Jul. 5, 2009 - Little Big Girl
It's an interesting Sunday morning here. Yesterday I was driving down the road when our car started to shake violently for a split second. The violent shaking stopped almost as soon as it started, the car dipped to the right, and I heard a grounding noise. Something caught my eye out the passenger window.
That something, I quickly observed, was my tire. Rolling down somebody's drive way. Several good samaritans, a few bewildered police officers, and a knight of a father in law later we were back on the road. Going no more than 30 miles an hour. Home. And only home.
Last night my Tommy started to fix the tire only to have the jack collapse and fall on his foot. A friend came to the rescue with a bigger jack only to encounter about 300 other problems before my Tommy threw the towel in for the night and came in to cuddle sleepy-sad babies.
This morning our friend came back over so that he and my Tommy could finish in time for church.
I had everyone's clothes laid out and told the girls to go take a shower. I really only meant Abigail and Emily. Katherine saw them grab their clothes and head for the shower. She grinned a grin only a girl on a mission can grin and grabbed her pile of clothes as she ran (as much as a 19 month old can run) to catch up with her sisters.
She's our little big girl, every day joining a new big kid activity to leave her baby ones behind.
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Jul. 5, 2009 - From My Womb ...
I've started another blog just so that those that would prefer not to listen to me grieve, vent, and sometimes just all out sputter nothingness don't have to.
So many people told me that they were encouraged by reading what I shared after we lost Anna, that I didn't want to make it private. So here is the address for those that may be interested.
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/FromMyWomb/
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Jul. 2, 2009 - 14 Weeks
For 14 weeks I was given the immense joy and pleasure of carrying a new life even while God Himself was busy knitting the new creation together. God chose me, and me alone, to hold this baby. I am so grateful that I was given this time with my creator and the baby that He gave me for such a short time.
Sunday I began spotting and Monday we went to the hospital. We were given an ultrasound after many hours of waiting. She moved the wand around and poked a lot of buttons but never said a word. Finally I asked if she had seen the baby, if there was a heart beat. She said that she wasn't able to tell me, that if she did she could have lost her job. I tried my hardest to hold it together but the tears came anyway.
She then turned the sound on and I thought I heard the baby's heartbeat so I was overjoyed. I saw the screen just a bit and was able to see the beautiful profile of a tiny little face. However, there were no little fists swishing by that tiny profile. I saw where the fluttering of a little heart should have been, yet there was only stillness.
I was hoping beyond hope that what I thought I saw and what I really saw were not the same. I kept thinking back to the swooshing heartbeat I heard and just waited for the doctor to come in with good news.
When she came in, there was no good news to be heard. The heartbeat I heard was my own. The tiny baby's heart had stopped beating at least a week ago.
I knew that this little one was already at the feet of Jesus and with our little Anna, yet I still held him within. I begged for her not to do a d&c. I know that it may sound bizarre and even a little morbid, but I longed to hold him within as long as God would allow.
My Tommy's parents allowed us use of their beach house as a retreat to lose our baby in privacy. After many hard hours he came this morning. I've never forgotten how beckoning Anna's tiny hands were. Benjamin's were just the same. So tiny, yet they looked like they were just waiting to curl around my finger even though they will never be given the chance. So tiny. So tiny, but so real.
My Tommy and I are so blessed to watch our living children grow and play, yet each new achievement, each new experience brings grief knowing we will never experience those new things with our tiny Benjamin. We'll never get to hear him cry, nor will we get to comfort that cry away.
Tomorrow we will bury him at sunset and we would covet your prayers.
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Jun. 15, 2009 - Help Me Love Summer Contest Winner!
Thank you all for contributing! I do love all of the things that you listed ... I just wish that we could enjoy them without heat and humidity. LOL!
I was going to scientifically choose a number by having the kids draw numbers that corresponded to the post number, however the kiddos are fast asleep. So, I used an online random number picker.
The winner is: Bethany! PM me your address to get your oh so cool prize!
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Jun. 9, 2009 - Entertaining a Telemarketer
Sometimes when a telemarketer calls we'll let Emily answer the phone and chat with them.
Tonight, she did so while I was slicing potatoes for dinner.
It went something like this:
RING. RING. RING.
Emily: Hi?
Pause.
Emily: Hi.
Pause.
Emily: You wanna tatoe?
Pause.
Emily (louder): YOU WANNA TATOE?
Pause and incredulous look on Emily's face.
