Good news and Bad news

The good news first, Drew is better today. Thank you for the prayers. Guess he was just worn out. He made it all day at school today and is outside shooting some hoops right now.

The bad news, my brother Mike was supposed to come on Thursday with Charlie and Alice for a long weekend. (Cara was going to stay home to work on some things without interuption) Mike sent me a text this afternoon that said H1N1. Ugh...he just called and ends up both Charlie and Alice have come down with the H1N1 flu. Charlie has been sick off and on for a week and Alice just woke up last night with a 103 fever. Mike is on his way to the Dr. to be sure he doesn't have it too, he hasn't felt great lately either. But they have had a lot going on so maybe he is just overtired. Please pray for their family. Pray the kiddos get better soon and don't get any worse. They are obviously not coming this weekend now, which is a bummer as we traditionally do the pumpkin patch with them this week every year. But it's best for everyone they stay put.

100 days until Baby Shisler

Realized today, thanks to Julie, that the countdown clicker is at 100 days. That means 100 days until we meet this little Baby kicking and squirming inside of me.

Of course baby could come earlier if need be, BUT the csection is scheduled for January 20th. 100 days from today. Woo hoo

It is an exciting time at our house. "Babies are always a good thing", Scott's words when I first told him we were expecting back in May and may I add babies are always a blessing!

Drew is home

I got a call from school this afternoon that Drew was not feeling well. I went and picked him up right away. He has been home this afternoon, sleeping much of it. I am just praying he is tired out from his trip to MN yesterday and not actually "Sick". Although there are so many bugs going around right now.

Please say a prayer for him that he would get the rest he needs and feel better SOON!

Throwback Jerseys

Classic comment of the day...

The big boys drove up to MN to go to the Twins/Yankees game tonight with my Dad. They got there a little early went to my parents house and were waiting to go to the Twins game. On TV they had on an NFL game where they had throwback jerseys on and my Mom states "I can't believe those jerseys still fit after all these years",..ummm Grandma they aren't really the SAME jerseys they just make them to look old. Tommy and Drew explained...

Love you Mom...and love your cute "blond" comments.

The Friday Ramble

I am in the mood to ramble after reading some other friends ramblings....

Scott is off to pick up Tommy from a birthday party. Hard to believe I want to be in bed before he is even back. Probably won't happen but I wouldn't mind crawling in right now.

Scott finished painting and staining the porch and deck tonight, the weather goes downhill, they say, starting tomorrow. So we had to get it done ASAP. Has been on the list of things to do for awhile but between summer heat and humidity, Scott's work travel, moving his office home, my nesting obsession, Ohio trips...today was the day it got done. And it looks great! Thanks my love. Another 2 years til this needs to occur again, and then I won't be pregnant so I can help!

Drew, Jack and I went to see the movie "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs" tonight while Scott was home working. It was cute...not great, but the boys enjoyed it and that's what counts right?!

On our way to the movie we walked by the exact car that we had growing up, a Buick Electra station wagon with wood panels. I had to take a picture with my phone. I was very excited. Drew asked if that was considered a nice car when we had it...hmmm interesting question. I replied with yes, most Mom's drove station wagons, not mini vans. He asked his question again...guess he doesn't think mini vans are so cool? I said that it was a cool car, of course when I was 16 and driving it I probably didn't think so. But it seated 8 of my friends at once, so THAT was cool. Sadly I totaled it in a wreck (NOT my fault I might add) and my Dad bought my brother and I a jeep Wagoneer and my Mom a Buick Park Avenue sedan so we didn't have it very long.

Another friend of mine is in Maui right now, and she is a photographer, and she posted this picture today. How I love Maui. This beach is very close to the beach where Scott and I honeymooned and celebrated our 10th anniversary.

I was driving today in the car and listening to my favorite Christian radio station when they reminded me of the following..."The bible states "Do not Fear" 366 times". I needed that reminder with all the H1N1 chaos going on right now. We have some decisions to make on that with our boys and probably more so with me and baby and vaccinations. So it was nice to hear that reminder directly from God.

When we got home tonight from the movie Scott had made some chocolate chip cookies. A wonderful thing to come home to...they were the refrigerated dough kind but tasted great regardless.

They say it may snow this weekend...crazy!

