39 Degrees

It is 39 degrees at my house at this very moment, 3:25 pm. This morning when I took Nolan to the indoor play place (which was the most crowded I've ever seen it...figures!) it was 41 degrees and on our way home it topped out at a whopping 45.

What have we gotten ourselves into? I want a fireplace!

Establishing Holiday Family Traditions

Our "prayer chain"

Now that Nolan is older and more able to understand what Christmas is about I made it a goal to begin one new tradition this year that we can carry on throughout his childhood. I found the idea in one of my favorite little magazines, Guideposts, which is filled with true-life inspiring stories that point to Christ. In the December edition of Guideposts, it was suggested to put a spin on the traditional paper chain countdown to Christmas by writing the name of a person to pray for on the inside of each link. Every morning when Nolan bounds down the stairs for breakfast he runs to our chain, points and says "Pray!" When we pray for the person on our link he flashes a big grin and shouts "Amen!" when we're finished. I love this idea...and I love that it's re-inforcing the importance of prayer in my little boy's life.

UPDATE!!!

My beloved Peppermint Mocha, you've got competition! Add this to my favorite Christmas things...

Starbucks Salted Caramel

Hot Chocolate

GO. GET. ONE.

NOW!!!

Nostalgia And "A Charlie Brown Christmas"

Nolan and I watched A Charlie Brown Christmas together on DVD this afternoon. Well, I watched it and he played with his stuffed alligator and glanced at "doggie dancing" (Snoopy) every once in awhile. I love, love, love this simple, sweet cartoon. As a little girl I remember being excited for days beforehand when I knew it would be airing on TV. The day it would air I'm sure I asked my Mom about a hundred times "Is it coming on yet?" Finally, after what seemed like a million hours of waiting not-so-patiently, my brother and I would sit on the couch together in our jammies and slippers and eat popcorn while the magic that is A Charlie Brown Christmas came alive on our TV. We watched intently, wide-eyed and happy, and then headed to bed dreaming Peanuts dreams.

As an adult I still have a warm place in my heart for this show. Actually, the warm place has grown even greater through the years because I am so grateful that a clear presentation of the true Christmas story is smack dab in your face a la Charles M. Schulz. Schulz couldn't get away with producing that show in our current relativistic, godless day and age. It would be viewed as "too religious" and "narrow" and would never get airtime. He'd get flak from critics because Santa wasn't a focal point and Snoopy failed to decorate his doghouse with a menorah or Kwanzaa star. But in 1965 a Christmas classic was born and millions of children worldwide who may never have heard the true Christmas story apart form this cartoon classic HAVE heard...simply because of the tiemelessness of this show.

Schulz, you're not only an amazing artist and storyteller, you're an evangelist. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for incorporating your faith in Jesus into your art and into our contemporary culture.

Oops!

We're learning to live with a whole new kind of cold up here in NorCal. By the time I go to bed each night it's usually dropped down to 36, so I can only assume that the overnight low is somewhere around freezing. We've been keeping our heater at a steady 69. Unfortunately, a few nights ago I mistakenly turned it off. When I woke up the next morning it was 65 in the house. With his comforter on the floor, Nolan attempted to conserve his own body heat by curling himself into the fetal position. My poor little popsicle!

Favorite Things, Christmas Edition

• Starbucks peppermint mochas in the red cup
• Sending and receiving Christmas cards
• My Mom singing O Holy Night at Christmas Eve service
• Listening to Christmas music--especially the album "When My Heart Finds Christmas" by Harry Connick Jr.
• The "Living Nativity" at our old church in San Diego, Horizon Christian Fellowship
• Watching Elf and Christmas Vacation with my hubby
• Reflecting upon the ending year and setting goals for the coming year
• Creating memories with family and friends
• Celebrating and telling others about Jesus' birth--the whole reason for Christmas!
• Desserts, desserts and more desserts!
• Disneyland!
• The thought that someday, somehow I'll get to experience a white Christmas
• Participating in the Operation Christmas Child outreach
• Yankee candles with yummy scents like "Jack Frost", "Home for The Holidays", and "Christmas Eve"
• Watching Nolan take it all in...

Kick Starting The Christmas Season

Thanksgiving was different for us this year. We weren't able to be with family, but we were so blessed to spend the day with some wonderful friends of ours here in San Ramon, the Linde family. Nolan and their daughter, Naomi, are a few weeks apart in age and would make the most adorable couple (in about 14 years!) Karen and Peter truly have the gift of hospitality and we are so grateful for their warm hearts and for opening their home to us.

Since we don't "do" Black Friday, we made plans to go downtown to Union Square in San Francisco for the Christmas tree lighting. I had been eagerly anticipating this day since we made plans to go, well over a month beforehand. Todd even made hotel reservations for us at the historic Westin St. Francis so we could stay and soak up the spirit of the holiday season. We arrived at the hotel a bit after 3pm. The traffic getting into the city was crawling, to say the least. After resting in our room for a while we headed out to an early dinner around 4:30 so we'd be sure not to miss the tree lighting ceremony at 6. When we left the restaurant a few minutes before 6 we were instantly swept up into the throng of thousands of people heading toward Union Square. I have never been with more people in one place in my life! Think completely insane Times Square in New York City on New Year's Eve crowded! Streets were blocked off, there were barricades to keep people from trespassing in unsanctioned areas, and wall to wall people as far as the eye could see.

I had no clue that we would be mere specks in the crowd. The idealist in me figured there would be two or three hundred people gathered around and all the children would have room to play and dance around the tree while Todd and I would contentedly cuddle and sip our Starbucks beverages, lost in the sweetness of our quiet, memory-in-the-making moment.

And so the pretty little fantasy comes crashing down...

After the tree was lit we elbowed our way up to its base so Nolan could see it close up. He was too agitated by the crowd to be very impressed so we again elbowed our way back to our hotel, crawled into the big cushy bed and watched a movie. We later learned that the day after Thanksgiving is the most crowded day of the year in the city. Good to know! The idealist in me is dismayed that we will not be making this an annual tradition, but the realist in me is thanking the Lord I don't "have to" do this again for tradition's sake!

So Much To Be Thankful For

It's a cold, dreary morning here in the Bay Area but my home and my heart are warm and full. As I ponder my many blessings I am overwhelmed by God's goodness to me.

I am grateful for my husband and child, their love for me and their love for each other. I am grateful for our extended family and the support we receive from them.

I am grateful for the roof over my head, the food on my table and the clothes on my back.

I am grateful for good health for myself and those I love.

I am grateful for the freedom to worship God openly and the minimal persecution I face here in America. I am grateful for our government, as imperfect as it may be.

I am grateful for dear friends who know me and love me.

I am grateful for my salvation and my freindship with Jesus.

There are many people in our country this Thanksgiving who have recently lost their homes due to fire or financial troubles, lost loved ones to illness or accident...many who have simply lost hope. This Thanksgiving I pray that those of us who have more would share with those who have less so we may all count our blessings.

Mommy And The Terrible, Horrible, No Good Very Bad Day

Nolan and I are down South at my parent's house for the week. It's always nice to spend time with Nolan's favorite people on the planet (aka Grandma and Papa) and re-connect with friends we haven't had a chance to see in awhile.

On Tuesday Nolan and I went down to San Diego to spend time with a bunch of my girlfriends and their kiddoes. My dear friend Shannon is my new hero because she "braved the elements" and had 10 gals and 11 children (all of which were three and under!) at her new house! The kids were happier than tornadoes in a trailer park playing with every toy imaginable (in their playroom that I'm still drooling over!) and we were able to chat and laugh like old times. It's wild to think about how quickly and drastically life changes. Three years ago there were no kids in our group, and now there are eleven plus four more on the way! Whew!

Yesterday Mom and Dad and Nolan and I went to Disneyland and California Adventure--one of my very favorite places ever! This was the first time my parents had been to "the big D" since I was in junior high. They were amazed at all of the changes and especially enjoyed Soarin' Over California. Nolan loved it, as always, and was beyond exhausted when we got home. Despite his sheer exhaustion, my little stinker was too wired to sleep. He didn't fall asleep until 10:15, slept fitfully, woke up crying at 4am, finally fell back to sleep around 4:30 and was up for good at 7:15. Clearly, the night was terrible...as today has been, too.

I have only been "embarrassed" to be Nolan's mommy one other time. That unforgettable day in the post office will forever haunt me. Today, however, Nolan had multiple tantrums in multiple places. Glorious times! We visited our friends Dawn and Samara at their home and Nolan refused to share toys, shoved sweet little Samara who was trying to help him, and kicked and screamed on their livingroom floor in flat-out defiance to my "mothering." Then, thinking a change of scenery would do him well, we went to lunch and my little darling screamed bloody murder in the restaurant while I ordered at the counter. Everyone in the restaurant stopped and stared. The man who took our order even asked what was wrong with him. I explained that Disneyland was the "culprit" for his behavior. He responded "You probably won't be going back soon, huh?" Um, probably not. We then proceeded to take our food outside to sit by the fountain and, gratefully, had a less eventful meal. But then Nolan saw a dog he couldn't play with. And the sprinklers (I swear that Nolan and sprinklers are drawn to each other like magnets!) on the lawn came on. Meltdown alert! Meltdown alert! We cut our visit with Dawn and Samara short and I arrived back at my parent's house in an emotional puddle. I couldn't deal with any more of today's episode of the "terrible two's" so I put him down for his rest time and then let Papa take the wheel for a few hours. God bless my Dad! Hopefully Nolan will sleep like the angel I know that he is and and tomorrow will be a different day.

My favorite Mouseketeer

Everyone’s Got Something To Say…

…so here’s my two cents worth, if anyone cares to hear it.

Yesterday was a historic day regardless of my own personal politics. In the light of Obama’s victory our country has been ushered into a new, unprecedented era where I am more proud than ever to be an American. Less than fifty years ago this country could not stomach the idea of an African American in the Oval Office. Yesterday the people of our country elected the first African American President and I feel so privileged that I have lived to see this day come.

I did not vote for Obama. He and I do not see eye to eye on many issues--most notably abortion, ANWR, and the “redistribution of wealth.” I could not give him my support when there was another candidate who I was more politically aligned with. However, I will give him my support now that he is going to be my President. I will pray for him and I will trust that God has him in office for reasons that I can not understand. God’s plan is perfect. Obama is not and neither am I, but God is. I find peace in Him.

Many Christians are running scared right now. Truthfully, there’s a part of me that is fearful, as well. Will we become the Socialist States of America? What about Obama’s prior “relationships” with “questionable” people? There are many unknowns that can cause fear and trembling, but I refuse to give in to that fear. Our country is the greatest country on earth and I have been blessed to be born here and live here. God, in His sovereignty, could have chosen that I live in Haiti, Sudan, Rwanda…the list could go on and on.. If that were the case I would have to literally fear for my life every day. But I don’t. I am safe with a roof over my head and food on my table. I am healthy. I am alive!

These next four years will be like no other this country has ever known. I am grateful that I can experience them here, in the United States of America, the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Greetings From A Galaxy Far Far Away...

We are not big on Halloween at the Liedahl home, but seriously...how cute is our little Yoda? Nolan and I went to a party on Wednesday for my MOMS Club and tonight we went to our church's "Candy Zone" event. Pretty fun stuff!

My Blogiversary!

