Please Keep Steven Curtis Chapman's Family in Prayer...

I just learned of this today. My heart breaks for this precious family....

http://www.wtopnews.com/?nid=104&sid=1408233

http://chapmanchannel.typepad.com/inmemoryofmaria/

http://www.stevencurtischapman.com/

Feeling Nostalgic

The way they were; 2003

Whilst delving through some old family newsletters I'd written several years back, I came across some really cute things the children said/did that I just had to post here.

(I'd post the actual old newsletters, but I can't figure out how to do that yet with Blogger. I can only get the text to appear--not the pics. And do you have *any idea* how long it would take to find the actual pictures I used for these newsletters over the years???????)

*The following appeared in the May/June 2003 newsletter*

Funny Questions

Ethan asked 1. “Why are bluebells called bluebells if they don’t go ding-ding?”
2. “How can a person say they have a headache, but you can’t ever see it?”
3. “How come God made giraffes look so funny?”

Abby asked 1. “What color is a headache?”
2. “Can you call me Princess Sweetie Pie instead of just Sweetie Pie?”
3. “Is Ethan God?” (Mommy’s Reply, “No honey, only God is God.”) Abby’s reply? “Well how come he bosses me around all the time!?”

Funny Expressions

Ethan:

“Mommy, my leg sleeve is wet!”
“Mom, that walk we just went on exhausted me!” (Around the corner & back)
To Mom & Dad: “Whenever I talk to Papa Russ, I can feel him in my heart.”
Abby asked, “What does that mean, Ethan?”
Ethan: “(Sighing) Never mind, Abby. You’ll understand when you’re older.” (Hahaha!)

Abby:
“My body is only hungry for sweet things.”
“That dress doesn’t match my nail polish.”
Abby said to Daddy: “I know what’s inside my head.”
Daddy: “Oh yeah? What’s that, Girlie?”
Abby: “Air!” (What makes this even more funny is that Dean has given Abby the nickname “Bubbles” due to her umm….perpetual air-headedness. Heehee!)

Around the House

Sierra figured out basic multiplication entirely on her own. This happened over lunch several weeks ago now.

I had made up a batch of macaroni & cheese (I know it’s gross, but the kids enjoy it) and told the children after the blessing, that they each had received 3 scoops. If they were still hungry, they could have a sandwich or an apple. Sierra looked very thoughtful for a moment then said. “Ok, we each got 3 scoops…and there are 3 of us kids. Hey! I know! 3 times 3 equals 9! You dished up 9 scoops! Wow…multiplication is easy!” She went on from there to do the entire 5, 10 and 2 times tables flawlessly before she remembered her lunch that was growing cold.

She has recently read all of the “Mary Poppins” books (after she watched the DVD that Grandma Deb bought her & fell in love with it. And yes, there is more than one Mary Poppins book.), and says things like, “Don’t be so cheeky!” now. (Gotta love that British slang.)

Her Nature Notebook is a source of pure joy. She loves collecting “samples” of nature or drawing pictures of her finds. Yesterday, the kids spotted a large dragonfly on the side of their plastic tree house, hungrily eyeballing a small neon green spider! Sierra dashed back into the house to grab her drawing pencil & notebook. She managed to sketch a little bit before it nabbed the spider & flew away. They couldn’t stop talking about it for hours!

Two weeks ago while at Uncle Henry’s house, Henry handed Sierra an old guitar for her to play around with. (On a previous visit, he loaned her a small speaker & microphone set for her to practice her singing with at home. Gee thanks, Henry!) Anyway David, Henry’s brother was up from CA visiting & he showed her how to play two guitar chords. Boy did her face light up after that! Now she wants to take guitar lessons! (As well as horseback riding, swimming, singing, and ice skating lessons.)

Ethan loves to draw stick people with large eyes & happy faces. If the person is of someone in his family, he’ll carefully place the first letter of their name at the top of the paper. J
His current outdoor pastime is using a paintbrush to clean off rocks, in hopes of finding dinosaur bones or jewels. This came about after we read a children’s book about archeologists & miners together. He thought that maybe he’d like to be a “dinosaur finder” when he grew up, but “I don’t want to get my pants all dirty”, he said.

Ethan is also keeping a small Nature Notebook. So far he’s taped a few leaves to the pages, but doesn’t care to draw anything yet.

Our little man is very good about remembering to say his prayers before bed.
They usually consist of him asking God to bring him good dreams & to help him be nice to Cassie.

Currently, Ethan carries around a Beanie Baby kitty everywhere he goes. Ethan pays close attention to what the little Kitty is doing, and corrects him as necessary.

