Moving On
Current mood: tired
Category: Blogging

I am moving my blog from MySpace, to a site that my sisters-in-law use.  I like the format of their blogs, so I am jumping on the bandwagon.  My old posts can be seen there, as well as any new ones that I might add.  The link is:

Lori's New Blog

Currently watching : Meet the Robinsons Release date: 23 October, 2007

9:53 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Blessed Silence
Current mood: triumphant
Category: Life

I think we have finally found a way to keep Rowan in his bed at night.  Some might call it bribery, but even if it is, 3 cents per night is not too much.  I think it's worth it.

We put three pennies on the floor in Rowan's doorway.  If he gets out of bed we take one of the pennies away.  Each time he gets out of bed, we take another penny away.  In the morning, he gets to put any pennies that are left into his money jar.  For him, that's big incentive.  The first night he lost one or two pennies (I'm not sure since Jonathan was the one to take them away).  Since then, he hasn't lost any more--but more importantly, he hasn't gotten out of bed!!!

It is so wonderful to have peace and quiet now, after both of the boys are in bed.  Rowan used to get up countless times every night, cry, throw fits, etc.  This is such a wonderful change; it's almost a miracle.  So if anybody reading this is having trouble keeping their kids in bed, why don't you give the penny-method a try?  It couldn't hurt.

Currently reading : Karen: A true story told by her mother By Marie Killilea Release date: 1966

8:52 PM - 1 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

Devotionals
Current mood: stoked
Category: Religion and Philosophy

I've been doing daily devotionals with Rowan for a little over a week now.  We read about an animal in our book entitled Listen to the Animals, recite our scripture verse, sing a couple of hymns/songs, and pray.

Rowan is really interested in animals, so the stories keep his attention (mostly).  He likes to go through the book and pick out our reading for the next day.  So far we've read about dolphins, raccoons, giant pandas, the rhino, jaguars, snakes, penguins, tigers, kangaroos, and octopuses.  Next it will be cannibal insects.

The most exciting part, to me, is that Rowan is already learning scripture.  He has memorized his first Bible verse.

    The Lord is merciful and gracious, he is slow to get angry and full of unfailing love.
                                           Psalm 103:8

And the great thing is that I'm learning right along with him.  I'm so excited to continue devotionals with all of our children.  It's just a great way to connect, learn together and have fun.

Currently reading : Listen to the Animals By William L. Coleman Release date: August, 1981

7:53 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Wailin’ Jennys
Current mood: okay
Category: Music

Last night Jonathan and I went to a Wailin' Jennys concert.  To be honest, I was a little hesitant about going, firstly because I don't like leaving the boys, and secondly because I don't like spending money on something that isn't tangible.

I am very glad that Jonathan convinced me to go with him.  There is something so intoxicating about watching a group of people who are extremely talented musicians and who love what they're doing.  You get to see the emotion they put into their music and the enjoyment that they get out of it.

I'm not sure if I can accurately recall all the instruments we got to see them play, but it was quite impressive.  There were two guitars, a ukulele, a banjo, violin, electric bass, bodhran, snare drum, harmonica, and an accordian.

It was also interesting to see all the different types of people who had come to see this folk group perform.  At most concerts, you find a crowd that is very homogenous.  Everyone is approximately the same age, dressed the same, etc.  This was quite the opposite.  There were children all the way up to the elderly, intellectuals, teeny-boppers, hippie-types, regular folks.  It's nice to know that their music appeals to so many different people.

If you've never heard the Wailin' Jennys, I would suggest you check them out.  I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Currently listening : 40 Days By The Wailin' Jennys Release date: 10 August, 2004

9:30 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Something Missing
Current mood: sad
Category: Life

Jonathan's parents left today, after having stayed with us for 3 1/2 weeks.  It's odd how accustomed we became to their presence in that short amount of time.

I looked at the shoes by the door and it seemed like there were some pairs missing.  Rowan didn't understand that Grandma and Grandpa wouldn't be coming back and joining us for dinner.  Jonathan wanted to look something up on his dad's laptop, which wasn't there.  A glance at the tea kettle made me think that Grandpa wouldn't be putting it on to boil anymore.

Our house seems more empty, and yet, it's the same as it was before they came to visit.  It's just sad to think that we won't see them for another two years.  What do you say when parting for such a long time?  Anything seems inadequate.  How about--we love you and we'll miss you.

