Whirlwind October 31, 2008

What does your Halloween look like?  It is 11:15pm the night before Halloween and I am crazy to not be asleep yet.  Halloween is so fun, but so busy!  Our schedule tomorrow looks like this:

8:15 One Halloween party at school

9:00 Two Halloween party at school

12:00 School gets out and we hurry to a Halloween birthday party

2:30 Quick nap/clean up

4:45 Halloween family visit

5:30 Start Trick or Treating

9:00 hopefully bedtime?  Any chance of that?

I am so thankful that we don’t have school the next day.  That helps but with the amount of candy/cake/sugar that the kids will ingest tomorrow…wow!!!  Hold on to your hats:)

So what does your Halloween schedule look like?

How Would Jesus Vote? October 30, 2008

I am a reading machine!  No, not really.  And this isn’t going to be a political blog.  I am doing another book review, this time for Dr. James Kennedy’s book How Would Jesus Vote?.  I have to admit that I haven’t finished it yet.  It is easy to read and very informative but not my usual reading genre.  I must admit that I do have to concentrate a bit harder and haven’t found it easy to zone out and read while playing catch and pass, being the dragon monster for my three power rangers and quiz for a spelling test.

So below you will find a bio and a description of the book.  It definitely is worth a read and helps examine important issues from a Christian perspective.  Election day is coming up so if anyone wants to pick this book up go to your local bookstore or http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1400074061 .

Book: How Would Jesus Vote?

Summary: The 2008 election is shaping up to be one of the most important political contests in American history. In fact, Dr. D. James Kennedy believes it will be a watershed moment that could impact our very survival as a nation under God.

Values voters—people whose political views and votes are based on their faith in God—are being targeted as never before. As the campaign season moves forward, the significant players will debate terrorism, radical Islam, nuclear threats, global warming, social issues, gay marriage, immigration, education, health care, and many other essential issues that can create sharp ideological divisions.

Into this overwhelmingly complex political situation, Dr. Kennedy and Jerry Newcombe bring a clear, compelling, and nonpartisan exploration of what God’s Word has to say on these critical matters. How Would Jesus Vote? isn’t intended to tell readers which candidates to support; rather it offers a Christ-centered understanding of the world to help readers draw their own political conclusions.

Author Bio:

Jerry Newcombe is senior producer for Coral Ridge Ministries television and has produced or coproduced more than fifty documentaries. The host of two weekly radio shows, he has also been a guest on numerous television and radio talk shows. He is the author or coauthor of more than fifteen books.

Dr. D. James Kennedy is one of the most trusted and recognized Christian leaders of our time. The senior minister of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, he is the featured preacher on television’s “The Coral Ridge Hour” and radio’s “Truths That Transform”, syndicated on over one thousand stations throughout the U.S. The founder and president of Evangelism Explosion International and chancellor of Knox Theological Seminary, he is the author of more than sixty books, including the bestselling What If Jesus Had Never Been Born?

Regrets and Verbal Vomit October 29, 2008

I couldn’t sleep last night.  I went out for dinner last night with a great bunch of ladies.  We had fun, laughed a lot, ate some dessert.  But I didn’t fall asleep until about 2am.  Not b/c i had too much caffeine but b/c my Holy Friend was all over me about my mouth.  James 3:8 “but no man can tame the tongue.  it is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.”  was alive and well last night.

I wasn’t talking smack or gossipping horribly but i sure wasn’t letting the Light shine in me.  I just kept feeling convicted about one thing after another.  I have been praying Prov. 10:11 “The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life.”  i want my words to bring life.  I usually struggle with that when i am frustrated and angry about the boys behaviour or about crazy life situations.  But last night all was well, I just did not let the Holy Spirit filter my mouth.

So I could not finally fall asleep until i agreed that i would be transparent about this struggle, as well as make some apologies.  Thus the verbal vomit.  i have a hilarious friend that often explains situations like this as verbal vomit.  I had no ill intentions last night but i think some silly things I said could very well have hurt people’s feelings though they may never admit it to me.  I don’t want to be the kind of person that quietly wreaks havoc on people’s self-esteem or thought life.  We all know people like that and they certainly don’t leave a nice taste in our mouths. 

