Politics: The root of all evil

There are many things in life that can lead you to an evil place.  From the day we enter this world each one of us has the God given choice to choose right or wrong.  As babies we are exempt from the choosing as we are too young to understand but as toddlers we know when we are not choosing to be good little boys or girls.  As the years go by we learn lessons to help us choose the right thing but more often than not we choose the wrong thing and suffer the consequences.  Sometimes in life right and wrong are obvious choices but sometimes right and wrong can be hard to decipher.  For example:  Some people might think drinking beer is a sin and is blatantly the wrong kind of behavior but others might think there is no harm in enjoying beer every now and then.  Some people may think Halloween is a pagan holiday and by partaking in the festivities you are worshiping Satan and therefore you have clearly made the wrong choice.  Although others may argue that Halloween is simply a day to dress up like your favorite super hero and enjoy getting lots of candy from your neighbors who love to see those dressed up little ones at the door yelling "trick or treat!"  Some people believe being a certain denomination is the "right" religion and all others are therefore "wrong".  Others may believe that loving Jesus is the only "right" religion no matter what denomination you choose and all others are "wrong."  Some people may believe that being gay is a choice and if chosen will lead you to hell.  Others may believe they were born gay and have no other choice because it is how God created them. Some people believe watching reality shows, rated R movies, or listening to secular music is wrong and yet others watch these things all the time and feel no conviction whatsoever.  Some people believe abortion is wrong and should never be allowed as a choice for anyone and others believe it is a woman's choice what she can do with her body. Some people blame President Bush for all the shortcomings of this world, while others point the finger to President Obama for every negativity to occur.  Some people believe republican is the "right" choice and others believe democrat is the "right" choice.  The list goes on and on and on. You could sit and debate about each side for years and years and years and yet most of the time either side will always agree to disagree.  We live in a world of extravagant differences and every day we see just how different we all are from each other.  Yet each one of us are special, important, cherished, respected and unique.  Our lives have made us who we are and only God can change us into the "right" image we are to be. 

Every day I hear arguing, I see judgment, I see pain and I feel sad.  This world is made up of a bunch of people who simply cannot agree to disagree.  Either side is always raging against the other.  The people who believe one way stay together and the people who believe the other way stay together.  Both sides scream and yell, throw tantrums, make fun of, pick on, bully and gossip about each other.  The funny thing is both sides think they are the righteous ones!  Seems like we have all retorted to toddlers who can't get along with one another, me included!  How do we expect to raise our children to act like adults when we ourselves are acting like kids!

Sometimes I find myself wondering, "What does Jesus choose?"  "What side would Jesus take?"  "Would he take any side at all?"  "Does Jesus agree with what I believe?"  One person is willing to spend their whole life believing one thing and another person who is just as worthy has the opposite belief.  Both think in the end the other will find out they were wrong and have to suffer the consequences.  Very interesting this world we live in with all the different opinions.  I hope to agree with God but I know that most of the time I don't. Sadly, I probably think I am.  Thankfully we can rest on God's grace knowing he forgives us our shortcomings and leads is into all truth.  It is comforting to know that in the battle of "right" and "wrong", Jesus always wins in the end no matter what we agree upon or disagree upon here on earth.

The next time I see someone post something on Facebook bullying one side or the other I will fight the urge to do the same and hope we can all just get along regardless of our personal beliefs.  

Every moment counts

What a week.  Life has been crazy these days.  I feel like I am constantly moving.  It is amazing how many things one person can do in one day.  I would hate to think what would happen if I just took a break and let everything go for a week.  CHAOS!  Just when I think I am ahead on the laundry....wham bam the mountain of clothes is back.  Just when I think I took out the garbage, wham bam garbage day was yesterday.  Just when I finish picking up the last toy, wham bam they are being poured out again.  Just when I think the floor is squeaky clean, wham bam the juice is spilled across the floor.  Just when I finish giving the kids a bath, wham bam puke all over the place.  Just when I think I can get some sleep, wham bam a crying baby.  Just when I think I get a day off, wham bam I forgot I have children!  A day in the life of a parent is wonderful, rewarding, funny, crazy, hectic and  lot of work!  The best and hardest job is being a parent and your first day on the job you realize there is no going back.  Thank God for the lessons I've learned, the unconditional love I have become to know and the selflessness I have gained from being a mom.  Only God could have designed such a miracle in life. 

