Happy Halloween!!

From our little Dragon and his mommy!!

Up

Up - by Andrew Peterson


I don't know which way is up
Out circling the sun
The maps are all quiet biased
And the stars are all quite mum
But if I had to take a guess
I'll tell you what I'd say
Wherever God is looking down
Up's the other way.

Same old, same old...

So, not too much new happening here this week. Last week seemed very busy, and this week is shaping up the same way. We've had two harvest parties this past week and another "costume" wearing day tomorrow. I'll post some photos later this week.

Dad update: Dad came home from the hospital on Thursday last week. He is home and comfortable, but still re-cooperating. He still doesn't have any job prospects yet, but is focused on resting and getting better first. We appreciate all of your prayers and continue to ask for you to pray for him and their current circumstances.

Sorry, I don't have too much more to talk about today. I've thought about blogging several times this past weekend, but just never really did. Hopefully, another day I'll be a bit more successful :)

Prayer Brigade!!

Ok, Friends. I need to ask for you all to band together and form the prayer brigade with me!! Many things battle for our attentions each day and fight for the top claim on the "prayer list". I would ask that this topic be placed on the top of your list today and for the next few days... Here's what's happening...

I would ask you to pray for my dad and my mom. As some of you have known, my dad has been out of a job for 4 months now. This is the third job that he's lost in the last 5 years. When he lost his job in July, we were blessed to know that God was faithful by His showing of hints along the way that He would provide for my parents. The story is a long one of how mom and dad have gotten to this point, but result is this... Dad is out of a job and in need of a new one, despite the horrible economy that they live in, in MI. They have 4 weeks left until the severance checks run out and they are down to one income. Dad has been feverishly applying for jobs and attending job seminars to help build his resume and prepare for those interviews. But they're just not coming.

To top it all off, this week, he's been in the hospital, diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure. Although the name sounds very upsetting and "final", this disease is something that he can recover from. But you can imagine how dark and frightening these days have become... Mom is working full time at a fabulous job that she enjoys, but she can't pay the bills on her own. Dad has been working hard to find a new job and prepare their house to be sold as well. What full plates they have to juggle... and the juggling space gets very tight when there is only one income.

Simply put, my Dad needs a job. God is faithful. I am in full surrender of this statement. However, I ask that you would pray on their behalf for these things:

• Please pray that the Lord would give him a job. That it would be a job that would last and that he would succeed in. Pray that it would be the job that he could retire from.
  
• Please pray for peace and hope for a situation that seems to build by the day, and become more daunting. We know that God is faithful. Pray for his faithfulness to be revealed each day in small ways.
  
• Pray that he will not give up in his fight for a job, for health and for safety for his family.
• Pray for his health - That he would get stronger and stronger as the days progress. Pray that his spirit would not be broken by circumstances.
• Please pray for my mom as she is to support dad. Give her encouragement and love for her husband of 36 years.

Much love my friends... And although, I've read this post several times, it just doesn't convey my need and request clearly enough. Perhaps it is the weight that is upon my shoulders when you see your parents struggle. I'm sure you've heard requests like this many times during the past year or so... but many of you know my parents personally, and have spent time in their home with us, and know that they love God and love their family. Please lift them to Jesus' feet...

"He is BEFORE all things & IN HIM all things hold together!!" Col 1:17

More signing and discipline breakthroughs!

First off, Finnegan is again signing more and more. Recently, he just signs milk, and light (which are very similar) all done, bath and more. Today, he started signing the word "please". He doesn't always sign it, but if I remind him to sign it after asking for something, he repeats the sign. Very exciting.

Also, I'll be the first one to admit that I need all the parenting advice that I can get. And most people wouldn't believe (unless you've seen it) that I have a pretty hot temper and tend to fly off the handle very easily, especially when I'm at home, and by myself. With that being said, you can imagine that moving into the "toddler" phase of my parenting journey is gonna be a rough one. Recently, I've been encouraged by my husband and a friend of some other ways that I can help to change Finnegan's behavior when he's being "difficult". Today, during lunch, he was very adimate about feeding the dogs his broccoli instead of eating it. So, I stopped what I was doing and focused only on him. Instead of raising my voice when he was doing something that I didn't want him to do, I looked right at him, spoke in a low, slow tone and explained why he wasn't to do it. Then when he ate a piece of broccoli, I was very excited and praised him for eating very nicely. Granted, I had to do this pattern several times, but I think he was getting it. Then when he was done, he looked at me and gave me the sign for "milk". I asked him if he wanted more milk and he again signed "more". So, I gave him the milk, he drank some, and then signed "all done". Oh, It was a beautiful thing. No yelling, everyone is still happy and we've moved onto the next task.

Goodbye Ernesto and Angie!!

So, we had Ernesto and Angie with us this week and it was such a nice visit. They were here a total of 5 days and it was wonderful! They slept in, wrote blogs, updated mailing lists and caught up on all their loose ends. I was pleased to hear that they'd gotten so much done during their visit, as they'd been on the road for almost 2 weeks straight, sleeping in a different place almost each night, very rarely having their own room or space and preaching, teaching and talking for days. Granted their trip to WA was a little off course for where they were headed (from Nebraska to LA) but what a blessing it was to visit and enjoy their company.

Ernesto is still the same guy he was 15 years ago when I first met him... passionate about life and extremely excitable. He loves comics, movies, Macs and music. He loves his Jr. High students back in MI and was sad to leave that ministry, but very excited that he's been taken to this new ministry. He loves reading and reads anything he can get his hands on regarding the church or missions. He's hungry for the word and diligent of spreading the news. Although we'd never met Angie before this visit, she is such a complement to Ernesto. They lead the ministry together. She's well read, very intelligent and so sweet. She has a tender heart for people and yet is a bit shy. She comes from a sound background with supportive parents who support their venture whole-heartedly and have been a great influence for them along the years.

After hearing their many stories and asking our questions, there is no doubt that God prepared each of them for the other, and is paving their way to India. The answers are clear along the way and they've answered faithfully.

While they were here, we visited Seattle's Pike Place Market, had great walks down memory lane and created new memories along the way. Ken finally had a partner to play Wii with and they played like they did years ago! It was such a blessing to have them in our home. If you feel led to take a look, check out their website (www.claycups.net) and consider giving towards the call they've heard and are followed.

Playing Wii together... They loved every minute of it!!


Ken's Motherload Sandwich... It was 8 inches tall!! He always chooses the biggest sandwich!! :)

Missions to India

Earlier this week, we recieved an unexpected call from a long ago friend. Ernesto Alaniz and his wife Angie have been traveling around the country (by car) from MI, to visit churches and friends before their trip to India early next year. Ernesto went to Jr High and High School with Ken and they became friends. Ernesto went to our church off and on during those years and even celebrated with us at our wedding. Ernesto has been very vocal since arriving that Ken was an influential person in his life and was one of the first to show him what "Jesus" looked like. He tells of stories that he used to be so mean to Ken during school... He picked on him and threw food at him and really was a bully. Yet, Ken turned the other cheek and always had a kind word to say to him. They became friends and went to church with each other through late jr. high and early high school, and always went to the same school. And now, Ernesto has just resigned as the Jr. High Pastor at Faith Baptist Church in Waterford, MI and is now embarking on a new journey of missions into many villages of India.

They arrived at our home late on Wednesday evening and we've been enjoying they're company ever since. On Monday morning they left Nebraska and will travel down to LA after leaving here. Since we haven't seen Ernesto in years, and we'd never met Angie, it has been nice to visit and get re-acquainted with them. They've shared with us their story of being called into the ministry of India's untouchables. Since they've been with us, I've learned so much about the Indian culture and the caste system. It is amazing how God is already working through them and preparing them to go and minister to these people as well as train their pastors. You can read about them here... www.claycups.net

After driving for days, Ernesto and Angie have been able to relax some. Last night they went to Bible Study with us and got to share their story with our group. Today, we're being tourists and visiting the Pike Place Market in downtown. Tomorrow is church and one last day to hang out befor our friends are on the move again... To LA, Arizona, Texas, Florida, Atlanta, St. Louis, and Muskegon, MI all before Thanksgiving!!

I'll post some photos soon of our visit.

