The Red Envelope

I found this idea on another mom's blog yesterday and thought it was really neat and super easy to do. I'm going to send some and I hope you will too. Go to this website to read more about the project:

www.sendaredenvelope.org

Here is all you have to do:
Get a red envelope, or buy a whole package at Staples or the party store to send out. On the front, address it to:

President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W.
Washington , D.C. 20500

Seal the envelope and on the back, write the following message:

This envelope represents one child who died in abortion. It is empty because that life was unable to offer anything to the world. Responsibility begins with conception.
Even you, President Obama, stated during the National Prayer Breakfast " There is no God who condones taking the life of an innocent human being."

Put a stamp on it, then put it in your mailbox and send it. Then send this website to every one of your friends who you think would send one too. I wish we could send 50 million red envelopes, one for every child who died before having a chance to live. Maybe it will change the heart of the president.

Our Valentine's Weekend...

As you can see we had a fun Valentine's weekend! The kids had their school parties and then they were out of school for six days due to teacher conferences and workdays so we had lots of time to celebrate. Friday night the kids spent the night with my parents so Mark and I could have our date night to Outback and the movies. Thanks Mom and Dad! They had lots of fun going to dinner, making sugar cookies, dipping strawberries and playing Mexican train dominoes (they are now addicted)! Saturday morning Levi played basketball, we had heart quesadillas for lunch then went bowling as a family. Lydia beat us all and even scored over 100! The boys say she cheated tho because we let her use bumpers and not them. It was great fun till Levi hit his mouth with the bowling ball and chipped off his front tooth! Our good dentist friend took care of it quickly tho and Levi now looks like a new man! The last picture is from Sunday night's silly hat night at church. Lydia's purple cowgirl hat even lights up! I know it doesn't fit the valentine's theme but I had to share it anyway! Hope your Valentine's Day was filled with lots of fun too!

Snow Days and the Super Bowl!

Things are finally getting back to normal around here since we had all the ice and snow. The kids had 4 snow days plus a weekend so we got a little stir crazy around here! The boys went back to school yesterday and Lydia back to preschool today. I think they're all happy to be back to our normal routine. The roads are all clear now, but there's still quite a bit of snow and ice hanging around. We had a fun weekend, despite the snow and ice. Friday night Lydia went to a little friend's Hannah Montana birthday party. Saturday morning was Levi's basketball game and we finally won--I think Levi was the high scorer this week! He needs to eat Honey Kix cereal before every game! That night Mark and I went to our Sunday School class' Valentine party and had a great time. Sunday was church, Mark's mission lunch meeting and then our little family Super Bowl party. The kids dressed up in Cardinal's colors, Lydia grabbed her poms poms for cheering, and Levi helped cook some of our favorite appetizers. My parents came over after church for the 2nd half and we were all so sad to see the Cardinals lose. Oh well, it looked great though since we were watching in HD on our new TV! Here's a few pics of our snow day vacation!

All the neighbors sledding down our street--Caleb's in red!

Lydia's in the green coat with her neighbor friend

Levi at the bottom of the slope!

Yummy snow ice cream!

Levi and Lydia watching the game!

GOOOOOO Cardinals!!!!!!

Update from Tuesday...

Just to let you know Mark made it home safely last night from Chicago! Their normal 6 hour trip turned into 10 hours, but at least they made it. His friend dropped him off at our house, then got stuck trying to get out of our street so Mark had to shovel him out. Overnight, we got about 3-5 more inches of sleet and snow so it's another snow day and the kids are already out sledding with most of the neighborhood. Today will be much more fun because Daddy's home! I'll post pictures later!

It's a Snow Day!

Well, it came as predicted...freezing rain, sleet and a bit of snow! School was cancelled, so the kids are thrilled! Mom--not as excited, especially since it's Lydia's preschool day! And of course, our Daddy is still in Chicago and will be trying to get home in this mess sometime tonight, if he can even make it. So, I'll have him to worry about for 6 hours or so!

At least our power is still on and we are toasty warm inside with lots of food, movies and Wii games to keep us busy. Now if I could just get the boys to come inside and warm up! Half the neighborhood boys are sledding in our yard right now since we live on a little hill. Maybe I'll fix hot cocoa and that will bring 'em in!

P.S. If you're following baby Harper's story, there's great news--she opened her eyes last night! Click on the Praying for Harper link above and read about this tiny miracle!

Inauguration Day 2009

I can't believe I've spent most of my morning watching Fox News and the events of this day. To be honest, I only watched to see what everyone was wearing and to hear the prayer of Rick Warren. He said the name of Jesus--good for you, Rick! Even though I'm not at all thrilled to say President Obama, I am still trying to teach my kids that he is our president and God would want us to respect his position of authority. And that is really hard to say and do!

I found this letter this morning on another mom's blog (http://www.lotsofscotts.blogspot.com/) and thought it was very good. I cannot take any credit for it, but it is encouraging us all to pray for the new President. Our family has made a committment to pray for our new leader and I hope you will too.

"My Letter to the President

Dear President-elect Obama,
Today is truly a landmark day. It feels trite to even write about it because the press coverage has inundated us with reminders of what a shift this marks in the turbulent race relations this country has experienced throughout our history. I am proud of the advances we have made.

I did not vote for you, but I believe in a Sovereign Lord who appoints leaders. I will respect your position and your office. I do not hold ill will towards you, but instead I pray for you.

I pray that you will submit to the authority of The One who put you in office in the first place. There will be constant public opinion polls, water cooler chatter and talking heads espousing their views of your performance. I pray that the approval you seek will be from God alone.

I pray that you will remember the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr and Abraham Lincoln, the two leaders you seem to seek to emulate the most. I pray that you will embrace their quest for equal rights. I pray that you will come to understand this as a call to protect ALL LIVES equally--including the unborn lives in this country.

I pray that you will be protected from the lies and the enemy, the intoxicating ill-effects of power and the human tendency to think of ourselves more highly than we ought.

I pray that the astounding swell of public support that you have (both from the media and many citizens of our world) will not go to your head but will, instead, go to your heart. I pray that you have appropriate confidence, but that you do not believe the hype about yourself. May you be a leader people follow not because they have to, but because they want to.

May your wisdom and strength come from the Lord. May your heart be tender towards the love and will of our Father.

I pray for your marriage and your family--that despite the intense glare of the media spotlight you will be able to have a home that is a haven of love, peace and rest.

May you be a leader who models integrity--who stands for things that count.

In short, I pray you don't blow it. But when you do make the inevitable mistakes, I pray you will be able to own up to them.

And finally, I pray that you will find your identity...not as a black man, a mixed race man, but as an American...and more importantly, as a dearly loved child of God placed in this position at this time for specific purposes. May you find your purpose and embrace it."

For more letters to the next president, visit http://www.letterstothenextpresident.com/

Please Pray...

I've been following this family's blog for several months now, so I don't know them personally. They are a strong Christian family and are asking for people everywhere to pray for their daughter Harper, born Friday evening with a serious case of pneumonia. The baby was flown to a hospital in Tulsa and seems to be improving slightly today. My boys keep asking me why I'm praying and worrying about someone I don't even know. My answer to them is we do know them as our brother and sister in Christ so that makes us family and we need to pray for them. If you get a minute, click on this picture and visit Kelly's sweet blog. You too will be drawn to the faith of this family in this difficult time and don't forget to say a prayer for sweet baby Harper's healing!