3.28.2012

As If You Care...{let's pretend}

Yesterday the Men of Honor met at Mr. Love's house.  We thought it was just a schedule issue.  Turns out
these men were served dinner and were taught proper table etiquette.  Absolutely adorable.  I told Mr. Love at conferences that, "yeah, yeah, Caleb is in your class and yeah, yeah his grades are good but what I really want to talk about is Andrew and how I have a major crush on Men of Honor."  He just laughed.
Speaking of conferences, I also had a quick chance to speak to Andrew's math teacher AKA the mother of his current girlfriend.  She's so sweet.  We got laughing.  It was a riot.  We plan to catch up sometime regarding those two little honeys.  Super cute. {yes, I did more chatting than learning last night}

 Andrew's next thing in MOH is to earn tenants for finishing books on subjects of character, diligence, leadership, etc.  He has to take quizzes on what he has read plus take on other tasks such as forming something such as a food drive for the needy and some other awesome responsibilities.  After that he works on being commissioned, then honored by his peers.  Somewhere in this journey he can become knighted but maybe that isn't quite right. {but I think it is}  After these steps, he...maybe that's where the "knighting" fits in.  Anyway, in order to make it to this last step he needs to memorize The Fellowship of the Unashamed by Dr. Bob Moorehead.  The first time I read it, I was taken aback.  It is powerful stuff.  The last paragraph knocked the wind out of me, quite literally.  I couldn't even catch my breath.  I just cried and cried.  Imagine reading about your child and how, once God is ready for him, He will know right where to look and that your child will be recognizable as a man of honor.  If I cannot find peace in that...I just don't know.  {this online version is worded differently than the one handed out by Mr. Love.  Ours seems longer and the last paragraph is way bigger {not longer with more words but more BANG} than it is here...but you still get the idea.

I am a part of the fellowship of the Unashamed. I have the Holy Spirit

Power. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has
been made. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I won't look back, let up, slow
down, back away, or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense,
and my future is secure. I am finished and done with low living, sight
walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tame visions,
mundane talking, chintzy giving, and dwarfed goals.


I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or
popularity. I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised,
regarded, or rewarded. I now live by presence, learn by faith, love by
patience, lift by prayer, and labor by power.


My pace is set, my gait is fast, my goal is Heaven, my road is narrow, my
way is rough, my companions few, my Guide is reliable, my mission is clear.
I cannot be bought, compromised, deterred, lured away, turned back, diluted,
or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the
presence of adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the
pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of
mediocrity.


I won't give up, back up, let up, or shut up until I've preached up, prayed
up, paid up, stored up, and stayed up for the cause of Christ. I am a
disciple of Jesus Christ. I must go until He returns, give until I drop,
preach until all know, and work until He comes.


And when He comes to get His own, He will have no problem recognizing me. My
colors will be clear for "I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the
power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.." (Romans 1:16)


By Dr. Bob Moorehead

 Sometimes it just is what it is at our house...
 Andrew got in a fight with an exercise ball at church.  I cannot remember whether or not I wrote about it already but without glasses on he thought his scratches were blood {although there was a little blood at first} and he was so concerned with not wiping the blood away because he thought he looked cool like this. {his words}
 We like abundance in our home.  Okay, maybe it's me who likes abundance.  At any rate, I threw all these away when I replaced them with another new one...and I had already thrown a couple away. {I happened to find these a bit later}  I am definitely a fan of Falsies and especially falsies Flared by Maybelline.  It works as well as any department store mascara for a quarter of the price...at least at Target.  I heart Target. ♥
 One thing we don't have in abundance at our house is frozen veggies.  That is the reason we feel  a little territorial about our Meijer frozen green beans.  Originally it was frozen peas for very obvious reasons but they disappeared and not wanting to mix bags up accidentally we have gone to the frozen green beans for all injuries.  And I don't buy any other Meijer frozen green beans...just in case.  Kyle wiped out on the basketball court and needed medical attention.  Quick.  Lucky for us we had the beans.  And a nice comfy couch. {he was so worried someone would see this pic of him in his under drawers so I told him they aren't even noticeable.  Six year olds can be gullible}
 Speaking of six year olds, they get too big too fast.  This bug graduated to a bigger bike last spring or summer and one mention from Caleb that he outgrew his bike {How did I never consider his bike?  He's like seven foot sixteen! ☺} and all of a sudden we took inventory.  Caleb is now on Keith's bike, Andrew was on my old {blue} one and is now on Caleb's old one and Kyle moved up again to Andrew's sweet little neon green rhino.  Before the first ride, however, a few adjustments needed to be made...
 The chain needed to be oiled and the brakes checked.  This is all new...handle brakes vs. pedal brakes...
 And away he went!  Apparently I was the only one concerned with taking the downhill trek with new brakes.  It was a total success.  And we all went for a bike ride {sans K who was doing something somewhere}  Everyone looked so nice on their new rides.  No dorks that day, with knees hitting the handlebars or rising above them.  We then celebrated at Hobos.  Yum.
 What's more random?  That we wear hats after showers before bedtime, that someone would actually purchase this hat or that I care enough to post a picture of it?  It's just kind of how we roll.
 Lastly, this is what Andrew has been doing the last couple family-free Tuesday nights.  While the cat is away the mouse will play.  He stumbled upon a new pastime.  He even mixes it up with old episodes of Friends mixed in for good measure.

