My First Meme!

I have been tagged by Reckless Abandon for my first meme (actually 2 memes). So here is goes!

One book that changed your life:
(Obviously the Bible) A Woman After God's Own Heart.

One book that you've read more than once:
Any decent book that I own but to narrow it down... Shel Silverstein's A Light in the Attic

One book that you’d want on a desert island:
An Island to Oneself: Six Years on a Desert Island (I haven't read it but it seems practical;)

One book that made you laugh:
Anything by Erma Bombeck

One book that made you cry:
Christy

One book that you wish had been written:
A book following up on Christy

One book you couldn’t put down:
Blink by Ted Dekkar

One book you are currently reading:
Confessions of a Reformission Rev.: Hard Lessons from an Emerging Missional Church (The Leadership Network Innovation) by Mark Driscoll

One book you've been meaning to read:
If It's Not Close, They Can't Cheat: Crushing the Democrats in Every Election and Why Your Life Depends on It by Hugh Hewitt (borrowed from a friend for what seems forever)


5 Things In My Purse:
(My current ourse is little so essentials only)
1. Wallet
2. Cell Phone
3. Burt's Bees Lip Shimmer
4. Package of Tissues
5. House Keys

***EDIT I forgot a couple

5 Things in my closet:
1. My clothes
2. My Shoes
3. My Wedding Dress
4. Rubber Stamps
4. Yarn

5 Things in my vehicle:
1. Cooking Light Magazine
2. Box of Tissues
3. An Empty Starbucks Cup
4. Children's Books
5. Stroller

5 Things in my freezer:
1. Votive Holder (to clean out wax)
2. Girl Scout Thin Mint Cookies
3. Cooked Hamburger
4. Tri-tip
5. Ice Pack

Now who to tag, who hasn't already been tagged.... Expressions of Me, Two Babes and a Brain (Both Babes, please), GOP Vixen, Spunky, and both Cates at Why Homeschool

Worship CD Review

Don Marsh Presents
America's Choice 30
Publisher: Cool Springs Records
Franklin, TN

I recently received a copy of the America's Choice 30 CD and loved it. The CD is full of worship music that is currently popular in most churches. The music was full in sound with an orchestra backing up a great group of singers. My kids and I could automatically begin singing along. As an alto singer I struggle with finding a worship CD that is even close to being mid-range (vs designed for sopranos) but America's Choice 30 hits the mark. It was upbeat and an overall wonderful experience. I give this a 5 out of 5!

*I received this CD as a gift to review for Active Christian Media!

Carnival of Pregnancy

Hi everyone! It is Carnival of Pregnancy time. So gather 'round to see our offerings.

First up is a program (not a blog post) that just seems awesome. It is Operation Special Delivery that provides doulas to mothers whose military husbands are oversees (or otherwise deployed). To quote their website as to why:

Why military moms? Because OSD believes that no one should give birth without support, especially the women who are giving birth while these fathers are making such a great sacrifice for our country and our freedom. We just want to try to give back in appreciation.

Thanks to Home Sweet Home for the tip.

Joy in the Morning has a great post on how making cloth diapers will be part of her homeschooling curriculum this year in Homeschooling and Diapers. Let's talk Babies has a helpful post on when your child becomes a sibling.

This concludes this week's Carnival. The next carnival will be out September 7th! Please go to Blog Carnival and share your (or someone else's) stories of pregnancy!

A Variety of Kid's Stories

I got this list from a friend. It reminds us all why we love children.

1) NUDITY

I was driving with my three young children one warm summer evening when a woman in the convertible ahead of us stood up and waved. She was stark naked! As I was reeling from the shock, I heard my 5-year-old shout from the back seat, "Mom! That lady isn't wearing a seat belt!"


2) OPINIONS

On the first day of school, a first-grader handed his teacher a note
from his mother. The note read, "The opinions expressed by this child are not necessarily those of his parents."


3) KETCHUP

A woman was trying hard to get the ketchup out of the jar. During her struggle the phone rang so she asked her 4-year-old daughter to answer the phone. "Mommy can't come to the phone to talk to you right now. She's hitting the bottle."

4) MORE NUDITY

A little boy got lost at the YMCA and found himself in the women's
locker room. When he was spotted, the room burst into shrieks, with ladies grabbing towels and running for cover. The little boy watched in amazement and then asked, "What's the matter, haven't you ever seen a little boy before?"


