VBS

My new favorite summer activity is Vacation Bible School.  Our church doesn’t host one so I have never actually enrolled them in one before this year. Not sure why…just never thought about it, I guess.  But this year I signed them up for three different programs around Gahanna. 

It. Was. AWESOME. 

The girls absolutely LOVED every minute of it and couldn’t wait for each one to start.  It warms my heart to know that they are excited and enjoying hearing the Word of God. There is such innocence and holiness about the way the approach the truth of the Gospel. It is just simple, uncomplicated good news about how much we are loved. It is no wonder why Jesus tells us receive the kingdom of God like a child...  

Dan thought I might be pushing it signing them up for three.  I think it was a blessing.  They were free. We get a few hours of time to ourselves.  The girls get to have a blast and learn about Jesus. Everybody wins!

No BOYS allowed!

This sign has been on the girls playroom since we moved here almost 3 years ago (Can you believe it has been 3 years already?!?!?!):

While I was getting the girls dressed tonight after showers this is the conversation we had about the above referenced sign.

Alyssa: I really wish that sign was on my bedroom door.

Me: Why, babe?

Alyssa: Just to remind myself when I get older that I don't want to have boys in my room. I don't want to forget that.

Me: Don't worry, sweet pea, WE won't let you forget!!

Hannah: Yeah, me too!  And, I decided that I am not going to like JD (her preschool crush) anymore.  I just don't want to play with boys.

You just can't make this stuff up.  I will be bringing them back to this conversation it about 10 years...

Going to the Ball

A local dance school held a Father/Daughter Dance as their annual fundraiser tonight.  Of course I bought tickets...what can be sweeter than a bunch of Daddies showing their daughters how a man should treat them?!?!?  The girls were ecstatic and had so much fun getting dressed up for the 'Ball'.  They kept saying how beautiful they felt in their dresses and how handsome Daddy was.  Dan said they had a blast at the dance and that Hannah was quite the little dancer.  I am so glad they got to have this night together!  It is something the girls will remember for the rest of their lives!    

Goodbye Gluten!

I have finally figured out Alyssa's problem.  Gluten. 

We have several acquaintances who are either gluten sensitive, have Celiac, or have children who suffer.  In random conversations we would talk about their symptoms and I started to wonder if that could, maybe, have something to do with Alyssa's health issues.  Then I started to research it on the Internet.   

Yikes!

It is like that scene in 'Tangled' when she realizes she is the lost princess and all the suns she has been painting in her room start glowing around her.  They had been their the whole time and she never noticed them until she had the castle's flag.  The more I read about Celiac and Gluten Sensitivities, the more her symptoms 'glow'.  Things like her untreatable and relentless eczema, allergies, asthma, stomach aches, headaches, legs 'hurting' and more...even down to the fact that is can even cause a delay in hair growth! 

What I learned is that celiac is an auto-immune disorder where gluten inflames the villi in your small intestines and causes a wide range of symptoms.  With an auto-immune disorder your body can't tell the difference normal body tissue and antigens, so the immune system produces a hypersensitive reaction that attacks and destroys normal body cells leading to those symptoms.  And, because 70% of your immune system is housed in your small intestines, it can also reduce your ability to fight illness and make your more susceptible to getting sick.  Sound like anyone you know??

Celiac can remain dormant, or 'latent', until activated by an environmental trigger (stress, illness, gluten exposure, etc).  Latent celiac disease is commonly known as a 'gluten sensitivity'...not quite as serious on the surface, but causes the same symptoms and has the same treatment.  Continuing to eat gluten if you are sensitive to it can trigger active celiac; and if a celiac continues to eat gluten, it can lead to many life-threatening diseases (thyroid disorders, cancer and heart disease...just to name a few).  The only 'treatment' is a lifelong gluten free diet.  

I also learned the problem is extremely common and often misdiagnosed.  'Gluten Free' seems to be the new trendy diet craze...it seems like everyone is 'coming down' with a sensitivity.  But it may not be just a Hollywood trend.  The National Institute of Health reports that 1 in 133 people likely have celiac, but only about 1 in 2,000 are diagnosed.  Partly because the symptoms are so vague and mimic other common disorders (ranging from fatigue and joint pain to severe intestinal problems and lack of nutrient absorption). Combine that with the fact that, because it is an auto-immune disorder, it expresses differently in each patient; invasive testing to obtain the diagnosis; AND and increase in Genetically Modified foods and you get recipe for growing epidemic.  Eek...By the time I am done with my research I may move our family to a farm to raise our own livestock and live off the land ;)

I don't want to put her through the testing...especially since the only treatment is a gluten free diet.  A formal diagnosis means nothing to me if we see the results.  So, we did the 'gluten challenge', a home test for gluten sensitivities.  You just remove all gluten from your diet to see if your symptoms subside.  If they do, it is assumed gluten was the culprit...if they don't, it must be something else. Not very scientific, but better than blood draws and intestinal biopsies on a 5 year old. 

