DIY: Baby's First Birthday

For some reason, I have this impression that stay-at-home moms are supposed to be artsy and craftsy and are supposed to be able to make their own party decorations.  Since I really want to be good at my full-time Mommy job, I decided to use home-made decorations for my baby's first birthday party this year.  I didn't go so far as to make my own birthday cake (my husband adamantly vetoed that idea), but I did cook a chuck wagon style taco dinner for my little guy.

I'm sure he won't remember his first birthday, but at least he can know that Mommy did her best to make it the best.  Despite the fact that his party was less than 48 hours after my last final exam, I think it turned out ok.  Here are some pics!

 And of course, here's the birthday boy himself!

Now I have to start planning his big brother's party.  He says he wants trains and spaghetti.  We'll see how that goes...

When it Rains, Let's Go Bowling...

Thank Goodness It's Friday! Here's something to make you smile. I know that this is kind of guy humor or maybe more like juvenile humor (isn't that kind of the same thing?).  Anyway, if you have 6 minutes to spare, this will make you laugh. Keep in mind, this was a 2 hour 7 minute rain delay.

Frumpy Free Sweats

I saw this segment on the Today show this morning and was inspired.  Love the frumpy free weekend wear! And the prices were actually reasonable!
Go here http://thelook.today.com/_news/2011/05/26/6722385-take-the-frumpy-out-of-your-weekend-style. 

For more Bobbie tips, go to http://bobbie.com/!

The Character & Fitness Requirement

"When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. for the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:21-23

I'll never forget the deer-in-the-headlights look that many of my classmates had during our first semester of law school when the Dean of Students came and discussed the character and fitness requirement for the State Bar.  During our first year of law school, we were all required to get fingerprinted and to fill out extensive personal background information that would be used by the State Bar of Texas to investigate each of us.  Typically, within 6 months the State Bar would send each of us a letter indicating that we had been deemed "fit" to practice law.

The problem with this character and fitness study was the personal declaration section.  If you've ever been arrested or done something really stupid that could reflect poorly on your character, you MUST declare it to the Bar.  Failure to do so can haunt you, because they do their own background check and even contact all former employers for comments about your behavior.  Plus, if anyone knows any reason why you shouldn't be a lawyer, they can contact the Bar committee too.  The list of offenses that could eliminate you from joining the Bar are pretty extensive (drugs, prior arrests, mental health problems, bankruptcy, cheating, plagiarism, dishonesty, etc.)  And there were plenty of law students that had pasts to be declared.

I'm so glad that God doesn't ask for a declaration of our character and fitness to be Christians before extending His grace to us.  Paul reminds us in Romans that once we have accepted God's grace, we are no longer slaves to our shameful past.  Yes, there are things we've done that are embarrassing and wrong.  But God wants us to let those acts die with our old self so that we can move forward as slaves to righteousness.

Isn't this the best news you could ever give someone?  So many individuals are hurting and living lives that are truly scarred and defined by their pasts.  But they don't have to live like this anymore.  God is a God of resilience and love.  He came to save sinners because He can use anyone to accomplish His purpose--even people who see themselves as damaged goods.  God wants us to live our lives focused on our future in Him, not our past.  God wants us to pursue lives of righteousness so that we can attain spiritual character and fitness--holiness. 

The next time I'm haunted by a past mistake, I have to let it go.  I have to confess it and give it to God.  I'm no longer a slave to my past because now I'm called to live in Christ.  Let's praise God because He wants our present and our future. He doesn't need our personal history to determine our potential fitness as a Christian.  He can use damaged individuals in amazing ways.  What hope we have in Christ!

Lesson From Oprah's Farewell

"You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.  Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.  But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us...We also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation." Romans 5:6-8, 11

This week marks the end of Oprah's 25 years on television.  At her surprise farewell special yesterday, many of the 400+ men from Morehouse College who had been recipients of her scholarship came to honor and thank her for her gift to them.  Many of the men felt that without Oprah's gift, they would have ended up out on the streets or in prison.  Her one gift literally transformed the lives of these men.  It was a very touching story and the audience was practically in tears.

What struck me about this story is that the recipients of Oprah's scholarship money ended up extremely successful.  I'm just guessing that in order to qualify as a recipient the men had to demonstrate some sort of worth or potential.  She obviously discriminated well as to who should qualify, because the investment apparently paid off.  These were truly worthy men.

Thank goodness that God doesn't make us qualify for His gift of salvation.  Romans clearly states that God was willing to extend his grace to not only the righteous and worthy, but to sinners.  Since all men are sinners, God's grace is freely extended to EVERYONE.  You don't have to qualify, show potential, or live by the canons of the Catholic church.  No, you just have to believe and accept the gift.  Anyone can have this gift.  There's no special treatment for minorities or for women.  There's no age requirement.  God freely gives His grace to anyone who will take it!

God's grace is the best eternal scholarship anyone could ask for.  It's free and open to anyone who takes it.  If 400+ men can fly to Chicago, dress in a suit, and walk down an aisle with a candle in honor of Oprah for her college scholarship, how much more should we do to honor God for his free eternal gift of life?  If you're a Christian, don't forget to thank God and praise Him today.  And if you've never accepted God's gift, it's not too late.

I think this recording by Carrie Underwood and Vince Gill sums up what is on my heart today:

Footwear to Forget

Let's be honest, every few years a new brand of shoes becomes all the rage with the youth of America.  And usually these shoes are downright ugly.  For some reason, those of us who want to be trendy feel the urge to buy these strange foot coverings.  Why?  I have no idea.  Maybe so we can feel young again.  Maybe because they're "comfortable."  Maybe because we're just suckers when it comes to fashion advertising.  Regardless, it's ok to say no to shoes sometimes.

Although I realize that there is a time and place for every shoe, here are some footwear trends that every adult woman should probably avoid. Unless you're a rock climber, a nurse, or someone with a legitimate need for a funky shoe.  Here are 5 shoes that the modern woman should avoid:


1. Birkenstocks: For $69.95 surely you can find a cuter sandal than these.  In high school we didn't know any better, but the New Testament sandals should probably be used solely for Bible plays.  They're just not attractive.

 2. Uggs: I know that this may hit close to home for some of you, but for $149.95 surely you can find a cute pair of slippers that serve the same purpose.  Uggs may be warm and cozy, but I haven't figured out how you're supposed to wear them with clothes without looking like you need to be wearing PJ's.

  3. River Sandals: These shoes are perfectly suitable for anyone in a boat or on the river.  These are not fashion shoes and should not be your go-to sandals.  You wouldn't wear rainboots to shop at Walmart when it's sunny outside.  So don't wear the river shoes when you're at the mall!  For $40.00 you can buy some prettier flip flops anyway.


4. Crocs: Priced at $44.99, these shoes are a great option for someone wearing scrubs or working in their garden.  Other than that, why would you feel comfortable wearing rubber clogs in public?  You shouldn't.  These shoes really aren't safe either.  You'd be shocked how many times I had to save little feet from the splinters and wood chips that poked through crocs on the playground when I was a school nurse.  Tennis shoes are a much better option.

5. Toms: Oh I know, you're probably thinking I am soooo uncool to comment that I think Toms are ugly.  But come on, have you seen them?  They have no shape and they're basically a new form of Keds that cost $120!  Ridiculous.  Unless you're teenage friends are going to bully you for not buying a pair, you can always find cuter slides.

 I won't judge you if you choose to wear any of these shoes, but before you waste your money on overpriced ugliness at least consider your motives for purchasing the shoe.  You might be a river guide or nurse in need of a good work shoe.  Or you might be a mom in need of some cute slippers.  Don't let the trends persuade you to buy something that you really don't like.  We all did that in high school (I had the dreadful river sandals and Birkestock look-a-likes), but as modern women, let's try to think for ourselves.  Let's buck the trends and find shoes that flatter our feet!

Disclaimer: This blog post was not written to insult anyone.  It's just my own opinion.  I have owned many of these shoes at some point in my life and I'm just offering this advice to save you money and to help you be the fashionista that you've always wanted to be.

Praying for Miracles

"...Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations...Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead--since he was about a hundred years old--and that Sarah's womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what He had promised." Romans 4: 18-21

The UK's Daily Mail had an interesting story last year about some women in their 70's who were the oldest mothers to give birth.  Apparently, a fertility clinic in India is providing IVF treatments to elderly women who do not want to die as women stigmatized by their inability to give birth to children.  Unfortunately, this treatment is taking its toll on the women who are dying within a few years of giving birth.  IVF and pregnancy are not appropriate for women of a certain age.  That's why God allowed menopause to happen.  (Yes, the hot flashes do serve a very useful purpose!)

I cannot imagine how Abraham's wife, Sarah, felt when she discovered she was pregnant in her 90's!  God had done the impossible. He kept his promise to Abraham by providing him with an heir and he gave Sarah a child.  God just didn't do it in a way that was medically or humanly possible.  He's God! He can make any miracle happen.

The picture of Abraham's faith is amazing.  God made a promise, and Abraham never doubted God would fulfill the promise because he was "fully persuaded that God had power to do what He had promised."  Are you fully persuaded that God can do what He promises? Are you praying for miracles in your life?

If God can lead Abraham into the wilderness and make a nation out of him at the age of 100, God can do anything.  God can make miracles happen when we think all hope is lost.  As I was watching the news today about the tornadoes in Missouri, it occurred to me that I should pray for miracles.  I don't know anyone in Joplin, Missouri.  But I do know that there are people there in need of miracles that only God can perform.

If God could make Sarah be a happy, healthy mom at the age of 91, He can do anything!  Let's not stop being fully persuaded that God has the power to do what He promises.  And let's pray for Him to do the impossible in our lives.

King of Contradictions

My husband is the king of contradictions.  Not because he contradicts himself, but because he catches other people when they contradict themselves.  For example, our homeowner's association sent out a pamphlet this spring with rules for our neighborhood. My husband is convinced that the HOA is not too bright, however, because on 3 different pages they discussed basketball goals.  Once, they said that basketball goals are prohibited.  Another time they said that basketball goals had to be approved.  And then in other place they talked about basketball goals having to be removed by a certain time.  Anyway, basketball goals are just one example of why he's convinced that our HOA is run by people of lesser intelligence.

My wonderful other half has recently informed me that my blog currently contradicts itself.  I have a recent post explaining why I won't buy ridiculously expensive shoes, and I have a blinkie on the side of my blog page with a high heel that says "Always wear expensive shoes.  People Notice."  Ok, this is kind of a contradiction.  But the blinkie is just on the page because I thought it was cute.  Please don't think that I'm telling you, my dear readers, to go purchase fine shoes.  Just enjoy the shoe as something cute--my blog was inspired by high heels after all!

I'm not sure if I should be embarrassed that I contradicted myself or impressed that my husband caught it. I guess we know that it was no accident that he became a lawyer.  He's the kind of lawyer who can always find the smoking gun.  Thank goodness I'll never have to be his opposing counsel! (The lawyer rules of ethics prohibit this.)

So dearest husband, if you read this, I hope you feel better that I am disclaiming my blinking shoe.  It is not intended to be my own personal advice.  It's just something fun to make every female reader smile.

And dear readers, if you ever catch me in a contradiction, feel free to let me know.  I never intended to mislead...

What to Wear to a Golf Tournament

My husband surprised our little family with tickets to the Colonial Invitational Golf Tournament in Fort Worth this weekend.  He thought it would be fun to take our 2 year old to watch golf, since our little guy loves the sport.  Besides, I doubt I'll ever get to see the Colonial golf course any other way (you have to be somebody special to play there.)  It was so much fun, even though the little guy decided he was done walking by the time we reached the 2nd hole.  And of course, while the boys were watching the sport, I was watching the attire of the other spectators.

When I first heard we were going to the golf tournament, I was a little nervous about what to wear.  You just can't throw on a team jersey or a pair of jeans for a golf event.  This is a gentleman's sports, and ladies should not be a distraction on the golf course--EVER.  Country clubs generally have very strict dress codes and I wasn't sure if golf tournaments did as well.  Fortunately, my husband has been to multiple golf tournaments and helped me choose appropriate attire.

I ended up wearing a pair of khaki shorts, an army green blouse, a brown belt, Roxy tennis shoe wedges (cuter than they sound) and fun sparkly jewelry.  Since it rained all day yesterday, I had the insight not to wear sandals or heels on the course.  And since I knew there was a likely chance of getting a sun burn, I made sure that my sleeves were long on my blouse.  My outfit fit in nicely. As for some of the other women, not so much...

I think the best way to tell you what to wear to a golf tournament is to tell you what not to wear based on what I saw.

• Do not wear a spaghetti strap camisole.  This is not a shirt, this is something that you wear under a shirt.
• Do not wear a low cut dress with slits up to your rear end.  Your husband might think you look sexy, but the other spectator wives who get to look at your lower half when the wind blows think you look skanky.
• Do not wear jeans.  For one, you'll sweat in jeans, because it's generally hot at golf tournaments.  And secondly, you'll look like you got lost on your way to the rodeo.
• Do not wear a sundress without proper undergarments.  It just looks wrong.  Spend the money and find proper undergarments to go with your dress.
• Do not wear flip flops.  The golf course is made of grass. And tournaments typically require lots of walking.  Wear something comfortable to support your feet.
• Do not wear work-out clothes.  The only sports attire that is appropriate at a golf tournament is golf attire.  You know, the cute Nike polo shirts with a skort or pair of shorts.
• Do not bring along a baby as an accessory.  Even though kids 12 and under are free (isn't that cool?) a baby is a huge problem.  Golf tournaments require silence every time a golfer swings.  Since I've never had a silent baby, I would never bring one to a golf tournament.
• Do not carry a large purse.  Large purses and cameras are prohibited, so you'll have to check it at the gate.

If you ever have to choose an outfit for a golf tournament, just try to find something comfortable and classy.  Golf attire, modest shorts, capris, and sun dresses are all good options.  Just err on the side of modesty and comfort.  And remember that you're at a country club as a spectator, not to be the spectacle.

Do Parents Really Have the Right to Raise Their Own Child?

Most American parents would be surprised by this questions.  We think that in a free society we all have the right to raise our children the way we see fit.  In the past, the Supreme Court also agreed that parents have this right.  So what's the problem?

The problem is that there is a faction of the population that believes that parents don't know how to raise their children.  These people honestly believe that children would be better off if the government regulated child rearing.  Some of the policies that these people push may seem innocent enough (telling us what our children should be eating at school ) but it's not the government's place to make decisions about how to raise our children.

Under our current law, the government cannot mandate how we raise our children--even though it is attempting to regulate every aspect of our lives.  In addition, an international treaty is threatening our entire structure of law as it relates to children. In order to prevent this treaty from destroying American families, we need a Constitutional Amendment declaring that parents have a fundamental right to raise their children as they see fit.  For this reason, parentalrights.org has been working hard on a Constitutional Amendment that would give parents rights over their children.  This organization is lead by Michael Farris, the chairman of the Home School Legal Defense Association and the Chancellor of Patrick Henry College.  If you are a parent or a grandparent, I would encourage you to visit the sight, sign their petitions and educate yourself about this legal issue that could have serious implications for each one of us and our children. And if you are a Christian, this is a cause worth fighting.

