It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

Kicking off the season with pictures...

Fun, Fun, Fun from my friend in tiny town (Who by the way, I've NEVER actually met!)

1. On an average, how often do you splurge and buy something for yourself?

Way. Too. Much.

2. What is the last creative project you began/finished? Feel free to post a pic of it.

Hmmm...I'm real good at thinking up creative projects and picturing them perfectly completed in my mind. Not so good at actually seeing them through. My latest, valances for my bedroom that match the quilt my mother-in-law made for us last Christmas. Took me the better part of one afternoon.

3. OK, Goldie Locks, do you consider your house too big, too little or juuuust right?

Just perfectly right! I used to really struggle with incontentment. God has really done a work in me in this area. I'm so thankful for our home, its character and the space we have. I love, love, love to entertain in it! It may be far from perfect to others but it is PERFECT to us! :)

4. What is your favorite outdoor chore?

Working in my flower beds OR raking leaves with the kids.

5. If you knew that cigarette smoking was not bad for your health but would be a weight loss tool, would you use it? Why or why not?

No way! Can't stand the smell of it....gives me a headache in minutes!

6. On a road trip, would you rather drive or ride?

Um, ride. Everyone else would rather I ride also!

7. What do you consider a trivial pursuit?

Money

8. This weekend, we downloaded the movie "Duplicity" with Julia Roberts and Clive Owen. Within 5 minutes, I was bored and annoyed, but I kept watching 5-10 minutes at a time hoping it would get better between small chores. I finally gave up and Jorge watched it alone, and then regretted wasting that time because he disliked it intensely, too. So ... how long do you watch a movie or read a book before giving up on it?

Does falling asleep count as giving up on it? If so, minutes!

9. Is there a song that you really love but are embarrassed to admit because it's not cool or it's racy or because it's by Hall and Oates?

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Michael Jackson. Actually, I'm not embarassed by it - but I am made fun of constantly because of it.

10. On a scale of 1-10 (10 = extremely) how spontaneous are you?

Hmmm...I think a six.

11. Are you a food and/or beverage snob?

If ever I was, motherhood stripped that away. I now chomp ABC gum, drink any beverage with floaties and have grown to love any brand of chicken nuggets and macaroni and cheese.

12. Who/What are you trying to control in your life? (I hear people gulping and see them sweating in anticipation of how to answer this one.)

I'm pretty sure I'm trying to control way too much in my life. I could start to list, but it would take a long, long time. God's working on me here too!

In Search of the Next Family Member

We've been having this discussion for awhile. When I say awhile, I mean YEARS. We decided that when we were officially done potty training children -then we could get a dog. The kids are ecstatic. We've tossed around all sorts of breeds as we've been in search for the perfect fit for our family.

We've finally made a decision. Now, we just need to find the dog. Hooray for our cute little GOLDEN DOODLE...wherever he is. We can't wait until he's officially ours!

A Two-Wheel Man

Recently Jack decided he was done with training wheels. He and his pop loaded up the bike and went to the high school parking lot. Jack found a yellow line to ride on and presto-chango, he is now a two-wheel man. It was so fun to hear the excitement in his voice when he finally "got it." He was just gitty. Now we can't get him off of his bike. He rides it everywhere. Just one more example of my little man growing up.

Responsibility 101

Our little man has always been a big help around the house. He helps Justin on trash day collect the trash from around the house. He is the main recycling man in our home and he is good about helping set the table, help with dinner or clear the table when asked.

Lately he has had his eye on a Star Wars Lego kit. Justin and I decided it was time to implement the "chore chart" and give our little man a lesson in delayed gratification. We worked up a little chart that he fills out each week. Each chore in the grid has a money value. We added items like make your bed, bring up your dirty laundry, pick up toys to the tasks he already does around the house. At the bottom we made a place for him to earn an extra quarter each day for laying out his clothes for the next day and having a "NO WHINING" day.

I'm pretty proud of Jacker. He's all about his little chart. He's eager to help out each night and checks off his sheet with us each evening. He has his bank out on his night stand to house the money that he earns.

We are also including some money managing skills along with this little chore chart. If you haven't checked out doorposts.com, you should give it a gander. It has some great resources for teaching your child about saving, tithing and spending. It's hard to believe that my little guy is old enough to learn the ins and outs of responsibility. I love watching him be a little helper and take part in a little delayed gratification....a good lesson for all of us!

Happy Easter!

Ahhh...Easter Morning! I love it! The heart and soul of our salvation and heritage in Christ.

Luke 24:6 "He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: "The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.' "

Hooray for our risen Savior! Hooray for today and the opportunity to celebrate with our family the blessing of our eternal salvation. May you enjoy all of your egg hunts, Easter baskets, yummy Easter foods and the fellowship of your families and may we all take the time to not only remember but to boldly discuss the death, burial and resurrection of our blessed Jesus Christ! Happy Easter my friends!