3.21.2012

New And Fresh...

i'm feeling a bit sassy today and wanted to try something new.  The weather is beautiful and i can only enjoy it from the window so i am taking the opportunity to enjoy the summerish weather online.  be still my heart, pinterest. ♥  i was already non-productive just flipping through magazines for new spring ideas.  now i get to be non-productive for free! {no purchase required}   this sun makes me want to get outside and do tons of outdoorsy types of things and, like in years past, i will get nothing done inside.  welcome, spring!!

3.14.2012

This, That And The Other...

Did you know that some Feng Shui masters say that clogged drains deplete finances, health, aspirations, travel, clog sinuses, and simply, wreak havoc in general?  Ha, I think it's time to clean my drains!

The last time I attempted to blog was February 23rd.  I saved it as a draft to finish it at home during the weekend.  Hmph.  Looks like I have more to work on than just the obvious.

For a brief moment the other day I considered a hiatus...like a real hiatus...from blogging but decided that was too drastic.  I want to blog.  I just feel too overwhelmed some days so even though I get the chance, I am too brain dead to sort my thoughts.

I think in order to make any sense of anything at all, I will not look back and instead only start with today.  Lots has happened and plenty is share worthy but to keep my sanity I will only share what I already saved from the draft last month.

Andrew went to camp last weekend.  Or maybe it was almost two weeks ago.  He came back home a new man.  He kind of moped around the rest of the weekend and for the next couple days, citing his new love for all things camp and Mr. Love and how it was his best time ever and how he missed it all so much.  He's been reading the Proverbs each night before bed.  It's lovely. Last fall he joined Men of Honor through the school at our church.  Although the definition of the club doesn't necessarily fit Andrew, I knew it was going to be a perfect fit for him from the beginning.  I was pleased I didn't have to talk him into joining.

Mission Statement

Men of Honor exists to make passionate followers of Jesus Christ by training & camp; mentoring youth, most of which are at-risk and fatherless youth ages 11-17 in principles of Chivalry, Honor, Moral Excellence and Courageous Leadership utilizing a three pronged strategy of life changing camps, conferences, and weekly curriculum based meetings.


Axioms {the first time I walked in and heard Andrew leading the axioms I was tickled pink...and very proud...he says the first line with gusto and confidence and the remaining "men" follow with the second line}

I am a winner...

I am a man of honor;


I do the right thing...
Because it's the right thing to do;


My word...
Is my bond;


C.H.I.P.
Character, Honesty, Integrity, Perseverance;


If there is no man...
I will be the man;


Manhood and Christ-likeness
Are synonymous;


Being a male is a matter of birth...
Being a man is a matter of choice;


There is no greatness outside of God...
1, 2, 3... YES!

I love that he is enjoying himself and that he feels like he belongs to something special.  Mr. Love is an amazing mentor...lucky us.

Coach Aardema asked if Kyle could skip a night of Awana to attend senior night at the varsity ball game because the team wanted to award him with something.  Kyle has been the water boy for the team all season and has been in heaven every game.  He loves all the boys on the team and they are all so gracious toward him.  My little doll is never at a loss for words but the night his name was called to come out with the seniors, in front of the crowd, he was blown away.  He was awarded a team tee and a signed basketball from the team.  No words could ever explain the pure joy that radiated from his little heart that night.  We are so blessed to be part of such a wonderful community of family, friends and school.


I found this awhile back in my weekly church bulletin.  Had I seen it during the service I would have placed it in the offering plate.  Some days I get to sit back and smile knowing I am doing a good job raising my children.☺
A few weeks ago our wrestling team headed to state finals in Battle Creek.  They were escorted by police and fire personnel and were greeted by many street-lined fans and supporters downtown.  Kyle made a sign for the occasion.

I RECEIVED MY BIRTHDAY RINGS!  I was a little bummed {for a minute} that their size was a bit more slim than I expected but one mention of the thought and my seester whipped out a gift for me from her purse from Vegas.  A little bulk isn't always appreciated but in this case it works fabulously...
I also received another treasure from the little TenBrinkmans.  My sweet Isaac always knows exactly what Aunt Jodi will love.
During the Crop last month, a few players, as well as coach, were schooled in Cricut design.  That machine is the bomb.  I have the old school model {smaller} and it is a handy instrument.  I think expression is to die for.  I wonder if the boys felt the same way??
And just when you thought this post couldn't be any more off target, I am sharing a poem.  I may have posted this before, but then again maybe not.  The thoughts don't leave the head plenty of times.  Either way, an anonymous middle school student {who happens to live in my house} wrote this and it is framed and residing in the CSB board room.  It's always fun to be in there and catch a glimpse of this and reflect on my eldest and how proud he is of his school and the community he lives in.
“I certainly don't regret my experiences because without them, I couldn't imagine who or where I would be today. Life is an amazing gift to those who have overcome great obstacles, and attitude is everything!”~ Sasha Azevedo

I'm getting to a point in my life where I am actually starting to believe this and live this way.  I one hundred percent believe in this but for some reason I always seem to think I'm exempt from fitting in this truth.  I need to learn to let go of the past and allow myself to be the person I am supposed to be.