Daddy Got Wet

I kind of messed up today.  I'm normally a really good planner and tend to keep my ducks in a row.  But today, I was not prepared for church--at all. 

Today was Day 5 of our Adventure Week at church where the children and their parents got to share in the experience together during the Sunday morning service.  Following the lesson and praise and worship time, we had a party with hot dogs and a water slide.  And this was a huge, 18 foot water slide. 

I have to admit that I knew in advance that there would be a water slide, but I secretly hoped that my kids would be too little and would just have to go home with us and play in the sprinkler instead.  It never occurred to me that someone at church would be kind enough to think of my youngest son.  She filled up a baby pool with water and kept it under a canopy so that he could play in the shade.  Pretty genius. 

I should have never underestimated my church friends.  I should have packed swim clothes and towels and had the boys ready for the water activities.  But no, at 9:45 when I realized how poorly I had prepared for today, I called my husband who was already on his way to church with the boys.  Of course, everyone was wearing their normal church clothes, and the boys even matched. (Go Daddy!)  So what's a mommy to do with 30 minutes to spare and no time to run home? Go to Target, of course.  By the time Daddy got to church, Mommy had bought the boys new swim trunks, shirts, and a "Cars" towel to share.  Too bad I didn't think about buying Daddy some trunks too.

When the water fun started, we quickly realized that our 3 year old was going to have issues.  The inflatable 18 foot water slide looked like so much fun and he was dying to go down the slide.  Unfortunately, you practically had to go rock climbing to get up it.  So Daddy did what daddies do best.  He saved the day.  He actually got in the inflatable thingy and tried to push our kiddo to the top.  Too bad it was slippery, because they both slipped and ended up soaked.  Not to be deterred, Daddy bravely tossed me his keys, wallet, and watch and they attempted the ascent not once, but twice before getting to the top. 

At the top of the slide, our kiddo started screaming and crying.  By the time he made it to the bottom "pool" of water, he was done and Daddy was soaked.  Then when he realized that in order to get to the exit you had to go down another water slide, our kiddo was almost hysterical.  Fortunately, Mommy reached in and pulled him out.  Daddy, on the other hand, was on his own...

My husband is a very composed and self-conscious guy.  Jumping into pools or doing anything "extreme" just isn't his style.  Today I was very proud of him.  He got wet for a good cause.  He really did save the day and proved that he is a #1 Dad.  Too bad Mommy didn't have the video camera!

Putting the Heels Back on the Shelf

"...for children are not responsible to save up for their parents, but parents for their children." 2 Corinthians 12:21

So the saying is true. Having children does change everything. 

Earlier this week, I decided to capitalize on the fact that there are some great fall preseason sales at the mall right now.  I even allowed myself to be tempted to the point of trying on some incredible high heeled shoes.  I tried these lovely shoes on:

But when I left the mall, all I had purchased were these:

Yes, I now own a pair of toddler size 7 and preschool size 11 New Balance tennis shoes.  And I even paid for the fancy inserts for the preschool pair.  Plus, I now have 6 pairs of sox--3 white pair and 3 black pair.  So fashionable, I know.

Shoe shopping for little boys is about as fun as underwear shopping.  Sizes and styles are meaningless, and nothing fits like you'd expect.  And of course, the sales people never understand why I refuse to purchase the size that is supposed to fit my kids.  Apparently they have never had a child who curls his foot into a ball every time someone comes near him with a shoe.  There's no way I'm buying the size that's supposed to fit because it would take a half hour per foot to actually get shoes on.  And whoever invented high tops for babies was also clueless.  There is no way to get those kind of shoes on a baby.

Shoes are such a problem with my youngest that he has spent most of his life in sandals or socks.  Now that he's walking, however, I felt that he needed a pair of solid and supportive sneakers.  While shopping for him, I figured I might as well bite the bullet and buy his brother a pair of shoes too.  Now I'm good for at least 3 months. Hopefully.

