Wednesday, April 25, 2007

Go Ahead, Giggle

If you need a laugh, then read these Children's Science Exam answers.

Q: Name the four seasons.
A: Salt, pepper, mustard and vinegar.

Q: Explain one of the processes by which water can be made safe to drink.
A: Flirtation makes water safe to drink because it removes large
pollutants like grit, sand, dead sheep and canoeists.

Q: How is dew formed?
A: The sun shines down on the leaves and makes them perspire.

Q: How can you delay milk turning sour? (brilliant, love this!)
A: Keep it in the cow.

Q: What causes the tides in the oceans?
A: The tides are a fight between the Earth and the Moon. All water
tends to flow towards the moon, because there is no water on the moon,
and nature hates a vacuum. I forget where the sun joins in this fight.

Q: What are steroids?
A: Things for keeping carpets still on the stairs.

Q: What happens to your body as you age?
A: When you get old, so do your bowels and you get intercontinental.

Q: What happens to a boy when he reaches puberty?
A: He says good-bye to his boyhood and looks forward to his adultery.

Q: Name a major disease associated with cigarettes
A: Premature death.

Q: How are the main parts of the body! categor ized? (e.g., abdomen.)
A: The body is consisted into three parts - the brainium, the borax
and the abdominal cavity. The brainium contains the brain; the borax
contains the heart and lungs, and the abdominal cavity contains the five
bowels, A, E, I, O, and U.

Q: What is the fibula?
A: A small lie.

Q: What does "varicose" mean? (I do love this one...)
A: Nearby.

Q: Give the meaning of the term "Caesarean Section"
A: The Caesarean Section is a district in Rome .

Q: What does the word "benign" mean?'
A: Benign is what you will be after you be eight.

Friday, April 06, 2007

good friday

What's so "good" about Good Friday? Isn't it supposed to be the anniversary of the brutal death of our Lord, Jesus Christ? "Good" really isn't the word I would use to describe it.

And yet as I think about it, without that vicious, cruel killing, I myself would be doomed to die. Die. Eternal Damnation. And why not? I deserve it.

Tonight, I saw the depiction of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus in The Promise. I was struck by not only the many miracles Jesus performed as a man on this Earth: The humble healing of the leper, the touching resurrection of the young girl, but also, naturally, by the vile act of Jesus' killing itself.

As the Roman soldiers prepared Jesus for his raising onto the cross, I allowed my mind to wander to the actual crucifixion. Their loud hammer strikes pounded long, thick, cold nails into the wrists of my Savior. I sat in my seat, numb, as I pictured myself as the one holding that hammer. Every sin I had ever committed was another loud beating. Every selfish and judgmental thought was responsible for putting Jesus through this. It was enough to bring me to tears. My body shook with remorse and regret. What kind of Love is that for us? It's a love that, to me, is unfathomable....

I guess, now that I think about it, "Good" Friday is kind of an understatement...isn't it?

Tuesday, April 03, 2007

Important Recall

ATTENTION PLEASE:

The Maker of all human beings is recalling all units
manufactured, regardless of make or year, due to a serious defect
in the primary and central component of the heart.

This is due to a malfunction in the original prototype
units, code named Adam and Eve, resulting in the reproduction
of the same defect in all subsequent units.

This defect has been technically termed "Sequential
Internal Non-morality," or commonly known as S. I. N., as it is
primarily expressed.

Some symptoms:
1. Loss of direction
2. Foul vocal emissions
3. Amnesia of origin
4. Lack of peace and joy
5. Selfish and/or violent behavior
6. Depression or confusion in the mental component
7. Fearfulness
8. Idolatry
9. Rebellion

The Manufacturer, who is neither liable nor at fault for
this defect, is providing factory-authorized repair and
service, free of charge, to correct this "SIN" defect.

The Repair Technician, JESUS, has most generously offered
to bear the entire burden of the staggering cost of these
repairs. There is no additional fee required.

The PROCEDURE for repairs in all areas is to upload your
burden of SIN through the REPENTANCE procedure. Next,
download ATONEMENT from the Repair Technician, JESUS, into the
heart component.

No matter how big or small the SIN defect is, JESUS will replace it with:
1. Love
2. Joy
3. Peace
4. Patience
5. Kindness
6. Goodness
7. Faithfulness
8. Gentleness
9. Self control

Please see the operating manual: the B.I.B.L.E. (Believers
Instructions Before Leaving Earth), for further details on
the use of these fixes.

WARNING: Continuing to operate the human-being unit
without correction voids any manufacturer warranties, exposing
the unit to dangers and problems too numerous to list, and
will result in the human unit being permanently impounded.

For free emergency service, call on JESUS.

DANGER: The human being units not responding to this recall
action will have to be scrapped in the furnace. The SIN
defect will not be permitted to enter Heaven so as to prevent
contamination of that facility.

Thank you for your attention,
ALMIGHTY GOD

P. S. Please assist where possible by notifying others of this bulletin!

Monday, April 02, 2007

McKenna Joi: A Memoriam

Today marks the due date of my third pregnancy. That's right, my third. It started sometime last June and ended tragically 9 weeks later: August 29th, 2006. No bigger than a peanut.

My miscarriage was one of the hardest things I've ever gone through. Okay, maybe the hardest. But to tell you the truth, I never felt alone...and I never felt that no one cared. I had my God, who was there when I needed a lap to crawl into and a chest to lay my head upon. I had my dear husband, who was feeling many of the same things I was, and was there to cry with me and to pick me up when I physically couldn't move. And I had a great network of friends and family who showed me support and love.

But I had to wonder what had caused this tragedy. Was it something I had done? My doctors assured me that there was nothing I could've done to either cause or prevent what had happened. Heredity may have played a part. My mother had 5 miscarriages. What made me think that I was safe? That I would never suffer the same heartache? I may never have the answers.

And maybe the most disheartening of all? Eight weeks is probably the earliest you can detect a fetal heartbeat with a "primitive" doppler heartrate detector. But lo and behold, my doctor was able to detect the heart tones during my 8th week of pregnancy! Extremely rare! How mind-numbing that only a week later, I was carrying my precious, highly anticipated little offspring into the doctor's office in a Cool Whip container.

How do you memorialize such a short life? To be true, we didn't know the gender of this baby. But I will tell you this: during my short pregnancy, I did have an attraction to all things pink. It is this that I cling to for some sort of vitality. So we picked out a name for this child, like we would have any other one of our children. And she will be remembered in our hearts forever:

Our little McKenna Joi

Tuesday, March 27, 2007

This and That

Well, I'm trying to make good on my promise to blog more diligently. So I'll give a quick update on our lives of late:

Seth's been busy with rehearsals for our Church's production of The Promise, which "promises" to be a sucess, due to all of the hard work of the cast and crew. They'll be practicing almost every night this week.

I'm taking the next two days off of work...my mom's cousin LaVonna died this past Saturday and the funeral is Thursday. It'll be nice to spend the extra time with my kids, but I just hope work doesn't pick up while I'm gone.

Tomorrow is our baby's 3rd ultrasound. Hopefully we're far enough along to determine the sex. (Sorry Paul, gender.) We have names picked out, but we're not telling. (neener, neener.) And if, by some strange alignment of the planets, you got wind of our decisions, you'd best keep your mouth shut! :)

Saturday, a friend and I have arranged a playdate for our kids. It'll give them a chance to get to know each other better outside of church. (And give their mommies some time to chit-chat ;)

Well, that's all for now...and just a hint: I loooove comments!

Friday, March 23, 2007

Neglect

Isn't it sad? There's a month between my two previous posts!?

I'm so sorry, my faithful readers. You don't deserve this. I intend to make it up to you. I don't know how, but I will:

How's two posts in one day for starters?

;)

I Got That Lovin' Feelin'

This morning, I was laying on my stomach in bed, waiting for the ambition to pry my head from my pillow, when I felt a strange tickle in my lower abdomen. I froze in suspense...for it was a sensation I hadn't felt in more than three years. Lo and Behold, it was the tingle of my nearly 17 week old baby swimming around my uterus!

Praise the Lord for reassurances that everything's still fine.

On another "Lovin'" note, what better way for Seth to show he loves me than the following:

Wednesday night I had Choir practice, with Worship Team practice following. I knew I wouldn't be home until after 8: 30 at the earliest. And, this week being Spring Break, Survivor was on Wednesday night this week instead of Thursday night. Imagine my surprise when I get home to find my house immaculate and the VCR cued to play the recorded Survivor that my husband had taped! How did I get so lucky?!

Friday, February 23, 2007

That The World May Know

It's official, we're telling people.

As of today, I'm 12 1/2 weeks pregnant! Which would put our due date at September 7th, 2007.

The plan now, is to continue to work full time (as long as my body allows), until probably the end of August, then to stay at home with my three children!

We told the kids about a week and a half ago. Madison was visibly excited, while Malachi didn't really seem to have a care either way. He is, however, sure that this baby is a girl. He's adamant. And he loves to sing to my belly after our nightly ritual of reading 9 Fruits Alive and his children's devotional. I have got to get it on tape: He giggles his way through "Jesus Loves Me", while Mommy tries her darndest to keep her belly from rumbling with laughter!

Madison's also excited that her mommy will get to take her to school next year!

Daddy is, as always, wonderful! He has really stepped up to the plate to make sure I'm always comfortable, and that most of my cravings are quenched. He spoils me, really.

So there's our news! Enjoy!

Saturday, February 17, 2007

My Little Muses

This morning, Madison awoke at 6 a.m., right around the time Seth was getting up to go in to work. (I know, it's Saturday, and it's rare that he would do this, but he's trying to finish a huge prison his company is bidding.) I told her she could lay in bed with me, but she had to go back to sleep (so I could). After a few minutes of trying her darndest to keep still, she said, "Mommy, can I go play?" I told her that she could if she played in her room, so as not to wake her brother, who usually stays awake long after we put him to bed, reading quietly to himself. This didn't sound too good to her, so she decided to stay in bed with me. It wasn't 5 minutes later that Malachi finally (much to Madison's delight) awoke so the two of them could play together in his room.

They obviously did a good job playing nicely and keeping quiet, because the next thing I knew, I awoke to my alarm shining "6:38". I knew it was time to get up, but I just lay in bed for a few minutes listening to the two of them:

Mad: "Okay Malachi, now you say, 'Ladies and Gentlemen, presenting QUEEN ESTHER!!'
Mal: "No!"
Mad: "Please, Malachi? Can you have your bear and your turtle do it?"
Mal: (Conceding to his sister's incessant pleas) "Ladieth and Genta-men..." *clears his throat and lowers his tone to a more manly voice* "Ladieth and Genta-men, prethenting, QUEEN ETHTER!!"
Mad: "Okay, now I have to go change my dress cuz in this one, people can see my underwear."

*Madison runs into her room, and quickly returns in a different, equally tattered frock.*

Mad: "Okay, Malachi, now you say, 'Ladies and Gentlemen, presenting PRINCESS ARIEL!!'
Mal: "No!"

Their little game continues, so I stick my head in to see what's up, and to let them know I'll be taking a shower. I find Madison standing atop a Building Block Tote, donning her homemade yellow crown and, of course, her dress-up clothes. Malachi, meanwhile is looking content just to play with his stuffed animals on the floor.

Isn't it fun being a Mommy?

Wednesday, February 07, 2007

Full-Time, Schmull-Time

Kudos to all of you out there (men and women, but especially women) who work full-time. There are soo many words I could use to describe my sentiments, but "DRAINING" pretty much sums it up.

I've never worked full time in my life (well, save for the few weeks last year when I started this job and helped my former co-workers through the remainder of the school year...but it's different when you're just starting a new job. That's another post entirely.) And, I want to say that I will never do it again, but I'm not God, I can't see the future. A good friend of mine just this week had to go back to work full-time to support her family. Her husband fell 20-30 feet out of a tree in their yard and broke his back 5 months ago. I'm sure she didn't see herself in this position any time soon.

But to tell you the truth, it's really getting old. Don't get me wrong, the money's really nice, but take a peek in one of my windows at home, and you may get a sliver of what I'm talking about. It's not that I don't have time in the evening to get things done, it's just that by the time I get home, eat supper (thanks to the World's Greatest Husband who usually has food on the table for us when I get home), bathe the kids and put them to bed, I have NOTHING left in me for the house.

Now my boss is wondering if I will work full-time past our agreed "early April" date. I haven't given him an answer yet, but am waiting on the Lord to give me guidance in the matter. So pray for Seth and I as we tackle this dilemma!

Sunday, January 28, 2007

HAMBONE!

My son. My hilarious son.

Our drive home from Chicago made our children hungry, (go figure). So we stopped at an A&W (which can be found at every Wisconsin exit.) The kids were awarded simple tops in their kid's meals. Here's what Malachi chose to do with his:









































That's right, folks, he shoved it in his nose!

Sunday, January 21, 2007

Our first day here was spent "catching up" with Kameron and Teresa, and napping! Then Saturday, we hopped (I know, quite a feat with 4 adults, 3 toddlers, an infant, a stroller and 2 backpacks!) on the Metra bound for Union Station, to spend the day in Downtown Chicago. Our main destination was Moody Bible Institute, where Kameron goes to school, but we were willing to enjoy everything in between. We walked right by The Sears Tower, where the kids tried their hardest to make themselves horizontal in order to be able to see the majority of the monstrous building. Then we hopped on the "L" train to get us all the way to Moody. We ate lunch at a cute little Pizza place called Mona Lisa Pizza.













By the time we had done all of this, the kids were pretty tired, so we adults were grateful for the 45 minute train ride all the way back to Kameron and Teresa's. Malachi fell asleep, and Madison, had we had another 10 minutes, would have. Needless to say, the kids went to bed rather nicely last night.













This morning we attended Kameron and Teresa's new church. It was very nice. I think half the church greeted us with either a handshake or a hug! It was a church of about eighty members (to quote Kameron). So, very quaint, but very warm and inviting. The kids did great in their classes as well.

Tomorrow morning we head home. It's hard to believe we've been here almost 4 days already! Time has flown. Pray for our journey home. It's been snowing all day here and already a couple of inches have accumulated.

Take care and God bless.

Friday, January 19, 2007

Chicago!


Well we finally made it! We're here in Chicago for the next three days visiting our friends, the Kuehls.

The drive up was uneventful. The kids did really well, and I even got a little nap in!

When Madison and Malachi met Naomi, they weren't quite sure how to react. They both wanted to hold her right away, and Malachi didn't want to leave the couch without her! Madison is always asking, "Can I hold it?" And Malachi, on his way into Maddie and Naomi's room to play, heard Naomi crying and said, "She doesn't want me in there."

That's all for now. Over and Out.

Saturday, January 13, 2007

Smartie Pants

Just a quick update before we begin proceedings: With the birth of her child on Jan. 2, my friend and co-worker, Sarah is on Maternity Leave for the next three months. Because this is such a busy time of year for us at work, I've agreed to work full-time for the time that she's gone. I just finished my first week of "Full Time", and I'm wiped! Props to all of you Full Time Moms who are also "Full Time" employed somewhere else. It's very draining!


This past Thursday was a juggle for me. My parents had to bring Becca to the airport, but they couldn't take Madison because she had school. So arrangements were made that Mom and Dad would drop Madison off at school before they left town (with Malachi and Becca). I'd pick her up when she was done, take her back to work, where my ever-so-gracious sister-in-law, Cara would pick her up and take her to her place, about 20 minutes away. Everything went down without a glitch, and for that, THANK YOU Mom, Dad, Cara, and anyone else who made it happen!

So anyway, back to my story:

When Cara came to pick up Madison, she asked her if she'd want to go to Syna's house because Brett (Syna's 4 year old son) and Daniel (Brett's cousin) were there. Of course, Madison said "yes" (In part, because she's smitten with Daniel.) So Cara put her in her van and off they went. They got to the intersection where, if they were going to Daniel's or Cara's, they'd have to turn left. And because they were going to Brett's instead, they went straight. Madison must've misunderstood Cara's prior question, because she thought they were supposed to "turn here" and go to Daniel's house. Cara said, "no," they weren't going to Daniel's house, but to Brett's house where Daniel was. "Oh," Madison replied, "Well this is the way to Mackenzie's friend Hannah's house."

Now let me explain why this was impressive: Mackenzie is Cara's daughter, who's friends with Brett's older sister Hannah. So she was absolutely right, they were going to Hannah's house! And Madison had only been there a couple of times before...and they don't even live in our town!

Smartie Pants!

Wednesday, January 10, 2007

Funny Story

While my children were at my mom's yesterday, they were instructed to go "wake Becca up". So, naturally, they excitedly climbed the stairs to her room to give her the Surprise Awakening. When they got to her room, they discovered that she was already awake, lying in bed waiting for a phone call. So they did what kids do, got up there with her to bounce around and play. She let them carry on for a few minutes, then put an end to it by telling them, "Okay guys, I'm waiting for a phone call, so when my phone rings, we all need to be really quiet, okay?" They both nodded their heads solemnly, "We will."

It was quiet for a minute (a.k.a. boring) before Malachi, perched on his knees on the side of the bed, sighed, looked both ways, and said, "Well girlth, I'm out." At Malachi's comment, Madison rolled her eyes and scoffed. Becca had to stifle her giggle. When Malachi got to her doorway, he turned around and said, "I might be back."

Friday, January 05, 2007

Holiday Highlights

  • Christmas Eve was spent at my folks' hanging out and opening gifts *ehem* like a nifty digital camera for Mommy.
  • Christmas Day the "Seth" branch of the ******** family opened presents at their house, then headed off to Nana and Papa's for more celebrations. And while we were there, my sister called to say that she wasn't going to make it home on January 2nd, but that she was coming home on December 26th instead!!
  • So naturally, December 26th, Grandma, Grandpa, Liz, Madison, Malachi and I packed up our minivan and headed to the airport to pick up Becca! We goofed off a little bit in the airport and then spent the rest of the day at the MOA.
  • New Year's Eve was spent at Michael and Cara's watching the Packers cream the Bears! (But not before a little fun at their church's New Year's Eve Bash...including a blacklight show!)
  • And to finish off the holiday season, another gift opening with the remainder of Seth's siblings at the farm. (This one included sled rides behind the tractor on SNOW!)

WHEW!

Let's Try This Again

Blogger must have a limit on the amount of data it allows in one post. (See previous post.) So here are a few more pictures, and if I need to, I'll finish with a third post on the same topic:







































































































Wednesday, January 03, 2007

Well Hello, Stranger!

Man, it's been awhile since I've talked "at" you. And it seems I'm not the only one who's been neglecting Blogger lately...maybe it's the complicated new version, perhaps? Or quite possibly the fact that we were all just flung from another hectic holiday season and we're still dizzy and reeling to catch up to our "normal lives" once again.

Well, either way, instead of trying to be all coy and witty in my (what would turn out to be long) description of our holidays, why don't I let the pictures (and the occasional caption) tell the story?:









































































Friday, December 22, 2006

Odds and Ends

The Weight Watchers meeting was cancelled last night, due to some crummy weather. I got some things done at home instead. Seth and I purchased the last "substantial" gift for the kids (only the stockings left to finish), and I'll probably wrap it this afternoon.

The second big "Viking/Packer" game was a bit of a disappointment, even if the Packers did win. I even won another bet against my "Gamblers Annonymous" co-worker. (Just kidding!) Neither team could keep their hands on the ball! It was, however a tight game that kept me on the edge of my seat until the end.

I'm soo glad it's Friday! I'm looking at the front-end of a 4-day weekend!! Oh, to be able to sleep in!

My mom's youngest brother and his family are expected to arrive at my folks' tomorrow night. It will be fun to spend the weekend with them. My uncle offered to make Green Mill pizza for us Sunday afternoon, which will push our festive Christmas Feast back a meal...But for Green Mill pizza, I think I'll live.

Did I tell you that my brother Paul is engaged?! He and Amy had their "Christmas" last Wednesday, and he Popped the Question! Amy is a sweet girl and will make a nice addition to our family!

Our church choir is scheduled to sing for this Sunday morning service...even if we are short 12 members! Pray that we can still pull off The Hallelujah Chorus!

Well, if I don't see or talk to you before, have a Merry Christmas!

Thursday, December 21, 2006

Fortunes, Forecasts, Lucky Charms

I don't buy any of it. I don't read horoscopes; I don't believe in being able to predict one's future by the lines on one's palm; I just don't buy it.

I do, however, enjoy Chinese food and the funny little cookies you get to savor for dessert.

Yesterday, my mom took my kids shopping and out for lunch afterward in a Chinese food court in the mall. They each got a fortune cookie to follow their meals, and they each had a "fortune" that was mysteriously accurate:

Madison's fortune told her that "A cheerful letter or message is on it's way to you." Which is an easy one, considering Christmas cards are arriving every day ;)

Malachi's warned him to "Keep you plans secret for now." (An aside: you can tell these were written by the Chinese, but I digress.) And if you've seen this post, you'd know that this is hilariously dead on for him!

So whether or not you, like me, are skeptical of the whole "medium" culture, we all can all appreciate a little humor from time to time.