the next big movie

Pretty sure this would make a hilarious next big "trick the people and make off with the treasure" flick.

I think I finally get it. (but probably not)

God has provided a free dishwasher for us. If I was a smart person, I would just GET IT that when God says He provides, He provides. But I'm not so smart. I don't get it; I'm often surprised by His gracious outpouring.

Now technically, a dishwasher is NOT a need! It's very possible to wash dishes by hand, very effective. It does not fall straighforwardly into the category of food, shelter, or clothing. And even more technically, it's not a need at ALL for us, as we have a "roll up to the sink" dishwasher that has been working just fine since we got it several years ago. (for $60 second hand)

But we are in the process of remodeling our home, and eventually we would have "needed" to buy a dishwasher to install for the future home buyers. It's been in the plan to install a permanent one all along, and we'd decided that we were going to go with black appliances (since stainless wouldn't give us a good enough return in the sale of the home, and white just looks yucky faster). So this was a way-in-the-future-after-siding-trim-and-everything-else gets done "need" that is still in quotation marks, because we could probably still sell the house without a dishwasher.

Guess what color this free dishwasher "just happens" to be?

Concertina le Aaron

Aaron loves life. These are just a few of the activities and faces that make up his little concertina.

freeze tag

To satisfy the tagger, I am posting eight random things. But I shall remain a frozen statue in this game of cyber tag. I know, I know...seven years of bad luck and all that jazz. I will take my chances.

1. I turned down a chance to teach music in an international school in Vienna. No regrets - I started dating Michael that year.
2. I've always wanted to learn to play cello.
3. Italy would be my vacation destination of choice.
4. I once was chastized for coloring outside the lines by a fellow 5 year old, who shall remain nameless.
5. I almost studied studio art at BJ instead of going to Northland.
6. I'd love to learn how to throw a pot or two (on a wheel, not at anyone in particular)
7. When I traveled for Northland, I was never without a bottle of rubbing alcohol and a scrubby for scary showers/tubs. I left a plethora of sparkly clean showers. CLEAN YOUR SHOWER when you have people over, for crying out loud!
8. I can't cook burgers inside. They smell funny, they taste funny, and I just don't like it.

weighing cheerios in the balance

Are you into reading labels?

I've been thinking about some random things lately, things like,

If something is in a clear container, and visible for all the world to see, does it really need a label? And if so, why?

What is the reason we label things - is it for organization, or for another reason entirely? Foodstuffs need labels so we can avoid HFCS and allergic reaction triggers, and plan the caloric content wisely. My bins in the garage need labels so that I can know easily which of the indentical containers holds the extra towels (needed) and which holds the maternity clothes (not needed). Things that are packaged in clear containers need labels sometimes - sweet pickles and dill often look similar, as do sweetened and unsweetened applesauce. Other times, not so much. I put Aaron's diapers in clear ziploc bags so they don't get lost in the diaper bag. I don't feel the need to label those "diapers" because it is obvious that the bag contains diapers.

However, it is true that labels can be very helpful. Which makes me think - do I label people, churches, and bins of stuff all in the same way?

When we choose a label for something, it is important to choose terms that are clearly defined. If I made up a word for the contents, that would be no good. No one would understand, and the label would be useless.

Similarly, if I labeled a container with a word that had several meanings, that would not be helpful either. People would be opening the container with different expectations, and would experience different levels of disappointment depending on those expectations.

More importantly, if someone were to label me, what would my label say? Would it have a toxicity warning? Would it say, "CAUTION - CONTENTS EXPLOSIVE" or something else that would present danger? Here's what I'd want it to say -

Human, Jennifer Muth, created by God for His Glory. Because of His Grace, and through the power of His Spirit, contains: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Gentleness, Goodness, Faith, Meekness, and Self Control. This creation is valued for a gentle spirit, healing words, and kindness to all. Clearly reflects the qualities of the Creator.

calling all opinions!

Help! I am in desperate need of a new look!!! I am vvvvvvvvery tired of my old "hairstyle" and would love any ideas for something new. I was just going to do the same old thing but found out that my hairstylist is retiring, so...perfect time to get a new 'do. I need some help! Anyone out there have any ideas? I'm open for just about anything new. Aside from primary colors or partial head shaving, that is.

Right now my hair has chunky layers in the bottom 3 inches. And it often ends up pulled back in a clip or ponytail. Boooor-ing.

busy busy and more opportunities!!!

With the balmy breezes of spring, the pace of life has picked up - we are now almost in frantic mode. It seems like early spring has that tendency. Here are some of our recent highlights!

Aaron has turned 9 months old - and has mastered pulling himself up and then getting back down without head trauma, has cut another tooth (the one to the left of the front 2 that haven't grown in yet) which makes a total of 3 and a weird looking grin. The other 3 top teeth have been trying to make their debut. He's also saying "mom" and "dad" but we still think that it is more experimental than actual understanding of who we are.

We have been working feverishly in our yard to get things to a decent condition. Everyone around us has beautiful, lush yards. Ours looks like a nightmare, and although it certainly would be nice to have a lawn service just come and "fix" it for us, I can't imagine what it would cost. It is scary right now.

We've demolished 2 hills in the front, and, consequently, the funky shrub/bush/plants that were growing therein. We now have 2 large bare dirt spots in which we've planted grass seeds, but are yet waiting to see the sprouts from that venture. We have also trimmed some dead branches off the trees. I'm waiting with great excitement for the time later this summer when I can move the odd planting of lilies and tulips from yet another spot in the front yard. The lilies have an adoptive home waiting and the tulips will be transplanted to another part of our yard.

We also completely emptied the office and have re organized it to make a spot for the bookshelves that were relocated from our living area to make room for the piano. We are not quite finished with that project, although it is much more pleasant to work in the office now, and makes future organization a real possibility.

Garage sale season has begun! So far, we've been able to cross a few items off our "wish list" - a bread maker, a fan, another filing cabinet and a small table, some clothes for Aaron, and a few other miscellaneous items. Michael is particularly excited about a snowblower and a book of Far Side comics. I am pretty happy about the Baby Einstein videos and DVD's we found.

DAD graduated Saturday from Central Michigan University with his master's degree!! We all went to the commencement, including Aaron, who sat for over an hour on my lap, most happily! I was relieved at how well he did, and am so happy for dad. He's worked on this degree for awhile.

This week is the school play at Calvary Baptist Academy, for which Jenny will be helping the students do stage makeup. They're performing The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, which should be very interesting! We are looking forward to it!

Sunday, we caught up to one of our junior high students and his family after the morning service. They have only been coming for a couple weeks and Michael wanted to make sure they knew they were welcome! The mom mentioned to Michael that she was bringing her boys to church because they had told her that they wanted to be baptized and she wanted to make sure that they understood before they made this step. By her words we think perhaps she doesn't have the right idea about baptism - or possibly salvation - and it looks like we may have the opportunity to bring the boys to church on Wednesday nights to be a part of the youth group as well as meet with the whole family for discipleship! Please PRAY for this single mom, J and her two boys, M and D. We would LOVE to see God use us to help them progress in their spiritual growth. They have all been in an abusive situation and are just beginning to get back on their feet.