Disney Princesses...

I can't help but post this today: Marina has a new fascination in life...Thanks to Grandma Brody, Marina has recently been exposed to the dreamy and glittery-pink world of Disney Princesses! Grandma bought her a big snow globe that is surrounded by the princesses and that contains a spinning Cinderella inside the sparkly, light up globe. Marina loves to twist the knob and listen to the enchanting music. Well, today we were naming each of the princesses one by one, and here's how it came out of Marina's mouth: "Cindow-edda....Jasmine....and Snow Wipe!" Hmm...somehow that last princess has been associated with our daily diaper changes. I just had to laugh! And it makes me remember my neice, Jaylynn, at that age... except Jaylynn gave that poor princess the unfortunate name, "Ho White!"

Hiccups!

Today, Reese ran up to me and said, "Mommy, there's something in my mouth!" I tried to find what he was talking about...maybe a hair or a leftover piece of toast?? I didn't see anything, so I asked him to show me where it was. He just opened his mouth wider and repeated, "There's something in my mouth!" Suddenly, he let out a hiccup, and his eyes looked at me with distress, as if to tell me, "See, there it is!" I couldn't stop laughing! "Reese, that's a hiccup! Let's get you some water." Too too funny!

Random Memory

This is a very random post...I don't really have anything interesting to say, but I wanted to get something new up. So here's a random memory: This past October we spent a weekend up at the Wisconsin Dells with Ryan's family (Brody's and Dahms'). We stayed at the Kalahari which is an indoor water resort. It was so fun to swim, try out the waterslides, and hang out together. We spent an afternoon out at the horseriding trails. The dads took the kids riding while the moms took the girls shopping at the boutiques and antique stores downtown. The only girl that actually preferred the horseback riding was Marina! She is obsessed with ponies. (Or as she calls them...'tonies'). So, she hopped right up there with daddy, and was visibly shaking with excitement! LOL! It was so cute.

Glamorous Mother's Guide to Eating Out...

I came across this article today...
Hmmm....very interesting! It sets me straight on some 'healthy eating' myths....

http://food.yahoo.com/blog/hungrygirl/16617/fast-food-shocks-swaps

I guess I can't order that tuna sub anymore.
::sigh::

Life With Brothers...

Playing house takes on a whole new meaning when you grow up with brothers!

Sisters' Night Out!

My baby sister, Marilee, is turning one year older in a couple days. So, Jenae and I decided to take her to her favorite steakhouse last night to celebrate. I love my Mare-i-nee-nee. Of us 4 sisters, she has the most nurturing spirit of all. For example, as a child, she would pile every single stuffed animal onto her bed at night, so that none of them would feel left out while she slept. LOL. And she would always be the one to snuggle and cuddle and share her cookies. So, it's no surprise that she works full time as a pet groomer. Shampooing and caring for fluffy little pets. She's also very creative and artistic. I remember her having the best ideas when we would play Barbies as kids. She would use stuff around the house to make into 'Barbie's' things. Like, kitchen sponges would become Barbie's bed matress, and Cheerios would become Skipper's donut. Her creative nature makes it no surprise that she's now a graphic arts major. And I love her fashion statements! You never know what she'll wear next...Goth, punk, trendy...a new piercing, a new hair color, a cool homemade pair of pants that could easily be sold in a boutique! Yes, that's my Mare! So unique. So jam packed with personality. She loves pixie fairies and mystical creatures. She loves sappy romances and cheesy inside jokes. She's the best! I find it so funny that people tell us we are twins! People say that Marilee and I have the same exact facial expressions. It's almost creepy. lol. We both love chocolate. We both love PB&J sandwiches. We both love scrambled eggs with cheese on top and thick, colorful socks and crackling fireplaces. And we both raise our eyebrows and shrug our shoulders with a shy grin the same exact way! Too funny! I love you Marilee! I love how you are so sweet. But as soon as anyone offends a family member or a friend, your claws come out and you are ready to attack and protect! So, Mare, this one's for you: "Jaaaaaa-aaaaa" (inside joke)

