Babies Galore!

So... I am finally getting back in the saddle again and into the whole "social networking" loop!  Yay me :-)

In the past few weeks I've been everything from overwhelmed to joyful and back to overwhelmed again.  It's surely a roller coaster with 2 in diapers, but they are such a joy at the same time!

Judah is growing so so so so fast!!!  He is talking constantly and speaking in sentences most of the time.  Now, it does often take an interpreter to understand him, but MOM knows what he's saying! 

Claire had her 2 month check up and weighs almost 12 lbs already!  How quickly they grow.  She is 22.1 inches long. 

Here are some really cute pictures...

This is Judah learning to eat yogurt with a spoon... notice there are no clothes on him!


















This is Claire at bedtime smiling away.  She literally smiles all the time when she's awake...





















And when she's asleep!!

And here is Judah playing his drums in his fireman's hat that Daddy brought home for him!  So sweet!

Arrival of the "Claire Bear"

I know it has taken me forever and a day to update this blog.  That being said, I've been a wee bit busy having babies and all!  :-)

Claire

Our newest arrival (Claire Elizabeth Coop) arrived on June 21, 2010 after 36 hours of labor!  She couldn't quite decide if she wanted to make her grand appearance, but we're so glad she did!!!

Some things about Claire that make her even more special than usual are:

• She slept almost through the night the first night we brought her home from the hospital!

• She now sleeps about 5 hours at night which is still amazing for a baby that is not even one month old yet!! 
• She started smiling (and I mean SMILING) at about 4 days old. 
• She, like her brother Judah, holds her head up with no trouble and has since before she left the hospital!  This particularly amazed her "Papaw Bryan" the most.  
• She can sleep through Judah's daily drum performances!!  That takes real talent!

She was 7lbs at birth and weighed in at 8lbs 6oz just a bit over a week ago.  She is also almost 21 inches long already.  She reminds me of the "Dunn" side of the family, where Micah looks just like his Daddy.  

Judah

In the latest Judah news, he did receive an adult-size drum set over the 4th of July holiday.  This is, of course, his new favorite toy.
His new vocabulary words are as follows: (I will try not to leave any out)
- Get Yo Dubby (which means he wants to poke your belly button... don't ask~)
- I love you (my personal favorite)
- Peek-a-boo (which comes out sounding like "pizza dude") It makes me laugh uncontrollably
- Butterfly (which sounds like "bud-eye")
- Drum (of course!)
- Piano
- Radio
- Nose
- Please and Thank you before and after every gift received :-)
- Up please and Down please
- Some of his "aunties" taught him how to say "moco" which is spanish for "booger" - mom was not pleased... but it's really funny, too.
- Duckie and "quack quack"
- Einstein (which means he wants to watch one of his videos)
- Banana (which sounds like bada)
- Brush
- Book
- Diaper and "wipey"
- "no no Bishop" (this is what he says when scolding  the dogs)
- "Don't touch it" (which is what he says when he sees something that's off limits - as he reaches for it... ha ha!)
- "Uh oh dropped it!" (when he throws food from his tray to give to the dogs and then he yells at them for eating it... so funny)
- Lion and "raaawwwrr"
- Claire (which, for some reason he HAS to say with his lips pursed and a smirk on his face... I have no clue why, but again, it's so incredibly cute!!!)


These are just to name a FEW.  He talks day and night and is like a little parrot!  I love it :-)

He is such an amazing kid, that's for sure.  The adjustment to having a baby sister has been a bit difficult for him.  He does deal with the jealousy thing from time to time, but I must say I am so proud of him.  For being so small and unable to understand so much he really does respond like a champ
to having her around!  He is constantly asking about "BABY" and trying to give her kisses.

Here are just a few pictures and a link to "Glamma's" facebook photo album to see the 4th of July weekend pictures she took, too!
http://www.facebook.com/reqs.php?fcode=b6bd5bca1&f=100000222307056#!/album.php?aid=2041826&id=1343796793


Here is Claire just days before her debut :-)

Here is our 1st pic together with Claire!

Here is Claire's 1st photo shoot in the hospital  :-)

All dressed up with no place to go! 

This is Judah kissing his baby sister.  He LOVES her so much!  I think she was just looking for food in this picture

Judah's first time to meet Claire!















Here is a nice fam pic at Maggiano's - Micah's fav place!