So, what is gluten?? It is a protein found in wheat, barley, rye, spelt and any derivatives of those products.  So...basically everything.  And, while wheat is one of the 8 major allergens that is required to be disclosed on a food label, gluten is not.  That make it really hard to decipher what is and is not gluten free.  Plus, GF food is twice as expensive....we are talk $6 for a small loaf of bread.  Regardless, we agreed to put the entire family on a gluten free diet for a month and then re-evaluate.   

At first didn't see much of an improvement.  Then at the three week mark it was like a switch was flipped.  Her skin started healing and, for the first time in years, she wasn't constantly digging at her skin and breaking it open.  She also hasn't complained about her legs hurting in weeks and that used to be a nightly issue.  I think the longer she is off of gluten and as her gut heals, the more benefits we will see. And, when we went gluten free, Dan saw major benefits too!  The eczema he has had for as long as he can remember started healing and his 'ibs' problems have pretty much disappeared. All the years up stomach issues that the doctors could never find an answer for...crazy.

It is a little disheartening that we have been see three different doctors (our pediatrician, an allergist and a dermatologist) for her since she was 10 months old for these issues.  Not one of them put it together and suggested trying a gluten free diet.  They did their best to treat the symptoms...but that's not enough.  Just treating the symptoms wasn't fixing the problem.  Something is causing those symptoms...her body is not doing what it was designed to do.  Without treating the source of the problem she will never really be healed. 

Here is the stuff I initially pulled...just out of our pantry.

 

There is definitely a learning curve to grocery shopping and cooking gluten free.  But, I hear it gets easier everyday.  Alyssa has been so great about it and her teacher has been an awesome support, which has made it easier to transition at home and school.  She and Hannah both make sure to ask that everything is gf before they eat it ;)  In fact, we are all adjusting fairly well.  It's hard, but it hasn't been as difficult as I thought it would be for our bread loving family.  The most difficult part is eating out (Chipotle and Z Pizza have become our 'go to' restaurants of choice...even more now) and going to friends and family's houses.  It just requires more planning and preparation on my part.  Thankfully, I have some great friends to help me and we are figuring out this thing together.  I am just glad to finally have an answer!

Away in a Manger...All Alone

Believe it or not, we have never had a full nativity set.  We have had bits and pieces, but never a complete set.  This year, I bought the girls a set that they could play with.  For being a children's set, it is actually really cute.  Not too baby-ish and still unbreakable :)  It was really funny because I ordered it online, so they kept asking when 'baby Jesus was going to be delivered'.  He came during the day when Alyssa was in school so Hannah had the set to herself.  She played with it for a while and then fell asleep.  When I saw what she did with it, I actually laughed out loud.  I took this picture on my iPhone, exactly how I found it.

Poor baby Jesus.  Left all alone while everyone else is gathered around the ridiculous glittery, pink Christmas tree (which, by the way, did not come with the set).  They were inches from the savior of the world and they all had their faces buried in a fake tree. Didn't they know they were supposed to be standing around Jesus?!?!?! How silly of them.

But the more I looked at the picture, the more profound it became. 

Isn't this exactly how we treat Christmas today? We aren't found standing around our Saviors makeshift crib. Most of us aren't even in the stable. We are outside...with our faces pressed into the tree.   

Don't we know we are supposed to be standing around Jesus?!?!?!?!

We are so busy admiring the 'glitter' that we believe it is going to fulfill our deepest desires; and we forget why we even have the tree to begin with!  Then, when the glitter falls off and the needles turn brown on our trees we are disappointed and let down. We continue our lives, just going through the motions and void of true joy.  Without a reason for real hope, we wait for the next glittery tree to come along. 

If we stepped back...even a little, we would realize that the tree is dead. Cut off at the stump with no source of life.  The tree itself isn't bad.  But when we start to gather around it and worship the created, rather than the creator, Christmas looses its meaning. 

That's why that picture made me laugh.  Because that is not what that scene looked like.  The angels sang, heaven rejoiced, shepards came from afar and Mary and Joseph we in love with their new baby boy.  They understood that Jesus was someone special. 

He was the gift.

He is the hope.

He didn't just come for the people in the manger...he come for us too.  But, He won't force Himself upon us or guilt us into spending time with him.  He just offers a gift. 

So, he waits...by himself.  The God of the Universe. Calling softly to us in the background of our hearts. Desperately wanting our attention and willing to give us everything he has in return. The life we have always wanted...a life that a dead tree can't provide.  Yes, it is his birthday...but it is what his birth means to you and me that makes it special.

THAT is why we celebrate. 

This holiday season, I pray we all back away from the tree and gather around the manger.  For that is where the celebration began. 

All that from a plastic nativity set...I'd say I got my $17.95 worth ;)

Ummm...you did what?!?!?

I finally figured out why out bathroom smells like urine even though we don't have boys who can 'miss' the target.

I went in to help Hannah wash her hands after she went to the bathroom and noticed there wasn't any toilet paper in the toilet.  The conversation went like this:

Me: Did you wipe?

