Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Middle child syndrome...
I fully intended to share Hannah's Christmas artwork when I posted yesterday but then totally forgot. Pretty typical middle child stuff... always getting overlooked. Sorry Hannah... here is her masterpiece. She couldn't remember if Santa had hair or not! tee hee!
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Two down... one to go!
It's been far too long! We have been super busy with all of the Christmas festivities as most of you have I'm sure!
Our celebrations started Christmas Eve with the six of us opening gifts! It was super fun! It is a blast to watch your kids get so excited, wouldn't you agree? Then Christmas morning the kids all emptied their stockings of goodies and trinkets. We don't do Santa here but we do try to have surprises for them on Christmas morning... isn't that the most fun of Santa anyway, the surprise?
We got Marlie a Fashion Studio kit... it is WAY cool! Too bad no one here knows how to sew! tee hee! I did talk to my grandma, though, and she is willing to give Marlie lessons! Whew. Here are some pictures of the inspiration behind our gift... Marlie LOVES to draw fashion. I wouldn't be surprised if she continues with the passion... IF she learns how to sew! And there are many more of these scattered around the house!
One of Hannah's fave gifts was her frog growing kit! It is so fitting that girl. She would grow ANYTHING if we let her! Now we are just waiting for our live tadpoles in the mail! My mom also got her a stuffed snow leopard that she has to take care of. That's been a big hit so far!
Dani was quite content with the Diamond Castle Barbie horse that my parents got her! It was "just what I wanted"!!!!!! Too cute! She's been telling everyone she sees... the nursery ladies, ladies at church, Mr. Don from King Soopers... if she made eye contact, they KNOW about her sparkling Diamond Castle horse!
And Tyler? Well, he was just happy as a little clam with the MANY toy cars and trucks that he's gotten so far!
Keven was technically working on Christmas day but was able to be home until the kids went to bed that night! The people that are contracted with the rig and such were all off so as long as things were going smoothly at the rig, he was home! That was so nice and unexpected.
Then on Saturday we went to my Aunt and Uncle's house in Sterling for a celebration with my side of the family. Keven did have to work that day but it was still really fun. It's always nice to see family that you haven't seen for a while! When you see the picture of Tyler and Kylie, keep in mind it was RIGHT before he smacked her the first time. Yes, the first time! The second time he had her under a table and repeatedly slapped her on the face while she was laying down! Don't know what that was all about! I think maybe he didn't want her all up in his business but sheesh boy! And, his fave part of the day was an Elmo that my aunt had in her toy box. He discovered it at the end of the day and loved it so much that she sent it home with him. He is still sleeping with it! We took out the "tickle me" box though! This is not our first time around this parenting block!
We are off again this coming Saturday for our celebration with Keven's family! I'll post again then!
Our celebrations started Christmas Eve with the six of us opening gifts! It was super fun! It is a blast to watch your kids get so excited, wouldn't you agree? Then Christmas morning the kids all emptied their stockings of goodies and trinkets. We don't do Santa here but we do try to have surprises for them on Christmas morning... isn't that the most fun of Santa anyway, the surprise?
We got Marlie a Fashion Studio kit... it is WAY cool! Too bad no one here knows how to sew! tee hee! I did talk to my grandma, though, and she is willing to give Marlie lessons! Whew. Here are some pictures of the inspiration behind our gift... Marlie LOVES to draw fashion. I wouldn't be surprised if she continues with the passion... IF she learns how to sew! And there are many more of these scattered around the house!
One of Hannah's fave gifts was her frog growing kit! It is so fitting that girl. She would grow ANYTHING if we let her! Now we are just waiting for our live tadpoles in the mail! My mom also got her a stuffed snow leopard that she has to take care of. That's been a big hit so far!
Dani was quite content with the Diamond Castle Barbie horse that my parents got her! It was "just what I wanted"!!!!!! Too cute! She's been telling everyone she sees... the nursery ladies, ladies at church, Mr. Don from King Soopers... if she made eye contact, they KNOW about her sparkling Diamond Castle horse!
And Tyler? Well, he was just happy as a little clam with the MANY toy cars and trucks that he's gotten so far!
Keven was technically working on Christmas day but was able to be home until the kids went to bed that night! The people that are contracted with the rig and such were all off so as long as things were going smoothly at the rig, he was home! That was so nice and unexpected.
Then on Saturday we went to my Aunt and Uncle's house in Sterling for a celebration with my side of the family. Keven did have to work that day but it was still really fun. It's always nice to see family that you haven't seen for a while! When you see the picture of Tyler and Kylie, keep in mind it was RIGHT before he smacked her the first time. Yes, the first time! The second time he had her under a table and repeatedly slapped her on the face while she was laying down! Don't know what that was all about! I think maybe he didn't want her all up in his business but sheesh boy! And, his fave part of the day was an Elmo that my aunt had in her toy box. He discovered it at the end of the day and loved it so much that she sent it home with him. He is still sleeping with it! We took out the "tickle me" box though! This is not our first time around this parenting block!
We are off again this coming Saturday for our celebration with Keven's family! I'll post again then!
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Local Griswalds and other misc....
Hi all!
I thought I would post a couple of pics and videos from the past few days!
First is the way I found Tyler when I went in to check on him at naptime yesterday. He was obviously much more tired than I realized! He was OUT!
And, tonight we went to see "The Greeley Griswalds". It is a home famous in Greeley for it's Christmas light display that is set to music. All you have to do is go there and set your car radio to the station posted in the yard. And what a show it is. There were several cars there so we didn't stay real long but it was fun. The owner/display dude came to our Suburban and handed out candy canes to the kids. He said this is only the second year that he has set the display to music. So cool!