Here is Judah with Daddy on the drums - his 1st lesson!

Happy Mother's Day!!

We had quite the eventful mother's day today.  Judah is officially sleeping in his toddler bed now and is SUCH big boy.  The only trouble we have is nap time.  He didn't take a nap today but let me tell you... he is sound asleep now in his bed and it would take a mighty force to wake him!!

Our friend Abby came to cut Karanda's hair and Ruth helped watch him so I could sleep.  That was my greatest mother's day gift yet... a 2 hour nap!!!  There is a God and He loves me so!!  Ruth caught this picture.  I wish I had a scanner here because it is identical to a baby picture of me playing my "Mimi Alice's" old organ and applauding myself when I was done!! 

Here are some other cute ones from the day at church...

My little man is so sweet!

A great day!

Today I went and did a photo shoot for San Antonio Weddings Magazine.  They did a bridesmaid dress spread that is going to come out in July and my name will be on all 7 pages as the company that did hair and makeup!!!  So excited.  We worked from 12 PM till 7 PM.  It was amazing!!

I took this shot on my phone but it's the only one I had time to do.  I will post as soon as the issue comes out so you can look it up and see the photos.

Smooth Guy Updates :-)

So here is the latest in the life of Judah...

Some new words that he has added to his vocab repertoire are: 
- Puppy (which sounds like bubby - just like his cousin, my niece, Emma used to say!)
- Wow!  or Whoa!!!  (so funny)
- Tree (he is learning that not every piece of foliage is a "flowie")
- Eat (Suprised it took him so long! LOL)
- Cracker (which we couldn't understand for the longest time because it sounded like "guaca")
- "Fant" which is short for Elephant... he usually just blows with his lips pursed together to make the   sound which is much cuter in my humble opinion!
- Butter (which is butterfly)
- Bible (he said this on Easter Sunday when he was playing with one of his new books!  Never taught it to him but wish we could take the credit for that one!)

In the land of TEETH:
There has been much breakthrough!!!  He has his 2 bottom teeth (pray for them to straighten, they are a bit crooked but super cute).  Just in the past 2-3 days he's cut 3 top teeth and man has he been a trooper.  I know he's been in some serious pain and he's been super smooth!!  They are still coming in but they just broke through the skin in the last day or so.  

Here are some pictures of him in action... 

He spends the day sometimes with his friends Gabriella and Konrad.  Gabriella is helping him learn to walk in this picture!  So hysterical!

This is an edited picture of Judah getting so excited to sit next to Konrad (who is about 10 months younger than him so he feels very "big brother" around him)

Here is a pic of one of his new favorite pass-times.  DIRT!!! 

One Small Step!

Last night Judah took his first small steps by himself!  It was very exciting for him and he suddenly thought he could run, therefore he kept lunging forward like a horse out of the gate and falling on his face.  He would then laugh about the whole thing as I sat in amazement!

I am officially 30 weeks pregnant today!!!  AHHH!!  So much to do and no time to do it!  Claire has begun to move around quite a bit more, which I must say I love!  She is a kidder already, though.  Every time I tell Micah to look or feel her move she stops!  She's just playing hide and seek early :-)  I cannot wait to see her beautiful face! 

Here is a picture of one of the wall hangings I painted for her last week.  It is on 4 separate canvasses that will be placed close together on the wall to make one big butterfly!

SA Weddings

Here is my PAGE on San Antonio Weddings Site!!!  YAY!!

Happy Anniversary To US

Today is a great day!  It has been four crazy years since Micah and I said "I DO" :-)  It is hard to believe that time has flown so fast.  We are awaiting the arrival of our 2nd little bundle and we have an amazing son that reminds us every day how good God is to both of us.

Micah has been not only an amazing husband, but a wonderful friend and a terrific father to Judah.  I truly could not imagine my life without him in it now.  I was so independent and "focused" on my dreams and goals just a short time ago and now I am so consumed with the plans that God has for our family and our ministry and life together.  I never forsaw that life could be so fulfilling as a wife and mother.  It is amazing!!

We are also surrounded by such wonderful friends and family that love and support us.  Thanks to everyone who has stood by us in great times of triumph and times of "war" in the trenches!!  Life would be boring without either of those and we are so grateful to have shared both with such loyal, trustworthy people.

Here are some things that Micah did for me today...

