Friday, October 31, 2008
Articles
Al Mohler has an excellent article to consider on the issue of Abortion. When I watch movies like Amazing Grace (about William Wilberforce) I am reminded that there is always perseverance needed to fight for what is good. In the days of Wilberforce, for fought against slavery, white people did not consider black people to be human. They justified the great sin of slavery by declaring the victim not worthy of consideration. In our day, the issue of abortion is no different. The great sin of abortion is justified by declaring the unborn child not a life. I pray our nation, our world, can change its view so that it can change its practice, but until then I feel we must stand for those who cannot stand for themselves.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Honesty
Years ago I read and enjoyed a series of science fiction books by Orson Scott Card. My Mom recently sent me this link to an article he wrote just a few weeks back. He is a democrat and I think you'll find this article to be refreshingly honest but also somewhat concerning about the state of journalism in our country.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Pumpkin Picking
A few weeks back we went pumpkin picking as a family. This year we tried a new farm, Gaver's in Mt.Airy. My neighbor had recommended it and we were not disappointed. We only did the pumpkin picking part but for $5 you can go into their fall festival which has animals, corn mazes (both little and small), big slides, and lots of other fun things. Next year we'll probably plan on going to the fall festival we just didn't have time the day we went. A few photos from our family time.
In the pumpkin barn, which you go through on your way in and out, they have a big sand box filled with hard Indian corn (instead of sand). I couldn't get over how much my kids loved playing in this. I think they would have stayed in it for hours.
A little pumpkin patch photo shoot.
Later that night we carved pumpkins, ate pumpkin pie and drank pumpkin nog (which was yummy).
In the pumpkin barn, which you go through on your way in and out, they have a big sand box filled with hard Indian corn (instead of sand). I couldn't get over how much my kids loved playing in this. I think they would have stayed in it for hours.
A little pumpkin patch photo shoot.
Later that night we carved pumpkins, ate pumpkin pie and drank pumpkin nog (which was yummy).
Monday, October 20, 2008
The Lowe Family
As many of you are aware, the Lowe family has been going through quite a trial over the last few years, and more specifically the last few months. Matt had recent surgery to remove a brain tumor, but is still dealing with the effects. With medical costs adding up, we are seeking to do all we can to help them out with medical bills. Matt and Helen have 5 wonderful children, and are expecting their 6th child in late November.This coming Monday, October 27th, friends of the Lowes will be hosting a fundraiser in their honor at the Greene Turtle Restaurant in Columbia, MD. The Greene Turtle will be giving 10% of the all the proceeds for the entire day back to Matt and Helen. So simply coming in and having lunch or dinner will help in the fundraiser. In addition, we will be having a raffle throughout the day to raise more money for them. The gifts range from restaurant gift cards, a framed redskins jersey, golf packages, Wii bundle package and photography packages.
The location of the Columbia Greene Turtle is 8872 McGaw Road, Columbia, MD 21045. The Greene Turtle has a large restaurant area that is family friendly, so feel free to bring the family. Matt and Helen will be there for most of the day, and I know they would love to see you all there!
If you have any questions about this fundraiser, please contact Dave at Dbrewer@covlife.org.
Hope to see you there!
Friday, October 17, 2008
New Jersey
Last week when Erik was away I went up to visit my family in NJ for a few days. It worked out that my Dad was at a meeting nearby, he had taken the train down, so he drove back with me. The kids and I had a great visit and I have lots of fun memories from the trip, which I'm recording here, because I know I'll forget them in time.
1. On our trip north we stopped for dinner at Cracker Barrel, when the waitress asked Jotham what he wanted for dinner he looked at her and said, "Wild Turkey." Just cracked me and my dad up.
2. Getting to spend a morning with my Mom, sister in law, Linda, and nieces and nephews at the park. The kids had a great time running around and it was so nice to be able to catch up with Linda, who I just love.
3. Going to Hacklebarney State Park. This is not far from where I grew up and I used to go hiking there a lot. There is a great stream that runs through it and I had been thinking about how much the kids would enjoy it. I had also been wanting to take the kids to a cider mill. It turns out there is one very close to the state park. My Dad, the kids and I went to the cider mill, ate the BEST donuts I have ever had (apple cider donuts- fresh and warm- amazing), drank fresh warm cider and learned about cider making. Two highlights from the cider mill were the black cat that caught a yellow canary and ate it sitting under my Dad's chair while we were eating our donuts- so gross- so funny that this black cat had yellow feathers stuck all over its face. Second highlight the golden retriever that ate Mercia's graham cracker right out of her hand and the way she cried because her snack had been stolen.
At the State Park the kids LOVED being able to walk/run on the trails and jump from rock to rock on the stream. It was really cold but so much fun. I can't wait to take them back again another time. Thanks Dad for taking us that morning- so much fun.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Apple Picking
Last week the kids & I went to Rock Hill Orchard and picked apples. They picked a few of each variety and I bought 22 lbs of seconds for apple sauce and baking. We all had a great time but I think Mercia enjoyed herself the most- since I didn't strap her into her stroller and she was free to roam. Some pictures from our time:
Apple Crisp
4 Cups Apples
2/3 to 3/4 Cup Packed Brown Sugar
1/2 Cup Flour
1/2 cup Oats
1 Tsp. Cinnamon
1/3 Cup Butter
1. Preheat Oven to 375°
2. Grease bottom of 9X9 pan
3. Peel & Thinly slice apples, place in bottom of pan
4. Mix remaining ingredients together till crumbly.
5. Place on top of apples
6. Bake 30 minutes
My friend Sarah is a great baker. She makes something like 18 different types of cookies each Christmas and I'm talking about the fancy complex kind that make my eye glaze over. Anyway, this is her Apple Crisp Recipe that I love:
Apple Crisp
4 Cups Apples
2/3 to 3/4 Cup Packed Brown Sugar
1/2 Cup Flour
1/2 cup Oats
1 Tsp. Cinnamon
1/3 Cup Butter
1. Preheat Oven to 375°
2. Grease bottom of 9X9 pan
3. Peel & Thinly slice apples, place in bottom of pan
4. Mix remaining ingredients together till crumbly.
5. Place on top of apples
6. Bake 30 minutes
Friday, October 3, 2008
Things I Love about My Kids
A friend of mine recently wrote a post about this and I think it is a wonderful way to capture some of the things I love about them in this particular moment of time, so I'm stealing her idea.
In no particular order:
1. I love how much Cia loves to read and I especially love how I am her favorite reading partner. She loves to get books and then if I am standing someplace look up at me and says, "Read, Read, READ, READ." Until I say, "Do you want to read that?" Then she grunts (her way of saying yes) and she is off to find a cozy spot for us to sit. If I happen to be sitting someplace when she gets her reading urge she turns around and plops herself on my lap with her book- I just love that.
2. I love the whole sibling thing. From the new sister thing that is going with with Cia & Karis to their basic enjoyment of each other. I love that K & C sit next to each other in the backseat. I like peaking at them holding hands or watching Karis tickle Cia and her giggle or Cia asking Karis to "read" her a book and Karis reading it. So fun. I'm really looking forward to them sharing a room. I'm sure there will be challenges but I think it will be so fun for them. I also love how excited Jotham and Karis are for Jedidiah. Jotham thinks that Jedi will be sharing a room with him and started to cry when I told him that he'll be sleeping in the crib until he is bigger. I love that Cia's favorite word is "Jot" and she asks for him whenever he isn't around. I love that Jotham almost never responds when she abuses him, which she does often.
3. As much as it scares me that he is going to be some crazy maniac, I love Jotham's growing masculinity. I love that everything, from a foam triangle to a cup with a piece of paper on top becomes some sort of weapon. We are learning how to train him in being a protector and not a "bad man." So now he uses his weapons to hunt for wolves and bears.
4. I love how quickly Karis is able to learn bible verses. I wish I had her mind. I pray we are able to help her meditate and apply these truths in her life.
5. I love the creativity in which my kids play. I think it is hilarious how they use pieces of "junk" and make them into something meaningful to them. A ribbon in our house has been everything from a sling shot to a harness for a horse (which was actually a ride on car). One of my favorite games that they played this summer was the "papa game," as they called it, they would line up about 50 feet from each other and then one of them would say, "Papa" and the other would say, "You're back" and then they would run toward each other and fall on the ground hugging. We later realized that they were acting out the prodigal son story.
6. I love the big kisses and hugs I get from Jotham when he doesn't want me to leave. If I am tucking him in he says he needs to give me a big hug and he tries to hold me down so I can't leave. When I drop him off in his class at church he hugs and kisses me and then says he needs more hugs and more kisses. I am 100% okay with being manipulated in this way.
7. I love how playful Cia is. She loves to be tickled and chased. She loves to dance. She thinks everything is a game, which is not always fun for Mommy. She will actually lie down on the ground and ask Jotham to come over and blow on her stomach, just so she can laugh.