I thought I would post a couple of pics and videos from the past few days!
First is the way I found Tyler when I went in to check on him at naptime yesterday. He was obviously much more tired than I realized! He was OUT!
And, tonight we went to see "The Greeley Griswalds". It is a home famous in Greeley for it's Christmas light display that is set to music. All you have to do is go there and set your car radio to the station posted in the yard. And what a show it is. There were several cars there so we didn't stay real long but it was fun. The owner/display dude came to our Suburban and handed out candy canes to the kids. He said this is only the second year that he has set the display to music. So cool!
My FAVE Christmas song!
This is my absolute favorite Christmas song. My sweet friend Robyn posted another video of this song on her blog this morning and so I decided to share with all of you too! This version is by Kutless... they are a "harder" Christian band that I enjoy! I think they do a great job!
Whenever I hear this song I wonder what it was like for Mary. I mean, besides wondering what it must've been like raising a sinless Son... I know ALL of you moms have wondered that, right? But, was she privy to some of His knowledge as God in human flesh? Was He limited in His own knowledge of His future crucifixion until, in His humanness, He was ready for it? I know Mary knew He was the Messiah and Savior of humankind, but did she also expect Him to reign as King in that time as the rest of the Jews did? Or did she somehow know the true path that He had to take to provide our salvation? Did she worry when He fell and skinned His knee or did she not because He was God for heaven's sake? Did He get excited about losing His first tooth, when He fashioned His very first carpentry masterpiece on His own, or when He saw His newborn siblings for the first time? Surely He did all of those things as He was fully human and can sympathize with our every emotion according to Hebrews. So many questions only to be answered in heaven! What a wonderous place that will be! And, only because He was first born... and all to die as the sinless sacrifice for you and me! Thank you Jesus!!!!!!
Whenever I hear this song I wonder what it was like for Mary. I mean, besides wondering what it must've been like raising a sinless Son... I know ALL of you moms have wondered that, right? But, was she privy to some of His knowledge as God in human flesh? Was He limited in His own knowledge of His future crucifixion until, in His humanness, He was ready for it? I know Mary knew He was the Messiah and Savior of humankind, but did she also expect Him to reign as King in that time as the rest of the Jews did? Or did she somehow know the true path that He had to take to provide our salvation? Did she worry when He fell and skinned His knee or did she not because He was God for heaven's sake? Did He get excited about losing His first tooth, when He fashioned His very first carpentry masterpiece on His own, or when He saw His newborn siblings for the first time? Surely He did all of those things as He was fully human and can sympathize with our every emotion according to Hebrews. So many questions only to be answered in heaven! What a wonderous place that will be! And, only because He was first born... and all to die as the sinless sacrifice for you and me! Thank you Jesus!!!!!!
Friday, December 12, 2008
What a difference that little "y" makes!
Are you saying to yourself..."Huh?" Girls have the "xx" chromosome and boys have the "xy", right? I am still amazed at the vast differences between girls and boys. Tyler is so stinkin' much fun! He is at a fun age anyway, but the fact that he is a boy after three girls makes all that much more fun! I think God waited to give me an energetic, "all boy" last for a very good reason! I appreciate his differences more than if he were our firstborn I think.
Anyway, the child is naturally drawn to boy things. If he goes in the playroom, which is full to the brim with girly toys, he will pick out the only two cars (which are Barbie-involved somehow) and bring them out into the family room to drive around the uncluttered floor. He loves to stack and build too. He has small wooden blocks that he will just stack and stack for what seems like forever. And some big, plastic lego-like blocks are his fave too.
Well, he just started getting really excited the higher and higher that he can stack the blocks. And he is just as emphatic when his creations fall! Here are a few videos of the event.
I LOVE that boy!
Anyway, the child is naturally drawn to boy things. If he goes in the playroom, which is full to the brim with girly toys, he will pick out the only two cars (which are Barbie-involved somehow) and bring them out into the family room to drive around the uncluttered floor. He loves to stack and build too. He has small wooden blocks that he will just stack and stack for what seems like forever. And some big, plastic lego-like blocks are his fave too.
Well, he just started getting really excited the higher and higher that he can stack the blocks. And he is just as emphatic when his creations fall! Here are a few videos of the event.
I LOVE that boy!
Ornaments & Gingerbread
Today I did a couple of quick but fun things with my kiddos! Mom sent us some ornaments to make in one of her recent packages so we got to put those together. Tyler's was pre-made... thanks Mom! And, the other day a gingerbread train kit caught my eye at the grocery store and I just couldn't resist. We had fun! Oh, and Hannah's class made little gingerbread houses out of their empty milk cartons and grahams crackers. Too cute!
My son made this endeavor a smidge difficult in that he whined about not being able to participate! He quickly made himself busy reaching on his very tippy toes to reach a bowl of candy and dump it, scoot a chair from the dining room to the kitchen counter to try and get into some other candy we have left over from something, and then scooting the same chair to another part of the counter to open the silverware drawer, take all of the utensils out and onto the counter and bang and clang them. It's amazing how much more relaxed a mother will get with time. I just let him be and he had a ball!
My son made this endeavor a smidge difficult in that he whined about not being able to participate! He quickly made himself busy reaching on his very tippy toes to reach a bowl of candy and dump it, scoot a chair from the dining room to the kitchen counter to try and get into some other candy we have left over from something, and then scooting the same chair to another part of the counter to open the silverware drawer, take all of the utensils out and onto the counter and bang and clang them. It's amazing how much more relaxed a mother will get with time. I just let him be and he had a ball!
