Praise God For Technology!

I am very thankful for technology. I am very thankful that God always men to learn and develop new and inventive ideas. Today, I am very thankful for the internet, downloading capabilities, and CDs. As a stay at home mom of a 3 month old, I often don't have the time, energy, or resources to read and study the Bible in the way that I would like to. However, I do have access to men of faith who do have that time. And with a few quick clicks of my mouse, I can listen to these men for 30-60 minutes and learn so much and be refreshed and encouraged in my faith. So while I am doing laundry, or making dinner, or cleaning up the house, I can be "studying." And if I don't catch but half of it the first time around, then I can listen to it again. Because half is better than none. I used to think that I really had to sit and focus on the sermon if I was going to listen to it, which meant that I never listened to any because I didn't have the time or patience to do that. But I am learning that listening to the Bible on CD or sermons even as background noise during the day greatly increases my affections for God, and I'm surprised at how much I catch. And I think it's a great witness for my Charissa as she grows - her mama would rather listen to sermons as background noise than the TV. Maybe if I do it enough her first word will be "justification." :)

If you're looking for a good tool for finding sermons online go to The Alliance Counsel.

Gym Membership/Cable Combo?

For Mother's Day Britt gave me a gym membership to Planet Fitness. I suppose for some women it would insulting that their husbands give them a gift of the gym ("Here Honey, I thought you needed this!"), but I LOVED it! It gives me an opportunity to get out of the house, and I get to work out which just doesn't happen regularly if I'm depending on going jogging outside. It gets hot, or it rains, or it's dark, or whatever. Planet Fitness is open 24 hours a day, and I just can't wait for the time I go at 300AM. AND now there's the added incentive of investment - Britt paid for me to go for the next 18 months so I better get my tail there.

I really love this gym because it's not filled with those really ridiculously in shape people, or pushy employees. I can just go, get on the treadmill, run, and then go home. It's easy. And it's never really that crowded, which is also nice. I haven't really explored the weight section yet but so far I haven't seen any of the type of guys that creeped me out at NC State's gyms. You know the ones - they're super muscular and they laugh at all the girls who come in there, even if they know how to use all the machines correctly (which I never did).

But today as I was jogging along, I saw a new perk to my gym membership: cable TV. This fact was pointed out to me by the guy who was on the treadmill next to me, not using it, but just standing there and watching ESPN2. He stood there for about 20 minutes watching the TV and then went off to the weight section. I never really thought about it before, but you could totally just come to the gym and watch TV. Each of the aerobic machines (treadmill, stair climber, bikes, etc) face the TVs and there are two rows of ten. There are ten different channels you can choose from, and each machine has a little box you can plug your headphones into and you can listen to whichever channel you want to. There's ESPN, ESPN2, MSNBC, FOX, VH1, MTV, and some others on the far side that I haven't figured out yet.

Just think, for $10-$20 a month, you can get a gym membership, and cable! Now that's a deal. You could go to the gym when your show is coming on, hop on a treadmill, and just lazily walk through your program. Then when it's done, you go home feeling like you weren't a couch potato. I think they should use this idea in their marketing. I'm sure it would work for some people. Me, I'm content to finally start using my iPod after owning it for a year.

What's Wrong With Girls?

Recently I've noticed that there is a large male infant population around us. So much so, that I only know of one other girl under the age of one whereas I know 4 boys under one and two in utero. This is a bit distressing to me. And people will say, "Well that just means that Charissa will have her pick of all the boys!" Ok ... that may be true, but I would also like for her to have a playmate that she can play dolls with or dress-up with.

So, for some of you who may be considering having a child - let me tell you why you should have a girl (not in any particular order):

1. They're pretty.
2. They smell good.
3. All their clothes are pink and white so almost everything matches!
4. They're great cuddlers.
5. Everyone "ohhs" and "ahhs" over how cute and adorable they are (which is true).
6. It's easier to find feminine baby clothes than it is to find masculine baby clothes.
7. They will melt a man's heart with one smile.
8. They will grow up to be great helpers around the house (or at least they should).
9. Small Girls + Unruly, Wispy, Uneven hair = SOOO Cute! (whereas Small Boys + Unruly, Wispy, Uneven hair = Frat Boy in Training)
10. Now who doesn't want one of these?
(Gift wrap is optional.)

All I ask is that you consider it.


PS - Of course if we had a boy we'd be rejoicing that he had so many playmates.

God Loves My Baby More Than I do!