Tagged, Again

Jenney tagged me and now I have to tag 4 of you...alrighty here goes

4 things I was doing 10 years ago
1. Being the Manager of the Varsity Girls Basketball team (my 4th year)
2. Anticipating the Spring Musical
3. Was on Homecoming Court
4. Still driving my sister to school

4 things on my to do list for today:
1. Prepare the guest bedroom
2. Go to Gymboree
3. Vacuum
4. Make Dinner

4 jobs I have had:
1. Pete's Coney Island
2. Cornerstone University - Admissions Office, Student Development, University Fund, Student Union... Tons of stuffy!!
3. Tetra Holdings, USA
4. Central Pet, NW division.

4 Movies I have seen more than once
1. 13 going on 30
2. The Devil wears Prada
3. Ever After
4. Meet the Robinsons.

4 places I have lived
1. Pontiac, MI
2. Grand Rapids, MI
3. Blacksburg, VA
4. Bonney Lake, WA

4 places I have been (this year):
1. Pontiac, MI
2. Tacoma Point Defiance Zoo
3. Pike Place Market in Downtown Seattle
4. Going to Disney World in 6 weeks!

4 TV shows I watch
1. The Today Show
2. Grey's Anatomy
3. Amazing Race
4. Nightly News with Brian Williams.

4 things you may not know about me:
1. I would go back to school to be a chef and then open a bed and breakfast... super fun.
2. I have no desire to have more than 2 kids.
3. I used to HATE going to Disney World... but now LOVE every moment of it.
4. I'm expecting house guests late tonight... Friends from High School that Ken and I haven't seen in about 8 years. CRAZY!! They're driving across the country preparing for their life of missions in India, starting in January.

4 things I love about my husband:
1. He's a hard worker
2. He lets me be a good hostess, and doesn't limit my talents.
3. He is such a good daddy
4. He loves me for who I am, even when it's not pretty.

4 people I tag: (your turn if you want!)
1. Jessica
2. Andrea
3. Megan S.
4. Tara

So Far, So Good...

So last week, I posted a few, financial goals. I must admit that so far, so good. Last week, I only made one trip to Starbucks and Target and didn't go to Old Navy and Gymboree. This week has started off well. I went to the grocery store today and used coupons. I was so proud of myself. I planned a menu before I went and bought with coupons. Today, I did get an email from Gymboree about a 60% off sale and I took at look at the things on sale and then remember I wasn't shopping there. So, I deleted the email... out of sight, out of mind, right??

And, last week, Ken asked me to close my accounts with Target and Old Navy... I never used the Target card anyway, it was just sort of a back up, and the Old Navy card, was only used at old navy... so reluctantly, I closed them. But it's for the best.

Have a great $$ savvy week!!

Little Tiny Pieces...

Oh - Crazy story... On Saturday, we went up to Seattle to visit Kelly and Amy for Kelly's birthday. We were there for several hours and planned to eat and play games etc with them. It was very fun. About half way through, Finnegan was getting really fussy and so we planned to put him down for a nap in their bedroom (in his pack and play) while we chatted etc. We set up the pack and play and put him down. He cried for a bit and then quieted down. About 20 minutes into his nap time, Shawnta poked her head in and Finnegan was standing up in the P&P and just playing. About 10 minutes later, I heard this loud cry and as I did, someone else said, Finnegan's crying. I went into the room and it was dark, so I walked over to the P&P and tried to feel around in the bottom for his pacifier... I couldn't find it... But then I felt shards of something sharp. I had no idea what it was. I ran over and turned the lights on and there were papers all in the bottom of the pack and play and a ceramic figurine (like a tree stump and a little leprechaun) all shattered in the bottom of his pack and play. I automatically went into panic mode (i know, the worst thing to do). And I really don't remember much of what happened. Ken said that I pulled him close to me and didn't see any blood, so I was ok, until he was crying and I saw he had things in his mouth!! Ken said that I was holding Finn close not letting anyone get close to him, and yet I wasn't trying to remove whatever it was. Ken pulled out two little sea shells and no broken ceramic. After I calmed down, we decided to give him about 1/4 tsp of olive oil to help his stools pass (sorry TMI) a bit smoother just in case he'd eaten something. Oh, I was so terrified at first. I felt horrible that he'd broken something of hers. And that we hadn't thought that he likes to pull at stuff!! But at least he wasn't hurt!! I just kept saying that!

