Recently, my wife said, "You haven't been reading the blog lately, have you?" I had innocently asked if she had posted an update about the pie contest. I only missed the post by a few weeks...
That eventually led to her also saying, "You haven't posted anything on the blog either." To which I replied, "Nope".
So now that I am here I might as well say something meaningful.
Thomas has been asked for about 3 weeks (on a daily basis as 5 year olds will) for me to take him to Toys-R-Them to get a toy with some money we had given him. I had delayed, not wanting to get off my lazy duff and do something. Well, yesterday, Thomas was an excellent helper, so Bea and I decided he should get to go to the store and get his toy.
So I took him into his room, got the money out of his piggy bank, and handed it to him. I asked where his wallet was, he didn't know. I told him to put the money is his pocket, and keep it safe. He looked up at me and asked "What's this for Daddy?" I told him it was for a surprise and walked out of the room. He followed eagerly.
We went into the living room. I told Bea we were going to the store to get some stuff. Thomas asked "Which store?" I told him again it was a surprise. Then we went out to the truck, got in and drove towards Toy-R-Them. I fielded the barrage of requests for hints, clues, or outright requests for information about our destination until we were about a block away. At that point it was no longer possible to hide my intentions.
We parked in the parking lot, went inside, and the search began.
We looked at every single toy that was not obviously to him a "Girl Toy". He picked up half, and the others, he just pointed to. It was all very exciting for him. He would ask he could have this or have that, I would ask him in turn if it was in his budget. Mostly he would reply with a sad no. We found a few things that fit in his budget, but he still wanted to look at more toys. So, we looked some more.
Finally, we were going to be late getting to another store before it closed, so I helped him pick a toy. I didn't realize until I left the store, that I helped my son choose a toy that I had wanted since the second grade. He was ecstatic about his toy. He asked 3 times on the way home to get to play with it. When we got home, he proudly showed it to Momma, explained exactly how he thought it should work, and then we proceeded outside to play with HIS Water Powered Rocket.
He loved every second, every step, every shot. Every single drop of water. We only played with the toy about 5 minutes, but to both of us it seemed much longer. I am certain I will be asked tonight to go out a shoot his rocket.
Perhaps some pictures will follow.
Friday, May 30, 2008
Florida Trip
Yeah, I know. Its been a long time coming on this entry. I hope its worth the wait.
In mid-April, we took a family trip to the Orlando, Florida area. I entered a pie contest there. We added a few days for a family vacation. Most of you know that there is no way we went to Disney. We spent our time visiting Cocoa Beach, Kissimmee, and Gatorland. We didn't set foot in a major theme park and had a great time. Actually, as I think about it now. A major theme park sounds like more trouble than fun. Crowds, lines, not to mention the exorbitant and completely unnecessary cost! Anyway, moving on...
We loved Gatorland! It was a beautiful day, and the park is amazing! Its 110 acres of beautiful landscape with alligators crocodiles, snakes, birds, even feral rabbits! They have a train to circle the park, a reasonably priced cafe (that we didn't use because we ate before we got there), and a fun little splash and play water area! Thomas and Thad especially loved the water area.
One of the loveliest parts was the breeding marsh where the alligators, croccodiles, and several species of birds nest and raise their young. It was spectaular to be that close. Sometimes the gators and crocs were within 10 feet of us as we walked on the wooded walkway above.
They had 3 shows the day we went but we only got to the Gator Jumparoo. They hand fed the gators and crocs chicken by holding it over the water and the gators coming to eat. I thought this would be a little exploitative but they were really interested in the animals and their habits. Its a great experience for anyone but would be awesome for a homeschool trip!
Here are some pictures of our day:
On the train. Lily had rubbed sun screen into her eyes. She wasn't comfortable but had a good time anyway.
Playing in the water with Daddy.
I can't tell which one of my guys is having more fun!
The water guns were his favorite.
Yes, I was as close to this egret as it looks. Probably 3-5 feet. What an experience!
Feeding chicken to the gator during the Gator Jumparoo.
These guys were right below us. You can see the edge of the walkway rail in the bottom left corner of the picture. They were pushing each other for better position in the sun.
Funny Stuff!
My fearless Gator Wrestlers!
Now for Cocoa Beach. It was georgeous! It wasn't crowded like Daytona would be. No drunken anyone that we saw, especially college kids. Thad and Thomas both got buried in the sand. Lily didn't like the seagulls at all. She wasn't fond of the ocean either because it was a little cold. We parked in a public access area that made it very convenient. No paying to park then walking 6 miles for a scrap of sand. Just a short walk on a pretty trail and over the boardwalk. It was a fun day.