Emily: Me already said it two times!
This is an old picture, however it's pretty much the face she was making at the telemarketer.
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Jun. 6, 2009 - Help Me Love Summer Contest
I'm a fall kinda gal. I love the cool crip air, beautiful colors painted in the trees, fresh apples and pumpkins, pumpkin bread ... ahem, I'm into the second sentence and already off track. It is not fall. It is summer.
I don't want to wish this summer away. I want to enjoy it and be pleasantly surpried when fall comes.
So. I need anybody and everybody to tell me all of their favorite things about summer.
Ready? Set? Inspire me!
Oh, yes, this is a contest! I will randomly choose a winner and that winner shall receive a gift pertaining to their favorite summer things.
Contest ends Monday, June 14th at noon EST.
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Jun. 5, 2009 - Clean Finners
The kids and I just shared an ice cream sandwich. I was the official holder, holding it while everyone took turns taking a bite. After the last bite had been taken, Emily said, "Mommy, me clean your finners for you!" then proceeded to open her mouth to "clean my finners."
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May. 1, 2009 - Busted
Today was to be a comfy day. There was nothing that had to be accomplished other than recover from being up with a baby with tummy troubles off and on all night. We all were content to stay in pj's, read and cuddle on the couch, and Abigail had some school work to catch up on. Lunch time came around and Daddy requested spaghetti with lots of garlic to get the baby nice and healthy. Daddy browned the meat, Abigail started to peel the garlic only to find the inside of it was moldy! That meant a quick trip to the store for Mommy ... you can't have sickies in the house and no garlic!
I really didn't want to get dressed. It was a dreary, windy day and I really wanted to stay in my pj pants and tshirt. So. I just pulled my skirt on over my party pants and traded my slippers for my Lands End ballet flats.
While at Safeway I got garlic, extra bell peppers, already browning bananas, a yogurt starter because mine had soured too much, and a bottle of Kefir. And. Yes, there is another and. And. And, well. Ahem. The bakery section and the dairy section share a space so after I got the yogurt I had to walk past all of their baked goods. Now, usually those things don't even tempt me. But. They had German Chocolate Cake. Oh, how I love German Chocolate Cake. I never get to make it because my Tommy doesn't like it.
I saw the chocolatey, coconutty goodness and took one step closer to it. Then in a moment of fleeting will power stepped away. Then took a side step before circling around the entire case. I ended up right back in front of the German Chocolate Cake slices and quickly grabbed one ... the tiniest one they had, set it in the seat of the cart, and quickly covered it with my purse lest anyone actually see me with it.
Now, there is something about Safeway's fountain soda that is just so good. So I filled me up a medium cup with plenty of ice and Mug root beer before heading out to the car.
Once in the car, I turned my radio up, rolled down my window and opened that beautiful chocolate masterpiece. Oh, the smell. So sweet. So chocolatey. So ... mine, all mine. I took my fork and and lifted the inciest of bites to my lips. Just as I was about to close my eyes and really savor that scrumptious bite, I saw someone out of the corner of eye. That someone was walking right for me.
Then that someone said, "You are so busted."
It was Curtis, from church. Curtis happened to be on the phone with his wife and he said, "I just ran into Lisa in the Safeway parking lot, with no kids and she is eating German Chocolate cake ...and she is NOT washing it down with raw milk."
It was so funny. So funny. I really think that God granted me that moment of weakness just so I could enjoy the much needed laugh.
When I got home I told my Tommy who called Curtis so they could make fun of me together.
The worst part? It didn't even taste very good.
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Apr. 28, 2009 - Sweet Blessings
Katherine and Emily are so different in so many ways, yet compliment each other so well. Emily's hair is like rich chocolate, Katherine's like smooth cream. They are inseparable and love to just be with one another. So often I get the pleasure of watching them sharing a stool, gazing out the window together. Their heads tilted towards each other, Emily's brown hair spilling onto Katherine's shoulders, their dresses gently blowing in the soft wind until you can't tell one dress from the other.
One day recently my Tommy sent Emily to the corner for some minor offense, not a training method we often use, and Katherine toddled right behind her as quickly as her tiny feet would carry her. When she got to Emily, Katherine offered her a hug of sympathy and a kiss to get her through her punishment then proceeded to suffer her sentence right along side her, standing in the corner just waiting for her sister to be released.
Emily knew that the corner wasn't really supposed to be a shared space so just stood there as quiet and as still as she could. When Daddy released her, Emily gave Katherine a great big hug that said, "Thanks!"
