EACH DAY IS AN ADVENTURE, AND EACH IS ONLY A SEASON OF OUR LIFE.....
Friday, September 10, 2010
Out Live Your Life by Max Lucado book review
The book really hit me when the author asked hypothetical questions about what I would have done in times during World War II and concentration camps, or during the civil rights movement in the south...and what is going on now? Starvation, sex trade, etc. and what are we or specifically I doing? What would I want others and my grandchildren to see that I did. The book really helped me in stopping to think that while we see these things going on every day, they are not to just be ignored. Whether it be money or prayer or action, each of us need to take action to out live our lives and make a difference in this world as Christians, as God intended for us. The book gave many stories of current and past people including people from the Bible that have taken action to make a difference. This helped in making the the "assignment" seem more possible and part of everyday life for each of us. There are discussion questions for each chapter at the end of the book that are thought provoking and help give ideas on how to get started like by finding somone who is out living their life and making a difference now.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
IF I COULD ASK GOD ANYTHING awesome Bible answers for curious kids by Kathryn Slattery Book review
I feel like this is a good book. It is simple enough for children and parents to read together, but could still be used and understood by teenagers and adults new to their faith or just wanting to find "simple" answers to "simple" questions. Some questions are not all simple of course, but the book isn't afraid to answer more difficult questions as well. I think that this book is helpful and a resource that can be used for many years.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Plan B: What do you do when God doesn't show up the way you thout He would by Pete Wilson book Review
I recently read the book Plan B: What do you do when God doesn’t show up the way you thought He would by Pete Wilson. I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers program. This book was about having a change in plans in your life either for yourself or someone close to you due to any change in circumstances. The book gives example in the Bible of Plan B situations, how God and people handled various situations then and in our own lives, as well as gives insight into why and how to deal with Plan B situations. It contains discussion questions at the end of the book for each chapter to help think about and process what the author has discussed.
I really enjoyed this book. I like that the author came across as authentic and genuine in telling the stories of his experiences and admitted when he didn’t have all the answers. The book doesn’t just give you an answer to dealing with every Plan B situation, but I don’t think that there can be, it’s not the simple. The advice that was given was backed up biblically. I did not like that the study questions were placed at the end of the book and not at the end of the chapters, as it seems less likely that a person will take the effort to go and read through them and more likely that they will forget they are there if reading the book alone. This book did give me insight and hope for myself and for helping others dealing with Plan B situations and helping to understand that we all have in mind what we want for our lives, but ultimately God knows and is in control.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
April 2010: Guardian of the Parks
This month we went to the Oxbow zoo again, they had a program going on about the bear waking up from her hibernation. They hid all her food in her cage and then let her out to search for it. The kids liked it, and it was fun. We didn't have any visitors or go anywhere, but the month still flew by. I can't believe we are moving in 4 months! This year is flying by so fast. Still no idea where we are going by the way.
A big thing to us this month was that Micheal and I got to go on 2 dates! The kids stayed with a girl from church whom they have really taken too. It was wonderful to get out and the kids at least Parker was more than happy to go play with someone new. Addison does well, but she still rather loves her mommy and would prefer to be with her all the time instead.
This is a view of a river we cross on our walks.
I took this picture to show you that they are already running paddle boats in the river. You can rent them and pedal your way up the river and back.
Addison at one of the playgrounds. This is a ship shaped structure.
This is Hayden, she is 2 days younger than Addison. Her mom and I have become good friends and try to get together once a week.
I thought this was a sweet picture of them from behind.
This is Parker's friend Liam. He was also born the same week as Parker, and is Hayden's brother. They are from Arkansas and just moved to Minnesota a couple of months before us. Our kids are seriously days apart. We met at church. It was/is such a God thing that we were connected.
Addison in the playground.
Addison at the zoo. She has figured out how to stand on the foot rest and how to pull herself up to see what she wants to see in the stroller.
Another of her at the zoo.
Parker and Addison on a fine spring day in Minnesota.
And of course we did celebrate Easter this month, Parker has started this sideways head everytime you take his pictures. Funny kid. But still handsome!
