New Year "Resolutions"

With the New Year approaching, I always find myself thinking of goals and the things I want to do BETTER this year. And, like many, in mid-February, I find myself weak in "keeping" these goals. This always consists of reading the Bible more, praying more, working out regularly, etc. This year, I'm going to rely wholly on the LORD's strength. I'm tired of trying to do things on my own - I NEED the Holy Spirit's power!! And you do, too, if you're a human like me! :) I recently listened to a message that addressed this issue, and it really struck a chord with me.
I want to make this year - 2010 - ALL about our LORD Jesus. I want to look back at this time next year and think of 2010 as a year that I drew closer to the LORD and was found faithful in loving and serving Him. In becoming a parent soon, it has encouraged me to re-think my life and what is important, and also how I (we) want to raise Katelyn. I've personally adopted this verse and desire for it to be the standard of my life as a parent and as just me, Michelle.
"Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and love your neighbor as yourself". Luke 10:27.
There is nothing else more important than life!! So easy to remember, but hard to live-out. Jesus knows us and made us this way so we'd be led to Him.

Here is the link to the message that was such an encouragement and inspiration to me. I hope you'll listen to it and let the LORD speak to your heart this Christmas season.
http://www.ajesuschurch.org/teachings/2009/12-06-2009.mp3

Our Christmas Tree!

Here is our Christmas tree in our living room! I (Michelle) have been craving a Christmas tree for the last 2 years. We didn't get one because of our puppy, Lizzy (not knowing what she would do to it!), and the lack of space. But, as I was shopping with my friend Felice on Black Friday morning, I saw this tree at Target - on sale. I love it! And it's soooo cozy! It's pre-lit and it is a "cashmere" tree, so it has cashmere on the very ends of the boughs. There's nothing like having a Christmas tree at home. :) Although, I will admit, I grew up with a fresh evergreen tree that my family and I cut from the tree farm every year, and never had artificial trees. But, there is actually a beauty in artificial trees, if they're done nicely. We can look forward to the same tree every year - maybe put it in Katelyn's room next year, perhaps? Or in our room? We'll see.

Update!

Well, it sure has been forever since we've blogged here. I let Facebook take over for me for a while, but with our baby on the way, I figure this is one of the best ways to share what's going on in our lives, especially for family and friends that live far away.
So, as of today, Katelyn (Baby Akrami) is 21 weeks and 4 days!! I have been amazed at how fast this pregnancy has gone. When we first found out that we were pregnant back in July, I remember thinking that this was going to be a long 9 months! I can already feel the truth of when people say, "they grow up so fast"! I am really enjoying every day of pregnancy, but also trying to wait patiently to meet our sweet girl. :)
We are SO thankful for the blessing that God has given us. Every day now, when I feel little Katelyn move and kick, I can't help but smile and thank the LORD for this child He has given us. One of my favorite verses right now (I made a frame for the nursery with this verse written on it!) is 1 Samuel 1:27: "I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him". This is my heart, O LORD.

Two new hobbies

My hubby and I have recently taken an interest in hiking. We have a favorite hike called "Poop Out Trail" in Glendora, and it is a perfect hike. There are three "hills" at the beginning of the hike, and the first one has a VERY steep grade. The second is moderate, and the last is a straight hike up the hill. After you reach the top and catch your breath, you have a beautiful 2-mile hike down the mountain. It takes you through thickets (a new favorite word of ours!), and beautiful landscapes. Today, we hiked in the morning before the sun was up and it was glorious!! I love the early, tender mornings. And I love spending it with my sweetie. :)


Our other interest is photography. Now, Cameron is WAAAY more into it than I am with his new camera, but I have re-discovered my digital camera and its many functions. Cameron showed me that I have a "micro" setting on my camera, and I've been taking more close-up pictures of whatever I can find. I love it because the lens captures more of the "Honey I Shrunk the Kids" life, that usually goes unseen. Our Creator has a beautiful, creative eye!

Home sweet home (almost!)

Hi everyone!

We have some fun news - we are in escrow for our new house!!! We are thrilled to the max about God's faithfulness and goodness. We are blown away. It is so hard to wrap our minds around the fact that we are almost home owners. It feels so surreal. Each time I think about it I get a burst of adrenaline! :)

We are so excited for more room, and a backyard for Lizzy!! She told me she is so excited. :) The house is in Alta Loma, which is a community between Upland and Rancho Cucamonga. It's off of Carnelian, which is off the 210 freeway. I already met one of the neighbors, and she is a teacher, too and a mother. She loves the neighborhood.