The heavy responsibilty of training these little people that have been entrusted to us is so worth the while, so worth the spilled tears, so worth the exhaustion. I am so blessed.
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Apr. 25, 2009 - You take one, you get us all!
We've been visiting this lovely lady in her assisted living nursing home. She really is so sweet and we don't have to do anything, there is no fuss, all we have to do is come and sit with her and she tells us that it makes her week. She is just so sweet. Her grandchildren and great grandchildren all live far away and she loves children, so we are blessed to be able to go and visit.
She keeps talking about going to her daughter's home and having us drop the kids off to visit her one at a time. She also tells every one that she has claimed us as her own.
Well, yesterday when she asked Abigail is she could claim her, Abigail said, "Well, yes, Mama Lou, you can claim me ... but only if you claim us all."
Mama Lou just smiled a great big smile and kissed Abigail on her forehead. I love that little girl, she always knows just what to say.
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Apr. 22, 2009 - Responsible Ian
Yesterday, while I was quietly shut in the laundry room, I heard Tommy ask Ian to watch Katherine for a second. Really all Tommy expected was for Ian to make sure Katherine didn't participate in her new favorite sport ... stair climbing. So, while I was folding shirts I heard her little pitter pattering and anticipated her little knock on the door, instead I heard something very scary. Silence. Complete silence. Then I heard Ian say, 'Katherine? Katherine? Where are you already?" He was so certain that she was going to try and climb the stairs that he had camped out on the bottom step. Then when she didn't come he started looking for her. I was just about to come out and join the search party when I heard Ian say, "KATHERINE! Do not play in the potty!" Then he whispered under his breath, "I'm s'posed to be watching you, don't play in the potty"
Then he carried her into the kitchen and started playing a game of blocks with her.
It was so funny to me. The way he said it was hilarious like, "Hey, you can play in the potty ... just not when I'm supposed to be watching you!"
I love my Ian.
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Apr. 15, 2009 - Seeing God's Hand
Tonight during Bible Study, Papa asked us to share an instance that we were unable to see God's hand at the time, yet looking back it is obvious that God was working.
My Tommy and I had only been married a short while, a week or two really, when he prayed that God would be in control of our family size. It just seemed logical to us. Before we were married we prayed that God would be in control of our relationship, that He would be in control of my Tommy's deciding which branch of the service to join, that He would be in control of when we were to marry. Then once married we prayed that He would be in control of our marriage, our finances, our home. It only seemed logical that He would control how many and when we were to have children. It seemed awfully silly that we would even think of taking the building of a LIFE away from the very Creator of all life.
We worried that our families would think that it wasn't a good idea to have children when we were still so young ourselves, having gotten married at only 19. We talked a lot about how we would tell them. It is funny really, looking back, how we just assumed we would get pregnant right away. Now I realize that we weren't REALLY trusting God with our family size, merely trusting that He would provide for the baby that would certainly come right away.
Six months into our marriage I suffered through several extremely painful ovarian cysts rupturing and hemorrhaging. We were told that we would never be able to conceive naturally and would most likely miscarry if by some fluke we did conceive. They offered several medical options and asked when we wanted to start. We just kind of looked at them as if they were from another planet. We left the doctor’s office more confused than when we walked in.
It was difficult, but we quickly decided that if leaving our family size up to God meant that we were to have no children whatsoever then we would pray about adopting and for God’s will to be done. I won’t lie to you. It was hard. I remember talking to a dear friend on the phone about it. I told her that I felt useless to the Kingdom. She told me that my ministry was to my family. I asked what family? We were living on an Air Force base 4 ½ hours from home. My only family was my Tommy. Shortly after that we were hit with some news that would change our lives forever.
My Tommy was adopted and his biological mother called his adoptive father who told us that he would need to have a colonoscopy to determine whether or not he needed to have his colon removed. We were beyond shocked. He was only 19! It seemed absurd that he could have colon cancer. Even though we were doubtful we set up the appointment with the GI on base. He was just as skeptical as we were. He only agreed to the colonoscopy to appease us. On the day of the colonoscopy the doctor told us that the procedure would be 20 to 45 minutes. After an hour and a half I started to worry. There were no nurses around to ask. Two hours went by. Three hours. Finally after four and a half hours a nurse emerged from somewhere to let me know that they were finally taking him into recovery.