I’ve been a member of the blogosphere for a year now and I’ve never completed a “me-me.” So, in honor of my blogiversary and my 71st post, here are 71 random facts about yours truly…

1 I was adopted at birth.
2 I know my birth mom’s name and could probably easily find her, but I don’t feel the need to do so.
3 I have never been a morning person.
4 But when I happen to be up in the early morning I wish that I were a morning person because it’s such a lovely time of day.
5 I have always had trouble sleeping.
6 On average it takes me an hour and 15 minutes to fall asleep every night.
7 And I wake up at least twice in the night…every night.
8 I love Mexican food and would eat it every day if I could.
9 Especially really good tamales.
10 I will never try sushi. The thought of it creeps me out.
11 I am grateful that Todd feels the same way!
12 Baskin Robbin’s Chocolate Peanut Butter ice cream may be the world’s most perfect food.
13 A close second would have to be Ben and Jerry’s New York Super Fudge Chunk.
14 Obviously, I have a thing for chocolate. The darker the better.
15 I love to bake more than I like to cook.
16 I am, however, a marginally good cook, but I would not consider myself a “confident” cook.
17 I am intimidated by gardening although the thought of it sounds peaceful and nice.
18 I am intimidated by sewing although the thought of it sounds peaceful and nice.
19 Hence, I have resigned myself to never being domestically on par with Martha Stewart.
20 In junior high I wanted to be an interior designer when I grew up.
21 Then an architecht.
22 Then a pediatrician.
23 But too much math was involved in all three of these professions.
24 So I chose my college major, History, precisely because there was no math requirement.
25 If there were a math requirement I’d probably still be in college to this day!
26 Although math is not my strong suit, I am completely neurotic about our family’s budget.
27 I check our bank account online at least once a day.
28 And it’s a good thing I do because Todd has no idea how much money we have even though he’s the one who makes it. Go figure.
29 Clearly, I pay the bills.
30 I am hopelessly uncoordinated.
31 Team sports intimidate me but I do enjoy individual sports, like ice-skating and skiing.
32 I have taken many dance classes over the course of my lifetime in an effort to improve my coordination. Not so much!
33 I’m secretly afraid that Nolan may have inherited the “uncoordinated gene” from me because he totally runs like a girl.
34 I think his run is adorable right now, but in a year or so? Not so much.
35 I get the “travel bug” frequently and feel like I have cabin fever if I don’t go on at least a small trip every couple of months.
36 New York City is my very favorite city I’ve ever visited.
37 I also love Walt Disney World.
38 And Hawaii.
39 I really really really want to go to Paris, but Todd hates the French so I’m afraid he’ll never take me.
40 Maybe for my 40th birthday I can convince him.
41 Oh crap! That’s in less than four years!
42 I love to read and probably neglect my child at times because I simply can’t put down a good book.
43 My favorite books are Les Miserables (Victor Hugo).
44 And East of Eden (John Steinbeck).
45 And Tess of the D’Urbervilles (Thomas Hardy).
46 Only in the past few years have I gotten “into” more modern fiction.
47 I was very impressed with The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns (both by Khaled Hosseini.)
48 And Plain Truth and My Sister’s Keeper (both by Jodi Picoult).
49 I don’t like “chick lit” but I do love “chick flicks!”
50 If you haven’t seen You’ve Got Mail you simply must.
51 And Serendipity.
52 And Mama Mia.
53 I also love the following movies that Todd will watch with me…
54 All the Bourne movies.
55 And The Shawshank Redemption.
56 And Tombstone.
57 And Wedding Crashers.
58 And Elf.
59 I hate to admit it, but I’m a car snob.
60 I refuse to drive anything that doesn’t have leather, navigation, satellite radio and heated seats.
61 Luckily, Todd is a car snob, too.
62 We love to go to auto shows and read car magazines and have frequent conversations about cars.
63 We even go to dealerships about once a month “just to look.”
64 I am super excited for Christmas this year because Nolan is two now and he’ll really enjoy it.
65 I am so bummed that we won’t be able to attend The Living Nativity at our old church in San Diego this year!
66 Christmas just doesn’t feel “right” to me without The Living Nativity!
67 I want nothing more than for Nolan to know what Christmas and Easter are truly about and for him to come to know Jesus at an early age.
68 I pray for Nolan daily that he would make a difference in this world in Jesus’ name.
69 I also pray that Todd and I would make a difference in this world in Jesus’ name.
70 My favorite Scripture verse is Psalm 73:25, 26.
71 I hope and pray that Jesus comes back soon!

Haunted House?

We've had a couple of eerie "happenings" at our home today. I'm not a believer in ghosts, per se, but I do find the "happenings" a bit strange. First, at around 7:30 this morning Nolan's Fisher Price Sit and Spin Zebra went off. No one was downstairs (where the zebra is) at the time. Hmmmmm. Then, at around 9:30 Nolan and I were upstairs getting ready for his dentist appointment when the TV and DVD player downstairs turned on by themselves. I heard the "chime" our TV makes when it powers up and looked downstairs to see Baby Einstein on the screen. Double hmmmmm.

I've always scoffed at my parents who are avid viewers of TV shows like "Ghost Whisperer" and "Ghost Hunters." Maybe the cynic in me is being tested. If we do have a ghost, though, at least it's a friendly ghost who likes kids stuff.

Disaster Averted!

Thank you, San Ramon Pediatric Dentistry, for your love of Cars! I fully expected Nolan's first dental appointment to be one of his lowest lows, behavior-wise. But lo and behold, there were minimal tears and no ear-splitting screams since Nolan's beloved Cars was playing on the "big screen." To prepare for what I thought would be our mutual torture, I talked to him about visting the dentist all day yesterday and all morning before heading to our appointment. Luckily, Nolan enjoys having his teeth brushed at home and I even gave him a toothbrush so he could brush his stuffed cat's "teeth." He thought it was funny, to say the least!

