Alejandro Josue Gutierrez was born at 11:06am on February 27 to Janeen and Jose Gutierrez. He weighed 8lbs, 5 ozs and is 21 1/4". Welcome Alex!!!
3/05/2009
3/04/2009
Boost Your Marriage
Okay, so now I thought it might be fun to throw out some ideas on how to tangibly work on your marriage. Read the books in the previous post and try one of these ideas:
31 Days of Praying for Your Husband This link has an outline for 31 days of focused prayer for you husband. Ex: Day 1 Pray that your husband will grow spiritually and consider his accountability before the Lord. Pray that he will guard his heart by developing spiritual disciplines—Bible reading and study, prayer, meditation, scripture memorization, etc. (2 Peter 3:18; Prov. 4:23)
365 Reasons I love my Husband - Yep, that's a lot of reasons. And you could do it in short periods, like one month, but I would challenge you to an entire year. Keep your reasons written down somewhere you can both read them. But I would encourage you to share each reason with him daily.
And my new favorite, shared by Lindsay in our last GUM newsletter!
Date Club. Start your own date club:
1. Find several other coupels who want to develop more togetherness in thier marriage.
2. Choose a date night for the group (once a week, every other week, or once a month).
3. Find regular childcare.
4. Pick a theme for each date (use a resource like 10 Great Dates to Revitalize Your Marriage).
5. Take turns with the other couples in facilitating your 15-20 min "date launch". Intro the theme for the date and encourage couples to have fun!
6. Then have fun dating your mate!
from Children Change a Marriage by Elisa Morgan & Carol Kuykendall
Share with the rest of us other ways you've built into your marriage!
31 Days of Praying for Your Husband This link has an outline for 31 days of focused prayer for you husband. Ex: Day 1 Pray that your husband will grow spiritually and consider his accountability before the Lord. Pray that he will guard his heart by developing spiritual disciplines—Bible reading and study, prayer, meditation, scripture memorization, etc. (2 Peter 3:18; Prov. 4:23)
365 Reasons I love my Husband - Yep, that's a lot of reasons. And you could do it in short periods, like one month, but I would challenge you to an entire year. Keep your reasons written down somewhere you can both read them. But I would encourage you to share each reason with him daily.
And my new favorite, shared by Lindsay in our last GUM newsletter!
Date Club. Start your own date club:
1. Find several other coupels who want to develop more togetherness in thier marriage.
2. Choose a date night for the group (once a week, every other week, or once a month).
3. Find regular childcare.
4. Pick a theme for each date (use a resource like 10 Great Dates to Revitalize Your Marriage).
5. Take turns with the other couples in facilitating your 15-20 min "date launch". Intro the theme for the date and encourage couples to have fun!
6. Then have fun dating your mate!
from Children Change a Marriage by Elisa Morgan & Carol Kuykendall
Share with the rest of us other ways you've built into your marriage!
Marriage Resources
Last week we had the opportunity to hear from Bob Noonan, a marriage and family counselor, who shared his thoughts on marriage and parenting. It's taken me almost a week to write this post because I've been busy and out of town, but also because its an important topic to me, and I knew I needed to mull it over some more. In the process its changed forms a few times. Know that what is written below comes from deep in my heart.
Here is what I've come up with as the crux of last Thursdays discussion:
If our marriage isn't healthy, then we are going to be raising unhealthy kids.
Plain and simple that's the honest truth. No matter how much we love them and teach them right from wrong and how to be in relationship with others - if we aren't living it out in our daily lives, in our marriage with our spouse, then we aren't doing much at all.
Bob mentioned the percentages of divorce within the church are rising. Does this bother you? It's sobering to me. And not just because Bob shared it, but because I've seen it. In the last 2 years I've know 5 couples who were dealing with major life shattering crisis in their marriage. And it breaks my heart. It's been much too devastating to watch friends walk this dark road for me to not say something now.
Work on your marriage. Now. Don't wait until its so overwhelming you aren't sure you're going to make it to the other side. Don't hide your head and pretend you're immune. We aren't immune because we're believers!
So take a stand. Be proactive. Work on your marriage. Your kids will be blessed because you did.
Here are some of the resources Bob gave us:
Disciplines of a Godly Man by Kent Hughes
Disciplines of a Godly Woman by Barbara Hughes
The Seven Desires of Every Heart by Mark Laaser
And the list of five needs for every man and woman from
His Needs, Her Needs: Building an Affair-Proof Marriage by Willard Harley
Men:
Sex (plus affection)
Companionship/friendship
Taking care of her appearance
Partnership in the home (helpmeet)
Appreciation (thank-you’s help)
Women:
Affection (touching)
Communication (talk to me)
Transparency (no secrets)
Financial stability (not wealth)
Commitment (this is permanent)
You can contact Bob Noonan through COD's church office.
