Pictures from Christmas

Here are a few pictures from last week. My sister and brother-in-law both had to work on Christmas Eve, although my sister only had to work a half day. My sister's mother-in-law usually watches Kailyn but my mom took her for the morning so she and Noah could play together. They made a gingerbread house and Kailyn hosted a tea party in the playroom upstairs.
My mom was the first victim of the tiara and feather boa. Kailyn, dressed in her stylish purple cat glasses, took frequent trips to the "store" (bedroom across the hall) for necessities such as ice cream and also to Home Depot for wood.

She dressed me in a fireman's hat and sweet '80s glasses.

Even Uncle Tim joined in although he was able to escape costume.

I think Ellie was disappointed the food wasn't real. It's her first tea party, though!

This was the best picture I could get of the three of them on Christmas day. I wish Ellie's teeth would come through so she wasn't such a waterfall of drool.

We actually went to the beach in Grand Haven for a few minutes on Sunday. Ellie and I stayed in the car while Tim tried to take Noah for a closer look at all the ice. They didn't last long. It was a very cold day. The waves were much bigger than we thought they would be although you can't tell from this picture.

New Blog!

My good college friend, Jen, and I decided to start a blog. It's meant to be one of accountability for a healthy lifestyle. Whether to you that means weight loss, exercise, healthy eating or whatever - it encompasses all of them.
We decided that we're tired of sitting around talking about how we wish we could lose weight, tone up, eat better, etc. Yet we realize that accomplishing these things are easier when you have someone alongside you. We assumed others probably feel the same way, so why not all connect together over this world wide web?
You set a goal. For instance, my goal is to work out three times a week. Every day that I work out I'll leave a comment on that day's post saying what I did for exercise. This way, because I know that Jen is going to expect me to reach my goal, she is holding me accountable even if it's not in person.
We're also going to feature recipes, healthy snack ideas, exercise tips and whatever else is suggested by people participating with us.
It's kind of like a Weight Watchers or fitness program except that it is free.
Are you trying to lose weight or lead a healthier lifestyle, too? Most people choose some type of health related New Years Resolution. If you are, too, join with us at Beyond Bottles and Burpcloths! If you know others who could use some encouragement, motivation and accountability, tell them too!
I just posted for the first time today and haven't had a chance to really work on the layout and set-up so excuse us as we navigate our way through this for a couple weeks.

Tasty Treat Tuesday

Like my Triple-T title?
Noah and I have stumbed upon a yummy and healthy snack this week that I thought I would share. You'll need an apple, peanut butter, honey, oats and an apple corer.
1. Core the apple, making sure to leave it whole (for instance - don't use the corers that also slice the apple.)
2. Mix some peanut butter, honey and oats together. I don't have measurements because I just eyeball all of it and use more or less of certain items. Your goal is to have enough to fill the space left by the core of the apple....leading to the next step...
3. Fill the middle of the apple with the peanut butter mixture. Pack it in tight.
4. Slice the apple crosswise.
Voila! Apple rings with a yummy middle.
This snack can be messy and it might take a couple times making it before you get the right combo and everything. The first time we made it I didn't stuff the middle enough and so when I sliced it, the filling pretty much fell out of the rings. In this case, we just scooped up the mixture with our apple slices and enjoyed it just the same!

Pop!

We had a pretty great Christmas. Just one piece of exciting news from the past week - my sister is pregnant. Some of you may remember me posting and asking for prayer back in September as she miscarried. She has a daughter who is two years old. Kailyn was a high-risk pregnancy, and after the miscarriage, Stephanie's doctor is again paying close attention to her. She is now 7 weeks along and has already had two appointments, an ultrasound and has another appointment this coming week. Things are looking great so far and she is feeling very sick, which is always a blessing and a curse when you're experiencing it.
Tim and I were able to go on a date Tuesday night. It was the best part of the entire week I think. We used some Christmas money to go to dinner at Tomato Brothers, one of our favorite restaurants. They have the best breadsticks you will ever taste. It was soooo good. Before dinner we went over to the outlet mall and I updated my wardrobe thanks to some birthday money. I haven't clothing shopped for myself since the weekend I found out I was pregnant with Ellie, so that was a long time ago. I did go once at the beginning of my pregnancy to get a couple shirts but that was it. Anyways, we found some great deals at the outlet mall and I came home with three sweaters, a long sleeve shirt, a tank top for next summer (or to wear under a sweater or cardigan now), and a cami. I know money doesn't buy happiness...but it sure boosts the self-esteem when you can wear some clothes that aren't covered in spit up or have holes.
Christmas day was beautiful weather. We spent some time sledding, riding snowmobiles, playing in the snow and inside we played the Wii and visited. I beat my sister in bowling but my mom killed me in tennis. She does have an advantage since it's her Wii.
My birthday was yesterday. The big 2-8. The older I get, the less exciting my birthday is. It just becomes like any other day. Tim really tried, though, to make it feel like it was a day off for me. He insisted on getting the kids' breakfasts, cleaning up, etc. so that I could just sit and do what I wanted. Unfortunately, my dad had to work and my mom had come down with the flu and had quarantined herself to their room in the basement so it felt kind of weird but that's ok. We came back home in the afternoon and met the Nashes for dinner at Applebee's. They gave me a great birthday present - some food from Trader Joe's (I have never been to one so Jeana was giving me a "preview" for when I get a chance to get over to the one in Ann Arbor) and the Sara Groves' Christmas CD, which is great! It really is a wonderful CD. After the kids went to bed last night Tim let me pick what movie to watch. We had borrowed "Music & Lyrics" from Matt and Jeana awhile ago and hadn't watched it yet so I picked that one. It was cute. It's one of those movies that's good for snuggling up with the one you love, but don't expect it to lead to any thought-provoking discussions. Just a cutesy movie. However, I will confess that I do love '80s music and, as a result, I will leave you with this clip from the movie. Enjoy!

Merry Christmas!

We leave tomorrow morning to spend the rest of the week at my parents' house. I will probably take a break from the internet to enjoy time with family and friends so I just wanted to jump on real quick tonight and wish everyone a wonderful and merry Christmas.

May it be filled with laughter and love.

Remember the true reason we celebrate - not for presents or Santa Claus or an excuse to eat another huge meal with lots of cookies and desserts. Every Christmas morning since I was young the first thing I do when I wake up is sing "Happy Birthday" to Jesus. I have started this tradition with Noah as well. Take the time to marvel in the precious baby that came to offer us salvation.

I'm looking forward to sharing with you a fun announcement when I return (no - I am not pregnant or moving or any big life change!)

On a side note, the tree we had this year was free from the realtor who we worked with in buying our house. It is my favorite tree that we have ever had and, sadly, because we travel for our holidays we actually took it down tonight. We always have the only tree thrown outside before Christmas day. It's quite pathetic.

Merry Christmas!

We WISH You A Merry Christmas

Today was Noah's Christmas program at preschool. My parents drove over for the morning to watch and then visit and have lunch afterwards. Tim took the morning off work to go to it. Actually, he and all the other dads were there. I think just about every kid had grandparents there as well. For there being 15 kids in the classroom they really had a packed out audience in the church sanctuary (his preschool is at a local church.)

I was a bit nervous before they started. After all, this was his first performance. I wasn't sure if he was going to run out and sit with us instead of participating, if he would stand there and cry, or stand there and do nothing or if he would soak it all up.

He soaked it up.

By the last two songs he was belting them out. I really don't mean singing, just yelling the words at the top of his lungs. I like the little girl next to him that just enjoyed jumping up and down. All the kids did great. No tears. After the first song, there was a kid who thought they must be done so he started running to his parents but they said, "No, go back up" and he did. He kind of had a "Oh, yeah. I forgot" look on his face.

We had cookies and punch afterwards and were given the Christmas presents our kids made us. Noah presented us with a medium size pretzel coated in glitter. Tim hates glitter and the mess it makes in the house so he whispered to me to ask if we had to bring it in the house. Of course! What was he thinking? Sure enough we got home and hung it on the tree and, thank God for the tree skirt, because there is a good size pile of glitter underneath where the pretzel is hanging. But Noah is so proud of it and I am so proud of him.

And, yes, between the emotions of Christmas and watching my little boy get older and PMS, I did actually cry during their first song. In a discreet way, of course.

They opened by walking up the aisle ringing their little bell wreaths and singing "Jingle Bells." They then sang it again after they were positioned up front.

This next video is not the best visual quality but is so that you can hear Noah. He's the loud one.

Dear Fitting Room Mirror

Dear Fitting Room Mirror,
I do not like the games you play. It should be your job to make me look good when I am trying on clothes. Yesterday you failed miserably.
The moment I walked in with my three shirts I knew it was not going to be a fun time. I looked in the mirror and my face looked horribly pale and dark were the circles under my eyes. You made me look washed out in the first sweater and chunky in the second. Is it possible to even have that chub there? I thought to myself. Let's not even talk about the third shirt.
How is it that I could try on that first sweater the day before and it looked great? Then when I come back to use my gift card it looks blah? I am glad I tried the sweater on again since you are apparently lied to me the first time. Or maybe you lied to me last night.
What is with your lighting? It made me look sickly. I cannot possibly look like that in real life. I won't accept it.
My husband had just been telling me the day before that it looked like I was losing weight and when he hugged me I felt thinner. I had been feeling thinner as well when my jeans started to hang a bit. You did not get this memo apparently.
Now it is possible this is not all your fault. I am supposed to have a "visitor" coming soon and in preparation of the arrival I have been eating a bit more sweets than usual. I believe there might be some bloating as well as my jeans have been feeling a wee bit snug. But, really, can't you lie to me a little?
I'll be back, Fitting Room Mirror. This isn't over.
Sincerely,
A Disgruntled Woman

It's True!

When we were on our way home last week my good friend, Kelly, called and I was able to chat with her for awhile (not much else to do while you're riding in the car.) She said she had thought of me because she was listening to Midday Connection and Sara Groves was on it. The host was interviewing her about her new Christmas CD and they were playing songs from it as well. Kelly said she laughed and cried and loved it and that I needed to listen to it in the archives when I got home.
Last Thursday during the kids' naptime while I started my Fetching (see photo in post below) I listened to it. I laughed and cried and loved it. I loved it so much I listened to it again the next day during their naptime, after I listened to the interview with Fernando Ortega about his Christmas CD (also worth the time.) I then made Tim listen to it with me that night.
Yes, I am slightly obsessive when I find something that really gets me. What's your point? It's like when you put a song you like on repeat when there is a whole CD waiting to be listened to.
Anyways...
One song in particular really got me. I cry every time I listen to it. So I think you should to.
Click on the link.
"It's True" by Sara Groves

Do you ever stop to take the time and be truly in awe of what God has done for us? That He loves us SO much He would come to find us? I think so often we think of God as one of us, as our equal or just one of the gang. He came to be among us, yes, but He is not one of us. We underestimate His glory anymore.
In today's "seeker-sensitive" church culture I think we have taken away the wonder of God. We want Him to be user-friendly and fit our wants and desires. Have we forgotten that He is ruling over us in Heaven? He is so awesome that He cannot even show Himself to us in His true form. He was a burning bush when He spoke with Moses. When Isaiah sees just a vision of God, he has to use the word "like" because he does not even know how to describe His beauty and power. There are no words to describe Him in our language.
Don't belittle our God.
Don't take away from who He is.
Yet be in awe of Him.
His glory.
His beauty.
His mercy.
His love.
His forgiveness.
Then think of the fact that this awesome, wonderful, glorious God came to find you. He wants you to be with Him for eternity. He wants to adopt you in to His family.
Your jaw should be hitting the floor.
Your heart should beat a little faster.
It's ok to be teary or choked up.

It's true!

*If you want to listen to the Midday Connection program with Sara Groves' interview, click here.*

Photo Catch-Up

Here are some photos from our trip to Virginia over Thanksgiving weekend, as well as a couple extras.Luke and Noah in the parking circle for the EPA building.Noah building a tower in the Invention at Play section in the Smithsonian Museum of American History.Ellie's opinion of the whole thing.

My silly nephews, Owen and Cameron, on either side of Carter.

I had the chance to meet my blog friend, Daniella, while we were there. She and her family live not too far from Tim's family members.

Noah taking Daniella's daughter, Charlie, for a spin. She hopped right on behind him!
When we got home, Tim spent the next day washing his paint dropcloths before starting his next job. He hung them over the canopy of the guest room bed to dry and Noah and Ellie thought it was fun playing peek-a-boo with him through the cloths. OK, I love my daughter, but doesn't her head look big here - like it's the same size as Noah's or something? It must be just the picture, though, because although her head is in a high percentile, it's not as big as her older brother's!

And aren't these just Fetching? Actually, that's what they're called. This was my practice one so I could get a feel for the pattern and especially because I've never attempted cable-knit before (which turned out to be easier than I thought!.) I LOVED working on this project. I want to use a different yarn next time and now I know what needs to be done differently (as in, it should be longer on my hand.) Thanks for turning me on to the pattern, Rachel!

I Love a Giveaway!

Go to this blog for a chance to WIN some Land's End prizes. Winners choose from a cashmere sweater, rolling duffel bag or kid slippers. I love free things although I'm not usually good at winning things like this. Random selections don't usually fall on me but maybe they will you! You just have to leave a comment on the post of what item you would pick.

Simplicity

Yesterday was the youth group girls' Christmas party. We held it at my house and combined the jr. high and high school groups; this made it easier on the female leaders: Mandy, Elisabeth and myself. We decorated cookies, had a gingerbread house making contest (high school won!), ate a Christmas dinner of roast, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole and rolls and then went caroling.
Eleven girls and three leaders went marching down my street stopping at any house with lights on inside to sing a Christmas song and then yell "Merry Christmas" before heading to the next one. I wasn't sure what to expect. I've never really caroled in a neighborhood, just nursing homes. Do we knock first or just start singing? Will they open their doors?
A few did. The first house we stopped at was my neighbor's. She is a very nice older woman. I think she didn't know what to make of us because she peeked through her drapes but never actually opened anything. Slightly discouraged we went to a house across the road that belongs to the grandparents of a friend of mine.
Her grandpa opened the door and listened while we sang. He thanked us when we finished and watched as we headed to the next house. We had no response from the next house but then the house after, an older woman came to her door and listened. She also thanked us and kept her door open to listen as we walked to the next house. A woman and her young son came to the door, opened it and then disappeared. A moment later she returned with her husband who joined in as we sang "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer." He told us how great it was we were caroling and thanked us. We went to a few houses after his, only getting response from one more.
I got teared up at one of the houses, with the elderly woman, as I realized how sad it is that no one knows how to respond to this anymore. First of all, most of the girls in my youth group are either involved in choir or band. They practiced while they were making cookies, deciding who would take lead and who would sing harmony, etc. and sounded absolutely beautiful. I did not sing most of the time because it would have tainted their angel voices. A few held candles (mostly so we could see the song lyrics) and it was like a painting as big snowflakes fell around us. I hope my mental snapshot keeps for a long time.
When we returned we read the Christmas story and talked about what Christmas means to each of us, what the things are that excite us during this time. Most of them said the presents, which doesn't surprise me given their ages. A few lamented the fact their parents said they would be scaling back this year. Mandy and I (Elisabeth had left by this point so she could put her son to bed) reminded them of the importance of Christmas and told them how much we enjoyed the simplicity of it this year due to economic times.
Simplicity.
I love it.
I love that this year I am not stressed out about what to buy for people because most of our family members are not buying gifts for one another. We simply can't. Tim and I cashed in some points from our bank accounts to get a couple gift cards for each other. It was free. We'll spend $5 on each of our kids and that's it. Some may think we're cheap. I don't care. Our kids aren't really hurting for any toys right now as it is. I want to start early in showing them that this season is not about getting things they want. We do love to give gifts, but we aren't going to send ourselves into debt to do it. I want to teach them to be genuinely thankful, not just to say the words.
One of my youth group girls wailed to me yesterday about how we don't have a TV. "Does Noah even know who Dora is?" she asked. I told her that he does and that he prefers Diego. "What about Backyardigans?" she fought back. I told her that he loves his backyard friends, the Backyardigans and watches them at my parents' house. She continued to ask me how we watch certain shows and I told her that there are some we just don't. We have our few favorites that we watch online but that's it. During the winter we seem to spend more time reading, watching movies, I knit, Tim falls asleep on the couch...it's a much quiter time for us.
We like it that way. We spend so much of our time going, going, going. Winter is our time to hibernate in a sense. I'm sure part of is the weather and the fact no one wants to drag their kids out and about when it's cold and snowy. So we spend more time with those in our household reconnecting and enjoying each other.
How can you simplify your life right now? Do you need to? Can you think of the last time you spent an evening sitting on the couch with your spouse talking about your dreams in life or reminiscing about the good old days before kids? =) Tim and I sometimes play a game where we ask each other questions about ourselves to see if the other can answer. It varies from things like "What is my favorite color?" to "What was my favorite vacation that we took together?" or "What do I want to be when I grow up?" As people we are always growing and changing and what might have been our favorites at what time, aren't anymore. Tim and I want to continue to know each other. We don't want to be the people who become empty nesters and look at each other to say "Who are you?"
Take some time to simplify this year. You won't be sorry that you did but you might be sorry if you don't.