When we arrived at the dentist's office Nolan headed straight for the toy firetrucks in the waiting room. Love at first sight! When we were called back he saw Cars playing and the toy Cars in the play area. His own personal heaven! During his examination he squirmed and shed a few tears, but there was no mass hysteria like I was prepared for! After he got up from the chair he ran back to the play area while I chatted with the dentist for a few minutes. The kicker of it all, though...when it was time to go the tears started flowing more freely since we had to leave Cars behind. Go figure!

Close To My Heart

Sure, it was 92 degrees here today...but Christmas is on its way despite the weather. In just a bit more than two short months millions of people throughout the world will celebrate Christmas. Many people center their Christmas around Santa and shopping, completely ignoring what Christmas is all about--Jesus' birth. Other people will rightly focus upon the coming of Christ and give glory to God for what He has done. There are still others who choose not to observe any holiday whatsoever and treat the Christmas season as just any other time of the year.

But then there are those people for whom my heart aches. Those who don't know the true meaning of Christmas simply because they have never heard. Samaritan's Purse, a remarkable Christian organization dedicated to bringing the gospel to people by meeting their physical needs, does just that. Their Operation Christmas Child project brings the hope of the gospel to millions of children, primarily in third world nations, in the form of a gift filled shoebox. The recipients of these shoeboxes receive age-appropriate toys, hygeine items, craft and school supplies and a small picture book detailing the gospel message in their own language. For many children, their shoebox will be the only gift they receive in an entire year. Oftentimes this tangible expression of love is the conduit to finding their One True Love, Jesus Christ.

Operation Christmas Child is by far my favorite ministry. I wholeheartedly believe in the mission of this ministry and If I had the financial means to provide a million shoebox gifts I would! Every year I feel called to contribute at a deeper level. One day, hopefully not in the too-distant future, I would be humbled and honored to travel with OCC's delivery crew to meet and minister to the children who recieve these gifts. But for now I will head to Wal-Mart, The Dollar Store and Target to purchase goodies for the shoeboxes my family will fill. I will pray for these children I do not know and for the Word of God to reach them and change them forever.

Will you join me in sharing Jesus' love this Christmas? Act now!

www.samaritanspurse.org

I Love Garbage Men

Nolan has super-sensitive ears and can somehow distinguish the roar of a garbage truck from blocks away. Today was trash day and as soon as he heard the crash of the trash truck heading down our street he left his sand table and sand toys behind and bolted for the gate that separates our patio form the outside world.

"Trash truck! Trash truck!" he hollered, as we both ran to the curb while the trash truck approached. As the garbage man saw us bounding toward him, he waved frantically and tooted the horn. Nolan laughed and laughed. Then the garbage man got out of his truck and got right down in Nolan's face to say "Hi, buddy!" and gave him a high five. Nolan was thrilled! Next he asked Nolan if he wanted to sit in the truck and press a button. Too much of a good thing, apparently, because Nolan was overtaken with timidity. He stood in awe as the truck's arm grabbed the trash can and swooped it up high overhead. He applauded as the can came back to earth empty. He wiggled with glee as the compacter compacted.

As the trash truck and its driver rolled away I was grateful for the joy this unknown trash truck driver brought to my child. Thank you, Waste Management. You made our day.

Fun On The Farm

Today we had some great family time at Joan's Farm. This working cattle farm is tucked deep in the heart of the Livermore Valley, away from the hustle and bustle of city life. It felt like we were miles and miles away, although we drove less than a half hour from our home to reach it! Joan's Farm is home to one of the best pumpkin patches I've ever visited. It was by far the largest pumpkin patch I've ever been to and it truly has "something for everyone." There was so much to experience...and Nolan did! He loved blazing a trail through the thousands of pumpkins, getting "up close and personal" with cows, sheep, goats and chickens, and riding on a real tractor pull. Nolan LOVES animals and he and I read his favorite barn book at least three times a day, so he really enjoyed being at a farm where he could see so many wonderful and "familiar" things. We will definitely be back soon!

Nolan was very disappointed that he couldn't get in the cow pen to pet the cows. He tried desperately to wedge his little body between the rails. Todd and I are grateful his determination was thwarted!

On the tractor pull

Our favorite little pumpkin of them all!

Midnight Musings: Desperately Seeking Discipline

No, not for Nolan. He’s still the “model child” I don’t deserve. I am in need of discipline. Desperately.

Truthfully, I am dumbfounded as to how I ended up this way. In high school and college I was the poster child for the well disciplined life. I got out of bed early, was always on time for class, was impeccably dressed and coiffed, studied hard and did well in all of my courses, responsibly held down a job, had quality daily time with God… In other words, I maintained the perfect balance between school, work, church and relationships. Somehow I “did it all” by the grace of God and my trusty daytimer. Life was scheduled to the half hour. I took great pride in my accomplishments and the well balanced life I led.

In Seminary I “let myself go” to a degree because I realized I didn’t really know who I was apart from being the well-organized person who would always make sure everything was checked off of her list. Everything I put my mind to ended in success…until I realized that I was out of touch with my own emotions. As long as I accomplished my tasks I was “happy,” but I never let myself feel what was truly down deep in my soul. I naively wore rose-colored glasses for many years, and in Seminary God yanked those stupid glasses from my face and I came to grips with who I really am in Christ. Jesus taught me that I didn’t have to be so structured, perfectionistic and critical of myself because I had freedom in Him. My daytimer was still my constant companion, but I was no longer a slave to it.

When I joined the “real world” of full-time employment my personal discipline efforts skyrocketed. There was no way I would ever do well in the work world without a plan…and I most certainly had one! A great one! One that made me assume that I couldn’t function without a plan, ever, in any area of my life. Soon, Todd and I planned to marry. Then we planned to start a family. Plans take discipline if they are to be successful plans, and who doesn’t want success?

