Dustin's Celebration service online

If you would like to hear the recording of the funeral/celebration service of Dustin Salter, click here.

Egg Hunt & Park

Our church egg hunt was today. Our cousins, Emma and Ella, came for the fun, too. We just had to get a picture of all four grandchildren on Mitch's side. They had a great time hunting for the eggs, playing the relay races, eating snacks, and jumping on the moonwalk. They seem to really be enjoying their candy in this picture.



Soon after naptime, we took the boys to the park. What a joy it is to see your children having so much fun, especially in the great outdoors. God is good!

Easter story cookies

I've had this recipe/story in my file for years but have never done it. I think I'm gonna make an effort this year.

Easter Story Cookies
To be made the evening before Easter
•1 cup whole pecans
•1 tsp vinegar
•3 egg whites
•pinch salt
•1 cup sugar
•zipper baggie
•wooden spoon
•tape
•Bible

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees (this is important, don't wait till you're half done with the recipe!)
2. Place pecans in zipper baggie and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested, He was Beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read John 19: 1-3.
3. Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1tsp vinegar into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross, He was given vinegar to drink. Read John 19:28-30.
4. Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life. Read John 10: 1 0-11.
5. Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin. Read Luke 23:27.
So far, the ingredients are not very appetizing.
6. Add 1 cup sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him. Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16.
7. Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. Read Isaiah 1: 18 and John 3: 1-3.
8. Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid. Read Matthew 27:57-60.
9. Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed. Read Matthew 27:65-66.
10. GO TO BED! Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20 and 22.0n Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter, Jesus’ followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read Matthew 28:1-9.

Molly has arrived

My sweet college roommate, Libby, had her third daughter today at 1:51 p.m. Molly weighed 8 lbs and is perfect in every way! Congratulations Libby, Brian, Annie, and Riley. We'll be praying for you, Brian....that's alot of women under one roof!

Beautiful Friday

I've spent all morning at home with my husband and two little boys. Andrew and I have talked to both of his aunts on the phone, taken showers, played on the floor with toys, eaten a mid morning snack, and made a craft. Luke has played with us for a little bit but he was more interested in taking a morning nap. We're on our way to run a few errands and eat a sack lunch with Dad. Mitch and I have a date tonight so we're looking forward to eating a meal without crumbs left all over our shirts.

Tomorrow is the big church egg hunt so I'll be posting lots of pictures from that event.

Answering machines

I'm in the blogging mode tonight....already posted three in the past two hours. My eyes are droopy.

Found some actual answering machine greetings online today. These cracked me up:

1. Hi. Now you say something.

2. You have reached________. We picked this machine up at a garage sale in "as-is" condition. You can try to leave a message on it, but we are not sure it will be recorded. If we don't return your call, it means the machine did not work.

3. Hi! John's answering machine is broken. This is his refrigerator. Please speak very slowly, and I'll stick your message to myself with one of these magnets.

4. (said very fast:) Hi, this is_________. If you want to leave a message, please wait for the tone. If you want to leave your name and number, please press pound, press 3, then dial your name, then press 6 and dial your number. If you want to leave your name and just a message, press star, press 6, ask for extension 4443, then leave your name and message. If you want to leave your number and the time you called, please press star twice, spin in a circle, press 1 twice, talk loud and .....BEEP

5. Hello. I'm home right now but cannot find the phone. Please leave a message and I will call you up as soon as I find it.

6. Hi there. This is Joe speaking. I'm home right now and in a moment, I'll have a decision to make. Leave your name and number and I'll be thinking about it...

7. We're sorry. You have reached an imaginary number. Please rotate your phone 90 degrees and try again.

8. (in a Darth Vader voice:) Speak, worm!

9. This is you-know who. We are you-know-where. Leave your you-know-what you-know-when.

10. You have reached the number you have dialed. Please leave a message after the beep.

11. Hi. Do you ever feel, like, your head is full of sand, not your regular loose sand, mind you, but compacted sand, and there were like, I dunno, bugs or something jumping up and down on the compacted sand? Well, sometimes I do. Bye.

12. This is _______, and no, it's not Domino's Pizza. It's not the Credit Union either, and no one named Pam lives here. You can leave a message, though.

Yummy orange ice pop!

10:00 p.m. Wed. on ABC

Ok, I have a new favorite show. Don't get me wrong....I'm a huge 24 fan, BUT I have now decided that the show LOST is far more interesting with all the plot twists, strange happenings, relationship issues, and flashbacks from earlier months/weeks before the plane crash (I'm sure my brother, Stuart, is giggling right now because he's been telling me for the past two years that 24 had nothing on LOST). I know, I know.....it's just like a soap opera at night, except this one is on a deserted island in the South Pacific instead of in wealthy circles located in some unknown suburb. We didn't start watching LOST until the middle of season 2 last year so we have, on loan from the Scharff family, the box set for season 1. Watch out....if you start watching it now, you're sure to become an addict.

Wednesday nights at 10:00 p.m. Eastern on ABC.

"Spring" at School

Andrew's class praying before mealtime today. Beforehand, they sang three songs for all the parents and then, after lunch, went outside to hunt eggs and hold live baby ducks.

Surprised Twice

Luke "surprised" me twice today.....

1. After breakfast, I took off his PJs and diaper. I needed to check on something in the kitchen (I think...or was I going to the bathroom really quick?) so I left him naked - ONLY FOR 30 SECONDS. When I turned around to finish dressing him, I noticed a smell. I followed the stinch and found the trail....of poop. All over our living room carpet.

2. Luke is our independent "leave me alone" child. He likes to play by himself and loves to explore - sometimes a little more adventurous than I'd like. Just before nap time, I was filling up Andrew's juice cup and noticed that I no longer heard Luke babbling or felt him nibbling at my feet. I called his name several times in that sing song sortof way and then it got much more serious when I realized he was no where to be found. After (seriously) three minutes of searching, I began screaming his name. That's when I heard him cry. Again, I followed the trail and found him. He had apparently closed himself up in one of the bedroom closets. Now I'll know where to look next time he wants to play hide-n-seek.

"Do As I Do"

Andrew overheard me say the phrase, "Bless her heart", sometime this past week when responding to something that happened on TV. A few hours later, when I bumped my hip on the kitchen counter, he said, "Bless your heart, Mom!". So cute!

Luke likes to imitate everything we say and do. If Andrew starts marching to a song, Luke marches. If Luke sees people dancing on TV, he starts dancing. When we sing our prayer before mealtime, Luke starts humming. If I say, "1,2,3, JUMP!", then Luke tries to repeat what I say (all you can really understand from his mouth is "-UMP!!"). Kind of scary, huh?

Luke has had a fever off and on over the past 24 hours. He and I stayed home from church today. Please pray for him if you get a moment. No one likes it when their children aren't well.

Saturday with ELMO

Today we went to "storytime" at Barnes & Noble Bookstore where they were celebrating ELMO's birthday. We got to hear two stories, color pictures, blow noisemakers, eat cupcakes, and receive stickers. So much fun! Afterwards, we went shopping with MeMe and Pop. It's only a little after lunch time and we are all pooped!

HOT enough for the sprinkler

WOW....it is hot outside! I love it, even though I am still one that prefers cold weather to the summer heat. The boys got to play outside for about an hour this afternoon. Andrew's favorite activity is to either ride his bike or play in water. The spinkler (and sudden coldness of the water) scares Luke so he likes to watch Andrew run through it and scream in delight. Andrew also likes bugs!

Recognize this?

Crissy, do you recognize this outfit? I think it started with an unknown person who passed it to John Wilkes, then to Brody, then to Andrew, and now to Luke. What a great little outfit to have withstood all those rough boys. I wonder who I'll pass it on to.....

The Trinity Hymnal

Our bedtime routine starts with two books, a few songs, prayer and then lights out. When Mitch arrived home from work tonight, he brought five copies of The Trinity Hymnal with him. We sat on the floor and sang five or six hymns together as a family. I wish I knew more of the original tunes to the old hymns but we did our best at sight reading. For the most part, we sang the RUF versions of the songs since we have all their albums and are familiar with their versions of the hymns to new arrangements. I think I'd like making the nightly song-singing a part of our bedtime routine. If you're willing to share, I'm interested to hear what your bedtime routine is with your children.

Dustin is with the Lord

Dustin Salter is now with the Lord. He passed away yesterday afternoon, March 19. Please pray for his wife, Leigh Ann, and their three young children.

Pray for the Salter family

Dustin Salter is a pastor who, until last November, was a campus minister with Reformed University Fellowship at Furman University. He was taking a bike ride with two of his children when he hit a bump, wrecked, and suffered severe brain injuries. You can read about his health updates on the blog that his wife updates regularly.

Thank you, Laura, for reminding me to spread the word to pray.

FREEBIE @ Dunkin' Donuts

Looks like Dunkin' Donuts is trying to compete with Starbucks. Here's another Freebie coming at 'cha. On Wednesday, March 21, Dunkin' Donuts is giving one free iced coffee per customer. Click here for proof.

A Sweet Retreat

It was nice to sit around a table with delicious food and encouraging conversation while at Marannook. Even though many people were invited, only five of us attended. I actually prefer the slim crowd...makes the prayer/meal times, events, and conversation more intimate.


Pictured above: Mr. Charles K-H, Mrs. Barbara K-H, Jef Fleming, Mitch and me, and Paul & Christi (Fleming) Thompson.

A night away

Mitch and I are on our way to a short weekend retreat at Camp Marannook. We are only going to be away one night but we are looking forward to the time alone (even though we will have to stay in the cabins on twin beds!). The boys are staying with their grandparents, which is exciting for many reasons but especially since they just got a new puppy. Andrew likes to help Pop and MeMe take Prissy, the puppy, outside to potty. He is still learning how to gently hold the puppy without tossing it about. It's a good thing Prissy tolerates children well. Luke could care less about the dog at times. He just wants to be outside, climbing over couches, wrestling on the floor, or running around the house naked after a bath.

Andrew is definitely the quiet and affectionate son. Luke is undeniably the loud and independent son.....hmmm.....makes me wonder what kind of personality Abigail will have.

