More from the dinner table

Oh, Gabriel...

For the past few days I have really been working on recognizing colors with my 2 and a half year old. It seems as though once we go THROUGH what the colors are, he can memorize that his pants are green and my shirt is purple, etc. However BEFORE I actually tell him, he has no clue whatsoever. I really am beginning to think he might be color blind...but I know I'm just an over-worried mom, so I abandon that idea for the time being.

Tonight, we sat at the dinner table. At a quiet moment, I turned to the twins (Luke is not here at the moment - went to see "Surf's Up" with Zach) and told them NOT to answer. Since Gabriel had done slightly better yesterday afternoon, I thought he might be able to recognize a few colors. So the conversation proceeded:

Mommy: Gabriel, what color is Drew's plate? (It was green.)

Gabriel: (silent with his finger in his mouth)

Mommy: Gabriel, what color is this? It's your faaaaaavorite color!!

Gabriel: Pink!! (Twins giggle, daddy is disappointed....)

Mommy: No...your favorite color is green. What color is this plate?

Gabriel: Deen!

Mommy: Good job! Give me five! (Gabriel smacks my palm.)

Mommy: Ok. Now what color is Mommy's shirt? (He had done well with purple yesterday...let's give that a shot.)

Gabriel: um, um, um....

Mommy: What color is my shirt?

Gabriel: um..

Mommy: It's p- p-

Gabriel: Poopy!! (Twins giggle a little more...Daddy is proud again.)

After calming them down with "It's not funny" and threats, Mommy tries again...

Mommy: Ok. Gabriel, what color is my shirt? Pur- pur-

Gabriel: puwrplwe!

Mommy: Yes!! Give me five!!

Mommy: Good job! Now, what color is your plate? (The plate was shaped like Mickey Mouse and it was red.)

Gabriel: Mittey Mouse! (Twins giggle again)

Mommy: No, it is shaped like Mickey Mouse, but what color is it?

Gabriel: Mittey Mouse! (He ends with laughter knowing his answer will get a laugh from his brothers.)

Mommy: Ok. Boys, it's not funny...come on. Let's get this, Gabriel. You know this color. What color is your plate? Is it...r- r-....

Gabriel: I farted.

All was lost. NEVER a dull moment.

Movie Review: Evan Almighty

Steve Carell is NOT my favorite actor. I think most of his attempts to entertain fall short because they rely too heavily on crude humor. I'm pretty split when discussing him because some times I find him quite enjoyable. Among his family-friendlier roles and better performances, are great films such as Over the Hedge and Bruce Almighty, the prequel to Evan Almighty.

However, most of what I have seen from him has not been my favorite. I'm not a fan of the Daily Show with John Stewart, which is the first time I remember seeing Carell.

Among the flops, are Little Miss Sunshine and 40 Year Old Virgin. Neither of these movies are worth the time. Virgin had one comic scene in it that was not offensive...and you saw that on the trailers, so consider the trailor the highlight reel as well. Sunshine was disgusting in that it glorified a severely disfunctional family and made a little girl dancing very provocatively "ok" in the eyes of America. I really was disappointed in these two films...beyond anything I could put on here.

His success has brought him the lead role in NBC's The Office. I've seen it a handful of times, and most of the time I do not find it humorous.

It's not all bad though. Horton Hears a Who, set to release in March of 2008, looks promising not only because I adore Dr. Seuss and love Seussical the Musical, but because the cast members include Jim Carrey (sometimes offensive, I know...but still funny), Carol Burnett, my beloved Eko (Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje from the first two seasons of Lost, my favorite show...I'm still mad that Ekko left).

I used to LOVE the show "Get Smart" as a kid. I watched the reruns every chance I could get...so I will probably like the almost-have-to-be-family-friendly film version starring Carell as the lead role, Maxwell Smart.

But on to this review! Evan Almighty is absoluetly my favorite of all Carell's performances. Chad and I struggled to remember any cussing in the movie. (Jack_ _ _ and p*ssed were the most offensive words in the movie and they were only used once I believe. Beyond that, we can't remember any foul language or sexual content. It's just a good movie that reminds us that God does things and allows things because He loves us.

Wanda Sykes and Morgan Freeman deliver great performances. Wanda's straight-to-the-point humor is sometimes sprinkled, to the say the least, with cussing...but doggone it! She's funny! And Morgan Freeman has been in some great roles for films like Lean On Me, Driving Miss Daisy, Shawshank Redemption, Unforgiven, and Million Dollar Baby. He's just one of the great actors.