8. I love how much they love their Daddy. They love when he comes home so they can jump on him and give him kisses. Cia loves to stand and the door and watch him leave saying "Bye, Bye, Bye, Bye" for the longest time and whenever she walks by the door she peaks out and says, "Daddy?" Karis will have an emotional break-down if he doesn't give her a hug (or if she doesn't notice when he does). They love to greet with him and church and will jump at any opportunity to be with him.
9. I love that Karis seems to love my love for reading. She lets me read to her endless amounts of books, if only there was more time and less distraction in the day. One night after putting her to bed I went back in her room 15 minutes later and pretended it was morning just so I could read her a few more chapters in the book we were reading. I hope her love of reading continues and especially her love for God's word.
10. I love that I am able to be here at home to watch them grow and to learn from them, to witness their funny moments, and share in their joys and sorrows. Children are a gift and I do not always appreciate mine. I hope I continue to grow in delighting in them.
In no particular order:
1. I love how much Cia loves to read and I especially love how I am her favorite reading partner. She loves to get books and then if I am standing someplace look up at me and says, "Read, Read, READ, READ." Until I say, "Do you want to read that?" Then she grunts (her way of saying yes) and she is off to find a cozy spot for us to sit. If I happen to be sitting someplace when she gets her reading urge she turns around and plops herself on my lap with her book- I just love that.
2. I love the whole sibling thing. From the new sister thing that is going with with Cia & Karis to their basic enjoyment of each other. I love that K & C sit next to each other in the backseat. I like peaking at them holding hands or watching Karis tickle Cia and her giggle or Cia asking Karis to "read" her a book and Karis reading it. So fun. I'm really looking forward to them sharing a room. I'm sure there will be challenges but I think it will be so fun for them. I also love how excited Jotham and Karis are for Jedidiah. Jotham thinks that Jedi will be sharing a room with him and started to cry when I told him that he'll be sleeping in the crib until he is bigger. I love that Cia's favorite word is "Jot" and she asks for him whenever he isn't around. I love that Jotham almost never responds when she abuses him, which she does often.
3. As much as it scares me that he is going to be some crazy maniac, I love Jotham's growing masculinity. I love that everything, from a foam triangle to a cup with a piece of paper on top becomes some sort of weapon. We are learning how to train him in being a protector and not a "bad man." So now he uses his weapons to hunt for wolves and bears.
4. I love how quickly Karis is able to learn bible verses. I wish I had her mind. I pray we are able to help her meditate and apply these truths in her life.
5. I love the creativity in which my kids play. I think it is hilarious how they use pieces of "junk" and make them into something meaningful to them. A ribbon in our house has been everything from a sling shot to a harness for a horse (which was actually a ride on car). One of my favorite games that they played this summer was the "papa game," as they called it, they would line up about 50 feet from each other and then one of them would say, "Papa" and the other would say, "You're back" and then they would run toward each other and fall on the ground hugging. We later realized that they were acting out the prodigal son story.
6. I love the big kisses and hugs I get from Jotham when he doesn't want me to leave. If I am tucking him in he says he needs to give me a big hug and he tries to hold me down so I can't leave. When I drop him off in his class at church he hugs and kisses me and then says he needs more hugs and more kisses. I am 100% okay with being manipulated in this way.
7. I love how playful Cia is. She loves to be tickled and chased. She loves to dance. She thinks everything is a game, which is not always fun for Mommy. She will actually lie down on the ground and ask Jotham to come over and blow on her stomach, just so she can laugh.
8. I love how much they love their Daddy. They love when he comes home so they can jump on him and give him kisses. Cia loves to stand and the door and watch him leave saying "Bye, Bye, Bye, Bye" for the longest time and whenever she walks by the door she peaks out and says, "Daddy?" Karis will have an emotional break-down if he doesn't give her a hug (or if she doesn't notice when he does). They love to greet with him and church and will jump at any opportunity to be with him.
9. I love that Karis seems to love my love for reading. She lets me read to her endless amounts of books, if only there was more time and less distraction in the day. One night after putting her to bed I went back in her room 15 minutes later and pretended it was morning just so I could read her a few more chapters in the book we were reading. I hope her love of reading continues and especially her love for God's word.
10. I love that I am able to be here at home to watch them grow and to learn from them, to witness their funny moments, and share in their joys and sorrows. Children are a gift and I do not always appreciate mine. I hope I continue to grow in delighting in them.