A Tragic Event

Well, if you've heard the latest news...there was yet ANOTHER school shooting/suicide yesterday. This time it was very close to home! In fact just minutes from where we live. Northern Illinois University...about 40 miles outside of Chicago. It always comes as a bitter shock when you hear about these horrible events.....but it certainly takes on quite a different meaning when it occurs this close to home! I know people who currently attend that school. And I used to visit friends there, back in my college days. It's just all so sad. So, please pray for our community. And please pray for the families who had placed their hopes and pride into their college-aged kids, only to be told yesterday that their child was instantly ripped from this earth. It's so devastating! I want to encourage those I encounter to hold your loved ones tight today. Tell them you love them. Because yesterday's horrid events were yet ANOTHER reminder that life is oh so short!

"Happy Valentine's Day, Daddy!"

How I long for summer!

This winter cold is dragging on so so long! It's depressing. How I long for summer! Flip flops, ponytails, sunblock, and beach towels... My! How I miss you all! Last night Mark had 'weigh-ins' for football, which doesn't actually begin till July. But that was almost like a little teaser...thinking about familiar faces and meeting coaches... I could almost smell the fresh cut grass! And I could almost taste the hotdogs from the little cart that circles the field during practice. And I could almost hear the cheerleading squads practicing nearby, "R-O-D-I-E! That's the way we spell rowdy! Rowdy! Yeah...rowdy!" Ugh! Will summer ever be here again??

Wild At Heart

This is a blog that I posted on my myspace page about a year ago. But I wanted to share it here as well:

