Joshua 1:6-9

Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have i not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

God knows my name

i ran across this poem this morning, i wrote this a couple years ago while rich and i were on a road trip...i normally don't share my writings and poetry with anyone but rich, but i feel God wants me to share more of my heart, and to continue writing...

i was ten when i met you, you had always been there but i met you,
with tears and sadness,
you wiped them away,
with arms of love and a voice of truth, "Be still and know that i am," i inhaled, "God."
Your Spirit, the image of Your Son on the cross with my sadness piercing His hands and feet, kept me near to You.
I walked with You awhile, but slowly the intimacy faded as i pulled away,
i began to create an identity in the world, with a handful of Your truths,
trying to follow my own path of desires, which manifested confusion, deceit, anger, and that sadness i had already pierced Your hands with,
grieved Your Spirit so deep until i almost lost that sweet gentle voice that had once spoke,
"Be still and know that i am God," into my heart,
i cried out to You with all of me,
approaching Your throne humbly and confidently,
laying at your feet
The place i know i can always be at rest, at peace, and in love.
My hands are raised, my head is tilted towards You,my mind is free, my limbs unchained......
God knows my name.

See how Windows connects the people, information, and fun that are part of

Monday, June 21, 2010

Nate and Melanie's visit






a couple weeks ago,rich's oldest brother (nate) and his wife (melanie) came to town to visit family and to go to Orcas Island to meet up with the other guys in his Doctorate program. We had sooo much fun with them while they were here!! They of course loved there nephew Samson and he adored both of them! We had lots of laughs had great food and good family time! Its so cool to see Rich and Nate together...they are 12 years apart and rich has always looked up to his big bro, but over the last few years they have gotten really close. As you can see in the pics they look so much alike and sound similar too! :) and the best part about it is that Melanie and i have gotten to be good friends too, i just love her!! they have two beautiful girls, our nieces are Syndi and mya. We wished they lived closer(they live in Fresno,Ca) and are praying after Nate gets his doctorate, he will find a job up here or at least Portland. It is going to be so fun for Samson to grow up with his cousins and his new favorite auntie M!!! We love you guys!!!

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Praise!!!

This is Samson praising God this morning during our morning devotional...We were singing to Israel's newest cd the song "You make all things new, yes You make all things new and i will follow You forward." (we love that song) and i always raise Samson's hands as we worship and sing out "hallelujah" and today he just left his hand raised on his own!!! ah!! it made this mama so happy, so i had to take a picture!:) Samson loves our morning time with the Lord and he loves when mama reads him the Word, and smiles and talks and "amens" while i read and study out loud to him! this is our favorite time of the day and i so look forward to this time with Jesus and Samson:)

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

update.....





ok..so i am a horrible blogger!! it has been months since i have updated this and actually 3 1/2 months to be exact! A beautiful little man has been taking up most of my time:)
So now that Samson is on a kind of normal nap schedule i can sit down and write:)
Our lives have changed sooo much, those first few weeks were so hard, but oh so worth it. Samson has brought so much joy to our lives and to the rest of our family. As Rich always says, "he is a life-bringer, and brings life wherever he goes," that is so true. I cant go grocery shopping without someone (men and women) stopping me to say how beautiful or handsome he is, and if he is awake he normally responds with a smile:) He is such a happy baby, always smiling, laughing or cooing..he rarely cries but when he is hungry or over tired. He sleeps 10-12 hrs through the night and has 3-4hr nap during the day. When he is up he is eating:) He eats sooo much! At his last appointment a month ago he was already weighing 14lbs! at two months! He is in the 95th percentile for weight and 90th for height! we just skipped past the 3 month clothes and straight to 6-9 months:)
Samson looooves going to Grammie and Grandpas house, we spend a lot of time there, my mom and dad adore him and have been such a blessing to us! I've always appreciated my family, but now that i am a mom i appreciate them even more. Family is sooo important to us.
Rich is such an amazing father...he is always playing with Samson when he is home,he prays over him every night and morning, and he loves to rock him to sleep. Samson just loooves his dad! seeing them together brings tears to my eyes!! i was such a sap before i had samson and it has only intensified. I am so overwhelmingly in love with our little family and so thankful God has blessed us with our son.

(these beautiful photos that i posted were done by a friend of ours from church, Sarah Sweetman..she is amazing and so sweet!!! Her prices are great too! check her web site out @ www.sarahsweetmanphotography.com.)

