Rag Curls

My youngest princess had a music program for school today, so last night we decided to do her hair up in rag curls.

She was so proud! Here she is all ready for bed the night before her big debut:

I had never done this before and didn't know what to expect when I took them out this morning. As I pulled out the ties, POOF, her hair turned into poodle hair. She was running around saying, "I have boing-boing curls." (I read the girls Ramona Quimby books this summer)

I wasn't sure what to do with all of this tight, tight curls, so I just pulled the sides back. She loved it so that's what's matters.

I'll probably roll them in bigger sections next time so they don't end up so kinky. : )

Here she is on stage. She was so excited to do Hansel and Gretel today. I was a proud mama as usual.

If you want to try rag curls yourself~ I cut an old t-shirt into 8 inch long strips about an inch wide, rolled wet/moussed hair onto the strip, then tied the ends into a bow. They're soft and easy to sleep on, but WATCH OUT! You'll end up with TIGHT, boing-boing curls. : )

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A Playdate With A Purpose: Bowls and Spoons for Orphans in Haiti

I am enjoying all of the conversation about dog ownership. There sure are differing opinions. : ) I'll get back to that discussion soon, but I wanted to share with you something special the girls and I did today.

Brandi, a mom who I met on my adoption yahoo group, started a great group for kids called Kids Lake. It stands for Kids Loving As Kingdom Examples. Brandi started a website that sponsors a new project each month that allows kids to help other kids around the world. The theme this month was helping orphans in Haiti by purchasing bowls and spoons for them.

I was so excited to find this website. I've been praying for ways to develop generous and compassionate hearts in my kids. The girls helped me plan a playdate with their friends and today was the day. (All of my ideas for this playdate came from the Kids Lake website)

I talked with the kids about what life is like in Haiti. We learned that many orphans have only one meal of rice a day, and many have to hold that rice in their hands. I scooped rice into the kids' hands and they had to try to eat it without dropping any. As I asked questions, the kids talked about how hard it was to not drop any, how sad they would be if that was their only food, how they would eat any that fell on the ground even if it was dirty, and how dangerous it is to eat with dirty hands.




Trying hard not to drop "their only meal of the day."



Making posters reminding us to pray for Haiti:




The kids brought offerings from their piggy banks to help buy the bowls and spoons.



Even the youngest among us wanted to contribute. : )



Hey! I was there, too. I even got to sample some rice. : )

If you are interested in donating to this cause, you can checkout the Kid's Lake website. They have a PayPal Donation button set up.

It sure was sweet to watch these kids opening their hearts to the kids of Haiti. I'm excited about future projects. I love what this experience has taught my girls already.

We had AWANA tonight and the girls asked if they could get up and tell the other Sparks about their playdate today. I was shocked how comfortable they both were with a microphone and how knowledgeable they were about what we did today. They were able to share what they learned about Haiti and to invite everyone to go to the Kid's Lake website, too.

This was a really special thing. It made my mommy heart happy. Plus I got to hang out with some great friends. : )

(Is it wrong that the moms ate molasses cookies and drank coffee while our kids only got rice?)

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A Little Self- Discovery

Hey everyone, thanks so much for the feedback on the dog question. So far I'm getting a dose of reality from most of you. If you want to convince me that we need a dog, or if you want to keep me from making a big mistake, let your voice be heard! Click here for your chance to convince me.

While I was reading through your comments, I started doing a little blog surfing and saw my friends, Jennifer and Daiquiri played this game. It looked like fun, so instead of the workout I am supposed to be doing right now, I gave it a try. You Google your name with the word needs in quotation marks. (e.g. "Becky needs")

I learned so much about myself! Ha Ha....

Becky needs:

A place to live
(I'm happy right where I am, thank you very much!)

To listen to Kareem Abdul Jabbar
(Has anyone ever heard that song? Must be before my time!)

A little taste
(Of chocolate? Or are you talking about my personal style????)

A friend
(Any volunteers?)

A psychiatrist
(Ha! How did they know? I though I hid my insanity well)

An Aerobo machine
(A what?)

Time to think
(Yep...right on!)

Help
(Always!)

A giant crane to get her lazy dad off the settee
(Not true! Don’t get your feelings hurt, Dad)

And MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF MORE MONEY! : )

The last one is my favorite!

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Here is Your Chance to Convince Me

So, I think it is pretty clear that we have a dog lover in this house. : ) Thank you for leaving Oldest Princess your nice comments after her guest post. She read every one and is so excited about how many people are on her side in her quest to get a dog.

Her birthday is coming up in two weeks, and I've considered the possibility of getting a dog for her. (Grandma, note that I said CONSIDERED not DECIDED to get her a dog) I have so many reservations about doing it, though. I thought I'd dedicate this post to explain why I'm dragging my feet and to see if any of you have advice one way or the other.

I have to be honest. I'm not an animal person. I don't dislike animals at all, I'm just content to be pet-free. I'm perfectly happy with taking care of babies. I think my husband and youngest daughter could be described the same way. But my oldest daughter on the other hand. I don't think she just wants a pet, I think it is a NEED.

But here are my concerns:

- She is so young (only in the first grade) and may not be ready for such a huge responsibility


- I'm so busy with a new baby right now, isn't having a puppy just like having a newborn-sleepless nights, potty training etc.? I keep thinking, "Maybe this just isn't the right time."


- I have no idea what kind of dog to get. I don't like yippy, little dogs that are hyper, but I am intimidated by big dogs and my youngest daughter is, too.


- The dogs I think are cute are REALLY expensive ($500 - $1,000) and I really don't know if they'd make good dogs or not. I think Bichon Frise are adorable. And I like the small breeds that are mixed with poodles. I like the idea of as little shedding as possible. What little dogs would be loving, mellow, and low maintenance? My oldest daughter doesn't care what a dog looks like. She loves them all! But I want a cute one. I'm shallow like that.


- I'm a wimpy city girl who doesn't want to deal with dog throw up or dog diarrhea. I watched my good friend go through these messes and it scared me. I have a hard enough time cleaning up after my kids that I'd take a bullet for when they puke or have poop issues.


- We live in a neighborhood, so a dog wouldn't have a lot of room to run and be free.

Anyway, I want so much to see the look of joy on her face when we finally give her the dog she's wanted for years, but I'm just not sure if now is the right time, and if it is, what kind of dog would be best? I know that all of the responsibility would fall on me if she isn't ready for this, so it needs to be a dog I could fall in love with, too. I know I would fall in love with our dog once we get him or her, I just don't know what to do. What do you all think?

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All Other Ground Is Sinking Sand

On Friday, I was so upset by the passage of the new stimulus bill, I sat down and wrote a ranting blog post. I never published it, though, because I knew it wouldn't be fruitful. Instead, I started thinking about an old hymn called "The Solid Rock" that has been on my heart and mind lately. It inspired the devotion I wrote for my church's Women's Ministry website this week. So instead of posting my rant about the stimulus bill, I decided to cross post this week's devotion here, too. I love the You Tube videos at the end and I also posted the lyrics to "The Solid Rock." Old hymns like that are sermons all by themselves.

From the Word:

Click and Read Matthew 7:24-29


Key Verse:

The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. -Matthew 7:25

My good friend and I were on the phone talking about some of the national news upsetting us lately. Shook up, she said, "I have to stop reading the news. It is too scary."

I told her, "I know what you mean. Sometimes, I feel like the America I have always loved and trusted in is eroding before my eyes, and I can't do anything to stop it."

Until recently, I was unaware of how much trust I've placed in our country, or how much security I've felt simply from being an American. In this current climate of uncertainty and change, I've felt like I'm standing on shifting sand, that my foundation has been shook. It's not a pleasant feeling.

During one of these episodes of fear, I suddenly remembered an old hymn from my childhood. I could only remember a few phrases, so I looked up the lyrics on the Internet. What a sermon that old song has preached to me these past few weeks. I can't get it out of my mind. I sing it in the shower. I sing it in the car. I sing it to my baby. (He doesn't mind how off key I am)

Every time bad news, politics, or current events trigger that insecurity anew, I sing again, "On Christ the Solid Rock I stand. All other ground is sinking sand!"

As a follower of Christ, my security does not come from the success or failure of the U.S. Yes, I love my country. Yes, I'm proud to be an American. But, my foundation is the Solid Rock, Jesus Christ. He will never fail. He will never forsake me. My foundation hasn't been shook at all. He is the same yesterday, today, and forevermore.

Personal Application:

Have you placed your faith and trust in anything other than Jesus Christ?
All other foundations are weak and will fail you.
Renew your commitment to trust in nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness.
As you look at current events, remember to whom you belong and in whom you trust. He will NEVER fail you!

More of God's Word:

1. When the storms of life come, the wicked are whirled away, but the godly have a lasting foundation. -Psalm 10:25 (NLT)

2. But the Lord is in his holy Temple; the Lord still rules from heaven. He watches everyone closely, examining every person on earth. -Psalm 11:4 (NLT)

3. When the earth and all its people quake, it is I who hold its pillars firm. - Psalm 75:3 (NIV)

Are there fears and worries facing you this week? I pray these songs will encourage you as they did me this week:









Here are the lyrics I've sung in the shower this week:

"My Hope is Built on Nothing Less"
by Edward Mote, 1797-1874

1. My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus' blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus' name.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

2. When darkness veils His lovely face,
I rest on His unchanging grace;
In every high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

3. His oath, His covenant, and blood
Support me in the whelming flood;
When every earthly prop gives way,
He then is all my Hope and Stay.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

4. When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh, may I then in Him be found,
Clothed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne!
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

God Bless You!