Hannah: Yes.

Me: What did you wipe with because I don't see any toilet paper in the toilet.

Hannah: (giggle) The carpet!

Oh. My. Heavens.

Our 9/11 Story

Everyone has one.  Since today is the 10th anniversary, I thought I would write ours down so our girls have it someday.  Even though we didn't know anyone directly affected by the tragedy, it is a day that is etched in our memories forever.

We were only 19...dating, but not yet married.  We were sophomores at Ohio State and living on campus at the time.  Dan was working at Wal-mart and was in the morning meeting, which always took place in the electronics department.  As news of the first plane crash was beginning to be broadcast on every news outlet, they turned on the TV to see what was going on.  I was at home, in my apartment, sleeping when Dan called to tell me that a plane flew into one of the World Trade Center towers and to watch the news.  I said 'ok' and hung up.  I remember thinking it was either a dream or that I just misunderstood what he had said.

I went out to the living room and turned on NBC to see the tower engulfed in fire and thick black smoke.  I thought, 'how in the heck does a plane accidentally hit that tall of a tower??' No sooner did I finish the thought, did the second plane crash in to the other tower.  I audibly gasped and distinctly remember saying, 'that was not an accident'.  

I just sat there silently for a few minutes just shaking my head in disbelief. This can't be happening...not here.  Hoping it was a nightmare that I would wake up from at any minute. I woke up Diana, my roommate and we sat on the couch together.  Dan and I talked back and forth about what was going on.  Time seemed to stand still.  Like so many other Americans we watched in horror as the events slowly unfolded on live TV, helplessly watching our fellow citizens loose their lives before our eyes.  One of the things we both remember so vividly is watching people jump from the flaming towers to their death.  I can't imagine the desperation and hopelessness they must have been feeling to make that decision.  

What happened next took my breath away.  At 9:59am, the South tower collapsed. Then, 30 minutes later, the North Tower fell.  This. Could. Not. Be. Happening. How many people were still in the towers? What else was coming? How could it get any worse?  Was my family and I even safe?

By the end of the day, the Pentagon had also been hit by a hijacked plane and a fourth flight, intended for the Capital, was taken down in a Pennsylvanian field by a group of heroic passengers trying to regain control from the terrorists.  The images from the aftermath were heart wrenching and the stories of families who lost loved ones were {and still are} unbearable.  Overall, there were 2,977 Americans who lost their lives on September 11th as a result of the terrorist attacks.

I remember the country reacted by essentially shutting down. Businesses closed and people went to be with family.  Another thing burned in my memory was the eerie calmness of the skies.  Living near the airport, the constant white noise from planes flying overhead was something you learned to tune out.  We didn't have to anymore.  All US airports were closed and every plane was grounded.   

In the days and weeks after, there was so much compassion for one another.  Everyone was nice to everyone else.  We came together as the nation our forefathers fought for us to be.  There was more pride and patriotism than I have ever witnessed.

It is hard to convey what happened that day and explain how someone could do this to young children. We don't even really understand, but we explained it to the girls as simply as we knew how.  It is hard to believe that the girls [and their children...and grandchildren] will grow up learning about this in school and reading about it from history books.  Even though the girls weren't born when it happened, we don't want them to ever forget.  It was truly a day that tested the strength of a nation and the resolve of its people.

Our church launched a second service today.  Simon showed a video that sums up what we learned from that day better than I could ever explain.  You can watch it here, but this is what it said:

September 11, 2001 is a day that changed every one of us.  We learned that...

Evil is real.

Hate is destructive.

Buildings can collapse.

Security is an illusion.

Life is fragile.

Fear can be crippling.

But in the midst of [unspeakable] tragedy, we learn that...

Heros still exist.

Courage does not waver.

Bravery knows no limit.

There is beauty in the little things.

There is joy in community.

There is strength in unity.

As the years pass, we will [NEVER] forget that...

Loss is worth remembering.

Sacrifice is worth honoring.

Freedom is worth defending.

Faith is our refuge.

Hope sustains us.

Love endures all.

----

In some ways I feel like we have almost forgotten how the events of this day made us feel deep within our souls.  Not the lives that were lost or the people who continue to fight so we can be free, but the way we came together to help each other through. I pray that our country can remember what it was like in the hours, days and weeks following such devastating loss.  It wasn't about political parties, hidden agendas or religious affiliations.  There were no conspiracy theories.  It didn't matter if you were Republican or Democrat.  It was about our GREAT nation.  It was about our Freedom.  It was about being an AMERICAN.

So as we remember who we were on that day and reflect on who we have become, I pray that we remember we are stronger TOGETHER.  God Bless America!

-----

"America was targeted for attack because we are the brightest beacon for
freedom and opportunity in the world and no one will keep that light from shining."
- George W. Bush

From: Daddy, To: You!