Yesterday Charissa and I went out running some errands to finish Britt's birthday presents. While we were at the store Charissa was a bit fussy from being in her car seat for an extended amount of time so I unhooked the straps to give her more breathing room. We finished shopping, came home, and when I took her out of the car, this is what I discovered:


I just started crying and apologizing to Charissa and thanking God that nothing had happened in the 15 minute car ride on the interstate. It occurred to me in the midst of this that God loves my baby much more than I do, or ever could. And not only does He love her more, He loves her better. God would never forget to harness her in her carseat. He doesn't forget anything, and all that He does for her is good.

I am so thankful that I am not in ultimate control of my daughter's life and well-being. There is much more security in the fact that a sovereign, good God who loves her more than I do controls her every breath.

Happy 27th Birthday Big B!!

Today is Britt's 27th Birthday! Charissa and I are so happy to be able to share in his life. We feel very blessed to have him as a husband/father.

Happy Birthday Britt! We pray that we can have 50 more with you! We love you!!

Happy 396th Birthday King James Bible!

Today marks the 396th Birthday of the publication of the King James Version of the Bible. King James I had appointed a committee of 47 learned men to produce a new translation of the Bible in English. Fifteen general rules were set out in how to translate the Bible:

1. The ordinary Bible read in the Church, commonly called the Bishops Bible, to be followed, and as little altered as the Truth of the original will permit.
2. The names of the Prophets, and the Holy Writers, with the other Names of the Text, to be retained, as nigh as may be, accordingly as they were vulgarly used.
3. The Old Ecclesiastical Words to be kept, viz. the Word Church not to be translated Congregation &c.
4. When a Word hath divers Significations, that to be kept which hath been most commonly used by the most of the Ancient Fathers, being agreeable to the Propriety of the Place, and the Analogy of the Faith.
5. The Division of the Chapters to be altered, either not at all, or as little as may be, if Necessity so require.
6. No Marginal Notes at all to be affixed, but only for the explanation of the Hebrew or Greek Words, which cannot without some circumlocution, so briefly and fitly be expressed in the Text.
7. Such Quotations of Places to be marginally set down as shall serve for the fit Reference of one Scripture to another.
8. Every particular Man of each Company, to take the same Chapter or Chapters, and having translated or amended them severally by himself, where he thinketh good, all to meet together, confer what they have done, and agree for their Parts what shall stand.
9. As any one Company hath dispatched any one Book in this Manner they shall send it to the rest, to be considered of seriously and judiciously, for His Majesty is very careful in this Point.
10. If any Company, upon the Review of the Book so sent, doubt or differ upon any Place, to send them Word thereof; note the Place, and withal send the Reasons, to which if they consent not, the Difference to be compounded at the general Meeting, which is to be of the chief Persons of each Company, at the end of the Work.
11. When any Place of special Obscurity is doubted of, Letters to be directed by Authority, to send to any Learned Man in the Land, for his Judgement of such a Place.
12. Letters to be sent from every Bishop to the rest of his Clergy, admonishing them of this Translation in hand; and to move and charge as many skilful in the Tongues; and having taken pains in that kind, to send his particular Observations to the Company, either at Westminster, Cambridge, or Oxford.
13. The Directors in each Company, to be the Deans of Westminster, and Chester for that Place; and the King's Professors in the Hebrew or Greek in either University.
14. These translations to be used when they agree better with the Text than the Bishops Bible: Tyndale's, Matthew's, Coverdale's, Whitchurch's, Geneva.
15. Besides the said Directors before mentioned, three or four of the most Ancient and Grave Divines, in either of the Universities, not employed in Translating, to be assigned by the vice-Chancellor, upon Conference with the rest of the Heads, to be Overseers of the Translations as well Hebrew as Greek, for the better observation of the 4th Rule above specified.

Apparently this was a pretty daunting task for those men. To learn more go to A Brief History of the King James Bible.

Happy 3rd Monthday!

Today is Charissa's 3rd Monthday! Can you believe that she is already three months old? It's hard to believe that 3 months ago she entered our lives ... I don't know what I would do without her! We have so much fun together! Charissa has recently discovered that playtime is WAY fun. She is all giggles and smiles. And today she is actually wearing a 3-6 month outfit. Of course it's big on her, but we wanted to celebrate trying on some new clothes. Her Daddy is taking us out to dinner tonight to celebrate this milestone, so she also had to get dressed up for that.

Happy 3rd Monthday Charissa!

A Very Exciting 24 Hours!

