The Good, the pure, and the lovely

Give a boy a rake and some leaves . . . . And he'll build you a leaf pile! There is nothing like good old teamwork. Work together!

Happy Friday to you all.  Enjoy the weekend!

Tuesday, I was on the phone, telling my dad that we were getting ready to go somewhere "fun" for my birthday.  My sweet five year old overheard.  He piped up with anticipation in his voice, "Mom, are we going to Chuck E. Cheese for your birthday?" My quick and sullen reply came without a pause, "No, we are not going to Chuck E. Cheese for  my  birthday."  Rolling laughter came from the other end of the phone, as Dad enjoyed the conversation from his perspective. My dad continued to laugh as he reminded me of the time when I was little and I just insisted that , "Mommy really wants this baby doll for Christmas!" It does seem that the more things change, the more they stay the same.  Glad we can still make you laugh, Dad!

This is the fifth step in the Romans Road: "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." ~Romans 1:9-10

Do you know that old song, "It's my party, I can cry if I want to, cry if I want to . . . . "?  Well, it's been going through my head the last few days, only I've put my own little spin on it.  I keep singing (to myself) "It's my birthday, I can eat what I want to . . . " Now, before you think me a "little off my rocker", you have to realize that half of my life revolves around food anyway.  I prepare three meals a day, most every day, with some snacks in between.  Then, in between preparing the food, comes cleaning up after meals.  Add in the time and energy meal planning and shopping for food . . . one begins to realize that food is a major part of home-life.  Anyone who has run a home, will understand this. Usually, when I plan meals, I think of what others would like.  What would my hubby like?  What would the kids like?  What fits the budget?  What is on sale?  All those thoughts order my meal plans.  Well, the la...

Little Man "helped" me unload the groceries.  He thought it was great fun! He definitely left his mark. He is also wearing the evidence.  Little helpers are a blessing. 

Two more steps on the way to learning the Romans Road ~ "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8 and "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:23 Yesterday, I worked on Romans 5:8.  Today, I will finish learning Romans 6:23.  Then I will be two thirds of the way through learning the Romans Road.

First came Romans 3:10 "As it is written, there is none righteous, no, not one." That was from memory, by the way.  Next, I'm going to hop on over to Romans 3:23. "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." ~Romans 3:23 Funny thing is, I know this verse too.  I just don't usually remember the reference, or the fact that it is the second verse in the Romans Road.  I will work on these all day, working to remember them together.  Do you ever get the feeling that you are doing something that you should have done years ago?  My nine year old already knows these verses, thanks to the AWANA and OLYMPIAN clubs that he's enjoyed over the last few years.  Well, better late than never.  It feels good to memorize something that I've wanted to since I was a teenager. Next up?  That'll be Romans 5:8 . . . .  

Confession time . . . . I promised to learn the "Roman Road" this month for my Sunday School Class Challenge.  My procrastinating self is now three weeks behind.  I am promising now, and making this commitment online.  I am starting - TODAY!!!!  First comes Romans 3:10. "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:" ~ Romans 3:10 OK, so I know that one already.  (Jenny, you're right about that).  Now, I just need to memorize the reference.  I'm going to know it by heart by the end of the day.  Big Brother is going to help me!  Nothing like writing down something in a public place to keep me accountable!  So, is there anything you have been putting off that you can start today?

When does a baby become a boy?  I've seen it happen three times under my very own roof.  They grow.  They talk.  They walk.  Then one day, you look at them . . . and know.  Your precious baby is now - a boy.  It is not that they were not genetically all boy before, it's just that they are now . . . ALL BOY .  Their emotions, their play, their sense of humor - they move from that baby world to that world of little boy.  My youngest is there now.  I don't want to admit it.  I will probably still call him "baby", just because he is still my baby.  But, now, he is - ALL BOY .  How do I know?  The proof is in the picture . . . "A Boy, a Ball and a Stick" - You just can't get more "boy" than that!

Here's a question for you  . . . What is missing from a home that has neither little girls or cats? This beautiful cat was taken for a fall walk by the lovely little niece that lives next door. It was so much fun to see the creative play that a sweet little niece comes up with!

Last week, in good humored exasperation, I said to Big Brother, "What am I going to do with you?" Big Brother quickly retorted, "Love me, feed me, and never deceive me!" That boy made me laugh so hard, I cried. When I asked where he heard that, he said, "I read it in Garfield!"