28 Weeks and Counting...

I have officially entered into the 3rd trimester of my pregnancy... Oh joy!  Leg cramps, lower back bliss, back to lack of energy and MOOD swings, constant instiable hunger, 8+ trips to the bathroom in one night... the list goes on :-)  

However, there is a good list, too! 
This is a really funny PREGNANCY CALENDAR that I read, too.  It cheers me up!

I am ready to start getting the nursery in order.  I am so excited about little Claire's arrival.  I got to help decorate our church nursery and it kicked off the "nesting" instinct in me right away.  I haven't really gotten that URGE yet.  Now I am ready!  I think part of it is that we cleared mosst of our front room out when we moved into our new church building so now Mel and Karanda will be moving in there so we can use their room for Claire!  Yay!

Here is a pic of about 1/3 of the art work I did for the church babies.  I want to do something similar for her just different colors.  I got cheap canvases at JoAnn Fabrics so I will get some more and do my creative thing!!

As for Judah... He is drumming away!  I cannot seem to put video on my blog right now, so go to my FACEBOOK and see my videos of Judah playing drums.  You're sure to get a kick out of him!

I'm a Big Boy Now!

So, as of 3-19-2010 Judah is officially "weaned" from every bottle feeding!  This is great and terrible news all at once.  The great news is obvious... He's growing up, he no longer needs that expensive formula, he is learning to sooth himself in other ways... the terrible, you ask?  He wakes up at the most ungodly hours of the morning and is ready to start his day!  I guess it is good for me to be getting up at 6 something but Lord!!  My thought is Micah and I need to go to be sooner and we need to try and stretch his bedtime back about 1/2 hour and see if that helps!

I had a great week last week.  Auntie Colleen was on Spring Break so she took Judah to the zoo and they had the time of their lives.  I think she now is a bit empathetic regarding how heavy he is and how many times one has to lift their child in the matter of one day.  It is not easy on the back!  (Especially the pregnant one!)  Judah was loving every second of it from what I hear.  He called every animal "doggie??" and the only thing he did different was yell "ooh ooh ahh ahh!!!" when they approached the monkey cages.  I taught him that!  Yay! He also showed all the friends that went with them how he could pack in some serious carnage... he ate everything I packed for him (and that was enough for lunch and dinner!).  This is the other down side to being weaned... the kid eats like a man who was just released from Shawshank prison! LOL

In other news, he does now have TWO official teeth on the bottom!  I have attempted to get pictures but very unsuccessfully.  He is not wanting to give me that bottom jaw smile to show them off! 

He has learned how to say "Flower" which comes out "Owie" but that is what he means! 

Claire is doing great from what I can feel.  I am officially 27 weeks pregnant today!  That means I am a week shy of being 7 months and a week shy of being in my 3rd trimester already!!!!  I can't believe how quickly time flies when you are raising another little angel.  Some days I don't even remember that I am with child... that seems impossible! 

On that note... the Smooth Guy is crying and just woke from his nap so I had better go! 

The MOM Connection

I set up a group on Facebook to keep everyone filled in on our monthly "MOM Connection" events.  Please sign in or join to see it!  It is not just for women in San Antonio.  I will post links to helpful sites I've found and I encourage you to do the same!  It is good to feel like we have a network of other women in our shoes who we can relate to!

Our next event is the PICNIC AND EGG HUNT IN THE PARK! 
Come join us!  It will be so much FUN!!!

Making beautiful music with pots and pans!

More Judah Words...

Oh I almost forgot... There are more words that Judah says.

- He does say "No-No" now and he says it JUST like Mommy.  Scary.
- Nummie Nummie - when he sees food of any sort... any time.  Hungry or not. 
- Doggie (which is almost identical to Daddy)
- Pa Pa (which is good to be any of the grand-daddies... close enough, anyway!)
- Mooo! (which is his cow noise, not really a word, per se)
- Woof Woof (his bark)

I think that's it for now.  I always think of them when I am not by a computer.  Man I need an I-Phone!  LOL

Great Weekend

So thanks again to those of you who helped nominate Micah for the "San Antonio's Most Deserving Worship Leader Contest".  He didn't win overall but we did win free tickets to see Kari Jobe and Lincoln Brewster live.  We got in before the public (several of whom had been waiting outside since 2 PM that day!!) We sat in the 3rd middle row and it was amazing!! 

