Wicked on Valentine's Day

My wonderful husband created a very special V-day for me. A wonderful card with personal poem, dinner at Taix and then great seats for WICKED. I loved the musical. The two main vocals had an incredible range. The songs were creative & cute. I loved the spin on the Wizard of Oz story. ...similar to the fractured fairy tales (Cinderella from the step-mother's point of view). This is def a must see again performance! The singer who played the wicked witch did an excellent job mimicing the characteristics of the original witch in so many ways.
And they ripped on the movie
"Get over it! They're just SHOES!!"
"Let the girl and her little dog DoDo go."
"Not everyone can ride in a bubble."

The Logic of Children

This morning the kids were having a conversation in their room...

Chandler: So when is Easter?
Harrison: I don't know but it is always on a Sunday.
C: Oh, is that so everyone can go?
H: Yeah, they have three services.
C: I know why they have three. Because Jesus rose from the grave in 3 days.
H: Oooh, yeah that could be it. And because there are 3 - God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.
C: Do you think that Jesus was also born in 3 days?
H: Nah it took more like 50 days for that to happen.
C: So what is your favorite food? (just a bit of a left turn)
H: I like french toast and eggs.
C: My favorite food is the stuff God makes in Heaven. That is really good.
H: How do you know? You haven't tried it yet?
C: Cause if our food is so good then God's has to be even Better!
H: Yes, but what is your favorite down here?
C: Ice Cream


I just marvel at what their little minds come up with.

Rambles on Being a Friend

On Sunday our pastor continued thru Eccles. and he said something that I never really thought about. No where in the Bible does it talk about others coming to you, encouraging you, being your friend. It only refers to what you are supposed to do towards others.
This statement was timely. There are times when I have to say I seriously doubt some of the relationships I have with others and question if the friendship goes both ways. Times when friendships can feel more an opportunity of convience rather than a deepening and exhorting of one another.
I am learning that it is not how often others speak to you, but rather how often you speak to them. Some people just don't think about showing the initiative with all of those they know. I am probably guilty of the same...and don't even realize it - For that I am sorry.
It gets so frustrating trying to hold on to some of the old. Those who don't reciprocate in any way. Those who you run into and everything feels a bit awkward since you haven't spent any time with them. And then there are those who you can miss for ages and meeting up again is like no time has passed at all. Those souls that are knit like Jonathan & David. There are so many that I appreciate! love! They have been so faithful and have taught me so much.
I know that I need to stay faithful to do what scripture tells me, and yet my question is: at what point do you stop pursuing a relationship that obviously has no personal motivation or genuine desire to reciprocate? I know that relationships change with time and yet why do some appear so flakey. I'm tired of trying to continue those relationships. I will still be kind - I won't shun them. But I know that there are others who do share a desire to see and spend time with us. Those are the true ones, the faithful ones, the ones who seek friends themselves, the ones who don't forget the old when a new one comes along. Yes, the common bond of Christ should be what holds friendships together, but in a fallen world with shallow people (myself included) we seek people who share our interests or (very selfishly) give us something - be it items, praise, notice. We are called to just be a friend. To love those around us and show the fruit of the spirit with all men. Why does that come so easy with some and yet harder than rocks with others? Do you persue those people who don't sharpen you and make you stronger? Yes, all men are at different levels in their walk. At what point if a friendship changes to one of just usery do you step back from that relationship? Do you step back?
All questions that probably have answers. Ones I'm going to seek. I don't want to be hasty in this but part of me is hurt when it happens and is that selfishness? Is it just that I'm not getting my way? How do I know when the emotions felt are wise to listen to or should be ignored. I appreciated what our pastor said "To look forward to meeting new strangers who may be hidden friends." to bring alongside the faithful old ones - those who want to sharpen iron together.

Water, Water Everywhere

The rain has been pounding the house today. I am thankful.
The kids have been running around today. School, Swim lessons...I am thankful.
God has been teaching me to rejoice in the day to day mundane. I am thankful.

Grilled Cheese and Treadmills

I'm thankful for Grilled Cheese sandwiches. God is so good to have given someone the creativity to come up with them. I just like them.
I'm also thankful for Treadmills and Elliptical machines. I will admit, I would prefer sitting down with a good book and a small box of chocolates. I am learning to enjoy exercise too, although it is coming along much slower than even I would care to admit.

