FIREPROOF

Last evening, my husband and I were able to have a rare movie date.
And it wasn't just any movie. It was the just released film, Fireproof.

I wish the writer in me could adequately put into words a how moved I was by this film. I wish I could write a review worthy of it...
But you'll just have to trust me on this.

Go see it.

I'm not getting any compenation for this post whatsoever. But I think it's important to spread the word that there is movie out now that is both edifying and possibly life changing.

It's the story of a couple in serious trouble- who wonder if their marriage is even worth saving at all.
And things don't look too promising as the wife begins divorce proceedings.

The husband is a firefighter- a pillar of the community- yet he lacks lately in his ability to make his wife feel loved.
His wife has, in turn, become bitter...
But just when all seems completely hopeless, the man's father challenges him to a 40 day challenge.

This movie has both intense action, lots of humor, and above all, a very meaningful message.
My husband and I were impressed that the gospel of Jesus is presented completely and without compromise... as well as the message of commitment and love, even when times are tough.

The husband is portrayed by Kirk Cameron (who first began his acting career on the TV show, "Growing Pains" back in the '80's) and I have to say, he did a phenomenal job in this role.

Sure, there are a few very minor characters that have less than stellar acting skills, but the pull of the story and the performances of the main characters more than make up for it.

And when you consider that this movie was made though a church in Georgia with just a small professional movie crew- and supplemented by 500 church members who basically volunteered in various ways- just as they did with the film, "Facing the Giants"- then it is truly impressive that this movie comes off as polished as it does.

This is a movie that at the heart of it is has two incredible messages. It's a movie for seekers of God...and a movie which challenges couples to move to a deeper level of commitment.
And if you do go see this with your spouse, be prepared to go have coffee afterward or at the very least, sit in your car in the parking lot (as we did) and talk about the story together.

And then, maybe even consider checking into one of these incredible resources, such as the Love Dare book or Bible Study.

But at the very least- grab your honey and go see it together.

Before and After....(OK, just After)

I really hope it's OK to participate in both Boomama's Before and After and Kelli's Show and Tell...but since they both fell on the same day and my show and tell is home improvement, I thought I'd go ahead...and hope I don't get any blogging citations.

In fact, I'm doing this kind of last minute...

But because I worked my little heart out last weekend, let me show you this first project:

The dreaded....PANTRY

I know Boomama ideally wanted Before and After (hence the name!) but I can't show you the before pictures...partly because I didn't think to take them when I started tossing things out right and left on the spur of the moment, but mostly because it would just scare you.
The bottom half is the kids' art cabinet.

Maybe you even think this should look more like the before shot, but believe me, what it looked like before was a terrible thing.
In fact, it was pretty downright dangerous. Whenever we tried searching for a glue stick or some play dough, things would tumble out and the children would have to run for cover.
Bless their hearts, they never complained...but last weekend, when my husband took them out for the entire day, I suddenly surprised myself by pulling everything out.
I think half the kitchen floor was covered in debris... and there was a moment when I sat in the middle of it and wondered what I had done! But I sorted and sorted, and threw away half of it all...and then organized the rest!

Just look how the paint is lined up...it's a beautiful thing!

Now, the top half is where we keep both food and meds...
This, too, was a disaster.
I could reveal the part of the motivation for cleaning this top half was because we have been invaded my horrible pantry moths...but that would be too much information, so I won't.
But needless to say, my husband helped me with this part, and we bleached and cleaned, bought nice little air-tight containers for our pasta...
and here is the result:

You may wonder how long this pantry will stay organized...I can't promise anything but it's been a week, and so far so good for all of us! Even the kids put things back in the right places, grateful that they're now safe from falling playdough.

Oh, and let me show you one last thing...
We started painting our stark, white entry way wall a few weeks ago a nice, rich cranberry color...

As you can see, we need to touch up the door frame and there are a few places, too, on the wall that I want to touch up. Because of time, this has been "a little at a time" project, and it was also the first time the whole family joined in.
Which can be attested to by a few little blotchy areas. Oh well...it's the togetherness in a project that counts, right?

Thank you for stopping by and seeing our recent little endeavors.

For more home improvement projects, stop by Boomama's
And for more Show and Tells, go over to There is no place like Home.

WW...Picking Dandelions for Me

For more wordless Wednesday participants, visit the hub here or at 5 Minutes for Mom.

Tag...you're it!

Leigh Ann from Living to learn and learning to live tagged me along with this award...

Thank you, Leigh Ann! (and to think it even has some of my favorite colors and everything!) :)

Here are the rules:

• Mention the blog that gave it to you and comment on their blog to let them know you've posted your award
• Publish these rules
• Share 6 values that are important to you and 6 things you do not support
• Grant the prize to 6 people

6 Things I Value:

It almost goes without saying that I value my relationship with Jesus above all else.
And my family is what I hold dear above all on this earth.
Followed by true friendship- something sometimes hard to come by but so worth treasuring.