During law school, I became informed and concerned about the issue of parental rights.  I even wrote a paper for my mental health law class related to this issue. To read my paper, click here: Because I Said So....  Let's not become complacent about our role as parents.  There is a very real threat out there to our families.  And we need to take action before it is too late.

This World I Live In

"Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless.  Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them."  Romans 1:28-32

If you want a picture of modern society and you want to know the root of all of society's problems, you should read Romans chapter 1.  When I read about "them" in this chapter, I think of lots of different groups of people--professors, teenagers, sorority sisters, stay-at-home moms, parents, investment bankers, etc.  I think Paul intended this list of sinful activity to encompass persons in every walk of life.  When Paul lists "every kind of wickedness" he included both outright illegal activities and also common character flaws.  He's making the point that when it comes to sin, being an arrogant person is just as bad as being a murderer.

What makes my skin crawl is the very end of verse 32--God's wrath is not just against the people sinning, but also against those who approve of those who sin.  Think about it, how many times do we approve of people who are very obviously living ungodly lives?  We cheer for them as they play major league sports, we tune in every week as they act on TV shows, and we pay money to hear them at concerts.  We are willing to overlook the fact that a person is a homosexual because we want them to decorate our house.  Or we are willing to allow our children to be taught be educators who believe that nature and saving the planet is our mission in life.  We even send our young adults to Ivy league universities where we know they teach humanism and the need for tolerance.

We all struggle with approving of sin in one or more aspects of life.  And we forget how dangerous it is to endorse sin.  Take a few minutes today to evaluate how much sin you're willing to tolerate and think about God's command to completely turn away from what is evil and to not live a life "of the world."

I know there are some changes that I need to make in my life.  God wants me to stand up against sin.  I can' just live among it and tolerate it.  It is also my job to clearly teach my children God's boundaries when it comes to sin too.  If I don't, who else will?  The National Education Agency? MTV? The neighbor kids? 

It's time to re-evaluate our role in this world we live in.

Move Over Christian Louboutin!

"As goods increase, so do those who consume them. And what benefit are they to the owner except to feast his eyes on them?" Ecclesiastes 5:11

My dear, sweet husband apparently reads my blog posts.  I know this, because for graduation he offered to buy me a pair of Jimmy Choo heels (See the April 8th post.)  He knows how much I like shoes and he knew that I have been wanting a pair of fine shoes for the past 4 years.  So Saturday, after my morning graduation ceremony, he took me to the Jimmy Choo store to try on shoes.

For some reason, I couldn't bring myself to do it.  The Jimmy Choo pumps weren't as great as they looked online.  The heels were either too short or they looked like they belonged on a street corner with a pair of fishnets.  I honestly didn't like them.  And in my opinion, the price tag was borderline unconscionable.

Not to be deterred, my husband then took me to the Christian Louboutin store across the street.  I have to admit that Christian makes a good looking shoe.  But when I tried them on, I was not impressed.  Apparently, Christian likes toe cleavage and the shoes are cut really short in the front.  The store assistant manager assured me that this looked sexy, but I was not convinced.  I don't have a large foot, but these shoes made me feel like I was trying to fit into a kid's shoe. 

When the whole shopping trip was over, I realized that there is no point to fine shoes.  My $25 black patent Steve Madden pumps that I bought on sale at Ross are sooooo much more attractive on my feet than the Christian Louboutin's that sell for $695.  And if I did own a pair of expensive shoes, I would probably never wear them for fear of ruining them.  They would be something in my closet to "feast my eyes on" when I needed a pick me up.  I can seriously think of so many better ways to use my money.

I think what really struck me about the entire shopping experience was that the other ladies in the stores were repeat customers of Jimmy Choo and Christian Louboutin.  They weren't like me, looking for a novelty shoe to sit in their closet.  They wanted another pair to add to their collections!  Why would anyone need a collection of overpriced shoes?  Because "whoever loves money never has money enough" (Eccl. 5:10) and that person will often hoard wealth, to the harm of the owner (vs. 13).

Listen, I don't think it's wrong to have nice things.  But we need to question our motives.  We need to be careful not to let our love of materialism turn into a collection of uselessness.  I think collecting antiques or baseball cards or stock options can be just as dangerous as collecting fine shoes.  The hoarding and collecting of material items is never satisfying.  And owning a pair of Louboutin's just so we can stare at them is wasteful too.

Much to my husband's amazement, I have decided to be happy with my Steve Madden heels (which really are attractive if I do say so myself.)  Sometimes it just takes a shopping trip to put life in perspective.

Facing the Teenage Drama

"...Encourage the young men to be self-controlled.  In everything set them an example of doing what is good..." Titus 2:6-7

http://ABCfamily.go.com

For some reason, I watch teenager TV shows.  You know, the shows with all the drama and the crying and the "he stole my boyfriend" plots.  Growing up I didn't watch these shows, but for some reason they intrigue me now.  And it drives my husband nuts.  He asked me why in the world would I want to watch a bunch of fake teenagers?  I guess teenagers fascinate me.  And now that it's been almost a decade since I was one of them, TV seems to be my way of learning about their issues. 

