He's Here!


The Light of the Whole World

Makes me almost want to get one...

Couldn't pass up posting this one...

Hat tip to Tiffany and many FB friends...

Friday Nerdy Funny

HT: Z

What does He uphold by the word of his power?

Hebrews 1:3
He [Jesus] is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high...



HT: Z via JT

Easter in July

(still catching up to the present and still reporting from the Spring...)

After attending Easter services at church, we moseyed on out to Pawpaw and Mimi's for an Easter dinner and hot South Texas afternoon Egg Hunt. Let's just say the Reeses Peanut Butter Cups didn't all survive the short period of time outside!

Preparing to go outside

Gal on a mission

There is a tradition here in these parts that includes Cascarones (coss cah ROAN ez) at Easter. These are real eggs which have carefully been emptied, washed, dried, often colored, and filled with confetti prior to patching the hole on top with tissue paper. A lot of fun is had cracking them on each others' heads!

Drive-by-cracking victim...

recording it for posterity

Look out, Mimi!

But the best, by far, is what character traits (read: flaws) come out during the course of the confetti egg attacks... Take a gander at this gem of a film clip, and watch for: Daddy whacking a sweet girl on the head with no confetti results, self-inflicted wounds, and deception like you'd never believe was possible!

Getting a Line Wet (Parts Tres and Cuatro)

So, basically this was a perfect first fishing opportunity... The wind was low, they were actually able to find some fish, and a couple of those fish actually found their way onto Caleb's hook. Please know that it's rarely that easy! :) We were hoping things would go well so that it would leave Caleb with a fun memory and delay the more challenging fishing trips for when he gets a little older.

You may be wondering what they used to bait their hooks! (Or you may not be able to care less... Hee hee) On this particular trip, they used live bait:

Then came the catch of the day!

Way to go Caleb! I'm proud of you!

Living near the coast has spoiled us when it comes to the potential size of the fish to be caught. Scott was amazed for a while once he got to experience fishing off the coast the first few times. However, neither of us can wait for Caleb to get to experience what Scott grew up doing and what he introduced me to in college: the excitement of a big large-mouthed bass attacking a topwater lure!

Getting a Line Wet (Part 2)

Oh, the thrill of getting a line wet and ending up with something on the other end!

Woohoo Caleb! Great job! I love seeing your excitement when you were working on that fish, and the grin on your face once that fish was reeled in!



Meanwhile, the mom in me is trying to figure out what he had for breakfast that morning and resisting the urge to wipe his mouth through the computer screen... :)

Shout out to Betsy and Barron for providing us so generously with the FLIP video camera that was used to record these priceless moments!

Getting a Line Wet (Part 1)

In March, Caleb got to go on his very first ever fishing trip! I'll start this little post series with an interview video:

I thought the interviewer did great and didn't pull any punches. Most of all, though, I thought Caleb handled his questions with a cool head... and that's nothing to sneeze at!

Friday Funnies

No explanation needed. :)


HT: Josh Harris

Celebrate!

On the forefront of my mind right now is sharing in the joy of friends for a common reason: Adoption!

Recently, our pastor's family adopted and brought home a precious son from Ghana. We have several dear friends who were, themselves, blessed by being adopted or adopting children into their families.

Also, our very dear friends we served with back in Missouri are at this very moment PACKING -- for they have received word that after months and months and months of waiting, they are cleared to book flights and prepare to traverse the globe to bring home baby Micah!

Below is the video Alisa made showing all they've had to hold on to for the time being: pictures of precious baby Micah and their faith in Sovereign God and His plans for them and for Micah.

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Most of you know me as someone who doesn't get overly emotional, but I will tell you that I cry tears of joy EVERY time I watch this. Check their blog for ways you can pray for their journey!

It's a wonderful thing, and it is also a wonderful example of just what God desires for us! Russell Moore has great points about Names and Adoption. Al Mohler also puts it eloquently:

In the New Testament, adoption serves as a primary analogy of salvation. The sinner, who prior to faith in Christ is a rebel headed for destruction, is now adopted as a child of God. This new status is further defined as that of a joint-heir with Christ. By grace, the rebel child of the enemy is adopted as a child of the King. The former slave to sin is now a son or daughter of the heavenly Father.

As the Apostle Paul explains:

In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world. But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God. [Galatians 4:3-7, esv]

Mohler closed his post with this comment: "For Christians, this is thus a matter of adoption by the adopted. Such is the Kingdom of God."

Celebrate with me -- for friends, for families everywhere, and for what God has made possible for us by sending His Son for the purpose of paying the price for our sin (which separates us from God), allowing us to be reconciled to God when we believe, and bringing us all into one family -- His own!

His grace has planned it all,
'Tis mine but to believe,

And recognize His work of love and Christ receive.
read this week at desiringgod.org

'Tis that time again...

Are you enjoying the Olympics like we are this year? I can't remember a year that I've enjoyed it more! I do think that the opening ceremonies were spectacular despite the faked fireworks and the fake singer. (I'll save my thoughts on the reason for the fake singer for another time.)

I loved watching the men's 4x100 swimming relay the other night... such persistence and what a way to finish strong!

I also look forward to one particular commercial, which I think rivals many Super Bowl creations. Enjoy!




Oh, and I think it's hilarious that in this "one-up" competition between basketball stars LeBron James and Yao Ming, that a marching band, Santa Claus, and an old-school Caddy with a cattle horn hood ornament end up on the American side. (The buffaloes--bulls?-- and pandas are funny too!)

SeaWorld

To begin our vacation through North Texas and Missouri, we met up with the Haiglers, Hills, and Burnetts, and took Caleb and Anna on their first trip to Sea World!



Caleb got a chance to touch and feed the dolphins there!
(Anna fell asleep)

First Ups

It seems I'm developing the habit of doing mass posts on the weekends. I'll try to remedy that for the future, but make sure you catch all five of the posts I wrote for this weekend! Pictures galore...

We also managed to catch a first on video this weekend!

Anna actually got some air!

We're really not that violent...

I found some awesome swords made of swimming-pool-noodle foam and gave them to Caleb for Christmas. They were a big hit, (pun intended) , with Caleb and Scott, as we witness regular fencing matches in our house now. Caleb is actually really good with his sword. Anna was content to watch for a while.

Then, one day when Caleb and I were out and about, Anna snuck up on Scott as he was using his laptop and stabbed him in the shoulder with a loud "Tee Yah!" We can only assume that she was mimicking the "hi-yahs" we usually hear from Caleb.

I hope you enjoy these clips! The first is an attempt to recreate what happens with the swords. The second was unplanned!

Bubbos!

Dancing Queen

We had a fun night recently just turning up the IPod and being footloose and fancy free. That is, all of us but the serious and studious older child. (Hmm, sounds much like me growing up)

He definitely has a sense of humor...

Check out the guest commentator on this week's episode of Saturday Night Live.



He may not have much of a chance, but at least he knows how to laugh at himself! (and when to bow out?)

Silly Systematic Saturday

I apologize ahead of time to those of you who haven't dealt with Bible classes or Seminary, or such things. You still may find this mildly entertaining, but those of you who have may think this hilarious.

(for the former group, the man whom they sing about is a professor/writer who has compiled a very well-communicated book of theology-- commonly held, Biblically supported beliefs about who God is and Christianity in general)



If you need lyrics, please visit The Blue Fish post from which I discovered this gem.
Thanks to thebluefish.blogspot.com via titus2talk.blogspot.com via my Google Reader's recommended links.

Friday Footloose Funny

President Bush has been touring nations in Africa, offering assistance and mosquito nets to help combat Malaria. Watch as he follows the lead of Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf (dressed in maroon robe) at a celebration.




Whatever your politics, you have to admit that's cute! Reminds me a little of my dad doing the "Chapman Ranch Shuffle." I love it!

Friday Funny

I'm considering adding a section for Fridays, much like the girls at girltalk do. Just a little pick-me-up for your day!