Blonde moment

We’ll get together then…

2009-04-23T18:14:00.001-05:00

As I’m typing this, I am humming a classic rock tune, “The Cats in the Cradle.” If you haven’t guessed by the lag between blog posts, that song really strikes me as important, or rather the concept behind that song.

I love blogging. It is a release of my pent up musings throughout the day regarding theology, current events, and life. But I’m a wife and a mother, too. As with everything else in life, the choice must be made what one is willing to give up in hopes of doing better at something else.

For some strange reason, my daughter wants to be like me. She wants to touch the things I touch, she wants to do the things I do, but most importantly, she wants to spend time with me.

And so, consider this the close of A Blonde Moment for now. I’m keeping it up for the sake of the links I have and because I intend on coming back someday when certain of my family want to know what twice times is.

So, excuse me please, my daughter and I must go wave at her mirror friend and her window friend, read some books, blow kisses, discover the wonders of facial tissue boxes, splash in water, unravel yarn, bang things with wooden spoons, giggle, all while learning to pray. You know we’ll have a good time, then.

My contact is: blondliz2009@gmail.com

We have a success!

2009-04-10T21:50:00.000-05:00

Mallory was officially diagnosed with an allergy to dairy and wheat a couple of weeks ago. I’ve been expecting such a result, so I spent a significant amount of time reading recipes and learning about baking chemicals and stuff like that. Josh and I decided that though it is likely she’ll grow out of them before she turns five, it is easier to have one set of meals and snack food while her reasoning skills are immature. So, I’ve been playing with different recipes.

Nothing replaces wheat and its baking characteristics. And since different folks have different allergies, you just have to play. I had two bread failures this week so far, I’ve been really craving baked goods, and I needed a success. I had a recipe turn out tasty, but not as I had planned. I intended on making cookies, but it turned into blondies:

Ingredients:
1 c soy flour
¼ c potato starch
1 c tapioca flour
1 c oatmeal
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
¼ tsp salt
¾ c apple sauce
¼ c rice milk
1 c sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 c raisins

Sift soy flour, tapioca flour, and potato starch to make sure lumps are gone. Add the rest of the dry ingredients and incorporate well. Add the wet ingredients and the raisins. Make sure there are no flour lumps. Pour into a greased 9x13 pan (use vegan buttery spread). Bake 350 for 45 minutes until golden brown and knife comes out clean.

Makes 24; 2 W.W points per bar. (114.9 cal; 1.15 g fiber; 1.25 g fat) To lower points further, eliminate sugar, particularly if you are using the full on sugar apple sauce, like I did. But, really, a brownie is what, 4 points? Keep in mind that you really aren’t adding fat and you just don’t have a lot of fiber in the recipe.

You could also substitute any fruit or veggie puree for the apple sauce, in which case I may not eliminate the sugar…

As for taste… OK, you have the foreign flour taste, and IMO, it is the tapioca. You could probably try it with rice flour or potato flour… something starchy though. But, I liked them quite a bit, but would reduce the sugar next time, if not eliminate it all together.

Obama and Socialized Health Care

2009-03-14T06:31:00.001-05:00

Wanna kick your military in the pants? Let it leak that you think they should pay for their own combat wounds out of pocket . (Those who are predisposed to accusing others of following in the footsteps of Oedipus while also reminding them that they and their good works are nothing but filthy rags should refrain from reading that link.)

So, here’s how various insurances work in the National Guard. My husband is covered under my Blue Cross insurance policy at work unless he is deployed and they do not pay for deployment related injuries or illnesses. He cannot buy private sector life insurance if he is going to be deployed soon or during deployment. Further, the only private sector life insurance we do buy for him does not have an act of war clause. Oh, and we can’t take out a disability policy on him period until he is done with the military. Insuring a soldier in a combat zone is an expensive risk, and policies like this rip off soldiers and their families. Since I doubt I’d be able to secure private sector insurance for Josh should he go into combat again, we’d have to pay out of pocket.

What this could be is a slick way of discouraging military service. However, there are other ways of reducing the number of troops. At any rate, people who believe in socialized health care and think that TRIcare is a good model had better think twice. Under Obama's philosophy, once you become too risky, you are on your own.

Bonding over food…

2009-03-10T01:54:00.001-05:00

You know, I never thought about how important food is to our bonding experience until Monday. Mallory had an allergic reaction to, of all things, Mac and Cheese. As this is not her first allergic reaction, I took her in so we could get it documented and so I could get some guidance on how to treat it. Then I had to remind everyone not to feed her anything that Josh and I didn’t OK, not even a lick off of a finger (something Josh and I are very guilty of) because it is even small amounts that are triggering these bad reactions. It feels awful to know that something you have innocently done could have killed a kid. We have a variety of foods we won’t be giving to her right away because they are common allergens. And I won’t get into them here. But, I realized that Mallory won’t, probably for a few years, as kids often grow out of these things, be able to bond with people over food.

“So, have you given Mallory (fill in the blank)?” That’s a common question. I know deep in my heart that everyone means well. But, it makes me question the nutrition plan that our doctor suggested while she’s still nursing. And it makes me question my own judgment. I don’t think the question is asked to be the judgmental statement that I react to, rather an indirect expression of “I’d like to bond with Mallory over good food.”

I started thinking about how I bonded with my parents, grandparents, and sisters. My dad would take us agate hunting and to Bridgman’s. However, the taste of Chocolate Malts and Chocolate Sodas is dim. I think I could probably replicate it, but I don’t remember it well. I just remember the big agate I found, how exciting it was to brag about it, and the great times we had. My mom and I would do dishes together. In high school and college, my mom, sisters, and I would hang out in the kitchen around dinner time and talk. I could probably list off the top 15 meals I grew up with. But, I only have one or two foods where the mere mention of them brings the taste to my mouth (beef stroganoff and my mom’s marinated flank steak). The neat food at Josh’s mom’s is Bill’s homemade wine, but I remember the board game and rummy more than I remember what his wine tastes like. The last family meal we shared with my maternal grandfather… I can’t tell you what we ate, but I can tell you about his prayer.

It’s the activities, the games, the Christian fellowship, and the conversation that I remember more than the food and drink. And, if Mallory’s allergies are the worst case, we’ll all have to be constantly reminded that it is not food nor drink that matter, rather it is the company that matters.

(Before commenting, don’t provide food advice in the comment section unless you know how we’re nursing and the various situations. If you must share, and you know my e-mail or are my Facebook friend, that’s the venue to leave such things.)

Even if I wrestled, I would not be a threat.

2009-03-07T16:33:00.000-06:00

Josh has a couple of cousins who wrestle. They are 19 and 17, my height, and they could take me, hands down, even if I was in peak physical condition. This is why I disagree with this letter to the editor in the Star Tribune .

Yes, women, there are bad guys out there. And self-defense is a good thing. However, there are a variety of ways to defend oneself, and I would argue that most women should not enter into street fights with potential attackers. Why? Men are stronger.

Now, let’s say you were truly concerned about your safety (for whatever reason). I’d recommend owning and learning to operate a firearm above a self-defense class. And I’m not talking about taking one little gun safety class, either. I am talking about learning to operate a firearm under high-stress conditions, going to the range on a regular basis, practicing shooting your gun, etc.

We’re talking efficiency here. In theory, a woman who is serious about her defense can learn to operate a firearm in a productive manner in less time than she can become an elite fighter. Plus, it is more likely a woman who is serious about her defense will learn to operate a firearm in a productive manner than she will become an elite fighter.

And one way or the other, the ability to operate a firearm or pummel a bad guy means the willingness to use extreme violence. If you aren’t willing to defend yourself properly, ability doesn’t mean anything.

And now you know the rest of the story...

2009-03-01T06:16:00.002-06:00

My prayers are with the family of Paul Harvey who has died this weekend .

Tying a couple of things together…

2009-02-23T06:10:00.000-06:00

I lurk at blogs. I comment on some, but not on others. And if I comment on a person’s blog and refrain for a while, it doesn’t mean that I’m not checking in. One of the blogs I read on occasion is the Pan Galactic Blogger Blaster . He has some great insights on the character of women that I was thinking about touching on when writing on Fireproof. So, I’ll just point you out to his post .

Here’s the ultimate problem with Promise Keepers, 40 days of pitching woo like Kirk Cameron, and singing those crappy Jesus is my boyfriend songs: we encourage men to quit being men by telling them to confess to made up sins to keep the women in their lives happy. Then we tell them that if they don’t perform up to a certain standard, say 40 days of pitching woo like Kirk Cameron, they are not good Christians. Women, it is time to take a stand against such non-sense, examine our own hearts, and repent of our own sins.

There is nothing wrong with being romanced, and I am romanced by Josh quite frequently. However, wishing he would behave like Kirk Cameron’s character in Fireproof is lust and is breaking the 6th commandment, among others.

I think we have this whole pitching woo thing backwards. I mean, yeah, men are supposed to love women like Christ loves the church. But they’re not supposed to be singing those silly “This is the air I breathe” songs to us. If men are like Christ and women are like the church, then we’re supposed to be singing in praise of our husbands. (Forgive me if this is sacrilegious) Ever think of your husband in terms of being a mighty fortress or a sword and shield defending? That whole Fireproof thing has it wrong, sure it makes for entertaining “This is how you do not reintegrate your soldier” movie watching, but the fault does not just lie with Kirk Cameron’s character being an ass, the woman who plays his wife is also behaving in a very sinful manner.

Sure, husbands should pick up their wives slack when the wives are weak, likewise wives to do the same. But we’ve had 30 odd years of trying to get men to behave like women, and that is enough. I pray that I may do better at showing Josh I appreciate him for being a man’s man, and teach Mallory to appreciate the protection and rough and tumble care he provides. And I pray that somewhere out there, there is a little boy who is being raised to be proud of his mannish behaviors and follows God, not just like a lamb to the slaughter but as a triumphant warrior.

Things that have caught my attention…

2009-02-21T08:22:00.002-06:00

I’ll do more on open theism later this week, I hope. At any rate, here are some things that caught my attention.

First off, Josh and I watched “Fireproof.” We need more pro-family movies, and I’m glad that it was made. It gives a good law and gospel presentation. And I think there are some things about the movie that are enjoyable. I wouldn’t recommend it to military or public safety families, however, as there are some very touchy issues that are resolved by Kirk Cameron’s character asking Jesus into his heart, and we all know repentance is the first step in a long healing process.

I was going to rake “Fireproof” over the coals for these military/public safety family issues, but decided it wouldn’t be profitable. I do have one profitable point to make: the movie and “Love Dare” book and seminars are probably not as great as they’re cracked up to be. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all about building marriages and stuff like that, but “The Love Dare” is marketed in the movie as, “Pitch woo like Kirk Cameron,” and that can lead to some major sixth commandment breaking in the hearts of women. Women, your husband is going to court you in a manner that fits his personality. Don’t lust over a particular method when your husband is doing his best at his vocation as husband.

Further, “Love Dare” is pitched as law. Kirk Cameron’s character repented of his sins because of his wife’s reaction to his attempts, but then he needed to continue performing the law. There is nothing particularly special or unique about “Love Dare” or any other marital counseling book. You can’t do these things like they are the only way to spice up your marriage. Take what works for your marriage and use it, and reject what is unappealing to you and your spouse.

How did Josh and I renew our relationship after he got back from Iraq? By listening to Issues, Etc. , and the NARN . OK, and going to Twins games and Orchestra Hall. But, we’re nerdy like that.

Speaking of Pirate Christian Radio … here are a couple of good episodes of Fighting for the Faith:

On infant baptism

On law and gospel

Oh, and I am not going to comment on expanded military operations in Afghanistan… I’ll piss too many people off because, face it, you don’t know me, I don’t know you, and we can’t have a proper discussion. I do have an opinion, and Josh is not going to get deployed, and there are currently no rumors indicating such.

Finally, Mallory's cast is off!

Quick update...

2009-02-03T20:40:00.002-06:00

So, Josh was offered a job with the reintegration effort, so I've been organizing Mallory's part time child care. Plus, poor Mallory did break her leg on Tuesday. She is in her hard cast now, and has learned how to navigate around with it. She's a quick study. She also figured out that she can drag bags around using her leg... signs of a life long purse habit... At any rate, it has been a long week.

Next week doesn't hold promise for much posting time. Besides adjusting to our new routine, it is also Cousin Amy's wedding! People talk about going to Jared's... she's marrying Jared!

Open Theism…

2009-01-19T16:03:00.002-06:00

(or, to the Greg Boyd fans, open futurism)

I’m OK with people quoting Christian theologians in debates with me. Why not? Gives me a better feel for where they come from. For practical purposes, we’ll claim Greg Boyd as an authority, and I’ll say that I like Vox Day’s explanation on open-theism. The premise of open theism is that God knows the future in a broad sense, for example, He knows the end of the world, etc. He also knows all of the different options a man can take and the different possible outcomes, but lets man choose which path he will take. It is much like a choose-your-own-adventure story or like a role playing computer game.

Open theism touches upon a variety of doctrines of faith, not just the nature of God. It touches on doctrines that explain the nature of man, as well. Open theism touches on the Doctrine of Free Will, the Doctrine of Good Works, the Doctrine of Justification, and doctrines relating to the nature of God.

This is, likely, going to take several posts, and several weeks (seven month old infant at home) to frame out, so I hope anonymous is patient. I hope anonymous will do me the favor of giving him or herself some initials in case I run into other anonymous people in this debate.

For resources, here is an on-line copy of the Book of Concord , though I will site from Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions, Readers Edition, for purchase here .

I’ll use the ESV version of the Bible on-line here .