So, I'm going to jump ahead to lesser things on my list...

1) A nice, tall pumpkin latte just as the first leaves begin to turn color.

2) Time alone to read a really good book. (Currently reading the book I won over at Jill, Inc called "A mile in my Flip Flops"- about a single gal who's addicted to watching HGTV and decides to try flipping a house. I am so enjoying this light read!)

3) Vegging out occasionally with an old movie...or HGTV

4) Listening to romantic music, alone with my husband (it doesn't happen that often with the business of life, but when it does, it rates right up there- yes, even higher than the pumpkin latte.)

5) Being able to be home with my children during the day - and more precisely, to home school them. Although it has it's challenges like any job, it is truly one of the things that gratifies me the most and that I'm thankful for.

6) Last but not least...(well, alright, I guess it is least...)
Chocolate anything.

6 Things I do not support:

1) Any bug or insect's right to take up residence in my home.

2) The way that gravity is not a gal's best friend.

3) Surprise crumbs on the sheets when I get into bed. (It's not always hubby...sometimes little munchkins were there...)

4) People who use foul language in public places. (Especially where there are little ears!)

5) Having "alternative lifestyles" popping up more and more on channels like my HGTV

6) And finally, (sorry to any friends on the "left")
I do not support the Democratic candidate.

Now, I have to award and tag 6 people. It's hard to keep track of who has done this one, so if I tag you and you already did this, just be glad you're oh so popular.

So...

Dawn at Dawn Writes.

Michelle at Big Blueberry Eyes.

Susanne at Living to tell the Story.

Susan at Learning for a Lifetime.

Mary at Mary's Writing Nook.

Lisa at A Place to Land.

I know sometimes tags are hard to find time to do, but if you accept this award which you all deserve, then let me know so I can come read your answers!

And speaking of Michelle, whom I listed, I was lucky enough to win a sweet Precious Moments figurine from her. It's so adorable- thank you again, Michelle!

She also tucked in a surprise chapter book for my girls called "Precious Girls Club" and I just finished reading it to them last night. They were entranced and didn't want it to end!

They even a new website that I thought a few you others with girls under ten might be interested in...they are still working on it, but you can still go by to play games, print out coloring sheets, ect.

OK, I just looked at my calendar and realized that it's the first day of FALL!
This northern gal can't really say it like they do in the south, but...

Look Ma!

My "baby" is suddenly hitting a few "out door" milestones!

It all started last week. And I totally blame it on all this beautiful weather we've been having...

With my protective presence right by her, she finally made it across the monkey bars on our old swingset without any help! She was estatic!

Then...I think it could have been the very next day...her daddy took her training wheels off.
At first, she was upset...and I was secretly on her side. My youngest is talented in so many ways but coordination has never been one of them.

But...that day and the next, she was suddenly riding around like she had been doing this for years!
Turning and breaking and everything...
What was up with this?


If this wasn't all enough, our next door neighbor kindly gave her little roller blades her daughter had outgrown.
Of course, she has never been able to hold her own roller skating so when she could barely stand up in them, I wasn't surprised.
Her big sister didn't even have roller blades, so their daddy took her to a discount store and they actually found some in big sister's size!

And after just three days of practicing, both of them are roaring through the neighborhood now during school breaks, in the evenings...every chance they get!


(Well, OK...my youngest is more mewing than actually roaring..
but she is skating!!!)

Mastering the monkey bars, learning to ride a bike and learning to roller blade all in one week!!!
What next?
As all mommies are, I'm so proud of her.
But I admit, it's kind of a whirlwind, too!



On top of being proud of her, I'm also so thankful that she still wants to cuddle on my lap every day, that she still plays with her bath toys in the tub, and likes to pretend with her little ponies and dolls.

Because I know all too well from others, that it goes by so fast. And pretty soon she'll be saying...

"Look Ma! A driver's license!"

Zoos and Parades!

The girls and I just got back from seeing the town parade!
September in Oregon is usually better weather than spring, and today was no exception. It was just gorgeous! We had some special guests as our our Grand Marshall this year, which I'll show in just a moment.

But first, as promised, our trip to the zoo with my mom and her friend, H....

(The girls posing with two large friends we came across!)


My mom and her friend, H. (with the girls by the fence watching sea lions...)

(Above, a photo I forgot to include and just added: our generations...Mom, daughter, grand daughters!)

One of our highlights was seeing the brand new baby elephant that had been in the news! Born on August 25th after a long labor and some concern that his mama might reject him, they are both doing fine now together.

It was hard to get a good picture, but he is such a cutie!

And our other favorite part was at the very end. Hot and tired, we sat inside a shaded cave area on benches, watching as the sea lions put on an underwater show for us!