So if you know me and see me and happen to hear me running off at the mouth.  Please just say “fountain of life” and shut me up!  Thanks for letting me share!

Family Night #4, Halloween Fun! October 28, 2008

Halloween is upon us, and it makes for a super fun Family Night!  We had Curious George, Mickey Mouse, Sir “Candy”-A-Lot and Dash present.  The mommies were witches (imagine that:) and the daddies were Frankensteins.

We had a spider web full of little surprises and each little fellow had a chance to crawl through and pick some treats.  Then we had an obstacle course of witches hats and pumpkins that involved going in circles and lots of jumping:)

Aren't they cute?

Mickey picking treats from the spiderweb.

Then we moved inside and the boys colored fun monster posters while Mark cooked up some yummy grilled cheese pumpkins and bats.

Coloring fun

We ate brain soup, pumpkin and bat grilled cheese sandwiches, and witch finger cheetos.  For dessert Vanessa made yummy spider cupcakes and a surprise witches brew (sorbet with ginger ale and gummi worms crawling out.)  They were a hit!

We ended the evening with a flashlight game.  We talked about the importance of following The Light.  We looked at Psalm 119:105 that shows us God’s Word is our light.  That is how we know which “way to go.”  And then in Matthew 5 Jesus explains how He calls US to be a light to the world and the only way we can do that is when we are filled with Him. We also talked about how important and helpful it is to have someone else helping us when we are following the Light.  Having friends and other families encourage us and help us make good choices is super important.

We did decide that the adults are far more tired at the end of Family Nights then the kids:)  Such fun though!  And hopefully many memories are made…

Small harbors October 27, 2008

We don’t always have time for grand departures to wonderful retreats or resorts where we can be refreshed and renewed. That is why I treasure small harbors. They are all around us waiting to let us catch our breath before the next wind carries us away.
Sheila Walsh

I feel like that is where we are as a family right now and I am so grateful.  We are in a small harbor, resting.

Two peas in a pod October 26, 2008

I am dedicating this post to my sweet-tempered middle child, Haig.  (Or Haigy as most of us still call him.  He prefers Haigster these days as he approaches his 5th birthday.)  His little best friend is Addie Belle.  Her name is Addie Marie but she prefers Addie Belle and since she is his “princess” he basically does whatever pleases her.

They were only born a few weeks apart (Addie is older) and have hit every mile stone together.  They are even in the same class.  Last year they had the same teacher at different times but we requested to have them moved to the same time, because they said they missed each other.

So here are a few of the precious pictures of them through the years.  They just make me smile.  They love to dance together and when we were at Disneyworld Haig cried himself to sleep the first night because he missed Addie so much and said it would “have all been so much better if Addie was there.”

They both love to eat, particularly cupcakes

Again sharing a meal and a juice box

Cheerleader and frat boy?

This is how I found them today during rest time:)

Eli’s ears October 25, 2008

Eli had reoccurring ear infections the first nine months of his life so although the thought scared me to death at about 9 months old he had tubes put in.  They helped tremendously and it was a quick, easy procedure.

Well about three months ago Eli started getting ear infections again waking up at night with pain in his ears.  So back to the ENT and he said that the tubes were starting to come out and were not working anymore.  So this past Thursday we went back in and had a new set of tubes put in.

This in no way slowed Eli down.  We were at the hospital at 6:30am and home around 9:30am.  At the hospital he was bouncing on the bed and catapulting himself off the bed.  He found a piece of the bed that to him looked like a microphone so he gave us all a concert.  The nurses realized he needed a diversion so they brought him stickers and a car that we can push him around in. He loved being Speedracer. When the nurses came to take him back he was excited to finally bust through the big doors and go down the long hallway “super fast!”

The rest of the day was supposed to be restful but he wasn’t sure why.  So thankfully all went well and hopefully we will return to pain free nights and no more ear infections!  Thank you for all your prayers!