It is my hope that if I am in error, someone will point it out.

Let’s define Free Will first. Augsburg Confessions, Article XVIII 1,2: “Our churches teach that a person’s will has some freedom to choose civil righteousness and to do things subject to reason. It has no power, without the Holy Spirit, to work the righteousness of God, that is, spiritual righteousness.” Apology, Article XVIII 73,74: “Although we admit that free will has the freedom and power to perform the extreme works of the Law; we do not assign spiritual matters to free will. These are to truly fear God, believe God, be confident and hold that He cares for us, hears us, and forgives us. These are the true works of the First Table, which the heart cannot produce without the Holy Spirit, as Paul says, “The natural person [namely, a person using only natural strength] does not accept the things of the Spirit of God” (1 Corinthians 2:14). People can determine this if they consider what their hearts believe about God’s will, whether they are truly confident God cares for and hears them. Even the saints find keeping such faith difficult (which is not possible in unbelievers). But, as we have said before, it begins when terrified hearts hear the Gospel and receive comfort.” I am also going to refer, in general, the Formula of Concord Solid Declaration, II. Free Will, or Human Powers, but will not quote as it is very extensive.

Free Will is very important to establish right away as it is a foundational doctrine behind open theism. Open theists hold that man pretty much determines his path and God knows all of the potential outcomes for each decision a man makes. Open theists ascribe more Free Will to man, or more correctly more free will to choose good than do Lutherans.

Romans 3:10-18: “as it is written: ‘None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.’ ‘Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive.’ ’The venom of asps is under their lips.’ ‘Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.’ ‘Their feet are swift to shed blood; in their paths are ruin and misery, and the way of peace they have not known.’ ‘There is no fear of God before their eyes.’”

Ephesians 2:8-9: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

I Corinthians 2:14: “The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.”

In other words, man cannot make a decision for Christ, which is necessary in open-theism.

More to come…

Believe, teach, and Confess…

2009-01-18T16:35:00.000-06:00

Yesterday was fun with thinking about decision theology. I heard something about open theism and also from someone who claims to be an orthodox Christian but is really more of a Buddhist/Gnostic.

Open theists claim something along the lines that God knows all of the possible decisions a person can make and wrote an outcome for each decision, but doesn’t know what path a person is going to take. Kind of like a choose-your-own-adventure story.

This is very problematic because it denies that God is omniscient. The Lutheran belief is all men choose, through their sinful nature, damnation but God calls us to salvation through the Holy Spirit. (Correct me if I misunderstand the teaching.)

The other problem I ran into relates to self-interpretation. I ran into the site of an acquaintance of mine where the acquaintance uses her vocation and what she knows about the subject matter of her vocation to come up with an explanation to the question, “Why do bad things happen to good people?” In the process she implies that she is more insightful and correct than Augustine.

The problem with self interpretation outside the confines of a confession and the historical doctrines of the Christian faith is we, in our own self-righteousness, fall into the heresies of old. You see, there are no new ideas about God or the questions that plague man. We claim we are more brilliant, more inspired, more intelligent than the church fathers, or Luther, or Walther, or Lewis, or Sproul, or Chesterton.

When one reads the historical works and literature of the Christian faith, one learns the arguments against heresy and the proof texts supporting. Christian history does not start with my conversion, nor does Biblical interpretation begin with me. There are proper methods and correct beliefs. It doesn’t matter what a passage means to you, it matters what it means. To presume to put your own interpretation on scripture is to presume universalism, that all interpretations of scripture are equally valid.

I am an armchair theologian. I have no training. I didn’t even go to a Bible College, so I have never taken a college level Bible class. However, I have a natural curiosity about religions and I love reading Christian literature and theology and dabble in the important works of other faiths (eastern religion and Mormon). Because theology is a hobby of mine, even more so should I bear the scrutiny of others because my study has not been guided by anyone. The faith that I cling to and the interpretation of scripture I cling to should not be subject to my degree in economics or the subsequent work I perform, nor should it be shaped by my vocation as mother and wife, it should be shaped by scripture itself and the sound teaching of our church fathers. To presume anything else is to assume a rebellious and hateful spirit.

It doesn’t matter what I think scripture is about, it matters what scripture is about. And scripture is not about me and how it relates to my world, scripture is about God being glorified through Jesus’ sacrificial death and resurrection for my sins and the sins of the world.

Lutheran Theology ruined CCM for me…

2009-01-17T07:58:00.001-06:00

So, last night, I went to this once in a not very often while opportunity, a PFR concert. My eyes were opened and I realized yet again that not all Christians believe the same things about conversion. I could say that there were uniquely Christian themes running through the music, and the music was GREAT! So, I will remain a PFR fan.

On a side note, PFR was the soundtrack to Jr. High, High School, and College for me. So, I went with a gal I knew back in high school, and we met up with other youth group gals. It was eye opening to see them again. They’re all very nice, but I can’t believe how I used to value their good opinion. I felt a little left out of their chatter as I haven’t kept in touch with any of them, but I am glad I was left out of some of their chatter. My regret? I didn’t put a stop to the parts of their chatter that were sinful. Sigh.

One of the benefits of remembering history…

2009-01-05T19:15:00.001-06:00

It has become trendy amongst Confessional Lutherans of the LCMS variety to shun the church calendar. I mentioned here about the commemoration of the Holy Innocents. Turns out that Chad the Elder, though not specifically writing about the Holy Innocents, writes about how Catholics have also been culpable in abortion as well.

Let’s be honest here. Most of us would agree that learning American History and World History are both beneficial and important for American citizens. Why then, do we not extend this philosophy in regards to the church calendar? Would we be commemorating Roe v. Wade if we remembered the Holy Innocents? Would we have allowed history to repeat itself? Further, would we have op-eds like this that say we should increase the population to increase tax revenue (by the way, in that op-ed, more baby making is not mentioned as an option)? There are currently 40 odd million who would be alive now, many of whom would be paying taxes at this time.

In the next Congressional Session, important topics like physician conscious will be discussed. Josh, Mallory, and I have an NFP only Catholic physician who is very pro-breast feeding. Our physician also advertises himself, even within a well known hospital and health care system, as one who does not even prescribe contraception. Do we remember history or do we force him either out of practice or into the sins of Herod?

Why do we remember church history? We remember church history so we are warned against the sins of our fathers. Right now, a beautiful baby girl is listening to her daddy talk about Twins Baseball, and she thinks it is the funniest thing ever. Her sweet giggle drifts up stairs to my ears. How many sweet giggles are we missing for our sins? God forgive us.

Thanks for the memories

2009-01-05T16:49:00.000-06:00

Thanks for the memories, Carl Pohlad. I'll post more later.

Happy Consecutive Odds

2009-01-03T11:08:00.002-06:00

To whom it may concern, Happy Consecutive Odds! And Happy Birthday to HG, I love you a lot!

Happy New Years!

2009-01-01T17:52:00.001-06:00

And my presents to all of you:

Blonde Liz’s Bread Pudding (Don’t skimp and please reference back to me when passing the recipe out)

16 slices of dried white bread, torn into bite sized pieces

3 c whole milk

1 stick of butter

2 cups of brown sugar or maple syrup or honey

1 T vanilla

1 T cinnamon

4 eggs

20ish oz of almond pastry filling

2 cups of walnuts or pecans

1 cup dried fruit of choice (I recommend figs, dates, raisins or craisins)

Combine milk, butter, and sugar in a sauce pan and heat to 110ish degrees (no need for thermometer, hot bath hot to touch). Temper into eggs and mix well with vanilla, cinnamon and pastry filling. Fold in bread pieces and refrigerate for 2 hours. Fold in nuts and fruit. Pour into greased 9x13 cake pan. Bake 350 for 45 minutes to 55 minutes, until golden on top and firm. Toothpick may not come out clean, this is a moist dish.

Let set for half hour, serve with ice cream or topping of choice. Cream cheese and caramel sauce is popular amongst my family that likes bread pudding.

And what good is bread pudding without buttered rum? Check out this recipe from the Pan Galactic Blogger Blaster . I just tried it. I ended up doubling the rum, butter, and sugar and using 10 cloves. I am generally not a clove person, but it works well. (As an aside… one could probably take a cup or so of this, combine with a simple glaze, and it would be fabulous on my bread pudding recipe.)

Not to be the grammar police…

2009-01-01T07:45:00.000-06:00

You know, nor do I, you know, have any reason, you know, that I should presume, you know, to correct the, you know, speech patterns, you know, of a, you know, woman who was, you know, raised by a book editor, and you know, Ivy League educated, you know, but…

I completed 17 years of public education and I could tell you, for free, that you turn off the slang, the verbal tics, and the casual grammar in professional settings. I spent a week my senior year of college not saying “like.” It was fun. I learned other words to use when comparing things, and I got rid of an annoying verbal tic.

Verbal tics are endearing and folksy when the speaker comes from a common and folksy background. When the verbal tics come from a member of the Duchy of Massachusetts, it sounds like someone wasted their education.

Holy Innocents…

2008-12-29T07:20:00.000-06:00

I’ve been learning about the church calendar, thanks very much to the Treasury of Daily Prayer I received for Christmas. Apparently, we commemorate the slaughter of babies by King Herrod. Pastor McCain wonders why there are no decorations for these infants .

Rightly, Pastor McCain points us to the slaughter of the Innocent, our Savior, who died for our sins. I would like to actually answer his question. We do not commemorate the Holy Innocents because we, as a culture, are no longer horrified by mass murder. In particular, Christians of my generation are no longer horrified by abortion. Further, accounts of crazy people, even parents, murdering children abound in our news.

Sit down and think about the last time you thought, I mean really thought about ALL of the Christmas Story. A couple of years ago, there was a movie in the theaters that told the Christmas Story, rather well, I would say. That’s the last time I acknowledged the slaughter of the innocents. But, I haven’t really sat down to think of it in a very long time, a decade or so, perhaps.

We do not commemorate these innocents because it doesn’t fit with the Christian stereotype of how post Christmas is supposed to feel. We are supposed to continue the warm fuzzy feeling throughout the New Years. We do not commemorate these infants because we are no longer shocked, nor horrified, and, quite honestly, we’ve been trained to think it is morally acceptable, or at least tolerable, or not worthy of our roughest punishment when children are murdered in cold blood.

God have mercy on our jaded, evil souls.

Mallory’s carbon footprint…

2008-12-26T20:50:00.000-06:00

Mallory, aka Miss Sensitive Bum, will have a substantially reduced carbon footprint from this point on. That’s right, as soon as my order comes in, Mallory will proudly be sporting cloth diapers, Indian cotton prefolds with some pretty covers. Miss Sensitive Bum did just fine with sensitive bum disposable diapers. However, manufacturers of diapers must think that sensitive bummed babies get potty trained at 6 months. We tried the diapers for babies with normal bums, and the poor girl’s bum is chemical burn red after 2 diapers and spent the entire day screaming bloody murder. Josh went out and bought special organic cotton diapers this evening to last us until our cloth diapers come. Freaking expensive these special organic cotton diapers are, $10.99 for 34! They were made by some Swedish mom who wanted her baby to have compostable diapers. Who the heck in Sweden composts in the winter? Further, who in Minnesota composts in the winter? I’m not going to be that crazy new neighbor that composts her baby’s diapers in the middle of the winter, not to mention the summer! Wouldn’t the neighborhood dogs just love that! I’m going to be like everyone else and throw these special diapers in a plastic bag into my garbage can where they won’t easily biodegrade. Not because I’m difficult (though I am), I’m just thinking convenience here. These diapers are called biodegradable (and they may very well be) just to make people feel good about paying $11 for 34 diapers and throwing them away in plastic diaper genie bags like normal people.

I am actually pretty impressed with the pricing of these pre-fold diapers. I have hereby decided that when the time comes, subsequent babies will be exclusively cloth diapered. Low overhead, no chemical burns, happy baby, happy parents.

Poor Mallory… her first Christmas, and all she wanted was her two front teeth. She didn’t get that, she got this really bad, lousy diaper rash.

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-23T15:46:00.003-06:00

"For unto us a Child is born!"

(yup, that is Mallory performing as Baby Jesus, with her Godmother, Kathy, Godfather, Jon, and a little friend.)

The 12 Days of Christmas…

2008-12-21T17:38:00.000-06:00

Go ahead. I’m renewing the quiz as a tradition of sorts, so what theological points can one use each of the 12 days of Christmas to remember:

A Partridge in a Pear Tree:
Two Turtle Doves:
Three French Hens:
Four Calling Birds:
Five Golden Rings:
Six Geese A Laying:
Seven Swans A Swimming:
Eight Maids A Milking:
Nine Ladies Dancing:
Ten Lords A Leaping:
Eleven Pipers Piping:
Twelve Drummers Drumming:
The True Love:

No fair looking back to last year. I’ll post the answers when I get a chance of it.

Add five to the month...

2008-12-16T18:06:00.002-06:00

Take each of my parent's birth months, add five, and you have their birth day. 12/17 is one such day. Happy Birthday, Mom! I love you very much and pray that you'll have many more happy, healthy birthdays! God bless you!

Tradition! Tradition!

2008-12-14T17:20:00.002-06:00

(All you Fiddler fans, sing it with me!)

Every Christmas Eve, my dad’s side of the family would gather at Granny’s house, some would eat lutefisk, all would eat pizza and lefse, silverware would be stolen*, the Christmas Story read out of the family Bible (Vulgate), and presents would be opened. Then, when Dad became Lutheran and the rest of us followed, we’d go to church on both Christmas Eve and Day, which made the family gathering later. Now, both my paternal grandparents are gone, so last year we celebrated at my mom’s and this year we’ll celebrate at Aunty Joy’s.

