Can't Focus. . .Too Much Information

I have started to write this blog many times this morning. So many things have happened since I have really given you something good to read that I can't seem to narrow down my topics. If I write about everything that is going through my mind you would find yourself reading a novel instead of a blog. So instead I am going to attempt some quick bullet points just to get everyone caught up. Then we will go from there. How about that?


*Claire is getting baptized in 2 weeks (April 13)! It's been about a year since Claire made the first step in asking Jesus to come into her heart. Her sister, Emma, had just done the same thing not too long before, so we wanted to make sure that it was truly a heart thing for her and not simply a following of big sister. Claire was only 5 years old, but even at such a young age I was amazed at how persistent and emotional she was to make this decision. So in 2 weeks we will be celebrating! There is NOTHING more important, humbling or fulfilling than to watch your child choose to follow the Lord. Way to go, Claire!!!

*I've just joined a book club in Superior in an attempt to get to know more ladies in our town. I'm learning to read FICTION. It's killing me, but I know I can do it! Non-fiction and biographies are more my style. The things we do for the Kingdom! :-)

*Homeschooling continues to be quite the journey. The end of year 4 is only months away. I'm not sure who has learned more - the girls or me. I'm a bit nervous because this is the first year that Emma will be officially tested by the state to see if she is learning up to standards. Of course she is, but still. . .it makes me nervous. In testing Emma they are also testing me and my abilities and success as a teacher. I'll just be glad when that part is over. In the future I am going to try to blog more about our homeschooling adventures.

*My greatest frustration today??? Looking down at the gas gauge only to see the needle in the red! $3.19/gallon?? How long can this go on???? I have 3 kids to put through college!!!!!! I have 3 wedding to pay for some day!!!! Can anyone say "amen!?"

*ECO - let's just say that he and his hair still have a long way to go (you may need to read the previous blog about my dog to understand).

*Do you have a great husband or know of a truly great man? For me, greatness is not perfection, but instead it is character and integrity that shines through even in times of conflict or adversity. It is the way that a person carries themselves or conducts themselves when the temperature raises. It is the ability to have fun and to laugh at themselves or situations, being able to put even the toughest of times into perspective. It is consistency and noble character. It is doing your best and never giving up. It is loving others relentlessly and asking for nothing in return. Thank you, Kevin, for being a GREAT husband and a truly GREAT man! I'm so proud of him. You should read this blog entry. . .

*What are you reading? I need a good book. Non-fiction or biography, please!!!

*Olivia is starting to read! SAT, HAT, CAT, BAT. . . . WooHoo!

*Way to go TOPPERS! In Colorado there have been red towels waving as we have watched Western Kentucky University (mine and Kevin's alma mater) fight their way through the NCAA tournament. Unfortunately, the fight is over until next year. Now I have to side with my dad's team - Louisville!! So, go Cardinals!!!!!

That's all for now. More soon. . .

Happy Spring!

Spring in Colorado is a guessing game. On Easter morning we woke up to 2 inches of snow. Two days before we were playing at the park. Once again this weekend, we are enjoying another beautiful and sunny day, but tomorrow the snow returns. I have to admit that I do love the seasons, no matter how unpredictable they may be. I hope you are enjoying the anticipation of warmer weather as well. Maybe these little smile will continue to brighten your Spring. . .



















FYI...For those of you who wish I would actually do some writing again, I plan on starting to do that again as early as tonight. . .so don't give up on me yet! Check back!

A Day with Dad at the Butterfly Pavilion

Kevin took off this morning to enjoy a rainy Spring Break outing to the Butterfly Pavilion. Check out brave Claire and Rosie the tarantula!! We had a great day and I thought we would just share it with you.

My Poor ECO Boy

Today I am kicking myself for not taking more pictures of our dog before his first tragic day at the groomers. I really don't have a good one to share. Many of you know that on New Year's Eve our cockapoo fell and fractured his femure. At this time her was only 5 months old. He then was sentenced to surgery and 6 weeks in his kennel. And what a long 6 weeks it was.

The funny thing about 6 weeks is that you would be amazed at how much a puppy's hair can grow in that amount of time. I must admit that ECO was resembling a black and brown "Cousin It" until this morning. Poor guy, he couldn't even see where he was going. I felt as if I had to help him out by getting him groomed, but he was such a cute fluffball. . . Like I said, I wish I had a before picture.
Instead, I have only one picture to share. . .the after shot. I know. It's sad. . .All I have to say is this. . .ECO IS NOT A POODLE!!!! No offense to you poodle lovers out there, but I never intended to own one. Yet, today I do. His hair once was at least 3 inches longer all over and all shaggy. Hopefully it will grow just as fast during the next 6 weeks. I'll let you know.