Herein lies the problem. I have wonderful plans and dreams for my family life, ministry, relationships in general…but little, if any, discipline to see those plans come to fruition. Since becoming a mother I have become lazy to an extreme that I didn’t believe possible for me. I am very “out of character” at this point in my life and I am having trouble finding myself in the midst of my funk. I never thought I would not shower daily. I never thought I’d be nonplussed by running errands in ratty sweats and a baseball cap with no makeup on. I never thought I’d “allow myself” to be 22 pounds heavier than I was on my wedding day. I never thought I’d allow my child to watch the amount of TV he does. I never thought I’d feed my family Kraft macaroni and cheese on a regular basis. I never thought I’d be an internet junkie. I never thought that I would not be actively involved in ministry. I never thought that a rich, daily quiet time with God would turn into a glib, almost obligatory prayer every now and then. I never thought I would be a “run of the mill” wife and mother. I am all of these things and then some…simply because I have not been disciplined to be more than I am right now.

Life demands effort and I confess that my efforts to live it well have dwindled over the years. I know that simply having a plan doesn’t mean that I’ll reach my goals…I have to work for them and not let life pass me by. I have no desire to be “Mrs. Perfect” anymore because God has set me free from that illusion and I know full well that perfection is unattainable. I simply want to be a good steward of my life and live it to the glory of God. Right now at this juncture, I truly don’t think I’d hear Jesus say “Well done, good and faithful servant!” and this breaks my heart. He desires more of me. He deserves more from me. And I want to give it to Him, myself, and my loved ones.

I don’t expect to wake up tomorrow morning completely changed simply because I’ve confessed to my many weaknesses. God could miraculously change me if He wanted to, but more often than not He guides and walks alongside us humans as we are in the process of change. Change demands work and work demands discipline. So I will pursue change. I will seek out discipline. I will celebrate the “little victories” and refuse to give up when I am faced with the dreaded “one step forward, two steps back.” I know what it is to live an abundant life. I’ve “been there, done that” and I desperately want to do it again through the partnership of my will and God’s strength.

Politics Schmolitics

The Liedahl home is "politicked out." Right now Fox News is the last channel we'd choose to watch. Only 28 more days of the mudslinging...we hope. No more debates, please. We just can't stomach any more from anyone.

Satan's Meeting

A friend sent me the following text a few days ago and I've been mulling it over ever since. It has convicted me on many levels. Will it convict you?

Satan called a worldwide convention of demons. In his opening address he said...

"We can't keep Christians from going to church. We can't keep them from reading their Bibles and knowing the truth. We can't even keep them from forming an intimate relationship with their Savior. Once they gain that connection with Jesus our power over them is broken. So let them go their churches, let them have their potluck dinners, BUT steal their time, so they don't have time to nurture a relationship with Jesus Christ. This is what I want you to do: Distract them from gaining hold of their Savior and maintaining that vital connection throughout their day!"

"But how shall we do this?" the demons shouted!

"Keep them busy in the non-essentials of life and invent innumerable schemes to occupy their minds. Tempt them to spend, spend, spend and borrow, borrow, borrow! Persuade the wives to work away from home for long hours and the husbands to work 6-7 days a week, 10-12 hours a day so they can afford their empty lifestyles. Keep them from spending time with their children. As their families fragment, soon their homes will offer no escape from the pressures of work!

Over-stimulate their minds so they cannot hear that still, small voice. Entice them to play the radio whenever they drive. Keep the TV, DVD and PC going constantly in their homes and see to it that every store and restaurant in the world plays non-biblical music constantly. This will jam their minds and break their union with Christ. Fill the coffee tables with magazines and newspapers. Pound their minds with the news 24 hours a day. Invade their driving moments with billboards. Flood their mailboxes with junk mail, mail order catalogs, sweepstakes, and every kind of newsletter and promotional offering free products, un-needed services, and false hopes.

Keep skinny, beautiful models in the magazines and on TV so their husbands will believe that outward beauty is what's important and they'll become dissatisfied with their wives. Keep the wives too tired to love their husbands at night. Give them headaches, too! If they don't give their husbands the love they need, the husbands will begin to look elsewhere. That will fragment their families quickly!

Give them Santa Claus to distract them from teaching their children the real meaning of Christmas. Give them the Easter Bunny so they won't talk about Jesus' resurrection and power over sin and death.

Even in their recreation let them be excessive. Have them return from their recreation exhausted. Keep them too busy to go out in nature and reflect on God's creation. Send them to amusement parks, sporting events, plays, concerts and movies instead. Keep them busy, busy, busy!

And when they meet for spiritual fellowship, involve them in gossip and small talk so that they leave with troubled consciences. Crowd their lives with so many good causes they have no time to seek power from Jesus. Soon they will be working in their own strength, sacrificing their health and family for 'the good of the cause.' It will work! It will work!"

It was quite a plan. The demons went eagerly to their assignments, causing Christians everywhere to become busier and more rushed, going here and there, having little time for God or their families...

And having no time to tell others of the power of Jesus to change lives.

Has Satan been successful in his schemes? You be the judge! Does BUSY stand for Being Under Satan's Yoke?

Two!

Our baby turned two on Thursday, the 25th, and I seriously don't know how we reached this point so quickly! I can vividly remember what it feels like to be pregnant as if it were yesterday, but yet we have a walking, running, jumping, talking, laughing two year old! Nolan had tons of fun this week with Grandma and Grandpa visiting to celebrate his birthday with us. We had a small celebration at home with Cars everywhere and then we spent the day at the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

We all wore Mater hats. They're totally "in" this season, ya know?

Studying the fish!

Nolan was a little bit apprehensive touching the starfish, but he talked about it afterward. It clearly made it an impression on him!