When I left the mall it occurred to me that I managed to provide tennis shoes and accessories for both of my boys for less than the cost of the cute, but uncomfortable, heels that I tried on for myself.  Somehow, this made me feel like a good mommy.  Or maybe it was just a reality check that I've been a little self-absorbed lately. 

Sometimes Mommy needs to remember that life as I once knew it is over.  Those great sales at the mall are now tools for family survival.  No longer are they my excuse to have some fun. Sometimes the high heels need to go back on the shelf so that I can buy little tennis shoes. (Not for me, of course!)   After all, watching my little guy do the toddler moon walk in his first pair of good tennis shoes was priceless.

"Older" Women

"Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind being subject to their own husbands so that the word of God will not be dishonored." Titus 2:3-5

Have you ever wondered if you're at the right church or if you're surrounding yourself with the right people?  I have asked that question before.  And I'm confident that the answer to that question is that I am currently in the right place with the right people.  I know this, because I can see women in my church living out biblical principles.  I have found that I have Titus women in my life.

My mom and I have a really close relationship and she's always kind of been my spiritual accountability partner.  I know that she's praying for me and keeping tabs on me.  But I've come to realize that she's not the only woman in my life that is actually interested in my spiritual well-being.  In addition to my mother, I have some "older" women at church who are constantly keeping tabs on me too.  These women aren't old, but they're older than me and have raised some pretty awesome children who are in high school and college.  Every week these women seek me out and ask about the details of my life and how my parenting is going.  When I need it, they offer encouragement, advice, and prayers.

Last night at VBS, I had the opportunity to spend an hour talking to my two Titus women who were in charge of craft time.  (They even offered to let me color.)  I don't know if they have any idea that I call them my Titus women or that they realize how much I appreciate their advice and friendship.  But I do know that these are the first older women, aside from my mother, grandmother, and mother-in-law, who have really taken an interest in my role as a wife and mother.  Previously, the women I've looked up to have always been co-workers.  (Shriner's Hospital Houston and Birdville ISD both have some amazing, Christian women working there!)  But this is the first time that I have older women in my church who I feel like I can call with a personal problem or question.

If you don't have Titus women in your life, maybe you're not in the right place with the right people.  And if you have younger women in your life, please don't look down on them or let them wander aimlessly in their young adult life.  Let them know you are interested in them and freely offer wisdom.  Just because I've been through nursing and law school doesn't mean I have a clue about domestic life.  Titus recognized that people like me need wisdom that we can't learn in school, and he placed the burden on older women to teach it to younger women in the church.

Last night, I was expressing my regret that I don't have the time to be involved with the youth group as much as I would like.  My Titus women reassured me that my role right now is to raise my little children and to keep doing what I'm doing.  Since I'm already at church on Thursday nights for music practice, I don't need to tie up Wednesdays with youth group too.  Just that little bit of encouragement went a long way.  I'm so thankful for the right people in my life right now. 

Getting Left Behind or Taking a New Path?

"'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the Lord 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.'" Jeremiah 29:11-13

I found an e-mail in my inbox last night from a friend who had broken out into hives over the weekend and had just gotten steroid injections.  I think she's freaking out.  That fateful week has finally arrived for her and her legal knowledge is being tested.  That's right, the Texas Bar exam officially started today and will drag out for her and many other poor souls until Thursday.  Technically, I should be there taking that exam with all those souls, but here I am blogging at 9:30 in the morning and debating what work-out video I want to do today--Tahitian cardio or my belly dancing Hip Hop Hip Drop?

It's amazing how different my life already looks because I'm not joining my colleagues in taking the Bar exam this week.  Sometimes I wonder why I put off the exam until February.  Some days I even feel like I'm getting left behind.  But then I go back to Jeremiah 29:11 and remember that I'm not taking this exam, because God showed me that I needed to call upon Him and seek Him before I could plan my life any further.  I was spiraling towards a permanent migraine with my own plans. 

I don't completely understand how I'm going to benefit from a delay in getting my law license, but I don't have to worry about it because someone else has that already figured out.  God promises that he knows the plans for my life.  I just have to follow the same command that His people were instructed to follow.  Call upon God.  Pray.  Seek His guidance. 

