How to Entertain a Baby...

...so you can fold clothes.

Items necessary:

magnetic animals from your fridge farm

colander, rubbermaid container, spoon, and spatula

baby doll

one clean pair of socks

The result? 30-40 minutes of play and neatly folded laundry.  Usually, she unfolds the clothes as I'm getting them folded.  

Thanksgiving, 8 Month Update, etc.

I hope each and every one of you had a very happy Thanksgiving (to God) Day!  We definitely did.  Everything is so special this year since it's Riley's first.  We started the day with breakfast at IHOP (that, we've decided, is going to be a Brown family tradition), headed home to cook and play with Riley, and then went to my aunt and uncle's for our Thanksgiving dinner.  There were about 30 of us including grandparents, cousins, and spouses/dates.  It's really nice (i.e., not stressful) because not everyone has to cook the whole meal; we split things up.  My mom makes sweet potato casseroles and green beans, I make mashed potatoes and a dessert, and each family brings a couple things so no one has to cook for days before hand (I'm sure Martha and Kirk do the most).  I'm always interested to see what edible "craft" my cousin has made with her kids.  This year it was a turkey similar to this one.  It was very cute.  I can't wait until Riley's old enough to enjoy activities like that.

Sometime between my last post and Thanksgiving, Riley turned 8 months old.  It makes me feel sad and excited all at the same time.  She's doing so many fun things.  Waving, saying bye-bye, crawling, etc.  She laughs and waves at random strangers, kisses herself in mirrors, and loves playing with her toys (especially this little stuffed banana that came in a "grocery" set).  She screeches when she sees David across a room and starts laughing and reaching for him, she has learned the "I drop it, the adult picks it up" game, and she eats like whatever she's getting might be her very last meal.  She's getting very good about responding to no.  If she really wants to do what you've asked her not to, she starts crying because she knows we're not going to let her do it.  All in all, just like every other stage, this is our favorite.  

We've also been updating our house.  We've been up late many nights during the past two weeks painting, tiling, etc.  I'm excited to show pictures of our kitchen, but I'm going to wait until it's finished.  The picture to the left shows the paint choices.  I will tell you that we ended up going with "Inch Worm" (top) and it looks great!  We've painted our bathroom a chocolate brown (I know, I know... drastic) which looks really nice against the white counters, white shower curtain, etc.  It was definitely a big change from our pale green, but David and I both love the way it turned out and how it coordinates with our bedroom (which is blue and brown).  We wondered if Riley would notice the differences, but so far, she seems totally unfazed by the new paint colors and other changes.  

Cleaning the Shower...

Cleaning our shower is not my favorite task around the house (Read, I put it off as long as possible).  I’m always looking for a way to cheat (i.e., make it an easy task that doesn’t take a lot of time) so I can get back to playing with my sweet baby girl. 

Let’s be honest.  I live in Florida, the land where mold and mildew abound.  My shower can get nasty fast. I recently found my go-to cleaner. This cleaner knocks both of those out in one little coating!  Seriously.  Arm & Hammer Scrub Free Cleaner with Bleach is the bomb at cleaning showers.  If you fight to keep your shower mold and mildew free, this one’s for you. 

All this thinking about cleaning got me pondering something else.  We’re so focused on having our houses clean.  We tend to spend time making sure our outward appearance is kept and tidy.  Are we paying any attention to our insides, though?  Are we taking the appropriate steps to make sure our hearts are clean and neat?  

Here are some verses to think about:

Whose adorning let it not be that outward [adorning] of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But [let it be] the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, [even the ornament] of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

I Peter 3:3-4

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

Psalm 51:10

Photo Ramblings: Riley Grace's Nursery

Fall Has Arrived!

As of September twenty-second, fall is officially upon us.  Even though we haven't begun to feel its presence change the weather, there's no denying that the days are getting shorter (which, in my opinion, is the only negative aspect of this season).  I have to say, I'm really jealous of the states whose leaves and weather change this early.  It's hard to believe that somewhere in the country, people are actually breaking out the sweaters and other fall apparel when our temperature hit 91˚ yesterday afternoon.  