Friday, December 5, 2008
Happy Birthday Jesus!
Tonight, my neighbor Tara and I (well former neighbor - boo hoo), had our very first neighborhood birthday party for Jesus. I thought of the idea last year but it was too close to Christmas to plan anything. So, you know me, I marked my then new 2008 planner right then and there to start planning early. Thankfully, Tara agreed to help! Thanks Tara! And, the best part is that we thought to use the HOA clubhouse so neither of our houses got trashed! Smart mamas we are! ;)
We started out with a really cute book called "The Light of Christmas" which I would highly recommend. It takes you through the story of Jesus from when God made the world, to the fall, to Jesus' birth, Jesus' ministry and His resurrection. And, it's a picture book that is interesting. Very good! Then we stuck nativity stickers on a manger background, Tara went through the "colors of salvation" with them as they assembled their own color booklets, and we ended with birthday cake and ice cream! It was really quite fun and we hope to make it an annual tradition and pray that even more unchurched kids will be able to come!
We started out with a really cute book called "The Light of Christmas" which I would highly recommend. It takes you through the story of Jesus from when God made the world, to the fall, to Jesus' birth, Jesus' ministry and His resurrection. And, it's a picture book that is interesting. Very good! Then we stuck nativity stickers on a manger background, Tara went through the "colors of salvation" with them as they assembled their own color booklets, and we ended with birthday cake and ice cream! It was really quite fun and we hope to make it an annual tradition and pray that even more unchurched kids will be able to come!
Christmas Celebration
Last night, the girls were in their very first school Christmas program. Can I just say again how much we love their school... that they can proclaim the name of Jesus there proudly! We are so thankful.
The theme of the program was a Christmas County Spelling Bee and the spelling words were all of the names of Jesus. Too cute!
Hannah with some of her classmates waiting to start.
And, of course I have to add videos. Please bear with me as I include ALL of them for the sake of distant grandparents! ;) In the first two Hannah is smack dab in the middle and Marlie is above her head kinda behind the microphone stand.
The theme of the program was a Christmas County Spelling Bee and the spelling words were all of the names of Jesus. Too cute!
Marlie & Hannah before the program with their contestant numbers on!
Hannah with some of her classmates waiting to start.
Hannah's teacher, Mrs. Anderson, using one of her many ingenius tricks to get the kids to settle down!
And, of course I have to add videos. Please bear with me as I include ALL of them for the sake of distant grandparents! ;) In the first two Hannah is smack dab in the middle and Marlie is above her head kinda behind the microphone stand.Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Monday, December 1, 2008
Decorating fun!
Since Keven went back to work on Thursday and we had no plans until Saturday, the kids and I decorated for Christmas! It was fun (although a little stressful!) and turned out cute! Now if I could only get my husband in the spirit to decorate! You think after ten years it will ever happen? ;)
Fun at Chuck E. Cheese
The kids didn't have school last Wednesday and it was Keven's last day off before going back to work for a week so we thought it would be fun to do something as a family. We thought of a couple of fun places that we've never been to but one was closed on Wednesdays and the other was closed until January so... we were left with the good ole standby... Chuck E. Cheese. It was fun because we met Keven's brother Dave and his wife and two kids. What was even more fun was teasing the kids on the way and telling them we were going to another place to eat, one they don't care for. When we got the Chuck E. Cheese, there was a tool store next door so Keven told the girls we had to stop in and get some tools for the rig real fast. He went to the door to Chuck E. Cheese and said, "Is this the right door?" Hannah, just looked at him and turned around saying "Nope this is Chuck E. Cheese!". So funny! They had a ball!
And of course, Tyler had to get his groove on!
Fun times!
And of course, Tyler had to get his groove on!
Fun times!
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Another of my babies is fading away....
My Hannah had her first tooth pulled yesterday! What a doll! Her other tooth was coming in behind so we had to take her to the dentist to have it pulled. Poor thing, we sprung the whole deal on her. I went to pick her up from school and when I told her why we were going she about died. But, she put on her brave face and did a super job!
My BIG GIRL!!!!!!
Saturday, November 22, 2008
GOOOOOOOOOOO Eagles!!!!!!!!
We had the best family time today. We went to the high school state football game and the girls' school won! So exciting! We NEVER do stuff like this hardly. It's just that we've always had a baby to worry about. Now that Tyler is getting bigger we can do more things like this. I am so pumped. It was so stinkin' fun! And of course I had us all decked out in school colors! Go BLUE! ;)
I couldn't resist this picture of the cross on the back of the guys' helmets! I love our school!
We got to the field a few minutes after the game started so there we no seats in the stands. But, that was actually perfect. We were right on the sidelines and the kids were able to play under the bleachers.
Dani had the best time of all I think. She was under the stands just cheering her little heart out!
The cheerleaders. Aren't they great? No immodesty here! LOVE it! From what the girls said they even wear longer skirts with little shorts under them on warmer days and pep rallies. Again, I LOVE our school!
Tyler DUG his hat and gloves. He thought he was the coolest!
And I have to include the video of the end. It's not very good but you get the idea! Sooooo FUN!
It's past my naptime Mommy!
I couldn't resist this picture of the cross on the back of the guys' helmets! I love our school!
We got to the field a few minutes after the game started so there we no seats in the stands. But, that was actually perfect. We were right on the sidelines and the kids were able to play under the bleachers.
