Commence Smiling

Wyoming Christmas 2011

A Sling, A Sickness, and A Snow

Baby #5, Sling # 1

Q: Why didn't I get one of these before?

A: I'm cheap.

FYI, this cute sling only cost $35....

Also, carrying a baby in a sling looks and feels a bit like I'm pregnant again.  I find this makes me chuckle. 

A Sick Kid:

 

There's something so sad and precious about a feverish little kid.

 

Praying my baby feels better soon and trying to cherish every cuddly moment.

We've got Snow.  It's been such a mild, pleasant Wyoming winter.  I even enjoy the snow we've had.  It's beautiful and not blowing (at the moment).

Has anyone noticed Blogger being weird while composing posts?  I'm finding it difficult to effectively use the enter key....

*Update: The moment referred to in this post has passed, and the snow is now blowing.... the animals won't even venture outside for a snack of scraps....thankful for my warm and cozy home....and my work -from-home occupation.

Activities

I usually like to stay home.

I don't sign my kids up for a whole bunch of activities.

But, I couldn't resist getting Sadie into a ballet class.

So fun.  I don't anticipate regretting it.  It's very good to do girl stuff.

Yummy...

I made this this weekend.  It was scrumptious, and you should try it.

I didn't have sherry, so I used Marsala.  I also used elk cube steak instead of beef.

I'm excited to learn to use cube steak.  We got a bunch from our super generous neighbors/friends.

I also made the buns from scratch, but they weren't anything remarkable....when I find a remarkable bun recipe, I'll share it.

*The photo is from the recipe which is found on TastyKitchen.

Have you tried TastyKitchen?  I use it almost exclusively for all of my recipe-searching needs.

Try it. :)....and try the steak sandwiches too!

A Good Attitude

If at first, you don't succeed...

...try, try again.

Tardy Tidings

Biggest Loser

Our PE program this fall has pretty much consisted of family Biggest Loser sessions using the Wii.  I love it. :)

Funny dialogue from this morning:

Jillian Michaels (Biggest Loser Trainer):  Now is the time to give me everything you have!

Amos:  No!  Because then we wouldn't have that stuff anymore!

:)

New Toy

I got a new lens.

It makes me smile. :)

Canon 50mm f/1.8

Football

Judah’s reaction when he found out we wouldn’t be able to enjoy Thursday Night Football, because we don’t subscribe to the NFL Network.

What a football day!

I am fickle when it comes to football.  I am not loyal to any team…I am loyal to certain players….until they do something I don’t like.

This season, I am a fan of Aaron Rodgers and the Packers, Danny Woodhead and the Patriots, Tim Tebow and the Broncos, Jim Harbaugh and the 49ers….

In seasons past, I have cheered for Brett Favre and his various teams.  Then, Brett Favre got creepy, so I stopped rooting for him.  See?…fickle.

Tim Tebow and the Broncos entertained me quite well today!  Wow.  What a game!  Is anyone with me here??

Wow.

Teen Mania

This article on  has captured my attention over the last couple of days.

Here is a video of the documentary: Mind Over Mania

When I was 20, I spent 2 months in Kenya on a Teen Mania missions trip.

I had some major issues with Teen Mania.  And, I felt all alone for the entire summer...I struggled through with just my Bible and my journal...working out some pretty major stuff....stuff that I'd been needing to work out for quite some time, and that summer was the point when God forced me to study His Word and get to the Truth of many matters.

I watched the documentary last night, and I think it paints Teen Mania in a truthful light.  One thing I take issue with is that MSNBC likely DID approach Ron Luce under false pretenses.  And, I feel bad for Ron....because he seemed so upbeat about sharing information with the network, and I'm sure he felt betrayed when he saw the show aired last weekend.

There's so much I could say and share about my experience and how I saw the same problems that the girls expressed in their recovery meeting.  But, rather than do that, I just want to reflect on the reality that my experience with Teen Mania had overall good results.

God used an organization run by confused people, guided by false doctrine, and corrupted by greed and power to further my relationship with Himself.  The following areas were challenged and developed in a way that no other experience could have been the catalyst to do:

•   My faith in Scripture ALONE as the foundation for all truth.
• My confidence in Christ as the only One whom I am to be pleasing. 
• An assurance that God sent me to Kenya for the sole purpose of being the object of His blessings.

I am heartbroken that so many, according to the documentary, did not leave their Teen Mania experience with anything more than heartbreak, anxiety, and a seeming assurance of Christian hypocrisy.

So...I'm praying for them.
And I'm proud of them for going public.  

A Joyous Day!

October 27, 2011

2:00 pm

We welcomed Asher Joseph to our family!

He weighed 8 lbs, 2oz. and was 21" long.

We're in love!