Dinosaur Discovery Site at Johnson Farm

On Memorial Day we went to St. George Utah to see Dinosaur Discovery Site at Johnson Farm. Thousands of dinosaur tracks were found on the farm. We drove about 2 hours to see fossils of dinosaur tracks. I thought there would be more to it than that, but we were disappointed. Most of the fossils we couldn’t make out what they were even with signs saying things like “tail drag” and “mud cracks.” The highlights were the 8 minute video, gift shop, and the sandbox outside.

Alex loved the sand box and did not want to leave. He wanted Frank and me to be paleontologists with him. The sand box was an Eagle Scout project and under the sand were dinosaur tracks for the kids to discover. It also had shovels, pails, shifts, and brushes.

The drive was nice. We really enjoyed being together. Alex also enjoyed a couple of new dinosaur toys. Despite our disappointment with the Dinosaur Discovery it was a real nice day.

Marie-Anne

Who is God?

Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God almighty. Not just holy or some shadow of perfection, but he is pure, pure and pure, without spot or blemish or smudge. The Bible never says God is merciful, merciful, merciful or loving, loving, loving, but holy, holy, holy.
Nothing unholy, nothing that is imperfect, nothing that is marred can enter His presence. He is perfect. The Bible says that heavens and earth will flee from His awesome presence. The heaven is His throne and the earth His foot stool.
And us? Who are we, compared to His power and majesty? He is God.

Memorial Day

We decorated for Memorial Day today. I hung a banner that says “United we Stand,” and hung up some American flag cutouts. Alex told Frank where he wanted the patriotic bows. I also got some American flag picture frames that I will put pictures of the family members who served in the military.

Frank and I are both veterans. His sister Cassandra is in the Army. My brother Paul is in the Army, my brother Michael is in the Navy, and my brother-in-law Barron is in the Army National Guard. Frank’s Aunt Jeannette was in the Army(?). We both have grandparents who served in the military also.

We want to make Memorial Day (and other Patriotic holidays) more than just a time for BBQ for our family. Yes, we will use Memorial Day for a family day, but we will also teach our children about the sacrifices of the military and the true meaning of the holiday.

Marie-Anne

Bob the Builder Workbook

Today Alex completed the entire Bob the Builder workbook Colors and Shapes. I was surprised that he did all 31 pages in a very short time. The only problem he had was tracing the shapes. We added the certificate to his picture book and Alex had fun adding some Bob the Builder stickers to it. He was quite pleased with himself as he showed off his work to Papa.

Marie-Anne

Little soul-winner

During soul-winning we walked by two boys sitting in the shade. Alex asked my husband for a flyer to give it to the boy. Alex turned it over and said, “There’s a map on the back, see.” I turned to see Alex pointing at the map just like he was showing the boy how to get to church. Then Alex asked for another flyer to give to the other boy.

Marie-Anne

Baby names

We have decided on baby names. If we have a girl she’ll be Sabrina Marie. If we have a boy he’ll be Ethan James. In a few weeks we will have an ultrasound. Alex still insists on a brother because sisters are no fun.

Marie-Anne

Family Day

Today Frank, Alex, and I walked the Wetlands Trail. It paralleled a river, but until we walked down the ridge the wetlands part seemed like a joke because it was in the middle of the very dry hot desert. We were thankful for the wind. By the time we got back to the car I was out of breath. (I’ve got to get in shape.) We really enjoyed it.

We also went to Clark County Heritage Museum. It was nice. Outside on the walking trails we saw rabbits, chipmunks, a jack rabbit, several different types of lizards, quail, and hummingbirds. There was a replica of a ghost town, a train depot, and several houses that were set up for certain time periods. We had a really good day.

Marie-Anne

Companies that support our troops

My brother Michael is a Navy Chaplain’s assistant serving in Kuwait. He said the service men and women were requesting tuna, slim Jims, sunflowers, and granola bars. Michael also requested kids books for the service men and women to read to their kids via DVD.I e-mailed companies asking for either coupons or donations.

Del Monte has a "Tuna for Soldiers" program in which units that request it are sent StarKist Tuna pouch products.


Quaker sent coupons for Gatorade that the service men and women can use at the BX.

