Happy 9th Birthday R!

Nine years ago today we welcomed our tiny, firstborn son!

He was born 3.5 weeks early due to complications with my blood pressure. I was hospitalized on the 27th so the doctor could keep an eye on things. He told us the next day that he wanted to induce labor on the 29th because of the way things were looking.

My family Christmas was starting the 29th, it was/is also my brother and nieces birthdays! Only my parents knew I was to be induced....the rest of the family just knew I was in the hospital being monitored! What a FUN phone call that was!!! Everyone was quite surprised! If I remember correctly, we had a hard time convincing both my family and Eric's that we really DID have a baby!!!

R. spent a week in the special care nursery with some breathing issues. It was a tough time, but we got through it. I think it actually helped my recovery to be in the hospital that long...I wasn't home seeing things that needed to be done, I was forced to just rest, to take care of myself and our new baby.

I can hardly believe how fast the time has flown....our time with him in our home is probably about half over now...YIKES!....but it is a blessing to see him grow and learn.

R. loves to read, read, read....play with Legos, his Nintendo DS, or on the computer....climb trees, ride bikes.......typical boy things. But best of all I love seeing him grow in his love for the Lord. He will spend hours reading his Bible......many time his prayers will bring me to tears. I just pray that we continue to teach him in the ways of the Savior, and 'when he is old he will not depart from it'!

We love you R.! Keep loving Jesus and growing to love Him more! May your year be blessed!

Christmas on a budget......part 2

I got some GREAT ideas from the comments to the first post! Thanks Mrs. K, Beth and Katie!!!

I DO knit, and I'm already loving the website that Katie mentioned......very creative and NEAT ideas there!

In the past, I have knitted scarves for gifts...they are quick, easy, fun and not too pricey (depending on your yarn).

I wasn't sure what to do this year for our children....not a one of them has any big 'needs' and I sure don't want anything that requires batteries!

One idea for them I had was to make and print 'coupons' for fun things that could then be used all year. Things like 'a date with daddy (or mommy)', 'a trip to the park', 'nature walk', 'game night', 'you choose the dinner menu', etc. But then I began to feel guilty because those are things I/we should do with them anyway!

After 'stumbling' upon the perfect idea at church, yes, church, we decided it was the perfect gift for our children. ONE gift that would be enjoyed by all three of them :0) Here is a link to what we ordered, which has already arrived! It was more than what we originally thought we'd spend, but will be well worth it I'm sure. Can't wait to see their faces!

I love toys/things that are not too expensive that will provide HOURS of fun and stimulate imagination.........
My top picks? The bilibo , Find It , A String book or money folding book, classic games, Legos (although I despise the mess that comes with them!), books, etc.

Oh, here's one last place to find great, fun ideas......Family Fun Magazine!! I LOVE IT!

it's beginning to look a lot like CHRISTmas.........

....the tree

....the mantle

....the place to put cards

....the little tree

....the Reason for the season

Christmas on a budget......

I need ideas for gifts for the children and other family members that cost little to nothing..........I have a few ideas up my sleeve, but thought I'd tap into your ideas before posting mine!


I look forward to hearing from you!

dots

THIS mommy got tired of making dotted 'names' for her daughter to trace during school time.

THIS mommy had an idea!

THIS mommy used the search engine called 'Google'.

THIS mommy found this website, where you can download a dotted font.


THIS mommy is a little bit happier now when her daughter wants to write (read 'trace'!) her name, because she can just click 'print' on the new Word doc that is filled with her sweet daughter's name!

THIS mommy has one little girl that is thrilled to pieces!

Now, this mommy needs to buy a ream of cheap paper!

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recent 'G.-isms'

Miss G. has been exceptionally funny lately! For your enjoyment, here is a sampling.....


While playing 'This Little Piggy' with her, I decided to have HER say the words while I wiggled her toes. With the first one she said, "This little piggy went to Wal-Mart..." WHAT?!! We hardly even GO to Wal-Mart! :0)


While helping her wipe in the bathroom the other week, I was about overcome with the stench and commented, "PEEE-YOU!". She gave me a look of confusion and replied, "You?! It's ME! PEEE-ME!!!" Needless to say, I doubled over in laughter! (OH, she's gonna hate me for posting that when she gets older!)


And just the other day she spotted a 'dead peanut' in this dish. Can you see the 'dead peanut'?!!
Yep, you're right! It's the dark one......not sure why she thought it was 'dead'!



Luk 6:21 "Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied. "Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh.


Look for joy and laughter in the little things that cross your path each day!

you might be a legalist if.......

The following came from this website and I just wanted to re-post it!

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Could you be a legalist?—Take the quiz!

Answer yes or no to the following questions:

1) God's love for me depends on what I do.

2) Meeting the expectations of others, especially those in my congregation or in positions of authority, are paramount.

3) Moral and ethical questions are usually black and white and only made into fuzzy shades of gray by hand-wringing, bleeding-heart types.

4) I try hard to obey God and it irritates me that others think they can get away with avoiding the same level of dedication.

5) I fall short because I don't have enough faith, or because I haven't prayed enough, or because I just need to be a better person.

6) God is predisposed to be angry with me because I am a sinner. My main goal in life is to try to gain God's favor by doing things that will impress him.

7) My sense of spiritual well-being is linked to a Christian leader or membership in my church rather than a personal relationship with God.

8) I tell my children not to do something in church or around other Christian families that I allow in my home.

9) I believe my church is God's true church and that most other Christians may be sincere, but are sincerely wrong.

10) The exterior choices a person makes in what they wear, hairstyle, piercings, tattoos, etc. is a clear indication of that person's character.

11) I sometimes worry that people might take advantage of grace if it's preached too much —people might think they can do anything they want.

12) After being around Christians for a while I feel drained —weary of putting up a false front.

13) When I happen to miss a service or activity of my church I feel guilty.

14) I will likely get into heaven, even though I'm far from perfect, because I have tried to be a basically good person and God will take that into account.

How did you do?

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What do you think? How many did you answer 'yes' to?

I am so glad Jesus has redeemed me from the life of legalism; however, I find myself still battling with the legalistic tendencies of my past.

I thank Him for His constant love in rescuing me and calling me out of that pit to a life of purpose and grace....To a radical life of serving Him, and Him only--my Bridegroom!...To realizing more fully that His love for me is not dependent on what I do or don't do.

MY 'righteousness' is as filthy rags, but through Christ, I have BECOME HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS! What a glorious thought! Now, to remember it and live it out daily!.....

Are you a 'recovering legalist'? You may also enjoy reading this.

God bless you richly on your journey to a deeper, more intimate relationship with Him!

be.blessed!