Thanks to our friends, the Durroughs, Dylan has enjoyed this little hand me down. I am surprised that he can work it, well, somewhat.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Fat Lip
It's official. Dylan has his first real boo-boo. This past week, he tipped a little three wheel over and got a pretty nasty bump on his head. I didn't really count that one, as I couldn't really see it under all his hair. However, this one is pretty serious. He was running in the driveway and got going too fast and tripped. He hit face first, and now has this busted, swollen lip to prove it. I don't know if he bit his lip or if it was the aggregate, but he's looking like Angelina Jolie's baby. Why must they make driveways out of aggregate anyway? I wonder what the HOA would say if I replaced it with dirt. This boo-boo better say bye-bye by May 2nd when we have our one year pics scheduled. If not, Kari, I hope you can do a good job on touch ups.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
"I will be happy with $600"
We made it through a very big yard sale. I would like to say special thanks to those who made donations: my parents, Matthis family, Overfelt family, Fallers, Erika, Daffin family, Leal family and Waggoner family. Also, a big thank you to the people who loaned tables: the Jones, Sonja and Debbie. And more thank yous to our processing center: Sara, Dana and Jennifer. These gals came over after their dinner on Friday night and helped Kelley and I sort, fold and price merchandise. It made the night go buy so much easier. Also, I couldn't have done it without Kelley and my husband, Damien. Thank you for such a successful and fun sale.
Kelley working with the "processing center"
The sale started bright and early on Saturday. Well, maybe not so bright for me as I got into bed at midnight and was so anxious about the yard sale that I didn't go to sleep until after 1am. Then, I woke up like every hour. As we were getting ready for the day, I said to Kelley, I will be happy if we make $600. Kelley said, between the two of us? and I said, yea. She was like oh yea.
Our plan, was to set up as much as we could in the garage, so we could open the doors and drag out minimal things as we knew people would try and early shop. Our sale was no exception. About 6:45, we opened the garage doors and no sooner than we did, a van pulled up. He said mind if I go ahead and look around. I said sure, but we won't be able to give you much attention. He said I am use to that. He began looking. Within 10 minutes, he left with $235 worth of merchandise. He bought our invisible dog fence and bose stereo system. I was hoping this was an indication on how the day was going to go.
Some people noticed that our sale was for a mission trip and spoke to us about it. While some people were just looking to deal. However, some of the items we were pretty firm on and didn't want to come down. We are trying to pay for a trip to Malawi that's going to cost almost $4000 per person. We know it's just $2, but if we shave $2 here and there. Then we are out $50, but some things we were willing to wheel and deal on. At the end of the day, God blessed us in so many ways. Through the people we were able to share our hearts with, the friends that stopped by and showed us support and He showed us the money.
Drum Roll please.........our total was $1656! A far cry from our $600 dream. Here's how it broke down. For the items that I had and that were donated to me, those funds would go towards my trip. For the items that the Browns had and that were donated to them, those funds would go towards their trip. For the items that people from church donated or who he both knew, we split those funds. My funds totaled $1165. I could not stop thanking God last night. When I first learned how much the trip was going to cost, I started off thinking, if I can raise half, I will be happy. Then later, I was like, if I can raise $1000 I will be happy. He is showing me not to worry and that He truly wants me there. I couldn't ask for anything more. Each night, I lay down my head all I can think of, is how soon July 11 will be here, and how I cannot wait.
I want to say thank you to those who have turned in donations. Unfortunately, our church made some staffing cuts due to the economy and the positions that were "OPEN" have a hiring freeze. One of the open positions was admin assistant to our mission's pastor. He has a pretty hefty plate and isn't able to keep us abreast of our funds and donations to date. He does have someone volunteering when they can and she is working on it and hopefully I will know more details this week, so I can properly thank those who have made donations in my name. I don't want you to think I am being rude, I just don't know who you are. Donations can still be made and can be sent via check to Ken Morris, The People's Church, 828 Murfreesboro Rd, Franklin, TN 37064. Please indicate on the check "Stephanie Weaver- Malawi"
www.hisfaceoflove.blogspot.com - There's a new post about Malawi on our team blog.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Junk in the Trunk
This Saturday, we are having the Mission Trip Fundraiser Yard Sale! If you have anything laying around the house that you have been meaning to take to Goodwill, drop it by the house OR give me a call and I will come and get it (obviously if you are in the area, I am not driving to Florida). Some people may not be able to help sponsor with a monetary donation, but I know that we all have at least $5 worth of junk sitting around. Can I get an AMEN! For anyone wanting to check it out, the sale will begin at 7am and go until....I don't know yet. I need to check with the Browns as they are going on the Malawi trip and are raising funds as well.