Charissa has had a most exciting last 24 hours! Yesterday afternoon she got her first pedicure. At first she wanted red nail polish, but we finally settled on a pinkish-red color. And after an hour of polishing, removing, and re-polishing she has 10 fancy little toes! She looks like a little lady! Then she got a Bumbo seat! She’s a little young for it, but it’ll be such a fun seat for her in another few weeks. AND THEN she got a jumper! Right now she’s just standing around in it, but we’re sure jumping is coming soon. And to top it all off, we finally got new batteries for her bouncy seat. In fact, after such an exciting 24 hours, she's taking a pretty serious nap in the bouncy seat right now after being gently vibrated to sleepyland.



I feel pretty!


I can sit upright! What a shock!


A little off balance, but very happy!


Charissa doesn't quite now what to do with herself.


She's getting the hang of it now!



PS - For those of you who knew about the Housework Ban I had going on this week, I have to tell you that I was real strong for four days, but today I couldn't take it anymore. Britt and I woke up this morning sneezing from the dust in our bedroom (both of us have pretty bad allergies) and our living room was so cluttered there was really only two places to sit. But four days of no housework is pretty amazing for me! It was a great week. And I had so much fun this week playing with Charissa.

Back to the Nine-to-Five

Well, folks, it was nice being home with my girls for a month, but last week I headed back to work and this week got some regular 9-5 days. My first week with Clearwire has been a blaze of information, computers, internet, contacts, organizing, following-up, malls, new people, driving, and, strangely enough, boredom.

You see, suburban malls in the middle of the day aren't the busiest places on earth. Rather, they're more like the place that people go to stop thinking about how bored they are. So if you're bored in the Raleigh area and want to do some walking and talking and shopping, get in touch with me and we'll hang out in your local suburban mall.

But seriously, I've enjoyed meeting the employees and patrons of our local malls, I have my first appointment with a potential customer next week, and my girls come visit me all the time. And if you know anyone who would like inexpensive, simple, portable internet service in our area, let me know.

Big B

Doing, doing, doing ... but what am I getting done?

Confession: I love to make lists. I make lists of what I need to get done for the week, what I need to get done for the day, the grocery list, meal ideas for the week, plans for people's special days, when we go on vacation I list out everything we need to take, ... basically, if there are multiple things, I can list them. And then I love to organize my lists by priority or when I am going to get them done. It's ridiculous. And yet I love it. Every morning I sit down with my list and compile what I am going to get done that day. And throughout the day I get little thrills of joy when I can take my red pen and slash through them. I could go on about the complete insanity of things I do with lists, but I think I'll stop here.

But lately I've been thinking, "Am I really getting done what I want to get done?" I've begun to realize that the mundane day-to-day activities seem to be weighing me down so that I can't do the spontaneous things that come up, or even the fun things on my list because the way I order my priorities make it so that the things I know I'll enjoy doing I do after the things I don't want to do (so I won't spend all day scrapbooking and the kitchen is buckling beneath the weight of the dirty dishes). Not to say that the household tasks aren't important or that they don't need to be done, but when do you say, "Hey - I need to take a break and do something else?"

There have been things on my list for 3 weeks that I haven't gotten to because I've been so busy with what "has to be done." And that's just no fun. I don't want my life to be so consumed by the day-to-day that I miss the fun of the day, the joy of the week, and the excitement God has already put in my life. Basically, I don't want to put off enjoying things because I haven't done enough of the boring!

All of this has reminded me of the account of Martha and Mary in Luke 10. Martha was so busy with the preparations of the meal for Jesus that she missed sitting at His feet and learning from Him. How sad is that? I think this is a HUGE temptation for women. That we get so busy in what we are doing that we miss God, and we miss what He is doing in our lives. I don't want to do that.

So here's what I'm going to do. I'm declaring next week "No Boring Needless Housework Week!" YAY!! Because let's be honest - if we don't clean the bathrooms one week out of 52, we're probably going to live through it. And not only are we going to live through it, but I bet no one will even notice. So all who are willing - join me on my vacation from housework.

I think this could be really fun. :)

Family Outing to the Arboretum

Last night we decided to to take a family walk down to the Arboretum and see all the beautiful plants and flowers. It was such a fun way to introduce Charissa to all the wonderful things God created to show off His glory. Here are a few pictures of our adventures:


Britt Getting Eaten By a Plant



I'm Trying a New Hairstyle



Charissa Enjoying the Great Outdoors

She's Playing Peek-a-Boo Around the Tree

Great is Thy Faithfulness!