Kari Jobe opened the night and I was hit with the unexpected, overwhelming presence of God the moment she opened her mouth to worhsip.  It was so refreshing.  Micah and I realized that since we'd been married we had not ever been to a service where one or both of us was not leading worship.  It was so rejuvinating to worship God together and share that experience.  I cried like a baby through most of it.  That is just what I do when I get to be in the wonderful presence of my Savior.  It is too much for me to handle!!  Micah's favorite part was, of course, Lincoln.  The man can play electric guitar like nobody's business!  We discovered he used to play with Journey, which makes total sense.  He then met the Lord and moved to Modesto, CA where he played in the background of a worship team for several years.  He still leads worship for that local church where he started out so many years ago!  That is very admirable.  He has not let fame and CD sales get him distracted from what is most important and he is very connected to his local church.  Yay Linc!!

Here are some really horrible cell phone pictures, but you get the gist!  Ha ha!


This is Kari Jobe in all her blurriness!  LOL

And here is Lincoln Brewster tearing it up on the electric!

And in un-related news... here is Judah being his cute little self.  Had to put him in here somewhere!

Mommy's Ever Growing Belly!

So I realized just now that I have not yet posted pictures of Claire
inside her own little oven!!!
Here is a picture taken just this morning by the lovely "Auntie Kay"
of me holding Judah. I wish you could have heard him. It's like he
knew why we were taking the picture! He was saying "baby baby baby"
and patting me on the shoulder. He is going to be such a cute big
brother!!

Life is Good

So excited to announce that I am officially a link on someone's blog!!  Yay me!  Click HERE to see the link to my portfolio for hair and makeup.  I will also officially be appearing in the 2010/2011 issue of SAN ANTONIO WEDDINGS magazine and on their WEBSITE for 12 months!!

As we ring in a new era of parenting two little ones I will also be bringing in a lot more business for the coming year.  I am so grateful for the opportunity to do something I LOVE and it is not keeping me from being here to raise my precious little ones.  God is so good to me!

How Could I Forget...

2 Things...

1.  Thanks to those of you who helped nominate Micah for SA's most deserving worship leader.  They have not announced a winner yet but they did call and invite Micah and I to the Lincoln Brewster concert this Saturday for FREE and we get early seating before the public arrives!!  That is great news because Micah loves him so much as a worship artist and when I told him he got as excited as he gets... threw his hands up and said "woo hoo!"
  
 2.  I skipped some of the cutest pics...

These are all after bath time.  He is so cuddly and cute. 

He carries on quite the conversation with himself in the mirror.  So funny.

Still talking!  Trying to get out of going to bed already!! Just like me at that age...

A Day In The Life of a Smooth Guy :-)

Judah is growing up so much.  He already says so many words!  It truly amazes me.  Today we were reading his "Touch and Feel Animals" book and up until now most of the animals are "doggies" to him because those are his favorite!  Today I pointed to the monkey and he said Oooh Oooh Aaah Aaah!!  So he didn't say monkey but he made the sound!!  Pretty impressive if you ask a bias mom!  LOL

His official favorite time of day or night is either meal time or bath time.  He lights up and starts screaming when he sees me making his PB & J which he now eats with mashed grapes, string cheese, fresh raspberries and blackberries!!  He eats more than I do sometimes!!  And as for bath time it is being naked that thrills his little heart the most.  Two nights ago I got him out of the tub and put him on his changing table.  He stood up and started dancing naked in the mirror and singing "Dudah Dudah Dudah!!" (which is the way he says his name).  I tried to video tape it but my camera died just as I started.  Sorry!  It was probably a good thing because he got a little too excited and pee peed all over the dresser and mirror while dancing around!  I laughed so hard I cried.  I have yet to wipe the lotion handprints off of the mirror because they are so little and cute.  Some messes are just to cute to erase right away.  Don't worry, it will bother me in about another day!

Here are some pictures I put on Facebook but for those of you that are not on that lovely social networking (or, as I like to call it "NOTworking") site.... Here you go!

Dee Dee and I agree that this picture should be labeled "Bryan Dunn III"

This is his 1 year check-up.  He loves his doctor.  He has gotten even bigger since this picture a few weeks ago!

This is his favorite passtime.  He didn't even give me a chance to break it into smaller pieces!

His first taste of yogurt.  He approves.  He is also the cutest little man in the universe!

He loves the park, too.  ESPECIALLY the swings!