Here is what I've come up with as the crux of last Thursdays discussion:
If our marriage isn't healthy, then we are going to be raising unhealthy kids.
Plain and simple that's the honest truth. No matter how much we love them and teach them right from wrong and how to be in relationship with others - if we aren't living it out in our daily lives, in our marriage with our spouse, then we aren't doing much at all.
Bob mentioned the percentages of divorce within the church are rising. Does this bother you? It's sobering to me. And not just because Bob shared it, but because I've seen it. In the last 2 years I've know 5 couples who were dealing with major life shattering crisis in their marriage. And it breaks my heart. It's been much too devastating to watch friends walk this dark road for me to not say something now.
Work on your marriage. Now. Don't wait until its so overwhelming you aren't sure you're going to make it to the other side. Don't hide your head and pretend you're immune. We aren't immune because we're believers!
So take a stand. Be proactive. Work on your marriage. Your kids will be blessed because you did.
Here are some of the resources Bob gave us:
Disciplines of a Godly Man by Kent Hughes
Disciplines of a Godly Woman by Barbara Hughes
The Seven Desires of Every Heart by Mark Laaser
And the list of five needs for every man and woman from
His Needs, Her Needs: Building an Affair-Proof Marriage by Willard Harley
Men:
Sex (plus affection)
Companionship/friendship
Taking care of her appearance
Partnership in the home (helpmeet)
Appreciation (thank-you’s help)
Women:
Affection (touching)
Communication (talk to me)
Transparency (no secrets)
Financial stability (not wealth)
Commitment (this is permanent)
You can contact Bob Noonan through COD's church office.
3/01/2009
Meet the Twins
Abra and Jeremy Maclennan have two new baby girls! Evalina and Brielle Maclennan were born Saturday, February 14th at 6:45pm. Weighing 5lbs 1oz, 19 inches and 4lbs 15oz, 18 inches respectively by emergency c-section. Abra, Evie and Brie are doing well and they will be meeting you all in person soon.
2/20/2009
PetCo Pint Sized Group Shot
Thought this was great, so I wanted to share. Uploaded new photos from the PetCo Pint Sized Adventure into the slideshow on the left - enjoy!
2/19/2009
Carol's Response To Discipline Post
Okay, so I've gotten some feedback and I think Carol's email would encourage you. I hope it does, its encouraged me. And I think its important to share, so with her permission the dialogue continues.
---------------
Thanks for the blog posting. It seems like this could be an on-going topic. I need to add a little to the conversation to make myself feel better.
We talked so much about punishment and I know we needed to because those were the questions that were asked. But so much of discipline is training which is--like you said in your post--coming along side your kids to teach them.
They need to learn to help mommy. They need to learn to love their siblings by playing with them and sharing. Those things happen when you are there working it all out with them--modeling the behavior that you want them to mimic.
And don't forget to have the "conversation" often. "Why do we treat Sister this way?" Why do we pick up when Daddy says it's time?" Those conversations turn into "This is a great, tangible way to love your friend. It honors God" and "It's hard to do what's right, but you did such a great job when you...."
Somehow you have to get ahold of their little hearts. It might be through Family Fun Days, or through stories shared, or even through getting through a rough patch together, but you NEVER want to lose it. If you lose the ability to speak truth into your child's life, you have lost too much. It's difficult to earn back the trust. And hopefully we can talk about that the next time we get together.
I hope I haven't said too much. I encourage you to study your children. They will love you for it and you will find the best way to love them, train them, encourage them, and (even though it's no fun) punish them.
Love you all,
Carol Loumagne
---------------
Thanks for the blog posting. It seems like this could be an on-going topic. I need to add a little to the conversation to make myself feel better.
We talked so much about punishment and I know we needed to because those were the questions that were asked. But so much of discipline is training which is--like you said in your post--coming along side your kids to teach them.
They need to learn to help mommy. They need to learn to love their siblings by playing with them and sharing. Those things happen when you are there working it all out with them--modeling the behavior that you want them to mimic.
And don't forget to have the "conversation" often. "Why do we treat Sister this way?" Why do we pick up when Daddy says it's time?" Those conversations turn into "This is a great, tangible way to love your friend. It honors God" and "It's hard to do what's right, but you did such a great job when you...."
Somehow you have to get ahold of their little hearts. It might be through Family Fun Days, or through stories shared, or even through getting through a rough patch together, but you NEVER want to lose it. If you lose the ability to speak truth into your child's life, you have lost too much. It's difficult to earn back the trust. And hopefully we can talk about that the next time we get together.
I hope I haven't said too much. I encourage you to study your children. They will love you for it and you will find the best way to love them, train them, encourage them, and (even though it's no fun) punish them.
