2 Many Kids 2 Little Time

Asher's Treasure

Asher came home on Tuesday (his third day of Kindergarten) and told me about his first cafeteria food experience. He enjoyed his ham sandwich, baked Cheetos, orange slices, and milk. Oh yeah - and the broccoli and ranch dip...which he may or may not have eaten...hmmm...

As he is describing his meal he begins taking something out of his pocket. He produces a "spork" and says to me with great excitement "Have you ever seen one of THESE?" I played along with his new found discovery... "Where did you get that?" I asked. "From the cafeteria" he replied. "What is it?" I quizzed. He then went on to describe the obvious "it's kind of like a spoon and it's kind of like a fork!" "WOW!" I said, "It's a spork!" (I never knew a person could have such enthusiasm for an eating utensil.) Asher insisted I wash the spork in the dishwasher and put it in the utensil drawer for future use.

Oh - the adventures of a Kindergartener...

Singing lessons

Lilli is 2 years old. Her current obsession is Cinderella. This is partly my fault - I introduced her to the Disney classic movie and now she is obsessed!

A few times a week she is allowed to pick a video/DVD to watch. Sleeping Beauty used to be her #1 choice but recently she has switched to Cinderella. I know this is "normal" because children love to listen to a favorite book over and over again. Asher went through this stage with the Disney movie Atlantis. My main objection to this stage is I have to watch the movie of their choosing over and over and over and over again...argh!

Lilli's current favorite song comes from the movie. "A dream is a wish your heart makes" is her lullaby she croons to her many babies. Being only two years old she knows the one line of "a dream is a wish your heart makes when you're fast asleep..."

This fact does not seem to upset her babies. In fact, they are the most well-behaved little ones on the block!

The difference between boys and girls

The other day I was at my Grandmother's house for our weekly lunch date. My sister, Mandie and I take our children to visit her on Wednesdays. We were busy cleaning up after lunch when I noticed the two bedroom doors closed and decided I better investigate.

Behind bedroom door #1 were the girls, Lilli and Stella. They had gotten Grandmother's porcelain figurines (a man and a woman) and had put them to sleep on the bed with their heads on the pillow and the covers pulled up under their chins!

Behind bedroom door #2 were the boys, Asher and Levi. They were jumping on the bed with the comforter and pillows all over the floor.

And that is the difference between boys and girls!

Carpet Burn

I just got the first carpet burn of my adult life rescuing Baby Eden from falling down the stairs. (And it really stings...)

Whatever happened to the little "Little People"?

I know...I know...the original "Little People" posed a choking hazard. But I sure enjoyed playing with them and I still own a few. My mother (Oma) still has my original Fisher Price "Little People" doll house and it's much better that the one Lilli has -

oh well

The kids that put everything in their mouths have to ruin it for all the rest of us!

I really need to know...

Why do babies rub their eyes when they are sleepy?

Pedicure anyway?

Have you ever seen a more disgusting pair of feet? Well, I live with these feet! And I actually am madly in love with the man whose feet these belong to -

I keep promising Dyron a home pedicure but he insists it won't do any good. In other words, his feet are too far gone...

Lately, he's been losing at least one toenail a year. Running does a number on his feet and I'm sure the chlorine from the pool helps in keeping them nice and scaly...what is a wife to do?

Life's a Beach

Our family spent the Labor Day weekend at Virginia Beach with Grandy, Grammy, Aunt Carmen, and Aunt Shannon. We all had a fabulous time! The weather was perfect - sunny and not too hot. Asher had so much fun frolicking in the waves! Lillian enjoyed feeling the water on her toes and playing in the sand. Eden liked eating the sand and playing with Daddy in the ocean. We all had a relaxing vacation.

A few participated in the Rock-n-Roll 1/2 marathon. Dyron finished in 1:27 minutes (finished in #212). Grandy, Grammy, Carmen, and Shannon also finished the race (sorry I don't know all of the times).

Dyron and I had a "date" on Sunday evening while Grandy and Grammy watched the kids. We enjoyed a delicious dinner by the water and then listened to a Journey concert on the beach.

Maybe Labor Day weekend at the beach can become a Hamlin family tradition!

A "not so hard" week...

Last Friday, Dyron left for New Orleans with plans to return this Saturday (9/26). Fortunately (for me anyway), Hurricane Rita decided to blow in and Dyron was evacuated back to Little Rock on Wednesday evening. So, my week was easier than anticipated! (Sorry to all of those who had to evacuate their homes...)

The girls and I are now joining my Grandmother Sanders (their Great Grandmother) for our weekly lunch on Mondays. Mandie returned from her 10th anniversary trip to Arizona, so the lunch conversation was fun! I "enjoyed" my new Kickboxing class on Monday night. Tuesday night was dinner at Mandie's house. Wednesday I actually hired a babysitter (Deven - she's great!) and got my hair cut and did some quick shopping for Asher's upcoming 6th birthday without two girls in the shopping cart. (Yes, when you're a mom shopping at a store with shopping carts is an absolute MUST!) Asher's piano lesson was at 3 pm on Wednesday and he did great! My wonderful husband made it home just in time to let me get to Pilates.

I don't remember Thursday because I thought it was Friday. Today was good - Dyron did some "training" for his upcoming Ironman and was home around noon. I ran to the grocery store - threw together some supper for 12 people - walked to the soccer fields and watched about 30 minutes of my nephew, Levi's soccer game - enjoyed supper with my family - read the kids' a few Bible stories - tucked them in...

Now, I will end my "not so hard" week with a glass of wine and a few episodes of Frasier (we are watching our way through the first season on DVD) and then head to bed.

Hope everyone else had a great week.

Enjoy the weekend!

Happy Fall!

Summer 2005 summary...

Summer 2005! A hectic, hot, hasty summer. We must have done something - let me think back...

We began summer with a trip to the Buffalo River for a Bible retreat. June was full of Wednesday lunches with Great Grandmother Sanders, walks to the park, and plenty of pool time! Asher swims like a fish, enjoys diving for dive sticks with his goggles on, and trys to beat me in swim races. Lilli wanted to swim "to the ladder" over and over again - she can't swim solo yet so this meant a lot of exercise for me!

At the beginning of July, we took a family vacation through Chicago to somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin. It was beautiful and a nice break from the heat of Arkansas. We attended the Great Lakes Christadelphian Bible School and had a fabulous time! We met some new friends and hung out with some old ones!

Asher got to take a bonus trip with Grandy and Grammy to Oregon and Lillian had her first sleepover guest (Faith).
Eden began crawling and pulling up on every piece of furniture in the house.

August began with a trip to Monroe, Louisiana for the Gray family reunion. I hadn't attended in over 10 years and had a fun time catching up with some cousins! We also added to our family by having Dwight move in with us while he completes his undergraduate degree at UALR. The middle of August was here much too fast and this meant Asher would be starting Kindergarten! (He is now a veteran Kindergartener...)

My Birthday Boys

It has been a bustle of activity around the Hamlin house lately. Planning and throwing parties takes a lot of energy out of a mama. Asher will officially be six tomorrow (Oct. 6th) but we celebrated his birthday early with a Pirate party! (His choosing...) What a fantastic idea!

I cheated by going online and finding ideas for the Pirate themed event. Then I spent two weeks buying, gathering materials, and making hooks, Treasure Hunt clues, a treasure map, and a "Welcome aboard Pirates!" sign.

Each of the guests got a bag containing a bandana, eye patch, and earring. We had a lot of fierce looking pirates! They all seemed to love following the clues around the house that lead up to the buried treasure in the sandbox. Birthday cake, ice cream, presents, balloons, even a Scooby-Doo DVD - everyone stayed for a cookout for supper. Hopefully, a good time was had by all!

Dyron's 29th birthday was celebrated on August 31st. I decided on a baseball theme to celebrate the beginning of t-ball with Asher this Fall. We had a great family get together.

My two favorite men. I love them so much.

It's Friday night!

Dyron has been in New Orleans since Tuesday. He will get back tonight around 2 am. He leaves tomorrow for his 20 hour stay in Chicago for the marathon.

So, my party plans for the evening include a trip to Sonic for a burger and vanilla Dr. Pepper. (Haven't had a soda for a week...) The kids will also get a Sonic supper to eat while watching their Friday night movie. Lilli chose "Aristocats" from the movie store. I chose "Sahara" and "Crash." After the kids are in bed, Dwight and I hope to veg in front of the tube. I will probably be fast asleep when D walks through the door.

Have a fantastic Fall weekend!

My running husband

Chicago Marathon

Dyron ran in the Chicago Marathon on October 9th with some friends. Ray Pratt, Cam Beeler, and Preston Smith all competed together after blogging about their training for most of this past year! They all finished!

No one qualified for the Boston Marathon but Dyron came really close. (He needed a 3 hour and 10 minute marathon time and came in at 3 hours and 21 minutes - hope I got that time right!).

CONGRATULATIONS GUYS!

Keep up the running and the friendship!

Personal Study #2

Psalm 119: 9-16

Beth (second letter of the Hebrew alphabet)

v.9 "How can a young man keep his way pure? BY LIVING ACCORDING TO YOUR WORD. 10 I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. 11 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. 12 PRAISE BE TO YOU, O LORD; teach me your decrees. 13 With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth. 14 I REJOICE IN FOLLOWING YOUR STATUTES as one rejoices in great riches. 15 I MEDITATE ON YOUR PRECEPTS AND CONSIDER YOUR WAYS. 16 I DELIGHT IN YOUR DECREES; I will not neglect your word."

I'm always talking to my children about how God cares for them and how they can "care" for God. By living for him - taking care of his creatures, showing love to others, obeying their parents (!), giving thanks to him in prayer, and appreciating all of the blessings he provides them. I have to constantly remind myself to take these "little lessons" to heart and be a child of God - one who "cares" enough for him to show my love for him in the every day activities of my life...

Psalm 23

A friend sent me an inspirational movie based on Psalm 23 today. The line "and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever" really struck me. Like right between the eyes!

Wow!

I could actually live with God in his house forever! What an honor. What a privilege. With his mercy I hope to be there someday.

Matthew 5:5 "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth."

I come bearing gifts...

Dyron is home again! And he came bearing gifts for his family.

He's such an awesome person to live my life with...

And a great daddy!

Love you babe.

Girls night out!

My sisters and I took mom out tonight for her birthday. We had a great time together!  Restaurant 1620 served up a delicious feast (as usual). Mom had her first appletini and we all shared a champagne toast to complete the scrumptous meal!

What a fantastic mom she has been to us! Very selfless - a loving example I hope to emulate with my own children.

Happy Birthday Mom!

First Steps

Eden Lane took her first step at her Great Grandmother's house on Wednesday. Then two more steps were taken at Papa and Oma's house.

Today (Saturday) she took five steps in an attempt to get to our cat, Sissy.

Grammy was extremely distressed Eden was starting to walk - "she's not a baby anymore" was her sad tune. I guess she's officially a toddler now.

The art of taking a picture!

I coordinated my outfit and the kids a few Sundays ago and was hoping to get a cute picture. Dyron became easily frustrated with the project (especially with me!) -

I think there is one cute picture out of the bunch!

It's easy to see why talented photographers get the big bucks - they work magic!

IronMEN

We are back! We had an absolutely fabulous time in Florida.

Dyron, Trey Chandler, and Kevin Birdwell all "competed" in the 2005 Florida Ironman on Saturday. After "training" for a year or so with early morning swims, lunch time runs, and Saturday bike rides, they all completed the race. Dyron beat his 2003 Hawaii Ironman time by over an hour (10 hours 47 minutes)!

Congratulations guys!

Bonnie, Cassie, and I were there to offer our support and encouragement - our husbands treated us to a post-race celebration at "Boar's Head" and we had a fun time!

Trey and Kevin even "marked" their new Ironman status with Ironman tattoos. (Fortunately, Bonnie did NOT get the "Property of Ironman" tattoo...HA!) 

Maybe Dyron can talk them into another race - Arizona Ironman 2007!

Life's a Beach

The saga continues...

Here are some pics from our recent family trip to Panama City Beach in Florida. The weather was perfect! The kids loved frolicking on the beach and swimming in the pool. We met Grandy, Grammy, Randy, Mandie, Levi, Stella, Trey and Bonnie Chandler, and Kevin and Cassie Birdwell for a few lovely days by the sea.

Place your bets...

I have taken on a HUGE project. Painting 4 rooms, two halls, and a laundry room...Yikes! What was I thinking? Does anyone want to place a bet on how long this project will take me? Take into consideration my husband has been "missing in action" lately due to the project in New Orleans. And (don't forget) I have three small children to feed, bathe, teach, pick up after, make sure they wipe their bottoms (2 of them - well, Asher is mostly independent on that), change diapers (only Eden - thank goodness!), have I left anything out?????

Anyway, I have almost completed the downstairs hall and started on the upstairs playroom/office...

If anyone out there wants to volunteer to help, I will graciously accept your offer!

Ahhh...serenity now

Just a few additional beach pics.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Thanksgiving in America 2005

The first "Thanksgiving" in America was (supposedly) a feast shared by the Native Americans and the new colonists. Well - Thanksgiving at the Hamlin house has deteriorated to two guys (one with a cold and one with a beer) listening to Dire Straits.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Actually, we had a great day with Dyron home (finally). We even ventured to the park. What a beautiful day! God is good!

I love my husband!

Dyron HATES painting...but...he looked at my pleading eyes and decided to help me. So, we have almost completed the upstairs "tv room"- I must say...it's looking nice. But I won't reveal the final pics until I'm completely done! So, who knows when that will be???

He's been home since the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and it's been so nice to be reunited with my best friend (well, sometimes). Of course, I've been sick part of the time...that's always how it works out. Oh well...we are enjoying each other's company. Thus, my lack of blog entries lately.

We had to cancel the second date night in a row because of my sickness...bummer! But, now we're looking forward to watching Dave Letterman interview Oprah...good night!

More Thanksgiving in America...

Asher brought home some cute Thanksgiving projects from school. Just thought I'd share...

Do you like the cake?

I'm not much of a "sweet eater." So, I'm picky about desserts! I don't care for "store bought" cakes - occasionally I will buy a Community Bakery cake because they are fairly tasty. But, Wal-Mart and Kroger can keep their cakes - yuck!

Anyway, I've been making homemade birthday cakes for the past few years. What do you think? This is the first cake I've attempted lettering on - oh well! I've got plenty of birthdays ahead to perfect the art...

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2006!

2005 was the most hectic year of my life...so far!

So, I'm wondering - what does 2006 have in store for me?

I have made a few resolutions. Doesn't everybody?

1- I want to be a better servant for God. I am going to strive for a daily scripture reading.

2- I want to be a better mother. (I think I say this every day.) Just be more in tune with my kids and realize the time I have with them is so short and I really should "cherish every moment."

3- I want to practice the piano. Learn a new piece.

4- I want to pick up my violin again.

5 - I want to choose one person a week and either call, email, or send them a letter just to let them know I'm thinking about them and hopefully brighten their day. So, watch out!

Those seem attainable. I hope I can accomplish them!

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE and good luck.

May God bless you all in 2006!

Happy New Year in Austin, Texas

We had a great time celebrating with the Jacksons in Austin, Texas! This is the third year of our "tradition" of spending the New Year together. It's a lot of fun seeing our kids change! Hope it continues throughout our life...

I've been sick...

so all I can do is blog!

I've got the continuous runny nose, an occasional sore throat, and a slight cough. But I'm getting better...

Eden is finally over all of her fussing - some of her molars have broken through...maybe she's just gotten used to the pain!

Lillian is coughing all of the time and basically miserable unless reading "Angelina Ballerina" or watching a "Dora" video...we all like to "veg" in front of the t.v. when we're sick - right?

Here's some pics of Dyron's mom and her siblings. His Nana Stanton (mom's mom) died right before Christmas. All of the siblings gathered for the funeral and seemed to have a good time together. I thought these pics were fun!

Go Horns!

This is in honor of my husband - a University of Texas at Austin alumni!

Hook 'em Horns!

Treats...

I've been busy lately. Too busy to "stop and smell the roses." Dyron returned home Saturday afternoon after a week of being in New Orleans. I miss him so much when he is away... he was a ray of sunshine beaming down on my world. I was beginning to become depressed with his abscense. I'm a fairly independent person, but I need my husband. I need him because he helps me slow down and enjoy the moments of life. He knew exactly what I needed- he took the kids and I out to dinner, to Home Depot, and for a Shakey's ice cream treat! We returned home and he helped me paint! (And he hates painting...)

Sunday evening we sat in front of the fire and enjoyed our growing children. Eden was turning around and around (making herself dizzy), Lilli was "ice-skating" around the living room in her tights (throwing one leg up behind and doing some twirls), and Asher was entertaining us with his artwork (he is quite an artist). Dyron and I just looked at each other and smiled - what a beautiful life God has given us!

Thanks babe for being a wonderful friend, confidante, and husband - I love you!

Kitchen updates

I always agonize over purchases...it takes me forever to make up my mind and to actually spend money. I know what I like but I want to make sure I really like something because I know it will be around awhile!

Asher requested bar stools for the kitchen. WOW! The kids love them - they eat at the bar all of the time. Snacks, breakfast, lunch - they even sit there to draw, color, work a puzzle, or to chat with me! What a great investment!

Anyway, I was super excited because I got FREE SHIPPING! I use the Internet a lot for purchases because taking two or three children shopping is impossible! (Even though I have mastered the grocery store and Target.)

I also purchased a small "wine tower" for my new red wine glasses and tiny "wine cellar" - nothing over $15 in my collection! Anyway - I'm getting there. I have the "decorating" bug because my house has been put on hold for almost two years because of all the babies!

Not a happy tale...

I want my blog to be a "happy place" - but sometimes I need to inform...

I just finished reading a short article on the Editorials page of the Arkansas Democrat Gazette entitled "Slavery in our Time." I've been hearing slavery worldwide is on the increase. And the United States is not innocent... young girls are being captured and forced to become sex slaves. It is estimated there are more than 10 million children trapped in this "industry." How DISGUSTING! It especially makes me sick because I have children of my own. It is hard for me to stomach this type of activity. I was crying as I finished the article.

Hanging out with the Sisters!

This Saturday I had the honor of getting together with some local "Sisters" and a not-so-local sister from Chicago! We had a great luncheon followed by an afternoon of fellowship. We enjoyed discussing the needs of women in our religious community and coming up with some solutions. We all had a great time just being together! There was some crying, laughing, lots of talking, hugging, let's not forget eating, and reflecting on our individual spiritual journeys. Thanks sisters! And thank you Mandie for letting us invade your home.

Lilli turns 3!

It's hard to believe my Lillian has turned three years old. Her birthday (February 1st) began with a few gifts - a new baby doll, an Angelina Ballerina DVD, a chest of drawers for her dolls (she chose to house her jewelry collection), and a Look and Find Disney Princess book (that we've already read 5 times!). I then took her for a 3 year old portrait in her hot pink skirt and hot pink "cowboy" boots! What a cutie! The pics turned out great! We then had our usual Wednesday lunch with Great Grandmother Sanders and she got to hang out, play, and nap with Oma until I picked her up around 4 pm. What fun!

She finished the evening with some late night fun (getting out of her bed when she was supposed to be sleeping...) in my make-up drawer - where she painted her lips and a little extra with some very hot pink lipstick!

Her actual birthday party is on Saturday. Her Grandy and Grammy Hamlin are flying in tonight all the way from Virginia to celebrate with her! We are going to have a wild weekend at the Hamlin house!

Eden's New Hairstyle

How do you like Eden's new hairstyle?

I'm trying to grow her bangs out before I get her hair cut - and she might HAVE A CURL forming in the back. I must resist the urge to get her hair cut...

Therefore, the funny ponytail on top of her head seems to do the trick of keeping the hair out of her eyes.

PRINCESS PARTY

On Saturday we celebrated Lilli's 3rd birthday with a "Princess Party." Yes, the castle cake was a success! I slaved for three days and I believe my efforts were worth it. You can judge for yourself...

We had a large turn-out. Avery even came all the way from Fayetteville. It was so much fun seeing the Kyle family! All of the mamas had a lot of fun watching all of our little girls running around together - they truly are little princesses!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY BEAUTIFUL PRINCESS LILLIAN!

Super Bowl Party -

but who cares about the football game!!!

Here are all of the first cousins enjoying some pizza together. The bar stools continue to be the favorite of all the kids when eating at the Hamlin house!

Another busy weekend...

My weekend wasn't all about relaxation and reflection...

Friday night - we babysat Levi and Stella (our nephew and niece). We got to pity all the people in the world who have 5+ children!

Sunday afternoon - I hosted a wedding shower for my youngest sister, Martie, at my house. She received a lot of nice gifts and a good time was had by all!

Cabin Fever

I've got it bad...

so bad I called Dyron at 4:30 pm today and said, "I'm leaving when you get home...I need a trip to Hobby Lobby and then a good kickboxing workout. Okay?"

He was home a little earlier than usual - I suppose it was the sound of my voice...

I DO NOT LIKE COLD WEATHER! This has been such a happy winter for me because it hasn't been a winter until now. I need to be outside every day. I need the sun shining on my face every day. I go a bit CRAZY on gray days.

Anyway, Dyron was gone (guess where?) from Thursday until late Saturday afternoon. I did get to watch a cheesy (but good) movie ("A Walk to Remember") on Friday night. But Saturday was horrendous - I think I'm a fairly creative mother but the kids were feeling restless and I was at the end of my rope when Dyron hit the door! "Daddy's home!" never sounded better!

One of the few good things about a cold day is a fire in the fireplace - we enjoyed sitting on the couch as a family playing Asher's new game (Guess Who?).

Sunday we didn't go to church because of the "ice" and enjoyed some Bible stories on the couch in front of another roaring fire!

Anyway, Monday (no school for Asher) was slow. I got nothing done around the house...made red beans and rice with cornbread for dinner and hit the door running...

Sometimes a mama just needs a break!

A few of the reasons I love my husband...

I'll let the pictures do the talking...

Trip to Wye Mountain

Mandie (my sister) told me how beautiful the daffodils on Wye Mountain where this year, so I decided we needed to take a family outing. The kids and I met Dyron at 5 pm at Sonic on Hwy. 10 to begin our adventure - the service we got at Sonic should have been an omen for upcoming events...

Dyron's shake wasn't full (ask me about that story from his childhood sometime), Lilli's hamburger was WELL DONE and thrown together, our food took FOREVER, we were given no straws...

We're about 10 miles down the road and Lilli says she can't "get any drink." When she passed the Cherry-Limeade slushy up to the front seat for me to investigate little drops of RED slushy were sprinkled all over the car. When I put the drink in my lap, I realized RED slushy was coming out of a large hole in the bottom of the cup! In an effort to get some slushy through the straw (that was meant for a Route 44 drink), "someone" (we still don't know who) got a bit aggressive...arrgghh! The drink had to be poured out -

We decided to press on...and had a good time watching the kids frolic and play hide-and-seek in the daffodils. They WOULD NOT POSE FOR A PICTURE - oh well!

Shopping, t-ball practice, and NCAA basketball

Yes, I enjoy the NCAA basketball tournament! I'm not doing so well in my brackets at the moment - but still rooting for Texas. Go Horns! (Asher keeps asking us - "What does NCAA spell?)

Asher has been growing taller by the minute so we took him shopping for some new jeans on Saturday morning. We enjoy our family outings. JCPenney's was having a great sale and Asher enjoyed getting a few new items of clothing. He even dressed up when we got home - new jeans, new Shark shirt, and his Mardi Gras shark beads. He's quite a fashionable guy!

Saturday was also Asher's first t-ball practice. It should be a fun season!

We're back...

but not for long!

We arrived home today around 2 pm. The trip home was quite an arduous journey. Asher and Lilli both coughed all night long at the hotel...we (excluding Dyron and Eden) are sick. Our sickness includes a lot of coughing, a low grade fever, and a runny nose. Not good traveling companions. (Especially when Lilli throws up on the table at Friday's...)

Other than the sickness - we had a fabulous time! The aquarium in Chattanooga, TN was awesome! Asher spent a lot of time petting the sturgeon and sting rays. The sea horse exhibit was soooooo neat!

We stopped in South Hill, VA to visit our cousins. Asher had a fun time wrestling with Micah. And Lilli loved taking pictures of Shana with her Disney Princess camera. Eden also enjoyed "petting" baby Nathan's hair. D and I liked talking about the joys and the woes of parenting with David and Cory.

