I recently recieved "Seeds of Turmoil" by Bryant Wright from booksneeze.com. If you haven't heard of it, booksneeze allows bloggers to sign up and choose from a variety of books they have available and then they will send you the book free of charge. All you have to do is then review it on your blog and a website where the book is sold (like amazon.com) and that's it! So, here is my very first book review, curtesy of booksneeze.com !
"Seeds of Turmoil" is about the biblical roots of the conflicts in the middle east. Mr. Wright did, in my opinion, a good job of keeping statements fairly unbiased, though he is a Christian, so if you think that you would be offended by reading a book written from a Bible-believing perspective, then this is probably not the book for you. Wright walks the reader through the promise God made to Abraham, as well as how one man's sin really has had a huge shaping on the conflicts in the middle east that we are still seeing to this day. Scripture is inserted into the book often and is explained throughly, as well as alot of secular history of the region and battles over this small, but signifigant piece of land. After going through the history of the region and how Israel came to be a country again, Wright goes on to explain the Jewish, Muslim, and Christian perspectives over this land and why it is so signifigant to each group. I learned alot more from this book than I expected to, and having finished it, I would recommend it to a friend. Even if you aren't too familar with the bible or bible names and terminology, there is a glossary in the back of the book and Wright makes everything very easy to understand. Also, for those interested there is a section in the back of the book prepared for if you would like to have a group study using this book. All in all I think this is a fantastic resource, and a very interesting read.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Long time, no post!
Hello there everyone! It feels like it has been ages since I last posted anything on this blog, and really, it has. My computer is still out of comission, but I am okay with that, even if it does take away from the time I am able to really sit down and think about my blog and other things. Gabriel has been getting more and more mobile, and in a couple weeks he will be 8 months old. I still can't believe it! It seems like just yesterday we were getting in the car to go to the hospital to welcome him into the world. He is also teething, which is a unique experience. I mean, I know we all teethe, though we can't remember it and I had heard many moms describe the long nights associated with teething, but it's just something that you don't fully understand until you are there I think. I feel so blessed to have the friends that I have, that have been there and know what I am going through and are able to offer helpful advice. A friend gave me some "teething tablets" which are a homeopathic pain reliever for babies teething, which is nice since I don't really like to give Gabriel tylenol or anything unless he is running a fever. Also, I've found that a simple washcloth with an ice cube in it and a hair tie to fasten it shut works wonders for a teething baby. Gabriel has started a bit on baby food, which is exciting, but all in all, most days I end up with more splattered on me than what ends up in his tummy I think. But that's okay, I love to see the look on his face when I feed him something new. That first bite always comes with the same reaction, a "what in the world are you feeding me?" kind of look, but then by bite two or three he has usually warmed up to it and is opening his mouth before I can get another spoonful for him.
Also, I was recommended an author by my mom and I went to the library and checked out a few books by her. Her name is Karen Kingsbury, and while I haven't finished a book yet, I am thouroughly enjoying the book I am reading by her. It is called "Just Beyond the Clouds" and it is a fantastic, inspiring book so far. I am almost finished with it, and I regret reading it too quickly, but there is always another book I can pick up to go to next.
I hope you all are having a blessed day!
Also, I was recommended an author by my mom and I went to the library and checked out a few books by her. Her name is Karen Kingsbury, and while I haven't finished a book yet, I am thouroughly enjoying the book I am reading by her. It is called "Just Beyond the Clouds" and it is a fantastic, inspiring book so far. I am almost finished with it, and I regret reading it too quickly, but there is always another book I can pick up to go to next.
I hope you all are having a blessed day!
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Computer Woes
This past week I have been dealing with computer woes. I had Gabriel on my lap and he knocked a toy onto my computer, and well, it turns out: computers don't like that very much. Eric narrowed it down to it being the video card, which it's nice to know what's wrong with it, but we still can't get it fixed right now. So now, I am using Eric's computer to blog, though the blogs will be fewer and further between for a while. Though, this has taught me a valuable lesson: technology feels like a must, but it isn't. Think about this one for a minute. Our children's generation will never know what it's like personally to live in a culture where most people don't have a computer. Or cell phone. Or internet. Or MP3 player. I am a fairly young mom - I will be 21 this fall, but I still remember vividly a time when we didn't have a computer. And even better, I remember when we didn't have the internet, much less high speed, or MP3 players. Gabriel won't know what that's like. He will probably be tempted to play on the computer or a game system all the time, but it is my job as a mother to make sure that he works too, and plays outside alot. My mom and I were talking about it the other day. When she was a kid, and even when I was, during the summer kids were gone from the time they got up until the sun started to set, playing outside, running around. Now, it's pretty rare that I see kids playing outside at all. I want to put a focus on the simpler things in life with my family. Reading a book in the shade a a warm, sunny day is such a sweet, pleasant thing. Having a picnic in the park. Splashing around at the beach or a pool. There are so many things that God made for us, His creation is such a testament to His power, we should spend more time in it. Myself included, I don't spend as much time as I should outside, but I hope to once it starts cooling off a little bit.
