Priority 1 Mail

A GREAT deal on the laminator I love!

2010-12-13T11:49:00.001-08:00

I just had to tell you about this super deal. I've had the Scotch Thermal Laminator for about 6 months and I love it! It's on sale at Amazon for a great price! The list price is $80.49, but it's on sale for only $16.99!!! That's an amazing deal!

I personally think that everyone should own a laminator... especially teachers and homeschoolers. It's kind of addicting making all your papers shiny, don't you think? I use mine to laminate the number cards for our calendar, the Bible verse posters for our learning board, flash cards, etc. There are so many possibilities!

Flee Idolatry - 11/21/10

2010-11-28T12:13:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends,

From talking to you and through emails I've received, I know there are a few of you who do not belong to a local church, but you're longing to be fed and challenged by the Word. Matt and I are so blessed to belong to a wonderful church that we love where the sermons each week are challenging and gospel centered. I thought it would be helpful to post an audio link to our sermons along with the notes I (Catherine) took.

To listen to the sermon, click here and look for:
Flee Idolatry
Series: 1 Corinthians
Speaker: Larry Lazarus
Sermon Date: 11/21/2010
Passage: 1 Cor 10:1~22

The following sermon is based on I Corinthians 10:1-22:

Are you committed to making war against everything that would keep you from pursuing Jesus Christ with all of your heart and might?

The Corinthians became very self-assured and cocky about their faith. They were casually attending idol temples and mingling with things that dishonor Jesus and they didn't care at all about it.

Paul gives them:
1) A reminder from the past.
2) A command for the present.
3) Comfort for the future.

A history lesson -
Paul reminds the Corinthians of the Israelites. They all tasted amazing grace but with most of them, God was not pleased. This happened so that (v. 6) they would be examples for us so that we might not desire evil as they did. Be careful about not becoming too self-assured by saying, "I'm fine spiritually." "I don't need to tackle sin, pray, fellowship, etc." Don't get comfortable with sin in your life and rely on past experiences like baptism, a prayer you prayed, or church membership to assure yourself of salvation.

If you want assurance of salvation, don't look to past experiences. Ask yourself if you're running hard after Jesus now. Are you trusting him now?

I John 5:13

There is a way to believe in vain. If you don't care about Jesus or fighting sin, and you're relying on a prayer you prayed for salvation, you may find yourself disqualified from the race.

The stakes are high. This is a very serious race. Don't take this lightly! Flee from idolatry. You can't have a foot in the world and a foot in the church.

Idol: that to which we look for all good and in which we find refuge in our time of need. False saviors.

What are your idols?
*What captures your greatest zeal?
*Whose approval do you crave the most?
*What do you brag about?
*What do you feel like you need to have in order to be happy?
*What's your non-negotiable?
*What do you covet?
*What are you afraid of most?
*What do you complain about most?
*What's the one thing that if you were to lose it, you'd feel like your life was not worth living?
*What do you turn to for comfort?
*What angers/frustrates you the most?
*What causes you to questions His love for you?
*What do you sacrifice the most for? (money, time, energy)

They may be good things but when you make them non-negotiables and put them before Christ, they can become instruments of your damnation.

Flee!
(v. 13) No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful. He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.

Being Fully Present

2010-11-23T05:24:00.000-08:00

Over at the Art of Manliness there's a good post about how to "be present as a man" emotionally, mentally and physcially. Catherine well knows how often I can drift off and disconnect myself from any situation. Being present is more than just being around. Its being engaged. Its being proactive, ready to undertake whatever is necessary to accomplish that which is required.

As Brett exhorts - "My goal is to be as fully present in every moment of my life as possible. And I humbly submit that this goal is one that every man should strive for." This isn't much unlike Paul when in 1 Corinthians 9:24 - 27, exhorts us to do the same in light of the call of the Gospel.

"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the
prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in
all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.
So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline
my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself
should be disqualified."

What I am doing that distracts? What do I need to cast off to run the race well? Is it my selfish desires? My plans for the day? My goals? May I continually be examining and keeping all things "under control" in faith and obedience to the race Christ has called me to.

Check out this sermon given by our pastor Anthony a couple sundays ago. Click on Knowing what the Price Is.

An Extra Elf!

2010-11-18T11:43:00.000-08:00

Since we have an extra elf this year... here's our new elf video! Enjoy!

Living with One Foot Raised

2010-11-17T07:02:00.000-08:00

Photo credit: Okinawa Soba

I get into slumps. I lose sight of my calling. I take it all for granted at times. I get distracted. I take my eyes off the Cross.

And then the verses hit this stone cold heart and I am revived.

My life...

It's a mist. Here for a little while and soon to vanish. I am transient. My days are a handbreath. A mere breath. I'm a phantom. I will leave it ALL behind. {Psalm 39:4-6, James 4:14}

Forgive me Lord.

Help me to...
Live like I believe this.
Seek You like I believe this.
Love like I believe this.
Serve like I believe this.
Sacrifice comfort and wealth like I believe this.

My days are numbered. Help me to make the most of them for your glory. Awaken me and help me do all things with one foot raised.

Friends - for a sermon on this very thing, click here, look for the following and click the download button:
Living With One Foot Raised
Series: 1 Corinthians
Speaker: Larry Lazarus
Sermon Date: 10/24/2010
Passage: 1 Cor. 7:25-31

This is the poem at the end of the sermon:

Young man, young woman, go to school, study hard, prepare yourself for fifty or more years in a productive and exciting career. But do it with one foot raised!

Let all of us diligently labor at our place of business. Honor our employers by giving them a good day's labor for a day's wage. But always work with one foot raised!

By all means, get married. Enjoy the delight of romantic affections. Devote yourself to your spouse, yet do it with one foot raised!

Be quick to educate your children. Prepare them for life. Raise them in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, but always with one foot raised!

Study Greek and Hebrew and Latin! But study with one foot raised!

Celebrate life with your friends over a good steak and your beverage of choice. But eat and drink with one foot raised!

Weep at the grave site of a child. Mourn at the loss of a friend. But may it always be with one foot raised!

Read a book. Write a book. But read and write with one foot raised!

Cheer for your favorite football team and celebrate wildly every victory. But do it with one foot raised!

Labor to enact legislation to improve life in your city, your state, your country, but always with one foot raised!

Plant a garden. Plant a church. Open a savings account. Purchase a thirty-year certificate of deposit. Invest in a stock. But do it all in anticipation and heightened expectancy of the life to come. Do it all with one foot raised!

One Thousand Gifts: 63

2010-11-16T08:04:00.000-08:00

# 63

I'm thankful for the Word. I don't treasure it as I should, but oh how I would mourn the loss of it if it were gone. How I would regret that more Scripture had not been committed to memory.

I don't forget to eat, do I? To nourish my physical body with food?

Yet there are unfortunate days when the pages containing Bread and Life are left unturned and I choose to starve myself spiritually.

By the grace of God alone, today was not one of those days. I soaked in the richness of the Word before the sun's rays melted the gray-blue morning mist and it was good. I was fed and ready for this day.

And tomorrow? I will need to pray for grace and strength again so that I won't choose to starve, but instead, to feast on the Bread of Life.

Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. {John 6:35}

Tapestry of Faith

2010-11-11T10:33:00.000-08:00

Hi Friends,

I just tapped out a quick little post about *me* on Tapestry of Faith. Click over if you'd like to read it. :)

~Catherine :)

Sneak Peak

2010-11-09T20:24:00.000-08:00

Dear Anna Pia and Mike,

True friends really do stand the test of time. Anna, I really enjoyed catching up with you as we discussed the past ~~eleven~~ couple of years since we've seen each other. :) Mike, it was wonderful to finally meet you! It's obvious that you love Anna very much - enough to lay in the grass, freeze, and do all of the crazy things we made you do during the photo shoot. Here is your sneak peak of our session! I hope you enjoy them!

~Catherine :)

Conflicted

2010-11-08T12:48:00.000-08:00

Hi Friends,

It's been quiet in my little blog corner and I apologize! I think about blogging a lot... I think of new post ideas all the time and I even sit down to write them at times, but I'm having a hard time clicking "Publish". For various reasons, I feel very conflicted about blogging at the moment. Just know that we're all doing well... in love with the kids, excited about homeschooling, increasing our love for Jesus day by day. I'm still reading many of your blogs and you are all such an encouragement to me. :)

I better get back to these precious kiddos who are presently in front of me wrestling with each other all over the living room floor. What's that expression about someone losing an eye? We're getting dangerously close to that point.

8 Weeks + 1 Day

2010-10-22T20:36:00.000-07:00

Sweet Timothy,

You are such a JOY! I've never known such a sweet, content baby. It's so easy to love you and bond with you. You are full of smiles and coos and you adore your sisters. You turn your head to watch them run about and you seem to like all of the activity in the house. You're getting so big already, and I have to admit that I don't want you to grow up. I would do anything for you, Little Man.

I love you so much,
Mommy

I Heart Faces - In the Orchard Photo Challenge

2010-10-19T16:02:00.000-07:00

Dear Rachel,

I Heart Faces is having an "In the Orchard" photo challenge! Here you are with a freshly picked apple, a sweet apple shirt, and an armful of silly bands. We've had a lot of fun on several apple/pumpkin picking outings in the past few weeks. Hayrides, apple cider, and feeding the farm animals are some of the other highlights we've enjoyed this Fall.

Love you!

One Thousand Gifts: 53-62

2010-10-18T04:14:00.000-07:00

Today I'm thankful for...

~ 6 hours of sleep in a row!
~ The Valley of Vision
~ candles burning on crisp Autumn evenings
~ the opportunity to be home with my children
~ energy and endurance
~ sisters in Christ who challenge me
~ the fruit I'm beginning to see in Rachel's heart as she grows in joyful obedience
~ the sanctification of my heart as I train Abby (ha!)
~ apple and pumpkin picking
~ hayrides and apple cider

See what other songs of praise are being sung this morning by clicking on the graphic below.

Love Your Shot - Link Up

2010-10-06T08:13:00.000-07:00

I'm entering this photo into the Love Your Shot Link Up because it captures my daughter's joy, playfulness, and the essence of childhood. I love the beautiful background and the way she is jumping in the air. I also love that the photo is still in focus despite her motion, which is something that's taken me a while to get right! The only thing I did to this photo in processing was to defog it (unsharp mask at 10, 50, 0) and a slight eye pop (unsharp mask at 50, 3.6, 0). I would LOVE to win a gift certificate to Florabella's Actions and Textures! I've been drooling over them for quite some time. :)

Some of my favorite people...

2010-10-05T16:51:00.000-07:00

I was just experimenting with my first storyboard and decided to share. What do you think? These photos were all captured in July and August of this year. I'd love to create a new storyboard each month (or at least on a regular basis) to document how quickly the kids grow and change. I wonder how this would look printed on canvas. Hmm...

The storyboard template is courtesy of the awesome CoffeeShop Blog. Thanks Rita! I am learning soooo much about Photoshop because of you!

Fix It Friday!

2010-10-01T11:18:00.000-07:00

It's Fix It Friday at I Heart Faces!

Original:

My Edit:

Here are the steps I took to edit the photo:

* Ran it through Noiseware
* Adjusted the white balance, and increased the exposure, blacks, contrast, clarity and vibrance in ACR.
* Added a screen layer, and levels adjustment layer.
* Ran Pioneer Woman's Boost Action.
* Unsharp mask on her eyes.
* Cropped and defogged.

See some more edits by clicking on the graphic below:

One Thousand Gifts: 45 - 52

2010-09-27T05:13:00.000-07:00

Today I'm thankful for...

~ one healthy, beautiful newborn baby
~ a drawer full of tiny blue outfits after years of pink
~ two loving older sisters
~ one amazing husband
~ countless expressions of love and support from family and friends
~ three weeks worth of meals prepared by our church family and delivered to our door
~ one trunk full of {cute!} clothes handed down for the girls
~ many gospel centered sermons delivered week after week
~ one Life Group with many caring individuals to share our lives with

See what other songs of praise are being sung this morning by clicking on the graphic below.

Linky Love

2010-09-26T16:33:00.000-07:00

Why Are Children a Blessing?

Excerpt: Listen, having children is not about surviving another day of changing diapers, cleaning up messes, refereeing sibling rivalries. It’s all about having another day to point your children to Christ, to train them to take their place on the front lines of the battle for God, and that’s what we see in Psalm 127. Blessed is the man who has his quiver full of these arrows that he can send forth to accomplish God’s purposes in the world.