Nominate Micah For K-Love's Most Deserving Worship Leader...

Here is the letter I sent in.  Send your email nominations to this address and vote for Micah!!

Dear K-Love,

I would like to submit my Husband, Micah Coop, for the worship leader appreciation contest.  I know that one would think that I'm a bit partial, being married to him, however, my admiration goes far beyond just his role as a wonderful husband and father.

Micah has faithfully led worship and worship teams for the past 12 years of his life with the most refreshing attitude I have ever seen from someone in his position.  Many (and most times) he was given very little resources to work with and yet he seemed to turn nothing into something every time.  He is truly a remarkable leader, but above that he is a TRUE worshipper, heart and soul.  His love for God through some of the most challenging times I've ever seen anyone go through has caused all who attend our church to want to live their lives this way.  His worship leading stretches far beyond a stage, a guitar and a microphone on a Sunday.  That is simply the overflow of his love for God spilling out on one small occasion.  He leads worship every day of his life by his example.  No matter how much life throws at him he MAKES time to be alone with God every single day.  He lives to serve and it shows in everything he does.

We moved to San Antonio about 4 years ago to start a brand new church here.  He was leading in so many areas of the ministry, including worship.  He spent his days and nights searching for a building we could meet in and praying with the team of pastors that moved here to start our church.  One month after we were married and had moved here he was on his way home from a prayer meeting and a truck ran a red light and destroyed every bit of his car but the driver's seat.  He was unconscious when the paramedics arrived and they thought he was gone.  He ended up with a very serious head injury, major contusions all over his body, a punctured lung and a collapsed lung.  The recovery process was very tough on him since he was in the middle of so many things and all he wanted to do was get back to his responsibilities.  Within 2 weeks he was back on the stage loving God.  You never would have known he was in so much pain.  This was against the urging of his wife and doctors, of course!  I have never seen anyone exemplify the saying "you can't keep a good man down" the way that he did then and continues to do every day.

The week our first son was born last year another major challenge presented itself.  Our senior pastor of 15 years made the wonderful decision to begin pursuing one of his life-long dreams which caused him to step back from the role of pastoring the church here in San Antonio.  He prayerfully knew that Micah would be the one to take over the leadership of the church, which he whole-heartedly agreed to do.  In the midst of all the changes it was yet one more thing added to his already overflowing plate!  That was one year ago and I stand amazed at the outstanding job that he has done.  He has continued to lead worship while raising up other leaders within the team to take over.  All the while he has lead the newly growing church with so much dignity and maturity.  He is only 29 years old yet he is wise beyond his years.  We have made so many sacrifices in order to do what we know God has called us to do, but I have never once heard him complain.  Never.  He is not only a minister to his congregation but to his family first.  He is a walking example of Christ in 2010 walking the streets of San Antonio.  He is like a hidden treasure in our city so full of talent and anointing.  He has notebooks of songs that he's written that no one will probably ever hear but God and he's completely content to know that God is pleased with him.  That's all he needs and that faith is contagious to everyone he meets.

He is deserving of the recognition that he rarely receives publicly.  This contest would be an amazing way to display appreciation from our congregation for all that he has sacrificed to make sure that they are blessed, growing and reaching out to those in need of God's love.  One of his greatest inspirations in the praise and worship industry is Lincoln Brewster.  I think he may literally pass out with excitement if he were to be able to collaborate with him in a song writing session.  Please consider him for this honor.  I am not only writing as a loving wife, but as someone who has been forever changed by the life of a passionate, amazing man and worship leader.  Micah Coop is 100% deserving of this award.

Sincerely,

Mary Coop

Fun in the Sun!

It is finally getting nice outside where we can go play!  I love winter but man do I love it when the warmth starts returning and we can go to the park and not have to wear a coat!

Yesterday I took Judah to feed the ducks with Alicia and his best baby friend Gabriella!  He fed... himself!  He didn't quite understand the concept since every time I hand him food it is for him and him alone!  So here's a picture of him feeding.... the "ducks"

 

 Then today we went to the park and had a great time!  We met 2 new friends Mason and Sebastian.  They were 7 months and 3 years old.  I was so glad to meet another mommy, too!  She has not made any friends yet here in San Antonio so I was thrilled to meet her and swap info.  I love when stuff like that happens.  Here is a picture of Judah going down the slide. (or about to)  He was laughing the whole way once he got used to it.  It warmed my heart! 