This week I have the special opportunity to be a part of Adventure Week at church (a.k.a. VBS) because I delayed my exam.  Obviously, VBS would have been accomplished without me, but I wouldn't have been blessed by the experience if I were testing this week instead.  Recently, I've been asking God what I'm supposed to be doing with my life right now.  And I truly believe that He answered me when I listened to the first night's Bible lesson for the kids at church.  It was the story of the lost lamb.  It was the same story that I heard years ago when I accepted Jesus into my heart. 

God answered my question with a simple story.  He wanted me to delay the Bar exam because He wants me to share His love with other people right now.  This week, He want me to play the piano for song time at VBS.  Next week, He'll show me what I need to be doing.  I am a sheep and He is my Shepherd.  When I was lost He found me.  When I started to stray, He got in my face and nudged me back on the path.  He will lead me where I need to go when the time is right. And thankfully, He understands me.  So much so, that He even gives me confirmation along the way to remind my worrying spirit that I'm still on the right path and headed in the right direction.  Even if it's not the path that I expected to take, it is a new one that leads to a far better place.

I can't wait to see what lesson God has in store for me tonight.  It's amazing how much you learn when your heart is open to God's teaching.  Jeremiah is right, when you seek God and search for Him with all your heart, you will find Him and some of the answers that you need.  Even if it's not the answer you'd expect.

Shop More, Live Longer

I read something today that I had to share: Shopping can help you live longer!  According to the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, shoppers who shop every day are 27% less likely to die than people who shopped less frequently. In fact, the findings indicate that shopping benefits men even more than women. 

So the next time your man doesn't feel like shopping.  Remind him that shopping will make him live longer.  It will make you happy.  And it will make life better for both of you.  Besides, according to the study, you don't even have to buy anything to get the health benefit of shopping.  You just gotta shop!

If he needs further convincing, here is the citation for the journal article: Y.-H. Chang, R. C.-Y. Chen, M. L. Wahlqvist, M.-S. Lee. Frequent shopping by men and women increases survival in the older Taiwanese population. Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health, 2011; DOI: 10.1136/jech.2010.126698

The Secret to Job Satisfaction

"A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, for without Him, who can eat or find enjoyment? To the man who pleases Him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind." Ecclesiastes 2:24-26

I'm not a philosopher.  In fact, in high school, my English teacher and my classmates actually said that I was rather shallow--a trait I proudly owned.  Why would I want to be "deep" and read meaning into everything?  What can I say, I'm literalistic and want to take things at their face value.  Maybe that's why I've always gotten along well with guys.  You don't have to be deep to understand what they like...

Anyway, I digress.  I just want you to know where I'm coming from when I say that I've been pondering the concept of "work" lately.  This may not be deep and philosophical.  But I think it makes sense.

Work seems to have different meanings to different people.  For some, it's a means to an end--a way to get a pay check.  And for others, work seems to be a reflection of self.  These people think that they are defined by what they do for a living. For these people, success and satisfaction at work are crucial for their happiness.  Thus, when things go poorly at work, they become miserable people. 

As a means to an end worker, I haven't struggled as much with the concept of workplace satisfaction.  But as a law school graduate and friend of people employed in many sectors of the workforce, I've been saddened by the unhappiness of those who have become miserable because of their jobs.  Please don't waste your misery on your job.

Workers can blame the economy, the weather, the job market, their education or lack thereof for how much they love or hate their jobs.  But the fact of the matter is that work isn't supposed to be fun.  If it were, we probably wouldn't get paid to do it.  Work is going to require some amount of personal sacrifice via physical labor, skills, or special knowledge.  It's also going to require a willingness to put up with other personalities.  Work does not, however, require anyone to be miserable.  Come on now, we've all seen happy janitors, right?