Currently watching : Love’s Unending Legacy Release date: 04 December, 2007

9:38 PM - 1 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

Action City
Current mood: sleepy
Category: Games

Jonathan's requested activity this year for his birthday was to go to Action City.  It's a sort of indoor fun-attraction-type-thing.  I wasn't sure if I would enjoy it much.  Having two small children in tow can put a damper on a number of activities.  Things worked out well, though.  We took turns watching/holding the kids, so that everyone got to have fun.

The attractions at Action City include a climbing wall, lazer tag, bumper cars, go-karts, a mini bowling alley, and various arcade games.  I tried everything, but enjoyed lazer tag the most.  I haven't laughed so hard in a long time. 
My cousin Missy and I tried the climbing wall, got about a third of the way up, and then fell rather ungracefully to the floor.  It was a pathetic sight.  At least we tried it, right?

Rowan really enjoyed the little playground and air hockey.  He did get scared, however, when Daddy went too fast on the go-karts.

Jonathan's cake of choice was better-than-sex cake (obviously not named by a man).  So we enjoyed some cake, ate subs and nachos, and played a bit more before they announced closing time.  I believe this birthday ranks up there with the best that Jonathan has ever had.  And that makes me happy!

For anyone in our area who hasn't been to Action City--GO!!  You don't know what you're missing!  Wednesday nights are super-deal nights.  Please just go and have a good time--and let us know when you'll be going, so we can come too! ;)

Currently reading : The Wind in the Willows (Signet Classics) By Kenneth Grahame Release date: 04 April, 2006

9:58 PM - 1 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

A Tea Party
Current mood: satisfied
Category: Life

I got Rowan his own little porcelain tea set for his birthday.  His little set includes four cups, four saucers, a teapot, a creamer and a sugar bowl.  Roro loves to drink tea with us, and I thought it would be nice to have tea parties with him.  In the catalog that I ordered the set from, the dishes looked like they had a red, painted design on them.  Well, when I received the set in the mail, I found out that they were not red, but pink.  Oops!  I hope it won't scar him for life.

The other day Rowan and I had our own little tea party at the dining room table while Ian was napping.  Our tea of choice was white tea.  Snacks included crackers, cheese and chocolate chips, which fit nicely on our tiny plates.  We each got several cups of tea, each cup being about 1 1/2 tablespoons.  Rowan was so cute, sipping from his little teacup.  I can't wait to have another party with my beautiful boy.  Maybe we can even include Daddy next time!

Currently reading : El leon, la bruja y el ropero By C. S. Lewis Release date: 01 October, 2002

8:52 PM - 1 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

I’m Giving Away My Possessions!
Current mood: excited
Category: Life

I am not always content with what I have.  I don't like our stained carpeting.  I don't like one of our couches.  I don't like our kitchen sink, bathtub, washer, dryer, garage door, dining room table, etc.  I'm sure my discontent with these items taints my attitude daily and contributes to making me a bit unpleasant.  But, I recently got an idea about how I should view my belongings, whether or not I am satisfied with them.

I've been reading The Happy Housewife by Elizabeth Baker, and towards the end of one of her chapters, she told a story about how she could not stand the ugly brown couch that she and her husband owned.  They had bought it when they were first married and without much money.  The plan was to replace it with a nicer couch in a couple of years, but the years passed and they still had that ugly, brown couch.  She hated the couch and became discontented.  Finally, after hearing something on a radio broadcast that convicted her, she "gave" the couch to God.  She prayed for God to take the couch and her discontent--and he did!

Well, Elizabeth's story got me thinking about the things that I own, but am not content with.  There are a lot of things in our house that should be updated, are not aesthetically pleasing, etc.  I have a bad attitude about these possessions, and can become bitter about them too.  But if I give them to Jesus, literally give them to him, I will see them in a whole new light.  I will see my possessions as belonging to God, something to be taken care of, used wisely, respected because they are his. 

We often think of our money as belonging ultimately to God, but what about our cars, furniture, dishes, vacuum cleaner, clothing?  I think that if we saw our possessions in that light, we would be much happier with what we have.  After all, if it's good enough for God, shouldn't it be good enough for us?

Currently reading : The happy housewife By Elizabeth Baker Release date: 1975

9:38 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Christmas Fun
Current mood: cold
Category: Life

We have certainly had a busy holiday season.  Back in November, I got an ambitious idea.  I thought that we could do one special Christmas activity each day in December, up until Christmas Day.  I came up with a list of potential activities, let Jonathan weigh in on which ones he wanted to do, and then made little cards with the activities printed on them.  I slipped the papers into the pockets of our advent calendar, and voila!