Facebook

Can I just tell you that I feel like a slow learner in the facebook realm? I started an account last night at the request of some friends. I logged on tonight to check things out and I was WAY confused. Is it just like an ongoing little chat room? Some people that I'm now "friends" with have these cute little pages with all sorts of extras. I think I'm going to need some tutoring before I become a facebook junkie! :)

Sophie's Basket

I was doing some spring cleaning today and purging some of our stash. (My how embarassing it is to clean and realize just how much "stuff" we accumulate!) I emptied out a large basket that I keep in the living room. It had housed toys but I decided to move them downstairs where the kid's play area is. As I went to collect my basket and find a new use for it, this is what I found...

Doesn't she just have "rotten" written on her forehead? She was having so much fun that I decided my repurposing of the basket could wait a while!

A Visit To Great Wolf Lodge

We decided to take the kiddies on a little spring break get away to Mason, Ohio. We stayed at the Great Wolf Lodge so the kids could swim to their little hearts desire. We played in the arcade, visited the cub club, and spent one afternoon seeing a few sites around the area. ( A twirl around Jungle Jim's Grocery and of course a trip to IKEA) We had a great time getting away from the homestead and just spending some great quality time together as a family. Sophie was hilarious in the waterpark! NO. FEAR. I pray for that to be channeled in the right direction as she gets older. :) Jack spent most of his time on the slides. He's a little more reserved than his sister. If you're ever looking for a quick getaway...check out the lodge! :)













Pictures Above: Sophie at her favorite slide, Our posing duo, Jack in his crazy scuba gear and a quick family photo op!

Happy Birthday To Jack!

My little man is not-so-little anymore. He turned the big S.I.X. this weekend. Birthdays have always been a big celebration for my family. Growing up I can still remember having the whole family over. They stayed all day. We had lunch, cake and ice cream, opened presents and played with whatever new toys or games I got for my birthday. I LOVED my special day! I also love giving that same celebration to my kids. I love taking the time to just celebrate them. Our festivities started Friday as Jackson took his favorite birthday treat- pink squirrels, to his classroom. Saturday we celebrated with my side of the family and today he had his first friend birthday party at the Wellness Center pool. Some say it's a little much - we say it's a great way to celebrate the day God created YOU! Happy Birthday to my Jacker! On your happy number six, here are six things I adore about you...

1. Your sensitivity

2. The way you love the outdoors

3. That you are now an official READING MACHINE

4. The way you protect your little sister

5. That you cheerfully help with chores and responsibilities (Most of the time)

6. That you totally dig Jesus

Here are a few pics from our birthday boy's big weekend. I'm curious though, how do you make birthdays special at your house? Leave me a comment and let me know. :)

Pictures Above: Jack enjoying pink squirrels with his class, Opening the loot from the family, Swimming away with his buddies and blowing out the candles on his Mario Bros. cake.

I Heart Spring!

I absolutely LOVE Spring! I know we're still a few weeks away from its official arrival but each day that the sun shines and the snow is gone, I have visions of Easter and tulips and taking a walk with my kiddos OUTSIDE!!
One of the things I love about Indiana is the fact that the seasons come and go and the weather changes so we get to experience it all. However, with that said... I. Am. Done. With. Winter! Join me for a few seconds as I bask in the anticipation of the next glorious season...
1. A new Easter dress
2. Daffodils, Tulips and all the other springy flowers.
3. Bunnies and Chicks
4. A cute spring jacket
5. The smell of the ground thawing
6. Going for a walk outside
7. Flying Kites
8. Mud puddles from the spring rain
9. One season closer to the city pool being open
10. SPRING BREAK!!

Happy Valentine's Day

Justin and I enjoyed an outstanding Valentine's Day evening last night with our dear friends, the Spencers. Many of you know Reed and his amazing musical talents. We traveled to Taylor University to listen to Reed and his choral group perform. We enjoyed a great dinner and were entertained by the group along with a grad student from Jordan who sang in his native language. ( I don't know what that is) It was so neat to see how the Worship of Christ crosses over language and culture barriers. As this young man sang I certainly could not understand each word he spoke but I sure sang along with the familiar chorus in my own language, "Many things about tommorrow, I don't seem to understand. But I know who holds the future, and I know he holds my hand!"
I'm always thankful for the time that we get to spend with Mark and Jan and their whole family - which have become an extention of our own family. Our conversation and laughter are refreshing and such a blessing. If you get a chance, check out Taylor's website for information about the up and coming trip that the choral group, "Sounds of Taylor", will be taking to Jordan and Egypt next month.