5) POLICE # 1

While taking a routine vandalism report at an elementary school, I was interrupted by a little girl about 6 years old. Looking up and down at my uniform, she asked, "Are you a cop?" "Yes," I answered and continued writing the report. "My mother said if I ever needed help I should ask the police. Is that right?" "Yes, that's right," I told her. "Well, then," she said as she extended her foot toward me, "would you please tie my shoe?"


6) POLICE # 2

It was the end of the day when I parked my police van in front of the station. As I gathered my equipment, my K-9 partner, Jake, was barking, and I saw a little boy staring in at me "Is that a dog you got back there?" he asked. "It sure is," I replied. Puzzled, the boy looked at me and then towards the back of the van. Finally he said, "What'd he do?"


7) ELDERLY

While working for an organization that delivers lunches to elderly
shut-ins, I used to take my 4-year-old daughter on my afternoon rounds. She was unfailingly intrigued by the various appliances of old age, particularly the canes, walkers and wheelchairs. One day I found her staring at a pair of false teeth soaking in a glass. As I braced myself for the inevitable barrage of questions, she merely turned and whispered, "The tooth fairy will never believe this!"


8) DRESS-UP

A little girl was watching her parents dress for a party. When she saw her dad donning his tuxedo, she warned, "Daddy, you shouldn't wear that suit." And why not, darling?" "You know that it always gives you a headache the next morning. "


9) DEATH

While walking along the sidewalk in front of his church, our minister
heard the intoning of a prayer that nearly made his collar wilt. Apparently, his 5-year-old son and his playmates had found a dead robin. Feeling that proper burial should be performed, they had secured a small box and cotton batting, then dug a hole and made ready for the disposal of the deceased. The minister's son was chosen to say the appropriate prayers and with sonorous dignity intoned his version of what he thought his father always said:
Glory be unto the Faaather, and unto the Sonnn, and into the hole he
goooes.



10) SCHOOL

A little girl had just finished her first week of school. "I'm just
wasting my time," she said to her mother. "I can't read, I can't write and they won't let me talk!"


11) BIBLE

A little boy opened the big family bible. He was fascinated as he
fingered through the old pages. Suddenly, something fell out of the Bible. He picked up the object and looked at it. What he saw was an old leaf that had been pressed in between the pages. "Mama, look what I found," the boy called put. "What have you got there, dear?" With astonishment in the young boy's voice, he answered, "I think it's Adam's underwear."

Happy Anniversary

Today is NerdDad and mine's 10th Anniversary. Happy Anniversary and I Love You! Here we are a mortgage, minivan and 3 kids later. Who would have known;).

Career Girls: Marriage Material?

Michael Noer has written a controversial article, "Don't Marry Career Women" over at Forbes.com, and people (especially women) are mad! Let me start off with the fact that I am a woman that has dreams and aspirations. I believe in education and its value. I am looking at this article as a societal commentary not a litmus test for marriage. I also admit that when I first read the hype about the article I automatically became defensive (habit;). That said….

Noer was really talking about some of the points that account for the increased divorce rates among “career women” but that, by no means, is said to be one specific woman. Maybe by looking at these issues we, as women, can look at what the problems are and address a solution for ourselves. Noer really summarized 9 points that were part of the original posting, the article seems to have all of the social studies and the data to support these points. I have found them posted here.

1) You are less likely to get married to her. That is true because, traditionally, women with a career aren’t really interested in marriage on the same time frame and other women. That is statistically proven on the whole. (The other side is in college I was married by 20) Women with “careers” or higher education are often advised to become established before looking for a spouse.
2) If you do marry, you are more likely to get divorced. (The whole article is supposed to prove that;) Women are more of the emotional component to a marriage and that can contribute to it being successful. We tend to make sure the connection and time is put in. We get to busy and it is all over looked.
3) She is more likely to cheat on you. I think part of this issue is that we are starting to even out with men. According to the electronic article “Adultery: Statistics on Cheating Spouses,” published by Eagle’s Nest Publications, “60-70 percent of adultery victims are women” while “30-40 percent of adultery victims are men.” (Infidelity, by Lori Medeiros). Part of it has to do with an availability of “worthy” candidates. I am a stay at home mom who likes white collar men (like my husband;). The UPS guy doesn’t really stand a chance. Much less the risk assessment. I could go from living off my husbands to the UPS guy’s. If I am making the same amount I don’t fear my husband taking my money in the event I get caught either.
4) You are much less likely to have kids. Even if a career girl wants the kids and all that, waiting to get married has consequences. When you are older it is harder to get pregnant. Then consider you are 40, how much energy do you have to chase kids? That could effect you number of children greatly. The fact that you could be well into your 60’s when you children are entering college so you may not be able to retire as early. All these things can contribute to the decision to have kids.
5) If you do have kids, your wife is more likely to be unhappy. So then the career girl has kids. Her focus is either split or she has to give up something she cares for greatly. A complaint I have heard from working moms is that they feel they don’t do either job well. They miss key moments in their kids life (like first steps) and the business meeting when someone is sick. But if they decide to stay home resentment tends to grow. Often mom will stay home to keep the kids out of day care and to not allow strangers to raise the kids. So women feel unchallenged, deprived and the income is cut in half (usually a needed half). Now, don’t misunderstand me. NO ONE LIKES CLEANING THE TOILET AND CHANGING POOPY DIAPERS! (Did I say that strongly enough?) But, because of the love of being a mom I can endure.
6) Your house will be dirtier. It is a time thing. Even with a husband that helps, that can’t balance the time you are gone with both the kids and house. I stay home and can’t keep it clean. I would hate to see what would happen if I worked full time.
7) You'll be unhappy if she makes more than you. A man is different than a woman. He needs to be needed and respected. If I do everything that he does and better and have the kids, what is he needed for? This is also leading to a rash of lazy men (and that can lead to numbers 2 and 3).
8) She will be unhappy if she makes more than you. Refer to number 7;). Mom can feel trapped into not being able to stay home or resentful that she contributes more time and money to the marriage.
9) You are more likely to fall ill. Traditionally, we keep an eye on our husband’s health and behavior. We get them to go to the doctor and remind them to take their medicine. When I have worked I just was so tired and vacant that I wasn’t paying enough attention.

I am not saying that men shouldn’t marry career women but these are problems plaguing those marriages and by extension society. By looking at the issues before marriage I am sure that people can balance for them. Now there is a counterpoint article posted with the article by Noer but I don’t think it addresses his points. I think we need to no get defensive but actually think about the points he was making.

Related Tags: Michael Noer, Career, feminism, feminist, Forbes

How many planets?

We here at the NerdFamily Blog like to keep you apprised of breaking nerdy news! Well, there are only 8 planets now. According to the International Astronomical Union, Pluto is no longer a planet.

Pluto failed to make the new cut because its oblong orbit overlaps with Neptune's. It will now be a founding member of the new class of "dwarf planets."

Not important news for day to day life but interesting none the less!

Homeschooling Carnival

The Canival is up! Go read, enjoy, comment!

Cute Kid's

For those of you who don't see my kids, they are still as cute as ever. I haven't slowed in writing due to lack of material but lack of time. But I do have time for a quick glimpse into the cuteness that is my daughter. The NerdPie is setting up a pretend meal for her and her older brother. Throughout this she is bringing me cups of "coffee". I popped into the kitchen and came back to see her giving the one year old some "food" out of a plastic baby food jar. The Nerdling appeared to be getting a little frustrated in waiting for real food. I guess it is just great that she includes him. I did explain that babies don't know how to pretend yet;).

God is Good

So recently I have been whining to ya'all about the craziness our family has been enduring. Well, in the midst of adversity is when God blesses. Due to losing the baby, having strep twice and wrenching my knee all in the last 6 weeks, I have been unable to get the house as ready to sell as I wanted. Well, NerdDad and I had a construction meeting with the builder of the new house. While we were there our salesman says he needs to talk to us when we were done. The company drop the price on our house another considerable chunk of change!!!! This means we need less out of our house so I can quit stessing so much. Also, I call to get quotes on residing the front of our house. Well, then I called my "Middle Father" (mom's 2nd husband and the first man I remember calling dad) and was asking his advice. He is a contractor 6 hours away but he volunteered to come down and reside it for cost!!!! That saves us over 2/3 the cost. I am blown away by God's mercy and grace. It was orginally going to be a real tight squeeze to get into this larger house (twice as big!!) but now we have a little breathing room. You know $$ for a savings account (I think those kids might want to go to college some day;), car repair, etc. I just had to share God's blessings even through the challenges we have been having in life.

Angelos: A Book Review

I admit it, I have always loved fantasy books but I struggle with them not being written for an intelligent audience. While entertaining, standard fantasy books don't challenge you to think. Well, Robina Williams has changed all that with Angelos published by Paladin Timeless Books, an imprint of Twilight Times Books.

In this book you follow the adventures of a time traveling cat and his recently deceased friend. Williams beautifully ties together life in a priestly order with mythology and even early church history. Williams utilizes her M.Phil in Literature by taking a new look at the old Greek myths. Seeing the Minotaur as a vegetarian who eats Athenians out of a sense of duty to King Minos puts a whole new spin on how you can see any part of mythology. What did these myths look like when they were merely historical stories, before the grandeur and hype?

This book was written in an easy going manner and language. It would be great for teens all the way to adults. If you had studied mythology it would help but not at all is it needed. Williams has a great index in the back that can orient you to the cast of characters. If you are not familiar with the mythological character in the book, it will inspire you to read the original myths (a great inspiration for a homeschool unit study!!). I am giving this book a 4, and not a 5, out of 5 for 1 reason only. This is a follow up book to Jerome and the Seraph and, since I hadn't read it, it took a little (about 40 pages) to really get into the story. Even though it took 40 pages it was worth it. I am now going to go find Jerome and the Seraph at Amazon! I am sure if read in the proper order, Angelos would be a 5 out of 5.

Just a note: I am an avid reader and homeschooling mother and am a reviewing this book for Active Christian Media. I received no payment for this review but I was given a copy of this book as a gift.

10,000 Visitors!

Yesterday the NerdFamily Blog broke 10,000 visits! Thank you all who read us! Now, what amazes me is how few comments we get;).

Kid's Comedy Carnival!

This week I have the privilege of hosting the Kid's Comedy Carnival. They say that laughter is a natural reliever of stress so I hope you laugh as much at these entries as I did.

First though, this pressing news!! Kim at Life in a Shoe has Another Mystery of Life Solved. This time it is where do all those socks go?

Jennifer over at Suite 101 has a great post on a Graduation Day of Luxury for a very lucky preschool graduate. I think that is a great gift that any child would love! Then as they get older we have to start thinking about careers, don't we? Supermom over at Snow White, the Seven Dwarves and PDD has the Diva and the Drama. Not only does this little girl has a dream, she has a plan! Then Voni's Home has Emma's Escapades where this future chef is putting her ambitions into action now.

Sometimes the best kid's comedy is observed just by hearing them talk. That is the case in Kitchen Table Theater over at The New Homemaker. Don't Try This at Home also has a great collection of Things I Heard This Week. Sibling Rivalry is always hilarious as Rebecca at About Absolutely Nothing points out. Sometimes we as moms have to see the humor in what our children say and not take it personally as Rocks in My Dryer points out in the Truth. Sometimes kid's in their hilarity hit on the truth as was the case at Principled Discovery with "One Head," in Defense of Clarity in Communication.

This wraps up this weeks carnival! Please read, comment and enjoy! Also if you see any kid (yours or not) doing something funny, please let us know. Go over to Conservative Cat Carnival and submit your post. Then check out next week's carnival!

What kind of Homeschooler are You?

I got sent to this quiz from one of my homeschool mailing lists and just loved it. Take the quiz and let me know how you did! I hope this picture isn't a direct representation;). I do have to say that the description got me pretty dead on.

What Type of Homeschooler Are You?

Mr. Potato Head You have your ideal of how things should look, but youre flexible enough to allow for change. You are not bothered by changing methods, mid-course if necessary. You use an eclectic combination of curriculum sources. Visit my blog: http://www.GuiltFreeHomeschooling.blogspot.com
Take this quiz!








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What are you first?

I know that everyone is going to gasp but why aren't Christians more like Muslims in this aspect? I am an American and I have strong feelings as to what that means but it pales in comparision to my relationship with Christ. I mean comparing the eternal(Christ) with the temperal (nation) is no comparision at all. Now, I think one thing that has to be taken into consideration is that if my country was at odds with my religion, I would move (if I could). Whereas, Muslims seem to move more often to countries that have policies, and life on the whole, that they don't agree with. Do you think that this grid it representative for Christians? Should it be? What would you be loyal to if your country were at odds with your religion?

(HT: Two Babes and a Brain)

Carnival of Pregnancy!

Welcome to the August 10, 2006 edition of carnival of pregnancy. As summer is winding down and the craziness of fall begins, we must remember that pregnancy takes no breaks;). So here we go!

Joanne Hay presents Nutrition For Making Babies posted at Nourished.

David presents New "green" diapers are love at first flush posted at The Good Human.

Loni presents Sarah Laughed - I Cried posted at Sarah Laughed . . . I Cried, saying, "At 43 years of age, we are blessed with an unexpected blessing . . . and an attitude adjustment!"

Fun Facts Other

Arunn presents Labour of Love posted at Should a housewife blog?.

Lisa Mitchell presents Pregnancy -- Let's Talk Babies -- Tips for parenting, pregnancy, and all things baby… posted at Let's Talk Babies, saying, "Article about the importance of a pre-conception visit to the doctor and what to expect."

That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of
carnival of pregnancy on August 24th using our carnival submission form.
Past posts and future hosts can be found on our
blog carnival index page.

Technorati tags:

carnival of pregnancy, blog carnival.

Lamentations of the Father

From Lamentations of the Father:

Yea, even when you have an interesting bandage to show, your feet upon the table are an abomination, and worthy of rebuke....Eat your food only; do not eat that which is not food....Cast your countenance upward to the light, and lift your eyes to the hills, that I may more easily wash you off.

OK, I know that His ways are not our ways, but being a father did give me a new perspective on the Father in heaven. There are things that you can explain to kids and things you can't. Kids will examine every edict that is handed down, requesting an explanation. Why? What about in this situation? Does this rule stand for others? Adults? Should I enforce it on my siblings? Just in this house? Just in this family? When I grow up?

I was recently asked "How come your parents don't tell you what to do?" This is in their minds a serious question. The real question, the one we all ask from time to time, is "When will I have no one to obey?" With this as our goal, is the Fall anything but the natural outcome.

Tar Babies and Other Racist Statements

In the flurry of Mel Gibson's very racist comments, I was made aware of a statement that Mitt Romney had recently made.

"The best thing politically would be to stay as far away from that tar baby as I can," he told a crowd of about 100 supporters in Ames, Iowa.

This has been causing a lot of problems, especially because Romney is thought to be a likely Republican candidate for president in the next election. I honestly think that a)it may not have been a racist statement and b)people are over reacting. Before everyone jumps on me with both feet let me explain. For those not familiar with the term:

Black leaders were outraged at his use of the term, which dates to the 19th century Uncle Remus stories, referring to a doll made of tar that traps Br'er Rabbit. It has come to be known as a way of describing a sticky mess, and has also been used as a derogatory term for a black person.

The first time I heard the phrase was in kindergarten. I had gotten Disney story books with records and one of them was "Br'er Rabbit and the Tar Baby". Br'er Rabbit got stuck in a little figure made of tar and couldn't get free. That was it. I never heard the term in a racist way until high school. Well, that isn't completely accurate. I heard a teacher talking about the fact that people say that.

We don't want people to think in terms of race. Well, that is unless you are watching your every word. Now I am saying that as an excuse but a reality. There isn't ever a situation in wich you would hear the "k" word in reference to Jews but "Tar Baby" does symbolize and actual situation. Are we so desiring for racists that we look under every rock? It reminds me of the Seinfeld episode where Jerry is trying to date an American Indian. It showed us that so many of our colloquialisms came from some slant on a variety of races but that isn't any longer what they mean. Now, when you know you hurt someone's feelings, regardless if you meant to hurt their feelings, you should apologize. This is exactly what Mitt Romney did. If you can't develop a
slightly thicker skin maybe you should just take your toys and go home.

**A side note: I didn't write this because I am a Romney supporter (because I am not) but because it is true.

Galactic Adventures

Go have a great time at Phat Mommy's Carnival of Homeschooling!