The Book That Made My House Dirty

Just kidding, I could've put the book down. Maybe. Sure.

No, no, I just couldn't. It possessed me all day.

Everybody knows about VeggieTales, but I don't know if everybody knows THIS story.

It's the story of how Phil Vischer dreamed a dream about being the next Walt Disney. A "Christian" Disney, if you will.

It was a great dream, but one that became an idol for Phil and ended up defining him instead of his relationship with God.

I could relate to his background and how he felt like he had to "produce" in order to be a great Christian. I loved this line, "I had grown up drinking a dangerous cocktail - a mix of the gospel, the Protestant work ethic, and the American dream."

He goes on to say, "The more I thought about my intense drive to build Big Idea (his company) and change the world, the more I realized I had let my "good work" become an idol that defined me. Rather than finding my identity in my relationship with God, I was finding it in my drive to do "good work.""

You'll never look at Bob and Larry the same way again.

And that's a good thing.

Spoken Like a True 'Publican

Daddy and the boys were watching the first Presidential debate downstairs.

Daniel came upstairs to inform me,

"Mom, you know that guy, Obama?"

"Yeah?"

"Well, he wants to steal our money!"

Okay, Doug, here are the pictures you requested :)

Little brother wanted more pictures of Hope. Your wish is my command...

Guess who?

Lambeau Still Rocks

Figured the 3 guys who read the blog might enjoy this... The three brothers headed to Green Bay on Sunday. Thanks to Nick for some pictures and video!



Nick is the one boo-ing and then if you listen closely, you can hear the theme from "Mr. Roger's Neighborhood" when Aaron Rodgers comes out :)

We didn't win, but the guys still loved being behind the Packer bench and seeing Rodgers get another game under his belt. Next time, take your WIVES!! :)

Better late than never

Ah, the first day of school. It rained this year, so the pictures didn't go exactly as planned, but here you go, anyway.

Waiting for the bus in the garage...Wearing your backpack strap over your chest is apparently the cool way, according to Greg.
Daniel's never too big to jump into Daddy's arms for a hug

Some Things Never Change

I love this woman. It's Great-Grandma Stuart's birthday today and she just happens to be getting out of the hospital in a few hours. She was there dealing with an infection, nothing serious.

So, I called her a little bit ago to wish her a happy birthday and she says to me,

"Oh, Jeannie, I have GOT to get to the hair salon!

You have NO idea!"

Cracked me UP.

Apple Pickin' in the Backyard

Hope's First Interview (No, Charlie Gibson didn't come over)

I think I may have finally figured out how to post video. My memory space ran out before I finished, but I thought I'd post it anyway.

9/11 then and now

I was standing in our living room in Kalamazoo. I heard Katie Couric talking about a crash at the World Trade Center, and then I watched the second tower get hit.

I had just put Greg down for his nap; he was just a few months old. I went back into his room and put my hand on his back and prayed. I was scared, confused.

Today, Greg doesn't nap anymore, but I still put my hand on his back and pray for that boy.

And I still get scared and confused sometimes when I think about our country. God is not a politician. He's more concerned about our souls than our votes.

His agenda will always prevail over a political agenda.

Just one of my favorite things to look at...

ComoTown End-of-Summer Fling

Next to the Como Zoo in the Cities is ComoTown/ComoPark with all kinds of fun stuff for kids. A crew of cousins met there the week before school started. Greg and Brett just a 'swangin'
Brett and Greg get ready to put out fires
Daniel, Brett and Greg on the Frogger Hopper
Jonny (far left) rode this at least a dozen times. Arms up, everybody out!
I'm a firefighter!

Brett and brave Granny in the middle on the roller coaster!
Jonny with cousins Lucy and Susan - spinning teacups
Daniel barely fits in these cars, but still had fun!

Going for the Gold

I can’t help but wonder, what if there were a Mommy Olympics? Can you picture the events?

· One-handed Driving (the other hand helping a baby with a pacifier or a toddler find a sippy cup, etc)
· Sprinting With Preschooler (trying to make it to the bathroom before he throws up in your bed)
· Healthy Food Negotiations (no, you cannot have Cheetos for breakfast!)
· Grocery Cart Agility (maneuvering the “kid-friendly” carts through a store while keeping a toddler and an infant quiet and happy)
· Extreme Nursing (trying to breastfeed an infant while a toddler or preschooler-or both-climb all over your body)
· Extreme Nursing Gold (nursing while helping a child learn to use the potty)

I think every Mom who participates should be given gold medals, or better yet, chocolate and gift certificates to day spas! After the toll our bodies take from mothering, it would be nice to stand on a platform and receive a little recognition.

Screaming Down the Hills

At the beginning of another MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) year, I am convinced this is the best theme yet!

I'm praying for the Moms in our group this year, that they may not only experience motherhood as a great adventure, but their journey with Christ as well.

"Adventure isn't hanging on a rope off the side of a mountain. Adventure is an attitude that we must apply to the day to day obstacles of life- facing new challenges, seizing new opportunities, testing our resources against the unknown and in the process, discovering our own unique potential." -- John Amatt

Note to Self

While going away on Labor Day weekend might sound like a really good idea, remember that you have to get ready for school on Tuesday and you might just

LOSE YOUR MIND