Motherly Greatness

Excerpt: “There she sits exhausted on the edge of her bed, her face in her hands, wondering, “Where's the glory in this?” She needs something more empowering to keep her going. She needs to gain and maintain the deep conviction of the glory, honor, and nobility of selfless service. This she finds at the foot of the cross...

Caroline's Page

The aching heart of a father is poured out onto this page. It is the story of his daughter's battle against brain cancer and their journey of faith. Rest in peace in the arms of Jesus sweet Caroline.

Where in the world, in all this world, is God?

Excerpt: Children run ahead of me. They have no shoes. They run along the earthen gutter in their bare feet and barren hopes. This is their street, their home, on the trash of the Guatemala City dump, the refuse people, the garbage families. It should be oxymoronic these terms, impossible. Incompatible. Why am I not screaming mad here?

Smiles

2010-09-24T12:07:00.000-07:00

Sweet Timothy,

How have 4 weeks and 1 day gone by since your arrival? You are the sweetest, sweetest baby. Today you gave me so much joy when you smiled at me for the first time. You've smiled before, but this was a smile of recognition. No matter how many children I have (or will have?), these "firsts" are so special. This is just the beginning of many other precious milestones to come. I'm so thankful that I get to see them all. We love you so much!

Love,
Mommy

Kid Quotes

2010-09-22T11:25:00.000-07:00

Dear Rachel and Abby,
Here are some of the funny things you've said lately...

Rachel: I just don't like when Abby screams. It's interesting but terrible.

Rachel: Timothy loves you so much because you're his breakfast, lunch, and dinner!

Abby: Ugly.
Me: What's ugly Abby?
Abby: Mommy ugly.

The morning after I read Abby a book about baby chicks, I served her eggs for breakfast. When I put the steaming eggs on her plate she exclaimed, "Hot chickies!"

Abby (pointing to our egg beater): Mommy, I want Peter. (Get it? Peter sounds like "beater"?)

I Heart Faces - Smirk Photo Challenge

2010-09-20T07:00:00.000-07:00

Dear Abby,

You are the personality... the mischievous one. You keep us laughing with your antics and you have an unexpected and unique wild side. You are rough and tumble mixed with sugary sweet. You are simply our silly little Abster.

When I saw the theme of this week's photo challenge, I immediately thought of you. I love this photo because even though your smirk is partially hidden, your eyes tell the whole story. Mommy knows that you're soon to be up to something! Thank you for keeping me on my toes. Love you!

Visit I Heart Faces for more photo challenge entries!

A New Normal

2010-09-16T09:44:00.000-07:00

Hi Friends,

I am one blessed Momma. Though life is busy and demanding at times, Timothy is such a precious gift. I already can't imagine life without him. He is everything I wanted and needed and God has been so good. So good even though I am so undeserving. Each day His grace pours into me so tangibly I can feel it. He strengthens, equips, and carries me through the moments when one Momma just isn't enough to take care of every need. At other moments, when I've felt weak and overwhelmed, He has sent help in the form of "Grandma". What a relief it's been to see her little blue car pull up and her peppy self pop out ready to hold a baby, wipe a tear, change a diaper. (I don't think I'm going to allow her to go back to work next week!)

Day by day we're navigating a "new normal" and we're doing well. Much better than I expected. So far, transitioning to 3 children has been the easiest transition in almost every way (except the business factor... I am so incredibly busy all. the. time.) It's tempting to feel discouraged about the amount of work before me, and at times I have been discouraged. But when I have the right perspective... His perspective... I remember that I'm doing the work of a missionary here. There are three little, eternal souls that have been entrusted to me for a time, and as of right now, they don't know Jesus. Yes, Rachel and Abby know about Jesus and they're familiar with oodles of Bible stories, but they don't know Jesus. I am tasked with the privilege of daily introducing them to Him with the hope that one day they will all place their trust in Him. Stressing out over laundry piles and tantrums seems pretty trivial in comparison!

As we adjust to having Little Man in our family, I've had to tweak our daily routine. Some of the changes have been a blessing while others are hard to get used to.

- I must begin the day in the Word and in prayer. This makes such a dramatic difference in my attitude and how I handle the constant demands of caring for 3 little ones. I've been reading from the Gospel Primer in the mornings. They are short writings packed with gospel truth and it's just what I need to start my day. I've moved my Bible reading to the evenings... well... when I don't accidentally fall asleep at 9 pm while nursing the baby!

- I have to take showers at night now. I really, really, really don't like showering at night. My hair has been suffering big time! :) I have no other choice though. It's either a shower at night or no shower at all. *sigh*

- I need to lower my expectations about housework and our daily routine! There may be days when we're not all dressed, fed, and ready for "school" by 9 am. It's ok. Breathe. I'm having a hard time letting this one go.

- Preparing everything possible the night before really helps. Having breakfast bowls, cups, and cereal out on the counter saves me time and effort in the morning when I'm holding the baby and my hands are not free. Matt does this for me and it's such a blessing! He even lays out our vitamins, puts the sugar in our empty coffee mugs, and lays out all the utensils we will need.

- Homeschooling Rachel while Abby and Timothy are awake was becoming chaotic, loud, and challenging. Yesterday I worked with her while the other two napped. Normally Rachel would also be in her room for an hour of Quiet Time, and I would have an hour break. I really, really, really did not want to give up the only hour to myself each day, but it works out better that way for now. My time schooling Rachel was quiet and peaceful and we got done in much less time. With each child I have, I have to "die to self" a little bit more. It's ultimately for my good as God teaches me how to serve more selflessly - something that never comes easily to me.

- Now that I have 3, I want to be intentional about spending quality time with each of them individually. Check out how Jessica does Special Time with her 5 little ones.

- Time with Matt has been tough to fit in, but we realize the importance of keeping our marriage first and setting aside time for one another. So far, the only time we've had together is when we pass each other in the hall... one of us carrying a laundry pile and the other carrying a child or two! Definitely not good! As the baby gets older and becomes less dependent on me, we'll work date nights and alone time back into our lives.

That's all for now. It took me 4 days to write this post... mostly with one hand while feeding the baby! :)

~Catherine

The Best Labor Coach :)

2010-09-03T12:18:00.000-07:00

Pregnant with Timothy - 41.5 weeks

Dear Matt,

As my swollen belly grew with each passing month, you thought about how you could support and encourage me when labor finally began. I'm sure you felt some uncertainty about what to do. Would I accept your efforts to comfort me? Would I want your words of encouragement or would I prefer silence while managing the pain? Would a massage provide relief or irritation during the massive waves of contractions?

Not even I knew what I would want or need until I was in the moment. But one thing you did meant more than you could know. I will always remember and keep the cards of Scripture... the life and strength giving words penned with your hand and prepared for me. As you read them, it peeled away layers of fear and apprehension. My weakest moments were girded with strength. The promises of God were fresh in my mind and were with me every step of the way. In those final moments of labor when I should have been overwhelmed in agony, I felt a tangible surge of confidence in the midst of the pain that I know was from the Lord.

I was just reflecting on the mystery and power of the words of God. They do not merely sit idly on a page, but they are living and active. (Hebrews 4:12) God breathed life and the universe into existence through the power of His spoken word. Even one word - the name of Jesus - holds so much power. We know a person who is so uncomfortable with His name that he can't even bear to say it out loud (or even to type it!). And rightfully so. It should make you tremble. There's no other name like His.

So thank you for being an amazing husband and labor coach. You did a great job and knew just what I needed. I love you!

Love,
Catherine

{Here are the verses Matt prepared for me}

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation. Romans 12:12

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26

He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. I John 4:4

Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary: his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint and to him who has no might he increases strength. Isaiah 40:28-29

O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you. My soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands. Psalm 63:1-4

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Know that he is God, the Lord. It is he who make us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise. Give thanks to him - bless his name! Psalm 100:1-4

In this world you will have trouble. But take heart; I have overcome the world. John 16:33

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. John 14:27

Introducing Timothy James...

2010-09-01T11:32:00.000-07:00

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. (Psalm 139:14)

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart. (Jeremiah 1:5)

Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. (Psalm 127:3)

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. (James 1:17)

Flurries

2010-08-25T11:35:00.000-07:00

Dear Baby,

Mommy is in a flurry today. A flurry of activity as well as some butterflies in my stomach. Lord willing, we will see your sweet face tomorrow and smother you with your first kisses. We will look over every inch of your skin, count fingers and toes, and adore your little baby wrinkles. We will try to decide if you look like Mommy or Daddy or a little bit of both. We will find out if you're a boy or a girl! We will see you, and in you we will see the work of our wonderful Creator. We will marvel at you, our Little Miracle, and thank Jesus for our third precious gift. We will shed tears and pray for wisdom and guidance as we shepherd you throughout your life to love and know Him. We can't wait to meet you.

Love,
Mommy

You've Come a Long Way, Baby! - Chapter 3

2010-08-23T18:44:00.000-07:00

Hi Ladies,

This is the fourth post in the True Woman Series. You can find the introduction here, chapter 1 here, and chapter 2 here.

A few weeks ago, a friend of mine posted a quote on Facebook that had such a ring of truth that it stuck with me. I'm including it here because it describes the essence of chapter 3 well.

"[Feminism] is mixed up with a muddled idea that women are free when they serve their employers but slaves when they help their husbands." --G.K. Chesterton, The Collected Works of G.K. Chesterton, vol. 4, p. 440

Chapter 3 is about the history and impact of feminism on our culture. Women have certainly come a long way in the past 50 years. "But a long way isn't necessarily a good way or the right way," says Mary Kassian. So much concerning values, gender roles, and responsibilities has been compromised and lost in a relatively short amount of time.

One of the areas that makes my heart ache is when I see so many women valuing personal fulfillment over their sense of responsibility to family. But perhaps even more saddening is when women embrace their role to serve their families yet find no fulfillment in it. And yet, haven't we all been there? Sometimes even daily?

The answer isn't found by looking inside ourselves. Whenever I look there, I see unfulfilled needs and I experience "the grass is always greener" syndrome. I'm tempted to whine and complain and be ungrateful for the blessings in my life. Sometimes it's hard to even consider them blessings at all!

But when we look to Jesus, He supplies all of our needs. He gives us the strength to endure and to delight in the tasks He sets before us (yes, even things that we loathe doing and feel utterly unequipped for!). We learn true servanthood by looking to Jesus... the God of the universe who humbled Himself and became nothing, who loves the unlovable, and who spared nothing - not even His own life - in perfect love, obedience, and sacrifice.

If you'd like to hear Mary Kassian speak about the impact of feminism on our culture, the following video series on YouTube is well worth your time. Depending on your views, it might rile some of you up a little (or a lot!). I personally think it's kind of fun to rile things up a bit every once in a while.

I'd love to hear your thoughts and reactions if you do watch it.

Swag Bucks Update! Loving It!

2010-08-20T19:57:00.000-07:00

Hi Friends,

Quite a while ago I posted about a new search engine that pays you to search! I've been using Swagbucks for a few months now and wanted to tell you all of the reasons why I like it.

1. I earn Swagbucks for using their search engine! These Swagbucks can be cashed in for many different prizes. My favorite prize is the $5 Amazon.com gift card and I have $30 in gift cards racked up already!

2. It's not time consuming and I'm earning gift cards for what I would be doing anyway - searching the web! It's really that easy.

3. I don't get spam or annoying emails from them.

4. If I want to, I can do extra tasks or surveys for additional Swagbucks. I can also read their blog, Facebook page, or Twitter account to find secret Swagcodes that can be entered on their website for extra Swagbucks. I did some of this in the beginning, but now the only thing I really do is use the search engine.

I highly recommend giving them a try. Let's face it. When you're a stay at home Mommy, a little extra cash is very exciting (especially when I don't have to do anything extra to earn it)!!!

If you sign up, would you please use my referral link?

Happy searching and winning!
Catherine

Fix It Friday!

2010-08-20T09:57:00.000-07:00

Original:

My edit:

It's Fix It Friday! Since I'm not doing anything else today... like having a baby or anything... I thought I'd have a little fun with this photo. :) Here's what I did:

* Opened the SOOC as a Raw file (yes, you can open JPEGs in ACR!) and adjusted the white balance, increased blacks to 10, contrast to 8, clarity to 15, vibrance to 20, saturation to 5.

* I pulled it into PSE8 and warmed it up adding a Levels adjustment layer. I used the eye dropper and clicked on her white shirt and reduced the opacity to 50%.

* The photo looked soft so I defogged it with an unsharp mask at 20/50/0.

* I cloned out the distracting sticks.

* For my last step I added in some sunflare and haze from Rita's CoffeeShop.

That's it! Hopefully by next Friday, I'll have a baby update for all of you!

~Catherine

Still Waiting...