Solomon reminds us in Ecclesiastes that we can be miserable and allow our work to be meaningless repetition aimed at accumulating material wealth.  We can allow ourselves to be defined by what we do and how well we do it.  Or, we can find satisfaction in our work and strive to please God. In the end, the person who pleases God will get wisdom, knowledge, and happiness.  And the materialist will just get accumulated wealth, which will be passed on to someone else after the materialist dies.

Solomon says that it is possible to have job satisfaction. God, and only God, can help us find enjoyment in what we do.  That means that whatever career a person pursues can pretty much stink apart from God.  Even if you have the coolest or highest paying job in the world, you can be miserable if you don't have true job satisfaction from God.

When we're working, it's easy to get frustrated by the daily annoyances that accompany a job.  But we should never be discouraged.  God offers us the ability to be satisfied with what we do and with whom we work.  We just have to seek to please Him and seek our enjoyment from Him and not from the workplace.  So stop allowing the work place to define you. Instead, seek true happiness that can only come from God. Start by reading the book of Romans in the New Testament.  When you see and accept what God offers you, it's hard to be a miserable person--regardless of your job.  And who knows, maybe when you start to dwell on your blessings, your job won't be so bad.

It's Time For Your Feet to Feel Feminine

Despite the 100 plus degree weather we've been experiencing for the last few weeks, retailers are trying to drop hints that it's time to start buying for fall.  For better or worse, stores have started their preview sales of this year's fall collections.  Although it's pretty hard to imagine wearing fur or leather any time soon, I'm getting really excited about the new shoe trends. 

Thank you Nordstrom for making me fall in love with your new collection of shoes.  So far, I've resisted the urge to buy, but a girl can always look, right? And what girl wouldn't want to look at the new retro inspired shoes? Just looking at these shoes makes me want to break out my jazz and swing music.  Aren't they great?  Take a look:

Ladies, it's time to put away the big bulky shoes of the past and to embrace your femininity.  Yes, fight the urge to dress like a teenager.  Ditch the Uggs and Toms.  It's time for your feet to feel womanly. 2011 is the year to be feminine.

You'll be amazed what the new models will do to elongate your calves. You might also be amazed at how well your husband will like the new look on you as well. (Come on, no man get's excited about flip flops and tennis shoes.) So check out more of these wonderful trends here at the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. If you ever wanted to give your feet a shoe makeover, it's time.

He Wanted a Train Cake

My little guy wanted a train cake for this 3rd birthday.  And Mommy delivered.

Ok. I never said that I actually made the cake. Mommy just found a way to get a train cake.  I'm typically not a Thomas fan.  (If you ever read his stories or watch his show you'll find that he talks and acts like a baby.)  But when your little one asks for a train cake, it's hard to resist a big blue engine with a face like this. 

Of course, the cake is only part of our 3rd birthday celebration.  He's getting 3 parties this year since one set of grandparents are on a business trip and the other grandparents are cruising Alaska this week.  Can't wait to show you more pics of Operation Three Celebrations for a 3rd birthday!

And yes, there will be more trains...

Amazing Love

For some reason, I've been singing the words of this song today.  I can't think of a better way to start off my week. Thank you Charles Wesley, for writing the words to And Can it Be.  I too am amazed by God's love for me.

And can it be that I should gain
An interest in the Savior’s blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain—
For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

’Tis mystery all: th’Immortal dies:
Who can explore His strange design?
In vain the firstborn seraph tries
To sound the depths of love divine.
’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore,
Let angel minds inquire no more.
’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore;
Let angel minds inquire no more.

He left His Father’s throne above
So free, so infinite His grace—
Emptied Himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam’s helpless race:
’Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For O my God, it found out me!
’Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For O my God, it found out me!

Long my imprisoned spirit lay,
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray—
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

Still the small inward voice I hear,
That whispers all my sins forgiven;
Still the atoning blood is near,
That quenched the wrath of hostile Heaven.
I feel the life His wounds impart;
I feel the Savior in my heart.
I feel the life His wounds impart;
I feel the Savior in my heart.

No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in Him, is mine;
Alive in Him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach th’eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Bold I approach th’eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.