Cocoa Beach pictures:
Thomas got buried first.
Daddy's turn!
My little Sand Baby was completely covered by the end of the afternoon.
Lily wanted to suck her thumb and go to sleep. She couldn't because it was covered with sand. Every time I tried to clean it she would stick it in the sand again. 
Rinsing off and playing in the crashing waves.
Finally, in Kissimmee, we went to a place called Fun Spot. It had go carts, kiddee rides, etc. Just a fun way to spend an afternoon.
Fun Spot pictures:
Thomas loved the monster trucks on display!
One of the few times I got her to keep her hat on.
Go-Cart Crazy! They had such a great time.
Flying high. At least Thomas was. Thad and Lily apparently rendered that part of the ride unusable.
I hope you enjoyed the pictures. We certainly had a fantastic time. Love to all!
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Today's Reading....
How about a bit in Proverbs today?...
"The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel; To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity; To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion. A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction." Proverbs 1:1-7
Solomon's desire for wisdom was his uplift. Ironically, his lack of following his own advice was his down fall. That is neither here nor there where these verses are concerned. These verses accomplish several things. First, they introduce the author and his purpose. In so doing we begin the process of gleaning some of the vast knowledge that God granted Solomon.
The very simple reasons why Solomon wrote these Proverbs are small glimpses into the man that Solomon was and why he searched so diligently for wisdom. These are qualities that we should emulate at every turn. Knowing wisdom, receiving instruction of wisdom and justice. These are the marks of a wise man. Isn't that a mark we want others to see in us?
Then he tells us where to begin. The fear of the Lord. It seems so easy yet we balk at it so much. How difficult we make it to surrender to God's superiority and sovereignty! It seems so easy to logically say, "He's God and I'm not." Putting it into practice is where I falter most. I can readily express my stance on the Rock but I find myself on the sand so much.
My concentration is going to be to start at the beginning. To find the wisdom that God has for me by beginning to surrender to Him in respect, reverence, and fear.
Love to all. Goodnight.
"The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel; To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity; To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion. A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction." Proverbs 1:1-7
Solomon's desire for wisdom was his uplift. Ironically, his lack of following his own advice was his down fall. That is neither here nor there where these verses are concerned. These verses accomplish several things. First, they introduce the author and his purpose. In so doing we begin the process of gleaning some of the vast knowledge that God granted Solomon.
The very simple reasons why Solomon wrote these Proverbs are small glimpses into the man that Solomon was and why he searched so diligently for wisdom. These are qualities that we should emulate at every turn. Knowing wisdom, receiving instruction of wisdom and justice. These are the marks of a wise man. Isn't that a mark we want others to see in us?
Then he tells us where to begin. The fear of the Lord. It seems so easy yet we balk at it so much. How difficult we make it to surrender to God's superiority and sovereignty! It seems so easy to logically say, "He's God and I'm not." Putting it into practice is where I falter most. I can readily express my stance on the Rock but I find myself on the sand so much.
My concentration is going to be to start at the beginning. To find the wisdom that God has for me by beginning to surrender to Him in respect, reverence, and fear.
Love to all. Goodnight.
A Few (LOL!) Words About Childbirth
As I draw closer to delivering this 3rd miracle that God has blessed us with, thoughts and fears of childbirth begin to be at the forefront of my mind with increasing intensity. This is a subject about which I am very passionate. Anyone, family, friend, or unsuspecting stranger, who has ever spent more than five minutes with me knows that pregnancy and childbirth are never far from the tip of my tongue.
Long before I was pregnant the first time I knew what I wanted for the births of any future children. I wanted a natural childbirth. That meaning, of course, to have as little medical intervention as possible. I would have loved to birth at home but for me that has turned out to not be a realistic goal for medical reasons. I always thought myself capable of delivering unaided by medication or the assistance of machines, instruments, and certainly not surgery. I have my mother to thank for that. She was always forthright about her experiences. She instilled in the the belief that I was created from head to toe to carry, birth, and nurture children. I knew that no matter the situation God was in control and would provide for me.
I have discovered that most women don't get to pregnancy feeling capable. For the most part, the first-timers that I have met are confused and scared. I believe these women were the victims of our society. The "plight" of the pregnant woman in broadcast at such high decibels over every media outlet that its hard to ignore. Fear of the upcoming blessed event drowns out reality. What we see on TV is angry, suffering women who can't control their temper and need the doctors to rescue them from the parasite that is growing in them. It simultaneously infuriates and saddens me.
Even with the mindset of my ability of accomplish this great task, I had a good deal of fear that first time around. My friend, Lori, who had no children and, at the time, no intention of birthing her own children but adopting, gave me a book that a lady at her church had recommended. I thanked her but never brought myself to read it. The title made me think it was a fanatical book with impossible goals. It seemed flaky to me. The book was Supernatural Childbirth by Jackie Mize. (You can find out more about Jackie and her husband Terry at their website here.)
I didn't have the aid of the wisdom of Supernatural Childbirth for Thomas' birth because I didn't bother to read it. I made excuses about time and all the usual things but the reality was that I never made time. I was stubborn and didn't need a book. I wish someone had whacked me in the head. I did not have the experience I wanted with Thomas' birth, partly due to his early arrival but mostly due to my ignorance and inexperience. When we found out that I was pregnant a second time we decided to go about things differently but still with the mindset that God equipped me for it.
I called Lori to find out the name of the book again. This time I read it, Thad read it, and my parents read it. Everyone that had a daily influence on my mindset and dealing with pregnancy and the fears that come with it had read the book. We began to understand what Jackie had to say and put it into use. We prayed for specific things and, amazingly, God answered.
There are two main points of emphasis in Supernatural Childbirth: 1. Fear is the main source of problems during conception, pregnancy, and birth. 2. Jesus broke the curse of sickness and pain with His redemptive work on the cross. Wow! How could I have fallen victim to anything other than God's Word? This book made perfect sense. It was like a V-8 moment when you slap yourself on the forehead because you should have known better.
Jackie also spends a bit of the book talking about filtering out the advice of others. Every pregnant woman knows that there are more books about pregnancy and childbirth than grains of sand in an hourglass. There is also no shortage of "well-meaning" opinions from every female that sets eyes on them. I am even guilty of over-sharing on occasion. I do try, though, to not be discouraging, to not share something that would promote fear.
As a final thought I'll share something I once read or heard. I don't remember who said it. It could have been Jackie in this book but I can't remember. Anyway, here it is...
"A pregnant woman should be like an old cow. She chews the grass and spits out the straw." Meaning she keeps the good and filters out the bad.
Long before I was pregnant the first time I knew what I wanted for the births of any future children. I wanted a natural childbirth. That meaning, of course, to have as little medical intervention as possible. I would have loved to birth at home but for me that has turned out to not be a realistic goal for medical reasons. I always thought myself capable of delivering unaided by medication or the assistance of machines, instruments, and certainly not surgery. I have my mother to thank for that. She was always forthright about her experiences. She instilled in the the belief that I was created from head to toe to carry, birth, and nurture children. I knew that no matter the situation God was in control and would provide for me.
I have discovered that most women don't get to pregnancy feeling capable. For the most part, the first-timers that I have met are confused and scared. I believe these women were the victims of our society. The "plight" of the pregnant woman in broadcast at such high decibels over every media outlet that its hard to ignore. Fear of the upcoming blessed event drowns out reality. What we see on TV is angry, suffering women who can't control their temper and need the doctors to rescue them from the parasite that is growing in them. It simultaneously infuriates and saddens me.
Even with the mindset of my ability of accomplish this great task, I had a good deal of fear that first time around. My friend, Lori, who had no children and, at the time, no intention of birthing her own children but adopting, gave me a book that a lady at her church had recommended. I thanked her but never brought myself to read it. The title made me think it was a fanatical book with impossible goals. It seemed flaky to me. The book was Supernatural Childbirth by Jackie Mize. (You can find out more about Jackie and her husband Terry at their website here.)
I didn't have the aid of the wisdom of Supernatural Childbirth for Thomas' birth because I didn't bother to read it. I made excuses about time and all the usual things but the reality was that I never made time. I was stubborn and didn't need a book. I wish someone had whacked me in the head. I did not have the experience I wanted with Thomas' birth, partly due to his early arrival but mostly due to my ignorance and inexperience. When we found out that I was pregnant a second time we decided to go about things differently but still with the mindset that God equipped me for it.
I called Lori to find out the name of the book again. This time I read it, Thad read it, and my parents read it. Everyone that had a daily influence on my mindset and dealing with pregnancy and the fears that come with it had read the book. We began to understand what Jackie had to say and put it into use. We prayed for specific things and, amazingly, God answered.
There are two main points of emphasis in Supernatural Childbirth: 1. Fear is the main source of problems during conception, pregnancy, and birth. 2. Jesus broke the curse of sickness and pain with His redemptive work on the cross. Wow! How could I have fallen victim to anything other than God's Word? This book made perfect sense. It was like a V-8 moment when you slap yourself on the forehead because you should have known better.
