Thursday, December 27, 2007

Coming in February 2008

A film I'm actually excited about seeing:


EXPELLED: No Intelligence Allowed

About the film.
"In a scientific world gone mad, EXPELLED: No Intelligence Allowed is the controversial documentary that will chronicle Ben Stein's confrontation with the Neo-Darwinian "machine," exposing widespread suppression and entrenched discrimination in his heroic quest to bring back freedom in our institutions, laboratories and most importantly, in our classrooms, with the help of the world's top scientists, educators, and thinkers. Coming to theaters in early 2008, EXPELLED promises to be the most controversial film of the year (think Fahrenheit 9/11 and An Inconvenient Truth)" (quote from an EXPELLED promotional e-mail).

Check out the Super Trailer HERE.

Tuesday, December 25, 2007

Merry Christmas Love

Judah has been singing his own Christmas songs today. He sings variations of: "Whose birthday do we celebrate on Christmas? Jesus' birthday. Happy Birthday, Jesus!" And then he proceeds to sing the entire Gospel of Christ. I love it.

I told him the story of Jesus before we took a nap together today, and he said, "Will you tell me the crucify part?" He's currently fascinated with the proverbial bad guys. When James told him the story of Jesus' birth this morning, he said, "You forgot about the bad king." He knows the details better than we do.

I just wanted to put a little Christmas love out there and share a couple pictures (Judah is, of course, dressed as a pirate. Thank you, Auntie Lisa!). Pictures from this morning can be found by clicking HERE.
Good night, blog-reading friends. Have a Happy New Year!

Saturday, December 15, 2007

Miriam's Birthday Plans--Revised


OK, I can't believe that NO ONE said, "Lori, are you insane? Opryland Hotel at this time of year?" Really. Come on, people! We were heading down Briley Parkway, and there was at least two miles of traffic at each exit, heading both directions. Nuts! Completely nuts! So we went to the downtown library instead. After about an hour, we hugged and kissed my parents (they're from KY, so they didn't know how nuts it was going to be either) and headed to a pizza place in East Nashville (PizzeREAL--we had a coupon) before we ended the birthday celebration with house-made ice cream from the Pied Piper Creamery on 11th Ave near 5 points. I'll download pictures soon. Miriam looked especially cute in her little Christmas party dress.

Friday, December 14, 2007

Mira's Birthday


Just a quick reminder that we're going to be hanging out at the Opryland Hotel tomorrow from about 2 p.m until we nearly pass out from exhaustion. If you want to join us, we'll be roaming the building checking out Christmas decorations, enjoying hot cider, and maybe munching on a birthday cookie or two. Very casual except that we'll probably sing "Happy Birthday" to Miriam before we leave.

By the way, if you read this blog (and have never commented on a post), could you send me an e-mail at some point and let me know? I'd love to hear from you. If you start your own blog, I can pretty much guarantee that I'll be one of your readers! If you already blog, I'm probably a big fan!

Thursday, December 13, 2007

Pyrex Explosions

Check out Consumer Affairs' website and read some of the customer complaints about Pyrex cookware. I've posted a couple of them here, too. Most of them experienced explosions in the oven or upon removing them from the oven. At least one said her Pyrex exploded in the cabinet.
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/homeowners/pyrex.html

Joann of Springfield PA (11/21/07) I had put my vegetables in my pyrex dish, as I always do, inside my oven. It had only been in there 12 minutes when my husband walked in and found flames shooting from our (gas) range. I am new to gas cooking, but had never heard of pyrex exploding inside an oven before. I have used pyrex for over 25 years and this was my first (and now, last) issue with their bakeware. It was a very scary experience since I had always thought pyrex to be an exceptionally safe product.

NEVER leave a kitchen with anything cooking, no matter how long you've been cooking!!My oven is a mess - it took quite a while to clean up the glass - and longer to clean the mess out of the oven (the remnants of what had been cooking).

Deeanna of Camp Lejeune NC (11/20/07)On two occasions our Pyrex bakeware has exploded in our oven. I say exploded because when glass flies up onto countertops and the refridgerator from the oven that is the only way it could have gotten there, I know the Vice President of Pyrex says they do not explode they break.

On both occasions our food was done and was being taken out of the oven, the rack had been moved out and my husband was getting ready to take our food out and bang and shatter. So, our dinner was ruined and our kitchen was a mess, not to mention my husbands feet had glass in them and they were burned by the food that exploded out of the pan.

The first incident was in May 2000 and now again November 17th 2007! We will not be using Pyrex anymore for anything.

Jeri of Pottstown PA (10/20/07) Pyrex baking dish exploded when removed from oven. Shattered the glass pane in oven door. This is the second such incident. Thought once was my fault, but twice? Sounds like a defect to me....

Paige of Woodand Hills CA (10/30/07) I've had two Pyrex dishes explode--not break. They shattered to tiny dust like particles while unused and in my cabinets. Last night our glass Waring blender exploded while on the counter. It had not been used in weeks and was just sitting there unattended. I've had huge messes because shattered glass is really hard to clean up. And, I had to spend an hour on the Internet this morning instead of working, to get information so I can convince my mother-in-law this isn't the work of a ghost.

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Gift-wrapping for Children of Prisoners


A friend of a friend needs help wrapping approx. 500 gifts for children of prisoners--by Saturday. Want to help? Here's her message:

Hey Gang!

Everybody's busy. Everybody's swamped... But, this is an unabashed, unashamed beg fest! :-) I am coordinating the wrapping and delivery of about 500 gifts to the children of prisoners. I need to have them all wrapped by Saturday afternoon and I need people to help wrap. I absolutely cannot do this by myself. I need help. It can be 15 minutes or 30 minutes or hours at a time if you have it! This is the proposed schedule:

Wednesday:
Wrapping at Northeast Church from 9:00 a.m. until noon
Wrapping at my house from 1:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Thursday:
Wrapping at Northeast Church from 9:00 a.m. until noon
Wrapping at my house from 1:00 p.m. - whenever (night time as well)

Saturday:
Wrapping at my house from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

You can come any time for any amount of time that is convenient for you. All supplies are provided. Just show up! There are other things to be done if you don't think you're a good gift wrapper or just don't like it.

In addition, if you would like to experience first hand the joy and excitement of a child receiving a gift, please come by Northeast or my house and pick up a package or two.

DIRECTIONS TO MY HOUSE, 1023 Grider Drive

Take Vietnam Veterans to exit 12, Big Station Camp Creek Road
From Gallatin, take a right
From Hendersonville, take a left
Pass Knox Doss Middle School on the left
Go another 1/2 mile or so until you see Stone Creek Subdivision on the left - turn left into the subdivision
Take the 1st immediate left
Take the 1st right, which is my street, Grider Drive
I am about 2/3 of the way down on the left

My phone # is 957-6113

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE

Thank you!

Aimee

Monday, December 10, 2007

Sounding the Alarm

In some parts of Africa, there is a saying: When a lion enters your village, sound the alarm loudly. I'm sounding the alarm to pray for two newborns.

Yesterday after the service at Grace Center, a friend's car got stuck in a ditch. Within a few seconds, several young men gathered and pushed him out. One of them said, "There's not much you can't do when you get a bunch of people together."

I believe this was a prophetic picture for my friends' newborns who are hospitalized and fighting for their lives. While praying individually is effective, if we will gather to pray and give them a spiritual push, we will see greater results.

