...I await the arrival of our UPS man today...perhaps he will bring me a big box with a return address of "Tapestry of Grace." The new units were shipped out yesterday and the day before, so I might get mine today.
Then I get to plan my shopping trip to Staples where I will happily consider what color binders to buy, what kind of page protectors to use, and which selection of Sharpies I need. Oh, and I need tabs...definitely binder tabs.
Ahhh...just thinking about it makes me happy...I love school supplies. I think they might have contributed to my becoming a teacher!
This reminds me of a movie quote..."Don't you love New York in the fall? It makes me want to buy school supplies. I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils if I knew your name and address."
6.30.2006
To my lurkers, part two
6.29.2006
Ready for MENSA
Long time, no blog
It's been a while since my last post here, so I am going to attempt to update you on our lives over the last few weeks....bear with me...
**We've been doing swimming lessons for the last two weeks here at our neighborhood pool...which is the main reason why I've been so lazy about blogging. We're out the door at 8:45 every morning, ready to swim. Jonathan and Andrew have been showing signs of being sick of this schedule!!! This morning was our last day. Here's a picture of Cameron dog-paddling. Ben was pretty anxious for the first two days of lessons, but he came around by day #3 and by the time yesterday rolled around (lesson #7), he was jumping up and down waiting for his turn. I am not ready to turn them loose in the pool by themselves yet, but they are both a lot more confident in the water than they were at the beginning of the summer.
**We've been doing swimming lessons for the last two weeks here at our neighborhood pool...which is the main reason why I've been so lazy about blogging. We're out the door at 8:45 every morning, ready to swim. Jonathan and Andrew have been showing signs of being sick of this schedule!!! This morning was our last day. Here's a picture of Cameron dog-paddling. Ben was pretty anxious for the first two days of lessons, but he came around by day #3 and by the time yesterday rolled around (lesson #7), he was jumping up and down waiting for his turn. I am not ready to turn them loose in the pool by themselves yet, but they are both a lot more confident in the water than they were at the beginning of the summer.
**My mom found out last week that she is in the earliest stage of breast cancer. She is scheduled to have surgery next Thursday. Please keep her and my dad in your prayers.
**We took the boys to see "Cars" on Tuesday night at our local cheapskate theatre. I LOVE that place! $4 for adults, $2 for kids, and snacks are cheap too! Here's a pic of the guys pretending to drive outside the theatre!
It was funny to watch such a racing-related movie in Kannapolis, NC, home of the Earnhardts. The audience was pretty enthused. Thanks to the Pinckneys, Teiglands and Mr. Queen for coming along for the ride!
OK, crying baby...will continue later...
6.16.2006
A new law
Visit Derek Webb's myspace page to view his new video for his song "A New Law." You have to scroll down a little to see it.
The song is one that I love...it speaks to our tendency as Christians to create new "laws" for ourselves instead of immersing ourselves in the Spirit, educating ourselves, and interacting with those around us.
Here are the lyrics:
A New Law
(vs. 1)don’t teach me about politics and government
just tell me who to vote for
don’t teach me about truth and beauty
just label my music
don’t teach me how to live like a free man
just give me a new law
(pre-chorus)i don’t wanna know if the answers aren’t easy
so just bring it down from the mountain to me
(chorus)i want a new law
i want a new law
gimme that new law
(vs. 2)don’t teach me about moderation and liberty
i prefer a shot of grape juice
don’t teach me about loving my enemies
don’t teach me how to listen to the Spirit
just give me a new law
(pre-chorus/chorus)
(bridge)what’s the use in trading a law you can never keep
for one you can that cannot get you anything
do not be afraid
do not be afraid
do not be afraid
The bridge is my favorite part. Christ means that we do not have to keep the Law anymore...He has perfected our obedience to it. Why then do we invent rules for ourselves, thinking that we will be justified by them? Better to rejoice in His completed work and be unafraid...
Hebrews chapter 9 says:
11 But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) 12 he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. 13 For if the sprinkling of defiled persons with the blood of goats and bulls and with the ashes of a heifer sanctifies for the purification of the flesh, 14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.
Praise the Lord!
PS To be honest I found the video a tad boring....I don't want to say that too loudly since I love Derek's stuff so much...shhhhh...
The song is one that I love...it speaks to our tendency as Christians to create new "laws" for ourselves instead of immersing ourselves in the Spirit, educating ourselves, and interacting with those around us.