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All About Dogs

I'm turning over my blog to my oldest princess today. She wants to write her own blog posts, so I told her she could be a guest blogger on mine. Guess what topic she chose? Oh, brother, she is relentless! : )

All About Dogs

This what I know about dogs. I know a lot of kinds like Beagles, Dalmatians, Black labs, Golden labs, Chocolate labs. I also know a lot about them.

Dalmatians are sort of mean. Beagles are cute. Black Labs, Golden Labs, and Chocolate Labs are related by the labs.

If I had a dog it would be a Beagle. Because Beagles stay small. They grow up to medium size.

Black Labs grow high. Same with Chocolate Labs and Golden Labs.

I love dogs because they are furry and cute. That's all I want to say.

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Romance

Wow, King Charming earned some major brownie points this week. Because of work, we won't be able to spend Valentine's Day together, so we went out Thursday night to celebrate instead.

The evening began by him asking me to tell him my favorite color. I laughed and said, "You know it is 'sunset' why? Then he handed me a dozen roses the color of the sunset. He said he saw them and knew they were for me.

I keep looking at them sitting on the table. They are that beautiful, sunset orange, pink, red that I can never describe but that makes me smile so much. I've never had flowers make me so happy. : )

Then we put the kids all to bed, and Grandma stayed with them while we went out for a real, grown-up date. He took me to a quaint little wine bar downtown, and he doesn't even like wine. We sat at a candle-lit table and talked for a few hours while I enjoyed the wine, and he enjoyed watching me have a good time. The owner was a sweet, English woman, who didn't make me feel dumb for being really clueless about wine. I discovered I'm a fan of Riesling and Port with chocolate dessert. Yummy! : )

It was just an unexpected, memory making night. I love my husband so much. I love the life we have together. I don't ever want to take that for granted.

Last week we rented Fireproof from Netflix and it is a movie that has stuck with us both. Part of our conversation Thursday night was about Fireproof and some of the things we've thought about after watching the movie. Kirk Cameron (who you already know I have a soft-spot for) is the main character in this movie. It is movie that a church in the south (the same one that made Facing the Giants) made for about $500,000, but it ended up making over 33 million in the movie theaters. I believe the success comes from the amazing message about how special marriage really is. All of the actors were unpaid volunteers and it definitely is a low budget movie, so it took us both about 20 minutes to get over being critical of its low budget quality, but after that we were sucked into the story and so moved by it. I can't recommend it highly enough.

There is a part in the movie where Kirk Cameron's character is encouraged to study his wife again, like he did before they were married. I think that is the line that has stuck with me the most. I want to start studying King Charming again, to know him even more, and to learn how to love him even better and deeper. (If that is possible)

Marriage is such a beautiful reminder of the Greatest Romance of all- the love Jesus showed when he was nailed on that cross for you and me. I hope you all have a sweet, sweet Valentine's Day loving and being loved. Don't forget Jesus, the Lover of your soul, today, and if you have never given your life to Him or accepted His amazing Love Gift, don't let any more time go by before you do. If you have any questions about Him, I don't have all the answers, but I would love to try to answer those for you in a non-judgmental way. My email address is everydaybecky at gmail dot com.

Happy Valentine's Day!

By the way...did I mention I got flowers???? : ) : ) : )

Love,

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Kids Say the Darndest Things

My youngest daughter has come up with some classics lately that I don't want to forget, so I thought I'd document them here. : )
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My girls were having a tea party and I overheard this very, very polite conversation:

Big Sister: So, how is your day today?

Little Sister: Well, the children, they are driving me crazy.

(I know your pain, little girl!) : )

_______________________________________

I have been on a spring cleaning kick lately. I do know it isn't spring yet, but I think deep down I hope the cleaning will make spring come sooner.

I borrowed my mom's portable steam cleaner and have been going to town on floors and faucets and toilets trying to make everything shine. My youngest daughter has been my helper. She loves being a little homemaker with me.

While we were in the middle of cleaning, she took a look at her sick daddy laying on the couch and said, "Mommy, I think we need to steam clean Daddy and kill all HIS germs!" : )

(Don't think he'd enjoy that too much, but I can't fault her thinking. None of us want to get what he has, poor guy!)