Pictures: *Reed (middle) singing with the men's choir of the choral group.
*My dear friend, mentor and second mama...Jan.


Music is the universal language of mankind. ~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

AWANA Cares for Mikayla

Have I mentioned how much I LOVE AWANA? This week's theme was AWANA cares for Mikayla. We collected items to give to a family in our community who has a daughter recently diagnosed with Leukemia. These items will come in handy as the family travels back and forth to Indy for treatments. Granola bars, fruit snacks, little Debbie snacks, juice boxes, coloring books, reading books, crayons...I loved seeing the kids come with smiles on their faces to load up the boxes with items. Many of them told a story of their friend and how much they missed her at school. While it makes my heart happy to see them give, it makes me happier to know they are learning what it means to love with the love of Christ. Many of them will be praying for their friend each day lifting up specific needs that she has. I can't think of much that makes me happier than to see my own kids and kids of our community learn to love Jesus, hide His word in their hearts AND extend His love to those around. God bless Mikayla and her family as they fight this battle. AWANA cares for you, loves you and is praying for Mikayla's healing!

Monkey See, Monkey Do

This is a classic picture of my two little tykes right now. Sophie has become quite the little sister that looks up to her big bro. It seems like she is always imitating what he does. It is so cute. (At least we think so...Jack, not so much) Here she is acting just like the Jack man once again. He was sitting on the chair watching cartoons and she climbed up right beside him and put her hands up just like him. I love it!!

Droid Fighting Pizza Makers

Jackson had his buddy Max over last night. They played all evening fighting droids with their power helmets, building all sorts of things and making pizzas for dinner. I love watching my little man use his imagination. Max has quite the imagination too. I could have sat back all night and just watched them play. I hope these two never lose their creativity! When we were on our way back from taking Max home Jack says to me out of the blue, "Mom, Max is very kind." My heart smiled! I think that is five-year-old lingo for, "I found myself a good friend!"

Prayer Day

I'm up and at it early this morning because it's our Church's quarterly Prayer Day. (No, we don't pray once a quarter and wait until next quarter to converse with God) Today is the day we go into the church - the lights are low, the candles are lit, soft worship music is playing and the Holy Spirit is thick! I LOVE meeting God on these mornings. We sign up for half and hour time slots and I often think, "I just want to stay here all day!"
There are no children tugging at your sleeve, no phones ringing, no one knocking at your door. It's just you and God. We spend this time in prayer over many things. This morning I'll be praising my Savior for who He is, what he does and the promises I have in Him. I'll be lifting up those around me that are sick with cancer, ALS, depression. I'll be praying for the children in my classroom and their families, children in our community that need someone to intercede for them or that need Christ in their life. I'll be lifting up President Obama and his cabinet members, Pastor Mark, Pastor Joe and Children's Ministry Leader, Rhonda and the responsibility they have to teach US to minister to this community and world. I'll be praying for my fellow teachers, Mrs. Bohr - our principal, Dr. Howe - our superintendent and those teaching on Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights at our church. I will then spend time on my knees for my own family. I'll pray over my husband and children in depth and for my extended family as well as needs I have personally.

When I leave these mornings I always re-evaluate my personal prayer life. Am I spending quality time with God or sending up only little arrow prayers? (By the way, I am a huge fan of arrow prayers and I know God answers those) Does He know my heart because He's God or because I spend enough time with Him that I lay my heart at His feet?
Oh, my life is busy as is all of ours. I don't ever want it to be so busy though that God gets squeezed in instead of focused on.

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-19)

Today may you find time to praise God from whom all blessings flow. Let him hear your petitions and thanksgiving that your heart and spirit might be drawn even closer to Him.

Toothless

Over Christmas break, Jack realized he had a loose tooth. While for most youngsters this is a right of passage and they are thrilled, my Jacker was terrified! He was convinced it was going to hurt and he would allow NO ONE to touch it. He even was scared as he went to school and heard that Mrs. Huppert was the infamous tooth puller. He made me assure him that she would not touch his mouth! :) This was quite the ordeal in our home for a couple of weeks. Here you'll see the funny and painful process that he went through to lose that tooth. It's funny to me looking back on it at how fun it was to go through that process. Every little stage and issue brings new joy. I love my toothless little man!

Pictures Above: (Sorry they're backwards...I was having difficulty!) Jackson calling his Nana and Papaw to tell them he lost his first tooth. A picture of the "hanging" tooth.

I'm BACK!

Man...that was a long leave I took! Our computer took a crash and it took a while to get it fixed. I've missed my little blogging outlet and catching up on all of you. I'll be posting pics soon and updating you on where life is in the Lunsford home. Ahhh...this feels good!