Legoland

Some pictures from today's adventure in Legoland...











Hanging out at Legoland









Kyle and Jonny after getting wet










Kyle, Julia and Arianna getting ready to ride the boats.










Nancy and Karen









David intently watching the younger ones drive around the track.

We had a fun, busy day at Legoland. Everyone enjoyed it and they all ended up with some Legos at the end of the day. They weren't quite tired out so we headed back to the beach and the kids hit the waves for another hour.

Now they are watching Madagascar and mellowing out.

20 years ago today....

20 years ago today was Nancy and my date to my senior ball at King's Point. It all started a couple of months earlier when I called Nancy up and said "I need a date." Amazingly she accepted and we had a great time. We went to New York City afterwards and took a carriage ride in Central Park. Arriving back at Nancy's house around 3am, I had to be back at the academy around 10am for church services (an hour away). Man I was tired that day.

I have a picture from that night and that I'll try and scan in later.

Back from the zoo

It is about 10:15 California time. Back from a full day at the zoo and stopping by Coronado. Here are a couple of pictures:

Cami, we did see several monkees, other than our family. We also saw three pandas which were really cool.

Nancy's luggage came in tonight. David said that at least a part of mom made it to England.

Tomorrow we are off to Legoland.

San Diego

Arrived in San Diego yesterday for our week with Karen and the kids around 10am. Nancy's luggage decided to go to London so we are hoping it decides to join us later today. Went to the beach at Camp Pendleton yesterday. Heading out to the San Diego zoo today.

Day 2 - Musings

More tidbits:

1. 95 degrees in Stafford. 54 degrees in Reykjavik.

2. Elizabeth tried to make a cake with Smart Balance instead of butter. Didn't work out to well.

3. David stayed home and got the remaining kids off to school on time.

4. Garman kids were over during deacon's meeting. No beds were harmed.

5. Karen Doheney is questioning my ability to make flight arrangements. In one week from today, we will be in San Diego having a great time.

6. It's 10:30 at night and I have no idea what we are eating for dinner tomorrow as we have youth group and Jonny has soccer try outs.

Random thoughts

Nancy is back at Liberty U this week for another intensive in group counseling. Annie is with her so it should make for some interesting stories. Such as Annie's description of Nancy's driving.

Other thoughts/tidbits:

1. Hung out with Colby and Robert Steed trading college prank stories. No, I never went to Walmart at 2am and played with shopping carts.

2. It is hot here. When the pool feels good in mid-June, you know it has been hot.

3. Only one more week before we go to San Diego to see the Doheney family.

4. While at the Garman's, Darcy's bed fell down to the floor. I'm sure the Fauth kids were involved somehow.

5. Thinking about migrating to the Mac clan with the Garman's, Keilan, Burke's, and possibly Kristen.

df

Family Acitivities

Biking:

I am always trying to get a bunch of exercise and I am also concerned for my family especially my husband and 2 of my children who prefer almost anything to exercise. So I said lets bike down in Fredericksburg after we pick strawberries (by the way, do something with all the strawberries as soon as you get home-I make the mistake of not doing this every year!) on Saturday. So we stopped at Fall Hill Ave at the beginning of the Canal path and got going minus Arianna who was camping with friends. First, my tire was rubbing against the bike frame, but I just dealt. Then David's chain fell off. Finally, I was racing Elizabeth and her pedal came off. Dave had to return to the van and get wrenches and tighten the pedal. Does anyone realize how hard it is to maintain 6 bikes especially when they are not used a lot? Finally, we were able to keep on pedaling without any more stops and made it to Old Town Frederickburg and biked down Princess Anne St and back up Caroline (although not after Dave was cursed out and given an obscene gesture for being in the road and slowing some rude dude down) and then back down the Canal Path (about 5 or so miles). Then we went out to eat that night.

Eating:

This is becoming a real struggle for me. I guess I am eating too much and eating the wrong things. On Saturday we went to Maggiano's for "family style" (oh great-all you can eat of all the dishes they put on the table). I tried not to eat too much but with 10 different dishes it was so difficult. In any case, I woke up the next morning at 5am with severe stomach pain and told myself I had better get a grip with no exceptions! Of course a compassionate friend who shall remain nameless let me know he had lost 5 lbs this week by cutting down-good for you! Pray for me then!

Friends:

Sunday we went to friends house for the afternoon after church whom we had not hung with in a while. I ate tons of fresh vegies (God bless them for serving healthy) and had fish and chicken. I did have ice cream and sherbert, but felt a lot better. We had a great time with them. My friend's brother reminded me of a counselor. He was constantly paraphrasing, reflecting, and asking open-ended questions. I was impressed and really felt like he was listening and interested in what we were saying. Good model for us all, but especially for me with counseling.

Our other young friend was in the hospital-had been there 10 days so back down to Fredericksburg we went to visit him and then of course, I got the bright idea to get more exercise by doing the scavenger hunt or at least walking in Old Town. The scavenger hunt is a bit annoying to me, but I decided to let it go and not try to fill it all in. (This is a big step for me as I hate blanks and not finishing things). We saw Colby and Annie and the girls down town (biking of course-they are my inspiration). Needless to say when we returned from Fredericksbur, David went right to bed and Jonny went to a friend's to sleep over and Dave, Elizabeth and I watched National Treasure: Book of Secrets. What a great movie!

More biking:

Today we biked 9-10 miles and I got dirty looks from the kids. The other pedal fell off Elizabeth's bike and she thought we were going to leave her. Poor E. Of course we didn't and came back for her (we had been a bit ahead). The kids and Dave went swimming and I was in my bliss gardening. This blessed lady at church gave me about 30+ plants FREE (many just seedlings but still) and so I planted and watered them all. We are also keeping critters away from the garden with hair, pinwheels (or whirlygigs as some call them) and something else not worthy of blogging. Even if only a few of these plants live I will be ahead-some are perenials! I love being cheap-it is so rewarding sometimes especially if it works.

More friends:

We went to our dear friends' daughter's 2 year old birthday. I played kickball. Can't tell you the last time I did that, but I am having a lot of firsts in awhile since turning 40 (skiing, school, Carnegie Hall in NYC, etc). I had not been to Aquia Landing-what a nice park on the River and the weather was perfect. Good friends, good food, and celbrating-Wonderful.

Bugs:

Skin So Soft does not work for bugs. I was covered with them. Maybe it helped me not get bit, but it seemed to attract every nat in the area. I must come up with natural bug repellent and sunscreen. Not interested in the chemicals.

I do not think we have a free day between now and when we go away June 17th. (Friday the 13th is open, any takers? I guess we are not superstitious!) Trying to wrap up the school year and activities and finally get away!

Running:

Dave, Nancy and David II are planning to run the 5-miler in Fredericksburg on July 4th. I believe the Garmans are going to also (of course-they, as I said, are my inspiration) so I am hoping this will get us motivated to eat right or at least less, exercise more, and improve our overall health. There is a half marathon in September and of course the Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving. I hope we do all three and any others we can fit in. I find these things fun and motivating. We also biked to all my children's schools today so next time I have to go to one of them, I think I will get exercise, save gas and bike. Wait until that new hospital gets going!

That's all for now.
Nancy

Mercy

Mercy is a word that has been appearing to me more and more lately. From Pastor Bill's recent messages on the need to show mercy to the words of Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing

Come, Thou Fount of every blessing,
Tune my heart to sing Thy grace;
Streams of mercy, never ceasing,
Call for songs of loudest praise.

to this quote I found on The Rabbit Room from the 1987 movie Babette's Feast

Mercy and truth have met together. Righteousness and bliss shall kiss one another. Man, in his weakness and shortsightedness believes he must make choices in this life. He trembles at the risks he takes. We do know fear. But no. Our choice is of no importance. There comes a time when our eyes are opened and we come to realize that mercy is infinite. We need only await it with confidence and receive it with gratitude. Mercy imposes no conditions. And lo! Everything we have chosen has been granted to us. And everything we rejected has also been granted. Yes, we even get back what we rejected. For mercy and truth have met together, and righteousness and bliss shall kiss one another.

I'm still processing my thoughts on mercy but I don't think it is without purpose that mercy has repeatedly shown up.

Day 4 and Day 5

They were a blur. Between soccer, dance, talent show, etc., the end of last week was a blur. It doesn't help that I usually stay up until midnight or so when Nancy is gone. We all survived and it was great to see her come home last Friday.

In about two weeks, we get to do this again. This time it will be Annie and Nancy off together. Most activities, except for dance, will have wound down so the pressures to get everyone where they need to be will have diminished.

Thanks to all who asked what happened after day 3. Nancy and I decided to stimulate the economy by purchasing a new mattress set. The lumps from 17+ years of the current mattress will hopefully be a memory soon.

I'm Back

I, Nancy, have returned from my first class on a University campus since 1988!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
20 years. I am in awe at how old I am and how fast time has flown even though it seemed slow in the 80's. How did that happen.

Anyway, the class was good-I finally got to apply what I have been learning this year. I was able to counsel people in my class for 4 afternoons. On the flip side, I was counseled for 4 afternoon by them so I was exhausted when I returned home having spilled my guts so much. I did actually get some good insight into myself and some good tips to apply to my life from my fellow students.

