A Big Bite = A Big Scare

Yesterday I was feeding Josefine her pureed split peas...which she likes. Very much. And because she doesn't quite have the timing down on when to swallow, and I gave her a wee bit of a big bite, we kind of ran into a bit of a scare.

She was happily gumming at her pasty peas when she started gagging, like she was going to puke. I wasn't worried at that point, I just held her bib up to catch whatever was coming out. But, she didn't puke. She only kept half-gagging, like whatever was lodged in her throat, wasn't coming out. It was the biggest scare of my life, people. I did exactly what I know I'm NOT supposed to do and started smacking her on the back. Then, I shoved my finger down her throat. I figured, if she wasn't going to get this out of her throat by puking, then I was going to make her puke. Just as I put my finger in her mouth (and I only felt a little bit of mushed up -really mushed up- peas) she started whimpering. THE most beautiful sound on earth. And of course, that happened to be when all of my First Aid training came back to my mind. Of course. I hugged on her so much after we cleaned up, I think she might have been wondering what in the world was up with Mama!

The whole thing lasted about 5 seconds, but it was the longest 5 seconds of my life and I probably had a bajillion thoughts pass through my mind in that 5 seconds. What do I do? How can I help? Is she beyond help? and so on.

Anyway...a BIG scare. I'm sure it was just some thicker pea paste that got to the back of her throat and her body reacted. I took a bite of the meal myself, and noticed that it disintegrates pretty much as soon as it enters the mouth. But, if she had a bigger bite than normal (and she IS still learning how to eat), I could see how it would cause a problem. So...I do think I'll be adding a bit of formula/water to her next meal. Just to thin it out...we don't want another big scare.

Bonnet Baby

Remember THIS *WishList* Wednesday Post? The ADORABLE bonnet?

Well, we got it a few weeks ago and now that it's chilly-willy outside, she's wearing it a lot...and she likes it. Seriously, whenever we put it on her wee little head, the biggest smile spreads across her face.

Here she is - sportin' the goods!







Want to see a few more "Bonnet" pictures of Josefine...a little more candid, and a little more hilarious! Go HERE.

Yesterday's *WishList* Wednesday: Fabric Fetish + The Fab Five + Friends

Whew...it's taken me FOR.EV.ER to get to my blog today. So, so busy...playing catch up and getting some much needed down time.

And because of that, I'm writing three posts in one.

(yesterday's) *WishList* Wednesday: Fabric Fetish

I have this thing for fabrics...and lately (like, for the past couple of years) Amy Butler Fabrics have really, really stood out to me. Love them. They're just so...pretty. Yes..."pretty." I know "pretty" seems like such a dull and overused word. But, I really think that "pretty" sums it up for these prints. By the way...color is on my *list* of favorite things. ;)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


The Fab Five

My most recent giveaway was focused around my new Canon 50D and giving it a well-deserved name. I got 14 name suggestions, 5 of which my hubby and I chose to enter into the drawing for *winner*...and THESE are the Fab Five. Drumroll, please.

Phoenix

Glory

Pachabel

Ansel

&

Dexter

Stop by tomorrow to see which name was chosen by our handy-dandy....Random.org.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

FRIENDS

I wish I could sum this section of my post up as well as Sylvia...she hit it right on the head...and now, can't think of a better way to share this exciting part of our yesterday (was that REALLY yesterday???). But, anyway...here goes. Eh-hem...

Like a speck on flower or the Man on the Moon

or the lashes of babies and the cool morning dew,

are two different people - not in sight, nor in view

but, find a friend in eachother and in time, through and through

blog post after blog post...and their friendship grew.

See, we found there wasn't so much difference between "me" and "you"

and that sharing and giving brought to life a bright hue.

I'm thankful for all the new blog friends I make,

but especially for those with whom I share coffee and "cake". ;)

For Sylvia.

It was also VERY nice to meet you and yours...until next time!

Family!

As we travel, we're often blessed with opportunities to be with family and loved ones! This is one such opportunity - and we've enjoyed it so much! Below is a picture of some of The Sisters and our kids. :) Left to Right:
Emma holding Josefine, Annie holding Ethan, Me holding Dominique and Evy, Michelle holding Ellenora.

The Sisters: Sarah, Annie, Michelle, Alysa (not pictured - boo) & Dominique
Michelle's kids are: Emma, Ethan, Evy, and Ellenora
My girl: Josefine
Annie's girl: Lily (not pictured - boo)
Alysa's boy: Christopher (not pictured - boo)

My, how we've multiplied! ;)

And, boy - do I miss my Canon...I have taken so many pictures...and truly, I see the difference in quality. But, eh...we've captured some memories nonetheless!