Bumble Bee Tuna sent coupons.


I haven’t heard back from the other companies yet. It took about 10 minutes to e-mail 5 companies. I will be e-mailing other companies too. If you know of service men or women who are deployed let them know about these great companies that support our troops!

Marie-Anne

Mom's Visit

My Mom got here Friday and left yesterday. Alex called her, “my Nana,” of course she loved that! Alex loved all the attention from her. On Sunday, Mother’s Day, we had a potluck at church and everyone raved about Mom’s chicken and dumplings, (but they were not as good as Mamaw’s).

Monday we went to Hoover Dam and stopped at Lake Mead to let Alex throw rocks into the water. He had a blast. Alex got his shoes and pants soaked. We all enjoyed it. It was very windy and I brought bubbles that Alex chased, but couldn’t catch.

Later we stopped at a park near our house. Frank got Alex’s kite out, but Alex wasn’t really interested, (he had a friend to play with). Frank had a blast with the kite! I thought I was buying it for Alex, but I was wrong. Frank thanked me for spending that dollar. It was the best dollar I spent.

When we dropped my Mom off at the airport Alex asked why she had to go and he kept asking her if she liked his house. Every plane he saw on the way home was Nana’s plane.

Marie-Anne

Prayer Request

Tonight we watched a documentary on Billy Graham. As I reflected on his amazing life and the awesome movement of the hand of God in his ministry, I wondered, “Why can’t God use my husband that way?” I prayed for Frank as I never had before. I asked God to share His vision for Las Vegas with us so that we could make it our vision too. Picture the millions of souls in this city being saved. Picture the broken hearts being mended. Picture what God can do if only we stop limiting Him by our unbelief and our disobedience to His perfect will! Imagine sin city becoming a city of God. Pray that we will allow God’s vision to become our vision. Pray that we storm the very gates of hell. Pray that God uses us to set the captives in this city free. Pray that God touches hearts to help us. Pray that we lift Jesus up so that all men will be drawn to Him.

Marie-Anne

Something in the water?

In February 2004 we went to Phoenix, AZ. Nine months later Alex was born.
In February 2008 we went to Phoenix, AZ. Nine months later ____ will be born!

The due date is one day before Alex’s birthday. Alex says it has to be a brother because sisters are no fun.

Marie-Anne

Children's festival

Yesterday was the Children’s Festival. When we arrived at Alex’s surprise we saw crowds of people, inflatable fun houses and rides. The first thing Alex ran to was the playground! We just laughed and let him play for a few minutes then asked if he wanted to ride a pony. Alex rode a brown pony. He loved it! Alex fought a knight and won! It was so funny to watch, and I guess all that light saber training paid off. He played in an inflatable play place that was set up as an obstacle course. He went through that three times. Next Alex rode a plane ride. He was having so much fun that he didn’t even notice us waving. Alex and I rode a train. We all got snow-cones as we left.

Marie-Anne

Tales of Glory toys

Today I was pleasantly surprised to find Bible toys at Wal-Mart. The Tales of Glory toys are from Focus on the Family. They were on clearance for $3 each. My mom bought Alex all except Noah’s animals. After I showed them to my husband I bought all except Noah’s animals and Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand (I bought the last one for Alex) for the church.

Tonight Alex acted out the Bible stories as I read the books that came with the toys. Then I read some of his other Bible stories and he acted them out as well. Frank and Alex are playing with the toys now. I am so very glad that we got these! Instead of being Buzz Lightyear Alex is playing with Moses and Pharaoh.

The Jesus has long hair, but He also does in most coloring books, puzzles, and books.

http://www.one2believe.com/

Marie-Anne

Conference

It’s that time again! Conference is next week! Every year we go to Missouri for New Testament Christian Church’s annual Conference. It is always a wonderful time of fellowship with friends and growing closer to God. It always comes right when we need it. I can’t tell you what a blessing it is. While we are in service Alex gets to play with friends.

This year is a little different because we don’t know if we’re flying or driving. We have tickets of course, but American Airlines has been cancelling flights all week. All I know is one way or another we are going. If we fly we are planning on going to the St. Louis zoo on Friday.

Marie-Anne

BOOKS!

