I just had to share what happened this morning during Samuel's speech appointment. His teacher, Janet, told me she thought I should send Samuel to 2 year old preschool in the fall. Oh, the horrors! Can you imagine?? I only did 1 year of preschool w/my twinies because I don't need them out of the house any sooner than necessary. I am super glad I did preschool this year because they love it so much and I get 3 quiet afternoons/week. However, I am trying to imagine next fall...Me sending the twins off to kindergarten and Samuel off to preschool. Seriously...this is upsetting to me even to imagine. So the answer is NO! He will not go to preschool. Dude, I would rather do a playdate than preschool and that's pretty serious.
But to offset a negative post, here's what I am thanful for:
1. Hunter and Lily had serious fun with Papa Lee (that's what we call Brian's Dad) this morning!
2. I get to go to Chili's again tonight. What can I say--when it rains, it pours. :) Actually, eating there once increased the craving so my friend, Stephanie, has agreed to accompany me. Is it about girl time or chips/salsa? Not sure. Maybe I will get a pic.
3. The sun is out, the kids are playing well and I am blogging.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Weekend review
First of all, let me say that we have snow. About everyone knows that but it needs to be said. I am a minority when I say that I like it. :) I mean, it's shocking and I am tired of the cold but what a pretty sight this morning!! And the kids were super excited!!
In other weekend news, Brian and I went to a "Welcome to the Family" seminar this weekend at our church, Stonebridge. It's a prerequisite for becoming a member but Brian and I were anxious to learn more about this church we have been attending for almost a year now. For example, it's an Evangelical Free church and we had no clue what that even meant. It was a great class--we learned a lot. We got to know Pastor Randy better--we both like him a lot!! And there was another Mom of boy/girl twins there so that was super fun. We are going to be continuing the membership process--which includes some paperwork, an interview and then a congregational vote. Heavy stuff, huh? Brian and I have never been members of any church we've attended so it's new to us!
As coincidence would have it, the seminar centered on walking through the 10 statements of faith that the denomination holds. This is coincidental only because this is what our pastor has been speaking on recently in a series called "Be Transformed". Today was the last installment of the series and Pastor Patrick (youth pastor) spoke on #10 which concerns heaven and hell. A topic I was pretty interested to hear about because I can't say I have had too many sermons on this topic alone. I think it's a different era of preaching (but it also depends on denomination). We don't want to scare people into believing but yet it's also a reality so I think it's a worthwhile topic!
Did you know that 55% of the people who call themselves "born again Christians" do NOT believe there is a real hell? Does anyone find that shocking? That's a pretty good scheme, though, because if there is no hell then who cares what others believe, right? Pastor Patrick did an amazing job of talking about the very real Final Judgment and the torment that awaits those who do not believe. Not those who are "bad". That's the other misconception on hell, I think. That it's for the murderers, etc. Not so. We went over that chilling passage today where Jesus talks about those who will say they did this and that in His name but He tells them to depart because He never knew them. How can someone be so deceived? It's sad and it's good reason to examine yourself.
Really I think so much of the Christian walk is balance. For example...you have to balance "saved by grace" with "created to do good works" (Ephesians 2)--the works don't save you but salvation bears fruit. You have to balance the compassionate, gracious, forgiving God with the God of justice who will not leave the guilty unpunished (Exodus 34)--God is quick to forgive us but that doesn't mean our sin is no big deal. As Pastor Patrick said today, someone is going to pay for all the wrong you have done and has been done to you--either it will be Christ's payment on the cross or you will have to pay for it!! He ended the sermon with the music video of "I Can Only Imagine" by MercyMe--not a dry eye in the sanctuary!!
www.insidestonebridge.com has a copy of this sermon and I recommend it!!
In other weekend news, Brian and I went to a "Welcome to the Family" seminar this weekend at our church, Stonebridge. It's a prerequisite for becoming a member but Brian and I were anxious to learn more about this church we have been attending for almost a year now. For example, it's an Evangelical Free church and we had no clue what that even meant. It was a great class--we learned a lot. We got to know Pastor Randy better--we both like him a lot!! And there was another Mom of boy/girl twins there so that was super fun. We are going to be continuing the membership process--which includes some paperwork, an interview and then a congregational vote. Heavy stuff, huh? Brian and I have never been members of any church we've attended so it's new to us!
As coincidence would have it, the seminar centered on walking through the 10 statements of faith that the denomination holds. This is coincidental only because this is what our pastor has been speaking on recently in a series called "Be Transformed". Today was the last installment of the series and Pastor Patrick (youth pastor) spoke on #10 which concerns heaven and hell. A topic I was pretty interested to hear about because I can't say I have had too many sermons on this topic alone. I think it's a different era of preaching (but it also depends on denomination). We don't want to scare people into believing but yet it's also a reality so I think it's a worthwhile topic!
