POW

My pick of the week Wednesday this week is these great little calling cards I found on Etsy. I already have some "mommy cards" that I made from Moo.com, which I also highly recommend. These silhouette cards are just so perfectly sophisticated and come in a fully customizable, patent pending box complete with clip so you don't have to worry about getting a card case you might not already have and that would end up in the bottom of your bag anyway. Take a peek. I bet you'll want them too. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=21533850

New, New, New!

New camera + new outfit = new pictures to post!

I have to credit BrownieGoose.com for the cutest outfit for my cute subject. Thanks Amy!

Miss Politics

I wasn't planning on commenting on the Miss America Pageant gay marriage question and Miss California's response, but I just read an article and I wanted to just put two little quotes here.

Miss California's answer to whether or not she believed in gay marriage: "We live in a land where you can choose same-sex marriage or opposite. And you know what, I think in my country, in my family, I think that I believe that a marriage should be between a man and a woman. No offense to anybody out there, but that's how I was raised."

I don't know if she is a Christian, but I'm assuming her belief that marriage is between a man and a woman is rooted in religion.

Keith Lewis, who runs the Miss California pageant was saddened by her answer and later said, "I believe all religions should be able to ordain what unions they see fit. I do not believe our government should be able to discriminate against anyone and religious beliefs have no politics in the Miss California family."

So if all religions should be able to ordain what unions they see fit, then what's wrong with her religion ordaining that marriage is between a man and a woman!?? (I know the answer to my question, but logically... come on.)

Since when is the pageant about giving answers to the questions that are considered politically or socially acceptable. Isn't it about being able to answer true to what you believe, with poise and ease? If they're going to ask questions that have right and wrong answers, that's a whole different show.

Inspired by ClaviceCatcher.blogspot.com

I just read a blog about hungering after God and I remembered something that happened to Chuck and I in Athens, GA.
There are lots of bums that walk the streets. Some of them are known to the college students by name because they're such a part of the downtown Athens scene and they've been there for years. It's not uncommon to be stopped and asked for a few dollars for food. As we strolled along the main drag downtown, we were stopped and asked this very thing. Now, we make it our policy that if we can, we will help someone who's hungry by treating them to a meal, but we will get the meal for them, not give them money. We offered this man dinner at "The Grill" which was about five feet away from us and has an extensive menu ranging from burgers to chicken to salads. (mmmm, they have the BEST feta dipping sauce for their fries and oh! the milkshakes... but that's beside the point) He turned us down! He wanted pizza from a place that was a block away!
I was pretty much infuriated and told him to forget it. We kept walking.

Now isn't that how I am with God sometimes? I say "I'm hungry for you. I need more of You. I want to know you more." He reminds me of his Word, which I have about 10 copies of in easy reach... any flavor, er, translation, I could want. But I say "God, I'd really rather find you in a different way. What else ya got?" The Bible's old hat, or boring, or just plain unexciting to me most times.
Insert conviction here.
Hello! That's like, one of the best ways to get to know someone that you're not talking to face to face. (Although He's provided that option, too) I'm still getting to know my grandpa who passed away a few years ago because he wrote out pages and pages of wonderful information and stories about his life and gave them to me before he died. What a treasure that spiral-bound book is to me. I can learn things I never even knew about him and cherish my memories of him so much more.
We have a series of books from a God who is not dead that tells us story after story about Who He is and what He wants for us. What a treasure! On top of that, His words are living and able to speak to each of us individually. My grandpa's words wouldn't mean anything personal to you, but I'm connected to them. God's words supernaturally connect with each reader, no matter their background or experiences. Amazing!

I'm sorry, Lord, for ignoring the opportunity You've given me to feast on Your Word. I don't want to be exasperating. I don't want to ask You for pizza when You've given me a chance to eat whatever I want from an amazing menu. You prepare a table before me, even in the presence of my enemies. My cup truly does run over. Thank You for following me with goodness and mercy, despite the fact that I can't earn them and don't deserve them.
sigh.
Amen

Watch Baby Grow

While I'm putting up pictures, I guess I'll share the finished Watch Baby Grow four-panel that is now finally hanging on our wall. We knew ever since we got pregnant that we would have these in our hallway one day, but it's amazing that she's crossed all these milestones already. What an acheivement. Now we look forward to putting a matching framed four-panel right next to hers of her brother or sister.

Here are the four photos that are framed one on top of the other (even though I can't get them to stay that way in my post) so that the veiwer can "watch baby grow."

Finished Backsplash

Finally, I'm getting a pic posted of the kitchen. The company that did it for us wanted a picture, so that became the motivation to finally load one onto the computer. Now that it's here, it's easy to share.

We really love it and hopefully it'll really provide the "wow" factor in the kitchen for potential buyers in about 4 years. In the meantime, I'm really glad we did it, just for us.

POW Pendant

My Pick of the Week is one of the pendants I'm considering asking for as my Mother's Day gift. I want something akin to those dogtag type necklaces you see a lot with each child's name on a tag, but I'd like to be a little unique. One thing I'm considering is getting a charm that represents Eden (an owl, her favorite animal) and then waiting to see what type of charm might represent the new baby and adding that in the future.

The other possibility is from a seller on Etsy (me? look at Etsy?) named SilverPeanut who will send you a fingerprint kit and then duplicate your child's fingerprint in sterling silver. If that doesn't symbolize your child's uniqueness, I don't know what would. Besides, you can still have their name engraved on the other side if you like. I think this would be an awesome Grandma gift too, if Grandma wears silver and if she wears necklaces. My mom fits in neither of those categories.