Trying to be better organized this year!

This dry erase weekly calender was super easy to make! I picked up this picture frame at Wal-Mart, added scrapbook paper and cut the days of the week out with my cricut. This will be perfect for keeping track of school assignments and doctor appointments!

Biblical Feminism

I recently came across a belief system based on Titus chapter 2 that took me a little by surprise and prompted me to so some study in this chapter. My husband (coincidentally) is preaching on this chapter at church on Sunday evening, so I was able to discuss some thoughts with him as well. We both agree that it is hard to misunderstand what Paul is saying.

"But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine.
Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in
perseverance. Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not
malicious gossips not enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, so that they
may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to
be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands,
so that the Word of God will not be dishonored." Titus 2:1-5

My husband and I came to the same conclusion on this passage. Women are commanded to be "workers at home" or "keepers at home" as the KJV puts it. Women are clearly commanded to manage the domestic affairs of the household.

Some criticism for the belief system or "denomination" that I ran into is that they take this command to the extreme. They believe women are not, under any circumstances, to work outside the home. There is no need for college education for women, and women should not be in the workforce. Period. To do so would be blasphemy!

I did some research online, and did not find a clear statement from churches within this denomination that would either prove or deny such criticism, but I can tell you if that is in fact what these churches preach, I disagree! I do not believe it is a sin for a woman to have an education. I do not believe it is a sin for a woman to work outside the home. (Many women may need to work in order to provide for their families.) I do believe, however, that when a women neglects the needs of her house, husband and children in order to have a career or pursue an education, then she is dishonoring God.

God calls women to be "workers at home" and in today's society, homemaking is not popular, glamorous or highly esteemed. That is true. However, in reading this passage, a bigger issue jumped out at me. Discipleship! Older women need to be teaching, encouraging and setting an example for younger women to follow. I do believe that most Christians have missed the boat on this. No matter where we are in life, we all have the ability (and mandate) to make an impact on those around us. {This command is for the men too!} You don't have to be perfect. You don't have to have all the answers. You just have to have a love for people and a desire to see them grow to be more like Christ. You just need to let people in and be willing to be used by God.

Who knows... maybe if we (as "older women") really took the mandate to train the younger women to love their husbands and children seriously, future generations just might see a shift in society back to the Biblical model of the women's role to be a worker at home.

The Thrill of the Hunt!

I love summer for many reasons. One reason I love summer: Garage Sales! My kids also love garage sales which makes it a fun family activity! :) I have scored some pretty good deals so far this summer. I bought a set of golf clubs for Levi for $1.00, some name brand (practically new) jeans for the bigger boys for a quarter each, a Baby Bjorn carrier for the baby for $5.00 and a few other odds and ends.

This morning, I loaded the kiddos up in the van and headed off to Wal-Mart. (I needed to print a few pictures) On our way, I saw signs for a community yard sale... and well, I just couldn't resist. I almost didn't go because I knew the baby would be getting hungry soon, but I decided to drive by and only stop if something really caught my eye... it did! I passed one house that wasn't having a garage sale, but had these two trikes by the side of the road with a sign on them - FREE! (I was shocked and delighted!)

The lady said that her grandkids had simply outgrown them and she didn't need them anymore. They were a little dirty (nothing a little soap and water can't fix!) and we actually already had the green one (a previous garage sale treasure), but for that price I am sure we can find a good home for it! :)

Are the "terribles" coming?

Levi didn't really hit the "terrible twos" until he was three (and then he made up for lost time!). Today is Benjamin's 3rd birthday. Although he had his moments over the past year, for the most part he is a lovable, easy going little boy... and that makes me worry about the year ahead! Will he follow in his brother's footsteps of the "terrible threes"?

Happy Birthday to my sweet boy! You hold a very special place in my heart. I can always count on you to give me lots of kisses and cuddles and you always know how to make mommy laugh! I love you very much!

Summer Vacation

On June 28th, we loaded up our mini van and headed to St. Louis to visit my grandparents. (my grandpa isn't in the picture because he was at work.)

Our first family vacation in four years!!

We had fun at the St.Louis Zoo! (my grandpa is behind me in the blue shirt... this is the only picture I got of him!) :(

Touching the Stingrays.After we spent a few days in St.Louis, we went up to Wisconsin to visit more family. (my parents met us there.)

Noah's first swim in our hotel pool.

My Uncle Dale gave the kids a ride on his mini bike. They LOVED it!!

We had a wonderful time on vacation! Hopefully it won't be another four years before we decide to take another trip! ;)

Sweet tooth

I love sweets! Always have.

We had some friends over on Friday night, so I thought it was the perfect opportunity to try out my recipe for Snickerdoodle cake. It did not disappoint! :)

I usually go for all things chocolate, but this cake was delicious!!! (I plan on making it again on Thursday for a special birthday treat!)

Here is the recipe if anyone is interested:

1 package plain white cake mix

1 cup milk

8 Tbsp (1 stick) butter, melted

3 large eggs

1 tsp. vanilla extract

2 tsp. ground cinnamon

Mix all ingredients with an electric mixer until well blended. Divide batter equally into two (greased and floured) 9" round cake pans. Bake at 350 for 27 to 29 minutes.

Frosting:

8 Tbsp. (1 stick) butter, room temperature

3 3/4 cup confectioners' sugar, sifted

3 Tbsp. milk

1 tsp. vanilla extract

Blend butter with electric mixer until fluffy. Stop the machine and add the sugar, milk, vanilla and cinnamon. Beat until light and fluffy (adding more milk if the frosting seems too stiff).

I lightly sprinkled some cinnamon sugar on the top of my cake for a "finishing touch".

Enjoy! :)

Thankful for asthma

I know it may sound odd, but I am very thankful that my son, Benjamin, had an asthama attack and I had to take him to the ER in the wee hours on Monday morning.

Benjamin woke up around 11:30 Sunday night coughing and wheezing. We gave him a breathing treatment, as we usually do when this happens, but it didn't really seem to help. My poor baby was very obviously struggling to breathe (very scary for a mom), so I decided to take him to the ER right away. (While we were gone, Ray was awake worrying and praying) They were able to get the wheezing under control with a steroid and we came home around 3:00 Monday morning. Ray and I were both very exhausted when we were finally able to crawl into bed! Our other children, however, slept very well the entire night (unaware of the situiation) and were wide awake at 7:30. UGH!!

Rather than sit around the house all morning... thinking about how tired we were, we decided to take the kids to the park. Hopefully they could burn some energy and take a nice, loooooong nap. :) I decided to put Anna's hair in a ponytail before we left the house. (This is where the praise comes in!) You see, Anna normally wears her hair down and puts a in a headband (she is trying to grow her bangs out). But because she was going to be running around outside, I decided to pull her hair back... that's when I saw it. I thought she had a scab on the back of her head and was wondering how she got it, but then I saw moving legs! A tick! Based on the last time she was outside, it had to have been there for at least 36 hours. (who knows when we would have noticed it!) We were able to get it out in one piece (along with some flesh) and Anna was a real trooper!

This afternoon she developed a low fever, so I called the pediatritian. They said her fever was borderline and they want us to keep a close eye on her. All day she has been acting pretty lethargic, has been complaining of nausea and her fever has gone up. (sigh) Right now she is sleeping soundly, but I cannot keep from worring. If she wakes with a fever in the morning, we are off to see the doctor. I am praying for you now, sweet Anna!

(I think I worry too much about my kids sometimes!)