Jackie also spends a bit of the book talking about filtering out the advice of others. Every pregnant woman knows that there are more books about pregnancy and childbirth than grains of sand in an hourglass. There is also no shortage of "well-meaning" opinions from every female that sets eyes on them. I am even guilty of over-sharing on occasion. I do try, though, to not be discouraging, to not share something that would promote fear.
As a final thought I'll share something I once read or heard. I don't remember who said it. It could have been Jackie in this book but I can't remember. Anyway, here it is...
"A pregnant woman should be like an old cow. She chews the grass and spits out the straw." Meaning she keeps the good and filters out the bad.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Today's Reading....
I chose another Psalm to explore:
"Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah." Psalm 61:1-4
When I read this I can feel the Psalmist striving to express himself. King David had known from times past that God has been there for him and will again. He has no qualms crying to God to hear him. He has no doubts that God can and will lift him up.
We have all the same assurances. We need to continually avail ourselves of God's mighty hand. He wont fail us. He wont turn us away. We have no need of seeking our own way or that of another. Who can stand as our support more worthily than Almighty God?
This week try seeking God's uplift instead of calling on someone else to drag you out of that pit. He will hear your cries!
Love to all! Goodnight!
"Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah." Psalm 61:1-4
When I read this I can feel the Psalmist striving to express himself. King David had known from times past that God has been there for him and will again. He has no qualms crying to God to hear him. He has no doubts that God can and will lift him up.
We have all the same assurances. We need to continually avail ourselves of God's mighty hand. He wont fail us. He wont turn us away. We have no need of seeking our own way or that of another. Who can stand as our support more worthily than Almighty God?
This week try seeking God's uplift instead of calling on someone else to drag you out of that pit. He will hear your cries!
Love to all! Goodnight!
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Today's Reading....
In my neck of the Christian woods, namely the Full Gospel/Pentecostal neck, there is a much quoted verse that is rarely quoted correctly. Lets explore that verse:
"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." James 4:7
Unfortunately, the first clause is left off - a lot! What does it matter? Seeing as how God never uttered an idle word that must mean we need the WHOLE verse for any of it to be applicable.
How can we expect to effectively resist the most diligent, intelligent, cunning enemy in the history of creation without the support of God? How can God support us if we aren't submitted to Him?
For that matter, how can we walk with Him in an unbalanced, childish step that still wants it's own way? In all things, we should first strive to submit to God. It would drastically improve all aspects of our life if we first consulted Him. That's my goal. I hope you make it yours.
Love to all! Goodnight!
"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." James 4:7
Unfortunately, the first clause is left off - a lot! What does it matter? Seeing as how God never uttered an idle word that must mean we need the WHOLE verse for any of it to be applicable.
How can we expect to effectively resist the most diligent, intelligent, cunning enemy in the history of creation without the support of God? How can God support us if we aren't submitted to Him?
For that matter, how can we walk with Him in an unbalanced, childish step that still wants it's own way? In all things, we should first strive to submit to God. It would drastically improve all aspects of our life if we first consulted Him. That's my goal. I hope you make it yours.
Love to all! Goodnight!
A Great Family Outing
One of the best things about living in Nashville is variety. Also, as a general rule, relatively inexpensive entertainment can be found. Such is the case for one of our favorite things to do around Nashville.
The Stardust Drive-In in Watertown, about 30 minutes east of Nashville, is one of the best family deals around! It is a real, honest-to-goodness drive-in movie theater. They don't have the old fashioned speaker boxes that crackled and faded. Instead you tune your car's radio to the designated FM station for the screen you are watching.
The prices are very reasonable. They have 2 screens. Each of which shows a double feature every night they are open. Admission (for both movies in the double feature) is $7 for adults over 12, $3 for ages 6-11, and children under 5 are FREE! Even their concession stand isn't overly inflated. If you prefer, you can pay an outside food permit of $5 per vehicle.
Check out their website for more information and to sign up for weekly "Now Showing" emails.
All around, a great family deal!
The Stardust Drive-In in Watertown, about 30 minutes east of Nashville, is one of the best family deals around! It is a real, honest-to-goodness drive-in movie theater. They don't have the old fashioned speaker boxes that crackled and faded. Instead you tune your car's radio to the designated FM station for the screen you are watching.
The prices are very reasonable. They have 2 screens. Each of which shows a double feature every night they are open. Admission (for both movies in the double feature) is $7 for adults over 12, $3 for ages 6-11, and children under 5 are FREE! Even their concession stand isn't overly inflated. If you prefer, you can pay an outside food permit of $5 per vehicle.
Check out their website for more information and to sign up for weekly "Now Showing" emails.
All around, a great family deal!
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