winter-it's for real

We have GOT to buy a real snow shovel.

Shepherding

I've been debating writing this post but I really feel led to share my heart. We moms have so many decisions to make every day and it's good for us to share our struggles as well as successes with each other as encouragement and accountability.
So often we get caught up in all the things that "need" to be done that we sometimes forget the things that are really important. I'm guilty of that just about every day and I have been asking God each morning during my quiet time to make me aware of the things that are important to Him and keep me focused on those things rather than the many other tasks and opportunities that come my way. Every time I open my mouth, begin a task, or plan a trip- every single I action I take during the day-is teaching my children. Whether you have babies, you homeschool and stay home with them all day, or you work outside the home, you are the primary teacher of your children, by your actions and whom you allow to direct them.
One of my favorite speakers wrote a blog recently in which she addressed the common misconception that rebellion is inevitable. She wrote: Some of my best friends have children who went down the wrong path. But we are not to take it passively--Jesus told Peter, "Satan has desired to sift you like wheat. But I have prayed for you that when you return you will strengthen the bretheren." Engaged, instructing, involved, encouraging--not just passive. Now it is true we are in difficult times and the culture may pull at our chidren's hearts and some may go astray. But that doesn't mean all will, and it doesn't mean we shouldn't fight for their hearts, give them a reason to be faithful, seek to make our home the best place they will ever be, so that they will want to be with us and love the God we love and serve.
But what about us? We cannot rely on ourselves to be the compass for our children's lives. If we want them to want to follow God's direction in their lives, we need to be living out--right out in front of them--our desire to do that very thing in our lives. Ephesians 4:15 says, "Be very careful, then, how you live-not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is." How do we do that? By beginning every day in prayer and study of the Word and by continually asking for His guidance as we make our plans. Proverbs 19:21 says, "Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails."
This morning we were supposed to be taking a trip into DC to see an exhibit of the Terra Cotta Warriors-from the huge excavation of the tombs of the emporer and the Qin Dynasty. I've heard lots of great things about the exhibit and a homeschool group with which we are involved got tickets at the group rate. Just yesterday I was doing a little research into the exhibit so Joshua could learn a little before we got there. I looked through the educational guide and the family guide. As I read through the activities, one of the questions really pricked my heart. I got a really strong feeling that this exhibit was not appropriate for me to take Joshua to. It was a strong enough feeling that I stopped right there to pray about it. Then I called Dave and explained my concerns to him. He agreed completely and we cancelled our trip and found someone else to take our tickets. It doesn't mean that Nick and I won't try to go see the exhibit later-it is a very interesting and important part of history-but what I realized is that my first concern with Joshua is to teach him about our loving God and His creation. Joshua, at 6, doesn't have the spiritual maturity to place into context the misguided and sinful ways of a man who planned so well for his "afterlife" in every way except the right way. I want to take Joshua places that showcase our Savior, His love for us, and the men and women who followed Him.
Every moment with our children is a teaching moment. Every decision we make is making an impact on the lives of our children. We need to remain connected to God and open to His leading with everything that comes our way so that the lessons we teach are the lessons He wants our children to learn at that moment.

County Championships

Yesterday was the Indoor Track County Championship meet. Alyson had a great meet--she PR'd in all 3 events, taking 4th in long jump and 2nd in triple jump! It's fun to look at the programs and see her seeded right up near the top. In fact, she finished right at her seed in both of the jumps! She's always in the last flight of jumpers because her distance is so great.

Unfortunately the jumps do not go past Counties so she is done with them until outdoor track. Counties are a big deal around here. In fact there are almost as many people in our county as there are in the whole state of Montana! So essentially, this was her State meet for jumping. :) She will probably go on to Regionals in the 55m hurdles, though!

She's set up for a great year in outdoor.....

Free Stuff

You may have noticed a new addition to my sidebar, titled "free stuff in the mail." You see, in addition to the coupon savings I've been getting, I have also been getting a lot of great stuff sent to me completely free! Sometimes I get samples, sometimes I get full-size products. One week a couple of months ago, I got a full size bottle of Redken align 12 ($16 retail!), a full box of Romano's Macaroni Grill pasta meal, and a full box of a Wanchai Ferry entree (both approx. $4 retail at the commissary)!
I check the money-saving blogs I like from time to time, and simply click on the link and fill out my information. I haven't noticed any increase in Spam, junk mail, or even phone calls since doing it--what I have noticed is I've gotten a lot of great stuff completely free!
I decided to keep a list of what I've gotten--check it out from time to time. I just signed up for a couple more things today!
My new favorite words-"Your free sample request will be on it's way to you in 4-6 weeks! enjoy!" :)

A Big Day

Yesterday was a very special day. We got to go down to the Pentagon to see Dave promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. It was one of those things where we just went with the flow--his Class A uniform (greens) was going to be what he wore, but that got scrapped at the last minute because the General didn't have his! None of us, and several of our guests, had clearance to the Pentagon so there was a lot of waiting for escorts.

But everyone was absolutely terrific. We got to meet several of the people that Dave has worked with both here and in Iraq that we had never met before. And we got to see lots of old friends we haven't seen in YEARS. Some as many as 10 years!

Dave was promoted in the 9/11 Memorial Chapel by Brigadier General Boone, who is the Chief of Public Affairs. The invocation was given by Chaplain Griffin, who was our Division Chaplain in Germany. MSG Lavigne read the official promotion orders, and he won the privilege over a couple other soldiers who had asked and then bragged about it immediately afterwards on his Facebook page. We had a big reception with cake and lots of food and everyone crammed into the conference room afterwards. Lots of hugs and handshakes and people reconnecting.