I don't know about you guys, but I can't wait for fall when it is nice outside and comfortable weather!
For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to seperate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. - Romans 8:38-39
I don't know about you guys, but I can't wait for fall when it is nice outside and comfortable weather!
For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to seperate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. - Romans 8:38-39
Friday, June 18, 2010
Simple Pleasures
Today I am finding simple pleasures.
The laugh of my little baby boy, who has found that he likes to play with me by trying to chew on my chin and pinch my face.
Just the thought that this time, for the first time. I'm not stressed about company coming to visit here in the next couple of days. My house isn't in too bad a shape, so now I just need to do a few minor things, instead of the craze I am usually in to get everything in shape. I have been keeping up with things, with Eric's help, a whole lot better than I used to, and it feels great!
Tomorrow Eric and I are going to eat dinner with a couple friends, and I always just love the time we get to spend with good friends, good fun and good food!
For Father's Day, what are your plans? We are going to church in the morning, then probably out to brunch/lunch with the in-laws, and then I think my father-in-law and Eric are going to go play golf, while I hang out with his girlfriend (his father's, not Eric's! :P ). It should be a nice, relaxed weekend for us. I hope everyone else is having a nice time as well!
Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your aniexty on Him, because He cares for you. - 1 Peter 5:6-7
The laugh of my little baby boy, who has found that he likes to play with me by trying to chew on my chin and pinch my face.
Just the thought that this time, for the first time. I'm not stressed about company coming to visit here in the next couple of days. My house isn't in too bad a shape, so now I just need to do a few minor things, instead of the craze I am usually in to get everything in shape. I have been keeping up with things, with Eric's help, a whole lot better than I used to, and it feels great!
Tomorrow Eric and I are going to eat dinner with a couple friends, and I always just love the time we get to spend with good friends, good fun and good food!
For Father's Day, what are your plans? We are going to church in the morning, then probably out to brunch/lunch with the in-laws, and then I think my father-in-law and Eric are going to go play golf, while I hang out with his girlfriend (his father's, not Eric's! :P ). It should be a nice, relaxed weekend for us. I hope everyone else is having a nice time as well!
Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your aniexty on Him, because He cares for you. - 1 Peter 5:6-7
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Adventures in Cooking (Frugally!)
So, last night, Eric and I went up to Wal-Mart to pick up a few things, including some things off of WIC. Well, if you have ever been on WIC (at least somewhat recently) you'll know that you get 5 6oz. cans of tuna a month. Well, we like tuna around here, I will often make tuna salad sanwiches for us for lunch and I love that it has a good amount of Omega-3 to help those brains of ours! But well, every so often, I get bored of tuna salad, and so, the tuna has stacked up a bit. So last night I went googling for a recipe that I had the ingredients for that wouldn't be too hard to make that used canned tuna. Here's what I found.
Tuna Rice Puff Caserole
Ingredients:
2/3 Cup Uncooked Rice (I used white, but that's what I had on hand, I would have used brown if I had it)
1 1/3 Cup water (I had to use a little more, as I always do when cooking rice)
2 Eggs, seperated
1/3 Cup Butter (I used margarine)
1/4 Cup All-Purpose Flour
1 Cup Milk
1/2 Cup Water
3 6oz. Cans Tuna, 2 undrained, one drained
1/4 Cup Chopped Onion
1 Teaspoon Lemon Pepper (or to taste)
1 Teaspoon Salt (or to taste)
1 Teaspoon Garlic Powder (or to taste)
Cook rice as you normally would. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Beat eggs whites until foamy and forming sharp peaks that hold their shape; Set aside. In a saucepan, melt butter. Whisk in flour and stir until mixture becomes paste-like and golden brown. Gradually whisk in milk and water until smooth. Add seasonings. Simmer for 5 minutes. Gradually whisk in broken eggs yolks and cook for another 2 mintues. Remove from heat and combine milk mixture, rice, onion, and tuna. Gently fold in egg whites until evenly blended. Pour into a 1 1/2 quart casserole dish and bake in oven until center is set and top is golden brown, about 40 minutes. Casserole will puff slightly.
This was a big hit. I just served it with a nice salad on the side and it was great. Really yummy, and this will feed our family a second night! Not too shabby for a recipe that I found looking around and had all the ingredients on hand!
Tuna Rice Puff Caserole
Ingredients:
2/3 Cup Uncooked Rice (I used white, but that's what I had on hand, I would have used brown if I had it)
1 1/3 Cup water (I had to use a little more, as I always do when cooking rice)
2 Eggs, seperated
1/3 Cup Butter (I used margarine)
1/4 Cup All-Purpose Flour
1 Cup Milk
1/2 Cup Water
3 6oz. Cans Tuna, 2 undrained, one drained
1/4 Cup Chopped Onion
1 Teaspoon Lemon Pepper (or to taste)
1 Teaspoon Salt (or to taste)
1 Teaspoon Garlic Powder (or to taste)
Cook rice as you normally would. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Beat eggs whites until foamy and forming sharp peaks that hold their shape; Set aside. In a saucepan, melt butter. Whisk in flour and stir until mixture becomes paste-like and golden brown. Gradually whisk in milk and water until smooth. Add seasonings. Simmer for 5 minutes. Gradually whisk in broken eggs yolks and cook for another 2 mintues. Remove from heat and combine milk mixture, rice, onion, and tuna. Gently fold in egg whites until evenly blended. Pour into a 1 1/2 quart casserole dish and bake in oven until center is set and top is golden brown, about 40 minutes. Casserole will puff slightly.