We are always excited to make the trip to Richmond, VA to see Grandy, Grammy, Aunt Carmen, Aunt Shannon, and Uncle Ty. We celebrated Shannon's birthday at Kabuto's Japanese Steak House - always a treat for the kids! Monticello (Thomas Jefferson's home) was quite the adventure - what a neat man! (People accomplish a lot without a television.) Dyron and I even got a run in together and a "date night" to Hondo's and the train trestle. (He took me there on one of our first dates - in the snow.)We (mostly Dyron) also completed Grammy's butterfly puzzle for her bird/butterfly/massage room.

We'll be home this week - then back on the road to Florida for Aunt Martie and Ross's wedding! 

Home again...

We're back from Florida!

What a gorgeous week - the view from our back deck was breathtaking! Not a cloud in the sky and gentle waves (the ocean was a tad chilly, but enjoyable) - we layed out on the beach, ate, walked to the quaint town of Seaside, ate, frolicked in the ocean, ate, played cards, ate...

Ross and Martie's wedding was beautiful! It was small and intimate - the sunset was phenomenal...God makes a gorgeous setting for a wedding.

Always glad to be home. Dyron is already gone - this time to Colorado. But I will get to join him for a weekend without the children. I can't remember the last time we had one of those - it has been at least two years! YIPPEE!

On the road again...

I'm leaving tomorrow to join Dyron in Colorado. We are actually vacationing without the kids! I can't believe it - it's been over two years since we've gone anywhere without them. We're planning on skiing Saturday and Sunday. I'm so excited!

She's weaned...

I had to wean Eden before going on our trip to Colorado. Since she is my last baby, it was a sad occasion for me. These pics cheered me up!

Back to the daily grind...and so happy!

I enjoyed my time away from the kids but (I must admit) cried a few times because I missed them so much. It's amazing how much my children define my life! I'm still "me" but they are such a big part of my life it is hard to be away from them.

I skied on Saturday (after a slow start). I experienced some "altitude sickness" at the beginning of the day. In the end, I made it down a blue hill or two! D and I really enjoyed seeing Ben, Brooke, and Brian. They all snowboarded on Saturday with us.

We rented a great place in Silverthorne (about a 30 minute drive down the mountain from Vail) with a fantastic hot tub! What fun!

I chose not to ski on Sunday. I shopped in Vail Village and met D around one pm for lunch. Some locals joined us at our table and I ended up sitting and chatting with them for the rest of the afternoon! It was so nice in the sun and we had a great view of all of the skiers coming down the mountain!

Glad to be back -  

SARA GROVES!

Even though we arrived late to her concert in Ozark, Missouri - the trip (over five hours of traveling) was well worth it!

Mandie, Liz, and I left around 1 pm from Little Rock and SURPRISED Kim (in Bentonville)! We snagged her, threw her in the car, and took off! Well, actually we just headed down the road to a little barbeque joint for a quick meal. It was great to have some "girl time" - catching up on each others lives and just loving being together!

We actually kept the secret from Kim until we walked into the church sanctuary where Sara Groves was already performing. What an inspiration! The things she had to say about motherhood, being a supportive spouse, and keeping the faith were so moving. Tears flowed...

I sang out loud (but not too loud) to her songs and enjoyed the experience with three of my best friends!
Liz needed some pancakes - so we headed to an open diner after the concert and pigged out!
Thanks girls for the wonderful memories.  I will hold them in my heart for a long time to come...LOVE YOU ALL!

PLAYING IN THE RAIN

D called me late Friday night after the Sara Groves concert and told me to stay in Bentonville...he had decided to pack up the car and bring the kids the next day because Asher's t-ball game was cancelled...and that's just how Dyron lives his life...just because...on a whim...by the seat of his pants...

He packed me (I had my toothbrush with me) via phone.

I must admit - it was a great idea!

We had a fun Saturday visiting with the Beelers and the Smiths. The kids had a blast playing in the rain! We are so blessed with true friends.

Sunday we went to church in Fayetteville and had a fabulous impromptu picnic lunch at Walker Park! We loved seeing everyone.

Mother's Day Cookout

What a gorgeous day for a cookout! We all had a fantastic time eating, chatting, and watching the kids play in the yard.

It's a colorful life...

While Eden was away on her journey to Richmond, Virginia with Daddy, Lilli and I got some painting done! (I purchased the paint in November of '05 and have two cans left...) Yes, my life is that hectic -

She was very helpful -

and then we played with her new bubble blower when Asher got home from school.

Happy Father's Day!

With Asher home for the summer, my time has been limited. Trying to take care of three children is quite a task! I try to give them one thing out of the ordinary every day - like a trip to the library, out of the ordinary errands, walking to piano lessons, playing a new game, reading a new book (our "adventure" today was back in time to learn about the Egyptians), etc. Anyway, I was thinking back to Dyron's first look at Asher...Lillian...and Eden. What an adventure we are having with our children!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

(Dyron is at a Traveler's game as I write this with Asher - what a dad!)

Celebrating Grandmother!

I'm such a blog slacker!

But I have good excuses...three kids, three kids, three kids...

Anyway, what a wonderful day of celebration! We (mom, Mandie, and I) surprised Grandmother with a  birthday party for her 85th. All but one of her grandchildren were present. All of her greatgrandchildren were in attendance! And three of her sisters (Betty, Elsie, and Kathleen) came from Louisiana to join in the fun!

We had a great day - eating, catching up, watching the cousins play together, and just being a family!

Thanks everyone for taking the time to show Grandmother what a great lady she is to all of us.

Love you all!

Everything rolled into one!

I'm a bit late on all of our adventures at the beginning of July.

Dyron and I celebrated our 11th anniversary! Our actual anniversary celebration was at bible school (which is appropriate since a bible school is where we first "fell in love"). But we celebrated again last Friday night with dinner at 1620 - yummy! I must say we have had a wonderful time together over the past 13 years - time flies...

Our week at Great Lakes Christadelphian Bible School was excellent! It is always a spiritual awakening for me - helps me have a renewed feeling about the hope within me! The kids always have a great time and learn so much about God.

We traveled to Chicago and spent some time with our close friends from Austin, Texas (the Jacksons!) touring the Shea Aquarium. We than retired to the Chicago Hilton (quite posh) and Daddy told us "not to get used to it." (We stayed on some of Dyron's Hilton points.)

Our final stop on our trip was to see the Kyle family. I went to graduate school with Lisa and she recently moved back to the Chicago area. We also got to see the newest addition to her family - Savannah Corinne! Avery was her usual outgoing self! We had a great (but too short) visit!

Watermelon Teeth

One of my favorite memories from childhood is watermelon teeth! Mom would always carve us a set of teeth out of watermelon rind - we would all act goofy and laugh a lot!

Boogie boardin'

Asher really enjoyed boogie boardin' at Virginia Beach. Hurricane Ernesto left some strong surf for Dyron and Asher to splash around in...

The beach is so awesome for kids - they seem intrigued by the possibilities! Plenty of sand for throwing, building, feeling, burying Grammy in, etc... Plenty of water for splashing, swimming, surfing...

what a great time!

Eden was quite the dare devil - I would tell her "don't go out to deep" but she'd keep walking out deeper and deeper until a wave came and knocked her down. She would cry a little but I think she actually enjoyed it!

Home birth and its wonders!

If you don't already know, I'm a strong advocate of midwifery. My three children were born under the watchful eyes and with the capable hands of three different and wonderful midwives!

I was blessed to have Eden (my third child) at home in my own bed. I will never forget the experience and have shared that experience with many friends. I have even "converted" some of my family and friends to the advantages of using a midwife vs. a doctor for prenatal, birth, and postpartum care.

On Wednesday, I was headed to my sister's (Mandie) house to let her watch the girls while I headed to the chiropractor (oh yeah - I also believe in spinal health!) and she came running out of her house - "Missy's in labor!" We took Eden and Stella with us to Missy's house and joined the labor party already in progress. This was Missy's fourth birth - her first two were in the hospital and her second two were at home. We arrived around 9:15 am and Missy was walking around the house, leaning on the counter or her husband or a midwife during contractions. She was smiling between contractions and having short conversations with us and she was 9 CM DILATED!

She then labored in the tub for about 20-25 minutes and then to the birthing stool. Around 10:30 am, she was fully dilated. She was always in control - she communicated to the midwives with the sounds she made during her contractions. It's amazing what a woman in labor will tell you with the sounds she makes - I've been to a few natural births and there is so much in common with the sounds a woman makes telling you what stage of labor she is in...

She started pushing around 10:45 am and her baby boy was born at 11:07 am. She was sitting up on the birthing stool with her mother-in-law on one side, her husband on the other, and Mandie behind her. Wow! It's always unforgettable!

Eden was eating her lunch and heard Missy moaning and she asked, "What's that sound?" I answered, "Missy's having a baby." "Oh." Later when Eden was examining the new baby she kept repeating, "Baby was born." She was quite intrigued!

9 lbs. 2 oz. and 22 inches long!

Welcome Luke Gabriel!

The Little Rock Experience

Wow! When Dyron plans a "Little Rock Experience" weekend, he doesn't leave anything out!

Tommy and Cheryl (i.e. Grandy and Grammy) (i.e. Dyron's parents) (i.e. the "Inlaws") were here for a visit this past weekend. Dyron wanted his parents to experience Little Rock like they never had before - so we were extremely busy!

Friday - D took Grandy golfing while Grammy and I stayed around the house and did the usual (walk to the park, laundry, napping for the girls, etc.)... When Asher got home from school, we loaded up the car and met D and Grandy at the Clinton Library. Interesting...Asher saw some neat stuff - like jeweled swords and daggers! We finished the day with dinner at Bosco's (always good - especially the microbrews) with the addition of the Chandler family!

Saturday - a whirlwind of a day! Homemade breakfast at Oma's house. Yummy! Then off to the races - The Big Dam Bridge 5K. Dyron beat us all and most everyone else by coming in sixth overall and first in his age group! Grandy and Grammy got to watch Asher play baseball at 2 pm while I scurried around the house getting ready for Asher's birthday party. We had a great family party with chili dogs, cupcakes, and gifts for Asher's 7th birthday!

Sunday - we had a wonderful Sunday worship service and then headed home for some pizza (Dave's Special from U.S. pizza for the adults - plenty of jalapenos!) and an afternoon rest for the girls and Daddy and Grandy (in front of some golf). We met the Smiths at Pinnacle Mountain and had a great climb to the top! The views were awesome and we all felt so blessed to be together. Shakey's for dinner (yes, we had ice cream for supper) and then home again.

Thanks D for the wonderful weekend of fun in the Rock!

Punkin' Patch!

Dyron had a "Flex Friday" and we spent the day together shopping at Lowe's, eating lunch, and going to the "Punkin' Patch!"

The kids really enjoyed petting the goat, the bunny, and the mule. Asher showed the turkey how to be a turkey! They all picked out a little pumpkin to bring home and posed for a few pictures.

Lunch date

I had lunch with a great friend from high school on Thursday. It was so good to "catch up" with Kristi. She got to meet Eden for the first time - it really is fun sharing your children with your friends. We had a delicious lunch at the Satellite Cafe and decided to make it a regular date!

Too Little, Too Late

Okay - I admit...I'm obsessed with this song by JoJo. Hate her other stuff. But love this - takes me back to my "teeny bopper" years. I'm actually looking forward to boppin' in the 'Burban with the girls when they're teens!

But - for now...here's the Halloween pics! I think Asher has turned me off of trying to pre-pick a Halloween costume for my kids. THEY ALWAYS CHANGE THEIR MINDS!!!

I had the dragon costume in the closet from a past Halloween and I never dreamed Eden would want to wear it. But she did! And she didn't want to take it off - too cute! Lillian was a fairy princess (her own idea) and Bubs changed from a skeleton (the costume I originally had for him) to a ghost pirate (wore that to Mandie's Halloween party) to a skater...see what I mean...

To add to the drama - D was out of town and it was Lilli's dance night. Happy "Hectic" Halloween to me!

Lizard Springs!

Our family got out of town for the weekend. I drove the kids while Dyron biked 113 miles to Northwest Arkansas. We rented a lovely cabin by the Mulberry River in the Ozark National Forest off the Pig Trail.

We had such a great time with my two sisters and their families. Mandie, Randy, Levi, and Stella...and Martie and Ross joined us for a getaway! Friday night, we enjoyed chicken fajitas and margaritas. The kids had a blast running around in the woods gathering sticks for the bonfire and marshmallow roast!

Saturday, Martie cooked us a great breakfast before our 4-mile hike on mile 43 and 44 of the Ozark Highland Trail. What scenic views! WOW! God makes some beautiful leaves -

Saturday night, we savored a delicious steak dinner (with Randy manning the grill). We all cheered the Hogs to victory! (Well, we had to be quiet because Eden was in her bed around 8 pm.)

A good time was had by all - we want to return in the Spring with the boys and take them for a float on the Mulberry.

Sunday morning was a leisurely goodbye -

Our family stopped off in Russellville to visit Matt and Tessa Wood and their new addition to the family - Isabelle!

Papa's Party!

We celebrated Papa's (my dad) 64th birthday on Saturday evening. I cooked a roast, green bean casserole, corn, mashed potatoes (at dad's request), and rolls. I also made his favorite coconut cake (which I love too). We had a wonderful time having dinner as a family. His five grandchildren sang "Happy Birthday" to him - what more could you ask for...! 

To top of the evening, the Hogs beat Tennessee! Yippee! But the Horns lost. :(

Lunch with Dwight

Dwight treated us to lunch on Wednesday at Cornerstone Deli. The girls were dressed up in their tutus, so I just let them go as they were...

Dwight is in Fayetteville this weekend - he's been accepted at the University of Arkansas and is checking out housing options. We're really going to miss him when he moves. He's been living with us since August 2005. I'm worried about how the kids will react to his leaving...

Mr. Jane

Yes, he is the sweetest cat in the world.

HAPPY 2007!

BRING IT ON!

Why does January 1st make you want to clean your house, organize the kids' toys, and start a new workout regimen? It's really weird if you think about it.

We just said "goodbye" to the Jackson family as they left on their journey back to Austin. What a great tradition! We decided when we left Austin to celebrate the New Year with our friends, Will and Jacqueline. At the time, we both only had one child...now, three additional children later - the tradition lives on!

We switch homes. So, this year was our year to host. We also had mom, dad, Randy, Mandie, Brad, and Anne with join in the celebration! A great meal. Some spirits. A few games. And a lot of laughs. (Yes, Grammy's fart machine was put to good use!)

We put all eight kids to bed and partied until midnight! (Are we that old?)

HAPPY NEW YEAR Y'ALL!

2 many books -

I just listened to the "Diane Rehm Show" on NPR and now I've added ANOTHER book to my list of "must reads" for 2007!

"The Power of Play" written by David Elkind sounds like an excellent resource for parents of young children. I have long been an advocate of "the less a toy does, the more the child does." He encourages free play, outside time, limited scheduled activities (if any in the younger years), and little or no television (I agree!) -

Television does NOTHING for the child. It only encourages them to become consumers. Watch Saturday morning cartoons and disagree with me. Dyron and I continue to stand firm in our refusal to pay for cable television. This is not only for our kids but for us as well!

Creativity blossoms with outside play, blocks, books, paper and pencil, baby dolls, legos, puzzles, board games, etc. Children learn while they are doing...it's so simple!

Richmond visit

We took a trip to Richmond, Virginia to visit Grandy and Grammy over the Christmas holidays. It was our first drive through the night in the Suburban. The kids finally settled down and went to sleep around 11 pm. I "slept" until 4:45 am - then relieved Dyron. He had been setting his alarm on his cell phone to vibrate every 5 minutes to keep himself awake. Falling asleep at the wheel makes me extremely nervous...

Anyway, I took over and took 64W instead of 64E and almost drove us into West Virginia...OOPS! I think I was delirious from lack of sleep!

We FINALLY arrived (to an empty house) and had a little lunch, a little bath, and a long winter's nap. Grandy took us to dinner at Tony's for some pizza. Uncle Ty and Aunt Shannon joined us. Grammy finally arrived home around 8 pm.

Poor Grammy spent Christmas break nursing a major infection from a blister on her heel! She seems to have contracted MRSA (a nasty staff infection) from the cruise ship...makes me NOT WANT TO GO ON A CRUISE EVER! She ran fever and had to get lots of rest (which Grammy doesn't like)...

We enjoyed Christmas Eve with Dyron's immediate family AND Ashley, Lauren, and Dustin. Grandy manned the grill and Carmen, Shannon, and I womanned the kitchen. A delicious meal and millions of gifts were shared by all!

Christmas morning we headed to Grandpa and Grandma Hamlin's house for brunch and oyster stew (a family tradition which few people eat). Some of the great aunts, great uncles, and cousins hadn't met Eden yet. We finished the day with a drive around to see some Christmas lights and Chinese food!

We also took Asher and Lillian ice-skating for the first time. (Great) Aunt Kay (my age!) and cousins Zach and Elise joined us. A lot of learning, a little falling, and some laughs were the order of the day!

Our last adventure was to see the Bostians (four siblings and another on the way!) - so much fun was had by all no one wanted to leave.

We headed home Thursday (12/28) at noon and arrived in Little Rock around 4 am! I took the early shift (from 8 pm to 1 am) and never headed in the wrong direction! We threw the kids in bed and settled into our fresh sheets for the best night of sleep in over a week...

There's no place like home!

Missing Daddy...

Lillian cried the other night..."I just want Daddy to come home, so I can hold him."

Eden asks, "Where's Daddy? Is he at work?"

Asher knows where Dyron is, but wants him to come home.

Dyron being away on an ER is hard on all of us. It's part of his job. He likes the excitement of an ER and the challenge of managing people in a "crisis" situation. It is a good way to demonstrate to me how much I need my husband in my daily life. "Absence makes the heart grow fonder." Right? He returns home this afternoon and we are all ready to see his smiling face. This is so cheesy, but I watched Mission Impossible III last night while I folded laundry...and the way Tom Cruise hugged his leading lady (his wife in the movie) made me long for the feel of being in Dyron's strong hug. There is no substitute...

Our prayer every day while Daddy is away is "God, keep Daddy safe and bring him home to us." Uncle Randy gave us a wonderful lesson on Sunday about "Blessings or Burdens?" - it really made me thankful for the wonderful husband God has given me. I need a companion to walk with me through life. A support. Someone to trust. Someone to give love to and to be loved by...children are good for this too! I just appreciate what I have especially when he is not here...we can't wait to see him walk through the door.

Seven days

We did keep busy while Daddy was away. Monday - Oma, the girls, and I ate lunch at Aunt Martie's house. On the way back into town, I got turned around on Kanis and we drove all the way to Saline County! At least it was interesting - there were a lot of swollen creeks, little streams, and huge flooded fields to look at on our journey. Asher also had Oma pull his tooth with a promise of a future visit to Jump Zone. Tuesday - is always hectic because Lilli has dance and Asher has basketball practice at 6 pm. This is especially difficult with only one parent. Wednesday - story time with the girls, Hobby Lobby with Aunt Florence for new flowers (I'm terrible at flower arranging), and Asher's piano lesson.  Thursday - Asher's dentist appointment (no cavities!) and Razorback Pizza with Oma and the kids. Friday - haircuts for everyone, Asher's basketball game, Scooby Doo movie and popcorn for a Friday night treat!  Saturday - trip to PetSmart for cat food and two new Baja Sharks for Asher. He also picked out a dragon tunnel for his fish tank. Sunday - church, naps, and Jump Zone for Asher. I didn't know if I'd like Jump Zone but now think it's a great place for active kids when you can't get outside. He ran around and dripped sweat for over an hour!

Now, we're back to Monday and ready for another fun week (with Daddy included)!

Snugglin' with Daddy!

This is what Daddy misses when he's out of town. Morning snuggles with his girls! (Mama's usually included but I had to take the picture.)

Horse Cake

I've decided to "go for it" again. I'm going to attempt to make a horse cake similar to this one for Lilli's 4th birthday. I'll let everyone see the results. Wish me luck!

Baby, It's Cold Outside...

Kitties are the best weather source. This position tells you "it's cold outside."

Stay at home mama

The girls and I stayed home on Monday. We just didn't venture out. They started out playing babies. First, they were the mommies. Then they were the babies!

They rode the tricycle around while I folded clothes.

They made snowmen (in anticipation of the winter mix) with stickers.

They terrorized the cats.

They danced and sang to their new Backyardigans CD (I love Itunes!) I made for them.

They dressed up in Bub's baseball caps.

Then reading and naps.

What fun they are!

Oh yeah - I turned 34!

I actually did get to celebrate my 34th birthday before all the sickness crept into the house. Oma fixed me a delectable birthday lunch and I had a superb time playing dominoes with my Grandmother, mom, and sister (Mandie) all afternoon.

Dyron took me out the night before (Saturday) to one of our two movies (at the theater) per year. We enjoyed "The Pursuit of Happyness" and a BIG Mr. Pibb and popcorn! Afterwards, we made our 9 pm reservation at 1620. We had the most horrible waiter (I couldn't help giggling during his rendition of "the specials") but enjoyed our dinner immensely! Love you, babe.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

New York, New York!

Dyron and I took a trip to New York City this past weekend. It's our annual "leave the kids with Randy and Mandie" trip! (2nd annual)

We arrived in New York around noon and were checking into the Inter-Continental Hotel in Manhattan around two. After putting our bags in the room, we grabbed a quick bite at a deli with Lin (from our church) and Jessica (our tour guide and friend). We then bought a subway pass and headed to Ground Zero...interesting experience. Jump on the train to Chinatown. Lin was in her element - some knock-off bags and some Tiffany jewelry. (The only thing I purchased in NY was a glow-in-the-dark Statue of Liberty (for Asher) and a New York Princess snowglobe (for Lil)).

Yes, I admit...shopping just doesn't do it for me.

We decided to return to the hotel for a much needed nap (we had been up since 3 am) and got the call Asher had been injured and was heading to the emergency room. Needless to say, there was no rest for the weary and we got ready for dinner. Maxwell's for a delicious filet mignon and back to the room. Around midnight, we decided to jump on the subway and headed to Time's Square!

Friday - a quick trip (we got the VIP tour thanks to a partner company with CTEH) to the top of the Empire State Building. On to Central Park and then out of the city to New Jersey.

Saturday - we attended an all day Youth Summit for our church. Exhausting but uplifting! Got to see and visit with a lot of old friends.

Thanks to our hosts (Steve and Betsy Primerano and their twin boys, John and Lou). We had an excellent time on our trip! Always glad to hit the ground in Little Rock and have the kids back in our arms. 

Busy...

I know it's been a few days...I just have TOO MUCH GOING ON...I can't organize my thoughts, slow my brain down, relax and sit down at the computer. I'm thinking, Spring-cleaning, painting, running, enjoying my children, loving my husband...life is busy!

I started painting the girls' two bachelor chests on Saturday and still haven't completed the task. I'm using oil-based paint and it takes a long time to dry between the two coats. My goal is to have this task finished by tomorrow evening. I'm so ready to have their room done! I don't know if Lillian will finally make the transistion to sleeping in the "girlie" room - she still prefers to sleep on the bottom bunk bed in Asher's room (even though her beautiful white wrought-iron bed has been "up" since December).

I haven't been shopping.

I've watched one hour of tv this week.

I don't know what is keeping me so busy. I do have car pool this week. I cleaned mom's bathrooms Monday (she's still recovering from hip surgery). I stayed home and washed six loads of clothes, cleaned my bathrooms, and vaccumed out the Suburban on Tuesday. Wednesday, we ate lunch at my Grandmother's house and I cleaned her house. Today, I headed to mom's for a morning Bible study and now I'm here. (Asher will be home in ten minutes.) That's my week... it flies by!

I guess I'm rambling on about this because I had a conversation with three other women on Tuesday evening at Lilli's dance class. They all have paying jobs...one woman even commented she stayed home for a year (with one child) and was "bored." How? I have so much to do - so much I want to do - not to mention books I want to read...places I want to go...friends I want to visit...new things I want to learn...

I just marvel at all I continue to learn about myself. What I thought I wanted out of life...what I currently want out of life...how different I am at 34 than I was at 24! What will I be like at 44? Or a 104? 

Wye Mountain 2007

Wye Mountain is always an adventure with the Hamlin clan. Add the Smith family and it's certain to be a riot! The daffodils were gorgeous. It was a beautiful day. Two wild boys (I won't mention who) were running around and leaping over the rows of flowers. I always see these sweet little children dressed in their Easter best posing for pictures...who are these children? Where do they come from? Do their parents drug them? My children never pose at Wye Mountain...they prefer to run free...like little gypsies!  