Traditions are fun. And writing about them is fun unless your daughter is trying to pull heavy books off the shelf… I need to do something about that… just a sec… I showed her the Winnie the Pooh Anthology, we’re good.

When we converted to Lutheran Theology, I honestly had no idea that Lutherans practiced liturgy, until I started reading the blogs. Rev. Russ, as I mentioned below, has a good post on the debate amongst LCMS members. (Full disclosure, my family belongs to his church.)
Though I go to a non-liturgical church, I personally prefer liturgy. And, while reading the arguments on both sides, I’d like to address some of them, and put in my revivalist background two cents. And keep in mind, I just like the discussion, have no intent on causing problems because my church doesn’t practice liturgy, and respect that people do things differently than I prefer.

Those who don’t practice liturgy often say something to the extent “Well, it gets repetitive, people become ignorant of what it means, and there comes a point when we don’t mean it when we say it.” I agree on all three points… but modern praise and worship is more repetitive and often less theological, so there is less to cling to. Do people know what all their praise and worship songs mean? Do they know why churches don’t practice liturgy? Further, how many rounds of “You are my strength when I am weak/Jesus lamb of God” can you go and still mean it? (I get bored after we’ve song all the verses once…)

I want to expand a bit more beyond my smarmy paragraph… I go to a Lutheran church to hear this: I am a dirty rotten sinner and Jesus died for my sins, I want to confess my sins, receive absolution, say the Lord’s Prayer and the Creed (every week the Creed and not just once in a while), hear scripture and sound doctrine taught.

If a Lutheran church decides not to practice liturgy, I chalk that up to congregational freedom provided this congregation doesn’t fall into the trap some liturgical churches fall into: No one knows why we do things the way they are done. Does your pastor regularly explain the worship service and why things are done? If not, the new non-liturgy becomes just as irrelevant as people claim liturgy to be. Arguably, poor catechesis exists on both sides. And the catechesis should be more complicated than “Well, this is what we prefer…” WHY do you prefer? Is it like chocolate ice cream and it tastes good or is there a real doctrinal reason? If it is like chocolate ice cream and it tastes good, perhaps one should revisit ones worship service. But, if there are sound reasons why things are done the way they are, we should be reminded. People learn by drill and repetition. There is nothing wrong with repetition. This is why Martin Luther told pastors to stick to one version of the Creed, the Commandments, and the Lord’s Prayer. Non liturgical congregations need to regularly hear that they are just as repetitive as liturgical ones. They just repeat different things.

Regardless of if one practices liturgy or not, the assigned scripture readings should be read. Again, I believe there should be freedom in the pastor’s sermon, but I stand firm about church calendar. Lutherans interpret scripture differently than the vast majority of American Christians. As such, reading from the church calendar teaches how to properly interpret scripture. For example, how does one accept the same Jesus who was prophesied to be despised and rejected by men? When someone asks “Have you accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior?” how does that mesh with what Isaiah has to say about him? How does the message, “You’re just thinking too many negative thoughts” coincide with the man who was of sorrows and acquainted with grief? Oh, are those conflicting theologies? You see, often in non-liturgical churches, the Old Testament is neglected, as such bad theology creeps in.

On repetitious memory work… people abhor vacuums. So, they are going to fill their heads with something. The Apostle Paul teaches us that not everything is beneficial, though it is permissible. And here is the ultimate test: What happens when you fall into the depths of despair or your life is a graveyard of buried hopes? What happens when you are rejected and abandoned, even by God’s people who are supposed to care for you? What happens when you can’t feel the presence of God? When you walk through the shadows of death, what gives you more comfort, singing “I can sing of your love forever,” or reciting the Apostles Creed? Something of emotions that conflict with your own or something of great theological truth? It’s going to be the sound doctrine, the scripture, the words of the faith that you have learned by repetition.

Before summing up, I want to briefly talk about this, “Well, everyone else is doing it” “Seeker sensitive” stuff. It is inappropriate for revivalists to tell Lutherans how to worship. We should not be doing things just because everyone else is. We should not abandon the manner of worship that has been practiced historically just for popularity sake. Further, it is down right wrong for pagans to presume to tell Christians how to worship and preach. Enough of this “What will make our message/service/whatever more attractive to pagans” act. This line is said by people who don’t read the Old Testament as often as they should. (Again with this Isaiah thing…) Christians should continually ask, “How can I be a better communicator?” This is different than making things more attractive to non-Christians. If a Christian needs a brush up on grammar, history, the vernacular, etc., it is different than making Jesus, whom the Bible tells us is despised and rejected, more attractive. Jesus does not need us to win souls. The work is complete. He uses people as a tool in proclaiming his death for sinners and ressurection.

To sum up, liturgy should fall into the realm of Christian freedom, provided both the liturgical and the non-liturgical constantly, at all levels, remind themselves why things are done the way they are. Keep things objective, not subjective with worship. Don’t abandon the Creed, The Lord’s Prayer, Christ Centered teaching that preaches Jesus died for my sins, confession and absolution, and the reading of scriptures as assigned by the church calendar. Keep Lutheran Theology pure. And remember that worship services should also be friendly to those who contemplate such things.

*it isn’t breaking a commandment if you intend on wrapping the silverware up, placing it under the tree, and returning it to its owner, provided you blame it on someone else, of course.

If I were smart and did a muslin…

2008-12-14T17:18:00.000-06:00

Here’s how I *would* have done McCall’s 3656… First, I would have tossed the instructions out. Worthless and not how McCall’s does their other dresses. Second, cut extras for the bodice, but cut the extras so there aren’t arm holes on them.

Here’s how I will assemble next time:
Assemble the back and put in the zipper
Assemble the front
BEFORE doing the under sleeve seam and the side seams, sew the shoulders and shoulder/sleeve seem. Then do a cuff of sleeve to skirt hem seam.

Collar: sew the collar on according to instructions, then take the extra bodice pieces, just doing the shoulder seams (remember, no arm holes as you cut those away) Sew the second bodice to the collar and dress bodice, right sides together, clip your circle and flip the second bodice to the inside of the dress, and stitch.

After I finish doing what I need to hand sew, I’ll post pictures.

Sewing Grrr...

2008-12-13T20:22:00.001-06:00

I'm making a dress for Mallory and my machine is too big for the sleaves. Sigh.

Random points of interest…

2008-12-08T20:51:00.004-06:00

Do Europeans have lower Down’s Syndrome rates because of their pre-natal care? Frank from the Haut South seems to think so … but in a rather morbid way.

Rev. Russ has a point of view on whether or not to practice liturgy … I kind of agree with him and kind of disagree with him. I have this long post about it that I’ve been polishing. I’ll try to get it up this weekend after first rice cereal clean up.

L P Cruz reminds us that it’s OK to not know all the answers .

Dr. Vieth via Pastor McCain wishes us all a slappy Christmas.

Rebekah from the CSPP reminds us of child logic . For my part, I was told that Aunty Joy and my Mommy had babies in their tummies. I knew the babies had to come out, and based on my childish logic, I decided that they must come out of belly buttons. (Well, if you don’t know you need more information, why ask?) Ironically enough, I had a C-Section with Mallory and will be a C-Section only mom due to some complications with Mallory.

I’ve been following the story of a foster mom on The Laundry’s Never Done. Their foster son went home to his dad recently, and she provides an end to their story . Though I’ve never met her, I feel a bond to her for some personal reasons. Please pray for this wonderful family as they discern their next step.

A Rosenbladt quote via Eric Rapp: What the sad alumni need to hear, perhaps for the first time, is that Christian failures are going to walk into heaven, be welcomed into heaven, leap into heaven like a calf leaping out of its stall, laughing and laughing as if it's all too good to be true. It isn't just that we failures will get in, it's that we will probably get in like that. We failures in living the Christian life as described in the Bible will probably say something like, "You mean it really was that simple? Just Christ's cross and blood? Just his righteousness imputed to my account as if it were mine? You got to be kidding! And all of heaven is ours just because of what was done by Jesus outside of me, not in me? On the cross, not in my heart? Not in my Christian living, not in my ethics and behavior? Well, I'll be damned!"

King from SCSU Scholars points out that some people think it’s OK for healthy people to use cocain’s kissing cousin Ritalin and he ties it to other performance enhancing drugs. Nancy Reagan’s mission failed. Do we D.A.R.E. go down this path?

Baby Jesus pics up when I get them!

Also, does anyone have thoughts on the series: Great Books of the Western World?

Acting like Jesus...

2008-12-07T16:18:00.002-06:00

Mallory portrayed Baby Jesus in our church's Christmas pageant. Usually, there is just a token Nativity scene incorporated in the last 5 to 10 minutes of the show and a curtain call. This year, Mallory was on stage 30 to 40 minutes per show for five shows. She did great the first four, but during "What child is this," she got this look of utter terror and I knew it was coming. "Mary and Joseph" who are also her Godparents did all they could, but I ended up walking her out early, the poor thing.

We're all kind of like that sometimes... I mean, we put on our "Jesus" costume and try to do the impossible when we are all really just scared, sad, sinful little babies. I think Mallory probably had it right, we should let Jesus be Jesus. Thanks be to God for His sacrificial death and resurrection.

My Christmas Tree is up…

2008-11-30T18:35:00.000-06:00

...because I like it up. It’s pretty. I only decorated the top half of it. The bottom branches have various toys for Mallory to touch and play with. Come Thou Long Expected Jesus.

Oh, and for those who are wondering, Baby Jesus is a speaking part. There will be non-traditional plastic toys pinned inside Baby Jesus’ outfit. And perhaps there will be a shepherd or angel that just stands by Mary and Joseph just in case. But, Baby Jesus does like grown up Jesus quite a bit. Poor Mallory.

On Socialism…

2008-11-29T13:06:00.004-06:00

I think we need to slow down a minute before institutionalizing this and that. So, I’m starting a periodic series on socialism. I’ll pick on capitalism later and then on distributivism.

An overall problem I have with those who would institutionalize socialist programs is the accusatory tone they have with their questions (no, I’m not talking about Rev. McCain though he inspired this series). “Don’t you think we should help the poor?” Such questions assume: 1. I don’t care about the poor and 2. I am currently not helping the poor and 3. Other people of my political views don’t help nor care for the poor. Those I assist are often those I love very much and I hate to see my friends and neighbors in need, and sometimes they are those I have no connection to whatsoever, I just want to help people. I don't keep score. I do what I do because I love people, in my own anti-social introverted way.

One of my reservations on socializing this and that is government mandated programs are going to enslave our children in debt, most likely to those who persecute Christians. Well, me too because I still have a long working career ahead of me. But, we’ll focus on our children. Part of being a parent worthy of honor is watching out for the best interests of our children. And, let’s be honest here, Baby boomers did not reproduce at the same rate as their parents did. Let’s take it a step further, they also killed a lot of their offspring as a generation. So, as the Boomers age, who will provide health care? Who will provide the funding for health care? Don’t say, “The Rich.” Who are “the rich?” Are “the rich” who believe people should have access to cheap healthcare already providing access to this healthcare through donations? Don’t say, “I can afford to pay more in taxes.” If you can afford to pay more in taxes, you can also afford to give more to charity. Often government involvement is an excuse for those who otherwise have no inclination towards charity to feel good about doing something for the greater good.

Back to enslaving our children… do I have the right to steal my child’s future income? Do others? Should I protect my child’s income? I should teach her to have Christian compassion to others, to give blood, to help those as she has the means to, to share with others, and to otherwise serve.

I think European style healthcare and socialism might appear attractive at first glance. But, does their unemployment rate? Does their tax rate? Does their reproductive rate? Where are the taxpayers going to come from to pay for these socialist benefits? In the future, in the very near future, at the end of this decade of Luther, we are going to find out how serious we are about socialist programs.

Happy Thanksgiving…

2008-11-26T05:38:00.002-06:00

I’ll try to keep up with blogs between now and the end of the weekend, but my last surviving Grandma is coming to town to meet Mallory! As such, I’m busy. So, I leave you with Psalm 100:

1 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!
2 Serve the Lord with gladness!Come into his presence with singing!
3 Know that the Lord, he is God!It is he who made us, and we are his;we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving,and his courts with praise!Give thanks to him; bless his name!
5 For the Lord is good;his steadfast love endures forever,and his faithfulness to all generations.
Happy Thanksgiving!

Things I regret about my education…

2008-11-26T05:38:00.001-06:00

I’m starting an on again, off again, series on education. I want to start with things I regret and resent about my education and then move onto my educational philosophy. My regrets and resentments do not reflect my parents or individual teachers; they reflect a disagreement I have with an institution. This is not meant to be taken personally. This is a diary of a parent who wants to do better by her child, after all, that is the American Dream.

I regret not having a course in Western Civilization. When talking to people who did take such a course, I actually present myself as if I have had one, which is why some people may be surprised. Anything that I’ve picked up, I have done because I am interested in history, politics, and philosophy (yes, yes, also in math and chemistry and nutrition, but this is a post on Western Civ.).

How did this happen? Well, I’ll take 4/17ths of the responsibility. I had the opportunity in college (nope, wasn’t required in college) but didn’t. In high-school, there were two tracks, the honors track and the average students track. The general assumption was both tracks took the same courses, but that wasn’t the case. The honors students took American lit and history in 10th grade, Western Civ and Lit in 11th grade, and Brit lit and econ in 12th grade. Average students took general lit and American history in 10th grade; American lit and world history in 11th grade, and world lit and civics in 12th grade. As such, I was never required to take a course in Western Civ.