Cutie patootie Hannah!
Dani had the best time of all I think. She was under the stands just cheering her little heart out!
The cheerleaders. Aren't they great? No immodesty here! LOVE it! From what the girls said they even wear longer skirts with little shorts under them on warmer days and pep rallies. Again, I LOVE our school!
Tyler DUG his hat and gloves. He thought he was the coolest!
And I have to include the video of the end. It's not very good but you get the idea! Sooooo FUN!Goodness, it's been too long!
I haven't posted many pictures or videos on here in FOREVER it seems. Truth be told... I've been catching up with old friends and family I don't ever get to see or talk to on Facebook which has been FUN!
So, sorry for the jumbled mess!
Daddy reading to Tyler.
This one requires a little background. Marlie has been coming home after school every day and getting out her Bible, a devotion we bought her at some point and her notebook. She "studies" in the mornings if there is time before school and when she gets home from school. I asked her teacher if they have been stressing study of the Word and turns out they are reading "Case for Faith for Kids" by Lee Strobel. Don't know if that has anything to do with it but she has been in the Word and it's awesome. I found this in her room one day when she was at school and couldn't resist the opportunity to capture it on "film". I didn't set it up at all. If you're curious, she was reading Esther at the time. ;)
Marlie with her shoebox for Operation Christmas child. We are going to put these pictures under the tree in place of the gift they are giving up to give the shoebox.
Hannah with her shoebox.
I didn't get a picture of Tyler with his shoebox because he was already in bed. He would've just tried to dig everything out anyway I'm sure.
Friday Marlie's class had a Thanksgiving feast and parents and siblings were included. They had to turn in recipes of their favorite Thanksgiving meals. They put together a book of the recipes to send home and they each had to bring in their prepared recipe on Friday. It was really fun!
This is Marlie in front of her decorated desk and centerpiece that she made. Doesn't she look so proud?!
Marlie and her teacher's 5-year-old son Jacob. Seems Jacob is somewhat smitten with Marlie, as much as a five-year-old can be. Just look at the way he is looking at her. How cute is that? Marlie's teacher said that he HAS to sit by her and be with her if he is in the classroom. Marlie just loves him to pieces!
So, sorry for the jumbled mess!
Hannah reading to Tyler. The boy loves him some books!
Daddy reading to Tyler.
Daddy playing with the kids.
Me & Dani on her first day out of nursery and in the big kid class at church. She's getting TOO big!
Just a cool picture of an oil rig at sunset with the mountains in the background. I took this from our front yard. The picture doesn't do the real thing justice at all!
This one requires a little background. Marlie has been coming home after school every day and getting out her Bible, a devotion we bought her at some point and her notebook. She "studies" in the mornings if there is time before school and when she gets home from school. I asked her teacher if they have been stressing study of the Word and turns out they are reading "Case for Faith for Kids" by Lee Strobel. Don't know if that has anything to do with it but she has been in the Word and it's awesome. I found this in her room one day when she was at school and couldn't resist the opportunity to capture it on "film". I didn't set it up at all. If you're curious, she was reading Esther at the time. ;)
Marlie with her shoebox for Operation Christmas child. We are going to put these pictures under the tree in place of the gift they are giving up to give the shoebox. 
Hannah with her shoebox.
Dani with her shoebox. What a ham!
I didn't get a picture of Tyler with his shoebox because he was already in bed. He would've just tried to dig everything out anyway I'm sure.
Friday Marlie's class had a Thanksgiving feast and parents and siblings were included. They had to turn in recipes of their favorite Thanksgiving meals. They put together a book of the recipes to send home and they each had to bring in their prepared recipe on Friday. It was really fun!
This is Marlie in front of her decorated desk and centerpiece that she made. Doesn't she look so proud?!
Dani eating her meal. Yep, that's Tyler in the background eating.
Marlie and her teacher's 5-year-old son Jacob. Seems Jacob is somewhat smitten with Marlie, as much as a five-year-old can be. Just look at the way he is looking at her. How cute is that? Marlie's teacher said that he HAS to sit by her and be with her if he is in the classroom. Marlie just loves him to pieces!
Monday, November 17, 2008
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Friday, November 14, 2008
My blog... awarded... SERIOUS?!
I guess I just don't think people are all that interested in my life but apparently I am wrong. TWO of my friends and fellow bloggers gave me this:
How crazy is that?! My friend Carrie was the first to give me the award and then Valinda did today. You guys are too sweet! If you click on their names it will take you to their blogs!
How crazy is that?! My friend Carrie was the first to give me the award and then Valinda did today. You guys are too sweet! If you click on their names it will take you to their blogs!
So here are the rules:
1) List 5 things you love.
2) Pass the award on to your 5 favorite bloggers.
3) And put a link back to my blog.
So here are the things that I love:
1) Learning about my Savior's unsurpassing love and grace. It really is amazing!
2) Laughing... I am so blessed to have a husband who helps me in this department and keeps me in stitches nearly every day.
3) That I am THE ONE who can comfort my kids right now - I am trying to relish it while it lasts. Sorry honey, you're a great substitute but there's just no one like mama right now!
4) Praising through song. I love to do it, but not so sure anyone else loves hearing me do it. Except Jesus, He loves a joyful NOISE! How thankful I am for that!
5) My extended family. I am not good and showing it and keeping in touch, but I have been blessed with a wonderful family, INCLUDING the family I married into!
Golly... who do I reward? I don't follow a lot of blogs anyway and the ones I do have been awarded... Let's see!
