Our first poll

UPDATE: Well, it was reported to me that the poll website didn't work most of the time. That's probably why only four people, rather than hundreds of you, voted. The results, basically, were that 75% think the government is probably even scarier than the cult, and 25% weren't sure which is scarier. Thanks to all who voted.


I figured out how to take a poll on here! The poll is about the current and very sad news story about all of the children from the polygamist compound. There is something very frightening about what is going on, and that's what the poll is about. I hope you'll vote. (It's in the right-hand column, in case you missed it.) I'm sure it's anonymous, so don't worry about that.

Stacy posted about this situation today over at Your Sacred Calling. Click here to read her thoughts.

Pessimism Kills Vision

My favorite radio show is Generations with Kevin Swanson. I never miss a day--because all the shows are there online! He discusses parenting more than anything else, but also lots of other great and interesting topics. I listened to Tuesday's show just now, and it was great--just like all the rest. Here's his little blurb about it:

Pessimism Kills Vision
Tuesday, April 22, 2008 The Antichrist is Coming!

"The Antichrist is coming! Run for the hills! Don't polish brass on a sinking ship!" Such messages were preached ad nauseam for generations throughout the 19th and 20th centuries in a large segment of the "fundamental, evangelical" Christian church. Unfortunately, this fixation on a pessimistic eschatology did great deal of damage to any kind of long term vision among families. This is one of the forces that killed a Generational vision and resulted in the 1.7 birth rate among evangelical families and the 80% leak rate of Christian kids who walked away from the faith of their fathers.

Forty, fifty, sixty years later, some of us are recovering from millennial burn-out. Kevin Swanson takes a moment to analyze this millennial fever that crippled the faith in the 20th century, and suggests that maybe we need to address ourselves to "occupying until He returns."

Listen to this particular episode here.

Enjoy!

A Nice Day

We took a field trip to a local fire department.

Everyone is enjoying the spring weather.

Weekend Visitors

We were treated to a nice visit this weekend by Grandma J and Cousin M. They attended the kids' piano/violin recital with us on Saturday and then church this morning. And lots of fun family time in between. We appreciate that they traveled here to see us!

Boy One played violin, Girl One played violin and piano, and Boy Two played piano. In my opinion, they were the best students out of the whole bunch.

Grandma J teaches Girl One how to work a crossword puzzle.

Cousin M on guitar, Boy One on violin, and Boy Two on piano. I didn't take this picture, so I'm not sure, but I have the feeling it's merely a pose.

Win Wall Words

My wonderful friend Camille is having a contest on her blog, and the winner will receive a gift certificate to another wonderful friend's (Tonya) online store that sells handmade wall plaques and wall lettering.

Go to Camille's contest here.

Go to the Fruitful Vine Creations store here.

Last fall, our family purchased wall lettering from Tonya's Fruitful Vine Creations for two of our walls, and we are extremely happy with the results. Here are the pictures. Now, these pictures don't do justice to the lettering at all. The lighting is awful, especially in the one, so that makes it hard to see how beautiful the lettering is--but it will give you the general idea. We've received many compliments on the lettering, and best of all, God's word is proclaimed.

We enthusiastically recommend the products from Fruitful Vine Creations, and we are honored to be counted among the friends of Camille and Tonya.

Grand Multipara

Well, here's a glimpse of me, for our out-of-town friends and family. Do you think I'm starting to show yet?

All pregnant ladies know that when they're out and about, at a store or whatever, they get the question: When are you due? or How much longer do you have?


I get two predictable reactions when I tell them I'm not due until July. One is, "Is it twins?" And the other is a look of confusion where the person tips their head sideways and appears to be struggling with some internal math calculations.


As for my own reaction every time I pass my reflection--well, let's just say that I'm glad I have a good sense of humor.

What kind of American accent do you have?

It's been driving me crazy for years that my own daughter doesn't speak with the same accent I do. At the top of my grievance list is the fact that she makes no distinction between Mary and marry, or between Harry and hairy. Ahhhh! Some people have even lost the distinction between cot and caught, and between bag and beg. What will become of us if all of our words end up sounding the same? Oh well, at least this is good evidence against evolution. Evolution says that things develop more complexity over time, but here we have an example of how things really only get simpler.

My quiz result was Philadelphia. No surprise there--although I don't sound like I'm from in the city or anything. Girl One's result was Midland. OK, I guess that is where she lives. (She even says cot and caught the same, I found out.) Boy Two's was the West. (Who's teaching him to talk?) Boy One turned out for Boston. (OK, now I'm starting to doubt the accuracy of this quiz.)

TAKE THE QUIZ. It's pretty short, and I think you'll enjoy it. But watch out, you may become irritated when you find out that none of your children speak like you. Grrrr.

Let us know your results.

Free Candle Giveaway Contest

A friend is having a free candle giveaway contest to raise money for adopting. You can check it out here:

http://makingahouseahome.blogspot.com/2008/04/virginia-candle-company-and-giveaway.html

What's your brain type?

I first took this kind of test about 20 years ago. Now I took a different version of it today--and I'm still the same me after all these years! I'm a confirmed ISTJ. And their description sure matches me! I think my family would agree.

If you enjoy this kind of thing, how about taking the test and posting your results here? Do you think your description fits you?

TAKE THE TEST!

I'll have Mr. P take the test later today and post his results in the comments. I wonder if he's still the same guy I fell in love with? Actually, we talked about this the other day and couldn't remember just what his type was. Maybe he's borderline on a couple categories. My guesses for him are ISTP, ISFJ, or ISFP. My top guess is ISTP.