Even though I can't enjoy the cooler weather just yet (though they say it's supposed to be a little bit cooler tomorrow!), I can decorate my house to at least help me enjoy my favorite season (plus, we haven't started decorating the baby's room yet because we don't know what "baby" is yet... it's letting me get my "nesting" fix).  I also took advantage of the opportunity to snap some photos with my new camera.  Hope you enjoy. 

Exciting News!

I AM GOING TO HAVE A BABY!  

(Lord willing!)

Please, please pray for a safe pregnancy, delivery, and baby!

Needless to say, we are extremely excited.

I don't have an exact due date yet;  

I'm going back in a couple weeks for my first ultrasound.  

Will update then!

Also, I am tempted to worry about all that could go wrong.  Please pray that God will 

give me peace and the ability to place my trust in Him!  He is in control, I'm not!

His way is perfect (Psalm 18:30), mine isn't.

I'm praying for peace & would appreciate it if you would join me!

So You Want to Be a Homemaker?

There's nothing wrong with that!

When I was in high school, I often found myself having the following conversation:  What are you going to do when you graduate?  Where do you want to go to college?  What career do you want?  I would then explain that I was definitely going to college, planned on majoring in music (it later changed to elementary ed.), but I did not plan on having a “career” because I wanted to eventually be a wife and a stay-at-home mom (domestic engineer).  This always got strange looks and reactions, especially from my fellow students and professors. 

This post is really addressed to younger girls.  It’s okay to want to be a wife and a mother!  Do you need to plan in case that doesn’t happen within “your” time frame?  Sure you do.  You don’t want to be living off your parents when your 48 if you haven’t found “the one.”  However, it’s okay to prepare for the homemaker position you desire (in fact, I encourage you to do just that). 

That said, I don’t think that means you should stop math in the sixth grade because you want to be a stay-at-home mom.  It’s my opinion (I know, I know, you never asked for it) that you should take every opportunity to learn something new, whether it’s math, science, or Bible.  Whatever you learn, the Lord will allow you to use it for his glory.  What if you’re a missionary one day and you’re teaching kids on the field?  What if you decide to homeschool your kids?  Just because you want to “stay at home” you don’t have an excuse to slack off on your education. 

So stay the course.  Do your best in school.  Take classes that challenge you.  Study your Bible.  Prepare for your future; be open to whatever God would have that future to be!

Note: Perhaps I should go back to the bank and thank the lady who helped us for sparking a good blogging idea in my mind!  I would have never thought I’d get three posts out of one statement.  This thought is simply sticking with me, though.  

Proud Homemaker, Continued

I bought the book Created to Be His Help Meet (along with the companion journal) by Debi Pearl yesterday.  Before David and I were married, I read bits and pieces of this book that I feel really helped our marriage before it even got started.  Now, some young, newly married girls at church want to begin going through it on a regular basis, so I bought it myself. 

As I was delving into the first chapter, I found a thought that went along with my last post.  Debi Pearl says:

If you are a wife, you were created to fill a need, and in that capacity you are a “good thing,” a helper suited to the needs of a man.  This is how God created you and it is your purpose for existing.  You are, by nature, equipped in every way to be your man’s helper.  You are inferior to none as long as you function within your created nature, for no man can do your job, and no man is complete without his wife… A unisex society is a senseless society – as society dangerously out of order.

I like her point.  We’re not inferior to anyone if we’re doing the job God created us to do.  Just because we’re different doesn’t mean we’re inferior.  I really like that point.  I think the world is convinced that a biblical view of women is that they are inferior to the men, and that simply isn’t so.  

Proud Homemaker

Unfortunately, in our nation today, many women find the term homemaker degrading. To the general public, it seems to bring a mental picture of a passive woman being controlled unkindly by her heavy-handed husband. In our world, women want to be viewed in the same light as men. They can do everything just as well (I really like a point Bro. James has made a few times: When a woman fights for “equality” and receives it, she should get no special treatment on a job. If she gets a job as a UPS delivery person, should she really get help with the heavier packages? Should she have been hired for the job if she’s incapable of dealing with the size of packages?).

I couldn’t disagree with this way of thinking any more than I do! A woman who lives in a truly Christian home, though commanded to be submissive to her husband or obedient to her father, will be treated with the utmost respect, love, and kindness. She won’t be forced into “obedience.” A loving man who is in submission to God proves he is worthy of her trust and reverence (Eph. 5:33).