Friday, February 26, 2010

He's almost here!!!!

I cant believe the day is almost here that we will get to hold our baby Samson in our arms! Its crazy that this time next week he will b here and either b napping or cuddled up with rich or i:) thinking about him and how great it will b to meet our firstborn son brings tears to my eyes!! i have been very emotional lately; i know some of it hormones but mostly anticipation and excitement.:)

The past 2 weeks have been hard cause i am definately wanting to "nest" and being on bedrest i am not able to do all the things i feel "have" to be done before samson gets here. I have been getting very fustrated but just trying to take one day at a time and have now realized that Samson will not care if the kitchen cabinets are perfectly organized and the hall closet cleaned out! Thankfully i have an amazing husband who loves to clean and has been working so hard to keep the house in good shape and doing all the things on our "before Samson" list:)

I would not have been able to survive this month and a half of being bed rest with out my mom. She is working less days so she can take care of me. On the days rich works i come over to my parents and hang,or mom comes to me. We go to costco and i drive the cart or we just hang and have tea or a latte and talk:) Besides my husband she is my best friend, and i have come to appreciate her even more during this time.

I am thankful for my friends who have come to visit and hang with me(and charlie and rich), and the ones that have brought us delicious meals:) Rich and i feel so blessed to have all of you in our lives and are extremely grateful!

I have read six and a half books in the last month, an amazing series called Mark of the Lion by Francine Rivers (i will have to blog about them later), and a completely different series called "lets eat cake." ( both books mich loaned me..we are forever book partners)i am now reading a book called Babywise and learning about feeding and napping schedules for baby.:) I have also been reading all sorts of cooking and decorating magazines my mom passes down to me and have lots of fun recipes to try when im off bed rest:) I have also redecorated the whole house in my mind during this time:)

i love that it has been so sunny here and everything is starting to bloom:) i cant wait to put Samson in his moby wrap and work in the yard:) I have pots i want to plant tulips and other flowers in and am gonna attempt to plant herbs as well:) We have a huge backyard, and we may tackle some landscaping back there as well:) Rich has dreams of a sports court:)

Rich's album is getting mixed and mastered as i write and we are so excited for the long awaited arrival of his first album:) if you want to download his first single and take a look at his website go to www.mullenmusic.com. He also is launching his own line of rubs for meats and veggies..its called Rich's rubs and seasonings...they are amazing. My favortie is the smokin house blend, and the pumpkin curry blend:) They are all handmade,natural,salt free or low salt and they are so good! He has started selling some and we have gotten good feedback! We are looking forward to selling them this late spring and summer at the farmers markets! Stay tuned for the website and more info on what markets he will be at this summer:) i think he will do fabulous especially with cute baby Samson strapped to his chest! i am so proud of him!

so that is what is going on with the Mullen's! I'll leave you all with my favorite Scripture i have been meditating on during this time..."You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast because he trusts in you." Isaiah 26:3

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

My Target Shopping Trip...

Today was a great day!! As many of you know i love to shop, and Target is probably one of my most favorite stores...especially on a budget! So rich took me down to target just a quick trip to grab a few household items and things for Samson's room. When we walked in the front we both spotted the automatic chair/cart and burst out laughing!!! so being the nerd that i am, i sat down happily in the scooter and took off!!! Rich and i couldn't stop laughing!! People were just staring and glaring at us, but i didn't care! i got to spend a whole hour in target looking up and down the isle's gathering what we needed for us and to complete Samson's room:) On another note i will have to write later about target and nursing bras!!lol
So i am thankful today that i have found a way to get out of the house while on bed rest and do one of my favorite activities:) If any of you know any other stores besides Target and Costco that have these amazing scooters please let me know!! and stay tuned for more nerdy,fun adventures with the Mullen's!!!:))

Monday, February 1, 2010

My first post!!

first of all i am so excited that Heidi set this blog up for us!! i love to write and have wanted to start blogging for awhile now,but am a little slow on getting these things started...so Heidi suprised me @ shower #2 with the mullen family blog and had some of my friends write wonderful posts to me! of course being 8 1/2 months pregnant i cried my eyes out! what a wonderful gift!! thank you Heidi and to all of you who wrote such beautiful words of encouragement and advice to me! i love you all!

