www.freshbatchjams.com
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Growing a Business
Just to let you know, the official website for Fresh Batch Jams is finally up and running! I encourage you to log on, check out the product list and place an order! It's seriously good stuff.
www.freshbatchjams.com
www.freshbatchjams.com
Cherry Blossoms
My first Maryland Spring is here and I gotta say, I'm impressed. The scenery is breathtaking. There are some gorgeous cherry blossoms right outside my front door and they've been calling to me to come enjoy their sweet fragrance and catch pictures of them while I can, for I hear that they don't last long.
While outside, I took the time to photograph our cute little house. I love this place. It's sweet, quaint and the perfect size for our family. I also love how it's not beige stucco like so many military homes are. This one has character, all the way down to it's missing shutter. It's like it's winking at me every time I come home :)
I had so much fun scouring my yard this afternoon in the warm sun. Today officially felt like spring and I didn't want to go back inside. Even my garden looked brighter. I'm a bit impressed with myself guys. I have managed not to kill any of my flowers...yet.
I did eventually go back inside as Izzy woke up from her nap and I was eager to share my treasures with her. She too thought they were pretty cool.
I still feel as though I'm discovering this home, which is still somewhat new to me, and today we got to know each other just a little bit better.
While outside, I took the time to photograph our cute little house. I love this place. It's sweet, quaint and the perfect size for our family. I also love how it's not beige stucco like so many military homes are. This one has character, all the way down to it's missing shutter. It's like it's winking at me every time I come home :)
I had so much fun scouring my yard this afternoon in the warm sun. Today officially felt like spring and I didn't want to go back inside. Even my garden looked brighter. I'm a bit impressed with myself guys. I have managed not to kill any of my flowers...yet.
I did eventually go back inside as Izzy woke up from her nap and I was eager to share my treasures with her. She too thought they were pretty cool.
I still feel as though I'm discovering this home, which is still somewhat new to me, and today we got to know each other just a little bit better.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Bringing Up Girls
I'm scared.
I've been reading "The Lolita Effect" in recent weeks. It's taking me forever to get through it because after reading a few pages, I find myself so mentally and emotionally worked up and freaked out that I slam the book closed and begin praying as I curl up into the fetal position under the blanket on my bed and try to think "happy thoughts" as I attempt to go to sleep.
Yes, it's that bad. The book is not bad by any stretch, but the topic is frightening, especially if you're a mother of girls.
It's about the early sexualization of girls in our society. It addresses things that are found all over our culture that encourage young girls to dress inappropriately, behave in appropriately and all together grow up way too fast. From dolls like the Bratz dolls with their mini-skirts and tube tops all in the name of fashion to seemingly innocent shows like Hannah Montana who's content is more age-appropriate for a 12 or 13 year old, but who's actual audience are 6 and 7 year olds. Why? Because the 12 and 13 year olds are watching MTV and VH1! And guys, I don't even feel old enough for some of the stuff on those networks!
Anyway, I'm half way through the book and I've realized that after all of this negative, dooms-day information that I'm digesting every evening, it's easy to fall into the trap of hopelessness. Especially if you're like me, and you believe that things will most likely get worse before they get better. My poor little girls. I fear what kind of world they will be faced with when they come of age. I'm pretty sure it won't be a world that encourages purity and piety and modesty.
And that's where I cling to Jesus. He is the ray of hope in this destitute place. Raising children is scary, it's hard and it's messy. But if I put my hope in Him, if I can set an example of purity, piety and modesty for my children, if I can fill them with His Word and His promises and the truth that they are fearfully and wonderfully made by a God who has a purpose for their lives, than they'll be able to face the darkness in this place.
To all of my dear friends raising children, and to all of those who hope to be one day, you're in my prayers. This parenting stuff isn't for the faint of heart, for we have been tasked with supplying the world with the next generation of warriors, leaving a legacy of faith, virtue and truth.
Needless to say, I'll be reading this book next...
I've been reading "The Lolita Effect" in recent weeks. It's taking me forever to get through it because after reading a few pages, I find myself so mentally and emotionally worked up and freaked out that I slam the book closed and begin praying as I curl up into the fetal position under the blanket on my bed and try to think "happy thoughts" as I attempt to go to sleep.
Yes, it's that bad. The book is not bad by any stretch, but the topic is frightening, especially if you're a mother of girls.
