I Love Stuff

Way back before the house actually became ours, something dangerous started happening in me. It was subtle at the time and just seemed like a fun thing to occupy my time with, but now I can see it in all its ugliness. Oh yes, my friends, I have that dreadful disease of the soul called "wanteritis." Maybe you're familiar with this sin-sickness. It creeps in when you're just minding your own business, checking out the latest "Pottery Barn" catalog and then "WHAM" it slaps you upside the head. Suddenly you are overcome with a sense of urgency to purchase/buy/get! You can think of nothing else but the dresser/picture frame/lamps/really-really-cute-purple-and-white-polkadot-curtains-for-your-girl's-room that you want, no wait-need to buy.

This week as we're getting much closer to moving in, my wanteritis has been almost overwhelming (and the new PB for Kids just came today...go figure). And so...off to God's Word and "The Treasure Principle" by Randy Alcorn to help me repent! Here's what has helped me today to reorient my thinking:

The earth is the LORD's and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. Psalm 24:1

"The silver is mine and the gold is mine" declares the LORD Almighty. Haggai 2:8

"If God was the owner, I was the manager. I needed to adopt a steward's mentality toward the assets He had entrusted-not given-to me.

Whenever we think like owners, it's a red flag. We should be thinking like stewards, investment managers, always looking for the best place to invest the Owner's money. At the end of our term of service we'll undergo a job performance evaluation: 'For we will all stand before God's judgment seat...So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God' (Romans 14:10, 12)."

- excerpts from Randy Alcorn, "The Treasure Principle" pg. 25-27

This house is not our house, it is God's house. Everything under heaven is the Lord's, not Katie's. All the silver and the gold is the Lord's, not mine. I want to manage His money with eternity in mind. Lord, help me!

p.s.-You've got to admit that those curtains are cute. :)

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Oops

Oops. The author's name is Ann, not Amy.

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Sacrificing Time

I'm not sure if there's ever been a time that I've read the Holy Experience blog and not started crying at one point or another along a post. And folks, I'm not that big of a crier. Her words just ring so true to my heart again and again.

As a mom who struggles to fight selfishness, especially in regards to what I deem as "my time," Amy's post today was just what I needed to hear. If you're a mom who knows that fight to give of yourself rather than holding back, I encourage you to read it. It's worth the time.

Let's be moms who "pluck" today.

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Some Tali-isms

Ok, friends. So Tali has been absolutely cracking us up lately. I thought you might enjoy hearing some of her humorous comments.

Oh, Mama! I'm all ticky! Dust yike da pid!!!
(And so her love for "If You Give A Pig A Pancake" continues...)
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(Imagine this: it's 9:30pm and Tali is 2 hours past bedtime. She's in a white onesie and her hair looks like she stuck her finger in a light-socket. We arrive at the place we're staying for vacation and I start marvelling at what a blessing the place is. Before I know it, I see Tali running all around touching everything, saying emphatically...)
Oh my dud-ness dway-sus! Whud a bess-een! Whud a bess-een! A towch! Whud a bess-een! A tare! Whud a bess-een!
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Doe-nus. Doe-nus. I NEEEEED it!
(And she doesn't really even like donuts to be honest.)
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I WANT FINCH-FYES! I want finch-fyes! I need finch-fyes!
(Wow, I wonder where she got this phrase?!)
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(We've got a picture album of photos from when Tali was first born and I've talked with her a bit about how excited we were to have her. This is her re-telling of the story. I wish I had been up for a date right after giving birth...)
Tahee yiddle teeny baby in hop-i-tal. Mommy say, "Oh wud a bue-a-ful baby!" Mommy tuts huh. Tahee seep on Mama's test. Daddy say, "Oh wud a bue-a-ful baby!" Papa Red an Drahma tum. Mommy Daddy doe on uh date.
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(And my personal favorite:)
Oh Mommy! Dod mate suts a bue-a-ful day!

You've got to agree, this child is a lot of fun.

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Door County Pictures

We are back from Door County and are so grateful to the Lord for the awesome time that we had! It was so wonderful to be there together as a family. Here are a couple of pics from our trip. More to come...

Sitting outside of the "Silly Goose"

Holding hands on a walk with Daddy

Owey and his friend, Bredon

Tali & her friend, Lilie

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Leaving for Door County

Our first trip to Door County: I was pregnant w/Tali

Last summer when we went to Door County: Tali was changing so much and I was pregnant with Owen


Tomorrow when we leave for Door County: I get to spend the week with a husband I love and my two favorite kids in the whole world! What could be better?

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Tali's Version of the Story

One of Tali's favorite books right now is "If You Give a Pig a Pancake." I caught her "reading" the book to herself yesterday. Here's what she said:

"Ta pid a pan-tate. Tee wan tum suh-rup go wit you. Soooo...you pan-tate a you an a tam-era an all tickee! Pah-bee all tickee!"

(The pig a pancake. She wants some syrup go with you. So, you pancake and you and a camera and all sticky! Probably all sticky!)

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Best Friends

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