so just to update some of you, this blog came at the perfect time...i am 36 weeks pregnant this week and got put on bed rest last week for the rest of my pregnancy. I have PIH(pregnancy induced hypertension) and as a result of that and from being on my feet too much and not resting..my amniotic fluid was low. So we have been going to the dr. twice a week and my fluids are up and blood pressure is down! Praise God! Dr. still wants me on bed rest, but now i can at least do quick grocery store trips, laundry, and of course drive to moms house:) The dr. is happy with how Samson is growing, he is already 7lbs 8oz is what they measured on the ultra sound. They are only 80% correct give or take a lb...so he could be 6lbs or 8lbs, we are praying for 6!:) Rich and i think he will come early and are praying he'll come around 37 weeks...so next week! i will keep you all posted! i cant wait to post pics of our beautiful baby boy!:)

Friday, January 29, 2010

From Peanut...

To My Sissy,
Thank you so much for being you! I love you so much! Thanks for always being there for me even when I didn't deserve it. I know I can come to you about anything and you never judge me! That's why I know you will be a fantastic mom. You are patient, understanding, loving and funny! God has truly blessed me with THE best sister I could ask for. I'm so grateful to have you in my life! I know Samson will be a mamas boy LOL! Thanks again for being you, I love you with all my heart.
Love ~ Peanut

Thursday, January 28, 2010

From Richard...


I thank God for my wife, she has truly changed my life. God has blessed me with a pure and blameless woman of God and I wouldn't want to have a family with anyone else! God has given me the one my heart and soul has longed for! Our son Samson is so very blessed because there is not a better mother in this world for him then my wife, Lauren C Mullen.
~Richard Mullen

From Erica T...

Dear Lauren,
You will be the most wonderful, caring, loving and strong mother. I know Samson will be the luckiest little man to have a mother like you.

"A son's best friend is his mother"

Can't wait to meat the little bundle of joy!!

Congratulations!!
Erica T.


From Sue...Momma #2


Lauren and Rich,

You are about to embark on a new life! Life with Samson, you will be parents, how wonderful! You will be called Mom and Dad, how exciting! You will forever turn your head whenever you hear “Mom” or “Dad” called out in a crowd or wherever you are, and no matter how old you are, this is a permanent change to your hearing:) You are now a member of the club!

Your heart will grow bigger with the love you have for your son. I remember how much love I felt when I looked into my babies eyes, incredible, and it struck me then to think how God loves us and our children even more, how amazing and what a blessing!

Lauren and Rich, I know you will be fabulous parents, as I see and hear such excitement and such love from you both as you talk about your son and speak about all the preparations you are making for Samson. Enjoy each and every stage of your son's life and the changes it brings to your lives as you all grow together as a family. God bless all three of you!

Best wishes and lots of love, Sue

PS...available for babysitting:)

Saturday, January 23, 2010

From Dannie...

Lauren,
I can't wait for you to be a mom! You are going to be
amazing! The best advice that was given to me was " just make it through the first 2 weeks!"
The first 2 weeks, it is purely survival. I love you and can't wait to meet Samson! Him and Titus are going to be best buddies. Love always,
Dannie

From Heidi...

Oh wow friend - I should have thought about being pregnant before I asked everyone to do this. I have been in tears reading everyone's this whole time.
Lauren, we have been dreaming since we were little girls. From our make believe husbands, our fake water-balloon boobs, to talking about being pregnant together and raising our children together.
Well we found our husbands, our boobs are huge from pregnancy we don't need the water-balloons anymore, and we're on our way to raising our families together. I just can't believe it.
I am so thankful I've had you to walk the steps of pregnancy first. I could call you when I had a question and ask you about all the weird things that happen.
Samson is so lucky to be raised by you and Rich. BLESSED to have a mother like you that will daily lift him up in prayer and devotion. Lauren, you have loved Samson since the day you found on you were pregnant. It's a day I won't forget. I wish I would have been awake to read your first texts :-) But it's ok...
You have always been caring, compassionate, and nurturing. This will all prepare you to love on your baby even more.
Remember that you have the love and support of everyone who has written on this page and everyone who didn't. You are loved, and we're all here to help you through the especially challenging first couple months, know that we're here.
I can't wait to hear how your birth story is going to turn out, and I feel so blessed to be a part of it afterwards when I get to take some very special family photos. I dream of that day...
I love you with all of my heart - I'll be here every step of the way, through the good and the bad, the easy and the hard, and the happiness and the frustrations as we raise our kids together. I couldn't think of going through this with out you.
I adore you and am patiently awaiting the birth of this perfect boy.
Samson - your mom is going to love you more than you could ever imagine. You are one lucky boy!
Blessings,
Heidi

From Michelle...

Lauren will be a wonderful mother because she is kind, sensitive, and caring.

She enjoys life and finds joy in simplest places.

Samson is blessed because his momma prays for him consistently,

She will teach him to love Jesus

and he will know that he is cherished tremendously.

Lauren has taken such careful steps to provide a safe pregnancy and no doubt will continue to watch carefully for her baby boy.

Lauren will be a amazing mother because she is a amazing person.

Friday, January 22, 2010

From Lea...


"You will put your child above everything and become a 'mama bear', but remember that God loves him even more, so mentally give your child to God and trust Him." -my mom

Learn to accept help. You are a capable woman and mother, but God has put people in your life for a reason.

Trust your instincts. Have confidence in your natural abilities.

Never stop praying for your child.

Read to him. Everyday, from birth.

Much love to the mother-to-be... Lea

From Momma...

Lauren will be an amazing Mom because she is a loving, smart, beautiful (inside and out), Godly woman that will love her son and pray for the best for him. She has always wanted and cherished a loving, close relationship with her family and loved ones, and we all have felt her love and compassion! Lauren, if you love or feel the love from your children that I have, you will truly be blessed! I love you bunches, Mom.

From Katie...

Dear Lauren,

It seems like just a few months ago I was receiving text messages and phone calls in the middle of the night from you trying to eagerly get a hold of me. When I did, I can remember vividly you telling me that you thought you were pregnant and we just cheered and cried together over the phone. Soon you will embark on the biggest, scariest, and happiest day of your life... You are going to bring little Samson Isaiah into this world and I could not be more excited for you. I know you are going to be a wonderful mother because you are compassionate, confident, and genuine. You and Rich will instill all of these qualities into Samson and be great role models for him. I cannot wait to meet him and watch him grow up. I also cannot wait for the many fun family adventures in the future. Think about it… sporting events, vacations, piano recitals, and barbeques just to name a few. Always know that I will be there for you to if you ever need help or just someone to talk to. You are going to be a great mother, teacher, counselor, and friend. Samson, is so lucky to have you and Rich as parents. I am so proud of you and I am so excited to be an “auntie!”

Love always,

Katie

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

From Scott...

Lauren,
I am so excited for the arrival of Samson and am glad that Heidi gets to share that experience with you. You are going to be a great mother and Samson will grow up to be strong and confident because of all the love and support I know you are going to pour out on him. I am excited that our children will grown up and share camping trips and may memories together. I look forward to meeting him and then seeing the gentle and loving interactions you will have with your son. As he grows into a strong man of God and righteousness, I will need to look no farther than the strong foundations laid and the living example he was shown by you. May God bless you in raising your son and if there is ever anything you need from me to help, please just ask.
Love, Scott


From Erica...

Lauren:
As a fellow Mommy of a baby boy, some words of wisdom:
1. No matter what Daddy says, it's okay for him to be a Momma's boy 2. Always be on your toes during diaper changes, you'll be amazed at how far he can squirt! 3. You'll just have to accept that the baby boy clothes section is far smaller than the girls' 4. Little boys love to cuddle 5. Just one smile from the little guy will make you forget all those sleepless nights I love this quote about boys: Boys are found everywhere -- on top of, underneath, inside of, climbing on, swinging from, running around or jumping to. Mothers love them, little girls hate them, older sisters and brothers tolerate them, adults ignore them and Heaven protects them. A boy is Truth with dirt on its face, Beauty with a cut on its finger, Wisdom with bubble gum in its hair and the Hope of the future with a frog in its pocket. You are going to be an amazing Mommy. You and Rich will be amazing role-models for little Samson and he will grow up surrounded by love. It goes way too fast and they grow like lightning so cherish each and every moment: good and bad. You'll find yourself wishing and waiting for all the milestones to happen- first smile, tooth, giggle, word, rolling over, sitting up etc. but then once it happens, you'll find yourself saying, "Remember when...." like it was so long ago. Being a parent is such a life-changing event and your life will never feel the same but having a symbol of your love is the best thing you can experience. Each day is something new for you and your baby and it's amazing to watch them learn and discover and figure out the world. I can't wait for you to share the special gift that is Mommy-hood! I love you and baby Samson!
~Erica Van Alstine