Spring Break 2007

Spring Break 2007 is quickly coming to a close...I'm writing this sitting on the Beeler's couch (in Bentonville) after a windy morning run. Here's a brief synopsis of our adventures...

We left Friday around noon for Kansas City were we attended a Bible Study Weekend. It was good to start our vacation off with some "food for thought" from the Bible. Brother Shawn Moynihan from Canada led us in a study of several characters from the New Testament (Mary Magdalene, Peter, Nicodemus, John the Baptist...) and related their characteristics to improving our "walk in Christ." It was also good to have fellowship with brothers and sisters who are also trying to raise Godly families in this crazy world! Keeping a spiritual perspective and a vision of God's Kingdom is hard in this present age of constant distraction.

Sunday afternoon we headed to St. Louis where we stayed at the Hampton Inn with an awesome view of the arch! We walked to dinner at a local restaurant and then headed back to the room for some Discovery Channel. (Cable television is an additional treat for the kids when we're on vacation!)

Monday we spent ALL DAY at the St. Louis Zoo! We rode the train all around the park, took a couple of spins on the "Conservation Carousel", got splashed by the penguins, saw the giraffes mate, and loved on the goats in the Children's Zoo.

Tuesday morning we headed over to the Arch...we had a great time riding to the top in our "pod" and taking in the views of St. Louis. Asher was intrigued by the wax figures in the Museum at the Arch. He went up to one figure and said really loudly, "Now, speak!", and the man started talking...it was so funny how he jumped back!

Back home Tuesday evening...

Wednesday we had lunch at Grandmother's and Asher and Lilli stayed the afternoon at Papa's and Oma's house. Asher got in some fishing at Papa's pond - he's very patient and quiet and caught (and released) five fish (catfish and perch).

Thursday I cleaned Grandmother's house in the afternoon and Asher found a snapping turtle!

Friday we headed to Bentonville around noon (Dyron had left at 6 am for his bike ride to Fayetteville - took him 12 hours). So, here we are...the kids are playing with Shiloh, Ani, and Wyatt...I'm updating...just basically relaxing before the last stretch of school.

Happy Birthday, Sister!

We celebrated Mandie's 33rd birthday, Ross and Martie's 1st anniversary, and Dad and Mom's 35th anniversary on Sunday. Mom is continuing to make a miraculous recovery from her hip surgery in February - we are all so thankful her pain is over! Dad made a scrumptous (from scratch) German chocolate cake that was enjoyed and devoured by all!

Naps!

I have always been a napper and insist my (pre-school) children at least "rest" every day. Lillian (who started out being the best sleeper) thinks a 4-year-old is "too old" for naps. I usually catch a 20 minute nap a few times a week. Sometimes I feel "guilty" because I could be "getting something done." I was glad to read today (from my impulse purchase of the "Shape" magazine at Kroger) that a recent Greek study found that people who napped had a 34 percent lower risk of dying from heart disease than people who don't nap! Researchers attribute the results to sleep's stress-busting benefits.

Shhhh... I'm trying to take a nap....  

Home for Lunch

This is a definite advantage of having Dyron's work place so close to home! (He's working on our new fence...)

Love to see you in the middle of the day, babe!

Back from the Beach...

What a delightful time we had in Destin! Nothing but fun in the sun... An absolutely still sea on our first day - small waves on the next two days - and then huge waves (one that knocked me over) on our last day! The girls had a blast! It's so much fun to watch them get a little braver each time we visit the ocean.

Dyron and Asher drove up separately on Friday morning. We (my mom, Mandie, Martie, Stella, my girls, and me) left Friday afternoon. The Suburban was full of gals! It was a leisurely trip (with an overnight stay)-we arrived Saturday afternoon in Florida. We joined Grandy and Grammy Hamlin. They rented a gorgeous condo on the ocean.
We ate breakfast on the balcony overlooking the breathtaking blue water of the Gulf every morning. Usually headed to the beach around 10 am. The girls busied themselves with digging, hauling water in their buckets, experiencing the feel of the waves, and dumping sand on Oma's towel! We took turns feeding the girls lunch and settling them down for their afternoon nap. Usually headed to the pool for a late afternoon frolic - and then started making dinner plans!

It was hard to leave...but it just makes you look forward to the next trip!

We sadly said "goodbye" to Dyron and Asher on Monday morning. They had to head back home early for school and work.

Our trip home was fast - only potty stops, one for gas, and an afternoon coffee break at "Jehovah Java" (at Dyron's recommendation). Lillian, Stella, and Eden were terrific travel companions - Aunt Martie only had to "threaten" them a few times!

Nothing like sitting on the beach...feeling the sand beneath my fingers and toes. Digging in deep with my feet to find the cool sand...smiling at the sun soaking into my face. Breathing in the salty air. Feeling the breeze from far across the sea...listening to the waves softly lap onto the shore. Watching my children dance in the sand...hearing their giggles as they discover the wonders of the ocean.

Can't wait to go back.

Night run

Oh my  -

I'm telling all of you. Start running. 15 seconds. 30 seconds. One minute. You will be surprised at how fast you progress.

I started out so fast. My three fast songs. And then into the groove with a little Dave. Took the hill twice.

Looked at all the "blue tubes of death" and wondered why others weren't out enjoying the cool night air...

It's just so liberating to use my body. To push it. To feel my muscles working -

Asher's first swimming practice was tonight. I think looking at all the little bodies working hard in the pool makes me wonder when do we (adults) lose our physical abilities? When do we stop turning cartwheels? When do we stop doing "cherry drops" from the monkey bars? WHY?

Feeling the joy of sweating...of mentally working through my day...all of the stress just drips off...

Getting to the next level...pushing through the pain...through the wall to the other side!

So...another 3 miles.

Dwight's back for the summer! The kids are overjoyed! Opened a bottle of Bank to celebrate...

Good times.

First Annual "In the Zone" Hamlin Sprint Triathlon

I wanted to do something special for Dyron for Father's Day weekend...so I started thinking about hosting a sprint triathlon a few weeks ago. D liked the idea and the event was put on the Hamlin family calendar for Saturday, June 16th!

I worked hard getting the house in order, the menu planned, and the grocery shopping done. Dyron worked hard on the lawn, completing a few backyard projects, and making sure the pool would be cool and refreshing for our guests and fellow participants. Nothing gets you moving like inviting company over!

After an all-morning swim meet, we headed home for lunch, naps, and a few last-minute items...then Trey, Kevin, and Casey arrived around 1:30. The official "race" began at the Maumelle Community Center Pool at 2:00 - followed by a 13-mile ride around Maumelle (ending at our house) and a 5K (starting and ending at our house). It was really fun to wait, wonder, and watch for the guys!

Here came Kevin...then D showed up on his bike. Dwight joined Dyron on the run. Trey was next in on the bike. Casey was quite a bit later (he had to borrow D's old bike)...the first four guys finished together to the cheers of their families! Casey ran my 5K route (because I wasn't sure of Dyron's) and showed up in time for a dip in the pool and a few cold ones!

A great time was had by all and I hope to continue this new tradition for many years to come!

Cheap Entertainment!

Apple Laptop...$1000

Photo Book...comes with laptop

Hours of side-splitting laughter...priceless!

La La Loop!

Don't ask...
don't tell...
see you again next year!

GLCBS 2007

We're back from Great Lakes Bible School. I am still exhausted. We were gone for 10 days. (Returned home Sunday night and Dyron left for Coffeyville, Kansas on Monday.) Too little sleep. Too much to learn. So many friends!
It's always great to escape "the world" and to be filled with God's Word. It puts life back into perspective. Why am I here? To serve God and others. To teach my children to love and respect their Creator. To truly be my husband's "helper" on our walk to God's Kingdom.
It's always refreshing to know there are other mamas' out there just trying to survive and teaching their children diligently! Understanding we are all far from perfect and realizing it is the power of prayer that can get us through the difficult times of parenting.
We enjoyed our time with Grandy and Grammy. And, I always love to see Jacqueline and her girls!
Our late-night discussions on our dorm floor were sometimes inspirational, sometimes baffling, but mostly fun! I loved laughing with the girls over the PhotoBook pictures - thanks for all of the laughs, Sonya!
Hope to see you all next year (if our Lord hasn't returned to the earth).

Homebirth in Texas

I'm so sad I missed it - Anne had wanted me to come down to Houston and be with her during her homebirth.

I was on the road coming home from New York when we got the call (Friday morning) Anne's water had broken. I was wondering if it was a false alarm when I didn't hear anything by Saturday evening.

Then came the call. Brad announcing the birth of his second son, Brady Mitchell Bennett. He sang the praises of Anne's homebirth experience. She had gone to see her doctor on Thursday morning. (Yes, she was under the care of a physician and a midwife...the physician being in the dark on her plans to have a homebirth if everything progressed normally.) She went for a procedure called "inversion" - a procedure the doctor/midwife will use to turn a breech baby. (Her baby just refused to get in the best position for birth!) Early Friday morning her water broke. She called the midwife... (Anne is a special case. She had a c-section with her first child.) What a determined woman! A CPA with a strong will! She had a few inconsistent contractions, walked, ate, and rested all day Friday under the watchful eyes of her midwife. Saturday around noon the "real contractions" started...12-hour labor and her baby boy was born around 1 am on Sunday morning!

VBAC baby!

Wow!

I am a true believer in the power of women! Thank God for a beautiful ending to a long labor of love!

Congratulations Anne and Brad!

CCBS 2007

We took off with a packed Suburban on Wednesday, July 25th. Eight seats filled with eight passengers. First stop...Richmond, Virginia. The kids travelled really well with only a few breakdowns along the way. Disco music seemed to help put us all in a good spirit when we were feeling the funk of being crammed into an overpacked Suburban for hours on end!

We had a quick visit with Grandy and Grammy Hamlin - spending two night with them before heading to Keuka Lake in upstate New York. Grammy's "endless pool" is almost complete (after almost two years of mishaps in the construction) - so we tried it out one afternoon. We enjoyed dinner at Hondo's one evening (where the boys experienced lobster for the first time) with Aunt Carmen waiting on us and tending to our every need!

We arrived at Keuka College for bibleschool on Saturday afternoon. I usually enjoy the break from the heat while vacationing up north in August. Not so this year! It was HOT! We still managed to cool off in the lake or pool...

The kids loved their classes and made a jillion crafts. Asher had fun with another week of relative independence - I still had to make sure he brushed his teeth and took a shower every day! The girls loved swimming in the lake and the indoor pool. I had three runs. Missed Dyron.

The trip home wasn't the novelty for the kids as the trip out was...but they did have their new kittens to look forward to...Thank God for our safe trip and we hope to do it again next year!

This is the way...

mamas like to travel!

Pilates with Mr. Jane

Dyron is in full Ironman training. He's doing regular Pilates workouts at home. The other night Mr. Jane joined him and showed him some of his own moves!

Weekend Company

We had the pleasure of playing host to two wonderful families over the past two weekends. The Smiths (Preston, Mandi, Obi, and Ben) came up for a pre-Labor Day celebration. Just a one-night stay. We all enjoyed some quality pool time and I had a great time visiting with Mandi. It's so fun to know someone through different stages of their life. To be able to rejoice and sometimes despair at the curious paths our lives take...

The Beeler family (Cam, Kim, Shiloh, Ani, and Wyatt) spent three nights with us. What a wild house! Six children under the age of 7 is a whirlwind of chaos! Asher and Shiloh discovered "night swimming" and had a fabulous time in the pool. Lil, Ani, and Eden made captives of the kittens...strapping them into the two baby doll strollers and basically playing with them non-stop for three days. Wyatt mainly entertained himself with all of the "new toys" at our house.

I missed Virginia Beach...but not the packing, traveling, and general "rushed" feeling of a long weekend vacation. There was less relaxing than I had anticipated - but good times with some great friends is worth a little hassle.

I Peter 4:8-10 "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms."

Ironman Wisconsin

This will be the second longest "single" (D and I's term for "without children") trip we have taken in the past eight years. We left the kids with Grandy and Grammy on Wednesday morning. About one minute into our trip, I said, "We should turn around - load everyone into the Suburban - pick Asher up from school - and make it a family trip." This is the guilt I start feeling when leaving the children behind...

D pointed out we need to be together - just the two of us - to remember who we are as a couple. So true...

The drive to Rockford, Illinois was basically uneventful. It was fun to chat, read a bit, complain about D's driving, blog, and listen to music REALLY LOUD!

We arrived in Rockford around 9:45 pm and were greeted at the Parker's house by a houseful of people! A little "ice cream social" - "meet and greet" - what have you. No, a few of our brothers and sisters from the Rockford ecclesia saying "hi" and wishing D "good luck" on his Ironman race.

Good discussion with Matt and Jessica. Great accommodations! We were honored with the hospitality shown to us. What a terrific start to our trip!

Ironman Wisconsin: Second Day

We arrived in Madison around noon on Thursday morning. Already plenty of athletes here. We're staying at the race headquarters. Downtown Hilton. Nice to use D's points!

D decided to go ahead an check-in for the race. We took a nap with the air cranked down to 65. (Our favorite...to sleep in a super-cold room!) We went for a run in a light sprinkle of rain. We are right on Monona Lake (where the swim will be) - it is very beautiful. D made us dinner reservations at the Chophouse located in the Hilton. A late, leisurely dinner...aahhh...it's like a five-day date with my sweetie! Listened to a little jazz band in the lounge and then headed up to the room.

Good night...don't wake us up...we're sleepin' in...

Ironman Wisconsin: Third Day

More fun.

More relaxation.

Lunch with the ladies. (Ashley, Bonnie, and Cassie - the other Ironman Widows!) Then some shopping on State Street in Madison. Madison is Fayetteville...on steroids. Very much a "college town."

Dyron and I headed back to State Street for a pasta dinner. Met an interesting couple from California. She was the Ironman. We basically had dinner together - even though we were seated at different tables. 

Ironman Wisconsin: Fourth Day

I forgot...Dyron registered for the race on Thursday.

Today we met Matt, Jessica, and Eli for a terrific day in the sun! They drove from Rockford, Illinois. They love coming to Madison. We walked down to the lake by the University of Wisconsin, found a picnic table by the water, grabbed a bite to eat, sipped on some beer, and soaked in the sun! It was fabulous.

After a few hours, we walked slowly up State Street and peeked into a few shops.

They decided to stay for dinner, so we enjoyed patio seating at a local brewery. 

A great pre-race day with a great family!  

Ironman Wisconsin: Race Day

Race day is here!

My only job is to park myself in a good "viewing" position. My only goal for the day was to see D and cheer him on as much as I could...

Oh...I also had to feed myself! (Which I can forget when I get busy...)

A fast swim - 1:01

A great bike - 5:57 (remember...that's 112 miles!)

I saw him after the swim, speeding by on the bike, after the bike, at mile 13 and then mile 14 of the run. He was looking strong...then he said "my gut gave out" on mile 18.

He still finished in 11:35. 

427 out of 2200 - I'm so proud of my Dyronman!

I had a lot of fun meeting and talking to a bunch of people. Liked hearing their Ironman adventure stories. It was fun being able to totally devote myself to supporting Dyron in his race. I also decided I was not interested in being an Ironman. I was nervous enough for D - I can't imagine if I had to do it!
Congratulations to Scott, Kevin, and Trey! "Y'all are Ironmen!"

Back to reality!

Wait...before I forget...

this is what we look like relaxing.

Pinnacle Mountain

The kids love Pinnacle Mountain. We are always pointing it out to them while driving around town. Asher has climbed it a few times. We decided Sunday afternoon would be a good time to climb. This was Lillian and Eden's second trip up to the top.

Lillian really surprised us! She hiked up and down the mountain almost entirely by herself! D carried her a little on the way up over some tough rocks and I carried her down over those same rocks...she was a trooper...especially when I kept reminding her we were going for ice cream after our trek!

Eden made it up, enjoyed the view, and then fell asleep on Daddy's back on the way down. She takes a nap every day so this was expected.

I found a ring snake on the way up and Asher held it for about five minutes. He always throws a fit when we tell him he has to let an animal go...but, despite all good intentions...he will not take proper care of it and it will die. He got over it fairly quickly and seemed to really enjoy the rest of the day. He loves finding "our house" from atop the mountain.

We stopped on the way home for ice cream (our supper) and the kids all slept soundly Sunday night!

Daddy's coming home!

Tomorrow...

We have missed him so much this week. Being a single parent is soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo hard! Our breakfast prayer, lunch prayer, dinner prayer, and bedtime prayer were all focused on Daddy's safe return home.

Lillian always acts like she doesn't care that Dyron is leaving - she refuses to give him a "goodbye" kiss or hug. But, when I mentioned he would be coming home tomorrow in time for lunch...her face absolutely "lit up" with a huge smile. I think her eyes even twinkled! She can't hide her love for her daddy!

Black Widow

Found a black widow while cleaning my screened-in porch today. Caught it in a sugar bowl and saved it for Asher. It was huge, lethargic, and I was scared!

Remembered it during supper, so I waited until Asher was finished eating to tell him where I had it "hidden." He ran out, found it, and brought it back to the table. We opened the lid slowly. The spider looked almost dead. He wanted to let it go. Dyron and I both said, "no!"

"Well, let me get a knife..."

"No!"

(I was afraid a jillion babies would come out...she had a huge belly.)

It's still sitting on the table....what should I do with it?

Parenting

Or...more specifically...

"Parenting by the Book" by John Rosemond arrived in the mail on Friday! I read John Rosemond's column every week in the Wednesday "Family" section of my local paper. He is to the point. No-frills parenting. Straight talk. And, most importantly, based on what God says parents should do according his Word.

I don't usually subscribe to specific parenting advice from one "expert." Every circumstance, every child, and every family is so different how can a (usually self-proclaimed) child expert know all the answers. 

I spent the weekend with eleven other women at a sister's retreat. I was the "teacher." My subject was "Raising Godly Children." I spent three months studying and praying about the subject. I wanted to stay away from specific advice and just focus on what the Bible tells us in regard to parenting. We had a lot of excellent discussions. 

I had ordered "Parenting by the Book" a few weeks ago but it arrived too late for me to peruse before teaching the classes. Oh well...

I'm only on Chapter Two but I'll let everyone know what I think when I've finished...so far I like what he's saying...! 

Lost again...

Cookie just doesn't want to live here. We went out of town for the weekend. We left plenty of food and water for all four cats. Upon our return, Mr. Jane, Sissy, and Oreo were meowing for our attention. And alas...no Cookie. I took Oreo to the vet today. The vet said, "Some female cats are drawn to hunting. They will disappear for awhile and then come home looking almost dead." Great - just what I need. Another "person" to worry about...

Sherman House

We spent the weekend in Longton, Kansas for their annual fall Bible Study Weekend. Always fun to travel to the "middle of nowhere" and enjoy some good bible study, food, and fellowship!

The Hamlins (us) and the Smiths stayed in the "Sherman House" in nearby Elk Falls. The Sherman House is a restored 1870's stopover where men traveling on the railroad would stop for a bite to eat. We had the entire house to ourselves and the kids really enjoyed the "Western Room" with all of its Old West fun! The had a little "lean-to" and a teepee for the kid to play and sleep in -

The only downside to the weekend was realizing (upon our arrival) that my suitcase had been left at home. Luckily, a Wal-Mart (my favorite place in the whole wide world - YUCK!) could be found a mere 33 miles away in Independence, Kansas. Julie (a friend from the area) and I made a quick trip and procured two outfits for the weekend. (I was the most proud of my $1.50 skirt I found on the clearance rack!)

A quick trip to visit Dwight in Fayetteville rounded out our trip.

I'm ready for a quiet weekend at home.

Oh wait...it's Fall Ball season. The fun never ends!

More training needed...

A little blip in the newpaper this morning intrigued me:

"Roberto Madrazo, a Mexican politician whose time of 2:41:12 won the age-55 category at the Berlin marathon, has been disqualified after officials said an electronic tracking chip showed how he skipped two checkpoints and took 21 minutes to cover a 9-mile section, faster than any human can run."

I'm wondering...

did he really think he'd get away with it?

Two of four...

of my favorite people!

Birth-Control vs. Self-control

As my oldest child, Asher, gets closer to middle-school age (he's 8), I can't help but notice when I hear news about birth-control being offered and distributed to 11 to 13-year-old girls (without parental notification or consent)in a Maine middle school. Eleven-year-olds having sex? I can believe it.

Young girls having sex (and it's usually with someone 5+ years older than them) is simply a by-product of our over-sexualized society and parents not educating their children on the down-side of promiscuity.

The reasons given for offering birth-control to these young girls varies... "This isn't encouraging kids to have sex. This is about the kids who are engaging in sexual activity."

"It will provide a means of making sure you don't get pregnant and ruin your school career and limit yourself in the future."

"Parents need to get a grip and stop living in the dark ages. That's why there are so many young girls out there pregnant..."

"The kids today have no idea God created sex for a man and woman who are married."

Sex education must start in the home. Just this morning, my girls were going to watch a Mickey and Minnie Mouse DVD. The cover showed Mickey and Minnie with a heart above their heads, Donald and Daisy Duck holding hands, and Pluto giving a little girl puppy a kiss. Lillian said, "Are they all married, mama?"

Where are our children getting their messages about sex? From us? From television? From music? Think about it. Analyze it. It all has an effect on our children and us! You can't put something into your mind over and over again and not have it affect your thinking...

Sex exclusively for marriage is not archaic. It is totally right! God expects self-control in curbing our sexual appetites. God expects parents who are aware of their children's whereabouts and activities. There is NOTHING WEIRD about saving yourself for marriage.

Women now can boast of sexual freedom...Where is the freedom in an STD? An unwanted pregnancy? Abortion? Cervical cancer?

True freedom is in Christ. God's laws protect us from the pitfalls of disease, depression, bad choices, etc. We can't avoid all sin (because we are sinful), but we can attempt to obey our Creator. With this obedience, comes a life of happiness. Sure, we will have "ups and downs." That's simply a consequence of the world we live in...but we can look forward to a day when Christ will rule this earth - as a righteous king. In that day, there will be no confusion.

Until then...
Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is PURE, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things."

We must diligently teach our children. We (as parents) must be their advocates against the confusion of this world. How does the world view my child? As a consumer? As a sexual being? As a slave? I look at my child as a servant of God who will flourish in the freedom offered through Christ. How do you see your children?

Missing Dyron

I talked to D last night for an hour on the phone and I let him know for the first time that the 5th night without him was always the hardest...like "hump day" at work. I couldn't explain why...I've just noticed this strange phenomenom the last few times he's been on an extended out-of -town job.

Today, I opened the front door to check the mail and I noticed a large box right outside. I thought, "Oh good...Eden's wings for her Halloween costume are in!" When I got back inside with the mail and the package, I took a peek at the address on the box and didn't recognize the company. Then, I noticed the contents were listed on the outside. "One body pillow, one pillowcase." My first thought was my mother-in-law. She's very thoughtful and probably knew I was missing Dyron.

I called Dyron just to talk and told him about the unexpected package. "Well, have you opened it up?" It was then I realized it was from him!

This is one of the many reasons I love my husband. He thinks of me in unexpected ways. He does things for me I would never imagine in a million years!

Thanks for the body pillow. But it's no substitute for you. (Not to mention how hard it was to get the pillowcase on...)

Hurry home, babe!

State Fair

Oh goody! It's that time of year again - time for the State Fair...

I ventured out with Mandie, Missy, Kelly, and ten of our children! Wow...we went on Friday - when every other mom ( and some dads too) took their ka-zillion kids.

Free rides from 10 to noon. An offer you can't resist!

Well, the kids got to ride two rides and then we headed to the nutritious selection of food vendors offered at the Fair. I decided a Turkey wing and a bottled water would be a decent lunch and even bought Asher and Lilli their own bags of cotton candy. (Eden stayed with Oma - I wasn't up to keeping an eye on three of my own children.)

We enjoyed walking through the cattle barn and then to the FFA petting area. The kids loved the goats, sheep, baby chicks, baby ducks, etc.

Overall, it was a gorgeous sunny day and the kids seemed to enjoy the outing. I might even be talked into taking Asher back next year for some wild rides! 

I just liked these pictures of the boys...

What kids do when the television is off...

Fight.

Build with blocks.

Build domino mazes and knock them down.

Torture the kitten.

Yell at each other.

Follow me around and ask me what I'm doing.

Use their shoe strings as ropes, tie themselves up like Houdini, and ask me to "time them" while they "escape" from their trap. (This would be Asher.)

Draw.

Read.

Chase sister with a (play) dagger.