Here are the lyrics:
A New Law
(vs. 1)don’t teach me about politics and government
just tell me who to vote for
don’t teach me about truth and beauty
just label my music
don’t teach me how to live like a free man
just give me a new law
(pre-chorus)i don’t wanna know if the answers aren’t easy
so just bring it down from the mountain to me
(chorus)i want a new law
i want a new law
gimme that new law
(vs. 2)don’t teach me about moderation and liberty
i prefer a shot of grape juice
don’t teach me about loving my enemies
don’t teach me how to listen to the Spirit
just give me a new law
(pre-chorus/chorus)
(bridge)what’s the use in trading a law you can never keep
for one you can that cannot get you anything
do not be afraid
do not be afraid
do not be afraid
The bridge is my favorite part. Christ means that we do not have to keep the Law anymore...He has perfected our obedience to it. Why then do we invent rules for ourselves, thinking that we will be justified by them? Better to rejoice in His completed work and be unafraid...
Hebrews chapter 9 says:
11 But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) 12 he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. 13 For if the sprinkling of defiled persons with the blood of goats and bulls and with the ashes of a heifer sanctifies for the purification of the flesh, 14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.
Praise the Lord!
PS To be honest I found the video a tad boring....I don't want to say that too loudly since I love Derek's stuff so much...shhhhh...
6.15.2006
Neglecting our Boys
Here's an interesting article about men and women, boys and girls, and reading. It made me think a few things...
1. I'm glad we're homeschooling...we'll have our own single-sex school. :-)
2. It doesn't bother me anymore that Cameron loves to draw with black.
3. This is totally my opinion, but I think that the reticence on the schools' part of accepting this research is due to the fact that it presents a problem with the secular thinking that dominates the educational landscape. If schools start accepting that boys and girls really are that different, it presents a problem with neutral gender roles (a lack of gender roles). Then we start talking about boys and girls growing up into men and women, and maybe women, due to their different biological makeup, are suited to different jobs than men...and maybe their roles in marriage should be different...see where I'm going here? :-)
Thoughts?
1. I'm glad we're homeschooling...we'll have our own single-sex school. :-)
2. It doesn't bother me anymore that Cameron loves to draw with black.
3. This is totally my opinion, but I think that the reticence on the schools' part of accepting this research is due to the fact that it presents a problem with the secular thinking that dominates the educational landscape. If schools start accepting that boys and girls really are that different, it presents a problem with neutral gender roles (a lack of gender roles). Then we start talking about boys and girls growing up into men and women, and maybe women, due to their different biological makeup, are suited to different jobs than men...and maybe their roles in marriage should be different...see where I'm going here? :-)
Thoughts?
6.14.2006
A plea to worship leaders
http://www.sharperiron.org/2006/06/12/my-plea-to-worship-leaders/
I received this via e-mail today. Any thoughts?
I received this via e-mail today. Any thoughts?
Food for thought
'God rides forth conquering in the chariot of His Gospel. . . He conquers the pride of the heart, and makes the will which stood out as a Fort Royal against Him, to yield and stoop to His grace; He makes the stony heart bleed. Oh! it is a mighty call! Why then do some men seem to speak of a moral persuasion? That God in the conversion of a sinner only morally persuades and no more? If God in conversion should only morally persuade and no more, then He does not put forth so much power in saving men as the Devil does in destroying them.' --Thomas Watson
6.13.2006
Some Sox notes
It's been a while since I've done a Red Sox post.
-Congrats to Curt Schilling, who may reach 3000 innings pitched tonight vs. Minnesota.
-Congrats to Curt Schilling, who may reach 3000 innings pitched tonight vs. Minnesota.
Kelly and boys with Schilling's Bloody Sock in Cooperstown. (the sock is behind Ben)- The end to Sunday night's game inspired a writer to rewrite "Casey at the Bat," and entitle it "Papi at the Bat." This poem is a family favorite, and you can read the "rewrite" here. I tip my cap to him...it's not easy to think of a rhyme for "Coco Crisp."
- I just found out recently that there is a Red Sox pub here in Charlotte. I hope to pay a visit sometime.
6.12.2006
One of those mornings
Occasionally I have a day where I think, "Even if I wrote all this down, I don't think anyone would believe me." It's 11:30 a.m. and I've already had one of those days. Please have a laugh at my expense!
1. Monday morning...time to change the sheets. Boys, please take your sheets off.
2. Late sleepers mean a late start to the grocery store, so maybe we should pack breakfast and eat in the van so Jonathan doesn't have a complete meltdown from missing his morning nap while we're shopping.
3. *** huge drama because Cameron and Ben have lunchboxes to use but Andrew doesn't have one ***
4. Discover Daddy's lunchbox in cabinet over stove, and give to Andrew. He is still a bit put out, but satisfied.
5. Drive to Concord. Go the wrong way, because I'm talking to Nicole on the phone. Take alternate route to Concord.
6. Lose connection with Nicole due to alternate route taken.
7. Arrive in Aldi parking lot as store is opening. Discover that Andrew has not actually eaten his toast, but instead has been smearing his finger in the peanut butter and licking it off. Discard soggy bread. Wipe Andrew's face, fingers, and shirt with second to last wipe in diaper bag. Decide to wash carseat cover this afternoon.