A Taste of Growing Up

Yesterday Chandler gave us reason to chuckle. She is learning the blending sounds of different letters (au, aw, ing, ang, ong, ou, etc). We were playing a game where each sound is attached to a colorful, little duck's back. When you call out the sound you get to 'catch' the duck. She was down to the last one, and the sound was not coming to her easily. So she sighs, looks over, and says quite seriously, "And I thought pink was my friend."
She also gave us a taste of our children growing up: We had arrived at Church for Awana.
Chandler: "Mom, could you drop us off!"
Mom: I'm going to park the car, there isn't any reason to drop you off."
Chandler: "I know, but I want to get out by myself and be dropped off. PLLLLEASE!"
I proceeded to pull the car over near the gym, she hugged & kissed, said goodbye, and hopped out. Harrison still sat in his seat. He was then asked to escort his sister to the chapel.
Later, I was talking with another mom about how our first born has to be encouraged to do something, partly because it suddenly dawns on you that they are indeed old enough to...?.. while your second is chomping at the bit to follow in the steps of the eldest.

Christmas Pictures

Ok, so I'm a little late doing this post. We spent an hour setting up pictures to take for the christmas card. (if you didn't get one...sorry...I ran out of cards)

Here are just a few of the shots done. Again - digital cameras are great! Some 95 shots and only about 5 saved. Two kids both smiling, looking at the lense, eyes open, and not killing each other. Quite a challenge. I don't know how those who have more kids do it?!

Fried Turkey and Fireplaces

Having friends over is a weekly tradition for our family. Fellowshipping with like minded people is a treasure we are truly gifted by God. [Christmas was wonderful, don't get me wrong. Our Family, I wouldn't trade for the world. We enjoy hanging out with them often. Previous posts prove that.] Last night though we had friends, who are quickly becoming like family, over. We were trained in the art of frying a turkey. Boy do they taste good when done right! Throw in a bunch of sliced potatoes and onions afterwards and you have some good eatin. After dinner we enjoyed a drowsy sit by the fire playing musical chairs since only 3 chairs fit in the room where the fireplace is. We definitely need a bigger fireplace in a bigger room when the house gets redone. Which by the way will begin in March.....Lord willing and weather permits.
Fire is definitely another gift from God. Last nights 30's temps were driving us to pyro behavior. Yes, call me a wimp, but I like warmth.
Sitting in front of the fire watching it dance and spit. It is soothing to watch, and allows your mind to wander to deeper thoughts. I marvel at the creativity God has in even something as the color of flames and the way it plays over a log. Growing up I would wonder if the gates to hell looked similar to when flames dance up both sides of a log. Small pieces of bark were those who had to enter through the terrible gates. Morbid I know, but it made me consider hell and desire never to see it in reality. God uses so much in our little lives while growing up.
Well rambling thoughts are done...I'm off to cook breakfast.

The life of a cold

Having a cold is not very much fun. A stuffed up nose, tiredness, and a scratchy throat are never a real favorite. It isn't a full blown cold...just the type that you can feel sitting in your head just waiting to strike when you aren't paying attention. You aren't dead to the world nor totally well and up leaping about. My family finds it amusing that I hum when I'm coming down with something. [O come all ye faithful has the most interesting ring to it] Hey, you must know the feeling when you can hear yourself and you sound really funny. It is something to do when you shouldn't be doing anything.
Dumb movies are another. Children's cartoon's and old movies that you have seen over and over again are a big distracter. Anne of Green Gables, Mickey Mouse, You've Got Mail......When you can sit, rest, and just turn off your brain. So far today we have watched a Barbie movie (Chandler was sitting with me.) and Beverly Hills Cop...it was free at the library. It's amazing what you find hilarious when you don't feel like yourself. Played on Neopets. Haven't been on there for months. The pets were dying. Nice thing about cyber pets...nothing really can happen to them.
Well, the brain is going fuzzy
Think I'll stop

Lots of Nothingness

Tom & I had a date night. Thoroughly enjoyable (but not the reason for the post). He catered to my whim and we walked the mall to observe people. I was hoping to see the rumored fights for clothes, but 'sadly' there were none.
What I did observe, at least at the Northridge Mall, was the total lack of class. There was very little Christmas decor up and what was up --completely hokey. I also noticed the stores have changed their fronts to cater to the young, disposable income, grunge style that make up the majority of our high school student body. Even Victoria Secret, who yes, used to have more classy clothing, now showcases a line that looks like it belongs among the cheap row of stores found along Sepulveda Blvd. that carry even cheaper fabric sewn to look like it can be worn more than once as long as it isn't washed.
And what was even sadder, (is that a word?) was the people walking the mall. Many looked like zombies from a 'B' movie. Aimlessly wandering, with no apparent place to go... But with a need to empty their meager savings into pointless trinkets that catch their fancy. So goes the way of those lost souls who can never have real joy without Christ. Yet one more contrast between those who have hope and those who don't. I came home praying more fervently for those who are not saved and thankful that my joy is in the Lord and the happiness of purchasing & wrapping gifts is not my end all.