"Souls" vs. "Selves"

To my anonymous commenter who seemed to take objection to the use of the use "souls" in the Jeremiah 6:16 verse in the right hand sidebar, I would like to see how you come up with the word "selves" in OPPOSITION to the word "souls"? The Hebrew word is transliterated nephesh, which as you probably know can mean "a soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion".

In my quick word study, it seems that we may both be right. No?

Another One

BELLE: "Hey Mom, what's this mean: 'take a bath, hippie!'"

Whaaa?

Ice Skating with Dad

Fun in the Snow

Snow, White Socks & Shih Tzus

We got a LOT of snow over the last 24 hours. Charlie the Shih Tzu was not happy. Have you ever seen a Shih Tzu cross his legs and refuse to go outside to go potty? It's not a pretty sight. Luckily Charlie's Dad, while lacking some pajama fashion sense (you can't see the white socks and black slippers) and nerve-endings to sense the below-freezing temperatures, is a very compassionate and doting pet owner.

See? All better.

Sweet Scallywags

There are times as a parent that you ask yourself if you have the right perspective on your family and your children. After all, we only truly know our family and our own children...it's not like life is like an episode of wife-swap, where we can really drop in and live life in someone else's house for weeks at a time...you know, to gain perspective that way. (Let me be clear that I have watched only one or two episodes of that awful show...this is NOT an endorsement!)

Sometimes when I come across something wacky that the kids are doing, I really don't know if it's "normal", "inherited genetic weirdness" or "uh-oh, they're homeschooled". I think these same things about all the lovely and bright and intelligent things they say, do or ask too...but somehow it's the wacky things that make me long for the truth on the matter. :)




Moo and Belle extended the footboard of Moo's bed, attached a "sail" and brought the upstairs tabletop fan down to give their pirate ship a steady breeze. Their swords were made from sticks and pvc rings with the help of some duct tape...and there are always plenty of bandannas lying around the Grant home.


I suspect that the "genetic" card is being played here...and that the main contributor can be seen peeking out from behind the door. He had nothing to do with the set up, but plenty to do with how these little tomboys think and play.

Little Ones

This is a trailer for a movie that is coming out in April 2010 about 4 babies in different parts of the world--from birth through the first year. I was touched, and so I thought I'd share. I can't get the YouTube video screen to fit my blog so it wouldn't crowd out other page elements, and the perfectionist in me is majorly bugged by this! Anyway, click here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aCZUb_dUGA&feature=player_embedded

Just to Catch Up

Since my computer caught a cold a few weeks ago, I've been having a hard time uploading photos and videos to my blog. It just has been taking a much longer time than usual, so that has kept me from keeping my blog up-to-date. So, here...in no particular order...are some of the things that I've been up to:

My dear Moo turned 11 years old this month, and I made her this little hat from a darling pattern found in a book whose title escapes me right now. It's called the "Emma Hat". I also made eight other "Hot Head" stocking caps for some of the men in our family and a few friends. I am VERY done with stocking hats right now. Oh, and with ballband dishcloths...I made three of them in three days...and I have the callous to prove it!

This was my first attempt at wood burning. I made it for some dear friends in Michigan. Along the rim of the plate, the Hebrew reads the first words of Psalm 128--ash-re kol y'-rei Adonai ha-ho-leich bid-ra-chaiv--How blessed are all who fear Adonai, who walk in His ways. In the center of the plate is an olive branch.

This is my hubby and friend from Michigan, David Olson. I had just taken a picture in which my husband appeared to be sneering (he can't help it...that's just how he smiles for pictures...argh). When David heard that, he decided to sneer as well. His on-purpose sneer is nothing like my husband's accidental sneer. :)

The Olson tribe--Heidi, Benjamin, Moo & Belle, Zechariah and Jonathon. We had a great visit during the last days of the Festival of Lights--so thankful that we can celebrate while understanding who the Light of the World really is during this cold and dark time of year.

My husband's famous challah bread...this stuff makes all our friends and family swoon!

I had to include this precious picture of my littlest nephew, Roan...affectionately called Roanie, or Macaroni. He is the sweetest and best natured little guy you'd ever want to meet. Love him!

Say What?

Some of the best conversations I've had with my daughters are when I have just one of them one-on-one. This is a luxury I don't have too much of...strange enough, since I homeschool and they are ALWAYS with me. But they usually stick to each other like glue...but I digress...

This morning, Belle got up at around 6:30 and joined me in my room as I sipped my coffee and attempted to wake up to take on the day. This time of year finds Belle extra excited upon waking...she clearly has the excitement of Hanukkah, Christmas and SNOW-SNOW-SNOW on her mind 24/7. Well, this morning when she came into my room, she started humming the tune to "Have a Holly Jolly Christmas" (if that is how I woke up, I would not be closed up in my room sipping coffee!). Then she started singing...."oh, ho, the nipple-toe...". I at first ignored it, thinking it was a hysterical slip of some sort; and then she sang it again. I jokingly smacked at her arm and said, "hey goofy, cut it out", at which time she said "wait, what are the real words?".

"MISTLE-toe, Belle. MISTLE-toe". "Oh,"....and she kept singing.

She now knows the right words. I, however, will never sing that song in my head the right way again.

Let it Snow

The girls are so happy that the snow has finally arrived--and I've got the video to prove it! Oh, to have the outlook of a child on such things. To somehow not worry about icy roads, shoveling driveways or the probable demise of my mailbox every third year...now THAT'S becoming like a child.
Hmmm, I don't think that is what Yeshua meant in the context of Matthew 18:4...but there is something to admire in a child's unabashed love for this cold, dark and sloppy time of year! :)