Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Aquarium 2014

I always love going to the Seattle Aquarium and since we had never taken Isaac before and Blake was just a toddler the last time we went, we decided to go last week when my sister was visiting. I put the pics in an album on facebook but want to document it here as well since this is more our family record.
One of my favorite things of the day was the children SCREAMING through every tunnel as we took 1-90 into Seattle, it is always loud when all the cousins are together in the car and apparently tunnels are very exciting to drive through. Also, the octopus at the aquarium is not always very active and he was totally showing off while we were there. Even Isaac got up close as you will see in the video. They do such a great job there with having things the children can do interspersed through the exhibits, I highly recommend the experience.
Isaac wasn't afraid to touch the starfish at all and Ben kept pointing and saying "ohhhhh-fish" =)
 I love the way the sea anemones curl around your finger
Isaac showing some enthusiasm
Did you know the Puget Sound is home to some of the largest species of Octopus in the world? ick 

 Benjamin adorably watching the fish
 Trinity and sea horse really had a bonding moment
the tropical tanks had quite the lighting
 this is a floor to almost ceiling tank in the large foyer of the Aquarium, you can see it's pumps etc from a viewpoint on the second floor cafeteria which is pretty cool to check out
 I mean, how adorable are the river otters? They swim and play and just delight the children every time. I love the enclosures because the kids can be right up to the glass and the critters go by SO CLOSE, unlike many zoo animals that are too far away to appreciate.
 I like Evelyn feeding the bronze seal
 Ben blowing kisses to the seals
 Pretty impressed with my camera phone pics of the fish
fun stuff
 cutie pies, they loved sitting on this shelf and looking at the kids
 cousins
 gooey. . .
 hams
 again, love the river otters
this biggest puffer and I are Bff's. he always comes around when I am there. lol I heard once they had mini puffers that could be in freshwater and I wanted some SO BAD but never followed up on it. hmm. . . .

Thursday, February 13, 2014

Sometimes God. . .

gives you the breakthrough you need. The past few years I have had particular issues with my faith. I was picking the Word apart, doubting things I've believed all my life, suffering occasional loneliness, and most importantly battling continual self-condemnation for my lack of spiritual growth. I even went so far as to read the one year bible with a notebook by my side in which I wrote every question and problem I had with the scriptures and subsequently, with God. Yesterday Natalie sent me a post that really helped clarify my thinking which you can find here: http://www.itakejoy.com I was thrilled when his mother insightfully encouraged  him as he struggled to make the Christian faith his own that he reminded her of the biblical Jacob who wrestled with God. She reminded him that wrestling is a full-contact sport, and it's good to be in contact with God. The tie-in God gave me on top of the "wrestling could be a good thing" mentality shift was in my study of Hebrews 5 and 6. - leaving the elementary teaching of Christ and moving on to maturity. As I went over the list of basics I thought, well what is maturity then? I guess maybe I have misunderstood what maturity in Christ is. It seems less the perfect understanding of every doctrine and nuance of the faith, (which is what I usually wish I had, being married to a high school debate boy) and more the constant practice of our faith. Being able to discern right from wrong and creating a fruitful harvest of righteousness that comes from practical application of the scriptures. I know it says it right there in Hebrews and seems to be remarkably simple but these past few years I haven't felt it was enough to mean growth. I needed more head knowledge, memorization of scriptures, understanding of doctrine and theology. I wanted to have an opinion on EVERYTHING or else I felt I didn't know what I believed about ANYTHING, but studying in Hebrews I can feel the importance of Paul's words. Of course I still desire to know more intellectually because that's just who I am but yesterday I experienced a refreshing FREEDOM from the burdens of the past few years I had placed upon myself. Here is the bottom line for me: my questioning is not something to feel ashamed of or guilty about or fear that I might be playing some fake role in professing faith. God is willing to wrestle with me. He is steadfast and loving, patient and kind. I AM growing every day that I continue in the faith and am not satisfied with where I am at but seek something deeper. More like Christ means taking that extra time to discipline my child correctly, treating my husband with love, being aware of and helping the needy, etc. This is the life He calls us to and this is the life I LOVE. loved unconditionally. yes. Peter in a moment of fear denied Christ. yes. upon him the church was still built. yes. great things from passionate, imperfect, faith? YES!