Nick said one of his favorite parts was getting to meet so many people who like his Dad. :)

Here are a few pictures off my camera. We do have official photos coming soon but hopefully these will give you an idea of what a great day it was. The one downside of the day was not having Jarrett with us, but we are proud of him for being responsible and staying in NC to work.

Lieutenant Colonel still seems kind of surreal. We knew it was coming (and actually it's retroactive to 1 January) but this rank has always seemed a ways off--hard to believe it's actually here. I'm so proud of him and what he's accomplished. He's such a good man and a good soldier and our country is so fortunate to have him serving. Our family is even more fortunate to have him as our own. Congratulations, my love....

NBC Studios

Saturday Dave, Nick, and Joshua went with our Cub Scout den to tour the NBC studios in Washington. They had a fabulous time and were really impressed by all of the history in the building.

This studio was the first in the country to broadcast in color. In fact, President Eisenhower himself pushed the button that changed it over to color. They got to see the set of "It's Academic," the longest running gameshow in the country. It's (obviously) an academic game between high school teams in the DC area which provides scholarship money and a big dose of bragging rights. They got to see the less glamorous side of television, too, and were surprised at how cheap the set props were when they look so great on tv. They watched the morning news live and got to meet the weatherman and the news anchor. What a neat opportunity!

The White Bowl

The white bowl was actually once a part of a set of 3 bowls--one white, one blue, and one green. They were a gift to the big kids (when they were little) from my sister. They instantly were the favorite bowls--each kid had his or her own color and no one ever thought of using someone else's. The bowls were used for cereal or oatmeal every single morning for years. They were used for soup, ice cream, goldfish crackers, popcorn, and anything else they could think to put in them. Sometime, somewhere the blue and the green bowls disappeared. I don't remember it happening--could have been in a move, they could have gotten broken. But the white bowl (Jarrett's bowl) stayed around. When Joshua came along he fell just as in love with the bowl as the other kids had done. He asked for it every morning and it has been his bowl of choice since he started feeding himself.

This week he told me he doesn't want to use the white bowl anymore. He doesn't like how the cereal gets stuck in the straw and he thinks it's a "little kid" bowl. He would like to use one of the polish pottery bowls now; after all, he's not so little anymore.

It's true. He is 6 1/2, after all. The bowl has had a great run. And it has been a symbol, of sorts, of the spirit of childhood in our home. I'm not throwing it out, of course. When I look at it in the cupboard, I'll remember how much fun we had with the bowls, and think about how fast childhood really goes....

Saturday images

This morning was the first morning in a while I've thought, "I really have nothing I HAVE to do today...." and it is a great feeling!

Now, mind you, Joshua and I did get up to take Alyson to the bus at 4:25 am, but we came home and went right back to sleep.....how wonderful....

I've made a decision to spend less time on the computer this year and more time with my family so my blog updates may be fewer. And our days lately have been so busy I have forgotten to take pictures! We've had a lot going on--from twice-weekly track meets (Alyson is doing great-has her PR for long jump, won the triple jump, etc.), to Boy Scouts, Order of the Arrow (more to come on Nick's awesome job opportunity!), field trips, plays (the Music Man), lunch with friends, Cub Scouts, work, etc. etc.

This weekend Dave and Nick are at the winter sports camping event-it's one of their favorite campouts because they get to 1)stay warm in a cabin and 2)shoot rifles and shot guns. I know they're having a blast!

Alyson is in Pennsylvania at a track meet-Joshua and I will pick her up late tonight. So it's just the two of us this morning--more hints at the days to come in the not-so-distant future. We have some plans, but he just informed me he is kind of leaning towards playing legos and staying home. Not a bad idea.....

Glory days.....

oh, to be back in say, March, again.....

No. 9 UNC Stung by OT Loss to Charleston

Good thing we aren't one of those weird families who gets all wrapped up in that basketball silliness......

Meet Noor

This year we decided as a family to sponsor a child through World Vision. I have hopes of enlarging Joshua's view of the world as well as opening our eyes to the blessings we enjoy every day and often take for granted.

We went down to Family Christian Store to choose a child. It was an important decision because we plan on this being a long-term commitment. We plan on supporting this child till he/she is grown and hope that we can get to know him/her personally and even have a teeny hope that one day we can meet.

Joshua was very serious when he was looking through the available children. The store had them separated by country. He knew he wanted a boy, and he wanted him to be around the same age as he is. We looked at all the beautiful little African children with their haunting eyes and beautiful smiles. Joshua contemplated each one but when we got to the stack labeled "Jerusalem," his eyes lit up. "That's it!" he said. "I want to adopt a boy from Jerusalem, like Jesus was."

So Noor became ours. He is not what I pictured when I imagined "our" child. He's not from Africa or even Asia. He doesn't look like he's starving. And he's not even Jewish, like Joshua thought.

He lives in Palestine. He's most likely Muslim. He has 6 brothers and sisters and he lives in a city. You know, I hadn't even considered that World Vision is there for these children. Maybe I'm naive, or more likely, clueless. What I know now is that little children like Noor have little chance of going to school because it's simply not a priority. He lives in fear of violence and war and has for his entire life of 6 years. He is in need of clean drinking water and most likely lives without electricity in a cramped cement building.

It's funny how when we think we are doing something to "teach" someone else, we often end up being the ones who learn. Our family will learn more about Palestine because of our Noor. We will open our hearts to a little Muslim boy who never crossed our minds before. We will remember to pray for the little children caught up in the violence that has torn apart that region since before Christ walked there. And all because of my little 6 year old who wanted to help someone where Jesus lived.