We traveled to a city we used to live/serve in for a funeral of a church member. I sometimes wonder if making the effort makes any difference to the people involved, and that led to a discussion with Dave about who we live to please. In the end, it didn't matter if the family cared if we were there (they did), but it did mattered where our heart was. If we were only going out of a sense of obligation, it would have been wrong. But if were going out of a sense of love, it was right.


As a Salvation Army officer, I at times have felt like I am acceptable or not based on people's praise or criticism. That, too, is wrong. That would make how I live each day up to someone else, and that is just not worth it.


This is a pretty busy weekend for our family...a pumpkin patch trip tomorrow with church members, church services on Sunday followed by...dun, dun, DUN....Veggie Tales Live!! We are so exicted, but I think Cameron is most of all. Everytime we mention it, he jumps up and down and starts singing (loudly) one of the songs. It is too funny. I am looking forward to it.

I want to write at how amazed I am with how easy potty training has been, but the temptation is one I'll have to resisit. I know if I do, regression will happen and Cameron will go back to wetting his bed....because that's how it goes. My brother Jon was trained in one day...granted, he is the middle child, and pretty smart, but that was no indication that my kids will be that way. And I'm sure he would love to know I am writing about his toddler days on the internet, him being back from his 2nd tour in Iraq and all. He's a grown man, but he'll always be Jon-Jon to me.

Anyway, it's a beautiful day today in Nebraska. It's sunny and 72 degrees....the best weather day.

I made a nice cup of tea last night only to dump it out in the bathroom sink because I read the label....I'm a label reader anway (that's why it takes me so long to grocery shop), but I read the herbs, then went to the internet, read some information on herbs and pregnancy, and got worried....so, rather than risk it, I dumped it. And it was too late for Dave to go out just for tea, so I survived on Vitamin C drops and tissue (because I don't want to take cold medicine, either). I'm sure it would have been fine to take, but why take the chance?

In our women's Bible study this morning, we talked about God's gifts to us and how we give to others. Almost everyone had a story about how selfish their kids can be; I thought of the life of a 3 year old ("mine, mine, mine") and how it is so easy to raise our kids to be selfish. Dave and I have responded to a call of service, but we don't always show it by example. Sure, we pray for other people, and hopefully in the midst of doing what we do, they see selfless service, but I also want to voice it and let them serve, as much as they are able. And not just because it's a nice thing to do, but because it's commanded. We've been given every spiritual blessing, and God expects us to share with others.

And finally, my friend-like-sister Erica Johnson is selling items that she has made online in order to pay for school tution. Today, I bought some note cards with envelopes made from recycled sheet music and a handbag made from old curtains. I think it's awesome....last month, she sent all proceeds from her sales to support The Salvation Army overseas. Here is her website:

www.others.etsy.com

Afternoon at the park

Elmo underwear...woo-hoo!

Fall Weather and Birthdays

The weather is beautiful today. That is one of my blessings on a Saturday when Cameron seems to not be listening, but is keeping his underwear dry (another blessing).

We find out if we are having a boy or a girl on my birthday. Just a few more weeks and we can decide if we're having a garage sale to get rid of the boy clothes that are filling up the Rubbermaid totes in the basement or keeping them all for the next few years.

And then we're done. Unless we adopt...after Jack was born, I just thought about how fun kids are, how it's just more love...and more noise, but that's why naptime is so special.

The next few weekends are pretty full...fall camps, pumpkin patch visits with corps people, Veggie Tales live on stage. I look forward to it. And then kettles start!

Our funny for the day: Cameron was working on his play refrigerator with his toy drill, and insisted on wearing goggles so that he did not "screw himself in the eye". I don't know where he gets that stuff.