This was a big hit. I just served it with a nice salad on the side and it was great. Really yummy, and this will feed our family a second night! Not too shabby for a recipe that I found looking around and had all the ingredients on hand!
Monday, June 14, 2010
Back on Track!
In my last post, I mentioned that I was starting to come down with a cold. Well, it went into a full blown mess of a cold, and I passed it on to Eric Saturday night. So, Sunday morning we made the decision to stay home from church, as we sit in the overflow room with the other parents with small children, and the last thing I wanted to do was get lots of small children sick! Thankfully, today I am feel loads better. I still have a bit of a cough, and my throat is still scratchy, and well, my voice still sounds pretty bad. But I feel so much better. I actually feel like doing things today, which is a good thing, because I have let the house start to get a little unrully in my lethargic mood that the cold brought on. So, today I will be cleaning up and getting everything nice and tidy again.
This morning I was reading in 1 Peter for my quiet time, and I came across this:
Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. - 1 Peter 4:8
As Christians, it is our job to be the examples for non-believers, so that they may see the love in our lives, and want to learn more about where it comes from.
This morning I was reading in 1 Peter for my quiet time, and I came across this:
Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. - 1 Peter 4:8
As Christians, it is our job to be the examples for non-believers, so that they may see the love in our lives, and want to learn more about where it comes from.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Life, at the moment
Yesterday I had a pretty long day for me. I went over to a friend's house to look after her children while she was helping out at church for the CHEC Conference and Book Fair. With her three children, and Gabriel, that left the tally at four children under the age of seven! I would have been overwhelmed if I didn't know the children as well as I do, but everything went well. Things went a bit longer than I think both her and I were expecting, so she brought pizza to the house and invited my husband and myself to stay over and eat that so I didn't have to rush home to cook dinner. It's always nice being able to hang out over there, she and I are good friends, and our husbands have been friends for ages, so everyone is happy. So, well, the hubbys decided to rent a couple movies and watch them last night, which meant that Eric and I got home at about 1:30am. So, needless to say, it was a long day.
I've developed a bit of a cold, but nothing too bad and I'm hoping I'm not contagious so I can still get to church tomorrow. Then, next Saturday, my father-in-law and his girlfriend are coming to visit for Father's Day. I kind of wanted to make breakfast in bed for the hubby's first father's day where he is both a son and a father, but I know they will probably want to get something to eat after church instead.
Also, I'm working on a cross-stitch that I had made the pattern for last year, I had meant to have it done in time for Christmas, but well, that didn't happen. So, I'm hoping to have it done soon and be able to frame it and have it hanging in my house. I don't really have any picture frames or anything to hang on the walls and to be honest, I go a little crazy looking at blank, boring white walls all the time! :P
I've developed a bit of a cold, but nothing too bad and I'm hoping I'm not contagious so I can still get to church tomorrow. Then, next Saturday, my father-in-law and his girlfriend are coming to visit for Father's Day. I kind of wanted to make breakfast in bed for the hubby's first father's day where he is both a son and a father, but I know they will probably want to get something to eat after church instead.
Also, I'm working on a cross-stitch that I had made the pattern for last year, I had meant to have it done in time for Christmas, but well, that didn't happen. So, I'm hoping to have it done soon and be able to frame it and have it hanging in my house. I don't really have any picture frames or anything to hang on the walls and to be honest, I go a little crazy looking at blank, boring white walls all the time! :P
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Faith
In my quiet time today, I was reading Hebrews 11, and it really hit hard for me. As anyone who knows me personally may know, my husband and I are going through a rough patch financially. I think that I have been fairly good about running to God when I get worried about how we are going to get through this, but reading Hebrews 11 really woke me up. Just in one chapter, it says ,"By faith" 17 times. 17! Do I have the faith of Noah? Of Abraham? Or Sarah? Of Moses? I can't honestly say that I do. But, I'm getting closer than I once was, and that's the best I can do, take it one step at a time. God doesn't call us to be perfect, we couldn't be if He called us to be. He calls us to be faithful, to have faith in Him and to run to Him with everything. I think I have found my passage in scripture to go to when I am stressed or worried.