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Littlest Princess had two friends, Suzie and Molly, over the other day, and after watching a movie together they were acting out scenes from the movie. Two of the girls insisted they needed to be girls and WOULD NOT pretend to be a boy. Here's how the conversation went: (Names have been changed to protect the innocent)

Suzie: I don't mind being a boy. I don't know why but sometimes I like to be the boy when we pretend.

Princess: That's because of the peanut. You like to be a boy so you can have a peanut, too.

Suzie: It is NOT called a peanut! My daddy says it is called the nut!

Molly: Oh! I can't be the boy then. I'm ALLERGIC to nuts!

I'm sure Molly's momma will be glad to know her daughter is allergic to those types of nuts. At least until she's ready for grandchildren!

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BREAKING NEWS!!!!! Spot Has Been Found!!!! : )

Hugs for the hero! Little sister found Spot!

Back in her arms where he belongs!

HALLELUJAH!! I sent the kids out to play in the backyard this afternoon. They weren't out there for more than 10 minutes before they came crashing in the door, screaming with joy. "We found Spot! We found Spot!"

It reminds me of the Velveteen Rabbit. Poor Spot was left outside for three weeks on a swing set we haven't used because of bad weather. He is a little beat up and stinky, but nothing a good bath in my washing machine won't cure.

THANK YOU for caring about this little girl and praying that Spot would be found. It feels so good to not have to search any more. I love that dumb toy! : )

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My New Mug

Here is the newest addition to my coffee mug collection:

It traveled all the way here from Starbucks Romania. Our good friends, Brian and Cynthia are missionaries in Romania and also share our love for caffeine. They were back in the states for a visit and brought us this gift. I love my new mug and use it every morning. I think it was meant to be a gift to both King Charming and me, but I've staked a claim on it and haven't let him use it yet. (blush)

Can you believe Starbucks has reached so far? My sister-in-law is a Starbucks mug junkie. Admit it Angie, you're jealous! Hee Hee.

We had such a great visit with Brian and Cynthia. We've always known they would go into the ministry someday. Then one day four years ago they said, "We're moving to Romania, and by the way we're leaving in a few months." Then they were gone.

I was in awe of a family that was so lightly tied to their lives here and so obedient, that they could just pack up and leave it all behind within a few months to follow a higher calling. They had two kids when they left, have had a baby in Romania while they've been gone, and will have their fourth in March. I can't imagine the adjustments their family had to make. Or what it is like to overcome the language barrier and start a new church. They make it look easy, but I'm sure it has been more challenging than they let on. They are just so dependent on the Lord and so trusting that He will provide. And He does.

I was inspired by their visit and their example. I'm grateful I get to be a part of the work they do by praying for them and reading their newsletters. Now when I drink my coffee I can remember to pray for their family. I won't worry about them too much now, though. You can handle a lot with a good Starbucks close by. : )

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Spot is Missing : (

My oldest princess has had this little stuffed dalmatian dog since she was a baby. Until recently, there hasn't been a night she's slept without him for a very, very long time. He will always represent her childhood to me. Anyone who knows her, knows how important Spot is to her. We are anti-clutter people and are known for throwing or giving things away, but this is one toy I planned on keeping forever.

I don't know how it happened, but somehow Spot got lost after Christmas. I have turned this house inside out looking for him. One night, with tears in her eyes, she said, "Mommy, I think Spot is lost forever." It just about broke my heart. I'm as attached to him as she is.

I thought for sure he would have turned up by now, but he is nowhere to be found. If you are so inclined, would you pray for a little girl to find her favorite stuffed doggie?

Thank you!

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You All Aren't Much Help!

Thanks for all of the input for my picture decision, but you haven't helped much! Hee Hee

I guess it's the price I have to pay for having such a cute kid and such a talented friend. : )
I think I've made up my mind though, but I'm not 100% sure yet. I'll let you know soon. It is this very same indecisiveness that caused me to wait 10 years for a wedding photo!

I forgot to tell you all my good news! Remember when I sent you over to Dani's blog for her big 100th post giveaway? Guess who won? Me! I was so surprised and so excited! I chose the $30 Wal-Mart card. I have big plans for it that I'll tell you about in an upcoming post.

Well, I better get OFF THIS COMPUTER and GET SOME WORK DONE before my house looks like the one in Shel Silverstein's poem, "Sarah Cynthia Silvia Stout Would Not Take the Garbage Out"!

Have a great day everyone!

Love,



P.S. I also forgot to tell you my other good news! Prince Charming is sleeping through the night again! I put him to bed last night at 9:00 and he woke up at 7:30 this morning! He's been sleeping really well for about a week now. Thank you, Lord! I think we fixed the damage done by our Christmas trip. OK...now I really need to get to work!

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