Cold......something or other

I understand that I am not up with the times. I am a 30-something, post-paralytic mommy who is neck deep in sippy cups, whining, snot, poop, Buzz Lightyear and MAM pacifiers. To give myself a little credo...I do listen to the radio, blog, glance at the headlines, pray for Stacy and Clinton to show up at my door...etc. etc.

However, there is a man I know, who tops any description of "not being up with the times" I could possibly conjure up. This man....we'll call him Doneldo, was offered FREE FRONT ROW TICKETS AND BACKSTAGE PASSES TO SEE/MEET COLDPLAY!!!

His response, "Who is Cold-PLATE?" (Pause for major gasping reaction)

And yes...that is Doneldo RIGHT BEHIND CHRIS MARTIN!!!!!! CHRIS MARTIN!!!! THE CHRIS MARTIN who lulled away the hours on my CD/RADIO/ALARM CLOCK while I lay paralyzed in my bed hoping that my husband and The PuppetMaster would bring me something to eat or drink!!! Where am I? NOT PICTURED ;(

If you haven't been introduced to my "Best-Friends Rule," here it goes. The Simpson Life and I devised this rule at the ripe old age of....maybe 17?

Best Friends Rule: 3 degrees of seperation=BFF

Chris Martin + Doneldo + Me = Me and Chris Martin are BFF
JJ ABRAMS + a.k.a Writer + Me= Me and JJ ABRAMS are BFF
Met Sheryl Crow at Borders Books = Me and Sheryl Crow are BFF
Katie Holmes-Cruise + Dance Teacher + The Simpson Life's Bell Stets = The Simpson Life and Katie Holmes-Cruise are BFF

The list goes on and on!! I am very interested in anyone else's 3 degrees of seperation!!

Spectacular Sins Bookclub--Chapter 1 Questions

I am a day late and a dollar short for 99% of the things in my life!! This bookclub is NO DIFFERENT!!! Right now...here are the questions for Chapter 1. Hopefully by tomorrow...my answers will accompany them. I have read the chapter. I just haven't organized my answers. Please feel free to comment your answers here or click on over to home base.

Missy did a great job with these!!!

1. We'll start with an easy one. What are the four reasons that John Piper gives for writing the book? Which do you look most forward to hearing Piper answer?

a. Why does God want us to know His sovereignty over sin?

b. Why does God not restrain sin more often?

c. How can we have faith and joy during the severity of the last days?

d. How is Christ glorified in a world of sin?

I am looking forward to all of the above with a special interest in #3.

Here comes the hard part. I hope you read the footnote on page 24. If you are like me, you read it several times, then out loud, then needed to discuss it with someone. We're loving the Lord with all our minds! Answer these as best you can (it's okay if you are fuzzy - we're only in chapter one):

2. What is God's role in sin:
a. Does he allow you to sin? Yes, He gave us free will.

b. Does he cause you to sin? No. God is blameless and sinless. I sin out of my own selfish desires. Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God," for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. (Missy, I'm looking forward to your tutorial on the footnote!!)

c. Does he allow temptation to come before you? Yes

d. What resources does he give you to resist it? (quote scripture if possible.)

#1-The Bible- this is our 1st and foremost defense. The Bible reveals the holiness of God and instructs us in ways to live that will reflect His glory.

#2 All believers, those who recognize their desperate need for a savior, who recognize Jesus Christ as the only one who can atone for their sins, and have placed their faith in Him, have the power of The Holy Spirit indwelling within them.

#3 Prayer-our direct life-line to God and His power.

#4 Fellowship and accountability with other believers.

3. Are God's purposes sometimes accomplished through the sinful actions of man? Aside from the Crucifixion, can you think of another biblical example? YES!! Jacob and Essau, Joseph and his brothers, Daniel in the lion's den, David and Bathsheba, and the list goes on and ON. Heather C. I really like how you pointed out God's use of entire pagan nations!!

4. Piper states that his primary goal is to magnify Christ. What are some ways that a Christian might do that, even under intense suffering? What are some ways that we might do that, during our day-to-day frustrations and disappointments? Have you personally witnessed any examples of either? It is important to me, to know and understand EVERYDAY that we are here for HIS glory. Our lives are about HIM, not us. His Providential mercy and our resulting circumstances are about Him. (Thank you Voddie Baucham!!) "And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful." Colossians 3:15 "And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." Colossians 3:17

5. On page 29 he writes, "We are pushing our way through a blood-spattered life that makes us feel connected to the world yet disconnected at the same time. We are here but not here. Love binds us to the tragic earth, and love binds us to the treasure in heaven." What thoughts does this provoke in you? One day at a time with eternity in mind. Sound familiar Missy??

