The Shipps' Log

Review of "Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert"

2012-07-15T19:24:00.003-07:00

As one who has been in the Butterfields home and eaten countless loaves of Rosaria's oatmeal bread, her book was yet another way God has used this dear family to further my sanctification. I read a book review recently in which the author considered the book's ability (or in that case, failure) to point readers to a high estimation of God and His Word as a measure of its merit. Using that criterion, I can say that my awe of God and His Word was certainly increased in reading Rosaria's story.

However, I offer a word of caution. It has been a long time since I've been so uncomfortable in my own skin reading a book. Maybe the last Puritan paperback? It would have been a more pleasant (and forgettable!) read if she had simply said what was comfortable and not what was profitable. I think that would have made me feel better about myself...and kept deeper repentance at a safe distance.

I suffered from a sinus infection as I read the book, but this cannot fully account for the dizziness and shaking muscles I experienced as a I closed the cover. Such physical side effects to soul searching are rare for me. The stories she relates hit too close to home to be brushed aside. Repentance. Welcoming the other. Living sacrificially. Submission. Mercy ministry. Purity in worship. Complacency in comfort. Pride. Lack of prayer. “Is it me?” Yes.

I am grateful to Rosaria for asking with such an evident heart for God's glory, the hard questions and offering honest, if sometimes pointed critiques of the Christian community. What a gesture of love to make herself vulnerable to build up the Body of Christ. By God's grace, I can say that I'd rather the wounds of a friend than the kisses of an enemy. And this book did wound my pride, praise the Lord.

Flower Mound Pumpkin Patch

2011-10-15T13:45:00.000-07:00

We created a Texas tradition -the second annual pumpkin patch visit with the Myers. This year was much hotter (we tried to pretend by wearing pants, but regretted it, I think. So humid!!!) and more crowded. But, it was still great to go on a fall outing. And the kettle corn was as good as ever. Happiness in a bag :)
FYI: If you click on the photos, you will see them larger and with captions...

This and that

2011-10-15T13:40:00.001-07:00

Curlers!

My little man

It's still too hot in TX! (and love the wispy hair!)

Role playing our In-N-Out experience. It was life changing :-P

Would you like a teddy bear with your order?

Fall decorations

2011-10-15T13:34:00.001-07:00

Mums from the Higgins -beautiful color!

Re-potted some plants from Nora's room that had gotten to big for her planters...love having them to liven up my kitchen!

Nora had the idea of taping string to some paper leaves I had bought on clearance several years ago to the hooks on our shelf. I love having a decorating partner :)

Yay for pumpkins!

Creating the atmosphere if not the weather!

School Day

2011-10-15T13:26:00.000-07:00

Week-in-review

2011-10-08T07:45:00.000-07:00

Things making me smile this morning:

-Mom's morning out!
Again, I LOVE MY HUSBAND for giving me this time during this very intensive mother to wee ones season of life. It doesn't work out every Saturday morning, but when it does, I find this time alone so refreshing.

-Cool nights at the park
The kids got new bikes for their birthdays (in July!), which have received little attention since then. Last night, we took the kids to the park and Nora learned after her first lesson to ride her bike with no training wheels. So fun! And she didn't even need the box of band-aids that her brother so thoughtfully packed for the occasion :-P

-Cool mornings
I'm wearing pants and a long sleeve top this morning. I'll probably have to exchange at least the top today, but we're getting there. Yay for fall clothes! Nora and Isaiah are growing out of their summer garb (Joseph hasn't had a growth spurt in a bit...maybe it's coming) and everything has stains/ is well worn. We're all ready for the change!

-Dinner dates with friends and adoption
Saturday is our "free night" at this point. Tonight we look forward to catching up with Nick and Anita Higgins and rejoicing with them at the news of the upcoming adoption of their second child. I love adoption and how it pictures our status as children of God. Hearing their beautiful news was certainly a high point of my week.

-Panara Bread customer card
Similar to the grocery card you swipe whenever you make a purchase, Panara Bread is constantly giving me stuff for using their free customer card. I only ever come in the morning and it seems like every other visit I'm getting something free.

