Oh, the Weather Outside is Frightful...

I don't have a fire and I don't think it is delightful. Honestly! This is the last week in April and it is snowing!!! Having a white Christmas is always on my wish list, but a white end of April, not so much. My friends Shannon and Doug would love this. I on the other hand thought spring was here. I'm not naive enough to think the temps would stay in the 70s and 80s, but I really didn't think we would see more snow. Hannah and I were just watching a pair of geese with seven brand new goslings in the pond out back this afternoon. Poor little things are probably goosesicles by now! I do so miss the desert!! Of course, I took pictures. I couldn't get Hannah or P.K. to venture outside in their pajamas so I took pictures of our cars and a tree.

Weekend Highlights

We spent Friday afternoon with Thing 1 and Thing 2 and witnessed a sure sign of spring. Check out Kari's blog for details and great pictures.

Yesterday I was able to attend the 2008 Living Hope Conference for Women at Moody Bible Institute. The featured speakers were Lisa Harper, Carol Kent, Linda Mintle and Jennifer Rothschild. It was nice to have a day away and to come together with other sisters in Christ for a day of worship and learning.

I had heard of Jennifer Rothschild before, but I had never heard her speak or read any of her books. She has a wonderful testimony. She was diagnosed at the age of 15 with a degenerative eye disease that caused her to lose her sight. She asked us, "What is the best gift you have received because of your adversity?" Thought provoking.

Carol Kent also has a tremendous story. She has been through some rough trials. Her testimony is a strong reminder of how God can take what the enemy means to use for our destruction and use it to further His kingdom and for His glory.

Lisa Harper was hilarious. I suspect we will be hearing more from her in the near future. I bought three of her books and will let you know what I think when I am finished with them. It would take too long to share their stories, but I would encourage you to hear these three speak if you have the chance.

I bought a fun coffee mug while I was there. It says, "I'm a MOODY woman." Remember, Moody put on the conference. It was humorous to see P.K.'s face when I showed it to him. I could tell he wanted to laugh, but was afraid he would be in trouble for thinking I am moody. Here's a pic.

Last night I came across a very funny blog called Stuff Christians Like. If you are easily offended you may want to stear clear. But if you can laugh at yourself, check it out!

The kids and I made Cookie Kisses today. Aaron's Tiger Scout troop has to provide baked goods to be raffled at the pack meeting this week. These were easy. It is just prepackaged chocolate chip cookie dough and Hershey's kisses. It is a very kid friendly recipe. You slice the tube of cookie dough into 10 slices and then quarter each of those.

Roll each piece into a ball and place in a mini muffin tin.



Flatten each piece with a tart shaper.

Unwrap kisses and place one on each piece. Bake at 350 degrees for ten minutes. Remove from oven and let cool for 15 minutes before removing to cooling rack.

We packaged ours up so they would be cute for the raffle.

Prayer Request

My new bloggyland friend, 3girlsmom, has posted a prayer request for a young mother. She has asked that anyone who reads the request post the link to the request. The short of the story is she had a stroke. For the full story click here. I don't have a huge blog following, but I know some of you who do follow are prayer warriors. Let's cover this sister in prayer!

Psalm 146

Praise the LORD

Praise the Lord, O my soul.

I will praise the LORD all my life;

I will sing praise to my God as long

as I live.

Do not put your trust in princes,

in mortal men, who cannot save.

When their spirit departs, they return

to the ground;

on that very day their plans come to

nothing.

Blessed is he whose help is the God

of Jacob,

whose hope is in the LORD his God,

the Maker of heaven and earth,

the sea, and everything in them-

the LORD, who remains faithful

forever.

He upholds the cause of the

oppressed

and gives food to the hungry.

The LORD sets prisoners free,

the LORD gives sight to the blind,

the LORD lifts up those who are bowed

down,

the LORD loves the righteous.

The LORD watches over the alien

and sustains the fatherless and the

widow,

but he frustrates the ways of the

wicked.

The LORD reigns forever,

your God, O Zion, for all

generations.

Praise the LORD.

I Got Tagged

I got tagged today! This morning I left a comment on a popular blog and was tagged by 3girlsmom! This was a monumental moment in my brief (about three weeks) blogging history because I have never been tagged and she is the first person who I don't personally know (or know through someone) who has posted on my blog.

If you are not familiar with tagging, it is very similar to the "all about me" emails where you copy the questions and answer them for yourself and then send them on to all your peeps (or in my case find four random people in addition to my three blogging peeps). My peeps know I love those! You can only imagine that I think this "tagging thing" is pretty cool.

I am supposed to share 7 random things about myself and then tag 7 people to do the same. Here it goes...

1. I love Star Trek (the original series, The Next Generation, Voyager). My husband also likes them. For Christmas, I bought him the complete series of The Next Generation and he bought me the complete original series. One year when we were attending the the Marine Corps ball near Las Vegas we went to The Star Trek Experience at the Hilton. I had my picture taken with a Ferengi and used it in our Christmas letter. You must know that I have never gone to a convention or dressed the part nor do I intend to do so.