MORE pictures HERE! :)

Baaahahhaaaa!

Literally 12 hours from now that we have the ultrasound appointment.

Can you tell that I'm just a liiiiiitle bit excited...much?

This makes me think of a super adorable story about my amazing (and yes, I'm partial) neice, Lily. She is often telling her mom (my sis) that she wants a baby sister. The other day she told her that she wanted to name her baby sister "Loopy" because the word "Loopy" has lots of loops in it.

2 reasons that story came to mind: It's about babies and naming babies, and it contains the word "loopy" and that is how I feel. Loopy.

Me & Lil

Just the Two of Us

A Facebook Questionnaire: I just couldn't resist.

♥ What are your middle names?

Douglas and Elizabeth

♥ How long have you been together?

Married 2 years on Dec. 30...Engaged about 5 mos prior, July 14...Started dating May 7...you do the math.

♥ How long did you know each other before you started dating?

3 years

♥ Who asked whom out?

Jim asked me to go to a soccer game at Grandview with his mom...our first date was chaperoned...how sweet! ;)

♥ How old are each of you?

Jim is 36 and I'm 27

♥ Whose siblings do/did you see the most?

I have step-siblings in Iowa, but the rest are in CO and CA and we only see them once or twice a year. Jim's youngest brother is in MI so we see him whenever we're out there (which is more often than CO and CA) and his middle brother is in Germany w/ the Marines...our time there might overlap and I'll finally get to meet my BIL!

♥ Do you have any children together?

Yup - about 20 weeks along! We love the prospect of seeing our family grow...we'll be the Tri-Engle family soon! Haha...I crack myself up.

♥ What about pets?

We LOVE animals...we can't wait to have a big ole cuddly dog (I want a Newfoundland and Jim wants a Doberman Pinscher) Look 'em up, they're BIG, BEAUTIFUL dogs...though I'm not as partial to the Pinscher as I would be to, say, a Rottweiler. Oh, but right now we have two Oranda Goldfish, named Laurel and Hardy.

♥ Which situation is the hardest on you as a couple?

We have a goal of being in Germany someday as church-planting missionaries. We're really eager to be there, but the time of waiting (and deputation) can be trying, but Faith-strengthening - which is the thought that bears us through it all...and of course, God's amazing faithfulness!

♥ Did you go to the same school?

Well, sorta. I went to FBBC and Jim attended FBTS - which is on the same campus. That's where we met.

♥ Are you from the same home town?

Jim is from Downriver Detroit, I am from hmmm...Vancouver, WA; Eglin AFB, FL; and (basically) Southwest IA.

♥ Who is the smartest?

Who is the smartest: Jim

Who is the smart alek: Sarah

Ok, but seriously though - we both have different kinds of "smarts" and we're constantly learning from eachother! Oh, but he does have to ask me how to spell stuff...does that make me less not-the-smartest?

♥ Who is the most sensitive?

Oh, boy...hands down...me. I guess it depends on what kind of "sensitive" but, I probably won't go a week (or two) without shedding a tear about something or other. Jim tells me I balance him out in this area - but I guess it takes a spaz to do that...because I am a spaz. Jim is sensitive in really important ways though...he gets teary or thoughtful when he sees a precious father/son relationship or when someone gets saved. I may be sensitive about that, but I'm also sensitive about shopping...or whatever. Stupid stuff like that. ;)

♥ Where do you eat out most as a couple?

IHOP - Jim likes his "all you can eat" pancakes...and I like my hashbrowns. Village Inn is a close second b/c Jim can eat breakfast for every meal of the day.

♥ Who has the worst temper?

Haha...me. Jim is seriously the most patient person I've EVER met...hence, marrying me and creating the PERFECT balance. I'm serious, we're polar opposites!

♥ Who does the cooking?

We tag team it. Jim LOVES to cook. In fact, he's in the process of baking his famous chocolate chip cookies right now. He also loves to cook meat and such. I like to experiment w/ new things and he's never averse to trying them!

♥ Who is more social?

Um, me. Did you NEED to ask that? :) Actually, Jim can be pretty social in the right context - he's more of an observer, which is probably one thing that makes him the smarter of the two of us.

♥ Who is the neat-freak?

