Such a Busy Time

Our exchange student from Korea has been with us for 5 days and we all really like her. The picture above is the girls building a volcano for a (home) school project.

Her profile described her as shy and very self-reliant. I'd agree with shy, although she seems to be warming up to us a little more each day. And it took her no time to warm up to the kids! She is very polite and well-mannered.


Last weekend the girls had their end of the year recital. As much as I love watching anything my kids do, I must confess that sometimes I find ballet boring. But this year's Cinderella was an exception! The stepsisters really made the show with their jealous antics.

It looks like our Calico is going to take after her daddy and be a tree climber! Ethan was just standing next to the tree and she about leaped out of her arms trying to get into it. Of COURSE I had to capture that on film.

Speaking of Calico, lately we've noticed that she is extremely stubborn and very dramatic. It is so cute but we try to be really careful to not encourage the behaviour. Ethan was cooking here and she wanted to play with him, but when he couldn't she grumpily threw herself down on the floor and held onto his leg. I think it may be an uphill battle to good behaviour with this one!

The Cat's Out of the Bag!

BIG NEWS!

Okay, so some of you friends already know about this, but Ethan and I are starting a non-profit organization. We've been working on it for about 14 months now. The name of our non-profit is the Messenger Academy of Worship Arts. What is it? Well, maybe I better give some background.

Ethan works closely with churches as part of his job as an audiovisual design consultant. It's his passion really, helping churches. But over and over again he has talked with worship pastors who are frustrated because they have so many people with the desire and the talents, but there isn't any place they can further their training. (Especially at an affordable price.) There are many secular dance studios, for example, but it's rare to find a place where you can take dance lessons where the emphasis is to bring honor and glory to God. Our dream is to have a place where people of all ages can train in visual arts, drama, dance, writing, and music. They in turn can use the gifts God's given them to bring His message to others in their own churches and the community. Another part of the academy will be training for the technical side of things -- running sound, lighting, video, etc.

If you live locally and are interested in teaching a class or being involved in any aspect, we'd love to talk to you. :)

Two New Reviews

The Overton Window by Glenn Beck

Twenty-something Noah Gardner is pretty happy with his life. He has plenty of money, good looks, and doesn't care or feel convicted about much of anything. One day he meets Betsy Ross, a girl who is passionate about the future of the United States. Betsy, and others like her, feel that there is something dangerous brewing among the powerful and influential. Without even trying Noah gets caught up in her campaign and realizes his company is a key part of the frightening changes that are to come.

This was a good read and definitely gave me something to think about. A big part of this book, although it was fictional, was taking a look at how the truth can be manipulated to accomplish the means of the paying customer.

The Distant Hours by Kate Morton

Living a predictable life as a publishing assistant is what sums up Edie's existence, until a mysterious letter from the past leads her to an ancient castle and the three sisters who live there. She slowly uncovers family secrets and mysteries as she explores the history of the castle and its occupants.

This is an amazing book. There's a little bit of adult subject matter so I wouldn't suggest it for teens, but all in all it's very clean. I felt like the author had the perfect balance of making me look forward to reading it but not staying up all night to finish it.

Lazy Me

I'm sorry to my friends that I haven't been much of a blogger lately. Not so much for my posts, but for the fact that I haven't even commented or read anyone else's post. I wish I could say I've been busy traveling or doing something exotic, but the truth is it has just been . . . . life. Sickness. Recovery. School. Spring cleaning. Etc.

It looks as if we will be getting a Korean exchange student again! She should be a little older this time; a fifth grader. The girls are really excited.

We have big news to share, but it may have to wait a couple of days. I also have two new book reports to write up. :) So stay tuned!

Whoa.

I kind of just signed myself up to run 4 half marathons in 4 weeks.

I'm a little bit scared and a little bit excited.

See, the longest race I've ever run is a 5k. Yeah. I'm planning to run a 10k next month, but that's a bit shorter than a half.

But the deal is . . . . the races benefit kiddos in India. Kiddos with AIDS. And that breaks my heart. So I kind of think that even if I need to walk, run, or somersault my way through them it needs to happen. Those kids deserve it.

Prayers appreciated. :)

Our First Break

Last night Spunky and Giggles were messing around, playing in the living room. Spunky heaved Giggles up and accidently dropped her. I was feeding the baby and saw it -- it didn't look good. It looked like she fell on her neck and head. She started crying immediately and saying her shoulder hurt. We put ice on it and gave her some pain medication, but after seeing that both sides of her body didn't match we felt she needed to go into the emergency room. Sure enough, she broke her collar bone. I knew it! They gave her a sling and said her arm needs to stay in it for 4 weeks. (Right. It's going to be a struggle to keep her in it for 4 days!) Her emotions, in order: upset (in pain) scared (about the hospital) curious (after 2 pain relievers) silly (watching Scooby Doo while waiting for results) giggly (today, enjoying extra attention from everyone) Spunky's emotions: guilt guilt guilt Poor girl, I think she's suffering more than her little sister! She already offered to help her pick up eggs at the church Easter egg hunt in 2 weeks. Since neither Ethan or I ever broke a bone, this is new for us. Honestly, I am SO grateful it was just a collar bone. It could have been a lot worse!

Random Thoughts

Hi.

Sometimes the thoughts swirling around in my head need someplace to go, and now is one of those times.

* I have been researching autism therapy dogs. Did you know there was such a thing? I really wish we could get one for Bubba. Here's some of the ways they help: if the child has a problem running away, the dog will retrieve the child to the parent. If the child is self-harming, the dog will interrupt the behaviour. If the child is having a mood swing, the dog will crawl onto the lap and calm the child. Awesome, right? However, the prices for a therapy dog are between $10,000 and $14,000. It's hard to imagine coming up with that kind of money. But it also really intrigues me, because I think of all of the ways it would help us as a family. Imagine camping . . . we've wanted to go before but we are so worried about Bub's safety. It would be nice to have an animal on alert 24/7.

* This one is really random. Ethan had a large bruise on his upper leg this week. When I pointed it out he had no idea where it came from. Then last night after worship team practice was over, he came home and told me he'd figured it out. It was from drumming! Last week's set had so many fast songs that he was using his right hand to play his snare. He hit his leg over and over again in the same place so many times it left a bruise! Made me laugh.