-Homemade bread
I made some yesterday and was more intentional about including and teaching Nora. I figure in a year or so she'll be ready to take that over, which would be awesome. Fresh bread that I don't have to make...score!

-Fall "break"
This past week we had a break from our Classical Conversations class. For the past couple weeks, I've been really intentional about protecting this week so I could be home as much as possible. I had thought maybe I'd try to potty train Isaiah (HA! double HA! That lasted about one hour on Monday morning for the both of us. Can we say "not ready?!") But I loved being a homebody this week. We did more school (which really is fun!), read more, and knocked out a chunk of my ever growing "to-do list." Fall decorations are up, a curtain is hung, the house cleaner than it has been in months, some mending is done...ahhh. Catch-up weeks are a beautiful thing.

-Date night
Stephen and I enjoyed one this week. It was awesome! We went out for Mexican fare (my fav and it was half-price fajita night! and were able to dine outside and enjoy the cooler temps. And I didn't have to think about cutting up hot dogs into shapes of smile faces on my children's plates. Which I wouldn't have thought of anyway, but apparently the babysitter did. And she is now most-cool-person of the week in their book :-P

So, as you can see, it was a good week. There is a funny thing about good weeks though. Everything "going our way" is not enough to keep us "happy." Only Christ and His work on the cross gladdens the heart. In the midst of rainbows, we can smile, but with a heavy heart. Christ gives joy when I struggle with fear, anxiety, worry.

I wrote this to a friend this morning.
"How does one handle strong desire? If we really long for something, is that God-given? Is it a desire He's given us because He intends to fulfill it in His time? So, do we hold on to it even as we submit it's working out and the timing to Him? Or should we seek to be free from any desire save knowing Him? Do we completely 'put it out of mind'?"

I pray that my whole heart, soul, mind and strength would be submitted to Him in joy Pining for the possibilities of tomorrow can really drain me of energy for the work before me today.

This is truth. Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all the things I need shall be added. Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Do not be weary in well doing. In due season I shall reap, if I do not faint. In Christ I have all I need.

What's up?

2011-10-01T06:59:00.000-07:00

As I am dusting off the blog as a writing outlet for myself and a means to update family and friends in one convenient form, I will not try to chronicle the past year. I'm growing bored of the shorthand of Facebook. Blogging seems a bit more personal. I can write at length. I've visited FB increasingly less, but won't be able to completely forsake the draw of quick updates and photo albums. Still, I want more room for words.
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What's in a photo? Well, in the ones below, you will see that Isaiah is becoming more physically coordinated. He is even more drawn to sports after watching a handful of his brother's soccer games and practices. Also, he often bears the marks his latest physical demonstration or trick, as the bruise on his forehead evidences. Joseph loves imaginative play with his older sister. They are often seen playing house, doctor, war, and much more, usually in costume. Joseph's collection includes knight armor and a race car driver suit. And, if we let him, he would wear his soccer uniform whenever not in those outfits. Nora accessorizes herself these days. Homemade jewelry, loud belts, funky hair styles. She has flare :) Last night I found some curlers similar in style to the rag rollers I used as a child. Once she discovered what they were, she begged me to put them in, fell asleep without complaint (for the uninitiated, they are not perfectly comfortable), and today confidently flips her ringlet crowned head. Oh, and she's asking to get her ears pierced. Slow down, little girl!

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What's not in a photo, or those in particular? Stephen, working full-time plus dissertation work. He has settled on dissertation thesis and lined up his supervisor. Yay! How does one balance teaching high school, college Sunday School, grad student work, father and husband roles, and more? All I know is that he is amazing. That and many honey-do tasks wait in the queue for a while. First things first. What else is not in the photos: Me and baby brother who is apparently experiencing a growth spurt that leaves me chagrined at my increasing size! Me much too hot and growing impatient for the change of seasons, literally and figuratively,(Today in quiet time: "Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near." James 5:7-8) while our Faithful Father gently leads me. The children and I in year two of homeschooling, this year integrating Classical Conversations into our studies. It sure is keeping me on my toes, and the kids enjoy it. I love feeling that I am going back to school, too! If only it felt like fall (did I mention it was 99 degrees on Thursday!)...ah, come patience and peace and joy. Fill up what I lack, Lord.

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Enjoy a restful and grace-filled Sabbath! I'll be back soon, Lord willing.

One year later...

2011-09-29T19:27:00.000-07:00

It's time to revive the blog :)

What you've all been waiting for...

2010-09-20T19:34:00.000-07:00

some recent pics of the kiddos.

An unplanned hiatus

2010-09-02T19:39:00.001-07:00

...is at an end. Six months -wow! Time really does fly.

For recent pictures click here.

I just have time for "the short story" of the last months.

We're back from our AWESOME two month summer visit with our families. We are so grateful for our families and the special time we were able to spend with them.

Now for another school year. This year brings a different rhythm with Stephen teaching full time at the Cambridge School of Dallas as well as preparing for his comprehensive exams for his PhD program and beginning his dissertation work. Also, I kick homeschool into high gear this year with Nora now officially in Kindergarten. We're having fun...can't believe how grown up my kiddos are getting. Seriously.

March 2010

2010-04-02T19:03:00.000-07:00

"I do all my own stunts."

Isaiah demonstrating his sweet stunts for Joseph

Little meaty thighs :)

Guess what?

Nora got her first big girl hair cut!

Isaiah enjoys toys (and his boppy pillow that helps him sit up :)

Hard at work...

And loving it...

Loving our on-loan-play-center (this is the first time I've used one and I have to say that it is nice to have it around for a third!)

Joseph has some ideas how things should be (can we say understatement!?)

And yet so sweet

Are all my colored pencils in line?!?!

Playdate with Flannery

2010-03-01T20:00:00.001-08:00

Hey, hey. It's a Flannery/ Shipp kids playgroup and Isaiah is stoked.

So excited he rolls over for the first time.

We all need somebody to lean on (Flannery says, "not me...")

It's Stephen and Matt...as babies...hehe. This just cracks me up.

Rrraaww! This one does too :)

Sweet girls.

Adorable Flannery Jean!

The lookout

2010-03-01T19:57:00.001-08:00

It's 5:30pm...do you know where your daddy is? :)

4 months

2010-03-01T19:55:00.001-08:00

Nora's eyes. And skin tone.
Joseph's face shape.
But a look all his own.
We love our Isaiah-boo!

Not much time for the blog these days.

2010-02-01T18:44:00.000-08:00

I relate more and more to women who tell me "enjoy these days because before you know it they're grown up." I blinked and Isaiah turned 3 months! We are so grateful for our happy, healthy boy. He weighed in at 15 lb.s, 9 oz. and measured 24.5 in. at his appointment last week. One of my projects for tomorrow is to pack up his 3-6 mo. clothes and pull out 6-9 mo. stuff. Slow down, chunka munka! Hope you enjoy some pics from our photo shoot today :)

He's a big 'un.

2009-12-15T21:18:00.000-08:00

Isaiah last week at 6.5 weeks weighing in at 12.2 pounds. I'm having fun dressing him in his 3-6 mo. big boy clothes, but it sure is bittersweet to see my baby growing so fast!

Isaiah grows!

2009-12-04T23:12:00.001-08:00

Isaiah is six weeks old now. It's sure been an adventure adjusting to three kiddos! Lots of fun moments. Just so you can catch up on the growing boy (family and other interested parties :) here's a link to some pictures. The most recent one is still a week old...I'm falling behind on capturing the kodak moments. I've decided I want a video camera. Top of my Christmas list...a girl (happy momma) can dream, can't she :)

Isaiah arrives!

2009-10-24T08:48:00.000-07:00

Isaiah Lonsack Shipp
October 22, 2009
7 lbs., 1 oz., 21 in.
View more photos here

Ready

2009-10-11T20:20:00.001-07:00

Yep, I'm "looking ready" at 38 weeks. Feeling ready, too... Ideal week as far as schedule goes is next week though, so I guess I'm hoping for that. But I have to say, I wouldn't complain if it's sooner!

Friends (most of the time :)

Joseph Stephen

Nora Kathryn

To go along with my "ready" theme for this post, I'll add that I was sooooo ready for fall, and it has finally arrived. It was one of God's good gifts to me last week.

Free Shipping at Snapfish.com

2009-09-14T06:40:00.000-07:00

I saved a good bit of money last week through this promotion (which has been extended through Wednesday). I've used Snapfish in the past and have been pleased with the quality.

Rain, rain

2009-09-14T05:59:00.000-07:00

We've been enjoying some much needed rain the past couple of days. On Saturday, the kids were itching for some time out of the house. As it was only a drizzly rain, I encouraged them to step outside. They were slightly nervous at first since rain is a rare occurrence and they are not used to getting wet. One minute later, there was no turning back. They LOVED it! They played in the puddles, sang and danced "singing in the rain," took the potty that makes car noises -when the bowl comes into contact with liquid- out from the garage (where it will sit until after Christmas when I hope to train Joseph) and just ran and ran marveling at the fact that they were getting soaked. Eventually, even though the temperature remained high, they began to become chilled and agreed to return inside for a warm bath and hot cocoa. That half hour was definitely a weekend highlight.

I'm loving having the second set of wheels that you see pictured above.

I resisted posting a picture of Joseph that I will relish sharing with his future fiance. I brought the kids in through the garage where our washer/dryer is and stripped them down and dried them off before sending them into the bath. As I was hanging Joseph's wet clothes up, he ran back outside instead of into the house. And of course, I grabbed the camera first instead of him for a quick shot of his bare backside with the rain backdrop. When I went out to retrieve him, his face said Pure Happiness.

Thank you to everyone who posted encouraging words in a comment here or through Facebook in response to my last post (and for those who related they were praying). What a blessing to hear from those are/ have/ desire to walk the joyous, challenging path of motherhood. I appreciate you and your kind words!

A blog without photos

2009-09-03T11:53:00.000-07:00

...can I do it?

Apparently I struggle with the idea of posting without an accompanying photo as it's been over a month since my last post. I said goodbye to my laptop a couple months back and we're still sorting out photo storage and programs on Stephen's mac. Hopefully, I'll get into a rhythm with that in the next couple of weeks. I have a (unrealistic given how tired I am these days) goal of catching up on three years of photo printing (including our time in Europe =thousands of photos total). Somehow that project always gets pushed to the end of the to-do list. Maybe because photos don't whine for dinner or give evidence of needing a diaper change.

So, the unifying theme of this post will be "what's new" with us.

Stephen started his last school year (of course work) as a PhD student this week (hooray!). It will be his busiest yet. Three classes a semester is considered full-time and he's taking four each semester. In addition, he is also Prof. Shipp at the Cambridge School for the second year. He is teaching two class periods of the same class each day instead of one like last year as it is a larger senior class. He's loving teaching "Political philosophy" again; trying to gear up and get excited about "AP US government" in the spring.

With my rapidly expanding midsection, I have graduated to mini-van mom. Just over a week ago, we became the happy owners of a used '98 Toyota Sienna. Nora has been praying for this purchase for months and it was so cute to see how excited she was when we went to pick it up (once she got over her brief disappointment that it was white, not red as she had hoped). My already high admiration for my husband was heightened even more during the course of our search (cars.com, craigslist, auto trader; a handful of first looks and three near purchases). It was time consuming and overwhelming, but Stephen handled all this responsibility accompanying a growing family with such patience and persistence.

Sometimes I'm overwhelmed to realize that we're about to be parents to three children, aged four and under. Some days I feel so old and tired and distant from the thoughtful, disciplined undergrad student I was just five years ago. I marvel at my husband who writes papers and teaches and comes home to play with kids for the evening while I struggle to put dinner on the table and clean up after. I think I am more physically drained with this third trimester than the others. I try to remind myself that chasing toddlers really is a full-time job, but it's hard not to be discouraged when I think about how little gets checked off my to-do list each day. When I remind myself that this is a season, which brings it's own rewards and PRAY more, my days pass more peacefully, if not as "productively." Meanwhile, I keep waiting for that breakthrough invention of energy for the prego mom. I guess it would probably help if my iron weren't low as I recently discovered. More red meat coming up.

Nora loves getting out and doing. I'm a homebody. We're finding a happy medium. She starts a couple community rec classes next week, and we have weekly play dates. I am striving for a daily routine that includes some school work and chores. She loves art related activities and I'm trying to provide more opportunity and supplies to encourage her interest. Sidewalk chalk, paint, play dough, glue and paper. I tell myself this is not a mess; it's a learning experience. And sometimes I listen. I love that Nora's weekly highlight is church. I know part of her excitement comes from seeing her friends, but she also genuinely loves Sunday school and children's church (she still sits with us for part of the service). We try to make a point of asking what she's learned, and she will usually report enthusiastically. She has a great memory as we've discovered through the catechism portion of our evening worship (we're still working toward regularity in that). So, we're also trying to work more with her in Scripture memory. I read recently on another blog how one family just reads the same chapter of Scripture each night for a month and by the end their toddler usually could recite a good portion of it. Good idea. Stephen and I are blessed as her parents to see her increased interest in the things of God. I'm reminded as she matures that spiritual growth is the work of the Holy Spirit. And I'm convicted to be child of God myself before my children, not simply "do" all these good things.

The amazing thing about second-borns is how they can grow up without you even realizing it. At some point Joseph transitioned from the baby to our little boy. He's very perceptive and more mechanically inclined. The other day I saw him pulling at an imaginary cord off his play lawn mower JUST LIKE Stephen pulls at the cord (is there a technical name?!) off our lawn mower to get it going. The exact same movements. And there was nothing there to act as a play cord. As I watched for another minute, I realized he would turn the plastic key, pull on his imaginary cord and shift the plastic gear, then push. I cracked up. Joseph quickly understood that I was laughing at him, and even though he appears more serious and shy of too much attention, he loves to be a joker among close friends and family. So, for the next 10 minutes he repeated the process with exaggerated movements and a comical expression to try to get me to laugh. He still loves horses -reading books about horses, having us draw him pictures of horses, riding imaginary horses, playing with toy horses... you get the idea. The boy is infatuated. I recently bought him a shirt for the fall with a horse on it. Stephen took one look at it and said, "You know he's never going to want to take this off." Hmm. I didn't think of that... I just pictured how excited he would be to see it. And he was. And he didn't. He left that darn long sleeve tee on for hours despite it being 95 degrees out. Needless to say it's hidden now until the colder temps come... in November. Maybe. Sigh. Still not loving TX weather. Thankfully, neither is my hubby, so we have hope of migrating back north sometime. Lord willing. But I digress. While Joseph has matured to boyhood in many ways, his progress in communication has been slow. I'm not worried as I see him developing at his own pace, but I can't deny he's behind in this area. And I wonder if we should be doing more. And if so, what. I guess I am more motivated to consider this because I know some of Joseph's daily frustrations could be eased by better communication. Ideas?

Baby is due in just over 7 weeks give or take a few days/weeks. We have enough baby things out now that all of our excitement is growing. We can't wait to meet this little guy, especially me. Did I mention I feel really, really pregnant? Also, I would swear that this one is BY FAR the most active in utero. Dramatic, startling movements. And constant right about bedtime. Also, I'm feeling more Braxton Hicks this time around and have been for weeks and weeks. I know this is normal for subsequent pregnancies, but it still is unsettling. I think subconsciously, I have labor more in mind earlier in the pregnancy because of that. And I still have 7 weeks to go. And he'll probably be late because I can't help but think he's going to be a bit early. Little bugger :) We're excited that both grandmas (and one Aunt Jenna!) will be able to come help in November. We'll need it! And it will be so much fun to have them. Now if only I can get a few things done before that... Better get to it! But first, post-nap snacks, and dinner prep and dinner and clean up and baths and family worship and ...exhaustion. Oh well. God is good and so is the life He's given us. We have so much to be thankful for; His mercies never cease!

Miss personality

2009-08-02T22:19:00.000-07:00

... with fashion sense. I couldn't resist allowing her to wear her accessory choice (a white sheer scarf) to church today, which she did with flare :)

Birthday week

2009-08-02T20:19:00.000-07:00

With Nora and Joseph's birthday just two days apart, the last week of July becomes birthday week. Or at least it was this year. It struck me as I began thinking and planning for their birthdays that all previous ones have been celebrated with family in either Indiana or Tennessee. We have never had to fly solo to create the birthday atmosphere. Even now, removed by many miles, our families contributed a lot to the birthday festivities. In fact, they kicked off the week with packages arriving from both families on Monday. Of course, we had to open them that evening.

Not pictured is Wednesday's family outing to the Dallas zoo and Saturday's family outing to downtown Irving's city square followed by dinner at Sonic. Quite a fun week. We are so spoiled by all the festivities I predict some difficulty adjusting back to a "normal" schedule this week.

Opening the packages...

What did you get?

It cracks me up that both my kids love to try on new clothes immediately.

Nora loves princesses

A perfect gift for our slightly OCD stuff collector (horses, books about horses, trains, bounce balls, cars) -a backpack with wheels!

Nora in her Spanish dancing dress after watching a clip of Spanish dancing on You Tube.

Nora on her birthday Tuesday (28) with her breakfast choice -waffles. Her dinner choice was "brinner" (breakfast for dinner) or sausage, eggs, toast and fruit. Yeah, she likes her breakfast foods.

Joseph with his breakfast "choice" (as related to us by Nora) on Thursday (30) of blueberry pancakes. For dinner, Papa John's pizza (mom says "yeah! no cooking!")

On Friday, we enjoyed a party for both kiddos with friends, the Myers, Brownfields, Higgins and McAnaullys. I was pleased that my first attempt at a more involved cake went well (kudos to Stephen for cutting the shape). Joseph's fascination these past couple months has been horses, so he was thrilled!

Nora's request was a princess cake with berries and cream. This was my less than professional result, but she was happy and it tasted pretty good (the cakes are pound cake).

Nora wanted to wear her Spanish dancing dress from Oma and PawPaw for the celebration.

Joseph hid his face against dad's shoulder during the singing (a bit shy of too much attention), but got into blowing the candles out afterward.

CHOCOLATE- yum! (The recipe for the cake and the icing was from the back of the Hershey's cocoa box... it's definitely a keeper. For the cake, I used dark cocoa and then a batch of milk chocolate and a half batch of dark chocolate icing.)

Some things to note in this picture.

1. Nora has changed from her Spanish dress to a pink tutu.

2. Lauren is due this week and we're all eagerly awaiting baby Brownfield's arrival

3. Our baby I. (As in the first letter of his name... we've told more and more people as they've asked so I thought it would be fun to throw that out there. Before kids, I didn't think I would be the type to name baby before birth, but so far for each one we've decided a few months out and then not been able to keep the name to ourselves... Maybe the next one will be hush, hush and maybe we'll even wait for the gender surprise at birth rather than at 20 weeks, but is there any going back on these habits that are forming? :) My, that turned into quite the digression...) is pictured on far left.

Nora and her new friend (and first local girl friend her age), Hannah. We were thrilled when Hannah's family started coming to our church about three months ago. They are two peas in a pod. Here is Nora in yet another dress and Hannah is in Nora's play bride dress. Hannah has a younger brother, Caleb, who is Joseph's age, but the boys haven't grown into interactive play quite yet :)

Wedding addendum

2009-08-02T18:55:00.000-07:00

Joseph will also be one of two ring bearers. I can't wait to see my little man in a suit :-D