Jimmy Bennett as Evan's youngest son, Ryan, is adorable! (Bennett was a voice in Polar Express, a GREAT kid's movie...has been seen on Everwood, Daddy Daycare, Judgin Amy, CSI, and Hostage. He's worked with great actors like Tom Hanks, Bruce Willis, Eddie Murphy, and Richard Dreyfuss.)

I prefer John Goodman as a jolly good-guy, but he does a good job in this movie playing the nemesis to our contemporary Noah, Evan Baxter.

The soundtrack was pretty good as well. I found myself singing along a few times!

All in all, there were some GREAT one-liners in this movie, the humor is extremely family friendly, and the premis of the movie has good principles. I give it 4 stars!!


Okay...here's one more for good measure. I really miss Mr. Eko.

Today's Reminder: He Never Lets Go...He's NEVER Failed Me Yet

One year ago today was an especially difficult day...it marked the beginning of an especially difficult six month period of time....most days I don't think about it anymore....but some days I still do...

When I remember it, I can't help but feel blessed all over again for the outcome. God has been good.

I've learned a lot in church services the past few weeks. I think without realizing it, I dealt with this situation the way I was supposed to through prayer. I've been reminded in the past two weeks at church that prayer is not a wish list of things to benefit me or my family....and when it is most often it is not answered. In reflecting back upon this particular situation in my life, I realize that although some of my prayers about it were cries out to God for deliverence, many of them were also prayers seeking God's will and asking that God be glorified through the situation.

I can say that His will has been met and He IS glorified through it. I hope that someday, a friend will need to sit down with me as I did with Sharon and I will be able to have a conversation with them that is as open, raw, and beneficial as that one was for me. I think that THEN I will be able to use the experience that I have gone through to help others....and maybe that is what God will use me for...maybe not....maybe I will be able to help my own sons or their wives because of it. I hope that He will allow me to remember it well and speak with His Words about it...

Today I read over many of the posts I wrote in that dark time of my life. One thing is clear. My PEACE came from the Lord. My HOPE came from the Lord. My BLESSING came from Him.

Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, "It is well. It is well with my soul."

The words still ring true...

You know...in the two biggest heart breaks of my lifetime (this situation and my parents' divorce) those words echoed inside me. I clung to them. I claim them.

But like all bad times, you can't see the good until much later...much much later in some cases. And it is now that I can see how amazing this anthem has become for me and my personal trials.

If you find yourself in the midst of one of these storms:

1. Hold fast. Help truly IS on the way. (MercyMe)

2. He IS the Everlasting God and our strength WILL rise as we wait upon Him. (Brenton Brown)

3. The more you seek Him, the more you WILL FIND Him. (Kari Jobe)

4. If you are still before Him and you truly know He is God, you will see that He never changes. He is always faithful. (Steven Curtis Chapman)

5. God is TRULY more than Enough for you. Every need is satisfied from Him. (Chris Tomlin)

6. You are NOT immune to heartache, NOT immune to temptation, rejection...but God's LOVE will HEAL your heart when you think your life is shattered and you think there's no way to be fixed again.... (Third Day)

7. He DOES do all things well. (Tomlin)

8. Grace and Peace will be yours from the Father. (Fernando Ortega and I Thess. 1:2)

9. If not for His goodness or grace, His kindness and favor, His mercy or His love you could never say you were "Still Standing." (Israel Houghton)

10. If God is with you, whom shall you fear? He WON'T let go of you. (Matt Redman)

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
Your perfect love is casting out fear
And even when I’m caught in the middle of the storms of this life
I won’t turn back
I know You are near

And I will fear no evil
For my God is with me
And if my God is with me
Whom then shall I fear?
Whom then shall I fear?

Chorus:
Oh no, You never let go
Through the calm and through the storm
Oh no, You never let go
In every high and every low
Oh no, You never let go
Lord, You never let go of me

And I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
A glorious light beyond all compare
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
We’ll live to know You here on the earth

Chorus:

Yes, I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
Still I will praise You, still I will praise You

Chorus: (2x’s)

Today's Adventure

For a church activity, I took the kids to the Fort Wayne Zoo. Despite the 90+ degrees and humidity, we had a lot of fun.

Among the favorites?

Luke: sea lion, monkeys, penguins, zebra shark
Drew: monkeys, sharks, bats
Evan: giant tortoises, alligators, bats
Gabriel: tiger, log ride
Mommy: giraffes, Austrailian carpet snake,kangaroos

Here are some pictures, thanks to Leslie! :) This is Drew in the kangaroo pouch.