8. Let boys out of van. Pick Jonathan up out of carseat and realize he is soaking wet, front and back, up to the shoulders.
9. Investigate why he is wet. The smell soon gives enough clues. Apparently he is not just wet, but drenched in his own....waste. Solid waste that wasn't quite solid enough to stay in a diaper.
10. Omigosh, it's everywhere. Oh, the stench. Try not to get any on yourself.
11. Bring baby around at arm's length to other side of van where there is more room for a change . Boys, please don't play with the trash in the storm drain.
12. Boys, please sit in the front seat so I know where you are.
13. Take disgusting clothes and diaper off baby, putting them in small box found in trunk since I have no plastic bags with me. Decide to wash carseat cover this afternoon.
14. Attempt to clean baby with aforementioned second to last wipe, which now has peanut butter all over it, and last wipe. Clean up remaining mess with napkins found in glove compartment, soaked in cup of water in cupholder.
15. Cameron, it's OK to turn the steering wheel but please don't touch the pedals.
16. Take baby, dressed only in a diaper, now sounding his protest LOUDLY, back over to other side of van, where the carpet is cleaner, to put on clean outfit.
17. Boys, let's go in the store.
18. Realize that all carts with seatbelts are about three deep into the stacks. Decide Jonathan can manage without one at this point.
19. Enter Aldi grocery store. Make it halfway down one aisle when Andrew states that he needs to use the potty.
20. Walk across store to bathrooms, sending Cameron and Ben into the men's room and taking Jonathan and Andrew into the women's room. Andrew successfully uses potty.
21. Well, at least I can get that stench off my hands a little better now. Wash hands, dry hands.
22. Open door to women's room and discover Cameron and Ben making competing arcs with the water fountains. Boys, please hold onto the cart. No Ben, we can't get an Etch a Sketch. Please put it back.
23. Andrew, please turn the water off. No, the other knob. (they are both now fully on) Turn it off. OK, come dry your hands.
24. Head back to where I was, breathing deeply. Realize that breathing deeply only makes me smell the baby more, who is sitting in the cart at nose level.
25. Complete Aldi shopping in relative peace.
26. Put groceries in van -- oh, the stench! -- and put children in van.
27. Turn on van. Air conditioning and radio come on full blast because of boys' time in front seat while I was changing the baby.
28. Drive to Super WalMart to complete my order. Bring children into store.
29. Andrew, don't touch that. Ben, don't touch that. (disgusting nasal bulb aspirator laying in WalMart parking lot)
30. Question mental faculties of man who invented shopping cart with two spots for older children but blocked off the spot for a younger child. Decide that the inventor may question my mental faculties for having four children so close together.
31. Strap baby tightly into seat for older child and give him my keys to keep him happy, since I forgot a toy for him. Dirty I know, but really who cares at this point?!
32. Decide that this cart may not be such a bad thing, since it keeps the smelly baby farther from my nose.
33. Walk around Super WalMart, completing shopping order. Buy deodorant for husband, which Cameron sees and calls "Daddy's smelly arm stuff." Consider rubbing it all over Jonathan to stop the smell. Decide against it.
34. Store is laden with advertising for "Cars" movie. Yes, I see. Yes, I see.
35. Check out of store.
36. Pass bathrooms, where Andrew decides he needs to go again. More interaction with excrement.
37. Walk to van, passing dirty aspirator again. Ben, don't touch that. Andrew, don't touch that.
38. Drive home, wondering if my van will ever smell good again.
And so I thank God this morning that
- Jonathan got it out of his system, whatever "it" was.
- the Lord gave me sufficient grace to bite my tongue and not lose my temper with the kids.
- I have a washer, where the carseat covers and dirty clothes are sloshing away at this very moment.
- We have a house full of food.
1. Monday morning...time to change the sheets. Boys, please take your sheets off.
2. Late sleepers mean a late start to the grocery store, so maybe we should pack breakfast and eat in the van so Jonathan doesn't have a complete meltdown from missing his morning nap while we're shopping.
3. *** huge drama because Cameron and Ben have lunchboxes to use but Andrew doesn't have one ***
4. Discover Daddy's lunchbox in cabinet over stove, and give to Andrew. He is still a bit put out, but satisfied.
5. Drive to Concord. Go the wrong way, because I'm talking to Nicole on the phone. Take alternate route to Concord.
6. Lose connection with Nicole due to alternate route taken.
7. Arrive in Aldi parking lot as store is opening. Discover that Andrew has not actually eaten his toast, but instead has been smearing his finger in the peanut butter and licking it off. Discard soggy bread. Wipe Andrew's face, fingers, and shirt with second to last wipe in diaper bag. Decide to wash carseat cover this afternoon.
8. Let boys out of van. Pick Jonathan up out of carseat and realize he is soaking wet, front and back, up to the shoulders.
9. Investigate why he is wet. The smell soon gives enough clues. Apparently he is not just wet, but drenched in his own....waste. Solid waste that wasn't quite solid enough to stay in a diaper.
10. Omigosh, it's everywhere. Oh, the stench. Try not to get any on yourself.
11. Bring baby around at arm's length to other side of van where there is more room for a change . Boys, please don't play with the trash in the storm drain.
12. Boys, please sit in the front seat so I know where you are.
13. Take disgusting clothes and diaper off baby, putting them in small box found in trunk since I have no plastic bags with me. Decide to wash carseat cover this afternoon.
14. Attempt to clean baby with aforementioned second to last wipe, which now has peanut butter all over it, and last wipe. Clean up remaining mess with napkins found in glove compartment, soaked in cup of water in cupholder.
15. Cameron, it's OK to turn the steering wheel but please don't touch the pedals.
16. Take baby, dressed only in a diaper, now sounding his protest LOUDLY, back over to other side of van, where the carpet is cleaner, to put on clean outfit.
17. Boys, let's go in the store.
18. Realize that all carts with seatbelts are about three deep into the stacks. Decide Jonathan can manage without one at this point.
19. Enter Aldi grocery store. Make it halfway down one aisle when Andrew states that he needs to use the potty.
20. Walk across store to bathrooms, sending Cameron and Ben into the men's room and taking Jonathan and Andrew into the women's room. Andrew successfully uses potty.
21. Well, at least I can get that stench off my hands a little better now. Wash hands, dry hands.
22. Open door to women's room and discover Cameron and Ben making competing arcs with the water fountains. Boys, please hold onto the cart. No Ben, we can't get an Etch a Sketch. Please put it back.
23. Andrew, please turn the water off. No, the other knob. (they are both now fully on) Turn it off. OK, come dry your hands.
24. Head back to where I was, breathing deeply. Realize that breathing deeply only makes me smell the baby more, who is sitting in the cart at nose level.
25. Complete Aldi shopping in relative peace.
26. Put groceries in van -- oh, the stench! -- and put children in van.
27. Turn on van. Air conditioning and radio come on full blast because of boys' time in front seat while I was changing the baby.
28. Drive to Super WalMart to complete my order. Bring children into store.
29. Andrew, don't touch that. Ben, don't touch that. (disgusting nasal bulb aspirator laying in WalMart parking lot)
30. Question mental faculties of man who invented shopping cart with two spots for older children but blocked off the spot for a younger child. Decide that the inventor may question my mental faculties for having four children so close together.
31. Strap baby tightly into seat for older child and give him my keys to keep him happy, since I forgot a toy for him. Dirty I know, but really who cares at this point?!
32. Decide that this cart may not be such a bad thing, since it keeps the smelly baby farther from my nose.
33. Walk around Super WalMart, completing shopping order. Buy deodorant for husband, which Cameron sees and calls "Daddy's smelly arm stuff." Consider rubbing it all over Jonathan to stop the smell. Decide against it.
34. Store is laden with advertising for "Cars" movie. Yes, I see. Yes, I see.
35. Check out of store.
36. Pass bathrooms, where Andrew decides he needs to go again. More interaction with excrement.
37. Walk to van, passing dirty aspirator again. Ben, don't touch that. Andrew, don't touch that.
38. Drive home, wondering if my van will ever smell good again.
And so I thank God this morning that
- Jonathan got it out of his system, whatever "it" was.
- the Lord gave me sufficient grace to bite my tongue and not lose my temper with the kids.
- I have a washer, where the carseat covers and dirty clothes are sloshing away at this very moment.
- We have a house full of food.
6.06.2006
Our garden...
Happy Birthday to me!
Yesterday was my 29th birthday...it's a little strange being the age that everyone over 30 jokingly claims to be. "How old are you?" I'm 29. "No, really, how old are you?" Ahem.
So Sunday night, all the men in my family took me to a minor league baseball game to celebrate. They even sang to me when they brought me a funnel cake. After the game, we ran the bases.
So Sunday night, all the men in my family took me to a minor league baseball game to celebrate. They even sang to me when they brought me a funnel cake. After the game, we ran the bases.
Last night was very relaxing. David brought home a cake that he had decorated himself, with the words to "Happy Birthday" as sung by Andrew...
Then we went outside after a short rainstorm and saw this beautiful rainbow over our neighborhood. What a great birthday present from the Lord! The last rainbow I remember seeing was in Burlingame, California in 2003.
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