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the men of old gained approval. By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the Word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible. - Hebrews 11:1-3
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the men of old gained approval. By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the Word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible. - Hebrews 11:1-3
Saturday, June 5, 2010
No Bible, No Breakfast
I have started a new bit of a "training" exercise lately. When I wake up in the morning, I used to get up, change and feed (if he was hungry) Gabriel. Then, I'd check my e-mail and respond to any that needed it, check various websites that I am a member of, and begin painting in Photoshop, or doing other tasks on the computer to kill time. If it needed to be done (and, to be honest, only when it really needed to be done) I'd do the laundry or dishes.
I didn't pick my bible up as much as I should have, and because of that, I wasn't as happy as I should have been. Of course, I went to church Wednesdays and Sundays and listened to what Pastor Broggi had to say, but I didn't walk as closely with God as I should have.
So, I've started to do something about that. I've started a "No Bible, No Breakfast" rule for myself. Well, I actually do get something to eat or drink while I am reading and reflecting on the passage I've read, but the objective is still there. And you know what? It doesn't feel like a chore at all. I love my morning bible studies, my quiet time with God. I've included Gabriel in this while he is too small to have his own quiet time. I pray and read aloud so that I can be sure that he is seeing and hearing Mommy talk with God and read His Word. But I'm not doing it just for Gabriel, I'm doing it for God. I'm doing it for me. I'm doing it so that I can walk closer to my Savior.
And I'm learning alot too :)
I've been in Hebrews the past couple of days, and it really gripped me, when I read Hebrews 4:14-16 yesterday:
Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weakness, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may recieve mercy and find grace to help in time of need. - Hebrews 4:14-16
I don't know about you, but I don't confess my sins as much as I should. I feel embarassed and ashamed of it, but Jesus understands. And like a child who comes to his father, telling him he was the one who ate the cookies, with crumbs on his face, we are to come to the Lord and tell him what he already knows. There is no sin that we can hide from God, nothing. But God is not a wrathful God to His children, He loves us, and forgives us like no other can.
Today I was reading still in Hebrews and came across this, which also pertained directly to my life at this time, in a way that only God's Word can.
Concerning Him we have much to say, and it is hard to explain since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not soild food." - Hebrews 5:11-12
Without being immersed in God's Word, we cannot grow in Him and will always be like babies, always needing milk. I don't want to be this way. In a few days over a month from now, it will mark the one-year anniversary of the day I became saved. I don't want to know as little now as I did then. I don't want to look back a couple years from now and have nothing to show for it in God's eyes.
I want to be a better Child of God, a better wife, a better mother. I want to be better, and I know that if I stick with this rule I have given myself, I will. I love the Lord with all my heart, and I want to show that to Him.
For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to seperate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. - Romans8:38-39
I didn't pick my bible up as much as I should have, and because of that, I wasn't as happy as I should have been. Of course, I went to church Wednesdays and Sundays and listened to what Pastor Broggi had to say, but I didn't walk as closely with God as I should have.
So, I've started to do something about that. I've started a "No Bible, No Breakfast" rule for myself. Well, I actually do get something to eat or drink while I am reading and reflecting on the passage I've read, but the objective is still there. And you know what? It doesn't feel like a chore at all. I love my morning bible studies, my quiet time with God. I've included Gabriel in this while he is too small to have his own quiet time. I pray and read aloud so that I can be sure that he is seeing and hearing Mommy talk with God and read His Word. But I'm not doing it just for Gabriel, I'm doing it for God. I'm doing it for me. I'm doing it so that I can walk closer to my Savior.
And I'm learning alot too :)
I've been in Hebrews the past couple of days, and it really gripped me, when I read Hebrews 4:14-16 yesterday:
Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weakness, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may recieve mercy and find grace to help in time of need. - Hebrews 4:14-16
I don't know about you, but I don't confess my sins as much as I should. I feel embarassed and ashamed of it, but Jesus understands. And like a child who comes to his father, telling him he was the one who ate the cookies, with crumbs on his face, we are to come to the Lord and tell him what he already knows. There is no sin that we can hide from God, nothing. But God is not a wrathful God to His children, He loves us, and forgives us like no other can.
Today I was reading still in Hebrews and came across this, which also pertained directly to my life at this time, in a way that only God's Word can.
Concerning Him we have much to say, and it is hard to explain since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not soild food." - Hebrews 5:11-12
Without being immersed in God's Word, we cannot grow in Him and will always be like babies, always needing milk. I don't want to be this way. In a few days over a month from now, it will mark the one-year anniversary of the day I became saved. I don't want to know as little now as I did then. I don't want to look back a couple years from now and have nothing to show for it in God's eyes.
I want to be a better Child of God, a better wife, a better mother. I want to be better, and I know that if I stick with this rule I have given myself, I will. I love the Lord with all my heart, and I want to show that to Him.
