Time to Get This Blog Rollin'...

Today, my friend Grace wrote a post about a group called Beautiful Angle. Now, this was the first time I had heard of this particular group but it was not the first I had heard of their ideas. They sing the mantra of what is becoming known today as the "Emerging Church." I could write pages and pages about my opinion of their ideas (and I almost did on poor Grace's blog) but decided instead that I would post it here. It was the second time in one day that these ideas were again presented to me and in my opinion, it is very worth a dedicated and honest probe into scripture. I hope you'll appreciate my thoughtful opinions and that it will cause you to consider your own evaluations of these topics. Here's what I had written. It does not even scrape the surface of these topics.

So, if I'm being honest I must say that I dislike a lot of what this poster says. It seems to me that the people who wrote it are being what they are condemning others for - like they have the inside scoop on what being Christ-like is or something. Why not say, "Yes, Christians are all sinners. Every one of them has messed up, including us."

I have a personal irk about this "judge not" thing. It does not mean that we don't evaluate, according to scripture, what is right and wrong or say what is sinful - what God clearly states is sinful. What it means is that we do not act as their judge - we do not declare or execute their eternal sentence. We can though, obtain a pretty good idea of what it will be from what God Himself says... 1 Cor. 6:9,10 Gal. 5:19-21 Eph. 5:5-7

We must not forget that the God of the Old Testament is the very same God of the New Testament and of today. We cannot deny that He is the same God that destroyed whole cities for their sexual immorality. Yes, He is loving, gracious and merciful - but He saved us from Himself alone. From His own eternal wrath, judgment and condemnation. We cannot appreciate our salvation if we first do not acknowledge from what and more importantly, from WHOM, we were saved.

Bummer

This is where we buy our milk.

I did my research though. We'll get over it soon enough.

Phew.

Makes A Mama's Heart Melt

Today, for the first time ever, Steele told me he loved me all on his own! 3 times! And then he told me I was "handsome."

On the 8th Day of Christmas my True Love Gave To Me...

8 diarrhea diapers
7 bum baths
6 Muppets' Christmas
5 ornaments on one branch
4 snotty noses
3 foolish squabbles
2 tired parents

and a rainy tri-ip to the treeeeeeee farrrrrrrrm!!

It is SO about the presents.

You know what I am totally sick of? Comments like this: "Well, Christmas really isn't about the presents anyway...."

What the...? I mean, when did Christmas ever become not about the presents?! My mom made the above comment to me recently along with this one: "What I'm hearing you say is that it's not really about you getting presents so much as it's about you giving presents." Um... nooo. Who doesn't like to get presents?! I love getting presents!! And I love giving presents!! I just like presents!

Now, I don't like extravagance and crazy mall shopping or the thought of people going into debt over Christmas presents. What I do like is a little bit of shopping in some quaint little stores, creatively and thoughtfully finding gifts that I know will be PERFECT for the people I chose them for, teaching my children how to be creative, thoughtful and generous, teaching my children how to appreciate the creativity and thoughtfulness of someone else's gift to them, buying the $10 tank tops on-line for someone else because who wouldn't love them as much as you do?, making special gifts that create lasting memories, opening a present that you never thought you wanted but is absolutely perfect.... who doesn't love all those things? Christmas is about giving! It includes the smallest of gifts - like a batch of cookies for your neighbor - and the greatest of gifts - like the gift of Jesus to the world!

And, here's another thought - what joy would there be in giving presents if there wasn't some bright, shining face on the other end to receive it?! There would be none! This is why I hate all these ways that people have come up with in order to not give gifts - gift exchanges, gift games, drawing names, no gifts at all - just "being together" (gag me).... Have we all become so lazy and uncreative that we can't go out and buy a little ornament or pair of socks or cozy shirt or box of stationary or basket of fruit or EVEN BETTER - summer sausage and cheese (you know you love it) or good book or new cd or bottle of lotion.... you get the picture. If you need ideas let me know - I am way good at this. It doesn't have to cost a lot of money - usually it just has to be something you would like to receive and you think someone else might like to receive. And how about this for a thought? If you don't want to buy a present for someone? DON'T!! That's even worse - a present bought out of obligation? OR - this is a really novel idea - even if you don't feel like giving a present how about just giving something little and from the heart that would BLESS someone? A hand-made-and-painted-by-your-kids ornament? A Christmas mix cd. A Starbucks gift card - WHO DOESN'T LOVE THAT?! And they even come in those cute little stockings this year! Ok, somebody stop me.

And while we're on the topic of presents - take a read at this one... and this one. See what I mean?

It is SO about the presents people!

And for your viewing enjoyment - recent pictures of three of my most favorite presents of all time.

YWAM Denver

I was shocked and saddened this morning to receive an e-mail from my friend Elizabeth. She and I went to high school together and she became a Christian in college. I have watched her faith and service for the Lord grow over the last 10 or so years - she is a beautiful and zealous servant for Him. We recently began supporting her full-time missionary work with Youth With A Mission in Denver, CO. and she sends us regular updates on her ministry there.

This morning she reported that 4 staff members were shot last night while at a Christmas party on campus. Two died in surgery and the other two are still in pretty serious condition. You can read a full article here.

So... what is there to possibly think of all this? The only One I know who has any answers to this type of tragedy is the Lord. He brought this to mind this morning. I hope it encourages you in every area of your life that seems without hope.

Matthew 10:28-31

Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Yes, sin is real. Evil is in this world and God, by His own loving law, does not control us like robots but allows people to make their own choices. But He is still sovereign. He sees and He cares and has provided hope beyond death. He carries out His plans for us despite evil attempts to thwart it. He gives redemption (making good out of what is terrible) for our sinfulness.

While We're Talking Shopping...

I just bought this from Janie and Jack:
Isn't it adorable? I know, even on sale it is a bit pricey for a 2 year old. But I am such a sucker for fire engine stuff and $31 is better than $42. I've been waiting - hoping it would go on sale before Christmas. Yay!

Ok, so I bought the socks and the hat too. So what?

Thanks Mormons!

While there are many things I may disagree about with the mormons - their knack for designing modest, stylish clothing can't be disputed. And since my favorite clothing store of all time closed down (Janeville - the "mom" store of Janie and Jack) I am loving the clothes over at Downeast Basics.

I just bought this (in navy):

Won't it look so cute with a pair of brown boots?
Or over a pair of jeans with high heels?

I also have this:

Even though I think it's adorable - I can't help but think
that my arms do look a bit sausage-like with the elastic on the sleeves.
Thank you What-Not-To-Wear ladies for that image.

This is also on it's way:

I'm a little bummed about this one 'cause I really wanted it
in black but I waited too long and they only had grey left. Oh well.
You win some...

And the cute top you see in this picture is also from there:

My friend Jodi wore it for her daughter's one year old
polka dot themed birthday party. Cute huh?
That's my friend Andrew that I've known since elementary school.
I knew him from the "gifted" program we were in together.
Now? He's a cheerleading coach. Bet you could never guess that one...

(Hahaha! I just read back over this - you know what I do? Teach aerobics! So gifted)

I also own several of their camis which I love and wear under everything. They come up high so I can wear them under things that are cleavage prone. They also keep me especially cozy and warm in this Northwest winter weather.

I am loving internet shopping this Christmas and am going to buy some things for my sisters-in-law from Downeast. Happy shopping!

Finally! 7 Things!

This one's for Martha. Even though I would much rather be taking a nap right now...

The truth is, I have been procrastinating on this just a little bit. For some reason I had it in my mind that I needed to find the absolute most important seven things about myself to tell. After all, I may never get another chance. I got over that one.

1. Yes, Cutzi is my real name. It is a native Mexican name (Purepecha) and means "moon".

2. I was raised mostly by my mother in a mostly Polish family even though I am half Mexican. I haven't seen my real father since I was three and in the last several years have met several brothers and sisters from him. I grew up an only child, turns out I'm one of probably 10.

3. Speaking of siblings - I have a younger brother and sister from my mother. She got re-married when I was 18 and had Abbey (10) and Gabe (8). They're Aunt Abbey and Uncle Gabe to my kids and they're the best aunt and uncle around. In case you're wondering - 21 years between Abbey and I.

4. My major in college was Spanish, minor in Communication even though I'm still two or 3 quarters away from my BA. Phooey on that little slip of paper. I don't want anyone writing me and telling me I should finish. I'll get it if I need it.

5. I played the viola for 17 years and also sing. I haven't really picked up my viola since college though. Except for when they asked me to play in a quartet at church a couple years ago. I sat down and embarrassingly confessed to the impeccably dressed older woman beside me that I hadn't played for years. It was then that she shared with me that she plays for the Seattle Symphony. Nice.

6. Both of my children came from other womens' uteri. Justin and I have been married for 7 years and after 5 years of nothing really happening in the conception area, and knowing that we wanted to adopt, we decided to go ahead and pursue it. Both situations were miraculous, as are all children. Maybe some day I'll share about them.

7. Oh no! This is my last one! I have so many more things I want to share about myself! All this talking about me - I love it. Hmmmm.... Well, probably the most encompassing thing about me is that I am so, so sinful. The older I get, the more I am reminded of it. I say and do things all the time that I absolutely regret. I am often prideful, selfish, self-absorbed, uncaring, thoughtless, rude... and the list goes on. Fortunately, this sinfulness has allowed me to realize my greatest need - that of forgiveness and the hope to be different through knowing the love of the God that created me and saved me from all my sinfulness. Yes, I go to church. Yes, I go to Bible Study. Yes, I try to live a moral life. But far more important than doing those things is that every time I mess up (which will be until the day I die) there is a merciful, forgiving God waiting there to change the ugly things in me and give me the hope of heaven. I don't know where I would be without that peace.

The View From Where I'm Sitting

With the current state of weather here I'm hoping I'll finally get some time to sit down and answer Martha's tag today.

For now, a view from where I sit:


Our little house in the snow this morning:


My Martha Stewart houses on the dining room table (I'm quite proud of them):


A snowy shot of our bunch at the lighted Christmas parade last night (sadly, I forgot to take any pictures at our get-together afterward):

The snow is totally coming down!! It's rare enough around here that this is a real treat. Hooray for global warming!! We were supposed to do the advent reading at church today but we decided to stay home warm and cozy instead. The thought of bundling up a two year old and a ten month old, switching car seats into the tough car (an '83 Volvo wagon) and venturing out to church didn't sound very appealing. So we're home. Loving it. Stay tuned - I'll probably be back later.

Answering the Call

10:54 am

Well, although I really should be baking for my party tomorrow night, or doing laundry or continuing on with the project I started this morning (painting the area above and beside the desk first with magnetic paint and then with chalkboard paint)


I decided I would take advantage of a little quiet time and respond to Martha's tag. This was a great thought since Adia was sleeping and Steele and Justin went to get snow tires on the car until... Adia decided to wake up at just about the same time Steele came clomping in the house with his new snow boots on and Justin told me he decided he didn't want to wait at the tire shop with a 2 year old for an hour and a half (come on, sounds like fun to me). All this, literally a couple minutes ago. So I'll keep you all on the edge of your seats and return to this later....

Snow!

Snow!
It won't be long before we'll all be there with snow
Snow!
I want to wash my hands, my face and hair with snow
Snow!

I long to clear a path and lift a spade of snow
Snow!
Oh, to see a great big man entirely made of snow

Where it's snowing
All winter through
That's where I want to be
Snowball throwing
That's what I'll do
How I'm longing to ski
Through the snow-oh-oh-oh-oh

Those glist'ning houses that seem to be built of snow
Snow!
Oh, to see a mountain covered with a quilt of snow

What is Christmas with no snow?
No white Christmas with no snow
Snow!

(from White Christmas)

That's right folks! It's snowing! And you know I love it! Justin is so excited 'cause that means the mountain is opening. He has a pass this year and is planning on taking Steele up. They both went and got little I.D.s with their pictures on them. There hanging on our rear view mirror in the Euro and are so cute. Let the skiing begin!


On another note - the Dancing With the Stars finale just finished and it was totally disappointing! And I'm so tired of all the fans booing when the judges give their critique. I, for one, think they're usually right on. And they're professionals! They know their stuff. Sheesh. Well, it will be interesting to see how it all turns out. Marie needs to go if you ask me. The doll dance tonight was uncomfortable just to watch.

It Might Be PMS

I'm tired. Like, physically tired (my eyes are aching) and mentally tired (think Jazzercise). I feel like crying (in fact, I already have once today). I haven't done school with Steele in who knows how long. Justin will be gone most of the week and I already feel stressed over the week's upcoming events. Wednesday my Bible study group is coming over after we meet. I decided I want to make chocolate peppermint bark cookies which means I'll need to make peppermint bark first. (Can you see me starting to drag already?). Our Junior Jazzercise Holiday Hop is supposed to start Friday and we only have 2 kids signed up. Doesn't that sound like a barrel of fun? (moving even more slowly) Saturday I decided to have a little (turning huge) get-together after our town's lighted Christmas parade (slumping over). My guests would probably enjoy some warm beverages and treats so I better get on that too (flinging myself onto my bed and into my cozy wintry flannel sheets).

And now? I'm practicing my set for tomorrow so that my students can have some new songs to dance to. The problem is that all of this fun stuff should be just that. Fun. And it would be if I didn't have Jazzercise always hanging over my head. All of it wouldn't really be that much to do if that were all there was. It would be a blast! I'm just gonna to be honest here. I don't need to work, I don't want to work, I don't make any money for myself doing this. So far it's just a glorified hobby. (A nice new pair of shoes every so often would be sufficient pay for me) All I really want to do is stay home with my babies, bake, cook, decorate, home school (and probably get fat without Jazzercise...) I've had 2 or 3 anxiety attacks in the last few months (they suck). I'm a grown, mature (that's arguable sometimes) woman and it's silly that I get to that point. Hmph. I hesitated to write all of this and finally decided to just do it. To be honest, as well-intentioned as everyone might be, I don't usually care for shallow "I'm sorry"s and "You're doing a great job"s (if you know what I mean). I just need to logically think it through, pray, and make a decision.

But like I said, it might just be PMS. (don't you just love parenthesis?)

Since I'm talking Jazzercise...
Last year's 80's themed Halloween Class
Yes. That's me. Yes. That's my hair.

PS. I went searching for reminders of why Jazzercise is so much fun. Here's one. I found these pictures of me at a former students' wedding. We were bustin' out the Jazzercise moves!

Lose My Breath

Scenes of the Season

And by the way, did you know that when vultures get scared they vomit? A little known fact I just learned thanks to the discovery channel....

Ha, Ha, HA!!

I found this too...


Poor guy... doesn't know the difference between "your" and "you're". (Stacy?) He can fight a darn good fire though!

Ha Ha!

I just pulled out an old spiral notebook and found something that gave Justin and I a good laugh. Check it out for yourself....

(circa 2002)

Some change is good.....

Double Drat!

So, to catch you all up - Justin had surgery on his shoulder at the beginning of October and hasn't been back to work since. Aside from the first couple weeks when he couldn't do much, we've been having a great time hanging out, getting some work done and doing fun things together as a family. He reminded me today that the last time he went to work was September 28th - or something crazy like that.

Justin's a firefighter and works about 9 (or less) shifts a month. He works a couple hours away which works for us since he works long shifts. We love it - he gets paid according to the cost of living in a big city, works for a great established department and we get to live in a quaint little rural town. It's great.

Unfortunately, though, his shoulder is not quite healed yet and his sick leave is running out. We discussed the possibility of him using some of his vacation days but in the end decided it would be better for him to go back to work a little earlier on light duty. Now that I think about it, that may have been the only option the department gave him but it actually works out better for us... in the long run.

In the short run it means that Justin has to go back to work tomorrow - 2 hours away - for 8 hour shifts. Blech!!! So I'm going from having him home ALL the time, to having him home NONE of the time. I'm in a surprisingly bad mood about it. And does anyone else do this? I'm sad about him going back to work and I almost feel mad at him for it. It's not his fault. He doesn't want to be gone any more than I want him to be gone. In fact, he specifically told me that he's going to drive home every night because he wants to be able to kiss the kids goodnight and at least be able to sleep in the same bed with me. He said if he stayed at his sister's house he'd just be sitting there bored, by himself for a few hours every night when he could at least see us even if it's only for a few moments. Isn't he great? He really is such a wonderful husband.

And, to top it all off, this is going to be the busiest week I've had in a long while. Wednesday both the kids have a doctor's appointment. I have to miss BSF for that which is sort of ok since it will be one less thing for me to do - and I don't have anyone to watch Adia anyway. Friday night my instructors and I are having a Friends and Family night at Jazzercise - so I'll be running around getting food and prizes and making general preparations for that all week. And if I really wanted to - I was invited to a home party and a baby shower this week which I'm going to opt out on. Saturday? One pumpkin cheesecake, two pumpkin pies and one apple pie for Thanksgiving with Justin's family on Sunday. And I really should put together a new set to teach, my students are getting tired of my current songs.

One day at a time.

And finally, I couldn't believe what happened today. I had an appointment with the "woman" doctor. I've been waiting and waiting for this appointment since I was overdue and also wanted to talk to her a bit about fertility treatment - you know, since Justin's grandparents have offered to "pay for the fertilization" and all. Another long story but I had surgery last year and never made it to my post-op appointment in the middle of the craziness of adopting Adia. So, lots to catch up on. Anyway, I'm sitting there, robe on, sheet over my lap and from the next room I can hear my doctor explaining to another patient that she got a labor and delivery call from the hospital and had to leave. No!!! I am so bad at making appointments - it will probably be months before I get back in there.

Oh well, I'm really not that excited about being pregnant. It can wait a little bit longer. Seriously. I've been hearing so many bad pregnancy stories lately. I'm perfectly content to watch the babies come out, have them handed to me and walk out of the hospital in my same jeans. It's worked brilliantly for me twice already. I am SO not being sarcastic here. It's true. Just ask Amy.

Ramble, ramble, ramble....



I just went back and re-read that post. I guess I really needed to vent about some stuff! Now I can go to sleep.

I Know, I Know

Two posts in one day. But I really just had to write and say that there is absolutely no reason I should go about looking anything but absolutely adorable when there are stores like this out there. Why have I never heard about this before?! ?! I NEED cute clothes. The more children I have the cuter my clothes need to be. I just don't have time to decide if things are cute or not. They just need to be. That's what I decided. I cannot waste my time worrying about the cute-ness of them or spending more than 5 minutes considering the cuteness factor - that would be too shallow. I just need to buy things that are innately cute. Granted, being 15 lbs lighter would probably make all my clothes look even cuter but that's beside the point.

I found it by looking at this blog which I am so intrigued by. Reading it sometimes makes me want to change every piece of decor in my house. But that just sounds like too much work. The problem is that I don't really know what my style is. Sometimes it's dark leather couches, Restoration Hardware, Pottery Barn and the likes. And sometimes, more often lately, it's more Cath Kidston (who I just found and I love but can't figure out if it would even be worth it for me to order anything from the UK) Anyhow, I'm starting to embarrass myself by writing about all of this - but I was thinking about it.

Shallow post for the day? Check.

And by the way, if you were wondering... new underwear? Check.

Any Ideas?

Every year our church has a Thanksgiving Eve service with lots of singing, some sharing, testimonies of thankfulness and general good fellowship. I got a phone call last night from our pastor asking me if I would like to sing at this year's service. Now, I never pass up the opportunity to sing but he asked me to sing a "Thankgiving-ish" song (I added the "ish" for emphasis) and I'm a little stumped on this one. I reviewed my newest Sara Groves album this morning - nothing there. I may look through my Jennifer Knapp today (found something there for Christmas Eve last year) but I really have no ideas. So, any Thanksgiving-ish songs come to any of your minds? It can be contemporary or traditional - piano accompanied would be best. I had a hard time finding a guitar player last year but we seem to have an overflow of pianists at our little chapel.

And sorry, no prize on this one. Although you are more than welcome to attend the service - I'm sure you'd be blessed!

And while I'm on the subject of thankfulness - I sure am thankful for these joyful moments...

Snuggled in his new cozy sheets (flannel)

Doing Chores

Getting Teeth

The funniest part of this picture is that neither Steele or Adia
have ever really used pacifiers. I guess it just added
to the effect of the leaf blowing uniform.

Jakers!

Bath Time