Does it bother anyone else...

that Obama picked Jennifer Granholm to be one of his economic advisors?
Seriously - the woman who has helped run the state of Michigan into the ground?
Bad move.

Loads of Fun

Whew! We are on the road from Virginia to Ohio right now. I love having an Internet card because we pretty much plug it into the laptop and can use it wherever we have cell phone reception. Because we have Alltel - which has awesome reception - I am using my internet in the mountains. Nice. It is kind of my escape at the moment while the kids are napping in the back and Tim is singing along with the blaring Relient K music.

We had a great Thanksgiving weekend. This was our first Thanksgiving without a big feast. Wednesday we traveled to my in-laws' house in Ohio. Thursday we had turkey sandwiches and cranberry sauce for lunch and then hit the road for Virginia. We arrived at Tim's cousin's house shortly after 7:00. We let Noah run around for a little bit with their son, Carter, and then it was bedtime. Noah likes having boys to play with because it's all about tag, trains, trucks and motorcycles.

On Friday we went into DC with Jeremy, Carrie, and their boys (Carter, Luke & Brayden.) Carrie's dad is the director of the Environmental Protection Agency and he hooked us up so that we could park in his parking circle. It was free and close to the things we were planning to see - perfect. Carrie took us inside to show us her dad's office and we ate our picnic lunch in there (since the weather turned out to be cold and dreary) and fed Ellie as well. That was fun. You feel like you're in the movie "National Treasure" while you're in there...like there are secret passages and all sorts of things hidden around you. Originally the plan was to tour the White House but Carrie got a call a couple days before saying that they would be decorating for Christmas and so we couldn't come. Bummer. Oh, well. After finishing lunch we walked down to get a picture at least.

We also went to the Museum of American History. I love that the Smithsonian museums are free. I hate that they are free. It is great not having to pay, but everyone and their brother are there as well and it is crowded. We made it through the Innovation and Play section and the history of Transportation section and then called it a day. That particular museum had just opened a few weeks before from being closed for awhile for renovation.

Saturday was crazy busy. That morning Jeremy and Carrie held a brunch at their house. Jeremy's brother, Jonathan, and his family (wife and four kids) came over. Tim's sister, Kristen, and her family (husband and four boys) - in from Tennessee - came over. Thirteen kids. Under the age of eight. Chaos. Fun. I love it even though by the end I'm totally wiped out. Ellie kept spitting up that day. It was my first day giving her peaches so I don't know if her tummy was getting used to them or what. She had a gigantic spit up session while Jon's wife, Shelley, was holding her. It's a good thing Ellie was facing out with her back against Shelley's stomach so she didn't get her, just the floor. After it happened I grabbed a burp cloth, Carrie grabbed paper towel and Shelley stood there with Ellie while we cleaned up around her. It dawned on me at that moment how obvious it is that we are parents because none of us freaked out like childless people would have. No gag reflexes, just calm and control like it's part of the norm. Because it is. We had about a two hour break between everyone leaving and then having to leave for Tim's grandma's 90th birthday party, which was the whole reason we were down there.

Tim's aunt is not known for doing things half-heartedly and the party was more evidence of such. She had it catered and the food was fantastic! Chicken marsala, mashed potatoes that you could put baked potato toppings on if you so desired, crispy green beans, squash, beef tips, and for the kids - chicken strips and macaroni-n-cheese. Two more kids were thrown into the mix from earlier with the arrival of another cousin so there were now fifteen kids under the age of eight running around. Randy and Deidra unfortunately had to cancel their travel plans at the last minute because Wyndham woke up with a stomach bug that morning. We were all pretty bummed and missed them. Tim's cousin, Andrew, has a son that couldn't make it either. Everyone else was there and it was pretty amazing to have even that many people be able to make it. Grandma was excited and held up pretty well for a ninety-year old woman sitting in the middle of a tornado of people.

After getting home, the kids went straight to bed and Tim and I stayed up for awhile chatting with Jeremy and Carrie. We really enjoy spending time with them so that was nice.

Sunday was Luke's birthday and the departure of family members as well from VA. Tim and I wanted to give Jeremy and Carrie some family time for Luke's birthday so the day worked out nicely as we went back to his aunt's house to visit with his sister before they left for Tennessee. After a nice lunch of leftovers we headed into an area outside of DC to meet Daniella, someone I randomly "met" through Angie Smith's blog. We have corresponded back and forth and she invited us over when she found out we would be in the area. She is married with an adorable toddler daughter. We were a bit nervous beforehand - I mean, who really gets a chance to actually meet people they have come to know through blogworld? When we were driving back to Jeremy and Carrie's that evening, Tim made the comment that he wished they lived in our area because they were really nice people that you can feel easy and comfortable with. Thanks for a fun visit, Daniella!

We made it back for the kids to play for a little bit before bedtime and then we adults chatted again for a bit. Tim and I finally dragged ourselves to bed to be able to have some energy for our travels today. We are currently traveling through Pittsburgh and approaching a tunnel. Noah is excited.

I have photos but will have to post them later because most of them are not on our laptop yet. For now, though, I can leave you with one that I had already put on here a couple days ago.

Thanks Jeremy and Carrie for an AWESOME stay! We had a blast.

When God Speaks...