For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to seperate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. - Romans8:38-39
Late Spring Cleaning
Yesterday I decided to start a little Spring Cleaning project, even though I'm a little later than your typical spring clean. Late is better than never, right? So I made myself a list, and admittedly, I didn't get through everything on it. Here's my list, and what I got done:
Clean Bathrooms (mostly done, just need to sweep and mop)
Organize bathrooms more effectively
Tidy and rearrange living room (done, with Eric's help moving the furniture)
Vaccum (done)
Tidy desk and kitchen counter (about half done, I still need to tackle the desk)
Tidy Gabriel's room (Again, about half done)
Have quiet time with God and Gabriel (done)
Fold and put away laundry (done)
Put away dishes and start to reload dishwasher (done)
Reorganize diaper bag (done)
Work on curriculum
Work on blog (didn't get it done yesterday, but I am now! :) )
Organize Gabriel's room more effectively
Organize and tidy master bedroom
Organize laundry area
Laundry (done)
Renew library books
So, I had made a pretty extensive list. I feel like, even though I didn't get everything done that I wanted to, the apartment already looks so much better and today I can get the rest done (hopefully). I decided to do this for a number of reasons. The main one being, I have this sceanario in my head. Someone comes over for a few minutes and walks into the apartment and says, "Wow, your apartment looks really nice! How do you do it with such a young child?" and I would say ,"It's not me, it's God."
Truth be told, I'm not the world's greatest homemaker. I never have been, I never had chores as a child and really, I'm kind of learning as I go here. But I want my home to be that - a home, no matter where we live. I had been telling Eric, "Oh, I'd keep the house so much better if we were renting a home or had a home of our own." But God showed me, this is my home. Home really is where the heart is, and so no matter where we live, I am going to treat it like the home it deserves to be.
Perhaps in September, when our lease is up and we have to either renew it or move, we will get a nice cozy little rental home. Who knows? It all depends on what God has in store for us.
So, I offer a challenge ladies, a challenge for all of us. I challenge you to, maybe while the kids are done for a nap, or having quiet time, spend some time just reflecting on what a home is, and how you can make yours feel more homey :)
She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and bless her; her husband also, and he praises her saying: "Many daughters have done nobly, but you excel them all." Charm is decietful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised. - Proverbs 31:27-30
Clean Bathrooms (mostly done, just need to sweep and mop)
Organize bathrooms more effectively
Tidy and rearrange living room (done, with Eric's help moving the furniture)
Vaccum (done)
Tidy desk and kitchen counter (about half done, I still need to tackle the desk)
Tidy Gabriel's room (Again, about half done)
Have quiet time with God and Gabriel (done)
Fold and put away laundry (done)
Put away dishes and start to reload dishwasher (done)
Reorganize diaper bag (done)
Work on curriculum
Work on blog (didn't get it done yesterday, but I am now! :) )
Organize Gabriel's room more effectively
Organize and tidy master bedroom
Organize laundry area
Laundry (done)
Renew library books
So, I had made a pretty extensive list. I feel like, even though I didn't get everything done that I wanted to, the apartment already looks so much better and today I can get the rest done (hopefully). I decided to do this for a number of reasons. The main one being, I have this sceanario in my head. Someone comes over for a few minutes and walks into the apartment and says, "Wow, your apartment looks really nice! How do you do it with such a young child?" and I would say ,"It's not me, it's God."
Truth be told, I'm not the world's greatest homemaker. I never have been, I never had chores as a child and really, I'm kind of learning as I go here. But I want my home to be that - a home, no matter where we live. I had been telling Eric, "Oh, I'd keep the house so much better if we were renting a home or had a home of our own." But God showed me, this is my home. Home really is where the heart is, and so no matter where we live, I am going to treat it like the home it deserves to be.
Perhaps in September, when our lease is up and we have to either renew it or move, we will get a nice cozy little rental home. Who knows? It all depends on what God has in store for us.
So, I offer a challenge ladies, a challenge for all of us. I challenge you to, maybe while the kids are done for a nap, or having quiet time, spend some time just reflecting on what a home is, and how you can make yours feel more homey :)
She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and bless her; her husband also, and he praises her saying: "Many daughters have done nobly, but you excel them all." Charm is decietful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised. - Proverbs 31:27-30
Thursday, June 3, 2010
The Joy of Friends
Eric, Gabriel and I were invited to dinner at Tony and May's tonight (thank you guys! :) ) and it was really nice to be able to sit and talk with friends and just be able to fellowship with a good Christian couple. We are so blessed to have such wonderful friends, and I am just so thankful for them. After we got home I started thinking about what to blog about tonight, and I was going to blog on another subject, but this one really hit me hard, so I figured I would share :)
Sometimes I think we all take our friends and family for granted. I personally thank God everynight for my family, and alot of nights I thank Him for my friends as well, but when I really, really think about it, I feel that I don't thank Him enough for them. Coming from the place where we were, having no friends in California, being pretty much completely cut off from other people, to here where we have friends and people that we can just turn to and say, "Do you have a minute? I need to talk." is amazing.
Tonight I also started to think about some projects that I want to get done when we have a little extra money. I figure if I have them well enough planned out now, I won't have to try to come up with something later.