1) Ambitious African Adventures - This is a wonderful blog of my friend Robyn's who I met incredibly through a message board and feel I am kindred spirits with. Anyway, I don't know if it is open to the public yet but I can assure you you will want to keep up with it as she and her family go into the mission field in Lukulu, Zambia, Africa!
2) The Prague Blog - My niece Michelle who stepped out in faith and moved to Prague for 8 months to teach English. What a girl... no... woman! I love seeing what adventures she takes that I was always too chicken to even think about.
3) KK Ville - My aunt's blog. She is an amazing writer and photographer. LOVE it. You should check out today's entry. It's CRAZY!
4) Journey to Ellison Brook - This is a new blog that I am following of a friend's journey to adopting a little girl. Love her honesty and candor!
5) Kendra's Blog - I don't know for sure if this is open to the public or not... but it is an awesome blog written by my sweet sister-in-law. She is a fantastic woman of faith whom Christ just beams through! If you are able, you HAVE to go there and check out the new pics of their adorable family!
There ya have it!
So here are the things that I love:
1) Learning about my Savior's unsurpassing love and grace. It really is amazing!
2) Laughing... I am so blessed to have a husband who helps me in this department and keeps me in stitches nearly every day.
3) That I am THE ONE who can comfort my kids right now - I am trying to relish it while it lasts. Sorry honey, you're a great substitute but there's just no one like mama right now!
4) Praising through song. I love to do it, but not so sure anyone else loves hearing me do it. Except Jesus, He loves a joyful NOISE! How thankful I am for that!
5) My extended family. I am not good and showing it and keeping in touch, but I have been blessed with a wonderful family, INCLUDING the family I married into!
Golly... who do I reward? I don't follow a lot of blogs anyway and the ones I do have been awarded... Let's see!
1) Ambitious African Adventures - This is a wonderful blog of my friend Robyn's who I met incredibly through a message board and feel I am kindred spirits with. Anyway, I don't know if it is open to the public yet but I can assure you you will want to keep up with it as she and her family go into the mission field in Lukulu, Zambia, Africa!
2) The Prague Blog - My niece Michelle who stepped out in faith and moved to Prague for 8 months to teach English. What a girl... no... woman! I love seeing what adventures she takes that I was always too chicken to even think about.
3) KK Ville - My aunt's blog. She is an amazing writer and photographer. LOVE it. You should check out today's entry. It's CRAZY!
4) Journey to Ellison Brook - This is a new blog that I am following of a friend's journey to adopting a little girl. Love her honesty and candor!
5) Kendra's Blog - I don't know for sure if this is open to the public or not... but it is an awesome blog written by my sweet sister-in-law. She is a fantastic woman of faith whom Christ just beams through! If you are able, you HAVE to go there and check out the new pics of their adorable family!
There ya have it!
Thursday, November 13, 2008
You MUST watch this...oh, and have your tissue handy!
This is the most amazing video picture of our Father's love and sacrifice. Many of you have probably heard this in a sermon or somewhere before but... MAN! It's only about 5 minutes long and so worth it! Just click here and you should be taken to it!
Monday, November 10, 2008
HIS thoughts are not our (MY) thoughts!
I don't know about you guys, but I've been wondering over the past week just what God might be doing through the election of Barak Obama as our next president. I've gone through all of the emotions: sadness because of his stance on those ideals we as Christians hold so dearly, anger as I struggle with judgment issues (my own), excitement to see how God is going to use this and could He be ushering in something REALLY big as we humans see it, amazement because it really is a historic moment to elect someone of color to the highest office in this country. But I have to admit that my primary thought has been that God is just giving us over to ourselves (by that I mean our country as a whole), giving us what we deserve, etc...
As most of you know, I am currently reading "Transforming Grace" by Jerry Bridges. Fabulous! Well, today I was reading the second to last chapter on "Appropriating God's Grace", i.e. taking hold of God's grace. Bear with me here, there is a point.
In this chapter, Jerry Bridges talks about seeing the sovereignty of God in our circumstances. He makes the point that if we are to truly take hold of the grace of God we must see the hand of God behind ALL of our circumstances not just the good. No matter how those circumstances take place or who is behind them, God is ultimately behind it all. Most of us get that right? And, he sites the stories of Job and Joseph. The author of Job gives all the "credit" for Job's troubles to the Lord. And Joseph himself did not blame his brothers for putting him in the pit to eventually be taken into slavery but said "So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God" Genesis 45:8...
My point? Jerry Bridges goes on to point out that it is hard for us to see God's hand in the hard times. And it is isn't it, even though we know better? Here is what Jerry Bridges said to that effect: "Discipline may be either corrective or remedial. It may be sent for the purpose of correcting some sinful attitude or action, or to remedy some lack in our character. In either case, it is administered by our heavenly Father in love, not in wrath. Jesus has already borne the wrath of God in our place, so all adversities that come to us, come because He loves us and designs to conform us to the likeness of His Son." My immediate reaction to what is happening is to say, yep, we are being corrected. And, perhaps we are but not out of His hatred for Barak Obama or because we as Christians have gone so far to the left ourselves! No, it's because He LOVES us that He has allowed Obama in the White House! Do I "get" that? No! But, I do know that He is behind it, orchestrating it.