It's about the early sexualization of girls in our society. It addresses things that are found all over our culture that encourage young girls to dress inappropriately, behave in appropriately and all together grow up way too fast. From dolls like the Bratz dolls with their mini-skirts and tube tops all in the name of fashion to seemingly innocent shows like Hannah Montana who's content is more age-appropriate for a 12 or 13 year old, but who's actual audience are 6 and 7 year olds. Why? Because the 12 and 13 year olds are watching MTV and VH1! And guys, I don't even feel old enough for some of the stuff on those networks!
Anyway, I'm half way through the book and I've realized that after all of this negative, dooms-day information that I'm digesting every evening, it's easy to fall into the trap of hopelessness. Especially if you're like me, and you believe that things will most likely get worse before they get better. My poor little girls. I fear what kind of world they will be faced with when they come of age. I'm pretty sure it won't be a world that encourages purity and piety and modesty.
And that's where I cling to Jesus. He is the ray of hope in this destitute place. Raising children is scary, it's hard and it's messy. But if I put my hope in Him, if I can set an example of purity, piety and modesty for my children, if I can fill them with His Word and His promises and the truth that they are fearfully and wonderfully made by a God who has a purpose for their lives, than they'll be able to face the darkness in this place.
To all of my dear friends raising children, and to all of those who hope to be one day, you're in my prayers. This parenting stuff isn't for the faint of heart, for we have been tasked with supplying the world with the next generation of warriors, leaving a legacy of faith, virtue and truth.
Needless to say, I'll be reading this book next...
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Cutest Nursery EVER!!!
One of my favorite blogs is House of Turquoise, for obvious reasons. I check it daily and drool over the rooms all decked out in my all time favorite color. They're really beautiful. A few days ago, there was this nursery.
I know...don't you just want to have all kinds of babies JUST so you can have THIS nursery!?! Paul may be in trouble.
I know...don't you just want to have all kinds of babies JUST so you can have THIS nursery!?! Paul may be in trouble.
It's all Fun and Games...
Izzy loves watching Eva do just about anything. Whether it's twirling in the living room in her Snow White dress, reading a book, or talking to her daddy, in Izzy's opinion, Eva is the most interesting person ever!
Eva has started to take great pride in this. About once every day, Izzy will start giggling at something Eva is doing and it seems to fuel Eva's fire to entertain! Once she figures out what it was that got Izzy's tickle box turned over, Eva will repeat the action with gusto until the amused belly laughs fade into a sweet courtesy chuckle.
Yesterday, it was a game of peek-a-boo. Eva would crouch down under Izzy's high-chair tray and as Izzy would lean as far forward in her seat as possible, trying to see where Eva had disappeared to, Eva would pop up and say, "BOO!" Izzy's laughs were infectious. No matter how many times Eva did this, Izzy laughs never faded. They were always as genuine as the time before.
I watched and took pictures until, the inevitable happened. Eva hit the bridge of her nose on the bottom of the high-chair tray and the tears soon followed. Izzy seemed to understand that the mis-hap marked the end of the play session and nonchalantly focused her attention back onto the few cheerios she had left while Eva somberly trudged to me looking for a cuddle and a kiss.
The moment was gone. It's just like Momma used to say, "it's all fun and games 'til someone hits their nose on a high-chair."
Eva has started to take great pride in this. About once every day, Izzy will start giggling at something Eva is doing and it seems to fuel Eva's fire to entertain! Once she figures out what it was that got Izzy's tickle box turned over, Eva will repeat the action with gusto until the amused belly laughs fade into a sweet courtesy chuckle.
Yesterday, it was a game of peek-a-boo. Eva would crouch down under Izzy's high-chair tray and as Izzy would lean as far forward in her seat as possible, trying to see where Eva had disappeared to, Eva would pop up and say, "BOO!" Izzy's laughs were infectious. No matter how many times Eva did this, Izzy laughs never faded. They were always as genuine as the time before.
I watched and took pictures until, the inevitable happened. Eva hit the bridge of her nose on the bottom of the high-chair tray and the tears soon followed. Izzy seemed to understand that the mis-hap marked the end of the play session and nonchalantly focused her attention back onto the few cheerios she had left while Eva somberly trudged to me looking for a cuddle and a kiss.
The moment was gone. It's just like Momma used to say, "it's all fun and games 'til someone hits their nose on a high-chair."
Love Notes
Even almost 2 weeks since she left, I'm still finding remnants of my mom all over my house. Little love notes penned when she had only a few minutes left of her visit, folded and stuffed in unassuming corners of my house.
I miss you Mom!
I miss you Mom!
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