Bath Time

We took some bath tub pictures this week so I thought I would share. She really loves her bath!

What I am reading Now

Chris and I read the first chapter of Aubrey Johnson's "Spiritual Patriots Jude's Call To Arms" last night. I have a paragraph or two I want to share with you. I really loved the way he put some of this.

Pg 15
The acceptance of heaven's invitation is confirmed by human love expressed in submission to God's commands. Sanctification involves growth in Christlikeness; and growth in Christlikeness requires one's ability to give and receive love.

Pg 16
Saints show their love for Christ by keeping His commandments, and those who love Him are kept by Him. All of heaven's resources are available to help Christians grow spiritually and live faithfully. If a person is lost, it will not be due to Christ's carelessness, the Spirit's stinginess, or the Father's failure to love and protect. It will be a breakdown of his own heart.

Favorite Things

I know that Oprah has some very non-biblical beliefs. I do not support her every belief and every thing that she stands for. (I don't know why I feel like I have to say that every time I say I watched Oprah!)

Anyway, I watched Oprah's Favorite Things of 2007 show tonight. She had some great stuff on there. Let me tell you what they are:

• Samsung Progressive HD Camcorder SC-HMX10C
• UGG® Australia Classic Crochet Tall Boot
• TOYWATCH Crystal and Colored Crystal Watch
• Perfect Endings Cupcakes from Williams-Sonoma
• Melamine Bowls, Measuring Cups and Spoons from Williams-Sonoma
• The Artisan® Stand Mixer from KitchenAid Home Appliances
• The Discovery Channel's Planet Earth DVD Set
• Kai Body Butter and Body Buffer
• CLARISONIC Skin Care System
• Claus Porto Soaps from Lafco New York
• The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett
• Breville Ikon Panini Press from Williams-Sonoma
• HDTV Refrigerator with Weather and Info Center from LG Electronics Model LSC27991
• Ciao Bella Blood Orange Sorbetto
• Rachel Pally Swing Turtleneck and Sailor Pants
• Scrabble Premier Edition from Hasbro
• United Artists 90th Anniversary Prestige Collection
• Shaklee Get Clean™ Starter Kit
• O’s Guide to Life
• Josh Groban's Noel CD

(( I highlighted and pictured the ones I would want if I could just have 5 of them. Go to Oprah.com, look at them, dream, and see which ones you would want if you could only have 5! Only picking 5 was hard.. I would have been better at picking 7 because I like those Ugg boots and the mixer too! ))

Did You Know..

...That Hannah Likes Cheese Ravioli?

The Golden Compass

So, I am guessing some or most of you have seen the information about this new movie coming out named "The Golden Compass." I am so worried about our world. Our minister said some things about it yesterday morning before the sermon. He said we all may not be as aware as we should be of how serious it is, that this world and some of the people in it are out to get our children. We HAVE to watch out for it.

It all makes me sad.

Satan will use anything to try to get to us and our children. We must use the sword to fight! The Bible is the Truth!!

I checked all this out on Snopes and here is what is says:


http://www.snopes.com/politics/religion/compass.asp
The Golden Compass

Claim: The 2007 film The Golden Compass is based on a series of books with anti-religious themes.

Status: True.
Origins: The Golden Compass, a fantasy film starring Nicole Kidman that is scheduled to be released into theaters on 7 December 2007, has been drawing fire from concerned Christians. The film is based on Northern Lights (released in the U.S. as The Golden Compass), the first offering in Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy of children's books, a series that follows the adventures of a streetwise girl who travels through multiple worlds populated by witches, armor-plated bears, and sinister ecclesiastical assassins to defeat the oppressive forces of a senile God.

Books of the trilogy have sold more than 15 million copies around the world, with Northern Lights winning the Carnegie Medal for Children's Literature in 1995 and in 2007 being awarded the 'Carnegie of Carnegies' for the best children's book of the past 70 years. The Amber Spyglass, the final book of the series, won The Whitbread Prize in 2001, making it the first children's book to do so.