Tonight we are gathering to pray for baby Avonlea, who was born a week ago and has been undergoing tests (including a spinal tap and methods to cause her geart to race) at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital to try to determine the source of fluid in her heart and abdomen, high blood pressure, inexplicable bouts of heart racing (without the tests), and suspected viral infection. Avonlea and her family need us to see them through Avonlea's complete healing and release from the hospital.

Who: Anyone who has a heart to gather and pray
What: A prayer push for baby Avonlea
Where: Street-level lobby of Vanderbilt Children's Hospital
When: Tonight, Monday, December 10, from 8-10 p.m.
How: Click HERE for driving directions



On Wednesday nights (until his release date), we are gathering to pray for David Holcroft Langager, who was born at 26 weeks and currently weighs 2 lbs. 4 oz. He is in the NICU at Centennial Women's Hospital. He needs prayer for lung development, freedom from infection, and feeding progress. So far, he is on track for all three, but parents Susan and John are on the biggest roller coaster of their lives. Sometimes David's vitals drop or he is unable to handle any stimuli. He and his family are in great need of prayer coverage as they navigate through these difficult weeks. Right now, the doctor is saying his release date will be near his due date, which is late-February.

Who: Anyone who has a heart to gather and pray
What: Increased prayer coverage through gatherings for baby David
Where: Street-level lobby of The Women's Hospital at Centennial
When: Every Wednesday from 7-10 p.m. until David is released
How: Click HERE for driving directions

If you're unable to join us at the hospital, please join us in the Spirit and pray tonight and on Wednesday nights until further notice. There's a lot stirring in my heart right now regarding prayer, but I'll have to write about it after the kids go to bed.

Wednesday, December 5, 2007

Tis the season to grow up


I knew it would happen. Even before I had kids I knew it would happen. It happened today. Judah asked me for a Christmas tree. I've never put up a Christmas tree. I don't even know where to begin. It's not that I'm anti-Christmas tree--it's just that I'm not really pro-Christmas tree. It's not something that's important enough to me to spend the energy doing it. Besides, we don't own enough ornaments for a Christmas tree. I think we have one. My friend Wendy made it.

So we're in the van, and I ask Judah, "Where would we put it?"
He says, "Upstairs."
"Where upstairs?"
"In my room."

Then, I thought, maybe we could do a small one and put it on his dresser so Miriam wouldn't pull it down or eat it. We looked at one tonight in the mall. $20. Give me a break.

On the way home, I had a brilliant idea. I said, "What if we make our own tree? What if we put up a big sheet of paper or posterboard and use paints and markers and crayons and colored pencils and fabric and glue and tape and add all kinds of fun decorations?"
"Yeah!"
Score. He's really jazzed about it. Whew. I wonder how many more years we can do this. I wonder which kid will finally cause me to cave in.

If someone were to give me white Christmas lights, I might even put them up. This year. Maybe.

My girlfriend Wendy came over this morning (same one who made my solitary Christmas ornament) and helped me put up curtains in the kids' room (she deserves an award a month for being my friend). I've had a blanket nailed to the wall for 2 1/2 years. I can't help but feel grown up when I go in there now. Judah says with a big grin, "But you ARE a grown up."

Am I?

When did that happen?

Sunday, December 2, 2007

Random Thoughts on a Sunday Night

We're entering a busy, busy season of social gatherings and births. Two of my friends and one acquaintance just had babies and two more friends and one more acquaintance are expecting any day now (all due dates are before December 12).



I've been working on coordinating meals for new moms and writing updates for my friend with the premature baby as well as contacting people to ask them to pray. I've been busier than usual doing things that actually require my brain. It's rather refreshing. But I tend to be an all-or-nothing kind of gal, so I have to remind myself that when my children are awake and I'm on the phone or computer, they need me to get on the floor and play with them. Or feed them. Or wipe their little bottoms. Or clean up their spills.



I told my grandfather last year that my life had become a series of cleaning up other people's messes. His response? "Oh, so the tables have turned." Thanks for the compassion, Poppop.



Last week, my son spilled some water in the kitchen, and the second I got it cleaned up, my daughter spilled water in the living room. Thank God we put in hardwood floors a few months ago (and bought some super absorbent microfiber towels at Costco). I keep at least one towel on the floor at all times. They get pretty filthy, not to mention soaked, pretty quickly.



I keep thinking that one day I'll sit down and write about things that move me--things I'm passionate about--things that matter. Then, I find myself either without enough time to write anything more than a quick note or my brain is so fried that I couldn't possibly eek out more than, "I took more pictures of the kids."



Judah and I need haircuts. Both of my children need baths. Judah has had the same shirt on since Thursday. It's Sunday night. My husband is packing to go to Austin. Three nights without him doesn't seem so daunting since his three week trip to India. I'm ready. I have something to look forward to every day this week. My mom is coming to visit on Tuesday.



Last week I called my mom and said, "I'm calling to schedule your next visit." She was about to dart out the door, so she called me back with her availability. Tuesday or Thursday. James is traveling again? Tuesday.



My kids adore her. Judah calls her Nana Pajama Pants (and calls himself Judah Flower Pot). She makes him Banana Nut Bread almost every time she sees him, so he's renamed it Nana Nut Bread.



Maybe one day I'll write about how my relationship with my mom has changed--how much I enjoy her visits and watching her love on my children. Just thinking about how much she loves them makes me want to cry. My dad took Judah to the park right after Miriam was born. We have to nudge him a little, but he enjoys them just as much as Mom does. He's just not as assertive. My dad is pretty quiet and shy. Must be where I get it.



:0)

Friday, November 30, 2007

My Friend's Baby


My girlfriend Susan had a premature baby last week. In case you didn't know, most full-term babies arrive around 40 weeks. David arrived at 26. He weighs 2 lbs. So tiny.

I talked to another friend earlier this week, and she suggested organizing an all-night prayer vigil on behalf of little David. Her daughter was born at 31 weeks, and she said that her baby was stable throughout the day while people were praying but would take a dip at night until an all-night prayer vigil was started.

Please pray for baby David. If you want to stay updated on his progress, check out his blog (for which I'm the ghost-writer): http://davidlangager.blogspot.com/

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

New Pictures

It's been almost six weeks since I took any pictures of the kids. I killed my camera when we were in Nova Scotia. Dropped it in the sand. Twice. Managed to find a really good deal on another one--similar camera but smaller in size and bigger in megapixels. I tried it out today. Here's proof: http://picasaweb.google.com/herroyalexcitedness/20071127

Handmade Gifts Holiday Gathering

One of my favorite things to do is surround myself with creative people, admire their creations, sip hot cider, and enjoy the holiday season. Tomorrow night I'll be attending an awesome Handmade Gifts Holiday Gathering. This is your invitation to join me! (If you're a girl, that is.)

2nd Annual HANDMADE GIFTS HOUSE PARTY

Girls Only Event! Come along and have a fun night of eating, drinking, shopping and hanging out (everything a girl could want!)

Bring your friends and drop by whenever you can for as long as you like.
Be prepared to have your creative side inspired!!

Creative Moms have come together to display their handmade products for you to see in a fun, relaxed, holiday atmosphere.

Handmade gifts are so unique and really fun to give!

You may even just want to shop for yourself or not shop at all and just come and hang out! You will see paintings, clothing, jewelry, scarves, bags, cards, baby products, and more...

Wednesday November 28th 7pm-10pm

Hosted by: Andrea Millard
310 Wisteria Drive
Franklin TN 37064
Ph: 615 943 4872

Monday, November 26, 2007

December. It's next week.

Mondays in December are FREE at the Frist Center (with the donation of a non-perishable food item). Judah refers to it as "The Art Center." About a year ago, I took him there for the first time, and we spent 5 hours creating art. Yes, my 2-year-old (at the time) spent 5 hours in one room making stuff. I was ready to go way before he was. I'm sure we'll go a few times next month. Maybe next week?

Mira's first birthday is in three weeks. We're going to celebrate by going to the Opryland Hotel on Saturday, December 15, at 2:00 p.m., and strolling around looking at lights, drinking hot spiced cider, and enjoying our family and friends who are able to join us. Want to come? Her birthday is Sunday, Dec. 16. Judah will tell you it's the 13th, but that was her due date.

These children have more toys and clothes than I know what to do with. We give stuff away and receive stuff almost daily. A good friend of mine once said, "Never be afraid to give. There is always enough." She was right. If you're a giver and you really really really want to give something to my children for their birthdays or Christmas, think BOOKS. They're timeless. We love them. We especially love old books. We read them ALL the time.

Judah will now sit through chapter books. This morning he handed me a long book and said, "Mommy, just read me one chapter." By the second book, I was falling asleep. I kept waking up to, "MOMMY! You're not reading!" I might need to start drinking caffeinated drinks in the morning just to keep up with Judah's reading habit.

He and Miriam keep me busy. They're a delightful pair.

Friday, November 23, 2007

Today's Judah Conversation

Mommy, let's play Simon Says.

How do you play Simon Says?

(I explain the game.)

OK, Simon Says touch your eye.

Simon Says touch your mouth.

Simon Says pick boogers.

Mommy, you're not playing Simon Says!

Friday, November 16, 2007

Yard Sale & Handmade Sale TOMORROW

Two opportunities to shop tomorrow: A Friend's Yard Sale and http://www.mamamade.biz/ (a gathering of moms who make and sell cool handmade stuff).

There's also an amazing and HUGE consignment sale going on today at West End Community Church near Charlotte & White Bridge Rd.--almost everything is half off today and prices are crazy cheap for namebrand stuff.



From our awesome friend Kim:



I wanted to announce to you, and any one you might want to pass this on to, that I will be having my yard sale tomorrow, Saturday, November 17 from 8:00 am - 2:00 pm. Items are priced to move and include 8 solid oak bow back chairs, Antique Armour, Christmas items, candles, tables, interior decorations of all kinds and colors including Pier 1 vases, and kids toys. There are kitchen items, living room items, Bathroom pretties, even a TV or two. So, come by and say "hello" and bring a little spending cash - you may just find that hard to find treasure you have been looking for!
Location: 1012 Ridgecrest Dr.
Franklin, TN 37069
That's the Hillsboro Acres Subdivision at the corner of Hillsboro and Berry's Chapel, due south of Legend's Ridge Subdivision.

Please pass this on via e mail or call a friend if you know of anyone who would be interested. All proceeds go to the "Kim Relocation Fund". Thanks! Kim



*****


www.MamaMade.biz showcase: Tomorrow, November 17, 2007, in the coffeehouse basement of New Song Christian Fellowship WOODBINE, 2949 Nolensville Rd., Nashville, TN, (near the intersection of Nolensville Rd. and Thompson Lane).

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Friends in need need loving friends

Right now I seem to have a lot of friends in need. Friends in the hospital or receiving medical treatment, friends going through divorces or getting married, friends moving or renovating houses, friends believing for healing miracles for other friends or family members, friends in desperate need of financial provision or better jobs or any job . . . sometimes the needs are overwhelming. Sometimes I'm able to help in small ways and feel connected; sometimes I'm alone and I pray.

My friend Wendy wrote yesterday about her neighbor who "can't get himself to the bathroom or get to the trash can to throw food away." Reading about him makes me so thankful for our friends and family. I'm blown away by the community of people who care about us, who help us when we're in need, who love us through all of our difficulties, who rejoice and celebrate with us, who break bread with us and listen to what is on our minds, who care about the passions and desires of our hearts.

Some friends stopped by tonight with a loaf of bread that they baked at home. They wrapped it in cellophane then covered it in recycled newspaper and wrote on it: "Heard you guys like bread. White loaf." Their visit surprised and delighted us. To be thought of, remembered, loved--to be the recipient of a small act of kindness--to have friends go out of their way to share bread--it makes me a little weepy. My primary love language is quality time, followed by words of affirmation. Tonight's home-baked bread along with the note and the quick visit really did it for me. Thank you, Aaron and Christen. Pop over any time.

Before sitting down to write, I checked all my friends' blogs. Karissa wrote about her sister's recent visit and listed some of the amazing food they ate together. She says of her sister: "To her, fine food starts with time, energy and patience (of which, she has a small reservoir set aside for just this purpose) for all the flavors to be expressed, pulled, marinated and added. There are no short cuts!" My kind of lady! Later in her blog, Karissa writes, "We ate like Kings and Queens...as we should! Isn't it funny how life really does revolve around food. Makes you realize how much more so food should revolve around a table and friendly faces. Unfortunately, especially in America, we have strayed away from this beautiful design. God gave us The Banqueting Table! We are meant to break bread, fellowship, eat, drink and be merry. Ever since Jessica came I have wanted to bring the 'Table' back into our lives here, at Adnevik Lane! Lately, we have been able to accomplish just that and I love it!"

Our extended families are already beginning to plan for Thanksgiving and Christmas. It's always challenging to try to work around everyone's work and family schedules, but every year we manage to gather around food and enjoy the time together (mostly watching our ever-growing number of children--this year Judah will celebrate the holidays with six cousins and a baby sister who will be a year old next month).

While reading my friend's post about adoption, I wondered whether we'll ever adopt and if so, when. Or if we'll become foster parents. We've talked about it. We've done a little research. We like the idea. It's easier just to keep doing what we're doing, you know? I understand that truly living doesn't come from traveling the easy road. At the same time, I don't want to do something simply because it's challenging. I want to know that it's God-inspired and God-directed. Friends of ours who have a daughter in high school are serving as foster parents to a 3-month-old baby because the mom who is a friend of theirs is suffering from severe post-partum depression. These are the kinds of friends we have. What love.

Tonight as I was pondering all these things, I received this e-mail from my friend Isa: "The gospel of Jesus is simple. His love is simple. Jesus shows us love through simple things....one little thing can change a lot! That movie "Evan All Mighty" when Morgan Freeman tells him that changing the world is using one act of random kindness a day....that's what the gospel of Jesus is about, LOVE! Sometimes people don't know how to love or they don't know how to express love....it's simple! It's a little act of kindness. It's going to bring somebody groceries when you know that they are having a financial struggle...it's offering to clean a house of somebody that has an illness...it's just showing up at somebody's house when you know that this person is going through a hard time and doesn't have strength even to ask for help...it's to bring somebody their favorite food; it's to offer to watch their kids for they could go out and have a good time...it's to help somebody with packing when you know they are so overwelmed with the change...it's just to make yourself present even if the other person is in bad mood...it's to knock in somebody's door and say HI I am here for you...I am standing with you...it's to offer your shoulder for them to cry on and cry with them. So many examples of how we could be Jesus' arms. how we can really make a difference in somebody' life through little things....Jesus is calling us to express His love in simple acts...don't think that you don't have anything to give. Ask the Holy Spirit. Sometimes things that appear with no significance to us can mean the world to somebody else."

Well said, Isa.

