The family that sprays together, stays together...

This past year I was asked to be an Awana Cubbies Director at church. I had absolutely NO idea what this really entailed but found out right away that it was a BIG role! However, even though it has added responsibility and quite a time commitment to my plate, I have REALLY enjoyed it. It has been such a blessing to me to be able to be a part of this amazing program and to see kids, at such a young age, really 'get it'. It is so much more than going to church and being a 'good person'. It is about Christ and what HE did for us on earth, on the cross, and now in heaven.

Every few weeks we have a theme for our Awana classes and these pictures were taken on Crazy Hair Night! We ALL participated in spraying our hair (Nate had picked out the red and blue colors) and we all enjoyed being silly together. And, thankfully I made it to church quickly so that not many people saw me...haha!

As we prepare to celebrate this Easter weekend let us remember:

It's not about the bunny, it's about the blood.

It's not about the gifts, it's about HIS grace.

It's not about the chocolate, it's about the CROSS.

Have a blessed Easter weekend to all!

It's hard to be a parent sometimes

Nate at the Under the Seas exhibit at Crown Center

Recently, I must have been making the comment, "It's hard to be a mom" and "I'm not perfect" out loud, because last week Nate and I were sitting in the family room and he was doing something that I was not too happy about. I said, "Nate, why are you doing that??" He stopped, sighed and looked straight at me and said, "Mom, it's hard to be a kid. I'm not perfect." Oh goodness.

I cannot tell you how many times something that I have said has been said RIGHT back to me by Nate. Kids are naturally observant and are just like sponges but you do NOT realize it until these things are said back to you. It's hard to know sometimes if you are really training your child up right or if they are just catching onto all of your quirks, attitudes, and weaknesses. As much as I babysat growing up and spent a ton of time around kids in some of my past jobs, NOTHING could have prepared me for becoming a mom to my own child. It's different hanging out with someone else's child. But, my OWN, everyday. Sometimes I am overwhelmed (in a good way) of how much God has entrusted me.

Our LifeGroup recently started reading a book called Spiritual Parenting by Michelle Anthony. I have really enjoyed this book and look forward to purchasing her children's book, The Big God Story. Both have been amazing guides to understanding the amazing story of God and to know what our roles are as parents in this Big God Story (this is a total plug to her books and I am not even getting endorsed for it! haha!)

So, last week, there was a chapter on service and Michelle talked about how she changed the word "chores" to "Acts of Service" in her house. The word 'chores' can be thought of as work or negative...I mean who wants to do chores??? Although, usually we will all do something if we know we are getting reimbursed financially or with a great reward for our hard efforts. But, do we really want our children just to do something ONLY if they are getting money or a reward? Basically she wanted her children to understand that everyone in the house needed to serve and help pitch in to get everything done. And, as Christians, one of our roles IS to serve. She challenged her children (and everyone reading the book) to ask the question "What needs to be done?" every time they enter a room. We have not started instilling this question into Nate yet BUT we have been making comments and will definitely be putting up an Acts of Service chart in our house in the near future. However, it really is amazing at what they will pick up on...

The other morning Nate came into our room to wake us up. He crawled into bed and said his good mornings as Bo was whining in the background. Nate laid down by Daddy and proceeded to say, "Mommy, let Bo out. He's whining." Well, out of routine, it usually IS me that lets him out in the morning but I was NOT going to be TOLD to do this 'act of service' by my 3 1/2 year old when he is so very capable of doing it himself. SO, I proceeded to tell HIM, "Why do I have to do it? He's your dog too. If something needs to be done, then do it." And, with that he murmured (with a little huffing)..."FINE," as he jumped out of bed and said, "Come on BO!"

I happily snuggled back under the covers and enjoyed that special moment of being a parent. I'm not perfect, nor will I ever be, but thank God He is.