Liberty University was awesome. I could really sense how God has blessed it and it continues to grow by leaps and bounds in our stagnated economy. They have over 11,000 residential students coming in the Fall and have 27,000 distance learners of which I am one. Amazing. They are very organized and very well run. I was impressed. I even went to Jerry Falwell's museum on the 1 year anniversary of his death.

Today, I counseled my first client besides the fellow students. I was nervous especially since it had to be filmed. We talked for over 50 minutes! And I was worried about a 1/2hour! I think I did ok-we'll see. I have 2 more sessions with my client.

I am trying to get ready for my next class on June 9-13. It is a group counseling class so another perspective for me. I've never been in a counseling group or even attended one so it should be interesting.

For those of you curious about the naturopath, she ended up being a dud-just never called back, cancelled appts and now I haven't heard from her in weeks. I wish I knew another one and could find what I was looking for, but someone told me that it is silly to think that I am going to feel great everyday so I have decided to accept that. I am still trying to eat well, exercise and take some supplements (some being the key word-I must sort through which ones so I don't take over 30 pills a day!), but if I don't feel well, I am just going to accept it and hopefully, go to bed. I did get a minor cold while I was away but it had been over 6 months since being sick, so I was pleased. I still really like the chiropractor though.

Well, speaking of exercise, I am taking a big walk because one thing about getting older, fat is your friend! (a very clingy one I might add)

Day 3

Day 3 is starting off well. Economic stimulus package ($$) was deposited last night.

Day 2 - Blessings

Day 2 of Nancy away. No it isn't a blessing that she is away but I want to rejoice in some of the neat things that happened today and to glorify God through them.

• Nancy is able to take a class and learn to apply the theoretical things she has been learning. I am amazed at her capacity to learn, willingness to apply and her love for the counseling.
• Jonny saw the yard was getting tall and mowed the front yard without anyone asking. Brandon, a neighbor and older friend of Jonny, manned the weed wacker.
• The Garmans provided dinner tonight. Thank you Annie for preparing the meal, bringing it over and hanging at the Fauth house. I appreciate it so much and I know our kids had a great time playing with Haley and Darcey.
• I understand David beat Colby at Wii baseball. Colby, he is weak at tennis.

Most of the time I am so focused on the tyranny of the urgent that I lose sight of God's wonder, blessings and reminders of who He is and how He is the one in control.

Nan at School - Day 1

Nancy left yesterday for Lynchburg and arrived around 7pm. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, the remaining survivors settled down to prepare for the week ahead. Following a full weekend of the Screwtape letters, serving at the New Generation ministry, Carl's ice cream and sleepovers on Saturday, the kids were wiped out. They crashed at 8 allowing me the pleasure of some Sunday Night Baseball between the Minnesota Twins and Red Sox nation. That ended around 11:20pm with a nail biting Twins victory. A little bit of Sportscenter and nighty night.

6:15 comes early but a fresh press of coffee helps out. David was up and left at 6:35 while I was ironing some clothes and preparing a crock pot meal. Around 7:00, he comes back. I'm thinking he missed the bus. Little did I know that Stafford schools were closed due to the 5 inches of rain we received over the weekend.

Ha ha, now I could get an early jump getting to work while the kids stayed home. Giving them directions not to wake Jonny and Arianna, I left only to sit in traffic for 2 hours.

One of the advantages of having older kids is that they can manage at home by themselves. One advantage of having an older girl with an interest in sewing, cooking, etc. is that things may get done that normally wouldn't.

Today while I was at work, Elizabeth cleaned the kitchen, repaired the torn cushions on our kitchen chairs, ironed the rest of the clothes and helped Arianna with her laundry. What a relief that she was able to do that. Annie, I'm sure she would do the same in Iceland.

Random Musings

Nancy is at Liberty this week for an intensive class. I know she was nervous about it but she will do great. She drove down to Lynchburg by herself in the rain and had no problems.

That means I'm at home with 4 kids being Mr. Dad. I'll be going in late and coming home normal time, however, I'm sure it won't go smoothly.

Nancy wasn't too happy when there were tornado warnings for Stafford and I just let the kids sleep. I went downstairs to sleep as I had to get up in the morning. For some reason, Nancy couldn't sleep (hmmm..... maybe her protecting husband wasn't doing the best job). Growing up in South Dakota, those were pretty normal occurrences. Only once do I remember actually seeing a tornado. We went in the basement then and maybe a few other times growing up.

Up for Air

It is late as I write this but I have been having blog withdrawal. So I must write some stuff before I get swamped with school again.

I was able to get an interesting blood test called a live blood nutritional analysis. Being a nurse and thrilled with biology, it has been the coolest thing I have seen in a while. The "lab guy" as he called himself, took a drop of my blood and put it under a high-powered microscope which displayed on a computer screen for me to see. I saw the red blood cells of which some were small (Vit B dificiency), some bacteria and yeast (I am now taking more probiotics), a few sugar crystals (I was starving-hadn't eaten for hours), some plaque (which he assured me was being flushed out well), and best of all, the white blood cells. These things looked like something out of a sci-fi. They were the largest and most detailed cells. They were on the move. I actually got to see them engulfing things they didn't like. I marvelled! I had never seen this before-sure I've seen a dead white blood cell, but not in action like these and not since science class in college. Then I saw the killer T-cells which are the "marines" (that's for you, Shaun) of the military white blood cell force. They are the powerhouses that fight cancer. I was told I have a good immune system which was gratifying. Mostly, I become more in awe of God who thought up everything from the microscopic white blood cell to the whole person that is me.

Speaking of marvelling, the spring is amazing this year to me. My favorite season is usually fall, but I tell you, this spring has caused me to rethink. Perhaps we are getting enough rain or maybe it is just that I do not get out much now. Anyway, take some time to look at all the color out there and the smells (if you can get your noses unclogged enough to smell-warm salt water up the nose works like a charm). God has outdone Himself if that is possible. It makes me get excited about heaven which will be way better than this!

I am in the 6th week of this stats and research couse and I am preparing for the next course which is a one-week intensive at Liberty in May. Hence why I have not blogged much. This is a difficult course with a challenging paper, but today I felt sorry for the instructor because I bet there are not too many people that enjoy his course and probably wouldn't take it if they didn't have to. God is using it to teach me to be more positive. You will have to ask Dave if it is working. I hope so by the end. And Annie, don't freak out over it. We will help you and I am too uptight!

I just got rid of not one, but 2 huge garbage bags full of clothes from Jonny and Arianna's rooms. Yikes. How do we get so many? I feel like I've had a cleansing. We even got rid of 16 stuffed animals-I am proud of Arianna.

I was in NYC with my son, David's, marching band on April 10-14th. It was amazing. I really love that place. I hope I get a chance to live there if for just a little part of my life but not alone. I am not quite confident to live there alone. My brother was great and found us great, cheap restaurants and sent me home with bagels (best in the world), black and white cookies for my friend, and with fond memories. We toured lots of places-some of which I hadn't been to such as Madame Tusseau's wax museaum. We met the assistant conductor for the Broadway show, "Wicked" as well as a violinist and french horn player from the same show. We met a swing from Mary Poppins (one show we saw). A swing is someone who must learn all the music, singing, dancing, and positions of all members of a show except the principles/primaries. So in Mary Poppins, he needed to know all the chimney sweeps, all the people in the park, all the statues, the people in the bank, and many more. I admired him. We also saw the off-Broadway show, Stomp which was so great and reminded me of Jonny. Aparently there is a movie of it if you can check it out. These people had rhythm and were always making it with anything they could find. No speaking, no instuments, just ordinary, everyday items including trash. I even saw one of my brother's friend's play (or dance on) the large piano in FAO Schwarz toy store. What a bonus!

Nancy

Arianna

I wonder what she is thinking about?

Creativity

Elizabeth made this rose out of clay the other day. I'm amazed at her talents.

Iceland - One year later

It is hard to believe that a year ago, we were coming back from 10 days in Iceland. Now we are looking forward to Colby, Annie, Haley and wild child (hair wise)* Darcy going there later this year.

*At times it appears to me anyway that Darcy has this 80's big hair action going on. You would almost think she was from New Jersey.

At the time, I didn't realize how the kids would be affected by the time there. They still talk about it and have fond memories of it. Both David and Jonny aren't fond of the heat and hot weather of Virginia's summers. When we talk about where they would like to live someday, Iceland is a place that comes up frequently. Hmmm. Nancy and I are praying that God would be working in their hearts and develop a passion for ministry and missions.

Slugging Stories

I slug to work most of the time. It's free and usually I get a nap on the way home. Plus you get to encounter all sorts of things. For example:

• On the way home, Mark Stratton in a Hawaiian shirt. What is up with that?
• On the way in today, a driver pulls up with his trunk open and he doesn't realize it. What's up with that?
• Again today, my driver has the radio on but she is listening to her walkman with headphones on. Huh???

The Bean...An expensive bean....

For those thinking of a potential gift for either Colby or Pastor Bill or maybe even Clint, I leave you with this....

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=558540&in_page_id=1770&in_a_source=

From the review is "It wasn't too bitter and the earthiness really came through - probably because of where the beans have come from. "

Time to brag

As parents, we get to brag on our kids accomplishments. Two recent brag-worthy events are:

1. David tried out and was accepted to Brooke Point High School's Wind Ensemble. He is one of 3 saxaphone players that will be in the group next year. Didn't try out for jazz band but maybe next year. He does want to buy a soprano saxaphone. If anyone wants to contribute, I'm sure he would be happy.