The series' author, Philip Pullman (wo has described himself as both an agnostic and an atheist), has averred that "I don't profess any religion; I don't think it's possible that there is a God; I have the greatest difficulty in understanding what is meant by the words 'spiritual' or 'spirituality.'" Critics of Pullman's books point to the strong anti-religion and anti-God themes they incorporate, and although literary works are subject to a variety of interpretations, Pullman left little doubt about his books' intended meanings when he said in a 2003 interview that "My books are about killing God" and in a 2001 interview that he was "trying to undermine the basis of Christian belief." (In 2002 conservative British columnist Peter Hitchens labeled Pullman "The Most Dangerous Author in Britain" and described him as the writer "the atheists would have been praying for, if atheists prayed.")

Bill Donohue, president of The Catholic League, has condemned The Golden Compass as a "pernicious" effort to indoctrinate children into anti-Christian beliefs and has produced a 23-page pamphlet titled The Golden Compass: Unmasked in which he maintains that Pullman "sells atheism for kids." Donohoe told interviewer John Gibson on 9 October 2007 why he believes Christians should stay away from the film:

Look, the movie is based on the least offensive of the three books. And they have dumbed down the worst elements in the movie because they don't want to make Christians angry and they want to make money. Our concern is this, unsuspecting Christian parents may want to take their kid to the movie, it opens up December 7th and say, this wasn't troubling, then we'll buy the books. So the movie is the bait for the books which are profoundly anti-Catholic and at the same time selling atheism.

Other reviewers, however, have described Pullman's works as being more generally anti-religion rather than specifically anti-Christian or anti-Catholic:

In "His Dark Materials," Pullman's criticisms of organized religion come across as anti-authoritarian and anti-ascetic rather than anti-doctrinal. (Jesus isn't mentioned in any of the books, although Pullman has hinted that He might figure in a forthcoming sequel, "The Book of Dust.") His fundamental objection is to ideological tyranny and the rejection of this world in favor of an idealized afterlife, regardless of creed. As one of the novel's pagan characters puts it, "Every church is the same: control, destroy, obliterate every good feeling."

Last updated: 23 October 2007

Today, the 25th!

It is officially one month until Christmas.

These are the gifts I have already bought and wrapped. (No Christmas tree up to put them under yet!) It is SO fun!! Does anyone else get excited about wrapping gifts? I just think it is great!

It's Sunday

This is our Sunday picture. We let the time slip up on us while we played this morning so we told Hannah to say cheese. This is what we got and then we walked out the door!!

Thanksgiving

Why is it that I take pictures non-stop but when we went to see my family for Thanksgiving I hardly took any?? That is so silly. I think it is because I was too busy talking. (Imagine that!) We had such a great time at Grandmom and Grandpop's house and we ate very very well.

Here are a couple of pictures. This is about all I got. Crazy!

I hope everyone else had a wonderful Thanksgiving also.

1Chronicles 16:34 (New American Standard Version)
O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; For His lovingkindness is everlasting.

It is Official

#1 Fern Michaels comes up with some weird plot lines. I just finished Fool Me Once and it was a good book but, as I said, I crazy story line. In the first 30 pages there is a plan and execution of a bank robbery, a graduation, a wedding, a baby born, and a divorce. WHAT?? It was crazy. I couldn't put it down, though. I have to think about my books for a couple of days before starting a new one but be on the look out for a change in the "What I am reading now" section of this blog!! It should come soon!!

#2 I really really really love Hannah. I shared my croutons with her tonight. (I really like my croutons.) What is it about your kids and food? Food you would never want to share with anyone is suddenly theirs! Maybe that will help me loose some weight! he he he!!

25 Thanks

1. I am thankful for Jesus and His sacrifice.
2. I am thankful for the grace, love and mercy of God.
3. I am thankful for the Bible that was given to us.
4. I am thankful for my husband who loves me, hugs me, and puts up with me EVERY day!
5. I am thankful that we were blessed with such a healthy, beautiful, wonderful daughter.
6. I am thankful for all of our family and the love they give.
7. I am thankful that I have such a smart, loving, fun, thoughtful mother.
8. I am thankful for days off of work, just to celebrate thanks.
9. I am thankful for my friends.
   
