Spot On

I've been reading Jennifer's blog via email for a few months now and have found her to be a careful and surprisingly biblical thinker (surprising because she was a cradle atheist who only converted to Christianity in the last four or five years). She and her husband converted to Catholicism, so that take on Christianity infiltrates all her posts. Yet, there is plenty this Protestant can glean from biblical Catholic thinking. This post is a prime example:

http://www.conversiondiary.com/2009/02/why-my-life-is-better-since-becoming.html#links

Jocelyn's Stunt Baby

Jocelyn was blessed with a new baby doll as part of her birthday bounty. When called upon to provide this little one with a name, she dubbed it "Mary Kate" (after her friend that's three days younger than she). That was last week. Today I said something in reference to Mary Kate (the doll) and was informed by Jocelyn that her name had changed. When asked for the current name, Jocelyn thought for a minute and replied, "Mrs. Kernodle" (Mary Kate's mom). I told her she could call the baby Sara.

The doll has magnetic hands, feet, and mouth--intended for cute poses and holding accessories. Leave it to the biggest brother to think of the application of this feature pictured below (that white wall is the fridge):

Another Big Three--1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Westminster Sing-Along

Since the beginning of the year, we have been working on learning the Westminster Shorter Catechism. However, instead of it being the raw act of will one might expect from such an undertaking, it has been great fun for all of us thanks to the work of Holly Dutton. I don't know much about Holly or the presbyterian church she serves as music director, but I do know that she has done a great job using her guitar to put the questions of the Westminster to pleasant, memorable music. We are still slowly working our way through the Child's Scripture Catechism (to which I linked once upon a time), so we alternate days between the two works. However, the Scripture catechism is not set to music that I know of, so Westminster days are the kids' favortie, and we are progressing much more quickly in that area.

www.reformedmusic.com

A Public Apology

I recall stating several times and several ways over this past Valentine's Day season that Valentine's Day is pretty much a non-event at our house as far as Titus is concerned. Not being a high-maintenance sort of girl, it was said without bitterness, but perhaps there was an occasional hint of wistfulness over the fact that, as far as I could remember, Titus had never paid a bit of attention to the aforementioned "romantic" holiday.

My memory is so short! This evening my husband was cleaning out the back of a file drawer and unearthed a packet of his letters that I had saved. Among them were several very sweet Valentine's Day notes, the most recent dating back to 2003. I'd completely forgotten about the tradition we'd had of writing each other love notes for V-day.

The move to Searcy and the arrival of baby #3 (Lewis) happened in 2004. Self-employment began in 2005, and babies four and five (Jocelyn and Eva) came into our lives in 2006 and 2007 respectively. I think those events more than adequately explain the recent lapse in our romantic writing tradition (as well as my complete lack of memory--please forgive me, dear).

Maybe someday we'll add that element back into our relationship on a regular basis. For now we can enjoy all the walking, talking love notes we have around the house as we look forward to the newest one expected to arrive in August 2009. (Oh, and for the record, he did end up surprising me with a lovely dinner date this year!)

A Birthday Girl Valentine

Make a Smilebox greeting

One Glory Alone--Galatians 6:14

But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.

The Big Three

Happy Birthday, Jocelyn!

Good Indeed--Nahum 1:7

The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.

Two Fun Shows in a Row

When weather allows, we try to spend as many Friday evenings as possible at the park for some family time and fresh air. During inclement weather (i.e. all winter and the hot part of summer), Friday night is the regular movie night at our house. It's always a fun time to sit and relax together with some pizza, but it's not always easy to find something to watch that all of us will truly enjoy. Due to a change in Titus's schedule this week, we did movie night yesterday evening, and I thought it worth noting that this week was our second big success in a row.

Last week, we viewed Emma Thompson's Nanny McPhee, a Mary Poppins-type story with some fun twists. I have fond memories of first seeing this in the dollar theater with a friend not long after Jocelyn was born. I have no idea why it took me so long to introduce it to the rest of my family.

This week it was Garrison Keillor's A Prarie Home Companion 30th Anniversary video. It may not be as fun for adults not familiar with his Saturday radio program that airs on NPR, but Titus and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the faces behind the voices while we all appreciated the folk music and skits performed by some very talented people. Both shows left us all smiling big.

Another Day by Day, Another Favorite

Day by day, and with each passing moment,
Strength I find to meet my trials here;
Trusting in my Father's wise bestowment,
I've no cause for worry or for fear.
He, whose heart is kind beyond all measure,
Gives unto each day what He deems best,
Lovingly its part of pain and pleasure,
Mingling toil with peace and rest.

Help me then, in every tribulation,
So to trust Thy promises, O Lord,
That I lose not faith's sweet consolation,
Offered me within Thy holy Word.
Help me, Lord, when toil and trouble meeting,
E'er to take, as from a father's hand,
One by one, the days, the moments fleeting,
Till with Christ the Lord I stand.

by Lina Sandell

Joy--Zephaniah 3:17

The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.