Why all children should be 13 years apart

He swings with her

She rides on his shoulders

He loves to carry her.

...on his back too!!!

Try any of this when they're only 15 months apart!!!

Counterfeit Gods

I'm currently reading the book, Counterfeit Gods by Timothy Keller. In it, he reveals the idols we now worship in our modern society; money, sex, and power. He details, how they, and all idols, enslave us, and how blind we are to them. Here is one candid quote about the signs of political idolatry:

"One of the signs that an object is functioning as an idol is that fear becomes one of the chief characteristics of life. When we center our lives on the idol, we become dependent on it. If our counterfeit god is threatened in any way, our response is complete panic. We do not say, "What a shame, how difficult," but rather "This is the end! There's no hope!"

This may be the reason why so many people now respond the U. S. political trends in such an extreme way. When either party wins an election, a certain percentage of the losing side talks openly about leaving the country. They become agitated and fearful for the future. They have put the kind of hope in their political leaders and policies that once was reserved for God and the work of the gospel. When their political leaders are out of power, they experience a death. They believe that if their policies and people are not in power, everything will fall apart. They refuse to admit how much agreement they actually have with the other party and instead focus on the points of disagreement. The points of contention overshadow everything else, and a poisonous environment is created."

This book is fabulous! I highly recommend it!! To order this book click here.

Photos...

After bath

Looks like she's ready for ballet!

Family...

My nieces...REALLY not in the mood for a photo shoot. Their mother had to force them to stand together for this picture! I clearly do NOT have a future in children's photography.

She's thinking..."hurry up lady!!!"

Baby Airyn...a couple weeks old now.

Just chillin' in his mommy's arms!

The Verdict: Cast for 4 weeks

The orthopedic surgeon said Drew's thumb would need to be in a cast for 4 weeks. After 4 weeks, he will be checked again to see if it has properly healed.

This means no swimming for a month and learning to be a lefty. Drew is thrilled.

He is very thankful he didn't need surgery, but not so excited about a cast.

He asked me to post the x-rays. He thought they were very cool.

A day in the life...

Tussling with Drew. She loves to crawl all over her brothers.

Sitting on her pink car.

Beautiful!

Laughing after eating M & Ms (notice the chocaloate on her dress collar?)

Her mischievious look...after she emptied one of my cabinets.

Jacker Turns 9!!

He invites some friends over...they play guns & video games.

We grill hamburgers, brats, and eat watermelon.

...in the garage...I can't have this many boys in the house...eating..and burping.

Jack got some gifts.

Addison really liked his new football!

(I don't know what happened to her hair here?!?)

yes...I made that cake!!! (from a box mix, but I'm still proud!)

They camped in our back yard. (again..not in the house..notice a theme?!?)

They had watergun fights. (outside of course!)

Defending their territory. (Drew and his cousin)

All the boys with their water guns.

I think everyone had fun!

Happy Birthday Jack!!!

Addie's Favorite Way to Eat

How does Addison like to eat? Sitting in someone's lap...

Having them cut up little bites for her while she chills....

Carefully placing each bite in her little mouth....

Carefully...without dripping that syrup...

Yumm....

A Broken Thumb

This is what happens when you dive for a ground ball and your thumb gets stuck in the ground and your body keeps moving: it breaks!

On his right hand no less; now he'll have to be a lefty.

In good spirits; despite the injury, and perhaps inspired to be an orthopedic surgeon!

No more of this. He's out for the rest of the season.

A New Nephew

My Brother & his wife just adopted a new baby boy!!!

His name is Airyn Sayge (pronounced "Aaron Sage") He is currently about a week old and is doing wonderfully! We are so excited that this little boy has entered out lives! Here are some photos of him. We think his eyes will be blue, but there is no telling.

He appears to be very fair complected.

Kansas University Basketball Camp

Drew attended a basketball camp where he got to interact and play with players from KU and K-state. He didn't care so much about the k-state players, but he was enamored with the KU players. Here are some photos of his fun!!

Marcus Morris is the first one in line and Brady Morningstar is last.

Brady Morningstar

Drew watching the players shoot. (he's in awe!!)

Cutie pie!

KU's Mario Little playing around with the kids

The video is of Drew's team going against the college all-star team in a game of Bananza.

The all-stars won. It wasn't really fair, but it was fun!