In the last two weeks I have been really thinking about God's faithfulness to His children. More specifically - God's faithfulness to Britt, Charissa, and I. As some of you may know, Britt lost his job two weeks ago. In a one income family, it's a big loss when that one income is removed. And what a temptation it is to worry! And for all worldly reasons - we should! We have no income at the moment and a two month old baby. But thankfully God is working wonders in my heart by allowing me to rest in His sovereignty. God knew the number of days that Britt would hold that last job and He knows the next job He has in store for us. God has never abandoned us, and I don't think He'll start now. And it's been amazing how God has provided for us lately. Through friends and family we've been well cared for. Britt has been hard at work looking for a new job. He's had an offer from a company and could start next week. So please pray for that to come through. It's a pretty good job, so we're quite pleased that something has happened so quickly.

We've all been attempting to make do until Britt's working again. We're trying to live on less and cut what we can. And we're all keeping our eyes out for jobs and something we can do to earn some extra money. Even Charissa is trying to help her Daddy.


Please keep us in your prayers!

A Bit of Fun For You ...

I've recently found some videos that I think are quite funny. I hope you enjoy them as well!!

Evolution of Dance

Pachelbel Rant

I am Man! (Burger King Commercial)

Fatherhood in the Lord

The past two days, I (Britt) had the honor and the privilege of attending the National Center for Family-Integrated Churches' Fatherhood Conference. I was blown away by the sheer weight and force of the Scriptures on this important subject. The speakers were excellent, the other fathers were friendly, God was (and always is) at work in hearts, and I was moved and convicted. I will be posting my notes over at my site, britttreece.blogspot.com .

What a joy it is to be a husband and a father by God's hand!

Small & Cute

Here are the latest pictures of Charissa and all she's been up to ...

She got to dress up like a bunny ...

Her Nana taught her to eat chips ...

She learned to eat from a bottle ...

She's perfecting the art of pouting ...

She learned fashion from her Daddy ...

She decided to start smiling for the camera!!

Isn't she precious?!?! And so happy!

She also likes her bunny slippers ...
By the way - she finally grew into 0-3 month clothing! YAY!
A whole new wardrobe opened up to her.

It's pretty fun being the Mama to such a happy, beautiful baby!

It's Apparent I'm A Parent

Do you remember when the Family Circus cartoonist would do "It's Apparent You're a Parent"? Well, now that's me. I've come to realize in the last few days that not only am I a parent, but it's pretty obvious that I am. Here's a few reasons why:

• Every surface in my living room is covered in baby supplies. And I mean every surface.
  
• There is no day when Charissa doesn't have the most adorable clothing on, and she looks especially good when we go out. Me ... well I seem to be living in a rotating supply of t-shirts, stretchy pants, and my hair thrown up in a knot.
• When we go anywhere it looks like we're going on a week long vacation with all the gear I'm hauling. It's all for her, and we hardly use any of it while we're out. But - we've got it!
• I no longer count time in hours but in feedings.
• Half of the laundry I do is pink. And I don't wear pink.
  
• I've made up songs about eating, sleeping, pooping, bathing, changing clothes, and crying. None are really award winning, but Charissa seems to like them.
• I'm very excited to tell anyone who asks how much my daughter weighs.
  
• Being spit on is a daily occurrence.
• I don't know what movies are out, who popular singers are, or how any team is playing in any sport, but I do know the physical, social, and developmental milestones for the first 12 months.
• I've tried to give a pacifier to a friend. She refused my offer.

My life is fun. :)

I Have the BEST Husband in the World!!

Now, before I inadvertently start a who's-husband-is-better-than-who's competition, let me clarify by saying that my husband is the best husband for me. Your husband is the best husband for you. No competition - just thankfulness.

Why is my husband the best? I'll give you the latest reason. Last night Britt let me take the night off and get away by myself. I haven't had much time to myself lately and so he was gracious enough to watch the baby while I had a "date" with myself. But he planned it for me. And it was a scavenger hunt! When I left the house he handed me 5 letters and told me to have fun and call if I got lost. So I get in my car and open the first one which was an introduction. It basically told me how thankful he was for me and that God had blessed him richly with me. He also told me that he was praying that my night would be refreshing and relaxing. Now for the destinations!

