Getting Settled In..

Well, Illinois is finally beginning to feel like home. We are making so many wonderful memories here. We couldn't be happier with our church or the girls' school.


The first picture is of the special Friday snack I made for Carlie's class. She is loving school, and this particular week they were learning about the post office (Community Helpers). So I made "delicious letters" for all her classmates. You may not be able to
see the stamp, but it is actually a picture of Carlie. She was so surprised!



Some of you know that I've been exercising lately. So I decided to get ambitious and walk to Carlie's school and pick her up the other day. The weather was absolutely gorgeous and has been for several weeks...so I figured "Why not?". Here is the path we travel on. It is about a mile. It is so beautiful...the trees, the white fence, the fresh air, etc. The path comes up to the back of our house, and alongside is a ranch with horses. We have done it several days now. I feel like we have been transported back in time...when life happened at a slower pace, and people "lived in the moment." The girls are so much faster than me. They love to run ahead of me.





































The picture on the right is Carlie and Mollie having a puppet show. I decided to spice up Bible Hour at our church and constructed a puppet stage out of PVC pipe. The church already had the puppets. Travis will be playing the part of "Grandpa Jones." So appropriate don't you think. He knows everything about the Bible...supposedly. LOL I can't wait to see how the children react.

The final picture is of the foyer at First Baptist. I took a picture of it, because a similar structure is in the blueprints for Southern Hills Church of Christ back in Abilene. I had never seen such a huge playground inside a church until the elders showed us the blueprints during the Transforming Community night. All of us with children were excited to see it, and hoped it would happen at Southern Hills. Well anyway, First Baptist actually has one...and boy, it is AWESOME! All the families with young children congregate here. Moms talking...kids playing. It truly does help facilitate community. I wish Southern Hills would go ahead and break ground and begin bringing their vision to life.

FALLing in Love with Jesus

Enjoy the pumpkin patch pictures from 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007. 2008 will be coming out soon...featuring our newest Lil' Pumpkin, Ellie Grace. :)


I was getting out some fall decorations and came across this. The first is a poem I love to print on card stock and pass out to either trick or treaters at my door or at the church's Trunk or Treat. The second is an activity I love to do after visiting a local pumpkin patch.


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Pumpkins

Once a friend was asked what it was like to be a Christian. Halloween was coming soon, and she thought of how to explain it.
Here was her response:
“Well, God picks you from the patch and brings you in and washes all the dirt on the outside that you got from being around all the other pumpkins. Then He cuts off the top and rakes all the yucky stuff out from inside. He removes all those seeds of doubt, hate, greed, etc. Then He carves you a new smiling face and puts His light inside of you to shine for all to see. It is our choice to either stay outside and rot on the vine or come inside and be something new and bright.

Then you can add you own information here...such as
Fairview Heights Church of Christ desires to help place God’s light in your child’s heart. Come and experience it for yourself!

Sunday Worship beginning at 9:30 a.m.
9955 Bunkum Rd.
Fairview Heights, IL 62208
618-397-1659
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I have a story by Liz Curtis Higgs, called The Pumpkin Parable. GREAT for little ones! My favorite thing to do is have a play date with girlfriends and everyone bring a pumpkin. First we read the story, then I have cards with the "Pumpkin Prayer" already made up for each family. We read the cards as we carve our pumpkins. It is wonderful getting away from the idea of Halloween having to be scary and instead choosing to focus on God's love. It is always a BIG HIT with my girls. I also like to have pumpkin cookies or some kind of fall snack for everyone to enjoy.

"Pumpkin Prayer"{cut off top of pumpkin} Lord, open my mind so I can learn new things about you. {remove innards} Remove the things in my life that don’t please you. Forgive the wrong things I do and help me to forgive others.{cut open eyes} Open my eyes to see the beauty you’ve made in the world around me. {cut out nose} I’m sorry for the times I’ve turned my nose at the good food you provide.{cut out mouth} Let everything I say please You.{light the candle} Lord, help me show your light to others through the things I do. Amen
By: Liz Curtis Higgs

What are some of your fall traditions?

Ramsey's Bailout Proposal

Since we now live in Illinois, I contacted my Senator, Senator Obama, and requested he consider Dave Ramsey's proposal. I, personally, claim no expertises in understanding the underlying issues involved with the present economic crisis. I also understand from watching the news that MOST of our representatives feel we are not educated enough to understand what has happened...because if we did we would adamantly support their $700 billion dollar plan. WHATEVER...All I know is that Dave Ramsey has changed the course of our lives, and has been the only voice that cared enough to explain financial concepts to me in a way I could understand...a way the average American could understand. So with that, I trust his proposal vs. all the double talk going on in the Senate and House of Representatives. I would urge you to contact your Senator or Representative...and make your voice known.

