Happiest Birthday...

...to Auntie Leah...Hope it was a good one! Can't beat cheesecake w/ chocolate and strawberries!

Sunday Afternoon Naps...

...Are the best!

I love to see my kids sleeping, and couldn't resist taking these sleeping pictures.





We've had a restful weekend, after a crazy week. Justin took the boys camping in the backyard...they're too funny! (he forgot to position the tent away from the security light...hope he gets some zzz's)

What we did today...

Justin got home around 9:30 pm, so it's been a super-long day for him. (he left around 5:30 am) I'm tired too, so I'll just let the pictures speak for themselves. My friend, Kelsey, and I hear the funniest things as we walk around town w/ the kids. Someone asked us yesterday if we had a daycare. :) Not quite. :)

friends..

...a few thoughts...

Back in the early 1920's there was a doctor who realized that surgeries could be performed with a local anesthetic instead of putting a patient completely to sleep. This type of surgery was unheard of back then, and no one would volunteer to be the "guinea pig". The Dr. realized that he had performed nearly 4000 appendectomies, so it was a common procedure for him to undertake. One day, he finally had a willing participant. The patient was prepped and wheeled into surgery. The Dr. performed the routinue surgery with a local anesthetic and an awake patient. The next afternoon, the patient was up and about, recovering well. (Before this "new" type of surgery, the normal recovery time was over a week in the hospital) The patient who was brave enough to be the "guinea pig" was the Dr. himself!
[The Pastor used that story to illustrate the spiritual surgery he challenged us to do on ourselves this morning during the sermon.]

"Ye are the salt of the earth; but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men."

I was very encouraged by the preaching this morning. (maybe b/c I was in the front row and had no children to wrestle this morning. :) Matthew 5:13-16 were the verses of discussion. The need for Christians to be salt and light was the theme. Here are a few points from my mental notes I took. :)


~We are called to be salt. What is salt? It's a preservative, a seasoning, a purifier...

~We (those who have Jesus in them) are the light of the world. That's an amazing thought, that as we allow Jesus to take the throne in our hearts, he, instead of us, shines through. In our actions, words, responses, and choices. Whoa...I see a lot of Me in myself, instead of Him!

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."

~The Bible says that our faith shouldn't be personal-a keep.it.to.yourself.faith- Our lights (the Light of Jesus) should shine before men/the world. And it's not for our glory, but that glory may go to Jesus

~I need to rid myself of ritual and routinue (yes, my kids help out in that area!) in my Christian walk, and get authentic. Get to practically applying what I already know! Realize that Life is in the little things...my actions, my responses, my attitude.

~People are either influenced positively for negatively by how we live our lives. This is imperative that I realize this, because we (Christians) are carrying Christ's name with us. Am I bringing Him honor or shame in how I conduct my life?

~The statistics show that "Christians" have the same alarming statistics as non-Christians. (for divorce, teen pregnancy, lying, cheating, etc.)

~Am I authentic in my Christianity...meaning, am I genuine? the real deal? What would those who know me best say? What about those I barely know? Would they see Jesus in me?

~Am I salty? Am I a light?

~The major challenge I came away with, was...How am I being a salt and light to my children? They are unsaved little sinners. I have been given these children to train and teach! Do they see Jesus in me? It's so easy to operate daily in "the flesh" and let the "real me" spew out instead of Jesus. This week, I'm going to focus on being more intentional in my responses with the little ones God has intrusted to me. If I fail to lead them to Jesus (even in the daily things), in what I tell them, and what I exemplify, I have failed at my most important task. Who cares if I lead others to the Lord, but loose my own children, because of neglect, ignorance, selfishness, or lack of vision. Do my children see Jesus in me? Or do they see me as a complaining, crabby, impatient mother. It is my desire to live an authentic relationship with Jesus, and that my passion for and the work of Jesus in me, would stir in them a desire to want Jesus in their own lives.

Thank goodness, for grace, mercy, and truth. I'm thankful that God answers prayers and that he is the God of second chances. I certainly don't want my children to ride of J and my "coattails" of Christianity. When God knocks on the door of their hearts, I pray that they would allow Jesus to be their King...that they will allow Jesus to be their Master and Lord.

~Thanking the Lord, today for a refreshing perspective and a clearer vision.~

Pressing on with joy and enthusiasm!
~m.e.g.~

"Take time to be holy,
The world rushes on;
Much time spend in secret,
With Jesus alone;
By looking to Jesus,
Like Him thou shalt be;
Thy friends and thy conduct,
His likeness shall see."
W.D.L

4 Generations...

Justin and I have grown up in a generation where peer-segregation has been a popular thing. Preschool, public school, & youth group, captializes on peer segregation. About midway through my growing up years, my parents noticed the negative side of peer-segregation and encouraged us kids to venture out of such segregation. They provided opportunities for us to be involved with people of various generations. Thus, our social circles and various entreprenurial work venues began to include others of all ages. I'm blessed to have friends both older and younger than myself. Personally, younger people refresh me and older people inspire me.

(I realize Justin blinked, but it was much cuter of the kids! sorry honey!)


There's an older lady in our church, whom Justin (esp.) has befriended. This sweet older woman has developed the art of no-bake cookies, of which Justin is quite fond of. Thus, an immediate bond: she likes to cook 'em; he likes to eat 'em! After a potluck a few weeks ago, Justin was invited to a "Scotch-A-Roo No-Baking Lesson", with Mrs. Southards, as the instructor. He was to meet at her house on Tuesday evening at 7, and was to bring a 9 x 13" pan along. (I tagged along as the photographer and child-chaser)


First, she made a batch and had him watch. Then he made a batch by himself, with her overseeing.


While we were there, we learned the story on this little chair. The chair belonged to Mrs. Southard's grandmother and was thrown from an upstairs window of their burning house. It was the only thing salvaged from the fire and was obviously well made to weather that fall without breaking! The kids had fun sitting in it!






On his way home from work, he mentioned to his friend, Kyle, that he had a hot date. Kyle asked where he and I were going. Justin had to break the news to him that he wasn't going on a date w/ his wife...it was some other lady. Immediately, the tone of the conversation changed, as Kyle expressed his concern. After explaining that it was a harmless baking lesson with Mrs. Southards, I think he was a bit jealous. (Kyle is an outstanding cook/baker)

Although, still true to his self-entitlement, Justin still has never baked in his life. Yet, he is able to say that he is now not only the grill master, but also master of the Scotch-A-Roo NOBakes!




I taste-tested a teeny-weeny corner of it, just to make sure they were good, while Justin was putting the boys to bed. They were terrific! He brought the rest of them to work. The guys told him that they understood now why he kept me around. He proudly informed them that it was he who had whipped up such a delicacy. I'm not sure he ever got those construction guys convinced...although, they sure enjoyed them, as the empty pan testified!

So, that's the story of our delightful evening spent with Mrs Southards, and now, our new ability to made the deliciously scrumptious cookie-bar: The Scotch-a-roo!

...a rare evening...

...a friend from college gave a concert at UI last week. Despite the craziness before I left the house, I managed to make it there in one piece. I really wanted to get "dolled up", but I had very little time to get ready. Makeup and some perfume had to do! But, what a refresher that was to sit in a beautiful concert hall and listen to a very entertaining and beautiful recital, sung by my friend, Courtney. She has been blessed with a gorgeous voice and won a big award last summer and is singing at Carnegie Hall in June.

Lil' Visitor...

Madeline and her little friend, Alaina. They both have the same middle name: Hope. They don't exactly play together yet, but I'm sure they will pretty soon! Madeline just likes to grab the toys away, and Alaina likes to chew on them.


(I actually think that Alaina was a little scared of Madeline.) *smile*

Justin's b-day pictures...

Samuel is at such a fun age. He loves birthdays. He was pretty pumped about Justin's "Party" we had for him last night.






William loved the blueberry pie. Actually, we all did!

Madeline included!


We "made" Justin's favorite food: Fried Chicken! (I pretended like I made it...took it out of the box and put it in one of my dishes...hee!) He also loves homemade apple pie. I thought I had apple pie mix in the downstairs freezer, but I realized yesterday, that I only had blueberries. So we improvised. The improvisation turned out wonderfully. I think I have a new favorite dessert. Can't beat homemade pie crust! It was yummy. I remember now, why I hadn't made a pie in a while. It takes some time!

Here's all of us at the dinner table. (usually we dine at the island...but we're quickly outgrowing it!)

Our attempt at self-portrait-family-pictures. Kinda goofy. Like the one of the boys' expressions. We were laughing so hard...there were only about 5 re-takes. Ahh...memories!

So, that's the conclusion of J's b-day celebration. Next one up, in our family, is William. Samuel and I will have to start planning. ;)