Blizzard 2011

Newscasters have been calling it the Blizzard of Twenty-Eleven!  This storm has ravaged much of the U.S., but Northern Illinois was hit with the "blizzard warning", and it didn't disappoint.  We received at least 18 inches in the span of about 12 hours.  Thankfully, everyone I know is safe and sound.  We didn't even lose power, and we have an experience of a lifetime.  We're enjoying the final hours of a "Snow Day" for Dad, the kids, and almost everyone!!!  As I type this, I'm listening to Michael W. Smith & Amy Grant being interviewed on K-LOVE, watching my kids play in the snow (yes, it's 23 degrees) and feeling sorry for my husband as he shovels a very long driveway.  I have over 100 hundred pictures from this snow event, but let me summarize it with this one taken from my front door...

2011 Siesta Scripture Memory Team

I've always enjoyed a good siesta, and now I've become one! This is the scripture memory team brought together by Beth Moore's Living Proof Ministries. After reading about it at Stephanie's Mommy Brain this system sounded like a great fit for me!  Two verses per month seems like a very tangible goal and I like that I get to pick which verses I want to memorize.  At the end of 2011, I'll be able to know what God was teaching me based on these 24 verses! 

We post our verses as a comment on Beth Moore's blog every 1st and 15th. My January verses were Hebrews 4:12-13...

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

My verses for February will be 1 John 2:15-16...

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. 

Click here if you want to find out how to join in!

Book Review: Plain Promise by Beth Wiseman

This is a great Christian fiction book, set in Amish country.  I give it my recommendation!  It is light enough to enjoy as a "lazy day" reading, but the characters have depth which makes the reader want to know about them and care what happens to them.   Each main character, and several "supporting" characters have been through some deep personal pain that has them at a crossroads in life.  They are in need of real community and love.  It is thrilling to watch these unlikely lives intertwine beautifully!  And a couple of well developed love stories is always fun, too!

Includes a reading group guide and Amish recipes.  A group of friends would have a great time reading and cooking together!

Tonight I Cry

I have moved so many times in my adult life I can barely count, even 4 times internationally.  And every time (except moving back to the States from the Philippines) I've been happy about the move.  I've been content living in all these places, but the next place always excites me and I'm a "glass is half full" kind of person.  But tonight I have to admit that I don't want to leave San Diego.  This is my home, and this is our kids home.  So tonight I cry.  And I feel blessed that I've lived 36 years and moved upteen times before ever having to cry about a move.  I feel blessed for loving a place so much that it hurts to leave it. 

Potty Train-ed (past tense)????

Nothing could bring me out of my blogging hiatus then the absolute joy of having a child potty trained!!! Samantha has had so many issues related this that it has been an interminable endeavor. She has some serious bladder/digestive problems AND she had (has) terrible fears of toilets and the noises they make. All of those factors have combined to a 4 yr old who is still in diapers!!!

Well, all of that began to change last Wed night (Jan 20th, 2009!!). She was trying desperately to stay awake and was using every trick in the book to get out of bed.  After exhausting everything, she tried the one thing she knew wouldn't get her in serious trouble, "I need to go poopy!!!"  Dan and I didn't even leave the living room because we thought it was a big hoax.  Lo and behold-she pooped in the potty for the first time.  We were in shock! 

So things have not been 100% perfect since Wed, but she has repeated this event, so we feel like this is the real deal!

And then this morning I had the biggest, happiest news ever.  Her diaper was dry this morning for the very first time.  DRY!!!!  DRY DIAPER!!!!  It's so exciting!!!  She even came downstairs naked already saying, "Mom, I don't want my diaper on."

Way to go, Baby Girl!  Pretty soon you'll let go of everything baby about you, but you'll always be my Baby Girl!!

Update:  Later this same day, we were at Timothy's school for a parent's meeting.  Samanatha came to me to tell me her "bottom hurts".  I raced her to the nearest bathroom which was closed, and then we ran to the next closest.  She held it in AND went #2!!!  Such a victory!

Book Review: The Sweet By and By

Such a new and refreshing perspective for anyone who loves a good fiction book!  Set in the comfortable backdrop of Tennessee, we meet Jade weeks before her wedding.  Jade has shut the door on a painful past, and wants to move forward to a happy future with the man she loves. 

Unfortunately, for Jade, weddings are a time that naturally bring up the past.  And what begins as a polite invitation to Jade's estranged mother turns into the uncovering of every painful memory of Jade's past that she has desperately tried to forget.  The book is cleverly written by alternating chapters of past and present.  We gain perspective on a current conversation or incident when the author then takes us back 20-30 years.  Through this travel of time, we start putting together the pieces of Jade's life, and yet there are still twists and turns saved for us until the very end of the book!