Dear Senator Obama,

I know there are a lot of plans being offered at this time to help relieve the economic crisis. This is the plan I'm supporting. It is given by Dave Ramsey, a man I highly respect. Due to the Financial Peace University course he teaches, our family is completely debt free today. We are the middle class you are always saying you want to help. Dave helped to make financial concepts easy for the average American to understand through his course. We have full funded our IRAs for the last 7 years and made many sacrifices to be debt free...when neighbors and friends were living way outside their means.
I'm outraged by the events leading up to this, but prepared because we have long been saving for a rainy day such as today.
Sincerely,
Dorothy Walters

The plan is as follows:
Years of bad decisions and stupid mistakes have created an economic nightmare in this country, but $700 billion in new debt is not the answer. As a tax-paying American citizen, I will not support any congressperson who votes to implement such a policy. Instead, I submit the following three steps:
Common Sense Plan.
I. INSURANCE
A. Insure the subprime bonds/mortgages with an underlying FHA-type insurance. Government-insured and backed loans would have an instant market all over the world, creating immediate and needed liquidity.
B. In order for a company to accept the government-backed insurance, they must do two things:
1. Rewrite any mortgage that is more than three months delinquent to a 6% fixed-rate mortgage. a. Roll all back payments with no late fees or legal costs into the balance. This brings homeowners current and allows them a chance to keep their homes. b. Cancel all prepayment penalties to encourage refinancing or the sale of the property to pay off the bad loan. In the event of foreclosure or short sale, the borrower will not be held liable for any deficit balance. FHA does this now, and that encourages mortgage companies to go the extra mile whileworking with the borrower—again limiting foreclosures and ruined lives.
2. Cancel ALL golden parachutes of EXISTING and FUTURE CEOs and executive team members as long as the company holds these government-insured bonds/mortgages. This keeps underperforming executives from being paid when they don’t do their jobs.
C. This backstop will cost less than $50 billion—a small fraction of the current proposal.

II. MARK TO MARKET
A. Remove mark to market accounting rules for two years on only subprime Tier III bonds/mortgages. This keeps companies from being forced to artificially mark down bonds/mortgages below the value of the underlying mortgages and real estate.
B. This move creates patience in the market and has an immediate stabilizing effect on failing and ailing banks—and it costs the taxpayer nothing.

III. CAPITAL GAINS TAX
A. Remove the capital gains tax completely. Investors will flood the real estate and stock market in search of tax-free profits, creating tremendous—and immediate—liquidity in the markets. Again, this costs the taxpayer nothing.
B. This move will be seen as a lightning rod politically because many will say it is helping the rich. The truth is the rich will benefit, but it will be their money that stimulates the economy. This will enable all Americans to have more stable jobs and retirement investments that go up instead of down. This is not a time for envy, and it’s not a time for politics. It’s time for all of us, as Americans, tostand up, speak out, and fix this mess.

FYI...

Read below, before clicking on links.

http://www.daveramsey.com/tdrs/index.cfm/2008/9/18/Patriotism-Biden-style#comments

http://education.yahoo.com/reference/dictionary/entry/communism

The comment Dave made about communism is not an insult, it is just a fact. The definition of communism from dictionary.com: "A system of government in which the state plans and controls the economy and a single, often authoritarian party holds power, claiming to make progress toward a higher social order in which all goods are equally shared by the people."
# Posted by Carolyn 9/19/08 4:29 PM

I found this extremely interesting while visiting Dave Ramsey's website. As most of you know, Financial Peace University literally changed the course of our lives. We are now debt free, having sold our home in Abilene, and are actively saving for our girls' education and to hopefully pay for a home in cash one day. Thanks to the Baby Steps Dave recommends.
With all the talk of bailout and the recent decision to NOT pass the current proposed plan to the tune of $700 billion dollars, I was interested to hear what Dave had to say. I have a huge amount of respect for him, and wondered how he felt about the plan our government was proposing. Mind you, he often tells people to make the hard decisions such as (LIVE like no one else, so you can LIVE like no one else) Essentially, make the sacrifices TODAY to stay out of debt so that one day you will have the money to purchase the things you desire and have worked hard for.

You can listen to his broadcast on specifics for the bailout plan via his website. However, in one of Dave's radio broadcast he calls Joe Biden a communist...which you can read by the comments upset a lot of people...Dave of course referencing Biden's comment to tax the wealthy to give to the poor. Dave was surprised that Obama/Biden just plainly put it out there...the wealthy should be taxed more or as Biden said be "more patriotic." Interestingly, if you read the definition for communism, it does seem as if our government (or those hoping to be elected) is wanting to completely control the economy...and put everyone on an equal playing field...take from the rich and give to the poor as to make things more balanced.
In the past I have always voted for less government control. I find the government to be already involved with more things then it should. So to hear the term "communist" concerned me, especially in connection with a candidate that is seeking to be elected. So I did some research on communism and studied their ideology...a desire to have a "classless society" and do away with capitalism. Interesting...
Then below they (Wikipedia Encyclopedia) had an article that read, "Christian communism"...so of course I was interested, and it referenced the verse where it talks about the early church, "...all the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need." Acts 2:44-45
So my heart wonders...Should we all be equal? Does the person described as "lazy" be given a free ride, and the rich person punished for his success? Should the government even be involved? Yes, people struggle...but should the government be the ones writing the checks. Or shall we as a body of believers seek out those in need and help them personally? Would we, if given the opportunity? Do we need to be taxed in order to be benevolent? It would appear, we need regulation to stop us from buying homes way out of our price range.
I'm not pushing any particular political candidate. The jury is still out...However, I wish I knew what the best course of action is for our country. I wish God would give us a clear path to follow...or has he already and we don't like His answer? I feel like I am American to my very core. In fact, my relatives can be traced back to the American Revolution on both sides. But is it getting to the point where "American" and "Christian" are further and further apart?
Just a side note: When Obama mentioned his father being from Kenya during the first debate, I thought of the many mission trips ACU has done in Kenya. I wondered if perhaps a missionary came across Obama's father's path and gave him the hope of coming to America. I think of the many Madgascar students that attend ACU and are going to church at Southern Hills. We never know whose future we might influence.