Chase brother with a (play) broom.

(I'm glad they are in bed and asleep now. And Dyron will be home around midnight.)

Cough!

I have a cough.

An annoying, irritating, loud cough. I have been having coughing "fits" - the kind that end with me saying, "I'm dying." or "I'm going to die." I guess I wore myself out more than I realized while D was gone. It's so hard for me to sleep when he is not here. So, I stay up...into the wee morning hours...reading or blogging or perusing other blogs...sometimes I'll catch some Leno or Dave or Nightline (my favorite!)...but I mostly just stay up missing Dyron. So, upon his return (when I should be running) I'm coughing. Non-stop. It's so aggravating!

It's been six days now. My brother-in-law is even trying to help cure me. He suggested Vicks on my feet. Supposed to stop a cough. I've already tried it once and I plan to reapply after my bath. I'm hoping I stop soon because my training is really suffering. The last good run I had was on Tuesday night. I was flying and feeling good on a 3-miler. Now, I'll have to start all over...

Oh well. Beach in two days. If I'm not over my cough by then - maybe the sea air will work wonders for me! 

Fall Beach Trip 2007

Aaahhh...Seagrove Beach in November. We (Hamlins, Smiths, Glovers, and Jacksons) all spent a long weekend at the beach. Eight adults and seven kids enjoyed the white sands of Seaside, Florida. Wow! What a beautiful place! Not only was the weather absolutely wonderful...we marveled at the dolphins, playful rays, and jumping schools of fish. The guys also caught ghost crabs two nights and had fun boiling and eating them. Gorgeous sunsets, good food, and even a local wine festival added to the fun of the weekend. All the adults enjoyed watching the kids develop their friendships with each other that we hope will last a lifetime!

Carmen

Carmen. My sister-in-law. Recent Ironman competitor. Recent "you are an Ironman, Carmen Hamlin."

Completed the 2007 Florida Ironman held on November 3rd in Panama City Beach. I'm impressed and congratulations!

Dyron, Jacqueline, and I joined Grandy, Grammy, and Shannon (other sister-in-law) to witness the event. We had a grand time and were not disappointed by the festivities at the finish line.

Love you, Carmen!

Haircut

I got about 10 inches of my hair cut off on Saturday afternoon. I was needing a change. I haven't had my hair this short since 97' -

It feels good and looks cute - I like the change. Not the kids!

Lillian was concerned that my ponytail was gone. Eden just stared at me. Asher had the most to say -

"You're not Aunt Mandie (she has her hair fairly short). You don't look like mama. You don't need short hair - you don't have the face for it."

Dyron likes it. The kids will just have to get used to it.

My Library Selections

The girls and I usually head to the local library on Tuesdays for Storytime and to stock up on books. For years, I didn't even step foot in the adult section - I simply had no time to read for enjoyment. Now, I make it a point to at least peruse the "new book" section. My two picks this week (both with a daunting yellow 14 day loan sticker on them) are:

"The Wisdom of Judaism" by Rabbi Don Peretz Elkins (inside the book cover are two interesting quotes) "The final goal of wisdom is to turn to God and to do good works." Menahot 110a and "The object of study is to teach true values and sound judgment." Rabbi Nachman of Breslov
I decided a good end to my year of "studying the Torah" would be a look into the values of the Jewish Talmud.

and

"How and When to Tell Your Kids About Sex" A Lifelong Approach to Shaping Your Child's Sexual Character by Stan and Brenna Jones (So far, I've only made it to page 27.) I knew I would benefit from reading it when I read the first sentence of the book. "Sex is a gift from God." Exactly! This is actually what my mother taught me. From her instruction, I was able to make wise decisions about sex and it has truly been a blessing in my life. The book starts with an outline of 12 Principles. My personal favorite being #11 - "Sexuality is NOT the most important thing in life." Again - exactly! I'm excited about delving into this book and creating a more solid "sex-education" plan for my children.

Date Night

Monday night: played Mancala (a new game I picked up at the store the other day) with Dyron while watching the late, local news.

Tuesday night: folded four loads of laundry together while watching "The Cosby Show" and enjoying a Pale Ale.

Self-portrait

Here it is!

The picture everyone has been waiting for...

But I'm making you scroll down to my original story about my haircut to see it...hee hee!

The Disappearance of Reading

"Young people reading a lot less" was the title of a short article in the paper this morning. This is a troubling report to me. I was taught the "joy of reading" by my parents. I can remember my mother reading to me as a very young child - using unique voices for different characters, making exaggerated facial expressions, and showing a range of emotions all brought the books to life for me! I also remember devouring the "Little House on the Prairie" and "Anne of Green Gables" series while sitting on my back porch swing during Summer Break or snuggled under the covers on a winter evening. Now, that my life has "slowed down" a bit I'm rediscovering my love of reading. Not reading because I have to learn information for a graduate school course. Not reading because I need to research a disorder of a client. Just reading because I want to read!

"A National Endowment of the Arts report compiled from more than 40 studies by universities, foundations, business groups, and government agencies since 2004 paints a dire picture of plummeting levels of reading among young people over the past two decades." One of the findings, "the average person between ages 15 and 24 spends 2 to 2.5 hours a day watching TV and seven minutes reading."

"This is a massive social problem," National Endowment for the Arts Chairman Dana Gioia said. "We are losing the majority of the new generation. They will not achieve anything close to their potential because of poor reading." Its not just the amount of reading - reading ability has fallen too. Employers are also noticing - "72% of employers rated high school graduates deficient in writing, and 38% cited reading deficiency. One out of five American workers reads at a lower level tha necessary to do his or her job."

The report found that "the more books there are in a young person's home, the higher the average scores in science, civics, and history, all reading-based subjects." Another interesting finding was "regardless of income, levels of reading for pleasure correlate closely with levels of social life, voting, political activism, participation in culture and fine arts, volunteerism, charity work, and even regular exercise." Gioia also said, "The habit of regular reading awakens something inside a person that makes him or her take their own life more seriously and at the same time develops the sense that other people's lives are real."

Can video games do that? :) 

I am a HUGE proponent of reading! Gioia suspects three main reasons for the decline in reading - "educational system, media, and that our lives are completely cluttered with a million gadgets." While I agree with some of his reasons, I believe the main reason is what is being demonstrated in the home. Today's parents are not instilling that "joy of reading" I was so fortunate to be taught by my parents. If parents are not reading to their young children (and I mean starting at 3-4 months) on a daily basis, letting them see the parents read for information and pleasure, and telling school-age children the advantages to reading while praising them for their reading efforts, parents are doing their children a huge disservice! Reading is not only fun but has amazing future benefits!

I finish this entry as my son, Asher, walks through the door with a new library book in his hand. Now, I must take "advantage" of our precious few minutes of "alone time" (while the girls are still asleep) to read a chapter out of the new adventure-book "Butter Fingers" I picked up for him today from the local library.

Happy reading!

Oreo

He keeps growing and growing and growing and growing...

In Thanksgiving...

Psalm 95:1-7 "Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.

Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.

For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods,

In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him.

The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed  the dry land.

Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker;

for he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care."

Happy Thanksgiving! May God bless your day.

Nicknames

Daddy calls us all kinds of nicknames. Mine is "Big Boo." Lilli's is "Lilli Sweets." Eden's is "Winkle Von Winkle Stein." And I think they're all really funny! I like Eden's the best.

(Asher wanted to write a blog entry. This is his first of many...)

The Corzine Family

Belonging to a small religious group (the Christadelphians) has its certain advantages. One of these advantages is knowing people all over the U.S. People that feel like family even if you only see them every few years.

Jason and Jennifer are two of these friends we see every few years. Jason attended the local church with me as a child and Jennifer was a friend of my at summer church camps. They were home visiting family and we hooked up with them for a walk over the Big Dam Bridge. It's really fun seeing kids you grew up with...now...with kids of their own!

To add to the fun...Asher found a snake under a rock by the river, he picked it up, and got bitten! Luckily, it was non-venomous and was cleaned up with a little peroxide and some antibiotic ointment.

We had a great time catching up over a brisk walk over the bridge. Just a short visit - we're hoping to see them in Austin at the New Year!

Wintertime Snugglin'

Daddy, Eden, and Sissy got in some good snugglin' today.

I need to run...

I ran 4 miles on Sunday afternoon in the cold rain. Without my Ipod. It was absolutely incredible. The creeks and ditches were flowing fast. I felt exhilirated! At times, it was like I was the only person on earth (except for the evidence of others because of all of the houses).

Today was a good day. I really cleaned the kitchen. You know - wiped down the furniture from all the dried-on liquid spills, scrubbed the hardwoods, washed the rugs... After the bug man left, the girls and I headed for the park. We watched some geese fly in and land on the lake. Then I pushed the girls on the swings. While the girls played on the playground, some woman told me all about her recent escapades with DHS and her grandchildren.

Yikes! The girls and I headed to the carwash - the Suburban was still filthy from our trip to Florida. They love "the rainbow" some of the cleaning foam makes on the windows. A quick trip to the bank and the library rounded out our little adventure before getting in the car pool line.

My picks today: "The Organized Life" by Stephanie Denton (I'm hoping it will help me!), "revolutionary parenting" by George Barna (looked interesting), and "The Christmas Pearl" by Dorothea Benton Frank (trying to get into the spirit of the season!).

Weekend with Grandy and Grammy

Weekends at the Hamlin house just seem to keep getting busier and busier...our Friday night began with Asher's first basketball game of the season. The game ended in victory for his team - the Bulldogs. It's even more fun because his cousin, Levi, is also on the team!

Dyron left after the game for Memphis - to meet his parents and run the Memphis marathon. Saturday morning was a rush to get everyone dressed for Asher's Christmas piano recital. He performed a duet,"Jingle Bells," with his piano teacher, Ms. Kennedy. Levi also played a piece in the recital.

The three runners returned home around 4 pm. I left for my scheduled 5-mile run and then we all went out for pizza to celebrate Daddy's marathon time - 3:09:52. He qualified for the Boston marathon! Yippee!

We all went to church Sunday morning at our new meeting place. We are renting a Seventh Day Adventist building now. It's quite roomy and we like the change! Papa and Oma had us for lunch. Grandmother, Uncle Ross, and Aunt Martie also joined us for the delicious meal!

Sunday evening was spent decorating the tree, watching football, and visiting with Grandy and Grammy. We had a great weekend! Busy...but memorable.

By the way...

I bought that tree for $1.90 at Target after Christmas last year!

Motivation

I read an excellent article in the "Perspective" section of our local paper this morning. It was written by the current principal of a local catholic high school for boys. I wanted to share some of its main points.

Motivation is possibly the the greatest predictor of success in education and beyond. Following is a list of ways to motivate your own child(ren).

1. "Assess your relationship with your children. Have you given them too much? Have you immersed them in material gain? Have you given them the opportunity absent of responsibility? If so, ask yourself what the outcome of that has been."

2. "Avoid the temptation to fix the problems your sons and daughters face. Allow children the opportunity to address shortcomings themselves. Issues of playing time on the field, a lower-than-expected grade in class, or a relationship gone sour should be an opportunity for your child to learn how the world works. YOUR CHILD SHOULD BE HIS OR HER BEST ADVOCATE AND (LEARN TO) STAND ON HIS OR HER OWN TWO FEET."

3. "Failure is a good teacher. Period. PREVENTING FAILURE IN YOUR CHILD'S LIFE ROBS THEM OF THE OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD EXPERIENCES THEY WILL DRAW FROM WHEN THEIR ADULT LIVES ARE LESS-THAN-PERFECT."

4. "Have high expectations rooted in reality. Think of what your child can achieve and then advocate for just a little bit more..."

5. "Understand the greatest determiner of success is work ethic. A child's work ethic should exceed his or her ability. A genuis without a work ethic is a colossal waste. A child who struggles to make average grades  but works hard is a boy/girl on the path to success."

6. "Understand motivation is an intangible that will ebb and flow in your child's life. Nurture the growth of motivation..."

7. "Encourage your child to be involved in activities. (But I would add...save plenty of time for quality family time - including helping with household chores, discussions, games, picnics, etc.) Children involved in activities learn to become a team player and rarely find themselves sent to the principal's office for misbehavior."

8. "Create the atmosphere in your home where you celebrate the victories and learn from the defeats. Every situation is an opportunity to learn."

The article finished with this paragraph. "It is a parent's duty to his child to help him or her become better through a mixture of discipline and nurturing (Exactly what the Bible tells us.), pushing forward and holding close, and building the realization he/she is part of something greater than himself/herself. WITHHOLD THE EXCESS, embrace the imperfections, and move forward. That's where motivation is created. That's where opulent souls are born."  

Oreo's Christmas Tree

Oreo kept messing around with our Christmas tree. He had already broken one ornament and was always playing with the lights. Dyron suggested we make Oreo his own Christmas tree. So, that's just what we did! We brought in the barely used scratching post, smothered it with catnip, wrapped it in lights, and tied little bits of shiny ribbon to it. He has shown some interest and is not bothering our tree so much. My husband is so smart!

Sniffles...

Some clues that a few people in the Hamlin house might have the sniffles!

Baby Grand Pianos...

make great sorting tables for the multiple loads of laundry a mama does each week! Plus, I get to listen to Asher practice and offer help when needed...

12/22/07

Hmmmm....

12/28/07

Yes...

I'm still alive.

But...

extremely busy!

Happy Holidays!

Christmas 2007

Merry Christmas! (Kind of funny to write that...considering it's already 2008...) Forgive me. I have three kids!

Happy New Year!

We traveled to Austin, Texas and had an incredible three days with our friends. Our tradition of "trading off" the New Year with the Jackson family has survived for five years (and counting)...

This is the second year the Bennetts have joined us for the festivities! Colton and (5 month old) Brady were a nice addition to the chaos of seven children...

Asher and Savannah continued to build a strong friendship ("you better stay away from that Savannah/Asher") and Lillian and Abigail had tears in their eyes as they said "goodbye." Colton and Eden even started building a potentially enduring friendship!

Happy New Year 2008!

Exodus

Asher was sitting at the bar tonight eating some cereal (a Sunday night staple) and I had this sudden urge to read him a passage out of the Bible. I had been thinking about a certain verse for some time.

Exodus 14:13-14  "Moses answered the people, 'Do not be afraid. STAND FIRM and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only be still.'"

I began telling him the story by beginning earlier in the previous chapter with Pharoah finally consenting to let the children of Israel leave Egypt. (Two million people left Egypt with all of their animals and possessions.) The Israelites were all camped out in the desert between Egypt and the Red Sea. They were probably feeling good about their new freedom. Excited about starting a new life. And then...

Pharoah decided to change his mind (or as the Scripture says, "God hardened Pharoah's heart")...

Can you imagine the fear in the Israelites hearts when they saw the army of Egypt coming straight for them? They instantly began doubting Moses (and God) and said, "Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die?"

And then Moses proclaims to "stand firm...the Lord will fight for you...you need only be still."

What a lesson for me! I have a God who will "fight for me." A God who will help me in any situation. I never have to fear any "enemy" in my life. All I have to do is RELY ON GOD!

So, when I read of all of the troubles in the world...I can be sad for the helpless...I can fret over the suffering children...I can even think "what idiots."

But, most of all, I should say a prayer. I should remember God is in control. He has a purpose for me. He has a purpose for this earth. I can trust in him and I can be sure of his purpose!

Matthew 6:25-34 "Therefore, I tell you, don't worry about your life - what you will eat or drink; or about your body - what you will wear. Isn't life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds flying about! They neither plant nor harvest, nor do they gather food into barnfs; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren't you worth more than they are? Can any of you by worrying add a single hour to his life? And why be anxious about clothing? Think about the field of wild irises, and how they grow. They neither work nor spin thread, yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his glory was clothed as beautifully as one of these. If this is how God clothes grass in the field - which is here today and gone tomorrow, thrown in an oven - won't he much more clothe you? What little trust you have! So, don't be anxious, asking, 'What will we drink?' or 'How will we be clothed?' For it is the pagans who set their hearts on all these things. Your heavenly Father knows you need them all. But seek first his Kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Don't worry about tomorrow - tomorrow will worry about itself! Today has enough troubles already!"

Well said!

Shopping vs. Running

I just returned from my 8-miler. It was a solo run. So, of course there was a lot of thinking.

My thoughts turned to my two shopping excursions this week. I had never been to the Midtowne shopping center until this Thursday. My sister, Mandie, said The Children's Place had boys' coats on sale for $13.99! We loaded up the Suburban and headed out. I was thrilled to find Asher a size 10-12 coat (for next year) (NOT made in China) at the above-mentioned price! I also found him a new hoodie (NOT made in China) and the girls each a white shirt.

My second excursion was to J.Jill. I have been purchasing clothing and shoes from their catalog for a few years. I bought myself a few new items of clothing...and then immediately began thinking, "I don't really need these things."

I actually don't like to spend money. I don't get a good feeling from purchasing new things. It's different when I write out the monthly check for Asher's piano lessons or for my church. I feel like I'm investing in something. I don't mind spending money at the grocery store on nutritious food and organic milk. I feel like I'm keeping my family healthy. I love choosing and buying gifts for family and friends. But, money on excess for me does nothing for my soul.

Now, to my final thought. I was thinking if everyone was out running instead of shopping on a Saturday...wouldn't we all be happier? Forget about the economy for a minute. Just think about the time spent to make your body healthier...to breathe deeply...to appreciate the crisp air and the beautiful sunshine God created for us. Time to reflect. Time to be with your family. To show your kids how much fun using their bodies can be. To understand happiness doesn't come from what we can buy...but from who we can be, when we realize our full potential!

"Pain is weakness leaving your body." -Lance Armstrong

Cleaning my face

I have performed an experiment. I started using Dr. Hauschka products around the first of October. My terrible skin starting looking like it used to...more hydrated and pimple-free! I ran out of the facial toner and decided to see what would happen during a month of using generic cleansers (basically whatever I had in my cabinet) again. 

Back to pimply skin -

So, now phase two of my experiment begins...I bought Dr. Hauschka's facial toner today and will see if in a month my skin has cleared up again.

I like what the information contatined in the package says: "We recognize that the skin is inherently smart. With proper care, skin can maintain a balanced, healthy state. This understanding sets us apart from an industry in which harsh, artificial ingredients can disrupt the skin's delicate balancing act. Rather than forcing change, masking symptoms, or concealing conditions, Dr. Hauschka products cooperate with natural rhythmns and functions to gently guide skin toward glowing health..."

I'll let you know the results in 30 days!

1/13/08

A Day in the Life

I've had this dream of being a photographer who specializes in "A Day in the Life" photography. It would be a photo journal of your typical day. You know...the "real" part of life that some of us want to forget but most of us love to remember.

I want to photograph what a mother feels in her daily routine. The "hum drum." Laundry. Cooking dinner. Dressing the kids. Running errands. Even potty-training! The insane moments when everything seems to go wrong. One child is crying while the other one is making a huge mess...those moments.

I love "real" photography. The pictures of my children that I take when I  spontaneously reach for my camera are always my favorite ones. The picture that captured a genuine smile or a pouty face. The picture of the little girl in her well-loved, tattered tutu. The picture of the dirty boy who just caught his first frog.

I started out my day taking pictures of my "A Day in the Life." I eventually got too busy in the midst of all of my tasks. But, here are a few to describe some of the things our family does in a typical day.

Weekend with good friends!

Our family (+ Oma) traveled to Northwest Arkansas this weekend for a few special occasions. We spent Saturday night with Preston and Mandi Smith after a delicious barbeque brisket feast at the Beelers house. Sunday morning, we drove down to Fayetteville for church at the Christadelphian Chapel. It was nice being back in our old "stomping grounds" but slightly depressing (to me) with all of the change in the area. It's funny to think how much I wish some things "would stay the same."

After lunch out on Sunday, we made our way to the Jones Center in Springdale for two parties! One in celebration of Cameron Beeler's 40th birthday and the other in celebration of Ani Beeler's 6th birthday! The kids ate way too much sugar...Eden experienced ice-skating for the first time...and I was ecstatic I could still beat Asher with my speedy ice-skating!

The kids all had a terrific time seeing their friends. (Don't you love when your kids' friends are your friends' kids?)

Good friends are a celebration in themselves! Glad to add another memory to our lifelong friendships...

Comfortable place to sleep...

What cats do...

In case you were wondering...

Five Kids / Five Days

Day One

Well, parenting of five kids started out with a big, loud BANG!

Levi woke up Wednesday morning and threw up...just a little mucous...so I assumed he was alright and sent him to school. About twenty minutes later, the office called saying, "Levi threw up all over himself and said his parents were skiing and he was staying at your house." I quickly got dressed, loaded the girls (who were still in their pajamas), and picked him up from school.

Back at home I helped Levi change his clothes and put him in his bed. (He slept for about an hour.) The girls watched "Hello Kitty" with only small bouts of arguing.

Levi woke up and I gave him a small glass of Sprite (I keep it in the pantry for occasions such as these). I prayed it would stay down. It did! A few minutes later he was running around the house playing with the girls. Hmmmm....

Dyron came home for lunch (at my request) so I could go on a much needed 30-minute run. WOW! It really helped my attitude. I felt ready to face the rest of the day.

Levi ate his lunch with no dire consequences so Dyron took him back to school for the rest of the day. Meanwhile I read the girls three books and then put them in their room for a nap.

Naptime was a fiasco. I had to sit in the room with the girls (luckily, I have a great book to read) and monitor them while they (ended up being only Eden) fell asleep.

I picked up the boys at 2:45 pm, fed everyone a snack, made sure Asher and Levi practiced their piano, intervened on a few arguments between the girls, and made tacos for supper. Dyron walking through the door was my blessing of the day. And putting the girls to bed at 7 pm. And getting to watch American Idol. And having a quiet hour to myself before Dyron and the boys returned from bible class.

Besides Eden having to be held A LOT (I suspect her being left out of Lilli and Stella's play), the throwing-up episode, a few fits being thrown...the day went relatively smoothly.

I'll see what Day Two brings... 

Now They Call Me Infidel

Why I Renounced Jihad for America, Israel, and the War on Terror by Nonie Darwish

Read it!

...if only for the history of the Jewish state of Israel, the wars with the surrounding Arab states, and the reasoning of radical Islamists. 

Five Kids / Five Days

Day Two

An okay day...

I took the girls to the library where we acquired a million new books and a few DVDs. I was pleasantly surprised at how well they behaved - they sat quietly at the table and read books. Then, we headed to the grocery store. At little bit of their wild side came out...lots of giggling, squealing, and running!

Naptime was even more peaceful today. They all fell asleep after just a few warnings. (I follow through on my warnings - as demonstrated on Tuesday night when Lilli and Eden had to go to separate rooms to fall asleep.)

After school, Levi had piano lessons and Asher went to a friend's house. The girls had a snack and watched "Happy Feet." (A reward for taking a good nap.)

The only trouble today was Eden's continued disconnect with Lilli and Stella. I'm sensing some feelings of being left out. (Three can be that way...)

After a delicious supper, I left for a 45-minute run while Dyron monitored showering and bath time. I returned to see three girls in their pj's listening to some stories. Asher and Levi were playing quietly with Legos.

Five kids makes life extra busy. A lot of correcting, guidance, and discipline. Extra spelling words. (Levi was having trouble with "eight.") More crying. Astronomical amounts of noise! But, overall...interesting!

...onwards to Day Three.

One more thing cats do...

Watch television...

Legos

Do you think Asher needs any more Legos?

Five Kids / Five Days

Day Three

Stella started throwing-up early Friday morning. I would only give her little sips of Sprite...and she kept throwing up. Eventually, it was only dry-heaving.

So, my two missions on Friday: getting Stella to the toilet and limited exposure for my girls to prevent any spreading of germs!

I'm praying all my efforts will pay off...

Five Kids / Five Days

Day Four

Scrub-a-dub-dub, three girls in the tub...

fighting and crying and splashing and giggling.

Stella remained mostly in isolation today. She has consumed half a Sprite and a few crackers and not thrown-up since 6 am! They are all in the bath right now.

Dyron has taken the boys to the MONSTER TRUCK RALLY! He didn't tell them where he was taking them - just gave them earplugs.

Dyron "took over" this morning and I got an hour-and-a-half run in...I'm so ready for the half-marathon. I can't wait!

Better go monitor all of the splashing and wash the girls' hair. Only one more day!

Five Kids / Five Days

Final Day!

Stayed home on Sunday. Stella still not 100% and Lilli was running a fever. Dyron took the rest of the crew to church and I got some house-cleaning done...