10. I am thankful for my Christian family. Without them, we would be lonely.
11. I am thankful for other Christian parents raising their children to love and obey the Lord. I pray that your children and mine will find each other and unite to become strong for the next generation.
12. I am thankful my grandparents are cooking tomorrow.
13. I am thankful for the home that we live in. I could pick it apart all day long but I really love it. This place really is our home and it really is where our heart is.
14. I am thankful for the men and women in the military who are missing their family so that I have the freedom to be with mine.
15. I am thankful for the avenue of prayer we have been given. Can you imagine how lost and lonely we would be without it.
16. I am thankful for our careers.
    
17. I am thankful to God for giving us the responsibility to handle some of His money. It is scary sometimes to decide what to spend it on and where it needs to go but what an honor it is that he has trusted us with some of it.
18. I am thankful for time. I complain about it sometimes, having too little of it, but without time I would not have the opportunity to tell others about Christ, take pictures of Hannah, hug and kiss my family, talk to someone and really get to know them, or worship our Lord.
19. I am thankful for the singing act of worship. It uplifts me.
20. I am thankful for the sweet smell of my Grandmom and Grandpop. I savor their scent. It brings back the most wonderful memories.
21. I am thankful for the bond of marriage. It is a feeling and love that I never want to go away. What an awesome thing to become one with your mate for forever.
22. I am thankful for those who told me about blogging. I have used it as a memory board of our life that I think is beautiful.
23. I am thankful for my camera and the life and memories that I can capture with it.
24. I am thankful for the moment before I go to sleep every night when I get to feel the warmth of my husband beside me. I am lost without it.
25. I am thankful for the word "thanks" so that I can express my gratitude to others.
    

Zerberts

Our Sunday Picture

Look at how tall that hair is!
She was way too busy reading for a picture.

New Toy Bins

Maybe they are a little too deep??

Peek-A-Boo

MOMMY: Hannah, where's Daddy?

HANNAH: I don't know!



MOMMY: There he is!



HANNAH: !!!!!

A Popsicle!

Hannah's First Popsicle!




























































She liked the Popsicle OK but it didn't take her long to put it down, move her bib out of her way, and find the macaroni. She decided she would much rather have that than the Popsicle.

Mr. Rogers talks to the US senate

Description of video:
In 1969, the US Senate had a hearing on funding the proposed Corporation for Public Broadcasting, but President Nixon wanted it cut in half for the Vietnam War. Sometimes nice guys do win some.

This is a little long (7 minutes) but if you have a moment to watch it, please do.

One person's comment of this video on YouTube said that they had a hard time accepting that someone could be genuinely good.

How sad.

I choose to have faith that people (in general) can be, want to be, and are good.

Thankful Thursday

#1
I am thankful for the Internet and the good that it can do. I worry about us humans using good things for bad. We have to be careful, but when used correctly and nicely, I think the Internet is great.

#2
I am thankful for my patient, loving, perfect husband. Words can't describe. I love him with all my heart.

#3
I am thankful for good friends that are family when blood relatives aren't able to be around.

Neat Websites

Yes, tonight when Chris turned on the News I actually half way listened and they discussed two very interesting websites that I thought I would share with you.

First, glassbooth.com, is a place where you can put in the political views that you have and it will show you what candidate your opinions are closest too. First you say what issues you are most concerned about and then you answer some questions on how you feel about them. It is pretty interesting.

Second, freerice.com, is a place where you can go to take a vocabulary quiz. It will give you a word and 4 choices of synonyms. For every one you get right, 10 grains of rice go to people in other countries that are hungry. The story on the news was that schools are using this website to not only teach new words to their students but to also show that they can make a difference and help in the world. The teacher they interviewed was very impressed with it. I donated 300 grains tonight. If you get a right answer they give you a harder word SO, it took me a long time to get 300. I would get two right and then 5 wrong... and so on... but it was fun. Try it out, how many can you give?

Grandmom and Grandpop's

This past weekend Hannah got to visit with her Grandmom and Grandpop. She had a wonderful time.

She played Hide and Seek with Papa Joe.
She got very excited when Papa found her.


Hannah, Nana, and Grandmom went on a nice walk in the yard.


Grandpop tried to get her. She thought that was fun.


And then she decided to rearrange the outside decorations.
She was very busy.



What a GREAT day!!

Bee Movie

Great Movie.
AND the whole family will love it!

Chris and I went on a date this past weekend and we really enjoyed it!