2010-08-18T21:41:00.000-07:00

Dear Baby,

You can come out anytime to meet the world. We want to meet you!

3 days overdue and waiting...

Love,
Mommy :)

Back for a Visit

2010-08-13T05:13:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone -

Catherine keeps telling me two things about this blog - you don't post enough (or barely at all) AND you're waaay too serious.... Well - here's something I came across from 22 Words. The Calvin and Hobbes search engine! (wait a little for the comics to load) Chock full of childhood wisdom.

Love this link too. Also from 22-Words.

Matt

Two Reasons Why I Haven't Been Blogging Much...

2010-08-10T04:50:00.000-07:00

And soon, hopefully very soon, I'll have 3 reasons!

Fix It Friday!

2010-07-30T11:30:00.000-07:00

Hi Friends,

I know... I know... I've been on a photography kick lately. I have other blog posts and topics in mind, but I haven't taken my nose out of my camera manual long enough to write them up. :) All is well... still pregnant after a very convincing false labor... we're on week 2 of homeschooling and that's going well... hopefully I'll have a baby announcement soon!

P.S. I'm considering the switch from my Canon Rebel XSI to the Nikon D90. Any opinions out there? I know there are! Please share in a comment if you think this is a worthwhile upgrade.

Here's another Fix It Friday!

Original:

My edit:

I Heart Faces - Purple Photo Challenge

2010-07-26T11:57:00.000-07:00

Hi Friends,

If you know me well, you know that I constantly go through phases of intensely researching or studying something or another. That something or another changes pretty often, but I'm not satisfied unless I have something to read/learn about. Right now that something is photography.

I've been reading everything I can get my hands on to become a better photographer, and I've been spending a tremendous amount of time on I Heart Faces and other photography forums. There is so. much. to. learn!

Well it's nap time and I have a lot to do, so without being too long winded, here is my entry for the "Purple" photo contest!

Visit I Heart Faces for more photo challenge entries!

Look Who's 8th Place!

2010-07-24T07:10:00.000-07:00

Out of 500 entries!!! Thank you I Heart Faces!!!

I Heart Faces - Over My Head Photo Challenge

2010-07-20T08:05:00.000-07:00

Visit I Heart Faces for more photo challenge entries!

Fix It Friday!

2010-07-16T11:33:00.000-07:00

Ok! Here goes! Some of you know from this post that I've been playing around with Photoshop Elements 8 all week. I've been thinking about upgrading from Picnik, and the more I play, the more I think I may do just that.

I would loooove any critiques and constructive criticism on my edits or any other photography on my blog for that matter. Does anyone know where I can find tutorials on processing work flows? Right now my edits are by sight, in random order, and totally scatter brained. The problem with this is that it's taking me longer than it needs to to get the job done.

Well, enough rambling. Here is my Fix It Friday!

Original:

My Edit:

How We're Spending Our Summer

2010-07-16T06:39:00.000-07:00

Dear Rachel and Abby,

Mommy and Daddy have been enjoying these summer months with you. You're both at such fun, inquisitive ages and you enjoy going out and about and exploring your world. We love to watch your wide eyed amazement at simple things... things grown-ups neglect to notice... things we deem unimpressive. You are right to be amazed at roly-polies under a rock, the tiniest blooms in the grass, and the wonder of lightning bugs. We have an awesome Creator who designed such things with amazing intricacy. You've made us marvel again. We also love providing you with opportunities to explore the things you're passionate about (horses!). It gives us great joy to give you these simple gifts. Here are some of the things we've been up to recently:

Painting... turned into finger painting... which turned into hand painting! (An indoor activity for a preggo Mommy who doesn't always like the heat.)

Daddy entered you into a contest to win a free horse riding lesson. You (and everyone else who entered) won!

The farm also had other animals and things to hold your interest. I *really* wanted to take this sweet kitten home!

Enjoying our backyard and finding beauty in simplicity...

You melted my heart by saying, "These are for you Mommy because I love you."

We love you girls so very much!

Love,
Mommy and Daddy

Linky Love

2010-07-15T05:23:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

Here are some of the places I've been in my blog travels lately. I hope you will be blessed by the posts below too!

For the Young Mother: Ministry, Guilt, and Seasons of Life by Jani Ortlund

Excerpt: "Ministry means being “all there.” It means rejoicing that you get to show your children how to peddle a tricycle, make their bed, build good memories, and share their toys with others. You serve your family, and ultimately your heavenly Father, by helping your child do that puzzle for the seventeenth time, by washing those sticky fingers, by planting a little garden, by acting out Bible stories and praying together, and by preparing for their daddy’s return as the highlight of your day!"

The Truth about Fragility by Heart Pondering

Excerpt: "My nephew’s fragility is, in a sense, also my own; mine is just less obvious. For what do I have that I did not receive; My every breath is a gift from the Lord, Samuel’s Maker and my own. God’s as much my Sustainer as Samuel’s, and in His hands are life and death for all of us. My failing to live in this posture, failing to humbly and thankfully accept each day as a gift from God, is ingratitude and arrogance."

Video Games, Idols, and Your Child’s Heart by Chad Mahaney

Excerpt: "It is too easy for me to view my son’s form of idolatry as childish, but in essence, at root, there is no difference between our idolatries. His expression is consistent with a 12 year old, mine is consistent with a 56 year old, but in essence it’s no different. Therefore I must make sure my heart is softened by my own sinful tendencies."

Loneliness as Poverty by Bianca from In the Name of Love

Excerpt: While processing with a woman from the area, she discussed our Western idea of poverty and I was floored by the simplicity of her statement. Essentially, true poverty is having it all yet feeling nothing. Just because I do not have doesn't mean I am in poverty. Poverty is when you have everything in the world and yet you are still lonely", she said with wise eyes..."

Fix It Friday!

2010-07-13T19:30:00.000-07:00

Hi Friends,

It's been a while since I've participated in Fix It Friday, but I had a great excuse for editing this photo today. I downloaded a trial version of Photoshop Elements and I've been having fun figuring things out and experimenting with all that it can do. I usually use Picnik.com, which I've been very happy with, but I think it might be time for an upgrade. So what do you all think? This is my first real edit using PSE. I can't even remember what I did, but I used a lot of Pioneer Woman's actions and some tweaking by hand to achieve the results. Tomorrow I'll be off to Rita's Coffeeshop to figure out how to install some of her actions. I had some trouble installing Powder Room 2 into PSE 8. The error message said it wasn't compatible with PSE 8. Say it isn't so!

Original:

My edit:

One Thousand Gifts - #34 - 44

2010-07-12T04:55:00.000-07:00

Gratitude from my morning devotions today... It seems almost silly to number them 34-44. These great truths take me straight to 1,000 and infinitely beyond.

~ But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)

~ For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— (Ephesians 2:9)

~ But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement,through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. (Romans 3:21-26)

~ Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man,in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit. Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you. (Romans 8:1-11)

~ For I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. (Romans 8:18)

~ 35 weeks!
~ a bin of boy clothes from a friend (just in case!)
~ 30 candles
~ My flower picking, animal loving girls.
~ tiny 24 month old fingers folded in prayer to the Eternal One.

Comments Not Showing Up

2010-07-07T12:40:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,

I'm not sure what the problem is, but the comments you've been leaving are not showing up on my blog. I've approved at least 5 that simply disappeared after I approved them. Does anyone know if Blogger is having a problem or how I can fix it?

Thanks in advance!

Bethany Dillon had her baby!

2010-07-07T09:03:00.000-07:00

Hi Friends!

I've noticed that my post on Bethany Dillon's (well, really Barnard) pregnancy received a lot of traffic over the last few months. I thought you'd like to know Bethany tweeted, "Lucy James Barnard was born on June 30 at 3:24pm. She was 20 1/2 inches and 7 lbs 8 oz! She has a full head of sweet hair."

This is the picture that Bethany posted on Twitter! What a cutie!

Congratulations Bethany and Shane!

from Him, through Him, to Him - Chapter 2

2010-07-07T04:30:00.000-07:00

Hi Ladies,

This is the third post in the True Woman Series. You can find the introduction here and chapter 1 here.

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! "For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?" "Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?" For from him and through him and to Him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen. (Romans 11:33-36)

Know Him

A true woman embraces the truth about God. She accepts God as He says He is in His word, and she rejects what the culture says about Him. The world doesn't know Him. She knows God and actively seeks to know Him better through reading the Bible, prayer, church, and fellowship with other believers. Learning about God's character fuels her transformation into a godly woman. Her thoughts, actions, motives, and attitudes are shaped by an increasing revelation about His character. He is her anchor and she places her complete trust in His sovereignty and inscrutable ways.

Radical

A woman of God lives a radical, counter-cultural life. She is not self-centered, her life's pursuit is not to accomplish all of her goals, she does not chase after the American Dream. She is three things:

1. She is God-centered.

She stands on the solid rock foundation of a God who is perfectly wise and in control. She has genuine hope in a world full of pain and uncertainty. She is not easily shaken. (Proverbs 31:25)

2. She trusts God.

She does not give in to fear because God's depths never reach bottom and His ways are beyond finding out. He is in charge of all things and even uses the seemingly bad circumstances in our lives for our good and for His plan. She leans on Him and trusts Him in times of prosperity and joy as well as in pain and hardship. She doesn't strive, control, manipulate, resent, resist, or run from the cross.

3. She says, "Yes, Lord."

A true woman's compass is God's Word. She doesn't live her life or process circumstances by her ever changing feelings and emotions. How confusing and unreliable! She accepts her God-given roles with gratitude and lives intentionally. Instead of asking, "What will make me happy?", she asks, "What will please You, Lord?" She says yes to forgiveness, repentance, serving, embracing God's choices, trusting Him with her circumstances, and to fulfilling His purposes. She says no to bitterness, self-centeredness, whining, complaining, pining, resenting.

Making It Personal

The verse in Romans that this chapter is based on is so rich and full of truth. I found it helpful to unpack small chunks of it and apply it to my life and circumstances. I encourage you to do the same!

Oh, the depth of the riches...

When I sinfully compare my children's abilities, personalities, fill-in-the-blank to other children...

When I crave material things...

When I believe the lie that I don't have enough...

Lord, remind me that You have and always will provide for my needs in your perfect timing. Keep me from the sin of comparison and remind me that even if I gain nothing other than Christ in this life, I already have everything because I have You.

Oh, the depth... of the wisdom and knowledge of God...

When I think that You surely don't see or care about the challenges I face...

When I think I can hide something from You...

When I sugar coat my fears and insecurities...

Oh Lord, you know it all, and you have the solution to every circumstance that overwhelms me. Help me run to you first when I need answers.

How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways...

When I can't see how something could possibly work out for my good...

When I'm impatient about an outcome...

When things don't make sense...

Father, You know. You're in control. You make no mistakes. Allow me to rest in You.

For from him and through him and to Him are all things...

When my view of You is too small...

When I don't desire You like I should...

When I'm tempted to think that I'm the one holding things together...

Remind me that You are the Source and Sustainer. Help me to desire You and to live my life for one purpose - to bring You glory. Amen.

One Thousand Gifts - #16 to #33

2010-07-05T12:14:00.000-07:00

"Family Vacation"

Create a free slideshow with Picnik!

#16 - #33

~ family vacation to relax and unwind
~ 11 hours of travel (one way!) to sanctify
~ sandy toes splashing in salty water
~ seashells collected and cherished
~ pelican shadows rippling over well-trodden sand
~ enjoying the weightlessness of my 8 month preggo body in the pool
~ reconnecting with long distant family
~ islands with wild ponies
~ a ferry ride
~ Scrabble with my husband in the evening
~ best friends who travel half-way across the world for 5 weeks to do this
~ a father-in-law whose eyes fill up with tears when he speaks of Jesus
~ the sweet slumber of my 2 year old on my chest at the beach. I hardly get to hold her like that anymore.
~ our return home to comfort, familiarity, and routine
~ a 4th of July bash
~ the freedom to worship God and gather with fellow believers
~ icing cupcakes with Rachel
~ licking the spoons

Gift Ideas for Tots and Preschoolers...

2010-06-22T11:52:00.000-07:00

Hi Friends,

Our sweet Abby just celebrated her 2nd birthday and she LOVES the toys she received so much that I just had to recommend them. We've been really into classic wooden toys lately (love Melissa and Doug!) as well as old fashioned educational toys. Fortunately, we have a wonderful parent-teacher resource center in the area where we can borrow toys and educational products. Whenever I borrow something she loves, I just add it to her Amazon wishlist and send it out to family members for birthdays and around Christmas time.

She loves these toys and she is able to play with them independently (yes!) while I work with Rachel on something more academic or while I'm simply reading her a story.

