Friday Funny

I'm sure that many of us will be eating grilled hot dogs at some point this weekend - think of this little prank when you're chowing down! (The canned laughter is quite annoying, but it's still pretty funny)

Personality Test

Kind of fun - and definitely accurate for me!

You Have A Type B+ Personality

You're a pro at going with the flow You love to kick back and take in everything life has to offer A total joy to be around, people crave your stability. While you're totally laid back, you can have bouts of hyperactivity. Get into a project you love, and you won't stop until it's done You're passionate - just selective about your passions

Do You Have a Type A Personality?

Another week...

Another weekend has come and gone. Hubby mowed the yard, we took down the pool (we've been fighting algae, plus it had been so chilly that the water temp had taken a major nosedive), I did some more sorting and purging and even squeezed in a very cool stamping project (but it can't be shared yet!) I was fighting a headache again, so stayed home from church yesterday. Definitely missed it.

Hubby and I have a date night this evening. We're going to dinner (hooray for coupons!) but still aren't sure what we'll do afterwards. Perhaps dream of home improvement projects at the orange warehouse?

And last but not least, I'm trying to figure out what to do with my hair. I'm way overdue for a haircut, plus I'm sick of my current style. I've been wearing it virtually the same way for over a decade. But I don't want something that requires 20 minutes to create each morning, either. So what's a found-faced girl with a super high forehead and wavy hair to do? (Oh, and short hair is out of the question. My hair grows too fast and I don't want to be getting it cut every six weeks). I've been considering something like this - more layery and hopefully easy to maintain. Not quite this wispy, though. Any hair gurus want to offer suggestions?

Friday Funny

A man was crossing a road one day when a frog called out to him and said: "If you kiss me, I'll turn into a beautiful princess." He bent over, picked up the frog and put it in his pocket.

The frog spoke up again and said: "If you kiss me and turn me back into a beautiful princess, I will stay with you for one week." The man took the frog out of his pocket, smiled at it and returned it to the pocket.

The frog then cried out: "If you kiss me and turn me back into a princess, I'll stay with you and do ANYTHING you want." Again the man took the frog out, smiled at it and put it back into his pocket.

Finally, the frog asked: "What is the matter ? I've told you I'm a beautiful princess, that I'll stay with you for a week and do anything you want. Why won't you kiss me?"

The man replied, "Look I'm a software engineer. I don't have time for a girlfriend, but a talking frog is cool."
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

YOU MIGHT BE AN ENGINEER IF...

You have no life - and you can PROVE it mathematically.
You know vector calculus but you can't remember how to do long division.
You chuckle whenever anyone says "centrifugal force".
You've actually used every single function on your graphing calculator.
It is sunny and 70 degrees outside, and you are working on a computer.
You frequently whistle the theme song to "MacGyver".
You know how to integrate a chicken and can take the derivative of water.
You think in "math".
You hesitate to look at something because you don't want to break down its wave function.
You have a pet named after a scientist.
You laugh at jokes about mathematicians.
You can translate English into Binary.
You can't remember what's behind the door in the engineering building which says "Exit".
You have to bring a jacket with you, in the middle of summer, because there's a wind-chill factor in the lab.
You are completely addicted to caffeine.
You avoid doing anything because you don't want to contribute to the eventual heat-death of the universe.
You consider ANY non-engineering course "easy".
When your professor asks you where your homework is, you claim to have accidentally determined its momentum so precisely, that according to Heisenberg it could be anywhere in the universe.
The "fun" center of your brain has deteriorated from lack of use.
You'll assume that a "horse" is a "sphere" in order to make the math easier.
The blinking 12:00 on someone's VCR draws you in like a tractor beam to fix it.
You bring a computer manual / technical journal as vacation reading.
The salesperson at Circuit City can't answer any of your questions.
You can't help eavesdropping in computer stores... and correcting the salesperson.
You go on the rides at Disneyland and sit backwards to see how they do the special effects.
You have a habit of destroying things in order to see how they work.
You haven't bought any new underwear or socks for yourself since you got married.
You spent more on your calculator than on your wedding ring.
You think that when people around you yawn, it's because they didn't get enough sleep.
You would rather get more dots per inch than miles per gallon
You've ever calculated how much you make per second.
Your favorite James Bond character is "Q," the guy who makes the gadgets.
You understood more than five of these jokes.

Signing off,

- wife to a mechanical engineer :)

Have a great weekend!!

What's my Goal?