One more point that I found humbling... I know A LOT of Christians who are not happy in the least with the prospect of an Obama administration or what this country will look like with the extremely liberal slant to his views/prospective legislation and that of our now almost completely liberal executive branch. Think about this one also taken from the book mentioned before "...we tend to evaluate all our circumstances in terms of whether or not they produce happiness. Holiness, however, is a greater good than happiness, so God arranges and orchestrates circumstances to produce holiness before happiness." (emphasis mine)
Now, I say to you, and myself, isn't is quite possible that God did not just allow this man into the White House to punish us as the outright immoral, sinful nation that we've become. Maybe it's not about that at all. Satan has them in his camp. He just might have an avenue to work on us even harder now. So, maybe, just maybe God is using this to produce holiness in us. Are we willing to let Him do that? Are we willing to go through and do whatever it takes to come to that end? I don't know about you, but I have yet to think of the results of this election in that way so...
In addition to praying for our new president as the Scriptures instruct us to, and praying that "those" people's hearts will be opened to the Truth through this, I will now be praying that God would use this time as He sees fit to bring about greater holiness in me, my family, my church and my fellow believers across this nation!
So, I guess all of this could really be summed up in one simple statement. I guess it's not necessarily about "them" but about US!
OFF my soapbox now and on to cooking dinner! Hope that wasn't just a rambling mess to you but I tried to put all the thoughts floating around in my head down as clearly as I could!
As most of you know, I am currently reading "Transforming Grace" by Jerry Bridges. Fabulous! Well, today I was reading the second to last chapter on "Appropriating God's Grace", i.e. taking hold of God's grace. Bear with me here, there is a point.
In this chapter, Jerry Bridges talks about seeing the sovereignty of God in our circumstances. He makes the point that if we are to truly take hold of the grace of God we must see the hand of God behind ALL of our circumstances not just the good. No matter how those circumstances take place or who is behind them, God is ultimately behind it all. Most of us get that right? And, he sites the stories of Job and Joseph. The author of Job gives all the "credit" for Job's troubles to the Lord. And Joseph himself did not blame his brothers for putting him in the pit to eventually be taken into slavery but said "So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God" Genesis 45:8...
My point? Jerry Bridges goes on to point out that it is hard for us to see God's hand in the hard times. And it is isn't it, even though we know better? Here is what Jerry Bridges said to that effect: "Discipline may be either corrective or remedial. It may be sent for the purpose of correcting some sinful attitude or action, or to remedy some lack in our character. In either case, it is administered by our heavenly Father in love, not in wrath. Jesus has already borne the wrath of God in our place, so all adversities that come to us, come because He loves us and designs to conform us to the likeness of His Son." My immediate reaction to what is happening is to say, yep, we are being corrected. And, perhaps we are but not out of His hatred for Barak Obama or because we as Christians have gone so far to the left ourselves! No, it's because He LOVES us that He has allowed Obama in the White House! Do I "get" that? No! But, I do know that He is behind it, orchestrating it.
One more point that I found humbling... I know A LOT of Christians who are not happy in the least with the prospect of an Obama administration or what this country will look like with the extremely liberal slant to his views/prospective legislation and that of our now almost completely liberal executive branch. Think about this one also taken from the book mentioned before "...we tend to evaluate all our circumstances in terms of whether or not they produce happiness. Holiness, however, is a greater good than happiness, so God arranges and orchestrates circumstances to produce holiness before happiness." (emphasis mine)
Now, I say to you, and myself, isn't is quite possible that God did not just allow this man into the White House to punish us as the outright immoral, sinful nation that we've become. Maybe it's not about that at all. Satan has them in his camp. He just might have an avenue to work on us even harder now. So, maybe, just maybe God is using this to produce holiness in us. Are we willing to let Him do that? Are we willing to go through and do whatever it takes to come to that end? I don't know about you, but I have yet to think of the results of this election in that way so...
In addition to praying for our new president as the Scriptures instruct us to, and praying that "those" people's hearts will be opened to the Truth through this, I will now be praying that God would use this time as He sees fit to bring about greater holiness in me, my family, my church and my fellow believers across this nation!
So, I guess all of this could really be summed up in one simple statement. I guess it's not necessarily about "them" but about US!
OFF my soapbox now and on to cooking dinner! Hope that wasn't just a rambling mess to you but I tried to put all the thoughts floating around in my head down as clearly as I could!
Sunday, November 9, 2008
So proud of my kids!
I am so proud of my kids this morning! Well, I was yesterday too but just now got the chance to sit and blog about it! ;)
Anyway, we have a tradition in our family that each of our kids get three presents from us for Christmas. We did that partly to limit ourselves and what we spend on them and because three gifts were mentioned as being presented to Jesus when the wise men visited him. So, if three was sufficient to be mentioned in the Bible, we figure it's plenty for our kids. Usually they each get one BIG thing, an outfit and one little thing...
Well, we also like to participate in Operation Christmas Child. If you are not familiar, this is a ministry that sends out shoeboxes filled by families here in the U.S. to children around the world who might not otherwise receive anything for Christmas. Anyway, as my kids get older, I get more concerned about making sure that Christmas is not centered around them receiving gifts but about the gospel message. My original plan was to fill one shoebox as a family. But, I approached my kids yesterday with the idea of each of them having a box to fill. Here's the catch: they would each give up one of their three gifts to send out a box for the cause. To my surprise, there was no hesitation. I am so proud of them. So, off we went to the dollar store to fill all of our boxes with goodies: crayons, fun jewelry, socks, stickers, candy, puzzles, books.... it was fun! I figured we could stuff WAY more things in the boxes from the dollar store and the kids receiving them would think it as gold!
So, that was my most recent proud mommy moment! Now we will take pictures of them with their boxes to put under the tree as a reminder of their sacrificial giving this year and so they remember, hopefully, that our lives are about sharing, not receiving!
