Disclaimer: I have to get this preaching out of my system...
Please skip this entry if you feel so inclined!
We recently bought a book about Corduroy the bear--Corduroy's Best Halloween Ever! Seems like darling, wholesome fun with good family values, right? Wrong!
As the story unfolds, Corduroy's friend (Puppy) comes to his house with a damaged (unusable) costume, so Corduroy offers his own for Puppy to use. Nice idea! Here's the dialogue that follows:
"Really?" said Puppy. "But Corduroy, what will you wear?"
"Don't worry. I have an idea," said Corduroy.
But he didn't, really. What would he wear?
Later in the story he finally comes up with an idea for another costume, and everything works out in the end. Seems nice? Warm and fuzzy? Look a little deeper...
Lesson 1: Lying is okay if you can get away with it.
In this case, it seemed to be for Puppy's benefit. He may not have accepted Corduroy's gift (or may have felt like a burden) if he knew it was his one and only costume.
Lesson 2: Giving can never be selfless. Generosity is motivated by excess, not sacrifice.
It would have been okay to offer the costume if there were many available, but not only one.
And why do I take it so seriously? Because this is exactly the tainted value system that we (and our children) are immersed in daily. Because with this mentality, humanity will never even come close to comprehending God's truth and love. How can we possibly embrace the fact that God is truthful? No one tells the truth all the time. How can we understand perfect, selfless love and sacrifice? We don't even know what that looks like. On and on the implications flow...little by little our vision is clouded.
I am sorry to say that "Relativity" Corduroy will be asked to leave this house. Too bad. He seemed like such a cute guy.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Saturday, November 8, 2008
According to Clara...
TV shows we're not allowed to watch:
“They don’t believe in God.”
Eating a banana in the peel:
“I want it in the bun.”
Eating an apple:
“I don’t like the crust.”
Looking at a tag I cut off a comforter:
“Is it according to the Scriptures?”
What happens if someone smokes?
“They have to go in a wheelchair if they do that.”
Isn’t the mind of a child so fun!
“They don’t believe in God.”
Eating a banana in the peel:
“I want it in the bun.”
Eating an apple:
“I don’t like the crust.”
Looking at a tag I cut off a comforter:
“Is it according to the Scriptures?”
What happens if someone smokes?
“They have to go in a wheelchair if they do that.”
Isn’t the mind of a child so fun!
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Precious Clara
 |
| From Fall 2008 |
Our conversation at breakfast this morning:
Clara: Remember when we talked to that man in the bushes?
Sarah: What man? I don’t remember that…
Clara: He was in the bushes.
Sarah: (getting a little concerned about child predators in the bushes!) That doesn’t sound very good. I don’t usually talk to men in bushes.
Peter: She’s talking about Moses and the burning bush!
(Laughter and relief!)
I guess that MAN in the bush is okay to talk to…there are always exceptions!
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Froggy Friend of the Week
Hi Friends! It's been a VERY long time! I'm (Sarah) going to start a new blogging strategy to keep me dilligent. Hopefully I can turn over a new leaf!
Last week as I was mowing the grass I saw a little frog hopping across the back yard. Trying to be fun, I stopped the mower and caught it for Clara. She was thrilled! We put it in a little plastic box and poked holes in the lid for fresh air. Clara put some handfuls of grass, a few leaves, and some water in the box to keep froggy happy. What a find!
She checked on it throughout the morning, and eventually brought it into the house at lunch time. (Our fuzzy caterpillar died in the sun the day before, so she was worried about a similar fate for froggy.) I allowed her to place the box on the entry rug by the back door, intending to put him outside in the shade at nap time. You can guess the blunder...
After tucking Clara in for naps, I went to check on froggy. Imagine my disgust when I realized he was no longer in his little home! Surely he wasn't small enough to wriggle through one of those little air holes! So what's the worst thing that could happen? Either we will accidentally step on him (creepy!) or he will hide somewhere and eventually die (stinky!). In my mind, it was lose-lose. Why did I let that creepy thing come inside in the first place? Lesson learned.
I called John at work, freaked out a little bit, and eventually carried on with the day--watching my step VERY carefully! As I was changing Jonas's diaper I prayed, "Lord, I don't know what's better, dead or alive. But PLEASE, I have to find that frog!" As I turned to leave the room, there was froggy sitting on the floor right by the door! Bless the Lord! He is sovereign, even over our little froggy!
In the future I will not allow critters into the house. But I'm so thankful for this little froggy. What a completely thrilling and unexpected way for God to reveal himself to me!
Stay tuned for my future posts...
