Halloween Costumes for Girls (and Women)

This cartoon is so right-on. It makes me sad. It grieves me. We must teach our girls that they are so much more precious and valuable than to be seen as cute sexual playthings. We must protect and educate our daughters that 'sexy' clothes (and bathing suits!) will get them attention, but the kind of attention that causes a man to not care about their dreams, hopes, likes and dislikes. These kind of clothes distract a man (or boy) from seeing them as a person made in God's image.

I often feel overwhelmed and discouraged when I think of the sexualization of our culture. But I have four sweet little girls who need to be taught about the great value of purity. I'm going to be looking for opportunity to speak the truth to them more. I'm going to try to model beautiful modesty better to them.

I'm going to start here, in my house.

Lost in a Big Family?

"Some people think that when you have seven kids in your family, you might not get noticed. But that's not true, because you have a lot of people to play with. " Lily, 8

Discipline or Diversion?

Jen Wilkin writes here about over-extended children and its motives and results. I especially love the six questions she includes when evaluating potential activities. Take a minute to go check it out.

Japanese Tea Party

Lily requested a Japanese tea theme for her birthday party this year. Lucky us! I have a sweet friend who grew up in Japan as a missionary kid. We had as much fun planning as we did partying!

Mary Jane wrote each of the girls' names in Japanese, and I found some yummy looking Japanese candy at the local asian market. Chopsticks, a notebook covered in Chinese fabric (close enough for our purposes!), and we had goodie bags.

All the girls (but Miss Sarah) having tea and snacks. We had a combination of Japanese treats and American ones. All the girls were amazingly brave to try new things!

Passing the presents

playing a sumo wrestler game

Sweet Chloe and Row

Thank you, Mrs. MJ, for making Lily's party so special and so much fun!

Al Mohler: Tyler Clementi

This is so good, so true. I know I need to gain a greater heart of compassion and love for those struggling with homosexuality. Take a minute to read Al Mohler's words.

Seven Quick Things 10/11/10

Life here has been so busy lately that I've hardly had time to think, much less blog! So, here's a bit of what we've been up to.

1. I pulled into the driveway recently to this sight. I love love when my boys imitate their Daddy. Joe is continuing the Dennis tradition of being a 'yard man'.

2. Sam is 9 months old already, and we just can't get enough of this little guy. We've had to be more on the alert for Legos (THE most popular toy at our house) as Sam is on the move and into trying to eat just about anything he can get his chubby little hands on.


3. We went camping several weeks ago. The kids had a great time. *Ahem.* No, really, it was fun for us, too. Kinda. Just lots of work. I need to figure out how to make it less work. Is that possible, do you think?

4. We had a nice time at a local corn maze/pumpkin patch with friends. I think a corn 'sand box' would be much nicer than a sand sand box. Easier to spot corn kernals clinging to feet and hands. :)


5. We went to a Royals game recently with my parents and had a great time tailgating before the game. You haven't lived 'til you've tailgated at the back of your 12-passenger van. The night was beautiful, and the Royals actually won, so we got to see lots of fun fireworks.


6. In the spirit of culinary adventure, I bought some quail eggs for the kids to try. We felt so brave and exotic 'til we tasted them. Sadly, they tasted exactly like chicken eggs.


7. Our Lily turned eight today! We were at Classical Conversations most of the day, but had a nice chili dinner tonight with my Mom and Dad. Tomorrow morning Lily and I will go out for our 'special breakfast'. We are so thankful for our Lily Lou! Life would be a bit dull without her spunk. :)