The penguins were Nolan's favorite, so Grandma and Grandpa bought a stuffed penguin for him to take home. He sleeps with it every night!

The Brevity Of Life

In a four hour span this past Saturday we received news that two completely unrelated people we know had passed away. Superstition says that a third should follow. Thankfully, we are not superstitious or we'd be sleeping with our eyes open.

One of Todd's directors unexpectedly passed away on Friday night. What's so strange is that Todd spent the entire day with this gentleman on Tuesday. From what we understand, he had bronchitis that turned really bad really quickly. He had also developed blood clots in his legs and lungs. A stunned widow and two small children are left to grieve.

One of my former student's fathers passed away last week. When I had Kristen in class three years ago her Dad had "ongoing health problems" that were never specifically named. As it turns out, these unspecified health issues were drug and alcohol related. He overdosed last week and has left a wife and three daughters behind. Not only have they lost their husband and father, they have lost all of their worldly goods because he sold their livelihood to finance his addictions. The funeral was today and I wish I could have been there to give Kristen and her mom and sisters hugs. I share their tears and their frustrations from miles away and am grateful that they are surrounded by many others who are loving on them and helping them through this tragic time.

In Darren's case, his death was unexpected. In Kristen's Dad's case, it was just a mater of time. In both situations there are myriad unanswered questions that no one but God has the answers to. Lord, I pray that both of these families would turn to You in their darkest hours and find the peace that only You can provide. We praise You that You are the giver and taker of life and that Your plan is perfect. Please help these families make sense of Your plan even now and trust You that all things work together for good.

Yummy Yum Yum!

For all you bakers out there...have I got a recipe for you! It's delicious and it "tastes like fall."

Apple Blueberry Pecan Bread

1 c. sugar
1/2 c. butter
1 t. vanilla
2 eggs
2 apples, peeled and finely chopped (about 2 cups worth)
1/2 c. chopped pecans
1/2 c. blueberries
1 c. each--whole wheat flour, all purpose flour
1 t. each--baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon
1/2 t. salt

Preheat oven to 350 and grease the bottom of a loaf pan. Mix sugar, butter vanilla and eggs. Stir in flours, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Add apples, pecans and blueberries. Spread in loaf pan. Mix 1 T. sugar and 1/4 t. cinnamon to sprinkle over batter for "topping." Bake 1 hour and 15 minutes. Immediately remove loaf from pan and cool on wire rack.

Happy eating!

Big Boy Bed

The Lightning McQueen bed has arrived! Nolan loves it and can't seem to believe it's his! Bedtime is a breeze! Thank you, God!

Happy Birthday, Todd!

We love you to the moon and back!

Radar

All things Disney are amazing. I'm even more convinced than ever that their marketing department is no exception. Call me a conspiracy theorist if you must, but I am certain that the head honchos at Dinsey have recently sent out a radar signal to track my child so that he can track any and all products that are remotely affiliated with the movie Cars.

We were in the grocery section at Target today and Nolan screams "A-Queen!" I gingerly tell him that he had left "A-Queen" in our Jeep and that he'd get to play with him when we got home. However, he continues to yell "A-Queen! A-Queen!" and points toward the wall of soup.

There must have been 500 cans of soup on this wall and Nolan still managed to spot the dozen or so cans of chicken noodle soup that were Cars themed. I had no idea that such a product exists! It seems that Disney and Campbell's are co-conspirators to get me to purchase soup that I really don't want or need. But being the doting mommy I am, I bought a can of Cars soup (not all of them that were on the shelf, like he wanted.) Nolan carried the soup can around with him all day and loved every bite of it at dinner tonight.

The culprit

McQueen's biggest fan

NOTE TO SELF: Call brother in law Bob at Disney office. Ask that Nolan be removed from Disney radar ASAP.

The Other Women

Todd is a political junkie and, as his wife, I have followed suit (to a lesser degree) over the years. (Never mind the fact that I have a degree in Political Science. It was a natural counterpart to my degree in History.) We have been glued to the RNC these last few days and Todd now has a new woman in his life as a result...seven year old Piper Palin. Todd can not get over how cute she is. He literally beams when she's on screen and goes on and on about her adorable-ness. (I think he thinks she's cute because she looks like me at that age...not to brag or anything!)

Last month when the Olympics were in progress, Todd's crush was sixteen year old American gymnast Shawn Johnson. He was so sad for her when she didn't win the gold medal in the all-around competition. Before she won the gold for the individual balance beam event he said "If that little cutie-pie doesn't win the gold medal I'm gonna go and buy her one!" Todd takes his crushes quite seriously!

I truly don't mind that there are "other women" in Todd's life. It just confirms to me what a protective, sweet, mushy Daddy Todd would be if we ever have a daughter. I hope we do. I love this side of my husband.

Transitions

Our man-child now weighs upwards of 30 pounds, and although I'm not exactly petite he is much too heavy for me to hoist over the side of the crib. So Todd and I took the crib apart last night and placed his mattress on the floor...all the while reminiscing about our baby who's no longer a baby.

Nolan was thrilled to get to sleep in this miniature rendition of a big boy bed. We put him down at 8 o'clock as usual, and he played and jumped and danced in the pitch darkness for two hours. Todd and I came into his room intermittently to try to convey that it was time to go to sleep and took turns wrestling him onto the bed (so much for being careful with my back!) Our efforts were thwarted once and for all when Nolan realized that he could open his door and come out and say "Boo!" to us, screeching wildly like a madman. It was all a big game to him...and Mommy and Daddy were losing!

Before Nolan's "Dance Dance Revolution" party

We surrendered to the will of our wired little boy and brought him into bed with us around 11 pm, hoping he'd settle down. Finally, at 11:45 he fell into a deep solid, practically comatose sleep. We placed him in his bed and were delighted that he didn't wake up or cry when he fell off the mattress and onto the floor somewhere around 3 am. He had wonderful carpet marks all over his body this morning when he woke up.

