Why I Blog

I’ve been meaning to write about this for a while, inspired by other posts in the blogosphere.  I’ve been blogging for almost six years now, almost a full quarter of my life.  Many of you remember my first blog, my first mentions of Michael, my graduating from college, our engagement and wedding, Kate’s birth… Some of you are newer and your stories of finding us and connecting with our family are special to me, even if we don’t go “way back” like others.  Some of you are real life friends who started reading to keep up with us, because it’s one way to easily do so.  I blog because along the way, I have found a community in my little corner of the web.  I know that this community is more than a little artificial.  I know that you all only know the part of our family I want you to see.  I know that real life community is vitally important.  But there are days when real life feels lonely, the big box store sterile, the phone too difficult to talk into with two girls twirling about and a little bit of blog interaction reminds me of what I know already — there are people that care about us out there.

As long as you keep reading, I’ll keep blogging.  It may not be every day.  Real life happens, after all.  But five years and ten months later, it’s a habit too hard to break.  Thanks for coming along for the ride.

Capture the Educational Moment

Lately, Kate has been into singing, and so I’ve started teaching her things I want her to know in the form of songs. This week, the first three catechism answers: “God made me / God made me / God made me / and He made all things / for His own glory.” She’s already mastered the Gloria Patri, the Doxology and the Sanctus. Hearing her sing praise to God in the form of these things, and her own songs that she makes up, sends shivers down my spine. What a joy it is to raise children to be worshippers of God!

This is my entry to win a camera in the “Capture the Educational Moment” Contest sponsored by Spunky and Academic Superstore.

Our Soundtrack of Late

Derek Webb started giving out his entire album Mockingbird earlier this month. It’s absolutely free for the download at http://www.freederekwebb.com/  I have really been enjoying it, and play it often in the car. It’s full of catchy songs that make you think, and what more could you want than that?

Here’s a preview of the lyrics:

don’t teach me about
politics and government
just tell me who to vote for

don’t teach me about
truth and beauty
just label my music

don’t teach me how
to live like a free man
just give me a new law

i don’t wanna know
if the answers aren’t easy
so just bring it down
from the mountain to me

i want a new law
i want a new law
gimme that new law
…what’s the use in trading
a law you can never keep
for one you can that cannot get you anything

do not be afraid
do not be afraid
do not be afraid
“a new law”

As a bonus, Kate likes it. She tries to sing the end of this song (“do not be afraid”) but it comes out very unenunciated.

Roadtrip (the longer version)

Lexi and I roadtripped to Charlotte to attend a memorial service. I’m glad that we did, and we were able to see a good number of people we care about there and also along the way.

I was planning on bopping over to Atlanta to see TulipGirl while she was at the WIC conference, and the timing worked out for us to have dinner on our way to Charlotte. She’s got pictures: the one of TG and I was taken in the car and the other one Lexi is grimacing as she ate tortilla. I’m really glad we got to hang out!

Roadtrip

Lexi and I roadtripped this weekend.  It went well, and I promise there will be more on that later…

I need to post pictures of the girls, but I have blogged for them recently.

Our Protector

Today Mike killed a snake in the yard with the hatchet (pronouncing as he came in for the hatchet that he was “going to do what Adam should have done”) and caught a cute (but undesired) mouse that I first saw yesterday. What would I do without him?

“I Believe in… the Resurrection of the Body and the Life Everlasting”

Being young and somewhat shaded from death, I breeze past these words in the Creed oftentimes without a second thought. I do believe in the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting, even though I can’t begin to fathom what that really entails and I don’t even spend mental energy imagining it. Until someone I know dies in the Lord, and then I remember. And I am glad for the hope of the gospel.

With the Saints give rest, O Christ, to the soul of Your servant, George, where there is no pain, nor sorrow, nor suffering, but life everlasting.

Under the Weather and Gloomy

The girls and I are feeling sick and it’s raining outside and sub 75 degrees.  I think I’ll make a pot of chicken noodle soup and some cheddar biscuits for dinner.

I didn’t know what to write yesterday, so I wrote nothing at all.  So many dying in Africa right now, everything seems mixed up.

Evangelism at Gunpoint

This is taking turn-or-burn a bit too far…

To post:

Why I blog
Kate monthly update
Lexi teeth
Photos

This afternoon sweet Evelyn Mosley is here with us, so no time to do any of them!

Thank You!

Thanks to everyone for their sweet comments.  It was a great birthday.  I am totally spoiled.  I got more fab gifts from Mike and the girls, dinner out last night and Mike even sent me out to Starbucks to read tonight.  I feel caffinated but loved and blessed.

Happy Birthday!

Happy birthday to you!
Happy birthday to you!
Happy birthday, dear Kristen!
Happy birthday, to you!

Love,
-Mike,
-Kate, and
-Lexi too!