Now, I don’t say all this thinking that a woman should, in every single circumstance, be at home without work (the term work is very loosely defined in that sentence. Does the work in a home EVER end??). There are times when the husband you are commanded to follow asks you to get a job. There are times when it is financially necessary (though I think many people can do with far less than they think). The Proverbs 31 woman was obviously a very busy lady both inside and outside her home.

All this is a prelude to the following story story: At the bank today, the lady helping David and me was asking about my occupation. When I said I didn’t have a job, she asked me if I am a house wife/homemaker. She looked almost apologetic and said, “That sounds funny, doesn’t it?” I didn’t mean to contradict her, but couldn’t avoid saying, “Not at all.” David and I just looked at each other and smiled. It’s a job I’m very thankful to have! Even when I had a job outside our home, I was a homemaker. It’s much easier to devote all the necessary attention to that task now that I am not working, though!

One last thought for you ladies: The Bible doesn’t ask us to reverence (Eph 5:33) our husbands only if we deem them worthy. There are no conditions. We as wives are simply given the command. Let’s pray for each other that we’ll do just that.

Crock Pot Recipe Search

Okay, girls (and guys, if it applies), I'm in search of some tried and true crock pot recipes. On Monday, I threw some boneless, country-style ribs in the crock pot with barbeque sauce, a little bit of mustard, and worcestershire sauce. After they were tender, I shredded the meat and served it on homemade yeast rolls. We also had sweet potatoes and green beans (with diced ham, onion, and garlic). It was a delicious, unbelievably easy meal. Here's where you come in: What's your favorite crock pot meal and what sides do you serve with it? Looking forward to hearing (and trying) your suggestions!

Hectic Day

Today has been a hectic day.  I had to run errands this morning (one was to pick up the forms for my job!).  Then, I went home to get a few things done.  After that, I ended up cleaning my grandparents' downstairs.  That took me from 12:45 until 4:30...  their housekeeper isn't going to be able to clean for them anymore, so I'm their summer fill-in.  I figure it will be nice to have some extra money to buy supplies for my classroom.  

I made a vase of sunflower pens today.  You can visit this website for step-by-step instructions (scissors will work instead of wire cutters).  It turned out so well, I don't want to use it for my classroom...  I made one for our house a while back, so maybe I'll just switch them out. However, I did use nicer pens in the one for school.  I figure I will be using them very often, so I purchased my favorites (RSVP fine point).  I'll have to post a picture later.  I purchased a glass bowl with a fluted edge and some craft stones to house the flower pens.   

I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes...

If you read Tori's blog, I'm sorry you have to see this twice.  I thought it was worth sharing, though!  

All I can say is "wow."  Obviously Oprah doesn't believe the Bible as far as she could throw the White House.  You wouldn't let her have an hour alone with your kids... why let her come into your home for an hour even through the TV? 

Isaiah 64:6: But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

Psalm 101:3: I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.

Shiny Shower, Coming Right Up

Found this "how to" on another blog today, and thought I would share it with you.  My clean the shower routine is similar, but I think hers will work better, so I'm going to have to give it a try.  I wish I had read this earlier in the day than I did... I cleaned our shower today!  Oh, well, there's always the guest bathroom shower tomorrow.  

"Get it Done Day"

I was in dire need of a new ironing board cover...
I found this pretty one at Walmart today. I like
it so much better than the old blue and white striped
one that David has had since he was a bachelor!
Isn't it pretty?

Before I could put the ironing board away, I had to iron
the ironing board cover... I found that amusing.I knew the
wrinkles would eventually come out, but I didn't want
them to be there when I took my pictures to share.

I had a wonderful "get it done" day today. I finished all the laundry (remember that whole "I'm not going to let it pile up thing"?... this time I mean it!), got it all folded, etc. What a good feeling! I also got my grocery shopping done for the next two weeks. I went to four different stores, but I was able to save money by doing that. My mom and dad get the newspaper and have said we can have their Sunday coupons, but I always forget... I really need to make that a habit! I've heard that by combining coupons and store sales, you can really save. I generally just look for the store sales.