Did you know that 55% of the people who call themselves "born again Christians" do NOT believe there is a real hell? Does anyone find that shocking? That's a pretty good scheme, though, because if there is no hell then who cares what others believe, right? Pastor Patrick did an amazing job of talking about the very real Final Judgment and the torment that awaits those who do not believe. Not those who are "bad". That's the other misconception on hell, I think. That it's for the murderers, etc. Not so. We went over that chilling passage today where Jesus talks about those who will say they did this and that in His name but He tells them to depart because He never knew them. How can someone be so deceived? It's sad and it's good reason to examine yourself.
Really I think so much of the Christian walk is balance. For example...you have to balance "saved by grace" with "created to do good works" (Ephesians 2)--the works don't save you but salvation bears fruit. You have to balance the compassionate, gracious, forgiving God with the God of justice who will not leave the guilty unpunished (Exodus 34)--God is quick to forgive us but that doesn't mean our sin is no big deal. As Pastor Patrick said today, someone is going to pay for all the wrong you have done and has been done to you--either it will be Christ's payment on the cross or you will have to pay for it!! He ended the sermon with the music video of "I Can Only Imagine" by MercyMe--not a dry eye in the sanctuary!!
www.insidestonebridge.com has a copy of this sermon and I recommend it!!
Friday, March 27, 2009
Melt Your Heart
This video is just about the sweetest thing I have seen. Samuel is a delight!! He has increased his vocabulary pretty quickly--and I would credit speech therapy but we have only had one real appointment due to sickness, spring break, etc. Besides "no", he now consistently says: Papa, Daddy, Mommy, cookie, dog, puppy, thank you, yucky, hi, bye. And maybe more but I can't remember. *Don't forget to pause the music*
Lemon Cake
Today the kids and I made a Lemon Yogurt Cake. I was trying to recreate the best "Lemon Loaf" I had at Starbucks the other day. It was 9 WW points so I was trying to do better than that. The kids love helping in the kitchen and I think it is fun. I'm not going to lie, though. Samuel did sneeze into the batter twice. :)
Here they are getting ready. Hunter is pulling up Samuel's sleeves for him. To bake with my kids, I must have everything I will need out and waiting--I have learned this. :)
The finished project. Just a loaf size so that works for me. 7 points a slice so not tons better in that regard.
Dessert before lunch! The pieces are pretty big and it tasted great but I may stick with Starbucks from now on.
Here they are getting ready. Hunter is pulling up Samuel's sleeves for him. To bake with my kids, I must have everything I will need out and waiting--I have learned this. :)
The finished project. Just a loaf size so that works for me. 7 points a slice so not tons better in that regard.
Dessert before lunch! The pieces are pretty big and it tasted great but I may stick with Starbucks from now on.*Um, did I say it tasted great? It's amazing. Still may stick with Starbucks.*
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Keeping it Real
I have a couple things on the brain today. They kind of go together but if this post takes a "U-turn" in the conversation then I apologize.
Lately, I have been seeing things about authenticity--you know when it pops up again and again, it must be a sign!! Travis' comment a few posts back was one of them and was so true. The study of Esther by Beth Moore talks about it a couple times so far--love that study! It's been a topic that I felt like was huge to me a few years ago--probably because I realized I was not doing well in this area. :) Beth Moore's blog (I have a link to the right) had a recent post written by her daughter, Amanda, on this very topic and it was very, very good. I recommend jumping over there and reading it (post name is something about taking the mask off). Anyone read "TrueFaced" or heard the author speak? Talk about life changing!! Anyway, I love this topic and I think it's a good pursuit because we aren't doing anyone a favor acting like we got this thing down. Whatever "this thing" may be for you.
I bring this up because, as I wrote earlier, I had some free time today. I had lunch with my sister--Chili's was so good!!--and I had a few hours to spare before picking up the kids. I decided to take the opportunity to do a personal retreat. It's an idea that my friend, Karen, and I were talking about doing together recently but we had too much going on. I then read about it in the book "Shopping for Time" and the thought to do it today came to me in my quiet time this morning.
So, as suggested in that book, I wrote out 7 priorities and then prayerfully evaluated myself on them and how I could make changes. By far, motherhood is the area I would like to see the most change. I thought about emailing a couple friends to get their opinion on the balance of kids/housework but I had a moment of embarrassment. The twins are 5 and I still can't figure this out?? Oh please. Because I am so superior that I should know how to do everything?? I realized that was pride and this idea of being real and open was brought up again.