Mommy Can't Go Back to Walmart

I'm learning that part of being a parent is accepting the fact that humiliation often accompanies the job.  On more than one occasion your child will do something that makes you gasp and sigh.  And then there are the times when your child does something that makes you cringe, straighten your back and leave a store immediately--with no intention of returning for months.  Just ask Albertson's.  It took me approximately 6 months to start shopping there again.

The Albertson's incident happened on a day when both of my boys were feeling under the weather.  My sweet husband left work early to meet us at the doctor's office where we each took a boy in for their exams.  After the appointment, we took them to Albertson's to pick up some Pedialyte and groceries.  Our oldest was excited to have Daddy push him in the cart with the little car attached to it.  Unfortunately, Daddy didn't understand why he wanted to get out of the car half way around the store.  But then he figured it out.  The little guy got sick all over the meat department floor and inside the plastic car.  We were horrified, the little guy started crying, and Albertson's was more than happy to help us out the door.  Needless to say, I waited months to go back.  I figured that if I waited long enough, no one would recognize us.  And of course, my children aren't allowed anywhere near the plastic cars. Gross!

And then the public humiliation happened again.

Today my baby and I went to Walmart to buy birthday cards.  After cruising through the card aisle, we stopped by the make-up where I picked out the perfect shade of purple nail polish.  Without thinking much about it, I handed the polish to my little guy and headed towards the check-out in the garden department.  On our way there I heard a crash and I froze.  The little guy had smashed the nail polish bottle on the floor at my feet.  When I looked at the floor all I could see was purple paint.  My red patent heels were purple.  My legs were streaked in purple.  And the floor was covered in purple paint. 

I immediately ran to the spill station to get towels to clean up our purple mess, but it was pretty much a lost cause.  The Walmart lady told me not to worry about it.  They assured me that I didn't have to pay for the paint (believe me, I offered.)  And worst of all, when I went back to the make-up section there wasn't another bottle of the pretty purple polish to buy.  So, I held up my head and continued towards the check-out, purple streaked legs and all.  Sorry for the mess Walmart.  I guess we'll be seeing you in 6 months.

At least today's adventure had a happy ending.  My red patent heels withstood the nail polish remover  and have retained their shiny redness.  And thank goodness I don't own a pair of Christian Louboutin heels, because I would have worn them with my short polk-a-dot dress today.  I would have fainted if my guy had painted purple streaks on $800 shoes.  He's just a lucky boy.

All I can say now is that since I can't go back to Walmart, Target better watch out.  Because here we come...

Is Foster Care the New Fat Camp?

Parents beware!  If your child is fat, they might get to spend time in foster care.  What?  Oh yes, The Journal of the American Medical Association published a disturbing commentary yesterday by Dr. David Ludwig, an obesity specialist at Harvard-affiliated Children's Hospital of Boston, and Lindsey Murtagh, a lawyer/researcher at the Harvard School of Public Health.  The article recommends that state intervention is necessary for protecting children who are morbidly obese.  The authors explain that they feel that children who are extremely obese should be removed from their homes by Child Protective Services and placed in foster care until they lose weight.  Apparently this practice has already been started in some parts of the country. 

Don't get me wrong, there is a time and place for CPS.  I will admit that as a school nurse I even referred children to CPS.  I will also admit that some parents aren't very good at being parents and they do feed their children to the point of morbid obesity.  But I don't see how it's in the "best interest" (legal terminology) of the child to be removed from mom and dad because they like to serve ice cream between meals or because they've invested in too many video games.  There might be some appropriate legal sanctions for parents who fail to follow health care plans--you'd be surprised how many parents are non-compliant.  But unless the parent is an immediate danger to the health and safety of the child, there is no reason to go so far as to remove a kiddo from mommy and daddy.  Besides, a lot of the fat kids at the elementary school where I worked were the happiest.

