Like father like son

For those of you who know Jason you know how he loves Mountain Biking. We'll, let me tell you, he's not the only one in this house who has a love for mountain biking. Nathan has always enjoyed riding bikes. Right after Nathan turned 4, Jason removed his training wheels. A week later, Nathan was jumping ramps. Within a month, the ramp had been raised 3 more times. Watching your precious little boy do this is enough to make your heart skip a beat (Mom's only perspective here!!) He's been riding with Jason on the mountain biking trails a few times, but Jason assures me it's nothing like I imagine. He takes it easy with Nathan. Jason has his annual mountain biking/camping trip coming up this weekend so he's been trying to hit the trails as often as he can to get ready. Yesterday after church Jason had plan to go riding. Nathan was wanting to play with a friend terribly, but nobody we called was home. Once Nathan found out where Jason was heading he asked if he could go. I know Jason loves getting away and having "his" time riding and especially riding to get ready for the big trip. However, he also loves spending time with his boys and sharing his love of riding with them. So, he agreed to take Nathan with him. They had a blast! Nathan was grinning from ear to ear! He told me all about how he got to try going down hill and even did it perfect the FIRST time! Like father like son!!

Translation please!

As we were heading to church yesterday morning, we were chatting about various things. Somehow we got on the topic of Thanksgiving and Christmas approaching. As the boys relived tales of our Elf that visits us during the Christmas season we had lots of giggles. Nathan began listing 3 things he would like for Christmas. His list is as follows (as of right now): a mini pool table (our neighbors have one that he loves to play with), a telescope (he's been keeping a moon journal for school and is loving it) and some motorcycle toy that does flips and jumps (not quite sure what this is exactly). So, I ask Ryan what he would like for Christmas. His list: a mini pool table (he loves it too, not that he KNOWS how to play) and a Skeletope! I got so tickled! Jason had no idea what he was talking about. So, I translated for him!! Skeletope = Telescope! Can you tell he looks up to his big brother?!

The movie

Saturday night Jason and I enjoyed the evening out by ourselves. We had planned months ago to see Fireproof opening weekend. That is just what we did! It was wonderful! I highly recommend that you see it. We will be adding it to our family DVD collection. If you do go see it, leave me a comment and let me know what you thought!

Up, Up and Away

Our boys have always been fascinated by hot air balloons. We tend to see a lot of them around here where we live. Sunday evening, Jason was out mowing the lawn and saw some coming toward the house. We called the boys to look at them. They were in awe. The balloons were so close. Ryan kept yelling and waving, "hello." He wanted them to land in our yard. (That would have been cool!) Instead we watched them float by and enjoyed it greatly. I think the view must be amazing from up in a hot air balloon.

Blaze

Friday night was Nathan's school Fall Festival.... Cheetah Fest. He was so excited. His main goal for the night was to win a fish. You know, those carnival fish that last maybe 7 days! We'll he stood in line, gave his ticket and gave it his best shot. He missed on his first try. The second try, he made it! He won a fish. Oh, he was so delighted. Before we left that game, he'd already named him. Swimmy the fish. Every friend he saw, he showed them Swimmy. Jason decided it would be a great idea to put Swimmy in the car so that he wasn't sloshed to death by the end of the night. So, that's what we did. We continued the rest of the evening playing and having a great time. When Cheetah Fest was over, we returned to the car to find that Swimmy had become very still and floating at the top. You know what that means....... DEVASTATION!! Nathan was so upset. He cried and cried. He was truly heartbroken. Jason and I felt awful, so we decided on Saturday we would go to the pet store to get him a fish. We decided a Beta fish would be a great one to begin with. Nathan searched all the little cups of Beta fish, until he found THE ONE. He knew it was the right fish for him. He said, "Mommy, this is the fish! I just know it because he is looking right at me. He wants me to take him home." He picked out a Crowntail Beta Fish -- bright red. We got him home and acclimated to his new home. Then came the hard part, picking out a name. The winning name --- Blaze! Now Ryan wants a fish... he's already named it -- Croc!

Our new pet, Blaze

Random

I am out of my slump! Instead I'm stressed! I've had a lot going on around here.... so sorry for the hiatus. Hopefully after this weekend life will slow down. Tonight is the big Fall Festival at Nathan's school. Being Volunteer Coordinator for PTO, I've had a lot to get done. I will be at the school pretty much ALL day (and night). I'm looking very forward to Cheetah Fest -- 1) because that means it will all be over soon, 2) we have some friends who are going to join us that don't even go to our school -- one of those being one of my dearest friends from B'ham. She and her family will be in town for the weekend. Tomorrow we are going to join them for a soccer game.

Sorry I don't have any exciting things to tell you or any cute little things the boys have been up to. I've been running too fast. It's all a blur. I hate feeling that way. I want to enjoy my family and my time with them. God has really shown me that I am not cut out to do too much too soon!

OH!! Not that you will find this exciting, but I do...... our Family Command Center is finally coming along and will be completed soon.