Now, in college, I certainly had the opportunity. I decided against it as I was very disappointed in the American History course I took in college, and I felt that, if I were truly interested, it was incumbent upon myself to explore the topic.

Philosophically, I think this is a problem because I believe it was my parents general assumption that *all* their daughters would receive a course in Western Civilization (one could say 2 out of 3 isn’t that bad, and better than the 90 or so out of 350 or so in each graduating class in our public school, but that’s the wrong way to look at things). However, it is the assumption of the educational establishment that if one grows up in a white, middle class home, one must receive indoctrination in Western Civilization from ones parents. Therefore, it is more important to teach kids that other cultures are just as good as the Western way of doing things. Personally, though I believe there is much to be learned from and about other cultures, I would rather live in a Western culture than, say, an Islamic culture. Because I would rather live in a Western culture, I do believe that the western way of living is superior and would defy any woman to demonstrate that Western culture is inferior.

At any rate, there is a lack of training in Western history and philosophy in our public school system. This is sad because when we lack training in our own culture, we fail to learn from the mistakes in our history. I’m not saying capitalism is the be all and end all best of economic philosophies, but the Nazis were socialists, Christians are persecuted in socialist China, and Communist Russia had some bad problems too, with regards to human rights. And I’m not implying that all socialists and all communists are bad people, rather these philosophies have led to horrific crimes against humanity and should be watched.

A lab experiment…

2008-11-26T05:37:00.000-06:00

Mallory discovered paper. Instead of taking it away from her, we decided to see what she’d do with it. She crinkled it, tore it, and put it in her mouth, much as we expected. As long as we watch her, I figure it is OK and a good lesson in discovery.

I love the Bishops…

2008-11-26T05:36:00.002-06:00

They have balls . We should all pray for that and for all our Christian leaders that they take such a bold stance defending life. (HT. Vox Day )

Out with the old, in with the old…

2008-11-26T05:36:00.001-06:00

So, FoxNews was pointing out that Obama fought Hillary Clinton on foreign policy. One would think that if Obama didn’t like Clinton’s foreign policy stances, he wouldn’t ask her to be the Secretary of State. Further, though I agree, in some instances, it is better to keep your enemies closer, you should also try to separate your enemies from their friends. It is not a smart idea to have a bunch of former Clinton advisors in your administration when you have a Clinton in your cabinet. Just makes it easier for a Clinton take over.

An ironic observation about teachers unions…

2008-11-26T05:35:00.000-06:00

Teachers unions are against home schooling. If statistics hold, there are only 1.5 million kids being home schooled each year. Teachers unions endorse pro-choice candidates with regards to abortion. At any given time, if there have really been 40 million abortions since Roe V Wade, 14.82 million aborted babies who would have been somewhere in the K-12 system. (40 million/35 million = about 1.14 million abortions/year; 1.14 * 13 years of public school = 14.82 million kids)

One of the (many) arguments against home schooling is that it takes money from the public schools. Granted, so do private schools, but you don’t hear whining about that. At any rate, abortion takes more money from public schools each year than home schooling.

I did better than elected officials…

2008-11-26T05:33:00.000-06:00

Et tu? (HT: Vox Day )

I missed two out of 33 questions on American History and Civics. (I won’t say which ones just so you have a chance to take the quiz yourself.) American elected officials score an average of 44%! Look what an Ivy League education will buy you, ignorance.

Take the test yourself . Hint for those who this will help: They assume we are Keynesian.

Oh, and I have never taken a Western Civ course. Nor did my public school American History courses provide ALL of this information. I expect those who only took public school courses with no outside reading to get 75%. Unless you voted for Obama. If you voted for Obama, I’m expecting you to look like this . (HT: Laundry Never Done )

Arm Pit Poo…

2008-11-16T15:12:00.002-06:00

This week, Mallory decided that instead of a four a day, she’d become a one a day. And today’s version was that special kind of back poo that you have to get out of the arm pits. Five wipes, a bath, and a load of laundry. That’s a lot like sin. We’re up to our arm pits in it.

Gauntlets from CSPP is right on when she talks about how, in our sinful state, we demean our spouses and expect way too much of them. I don’t know what its like to be married to a pastor. But, again, my husband is in the National Guard, thinking about signing a contract to join the Army. I have a couple of friends who have firefighter husbands. I have a friend who is married to an EMT. And I’m pretty sure police spouses feel the same way. Why can’t normal wives be more appreciative of what they have? Further, why can’t I be a normal wife?

Military spouses, police spouses, firefighter spouses, EMT/Paramedic spouses, and pastors’ wives all put up with a level of whining from others. Why? It reminds us that someday we, too, will be normal again, and that we will begin to whine about things like colds, balancing the checkbook, and other everyday crap.

Here’s, on a practical note, how to deal with your husbands job, whatever it is. Set the bar low. The table of duties in Luther’s Small should do the trick. Do they live with us by showing us honor as the weaker vessel? Are they harsh with us? How does my husband provide for me when he’s not here? He hands over his paycheck, no questions asked.

Someone always has it worse off than you. Always. Unless your husband died in combat. I’d have to say those gals have it worst. Gauntlets says it right on here: “[c]onsider that the man God gave you is your husband but he is Christ’s slave. Do not, with cheap, repetitive rhetoric, distract him from his Master. The boiling pot of anger you so meticulously stir throughout your lonely day has very little to do with the real, flesh and blood man who bears the onslaught of your wrath. That inner dialogue that plagues you, that fills your brain pan with the sizzling fats of disappointment, revenge, and self pity, is born of lies. It is the serpent whispering, “Did God really say . . .” His whispers ape reality, but they do not reveal it. Close your ears and open your eyes of faith. You and your husband are both of you saints in the Kingdom of God, are both of you sinners carrying your crosses until the day of His coming. And your crosses are not entirely unequal…”

Or, as I’ve heard Soldiers say, “Soldier up. Embrace the suck.” We, all of us whose husbands serve God, country, or community in ways most don’t understand, are covered in arm pit poo. And Jesus is the only one who can wipe us clean. We will all sin again.

That question has been answered...

2008-11-16T08:09:00.002-06:00

I've been letting my hair get shaggy in hopes of doing something particularly cool with it. Alas, this weekend was drill weekend and I learned a lesson... Josh needed a high and tight and shaved for the first time in a few weeks. And Mallory doesn't recognize him. So, I'll go in soon for the usual.

Happy Veteran's Day

2008-11-11T08:34:00.006-06:00

Thanks to those who "more than self, their country loved," and those who also came back! Happy Veterans Day! Josh and I are going to celebrate in the manner which he sees fit.

And here are my special shout outs:
Happy Veterans Day, Daddy! I love you!
Happy Veterans Day, Peder! And also Happy Birthday one day late. I hope Rachel saw you got your two beers.
Happy Veterans Day, Bill! Thanks for being so good to us and also those around you!
Happy Veterans Day, Uncle Todd! Thanks for being such a great guy for Josh to look up to, particularly when he was a kid!
Happy Veterans Day, Sid! Thanks for serving your adopted country!
Happy Veterans Day, Fish! You're awesome!
Happy Veterans Day, Chaplain Day! Thanks for giving your career to your country and for being of service to Josh, me, and my family over the past three and a half years!
Happy Veterans Day to all whom I am forgetting.

And Happy Veteran's Day to all other Vets who read this blog!

Happy Veterans Day, also, to those who are no longer with us. Grandpa Stillman and Uncle Claire, Grandpa Kulzer, and particularly Lyndon.

Please feel free to leave some love for the Vets in the comment section.

All haters, whiners, and those who feel they deserve a "good job" even though they didn't serve their country will be openly mocked, and perhaps deleted.

Why certain stuff is really funny…

2008-11-06T18:53:00.001-06:00

I pick on revivalists. I just do. I used to be one, my extended family is revivalists, and they (both my extended family and revivalists) are just fun to pick on. But, certain stuff they do and think is just funny because, well, it is. For example, if they think God tells them to hold prayer meetings around a statue of a bull , they think it is just fine. However, apparently, it is a really big deal that the Illinois pick three numbers were 6-6-6 on Wednesday, the day after Obama was elected.

Stuff like this is funny because of the internal inconsistencies that people have. The Israelites worshiping at the statue of a bull is a pretty big deal, Bible wise. I mean, lots of reoccurring sins are established in that one story. But making a big deal out of random chance of lottery numbers 6-6-6, that’s just really coincidental timing. (I heard about that on the show that unfortunately replaced Laura Ingraham. A moment of silence please.) At any rate, there is nothing deep or philosophical about my weird little observation via Cwirla .

We should really spend less time worrying about 6-6-6 and who the anti-Christ is and prophecy this and that and worry more about proclaiming Christ Crucified for our sins. We should all be ready, meaning we should regularly confess our sins and make sure our spiritual house is in order. And we also need to have a little humor about our little quirks.

The benefit of being an “Old Testament” Christian…

2008-11-04T04:34:00.002-06:00

(You’ll like this one, Dad.)

When I was a revivalist, it was cool to say, “I am a New Testament Christian.” This must be said with a really self righteous tone. But, we were at least encouraged to *read* the Old Testament. Reading the Old Testament must not be encouraged around Pat Robertson’s crowd any longer, otherwise they wouldn’t think it a good idea to hold prayer meetings in front of a statue of a bull (Pr. Cwirla).

They must be listening to the same god the Israelites were (and I don’t mean God the Father Almighty). We had to have an emergency “Mallory, if someone tells you to…” lesson where she is told that we don’t go and pray to statues.

(Can I take my mocking a step further? Please… OK, know that I’m merely poking fun at the situation in an ironic manner.)

If you really want Jesus to come down and establish his millenial reign (assuming you’re a pre-tribber), it is a MUCH better idea to pray to Him rather than Baal (aka The Anti-Christ).

Mallory's Election Slogan...

2008-11-02T07:36:00.000-06:00

Diapers, the only change that is always acceptable.

One... Two... Five... No, Three Sir...

2008-11-01T17:59:00.002-05:00

She's a little bunny with big knarly teeth and can jump... well, be lifted as high as Josh's head... mmmmmm hair, just as tastey as wash cloth! The picture where she is wearing yellow was taken on her four month birthday. She was on her way to get vaccines... shhhh.... But she lived another day.

What can Jesus... um, no, Obama do for you?

2008-10-29T17:34:00.003-05:00

Obama is smart, I’ll give him that. American Christianity is marked by a call to action. Show me your faith by your works, etc. Much of this comes from a misunderstanding on the call of vocation. American Christians do not see living daily life in a humble manner and doing your duty as an act of faith. If a man brings home his entire paycheck, is faithful to his wife, and teaches the Bible to his kids, he is not considered a “good Christian” if he doesn’t also volunteer at church. Obama is cashing in on the belief that our regular lives are unimportant by encouraging people to drop what they are doing and help him get elected.

Further, when approached by an American Revivalist, they will offer a testimony on what Jesus has done for them by making their lives easier and more meaningful. Obama is going to cash in on that tonight. Just watch, Revivalists. What makes Obama different than the Jesus you preach about? Heck, pay him enough money, and he may even forgive your sin of racism.

What, heretic am I? When asked for my testimony, and I say the Apostles Creed and express my faith that Jesus died on the cross for my sins; I am told that this is not good enough, I have to offer a recent example on what Jesus has done for me lately.

Obama has taken a page out of the American Revivalist play book, and they have fallen for it, hook, line, and sinker.

What your stance on life says about your foundational beliefs…

2008-10-29T17:27:00.002-05:00

We are undergoing a philosophical shift in our country. And our stance on the issue of abortion is the thermometer that indicates our shift. Allow me to explain.

In past years, I’ve engaged in political discussion with people, assuming we had experience reading the same literature and philosophy. I’ve avoided such debate this year because everyone wants to jump to “the issues” without examining foundational beliefs. People ask ignorant questions such as, “Don’t you believe everyone should have health care?” and “Don’t you want to help the poor?” and “Don’t you believe those blessed by fortune should help those in need?”

You see, both Democrats and Republicans believe health care is good, helping the poor is good, and is charity; but they have different ways of achieving these good works. And Democrats, in particular, are venomous in their attacks on those who go about noble goals in a different manner.

The question is, are we endowed by our creator certain rights that should not be taken away? Namely, are we endowed with the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness? The answer to this question means everything.

If we are not endowed with the right to life, than there is much unspeakable evil that is justified. If we are allowed to murder children in the womb for reasons of illness, disability, or plain old inconvenience what is to stop us from murdering others for the same reason? (Baby Boomers, hear this: pray your children rebel against the teachings that disregard human life that they have received these 35 years, or your turn may be next .)

If we, as a society, do not hold sacred the right to life, what makes us think we will be responsible and compassionate to all? In other words, a society that does not hold sacred the right to life may say everyone should have health care, but may go around denying it to some .

Health care, war, famine, poverty, starvation, shelter, these are all quality of life issues. They do not go away. There is always more that charitable people can do. But, the right to life, that is foundational. If we do not have the right to life, what gives us the right to health care, peace, food source, riches, nutrition, and a home?

Catholics believe you should vote your conscious. Lutherans believe you should vote in the best interest of your neighbor. It is always in your neighbor’s best interest to have life, liberty, and the ability to pursue happiness.

