Titus & Ladan Turn 7

Late June we made the hike back up to St. Louis. We had a good deal of meetings for HVG and Vernon was scheduled to preach the last weekend of June in O'fallon, so we made a week of it. It just so happened that that particular week was Titus' birthday. If you have been around the blog long you know we do parties...and I mean DO parties. We love having people over and making a big fuss over whomever's special day it is. Sooo, since Titus would not get his big party here in TX we through a family party in Missouri! Vernon's sister, Phyills and her family came over from IL and stayed the entire week! It was our nephew Ladan's birthday week as well (phyllis's son) because the boys are only a bit over a week apart!

We had a ball. We did all kinds of things that week:: we played in the water, went to the science center, made stepping stones, the kids watch movies with Grandma, visited friends and much more. Vernon worked, went to meetings, worked some more and Phyllis & I and the kiddos, well, we just had fun!! It was awesome. Here are some fun pictures::

Phyllis and I attempted making Lego cakes.

making stepping stones

movies w/ Grandma

Forced Media Fast

Last week Vernon had the privilege of preaching a revival at a church in the middle of the beautiful country in southwest Missouri. It was a fantastic week. The boys and I were able to go and we all stayed in the Church (it has a room for families to stay in). We knew going into the trip that there would be no cell service and very limited Internet (it is actually easier to get a hold of us in Sudan than in this rural area of MO). We had been wanting to do a "media fast" for a while now so we thought this would be a perfect time.

Those of you who know me know that I am notorious for being bad at returning calls and have been labeled "hard to get a hold of." I was the last person I knew that was my age to get a cell phone (and only did because long distance was getting expensive talking to Vern). I hated the idea of always being available to all at all times. I go through this same aversion with each new "social media" as they comes out, blogging, facebook, twitter, etc. So the thought of not "being able to be gotten a hold of" was refreshing. A media fast? YES PLEASE!!

Really the honest depths of it is that I dont want the responsibility of responding to such a wide variety of needs/wants. I want control. I want to be in charge of who can and cannot get a hold of me so that I can have control of what comes my way. Now granted, part of this is a good thing. I DO think there is wisdom in protecting your self and not spreading your self thin and baring so many other needs/burdens that you cant care for your own. (or those of your close friends and family) I DO think there is wisdom in setting boundaries and not feeling an excessive amount of responsibility to respond each time you are beckoned. So dont hear me say that everyone should be openly available at all times. Be available :: just keep it balanced!

Since we don't have TV and rarely watch movies, our "media" is the Internet and our iPhones. (and most certainly books but we didn't count those :) On any given month I send/receive approx 1500 text, easy. Each day I check facebook and/or twitter continually through the day as if I really need to know what everyone is doing. I am subscribed to 50+ blogs, send/receive 20+ emails a day and feel compelled to posts random thoughts throughout the day for all to read. None of these things are BAD in and of themselves. They can be used for Godly purposes, "spurring one another on in Love and good deeds" but they MUST remain in check.

Putting them in check is exactly what we did this week and I am so thankful. It was beautiful week. No where to go, no texts, voicemails or emails to respond to, just our family and a fun church family to get to know. It was beautiful and refreshing.

A lot went on in my heart this week regarding media and its role in our life and I highly recommend a small "fast" to all of you. You dont have to be in rural SWMO to turn off your phone and shut your computer. Let the Lord show you where media has led you in to sin, or rather, revealed the sin in your heart. Also, let the Lord show you how you do and can use it for His Glory.

Here are some photos of what we did all day. We did ride four wheelers but I didnt get any pics of it::

A Little Late

I usually go all out for Reformation Day and make fun costumes for all (see here, here and here)...not this year. We've been traveling so much that I havent had a chance....sooo we pulled into town late on the 30th and ran to target...needless to say they didnt have much to choose from but the boys were thrilled to be super heros! (even if the costumes dont quite fit! J's was WAY too small and T's was too big) IT is funny that neither of them have ever seen Iron Man or Spider Man except in books at Barnes and Noble but they loved them all the same!

We went to an neighborhood outreach party with some friends in North County on the 31st and had a great time!! We got to hang out with the Kuntz's and the Reardon's! I got pics of everyone except Uriah...he was Woody and as cute as could be ;) Here are some photos::

Callin Baton Rouge::

We are about to leave for our LONG awaited trip to Baton Rouge for one of my VERY MOST BESTIES wedding festivities! I am beside myself with excitement and anticipation. I am overwhelmed with all the Lord has done over the years through my sweet friend Allison L. Richmond's life and excited to see all He has in store for her as Allison (L. or R. hasn't been decided yet) Schoonmaker.

I have been a terrible blogger over the last months but those of you who have stuck around, do you want to do me a favor? I am making the official " Roadtrip To The Schoonmaker Wedding" CD, (we are traveling with out our kiddos) and am in need of some more suggestions. If you know me well, you know that CD making is my love language...so join in the spirit of Love and suggest some fun songs. We are going for a great mix of all music...so go on ahead and suggest away!!

ps. Callin Baton Rouge by Garth is the first song...its only fitting :)

Worth the Buy


This series came out on a web show , Jelly Telly, you could subscribe to and watch online last year. We LOVED watching it and benefited from all that the site offered. It is full of FUN, Church History and Bible Teaching. They take terms like substitutionary atonement, Salvation and Redemption and explain them in terms and with examples that kids of all ages can grasp. It has been such a fun addition to what we are trying to teach our boys! It takes questions like, "where did we get the books of the Bible and Why not others?" and, "How did Christianity spread?" and make them into an easy to listen to, fun church history lesson. Both parents and children will love watching it! I hope you stop by your local Christian book store and get a couple DVD's or order them HERE. You can also subscribe to the website, Jelly Telly. ENJOY!

A Few Of My Favorite Things

This is non-exhaustive and in no particular order list of things that the Lord has allowed me to enjoy today, this very random day:

• Seasons: Thank you Missouri for coming through on this. Winter is a beautiful thing.

• Venti Ice Water from Starbucks: its triple filtered goodness.

• Kind Cranberry Almond Bars

• Ghiradelli Dark Chocolate Carmel Squares

• This Book: It has been such a good way to start the year.

• For The Love of God Blog: this goes along with the Bible reading plan I am doing.

• Audio ESV Study Bible Online: I LOVE listening to the text as I read it.

• @allisonrichmond's tweets

• Texting my NEPHEWS: what in the world. i am old. (well technically this was the other day but everytime I go to my texts and see their names I think it is funny that they are old enough to text me!)

• Working for His Voice For Sudan and getting to stay home with my boys. (hard to balance but SO worth it!)

• New friends coming over for lunch playdates!

• Honey Dijon Kettle Chips
• Sarah Beard's Blogging on Marriage

• And last but not least....Good Music: I will spare you the links and let you have a couple guesses. :)
  

The Pumpkin Patch

We had a great time on Saturday going to the Flower Mound Pumpkin Patch. Amy and Erin came in town from Houston for the weekend so they joined us. Eric and Andrea met us there as well! When we arrived we realized everyone else in DFW thought that day was a great day for the Pumpkin Patch....seriously yall, it was insane...people EVERYWHERE. I was proud of my husband who doesn't generally fare well with crowds. He found us a quaint little corner with a hay bale and some pumpkins; it was far enough to the edge that the crowds were not as noticeable. Then Titus asked to go in the hay maze (which was in the MIDDLE of crowds of people) and he happily volunteered to take him! GO VERN! Anyway, I tried not to be that mom who doesn't enjoy the fun because she is trying to get some good pics, so I only took a handful. Then it was play time!!
Enjoy!