We could not get a good picture of them together yet, but we will....literally, if you put Addison down, she walks, it's like one of those wind up toys. They were so beautiful though in their matching outfits. We will have a photo shoot again soon when we can get Addison to stand still!
Parker in April
I am potty trained! yay!
Parker also started swimming lessons this month. You'll see the pictures at the last. He has been so excited about them. He has learned how to blow bubbles into the water, jump off the edge, turn around and get back to the gutter, lay on his back (but he still struggles with this, he doesn't like the water in or on his ears, I don't know which), and kicking. They push the ball with their noses and get flung around up and down back and forth in the pool by their parents. It's a bigger class then I would have liked, but it's a start, and at this age, it's not like I expected independent swimming totally! He loves the water though. Addison has to watch from the side, and it about kills her every time. She is dying to get in the water with us.
Parker continues to learn more and more. He LOVES dinosaurs and cars right now. He is always on the look out for them whether we are looking for cards in the store or at movies or shirts...there is bound to be a dino that he will see. Right now he likes the long neck ones, the brontosaurus, but he calls them long necks. It is time for us to get the Land Before Time movies I think! He loves to be outside, and he's really trying to master his hand eye coordination, wanting to try to bat a ball, and loves to play catch. He can ride his tricycle really well this spring, and the playgrounds do not slow him down at all. He has started reading the books to me or Addisy that he has memorized now, and it's so sweet to hear him singing songs we've learned at home or at story time. Parker talks all the time, sometimes I am so glad Micheal came home to listen to him so I can have an ear rest. Parker has really started to enjoy Addison even more and more, helping take care of her, but also helping to make her mad. He likes to take things from her (like her plug or stuffed animal) to make her chase him until she gets so mad she yells and I intervene. He has also had to spend some time in time out for pushing her down and being too rough with her. But, he really is still such a sweet and happy boy. We keep telling him he's a big boy now with the potty training and such. But a funny thing is, is that sometimes he'll see something he wants to do, like skateboard (there's a skate park off one of the trails we walk) and so I told him he could do that when he's bigger. He'll get a drink or wait a minute, and say "I"m bigger now." I think he has Micheal's concept of time, ha ha! Parker and I went on a couple mommy/son dates this month and saw Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs and How to Train a Dragon. He did great at both of course. He loved the dragon movie and still talks about the flying dragons. He is really starting to get an imagination and making his toys and such talk when he plays. But sometimes he is so literal...I put a shirt on him that had an alligator playing baseball...the typical little boy shirt. He said, "mama, is this a dragon or a crocodile?" Me: It says Gator baseball, so I think it's an alligator." Him: Alligators don't play baseball, they live in the water." I said you're right, they do live in the water. He is learning so much and thinking about so much too.
Parker wanted me to take a picture of him by his sled one day.....seems out of place to see him in his shorts next to the snow shovel and sled! In April, In Minnesota! Never thought this would happen!
Parker swimming with a noodle all by himself! He can use the current and his kicking to get himself from side to side of the pool width wise!
Addison at swimming lessons. She gets hot in there, but the water is freezing! When all the kids get out to jump in, they are shivering so badly that I sometimes imagine them shaking in like a cartoon.
Parker learning to jump in and grab the noodle...this teaches him to jump in without being caught every time.
Parker and I at his swimming lessons.
Blowing bubbles in the water and kicking across the pool.
One last shot of Parker for the month of April!
Addison in April
Addison in the kitchen with her kitchen toys. If she is standing up, she is on the run, there is no time to stop and pose for a picture, she has playing to do!
Sweet Addison
Addison on the outside, looking in. This picture cracks me up. Sometimes it seems like she's trying to make us laugh.
If Parker can walk to the car himself I can. Addison wants to walk everywhere. Although it's not really a fast mode of transportation. Her light weight makes it way easier for me to carry her. She has started becoming limp and straightening herself into the shape of a snake when you pick her up so that she can slide out of your arms and back onto the ground/floor again.
Cheese! I'm getting to be such a big girl!
I still love to eat! Pasta is one of my favorites! Her teeth are slowing her down a bit though, she doesn't seem much in the mood to eat when they are bothering her. And the only way she lets us see is if we put her upside and make her laugh. Otherwise, fat chance at seeing those pearly whites!