All people are burdensome from time to time. Mallory was a bit fussy this weekend, having had vaccines on Friday. Saturday evening, while Josh was working on a paper, Mallory was fussing. She was fed, changed, bathed, and had dry clothes. Through trial and error, all she wanted was some skin contact. So, I took off her jammies and held her against my chest. She fell asleep quickly. And I sat there with her, wrapped in a blanket, looking at the sleeping beauty in my arms. A year ago, she was very small, yet had a heart beat. We had just found out we were pregnant. It brought tears to my eyes knowing that 40 million such precious babies were dead. Fussing is rough, but a sleeping babe in your arms, listening to your heart beat, that is treasure. I looked at my baby ashamed that we belonged to a country where I would have been allowed and lauded for ending her life. God have mercy on us all.

Why life is the most important issue…

2008-10-29T05:59:00.002-05:00

OK, so I will tie these together later, but I just wanted to put them out:

House M Div on end of life “care” in Oregon
Barb the Evil Genius On health care
Dr. Siemon-Netto on Collective Shame and his interview on Relevant Radio

Bush is a commie…

2008-10-15T20:34:00.002-05:00

No, really, he is. I used to be content to say he wasn’t a conservative. But he is about as red as Putin. From the Wall Street Journal (subscribers only, I’ll print it off for Mom and Dad) on the bail out of banks :
“…the most animated response came from Wells Fargo Chairman Richard Kovacevich, say people present. Why was this necessary? he asked. Why did the government need to buy stakes in these banks?...” And, “After Mr. Kovacevich voiced his concerns, Mr. Paulson described the deal starkly. He told the Wells Fargo chairman he could accept the government's money or risk going without the infusion. If the company found it needed capital later and Mr. Kovacevich couldn't raise money privately, Mr. Paulson promised the government wouldn't be so generous the second time around.”

Doesn’t sound voluntary, does it? I mean Paulson may as well have said, “The government will be confiscating shares of your bank.” I would rather Wells Fargo (my bank) have gone down in a blaze of glory than to give into such tactics. This, my friends, is what we call communism. Say what you will about the banking crisis and the bailout. However, in my very basic understanding of economics, in a capitalist society, transactions are voluntary and mutually beneficial. It sounds like, at least on Wells Fargo’s end, the transaction was neither voluntary nor mutually beneficial. Or that is the implication. That is totalitarianism at its best.

And she has arrived!

2008-10-09T22:23:00.003-05:00

Cadance Rae has arrived ! Now, go and wish her well!

Jessica, Kris, Cadance, and big brother David are doing well, though I suppose when Cadance learns to crawl, David will be doing less well.

As a cool aside, Cadance has one of the cooler birthdays, unless you're in Europe or the military... 10/09/08... She is destined to be a math nerd.

My 600th post...

2008-10-09T17:22:00.003-05:00

For a cool 600th post, I proudly announce that we are on baby watch on behalf of Pianomomsicle . Stay tuned for further details.

Mallory's first bad cold...

2008-10-08T23:25:00.002-05:00

Or allergies... not sure which.

She had a little cold right after we got back from visiting Josh's folks, but we just attributed that to travel stress. This time, I have a sore throat, so we either have cold or allergies. Kinda hard to tell yet.

Josh was feeling pretty bad this morning/early afternoon because she was fussing and wasn't eating. I've been saying for a week now that she's been starting to sound a tad congested. He feels relief that she's fussing for me, too. We gave her some saline drops to get things flowing and we have her with a vaporizor. Josh went to grab some Baby-rub (Vic's vaporub for babies). And for tonight that will do.

I also put a rolled up towel under the head of her mattress, but she's sleeping in our bed right now, and I'm not about to move her.

Anyway, kind of rough with all those warnings about OTC remedies. I mean, we don't want to do anything to hurt Mallory, but at the same time, I don't want her to get dehydrated... We'll give the doctor a call tomorrow to see if we can give her pedialyte or put some formula into my milk bottles to make sure she's at least getting calories. And Josh will try spooning milk to her tomorrow morning.

It's going to be a LONG four day drill weekend.

Legalism and Lutheranism…

2008-09-27T09:03:00.001-05:00

Some occasional perspective is in order. I think we all need to be aware of who Confessional Lutheran Bloggers are, in general. Correct me if I’m completely off base, but it seems Confessional Lutherans are the conservative of Lutherans. And by our nature, the bloggers of the Confessional Lutherans are the nerdy and/or those with views that may, at times, seem legalistic.

This is where we eat the meat and spit out the bones. I’m rising to the blogging defense of Reb. Mary, and the other Concordian Sisters of Perpetual Partrusion . As a side note, I’ve never met any of them. My defense of them is how I perceive them, and they’ll probably correct me where I’m wrong.

People who have big families get a lot of flak, discrimination, and dare I say persecution. It starts from the liberals, you know, those who are concerned about carbon footprints and the perception that “those” people must certainly rely on government support. And, after time, those who are conservative and well meaning offer their “concern” about the wellbeing of mother and the next potential child. The proper response when you look at your neighbor in society is to exercise this ancient eastern art called nun-ja. Nun-ja business. A great deal of the CSPP blog is in response to the hate they get in society in general. And fellow Gen-Xers, who doesn’t engage in similar sounding defensive venting, and similar dry/sarcastic humor? And fellow humans, who doesn’t whine?

I personally know people who are very legalistic in their stance on contraception. Further, there are blogs and web-sites that are legalistic regarding contraception. The CSPP are *nothing* like that. I have a freak platelet disease called ITP. The scary thing for me is I generally feel perfectly fine when it acts up. I could feel absolutely wonderful and I could be dying. (Platelet count was just fine in my physical in August, by the way.) In October 2000, I was told to wait for five years of normal platelet counts that had not been sustained by drugs before getting pregnant or I could die and/or loose the baby. My friends told me that I wasn’t trusting in God because I was on oral contraception. I'm sure you all know of what they said to me and have all heard such things. God gave me modern medicine that could determine my health and make some suggestions on how to live a long happy life and have babies. I had even gone to their very legalistic church once where some guy said that he could discern whether or not women were on the pill by looking at them and he would openly confront them. Of course, he didn’t know I was on the pill because I was sitting with my friends who would *never* be tight with a woman on the pill.

One of these friends had four miscarriages in a year’s time. She was expressing her great sorrow and I listened. She and her husband were told to abstain from children until the doctor could find out and treat what was wrong, but her church was telling her to keep trying against the doctor’s suggestion. I pointed out that trying like that was like walking into a wall successively while the door is three feet away. You wouldn’t tell someone to keep walking into the wall. You trust your doctor to respect your values in such situations.

Anyway, so, the CSPP are not legalistic, and they’re pointing out, in a Gen-X-ey manner that they’re also the victims of legalism imposed by secular society and do not get the loving support they should from the church body. So, what’s the deal with always talking about not using contraception?

Here’s the overall problem. There are two issues that pastors do not touch from the pulpit: Gluttony and Contraception. Why? People take such topics the wrong way. They say, “Are you judging me?” The CSPP are talking about a taboo subject in Christian circles. It would be very uncommon to find a married woman among Boomers and younger who has not engaged in contraception of some kind. There are some issues that became prevalent with the sexual revolution that we must start to revisit.

Christians have a lot of explaining to do in the topic of Abortion. Our hands are stained with the blood of innocents. And, all too often, the most pro-life congregation rejects unwed parents who repent of their sins and vow to take responsibility with the help of the Holy Spirit. I shudder to think of youth who see the rejection faced by repentant sinners. Are we causing others to go down the path to abortion? We should all be ashamed of ourselves. When someone says, “Christians are hypocrites,” it is so easy to say, “Join the club,” instead of listening to the reason behind the statement. Everyone knows what an unwed mother’s been doing. And all too often we do not offer the grace of God to these women. And even if the father is known, we are all too often harder on the mother.

Now, with all of this, why is it wrong to discuss openly and in a loving manner contraception? If we are truly pro-life, believe that life begins at conception, and modern medicine points out that there is a chemical in The Pill that causes abortions, why can’t we specifically talk about hormonal contraception?

In Sacrament rites, I Cor. 11 is quoted, “A man ought to examine himself…” Why is it wrong for someone to hold up the mirror and talk about hormonal contraception? We cannot approach the alter and say, “God, this area in my life is closed to re-examination.” Rather, we can join the discussion, examine all of our actions in light of scripture and the confessions and approach God when we sin and say, “Father forgive me, for I have sinned.”

Am I saying the avoidance of pregnancy is always sinful? No. I’m saying it we need to re-examine all areas of our lives, and contraception is one of these areas. The CSPP are engaged in this discussion, and from the looks of it, have all had their journeys. Once you get past what obviously makes them Gen-X, enjoy their discussion. I’m sure they’re fun people and they offer love and support to those around them with Christ’s grace and mercy. We must not be caught in the trap, “Well, what do the CSPP think of me?” Who cares? We need to be concerned with our own sinful state before God and not what the CSPP think.

Pop culture...

2008-09-27T08:58:00.001-05:00

Isn’t it horrible how catchy Kid Rock’s new song is considering it’s about under aged drinking, drug use, premarital sex, and rock and roll?

PETA Sucks…

2008-09-25T16:54:00.002-05:00

Or they wish they do…

PETA thinks it would be super great and ethical and crap to use human breast milk in Ben & Jerry’s ice cream.

There are some very, um, interesting comments. I was pleasantly surprised, though, to discover that there are PETA supporters who understand that people are more important than cows… or that soy plants are less important than cows. And I would concur on the soy plant thing. I mean, if you want to not hurt cows, than drink soy.

One thing is for certain, they won’t be siphoning off me. Call me selfish and not giving a rip about cows, but Mallory and my diginity are much more important.

Leave it to the liberals to think of a new way to exploit women.

Checking up on Becky...

2008-09-13T10:58:00.002-05:00

Becky, Sam, and Dolly made it through the hurricane OK. They're still home, but without power. If power stays out too long, they'll get out of Dodge, and go to a hotel. If I hear anything exciting, I'll update, but assume all is fine.

Happy Consecutive Odds...

2008-09-10T21:51:00.003-05:00

It is time for my periodic post admiring consecutive odd-dom. Happy Consecutive Odds to those who made this pattern possible. Three cheers for the ERA, and many happy returns!

Ever notice how Becky is unlike the others... even though we're all odd?

(Of course, I did post this a bit early, but it is the appropriate date somewhere.)

A New Hope...

2008-09-10T13:45:00.003-05:00

New life brings new hope for the future. Here's to a long and hopefully successful life as a Vikings fan. Mallory says the only reason they lost on Monday was she didn't have her swell outfit yet, but she is now ready for her career as a Viking's fan.

Josh says: "Yes, but the Vikings still don't have a QB. And Carolina is going to hand it to them in two weeks."

I add: When a house is divided, the one who buys the kids clothes determines which football team they cheer for.

Josh retorts: "Girls can cheer for Mom's teams and boys can cheer for my teams."

I strongly emphasize: The one who buys the kids clothes determines which football and baseball teams they cheer for, and I can always get an Aunt to buy a Cubs outfit for Mallory. There is no moral conflict between being a Twins fan and Cubs fan at the same time. But there is a moral conflict between being a Twins fan and Cards fan at the same time.

Mockingbird Hill...

2008-09-06T15:06:00.001-05:00

Bill started to teach us this song while we were in South Dakota. I'm posting it here for my convenience so I can learn it. That, and the pictures go well with the song.

Relief...

2008-09-06T15:02:00.003-05:00

Relief is what I felt when the concept of the gift finally clicked (Extra Nos). I need a constant reminder amongst legalism that there is nothing I did to deserve salvation. The work is finished. At that moment, I ceased to be a revivalist.

Mallory Pictures...

2008-09-06T09:05:00.004-05:00

Here are some pictures of Mallory from her trip to see Josh's folks. The picture with the slate background is Josh's dad's. Then we have a couple of car pictures and a picnic picture.

A fun time was had by all, and Mallory traveled well, staying awake and happy on the way out, and doing some sleeping on the way back.

An election thought…

2008-09-06T09:04:00.000-05:00

Also known as how HG and I got rid of our large stuffed animals… or the continued pay back for the indoor marching band toy… or I wonder how I’m going to suffer for the following tale now that I am a parent.

Seven or eight years ago, Mom was hosting Easter. Our cousin, Sam, had drawn some swell pictures of the Easter Bunny and his side occupations (Army Bunny had egg shaped grenades, for example). Dad admired Sam’s art, and asked for a couple pictures. Sam was reluctant to part with them until Dad offered a dollar apiece. You see, Sam was saving for half of the price of a scooter or some other toy. My aunt was horrified to discover her son peddling pictures and told our young entrepreneur to stop selling art for money.

Sam was disheartened until he remembered the children who belong to Mom and Dad’s house were adults, and adults don’t need toys. So, he took HG and me down to the toy room and we negotiated exchanges for what he determined to be a fair price, namely our largest stuffed animals. In order to see that our transaction would be completed, it was suggested that we bag the animals and take them to our aunt and uncle’s car for him. So, he borrowed his mom’s keys and we loaded them up.

Our aunt was quite pleased to learn what a great economist her son had become.

The good news is after his birthday money was counted along side the money from his sales, he had enough to pay for half the scooter.

Before you settle on who to vote for, keep in mind that kids are capitalists by nature. Socialism is learned.

A swell nomination…

2008-09-03T16:53:00.001-05:00

Dan S. at NARN Wannabe nominated me for best of the MOB last week! Katie’s Beer took the prize, and deservedly so. However, it is still a swell nod!

Thanks!

PS. I was out of town and not keeping up on things, otherwise I’d have solicited votes.

Life of the mother?

2008-09-02T18:15:00.000-05:00

I had a three page post on the questions Dr. H asks in Lutherans and Contraception. I told him I’d take a stab at his questions once we got back from our long weekend visiting Josh’s folks (Mallory traveled well, by the way).

