And I Quote...

I got this out of a fiction work of decidly non-Christian nature. I read it through once and dismissed it...then I read it again:

"America has invested her religion as well as her morality in sound income-paying securities. She has adopted the unassailable position of a nation blessed because it deserves to blessed; and her sons, whatever other theologies they may affect or disregard, subscribe unreservedly to this national creed."

- Agnes Repplier, Times and Tendencies

What a great way of saying how I feel so much of the time about our state as American Christians. What happens to all those believers when the U.S. has something bring it down to a lower level on the world stage??? Nowhere in history has a country stayed on top forever! Eventually, my fellow Americans, there will be a country doing better than ours. I'm sure the Romans never saw the end of their Empire coming.

How can I as much as is up to me, separate God from my American mindset? Some days I do that better than others. Then I get caught up in the ability to eat out, or go to The Body Shop and buy lotion on sale. Meaningless, meaningless, everything is meaningless! (I mean that in the nicest way possible)

Thoughts or opinions, dear readers?

Poor, poor Second Child

I feel a little sad admitting this, but I feel like I've never looked at my son the way I've been looking at him the last couple of days.

My hubby and daughter left here on Wednesday, so I have had three days of treating him as the only child who needs attention. He's thriving under all of the individual attention...and I'm seeing him for just him.

I think God knew I needed this time with him to reiterate His desire for me to keep him home next year. I went through the whole tug of war with sending him to 2 years of preschool because his sister had that opportunity. Now I'll be giving him a different opportunity, to be seen as himself. Thank You for this insight.

Guilty TV Pleasure

The TV station "Bravo" used to get a big, fat "Pfffff!" from me...UNTIL we went nomadic and they started airing "Kathy Griffin's My Life on the D-List". So funny! Also, they've got "Top Chef" and just started in on "Last Comic Standing".

I think what my viewing choices say about me is that I like colorful comedy.

I suppose that's what my Top 5 Comedy List says about me too:
1. Austin Powers (all 3 of them)
2. Jackass 1&2
3. Borat
4. Mystery Men
5. Ace Ventura 1&2

Can I get a "whoop, whoop" from all those sisters who have the funny bone of a man!

Won't Do it

So, I'm grouchy. (See, my daughter's face...totally captures my emotions...I'd rather have my son's expression!)

I refuse to post when I'm like this!

Life is stressful, blah, blah, no money, blah, blah, spouse and child attempting to get to Nicaragua AGAIN this week (that's right, they didn't make it last week.), blah, blah, blah, BLAH!
I love how I'm such a whiner when there are people who are starving and who have to watch their loved ones die slow and painful deaths around them. Way to go American Whiner!

The Sendoff

My dear hubby and my sweet girl are heading off to Nicaragua tomorrow. They will be visiting our worship pastor and his family who are there encouraging the "glue boys" and families who live in the dump.

I feel at peace about them going, but this is the hardest for me that we've ever done. Every trip in the past I've been with my kids overseas or they've been stateside in the care of family. Now I'm setting her in His hands and have no ability to step in and help her along. There are big bugs, malaria and all sorts of things that could hurt my child! I think my poor husband thinks I consider him incapable. He's more than capable...this nervousness is all a part of my growth.

I'm asking y'all for prayer for them, for safety and growth in their relationship. Pray that I take this time with my son and use it to encourage him as an individual.

Oh Man, Tagged!

I feel so special...I've been around the blogging scene long enough to have been tagged. So, here it goes:

What were you doing 10 years ago? Pfh, being a brainless high school freshman

What were you doing 1 year ago? Getting hives because we were nomadic and were living with different people every 3 weeks.

Five snacks you enjoy:
1. Lightly buttered popcorn...preferrably a whole bad just for me.
2. Cadbury Creme Eggs (right Trish?)
3. Tortilla chips w/melted cheddar cheese, salsa and guacamole
4. A cup of tea
5. Raspberries, blueberries, any berries!

Five songs that you know all the lyrics:
1. Love Potion No. 9
2. Jennifer Knapp's first album "Kansas"
3. Most Ace of Base songs
4. "Share the Well" by Caedmon's Call
5. "Hands" by Jewel

Five things you would do if you were a millionaire:
1. Go to college for as long as I wanted
2. Get a lifetime membership to 24 Hour fitness
3. Buy a cabin w/ land in Montana
4. Fully support our church and all its missionaries
5. Shop at Whole Foods for everything!!

Five bad habits:
1. (Can't believe I'm admitting it) picking my nose
2. Making my kids wait for things hoping they'll forget they asked for them. (Great example I am!)
3. Burping loudly (Hey, it's inherited)
4. Doubting God when the going gets rough
5. Swearing (bad habit or guilty pleasure, you be the judge!)

Five things you like doing:
1. Reading
2. Playing guitar
3. Escaping to open space alone
4. Cooking new dishes
5. Watching good movies

Five things you would never wear again:
1. bangs
2. straight leg pants
3. skin tight patterned shirts
4. bicycle shorts
5. Neon colors

Five favorite toys:
1. Gamecube (I am a video game junkie)
2. library card
3. Jason
4. computer
5. My kids because they cause me to stretch and relax sometimes

I'm not tagging anyone cause I'm just no good at it...so, the buck stops here.

@#*j& !!!!!

Having one of those days when I feel like swearing about every little thing. A day when (if I had the ears who'd listen) I would whine about things that I'll feel silly about mentioning tomorrow when He solves it.
(Warning: Mild swearing)

Damn scooter that breaks on the way home from church forcing my spouse to walk it home and almost miss work

Damn white car with 1 slowly flattening tire, one bulging tire and one realignment needing done.

Damn finances that has us at a grand total of $5.00 for the forseeable future.

Like I said, all things that I'll feel silly whining about later AND feeling a little ashamed for how typically American my whining is.

File Under...

...Things You Never Want To Hear Kids Say (Again)

While playing video games with my 3 yr old son:

"Mom?"

"Yes son?"

"I like your butt."

"Uh...really."

"Yeah...when it's moving...in your pants."

Talk about your weird conversation! I think it's probably just because that's his eye level...kinda made me laugh.

At a local VBS this morning said by my 5 yr old daughter.

Speaker: "And if you accept Jesus in your heart, when you die you will go to heaven."

Ruth stands up in the front row and happily shouts, "Then I want to DIE TODAY!!!"

Oh, my kids.