The only moment he lay still when not sedated

Giving us a concert, how did he find that on the bottom of the bed?

Eli bored with his stickers, trying to escape

Driving like Speedracer

Bon Appetit October 24, 2008

Working with these blog tours is such fun!  I hope some of you are enjoying these introductions to new authors.  Well, they are new to us but certainly not new to the literary world.  My latest read, Bon Appetit, is actually the second book in a series by Sandra Byrd.

I did not find it hard to jump into the series though and quickly became fascinated by the fact that Lexi in this story is living in France and going to culinary school.  I do have to say that the book did make me hungry for the pastries described but also hungry to travel again and move a bit ouside of my South Carolina borders.

Byrd laced the book subtly with spiritual flavors and made me hope for a third book so I can learn more of what happens with Lexi and her new and old friends.  I do plan to pick up the first book in the series so I can have a complete view of Lexi’s adventures and I look forward to reading the final chapter of Lexi’s story which should come out in 2009.

You can find Bon Appetite at your local bookseller or order a copy at www.amazon.com.   Also below find a complete summary and bio on Sandra Byrd.

Final note, I was not given an extra copy this time, but anyone that wants to borrow mine feel free to leave me a comment.  The cover did get a little bent but I highly recommend it so either borrow mine or better yet go buy a copy and give one as a gift too:)

Summary: In this second book in the French Twist series, readers join Lexi Stuart in a crème de la crème adventure!

Deciding to leave her familiar home in Seattle and her could-be boyfriend Dan, Lexi moves to a quaint village in France to pursue her dream of becoming a pastry chef.  Life among the French initially proves to be less than easy as Lexi is challenged by her coworkers, missing her friends, and failing to master the perfect baguette.

Determined to find her place, Lexi settles into the culture and life becomes la perfection. She finds a church, meets a new friend, and makes the acquaintance of a child named Celine—as well as Celine’s attractive, widowed father, Philippe. Even Patricia, the gruff pastry cook, shows a softer side as she mentors Lexi in the art of baking.

Fast, fun, and packed with French culture, foodie appeal, and unique recipes readers will love accompanying Lexi on her journey in Bon Appetit as she tries to choose between two countries, two men and the faith to lean on God while savoring the surprises life brings!

Author Bio: Best-selling author Sandra Byrd enjoys a successful career writing adult, teen, and children’s books, including the Friends for a Season, Secret Sisters series and the French Twist series, including the first Lexi Stuart novel, Let them Eat Cake. She is also a regular contributor to newspapers and magazines. Sandra lives in Washington state with her husband and two children.

Two ideas October 24, 2008

I found a fun blog today with the cutest idea for a Minnie Mouse pumpkin.  Check out Amy Locurto.  Try not to be jealous though b/c she appears to be quite together and talented:)

www.livinglocurto.com

Also some of you read Audrey’s story as chronicled by her mom, Angie, at her blog Bring the Rain at www.audreycaroline.blogspot.com .  Today she wrote an entry called “Ransomed” about facing fear.  I warn you it is long, but so worth the read to the end.  The pictures are awesome too.  So many of us are held captive by unrealistic fears when we could really walk in freedom.  Read on….

Family Night #3 October 23, 2008

We are having so much fun with these family nights.  The theme this week was World Series Night. We all wore baseball caps and shirts if we had them:)  The boys played baseball outside while we grilled hot dogs.

The boys showing off Big League Chewing Gum(remember those?)

McCall practicing

haig in pitcher mode

For dinner we ate hot dogs, cracker jacks (of course:), butter beans (leftovers for veggies), grapes and strawberries and little bottles of Coca Cola.

a yummy ballpark dinner - except for the fruit and veggies

We made family pennants that represent things that are important to us as families.  We finished up with snow cones and a little indoor Baseball Bible Trivia.  Lots of fun!!

Serious family team picture

Somehow the Browns look happier:)

Our family pennant

If you think this is fun you can find other fun family night ideas at this blog!