Thank you Jesus for giving to us - Your life, Your Spirit, Your creation... EVERYTHING! May we as parents live out the spirit of giving and sacrifice in front of our kids so we can develop that within them!
Anyway, we have a tradition in our family that each of our kids get three presents from us for Christmas. We did that partly to limit ourselves and what we spend on them and because three gifts were mentioned as being presented to Jesus when the wise men visited him. So, if three was sufficient to be mentioned in the Bible, we figure it's plenty for our kids. Usually they each get one BIG thing, an outfit and one little thing...
Well, we also like to participate in Operation Christmas Child. If you are not familiar, this is a ministry that sends out shoeboxes filled by families here in the U.S. to children around the world who might not otherwise receive anything for Christmas. Anyway, as my kids get older, I get more concerned about making sure that Christmas is not centered around them receiving gifts but about the gospel message. My original plan was to fill one shoebox as a family. But, I approached my kids yesterday with the idea of each of them having a box to fill. Here's the catch: they would each give up one of their three gifts to send out a box for the cause. To my surprise, there was no hesitation. I am so proud of them. So, off we went to the dollar store to fill all of our boxes with goodies: crayons, fun jewelry, socks, stickers, candy, puzzles, books.... it was fun! I figured we could stuff WAY more things in the boxes from the dollar store and the kids receiving them would think it as gold!
So, that was my most recent proud mommy moment! Now we will take pictures of them with their boxes to put under the tree as a reminder of their sacrificial giving this year and so they remember, hopefully, that our lives are about sharing, not receiving!
Thank you Jesus for giving to us - Your life, Your Spirit, Your creation... EVERYTHING! May we as parents live out the spirit of giving and sacrifice in front of our kids so we can develop that within them!
Friday, October 31, 2008
One Nation Under God?
My cousin James posted this on his Facebook last night and I found it quite insightful!
One Nation Under God?
by James Stoppelbein
Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; Psalm 33:12a
The forgotten 3rd verse of our national anthem:
.....Blest with victory and peace, may the Heaven rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust!"....
The seldom heard 4th verse of "America":
Our fathers' God, to Thee,
Author of liberty,
To Thee we sing;
Long may our land be bright
With freedom's holy light:
Protect us by Thy might,
Great God, our King.
Our founding fathers viewed The Almighty God as our nation's King!
Our country was founded on the belief in God, and that the nation would not prosper if we turned our backs on Him.
Paul said, "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God." - Romans 13:1
The very leadership of every nation falls under the hand of God. God will permit whoever He wants to take control, and He just might give us who we deserve. How can the leader of a nation founded "under God" be led by someone who does not believe that he is under God? We may soon find out.
How can we remove God from our courts; from our schools; from our lives?
At the birth of our nation, The Lord was our God. We have since turned from Him. How can we now expect to be blessed as a nation? Just as Israel was preserved and brought to the promised land, so have we. Just as Israel quickly forgot and turned their backs on God, so have we. The very depravity of man truly shows forth in our nation. The desperatly wicked heart boldly shows its face. We have called evil good and good evil. Our nation and her leaders have never before been in need of more prayer than at the present. What are YOU going to do about it?
One Nation Under God?
by James Stoppelbein
Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; Psalm 33:12a
The forgotten 3rd verse of our national anthem:
.....Blest with victory and peace, may the Heaven rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust!"....
The seldom heard 4th verse of "America":
Our fathers' God, to Thee,
Author of liberty,
To Thee we sing;
Long may our land be bright
With freedom's holy light:
Protect us by Thy might,
Great God, our King.
Our founding fathers viewed The Almighty God as our nation's King!
Our country was founded on the belief in God, and that the nation would not prosper if we turned our backs on Him.
Paul said, "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God." - Romans 13:1
The very leadership of every nation falls under the hand of God. God will permit whoever He wants to take control, and He just might give us who we deserve. How can the leader of a nation founded "under God" be led by someone who does not believe that he is under God? We may soon find out.
How can we remove God from our courts; from our schools; from our lives?
At the birth of our nation, The Lord was our God. We have since turned from Him. How can we now expect to be blessed as a nation? Just as Israel was preserved and brought to the promised land, so have we. Just as Israel quickly forgot and turned their backs on God, so have we. The very depravity of man truly shows forth in our nation. The desperatly wicked heart boldly shows its face. We have called evil good and good evil. Our nation and her leaders have never before been in need of more prayer than at the present. What are YOU going to do about it?
Thursday, October 30, 2008
I've decided my daughter is a ham and other random pics and thoughts!
Okay, I just HAVE to share some pictures! I know, I know... not everyone wants to look at pictures of my kids ALL the time but... TOO BAD!
Dani was dressed up the other day! She wanted to dress up in something "scary". I think she had been to art club and they must've talked about scary Halloween costumes or something. Anyway, she wanted an old recital costume of Marlie's from when she was about 3. It was a spider costume because they did their dance to "The Itsy Bitsy Spider". So, I think we must have thrown the rest of the costume out as it was probably in shreds... but as you can see Dani was quite happy with the resulting "costume" and wasn't afraid to pose! Check out the socks! She is just too much!
And, Tyler made a huge mess of himself that night at dinner and it wasn't bath night so Daddy just stuck him in the sink for a quick rinser. He thought he was HOT STUFF! "Whoa!" he says!
Dani loving her new jammies from Grampa and Grammy! Can she strike a pose or what?