2. Arianna wrote an essay on pets that her teacher, Ms. Carr, entered into a Free Lance Star Pet story contest. Surprisingly since we don't have pets, she was one of six children chosen for first grade entries. Her winning entry will be published in the Town and Country Magazine section of the paper this coming Saturday, April 12.

Easter

We wanted to read the Bible as a family pertaining to Christ's death and resurrection to thwart some of the notion that Easter was just about the Easter bunny, eggs, and candy. So we did read it all together as a family today and I asked the children that perhaps they could remember Christ's awful death when they are tempted to do wrong.

Then Arianna piped up that she knew what Easter was all about:
"Easter is about Christ rosing from the dead!"

I am so grateful for Christ's rosing and for the enthusiasm of my daughter when speaking about it.

Nancy

News from Nan

Another Ariannaism: Contar. Can you guess what that means? Keilan plays it. It is in many rock bands.

New book: The Art of Growing Up by Veronique Vienne.

This book goes along the lines of my musings (and bordering panic) regarding getting older. I bet the author is in her 50's b/c she references this age group a lot. Here is a brief outline with some quotes I enjoyed or found helpful:

1. The Art of Beginning
How old would you be if you didn't know your age? Begin anew by throwing out old things...there is no need to hold onto what's obsolete. One never loses what one throws away.
Experience is what you get when you didn't get what you wanted.
You begin to grow up when it dawns on you that all your alleged setbacks are in fact opportunities.
Some birthday wishes: lifetime season tickets to the symphony (ballet, opera, plays, musicals, all culture), clean windows every day, a huge dog, like a St Bernard, as a pet, a social secretary, housekeeper, cook, spiritual understanding-getting closer to my God, the time and money to start an art, dance, (fill in the blank) school-and be a student, a good relationship with your children, access to smart people, a pain-free body, the courage to give up the past, unexpected joy. The things one wants the most are not things after all.
2. The Art of Changing
Define progress as taking 2 small steps forward for every step back.
Don't exaggerate your weaknesses.
Remember late is never too late.
Stick to the schedule.
Continue what you've begun.
Don't seek closure.
Think of being up in years as a novelty.
3.The Art of Changing
"Fools that we are-we pray for a long life but fear old age" Chinese proverb.
The best age-defying beauty tip-SMILE!
4. The Art of Knowing
"Nothing was so unfamiliar and startling to me as my own thoughts" Thoreau.
Repeated self examination is a matter of survival.

A quiz for you: What do these expressions really mean? (answers on a future post):
A face that launched a 1,000 ships
An Iliad of woes
The last infirmity of a noble mind
In 2 shakes of a lamb's tail
Knee-high to a grasshopper
Quicker than hell can scorch a feather
To fiddle while Rome burns
To flutter the dovecote
To walk the chalk
To wear callouses on your elbows
To know a hawk from a handsaw
To syncopate the long hand
*For each new word we learn, we create a 1,000 mental connections.
5. The Art of Shining
Become visible by stepping out of other people's blind spots. Don't age typically-be radical, be different: play soccer with the kids, go to a rock concert with teens, etc. We have to replace the old cliches about aging with brand new concepts that don't relegate any of us to invisibility.
To be an adult is to be on one's own.
Love your age, stand your ground, refuse to be labelled.
Never apologize for your age.
The secret of eternal youth-cultivate the art of not complaining.
6. The Art of Inspiring
Inspiring someone can be as simple as listening.
Love is an incentive for reaching beyond our usual capacities.
Plans are one thing, life is another-Claudette Colbert
7. The Art of Choosing
Bless the day when you discover that good is good enough and excellence is onerous.
Life is sweeter when the best is yet to be.
We can choose our mistakes and in doing so we can take full credit for the inscurtable prospect of tomorrow.
Personal differences can be shared in unison.
One way to save the world: Stash it away in your mind. Be the eyewitness of all you see. don't miss a thing. Be there when nothing can console a crying baby. Stay put even though a friend offends you. Don't look away when someone needs help. Be the designated observer of grief and wonder. Take an imprint of all moments and hide them where only you know, then take very good care of yourself.
Nothing is lost. All that you have ever seen is always with you.-Henri Cartier Bresson.
8. The Art of Succeeding
Celebrate others' successes.
New Rules of glamour:
Treat others as you want to be treated (sound familiar?)
Figure out what you do best and do it.
No meetings over 30 minutes!
Wearing off-rack clothes as if made for you
Wearying of generalizations
Replace youth with mystery
9. The Art of Laughing
Make them laugh by keeping a straight face. Laugh at yourself.
10. The Art of Becoming
We grow up one day at a time without ever being able to study the master plan (but we can know the Master!)
Don't look back to find out where you are going-the answer is ahead of you. Become someone you haven't met yet.
We are always the same age inside.

My own revelation: One thing I have learned about myself. I experience and think about everything that comes my way to the fullest. Perhaps this is why my mind is so crowded most of the time and why I am frequently on a roller coaster ride of emotions. The good parts are that I am very rarely apathetic and will probably have no regrets in the area of experiencing life to the fullest. The bad: those who know me have labelled me anxious, "spazzy", and emotional. My response: It is better than being bland or dull.

Enjoy all the existential writings.

Hope

I could listen to this over and over...

...especially the lyrics:

Take this sinking boat and point it home
We've still got time
Raise your hopeful voice you had a choice
You've made it now
Falling slowly sing your melody
I'll sing along

On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness

While not normally a fan of fiction books, Andrew Peterson has written a captivating, amusing, wondrous tale for all ages. On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness
really captivated my imagination and kept me wanting to know more about the wonderful, imaginary yet almost real world of the land of Skree.

In the quiet land of Skree, the Igiby children—Janner, his younger brother Tink, and their crippled sister Leeli—stumble upon the lost jewels of Anniera and determine to return them. Unfortunately, the scary-bad Gnag the Nameless seeks the jewels for his own evil ends… and so our band of friends, accompanied by their trust dog Nugget, must escape with the help of their mom and grandfather (who happens to be an ex-pirate). Their journey takes them through an inventively fantastical world of wonders, complete with memorable characters (like Gnag’s evil minions the Fangs and Peet the Sock Man), fanciful creatures (like sea dragons, snickbuzzards, toothy cows, flabbits, and bomnubbles), and captivating places (like the Books & Crannies bookstore, Shaggy Tavern, the Dark Sea of Darkness that divides the land of Skree from Anniera, the Glipwood Forest, Ice Prairies, and the Stony Mountains).

Through fast-paced storytelling, little ditties, songs, and poems, side-splitting asides, sensory descriptions of time and place, and characters rich in heart, courage, and smarts, Andrew Peterson has created a wondrous tale you’ll enjoy and treasure—just like those lost jewels.

As I read this, I wanted to know what happened in Anniera, who was the Sock Puppet man and how did he get like that, what were the family secrets and what were these jewels. Through rich imagery, funny stories, and rich descriptions, my mind painted a wonderful rich story.

I can't wait to read it to my children and see their faces as they follow the excitement of the Igiby children.

For another great review, read this review.

Naturopath

So I, Nancy, in addition to going to the chiropractor, have now gone to a naturopath who studies functional medicine. It is fascinating. I have to overhaul my diet (for example, no dairy, no soy, no white sugar, flour, etc), organic, more raw vegies and fruits, etc). She is also helping me take the supplements that I really need! I think I was buying whatever the studies said to buy and was spending more than what I will with her. I am getting blood tests and hair analysis and this funky pressure point test that help her determine where I am weak or dysfunctioning. So my food bill is going up but we are all going to eat healthier. (She is big on soups which does not make my kids happy but my kids will just have to "suck it up" literally). More later-have to go to work.