2. I took a semester of Biblical Greek in college as an elective. I could kick myself for not keeping up with it!

3. My husband and I only dated a month before we got engaged and got married 7 months later. In our defense, we were friends for a year before we started dating and we have been married for almost 14 years.

4. I collect Precious Moments figurines. When we lived out west, we would drive through Carthage, Missouri on our way to visit my husband's family in Missouri. Carthage is the home of the Precious Moments Chapel.

5. Number 4 leads to my love of road trips and roadside attractions. I love the uninterrupted family time. I also love the signs that count down roadside attractions from about 150 miles away.

6. I loath public bathrooms. Especially if one of the kids has to use them. Hannah always seems to try to touch the inside of the sink.

7. My favorite part of going to see a movie is the popcorn. If I really love the movie, but don't have popcorn it is not the best experience it could be.

Now, I tag

1. Kari
2. Marine Wife
3. Hapi (I hope this is o.k. with you.)
4. Kristy
5. Layton Family
6. Distybug
7. Clementsfabfive

A Few Morning Thoughts

-I was awakened around 4:30 this morning because my bed was shaking. Yep. Earthquake along the lines of 5.4. For those of you who knew me when the big one of 1999 hit, I handled this one much, much better. We were living in California at the time. I told P.K. not to mention it to the kids because I didn't want them to be afraid. He said they would probably hear about it at school. I decided to tell them. I explained how and why earthquakes happen and contrary to what they might hear at school, this doesn't mean we will have more any time soon.

-The temperature here this morning was actually warm enough that I was able to sit on my back deck and have my morning quiet time with God. My prayer journal went something like this:

Thanks for the morning wake up call. That is one way to get your children up and talking to you. I've been asking you to help me to wake up earlier so that I can have a good amount of time to read and pray. Earthquakes work. I'll get up on my own from now on.

-While I was on the back deck, I saw not one, but two great blue heron circling the pond. Beautiful!

-Because I was up so early the kids had pancakes for breakfast instead of cereal or poptarts.

-This is what it is like to blog without posting a picture. Hmm?

Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder

Hannah spotted the first dandelions of the year as we were leaving the YMCA yesterday. She picked a couple and of course we had to get out a vase when we got home. This morning when we left the Y, she picked some more. Yes, I know they are dandelions. Yes, I know they are weeds. Yes, I know some of you would go to great extremes to keep them out of your yard. But through the eyes of my four year old I see bright, pretty, yellow flowers that are a sure sign that spring is here. Maybe I should look at some of my other "weeds" through Hannah's eyes.

Rachel's Field Trip

Today was Rachel's class trip to Healthworks. Healthworks is a kids' museum that teaches how the body works. I actually learned a thing or two. Our guide showed us a set of healthy pig lungs. She said they are very similar to human lungs. Then she showed a set that had been sent to a lab and went through a process that replicated what would have happened if the lungs had belonged to a smoker. Not a smoked pig, a smoking human. Ha, Ha! The bus ride there included Rachel's teacher leading everyone in song. The bus ride back was completed with the other third grade teacher holding a garbage bag open in case the crying classmate really did get sick!! I was praying at this point. I don't handle vomiting well. I knew if she lost it others would follow. (She made it to school by the way.) Rachel and her classmates seemed to have a great time and I got to be the mom who goes on the field trips! Of course, I have pictures to post!

This is Rachel and Thing 1 under a brain, between the eyes. They are giving me the "I'm watching you" sign. Get it? Because they are between the eyes! Clever girls!

This is where I asked the girls if I could please have a serious one. I'm sure they were wondering how in the world they were supposed to be serious standing next to a giant eyeball?

This is Thing 1 and Rachel on the Skin Climbing Wall. There are little portals you pass as you climb across and inside each portal is something you might find on your skin. I don't think the kids cared about the educational value. They just wanted to climb the wall.
Rachel is playing the giant Operation game.

Let the water teem with living creatures Genesis 1:20a

My daughter's Brownie troop went on an overnight to an aquarium last night. I was blessed to be able to chaperon. Flash photography was prohibited so I wasn't able to get many pictures. I'm sure there is a way to compensate for that, but just as I am not computer savvy, that pretty much applies to all technology. I'll share what I have.

The girls are watching the pacific white sided dolphins in their habitat.


My friend Kari requested a picture of the dolphins, but maybe she'll settle for this little guy.



This is a picture of a baby beluga playing with a ball. A baby beluga is grey at birth and turns white as it matures.



Here's a picture of the little guy swimming with his mama.