When the doctor came into the room he was ashen white and visibly shaking. He said that he had never seen anything like it before. My Tommy had so many polyps that they we laying just hundreds on top of hundreds, like sand paper. There is no way that he could have removed them all so he just removed the largest most threatening looking ones and that was what took so long. The doctor recommended that my Tommy go to a specialist at Bethesda Naval Hospital. A few months of going back and forth from MD to NJ and we finally had the surgery scheduled for May 18th 2001, we had now been married for a year and a half.
One week after his surgery date was scheduled we found out that only by the grace of God we were expecting. We were beyond thrilled, words could not describe the blessed elation that we felt. We walked around for weeks in a completely giddy stupor.
Eventually it was time to head back to MD for his surgery. It was a string of long days that turned into long nights of recovery in and out of the hospital. When we were able to go back home to NJ, he had still another month of taking it easy at home before he could return to full duty. He was so thankful to be back to work where he felt he belonged. He came home after his first day and crumpled to the couch completely bent in two. I asked him what was wrong and he said that he didn’t know but he hurt so badly that he couldn’t move and could barely talk. I asked if he wanted to go to the hospital and he said no. I prayed that if he really needed to go to the hospital that God would make it clear and help my Tommy not to be stubborn.
A couple of hours later and he gave in and had me drive him to the hospital. On the way there we had to stop a few times because he started vomiting bile. When we got to the hospital we had to wait for the on call Air Force doc to get to the civilian hospital. Oh, what a blessing he was. A wonderful Christian man and fabulous doctor, he took such care of both of us. After a few tests he told us that there was so much scar tissue from my Tommy’s first surgery that the scar tissue had completely strangulated his small intestine causing a blockage. This meant yet another surgery.
We were so blessed with a wonderful church family that came and stayed with me that long night. I can’t describe what their presence did for me.
After he was released from the hospital, my Tommy needed to take paper work to his First Shirt who promptly looked at him and told him that he looked like he had just been let out of a concentration camp. That recover was much quicker and easier. He only needed two weeks until he went back to work which was again a miracle, given only by God alone. Two months after that was 9-11-2001. My Tommy was as strong as ever and working 19 hour days for 37 days straight.
So what does all of this have to do with God’s hand? If it had been OUR WILL, not the will of God, we would have gotten pregnant immediately after we were married. Now after having been a mother for seven and a half years it is so obvious to me that had we been blessed with a child I would not have been able to be there for my Tommy in the capacity that he needed me while he was recovering. There is no way I would have been able to be the helpmeet I was designed to be, had we taken the reigns from our All Knowing, Providential, God that is faithful and true always.
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Mar. 9, 2009 - A Girl's Day!
Today Abigail and I are were blessed to be able to spend the whole day together, just the two of us. We started off by packing some banana bread for her piano teacher as we were lavished with hugs and kisses from the children and Daddy who were staying at home. Then we hopped in the van and headed to the fabric store. Not JoAnn’s or Hancock. No. The nice fabric store! The one with the softest of soft fabrics; The one that just has adorability oozing out of every cute cranny inside. The one that is so whimsical it has sweet red wagons lined by the door instead of cumbersome carts. We chatted about the designs we saw, oohed and aahed over the softness we felt, and eventually chose the fabric we wanted for Resurrection Day dresses. (Yes, I know I’m starting late.)
When we were getting ready to check out I realized I didn’t have my bag … which meant I didn’t have my wallet. We quickly said farewell to our beautiful fabric, abandoning it upon the shelf from which it came and just about ran to the van to go back to the house. Since we wanted to get a new baby gift for Abigail’s piano teacher’s new grandson, after we retrieved my bag from home, we went shopping for a little gift. This time we did go to JoAnn’s to look for fabric to make a baby wrap. Our JoAnn’s is moving so they are clearing out all of their fabric and they had absolutely nothing knit. We had exactly 27 minutes to get to piano lessons.
We got to Kohl’s as quickly as we could, ran inside … literally, we ran. We looked at the baby things trying to decide just what the perfect gift would be. Then we saw it; a swaddle blanket. I love those things. There was only one problem. It was $30. There was no way I was going to spend $30 on something I could get for $9.99 across the street at Target. Abigail and I looked at each other, grabbed each other’s hands, and politely scurried to the door just a few feet away. As soon as we met the warm breeze we ran as fast as we could to the van. Buckles were done in record speed. As I was backing out of the parking spot, I glanced at the clock. We had 24 minutes until we had to be at piano lessons.
Once at Target we unbuckled just as quickly as we had buckled, and grabbing hands once again we ran. We went straight to the baby department, located the swaddle blankets and chose the cutest little boys one they had. Abigail eyed a box of adorable socks that looked like sneakers, we grabbed them also and hurried to the gift wrapping section before heading to the check out. Then, we were out the door and in the van, once again buckling at a speed fast enough to break a sweat. As I cranked the ignition, I waited for the clock to flash on to the time. Three minutes. No. Not three minutes until we had to be there. We were in Target for just three minutes. Actually, from Kohl’s parking lot until we were back in the van after acquiring our little gift was only three minutes. Abigail wrapped the gift as I drove and we arrived to Miss Bonnie’s in time.
Not just in time. Would you believe that we arrived to Miss Bonnie’s house with ten minutes to spare? It’s a good thing … we needed to catch our breath.
` I love watching Abigail during her piano lesson. She’s so intent. Sometimes I can tell when she is nervous about a particular part coming up because she starts to shift her weight on the wooden bench and her feet do a little dance.
After piano, she and I were off to Panera to enjoy a late lunch together. It was such a fun time talking with her. She is becoming a young lady before my very eyes and I am astonished at how she is blossoming. I can’t believe that my first little baby is getting so big, so thoughtful, so insightful.
We had a great day but were so thankful to return home to our family and were greeted with eager hugs and squeals.
I am so blessed and completely humbled as I don’t deserve this wonderful family that God has so graciously bestowed upon me.
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Feb. 8, 2009 - 14 Things I Love About My Tommy ...
I came across a challenge to list 14 things that I love about my Tommy over at http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/basketflat/ and thought that was a challenge I could easily tackle ... if I can really narrow it down to 14!
1. I love the way he loves our children.
2. I love how hard he works for us.
3. I love that he loves me even though he knows me better than anyone else.
4. I love the way he can feel when something is bothering me without me ever having to say anything.
5. I love the way he loves those stubborn baby hairs that curl around my neck and do nothing but annoy me.
6. I love the strength he offers when he wraps his arms around me.
7. I love that he can make me laugh without saying a word.
8. I love his eyes; they let me into his heart and mind.
9. I love the way he looks with a clean shaven face, the way he feels with a few whiskers, and that he allows me the pleasure of shaving those whiskers for him.
10. I love the time he takes to wash, condition, and brush my hair for me.
11. I love that he has confidence in me when I don't.
12. I love the last 10 years we've spent together and that he didn't give up on us when everyone said we were no good for each other.
13. I love the way my head fits just under his chin.
14. I love the way he gives me the better pillow in the middle of the night even though I insist that he have it when we are going to bed.
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Feb. 7, 2009 - What's In Your Diaper Bag?
So, my exceptional new diapers combined with the fact that while at my mother in law's house the other day I was in need of a clean baby outfit and didn't have one prompted me to reorganize my diaper bag. Are you ready to see?
Three diapers, 6 wipes in the awesome wipe bag, wet bag, and wipe spray are in one pocket of my book bag turned diaper bag. (Somehow the wipe spray ended up in the wrong picture.)
What is a wipe spray you ask? Well, I got tired of my wipes getting icky if I didn't use them quickly enough so I wanted to be able to keep them dry. In order to do that I got a little ninety-nine cent spray bottle and filled it with water, a tiny squirt of Method hand soap, a drizzle of olive oil, and some Lavendar-Tea Tree Oil so that I could spray as needed.
The Wipes, Wipe Bag, and Wet Bag
The First Aid pocket houses the tiny first aid kit, Beaudroux's Butt Paste (horrible name, great product that thankfully I very rarely need), Vitamin C, Cranberry & Vit C capsules, and tissues. (See my wipe spray that sneaked away to join the first aid pocket when it really belongs in the Wipe pocket?)
The pj's that I so desperately needed at my mother in law's house share a pocket with the snacks.
Then in a side pocket I can easily finger around for my make-up.
Then, of course my wallet and keys.
So. What have I forgotten?
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Feb. 7, 2009 - A Post Just For Dr. A, Mary, and Susan.
Because this is as close to a cheese head any of our children will be!
Here is our Cheese Face Baby.