Gotcha Stickers
Static at the Pump
Last week as I was mowing the grass I saw a little frog hopping across the back yard. Trying to be fun, I stopped the mower and caught it for Clara. She was thrilled! We put it in a little plastic box and poked holes in the lid for fresh air. Clara put some handfuls of grass, a few leaves, and some water in the box to keep froggy happy. What a find!
She checked on it throughout the morning, and eventually brought it into the house at lunch time. (Our fuzzy caterpillar died in the sun the day before, so she was worried about a similar fate for froggy.) I allowed her to place the box on the entry rug by the back door, intending to put him outside in the shade at nap time. You can guess the blunder...
After tucking Clara in for naps, I went to check on froggy. Imagine my disgust when I realized he was no longer in his little home! Surely he wasn't small enough to wriggle through one of those little air holes! So what's the worst thing that could happen? Either we will accidentally step on him (creepy!) or he will hide somewhere and eventually die (stinky!). In my mind, it was lose-lose. Why did I let that creepy thing come inside in the first place? Lesson learned.
I called John at work, freaked out a little bit, and eventually carried on with the day--watching my step VERY carefully! As I was changing Jonas's diaper I prayed, "Lord, I don't know what's better, dead or alive. But PLEASE, I have to find that frog!" As I turned to leave the room, there was froggy sitting on the floor right by the door! Bless the Lord! He is sovereign, even over our little froggy!
In the future I will not allow critters into the house. But I'm so thankful for this little froggy. What a completely thrilling and unexpected way for God to reveal himself to me!
Stay tuned for my future posts...
Gotcha Stickers
Static at the Pump
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Where's John?
I know it looks funny to post a family photo without John here. Maybe it's payback for not putting Jonas on the blog for such a long time? Not really...We gave the photo to John for Father's Day. Cute office decor!
We're really enjoying summer so far...
Peter is busy with baseball and swimming lessons. He recently lost his two bottom teeth, and is convinced that every other tooth in his mouth is loose now too. He has also mastered Mario Brothers on his Nintendo DS, and is branching out to new games now. If only he had unlimited resources to buy all those expensive games. For now, Blockbuster has a good rental plan. Fun times!
Clara enjoys her gymnastics class, and discovered the Olympic trials on TV. She likes to copy the routines as the gymnasts perform. Cute! This week she was diagnosed with asthma, so we're learning all about proper treatment and potential triggers. I'm so glad to have a diagnosis so we can carry forward with a plan of action. Hopefully we'll have a good handle on it by the time preschool starts this fall.
Both big kids are in VBS this week, and like to swim, go to the library, play outside, and eat popsicles constantly! They are much happier when friends are here to play with, and would plan a party every day if they could. It's so fun to have such social and active kids!
Baby Jonas is four months old today! He is growing and changing so much. He HATES tummy time, LOVES to be up in the exersaucer, and is trying to grow up way too fast. He has HUGE blue eyes that melt your heart, and likes to coo, giggle, and smile a lot. Fortunately, he also has a very high tolerance for noise and activity. (Does he really have a choice with two older siblings)? He is such a precious and happy boy...a great addition to the family! We are so thankful for him!
John will start a new position at UP next week (Controller of Streamline, a division of the UP finance department). We are very excited for the opportunity, though he is admittedly a little bit nervous about the transition. I know he will do a great job, and make a super addition to the Streamline company. Go John!
I am a blessed woman! I stay plenty busy as CEO of the family; keeping track of activites, sports, classes, Bible study, playdates, doctor's visits, library books, uniforms, sun lotion, meals, laundry, diapers, and all manner of other tasks. Hopefully I can add Blog updates to my list as well, if any of you readers are still out there...
We're really enjoying summer so far...
Peter is busy with baseball and swimming lessons. He recently lost his two bottom teeth, and is convinced that every other tooth in his mouth is loose now too. He has also mastered Mario Brothers on his Nintendo DS, and is branching out to new games now. If only he had unlimited resources to buy all those expensive games. For now, Blockbuster has a good rental plan. Fun times!
Clara enjoys her gymnastics class, and discovered the Olympic trials on TV. She likes to copy the routines as the gymnasts perform. Cute! This week she was diagnosed with asthma, so we're learning all about proper treatment and potential triggers. I'm so glad to have a diagnosis so we can carry forward with a plan of action. Hopefully we'll have a good handle on it by the time preschool starts this fall.
Both big kids are in VBS this week, and like to swim, go to the library, play outside, and eat popsicles constantly! They are much happier when friends are here to play with, and would plan a party every day if they could. It's so fun to have such social and active kids!