They really seemed to enjoy showing off for all of us...and for such massive creatures, they are truly graceful!

Yes, it was a lot of fun for all of us, but we were all exhausted after four hours! How my octogenarian mom managed to hang in there with just a few breaks in beyond me, because I was ready for a nap when I got home!



And now, for the parade today...















My husband had to work, but the girls and I had the best time! There were the usual high school bands, along with local businesses...sons of the American Revolution and some honored veterans...


And lots and lots of classic cars...




But we were also excited to see the grand marshals...

If you watch "Little People, Big World" on TLC you might recognize these folks!

They live here in Oregon and I wrote a post about meeting them at their pumpkin farm two years ago. (The mom, Amy, also worked at the same preschool that one of my girls had gone to, just when their show began!)

But it was fun to see them again. The teen, Jeremy, kindly threw candy right at the girls and then said, "Here, have some more!" as he tossed another handful. What a guy!

His sister marched in the flag section with her school right behind them...
Yes, it's not often you get to go to the zoo and a parade in the same week! And have it be incredible weather for both!

But why I now have a sudden urge for K*ispy Kreme donuts, I can't imagine.. Blessings!

Remembering 9-11

In memory of this day, I thought I'd re-post a portion of what I wrote two years ago, as some of us participated in writing our memories of that fateful moment in time.

And I wanted to add that I also had a memory from just a few years earlier...

As some of you may remember, my husband was in the Navy our first few years of married life, and during that time he participated in Fleet Week in New York City. A few of us wives flew up from Virginia to spend half a week with our husbands. It was my first trip to New York, and it was an exciting whirlwind of a trip!


One of the highlights was going up to the top of the World Trade Center...peering down on the city from way up in the clouds.
Never could I have imagined the terror that would take place where I stood, just four years later...


"My very first recollection of waking that morning, was that I was still blissfully unaware of the chaos on the other side of the country.

In fact, I was hibernating under my covers. Feeling that early pregnancy exhaustion of being eight weeks along, I ignored the telephone that had dared to ring before eight in the morning. And kept ringing...and ringing. My two year old daughter was not apparently concerned about the annoying telephone noise, and continued to baby-snore away. But on the fourth series of rings in ten minutes, I could no longer ignore the persistent shrill. The thought that perhaps it was something important entered my sleepy brain...hopefully my husband was alright...and my mom.

When I picked up the phone, my husband simply said, with a strange note in his voice..."You have to turn on the news."
He knew I was not a news kinda' gal, so this was perplexing. I was relieved to hear that he was fine- but I knew something huge had to be happening.
I asked him just to tell me. He would only answer that I had to see for myself. I kept asking, the nervousness now growing, and after several minutes of his side-stepping, he finally told me.
"One of the twin towers is burning," he said simply. "They think we're under attack."

The jolt of what he said sent a shockwave through me, dispelling my fog. Minutes later, I was in front of the TV...just in time to watch the giant tower tumble to the ground...live...before my very eyes.

We all know the horror of all of these images. Even if we weren't able to watch it happen "live", most of us have seen them over and over, as they played them in the weeks to come.

For the next three days...I sat riveted to the television, being careful to not expose my little one to any horrendous scenes. But she seemed oblivious...to her, whatever flickered on the screen wasn't real, and she simply played with her toys in our little house.
And when I could get away with it, or she was napping, I would just plant myself in front of the TV and sob.

And pray.

I prayed for the families of all those lost...for the ones still trapped under the debris...and for the safety of our country (which during that week, was horribly in question.)
And then, with all my emotional upheaval, I began to be concerned about the baby I was carrying. I had already lost a pregnancy earlier in the year...I did not want to lose this one. So I also prayed for my baby...and after day 3 of living the turmoil, I finally switched off the set.

Not only did I have a newly growing baby inside of me, but I needed to properly care for my two year old daughter. And I must say...though I didn't stop praying, it was such a relief to only allow children's shows on my television screen during the day from then on. Watching Nick Jr. or Mr. Rogers with my toddler almost made me feel as if maybe the world wasn't coming to an end after all.

I do remember attending a special candlelight church service held by a church we normally didn't attend, just a day after the attack...and we were there, praying with other Christians we didn't even know. It was such a comfort for me to be united with others, in God's presence, praying earnestly for our country.

Interesting, how our country as a whole turns to God in time of crisis...but when the crisis begins to fade, we begin to forget..."

There's even more, and if you want to read it in it's entirety, you can go here.
But I thought I'd share just a part of it with you today...as we remember.

Where were you on September 11th?

A Peek in the Past

I don't know about you, but I've always been fascinated with old family photos!

When I was at my mom's about a week ago, I picked up a few more old photos from her to scan.
If you're like me, when you see an old photo- especially one of a family member or ancestor- don't you wish you could jump into to it like a time machine if only for a moment to learn just a bit more?
(click to enlarge a bit)


But I do know a few facts...