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Feb. 7, 2009 - Abigail's First Piano Lesson
She has practiced at least 5 times every day since her lesson and is really doing well. I am so proud of her. When we were talking about who we were going to give our Valentine pictures to, she was quick to ask if we could give one to Mrs. Bonnie, her piano teacher. Mrs. Bonnie is the pianist at church and such a sweet lady, we are so blessed to have Mrs Bonnie!
Here is my little pianist after her first lesson. After. Yes, after. Can you believe I forgot to take the camera in?
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Jan. 14, 2009 - First Day of School 2009!
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Jan. 5, 2009 - Children in Church
We are in an interesting situation at our current church. We are now fellowshipping in a church that does not welcome children to remain in the service with their parents. It is truly something that is hard for us to grasp.
This past Sunday we were asked by a heartbroken woman why we don't send our babies to the nursery. Why don't we? Why do we choose to keep them with us? Because that's what the Bible tells us to do.
I was asked what I would do if I worked, and I rather brazenly said that I wouldn't work. Now, should God see fit to take my Tommy Home while we still have little children, I know that I would need to find a source of income. I would definitely seek the Lord and trust that He would provide a means that would also enable me to still parent our children biblically.
We were asked if we take the baby to movies. No, we don't really go to the movies ... and, no the reason is not because it's not age appropriate for the children, it's because very little that is shown would be appropriate to feed to our childrens' minds and hearts. We try not to expose them to anything that we wouldn't want them to aspire for themselves.
This person wrongly assumed that we don't use the nursery because we are nervous. We don't use the nursery because the Bible is very clear that we are responsible for our children. We want to teach our children to worship God. They need to see it in action and never know anything different.
They also said that the baby has no idea where she is and that her place is in the nursery. I cannot even begin to describe how much I disagree with that statement. Luke 1:44 says, "For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy." That is Elizabeth speaking of John the Baptist. If John the Baptist was rejoicing in the Lord from his mother's womb wouldn't you suffice it to say that our one year old can learn to worship? The Lord can have the rocks cry out to Him, yet our baby can't?
May I ask if you know when the first nurseries were started? Do you think that there were nurseries in Galilee? Jerusalem? Were there tidy rows of cribs, rocking chairs, toys and a neat place for a snack of fish and bread when Jesus fed the many? Did everyone in the house of Lydia come to the Lord ... except for the children? I can't see any of those situations as being true.
2 Chronicles 20:13 says, "Meanwhile all Judah stood before the Lord, with their little ones, their wives, and their children." It says their little ones and children! So, to us that means the place for their babies was with them before the Lord.
Mark 10:13-16 says, "And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, "Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 15 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it." 16 And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them." The Greek word for children here means "nursing babes." They were small enough to be taken into Jesus' arms.
John 17:11 says, "Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one." Then Ephesians, "There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all." (Ephesians 4:4-6)
If we are supposed to be one, then why should we separate amongst ourselves and merely entertain the children elsewhere?
2 Timothy 3:15, "and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus."
Do you think that Timothy became acquainted with the sacred writings from a nursery worker or Sunday School teacher? No. 2 Timothy 1:5 tells us, "I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well."
I offered Deuteronomy 6:5-7 (5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise) to try and explain why we choose to keep our children with us and she said that God is not the author of confusion. It saddens me to think that one could see the occasional babble or fuss as confusion.
I think our children would be confused if they were first taught that corporate worship is nothing but playing and snack for a few years then all of the sudden they find out that is not at all what corporate worship is. Our aim is to teach our children, not pacify them.
That is why we don't use the nursery.
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Jan. 5, 2009 - Menu
Menu for
January 5 – January 12, 2009
Monday
Smoothies and Raspberry Scones
Salad and Pears
Left-Over Buffet
Tuesday
Oatmeal
Baked Potato Soup and Veggie Sticks
Lasagna, Salad, Green Salad, Garlic Bread and Happy Birthday Jesus Cake
Wednesday
Birthday Cake and Fresh Fruit
Baked Potato Soup
Grilled Chicken Spinach Salad and Quesadillas
Thursday
Hard Boiled Eggs and Smoothies
Maize Soup and Corn Bread
Pot Roast, Roasted Veggies, and Rolls
Friday
Oatmeal
French Onion Soup and Salad
Pizza, Breadsticks, and Salad
Saturday
Bacon, Eggs, Fried Potatoes, and Oranges
Cheese, Crackers, and Veggie Sticks
Chicken Fajitas
Sunday
Overnight Egg Casserole and Banana Bread
Chicken Fajita Soup in the Crock Pot and Salad
Nachos
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