My lovelies

She's really that lovely

and his teeth are really that awesome. He's got the smile to prove it.

and, he's breaking them in the only way he knows how:

5 teeth at a time baby!!

That's the way all the manly babies roll!

Jinky

Dear Jinky Art,

You are amazingly awesome! Your work blows my mind out of it's skull. I hope that one day I will capture life the way you do - bring the colors into life like you do - capture light the way that you do. You're amazing. Awesomely amazing. And, if you're ever in Louisville, I'd love to buy you coffee and then follow you around like a love sick puppy, and then make you photograph my family. (can you give us a deal because you're a little over our price range)

Your ardent fan,

Rachel Marshman.

One key to great photography: find someone brilliant and try to be like them! (Barb of Jinky Art is such a gal!) Maybe in a few years I can be as good as her?...

Ode to Henry

Dear Henry,

You are wild right now and learning boundaries. You are stubborn and determined and easily angered. But, we have soaked your life in prayer and are seeking the Lord diligently and are hopeful that the fruit of that faithfulness will turn these little things into a handsome man full of character, zeal, and passion for the Kingdom.

We love you. We love your silliness, your awesome dance moves, your attention to details, your desire to be helpful, your adoration of Georgia, your bravery, your massive smile that constantly lets our screams and giggles, your ferocious appetite, your desire for adventure and action, your determination, your jumping skills, your soccer skills, your sloppy kisses, your infatuation with bugs, your reaction to fake spiders, your big brown eyes, the big gap in between your two front teeth, your cute little words, especially, "no" and "help". (they are my favorite I think) We love you! All of you. And even though we are in a valley at the moment working it out - being consistent and focused on you minding us - our love is only intensifying and growing deeper! You are our first born son, and the jewel of this family - and together, with the help of Christ, we will grow from this and be better! Did I tell you that I loved you already?... Did I tell you that you are the handsomest-silliest boy I've ever beheld?... You are and we are so grateful to be a part of shaping your life.

Much Love,

Your Family

20 Years Ago

The Berlin Wall came tumbling down...

But, I can't help remembering 22 years ago when my dad spent a month smuggling bibles behind that iron curtain. And not just him - there was a whole group of them at the time who smuggled bibles, snuck Christians in and out into safety, brought aid, some were even imprisoned. What a remarkable thing to be a part of and the stories would blow you away!!!

Let us not take our freedom in Christ here in America for granted! Also, Let us not think that this is how it will always be either. While we freely go to church, talk about God, and share the gospel with those around us - there are others who are giving up their very life to do those simple things we find to be common place. They are torn from their families, abandoned, tortured, murdered, All because they believe and follow Jesus. They have counted the cost and decided whole heartedly that a life lived for Christ is more precious than their very blood.

Happy 20 years Berlin Wall and thank you to all the believers who went behind her many years ago to bring the great message of Hope and redemption to a lost people. Thank you to all of the Christians who still- to this day- are going secretly under heavy curtains and over tall walls in the name of Christ. I pray the Lord keeps you in his care, that you act in boldness, and that the hearts of the people would be soften and ready for the word of truth!

Ray Baby

Today I am listening to Ray Lamontagne while editing photos. As I listen I have a strong urge to be his back up singer.

I can just see it. A smokey bar - low lights - and Ray with his soft melodies and my rich-yet delicate harmonies....

It would be pretty awesome!

My harmonies. Not Ray

Hahaha....

Happy Weekend. It's November and 70 degrees here. I think the Lord may just be coming back soon :)

A look at our love child: 14.5 weeks

Introducing.... Our sweet baby number 3 --> at 14.5 weeks

Who, I must say, is shaping up to be a handsome little guy! It is a bit early to call it, but our friend Ceslie who did the ultrasound for us has yet to be wrong in the five years she's been calling it (even at this early in the game)

Our reactions to this news:

Georgia cried.... she really wanted a sister.

When we told Henry, he grunted and then beat his chest with his fists.

Jeff flexed his muscles and smiled real big!

We should know in another month or so for sure, but until then we are thinking of boy names.

THe Basement

The basement Round 1

The Basement Round 2

Just a few more weeks and our awesome little basement will be a functioning office-playroom-movie watching-guest room-Marshman academy-underground church-kind of space!

We are all very excited about this.

And now, all you Californians need to come and visit us (Merea!!)

Stay tuned for more details as the room progresses.

Thoughts on the Gospel

I began a dialogue with a friend this week about love, evangelism, and the gospel. I did not finish our conversation. I let her have the last words and left it at that because I realized that our foundational views were not similar thus, the conversation could go no further with fruit. I don't like to argue about theological things and don't think clearly in the heat of that emotion. While, I knew there was nothing more I could say, my heart has been so heavy since our conversation that I almost feel a bit of sorrow over not just her point of view - but the modern church and believer in general. Here's what I've been working out in my mind the last few days. (note: I said, working out... meaning, it's in progress.)

Man's response or attraction to Christ should never take a front seat to the word, prayer, and the work of the Holy Spirit in the process of salvation. What do I mean by this?

If in our ministry, we perceive a hardness to the gospel going out, it is not the gospel's problem, it is the nature of man exposed to the gospel - he is supposed to reject it - hate God, etc (Romans 3) When we see this our first inclination should not be to think of a new fancy way to lure them in. We do not act more loving and kind in an effort to woo them to the cross, even our kindness and love - yes I said that - is not enough to bring men to salvation. Prayer is our weapon - the word our shield - the Spirit our champion - our goal, faithfulness in the field! All other strategies are in vein apart from those four things because, It is only God that can call a man to salvation. (this doesn't lend to idleness in the life of a believer --> b/c we know this truth we are all the more active in the field) The Gospel - the beautiful Gospel - With tears right now I am thinking on it. How is it that we can downplay the gospel in order to soften an unbelievers heart through our love and kindness to them? We did not know love before the gospel - before Christ gave up his life for us, the filth of the earth?!!!

I know many people say - "I will show them Christ through my love and actions - they will see it and then want to know who he is, etc..." I have been guilty of this thought process - as I am sure many people are. Love apart from the truth (the Word) is simply a me-centric message. The man may take note of how kind you are - but if our love is not attached with words - You are separated from God because of your sin, Jesus ransomed me from death through his death on the cross, and set me free from the bondage of sin - making me his son!!! - that is how I know to love and can love you- and more than that, that is how I am even alive, and if you want to live- really, truly live, you will repent from your sin and lay down everything to follow him! You have to get down to it. The church was not made to be a holy huddle - or an AA meeting where we all come, share, and feel good. The church is a movement - it is a force - in which we are engaged in a kingdom advancing war. Does that sound loving and gentle and warm and fuzzy?... No, it sounds hard and terrifying - yet completely amazing all at the same time! The word must be central - the gospel must continue to be preached - men must proclaim it in boldness - and we must realize that life as a Christian is not a catered event in which our goal is to make everyone feel good about how they are living their life!!! LIfe as a christian is hard! How do you think that ruler felt when Jesus told him if he wanted to follow him he must give up everything?.... Look at believers throughout the age who have, and still do, give up their very blood for the truth of the gospel?... I feel sick to think that we want to put our love out there in place of that truth so that others will want to come to Christ! It must be spoken, he must be proclaimed as he is, as the word says. Love and kind acts are good - they're commanded, and all that we do should be in that attitude - but, apart from the awful, painful cross, it is a man show. Preach the word - not how great you are!!! Because the word doesn't think you're great apart from Christ, In fact, God won't even look upon you.

I know I have not covered all the bases. And no, I am not advocating bible bashing. I am simply saying that we must not put ourselves out there in place of the word. I know it is a much safer and comfortable approach to evangelism, but the message we will give out to people will ultimately disillusion them to the truth of the real christian life and what it requires. I am also not saying that we stop showing people love. There is grace upon grace and abounding love in Christ to share with all, praise him for that - but they are deeply connected with many other truths that are hard to hear, but essential to tell!

Praise God for Christ and praise God for his word that is absolutely true, and a light to our path!

Hello Gorgeous!

Welcome to the Marshman house you lovely lady! You will be so taken care of and cherished. We may even throw you a birthday party in 2011 when you turn 100!

Learning the trade

I've been doing a lot of editing the last month. Today, I took the Bishops out with their handsome boy, Caleb. The first pic is SOOC (straight out of camera) Yikes, it's as cold as a blizzard - but we're still in the fall. I uploaded the RAW image into LR and worked a little magic. I cannot believe the difference. You know, when Jeff first got LR I was terrified of it. The last year or so, I've been really working with the program (editing, printing, & making adjustments) and feel completely comfortable with all of the settings and buttons and good-good-goodies it offers. This boost of confidence may just be wooing me over to photoshop haha!

Busy Busy Bumble Bees

Wow. I can't remember a time in my life where I felt more busy, and yet accomplished so little. Tis the season however, and I am learning to just deal with it. Much is going on around here in the Marshman home. Here is a list:

1. We've been shooting 2-4 times a week this last month + editing + blogging about it= insanity!!

2. Jeff is in the heat of the workload for school. Just this week I think he has written close to or exceeding 24 pages/ not including the books that accompanied those lovely little pages.

3. We are finishing the basement = saw dust everywhere, bang-bang-banging everywhere, and strange men who I've never met before coming in and out of our house (all under the supervision of the master builder - Dad-E-O Marshman & his trusty sidekick, Mama Marshman. Should be a cool place when it's finished though!!!

4. Sickness - sinus pain - and an overall rejection of the state of Kentucky by all of our bodies.

5. Henry is cutting 5 teeth simultaneously. Yah, he is just about 18 months and waited this long to cut teeth.. I am completely serious about that too, I know I lean toward the fluff at times but the boy is like the latest teether I have ever encountered. All this to say, he is a bit irritable.

6. Family - lot's of family - in and out of our home. It has been and continues to be quite pleasant. This weekend the brother-in-law and his lady friend are coming to town. We are seeing Dashboard Confessional with the Louisville Orchestra. It's going to be AMAZING!

7. In the midst of all of this, my house has taken a severe beating and I can't seem to get on top of the mountain of chaos we are currently living in. I've been holding my own with the laundry though, so that makes me incandescently happy! The chaos around here makes me want to hibernate until the storm passes.... I am making myself get out this week though. I need some womanly conversation haha...

8. My homesickness is nearly mended. Woo... It's been a long battle this time around but the pain has dulled a bit as many great distractions have glistened around me. I am learning to lean and trust on the Lord right now. It has been an acute lesson - one that is not pleasant or without severe pain. But, Lo, He is with me always - leading, guiding, holding me fast.

And lastly, 14 weeks knocked up, two radiant babes to play with all day long, one hard working-stud-of a husband to stare at daily, and a week with no rain forecasted!!!

Hallelujah & Happy Monday!

Wear your costume to gymnastics day!

So, I've got several things going on in this post: forgive my randomness, it's just one of those mornings.

#1 I really really love b&w photos however, I hate how so many times they look completely flat. So, I have been working on my b&w editing skills this last week. I came up with this one so far that I like haha... stay tuned for more on that. I've been completely inspired by our lenswork magazines! They are fantastic!

#2 Louisville is the most obsessed place when it comes to halloween, or... maybe I never knew how intense this holiday can be due to the fact that my children have been so young. Whatever the case it is completely annoying. Especially when my four year old daughter comes in my room around midnight in a panic due to the terrible dream about spiders she was having. I hate halloween!!! It makes no sense that the whole year long parents and people in general will be intensely motivated to protect children from just about everything and then during the month of October everything goes out the window and the scariest-darkest-most horrific things are celebrated. All this to say, we had to dress up in our costumes for gymnastics. Georgia opted to leave the kitty outfit at home and be a fairy, and Henry..... I held him down and made him wear his dog costume. I think I lost ten pounds in the process! I only got shots of Georgia because well, as I said - It could have taken a whole crew of full-sized men to dress Henry this particular morning. Enjoy.

Henry's new trick! I think he could have done this the whole class, he kept trying to escape Jeff's grip, run to the front, and cut off the kids waiting to have a turn!

Georgia Girl

I am grateful that my daughter is so girly and feminine. However, I am not so grateful for this new girly phase in her life: She changes her clothes 1,000,000 times a day and leaves her discarded apparel all over my house! I never know what's clean or dirty anymore. And even more sad than the endless amounts of laundry I am currently doing; she rarely allows me to chose her clothes for the day - she even dresses herself. This is truly a sad day because all I am left with is Henry.... Henry, and his endlessly boring pant and tee shirt numbers - and the physical sparring match that takes place every time I attempt to clothe his naked little boy body. If it weren't for the threat of pneumonia, he would just stay in a diaper year round. There is a glimmer of hope brewing in my womb and perhaps I will get to relive all of my joyous baby daughter moments again - the clothes, the cuddling, the delicate pink baby shoes.... There's a 50/50 chance you know!

John Larkins the Painter

My dad has been a commercial painter for a billion years and is ridiculously good at it! When he came to visit I made him paint paint paint! I love to watch him work! It reminds of all the summers when I would join him and be his "tape guy." He works hard man and has a reputation of being excellent and has taught so many men his trade - a trade he learned from my mom's dad! It was a treat to have him here for sure!

Georgia loves to paint, holy cow! He could barely get anything done while she was awake because she would hound him - "Papa, is it time for me to paint yet.... Papa, when can I paint with you?" So, we stripped her down and she painted till her heart was content.

And this was his reaction to her painting skills: I don't think painting made it into her blood like everyone else in the family. She couldn't quite understand which wall she was supposed to paint.

Good times Old man! Good times.. Next time you come to paint, I'll have a whole box of those icey-hot patches you like, some jack and canadian dry, and pepperonis with that nasty feta you and Henry were devouring... If you want, I'll get it today if you will get on a plane with Mom and fly over here! - what do you want for dinner, I'll make anything you want!! (am I tempting you yet?....)