Upon D's return, I was super-excited to be able to get out of the house for awhile. Lilli's birthday is fast approaching and I needed to do a little shopping. Just to be out and about...with no children asking me for something...was a blessing.

Children are my job. Being a mama is the hardest job I have ever had...it is unpredictable...it is extremely important. In my opinion, I only get one chance. I make many parenting mistakes but I always try my best.

I hope Levi and Stella experienced my personal best. I got a little weary of being a nurse but that is part of the mama description!

Randy and Mandie returned with memories to last a lifetime and rejuvenation in their relationship. I'm glad to help out with all of that...now, when do we leave for Boston???

Who...

invited this to breakfast?

My 35th Birthday Bash!

or you could call it my FUNeral!

Dyron and I were talking a few months ago about funerals...mainly about the fact that people wait until it's too late to let other people know how they felt about them.

By the end of our conversation, we had decided to not wait until it was too late. We made a decision we would each have our own FUNeral (or the "party of our life") while we were still young.

I started planning my party for my 35th birthday. I sent out invitations to 31 women who played important roles in my life. I wanted to let each of them know the impact they had made on my heart. I invited childhood friends, cousins, aunts, my only living Grandmother, my mom, sisters, first-grade teacher, midwives, piano teacher, mother-in-law, sisters-in-law, junior high/high school friends, college/graduate school friends, bible school friends, church friends, neighbor, etc. 

Fifteen women came and celebrated with me! After six weeks of party-planning, the evening had arrived. I tried not to leave out a single detail. The party began with champagne (Thank you, Martie for your extensive knowledge in this area!) and hors d'oeuvres. I ran a slide show (trying to include everyone who was invited) of pictures of all of these special women (Thank you, Dyron for your help in the technical department!) and then read a presentation where I told each woman how they had impacted my life. It was 30 minutes or so filled with laughter and tears as I told each woman how special they were to me! I truly feel if I die tomorrow I have spoken the words to these women I needed to speak.

We continued the evening with a delicious dinner of peppercorn beef tenderloin, the cheesiest scalloped potatoes (Thanks, mom!), asparagus, and rolls. For dessert, mom made me my favorite coconut cake (I think Lilli ate most of mine!) and Martie made chocolate covered strawberries. (And chocolate martinis!)

I had so much fun visiting with everyone!

The party of my life was a success. I only wish I could have celebrated with a few more of the special women I invited and I hope they know how much I love them.  

Party Planning 101

1. Have an idea ("Hmmm....I think I'll have a party to celebrate the special women in my life.")

2. Get a notebook.

3. Make a guest list. Find all the addresses. Buy stamps.

4. Get younger sister who has no children make your invitations.

5. Decide on general theme, activities, food, drink, seating, etc. (Don't forget to write it in your notebook.)

6. Mail invitations.

7. Wait for RSVPs.

8. Be anxious.

9. Hire someone to help with the party preparations. (Thanks Martha and Aunt Florence!)

11. Rent tables, chairs, and linens.

12. Make sure the million things that need to be done get done!

13. Clean.

14. Shop.

15. Decorate.

16. Be anxious.

17. Cook.

18. Go on a pre-party run!

19. Get dressed. (In strapless dress that is now too big and high-heels. Yikes!)

20. Have fun! 

Confession

This is what I currently am calling "my purse."

We went to the library today...

My Perfect Valentine's Day!

Husband out-of-town (I wish he was here...) + shopping for quilt material + taking cheese dip to Asher's school Valentine party + getting a 3-mile run in because my wonderful sister, Mandie came over and watched the kids + leftovers for supper + early bedtime (no naps for the girls) + Survivor! + Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List: Season 1 (Netflix) + a glass of red wine = a HAPPY MAMA ON VALENTINE'S DAY!

I love you, babe. I wish you were here -

Will I doubt?

I have been teaching the 6-10 year olds Sunday School at my church. Since we are part of a small group (our entire congregation is around 50) I have been assigned that age group for six months. Currently, we are studying the apostles/disciples.

Our lesson was on Thomas a few Sundays ago...doubting Thomas. We discussed doubt versus faith and the meaning of "because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." (John 20:29) I asked each child individually (there are five students in my class) if they believed in Jesus even though they had never seen him. They each answered "yes." "Why?" I asked each of them. They had many different answers ranging from "because the Bible says so..." to "because my parents tell me about him." We ended the discussion with how blessed we are when we believe a Jesus we have never even seen!

It's interesting to read the account of Thomas and his doubts about Jesus' resurrection from the grave. Thomas was one of the twelve apostles/disciples who followed Jesus. He heard his sermons, saw him perform miracles, and knew his character. Yet, when the time came...he doubted. This made me start thinking...will I doubt?

I believe Jesus will return to this earth. He first came as the "lamb of God" (John 1:29) but will return as "the lion of Judah" (Rev. 5:5). He will bring a sword because he will encounter many doubters...people who doubt he is returning to become the King of the earth. The most righteous ruler this world has ever seen will rule from Jerusalem. (Is. 2:3; Zech. 8:3)

Will I know Jesus or will I be like Thomas and need proof of who he is?

John 20:24-25 "Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!"  But he said unto them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger in where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it."

God has no problem with us needing "proof" but we must have a deep-rooted faith (or trust) in Him when all signs point us in a direction away from belief in his Word.

Jesus was merciful to Thomas and gently led him (with physical proof) back to belief.

cont...John 20:26-28 "A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!"  Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. STOP DOUBTING AND BELIEVE."  Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!" 

My prayer is I will be watching for the Lord's return to this earth...that I will be ready for his call...and I will trust in him to be my King.

The Jewish spiritual leaders of Jesus' day denied he was the Son of God and called him blasphemous. (John 10:22-39) I believe there will be many spiritual leaders of our day who doubt Christ. We must all "trust" in God and pray to him for direction...we can ask for "proof" and we will be shown mercy for our faith!

cont...John 20:29 (Jewish New Testament) "Yeshua said to him, "Have you trusted because you have seen me? How blessed are those who do not see, but trust anyway!'" 

It's #1 in my Netflix Queue...

"The Business of Being Born"

Oh yeah...let's have some straight talk about the birthing industry in the United States!

My Tuesday...so far...

Eden got up on the wrong side of the bed.

No syrup - so lots of complaints about having to eat cereal.

Discussion about being thankful for our blessings.

Girls fighting = lots of crying.

Oreo pooped on the bed (again).

I almost threw up in the clean-up process.

More crying about leotard choice for gymnastics.

Girls not listening when mama tells them to get their socks and shoes on.

Several discussions with the girls about listening.

Eden has a breakdown before gymnastics.

Grocery shopping.

Lunch.

Reading books.

Naps.

Asher's home and wants a second ice-cream cone!

(Hey! He's a growing boy!)

Piano lessons in 30 minutes...

(I think Asher's right - I do have a full-time job!)

Rumors of War

As I listened to NPR this morning, three news stories in a row were about different conflicts around the world. First, I prayed for peace. Then my mind thought about a verse in Scripture...

Matthew 24:3-7 "As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. "Tell us," they said, "when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?" Jesus answered, "Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many. YOU WILL HEAR OF WARS AND RUMORS OF WARS, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. NATION WILL RISE AGAINST NATION, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains."

The United States is trying to bring peace and democracy to other nations. But, we are a nation led by men. Men can try their best...but they will not succeed. At the same time the U.S. is trying to bring peace to Iraq, they are selling arms to other nations around the world. Weapons cannot bring peace! China is increasing their military spending by an estimated 17% this year to 59 billion dollars! Iran and a few other nations are trying to obtain (or already have it) uranium to make nuclear weapons. Jesus Christ is the only one who can bring peace to this earth. I am not ashamed to say I watch daily for signs of his coming...I hope and pray for his soon return when I won't turn on my radio and hear of "wars and rumors of wars" anymore!

Have I mentioned?

"The Business of Being Born" is a 2007 documentary that had limited release in theaters in the United States. A "MUST-SEE" for any woman even considering having a baby. It says everything I try to tell women about hospital birth in America.

It points out how one intervention leads to another intervention which leads to another intervention...and why the U.S. c-section rate has gone from 5% (in the 70's) to 33% (yikes!) now. (It does an excellent job of explaining how many women are duped into thinking they and their baby were "saved" by the "emergency c-section" that wouldn't have been necessary in the first place if the natural birthing process was given the full respect it deserves!)

The film shows how women have been conditioned in America to fear the birth process and no longer believe in their natural ability to give birth! Over 70% of births in Europe and Japan are attended by midwives with better outcomes for mothers and babies than the United States...what doctor tells you that information??? 

It includes a detailed section on the downside of pitocin (the man-made version of oxytocin). Pitocin makes contractions that are too strong and too close together that potentially stress the baby while in the uterus and birth canal. When a baby is delivered via c-section, the mother misses out on the natural release of a huge rush of oxytocin which some birth experts call the "love cocktail" that helps a mother bond with her infant.

Taking away a woman's control of her birth experience is taking away the awesome feelings of power she has when she looks back and says, "I DID IT!" Having natural child birth has given me the spring board to have the courage to say "I can do it!" in so many other areas of my life...such as...running, writing, mothering.

People can say "I'm crazy" and look at me like I have three heads when I say I had Eden at home, but I don't care! And I won't shut up about natural child birth either...IT IS THE BEST WAY and the way women were intended to bring their babies into this world!

Watch the movie...it will empower you!

My Grandmother

My Grandmother is such a special lady! She is 86 years young and I hope she is around for a long time. She has nine siblings. Six sisters and two brothers. They are the happiest group of people I know...and they still all communicate with each other and seem to truly care for one another.

My Grandmother was raised very poor. Her mother and daddy both died at a very young age. In fact, she helped raise two of her siblings. She married my Grandaddy at age 15! They were married for 60+ years - he passed away before Asher was born. She raised three children with very little money (my Grandaddy was a farmer) and my sister and I have decided she is the "greenest" person we know...she recycles everything! (And by recycling, we mean she reuses aluminum foil over and over again, saves and uses any styrofoam container for holders, planters, etc, uses napkins until they simply waste away into tiny particles of dust, keeps adding water to liquid soap and cleaners until they are water...)

I have never been so sad when someone dies that I felt sick at my stomach. But, thinking about her possible death made me extremely sad the other night. I realized I don't want her to die. She means so much to me. I enjoy seeing her every week. She is a joy to me! Despite all of her "old ways" and "old wives tales" and improper pronunciation of words (piller for pillow, winder for window, etc)...she is a light to me and my children. Asher absolutely adores her. The girls like to make her giggle. What a beautiful person...I thank God every day for my Grandmother and hope I get to be inspired by her for many years to come.

Out of the Closet

Confessions of a recent convert to Quilting...

(This entry is specifically for Anna!)

My sister, Mandie, has been quilting for three years (plus some). She is extrememly talented (see some examples of her work below). She has also been trying to persuade me to join her quilting group for quite some time. I finally gave in...like I need something else to do in my already hectic life...and I have really enjoyed myself! The quilting group not only provides expertise (Anna is a very knowledgable and creative quilter who is a great teacher) but "cheap therapy" (as my sis says). All of the ladies have a lot of fun working, talking, and laughing together!

I'm currently working on two twin quilts for the girls. As soon as I finish them, I can start painting and decorating their new room...so I better quit blogging and get to quilting!

Time flies when you're having fun...

Spring Break loomed so large a week ago, but it has flown by...

We've slept in every morning and had a fun activity every day. Staying home for the majority of Spring Break was a good idea. Throw a massage for mama (on Tuesday) in the mix, and Spring Break 2008 was an incredible success!

Last Friday, Dyron and I joined Stephanie and Jake Warner for some first-round NCAA basketball tournament action at Alltel arena. I had a lot of fun cheering the Texas Longhorns to victory despite the overall hostile environment by most attendees! (Hey, Hog fans! We're not in the SWC anymore!) 

Saturday, D and I took the kids to climb Pinnacle Mountain. I raced up with Asher while Dyron took his time with the girls. We climbed around the top and looked for different landmarks (Asher brought his binoculars) while we waited for the others to reach the top. I accompanied Eden on the way down. She was extremely independent and kept telling me, "Follow the leader, mama. I'm the leader. Stay behind me and jump down like this." She only fell once and I only had to carry her down the last few turns. I was quite impressed with my 3-year-old explorer!

Sunday, we headed to church for a good lesson on who Jesus was and is...then back home for play and naps in anticipation of an Easter egg hunt in the backyard. All of the family (Grandmother, Papa, Oma, Uncle Ross and Aunt Martie, Uncle Randy and Aunt Mandie, Levi, and Stella) came over in hopes of cheering on the Razorbacks in a second-round NCAA basketball game and a lasagna dinner. The game was a blow-out but the meal was delectable!

Monday, Dyron and I took our three children plus Levi and Stella downtown for a morning of fun! We rode the trolley all around downtown Little Rock and stopped off at the Historic Arkansas Museum to let the boys see the Bowie Knife exhibit. From there we walked over to Iriana's pizza and enjoyed a surprisingly peaceful lunch (five kids can be fun!).

Tuesday, we hung around the house and then I took the girls to Aunt Mandie's house to play with Stella. Asher and Levi went to Oma's and rode the go cart all afternoon while I enjoyed my massage! AAHH...

Wednesday, we headed to Grandmother's for our weekly lunch date. Aunt Martie joined us too! Then we all went out to Aunt Martie's house to see the new ponies...the kids all loved feeding and petting the horses and, of course, started asking if they could have one!

This morning I took Asher, Levi, and the girls to Jump Zone for about an hour. Wow! They got so sweaty but had huge smiles on their faces the entire time.

Now, we're waiting for Daddy to get home and heading to Kansas City tomorrow for a busy weekend! Gotta run!

Dear Oprah

Dear Oprah,

This is a woman. Men cannot have babies.

Sincerely,  Marria

Okay...back to reality!

The "Dear Oprah" was in response to my accidental find online of the "Pregnant Man" show on Oprah last week. Of course, I had to look...then I got involved by viewing some comments on different discussion boards on the subject of transgender, sexual reassignment, etc. I was actually slightly obsessed with hermaphrodites while pregnant with Asher. (Yes, pregnant women can obsess over strange things!) I did quite a bit of research on the subject. I guess I was trying to decide what "course of action" I would take if my child was born with this condition.

Anyway...I digress.

Back to my original point. I'm not making light of the subject of people who are genuinely confused but it all makes me think of a set of verses in the Bible.

Romans 1:16-32 (Paul writes in a letter/Jewish New Testament) "For I am not ashamed of the Good News, since it is God's powerful message of bringing salvation to everyone who keeps on trusting, to the Jew especially, but equally to the Gentile. For in it is revealed how God makes people righteous in his sight; and from the beginning to end it is through trust - as the Tanakh puts it, "But the person who is righteous will live his life by trust." What is revealed is God's anger from heaven against all godlessness and wickedness of people who in their wickedness keep suppressing the truth; because what is known about God is plain to them. For ever since the creation of the universe his invisible qualities - both his eternal power and his divine nature - have been clearly seen, because they can be understood from what he has made. Therefore, they have no excuse; because although they know who God is, they do not glorify him as God or thank him. On the contrary, they have become futile in their thinking; and their undiscerning hearts have become darkened. Claiming to be wise, they have become fools! In fact, they have exchanged the glory of the immortal God for mere images, like a mortal human being, or like birds, animals or reptiles! This is why God has given them up to the vileness of their hearts' lusts, to the shameful misuse of each other's bodies. They have exchanged the truth of God for falsehood, by worshipping and serving created things, rather than the Creator - praised be he for ever. Amen. This is why God has given them up to degrading passions; so that their women exchange natural sexual relations for unnatural; and likewise the men, giving up natural relations with the opposite sex, burn with passion for one another, men committing shameful acts with other men and receiving in their own persons the penalty appropriate to their perversion. In other words, since they have not considered God worth knowing, God has given them up to worthless ways of thinking; so that they do improper things. They are filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and vice; stuffed with jealousy, murder, quarrelling, dishonesty and ill-will; they are gossips, slanderers, haters of God; they are insolent, arrogant and boastful; they plan evil schemes; they disobey their parents; they are brainless, faithless, heartless and ruthless. They know well enough God's righteous decree that people who do such things deserve to die; yet not only do they keep doing them, buy they applaud others who do the same."

Those are God-inspired words...

Read them.

Consider them.

And pray for direction daily.

Solving the World's Problems...

one helpful hint at a time!

I chuckled this morning when I read "Helpful Hints by Heloise" in the paper. Here's one suggestion from Cindy in Spring, Texas...

"Whenever I buy a lipstick at the grocery store, I have a problem keeping it from falling out of my big grocery basket. So now I put it in one of those clear plastic bags from the produce department and then lay it in the basket, and it doesn't fall through the big gaps."

Papa's Baby Chicks

My daddy is so funny! He is hatching chicks for a second year in row. My mom "caught him" the other night clucking like a mother hen to all of his eggs.

I have no doubt that all of creation was designed and made by God especially when I start learning the specifics of his creatures. The mother hen and her "setting eggs" is a perfect example of divine creation.

A mother hen sits on her eggs for 21 days. During this period, she has to turn each of them three times a day. How would a hen learn that? And keep them a certain temperature. How would she know that?

Just more questions to ponder...

God's creation is truly astounding. Almost magical. Certainly fascinating!

Total Reliance

We have a new baby in our congregation at my church. He is so new and small...and dependent on his mother. I was holding him during the morning exhortation on Sunday and found myself thinking about his total reliance on others - especially his parents.

Babies are totally dependent on someone else for everything! They communicate their needs by crying. They cry out when they are hungry, uncomfortable, or in need of their mother's touch. I thought of how they feel when their cry is answered with the sound of a soothing voice, a gentle touch, some warm milk, or a new diaper. Total reliance...

I then started comparing my reliance on the Creator for everything in my life. I really do believe he provides for me in every way. I pray daily for his continued blessings, his guidance, and his care. I also pray in thanksgiving for my home, my food, my family's health, my clothing, etc. I realize I am completely dependent on God.

When I have cried out to him in times of hunger, discomfort, or pain ...he has never disappointed me. Sometimes I have been impatient with my perceived "slowness" of his response! Sometimes my crying has been quiet at first (when I think I can take care of myself or a feeling will pass) and then it has turned to an urgent cry (when I realize only through him can my needs be satisfied). It is in the most desperate times that he picks me up gently, holds me close, whispers comforting words (through his Scriptures), and only puts me down when my crying has quieted, turned to laughter, or completely subsided.

It is this feeling of love I must show my children. It comes so naturally when they are newborns. A mother just has an urge to care for her helpless infant. As my children grow (even when they are little terrors), I must continue to demonstrate this love by having a gentle spirit and correcting them with patience. As hard as it is, I must reflect on how longsuffering God has been and is with me...through all of my mistakes I feel he has always been there to pick me up, gently discipline me, give me a reassuring hug, and put me back down to continue along my walk in life. Sometimes I might look back to see his reassuring face or to hear his affirming words that give me the confidence I need to please Him.

Isn't this my job as a parent? Being a reflection of God to my children? Wow! What a challenge...if I succeed in this most important venture, I will have taught my children to totally rely on their Father, to not be afraid of failure, and to know He is there to pick them up, comfort them, discipline them, and to let them back down to live their life as a reflection of their Creator! 

Have a great week!

Daddy bikes to work...

My husband has made a deal with himself. It is his goal to only fill up his car ("The Saturn") once a month. So, he is taking alternative transportation (his bike) to work when he can...he says he's also "reducing his carbon footprint!"

(Dyron has also been selected to race the mayor of North Little Rock in May on "Bike to Work" day!)

This...

is what couches/sofas are really for...

Spring Cleaning the Suburban

I am letting Aunt Mandie use the Suburban while we are gone to Boston to transport all five children who will be in her care...so, I had to clean it out. I seriously considered calling one of those "detail" companies that will come to your house. It took me 1 hour and 20 minutes to clean out, vaccum, and wipe clean the interior of the Suburban! I found one stuffed monkey, lots of books, an Indigo Girls cassette tape, cough drops, leftover Easter candy (everywhere), pens, dinosaurs, countless Legos, one "Do Not Open" notebook, wipes (I've been looking for those), several DVDs from our last road trip, my Texas running hat (I've been looking for it since January!), sunflower seeds, dominoes, Oma's sunglasses, a Curious George umbrella, a few tiny horses, dress-up dolls, tons of barrettes and ponytail holders (that's where all of those go!), etc.

Now that I'm done I wonder how much one of those "detail" companies would charge me for what I just accomplished...

Who knows?

I'm paying myself with the coffee of my choice from Starbucks for a job well done! 

Boston Marathon 2008

Congratulations, Dyron! 3:20:56!

Good job, babe!

Stand by...

while I get my life back on track and my house back in order! Going away on vacation creates a lot of catching up to do at my house. Dyron and I had a great time...but are always ready to return home and see our children.

Hope to post about our Boston trip tomorrow.

Boston Trip 2008

Wow! It's already been a week since we left for Boston. Last week at this time I was flying to Boston and now I'm reminiscing about our trip...

We had a fantastic time! At the beginning of every trip I go on with Dyron, I look forward to every minute we are going to spend together. I plan to treasure every moment and new memory. At the end of every trip, I wonder "where did all the time go?" It always seems the days fly by and we're heading back home. Four nights away is the perfect time to reconnect...we're always ready to hold our children again and I'm missing the regularity of daily life.

So, here goes...

We arrived in Boston around 9 pm on Friday night, located our luggage, and caught the "T" to the Doubletree in China Town. After a short visit with Grandy and Grammy (D's parents), we headed to bed.

Saturday morning was my scheduled surprise (planned by D). He scheduled us a "whale-watching" tour! Seeing whales in the ocean has been on my "want list" for awhile and I was not disappointed in our adventure! We saw five humpback whales! One pair was even a mother and her nursing calf. Back on land, we had a late lunch/early dinner at Legal Seafood on the waterfront.

Sunday morning, I slept in while the other three headed to the start of the Women's Marathon Olympic Trials. After breakfast and a shower, I joined Dyron and his parents for the finish of the race and the Boston Marathon Expo and packet pick-up! We all enjoyed a quick walk to Fenway Park and an exciting afternoon at the ballgame! The Red Sox pulled out a ninth-inning win over the Texas Rangers...6 to 5! That evening we met some of Grandy's friends (who were also running in the Boston marathon) for dinner in Little Italy. The food and wine were excellent!

Monday morning, Dyron headed out around 5:30 am and I headed to the YMCA for a treadmill run with Grandy around 9 am. After a good workout, we got cleaned up and headed for the finish line of the marathon. We stopped off for a coffee and a few Dunkin' doughnuts and enjoyed our impromptu breakfast in Boston Commons (the park). It was a beautiful sunny day in the low 60's. (Great for running!) We found a spot about a mile from the finish - we figured we would offer D some last minute inspiration to make it to the end...I enjoyed cheering on the other runners, watching Grammy have a nervous fit, and getting my "Lance sighting!" (Lance Armstrong ran with his posse.) Then, my Dyron Hamlin sighting! "Go Dyron!" "Lookin' good babe!" He never turned his head one inch...he was totally focused.)

Later, we found out he didn't hear us at all...he was just trying to make it to the end! After a few celebratory beers and a nap, we headed to "Abe&Louie's" for our 8 o'clock reservation. We dined on delicious steaks and the boys shared a huge seafood appetizer! After a nice, long walk home, we crashed for a great night's sleep!

Tuesday morning, we had just enough time to walk some of the "Freedom Trail" and get a few souvenirs from "Cheers."

We saw a lot of Boston...but there was still a lot more to see...what a great city!

Thank you, Kim!

My good friend, Kim Beeler, sent me a new book today. "The Parenting Breakthrough: A Real-Life Plan to Teach Your Kids to Work, Save Money, and be Truly Independent" - sounds like a must read!

She also sent me a list of age-appropriate home responsibilities for children. I've been feeling overwhelmed with my home and have been trying to emphasize to the children how our home is their responsibility too. I loved this: "Learn to accept that your house is a place of work and communication and not a reflection of your personal worth." (Exactly why I don't subscribe to any "home" magazines!)

Hope to learn some things I can implement with my children to help our home life run more smoothly!

Signs of Spring

1. Allergies!

2. Headless animals (frogs, small snakes, moles, lizards, birds) left at my front door (courtesy of Mr. Jane, our neutered, yet fearsome hunter of small animals).

3. A need to be outside all of the time to soak up the sunshine!

4. Baseball games played by young boys still very "green" at their sport...

5. A  compulsive need to clean out every closet and drawer, every nook and cranny, and rearrange every room in my house!

6. Shedding kitties...

Happy Spring, everyone!