The Twins just lost to the Yankees in the 11th inning 4-3, bummer. They play on Sunday at the Metrodome, probably their last game ever in the Dome as they built a brand new stadium that will open for next season. Grandpa has offered tickets in the suite for the boys, they will not want to turn those down.

Monday morning Tommy gets his bottom braces on, big day! He will have a complete metal mouth after that. He looks great with braces, I think they are cute.

Tomorrow is Saturday, I LOVE Saturdays. Scott didn't go to the Ohio State game this weekend as stated earlier...so we will ALL get to watch the Buckeyes play together. Go Bucks!

Guess I can ramble longer than I even knew....kind of refreshing not to have to focus in on one subject!

mmm homemade apple pie

When Scott was in Ohio a few weeks ago his Mom sent home one of her famous apple pies, frozen for the ride. Today in the chilly fall weather I decided it was the perfect day to bake it...

I just ate my first piece and can I tell you she makes the best pies in this WORLD. I love my own Mom and I like her pies too, BUT the crust and thin apple slices of Letha's pies cannot be compared. Just cannot be beat NO way NO how. By ANYONE.

She sold a couple of her pies this last week at her church mission sale and one sold for $30- I would pay $50 easily for this pie. :) They are THAT good. And no, sorry, but I am not sharing with any of you no matter how good of friends you are....

Hot AC

Jack says "Mom turn on the hot air conditioning it is really COLD in here." He announced that tonight in the car. Cute :)

Just what I needed today...

Once again my daily devotion was just what I needed...

Younger, Cuter, Skinnier

7 Oct 2009

Melanie Chitwood

"For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)

While I waited in the carpool line to pick up my 10-year-old son Tyler, I watched the other moms coming and going with their kids. When Tyler got in the car, we talked about his day.

Abruptly changing subjects, I asked, "Tyler, do I look 46?"

He quickly answered, "No, mom, you look … 37."

I smiled, wondering how he came up with that number, but liking that it was much lower than my actual age.

I said, "Good answer!"

"Except for those wrinkles," he added as he studied my face.

"What?!"

"And …"

"Okay, we are finished with this conversation!"

As we drove back home, I wondered what prompted me to blurt out that question. Instantly, I knew the answer. While watching the other moms, I had started comparing myself. My comparison led me to think that the other moms were younger, cuter and skinnier.

Can you relate to these thoughts? We can fall into the comparison trap in an instant. For example, we flip through the pages of a magazine and compare our bodies to the images of skinny models. We go to a new Bible study and hesitate to speak up because we're sure the other women know more than we do.

Comparison usually leads us down a dangerous path of feeling insecure and "not enough," or else prideful and "better than." Neither path of thinking is one God wants us to take. God's Word tells us exactly what to do with faulty comparison thinking in 2 Corinthians 10:5, "We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ" (NIV).

What does this mean in practice? First, we have to become aware of our thoughts. Next, we clarify if our thoughts are God's truth or the enemy's lies. We can be sure that any condemning or prideful thoughts are not from God. Finally, when we recognize a thought which is a lie, we need to replace the lie with God's truth. The verse I memorized to combat the lies resulting from comparison is a personalized version of today's key verse in Ephesians 2:10: "For I am God's beautiful masterpiece. He has created me anew in Christ Jesus, so I can do the good things He planned for me long ago."

Take time today to ask God to reveal to you any lies you believe about yourself. Confess pride or insecurity, and ask God to fill you with His truthful perspective.

And don't ask your child how old you look!

Dear Lord, keep my mind centered on the truth of who You say I am. Don't let my thoughts be tossed all over the place by the lies of the enemy. I know I am not defined by my circumstances, what I see in the mirror, or even what other people say about me. Let me rest in Your confidence as I acknowledge who You say I am, a masterpiece, fearfully and wonderfully made.
In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Talking sports with Grandpa

It's cute...the Twins just won their division, and now get to play the Yankees in the playoffs. The tie breaker game tonight vs Detroit went to 12 innings and Tommy watched the last half of the game. Tommy was so excited...Dad was, of course, at the game...so Tommy couldn't WAIT to talk to him. We had to wait a bit until we thought he would be in his car to call him.

I love listening to Tommy talk sports to my Dad. It makes me smile. They talk about the plays, Tommy asks what Grandpa thinks of this and that, wants to know if there is a lot of traffic, if any of his friends were at the game with him....they strategize. It's sweet. A sweet relationship.