For example, this morning Kitty was not using his very best manners when Ethan asked if he wanted to wear a hat. Kitty said, “Meow! Gimme it!” Then Ethan looked Kitty square in the eye & said, “Wissen Kitty…you hafta use yuh good mannuhs. Dat’s duh powite thing tuh do! Now say Yes pwease if you want duh hat on.”
Hahahaha! I couldn’t have done it better myself. What a good boy!

Abby has learned how to write Ethan’s name. One afternoon during school time, she asked me how to spell Ethan. After I showed her, she immediately copied it & grinned from ear to ear. J Ethan then patted her on the back & said, “Good job, Abby! What a smart girl you are!”

Abby doesn’t keep a Nature Notebook like the others, but instead she keeps rocks. Lots of rocks… small rocks & big rocks. All over her room! She’s also been known to keep a leaf collection, too. Leaves at least don’t damage the vacuum cleaner or hurt when you step on them like all those little rocks do! (Ugh!)

Recently, Abby has started asking to take ballet lessons. Can’t you just imagine how cute she’d be in a pair of pink ballet slippers & tights? I don’t know when she’ll actually start taking formal lessons, but I’ve started teaching her a little bit here ‘n there. She loves it!!! She may take lessons in the fall. I’ll let you know if she does.

************************************************************

The "Stuff" That Holds Us Together

This was just way too neat not to post. Hat tip to Rachel for posting it first! ;o)

You'll have to watch the whole thing (yes, I know it's nearly 10 mins)--because the "good part" kicks in at just over 6 mins into it. But you have to watch the whole thing to get the full gist of it.

No fair skipping ahead! It won't make much sense.

Abby's Story #2

"Guys, let's get in the car."

"Why?"

"Because today is my birthday."

"What are we going to buy?"

"Cake."

"Yum! I love cake!"

"Get in the car then."

"Ok."

We are at the store.

"Mommy I found one that's a really good cake. Can we get it?"

"Ok."

"Yay!"

"Hello." Beep. "That will be ten dollars."

"Ok. Here you go."

"Thank you. Have a nice day!"

"Bye!"

We are in the car.

We are home.

"Can we have some cake?"

"Yes. Here you go."

"Thank you, Mommy. Yummy. Mommy? I feel sick."

"Go try to throw up."

"Ok." (Blech!)

"Cassie, I don't want your sister to be sick."

"Hi Mommy."

"Are you done throwing up?"

"Yes."

"Ok, I want you to lie down."

"Ok Mommy. Mommy will you refill this?"

"Why do you want me to refill Molly's water bowl?"

"I want her to have a drink when she needs it."

"Ok. Here you go."

"Thank you."

"Molly, do you need some water?"

"Yes, thank you Cassie."

"You're welcome."

"Can I have a snack?"

"I will go and get it. Mommy? Molly wants a snack."

"Ok. Give this one to her."

"Ok....Here you go."

"Thank you. I feel better. Yay!"

The End

Abby's Story #1

"Hi Mommy!"

"Hi Puppies. I got you guys new treats."

"Yay! I love treats!"

"I'm going to put these in the kitchen. All right guys it is past your bedtime. Go to sleep now, ok?"

"Ok, Mommy. If you say so."

"Goodnight."

"Night!" (Hugs and kisses)

Whispering; "Mommy is asleep! Let's go get the new treats."

"Are you it is ok to do this?"

"Yes."

"Ok. I'm going with you."

Tiptoe tiptoe

"I found them!"

"Well? What are you waiting for? Open the box!"

"Ok, ok. Geez! There I opened the box."

"Yummy! This is the best day of my life."

"Puppies? What are you doing?"

"Nothing."

"It sounds like you are doing something."

"RUN!"

"Dogs! Why did you open the treat box?"

"Ummm...midnight snack?"

"You guys know you're not allowed to have midnight snacks. Back to bed now."

"Ok, Mommy. But what are you going to do?"

"Clean up your mess."

"Ok. Goodnight." Hugs and kisses.

"Mommy is kinda grumpy."

"I know."

Mommy; "Here is some water for you guys."

"Thank you, Mommy. We love you."

"I love you, too. Now go to sleep."

"Ok."

The End

Lots of Pics

Pastor David and the Monkey Crew

Sierra's favorite place in the whole wide world...Starbucks.

Oh don't look so innocent. ;o)
Gee, can you tell they *really* didn't want to pose together?!

Dean is SO dead....
Umm...yeah. You're never gettin' your license, Sweetpea.

Dean and our honorary blonde daughter, Rachel.

Abby and Rachel...looking soooo big.
Yikes! Look out, Girlie!

I try and I try to teach them to behave in public...
And this is what I get. (Sigh)

I Was Drugged as a Kid

(Click for larger view)

Hat tip to Tina for sending this my way. :o) All I can say to it in response is "AMEN!!" and it "sounds a lot like my upbringing!"