...how well do you listen?
I can count on one, maybe two, fingers the amount of times that I feel I have heard God speak to me in a without-a-doubt-that-was-God-speaking-audible voice. I feel He speaks to me through different ways: music, books, other people by reminding me of things I need to hear or revealing things to me. I do not often hear a voice though. Maybe part of it is because I never know if it's God speaking or me going crazy and having voices in my head.
I have had a rough time lately as I have struggled through my thoughts on church. What is church, exactly? What is the purpose? Is the church (as an institution) what God intended? Is it fulfilling its purpose if it is? And on and on and on. I had a very personal and hurtful experience happen in my beginning college years involving my home/childhood church. It led me into two seperate counseling experiences which led me to forgiving my childhood pastor and overcoming my mistrust of pastors in general. Every once in awhile, however, I can feel the old thoughts coming back and I have to give them over to God again.
Within the past couple weeks I have started listening to Moody Bible Radio station often. In the past I have listened to Family Life on WCSG during lunch times. I love it. Then I stumbed across the Moody station and have found all sorts of new shows and speakers to listen to. It's been great. My sister-in-law, Deidra, also has been sending resources my way of books and articles to read, speakers to listen to, etc. A few years ago she was where I am now in the kind of question asking mode. Anyways, the past week has been great for me. I have let go (again) of bitterness toward the church as an institution. It's not perfect after all and never can be. I think this Sunday I was finally ready and willing to hear what had to be said during the sermon and God spoke to me...through what Paul had to say but more incredibly, through His voice that I could actually hear. As I was listening to Paul talk about how we don't do things through our strength but through God's (he was going over Isaiah 6:5-8) and so what kind of God leap are you going to take, I felt a voice press against my heart.
Write.
Um, sorry God. What? Was that even You?
Silence.
As we started to sing the last set of songs to close out the service, the first one was called "Found" by Hillsong. (By the way, I love Hillsong.)
Write.
There it was, pressed upon me again. Immediately tears came to my eyes.
I can't God.
Not on your own, but you can with my strength.
Enter chin quiver to accompany tears while praying people are too involved with singing to notice me in my little area against the wall.
What if I fail?
Write.
What do I write?
He brought to mind a prologue for a book I started back in September. I wrote it, showed it to Tim and a friend who both thought it was great and told me they couldn't wait to read more, then let fear take over me and haven't touched it since.
Well, ok, God. I'm going to trust You on this one.
"And I found myself in You, Lord..."
(Remember to pause music on the right side.)

Easy Gift Cards

I'm going to throw a little plug on here for two reasons.
#1. Who doesn't need/want gift cards?
#2. It's free and easy.

I was on moneysavingmom yesterday and read about something called Swagbucks. You can read her post here about it or you can see how one woman earned enough to do all her Christmas shopping here.
You register to use Swagbucks as your search engine and then you get Swagbucks when you do a search. Your swagbucks can be used toward gift cards. I installed the toolbar, started searching this morning and have already earned some bucks.
If you want to earn even more, then you can refer people and get extra swagbucks when they sign up. Hence, another reason I'm posting this on my blog. If you decide you want to look into and sign up for this, please use my referral code:
http://swagbucks.prodege.com/?cmd=sb-register&rb=246394
I also like it because I use Google as my primary search engine and Swagbucks searches by Google and ask.com.

I'm off to search for some knitting patterns!

Read This Book

I just finished reading Redeeming Love, by Francine Rivers. I read it in college and then again afterwards and now I completed my third time reading it.
It is one of the best fiction books I have ever read. It is heartbreaking and beautiful and...just, everything. I love it. I have read many, if not all, of Francine Rivers' books and this might be my favorite. I think it is.
So go read it. Now. Female, male - everyone should read it.
If you have read it already, what were your thoughts?

I Feel Like...

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Do you ever feel like that? Just kind of jumbled? Like you're running from one thing to the next and the next and you just want to slow down? That's my today.
Life has been fairly calm lately. Just little stuff here and there...but today, ay yi yi. I was late getting out of the house to get Noah to preschool, came home and worked on his quilt the whole time. Then after picking him up I came home, shoved food into them and put them down for some nap/quiet times because at 1:30 we have to leave again, which means I am going to be waking them up from their sleep. I am typing this as I shove food into my own mouth (it's all about multi-tasking, right?) I have to run to the store, drop Noah off at Matt and Jeana's, go to my STATS meeting, tell some kids that their personal talks were rotten (actually, I'll be much nicer than that), go back to Matt and Jeana's, make some toffee for holiday gifts, have dinner, play, put the kids to bed over there, have our Love and Respect Bible study, and then roll on home sometime between 10 and 11:00.

All I really want to do is finish Noah's quilt because I'm so close. Then I want to make a cup of hot cocoa, sit down with my knitting, and put on some music to relax with.

But for now....asd;kljfwoaientoiwrengoirngo;irehoginrgoirenogin.

Clap On...

Ellie learned to clap last week. Now she does it all the time, especially when we say "Yea!" or "Good girl!"
You'll want to pause the music on the right and also, I apologize for my singing voice. =)

Heaven in the Eyes of a Child

Last Thursday Tim was meeting with the guys from our small group so I was left to put the kids to bed on my own. Ellie was crabby and tired so she went down earlier than usual. I was kind of glad because then this left me some time to play with Noah, just the two of us.
Later, while going through the bedtime routine, he picked out the book he wanted to read. It was a book of Bible stories and when we were done reading it I decided that I should probably start talking to him more about all of that. I was also inspired by my friend Rachel, who tried to talk to her son about it awhile ago.
I started with Creation and then skipped to Jesus as I could tell I was starting to lose him. I ended by telling him that someday, if he accepts Jesus into his life, he will not only be his friend but that Noah would be able to live in Heaven forever with Mommy and Daddy and (insert names of grandparents, aunts and uncles.) At this point he got very excited.
"And we will be able to watch "Dora" forever and ever!" he exclaimed.
Slightly thrown off, I said, "No. I don't think so. We will get to sing, though. We will get to sing songs to God as much as we want." I figured he would love this idea since he sings all day long.
"No, Mama. We watch "Dora" in Heaven. Together. Forever."
First of all, we don't even watch "Dora the Explorer" at our house so I'm not sure where she is even coming from.
Secondly, as my mom pointed out when I was telling her about our conversation, if we are watching "Dora the Explorer" for eternity than she is pretty sure we're in hell.
Well, I tried, right? It's all about planting the seeds....

Seven Prayers For Seven Days

I would encourage all you moms (and dads!) to read this post and do it with your kids. I have felt convicted lately of not praying enough for my children.

