Brian is a great dad. He loves the kids and enjoys spending time with them. He never hesitates to watch them, play with them, kiss them, etc. He, like most dads of our generation, has an equal hand in their care and upbringing. He is perfectly capable of taking care of them as well as I can, if not better. (Kinley's hair stlying is his only weakness.) So, it is no big deal for him to take all three kids with him to the grocery store to do the shopping once a month...at least no bigger deal than it would be for me to take all 3 kids to the grocery store. But apparently that is not how the rest of the world views it.
Brian has found the cash cow of fatherhood...take all three kids somewhere by yourself. He asks to go do the grocery shopping now with the kids because he gets all kinds of special treatment. People in Wal-Mart are letting him go in front of them in line (it probably helps that Kinley is almost always throwing a fit), the old women in Aldi are giving him free bags and shopping carts, people are carrying things for him and telling him what a great parent he is!!! Have any of these things ever happened to me when I've been out with all 3 kids? No, of course not! People assume a mother can deal with it all with no problem, but they spot a male buying a loaf of bread and package of string cheese with a baby in his cart and they're offering to run his car through the nearest wash while he checks out! It's crazy!
Of course Brian finds it hilarious. Just last weekend he came home with 2 free Aldi bags...the spoils of his most recent trip. I'm not complaining that he wants to take the kids and do the shopping, don't get me wrong. I'm just saying people have it all wrong if they think he is this poor pitiful man that can barely function in the real world and take care of his children at the same time. He has the world fooled...but it's working pretty well for him, and me too, for that matter.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Say Cheese!
Brian and I have almost no good pictures of us together, mainly because one of us is always holding the camera. Now that Ryker is old enough to take a decent picture we have tried to make a point of appearing together in the Kodak chronicle of our lives. Here is the best one to date.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Maple Cinnamon Rolls
I love cinnamon rolls.
Actually I love all forms of pastry.
So I was anxious to try this new cinnamon roll recipe from The Pioneer Woman.
There isn't anything dramatically different in the recipe itself, but there are two wonderful aspects to these rolls.
#1 They can be refrigerated overnight and finished in the morning so that they are warm and fresh for breakfast.
#2 The icing is amazing. It has maple flavoring and coffee in it. Very Yummy!
So I give you Pioneer Woman's Cinnamon Rolls
(Note: The recipe as written makes approx. 7 dozen rolls. Adjust as needed.)
For more great recipes check out Tempt My Tummy Tuesdays at Blessed With Grace.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
All in a Day's Work
I’ve recently been feeling kind of overwhelmed. I’m not really sure why. A lot is going on…but that is nothing unusual. So I’ve decided to outline my daily/weekly/monthly duties and see just what it is that I do and what is keeping me so busy.
As a housewife I must: clean the house, including bathrooms (Ugh!), do the laundry, prepare two nutritious and delicious meals a day, pay the bills, balance the checkbook, keep a fire going in the wood stove, feed the dog and cat and keep them out from under car tires.
As a mother of pre-schoolers I must: teach them to brush, floss, wipe, and blow their noses, recognize all of the letters of the alphabet and how to count to at least 20. I need to keep them entertained all day, make sure they eat at least one vegetable per day and keep their sippy cups clean, full and out from under the couch. I have to change diapers, monitor the TV viewing, kiss scrapes, bruises and imaginary pains, read stories, say prayers and enforce naptimes. I must know what time each cartoon comes on TV and the names of all central characters. I have to be able to transform robots into vehicles and make pacifiers stick in dolls mouths that were made to hold such devices and make sure the blankies are out of the dryer in time for bedtime.
As a mother of a 2nd grader I must: check 2 pages of homework, listen to a reading assignment and monitor piano practice each night. I also have to provide, and document, additional reading time each evening so that he can earn a free ticket to Six Flags. I have to sign various forms, provide snacks for the class, volunteer at the school twice a month and make 27 valentines. I have to teach him how to dribble a basketball and run at the same time in addition to good table manners, phone etiquette and how to safely light a match. I need to drill him on his memory verses from church and the books of the Bible, the Lord’s Prayer and the 10 Commandments. On top of all of that I have to make sure that he has time to play with his brother and occasionally the neighbor girl.