My other concern about this new practice is that charts and standards are meaningless.  Who gets to make the decision that a child is morbidly obese and subject to foster care?  Are we going to base these decisions on growth charts?  I hope not.  One of my good friends had a baby who was super cute and very small.  She was completely proportionate and healthy, but she didn't weigh much.  She actually fit into the failure to thrive category on the growth charts. But she was healthy!!!  The baby ate and played and functioned just fine.  My friend should not have had to worry about the growth chart.  Her baby was fine and is an adorable (and average sized) toddler today.  But what if the baby had been abnormally chunky?  Would she have been sent to foster care?

And don't get me started on foster care.  Sometimes it's good.  Sometimes it's bad.  But is it really a gamble worth taking just because a kid is fat?  Wouldn't it just be better to send the kid to rehab?  At least you can sue for malpractice in a rehab facility.  Even in law school, my Children and the Law class was taught that it's better in almost every case to place a child with some form of family before pursuing foster care.  Of course, I didn't go to Harvard...

All I know is that the more government butts into our family lives, the worse we are.  Even some fairly liberal-minded lawyers agree with me.  Above the Law's article Should the Law Take Fat Kids Away from Their Parents supports me on this one.  Please know that when you read about some Harvard educated doctor or lawyer, they don't speak for their entire professions.  And please remember that if you want to keep making decisions on how to raise your own child, you better get involved in our "system" and contribute.  Or else well-educated liberals might send your fat child to foster care.

Stop and Take the Survey

Do you ever read the bottom of your receipt when you leave a store like Target, Albertson's, or Walmart? I often find a code inviting me to take a survey with the promise that my name will be entered into a monthly drawing for a gift card.  And for some reason, I typically get online and actually take the survey.

Why do I take the survey?  Well, for starters, I firmly believe that I'm going to win a gift card someday.  I know it's a long shot, but I have heard of actual people who have won.  Secondly, I also like to answer the questions because I like to give my opinion. (No surprise to people who know me!) But more importantly, I've learned that if you honestly answer the survey, some stores take your responses seriously.

I can honestly say that Target reads and actively responds to my surveys.  I typically don't have any complaints about Target.  I like their products, I'm pleased with their grocery prices, and I even think their meat department is pretty decent. (Granted, I'm not shopping for a fresh caught Salmon to go home and skin for dinner.) Anyway, on at least 3 occasions, Target has responded to my survey requests.

The first time I realized that Target reads my surveys was when I got mad about baked beans.  I got aggravated because I couldn't find Van Camp's pork and beans at Target. It was the one item on my grocery list that I could never get at Target because my store didn't carry that brand.  And I can't use just any brand of baked beans!  My recipe calls for Van Camp's and it doesn't taste the same with Bush's.  So I told Target that I was going to have to go next door to Walmart if they didn't start carrying my special brand.  And you know what, a week later they had a whole section of Van Camp's.

The next time I saw evidence of my survey response was when they started placing rain check tickets in the baby boy's clothing department.  Apparently lots of baby boys in my area  last fall needed size 12 month clothing.  For weeks, I couldn't find a size 12 months outfit anywhere at my Target.  And since my growing boy desperately needed new pajamas, I thought I would tell Target that I had a problem. And when I complained, they actually placed rain check tags on the baby clothes that I said I liked.  I thought that was a nice gesture.

And most recently, I must have commented that I couldn't find peanut butter filled pretzels at my Target.  I know some people are funny about allergies and peanut butter, but my family has no history of peanut problems and my boys love peanut butter. So when we go to Walmart, I like to pick up a tub of peanut butter pretzels for their snacks.  Unfortunately, Target has not carried this treat--until now.  Yesterday, I was surprised and pleased to find peanut butter pretzels in a huge jar for sale in the snack section!  And if I do say so myself, these are way better than the ones at Walmart!

So, the moral of the story is not only that Target is a great store, but also that if you have a complaint about a store, let them know.  In a tight economy, store owners will do what they can to make their loyal customers stick around.  I can't promise that you'll win the monthly drawing, but you might enjoy your shopping a little more. 

ParentalRights.Org

I don't actively or financially support causes unless I'm convinced that they're legit and necessary.  And the fight for parental rights in the U.S. is definitely a worthy cause.  I started my partnership with ParentalRights.org when I was doing research for a school seminar class.  I am convinced that the people behind this organization have the legal understanding and the moral clarity to promote justice for American families.

Please visit their page at ParentalRights.Org and sign their petition supporting a parental rights amendment to the Constitution.  If you don't completely understand the importance of a Constitutional amendment, their website clearly explains how an amendment is necessary from a Constitutional and procedural standpoint.  An amendment would protect individual rights and limit the expansive governmental intrusion into our families.  Here is a trailer for their new 30 minute docudrama coming this fall:

As a parent and as an American who is proud of my freedom, I am completely endorsing this organization.  Please take a few minutes to check them out.  You might even consider signing their petition.

Our God is Great and Awesome

"Do not be afraid of them; remember the Lord who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives and your houses." Nehemiah 4:15

During the reign of King Artaxerxes I, Nehemiah led the Jews to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Chapter 3 describes the people who undertook project Build the Wall.  These were blue collar men, white collar men, and housewives.  The people who built the wall were the faithful remnant of Israel.

Unfortunately, while they were undertaking this huge project, Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites and the Ashdodites conspired to fight against Jerusalem.  I can't imagine the fear that these people must have felt.  They're where God wants them and they're doing the job that has been commanded them.  Then they find out that surrounding nations want to destroy their vision. Israeli history seems to repeat itself, doesn't it?

But then Nehemiah gives them this challenge. Fight. Remember that God is great and awesome. Fight for your families.  Chapter 4 then describes how half of those in Jerusalem went into battle mode while the other half kept building the wall.  But the builders "each wore his sword girded at his side as he built."  These men where on a God-ordained mission and they weren't going to let outside threats get in the way of their calling.  Verse 15 states that God ultimately frustrated the plans of their enemies so that the Jews could continue building the wall.

Sometimes I think that Christians look at the world and want to throw in the towel.  The world is a disgusting place because of sin.  We are constantly surrounded by people who want to thwart our calling.  These people hate us and are not going to stop conspiring against us.  But we've been given a God-ordained mission to carry the love of Jesus to the world.  We've been called to live in the world and not of it.  This means that we are going to have to be vigilant in carrying out our mission.  We are going to have to wear our swords at our sides as we carry the love of Jesus.  We can't stop fighting the good fight.  We're most definitely outnumbered in our fight, but our God is great and awesome!

The Taste of Love is Sweet

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." Philippians 4:8

While I was working the other day, I heard my little guy singing "The taste of love is sweet..." and at that point I had to pause.  I have done everything in my power to ensure that he has spent hours listening to classical music, Christian kid's music, and hymns.  I even spent hours listening to special music when I was pregnant with him because it's supposed to be good for his development.  And now, he's singing the 2nd verse to Johnny Cash's The Ring of Fire! 

Then again, while shopping with my mom the other day, I heard a familiar little voice from across the store say, "Hello, I'm Johnny Cash." Next, he proceeded to sing Folsom Prison.  He knows every word.  And yes, there is something fundamentally wrong with a 2 year old singing that he's "stuck in Folsom prison...and I shot a man just to watch him die." Ugh, and I thought the Wiggles were bad.

You might ask how my child became obsessed with one of country's greatest legends.  Well, it all started when he became obsessed with trains.  His Daddy kept singing about the "train rolling around the bend."  After that, every time he was in Daddy's car he wanted to hear the "train song" aka Folsom Prison. Thanks Daddy.

Now my child is Johnny Cash's biggest fan.  Thankfully, Johnny had a really great testimony and prison ministry towards the end of his life. We've even found some later recordings that are great bedtime songs.  I'm sure that we can use this new obsession to learn about how God changes lives.  And who knows, maybe one of my kids will have their own prison ministry someday.  You never know.

What I do know is that little minds can remember and comprehend a whole lot more than you'd expect.  I have been reminded that I have to carefully monitor what I listen to on the radio.  I don't have to buy special toddler songs for my little guys, because they're already listening to and understanding everything I'm listening to on the radio.  I just need to make sure that anything that what I put in me is appropriate for them too.