Today's strategy for the bedtime battle is this:

• Wake Nolan at 9:30 am and only allow him 9.5 hours of sleep instead of his normal 12.
• Play hard all day and skip the afternoon nap.
• Pray that at 8 pm he'll be so dog tired he'll forget about the novelty of the big boy bed and fall quickly into a dreamy state of sweet slumber.

Todd also was online early this morning to purchase a "real bed" in hopes of luring Nolan into staying in it. We ordered a red plastic Lightning McQueen toddler bed that we hope will do the trick! All things "A-Queen" in our house are huge hits, so hopefully this bed will be the ticket! Wish us luck!

I LOVE this Face!

Melts my heart!

You Belong In The Zoo...

Not the San Diego Zoo, (as the 80's song suggests,) but the Oakland Zoo! Nolan and I spent all morning at the zoo with our friends Jen and Caleb. We had such a fun time despite the fact that it was 100 degrees!. Nolan is very "into" animals these days. Although he'd been to the San Diego Zoo quite a few times when we lived down south and had passes, this was Nolan's first zoo trip that actually "impacted" him. We had been talking about going to see the animals all week and this morning when I got him out of bed I said "We get to see the animals today!" and he was ecstatic. I quite likely deflated some of that excitement when we stopped at Starbucks on the way there. The poor kid asked the entire time we were at Starbucks where the animals were. Oops!

Of course nothing compares to the "World Famous San Diego Zoo," but I was actually quite impressed with the Oakland Zoo. Since it was smaller you felt closer to the animals as you visited each habitat. Nolan's favorites were the "efints," "algators," "mukeys," "raffs" and goats. He squealed with delight petting the goats and brushing their fur. He also found it simply hilarious to try to cover them up with hay. We'll definitely visit the zoo again soon!

With the "raffs"

Big boy on a big frog

Brushing a goat

One Month From Today...

• Nolan turns 2!
• The new season of The Office begins!

I can't wait!

Oh Boy, Obama!

Seriously? Joe Biden? We here in the McCain camp are doing the happy dance since you practically shot yourself in the foot adding Biden to the ticket. There's footage splashed all over the news of your running mate stating (a few short months ago!) that you, Senator O, are too inexperienced to be President. What's even more curious is why you would choose someone who has gone on the record stating that your opponent, Seantor John McCain, would be a good President. Thanks for tipping the scales toward the Republicans, buddy.

Sharing Gone Overboard

Bingo! Lesson Learned!

Mamma Mia! And Other Female Fun

Trust me, if you are female you HAVE to see this movie! It's too much fun and will have you humming ABBA tunes for days. I don't get to the movie theater very often, but this week my friend Valerie from San Diego was here for a visit and we were able to swing a girl's night out. (Thanks, Todd!)

Tomorrow afternoon I am going to see a production of Les Miserables at the local youth theater. I've seen Les Mis three times, read the book four times and practically know the musical score by heart. Needless to say, I am a proud Les Mis junkie and have literally dreamt about what it would be like to play the part of Eponine on Broadway. (OK...back to reality!) However, I am quite curious as to how a musical adaptation "for kids by kids" will re-tell this story considering that one of the main characters is a prostitute. Should be interesting!

I didn't even bother to ask if Todd would like to attend the show with me tomorrow because 1) I knew he'd say no (he's "endured" Les Mis before,) and 2) Nolan needs parental supervision. Todd's simply not the musical type and that's totally fine with me. I do give him kudos, though, because when we were dating he saw Chicago with me. His response when I asked if he liked it? "It was great except for all the singing and dancing!"

To each his own!

One Crazy Summer

For some reason this summer seems particularly crazy to me. Maybe it's because we haven't been home much or it could simply be because we now have a very energetic and mobile child who is constantly on the go. Whatever the reason, this summer is flying by and it hasn't been as relaxing as most. As a student and then as a teacher, my summers have always been time to rest and enjoy life in the slow lane. Our summer has definitely not been slow, even though we are trying our best to rest. Todd's job has kept him busier than ever before. It seems I am running from park to play date to park again with Nolan. We've had quite a few visitors. We are still transitioning to life in NorCal. Things just seem frenetic and there's no "easy rhythm" to this summer season.

Of course we've traveled a good deal this summer, too. Thankfully, traveling with a child hasn't proven difficult for us, just different. I've always been a compulsive list maker, but now my "to do before we leave" lists are much longer and more detailed. I've become a "boy-scout packer"...including everything I could possibly need for any possible situation. Forget cleanliness...preparedness is next to godliness for this mommy.

Then again, this summer may feel especially crazy to me because I can no longer "keep up" the way I used to. I am 36 now and not as "lively" as I was ten, even five years ago. Who truly knows? All I know for sure is that I'm strangely looking forward to fall. No gearing up for fall this year. I plan to wind down.

One Hot Mama...

I swear that the heat follows me wherever I go. Last week we had 100 degree days at home and it was nice and cool down south. This week, while Nolan and I are visiting my "thrifty" and "air-condition-less for the last 25 years" parents in Orange County, it's in the high 90's. Right now it's 83 degrees in the house at 9:05. Todd said it was barely 70 degrees at home today.

Am I bitter? NO!!! Just clearly hot and bothered!

