Live Like You Were Dying

Many of you have heard the song "Live Like You Were Dying"  Our church (The People's Church of Spring Hill) is doing a 5 week series on this topic: Love Deeper, Speak Sweeter, Give Forgiveness and Embrace Eternity. Today we talked about speaking sweeter and that words have a stronger impact on an individual than stick or stones.  Proverbs 18:21 "The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit."  Our words have the power to lift someone up or break them down, so chose our words appropriately.  Before we say something we must first check ourselves; does what I have to say hold truth? is it kind? and is it necessary?

Here are three ways to speak sweeter: 1.  Appreciate People "let your lives overflow with thanksgiving for all he has done" Colossians 2:7.  Tell those you come in contact with that you appreciate them and all that they do, recognize someone you don't know and tell them they did a great job.

2. Encourage People- "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up... 1Thessalonians 5:11. Remember that everyone needs encouragement, no matter what age.  Sometimes we expect adults to know better and should try harder but we forget that everyone needs to be lifted up.

3.  Pray for People- "Pray at all times and on every occasion in the power of the Holy Spirit.. Ephesians 6:18.   Its not hard to take a few minutes out of our day to say thank you God for everything, to pray for those struggling or for those who need healing.  Prayer really works! 

It has been a great day and I am thankful.

I have a prayer request for a few friends, please find some time to pray for them- thank you!

Cari (my girlfriend in Minnesota) has been fighting breast cancer for one year, she thought she was cleared a few weeks ago, but they found a tumor in her brain and they operated on her on Friday.  She is in recovery and is doing well but is not out of the woods.  She is married and has three small children.  www.undomestic.blogspot.com

Also, for my friend Andrea (also a girlfriend from Minnesota) she recently had a baby boy named Nathanial who survived only 20 minutes before he passed away.  She has found comfort in her relationship with God and knows her baby is in good hands but she and her family could really use some serious prayers for healing and comfort.  She is married with two other young sons. www.chasing2boys.blogspot.com

Lastly, for our good friend Pastor Bob whose son was in a serious motorcycle accident a week ago and is in a coma.  He recently moved his fingers and is starting to move his eyes.  There will be a long road to recovery so he and his family could really use prayer as well. http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/paulrieth

Thank you for taking the time out to pray.

My little school girls

Here is a photo of Isabella in her school uniform (they wear them on Wednesday's for Chapel).  We are getting ready to send Daniella to school as well, she is excited to go and I am looking forward to taking the girls to school in the morning.  We went to a parent picnic at their school on Friday night, it was great getting to know some of the families, we really felt part of a community. 

Isabella's First Day Of School

Kindergarten OH MY!.  We have been anticipating this day for a long time, as I am sure many parents have.  Isabella expressed some nervousness the night before and then again in the morning. However, we were optimistic that she would be fine as we walked into her new school Monday morning.  The drive over to school was long and emotional.  Chris and I looked at each other and said "oh no, she's going down, she thinking about it too much"  We both started shedding tears.  What will happen when we get into the school?  As we suspected, she broke down in the classroom and REFUSED to stay.  She started to get really angry and was being very difficult, that's when I turned her over to Daddy.  Somehow, children are more emotional around their mommy's.  I had to leave and let Chris handle the transition.  As I walked down the hall with Daniella and Alexa I started to cry and then I met a few women at the end of the hall.  They greeted me with a kind smile and said "we know exactly what you are going through, follow us" They took me to the cafeteria where they had coffee and donuts for all the weeping parents.  I have to say that was a nice touch.  Chris emerged from from the classroom 10 minutes later stately he had to let the teachers do there job, but it was ugly.

THE GOOD NEWS!  When we went to pick her up, she was smiling and she said she LOVED IT! She really loved it! and couldn't wait to go back.   

Try and breast feed with these baby's

Ouch!  Alexa just cut two more teeth on the top (that makes 4 on top and 2 on the bottom).  That is enough teeth to do some damage on the mom's sensitive body parts.  I'm sure I won't get an award for being the toughest with regards to nursing a baby with teeth, but when your husband has the sniffles he better not complain.  Do you hear what I am saying-wives?

She is 9 months today!  Standing, walking along furniture and crawling up stairs.  She may walk in a few weeks, she seems determined.  She is so adorable, we dig her.

NOT FOR THE FAINT AT HEART

Proud Daddy, insisted I post this photo of Daniella's accomplishment.  TOO FUNNY! 

Only parents of potty-training children can appreciate a photograph of "the real deal" Sorry to those who think this is disgusting.

Two months shy of turning 4 years old, Daniella is finally potty-trained. PTL.  Now you know why I'm so excited about this. Most children train around 2 years, so we have been buying diapers (the expensive pull-up kind, of which do not help you in training by the way) and changing some real disgusting (grown-up like) diapers.  PEEEE UUUUUUUUUUU.

OH HAPPY DAYS!!!