I think our first project will be to refinish our dining room table and chairs. We got our set from a couple that was going away on missions for a year and needed to get rid of alot of their furniture, as they didn't want to store it for a year and they knew we were in need. Isn't it amazing how God provides for us? A week before we moved into our apartment, we have no furniture. None at all. When we moved in, we had everything we could really use, even a changing table and a rocking chair for the baby! God is so good to us, He really is.
Anyway, this table and chairs set was used on a screened in porch, and has a bit of weather damage, but nothing that a good sanding and some paint and stain can't fix. I figure I will have Eric sand and stain, while I paint (he has already said he will do this, I'm not pushing him into it, I promise! :P ) But I decided that I want to get a small can of colored paint (meaning, something other than the white that will be for the backs and legs of the chairs and table) and hand paint bible verses and maybe a little viney pattern on them. I love to paint and I think this would really personalize them, as well as remind us that we need to always have God in our minds.
I will give thanks to You, O Lord my God, with all my heart. And will glorify Your name forever. - Psalm 86:12
Sometimes I think we all take our friends and family for granted. I personally thank God everynight for my family, and alot of nights I thank Him for my friends as well, but when I really, really think about it, I feel that I don't thank Him enough for them. Coming from the place where we were, having no friends in California, being pretty much completely cut off from other people, to here where we have friends and people that we can just turn to and say, "Do you have a minute? I need to talk." is amazing.
Tonight I also started to think about some projects that I want to get done when we have a little extra money. I figure if I have them well enough planned out now, I won't have to try to come up with something later.
I think our first project will be to refinish our dining room table and chairs. We got our set from a couple that was going away on missions for a year and needed to get rid of alot of their furniture, as they didn't want to store it for a year and they knew we were in need. Isn't it amazing how God provides for us? A week before we moved into our apartment, we have no furniture. None at all. When we moved in, we had everything we could really use, even a changing table and a rocking chair for the baby! God is so good to us, He really is.
Anyway, this table and chairs set was used on a screened in porch, and has a bit of weather damage, but nothing that a good sanding and some paint and stain can't fix. I figure I will have Eric sand and stain, while I paint (he has already said he will do this, I'm not pushing him into it, I promise! :P ) But I decided that I want to get a small can of colored paint (meaning, something other than the white that will be for the backs and legs of the chairs and table) and hand paint bible verses and maybe a little viney pattern on them. I love to paint and I think this would really personalize them, as well as remind us that we need to always have God in our minds.
I will give thanks to You, O Lord my God, with all my heart. And will glorify Your name forever. - Psalm 86:12
Oh, to be like a Child
This, er, morning (currently 3:30 AM or thereabouts) I decided to continue working on a basic outline for my son's kindergarten curriculum. Now, my son is almost 5 months old, so I know I am way early on this, but I like to be prepared when I can be, and I figure I will have more time to sit down and write out a curriculum now, while he still naps a good bit, than when he is a little older, getting into everything. ;)
Anyway, back to my point. I was writing his curriculum and I was going through the subjects, writing out my goals for him. Learning numbers in math, learning the alphabet in language arts, etc. I got to my page labeled "Bible Study" which yes, I am going to teach, in part, as part of school. One of my goals for my son is to learn the importance of learning God's Word, and another is learning the importance of prayer.
Think about that one for a minute...
Now, as I was writing this, I got really convicted. I want to teach my son at Kindergarten age, to know how important it is to know God's Word, and yet I don't know it as well as I should myself. Maybe that is why God kept me up this morning, so that I could sit down and write my curriculum and find that I need to spend more time in His Word.
And He called a child to Himself and set him before them, and said, "Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." - Matthew 18:2-4 (NASV)
Anyway, back to my point. I was writing his curriculum and I was going through the subjects, writing out my goals for him. Learning numbers in math, learning the alphabet in language arts, etc. I got to my page labeled "Bible Study" which yes, I am going to teach, in part, as part of school. One of my goals for my son is to learn the importance of learning God's Word, and another is learning the importance of prayer.
Think about that one for a minute...
Now, as I was writing this, I got really convicted. I want to teach my son at Kindergarten age, to know how important it is to know God's Word, and yet I don't know it as well as I should myself. Maybe that is why God kept me up this morning, so that I could sit down and write my curriculum and find that I need to spend more time in His Word.
And He called a child to Himself and set him before them, and said, "Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." - Matthew 18:2-4 (NASV)
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Much Ado About Diapers
We've all been there. That excat moment when you realize, "Oh no, the diaper leaked!" This moment becomes especially devastating when you happen to be out and about when it takes place. Wouldn't it be fantastic if this just didn't happen? Well, unfortunatly, I can't help with preventing it to not happen at all. But what I can do is offer some insight that I have gained on various diaper types that I have tried in these last 5 months.
Pampers Swaddlers
These are probably my favorite of all the diapers I have tried. I know that Pampers is under alot of fire right now, with parents complaining that Pampers needs to be recalled because their children have experienced chemical burns, but I believe those are only from the Dry Max Pampers (correct me if I'm wrong please! :) ). I have never had an issue with these and they are incredibly soft.
Pros:
Very soft for diapers; they really are true to their "Blankie-soft" claim.