I am so proud of my girls. They have adjusted so well from homeschooling to "regular" school. In fact they competed in a spelling bee today and my little Hannah got first place in 1st grade! She was beaming she was so happy, but in her own quiet little way! She got a medal and everything! ;) Isn't she just a doll?
Marlie also competed in the third grade and got third place. You go girl!
Now, today is Dani's official birthday! My baby is not a baby anymore! Ahhhh... Okay, enough of me... Anyway, she got a button from Grammy saying "I'm 4 Years Old Today" that she wore proudly all day! You can see it in the pictures and this was even our second shirt of the day. We had to put the button on the new shirt don'tcha know?! We took cupcakes to my ladies Bible study this morning for the kids and they sang to her there! And, for a few weeks, when we would go the grocery store, Dani was eyeing these fancy caramel apples and I got her one as a surprise for after supper tonight. She was thrilled and super surprised! She was a sweet girl and shared with her mommy and siblings.
What a goofball!
And it just wouldn't be a normal day without some form a shenanigans from Tyler. While we were cleaning up from the apple mess and all getting ready for bed, my precious son went suddenly missing. We looked all over upstairs for him! We looked in Marlie's room, his room, our room, the closets... calling him all the while. I knew he wasn't downstairs because the gate was up at the top. Just as I was starting to get frantic wondering if he snuck outside somehow, I hear Marlie laughing hysterically. She found her brother... sitting IN THE DARK, IN THE BATHROOM SINK, chewing away on Hannah's toothbrush. The child is obsessed with brushing his teeth and toothpaste. I HAD all of the toothpaste in a bathroom drawer. Before we finally got child-proof locks on them, I had to put it up in the cabinet above the toilet. The little stink figured out how to crawl up ON THE TOILET and reach the toothpaste! AND, he could get it open and suck it out of the tube! Anyway... I have NO IDEA how he got in the sink! Hence the reason for including the second picture... to give you a true sense of my theory. He must have climbed ON THE TOILET, stepped up ONTO THE TP HOLDER (you can't see it), and INTO the sink. Now, Tyler is only 18 months old, isn't that quite a feat for a little one? I don't how he managed without falling and killing himself. Between this, climbing onto the top bunk bed, sitting on the kitchen table throwing my fruit onto the floor, cutting his clothes with scissors... I can tell I'm in for a treat with this boy. Maybe I should get a leash!
Doesn't he look so proud of himself?
Dani was dressed up the other day! She wanted to dress up in something "scary". I think she had been to art club and they must've talked about scary Halloween costumes or something. Anyway, she wanted an old recital costume of Marlie's from when she was about 3. It was a spider costume because they did their dance to "The Itsy Bitsy Spider". So, I think we must have thrown the rest of the costume out as it was probably in shreds... but as you can see Dani was quite happy with the resulting "costume" and wasn't afraid to pose! Check out the socks! She is just too much!
And, Tyler made a huge mess of himself that night at dinner and it wasn't bath night so Daddy just stuck him in the sink for a quick rinser. He thought he was HOT STUFF! "Whoa!" he says!
Dani loving her new jammies from Grampa and Grammy! Can she strike a pose or what?
I am so proud of my girls. They have adjusted so well from homeschooling to "regular" school. In fact they competed in a spelling bee today and my little Hannah got first place in 1st grade! She was beaming she was so happy, but in her own quiet little way! She got a medal and everything! ;) Isn't she just a doll?
Marlie also competed in the third grade and got third place. You go girl!Now, today is Dani's official birthday! My baby is not a baby anymore! Ahhhh... Okay, enough of me... Anyway, she got a button from Grammy saying "I'm 4 Years Old Today" that she wore proudly all day! You can see it in the pictures and this was even our second shirt of the day. We had to put the button on the new shirt don'tcha know?! We took cupcakes to my ladies Bible study this morning for the kids and they sang to her there! And, for a few weeks, when we would go the grocery store, Dani was eyeing these fancy caramel apples and I got her one as a surprise for after supper tonight. She was thrilled and super surprised! She was a sweet girl and shared with her mommy and siblings.
What a goofball!
And it just wouldn't be a normal day without some form a shenanigans from Tyler. While we were cleaning up from the apple mess and all getting ready for bed, my precious son went suddenly missing. We looked all over upstairs for him! We looked in Marlie's room, his room, our room, the closets... calling him all the while. I knew he wasn't downstairs because the gate was up at the top. Just as I was starting to get frantic wondering if he snuck outside somehow, I hear Marlie laughing hysterically. She found her brother... sitting IN THE DARK, IN THE BATHROOM SINK, chewing away on Hannah's toothbrush. The child is obsessed with brushing his teeth and toothpaste. I HAD all of the toothpaste in a bathroom drawer. Before we finally got child-proof locks on them, I had to put it up in the cabinet above the toilet. The little stink figured out how to crawl up ON THE TOILET and reach the toothpaste! AND, he could get it open and suck it out of the tube! Anyway... I have NO IDEA how he got in the sink! Hence the reason for including the second picture... to give you a true sense of my theory. He must have climbed ON THE TOILET, stepped up ONTO THE TP HOLDER (you can't see it), and INTO the sink. Now, Tyler is only 18 months old, isn't that quite a feat for a little one? I don't how he managed without falling and killing himself. Between this, climbing onto the top bunk bed, sitting on the kitchen table throwing my fruit onto the floor, cutting his clothes with scissors... I can tell I'm in for a treat with this boy. Maybe I should get a leash!
Doesn't he look so proud of himself?
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