~Catherine

Ooh! A Laminator for a GREAT Deal!

2010-06-22T11:38:00.000-07:00

Hi Friends,

I just had to tell you about this super deal that I saw over on Amber's blog. I've had this laminator in my Amazon shopping cart for a long time. I finally bought it today because it's on SAAALE for a great price! When you buy the laminator and a pack of 50 laminating sheets, you can send in a $20 rebate! After the rebate, you get both items for only $21.49!!! That's an amazing deal! The offer is good until July 31.

I personally think that everyone should own a laminator... especially teachers and homeschoolers. It's kind of addicting making all your papers shiny, don't you think? Ooo, the possibilities!

It's a Dad's Life

2010-06-22T11:01:00.000-07:00

Dear Matt,

I thought you'd get a chuckle out of this. :)

Dad Life from Church on the Move on Vimeo.

Gratitude - On My Way to Counting 1,000 Gifts

2010-06-21T12:16:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

If you've never visited Ann at Holy Experience, you need to drop everything and go over there right now. I've been so very blessed by her thoughts ever since I stumbled upon her blog last month. Every post and every sentence is so beautifully crafted. Her thoughts are full of depth, reflection, and undergirded by the rock solid foundation of the Word. Her honesty, love for God, and other tips and tidbits simply inspire me. This post in particular had a profound impact on me as a Mom.

Today I'm joining her Gratitude Community. The purpose of it is to make my life about worship and to glorify God by counting 1,000 gifts. There is something magical about gratitude and recognizing that every good and perfect gift is from above. (James 1:17) But more than counting the good gifts, I want to be a woman who is joyful always, who prays continually, and who gives thanks in all circumstances. This is God's will for me. (I Thessalonians 5:16-18)

#1 - #15

~ a third child enwombed
~ the squeals of sister play
~ the warmth of a quilt lovingly crafted by my mother-in-law
~ the comfort of the Word
~ the awakening of the coffee machine
~ the chirps of an early morning symphony
~ our humble home wrapped in early morning light
~ a husband and three children safely tucked in, warm
~ that the pangs of childbirth I fear are but a light and momentary affliction that promise to bring forth new life
~ His unrelenting pursuit of me - the Ultimate Wooer (Hosea 2:14-23)
~ the sweet voice of my 24 month old. Her eyes blink open after night's long slumber and the first utterance from her lips is a Scripture song. May I do the same.
~ grace upon grace (Romans 5:8)
~ the loving arms of a husband whose touch wraps me in unspoken words of patience, kindness, forever love
~ a Lamp unto our feet (Psalm 119:105)
~ counting fish

In Gratitude,
Catherine

Seeds of Character

2010-06-18T12:12:00.000-07:00

Hi Friends,

Our family loves, loves, LOVES Seeds Family Worship. We have all 5 of their CD's and they've been playing non-stop since they arrived. Matt and I think they're so great that we listen to them even when the kids aren't around. Our entire family is memorizing so much Scripture - even our little 24 month old Abby. This morning when she woke up, the first thing out of her mouth was her little voice singing "out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks" from Matthew 12:34. (Actually, when she sings it sounds more like "outta overfo..... heart..... THE MOUTH SPEAKS!") Priceless!

The Scriptures on each CD focus on a specific topic (courage, faith, praise, purpose, and encouragement). Seeds is gearing up to create their 6th album called Seeds of Character which will highlight the character of Christ. I'm really excited about this one!

Seeds needs our help! They are asking us to purchase the CD in advance so they can raise the funds to create it. Everything they do is amazingly high quality, from the song writers to the musicians to the vocalists, so it's pretty expensive for them to produce. Their 6th CD can only be funded if at least $52,500 is pledged by Saturday, July 24. Will you purchase your CD today? As it says on their website, "Let's go build some character!"

Thanks all!
Catherine

You're 2!

2010-06-15T11:50:00.000-07:00

Dear Abigail,

Happy Birthday Sweetie! You turned 2 today! Mommy, Daddy, and Rachel can't imagine life without you. You bring us such joy with your sense of humor, energy, and adorable facial expressions. You love to sing and dance. Your best friend is your sister and you can't stand to be apart from her. We simply adore you, and we're so thankful that Jesus chose us to be your family.

Love Always,
Mommy, Daddy, and Rae Rae

PreK Corner & Tot School too

2010-06-11T21:26:00.000-07:00

Dear Girls,

The weather has been gorgeous and we have just been enjoying life. Most of our recent days have been spent outdoors, at the park, or on a play date with friends. We've been exploring fun things in the community like strawberry picking, a horse park, and a local town's community day. We raised butterflies again this year and released them this morning. You built a bird house with Daddy from scratch! We go out in the mornings, pick flowers in the afternoons, and chase fireflies in the evening. It makes me marvel at God to explore the world through your eyes.

Rachel in her glory riding a horse with a crazy eye.

Her favorite pony at the horse park. She pet, hugged, and kissed it for an hour!

Daddy and Abby at the horse park.

Pictures from our butterfly release...

The Ultimate Meaning of True Womanhood - Chapter 1

2010-06-08T20:14:00.000-07:00

Hi Ladies,

John Piper's goal in the first chapter is to clarify the ultimate meaning of true womanhood, and to motivate us to embrace it as our highest calling.

What shapes you?

We are constantly bombarded by various messages on womanhood each day. Who or what shapes you, your values, and the way you understand the world? What voices do you listen to? TV? The internet? Magazines? Friends and family? Are you, like Eve, being seduced by lies? Are you being led astray from what is good and wise? Or do you look to God for truth and bend your ear toward His voice of Wisdom? Do you believe that He is full of grace and truth and that His ways are truly best even when they don't make sense to us? Are you God-centered or self-centered?

The most important thing about a person is what they believe about God. We should look to God's truth to shape our beliefs and values. We should not do the opposite and look to our culture to shape our view of God! As John Piper says in the first chapter, "Wimpy theology makes wimpy women. Wimpy theology simply does not give a woman a God that is big enough, strong enough, wise enough, and good enough to handle the realities of life in a way that magnifies the infinite worth of Jesus Christ." (p. 21)

Ultimate Purpose
When God created the universe and everything in it, His design was intentional, deliberate, purposeful, and beautiful. Everything was made according to His plan, His idea, and His purposes. Masculinity and femininity were not created as an afterthought. They were created to teach us more about God.

Consider how marriage portrays a beautiful picture of Christ's sacrificial love:
"Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her... that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish." (Ephesians 5:25-27)

Again, we get a glimpse of Christ's relationship to the church, His bride.
"Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church." (Ephesians 5:31)

Piper says that marriage is "meant to display the covenant-keeping love between Christ and His church... Marriage will display, as in a mirror dimly, something of the glory of the sacrificial love of Christ for His bride and the lavish reverence and admiration of the bride for her husband.

Intentional Design

Piper concludes that God made us male and female to more fully display the glory of Jesus. If we were just genderless people, there would be aspects of Christ's nature that would not be known. The very reason why males and females exist, why we're given in marriage at all, is because it points to something much bigger than gender and marital status. If you thought your marriage was about you and your husband, it's not. It actually points to Christ, the cross, and His relationship to the church! Piper doesn't believe that God simply looked around and decided that marriage would be a good analogy to describe Jesus' relationship to the church. It was all preplanned from the beginning of time.

Finding Fulfillment

If God was so intentional about manhood and womanhood, and if He uses it to describe something about Jesus, it's definitely a very important topic. As we go through the rest of the series, I believe we will be most satisfied and most fulfilled in our roles as women when we trust the One who designed us this way.

Is your theology wimpy or do you believe He is all knowing, completely wise, and thoroughly intentional about the way He created us? Believing the truth about God and who He is will help you see the beauty in His plan for you as a woman.

My next post will be on Chapter 2: From Him, through Him, to Him by Nancy Leigh DeMoss.

Love,
Catherine

Five Question Friday!

2010-06-04T18:44:00.000-07:00

1. If you could go back to college would you change your major? Or, if you were to go to college right now...what major would you choose?
Matt: I would. I think I would have liked to major in History and Bible... and yet I like what I currently do for a living (computers).

Catherine: No! I loved majoring in Elementary Ed. Teaching was the perfect career for me while it lasted, and my background will continue to help me as I homeschool my children. My coordinate major was Psychology, which was completely pointless, so I would definitely change that to something more useful.

2. What do you love most about your home?
Matt: That I can talk to you from one end of the house and you can still hear me from the other end. (Hello 1,000 square feet)

Catherine: I love that it's ours. Every square inch of our home has our personal touch. When we bought it, we were a tad naive and soon found out that the home needed a LOT more work than we had anticipated. Every wall, ceiling, and floor was knocked down, ripped out, and replaced through our blood, sweat, and tears.

3. What types of books do you like to read (if you like to read at all)?

Matt: Theology and history.

Catherine: This sounds boring, but I always find myself reading how-to books. How to parent... how to do this... how to do that. I'm trying to broaden my horizons though. :)

4. What is the grossest thing you've ever eaten?
Matt: Anchovy paste! I was at an authentic Italian restaurant and the dressing on the Caesar salad tasted like dead fish.

Catherine: A fly. It landed in my tea when I was a child. It was crunchy. I cried.

5. If you HAD to be a character on a TV show, whom would you be?
Matt: Desmond from LOST.

Catherine: Well then I should be Penny from LOST. :)

Voices of the True Woman Movement - Intro

2010-06-04T09:29:00.000-07:00

Hi Ladies,

God has placed a powerful vision on my heart for myself and other women. To sum it up I desperately want to be a godly wife and mother and to spread the message of God's true design for us as women. I consider it such a precious gift that He has revealed the true worth and value of womanhood and motherhood to me, for I did not always feel this way. There was a time when I embraced the world's view of these roles, yet God has graciously allowed me to see the emptiness of the path centered on Self. I have a desire to connect with like-minded women and a burden for those who are still trying to navigate through life the world's way. I pray my next series of posts will encourage us to see the beauty in God's design for women.

I've wanted to blog about this subject for some time now, but I felt unqualified because I'm still learning and growing in these areas myself! That is why I am so thankful for the wonderful folks at Revive Our Hearts. They sent me a free copy of Nancy Leigh DeMoss' new release - Voices of the True Woman Movement: A Call to the Counter-Revolution. The book is a collection of Christ-centered messages from the first True Woman Conference by John Piper, Nancy Leigh DeMoss, Mary Kassian, Janet Parshall, Joni Eareckson Tada, Karen Lorritts, and Fern Nichols. I'm so thankful to have a resource full of wisdom from these wonderful people! I have agreed to blog about each of the nine chapters in the book.

Here is a sneak peak of the topics I'll be discussing:

PART ONE

Foundations of True Womanhood
Chapter 1: The Ultimate Meaning of True Womanhood - John Piper
Chapter 2: From Him, through Him, to Him - Nancy Leigh DeMoss

PART TWO

The Battle for True Womanhood
Chapter 3: You've Come a Long Way, Baby! - Mary A. Kassian
Chapter 4: For Such a Time as This - Nancy Leigh DeMoss

PART THREE

The Refining of True Womanhood
Chapter 5: A Woman after God's Own Heart - Janet Parshall
Chapter 6: Choosing Faith in Seasons of Change - Karen Loritts
Chapter 7: God's Jewels - Joni Eareckson Tada

PART FOUR

Reclaiming True Womanhood
Chapter 8: Leaving a Lasting Legacy through Prayer - Fern Nichols
Chapter 9: A Call to the Counter-Revolution - Nancy Leigh DeMoss

I hope you'll join me for this series and share your thoughts and comments. I'm going to add a button to the sidebar of my blog that will link to the entire series.

Love,
Catherine

Preschool Corner - Randomness

2010-05-29T06:01:00.000-07:00

Dear Rachel,

Here are some of the things we've done over the past couple of weeks of randomness. We're taking a little break from our curriculum, and we've been spending a lot of time outside and just having fun! The things we're still doing daily are a Bible story, the Reading Lesson, tons of library books, and working on character and good habits.

A letter C hunt. This was partially for Abby, but you had fun too. ;)

You were thrilled with this! Anything involving animals is so interesting to you. Here you chose all your favorites. You drew some and I drew some. Then you colored everything and traced the words.

Lite Brite! Classic fun. :)

Pom pom patterns.

Strawberry picking!

Here we used links to measure different parts of our bodies and recorded the information here. Toward the end, you asked to write the numbers yourself.

Who knows what we'll do next week!

Love,

Mommy

Happy Anniversary! 7 Years!