Absorbant; I didn't really ever have issues with leaking with these.
Good fit; for my son at least, he has stayed pretty much in the 90th percentile with weight and height, if that helps give you an idea of his size.
Cons:
Pricey; at least to me, these are on the pricer end of diapers.
Final Thoughts:
I really do like these diapers and I keep an eye out on them to see if they go on sale. At my local Wal-Mart when they are on Rollback, they are about the same or sometimes even a little less than the Wal-Mart brand, at which point I buy them and am very happy with them, until I need to buy diapers again and have to revert to the less expensive ones ;)
Huggies Pure and Natural
To be honest, these are my least favorite of any diaper I have tried so far. Maybe I just had a bad experience, but the package I got was terrible. The diapers leaked more than any other brand I've tried so far and on top of that, they seem to leave alot of that diaper residue that is just not pleasant. You know the stuff I'm talking about, that yucky teeny tiny bead looking things that when you have a very,very full diaper likes to get all over everything and be a general pain to get rid of? Now, I'm not one to leave a dirty diaper on my son, the only exception being when we are sleeping and he doesn't wake up to let me know he is dirty, and even then I change him when we get up. These diapers leaked and got full for me before he even hardly wet them.
Pros:
Cute Diapers; they have a very cute Winnie the Poo design on the front with a little tree on the bum, which is just adorable.
The umbilical cord cutout spot; at least on the Newborn size, there is a spot that dips down lower than the rest of the diaper on the front to make room so that it doesn't agitate the newly trimmed umbilical cord.
Cons:
Not Absorbant; they seem to fill up very rapidly.
Stiff; they are not soft at all to me, they almost feel like cardboard.
Pricey; these are the priciest diapers in my area, and in this case, to me, you don't get what you pay for.
Final Thoughts
A nice feature in the umbilical cord area, but for me, these just aren't worth the price or hassle.
Luv's
These are my mom's favorite diaper, she says that she couldn't use anything else on me, eveything else gave me a rash, so now she just uses these on my sister. I like these diapers, they get the job done with few leaks and just generally are pretty good diapers. I'd probably buy these more often if they went on sale more, but that's just how I am.
Pros:
Absorbant; I rarely got leaks with these.
Fairly soft; these are pretty average on the softness scale. Softer than Huggies Pure and Natural, but not as soft as Pampers Swaddlers.
Smell nice, Not a huge deal, but they smell slightly like baby powder.
Cons:
Pricer than some brands; though these are less expensive than than both Huggies and Pampers, they are more expensive than store brands.
Final Thoughts
I like these diapers, and if I weren't so money concious, I would buy them more. The smell of them is nice, but it also worries me a bit about extra chemicals on my baby's skin.
Up&Up Diapers
Up&UP is Target's brand, of diapers as well as other things. I'm big on store brands, really, I'm convinced that there is really very few reasons to buy name brand, unless you are couponing well enough that the item you are buying is less than the equalivent store brand. Diapers are one thing that I pretty much always buy the store brand in, only switching to the name brand if it is on sale, making it less than the store brand. Unfortunately for me, there isn't a Target too close to where I live, so I mostly go with the Wal-Mart brand. The Up&Up Diapers are fantastic, they seem to hold up well, and I never had leaks with them.
Pros:
Absorbant; these really hold up to the job, even overnight.
Really adorable; I got comments on these when I took my son to the doctor's in them. Unlike other diapers where the design is only on the front, these are all over.
Fairly soft; like Luv's, these weren't as soft as Pampers, but softer than Huggies.
Cons:
Slight trouble fastening them; there is only a pretty small area where these can be fastened, so making sure you are on it is, at first, odd. Once you get the hang of it, it isn't too bad.
I think they only come in a blue and green design; this would only be a con if you have a little girl and don't want to put her in a blue and green diaper.
Final Thoughts
I really wish I had access to these more often, they would be my go-to diaper. They are fairly priced and generally hold up well.
Parent's Choice Diapers
Parent's Choice, Wal-Mart's brand of baby products, has been pretty good to me. Their diapers are slightly annoying until you get the hang of them, as you have to fasten them just right to keep them on. They are pretty much average on every scale in my book.
Pros:
Well priced; these are the least expensive diapers I can find, and they actually hold up for me pretty well.
Absorbant; these stand up to the overnight test well for me, only on one or two instances have I found that my son leaked overnight.
Fairly soft; same with Luv's and Up&Up.
Cons:
Hard to fasten; at least at first, these are really annoying to fasten, as you have to be sure you get them just right to keep them on.
Final Thoughts
For the price, these aren't bad at all. Once you get over that little roadblock of time where you aren't quite positive how to make them work, they do pretty well and are very affordable.
So, there you have it. I hope that this helps some of you learn a little bit about the various types of diapers out there! :)
Pampers Swaddlers
These are probably my favorite of all the diapers I have tried. I know that Pampers is under alot of fire right now, with parents complaining that Pampers needs to be recalled because their children have experienced chemical burns, but I believe those are only from the Dry Max Pampers (correct me if I'm wrong please! :) ). I have never had an issue with these and they are incredibly soft.
