Different But Equal

The Resurgence has a short post on complementarianism.  This teaching on gender roles and God's grace have helped make our marriage a joy.

Why Did Jesus Suffer and Die?

"The death of Jesus is of foremost importance for the world. And the
central issue of Jesus’ death is not the cause, but the meaning—God’s
meaning.

In this book, revised and updated from the previously published The Passion of Jesus Christ,
John Piper has gathered from the New Testament fifty reasons behind the
crucifixion of the Christ. Not fifty causes, but fifty purposes—in
answer to the most important question facing us in the twenty-first
century: Why did Jesus suffer and die?"

With Easter coming soon, Desiring God ministries has a great offer on ordering a case of these books or the audio.  This would be a great idea to pass these out to your neighbors, co-workers, relatives and friends!

Fred Winters's Widow Testifies to Christ

Preschool Picture Day

Today started off all wrong.  I walked into Miles' preschool class to drop him off and all the kids were dressed up in their "Sunday Best".  Oh no!!  Today was picture day!!  I totally forgot.  (Here is another post for "What Kind of Mom Am I").  I swear I lost half of my brain when I gave birth this last time!  I keep doing dumb stuff like this all the time now!  I could start a whole new category on the blog called "Dumb Stuff I Do".  Anyway...   I glanced down at Miles and he has some incredible bedhead so we go to the restroom and wet his hair down and I tell him how handsome he looks.  Then Miles says "I don't want my picture taken".  And then he says it again this time very determined!  Oh no.  He is a stubborn little guy.  His teacher and I tried to talk him into it but we were not getting anywhere.  He had made up his mind.  When I picked him up today the teacher said they tried EVERYTHING to get his picture.  They even let him take the other kids pictures and even tried bribing him with a cookie!!!  Nothing worked.  Soooo.... this is what I have for Miles' school picture.  He drew me his self portrait today.  Doesn't he looks a bit devious?  Thankfully Tracy took some awesome shots of him that will look a thousand times better than any school photo.  It still would have been cute to have them though...

School Open House

Tonight was "Open House" at Mason's school.  We got to see all the neat things he has been working on in the first grade.  He is doing excellent in school.  He loves to learn and has lots of friends.  He is such a great kid. 

Help!!  He is drawing pictures and writing stories about snakes!!  Please don't ask me for one!

Mason is quite the teacher (just like his daddy again). He loves to teach Miles.  Miles was pretty impressed with Mason's classroom.

Mason and Jeffrey.  I love Jeffrey's eyes!

Mason and his teacher, Mrs. Beck.

Miles enjoying a  messy goody from the bake sale.

Desert Camping

This weekend Erick took Mason and Miles camping with Dustin and his two oldest kids.  They had a great time.

Trying not to get scratched by the bushes.

The great injury.  We will hear about this for weeks.

Rocco on rock

Scarlet

Scarlet has the prettiest eyes and smile.

Girl Day

Ellie relaxing after a long day.

She is 4 months now and I can't believe how big she is.   Her personality is starting to show.  Her big blue eyes watch me like a hawk, all the time.  She is smiling and laughing a lot especially when Miles is around.  She has sweaty feet just like Mason did when he was a baby.  She also sucks her thumb, just like Mason used to.  Lately she has been fascinated with her fingers and her voice.  She likes to hear herself "talk" just like Mason still does.  

Erick took the boys camping this weekend.  So it was girl day yesterday.  Ellie and I went to the mall and then watched a chick flick.  She is a much better shopper than Miles has been lately.  Every time I would walk into the baby section with Miles he will need to go to the bathroom immediately or come up with a sudden illness (he is a clever little guy).   Ellie loved shopping (of course she did - she is a Cobb).  I have realized since having a daughter that I need to practice self-control at a whole new level when I go to the mall.  Every thing is so cute!!!   I wanted to buy FOUR Easter dresses for her!!!  But I compromised and just bought 2 (and I will return the one I bought last week).  Why does everything have to be soooo cute?!!  Maybe this is why that ugly word "budget" has been mentioned in our house lately?  That word makes me sad, it is no fun!

What Kind Of Mom Am I?!!!!

When I picked Mason up from school today I saw that he had his shorts on backwards!  Apparently he left the house this morning like that and I didn't even notice.  But any one that would just open their eyes and look at him would have noticed because he had his fly zipper in the "seat" of his pants!!!!  How did he ever go to the bathroom?  How did he not notice?  So strange.  How did I not even see this??!!

Him at Scarlet's house a while ago...

Chick-fil-A

San Diego Zoo

Ellie laughed for the first time today!  The boys were being crazy in the van and she just starts laughing.  It was so cute!!!  I wish I got a video of it or even a picture!  Ellie is also 4 months old today!

Erick took a lot of great pictures.  More on my Flickr site.

I think these guys like to pose for pictures.

Little Ellie has some eyelash competition with this elephant (click on the picture).

That is impressive!

HaHa

I love his freckles

It is so cute how he is holding my head with his hand  :-)

 

Ellie Danielle

Almost 4 months

Knott's Berry Farm

I took the change jar to Coin Star and we were able to buy all of our tickets to Knotts and our lunch with the "spare change"!  Very Cool!  We had so much fun.  I have a ton of pictures it was hard to limit it.  There are more on my Flickr site.

I have a ton of shots of Miles.  He is so fun to take pictures of!

 

I love this!!!  I bet I won't be seeing the boys doing this much longer though  :-(

Blessed

Erick and I are so thankful for Kaleo.  I love hearing how lives are being transformed by the grace of God.  We have meet some of the most wonderful people in Kaleo and God has taught Erick and I so many things though this ministry.  I wanted to say a huge thank you for bringing our family dinners this week!  It was a giant blessing!  We love you!

Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
for his steadfast love endures forever!
Psalm 118:1

Queso 1992-2009

Queso (the orange one) was 16. We had to put him down today.   He
was a very gentle cat.  For the past 8 years I gave him daily insulin
injections for his diabetes and he never once snapped or complained
about the shots.  He has been a good pet and we have been together
for a long time.  I am starting to get sad....

I Love Friday Mornings

Some of us gals have been going through an audio series by Linda Dillow about loving our husbands.  It has been great fun and encouraging.  This morning they surprised me with making a delicious breakfast for my birthday.  Everything was so yummy.  I love you all!  Thanks!!  (Look who is peeking through under the table!)

Rosy with Elijah Nunez.  Isn't he SOOOO CUTE!!  He loves the camera.

Avary with her Aunt Hannah

Elijah with his funny mommy (Danielle).

The gang.  Ellie, Elijah, and Avary.

Just What Every Girl Needs

This cool ride is from Grandma Kristie.  Isn't this a riot!

Dentist Phobia

That is what I had to deal with today.  I had to take the Screaming Mandrake back to the dentist.  Oh it was ugly!  I thought he would have improved because he is a year older.  I think today was worse than last years visit.  There was a lot of screaming.  I am emotionally exhausted.  And our poor dentist!  I think we are going to drive him into early retirement.  Miles' older brother, Mason had a bad case of dental phobia until he started going to this dentist and now he likes the dentist.  Hopefully Miles will grow to like (or at least tolerate) it soon.  I am still traumatized but, I feel a little better.  Blogging is good therapy.