Some interesting tidbits on preventing and fighting cancer

John Hopkins Cancer Update AFTER YEARS OF TELLING PEOPLE CHEMOTHERAPY IS THE ONLY WAY TO TRY ("TRY, BEING THE KEY WORD) TO ELIMINATE CANCER, JOHNS HOPKINS IS FINALLY STARTING TO TELL YOU THERE IS AN ALTERNATIVE WAY. Cancer Update from Johns Hopkins:1. Every person has cancer cells in the body. These cancer cells do not show up in the standard tests until they have multiplied to a few billion. When doctors tell cancer patients that there are no more cancer cells in their bodies after treatment, it just means the tests are unable to detect the cancer cells because they have not reached the detectable size.2. Cancer cells occur between 6 to more than 10 times in a person's lifetime. 3. When the person's immune system is strong the cancer cells will be destroyed and prevented from multiplying and forming tumors.4. When a person has cancer it indicates the person has multiple nutritional deficiencies. These could be due to genetic, environmental, food and lifestyle factors.5. To overcome the multiple nutritional deficiencies, changing diet and including supplements will strengthen the immune system.6. Chemotherapy involves poisoning the rapidly-growing cancer cells and also destroys rapidly-growing healthy cells in the bone marrow, gastrointestinal tract etc, and can cause organ damage, like liver, kidneys, heart, lungs etc.7. Radiation while destroying cancer cells also burns, scars and damages healthy cells, tissues and organs.8. Initial treatment with chemotherapy and radiation will often reduce tumor size. However prolonged use of chemotherapy and radiation do not result in more tumor destruction.9. When the body has too much toxic burden from chemotherapy and radiation the immune system is either compromised or destroyed, hence the person can succumb to various kinds of infections and complications.10. Chemotherapy and radiation can cause cancer cells to mutate and become resistant and difficult to destroy. Surgery can also cause cancer cells to spread to other sites.11. An effective way to battle cancer is to starve the cancer cells by not feeding it with the foods it needs to multiply. CANCER CELLS FEED ON: a. Sugar is a cancer-feeder. By cutting off sugar it cuts off one important food supply to the cancer cells. Sugar substitutes like NutraSweet, Equal, Spoonful, etc. are made with Aspartame and it is harmful. A better natural substitute would be Manuka honey or molasses but only in very small amounts. Table salt has a chemical added to make it white in colour. Better alternative is Bragg's aminos or sea salt.b. Milk causes the body to produce mucus, especially in the gastro-intestinal tract. Cancer feeds on mucus. By cutting off milk and substituting with unsweetened soy milk cancer cells are being starved.c. Cancer cells thrive in an acid environment. A meat-based diet is acidic and it is best to eat fish, and a little chicken rather than beef or pork. Meat also contains livestock antibiotics, growth hormones and parasites, which are all harmful, especially to people with cancer.d. A diet made of 80% fresh vegetables and juice, whole grains, seeds, nuts and a little fruit help put the body into an alkaline environment. About 20% can be from cooked food including beans. Fresh vegetable juices provide live enzymes that are easily absorbed and reach down to cellular levels within 15 minutes to nourish and enhance growth of healthy cells. To obtain live enzymes for building healthy cells try and drink fresh vegetable juice (most vegetables including bean sprouts) and eat some raw vegetables 2 or 3 times a day. Enzymes are destroyed at temperatures of 104 degrees F (40 degrees C).e. Avoid coffee, tea, and chocolate, which have high caffeine. Green tea is a better alternative and has cancer fighting properties. Water-best to drink purified water, or filtered, to avoid known toxins and heavy metals in tap water. Distilled water is acidic, avoid it. 12. Meat protein is difficult to digest and requires a lot of digestive enzymes. Undigested meat remaining in the intestines become putrified and leads to more toxic buildup. 13. Cancer cell walls have a tough protein covering. By refraining from or eating less meat it frees more enzymes to attack the protein walls of cancer cells and allows the body's killer cells to destroy the cancer cells. 14. Some supplements build up the immune system (IP6, Flor-ssence, Essiac, anti-oxidants, vitamins, minerals, EFAs etc.) to enable the body's own killer cells to destroy cancer cells. Other supplements like vitamin E are known to cause apoptosis, or programmed cell death, the body's normal method of disposing of damaged, unwanted, or unneeded cells. 15. Cancer is a disease of the mind, body, and spirit. A proactive and positive spirit will help the cancer warrior be a survivor. Anger, unforgiveness and bitterness put the body into a stressful and acidic environment. Learn to have a loving and forgiving spirit. Learn to relax and enjoy life.16. Cancer cells cannot thrive in an oxygenated environment. Exercising daily, and deep breathing help to get more oxygen down to the cellular level. Oxygen therapy is another means employed to destroy cancer cells.(PLEASE FORWARD IT TO PEOPLE YOU CARE ABOUT) CANCER UPDATE FROM JOHN HOPKINS HOSPITAL , U S - PLEASE READ 1. No plastic containers in micro.2. No water bottles in freezer.3. No plastic wrap in microwave. Johns Hopkins has recently sent this out in its newsletters. This information is being circulated at Walter Reed Army Medical Center as well. Dioxin chemicals causes cancer, especially breast cancer. Dioxins are highly poisonous to the cells of our bodies. Don't freeze your plastic bottles with water in them as this releases dioxins from the plastic. Recently, Dr. Edward Fujimoto, Wellness Program Manager at Castle Hospital , was on a TV program to explain this health hazard. He talked about dioxins and how bad they are for us. He said that we should not be heating our food in the microwave using plastic containers. This especially applies to foods that contain fat. He said that the combination of fat, high heat, and plastics releases dioxin into the food and ultimately into the cells of the body. Instead, he recommends using glass, such as Corning Ware, Pyrex or ceramic containers for heating food. You get the same results, only without the dioxin. So such things as TV dinners, instant ramen and soups, etc., should be removed from the container and heated in something else. Paper isn't bad but you don't know what is in the paper. It's just safer to use tempered glass, Corning Ware, etc. He reminded us that a while ago some of the fast food restaurants moved away from the foam containers to paper. The dioxin problem is one of the reasons. Also, he pointed out that plastic wrap, such as Saran, is just as dangerous when placed over foods to be cooked in the microwave. As the food is nuked, the high heat causes poisonous toxins to actually melt out of the plastic wrap and drip into the food. Cover food with a paper towel instead. This is an article that should be sent to anyone important in your life.

Hockey Night

Last Tuesday, Elizabeth picked up 3 tickets to see the Washington Capitals against the Minnesota Wild. I took Jonny and Elizabeth to the game. Despite seats almost in the rafters, we still could see the flow of the game and the puck just as easily as if we were down closer.

Highlights for Jonny were watching the two fights break out. Elizabeth liked watching the action on the Jumbotron. The Capitals won 4-1. If they would have scored 6 goals, we would have had a pound of chicken wings for each ticket stub from Austin Grill. Of course, this past Monday night, they scored 6 goals in the first period.

Fine Stafford Dining

Last Saturday as part of family night, we ventured out to La Tierra, a Salvadoran/Mexican restaurant off of Rt 1 near Bloom. While the restaurant was empty except for the six of us, the service was outstanding and the food was Excellent...excellent...excellent. There was some great music in the background and soccer on the tube.

The owner came out and was extremely friendly. Nancy practiced her Spanish while he practiced his English. The papusas and tamales were some of the best we have ever experienced. The Salvadoran platter was great. The plaintains were sweet, not fried and salty like we have made ourselves. Did I mention the papusas were excellent? After the meal, the owner brought out free orders of flan and fried ice cream.

We highly recommend supporting this local restaurant. For less than $10/person, we came away with a great meal and a great time. They do have a kids meal (pizza, cheeseburger, hot dog, nuggets), however, Arianna had beans and a tortilla and said it was excellent.

Overall, even the great restaurant critic, Colby Garman, would enjoy the fine food of La Tierra.

On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness: Adventure. Peril. Lost Jewels. and the Fearsome Toothy Cows of Skree.

The FauthClan blog has been selected as part of Andrew Peterson's blog tour of his new book On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness: Adventure. Peril. Lost Jewels. and the Fearsome Toothy Cows of Skree.

You can read a quick review here. The official FauthClan review will be posted within two weeks. I am looking forward to reading this with the kids.

As part of the blog tour, the FauthClan blog will be giving away a free copy of the book. Once I determine how to do this, I will be posting the details.

Miscellaneous

Nancy says:

Correction:

The Irish movie recommended by Andrew Peterson that we saw having to do with musicians was called Once (not Alone). The main song on it was actually on the Academy Awards performed by the couple in the movie. Apparently they are more popular than I thought. She is only 17yrs old from Czech. He is Irish. Excellent movie-bad language in the beginning.

I have my big long paper to do this coming week and then I am done with another course! Finished the annoying test tonight. I decided I would rather write long papers. My next course much to my nervousness, is on statistical research. Math-yikes. Dave, help me.

Clogged toilets: Does anyone get as many clogged toilets as we do? They are almost clogging on a daily basis. I informed the kids that I was no longer going to de-clog them and also, instructed them all on the proper flushing technique to possibly avoid this problem (needless to say they giggled throughout). One does not want to call a plumber only to hear him say, "Well don't put so much in there. That will be $100." Any wisdom I am open. (I only wish my toilets were as open).

A new song on the Christian radio station I believe by Stephen Curtis Chapman called "Cinderella". It is about his daughter growing up and the different times of practicing dancing with daddy in preparation for some event-prom, wedding. He dances with her, all the time remembering that by midnight, she will be gone. I burst into tears. One daughter in 6th , one in 1st. Not too long and they will all be gone. (Yes, go ahead and say it. I am a sap!) I can't believe I am saying this when I vowed I wouldn't. When my kids were babies and I just wanted them to grow up and now they are quickly on their way. Everyone told me to enjoy them while they were little. Now I get it. Well, I have time to enjoy them still. We have instituted family night each week and other special times and trips, and so I am glad. We are watching all the Home Improvement episodes.

This is for Annie and anyone else who gets confused about how to spell my son's and my brother's name. Both of their names are Jonathan and if shortened are spelled: Jon or Jonny. No H.

Speaking of Jonny, I had a bit of a breakthrough with him the other day. He has been struggling in school not because he is stupid, but seems to have lack of motivation. For example, he still does not know his multiplication tables and I have gotten very frustrated over them for the last year or so. I asked him what is wrong and he said they were too hard. I told him lots of things were hard in life. " I am afraid I will never get it-especially the 8's", he said. He is afraid of failing, of not getting what he is supposed to get, of not being who he is supposed to be, or who people (esp. us) think he should be. Oh boy, I wonder where he got that from and now I wonder what to do? I told him he could do it and would get it eventually and that we would just work until he got it. So confusing to be a parent. I felt like a counselor already!

