wilmington. They have been such a blessing to me in helping me transition into a routine here in NC.


The many faces of Dawson. My Father sent Dawson a goody package with a John Deere hat. Surprisingly, he loves sporting it around the house! Chicks dig it!


My silly boy eating whipped cream, one of his many favorite sweet treats!


I can't believe how big he is getting. Walking, talking, throwing tantrums (heheh). I feel so blessed to be a Mother and can't wait to do it all over again!

Sunday in Leland

Today was a great day! The weather was poor and my allergies stink, but it was Sunday. Ahh Sunday! I have always enjoyed Sundays but for different reasons at different times in my life. When I was young it was a time to see friends at church and play in the yard. In high school it was a lazy day, being a day of rest and all. In my college years (OK my 20's) it was a day of recuperation. Then, it was a day to spend with my beautiful family quietly dwelling in Gods presence.Now??? I am glad you asked..sundays are filled with questions, anxiousness, tears, joy, laughter, fear, fellowship, prayer and soul searching. It is awesome. Every Sunday our core-group for Crosswinds Church meets for lunch and a meeting. This meeting is our weekly time to gather and share the great blessings and challenges we are facing together as we try to follow God's call to plant a church here in Wilmington. I cannot begin to describe how honored I feel that God would allow ME to serve Him in this way.

This service we heard this morning was from John 4. Verse 34 Jesus says " My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work" Work is the word that strikes me. I understand work. The work he is speaking of is gathering the harvest because it is ripe and ready to be reaped. And as all of us know, there is a finite time in which to accomplish a harvest. Grain soon falls, and ripe fruit soon rots. We are to set about HIS WORK! Not tomorrow or the next day because some of the harvest WILL BE LOST! Can you live with that? I pray that I cannot, that my food is to do the will of God. Verse 38. " I sent you to to reap that for which you did not labor. Others have labored, and you have entered into their labor" My fervent prayer is that I will labor and not stop until my God says "well done, good and faithful servant."

I will leave you with this quote from the book Wild Goose Chase:

"when we turn Christianity into a noun, it becomes a turnoff. Christianity was always intended to be a verb. And, more specifically, an action verb. Some of us live as if we expect to hear God say, "Well thought, good and faithful servant!" or "Well said, good and faithful servant!" God isn't going to say either of those things. There is only one commendation: "Well done, good and faithful servant."

David's attempt at the blog

I thought I should give this a try and try to help Sarah chronical this adventure. Our journey is really starting to begin in earnest. We are all here and meeting regularly as a core goup. We are really praying(as I hope all of you will) that God really directs us as we try to create the DNA of Crosswinds Church. The task at hand is really impossible without the supernatural power of Christ, and that is exactly the way it should be. I have never felt God so close as when I am specifically praying for this church plant and I know that he is going to do great things in this city we are all coming to love. I am going to sign off for now (since I type 6 words a minute) but I am going to add this quote I found:

May God bless you with discomfort at easy answers, half truths, and superficial relationships, so that you may live deep within your heart.

May God bless you with anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people, so that you may work for justice, freedom and peace.

May God bless you with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation, and war, so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and to turn their pain in to joy.

And may God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that you can make a difference in this world, so that you can do what others claim cannot be done.

Our new house!

We finally are getting settled in. We just got a kitchen table after eating outside on our patio for 4 weeks and we don't have much along the lines of decor but its a work in progress. We love it here and already feel like it is home.


Our happy little palm tree.. yay!!





View from our patio.




Dinning room




Kitchen





Living room.

Friends and Family see us off!

Our last lunch with our best friends Joy and Sarah. We miss you guys!



Dawson is giving us his "I'm being cute look and well behaved" look, But Mommy knows how missleading that can be!



Nana and Dawson eating breakfast and IHOP. Nana came in to rescue me and help me pack my house!



Awww... Nana kisses are the best!



Grandpa and Dawson getting into trouble I'm sure!



Someone loves their Gramps!



The three stooges on the way to the Airport. I miss my boys so much!

Sarah

Pre-Mommy: Hotel concierge, Waitress, camp councilor, certified medical assistant, soccer MVP, Home coming queen, ice cream scooper, 2/3 year old teacher, beach bum, volunteer, wanna be actress, karaoke queen, fashionista, fast car driver, chick flick diva, girls-night-out regular, hard core shopper, mischief maker, afternoon nap taker...

Post mommy: Able to leap large buildings in a single bound, while being sleep deprived, covered in poopie and peanut-butter, wearing the same clothes from 5 days ago when I showered last, doing dishes, feeding the dogs, making dinner from scratch, while still attempting to do some laundry, sing to Dawson, kiss David and keep the house from falling apart. I can't tell what seems more interesting or glamorous, but I can tell you, everyday I wake up and feel like it's just one more day in paradise.

I'm so excited to embark on something I haven't done yet, and that's make a difference one life at a time. I believe that community with good people, who do good things is what makes the world a better place and in turn makes more good people. My life would be empty without people, and I believe that there is good in everyone. My husband David keeps me grounded and I in turn fill his life with beauty, passion, and love for all things. I like to think of myself as a modern day June Cleaver (my role model). The love for my Jesus is the greatest joy and constant in my life other than my family, and I'm excited to be part of giving others this amazing relationship with the one person in life who never lets you down, never takes sick days, doesn't care what brand of clothes you wear or what make of car you drive, who is unfailing and loving, and who knows you better than anybody else. At the end of the day when you strip away the poopie and peanut-butter, or the work boots and grease, it what God sees that matters. I hope that when I go to heaven He says, well done my good and faithful servant.

David

David is 34 years old, likes long walks on the beach and butterflies.... j/k okay for real this time:

David is a former Marine Corps Helicopter crew chief. He currently works for a company named Pietro Cucchi America that is the US branch of an Italian company based in Milan. He is the oldest of two boys, his younger brother is Issac. His Mother Kathy is actually coming aboard this crazy adventure with us and is the proud mother of two very different sons. Issac is a Professor of Theology at a University in MN. David is the steady ground in my life. He sees life with a clear eye and always has a plan for us no matter where life takes us. David is a nascar fan, go Hendrick racing! He also really enjoys snowmobiling, fishing, and putting around in a boat. He is definitely a man on the go, he is the hardest working, most sincere man I have ever met, not to mention hansom (I'm a little biased he, is my "baby daddy" after all) and I don't believe he has a selfish bone in his body.

David is so excited to be a part of something like this. He said to me one day when we were deciding if the NC move was what God wanted, "My greatest fear is dying without God having used me to move the world greatly on his behalf." Of course I know he has made a difference, but I believe that this is David's way of knowing he made a difference by furthering God's Kingdom and bringing new believers to Christ.