Pros:
Very soft for diapers; they really are true to their "Blankie-soft" claim.
Absorbant; I didn't really ever have issues with leaking with these.
Good fit; for my son at least, he has stayed pretty much in the 90th percentile with weight and height, if that helps give you an idea of his size.
Cons:
Pricey; at least to me, these are on the pricer end of diapers.
Final Thoughts:
I really do like these diapers and I keep an eye out on them to see if they go on sale. At my local Wal-Mart when they are on Rollback, they are about the same or sometimes even a little less than the Wal-Mart brand, at which point I buy them and am very happy with them, until I need to buy diapers again and have to revert to the less expensive ones ;)
Huggies Pure and Natural
To be honest, these are my least favorite of any diaper I have tried so far. Maybe I just had a bad experience, but the package I got was terrible. The diapers leaked more than any other brand I've tried so far and on top of that, they seem to leave alot of that diaper residue that is just not pleasant. You know the stuff I'm talking about, that yucky teeny tiny bead looking things that when you have a very,very full diaper likes to get all over everything and be a general pain to get rid of? Now, I'm not one to leave a dirty diaper on my son, the only exception being when we are sleeping and he doesn't wake up to let me know he is dirty, and even then I change him when we get up. These diapers leaked and got full for me before he even hardly wet them.
Pros:
Cute Diapers; they have a very cute Winnie the Poo design on the front with a little tree on the bum, which is just adorable.
The umbilical cord cutout spot; at least on the Newborn size, there is a spot that dips down lower than the rest of the diaper on the front to make room so that it doesn't agitate the newly trimmed umbilical cord.
Cons:
Not Absorbant; they seem to fill up very rapidly.
Stiff; they are not soft at all to me, they almost feel like cardboard.
Pricey; these are the priciest diapers in my area, and in this case, to me, you don't get what you pay for.
Final Thoughts
A nice feature in the umbilical cord area, but for me, these just aren't worth the price or hassle.
Luv's
These are my mom's favorite diaper, she says that she couldn't use anything else on me, eveything else gave me a rash, so now she just uses these on my sister. I like these diapers, they get the job done with few leaks and just generally are pretty good diapers. I'd probably buy these more often if they went on sale more, but that's just how I am.
Pros:
Absorbant; I rarely got leaks with these.
Fairly soft; these are pretty average on the softness scale. Softer than Huggies Pure and Natural, but not as soft as Pampers Swaddlers.
Smell nice, Not a huge deal, but they smell slightly like baby powder.
Cons:
Pricer than some brands; though these are less expensive than than both Huggies and Pampers, they are more expensive than store brands.
Final Thoughts
I like these diapers, and if I weren't so money concious, I would buy them more. The smell of them is nice, but it also worries me a bit about extra chemicals on my baby's skin.
Up&Up Diapers
Up&UP is Target's brand, of diapers as well as other things. I'm big on store brands, really, I'm convinced that there is really very few reasons to buy name brand, unless you are couponing well enough that the item you are buying is less than the equalivent store brand. Diapers are one thing that I pretty much always buy the store brand in, only switching to the name brand if it is on sale, making it less than the store brand. Unfortunately for me, there isn't a Target too close to where I live, so I mostly go with the Wal-Mart brand. The Up&Up Diapers are fantastic, they seem to hold up well, and I never had leaks with them.
Pros:
Absorbant; these really hold up to the job, even overnight.
Really adorable; I got comments on these when I took my son to the doctor's in them. Unlike other diapers where the design is only on the front, these are all over.
Fairly soft; like Luv's, these weren't as soft as Pampers, but softer than Huggies.
Cons:
Slight trouble fastening them; there is only a pretty small area where these can be fastened, so making sure you are on it is, at first, odd. Once you get the hang of it, it isn't too bad.
I think they only come in a blue and green design; this would only be a con if you have a little girl and don't want to put her in a blue and green diaper.
Final Thoughts
I really wish I had access to these more often, they would be my go-to diaper. They are fairly priced and generally hold up well.
Parent's Choice Diapers
Parent's Choice, Wal-Mart's brand of baby products, has been pretty good to me. Their diapers are slightly annoying until you get the hang of them, as you have to fasten them just right to keep them on. They are pretty much average on every scale in my book.
Pros:
Well priced; these are the least expensive diapers I can find, and they actually hold up for me pretty well.
Absorbant; these stand up to the overnight test well for me, only on one or two instances have I found that my son leaked overnight.
Fairly soft; same with Luv's and Up&Up.
Cons:
Hard to fasten; at least at first, these are really annoying to fasten, as you have to be sure you get them just right to keep them on.
Final Thoughts
For the price, these aren't bad at all. Once you get over that little roadblock of time where you aren't quite positive how to make them work, they do pretty well and are very affordable.
So, there you have it. I hope that this helps some of you learn a little bit about the various types of diapers out there! :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