I ended up deleting the original post I wrote because the more I think about the questions, regarding how moral it is for women to abstain from having children if they are high risk, considering modern medical advancements, the more questions I have, personally.

We abstained from having children for a couple years because my platelet count had the potential of being unstable enough to prevent implantation and unstable to the point where my life could have been lost had I gotten pregnant. Then Josh went to Iraq and his leave just happened to not coincide with my “fertile peaks.” So, Mallory is our post Iraq deployment “souvenir,” as our unit calls such babies. (You know you hang around too many military types when infants and children come with a description relating to a deployment.)

Our very pro-life (Catholic, NFP only) GP said my ITP should no longer be an issue, so, before Josh came home, I started pre-natal vitamins. We easily got pregnant. Apart from what turned out to be some minor issues, I had a nice pregnancy from week 20 to about week 32 or so. My pulse started racing and instead of going on meds, I worked it out that I could come home from work around lunch, take a nap, and work a half day at home. I went in for my normal 39 week, and in the span of a week, I had a substantial increase in BP. My BP had been borderline low, but was now in the high range. So, we went to the hospital for some labs and were told to stay in the neighborhood incase I would be induced that night. Turns out I was induced because of severe pre-eclampsia and my ITP. I had a lot of problems during labor and delivery, including a paralyzed diaphragm and a BP drop from 150/100 to 70/40 in a span of minutes, all during the C-Section.

Mallory was a pro the entire time. She was never in any danger, thank God.

I didn’t write the above to say, “Oh, poor Liz, she should never have any children again.” I love babies and long for more, and with modern medicine, it certainly could happen. But, we need to consult with an OB/GYN instead of our GP. In fact, our GP refuses to discuss it with us. We know, already, I’d have to have a C-Section (no V-Backs for women with a history of pre-eclampsia) and I’d have to go under instead of having an epidural (what paralyzed my diaphragm). The question we’ll make our decision off of is: How early can we deliver to maximize baby’s health and mom’s safety?

If an OB/GYN thinks my risks are that great where there is no point (ITP, pre-eclampsia and all) where baby’s health and my safety are both maximized, then we’ll have some serious decisions to make. All of these decisions will be made a year or so from now.

But, I do have some things in writing… when Josh was deployed I gave a medical directive stating child’s life above mine, just in case I got pregnant over leave. It was the easiest part I chose, really. When you talk about different life saving measures, one wonders, at my young age, what I’d feel while completely out of it. Those extreme cases were hard. But it wasn’t hard to say “baby over me.” It’s just hard to say, “Future pregnancies over me” or “Me over future pregnancies.”

I pray that we’re good stewards of our resources, both our medical advantages and our lives.

Pro-life, Sacraments, and Grace…

2008-08-26T08:31:00.003-05:00

Rev. McCain talks about statements Cardinals make regarding abortion and Sacrament. I think the intent of the conversation was to contemplate if it is indeed appropriate to deny sacrament to those who are pro-abortion.

Of course, one comment talked about life of mother issues. Here’s my take. And here are my credentials: 1. I was on oral contraception for several years due to health-of-mother concerns; 2. I had a life-of-mother C-Section; 3. I have to consult with an OB/GYN next year to see if I should be having more children, and if not, what should we do about it; 4. If it is OK for me to try again, it will be a high risk pregnancy with a high risk delivery. Now, some of my girlfriends who are stringent on their NFP Only stance thought I was greatly exaggerating when I said I was on the pill for life-of-mother issues; and now understand that I do have serious health concerns to contemplate.

My take is we need to, for a moment, take our eyes off of “but what if…” problems. They exist in everything, and we shouldn’t borrow trouble on the behalf of others. The intent of denying Sacrament to those who advocate the wonton murder of children is appropriate. Issues the general population deals with on a daily basis, healthy pregnancies in healthy women, are what we should base broad generalizations off of.

Now, what about those tragic circumstances, the life-of-the-mother issues? I pray that the church of God will show Christian compassion towards parents. People who have never had pregnancy problems cannot comprehend the heartache parents go through when they decide whose life is more important, particularly when there are surviving siblings involved. These are issues that are best left to doctors, pastors, the couple involved, and most importantly, God. The opinions of others are ill informed, particularly if the couple isn’t sharing *all* the information with everyone.

So, some things Josh and I will begin to contemplate a year from now (when I am not in the midst of breast feeding hormones) include, based on an OB’s recommendation, how safe is it *really* for me to deliver a child? And if it isn’t safe, what steps will we take to preserve my health?

Be pro-life, yet compassionate towards those who are contemplating life-of-mother issues. Be against hormonal contraception, yet compassionate towards those who have health-of-mother issues. Be in favor of large families, yet understanding towards those who cannot have them.

In “Steel Magnolias,” Julia Roberts’ character is diabetic and is high risk for pregnancy. She tells her mom, after she gets pregnant, “15 minutes of wonderful is better then a life time of nothing special.” Julia Roberts' character ends up dying. And that is a very real possibility for some women. God grant the wisdom to make the most pro-life decision to those who have to make it.

My top 10 books list…

2008-08-20T11:41:00.002-05:00

I requested of my readers a list of five to ten (eleven) books, works, or authors a person should read before they are eighteen. Here is my list (in no particular order):

Grimm Brother’s and Andersen’s Fairy Tales .
It Can’t Happen Here by Sinclair Lewis.
Essay: “Socialism and the Soul of Man,” by Oscar Wilde.
Story: “Rip Van Winkle,” by Washington Irving.
Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell.
The Count of Monte Cristo , by Alexandre Dumas
Books by Jane Austin. Any and all of them.
Pilgrim’s Progress , by John Bunyan
The Crucible , by Arthur Miller.
A Christmas Carol , by Charles Dickens.

Now, keep in mind, these are all works I’ve actually read. I have a list of honorable mentions which includes works I haven’t read. I’ll post that later. Also I have a list of books I think of as fun reading, but that one doesn’t necessarily need to read before the age of 18 to be an educated sort.

Troops and their money...

2008-08-17T08:03:00.002-05:00

Perhaps I have a different take on deployed soldiers and their campaign contributions than Chad the Elder ...

Josh was deployed during an off year campaign. He got to vote for state wide offices; but I don't think he got to vote for the locals. Anyway... from a purely anecdotal perspective; most soldiers I know who were deployed overseas had other things to do with $200 then to contribute to a campaign. Just sayin'. What would certainly make a more credible study on how deployed soldiers spend $200 would be to add "hookah" and "electronic games" to the list of options.

On the other hand... if McCain were to make T-Paw his running mate and T-Paw were to say, "Let's bring the MN income tax benefits deployed soldiers receive to a national level..." there are a lot of guys who would probably put $200 down on that.

For the discriminating Lutheran Infant…

2008-08-16T16:06:00.002-05:00

I just ordered Mallory a copy of The Musical Catechism . I’ll offer a hat tip to Rev. McCain; but I really did find this on my own…

HG and I were wondering what Sunday School Songs Lutheran children sing. We assume many of our revivalist Sunday School Songs are right out. And so, I went to CPH to see what children’s CDs there are.

And so, Mallory will have some swell Lutheran Songs to teach HG... when she can sing in English.

Reading question…

2008-08-13T07:30:00.001-05:00

All with an opinion on the matter may answer this question. What 10 books (besides the Bible and the Book of Concord) would you want a person to read before they reach the age of 18? Why? And did you read them before you were 18?

The parameters… I’m leaving this open. If there are 10 documents rather then books, then list those. If you are only thinking children’s books or religious books or literature or you have an author who has several books you can’t choose between, list the author…whatever… pick 10 books/documents/authors you think a person should read before they turn 18.

I'll leave this at the top for a week or so for those who are interested in participating or who would like to compare notes.

Update: First off, I'll add my list later. Second... I just realized I've only read one of Shakespear's Plays. Yup. I have only read "R and J," but I have seen "Mid-Summer" by two different theatre companies.

Vocabulary…

2008-08-11T09:55:00.001-05:00

I wonder if we are doing a disservice to ourselves and the younger generations by modernizing the vocabulary of hymns. Certainly, I do not use “Ye chosen seed of Israel’s race; ye ransomed from the fall” or “Oh, that with yonder sacred throng; ye at His feet may fall” or “visage languish” in my every day conversations. No one uses such language any longer. But apart from the sound theology hymns deliver, shouldn’t we also encourage the mental challenge advanced vocabulary and grammar these hymns teach to also encourage our intellectual growth?

Lincoln-Douglass and Georgia on my mind…

2008-08-11T09:53:00.000-05:00

When Becky, HG, and I talk about our education, we have a primary difference… they were honors students, and I was not. So, back in “normal kid” 11th Grade Social Science, my teacher tried to teach us how to care about foreign policy and Lincoln-Douglass debate at the same time. The over-riding issue of the day was the Bosnian war. We could take one of four positions: “I believe the US should get involved,” “I believe the US should stay out,” “I think we should care about what happens in Bosnia (no statement of involvement),” and “I don’t think we should care about what happens in Bosnia.” As no one else was taking the apathetic side, I thought, “Why not?” So, I argued for apathy.

Now, since we currently have no mission in Georgia, I want to ask a question: Why should we get involved? Now certainly, I’m not going to argue for apathy as we certainly must show Christian compassion towards our fellow humans. The question is not regarding compassion. To rephrase the question: Convince me that my husband’s life is worth getting in a war with Russia.

Further, in particular, men under forty, if we should get into a war with Russia (which would eventually require us to defend our homeland AT HOME), why are you not in the military. I don’t really want answers to that question in the comments; rather, I am asking those who read my blog to engage in this periodic examination of belief. I certainly understand the concept of “vocation,” that it is my husband’s vocation to be in the military, that it is not the vocation of others to be in the military. However, getting involved with Russia is a different issue then Iraq as we will eventually have to defend ourselves locally. Want your kid to grow up with air raids? I don’t.

At any rate, intervening on Georgia’s behalf, though the first reaction is “Let’s go,” requires some serious thought before we invest our capital and blood.

Childhood development…

2008-08-11T09:52:00.000-05:00

Josh and I take the education of Mallory seriously. We’re already reading both the “big people’s” Bible and the various “baby” Bibles to her; we’re reciting the Creed and the Lord’s Prayer every day; and I’m reading “grown up” books to her while I feed her (I’m a nerd).

So, I read “How Children Learn” by John Holt a few months ago, and a couple of things stuck in my mind. Children need to learn to explore the world and make observations on their own without the help of their parents. Currently, Mallory is learning to suck her thumb… OK, the overall skill set she is learning is how to eat with her hands (and comfort herself), but thumb sucking is an important first step. Since she was born, she has had this fascination with the back of her left hand and wrist, sucking on them. She’s recently started licking them, much like a kitty, and she has progressed to exploring her fingers. She has tried so hard to get her thumb in her mouth. She’s been able to make the fist, and she can open her hand and spread her thumb. But she hasn’t been able to extend her thumb while making the fist. The poor thing tries so hard to get that thumb in her mouth. And it is so tempting to just extend that thumb for her. But, I imagine, that in some infant way, the reward of that first suck that she does on her own will be worth the hard work (and for those interested, it is the left hand she likes the most, but will lick at her right fingers). I won’t take that away from her.

A clothing purge…

2008-08-11T09:51:00.000-05:00

I just purged Mallory’s clothes of 0-3 months… in most cases. Sigh… She is no longer a little baby, but a slightly bigger baby.

Random Mommy question...

2008-08-08T09:00:00.002-05:00

Josh is on his two week training... and Mallory has gone from "something is not right" to "Daddy is gone!" Keeping in mind that Josh was the first person she bonded with, and her primary care giver the first week or so she was home. And she has spent a good deal of time with Josh each day. So, she's a tad clingey today.

So, when do I break down and get out the front carrier and just carry her around for a few hours?

Side note... this isn't an emergency... for an emergency, I have Josh's laundry for her "Daddy smell" fix.

Pray for Grandma...

2008-08-05T09:44:00.003-05:00

Pray for my Grandma, Betty. She had emergency surgery on Friday; was doing well on Saturday, but went down hill on Sunday. She had follow up surgery on Monday and is in an ICU. Things do not look good from an earthly standpoint.

Update 2: Grandma has been removed from the ventilator and has been receiving nutrients through an IV. She had a rough night on Tuesday night, but had a good day on Wednesday. On Tuesday night, her heart started racing. She is not completely out of the woods, yet, but my parents feel confident enough to come home this weekend. An additional prayer request... some of the meds she is on cause her to have panic attacks. So, while she is awake, until she is off the meds, a family member is with her.

An idea for an elderly hospital/nursing home patient... take one of those gift bags we all save, put a small book or two in it to make it sturdy, and paper clip pictures to the sides so they can see important pictures.

Update 1: When I called my mom this morning, Grandma was in an ICU in critical condition. Technically, she can now breathe on her own, but is still on a ventilator as a requisite to her BP meds. The doctors won't have more information on her condition for a few days yet. I'm waiting for my mom to call with this evening's update.

I would so buy a Purple Favre jersey...

2008-08-04T09:15:00.002-05:00

If it wasn't too expensive. Beggers can't be choosey; and I want to see the Vikings win the Superbowl.

Father's Girl...

2008-08-04T08:36:00.003-05:00

Mallory is not just Josh’s “Daddy’s girl,” but now a child of God. In the top picture, Mallory and me, Josh, our new Pastor, Pastor Russ, and Mallory's Godparents, Jon and Kathy; and below, Josh, Mallory, and me.