Purse Snatcher...

I am convinced that everyone has a hidden "fear". Some of us have more than one. That small thing that is pretty much off the wall and rare, but does happen to some people, and you just happen to think it will happen to you. Ok, that's a lot of "happens" but you get what I'm saying (hopefully). So here's an example. When I was in college, I had a friend who had a lemon of a car. It had a slow gas leak. She was convinced that when someone threw a cigarette out their window, it would land underneath her car and her car would explode. I thought it was pretty obscure and that it was very rare to happen (and Mythbusters just proved that it couldn't happen) but I know it's a real "fear" of people. I have another friend in SC who feared the same thing at one point.

So, what's mine?? Above all of the other things that give me anxiety, one of mine is being a victim of purse snatching or having my wallet stolen? Why? I have NO idea!! I've tried to "cure myself" of the fear by thinking through all the steps that I would do if my purse was ever stolen and a list of the credit cards I'd have to cancel etc. to try to help myself get over the fear/anxiety/silliness. But it doesn't seem to work.

Recently with Finnegan in the front of the shopping cart, I've gotten used to facing me, and putting my purse/diaper bag next to him. My diaper bag doesn't have a snap or a zipper, it's sort of just out there, open. If my wallet is on top in the bag, I am obsessive about folding over the top of the bag, or putting the bag in the basket a certian way so that I can tell if it's been tampered with. Many of time, I've been grocery shopping or strolling around "T" and found myself realzing that I've stepped farther away from my cart than a couple of feet and I MUST check my bag. Silly, I know! And my heart skips a beat if I don't find my wallet where I think I left it. Recently, I've gotten a new diaper bag/purse. It has a neat zipper part for my keys and wallet so that I'm not digging for them ALL the time. The bag is tall and skinny. Kind of like a hip book bag. I love it. Today, we were in Wal-mart and I'd put the bag in the shopping cart (or the buggy as some call it) behind where Finnegan was sitting, like in the big part for the groceries. We were in the children's section and we were looking at some clothes (which I did not purchase any, by the way). This man walked through the section about a row over from where we were and you know that feeling that you just get... I got it. I hadn't realized if he was close to me at all, but I was looking at clothes. So I bent over the shopping cart from the front, over Finnegan to look into the basket to see if my purse was there.... It all happened in a split second but the more I leaned the more I saw NO BAG in the basket. Then that last bit of lean, it was there, where I'd put it... stuffed, up underneath the seat where Finnegan was. I swear I had a heartattack in those 4 seconds!! Silliness, I tell you... From that moment on, I carried my bag through the store, as I tend to do. And no, it doesn't always cure the feeling. I still look at least once while shopping to make sure my wallet is still there. AGH!

So, what is your small obsession/fear/silliness that you know could happen but the likely hood of it happening is very small??

Budget on the Brain

So, with the Stock Market Crash this week and EVERYONE talking about budgeting and financial standings in the past several weeks, I've begun to think about it. I used to be VERY good at budgeting and keeping a running total of how much we'd spent and how much we'd saved etc. But when we moved into our home, I had no idea how to budget for a house and ALL the extra expenses that came with it. So, I stopped. And it's now been 2.5 years since I've budgeted and ITS TIME to start again!! Since we are basically debt free (no car payment, no credit card debt, no school loans... well, except for the small one we just inherited) we do fairly well for a one income family. We have a sum in our bank account for emergencies and then anything else we bring home above this amount, goes to our mortgage. We're hoping to have it paid off in a couple of years. Since I got so many years of good budgeting in, I can go to the store and purchase enough for 2 weeks without a problem and still be within the budget at the end of the month. My biggest problem is the small spending. After having Finnegan, and needing an outlet, I found a new love for my local "Target" store. It is especially close to our home and I would find myself saying, "oh, I need xyz. I'll just stop at Target on my way home and pick it up". But then, I'd stroll the store and find a cart full of things to purchase. Things we really don't need. Recently, I've found myself having a small case of "buyers remorse" and returning things after I've gotten home and evaluated what I've purchase and the real "need" for them.

