No sew? No problem!

After reading Alicia's post about her very fabulous curtains and reading the comments that followed, I am inspired to let all you sewing challenged out there know of a wonderful product called Heat N Bond. You can do about anything with this stuff. I once made a bridesmaid's dress top almost exclusively with this great stuff, and I've hemmed pants a couple times. It holds. And, it is available at Walmart, so rejoice! There are varying strengths for different types of cloth, but don't let that scare you!

Here's a picture of the package, along with instructions on how you can make your own curtains sans sewing machine. (you will want to buy 1/2 Heat n Bond) Happy Faking!

behold, an ugly fireplace (HELP!)

Our fireplace has been a trial to me since we saw the house in it's original un-splendor. It's just in a weird place, and is the strangest design I have ever seen. We have the bricks primed, and we know that we want to eventually paint it a different color, and line the hearth and possibly the unpainted inside edges with ceramic tile. However, there is not enough hearth for spark safety, and we're not sure how far to build out the hearth area on either side and the front. We don't want to go too far for toe safety purposes, and we definitely don't want a funny looking fireplace. (well, any more funny looking than it already is, anyway)

This is something we have to do before we can lay the laminate flooring, so we need some un-biased opinions here! Can you help us? Check out the photos below - you can kind of get an idea of how it's set up. Tell us how far you think we should build out the hearth on the sides & front. For more frame of reference to location, etc., click here and look for the fireplace.












We are planning to sell this house in about 5 years, so we want to know what the majority rule is for a couple of items. The fireplace is one. The SECOND item is this - do you prefer hard floors throughout or carpet for the bedrooms and hard floors in the rest of the house?

PLEASE leave your comments, opinions, and ideas!!

interesting, very interesting...

Got this Monday, 2/26 in my weekly Alumni Update email.

Beginning fall, 2007, Northland Baptist Bible College will commence operating a K-12 Christian School. The school will temporarily be housed on the property of Faith Baptist Church until a permanent site can be developed. Please pray with us as Northland expands its ministry into this crucial area. It is our desire to develop a school model based on academic excellence and classroom discipleship. We are currently seeking faculty members who desire both. We would be thrilled if God would choose to fill many of our faculty positions with our own alumni. Anyone interested in a position (elementary, secondary, modern languages) should submit an application to Antone Goyak.

[links and email address removed]

peas

Aaron loves them. Attacks the spoon, as you can see. You may wonder why there is no bib. Well, I was pureeing a big batch of peas, making little peacubes for later. He looked interested, and so gave him a little taste on a whim. Needless to say, he had more than just a taste.

And today's dr. visit indicates that he's holding steady at his "just below the 3rd percentile" growth pattern. At 6 months plus, he's a whopping 13lbs, 11 oz, and 25 3/4 inches long. Maybe peas stunt your growth, but I doubt it.

And, in a matter of unrelated news, I was reading a periodical today in my 3 seconds of extra time, and found out that the Salvation Army will come with their truck to pick up not only large furniture and appliances, but as meager of an offering as 5 bags of clothes. Round up your friends, get out the It's Deductible Book and call up SA to get the goodies. (a five bag minimum. I was shocked!) Embarrasingly enough, I'm pretty sure I could come up with 5 bags on my own...

and, the second tooth has cleared the gums.

a riddle

There are two friends, both girls. They both get married. One girl ends up marrying the brother of the other girl's sister in law's husband. Therefore, the same family is to both girls a sister in law, brother-in law, and a nephew. Are the two friends related to each other?

***(OKAY you guys, it's not really a riddle, riddle. It's a shameless attempt to get you all to say that my friend Ruth and I are related...so feel free to leave your opinions!)***

yay!

Dear Micah,
You're going to love being on the outside. Your momma and daddy are great! (or at least, that's what my momma and daddy tell me!) I can't wait to meet you, and I am SO EXCITED that you are finally born. Send pictures, quick!!

Love,
Aaron

about yesterday

Those who know me well will attest to the fact that I've never been, nor am I now, a huge fan of "days" that Hallmark has created to get people to spend money on their sweeties. Oh, I understand that all, or at least mostly all of you out there roll your eyes when you hear this, or when you hear me go off on Hallmark holidays, or just at me in general. So I must put your rolling eyes to rest, at least on the topic of Valentine's day.