I am starting a meeting for young moms called The "Mom Connection" that meets every first Saturday morning.  This week is our first week and we're having brunch at my house and my friend Carmen is coming to share helpful mommy tips :-)  Pray that it goes well.  If you are in the San Antonio and have kids that are 4 and under please come!!  Bring the kids along, too.  You can find more info here or you can EMAIL me.

Also, I might be advertising in San Antonio Weddings Magazine!  I sent them a link to my blog and they called me back in 5 minutes!  Wow... God is good!

New Age New Kid!

Judah is growing up so fast!

Here is a list of all the words he says so far...
- Mommy (or Mama)
- Daddy (which sounds like "Dat-tee!")
- Bye Bye
- Hi (or "hey!")
- Nana
- Thank you (or "tay too")
- Baby (or "bay bay")
- Eye (as he points to your eyeball and tries to put his finger in the socket!) Aunt Melissa taught him that!

He attempted the word "Claire" the other day but it was mostly spit bubbles and slapping my belly where Claire is.  It was pretty funny, nonetheless!

Today is Valentine's Day and he got a rose at church which he ate.  His poop, however, did not smell like the rose.  I felt a bit ripped off!

Here are some pictures of his first birthday party.  It was big fun!  Lots of friends came and we had a blast.

Here is his baseball cake that mommy made all by herself!!

Here is Judah devouring the cake!

A Smooth Guy Is Turning ONE!!

I cannot believe Judah will be one year old on Tuesday!!  His first birthday party is tomorrow.  Before I know it he will be 16 ready to drive... Lord help me!

This year has been filled with so many happy times for us.  I am so overwhelmed by God's love when I look at my son.  I can't fathom how anyone could love somebody more than I love Judah and yet I know that God loves me a million times more.  In the words of the midget white guy from the Princess Bride... "Inconceivable!"

I am more in love with my Savior today because of my son.  So... thank you Judah for coming into my life and flooding me with so many thoughts and feelings I never knew I could have.  You are the best gift I've ever known and you are so loved by Daddy and me.

Here is his invitation to the big celebration if you want to come!!

A New Friend Is Born!!

Today our good friends Diane and Tony who live in Belfast, N. Ireland had a baby boy.  I am not sure what they decided to name him  yet.  They were some of the few people I know who didn't ever find out what they were having until the moment of truth came upon them!  I do not have that kind of patience!

So today in honor of his new Irish "cousin" Judah wore the soccer uniform that Diane and Tony brought him on their last visit to the US. 

The American "Woman"

Okay, so about once a year I get on my soap box over one particular issue or another.  I thought I'd get it out of my system early this time around! 

I love our nation.  I love that we have such freedom.  I, however, think we have turned freedom into fury when it comes to certain issues.  I have been forever reading a book called "Created to be His Helpmeet" by Debi Pearl.  It is a book about a woman's TRUE place in our ever-changing world.  I love this book because it is a direct challenge to the God-forsaken feminist movement (which, in my opinion, should be called the masculine movement).  It has taken us away from the very thing that is attractive and divine about us as women.  If we want to be just like men then we can forget being desirable TO one! 

In my younger 20's I was consumed with this movement and I didn't even notice that it was taking place.  "I don't need no man to make me happy!"  "Why do I have to stay home barefoot and pregnant when I have gifts and talents, too?"  "I am worth more than just some cooking, cleaning, mothering housewife!"  

The very things I looked down upon were my very own destiny to master and take dominion over... THE HOME!  In today's twisted view of family and community we have lost the importance of the HOME.  The moral standards, world views, talents and traits I possess today, be they good or bad, were not shaped in a classroom or a sanctuary.  They were shaped by the time I spent with my mother and father at or away from the dinner table.  They were formed by the discipline (or lack thereof) that I received on a daily basis in the home.  They were formed by helping my mother make cookies and learning to sweep, mop and do my OWN laundry at the age of 10. 

I see this new wave and this new generation of "entitlement" sweeping across most of the young women I meet today.  It sickens me to the core.  There are 25-year-old women who live in filth because they expect someone else to clean up their messes for them.  Not just in their kitchen, bathroom or bedroom but in their lives that have wandered off course, as well.  They don't know how to make food that doesn't come from a box.  They don't feel that they are responsible to learn because "they don't have a family yet".  There are little girls trapped in the bodies of beautiful women that are yearning for acceptance that they never got in the HOME.  They are perpetuating the cycle of selfishness because in their search for acceptance they are getting pregnant and raising the next generation of entitled, affection hungry, spoiled children.  When will this end?