Today my Grandpa fell while walking out of his back door and broke his hip.  Life is so fragile and we never know when something catastrophic can happen.  I am so thankful he is ok and was able to get to the hospital and have hip surgery on the same day of admission.  Amazing what doctors can do these days.  He went into surgery at 5:03 and was out of surgery at 5:50.  The doctor said everything went well and now he will just need some time to recover.  Hopefully he has a swift recovery and is feeling better soon.  I pray all works out the best it can.  Life is short we should be thankful for every single moment, even the ones that include doing laundry, cleaning spilled juice, picking up toys and staying up all night with a sick child.  Every moment counts!  

New things

I registered Riley for preschool last week.  Hard to believe my little man will be old enough for that.  Where did the time go?  He will start in September and will have to ride the bus.  So weird, I think I will be more nervous than him.  I think it will be a good preparation for kindergarten.  I was worried about the transportation, didn't know if it was going to work out but things always seem to work out somehow in the end.  It is hard these days when both parents work to get your kids to things like this. 

Austin is 10 months as of today.  He is doing a few more things.  I noticed he waves goodbye now.  He is such a delight.   He likes to cuddle with me a lot which I love.  There is nothing better than a cuddly baby.  His favorite baby food is hands down (fruit medley) and he loves to eat.  He is not too into baby toys, instead he prefers Riley toys.  Whatever Riley has Austin wants.  It is funny to watch.  I guess I should start planning for his 1st birthday party.  Riley's first birthday was Elmo themed.  I can't believe Austin will be 1 already.  What a great year it has been.  Praise God for giving me two of the best gifts I could ever receive.  It is not easy raising children but it is so worth it and I am thankful for them both. I think the best years of your life are spent with your kids.

First Snowfall and Christmas

Wisconsin is a great place to enjoy the beauty of every season.  Although winter can be long, cold and gray, I still look forward to it and always appreciate the beauty of the very first snowfall.  We had our first snowfall a couple weeks ago.  Riley was so excited to look out the window and see all that white snow!  He couldn't wait to get outside.  Jason and I took the kids out to play and we had fun too.  We had a snowball fight and I tried to make a snowman but failed.  Jason pulled Riley in the sled and Austin just crawled around in the snow with a smile.  I took some pictures of course.  now always makes Christmas better.

Christmastime
I love the decorations, I love the Christmas songs, I love the family time, I love the Christmas shopping, I love the opening of presents, I love the snow, I love the Christmas tree and I love the anticipation but most of all I love that Jesus was born on Christmas!  I am thankful for all that I have and above all the gift getting and gift giving Christmastime is about Jesus.

We made some good memories this year and soon it will be next year.

 

Thanksgiving, weddings and family updates

Haven't written in a while. Had a good Thanksgiving. Dressed the kids in their matching outfits and enjoyed some good food. We are so blessed to be surrounded by tons of family it is the best part of the holidays.

My cousin Noelle was married this past weekend on12/1/12. It was a combination wedding. What I mean is it was a Jewish/Lutheran wedding. It was really neat. Noelle's pastor from her church did part of it and Peter's Jewish pastor did part. I really enjoyed the ceremony. They got married just after sunset and they stomped on broken glass after they were married to celebrate their union.  Can't believe Noelle is all grown up and married now.  I have so many memories of Nick, Noelle, Kelly and I when we were growing up.  I remember our Door County vacations and the one year when we hit a deer on our way up North for vacation.  We had to stay in a run down old cabin which was not so nice.  We even saw a squirrel roaming around, how cute that was!  I remember sitting in the back of Pete and Julie's station wagon playing on our way to Door County no seatbelts on.  Now a days kids wear seatbelts until they are practically teenagers.  I remember the time we stayed at a hotel and I got a black eye from getting slammed in the face by the hotel door from Nick accidentally.  I remember birthday parties together, watching "The Peanut butter Solution", eating Kool-Aid and sugar , sledding at Grandma Weber's on Indian hill, dressing up at Aunt Betty's house(Noelle and I in dresses, Kelly as a baseball player), and many more fun memories.  Not only were we cousins but we were good friends.  It is hard to believe we are all grown up now.

Family updates:  Austin has 4 teeth now.  He just got his 2 front teeth in the last 2 weeks.  Breastfeeding is interesting these days.  He can clap his hands now which we just noticed about 3 days ago.  He can walk with a push toy now and he is talking more.  His new favorite words are dadadadada.  Riley says the darndest things.  He loves to be the center of attention and he loves making people laugh.  We have taught him a few jokes and he loves the reaction he gets from them.  "Does your face hurt."  you say "no" he says " well its killing me."  He had fun telling everyone that joke at Thanksgiving, everyone was laughing which of course just eggs him on more.

   

Journey Of Firsts

Austin is 8 months now.  He is such a happy, content, laid back and easy going baby.  He is not much of a talker like Riley was at his age he is a quite the little mover and shaker.  He is very curious about everything.  He loves to try and stand by pulling himself up on anything and everything he gets his hands on.  He loves to play with all of Riley's toys, especially the ones he is not supposed to have.  He tries so hard to walk but hasn't quite figured out how to do that yet.  I think he will be an early walker.  Riley took his first steps at 10 months.  His first words were mama as Riley's first words were dada.  He has 2 teeth on the bottom middle which he got at 7 months old- Riley's first teeth were in the same spot at 4 months old.  He is a wonderful sleeper and sleeps through the night on a regular basis.  He has been a good sleeper from day one, Riley was a good sleeper too as a baby but didn't start sleeping through the night until at least 4 months old. 

Riley is a wonderful big brother.  He is always saying how he loves his little brother and loves talking and playing with him.  When we first brought Austin home, Riley asked "Is he big enough to play cars with me?"  Austin is already after Riley's cars every chance he gets and now Riley asks "Can you tell Austin to stop drooling on my cars?"  Kind of funny.  These days Riley's favorite things to do are:  Playing basketball, going to the park, going fishing with daddy, playing Wii video games and of course playing on the "little computer" AKA my iPod.  Riley is at such a fun age we enjoy just hanging out with him.  He is quite the conversationalist and is a very social little boy. 

The holidays are already upon us and it is a reminder of how fast time is going.  I thought Riley's first year went fast but Austin's first year seems to be going even faster.  Life is so busy that sometimes we forget to stop and appreciate all the wonderful things going on in life.  It is ironic how your first child is born and you just can't wait for them to grow up.  You celebrate every milestone.  You can't wait for their very first word, their first smile or laugh and of course their first few steps.  With every new first you are looking ahead to the next.  Before you know it you are pregnant again and your baby is now about to become a big brother.  For me, with my second child I find myself holding on to every new first as if it could be my last.  I have been through this once and as exciting as it is to experience every new baby milestone it is a reminder each one will fade away with time and I will miss and long for those precious firsts that I can no longer get back.  The good news is their will be a lifetime of firsts throughout our lives and we can always look forward to more precious memories yet to be made.  Life is a journey of firsts and the precious moments we have already experienced will always stay with us. 

Happy Halloween!

Austin's first Halloween and Riley's first Halloween that he really had fun trick or treating!  Riley was a pirate and Austin was a parrot!  Riley was so thrilled that every time he went to a new house he got more candy.  Now we have a bag full of candy that I keep eating and trying to limit the amount that Riley keeps eating.  Jason wore an eye patch, an earing, and a red bandana to join in in the Halloween spirit too!  I wore a winter jacket for my costume!=)
New things happening in our lives....Austin can sit up on his own, he can pull himself up on his own and is trying so very hard to walk.  He is into everything!  Riley is his active little self and Lightning McQueen is still the love of his life.  He helped dad carve a pumpkin this year with Lightning McQueen on it.  I am having tons of fun dressing Riley and Austin up in matching outfits and taking pictures.  I just cant help myself!  Jason is out deer hunting with the time he has been getting off of work, hopefully he shoots a big one!