Something Healthy This Way Comes

It's no big secret that I enjoy working out. A lot.

I have a shelf dedicated to all my Firm tapes in the movie closet, and a stack of (albeit wimpy--no more than 20 lbs) weights in the corner of the living room, ready to be used at a moment's notice. I also use my trusty Firm Box, which is a 14 inch step for extra leg/fanny work.

I also try to eat healthy, whenever I'm not totally PMS-ing (and scarfing down chocolate in various forms). After getting sick a few weeks back, my chai habit has also been significantly curbed. Instead of 4-6 cups per day (ahem), I only drink 1-2. Wow.

However, with all that said I must admit that the rest of my family hasn't exactly jumped on the "healthy" bandwagon. Granted, my son does eat and enjoy a significant amount of fresh fruits and veggies on a daily basis, but my girls do not. Nor does my husband.

I can *make* my daughters eat healthy food. I can't force it on Dean. But to be fair, he does enjoy a variety of food--he's not picky by any means. It's just that instead of ordering a healthy meal for lunch or bringing one from home, he'll opt for a fat-and-grease-injection from the nearest fast food joint, or else eat a large unhealthy meal at a restaurant and wash it down w/ a beer.

Not good.

He also doesn't get enough exercise during the day, especially with a desk job. Yes, we bought a recumbent bike for him to use at night, but he's only used it a handful of times. (I use it more than he does.)

He also enjoys snacking at night before bed. Chips, peanuts, beef jerky, Ben & Jerry's ice cream, candy bars...and a beer. Or two.

Soooooooo.....when he asked me, rather casually I might add, before bed the other night whether or not "high blood pressure was bad" (?!), I freaked.

He said the nurse commented on his blood pressure (which, according to him was "140 over something or other"--nice that he remembers details for me), and scheduled a complete physical for next month.

The alarm bells in my head were ringing LOUDLY.

I decided enough was enough. No more beer(s) at night. Maybe 1-2 a WEEK, tops. They're too high in calories and sugar. I suggested a glass of wine with supper instead. That pleased him.

Then I suggested switching from 2% milk down to 1%. He was all for it.

And the clincher...Absolutely NO fast food, and no more sitting on our rear.

We/he was going to start moving his body more, eating better, and improving his health. No ifs, ands or buts about it!

Granted, he won't be joining a gym any time soon. If ever. Nor will he be quick to lift weights with me (pain from pinched nerves and herniated discs in the neck have a way of curbing that). But I refuse to let his health continue to deteriorate simply out of convenience.

So, I'm very pleased to report that this weekend was a really great start. With our abundance of sunshine, Dean's been taking the children on bike rides and mowing the lawn. Later, we stopped by our local farmer's market and loaded up on TONS of fresh fruit and veggies (to Ethan's delight and Sierra & Abby's dismay).

Next I'll be digging out his little lunch cooler that he used to take to work (months ago...) later this evening. Then I'll stuff it full with all sorts of healthy things to eat for lunch tomorrow. And every day thereafter!

Moving along...

I've been reading two books this weekend: "The Clean Eating Diet" by Tosca Reno (a columnist for my favorite magazine, Oxygen), and "French Women Don't Get Fat" by Mireille Guiliano.

Both books have their good and take-it-or-leave-it points. I personally don't care for wine as the French do, and don't believe walking is the only/best way to exercise (obviously). Nor do I care to cook a lot of meat as Tosca Reno advocates, and cannot do without chocolate once a month. But I do agree with several points both authors make like:

Drink more water.

Move your body.

Eat foods in moderation; even the ones you love, like pasta or chocolate. (Ok, Clean Eating Diet says "NO" to chocolate....)

Eliminate junk/unhealthy foods.

(No-brainer advice, I'd say.)

There's something about sunny, spring/summer weather that helps me get back on a healthy track. Perhaps it's the fact that googly-flappy arms just don't look right in a tank top. Ditto for wobbly, mushy thighs in shorts.

In any event, I pray that this decision to get--and stay--healthy sticks with my whole family this year.

New Blogger On The Block

Hear ye, hear ye! Check out the latest, greenest blog in town... http://ethanjopper.blogspot.com

I thought perhaps having his own blog would encourage him to write (type), spell and read better. Then again, I may have just given myself more work. Ha!

In any event, please stop in at Ethan's place and say hi. He'd love to hear from everyone.

PS: I tried to get Abby to create her own blog as well, but she didn't want to. Her exact words were, "I don't like being on the computer very much anyway, so I'd never update it."
She'd prefer to do her writing with paper and pen anyway. That works. ;o)

Lovely Maidens Three...