Perfect Days

Well, except for the outcome of the election.
Saturday was beautiful fall weather. I cleaned the inside of the house like crazy - it just felt like one of those days where it should be done. By that afternoon, with the sun shining inside so brightly and everything dusted and swept and scrubbed, my place looked sparkling! Tim did outside work while I was inside. I helped him rake leaves for a bit in the afternoon. We had so many all over the backyard. Of course, by Sunday afternoon, the leaves were getting their revenge already. Today I raked the front yard because the tree in front decided to drop almost all its leaves at the same time this morning. I couldn't even see the grass by this afternoon. I did it so Tim wouldn't have to pull in from work and see all the leaves. I already catch him mumbling out the back door window at the leaves sometimes. He feels so defeated by them.
Today was another good day, except I woke up to find that Obama is our next president AND that the proposals passed in Michigan. I have to admit I was more upset about the approvals of the proposals than Obama. Proposal One was for the legalization of marijuana for medical purposes. I am completely against this because I think that things are going to get out of hand. Proposal Two was for the support of embryonic stem cell research. I am against this for so many reasons that I don't even know where to start...especially after it has been proven that there are stem cells from other areas that are more effective for research! I won't go so far as other people who I have talked to who are convinced that this is all the beginning of the end times but it makes one think, I'll say that. I don't think that we can predict when Christ will return and any guess is a poor one. Every day we wake up brings us closer to the end no matter what else is going on in the world. I do know that Paul and Timothy in the Bible thought they were also living in the end times.
So back to my otherwise perfect day. I worked out. I'm trying to work out 3 times a week. Last week I worked out twice. So far this week...once. But hey, I still have three days left. This afternoon I raked all those leaves so it was almost like a double workout today. Noah works out with me...kind of. He likes to try some of the moves, although he never does the entire thing. It is amazing to me the flexibility that preschoolers have. He was correcting me on some of my lunges! "No, mama. Like this." Then he would perfectly demonstrate it. Maybe he'll be the future trainer of "The Biggest Loser."
I got along with my kids today. That always make for good times. We went on a walk this morning. Noah rode his tricycle and I pushed Ellie in the stroller. When Noah is on his bike we never go very far or fast, but he loves it and I find it nice to be outside in great weather.
I called Deidra and we ended up talking for three and a half hours. It always goes like that. We don't talk often on the phone but when we do it's never for less than two hours. I'm not kidding. Today we talked politics, religion, and a little bit about family. She picks my brain and gives me things to think about. Today she said something that really struck me which I can't put on here because it's still sinking into my head but when I brought it up with Tim tonight he agreed with my thoughts. Let's just say it was one of those moments where you feel like you've been hit in the head and you say, "Oh! That's my problem! That's what's wrong with me right now!" So thanks, Deidra (I don't even know if you're aware of it.)
Monday night Tim was at a Coldplay concert on the other side of the state. Matt won tickets and took Tim with him (it was an early birthday present for Tim, who turns 28 in a couple weeks. I don't know how I'm supposed to come up with something better than that!) He didn't get back until after 1:30 in the morning. I do not sleep well without him. Especially when I'm the only adult in the house. I stayed up for a long time reading blogs and on Facebook. Then around midnight I tried to fall asleep while keeping the nightstand lamp on. Then I realized how ridiculous I was being but was still scared. I decided to read my Bible for a little bit in hopes of being calmed. I'm reading through the Bible right now and am currently in the Psalms. I have to admit, I was a bit nervous to open it because you never really know what you're going to get in Psalms. David might be fearing for his life while hiding from King Saul. It might be a chapter on being in a pit of despair and surrounded by enemies. It might be praise. You never really know. I tentatively opened it to Psalm awaiting me and laughed when I found God speaking directly to me:
Psalm 56:3 - "When I am afraid, I will trust in You."
Sure, the first couple verses start out with him being chased by his enemies. However, this verse makes me laugh because Noah has a CD and DVD by Steve Chapman (not to be mistakenwith Steven Curtis Chapman) that are full of Bible passages made into songs. This, to me, is great because Noah LOVES music and singing and it's an easy way to teach him verses and help him memorize them. On the DVD are videos: they are very early 90s and extremely cheesy, but again - Noah loves them. One of the songs is Psalm 56:3. In the video there is a little girl in her bed and she wakes up because of a thunderstorm. She is afraid and notices her Bible on her nightstand. She reads Psalm 56:3 and then bows her head in prayer. The songs says, "When I am afraid, I will trust in you, I will trust in you, I will trust in you. When I am afraid I will trust in you, in God whose word I praise." There are a couple more lyrics, but not many.
After reading some more Scripture and praying, allwhile having the song run constantly through my head, I turned off the light and was asleep in seconds. Tim came home a half hour later and I briefly woke up but not for long.
I think it's funny how God speaks to us sometimes to tell us exactly what we need to hear.

I Voted

Today I voted after dropping off Noah at preschool. I voted outside of the Republican and Democrat candidates and went third party this year. I felt great afterwards. I get so tired of comments like "I'm going to vote for the lesser of two evils" or the assumption that Christians have to vote Republican and whatnot.
I researched the candidates and found one that I felt I could stand behind. I think that in this election people are voting passionately. I was not passionate about McCain or Obama. I did know I was NOT for Obama, but McCain makes me feel jittery for some reason. I know many people who are passionate toward one or the other. My husband voted McCain; this might be the only time we have voted differently in an election. He thinks I wasted my vote yet at the same time respects why I did it.
I, personally, cannot wait for this election to be done. I think it's going to be closer than what the polls are predicting. Seriously, when are people going to stop looking at the polls? Take a peek back to the last couple elections when first Gore and then Kerry were supposed to have the presidency with no problems. I'm never polled and I don't know anyone who has been so I don't even know where they come up with these percentages!
By the way, didn't Madonna or Barbara Streisand or someone say they were going to leave the country if Bush won in 2004? Why are they still here? I guess Democrats can't always make good on their promises...

Trick or Treat!

Noah was a "painter like daddy" for Halloween this year. Ellie borrowed a dress up outfit from my mom's house and was a butterfly. It was perfect weather for some trick or treating.

Ellie did great and was cheerful the whole time (until we tried to take these pictures then it was a little close to the bottle time - hence the binky in the mouth.) People gave extra candy even though we said she wouldn't be able to eat it.

Noah collected his goods in a paint can and people thought he was cute and creative. Tim and I separated the candy last night after he was in bed. We left him about 5 or 6 pieces and decided to limit to one a day. Yes, we are "those parents." I was telling Tim this week that I don't even know why we take him out since we don't actually let him have candy but he reminded me that it's (a) fun and a way to meet neighbors and (b) the candy is for the parents at this age.

Preschool

Today was a Halloween party at Noah's preschool. It was optional for the kids to dress up. Noah did not want to. He informed me that he can only wear his costume tomorrow night when he gets candy. Instead, he wanted to wear the Halloween shirt that my parents bought him. It has Tigger on it and a pumpkin that lights up when the shirt moves. My mom apologized when she bought it because she knows I am not a fan of clothes with cartoon characters on them but she thought it was too cute to pass up. I'm fine with it because he loves the shirt. Even though he wasn't wearing a costume the kids were as fascinated with his shirt as he was with their outfits.
After circle time (during which I have to admit I became teary-eyed because I realized how fast he continues to grow up in front of me...I know...I'm a sap) the kids lined up and then paraded around the church to show the staff members and collect candy. They then came outside to where we parents were waiting and paraded on the sidewalk around the church.
After the parade, Ellie and I headed a couple blocks over to the library. While there I ran into a mom whose daughter is in Noah's classroom. She was finishing reading "The Shack" and so we struck up a conversation about it. It's actually the second time she read it. We then talked about the churches we attend and a little about family. It was nice to sit and visit with someone I don't know but who shares a common bond through being a preschool mom, as well as a sister in Christ.
Tuesday is Picture Day. I was telling my mom I didn't even know they had picture day. I thought it was a kind of silly thing for preschoolers. She told me that my preschool had picture day and then I recalled a certain picture of me from when I was four. Now I have to figure out what to dress Noah in. The note said there is no obligation to buy any of the pictures. Yeah, right. What mom of a preschooler passes up her child's first picture day pictures?
While we were waiting outside for the kids to parade out, a mom shared with us that her husband died three weeks ago. All of us were slightly stunned and then she really shocked up by telling us he committed suicide. He has battled depression for years and they were in counseling, and she is still numb and confused as to how he could do it and leave her and Brooke. For the next half hour a bunch of us moms just stood and listened to her as she shared with us her grief and anger. We would have stood longer but she told us she had to go. What do you do? We all offered help with taking Brooke to school or picking her up. Her church told her they wouldn't have his funeral there because they believe that since he wasn't a member of the church then he wasn't actually in heaven. Whoa.
I am thinking of sending her a card and letting her know that if she wants to grab a cup of coffee while the kids were at school one day, then to let me know. I don't know if she has a community of people to help her. She said that her family is not in the area and that her in-laws are, but that they've been mean and hard to handle. She kept looking at me while she was talking, almost like a silent plea. Maybe it's because we've chatted a couple times since the kids started and then I hadn't seen her in the last couple weeks. She said she's been late dropping Brooke off and picking her up because she can hardly drag herself out of bed some mornings. I personally don't think I could get myself out of bed. I think she is coping with this much better than I probably would, yet I don't know. I hope to never find out. I felt God moving me to do something; I just don't know what beyond starting with a card and maybe coffee. Does anyone have any advice or experience in this area? What do you say to someone who is grieving? What do you say when a woman has lost her high school sweetheart, her husband and partner of fifteen years? How do you make yourself accessible?

Ellie's 6 Month Checkup

She turned 6 months about a week and a half ago, but Ellie just had her well child visit yesterday. She is in the 32nd percentile for weight and the 72nd percentile for height so she is long and skinny. I still can't get over how different this is from Noah's at that age, where he was in the 25th percentile or below for height and between 25 and 50th for weight. At 6 months, Noah was still wearing 0-3 month clothes. Ellie is in 6-9 or 12 months (depending on brand.) I guess it just proves (again!) that all kids are different.

