We are focused on Vacation Bible School this Spring Break. It's hard to believe this is already our 5th one in The Dalles. My how time flys!! God is soooo good and faithful! I remember the first Spring Break VBS we did here in 2005 and I was basically on my own, expect for our few precious Home League ladies who served the snacks. Our DC's even came to help me teach one morning! But each year, we've had more help (more kids too!) and now this year, we had 10 people really helping last night! That may not seem like much to other churches, but to my friends in The Salvation Army out there... you can appreciate it, can't you!
The kids and I and a couple of ladies decorated the building yesterday morning, and my own kids were so helpful! Ann and Hannah helped Zeronda and Pallas stick up a ton of littler decorations. They sat and taped and the girls ran all over sticking them up. The boys helped me carry a few heavy things up and down the stairs and helped move equipment in the gameroom. They are thrilled every year at VBS time and love to be an "insider" helping get ready and reading the material a day or two ahead.
But I was still feeling crabby after a few nights of really bad sleep... SO, my friend, Stacie decided to have her baby so I could feel better. (HA!HA!) She had a baby girl who is so, so, so, precious and at less than 24 hours old looks EXACTLY like her other children. Good thing she has a different name than them, Lilly, that way we can tell them apart. We had just had a great Friday night with them too plus plans for this week. God definately appoints the time to be born!
And Sunday was also good. Our Divisional Commanders came to visit and Major preached and it was really good. It is nice for Paul and I to sit next to each other and get preached at. I loved it.
Also good to visit over lunch. I like being reminded that we are not alone and that there are many, many other Officers out there that face the unique challenges that we do.
We all stayed home this morning to catch up on chores and such. Get some play time in, etc. We'll head down to the Corps soon for afternoon 2 of VBS, which also runs into the evening for us (clean-up, lock-up, drop offs, etc.) AND Paul cooked up a fabulous breakfast of bacon, eggs, toast.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Saturday, March 21, 2009
6 years in Iraq
Thursday, March 19 marked the 6th anniversary of the Iraq War. There was a memorial display in The Dalles which consisted of over 4000 flags, each naming a Soldier killed.
I thought it was important that the kids see it. Nothing in life is free, not even freedom. Everything comes at a cost.
Thank you to our Soldiers and their families.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Lord, You Know My Baby
This was the devotion shared with me at the baby shower.
I really liked it and kept a copy.
Lord, You Know My Baby
A Pregnancy Devotional(from Birthing Naturally.net)
A Pregnancy Devotional(from Birthing Naturally.net)
Psalm 22:9-10 "Yet you brought me out of the womb;
you made me trust in you even at my mother’s breast.
From birth I was cast upon you;
from my mother’s womb you have been my God. "
The Bible tells us that even before our children are born they know God, and that God knows them. The psalmist claims to have served God since he was in his mother's womb. Have you ever considered that your baby may be in contact with his heavenly father already? What an awesome God we serve that even the unborn babies can worship Him!
When Mary went to visit Elizabeth, John leapt inside her at the presence of his Lord Jesus. If John and the psalmist could worship God before they were born, couldn't any child? What if all those kicks you are feeling come from a baby so in love with God that she just can't keep still. What if he is dancing in worship to his Lord?
Dancing in worship? Well, why not? David danced in celebration of his God. He was even criticized by his wife for embarrassing her with his dancing.
The next time you baby kicks, squirms, rolls, punches or pokes, don't just laugh and say "Oh, she kicked me!" Get out of your chair and dance with your baby in praise and celebration of the Lord God.
Baby Shower Pics
Yay! More Diapers and Wipes!
Cake made by our Shirley, (I call her the Corps Cake Sergeant)Thursday, March 19, 2009
Thursday
My baby shower last night was a blast! We have a few ladies who really know how to get the job done! I was so blessed to see so many ladies come. I apoligized for doing this to them again and they all laughed. They are so excepting of our family and I'm grateful to have them! Plus... I got a TON of diapers!! I'd say about $150 worth!! That's basically all I got because they wanted to get me something practical I'd use. Boy does that help our budget too! Let's see, am I ready for baby yet? Halfway I think... Diapers- check. Boobs- double check. Bassinet- almost check. Sleepers- dig-them-out-check.