Happy Leap Day!

Oscar Award for Best Original Song- Once

Glen Hansard and partner Markéta Irglová won the Best Original Song Oscar for 'Falling Slowly' from the film 'Once', in which they starred.

"no matter how far out your dreams are, it's possible," Irglova said during take two. "And, you know, fair play to those who dare to dream, and don't give up. This song was written from the perspective of hope, and hope, at the end of the day, connects us all, no matter how different we are."

I'll have to show Kielan the replay of the performance and get his insight on the Hansard's guitar. It did look "well loved".

Teach us to number our days

Psalm 90:12 - Teach us to number our days...
Psalm 103:15 - As for man, his day's are like grass...

This past Wednesday, I had to drop off our car to get the oil changed. We had delayed and forgotten to do it earlier in the week, so after youth group, Nancy took the kids home and I went to Eddie's repaire on Courthouse road.

As I pulled in to Eddies, I looked across the street and saw a car upside down against a pole and about five guys around it. I got out and ran over to see what was going on. I yelled to see if anyone had called 911 as I could hear screaming and shouting. I anticipated either someone strapped in their seatbelt and waiting to get out or someone covered in a bunch of blood. As I looked in, all I could see was a part of an arm trapped under the car. Nearby was an 8 year old boy screaming for his mom, asking if he was hurt and bleeding. Over and over he kept asking the same question.

There was nothing we could do. Within a few minutes, fire and rescue arrived and took over. I went back across the street and dropped my keys in the drop box and waited for Nancy to pick me up.

As I have been processing this over the last two days, I'm reminded to pray more for the fire and rescue people in Stafford who deal with this on a frequent basis. We talk about it in church regularly but this drives it home.

I'm still thinking about "teach us to number our days...". It is a short time here on this earth. God, teach me more and teach me to value the truly valuable things.

Movie Review - Once

As Nancy mentioned in an early chapter, errr post, we have been watching some different movies. Reading through some end of year movie lists, the movie Once kept popping up. So, I thought, let's see what the buzz is about the movie.

Alone was an independent movie that received good reviews at some of the film festivals. Set in Dublin, Ireland, it tells the story of a song writer over the course of a week as he writes music, interacts with another younger woman he has met while performing on the street, his and her relationships with other people and his relationship with his dad.

The language is raw in the movie so if that bothers you, you've had your warning. It is in a deep Irish brogue so we used the English subtitles which did help.

The songwriting and music is amazing. It is almost considered a musical with all of the music being played throughout the movie. I'm impressed by the talents and abilities of musical people and how they can write music that moves and impacts people. To listen to the music, you can go to http://www.foxsearchlight.com/once/

This was a movie that I could have watched again and probably again. The story was not your typical Hollywood ending. I specifically enjoyed the father/son interaction.

Overall, excellent movie. Raw language but great storyline and insight into relationships.

Correction

I just wanted to correct my last entry. Erickson's stage that I find myself in is generativity (not initiative-that's toddlers!) vs. stagnation. Anyway, the point is not to stagnate. Which brings me to thoughts of my friend, Annie's, mother. She flew in the other day and I was able to chat with her a bit in the nursery at church. While I was chatting, she certainly was not stagnating! She was doing all kinds of sit ups and crunches the whole time and never did sit still. When Darcy climbed on, she just kept crunching up with more "weight". I hope to be like this, and encouragingly, Annie says I already am.

The CRACK IS BACK!
I have returned to the chiropractor due to horendous headaches mostly, but also other minor chronic ailments that have not been relieved by any of the several doctors I have gone to (or the several medications). I feel better already in only 2 weeks. I am journaling this and will periodically let you all know differences as I go through my year. So far, no headaches, more energy, sleep better. We shall see.

Nancy

Nancy's new stuff

It's been a while for me, Nancy, making any new postings, so I have a bunch of "random" thoughts, so bear with me.

My friend reads our blog and couldn't figure out who posted what between Dave and I so I promise to at least identify myself somewhere.

New movies worth seeing (all picked by Dave I might add. He is becoming quite the philosopher/psychologist lately-think "deep thoughts"):

Rain on Me with Adam Sandler (not funny or crude at all believe it or not)
Alone (Irish movie)
Evening (Meryl Streep, Gwen Close, Vanessa Redgrave)

Get ready to think, feel and cry.

Culture: 2 weeks ago we took both our daughters to the Richmond ballet's performance of , "A Midsummer Night's Dream" . We have been going to these ballet productions for the last 2 yrs or so and have enjoyed them plus they are cheaper than Kennedy center and just as good to our novice eyes. Anyway, what an amazing production. It was a great one to take the girls to for the first time. It had an excellent orchestra which played several pieces on their own and were portrayed on the big screen along with the energetic conductor. Then there were 2 narrators who were reading Shakespeare well. (This is based on the Shakespeare comedy/play by the same name so the plot was amazing). There were 2 opera singers who did several pieces with dancers performing around them. To top it off there was a women's chorus adding to the mix. The scenery was excellent and the ballet dancing was as usual superb. I cannot recommend it enough especailly if you are trying out your first ballet or entrance into culture. It has been the best one I have seen so far. The girls loved it. AND... IT WAS FUNNY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Servant Leadership: I want to recommend a person who has really had an impact in my life and I am not even in business per se. His name if John Maxwell. He has CD's and books. He is a Christian business leader and very successful. My husband's company subscribes to him and I would highly recommend his books. He said: "If you cannot lead yourself, how can you lead others?" Even pastors and church leaders go to his seminars. Dave and I will go to one in April.

Books: I have read 2 books by Joshua Harris called, "I kissed dating goodbye" and "Boy meets girl". They are amazing and I wish I had read them and been taught that when I was "dating" and in misery half the time. I plan to teach it to my children and asked if Dave and I could teach it in our youth group. I recommend them to any parent or church leader with teens. It has even helped me currently in my own marriage believe it or not. That is because its premise is that we get married not to see what we can get but to glorify God and serve another. Before marriage we treat the opposite sex as brothers and sisters to care for and as God's other children. New perspective.

School: I have less than 3 weeks to be done with this course but it has been very good. It is on all the 11 psychological theories. Makes one think. I can't believe in April that I will be a quarter of the way done with my degree!

Perfect husband: Dave has been continuing his perfect husband streak by doing a beautiful job on the house painting (basement and dining room). I can't wait to see his wainscotting that he plans to create himself and put up in the dining room.
He also remembers all math! and helps both David and Elizabeth with their work in math. He has also been science fair dad this month with Jonny. I do not remember math!
He has been working on our budget and I made a list of dreams for trips and the house (both my favorite things to spend my money on after family). I asked about redoing the floors in the basement (I despise wall to wall carpeting) and he said probably not until 2012. This made me discouraged at first but then I admired him because he isn't willing to let us get in trouble with money by gratifying all his own (we need and he would really like new computers-7+ yrs old) and my wants. That is a true leader.
He tells me I am beautiful (see below) and "I love you" constantly and that never gets old.

Midlife crisis: I think I am in a midlife crisis but not the kind we hear about a lot that men do-leave wife for a young fluzy and get a new sports car. I have not enjoyed 40 and now I am 41 so I am in the thick of it. Mine has to do with transitions and decisions. Eric Erickson had stages that he believed we went through in our lives and at each stage is a crisis that we must successfully resolve or we will get stuck and experience dissatisfaction. I am in the initiative vs stagnation stage and I can really feel that.
1. Getting old: I can really see this since I turned 40 and in a society that emphasizes the outside and beauty and youth, it makes it even harder and more obvious. I told Dave that I used to feel beautiful just by myself-no makeup, hair dye, etc. Then, in my 30's, felt better with nice clothes and makeup and the hair dying started. Now even with that, I do not feel beautiful. Everyone seems younger and prettier (it doesn't help that my kids are entering teens AND I work in youth group, so I hang around a lot of young people). Hence, Dave comes in with "You are so beautiful" and I struggle to believe him because I want to so bad. Then God reminds me of what really matters and I settle.
2. Career: I am still working as a nurse but there have been some changes at the hospital and the shift I worked for 10 yrs has been taken away from me. So now I sit at a desk mostly and make phone calls. I am PRN which means I work as needed so they don't consider me much there. Then I am going to school for Counseling-bit of a career change. This will take me about 8 yrs and I have barely completed one so I am in a long transition with that. I just keep persevering and do not give up.
3. Kids: My son really changed this past year from a boy to a man at least on the outside and it really struck me that I am entering into a new stage with my kids. I not longer have babies, toddlers, or even preschoolers anymore and this is strange. I like them and do not want another baby, but it is still strange to have 1 teen and 2 tweens and a school ager. David especially though, has hit me with the reality that they will soon be gone and what will I do with myself? Another transition which requires a lot of thought and thankfully, I am starting now and have time. Already I try to treat David and Elizabeth differently, but it is hard.

I am crying as I write some of this but I am glad I am facing all these things and not burying my head under the sand. I used to hear women say all this especially about the kids "enjoy them while they are little" and while they were little I wanted to punch these women out, but now I get it much to my chagrine. So I make time for the kids, try to hug and kiss them a lot (hard with David b/c he is so big-5'7' and 150lbs. and he pulls away), and talk to them and listen. I teach them about God, life, experiences and about Dave and I and our relationship. I pray and hope they are listening and that God is speaking to their hearts.

I think I may write a book on turning 40 or hitting this midlife realization that some of my dreams did not come true, some did and some still may. I will include marriage, kids, jobs, careers, experiences, and growth in the Lord. Maybe it will help someone else as some older women have helped me. My one friend who is 57 told me, "When I get down, I just get up, get busy, and serve others". She is absolutely beautiful both inside and out. May we all find mentors to mentor us and others that we can mentor.

Your Homework Assignment

In college, I took a lot of courses in calculus, thermodynamics, differential equations, partial differential equations, etc. We were required to do multiple proofs and solve advanced equations. Often the professor would solve part of the problem and then say "solve the rest as part of your homework assignment".

Which brings me to a "holiday" Arianna-ism. When my parents visited over Christmas, we were out driving around Virginia. In Virginia, we have these gas station/quick marts called FasMart where you can get gas,chips,soda (pop), fried chicken, etc. It is pronounced Fass Mart.

Arianna tells her grandpa that if you switch the F and the M in FasMart you get...The rest is your homework assignment.

Garmans - Iceland

As I read the following quote, I thought of the Garmans possibly headed to Iceland.

"My Bible is full of those kind of heroes - the shaking-at-the-knees men and women thinking there are countless people more qualified than they are and wondering why the cosmos has deferred a particular task, job, position, title or dream upon them."

Our prayers are continually with you as while there may be more people more qualified than you, God has planned this from the foundations of the earth.

Community - Fullness of God

Andrew Peterson said “It takes all of us united together living now and all who came before us in ages past and in ages to come to equal the fulness exhibited by Jesus Christ on earth.”

In our Western world culture with the "pull yourselves up by the bootstraps"mentality, this is a deep, refreshing thought. So often, my Christian walk is about how I am interacting with God. It's not about how I'm interacting with each of my brothers and sisters in Christ. Sure, I may listen to something you have to say and you may teach me something, but overall, that is a rare ocurrence. If I can figure it out on my own, I can increase my own value and self importance. Normally it is a luxury and a privilege for me to let anyone inside my walk with God.

But I need you, you need me, we need one another to build the true community and fullness of God. When we are united in love, in spirit and in a greater purpose than just ourselves, we become the body of Christ, his bride and the hope for this world.

In Colossians 2, Paul writes "For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."

Somehow we become beautiful when we open our lives to each other, sharing life, giving life, being knit together in love to reach all the riches and the knowledge of God's mystery in Christ.

stupid little things are not really stupid

My stupid little things mean a lot to me. They are a break from life, a change of pace, a breeze if you will.

My stupid little thing right now is staying up until midnight, adding about 160 movies to our Netflix queue and reminiscing about all the great (or some not so great) movies I've seen. I put some in from the 80's that I enjoyed as a kid in hopes that my kids may like them (Clash of the Titans-now that brings me back-can't wait to see Medusa with the snake hair).

I like staying up late. The house is so quiet, I get a lot done or do stupid little things that I can't do normally. I pay for it usually in the morning but once in a while, I sure do enjoy it. I guess I am a bit of a night person still. Perhaps I will be one of those "sundowners" (people who stay up all night roaming) when I am old. God help my kids!

Remember the famous quote (from where I do not know): It's the little things in life that make life grand. (Wow! I sound like my mother!)

By the way, reading blogs may be considered a stupid little thing but I sure enjoy it along with millions of others.

Book Update

Finished "The Devil in the White City". An excellent book about the Chicago's World Fair in the 1890's and how the city of Chicago worked to bring in the World's Fair. Amongst the World's Fair is a serial killer. The history and people that were connected to the fair are amazing (Cracker Jack, Ferris Wheel, Walt Disney). At that time period, there were lots of people losing jobs, banks failing and a tough time in the US.

Recommend reading it for the historical value but the added insight into serial killers only added to the excellence of this book.

Stupid Little Stuff That Makes Life Better

I'm a huge baseball fan, especially the Minnesota Twins. I like baseball more than any other sport, even football and NASCAR. Recently I've been reading Joe Posnanski's blog at http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/. He is a baseball writer in Kansas City who talks a lot of sports but will throw in commentary on politics/life/being a dad. He doesn't seem to like Dan Marino, but that's okay.

He recently wrote a column talking about the Stupid Little Stuff that makes life better. Stuff like waiting to read the credits in a movie, Diet Pepsi/Diet Coke, Chinese Restaurants that pile food on your plate, the 60 minutes clock. The comments are great to read as well.

So, some of the Stupid Little Stuff That Makes Life Better

- Fresh roasted coffee (home roasted). No coffee place including Starbucks can make coffee as good as a home roast. Nancy and I went to a restaurant in Richmond that served their coffee in a coffee press. What a restaurant. Even the food was good.

- Coming home on a Sunday night and hearing Jon Miller and Joe Morgan calling a baseball game on ESPN. I don't even have to watch the game or care about the teams. I love listening to them call a game.

- Chinese places such as the Panda Express do pile on the Chinese food.

What are some of your Stupid Little Things that make life better?

New Bloggers

Bobby O has joined the blogging community. Read his obscure revelations at http://bobbyohasablog.blogspot.com/

Also, Jonathan Burke at http://burke-nation.blogspot.com/

Stitches and Drains and Dressings, OH MY!

So I am recovering and other than pain and tight dressings and these annoying drains, I am catching up on some of the home bound things I like to do like reading, writing, scrapbooking, e-mailing, blogging, school work (well lets not go too far), etc. I have a nice little set up here on the couch while my stomach decides to heal back together hopefully tighter without any holes in it.

Today, I had to go to the Doc and get stitches taken out (felt like little needles), dressing off (along with some skin), and the worst, one of the drains out (a bit of a painful and weird experience). The nurse was glad I did not hit her or pass out, neither of which I do although I would sometimes welcome the passing out part. Dave would have passed out today for sure although God bless him, he did do the drain emptying at least 2x. I have a new lighter dressing, one drain left, and a few stitches left to take out-if all goes well, probably on Thursday. I have pain pills but am scrounging around for some Valium!

But people are kind by bringing dinner and doing errands and schlepping my kids to various places, God bless them all.

I am getting out of some of winter's cold at least for a bit over 2 weeks.

Which books, dear are not non-fiction?

New Reading Material

The end of a year always brings out people's favorite books or books that they enjoyed over the last year. It has given me some new books to read over the next few months:

Among them:

Schulz and Peanuts: A Biography

How Ronald Reagan Changed My Life

Gilead

The devil in the white city : murder, magic, and madness at the fair that changed America

Orthodoxy: The Classic Account of a Remarkable Christian Experience

Best book that I read last year:

The Spirit of the Disciplines: Understanding How God Changes Lives by Dallas Willard.

Yes, Nan, some of them are not strictly non-fiction. I know that will shock you.

What we did with OUR snowday

Our snowday wasn't as exciting as this or this. However, it was a different experience as Nancy was at Mary Washington Hospital finally fixing her hernia on the third attempt. After about a two hour before surgery experience, four hours of surgery and then two plus hours to recover, she was all fixed up and headed home. A little sore, but doing well all things considered.

And, I didn't faint at the site of blood.

ITCHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have been coughing for over 6weeks now and have struggled with lots of headaches in November. I have started itching all over in the last 2 weeks. So I made an appointment with an allergist before Christmas and went to that appointment today. I had been to an allergist before but not since 1992 or there abouts. I had forgotten what it was like. 2 breathing tests, 1 breathing treatment, 64 skin pricks on back, 20 dermal injections on each arm, 1 large needle in the butt, and a partridge in a pear tree (well, that was not included in the appt). I got 3 new perscriptions and still need to do patch tests for chemicals (perfumes and such). I am hoping to get rid of the cough and itching before my surgery on January 17th (I can't imagine having abdominal surgery and coughing my head off and itching all over!). Needless to say I am even more itchy now because I was very allergic to 9 things: dust mites (no surprise-covered my pillows and bed with dust mite blocking covers), CATS! (surprise), grasses, pollen from certain trees (no surprise), cockroaches (yuck). Those pin pricks swelled up and became very itchy on my back. Even with the cream and an antihistamine I am still itching as I write this. I got a steroid shot which I hope helps with it all and after the patches will go back on either my old antihistamine or the new one whichever works. I feel like I have lots of mosquito bites. I just hope this all works. The doctor was great and his office is literally down the street in my neighborhood. I will eventually also get allergy shots which I did in the past and felt like they worked so hopefully.

On another note, Christmas and New Year's was fun with family and friends, and now I am cleaning up a storm and getting decorations down before school starts again (January 14th) and my surgery (January 17th). Good luck to me. I am halfway on the deep cleaning.

Here's to 2008!

What to do with 18 year olds!

Lately I have been thinking about what I will do when my children turn 18 or thereabouts. The reason I am thinking of this is 1. I am a planner, 2. I have always looked ahead (way ahead obviously), 3. Women are revealing their struggles to me with their own 18yrs old, 4. My son is over 14 so it is coming up. Mostly the struggle and anxiety occurs when the child does not go down the right path. But I wonder, is it the path we as parents want them to go down, or do we consider that there might be another path that of course, God knows. When the kid is failing a class, is it always bad? When she is moody and doesn't want to talk or is always out, does it rub us the wrong way? When he drifts from God and church, what is God doing (or to our thinking, not doing)? Is God not answering our prayers or are we just missing the answer? Can we trust Him? This is our kid! Or is he really ours? Can we love, trust and rest in God in all this? Can we love the kid through the rough spots? These are questions I ask myself and other women that our coming to me. We wish God would shout down the answer, but He is. He whispers, "I am enough". A current song on the radio lately thrills me every time I hear it. It's main phrase is:
"Your grace is enough for me". I just wonder, do I really believe that? Do you?