Jade's character is smart and likeable, yet vulnerable from her childhood hurts.  As she is forced to deal with her skeletons, we see forgiveness (given and bestowed) transform her from an abandoned child into a woman marked by strength and grace.  I highly recommend this book!  For more reviews go to Thomas Nelson.

Thankful Anniversary

Dan, I am thankful for 9 years of marriage with you, and I am thankful for you.

I love you.

Your girl

San Diego Zoo on Halloween

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

For God So Loved the World...

Today Timothy decided to teach Samantha John 3:16.  This provided about an hour of entertainment for me, as these were some of the things overheard:   

1. Timothy said to "repeat after me". T: "John 3:16", S: "John 3:16", T: "For God so loved the world." S: "IT HAS MY FAVORITE NUMBER, NUMBER FOUR!!!!" 
   
   
2. When he got to "but have everlasting life", Samantha was getting a bit bored.  She was distracted and not responding, so he kept saying, "Say but... say but...say but now"!!!!
   
   
   

Samantha and Daddy at the Zoo!

Samantha has always been very confident about what she likes. Her favorite color is (and always has been) red. Her favorite number is (and always has been) 4. And her favorite animal is the elephant, as evidenced by this picture taken at Mountain Mike's a month ago...

During the month of October, all kids are free at the San Diego Zoo, and active duty military are free all the time. Sunday I asked Dan if he would find an hour or two this month to take Samantha to see the elephants.  Dan quickly accepted my request and took Samantha this morning! 

She was immediately in heaven when she saw this before they even got to the front gate.

Our girl loves to pose silly for the camera!

This is a bird that's extinct.

But here is what they really came for.

My Baby Girl made a friend at the zoo today.

I wish I could post the amazing video that Dan took of her at the kangaroo exhibit saying, "Daddy, we need to go to the elephant AREA!" What a precious memory Dan will always have of this time with his daughter.

My 9/11 Tribute

As I reflect on the day, and its significance, I can't help but think of my cousin Chris who serves honorably in the U.S. Army.  This is how I feel like 9/11 gets the closest to me and my family.  If the tragedy of this day had not happened, my cousin would not have served multiple tours in Iraq.  And he wouldn't be returning soon for another year long deployment.  One more year away from his growing children.  One more year away from his beautiful wife.  

So Chris, thank you, for working to give us enduring freedom.  Thank you, Tabatha, for persevering as single mom. 

The two of you are amazing examples of dedication and sacrifice.

Proverbs 9

Invitations of Wisdom and of Folly

 ¹ Wisdom has built her house;
       she has hewn out its seven pillars.  ² She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine;
       she has also set her table.
 ³ She has sent out her maids, and she calls
       from the highest point of the city.
 ⁴ "Let all who are simple come in here!"
       she says to those who lack judgment.
 ⁵ "Come, eat my food
       and drink the wine I have mixed.
 ⁶ Leave your simple ways and you will live;
       walk in the way of understanding.
 ⁷ "Whoever corrects a mocker invites insult;
       whoever rebukes a wicked man incurs abuse.
 ⁸ Do not rebuke a mocker or he will hate you;
       rebuke a wise man and he will love you.
 ⁹ Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still;
       teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning. 

Aren't verses 8 & 9 so true?  Wise words fall on deaf ears (casting pearls before swine).

 ¹⁰ "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
       and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. 

Lord, help me to fear you.  I think I prayed this at the beginning of the Proverbs study, but it continues to be my heart's need and desire.  May I fear you so that I fear nothing else.

 ¹¹ For through me your days will be many,
       and years will be added to your life.
 ¹² If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you;
       if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer."
 ¹³ The woman Folly is loud;
       she is undisciplined and without knowledge.
 ¹⁴ She sits at the door of her house,
       on a seat at the highest point of the city,
 ¹⁵ calling out to those who pass by,
       who go straight on their way.
 ¹⁶ "Let all who are simple come in here!"
       she says to those who lack judgment.
 ¹⁷ "Stolen water is sweet;
       food eaten in secret is delicious!"
 ¹⁸ But little do they know that the dead are there,
       that her guests are in the depths of the grave.

One month ago today, my pastor issued the Proverbs reading challenge!  I really had no idea what a life changing experience this was going to be.  I had no idea how much I would discover about myself and my folly.  And I had no idea how it would prepare me for some events and conversations.  I love the idea of coming back to the Proverbs a couple of times a year and re-read it just to be reminded of the amazing truths! 

WW & SEW: 1st Day of 1st Grade!

For more Wordless Wednesday, go to 5 Minutes for Mom.
For more Special Exposure Wednesday, go to 5 Minutes for Special Needs.