We desire for our home to be a place that we can grow in love and learn, and where God can minister to others. We can't wait to have our friends over. We are abundantly blessed. All glory to our LORD! :)

Fall '08 catch-up part 1

So, I haven't blogged in almost 2 months. Geesh!
So, shortly after our last post, my new sis-in-law, Steph, came to visit us in California!! She passed her NCLEX exam and she is now a registered nurse! We're so proud of her. So, we spent a wonderful 5 days traveling around southern California - Laguna Beach, Pasadena, Claremont, and we knew how to end her visit here well... a day at Glen Ivy Hot Springs in Corona! I love my new sis!! (and we even had some people think that we were actual sisters!) :)


Then, November was a beautiful month. My old college roommate and good friend, Tia, had her baby boy on November 2nd (my Dad's birthday, as well!). She is the first of my close friends to have a baby and it was amazing to get the chance to hold her newborn son. His name is Nehemiah and he is a cutie!!
Also, my Mom came down and visited us for about 5 days!! I am totally loving all of the visits from family members. She came down and we relaxed, did crafts, took walks, and enjoyed each other's company tremendously. I love my Mom, and it was so nice to have a good chunk of quality time with her. :) More to come in part 2!

It's pumpkin time!

We went up to Oak Glen - a MUST SEE for your fall lovers! :) It was quite busy, but we still had a wonderful time. We went to Riley's Farm to get our u-pick pumpkins (is there ANY other way to get a pumpkin??) :) It was the most glorious day yesterday - cool, crisp and clear! I loved spending time with my love!!! And, of course, I had to throw in some EXTREMELY adorable pics of our Lizzy! (on the way back, we listened to "Dizzy Miss Lizzy" by the Beatles, and decided that that is officially Lizzy's song. :)

Amazing movie - two thumbs up!!!

I encourage every one of you to go see the movie "Fireproof" soon! Cameron and I just saw it last night with our church's marriage group, and it was AMAZING!!! It is a beautiful story, and definitely encourages and challenges you. The move glorified our Lord in a beautiful way! It's a must see!! (Also, you should rent the movie "Facing the Giants" - created by the same church who made "Fireproof" - it has an amazing message as well.

Day at the Akrami's

Today was wonderful. We went over to Cameron's Dad's house to be with him, his mom and his grandmother, Olga, and Richard. It was a great visit! We took Lizzy with us, and she had lots of fun running around the big backyard and being "pushes" (oops!?) into the pond. :) She went for her first official swim today! I learned more Farsi (Persian) today, which will come in handy! Cameron's dad has a ton of fruit trees, of which I picked a bag of apples, some lemons, one (hopefully) ripe pomegranate, and a handful of small avocados. No produce shopping needed for this week! Thanks, Akrami farm! :)

Cameron's 10-year high school reunion

Cameron had his 10-year high school reunion this weekend, and we had a fun time! Above is a picture of most of "The Posse" and their wives/fiances. We had fun together!
My beautiful husband and I at his reunion.

Amy (Brian's wife), me, and Tina (Gavin's fiance) at the reunion.

H2O roomies camping trip!

Last month, we had our annual "H2O roomies" camping trip! This is officially our 3rd annual camping trip, and this year we camped up in Ojai! It was a fun and new experience. Ah, I love the outdoors. We went fishing on our last day, and we went home frustrated at the lack of fish biting. But, it's all about the experience, right? :) We still had a great time.

Rain, never, never go away!

This morning was a beautiful morning! I woke up to a beautiful swirly hue of orange glowing sunlight - the sign of rain!! I know I may sound so weird to my fellow Oregonians, but I miss the rain so much!!!! The rain is such a blessing - it cleanses and washes. It makes me want to do 2 things: 1 - go outside and walk and run in the rain; 2 - stay inside, brew some coffee-pressed coffee, and curl up in a blanket on my sofa and read a book.

It reminds me of a Nichole Nordeman song "Gratitude" - it's such a beautiful song.

Send some rain, would You send some rain?'

Cause the earth is dry and needs to drink again

And the sun is high and we are sinking in the shade

Would You send a cloud, thunder long and loud?

Let the sky grow black and send some mercy down

Surely You can see that we are thirsty and afraid

But maybe not, not todayMaybe You'll provide in other ways

And if that's the case ...

We'll give thanks to You with gratitude

For lessons learned in how to thirst for You

How to bless the very sun that warms our face

If You never send us rainDaily bread, give us daily bread

Bless our bodies, keep our children fed

Fill our cups, then fill them up again tonight

Wrap us up and warm us through

Tucked away beneath our sturdy roofs

Let us slumber safe from danger's view this time

Or maybe not, not todayMaybe You'll provide in other ways

And if that's the case ...

We'll give thanks to You with gratitude

A lesson learned to hunger after You

That a starry sky offers a better view

If no roof is overheadAnd if we never taste that bread

Oh, the differences that often are between

Everything we want and what we really need

So grant us peace, Jesus, grant us peace

Move our hearts to hear a single beat

Between alibis and enemies tonight

Or maybe not, not today Peace might be another world away

And if that's the case ...

We'll give thanks to You with gratitude

For lessons learned in how to trust in You

That we are blessd beyond what we could ever dream

In abundance or in needAnd if You never grant us peace ...

But, Jesus, would You please ...

God is faithful!

Today was an amazing day that was filled with God's faithfulness. I often struggle and wonder if I'm making a difference when I'm teaching, and I finally understood that I'm going about it the wrong way. I am in my job because God has called me and HE wants to use me in any way that He choses - NOT how I choose! At college group worship practice last night, we sang the song "Jesus, Lover of My Soul" (not the really famous one). And I came into my choir room and worshipped in the morning before the students came and sang this song, and I welcomed the Lord into my classroom for Him to do HIS will, not mine, as "good" as mine may seem! His blessings abounded, and God was here.
I want to encourage you to invite the Lord into your life, your workplace, your family, and He will show up and show Himself as faithful and will give you strength. He is good.

"Jesus, Lover of My Soul"
It's all about you, Jesus
And all this is for you, for your glory and your fame
It's not about me, as if you should do things my way
You alone are God and I surrender to your ways

Jesus, lover of my soul
All consuming fire is in your gaze
Jesus, I want you to know
I will follow you all of my days
For no one else in history is like you
And history itself belongs to you
Alpha and Omega, you have loved me
And I will share eternity with you

Fall is almost here!

I am the BIGGEST fan of autumn there is!! Growing up in Oregon, I have always loved this change in seasons. The warm air of summer gives in to the crisp, cooler days of autumn. I faithfully watch the leaves change color. Although, I must say that I have yet to understand the systematic change that California trees go through in the fall. Some of them starts to change color in mid-September, while others like to hang onto their bright-colored leaves until new life buds in the Spring! I usually crave trips up to Oak Glen and Yucaipa to satisfy my craving for color. :) I love (and look very forward) to the Tuesday that Starbucks reintroduces the Pumpkin Spice Latte. I usually overdose on those by mid-October so no longer crave them until they are OUT of season!! So, the cycle continues, and I look forward to my back-to-school commute with my pumpkin spice latte in hand. I am a huge sentimentalist. I love taking the time to think about life, and how seasons change. (by the way, the most beautiful song that I have recently heard is "Every Season" by Nichole Nordeman. It is breathtaking!
Here's a link to the youtube video. It will bless your heart!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dwpdZdvCl8&feature=related
God is in every season, and He teaches us through the changes. He is always faithful, even during the coldest winter.

My brother's wedding

My (Michelle's) brother is married! We traveled up to Oregon for the week leading up to the wedding, and it was an amazing time. My brother has married the most wonderful, Godly and PERFECT woman for him! The wedding was absolutely beautiful and special. Enjoy some pics of God's blessings!

When it all began...

Hello all! Sorry I've been the worst blogger EVER! But, I'll get back in the "swing of things" by posting some fun pictures of Cameron and I from yester year. :) It's so awesome to think about the years that we've known each other - almost 6 years now! I love my best friend. :) Enjoy!

We're in the race!

We decided Cameron and I are going to run the half-marathon in Big Sur in November this fall!!! We are so excited and pumped up about the goal in front of us. We officially started our training yesterday. This is a first for both of us. We'll keep you posted on our progress. Go Team Akrami!! :)

Our "bundle" of joy!

Is this not the most adorable picture EVER? I couldn't pass up the chance to share with you our sweet bundle of joy! hehe Our Lizzy girl had a bath tonight, and her daddy wrapped her up tight. We're still working on her not getting scared out of her mind when we give her a bath (poor thing!). As many of you already know, we had to find a temporary home for our Lizzy because our apartment landlord said that we couldn't keep her at our apartment anymore. It was really hard to see her go, but we are thankful that it is only temporary. We still see her often (take her on walks, visit, etc.). We can't wait to have her back, though!