Date Night

Mama Decor

I am suffering from major "house funk" right now. It's like I've given up on keeping my house picked up because it is simply TOO HARD! I'm constantly being distracted from my task by my two little girls. (Imagine that...) I've always been mildly scatter-brained, but when it came to my house I could focus until the job was done.

So, besides being messier than I want to admit...my house is also suffering from "mama decor." I used to take a small amount of pride in my decorating ability. I've always been on a limited budget but could spruce a room up with a fresh coat of paint, a small amount of money, and some creativity! Now, the task of redecorating is even daunting...

I have no problem coming up with new ideas for my house. It's finding the time and energy to make a plan, shop (with two little girls in tow), find more time to paint, sew, move furniture, etc., and actually finish the project. It's very frustrating!

And then I find perspective in the realization that there are millions of people around the world suffering through real trials and tragedy at this very moment...such as in the aftermaths of the earthquake in China, the shortage of food in Haiti, and the cyclones in Burma. (And even closer to home...those families who have recently lost their own homes or loved ones to tornado damage.) How can I be so frustrated when my children are fed, clothed, and healthy? When I have this home that keeps us all safe from the elements?

It's so easy for me to lose my focus on what is important. It's not the decor. It's not the neatness. It's the love in my home that matters. It's my willingness to share my home with those who might need a nutritious meal or a warm, comfortable bed to sleep in for a night, a weekend, or even longer. It's my responsibility to honor God who has allowed me the blessing of a home.

And, so...tomorrow I will attempt to put my house in order...again. But, more importantly, I will find the time to be thankful for my blessings and I will open my home to a friend, neighbor, or person in need if the opportunity arises.

Happy 60th Birthday!

to the nation of Israel

"I will bless those who bless you, but I will curse anyone who curses you; and by you all the families of the earth will be blessed." Gen. 12:3

The above Scripture is part of the promises made to Abraham by Yahweh. Abraham was a faithful servant of God who was willing to sacrifice his only son to please the Most High. He ended up not having to sacrifice Isaac (God provided a ram) but his faith was rewarded by God with a covenant to Abraham and his descendants (the Hebrews/Jews and spiritual/adopted Jews).

The rest of the Old Testament is filled with stories of God's people (the Hebrews) obeying Him for a time and then turning to the false gods and pagan ways of the people or nations surrounding them. The result of their disobedience was always curses from God...(Deut. 28) sometimes ending in individual or national repentance...but usually they fell back into their disobedience (sounds like me) and eventually the Hebrews were dispersed throughout the earth. 

This is where the Jewish people found themselves in the early 20th century - dispersed throughout the earth. In the early 1900's they were well assimilated into German society. Their religious practices would have been the only difference from the average German at that time. They were successful bankers, shop owners, doctors, etc. Then along came Adolf Hitler with his idea of ethnic cleansing (closely connected to his study of Darwinism) and the extermination of the Jewish people began in Europe. Hitler did succeed in wiping out 6 million Jews and countless others (including the mentally/physically handicapped, gypsies, and other non-Aryan races).

Ezekiel 37 is a description of the regathering of an almost dead people. Bones regrow muscle, then skin, and finally the reformed body is given the breath of life to live again. This is a description of what happened with the Jewish people in 1948 when they were given a homeland in Israel. A homeland that was a wasted desert land. A homeland of small numbers of Arabs. A homeland that has since been turned into a lush, agricultural region. A land with thriving cities filled with families. A democratic region in an area of the world surrounded by tolitarian regimes that degrade women and persecute non-Muslims.

I personally support the nation of Israel. I believe the United States was created to support this tiny nation that has survived despite their neighbors' efforts to "drive them into the sea." I urge everyone to study the history of this nation. One can see the miracles in the wars Israel has had to fight since its inception. Against all odds (and with God's help) Israel has made it to 60 years. I believe there will come a time when Israel will not be able to defend itself against its surrounding enemies...at this time they will cry for their Messiah. (Yes, the same Yeshua they wanted crucified 2000 years ago.) I believe the Son of God will return to the earth from heaven...and he will save the Jewish people and all others who cry out to him. He will then become the King of Jerusalem and rule the entire earth with righteousness!

Luke 21:25 "There will appear signs in the sun, moon, and stars; and on earth, nations will be in anxiety and bewilderment at the sound and surge of the sea, as people faint with fear of the prospect of what is about to overtake the world; for the powers in heaven will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with tremendous power and glory. When these things start to happen, stand up and holds your head high; because you are about to be liberated!"

Happy birthday, Israel!

It's official...

my big toe on my right foot is broken...

I had an x-ray at the doctor's office on Monday morning and he pointed out my broken bone. I have to rest it for another two weeks...possibly four. Bummer!

Free Play

I've been wanting to write about this subject (again) for quite some time and was finally spurred on by an article in the local Sunday paper entitled "Please, 'go outside and play'" by Rosa Brooks. She writes about Lenore Skenazy, a New York City mother, who gave her 9-year-old son a Metrocard, a subway map, a $20 bill and some quarters for pay phones. Then she let him make his own way home from Bloomingdale's department store - by subway and bus. He arrived home perfectly safe and "ecstatic with independence." She wrote about her son's experience in a New York Sun column and was inundated with outrage from mother after mother chastising her.

This story reminded of an event that took place one beautiful day last Spring when I allowed Asher to go ride his scooter down to the soccer field  (basically one row of houses away from our house). I was putting the girls' in their strollers to meet him at the playground (at the soccer fields) when his Grandy called. I was lagging behind him about 10 minutes when I said "goodbye" and noticed a police car pulling up to the curb beside my house. I then noticed Asher was in the front seat! Fearing the worst, I ran to the front door to see what had happened. The police officer said, "Hello, m'aam...did you know your son was by himself at the soccer fields?"

My fear quickly turned to anger. "Yes, I did. I let him go ahead of me while I put his sisters in their stroller. What's the problem?"

"There's no problem...but, I don't think it's safe for him to be down there alone."

"Why? Has something happened recently that mothers with young children should know about?"

"No, ma'am."

(And then I calmy and methodically tore into him.) "Well, I let him go down there ahead of me. He knows the rules in regard to strangers. I am very confident in his ability to make good decisions and I think he is safe riding his scooter to the playground. In fact, I am more alarmed by you having him ride in your police car and I don't want that to happen again unless he is in trouble for something or hurt. Okay?"

(He was quite young and turning more red-faced by the second.) "Yes, ma'am." And he turned around and left.

If I acted rash with this police officer, I'm sorry. He probably assumed Asher was alone after school and had gone out for a scooter ride. He might have simply been checking on his supervision. If so, fine.

What's wrong with our world when a 7-year-old boy can't go for a bike/scooter ride around his neighborhood? When he can't enjoy the freedom of a walk down to the local creek to catch some tadpoles?

Boys have to be "set free" sometimes! They have to be given the chance to realize they can "make it own their own." Unsupervised time of exploration and discovery is so vital for higher cognitive functioning, creativity, self-control, and independence!

Today's children are getting less and less "free play" time...A University of Michigan time-use study from 1981-1997 shows that "3 to 5-year-olds lost an average of 501 minutes of unstructured playtime each week (I'm assuming because they are in daycare) and 6 to 8-year-olds lost an average of 228 minutes." And, now we are ten years further down the road! American children are participating in more scheduled activities and have more homework now than in the past decade.

I love to see Asher fighting imaginary monsters/bad guys/aliens in the back yard, creating a habitat for a newly found frog/turtle/lizard, building with his Legos, reading a book, drawing, inventing, etc.

The girls have been playing lately with all of the dinosaurs, horses, cowboys and Indians, etc. They play for hours making up elaborate dialogues between all the little characters. It's absolutely hilarious when I take a few minutes to listen...

Childhood is cherished in the Hamlin house and with summer just around the corner imaginations will be especially active! We have three months of "unplanned" fun awaiting us with lots of swimming, reading, napping, Lego building, playing outside, eating lots of popsicles...maybe even a few solo trips for Asher around the neighborhood!

Summer Salad

I don't think I've ever included a recipe on my blog before...so here goes! I wanted a salad for lunch today, so I came up with this creation with the available ingredients in my fridge.

Sweet Summer Salad

Mixed organic greens, sliced cucumber, small bits of fresh avocado, Muenster cheese, deli turkey, dried cranberries, and a few croutons.

Top it all with some poppy seed dressing.

Voila! A delicious alternative to eating the leftover fish sticks on your child's plate or stopping at the fast food drive-thru...

STOMP!

(I'm a little late on this entry...I "lost" the pictures on my computer. We saw the show the Sunday afternoon before Memorial Day weekend.)

We had the privilege of getting to see Dustin Elsea (Dyron's sister's husband's brother and a friend of ours) in STOMP! in Fayetteville at the Walton Arts Center. It was awesome! (And extra fun for Asher because he knew someone on stage...)
Thanks Dustin for the great show and the back stage tour! We loved it and it was great seeing you.

Memorial Day Bible Study Weekend 2008

Our church (the Good Hope Ecclesia) hosted our 4th annual Memorial Day Bible Study Weekend in Eureka Springs. The camp was a bit rustic but the weekend was enjoyable! The kids enjoyed swimming in the pool, the bonfire, and catching turtles and tree frogs. We were all thankful for a weekend of fellowship, singing praises to God, and learning more about his Word and our Hope in his coming Kingdom.

5:48 pm

Asher is reading Shel Silverstein on the living room sofa.

Lillian is drawing in her notebook and giving me reports of what's going on with the dinner on the stove. ("Mama, something's popping!")

Eden is snoozing (exhausted from a day with her sister and cousin, Stella).

Daddy is riding his bike home from work.

Mama's blogging...

The Zone begins...

The Hamlin family is officially "In the Zone!"

After the first Maumelle Marlins swim meet of the season (Asher did a great job!), we all decided to "chill" by the pool. (All of the children are swimming like fish and generally having a lot of fun in the water!) Lillian and Eden were both doing "cannonballs" into the deep end and swimming to the ladder! They couldn't seem to get enough... Asher practiced his butterfly stroke over and over again with Dyron.

We swam and played and ate ice cream cones for a few hours. Then we all crashed for a lovely afternoon nap in the air-conditioning. Aahhhh...what a blessed life we live...

Asher's Last Day of 2nd Grade

Asher has completed the 2nd grade. He had a great year and finished with all A's!
We celebrated as a family with dinner at Mi Burrito...

Pay Attention!

I read my local newspaper every day searching for important world events that might give me a clue as to what God is doing with the earth. God's witness are his people...the Jewish people. Yes, they rejected his Son but soon they will cry out to him when they no longer can defend themselves or their precious Israel.

Today's "Quote of the Day" in my local newspaper is "America's dream for Iraq will not come true." This was said by the Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to Iraqi premier Nouri al-Maliki. The Iraqi premier was in Tehran discussing a U.S.-Iraq security pact in which the U.S. is wanting to build 58 bases as part of a proposed "status of forces" agreement that will allow U.S. troops to remain in the Iraq indefinitely.

Last week, Iran's president (under the Ayatollah), Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (while he was visiting Rome for the U.N.'s annual Food Summit) told reporters that the "satanic powers" of the United States will be "uprooted" and that Israel is "about to die and will soon be erased from the geographical scene." He also said "Europeans have suffered the biggest damage from the Zionists and today the weight of this artificial regime, both political and economic, is on Europe's shoulders."

I listen to NPR a lot during the day...and they had a "little diddy" on what Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Ali Khamenei said didn't really mean an end to Israel. Huh??? You can look all day and still not read all of the websites dedicated to the destruction of Israel! You can read article after article of holocaust denial, hatred of the Jewish people, and anti-Zionist propaganda posted on the Internet.

World events are quickly reaching a boiling point. America is in a state of economic uncertainty. People around the world are starving because of corrupt governments keeping food from them. Oil is being used to possibly rearrange world powers. It's like a huge chess game and God is making his move...

Watch Israel. Watch Iran. Watch the United States (Israel's main ally for over 60 years). Watch Russia. (Yes, they are still there.)

*One more interesting note...U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates recommended George Bush nominate General Norton Schwartz, a JEWISH 35-year veteran with a background in Air Force special operations, as the new Air Force chief of staff.

Luke 21:28 "And when these things begin to happen, then look up and lift up your heads, for your redemption draws near." 

"O' Green Pool"

sung to the tune of "O' Christmas Tree"

O' Green Pool, O' Green Pool,

why can you not stay clear and blue?

O' Green Pool, O' Green Pool,

what the heck is wrong with you?

I test your levels

I sweep you clean

I backwash you

But still you're green!

O' Green Pool, O' Green Pool,

why can you not stay clear and blue?

New Floors: A Work in Progress!

We had new carpet installed in the three downstairs bedrooms the Tuesday after Memorial Day. (Much needed - I think it was the original carpet - 17 years old!) So, now Dyron is in the process of laying tile in the two downstairs bathrooms and hallway. He's working hard and being a perfectionist about cutting it "just right."

Thanks, babe!

Proverbs 22:6

"Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it."

Seen on a church marquee:

"Don't be so open-minded your brains fall out."

Oak Grove All-School Reunion

I attended a reunion last Friday night to remember the students of Oak Grove Jr. High and High School. Oak Grove is officially closed and will eventually be "replaced" by a new high school in Maumelle.

It was a lot of fun seeing some of my closest friends from high school and other students from my senior class. We had fun remembering the "good times." It's hard to believe it has already been 17 years since I graduated from high school!

Good stuff

I was reading my Bible last night before going to sleep and one verse really stuck out...

Isaiah 2:22 "Stop trusting in man, who has but a breath in his nostrils. Of what account is he?" (NIV)

I read the local newspaper every morning and listen to discussion after discussion of different issues on NPR every day. I hear men and women pondering ways to solve problems ranging from world hunger to rising energy prices. I hear some good ideas but also a lot of confusion. I know that our problems will only be fully solved when we (all of mankind) learn to fully rely on God. (A lot of us still have to first believe in Him!) It's so simple...but so hard for us to completely trust in our Creator. It's so hard when we see the chaos of the world growing stronger every day! We must remember Jesus and learn from him. He totally trusted in his Father. He never let his doubt outweigh his trust in God. He came, he loved us, he tried to teach us, and he conquered sin! 

It's interesting to note the central verse of the entire Bible is: Psalm 118:8 "It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man." 

Maybe...

Daddy will reconsider and let me get a puppy!

It's been 7 weeks...

My toe is almost fully healed. Still a little swollen. Maybe slightly crooked. But a lot better!

My men

Oh, how I love my husband and my son!

Asher asked me the other evening (as I was telling him "good night," saying his prayer, and kissing him)..."Mama, do my muscles look like Bobby's?" (Another little boy on his swim team.) "You know...like my chest and my six-pack..."

I smiled and said, "Yes, bubs...you are looking very strong and fit. And, as a bonus...you're a FAST swimmer!"

New outdoor furniture!

Home projects take ONE MILLION YEARS to complete when you have a family! D works hard between working hard at the office and working hard as a Daddy. It just takes FOREVER!

(D moved the toilet outside to complete the tile floor in the kids' bathroom.)

2busy2blog.com

We returned from vacation at 3 am on Saturday morning. We "slept in" until 9:30 am and life has been non-stop from that moment...(see, right now I have two children asking me questions, a sink full of dishes, a load of laundry in the washer and dryer, my husband is in D.C., Dwight is here for his summer visit, and I still have a billion things to put away from our trip...) Where are those fabled "lazy days of summer?"

Believe me, I want to blog. I love to blog. But, I simply have 2manythingstodo!

Maybe I SHOULD get a cell phone...

so I can text message my husband who sent me this email today titled..."you never call me."

Message: but you're all i think about

mobile dyron

Little Black Box

Am I the only one who thinks a little black box from the U.S. government to turn my analog television to a digitally-ready television is a little too "1984?"

(D and I also think it's creepy how the reminder message to "get your little black box" rolls across the top of our t.v. screen when we watch Dave Letterman...)

Yes, I'm on Facebook.

And I got this email today...

Dyronman said on Facebook that you two are married.  We need you to
confirm that you are, in fact, married to Dyronman.

To confirm this relationship request, follow the link below:
http://www.facebook.com/n/?home.php

I am indeed married to the individual above and considered not confirming my marriage to him because he, in fact, uses an alias!

Hamlin Zone Triathlon

The 2nd annual "Hamlin Zone Triathlon" was held on Saturday (July 19th) in the stifling heat. Despite the oppressive rays of a grueling midday sun the participants were full of energy and dripping gallons of sweat! Kevin seems to have been crowned the official "weiner" of the triathlon...even though Dyron has informed me all the entrants were disqualified again this year! Trey, Dwight, and Dyron came in last with extremely red faces and deflated egos.

After the race, we feasted on barbeque and cooled off with a few cold beverages. The kids swam and entertained us with some karaoke! Lillian and Eden enjoyed making a new friend (Maggie) By the end of the evening they already making plans to invite each other to their birthday partys! The tradition of the Hamlin Zone continued to flourish despite the extreme heat...good company makes almost any situation a good time!

GLCBS 2008

The Great Lakes Bible School was awesome this year - as always! I had the privilege of teaching the 2nd graders. They were so curious, smart, and full of good questions about the Bible. I enjoyed every moment with them.

Tuesday Rainbow

(From the Complete Jewish Bible) Genesis 9:8-17 God spoke to Noach and his sons with him; he said, "As for me — I am herewith establishing my covenant with you, with your descendants after you, and with every living creature that is with you — the birds, the livestock and every wild animal with you, all going out of the ark, every animal on earth. I will establish my covenant with you that never again will all living beings be destroyed by the waters of a flood, and there will never again be a flood to destroy the earth." God added, "Here is the sign of the covenant I am making between myself and you and every living creature with you, for all generations to come: I am putting my rainbow in the cloud — it will be there as a sign of the covenant between myself and the earth. Whenever I bring clouds over the earth, and the rainbow is seen in the cloud; I will remember my covenant which is between myself and you and every living creature of any kind; and the water will never again become a flood to destroy all living beings. The rainbow will be in the cloud; so that when I look at it, I will remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of any kind on the earth." God said to Noach, "This is the sign of the covenant which I have established between myself and every living creature on the earth."

Current Reading

I'm taking these three books with me on our road trip (which begins tomorrow) to upstate New York.

"Schmoozing with Terrorists" Aaron Klein

"Liberal Fascism" Jonah Goldberg

and...

"Women's Rights in Old Testament Times" James R. Baker

Be back in a week!

Down by the Mississippi River

We're home from our trip.









I am in the midst washing multiple piles of laundry. And trying to get the house back in order...an almost impossible task with three children that need to be picking cotton in the 100 plus degree heat! (No wonder children used to be so well-behaved! They were too tired to get in trouble!)

Our last stop on our 1200 mile journey was in Missouri. We found a little brewery one block from the Mississippi River and ate supper. The river was flowing fast...it was really a neat adventure for the kids! A huge barge passed (going upstream) while they were playing in the water.

Glad to be home!

Think for yourself!

My mom and I were having a discussion about breast cancer the other day (someone we know is undergoing chemotherapy for it) and she told me not to get a mammogram. Really? Why? She said that there is evidence that mammograms can actually increase my chance of getting cancer because of the radiation. Interesting that a friend just sent me an article via email concerning the dangers of mammograms!

Anyway, check it out for yourself. I'm going to do a little more research myself.

Here's an excerpt from the article my friend sent me.

"The benefits of mammograms are highly controversial, while the risks are well established. Back in 2001, around the time that U.S. health officials widened the use of mammograms to included women over 40 (previously it was only women over 50), a Danish study published in The Lancet revealed some startling data.

The study concluded that previous research showing a benefit was flawed and that widespread mammogram screening is unjustified.

Specifically, the Danish researchers argued that earlier studies in Europe and North America were improperly randomized and that they used a faulty definition of breast cancer survival.

Meanwhile, the technology carries a first-time false positive rate of up to 6 percent. False positives can lead to expensive repeat screenings and can sometimes result in unnecessary invasive procedures including biopsies and surgeries.

Just thinking you may have breast cancer, when you really do not, focuses your mind on fear and disease, and is actually enough to trigger an illness in your body. So a false positive on a mammogram, or an unnecessary biopsy, can really be damaging.

Not to mention that women have unnecessarily undergone mastectomies, radiation and chemotherapy after receiving false positives on a mammogram.

An Amazing Deception

That mammograms are still recommended at all speaks volumes about the state of modern medicine.

Decades ago in 1974, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) was warned by professor Malcolm C. Pike at the University of Southern California School of Medicine that a number of specialists had concluded "giving a women under age 50 a mammogram on a routine basis is close to unethical."

Why?

Well for starters mammograms expose your body to radiation that can be 1,000 times greater than that from a chest x-ray, which poses risks of cancer. Mammography also compresses your breasts tightly, and often painfully, which could lead to a lethal spread of cancerous cells, should they exist.

“The premenopausal breast is highly sensitive to radiation, each 1 rad exposure increasing breast cancer risk by about 1 percent, with a cumulative 10 percent increased risk for each breast over a decade's screening,” points out Dr. Samuel Epstein, one of the top cancer experts.

Dr. Epstein, M.D., professor emeritus of Environmental and Occupational Medicine at the University of Illinois School of Public Health, and chairman of the Cancer Prevention Coalition, has been speaking out about the risks of mammography since at least 1992. As for how these misguided mammography guidelines came about, Epstein says:

“They were conscious, chosen, politically expedient acts by a small group of people for the sake of their own power, prestige and financial gain, resulting in suffering and death for millions of women. They fit the classification of "crimes against humanity."

Not surprisingly, as often happens when anyone dares speak out against those in power, both the American Cancer Society and NCI called Dr. Epstein’s findings “unethical and invalid.”

But this didn’t stop others from speaking out as well.

•  In July 1995, The Lancet again wrote about mammograms, saying "The benefit is marginal, the harm caused is substantial, and the costs incurred are enormous ..."


• Dr. Charles B. Simone, a former clinical associate in immunology and pharmacology at the National Cancer Institute, said, "Mammograms increase the risk for developing breast cancer and raise the risk of spreading or metastasizing an existing growth.”


• "The high sensitivity of the breast, especially in young women, to radiation-induced cancer was known by 1970. Nevertheless, the establishment then screened some 300,000 women with Xray dosages so high as to increase breast cancer risk by up to 20 percent in women aged 40 to 50 who were mammogramed annually,” wrote Dr. Epstein."

This subject speaks to many "popular medical procedures" of the modern medical community. Such as the excessively high c-section rate in the United States. I, for one, am going to look into such important matters as my health and my children's health and not totally rely on a doctor's opinion. Or just accept the status quo. Just because "everybody's doing it" doesn't mean it's the best option!

Summer of Dwight

Dwight has been with us again this summer. He spent the first part with our good friends, the Beeler family, but eventually made his way here. I've enjoyed his company. He lets me read the paper to him in the morning. He's a great "lay out by the pool" partner! And, I always enjoy talking about the Bible with him because of his deep insight in the Hebrew language and the Jewish culture.

We always enjoy taking Dwight to 1620 when he's in town. It's one of our favorite local restaurants and he loves it too! The chef/owner is one of our former neighbors, Tim. He creates some awesome and unusual entrees that are delicious! 

We enjoyed our dinner at 1620 with Dwight. He ordered his lemon drop martini and we enjoyed our time together eating, drinking, and laughing! Dwight offered a beautiful prayer thanking God for the blessings of this life - good food, good wine, and good friends!

I'll miss Dwight when he returns to school in a week. But, I know I'll see him again soon!

Cheers! 

Is summer over already?

Summer 2008 went by too fast! We had a busy, fast-paced, and fun-filled summer at the Hamlin house.

The "Summer of Learning" was successful. I didn't get around to teaching Asher how to wash a load of clothes...but that's coming soon!

I struggled a bit with getting Asher to practice his piano...but...hey! It's summertime!  (Or it was...) My current "parenting philosophy" was given a name by Dr. John Rosemond...I don't want to "micro-manage" my children's affairs! I let Asher be in charge of his piano practicing one week this summer with no reminders from mama and he had to suffer the consequences of not knowing his music. It was a bit "painful" for me but it was a valuable lesson for him.

Our two vacations were good. Any time spent increasing your knowledge about God and his plan for this earth is beneficial. I loved watching my children branching out on their own - especially Asher.

What a joy to watch my children grow!

Lillian and Eden turned into fish this summer. Eden absolutely loves being in the pool and claims she will "beat Asher" in the swim meets next year! Lillian started touching the bottom in the deep end and turning flips in the pool.

