Sunday School Picnic

Jason and I have been recently attending a "Shepherding Families" parenting class at church. We have really enjoyed the encouragement and support of other parents also trying to raise kids who love God. (and obey of course!) ;0) The class is relaxed and discussion oriented, while reminding us of biblical truth we need to pass on to our kids. We are loving it.

Well, the class decided it was time to get all these kids together and let them play while the parents get more of a chance to fellowship. Enter: the Young's backyard! We are blessed beyond measure with our large backyard and house, and have really enjoyed being able to open it up for events like this. Plus, the perk for me is, it doesn't have to be dusted, mopped, vacuumed, or picked up! It only has to be mowed, and that is Jason's arena! hehehe

Here are some of the pictures from our event. We had a great time, and so did the kids!

Kids and Dads playing a rousing game of kickball!

The Grill Master at work...

...the result, five million hot dogs!

The official "Chow Down" with TONS of yummy food!

All the kiddos...yes, we are a busy group!

The whole class, parents, kids and all!

Not Me! Monday

Welcome to Not Me! Monday, where you can confess the shortcomings of every parent and child. Because what better way to admit to something, than to profusely deny it! Join in!


I did not have any conversations or situations like this with my two year old in the last couple of weeks. I have complete control over my children!! And they are ALWAYS polite!

1. Mom saying to Charlie, "Charlie, do you have poop in your diaper, you haven't had any poop today at all." (I am amazed since this guy is a 3-4x a day diaper change since birth).
Charlies response: "No Mom, no poop, I just tooted today."

2. Dad leaving in the morning for work. "Charlie, say goodbye to Daddy, he is going to work." Charlies response: "No Mom, YOU go to work, and DADDY stay home!" (Thanks buddy, love you too!)

3. Hearing Max screaming in the playroom. I enter, and ask Charlie, "What happened in here buddy, why is Max crying?" Response from the two year old (grinning) "I hit him..oh yeah, and I shoved him too."

4. At dinner time...Charlie tells me: "Mom, Max wants some M&M's to eat...oh yeah, and me too!" (Isn't he so generous?)

5. Charlie says to Mommy, "Mommy, we need to clean up...this house is a MESS!" Followed by a dramatic wrinkling of his nose and making a horrible face!

6. After saying goodnight and giving a "night-night" hug, Charlie whispers in my ear, "Mommy I love you, you are a sweet boy!"

7. Charlie watching an interaction between me and Max (while Mommy is getting increasingly frustrated and growing slightly in volume...) "Mom, say it nicely to Max, or you may have to go to your room until you can be sweet! Or you may get a spanking!" (Yikes, this definitely couldn't have happened to me, I never lose my temper at my kids!)

Good Friday

Jesus...precious Savior. Words cannot express the gift you gave my soul this night. My sinful burden, heavy and suffocating around your neck. Alone you hung in your sorrow, all while I mocked and cried out for your death. I will never know the depth of your love, your commitment, and this night...your pain. All for the gift of my sinful, broken heart. How could it have been worth it? My weak faith, your prize? My soul tonight is heavy, remembering your precious gift to me. I will never deserve it, and never forget it.

What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this that caused the Lord of bliss
To bear the dreadful curse for my soul, for my soul,
To bear the dreadful curse for my soul.

The Forbidden Subject

I don't talk politics much in public circles these days. It seems the last election has made many people fairly irritable and easily upset...on both sides! But most of you who know me well, are aware of where I stand, and what I think. So, I think, here on MY blog, I might broach the forbidden subject...

I will try to not get into "right or wrong," which side are you on. But I feel I must air a grievance I have with the general population. (Feel free to remove yourself from the term "general population" if this does not apply to you!) And quite frankly, I may step on some toes. So...here goes!