I don't have any desire to post my emotions on a daily basis--who could keep up?? :) But if I never say anything, will people think I am over here living carefree in my own little world? That's one reason I LOVE Travis' "Not Me! Monday" posts--it's a humble post on the little daily happenings but it's a picture into her life beyond the extraordinary events that require a post. It's not true of everyone but a common struggle is thinking we are the "only one". Hmmm...maybe that's a spin off of "I AM". We think "I am __________ and there is no one else that can relate." but really God is "I AM and there is NO OTHER beside Him." Babylon thinking, as Beth Moore talks about in her study of Daniel. See, a u-turn was taken... Anyway, in case someone got confused today, I wanted to share that I am not perfect. *Not that you would think I was perfect--especially if you know me well. :)*
2 Corinthians 3:5,6 (AMP) "Not that we are fit of ourselves to form personal judgments or to claim or count anything as coming from us, but our power and ability and sufficiency are from God. It is He Who has qualified us as ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the code of the Law kills but the Holy Spirit makes alive."
Lately, I have been seeing things about authenticity--you know when it pops up again and again, it must be a sign!! Travis' comment a few posts back was one of them and was so true. The study of Esther by Beth Moore talks about it a couple times so far--love that study! It's been a topic that I felt like was huge to me a few years ago--probably because I realized I was not doing well in this area. :) Beth Moore's blog (I have a link to the right) had a recent post written by her daughter, Amanda, on this very topic and it was very, very good. I recommend jumping over there and reading it (post name is something about taking the mask off). Anyone read "TrueFaced" or heard the author speak? Talk about life changing!! Anyway, I love this topic and I think it's a good pursuit because we aren't doing anyone a favor acting like we got this thing down. Whatever "this thing" may be for you.
I bring this up because, as I wrote earlier, I had some free time today. I had lunch with my sister--Chili's was so good!!--and I had a few hours to spare before picking up the kids. I decided to take the opportunity to do a personal retreat. It's an idea that my friend, Karen, and I were talking about doing together recently but we had too much going on. I then read about it in the book "Shopping for Time" and the thought to do it today came to me in my quiet time this morning.
So, as suggested in that book, I wrote out 7 priorities and then prayerfully evaluated myself on them and how I could make changes. By far, motherhood is the area I would like to see the most change. I thought about emailing a couple friends to get their opinion on the balance of kids/housework but I had a moment of embarrassment. The twins are 5 and I still can't figure this out?? Oh please. Because I am so superior that I should know how to do everything?? I realized that was pride and this idea of being real and open was brought up again.
I don't have any desire to post my emotions on a daily basis--who could keep up?? :) But if I never say anything, will people think I am over here living carefree in my own little world? That's one reason I LOVE Travis' "Not Me! Monday" posts--it's a humble post on the little daily happenings but it's a picture into her life beyond the extraordinary events that require a post. It's not true of everyone but a common struggle is thinking we are the "only one". Hmmm...maybe that's a spin off of "I AM". We think "I am __________ and there is no one else that can relate." but really God is "I AM and there is NO OTHER beside Him." Babylon thinking, as Beth Moore talks about in her study of Daniel. See, a u-turn was taken... Anyway, in case someone got confused today, I wanted to share that I am not perfect. *Not that you would think I was perfect--especially if you know me well. :)*
2 Corinthians 3:5,6 (AMP) "Not that we are fit of ourselves to form personal judgments or to claim or count anything as coming from us, but our power and ability and sufficiency are from God. It is He Who has qualified us as ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the code of the Law kills but the Holy Spirit makes alive."
Frost Photography
So it was painful for me to pick just a few pictures to post on here. Brian's coworker and our family friend, Patrick, was kind enough to do 2 year pics of Samuel. Patrick actually took the pics that were on our Christmas card, as well. He is obviously talented and we appreciate him taking the time to do this. The kids love him (well, Samuel builds up to it)--he's Hunter's "favorite guy". So here is just a few pictures that Patrick took but there were so many good ones--or my kids are just that cute. :)
This shows Brian's ornery look--Patrick brings this out in him. :)
I honestly added this picture because I like my hair--just got a new spring 'do. Isn't it nice? :)
Hunter showing off that missing tooth--he's all boy!
Lily--so pretty and looks so innocent here! :)
This shows Brian's ornery look--Patrick brings this out in him. :)
I honestly added this picture because I like my hair--just got a new spring 'do. Isn't it nice? :)
Hunter showing off that missing tooth--he's all boy!
Lily--so pretty and looks so innocent here! :)Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Chili's
Tomorrow is such an exciting day. My Dad is off and has volunteered to watch my kids and my sister's kids. What's the occasion? Just a craving for Chili's!! I love Chili's and I used to eat there quite frequently because I lived so close to one. In CR, though, it's "ALL" the way across town so I never go there. Tomorrow is my day. Yes, you can be a WW member and go to Chili's. Bring on the diet coke w/grenadine and chips and salsa. Woo hoo!
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