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Feb. 11

I am titling this post with the day because it;s not really about anything in particular just the last couple of days. I have been having small victories with Blake. Yesterday he didn't want to do his math homework and as usual it turned into way more of a big deal than it needed to be. The kids had the day off from school because of weather and he thought he should get off scott free from schoolwork but it was still a monday and I have a weekly homework packet so I didn't want him to get behind. Twenty minutes on his reading website that is not his favorite set him up to fight me tooth and nail over math. It was ONE PAGE of subtraction problems. In a previous post I talked about how I had heard that you should ADD busywork to a boy's bad behavior because taking things away doesn't seem to matter to them and I have found that true of Blake. So then he had TWO pages of math and you can guess how that went over. I tried to send him to his room for his rudeness but he refused to go. Well I am over physically hauling him up the stairs and since this is the year of no yelling that wasn't an option either so. . . I pulled him off the chair close to me and calmly told him (while he was screeching with his hands over his ears because he didn't want to listen to me) that he had two options: do the homework or not have video games for a week. Now in a way this is reverting to taking things away but I had already added a task and he is only six so I didn't want to overwhelm him. The choice put the power in his hands, he could choose NOT to do the math but that meant that HE was choosing no games. It was not a punishment but his choice. Of course he chose the math. All of this while Isaac is running amok through the house and trinity who also need help is forced to wait because I just can't divide my attention like that when dealing with a behavior issue. At night the children have been fighting when brushing their teeth, they just can't keep their hands to themselves and one of them always gets hurt. So they lost video games today because of fighting last night. This too Blake freaked about when I reminded him this morning and between then and now I heard about 1,000 requests for games but I held firm. I hope all this effort is making a difference. I have talked just once to him about honoring (respecting) me but that is going to have to be an ongoing conversation. When I told him he wouldn't dare treat his teachers like that and why is it okay to act like that with me his comeback is that Mrs. Heinz is mean. Ha! I'm glad she is a tough teacher, she has to be with 17 boys in her class and only a few girls. Talk about unruly. Trinity bless her heart is just SWAMPED with homework. Tonight other than gymnastics and twenty minutes for snack she did nothing but homework and didn't even get her reading done. I am just so proud of the effort she puts in. It's difficult because she has such terrible focus that she will take three times longer than needed to accomplish just one page of math problems but at the same time I hate to be breathing down her neck constantly saying she's not going fast enough blah blah blah. I MUST figure out a way to hurry her but encourage her. Yikes. I'm thankful today for her beautiful smile. I looked in the rear view mirror at her on the way to gymnastics and was watching her and her brother's and I'm just amazed at how beautiful she is. Today I feel good. It started out sad when my neighbor couldn't go with me to IKEA. I was really looking forward to visiting with her on the way. I couldn't fit any of my friends with kids because I needed some of the seats down so it was just me and Isaac and I was a little lonely but it was a beautiful day and it was nothing coffee and retail therapy (and a little prayer on the drive) couldn't handle. Then it was lunch with Jeremy and then out for a run with Isaac in the stroller, the kids got home and that was that. Oh and one more quick note, Trinity has been praying for some communication from her world vision girls and in sunday school they are talking about faith. Well yesterday we received a picture from Bhavani in India. God is good and giving proof of himself to my children. Thank the Lord for answered prayers no matter how simple. Press on Mommas, press on!

Sunday, February 9, 2014

Job and the question of Origin

After studying the book of Job I was interested in one of the sources my teacher quoted. It was a book by Hugh Ross called Hidden Treasures in the Book of Job - how the oldest book in the Bible answers today's scientific questions.  I read it through and didn't find it completely distasteful, this coming from a girl raised in a conservative church where there was no arguing the LITERAL interpretation of Genesis 1 and 2. Which I am not saying is a bad thing, just laying the foundation of my spiritual core. I had been warned at study it was an "old earth" take on creation. I found it super interesting to look at Job as a commentary on God's creation; which animals and why, things about the earth and stars, how we look at the six days in Genesis, what about the Dinosaurs, and why is there suffering were all topics touched on in the book.
Here's the deal, I am VERY mindful of anything that might supplant the Word of God. The bible says specifically to be careful not to add to it or change it for your own purposes. (Deuteronomy 4:2 in the days of the Law, and Proverbs 30:5-6) Also, that God seeks wisdom and righteousness before capitulation to philosophy and tradition. (Colossians 2:8) The context of Colossians to be clear speaks to the deity of Christ and that we must not alter the gospel of his divinity/humanity that enabled a perfect payment for sin. Hasn't science though, created that same atmosphere as the philosophers and traditions of the new testament days? You are thought the fool to buy into a literal translation of the Word of God, but the Word is clear that it is absolutely trustworthy. This means from it's inspiration and through it's development as the bible we know today. However, just to play the "what if" game. . bottom line is I don't think either creationist groups have all the answers and the evolutionists could be just as misguided. The evolutionists as a majority say knowledge is power and freedom from religious origins. But the Bible is clear that knowledge of God alone leads to wisdom and that is what God is concerned about. Discovery is wonderful, God carefully crafted our bodies to desire knowledge and has allowed us to make leaps and bounds of understanding in all areas of life in an incredibly short amount of time. Isn't it strange though, that all that "knowledge" has led many people away from God? Why would God allow that? Is that the work of the "prince of the air"? Science has become God to many and is seen as the only reasonable route of thought for where we come from and how we got here. Faith has been lost to the mystery of "what if" and "who knows", and people are basking in their ability to be the deciders. Here is what I like about looking at Old Earth possibilities. God timed everything as He wanted. Job helps us fit that creation into different phases of the millions of years that the bible calls days in Genesis. (if we are looking from an old earth viewpoint) God intervened at a few distinct times to create the right environment for mankind. God still gives us freewill, we still fell from sinlessness, we still need Jesus to redeem us the only way to God. Here is what I don't want to believe: anything that changes the Nature of God from what His Word reveals about Him, and anything that takes away from the Gospel of Christ. I am not entirely sure an old earth viewpoint violates these things (which face it are my two criteria from my own opinions on what is important to me for my faith). It reconciles many (though trust me not all) of the issues that science and the bible seem to stand on opposite sides of. It's interesting that while I was getting my thoughts out I was also able to watch the origins debate between Ken Ham and Bill Ny. One of the problems Ham brought up was the idea that God allowed animals and pre-humans to suffer and die long before humanity as we know it came on the scene. I don't have so much of a problem with this. Job helps me understand that God has a purpose for all pain and suffering even if we cannot see it and the suffering of animals that did not have a soulish state for possible millenia does not lead to God being unloving, just bigger than our understanding. (as Job was unaware of the heavenly question of his faith at stake and suffered huge things for seemingly no reason) Ham had no qualms about science backing up his creationist viewpoint. The argument breaks down ultimately to a world view. Which comes first, the evidence or the world view that supports it? That is the question that I am betting is never answered until the end of time as we know it. Personally, I still shy away from anything that makes a literal view of the bible impossible. Proverbs 8 speaks to me about creation, it is about wisdom and provides support for the fact that nothing on this earth happens without God's direction. I think I might always have an inner argument about the how but never about the "why", which was known from before the foundations of the earth. John 3:16. When I post personal thoughts that are so completely without a good understanding of so many things but more a gut reaction I do not usually share them on my facebook wall. If you follow my posts or notice personal ones you haven't read in my archives when I make more" comment friendly" posts you will see this. I do not want to start a firestorm of public comment as this is a touchy subject for believers and non-believers alike. Think of it as a glimpse into my personal journal. If you just can't stand it I welcome conversations in private messaging. Thanks!

