St. Pete can't be beat

We just returned home from a week long vacation to St. Petersburg, FL - and it was amazing. Never did we reach that point where we were "ready to come home". Now, that's not to say that home isn't grand, mind you. No, we just enjoyed our time away as a family, together. No agenda, no deadlines, no lesson plans, no sermon to prepare, no lunches to pack....I wanna go back NOW!

I took ALOT of pictures while there so I've been busy these past few days downloading, editing, and ordering the final prints. Tonight, I finally got SOME of them ready to post.

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Traveling with three small children could have been more than we bargained for on this seven hour journey, but we managed by stopping at my mom's house on our way to Florida. Thanks, Mom!

We arrived to a cozy beach cottage and were thrilled to finally arrive and get unpacked!

Breakfasts were usually eaten a tad bit late
and full of fruit and a bit of sugar.

The weather was nice to us. Our first full day gave us sunshine and a cool breeze. Being in the ocean was the highlight of the week for our children. Mitch even spotted a stingray in the sand near the shore. On our last night there, we took our flashlights to the beach and went shell hunting in the dark. Ask them about it.....they'll tell you about their adventure!

One of St. Pete's famous landmarks is The Pier. So,we did the typical tourist thing and visited.

The view of downtown Tampa from the fifth floor at The Pier in St. Petersburg.
(click to enlarge)

There's a small educational interactive aquarium on the second floor at The Pier and the boys were delighted to be able to touch crabs, snails, starfish, and sea urchins.

It only rained one day while we were there (the whole day!).
Abigail didn't like it one bit.

You can't go to the beach without playing some putt-putt....with the Florida gators!


Since we are members of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, we were able to get free admission to the Tampa Zoo at Lowry Park. Even though it rained on us during a good bit of our time there, we still had fun spotting the wildlife.

Playing in the wet zone.

The boys on a walk-about.

The manatee thought Andrew was a funny looking thing! I still can't look at one of these animals without thinking of the Veggi-Tales song.

And there you go!

Blaire & Michele, we thank you for giving us a wonderful family vacation. It's so fun being friends with you and we are appreciative for your hospitality. Dinner and ice cream Friday night was so much fun! Michele, you make me laugh - and that's always a good thing. I can't wait to see you again, my friend.

*G-U-L-P*

It appears that I changed my mind.

It's all about doing what you have to do.

Ok, now I can follow you guys.

Convicting

On our way...

On our way to the beach, we stopped at my mother's house to visit and play with family.

SPoRAdIc

My blogging will be sporadic this week.

It might have something to do with sand, waves, sun, pool, & FUN!

I agree with Piper on this one

So many people are saying that the President's speech shouldn't be heard. Well, I disagree.

John Piper sums it up best.

Piper isn't God - I know. I don't worship the man.

I worship the Father who speaks Truth and gives insight to his children.

Redbox code good today only

Today's Redbox code, good til midnight.

T46T3Q7

Free greeting card til 9/8

Want to send some free love?
Go get your free greeting card.
Use code SENDHOPE at checkout.
Offer good til September 8th.

HALL OF FAME

One has to wait X number of years after retirement before being inducted into The Sports Hall of Fame. Michael Jordan is being enshrined this week.

So, do we start counting from the end of Brett Farve's first retirement or second retirement?

Sorry, Tera and Loran - I couldn't resist.

Being a kid is fun

The Jesus Storybook Bible

Reading is a part of our household. There are books everywhere - under the beds, on the shelves, atop the counters, in the nightstand, on the floor, in the basket, and in the beds (yes, my kids sleep with a different book each night!). Each child has their favorite(s) but our favorite book to read together as a family is The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name. In it, we read a different TRUE Bible story each night that always ends by coming full circle back to Jesus - the Rescuer for us all.

As a Christian and a parent, I am thrilled with this book. The gospel is told in every story and leaves the child with great hope and good news. I ALWAYS end up in tears as I read the last two to three sentences of each story because it reminds me of God's goodness towards me, an undeserving sinner. I pray my children see Jesus as they listen and read it, too. Oh, and I can't forget to brag on the illustrations by Jago. They are amazing!

Since it's release in the spring of 2007, only the book has existed. But, in October (that's next month!), the Jesus Storybook Bible Deluxe Edition is being released - which includes the complete book on audio CD read by award-winning British actor, David Suchet. Click here to listen to a few free downloads.