Are you ready for Fall? I am so ready.... except for my wardrobe. I LOVE FALL! Pumpkin Spice Latte, Pumpkin muffins, decorating, cool, brisk weather..... aahhh, just what I need!

In a Slump

Ever have those days that you just feel, "in a slump?" That's how I feel today, well a lot lately. I just can't seem to shake it. What is the deal?! I think Satan is attacking... and I'm fighting! Too many headaches lately... literally. I hate feeling this way.

God vs. Science

This is awesome (a bit long, but so worth it........thought provoking, and just magnificent !

A science professor begins his school year with a lecture to the students, "Let me explain the problem science has with religion." The atheist professor of philosophy pauses before his class and then asks one of his new students to stand. "You're a Christian, aren't you, son?" "Yes sir," the student says. "So you believe in God?" "Absolutely." "Is God good?" "Sure! God's good." "Is God all-powerful? Can God do anything?" "Yes." "Are you good or evil?" "The Bible says I'm evil." The professor grins knowingly. "Aha! The Bible!" He considers for a moment. "Here's one for you. Let's say there's a sick person over here and you can cure him. You can do it. Would you help him? Would you try? " "Yes sir, I would." "So you're good...!" "I wouldn't say that." "But why not say that? You'd help a sick and maimed person if you could. Most of us would if we could. But God doesn't." The student does not answer, so the professor continues. "He doesn't, does he? My brother was a Christian who died of cancer, even though he prayed to Jesus to heal him. How is this Jesus good? Hmmm? Can you answer that one?" The student remains silent. "No, you can't, can you?" the professor says. He takes a sip of water from a glass on his desk to give the student time to relax. "Let's start again, young fella. Is God good?" "Er...yes," the student says. "Is Satan good?" The student doesn't hesitate on this one. "No." "Then where does Satan come from?" The student falters. "From God" "That's right. God made Satan, didn't he? Tell me, son. Is there evil in this world?" "Yes, sir." "Evil's everywhere, isn't it? And God did make everything, correct?" "Yes." "So who created evil?" The professor continued, "If God created everything, then God created evil, since evil exists, and according to the principle that our works define who we are, then God is evil." Again, the student has no answer. "Is there sickness? Immorality? Hatred? Ugliness? All these terrible things, do they exist in this world?" The student squirms on his feet. "Yes." "So who created them?" The student does not answer again, so the professor repeats his question. "Who created them?" There is still no answer. Suddenly the lecturer breaks away to pace in front of the classroom. The class is mesmerized. "Tell me," he continues onto another student. "Do you believe in Jesus Christ, son?" The student's voice betrays him and cracks. "Yes, professor, I do." The old man stops pacing. "Science says you have five senses you use to identify and observe the world around you. Have you ever seen Jesus?" "No sir. I've never seen Him." "Then tell us if you've ever heard your Jesus?" "No, sir, I have not." "Have you ever felt your Jesus, tasted your Jesus or smelt your Jesus? Have you ever had any sensory perception of Jesus Christ, or God for that matter?" "No, sir, I'm afraid I haven't." "Yet you still believe in him?" "Yes." "According to the rules of empirical, testable, demonstrable protocol, science says your God doesn't exist. What do you say to that, son?" "Nothing," the student replies. "I only have my faith." "Yes, faith," the professor repeats. "And that is the problem science has with God. There is no evidence, only faith." The student stands quietly for a moment, before asking a question of His own. "Professor, is there such thing as heat?" "Yes," the professor replies. "There's heat." "And is there such a thing as cold?" "Yes, son, there's cold too." "No sir, there isn't." The professor turns to face the student, obviously interested. The room suddenly becomes very quiet. The student begins to explain. "You can have lots of heat, even more heat, super-heat, mega-heat, unlimited heat, white heat, a little heat or no heat, but we don't have anything called 'cold'. We can hit up to 458 degrees below zero, which is no heat, but we can't go any further after that. There is no such thing as cold; otherwise we would be able to go colder than the lowest -458 degrees." "Everybody or object is susceptible to study when it has or transmits energy, and heat is what makes a body or matter have or transmit energy. Absolute zero (-458 F) is the total absence of heat. You see, sir, cold is only a word we use to describe the absence of heat. We cannot measure cold. Heat we can measure in thermal units because heat is energy. Cold is not the opposite of heat, sir, just the absence of it." Silence across the room. A pen drops somewhere in the classroom, sounding like a hammer. "What about darkness, professor. Is there such a thing as darkness?" "Yes," the professor replies without hesitation. "What is night if it isn't darkness?" "You're wrong again, sir. Darkness is not something; it is the absence of something. You can have low light, normal light, bright light, flashing light, but if you have no light constantly you have nothing and it's called darkness, isn't it? That's the meaning we use to define the word." "In reality, darkness isn't. If it were, you would be able to make darkness darker, wouldn't you?" The professor begins to smile at the student in front of him. This will be a good semester. "So what point are you making, young man?" "Yes, professor. My point is, your philosophical premise is flawed to start with, and so your conclusion must also be flawed." The professor's face cannot hide his surprise this time. "Flawed? Can you explain how?" "You are working on the premise of duality," the student explains. "You argue that there is life and then there's death; a good God and a bad God. You are viewing the concept of God as something finite, something we can measure. Sir, science can't even explain a thought." "It uses electricity and magnetism, but has never seen, much less fully understood either one. To view death as the opposite of life is to be ignorant of the fact that death cannot exist as a substantive thing. Death is not the opposite of life, just the absence of it." "Now tell me, professor. Do you teach your students that they evolved from a monkey?" "If you are referring to the natural evolutionary process, young man, yes, of course I do. " "Have you ever observed evolution with your own eyes, sir?" The professor begins to shake his head, still smiling, as he realizes where the argument is going. A very good semester, indeed. "Since no one has ever observed the process of evolution at work and cannot even prove that this process is an on-going endeavor, are you not teaching your opinion, sir? Are you now not a scientist, but a preacher?" The class is in uproar. The student remains silent until the commotion has subsided. "To continue the point you were making earlier to the other student, let me give you an example of what I mean." The student looks around the room. "Is there anyone in the class who has ever seen the professor's brain?" The class breaks out into laughter. "Is there anyone here who has ever heard the professor's brain, felt the professor 's brain, touched or smelt the professor's brain? No one appears to have done so. So, according to the established rules of empirical, stable, demonstrable protocol, science says that you have no brain, with all due respect, sir." "So if science says you have no brain, how can we trust your lectures, sir?" Now the room is silent. The professor just stares at the student, his face unreadable. Finally, after what seems an eternity, the old man answers. "I guess you'll have to take them on faith." "Now, you accept that there is faith, and, in fact, faith exists with life," the student continues. "Now, sir, is there such a thing as evil?" Now uncertain, the professor responds, "Of course, there is. We see it every day. It is in the daily example of man's inhumanity to man. It is in the multitude of crime and violence everywhere in the world. These manifestations are noth ing el se but evil." To this the student replied, "Evil does not exist sir, or at least it does not exist unto itself. Evil is simply the absence of God. It is just like darkness and cold, a word that man has created to describe the absence of God. God did not create evil. Evil is the result of what happens when man does not have God's love present in his heart. It's like the cold that comes when there is no heat or the darkness that comes when there is no light." The professor sat down.