FREE Starbucks

Thursday, March 15, treat yourself to a free cup of java at your local Starbucks -only good from 10:00 a.m. until noon. Click here to read more about it.

My husband

I am so in love. We've been married 7.5 years and it just keeps getting better (can you believe that Andrew took this picture?). I love you, Mitch, and I thank you for pointing me to the Gospel.

D. Webb & S. McCracken

We went with our small group this past Sunday night to attend a small concert by Derek Webb and his (pregnant) wife, Sandra McCracken. It was so good! This is an awful picture taken on Mitch's cell phone but at least it's a good one for memory.

Why Parents REALLY Need God

Once again, the GirlTalk blog has made me laugh....

A boss wondered why one of his most valued employees had phoned in sick one day. Having an urgent problem with one of the main computers, he dialed the employee's home phone number and was greeted with a child's whisper.
"Hello?" "Is your daddy home?" he asked. "Yes," whispered the small voice. May I talk with him?" The child whispered, "No." Surprised and wanting to talk with an adult, the boss asked, "Is your Mommy there?" "Yes" "May I talk with her?" Again the small voice whispered, "No." Hoping there was somebody with whom he could leave a message, the boss asked, "Is anybody else there?" "Yes ," whispered the child, "a policeman".
Wondering what a cop would be doing at his employee's home, the boss asked, "May I speak with the policeman?" "No, he's busy", whispered the child. "Busy doing what?" "Talking to Daddy and Mommy and the Fireman," came the whispered answer.
Growing more worried as he heard a loud noise in the background through the earpiece on the phone, the boss asked, "What is that noise?" "A helicopter" answered the whispering voice. "What is going on there?" demanded the boss, now truly apprehensive. Again, whispering, the child answered, "The search team just landed a helicopter."
Alarmed, concerned and a little frustrated the boss asked, "What are they searching for?" Still whispering, the young voice replied with a muffled giggle... "ME."

Adam Wright

I went to Moody this past weekend to sing at my old church's WIC spring banquet. It was loads of fun to see many sweet friends. They even had a surprise "baby shower" for me - got lots of pink and green stuff!

I had the honor of singing along with Adam Wright during the morning assembly and luncheon times of the banquet. Call this a plug if you want (and it is - I'm good at doing this sort of thing), but Adam is one of the most talented people I know. He doesn't give himself enough credit for the arrangements he composes of various Trinity and Gadsby hymns nor does he realize that he is gifted when it comes to writing lyrics to songs; but I like him that way - humble. He's written several songs and put them together on two albums. I've linked his MySpace page here if you'd like to read about him, his band, or hear a few audio clips. He's an excellent piano, guitar and mandoline player. You'll be impressed.

Amy's Humble Musings

I don't know her but I am impressed and touched by her writings. She has made me laugh out loud, cry tears of sorrow and joy, and encouraged me with Scripture. Check out Amy's blog here. (I have also added her blog as a link on my site.)

What a massive storm!

This is the tornado that ripped through

our town and by our house last week.

Potty Training 101

Andrew is ALMOST officially potty trained. He wears UnderRoos all day long! He has been dry the past three mornings in a row and has also been dry in the afternoons when waking up from his nap. He likes to read a book while "concentrating" - if you know what I mean. The monkey hat is nothing special....he just likes to wear it every now and then (part of last year's Halloween costume).

Firehouse Subs

We love to eat at Firehouse Subs. Can't get enough of it. They have a birthday club now where they mail you a certificate for a free sub of your choice on or around your special day. You can find out if there is a shop in your city as well as signing up for the birthday club by clicking here. Just wanted to share the love.

Sunday nap & bath

Sunday afternoons are full of napping. I had the pleasure of taking a two hour delicious nap today. When I awoke, I found my boys fast asleep on the couch. Bathtime came a few hours later. Luke and Andrew love the bubbles and water.

Pictures of Damage

Visit this site to see more detailed pictures of the damage done to the northside of Columbus. These places of businesses are only a mile away from our house!

Tornado

Little did I know that yesterday's rain would lead to a tornado that passed directly by our house. The damage done to our neighborhood is horrible. I was home alone with the boys, huddled together on the floor of the master bath shower, in the dark as we had no power....only candles and flashlights. It was scary. Fortunately, there have been no reported deaths in the community. It seems everyone is out in their yards picking up limbs, throwing away debris, replacing roofs, cranes picking up trees on houses, BellSouth repairing power lines, cops directing traffic, helicopters surveying the damage, and kids everywhere since schools are closed. We are so thankful no one was hurt. Here are a few pictures of the damage done to a nearby church, school, and houses.

It's raining

I like rainy days, except that it means my boys can't go outside to play on their bikes or in the grass. Boys need to be outside. Oh well....I'll just pull the car out of the garage and let them ride around in there. The good thing is that I can see the garage from my stove so I can still get supper ready while they play. The sound of rain is relaxing. I want so badly to go lay down right now (both boys just went down for their nap which usually lasts two hours) but I have too much to do. I usually wake up from a nap feeling worse than I did before I laid down so sometimes it's not worth it. I'll tell myself that I'll just go to bed earlier tonight than usual but I know that that won't happen either.