Parental plans - foiled again!

Phillip has been wanting a guitar for a while. I think the blame for this lies with an overly inflated opinion of the coolness a certain friend's older brother (who happens to live in a trailer in his parents back yard -- very cool indeed). Oh, and Guitar Hero.

We really love the idea of Phillip doing anything musical. He's been taking piano lessons for 4 years? now and definitely has an aptitude for music. I tried to talk him into singing in the choir with me. I guess I'm not very cool. Oh well. At least he's interested in the guitar, not drums, right?

So to make sure he's serious about this guitar investment we decided it'd be good for him to work for it -- not to earn the money (he has about 5 grandparents who would love to buy him a guitar yesterday) -- but to put in some work anyway. He's over half way done with this "job" assignment.

Now, his school decided that the 6th grade is going to learn to play the guitar this semester. Today he got in the car with a big smile on his face and a little "learner" guitar on loan from the music teacher. I'm looking up "how to tune a guitar" on the web. Music world -- look out. Phil's rockin' the house!

Again, my issues with Facebook

Inside fun

It's raining cats and dogs today. No sending them out back and locking the door behind them (heh heh).

I love when they play nicely together in ways that don't involve anything electronic. It's a great encouragement to me to stay strong in the face of constant pressure! TV, movies, computers, video games -- who needs 'em?!?!

My issues with the octuplet mom

I've thought some about the octuplet mom situation, from time to time over the last week, when I've gotten a chance to have my own thoughts, here and there. I couldn't quite put my finger on what bugged me about her. There were obvious issues: in vitro, unmarried, welfare. But children are a gift from God, right? You all know how I'm a fan of big families. Do I have a double standard here?

I finally figured out what REALLY bothered me: this woman's obviously exaggerated affection for her own DNA.

If she ADOPTED 14 children I'd call her a hero. Of course, I'd still have problems with the lack of a father in the home and her need for public assistance. But, providing a family for 14 orphans would be highly admirable, selfless, and praiseworthy. Having a need to go to EXTREME measures to create biological offspring, not once or twice, but 14 times, is the height of narcissism.

I know adoption is not as easy as it sounds, but there's something seriously messed up in our society when a single woman decides that having eight babies implanted in her uterus is a better option than adopting any number of children.

Psa 68:5 Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation.

best laugh I've had in a long time...

I love Dave. I can't remember the last time I even thought of staying up to watch him, but this is hilarious:

I love this quote

When a Reformed child sits in church, there is nothing to do but listen or read because there is nothing to look at, and at home it is barely any different.

From a new biography of John Calvin, describing how:

Reformed Christians removed all else from their churches in order to direct attention only to the Word, and they cleared all else from their shelves to make room for books.

Taekwondo

The oldest two kids have been taking taekwondo for a couple of months. They're enjoying it, and it fits nicely in our schedule (the class is only a 1/2 hr. long and they're in the same class, so it's relatively easy to occupy the little ones for that short time period.)

Not sure if we'll continue with it after our 6 months are up. By comparison, Little League is a screaming good deal.




Here's Phillip and Sarah "sparing" ... sort of...

Large Families

...but here's a fun article on "large" families, in case you missed it:

And Baby Makes How Many?

“You get the feeling,” Ms. Francis added, “that anybody who has more than three kids is either doing it for bizarre reasons or there’s a medical anomaly.”

...As for the other pointed questions about large families, defenders have developed standard comebacks, lists of which circulate on the Internet.

How can you afford so many? “Lifestyles are expensive, not kids.”

Don’t you know what causes that? “Oh, yes, I now wash my husband’s underwear separately.”

Do you get any time for yourselves? “Obviously, or we wouldn’t have six kids.”

****BREAKING NEWS****

Just learned at Bible study of a new RCG baby coming along in the fall. Here's a hint...it will be baby #4 for this family. Any guesses???

my issues with facebook

is it just me, or does anyone else find this humorous?


Russell added you as a friend on Facebook.  We need to
confirm that you know Russell in order for you to be
friends on Facebook.

To confirm this friend request, follow the link below:
http://www.facebook.com/n/?reqs...

Thanks,
The Facebook Team

___

What she really wants for valentine's day

I love capitalism and all, but I'm really tired of the valentine's day themed ads this year.

"This year, give her what she really wants:" diamonds, teddy bears, flowers, pajamas, etc.

I'm sure it won't come as a surprise to most readers that our family does not celebrate this artificial greeting card and chocolate industry holiday. Again, we definitely wouldn't discourage anyone else from sharing love and friendship with others in any way they see fit. We're just trying to be consistent here.

I decided to make a list of what I'd really want...for valentines day...or any other day:

1. More love for God.
2. Children who love God.
3. Children who love eachother (a function of #2).
4. Delicious food with zero calories.
5. Good wine.
6. Time to read. Lots of time.
7. Good conversation.

Sorry, dear, but flowers and chocolates don't quite cut it for me.

This is a good dog

I think dogs are good for kids.
I think my kids have stronger immune systems because of Woody: