New Element

Well, for those of you who like to know where I am and what I'm doing... I have added my calendar to the bottom of this page.

Flu

Boy! We just can't get healthy! It started with me this last December. I was sick for a good three weeks and then CJ got sick. He missed two full weeks of school and was coughing for another week and a half. Then Matrim got sick and missed a week of school. Went back for three days and missed another day. Went back to school today, and has a fever again tonight! And last Friday, Rand got a fever and has the cough too now. And last night he passed out on us from dehydration. It was scary.

I think we are really going to enjoy this summer! Not only has it been a very cold winter, but having someone constantly be sick is waring on us.

Boys' Room

So the boys (Matrim and CJ) have decided to put their beds into one room and their toys into the other room. Which means that there is a lot of work for me to do! I have also wanted to paint their rooms for quite a while and this will give me the opportunity to do that. I started emptying CJ's room today... and filling the dining room! I'm excited to get this project done. I think it will be good.

Hopefully Chris won't get too frustrated before I get things put back together. :)

Problem posting...

Chris, for some reason I couldn't get the window to respond to your blog to work. So here's my response:

I am curious... It appears that your choosing criteria changed with this 5th year choice. Previously you have been choosing songs which spoke to your life at the time. But this time you seemed to choose songs that you knew later in life but were released that year. Were you watching Grease at 5? And Billy Joel?

Did you decide to change it up a bit, or do these songs speak to your life at that time? If they do, How do they speak to your life?

The song you chose was The Gambler. I really don't think you can define an entire music genre by the fact that you don't listen to it. I'm pretty sure Kenny Rogers was Country. So... YOU listened to country music. It's ok. It wasn't your fault! You didn't know better. How could you know better at that age? No one taught you to shun all things country. ;)

If you have no idea what I'm talking about, check out my husband's blog. The link is on the right titled "My Chris' Blog"

Who am I a slave to?

So I was studying Galations and one of the key points is that we are slaves to something. Either we are in slavery to this world and our sinful nature, or we are slaves to God, and His will. Then I think it was Luke where Jesus says that anyone who sins is in slavery to sin. Well, I may be working really hard to do what I think God wants me to do, I may ask myself, WWJD, and I may strive to follow His will, but I will never reach a point where I do not sin. I don't think that is possible in this life. So what does that mean?

I want to be a slave for Christ. I want my life to be ruled by Him.

Another way to look at it is, What is my driving motivation? What is my perspective on life? Am I approaching life with the desire to please myself or God? I think it is John that is talking to those who have been converted to Christianity and says to them, "If you are a slave... do everything as unto the Lord." So in my every action and reaction, I need to keep in mind that I am acting as unto the Lord...

Everything I do is a reflection of my beliefs. Everything I do speaks the truth of who I am. If I say that I love God, and yet do not do as He wills me to do, then what good is my love for Him? When I ask my children to do something and they are obedient, especially when it is something that they would not want to do, it shows me that they love me and respect me. I need to do the same for God, my heavenly Father.

My thoughts seem a little disorganized here... but these are my thoughts the last few days. Thought I'd share them with you.

Our Velentine's Day

Last night Chris and I went to dinner with Teri Sue and Jason at Enjoy! We sat down and Chris pulled a jewelry box out of his coat pocket. Inside was a beautiful ruby necklace! Then, he pulled another box out of his pocket. It had earrings to match!

We then had a delightful dinner, great conversation and yummy dessert. It was the best Valentine's date we've had... maybe ever, maybe its just that it is more current in my mind. But it was wonderful!

I'm so blessed!

Responses

So I have to admit that I haven't felt very motivated to post the last few days. And I have come to the realization that it is because no one ever responds to my posts. I have gotten two responses in the last month, and both have been from my husband! So, this makes me question myself. "Why am I writing this blog? Is it as a form of communication with family and friends? Or is it a record to look back on and remember what was happening at this time in my life?

Would I like to have my friends and family reading and responding on my blog? Yes! Will I continue writing this if they don't? I'm not sure. I have to consider this.

I have wanted to start some discussions and get other ideas in reference to Caucus Night, Ironic, and WWJD posts but didn't get the response I was hoping for.

So... if there is anyone out there reading this (other than my husband, not to devalue your reading of my blog, but I *can* talk with you each night pretty easily) and you have any opinion, let me know.

Thank you!

Themes for firefox

I stumbled upon something kind of campy-Christian tonight. Mozilla Firefox is the Web Browser that I use and after installing an update tonight I decided to browse through the add ons that they have. I found a Christian theme for the browser. Instead an arrow pointing left and right, it has a Christian fish facing right and left for my back and forward, a dove for my refresh, a cross for stop. I know it is silly, and I may grow tired of it within a weeks time, but I thought is was funny.

Caucus Night

What a crazy night!

On our way to our caucus tonight, we saw a line of cars going down 42 and around the corner at the next block for the democratic caucus. When we got to the location for our caucus Chris had to drop me off and go park across the street. When we went in, there was a constant stream of people and we couldn't even get into the auditorium where the meetings were kicked off with some speeches by local representatives. When things did get started in the smaller room for our precinct, there were over 55 people in the room!

I did decide to become a delegate for our precinct. So, I guess I will be going to the next convention on March 8th. That is exciting. It is funny because my mother-in-law asked tonight if either of us were going to do that. "No," I said, "I think we're too busy to do that." Oh well.

In the book I'm reading, In His Steps, some of the people are embarking on entering their local politics because they believe that Jesus would stand up for some changes. I also feel that morality is vital to our countries survival. If I don't stand up for what I believe is right, then how will anything get better?

So, along with the biggest turn out for caucuses I've ever seen, we went too. And signed up to continue. May God bless the upcoming elections and this country.

Quick Check-in

So, Chris is standing at the piano figuring out how to play one of his old camp songs. You know how they are really repetative... You know how they can get really annoying when people sing them? Let me just say that it is a good thing I love my husband so much!

We had Christ Life tonight. It is always so cool to see what people learn about themselves, what God shows us, how we can help each other. I am truly privileged to facilitate CL.

It is late tonight and I don't have much to say, so Sweet Dreams!

Family Update

Well... Where should I start? CJ has been sick and will finally be returning to school after two weeks! He still has a nasty cough, but it is controllable with decongestant. He had a pretty tough go with the flu though.

Matrim went is for a CT Scan on Thursday. He has had headaches every day for years now. Chiropractor, massage therapy, pain killer... nothing has made a difference. So I'm really praying that God will show the doctors exactly how to help him find some relief from pain.

Rand is into full swing of musical practice. He is in the Wild Wild West Show, a spoof on Western Movies. It should be a lot of fun to see this March.

Chris is getting a little busier with work. He has settled into his little "Bat Cave Office" downstairs. I would go crazy if I spent all day in a little room like that with no windows, but he seems to like it.

I have been busy painting Rachel's room, putting a scrapbook together for our recent Associate Pastor, facilitating Christ Life, being Mommy to a sick little boy and all of the other day to day stuff. Its about time to start getting things pulled together for our Feb. Culver's Fundraiser. I am taking some time off of work which will make things a little easier over the next few weeks.

We are starting a new study at church called Naturally Supernatural. I am excited to see what it is going to be like. I really like our small group! It is great to have close friends who share our beliefs and values.

To finish up the family update I should include the animals, huh? Naboo and Amidala are both looking forward to spring. Naboo wants some serious walks and Ami just wants to be able to go outside without freezing. Ella is as quiet and illusive as ever. Geiko is healthy and growing and the fish are swimming in circles as much as always.

There ya go! Everything! Well... not quite.