All is well

Preston was discharged from the hospital Saturday afternoon. All 3 kids are home today in a sanitized house. My sister has worked hard to get everything super clean and sanitized so that those horrible germs don't hang around any longer. Mom is feeling somewhat better. Hurricane Ike doesn't look like it will be a huge threat to them.... we are still waiting to see.



Thanks for all your prayers!

The Plot Thickens!

Just got word from my sister..... Ethan has bronchitis and bacterial pneumonia. Annabella has bacterial pneumonia. My mom is now running fever and feeling puny! They are also looking at Hurricane Ike to make landfall right at them, possibly Tues. I hope Ike turns! Mom said she's not preparing for this one!! She is too worn out and now sick! YIKES! Keep praying, please!

Update on Preston

I just spoke with my sister and they confirmed that Preston has Bacterial Pneumonia!! Everyone entering his hospital room has to wear a mask and there is a Stop sign on his door. He is contagious!! Ethan and Annabella are heading to the dr. this afternoon to be checked and given antibiotics since they've been exposed and sick. My mom started with a "cold" yesterday!! I hope that's all it is! She can't take many antibiotics as it is. Please pray that she doesn't get this. Preston will hopefully be able to go home in a few days. He has to be fever free for 24 hrs. and make sure the antibiotic is working. Thanks for all the prayers... keep them coming!

Step Out in Style!

What do you think of these beauties? I wonder how comfortable they are. Do you think they would be easy to walk/swim in? I doubt we will have any hurricanes here, so it doesn't really matter. My family on the other hand..... So. FL, you might need to step out in style during hurricane season with these. These made me laugh. Thanks, A, for e-mailing this picture to me!

Prayer

Please be praying for my family. My nephew, Preston, was admitted to the hospital Saturday afternoon. He's had a simple cold that turned into fever, vomiting and diarrhea. My niece, Annabella, started with fever in the middle of the night Sat./Sun. They don't know what is wrong with Preston and have run all sorts of tests. They've ruled out certain things, but cannot release him until he can eat and stops the fever and diarrhea. My sister and her husband are exhausted. My parents are helping out by either staying at home with a sick little one or at the hospital with another. They are also looking at having to prepare for another possible hurricane headed their way. They are being attacked and don't need anymore! Today is my mom's birthday..... what a way to have to spend your birthday.... but she loves her grandchildren and does what is needed, which today is staying with Annabella again while my sister goes to the hospital to stay with Preston. Please pray that Preston will be healed quickly and that they will find out what is wrong. He's beginning to get a little whiney and wants to be home. Thanks in advance for lifting them up in prayer!