2010-05-25T10:50:00.000-07:00

Dear Matt,

Happy Anniversary! Has it really been 7 years? Didn't I only walk down the aisle a short time ago? What a beautiful day it was when we stood before God, family, and friends and made a lifelong commitment to each other.

Thank you for being such a wonderful husband. Thank you for loving and serving Jesus and your family wholeheartedly. You humbly lead, sacrifice, protect, and provide. You labor diligently. You are trustworthy and kind. You are adored by our two little girls. It gives me such joy to see you greeted with their squeals and the pitter patter of excited feet when you return home from work.

You are patient, you are kind. You do not envy nor boast. You are not proud. You are not rude or self-seeking, you are not easily angered, you keep no record of wrongs. You do not delight in evil but rejoice with the truth. You always protect, always trust, always hope, always persevere. (I Corinthians 13:4-7)

The inscription on your wedding ring says, "Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain."(Psalm 127:1) Thank you for building our home on the solid foundation of Jesus, for inspiring and challenging me to do the same, and for training up our children in the way they should go. (Proverbs 22:6) It is an honor to be your wife.

Love,
Catherine

P.S. Sorry for the low quality picture of a picture! You'll have to scan in a nice one later. :)

I Heart Faces - Yellow Photo Challenge

2010-05-24T11:52:00.000-07:00

I Heart Faces is hosting a "Yellow" Photo Challenge this week. I immediately thought of this picture of Rachel taken last April. I could probably snap a similar photo of her every day! She still loves picking flowers and wants to pick them wherever she goes. I have to explain the difference between wildflowers that she can pick and flowers that belong to others that we have to leave alone. Today she tried to convince me that the flowers in the garden at the library were wildflowers and not "tame" flowers, therefore she should be able to pick them. Hmm. Not exactly!

Tot School - 23 months

2010-05-18T12:10:00.000-07:00

Dear Abby,

You are 23 months old! Here are some of the fun things we did this week:

You love learning about letters! This puzzle was a big hit and you've learned about 15 of your letters just by playing it everyday for a week.

Sometimes you got frustrated when the letters wouldn't go in. You were also really quirky about wanting the C in the G spot and vice versa. You cried every time Mommy tried to fix it!

You also love this transportation puzzle. Rachel makes me sing a made up song about all the different types of transportation and you both run around the room acting it out and squealing.

Here's Rachel teaching you about shapes and colors! You're actually sitting nicely and listening as opposed to sitting on top of the book because you know Rachel can't stand that. Ahh... sisters. :)

This is a shape silhouette puzzle from Confessions of a Homeschooler. This lasted about 3 minutes. You preferred hoarding the shapes in your lap when you got wind that Rachel wanted to play, and you also enjoyed putting them on your stuffed cat's head (Catty). On a positive note, you somehow learned all of your shape names. (Thanks Rachel!)

Good old sister fun! What could be better than being buried under a pile of stuffed animals in a nest chair? You both played this for an hour.

Here's a sweet letter R craft from Jolanthe at Totally Tots. Mommy helped you a lot with it. I don't do well with letting you go to town when glue is involved. Yes, I'm uptight about messes. :) By the way, your expressions in this photo make me laugh so hard!

You know your colors now so I thought we'd try some color sorting with lots of help from Mommy. I'm not sure if you caught onto the idea or not. There was a split second when I thought maybe... but it was much more fun for you to just play around with them and that's ok.

We had another fun week for Tot School! Mommy loves you very much.

Love,
Mommy

I Heart Faces - Faces and Flowers Photo Challenge

2010-05-17T13:02:00.000-07:00

The photo challenge at I Heart Faces this week is Faces and Flowers. I can't quite explain it, but I've always been drawn to this picture of Abby. Perhaps it's the springy lime green background and the blue of her eyes. Perhaps it's how perfectly paired little girls and delicate flowers are. Or perhaps it is how quickly this little version of her has faded into our memories as quickly as a flower of the field. Our soon to be 2 year old looks so grown up compared to this sweet picture.

Kid Quotes

2010-05-14T09:38:00.000-07:00

Dear Girlies,

Here are some of the funny things you've said lately. I wish I could remember everything, but here are just a few:

Me: Rachel, why do you want the new baby to be a girl so badly?
Rachel: Because girls are much cuter and they're calm. The boys at church are craaaazy!

Rachel (while I was changing Abby's diaper): Eww that really stinks!
Me: Well, yeah. Everybody's poopy stinks.
Rachel: Not like Abby's! Hers is the worst!

Me (while we were all eating dessert): I see two little happy girls over there!
Rachel: And one little happy Mommy!

Abby (while touching her pony tails): Mommy! Horsey tail!

Abby (while sitting on our dog Charlie): Giddy up!

Abby (after peering into the toilet bowl): Poopy! Yucky! Don't touch it!

Me: Abby? Are you ready to be a big girl and use the potty?
Abby: No! (momentary pause) No way!

Sorry for the potty theme. That's my life at the moment.

And where does an almost 2 year old pick up phrases like "No way!"? She cracks me up.

Love,
Mommy

What Are Sight Words? Ideas and Activities.

2010-05-06T11:54:00.000-07:00

Hi Friends,

Recently someone asked me a question on this post about sight words and where we get our handwriting practice pages.

Our handwriting pages come from Hubbard's Cupboard. Click here to print them from Aa to Zz! (Note: It helps to print them in color so the green and red lines are easily distinguishable).

Now about sight words! In case some readers are not familiar with this term, I'll talk about some of the basics first.

What are sight words?
They are common words that children memorize and read by "sight" without having to sound them out. They often have unique spellings and do not follow common phonics rules.

Where do they come from?
Sight words are taken from the Dolch word list, a list of frequently used words. Memorizing words that are encountered frequently in reading helps a child to read more fluently.

Where do you get your sight word list?
Sight word lists can have some variation, but there is a great deal of overlap. Right now we're using the sight words from Hubbard's Cupboard Joyful Hearts Curriculum listed below. As a comparison, I will also list the sight words I taught my students when I was a public school Kindergarten teacher.

49 Hubbards Cupboard Sight Words (4-6 year olds):
we, will, I, see, a, me, the, this, is, my, not, at, love, can, are, in here, go, like, there, and, on, to, you, look, do, was, for, said, give, with, am, he, she, have, has, they, your, where, when, does, some, were, of, who, what, that, come, from

Click here for printable sight word flashcards from Hubbard's Cupboard.

26 Sight Words I Used as a Kindergarten Teacher:
the, he, she, has, with, to, me, go, do, for, has, was, not, is, and, you, know, said, are, that, my, we, I, a, of, have

How should I teach sight words?
There are a million ways, but here are just a few fun and simple ideas.
~ Clap out the letters and jump while saying the word.
~ Sing it to a tune like B-I-N-G-O (T-H-E spells the! T-H-E spells the! T-H-E spells the! And "the" is our new sight word!)
~ Trace the word in sand.
~ Rainbow writing: Write the word in large letters on a piece of paper. Ask your child to trace the word in red, then again in orange, then in yellow, etc. Kids love the result and tracing it 7 times helps with retention.
~ Dig for Letters: Hide the letters in a container of rice. Ask your child to find them and build the word.
~ Form the word with Wikkisticks
~ Glitter letters: Write the word in large letters on a piece of paper. Have your child glue glitter onto it. (Alternatives to glitter: pom poms, stickers, yarn, construction paper squares, cotton balls, cereal, Do A Dots, etc)
~ Hide and Seek: Hide all of the words you've learned around the room. Ask your child to find them and bring them to you one at a time. Ask your child to read each word.
~ Masking tape letters: Make a HUGE sight word on the floor with masking tape. Ask your child to jump, walk, or drive toy cars over the letters.

As you can see, you can really let your imagination go wild with learning sight words. It's great to vary the way that you learn and review them to keep things interesting! It's also very helpful to keep the sight words you've learned posted somewhere visible. In school, we called them "star words" and each word was on a bright yellow star. Perhaps you can ask your child what his/her favorite shape is. I have a friend whose daughter loved hearts, so they called them "heart words". Whatever works!

I hope you found this helpful! Please share other ways that you learn sight words in your home.

~Catherine

4 Kinds of Love

2010-05-05T11:59:00.000-07:00

"The love for equals is a human thing - of friend for friend, brother for brother. It is to love what is loving and lovely. The world smiles.

The love for the less fortunate is a beautiful thing - the love for those who suffer, for those who are poor, the sick, the failures, the unlovely. This is compassion, and it touches the heart of the world.

The love for the more fortunate is a rare thing - to love those who succeed where we fail, to rejoice without envy with those who rejoice, the love of the poor for the rich, of the black man for the white man. The world is always bewildered by its saints.

And then there is the love for the enemy - love for the one who does not love you but mocks, threatens, and inflicts pain. The tortured's love for the torturer. This is God's love. It conquers the world."

-Frederick Buechner in The Magnificent Defeat

Tot School - 22 months

2010-05-03T11:58:00.000-07:00

Dear Abby,

You are 22 months old! We're getting so close to the big 2! Mommy thought it would be fun to start taking more pictures of what you've been up to lately. Here's our first official Tot School post!

You love colors! Somehow Big Sister taught you your colors before Mommy had a chance to! We used those fine motor skills to stack as we named each color. At one point you got pretty frustrated that you couldn't get the orange block on, but you quickly got the hang of it.

You love Elmo and had a great time feeding him buttons. You cracked Mommy up when you adorned him with a silly hat and nose by using a silver tin and cap.

More color match fun! This little toy has springs in it. When you push down the little colored guys, they jump up and sometimes out of the block. You love this!

Wow! We love Do A Dots! So fun and not a lot of mess!!

Watercolors were fun, but veeeery messy. Mommy needs to get better about letting you make messes without cringing every 5 seconds and swooping in with a paper towel. :)

There goes Rachel teaching you things again. This must be how you've been learning the letters that I haven't taught you!

Alphabet blocks and Lincoln logs! We made a zoo and you learned some new animal names.

Gardening with Daddy. :) You loved this, but you were a little dangerous with your shovel. You almost decapitated the poor plant several times.

All in all, we had a great week! Mommy is looking forward to next week with you.

Love,
Mommy

Preschool Corner - Content

2010-04-30T06:47:00.000-07:00

Dear Rachel,

This week we learned about what it means to be content. Being content with what God has given us gives us a thankful heart, and it makes us less prone to complain and compare. The opposites of contentment are envy, jealousy, complaining, and coveting.

Be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5b)

We practiced writing the letter Gg, learned our new site word "like", and continued encouraging the budding artist in you. You could color all day if I let you.

Abby is developing a love for art supplies. Dumping the bucket of colored pencils onto the floor 5,000 times and scribbling on the walls in purple marker were among her artistic feats this week.

Art makes Mommy tired.

I love you both,

Mommy

Muffin Tin Monday... err Wednesday

2010-04-28T11:12:00.000-07:00

Dear Rachel and Abby,

You girls are very picky eaters! Mommy and Daddy don't know how you survive on the small amounts that you eat.

In the past, I was a sneaky chef who disguised and concealed foods to make sure you were getting all the nutrition you needed. As you got older, your full, unfinished plates of food became the next meal. Sometimes this worked, sometimes it didn't. We also withhold dessert on a regular basis when you haven't eaten enough. One evening you told us, "That's ok. I don't mind if I don't have a cookie." Time to switch tactics.

Yesterday I stumbled across a new blog called Muffin Tin Mom. She uses muffin tins to creatively present lunch to her children. She hosts a weekly blog carnival where Moms can share pictures of their muffin tins and what they put in them. There is sometimes a theme to follow like using rainbow colors, a Spring theme, or holiday colors.

There is no particular theme this week, so I thought I'd give it a try and link up. Instead of muffin tins, I used trays from Target. Our muffin tins are a little grungy. :) I'm happy to report that this was quite a hit with you girls! Picky eaters no more! You enthusiastically ate almost everything on your trays! Thanks for the great idea Muffin Tin Mom!

Well girls, we try our best to get you to eat right, but it's not something that we lose sleep over. We are confident that you won't starve yourselves and that you'll eat when you're hungry. As long as we present you with healthy options, we know that you'll do fine. If it helps to serve lunch in a muffin tin, so be it.

Love,
Mommy

Noah's Ark

2010-04-27T11:02:00.000-07:00

Supposedly Noah's Ark has been found. See the link from Fox News.

What do you think? Even if it was found, would your faith be different? If it was found to be a complete hoax, would your faith be shaken? I think the ark has been "found" many times before.

Then I thought - "nope" - 'cause that's not what my faith is based on. :)

Matt

Fix It Friday!

2010-04-23T12:41:00.000-07:00

It's Fix It Friday at I Heart Faces again! I had a lot of fun working on this cute photo.