Gabriel was a little shy about getting inside, so Evan joined him.




This is Luke and his friend posing for the camera.




They had a great time. If I end up with more pictures, I'll be sure to post them.

Just a little patience, ooo yeah, just a little patience...

Sorry, I was a Guns and Roses fan back in the day....

I spoke too soon!! Carrots are coming!!! I was out playing with the puppy last night and he ran in to the garden. I was shoo-ing him out of it when I noticed another carrot sprout. Kendra, you were right. They just took a while. The first two were up about a week and a half ago, though, so I had given up hope....

Man the analogies between this garden and how God deals with us are endless. I'd say of all that I have learned about planting a garden, this is my favorite. It's what I spend time thinking about while I'm doing the back breaking work.... (which needs to be done again....)

When I weeded it last week, I kept thinking that this was me in that garden. When I surround myself with clean soil and water and sOnlight, I bloom and blossom and do what my Maker intended...but when I let the weeds creep back in....old habits, old friends who influence me negatively...they choke the LIFE out of me and influence me to get tangled up in their sin.

It's made me realize that I need someone to come and help me weed out my life. I think an accountability partner would do me a lot of good. I am going to pray that God will send someone and make it very clear that they would be a good partner.

...little patience, mm yeah, ooh yeah,
Need a little patience, yeah
Just a little patience, yeah
Some more pati... (ence, yeah)
I've been walking these streets at night
Just trying to get it right (Need some patience, yeah)
It's hard to see with so many around
You know I don't like being stuck in a crowd (Could use some patience, yeah)
And the streets don't change but maybe the name
I ain't got time for the game
'Cause I need you (Patience, yeah)
Yeah, yeah well I need you
Oh, I need you (Take some patience)
Whoa, I need you (Just a little patience is all we need)
Ooh, this ti- me....

huh. never thought g n r would be able to redirect my thoughts to some GODLY things... go figure. it's a stretch, i know...but it worked today for me....

Make that 1

For some reason, I can't find my 2nd carrot...we're down to one carrot....

*sigh*

Just when the soreness had gone...

I had to weed the garden. It's pretty big...and sadly, it took me 3.5 hours to weed 5 rows. This was all done while coralling 3 and then 4 boys after Gabriel woke up from his nap, while watching the dog be "trusted" on the invisible fence without a leash, while instructing kids what green bean plants and corn look like BEFORE they are actually beans and corn....we lost a few corn stalks. Gabriel was trying to help...

Even sadder, of all that we planted: broccoli, TONS of carrots, green/red/yellow/purple peppers, jalapenos, LOTS of peas, green beans, and corn....the only thing that has managed to sprout is corn and green beans...and 2 -- count them, TWO carrots. That's it. All the hard work that weekend, all the sore muscles...and for a few rows of corn and beans and 2 carrots. It's not because it hasn't been watered...it's not because we planted wrong. It could be that the soil was SOOOO extremely hard and hasn't had anything planted in it for about 10 years.

The whole point was to save us some major cash on groceries...ahh, we'll chalk it up to a learning experience, and I'll say I'm not the pasty, chalk-like white I have been for the last few summers. Even though my hands are screaming at me from pulling weeds, my back and arms are rubbery from working the hoe...tasting the sweet corn in a few weeks will make it worth it. (I hope.)

Drew looked at me while sitting on the ground, hands full of weeds, and said to me, "You said that having a garden would be fun" right before he looked down the long row of corn he was working on.

I almost answered him, but then I thought, Did I? Did I actually say that? Did I think that was true?? *sigh*

A shower will do me a world of good right now...so I'm off.

Happy Father's Day!!!

We had a good Sunday...

1. Great service this morning at church! (My dad continues to amaze me at his willingness to obey the calling of the Holy Spirit.)

2. Texas Road House for lunch with Dad and Jenny. Can I just say, YUMMY???

3. Nap during a short thunder storm....is there any better way to nap?

4. Luke's best friend is home from vacation so he got to go visit Zach. He was thrilled!

5. Chocolate soft serve ice cream with Krunch Kote. I love Krunch Kote! It reminds me of Grandma R. She must have served that yummy treat when I was little because every time I have it, I think of sitting at her bar eating it from a white bowl....

6. 3 new movies from Netflix!



Luke starts basketball camp tomorrow. He's SOOOOOOO excited!

Have a great Father's Day!

Lordy! I'm in trouble!