So, have you read any good books lately? I've never been into non-fiction...it can't keep my active mind long enough. But last year I read an amazing book that I heard several people rave about. It's called Wild at Heart by John Eldredge. I'm currently reading The Sacred Romance, which is a companion to the first book.
Wild at Heart hit me on several levels. It talks about the different attributes of Himself that God has placed in us (people). And they differ from men to women. If you're at all a women's activist, you may have trouble agreeing with some of it, but maybe not. Regardless, John Eldredge definitely takes a strong stance...
This is how he puts it....think back to every children's story you heard as a child. In fact, think about almost every successful film you've watched, fictional book you've read, song you've loved...there's one common thread that runs vividly throughout. It's a story that we're all so familiar with. You know it...the story of the hero and the beauty. Why are we so attracted to that theme? What is it in every man that drives him to adventure? In ancient times, men lived their lives on the hunt, facing the world with bare hands and rustic weapons. There was a fierceness that overcame any fear as they wrestled a wild beast for its meat. What is in a man that drives him to take on the mysterious, dangerous waters of the ocean, all for the sake of discovery. And what is it that drives a man to fight to the death, in order to save the beauty in distress?
According to Eldredge, it's a God given fierceness, a piece of God's own identity that he passed down to mankind. And, the scriptures come alive in a whole new way when one reads the stories and the psalms in this context. God himself has a fierceness and unrefined crave for adventure that is shown time and time again throughout scripture. Think of the blood, the battles, the bravery in those stories of old. And think of the ultimate sacrifice he paid on the cross for his bride, the church. It's a love story of its own. And both the old testament and new testament are interwoven with this amazing story of God's passion for adventure, and His tireless pursuit of his people to return to His heart.
What of modern day men? It seems that today's culture has stripped men of the fire and adventure that begs to be pursued. Today, men no longer ride horses bareback, with the strength of muscle beneath...they are told to drive luxury cars with all the amenities. They are no longer cowboys looking for a fight...they are told to be "nice guys." Men no longer take on the dangers of night in a hunt for food for their family...they work in enclosed office cubicles behind desks and are told to wear ties and polished shoes. Where are our heroes? They are afraid to stand up and rescue the beauty, because so many women are screaming "We don't need men, we can do it on our own!" Even in the religious setting, men are told to stand up straight, hold their hymnal and be quiet...in essence, push that craving for adventure aside. But, the thing is, there is still a longing in every man's heart for that adventure. Men are left to live vicariously by watching favorite sports teams duke it out. They huddle in bars with the guys, hoping to find a sense of manhood and toughness. There is a wildness in them that can't be tamed, even by a refined society, because it's a wildness that was placed in them at creation by their Wild Creator. According to Eldredge, men will continue to live unsatisfied until they come before their Creator and begin to live the adventurous, wild life He intended.
OK, so you women are saying, "where do we fit into the picture?" Well, just as men crave an adventure and long to be the hero, so do women crave to be swept up in his adventure, and be the beauty...desireable and worth rescuing. Women have been assaulted for generations by our culture. We have been hurt by fathers, uncles, boyfriends, in very ugly ways. And the message is..."you're not worth rescuing." After all, if you were valuable, you wouldn't have been violated in the first place. The media tells women they aren't nearly desireable enough, without the latest product (or, now, surgery). So, we chase after those men, with whatever it takes...seduction, mind-games, whatever. We desperately want to be pursued, cherished, and seen as desireable. God has given us this part of our nature. He, too, waits for that "romance" with His people. That's why He referred to His church as His bride. Read through some of the Old testament books and you'll find God pleading with His people to turn away from distractions and idols, and return to His heart. He desperately loves us. And He tirelessly pursues us. He's not just a distant authority, like religion often suggests. The entire theme of the Bible is His desire to have relationship with humanity and move on their behalf in life.
So, it isn't any wonder why the theme of favorite stories hasn't changed throughout history. We are the way we are because our Creator wove into our very being different aspects of Himself. This has helped me understand my husband in a whole new way. I'm no longer the whiny wife when he wants to watch a football game. In fact, I'm the one buying him the NFL Sunday ticket. Because I understand that it's not just about watching a game. It's about he as a man connecting with the action and adventure on the screen. And I no longer protest if he wants to go hunting with the guys, or purchase a Playstation game filled with bullets and blood. I understand the crave inside him for a battle.
It's also helped me understand my two boys. I get it now, why they turn everything into a gun or a sword. Even a graham cracker somehow gets gnawed down into the shape of a weapon. I used to implement a rule in the home...no playing guns! (That's Discovery Toys' stance, after all). But now I realize that without that inner desire for adventure and a fight, how will they ever grow up to defend our country? I now encourage "adventures" for my boys. They regularly get dressed up in their ninja costumes, or pirate suits and stick those swords in the back of their shirts and guns in their pockets and hop on their bikes in search of an adventure (ie: walk with mom). We explore every inch of our neighborhood for bad guys and wild beasts and secret hide-outs. It's at these moments that they are in their element! And I can see a flash of fierceness in their eyes as they wrestle with Daddy on the floor, cheek against scratchy cheek, skin against skin, trying with all their strength to defeat this larger nemesis. It's what they thrive on!
I've learned how important it will be for my little Marina to grow up having little date nights with her daddy. He's the very first man in her life, and (like every little girl) she desperately needs for him to lavish her with compliments and security so she grows up believing in the beauty and value inside herself. And that's a dynamic that mommy just can't duplicate on that level...only daddy can make that happen.
As for me, I've come to understand myself much better as well. I get it now...why I'm so drawn to soap operas and chick flicks about the mousy girl who wins the hunk with her witty charm, because he saw that she is worth cherishing. You know, cheesey stuff like that. And I realize why I appreciate Ryan so much, when I walk down the steps for a date night, and his eyes pop out as he whistles at me (yeah, even after 10 years and 3 kids). Because he's really telling me, you're still the beauty that I want to fight for. How cool is that!
And lastly, it makes me want to know my Maker even more intimately. To explore more of His eternal character...the depths of His wildness and the amazing romance He longs to share with His people.
That's it guys! Hope I held your attention. And go get that book! There's so much more interesting stuff than I could even fit here!

Crunch Time!

Mark is playing his very first season of basketball. It's through the park district. His team is called Crunch Time. And although they don't keep an official score of each game, Ryan and I can't help but notice that his team has won almost every game! That's the competitive nature in us I guess. It's really fun to see Mark stretching himself in an unfamiliar sport. And it's really fun to see him master new skills when he puts his mind to it. Plus, we just LOVE sitting on bleachers and cheering for our kid! For this particular game, Mark played a team which included a friend he knows from his football team. So, they had a lot of fun talking smack to each other from opposite sides of the court. They were so cute, I just had to snap a pic of them after the game.