Here is the original:

And here is my edit:

What do you think?
See more photo edits at I Heart Faces!

Proof...

2010-04-22T18:29:00.000-07:00

...that I exist. :)

Since I'm usually behind the camera, I thought I'd post a very rare picture of me. What's even more odd is that I'm by myself! Well... not completely. Baby #3 is in there too. Here we are on Easter at 5 months along. I'm feeling much bigger now at 6 months. A month makes such a big difference! I'm feeling great, and I love being pregnant.

Rachel was able to feel some kicks yesterday! She gets so excited whenever we talk about the baby except when the possibility of the baby being a boy comes up. Then she adamantly refuses the possibility and tells us that it's definitely a girl. Her reasoning? Because she's been praying for "years" for another girl.

Abby doesn't quite understand the concept that there's a baby in there and calls my belly a ball. Thanks, Abby! We're a little concerned about some possible jealousy issues she may have after the baby is born. I was able to hold two cutie newborns last week. Her reaction? Crying, screaming, throwing herself on the floor, shouting "Abby lap!", and causing a major ruckus. Oy!

It's going to be fun!

Now THAT is funny!

2010-04-20T10:04:00.000-07:00

Have you ever heard of Tim Hawkins? Our friends told us about him a few months ago. The homeschool video absolutely cracks me up! And the Chik Fil A one is a classic too. Enjoy!

Heeheehee! I love it. :)

Happy Spring!

2010-04-13T11:17:00.000-07:00

"Picnik Show"

Create a free slideshow with Picnik!

In contrast to winter, the beginning of spring has been so refreshing, and we've spent a great deal of time outdoors. My girls run to me excitedly with cupped hands full of dandelions. They discover the growth of new buds in the garden and squeal excitedly as they push through the soil and grow taller. They watch Baby Tree's branches transform from barren, to bud, to flower, to leaf. We spy the robin's nest nestled in the branches. We see patches of torn grass and traces of fur that reveal the location of mother rabbit's nest.

It's a time of new birth and renewal.

And all around us creation whispers His story. It foreshadows another renewal, a different kind of new birth, and the redemption that is to come for the children of God.

^"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time." (I Peter 1:3-5)

Heart of Dakota vs. My Father's World

2010-04-09T12:53:00.000-07:00

Dear Fellow Homeschooling Mommies in Search of a Curriculum,

As if the decision to homeschool our children wasn't hard enough, choosing a curriculum from the sea of choices seemed completely overwhelming to me!

After talking with other homeschooling Moms and doing HOURS of online research, I narrowed it down to two curricula: Heart of Dakota (HOD) and My Father's World (MFW).

From reading homeschooling forums and reviews, I noticed that a lot of other Moms closely consider these two programs too. In an effort to save you some time and research, I want to link you to a forum post comparing the similarities and differences of HOD and MFW. The comparison is clearly written and seasoned with grace and respect for both programs. It well help you to discern which of these two wonderful programs would best fit your goals, family, and teaching style.

Click here to read the review.

For me, it confirmed all of the reasons why we chose HOD, but it may do the complete opposite for you. Isn't it wonderful to have many Christ centered programs to choose from? There are so many more out there too!

What curriculum do you use and why do you love it?

In Christ,
Catherine

The Whiny Complainies

2010-04-07T11:30:00.000-07:00

Hi Friends,

Can you tell what we've been working on in our house lately? Yup. We're getting rid of the Whiny Complainies.

Today marks Day 1 of Operation Crackdown complete with a handy dandy behavior chart and consequence sheet. Whenever Rachel answers us with an inappropriate response, we put an X in one of the boxes on the consequence sheet. Each X takes away 5 minutes of a desired activity. The three activities I included are TV time, computer time, and activity time.

Today I learned that losing computer or activity time "doesn't make her sad". Losing TV time was a SUPER BIG deal though. Rachel is only allowed to watch a 30 minute show in the morning (Dinosaur Train) and a 30 minute show in the afternoon (Dora). She got 3 X's today and really felt the effect of missing half of Dora. She practically drowned herself in tears when I turned it off before Dora wears her butterfly costume and arrives at the crystal castle. Aiy yiy yiy! It was a great opportunity to reinforce why she lost TV time in the first place and how she can improve the way she answers Mommy in the future.

So far it seems to be working! I'm not ready to do a Mommy victory dance yet, but any amount of progress is so refreshing. She seems to be more aware of how she responds and is quick to apologize if she answers inappropriately. So much of it has become a deeply rooted habit (my fault) that will take time, patience, and prayer to break.

In addition to the charts, we are also reviewing two of her old memory verses: Philippians 2:14 and Proverbs 15:1.

The behavior and consequence charts are available for you to download if you'd like:

Appropriate vs Inappropriate Responses

5 Minute Interval Consequence Chart

Hubbard's Cupboard Joyful Hearts Character Curriculum {Review}

2010-04-05T11:43:00.000-07:00

Hi Friends,

As I wait for Rachel to grow into her Kindergarten year, we've been using Hubbard's Cupboard Joyful Heart Character Curriculum for 4-6 year olds in the interim.

There are so many things that I love about this program:
1. The theme of each week is centered around a biblical character trait, a corresponding Bible story, and a memory verse. So far the character traits have been so timely and exactly what we needed to focus on.

2. It incorporates everything that you would expect for a strong preschool program - Bible, literacy, math, music, art, handwriting, social studies, calendar time, hands-on activities, games, etc.

3. The literacy portion is quite solid. It includes suggestions for character and theme related books, sight word memorization and activities, letter and sound review, weekly word family focus, printable easy readers, CVC words, rhyming, syllables, blending, etc.

4. The lessons plans are done for me. I simply print them each week and check off the boxes as we complete each item. I LOVE checking off boxes!

5. They include a scope and sequence for nerds like me. This also ensures me that the curriculum was planned and well thought out.

6. It's free! Everything you need can be printed out. Easy peasy!

I really want to encourage you to click over and take a peek. There is so much to this curriculum! This has been the perfect bridge between finishing our preschool Little Hands to Heaven program and waiting for Little Hearts for His Glory for Kindergarten.

If you do check it out, let me know what you think!

~Catherine :)

God's Wonderful Surprise

2010-04-01T13:02:00.000-07:00

I was so excited when Girltalk mentioned this video from The Jesus Storybook Bible, one of the children's Bibles that we love and recommend. I had no idea that videos are available and that they post a new one each week. So neat!

We love this Bible! As it says on the cover, "Every story whispers his name." Each Bible story includes a paragraph explaining how the story points to Jesus. It's been so enlightening for me to understand how some of those seemingly unrelated OT stories foreshadow Him. We also love the captivating illustrations and the unique style of writing. Rachel always chooses this Bible to be read to her before bed each night.

We have many children's Bibles, but we're so glad we added this one to our collection.

~Catherine
P.S. I was not asked to write this review and these opinions are my own.

It's Time to Grow Up...

2010-03-31T10:52:00.000-07:00

I took these photos during a Personal Retreat in November 2009.

Hi Friends,

This post feels like familiar territory. I've written one just like it before. Some of the details are different, but the crux of it is the same. Sometimes I need to learn a lesson more than once.

It's time to grow up.

I can feel the Lord challenging me to take a close look at my life. I see where I've been and how far He's brought me, but I know there's much more He wants to do.

Transform me, Lord.

He has, He is, and He will continue to. He takes my desires that are aimed in the wrong direction and he mercifully reveals them for what they are: empty distractions. Sometimes they have to be plucked out like a stubborn weed. The Purple Pear was like that. I didn't want to give it up. I did it as an act of obedience, but I had two stubborn fists clenched around that decision.

It's different with DaisyBows. I first joined with visions of grandeur that He has gradually faded over time, loosening my grip. We've decided to close our Etsy store. I can hear some of you asking, "Why? What's so wrong about having a hobby or a little side business?" Nothing necessarily, but it is wrong for me in this season of life. He wants my whole heart... all of my time... all of my energy. I've been divided.

It's time to dive in.

There are areas of my life that I want to fully give Him. I'm ready to grow into the wife and mother He wants me to be. He's giving me a desire to reach out to others, though that's way out of my comfort zone. He's entrusting us with the gift of a 3rd child in August, which takes my breath away. I also feel the call to homeschool, which is something I never thought I'd say. (Trust me. I was pretty against it at one time.) I feel the weight and seriousness of these responsibilities... not in a burdensome way... but in a way that makes me sure that I can't do them in my own strength. I need Him.

So what has been motivating me?
Reading the Word consistently, growing in my understanding of the gospel and His grace, and a whole bunch of Paul Washer sermons. :)

Please share what the Lord is doing in your life. I'd love to be encouraged by your testimonies!

Love,
Catherine

If you're not sure if you're a Christian and would like to chat, would you drop us a note through email?

Happy Birthday Rachel

2010-03-29T19:14:00.000-07:00

Dear Rachel,

Happy birthday sweethart! You're four today. It seems like just yesterday we watched you enter this world for the first time. We can remember driving you home from the hospital and being so scared and emotional, feeling the weight of raising a child.

But - here we are today. You're still alive :) - and thriving. We thought we were going to teach you things, but you've taught us more about God and ourselves than we could have ever imagined.

We love your pigtails, pony obsession, coloring and songs you like to make up as you go along. Your care for your sister astounds us. You're excited about baby #3, so convinced it is another sister. (but Daddy knows otherwise)

And yet - you have so much more to learn. And so do we. You are a part of a family that is committed to doing it together - loving each other - because God loves us. We are excited to see how you will continue to grow and change. We love you very much, little goose.

Love,
Daddy and Mommy

19 Week Ultrasound!

2010-03-25T10:36:00.000-07:00

"Picnik Show"

Create a free slideshow with Picnik!

I'm in love.

Our baby is healthy and growing and oh so cute. I came home in tears thanking Jesus for this little one. We are blessed beyond words. (Tearing up again as I type this!)

Big sister Rachel was smiling from ear to ear as she watched our baby on the screen. She looked so proud. I'm so glad she can really enjoy these moments and remember them because of her age - my soon to be 4 year old!!

Abby kept us giggling as she tried to process what was going on. These are the things she said:

"Mommy!" (said curiously as if to ask, "What's that lady doing to Mommy?")

"Nite Nite." (She said this because I was laying down for the ultrasound.)

"Belly."

"Dip!" (This one cracked us up! Abby calls all condiments dip. When the tech put the jelly on my belly for the ultrasound, Abby apparently thought it was some kind of dip!)

"Bubbles." (Describing what she saw on the screen.)

"Baby."

Well, I know you're all wondering whether or not we decided to find out. We didn't! It's a SURPRISE!!!

But I will let you in on our hunch. During the ultrasound, there was one point where the baby's legs were spread eagle and... well... we have untrained eyes but... let's just say it definitely looked like there was an extra appendage down there!!!! I looked at Matt and saw him grinning, and I knew he saw it too. I asked, "Did you just see what I think I just saw???" The tech, who knew we didn't want to know, quickly switched the screen to a different part of the baby. I was hoping she would include that picture so I could zoom in and analyze it, but she didn't. Ha!

I guess we'll find out for sure in 20 weeks!

We can't wait to meet you Baby.

A Mother's Discipline...

2010-03-24T13:24:00.000-07:00

...Should Point Daughters to God's Truth.

Read the article here. I was blessed and challenged by it!

That's all for now. I'm just popping in between naps and dinner prep to give you this great link.

~Catherine

P.S. Our BIG ultrasound is tomorrow at 8:30 am!!! I'll post pics tomorrow. Yippee!

Created to Sing!

2010-03-24T05:41:00.000-07:00

Dear Everyone,

I came across this article today linked from Challies.com. With shows like American Idol and those like it, I find myself quick to judge the beauty of a voice by its pitch or the looks from whom it comes. Coming from someone who lacks perfect pitch and body, it was an encouragment to look to God for my identity - and to praise him in that. This quote really stood out to me -

The problem is not that there are people with uncommonly attractive bodies or uncommonly strong voices; the problem is that we have bought into the
idea that unless we possess perfection in body and voice we are in the
minority and should keep ourselves both hidden and unheard. This idea is an
affront to human dignity and to God, who created our bodies and our voices
in all their glorious variety.

I hope you enjoy the article as much as I did.

Matt

Finding Out?

2010-03-19T11:13:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone!

When I got a phone call yesterday from the hospital's perinatal department, I wanted to jump for joy! I knew they were calling to schedule my ultrasound appointment! I quickly shooshed Rachel and waved my hand to try to coax her into the other room so I could hear. Her whining got louder as I heard her say something about our dog Charlie being really stinky, and why does he have to be so stinky? Agreed. So I gave up trying to shoosh her and just decided to plug my ear and make the appointment as quickly as possible.

