Creative Use of Tie-Down Straps

My "Creative" Side

Our women are in the middle of a Beth Moore study entitled Stepping Up: A journey through the Psalms of Ascent. I have learned many things already but I will just highlight a few.

In Beth's words, "In Matthew 10:28, Christ said, 'Don't fear those who kill the body but are not able to kill the soul'. I'm human like you, and these words can seem like small consolation as we travel this dangerous turf. But when our eyes are truly opened and we see all the ways hell rose against us, the Devil wanted us, and God hid us in the shadow of His wings, we will drop on our knees and worship the Maker of heaven and earth."

Another things is this, again in Beth's words, "Even if our security is in somethings God has given us - our gifts, talents, loved ones, church family, consistent victory, passion for His Word - our seemingly secure mountain ultimately will fall into the sea. We can grow secure in the favor God has shown us, but God's favor and His person are not synonymous. If our trust is in manifestations of God's favor rather than God Himself, we will crumble like dry clay when He calls us to walk a distance of our journeys entirely by faith and not by sight."

A verse that has really stuck out to me is Galatians 6:9, "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."

There have been many more things that have impacted me but you will have to do the study in order to understand many of them. On to where I got the title of the post. At the end of each Psalm, (Psalm of Ascents are 15 psalms - 120-134) we are to document what we most got from that Psalm. Each stair is to represent a Psalm so we are to write it on the stairs. She gave instructions for making stairs but that was too big of a job for me. I ran a transparency copy and traced it. That is the extent of my creativity. It turned out great in my opinion.

A New Discovery

This rock has been in our yard for some time. I have wondered why but never asked. This morning I found out what it is and why it is still in our yard. According to the kids, it is a dragon egg and they are waiting for it to hatch.

Ian's Favorite Things

The Things Kids Say...

Today Ian was using a q-tip and he said that the stuff that came out of his ears was gas. He has admitted that he has had gas for the past couple days (the silent but deadly kind). I guess he thought he would get rid of it by "cleaning the gas out of his ears".

We went to pick Nia up from school one day and standing outside was Nia's kindergarten teacher, Ms. Pat and a girl that was in Nia's class last year, Adriana. Ian was trying to loosen the grip off my hand to go give hugs. (Ian got to know both of them last year). Ms. Pat held out here arms to give bigs hugs while saying that she thought she was not going to get one and Ian ran right for Adriana. Adriana had the biggest smile and we got a laugh out of it. I asked him why he didn't give Ms. Pat a hug and this is what he said, "me in love with that gurwl, not Ms. Pat". He also teased Nia one day about her being "In Love" with a boy. This is his new thing.

The Heaven's Declare His Glory

When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him.
Psalm 8:3-4

Interesting Times With Ian

Staring out the window of the car in a very tired-like manner says, "Me wish me was a bird so me can fly."

He has said this particular phrase several times now while we are playing together: "Watch and Learn".

While he was changing clothes for bedtime, he says to Nia, "Don't look at my boobies" and then looking to me he said "kids have boobies too."

A few weeks ago he decided to go #2 in the shower (he has been potty trained for almost 2 years - this was purely out of curiosity). The reasoning, "it was fun". Later I asked him if it was fun cleaning it up and he said "No, it was yucky". He has since told me as he gets into the shower that we don't poop in the shower, it is yucky. The picture is very fitting.

Beth Moore Fans

I recently found out that Beth Moore is a blogger. She & her daughters work at it often. Click here to view her blog.

Knock Her Out!

Last night during family devotions we read about the Good Samaritan and then at Nia's request, we acted it out. We had different parts being: the robbers who beat up the man, the man who gets beat up and robbed, the Good Samaritan, the donkey, the innkeeper, the priest & levite who passed by on the other side of the road. The first time we played, Nia was the man who got beat up and I was the one who beat her up. Ian , our 3 year old, saw this and decided he didn't want to be the Good Samaritan anymore, he wanted to, in his words, "knock her out". We got such a kick out of that. We played three times with everyone getting a chance to play each part. Romeo was a great donkey that everyone wanted to ride, Nia was good at getting beat up, Ian was a good robber. All-in-all that is one parable my kids won't ever forget!!

Yearly Build-A-Thon

My parents have come to see us in Oklahoma for 3 consecutive years now, on Labor Day weekend. The first year it was just for fun but last year we had asked dad to build us a vanity for our bathroom. Romeo & I had pulled carpet & painted already. So when my parents came they helped us put the finishing touches on the bathroom such as linoleum, vanity, sink, plumbing, & baseboards.

This year we needed help with our deck. It had been in need of repair for some time. The stairs were rotted and it was weak in spots. So for 3 days we all worked hard. Dad & Romeo worked on the deck and I did what I could. Mom cooked and took care of my kids for the most part. Unfortunately, this particular weekend is during my niece's (Emily - Kevin and Alysia's now 3 year old girl) birthday and for 3 years my parents have missed the party so next year we might have to work something else out.

We can't thank Dad & Mom enough for helping us!!

Stairs: Before

After

Lattice: Before

After

You can't tell much by this picture but we took down all the lattice and put up railing.