Lots of things b/c I haven't written in a long time

I may ramble but need to get these things out:

I finished my last difficult, annoying class on Nov 10th and pulled off an A for which I am grateful because it was very challenging to me and took a lot of my time, energy and effort. I almost quit, but I will readjust some things when my next class starts in January (work less, less classes,etc)

My husband gave me our Christmas gift early-he bought the new Nikon digital camera with those 2 nice lenses on it. It is so much better than our old Kodak. So we are clicking away.

My house is all decked out-It is really beautiful this year!It has the most decorations I have ever had. I really enjoy Christmas. One of our Pastors this week in church reminded us not to lose sight of our need for the Savior-our horrible, ugly sin and our turning away from our Maker. Isaiah 9 and 11 have brought me to tears thinking about how my great God made Himself nothing (think about it-He started out as a little fertilized egg just like the rest of us) to save us from our filth and ugliness. How could I be proud after that when He is so humble? I could I be so aloof when He is so approachable? How could I want anything else when He is everything? So I celebrate Christmas with a great bang because of Jesus and His worthiness to be celebrated and enjoyed!

So we missed Thanksgiving in NYC-disappointing. My brother had to go to sea early. But we will go another time. We had our good friends over and ate a lot!

I just finished the book by Thomas Brooks, a puritan, written in 1652 (although it might as well been written today for its practicality) called: Precious Remedies Against Satan's Devices. It was excellent. Here are some snippets but I would encourage you to read it:

Devices against the great and honorable of the earth:

Satan works them to make it their business to seek themselves, to seek how to greaten themselves, to raise themselves, to enrich themselves, to secure themselves.

Remedy 1:Self-seeking is a sin that will put men upon a world of sins, upon sins not only against the law of God, the rules of the gospel, but that are against the very laws of nature, that are so much darkened by the fall of man.

Remedy 2:Self-seeking makes a person become a servant to the creature. Self-seeking will make a man say anything, do anything and be anything to please the lusts of others, and to get advantages upon others.

Remedy 3:Dwell upon those dreadful curses and woes that are from heaven denounced against self-seekers.

Remedy 4: Self-seekers are self-losers and self-destroyers. He that is too much for himself, fails to be good to others.

Remedy 5:Dwell upon the famous examples of those worthy saints that have denied themselves and preferred the public good before their own particular advantage. (Moses, Daniel, Christ)

Remedy 6: Self is a great hinderance to divine things. Self-seeking blinds the soul so it cannot see the beauty of Christ nor an excellency in holiness. It distempers the palate so that it cannot taste the sweetness of the Word of God, the ways of God, nor in the society of the people of God. It hardens the heart against all the entreaties of Christ. There is not a greater hindrance to all the duties of piety than self-seeking.

Another remedy for disunity of the saints is:

To be much in self-judging.Were Christian hearts more taken up in judging themselves than condemning others, they would not be so apt to judge and censure others, and to carry it sourly and bitterly towards others that differ from them.

Labor to be clothed with humility. Humility fits for the highest services and yet will not neglect the lowest services. Humility will make a man bless him that curses him and pray for those that persecute him. Humility will make a man quiet and content in the meanest conditions...preserve him from envy. Did Christians more abound in humility, they would be less bitter, froward and sour... and more gentle, meek, and sweet in their spirits and practices. Humility will make a man have high thoughts of others and low thoughts of a man's self. Were Christians more humble, there would be less fire and more love among them than there is now.

This convicted me. What about you? This brings me to something my husband expressed recently. He basically thanked me for aruing with him! He was glad I was struggling to keep our marriage strong, but I thought it was quite humble of him. How often he takes my sharp tongue and is just silent or even blesses me instead. How much I have to learn from Jesus' example of humility, from Dave, and from others in my life. Here's a new year's resolution for us all: try to either be silent or answer kindly, gently, quietly when someone is sharp or even nasty to you. Whew! That will take not only all year but the rest of our lives.

Being a Good Host/other happenings

You may recall from some recent postings here that I was talking about the Reaching Out book and mentioning that people are guests and we need to create a free safe space for them in our lives and homes. Now we talk about how to become a good host:

"Once we become poor, we can be a good host." If you are poor you don't own anything so everything is for everyone else and you have nothing to lose. It is hard for them to hurt you when you don't cling to anything and you are willing to give all. Remember in Matthew "Blessed are the poor in spirit"-they are the humble.

"Poverty is the inner disposition that allows us to take away our defenses and convert our enemies into friends. We only perceive the stranger as an enemy as long as we have something to defend." It is hard to think we don't own all this stuff and even the people around us, but the truth is, we don't. God says all the silver and gold are mine! Everything is God's, including the people and children in our lives.

"Turning the other cheek means showing our enemies that they can only be our enemies while supposing that we are anxiously clinging to our private property, whatever it is: our knowledge, our good name, our land, our money or the many objects we have collected around us. But who will be our robber when everything he wants to steal from us becomes our gift to him?...Who wants to sneak in our back door when our front door is wide open?"

"Poverty of the mind as a spiritual attitude is a growing willingness to recognize the incomprehensibility of the mystery of life. ...a learned ignorance...an education not to master God but to be mastered by God."

"Have less to say and much more to listen to....people whose 'not-knowing' makes them free to listen to the voice of God in the words of the peo0ple, in the events of the day and in the books containing the life experience of men and women from other places and other times....with great attention...the continual refusal to identify God with any concept, theory, document or event, thus preventing man or woman from becoming a fanatic sectarian or enthusiast, while allowing for an ongoing growth in gentleness and receptivity."

"God...cannot be defined by any specific feeling or emotion....avoid adapting God to our small concepts...and our small feelings...poverty of the heart creates community since it is not in self sufficiendy but in a creative interdependedncy that the mystery of life unfolds itself to us."

"Training for service...not a training to become rich but to become voluntarily poor; not to fill ourselves but to empty ourselves, not to conquer God but to surrender to his saving power. ..hard to accept in our world which tells us about the importance of power and influence....we should like Paul, boast in our weakness."

Stay tuned in future for Henri Nouwen's thought on prayer.
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New Ariannaism: We were hiking yesterday in the Shenandoah's/Appalachian trail (yes we were all off and all free and actually had an entire family day!!!!!!!!) when we passed by some growths on a tree. Elizabeth thought they look like ice cream. She asked what they were. I replied that I thought they were fungus. I also said they were kind of funky. So Arianna says, "Well they are funkus!"

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Haggai talks about the people dwelling in nice houses while the Lord's house just sat in ruins, unfinished. The point: Do we care about our own stuff and kingdom or God's? How much time am I spending on my cares, worries, and stuff instead of God and His "stuff"? Then I remember, oh yeah, God, and give him "blemished sacrifices", easy things for me to do so I can "get Him off my back" so to speak. So I harvest but God blows it away, I drink but am thirsty. God wants my (and your) attention. He comes up with some interesting and difficult ways to get it. In Haggai I thought it was interesting that they were having a drought and their land was only producing half of what it should. Sound like our area? Hope you are convicted. I was! Read Haggai-only 2 jam packed chapters.

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School is almost half way over. I have settled in and am doing well. It is a lot to think about and learn and I wonder how God is going to use me and all this learning.

God takes joy in me?!

I was finishing up Zephaniah and read in ch 3 verses 15 and 17 the concept that God exults with shouts of joy over me! (in this case Israel). This, I admit, is hard for me to grasp. I can grasp taking joy in God because He is so wonderful, but most of the time, I feel like I let people and God down. I am disappointing. I sin against them. I am selfish. Yet He looks on me with joy and renews my heart. I have been struggling with school (what else is new?) and God reminded me that He surrounds me, takes joy in me, and renews my heart. When someone believes in you and takes joy in you, doesn't it make your steps a little lighter, your face smile, and your heart flutter? Sounds like first love. I want to stay in love with God. After all, He promises to stay in love with me!

Parents and children

From Reaching Out by Henri Nouwen:

Regarding parents and children:

"children are not properties to own and rule over, but gifts to cherish and care for. Our children are our most important guests, who enter into our home, ask for careful attention, stay for a while and then leave to follow their own way. Children are stragngers whom we have to get to know.They have their own style, their own rhythm and their own capacities for good and evil."

"What parents can offer is a home, a place that is receptive but also has the safe boundarries within which their children can develop and discover what is helpful and what is harmful....can ask questions without fear and can experiment with life without experiencing rejection."

"many parents suffer from deep guilt feelings toward their children, thinking that they are responsible for everything their sons or daughters do. but again...children are not properties that we can control...they are guests... gifts from God"

"The temptation is... to cling to our children, to use them for our own unfulfilled needs and to hold on to them, suggesting in many direct and indirect ways that they owe us so much."

"A good host (in this case, parent) is not only able to receive his guests with honor and offfer them all the care they need but also to let them go when their time to leave has come."