Women that live lives instilled with values that promote family and character are pushed to the side and disrespected by this generation.  We are deemed completely irrelevant because we are "JUST" housewives or stay-at-home moms with no lives.  We can't possibly understand what happens in the "real world".  Yet we are raising the very children that will be leading the kids of these young ladies in ethics, academics, and moral standards.  Hitler, Obama, Bush, Gahndi, Jesus, Bin Laden... they all made a mark on history - good or bad - and they all had one thing in common.  They had a MOTHER or FATHER (present or not).  The job their parents was reflected in the way they turned out as men.  Why do you think people worship The Virgin Mary to this day?  All she did was raise a son (obviously he was part God's but we'll ignore that fact for a moment since few in her day acknowledged it).  In today's society she would be turned down for lunch by every self-absorbed, over worked, over sexed young lady with a college degree!  Our schools and our work places are filled with these ladies.  Our daycare facilities, adoption agencies and abortion clinic waste baskets are filled with their children.  Forgive me for being so blunt.  It has to be said.  

On a more positive note... there is so much hope, but we as the virtuous single women, wives and mothers that give a hoot have got to start doing something to set the standard that is desirable to these women.  What will it take?  What kind of commitment do we have to show to them to prove that we mean business?  What will open their eyes that are no longer able to see truth or care about the difference between right or wrong?  

Our first responsibility is to train up the young men and women in our very own homes.  Our little ones.  I sometimes lose sight of how important my job is.  The other day I told Micah "I don't feel like I'm changing the world when I spend 2 hours a day swatting my son's hand for playing in the dogs' food and water!"  He responded with much wisdom.  He said "you are teaching him boundaries.  One day he will want to touch a woman that is not his wife with every fiber of his being and somewhere deep in the recesses of his character and mind he will feel a 'swat' that tells him his consequences will not be worth the momentary pleasure".   Wow.  

That is how we spare the next generation from this disease of self-indulgence.  At least, that's how we START.  Our children will lead very soon.  They will teach the children of the single moms what real love is.  Our husbands can be the replacement dad's to their sons and daughters.  We are the SALT of the earth according to Christ.  Salt adds a flavor that you didn't have before.  It also makes you so thirsty for only what can truly quench you.  He is the only answer to this dilemma, this plague.  We must live lives that are centered around Him, no matter how foolish it seems in this day and age.  The truth is, the self-seeking, self-absorbed ones are also the ones who hate themselves and cannot look in the mirror and be happy.  They know there's a thirst for more in their souls and we do have the only WATER that will quench it.  THERE IS HOPE.  It is not found in the government or behind any bedroom door.  It is found in the ONE who is in us.  Let us be the answer to the prayer prayed for us thousands of years ago. 

Please pass this on to any woman you love.  

I found some great quotes on parenting today.  Just thought I'd pass them along.

Parenthood:  That state of being better chaperoned than you were before marriage.  ~Marcelene Cox

Before I got married I had six theories about bringing up children; now I have six children, and no theories.  ~John Wilmot

To bring up a child in the way he should go, travel that way yourself once in a while.  ~Josh Billings
 

Too often we give children answers to remember rather than problems to solve.  ~Roger Lewin

No matter how calmly you try to referee, parenting will eventually produce bizarre behavior, and I'm not talking about the kids.  ~Bill Cosby, Fatherhood, 1986 

The trouble with having a stubbornness contest with your kids is that they have your stubbornness gene.  ~Robert Brault 

Human beings are the only creatures on earth that allow their children to come back home.  ~Bill Cosby, Fatherhood, 1986 

You have a lifetime to work, but children are only young once.  ~Polish Proverb 

2010... Ready for "Phase 2"

Phase one (up until now):
-Transition
-Confusion
-Uncertainty
-Learning Curves (to say the LEAST!)
-Laying Foundations
-Sowing in a time of famine

Phase two (starts now):
-Building
-Earning
-Reaping
-Breakthroughs being manifested, not just hoped for or promised
-Winning over opposition, not just fighting all the time
-Finally benefitting from all we learned in phase one!

I am very excited that my phase 2 has begun!