Friday, January 15, 2010

Really Neat Kids' Book

Heidi and I just wrapped up a unit on China with our kindergartners at Sonshine School. One of the moms brought us some really cool books about a giant panda named Stillwater. We read both Zen Shorts and Zen Ties by Jon J Muth. I think Zen Shorts was my favorite. I'm definitely going to have to add it to our collection at home.

Stillwater shares several Chinese proverbs that actually really convicted me and Heidi. Snuggle up with your kiddo and check out the beautiful illustrations and wise folk tales; you'll probably learn as much from it as they do!

Monday, January 11, 2010

Must Have a Plan

So clearly I'm off to a slow start on my return to blogging, but in the meantime, we have managed to clean up our diet, start exercising again, catch up with friends we've missed over the holidays, clean out the attic, organize a few kitchen cabinets. And, man, does it feel good!

Also, I've started reading The Daily Bible again. I have to confess that I was never a consistent daily Bible reader until I had children. The years that I have been most successful are times that I started in January with a clearly defined plan. I've read the One Year Bible (not my favorite arrangement--little OT, little NT, Psalms, & Proverbs each day). I've used Memorial Road's guide that takes you through one book of the Bible at a time, alternating between the Old Testament and New Testament; I think Ben's going to use that approach this year. But my absolute favorite is this:
It's a chronological arrangement of the Bible, giving you a better feel for God's story of the world. It has a brief but helpful commentary. I used the skip reading the commentary, but I finally realized that most of the questions I had about tricky or confusing passages were actually addressed in the comments. This version also combines passages from different books that repeat the same accounts to give a comprehensive and cohesive story line.

So if you don't have a plan for Bible reading this year, you ought to try to get your hands on this gem. Of course the power is in the Word, but having a plan keeps me in the precious Word more consistently.

Sunday, January 3, 2010

Resolution #1--Start Blogging Again!

I have missed blogging for several weeks now...so sorry to disappoint the few faithful readers I had. But I have missed reading blogs way more than writing my own. The madness is over, and now I'm back! Here are some fun snow pics to kick things off:

Cianne & Ben with the snow man

Corben & his awesome hat

Two of the greatest dads I know

My little angel

Now that's a snowball!



Monday, November 30, 2009

Catching Up

Jenny and I had so much fun at An Affair of the Heart. I still have some great goodies that I already sent over to Anabelle's in at Santa Fe & Danforth if you want to go by there.

I put off all my custom orders to spend several days just enjoying family and the Thanksgiving holiday. My brother & sister-in-law came from Austin, and we loved every minute with them. Here are some pics from our fun week...

The delicious meal

A cross-eyed cat showed up on the porch just after lunch...So funny I had to share. Haha!

All of us sitting around singing after dinner Saturday night. Probably seems weird, but it's one of our favorite family times.

The kids helped Pops put the Christmas train around his tree.




Sunday, November 15, 2009

An Anthem for Busy Moms

Ben and I went to a Focus on Parenting event yesterday. It was an all-day deal, and we struggled with giving up an entire Saturday. But after last week's dentist office episode...who am I kidding?...I NEED all the help I can get with parenting! So we went and were definitely rewarded. Thank you, Lord, for the words of encouragement, correction, and training we received yesterday. Thank you also for a Christian friends who are walking this journey with us.

Before the speakers started, Matthew West sang this song. It is so me right now that one of my good friends turned around to share a knowing look in the middle of the song. I have to share the lyrics with you. I want my world to be different. I do not want to be caught up in busy-ness and petty pursuits. I want Jesus. I want Jesus to consume my children. So here are the words to the song Stop the World. It's always better to the music, but may the words alone speak something to you...

The TV is talking
The telephone’s ringing
The lights are all on
And the radio’s screaming
A million distractions are stealing my heart from You
I’m tired and empty
This life is relentless
It weakens my knees
And breaks my defenses
It’s wearing me down and I’m desperate to hear from You

Stop the world I wanna get out
I need an escape away from this crowd
Just to hear You speak to me

I need to be still before I make a move
I need to be humble with nothing to prove
I need Your Word to show me the truth

And I need time, precious time

Stop the world I wanna get out
I need an escape away from this crowd
Just to hear You speak to me
Stop the world I’m ready to listen
Show me sign, give me a vision of heaven
I can hold on to
Stop the world I need some time with You

Before I can find my voice
I need to hear Your voice
Above all the senseless noise

Monday, November 9, 2009

The Kids Had Their Teeth Cleaned Today

Dear Tiffany,

Please still be my friend.

I'm sorry that my daughter freaked out.
I'm sorry she locked her jaw and wouldn't open her mouth.
I'm sorry she screamed and cried in your office.
I'm sorry she kicked and writhed in your chair.
I'm sorry she grabbed your hands to pull the instruments out of her mouth.
Etc.
Etc.
Etc.

Thank you for cleaning her teeth anyway. I'm sure that tomorrow (after I've recovered from the humiliation and frustration) I'll think that ornery little smile is cute again.

Love,
Sada

P.S. Please pass my apologies along to Dr. Cash, and if he never wants my four year old in his office again, I would COMPLETELY understand.

Friday, October 30, 2009

Change in Weekend Plans

Many of you know that I had plans to travel to Guatemala this weekend to sing with my siblings at a national youth conference. Well, there was an abrupt turn of events last night before midnight, just hours before our scheduled departure. The first leg of our flight from OKC to Houston was cancelled by Continental Airlines. They automatically rescheduled us on a flight for Sunday, but that really defeats the purpose for Addi and I since the youth conference ends on Sunday and since we were scheduled to return to the States on Monday. As it turns out, they had overbooked the flight into Guatemala City by 22 people! And after a few hours of trying to make alternative arrangements, the good folks coordinating our travel decided it just wasn't possible to get the Herndons there in time for this weekend's event.

I'm sad and shocked after planning this trip for months. I'm fighting off feelings of frustration toward Continental Airlines, but I know it's really not about them. We have prayed so much about safe travel and for our purpose in Guatemala that I have to believe God's in control. Perhaps this is His protection for us to keep us home at this time. So I'm trying to just let go of my disappointment and be ready for His next opportunity.

I guess today I'll be unpacking and praying a lot. Thanks for your prayers and encouragement leading up to this weekend.