After my not-so-great Monday, I decided it was time to reread Creative Correction by Lisa Whelchel. I purchased this book when our son was just a few months old - I read it in bits and pieces while nursing him. I found it encouraging, easy to read, full of scripture and very practical. But frankly I wouldn't be dealing with most of those issues for a few years. So I read it and stashed it on my bookshelf. Had pulled it out a couple times to browse a particular chapter. But now I'm reading the whole thing. Let me share a passage that really touched me yesterday:

When it comes to having misplaced priorities, I'm definitely guilty! Much of the time, my goal in parenting is simply to have well-behaved children - not for some higher, godly purpose, but for my own peace and quiet. My life is so much simpler and more enjoyable when the kiddos obey me without arguing and when they get along with each other. As a result, I'm quick to correct them, sometimes in anger, when my comfort is disturbed, without considering how I'm modeling God to them...

It's vital that we step away from the pandemonium of parenting from time to time and remind ourselves of the true goal - to have kids who are drawing an accurate picture of God in their hearts and learning how to relate to Him as their creator each day.

Modeling God to our kids is a tall order, In fact, I would be the first to admit that my representation of God is imperfect. But that's the nature of a reflection. It's backward in a mirror, upside-down in a spoon, blurry in a window, and always one-dimensional. Though we should strive to be godly, we can never perfectly reflect God. Instead, our goal should be to ensure that our reflection of God draws our children closer to Him - and that it makes them long to touch the real thing.

Amen.

Bad Mommy Moment

Ever had one of those days? Yesterday I was definitely off my game. I needed to go to the grocery store (we were out of eggs, milk, bread, and down to a pear and a mango in the fruit dept) - well, usually I keep our daughter in the cart and let our son walk next to me. He just wouldn't listen, though, and I was harping on him throughout the entire store. He kept running off, grabbing things off the shelf, attempting acrobatic feats on the displays... Just generally being one of those bratty kids that I can't stand (and of course mutter disapprovingly about when I see others misbehaving in this fashion). Normally, I would have just scooped him up and left, but we really did need this stuff (particularly as we were having someone over for dinner). When we finally were done, I got the kids in their car seats, I started the car up, and I just sat there. Really needed to calm down before driving home. We get home, and my head is now pounding and my stomach is upset. I get the frozen/refrigerated food stashed, then pull out some chicken nuggets to heat for lunch.

I go about the afternoon. The kids had been playing quietly, so I thought I'd take a few minutes to write a note to a friend. I had made the card over the weekend, so just needed a couple minutes to jot a few sentences. But Mommy starting a new activity was evidently quite exciting.


"Whatcha doing?"
"Can I help?"
"Can I have this?"
"I'm hungry."
"Why are you writing a letter?"
"Can I make a letter, too?"
"Whatcha doing?"
"I'm still hungry!!"

I finally just lost it, and was yelling like a maniac.

"Leave me alone! I just need to finish this!"

and in my head, finished the line: "... so I can encourage this mom."

Definitely a wake-up call. Something about a plank in my own eye... Time to take some deep breaths, pull out my Bible, and remember what this job is all about.

And just so show God's graciousness - and sense of humor - when I got the mail around 4:00 I had received a lovely card from another friend. It was much appreciated!!

Those crazy kids

I took pictures of our son last Sunday, so figured I'd give his sister the same treatment this week... I did get a few cute pictures (this one was when she saw a bird flying), and of course crazy brother had to get in on it, too.

We had a very nice weekend, although it was a bit chilly. I just have to share another gem, straight from our little boy on Saturday night. He was sitting next to me on the couch, and he asked if we could play cars. He then handed me a purple one, and told me it was the pretty one. I thanked him, and he then showed me the yellow truck that he was going to play with.

"Mommy, this one is cool. Yours can't be cool 'cuz you're old."

Thanks, kid :)

Friday Funny

This is going out to all you moms :)

If you give a mom a muffin,
She'll want a cup of coffee to go with it.
She'll pour herself some.
Her three-year-old will spill the coffee.
She'll wipe it up.
Wiping the floor, she will find dirty socks.
She'll remember she has to do laundry.
After she puts a load in the washer,
She'll trip over a toy car and bump into the freezer.
Bumping into the freezer will remind her she has to plan supper.
She will get out a pound of hamburger.
She'll look for her cookbook.
(101 Things To Make With A Pound Of Hamburger)
The cookbook is sitting under a pile of mail.
She will see the phone bill, which is due tomorrow.
She will look for her checkbook.
The checkbook is in her purse that is being dumped out by her two-year-old.
When she picks up the two-year-old, she will detect a foul odor.
While she is changing the diaper, the phone will ring.
Her five-year-old will answer and hang up.
She'll remember that she wants to phone a friend to come for coffee.
Thinking of coffee will remind her that she was going to have a cup.
She will pour herself some.
And chances are,
If she has a cup of coffee,
Her kids will have eaten the muffin that went with it

Getting creative with candy

Jacki had this wonderful post today about making candy bouquets. Read it for yourself here. You could do so much with this idea! Pretty affordable to create, but major points for presentation.

I see a candy jeep in our little boy's future!! :)

You've *GOT* to be kidding me!

