Tobi's Creative Mess

You Were There

2009-12-10T03:22:00.005-06:00

I just recently rediscovered my love for the music of Avalon. My husband cannot stand their music (and he can't explain why either). So I have to secretly enjoy the music by myself. Someone needs to buy me an ipod!

I love this song. The lyrics are so powerful.

You Were There
Written by Ben Glover
Recorded by Avalon

I wonder how it must have felt
When David stood to face Goliath on a hill
I imagine that he shook with all his might
Until You took his hand, and held on tight
'Cause You were there, You were there
In the midst of danger's snare
You were there, You were there always
You were there when the hardest fight
Seemed so out of reach
Oh, You were there, You were always there
You were always there

So there he stood upon that hill
Abraham with knife in hand was poised to kill
But God in all his sovereignty had bigger plans
And just in time, You brought a lamb
'Cause You were there,You were there
In the midst of the unclear
You were there, you were there always
You were there when obedience seemed to not make sense
You were there, You were always there
You were always there

So haven't I learned that my ways
Aren't as high as Yours are
And You alone keep the universe
From crumbling into dust
You are God and though we would not have understood You
There You were hanging blameless on a cross
You would rather die than leave us in the dark
Every moment, every planned coincidence
Just all makes sense with Your last breath

You were there, You were there
During history's darkest hour
You were there, You were there always

You were the Victor and the King
You were the power in David's swing
You were the calm in Abraham
You are the God who understands
You are the strength when we have none
You are the living, Holy one
You were, You are and You will always be the Risen Lamb of God
You were, You are and You will always be the Risen Lamb of God

Brett Favre & the Purple Monster

2009-08-23T00:35:00.003-05:00

So we drafted for the 2009 Fantasy Football team tonight. I wore my usual outfit for this event ... my number 4 Brett Favre Packer jersey. It bothers me slightly that I have to say it is a Packers jersey. One could assume it was a Jets jersey or (I shudder as a write this) a Vikings jersey. Why? Why? Why couldn't he have retired as a Packer? You have to admire the man's spunk. He does love the game. It must be hard for football players. You have found a career that you love, and yet you are forced to give it up because you're too old ... at 40!!! I admire his tenacity ... I just wish he would make up his mind and stop giving his wife and the rest of us ulcers! But secretly, I have to admit ... I love that I get to watch him play another year. I just hate that it will be as a Viking. But I'll be rooting for you, Brett, even as you take the field in that nasty purple jersey. I hope you show them you're still the greatest quarterback of all time.

The Sweetness of Absence

2009-08-05T14:12:00.003-05:00

As a stay-at-home mom, I am with my darling little girl 24/7. On occasion, however, my husband and I will leave her with a sitter. Sometimes he will watch her so I can have some alone time. It is every Sunday though that we leave her in the nursery at church with trusted nursery workers. To whom, by the way, I am much appreciative! This past Sunday, I walked into the nursery at the conclusion of service. My angel sat on the floor with Sis. Gretchen, intently listening as Gretchen read her a book. Her little hand was patting Gretchen's leg. I quietly watched with pride and love showing through my eyes. I discreetly sat on an empty chair. Suddenly, my baby looked up and saw me. Her face lit up. "Mommy! Mommy!" she squealed as she immediately got up and as fast as her little legs would carry her, came barreling into my arms. This is what I call The Sweetness of Absence. While I miss her as soon as I am away from her, I cannot express how sweet it is to see the love written on her face and the love in her voice as she speaks the word Mommy. I cherish this and every moment.

Sunset

2009-06-23T22:59:00.001-05:00

For a short time this evening, we were able to sit outside, watch the sunset, grill burgers, and watch our 16 month old enjoy the outdoors. My husband has grown so accustomed to the everpresent camera wrapped around my neck or slung around my arm that he suggested I take this shot of the sun. I was a little skeptic at how it would turn out, but after playing with several settings, I was able to get this amazing shot (if I do say so myself). When I showed him the final product, he boasted, "See, I told you it would be a good shot!"

So Back to the Obsession

2009-06-16T12:13:00.001-05:00

I have discovered that I'm not just obsessed with taking pictures. I'm obsessed with everything about pictures: taking them, looking at them, editing them, sharing them, talking about them, dreaming about them... Do I really need to continue? Here is a favorite photo creation of mine, just taken recently of my best friend and her family. I'm posting it on here so that every time I open my blog, I will see it. Since I have no followers as of yet. This posting really is for me!

Obsession

2009-06-14T02:30:00.001-05:00

It's official. I have an obsession with photography. Deep down I think I always have. My beloved husband bought me a Canon Rebel Xsi for my birthday. In less than six months, I have taken over 8,000 pictures. Yeah ... I would say I have an obsession! I just love photography. I love to capture everyday moments in a creative way. My poor baby girl is the subject of most of my photos. I am with her everyday, all day. She is growing so fast. I'm afraid if I don't document every moment that she will grow up right before my eyes, and I will have missed the moment with nothing tangible to hold on to that memory.

Photography is amazing because it captures a moment in time that would otherwise be lost in a blink of eye, or in my case, the click of the shutter. I love looking at the world through the view finder, knowing that when my hand pushes that little black button, I will have stolen a moment in time. I think this is why I love photographing people. Inanimate objects and nature are fun to photograph, but they are just things. Life, the Bible says, is "but a vapor." And then all that we are left with of that vapor of life is the photographs we have taken.

My First Blog

2009-06-11T22:13:00.000-05:00

I cannot believe I'm blogging. I have done what I said I would never do. My exact words, "Why in the world do people blog? Who has time to blog? And seriously who wants to read what's on my mind?" So then why am I blogging? I was cleaning my house the other day and discovered some of my old writings. I must say I was impressed with my ownself! However, it seems I have forgotten how to write. It's a talent I've neglected. And as the saying goes, if you don't use it, you lose it. Since I hate to write with pen and paper, I have opted to begin a blog so that I may "use it" and hopefully begin to once again write well. So this blog shall be my journal of sorts. Who knows ... maybe I will turn into a seasoned blogger in the process!