Motherhood and other ramblings

Seaweed and Other Conversations

2012-01-27T13:08:00.003-06:00

This morning after breakfast, as all mornings, G asked for her seaweed snack. The seaweed we currently have left is actually wasabi flavor, so you know it is hot.

G said,"Mama, do you want me to teach you how to eat this seaweed so it doesn't burn?"

I declined. Of course that didn't deter her. She proceeded to explain that she doesn't swallow her spit. I know, you were eager to hear that answer.

So after I had left the kitchen to get dressed, G just didn't seem to be coming along in a timely fashion. I headed out of the room to find her, running into her in the hall. I asked her what took her so long to which she replied, "I taught the left side of my mouth how to eat seaweed."

All rightly then; now, apparently, G's whole mouth knows how to eat wasabi seaweed.

time for a book review:

2012-01-26T13:35:00.003-06:00

William Tyndale: The Man Who Gave God An English Voice by David Teems
Great book that tells the story of 1 Bible translator in the time of our history when control of the people by the official church resembled current day I*slam. The medieval church's control of governments helped create and enforce laws preventing the Bible from being read, studied or interpreted into the language of the common man or from the Vulgate. Doing so resulted in death by fire. This was the fate of William Tyndale.

After leaving the country of his birth during the reign of Henry the 8th, never to return, Tyndale spent his life on the run. David Teems does an excellent job of allowing us to peep over the shoulder of the translator as he works. Teems brings into the story how diiferent players in the court aided the reformation and supported the translators. Anne Bolyen was one such supporter who gave to Henry a copy of one of Tyndale's (now an outlaw) books.

I am constantly reminded through history and current examples how religion has never been man's answer. Religion will always be used by humans to enslave other humans. No, the answer is a relationship with the Creator God, through JESUS' death on a cross, guided by the Holy Spirit. Tyndale's goal was to give English speakers the ability to know his God just as close as he himself knew Him.

I received a free copy of this book. Opinions are 100% mine and I have never been one not to share.

Weird Response to Wikipedia

2012-01-25T13:16:00.003-06:00

Okay, so not really but to some information on there. A bit of background, G has a book and now a movie on Gladys Aylward. Gladys was a British missionary to China at the time of the Japanese invasion. She was also the paid foot inspector of the country side in her area at the time when foot binding was outlawed. Cultural or not, barbaric actions taken against women, really toddlers at the time. So obviously we have had some intense conversations around foot binding. G constantly says how glad she is to not have had her feet bound and how happy she is that she isn't still in China just in case they tried. So last night I had the brilliant idea to show her what it was all about. At some point there was a video of an elderly woman whose wealthy family continued the tradition and bound her feet as a child after the ban. I didn't succeed in finding that video but I did find the wikipedia site.

I showed G the old photos and then I started reading about the procedure and how they did it. Then I started feeling woozy and extremely ill. Never mind that this was historical information only and I wasn't actually witnessing or participating in it. I almost fainted from reading it only. G was a bit confused and concerned but wanted to know if I had any nightmares about it. I didn't but the ill feeling took a bit to fully subside. So just a warning, wikipedia can cause illness, or at least the info found there can.

Like slavery in America's history (and that which is still going on) foot binding is a blot on China's history and mis-treatment of women. Humans sure can find the most barbaric ways of injuring each other and justifying it.

Oh and have I mentioned lately that I really do love my fire? I do my blogging here and can upload photos too.

Gong Xi Fa Cai

2012-01-23T13:09:00.003-06:00

G created an egg carton dragon in honor of Chinese New Year. One of many projects she completed yesterday.

That Might Hurt

2012-01-20T11:28:00.002-06:00

G asked if she had to go to China camp this year then told me she would be in the hospital having her legs replaced during that week and would not be able to go. I told her that exchanging legs might hurt to which G replied, "I will have medicine to make me sleep". To which I replied that recovery would still hurt and China camp is not as expensive as surgery.

The whole conversation took place at breakfast and China camp hasn't been brought up recently. I, always being the understanding empathetic mom, told her that no matter what she would be going to China camp this year as well.

heh

2012-01-19T13:28:00.003-06:00

Found on the President's cousin's

2 Very Unexpected Surprises

2012-01-18T13:24:00.002-06:00

Last night in the mail I receiced a free *bucks drink card and something from the home owners insurance on the house I ended up selling on short sale. Initially I was going to throw it away without opening it but I was too curious to do that. So glad I opened it, I can now get new tires on my car because it was a refund check of no small amount. This is coming in very handy because my bank balance is looking a wee bit frightening and gas is going up due to some strange happenings in Nigeria and with the OPEC nations. Wish that Keystone Pipeline from Canada was complete!!!