The girls currently play with horses, horses, and more horses. (Lillian begs every day for a horse and says, "We can keep it at Papa's house.")

My house was filthy! We slept in late almost every day. Sometimes...we stayed in our pajamas until lunchtime and then changed into our swimsuits! We were sooooooo bad and had soooooooo much fun!

Life moves so fast...

I hope I can remember to sit back and enjoy the ride...

Good visit with a good friend!

Lisa came for a friend's wedding and stayed with us over the weekend. It was so good catching up with her! We have been friends for 15 years (since graduate school) and had some great discussions about our families, our faith, and life in general.

Love you, Lisa!

I hate shopping!

I was so proud of myself (last week). I had Asher and Lilli's school clothes ordered (online) and I thought I was "all done."

Lilli's shirts still have not come in so I went to Target.com to see the status of my order...not shipping until September 9th! Lilli cannot get by on one shirt until then...arrgghh!

So much for trying to be prepared for school!

(Now, where did I see those shirts on sale???)

Asher's First Day of 3rd Grade

Asher said, "I'm not even excited about school." Even though, as soon as we got to school he disappeared in a flash to find his friends on the playground.

His only comment about his day was "look at these spelling words...they're easier than my 2nd grade spelling words!"

Love it, son!

My view of some current world events...

The world is an interesting place. Current world events (if you’re not completely distracted by the Olympics in Beijing!) are even more interesting…even exciting!

I have read and reread and heard explanations of Ezekiel 38 since I was a child. The title of this chapter in my New International Version Bible is “A Prophecy Against Gog.” Well, who is Gog? I’ve been told and there is evidence Gog is Russia.

So, why am I excited about current world events? RUSSIA is all over the news…NPR is even talking about the nation of Russia! Blogs are discussing Russia (and I haven’t even looked at the blogs talking about prophecy!) and its recent attack on Georgia.

Georgia has an American-educated president, Mikhail Saakashvili, who leads this former part of the old Soviet Union. Georgia is now an independent democratic nation. (Now, here’s where it starts to get really interesting!) “Russia's deputy army chief, Col.-Gen. Anatoly Nogovitsyn, accused Israel on Tuesday of arming the Georgian military with mines, explosive charges, special explosives for clearing minefields and eight kinds of unmanned aerial vehicles.” (Jerusalem Post) Georgia’s defense minister, Davit Kezerashvili, is a former Israeli who is fluent in Hebrew, and is said to have contributed to military cooperation (with Israel).

To heat things up even more…on Thursday Poland and the United States reached an agreement to base American missile interceptors in Poland, going ahead with a plan that has angered Russia and threatened to escalate tensions with the region's communist-era master. (Uh…that would be Putin…read about his history sometime.) The United States says this base is to house missiles as a deterrent to Iran, so why should Russia care? (Uh…they sell weapons to Iran and probably nuclear material and information too.)

Well, it seems Russia has been making deals with several Middle Eastern countries lately…(The U.S. is guilty of this too. I’m not naïve!) signing arms deals with both Saudi Arabia and Libya, each worth more than 2 billion dollars. Russia also recently signed a pact with Egypt to build at least four nuclear power plants. Russia has also continued to supply Iran and Syria with sophisticated weaponry, including advanced anti-tank weapons and anti-aircraft missiles. It has done so despite concerns that such weaponry could find its way into the hands of terrorist groups like Hamas and Hezbollah.

Russia told NATO today it is halting all military co-operation.(Here's a little history.)Under a 2002 agreement that set up the Nato-Russia Council, the U.S. and Russia began several co-operation projects. These included allowing NATO to transport by land through Russia non-military supplies for the bloc's operation in Afghanistan, developing battlefield anti-missile technology, joint military exercises and help with rescue at sea. In fact, a planned military exercise between the U.S. and Russia to be performed last Friday was cancelled because of the crisis in Georgia.

Syrian President Bashar Assad is currently meeting with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. He is most definitely using this opportunity to encourage the Russian president to cut ties with the West and join his and other Arab nations in the battle against the West and Israel.

It’s all exciting! As anxious as the cost of oil, rising inflation, and a suffering economy can make us…let’s remember…God is in control. “What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)

Continuing with Ezekiel 38…v. 14 “Therefore, son of man, prophesy and say to Gog: “This is what the Sovereign Lord says: In that day, when my people Israel are living in safety, will you not take notice of it? You will come from your place in the far north, you and many nations with you, all of them riding on horses, a great horde, a mightly army. You will advance against my people Israel like a cloud that covers the land. In the days to come, O Gog, I will bring you against my land, SO THAT THE NATIONS MAY KNOW ME WHEN I SHOW MYSELF HOLY THROUGH YOU BEFORE THEIR EYES.’”

I believe the time of Messiah’s return is near. I believe and I want to be a part of his Kingdom on earth!

Plane Ride

It's been awhile since we've flown as a family (I think 2 years ago) so it was fun seeing the kids different reactions. I sat by Lilli on the first leg of our flight to Virginia. Her main interest was getting "a drink from the lady." She knew she wanted a Coke. Then when she heard there were cookies (!) her eyes completely lit up! I'm so glad my children can still get excited by the simple things...

We had to get up early (our flight was at 7 am) so Eden took a nap in Daddy's arms. Asher read a book, looked out the window, and drew in his notebook.

We were in Virginia before we knew it and ready for a fun-filled Labor Day weekend.

"You go, girl!"

Congrats to Sarah Palin!

P.S. She's NOT a Nazi...they would have killed a Down Syndrome baby or tried to abort an unwanted pregnancy.

Virginia Beach/ Labor Day 2008

What can I say? The Hamlin family loves the beach! We love the sun, the sand, and the big waves!

At times, Asher was so far out in the waves it was hard for me to watch. I know he's a strong swimmer now but my "mama bear" still wants to be right by his side. D was always watching him and I knew he was in safe hands...but I still said some prayers!

Lil and Eden were all about the waves! They got deeper and deeper with each passing minute until I would call, "Girls...come a little closer to shore." Oh, what fun they had...

We had a terrific time with our cousins! David, Cory, Micah, Shana, and Nathan Love came for the day on Saturday. After a day in the sun, we all feasted on a delicious Italian dinner (for the half-marathoners) and said our "goodbyes."

The race...well, that's on the next post!

After the race...we all relaxed again on the beach and then enjoyed an evening B-52's concert and fireworks show from our hotel balcony.

Love Virginia Beach with the family! 

Lessons from the Republican National Convention

Dyron was musing...

"No amount of government is going to save people that like to shoot each other."

Survival

Sometimes family life is all about survival. Last week was somewhat of a grueling week. I woke up at the beach Monday morning a bit sore from the race and looking ahead to a day of travel. Thankfully, my husband is a seasoned traveler and navigates our way through airports with his eyes practically closed! (I just have to make sure the children are all in tow.) On our last flight home (we had a connection in Atlanta), I started feeling nauseated and hoped to make the flight without getting sick. With a few sniffs of peppermint oil and some labor breathing, I made it...

Upon our arrival at home, I knew I had "picked up a bug." Luckily, I finished my business and had a good night of sleep because Lillian appeared to be suffering from the same malady the next morning. So, she ended up missing an additional two days of school due to sickness. I just laid around with her on Tuesday and slept...Eden can almost take care of herself if she has to... Wednesday was Lillian's main recovery day. I was feeling slightly better but then had a recurrence on Thursday and Saturday!

Now, it's Monday morning and I'm looking forward to a good week. I hope to get back on track...my laundry is still piled up and my house has seen better days. Hopefully, this week will be a better one. A living one instead of just mere survival.

This makes me cry...

An editorial this morning caught my eye..."The Importance of Trig" by Michael Gerson (Washington Post). As I read this article, I started to cry. It was about the significance of Sarah Palin's Down Syndrome 4-month-old baby being on the national scene. Down Syndrome children have a special place in my heart. I worked with several of these special kids while in graduate school for speech pathology. They are truly sweet and loving kids who just need some extra help to function in the world.

"Trig Paxson Van Palin - pronounced by his mother "beautiful" and "perfect" and applauded at center stage of the Republican convention - smashed the chromosomal barrier." The article goes on to say, "when John F. Kennedy's younger sister Rosemary was born mentally disabled in 1918, it was treated as a family secret." Finally, in 1962, Eunice Kennedy Shriver talked openly of her sister's condition and founded the Special Olympics - "part of a great social movement of compassion and inclusion."

"Trig's moment in the spotlight is a milestone of that movement. But it comes at a paradoxical time. Unlike (black) Americans and women, civil rights protections for people with Down's Syndrome have rapidly eroded over the last few decades. OF THE CASES OF DOWN SYNDROME DIAGNOSED BY PRE-NATAL TESTING EACH YEAR, ABOUT 90 PERCENT ARE ELIMINATED BY ABORTION. Last year the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecological recommended universal, early testing for Down syndrome diagnosed by pre-natal testing each year, not just for older pregnant women. Some expect this increased screening to reduce the number of Down syndrome births far lower than the 5500 we see today, perhaps to less than 1000."

"The wrenching diagnosis of 47 chromosomes must seem to parents like the end of a dream instead of the beginning of a life. But children born with Down syndrome - who learn slowly but love deeply - are generally not experienced by their parents as a curse but as a complex blessing." As experienced by a close friend of my grandmother's...her son who has Down Syndrome is now in his 50's. My grandmother and I were actually discussing this very issue the other day and she said more than once what a "blessing" and "help" that boy (now a man) was to her friend. She also stated, "I don't know what she would have done without him!"

I was pregnant with my three children at the ages of 26, 29, and 31. I did not have any genetic testing/screening done. I was prepared to take care of any child God gave me. In fact, I remember thinking if my child had any mental or physical abnormalities I would probably be the most prepared for a Down syndrome baby. Thankfully, I have three perfectly healthy and beautiful children.

Luckily, eugenics was just beginning around the time of Hitler. It was a subject he was very interested in because of his desire to create his idea of the perfect human race. Disabled children and people in Nazi Germany were labeled as a drain on parents and resources. Many babies, children, and people with disabilities (whether mental or physical) were eliminated in Nazi Germany. Just think of the additional atrocities had genetic testing been available!

"The ending of "imperfect" lives to remove the social, economic, and emotional costs of their existence" is called eugenic abortion. "This practice cannot be separated from the broader social treatment of the disabled. By eliminating less perfect humans, deformity and disability become more pronounced and less acceptable. Those who escape the net of screening are often viewed as mistakes or burdens. A tragic choice becomes a presumption - "Didn't you get an amnio?" - and then prejudice. And this feeds a social Darwinism (Hitler was a big fan) in which the stronger are regarded as better, the dependent are viewed as less valuable, and the weak must occasionally be culled."

Pregnant women need to be aware that these genetic tests are sometimes inaccurate (happened to a friend of mine) and can lead to more unecessary procedures (amniocentesis - which can lead to a miscarriage) before they give consent. Many parents report that "genetic counselors and physicians emphasize the difficulties of raising a disabled child and urge abortion."

What's next? Screening for autism? Deafness? Eye color? What traits will be deemed unworthy of life? Would you or I be here if our parents could have picked?

On a more personal note (I've shared this with close friends), I was very angry when I found out I was pregnant with Eden. She was totally unplanned (by me) and I did not want her. What if I had taken the matter into my own hands? For a few weeks, I struggled with these hateful and selfish thoughts in my head. I wasn't ready for another baby. This didn't fit into my plan. I wasn't ready to suffer through the nausea and vomiting. Now, I often cry when I'm holding Eden or kissing her cheeck while she is sleeping because I realize how foolish my hateful feelings were...I would have missed out on an important relationship in my life. She brings me such joy! She has humbled me before my God. He taught me through her to trust in Him!

I'll end my thoughts on this matter with the Godly perspective...

Psalm 139:1-16 "O Lord, you have searched me and you know me, You know when I sit down and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord. You hem me in - behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. When can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me," even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. FOR YOU CREATED MY INMOST BEING; YOU KNIT ME TOGETHER IN MY MOTHER'S WOMB. I PRAISE YOU BECAUSE I AM FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. MY FRAME WAS NOT HIDDEN FROM YOU WHEN I WAS MADE IN THE SECRET PLACE. WHEN I WAS WOVEN TOGETHER IN THE DEPTHS OF THE EARTH, YOUR EYES SAW MY UNFORMED BODY. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."

Good job, Sarah!

Just watched Charlie Gibson's interview with Sarah Palin...

Every time "God" is in a politician's statement these days they are scrutinized. Especially, if you are so outspoken as to say "God's will..." Well, Sarah answered the questions in a straight-forward manner and she didn't back down from her view that God has something to do with his earth and the human beings inhabiting it! 

I'll be watching the full interview tonight on ABC.

Now Hiring

Does any other mama out there think they need an administrative assistant? Between bills (and Dyron takes care of a lot of those), appointments, school papers (homework, forms, etc), thank you notes,  birthday gifts, party planning, etc...I'm swamped!  

Global Markets

Believe me when I say I don't like losing money anymore than the next person...in all the financial reports on news radio today "our" (I'm talking globally) financial future sounds bleak. All I can think of is global greed. So many people focused on making a fast buck/euro/peso/shekel.. or whatever it may be! Humanity has lost their focus. We think more highly of ourselves than we ought to...my sweet husband always points to the website - "We can solve it.org" as an example - in this rampant humanism that currently exists. Haven't "we" learned? When are we going to quit making idols of everything? Idols of money. Idols of our children. Idols of our homes. Idols of our college degrees. Idols of celebrity. Idols of ourselves!

"We" are so thick-headed...yet look at the fiasco of the world-wide financial system that has been created by the collective us. All day long I've been thinking of this verse and feeling calm in my heart.

Luke 21:25-28 "And there will be SIGNS in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars. And on the earth will be ANXIETY OF NATIONS with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; MEN HEARTS FAILING THEM FOR FEAR and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when these things begin to happen, then look up and lift up your heads, for your redemption draws near."

No need to fear. Man didn't plan very well. But God does...

Has anyone else heard about this?

"Meanwhile, rumors are growing in intensity that during the first week of October, Senator Joe Biden is planning to withdraw from the ticket for "health reasons", paving the way for Obama to replace him on the Democratic ticket with Hillary Clinton."

-The Lekarev Report

Saturday in the Sisterhood!

Some women from my church and some of our friends enjoyed a day of fellowship yesterday. My sister, Mandie, hosted the event at her home. It was a small gathering of thirteen women. Carol Ann was our facilitator. She led us in many interesting and thought-provoking discussions on different scriptures. We discussed how we could help encourage "lost sheep" to come back into the fold. We discussed our role as women (including wives, mothers, sisters, friends, lights in the world) as outlined by the Apostle Paul. We also looked at many words from the Hebrew and Greek languages to get a fuller understanding of what specific verses are telling us. It was all very mentally stimulating for me!

We enjoyed lunch together. We enjoyed trying out some new songs together followed by some additional hymn-singing. It was an uplifting day to realize what good friends we have in our sisters!

We ended the day with dinner out at Restaurant 1620 - delicious!

Look at our world...

I'm going to discuss one man and one woman and one tiny nation.

The man is Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. He spoke to the United Nations General Assembly today in New York City. This is some of what he said..."Today, the Zionist regime (he doesn't recognize the state of Israel) is on a definite slope to collapse, and there is no way for it to get out of the cesspool created by itself and its supporters (mainly the United States). American empire in the world is reaching the end of its road, and its next rulers must limit their interference to their own borders." He gave a thumbs-down as President Bush denounced Iran as a sponsor of global terrorism.

This is the man who denies the Holocaust ever happened and continually says that Israel should be "wiped off the map." He doesn't believe women have any rights and might be mere months away from having a nuclear weapon he could shoot right into Tel Aviv.

The woman is Sarah Palin. She was scheduled to give a speech at a rally against Ahmadinejad outside the United Nations headquarters but was dis-invited. (I won't go into the specifics of that...you can read an article I've posted below if you would like more information.) In her speech, she was going to speak against Iran's leader and point out his "agenda that threatens all who seek a safer and freer world." She was going to stress how "the world must awake to the threat this man poses to all of us. (He) denies that the Holocaust ever took place. He dreams of being an agent in a 'Final Solution' - the elimination of the Jewish people. He has called Israel a 'stinking corpse' that is 'on its way to annihilation." Yet, no one wants to hear the truth of the matter...

The tiny nation I speak of is Israel. Unfortunately, Iran is not the only nation who would like to see an end to the state of Israel where currently over 7 million (one more million than were killed in the Holocaust) Jews live now. I believe God himself gathered the diaspora (the dispersed Jews) back to the Holy Land. Yahweh will not let Israel be destroyed. I believe nations will come against her but she will cry out for her Messiah (who their ancestors crucified) and Yeshua will come and save her.

So, I watch our world with great interest because it does matter what is going on...and I don't want to be caught asleep at the wheel!

 http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?apage=1&cid=1222017359617&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

Watching the Debate: A Kid's Perspective

Asher came upstairs to show us his latest Lego creation while we were watching the debate. The screen was split showing both McCain and Obama. He sat down on the couch and started watching...I asked him, "Who do you think should win?"

He thought a moment and said, "McCain."

"Why?"

"Because he's older."

(You mean older CAN mean better to a child!)

I asked, "Is that because he's wiser?"

"Well, the older the clock, the better it runs."

I asked him where he heard that..."from a poetry book at the library."

Watching the Debate: A Kid's Perspective (Take Two!)

Asher is still sitting up here (reading a book!). He just said, "If they let Obama win it will be like letting the fox guard the chicken house."

He informed us he read that in a "sayings" book.

"I'm really into poetry," he commented.

Mr. Fix It

Our ice maker stopped working a few days ago and Dyron got to work trying to figure out the problem. He loves being a detective and seemed to have a fun time solving the mystery of the malfunctioning ice maker.

He figured it out, fixed the problem, and rejoiced at the sound of the first ice dropping into the bin!

How to make Daddy feel "all better!"

(D was home sick on Thursday and Friday.)

Red Neck Friday Night

Dyron and Randy decided to take the two boys camping in the "hidden valley." The "hidden valley" is a secret location in the middle of Maumelle! Before taking off on their adventure, we cooked out hot dogs and roasted marshmallows in our backyard.

Dyron, being a resourceful man, made us a chiminea by taking the legs off of our Weber grill and we had a nice, roaring campfire! The kids had a great time eating Smores and setting sticks (but not each other!) on fire.

Reasons my house is never completely clean!

1. I like to read.

2. I like to write.

3. I like to run.

Double Celebration

Asher was born on Aunt Martie's birthday so it's always a special time for our families. A double celebration born 20 years apart!

Happy Birthday to you both...

I knew it was out there!

"The Lolita Effect" by M. Gigi Durham, Ph.D

"In addition, almost all photographs in fashion and beauty publications and, increasingly, almost all video images of models are technical wonders of the digital age. The models themselves are pale shadows of their media images, which are airbrushed, edited, and altered so as to create flawless facsimiles of feminity. They are a far cry from the real world: according to the National Center for Health Statistics, the average American woman is about 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighs 163 pounds. The model - the adored ideal - is both a genetic anomaly and a fabrication of technology, constructing a physical type that is unattainable for almost all girls and women."

I'm only on page 101 but this book is packed with quality information and good insight for a mama of two young girls who are being taught "charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised." (Proverbs 31:30)

The book's main theme is "the media sexualization of young girls and what we can do about it." The theme also happens to be one of the many reasons Dyron and I are "letting the television" go in February. We don't own a digital ready television and don't plan on buying one.

Am I weird?

I was so excited when I found these prune snack packs at Kroger! My kids love prunes! They are the ultimate "I'm hungry, mama," guilt-free, full of nutrition, fill up their belly, and keep 'em regular snack food!

At the ballpark on Saturday, I pulled out a pack and the girls eyes lit up...I asked the other kids if they wanted one...their facial expression said it all.

NO WAY!

What is it anyway?

I guess we're just weird! 

My Talented Mother

Aren't these cute? My mom made the skirts and then sewed the decal (is that what it's called?) onto the shirt to match...

No school today...

Ate lunch with Daddy. Visited the Big Dam Bridge. Asher annoyed Lilli by shooting ice at her through a straw. We watched a barge go through the lock. (Isn't that what it's called?) We met another Eden (just a month old!). The kids threw rocks in the river (not from the bridge). We enjoyed the gorgeous, sunny day!

Grammy's Halloween Goodies are here!

Grammy always sends the kids a Halloween package. Asher and Lilli got some great stuff including a huge bag of neon gummy worms, an "Autospy Room" sign, and a skeleton pen. Eden woke up a little later and found a surprise...she loved her Halloween sticker book! She even wore her vampire teeth to the eye doctor today...to scare everybody!

D and I both got a new coffe mug...his with black cats and mine with a witch...hmmm...

I also got a wine glass handpainted with candy corn and a recipe printed on the bottom. Mix chardonnay and a splash of cream soda. Garnish with candy corn. Sounds interesting! I think I'll try it later!

Happy Halloween, Grammy!

Rodeo Time!

I took the girls to the State Fair Rodeo. They were all decked out in their horse shirts and skirts (thanks to Oma). Papa, Oma, Aunt Mandie, and cousins Levi and Stella joined us. The kids loved watching all of the exciting events. The girls liked seeing the rodeo queen contestants in their fancy hats and chaps!

After the rodeo, we went to the petting area and then to the goat barn. Eden wasn't afraid of any of the animals. She just walked up to all of the stalls and talked to the animals and gave them soft "pets."

Talk Radio

I am a talk-radio junkie.

Meet my liberal radio and my conservative radio.

Bigots? (You decide...)

"The two angels arrived at Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gateway of the city. When he saw them, he got up to meet them and bowed down with his face to the ground. "My lords," he said, "please turn aside to your servant's house. You can wash your feet and spend the night and then go on your way early in the morning." "No," they answered, "we will spend the night in the square." But he INSISTED SO STRONGLY they they did go with him and entered his house. He prepared a meal for them, baked bread without yeast, and they ate. Before they had gone to bed, ALL THE MEN FROM EVERY PART OF SODOM - both young and old - SURROUNDED THE HOUSE. They called to Lot, "Where are the men who came to you tonight? BRING THEM OUT to us so that we can have sex with them. Lot went outside to meet them and shut the door behind him and said,"No, my friends. Don't do this wicked thing. Look, I have two daughters who have never slept with a man. Let me bring them out to you, and you can do what you like with them. But don't do anything to these men, for they have come under the protection of my roof. "Get out of our way," they replied. And they said, "This fellow came here as an alien, and now he wants to play the judge! We'll treat you worse than them!" They kept bringing pressure on Lot and moved forward to BREAK DOWN THE DOOR. But the men inside reached out and pulled Lot back into the house and shut the door. Then they struck the men who were at the door of the house, young and old, with blindness so they could find the door. The two men said to Lot, "Do you have anyone else here - sons-in-laws, sons or daughters, or anyone else in the city who belongs to you? Get them out of here, because we are going to destroy this place."

Halloween 2008

I think I had more fun than the kids...

I loved watching Asher design and carve the pumpkin. (He's destined to be some sort of an artist.)

I helped everyone get dressed up. The girls were cats - Lil with ears and Eden with a mask (that she only wore on top of her head). I made them yarn tails earlier in the day (thanks for your help, Mandie!).

We headed over to (great) Grandmother's and Oma and Papa's...

Raisins from Grandmother. Jewelry from Oma! (Canteen for Asher.)

Back home...I took the girls for some early trick-or-treating. It was such a joy to watch Eden race for the doors - she is such a "go getter!" They had the best time! I laughed when I caught them "organizing" their candy! (Exactly what I used to do.)

Asher went trick-or-treating with Quintin. Then to the Community Center. Dressed as a spy (from the Pink Panther cartoons he's been watching lately!)

What a fun night!

Happy Halloween!

From The Jerusalem Post

"President-elect Barack Obama on Wednesday offered the job of White House chief of staff to Democratic Congressman Rahm Emanuel, who reportedly accepted the offer. Emanuel is the Chicago-born son of a former Israeli.

During the Gulf War in 1991, Emanuel came to Israel to serve as a civilian volunteer.

Emanuel was a senior advisor to Bill Cliton during his term in the White House and was first elected to Congress in 2002.

In October 2002 Emanuel differentiated himself from all other Democratic members of the Illinois Congressional delegation by supporting the joint resolution authorizing the war in Iraq.

Emanuel was named the Chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in 2005."

Isn't it interesting?

Obama's new chief of staff's last name is Rahm Emanuel.