Jim, but he gives in to my "laid back" way of life sometimes! I like to keep things fairly neat, but I'm not a freak by any means. He's pretty relaxed, too...I like that. In fact, I need that.

♥ Who is the more stubborn?

Well, well, well...looks like I have to fess up to another wonderful, wifely trait. I'm most definitely the most stubborn of the the two of us. But we both have our areas of stubborn expertise. Jim is stubborn about things that count like doctrine and stuff. ;) I'd put up a fight about that, too...but I'm more likely to be stubborn about stupid stuff like yeilding at yeild signs correctly and using my turn-signal...or if a word really counts in Scrabble.

♥ Who hogs the bed?

Niether of us really - okay, okay, fine. I'll admit it. Me. I like to sleep right in the middle...therefore skirting Jim off to the very edge until his arms and legs are dangling off. Well, that might be an exaggeration...or not.

♥ Who wakes up earlier?

Oh, this is where Jim rocks. He's the Early Bird and I'm the Night Owl...though, again, we've developed a balance...

♥ Where was your first date?

Grandview Park Baptist High School Soccer Game and Scrabble at the Worsham's.

♥ Who has the bigger family?

If you mean siblings - me. I have 4 younger sisters, all of which have children (save for the 10 year old) and Jim has 2 younger brothers, one of which has 5 kids. If you're talking cousins 'n stuff...well, Jim's dad is the oldest of 7 boys...and two of those boys (his uncles) have, like, 10 kids. He can't even count his cousins!

♥ Do you get flowers often?

I'm all about flowers...hand-picked, store-bought, borrowed from the neighbors yard...and when Jim spends the money on something like flowers - which I agree, can be a bit impractical - I feel like he's treating me like royalty...giving me something I don't need or deserve...I enjoy a bit of superfluity at times. I guess that's just the romantic in me! I'd say if he thinks I'm worth the extra expense...bring it on baby.

♥ How do you spend the holidays?

Traveling.

♥ Who is more jealous?

Song of Solomon 8:6-7. This was the passage used in the challenge at our wedding. "Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm; for love is as strong as death, Jealously as cruel as the grave; It's flames are flames of fire, a most vehement flame. Many waters cannot quench love, Nor can the floods drown it. If a man would give for love all the wealth of his house it would be utterly despised."

Unpredictable July

Today I sent in my first assignment to ICL (Institute for Children's Literature), and boy am I relieved! It was a little (1 whole week) late, but it's in, and I'm glad.

I wrote a letter of introduction to my professor, answered some personal background questions and wrote my first short story for this course.

It's called "Unpredictalbe July" and it's sad. Why, Why, Why must I write sad stories. I just start going with my thoughts and by the end of the story I'm tearing up. Just a little.

But, if you think about it, most of our favorite stories have driven us to tears, am I right? I mean, really...If something is too unrealistically happy, it makes me want to gag.

My inspiration for this story came from a 10 year old boy we met at one of the camps we spoke at this summer. He was having a terrible time one night at the campfire. Sniffling and crying and outright refusing to talk to anyone about it, he slouched over with his Hoodie hiding his face. Somehow, later that night, Jim was able to talk to him about what was bothering him. It turned out his little brother had died in a fire a few years earlier and he was struggling with with the thought that it might be his fault. Jim spent a lot of time talking and praying with this young boy as he waded through all of his emotions.

So, as sad as it may be, it's applicable and real, and that's why I wrote about it. It may seem there is not much closure the story as well. That's mostly because I was limited to 825 words...so, let's just say - it's a good first chapter.

Unpredictable July

“But, Mommm! Can I, pleeeeaase?”

Annie closed her eyes. If she had to hear her brother whine about one more thing she would scream. Jess wouldn’t give up, though. She knew that.

“Jess,” Mom replied with a touch of frustration in her voice, “I can’t let you do that. It’s too dangerous. Your father wouldn’t…” and then she trailed off and started fiddling with the dishes like she always does when she thinks about him.

Annoyed, Annie marched out of the dimly lit kitchen and onto the porch. She stepped outside and looked towards the barn, now empty and useless. When will she stop saying things like that? It’s been almost a year now since the fire and she still talks about him. Annie wished she wouldn’t.

***********************

Jess groaned as he plopped down on his bed. The model airplane that hung handicapped on one translucent string above the bed wobbled in the air as the fan turned and squeaked and blew. He hated this time of year. School would be starting in a few weeks. Maybe he could hold out a little longer.

Ever since the fire, Jess was bound to this house. It wasn’t his fault that Dad and Nick…But, Jess couldn’t think about it anymore. He just flopped over onto his stomach and drifted into a restless sleep. The setting sun still poured light into his room, but he didn’t notice.

***********************

July was the most unpredictable month of the summer. The sky was dark with clouds one moment, then a still gray matte the next. And when the sun peeked out from behind the clouds, the heat seemed to burn your skin in an instant. The air was thick and the corn was so tall that it sounded like the ocean carrying the tide in and out, in and out as the warm Iowa winds cut through the fields. Jess and Annie had spent hours that day working on the tree house until the rain started pouring down in sheets.

“I told you.” chimed Annie as she ran, pulling her jacket over her head.

“Told me what?” Jess asked. His face contorted with confusion. He tried catching up to his big sister. The rain matted his brown hair to his head and covered his eyes.

“I told you we should have put the roof on. Now we’re soaked!” Annie picked up the pace as the rain began to fall harder and with bigger, wetter drops.

“Let’s go in the barn and wait it out.” suggested Jess.

“No way,” Annie stuck out her tongue as if she had just taken a big bite out of a peanut butter and spinach sandwich with mustard. “You know I hate that barn. Mice and spiders and all that…stuff. I’m going in the house with Mom.”

Jess stopped and glanced toward the barn, while the rain pelted down drenching his already wet clothes. The wind was picking up and blowing from every direction. Jess watched as Dad, with little Nick on his shoulders, huddled under his hooded rain jacket, directed the cows and horses into the safety of the barn. The chickens and ducks squeezed into the opening of a broken slat. Jess remembered that he was grounded for a week when he rode the lawn mower and crashed it into the barn. A small grin appeared on Jess’s face. He remembered Dad trying to squelch his laughter about the whole situation.

“Get out of the rain, Jess!” Mom called from the porch door. The thunder rumbled accompanied by flashes of lightning. She gestured at him to come in. “You’re getting soaked!”

“But…” Jess wanted to help Dad and Nick, but when he turned to the barn again, Dad was just closing the door.

Jess sighed. “Ok.” He replied reluctantly. And he sulked each step of the way until he got to the door.

“Cookies!” Jess immediately perked up as he ran to the kitchen counter.

Annie rolled her eyes, “Can’t you just be patient for once? They’re still cooling.”

Crash! Crack! Boom!

“That was close.” Mom said as she peeled the freshly baked cookies off of the baking sheet.

Annie ran into the porch and stared out the window toward the barn, then Mom followed. “Yeah,” Annie said. “I could feel it!”

Jess smuggled a cookie while Annie and Mom were distracted and joined them at the porch window.

As they watched in silence, the animals began pouring out of the barn doors. Just as they had gone in, they were filing out, but more quickly this time. Jess’s heart began to beat faster, like the pounding of the hooves on the wet ground.

“Is that smoke?” Mom asked with an edge to her voice.

“It looks like it’s coming from the barn.” observed Annie, the tension growing in hers.

“Mom…” whispered Jess. His face was still, his eyes were big. “Dad and Nick are in there.”

I ♥ Schnitzel

Jim and I are dog lovers. But, for now, we can't have one.

Jim and I are puppet lovers, too. And we can have one of those.

So, we opted for a Puppy Puppet. And his name is Schnitzel.

We hope Schnitzel can be used in our ministry to children someday. Already he's brought smiles to the faces of little tots....and a few looks of distrust and fear (Hey, puppets can be a little scary, if you're not used to inanimate objects becoming animate).

I've been asked if Schnitzel speaks German yet...the answer is "no." But, he'll be learning right along with us. I've also been asked if he's easy to care for...the answer is "yes." No walks, no potty-training, no feeding. Easy. (Co-worker Todd Daily also mentioned these lovely benefits of having a puppet for a pet.) I've also been warned not to eat him. Don't worry about that one. I know his name is Schnitzel, but he won't be the main course anytime soon.

So, let me introduce you to the newest and cutest and furriest member of our family. Schnitzel.

Aw...they're bonding!

Group Shot!

Schnitzel gave 'em a big wet one!

He's a very happy puppy in this picture!

He set up the camera with the self timer and didn't make it into the picture in time...we're trying to train him to be faster when it comes to those things...crazy dog.

He likes to cuddle!

He loves Jim!

And he's very playful!

Now, you have officially been introduced to Schnitzel.

I ♥ U & Kisses, too.

