Rollin' with the Soens

Strength in Weakness

2012-02-11T06:58:00.001-06:00

Earlier this week I visited a friend who had been in a car accident in Honduras in November. She has 10 fractured vertebrae and has to be in a plastic splint that covers her entire mid-section – chest to hips. Her trunk rotation/mobility is highly limited and she is not supposed lift anything, making most general activities difficult or impossible..

This gal had been a very self-sufficient woman, living on her own, working for Blue Cross and teaching Zumba. Now she has not been able to work or teach Zumba since November and has had to have help with activities we take for granted. She was telling me how much help she has had to receive over these months and how humbling that has been for her.

It struck me that she has to be a very strong person to actually even accept that help. Regardless of whether it was financial or with general hygiene, she has had to decide if she wanted to submit to others assisting her. And it is indeed a decision. In reality, she has had to exercise more strength since being weaker than before the accident when she was physically stronger.

This epiphany reminded me of my husband. Philip has had to exercise said strength for years now. As a result, his character is to be admired. Philip recently quoted a professor’s definition of patience as the combination of self-control, humility and generosity. My husband exhibits mastery of patience.

I often tell people what a strong man Philip is. The temporary example of the friend I mentioned is the constant example of my husband. This strength has crafted him into a most excellent man. Every one should be as fortunate as me.

You wanna cracker, Papa?

2012-01-06T21:19:00.002-06:00

Anastasia: Papa, you wanna cracker?

Philip: I don't want one, Anastasia.

Anastasia: You want 2 crackers, Papa?

Rebekah's Ride

2011-12-27T21:07:00.001-06:00

You like Jesus' blood, Papa?

2011-11-30T16:24:00.004-06:00

A couple of weeks ago, we let Anastasia sit through almost an entire church service with us.

Unfortuanately, we only had 1 instead of 2 chairs removed for handicap accessibility. So, Philip was kinda squished in a space too small for a wheelchair.

During the sermon, I thought Anastasia was being a bit loud and wanted to take her out. That resulted in more noise, but also an inconvenience to the person sitting behind Philip. Ie, he had a wheelchair rolling into him so we could get by. So, when Anastasia and I came back in, we sat in the seats immediately in front of Philip.

We took the Lord's Supper at the end of the service - and I was very excited about explaining to her what we were doing. As the bread came around, I told her, "Anastasia this is Jesus's body." Then as we were about to drink the 'wine', I told her, "We're drinking Jesus's blood." Anastasia wanted to put my cup in the little slot in the chair/pew in front of me and then went to collect Philip's cup as well.

As she walked around my chair to his, Anastasia asked, with her high little voice and head inquisitively cocked to the side, "You like Jesus' blood, Papa?" My heart warmed. Though it's unlikely she comprehended what we were doing, she heard me. That's a moment I will cherish until him we worship returns.

25 Ways to Wear a Scarf

2011-11-11T17:22:00.002-06:00

25 Ways to Wear a Scarf in less than 5 minutes. This video is fabulous! As the weather cools down, a scarf is a fantastic accessory. It's fashionable and practical.

Which style is your favorite?

Tear Here to Create Memories

2011-10-29T16:02:00.013-05:00

It's somewhat hard to tell, but the bag of mini-chocolate cookies says, "Tear here to create memories."

I was making Pudding Chocolate Chip Cookies (recipe follows) for the first time. It was in a cookbook that I bought in the checkout line at the grocery store - I see one dynamite looking recipe and I bought the whole thing. But it has a whole section devoted to chocolate, so I did OK.

As I was opening the bag of Nestle mini chips, there's a cute little message that says, "Tear here to create memories." A creative way to indicate that that was the place I was supposed to open the bag. However, the tear kept going, quickly, until I had slit a whole down most of the length of the bag and the chips were spilling out all over the counter and floor. Thankfully, most were salvageable by falling on the counter top.

They weren't kidding about the memory part.

Being a connoisseur of chocolate chip cookies, the chip-to-cookie ratio is key. Too few chips and you're missing what defines the cookie. Too many chips and it's too much of a good thing. Now, I realize this ratio is a delicate one and that it might vary from person to person. But I think a well-researched chocolate chip cookie will have a proportion that satisfies the masses.

The cookies were good enough to share the recipe. Though these are the revisions I would make: I would use only half to three-quarters of the bag of mini chocolate chips rather than the whole thing; and add more brown sugar or some white sugar.

Pudding Chip Cookies

Preparation Time: 20 mins
Cooking Time: 10 mins

Servings: 24 cookies (2 dozen)

Ingredients

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 pkg. (4 serving size) instant vanilla, butterscotch or chocolate pudding mix

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 large egg

1 large egg white

2 cups (12-oz. pkg.) NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Semi-Sweet Chocolate Mini Morsels

PREHEAT oven to 350° F.

COMBINE flour and pudding mix in small bowl. Beat butter in large mixing bowl on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Beat in brown sugar and baking soda until well combined. Beat in egg and egg white. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in morsels. Drop dough by rounded teaspoon 2 inches apart onto ungreased baking sheets.

BAKE for 10 to 12 minutes or until set. Cool on baking sheets 2 to 3 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.

As you see from the picture, they turned out a little darker than the recipe's picture. However, they weren't especially crispy...which I appreciate. Chocolate chip memories.

I'll be right Bek

2011-10-28T14:06:00.003-05:00

Philip and I make that cheesy comment all the time...his sister's name is Bek and y'all should know this super-cool gal.

And here's your chance! Bek is a very strong woman and deserves independence. Here's a note from her:

My name is Bek Soen and this is a part of my story. For those of you who don't know, I was born with a genetic nerve disease called Charcot Marie Tooth (CMT). CMT affects my hands and feet from a young age. I have now been using a wheelchair full time from the age of 17. I have never driven on my own and have had to depend on many family and friends to transport me everywhere.

Right now I cannot even live away from home or take myself to work. My brother drives me to and from every day. I am now in the process of taking specialized lessons and hopefully getting a specialized vehicle by the beginning of the year. The unfortunate piece of this is that these things are extremely expensive. I have been able to get some help from the government (for the lessons which are 5k alone), our state is in poor condition and not able to offer much more help. I have also been saving as much of my own money as I can.

This is where you can help!!!! I am asking for you to tell my story to your friends and family and join in the mission of independence. Can you donate $5, $10, $20, $100 or more dollars to help me fund my car? Can you share my story with your friends through facebook, email, twitter or more? I need your help as an adapted car is very expensive! I know forwarding emails is not our favorite but I'm asking that you do that with this email or at least share a link to the chipin website.

http://bekstir2drive.chipin.com/accessible-vehicle Donate at this link!You can donate here through your pay pay account which is safe~!!! To hear more about my story, send me an email at bek.soen@gmail.com or call me at 630-967-4628!! I love talking with anyone and everyone about it.

Eating Meat

2011-10-26T12:45:00.009-05:00

I work 20 hours a week at a larger local company here in the Jackson, Mississippi, area. Because I am there only part-time, I'm not able to get to know my co-workers as well as I'd like.

However, there was a discussion today that helped me get to know them better. There was obviously some history to said discussion, but essentially, it was regarding eating pork; more specifically, what the Bible says about eating pork.

This was so interesting to me. First of all, because of my interest in Judiasm and Jewish heritage. Also, because, as an outsider of sorts, it seemed that they weren't using the most pertinent Scriptures for the argument. Which, if adhered to, there would be no argument at all.

I asked someone sitting close to me who wasn't actively participating in the discussion if many people in Customer Service (where I work) didn't eat pork. He said that there are several. I asked if anyone was Jewish and the answer was, "No." So, that determined to me that most people place themselves in some variety of the Christian category.

To summarize, one party proposed that the New Testament does not expressly allow us to eat pork after the Old Testament had expressly forbidden it. The other party proposed that the New Testament lifted the prohibition because we live under a "new law."

I'm going to skip my personal defense of which party is correct on the issue of eating pork and go directly to what I'm deeming the most pertinent pericopes from the New Testament: Romans 14 and 1 Corinthians 8.

What made this discussion so fascinating to me is that I have been in situations in the past where Romans 14 and 1 Corinthians were applied. But in the groups that I've run with in the past, it's never been about actually eating meat (which are what Romans 14 & 1 Corinthians 8 address). It has always been about drinking.

But to get back to the story at hand, both of those passages would tell the person whose conscience is clean to eat meat to not bind the conscience of those who don't see it as OK'd by Jesus. In other words, the person/group that was trying to convince the other party that there is now no longer any condemnation for eating pork is wrong.

This is a delicate topic that shouldn't be avoided by those who eat pork or meat in any form. 1 Corinthians 10 tells us not to refrain but to deal lovingly with those who see otherwise on this issue. Last note: I was a vegetarian for 10 years. :)

Norwex

2011-10-25T11:57:00.004-05:00

My friend Lisa sells Norwex. I had never heard of it before her, but I have loved their cleaning stuff! My favorite has been the dish cloth.

To be honest, I wasn't that impressed when I first saw it - there's not much to it. But it holds the lather as well as a regular dish rag but doesn't hold the odors!! I've also enjoyed the Kitchen Cloth set. Those little suckers really do stay dry!

Norwex uses some anti-bacterial technology using silver. The very fine silver in the cloth sucks and holds the bacteria into the cloth. Then you rinse the cloth out in very warm water and the bacteria wash down the drain! The Enviro-cloth aslo did a bang-up job on some spots we had in our carpet from Philip's wheelchair.

So, do you walk?

2011-10-22T14:14:00.003-05:00

Philip was outside with Anastasia today when she spotted some kids picking up pecans. It was a family with 5 children. She darted over and instantly was one of them. While they were busy with their activity, one of the children asked Philip, "So, do you walk?"

Philip didn't tell me what he responded, but I imagine it was some form of what he tells most kids when the question is asked, "God made me this way." This answer usually doesn't satisfy the child, but hopefully it will communicate the truth that God controls his creation.

FoodMatters

2011-09-23T06:35:00.005-05:00

Last weekend, my husband and I watched the documentary, FoodMatters. Whoa. What an education! Here is a excerpt about the film:

With nutritionally-depleted foods, chemical additives and our tendency to rely upon pharmaceutical drugs to treat what's wrong with our malnourished bodies, it's no wonder that modern society is getting sicker. Food Matters sets about uncovering the trillion dollar worldwide 'sickness industry' and gives people some scientifically verifiable solutions for overcoming illness naturally.

I appreciated that the panelists were not angry at the medical community and even complimented it on the developments for acute conditions, illnesses, and circumstances. Personally, I am very indebted to the medical community in the way of child birth! However, we can help ourselves far more than we do in the way of chronic health issues.

Now, Philip and I take a powerful, patented nutritional supplement called Reliv, which has done wonders for us. Which convinced me that these people have to be right. FoodMatters was encouraging to make some additional changes as well. Here are the changes that I/we are trying to implement:

1. Drink 1 liter of water first thing in the morning. When you get up in the morning, before you have coffee, tea, breakfast, anything else - drink 1 L of water. It really gets things moving, if you know what I mean.

2. Eat 51% raw. Cooking food actually changes the chemical composition and our system reads it as a foreign body it needs to fight off! Our bodies think we are sick and it initiates the immune system.

And you can actually watch FoodMatters for FREE Oct 2-8! Follow the link to register and you can also watch the first chapter of the film. The FoodMatters site said that the film was controversial...I will stand by my recommendation, though.

Let me know your thoughts if you have watched it!!

Cowbells at the Memphis game

2011-09-01T12:15:00.006-05:00

My beloved Mississippi State Bulldogs face the Memphis Tigers tonight. I'll be watching from the comfort of a friend's home. Philip lovingly volunteered to stay home with Anastasia so I could concentrate on the game - what a great husband, hey?

As I was purusing the internet for something worth reading about the game tonight, I came across For Whom the Cowbell Tolls . They had a Q/A answered by MemphisRoar.com. This particular question and answer that made me laugh:

Q8: Do you anticipate State fans being thoroughly searched this coming Thursday to prevent Cowbells from making it into the stadium?

Noise makers are banned from the stadium, so the plan is to have Ole Miss fans standing at the gate to "probe" all state fans suspected to be carrying them. I have even heard they have purchased some of the new full-body xray scanners. Prepare to be violated. [/failed joke] But seriously, the University has said that purses and anything carried in will be searched. Noise makers that make it past security will be confiscated by stadium security upon use.

Ring those cowbells!

Chick-fil-A rules

2011-08-31T11:49:00.006-05:00

We're big fans of Chick-fil-A. We love their food, and their cow-centric marketing campaigned is genius.

Yesterday, I was going to get Anastasia dinner there. On Tuesday nights, this particular location was offering a FREE Kid's Meal with the purchase of an adult meal. (It just happened to be Tuesday.) Well, of course I got me and Philip dinner, too.

Later, I was pondering on how often Chick-fil-A gives away their food - like Cow Day where you can show up dressed as a cow and get free chicken or this deal yesterday where we got a free Kid's Meal.

So, I went to their site just a moment ago to get an image to post here, and what do you know...they giving away FREE breakfast sandwhiches Sept 6-10! All you have to do is go to their website and make a reservation. They have had this promotion before and we took advantage of it then.

Yet another great marketing tool brought to you by Chick-fil-A.

Ice Ceam

2011-08-29T21:18:00.005-05:00

No, I didn't leave out the "r" in cream. That's the way Anastasia says ice cream, so it's spelled correctly.

Tonight was Anastasia's first minor league baseball game. The Mississippi Braves were playing...well...I think it was Birmingham. I sat down all of 5 mins, but Anastasia had a blast. Our friend, Sandi, and Adeline and their friend showed us a great time! They knew the ropes. Anastasia jumped in the bouncy thing, ate a hot dog (after she had pulled it out of the bun), looked wide-eyedly around the store, walked around the entirety of the walk-way and played on the "Berg" (the grassy hill underneath the scoreboard).

We were going to get some ice cream at the park, but Philip and I decided Anastasia was quickly approaching melt down. So we promised her ice cream on the way home. On the walk out to the car and until we pulled into Baskin Robbins, Anastasia was talking about 'ice ceam.' Our favorite was , "I wanna eat ice ceam in my mouf [mouth]."

She handled the soft serve pretty well. I had braced myself for more ice cream on her than in her mouth. But the true test will be when I'm buckling her in her carseat again in several hours here...will the straps bear witness to the late night ice cream goodness?...i think it will be an affirmative.

Books are to be read according to their worth

2011-08-28T19:18:00.007-05:00

I recently started reading God and Football: Faith and Fanaticism in the SEC by Chad Gibbs. It addresses a topic I have often thought about since I became a (Christian) believer in 1998. I had long before been a believer in Mississippi State.

Since being converted, when I have the occasion to go to a Miss. State football game - rather, one we win decidedly - there is a sense of excitement and joy and community and blissfulness that is rarely matched. However, I know that sensation may seem like sadness compared to what believers will experience in glory. What I do get sad about in those victorious Bulldog moments is the likelihood that many people will not share the thrill of rejoicing with me when Jesus returns.

But getting to the title of this blog entry: Gibbs writes about a subject worthy of focus. His introduction is enough to make any SEC loving Christian wince in knowing laughter. Namely, that SEC football is much more attractive than loving Jesus. He describes this with a light-hearted and serious combination that makes it easier to swallow, but true nonetheless.

However, I find myself not being able to read large portions of his book at a time. When I told Philip that tonight, with shame in my heart because his writing style is not lofty or hard to read, he replied, "Books are to read according to their worth."

In essence, Philip was saying that even though Gibbs may have a worthy subject, his tone and attitude can be abrasive as well as humorous, sometimes at the expense of the church. In humor, he takes shots at specific denominations (50, 61, 72/3). Although he is attempting to get a laugh out of his audience, he does it at the expense of the church. He is undercutting the very God he is attempting to seek. Gibbs emphasizes the unity of the fans at the games he visits but fails to promote the same among God's children.

So while I appreciate his quest to find a balance between loving his Auburn Tigers and the Almighty God, there could be more thought put into the ink he spills about Jesus' bride, the church. I look forward to finishing the book...but at much slower a pace than I had anticipated.

A Modern Confession

2011-07-25T07:09:00.003-05:00

Father, we confess that we are satiated and bored;
Creation has bored us.
Work has bored us.
Family has bored us.
Friends have bored us.
Our homes have bored us.
Television has bored us.
Redemption has bored us.
Truth has bored us.
You have bored us.
No generation in history has ever had so much to entertain it.
We are jaded and cynical.
We think the world is our servant, so we are not thankful when things go well for us, and we are not patient when they do not.
We believe every desire should be satisfied, so we are not delighted when they are, and we are not humbled when they are not.
We laugh, but do not know joy.
We are captivated , but we are never really awed.
We celebrate, but we do not worship.
We live, but not for you.
Have mercy on us, and forgive us.
Amaze us with grace - blood stained, incarnate, Messianic grace - the Glory of God in Christ.

Though you may not find the entirety of this confession to be true, at the very least a portion has been true of anyone residing in America.

This is a prayer that was printed in a Covenant Theological Seminary chapel service on February 23, 2007. The prayer was written by Rev. Michael Kelly, Green Lake PCA, Seattle, WA.

To be, rather than to seem

2011-04-20T05:58:00.004-05:00

To our eternal blessing, Jesus was rather than seemed.

During this week between Palm Sunday and Easter, Jesus would have been participating in Passover. Now, in the 21st century, Palm Sunday gets plenty of attention. Maundy Thursday and Good Friday are also well known and observed. And of course and rightly so, Easter is the pinnacle of the week and celebrated by the Christian community.

However, in Matthew 11, there is a passage that doesn't get much attention. Over a year ago, Brian Habig taught on Matthew 11:11-25. The title of the sermon is "Becoming What He Prayed For" on March 21, 2010. Click here, find it and listen to it. Whether you love Jesus or are indifferent to him, listen to it.

To summarize the text: On Palm Sunday, Jesus goes to the temple and looks around. Then he leaves the city. The next day, he curses a fig tree and then goes to the temple and drives out the people doing business there. Jesus and his disciples again left the city, the fig tree had withered up, and Jesus teaches his disciples about trust, prayer, and forgiveness.

Sadly, the church is not always what she seems. Praise God, Jesus was content to be rather than to seem.

Homemade Toothpaste!

2011-03-19T08:25:00.003-05:00

We have been going through Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University. In an effort to make my "Wal-Mart/Target" envelope money go further, I've been researching what I can make myself for cheaper than I can get at the store. Not only did I find out that toothpaste is much cheaper to make, but it's actually safer! Apparently, fluoride isn't a great ingredient to brush our teeth with!

This morning I made my own toothpaste! This video calls for oil of peppermint. If you're using peppermint extract, you're going to need a whole lot more than a drop...otherwise it tastes terrible!! I'm excited about my newfound Dave-Ramsey-approving, safe-teeth-cleaning, Zach-Galifianakis-endorsed (not really), toothpaste.

Who's Listening?

2011-03-04T13:56:00.001-06:00

Public speaking is a beast. If you do it on any kind of regular basis, it can be provide thrilling highs and disappointing lows.

As a member of the Rankin County Chamber of Commerce, I am on the Elder Services Committee. First Fridays for Seniors is a monthly event designed to educate and inform the aging population and their caregivers about services available to them in Rankin County, Mississippi.

Today, I had the opportunity to educate the attendees of First Fridays about Reliv! I used my notes from a talk I did last year. During the talk, I was admittedly nervous, and had thought after I was done that there would be little interest. I could tell there was at least one or two who were tracking with me and giving me feedback via their body language.

After the talk, I was encouraged that those who evidenced curiosity approached me with feedback. But I was pleasantly surprised that some who seemed to be looking right through me also wanted more information. It was very exciting to have caught the attention of those that seemed to only be feigning interest.

Organization and preparation are key to public speaking. The more prepared you are, the more confident you will be. The more organized you are, the clearer you will be. Mix these 2 ingredients together and you never know who might be listening!

Cover Your Assets

2011-01-18T11:22:00.000-06:00

Did you know you can spend money to make money? If you didn’t, you’re probably spending money to spend money. The difference in those two ideas is the difference between an asset and a liability.

Rich Dad, Poor Dad, by Robert Kiyosaki, may be over 10 years old now, but his concepts are timeless. What separated Rich Dad from Poor Dad? Financial intelligence. Kiyosaki’s underlying principle is that financial education is paramount to building wealth. Seems simple, right? It is actually. The problem lies in where the financial education originates.

Where are we being taught about money and how it works? Our school systems? At home? By credit card companies and high-interest marketing strategies? Kiyosaki rightly says that “money without financial intelligence is money soon gone.” It doesn’t matter that someone makes $300.000 a year. If he is financially illiterate, then wealth constantly eludes him. Money doesn’t solve problems; intelligence solves problems – and makes money.

Kiyosaki provides six helpful lessons, but understanding one concept can begin to establish that financial intelligence. *Know the difference between an asset and a liability and buy assets.* The definition of an asset is anything that generates income.

Does your car generate income? I don’t mean does your car get you to your job – I mean does the actual existence of your car generate income. No. In fact, the existence of your car generates expenses. You must spend money to put gas in the car and keep it maintained and insure it. Therefore, your car is a liability.

Assets can come in many different forms, but Kiyosaki often uses real estate. Owning a rental property (with tenants, of course), generates income and builds wealth. Those tenants are paying the mortgage on a home that can later be sold or that continue to generate the revenue of the rent paid. However, your own home is not an asset but a liability because again, you must pay money to heat it, cool it, light it, fix it, insure it, etc. And don’t confuse equity with asset.

Kiyosaki’s advice can be summed up in 3 points. Know the difference between an asset and a liability. Then, learn to recognize an asset when it presents itself. And finally, take action. The well-educated will be able to capitalize on opportunity whereas the uneducated will not be able to even recognize the opportunity.

If you spend money to make money, you’ll be well on your way to establishing – and maintaining – wealth.

2010-12-11T13:09:00.002-06:00

Anastasia has not only taken to sitting in big people seats, she is also getting pretty good at feeding herself. Of course, I make the oatmeal a little more sticky to help her out some.

Check Your Crust

2010-12-06T21:18:00.003-06:00

Oreo Cheesecake is not Oreo Cheesecake unless the crust is crushed Oreo wafers.

I had a slice of “Oreo Cheesecake” at a respected Jackson establishment (that will go unnamed). I took my first bite and it didn’t taste as I had expected – not enough Oreo flavor. It wasn’t until the second bite that I realized that it had a graham cracker crust!

Don’t get me wrong – a graham cracker crust on almost any other type of cheesecake is not only preferable but expected. Not so with Oreo Cheesecake.

So, before you cheesecake-up, check your crust.

Chipping away at Chocolate Chunk

2010-11-23T20:41:00.005-06:00

I've long since thought Chocolate Chunk granola bars aren't anything to write home about. Tonight I made some break-and-bake Chocolate Chunk cookies and realized this reality is not unique to granola bars. Chocolate Chip cookies, granola bars, etc. are far superior to the Chocolate Chunk variety. And let me tell you why.

While the actual pieces of chocolate may be bigger in Chocolate Chunk goodies, there are fewer total pieces. Yet in Chocolate Chip treats the pieces may be smaller but there are a larger number of them to be dispersed throughout the item. When I eat a Chocolate Chip cookie, I get what I want - chocolate in every bite. You're not as likely to be afforded that luxury with Chocolate Chunk.

So, to spare you the chocolate-less bites: chunk the Chocolate Chunk.

The Radio Shopping Show

2010-10-23T19:14:00.004-05:00

The Radio Shopping Show is a great way to find deals in the Jackson area! It can be found on 1400 AM WJQS in the Jackson metro area four (non consecutive) hours a day - 9-11, 12-1, and 3-5.

These are the deals I've found: a $25 gift certificate to Fleet Feet for $12.50, a $20 gift certificate to the Sunglasses Shop for $6, a round of golf in Brandon for $3.50, a $60 massage for $8, Cold Stone, Maggie Moo's, Planet Smoothie, and (this may be my favorite), a membership to the Rankin County Chamber of Commerce for $30!

The Radio Shopping Show works on the barter system. Advertisers offer gift certificates, products and services at no cost to the show in exchange for the advertising. So, The Radio Shopping Show profits what they sell the goods and services for and the advertisers have the on-air exposure. There are several "rules" in place that prevent callers from taking advantage of advertisers. For example, you can only purchase one certificate per 30 days per merchant. Ie, you can't call up The Radio Shopping Show and buy all the Chik-fil-A certificates they have available.

It's worth checking out the Shopper's Guide online. This lists all the merchants and the product or services they offer. But you do have to actually call the show during show hours to purchase. Click on The Radio Shopping Show image above to go to the website. Happy listening!

Double the Scrubbing Bubbles

2010-10-09T13:36:00.007-05:00

As I was cleaning the toilet this morning I realized I could stretch my Johnson and Johnson dollar even further. First of all, their toilet bowl cleaner set comes with a wand and an attachment that fits right over the tank to store it. Given our highly limited amount of space, this is a genius invention.

Johnson & Johnson also makes a disposable cleaner to attach to this wand and then flush down the toilet. The cleaning agent is embedded in the little pieces of paper-towel like paper. My epiphany came when I realized I could rip one of those match-box sized suckers in half!

It's best to take a single sheet of toilet paper and fold it several times to put in the wand with the cleaning sheets.

Now I get twice the Scrubbing Bubbles cleaning experience from the same package. Score one for toilet bowl cleaners.

Vieira ain't no Stephanopoulos

2010-09-11T10:03:00.006-05:00

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Meredith Vieira’s interview with Terry Jones earlier this week displayed immature behavior and an unprofessional attitude. A reporter's task is to expose and inform the public. Vieira’s attitude, body language, and logic communicated a lack of self control. Although she is entitled to her own views and beliefs, her career demands that she maintain an attitude of neutrality to faithfully conduct her job.

Vieira’s attitude failed to empathize with Terry Jones' position. Jones' position is that radical Islam is dangerous. He believes this is a truth the American media has not taken seriously, especially in the case of the building of the mosque near Ground Zero in NYC. Vieira repeatedly confessed her confusion at Jones’ line of reasoning and responses. However, Jones was quite clear and I did not feel that confusion. Vieira’s language further demonstrated her attitude and point of view. She used words like “bigoted, intolerant, and crazy”. Vieira also said, “You incited this,” to Jones, making her presuppositions obvious.

Vieira’s body language and tone of voice displayed her posture towards Jones. Vieira’s raised eyebrows revealed her shock with regard to Jones. Her hand gestures demonstrated her antagonism towards him. Clearly, Jones’ methods are shocking and his actions belligerent. It’s easy to understand how Vieira felt shock and antagonism. However, her responsibility as a news anchor is to maintain composure and professionalism during the interview process. Vieira’s goal is a public, not personal, conversation with Jones. Vieira allowed her personal stance to overshadow her public role.

Vieira’s logic, which was exposed in her line of questioning, revealed her agenda. Her original problem was confusion and her original question was if the burning of the Quran was happening. Jones response was complex. Jones said the burning would certainly be cancelled if his demand was met – that demand being the moving of the intended mosque. Jones claimed that if a meeting with the Imam happened the burning of the Qurans would be at least postponed if not cancelled. Vieira claimed she was still confused, which communicated her inability to hear Jones. Vieira failed at this point by asking a closed question rather than an open question. A closed question is fishing for confirmation, whereas an open question is asking for information. When Vieira asked Jones whether or not she was going to go through with the burning, she was expecting a yes or no answer. When Vieira did not receive a yes or no answer, the nature of her questioning was exposed, which was to look for confirmation of her agenda rather than clarity of Jones position and actions.

Overall, Vieira failed to maintain an attitude conducive to her task. If Vieira had maintained an attitude of neutrality, Jones’ position and actions would have spoken for themselves. This would have placed the public in the position to make the judgment. Instead, Vieira took on the role of judge and thereby drew the attention away from Jones to herself. As a viewer, I was robbed of the right to make my own judgment. The result of Vieira’s interjecting herself into the interview was that I was now required to agree or disagree with her. The conversation was then between the viewer and Vieira rather than between the viewer and Jones. The end result is that now I disagree with Jones actions but also with Vieira’s behavior. Although I disagree with Jones actions, I feel more negativity toward Vieira. Even though I enjoy watching the Today Show, I now feel the lack of connection is absent because Vieira conducted herself in an untrustworthy manner.

The bottom line: Vieira ain't no Stephanopoulos.

Everybody believes in God

2010-09-01T21:39:00.004-05:00

The chairman of a trucking company, with over 300 terminals nationwide, requires his new employees to take a lie detector test. One of the questions they are asked is, "Do you believe in God?" This chairman reports that 100% of the time, those who respond, "No", are lying! When an employee answers that question negatively, the little needle goes wild and indicates that they are lying.

What does this tell me? Although people may suppress or ignore this truth, physiologically, all men confess that God exits!

Disclaimer: I don't have exhaustive knowledge as to the reason for this requirement, nor do I know any of the other questions asked. In fact, I believe that the name of the trucking company was intentionally not shared for confidentiality purposes.

Mississippi Braves game

2010-08-30T20:32:00.004-05:00

Philip and I got a couple of tickets (and $10 in Braves bucks!) for the Mississippi Braves game on Friday night. It was the first time I had been to the new Trustmark Park or to a Mississippi Braves game! It was a blast! And the Braves beat the Carolina Mudcats 3 to 2!

They really do a lot of contests and give-aways between at-bats. My personal favorite was the eye-ball race sponsored by the Jackson Eye Associates. (There were kids that wore these giant balls over their heads that had an eye painted on them.)

Mama and Daddy had Anastasia for the weekend, so she missed out...well, she would probably disagree.

I dropped it.

2010-08-27T16:31:00.003-05:00

Anastasia spoke her first sentence today! Philip and I both heard it - doesn't the Bible say something about two witnesses...Anyway, her first complete sentence with a subject, verb and direct object was, "I dropped it."

We had some (amazing) fried catfish from Lumpkin's, a unique BBQ place here in Jackson. (If you're local, you should check it out!) I peeled off the fried skin and handed the fish to Anastasia. She dropped it on her shirt and Philip said just that. As I went to get pick it off, Anastasia looked down and said, "I dropped it."

Anastasia is very verbose. It's not all intelligable, though. Philip and I joke that she has been practicing so much, she is just going to wake up one day and start speaking complete and understandable sentences. I'll keep you posted.

Pilates

2010-08-26T21:31:00.008-05:00

I have the privilege of being a Pilates instructor! Pilates is a popular class at the local gyms. It was designed during WWI by Joseph Pilates. Pilates was a German who became disenchanted with the political direction his country was taking and immigrated to the United States. Though his methods were first used for military purposes, Pilates was quickly embraced by the dance and entertainment community. Pilates not only conditions the entire body but helps rehabilitate after injury.

Pilates focused on strengthenging, stretching, and stabalizing a few key muscles. Incorporating proper alignment, centering, concentration, control, precision, breathing, and flowing movement is how this total body conditioning is achieved. The result is long, lean muscles (like those of a dancer!).