Nolan-Speak

I have a little chatterbox on my hands. Nolan's vocabulary has exploded in the last month or so and it's just fascinating to have little conversations with him. Here are a few of my favorite words that he can't quite correctly pronounce...

noonles = noodles

poopul = purple

boobies = blueberries

wamermemen = watermelon

wook = work (as in Daddy goes to work)

Ginesign = Einstein (as in Baby Einstein)

I'm in awe that he's learning (and correctly using) so many words that I haven't "taught" him. He knows a few of his colors, practically every animal, counts to five and proceeds to talk to every person he meets. When, on occassion, people don't respond to him, he seems surprised. He looks at them like "My Mommy and Daddy understand me, why can't you?" Soon he'll be speaking in mini-sentences...and shortly thereafter the "Why?" stage will begin. I have more fun all the time being his Mommy!

The "NO!" Season

I was really hoping we'd bypass it, but it came nonetheless. Nolan has always been sweet and very agreeable but in the past couple of weeks he has exerted his will like never before. If I had a quarter for every time he yelled "NO!" at me today I'd be able to fill up my gas tank. In today's economy that's a lot of no's! Truthfully, it catches me off guard. I don't expect my cuddly baby to be so passionate about what he wants and doesn't want. When he's especially belligerent Nolan lets his no's be known with body language as well. He practically stages a sit-in and plants his little tushie right on the ground in defiant opposition to my parental authority. And it's just not cute. It's annoying and it makes my blood boil. There, I said it! I am definitely not the most tolerant mommy in town.

Now that I've publicly decried my child, "mommy guilt" is kickin' in and I probably ought to even out the scales a bit. In the midst of the "NO!" season, Nolan is still a kick in the pants and laugh out loud funny. We were in Seattle at Todd's step mom's house this last wekeend and he followed Oliver the cat around for four days straight, meowing at the top of his lungs. He loves that cat (even minutes after Oliver stratched his face in four different places!) and talked about "cat" on the plane ride home. For the record, we are not getting a cat. The meows would be even more unberarable than the no's.

Our Trip To Tahoe

We had a great getaway to Squaw Valley, home to the 1960 winter Olympics. As this was a business trip for Todd, he wasn't able to have as much free time as Nolan and I did. The majority of the time that the three of us were able to spend together was in the pool. Nolan was ga-ga about the water slide and couldn't get enough of it. Every time he reached the bottom he'd shout "Gin!" (translation: "again." For the record, my child is not a juvenile alcoholic!) One afternoon Nolan and some friends and I took the cable car up to High Camp above Squaw Valley. Unfortunately, the view from the top was rather unspectacular due to the smoke and haze from nearby fires. We also drove to the South Shore of the Lake and visited my "home away from home" in the summer of 1992.

Todd flew out this morning for Seattle and Nolan and I will join him on Thursday. We will spend the weekend with Liedahl family and friends, many of whom we haven't seen in four years. This will be my first time flying alone with the little guy and I am a tad bit nervous. Prayers are appreciated!

Looking out the cable car

A little smoky, eh?

Beautiful Emerald Bay

Fun in the pool

A Good Hair Day

Nolan was born with tons of thick, black hair. He had so much hair at birth that it took the nurse in the delivery room three washings to get the "gunk" out. Although his hair is nowhere near black now, it's still thick and unruly, much like his Daddy's. In the morning Todd and Nolan look like Daddy and Baby Porcupine. It's actually quite endearing and is just one of their many similarities that I adore.

Since Nolan has so much hair he is no stranger to haircuts. His first was at four months and it was beyond traumatic for him. I seriously think he'll have "flashbacks" someday of his "horrible childhood" with crazy people coming at him with clippers. Anyhow, Nolan has probably had eight more haircuts since his first and the soundtrack for all of them is torturous screaming and crying. Until today!

At twenty-one and a half months Nolan finally had a tear free, positive experience! I don't know if I should chalk it up to his age, the fact that he understands more of what is going on around him, or just a darn good stylist, but Nolan was actually excited for his haircut! He climbed right up into the little Jeep "chair" and looked at himself in the mirror as the smock went on. I beamed with pride but now feel like the worst Mommy on the block because I didn't have my camera with me to document this milestone in his life. Oh well! Hopefully today was the first of many "good hair days" for little Noles.

Our First Out Of Town Visitors!

My Mom and Dad left this morning to drive back home. They stayed with us for a week and we were so glad to have them visit us! Nolan loves spending time with his Grandma and Grandpa and I love watching him interact with them. (For the record, I love spending time with them, too!) We didn't do much that could be considered "out of the ordinary." Mom and Dad basically joined us for a normal week. They were able to observe Nolan's gymnastics class, play with him at the park, and watch him enjoy the cute "Toddler Town" activities at our neighborhood version of Chuck E. Cheese called Super Frank's Fun Adventure. And, in true grandparent style, they spoiled him with plenty of hugs, kisses, cuddles and lots of new toys and clothes, too!

While Mom and Dad were here Todd and I snuck away for the weekend to celebrate our fourth wedding anniversary. Neither of us had ever been to Monterey and we had such a relaxing, quiet time together. Truth be told, we both slept 12 hours both nights and took a two hour nap on Saturday, to boot! Sheer bliss!

Now we're gearing up for two back to back trips. Next Wednesday we head to Lake Tahoe for 6 days, we'll be home for less than 48 hours, and then we'll jump on a plane for a Liedahl family reunion in Seattle for 5 days. We are very much looking forward to our travels and feel blessed that Nolan, so far, has proven to be an easy little traveler!

Taking A Deep Breath

The scent of pine trees is one of my very favorite scents in all the earth. I love being surrounded by trees, tall and looming. For me, there's a sense of intimacy in a forest and a closeness with nature that I feel nowhere else. Although I've spent at least 90% of my life no further than 10 miles from the Pacific Ocean I've never been much of a beach girl. The mountains call my name and the trees whisper of God's peace and majesty in my ear.

Today was a day where I felt "at home" among the trees. We drove about 30 miles away from our house and, almost by default, ended up in the midst of a beautiful forest, towering over the San Francisco Bay. It was quiet and calm and soothing. I'll be back soon.