Another benefit of weight loss

Clothing takes up way less space in a suitcase (and you can bring more!)

Note to Self

1 Kyra + 1 Chocolate Cream Filled Cupcake = WHAT WAS I THINKING???!!!

Hopefully when she is done with her nap, she will have come down from her sugar buzz!

It will drive you MAD!

Last night, Ian wanted to play Mad Math. He got this game as a gift either for Christmas or his birthday but only played it a couple of times. Now, I guess it is a favorite in his new classroom at school, thus, the inspiration to play it at home.

It's a very simple game really but I can see how it's a great game for elementary math because there's LOTS of repetition. Anyhow, in a game that lasted a little longer than we had anticipated, there was a lot of laughter and quite a bit of silliness.

If you're looking for a fun, educational game, our family recommends this one!

I Remember

September 11 sneaks up on me yet I can still remember every event of that morning like it was yesterday. I can still picture stopping cold in front of the TV as I saw the smoke billowing from the World Trade Center. I remember leaving the apartment just to get away from those images. I remember the father in the park telling me that the towers had just collapsed and I myself collapsing into tears. As painful as these memories are for me, I lift up those who were more deeply affected by this tragic day. I weep for those who never had the chance to say goodbye to their loved ones.

This morning, as Ian and I were reading our devotional, we were led to Romans 8:35-39(NLT):

"Can anything ever separate us from Christ's love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or are hungry or cold or in danger or threatened with death? (Even the Scriptures say, "For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.") No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ who loved us.

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his love. Death can't, and life can't. The angels can't , and teh demons can't. Our fears for today, our woories about tomorrow, adn even the powers of hell can't keep God's love away. Whether we are high above the sky or in the deepest ocean, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Horrific events will happen. God grieves these with us. Still, I know where I am going if my life were to end as abruptly as those lost that sad September day. My prayer is that you know where you will be going to.

And Visions of Superbowls Danced in Their Heads

Hooray! Football season is officially underway! I so missed spending my Sunday afternoons on the couch with Rich cheering madly for our teams. I will also admit that when the current schedule was announced last April and we found out our Bears would be playing the Colts, we both collectively groaned. We just remember sitting at an icy Soldier Field in 2004 watching Peyton pick apart our defense. So, we were overjoyed at our team's "shocking" win last night over the Colts. We are now primed to enjoy the run to the Superbowl!

Need some prayers

I had a conversation with someone this morning and now I really need to pray about where God is leading me with this. If you can spare a prayer for discernment, I'd appreciate it.

Annoying parents for thousands of years and still going strong!

An excerpt from a rather disturbing note in Ian's take-home folder:

"Hello Parents of 4th Grade Students,

As you already may be aware, in 4th grade, the students in msic class learn to play the recorder. It is a wind instrument, similar to a flute. It was first played thousands of years ago in the Renaissance period."

[I think I will invest in a good supply of ear plugs now.]