Monday, April 5, 2010
Spring Break visit
Addison loves to swing! I was really afraid she could fall through if there wasn't that strap in the middle!
So that afternoon we went to Oxbow Zoo, it's a local zoo here with just a few animals, but is really nice to walk around and spend a couple of hours or an hour if you want. We have only been a couple of times, but it's very peaceful and a nice walk. Easy enough for me to do myself. The next day we went to storytime at the toy store and then shopping at an outlet mall 45 minutes away. Grandma got us some really nice bargains and stuff for summer and next winter. Thank you sooooo much. The next day we went to Minneapolis and went to the Como Zoo. It's a bigger zoo, but small enough to do in an afternoon, especially in the winter when a lot of the animals are not out yet. Then since we were in Minneapolis we went to Mall of America, figured we should do it as many times as we can while we are here. We didn't do much there but eat and ride some rides. Grandma, Kelly, and Addison did some shopping.
Amma and Addison at Oxbow.
Aunt Kelly and Parker at Oxbow checking out the bald eagles.
The bird section at Oxbow, notice Parker way far ahead. The independence of a 2 year old is clearly exhibited here. He can feel very safe in going far away from us if we let him.
Parker and Pa going to check out the turkeys at Oxbow.
Pa and Parker
Amma and Parker checking out this old building.
Addison strutting her stuff at Oxbow, can't lose the cracker, had to stick it in her mouth.
Parker and Kelly, the basketball stars!
We found a Parker size basketball at the Nike outlet store, so Parker, Pa, and Kelly were practicing their basketball skills...this kids' got game, watch out future!
Go Parker!
Addison and Pa. Pa got talked into carrying her in the Como Zoo.
All of us but Micheal at the Como Zoo.
Pa and Parker on the big rig ride at Mall of America.
Look! Micheal and I do exist! Seems like there are hardly any pictures of us, let alone together anymore!
Amma, Addison, Aunt Kelly returning from their shopping trip.
Addison watching Parker on the Ferris wheel.
Pa and Parker waiting to get on the Ferris wheel in Mall of America.
Parker and Pa on the Ferris wheel.
March 2010
You will also see in the pictures that ALL our snow is gone! I had to add a couple pics from April already in this post to show you the nice spring days that we have already had. Some days were even in the high 70's! We took advantage of it when we could in between activities and Addison's nap time.
Addison had lots of milestones this month. She mastered the stairs, going up and down. And she began to walk! Now she is into everything, it seems like how can I move things higher and higher, they just keep growing! She also got her FIRST teeth! Yep, her first ones! And they of course weren't the 2 bottom ones that are normally the first teeth, they are her top incisors! She doesn't seem to do much anything according to how the world expects, she does it in her own way. My brother says she's going to be a vampire and that maybe I should have named her Bella!
A nice day to take a walk. As you can see, as soon as you put Addison down she walks away. It's hard to get her to stay put anywhere, even if it's for 3 seconds to take a picture.
The lost cause of an organized tupperware and lid cupboard. Addison gets into it every day, I gave up trying to make it neat....just throw it in there.
Parker going down the slide at the playground in our complex.
Addison wanting to climb up the slide. She loves to go down the slide and has even figured out how to push herself off to go down it when you put her at the top, but she doesn't have full body control yet, and will fall over by the time she's at the bottom.
Parker stylin' his cool new sunglasses for summer.
Addison on the stairs, up and down, up and down, up and down we go.
Addison has discovered she loves to be outside. She is often at the door waiting for someone to let her out and explore.
Mommy said I couldn't go outside, but she didn't say I couldn't reach outside!
An example of Addison and the balloon, that must stay on as long as it floats in the air. It doesn't even hinder her eating.
What? You aren't supposed to chew on markers? Addison learned how to pull the cap off a marker.
We went to brunch with the Easter bunny. Addison let him shake her hand, Parker wouldn't get close enough for a picture.
And, finally, the handsome and oh so sweet and smart Parker! He is doing well too. He has learned more and more words and is understanding more and more. He can tell you what animals live on the farm, and has really grasped size. He has begun to be able to match items very well and started on pattern making. I don't have as many pictures of him as he is too busy to have his picture taken. In April he is going to start swimming lessons!