Catching Rain

I think I've mentioned before that my mom is a Master Gardener. She took a class this summer on rain water harvesting, and is now licensed to do it for other people. I'm not sure what all that means, but I do know that she has been hired by several people to do it for their houses. It's pretty cool. There are huge barrels that you install at the corners of your house, and they capture the rain water that comes off your roof. I can't remember the exact equation for determining how much water you can get, but it has something to do with the square footage of your house (roof). Anyways, it's an unbelievable amount of rain...and it's free! My little suburban mom is turning into something of a hippy lately, and she's starting to rub off on me.

So of course, I'm cloth diapering...mostly because I want to be a good steward of God's resources: Earth and money. And we are recycling everything allowable...We use mostly sunlight during the day to light up our house, and I'm line drying most of our clothes...so I thought...let's catch a little rain. Now, I don't have a barrel system yet...but as you can see from the picture we have gotten pretty creative with our containers. The kids love it, and I love that they are learning to be good stewards as well. As soon as the buckets get full we dump them in yellow spots on our grass, or we water the trees, or flower beds, and then we set them back out to collect more free water. And a total bonus...the kids get to play in the rain. As a side note, our lawn is one of the better looking ones on our street.

Delish

I know this is kinda unusual...but I LOVE these beans. My friend Kendall's mom introduced us to them awhile back...and I have been hooked ever since. I feel like at this point that it's just cruel for me not to share them with you...because they are THAT good. They are dehydrated flakes, and you add water, bring to a boil, and simmer 5 minutes. That's it...seriously. I add salt, pepper, and garlic powder...and WOW...totally fab! I ALWAYS have them on hand. I try to tell everybody about them, including every checker I get at the grocery store. I seriously think I should be getting some endorsement money for this product. In fact, the last time I picked some up at HEB, the checker asked me to do an impromptu commercial right there at the cash register featuring these marvelous refried beans. I had NO trouble coming up with my little sketch....it's like I'd rehearsed it in my head 100 times. Go buy a bag or 3 and let me know what you think.

Practical Theology for Women

I started this book recently, and I'm really enjoying it. For those of you who know my husband you know he's a seminary grad, and a HUGE historical theology guy. He loves talking about all things theology. In fact he's recently started a blog (It's in my blog list to the left) appropriately named "Traversing Theology". Anyways, because he is passionate about good theology I have started to become a lot more interested in the subject. One of the ways that I can be his recreational companion is to read books like this one. Funny huh? I mean, yeah, he likes it when I watch a football game with him or go listen to music at Waterloo Records...but he LOVES it when I read books about theology. He has been giving me a hard time about having not read his thesis yet...but I seriously don't even understand the title. So maybe after I'm finished reading this book, I'll be ready to tackle the thesis. That should make up for all the romantic comedies he's had to watch, and the shopping bags he's carried.

Okay, well back to the book....it's really well written, and I like the way it's laid out. I included a picture of the back of the book, so you could read it, and hopefully it would peak your interest. And did I mention how pretty the book is too? The woman knows women. I would have picked it up in the store just because it's pretty! Hmmm...I might have some others issues as well. It's broken down into 3 sections: (1) What is Theology, (2) Who is our God, and (3) Communicating with our God. Ladies, it's only 152 pages...super thin. You will be doing yourself a favor if you read a copy of this book. Sharpen your mind, and be ready with an answer....we should have solid theology as well.

Here's the author's blog:

http://theologyforwomen.blogspot.com/

The Mission of Motherhood

A very wise woman gave this book to me when I was pregnant with Aiden. I have skimmed it many times...but decided recently to start reading it for real. It is really good. I wanted to recommend it to all the moms out there. It's been really great for helping me see the "big picture". I think it's a great read for every mom out there who has ever been worn out, frustrated, weary, overwhelmed, and lost in the details...I think that just about covers every mom at one time or another. Check it out.

A Little Much

I'm thinking about buying this for Evan...what do you think???

http://www.babybangshairband.com/index2.php

Lars and the Real Girl

So Blake and I have just finished watching this movie and I wanted to recommend it. I just picked it up on a whim because I like Ryan Gosling, and Blake and I usually enjoy quirky movies, like Juno or Best in Show. Anyways, this movie was great...completely quirky, and odd...but so heartwarming. It's clean...and has a great message about community...and loving people through difficult and messy times that come up in life. But before you get to the heartwarming part, you'll be laughing your head off! Go rent it...let me know what you think!

Best Show Ever...