Some myths I would like to dispell:

• I am not against Hallmark. In fact, I like the store. Very much. A little too much, perhaps.
• I am not against having a sweetie. In fact, I have one. He's the sweetest ever.
• I am not against romance. I like it, a lot. I like smooshy gooshy cards, fun date nights, kisses under the mistletoe (which, by the way, we still have up in our house) and other creative measures by which one expresses affection.
• I am not against candy, flowers, pink, red, or even little hearts (although, all in moderation, of course)
• I am not harboring residual bitterness over previous Valentine's Day mishaps, mistakes, or misjudgements. I think that should about cover it.
• I am not against St. Valentine. (although, I do not ascribe to his theology) Apparently, he aided Christians and stood up for the right to marry, and performed secret marriages, under Roman Emporer Claudius II's crazy law that cancelled marriages and engagements so more men would sign up for the army. (This Claudius was pretty crazy)

Here is why I don't particularly care if I get, or do not get, a Valentine card from my sweetie or anyone else - or if we make, or do not make, February 14th a celebratory event. Are you ready for this?? I think a random bouquet, card, or other gesture, means even more on a day that the whole world wasn't reminding him that he loves me.

TA-DAH! that's it. So you see, it all boils down to my wish for surprises. (ok, and maybe my rebellion against commercializing love has a little tiny bit of something to do with it. But I'm not going to mention that here!) And I would never EVER say to my sweetie, "NO WAY we can't stop at Coldstone on the way home from church!!!! People might think we're celebrating Valentine's Day!!"

Which is why, when I close my eyes and think about it, I can still taste the delicious flavor of coffee ice cream mixed with chocolate shavings melting slowly in my mouth.

I hope you all had an excellent day, reveling in the perfect Love of God!

my new favorite breakfast

1 banana
1/2 cup frozen blueberries
1/2 cup fresh pineapple
a splash of chosen liquid for consistancy purposes

blend it up, consume. All the fruit I need for a day and Vitamin C galore. I usually eat a little cheese or a handful of raw almonds with this to offset the sugar in the fruit.

Oh, and I've neglected to mention it, but Aaron has cut his first tooth (like a week ago!)

works of God Monday

Jehovah Jireh! The Lord provides!! (all the time, but I am especially thankful for the washer and dryer that came to us today, free of charge!!) and I am also thankful that we had to go only one week without a dryer! Hallelujah!!!

taste and see

e·piph·a·ny [i-pif-uh-nee] - a sudden, intuitive perception of or insight into the reality or essential meaning of something, usually initiated by some simple, homely, or commonplace occurrence or experience.

As my life progresses, I am more amazed. Amazed because with life experience, comes, by God's grace, a more full understanding of my God and His Word. More specifically, I speak of the illustrations that are used throughout Scripture. Intellectually, we are all capable of understanding that we the church are the bride of Christ, waiting His coming. We understand that we are the children of God, and we are sheep needing a shepherd. Experientially, I am only beginning to "taste and see" all He has for me to learn.

Today, as my little one squirmed and screamed in an attempt at freedom, I had another of these moments. I knew Aaron didn't really want what he thought he wanted - specifically, go flying off my lap, off the couch, and onto the concrete floor. As I held him closer and tried to get him to look me in the face, I said, "Aaron, you don't really want to go there. Trust me." As those last two words tumbled out of my mouth, I realized in stunning brilliance another reason I am referred to as a child of God.

My stubborn refusal to trust Him is childlike. I don't see the whole picture. I don't know what lies beyond the lap of His blessing. I think I want something SO badly, and I try with all my might to get there, all the while crying "IIIIEEEE'M SOOOOO MISERABLE!" when really, I am in exactly the right place for me. God loves me infinitely more than I am capable of understanding, and He gives what is best. Where else are all my needs met in such a loving way? Something tells me that I can sit happily and rest in Him, or I can squirm around and make myself miserable.

1 Jn 15:9 "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love."esv

Well, our little man has had his first taste of the delicious and delightful fruit of the avocado tree. I had been dragging my feet for quite some time on adding "solids" to his diet, since I didn't feel like he was ready OR that I was!!! I finally realized that starting solids didn't have to be an all or nothing venture - that it would be OK to introduce solids here and there instead of making them an immediate and daily occurance. So, to date, Aaron has eaten smashed up avocados twice. He loves it, and reaches for the spoon to "help" mom. The adventure has begun, my son. Taste buds, awake! Rejoice!

as the winter winds blow...

Sitting at my computer, I can feel a draft from:
- the bottom of the wall, where there is no baseboard trim
- the window, also without trim
- the wall itself, with inadequate insulation
- my brain, forgetting that God is always good, all the time.

So I grab a blanket, and check Google weather before settling down to business

Today 10° | -2° Wed 14° | 4° Thu 20° | 2°

and I am so happy to see that the temps will rise again!!

new pics

I know I'm a little biased, but he's almost edible.

search for a good cause

Check out how you can contribute to a good cause by trying out a new search engine.

happy 6 months?!!?!

6 months have passed
since Aaron Carter Muth
joined our family. It doesn't
really seem possible!

Praise God for His Goodness
and His blessings at all times!