Summer Fun

So I downloaded 294 pictures tonight. I won't share them all with you. The sad thing is there's another card around here somewhere with I think last summers pics. Here are a few of the highlights from this summer. If you've been to Ryan's facebook, this is a repeat for you.

Reed's Big Five Year celebration at the "Sprayground." We had about 20 kids and 30 adults. Ryan got the award for wettest adult. The kids loved that he could jump up and tip the buckets of water on their heads! It was so much fun! (Even for those of us who stayed dry!)
Those trick candles are the best fun at a kid's birthday! And we only gave him one cupcake, so the others stayed dry and germ-free!


Lots of presents, lots of help!Here's most of the crew there! Reed is turned around because Ryan had them say "Reed's a knucklehead!" Ashton is on the left holding the small blue playground ball. She did a lot of running around that night, but not a lot of getting wet. She was a great little sis and didn't get jealous at all. She knows that "my birt-day's in winter" and she is pretty sure she will have it at the same place! Might be hard to get any guests...
Here is where we found Ashton sleeping one morning. She is laying in the hallway between her room and Reed's. Moved sometime between midnight and 7am. She slept later here than she usually does. Notice she has both her blankets, a bear, a drink, her frog, and I believe two "pappys" (pacifiers).

To rotate, turn your computer!

Here is Reed on his first day of swimming lessons. He is standing in the pool! We didn't know he would be in the baby pool, but they said they would move those who need to be moved by the end of the class. Since he stayed, we thought he must be in the right place. After coming home he told us, "One of the teachers asked me if I wanted to go in the big pool, but I told him no." He's too polite! So we worked it out for the next day.Ashton spent the entire time whining "I wanna go swimming." 287 times! This is her looking in from the outside. The class was for 3-5 so I hadn't enrolled her, but there were at least 3 kids younger than her. I can never tell her again that her whining doesn't do any good because...
...I got her in the next day. Since Reed had moved up, they let her move into his spot. I knew it was worth the money not to listen to the whining for 35 minutes and beyond everyday for 2 weeks. And she really is learning. The bad thing is she'll have to be in this class for a couple years before she can move up. And today they went into the big pool! Impressive!
So this is Reed in the big pool on the second day. He did really well and told us we were right-- that he did have more fun in that class. However the next day was cold and windy, AND the heater in the pool was broken! Everyone was miserable! You could tell the lifeguards were not even excited about getting in that day. I had to do a bit of convincing (special treat) to get him back in the next day, but he did (even though the water was still a bit cold).Okay! You've got to love this! They know how to pose!

Struggle

There has been and continues to be an on-going discussion in our home lately. Within a worship service, what is the place of patriotism?

First, let me say we are very proud of our country and those who serve it on a regular basis. We know we have no idea how the sacrifice that has been made for our country. Our freedom should be honored and celebrated! We hope we can pass on an attitude of respect and gratitude to our children, as well as an understanding of what our freedom means. We also recognize the values of our founding fathers were grounded in their faith in GOD! Our country was established under the grace of GOD!

Second, let me also say that through his studies for his Masters, Ryan has become very comfortable with the idea of the role of tradition in worship. Tradition is a relevant tool to point people towards God. This is not just a "contemporary worship" issue.

And, let me say I was not in the service this morning, so I cannot attest to the events firsthand. I was in the nursery.

After a lot of personal struggle, discussion, and study, Ryan shaped a service that highlighted our country, but made God the focus of our worship. The service opened with Ryan leading the congregation (from the back) in an a cappella verse of "God Bless America." One man immediately stood up and the congregation followed. A few minutes later when the praise team began leading in the worship songs, no one stood (except, oddly enough, a guest) for the first verse, until Ryan prompted them to at the chorus. Very disheartening when the people stand to honor our country, but really give no thought to standing to honor God.

So, some of the questions up for discussion are:

• Is it appropriate to use a Sunday morning worship service to honor someone or something other than God and what he has done for us? (e.g.--"God works through mothers," but should we use Sunday morning to give awards to the mother with the most children; or "Our country needs our prayers," but should we highlight our love of country in a worship service?)
• How does our view of our country as God's chosen people affect our view of world missions or the universality of Christianity? How would we feel about a similar service in a different country?
  
• Where should flags (American & Christian) be placed within a church building? (Not flag etiquette, but as symbols and in relation to the cross.)
• If a tradition is found to be unhealthy, what role should it play as education is taking place? (i.e.--Should some elements be left in to appease those who cling to the tradition, or if the conviction is strong, should the change be complete immediately.)
• What do you do if you, as a leader, believe something, but it is not upheld by the leaders around you? If all the leaders do not agree, what do those with the conviction do?
  

I hope this presents a struggle within you. I look forward to hearing ALL of your comments. If you're reading, again, please comment. But don't quote me any Scripture out of context. I hate that.

Can't Catch a Break

Tonight at supper, Ryan was highlighting some exciting things coming up in the next few days. The semi-pro ball game on July 4th (with a tailgate party by our church beforehand), church on Sunday (which Reed had the same gasp of excitement for), and Reed's swimming lessons beginning on Monday. "And guess who has the day off on Monday?"

"Mommy?!" I asked (jokingly, with only 5% resentment).

"No, Daddy!" Reed laughed.

"When does Mommy get a day off?" Ryan asked.

"Everyday."

That Makes Sense...Somehow

I love it when my kids put something they see into the context of what they understand, even though their thinking is faulty.

When Reed had just turned two we took a group of college kids up to church camp in the mountains. We left after our evening VBS so it was late as we were pulling in. Reed had slept part of the way, but woke up when we slowed down on the mountain roads. A deer ran in front of the van and then leaped the fence right next to us. "Look at the deer!" we all exclaimed. About two minutes later Reed asked, "Why did we see a kangaroo?"

Tonight we had a similar moment with Ashton. As we were driving through a neighborhood we saw a man walking a dog wearing a white cone collar (you know, those post-op or no-scratch collars). Ashton processed for just a moment before she declared, "I saw a dog with a light!" We, of course, laughed hysterically, which only added to her delight. It definitely explains what she saw!

Don't know if the dog had been drinking....

The Rumor Mill

Alright.

I need to set some things straight.

Yes, I'm pregnant. Here are the details:

Status: 14.5 weeks

Due Date: December 20th, 2008

Cravings: One middle of the night craving for a dish made by a restaurant that has been closed for a year. More consistently, stewed tomatoes, especially with macaroni and cheese. My mother used to make me eat these with the mac-n-cheese, and I hated them! Weird!

Side Effects: Headaches, varicose vein farther up and down my right leg, round ligament pain mainly on left side, more constant ear stoppage from possible TMJ, and nausea (which has mainly passed).

Planned?: Baby, yes. Timing, no.

Maternity Clothes: Got them out last weekend. What a relief!

Reed's Comments: "Is your belly getting bigger yet?"

Ashton's Comments: "When you go to hospital?"

Ryan's Comments: "I hope it's twins!" (It's not!)

Sara's Comments: "What have we gotten ourselves into?"

God's Comments: "For I know the plans I have for you..." (Glad it's not all up to us!)

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Also...

In regards to the house,

Visibly Blown Schedule!!