If you would like an opportunity to be one of five winners to receive this Deluxe case of goodies, you can click here to find out how to enter the giveaway.

GUM

All of my children LOVE chewing gum. Want proof?

Shaun the Sheep

I try to tune in to the Disney Channel at 7:55 every morning. That's when the short cartoon, Shaun the Sheep, comes on. It cracks me up!

Picture pages

Luke is our child that doesn't mind being alone. What I mean is, he doesn't require a lot of attention and sometimes I lose him in the house because he's so quiet. Usually, the quietness means he's either in his room reading, in a corner drawing/coloring, or off somewhere playing with a simple toy. I'm not sure if this is due to birth order or personality - a good mixture of both, perhaps. I'm the middle child, too, so I understand how he re-energizes himself. We are much the same.

Tonight, he escaped the noise in the family room and took some time alone in the "toy room". A little while later, we found what he had been doing and he explained it to us.

Dad: "Wow, Luke! That's a really good drawing!"

Luke: "Yep, it's a picture of Gami (my mother) and a bird outside her house."

Mom: "You really like to draw, huh?"

Luke: "Yeah. It's fun. Can I have a snack now?"

He's so funny!

Ask any of my family members and they'll tell you that I've always had a love for drawing in pencil or ink....but I think that Luke has got me beat when it comes to drawing with chalk.

Febreze Noticeable giveaway

I like it when my house smells nice and fresh. Sometimes candles can do the trick but I usually find that a plug-in freshener does the job a little better. Now, my husband has a very sensitive nose and can't take too many froo-froo smells...especially ones from a candle (I dunno, ask him why). When I bought a Febreze Noticeable and plugged it in in our den, he never once commented on how it bothered him - I think he actually enjoyed the scent!

So, I'm giving away one Febreze Noticeable in the Morning Walk/Cleansing Rain scent to one reader/winner! I'll randomly choose a winner on the evening of Tuesday, September 8.

How to enter:

Please leave a comment telling me
in what room your house needs this item the most and why.

Sorry, there are no opportunities for extra entries. I just know you are crying now over how badly you wanted to increase your chances of winning this smell-good. Don't worry - it will be on clearance at Walmart soon, I'm sure.

Free museum admission 9/26

I know that our calendar can fill up fast and sometimes Saturdays are the first to contain "things to do". If you have an opening, make sure it's on Saturday, September 26. That's the day that alot of nationwide museums are offering free admission to you and your guest!

You can click here to find out if there are any participating museums near you. Don't forget to look all around your area! Since we live on the state border, it makes sense for me to search for museums in my state and in the one across the river!

To enter a museum, you'll need to download and print the admission card via the same website. You only need one card per household/per two people.

People of Walmart - Hidden camera

Thanks, Becky. You've made me laugh my booty off tonight while browsing through this website. I was fearful I might have been captured on camera, too. I hope I browsed back far enough in the archives to find out - I didn't make the cut, thank goodness.

The scary thing is that anyone can take a picture and submit it. I'm clearing all the picture memory on my phone now in preparation for my grocery run to Walmart tomorrow!

Field bag tutorial

Here's my attempt at making a field bag from an old worn pair of pants that belonged to my son. I think centering the bag around the pocket makes it extra handy! Camp Creek's tutorial was the inspiration behind this piece and I appreciate her idea of reusing what you already have on hand.

Now, let me just say, "PAY NO ATTENTION TO THE AWFUL STITCHING!!!" I have mentioned before that I received a brand new sewing machine this past Christmas and it's been sitting in its box since then - untouched. My friend, Nikki, invited me over today to teach me some simple sewing basics. Did I already mention that this was my first attempt at sewing (alone, that is)? I had to add the US flag applique to patch a hole (it was the knee section). Ironing was the easy part. Sewing was fun and I'm addicted enough to do more - at least for a while.

Andrew has declared this his "rock bag". This afternoon, he toted it around the yard, filling it with various rocks and sticks. Now it's time to make Luke one.

I want to make some feminine stuff next, like these items:

little house pouch
square taggie
fabric lunch tote
Scrappy owl treat bag
Giraffe taggies
Rice bag foot warmer

Today's headlines = SO SAD!