And the next time you're at a ball game or flipping through stations and hear a Johnny Cash song, think about the 2 year old with his fake microphone bobbing his head up and down singing along.

Precious Afternoons

I've started working for a law firm again.  But this time, I'm working 100% from home.  And this time around, my relationships with God, my boys and my husband get first priority.  As I sat at my desk working yesterday afternoon (during nap time), I was so glad that God answered my prayer by finding me a way to work in law AND stay home.  Only God could give me moments like this to cherish while I work.   

I hope your afternoons are as precious as mine.

You Have Your Orders Mommy--Go and Fight!

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." Ephesians 6:10-12 NIV

I read something today that encouraged me and I wanted to share it with you.  These are the words of Carolyn McCulley in her book Radical Womanhood.  In her chapter on The Mommy Wars, she says the following:

"...Your daily life may consist of dozens of repetitive tasks that feel so mundane and irrelevant. You kiss boo-boos, you make dinner, you do dishes, you answer a homework question, you drive to soccer practice, you read a good night story, you do laundry, you make dinner again. Unglamorous daily tasks and unimportant in the big picture, you may think.

This is absolutely not true! You are engaged in spiritual warfare, battling against beliefs and philosophies that slander God's name and tarnish His gifts to us. You are standing against those who believe heinous lies, like 'the most merciful thing that a large family does to one of its infant members is to kill it.' By giving life and nurturing life, you are reflecting the life-giving characteristics of our holy God! Made in His image, you are reflecting Him when you care for the lives He has created..."

So the next time you have an unglamorous load of laundry to do or a smelly pamper to change, remember that you are fulfilling your spiritual service.  There really is a Mommy War, but it's not the type of war most women believe it is.  The real war is spiritual and Mommy believers need to be sharing God's love and standing up for the truth of His Word as we nurture His creation.  So ladies, grab your skillets and fight the good fight!

Happy Birthday to a Country "Under God"

Happy Birthday United Sates of America! This song, God of our Fathers, was written by Daniel C. Roberts in honor of the 1876 centennial Fourth of July celebration.  As we celebrate our country's birthday today, let us not forget where we came from and from whom our blessings and freedom flow.

God of our fathers, whose almighty hand
Leads forth in beauty all the starry band
Of shining worlds in splendor through the skies
Our grateful songs before Thy throne arise.

Thy love divine hath led us in the past,
In this free land by Thee our lot is cast,
Be Thou our Ruler, Guardian, Guide and Stay,
Thy Word our law, Thy paths our chosen way.

From war’s alarms, from deadly pestilence,
Be Thy strong arm our ever sure defense;
Thy true religion in our hearts increase,
Thy bounteous goodness nourish us in peace.

Refresh Thy people on their toilsome way,
Lead us from night to never ending day;
Fill all our lives with love and grace divine,
And glory, laud, and praise be ever Thine.

My Favorite Chefs

There's just something impressive about men wearing aprons in the kitchen.  Wouldn't you love to taste the food from these chefs?  I can't wait until they advance their cooking skills from baking cookies to preparing dinner.  Now that's a meal I will gladly clean up!

Ladies, Mark Your Calendars!

Today I got a piece of mail that made me really excited.  I got the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Next Season Catalog!  This means that Nordstrom will be marking down items from its Fall 2011 Collection starting on JULY 15!  And let me tell you, after flipping the pages of this book my mouth was watering. 

The shoes are fabulous!  Seychelles, in particular scored again this year (my favorite boots EVER were Seychelles) and this year's boot shoe thing is soooo cute!  Whoever is buying clothes for Nordstrom this fall did a great job.  I'm even digging the men's clothing, which is saying a lot since their guy's department is a little flashy for the average guy. 

Anyway, wish I could post pics of my favorite items, but you'll have to wait until they post their catalog online.  If you're needing some great fall pieces, you've got to check out these prices and looks!  It looks like chocolate brown and leather are back...