Good vs. Bad

Have you ever had a friend recommend a 'good' movie to you? They say, "This movie was so good, you will love it!" only to watch it and think, "What was my friend thinking?! They must not know my taste in movies at all! That was horrible!" Everyone's opinions are different, which ultimately, make this world go 'round. Some people think that sushi is REALLY good (me included), while others get nauseous just THINKING about sushi. Some people think that sci-fi movies are awesome, while others (me included) think otherwise. And, some people think that "good" people go to heaven and "bad" people go to hell. So if this is the case, then who defines who is "good" and "bad"? Hopefully not the friend that just recommended that "good" movie to you!

The fact of the matter is, God defines "good" and "bad", however, those are not the prerequisites when getting into eternity. Unfortunately, the world sugar coats our eternal destination. Every funeral that I have ever attended made indication that the person was 'in a better place' even if the person was a proclaimed nonbeliever. The truth of the matter is...if you do not believe in God and have him in your heart, you will not go to heaven when you die. This is not meant as a judgmental statement, it is made by the truth that is found in the Bible. God does not count up our 'good' deeds and our 'bad' deeds to determine if we will enter through those pearly gates. That's just not how it works.

Ephesians 2:8 (NIV) states, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-not by works, so that no one can boast."

To the world we can be the greatest and most giving person ever, but still not get to heaven if Jesus is not Lord of our life. And, on the contrary, we can be looked at as horrible in the world's eyes and yet make it to heaven if we ask for forgiveness, repent (turn away from) our sins, and ask Jesus into our heart. There is a reason why Jesus went to the cross. It wasn't because He wanted to, it's because He knew He HAD to endure the cross so that we may live. FOREVER. He loves us THAT much.

Let's unwrap just a few of the myths out there:

1. Myth: I believe that there is a God so I will go to heaven. Truth: In James 2:19 it says, "You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that-and shudder." In other words, the demons believe and KNOW that there is a God but yet they are not in heaven with Jesus.

2. Myth: Everyone goes to heaven when they die. Truth: It is clearly written in scripture that this is not the case. In John 14:6 it says, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." And, in Matthew 7:13 it says, "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only few find it." In this passage the 'destruction' is hell and the 'life' is heaven.

3. Myth: I just need to be good, do good and live a good life. Truth: In Matthew 10:32-33, 38-39 it says, "Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven. Anyone who does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." We are all born with sin, therefore none of us are perfect. So, we can attempt to be 'good' all we want, but unless we understand what He did for us on the cross and acknowledge that God is God and we are not, then living a 'good' life is not going to cut it. We must accept Jesus into our heart otherwise we will truly lose our life when we die. But, the glory of the story is that death does NOT have to be OUR end.

At age 3 1/2 (and let's face it, at any age) mortality is certainly not a fun subject. So, I don't want to come off as morbid here, but I will be honest and say that we have already started talking about these myths and truths with Nate. He has already heard, through us and church, that Christ died for our sins. He has already heard that there is a heaven and a hell and not everyone goes to heaven. And, he has already heard that you need to have Jesus in your heart if you want to GO to heaven. However, even in speaking these truths, unfotunately I cannot save my son. And, as much as I want to, I cannot force my beliefs or the gift of salvation onto anyone. We all have to grasp it and we have to WANT a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. God DID give us free will. All of us. It is OUR choice as to what our eternal destiny is going to be. And, I don't know about you, but I certainly don't want to just live a 'good life', die, and THEN find out.

Our SUPERHERO, Nater

Never a dull moment with our favorite little superhero, Nate! He LOVES running around the house in his underwear (and says he is a wrestler when he does this) but every once in awhile he will add to his outfit. We have the "BIG HEAD Superhero" where he likes to wear his big Star Wars helmet...the "Captain America Kid Superhero" that includes wearing his bike helmet along with whatever shirt will fit around his waist...and we cannot forget the "Cowboy Superhero" which comes out when we are at Papa's house and Papa's boots are accessible for the wearing.

Move over Superman, Naterman is in town...

A blessing in BO

Bo is all legs so when he sleeps he sometimes looks like a pretzel!

Bo and Nater are BEST buddies! They wrestle A LOT!

(Nate likes to wear his helmet for extra protection!)

Enjoying the snow!

Bo tore up my shower loofa and I found it all over the bedroom AND him.