Check out this news story: Bishop proposes calling God "Allah" to ease tension

I don't even know where to start...

Or perhaps we could try this approach:

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. (II Chronicles 7:14)

Skeeter bites

The mosquitoes have been really bad for the past few days - and our daughter's legs actually looked a lot worse yesterday.

Adorable Little Boy

We had some time before we needed to head to church yesterday morning, so I took our son outside for some pics. He is growing up so fast!!

Friday Night Fun

Last night we grilled ribs for dinner, and then finished off the evening with marshmallows. Which for some reason led to bathtime...

Friday Funny

A few questions to ponder:

If Barbie is so popular, why do you have to buy her friends?

Why do psychics have to ask you for your name?

What happens if you get scared half to death twice?

How do you tell when you run out of invisible ink?

What's the speed of dark?

Thursday's Happenings

The kids definitely kept me hopping yesterday. I think they were conspiring against me - as soon as I was preoccupied with one of them, the other would strike! Here are the two most memorable events:

• Daughter threw toys, so was in time-out. Her time had just ended, and I was talking to her about her behavior. Suddenly, I heard the blender! Our son stole my container of yogurt (sitting on the counter, as I was trying to eat my breakfast!) and two clementines to make his own smoothie. Creative, yes. Tasty, no. Really should have peeled the clementines first. (And I can't believe he figured out how to turn on the blender! It's a two step process, so I thought I was safe. Guess I won't be leaving that plugged in anymore)
• Son had set up an elaborate train layout in the living room, and was very unhappy that it was time to put it away. As we were discussing this, our daughter meandered to the kitchen table. Now earlier in the afternoon, our neighbor brought over some Scotch bonnet peppers for my hubby. Little girl managed to split them open, and when I realized what was going on I yelled, "No!" Well, this led to crying. Which led to eye rubbing. Which led to approximately one hour of scream crying.

Man, I'm hoping today is nice and dull!!

Yippee!!!!

I got some very exciting news on Tuesday - the announcement is on my other blog. Click here for details!

Little Diva

Gotta love our little girl's fashion sense: Mommy's hat (from high school), Dora glasses, and rubber boots approximately 5 sizes too big. But the best part is the smile.

Bud & Fuzzball

The kids were just playing around on the floor last night, and I grabbed the camera and snapped a few. Now if only I'd wiped Fuzzball's face, too :)

He Who Will Not Grow Weary

The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.
Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens?
Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on the scales and the hills in a balance?
Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these?
He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name.
Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.
Why do you say, O Jacob, and complain, O Israel,
"My way is hidden from the LORD; my cause is disregarded by my God"?
Do you not know? Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;
But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
They will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Isaiah 40:8, 12, 26-31

I admit I'm tired right now. Just drained and kinda frustrated. I have a "To Do" list that's longer than my arm, but it seems that it all takes sooooo much time to get anything accomplished. I know some of that is simply this stage of life: young children generally don't lend themselves to highly productive days. But do I just keep bemoaning that fact, or do I seek the Lord's help? Is my cry for help in including the kids, or just a general "ACK!" and pouring out of frustration? He has all the answers. I know that, but my stubborn humanness keeps getting in the way. But boy, would I love to soar!!

Last week, a stamping friend (who also happens to be a missionary in Indonesia) posted a card with the saying: "Only one life, twill soon be past. Only what's done for Christ will last." Good little saying, right? Well, she added the coment that as missionaries they usually change the phrase to "IN Christ." What a great change! I know that I often tell myself that I'm doing the "right" thing, but whose power am I leaning on?

Lord, help me to lean on you. I burn out very quickly when I do things under my own power. Whatever the task - organizing the kitchen, disciplining the kids, or preparing a lesson - remind me that I need to do it IN YOU. Keep me humble, and mindful of where true strength is found.

Friday Funny

I figured after my post earlier this week about Children: God's Sanctification for Parents, we'd have a little fun...

Dear Editor,

I recently read your article on "tough love." It offered advice to grandparents with respect to misbehaving grandchildren those whose own parents let them run wild. I have followed your advice, and enclose a picture demonstrating the technique I employ on my grandson when he just won't behave. They do not allow me to spank him, so I just take him for a ride, and he usually calms down afterward.

Sincerely, Tough Love Grandma

Transformation!

We were playing in the backyard yesterday, and the kids found a large, furry caterpillar. Very funky looking, complete with a few spiky hairs sticking up on its back. We put it into a jar along with some leaves, and this morning this is what we found. How cool that we can watch this amazing process together! But I must admit that I wish it were going to transform into a lovely butterfly rather than a grey moth... (More info on the American Dagger Moth here)

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! II Corinthians 5:17

On the other hand, it kind of reminds me of Christians. Yes, we are transformed when we accept God's amazing gift, but we're still grey, just a shadow of what we were truly created to be. Can't wait to see the colorized, fully restored version when we get to heaven!!