Not it

Writing down your thoughts is enjoyable, freeing, sophisticated, timely, a bit awkward, reassuring and a very long list of other words come to mind but I will stop there; due to time! I have decided to take a new approach to my blog (not that you will see any less photos of the constantly growing, Ella or the amazing hubby, Clay) and capture more of my thoughts and a few less of my actions.

I would like to start this new venture with the title of, "Not It"! What could I possibly be talking about?? What do you mean, "Not It"???? Well, thats exactly what I mean. I will be saying "Not It" when I catch myself trying to control all of the 'stuff' in my life. I was not created to control it all, I simply cannot control it all so I have decided not to try. This honestly has been a real struggle of mine for a long time. I think it might even go as far back as when I was a child...I was a very bossy child. You may need a few testimonies from the fam, but I think they would probably agree!!

I know you are dying to know why this revelation now and not sooner; so let me tell you....
I recently joined a bible study called BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) and we are studying the book of Acts. The book of Acts focuses on the acts of Jesus' disciples and how they begin to spread the gospel to the ends of the earth after Jesus had left the earth. The very 1st chapter of Acts teaches us about when Jesus left the apostles for the last time to go to Heaven. For many years these men (and several women) had Jesus as their example of how to live a Godly life and how to live the life of a christian. But then as Jesus prepares to leave the earth he also leaves them with the promise of a helper, the Holy Spirit. Now, imagine with me what they must have felt like. All these years they walked, talked and broke bread with a perfect man....a man who healed the sick, who loved the unloveable, who forgave the sinful and befriended those that seemed unworthy; and now He is going to heaven and leaving them with this helper, He calls the Holy Spirit. But how is this going to work if I can't see him, if I am struggling with how to live as a christian, or if I am persecuted by those who were once my friends?? I can only think these may have been a few thoughts racing through their minds right about now. What tremendous faith and trust in Jesus it took for them to not be fearful or anxious of the unknown. Also, in Acts right before Jesus leaves the apostles he not only gives them a promise, but a challenge as well. Acts 1:8 says, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Sharing the gospel of Christ to the ends of the earth is no ordinary task and nothing to have taken lightly.

So back to how this applies to me....

God promises me (all of us really, but since this is a blog about my thoughts, I figured "me" was appropriate!!) that with the power of the Holy Spirit I can accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference. So whether the things in my life that I try and control are fear of being a Godly mother to Ella and her growing up to love the Lord, being a loving and selfless wife, choosing the right career path or being a witness to the end of the earth I decide to trust in Jesus.

In summary when you find yourself trying to control the uncontrollable things in your life...call "Not It"!

Copy the link below into your web browser to see a few pictures we took for Ella's 1st birthday!! Josh Ratliff was the photographer and he is AMAZING!! We were going for the "Good Ole Days" meets Modern look in these pictures!!! Ella did so good and I think she might even had fun too!

http://joshuaratliffphotography.blogspot.com/2011/08/lehnen-family.html

I just got the CD so you can see a few pics without going to the website (there are more on the website though)!

Whoaa why can't life just slow down some time? I am not neccessarily asking for it to stop, but a little break ever so often would be nice! Things have been pretty busy in the Lehnen house this summer!! I just got back from 4 days in California while Clay and Ella held down the fort in Lubbock! There was a lot of Daddy and me (Ella) time, but I do think everyone (especially Mommy) was ready for Mommy to be back at home!
A picture that Clay sent me on my first night away. Bath time!

Breakfast 1st morning Mommy was away!
Picking Ella from school!

When I first saw them at the airport I could not hold back the tears...tears of joy of course! Mommy is never leaving again! :)

I am in full swing of training for another half marathon. The race is November 13 in San Antonio and I can hardly wait I am so excited!!
We found out that the Wegners are coming back a little earlier than originally planned from Mexico so the Lehnen's are already planning a ski trip for the winter (hopefully)!! :)
Several days ago we had a new fence put up in the backyard (yes this was a highlight of our summer)!!! Full privacy, 7 foot, capped fence with a lovely doggy run with doggy windows! Our goal is to hopefully have a decent yard some day with flowers that can actually grow beacuse the dogs won't be able to eat them or chew on the patio furniture or the door mat!! :)
We also got about 3 inches of rain while I was in California...YAHOO!!! Keep praying though we could for sure use some more!
Well I think that is about all the updates I have for now! Stay tuned for a Lehnen, fun filled Fall season! ;)

We are looking forward to hopefully some cooler weather around the corner! :)

Family Get Together!
Most of us live in the same town, but do not get to see each other enough! Harisson and Palmer and Jay were all in town so that calls for a family get together with of course...Mexican Stack! If you have never had Mexican Stack you should totally try it! It's very tasty, easy to do and LOTS of food to enjoy! You can also create pretty much anything you are in the mood for...nachos, taco salad or the all out Mexican Stack feast! :) We also all had the pleasure of meeting Julia! A friend that Jay brought to meet the family! :) She was very kind to brave all the new faces and all the babies/kids running around! We had a wonderful time and it was hard to leave and say goodbye! We must do it more often! :)Pics below to see all the fun that was had by all!

Ella is enjoying some whip cream from the yummy cake that Kaka made!






Jay and Hidey having a moment!



Silly boys!



We finally got a good shot after many attempts to get everyone looking in the same direction and Ella sitting still!

Loving on her cousin, Korie!

Playing out in the front yard!

Papa and Gigi came to visit!! We had such a wonderful time...Ella got to skip out on school and spend Friday with Papa and Gigi, dinner at Orlandos Friday night, slept in late Saturday morning (Ella too!,) cooked a yummy breakfast, Gigi and I shopped while Papa and Clay introduced Ella to Gander Mountain (haha), Papa hung a fan out on the patio, Clay cooked a yummy dinner on the grill, and we finished the evening out on the patio (under the new fan) talking and laughing!! We always enjoy these visits, but just wish they lasted longer, they always go by waaaaaay too fast!



Lazy Saturday morning!

4th of July Fun!

We traveled 8 hours in the car to spend 4th of July at Papa and Gigi's house!!! By the way...Ella did GREAT in the car!! She never got real upset...she either slept or looked out of the window! We had such a wonderful time and enjoyed every minute of our stay!! We visited with friends, swam and ate A LOT of yummy food! Check a few of our pictures!

More pool time fun...this time Daddy got in on the action!


Ella did so good in the big pool...she is a born swimmer!




Mommy and Daddy got to go on a date while Papa and Gigi manned the baby back home!


This is how the men babysit...bones and prunes! HAHA!

Happy 4th of July! We are proud to be Americans!


She was having so much fun that she did NOT want to go to bed!

Ella's 1st Birthday Extravaganza!!

Ella's 1st birthday was filled with friends, family, sweet treats, lots of gifts, laughter, colorful decor and one worn out mommy and daddy! We had such a wonderful time and are trully blessed by the love and support from precious friends and family!! Ella did SOOO good...I was a little concerned that she would be overwhelmed with everyone in the house and all the excitment, but she just ate it up!! All the prep work and running around for weeks was well worth every minute!! She also LOVED eating her cake. We have found out that Ella is more like her mommy than we thought...she has quiet the taste for anything sweet! She has even started to not enjoy her veggies as much because she knows there is fruit at the end of the meal! Check out a few pictures from Ella's birthday party!



Her first car...it still counts! :)









After a long day of partying, Ella was just plum worn out!