This is my Nana...my mom's mom- at an employee picnic. She is the woman in the center, wearing a dark dress.
This was taken before my mom was born...but after my grandmother's first husband had died during the great influenza epidemic around 1917.
So, here she was -a working mom sometime around 1920.
Her little boy- my uncle L. who is now also passed away- shown on the left.

We don't usually equate the early part of the 20th century with working moms, but they existed! And usually by necessity.

Fast forward many years...and here's Nana holding me...

I've written a post about Nana here...a spunky woman that I wished I could have known better!



I've mentioned before that the women in my family of generations tend to have their children later in life.
Nana had her daughters (my mom and aunt) at age 39 and 41... My mom, in turn, had me- her only child- at almost 36. (Which now doesn't seem all that old at all!) and I had my two at age 36 and 39.

It's because of the fact that our generations are so spread out like this, I'm even more thankful that my mom is healthy in mind and body enough to enjoy her granddaughters!

In fact, she and her friend are going to drive up and meet us at the zoo this week and we're all very excited! (I'll be sure to post pictures!)

My mom is back to blogging again, too! Yep, at 81 she is computer savvy...
I prettied up her blog a tiny bit for her when I was down there, so please go over and say hello if you get the chance!
Tell her I sent ya'!

And in honor of Granparents' Day this week, go do something nice for the grandparent in your life! (Even if that person is you!)


Blessings!

Show and Tell #21

It's been way too long since I participated in Friday's Show and Tell!

Anyone who has known me for awhile, knows I've always loved old movies. (See my sidebar for my classic movie blog... um, which I sadly never seem to have time to keep up...)

Even from the time I was little, I enjoyed watching an old movie on TV, complete with commentary from my parents who would tell me who all the actors were. My mom, especially, could even name almost every minor player and character actor in movies from the 30's and 40's!
And as I would watch some of these movies, I'd realize even from a young age, that there was something special about them.
The saying was true: They just didn't make 'em like that anymore.

Awhile back, my brother in law and sister in law gave us two of their their giant movie posters. (They, too, have an appreciation for the oldies!) But we didn't have any place to display them at first. Yet, I just had to hang onto them because not only were they just "old movie posters" but they represented two of my all-time favorites!

But a few weeks ago, I was re-arranging some pictures in our small bonus room. (It works as our office, music room, doggie room, sometimes extra school room and laundry- all in one little area!) and suddenly remembered these treasures!


They're actually quite large- about 30 inches high- and they just make me smile.
Here's another picture of the last poster in the room...

So, now I can see Gene Kelly dancing with his umbrella or dust off Zuzu's petals every single day.

"What is it you want, Mary? Do you want the moon? Just say the word and I'll throw a lasso around it and pull it down for you..."

For more show and tell participants, visit Kelli at "There is no place like home"!

Dollies, Dollies Everywhere

Hope everyone had a nice Labor Day weekend!
We didn't do anything big, since as you know, we had just gone camping in the lightening storm and everything...;)

But this past Saturday we were down at my mom's house as my husband did some more work on her floors.

Meanwhile, I gathered up some of her many House of Lloyd dolls to try to sell on eb*y since she will be downsizing considerably for where ever her next home will be.

This was not easy.
As she said, jokingly, "You're selling off my children..."

And my own little girls weren't much help as they kept pointing to the ones they would like to have...as if we had one ounce of space left in our house at all.

I told them they could pick out one each that they can "request" for maybe Christmas.

(Okay...I admit it. I made a request, too.)

And before you feel too sorry for my mom, she is keeping a few that she just can't part with. But the rest I took home to take pictures of and place in e-b*y land for adoption.

Well...alright...another confession:
As I started to take a picture of Jack and Jill, I paused. Look how cute they were with their pails and all.
I stood there, camera poised, ready to tell them to say "cheese"...but I just couldn't do it.
Not yet.
I'd think about it just a bit and let them just sort of hang out in my living room before I decided...
But don't they look so at home here? Kinda' like the just want to stay...

As for the other dolls, here's my little commercial- you can check them all out by clicking on my ebay icon in the sidebar!

On the way home from my mom's that day, we stopped at the miniature golf place since the girls had earned a free game through the library program. Let's just say that when our youngest started swinging, you better duck and run...

"FOUR!!!!" But what a great time she had! And the final score was pretty close... even with her sister's big out of bounds swing that amazingly made the ball fly through the air wildly, into the next part of the course, and make a hole in one!

That made even a certain cranky little nine year old smile big-time!




Although we've done a little schooling throughout the summer, we're officially going to start on the 9th. But for all of you who either home school or have kids|grand kids starting this week, hope it's off to a wonderful start! We're just going to ride bikes and listen for the Popsicle man just one week longer...

Blessings!