The Blessings of Wisdom

Does not wisdom call?
Does not understanding raise her voice?
On the heights beside the way,
at the crossroads she takes her stand;
beside the gates in front of the town,
at the entrance of the portals she cries aloud:
“To you, O men, I call,
and my cry is to the children of man.
O simple ones, learn prudence;
O fools, learn sense.
Hear, for I will speak noble things,
and from my lips will come what is right,
for my mouth will utter truth;
wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
All the words of my mouth are righteous;
there is nothing twisted or crooked in them.
They are all straight to him who understands,
and right to those who find knowledge.
10 Take my instruction instead of silver,
and knowledge rather than choice gold,
11 for wisdom is better than jewels,
and all that you may desire cannot compare with her.
 
12 “I, wisdom, dwell with prudence,
and I find knowledge and discretion.
13 The fear of the LORD is hatred of evil.
Pride and arrogance and the way of evil
and perverted speech I hate.
14 I have counsel and sound wisdom;
I have insight; I have strength.
15 By me kings reign,
and rulers decree what is just;
16 by me princes rule,
and nobles, all who govern justly.
17 I love those who love me,
and those who seek me diligently find me.
18 Riches and honor are with me,
enduring wealth and righteousness.
19 My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold,
and my yield than choice silver.
20 I walk in the way of righteousness,
in the paths of justice,
21 granting an inheritance to those who love me,
and filling their treasuries.
 
22 “The LORD possessed me at the beginning of his work,
the first of his acts of old.
23 Ages ago I was set up,
at the first, before the beginning of the earth.
24 When there were no depths I was brought forth,
when there were no springs abounding with water.
25 Before the mountains had been shaped,
before the hills, I was brought forth,
26 before he had made the earth with its fields,
or the first of the dust of the world.
27 When he established the heavens, I was there;
when he drew a circle on the face of the deep,
28 when he made firm the skies above,
when he established the fountains of the deep,
29 when he assigned to the sea its limit,
so that the waters might not transgress his command,
when he marked out the foundations of the earth,
30 then I was beside him, like a master workman,
and I was daily his delight,
rejoicing before him always,
31 rejoicing in his inhabited world
and delighting in the children of man.
 
32 “And now, O sons, listen to me:
blessed are those who keep my ways.
33 Hear instruction and be wise,
and do not neglect it.
34 Blessed is the one who listens to me,
watching daily at my gates,
waiting beside my doors.
35 For whoever finds me finds life
and obtains favor from the LORD,
36 but he who fails to find me injures himself;
all who hate me love death.”
 

Saturday, February 8, 2014

School Concerts

Hello all, here are some vids from the kids' school concerts this year, and one throwback because I can't resist the cuteness and I can't believe Blake is in first grade!







                                          


amazingly enough, his onstage behavior has obviously improved. lol

Monday, February 3, 2014

Superbowl Sunday

I can't believe the Seattle Seahawks won the superbowl. I am ecstatic! But by far the best "bowl" moment of the day was when I went upstairs at the neighbors (where we were watching the game) to check on Isaac and found that he had dumped six magnetic fishing game fishes into their son's betta bowl and was enthusiastically trying to "fish" them out with his little magnetic tipped yellow fishing rod. Probably his most adorable toddler moment yet! (no real fish were harmed thank heavens)