Today You Are Six

Today you are six.

Gone are the yesterdays of wakeful nights, warm bottles, and sleepy eyes. Tiny socks, that sweet newborn smell, taking those first, uncertain steps. Little fingers grasping mine. But I won't think about that today.

Today you are six.

Today you are wild, jumping, playing. Rough and tumble, tearing holes in the knees of brand new pants, losing teeth, reading books, learning. Independent, capable, articulate...babyhood is gone. You are a boy.

Today you are six.

Tomorrow you will be a man. You will drive a car, get your first job, take a wife, step out on your own, make your mark in the world for Christ. Little ones will call you Daddy. I will be so proud of you.

But I won't think about that today.

Today you are six.

Happy Birthday, Christopher! Your mommy loves you so much! :o)

You Know You're a Classical Christian Family When...

...your 3 year old son sees your rockin' new leopard print wedges for the first time and launches into the five kingdoms of living things: monera, protista, fungi, plantae, and...

ANIMALIA!

How a Great Morning Begins

Pita Pizzas

One of our favorite quick lunches: pita pizzas!

To make these, you need:

• 1 package of pitas (we like whole wheat)
• 1 jar marinara sauce
• mozzarella cheese
• any additional toppings you would like

Sometimes we eat these "naked" (just sauce and cheese), but they're a great opportunity to use up extra veggies or meat leftovers. I've had them with grilled chicken and peppers (YUM-O!) and just about any combination of meat and veggies. They're versatile and fast!

Just spread sauce on the pita and sprinkle on toppings. Put on a cookie sheet and place under the broiler in your oven for 3-4 minutes until the cheese is browned and you're ready to go! Add a side of fruit and you have a delicious lunch! :o)

If Starbucks Were the Church...

This would be funny if it weren't sadly so true for some...coffee drinkers, enjoy. :o)

Thank You For Friends

Thank you, God, for friends.

Thank you for the cookie-bringing, phone call ringing, just stopping by to say hi kind of friends. The kind that smile at you when you're crying, laugh at you when you're silly, and raise an eyebrow at you when you're weird.

The kind that say "I was thinking about you yesterday" and really mean it.

The kind that say "I'll keep your kids while you're at the doctor" and really mean it.

The kind that say "I like you just the way you are"...and really mean it.

Thank you for the friends who will tell you when your hair looks bad. And also for the friends who won't.

The ones who make you smile when they message you on Facebook.

The ones who make you happy when they pop up on your cell phone.

The ones who always wave goodbye when you're pulling out of the church parking lot on Sundays.

But God, thank you the most for the praying friends. The ones who wrestle with You for my benefit. The ones who petition You with my needs. The ones who call out "Abba Father" and shed tears for me and my family. The ones who know my inmost thoughts, fears, frustrations, and joys. The ones who know that I am so imperfect and yet, like You, love me anyway- even with all my imperfections. The ones who show your love, your compassion, and your mercy to me without reservation.

Yes, God...thank you for my friends. And Father, just one more thing...let me not forget to be that friend to them too.

Made You Laugh

"He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy." -Job 8:21