Friday, November 14, 2008

A Doctor's Wisdom



A worried woman went to her gynecologist and said: 'Doctor, I have a serious problem and desperately need your help! My baby is not even 1 yr. old and I'm pregnant again. I don't want kids so close together.' So the doctor said: 'Ok, and what do you want me to do?'
She said: 'I want you to end my pregnancy, and I'm counting on your help with this.'
The doctor thought for a little, and after some silence he said to the lady: 'I think I have a better solution for your problem. It's less dangerous for you too.'
She smiled, thinking that the doctor was going to accept her request.
Then he continued: 'You see, in order for you not to have to take care of two babies at the same time, let's kill the one in your arms. This way, you could rest some before the other one is born. If we're going to kill one of them, it doesn't matter which one it is. There would be no risk for your body if you chose the one in your arms. The lady was horrified and said: 'No doctor! How terrible! It's a crime to kill a child!
'I agree', the doctor replied. 'But you seemed to be ok with it, so I thought maybe that was the best solution. The doctor smiled,realizing that he had made his point.
He convinced the mom that there is no difference in killing a child that's already been born and one that's still in the womb. The crime is the same!

If you agree, please forward. Together we can help save precious lives!

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me"
Philippians 4:13

PS: Obama supports partial-birth abortion

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Our Thankful Tree

I had an idea for this "Thankful Tree" for the kids to demonstrate their thankfulness in a visual way. Elijah painted the lovely tree on heavy painting paper and we taped it up on the fridge. I then had them trace their hands on construction paper and cut out several of them. Each day, they take one and write on it something for which they are thankful, and add it to the tree. With five leaves being added each day, I'm sure we'll run out of room very soon. We are letting some of the "leaves" fall on the "ground".


I wasn't sure if Nathanael and James would grasp the concept of listing things they are thankful for, but as I was talking to them about it, they picked right up on it! They had all sorts of things they were thankful for and I wrote down their first ideas which were apples for Nate and James said he was thankful for Puppy, his stuffed animal. Today, James said he was thankful for pumpkin lolly-pops, and Nate was thankful for his bicycle!


The three older kids have come up with even more great things they want to express gratitude for like sunshine, love, God, aquariums and Mom and Dad!


This was a quick, fun project for them to do and they are chomping at the bit to get the tree all filled in with thankful leaves. I'll post another picture of the tree in a couple weeks when it is full and overflowing. I have a feeling they will ask to do this again next year!

What are YOU thankful for today?

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Green is a Great Color!

This past Saturday was promotion day for Rebecca and Elijah at Kids Kickin' for Christ. They both promoted to GREEN belt! Woo-hoo! They have been doing TKD for a few months now, after taking a break from it for a couple years. They had to re-learn everything, brush up on their forms, one-steps, and Bible verses. They have practiced a LOT over that last couple months. I think they average about 3 hours a week practicing, outside of actual class. I had told Rebecca and Elijah that I had to work and wouldn't be able to be at the promotion. Rob was to go, and so was their aunt. So, I knew there would be someone there to cheer them on and take pictures. Yeah. That was the plan. Don't you love how things can go SO bad when least expected? Rob dropped Nate and James off with a sitter and took Becca and Eli to promotion. After he got there, he realized he hadn't sent any diapers and wipes with the little guys. So, he turned right around and took diapers and wipes to the sitter and went straight back to promotion. Now, usually, Steve and Bri have a big class promoting and it usually takes and hour and a half from start to finish. This class, though, as you can see in the picture was on the small side and by the time Rob got back, promotion was over! And the aunt never showed up. I never knew my heart could break into a thousand pieces over an emotional hurt in my child. But that's exactly what happened. Rebecca was so disappointed that neither Rob nor I were there for them. I held Becca later and we both sobbed over it. I vowed to her that at the next promotion, there was NO WAY I would work and Rob and I would both be there for her.

Thankfully, someone (not sure who!) took pictures with the camera I sent with them. This one is a little blurry, but you can see Becca on the back row, with the orange belt around her neck. Elijah is on the far right.



Here they are with their teacher, Steve. Way to go, kids! I am SOOOO proud of both of you! You both worked your butts off in order to promote this week. Green is great, but PURPLE, here we come!!!

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Fall Fun!

I'm always open each year for whatever activity I can find that replaces the traditional "trick-or-treat". With having to work on the 31st, though, I didn't have too many options. I was pleased to find out that a local church, Tropical Farms, was having their Harvest Festival on Wednesday evening instead of on the 31st. Since I never work on Wednesdays, this was perfect for us! The church had really gone all out! We had a hamburger/hot dog dinner with soda and chips, plus there was free cotton candy, apples and caramel, and popcorn. The rides were the big hit, though! Swings, super slide, carousel, plus little rides for the youngest in the crowd. They also had games for the little ones to play to win trinkets. At the end, as you were leaving, you received a goody bad that had a nice assortment of candy and healthier options like popcorn balls and pretzels. The bag also included a christian bookmark, booklet about Jesus and a gospel tract. The kids had a lot of fun!

Becca rode the swings several times. She didn't care that she was wearing her Civil War era outfit! The night was quite cool, too! Her friend, Cherise is in the swing next to her, wearing the brown outfit.


Near the end of the night, James had finally had enough excitement and had to be pacified with a cone of cotton candy. I know, I know! Spare me the lecture! Bad parenting, 1o1!


The absolute hit for the evening was this car ride for Nate and James. This is Nate riding with his friend, Jakob. Although it doesn't look like it, Nate DID have fun!


James on the left with Noah. Don't let their faces fool you! They had a ball! I'm not sure why I wasn't able to capture the smiles! Digital cameras......


This carousal ride was a little too fast and there weren't any safety straps, so I hung on tight to my boys. Rob tried to get a good shot of the 3 of us, but we were spinning pretty fast!


On Friday night, before heading off to work, I got the kids all dressed up and they hung out at their Aunt Diana's house and circled the block with their cousins for candy. I didn't really go out and buy costumes this year with the exception of Rebecca's outfit. A friend of ours and her daughter sew Civil War era clothing and participate in reenactments and were selling off a bunch of their stuff. Becca has had a ball with her outfit! We went to the Goodwill and found the vest for her and James' train outfit, and then the FEA thriftstore had curtains that I sewed into a shawl. That was the extent of my planning!

James, as Thomas the Train. (his absolute favorite!)


Nate as a soldier. Make that an apparently wounded, crying soldier!


Elijah as a soldier with his favorite sister, Rebecca. :-)


Zack, the "bad" pirate! (costume left over from last year)


The motley crew!