Thursday, November 8, 2007

A typical day in the life of Her Royal Excitedness turned "Mommy"

One of the benefits of having hardwood floors downstairs is getting to watch my baby girl sit on them and scoot herself around in circles using her little tiny feet. Every time she sees me again, she gives me a big grin and an occasional squeal. Surely this sort of thing was the catalyst for the ever-popular sit-n-spin.

Last night was one of the first nights since her birth that I didn't have to get out of bed once. I still woke up around 2-ish and 5-ish, but I was able to go right back to sleep--until 6:30. For about two weeks, Mira slept through the night but Judah would wake up for one reason or another. This time, everyone slept soundly all night. Ah, Sleep, glorious Sleep.

More Mira milestones for my memory:

Miriam is one week from being a full 11 months old. Judah is 3 1/2, seeming particularly close to 4 today.

Mira likes to imitate making raspberries (zerbert sounds) and clicking sounds with her tongue. She also likes to shake her head back and forth in her very babyish--not fully in control of the movement--sort of way. It's especially cute when she tries to make a sound at the same time.

She loves to make a noise while I move my hand back and forth in front of her mouth. If I stop doing it, she'll do it herself. Her lack of coordination always makes me smile.

She has started playing peek-a-boo by looking down and when we say, "Where's Miriam?" she looks up and giggles. Today she started raising her hands when we say, "Peek-a-boo!" or "There she is!"

She much prefers to feed herself than to be spoon-fed. She has also begun to prefer textured foods (like oatmeal) to pureed foods (like jarred veggies). Right now, she seems to prefer red over green.

She can now climb up our entire flight of stairs. She climbs all over the place on the playgrounds we frequent.

She always surprises me with how much she knows--and then I remember how old she is. She's just so tiny!

She hit a little growth spurt in the past couple weeks (must be all the sleep) and is now wearing most 6-9 months clothes and a couple 12 months (if they've already been shrunk in the wash). When she was 10 months, she fit well in her 3-6 months clothes and several 0-3 months dresses and pants still fit. The last time I weighed her, she was 16.5 lbs. (many babies triple their birth weight by their first birthday--she has about another 8 lbs. to go).

I love how tiny she is. It makes it easy to hold her, which I've thoroughly enjoyed.

Current Judah antics:

Right now, Judah is putting his "babies" (7 stuffed animals) to sleep. One of them is wearing his pajamas. He made a bed for them out of pillows, covered them with my jacket, and said he was going to sleep next to them.

Earlier, he made a baby carrier for Piglet out of some cardboard and a jump rope (he acquired my help after much frustration). He had me put Piglet's arms through the holes, his legs stuck out of the bottom, and he faced out while strapped to Judah. Then, he placed his sword in the carrier (like Westley from The Princess Bride).

OK, he JUST NOW walked in and asked me to help him get his sheild on. He has on a Zoro hat, a Batman mask, purple mittens (with hearts on them), a sword, a shield, and some plastic armor that James taped in the back so it would fit (he got the latter three from Kim's house on Sunday night while we were helping her clean, pack, and move).

He says, "Who do I look like? I think I look like a pirate. OK, bye bye, I'm going to fight the bad guys. I fight-ed the bad guys! Do I have a mask on to cover my identity?"

He told me earlier that if I colored a picture for him like he colored one for me that it would make me one of the good guys. How could I resist?

And now he's trying to fit his stuffed animals into his armor to carry them around. He came to me and said, "Mommy, I have some babies for you. Would you like to take them out of my baby carrier?" His baby carrier has a dragon on the front.

I took out Piglet and Champ (who is dressed in Judah's pajamas).

Then he says, "Have a sword so you can fight the mean animals that wants to eat your babies."

It's a grand life--even though my house is a wreck and my body aches. These children are delightful.

A story by Judah

Just now Judah said, "Would you like me to tell you a story?"

Of course I said, "Yes." I happened to be in front of my computer and wrote it down while he was talking:

From Judah:
OK,
one summer evening
there was a giraffe
and it was eating some leaves
and then it saw a bear and killed it
and then the giraffe ate the wolf
and then she hung up her neck and ate some more leaves
the end

an unsolicited story:
and then the philistine monster crept in the ditch
and then it crept in the house
and then it has ate-en the whole house
and then the monster said, "adurbrt."

Wednesday, November 7, 2007

White: Looks great on teeth.

My good friend Leslie recently trained with a company called 888Spa Team to do in-home teeth whitening using a portable laser system. So if you've ever considered having your teeth whitened but grimaced at spending $300-800 (and you live in the Nashville area), she could come to your home, whiten your teeth in about an hour, and you'd only have to shell out $160 cash (she's offering a "getting started" discount through New Year's).

If you're interested, just send me an e-mail or post a comment (I won't publish it--it just goes straight to my e-mail and I choose whether or not to publish), and I'll pass on her contact information.

As Leslie said, "Makes a great gift during the holidays, especially under the mistletoe!"

All I want for Christmas is my teeth to be white. . .
I'm dreaming of a white (toothed) Christmas. . .

Tuesday, November 6, 2007

Real mail rocks.


My dear friend Rachel who knows me and loves me well sent an e-mail to me today that I'd like to share on here. She's right about the process being easy. I sent five cards while I was nursing Miriam.

FROM RACHEL: This is awesome. It takes like 3 clicks.
If you go to this web site: http://www.letssaythanks.com/ you can pick out a thank you card and Xerox will print it and it will be sent to a soldier that is currently serving in Iraq. You can't pick out who gets it, but it will go to some member of the armed services. You can choose from several different greetings or type your own. How AMAZING it would be if we could get everyone we know to send one!!! This is a great site. Please send a card. It is FREE and it only takes a second.

Monday, November 5, 2007

Taco Salad a.k.a. Yesterday's Gazpacho

Judah actually requests my gazpacho: "Not Daddy's gazpacho [which really is gazpacho], the gazpacho you made yesterday." Now, for Judah, yesterday is any time before today. Could have been last week--or last month--or six months ago. Figuring out "yesterday" sometimes takes me a few minutes.

My gazpacho is simply taco salad. The kids and I had it today for lunch. Since James does most of the cooking, I thought I'd share one of the few things I make (that he has never made and that doesn't actually require a stovetop or oven).

It's basically a can of beans (with a bit of seasoning) , a handful of shredded Mexican cheese, a handful of chopped lettuce, a diced tomato, and some tortilla chips.

I'm going to write this recipe the way I wish recipes were written. (I check out children's cookbooks from the library because they're more detailed and I need all the help I can get in the kitchen.)

Mommy's Taco Salad a.k.a. Yesterday's Gazpacho

Open a can of black (or pinto) beans. Rinse them in a colander and dump them in a medium-sized bowl. Rinse the can and recycle.

Sprinkle on some cayenne pepper, cumin, onion powder, and garlic powder (or whatever Mexican-type seasonings you have on hand). Mix it up with the fork or spoon you plan to use for eating.

Put in the microwave for a minute.

Get some shredded Mexican cheese and lettuce out of the fridge (our CSA share has had the most amazing organic lettuces the past couple weeks).

Wash the lettuce using the same colander you used for the beans. Pat it dry (or use a salad spinner).

Take the beans out of the microwave and sprinkle on some cheese. Put back in the microwave for another minute to melt the cheese.

Wash a tomato. Chop the lettuce and dice the tomato on the same cutting board. Sometimes I like to sprinkle a little sea salt on the tomatoes.

Take the cheesy beans out of the microwave and add the lettuce and then the tomatoes. Throw a few organic corn chips on top.

Sit on the floor and feed yourself, your toddler, and your baby. Watch out for the next two diaper changes.

If you get to the dishes fast enough, the colander, cutting board, bowl, and fork (or spoon--I prefer a spoon) are easy to clean.

Today I wanted someone else to make lunch for me. Then, I remembered that I could make taco salad. Now, the house is quiet, the children are sleeping, the windows are open, the wind is blowing, and I'm writing. Dreamy.

A nap is not on the menu for today

Both children are asleep in the middle of the afternoon, and we're at home (not in the car). I'm about to take advantage of the coveted afternoon nap.

The first wave of near sleep washes over me. Second wave. I know I'm almost there.

I hear a whisper, "Mommy."

I look up. Nothing. Judah is asleep upstairs. I love the sound of his little voice in my head.

I start to drift off again.

I hear what sounds like audiotapes being moved around.

I look up. Nothing.

The bathroom door slams shut. Upon getting up to open it (and prop it open) I discover the clinking sound--it's the shower curtain being blown back on the rod.

My mommy radar is turned up pretty high, so I get a surge of adrenaline each time I'm awakened.

Finally, the adrenaline has faded.

The sounds are different downstairs. Gusts of wind enhance the unfamiliar noises.

I finally begin to drift off for the third time. Something shatters.

I investigate. My glasses fell from the windowsill in the bathroom onto the scale. Nothing is broken--except my sleep.

A nap is not on the mommy menu for today.

Sunday, November 4, 2007

Father God runs like a girl.

Tonight is one of those nights that I really need to go to bed, but I want to post something because I've been meaning to for a while, but it is so exciting to me and so full of life that I'm having trouble finding words. When I do write words, I delete them. Then I sit and stare at a blank screen trying to come up with better words. Now I've decided to just write something--anything--and maybe I'll go back later and rewrite it.

Jared Black, the new college pastor at Grace Center, has spoken during the main service a handful of times now. He believes that there is much of the Bible that we just don't get because we're not Jewish. We don't understand the historical context for what was said and done and then recorded in our Bible. He spoke today about the character of Father God and looked at a parable--actually, a series of parables--from a historical and Jewish perspective. Yes, he said that Father God runs like a girl. Suspend judgment. Listen to the message. You'll get it. Man, I love this stuff.

If you can, click on this link to hear his message (the first one listed is the one we heard today--the others are equally as thought-provoking and paradigm-shifting):

http://s7358.gridserver.com/index2.php?cat=JaredBlack#

Thursday, November 1, 2007

The Pickle and The Noozle

I couldn't resist sending in a photo of my little Pickle and his best friend Tiffanoozle a.k.a. The Noozle (that would be Judah and Tiffany) to the Anti-Racist Parent website since they post a Gratuitous Cute Kid Pic every Thursday. Check it out! http://www.antiracistparent.com/

Monday, October 29, 2007

Changing it Up

I was ready for a change of scenery. Recently, two of my friends who blog changed their templates, which inspired me go ahead and do the same. I needed the change. Three of my other blogging friends had the same template I was using, so I get to see it a lot.



If you get these updates via e-mail, maybe this will inspire you to check out the site. If you only check the site, maybe you'll be inspired to get the e-mail updates (scroll all the way down and subscribe through Feedblitz).



When I changed my template, I noticed that I started out really strong, and I've progressively posted fewer and fewer times each month: 33, 21, 15, 7. If the trend continues, November doesn't look promising, and you shouldn't expect to hear a peep out of me in December. What's going on? Why am I not writing as much?



Something I've been meaning to write about and haven't is what's going on in Uganda and how you could participate if you're so led. John Michael and Evah Mugerwa oversee the orphanage/boarding school in Uganda where I spent six months teaching. They showed us a 3-minute DVD tonight of the improvements that have been made. I didn't recognize it. So much has happened in 4 years. They are excellent stewards of the funds they receive. They live humbly so that hundreds may live well.



Check them out here: http://destinyschooluganda.com/

Award-winning Book/Upcoming Movie

In the past three days, I've received e-mails from my friends Dena, Amanda, and Isa that look something like this:

***
"You may already know about the kids’ movie coming out in December starring Nicole Kidman. It's called The Golden Compass, and while it will be a watered-down version, it is based on a series of children's books about killing God (It is the anti-Narnia). Please follow this link and then pass it on. From what I understand, the hope is to get a lot of kids to see the movie--which won't seem too bad--and then get the parents to buy the books for their kids for Christmas. The quotes from the author sum it all up. I hope it totally bombs because we were all paying attention!"

http://snopes.com/politics/religion/compass.asp
***


A few months ago, I received an e-mail from my friend Kevin about a series of award-winning books he had just completed. He's an avid reader, a social activist, and a fellow Believer. This was my first introduction to the trilogy His Dark Materials by Phillip Pullman and the upcoming movie The Golden Compass that's slated to make its debut December 7, 2007.

Since my friend Kevin tends to be a very liberal radical (and not one to "throw out the baby with the bathwater"), I took his mini-book review pretty seriously and plan to avoid going to see the upcoming film based on the first (and least controversial) of Pullman's three books.

When my girlfriend Becki and I were in Borders bookstore last Thursday night, it was impossible to avoid the marketing of this trilogy. Here's Kevin's review if you're interested:


***

A Book Review by my friend Kevin:


I just finished up a series of books by Phillip Pullman, an atheist in Britain, that I wish I'd never started. Didn't know he was a militant atheist. He actually wrote it as his answer to CS Lewis. He combines science with a hate for the Catholic Church, Wiccan thought, Gnostic heresies, Chinese mysticism, and Greek mythology to tell a hell of a young adult story to brainwash kids that God is dead and never really deserved their love anyway.


It was such a compelling story that I couldn't put it down even when I realized I'd been had about halfway through the final third book. The worst thing is that the first book is being made into a movie with Nicole Kidman in December. If we thought Harry Potter was bad, this is gonna be awful. I was even doubting my faith in God during the third book. Just imagine what this could do to a young 12-year-old mind.


In the books, each character from one of the key worlds has a daemon which is like a pet that can change into any animal. As the story progresses, you discover that the daemon is like an external spirit or concsience (think of having half your mind outside your body). That by itself is not bad. What is bad is that the word is pronounced like "demon." Even now, the website-- http://www.goldencompassmovie.com/ -- helps kids take a test to find their own inner daemon/demon animal.


I'm going to write a full review for parents of faith and e-mail it as a warning to everyone of faith. This isn't just a threat to Christian beliefs, but to every monotheistic faith. I'll need you to send it to your contacts to warn parents to not even let their kids see this movie, because in the first book, there is really no threat (except for vague references to the control of the church and one evil group inside the church) and it sucks you in powerfully. I was trembling and crying during one scene when the main girl was nearly separated from her daemon.


In the third book, the young boy and girl meet the "Ancient of Days" (the first angel who claimed to be God) just before he dies of old age, and his second in command, a Lucifer-like character, is thrown into the abyss by the girl's parents, who are a sociopath and borderline themselves . Then a nun-turned-scientist who we met in the second book becomes the kids mentor as they fall in love in new Eden. I counted four times on one page of her lecture to the kids where she states "Once I realized God doesn't exist..." Total brainwash material.


As a journalist and a radical, I hate book burning--but this is one of the very few I'd gladly toss on the flames. It's only point is to tell kids that God doesn't exist and that the best thing they can do with their lives is to fall in love and do good things. According to the story, having good stories to tell the Harpies that guard hell is how you escape to go on to "nothingness" after you die--except that is really a good thing because then your atoms can be part of the universe!