Emanuel means "God is with us."

"One Flesh"

If you read the story of creation in Genesis then you know Yahweh Elohim created the earth, all of the animals, and man. He named the man "Adam" and gave him the job of naming all of the animals. God saw that Adam was "alone" and a "suitable helper" was needed for him. So, he caused Adam to fall into a "deep sleep" and God made a woman out of Adam. When Adam saw Eve, he said "this is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called 'woman,' for she was taken out of man." Genesis 2:24 goes on to say, "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become ONE FLESH."

This was the first marriage. It was extremely special because it was directly created and ordained by God. God in his infinite wisdom saw the need for a man to have a partner in life. He created the marriage to produce children. (Genesis 1:28) "God blessed them (Adam and Eve) and said to them, 'Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it.'"

The term "one flesh" is interesting. Adam and Eve were to become "one flesh." All men following Adam were to leave their family and "be united" to their wives and become "one flesh." The sexual union of man and woman is a holy union. A necessary union in marriage. It is the binding of two souls, hearts, and bodies together. It is a blessed union. With God at the heart of our marriages, our love will succeed and grow!

A union between a husband and wife should be unlike anything else. It is sacred! It is pleasing to our Creator. He blesses the children that result from man and woman being "one flesh." There is no other union appropriate for a life in service to our Heavenly Father. Union between a man and man or a woman and woman (in a sexual manner) don't equate to "one flesh." Just from a physical perspective...only a woman and a man "fit" together!

So, I will define marriage through Scripture. For those who don't believe in God or his Holy Word, marriage can't be defined. God created marriage. So, without God...how can a person understand it and its significance? I don't know if they can.

Luxury

My definition of luxury:

Eden is at Stella's house playing this morning. I have time to clean the kitchen, put on a load of clothes, and go for a run!

Bonus luxury: I get to go out to lunch with my husband!

Who needs diamonds???

Climbing Pinnacle

I initiated a family outing to Pinnacle Mountain on Saturday morning. It was such a beautiful Fall day and I always like to take advantage of cool weather to get outside and have an adventure! We were joined by Aunt Mandie, Levi, and Stella. Casey (a co-worker and friend of D's) and his son, Will, met us and made the climb with us.

Asher and Levi just took off with Aunt Mandie, Stella, and Lilli following closely behind... the rest of us walked up at a leisurely pace... Eden made it halfway up by herself and all the way down. The view of the changing leaves was definitely worth the trek to the top!

We ended our excursion with a late lunch of pizza...then headed over to Grandmother's house - she's been dealing with a fractured disc and need a little pick-me-up!

Camping

Our family spent a long weekend with some friends in the Ozarks. We rented a cabin by Sylamore Creek. The kids enjoyed the fresh air, hiking, fishing, a visit to Blanchard Springs Caverns, roasting marshmallows, sitting around the campfire, and just being with their friends! Friday was absolutely beautiful, Saturday was freezing, and Sunday was sunny and brisk! We had a great time "getting away from it all" and experiencing God's beautiful creation!

The Wonders of Nature

Shhh...don't tell anyone how beautiful Arkansas is...

Listening

I just got finished listening to a story on NPR about a family in Maine. They have a young daughter with cystic fibrosis. I remember reading a story about a little girl with this disease when I was about thirteen. The story was from the father's point of view...it told of the constant pain she was in and how it was so hard for him to see his daughter suffer. The story was a look into her brave spirit. I remember crying so hard my body shook because of the compassion and grief I felt for the girl and her dad. She died around the age of thirteen.

The story I just listened to said the treatment for cystic fibrosis has dramatically improved over the past twenty years. Now, the average life expectancy for someone with CF is 37! BUT, the medicines can cost $20,000 to $30,000 a year! (Not to mention the hospital stays and doctor visits!)

The story focused on a family (married couple with four children) who had a young daughter with the disease. He was a foreman in charge of a crew laying natural gas pipeline and had recently gotten a promotion and raise. This raise elevated his income to just above a qualifying income for Medicaid. He was baffled! The income wasn't enough to pay for the treatments, hospital visits, etc without Medicaid and his insurance only covered part of the cost. He talked to the agency and they suggested cutting down his work hours or getting a divorce (so his wife's part-time income could qualify for Medicaid).

The dad was breaking down in tears and I was too. What a government we have...Where has the common sense gone? Children should be cared for first! If they were born into this world with a disease, they should be helped. When an adult abuses their body (with smoking, over-eating, lack of exercise) and gets diabetes, heart disease, cancer, "back problems"...they should be last on "the list." COMMON SENSE!

I am heart-broken for this family. What a decision to be faced with...they love their child and just want to help control the ravages of her disease.

The government should reward for work! This dad appears to be trying his absolute best to provide for his family and he is given a slap in the face. It really makes my stomach turn...

But I can look forward to this day (talked about in Isaiah) and say a prayer of blessing for that family in Maine and suffering children everywhere...

Isaiah 35 "The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy. The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon, they will see the glory of the Lord, the splendor of our God. Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts, "Be strong, do not fear, your God will come, he will come with vengeance, with divine retribution he will come to save you. THEN WILL THE EYES OF THE BLIND BE OPENED AND THE EARS OF THE DEAF UNSTOPPED. THEN WILL THE LAME LEAP LIKE A DEER, AND THE MUTE TONGUE SHOUT FOR JOY. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert. The burning sand will become a pool, the thirsty ground bubbling springs. In the haunts where jackals once lay, grass and reeds and papyrus will grow. And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness. The unclean will not journey on it; it will be for those who walk in that Way; wicked fools will not go about on it. No lion will be there, nor will any ferocious beast get up on it; they will not be found there. But only the redeemed will walk there, and the ransomed of the Lord will return. THEY WILL ENTER ZION WITH SINGING; EVERLASTING JOY WILL CROWN THEIR HEADS. GLADNESS AND JOY WILL OVERTAKE THEM, AND SORROW AND SIGHING WILL FLEE AWAY!"

Speedy Smurf

Invitation to the Thirsty

Isaiah 55

"Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare."

How beautiful to read these words. The entire newspaper this morning was filled with tales of deeper national debt and more looming financial crises. If I had no hope, I would despair. I would worry. I would be depressed. But, I trust in Yahweh. I know he has a plan. I know he will care for me and my family. I know he will care for anyone who listens to Him!

I will bow my head in thanksgiving. Not only tomorrow. Not only at meals. But all throughout the day. Every day. Thank you God for all of the blessings I enjoy in my life. My health. My food. My home. My family. My knowledge of your plan for this earth. Please continue your blessings. I need your love.

I pray everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving!

Missing

I haven't really been missing. Just from the world wide web. Living life. Entertaining friends. Getting into the holiday season. Stressing over it all...

Now that I have a moment to relax I can reflect and realize it was hectic the past few days...but worth all the work!

Christmas Recital 2008

The kids' Christmas (piano) recital was on Saturday. It is always a fun event! I love listening to all the familiar Christmas songs. All of the songs are duets - usually with two pianists...but this year there was quite a variety! A flute, guitar, tambourine, and trumpet were some other instruments used to accompany the piano.

Asher played with Dyron and Lillian played with me. This was Lilli's first recital. She started crying in the Suburban on the way home from school Friday afternoon when she realized her recital was the next day! I assured her it was very normal to feel nervous about performing in front of people. I told her she was well-prepared and there was no reason to worry. She did great!

Asher was sitting beside me before he had to play his piece. Lilli and I had already performed our song - "Jolly Old St. Nicholas." He kept saying, "I think I'm going to be sick...I can't do this...I'm not going to play." (This is a normal occurrence at recitals with Asher.) I told him he would be awesome...and he was...little stinker!

There are many reasons...

a family portrait will not be on our Christmas card this year.

#1 Asher

#2 My hair and the pimples on my face

#3 Asher

(I don't know how Lil and Eden manage to look perfect in every shot!) Hope you all had better luck than me.

Dallas Half-Marathon

Mandie and I left for Dallas around 11 am on Friday. We had a pleasant trip. I drove while Mandie quilted. We talked. We sang. We laughed.

We took a small detour before getting to Dallas. We stopped in Plano to visit with our Uncle Charles. He is our dad's oldest brother. He lives on 40 acres with a 40-year-old house, a junkyard, a landing strip (yes, for an airplane), a donkey, several trailer homes (he rents these out), and some storage buildings...this might not seem out of the ordinary...until I tell you he is surrounded by perfectly planned communities of manicured lawns, beautiful homes, and quaint shopping and eating areas. Hilarious!

After visiting for an hour, we headed into the big city. Mandie's map didn't show us every street in town so we had to pull over and ask for directions...which included Mandie saying, "We're sitting in front of a huge building outlined in green lights." We couldn't stop giggling and finally reached our destination!

Scott, a friend from high school, took us out to dinner and then we met our roomies (Jacqueline and Julie) back at the Hyatt. Jacqueline and I were not ready to go to bed. We caught up over a couple of games of Bananagrams before we headed to sleep.

Saturday morning we checked in, got our race numbers, and walked around the expo for awhile before getting lunch. We spent the afternoon "resting" while watching a movie and then met another runner (Barbie) for a delicious, carb-loadin', Italian dinner at the senior-citizen, dinner-eatin' hour of 5 pm!

With my belly full of pasta and two Tylenol PM, I finally fell asleep around 10 pm while listening to the one-liners of a Will Ferrell movie.

Up at 6 am to get dressed, apply Body Glide, eat a banana and two small power-bars, drink a Starbucks expresso with cream and some water, and make sure my race number was pinned on appropriately.

We headed over to the race start around 7 am. (Love an 8 am start!) It was a little chilly out because of the wind gusts but I ended up starting the race with a short sleeve shirt and shorts. I stayed with the "girls" for about two miles and then fell back at my own pace. I had a few "pacers" I kept an eye on during the race. I walked more than I wanted to...not because of my legs but because of my feet...I felt like I was rubbing major blisters. I felt healthy and strong the entire 13.1 miles. I felt pure joy. I felt full of energy. I asked God for strength. I thanked him for strength. I talked to a few runners. I listened to a few runners conversations. I gave a high five to a little boy. I smiled at a lot of people.

This was my third and final half-marathon for 2008. My time of 2:34:35 was almost exactly in the middle of my first time (3:24) and my second time (2:42). So, I reached my goal for this particular race. I still feel like I have a 2:15 or better race in me. It just wasn't meant to be this time.

I enjoyed this race because of the different course, the girls' weekend, being with my sister, the mild temperature, the enthusiastic spectators...

I'm not done racing. The three I ran in this year all had their lessons. I hope to keep learning...so I'm not through running!

I'm a little behind...

I don't know what my problem is lately...

Yes, I do...

It's the holiday season.

2muchtodo2littletime.com should be my new blog.

Happy Holidays!

Ice Day

It wasn't exactly a snow day.

Asher had a terrific time sledding down the hill in front of our house. Lil and Eden ventured outside for awhile. Eden didn't heed my warning to "be careful because the sidewalk is slick" and fell down hard. Both the girls enjoyed eating ice.

Christmas Eve 2008

Everyone gathered at the Hamlin house for some hors d'oeuvres, champagne, and stocking gifts. We were also entertained by a short performance by the kids. They sang "We wish you a Merry Christmas" and "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" (with boys doing the back-up). Asher, Levi, and Lillian all played a Christmas song on the piano. Simple. Fun. Family!

Christmas 2008

A little more Christmas...

Trip to the Smokies

We left the day after Christmas and headed to Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Our trip was fairly uneventful until we exited from the highway and made our way through Sevierville and Pigeon Forge. Our patience at the end of our long journey was severely tested with 15 miles of bumper-to-bumper traffic through an endless "strip mall" of mini-golf, Ripley's "Believe It or Not" entertainment venues, and "All You Can Eat" restaurants.

We finally made it to our cabin in the woods and were greeted by Grandy and Grammy Hamlin! We ordered pizza in for dinner, exchanged gifts, and enjoyed each other's company before heading to bed for a good night's sleep after a long day's travel...

Gatlinburg (Day One)

Despite all of the "Branson-like" shops, venues, restaurants...the Hamlin family still found some fun in Gatlinburg. We headed out on Saturday morning to enjoy the Smoky National Park by going for a short hike. The beauty of the river was amazing! Asher enjoyed jumping from rock to rock risking life and limb. Lilli wanted to hike further than time allowed. And Eden entertained herself by jumping, climbing, and building with stones.

After trekking through the woods, we headed into town for a late lunch and then decided to take a ride up the ski lift to see additional views of the Smokies. We ended the day with a take-out pasta dinner, a Monopoly game, and some serious spade-playing.

Gatlinburg (Day Two)

We decided to check out the Gatlinburg Aquarium and we were not disappointed! All of the kids (and adults too!) were enthralled by the variety of fresh and salt water fish. We all loved the sharks!

After about a two-hour tour, we headed across the street to eat some Mexican food and then Asher and Lilli accompanied Grandy and Grammy to a "mirror maze" while D and I headed out to take a short driving tour of more of the Smoky National Park. Eden fell asleep (just as we planned) and then we headed back into town (about an hour later), picked up the "mirror- mazers", and headed back to our cabin for a hodge-podge dinner of leftovers, the "Sound of Music", and some more card playin'...

Goodbye to Gatlinburg

We enjoyed our three nights in Gatlinburg and were on the road again Monday morning heading for Austin. (The Jacksons couldn't make the trip to our house because of Will's new job.) We couldn't break the tradition of ringing in the new year together so we made the 1100 mile trek from the Smoky Mountains to the hill of Texas. Our journey was two days in the Suburban with a few scenic stops along the way. The kids are quickly becoming seasoned travelers and are generally pleasant as long as the occasional DVD is played...Lil and Eden enjoyed their new Barbie movie (the rest of us - not so much!) and Asher and I chuckled at Season 3 of "The Cosby Show."

We traveled until 9 pm our first night...traveling along the Natchez Trace Parkway after dark. It was an unexpected treat. We counted around 50 deer, only 5 cars, and a billion stars!

The second day of travel was almost agonizing at times...we just wanted to BE THERE! Asher passed some of the time by teasing the girls...he colored Strawberry Shortcake green and titled it "Booger Brain." The girls got back at him by stealing his pens and Calvin and Hobbes books. Finally, we were there... Seven states and 1700 miles later!

Happy New Year 2009!

We were so glad to be in Austin celebrating the end of 2008 and the beginning of 2009 with our friends, the Jacksons and the Bennetts! Asher and Savannah played and talked together like old friends. Lilli and Abigail had fun "trading" horses with each other. Colton continued his obsession of Eden...when she grew tired of playing with him Anne (his mama) suggested he play with Lilli and Abigail. He promptly told her, "I don't want to play with them. I want to play with Eden."

On New Year's Eve, Jacqueline prepared a delicious dinner of spaghetti. The kids played and watched some Scooby-Doo. After getting all of the kids to bed, the adults celebrated with some bubbly. It was a nice quiet evening shared with good friends.

Happy New Year! 

Heelies

Grammy got us ALL a pair of Heelies for Christmas. I asked her if she was trying to kill us...

Guess where Dyron is?

On Inauguration Day...2009

Romans 13:1-5 "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is NO AUTHORITY EXCEPT THAT WHICH GOD HAS ESTABLISHED. The authorities that exist have been ESTABLISHED BY GOD. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgement on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For HE IS GOD'S SERVANT to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. HE IS GOD'S SERVANT, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience."

I Timothy 2:1-6 "I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone- for kings and ALL THOSE IN AUTHORITY, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is ONE GOD and one mediator between God and men, the MAN CHRIST JESUS, who gave himself a ransom for all men- the testimony given in its proper time."

While the daddys are away the mamas will play!

Mandie treated us to a delicious dinner at our favorite local Mexican restaurant. Good times!

Help!

Dyron's fashion sense seems to be rubbing off on me...

My 36th Birthday

This is my first blog entry made on my new MacBook...given to me by my lovey-dovey, Dyron. My day was good. A reminder of the love that surrounds me and my duties as a mama. I got up, made breakfast for the kids, opened my gift (MacBook) and cards (from Asher, Lil, and Eden), and kissed Asher and Lil as they left for school.
I love what I do. I love running a home. Raising children. Sharing my life with a man I admire and love. I love the freedom and the imprisonment of being a stay-at-home mama...it's the greatest job on earth for me!
I love that at 36 years of age I am still a work in progress. I have learned a lot but still have a lot of learning to do...
It's exciting to me that I don't know the challenges that are around the bend. But, I know with the help of my God I will continue to grow into the woman I am destined to become...

It's always good...

to have a goal.
There is this monstrous hill near my house that I want to conquer! Right now, my goal is to just be able to walk up the hill three times in a row (with a half-mile run in between). Then I want to eventually be able to run up the hill at least once, then twice, then three times. I hope to progress fairly quickly... but it is sooooooo hard!
Wish me luck. Well, actually wish me strength and endurance!

My Grandmother's Art

My grandmother started taking art classes at the local senior citizen center in her 70's. I believe she started with ceramics and then moved on to oil painting. She has probably painted around 50 - 60 pictures. Some of her art comes out of her head - usually landscape scenes from her childhood... like the farm she grew up on, etc. Some of her art comes from pictures of flowers, landscapes, and animals. She is always giving away her art. These are a few of the pieces she has given me.

The We in Me

As President Obama addressed Congress and the nation last night, I was swimming with my family at the YMCA. I since have read the president's speech online...
In his speech, he talked about "hard choices" to be made to "bring our deficit down." He seemed to mean hard choices for the government and the citizens of the United States.
So, I reflect...
As a child, I was never taught to rely on the government. I was taught to rely on God. I was also taught the value of hard work. I have never looked to the government for anything. It is actually a foreign concept to me.
I believe in certain aspects of Social Security. I believe in certain aspects of welfare. I believe in certain aspects of Medicare, Medicaid, and WIC. I also read about and have witnessed the abuse of these systems. We all have...
I have a close friend, Dwight, who is blind. He receives a monthly check from the government. (It is minuscule in my opinion.) A few years ago he was living in subsidized housing. We would go pick Dwight up for church, go grocery shopping with him, and clean his apartment once in awhile. On one of these visits I was overwhelmed with all of the safety issues he faced by living there. Dwight would have had no idea if someone was waiting to sneak into his apartment. It really bothered me and I asked Dyron if we could offer Dwight a place to live... with us. He said, "Of course."
Some people tried to discourage me in this endeavor saying it would be "too hard" for me. (I had three small children. Eden was about six months old.) But, once he moved in I found quite the opposite. His company was a blessing! His interaction with the kids was a lesson only Dwight could teach them.
Dyron was traveling a lot at the time... and Dwight was the "monitor" I needed to keep my sanity! I knew there was always a set of ears listening and (I truly believe) this helped me make better parenting decisions. Just having another adult in the house helped me realize I wasn't alone. Dwight actually helped keep my stress level low!
My children gained so much knowledge from the experience of living with a disabled person (even though Dwight doesn't let his blindness keep him from reaching his goals). They learned to put others first and to always be ready to lend a helping hand for someone in need...
Dwight attended college while he lived with us and since has moved to continue his education. He still comes "home" for the summer and Christmas break. We talk on the phone with him about once a month and I email him a few times a month. He is truly a member of our family! We can't wait to celebrate at his graduation!
I guess the point of my post is... I feel the "we" in "me." I see the need. And, when I can I act on it. This should be everyone's attitude. I know many people who give a lot more of themselves than I ever will. Those people amaze me! I strive to be more like them. More giving. More self-less.
So, I don't believe government can solve America's problems. I believe in the individual. The "me" of America. I believe if each individual that can give... will give... America can continue to be a great nation. If we simply decide to sit back and let government take care of matters, America will fall apart.

"Snuggles" Research

I have been conducting informal research on "snuggles" for the past few years. The subjects of my study have been (and continue to be) my three children. One of my subjects is male and the other two are female. I have noticed slight differences in types of snuggling needed by the different sexes and by different ages.
Subject #1: Asher (now 9 years old) (male) (firstborn) has required a lot of snuggling from birth. He was probably conditioned (by me... first time mama) to need to be rocked or nursed to sleep. He also needed lots of holding (when tired) and he loved me (or Dyron or Oma or Grammy) to sing to him. When my belly got too big (from my 2nd pregnancy) for me to rock him... he required back tickles and more singing while falling asleep in his bed.
He has always been a "hugger" and a "kisser." He still can't walk out of the door or get out of the Suburban in the morning without giving me a kiss. He also wants a bedtime kiss every night! He spontaneously hugs me at least once a day... a good, tight, long squeeze of a hug!
I have determined he needs this physical touch from me and his daddy. He wants it. It seems to somehow confirm our love of him. I think he also wants to show his love for us through these interactions.

Subject #2: Lillian (now six years old) (female) was a "hands off" kind of baby. She fussed and fussed when going to sleep as a new infant until we (the dumb parents) finally realized she justed wanted to be put in her bed when she was tired. I don't remember her particularly enjoying being rocked. Some of her aversion may have simply been a result of her birth order... I simply didn't have the "one on one" time with her I had experienced with Asher.
She has always been a mama's girl until about the last year. This change partly resulted from her shying away from Dyron and him finally getting fed up with it and him telling her... "I don't care if you don't want my lovin'... I'm going to hug you and kiss you anyway!" She quickly gave up the fight and now she wants him to wake her up every morning and carry her down the stairs to get dressed!
Lilli is the snuggle queen around our house. She is so warm and soft we are always willing to lay down with her at night or for a nap!
When Lillian requests "snuggles" it usually is because of an emotional insecurity. She reaches out for our physical love when she is crying over something... she is the first of our children to cry as a reaction to an event like being told "no" or when getting in trouble.
So, I have determined Lilli reaches out for a physical connection with her parents when she is feeling emotionally insecure or upset about something. She also wants to confirm our bond with her. She wants to know we love her despite of her mistakes.

Subject #3: Eden (four) (female) also liked to be put in her bed to go to sleep. But, I had to get my Grandmother to help me make a sling for her because she didn't want to be put down when she was awake. I tried the swing, the bouncy seat, laying her on a blanket... nothing worked. She wanted to be held. All if the time! I prayed every time I cooked dinner with her in the sling... hoping I wouldn't accidentally burn her. Once she could sit up she was fine in her exersaucer or on a blanket on the floor. I rocked her but it was usually on one side of my lap because Lilli occupied the other side! She started sleeping in a "big girl" bed before she was two years old. When she was three, she started waking up a few nights a week and coming and getting in the bed with us. If we didn't wake up, she stayed until morning. Sometimes I would carry her back to her bed and she would be fine until morning.
Eden has always been our smiley baby. She was always happy until about 3 1/2... then she got a little attitude! She has always enjoyed kisses... from smooches to "the eskimo kind." She used to call me her "lovey-dovey."
She is fiercely independent but lately has been requesting more and more "snuggles." She usually wants her snuggle time to include reading a few books! If she gets in trouble (usually for throwing a fit), she tells me, "I just need some snugglin'. You haven't snuggled enough with me today."
She is extremely independent at home and in familiar settings but shows a bit of anxiety when presented with something new. She has been asking to go to school (since Lilli started in the Fall) and I've been preparing her for Pre-K next year. "You know I won't get to stay with you. I'll leave and come back," I tell her. "I know!" she says. It will be interesting to observe if her need for snuggle time increases or decreases with her start in Pre-K.
I guess I've determined Eden needs a physical connection with me. It comforts her. It reassures her. She hugs me, kisses me, sits with me, and snuggles with me and then she can go off and play by herself for an hour! And, then here she comes back for more!

So, what have I concluded from all of this informal research?

I have concluded that children crave physical touch from their parents. They feel love from a physical connection with their family. This physical comfort helps them through unfamiliar situations. It reassures them by showing them they have a parent (or parents) (or guardian) they can reach out and touch. It heals them. This is so important to their development. When children experience physical touch that is comforting, they grow up and are able to give that experience to someone they love. Isn't it wonderful how it all works?

Morning Paper with Daddy

Quote to live by...

"I don't give other people the power to offend me..."

-Rush Limbaugh

An interesting follow-up...

to my "snuggles" research.

I found this tidbit while reading an article on "Teen Sex: The Parent Factor. (Heritage.org)

Parent-Child Relationships. A third robust protective parental element is strong parent-child relationship.
Parent-child relationship quality or connectedness is often measured by the level of satisfaction teens and their parents experience in their relationships with one another; the amount of warmth, love, affection, and communication teens report receiving from their parents; and the level of parental involvement in their children's lives. In a thorough review of the research on family relationships and teen pregnancy risk published before 2000, Dr. Brent Miller and colleagues write: