Memory Monday

Ok.. By Memory here's last weeks verse:

I tell you the truth, if a single kernal of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.
-John 12:24

And the week before:

Whom have I in heaven but Thee. And besides Thee, I desire nothing on earth. My heart and my flesh may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

-Psalm 73:24-25 (I think)

Well, John and I (Riley too) got in to Pittsburgh last night! The plane travel with Riley went so much smoother that I was afraid of. I have been having nightmares for a month now worrying about the plane ride with an infant. Turns out Riley slept the whole time with exception to waking him up to feed him! YAY!! We're officially mobile!

OK- so here's is the scripture verse this week.

"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."
-Ephesians 4:29

So Long, Old Friend

Beginning this month, we said goodbye to our cable television. Although it was slightly frightening to let go of our security blanket, how liberating it has been!

Why? You may wonder...

• We are getting fed up with the smut that they call television.. Everything contains foul language, nudity, sexual content, etc. where, in my opinion it's not needed. The explicit content does not what-so-ever add to the meaning or understanding of the show! So for one, this is our way to rebel against Hollywood's movement to pepper our lives with dirt.
• Have you seen any Best Buy commercials lately?? Their new slogan: You. Happier. That slogan really irks me... Why would sitting in front of some kind of electronic gaming devise or television set make my life more enriched??? I think quite the opposite is true. How much happier would we be if we didn't have these distractions that enable us to drone through life and spend mindless nonproductive hours? Instead we might get out and actually accomplish something or enjoy God's gorgeous creation by recreating (which would also help with the obesity epidemic and I know that not lugging around an extra 50 pounds would make many people truly Happier)!
• Of course the economy may have a factor in this. John and I live on a budget and it's kind of ridiculous to think that nearly $1000 a year goes to our cable bill... We really don't watch it that often anyway. We enjoy watching sports (especially football season) and the occasional sitcom as well as some shows on Discovery... but are those few things we enjoy watching really worth the moolah?! So since we, along with most of America are feeling the pinch as our economy is being tested, it's time to get rid of some things that are not necessity. See ya- Cable! Give me my $1000!!!

Here's what we have to show for it, just since the first of the month since we've given it the old heave ho!

• John practices playing his guitar in the evenings and sometimes I'll sing along with the songs he's playing.
• We play with Riley. John likes to pretend like he's playing tackle football with him and he (gently) tackles Riley into couch cushions and pillows.
  
• I am finally catching up on a Bible study that I had fallen way behind on.
• Of course I can take more time to do my hobbies- sewing, running and I've taken on a creative writing project!
• We read books that we've had on the "to read" list for a long time!
  
• We take a stroll down to the park with the baby and the crazy dog and wail on the racquetball to wear Cana out!
  
• Last night John and I quizzed each other on random facts about each other.. It was pretty fun and we are learning more about each other. He didn't know that I have an Aunt in Florida and I learned that his favorite ice cream flavor is Cookies n Cream! haha!
  

So far, I'd say I'm Me. Happier. It may be a challenge with the whole football watching fetish, but we figure we can always pay to get wings and a beer at a sports bar to watch "the game" since we're saving all the money from not paying COX. And it even gives us an excuse to get out of the house and fellowship with friends (the one's who pay for cable and we could watch the game with them!) I feel at peace with our decision so far!!!

Memory Monday

Okay.. so here goes. As a Christian, I feel the need to know God's word. Thus far, I've rested in the fact that Jesus died for me but I've kind of let my faith plateau there! I get in kicks where I read the Bible on a daily basis but without discipline or accountability, I find other things that I "need" to do that are "more important" (sarcasm intended). So my friend Megan got the idea from another blogger to do "Memory Monday's" so I'm jumping on that train so that I, too can "let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write the on the tablet of your heart." (Proverbs 3:3)

Last week I memorized Psalm 73:25-26

"Whom have I in heaven but Thee. And besides Thee, I desire nothing on earth. My heart and my flesh may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." (via memory)

And I'll just go ahead and post along with Megan for the up coming week's memory verse.

John 12:24

"Truly Truly I say to you,

Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies,

it remains by itself alone;

but if it dies, it bears much fruit."

Feel free to join me in this quest!!  I love company!  You can either post your memorized verse in the comments or on your own blog.

Elvis has left the building

Another shotgun trip up to Vegas and back!! This time for a friend's wedding! Hocka and Faith did the cutest choreographed dance for their "first" dance and spoofed everyone by starting with a mushy song and breaking into a jam-fest to George Michael's "You gotta have Faith!" Very cute! Wish I got it on video cuz it was such a sight not to mention the talk of the reception! But they also got Elvis to make an apperance.. What's Vegas without an Elvis impersonator!?


We had a good time at the wedding.. Hung out with some of our Luke friends as well as some guys we haven't seen in a while- either from Kunsan or Hill. And to complete the Air Force wedding, of course we (Riley too) danced to Don McLean's "Bye Bye Miss American Pie"- Panton style!!!

My eyes are up here, Riley!

Luckily, we got to drop in on a couple of good friends while we were there. We stayed with the "Slick's" for the night. Mrs. "Slick" was the voice that got me thinking that the Bradley Method was my choice delivery method and she' s been there to support me since! Slick and John go way back- we're talking college days! I managed to steal a quick photo before bed! I wasn't so fortunate with the AJAX's though.. We stopped by for breakfast so we could see their adorable little girl and catch up! It was way to quick, but we'll take what we can get! Next time I'll snap a picture- even if they're in their PJ's!

Fee Fie Foe Fum...

It happens quickly. One day you have the precious new born who's so cute a little.. Then *WHAM!!* It hits you that your little bundle isn't that little anymore! OK- well in Riley's case, he was never that little.

So enough about my MAMMOTH baby... Congrats goes out to Heather and family (John's cousin in Flagstaff) who had a beautiful baby girl last Thursday! Welcome Annalise Kiri!!!


In this corner- Annalise Kiri, weighing in at 6lbs 6oz.

And in this corner- Riley Asher, weighing in at 14lbs 12oz

Ok.. did you really believe me when I said "enough of my MAMMOTH baby" cuz I lied.. Here's another picture of him.. Sitting in his Bumbo and playing with the hanging toys!

Whodunit??!

Our Halloween weekend was spent in the quaint mountain town of Transylvania, oops- I mean Pine, AZ. We received a wax sealed invitation weeks ago for the engagement party of Neville Aster-night and Lizzy Bordeux. Let me explain- This had been in the making for some time as our Life Group (small group of Christian "young actives" that meet at our house weekly) had been talking about putting a trip together. Well the idea of a Murder Mystery Theater came up and our friends Emily and Tiffany ran with the idea! The details that went into this were astounding- really.. I think they were made for this kinda thing! The menu was set, the decorations well thought out! There were even "travel kits" in the bathrooms in case toiletries were forgotten (thankfully, cuz I forgot my toothbrush!) and favor boxes filled with candy and other Halloween trinkets! Seriously, every detail was taken care of!
We arrived to a full house just after dark on Friday. Being the grown ups that we all are, we embarked in an intense game of Sardines. Basically it's Hide-and-Seek but in the pitch black, fumbling your way through rooms trying to find the "hider" and once you find said "hider," you join them until everyone is packed in like Sardines. The last person to find everyone is then declared the next hider. You sure get to know people when you are feeling your way around in the darkness.. Whoops- sorry about that!
Saturday morning, after an epic breakfast the group hiked the Tonto Natural Bridge State Park which was located just a few miles from where we were staying. We took a loop trail which got pretty sporty at times, scrambling over slippery moss covered boulders and ducking into dark caves- especially sporty carrying a baby in a Peanut Shell! We reached the main attraction- the natural bridge and set up a little picnic that we prepared. After lunch we enjoyed a much quicker exit (compared to the way in) from the park which was a clean dirt path neatly marked with wooden stairs!

John's Clone

My little trooper!

The whole group!So the anticipated night of the Murder Mystery Theater was upon us as we each had a role in the production! Our ghoulish transformations were complete and the party began! The crime scene was set and a beautiful tablescape both captivated our attention and enticed our appetites!

Round 1: Dinner was served and the prodding began as we tried to figure out who murdered Neville Aster-Night (the groom-to-be)! Everyone had motive and a link to the murder scene, so everyone was a suspect! The night continued and 3 more rounds passed when the case was cracked and the guilty party revealed! It was quite the spooky and festive experience!

Appetizers were served as the ghouls studies their parts

Madaam GarliqueGlumda- The Wicked Witch of Depressed (and her lil Flying Monkey)

Riley the Flying Monkey making his best monkey face

Balihi- The Rogersandhamerstien Monster

Happy Voting Day!

Peak-a-BOO!!

Proceed only if...

You can't get enough sweet baby giggles!

Got more to come, but I couldn't resist getting this one up on the blog!