This part really hit home for me as I tend to fall into the temptations to own my children and that I am totally responsible for them and only need to control them more. It scares me to think that one of my children might go astray, but that is where trusting God comes in. And therein lies a lot of my problems-often, I really don't trust God!

Silence before God

I dislike the beginning of a new class. I just started my new course on Monday of this week and they hit you with all your assignments and what you should learn. 8 discussion boards with responses, 2 tests, 2 journal article summaries, ethics code analysis paper, research paper, tons of reading "and a partridge in a pear tree"! I just keep telling myself that God wants me to do this and will enable me to do it. The break was good and bad at the same time-good for the rest but bad because I got out of my groove. I am praying to get back in the groove.

I have been reading Zephaniah lately. I have been convicted about a couple of verses:

Zephaniah 1:7 Be silent before the Lord God. For the day of the Lord is near, for the Lord has prepared a sacrifice, He has consecrated His guests" I have been convicted about practicing the spiritual disciplines of prayer, bible study and meditation, and solitude. I need to practice more silence and waiting before the Lord. He knows what He is doing and I often do not! So why do I plan and talk so much? The day of the Lord refers to Jesus' return which for us will be glorious. So I will wait, be silent, and trust God.

Zephaniah 1:12 (The day of the Lord) It will come about at that time that I (God) will search Jerusalem with lamps and I will punish men who are stagnant in spirit, who say in their hearts,"the Lord will not do good or evil". vs 13 Moreover, their wealth will become plunder and their houses desolate, yes they will build houses but not inhabit them, and plant vineyards, but not drink their wine..."

Amos 6:1 Woe to those who are at ease in Zion (America), to those who feel secure in the mountains of Samaria..."

I question myself, am I stagnant in spirit? Am I so concerned about the creation and not the Creator? Am I preoccupying myself with the temporal things here on earth? Am I so proud that I think I am making things come to pass and that God is not do anything but just sitting somewhere up there looking on? May I always look to God and never be at ease and secure with the things and people here on earth.

Ah the Fall-my favorite season

School and activities are in full swing but I don't seem to be a lunatic this year. Maybe it is because I have such good friends to carpool with, or maybe because Dave and I made sure we streamlined what the kids were going to do and actually thought and prayed about each one, or maybe I have finally gotten a grip and decided to be peaceful in the midst of this crazy area with my crazy schedule. Anyway, I am pleased that I have not been hyperventilating lately.

The newest Arianna item: raw onions on ice cream-that's right. We were at my company picnic at Pratt and there was free ice cream so Arianna grabbed a cone. There was also free hamburgers with all the fixings. I happened to look across the table and saw the onions on her ice cream like sprinkles. All of us almost threw up, but she "liked it". She likes raw onions and ice cream so why not put them together? Logical.

David has amazed me lately. For those of you who think he is quiet, you need to be a fly on the wall at our home lately. He is mister outgoing and funny guy. I am glad he is so happy and that he is doing well and enjoying High school and marching band. He has lots of goals too, which I am amazed. The other day we were watching home movies of him as a 2 yrs old. What a cutey. Hard to believe he is the same little boy now.

It is so nice and cool. I love it. I have so much more energy and I don't sweat so much (I bet you are all glad about that).

Time to make hot soup!

School starts

School has officially started as of Tuesday. All seem to be adjusting well. I am glad we are back to a routine and that they are learning again.

We did enjoy our last weekend though. I got out of work early Friday and took the kids to the mall, Cheeseburger in Paradise (which was surprisingly good, Dave met us there) and then to Funland for unlimited rides and attractions. We went go carting, frog leaping, bumper boating, and mini golfing (where Keilan only beat Nancy by 3 points!) We were there from 8-11:30pm which is a good deal for unlimited. ($20) This happens every Friday nightat Funland.

Saturday we had some good friends over-2 Brazilian sisters and families. There were 7 adults and 10 kids here! Keilan speaks portugese so they were chatting away.

Sunday was church, church picnic (at which I was glad to chat with new people (to me) and older friends. Then went to another friend's house for the last time in the pool.

Monday we "Ihop"ed (my favorite breakfast restaurant) then went to Great Falls, it was hot, the kids were crabby, but it was still beautiful. The houses on the way are really something-mansions, almost castles. I pray that those people use their houses for good in hospitality and service but fear that many probably do not. Even as a large family and with 4 kids, we don't get invited to people's homes much. Many women don't want their house messed up. We finished out at Carlos O'kellys (yuk-only went b/c we had 3 coupons-next time we will give them away).

More quotes from Reaching Out-we finished the part for now on Solitude (I bet you all are thrilled)
This part is on reaching out to others: from hostility to hospitality.

Creating space for strangers
"Our society seems to be increasingly full of fearful, defensive, aggressive people anxiously clinging to their property and inclined to look at their surrounding world with suspicion, always expecting an enemy to suddenly appear, intrude and do harm. But still-that is our vocation: to convert...the enemy into a guest and to create the free and fearless space where brotherhood and sisterhod can be formed and fully experienced."

"Hospitality, therefore, means primarily the creation of a free space where the stranger can enter and become a friend instead of an enemy...not to change people but to offer them a space where change can take place...not to bring them over to our side, but to offer freedom not disturbed by dividing lines...not to lead our neighbors into a corner where there are no alternatives left, but to open a wide spectrum of options for choice and commitment...not an educated intimidation with good books...but the liberation of fearful hearts so that words can find roots and bear ample fruit....The paradox of hospitality is that it wants to create emptiness, not a fearful emptiness, but a friendly emptiness where strangers can enter and discover themselves as created free; free to sing their own songs, speak their own languages, dance their own dances; free also to leave and follow their own vocations...Hospitality is not a subtle invitation to adopt the lifestyle of the host, but the gift of a chance for the guest to find his own."

"Empty space tends to create fear. As long as our minds, hearts and hands are occupied we can avoid confronting the painful questions, to which we never gave mujch attention and which we do not want to surface. "Being busy" has become a status symbol, and most people keep encouraging each other to keep their body and mind in constant motion....Occupation and not empty space is what most of us are looking for. When we are not occupied we become resless...even fearful. Being busy, active and on the move has nearly become part of our constitution...We have become a very preoccupied people, afraid of unnamable emptiness and silent solitude."

To convert hostility to hospitality requires the creation of the friendly empty space where we can reach out to our fellow human beings and invite them to a new relationship."

Next: Showing hospitality to our own children?! Stay tuned.

couple more ariannaisms

ice cream to has cream
sleeping beauty to sleeping Judy (Dave's doing)
mutual edification to nutual edification

Grades and Ariannaisms

I have 2 A's so far. God is not only giving me wisdom and ability to do this master's, but then confirming it with A's. I was excited. My professor also gave me what courses to take this whole next year. I am enjoying the break right now and have started reading my next course's books.

Some words Arianna has changed:

Caterpillar to Calipitter
Playground to Prayground
Bathing suit to Babing suit
Hospital to hostitable

We biked from Fall Hill Avenue canal path area down to Fredericksburg, Sophia street. Arianna is doing pretty well. They had discovery days there, celebrating 400 yrs of VA settlement. John Smith's boat, an actual exploring boat that was being manned by 12 young people covering 6 states waterways, Indian reenactments, Soldier displays, etc. It was cute. Some family time-Yay!

More quotes and school is over for now

I am done with 6 credits as of Sunday! I have a break now until September 17th which is much needed. He hasn't graded my last test, but I did well and enjoyed the rest of the assignments. I have the books for my next class and boy are they looloos! I will start reading them early.

Dave and I were married 17yrs on Saturday, August 11th. I got us both nice watches.

Here are more quotes from Reaching Out:

Solitude of the heart is what counts, and is "one of the human capacities that can exist, be maintained and developed in the center of a big city, in the middle of a large crowd and in the context of a very active and productive life....A man or woman who has developed this solitude of heart is no longer pulled apart by the most divergent stimuli of the surrounding world but is able to perceive and understand this world from a quiet inner center."

"with a solitude of the heart, we can listen with attention to the words and the world of others, but when we are driven by loneliness, we tend to select just those remards and events that bring immediate satisfaction to our own craving needs."

"be patient to all that is unsolved in your heart and to try to love the questions themselves..." Yikes, this is not me yet!

"It is in deep solitude that I find the gentleness with which I can truly love my brothers."

"Without the solitude of heart, our relationships with others easily become needy and greedy, sticky and clinging, dependent and sentimental, exploitative and parasitic, because without the solitude of heart we cannot experience the others as different from ourselves, but only as people who can be used for the fulfillment of our own, often hidden, needs."

When we are with others we should say as a friend in the book said to the author, "I simply want to celebrate some time with you."

I hope you are as convicted as I am after reading these or perhaps you have attained this solitude. How wonderful if you have.

Last week I was in NYC touring and visiting my brother. Our last morning there, there was a great rain and storms and water flooded the subway. A tornado also touched down in Brooklyn which is very odd. (I think it was because I was there). Anyway, all those people who could not get in the subway or buses, were walking on the streets/sidewalks. What a mass of people! It was very hot to top it off. I felt closed in. I thought it was busy in the Washington DC area-Ha! It would take me a while to feel peaceful in the midst of that, but God is not asking me to move there, but only to be content and peaceful right where I am. This is my challenge to myself and you wherever you are.