I heard, "You're almost 19 weeks. How about first thing in the morning next Thursday?"

"I'll take it!"

I hung up, did a little dance for joy, spoke firmly to Rachel about telephone manners, and did another little dance for joy.

The question that friends and family have been asking lately is, "So... are you gonna find out?"

We found out with Rae and Abby, but this time.... I don't know! There's something appealing about being surprised. The drama, the anticipation, the excitement! And I wonder if all the curiosity and anticipation of not knowing will help me get through those final contractions... the ones that made me want to die rather than experience another one. So yeah, I'll take whatever shreds of motivation I can get.

But then there's the practical side of us. We're Planners. We're Practical. We're Matt and Catherine. Matt and Catherine pass up FUN weekend vacations with friends to go minivan shopping. Barf!

I still don't know what we'll decide. When the tech slides the wand over my belly and asks if we want to find out, will the practical side of us win? Will we have the will power to say no?

What have you done? Are you finder outers or secret keepers?

Here's our Little Bubs at 13 weeks... too early to tell the sex.

Win a $10 DaisyBows Gift Certificate!

2010-03-17T13:02:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone!

Spring is in the air, Easter is on its way, my windows and doors are open, and I'm in the mood to give something away today!

DaisyBows is a hair accessory shop that I run with three of my friends. I know I'm a little biased, but I have to tell you that they're the cutest little hair bows I've seen anywhere. :) They're handcrafted with only the best materials - sparkling swarovski crystals (not cheap, dull rhinestones), a non-slip grip on every alligator clip, and we even take steps to prevent our silk flowers from fraying.

Discount:
We are offering a 20% off discount to all of our readers until the end of March! Just enter "MARCH" in the Message to Seller box during checkout for a Paypal refund.

Win It:
One lucky reader will win a $10 gift certificate that you can use online or at a Home Party if you're local.

To Enter:
Take a peek at our shop and leave a comment telling us what your favorite item is.

Optional Extra Entries (leave an additional comment for each of the following):
* Do you subscribe to or follow my blog?
* Blog about this giveaway, and leave your blog link in an additional comment.
* Do you follow me on Twitter? Leave an extra comment with your Twitter name.
* Tweet about this giveaway to your followers.
* Announce the giveaway to your Facebook friends.
* Go to DaisyBows and click on "Add Seller to Favorites" to let us know you like our shop.

This contest will be open until Wednesday, March 24 at 8pm. Good luck!

Jehovah Jireh

2010-03-15T06:33:00.000-07:00

Dear Matt,

Didn't God have his fingerprints all over this weekend?

Let's remember it. He so clearly orchestrated the events and wove every detail together so we could see that it was Him... not us. When we begin to doubt his goodness, his provision, and his promise (Romans 8:28), we need to remember times like these.

This is where I see His fingerprints...

* There were too many "coincidences" for them to be just coincidences.
* The timing of it all is too perfect.
* He's changing our heart's desires at the same time and in the same ways.
* We both felt uneasy and indecisive in the face of the wrong decision. You quoted George Mueller and suggested we wait and pray.
* I uttered a very specific prayer on Sunday at 9am. The answer to that prayer walked up to you on Sunday at 12:30pm in the form of our friend who "randomly" offered us the very thing we were praying about.
* We both felt at peace and sure of this new plan that literally fell into our lap.

I'm humbled, excited, and amazed. It's been a huge lesson in faith and trust, and I'm so thankful for it. It makes me want to shout it from the rooftops and tell everyone how good He is.

Our friends are probably wondering what in the world I'm talking about. :) Don't worry. When things are a bit more finalized, I'll be sure to fill you all in.

Until then... any guesses?

Fix It Friday!

2010-03-12T09:51:00.001-08:00

It's Fix It Friday at I Heart Faces! I took a break from my laundry piles to edit this photo (Load #7 since yesterday. Be impressed. Be very impressed). Can laundry detergent and dryer sheet inhalation adversely effect photo inspiration? Because I tried a lot of different things with this photo and I just couldn't settle on something I liked. But since I spent all of 10 precious Mommy minutes on it, I had to share. Mommy minutes can't be all for naught. :)

Here's the original:

Here's my edit:

I know... I told you. Nothing super inspiring. Check out much better edits at I Heart Faces!

Well Checks and Tantrums

2010-03-11T11:25:00.000-08:00

Dear Abby,

You had your well check a few days ago. The doctor said you look great! You're growing (50th percentile for height and 25th for weight), and healthy, and all is well. You were a trooper during your shots and only cried until I picked you up and held you in my arms. Big Sister Rachel ducked and hid behind the table during your shots. When she popped up after it was over, she was crying too. Sweet and sensitive Rae. She loves you so much.

On the way to the doctor, I had a little conversation with myself. Should I ask the doctor? Nah, it's no big deal. Well, maybe I should just mention it. I'll just see how it goes.

So when the doctor asked if I had any questions, I sucked up some pride and said, "Well, just one. I guess. Abby's been a little... difficult lately. She's pretty, umm, strong willed and persistent."

And while I was talking, some recent experiences flashed through my mind.

Like at gymnastics. Mommy's pretzels just couldn't compare to the little boy's chocolate chip cookies. It started out with an innocent request. You walked over, pointed, and said, "Cookie! Cookie! Cookie!" Uh oh. I dangled your bag of pretzels in the air with an excited look on my face. "Pretzels Abby! Yummy!" You got louder. "COOKIE! COOKIE! COOKIE!" I bit my lower lip and tried to explain. "Those are his cookies honey. You can't..." I was cut off by an ear piercing sound explosion. In an instant you were on the ground. Thrashing. Arms and legs flying and flailing about. Mother's heads turned. The owner came out of his office in disbelief. Please Lord. Just let the Earth swallow me now. It didn't. So I somehow got Rachel ready to go, mopped up your tantrum, and high tailed it out of there carrying you sideways with one arm.

You screamed all the way home.

Then there's the library. Every time, I try to dart passed the 3 foot tall Barney that sits atop the library shelf without you noticing. It's not that I mind if you play with him. It's just that you don't handle leaving Barney at the library very well. You saw him. "Bahdee! Bahdee! Bahdee!" "Ok Abby, let's just put our jackets down..." "BAHDEE! BAHDEE! BAHDEEEEEE!" I got Barney. Remember, we're in a library. Librarians don't like toddlers who scream like banchees. Barney appeased you for a moment. And then I saw it coming. Oh no. Please little boy. You don't really want to play with Barney do you? His excited little eyes were locked on Barney. He was getting closer. Uh oh. He was an inch away. Gasp! He's reaching out to touch Barney! At that, you let out a long, high pitched shriek. The very end of the shriek was silent, but your mouth was curiously still wide open in shriek position. I'm convinced that only the dogs could hear the sound that came out that moment. Of course, it was followed by another similar shriek. And it worked like a charm. That little boy ran away as fast as his little legs could take him. And so did I. I slung the diaper bag on my back, held you and 3 winter coats in my left arm, put the bag of 21 heavy library books over my right shoulder, gave Rachel the "We're Leaving NOW" look, and ran out of there.

You screamed all the way home.

And so... Even though I was playing it cool in the doctor's office, I was desperate for a novel idea to stop this madness. Perhaps there is something that Dobson, Tripp, and Plowman forgot to put in their parenting books. Please let there be something I haven't thought of or tried.

The doctor said, "It's pretty easy. You just have to ignore it. Just turn your back and don't give her any attention."

And my moment of hope for a miracle solution dissipated as I thought, "Ha! You really don't know Abby."

And I cried all the way home.

Just kidding. Maybe.

So Abby, I'm just left praying for the strength and wisdom required to parent you well. May the Lord, who knit you together and made everything about you, put your passion to good use someday. Use it for Him, little one.

Galatians 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

Workboxes and Homeschooling

2010-03-09T10:48:00.000-08:00

Hi All,

I've changed my plan many times, so don't hold me to this plan either... :) But I think I'm going to start Kindergarten with Rachel in the fall. Of course, our third baby is due 2 weeks before I was planning to get started, so I'm reserving the right to stop, take a break, slow down, or whatever I need to do until we find our groove. Rachel will only be 4.5 years old by then, which gives us some great flexibility. If we were sending her to school, she wouldn't begin until September of 2011.

Organizing our day with workboxes...
I've been reading other homeschooling blogs to get tips and ideas and that's been getting me really excited about starting! In particular, I'm really interested in how other Moms organize their curriculum and supplies. Workboxes are one system that has caught my eye.

I haven't read Sue Patrick's Workbox System book, but this is what I've gleaned from other bloggers. Workboxes are a way to organize your homeschool curriculum in a way that fosters independence and a well structured day. Sounds good to me!

Many people use a cart with 3 or 4 shelves that hold a total of 12 containers. The containers are numbered 1-12 and each container corresponds to one subject area. For example, if Box #1 is designated for Math, the box would contain the worksheet, manipulatives, and pencil that the child needs for Math that day. The child begins working through the boxes starting with Box #1 and ending with Box #12. As the child completes each box, they take a velcro number off of a schedule/number strip and velcro it to the box. It's a great way to see the sequence for the day, how much work is left, and what has already been completed.

It's also a great way to ensure that I will be prepared for each day. I can simply fill up the boxes the night before and know I won't have to hunt for all the little craft supplies I currently have to hunt for. It's a big time stealer!

What else can go in the boxes?
Just about anything it seems! I've even seen Moms put a snack in one of the boxes or a fun game or activity. The curriculum we will be using, Little Hearts for His Glory, only has 9 subject areas per day, so I plan to be creative with my extra 3 boxes. I've also thought about using the extra boxes to plan activities for Abby who will be 2.5 by then. I will definitely need things to keep her busy while I work with Rachel!

Inspiration...
Here are some photos from other Mommy bloggers to show you what they do and how flexible the system can be. Some Moms don't use a cart and boxes because of space constraints. Instead, I've seen workfolders and workbinders too.

Cassie from Spell Out Loud uses IKEA shelves and Itso bins.

Ruby Slippers School uses space saving file folders.

Fenced in Family uses work pockets for another variation.

Last but not least, I just love how Jolanthe from Homeschool Creations modified the system to work for her family.

Here is a picture of the schedule strip she created. How cute is that?

She uses workfolders because she has 4 children and didn't have room for 48 boxes.

These are the activity and subject cards she created for things they do during that school day that don't have worksheets. Jolanthe is a graphic designer extraordinaire and she loves to share! You can download them from her here!

I'd love to give workboxes a try. Now I have to figure out how to convince Matt to let me put workboxes in our ~~dining room~~ school room. His initial reaction was, "You're going to put what where?"

Have you tried workboxes or a variation of the system? Please share your experience with us!

DaisyBows SALE!

2010-03-06T06:20:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends,

Easter and Spring are on their way (believe it or not!) and my girls are in need of some springy hair accessories. How about yours?

I want to let you in on an exciting week at DaisyBows! Our friend Amy is hosting an E-Party this week! You can receive 20% off your total purchase by entering "EASTER BASKET" in the Message to Seller box upon checkout. Your discount will be manually refunded through Paypal. When you shop with Amy's discount, you help her earn Bow Bucks for FREE hair bows!!

Would you like to host an E-Party too? All you have to do is invite your friends to shop at DaisyBows and you earn a percentage of all their purchases! Leave a comment if you're interested. It's an easy way to earn free bows. All you have to do is send out an Evite that we provide for you! Easy peasy. :)

This discount is good until March 13th. Enjoy!

Fix It Friday!

2010-03-05T11:40:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone!

It's another Fix It Friday at I Heart Faces! What a cute little boy!

Here's the original:

And here's my edit!

Lately, I just love cross processing my photos and adding a nice warm, yellow, glowy feel. I think I just really want Spring to be here already!!!

See some more great edits at I Heart Faces!

Swag Bucks

2010-03-04T09:51:00.000-08:00

Hi Friends,

A few days ago, I began using Swag Bucks. It's a search engine that rewards you with SwagBucks just for doing normal internet searches. Your SwagBucks can then be redeemed for all kinds of prizes or gift cards!

So far it's been really fun! I've earned 192 SwagBucks just in the past 3 days. When I reach 450 SwagBucks, I can cash them in for a $5 Amazon gift card. Or... I can keep accumulating them for larger prizes. How fun! It's a great way to earn money and prizes by doing basically nothing (except searching the web, which I would be doing anyway.) Why not get rewarded for it?

There are other ways to earn SwagBucks too. They often have special codes on their blog, Twitter feed, or Facebook fan page. You can also make purchases in the Swag Store, complete special tasks, get referrals, or trade in old cell phones, MP3 players, and video games.