Superbowl Girls

We had a Superbowl party at our house this year! The NY Giants took on the undefeated New England Patriots. And Eli Manning pulled through for his team, beating the Patriots with an incredible play...just moments to spare! Here's Heather, Me, and Lisa...hanging out with the guys watching the Superbowl. We also had the Markese's, the Macek's, Dahms, and Ryan's parents over. Very fun!

Marina's 3rd Birthday

Since everyone was here for the Superbowl, I decided to have a cake for Marina at halftime. She was adorable! She has watched both her brothers and a couple cousins all celebrate their birthdays over the past couple months...so she was super excited to finally have a birthday celebration of her own! I wish I had my camcorder just then, as we sang Happy Birthday to her. Because she sang along to herself, giggling the whole way, she blew out the 'fire', and then said, "I open presents now!" She was thrilled to finally have a birthday of her own!

Football with Daddy

Here's Reese and Daddy playing football in the kitchen. Gee, how nice. But, Reese is so serious about his quarterbacking! LOL! (Sorry there is no sound...I used my digital camera....not my camcorder....and it does not record sound).

SNOW DAY!!!

Everyone loves a snow day!

Snow Day=No School

"Give us this day our daily bread..."

Bible study today was AMAZING!!! It's always so interesting to see how a certain topic will minister to people in different ways, depending on what they are going thru, how aspects of their past will tint their view, and ultimately how the Holy Spirit prepares and prods their heart. I guess I was at a place in my life where today's topic struck a huge chord in my heart!



We are going thru the book "Lord, teach me to pray" by Kay Arthur. She has us going line by line thru the Lord's Prayer. And as we study each phrase, and compare that with the ways the Israelites, Jesus, as well as believers in the New Testament prayed in scripture, we are slowly learning how to pray properly and powerfully. By knowing His Word and His Promises, we know His will. And we learn how to pray.



Today's study was about the phrase, "Give us this day our daily bread." How many times have I repeated this line?? Yet, I cannot fully capture with words the way that Kay Arthur explained this to us. It hit me so hard. And I believe the Holy Spirit showed me a thing or two about my own attitude.



As I was watching the video at bible study, Kay was recounting the ways she, as a single mother of 2 boys, would trust in the Lord day by day to provide food on the table, gas in the car, etc... And as I was listening to this, I remembered how my own mother, as dirt poor as we were, would also trust in the Lord to provide our needs. I remember how she would include us kids in her prayer times, and allow us to participate in trusting our Provider. Then we would wait, and quite often we would see first hand-how God would indeed provide! Whether is be bags of groceries on the front step from an anonymous giver, or a family from church blessing us with loads of Christmas gifts when we otherwise would certainly have none that year. I vividly remember my parents trusting the Lord to meet our needs. And while we certainly never hit it rich...we definitely made it through with our needs sustained.



So....then my mind starting thinking about how I am with my family. Ooo...not a comforting thought! I don't pray in front of my kids. I don't visibly ask Him to provide our needs. And I certainly don't beckon them to participate in that kind of seeking God. WHY?? Why is it so hard to be vulnerable in front of my family??



I suddenly realized, it's because I so badly want to shield them from the pain and insecurity I experienced as a child/teenager in a very poor family. I'm afraid to allow them to feel the discomfort of 'not having enough.' So, I go overboard. I put up a good front...buying them what they want, taking them where they want to go...and if I don't have the cash, I'll charge it! Whatever it takes to show them that Mom and Dad have control and are able to provide.



How wrong! Not only am I putting up a false front...I'm now realizing that I'm actually ripping them off the chance to see God in action. I'm taking God's role in their life. Ooops! Scary thought! How will they ever learn that we NEED God?? How will they ever learn to be dependant on Him?? And how will they ever see God as their Provider if I'm charging their needs on a charge card?? Or if I'm keeping a pastey smile on my face......while inside I'm trying to work out the situation in my own strength?? This hit me so hard today.


One of the names of the Father is Jehovah-Jirah, which means Our Provider. Matthew 6:25, 34 "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes......Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." God wants us to depend on him day-to-day, rather than hoarding up treasures for tomorrow. That sums up the statement, "Give us this day our daily bread."