I sit here amazed and think over the last few months. After Maverick passed I was so sure that I didn't want another dog. I was such a freak about my dogs and I was afraid of allowing another dog into my heart. I just didn't want to get attached again. However, I am soo glad that I took that chance. I am so glad we found Bo George. He has been such a great addition to our family and I am constantly in awe of how much we have all grown to love him. He is not only cute but has a really great personality. He is sweet with a side of mischievous and spunk. Just like Nate. I am always in awe at how God works things out. How he provides things that we didn't even know that we are in need of. I know it is 'just a dog' to some, but he is more than that to me. He is proof that when we cannot even see past our own hurts, God has a grander plan. Bo has eased the pain of losing Maverick and we are very blessed to have him in our lives!

You know you're a mom when...

· Wal-Mart is your favorite store to shop at

· You can do 18 things at once

· You bribe your child with candy to get a good family picture

· You want to end everyday with a margarita

· Your last family vacation was to Chuck E. Cheese

· Every birthday party you attend involves a clown and juice boxes

· Your 2-door sports car becomes a 4 door mini-van

· You start thinking that showers are overrated

· Your children dress more stylish than you

· You count down the minutes until nap time

· You hire a babysitter just to watch your favorite show

· Your memory lasts for 10 seconds

· You sport the mom ponytail on a regular basis

· The last book you read had less than 10 words on a page

· The irony of “I will never do that when I have children” is laughable

· Germs are friends

· Your child’s consequence depends on your mood

· Date night is on the couch

· you eat in 20 seconds

· you cut up your husband’s meat in pieces

· you wear slippers to go shopping

· you get excited for school to start back up

Christmas Letter 2010

The One with the ADOPTION!

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given…”

Isaiah 9:6

We started off the year with an unexpected surprise. If you remember from my last Christmas letter, Nate had come to live with us and he was calling us “Honey” and “Uncle Germy”. Well, out of the blue in February he started calling us “Mommy” and “Daddy”. We thought it was just a phase so we didn’t push it but it soon became apparent that he had chosen those names for us. So, we went with it! And, it was as if he just ‘knew’ because the very next month we received the call that we would be able to adopt him! We spent the next several months in piles of paperwork but it was all worth it because on July 9 we stood in front of a judge and became legal parents to Nate. We actually made it into one celebratory weekend as Nate turned three years old the very next day! It was such a wonderful yet emotional weekend.

Unfortunately, right after our incredible month, the next couple of months were a little rough. My Grandpa Tayloe passed unexpectedly in August and then my ‘baby boy’ Maverick passed at our home in September after a long bout with cancer. It was a hard loss for our family but we were grateful to be with him in the end.

After Maverick passed I told pretty much everyone that I was not ready to have another dog around (especially not a puppy). But, the quietness of living in a dog-less house made me miss Maverick even more and I found myself on Craigslist (out of curiosity) one Friday afternoon. And, on Sunday evening, we had taken in…yes, a 5-month-old puppy! His name is Bo George and he is a white lab mix. He has been SUCH an awesome dog and has been so much fun. It is amazing at how much him and Nate are so much alike too! Their energy levels are a perfect match as well as their sweet personalities. He has been a great addition to our family.

Nate started preschool in October and loves it! I cannot begin to express how much of a personality this little boy has. He is so funny and so smart. His laugh lights up the room and we have been immensely blessed to have him as our son! And, he is also quite the flirt so all I can say is…lock up your daughters! J

Jeremy is currently still practicing in Olathe as a Chiropractor and continues to enjoy his career. Nate frequently makes the comment that Daddy is at work “helping people”. We are still attending Life Church and have met an amazing group of people to do ‘life’ with! I have taken on the role of Cubbies Director for Awana at church, which has been a lot of work but really fun! I have also been blessed to be living my ‘work’ dream…teaching aerobics, staying busy with my own business (FRANNIE’S, www.franniesonline.com), and being a mom!

Who knows what the next year will hold but I have learned that when God is the one holding us, life is nothing short of one amazing adventure. God bless each of you during this Christmas season and in 2011!

Love,

Jeremy, Stephanie, Nate and Bo Dulin