Love you all,
Carol Loumagne
Discipline
Okay - we've all been muling it over, at least I have. All those words of wisdom about disciplining our children from our last GUM meeting. I've been mulling it over so much, it keeps sparking conversations with others. So I'm going to share some of my thoughts, and if you'd like you can post some of yours.
So here's the biggest thoughts regarding discipline that are bumping around in that space in my head. Discipline requires walking hand in hand with my daughters, and not only correcting their behavior which will teach them what is appropriate and what is not, but it is also tackling the attitudes of their hearts. Giving them moral direction and pointing them towards God.
So here's the biggest thoughts regarding discipline that are bumping around in that space in my head. Discipline requires walking hand in hand with my daughters, and not only correcting their behavior which will teach them what is appropriate and what is not, but it is also tackling the attitudes of their hearts. Giving them moral direction and pointing them towards God.Discipline is a hard thing for me and mostly because it has to be so very consistent. And consistency and the diligence it requires is likely my biggest lacking quality. I have to work really hard at both, and its exhausting. I'm sure you can relate, right? Sigh.
The more consistent and effective we are with our discipline now - the more our children will develop good character, and the easier parenting will be later on. I get it, I really do - hook, line and sinker, what I do now affects how they behave when they are older. I certainly don't want to be dealing with lying or other ugly character behavior when my children are in junior high and high school or worse. Those things have to be tackled now. And as I do my job well and by the grace of God I hope my kids will learn to be moral and truthful and wise - essential skills for living a life following hard after Christ.
Parenting is tough though, there's no denying it. But it is also (and I'm paraphrasing some here from a conversation with a friend); parenting is also a beautiful thing because God has entrusted these little ones to us. He's given us an incredible responsibility to show her what is good and what the Lord requires of her - to act justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with her God (Micah 6:8).
Now most days I'm not really feeling the beautiful parts of this responsibility, but I want to. And more so I want her to know her Creator and to walk with Him all her days.
So I am committed to disciplining them, just as much as I'm committed to loving and caring and teaching them about Christs love for them.
Well those are the things I've been thinking about (and more), I hope you gained valuable things from our time discussing discipline. I'd love to hear what those things are!
Meet Brennan
Okay ladies - I'm a little behind...so I'm catching up! I intend to share an announcement here of all baby births, and Brennan is the first!You've all already met him, but so we can make it formal - meet Brennan James Cooper. Born December 14th, 2008 weighing in at 6 lbs. 8 oz. and 19 inches. This is his two month picture taken recently and he's currently weighing in at 12 lbs. 1 oz. and 22 inches. Big brother Timothy and big sister Mackeila are loving baby brother! Welcome to GUM Brennan and congrats Breanne and Tim!!
2/02/2009
February Pint-Sized, February 19th
Fur, Feathers & Fins at PETCO in San Dimas
10-11am FREE
The Fur, Feathers & Fins™ program allows children to learn about the characteristics and habitats of fish, reptiles, birds, and small animals. At your local PETCO, lessons in science, math and geography come to life through this hands-on field trip. As students develop a respect for animals, they will also develop a greater sense of responsibility.The FREE Fur, Feathers & Fins field trip will help children in grades Pre-K – 8 develop and enhance skills in:
Basic needs for animal care
Animal habitats and characteristics
Environmental issues and animal survival
Animal respect
Reading and science
IF YOU ARE PLANNING TO JOIN US, WOULD YOU TELL ME IN THE POLL TO THE LEFT?
10-11am FREE
The Fur, Feathers & Fins™ program allows children to learn about the characteristics and habitats of fish, reptiles, birds, and small animals. At your local PETCO, lessons in science, math and geography come to life through this hands-on field trip. As students develop a respect for animals, they will also develop a greater sense of responsibility.The FREE Fur, Feathers & Fins field trip will help children in grades Pre-K – 8 develop and enhance skills in:
Basic needs for animal care
Animal habitats and characteristics
Environmental issues and animal survival
Animal respect
Reading and science
IF YOU ARE PLANNING TO JOIN US, WOULD YOU TELL ME IN THE POLL TO THE LEFT?
1/21/2009
Fresh Homemade Bread
Yep...I made this yesterday! And so of course, I had to share with you!! Don't be alarmed, you all know my kitchen capability and this was REALLY REALLY EASY.
Do not be intimidated.
Here's where I got the directions: http://www.motherearthnews.com/Real-Food/Artisan-Bread-In-Five-Minutes-A-Day.aspx
Apparently you can add herbs and make herb bread or you can make pizza's with the dough or a bunch of other stuff. I'm going to perfect the Master Recipe before moving on first. The best part is you do this once, and the dough keeps up to two weeks.
I hope you love it, it was positively scrumptious and ohh so tasty! If the recipe link above scares you, go to my blog, I wrote a longer post about it there!
Do this with your kiddos - they'll love it!
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