Thursday May 22nd. 7:00 on Fox

My very favorite show is starting in a few short weeks....So You Think You Can Dance. I love any dance show or dance movie...but this tops them all. I love the wacky judges, and the broad spectrum of styles and talent. Although, I gotta say my favorite is hip-hop and crunking! I'm glued to the TV when this show is on. I love to dance, but am not even on the same playing field as these people...but for a few months I pretend that I am...as I "dance" around the house and try to imitate what I've seen. I'm so glad we don't have a nanny cam...It would be ugly. If you have never seen this show, check it out...it's awesome. I especially get a kick out of Mia Micheals, a choreographer and judge. She's a hoot!

Have a good OB-GYN in the Austin area??

I'm looking for an OB-GYN in the Austin area...preferably North Austin, Cedar Park, or Round Rock. Does anyone have a great doctor they want to recommend to me or others??? I would greatly appreciate it! Come on now girls...this is something we hold near and dear to our hearts...and I know there are opinions out there!! :)

NKOTB Fever

Wow, I am so super excited...anybody else there with me?? New Kids was my first concert...well unless you count the concerts I was forced to go to by my mom, including Sandi Patty, Carmen, and Harvest. Yikes! I still remember every detail of that 6th grade school night. My mom took me, my best friend Jo, Chrystie, Elizabeth, and my brother to TGIFridays and then to the Frank Erwin Center to rock out. We thought we were pretty hot stuff. At one point the guys starting taking off their shirts and my mom started freaking out. I was totally mortified...but she let us stay. Later we made up this whole story about Joey Joe inviting us up to his hotel room to party. We actually told people this story at school the next day...and the scary thing was, I started to believe it. The 8th graders looked at us like we were crazy...and now I'm totally embarrassed. I'm sure the guys would love to hang out with four 12 year olds with braces, and frizzy hair. Anyways, fast forward to 2008. I am so thrilled they are back together...I know it sounds crazy. But I will totally buy their new album and buy tickets to their concert...well, if it's local...because I will need to be back in time to get some good sleep, take a shower before my kids wake up, start a crock pot meal, put on a load of laundry, and play Candy Land for the 100th time. Wow, times have changed. I totally realize my cool factor has gone WAY down...But now that I'm 30...I care less then when I was 12. So all you late 20's, early 30's gals in denial like me, get ready to bring out your big buttons, t-shirts, pillowcases etc. It's time to relive 1989. Who's in?

Precious Children's Devotional

So with the start of the new year, Blake and I have made a commitment to go "back to the basics". We feel like there are so many things we neglected while in seminary. Since we graduated (I say "we" b/c I held down the fort while he worked multiple jobs and was a full time student.) we have been more spiritually drained then ever before. So for 2008 we have decided that our family needs to step back and kind of start fresh. We have made a commitment to pray consistently with each other. Blake and I have also been getting up before the kids wake up and he leaves for work to have our daily time in God's Word, and to pray for God's guidance for the day. Wow, this has been amazing for me personally. I have really loved my children well lately. I have taken so much joy in them! if I start my day in prayer, focused on the big picture...I have so much purpose in the daily grind. We have also been convicted on our lack of initiative with our neighbors. We really want to be "salt" in our neighborhood, and point people to Christ...So, as you can see there are many "basics" that we need to revisit and become consistent in.

Another desire for 2008 is to have consistent devotions with our children. I came across this book on http://www.christianbooks.com/. Although it is quite a bit cheaper on http://www.overstock.com/ and I think right now there is $1 shipping. This book is absolutely precious. It is for children 2-5 and it is perfect for our kids. And there are really 365 devotions....all different topics, for instance: sharing, helping others, being patient, keeping promises, Listening, sad or mad, sister love, brothers and sisters, forgiving, kinds words...well you get the picture. This really is so age appropriate. If you have toddlers or preschoolers, I would check it out. It's called God and Me, and it's by Penny Boshoff.

A Great Resource for the Busy Mom

Okay, so I just bought this book last weekend, and it is FABULOUS!

All you Moms out there, I totally recommend this book. She does a great job of helping you dive into scripture deeper for yourself, instead of always depending on a bible study. It is basically tools that Blake learned in seminary but packaged in a really cute girly way...and it's super practical for busy moms, hence the title. If you are not familiar with Lisa Whelchel, please get to know her. She has so much wisdom and is so VERY VERY practical. I have enjoyed many of her books. I'm reading another book of hers right now for a parenting book club I'm in, called Taking Care of the Me in Mommy...so far so good!!