In the Know

In an effort to front like I actually KnOw what's hot and what's not in the blog world, I have sought out some much needed help regarding online jargon.

I googled and found a great website designed to give me this edumaction!! It is none other than, Netlingo. PLEASE NOTE....Parental Discretion Advised regarding NETLINGO!!!!!

Many of you are asking, "What has spurred you to learn another language? You have just mastered your Slang flashcards!!"

My answer...a combination of several recent interactions that have left either me or the other party involved confused. Some of these interactions have been via the blog world, some via the cellular telephone and some face to face. In spite of how different they have been in their scope, they have all come together and weaved the tangled web of this post. Here are a few of the main spurrer oners:

Interaction #1

It's Almost Naptime alerts me to the fact that it is National Delurker Week. Huh? What on earth is delurking?

Interaction #2

One of my favorite friends sends me a text that simply says, 404. Huh? Clarification on 404!!

Interaction #3

A certain individual close to me says, "I have been trying and trying to leave a comment on your blog. Ever since you have started it. I just can't get it to work. I type it in, double check it and click the "publish comment" button. Every time I do that it spits out some strange word I have never seen before and I don't know what it means. Then it says it can't publish my comment." HUH?

Clearly my beloved friend needs to know and understand Word Verification. This interaction was actually positive for me!! For once I knew what I was talking about!!

If you found yourself confused by any of the above mentioned interactions, you have as much catching up as I have to do...check out Netlingo!! I would love for you to post a comment regarding your favorite Smiley or Text messaging Acronym!!

ClearPlay

ClearPlay is a new way to enjoy Family Movie Night!!

After purchasing a ClearPlay DVD player you and your family will be able to enjoy virtually ANY Hollywood hit!! The ClearPlay DVD automatically skips and mutes content that is NOT child-friendly. This content is filtered based on the settings you desire. The ClearPlay DVD works magically to remove this content!! There are no harsh pauses or disruptions that leave you confused with the storyline. I can vouch for this first-hand!!! My bil and sil received a ClearPlay DVD player for Christmas and I have seen Iron Man and parts of Spider Man 2.

The ClearPlay system is NOT a major investment. It works with DVDs you currently own, buy locally, or RENT!! Also, the filters you download are uploaded constantly. Most of them being uploaded the day new DVDs are released!!

I urge you to check it out!!

Cousins

Here are some pics of Barnum and Bailey with their cousins. (Cousins who are in need of circus identities!!)

The votes are in on their mother and she will from this point forward be known as The Trapeze Artist. (I actually had votes!!!)

Barnum and Bailey had a great time visiting their cousins.

The fun only got better when these sweet little girls shipped down a TON of loot!! Baby Leap Pad books (which are nary to be found again!!) and a George Foreman 360 Grill box full of VHS videos!! You heard me. VHS. This fam still rolls that way.

FreshBerry-Frozen Yogurt Cafe

You know it is going to be a good day when you fish your older child's bloody band-aid out of your younger child's mouth.

Yep. That's how the day started.

Luckily, that is NOT how it ended!! It ended with Nicodemus and I venturing into the new Vintage Park FreshBerry. The new FreshBerry that is still waiting on some kind of state license and therefore dispensing ALL OF THEIR PRODUCTS FOR FREE!!!!!

Get there people!! That license could come at any moment!! Nic and I made out like bandits. Not only did we sample every single one of their products. We each had a regular size (which is very generous) FreshBerry tart yogurt with THREE mix ins AND 20 oz. smoothies to go! The Strong Man was very pleased with his Blackberry and Banana smoothie.

QSRmagazine.com said this;

"The FreshBerry menu features an all-natural frozen yogurt selection. The menu will also feature fruit smoothies with an ample choice of fresh fruit toppings including strawberry, blueberry, raspberry, blackberry, kiwi, pineapple, and mango. Other toppings include Fruity Pebbles cereal, granola, toasted almonds, coconut, and chocolate chips. Additional highlights of the menu include additives and flavor bursts for the Smoothie Bar, yogurt by the pint or quart, and FreshPops frozen yogurt pops made from FreshBerry frozen yogurt."
Katie has given a shout out to FreshBerry too. BTW, the Tulsa store was the very first FreshBerry to ever open. It is a craze that is catching on! I highly encourage you to jump on the bandwagon. Especially since it is FREE right now!!!

CrAzY LOVE

What is Crazy Love? Click here to find out!!!

Happy 1st Birthday Bailey!!!!

My sweet baby boy turned 1 on December 27, 2008.

