Happy Leap Day!

F.Y.I.
A solar year lasts 365 days, 5 hours, 48 minutes, and 45 seconds. To adjust our calendar, a day is added every four years to make up the excess time.

Something to think about: All our time measurements (hour, day,month, year), are keyed to astronomical processes. However, the 7 day week, which is and has been observed all over the world, has no astronomical base at all. We keep time in weeks, simply because God does.

The Lord made the earth in 6 days, then rested on the 7th. He surely didn't need the rest, but He knew His created people would need to come apart every few days for a break. So as the week draws to an end, and you are tired and weak, be sure to plan your weekend around the Lord's Day, so you can receive the refreshment and encouragement and exhortation you need from Him to make it through yet another week.

LOL

Okay, I've been browsing through my quote book again this morning. Today, I'd like to share some from one of my favorite authors, the late Erma Bombeck. I first read one of her books when I was only about 14 or 15 years old, but I was hooked by her honesty and wit. Now, as a mother, I truly identify with her and am glad to see someone so honest about the unglamorous, yet wonderful, life of a housewife. Enjoy!

"Seize the moment. Think of all those women on the 'Titanic' who waved off the dessert cart."

"My second favorite household chore is ironing. My first one being hitting my head on the top bunk bed until I faint."

"I come from a family where gravy is considered a beverage."

"I've exercised with women so thin that buzzards followed them to their cars."

"In two decades I've lost 789 pounds. I should be hanging from a charm bracelet."

"I never leaf through a copy of National Geographic without realizing how lucky we are to live in a society where it is traditional to wear clothes."

"Mothers have to remember what food each child likes or dislikes, which one is allergic to penicillin and hamster fur, who gets carsick and who isn't kidding when he stands outside the bathroom door and tells you what's going to happen if he doesn't get in right away. It's tough. If they all have the same hair color they tend to run together."

"My kids always perceived the bathroom as a place where you wait it out until all the groceries are unloaded from the car."

"Have you any idea how many children it takes to turn off one light in the kitchen? Three. It takes one to say, "What light?" and two more to say, "I didn't turn it on."

"No one loves a Christmas tree on Jan. 1..... Next to the presidency, detrimming a tree has to be the loneliest job in the world. It has fallen to women for centuries and is considered a skill only they can do, like replacing the roll on the toilet tissue spindle, painting baseboards, holding a wet washcloth for a child who is throwing up or taking out a splinter with a needle."

"Don't confuse fame with success. Madonna is one; Helen Keller is the other."

When you have time, clink on this link for a moving tribute to Mrs. Bombeck centered around her thoughts on "If I had my life to live over". Every mother should read this, and often.

Two Stories the Abortion Industry Does NOT Want You to Read

Baby Doctors Said Would be Deaf, Blind...Born Healthy

U.K. Artist Hangs Herself After Aborting Twins

I never base my convictions on personal experience or opinions or emotions, because all of those things change like the wind and are open to everyone's own interpretation. I base those things that I am determined to live by, on the Unchanging Word of God. I know, from Scripture, that abortion is never the answer. That's enough for me. But I will say that after more than 6 years of conducting post-abortion counseling for women of all ages, from all different backgrounds and circumstances, that God's Word has been proven time and again to me in real life experiences, that abortion is never the answer. No matter the reason(s), it is an act that follows every woman, every mother, to the grave.

Saturday Morning Brunch

Here's one of our favorite Saturday morning recipes:

SAUSAGE PINWHEELS

1 tube crescent rolls

1/2 lb. sausage, room temperature

chives (optional)

Roll out dough on lightly floured surface. Pinch seams together. Spread sausage over dough. (Easiest to pinch small pieces of sausage off onto dough, then spread them together) If desired, sprinkle with dried chives. Roll up from long end. Cut into 12 slices. Bake at 350 degrees on ungreased cookie sheet for about 18 minutes. Delicious!

We like these served with grits, or for something different, fruit compote (recipe following).

FRUIT COMPOTE

1 15 1/4 oz. can pear halves, undrained and chopped

1 20 oz. can pineapple chunks, undrained

1 16 oz. package frozen strawberries, thawed and undrained

1 15 1/4 oz. can fruit cocktail, undrained

1 10 oz. jar maraschino cherries (stems removed), DRAINED

2 bananas, sliced

2 apples, cored and cubed (peeling optional)

1 small package instant vanilla pudding

Combine all fruit; mix well. Stir in pudding mix. Cover and refrigerate 8 hours. A Stringer family favorite!

This morning's breakfast conversation:

Caleb: "Bub, I sneaked into your room last night and got your coonskin hat. I went to the bathroom and dropped it in the toilet. I dried it off and put it back on your bed, but it might still stink."

Bubbie (red faced and smoke coming out of ears...): "I'M GONNA CALL JESUS!!"

Weekends

Friday nights

(standing outside the door, I heard....)

"Merry Christmas, Bubbie."

"Happy New Year, Bubba. I love you."

"I love you too. Happy Birthday."

"Happy Birthday, Bubba."

Saturday mornings

Watch out, villains!

(and for that matter, all you damsels in distress better run for cover too! These heroes are not for the fainthearted!)

22 weeks

This Saturday, I will be 22 weeks along in my pregnancy. Here's what's going on with our baby girl now:

The bones of the ears harden, enabling sound conduction. She can now hear voices or sounds of her mother's breathing or heartbeat. The proportions of her face and body begin to assume the appearance of an infant near its due date. A period of substantial weight gain is beginning; fat layers are starting to form. She is about 10 inches long from crown to rump and weighs about 1 ¼ pounds. You now may notice a regular, rhythmic, rapid thumping in your belly - your baby is hiccupping! Hiccups are a normal reflex of the diaphragm. She moves an average of 200 times per day. Also, she has already decided on her favorite sleeping position! Perhaps she comfortably sleeps sitting straight up with her arms crossed, her thumb in hermouth and with her chin on her chest or perhaps she likes to lie at the bottom of your tummy stretched out with her arms up. Shortly after her birth you can see how she was lying in your stomach because she will also prefer to sleep this way when she's "on the outside."

This is an amazing photo of an actual 4-D ultrasound at 22 weeks that I found online.

Click here to see another absolutely amazing actual in-utero photograph
of a baby at 22 weeks.

"I will praise you; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well." Psalm 139:14

Please remember our family in your prayers, and we're still taking name suggestions!

Hang in there!

For those of you who are reading the Bible through this year on the chronological schedule, we are in Leviticus now. I know, I know, it's hard reading and hard to stay focused. Here are a few thoughts that I have gleaned from reading thus far.

1. First of all, it makes me so thankful for what the Lord Jesus did for us on Calvary, providing the ultimate once and for all sacrifice for the sins of the world; thereby freeing us from this yoke of perpetual sacrifice.
2. Secondly, my faith is always increased as I read how science and the Bible are one and the same. The Lord provided such wise precautions in the areas of nutrition and hygeine, though the wisdom remained at the time unknown to the Israelites. It is a testament to their longevity as a people for thousands of years, despite being the most persecuted people on earth. I read once that Jews in Europe were largely unaffected by the Black Death, likely due to the healthy lifestyles that they practiced under God's law.
3. Thirdly, it is overwhelming when we realize the level of holiness that the Lord demands of us. Truly, no one is capable of keeping it, even the best of us. The law is our schoolmaster, to teach us one great important lesson: That without the shed blood of Jesus Christ applied to our hearts, we are deserving of and destined for Hell.
4. And last, if the law is our schoolmaster, I am responsible for teaching my own children about the holiness and the commands of God. It occurred to me that the only commandments in the Bible, Old or New Testament, that are given directly to children are to obey, honor, and respect their parents. It is my responsibility to teach them about God's commands, about sin, about consequences for sin, and to help cultivate their God-given consciences. Furthermore, all the commands given to children were given during regular worship or sermon time. In other words, when Paul wrote the letter to the Ephesian church, it was meant to be read aloud to the entire congregation. There was no pause after chapter five (of course chapter and verses were added later for studying and clarity) for the Ephesian parents to go and get their children from the back room or nursery, and there was no seperate letter written to the children's church congregation. Paul expected that as he gave commands to the husbands, wives, mothers, fathers, and children, they would all be sitting together, learning and worshiping together, and holding each other accountable to God's commands.

There is much to be learned from God's law, so hang in there and see what the Lord has for you!

Cowboy Buzz

For all of you who want a shirt like this, it's called a "Cowboy Buzz" shirt, available at a Big Brother's Closet near you, and it is priceless.

"Mama, see, I AM bigga, I AM strong, and I AM old. I'm a MAN, but I don't like hot sauce."

Ron Paul: Going the Distance (Campaign Update)

"Revenge of the Stupid People"

FAIR WARNING: If truth mixed with a little realistic sarcasm offends you, don't read this article. I, for one, was very amused and yet heartbroken at the same time. This is free press at its best.

Revenge of the Stupid People

Time Changer

This is one of the most thought-provoking films I've seen in a while, definitely worth your time. Available at many Christian cinema websites, Amazon, or Netflix.

Need I say more?

Republicans for Choice Endorce John McCain for President

Norma McCorvey (formerly known as Jane Roe of Roe vs. Wade, now a pro-life activist) endorses Ron Paul for President

Super Family!

Here are the Super Boys:

Here are the Super Kids:

And, of course, here's Super Mom:

And last but not least, Super Dad:

Favorite Pictures from 2007

I love to scrapbook, but don't have the time. So, I usually just do one scrapbook for each year. I'll gather my pictures from the previous year, sort them, and take about a week to complete the entire book. Here, I'd like to share a slideshow of some of my favorites that I haven't already blogged. Hope you enjoy!

Exercise!

What a great country we live in! Today, you actually have the right to go, unescorted, to a poll within a reasonable distance, and cast a private vote for your favored presidential candidate; regardless of your race or gender, and whether or not you are wealthy or own property; and without fear of retaliation for your choice; and with a reasonable promise of safety while you are there.

So go exercise your rights!

Home Improvements

Jason has been a man with a mission lately. He's had 2 building projects he's been working on for several weeks. He takes his jobs very seriously, and meticulously plans every detail.

Below is the tree fort (or "fork" as Seth says) he built for the kids. It was a Christmas gift from Gran and Poppie, and Poppie helped build it too. The kids have had such a great time in it!



Here is our chicken house. Jason has gone chicken crazy. When he gets something on his mind, he's ALL ABOUT IT! Right now, he's all about chickens! I thought his house turned out great!


outside front view

inside view with nesting boxes

outside access to nesting boxes (wasn't that clever!?)

inside roosting poles

It's a blessing to be married to such a smart, hardworking fellow!

Whew, I made it!

Okay, long time, no blog, but another January is passed and I made it through! January is such a busy month for me. Besides having tons of family birthdays to celebrate, it's also Sanctity of Life Month (a busy time for us at the crisis pregnancy center), as well as time for tax receipts, which is a monster of a job. Below are some snapshots of the Sanctity of Life Memorial that we attend and participate in every year in Cedartown.

It is put on by the Polk County Christian Coalition,

and this is our 7th year taking part.

The boys place crosses on the courthouse lawn. One cross is placed for each million aborted babies.

This year, 47 crosses were placed.

It was such a cold day, but it was worth it!