On a side note, check out our team's new blog. There will be lots of pictures taken from previous Malawi trips. www.hisfaceoflove.blogspot.com
Monday, April 13, 2009
Hippity Hoppity
He is Risen! I love Easter and all that it means, to celebrate the death and resurrection of our Savior is nothing short of amazing. I remember as a child, my mom always got Billy and I new easter outfits. Often times, our family friends, the Scotts, would get their daughter, Janine, a dress that matched mine or my parents one that matcher hers. We thought it was fun until we got older and then I guess we figured out who looked better in the dress. Growing up, I remember waking up to find a easter basket of goodies that the Easter Bunny brought. How lame was I thought I believed in an oversized rabbit who brought candy to my house? I was so clueless. I don't know if I am a bad mom or if I am just frugal, but we didn't get Dylan an easter basket. He's 11 months old and he doesn't eat candy, nor does he even know any different. However, we of course, had a little fun with the easter bunny.
We went to my Grandmother's house after church where we stuffed our faces with good eats. Usually we have an easter egg hunt there, but no kids were really there to hunt eggs this year. All the little ones around, were ages 3 and under, so my grandmother bought them candy and gave them baskets. She tried to give Dylan chocolate bunnies and peeps, but I insisted that he was much to young for those kinds of treats. They would just end up in Damien and mine's tummies and we know that we do not need them regardless of how good they may taste. After my Grandmother's, we headed over to a friends house for a little fun and a cookout. The big kids had a real easter egg hunt in the back yard while eggs were just tossed in the front yard for the little ones to "find". Dylan got the hang of it. He would pick up an egg, shake it and put it in his basket. I can't wait for him to get older and see him really get into it. We had a great time with our family and friends.
I found one!
stealing eggs
with all the big boys toys...he had a blast
Friday, April 10, 2009
Spring is in the Air
Today, Dylan is 11 months old. Can you believe it? I can't. It seems just like yesterday that we were bringing him home from the hospital. We have begun planning his first birthday party. Nothing big, just a little get together with family and close friends.
Everyday, I am amazed by Dylan and all the things he can do. Of course, now that he's been walking for 3 months, he's getting pretty steady on his feet and can pick up some speed when needed. For instance, if he's in the living room and he hears the pantry door open. He trucks it. He can walk and pull something behind him. He has began playing with cars and making the appropriate noise. Also, when he's in his high chair, he knows where his cup belongs and sometimes puts it there. My biggest struggles with him are that he's in to everything and what to feed him. He's eating solids, but I haven't ventured out too far. I feel like I get stuck in a rut with what I feed him, so I am open to suggestions.
Yesterday, my friend Jill and I took the boys (you may remember Cole, he was born 10 days before Dylan) up the street to take some spring pictures of them. I spotted some pretty tulips behind the fire station that morning as I voted in our city elections. I had been hunting for some flowers and finally found some decent ones. Jill and I put Cole and Dylan in our red wagon and walked up the street. They were quite the hit at the polls. Who can resist two handsome boys? However there were some distractions with people, fire trucks and kids playing near by, but we were able to get some decent pictures.
Dylan and Cole
Thursday, April 9, 2009
The Ultimate Sacrifice
As we prepare for the weekend ahead, I thought it would be a good time to reflect on the ultimate sacrifice. Our youth pastor, Todd, read a description that was very vivid. It was a reminder to me, what our Saviour endured for us. It is an account of the crucifixion told by Dr. C. Truman Davis (a medical description of what happened that day).
Preparations for Jesus' scourging were carried out at Caesar's orders. The prisoner was stripped of His clothing and His hands tied to a post above His head. The Roman legionnaire stepped forward with the flagrum, or flagellum, in his hand. This was a short whip consisting of several heavy, leather thongs with two small balls of lead attached near the ends of each. The heavy whip was brought down with full force again and again across Jesus' shoulders, back and legs. At first the weighted thongs cut through the skin only. Then, as the blows continued, they cut deeper into the subcutaneous tissues, producing first an oozing of blood from the capillaries and veins of the skin and finally spurting arterial bleeding from vessels in the underlying muscles.
The small balls of lead first produced large deep bruises that were broken open by subsequent blows. Finally, the skin of the back was hanging in long ribbons, and the entire area was an unrecognizable mass of torn, bleeding tissue. When it was determined by the centurion in charge that the prisoner was near death, the beating was finally stopped.
Mockery
The half-fainting Jesus was then untied and allowed to slump to the stone pavement, wet with his own blood. The Roman soldiers saw a great joke in this provincial Jew claiming to be a king. They threw a robe across His shoulders and placed a stick in His hand for a scepter. They still needed a crown to make their travesty complete. Small flexible branches covered with long thorns, commonly used for kindling fires in the charcoal braziers in the courtyard, were plaited in the shape of a crude crown. The crown was pressed into his scalp and again there was copious bleeding as the thorns pierced the very vascular tissue. After mocking Him and striking Him across the face, the soldiers took the stick from His hand and struck Him across the head, driving the thorns deeper in His scalp. Finally, they tired of their sadistic sport and tore the robe from His back. The robe had already become adherent to the clots of blood and serum in the wounds, and its removal, just as in the careless removal of a surgical bandage, caused excruciating pain. The wounds again began to bleed.
Golgotha
In deference to Jewish custom, the Romans apparently returned His garments. The heavy patibulum3 of the cross was tied across His shoulders. The procession of the condemned Christ, two thieves, and the execution detail of Roman soldiers headed by a centurion began its slow journey along the route which we know today as the Via Dolorosa.
In spite of Jesus' efforts to walk erect, the weight of the heavy wooden beam, together with the shock produced by copious loss of blood, was too much. He stumbled and fell. The rough wood of the beam gouged into the lacerated skin and muscles of the shoulders. He tried to rise, but human muscles had been pushed beyond their endurance. The centurion, anxious to proceed with the crucifixion, selected a stalwart North African onlooker, Simon of Cyrene, to carry the cross. Jesus followed, still bleeding and sweating the cold, clammy sweat of shock. The 650-yard journey from the Fortress Antonia to Golgotha was finally completed. The prisoner was again stripped of His clothing except for a loin cloth which was allowed the Jews.
The crucifixion began. Jesus was offered wine mixed with myrrh, a mild analgesic, pain-reliving mixture. He refused the drink. Simon was ordered to place the patibulum on the ground, and Jesus was quickly thrown backward, with His shoulders against the wood. The legionnaire felt for the depression at the front of the wrist. He drove a heavy, square wrought-iron nail through the wrist and deep into the wood. Quickly, he moved to the other side and repeated the action, being careful not to pull the arms too tightly, but to allow some flexion and movement. The patibulum was then lifted into place at the top of the stipes4, and the titulus5 reading "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews" was nailed into place.
The left foot was pressed backward against the right foot. With both feet extended, toes down, a nail was driven through the arch of each, leaving the knees moderately flexed. The victim was now crucified.
Before Pilate
In the early morning, battered and bruised, dehydrated, and worn out from a sleepless night, Jesus was taken across Jerusalem to the Praetorium of the Fortress Antonia, the seat of government of the Procurator of Judea, Pontius Pilate. We are familiar with Pilate's action in attempting to shift responsibility to Herod Antipas, the Tetrarch of Judea. Jesus apparently suffered no physical mistreatment at the hands of Herod and was returned to Pilate. It was then, in response to the outcry of the mob, that Pilate ordered Barabbas released and condemned Jesus to scourging and crucifixion.
Preparations for Jesus' scourging were carried out at Caesar's orders. The prisoner was stripped of His clothing and His hands tied to a post above His head. The Roman legionnaire stepped forward with the flagrum, or flagellum, in his hand. This was a short whip consisting of several heavy, leather thongs with two small balls of lead attached near the ends of each. The heavy whip was brought down with full force again and again across Jesus' shoulders, back and legs. At first the weighted thongs cut through the skin only. Then, as the blows continued, they cut deeper into the subcutaneous tissues, producing first an oozing of blood from the capillaries and veins of the skin and finally spurting arterial bleeding from vessels in the underlying muscles.
The small balls of lead first produced large deep bruises that were broken open by subsequent blows. Finally, the skin of the back was hanging in long ribbons, and the entire area was an unrecognizable mass of torn, bleeding tissue. When it was determined by the centurion in charge that the prisoner was near death, the beating was finally stopped.
Mockery
The half-fainting Jesus was then untied and allowed to slump to the stone pavement, wet with his own blood. The Roman soldiers saw a great joke in this provincial Jew claiming to be a king. They threw a robe across His shoulders and placed a stick in His hand for a scepter. They still needed a crown to make their travesty complete. Small flexible branches covered with long thorns, commonly used for kindling fires in the charcoal braziers in the courtyard, were plaited in the shape of a crude crown. The crown was pressed into his scalp and again there was copious bleeding as the thorns pierced the very vascular tissue. After mocking Him and striking Him across the face, the soldiers took the stick from His hand and struck Him across the head, driving the thorns deeper in His scalp. Finally, they tired of their sadistic sport and tore the robe from His back. The robe had already become adherent to the clots of blood and serum in the wounds, and its removal, just as in the careless removal of a surgical bandage, caused excruciating pain. The wounds again began to bleed.
Golgotha
In deference to Jewish custom, the Romans apparently returned His garments. The heavy patibulum3 of the cross was tied across His shoulders. The procession of the condemned Christ, two thieves, and the execution detail of Roman soldiers headed by a centurion began its slow journey along the route which we know today as the Via Dolorosa.
In spite of Jesus' efforts to walk erect, the weight of the heavy wooden beam, together with the shock produced by copious loss of blood, was too much. He stumbled and fell. The rough wood of the beam gouged into the lacerated skin and muscles of the shoulders. He tried to rise, but human muscles had been pushed beyond their endurance. The centurion, anxious to proceed with the crucifixion, selected a stalwart North African onlooker, Simon of Cyrene, to carry the cross. Jesus followed, still bleeding and sweating the cold, clammy sweat of shock. The 650-yard journey from the Fortress Antonia to Golgotha was finally completed. The prisoner was again stripped of His clothing except for a loin cloth which was allowed the Jews.
The crucifixion began. Jesus was offered wine mixed with myrrh, a mild analgesic, pain-reliving mixture. He refused the drink. Simon was ordered to place the patibulum on the ground, and Jesus was quickly thrown backward, with His shoulders against the wood. The legionnaire felt for the depression at the front of the wrist. He drove a heavy, square wrought-iron nail through the wrist and deep into the wood. Quickly, he moved to the other side and repeated the action, being careful not to pull the arms too tightly, but to allow some flexion and movement. The patibulum was then lifted into place at the top of the stipes4, and the titulus5 reading "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews" was nailed into place.
The left foot was pressed backward against the right foot. With both feet extended, toes down, a nail was driven through the arch of each, leaving the knees moderately flexed. The victim was now crucified.
On the Cross
As Jesus slowly sagged down with more weight on the nails in the wrist, excruciating, fiery pain shot along the fingers and up the arms to explode in the brain. The nails in the wrists were putting pressure on the median nerve, large nerve trunks which traverse the mid-wrist and hand. As He pushed himself upward to avoid this stretching torment, He placed His full weight on the nail through His feet. Again there was searing agony as the nail tore through the nerves between the metatarsal bones of his feet.
At this point, another phenomenon occurred. As the arms fatigued, great waves of cramps swept over the muscles, knotting them in deep relentless, throbbing pain. With these cramps came the inability to push Himself upward. Hanging by the arm, the pectoral muscles, the large muscles of the chest, were paralyzed and the intercostal muscles, the small muscles between the ribs, were unable to act. Air could be drawn into the lungs, but could not be exhaled. Jesus fought to raise Himself in order to get even one short breath. Finally, the carbon dioxide level increased in the lungs and in the blood stream, and the cramps partially subsided.
The Last Words
Spasmodically, He was able to push Himself upward to exhale and bring in life-giving oxygen. It was undoubtedly during these periods that He uttered the seven short sentences that are recorded.
The prophecy in Psalm 22:14 was being fulfilled: "I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint, my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels."
The end was rapidly approaching. The loss of tissue fluids had reached a critical level; the compressed heart was struggling to pump heavy, thick, sluggish blood to the tissues, and the tortured lungs were making a frantic effort to inhale small gulps of air. The markedly dehydrated tissues sent their flood of stimuli to the brain. Jesus gasped His fifth cry: "I thirst." Again we read in the prophetic psalm: "My strength is dried up like a potsherd; my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou has brought me into the dust of death" (Psalm 22:15 KJV).
A sponge soaked in posca, the cheap, sour wine that was the staple drink of the Roman legionnaires, was lifted to Jesus' lips. His body was now in extremis, and He could feel the chill of death creeping through His tissues. This realization brought forth His sixth word, possibly little more than a tortured whisper: "It is finished." His mission of atonement9 had completed. Finally, He could allow His body to die. With one last surge of strength, He once again pressed His torn feet against the nail, straightened His legs, took a deeper breath, and uttered His seventh and last cry: "Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit."
As Jesus slowly sagged down with more weight on the nails in the wrist, excruciating, fiery pain shot along the fingers and up the arms to explode in the brain. The nails in the wrists were putting pressure on the median nerve, large nerve trunks which traverse the mid-wrist and hand. As He pushed himself upward to avoid this stretching torment, He placed His full weight on the nail through His feet. Again there was searing agony as the nail tore through the nerves between the metatarsal bones of his feet.
At this point, another phenomenon occurred. As the arms fatigued, great waves of cramps swept over the muscles, knotting them in deep relentless, throbbing pain. With these cramps came the inability to push Himself upward. Hanging by the arm, the pectoral muscles, the large muscles of the chest, were paralyzed and the intercostal muscles, the small muscles between the ribs, were unable to act. Air could be drawn into the lungs, but could not be exhaled. Jesus fought to raise Himself in order to get even one short breath. Finally, the carbon dioxide level increased in the lungs and in the blood stream, and the cramps partially subsided.
The Last Words
Spasmodically, He was able to push Himself upward to exhale and bring in life-giving oxygen. It was undoubtedly during these periods that He uttered the seven short sentences that are recorded.
- The first - looking down at the Roman soldiers throwing dice6 for His seamless garment: "Father, forgive them for they do not know what they do."
- The second - to the penitent thief7: "Today, thou shalt be with me in Paradise."
- The third - looking down at Mary His mother, He said: "Woman, behold your son." Then turning to the terrified, grief-stricken adolescent John, the beloved apostle, He said: "Behold your mother."8
- The fourth cry is from the beginning of Psalm 22: "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?"
The prophecy in Psalm 22:14 was being fulfilled: "I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint, my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels."
The end was rapidly approaching. The loss of tissue fluids had reached a critical level; the compressed heart was struggling to pump heavy, thick, sluggish blood to the tissues, and the tortured lungs were making a frantic effort to inhale small gulps of air. The markedly dehydrated tissues sent their flood of stimuli to the brain. Jesus gasped His fifth cry: "I thirst." Again we read in the prophetic psalm: "My strength is dried up like a potsherd; my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou has brought me into the dust of death" (Psalm 22:15 KJV).
A sponge soaked in posca, the cheap, sour wine that was the staple drink of the Roman legionnaires, was lifted to Jesus' lips. His body was now in extremis, and He could feel the chill of death creeping through His tissues. This realization brought forth His sixth word, possibly little more than a tortured whisper: "It is finished." His mission of atonement9 had completed. Finally, He could allow His body to die. With one last surge of strength, He once again pressed His torn feet against the nail, straightened His legs, took a deeper breath, and uttered His seventh and last cry: "Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit."
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Publix and CVS deals :
Total Spent: $30.24 Total Saved: $63.11
CVS - Spent $3.26, Saved $23.04
Cologate Toothpaste : $2.99 used .75 coupon. Total $2.52 rcvd $3 extra care bucks
2 Schick Intutions $10.99 each, By one Get one free, used 2 $4.00 off coupons and $3 extra care bucks. Total .74 cents (.73 of which was tax)
Publix - Spent $26.98, Saved $40.07
Now I won't list out everything for Publix. As I don't know how my deals work out, but I will list out the good bargains.
2 Kraft Salad dressings - BOGO - used 2 $1.50 off coupons - Publix paid me .31 cents
2 Duncan Hines cake mix - BOGO - .used 2 .35 coupons after doubled - paid .20 each
2 Glass Plus Cleaners - raincheck BOGO - $2.49 used 2 .50 coupons after doubled - paid .25 each
Wheat Thins Artisan Blend - BOGO - coupon for BOGO - paid .65 each (don't think they did this one right but oh well)
Diet Dr Pepper - FREE w/ coupon
Wrigleys Slim Pack - FREE w/ coupon
8 steamfresh veggies
1 gallon of milk
2 gallons of water
3 sweet potatoes
half a lb of deli chicken
6 cans of swanson broth (paid about .25 each)
Club crackers
bread
5 things of baby food
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