Church was great! It was on not worrying, but rather focusing on the things of the Lord. There is always going to be something to worry about... When is there going to be another hurricane? Is it there going to be another drought ? Who is going to become the next president? Is the economy going to bounce back? If we spent all our time dwelling on these things, we would never stop fretting. However, if we keep our minds stayed upon our wonderful Saviour, and spend our time telling others about his saving grace and willingness to forgive, we won't have time to agonize over what is going on in the world around us. This thought takes my mind back to the verse in Philippians that tells us what we're to think upon:

Philippians 4:8 -- Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Laundry Update

Thank you so much for all of your suggestions regarding the towels! After reading your comments and researching a little bit on my own, I cleaned my washing machine with white vinegar and a little bit of bleach (poured them into an empty, hot wash cycle), hoping to get rid of any residual build up.  I also purchased some OxiClean and rewashed the stinky towels...  I don't know if the smell is 100% gone, but it is already SO much better!  I'm going to try washing them one more time.  I have a feeling that the odor will be gone, never to return again.  Praise the Lord! I really do hate smelly towels!  

More later, but for now, I need to get ready for church!  

Success Story

Tonight, David and I had a guy from church (one of David's classmates) over for dinner to discuss some things regarding an upcoming youth rally at our church...  This man traveled with a group of Christian performers who produced Christian plays, etc. so he is going to be helping us with a skit.  

Anyways... isn't it nice when dinner comes out just how it is supposed to?  The bread, broccoli, mashed potatoes, and chicken are all ready at exactly the same time?  Nothing is not quite right.  Everything is just so...  I was so happy!  However, since it was a single young guy that came over, I'm sure he didn't even notice (and that's fine).  I simply wish it would work that way when we have a family over, etc. Smile...  that's just life.  

Also, the house is immaculate... my goal is for it to be that way continually, but it definitely doesn't always happen...  I just need to fold a couple baskets of laundry tonight.

Pray for us tomorrow, we are going out and putting tracts on cars in different parking lots (we call it a tract smack-down).  We do this occasionally, and it has enabled us to pass out many tracts.  Since it is before "Resurrection Day," we hope that some people will attend church on Sunday morning and hear the gospel.  Christmas and Easter are great times to share the good news!  People go to church on those two holidays more willingly than they will any other time of year.  

I will try to get some pictures of the smack-down tomorrow.  

Random List

As I was cleaning house yesterday, here are some things about which I thought (sometimes it's really hard not to end a sentence with a preposition...):

1. Wouldn't it be nice if all cleaners (toilet bowl cleaner, PineSol, antibacterial cleaner, Comet, etc.) could all smell the same? That way, when you clean the bathroom or the kitchen, you don't have some weird intermingling of random, cleaning odors? Wouldn't it be nice if the kitchen could smell like lemons or lavender and nothing else? I think someone should make a line of cleaners with the same exact same scent.
   
2. David and I played Phase 10 last night. I learned quickly that I don't like to lose that game... (: David and I also played Uno... Why is it that I win the games that require little or no thinking?
   
3. David helped me hang up and fold the clean laundry... I thought that it's probably pretty rare that a husband doesn't mind doing that, and does it without being asked. Thank you, David!
4. I figured out why my elbows are always so dry and red... whenever I read or use my laptop, I always lie on my stomach with my elbows on the bed or floor. People ask, what's wrong with your elbows, don't you put lotion on them? The answer is "yes," but I negate the lotion with my lousy habit! So... I'm going to try to stop that!
   
5. I finished the book of Joshua last night... I always find it exciting to end one book of the Bible and move on to the next when I'm reading straight through... why is that?
   
6. And finally... while David was folding/hanging the clothes, he took out a plaid shirt of his and a skirt of mine, and held them up and said, "Do you think these go?" He was playing around, and it made me laugh... We have to go somewhere tonight (a meeting at another church. Our church's midweek service is on Thursday nights). Wouldn't it be funny if I had that on as a joke?

I think about weird things when I'm cleaning... I needed to catch up on things around the house! I'm so glad I got almost everything done! Today I just have to wash sheets and dust!

The Brown Family Residence

"Home is the place where you feel comfortable without shoes."
"Home... a dearer, sweeter spot than all the rest."

"This world is not my home I'm just passing through
my treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue
the angels beckon me from Heaven's open door
and I can't feel at home in this world anymore

O Lord you know I have no friend like you
if Heaven's not my home then Lord what will I do?
the angels beckon me from Heaven's open door
and I can't feel at home in this world anymore"