A long busy day. Started with a big clean-up mess for mommy on the refridgerator. Right as we're walking out the door, Ann starts telling me about Hannah and the purple marker. Uh, oh. Hannah had got into my art/craft supply drawer (which she knows is forbidden without permission!) and wrote all over the outside of the fridge. Purple, her favorite color. I don't care if it put me behind "schedule". She was going to pay! She had her nose on the wall the whole time it took me to clean it up. About 15 minutes. Her longest yet. Fortunately it came off all the way with some elbow grease and lysol wipes. Precious children. She did tell me she was sorry. At least one of us had fun.
Early to the Corps with the girls to set-up for Advisory Board and get things cooking. I also had to do some re-setting/decorating of the room from my baby shower last night. Then the girls and I went to CBS. Then back to the house super fast to change into my uniform, then back to the Corps for Advisory Board. A good turnout, but painful for me to sit that long. I had to keep getting up. (Paul will have to fill me in on what I missed when I go to type up the minutes.) Then shopping for VBS snacks, and thoroughly organizing them in the kitchen. Sorted, labeled and everything. I love the feeling. Of course, by this time the boys were with me too and I had 4 kids begging for a taste of all the goodies we bought. This is when they learn patience... they have to hold out till next week!
I want to take the kids to the Iraq memorial before dinner, so I'm leaving soon. I didn't get a good look at it, but it looked big, interesting, and informative. I'll take pictures and put it up on my blog.
French Toast, Bacon and Apples for dinner tonight. It's not Paul's favorite, but he's a good sport.
Looking forward to a day mostly at home tomorrow.
A long busy day. Started with a big clean-up mess for mommy on the refridgerator. Right as we're walking out the door, Ann starts telling me about Hannah and the purple marker. Uh, oh. Hannah had got into my art/craft supply drawer (which she knows is forbidden without permission!) and wrote all over the outside of the fridge. Purple, her favorite color. I don't care if it put me behind "schedule". She was going to pay! She had her nose on the wall the whole time it took me to clean it up. About 15 minutes. Her longest yet. Fortunately it came off all the way with some elbow grease and lysol wipes. Precious children. She did tell me she was sorry. At least one of us had fun.
Early to the Corps with the girls to set-up for Advisory Board and get things cooking. I also had to do some re-setting/decorating of the room from my baby shower last night. Then the girls and I went to CBS. Then back to the house super fast to change into my uniform, then back to the Corps for Advisory Board. A good turnout, but painful for me to sit that long. I had to keep getting up. (Paul will have to fill me in on what I missed when I go to type up the minutes.) Then shopping for VBS snacks, and thoroughly organizing them in the kitchen. Sorted, labeled and everything. I love the feeling. Of course, by this time the boys were with me too and I had 4 kids begging for a taste of all the goodies we bought. This is when they learn patience... they have to hold out till next week!
I want to take the kids to the Iraq memorial before dinner, so I'm leaving soon. I didn't get a good look at it, but it looked big, interesting, and informative. I'll take pictures and put it up on my blog.
French Toast, Bacon and Apples for dinner tonight. It's not Paul's favorite, but he's a good sport.
Looking forward to a day mostly at home tomorrow.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Today's Wednesday...
Wow! I've blogged 3 days in a row! Yippee! It really doesn't take that long, but there are some days that I'm convinced I just don't have time. I can tell myself anything.
I'm at home this afternoon (actually, all afternoons)... Today... lunch, laundry, naptime (Hannah), Ann time on the computer (who still needs my help because she gets herself in crazy places without me), dishes, vacuum the stairs (I hate stairs!), and then all the little interruptions from someone who needs me. I also need to finish my CBS Bible lesson. (without interruptions... NOT!) and Elijah and Ann want to help me get the Music and Games ready for VBS when he gets home from school. Elijah will be my game assistant this year and is really looking forward to it. He's loud enough for it! and a natural leader even at 7. We are still going to have to review who's really in charge though (me!).
Got some office work done this morning before Home League. Also washed potatos for Advisory Board tomorrow, built a giant Crocodile for VBS, and finished writing on the banner for VBS. It will be up to Paul and a couple of our man staff to hang that sucker up. It was way bigger than I expected when I ordered it. Hannah was very scared of the Crocodile, but got over it after Ann gave him a hug.