If you're new to Pilates, thinking about all of those principles at one time can be overwhelming. However, consistency will gain mastery. Joseph Pilates had a 10-20-30 concept: after 10 sessions, you will be comfortable with the moves and notice a difference. After 20 sessions, you and others will notice a difference. And after 30 sessions, you will have a whole new body! All of this assuming you make good choices outside of the Pilates sessions.

In the late 1960's, Joseph Pilates claimed that he was 50 years ahead of his time. As Pilates has gained incredible momentum in the past 10 years, I would say he was right on target! Pilates continues to gain popularity. But this isn't a fad. Pilates will be an industry standard for years to come.

a little comic relief

2010-08-25T19:35:00.000-05:00

WRONG E-MAIL ADDRESS

A Minneapolis couple decided to go to Florida to thaw out during a particularly icy winter.. They planned to stay at the same hotel where they spent their honeymoon 20 years earlier.

Because of hectic schedules, it was difficult to coordinate their travel schedules. So, the husband left Minnesota and flew to Florida on Thursday, with his wife flying down the following day.

The husband checked into the hotel. There was a computer in his room, so he decided to send an email to his wife. However, he accidentally left out one letter in her email address, and without realizing his error, sent the email.

Meanwhile, somewhere in Houston , a widow had just returned home from her husband's funeral. He was a minister who was called home to glory following a heart attack.

The widow decided to check her email expecting messages from relatives and friends. After reading the first message, she gasped and fainted...

The widow's son rushed into the room, found his mother on the floor, and saw the computer screen which read:

To: My Loving Wife

Subject: I've Arrived

Date: October 16, 2005

I know you're surprised to hear from me. They have computers here now and you are allowed to send emails to your loved ones. I've just arrived and have been checked in.

I've seen that everything has been prepared for your arrival tomorrow. Looking forward to seeing you then!!!! Hope your journey is as uneventful as mine was.

P. S. Sure is freaking hot down here!!!!

Independence

2010-08-24T21:36:00.003-05:00

Lately, I've been telling our Reliv story a lot. And I am still impressed by Philip's results. In Feburary of 2010, Philip found that he was able to climb onto our bed by himself. Prior to Feb 2010, that was something that I was doing for him every time he needed to get to his chair or the bed.

Philip had found relief from his migraines, seasonal allergies and anxiety not too long after starting to drink Reliv. We would have been highly satisfied if those results were all we ever saw. But, to God's glory, Philip has seen increased mobility!

In fact, his mobility continues to increase. He's now able to get onto one of our living room chairs unassisted and swim without needing a flotation aid. And all that Philip has changed has been adding Reliv.

Philip's independence positively impacts my life, too. I have more freedom. Freedom not only from the physical activities but also from the concern about how long Philip has been home by himself and if he's stranded on the floor. We are grateful to God for creating such a product as Reliv.

Mississippi State football

2010-08-23T19:58:00.002-05:00

There are plenty of articles to read about Mississippi State football. However, I don't read them. I know that some would elate me, some would infuriate me and some would make me want to attend every football game this season.

I get all the Miss. State information that I want from my Daddy, my brother, John, and my friend, Alison. Between the 3 of them, I can be as well informed as I choose to be. Apparently, Dan Mullen is rather confidently optimistic about the Bulldog's upcoming football season. He's gone from praising our team's effort to praising their execution.

Now, most maroon-bleeding Miss. State fans are, at the most, cautiously optimistic. If we do have a winning season this year, Dan's attitude just may catch on. Of course, I bet that he wants his attitude to catch on before the season starts. I can't blame him - a positive attitude and belief go a long way. Henry Ford said, "Whether you think you can or you think you can't, you're right."

If Mullen's change in vocabulary (from effort to execution) is any indication of whether or not the entire team thinks they can, I want season tickets!

the early service

2010-08-22T19:38:00.002-05:00

Philip and I are members at Pear Orchard Presbyterian Church in Ridgeland, MS. Pear Orchard has an early morning (8:00 AM) and late morning service (10:30 AM) on Sunday mornings. We started going to the early service a few months ago when it fit Anastasia's nap schedule the best.

I'm now a huge fan of the early service. We get to worship, go to Sunday school, go home, have brunch or an early lunch and by noon have the remainder of the day to rest. By the end of Sunday, I feel like I am ready for the week.

Last weekend, I got to visit my former church in St. Louis, MO, Memorial Presbyterian. They now have a Saturday evening service. That would probably gain my allegiance if I still lived in St. Louis. But for now, we're early-morningers and loving it.

Whipped Cream Biscuits

2010-08-21T17:37:00.008-05:00

I made biscuits for the first time tonight! I got the urge to try making biscuits a couple of hours ago. The first recipes I looked at called for shortening. I don't keep shortening on hand and don't care to either. Then I ran across a recipe called Whipped Cream Bisciuts, which only called for 4 ingredients!

I don't own a biscuit cutter, so I started texting around. Not only did none of my neighbors have one, but one didn't even know what a biscuit cutter was. I suppose we have Pillsbury to thank for that. So, I drove to our local Family Dollar hoping they would keep them in stock. No luck. Not wanting to forge the Wal-Mart battle, I had the grand idea to use a white wine glass...it worked perfectly!

The Whipped Cream Biscuits were super easy to make and delicious. The texture was just right, too - they were so light and airy. There wasn't that hint of preservative that the canned biscuits have, either. I went to the Farmer's Market this morning as well...talk about feeling connected with my Southern-ness right now. The Whipped Cream Biscuits are now a staple for the Southern Soens!

Asleep in the high chair

2010-07-28T21:30:00.003-05:00

Tonight while I was making dinner - which was a Tuna Casserole. Judge as you like. This was the first time I've ever made - or even eaten - a Tuna Casserole, and it wasn't half bad.

But back to the story: I feed Anastasia dinner while I'm making dinner for Philip and me. Tonight I had given Anastasia some string cheese and green peas. I guess I hadn't noticed she had been kinda quiet not asked for more. It wasn't until I heard a deep sleep-like breath, ie, snore, from behind me that I remembered Anastasia was still in the room.

She had fallen asleep in her high chair. It was at the same time very precious and left me feeling terrible that she was so exhausted. I don't know if this footage was worth her missing her afternoon nap, though. Debatable.