Another thing I remember about my parents were that they were so giving! As dirt poor as we were, they would give so freely to anyone in need. We didn't have much, but my mom would enlist us kids to color pictures and homemade cards for a sick church member. Or we'd all walk down the street to bring a meal to a grieving neighbor. Or we'd take swatches of fabric, and my mom would sit with us at the sewing machine and guide our little hands as we sewed the fabric together into receiving blankets that we later donated to a local hospital. And if we truly had nothing to give...then we'd give of our time...spending our Sunday afternoons visiting a local nursing home, where my dad would sit at the piano and play while my mom and all 5 of us kids lined up and sang old hymns to the elderly. Or we would give of our time in prayer. I still remember...'Monday' we prayed for the 'Missionaries', and 'Tuesday' we prayed for the 'Teachers', etc, etc....



I know my parents weren't perfect, and they had their share of frustration and meltdowns, but the general attitude in our home was one of trusting God for our daily needs. Our daily bread. I think that word 'daily' has so much significance in that phrase. Daily means we don't need to look forward to next week or next month. We trust Him for today. In doing that, I think it frees us to give. On the contrary, I find myself awfully tight-fisted with what I possess. Because I am so focused on providing for my family out of my own resources and my own efforts. Lord, teach me to trust in YOU for my daily needs, so that I will be free to give, without hesitation...knowing that you will provide again tomorrow!


Matthew 6:19-21 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there you heart will be also."

Matthew 6:28-33 "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."



Ryan has so much more faith than I do at times. I'm so grateful for this! He is the biblical leader of our home, and I find it comforting that I can submit to his decisions to let go and let God, no matter what my own crazy emotions are doing at that moment. And I truly believe that as the head of our home, Ryan has a special God-given wisdom to lead this family in godly ways.



I so desperately want change in our home! And now I feel I have the tools and the perspective to reach for that! It begins with me...1. changing my attitude toward God by trusting Him to be our daily Provider, 2. being vulnerable in front of my kids and including them in the process of asking and giving...according to God's purposes, and finally, 3. submitting to my husband when I start to fall back into old habits...because he is so good at keeping a level head and resting on God's promises.



Phew! Long post, I know!

But, I just had to type this all out, and mark it as a day where the Holy Spirit gave me a huge kick in the pants! Thank you Father for tugging at a heart like mine. For guiding me in your ways and shaping my heart. And thank you THANK YOU for your promises!

"Give us this day our daily bread."

Funny Stuff...

Mark: We had some friends over on Thursday night. And the family that came just happened to be the family of the girl Mark has been crushing on for a couple years now! (They are one of the pastors at our church). He flipped out when we told him that SHE was actually going to step foot into our home! SHE is a year older than Mark, and very mature, and very, very cute! It turned out to be great. They played board games and were able to get to know each other as friends. And Mark managed to not make a fool of himself. LOL. Ryan's brother and his family also stopped in. And before he could even step into the house, Mark ran over to him, stopped him at the door, and said, "Uncle Mic, don't embarass me! My girl is here!" When Mic told us this, we could not stop laughing! He knows Uncle Mic way too well! So funny!

Reese: OK, so walking into church Sunday morning, we were greeted by an usher....an old gray haired man....you know, typical usher. He bent down to greet Reese....and what does Reese do?? Opens his mouth wide to display his mushy chewed up donut. Right in the man's face! Yup! That's my Reese!

Marina: "Mommy, what you drinking?"
Me: "Apple cider."
Marina: "I want some! I want some apple spider!"

Marina's New Big-Girl Bed!

Mommy is a mess! Because baby Marina is no longer a baby! We just celebrated her 3rd birthday, and she is all about being a BIG GIRL! She is Miss Thing! Holding back tears, I took down her pretty white crib. It was really hard, because that is the last time I will need a crib in my home till I'm a grandma. (Unless God performs the impossible! LOL!) Today, Ryan and I picked up a new bed for our little princess. And our birthday gift to her was a new quilt with matching pink sheets. The boys and I gathered in her room to celebrate this big step in her little life. So sweet. After they jumped on the bed and giggled and snuggled, Marina was tucked in for a bedtime story. Then she actually slept the whole night through! What a big girl!