I love to read! Growing up I read mostly fiction. Lately I have been reading more and more nonfiction. Some books I’ve read recently include Courtship After Marriage, The Total Money Makeover, Created to be His Helpmeet, Home Sweet Home School, The Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands, and The Witch of Blackbird Pond (I didn’t say I was only reading nonfiction).

Some books I will be reading in the next month or so include The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, A Love Worth Giving, The Millionaire Next Door, Confessions of a Happy Christian, The Treasure Principle, Jane Eyre, and The Home School Journey.

I’ve passed my love for books on to Alex. He’s constantly surrounded by books. He owns hundreds and we go to the library at least weekly. We read fiction and nonfiction. I sometimes get books that are slightly above his level- that’s why his vocabulary is so good. We let Alex see us reading books, and of course the Bible too. Alex has several Children's Bibles that we read from as well. Reading is very much a part of our family activities.

Marie-Anne

The Rejected Accepting the Rejected

My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
In ancient Sparta, every new-born male baby was brought to the elders of the village, in which it was bought for inspection. The elders determined whether or not the child was physically strong enough to endure the rigorous and intense adolescent military training mandatory for all Spartan males. If the baby was found defective the parents would take the child to Mount Taygetos, which translates to the Mount of Rejection, and abandon him to die. On occasion, a Helot, a sub-citizen, who was only a little better than a slave would find these children and take them home, adopting them as sons.
We too, in our natural state, are found defective, for there are none righteous before God. All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Our sin separated us from our Father, without hope, and rejected and exposed to death. O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
Yet, our only hope is in Jesus Christ who was likewise rejected, for Hebrews tells us, that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected. We can be scooped up out of despair and rejection but only from the Rejected. He willingly was rejected: endured the cross, despising the shame. The best part is that He has brought us home and adopted us, making us joint heirs with Him and made us presentable to God His Father.

Help Needed With Unwanted Nannies

How do you handle it when church members and friends take Alex’s side- all the time? I can tell Alex something as simple as to ask before attacking their candy dish and right in front of him they say, “Oh, he’s fine.” When I explain that I’m trying to teach him manners they usually say something like, “Don’t worry so much,” or “don’t get onto my baby.” This of course does not escape Alex’s attention and he repeatedly forgets to ask, probably because he knows they will stick up for him. This happens frequently even when Alex does something wrong.

Marie-Anne

Kumon First Steps Workbooks

My sister-in-law, Elexa gave Alex two of these wonderful workbooks for his birthday. I am so glad she did! Alex is almost done with his fourth book. He’s done Let’s Color, Let’s Sticker and Paste, More Let’s Sticker and Paste, and he’s working on Let’s Cut Paper. Since he’s almost done with it and he’s so excited about using scissors I already bought More Let’s Cut Paper. Alex asks for these workbooks. He has been more excited about each one than with any other workbook.

At the end of each workbook is a very nice certificate of achievement which I put into Alex’s scrapbook with examples from each workbook.

I also flipped through the Kumon workbooks for older kids and I will continue to use them as Alex grows. They have a lot of subjects. They are sold at book stores and at Target. Check it out at http://www.kumonbooks.com/catalog/catalog_firststeps.aspx

Marie-Anne

Saving Change

I have two water jugs that I save change in. In one I keep pennies and nickels. In the other I keep dimes and quarters. I am saving the pennies and nickels for Alex. When it gets full I’m going to put it in a savings account for him. The quarters and dimes can be used at any time for any thing. We’ve used it for anything from washing the car to going out to eat. Yes, I also pick up change. In one day just around our apartment complex I found $ 0.85. The only work I did was bending over to pick it up.

Marie-Anne

Out of the mouths of Babes

I was reading the David C. Cook Children’s Bible Story Book story Isaac’s Neighbors Pick a Fight to Alex. “When Isaac found out what happened, his neighbors said, “Go away from us. You are too successful, and we don’t like you.” His neighbors weren’t very nice!” Alex interrupted, “I know why his neighbors weren’t nice. They didn’t love.”

The next night I read the story Jacob Tricks His FatherI . I asked Alex what the story was about. Alex’s reply was, “Esau is stupid.” That about sums it up.

Marie-Anne