Deep Questions

It amazes me the questions my kids (and all kids) come up with sometimes. My just-turned five year old seems to come up with the most stumping theological questions.

It’s so hard to explain souls and the spirit to kids…I haven’t found a good way to explain it yet. Anyone have any good ways of explaining that to little ones?

Signs of Spring

I’ve seen a couple of places lately something like, “I know spring is here because ____” or “How do you know spring has arrived where you live?” Each time I sigh as I look out the window to gray clouds and more rain.

In Oregon, you just expect rain. You expect it for most of the year. You can feel somewhat safe that it won’t rain much in July and August if you’re planning and outdoor event, but I would personally never plan anything like a wedding for any month except those two. Too much risk.

Spring just means more rain here. However, this spring has been abnormally dismal. We had the latest occurring 60 degree day on record, and our first 70 degree day was later than average as well. I believe the number of 60 degree days we’ve had this year is under five. And March had something like 29 out of 31 days of rain.

Spring has not really arrived here. I long for the days of summer, and am hoping and praying for an extra long, sunny summer this year.

Photo of the day

I’m trying to get back into the photo of the day swing of things after a LONG hiatus. I just need to get my creative juices going again, and this is a good start!

I’m on a photography website/message board and the challenge for the photo of the day for this week is toys.

I love this playset from Melissa & Doug. Such fun!

just a whine

I try not to complain too much, but I just need to have a whine. And I’m posting it here where most likely no one will read it anyway. But being the extrovert that I am, I have to get it out, and don’t want to bore anyone with listening to it in person.

Being a single mom is such hard work. Tonight at toilet full of toilet paper got to me.  I almost threw up dealing with it, and I just about started crying thinking about how it’s ALL my job to deal with. Every plugged toilet. Every poop or pee mess. Every meal is mine to cook. Every dish is mine to clean up. Every floor is mine to vacuum, sweep, mop. Each load of laundry I have to wash, fold, and put away (although the girls are beginning to put away their laundry). Every time a child wakes up during the night or early in the morning, I’m on duty. I don’t get a “day” or a “turn” to sleep in. Every tantrum thrown is mine to endure, every clean-up is mine to oversee. All the sibling rivalries are mine to break up, the amends mine to make sure happen. All the spiders and bugs–that’s my job too. Every injury that happens I somehow endure (although I’m really bad at it). The attitudes, the mean words thrown my way by kids who are hurting because of what someone else did–somehow, I must take it and not let it bother me.

But as I write this, I do think of all the other things that are mine. Every hug and kiss through out the day–those are mine. Every snuggle, every “I love you” is for my ears. Every new thing learned, I get to watch with amazement. Every bedtime cuddle is mine to savor (although that’s not always in my mind at the moment). Every cute thing they say–which happens quite often–is mine to witness and share with anyone else who will hear it. Every missing tooth smile is mine to cherish. Each book we read snuggled on the couch, I get to read to them. I get to watch the creativity unfold before me day in and day out.

It’s not an easy path–that is for sure. Many days I want to trade it for something different. But at the end of the day–at the end of the blog post–I am so blessed by my girls, and am grateful I am their mom.

The great debate

One of my friends pointed out on facebook this week that it’s that time of year–the time for the debate of to vaccinate or not to vaccinate (specifically regarding the flu at this time of year).

There’s been a whole lot going on in the vaccine world lately, and I’ve been reading up on it all.

First, it was revealed that the government settled with the family of a little girl who has autism, who “became” (don’t know what word to use) autistic after receiving 3 injections/5 vaccines (against NINE diseases) in one day for $1.5 million. That’s a lot of money!  The most revealing thing about this story, in my opinion, is that the former head of the CDC is currently the head of Merck (one of the biggest vaccine producers). Just one of the many financial ties between the CDC and the vaccine industry that shows exactly why information coming from the CDC really can’t be trusted!  http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-31727_162-20015982-10391695.html

Next, the whooping cough outbreak, specifically in California. Most sources are crying that it’s the fault of non-vaccinating families. The interesting thing? Almost two-thirds of those who have had whooping cough in this outbreak have been fully–that’s right, FULLY–vaccinated.  http://www.kpbs.org/news/2010/sep/07…ccine-working/

Next, the CDC has done a new study that states that vaccines and autism are not related. First off, the CDC did the study. Look up at #1 above. They’re not really to be trusted. Second of all, the title of all the articles I’ve seen on this topic says vaccines and autism are not related. The article then goes on to talk about thimerosal, and that a study (again, one that can’t necessarily be trusted) was done that shows thimerosal levels are not related to autism. Ok, so I guess the study says that *thimerosal* is not related to autism. NOT that vaccines aren’t related to autism. There is so much other stuff in vaccines, not to mention the fact that we load little tiny bodies full of these chemicals and viruses and also–a lot of people don’t know this–even aborted fetal tissue in some of them.  http://www.aolnews.com/health/articl…c4_lnk1|170323

My attention was caught by this article as well, but I haven’t given it an in-depth reading yet. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-kirby/up-to-1-in-50-troops-seri_b_119048.html?ref=fb&src=sp

I also greatly enjoyed this video, and the vast knowledge of this mama.  http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http…IXsPmw&h=60592

oooh, another good one. From the manufacturer of thimerosal–http://www.vaccine-tlc.org/docs/Thimerosal%20Material%20Safety%20Data%20Sheet.pdf

“Exposure to mercury in utero and in
children may cause mild to severe mental retardation and mild to severe
motor coordination impairment.” “Caution Statement: Thimerosal may enter
the body through the skin, is toxic, alters genetic material, may be
irritating to the eyes, and causes allergic reactions. Effects of
exposure may include numbness of extremities, fetal changes,decreased
offspring survival, and lung tissue changes.”

Keep reading on the link and find what to do if inhaled, ingested, and more. And we inject this into people?!

*Disclaimer–I am not fully anti-vaccination, I am PRO-EDUCATION. Make educated decisions. Don’t make them based on fear.*

Friday night

Our new church has a Friday night worship service. I have been so excited to be a part of this. For years, I have had a desire to be part of a Friday or Saturday night service. In the last few months before my move, I was feeling an even stronger pull to that, but wasn’t sure how it would happen.

Well, here we are. The service is only a few months old, and we are beginning to gear it more towards college/young adult. We moved it to our fellowship hall for a “coffee shop” atmosphere. I am excited to see what will happen.

So, we’re off there for the night. What better way to spend a Friday night than worshiping God and hanging out with friends?

we moved!

I know it’s not like anyone out there is actually reading this anymore, but just in case-no I didn’t drop off the planet.

But, we moved. About 3 hours away from where we were. I was offered a worship pastor position and have been so amazed to see God working.

I love my job, love the town we live in. I miss being close to my family, and miss friends in Lebanon. But, as I said, God is working, and it’s been such a blessing!

Anyhow, now that we’ve been here almost 2 months and are getting settled, and homeschooling has resumed, I hope to start posting every day again. We’ll see how it goes!

Butterflies

The girls and I went to the coast to see my wonderful friend (since we were 12 years old!) Alli and her daughter Nora. She recently visited a new butterfly walk there in town, and I knew the girls would love it. We spent a couple of days reading up on butterflies before we went, and we had such a great time. Here’s a few pics:

First day of summer

I’m late, but the first day of summer was Monday…and we actually had some nice weather! YAY!

The girls and I went for a nature walk that evening to commemorate the first day of summer…here are some pictures of things from our walk that they thought we should remember.

And we’re off:

Kiersten looks a bit “nature girl” herself…crazy hair day!

I told Kiandra that this wasn’t really nature, but she said since it had a horse on it it counted, and really wanted me to take a pic of it.

Guacamole

I LOVE guacamole. A couple years ago my mom, grandma, and I took a cooking class in Salem. One of the things they made that night was guacamole, and it is seriously the best guacamole I’ve ever tasted. It is a bit labor-intensive, but worth every minute of prep!

I made some today, and, mmmm yum!!