I got kicked out of Home League early so they could decorate for my baby shower tonight. I feel very embarrased getting one, again (and again and again and again and again)! They are way nice to do this for me. It's also weird for me to attend something that I'm not in charge of. I don't know how involved to be. Like I'm already thinking... hmmmm... who will do prayer? clean-up? open and lock-up the building? find kitchen supplies? etc? I don't even think they invited any of my local friends, but didn't know if it's my place to speak-up or not. I miss that my own families and far away friends don't come to these things either. I just look at it as a church event, and they are my family who I love too! And I really, really enjoy our group of 20+ ladies from the church. They are a great bunch who are fun and even inspiring to be around.
We finally got the results from David's Destination Imagination team competition a few weeks ago. Are you ready for this.... out of 148 teams, David's team placed 2nd!! Unbelievable!! So now the team is meeting afterschool today to decide if they want to continue competing. It's an issue because in a small town like this, 6 out of 8 kids on his team play baseball, and the next level of competition is on Opening Day (April 4). Paul and I told David that this is real life and he's got to choose for himself which he wants to do. He wants to do both but that's not going to happen. I think he's leaning toward doing the competition. I get to load up all the kids to go pick him up at 3:30pm today. I already do it Mondays after Chess Club. All things with joy, right!?
Today's the 18th. I'm due in exactly 1 month. Yay! I try not to think about it and live in denial that way I'm not chomping on the bit to get this last part over with. My skin is extremely itchy, my stomach is huge and makes it hard to breath sitting down, even worse when I eat. I also just have to keep moving or my sciatic (sp?) nerve just kills me getting up. But, I'm still grateful to have another one. God just made this lady that crazy!
I'm at home this afternoon (actually, all afternoons)... Today... lunch, laundry, naptime (Hannah), Ann time on the computer (who still needs my help because she gets herself in crazy places without me), dishes, vacuum the stairs (I hate stairs!), and then all the little interruptions from someone who needs me. I also need to finish my CBS Bible lesson. (without interruptions... NOT!) and Elijah and Ann want to help me get the Music and Games ready for VBS when he gets home from school. Elijah will be my game assistant this year and is really looking forward to it. He's loud enough for it! and a natural leader even at 7. We are still going to have to review who's really in charge though (me!).
Got some office work done this morning before Home League. Also washed potatos for Advisory Board tomorrow, built a giant Crocodile for VBS, and finished writing on the banner for VBS. It will be up to Paul and a couple of our man staff to hang that sucker up. It was way bigger than I expected when I ordered it. Hannah was very scared of the Crocodile, but got over it after Ann gave him a hug.
I got kicked out of Home League early so they could decorate for my baby shower tonight. I feel very embarrased getting one, again (and again and again and again and again)! They are way nice to do this for me. It's also weird for me to attend something that I'm not in charge of. I don't know how involved to be. Like I'm already thinking... hmmmm... who will do prayer? clean-up? open and lock-up the building? find kitchen supplies? etc? I don't even think they invited any of my local friends, but didn't know if it's my place to speak-up or not. I miss that my own families and far away friends don't come to these things either. I just look at it as a church event, and they are my family who I love too! And I really, really enjoy our group of 20+ ladies from the church. They are a great bunch who are fun and even inspiring to be around.
We finally got the results from David's Destination Imagination team competition a few weeks ago. Are you ready for this.... out of 148 teams, David's team placed 2nd!! Unbelievable!! So now the team is meeting afterschool today to decide if they want to continue competing. It's an issue because in a small town like this, 6 out of 8 kids on his team play baseball, and the next level of competition is on Opening Day (April 4). Paul and I told David that this is real life and he's got to choose for himself which he wants to do. He wants to do both but that's not going to happen. I think he's leaning toward doing the competition. I get to load up all the kids to go pick him up at 3:30pm today. I already do it Mondays after Chess Club. All things with joy, right!?
Today's the 18th. I'm due in exactly 1 month. Yay! I try not to think about it and live in denial that way I'm not chomping on the bit to get this last part over with. My skin is extremely itchy, my stomach is huge and makes it hard to breath sitting down, even worse when I eat. I also just have to keep moving or my sciatic (sp?) nerve just kills me getting up. But, I'm still grateful to have another one. God just made this lady that crazy!