***

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Perspective

I've had a really rough couple of days with my 3-year-old. I actually sat down on his bedroom floor yesterday and cried. And cried. And cried. Today I called my husband in utter frustration, and he came home early from work to help me navigate this new territory (and protect Judah and me from each other).

[James wants me to put a transition in this spot so the paragraphs above and below don't seem to be connected. To be perfectly honest, however. . . Did I think about throwing my kid today? Yes. Did I act on it? No. I told him to stay put, I found the phone, I called my husband, and I went back upstairs after walking outside and taking several deep breaths. Very shortly afterward (and while Judah and I were making amends as we sat and cuddled together), a friend came over with her son. Not long after that, James arrived home. S.O.S. successful. I think that's one of the keys to parenting (and not hurting your children)].

I received an e-mail a while back about a friend of a friend whose baby (less than a year old) was thrown by the baby sitter. He suffered a severe head injury and has been hospitalized for several weeks. Since her initial e-mail, I've been checking Baby Hinton Meyer's "care page" every now and then. Tonight it reads:

October 24, 2007 at 08:15 PM EDT
Hinton had another busy day. He is doing such a better job with his sleeping. Most nights he sleeps in his crib until at least 2 am and then he wants to be held, but he settles right down once we pick him up and he sleeps well in our arms. Thankfully we are able to safely hold him and nod off to with the help of pillows and things.

Hinton worked so hard again in therapy. I just can't believe how far his head control has come. He really holds it steady and it is amazing! He still gets really tired and lets it drop, but he can hold his head up for several minutes at a time. A big improvement that Hinton is making is in bringing his arms and hands together in the middle of his body. You'll remember that we are really worried about the tone (muscle tightening in Hinton's arms and hands), so bringing his hands together is a sign that the tone is improving. He is also getting better at opening his hands from the fist position and reaching for toys. He continues to improve with eating and is showing more and more interest in his food. Today Hinton took a ride on his stander and he went out of the peds rehab unit all the way down the adult rehab hall. He held his head up while doing it! He did great!

One area that Hinton needs to improve on is in ring sitting. Ring sitting is sitting on the floor with support and legs crossed. Hinton much prefers sitting in a lap or with his legs stretched out straight in front of him. We are sure that in time he will master this skill too.

I forgot to mention that Hinton's pressure wound on the back of his neck has greatly improved. He doesn't have to wear a bandage at all anymore. Yippee!

Today in conference we learned that Hinton is still on target for a Nov. 14 discharge date. We can't believe that is only 3 weeks away. The reconstruction surgery plan is still in the works. We will keep you posted on that.

We just can't thank you all enough for the prayers and support. Each prayer is felt; each message/card is read; each meal is enjoyed; each gift is appreciated; each donation is gratefully received. Each of you is supporting us in so many ways and we just can't thank you enough. We are a blessed family. Love-Melissa, Kevin and Hinton

********************
It breaks my heart to think about my baby girl not being able to hold her head up for more than a few minutes at a time--or having to live in a hospital for weeks at a time. Reading about what other people are struggling with often helps me gain perspective. It rarely makes it easier, but it does put my issues in perspective.

Interestingly enough, I received an e-mail just now from Rolland & Heidi Baker of Iris Ministries (I rarely receive updates from them). Their e-mail makes me SO thankful for the state of my life right now. You can read about their latest news and emergency call to prayer HERE.

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Exciting Stuff this Weekend

This is too cool! I read my "5 minutes of caring" e-mail today from Cool People Care, and on their advertising banner I see: Jake Smith performing with Anthony Skinner, Saturday, October 27, Edgehill Studios, 9:30 p.m./"We're having a book launch party and you're invited." Crazy!!! Woo Hoo!!!

We're HUGE fans of Anthony Skinner, and we saw Jake Smith perform during a little backyard birthday shindig a few months back. If we can find a sitter, we're going. If we can't find a sitter, the kids might just have to sleep on the floor (like they did at Grace Center this past Sunday night when John and Carol Arnott were visiting).

Anthony is also going to be at The Foundry this Friday night. I went with a friend last Friday, and I'm hoping to make it a regular thing. If you're interested in joining me and want to know what it looks like, Click HERE and read "The Vision" by Scott MacLeod and "A Zadok Experience" by Victoria Hill.

James took me to Kidz Club for our first date over 8 years ago, and even though I haven't been involved there over the past 8 years, 8 is the number of New Beginnings. I now live 4.5 miles from Provision's humble warehouse home. I'm definitely sensing a draw there in this new season.

Here's their little blurb about Friday nights:

Experience "The Meltdown" this Friday @ 7PM, with Anthony Skinner and band!

Where creativity, compassion, and coffee meet together!

The Foundry has been newly renovated, updated, and upgraded...you have to see it to believe it!

Nashville's longest standing Christian coffee house/music venue/outreach center is ready to relaunch with all night worship and a new cafe'! It's been 14 years since the work in The Foundry first began. This old historic brick foundry, built in 1912, has been a spiritual and creative watering hole for literally thousands of people over the years.

Where? 1419 Clinton Street Nashville , TN 37203
Friday Night Foundry! Directions!

Get in the on the action -- Ask about opportunities to serve the poor in Nashville!

Check out the sound of the Foundry... www.foundrysongs.com

Thursday, October 18, 2007

Beautiful Cape Breton

We took a trip to beautiful Nova Scotia, Canada.
Judah enjoyed rolling down the hills. . . spotting moose. . .
throwing rocks in the ocean. . .
and running along the trails through the forest at Shushan.

We stayed at a spiritual retreat center in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada, called Shushan. I loved walking through the woods alone. Little else is as refreshing to me. On the final night of our trip, we spent hours in the Selah hall, which is their "Wooing Place." Those who enter are invited to pursue the Lord with the intent to romance or woo. Oh, so much freedom was found in that place. I could have spent hours there every night.

More pictures can be found here, but during our visit to the beach, I dropped my camera in the sand (twice) and it quit working midway through our trip, so I'll have to download some of my friends' pictures and add them to my collection.

Friday, October 5, 2007

Nova Scotia, here we come!

In less than 12 hours our four-member family will be on a plane heading toward Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, and returning next Friday, October 12. We like to celebrate the entire month of October (our anniversary, in-laws' anniversary, my birthday, James' birthday, my sister's birthday, my nephew's birthday, then my brother-in-law's birthday is Nov. 1--and I've probably forgotten someone). This is something of an anniversary trip. I've been pretty consumed with preparing to leave, so no new posts and relatively few e-mails this week. Hopefully, I'll have plenty to write about next week and lots of beautiful pictures to share. Adios!

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Brain Talk

After hearing Carole Joy Seid speak on Saturday, I've been tooling around on the Internet looking at some of the sources she cited and basically making sure they all say what she claimed. That probably says a lot about me. Anyway, I read the first chapter of Jane M. Healy's Endangered Minds on the Internet today.

Healy is an educational psychologist and teacher who has written at length about current brain research. The book begins:

"Kids' brains must be different these days," I remarked half jokingly as I graded student essays in the faculty room late one afternoon.

"If I didn't think it was impossible, I would agree with you," chimed in a colleague who had experienced a particularly frustrating day with his English classes. "These kids are so sharp, but sometimes I think their minds are different from the ones I used to teach. I've had to change my teaching a lot recently, and I still wonder how much they're learning. But a human brain is a human brain. They don't change much from generation to generation — do they?"

"Changing brains?" mumbled a math teacher, putting on her coat. "Maybe that accounts for it."


And so began Healy's quest to discover if the brains of children are actually different today from those of years past. Absolutely fascinating reading.

Seid suggested at the home school seminar that television viewing actually causes brain damage. She said that research conducted by neurologists served as the catalyst for the American Academy of Pediatric's statement in 1999 recommending that children under 2 years of age not watch any television or videos.

In 1995 I attempted to write a paper for my communications class in college proving that television was detrimental to children, but I couldn't find enough research to support my theory. I ended up changing my paper to focus on the so-called "benefits" of educational television (I didn't believe a word of it, but I made the concession in order to write a well-researched and documented essay).

Since we've been married (eight years on October 7!), James and I have never owned a television. I've tried as much as possible not to expose Judah to television, and I refrained from showing him videos until his 2nd birthday. I knew about the moral implications, the attention-span connections, the tendency toward violent and aggresive behavior, etc., but I didn't make the brain "damage" connection until this week. I re-read the AAP warning and noticed their positive spin, which implies brain damage, but focuses on healthy brain development:

Here's the AAP recommendation:
Pediatricians should urge parents to avoid television viewing for children under the age of 2 years. Although certain television programs may be promoted to this age group, research on early brain development shows that babies and toddlers have a critical need for direct interactions with parents and other significant care givers (eg, child care providers) for healthy brain growth and the development of appropriate social, emotional, and cognitive skills. Therefore, exposing such young children to television programs should be discouraged.
(bold type mine--see the spin?)

Interestingly enough, a friend whose daughter participates in research at Vanderbilt e-mailed me with this yesterday:

"I got a pamphlet explaining the results of one of the experiments she was involved with. One day they came and showed her a video of someone playing with a toy, then came back the next day to see how she would play with it. (See if she would learn from the video how to use it.) Turns out that kids that watched the video (with repetition in it) understood how to play with it better than kids that didn't receive any instruction on the toys, but did not understand it as well as kids that watched a live person play with it only once. Interesting. Real-life, hands-on is a better teacher than watching something over and over on TV. I'm sure that doesn't surprise you."

This is exactly what Healy focuses on in the second chapter of her book. She says, "As we shall see in the next chapter, the power of children's brains can indeed be increased by good nutrition, adult companionship, and the stimulation of active play, toys, books, and games."

Basically, if you turn off media and spend time with your kids reading aloud (and don't stop when they learn to read--continue to read aloud even through high school), listening to them work out their ideas (let your little ones finish their sentences--don't interrupt them), showing them how to use paint or clay or instruments, taking them on walks, holding them and cuddling with them, feeding them nutritious fare (don't sweat it if they won't always eat what you're eating--and don't feed them junk just to get them to eat something--they'll eat the good stuff when they're hungry), teaching them to do all the stuff you do around the house and in the yard, and investing in them with your time and attention, your child will be well above average.

According to Healy, only 10% of Americans are reading 80% of the books. If you want your kids to be in the top 10%, turn off the TV and get into a good book. Oh, and don't worry about whether or not they're sitting down to read. Let them get up, move about, use their hands. As long as they're quiet, they're benefitting. And perhaps they will be among our nation's--and our world's--leaders.

I've been told by complete strangers on several different occasions that Judah is a mini Winston Churchill, that he's going to be a politician, that he's going to bring about great change. His middle name means, "one who enacts social change." Charles Stock prophesied over him before he was born, "Praise, proclamation, joy, and social change." When I think about Martin Luther King, Jr., I think of how eloquent he was. He put words to the great struggle for equality. If not for his great speeches, his letters, his life, where might we be?

Yesterday's Nap

Yesterday I put Miriam down for a nap and came downstairs to check e-mail and get directions to Lucy Rizzo's cooking class (James and I went together as a date night while Gloria Isaacks watched the kids--it was awesome!) Judah (who was "all dressed up") sat down next to me, rested his head on the couch, and then. . .
After I took a couple pictures, I removed the hat, scarf, and boots, and laid him on the couch. James put Judah in the car when he got home from work--still asleep. It wasn't until we reached Franklin that he woke up--happy. What a kid.

Monday, September 24, 2007

Sunday, September 23, 2007

Oh, the places he'll SLEEP






Home School Mama in the Making

Yesterday I attended a 7-hour home schooling seminar. A friend sent me an e-mail about it months ago with this message, "I highly recommend this seminar! It's the best homeschool one I've ever been to. I wish I'd heard it when my kids were as young as yours." So I sent the kids to hang with Daddy, wrote a check for $53, and sat for hours listening to Carole Joy Seid, a veteran home school mom, former public and Christian school teacher, educational consultant, and conference speaker discuss her home school philosophies and strategies.

I've been asked by countless friends and neighbors about home schooling Judah. I figure if my public-assistance-receiving, television-watching, video-game-playing, public-school-attending neighbors are asking me about home schooling, then I'm probably a strong candidate. It's not like they have home schooling experience and want to share their wisdom. They just know that I'm not "normal" and they think that Judah is so smart because he talks so much, and they figure I'll probably go against the grain on this one, as well. Without really trying, I'm living a pretty counter-cultural lifestyle. As soon as people find out we don't own a television, we're labeled. That, alone, is enough to make an American family an anomaly.

Oddly enough, I used to think that home school kids must be socially inept because they didn't experience the "socialization" of public school. It wasn't until I taught language arts to junior high home school kids two days a week that I realized how incredibly social home school kids can be. They blew me away. They were able to relate socially to any age group. They were confident, curious, creative, kind. . .not at all what you might expect from junior high kids. I rarely had any behavioral problems. My biggest complaints were that the kids almost never wrote their names on their papers and they would often forget their homework. No bullies, loud-mouths, smart remarks, foul language, blatant disrespect. . .just a great group of kids who wanted to please their teacher--especially my first year 6th graders, who are now high school graduates. I met some truly amazing writers during the years I was at New Song Christian Academy, several of whom are still writing, getting published, and winning awards.

Not only did those kids sell me on home schooling, but they were also the catalyst for me beginning to think about becoming a mom. I've said that being a mom is the best job I've ever had. Teaching at NSCA was probably the second best job I've ever had. I had so much fun, and I dearly loved those kids. Several of them still have a special place in my heart.

Families who home school are quite a different breed. I like them. I relate to them. I connect with them. Now, I'm looking forward to emulating them. During one of the short breaks we took at the Saturday seminar, I thanked God for dropping this in my lap. He did the same thing with parenting material, exposing me to the resources before I ever needed them. In fact, we went to a Directing Vision Daily parenting workshop before Judah was ever conceived!

The lady who spoke on Saturday feels strongly about nutrition (she hasn't eaten white sugar or white flour in 30 years!), excercise (she recommends at least two nature walks a week and making the kids play outside after lunch until an hour before Dad gets home, no matter the weather), reading (her whole approach is literature-based, reading aloud to children at least an hour every day), and NOT watching television (she offered several sources that document the detrimental effects of television, particularly on developing infant/toddler brains)--basically, everything I'm already passionate about.

You can listen to a short radio interview through her website, http://www.carolejoyseid.com/index.html. She cites Dr. Raymond Moore (whose philosophy balances service, work, and study) and Charlotte Mason (who replaced textbooks with "living books" or "classics" or any book that your child begs you to read "more, please!") as predecessors and home school heroes. She also says that her home school philosophies are largely based on Francis Schaeffer's book How Should We Then Live? The Rise and Decline of Western Thought and Culture.

I realized through the workshop why I've always hated history and why I've never been able to retain it; I learned through textbooks. When I was in college, one of my history professors required us to go to the library and check out a book written during the time period we were studying. For the first time, I actually enjoyed reading about history. Later, a friend told me that one of her favorite books was The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom. I devoured it. I often refer to it in my mind as I go about my daily life. Using a literature-based approach to home school, The Hiding Place would qualify as a history book. I can't begin to describe how excited I am about re-learning history through great books.

So now I have vision. I'm armed. I'm dangerous. I'm going to attempt to home school my children, and as the Lord leads, refer often to the principles (and book lists) I was exposed to this weekend. I just love when He weeds through all the options for me and shows me the best way for my family. HE IS SO GOOD. And I am so tired. :0)

Friday, September 21, 2007

Thoughts on Parenting

Recently, I had a conversation with a friend whose parenting style differs greatly from the way I parented Judah in the early months. She shared with me her philosophy and all the benefits that are supposed to come from her particular style of parenting. What's really interesting to me is that many of the same benefits are touted by the parenting styles I used with Judah.

Before Judah was born, I went to the local library and checked out a few parenting books. The Secrets of the Baby Whisperer by Tracy Hogg really resonated with me. I also went online (in the library since we didn't have Internet access yet) and ordered a tape set and workbook (recommended by a missionary in Africa and a friend in TN) called Preparation for Parenting: Along the Infant Way by Gary and Anne Marie Ezzo. The Ezzos co-wrote the Babywise book. The Hogg & Ezzo philosophies not only resonated with me, but they also fit my personality. I needed confidence to be a parent, which is what I gleaned from the Ezzos. I also needed specific, practical advice, which is what I found with Hogg. Both philosophies suggest setting up an "EASY" (to borrow from Hogg) and flexible routine for you and your baby consisting of: Eat, Activity/awake, Sleep, You-time.

Judah fell right into a predictable routine early on, and he's been a "textbook" baby from the start, napping well during the day and sleeping 10-12 hours at night. Miriam, on the other hand, didn't start taking predictable daytime naps until she was 5 months old, and she still doesn't sleep through the night. She's now 9 months. After talking to my friend, I realized that much of what we do with our kids is "according to our faith." We read, we ask questions, we observe, we spend time with other families, and we make decisions about how to parent based on what resonates with us, what seems right to us (as we're guided by the Holy Spirit), and what we believe God is saying to us about our children.

I love being around big families and watching how they interact. More than anything, I've tried to treat Judah as if he's not the only one because I knew there would be more. Now, I'm the mommy of these two radically different little people, and I'm constantly learning about how to become better at what I do. Some days are better than others. Today started out crazy-stressful (a lovely series of cleaning up mess after mess--the last one, the fourth smoothie mess of the morning, this time with shattered glass, left me on the floor in tears) but once the kids went down for naps, I regained my sanity. Judah woke up, and we had a sweet time shelling peas on the porch while Miriam took her second nap of the day.

Now they're both sleeping, I'm blogging, James is baking, and all is right with the world. Well, except for everything that isn't.

Judah Conversation--on jail

Judah's recent conversation in the St. Thomas hospital waiting room with his Great-Grandmom, who often gets thrown in jail but always manages to escape:

Judah: If you come to my house, I will put you in jail.
Grandmom: Oh, no! Please don't put me in jail!
Judah: Grandmom, it's just the dining room.

Judah Conversation--on beauty

Judah: Mommy, did you know that The Princess Bride is beautifuller than you are?
Me: No, I didn't know that.
Judah: She is.
Me: Is it because she wears a beautiful dress?
Judah: Her dress is beautiful, her skin is beautiful, her tiara is beautiful. She's beautifuller than you are. Do you think she's beautifuller than you are?
Me: No, I don't think so.
Judah: Yes, she is. Come here, I will show you.

And the free paper I got today said something about 3rd graders just beginning to notice who is pretty or handsome. 3rd grade? Try 3-years. Oh, boy.

Monday, September 17, 2007

What are you thinking about?

This afternoon while Judah was taking a bath, he asked me to come to him so he could ask me what I was thinking about. The conversation went something like this (I cut it short so I could write it down--I didn't want to forget.)

Judah: Mommy, what are you thinking about?

Me: I'm thinking about putting fruit away. What are you thinking about?

Judah: I'm thinking about hitting every bully in this country with a big stick.

Me: Do you know what that would make you?

Judah: Pause. A bully? (great inflection)

Me: Yep. If you hit every bully in this country with a big stick, you would be a bully, and someone might come and hit you.

Judah: Why?

Me: For the same reason that you want to hit all the bullies in this country with a big stick. There's got to be a better way, huh?

Judah: Pauses. Love your bullies?

Me: Yep.

Judah: What if the bully hits you?

Me: You still love.

Judah Conversation

This one happened at my parents' house in KY when James was in India. I forgot about it until today when I shared it with my girlfriend JulianaLoveSpy, who encouraged me to write it here.

Judah always wants to help me do everything, from washing dishes to vacuuming, to wiping up the floor. I didn't want him using cleaner with chemicals in it, so I made a little bottle of cleaner for him out of water and vinegar.

He spilled some juice in my parents' kitchen, and I grabbed my mom's bottle of Lysol kitchen cleaner and went to work on the spill. Judah asked, "Does that cleaner have testicles in it?"

"You mean chemicals?"

I lost it.

Thursday, September 13, 2007

Digressions on Food

My 76-year-old Poppop had a procedure done on his heart yesterday (Grandmom says they don't call them "operations" anymore. It's "procedure" now. I wonder if "The Game of Operation" I played as a kid is marketed as "The Game of Procedure" now.)

As I was walking with my mom to the food court in St. Thomas hospital (which, by the way, offers no "Mc-fill-in-the-blanks, thank God--why any hospital would allow one of those fast food joints to set up shop is beyond me--except that it helps ensure repeat business--for the hospital, that is. I am the great digresser tonight.) So my mom says to me:

"Poppop said that the older he gets the more he wishes he had taken better care of himself."

Man, I needed to hear that. Yes, I think an awful lot about what I eat (and don't eat), the chemicals I'm exposed to, the sedentary life I live, the lack of fresh air I breathe, the limited amount of water I drink (and the excessive amount of tea I consume). . .I'm on a much better track now than I was a year ago, two years ago, ten years ago. . .but if I don't continually read about health and nutrition and exercise and all the other issues that are on my mind right now, I quickly lose perspective and could fairly easily slip back into the Standard American Diet (SAD).

Here's an unsettling quote from an MSN article I read tonight by Allison J. Cleary:

"The average American consumer eats three burgers and four orders of fries each week. A typical American child now gets one-fourth of his or her vegetables in the form of French fries or potato chips. Half our nation's family food budgets are spent in restaurants, with fast-food operations and chains getting the lion's share of the spending."

What's really funny to me is that my husband is sitting next to me on the couch eating a burger and fries from Fat Mo's. I ate a salad and veggie entre at Marche Artisan Foods in East Nashville this evening. . .all by myself. It was glorious. I need to add Marche to my list of favorites. Oh, that place is delightful.

I just read this post aloud to my husband who says that he would rather have gone to Marche with me than eat a burger and fries on the couch. He also doubts that our percentage of spending on food at fast food restaurants would round up to be 1 percent. That, alone, is a HUGE change from three years ago.

James just said, "My stomach is upset. You can put that in your blog, too."

With that, I'm going to get ready for bed.