I don't do this often, but tonight I felt like God was placing this on my heart so I wanted to share this.  I want to share this for a number of reasons.  It is very encouraging for anyone to read, but I know that someday Aly and Hannah will read this.  My hope is that God will use this to speak into their lives no matter the place they are in.  

It has been kind of a crazy month of July as we have been the only YL leaders in Gahanna and have just been busy doing a lot and spending time poorly in many areas of our life.  I feel like we have been doing a lot of things 'ok', but neglecting the one necessary thing...seeking Jesus like a hidden treasure (Proverbs 2).  So lately Jenn and I have started doing a reading plan and it has been great. We have been able to hold each other accountable for time with the Lord.  I really feel like He has blessed it and made it good.  It really unites us with each other and in Him.  Anyway, today I spent 3 hours sitting waiting for Dave's (grandpa's) truck to have a bed roller and cap put on it. During that time I read my day's plan, read from the book The Call, and listened to a sermon.  Here are some of the thoughts I feel like God put on my heart and I felt needed to be shared with my girls.

First off, Proverbs 5 talked about an adulterous woman who is smooth at talking, will draw you in and lead you in ways you don't want, which is much like sin.  We get drawn in and before we know it, we are so deep it has created a mess of our lives and eats at us from the inside out.  At the end, in The Message version, it says sin will overtake us, lead us into the dark and that an undisciplined life will lead us to death in the end.  Man, that was awesome to read and it really makes it so much greater because God has made it apparent to me this month that I need to be disciplined in my pursuit of Jesus.  Through the Proverbs that I have read so far, it always talks about find and pursuing God. That in Him, and only Him, is true wisdom, understanding and knowledge.  My first prayer for the girls, and everyone, is that they will live lives of discipline in pursuit of Jesus.  I pray that, like Nicodemus in John 3, they would seek Him personally in their lives.  I pray that they would not take what I say or Jenn says, or our relationships with Jesus, but make it their own.  I hope that they will search for Him, find Him and make it personal for themselves.  

The second thing I felt was important to write about, was the sermon I listened to today. It was from Josh Patterson at Village Community Church.  He talked about fear of the Lord.  He talked about how he wanted to be a man of action, not intentions; and not live a life that is inconsistent with his faith in Christ. He talked about Proverbs as well and how it is a book designed to speak to the wise, the foolish and the young.  He said that Fear of the Lord is the beginning of growing in wisdom and depth in Christ. He talked about how fear of God is understanding that God is Holy and has to deal with the sin He hates so much, but to do it in awe and reverence of who He is and what He has done FOR us in Christ on the cross.  Josh shared that to walk in Godliness and wisdom, we must develop a posture of dependence and humility, and a recognition of who we are apart from Him and who we are in Him.  I really pray that my girls will, through their pursuits of Jesus, gain an understanding and awe of God and what He does for us in order to draw us to Himself.  I pray that they would fear Him and live lives that are intentional and consistent.  I pray that they'd understand that nothing else will lead them to a full, satisfying and eternal life.  That anything short from seeking God only leads to restlessness (as Os Guiness says in The Call). 

Josh also shared a story about how he asked his soon to be father-in-law for his daughter's hand in marriage.  He had previously asked her dad for permission to date her and pursue his daughter.  He said that he did this every 6 months and when he finally asked the dad for her hand in marriage this is what he told him, "I have cultivated her and brought her up in life and your job is to take her hand and give it to the savior at the end." He said that it is his job to help cultivate and prepare his wife's heart and mind for God. This is so awesome and my prayer also is that the girls will find someone who loves Jesus more than he loves them and will take this same challenge to lead them and help refine them through Godly love, respect, fear and honor.  I pray that they too would pursue Jesus above their other relationships and feel the call to love and push their husbands and kids closer to Jesus to prepare and refine them for Him.  I pray that they would settle for nothing less.  I pray that I am a father who models this to them in my own life and marriage. I pray that I would learn to fear God with all my life and pursue Him like a hidden treasure.  I pray that they would feel loved, safe and protected, as well as challenged and encouraged in their relationships with Jesus from me.  

I am extremely blessed to have such beautiful girls in my life.  I love so many things about them.  I love watching Hannah play.  She gets into her own world and it is so cute to watch.  I love her sweet little kisses and how she never lets me leave the house with out them.  I love her laugh and how she is just like me and the way she always wants me to chase her. I love how she always makes Aly laugh, says the silliest things and draws pictures of us with multiple eyes and no hands.  I love the way Aly is so much like Jenn it is crazy.  I love how she loves to read and color and do crafts.  That girl is so creative and smart it is unreal.  I love how when she kisses me it is so soft and tender.  She does it like she is a real princess, well she is one...to me.  I love how she gets so excited for school and the best is when she lays down next to me with her Bible and pretends to read it and underline things like me.  She told me the other day that she asked Jesus into her heart in her room.  I love that.  She loves to stack and organize things.  I love that they both love to dress up and pretend to be princesses, and how they play 'Dan and Jenn'.  They are so special.  I can't wait to continue to watch them grow. I love spending time with them and having the challenge of raising girls to feel loved and special.  My only real prayer is that Jesus would be their number one pursuit in life and He would live in and through them.  Ok, long enough.  That's enough from dad!  Love you girls!

Daddy

Acts 2:42-47

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

The Subaru is a mess.  It has been totaled and rebuilt three complete times and has a ridiculous amount of miles one it.  Paint is peeling off in sheets, the driver's door leaks when it rains, there are some mechanical belts that are cracking and the tires are going bald.  We would love a new car, but don't want a car payment right now...and can not afford one since I was rif'd.  As if that car hasn't been through enough, Dan hit a deer a deer ran into the car a few weeks ago. Now, the mirror on the driver's side is hanging by a thread, the lights are all smashed out and it is seriously dented.  Perfect. 

Last Friday there was a break-in a few doors down from us.  The front door was kicked in [in broad daylight] and a lot of stuff was taken.  Since we live on a quiet little loop in the back of the neighborhood, everyone has been pretty shaken.  You can't see our front door when you pull into our garage, so when I got home yesterday with the girls I was reluctant to carry my sleeping children into the crime scene I had created in my head.  I felt this nudging in my heart to go check our front door.  I almost didn't do it because I thought I was just being paranoid, but after silently arguing with myself I gave in because once I get something in my head I have to do it.   

I rounded the corner to the front door, expecting to see it standing wide open, and saw it securely locked. Relief. As I started to turn back around, something in our wreath caught my eye.  I walked up to the door and pulled our a handmade envelope that had "Acts 2:42-47 CAR FUND" written on it.  Inside was $300...cash.  

Now we can fix the lights, the mirror and the belts.  It may be dented still, but as long as it runs we don't care!  We don't know who the money was from and probably never will.  God is so good!

All I can say is we have some pretty incredible people in our lives that passionately love Jesus...and care about us!! Thank you, Jesus, for providing such a supportive, loving community of believers for us to be a part of!

Beautiful

I sent this song, by Mercy Me, to someone who I felt really needed to hear this...whether she believes it or not.  I LOVE you, by the way!!  The song has been in my head ever since.  The words are so encouraging and hopeful that I don't ever want to forget them.  It is something I wish every high school girl in America could hear...and believe.  Oh, how it would change the way they see themselves and live their lives.

I pray, daily, Alyssa and Hannah will rest in this truth with everything that they are:

The days will come when you don't have the strength
When all you hear is you're not worth anything
Wondering if you ever could be loved
And if they truly saw your heart they'd see too much

You're beautiful
You're beautiful
You are made so much more than all of this
You're beautiful
You're beautiful
You are treasured, You are sacred, You are His
You're beautiful

And praying that you have the heart to find
Cause you are more than what is hurting you tonight
For all the lies you've held inside so long
And they are nothing in the shadow of the cross

Before you ever took a breath
Long before the world began
Of all the wonders He possessed
There was one more precious
Of all the earth and skys above
You're the one He madly loves
Enough to death

You're beautiful
You're beautiful
In His eyes

You're beautiful
You were meant for so much more than all of this
You're beautiful
You are treasured, You are sacred, You are His

Spreading {a little} Christmas Cheer

Last year Dan and I reconnected with a few of our old YL club kids from Grove City at the 40th Anniversary dinner.  Now they are married, college grads with a beautiful baby of their own!  We have spent some time with them since getting to know them and enjoying their friendship.  Then, out of the blue,  Matt sent Dan a text asking if we were home because they wanted to drop something off to us for Christmas.  I thought they had baked us some cookies or perhaps a gift card for a night out...neither of which were necessary.  I got a text about an hour later saying they had left it on our front porch, but that we would need to bring it in soon.  I almost fell over when I opened the door.  

It was a BRAND NEW 42'' PLASMA TV - Are. You. Serious.

Dan called Matt when I told him what it was and he just said, "They just wanted to spread a little Christmas cheer." 

They are nuts...in a good way!  It is humbling and makes me want to do something for someone else.  Their generosity is amazing, and generosity like that makes others want to follow Jesus.  I hope some day we not only have the money to be as {or more} generous, but also that we have the heart to bless people the way they do.  We are so thankful for their friendship and their hearts for the Lord...oh yeah, and our new TV ;)

CHRISTmas Time

If I haven't mentioned before...or you haven't gathered by now, we LOVE this time of year! Family and friends, holiday lights and festivals, carols and movies, presents and beautiful tress, bustling malls and horse drawn carriage rides...my heart is so joyful this time of year can't even list all the things that make me smile.  It's just the overall cherry, festive spirit of this season.   It is a time that we want to bathe with love and tradition so the girls can look back on it with fond memories to pass on to their children someday.   But.  We don't want to get so caught up in the 'stuff' of the season and forget WHY we celebrate.  

This is the season of Advent.  Advent means 'awaited arrival', so this season is truly the celebration of something {momentous} coming. 

A Savior of the world. 

Not Santa Claus...

Jesus!

At Christmas we rejoice over His arrival!  It is a birthday party! A party for a King...where we get the gifts!  And, even more, a celebration of what his birth means for mankind.  That is why we celebrate!  That is why my heart is overflowing! That is what we want the girls to understand! 

We talk every year about how we are going to do this.  Of course we want the girls to have fun and experience the magic of Santa and his Elves, but we also want them to find joy in serving others and giving to those who are truly in need.  Some things we have already been doing.  Some things they are not old enough for yet.  

But, they definitely understand birthdays...and the countdown to the big day. So, I found this Advent Journey on another blog that I read and thought it was a great way to help them (and us) understand the season! 

I sincerely hope that when the girls look back at all of our Christmases together they cherish all the activities we did and time we spent together as a family.  More importantly, I pray they remember that there is someone who loves them even more than Dan and I (or Grandma and Grandpa) ever can...Jesus Christ.  And we get to celebrate his birthday with Him.

Busted!

When I was home sick on Tuesday I was in and out of the bathroom.  One of those times I cam out to find the family room was very quiet.  I wasn't sure where the girls had gone so I just stood there for a second.  Then, I saw Hannah's little foot stick out from behind the chair and heard a familiar giggle.  I knew they had to be up to something so I turned the camera on my phone and began to tip toe over there.  On my way I heard Aly whisper to Hannah, "Shhh!"  This is what I found...

Hannah had gotten into the pantry and got a bowl of candy.  Both of them were frantically eating as much as they could before they got caught. Caught. Red. Handed.  

Note To Self:  Candy goes up one shelf higher!

Two for One

Teri and I have been best friends for almost 18 years.  The kind of friends who were always together, get mistaken for sisters, went on vacations with each others families and were each others maid and matron of honor.  We have been there for each other in some really hard times, have laughed until we cried and shared too many great times to count.   We didn't know what life was like without each other.  After we graduated high school our friendship started to evolve.  We were in different places in our lives.  Sometimes I wondered if we would always stay in touch, but somehow time has held us together.  And even though we went different colleges, have experienced many seasons of life apart and continue to live in different cities we can still get together and talk as though we haven't missed a beat. 

One things I was really looking forward to was experiencing motherhood together.  Last summer Teri finally joined me on that journey when Caleb was born.  I guess she felt like she needed to catch up because only a few moths after he was born she told me they were expecting again!!  I could not wait until she found out the sex.  I knew she was wanting another boy, but having two girls I was secretly (or maybe not so secretly) hoping for her to have one too. When she finally called to tell me I was not at all expecting to hear, "It's another boy...times two."

Twins. 

Due in August.  

One month after Caleb's first birthday.

Oh. My. Gosh.

I know all the things that went through my head in that moment so I can't begin to imagine what was going through hers.

As luck would have it, the twins were born when we were on vacation.  Then school started shortly after so we didn't get to go see them.  Finally, yesterday, we got to meet the twins and we got to spend some time catching up on life.    

They are beautiful and perfectly healthy.  The girls were so cute with them too! Hannah wasn't really sure what to think and Aly loved helping my feed them.  However, they both let us know they did not want one of their own :) It was surreal to see her with THREE babies and watch her balance them so skillfully.  She is such a great mom and has way more patience than I do!  Thankfully she also has an amazing, involved husband who loves her and doesn't just sit back while she does all the work!   

It was refreshing and exhausting all at the same time.  Unfortunately, we didn't take any pictures because we were to busy talking and feeding babies to do that...or even order pizza.  But, hopefully when they come up next weekend we can at least get together for a shot of us with our 5 CHILDREN!

Now that both of our families are complete, we talked about the future.  Hopefully that includes more time with our families together and some Bender-Petit vacations!  I am so thankful for our friendship and the time we got to spend together last night!  And, Teri, remember the house behind us (and beside us...and across the street from us) is not sold yet...

She said what?!?!?!

I know, I haven't blogged in a while.  With the last week of summer vacation and the first week of school, I have had much time to sleep...let alone blog.  We have to many plates spinning right now, but I promise to catch you all up on that precious last week of summer and how the first week back went sometime this weekend!  To hold you over, here is a story I got in a text from Emily yesterday right as school was ending...I was literally crying at my desk I was laughing so hard:

Alyssa (out of the blue): I have to go back to school in 3 weeks... 

Emily: Oh yeah!  Are you excited?

Alyssa: No.  I don't freaking want to go back to school.  It makes my stomach hurt just thinking about it!

Rest assured she is not going to give herself stomach ulcers worrying about the upcoming school year...she is, in fact, extremely excited to start!  She has been asking me over and over if it is time yet and how much longer.  She was overcome with joy when she got the letter from her teachers and has already picked out her 'first day of school' dress.  Unfortunately, she must have heard me tell Dan the same thing a few weeks ago...I can't talk that way anymore.  I don't want her take on my anxiety about work and think that school is a negative thing.  Plus, you just never know what is going to come out of her mouth!! ;)

Music Makes Us Sing!

Although I am not very musically gifted, other than being able to sing somewhat (I think...or at least in the car and the shower) music is definitely a big part of my life.  And when I say music I mean other people singing, writing and producing music that is pleasing to my ears. But seriously I love music and always have.  Music, good music at least, really speaks to you in so many ways.  It covers so many emotions and usually says what you want to say, but don't know how to.  I really love the singing part of worship at church because I feel like the Holy Spirit is alive and moving in music to soften and prepare and speak to me and others during that time.  Growing up, my best memories of childhood and being with my dad were always ones with music involved.  My dad and I went to tons of concerts together when I was a teenager and he always loved it and had something on at the house on the weekends.  There are a lot of songs and artists that give me that nostalgic feeling when I hear them.  It always brings me back to a nice summer evening on a Saturday,  windows open, and music on in the background.  Usually my dad had some friends over playing darts or just hanging out while I played G.I. Joes or cars.  He always had it on and I love those memories.  We always talked about music and liked the same people even to this day.  So music has been so important to me always.  I love a cool summer night with the windows open listening to music.  There is something so relaxing to me about that.  I can't wait for a screened-in porch at our house so I can enjoy many evenings relaxing to some good music and friends.  

Why do I say all of this?  Since I love music so much and it brings back so many memories and great feelings I have always wanted to share that with the girls.  This past year or so I have gotten to do that with Aly and Hannah.  It started with Aly who loved the song 'Your Love is Strong' by Jon Foreman.  It is an awesome song about God's love for us.  Aly used to love it and ask for it and sing the chorus with me every time we were in the car. Since then Hannah has began to enjoy and sing songs with us in the car and they have found many more favorites.  It is sooooo cute to listen to them sing or in Aly's case try to sing all the words.  She kind of mumbles along with the songs and picks up a few words or verses here and there, but she wants the music loud because she doesn't think we can hear her.  She will immediately stop if we look at her, because she gets so embarrassed.   She actually knows most of the words to a lot of songs.  Its so amazing and precious to listen to her little munchkin voice singing the words.  Hannah gets  mad at Aly every time a song comes on and tells her, "no Ahyeee (Aly), its my sauhn (song)". We always have to tell her that it is all of our songs and then she proceeds by giggling and singing a few cute and loud words here and there that she remembers.  They both really love music also and always request songs when we get in the car.  I finally made them a play list on my iPod.  Here is what is on it (these are what they ask for or say they like): 

Zac Brown Band (Free , Chicken Fried and Highway 20 Ride)

The Fray (Syndicate [or as Aly calls it 'Baby Close Your Eyes'] and Never Say Never)

Jon Foreman (Your Love is Strong)

Brad Paisley (Water)

Mat Kearney (Closer to Love)

Disney Princesses (Kiss the Girl, or 'Gill' as Hannah says (with a southern twang), Belle and If You Can Dream)

Keith Urban (If I Ever Could Love, Only You Can Love Me this Way)

I know there will be much more to come for this play list. I Love, Love, Love that they enjoy music with me.  It has been such a special thing we have shared together and as a family.  A couple other favorite moments and times that involve music for us have been at home.  My favorite evenings this last year and especially this summer have been when we turned off the TV and put on music and danced around the living room and kitchen with the girls.  I love the nights when the windows are open and the music is on and we sit down for dinner together and laugh and sing and dance.  We have had some special nights and days together doing that and I will continue to do.  It's awesome how God uses music to mold and move our family.  I wish I played the guitar or something, but other peoples music will work for me.  I hope they grow up and have great memories of time spent with Jenn and I listening, laughing, eating and dancing to music together.  They even help me do the dishes while we listen sometimes (hopefully that continues, huh?).  I love spending time together as a family and music just adds to that and makes it that much more fun and special.  This has been such a great summer and past year.  I love watching Aly and Hannah grow and act and dress up like princesses and enjoy life.  They constantly remind me of the love that God has for us and the desire he has to spend time with us and be in relationship with us. 

As a side note (since I don't blog much): Jenn and I have decided to be Young Life leaders in Gahanna...again, only this time it will be as a family.  We are so excited about this decision because our girls will get to do it with us and watch us share Christ with high school kids and with the leaders. It's going to be so fun to see how God uses our family and relationships to  minister to those around us.  I am also excited to have my girls be cared for and loved by our leaders, who love Jesus and will show Christ to them.  This is a very fun time in our lives and I can't wait to see God move in this community and our family.  Oh, and this was mostly Jenn's idea. Just thought I would give her credit!  It is fun to watch God call my wife into ministry and a passion to share Christ and our family with high school kids.  God has changed her in so many ways and made her an amazing mom, wife, teacher and woman of God...and He is still working.  I am so unbelievably thankful for Jenn and my girls.  My prayer is that we will all know Jesus more together, be good stewards of all he has given us and glorify Him with our lives and relationships.  Ok, that's a lot and I'm done!  

Dad's out...for now.

Death By Milking:

Our couch is was relatively new.  At least within the last 5 years.  In that short amount of time it has been peed on, puked on, pooped on, 'dogged' on, spilled on, climbed on, ripped...sewn back up and had springs pop through.  And, all things considered, it has held up fairly well.  Until now.  Now all that is left is half of a sectional and the carpet marks where the beloved chaise once sat.

Why?

All day yesterday Dan and I keep smelling something.  We couldn't put our finger on it, but it did not smell 'good'.  At first we thought it was something in the trash or disposal.  Those were clean.  We kept smelling the dogs, who are the usual sticky suspects.  They, surprisingly, were also clean.  We finally assumed it was just a food smell from the left over spaghetti we were having for lunch.  

After going on a walk last night the smell was getting stronger and making my stomach turn.  So after the girls were in bed, I went on a mission to find it to origin of the odor.  I smelled high and low until I found the unusual place it was coming from...the back of the couch.  That could only mean one thing.  I immediately feared the worst.  Moving the cushion out of the way, my fears were confirmed.  ROTTEN MILK.  One of the girls sippy cups of milk had gotten wedged between the cushion and the back of the couch.  Forgotten about, it began to curdle and leak out of the cup until the smell was strong enough to come through the back of the couch.  GAG! Super gross.

It is in the garage now so the stench would clear out of the house.  It is soaked into every nook and cranny.  Cleaning is simply not an option.  A new couch was not in the budget for at least a few years, so now we have to decide if we should go cheap and expect to buy a new one in a few years when the girls are older and the dogs are dead.  Or, invest the money in a couch that will 'last'.  However long that is...

These are the things that can only happen as a parent.  You can't make this stuff up.  But, lesson learned: always count the sippy cups to make sure they ALL return.

What is the grossest thing you have experienced as a parent? 

Childhood Rite of Passage: Lemonade Stand

In true entrepreneurial spirit, Alyssa and Hannah set up their first ever Lemonade Stand at mom's garage sale yesterday.  A lemonade stand is a rite of passage for every American child so I thought, since it was a hot day, no one could resist buying a refreshing summer treat for 25¢ from two sweet little girls.  Well, I guess the economy really is hurting because I was wrong.  While there were a few paying customers, the majority of her business came from family.  I could not believe all the grumpy, rude people who walked past them and did not even acknowledge they were there!  If I saw a kid's lemonade stand stand, even if I were not thirsty, I would've bought a glass...or two.  It's 25¢!!  What is wrong with people?!?!?!?

She was so excited about it and had fun, but it was sad to see her business so slow.  She kept asking me all more when people were going to come and would say "Maybe they are thirsty..." when people walked up.  At one point she went in to watch TV with grandpa and would come back every once in a while to ask me if she had any customers!  So. Stinkin'.  Sweet.

If you include everything she made $12.60...take out family related income and she is left with $2.25.  Minus the cost of supplies, she made -$10.27.  That is like a 183% LOSS.   Maybe she would qualify for stimulus money as a small business owner... just kidding ;) If not for generous investors who don't expect to be paid back (mommy and daddy) she would be forced to lay off her sister employee and go out of business.  Then again, sometimes in business you have to consider all of the 'opportunity costs'...and the experience for them was priceless.

Open for business with a little help from Grandpa.

 

Shootin' the breeze with their very first customer.

 

Showing Daddy the hard earned profit.

 

There wasn't a 'kiss' on the menu...

 

They added all $12.60 profit to their piggy bank for the Disney 'fund' this morning.  At this rate we might be able to go by the time they graduate high school ;)  Actually, we are planning to go in two years...when Alyssa is 6 and Hannah is 4!

Why I LOVE being a mom of GIRLS: Reason #25

Pretty Princess Pink Pedicures.  It doesn't get better than this!

Another Page Turned

I knew this day was coming, but for some reason this decision seemed very...final.   

It has been used consistently for 4 years straight and two babies.  But, after many mid-night wake up calls and sleepless nights on the couch with her I decided it was time.  The crib had to go.  

Now, our baby has a brand new Big Girl bed. 

They both watched me disassemble the crib and helped us set up the new mattress.  I don't know who was more excited, Hannah or Alyssa.  I was worried about bedtime, but last night went fairly smoothly...once I got her to sleep.  I am hoping tonight goes even better.  We need to create a new night-time routine for her that she can get used to and I think it will be fine.  She seemed so grown up when I was laying there, reading and praying with her last night...

As sad as it was to see the crib come down, it is exciting to be in this phase of life.  They are so fun right now that I wish I could just freeze time.

So now we are a crib free, changing table free home.   There are only one real 'baby' item left, the glider.  Dan doesn't know this yet, but the glider in the corner is never going away.  I rocked both of the girls in it, and I will rock my grand-babies in it someday - all 6 of them,  according to Aly ;) Somethings you just have to hold on to!   

Wish us luck on night #2!!