Adventures with the Ross Family

Top 10 Quotes

Here is my top ten quotes of what I say to Jaxson:

10.  Stop playing with the microwave!

9.  I'm tired of stepping on your toys!

8.  Elmo?  You want to watch Elmo again?

7.  No coloring on the walls.  We color on paper!

6.  Gentle with the kitty!

5.  You need to use words.  I don't understand your made up signs!

4.  No, that's not trash!  (as he puts anything in the trash bin)

3.  Where's your sippy?  (He loses it on a daily basis.) 

2.  Time for night-night!

1.  No, Jaxson, no!

Honestly, I just need to record myself saying all this.  I might actually save myself some time!

No!

Jax is definitely a two year old now.  He thinks he knows it all.  And he doesn't want to share.  When we were going to Tall Timber, we stopped in Lynnwood to eat at McGrath's Fish House.  Yummy.

Jaxson was given some crayons and was coloring.  I started to color with him and he got really upset by it.  He kept telling me "no" and would hid the crayons from us.  It was funny.  So of course we had to get a video of Justin attempting to color.  Jaxson did not like that!

Bible in 90 Days Check in: Day 38

Really?  Day 38?  Time flies when you are having fun!

I've been pretty good keeping up on my daily reading.  Until last week.  We came home from Tall Timber and all of a sudden the week became crazy.  Jaxson needed a lot more attention last week.  I was planning a New Member's Class Lunch.  And just trying to get things done after being gone for a weekend.  I was exhausted.  And when I went to bed at night, I was tired and couldn't concentrate on my reading.  So I fell behind.  Let's just say I was in 1 Chronicles and I was suppose to be in Nehemiah.

It was that bad.

But by the end of the week, I had caught up again.  I didn't stress out about it this time around.  I just figured I would read a bit more each day and get caught up that way.  And it worked.

But now I have a dilemma.  We will be heading to Arkansas to visit family.  And then Justin and I will drive up to Chicago to attend the Simply Youth Ministry Conference.  I know it is going to be tough for me to find time to read the Bible while visiting family and attending a conference.  We will be out of our routines.  Some days we will be busy visiting with family, shopping, and sightseeing.  Not to mention when we head to Chicago, the conference goes from 9 in the morning to midnight.  Not that I will be scheduling myself that busy, but its possible.

So do I get behind or read ahead?  That's the question for me this week.  This week will be considerately slower and I don't have any major things planned.  I think I will try to read ahead so I don't feel that I have to read while we are gone.  And then when we come home I won't be behind and feel overwhelmed. 

Wish me luck.  I'm going to be busy doubling up on my reading this week!

The Doggie at Old Navy

There is a stupid manequin dog at Old Navy that Jaxson loves.  (See picture above)  Of course, they place it in front of the store so Jaxson sees it and wants to go to it.  The problem is he can't leave it alone.  As soon as we leave the doggie, he gets all upset.  If you put him down, he will run back to the dog.  But I really wanted to look at these cute skirts that "just came in."  So I told him no and he threw the biggest tantrum I have ever seen.  It was so bad that I left everything, picked him up and left the store.  As soon as we got out of the store, he "ish ishes" me and points to his feet. 

He's lost a shoe. 

So I have a choice to make.  Forget the shoe and leave, or go back in and find the stupid shoe.  I chose to go back in.  So of course he runs back to the dog and I'm trying to retrace our steps.  I can't find the darn thing.  So I went up to the girls working and told them that we lost a shoe and that could they just call me when they find it?  They were nice and took down my info.  The other one started to look and ended up finding the shoe.  At that point, the doggie has a leash around him and Jaxson is dragging the manequin doggie around in the front of the store.  I was never so embarrassed.  So I put the doggie back and of course he throws another tantrum.  I made a quick decision on my skirt, buy it and get the heck out of there.  I guess I can't go to Old Navy with Jaxson anymore because of that stupid dog.  It was so embarrassing.  Tantrums are bad, but losing a shoe and having to go back in is even worse.

Lesson learned:  Don't take Jaxson to Old Navy.  Ever.

Tall Timber

We had a blast at Tall Timber. 

We hung out by the fire to stay warm.

 

 

And while we were hanging out Jaxson learned how to smile big for the camera.  See?

Jaxson played with Mollie.  He just adores her!

And then we played in the snow.

We took a nice walk in the snow.

And sledding!  We found a small hill that Jaxson would enjoy.  He only enjoyed it about two times.  And then he was done and wanted to walk in the snow.

 

And we watched Elmo, of course!