I do not receive any spam emails from them at all. It's been a completely positive experience so far. I would highly recommend trying it out! To begin, just click on the banner below. Today is the last day to receive a bonus 60 SwagBucks for signing up. Tomorrow, that drops to only 30.

There is also a Swag Bucks box at the veeeery bottom of my blog. You can click on "Swag Codes" to see if there are any special codes out there right now!!

Let me know if you sign up! :)

Debt Free

2010-03-03T06:33:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends,

Recently, Matt's heart has been stirred to pay off all our debt (with the only exception of our mortgage). We're very close to reaching that goal... a little left on a car payment and a little left on a college loan. The closer we get to paying these off, the more freeing it feels.

But there will always be more purchases, right? How long can we sustain being out of debt before the next thing comes along? We're at a crucial point where we need to make a decision... are we going to commit to managing our finances in a way that leaves us debt free?

With the impending arrival of Baby #3, we have some new purchases on the horizon. Namely, we have to take the plunge and buy a minivan. Our first clue that we will soon outgrow our current vehicle was when we tried to put a third carseat in there. We couldn't close the doors! :) We have a practical need and an important decision to make. Will we take on more car payments or will we search for a used van that we can afford without financing it?

Last night, Matt expressed that he would really like to do that latter. That means going without the latest bells and whistles and perhaps having to wait patiently until the right van comes along.

I haven't done a lot of reading up on living debt free, but as I've thought about it a little, I came up with the following list of benefits:

- It will allow us to wait patiently for God's provision.
- We will be more prayerful about the dollars we spend.
- When God provides, the thanks will go to Him. (James 1:17)
- It will be so freeing! Debt is always burdensome whether you owe the bank, parents, or friends.
- It will allow us to give more generously and radically.
- It kills covetousness and wanting things that are beyond our means. If we can't afford it, we can't have it.
- Our focus will be placed on kingdom building and things eternal. How much better will it be to store up treasures in heaven? (Matthew 6:19-20)

Matt sent me this John Piper video over email last week and it really made us think about our long term financial goals. What do we want to treasure?

If you live debt free, what advantages/disadvantages have you experienced from living this way?

---------------------------------
Image credit: Alan Cleaver

Oh Boy!

2010-03-01T12:53:00.000-08:00

Dear Matt,

So I had a vivid dream last night. I always seem to dream more vividly when I'm pregnant! You'll like this one. :)

...I was at a prenatal appointment with my midwife and she had me take a new kind of pregnancy test that determines if you're having a boy or a girl. I dropped a piece of paper into a huge bowl of water and the water immediately turned blue indicating that we're having a boy. I asked her how accurate the test was and she said, "Oh... 99%!"

Ha! I don't know if this is a prophetic dream or not. :) Perhaps I was influenced by hearing about Heather's strange dream yesterday. In her dream, we had a baby boy with red hair named Gideon!

Truthfully, I feel SO strongly that this baby is a girl. "Boy" isn't on my radar screen at all. I think I will literally be shocked if it's a boy!! I can't even look at boy's clothing at the store because I just know it's a girl.

You know... the same way I just positively knew that Rachel and Abby were both boys.

Hmm...

:)
Love,
Cath

P.S. For the record (and for those of you that don't know me), I have no preference if it's a boy or girl and I will be thrilled with either. :)

3 in 1

2010-02-26T18:32:00.000-08:00

Hi Friends,

This Sunday, I'm teaching my Sunday School kids (3-5 year olds) about the Trinity... not the easiest topic to understand! So I was just searching online for some resources that might help them with the concept. I remembered reading about a book called 3 in 1 a while back. I Googled the title and found this great video based on the book:

Show it to your kids! I think it's really neat. I think I'm going to use this concept on Sunday with a real apple. I'll let you know how it goes!

Fix It Friday!

2010-02-26T11:33:00.000-08:00

It's Fix It Friday at I Heart Faces! I had a lot of fun with this edit because I tried some new techniques and I went slightly away from my normal processing style (haha - I'm pretending I know what I'm talking about here). The picture gave me such an airy, beachy feel and I wanted to reflect that in my edit. I hope you like it!

Here is the original photo:

And here is my edit using Picnik Pro:

Lego Fun

2010-02-26T05:05:00.001-08:00

Dear Rachel and Abby,

Just for fun, I saw this link today reminding of my days when I was obsessed with Legos. I would spend hours creating and playing. Not worrying myself with the things of the world.

I hope you too find enjoyment in the creative years of your childhood - before all the adult craziness comes!

Love,

Daddy

Hide and Seek

2010-02-24T05:03:00.000-08:00

Dear Rachel and Abby,

Hide and Seek is our new favorite game. When I count, you both dash off with Rachel in the lead and Abby trailing you like a shadow. As I search I hear your giggles in the closet, find a squirming mound of blanket, or see two pairs of eyes peeking from behind the bed.

When it's my turn to hide, you enlist the help of our dog Charlie, asking him, "Can you smell her, Puppy? Go find Mommy!" Perhaps that would work if Charlie were a Bloodhound... but our clueless Golden boy just runs in circles, tail wagging, knowing something exciting is happening but he's not quite sure what.

Of course, the game has a lot of Mommy advantages too. Little do you know that while I'm counting for 20 seconds, I can stuff a load of laundry in the washer. And while I'm searching for you from room to room, I can tidy up and declutter. And I always choose to hide in the room where my laundry pile is. While you're searching at the far end of the house, I'm folding. When you get near, I dash into my hiding place unnoticed.

The best part of Hide and Seek is when you finally find me. Even little Abby dances around and says, "Fundyoooo!" (Found you!) And so the game continues... sometimes for up to an hour. Daddy takes the game up a notch by turning all the lights out and giving you flashlights. Doesn't Daddy always make things more fun? :)

I was trying to think of how a simple child's game might relate to Scripture. Although this is a stretch and sounds a bit cheesy, I'm going to write it anyway. I just always pray that one day, long after you've outgrown these games, that you'll seek the One who is worthy of being sought after... that you'll run after God and want to know Him... that you'll seek the Lord with all of your heart... and that He'll take pleasure in revealing Himself to you in His perfect timing.

A cheesy transition? Maybe. But Mommy's are allowed to be cheesy. :) It's part of the job description.

Deuteronomy 4:29
I Chronicles 16:10-11
Proverbs 3:5-6
Matthew 6:33

Love you girlies.

Flutters!

2010-02-20T11:41:00.000-08:00

Dear Baby,

You made my day yesterday when I felt your first tiny flutters in my belly. I never expected to feel them so early - almost 15 weeks - but they say that you feel them earlier with each pregnancy. I love those moments of knowing you are there, growing, and doing well.

Mommy and Daddy have been praying for you. I can't wait to see what you look like. Will you have dark hair? Blue eyes? Will you look like your sisters? Will you be a boy!? What will your personality be like? Sweet and sensitive like Rachel? Funny and determined like Abby? I'm sure God is crafting a unique set of characteristics that are yours alone.

We love you, Baby.

Interview with Rachel

2010-02-15T11:53:00.001-08:00

Dear Rachel,

I saw this adorable interview on Treyton's Mommy's blog and thought it was too cute to not copy. Here are your answers to the questions:

What is your name: Rachel
When is your birthday: March
How old are you: 3
Who is your Mommy: you
What does your Mommy do: Work.
Who is your Daddy: Daddy
What does your Daddy do: Work.
What is your favorite color: Pink, purple, yellow, pink, red-violet, light red, and pink.
What is your favorite song: The Dreamer song.
What do you want to do when your grow up: Be a pony rider. No, a horse rider.
Where do you want to live when you grow up: A house that doesn't have anybody in it.
What is your favorite food: Chocolate chips, yogurt, peanut butter and jelly, cake.
What is your least favorite food: Chicken.
What is your favorite animal: Ponies, horses, whales, dolphins, ladybugs, and puppies.
What do Mama and Daddy do after you go to bed: Play those games (pointing to Settlers of Catan).
Who does our family love the most: God and Jesus.
Where do we go to church: At church.
Why do we go to church: To learn about Jesus.
What is your favorite movie: Black Beauty, Free Willy, and Dreamer.
What is your favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Mint chocolate chip, vanilla.
Where do you like to eat: At Omi's (Matt's Mom) and Grandma's (my Mom) house.
Who is your favorite person: All my friends.
Who is your best friend: Autumn.
What is your favorite book: Pony books.
Who is your sister: Abigail.
Where did your sister come from: God.
What is your favorite thing to do: Play with ponies and horses.

Retirement

2010-02-14T05:53:00.000-08:00

Dear Catherine,

Although we are far off from what many would deem "retirement", this is a sober reminder of how we should live now.

For a bit of practical wisdom on the matter, see here.

Love, Matt

Fix It Friday!

2010-02-12T09:43:00.001-08:00

This photo is so adorable that I couldn't resist this Fix It Friday! What a cutie!

Here is the original:

And here is my edit:

Bethany Dillon is pregnant!

2010-02-10T18:58:00.000-08:00

Hi Friends,

I love checking to see where my visitors are coming from. The tool I use allows me to see the Google search you arrived from. Lately I've noticed that many of you are landing on my Bethany Dillon post by googling "Bethany Dillon pregnancy" or some similar phrase. That piqued my curiosity and I tried to find out if she was pregnant too. Well... you'll be excited to know that she just tweeted this:

"Big news, tweeple: we are having a baby girl! Lucy James is coming July 6th! :) thank you Lord for such a sweet, precious miracle!!"

So there ya go! It's official! And I had no idea until just now. :) But thanks for the inkling that you all gave me from your Google searches!

13 Week Ultrasound!

2010-02-10T18:27:00.000-08:00

13 weeks

~ Psalm 139:13-14 ~
For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

Dear Littlest One,

We got our first glimpse of you at our ultrasound yesterday! You were perfect! We saw your heart beating and your cute little movements and wiggles. Big sister Rachel came along and was delighted when it looked like you waved to her. Just 6 more months until we can meet you! We can't wait. :)

Love,
Mommy

Manhood & Marriage

2010-02-09T09:37:00.000-08:00

Hi Friends,

I read an interesting article today about the state of manhood in America. The author discussed the cultural messages that were woven into the Super Bowl's commercials and half time show. It's an insightful read and I encourage you to click over and read it yourself. If you don't have time, the author summarizes most of the article with these words:

"The message I took away from the Super Bowl commercials is that guys are tired of being told who they are. They don't know who they are, but they're starting to realize that the feminized, emo, metro-male, skinny vanilla latte image doesn't fit. What is manhood really all about? It's a Super Question ... one that the Super Bowl asked, but apart from Christ will be left unanswered."

Our culture's longtime rejection of biblical views on masculinity and femininity has created far-reaching consequences in the areas of gender roles, marriage, motherhood, and child rearing to name a few. It has infiltrated our attitudes, thought lives, expectations, definition of success, and the way husbands and wives treat one another and expect to be treated. It has taken respect and leadership away from men and has puffed up women with arrogance and pride. It diminishes things of true value (like raising a family) and worships empty promises (like the lie that we can have it all and do all things well).

It's sad. Really, really sad.

It's one of the many things that truly breaks my heart, but I'm quick to remember that I once embraced these ideologies too. I'm quick to acknowledge that our thriving marriage based on biblical values is a gift of God's grace. And I'm excited to tell you that when a husband and wife submit to God's ways on marriage, roles, and parenting, these areas thrive and grow in almost magical ways. I'm glad that it seems unexpected and magical because it points to the fact that God is doing the work and the blessing. It's not us. Trust me!

The more I see our friends and loved ones at church submitting to God, the more I see the same results in their lives. A few weeks ago, I sat chatting with a group of women from my Life Group (our bible study/small group). Someone suggested that we go around the room and talk about something that we really love about our husbands. I went first (because I was bursting with plenty of things to say about Matt)! It was such a sweet, refreshing time as each woman took her turn boasting about her husband. Sadly, I think this is a rare occurrence. When women get together, they usually complain about their husband's shortcomings.

This is just another example of God's grace and blessing. The marriages at our church are strong and growing stronger because of solid biblical teaching. It's about trusting God's plan even when it doesn't make sense. Really Lord? Submission? Ok, Lord.

And grace upon grace flows down. Our marriage has never been stronger.

Incidentally, I'm sure you want to know what the husbands were chatting about in the other room! I did! So as soon as we got back to the car I asked Matt, "Sooooooooo... how did things go in there? What did you all talk about?"

They were talking about how they could be more of an encouragement and support to their wives... how they could love and serve us more.

Need I say more?