In light of all the recent "talks" of budgeting, I really want to get back into it, but really find my old method time consuming and a bit more detailed than I need it to be. So, instead of jumping in with both feet and getting overwhelmed, I've decided to make a few small changes this month to the way that I spend money and then go from there. So, I'm starting with the big hitters (for me). The places that I spend money the MOST and spend the most "irresponsible" money.

• No Old Navy Shopping in the Month of October
• No "Gymboree" Shopping in the Month of October
• One Target trip per week (I have a habit of stopping 3-4 times a week and those trips add up).
• One trip to Starbucks each week. I love my coffee and instead of cutting myself off (like a dieter would of cake), I think it would be best to cut back and then cut off. :)

There you have it... The small ways I'm gonna improve this month. I'm also intregued about the weekly shopping trip using the weekly flier. I think I might try that too. We'll see. :) Thanks to all you faithful friends who are so good at the budgeting thing and such a good example to me and offer such a labor of love to your families.

No plan Tuesday...

Normally when I don't have a plan for the day, I end up either staying into my pj's all day and don't do ANYTHING, or I get really motivated and do a bunch of things.

Luckily, today was more of the latter and I was able to get a couple of projects accomplished. So here are the things that got done today...

1. All of the Smoke Detectors have new batteries (after a short trip to Target).
   
2. Ken's ironing is done.
3. Two dead shrubs have been removed from the landscaping... two of the reasons we got our irrigation system in the first place. They were dead when it was installed anyway.
4. New light bulb has been installed in the back hall.
   
5. Ken now has an appointment to the dentist and the eye doctor for next week.
6. Cleaned the shower, after taking one. :)
   
7. Dishes are done.
8. A box of clothes have been separated and folded for the consignment shop tomorrow.

Now, I'm a bit tired and am looking forward to the hubby coming home!!

What did you get done today??

Full Brain Sunday....

Today was a day full of brain activity. This morning was the start of Truth Project at church. We began to learn about "truth" and what is truth. Have you ever thought about that? What is Truth? Obviously we started talking about Relative Truth and Absolute truth. Oh, the next weeks will be filled with deep thoughts and long discussions. I'm looking forward to it, but also sort of dreading the "stretching". :)

Also, today I finished a book... Probably the fastest I've ever read a book in my life. I finished it in 3 days!! :) The book was "Louder than Words" by Jenny McCarthy. I know, she wouldn't normally be my first choice of an author, but I've seen her several times on TV talking about her son's battle with autism and her research, and I was very intrigued by her work. The book had many dimensions. She talked in detail about her son's progression and diagnosis of autism and how her life began to "fall apart". Her marriage deteriorated and she was literally a wreck all the time, as she wasn't sleeping, and researching all the time about her son's symptoms and potential "cures". The book is very inspiring on the front of autism as she was blessed with some break-throughs.

And after reading the book, I just really have a heart for her as a mother. I wish I knew her personally so I could introduce her to my friend Jesus :) In the book she explains about seeking EVERY religion and religious person that she knew to find healing for her son. She talks about calling out to God for help and then realizing that he'd answered her. It gave me chills to read some of the "coincidences" that she had, but knowing that God was orchestrating the whole thing, so that he could be revealed to her. But then after he'd answered her cries, she would then consult astrology cards. This made me very sad.

I've always been interested in the topic of autism. And since hearing about the "cure" that Jenny McCarthy's son has experienced I was very interested in reading her story. Her findings are very interesting to me and I believe that there needs to be much more research done and LOTS more awareness about autism... not just from a vaccine standpoint, but from a pre-disposition of autism (as 1% of non vaccinated children get it too). And I think because vaccines are involved, the government is afraid of what they might find. Just my opinion. Don't get me wrong, I've posted about this before, and feel that vaccines are vital to our society and are important medical break-throughs. However, there are too many red flags with them, and scary things associated with them... not just autism but allergies and diabetes.

Anywho, that was my sunday. Now, I've finished watching the Amazing Race (which started last week... who knew, and how did I miss it?) and now Desperate Housewives. :)

Have a happy monday, peeps!

Enjoying the journey...

Today was an exciting day. During our "Baby Signs" class at Gymboree, the "teaching moment" was for us mommies to remember to celebrate not only the moments when our children can communicate to us, but to celebrate the moments that our children understand a concept before they can communicate to us. Point in case... Each parent has that special moment with their child when they hear them say their first word. But how often, do we praise our children for understanding before they can speak? When they hear a command and follow directions. When they understand that this object goes inside another object, and repeats the motions. So that was our teachable moment, and I tried to take it and really apply it to our day. I was pleasantly surprised at the results that I got.

While playing today, I decided to introduce a new sign to Finnegan (one we haven't even gone over in class yet). It was the sign for "in". Finnegan enjoys the ball popper and we play with it frequently. I'll encourage him to pick up the balls and put them in the tube, and he never really understands. But today, I said, "Finnegan, pick up the balls and put them in the tube." While I did the sign. He watched me, picked up the ball and put it into the tube and it shot up into the air as the toy does. It was so exciting!! I praised him and clapped and cheered. And he had such pride on his face. He knew that he'd understood me, whether it was the sign that did it or just his comprehension of the situation, it was very exciting.

His signs are becoming more and more frequent. Although some signs still are not used at the right time (ie the sign for more, means that he wants to eat...) today she showed me a few signs. Which is exciting in and of itself. We were sitting down on the floor playing and he looked up at the ceiling fan and did the sign for "light". Oh, my heart was so happy. He knew that the light was on. What an exciting moment!! Now if we can only get the simple signs we've done from the beginning to be used on a daily basis, we won't have any more tears over "eat" and "drink" :)

Also, slightly smaller in comparison, but I taught Finnegan how to give me 5 today. It was great. He learned really fast and we did it the rest of the day. I then tried to teach him to "give me some love" and fist bump me, but he didn't get that as quickly. Perhaps tomorrow!! :)

In Rememberance of Mike Powers....

Mr. Michael D. Powers, age 33, of Grand Rapids, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, September 27, 2008. Mike accepted Christ when he was a very young man and was led to the Lord through his Sunday school class at Algoma Baptist Church. Before graduating from Cedar Springs High School in 1993, Mike took part in several school plays. He attended Moody Bible College for one year and began attending Cornerstone College where he received his B.A. While there, Mike met Kelly; and after dating for six months, they were engaged. At Reeds Lake, Mike proposed by playing the guitar and singing an original song to Kelly. On May 13, 2000, Mike and Kelly were married in the presence of family and friends. They moved to Seattle where they both attended Mars Hill Graduate School and received their Masters in Counseling. Mike and Kelly returned to Grand Rapids where he worked as a counselor at Network 180 and served part time as a private therapist. Throughout his life, Mike was dedicated to serving his Lord and Savior by caring for others. Presently he and Kelly attended "The Branch" on 28th Street. Mike enjoyed all types of music and had a real tender heart for animals. Mike and Kelly loved being outdoors camping and kayaking. Kelly has many, many proud and memorable moments in the life that they shared together. Mike is survived by his loving wife, Kelly (nee Schleyer); parents, Michael and Debbie Powers; sister, Kelly and Gabe Griffin; brother, Adam and fiancé, Raquel Hsu; grandmother, Mrs. Marie Powers; and his very special niece and nephews, Michael, Luke, Drew, and Brei Griffin. His grandfather, George Powers and his maternal grandparents, Lester and Gladys Borrink preceded him in death. A service of remembrance and celebration for Mike and his eternal hope in Jesus Christ will be at Wabasis Park on Wabasis Ave. N.E., between 11 Mile Rd. and 12 Mile Rd. at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, October 3, 2008, with Pastor Matt Krick officiating. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m. on Thursday and 11 to 1 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions for their special missionary friends, Chad and Marlana Smith. Please make checks payable to Blythefield Hills Baptist Church c/o Chad and Marlana Smith. The Pederson Funeral Home, Rockford www.pedersonfuneralhome.com
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Granted, I didn't know Mike that well, but I knew Kelly pretty well from Campus when she worked at Cornerstone. I was also friends with Mike's brother, Adam at CU (he was an original member of "RISEN".) Regardless of how well I knew them, please pray for Kelly and their families.