My pet peeve:

Those who vote, but have NO CLUE what they are really voting for! Granted, I come from a fairly charged political home (my father does a fair amount of political analyzing in his ministry) so perhaps I am a bit more opinionated about what I vote for. (then again, when have I ever lacked opinion!?) But COME ON PEOPLE...AT LEAST know who it is you are voting for and what they stand for!!! Don't do a blind "vote" based on speaking ability, charm, or public opinion. If you plan on doing no research whatsoever before voting day, then PLEASE save the country a whole lot of heart ache, and just DON'T VOTE! (I am aware that I am telling people to not vote, and how un-American that sounds) But hear me out! The whole premise of voting includes that you are an INTELLIGENT citizen. If you choose not to be intelligent, then please don't skew the votes for those of us who chose to be responsible Americans!

Let me give you an example.

I work in health care. And YES, (if you voted and chose not to be intelligent) this was and is a huge issue in politics now. And I have found myself engaged at work in many conversations about the upcoming upheaval of the entire health care system as we know it. And I continued to be amazed (I guess I shouldn't) at how LITTLE those in the health care system know about the changes coming. AND THEY VOTED FOR THOSE CHANGES!!! This is not even asking people to be aware of every issue, but at least be aware of the ones that will change your life dramatically in the near future! So many times I am talking, and I hear the "wow, I had no idea it would be like that!?" REALLY??? Then why did you vote????

OK, I think I made my point. Be informed. Know what you stand for. Study up on those running. Choose to make an intelligent impact on society. And if you don't have the time, and aren't sure...perhaps you should leave the voting to those that are willing to make that sacrifice, and influence the direction of our country.

Now for the stepping on toes....

Lastly, on a sad note. I am grieving for my country, my rights, and my job today. Our president signed an executive order today saying that NO doctor or nurse has the right to refuse medical treatment based on religious reasons. Interpret: (especially for me in my line of work) I no longer have the right to refuse to assist a doctor or patient in terminating their pregnancy. I can be hauled off to jail if I say, "I am sorry, I don't feel comfortable doing this abortion based on my religious beliefs."

Yes, ladies and gentleman, THIS is the "change" you voted for. Christians out there, who fell pray to charm and elegant speeches...be mournful today of the choice you made. It, I am afraid, is only the beginning...

What does your car say about you?

I have been wondering lately what peoples cars say about them. I have always made assumptions as I drive by about the people based on their car choice, color, and various other things. So I was thinking today...what does my car say about me?

I drive a white, 2000 Nissan Xterra. I technically inherited this car upon marriage, but needless to say, it is definitely now mine!

So what does it say about me?

The Outside:

1. It is an SUV, although not a large one. So she must be outdoorsy! It has a large car rack on the top (we won't admit how often we have actually used this rack since the kids...) which alludes the the fact that we have the capability to carry anything from bikes, to kayaks, to boxes.

2. It is white. This must mean she is practical, since it is Texas, and white stays the coolest, as well as hiding lots of dirt.

3. It has a large divot in the back bumper. This should say NOTHING about me, since my husband put it there backing into a fence post. (We won't talk about the fact that it is now on it's third front bumper, and most of those where not my husbands fault....)

4. It has two bumper stickers on it: One God Bless Texas, and one Explore. This could say multiple things. Tried and true, born Texan. She believes in God. And she actually has done something outside! (even if she doesn't now!)

The inside:

1. At first glance, you see the 2 car seats in the back seat. (and soon will see 3 car seats!) So, what does that say? Well, maybe not much, except the fact that there are no seats available for adults! Me and Jason, and the kids, and no room for anyone else!

2. At second glance you will see that a stroller and a child carrier live in the back. They are always there, just in case. They NEVER leave the car. If I take them out, that is the day I will need it!

3. Cleanliness. The inside of my car is usually fairly clean. There may be some toys strewn about, but you will not find much trash or dirt. It stays mostly neat, despite the kids.

4. You will always find: one empty sippy-cup, a diaper for each child plus wipes, and Kleenexes. Do I need to explain those? But you will also find one umbrella, a small brush and mirror, and lotion. Mom needs to have back ups too!


So I guess you can draw your own conclusions! I would assume the average person who saw my car would think...mom, likes outdoors, fairly organized. But maybe there are other hidden messages I haven't thought about!

So, what does your car say about you?