I took the boys swimming yesterday at Chad's grandparents, which is about a mile from our house. They wore themselves out. All the time I was watching them, I kept thinking, "Oooo they're gonna sleep GOOOOOOOD tonight!" It was great. I had the forethought before we left to prepare supper and put it in the refrigerator. I figured that four boys who had had a very light lunch and a very tiring afternoon in the sun would be hungry. I made their favorites: cooked carrots, cauliflower, meatloaf, strawberry/banana yogurt, and pickles. As soon as they saw me pull it out of the fridge to pop in the oven, they were ecstatic! (These are the same kids who got to pick out a salad from the deli last summer to go camping and choose BEETS and coleslaw!)

So anyway, the hour passed and the food was ready. At about 6:30 or 7 we sat down to eat. I filled each plate a little fuller than usual. They sat in silence (those of you who have ever eaten with them KNOW how amazing that is) while the scarfed down their food. It was amazing. I even asked questions...to EVAN of all kids....trying to get a conversation started. NOTHING. They all asked for seconds. I filled them all up again. That was it for Gabriel. He couldn't finish. Drew, Evan, and Luke asked for thirds. I obliged. Drew, Evan, and Luke asked for fourths. Again, I obliged, adding my "Are you SURE you can eat all that?" With four kids, we don't waste food around here! Drew and Evan politely finished their fourth plates, all but just a few bites, and I excused them. Luke asked for a FIFTH plate. At this point, I was completely astounded. I just sat in awe. At this point there were no more carrots or meatloaf. All that was left of the warm food was cauliflower. Luke ate the rest of it. I texted Chad saying I hoped he was not hungry after his softball game because there would be nothing left.

After texting that, I looked up to see Luke who had taken all the rest of his brothers' plates that were still on the table. He was finishing theirs, too! All in all, I'd say he had about 6 helpings!

Truly amazing...but BOY ARE WE IN TROUBLE...When we have four teenagers, we'll have to have our own farm to keep up.

Bad Blogger! Bad Blogger!

I posted this (below) on my 3gifts.blogspot.com site, but it is not working....so later if about 50,000 identical posts show up, I am not responsible. Blogger is being very naughty....


Sun, Showers, Sleep
1. I enjoyed the sun today...and the pool we were at made it bearable!

2. I've heard we are supposed to get some thunderstorms tonight, and WE NEED THE RAIN, so if these predictions come true, my garden may survive. We've been watering a lot every day!!!

3. Have I mentioned that I LOVE sleeping in???? Yay summer!

orange shirt dude is amazing

HA! I've seen it before but it doesn't get old!

I LOL'ed on this one!

Luke caught this on a testosterone trek (shooting guns, coon hunting, fishing) with Chad and a few guys from church. He came home after midnight last night with a lot of stories!!!

*don't worry. he did not handle any guns. i would have not let him go otherwise.

OH!! AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO DAD, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO DAD, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO DAAA-AAD! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO DAD! (my dad, that is. Not Chad)

One year ago today

This is what was going on in my life. *click the title of post*

Sleep walking?!?!?!

I heard a noise tonight at 10:00 PM. I went to check on which little guy was up...to see if they made it to the bathroom or whatever okay.... No one was walking around. I checked Drew and Evan's room. Both were sound asleep. Looked in on Luke and Gabriel. Luke was sound asleep but Gabriel was no where to be found. I went to the toy room. I went to the bathroom. I went to the living room, thinking maybe he snuck by me while I sat pooring over ebay stuff....I can't find him. I start to get worried. I go outside, call for him. Nothing. I walk all around the house...nothing. Go back inside. Still not in bed or the bathroom or the toy room. Finally decide to check my room...and this is what I find. What a little stinker!










I'm just a blogger nut tonight! 3 posts, completely different...all in one night!! You can tell school is out, huh?!?!

Holy Is The Lord

Kindergarten around the world

Palestine: Kindergarten Graduation. Students taught throughout their school year that they should want "Jihad" (or Holy War). These 5 and 6 year olds are taught that their greatest achievement in life is death for the sake of this cause and for the sake of Allah.

And for even more...

Greentown, Indiana: And here lies the difference. My child was taught his kindergarten curriculum in a school system that still values family, integrity, honest, good behavior, and most importantly, GOD. In this area, it's much more common to see kids singing and dancing to songs like "Love Grows" by John Farrell and "You Are My Sunshine" and possibly even "I Like Ants." My son was taught to listen and be kind. I'm so thankful for the Christian teachers and role models in this community. When I see the state standards for Kindergarten, I see no mention of death or fighting to the death. Unfortunately, there are schools starting to break down the Christian principles here in America. It's slowly effecting some school right around me, here in the Bible Belt. Until this country gets back to God, it will continue to see death and destruction and evil and corruption.

The video above made me sick to my stomach. If our political leaders or candidates cannot see these people as threats, knowing full well that they are indoctrinating small children who know no different than what their adult leaders tell them, how can we support them? This is why any person who wants to set a time line to end a war or who wants to get out of the situation altogether, etc. makes me really leary. They are training their little ones to kill and to hate. How can that not be a threat? They are asking them to kill before they have even lived a decade of life! I just can't understand it.

God, deliver these children from this influence. Give them a sense of YOUR right and YOUR wrong, even if no one ever speaks to them. Give them an instinct that protects them from this evil. Please save my own sons from any of this evil and hatred. Put in to power leaders in this country who will stand for You and for what You command. Give us the courage as Your Children to speak out and forget "political correctness." Forgive us for allowing our leaders to stray as far as they have. Help us to fight for YOU and YOUR principles. God, please, convict this nation. Convict us to the point that our path is turned around completely....help us to preserve LIFE and the RIGHT to it. Your love endures forever. Help us to embrace this love and to speak with it and rebuke with it. God, be glorified in America again. Amen.

Hi- YAAAA!

As every good child of the 80s should, I had the distinct privilege of introducing my sons this evening to the wonderful world that is Karate....through this little gem of a cutie, Ralph. I remember thinking in upper elementary and junior high school that "Ralph" was such a weird name for someone so hot....I mean, come on. You can admit it. Every girl in the 80s loved the innocent underdog of the Karate Kid movies, and the soft-wrong-side-of-the-tracks-poetry-loving Johnny Cade. (Honestly, could you name a better all-star cast of that era??????) His film credits are slimming these days (seen here) but that doesn't mean he didn't make my heart go pitter patter as a young girl. Between the Karate Kids and the Rockys and Dick Van Dyke sprinkled with the occasional Disney movie, you've got my complete childhood viewing pleasures. By the way, click on the title of this post. Imagine my delight at the combination of my two favorite movie series!!

Ok, anyway...back to the whole introduction to karate. As you can imagine, my boys were hi-Ya'ing it all over the play room as we all curled up on the floor to watch it together. Each commercial brought its own flurry of fists and kicks and jumps. Evan actually looks like it comes naturally....of course, that means that I was asked about a million times if they could be in karate. I told them they could wax my van....we could hire them out to paint and sand.....It worked for Daniel-son. Why not Luke-son, Drew-son, and Evan-son?

So anyway, it's no surprise that they will probably be doing their best one-lines for a few days complete with kicks, punches, cranes, and all that goes with it.

"Wax on. Wax off."
"Paint the fence."
"You...beginner's luck."
"Either way, problem solved."
"Banzai!!"
"Don't forget to breathe, very important."
"Focus."


Well, until later, "Stay gold."

And for further proof that I spent WAY to much time online tonight and was kidn of bored....feel free to take this quick quiz.

Create your own Friend Quiz here

I'm thankful for....

...you should read my post on my other site....it's short and it's all I have to say today...except that I PROMISE I'll get pictures up of the new house some times soon...really.

PICTURE UPDATE! - you're welcome, Mom.

I was at the church finishing up some things for tomorrow's service. When I came home, Chad was mowing. I saw Luke, Drew, and Evan all playing in the yard, but couldn't find Gabriel....when Chad got closer I found him. Cute, but it made me uneasy for him to be asleep on a mower, so I put him in bed soon after finding them. The kids often ride there and hold on to Chad's legs while he mows. It's a treat for them....


Here is Evan doing his karate chop while eating cereal. He's a nut...truly....he got all of the craziest parts of me and Chad, so it makes life interesting! He's our "little informant." If you need to know ANYTHING that has happened, will happen, or may have happened - call on Ev.


Gabriel is in front here, and Drew is in the background. This is a normal scene at the breakfast/lunch/dinner table....goofy kids!


This is one of the first times I saw our newest addition to the family, Bo. He's mostly lab (75%) and came home to us yesterday.

And this is him just a few days ago when we brought him home for a visit...he wasn't quite ready to leave mom at this point...


Now he's all ours. Luke, my animal lover (takes after me), is in love...they ALL are....well, with everything except the poop scooping....Get used to it boys!!