 

We had a great time!

Bible in 90 Days Check in: It's not about the number!

Someone once said it takes 21 days for something to become a habit.  Well, we're into day 32 in the Bible in 90 Days and its definately a habit for me now!  If I miss a day (such as last weekend!), I miss reading it.  I really like reading the Old Testament and have learned so much.  I've noticed that sermons on Sundays really make much more sense to me now.

But I think that reading the Bible in 90 Days isn't about reading it in 90 days.  What if I read it in 91 days?  Or 70 days?  Or 200 days?  The whole point of this program is to get people reading the Bible by setting up a time in their day where they dig into God's word.  

Personally for me, I read the Bible after lunch.  Usually Jaxson will play independently for a while so I can sit down and focus on the reading.  I've learned to do it earlier in the day because sometimes you just can't plan with a toddler in the house.  If he is having a rough day, then I know I can read it when he goes to bed.

But I also do not let myself watch TV or play on the internet until my reading is done for the day.  This is my way of putting God's word first in my life.  And I've noticed that TV isn't that important to me now.  Like I said before, my DVR was full of TV shows that I didn't have time to watch.  I've learned that I really only have about 3 TV shows that I love and will make time for.  The rest just filled my time.  (and wasted it!)

I also had to cut way back on the blogs that I was reading in Google reader.  I hated doing that, but I didn't have the time to read all the posts.  I found that was a source of a time waster too.

Some people have asked what I am going to do when the 90 days is over.  I'm going to keep reading the Bible!  Just because I read it one time, doesn't mean that I am not going to read it again.  I plan on reading it in The Message though, I know that will be a really different contrast to the ESV translation I am using right now.

This challenge is not only about reading the Bible cover to cover, but has me examining my life and my priorities.  I didn't expect that from this challenge.  What a nice surprise.

My DVR is full, but the bookmark in my Bible keeps moving forward!

I was hoping I could update more on the 90 Day Bible Challenge.  But life gets in the way.  I don't allow myself on the computer or watch TV until I have my readings done.  Which I've already stated...my DVR is at 98% full.

I'll admit I was having a difficult time reading the first five books.  But after we got to 1 Samuel I started to really get into it.  And then once I got into Kings, I was really into it.  At this point, its all about history, and that was my favorite subject in school! 

My husband was gone this past weekend at a Pastor's Retreat and after I put Jaxson to bed, I would sit in the recliner with my warm blanket and read.  I had a chick flick movie already to watch when Justin was gone, but when I sat down to read the Bible, I just didn't stop.  And by that time it was too late to watch the movie.  I'm sure the movie was good, but in the whole scope of things, I'm glad I read my Bible instead.

So yes, I'm way ahead.  I'm in 2 Kings now and Israel's kings are still wicked.  They keep worshipping everything but God. 

And then today at church, Pastor Dave read out of Nehemiah and told the congregation about the destruction of Israel.  Oh man...that was a spoiler for me.  It actually gets worse? 

One question though:  In 2 Samuel 24 it says, "Again the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel, and he incited David against them, saying, “Go, number Israel and Judah.”  Who is the "he" that is spoken about?  It's not about the Lord because it would be in capitals.  My Bible notes say it is referencing 1 Chronicles 21:1, "Then Satan stood against Israel and incited David to number Israel."  Anyone else have more info on this?  So would this be the second time we see Satan show up in the Bible?  That last time was at the Garden of Eden.  Interesting.

You can read what more bloggers are saying at Mom's Toolbox.

Our Drive In Theater

My living room has turned into a Drive-In Theater.  See?

 

Aww, the best seat in the house!

Bible in 90 Days Check in: Day 18

I fell behind in my Bible reading this weekend.  I blame it on this messy, (but cute) little boy.

You see, we had to celebrate Jaxson's birthday.

And family was visiting.  

So yesterday, I was very concerned that I should have been reading Judges, and yet I was only in Deuteronomy.  So I sat down and read.  And read.  And read!  And I am finally caught up.  It took me over two hours to read from the end of Deuteronomy to the middle of Judges.  Whew...

But I finally caught back up and will not get behind again!  That was a lot to comprehend.

So a word to the wise:  even if you are tired or feel like you have no time, just pick up your Bible and read!  Even 15 minutes will help keep you caught up!

The Birthday Candles

Here is a video of Jaxson blowing out his candles.  I can't believe he actually did it!  He was proud of himself too.  (And sorry.  I didn't think the video would pick up my voice that well.  God definitely did not give me the gift of song!)