Please excuse my tardiness regarding this post. I had to summon my sister (Who I have not yet given a circus identity. I'm up for suggestions.) and force her to spend hours in front of her wrecked computer downloading, editing and emailing me pictures from the soiree. It will not come as a surprise to any of you who know me that I didn't have my camera!!

Dear Baby Boy,
You are truly a miracle. Mommy and Daddy are very grateful for you! In your one year you have added richly to our lives. May God grant us many happy years together!!

You made a VERY quick entry into the world!! Mommy felt (yes....FELT after 6 months of feeling NOTHING!!!) her first contraction at 6:09 AM and you made your entry into the world at 9:44 AM. Dr. Young delivered you in jeans, a t-shirt and medical gloves!

You entered in weighing 9 lbs, 7 oz at 21 inches long.


When your Big brother met you it was love at first sight.

You were a happy, happy baby who loved to eat and sleep!!


Now for your PARTY!!!

Last but definitely not least and thanks to Aunt PuppetMaster,

YOUR CAKE!!!!

Your 1st Birthday was great fun!! Your family and friends made it all very, very special!!

My Precious

I haven't seen ANY Lord of the Rings movies but I have heard this reference A THOUSAND TIMES!!!

Fighting for Resolution

Being someone who is presently "walking through the fire," I felt led to pass this on to my readers. Dr. Del Tackett does a great job with this one!!

His post is not only an encouragement but the reminder of a command. Let us fight for resolution in regards to disappointments, failures, wounds, resentment, anger, unforgiveness and ungodly attitudes. Only then, can we successfully "run with perseverance the race marked out for us."

Malwarebytes

http://www.malwarebytes.org/

This is a FREE website you should check out!! Not only check it out but download the software and update regularly!! I too have anti-virus software on my PC! It runs every other day. BUT! The Strong Man STILL removed 23 viruses off my laptop yesterday!!

This is not the first time malwarebytes has saved the day at our house, my father-in-laws house (113 Trojan horse viruses!!), my sil's house, etc, etc. Check it out!!!

George Foreman 360 Grill

There are no words to do this invention justice!!

I was totally ignorant to the fact that this thing even existed until I was enlightened by my sister. Was I ever ENLIGHTENED!!! Seeing that I had long ago mailed my Christmas lists I had no expectations of getting one. Well, the 'Rents surprised The Strong Man and I by giving us one!! YIIIIIIIIPPPPPPPEEEEEEEEEE!!!

We have been home for three days and have used it for three days. I am obsessed and I am in love.

This grill contains five interchangeable plates for grilling, baking, griddling, sauteing, quesadillaing, pizzaing. THE POSSIBILITIES are ENDLESS!!

Click here for more info and even some yummy recipes! I am making the "Holiday Foccaccia" tomorrow!!

The BEST and WORST of 2008!

I will start with the WORST of 2008. According to The Strong Man that is soooooo me to do that. He believes me to be a "negative" person. I call myself a "realist." The Strong Man says that is what every negative person says. Blah blah blah....

I will begin with the LEAST and end with the GREATEST WORST thing that plagued my Circus Spectacular in 2008.

Soap in the EYES!!!

A sippy cup upside the head from an adoring older brother!!

Stunt practice gone bad!

(Really, he was just practicing his dramatics!! Every ounce of the following was an ACT!!!)

Hernia Surgery

(The poor thing had 3 of them!!!)

Hurricane IKE

WRECK!!!

By far the worst thing that happened to us in 2008 was my Dad's TIA/Mini-stroke on Christmas Eve. HOWEVER, the worst DECISION I made in 2008 was letting him DRIVE us to the hospital!!!!

All of those things aside, we are VERY grateful. We understand how all of these "Worsts" could have been a lot WORSE!!!

Now on to the BEST of 2008! Too many blessings to count!

First Baths

A new TIE

Baby Swings

Valentine's Day

Matching sweater vests for Easter with sailboats (I mean Pirate Ships on them!)

Barnum would only wear it if we told him it was a Pirate Ship!!

Baby Dedication

The BUMBO seat

Summer Sandbox

Knit hats from a wonderful Aunt!

Learning to Sit Up the very day he turned 6 months!

Swim Diapers and Best Friends

The birth of these sweet twin boys to our dear friends!

Getting a new Buzz Lightyear after the old one's head fell off!

Laundry Basket Go-Karts & being POTTY TRAINED!!!

Finally getting a nursery!!!

Pirate Patches and Hulk Hands

A LONG OVERDUE, FANTABULOUS ADOPTION DAY!!

The birth of our sweet cousin and nephew!!!

A Friend's Super Hero Birthday Party

GYMNASTIX

Older idols

Our very own, very precious Buzz Lightyear

An adorable 1 year old little boy!

We are looking forward to the BEST of 2009!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!