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
St. Patrick's Day and Daughters
I've been pinched twice today. The boys got me while I was still in my jammies. They had enough foresight to wear jammies with green on them to bed. Little stinkers. They were ready to pinch their little sisters too, but Ann had green on her underwear and Hannah had green on her jammies... so there!
I put a big St. Patrick's day tablecloth on the table and hung up their Trinity Clovers they had made at the SAY Rally. Put Corned Beef, Red Potatos and Cabbage in the crockpots for dinner. I should get some root "beer" too and think of something green for dessert. Ooo! I know, how about mint chocolate chip icecream(green) rootbear floats... that might work!
I am sooo feeling the "nesting" hormones kick in. Watch out! When I unloaded my car this morning of Advisory Board and Home League groceries, I couldn't help but start getting rid of stuff from the Corps(church) kitchen. I called our janitor in and got rid of TONS of stuff, including a ton of VERY expired food. It felt really good. When you have up to 15 people using a kitchen, noone is "comfortable" getting rid of stuff because they think it's for someone else's project or program. That's where I come in! I almost threw out the girls and the janitor if they stood still for to long! (ha!ha!)
It is amazing to me having daughters! Having sons has always been such a blessing and enjoyment in my life, but I am learning that they are just plain different from girls! The boys have never wanted to be like me. They want me and love me and need a mother, but they want to be like Dad, not me. The girls watch me so closely and imitate me in so many ways. I will say.. "where did they learn THAT?" and thinking more closely, I realize they learned it from me! Good or Bad! I am always remembering the proverb Ezekiel 16:44 "Like mother, like daughter".
Among all the questions I am asked being pregnant "Is it a boy or girl?" usually comes first. (I should blog about the rest of the conversations/interrogations/questioning/opinions when they find out it's my 5th!!) Anyways, I have no idea what we're having. I don't even have an inkling like a good mother would. I change even on what I want. There was a time when I only imagined myself with sons, but that picture is over. A daughter would fit in with the girls so well because the girls are already the youngest. A son would also be good because it would be something fresh after 4 years of girls. Who knows! The bottom line is you get what you get. And seeing as we live a life surrendered to God, He will give our family exactly what He intends! I pray to God though it will never be a cat. (ha!ha!) That is one living thing I don't every want in my home!!
What's everyone else doing for St. Patrick's day?
I put a big St. Patrick's day tablecloth on the table and hung up their Trinity Clovers they had made at the SAY Rally. Put Corned Beef, Red Potatos and Cabbage in the crockpots for dinner. I should get some root "beer" too and think of something green for dessert. Ooo! I know, how about mint chocolate chip icecream(green) rootbear floats... that might work!
I am sooo feeling the "nesting" hormones kick in. Watch out! When I unloaded my car this morning of Advisory Board and Home League groceries, I couldn't help but start getting rid of stuff from the Corps(church) kitchen. I called our janitor in and got rid of TONS of stuff, including a ton of VERY expired food. It felt really good. When you have up to 15 people using a kitchen, noone is "comfortable" getting rid of stuff because they think it's for someone else's project or program. That's where I come in! I almost threw out the girls and the janitor if they stood still for to long! (ha!ha!)
It is amazing to me having daughters! Having sons has always been such a blessing and enjoyment in my life, but I am learning that they are just plain different from girls! The boys have never wanted to be like me. They want me and love me and need a mother, but they want to be like Dad, not me. The girls watch me so closely and imitate me in so many ways. I will say.. "where did they learn THAT?" and thinking more closely, I realize they learned it from me! Good or Bad! I am always remembering the proverb Ezekiel 16:44 "Like mother, like daughter".
Among all the questions I am asked being pregnant "Is it a boy or girl?" usually comes first. (I should blog about the rest of the conversations/interrogations/questioning/opinions when they find out it's my 5th!!) Anyways, I have no idea what we're having. I don't even have an inkling like a good mother would. I change even on what I want. There was a time when I only imagined myself with sons, but that picture is over. A daughter would fit in with the girls so well because the girls are already the youngest. A son would also be good because it would be something fresh after 4 years of girls. Who knows! The bottom line is you get what you get. And seeing as we live a life surrendered to God, He will give our family exactly what He intends! I pray to God though it will never be a cat. (ha!ha!) That is one living thing I don't every want in my home!!
What's everyone else doing for St. Patrick's day?
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