All posts in R A N D O M

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYqM9-Fj0Pg[/youtube]

Hat tip to Casey on this one. Be sure to stick around for the end of the second verse, where you’ll hear my new catchphrase.

We have entered into the Lenten season. If you are not Catholic or Methodist you may not traditionally mark this season on your calendar. But we are good Methodists (considering our daughter is named after the founder of the Methodist church), so we celebrate Lent.

There are many ways to remember Lent. Traditionally people “give up” a vice as a sacrifice to symbolize Christ’s sacrifice for us. I have been struggling with this concept for years. Not because I can’t find a vice…..but I am so set on it being meaningful. For example, one year I gave up fried foods, but I didn’t do it because it was hard, I did it so it would force me to eat better and I may in turn lose some weight. Now I’m not saying it’s wrong to eat better and lose weight, but I do feel bad that I “used” that as my sacrifice because it wasn’t bringing me closer to God as much as closer to swimsuit season.

That being said what sacrifice won’t benefit me and bring me closer to God? I mean if you give up a vice, and spend time in reflection/prayer about it, you WILL improve your relationship with Christ. So is any sacrifice superficial if you ask for God’s help?

So all that to say, I am giving up desserts. This is a very common one to do, and I have believed it was not important enough to give up for God. But then I noticed I was eating dessert after EVERY meal…and going through just a few too many 100 calorie packs a day…So yes my body may benefit, but when I reach for cookies and need the strength not to eat them (because I REALLY like cookies) I will ask God for help, and remember he loves me and is my strength and that reliance on him will in turn improve my daily walk. Right?

The other part of the Lenten journey is to replace the time/energy/money given up with something positive that aids in spiritual development. I have already mentioned I will replace the urge for dessert with prayer. I am also going to reinstate daily quiet time, which unfortunately has fallen to the wayside over the years.

One last thing, and this long post will end. Due to Slumdog Millionaire, a recent letter from my little Ethiopian friend we sponsor through Compassion International and the fact that I have a healthy, beautiful child… I am having some issues with how blessed my life is and how others are not. I am not trying to be a downer or make anyone feel guilty! We all work hard for our families and “things” and that’s fine, but we must remember Christ calls us to also give back. So here’s a challenge for our readers during Lent. Instead of just donating a set amount to the charity of your choice, I challenge you to look at how blessed you are and then give in relation to those blessing to make them more meaningful. Here’s the plan

Donate….

.10 for every PAIR of shoes you own

.25 for every coat (your discretion for what you call a coat)

.50 for every bed in your house

1.00 for every room

2.00 for every bathroom

5.00 for every car that gets you around

10.00 if you have a job

Hopefully this activity will help us see our daily blessings that we may take for granted (or even complain about….) and remind us that God is good and he supplies our every need and calls us to help others with those needs.

If you choose to participate, add up your total and consider donating that amount to a worthy charity. The amount may not be huge but it will be meaningful. If you need ideas here are a few I truly believe in:

Aforementioned Compassion International

World Vision

Blood::Water Mission

Invisible Children

But again, if you have a cause close to your heart by all means…

So there’s my dose of serious. Oh and feel free to share your thoughts on Lent in the comments!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OY3Hrl7gkyI[/youtube]

She doesn’t sound confident about the President’s plans……..what if she’s a Republican?

Nooooo surely not, look how much she likes her Democratic onesie!

As many know, it is very hard to capture a 2 month old smiling. She does it all the time now, but not for a camera..just  for silly faces. But I finally had a camera handy enough to catch one, observe.

[youtube:v=YPQGd76wFhw]

Now for laughing….

As a music lover, I have noticed something about myself. When jammin’ in my car I tend to identify with every lyric I hear. What I mean is I personalize the songs. Like when you’re going through a break up and you get frustrated because every song you hear is about love. And when you’re in love every song is happy, or about how you’ll be in love forever. Now every song is about how much my life has changed, for the better, and how it’s amazing how much I love Wesley. I mean I really feel like every artist is speaking right to me and my circumstances. Is this weird? Do any of you notice this about  yourself?

1. When cops don’t turn on their driving lights in the rain. It bothers me when anyone doesn’t do this, but it especially annoys me when cops don’t. Hello, you are suppose to UPHOLD the law, not ignore it.
2. When I stand in line at the post office to box and ship something just to find out I forgot to tape one flap and they won’t do it for me but tell me I can purchase a roll of tape for $3.69.
3. When people comment on something on facebook then delete it, but it still notifies you, so you wonder all day what they said.
4. When strangers critique me for taking my baby out in the rain, like she’s going to melt.
5. When bleach fries my nostrils and I can’t smell anymore.

I hope everyone had an enjoyable Christmas 2008! We certainly did. It’s funny how the presents, while wonderful, didn’t matter as much this year. It was just a joy knowing it was our first FAMILY Christmas. Here’s to many more for you and yours!

Here are some pics of how Wesley spent her first Christmas, as you can see she was throughly impressed.

Santa brought her her first Baby doll and she really did hug it!

Merry Christmas!

It’s officially winter here in Memphis. The temps hover around freezing every night. This used to be my favorite time of year because I am addicted to stretchy fleece clothing items and portable heaters. But now that I have to get out of my down comfortered bed 2 or 3 times a night for a good 30 minutes at a time (thanks to a tiny hungry girl) I don’t so much like living in an 80 year old house in the winter.

Turns out our "charming" Midtown home is full of holes. I’m sure every home has it’s leaks around windows and doors etc. so the question is what does everyone do about it. I went to the local home depot, which Wesley loved, and purchased weather stripping in all sizes, caulk, and door sweepers.

So Wes wants to know…..does anyone else have tips to share on how the seal up their home for the winter?