Where did February Go?

Sorry I have been pretty MIA lately. I guess I've have so many other things this month taking precedence over blogging. Nothing catastrophic or traumatic. Just the mundaneness of life I suppose. February just escaped me...


But I'll see you in March!

He Could Be a Superhero

One thing our family does when we sit down for a meal together is have a family devotion time. We started doing this in July of last year and made a pledge to make this a priority at least 3-4 times a week. I found a wonderful site that has a daily family devotion and Bible reading: Josh McDowell Ministries. I have bookmarked the site and use my iPad in reading it each evening.



Some nights are better than others. On those nights, S and J are listening and offering insights, questions, and prayers. On the other nights, I just want to give up and say to heck with it. Is my effort even worth it?

Tonight it definitely was. Tonight's topic was about being a liberator and a "superhero" for God. The following is and excerpt. ...However, here's an awesome fact: To all the kids in your school and community who don't know Christ, you can be a spiritual superhero. When you help others trust in Jesus, you rescue them from the power of sin and Satan.

Most Christians like the idea of following Jesus. We might need a little persuading, however, that telling others about Christ is a great idea. Let me give you three big reasons why this superhero mission is a job you'll want to accept.

Reason Number 1: ...No matter how happy people might look, if they haven't trusted Christ they're separated from God. Jesus felt compassion for the people around him who weren't saved. He said they were "harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd" (Matthew 9:36, NIV).

Reason Number 2: God's rescue plan won't work without you. Jesus told his first disciples to tell others about him—from home (for them, that was Jerusalem) all the way to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). And nowadays someone still needs to tell the Good News to people nearby—and not so nearby. God wants you to be that someone! Like the apostle Paul said, "How can [people] call on [God] to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?" (Romans 10:14).

Reason Number 3: You want to rescue others because God rescued you. Paul said Christ's love made him want to join God's rescue mission (see 2 Corinthians 5:14-15). Think about this: What would your life be like today without Christ? If you are glad that God lovingly invited you to be his child, then join him in inviting others to trust him. The more deeply you understand God's love for you, the more you will want to help others find him.

Your mission is no secret. God's Word is clear: You're a spiritual superhero. And there's nothing better you can be!

This really got to S. He really has a strong handle on his faith and has even led one of his friends to Christ by inviting and encouraging him to come to Youth Group with him this fall. But he has another good friend, "John", whom he is concerned about. This boy is a great kid and faithful friend. But S has said over and over that he doesn't know where John stands although he says he's a Christian: "I go to church some." S has tried to invite him to Youth Group and his middle school's Fellowship of Christian Athletes as well but gets the cold shoulder and "that's stupid" and lots of other excuses. Mike and I told him not to give up, to be that superhero and keep praying for his friend. S is committed to this, and we thank God for that. Tonight was an encouraging night... for all of us.

Handsome in Pastels

So I'm sitting on the sofa flipping through the Vineyard Vines Spring catalog. Great stuff, by the way. I REALLY want this. (Looks better in the catalog than on the web.)


Just looking at all the pretties in Palm Beach, I wish spring would hurry up and get here. Aren't you so ready? Anyway, I come across these great men's shorts. Love them! I think they would look so great on Mike. He gets such an amazing tan in the summer. Yum! And how many pastel Lacostes does he have that would go perfectly with these bad boys? (It's ridiculous, I swear.)


Not five minutes later, Mike comes in the door, bag in hand from our local men's clothier. "Look what I just picked up!"


Oh, how I love this man..

What's the Magic Word? (hint: It rhymes with credenza.)

I was wrong... A day of rest is NOT all it takes to cure what ails you.

After taking J to school today, I check in on him during my class's Special Area. His teacher tells me he felt a little warm and looked tired. I look. His face is flushed and his eyes are glassy. So off we go to the nurse who confirms a 100.6 degree fever. Call me in a substitute 'cause he has to go home. And off we go to the doctor.

My tough guy is sitting beside me, leaning his head on my shoulder. My arm wrapped around him. I wish I could make it better. I wish that my kisses and strokes over his hair will give him a little energy. But we wait. And after an almost hour wait in the sick waiting room full of kids and parents in masks, his fever is now up to 101.6.

He's trying to put on a good face... Really.


But really would rather just lie down and rest... Truly.


'Cause the verdict is in... Definitely.


INFLUENZA! It's going to be a long week for this little guy.

Sick Day for J

It's a golden day outside - one of very few we've had lately. And the forecasters are predicting icy rain on Thursday. Anyway, J and I are inside. Sick day for J... All day.



We've been playing card games...


Reading his school novel...


Eating tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches...


And watching our favorite movie (Yes, he's a history buff like his mama)...


Both of us are hoping for a return to school tomorrow...

Confessions of a Non-Do-It-Yourself-er: There's Always a First Time

How many times have you flipped through your favorite issue of Southern Living, Architectural Digest, or Traditional Home and looked at all those beautiful living and family rooms? And... How many times have you noticed that NONE of the cords from the television and all the other media stuff is anywhere to be seen! It's like they cease to exist! Of course I know that when they "stage" these photo shoots, they hide and tie back everything. But it still makes me crazy.

Because this is what my television looks like.



Lovely isn't it. And it has looked like this ever since we moved in, three and a half years ago. I love my living room. I've had compliments on the decor, the millwork, the color (Sherwin Williams "Ivoire"), etc. But this corner has been a blight.

So this non-do-it-yourself kind of girl decided to fix this embarrassment and do it herself! I decided that I wanted to create a little texture and cover the back of this sofa table with burlap. Nothing too drastic, but a subtle change. So off to Hobby Lobby I go for said fabric (at $3.99 a yard) and an upholstery gun.



I measured and stapled the fabric to the back...



Cut strategically placed slits for the plethora of wires and cables...



And... Voila! What a difference! If I do say so, my "non-do-it-yourself-er" kind of girl.



There is a little bunching around the bottom, but the cords are hidden... And if you aren't looking, it really doesn't jump out at you. I'm pretty excited!