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?

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?

Pumpkin Carving

Sunday after church we set out to carve a pumpkin for each member of the family. It was a chilly day but full of sunshine! We had fun! Daddy did a lot of the work! What a fun afternoon!

Double Wammie!

Watch out little ladies! We all knew that Tyler had dance moves but vacuum too? The girls will be knocking down my door for these two qualities! I'll keep workin' on him for ya!

He cracks me up. He will run this little vacuum 'til it runs out of juice! Adorable!

Can she really be 4 already?!

We had quite the last couple of days. The girls don't have school on Fridays so we started the weekend by going to a pumpkin patch to pick pumpkins to carve! Yes, Daddy is home for days off! Yeah!!!!!! Anyway, we finally found a patch and all got some pumpkins but I forgot my camera. I was so bummed. Hopefully we'll get to carve them tomorrow!

Next, Marlie and Hannah and I drove to Fort Collins to do their shopping for Dani. They both saved their allowances for several weeks to buy her the new Barbie movie! I am so proud of them. They are all watching it for the first time as I type this! They LOVE the Barbie movies.

Then Marlie's friend Tori came over to spend the night. We made cupcakes for Dani's birthday party today, ate homemade lasagna, and did a lot of giggling! It was fun!

And... today was the party. It was so cute. Marlie, Hannah and Tori did a "crowning ceremony" on Dani this morning for her special day! ALL their idea! All of her friends came over and played, ate pizza, decorated "pupcakes" (that's what Dani calls them), opened gifts and played some more! What a fun day!

Soon, Keven and I are off to eat a good steak dinner and watch Fireproof with Dave, Kendra and another couple. What a busy but FUN couple of days!

Get off your duff and VOTE people!

I've never been one much into politics. Maybe it's something that becomes of increasing interest as you get older... I don't know. But, this election has me riveted! I am anxious to see what God has in store for our country! Will He once again show us favor or will the gavel fall?! Sometimes I get a little fearful of what will happen if the candidate that I DO NOT wish to see in office gets voted in! But then I remind myself that God is still in control and He is not the author of fear! PERIOD!

Anyway, my mom sent me this video and I thought it was good. We are really at a crossroads in this election I think. Pretty serious issues at stake! So, get out and vote people! If you don't, then you can't complain, right?

A MUST, MUST, MUST read!

Okay people! I am not one to usually promote a book or anything. For one thing, I never finish a book, EVER! However, the book that I am currently going through with the ladies' study at church is a serious MUST read!

It's called Transforming Grace by Jerry Bridges. Aside from the Bible, it is the best book I have ever read! It really is that good! It's been one of those books that leave me hungry for more. Not just more of his book, but more of HIS book... the Scripture! It is not milk but definitely meat as far as study of the Word, in my opinion anyway. It has been mind-numbing at times and my jaw has to be picked up off of the floor quite often when reading it! SO GOOD! I am left grateful, more ready to serve out of gratitude and obedience, but mostly I am left falling more deeply in love with my Jesus, my God!

Oh, and if you usually receive a gift from me at Christmas time... don't rush out and buy this book, K? I'm gonna get it for you for Christmas. Unless you JUST can't wait, then just let me know! ;) Sorry to ruin any surprises but we're all big girls, right? :)

Just for you Kylie! "Tydo" dancing!

(and anyone else interested in seeing another video of Tyler dancing!). Check out his moves about midway through. He is a HOOT I tell ya, a HOOT! For those of you who don't KNOW Kylie, she is Tyler's cousin who is about 6 weeks younger. Apparently she LOVES to watch videos of Tyler dancing!

I discovered templates!

Only my fellow digiscrappers will appreciate this. I have discovered the beauty of templates! Oh, I will be using them a lot now! Dad, those cd's you gave me will now be put to good use! Just so you will appreciate my excitement...

This layout took me FOREVER! I mean like 2-3 hours. NO kidding. Partly because I am still learning but mostly because I am a perfectionist and do and redo a bajillion times!



Now, this one that I did tonight took less than 45 minutes and that's with a tutorial and learning how to even use a template for heaven's sake!



I am in love with scrapping again! Look out, my keyboard might catch the house on fire! I have A LOT of catching up to do!

Just sharing!

I just thought I would share a video and few pics from the last couple of days.

Here's a video of Marlie making Tyler giggle! I could watch them play NICELY all day long! ;)



Don'tcha just LOVE fall? The colors are just amazing! Fall and spring are my absolute fave seasons. Even if they are the most unpredictable weather-wise in Colorful Colorado! For some reason the colors outside struck me as we were at the table eating lunch this afternoon so I just went out and snapped some quick pics. So pertiful!

And... since I had the camera handy, I had to take a couple of shots of the kiddos!

Dani - ain't she just precious?

Don't know what he's pointing at now, but isn't his big-boy haircut just darling!?

Okay, I have to quit goofing off and read my Bible study before the big girls get home! Ta ta!

Food for thought!

My.... gosh, I guess "niece-in-law" if that's even a term, sent this in an email to me today! I found it quite thought provoking! Please take time to read it if you have a few minutes. It's not theology, of course, but quite true nonetheless!