A good friend of mine told me recently that she was shocked by some of the problems that teenagers were facing in her church youth group.  On Sunday, I asked a teenager at my own church what issues parents should know about but probably don't.  Her answer was surprising and probably not appropriate for my blog.  Let's just say that ABC Family hasn't had an episode on all teenage problems.  Not all teenage activity is illegal (like underage drinking) but your heart would hurt if you heard about all the problems that teenagers today are facing. 

Thanks to technology, there really are new issues facing teenagers today.  Think about how easy it is to post information on the internet, and then imagine how damaging it could be to have the high school gossip post some untruths on their Facebook page.  Or think about how easy it would be for a girl to mass text something about a boy to half the high school.  Or think about how classmates can use their phones to record or take pictures of everything--including the locker room.  Think about it, one negative post or text (even if untrue) could taint someone's reputation for life!  Oh, and I haven't even started discussing the issues relating to homosexuality, sex, drugs, and depression.

Parents have the hardest job these days.  It used to be ok for a mom to not know how to use her email or new technology.  Technology just wasn't as easy or accessible when I was in high school. ( I mean, just 10 years ago I was still listening to cassette tapes!)  Today, mom has to be on Facebook and needs to friend the right people so she can monitor the activity.  Mom needs to be in her daughter's business to learn about the hallway drama at school and to make sure it's not trickling into cyber space.  Mom needs to chat with her son about problems he sees other kids dealing with.  And mom needs to know if her son is hanging with these kids.

People used to tell me how important it is to be a stay-at-home mom when my kids are little.  But I think I've just made a case for being a full-time and involved mommy when kids are in high school.  Since one internet post can ruin a reputation, hurt college acceptance, create a criminal record, eliminate employment opportunities, and cause long-term emotional damage, Mommy has a lot more to worry about today than just hoping her teenager doesn't reproduce while in high school.

So what do we do about it?  I hope to someday practice juvenile law, but I think that waiting for someday is too late.  For those of us without teenagers, we should start praying for the teens that we know.  We should take an interest in at least 1 teenager at church and invest some time in them.  We should be willing to listen to their problems, and we have to show them love and compassion.  But we can't try to be their parents.  And for parents, if you haven't become a prayer warrior, it's never too late to start.  And if you're not already in your child's business--it's time to go there!

My Commencement

Saturday marked the official end of my student career and the official beginning of a new life as we know it.  For the first time in 6 1/2 years of marriage, one of us is NOT in graduate school.  And for the first time in many, many years, I was able to wake up this morning knowing that I can do whatever I want today.  I don't have any deadlines or obligations to meet this morning.  I feel like I'm on vacation, but I think I'm experiencing normal life...

Just to fill you in on the excitement this weekend, I thought I'd post some pictures of the fun and celebration.  We started Saturday morning at the University Commencement ceremony.  Only about 30 law students showed up, but my friend and I made a deal that we would come and enjoy the day together.  Here are some pics of the ceremony, my law school buddy and me taking it all in, and our commencement speaker the U.S. Senator from Texas, John Cornyn.

 

 Later that evening, the law school had our official hooding ceremony in the Dedman School of Law quad (that's what we called the courtyard between all the law buildings.)  Professor McKnight, wearing some ornate regalia, led processional of professors and esteemed guests.  And then we had a surprise visit from the the Texas Governor, Rick Perry.  It was a long ceremony, but the pomp and circumstance of the affair was very SMU.

 

 

 And of course, the entire celebration would not have been complete without the people who have made my entire educational experience possible--my husband and kids.  I've been a law school spouse, and it's hard.  My husband is going to get jewels in his crown for standing by me, offering support, and being there for me every step of the way.  The degree and the experience were great, but having a husband and kids who love me is far better.  So to my favorite attorney and my precious law babies, Thanks!  I Love you guys!

It's Never too Late to Graduate

"You  need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised." Hebrews 10:36

Yesterday I had the privilege of watching my dad graduate from college with his MBA.  This was a very special day for my family.  My dad has always wanted to finish the college degree that he started before I was born, but for various family reasons, he wasn't able to go back to school until a few years ago.  It was really inspiring to see him head back to college.  Not only did he just go back to college, but he did it whole heartedly and he did it well.  First, he earned his bachelor's degree in accounting.  Then he went to work for an accounting firm.  Next, he passed his CPA exams--on the first attempt.  And yesterday, he wrapped up the whole process by finishing his MBA. 

I'm sure if you asked my dad if he wished he had graduated years ago, he would have said yes.  But, he persevered and made it happen when most people would be focusing on retirement.  As someone who worked full-time during my first year of graduate school, I can testify that my Dad's accomplishment is impressive.  His grades were almost a perfect A+ in every class.  And his work never suffered.

I'm sure there were days that my dad thought about quitting and just enjoying life, but I'm glad he didn't.  When I graduated from high school he made me promise that I would go to college.  And I did.  I think knowing that a college degree was so important to my dad inspired me to go to law school too.  I'm just glad he was willing to persevere and finish what he started.  He's an example to me and to my kids.  And I hope he inspires you too.

It's never too late to finish what you start.  And if you are following God's will for your life, your perseverance will be blessed.

The Perfect Graduation Gift

"My [sisters], if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring [her] back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of [her] way will save [her] from death and cover over a multitude of sins." James 5:19

I went graduation gift shopping yesterday.  It occurred to me that there are some college graduates in my life for whom I had not yet shopped.  But what do you get a college graduate?  You get them something that they need to help them in their new professional life. (I suppose if you're buying for me you're thinking I need a feather duster or sippy cups. I figured I'll make it easy for you--I don't need any gifts!)  Anyway, when I thought about what to buy the special graduate in my life, it occurred to me that there is a perfect gift out there.  A Bible is always a perfect gift. 

As I was wrapping up my study on the book of James today, I realized that the Bible I purchased really was the perfect gift for my friend.  I've invested lots of time and love in this person and want her to succeed both professionally and as a woman.  I want her to know that I'm praying for her in this new phase of her life and that I'm just as interested in her spiritual life as I am her love life.  Just because we're finishing school together doesn't mean that I can't give her the spiritual full court press.  And giving her a Bible is like planning her offensive plan.  Now, as the believing friend, I have to help her learn the entire play book.  I can't personally "save" her, but I can do everything in my power to bring her back to the truth.  So I bought her a lovely Bible.  It's her play book for life. 

If you know a graduate who needs to know the truth, a Bible should be at the top of your list too.  They may not read it today.  But when the first or second painful year of work kicks in, they will have the play book at their fingertips.  And if your graduate doesn't need a Bible, the gift of prayer is pretty special too.  Wouldn't it be cool to venture into the workplace knowing that someone had your back by praying for you every day?

These are just some suggestions from a graduate.  Save your money and make an eternal investment in someone's life.  That is the perfect graduation gift.

Becoming a Prayer Warrior

"Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous [woman] can accomplish much." James 5:16

 The term prayer warrior gets tossed around a lot.  But I don't think very many people have an idea what the term prayer warrior means.  A prayer warrior is someone who faithfully and consistently approaches God in prayer.  But the prayer warrior is also a righteous person whose prayers can accomplish much.

My mother is a prayer warrior.  For as long as I can remember, she has gotten out of bed before the crack of dawn and has not only immersed herself in her Bible reading, but also in prayer.  She spends a long time in prayer.  And I'm convinced that she is very specific with her prayers.  I also know that if she tells me that she's praying for something in my life, I can expect to see the result of her prayer within a few days.  Her prayers are powerful and really do accomplish much--even when they don't accomplish exactly what she asks.

As a nurse, I can tell you that prayer works.  I've seen very sick people healed.  And I've seen very sick people die, while leaving a testimony and legacy far greater than they could have left while alive.  In those instances, I know that the people were healed in a place far greater than earth.  Sometimes our prayers are answered in ways we don't expect.  But I'm confident that God hears and answers all our prayers.

For the first time in years, I actually have time.  And I want to use that time effectively.  So, I bought a journal and am going to start working on praying.  Historically, European armies said it would take 3 years to train an effective soldier ready for battle.  And this is probably true for any kind of warrior.  So I can't expect to have prayer warrior status at first without practice and commitment.  James says we must first confess our sins.  And my first entry will be one of confession.  And then I'll have an entry of thanksgiving.  And my entries will be specific.

Are you ready to do more than be a housewife or business woman?  Do you want to accomplish much and have an eternal impact on the world?  Then join me.  Start preparing for battle through prayer.  Train yourself to be a prayer warrior.  And remember that the prayers of a righteous woman can accomplish much.

Curing the Bed Time Blues

"...For He gives to His beloved even in his sleep." Psalm 127:2

Every little one goes through a phase, or sometimes multiple phases, where they cry at bedtime.  If you're a parent, I'm sure you know the angst you feel when you put your toddler down and hear crying for half an hour.  Or the headache you get when they keep coming out of bed to ask you a question. 

We figured out with our oldest that bedtime music is often a great tool for bedtime.  We had this recording of harp music playing Christian songs that my oldest listened to every night for at least a year.  And then our youngest got the bed time blues too.  For some reason, harp music did not work!  So I took a chance and decided to try a CD that has words.  He loves to sing in the car, and I thought he might need someone to sing along with.  And boy was I right!

We found the perfect bedtime/nap time tool--Patch the Pirate!  When I was a little girl, I had tapes of Patch the Pirate and I listened to his adventures all the time.  Each adventure was full of beautiful Christian songs of inspiration and praise.  And my youngest loves these adventures too.  We've been listening to the Mister Slippy River Race this week and it's so sweet to hear my 1 one year old trying to sing along to Rejoice in the Lord.

I can't wait to buy some of the new Patch adventures and to listen to them with my kids.  It's neat that the same characters that were my friends at an early age will also be influencing my children through the stereo too.  If you'd like to preview or purchase some Patch the Pirate CD's, please visit Majesty Music. The Patch CD's are a perfect baby gift or CD for your whole family to enjoy.  I know they will bless you like they've blessed me.  Start with the Mister Slippy, since that CD tells Patch the Pirate's true back story (he really wears a patch to cover the eye that he lost to cancer.)  And then venture into the Jungle, go to Camp, learn about friendship and see the Starry Knight.  You'll enjoy every minute!

Nobody Likes the Gunner

"Words from a wise man's mouth are gracious, but a fool is consumed by his own lips...and the fool multiplies words." Ecclesiastes 10:12, 14

Every first year law school class has a student that earns the nickname "the Gunner."  Nobody wants to be the gunner and nobody likes the gunner.  He (or she) is the first one to raise their hand when a question is asked, the first one that wants to ask a question, and the person who always states facts and information related to class that no one else knows.  This person gives the appearance that they are going to hurt our grading curve.  (Law school classes are graded on a mandatory B curve.  Yes, 1 exam and a forced B curve makes getting A's really hard!) Anyway, after the end of the first year, everyone is often surprised to learn that the gunner didn't do as well on exams as one would think.  As it turns out, the gunner is just full of it and tries to make himself look good.  And in the end, the gunner is a fool.

Sadly, the gunner concept is not foreign inside the church.  I've been to many Bible studies that have a gunner as well.  And for some reason, the gunner is usually a woman.  She's a talker and has stories that she believes illustrate EVERY point of group discussion.  Little does she know that everyone is excited when she doesn't show up!!! 

Ecclesiastes reminds us to restrain our speech.  The fool is the person who talks too much and doesn't have a mute button.  If the fool's brain thinks it, for some reason his mouth speaks it too.  The word filter just doesn't work.  He shares too much too often and at some point his examples and stories lose their effectiveness.  People start to realize that the image that the words portray isn't real. 

I have a rule for group Bible studies that I will only answer 1 or maybe 2 questions.  Thus, I read all the questions in advance and think about where I can contribute the best.  Sometimes I don't share at all if the gunner doesn't let me.  But either way, my speech is restrained.

I'm learning that I need to have this same approach to words in my every day life at home.  With texting and social networking, we use far more words than we realize.  (Hence the fact I'm not on Facebook--waste of time and words.)  My husband may not believe it, but I'm going to work on word reduction this week--fewer phone calls, fewer texts, and less talking.  Hopefully my words will be more gracious and uplifting.  And hopefully I will never have gunner status.

Lessons From My Mom

I’ll never forget my first science fair project.  My problem was “What is the best way to clean up an oil spill on water?”  That fourth grade project was where I really learned about my mother.  It didn’t take long for me to realize that school projects were going to be harder than I thought.  My mom actually wanted me to measure and carefully cut out the pieces of my project.  I had to use a certain type of glue so that my presentation board wasn’t lumpy.   I had to type my project, because handwritten work didn’t look professional.  I had to memorize my presentation, because judges wanted me to know what I was talking about.   I had to display and present an experiment that actually worked.   And I had to use Bible verses appropriately to support my project.  My mother was a perfectionist, and she expected me to do my best.

As it turned out, my mother was right about my project.   I not only won my fourth grade science fair, but I also placed very high at the state regional science fair.  And in fifth grade, I had another winning project at the district and state levels.  It wasn’t because I was the smartest student in my class or because I was the best orator.  And it certainly wasn’t because I had the most unique project.  Instead, it was because my mother invested time and effort into helping me become successful.  She certainly didn’t do my projects for me.  Instead, she guided me, supported me through the process, and taught me some very important life lessons.

My mom taught me that I have to do my best in everything that I do.  She taught me that if I do a task right the first time, I never have to repeat it.  She taught me that I should always go above and beyond what I’m asked to do.  She taught me that if I wanted to do something bad enough, I could find a way to get it done.  And she demonstrated to me that I must pray about and commit what I’m doing to the Lord.

I’ve had quite a few projects since my fourth grade science fair project, and my mother has been there to support and guide me through each task.  She fed me and did my laundry during nursing school.  She helped me plan my wedding.  She encouraged me to go to law school and made sure that I met my deadlines.  She cleaned my house and took care of me during pregnancy.  She watched and loved my babies while I finished school.  And she’s prayed for me every step of the way.

I am very blessed to have my mother.  She’s my cheerleader, my role model, and my best friend.  I hope that I can instill some of her lessons in my children someday.  I wish every girl could be blessed to have a mom like mine.

Kentucky Derby Day

photo by Pat Lang Photography

What a blessed day!  We celebrated a birthday today, watched a friend's little league game, ate some wonderful fried chicken, and watched the Kentucky Derby.  I've been to Lexington, Kentucky before, but I've never been lucky enough to witness the Kentucky Derby live.  This is something I want to do someday.  Don't ask me why, but it's probably related to the big hats.  And yes, our American girls do hats much better than girls in the UK.  Straw and feathers beat the fascinators any day.

Anyway, in honor of our famous Kentucky Derby, I wanted to share one of my favorite recipes.  It's for Kentucky Derby Pie.  If you like pie and you also like chocolate chip cookies, this recipe is for you.

Ingredients
1 stick margarine, melted
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup flour
2 eggs
1/2 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup butterscotch chips
1 tsp vanilla
pie shell

Mix together and pour into unbaked pie shell.  Bake in oven heated at 350 degrees for exactly 30 minutes.  Enjoy.  Then you'll know another reason why I love the KY Derby!  Oh, and congratulations to Animal Kingdom!

My Mission Statement

"You, my [sisters], were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love." Galatians 5:13

The personality tests have revealed that I am an uptight, type A person.  But I never realized how embarrassingly anal I am until I decided that I needed a plan  for this next phase of my life.  I function well when I have established goals and objectives to meet my goals.  I know, it sounds like I run my life like a business.  You haven't seen my daily planner...

Yesterday was a milestone for me.  When I hit the send button at 4 o'clock yesterday, I officially turned in my last law school project, thus completing the 87 credit hours and 30 community service hours that I need to graduate from law school.  For the first time ever, I have no external commitments (other than church) in my life.  I am finally free. 

Now, I have to figure out what to do with myself.  Trust me, an organized planner cannot just live day to day without a mission statement.  So I sought out a verse that I could use to inspire me.  And Galatians 5:13 is perfect.  I am truly free from external constraints of work and school, but I need to make it my mission to not waste my time and indulge in sinful pursuits.  I can't be the high maintenance housewife who pampers herself and runs around town with her girl friends getting into trouble.  Instead, I need to use my time to serve others.

This isn't just my calling as a mother.  As a believer in Jesus Christ I am no longer enslaved to the world or to the ritualistic rules of religion either.  Jesus has given me the gift of freedom, and He wants me to use it to serve others.  What a great mission!  If you're a believer, please consider the gift of the freedom you have too.  It's amazing to be free at last.  Now, let's not ruin a good thing.

Accepting Trouble

"...Yet another messenger came and said, 'Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother's house, when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are all dead'...His wife said to him, 'Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die!' He replied, 'You are talking like a foolish woman.  Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?' In all this, Job did not sin in what he said."  Job 2:18-19, 9-10

photo cutesy of NSSL

Last week some awful winds swept through the South.  Now, towns and neighborhoods are completely gone.  Listening to the stories of the survivors and hearing about all the people who didn't make it is just heart wrenching.  I mean, when a tornado hits, there's not much you can do.  It chooses its own path and the people are at its mercy.

As I was reading my Bible today, I was struck by the fact that Job's children died at the mercy of the wind, which collapsed their house.  The news of their deaths must have been devastating for Job.  Much like some of the people in Alabama, the man lost everything.  Yet when he had the chance to moan and groan and feel sorry for himself, he didn't.  Instead, he explained that we have to be willing to accept the good and the bad. 

What amazing faith!  I know there are days when I seem to have trouble accepting the good from God.  Having to accept the bad is scary.  But God didn't leave Job in the gutter. At the end of his story it says that "After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had before...The Lord blessed the latter part of Job's life more than the first." (Job 42:10, 12)  This isn't God's promise that everyone who struggles is going to get rich.  Instead, this story serves as a reminder that if we trust God and accept the good with the bad and maintain that testimony, God will honor that.

Let's not forget to pray for those in Alabama.  And let's remember to thank God for the good and the bad in our own lives.

Where are the Trees?

Have you ever cleaned up your DVR by deleting old recorded ball games or strange documentaries that your husband recorded off the Military channel?  Well, I used to be nervous about erasing shows off my DVR until I realized that my husband is not that worried about it.  If a show has been on the DVR for about 48 hours, it's fair game to be deleted. But my son has a completely different view about his shows.  Keep in mind that my son is only 2 years old.

My son is obsessed with Sid the Science Kid. Personally, I rather like Sid.  Every day he goes to preschool and learns about a new science concept.  And my little boy learns right along with him.  It was pretty incredible when I realized that my little guy new the colors of the rainbow--in order (Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet).  There's something about a 2 year old saying "indigo" that cracks me up.  Anyway, this is a great show that I support and it's sooooo much better than Sesame Street.  Growing up I wasn't allowed to watch Sesame Street because it was "overstimulating."  If you've ever tried to watch it, you'll understand what my mother meant by that term. Sorry, I regress...

So being the forward thinking mother that I am, I got smart and programmed my DVR to record Sid every morning at 8:30 am on PBS.  This idea worked beautifully.  For some reason little people like to watch their shows multiple times in a day, so having it recorded on the DVR really helped me entertain my little guy while I studied. 

Well, he got spoiled.  He realized that his favorite episodes were available whenever he wanted.  So for a few weeks we watched the rainbow show every day.  Then we watched the inertia show every day.  And then, I think he liked the water show.  Regardless, we ended up with about 20 unwatched episodes on the DVR that were just taking up space.  So I smartly reviewed the shows and deleted the ones that he never asked for and the ones that I wasn't as interested in--like the recycling show, the pollution show, etc. (I'm not really into the Green movement.)

And then it happened. The next day, my little guy requested the Tree episode.  Of course we didn't still have that episode because it was one of the Green episodes that I erased!  I tried my best lawyer's persuading argument and he still refused to watch any other show that was still on my DVR!  And he cried. 

Today, Sid was about a tree stump and animal habitats and I knew that it had to be THE ONE.  So I called him out to show him the preview and he this is what he said, "The tree one is a good one.  This is not a good one."  But being visibly upset, he still sat down and watched.

I guess the moral to the story is to be careful when deleting your DVR.  Or maybe don't let your kids know that you record their shows.  Or maybe you should never delete the trees!