Mail Call comes twice a day at Whispering Cedars Baptist Camp. After lunch and after dinner.

The tradition goes like this: You get three pieces of mail, you kiss "The Dirty Bird."

Meet "The Dirty Bird."

Being the devious and romantic wife that I am (yes, you can be both at once) I decided to give Jim the Whispering Cedars Mail Call experience of his lifetime and send him three pieces of mail.


A big "I"


A big "♥"


and


A big "U."

(That's Pastor Hayes from Grand Island, NE on the right.)

Then, of course, Jim had the wonderful privilege of kissing The Dirty Bird.

As the kids were chanting "Kiss - The -Dirty - Bird!" Jim puckered up and "SMACK." I made him hold the pose long enough for the picture below. What a sport.

And again for this one...

Jimster, I really do ♥ you!

We Were Camels

Night before last Jim and I joined the cabin leaders for the Cabin Leader Hunt...the game where the cabin leaders hide and the campers try to find them. It's a fun one.

Well, we were worth a super lot of points so we hid in a super good hiding spot. In the end, I did get found out, but Jim didn't.

Anyhoo.

Sweet 5 year old Alyssa was quite excited about the whole event. She said, "The Cabin Leaders are going to be camels!"

"Really?" I asked "How's that?"

"They are going to dress so no one can see them!"

Ahh, yes. Camo.

I've never been a Camel before, so I was up to it.

The Duck Walk

I never knew there was such a thing officially called "The Duck Walk."


Well, I learned about it last night during the chapel service when Jim actually DID it during his message.


Jim did The Duck Walk and I have it on video.


Sweet.



I wish I could get the video to post. If I do, it's not all of it. I didn't get the bright idea to record it until part-way through. And I think it's going to be sideways, too - Go me, I'm a terrible videographer...if any of my readers can advise me on how to make it right, let me know. Nonetheless, be challenged by the Word...and learn The Duck Walk, if you feel so inclined. Hopefully, soon I can get the video up so you can get a one-on-one Duck Walk lesson from the pro (my Hubby) himself.

Building Outhouses

This weeks theme is "Caution: Character Under Construction." So we're doing a lot of Construction themed things, which is really fun. 

The kids were divided into teams and chose construction related team names and built a mascot out of huge legos.  One team actually built a Jackhammer...very cool.

The next activity they did, they built outhouses.  I don't think they will be used as such, but it's a creative idea.  I wondered how many kids knew what an outhouse was, but when I saw one team painting a half moon on the door and hang a sign that said "bing used" - and that's not a typo - I figured that they knew exactly what an outhouse was.

Through the week, each team will earn points by saying verses and such and by earning points they earn pretend money to outfit their outhouse...they are having a blast with this.  And so am I!

Now, the kids are swimming...in the rain.  They're brave.  And Jim is studying for his message tonight.  

Pray, pray, pray that God would work in these kids' lives.  We know God promises His word will not return void and we're praying it works in a powerful way.  I'm doing the same missionary stories I did a few weeks ago at another camp.  Pray also that these kids would see how God can use those who are willing and who obey Him first.

So, all this fun with building and outhouses is great, but the real purpose is bringing Christ to these kids and sharing that He payed the ultimate price for them by dying on the cross for their sins.  And this is our purpose...our message.   And a cockroach here and there...well, that's a small thing in light of the big picture.  They still completely gross me out.  But, I think I handle a little bug (a bug that I can squash) for the cause of Christ!

AAAAnd - We're Back.

We just spent the last week at Iowa Regular Baptist Camp. It was Jr. Girls week. And we were the morning missionary speakers. It was incredible!


340 girls were in attendance. Poor, poor Jim. But, through all the high-pitched squeals and non-stop chatter, he survived. In fact, I would say he thrived. He played miniature golf with the girls and let them dress him up as the "preacher" during their "Bridal Showcase" activity. He was an amazing sport! He even let them chase him around during the "Battleship" game!


The BESTEST part of the whole week was that at least 27 girls made professions of faith and trusted in Jesus alone to save them from their sins! What a joy! Not only that, but several girls told me how inspired they were by the missionary stories that they were willing to become missionaries themselves someday. We enjoyed a truly encouraging week! Pictures coming soon!


Here are a few notes I received from 2 of the Jr. Girl campers:

Dear Sarah Engle,

Thank you for the awesome Missionary Stories. I love all of them. I really loved the Mary Slessor one. It's my favorite! Thank you for taking the time to tell us these stories. Everyone loves them. I know I do. I really hope you keep telling stories. You're really good and you put lots of fun in chapel. Thank you so much for telling us these stories.

Sincerely,

Avery

-------------------

Dear Jim and Sarah Engle,

Thank you so much for the cool Missionary Stories. They are so fun and thank you for using your time to teach us about God's word and missionaries. You have shown us kids love. Thank you.

Love,

Melissa

The World Doesn't Revolve Around You

Ok, maybe it was just me, but I heard this saying growing up...well, a lot.

"Sarah, the world doesn't revolve around you..."

Apparently, I was one of the self-centered children who thought that the world did, indeed, revolve around me.

I think, through the years, I have learned my lesson. I don't believe that the world revolves around me, but Wednesday night at church - well, there was an exception.

It's funny the things you do to have fun with kids. JIm and I brought Kayle, Connor and Cole to church on Wednesday night because I spent the latter half of the afternoon baby-sitting them. We showed up about 1 hour early, thinking Cole had a youth group meeting - so we spent that hour thinking of ways to kill time.

One of those ways was to hang out in the temporary nursery (which is WAY bigger than the normal one) and have a "spinning contest."

Connor had his handy-dandy stopwatch and timed us. His record, before falling, was 1 minute and 30 seconds. And his little sister Kayle had him beat by 15 seconds. I don't remember what my time was. After finishing my "spin cycle" the second time, I was forced to the floor while the world really did revolve around me. The room was spinning viciously and I remembered that I wasn't a kid anymore and that I couldn't stomach those kinds of games. The rest of the evening, I felt like losing my lunch.

Jim, on the other hand, is one amazing guy. He came into the nursery and I hired him out to join the spinning contest, while I held the stopwatch. To my surprise, he agreed. (Does this count as ministry?)

Kayle and I watched as Jim and Connor faced off in a one-on-one spinning match. By 3 minutes, we requested that they stop for fear someone would actually lose their lunch. But, being boys, they pressed on. Someone had to give, but no one did. There was a tie - 5 minutes of spinning! How insane!

Both Jim and Connor stopped. Connor wobbled and plopped down in the glider chair. Jim had this look of achievement on his face that I couldn't resist testing.

"Walk over to me, Jim." I said. I'm so devious! I couldn't wait to see the "dizzy walk!"

Much to my dismay and surprise, he did walk over to me and in a completely straight line.

My husband amazes me. I guess he's less selfish - because the world didn't revolve around him, like it did me. Oiy.

Nursery Tidbits

I have to tell you about the most adorable thing that happened in the nursery last night!

I wasn't necessarily scheduled to be in the nursery, but as Jim will tell you, I am known to disappear in the middle of the service and be found playing with the kids in the nursery. I'm not sure what that says about me...

Anyway, so yesterday was a unique time in the nursery. There were babies ALL over the place! Crying babies, crawling babies, babies throwing things and biting things. I think it was a good thing I ended up there last night. I held little Hannah almost the whole time. I think she's teething because she drooled all over me as she sobbed.

Oh, but that's only the introduction. I must get to the point. It's such a funny story.

One of the 7 year old boys was in the nursery last night helping with his two younger sisters. He became our "little helper," identifying exactly who it was that was stinky. He went around smelling little baby bums, to no avail. But, he was completely convinced that someone had messed their pants. In his search, he pointed to a 2 1/2 year old girl.

"She's stinky!" He said.

"I'm not a baby!" She replied. "I have panties!" She pointed her finger at him in disgust. "And they're pony panties!"

Then, she came over to me, sat in my lap, stroked my hair and said, "I like your hair..."

And then I heard the cutest little toot I've ever heard...coming straight from Little Miss Pony Panties herself.

I could NOT help but laugh. This was a truly funny thing to experience!

An Average Thursday Night (Or So We Thought)

• 5:00 pm

Stacy and I put the finishing touches on our Buffalo Wing Chili Mac Casserole (from Rachel Ray) while discussing the unfortunate fact that neither of us had actually tasted the casserole to see how spicy it actually was since we didn't really measure out the hot sauce, but poured it onto the macaroni, liberally.

• 6:00 pm

I announce that there is supposed to be bad weather and Stacy acknowledges the same. We discuss the fact that Tornado's don't ever touch down by our town...and she expresses her fear that one will be in theirs...tonight.

• 6:30 pm

We decide to take some fun pictures of her and Micah.

I know above picture is kind of blurry, but it's SO one of our favorites!

• 7:30 pm
  

I take my Buffalo Wing Chili Mac and drive down the road to watch my handyman hubby install a sink at the Hartog II's just down the street.

• 10:00 pm

Jim & Dr. Hartog are finishing with the sink while the Mrs. and I take a tour of their beautiful yard identifying only a few of their hundreds of tree species!

• 10:30 pm

We get ready to go home, but are immediately reminded by the howling wind and severe thunderstorms, that we're not going anywhere in a hurry and might as well settle in for the night. Mrs. Hartog turns on our faithful Channel 13 and we discover there is a tornado warning for the surrounding area. We hightail it to the basement, turn on the TV and find that Jay Leno has replaced Ed Wilson and the tornado warning is over. We retreat back upstairs, have a fruit smoothie, look at bird books and get to bed by 1:00 am.

• 1:00 am

I think Ed Wilson is the coolest weather dude. I was totally enamored by the weather reports last night...and watched intensly as tornado warning and "hook echoes" venture across Iowa. I realized how God protected us by keeping Jim on the sink project long enough to keep us off the road and out of flooding conditions. The storm system was pretty much on our route home most of the night. And tornado warnings were speckled all over central Iowa...including near our town...and Stacy's. Hmmm.

• 1:30 am

*ring, ring* Ariel calls...Jim is needed at work to help clean up flooding. I go with him.

• 3:30 am

I can't take it anymore! I NEED sleep!

• 3:45 am

I drive through a pond in the Hartog's driveway, run as fast as I can (for fear of the boogie man), insert the key into the keyhole and find that I have NO idea how to work this lock. After what seemed several minutes, Mrs. Hartog comes to my rescue. I drag myself to the guestroom, after washing the nastiness off of my feet of course, and fall into a deep, restful sleep.

• 9:00 am

I'm startled awake by the phone. Stacy was calling to make sure we're ok. We chat. I call Jim. He's STILL working.

• 12:30 pm

*whew* Jim gets to go home to sleep, but not before taking me out to lunch after I post this. He's awesome.

• 12:47 pm

He's nodding off in the chair next to me. It's time to sign off and get my hubby food in his belly and sleep for his heavy eyelids!

Look Ma, It's Me!

Jim and I were scheduled to be in the toddler nursery on Sunday. I love serving in the nursery, especially with Jim. The kiddos really take to his goofy ways!

I enjoy drawing (scribbling mostly) with the kids when they are in the mood, and there is always one or two that spend most of the hour with a crayon in hand. I decided to draw a picture of Abram, one of my little buddies. Although I'm not particularly talented when it comes to drawing people pictures (just ask Gina...the last one I drew of her she looked like the missing link...sort of ape-ish), I think I did a decent enough job of making it look like him that he actually recognized it as himself. I think he liked it, too, because I folded it up and put it in his front pocket and he took it out to look at it, then carried it around the rest of the time, clutched tightly in his little, slobbery hand. And, when faced with the decision whether to the toy hammer in his hand or the folded paper, he put down the hammer. GASP! That was a tough choice, for as much as he likes that hammer!

Blurt!

We played this game tonight:

The Starkweather kids (ages 15, 13 & 9), Jim, and I took eachother on in a Blurt challenge. Boys against girls, of course. The girls were pretty sure we were going to show the boys up with our incredible word skills. But, alas, they were pretty awesome.

Blurt is a fun word game. One person reads the definition of the word, and everyone else has to "blurt" out the word they think the definition is...uh, defining. If you're the first to guess, your team advances, etc. In good company, which we had, it's a very fun game.

Some HILARIOUS moments are as follows:

---

Crystal reading a definition: "A measure of weight used for diamonds and other precious donuts." --note: it said "stones," which I'm sure you could have guessed. I have NO idea how she read the word "donuts," but it's possible.

Jim called out, "KARAT!" And he was right.

"Wait!" I said to Crystal, "did you say 'and other precious donuts?'"

We were rolling with laughter...rolling.

---

Tony reads: "The 25th letter of the alphabet."

It was on the tip of my tongue, I had to start at "Q" to get to "Y" for some reason and Jim answered before me "Y!"

"Poop on a stick!" I blurted out (hence the name of the game). EVERYONE died. Laughing. I covered my mouth, and said under my breath, "I should NOT be teaching you to say things like that."

They joked that the missionary wife said "poop." I don't know yet if this is good or bad.

---

Tony (again) reading the definition says, "A beetle after it hatches and before it is fully grown."

The answer is "grub," which no one got, but the conversation that ensued was jolly, to say the least.

Jim and I yell in unison, "Larva!" And because this guess was incorrect, we continued our attempt.

My mind draws a blank, I don't know dirt about bugs and their growth stages. Are you kidding me?

Jim makes another attempt he says, "Poopa." And he means to pronounce it "Pupa." Great. Now the missionary AND his wife have said "Poop" in front of the pastor's kids.

At this point, I figured it was a lost cause and we would have fun with it. Pastor Starkweather had joined us by then and he was already enlightened by his kids about the Missionary's wife "blurt" of the game. So, I decided it was too late. I've already been myself. I might as well keep going.

My reply: "On a stick-a?"

Uproarious laughter. You might have to go back a few paragraphs to truly follow this one...maybe it's a "you had to be there" moment that is nigh impossible to translate into the written word.

---

During the previous round, where everyone was thinking of bug life for answers, the 9 year old, Kayla, called out "Callapitor!"

I knew this word sounded vaguely familiar, but there was something about it that didn't sound quite right.

"Say that again?" I requested. She, along with her older sister and brother repeated "Callapitor!"

"Is that how it is?" I asked a little dumbfounded. "Callapitor? That sounds so weird."

So, they say it again "Callapitor!" Over and over. For some reason, it's fun.

I persist. "What a weird word! I didn't think it sounded so strange. I know what you're saying, but it's just so...weird!"

Jim finally catches on that I'm having an absurdly unusual blonde moment and chimed in "CATERPILLAR."

I laugh so hard at my vulnerability, I shed tears. More laughter.

---

Today, I'm thankful for people with whom you can be yourself. Ah, the comforts of a home and your family in Christ.

He Might Have ESP

Today I was at the grocery store with my friend Hanna and her particularly cute son, Abram. As we were checking out Abram pointed to a man walking by saying "Dat, Dat" which traslates, "Who is that?"

I figure out exactly who or what Abram is pointing at and answer "It's just some dude." Maybe he'll start referring to every guy as "dude."

Abram keeps his eye on The Dude as he walks down the main aisle of the store, to the sunglasses and stares and points and cranes his neck until The Dude is completely out of sight.

A few moments later, The Dude shows up behind us in the check out line. Abram stares.
"Hi" I say to The Dude. "Abram here has been keeping his eye on you since you walked in. He followed you all the way to the Sunglasses and kept pointing and asking me who you were." We laugh.

The Dude smiles at Abram and makes eyes at him the way most adults communicate with 2 year olds. "Maybe I look like someone he knows." said The Dude.

"Maybe," I reply with a friendly smile. "Have a nice day," I gesture a wave and turn to put my purchases on the conveyor belt.

The Dude goes over to the next lane where he doesn't have to wait, and Abram watches slyly as he makes his way to the other side of us, still clearly in view. I study The Dude's facial features to see if does indeed look like someone else we know. He doesn't to my knowledge.

We exit the store and proceed to our cars, which happen to be parked only feet away from The Dude. I hear a car alarm go off, but think nothing of it. Hanna says, "That guy just locked his keys in the car or something, because he just used a hanger to get inside that car."

"Our Guy?" I asked.

"Yes," Hanna confirmed, "Our Guy."

My first response was, "Wow, that's pretty cool...it's hard to get into some cars with hangers." I looked over at the honking car (noticed the make and model...it's much like our own.) and then thought, "Why would he have a hanger? Unless he knew he was going to lock his keys in the car, which isn't very likely. Strange. Abram - you knew there was something funny about that guy."

And now I'm ready to give a very thorough description of The Dude and The Car. Just in case I'm called as a witness. And now I wonder if Abram has a special gift.

Inflated Use Name

I'm sitting next to an especially animated boy in the library right now. He's probably about 7 or 8 years old. He and his brother are killing time (I assume) playing war games online. It's 75 degrees outside, why they aren't riding their bikes or tossing a football around is beyond me...and yet, I sit here...inside, on the most beautiful day of the week.

Back to the matter at hand and the reason I'm posting. The younger boy (the animated one) is having troubles logging in. I would offer my assistance, but I'm having more fun listening. Plus, I don't think I would know what to do anyway. So, he's trying to log in and he keeps seeing these words pop up: "Invalid User Name."

"Agh!" He wilts in his seat. "It said 'Inflated Use Name' AGAIN!"

His brother doesn't seem to pay any attention, but I giggle to myself. "Inflated...funny."