Food for thought on belief…

2008-08-01T21:37:00.002-05:00

As I said yesterday, men and women have different interests in reading blogs. A case in point, my dad regularly visits some of the blogs I link to, as do I. But, we have different interests when it comes to our regular blog reading habits.

The blogs my dad reads are heavier on theology, lighter on social topics, where the blogs I’ve frequented recently are lighter on theology and more social in content. I actually go back and forth between theological and social. Anyway… Dad regularly visits Extra Nos, so I peak in once in a while. Today, I found a post contemplating belief. So, for your edification, I give you a link to Believing and Believing In .

Water and the Word…

2008-07-31T12:21:00.002-05:00

This weekend, Mallory will receive Holy Baptism! As a reminder, my posts on baptism are:
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3 and 3a
The Heart of our debate
Part 4
Part 5

And for further thought, a reminder of:
confessing evangelical’s post
and Kelly Klages q and a’s

I’d like to write more about Holy Baptism, and other matters of theology and politics. Mallory, however, requires my time and energy (eating between 500 and 1000 calories a day). So, I leave you with the words of Martin Luther in the Large Catechism, (McCain, CHP, Reader’s Edition), from Infant Baptism 56 and 57:

“I myself also, and all who are baptized, must say this before God, ‘I come here in my faith and in that of others. Yet I cannot rest in this, that I believe, and that many people pray for me. But in this I rest, that Baptism is Your Word and command. It is just like when I go to the Sacrament trusting not in my faith, but in Christ’s Word. Whether I am strong or weak, I commit that to God. But I know this, that He asks me to go, to eat and to drink, and so on, and He gives me His body and blood [Matthew 26:26-28]. That will not deceive me or prove false to me.’

“So we do likewise in infant Baptism. We bring the child in the conviction and hope that it believes, and we pray that God may grant it faith [Luke 17:2; Ephesians 2:8]. But we do not baptize it for that reason, but solely of God’s command. Why? Because we know that God does not lie [Titus 1?2]. I and my neighbor and, in short, all people, may err and deceive. But God’s Word cannot err.”

Congratulations are in order?

2008-07-30T12:19:00.000-05:00

This time to Scotty … or soon to Scotty? Well, pray for him and his Swiss Miss as they discern marriage.

Mom-blogging…

2008-07-30T12:16:00.002-05:00

HT Vox Day .

“[M]om-blogging - WOMAN-blogging - is still radical because there is still so much animosity, so much hate toward it, so much deprecation of it, so much dismissal of it, so much effort put into its marginalization. What is radical about it is that we push on, demanding to be heard, and demanding recognition of our worth as mothers, women, writers, business-people, innovators, people, against the ignorance of those who would keep us down.” Or so says Mamapop .

OK… so, when I “mom-blog” I’m being radical and revolutionary? Um… I don’t really see it like that. Nor do I really demand to be heard. I’m grateful for the link love I get from others. I appreciate being on someone’s blogroll. But, I didn’t, for example, go over to Hammerswing75 and demand Uncle Ben put me on his blogs of ill repute (thanks, by the way!). I’ve known Scotty since May 16, 2003, and he didn’t put me on his blog roll until recently (Enquiring minds need to know Scotty). Erapp from the Rapp Files doesn’t know me, but for some reason occasionally finds something worthwhile here and links to me (thanks, also). And there are a variety of other bloggers that link to me (I’d mention the other mom-bloggers, but I’m trying to make a point regarding sexism).

I blog for my own amusement. If others are likewise entertained, I’m glad. I don’t need special recognition for my “worth” as a mom, woman, writer, worker or a person. Nor do I think anyone is trying to keep me down. My vocation, or in military terms, my mission is to be Josh’s wife, Mallory’s mom, a daughter, a sister, a friend, and to do so with a cheerful attitude as Christ would have me do. I don’t need a special “Good job” or recognition from the New York Times or anyone else. My motivation is not fighting “ignorance” nor is it being an important “voice” or finding special “recognition.” My motivation is that I love Jesus, Josh, Mallory, my family, and my friends.

So, mom-bloggers, do you feel disenfranchised in the blogosphere?

As a random aside… Catherine shouldn’t whine about Vox Day taking her seriously. I’ve never met him. Don’t know his wife. He’s probably only ever visited me to see a review of his book. The men who frequent my blog usually only pay attention when I write about a topic they are interested in. I get more “male attention” when I write about theology, politics, or something vaguely economic. Men generally don’t like on-line diaries. Men read for information. If you want more men to read your blog, write about something they are interested in or be a very well written and cute blog, like Pianomomsicle . She is an example of vocabulary, an underdog trying to make it in a hard world, and is a great resource for cheap stuff. This is the internet; and we’re whining about a social activity; and people we’ve probably never met. The big difference here is there is no playground lady to keep men from “not being nice” to women. You want to play with the boys, learn to throw a football or play a video game. Don’t force the boys to play house and Barbies when they don’t want to.

And they all lived...

2008-07-30T04:17:00.002-05:00

happily ever after ! Or, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, as long as they both shall live.

My only wedding related advise... quick engagements are best... or at least those shorter then 15 months... no, really, they are.

Congratulations Mall Diva and Uncle Ben!

Tall husbands, cars, and the environment

2008-07-29T20:37:00.002-05:00

Josh is tall. No, seriously, he's around 6 feet tall. Also, he is going to be the stay at home parent for now. And, he drives a big pick up truck. I am short; somewhere between 5'1 and 5'2, depending on who is measuring and the measuring instrument. I also cannot see over the dash board in his truck, nor can I reach the pedals. Plus, his truck doesn't have a back seat. In other words, he can't drive Mallory around in his truck, nor can I drive his truck. So, that means we either become a one vehicle family, or we purchase a vehicle to replace the truck.

We're exploring the vehicle purchase route. And these days, most vehicles are more fuel efficient then his truck. But, we decided to be environmentally consious and at least explore the possiblilty of a hybird. We decided to do some rough cost comparisons based on information available on-line. We compared within model standard and hy-tech and across models. The new fangled vehicles are more expensive then the old fashioned ones, so the question is: does the extra gas savings make the extra price worth while?

Josh and I looked at two scenarios. First, assuming 10 years ownership at 12,000 miles a year. Then second, 200,000 miles life. We also assumed $4/gas (present value high at the nearest gas station). Remember, we're using present value. In other words, is the extra price now less then buying the extra gallons of gas right now? What we discovered is, in most cases, it is cheaper to buy the plain old engine and the extra gas then it is to buy the more efficient new technology. There was one exception, but the standard was so ridiculous that there was no way we would ever meet it. If vehicle brand X got the very best highway mileage, we only ever drove on the highway, never on city streets, AND we kept the vehicle for 200,000 than it would be cost effective to buy the new hy-tech vehicle.

When looking out ten years and 200,000 miles, it's really hard to say what kind of usage we'll put on the vehicle. Who knows, it may not last 10 years or 200,000, which really makes the new technology expensive. At any rate, we also found out that the company that makes the spiffy new batteries can't keep up with demand, so there is a LONG wait (and it is hard to come by used hy-tech vehicles). So, we are going to be environment haters. What can I say, one of the fundamental rules of economics is that people look out for their own self interest. Perhaps when my car dies a slow and painful death (hopefully in several years or another 100,000 miles) the technology will be cheaper, better, and more readily available.

(By the way, for those super interested... my L-series Saturn still gets 30 mpg in the summer and 25 in the winter, combo city/highway, even though it is seven years old... the hybird Saturn Aura gets 24 to 32 mpg... so much for the technology being really slick and efficient.)

And what to Penguins Eat?

2008-07-26T21:16:00.002-05:00

We had our new friends over on Friday for dinner. They’re new to the area after graduating from seminary, and we thought we’d show some friendship and hospitality.

They have an almost-three-year-old boy who was wearing a dinosaur T-Shirt. I asked about the dinosaur (a T-Rex), what sounds it made (roar!), and what it ate (meat). We went through the list of dinosaurs he knew, growled for each, and determined whether or not they ate meat or grass. Then he noticed Mallory’s baby-jungle-gym with a lion on it. So, we talked about lions, what sounds it makes, and what it eats. The food question stumped the poor guy. So, we suggested it eats zebras. Poor kid wouldn’t buy that. Nor did he think it would eat grass or kitty food (I just thought I’d check). And we talked about other animals. Eventually, we got to Penguins. We really didn’t know what sounds penguins make, but we asked what they eat; and without missing a beat, the little boy said, “Zebras!”

God bless little boys!

Bath time…

2008-07-26T21:16:00.001-05:00

Mallory still isn’t big on baths. But, our favorite part is the post-bath cuddle. Changed, fed, burped, clean, and content. So, we rocked and sang our favorite hymns. I love the post-bath cuddle! She’ll grow up far too soon.

My favorite part of church services

2008-07-25T14:21:00.003-05:00

Three years ago (has it already been three years?), Josh and I went to our first service at a revivalist church in what had been three years prior... at that time, I realized something that Erapp from the Rapp files points out; pastors are to proclaim absolution .

I didn't know how much I missed receiving absolution each Sunday until that Sunday nearly three years ago when the pastor didn't proclaim absolution. I love the sacraments, but each week, church isn't complete until I've received absolution.

Happy Birthday...

2008-07-24T14:13:00.002-05:00

Happy 1 month birthday to Mallory! We are celebrating with an evening trip to my parents. But, right now, she is in her crib, complaining to Eeyore that I'm leaving her lay while she finishes her business. (No sense in changing her diaper *before* she finishes or mid-job.)

Yoda was right... Doo or Doo not; there is no try.

Mallory Milestone...

2008-07-23T17:08:00.003-05:00

Mallory took a bottle for the first time just now! Kind of important as Josh is going to be the stay at home parent after I return to work, and I want her to have a full year of milk. So, for those of you trying to do something similar... (warning, uninterested men should quit reading this post now)

Pick a time of day when you know your baby will be calm and express before hand. Offer her the fresh bottle and not part of your existing stash. Make sure there is a little milk on the nipple so she knows what she's getting and aim for the roof of her mouth. It took about five minutes for her to catch on. Also, feed her in a different place then where you breast feed.

We're just going to do one bottle a day for a week or two; and then by the end of Josh's drill, I want her to be up to two bottles and then three before I go back to work. I'm also doing one extra pump a day for now. I want four or five feedings stored for the first day back at work; then I want four or five feedings for baby sitting or emergencies.

Things I've learned... go for the "slow" nipple or baby will wolf down the bottle and you're more likely going to have a spit up episode. Every one needs to be calm. We tried Sunday night to give her a bottle so I could have a full night sleep, and Josh could be more involved. That didn't work well because we don't have the warm the bottle/feeding timing worked out yet. I'll let you know if we experience nipple confusion or not; and how we decide to deal with it.

Update: I heard somewhere that it is impossible to feed ones baby too much breastmilk. Somewhere should stand corrected. Mallory lost a meal and then some this evening; no fever; nothing. And so, the hotline nurse suggested that I feed her smaller amounts... So, I had to ask, "How does one know how much one is feeding her?" The nurse elaborated and said 20 minutes should be sufficient... well, we already do 20 minutes at a time; so we're going to try, try, to cut her off at 15. And the doctor wonders how my baby gained a pound after being home for three days.

Is she pretty in pink?

2008-07-23T11:13:00.002-05:00

Heck yeah! And Mallory will have lots of pink, and will wear it until she is old enough to protest. But, she also looks great in froggy outfits and has worn a dinosaur sleeper. Every so often, on slow op-ed days, one finds a feminist lamenting that little girls behave like little girls .

My blog is pink, but blue is my favorite color. I look good in both pink and blue, and have been known to wear a variety of colors. HG looks good in orange, and Becky got away with wearing jeans (clean and no holes) to church in elementary school. I noticed in today’s op-ed by Emily L. Hauser , how some don't lament the truly important factor in raising little girls and boys… teaching them math facts and teaching them to read.

My sisters and I engaged in all sorts of girly activity in our day. Barbie and Skipper dated various NKOTB dolls. We read Little House and Anne of Green Gables and moved onto Jane Austin. We watched Disney, Kevin Sullivan, and various romantic comedies. But, God help the sister who brought home anything but an “A” in Math. (Trust me, I brought home grades other then “A” in Math in sixth grade and learned my lesson.) Those who did not bring home “A’s” in Math were chastised by the statement, “Obviously you did not even try… your dad was good at math, therefore you should be doing better.” Now, my parents were more forgiving of B’s in other topics… namely English… but one must not leave the “B” honor roll.

You see, there are more important things in life then what little girls do when playing pretend. There are also more important lessons, such as the world does not revolve around them, that they sin and need to repent, that applied math subjects are more important then women’s studies, and that true self-esteem comes from doing a job well.

So, how girly will Mallory be? It is way too early to tell… but the nearest martial arts school is next to a dance school… she is already being taught about the Twins line up, and she has a Twins onesie that matches one of Josh’s T-Shirts. She will probably learn about astronomy and minerals from one grandpa and from another she’ll learn about animals and from another, more about baseball. And if she wants to learn to knit, crochet, do needle point, and cook, we have plenty of people who know how to do those activities.

There is nothing wrong with being girly and feminine… there is everything wrong with not being able to do arithmetic. And if one is going to lament all that is girly and feminine, one should quit whining about the games kids play and start teaching both boys and girls things that will lead them to success in adult life.

Local Bands…

2008-07-23T11:12:00.000-05:00

I’m adding a new section to my links for local bands where I am acquainted with a member. Give a listen; give some support if you like the music.

As a side note… neither of these bands are Confessional Lutheran, nor are they what one would call “Christian music,” so preview before listening in front of kids.

A different perspective for the day...

2008-07-20T16:35:00.002-05:00

Now that I'm rested, etc., I do feel a sense of accomplishment. I did manage to get both Mallory and myself ready for church by myself. Yup. By 9:30 I was wondering if it was a lost cause, but God settled Mallory down enough so I could get dressed. But I still need Josh. He should be home soon.

How is it...

2008-07-20T13:03:00.002-05:00

How is it that Mallory knows it is drill weekend? I mean, apart from Josh not being around during the day? Since we had our unit picnic on Saturday, we didn't make it to Saturday church as a family. And I was thinking about going to early service to sit with my folks, but Mallory knew Daddy needed a good night sleep, so she decided to be awake from 1 am to 4 am, even after I followed my mom's advice and woke her up every two to three hours during the day. So, after I laid her down at 4 am, I went to sleep, rather soundly, and at 5:30, I hear Josh and Mallory talking, so I thought, "How did I miss her crying?" I apologized profusely to Josh, and explained the situation. And he gave her to me and went back to sleep for another half hour.

And so, as yesterday we obtained means of taking care of excess supply, Josh promised me a full nights sleep tonight!

Drill Weekend...

2008-07-19T08:17:00.003-05:00

It's drill weekend again. Good practice for when Josh is on his two weeks; except this is going to be drill-lite. We have the annual picnic today. So, all night, I've been practicing not passing Mallory off to Josh when she is inconsolable and I will care for her myself all day tomorrow. She is Daddy's girl, though.

Yesterday evening, we met Josh's Aunt, Uncle, Cousin, and their friends. Josh's cousin registered for college and we all had dinner together at a good half way point. "Pass the Baby" was the game of the evening, and Mallory loves to cuddle.

Well, I'm almost done with my breakfast, so I'm going to get ready for the day while she is still quiet and listening to Bach. Yes, I'm slowly converting her! But, I'll probably switch CDs this evening. Oh, and I'm also able to wear jeans! Before you get to jealous, I did keep track of clothes as I lost weight on Weight Watchers... so, they are not the jeans I wore before I started to "show."

True Presence

2008-07-19T08:09:00.002-05:00

So, when I'm feeding Mallory or rocking her, I occasionally sing hymns to her. It's a tradition I picked up from my dad. I've first been going through the hymnal I grew up with, the E. Free one. I know all those hymns, and I'm still learning those in the LSB. I'm being careful to keep within good Lutheran Theology, though. So, as I was rocking her yesterday, I thought about an old favorite in a new way. All my life, I have been singing about the true presence of Christ in sacrament and never knew it!

Great is Thy Faithfulness
"Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth;
Thy own dear presence to cheer and to guide.
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow;
Blessings all mine with ten thousand beside."

Fabulous hymn, now means even more!

Bundling...

2008-07-17T11:44:00.002-05:00

And I'm not talking about wrapping a baby in a blanket...

Buy a 152 pack of diapers (about two weeks worth) and the package comes with 30, yes a whopping 30, wipes. Now, even assuming your baby is a dainty pooper... and Mallory is not... that still leaves something to be desired.

More baby pictures…

2008-07-17T11:39:00.002-05:00

Mallory will receive baptism on August 3rd, in case I haven’t mentioned. We’re very excited about it! We’ve been saying The Lord’s Prayer, The Creed, and the Ten Commandments every day for her. We also met with Pastor to discuss the importance of Holy Baptism and what it means; and also, for my benefit, to review that it is not a work of man but a work of God.

And of course, we have the sweetest and the best baby in the world. For a week now, she’s been staying awake long enough to be bored, so we’ve been trying to tempt her with toys… trying to get her to grab onto a toy at minimum. And today, for the first time, she has grabbed an offered toy… a math toy no less! (OK, not a “real” abacus, but still a math toy none the less.) It does my heart proud!

Also, we have the picture of our sleeping beauty!

I apologize for the quality of the lighting… I’m getting new lamps for my birthday in a few weeks (an early gift). We just haven’t addressed lighting… and it is also raining.

Homeruns…

2008-07-16T08:03:00.000-05:00

Justin Morneau has class. He acknowledged that the Home Run Derby was all about Josh Hamilton. But, I can’t help but wonder if Hamilton played the contest poorly. Hear me out. It’s great that he set a new Home Run Derby single round hitting record and got a second round by (or is it bye?). But, he failed to employ strategy. You see, in hind sight, all he needed to do to get to the first round was to hit nine or ten. What if he would have stopped when he got his slot? Or what if he would have say, doubled the highest contender’s home runs instead of using all ten of his outs? Then we could have an entirely different outcome. When the slate was wiped clean during the third round, Joe Mauer pointed out that it was still anyone’s win. The question is, when running (hitting) a long race, do you use all your energy during the first leg, or do you pace yourself so you can make it to the end? Morneau played a game of “just enough” which was what it took to win the Derby. Hamilton, so it seems, played for a record, and not to win. When we look back on this year’s Derby, we’ll all remember Josh Hamilton and his spectacular performance, but, and there is a but, Justin Morneau did what it took to win.

This week's points of interest...

2008-07-15T20:40:00.001-05:00

Thanks to Pianomomsicle for putting up a picture of Mallory and me . Also, Mallory is discriminating like Kara’s Joshua . She also agrees with her Aunty Becky… if it’s Baroque, don’t play it. So few can appreciate Bach. Mallory wasn’t about to go to sleep Thursday night, so Josh took us for a drive. Some things are worth burning gas over. And even though she didn’t stay asleep long after we got home, the drive calmed everyone down sufficiently.

We had lunch at my parents’ house on Sunday. Dad asked how we like Mallory and I said that I can’t imagine life without her. Dad pointed out to Josh that husbands take a back burner once children are born because new mothers can’t imagine life without their children, a position wives used to take on their husbands. You know, I think my dad is right to an extent, though not in the manner he meant. A 22 month deployment is enough of a separation for me to imagine life without him, even though we had regular contact. I really don’t like it when Josh is gone. I find my quality of life is greater when he’s here. I tolerate life without Josh, and I’m content for the sake of his military career, but I can’t say it is my favorite state of life.

I love my growing family.

Tomorrow we meet with our pastor to discuss baptism. I’m glad. I learned a lot from my little blog series on baptism. Mallory will receive Holy Baptism on August 3rd. I’m excited for her entrance into the Christian family. Josh was reading John 3 to her today.

Random points of interest…

2008-07-04T09:48:00.000-05:00

I’m starting to recite the Lord’s Prayer and The Creed to Mallory during her quiet aware states when she’s feeding. I’m also thinking next week we’re going to start reading parts of the Small Catechism, too. We also read her the creation account in Genesis, and we’ll read her the creation account in John next. John is my favorite of the Gospels. We’ll also read Isaiah 52 and 53 to her; and I Corinthians 15.

Mallory is doing well. She was discharged on Friday at 7 lbs 5 oz, and for her 1 week appointment on Tuesday weighed in at 8 lbs 4 oz. She has mild anterior tongue tie, for which we have an appointment with an ear, nose, and throat specialist. She’ll probably get that stringy thing under her tongue clipped a bit. It could (but isn’t) affecting her feeding; but it will affect her speech.

I’m starting to feel a bit better myself, provided I get both a morning and afternoon nap. If I stay still for the next couple of days, then I may attempt church on Sunday. The issue is being able to walk into the sanctuary and the up to the alter for Sacrament rather then desire.

One thing I really like about being post-partum is the foods I am enjoying again! Particularly, I am glad to be eating bananas, kiwi, and sweet potatoes. Those were two big stables of my diet while Josh was gone and also until morning (all day) sickness struck. I don’t get much potassium outside of bananas or kiwi; and foods do not get much more nutritious then sweet potatoes. Also, I’m actually planning meals again; so that means Josh and I are eating much better!

I’m really grateful to be an American this Independence Day. Past years, I’ve posted something more patriotic, but this year, the physical benefits of being an American are fresh in my mind. Women in other countries with the complications I’ve had die; particularly women in third world countries. Say what you want about the evils of capitalism, and there are some evils to it, but morally, it provides for the best research, development, and care one can have. Who cares if drug companies and medical device companies and medical research institutions are greedy or profit driven? Motives didn’t matter when Mallory was born, and they shouldn’t matter.

And some specific prayer requests…
*My incision is healing nicely, so pray that it continues to do so. Related, I’m only using OTC drugs for pain and they seem to be working well.
*Pray that my blood pressure stabilizes.
*I only have one physical goal in mind right now, and that is to be able to carry Mallory up and down the stairs of our house before Josh’s two week training in August. So, pray that I’m recovered enough to do so.
*In general, I feel like I’m recovering nicely. It helps that I had a very restful day yesterday, will have a restful day today, and also tomorrow. I’m doing the stairs a bit more often, and I made my own breakfast this morning. I also made coffee for Josh. I’m hoping that next week, I’ll be a bit more help around the house.

Well, I hope everyone has a great weekend!

Josh's girls...

2008-06-28T19:04:00.003-05:00

We're home and having a great time bonding! She is the cutest baby ever and also the sweetest and the best! Poor Josh, spoiled with all these women in love with him! And don't think he doesn't love every minute of it!

Update from Liz

2008-06-27T18:00:00.002-05:00

I'm sure you may have heard by now that I had some complications to delivery. So, here's what I've been told... there's more to the story, I'm sure, but my mind's still a bit foggy...

My blood pressure went up 30 points in one week, so they sent me in for some lab work to see if I had pre-enclampsia (forgive the spelling, I'm not going to check right now). And those results
came back positive. Then remember that freak auto-immune disease I picked up in college? Idiopathic Thrombocytopennic purpura? Well, my platelet counts came back at 125,000, which is low, and a bit lower then what I've had all pregnancy. So, they decided to start the induction process on Monday. Tuesday morning, my blood pressure was still high when they started the petocin (again with spelling)... So, they put me on magnesium sulfate for the blood pressure and had me laying on my side. When that wasn't working, they told me I needed an epidural and then I started having bad reactions. They took me off the epidural for me to push, and I made an effort for 2 and a half hours, then they tried the vacuum for a contraction, but that wasn't helping. So, I had what amounts to an emergency C-section. I reacted very poorly to the new epidural; and this is where things start getting fuzzy... I'm not sure medically why this happened, but my blood pressure was too low to keep me awake, so they put me all the way under after I gave Mallory a kiss and they gave me a breathing tube and other interventions (I think, but am not sure)...

At any rate, I'm doing much better, and Mallory was a trooper the entire time; her heart rate was up throughout the stress and she didn't have any problems what-so-ever!

God protected us, and I was told by several people they were praying for me... people who didn't know I was in labor that day! So, thanks for praying!

Love,

Liz

PS. I'm not supposed to be upright unless I'm feeding her, so I'll keep in touch as best I can after a week or so!

PS2. When everyone says what a blessing it is that moms forget what labor, childbirth, and recovery are really like, I would have to agree. I really don't remember much about what happened after the decision for a C was made, except for seeing her dark hair and giving her a kiss. And when all is said and done, that is a true blessing. And I would have to say that even if I did remember, Mallory is definately worth it!

Homecoming

2008-06-27T11:44:00.004-05:00

We just got home and I'm sure Liz will post later but I wanted to post a couple pictures since I have recieved many requests.

Here I am only minutes after I was born. Daddy thinks this is the best of the bunch. I still have that eye goup in my eyes but it went away. I look so very cute but I'm starting to get cold.

Here I am in my new outfit and car seat. I'm so very tired after the long ride from the hospital.

Blonde moment

We’ll get together then…

We have a success!

Obama and Socialized Health Care

Bonding over food…

Even if I wrestled, I would not be a threat.

And now you know the rest of the story...

Tying a couple of things together…

Things that have caught my attention…

Quick update...

Open Theism…

Believe, teach, and Confess…

Lutheran Theology ruined CCM for me…

One of the benefits of remembering history…

Thanks for the memories

Happy Consecutive Odds

Happy New Years!

Not to be the grammar police…

Holy Innocents…

Mallory’s carbon footprint…

Merry Christmas!

The 12 Days of Christmas…

Add five to the month...

Tradition! Tradition!

If I were smart and did a muslin…

Sewing Grrr...

Random points of interest…

Acting like Jesus...

My Christmas Tree is up…

On Socialism…

Happy Thanksgiving…

Things I regret about my education…

A lab experiment…

I love the Bishops…

Out with the old, in with the old…

An ironic observation about teachers unions…

I did better than elected officials…

Arm Pit Poo…

That question has been answered...

Happy Veteran's Day

Why certain stuff is *really* funny…

The benefit of being an “Old Testament” Christian…

Mallory's Election Slogan...

One... Two... Five... No, Three Sir...

What can Jesus... um, no, Obama do for you?

What your stance on life says about your foundational beliefs…

Why life is the most important issue…

Bush is a commie…

And she has arrived!

My 600th post...

Mallory's first bad cold...

Legalism and Lutheranism…

Pop culture...

PETA Sucks…

Checking up on Becky...

Happy Consecutive Odds...

A New Hope...

Mockingbird Hill...

Relief...

Mallory Pictures...

An election thought…

A swell nomination…

Life of the mother?

Pro-life, Sacraments, and Grace…

My top 10 books list…

Troops and their money...

For the discriminating Lutheran Infant…

Reading question…

Vocabulary…

Lincoln-Douglass and Georgia on my mind…

Childhood development…

A clothing purge…

Random Mommy question...

Pray for Grandma...

I would so buy a Purple Favre jersey...

Father's Girl...

Food for thought on belief…

Water and the Word…

Congratulations are in order?

Mom-blogging…

Why certain stuff is really funny…