Great Opportunity

So, I have a "heart struggle," as I call it, with the way things work in this world sometimes. We have people who entertain us by acting like someone they are not, and by throwing a ball, etc. and they get, literally, millions and millions of dollars. (The first part of the heart struggle is that I watch and enjoy movies, TV, and pro sports myself.)

However, we have people out there trying to teach our children, and they don't have enough paper to make copies of a worksheet for their students. On average, a teacher spends $1200 of their own money for their classroom each year.

I have just recently discovered a way to give that I never knew about. You can sponsor a classroom. Just go to the Adopt a Classroom website and choose a classroom anywhere in the United States. You can give as much as you want. All the money you give goes straight to the teacher to use at an online store where they can get all kinds of great supplies. I have tried to be sure to read all the information before putting this on here and it looks very legitimate. What a great cause to give to!!

I hope that Chris and I will be able to contribute to this regularly. Even if we only make life a little easier for one... What if we all did that?

Sunday!

Take a really cute bright colored jumper for church on Sunday.

Add some bunny slippers and a kitchen utensil and it becomes the apron of a house keeper. It is amazing how those two little things change the whole look of a dress.

And Finally, Finally I got a picture of that cute pucker when she wants to kiss you but is also smiling behind it, just thinking about the kiss. I don't ever pass that kiss up. Or any for that matter.

Bison

Exciting News in our Little World!

Every day we pass a field on the interstate going to and from work. The field has 2 Bison in it. For the entire time we have lived here they have always been there. Every day. We call them our bison and look for them every time we pass.

Well, a couple of weeks ago they were gone. They were not there. Not either one of them. I was so sad and I was so afraid they were sold for meat or something. They were not there for quite a few days.

THEY ARE BACK!! Yippeee!! AND now there are 3!! AND one is a little smaller than the others. I think I know where they have all been. I am so happy our bison are back!

Decisions Decisions

Isn't it funny the random decisions that 1 year olds make.

Hannah has decided that when Stanley is eating she needs to be there to supervise - the whole time! She even pets him some while he finishes up. Luckily, Stanley doesn't seem to mind.

Pictures of Jesus

I have some worries about our "pictures" of Jesus. Something about guessing his looks bothers me. However, every once in a while I see a picture or painting that seems tasteful and moving. I saw this one about a month ago and it has taken me this long to decide if I wanted to share it or not. But I really like it. This one is called "The Prince of Peace" and it is by Thomas Kinkade.

Creamy Chicken

I have a new recipe for everyone! We tried it Friday night. Chris, Hannah, Maw Maw, Poppa, and I all liked it very much. Hope you get to try it.

Ingredients:

4 cups egg noodles, uncooked
1 1/2 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite size chunks
1/4 cup Zesty Italian dressing
3 1/2 cups fresh broccoli florets
1 large red pepper cut into strips
1 yellow squash, sliced
6 oz Velveeta cheese cut into cubes
1 Tbsp milk

Cook pasta as directed on package.

Meanwhile, cook chicken in dressing in large nonstick skillet on medium-high heat 5 to 7 minutes or until chicken is cooked through, stirring occasionally. Add vegetables; stir. Reduce heat to medium; cover. Cook 5 minutes or until vegetables are crisp-tender, stirring occasionally.

Meanwhile, place Velveeta in small microwaveable bowl. Add milk. Microwave on high 2 to 3 minutes or until Velveeta is melted and mixture is well blended, stirring after 1 1/2 minute. Add chicken mixture; mix lightly. Serve over the pasta.


It is very yummmy!
(The picture is from Kraft Foods, NOT me. Mine did not look that pretty!)

Yesterday

I really have a hard time in the mornings, mustering up the will power to get up, get ready, and get going. I always want to sleep a little more. BUT on Sundays something about being sure I have time for the Sunday pictures and the fact that I get to worship God gets me up (most of the time) at just the right time!!

I am thankful for our Sunday morning pictures... Every Sunday!

We had a good visit with Maw Maw and Poppa this weekend. Here are Sunday pictures with Maw Maw and Daddy!




I love the one where Hannah is looking at her Daddy. I don't blame her. I like looking at him too!! :-)

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful for Forgiveness and Grace.
All of the Lord's gifts to us are wonderful.
How can we say Thank You enough?