*That is indeed Anastasia that you hear lightly snoring.*

Resourceful

2010-07-07T12:00:00.003-05:00

Philip, Anastasia, and I went to Inverness over the 4th of July weekend. I must have been extremely focued on something else when we were leaving Sunday, because we forgot Anastasia's high chair, diaper bag, and stroller. I already turned around once at Sid Windham's on Hwy 49 to get my purse. We probably would have gone back to get them when we realized the other forgotten items, but I knew Anastasia was going to be going back to Inverness today - 3 days later.

So we've been roughing here at the Soen homestead. Anastasia hasn't minded roaming around free outside rather than being in her stroller. A Bumpo and belt was my resourceful answer to the absence of a high chair. I was kinda proud of that concoction. Needless to say, I will be very grateful to get those back next week when Anastasia comes home!

Some would say I'm a glutton for pain...

2010-07-05T12:30:00.004-05:00

Others would say I'm a good Mississippi State fan.

I love the 4th of July weekend. But because of an English tradition, not an American holiday. The Championships at Wimbledon happen every year over our Independence Day. I had the opportunity to attend Wimbledon in 2007. It was a wonderful experience! I didn't have a Centre Court ticket, but that didn't matter. It was raining, but that "dampen" the experience either...it was Wimbledon!

This past weekend, I was pulling for the Chech, Tomas Berdych, to beat Rafael Nadal, and the Russian, Vera Zvonareva to upset Serena Williams. I don't know if I could get more unpatriotic, but this whole incident will prove I am a Miss. State Bulldog even before an American. Don't get me wrong, I am very, very thankful for the liberties we experience in this nation. But I bleed maroon.

I think the reason that I always pull for underdog is because Mississippi State is usually the underdog. Choosing the underdog is a bigger risk but a bigger victory, too. (See also, the 2009 Egg Bowl.) Accordingly, I cheered for Zvonareva on Saturday and Berdych on Sunday. They both lost. Nadal and Williams are on their way to setting tennis records, but that didn't affect my choice.

So, some would say I'm a glutton for pain, but I maintain that I am just a conditioned Mississippi State fan.

New record...and new pictures

2010-06-19T22:25:00.003-05:00

According to our pediatrician, Anastasia set a new 'world record' for the least amount of sick visits in the first year of life : none.

These are some of Anastasia's 1 year old pictures. Ragan Oswalt, a friend from my time at Mississippi State, took the pictures. We had fun taking them at Mynelle Gardens here in Jackson.

Natchez, Mississippi

2010-05-20T13:09:00.003-05:00

On Sunday, Philip preached in Natchez, Mississippi - he did an excellent job, I might add. I learned a lot from his sermon. On the drive there, we took the Natchez Trace. I was eye-ing places we might stop to eat lunch on the way home; the Trace is such a beautiful drive.

However, just before arriving at the church, we hit a(n already dead) armadillo. I heard a thud under our car as we drove over the armadillo and not too soon after I saw what looked like dust flying behind our car. Now, we didn't have very good directions and my attention was on getting us down the correct rural Mississippi road. After one wrong turn, and some piecemeal directions from a local, we finally found the church. With a wheelchair and stroller, I think we challenged the accessibility of that church to boot.

After the service, we were the last ones to get out of the parking lot. I had cranked the car to start cooling it off while Carolyn, one of the church members, took a picture of me and Anastasia. We weren't even to the road before the over-heat indicator light reminded me of that armadillo. Some how, I was very calm. I reversed us back underneath a tree and cut the engine off. We opened the doors and thankfully there was a nice breeze. Anastasia was even wonderfully content in her car seat. Without going into the details, which the Lord was very gracious to arrange like he did, we ended up at Carolyn's house.

James and Carolyn Schuchs were unbelievably kind. James had already come back up to the church to help us, and Philip and I were eating lunch while James looked at our car. Our mini-van is wheelchair accessible and very, very low to the ground. James and his son got our car lifted as much as possible; enough so to know that it wasn't a quick fix.

My sweet Daddy drove all the way from Inverness to Natchez to pick us up. I think the fact that he was going to get to see Anastasia didn't hurt! In the meantime, we hung out at James and Carolyn's. They both have deep roots in Natchez and we enjoyed hearing more about them.

So, our nice picnic lunch on the Trace never happened, but Philip and I experienced Southern hospitality at its finest...and I won't every again take an armadillo in the middle of the road so lightly.

McDonald's or Burger King?

2010-04-29T09:52:00.002-05:00

Recent survey reveals that one out of one McDonald's employees prefers Burger King's double cheeseburger to McDonald's.

On Monday, I wanted a quick meal and went through the McDonald's drive thru to get a double cheeseburger. (Yes, after 10 years as a vegetarian, I'm now loving hamburgers again!!) I asked through the speaker if the double cheeseburgers were still a dollar. The friendly girl on the other side of the speaker said, no, but the McDouble was.

As way of education on the McDonald's menu - a McDouble is two pieces of meat and only one piece of cheese. The double cheeseburger has two pieces of meat and two pieces of cheese. And as way of personal experience, the second piece of cheese makes a big difference.

I ordered the McDouble and when I pulled around to the first window to pay, the same friendly girl informed me that Burger King's double cheeseburger was better! Whoa, a McDonald's employee recommending Burger King...while in uniform. And they are still $1, she added.

So, upon intentional and comprehensive deliberation, Philip and I have decided to go to Burger King today for their cheaper, better double cheeseburger.

11 Months!

2010-04-28T17:02:00.005-05:00

Anastasia turns 11 months old today. I find that a little hard to believe but thrilling all the same!

Anastasia has a few words: thank you, uh-oh, Mama, Papa, and a variation on Daddy that I think is Granddaddy.

Monday night she blew me a kiss - unsolicited. And this evening she said "thank you" when I gave her her Cheerios! Of course, earlier, when she was upset that I wouldn't let her feed herself, she very purposefuly threw the spoon down on the ground.

So, she's a pretty normal kid - cute and infuriating.

When did BusinessWeek Gobama?

2010-04-19T13:47:00.003-05:00

The past 2 issues of BusinessWeek have struck me as different. First, there was the April 5 issue that featured an article on the cost effectiveness of Obama's health care reform. That caught my attention, so I put it aside to read when I had time. Then, the cover of the April 19 issue suggested that Obama is scoring big with his current economic strategy. Again, I set it aside with the April 5 issue to read. Finally, today I the cover of the April 25 BusinessWeek piqued my interest enough to open the front cover and read the letter to its readers.

