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*