Thursday, September 25, 2008

Don't worry...Nicki's safe


Don't worry...Nicki (our dog) isn't going to have to find a new home. She IS going to have to stay out of Caiden's room and off his bed. We found out this week that in addition to Caiden being allergic to every type of grass (yes? grass - bermuda, fescue, rye, etc.) known to man, he is also allergic to cats and dogs. Must have been mother's intuition, because I just knew it. I guess Dawson won't be getting a cat anytime soon!

Thursday, September 18, 2008

A chinchilla?

Oh...so that's what a chinchilla looks like when Dora talks about one. Or at least that's what I was thinking!

Monday, September 15, 2008

A "Phil" photo

We have a good friend, Phil. He takes amazing, wonderful, priceless, speechless pictures. I'm amazed at his talent. I'm also pretty amused at the places and poses he will put himself into to get the "perfect" picture. Thanks Phil for all the great photos you have taken for us. Keep them coming!


While at the lake last weekend, Dale took a great pic of Dawson that I had to share. When I saw it, I said, "hey, that looks like a Phil photo." So here it goes. Isn't he the cutest?


Sunday, September 14, 2008

The last hurrah...

It has been so hot here lately. Yesterday was no exception. So, we decided to head off to the lake and enjoy the last hurrah of the season. By Monday, it is supposed to cool off here. To tell you the truth, I'm glad and really ready for the fall. I love the time of the year when the leaves turning colors and you can wear jeans/a sweatshirt and still be comfortable outside.

Anyway, come on fall weather. But in the meantime, enjoy these pics of the boys loving the last hurrah at the lake!







Saturday, September 13, 2008

Week long celebration


My birthday was last week and I've continually gotten cards and goodies in the mail. I received this gift basket a few days ago from my best friend, Mandy in Michigan. It was so fun to get. Even if my actual birthday has passed, its still fun to get the good wishes. Its nice to know someone is thinking of you. Thank you, Man! I can't wait to drink some good Kona coffee, munch on some chocolate cookies and hide out in the laundry room (Mom's...you know why!).

Friday, September 12, 2008

A ballplayer & his lil' bro

Here's Caiden hard at work playing baseball...


...and here's Dawson flirting with the ladies.

Thursday, September 11, 2008

9/11 Remembered

The events of that fateful day were captured in this video. It brought many tears to my eyes as I recalled memories of the images and stories that surrounded that day. Some of the images in the video are disturbing.

http://attacked911.tripod.com/

Please regularly pray for:
  • our nation and its leaders
  • the families left behind on that day
  • the men and women and their families who sacrifice every day for our freedom

Ramblings

This post really isn't for anyone but me. Its just something that I needed to get off my chest but maybe you'll be able to somehow relate.

I don't always do or say the right thing. I get frustrated with myself when I don't follow-through on situations even though that's what I'm supposed to do. I'm also one of those people who replay conversations over and over in my head remembering that I may have offended someone. Sometimes, I apologize for things that I have said in a conversation only to get the look of a response from that person like I'm crazy and who doesn't even remember what I did say.

Yes, I need to apologize for things that I do and say that offend people but I must remember that I offend God each and every day with things I do and say. I must treat Him with the same respect and care as deeply about hurting Him. Do I do that? Sometimes. It needs to be a life-change for me.

"Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD "— and you forgave the guilt of my sin." Psalm 32:5

On another note, I need to remember that God has put me in many roles (i.e., wife, mom, daughter, sister, ministry director, friend) and that He often gives me insight for what I need to be doing in those areas. I often apologize for things that I feel passionately about because I don't have the confidence/education/authority to make sure they are carried out. Taking a lesson from the preschoolers this past month, I need to remember that "God is always with me" and that my confidence needs to rest in Him wholly. And He promises to keep working on me.

"But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him." Jeremiah 17:7

"In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence." Ephesians 3:12

"Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:6

Sunday, September 7, 2008

Thank you Kids Klub Volunteers

We take Caiden to a preschool program at a local church. This past week, Dawson and I were leaving the church after dropping Caiden off. Dawson noticed the cross on the top of the church building, pointed to it and said, "Jesus, Cross." Wow! I was so impressed and humbled at the understanding of my 2 year old. From a parent's standpoint, this reminded me to say "thank you" to all of the volunteers who serve faithfully in our children's ministry area at our church. Now, as the director of that ministry, I quote the Bible:

...'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. ... Matthew 25:21

Friday, September 5, 2008

Tick bites, tick bites go away...

NEVER come again!

After a nice outing on a local, paved hiking trail last Monday, Dawson came home covered in tiny, ticks. There was much squirming and crying as I tweezed them all off. The poor lil' guy was pitiful. We finally got them all removed and thought that was the end of it. He woke up the next morning with a red welt at each site that I took a tick off. He is just covered and itching more and more. We did to see the doctor and he's being treated with some medication. But, the bites aren't healing/disappearing fast enough for me, or for him!

If you are reading this, please take just a moment and pray for him.

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Firsts and Lasts


Yesterday was the first day of mom's day out (a local preschool) for Caiden. But, yesterday also marked the start to his last year as a preschooler. Next fall, he'll be a kindergartner. Yikes! I'm already preparing myself for that moment. I'm not ready to have a child in school. Caiden can't be that old yet - wasn't he just a baby?