At some point I have to talk to my husband and spend time with him too. But it doesn’t end there. In order to be a good friend, family member, and productive member of my church and community I also have to: read my Bible, pray, send e-mails and cards to keep in touch with others, visit my grandmas, parents, and in-laws on a regular basis, call my siblings, and remember birthdays. At church I run the power point for 3 services a month, work in the nursery, direct all dramatic performances, and serve on the Christian Education and Creative Worship Planning committees. I also organize the curriculum for the kids in my MOPS group and attend all of the meetings. I work with the community theatre group and reduce, reuse and recycle.
As a normal human being I would like to: read a book, scrapbook, shower and sit down on occasion too. I know this is all just a “season of life” as they say and soon it will pass. But, then it will be the season for lawn mowing, potty training, vegetable canning, garden weeding and all the while cheering the boys on at 3 baseball games a week. It never ends. No wonder I’m exhausted. The really amazing thing is that some people do all this and hold down a full time job. Could I cut some of it out? Maybe. (Actually, there are two that I don’t do now, even though I should: keep the kids entertained (they’re on their own for that) and balance the checkbook.) Do I want to? Not really. I enjoy almost all of these activities, and by themselves I would love to do each one nightly to the best of my ability (well not cleaning bathrooms), but when they are all piled on each other it gets to be a little too much. And I have a husband that is great and helps me out a lot! I don’t know what single parents do. In conclusion…what am I doing sitting here typing on the computer? I’ve got work to do!!
(Ironically, my body does not consider all of the above activities “strenuous exercise” so I still have to workout three times a week in order not to become a fat pig while running myself ragged.)
As a housewife I must: clean the house, including bathrooms (Ugh!), do the laundry, prepare two nutritious and delicious meals a day, pay the bills, balance the checkbook, keep a fire going in the wood stove, feed the dog and cat and keep them out from under car tires.
As a mother of pre-schoolers I must: teach them to brush, floss, wipe, and blow their noses, recognize all of the letters of the alphabet and how to count to at least 20. I need to keep them entertained all day, make sure they eat at least one vegetable per day and keep their sippy cups clean, full and out from under the couch. I have to change diapers, monitor the TV viewing, kiss scrapes, bruises and imaginary pains, read stories, say prayers and enforce naptimes. I must know what time each cartoon comes on TV and the names of all central characters. I have to be able to transform robots into vehicles and make pacifiers stick in dolls mouths that were made to hold such devices and make sure the blankies are out of the dryer in time for bedtime.
As a mother of a 2nd grader I must: check 2 pages of homework, listen to a reading assignment and monitor piano practice each night. I also have to provide, and document, additional reading time each evening so that he can earn a free ticket to Six Flags. I have to sign various forms, provide snacks for the class, volunteer at the school twice a month and make 27 valentines. I have to teach him how to dribble a basketball and run at the same time in addition to good table manners, phone etiquette and how to safely light a match. I need to drill him on his memory verses from church and the books of the Bible, the Lord’s Prayer and the 10 Commandments. On top of all of that I have to make sure that he has time to play with his brother and occasionally the neighbor girl.
At some point I have to talk to my husband and spend time with him too. But it doesn’t end there. In order to be a good friend, family member, and productive member of my church and community I also have to: read my Bible, pray, send e-mails and cards to keep in touch with others, visit my grandmas, parents, and in-laws on a regular basis, call my siblings, and remember birthdays. At church I run the power point for 3 services a month, work in the nursery, direct all dramatic performances, and serve on the Christian Education and Creative Worship Planning committees. I also organize the curriculum for the kids in my MOPS group and attend all of the meetings. I work with the community theatre group and reduce, reuse and recycle.
As a normal human being I would like to: read a book, scrapbook, shower and sit down on occasion too. I know this is all just a “season of life” as they say and soon it will pass. But, then it will be the season for lawn mowing, potty training, vegetable canning, garden weeding and all the while cheering the boys on at 3 baseball games a week. It never ends. No wonder I’m exhausted. The really amazing thing is that some people do all this and hold down a full time job. Could I cut some of it out? Maybe. (Actually, there are two that I don’t do now, even though I should: keep the kids entertained (they’re on their own for that) and balance the checkbook.) Do I want to? Not really. I enjoy almost all of these activities, and by themselves I would love to do each one nightly to the best of my ability (well not cleaning bathrooms), but when they are all piled on each other it gets to be a little too much. And I have a husband that is great and helps me out a lot! I don’t know what single parents do. In conclusion…what am I doing sitting here typing on the computer? I’ve got work to do!!
(Ironically, my body does not consider all of the above activities “strenuous exercise” so I still have to workout three times a week in order not to become a fat pig while running myself ragged.)
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Lust of the Flesh 2
More scriptures on greed, materialism, idolatry, discontent, laziness and mediocrity.
Hebrews 10:39 "But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul."
Titus 2:11-14 "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and Godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour, Christ Jesus; who gave himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purfify for Himself a people fo His own possession, zealous for good deeds."
I Peter 4:1-2 "Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because He who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God."
Colossians 3:23-24 "Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men; knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve."
Colossians 3:17 "And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father."
Hebrews 12:1-3 "Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against himself, so that you may not grow weary and lose heart."
I Corinthians 10:31 "Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."
I Corinthians 15:58 "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord."
Hebrews 10:39 "But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul."
Titus 2:11-14 "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and Godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour, Christ Jesus; who gave himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purfify for Himself a people fo His own possession, zealous for good deeds."
I Peter 4:1-2 "Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because He who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God."
Colossians 3:23-24 "Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men; knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve."
Colossians 3:17 "And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father."
Hebrews 12:1-3 "Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against himself, so that you may not grow weary and lose heart."
I Corinthians 10:31 "Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."
I Corinthians 15:58 "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord."
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Disobedience
Here are a few scriptures on Envy and Jealousy.
1 Peter 2:1-3 "Therefore putting aside all malice and all guile and hyposcrisy and envy and all slander, like newborn babes, long for the pure milk of the word, that by it you my grow in respect to salvation, if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord."
Romans 12:10 & 17 "Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men."
1 Corinthians 3:3 "For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men?"
Galatians 5:14-15 "For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." But if you bite and devour one another, take care lest you be consumed by one another."
Phillipians 2:3-4 "Do nothing from selfish or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others."
Phillipians 2:5-8 "Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient ot the point of death, even death on a cross."
1 Peter 2:1-3 "Therefore putting aside all malice and all guile and hyposcrisy and envy and all slander, like newborn babes, long for the pure milk of the word, that by it you my grow in respect to salvation, if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord."
Romans 12:10 & 17 "Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men."
1 Corinthians 3:3 "For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men?"
Galatians 5:14-15 "For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." But if you bite and devour one another, take care lest you be consumed by one another."
Phillipians 2:3-4 "Do nothing from selfish or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others."
Phillipians 2:5-8 "Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient ot the point of death, even death on a cross."
The Lust of the Flesh
Here are a few disciplinary scriptures on discontent, greed and laziness.
1 Timothy 6:6-11 "But Godliness actually is a means of great gain, when accompanied by contentment. For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. And if we have food and covering, with these we shall be content. But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction."
Phillipians 3:8 "More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish in order that I may gain Christ..."
Ephesians 1:3 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jeses Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ..."
Proverbs 14:30 "A tranquil heart is life to the body, but passion is rottenness to the bones."
1 John 2:15-17 "Do not love the world, not the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world...is from the world. And the world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God abides forever."
Proverbs 19:15 "Laziness casts into a deep sleep, and an idle man will suffer hunger."
Proverbs 6:6-11 " How long will you lie down, o sluggard? When will you rise from your sleep? 'A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest'--and your poverty will come in like a vagabond, and your need like an armed man."
Hebrews 13:5-6 "Let your character be free from the love of money, being content with what you have, for He Himself has said, 'I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,' so that we confidently say, 'The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What shall man do to me?"
1 Timothy 6:6-11 "But Godliness actually is a means of great gain, when accompanied by contentment. For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. And if we have food and covering, with these we shall be content. But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction."
Phillipians 3:8 "More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish in order that I may gain Christ..."
Ephesians 1:3 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jeses Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ..."
Proverbs 14:30 "A tranquil heart is life to the body, but passion is rottenness to the bones."
1 John 2:15-17 "Do not love the world, not the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world...is from the world. And the world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God abides forever."
Proverbs 19:15 "Laziness casts into a deep sleep, and an idle man will suffer hunger."
Proverbs 6:6-11 " How long will you lie down, o sluggard? When will you rise from your sleep? 'A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest'--and your poverty will come in like a vagabond, and your need like an armed man."
Hebrews 13:5-6 "Let your character be free from the love of money, being content with what you have, for He Himself has said, 'I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,' so that we confidently say, 'The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What shall man do to me?"
What Do Prominent Christian Leaders Think About Creation Care?
Martin Luther
John Calvin
Rick Warren
Billy Graham
Pope John Paul II
"God writes the Gospel, not in the Bible alone, but also on trees, and in the flowers and clouds and stars."
"Now if I believe in God's Son and remember that He became man, all creatures will appear a hundred times more beautiful to me than before. Then I will properly appreciate the sun, the moon,and stars, trees, apples, as I reflect that He is Lord over all things."
John Calvin
"The creation is quite like a spacious and splendid house, provided and filled with the most exquisite and the most abundant furnishings. Everything in it tells us of God."
Rick Warren
"We cannot be all that God wants us to be without caring about the earth."
Billy Graham
"The growing possibility of our destroying ourselves and the world with our own
neglect and excess is tragic and very real."
Pope John Paul II
"When concern for economic and technological progress is not accompanied by concern for the balance of the ecosystem, our earth is inevitably exposed to serious environmental damage, with subsequent harm to human beings. Blatant disrespect for the environment will continue as long as the earth and its potential are seen merely as objects for immediate use and consumption, to be manipulated by an unbridled desire for profit."
Sins of the Tongue
Well, there is no time like the present. Here is the first round of disciplinary scriptures. (see "Eureka!" post).
Lying
Colossians 3:9-10 "Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the one who created Him..."
II Corinthians 7:1 "Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God."
Proverbs 6:16-19 "There are six things which the Lord hates, yes, seven which are an abomination to Him; haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that run rapidly to evil, a false witness who utters lies, and one who spreads strife among brothers."
Proverbs 14:25 "A truthful witness saves lives, but he who speaks lies is treacherous."
Psalm 24:3-4 "Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? And who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood, and has not sworn deceitfully."
Proverbs 12:22 "Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who deal faithfully are His delight."
Lying
Colossians 3:9-10 "Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the one who created Him..."
II Corinthians 7:1 "Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God."
Proverbs 6:16-19 "There are six things which the Lord hates, yes, seven which are an abomination to Him; haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that run rapidly to evil, a false witness who utters lies, and one who spreads strife among brothers."
Proverbs 14:25 "A truthful witness saves lives, but he who speaks lies is treacherous."
Psalm 24:3-4 "Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? And who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood, and has not sworn deceitfully."
Proverbs 12:22 "Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who deal faithfully are His delight."
Greenville Recycling Advisory Board
The Greenville Recycling Advisory Board is a group of earth conscious individuals from Bond County that research recycling possibilities in our area and make recommendations to our local city governments about how to bring more recycling opportunities to Greenville. They meet in an effort to stay informed about the latest in local recycling and strive to make realistic recommendations about the future of recycling in Greenville.
If you would like to join the Greenville Recycling Advisory Board and make your voice heard just show up to a meeting and join in. The next meeting will be:
If you would like to join the Greenville Recycling Advisory Board and make your voice heard just show up to a meeting and join in. The next meeting will be:
May 26th at 7:30 pm
Bond County Courthouse
They will be showing the very interesting video, "The Story of Stuff" which shows the complete cycle of production, comsumption and disposal in our world today. Please attend and add your two cents to the pot.
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