We slept next to a 90,000 gallon tank under the watchful eyes of a moray eel, a sea turtle, barracuda and sting rays amongst other beautiful creatures. Once the girls were all asleep, I laid on Rachel's old Disney Princesses sleeping bag (she is now too cool for that and has moved on to a pink camouflaged pattern) and watched the fish swim. I marveled at God's handy work. All the different colors and intricate designs. I took out my Bible and read in Genesis chapter 1 where God created the "great creatures of the sea." I was reminded that the God who was capable of creating such wonders is still more than capable of fulfilling all my needs! In that area filled with sleeping bags and sleeping children, I had a little praise session with my creator.

A taste of warm weather

The temperatures here got up over 60 degrees today and the sun is shining! We are in for some of the same tomorrow. It has been a long time since we have had nice weather so we decided to take advantage of it while we can. (The extended forecast calls for highs in the upper 40s and lower 50s.) We took a family walk to the closest park which is exactly one mile away. Hannah rode in the wagon most of the way there and back, but the older two did a great job. Aaron even volunteered to pull the wagon on the way home. That little guy pulled it almost the entire mile. They were pretty wiped out when we got back and asked if they could watch a movie. I made them all some lemonade and let them relax. I am still enjoying the sunshine on our back deck.

I am so looking forward to the mornings being warm enough to have my quiet time out here. There is a small retaining pond just past our backyard. When the weather is nice there are always geese and ducks. Once in a while there is a great blue heron who stops by. Last year there was also a family of muskrats. The trees out here are always filled with squirrels and birds. One morning last year I saw a flock of cardinals. I guess that is what one would call it. It was the prettiest sight. I've seen two together before, but that particular time I counted at least twelve male cardinals all together. I took it as a special blessing from God for that morning.

Here are a few pictures from our family outing today.

Rachel, P.K., Aaron and Hannah ready to go

Hannah got out of the wagon, walked about a block and then got on Daddy's shoulders.

I know you can't tell from looking at the picture, but Aaron is trying to explain to Hannah how to pump her legs.

The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away

Can I have a drum roll, please? This is my first ever blog entry. I am not the least bit computer savvy, so this is huge for me! I've been waiting for the perfect "happening" that would be worthy of such a memorable occasion. I assumed it would be one of the kids doing or saying something too cute to pass up. Who knew it would be such a sad occasion that would be the motivation behind my first post?

I feel it necessary to give some background information. (Be forewarned, I have a vivid memory of my aunt saying, "Jody can never give you a short version of a story. There are always lots of details." If you want the short version of a person's life, you might want to move along to a different blog at this time. I won't be offended.) Less than three years ago, I didn't even like coffee. The only time I would have it would be when it was my turn to drive on a long road trip. And then it had to have tons of cream (preferably flavored) and sugar. My husband was on active duty and we had been at a duty station in the California desert for six years. I grew to love it there. When we moved to the next duty station in Illinois, I was out of my comfort zone and needed friends. It seemed like everyone I ran into talked about getting together for a cup of coffee. When in Rome...

Fast forward a year or so to our new home in the civilian world. When we first moved here, about a year and a half ago, my youngest daughter and I would go to Target just to get out of the house. Eventually, I decided I was there so often that security probably had my picture posted. That is when I found a MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) group and met my dear friend, Kari. God lead me to her. After I signed in for my first MOPS meeting, Kari was tasked with showing me where the group met and assigning me a table (kind of a small group within MOPS). While we were walking we were engaging in the, "I just met you, know nothing about you, but have to break the silence" kind of small talk. We found out our daughters were not only at the same school, they were in the same classroom. After the MOPS meeting, Kari told me she was the head room mother for our girls' class and needed help. Right up my alley!! She said she would call me so we could set up a time to plan the class Christmas party. Wouldn't you know she wanted to meet at a local coffee shop? The rest is history. We have had coffee/play dates at the same coffee shop ever since. Well, it did change locations, but still the same establishment. Our town does have a Starbucks, but we prefer the ambiance of Espress Yourself. Isn't that the cutest name? Get it? Espress (express), espresso... There is an area of the shop set up with a couch and coffee table by a fireplace. It is the perfect spot for our two preschoolers to play while we have coffee and conversation!

I am finally to the bad news part of the story. When Kari and I were leaving Bible study on Wednesday morning, I asked her if she could do coffe on Friday. It was a date. Friday, 9:00a.m., Espress Yourself!! Kari called me last night in a state of shock! She had driven by Espress Yourself and instead of the cheery local artwork and daily specials in the windows, this is what she saw

No warning! Just gone! We were there two weeks ago and the place was hoppin'! One of the workers told us the lunch crowd was so busy they could hardly keep up? We were in a total state of shock. You would think two grown women would just decide to suck it up and move on. I think we both secretly wanted to don mourning clothes and stay home for a couple days. But we did venture out this morning and blessings did abound. We found a new spot. When we first walked in I was a bit concerned because I immediately noticed a piano with a sign that said, "Please do not let children play the piano." Not that I have a problem with boundaries, but that didn't scream "kid friendly." As I looked to the other side there was a Lego table with two little chairs!!! Maybe Kari and I will be able to move on.