Destination One: Britt wrote a poem about how I wanted to learn and wanted to travel. And where did I go? To my college! He told me to walk around and remember life on campus - where I lived, ate, and went to class. So I walked around for over an hour just remembering all sorts of things from the four years that I was there. I walked around the two buildings that I had the majority of my classes in, the library, my dorm, and just around the campus. And things have changed! Especially the library! It has a wii now for students to play with. Isn't that ridiculous? What happened to good ol' fashion learning and studying in the library? Oh well.

Destination Two: The next letter was a poem about how so many people have loved me and encouraged me from our church. So my task was to go to our pastors' houses and tell them and their wives how much they have blessed me and encouraged me. Well, I took so long at Destination One that I thought it was a bit late to knock on their doors unexpectedly (of course I know that all of them would have welcomed me in and wouldn't have had a problem with it). So I drove over to their houses and sat outside and wrote them letters of how they have encouraged me. After I wrote the letters I crept around and put them in the mailboxes and took pictures of the houses so Britt would know I went there. All went well, except I got caught by one of the wives! She just laughed at me though. I love my church! :)

Destination Three: I got back in my car and read the third letter in which Britt told me that God had provided us with so many spiritual blessings, but God also provides us with many physical blessings. He had enclosed some money and told me to go shopping for some new clothes. How sweet! Only problem was that I had taken so long with Destination One and Two that it was 940. Too late for a shopping trip. So I'll just have to save it for another time. And it's nice to know that I have a shopping trip stored up for the next time I can get away and go out.

Destination Four: My fifth poem! My husband is really good at rhyming words! This one told me go somewhere I could sit and reflect and enjoy a little dessert. Since I had done this when I was on campus, I decided that what I really wanted to do was to get dessert and head back home to my husband where I could share it with him.

Isn't that fun date? And he wasn't even physically with me! It was such a fun night and allowed me to relax and get a break from the demands of Charissa for just a few hours. Which is exactly what I needed because when I came home I wanted to be home and I didn't care that Charissa just wanted to cry (which I think was because she missed me so much while I was gone - at least that's what I hope). I'm so blessed by a husband who understands my needs and provides for them.

I love him. :)

Counting My Blessings

Recently I have found myself really falling in love with my church on a whole new level. I'm not sure what's caused the change, but the more I see the more I want to see. Let me tell you why I love my church. (And when I use the word "they" I am not just talking about the pastors or a few people - I mean the church as a whole.)

• They teach the Bible.
• Sermons come from the Bible and use appropriate texts kept in context for the message.
• They feed the poor and hungry every Sunday with physical food and spiritual food.
• People share what is really going on in their lives and want to know what is really going on in my life.
  
• They are real people. (i.e. they have faults that they can talk about, they don't have a perfectly clean house all the time, they have real emotions, and they even wear sweatpants and t-shirts!)
• They can be silly.
• They want to hang out and invest in each other's lives.
• They remember to pray for one another.
• At churchwide fellowships you can find groups of adults playing basketball, skipping jumprope, doing the electric slide, playing games, singing loudly, laughing like children, and talking theology all at the same time.
• They aren't afraid to admit that they watch American Idol and they like it.
• They invite us into their homes. (Note: this is the first church I've ever been involved with where I've been in a pastor's home. And actually I've been in ALL the pastor's home numerous times.)
• Letters of encouragement are a regular occurrence.
  
• After you have a baby they will bring you dinners for 5 weeks (and really good food too!).
• They are always looking for a reason to have a party.
• It's easy to get involved and plugged in.
  
• We have two gathering times a week to meet and discuss the Word.
• They are inviting to newcomers.
• They are fun.
• They want to know Jesus more deeply today than they did yesterday.

I am completely in love with my church. If you live in the area, you should at least visit. And if you don't have a church, you should definitely come and check it out.

The Great Debate

My mother sent me a few pictures today of me from when I was a baby. She is claiming that Charissa and I look alike - she said especially in the picture when Charissa is playing in her overhead gym.

Here are the two pictures - what do you think?

"It's Not Even Fair ..."

Recently Britt and I were looking at a picture of Charissa and he said, "It's not even fair she's so cute!" And I have to agree. She is just too precious for her own good. Instead of being able to live in peace she is constantly being fawned over by the adoring masses (namely her parents and grandparents). It's very hard for her.

Here's a glimpse of the cuteness and what she's been up to lately.



She endures when her parents put stuff on her head ...


She's a gangsta ...


She gets unhappy ...


She helps Mama do laundry ...


She stares at the camera ...


She's too cool for herself ...


She gets worried ...


She's a drama queen ...


Charissa is a pretty fun kid. We enjoy all the funny things that she does on pretty much an hourly basis.