Homecoming!!!!

Give me your opinion...

My 10 year college reunion is happening Oct 24th-26th at Abilene Christian University. I'm considering buy tickets to fly down to Abilene to be there and bringing Ellie with me.

Here are the pros and cons...

PROs:
1. I would get to attend my class reunion and other Homecoming events such as the parade, the football game, Gata breakfast, etc.
2. I would have Ellie with me so Travis wouldn't be so overwhelmed.
3. I would get to see many precious friends I have missed since moving from Abilene, Texas to O'Fallon, Illinois (college friends, MOPS girlfriends, MOPS Mentors, church friends, etc.)
4. I would get to attend church there at Southern Hills.
5. I could show Ellie off to my friends.
6. It would be like a mini vacation since we didn't take one this summer...due to the move, pregnancy, etc.
7. Travis will be extremely busy before and after the trip with work...putting most of the burden of taking care of the children and our home on me. Taking a break and going to Abilene would be something to look forward to.

CONs:
1. The ticket to Abilene costs as of right now, $250, and I wouldn't have transportation once in Abilene. Would I do better to save that money and use it for other things?
2. I'm still exhausted because Ellie continues to wake up two times during the night. Would I be refreshed after the trip or even more exhausted.
3. It would mean leaving Travis, Carlie, and Mollie at home...way too expensive for us all to go.
4. Just the hassle of getting me to the airport, layovers, timing everything right...is something to consider.

Fun Times...

I just wanted to post some really cute pictures from our visit to Chicago. My mother had already planned to fly out and drive with me this weekend to visit Marcella, my sister...before Hurricane Ike. So I was thankful Houston/Hobby Airport was up and running Friday night.

It was actually not too bad of a drive...from here, we drove 4 1/2 hours north to Hindsdale, Ill. (a suburb of Chicago). Carlie and Mollie loved seeing their cousins again, and of course Baby Ellie was the star attraction.

My sister has a beautiful home and is so talented. She really is amazing! Her and her husband, Jeff, have incredible taste...and did most of the contracting/designing themselves. The weather was absolutely perfect and the kids enjoyed playing together so much. My favorite part was eating outside in the evenings and just relaxing as we watched the children play. My prayer is that Marcella and I will become closer now that we live in O'Fallon, Illinois. It has always seemed so hard to get our families together before...the cost of plane tickets, crazy schedules, etc. We always did the family trip to Galveston, but our family missed it this year because of the move and having Ellie.

Carlie was fast and furious on Emma's scooter. Then I captured this cute shot of Mollie throwing me the ball. Below is a picture of Mammy with Ellie.

Ellie continues to be such a joy. She now coos more than ever and I love to see her smile.

She actually knows the sound the letter "A" makes. She is GIFTED. LOL Just ask her and she will say "Ahhh." Carlie and I taught her that trick.

Inspiration from the book "Captivating"

I've started a new book study with some girlfriends from church and here are some quotes that inspired me from chapter 1. The book is called Captivating: Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman's Soul by John and Stasi Eldredge.




"Then the time came when the risk it took...To remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom."-- Anais Nia





Depending upon your state of mind, this quote could mean a lot of different things to you. For me, in this particular season of my life, I feel like it is encouraging me to be REAL with others, vulnerable...willing to show who I really am...being willing to take a risk and truly blossom.


pg. 12 "...In our heart of hearts, that place where we are most ourselves, we don't want to run away for very long."


Again, you could think of many things this quote could relate to, but for me...HOME is where I long to be. Of course, there are times when I can't wait to get away from the laundry and housework...but if I'm gone too long from my home and precious husband and children...my heart is eager to hurry and get back.


pg. 18 "Women don't fear a man's strength if he is a good man. In fact, passivity might make a man "safe", but it has done untold damage to women in the long run...example: Adam and Eve. His strength allows her feminine heart to flourish. His pursuit draws out her beauty. And a man in the presence of a real woman loves being a man. Her beauty arouses him to play the man. It draws out his strength. She inspires him to be a hero."


This is special to me because I think of my three precious girls. They are always wanting to "marry" Travis or calling him their prince. And rightly so...For in their eyes and mine, HE is our HERO. He is the one we look toward to keep us safe. He is the one who provides for us...the necessities and the comforts...our knight in shiny armor.


I learned an important lesson from watching my girls. As they would talk to him this way, it was almost as if, Travis rose to the occasion. He became what they dreamed of in a father.