Baby Jonas is four months old today! He is growing and changing so much. He HATES tummy time, LOVES to be up in the exersaucer, and is trying to grow up way too fast. He has HUGE blue eyes that melt your heart, and likes to coo, giggle, and smile a lot. Fortunately, he also has a very high tolerance for noise and activity. (Does he really have a choice with two older siblings)? He is such a precious and happy boy...a great addition to the family! We are so thankful for him!
John will start a new position at UP next week (Controller of Streamline, a division of the UP finance department). We are very excited for the opportunity, though he is admittedly a little bit nervous about the transition. I know he will do a great job, and make a super addition to the Streamline company. Go John!
I am a blessed woman! I stay plenty busy as CEO of the family; keeping track of activites, sports, classes, Bible study, playdates, doctor's visits, library books, uniforms, sun lotion, meals, laundry, diapers, and all manner of other tasks. Hopefully I can add Blog updates to my list as well, if any of you readers are still out there...
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Quick Update
I guess once you get out of this blogging routine it is hard to get back in. Not that we were really on top of it to begin with. Things are going well for the Caruso Clan. Jonas is sleeping in about 4 hour chunks when we are lucky. This past weekend we went to North Platte to visit my brother and his family. Things went great and it was a good trip. Not much else has been going on except for child rearing. Oh one big thing is we might get Clara p-trained before summer...she is a tough nut to crack, very stubborn. That will make things much easier, I think. Anyway, that's it.
Monday, March 31, 2008
It's Been Awhile
Okay, so it’s been how long since our last post…over a month. Well if anyone is still checking, here is an update. This last month has kind of flown bye in one way, and has been about the longest month of my life in another way. It has been very nice showing off our newest addition, visiting with family and friends, and celebrating Easter. It hasn’t been very nice, not getting sleep, dealing with sickness and other medical issues, and playing the “why is Jonas upset now” game (most know this one or some variation of: is he tired, is he wet, is he poopie, is it the bottle that gives him gas, too hot, too cold, processing the day, not enough sleep, too much sleep, etc….). So here are some updates by person:
John – I was sick, but am now better. Nothing else to report.
Sarah – Her medicated BP is fine and goes into the doctor soon for an update. She was sick and is now better. Her sister came into town and that has been a big deal. She isn’t sleeping much, but who is. Her Bells Palsy appears to be better. She went to the Quilt Building opening in Lincoln where her grandma has a reading room named after her (she’s a big deal in the quilting world and has donated a lot of time and resources to the project).
Peter – The only one not sick. He started baseball practice this week and is very excited. He is the superstar of the week for his class (which is a big deal for him). He went to about 8 birthday parties this month which provided a lot of good times (I don’t remember so many parties when I was a kid). It is getting warmer and he loves being outside.
Clara – Has been sick twice, and is now better, but just give it another week and she will be sick again. This one seems to have an issue every two weeks or so. She has had a lot of Grandma time, which has been priceless for Sarah’s rest. She also is looking forward to the warmer weather and being outside.
Jonas – He is still sick, but getting better. His jaundice has cleared up. Other than that it has been: sleeping, pooping, peeing, crying, and being held. A pretty good life I’d say.
Well that’s a quick update for the month. More to come soon….this Friday will be Sarah and my 10th wedding anniversary, maybe that will be a good topic to blog on.
John – I was sick, but am now better. Nothing else to report.
Sarah – Her medicated BP is fine and goes into the doctor soon for an update. She was sick and is now better. Her sister came into town and that has been a big deal. She isn’t sleeping much, but who is. Her Bells Palsy appears to be better. She went to the Quilt Building opening in Lincoln where her grandma has a reading room named after her (she’s a big deal in the quilting world and has donated a lot of time and resources to the project).
Peter – The only one not sick. He started baseball practice this week and is very excited. He is the superstar of the week for his class (which is a big deal for him). He went to about 8 birthday parties this month which provided a lot of good times (I don’t remember so many parties when I was a kid). It is getting warmer and he loves being outside.
Clara – Has been sick twice, and is now better, but just give it another week and she will be sick again. This one seems to have an issue every two weeks or so. She has had a lot of Grandma time, which has been priceless for Sarah’s rest. She also is looking forward to the warmer weather and being outside.
Jonas – He is still sick, but getting better. His jaundice has cleared up. Other than that it has been: sleeping, pooping, peeing, crying, and being held. A pretty good life I’d say.
Well that’s a quick update for the month. More to come soon….this Friday will be Sarah and my 10th wedding anniversary, maybe that will be a good topic to blog on.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