As I stated earlier, my idea was ambitious.  I did not have any illusions about doing every single activity.  We went into this with open minds and an open calendar.  It really was fun to start establishing our own Christmas traditions, choosing favorite activities from both of our families.

Some activities that we enjoyed were:

¤ decorating a gingerbread house

¤ making candy--maple walnut fudge, peppermint bark & peanut brittle

¤ decorating our house and tree

¤ wrapping presents with Rowan

¤ baking banana bread

¤ seeing a Christmas play at church

¤ watching How the Grinch Stole Christmas

¤ making cookies--spritz, molasses, oatmeal gems, snowballs, pfeffernusse, peanut blossoms

¤ decorating wrapping paper

¤ reading children's Christmas books

¤ making marshmallow snowmen

¤ singing Christmas carols--especially Silent Night

¤ having a Christmas scavenger hunt with a mini Christmas tree at the end for Rowan to decorate

¤ counting candy to put in gift bags for my cousins

We did not do every activity that I had planned, but that's okay.  We still had a lot of fun and maybe we'll get around to doing those other things next year.

Another highlight of our Christmas celebrations was spending the 23rd at my parents' house.  We enjoyed a lot of food, in fact too much food.  The lasagna was filled with 3 lbs. of cheese.  Yikes!  We had enough sweets to feed four times the number of people we had in attendance.  Rowan discovered how to use the mouse for the computer.  He repeatedly clicked on clips of babies laughing on YouTube.  Rowan looked super-cute in the Santa hat he wore while passing out gifts, with his uncle's help.  And finally, Rowan's favorite gift was a Spiderman blanket which he promptly wrapped himself in and cuddled on the rocking chair.

We spent Christmas Eve at home, very low-key.  We made a candy train (one of Jonathan's family traditions), relaxed, read Christmas books and then went to see the Christmas lights at Irvine Park.  The display was beautiful and Rowan really enjoyed it. 

On the 25th, we hosted Christmas at our house.  The usual crowd was somewhat reduced this year, so that we only had 15 people in attendance.  We were able to move around comfortably, instead of being packed in like sardines.  It was a nice treat.  We were somewhat drowning in pies.  There were 8 pies for 13 adults; you do the math.  We also had about 3 times the amount of sweets necessary.  The "old" people had a rousing conversation about mucous.  Apparently this is what we will all be reduced to in old age; discussing our many bodily functions.  Later, we had a white elephant gift exchange.  Some of the more interesting gifts were:

¤ a bottle of stool softener
¤ a case of Ramen noodles
¤ a Deer Hunter's Bluegrass Christmas CD--the music is actually good!
¤ toilet paper
¤ a jar of peanut butter
¤ a plastic bank safe--without the combination to open it
¤ the movie, A Midsummer Night's Dream
¤ the movie, The Producers
¤ a homemade candle that says, "Jesus Is The Light"
¤ a bottle of prune juice
¤ a handheld sewing machine
¤ a bag of canned goods
¤ Gardening For Dummies and Beauty in Bunches
¤ microwave popcorn
¤ a Santa hat for a cat

Honestly, I think it's more fun opening these goofy gifts than the real ones. 

Now that all the Christmas hoopla is over, we are just relaxing.  It's so nice to go back to a normal routine.  I just might start planning for next year a wee bit early...what to make for Rowan's cousins, hmmm...

Currently listening : The Singable Songs Collection By Raffi Release date: 15 October, 1996

11:01 PM - 1 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

Hard Times
Current mood: sad
Category: Life

Have you ever had something happen in your life that is so painful, such a slap to the face, that it just knocks you down?  If you haven't yet, trust me, you will.

The first time I had that feeling was when my sister died.  That was the first event in my life that shook my world and clued me in to the fact that life is unfair.

I wonder, does it get easier, the more times a person experiences loss?  Do we learn to cope with it better?  Or do we just come up with ways to mask the pain and move on?

When I'm feeling pain and wonder why certain things happen, I know that I just have to trust God.  Even if I can't see any good coming from a situation, God sees the big picture.  I can lean on him and receive comfort from him.  He knows how I feel, what my fears and anxieties are, how my heart aches.  God is faithful, that I know.



Though he brings grief, he also shows compassion according to the greatness of his unfailing love.  For he does not enjoy hurting people or causing them sorrow.

Lamentations 3:31b-33

Currently reading : Pinocchio By Carlo Collodi Release date: 04 October, 2002

9:59 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment