Tuesday, February 26, 2008

David and Goliath

This morning when I was talking to the kids about David and Goliath I realized that lessons don't always come out like you plan. I was telling the kids about the story and Beckham asked why David killed Goliath. I went on to explain that Philistines and the Israelites were at war and that is what happens in war. The next question was why were they at war? I told them that the Philistines and the Israelites didn't like each other so they were fighting. Ainsley then chimed in by saying - I think Goliath needed a time out because fighting is bad. I tried to refocus them on the lesson about how God can do anything. He used David (who was small) and a little stone to kill a huge giant. We need to ask God and believe when we need help. Unfortunately all they could focus on was how fighting is bad and Goliath needed a time out. Though that was not the concept I had wanted them to get from it at least they learned something. Maybe next time they fight I'll put them in time out like Goliath should have had.

Sunday, February 10, 2008

Home Depot Projects

The first Saturday of every month you can usually find us at Home Depot doing the project for kids. If you don't know Home Depot has a project for the kids that you can help them do (Usually it is a little too challenging for the kids and the parents that end up doing it but it's fun). This month it was the Saturday before the Super Bowl so the project was a football stool. Thankfully it was one of the easier projects. the kids enjoyed "making them" and thought it was neat to have special seat to watch the game on. If you are looking for something to do on the first Saturday of the month head to Home Depot and do a project with the kids. Next month is the race car which is one of Beckham's favorites (get there early for this one because they usually run out - they usually do it from 9-12).

Our Snowman

A few weeks ago (OK, many weeks ago - I've been slow to download pictures) it snowed just enough for us to build a snowman. It was the perfect type of snow for making a snowman, wet and packable. The kids had a ball helping us roll the small snowball into a big ball and then seeing it turn into a snowman. After it was finished we found an extra scarf, some peanuts for the eyes, mulch for a mouth and a carrot for the nose. Snow in the Carolinas doesn't last long. In fact it melted before lunch but it was fun while it lasted. After being outside for awhile Ainsley started saying "I cold, I wet, I cold and wet" Of course it was raining the whole time we were outside but we weren't going to pass up playing in the snow since we don't get it often. After working hard on our snowman we went in and had a cup of hot chocolate. As you can see Beckham thought it was yummy!!

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Father's Eyes

The Lord was looking over us this morning. We have a fireplace that starts by turning on a light switch it's great except it has a draft that comes into the house (there is no flue to close). Since it had been cold and windy the past few weeks we put a blanket in front of the fireplace to keep the draft down. Well, this morning I was drying my hair and when I was done something smelled funny. At first I thought it was probably a hair that got stuck in the dryer but then something told me to go out of the room. When I did I saw our fireplace burning. Ainsley had turned on the light switch that controls the fire. (Beckham know better but we have never talked to Ainsley about it b/c she has never been able to reach the switches - she can now). I race downstairs and shut it off. Luckily the blanket that was covering the fireplace fell down so it didn't catch fire. The Lord was protecting us and thankfully nothing happened. Ainsley now knows not to touch the fireplace light switch.

Welcome Jordan

I am happy to announce Ryan and Christina had a baby boy. Jordan was born yesterday (Feb 4) at 6:40 pm. His weight was 8 pounds and he was 21 inches long. We are so happy for Ryan and Christina. Beckham and Ainsely can't wait to meet their new cousin (we can't wait either). Funny thing is he was born on our neice Emma's birthday. That will make it easy to remember. Happy birthday Jordan and Emma!


Friday, February 1, 2008

I'm on a roll

I just finished posting the "4 things" blog and decided to write another quick one. I recently got 2 new gadgets for my birthday and love them both. Typically I am not a gadget person but these are fun and what I needed. The first is a Tom Tom navigation system. Many of you know that I have NO sense of direction. This is the greatest invention! I can type in any address or place I want to go and "Emma" tells me where to turn. I picked the British voice and named her Emma. The second gadget is a Heart rate monitor. Since I have been going to the gym a lot more I decided this would be a good thing to have. Now I could monitor how hard I am working and how many calories I am burning. After my class on Wednesday (with the instructor that trains Marines) I burned 750 calories in an hour! The Heart rate monitor also allows me to see my max heart rate during the work out, the average and how long I was in my target heart rate zone. A lot of people wouldn't get excited about a gadget like this but I love it. It helps me validate how hard I worked in a class.

4 things

I'll admit it - I'm a slacker. I have all intentions of blogging more but never seem to get around to it. A few people have blogged or emailed me this 4 things list so I thought I would play along and do it myself. For those of you that keep looking for the snowman blog I promise I'll get to it soon (before spring). I haven't downloaded the pictures of our snowman but once I do I'll blog about it. Anyway, on to the 4 things:

Four jobs I have had or have:
1. lifeguard
2. Arthur Andersen
3. 1st grade teacher
4. mom

Four places I have lived
1. Northern Virginia
2. Florida
3. Chicago (suburbs)
4. Austin, TX

Four movies I have watched over and over
1. Grease
2. Any of the kids' movies
3. Top Gun
4. Sound of Music

Four shows I watch
1. The Unit
2. Grey's Anatomy
3. College Football
4. The Hills

Four places I have been
1. China
2. Australia
3. New Zealand
4. France

Four favorite things to eat
1. candy
2. white cake with butter cream frosting
3. wings
4. lobster
(all healthy stuff - LOL)

Four places I would rather be
1. On the beach
2. Somewhere I've never been (Costa Rica, Sweden, Spain, the list could go on and on)
3. Somewhere warm
4. the gym (I know it's sad but I enjoy working out - if it's with a good instructor or partner)

Four things I look forward to this new year
1. Meeting my new niece (a few more months) and nephew (only a few more days)
2. Amy and David's wedding
3. Going to Vegas with Monte without kids!!!
4. Going to my parents lake house this summer

If you want to join the fun consider yourself tagged. Leave a comment if you are playing along so we can come read your four things.