SATAN'S MEETING:

Satan called a worldwide convention of demons. In his opening address he said, 'We can't keep Christians from going to church.' 'We can't keep them from reading their Bibles and knowing the truth.'
'We can't even keep them from forming an intimate relationship with their Savior.' 'Once they gain that connection with Jesus, our power over them is broken.'
'So let them go to their churches; let them have their covered dish dinners, BUT steal their time, so they don't have time to develop a relationship with Jesus Christ..'
'This is what I want you to do,' said the devil: 'Distract them from gaining hold of their Savior and maintaining that vital connection throughout their day!'
'How shall we do this?' his demons shouted.
'Keep them busy in the non-essentials of life and invent innumerable schemes to occupy their minds,' he answered. 'Tempt them to spend, spend, spend, and borrow, borrow, borrow.'
'Persuade the wives to go to work for long hours and the husbands to work 6-7 days each week, 10-12 hours a day, so they can afford their empty lifestyles.'
'Keep them from spending time with their children.' 'As their families fragment, soon, their homes will offer no escape from the pressures of work!'
'Over-stimulate their minds so that they cannot hear that still, small voice.'
'Entice them to play the radio or cassette player whenever they drive.' To keep the TV, VCR, CDs and their PCs going constantly in their home and see to it that every store and restaurant in the world plays non-biblical music constantly.'
'This will jam their minds and break that union with Christ.'
'Fill the coffee tables with magazines and newspapers.' 'Pound their minds with the news 24 hours a day.' 'Invade their driving moments with billboards.'
'Flood their mailboxes with junk mail, mail order catalogs, sweepstakes, and every kind of newsletter and promotional offering free products, services and false hopes..'
'Keep skinny, beautiful models on the magazines and TV so their husbands will believe that outward beauty is what's important, and they'll become dissatisfied with their wives. '
'Keep the wives too tired to love their husbands at night.' 'Give them headaches too! ' 'If they don't give their husbands the love they need, they will begin to look elsewhere.'
'That will fragment their families quickly!'
'Give them Santa Claus to distract them from teaching their children the real meaning of Christmas.'
'Give them an Easter bunny so they won't talk about his resurrection and power over sin and death.'
'Even in their recreation, let them be excessive.'
'Have them return from their recreation exhausted.'
'Keep them too busy to go out in nature and reflect on God's creation. Send them to amusement parks, sporting events, plays, concerts, and movies instead.'
'Keep them busy, busy, busy!'
'And when they meet for spiritual fellowship, involve them in gossip and small talk so that they leave with troubled consciences.'
'Crowd their lives with so many good causes they have no time to seek power from Jesus.'
'Soon they will be working in their own strength, sacrificing their health and family for the good of the cause.'
'It will work!'
'It will work!'
It was quite a plan!
The demons went eagerly to their assignments causing Christians everywhere to get busier and more rushed, going here and there.
Having little time for their God or their families.
Having no time to tell others about the power of Jesus to change lives.
I guess the question is, has the devil been successful in his schemes?
You be the judge!!!!!
Does 'BUSY' mean: B-eing U-nder S-atan's Y-oke?

Hits home doesn't it?!

It's been awhile!

Seems like forever since I posted! It's not that there's been nothing going on, in fact we've been busy!

Nothing too exciting though! Same ole same ole. Running kids to school, grocery store trips, art club with Dani, volunteering in Hannah's classroom, movie night at school.... I shutter to think of how busy we're going to be when all four of our kids are involved in various things! Will be a juggling act I'm sure.

Part of the reason it's been a while is because this happened last time I came downstairs to post! I came to add my song to my playlist which I knew would only take a couple of minutes. Okay, maybe five. Tyler was in his room playing very nicely. I heard footsteps overhead and them some banging but figured he was playing with some balls. Nope, when I came upstairs, I discovered him ON the kitchen table throwing all of the apples and oranges out of the fruit basket and onto the floor! Then he proceeded to take all of God's Promises out of their box! See him pointing to them as if to say: "See Mommy? Look what I did!" (In case you are wondering, we have written several of God's Promises on index cards and put them into a box that stays on our table.) PRECIOUS BOY! What amazes me is the short amount of time it took for him to accomplish this! And, as usual, being the good mommy that I am, I had to bust out my camera!

It seems that climbing onto the kitchen chairs has become a favorite pastime of my son! I have to say that I don't discourage the climbing within reason. I figure that he's going to climb, that's what boys do! If he fall, he'll learn his lesson! But, I should probably discourage the many tiny bites taken out of the apples in the fruit basket, huh? This day I decided to just roll with it and let him have a snack of apple. Dani then had to join in!

This past weekend, Keven went elk hunting near Red Feather Lakes with his brother Dave and his dad! Sounds like they had a pretty good time hanging out with one another. No luck with the elk and it was super cold but they had fun nonetheless!

Keven and his dad. Keven says he was being silly flexing his muscles and Dave wasn't supposed to take the picture yet. If you know him like I do... I'm suspect! tee hee!

Some moose that they saw on Saturday! Gotta LOVE the Rockies!

My dad gave Marlie a harmonica when she was littler than Tyler. All the kids have enjoyed it but Tyler thinks he is hot stuff! What a doll baby! I really do think he is musically inclined like his daddy!



Now we're geared for a fairly relaxed weekend. Well, maybe not relaxed - menus have to be made, clothes picked out for next week, bills to be paid, grocery lists to be made - you get the picture. But, there's nothing extracurricular going on! Yay!

We're hoping Daddy will get days off soon. He's had a handful of days at home since the beginning of August. He is building a new rig with his company and it has taken a lot of his time. He has been home most nights even if it's been late. He's been able to be home pretty faithfully on Sundays and he took some days off for hunting... and a day to rescue our children from me. They were going to die if he didn't come home - meaning I was going to kill them. Not seriously of course! You mommies know what I'm talking about!

I guess that's our week in a nutshell! Those of you who know our plight with our very difficult child named Dani, please continue to pray for us! We are in a pit again as far as this is concerned. Please pray for wisdom for us and for consistent and confident discipline on our parts. And, cohesion as a team in parenting! That's so hard to do! This too shall pass!

Until next time... which hopefully won't be as long in coming!

Another great song!

I heard this one on the radio just a few minutes ago! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the words to it. It's the first song on my playlist. The Face of Love by Sanctus Real... Please take the opportunity to listen to the words if you have time! Sorry to post so much music but this is one way that God surely speaks to me so I can't help but share!

My little marksgirls!

Huh? Marksgirls? Well, I couldn't think of the PC term for marksmen so.... SHOOT ME! Ha, ha, ha, ha.... oh, I crack me up!

Well, as you may have read in the previous post, Keven took Marlie and Hannah to a local friend's shooting range to try their little hands at shooting a .17 HMR (Thanks honey, whatever that is!). They were really excited. I prayed when they left for extra safety as this mommy's instincts were to protect them and not let my babies handle a weapon! But, he said they would go over safety first and they did.

They were all three on cloud nine when they got home. I guess they were gone about three hours! Looks like Keven's got him a couple of shooting buddies. The girls did great. Seems Hannah's a natural and Marlie will get a better hang of it with more practice! She's a lot like her mother, these things take practice, LOTS of practice!

Marlie shooting

Hannah shooting


Proud girls!


Their target. Keven said they were shooting at almost 30 yards. Not bad!

Our artwork for the day!

Some of you may not know this but my kids will sit for hours and draw/color. They LOVE it. Sometimes they create some pictures that just amaze me! They get their artsiness (is that a word?) from their daddy, believe me!

Hannah's hunter. She drew this for her daddy who has become quite the gun enthusiast and hunter! And, she drew this BEFORE she went and shot a gun with Daddy this afternoon! (See next post!)

Hannah's drawing of a gun. Keven was pretty impressed! It has a scope and trigger and everything! Again, before the shooting incident!

Marlie's drawing of a lady. I think it's beautiful!

This one is my fave just because of the message! That's my girl! Hope she will shout it from the rooftops!

And, I finally sat down to do a little scrapping. I've had NO time to do it at all lately. Believe me, you all see everything I do so, yah, it's been that long! But, Dani's birthday is at the end of the month so I thought I would just make some homemade invites. If you see this before you get it in the mail, it's comin'! ;)

That girl!

Oh, for those of you who REALLY know Dani, she is just as sweet as she is rotten. Might sound horrible but it's the truth. I've never had anyone challenge me in every way as she does! It'll be interesting to look back in years to come and have a more clear understanding of what God is trying to teach ME through all of this!

Anyway, she was just as cute as pie again this morning! She crawls into bed with me for some snuggle time before we get up to start the day! That was so fun all by itself! But, then she said she was ready to get up! Here's what she said: "Mommy, let's get up!" Points to the window... "It's sunny days! See!?"

I DO love that girl!

Poor Baby!

What a night we had! Poor Dani was up at 2:00 am throwing up. She attempted to go back to her own bed a couple of times only to come back upstairs and upchuck all over again. She was up and down getting sick until after 6:00. I felt so bad for her!

She has been laying on the couch all day watching Noggin. What a treat for her! Mommy the TV Nazi has left the building for the time being! She ran a low-grade fever all morning and hasn't eaten much. It's almost 5:45 and she's been asleep since just after 1:00.

I just have to say that I was a bit of a thankful mama in the middle of the night! Crazy huh? Usually I am SO impatient with children post 9:00 pm until morning. But, I have to say, my time with that little one was sweet last night! She was the cutest little thing. She ended up with me in bed and would reach over to touch me and make sure I was there! One time she found my nose first thing and giggled! She had to be close to mommy! So sweet. I was thanking God for the time but now am praying He will heal her quickly! We'll see how sweet I think she is if we have another night like last night! tee hee! ;)

Oh, now THIS is funny!

I'm sure many of you have seen Anita Renfroe's list of the things said by a mom in any given day set to the William Tell Overture?! Check this out, she's redeemed the dad's as well! Thanks for sharing Carrie, I got a good laugh. Oh, and you'll have to pause my fave song on the sidebar! ;)