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Big Trip

Up and coming is the video montage from our trip to PA.  Elliot is planning on moving our family up!  :)

Prior to the visiting part of our vacation, Jeremy and I attended the Advance 09 conference.  Check out the audio online here.  Especially powerful were Matt Chandler, and Mark Driscoll's second talk on Idols.  wow.  Get ready to change your life after listening to those!!  Not to mention John Piper.  Go stock up on some good edifying words!!!

messy face pictures

Free downloads.

I'm looking at all my coupon/discount sites, and here are some links for free music.  Always a good thing, right?

Here are some free jazz downloads from 1959.

Here are 500 (I think) free downloads from Amazon.

And Here is the free album from Coldplay.

Preschool Worksheets

We are still working to finish up our school year -- or at least get to the point where we can do some laid back school for the summer.  (yes, I will still do a little, since my kids behave much better when we have a little bit of that sort of structure.)

I have started using jelly beans as a reward for worksheets that are finished neatly and in a timely manner.  So each kid probably could earn about 4-5 jelly beans for the day.  This has increased productivity and excitement, so for now that is what I'm going with.  Elliot and Orli have been really enjoying participating in school as well, and now with increased incentive they love to practice their letters!  

I know lots of books can be purchased, but I have been doing some printouts for our preschool work.  I thought I'd share our favorite sites...

http://www.kidslearningstation.com/

http://www.first-school.ws/INDEX.HTM

This is not a site for printables, but is an interactive way to focus on phonics.  All my kids LOVE this site, and I believe it has been a huge tool in knowing their letter sounds, and beginning reading skills.  

http://www.starfall.com/

Diapers on sale...

OK, all you mamas with young children, check this out from Amazon.com:

Save up to 30% on Pampers and Luvs Diapers

Save up to 30% on select Pampers and Luvs diapers sold by Amazon.com. Save 15% when you enter code PMPRSJN9 at checkout. Plus, save an additional 15% when you combine the instant rebate with your Subscribe & Save order--bringing your total savings to 30%. Subscribe & Save is only offered on select Pampers and Luvs products listed below. Offer valid through May 31, 2009. See rules and restrictions.

Nothing is better than having diapers sent to your door, right?  Here's the link.

Thanks, Mommysavers!

Coupon-ing

Yes, the word "coupon" has become a verb in my house.  I have begun couponing.  It was my friend Kelly that got me started  (thanks girl!).  Now I have to say that I am nowhere near as good as all these other bloggers out there that are getting things for almost nothing if it isn't free.  But I am watching and learning.  

I am not going to give a breakdown of my total purchase and savings today, since it's not that impressive compared to what is out there, but I will say that I am proud of the fact that my total savings exceeded my actual bill.  (I think I saved in one store over $30.  -- it's a start, right?)

Now I'll have to start stacking up on all these other deals everyone else is talking about...  

Let's go for a quick bowl....

... this apparently used to be my comment when I was little--I liked going bowling!!!  

If you want to take your kids out this summer for a "quick bowl"  then check this out.  You can receive coupons for 2 free games every day this summer!!!  They will be sent directly to your inbox once a week.  

So I guess I'll see you at the bowling alley!!!!

This is what I needed to hear...

The Lord has been teaching me for many years how to live without being ruled by my emotions and feelings.  If you know me, you know that has been a big lesson!  Everything -my entire life- was tied in to how I felt, which may have something to do with my choice of career being musical (before kids, that is!)  Now I don't believe it's wrong at all to have emotions/feelings/passions -- as a matter of fact, I think that is part of the beauty of how God made us.  BUT I do believe that it is not God's intention for us to be enslaved to them.  

I recently listened to a sermon by C.J. Maheney that took all these things to a new level for me -- beyond just emotions, more accurately, what you are saying to yourself.  

I have a lot of people tell me that they don't know how I do what I do (with the five young kids...though I know many of you do so much more, and so much better!)  I truly find the grace of God sustaining me through -- and this is one of the very practical ways He is doing that for me.  This sermon is transforming what is happening in my mind, which is in turn transforming how I respond in a given moment.  

Listen to/watch/read  this sermon to hear more about the "most influential voice in your life"

Our vacation pictures...

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

my blogging break...

Well it has been quite a while, eh?  Here's to our month of being sick (with two viruses almost back to back)...

I am working on getting us all up to date :)

Baby Everett

My heart goes out to parents who have babies in the NICU or the PICU.  So I will always post for prayer for these babies!!!

There was a baby boy born to a couple from our church last week who has CDH.  This is an update I received on Saturday from the parents:

Everett is steady as she goes now. He only has medication to make him relax a little (and that's been reduced) and to make his lungs stronger (also been reduced). The doctors still don't see a lot of lung tissue on the X-ray, but they're not concerned, because he's doing so well. They figure since his lungs are processing room air, there's plenty of lung tissue in there (just behind organs that are supposed to be in his abdomen).

They have decided not to change from the oscillator to a ventilator today, just because he is doing so well. Since he's on less medication, he's more active and responsive. His eyes are focusing on us better when we talk and sing to him. I could do cartwheels because of the turnaround we've seen since Wednesday morning.

The next step is surgery to repair the hernia. It'll probably take place Monday. If all goes well, the next step will be to get him breathing without any help and get him eating. There is no timetable on those things.

Thank you for your prayers and thoughts; please keep in mind the families who aren't as fortunate as we seem to be. There are many parents whose children don't make it out of the NICU. Please pray for them. Some of the families here have been camped out for months. Join me in praying that they can remain strong and faithful.

Well, today is Monday and the surgery is on -- so please be praying for this sweet little baby!!! - well, little is a relative term since he was a good 10 pounder!  Pray for strength for Tony and Lisa as well.

sickness...

We have been struggling through a yucky virus all week ... and it is taking a while to make its way through all seven people.  You can say a short prayer for us (that the babies' fevers would break, and that they can breathe better!) 

....but the real reason I'm posting now is to beg for prayer for baby Shepherd, a newborn who is recovering from heart surgery.  Check out his story here, and pray for his parents (Stephanie and Noah) too!!

The big race...

Well, the day finally came--race day!!  My one goal was to finish the race without walking--and the goal was (by God's grace alone) achieved!!!  Now I have heard a lot of people say "I could never do something like that..."  and let me just put down on the record that I have said the same thing.  I really never thought I would run a half marathon, but now here I am the day after, and all in one piece.  I imagined the training would be very intense and insurmountable (and I have to admit that I did not follow the program I found...) however, it really was enjoyable!!!  You can probably imagine that there were many weeks where life happened, and I had to skip running altogether.  But really, as long as I kept increasing long runs (which were a nice break from the grind!) it was attainable.  I hadn't run further than 10 miles prior to the race, but adrenaline truly pushes you through those last few miles!!!  (I had so much of it that I could barely sleep the night before!!!)  

So, really, I have to say I loved it.  I have transformed from a previous running-hater to an addict.  It is true.  I just love it, and who knows, maybe I'll do a full marathon someday!!!  (ready Crystal??)

My little Princess turns 3!!

Yes, the little darling has had a birthday, and she will inform you that she is now three.  

And a big girl.  

And a girl.  

("mommyI'magirlareyouagirlyouandmearegirlsandI'mabiggirl....etc.) 

Well, the little miss has had several celebrations -- which is the way it usually ends up here.  One with Grandma, one with a friend, and then with the other grandparents on her actual birthday.  She just loved it!

This is my not-so-good picture of our hello kitty cupcake:

And instead of making a billion of those, I let the kids decorate their own, which as you see Orli enjoyed very much!

Aunt Sabrina knows that Orli likes to dress up in pink

plenty of things to open, which are also pink

I usually make a special cake, but this time Glenda Mom brought one with flowers ---which Orli just adored!

My girl.  She is so awesome because....

She is the best mix of dress up and dump trucks!!!

She takes care of everyone -- but not in a bossy way.  She really is a little servant-hearted girl. It makes my heart swell!

She is really funny, and makes everyone laugh!

She loves to sing and especially loves violin music!  :)

She has a brightness about her, and truly brings joy to each one of us!  (and especially has her Daddy wrapped around that finger...)