Sorry this post is a little negative and sad in its information.

Click on titles to read more information.

New Zealand woman fired for sending an email in ALL CAPS

Georgia man busted for slapping stranger's child in Walmart

Someone at the U.S. Department of Education is going to get drilled for their public spelling mistake, I just know it (schoochildren). By the way, my friend, Barbara, is taking action.

NYC man survives after his heart stops beating for 45 minutes - no brain damage.

Ow, Charlie....

I know, I know....you've all seen this before. My boys get a huge laugh out of this video so I am posting it for their enjoyment. I promise you'll laugh no matter how many times you've viewed it.

The Big Picture: California Wildfires

I have family in LA so I'm staying up-to-date.

HT: Pictures can be seen at The Big Picture: California Wildfires


Angeles National Forest, in the hills outside of Los Angeles currently has several wildfires tearing through it, the largest of which - named the Station Fire - has so far burned over 140,000 acres, destroyed nearly 100 structures, and claimed the lives of two firefighters whose vehicle fell from a road into a steep canyon. Evacuation orders are in place for thousands in communities around the city, and residents of Los Angeles itself are contending with thick smoke and ash hanging in the air, causing air quality to drop to unhealthful levels in many parts. Currently, the Station Fire is estimated to be 22% contained, and favorable weather appears to be aiding the efforts of the firefighters.

Wordless Wednesday

What humility looks like

Thanks to JT for posting this summarization below:

From a new sermon by John Piper on humility, summarizing what humility is and does:

1. Humility is glad that God gets all the credit for choosing us so that we boast only in him and not man.
2. Humility happily admits that everything we have is a free gift from God, so that we can’t boast in it.
3. Humility is glad to affirm that God sovereignly governs our heartbeats and safe arrivals, or non-arrivals.
4. The root of Christian humility is the gospel that Christ died for our sins. That’s how sinful I was. That’s how dependent I am.
5. Humility gives itself away in serving everyone, rather than seeking to be served.
6. And humility is glad to affirm that this service is true greatness.

He also answers three worldly objections to humility:

1. Humility makes a person gloomy, dismal, downcast, unhappy
   
2. Humility makes you fearful and timid
   
3. Humility makes you passive and removes the driving motor of achievement

[JT] especially appreciated this quote:

Gospel humility frees you from the need to posture and pose and calculate what others think, so that you are free to laugh at what is really funny with the biggest belly laugh. Proud people don’t really let themselves go in laughter. They don’t get red in the face and fall off chairs and twist their faces into the contortions of real free laughter. Proud people need to keep their dignity. The humble are free to howl with laughter.

It grows stronger each day

Mitch and I met in early March 1999 in a hallway at seminary. We were engaged three months later in early June and married four months later in mid-October that same year. So, we knew each other almost 8 months when we took our vows (give or take a few days/weeks - the math is not worth figuring right now. It's 2:49 a.m. as I type). We never felt any hesitation during this short and fast time. We were both students in grad school and were very busy with our studies and jobs, but we knew the Father was leading us toward marriage so we wasted no time in preparing to make that happen.

We enjoy the fun aspect of country music but we also appreciate the talent in Nashville as well as the sense of family that country music portrays. I'll admit that the local country station isn't the first programmed button on my car radio setting but it's definitely within the top five. I sat with Mitch on the couch tonight and we watched the CMA Music Festival together. Soon, it was Brad Paisley's turn to sing his #1 hit, "Then". Watch out...I'm about to get cheesy, romantic, and mushy - As I listened, I started tearing up and then looked over at my husband. We smiled at each other and knew what the other was thinking. Our love for one another today is stronger than it was ten years ago when we married - and that's a huge statement because I was madly, deeply, crazily in love with him then.

For me, loving Mitch gets better, deeper, stronger, easier every day.

You are my bestest buddy, Babe. I'm sorry I don't tell you that enough. I STILL CAN'T BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE BABIES TOGETHER!

Listen (read) to the lyrics.

Playing on the Chattahoochee River

The Luther family invited the boys out for an afternoon on the river. They had a blast tubing, riding in the boat, and swimming in the water. Thanks, Luther family!

Thank you, Montgomery family!

Abigail loves her birthday gift from our friends in Wisconsin!