He said she is perfect and he can't find anything wrong with her. He also said she could stand to take a couple months off for a break since she is advanced developmentally. He asked if she rolled from stomach to back and I told him she goes all the way across the floor and around the room. He asked if she could sit up for about 30 seconds and I told him it was more like 30 minutes and then I told him she is also trying to inchworm around - not always, but often. He was pretty impressed and said that most babies don't start diong those things until around 8 months or so. Tim said he knew she was doing things sooner than Noah, but when I checked Noah's baby book he was actually doing these things at the same ages. I think the only thing she is doing that he wasn't at this point is chattering non-stop. He made screeching noises and happy sounds, but she is doing the "da-da", "ba-ba" stuff, which he didn't do until around 7 1/2 months. I'm not looking at his baby book to compare them to each other, just because I can't remember when to expect certain things! It is amazing how much you forget even after just a couple years.

So there is our Eleanor update. She is a joy to our home and family. Her personality is one of extremes - she's usually either very happy or very cranky. There's not really an inbetween with her.

Tim and I were watching "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" the other night and it was about a boy named Job who spent 6 years in and out of hospitals for leukemia, a double lung transplant and I can't even remember what else - and he's only 10 years old now! As soon as we heard the name, I said, "Well, what in the world did they expect by naming him Job?!" A minute later they were doing the little interview part with the mom and she was talking about how they had gotten grief from family members when they chose to name him Job because everyone kept pointing out Job in the Bible and that his name means "suffering." She said they lean on the latter part of Job's life where he was more blessed during the second half of his life than the first. Tim and I started talking about names and what our's mean and our kids'. We personally, checked the meaning of the names for our children after finding ones we liked. We wanted to know out of curiousity, but also because Biblically people were named for significant reasons and we wanted to honor that as well.

Noah means "calm, peace." He was very much like this as a baby although he is quite the preschooler now. However, I still find him to be peaceful and calm often. He is content to play on his own for awhile, he travels well in the car for looong periods of time, and he is not one to pick a fight and only fights back when defending himself against physical harm. He also brought us a sense of peace when we found out he was a healthy pregnancy after going through our miscarriage. Tim and I discussed how the Biblical Noah went through ridicule while building the ark but he still went through with following God. We pray that our Noah is the same way, even if he is made fun of throughout school for his beliefs (if he so chooses to follow the Lord.) Edwin means "rich friend." We'll see about that rich part and if it means monetary. That name actually came from my grandfather.

Eleanor means "light." Though she is named after Tim's grandmother, we are praying she is a light in the world. Lee means "meadow." I like meadows, but that middle name was also my grandma's middle name.

Timothy means "to honor God." I would say he fits it pretty well. Andrea means "womanly" which is a joke to me because since becoming a mom I don't feel very womanly. I guess if you look at it in the sense of being a wife and mother, however, I have that one covered.

What about your name? What does it mean? What do the names of your children mean? Did you take name meaning into consideration when naming your children? Do you think it's important?

Updated Video Montage

*Update* It looks like the video below switched to the new music as well (Over the Rhine's "Hush Now.") I'm sorry not all of you could enjoy the David Bowie music. ** =)

This video montage is with the correct music. If you want to watch the one posted below with the awesome '80s music by David Bowie ("As the World Falls" from the movie Labyrinth) go for it.

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

A Tribute and Trivia

While watching a video today that Lydia made for her precious new baby, Beatrix Sparrow, I decided to try to make my own. This is a brief recap in photos of the last five and a half years with Tim. You'll want to pause the Project Playlist music to the right.
Also, I uploaded the wrong song but then kept it because I thought it was funny. Can anyone guess who sings it or what it's from? Hint: Think eighties.

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Have You Thanked...

...your mother-in-law lately?

Every so often I like to thank my in-laws for their son. I write a quick email to let them know what a fantastic husband and father he is. I let them know details or little things he does to make us all feel special and loved. I thank them for raising a hard worker and instilling good values in him.

I do this because I am thankful for Tim. I'm sure there were times when he was growing up that he was not an easy child. I'm thankful for the prayers they said to help him grow into a godly man. I am thankful they welcomed me into their family. In marrying Tim I immediately gained an extra set of parents, a kind and generous older sister, wise brother-in-law and two wonderful nephews, and a thoughtful and beautiful older brother and sister-in-law that I was blessed to have spent the first few years of our marriage in close proximity to.

Is Tim's family perfect? No, of course not. Neither is mine. We all have our flaws and weak spots. I can't choose the family I was born into. I could choose the family I married in to. I think they're pretty incredible overall. Since I married Tim I have also gained two more active nephews and two adorable nieces. Who knows how many more may come (that one is up to you, Deidra, since I think Kristen feels done with four.) =)

So if you haven't done so yet - go thank your mother-in-law (or your father-in-law, too.) You may not have a good relationship with her or you may count her as a close friend. Regardless of how you get along with her, she brought your husband into this world and raised him. That in itself deserves your appreciation and gratitude.

Also, I want to wish my mother-in-law a very happy birthday. We love you!

Trying Something New

I am reading through the Psalms right now and this one stuck out to me.

Psalm 19

The heavens declare the glory of God;

the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

Day after day they pour forth speech;

night after night they display knowledge.

There is no speech or language

where their voice is not heard.

Their voice goes out into all the earth,

their words to the ends of the world.

In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun,

which is like a bridegroom coming

forth from his pavilion,

like a champion rejoicing to run his course.

It rises at one end of the heavens

and makes its circuit to the other;

nothing is hidden from its heat.

The law of the Lord is perfect,

reviving the soul.

The statues of the Lord are trustworthy,

making wise the simple.

The precepts of the Lord are right,

giving joy to the heart.

The commands of the Lord are radiant,

giving light to the eyes.

The fear of the Lord is pure,

enduring forever.

The ordinances of the Lord are sure

and altogether righteous.

They are more precious than gold,

than much pure gold;

they are sweeter than honey,

than honey from the comb.

By them is your servant warned,

in keeping them there is great reward.

Who can discern his errors?

Forgive my hidden faults.

Keep your servant also from willful sins;

may they not rule over me.

Then will I be blameless,

innocent of great transgression.

May the words of my mouth and

the meditation of my heart

be pleasing in your sight,

O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

This passage doesn't really have anything to do specifically with my post. I just thought I would share it. I love that the Bible revives the soul, makes wise the simple, gives joy to the heart, gives light to the eyes, endures forever and is altogether righteous.

I have had quite a few "mommy moments" lately that I am not proud of. At times it has been my voice going from just raised to plain yelling. Sometimes it is wanting to hop in the van and drive away. I have thoughts of dropping them in a daycare and finding a job so someone else can spend the day with them.

That thought is the one that always seems to get me thinking clearly again. I know when I get to that one I need to stop and breathe. Do I really want my life any other way? Some women would kill to be in my position to stay home with their kids. Tim and I make sacrifices so that I am able to do it: we drive junky vehicles, don't eat out often and when we do we are extremely conscious of the prices of what we're ordering, we buy new clothes for ourselves maybe twice a year and for the kids as needed (thankfully they have had some hand-me-downs.)

But would I trade those things for me to go back to work? Do I wish we had more money than just paycheck-to-paycheck so that I could go buy some new clothes? Of course I wish that. Do I wish we could get some money in our emergency fund and actually keep it there longer than a month before something else breaks? I sure do. But would I trade my days at home for those things?

I don't think so.

I think one reason I have been so crazy with my kids lately is distraction. I like to talk on the phone. I like catching up with friends and family and I need some sort of adult communication during the day. Lately, though, I have been doing it a lot while they are awake and then not answering the phone during naptime because that is "my" time. Noah acts out while I'm on the phone and we usually spend the rest of the day bickering. He is crying out for my attention and I have been neglecting him.

Today I realized how horrible I feel and how selfish I am. Am I selfish for being a stay-at-home mom who wants some "me" time? No, I don't think so. I believe I need that time alone to rejuvenate and stay sane. However, could I be doing things I enjoy doing, like talking on the phone, checking my email, or reading books during their naptime instead of while they're awake? Yes. (I seem to be asking a lot of questions during this post...)

I started wondering today how Noah's attitude and behavior might be different if I was spending more time with him, not just being in the same room but actually doing things with him.

So this is what I decided, my little experiment. For the next week I am going to not talk on the phone unless it is during naptime. If you call before 1:00 in the afternoon and after 3:00 and my kids are awake, I will not be answering.

This might sound silly to some of you. Maybe you don't have this problem. That's great - I have to keep from envying you. =)

Maybe the passage above does tie into my post. I don't think the words of my mouth or the meditations of my heart have been very pleasing lately. It might be from my lack of time spent in the Word. When I sat down and read today during the kids naptime (well, actually during Noah's naptime and while I was feeding Ellie) it was amazing how different I felt after. After confessing my sinful thoughts and actions to the Lord and then reading the Bible I felt renewed and ready for a new start.

So here we go...

Already?!

Do you see Monday's forecast? That, my dear friends, is snow. I'm not ready. I need more fall! By the way, what's all this global warming stuff? Move to Michigan.

One Reason I Won't Vote Obama

Ah, the election draws nearer and I still wrestle who I will cast my vote for. I know one thing I am sure of though. I won't vote for Obama. (I'm wrestling between McCain and an independent.) I know that there are many factors that go into voting - many issues that need to be looked at and evaluated. From foreign policy to economics to education and so on. Then there is the abortion issue. This is more a moral issue and I think some people find it silly to cast a vote based on something they find to be not a major issue. It's a major isse to me, though.
I have been very pro-life since I was young enough to learn what abortion was. In high school, I wrote papers on it and presented them in class. You would probably never find me picketing outside an abortion clinic - that's not really my style of handling any issue.
I wonder how many women who are pro-choice have actually had an abortion. It seems that women whom I have heard speak that have had abortions carry scars and emotional guilt years later. I remember being at a conference called Hearts at Home a couple years ago and listening to a speaker named Lysa TerKeurst. She had all of us women thankful that there were tiny packages of Kleenex in our conference bags. She told her story that involved abortion.
About a month ago at a retreat for a program called STATS that I am a team leader for at Reeths-Puffer high school (groups of high schoolers go into local middle schools to talk about abstinence from drugs, tobacco, alcohol and sex until marriage) we listened to one of the team leaders share her story that involved drugs, alcohol, and an affair with a married man that landed her pregnant. She had that baby and went through college as a single mom. She married and had another son. Her husband was abusive to both her and her kids and the week that she finally found the courage to leave him, she found out she was pregnant. Not wanting to be a single, pregnant woman with other children or stay in an abusive marriage and have another baby, she ended up having an abortion. I watched as she stood up in front of us and cried while explaining that twenty years later - even though she knows God has forgiven her - she can't forgive herself for her abortion because she knows in her heart it was murder.
I have heard countless stories of women intent on abortions who go into a pregnancy center and end up receiving an ultrasound. Almost 90% of women who see this ultrasound end up changing their mind and either keep the baby themselves or give the child up for adoption.
I believe that life begins at conception. I saw Eleanor's tiny heart beating at 7 weeks. Though she looked like no more than a peanut, there was a constant flutter in her chest. I think any time a heart stops beating, it's a sign of death. I am pretty sure an abortion causes a heart to stop beating and because it was deliberately performed, I consider it murder.
I think that we need to be a nation that advocates adoption. I mean, for those of us who are going to stand against abortion, we have to have more than just that. We can't just encourage a woman to have a baby and then leave her. She might not be able to raise a child, whether because of single, or finances, or being in a relationship she herself does not want to be a part of. She has to know, though, that she is not alone during that time and that there is adoption. That way, twenty years later when she thinks about her baby, she can know that he or she was given a chance at life instead of regretting her decision and living with guilt.

I'm It

I was tagged by Erin last week but didn't see it until I was catching up today. I did a post awhile ago when I was tagged but this one is different so here we go...
4 things I was doing 10 years ago
1. My senior year of high school
2. Was on Homecoming Court (me, too, Erin!)
3. Was in my third year dating Brooks and ready to break up
4. Working at the Fossil store in the outlet mall

4 things on my to do list for today:
1. Make lasagna for dinner
2. Fold laundry
3. Meet Sara & Stephani at Hage's
4. Snuggle with my husband on the couch later and watch last night's Extreme Home Makeover

4 jobs I have had:
1. Taco Bell (my first job besides babysitting)
2. Fossil
3. Cornerstone University - Phone team and Admissions Counselor Assistant
4. Kregel Used Books

4 Movies I have seen more than once:
1. Sense and Sensibility
2. Pride and Prejudice (both newer and BBC versions)
3. Waiting for Guffman
4. Sleeping Beauty

4 places I have lived:
1. Fowlerville, MI
2. Grand Rapids, MI
3. Muskegon, MI
4. Grand Haven, MI

4 places I have been (this year):
1. Waterford, VA
2. Malvern, OH
3. Toledo, OH
4. St. Ignace, MI

4 TV shows I watch
*We have to watch all our shows online since we don't have TV*
1. The Office
2. Lost
3. House
4. Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
(If I had cable there would be a lot more shows on here!)

4 things you may not know about me:
1. I would love to go back to school for journalism or something with copywriting/editing. I actually take a pen and edit the newspaper sometimes. It drives Tim crazy. If I could get paid to do it, that would be a dream!
2. I don't know if anyone besides a couple friends know this one: I LOVE to type. Sometimes, when I'm listening to someone, I'm actually mentally typing out their words in my head. My fingers love the feeling of a keyboard.
3. I am a highly self-conscious person and easily hurt, which is why I tend to be harsh with others sometimes (it's a fault I've been praying about and trying to give over to God.)
4. I do not actually enjoying going to church; I only go because Tim makes me. I love Jesus and have a relationship with him that I take very seriously. I just don't like church. I get more out of a small group Bible Study setting where there is interaction and actual studying of the Bible.

4 things I love about my husband:
1. He's the most good-looking man I've ever laid eyes on. =)
2. He challenges and encourages me, loving and accepting me despite my faults
3. He is an honest man and hard worker
4. He is a godly husband and father

4 people I tag: (your turn if you want!)
1. Daniella (ha! another one)
2. Sara T.
3. Deidra
4. Deanna
And whoever else wants to!

Ellie Belly

That's mine and Noah's nickname for her. He gets a kick out of calling her that, though when he says it, for some reason he says "Bewwy Ewwy." I think he might inherit his dad and my dad's dyslexia.

Eleanor Lee turns 6 months on Sunday. I can't believe how fast the time is flying with her. In the past two weeks she has been sitting up consistently on her own, inchworming along the floor, rolling all over the house, and chattering like a little bird. Yesterday she got her first tooth! I was checking out her mouth and there it was on the bottom - you can tell it had just poked through.

Today I took her into the doctor because she was wheezing when she woke up this morning. She has a "cold with a wheeze." The doctor described it as a little more than a cold because it's in her chest as well, but not showing any signs of RSV or something more serious. He gave me three things to watch for. The real kicker is what she was diagnosed with that I had no idea of - a double ear infection! Poor girl. She doesn't seemed bothered by it but is on some amoxicillin now. I have to confess: I used to love that stuff as a child. When I picked up the prescription from Meijer and brought it home I almost wanted to open it and take some myself. Weird, I know.

So there's the latest on our girl. She will hopefully be dedicated in November, but I haven't heard any dates for it yet so I don't know if they're still planning on one or not.

Remembering

I didn't know there was such a day, but after checking out Angie Smith's blog last night, I learned that today (October 15) is National Day of Pregnancy and Infant Loss. I have blogged about my miscarriage before. I also have my other blog (that has unfortunately been neglected for awhile but will be updated this afternoon) that focuses on the healing of those who this day is for. Today I will be remembering not only my baby, but others as well. Today I will pray for women in general, but also specifically for

Stephanie, my sister

My mom

My mother-in-law

Jen

Lydia

Daniella

Sherri

Sherry

Jody, my cousin

Cheryl

Kat

Carrie

Kari

Melissa

Jaren

Whether they know I am praying for them or not is unimportant, but the fact that I take the time to remember them is. These women have touched my life in one way or another whether they realized it or not.

They are encouraging everyone to light a candle at 7:00 tonight in rememberance of these babies. There will be one in our window.

SITSta...SITSta...There were never such devoted SITStas...

So on the right hand side of my blog is a little link for something called The Secret is in the Sauce (aka SITS.) This is kind of a blog community, a fun way to find other new blogs to check out. Today they are having a blogathon. Everyone involved in it is posting links on their blog to 5 of their favorite ones they have found through SITS.
Here are my 5 favorites. Check them out and also check out the SITS site! They have great giveaways each month as well. October's giveaway is the new Photoshop program.

*Pennies In My Pocket - I love finding blogs that feature deals and ways to save money!
*Cherry's Jubilee - She's crafty and I got lots of fun holiay decorating ideas from this blog.
*Tale of a Kansas Girl - She's a single Christian woman with some fun stories.
*Mrs. Mouthy - She has a son just younger than Noah so I enjoy reading her very funny blog and am able to relate to many of her tales.
*I Am Fearfully and Wonderfully Made - This is very dear to me because it is written by my "cousin-in-law", Carrie (Tim's cousin's wife.) She is the mother to a very handsome and charming son with some special needs. If you check out any of these blogs, please read her's and keep their family in your thoughts and prayers as they live daily life differently from many of us. We love Brayden!

Have fun peeking around!

Stress Knot

I'm feeling kind of down today, to tell you the truth. It's not too bad. I'm just coming off a rough last week and a horrible weekend. This morning hasn't had the energetic start I was hoping for, but at least my children are napping.
I volunteer as a team leader for a local high school program. The program sends groups of high school students, who have interviewed and been accepted, into local middle schools to talk to the students about abstinence from drugs, sex, alcohol and tobacco. Last week I had to sit down a girl on my team and find out she had lied during her interview and there are other things involved that I can't really get into. I had to be part of the decision to take her off the team and out of the program. I thought drama was mostly for high school students...until this weekend, that is.
I was in my cousin's wedding this weekend. It was horrible. The groomsmen were completely drunk and obnoxious. They had a "party bus" to take the wedding party from the ceremony to the reception. I didn't realize this meant we would be driving around for an hour wasting time so people could get wasted. At one point I was so disturbed by the things going on that I almost asked the bus driver to stop and let me off at a gas station. I figured I could just call Tim and have him come pick me up. In the end, I thought it would probably be safer for me to just ignore what was going on around me on the bus then having to be alone in the middle of a city I'm not familiar with while being dressed up in a strapless bridesmaid dress.
The best man speech was so humiliating, raunchy and inappropriate that after 15 minutes (yes, 15 minutes) the groom finally asked him to stop. I think the main reason he asked him to stop was because people started yelling at him to "shut up and sit down" or "hand over the mic" among other heckling. The best man was extremely disappointed and said he had so many other stories to share. When will best men realize that they're being asked to give a toast to the couple - not a roast of the groom? That should be covered at the bachelor party. Even that 15 minutes contained charming words like: fornication, penis, gay (mentioned several times) as well as music and a striptease (I'm so glad they stopped him when they did!)
The rest of the time I was there was a disaster and I won't go into the details because they still hurt. My time there was cut short because my kids were starting to fall apart by 9:30 and we still had an hour and a half drive back to my parents', so we left right after dinner.
So, besides all the other morals of this story that I can't get into - if you are a guy, don't give dumb best man speeches. Just say "So-and-so and so-and-so are great for each other. It's fantastic to see the love between them. I wish them all the best. Cheers." Also, don't drink. It's so unattractive as well as nothing but empty calories. I used to have a drink every once in a while when around friends, but I don't think I have any desire to touch any form of alcohol again.
I have this knot in my back, behind my right shoulder that flares up when I'm extremely stressed. It surprisingly has been dormant for some time, but since last Friday it has been non-stop pain. I need a massage therapist. Or a lot of heat on it. I think I prefer the massage therapist.

If You Want To Know What I'm Really Like....

As I've moved to new places, I've been able to kind of control what people know about me. It's not that I'm actually hiding things from them, just that certain characteristics or passions of mine aren't always able to be displayed.
This past August our church did something a little different than our usual Sunday service. We did a "Family Experience" and performed a program from Kids Stuf, which is held once a month at Andy Stanley's church, North Point (look - I learned how to link!) The kids and adults were all in the service together and it was great fun. We learned aout patience.
I was excited to be able to indulge in one of my passions - acting. I think most everyone was shocked to see this side of me as I have kept it well hidden. Here is a video that was put together from that Sunday. That character that comes on around the 40 second mark in the nerdy outfit as the game show host- yup, yours truly. Enjoy! (Sara, go use the bathroom so you don't almost wet your pants this time around.) =)

Did Anyone Else Notice?

We watched the VP debates at Matt and Jeana's last Thursday. We go over there to watch "The Office" - which was obviously not on due to the debates. There was a comment made that we all thought for sure would be pointed out in the news the next day but none of us ever heard anyone else mention it and people we asked didn't notice it. Since they have DVR, we had replayed it to make sure we heard right.
Did no one else notice that in one comment Sarah Palin called Joe Biden "Senator Obiden?"
I mean, overall they both had their fair share of mistakes, miscalculations, and overexaggerations but we thought that one was funny.
Just wondering...

My Perfect Afternoon

So last Thursday God must have known how much I needed a break after Wednesday's fiascos (which included the kids NOT napping that afternoon and Tim working late again.) I put the kids down for their naps on Thursday and they both fell right asleep and slept for a little over 2 hours. During that time I made a bowl of Campbell's Tomato soup and topped it with lots of crushed Target brand-Ritz like crackers. I followed this with a leftover apple dumpling I made the day before (my first time making them - they are sooo good and I will definitely make them again) and a cup of hot cocoa.
I settled in on the couch and popped a movie into the laptop. My choice? My favorite ever - Sense and Sensibility. For a couple hours I lost myself in the stories of Elinore, Marianne, Edward, Colonel Brandon, Willoughby, and all the rest. I just sat there and sipped my liquid chocolate, curled up under a blanket on a cold and rainy day, and let myself be captured.
I love this movie. We named Eleanor after Tim's grandma, but I have to confess that a small part of me is thrilled she shares the name of my favorite book character.
The part of the whole thing that I hate is that I don't actually own the movie. I'm just borrowing it from Jeana. I'm hoping that this is the year Tim buys it for me for my birthday or Christmas. The past couple years it is really the only specific thing I ask for - except that the Pride and Prejudice soundtrack has joined the wish list- and every year it is not under the tree. It's not as if he hasn't looked. Last year he went to a ton of different stores - I know because I was in the car waiting as he stopped everywhere on a "Secret Mission" - and couldn't find either of my requests. He was so disappointed but he came up with good back-up gifts, so it was all ok. Maybe this is my year.
In other news - I used a coupon for a free hair service and got my hair highlighted on Saturday. I'm really happy with it. They're a caramel color and actually look perfect for fall since my hair is so dark. It was probably my best coupon ever since they would have been $50 without the coupon. This means I will probably never be able to have them done again, but that's ok. At least my hair will look good for the wedding I'm in this weekend. Well, the color will look good. Who knows what fight my hair will put up when I try to style it?
Here's a food recommendation for the day: Morningstar Ginger and Teriyaki Veggie Cakes. They are extremely tasty. I love them for lunch with some fruit on the side. Mmmm.
Well, that's all the randomness for today. Kids are napping (thank you, God! They didn't yesterday.) My house is trashed and I really should clean, but you know how sometimes you just need a day of no housework coming off the weekend? This is my day.
Enjoy yours!