Oprah's Big Give

For years I have watched Oprah. I'm not what you would call a die hard fan, but when I am flipping the channels late in the afternoon she often catches my attention (or maybe that is Brad Pitt, or Johnny Depp sitting beside her that catch my attention). All the same, we all watch Oprah every once in a while.

As a matter of fact, I was glued to the television just last week as her new reality show, Oprah's Big Give, aired. Who doesn't love to see someone doing good in our world today? It gives us a boost. It touches out hearts. It makes us feel good.

But yesterday, I have to say that I stopped feeling so good about Oprah. . . . read on to see why. I don't want to make anyone mad - just informed. Everyone knows that she has leaned towards the New Age end of faith for quite some time. I suppose I'm just suprised by her boldness this time.

Oprah does great things for people. I like her. I'm sure I'll still watch her show the next time George Clooney is sitting beside her and I'll still spend my hours waiting to see who makes the "biggest give." Just thought you would like to know this one. . .as I was listening to some of it I can definitely say this. . .I believe it's a pretty messed up deal.

Oprah's New Jesus

Oprah has skyrocketed the career of another author on her book club. But this endorsement is a bit heart-wrenching. She's taking her fans through a year-long "Course in Miracles" by Marianne Williamson. Each day, her book club site features a different lesson on this essentially new religion. Here are some quotes from this book:

• "There is no sin."
• "A slain Christ has no meaning."
• "The journey to the cross should be the last ' useless journey."
• "Do not make the pathetic error of 'clinging to the old rugged cross."
• "The name of Jesus Christ as such is but a symbol... It is a symbol that is safely used as a replacement for the many names of all the gods to which you pray."
• "The recognition of God is the recognition of yourself."
• "The Atonement is the final lesson he [man] need learn, for it teaches him that, never having sinned, he has no need of salvation."

Quote from a pastor somewhere in cyberspace. . .Last night, I told a longtime friend who is not a believer that I had stepped down as pastor of RCC. She replied, "Well it's hard to have a church that teaches what you believe. Most people aren't so narrow." [dagger in the heart] Jesus is indeed more appealing when he's not the way, the truth and the life. But any other Jesus is a whole other religion.

Read what Church Norris writes. . .yep I said Chuck Norris. . .just do it :-)

FOLLOW UP. . . MY FRIEND, ALETHEA, WROTE A SIMILAR BLOG ENTRY ABOUT OPRAH AND ADDED AN UNBELIEVABLE VIDEO. CLICK HERE BECAUSE YOU'VE GOTTA WATCH IT!!!! IT'S TITLED "FALSE TEACHER" on April 3, 2008.

What bugs you?

Do you want to know what really bugs me? Well, since you asked. . .what really bugs me is when I try to log onto an account that I have used many times before and all of a sudden the computer no longer remembers my password and neither do I. Do you have any idea how many minutes I just wasted of my day trying to think of every possible word that I could have ever typed as my password on Amazon.com? So frustrating.

Do you know what else bugs me? People who walk around the world talking to the air. You know what I mean. It bugs you too. They are talking so loud that they could be heard in the next town. Their arms are flailing as they laugh or share their dirty laundry with the entire coffee shop or grocery store checkout line. I mean, do I really need to know what she is having for dinner tonight or how mad she is at her husband? No. But still, I am subject to the story of her life. Yep, those little ear pieces that people walk around talking on drive me crazy. How rude!

And do you want to know one more thing that makes me crazy? Complaining women. . .hhmmm. Yes, today I wear the badge of a major complaining female. And why am I telling you about it? Simply because I can.

I'm trying hard to find a spiritual application to this. . . just hold on. . .it's coming. . .

Okay, how about this. . .I wonder how many times the Spirit who hangs out with us day in and day out wants to complain just like me? I wonder how many times he wants to choke me for the things I do that are ridiculous and so far away from his heart? I wonder. . .do I bug him more that I make him smile? Probably so.

Okay, I'm convicted. Time for another latte to soothe the pain.

Just For Fun

Click on above pic to watch some hilarious and often even inspiring video blogs from my all time favorite - Steven Curtis Chapman. Make sure you watch the Video Blog song.

March 2, 2008

From one extreme to the other. . .what a difference 24 hours can make!















Driving to church. . .















Welcome to Cool River!

March 1, 2008

Why do I love Colorado so much? Just look at these pictures and you will see a glimpse of the first day of March. Yes, it's still brown, but the sunshine and mountains are oh so beautiful! Today I took Claire and Olivia for a hike on a trail about a mile from our house. Yes - those are spaghetti straps that Claire is wearing. Today has been a beautiful 70+ degree Saturday. Tomorrow they are forecasting 2-4 inches of snow.