Anywho, I know Whom I believe and He is able to keep that which I have entrusted to Him against that day!!!

2012-01-13T17:48:00.001-06:00

27 million people. Go to klove.com to find out what this means. IHTA. Justice for the enslaved.

If the U.S. Was a Family

2012-01-13T13:31:00.004-06:00

This would be the actual budget in understandable comparable terms. Interesting how 8 zeros can make something do simple more difficult for the average person to comprehend. There is a ginormous difference in 1 million and 1 billion. Since they are both such HUGE numbers average folks don't always comprehend it.

Sistine Chapel

2012-01-10T12:37:00.003-06:00

This is most awesome. Check it out. My first trip to Europe took me to Rome and I was able to visit the Sistine Chapel. I literally stood with my mouth open in utter amazement. And it was so crowded. I can't wait to show G later. I showed her pictures out of the museum book I purchased there. One day I hope G goes to all the places I have been and more. I am trying to instill a travel bug in her. I hope she catches it for I believe the travel bug is truly caught not taught.

Love This Explanation

2012-01-07T10:18:00.003-06:00

Everyone must see this video by Bill Whittle. Things haven't changed!! It is good and right to be Republican.

2012-01-06T15:59:00.001-06:00

Correction to the "miro" in last post. Should have said "mifi," stupid auto correct.

new fav hotspot

2012-01-06T14:23:00.002-06:00

Great big home improvement store parking lot. So I managed to snag a deal on a miro with pay as you go monthly service. I can go to the hispl, as noted in first sentence, during my lunch hour however. If necessary, I can go walk around in there as well.

2012 is not shaping up to be the year I was hoping. Could be because of this massive head cold I have or because my lady month started 5 days too early or that I don't know what will happen with job at the end of March. I began the year with high hope and anticipation but this week is just leaving me with high anxiety. I am sure it will get better soon.

G has been making strides with sleeping in her own bed these last two nights at home. She started back to school yesterday just in time for the weekend. She started basketball practice last night on an all girls 2nd-6th grade team. I am not yet sure how I feel about that yet. I will withhold judgment until after the first game next week (or possibly will withhold indefinitely) .

I am a wee bit tired of non-santa-believing kids telling my kid about Santa. I myself believe in Santa who was an historical religious figure that is now legend and can live on in an idea. I understand ones family's right to not practice the Santa myth but leave my kid alone about it. When G asks if he is real I tell her about St. Nicholas who was a follower of Jesus and helped people out of his own riches giving gifts like the wisemen gave Jesus gifts and that is why we give gifts to each other. Do you like how I get all wordy in my explaination? Helps G to forget what she asked without giving away the secret. Once she asked how would she contact Santa when she had children? I told her she would get the info passed down from me as I got it passed from my own mom.

G and I celebrated her first participation in communion on Christmas eve which in our little family was a big deal. In our denomination she has always been allowed to though I chose to make her wait. She and I as a family made it her first communion which was special to me probably more than to her. I felt age-wise and holiday wise it was a good time.

Let me think, is there anything else I could say about anything? Probably, but the fire keyboard is a bit confining. Still loving it as a replacement computer. Though it isn't really the best replacement I can settle for now. Two of my nephews are still very sick though not in the hospital. Just keep them and their parents in your prayers if you would.

Oh and tapzoo is addicting. Just thought I would throw that out there.

Happy Belated New Year

2012-01-02T13:30:00.003-06:00

We spent a quiet day at home doing laundry, working on all of G's craft projects and reading. When I went in the kitchen to make pizza for supper I remembered that one time sparkling grape juice was on clearance and I was saving them for a special day. Then I realized that we don't have special days, we make special days. So for New Year's Eve I chilled the sparkling juice, got down the fancy glasses and we had a celebration.

G saw the glasses and said, "Woah, Mama, those are the types of glasses you would find at a fancy restaurant." I agreed with her and told her that an old boyfriend bought them for me (only 2 glasses) and I had not used them much. G liked the sparkling juice but she said it tasted like orange juice and sprite, heh.

So after I taught her to hold the glass and not choke the stem with the death grip she originally had, we could both toast the new year. And we were both in bed before 9pm, because after all, one midnight is the same as the other midnight and Sunday School was early in the morning.

Today we are hanging out with my parents because G is spending the night with them until school starts this week. Can't believe the holidays are over already, seems Christmas was a million years ago.

I am cautiously optimistic about 2012. I hope I am coming out of my 4 year funk (for that is all I can describe it as) and hoping this year will be a turn around for our little family. And my nephew is finally coming home from the hospital today.

What Would You Say to a 1 Year Truth Challenge?

2011-12-29T18:21:00.002-06:00

Phil Calloway said yes which lead to a very funny book To Be Perfectly Honest: One Man's Year of Almost Living Truthfully Could Change Your Life. No Lie.

Calloway is a Christian humorist and no that is not an oxymoron as many people may think. This is the first book I have ever read by him and I have a laugh warning for you, don't read while drinking (coffee up the nose is not comfortable) and don't read where your LOL bursts might embarrass you or get you fired.

I believe Calloway is a very brave man. This is a dare that though I would like to believe I always tell the truth about everything, we just completed a holiday that celebrated the birth the Savior of the world but left me telling fib upon fib about a dead St. who brings toys to children overnight. So yeah, truth telling challenges would not be for the faint of heart.

Through his book, however, he demonstrated true spiritual growth because even his prayer time with the Father changed. He made a fine point that prayers where we say the opposite of how we feel is quite ridiculous since God knows your thoughts and heart anyway.

There are tears as well as Calloway walks through the dementia that steals his mother in this life but finally releases her to a glorious after life with her Savior.

I really enjoyed this book. I was able to read it quickly over two days both laughing and crying. If you have had a rough year or are facing a difficult new year, this book will not only lighten your load but will give you perspective. I know I will look at my own life much differently after reading his trip through the year of telling the truth.

I received a free digital copy of this book. The opinions are 100% my own.

UPDATE:

2011-12-29T10:12:00.002-06:00

Please pray, my nephew was taken to the hospital this morning by ambulance from the dr. office. He has pneumonia. My mom is beside herself with worry.

UPDATE: Nephew is still in the hospital but is better. Please keep praying. Thanks

ID's Required

2011-12-27T18:18:00.002-06:00

great blog post shared by Dr. Wolf on the Wolf files with regard to the deep down belief of why ID shouldn't be required to vote when they are required in every other daily transaction listed in the pictre (also found on Wolf Files).

G's Dragon

2011-12-26T17:44:00.002-06:00

One of G's gifts from me (was purchased 4 or 5 years ago) was a box set on how to draw or make paper dragons. This is a picture of G's Eastern dragon. She drew it and painted it. I helped a very little basically with encouragment and the green background. G did the face, majority of the body, scales, legs and feet. I helped with the tale and some of the interior of the design. It was a very good dragon and an interesting project for her.

Terrible Pictures from a Wonderful Day and Merry belated Christmas

2011-12-26T14:12:00.003-06:00

These were taken with my phone in the only restaurant/bar open on Christmas. G and I were on our own for the day and after church, playing with some of the toys brought by Santa and a wee nap for me, I took G to see the movie The Adventures of TinTin. Very good movie by the way.

It ended after 6pm so I hoped and prayed we would find a place to stop and eat. Lo and behold one restaurant in the whole of big city was open and packed. A family who came in after me struck up a conversation because her brother and family adopted a 3 1/2 year old from some southern place in China (she couldn't remember now) about 5 years ago. So we had a conversation about her precious niece Quinn in MS and my precious G while waiting for a table to open up. Love the China connection (I really do).

While at dinner, I turned G onto the finer things of life like fried dill pickles!! As far as I am concerned fried dill pickles are a staple of life. Too bad I don't eat them except on special occassions and what could be more special than Christmas with my G?

While we waited G played the fire which also drew conversations out of other diners waiting. They all assumed it was her present. I explained that she was playing with the family gift because I never get to even hold it when she is around hardly.

Before we left the restaurant G asked if I would re-wrap all her gifts so she can open them again. She promised to forget everything she got so it would be like a surprise all over again! I said no.

G did receive from my parents a new set of sheets and bed cover (on super clearance from Target like REALLY SUPER CLEARANCED) and she slept in her own newly made up bed all night long last night! WOOT! We had left a (safety) heater on in her room so it was toasty warm for her and pretty much stayed that way even when I moved the heater back to my room. She played her new DS games while she fell asleep.

I have to say I loved having Christmas on a Sunday. We so enjoyed going to worship service Christmas Eve (candlelight service) then to worship the One Who came to the manger to grow and die on the cross for our sins, on that day we have chosen to celebrate as His birthday added so much to the day. ~~Plus in a heathen way it broke up the present unwrapping so that celebration lasted longer too.~~

Today, I packed G up to spend the week with my parents since I have to go back to work tomorrow. She packed up most of her Christmas to bring with her to have something to play while here. Hoping she won't scatter all the bits where we can't find them. She is pretty good about keeping all the little bits together when she plays but has a bad habit of forgetting where she last kept it all. She also has 7 year old eyes that look for things only even with her standing line of sight.

Anyway looking forward to the New Year and praying it will be MUCH better than the last few.

Friday Before Christmas Activities

2011-12-23T12:41:00.004-06:00

Candycane Elf went with G (stowed away in her suitcase) to spend the night with the grandparents. This morning G found him tangled up in her over the door basket ball goal. It appears he must have been trying to slam dunk and got a bit confused at what is supposed to go first. Later in the morning as my dad passed under the door way, Candycane threw the ball at him.

G and I made a new ornament for their tree. I found the idea and instructions from Kim's Musings blogs. It is a walnut shell ornament. We used a rock for the face because we didn't have any beads although I thought we did. It is most itty bitty and the phone's camera kept trying to flash which washed the picture out but there it is. I painted G's name on one side and the year on the other.

Anyway, that is what we have been upto today, two days before Christmas.

I am very tired too because a friend and I went to see the new Sherlock Holmes movie. LOVED IT!!! LOVED IT!!! I want to keep Robert Downey Jr. as Sherlock Holmes forever!!! Great movie. Now I want to see Mission Impossible and the Adventures of TinTin. TinTin may be a real possibility but MI may have to wait for the video.

Elves Talk to Each Other

2011-12-21T18:31:00.002-06:00

Our Candycane spoke with another elf who said fishing in toilets was the thing to do so this morning, G found Candycane had caught a green goldfish out of our toilet.

**I almost hurt myself trying to not laugh!

Hard facts to overcome...

2011-12-19T13:36:00.003-06:00

interesting article about what Asians face in college admission practices. I guess G will just have to mark white. Of course we should exclude race questions from all questionnaires.

Needed in Our Financial Times of Trouble

2011-12-18T14:27:00.004-06:00

Very timely for those of us struggling financially and in this economy very few people aren't struggling. Ellie Kay gives you a plan that in 60 minutes a day you can bring your family back into financial health. She guides the reader through a well thought out plan to reign in spending, get out of dept and save for the future. Each 60 minute work out has tips to use during the workout. This book is the 60 Minute Money Workout, out this month.

This is meant to be a workbook not just a book to read. This requires active participation from the reader as that is the only way to become financially healthy, active participation in planning, setting financial goals, looking at reasons we spend money and the whys we spend money on the things we do. It is a good resource for couples to get on the same page financially speaking.

I am hoping that this book for my family will be the turn around I need. I am going to go back through it actively now and really work it so that by the end of 2012 I will be debt free and financially healthy again.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my opinions.

Adventures of Candycane

2011-12-18T14:00:00.005-06:00

Sorry the pictures are so bad. I used the phone to take them. This little elf has gotten into some fun places. One morning he was in my cabinet with a note pad and wrote "good behavior" to take back to Santa that night.

Then one day he used a sucker to have a treat in one of G's hand made cups from school. Then one morning he was just hanging around on the cabinet door.

He drank G's milk from the night before as he hung out in the refrigerator where she put it.
G wasn't too upset with that since she obviously didn't want that milk again.

The second morning he got into G's leap frog games and played a bit before we woke up.

The first morning he was with us he got into G's snack container where we keep her easy to reach snacks which meant she couldn't get into them for fear of touching him.

Candycane has sure been an interesting addition to our Christmas season.

Hank Hanegraaff's Book

2011-12-18T13:53:00.002-06:00

Has God Spoken? uses a handy acronym "MAPS" to give evidence for divine origin of the Bible.

"M represents the strength of the manuscript itself as many actual fragments have been located

"A stands for the archaeological proofs that have been uncovered

"P is for the prophecy that has accurately predicted events

"S represents the scriptural synergy found in the unity, consistency, and harmony of the sixty-six books"

If you have someone who is questioning the veracity and authenticity of the Bible, this is the book for them. It is a very helpful book for apologetics that any Christian can use to have open and frank discussions with questioning individuals.

It is well written and follows logical arguments with invaluable proofs. Hank Hanegraaff does nothing half heartedly. This is a well researched book to help Christians give an answer for the faith. This book will empower, equip and encourage Christians to always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks, to give the reason for the hope in Christ-with gentleness and respect as Christians are admonished to do in 1Peter 3:15.

Hank Hanegraaff can be heard on the Bible Answer Man radio program and has authored several books such as the Complete Bible Answer Book and The Prayer of Jesus. He is the president of the Christian Research Institute (website is www.equip.org )

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.