It was a very well written letter - informing the readers that Bloomberg LP had purchased BusinessWeek and now it would be Bloomberg BusinessWeek magazine. I do indeed like some of the changes that have been made. The publication seems more streamlined, accessible, and well organized. However, I started to wonder if there was a connection between the addition of Bloomberg and the shift in bias.

After reading those articles in the prior issues, it became apparent that someone at BusinessWeek has a pretty big crush on President Obama. Both articles gave him the benefit of the doubt and barely pointed out what naysayers are accusing his legislation of.

There was an editorial in this week's (April 25) issue that I resonated with. It was from Mike Buck in Carrollton, Texas. Buck, who holds a masters in business, says that to credit "the market's temporary uptick to Obama's policies is asinine." I agree. Mike Doring, the author of the pro-Obama article in the April 19 issues, points to the markets to testify to Obama's success. However, as Buck points out, the markets are about temporary gain, not lasting change.

I would love to see President Obama succeed. That would mean a success for the American people, right? However, I don't want that success to be at Anastasia's expense. (And, if Buck is correct and this Administration is on par to double the debt of all previous Administrations, that expense will be large.)

So, when did BusinessWeek gObama? Well, I don't know much about this Bloomberg fellow, but my hunch tells me it's him that has the man-crush on our 44th president.

Ann Louise

2010-04-15T15:10:00.003-05:00

Anastasia has obviously enjoyed spending time with "Miss" Ann Louise. Ann Louise has been babysitting Anastasia recently - and is doing an extraordinary job! She is a very trustworthy young woman.

Ann Louise is earning money by babysitting for a summer course at Ballet Magnificat! I bet Anastasia will want to be a ballerina like Ann Louise...especially if they continue spending time together.

Thanks, Ann Louise!

The Masters

2010-04-12T06:56:00.002-05:00

Phil Mickelson, my pro-golfer of choice, won the Masters this weekend. Winning his third Masters was exciting - especially given his wife's recent battle with cancer. Watching a golf major, especially the Masters, is restful and exciting - there's so much history and legacy on that revered course in Augusta.

Tiger's re-emergence made this Masters even more interesting. I didn't much care for Tiger before all of this was exposed. He was too much machine and not enough (hu)man. His actions are not commendable nor even excusable. But to know that Tiger is human and susceptible to error and emotion softens my hardness toward him.

I hate that it was an extremely low and hard time in his life. But it was wonderful to see positive emotion from Tiger for something other than winning the whole weekend. How many of us have people cheering and literally applauding us when we walk from our car to the office?? For Tiger to smile from the cheering and applause he received reveals that he has gained some perspective from this negative exposure.

Nike might have taken it a bit too far, though.

Tiger will continue to receive mixed responses from people. And his image will be tainted by his poor choices. But he will still go down in golf history. My loyalties remain with Phil Mickelson, who will also go down in golf history, but it's refreshing to see Tiger's coldness thawing.

Health Fair

2010-03-30T15:20:00.003-05:00

Today I had a booth at a Health Fair. Philip helped me come up with this (what we thought) was a catchy sign. I don't think most people got it, though. :/

Oh, well. Live and learn.

Story

2010-03-13T21:33:00.003-06:00

Everyone has a story. Last weekend, Philip and I were in Montgomery, Alabama, for some training. While we were there, this story happened and was put into perspective:

Josiah, a 1-year-old, was sitting at lunch beside one of his Mama's friends, Marla. Josiah kept tugging at Marla's sleeve to get her attention. He finally succeeded but wasn't satisfied until Marla took his extended hand. Josiah then seemed content to finish his bottle with one hand and hold Marla's with the other hand.

Marla brought to our attention that this was the attitude and perception of someone who hadn't yet been hurt and disappointed by life. Josiah hasn't yet been disappointed by someone he loves when they make a promise they can't keep or had his heart broken when the kids on the playground don't want to play with him. Josiah hasn't had to handle the loneliness after the loss of someone dear to him nor felt duped when an un-trustworthy person has taken advantage of him.

I can't imagine anyone reading this blog not intimately understanding what I'm talking about. Which means that almost everyone you come in contact with on a daily basis has been hurt and disappointed. Some have even reached their wits end and have trouble trusting anyone at all.

Marla's illustration reminded me that everyone has a story. Most people's story involve beauty and hardship, thrilling triumph and deep agony. And yet, all of our stories began like Josiah's - void of the knocks, the disappointment, the heartache, and the pain that makes us suspicious when we want to trust and tear down when we should lift up.

Mama

2010-02-16T05:47:00.002-06:00

Anastasia has started forming words! "Bye-bye" and "Mama" are the two most frequent and obvious. She will also say "Papa", but you have to have a parent's ears to hear it. :)

Not only is it incredibly special to hear my daughter saying "Mama", but it's also very special to get to have my Mama be a part of our lives right now. She has been nothing less than a blessing to help us whenever she can. Thank you, Mama.

Reacquisition

2010-01-31T16:31:00.002-06:00

Our normal mode of operation for getting Philip on his wheelchair is as follows: I assist him onto our bed and then he scoots onto his chair. He hasn't had the ability to get onto a bed, couch, etc to transfer to his wheelchair in 4 years - nor consistently transfer from the floor to his chair in 5 years.

On Wednesday, Philip climbed from the floor to the bed. Then on Thursday he did it again, this time with greater ease. I have not had to help him onto the bed since Wednesday night. Philip is now able to get into his chair without my assistance! This adds an immense level of personal independence that he hasn't had in years.

Why is this the case? Has anything changed for us or for Philip? Yes - Philip has been taking some superior, patented nutrition. The only thing that has changed in the past 4 years is that for the past 9 months Philip has been drinking Reliv. We would have been happy and satisfied with his migraine headaches gone, his allergies and anxiety each about 90% improved, and his fatigue (and coffee addiction) lifted. But this was a wonderful and unexpected development. God is good.

Day 3 with no water

2010-01-13T06:33:00.002-06:00

I suppose Jackson, MS, was not prepared for 14 nights of sub-freezing weather. Why do I make such a claim? Because many, many of us residents are about to spend our 3rd day without running water. This is more than a nuisance. Jackson has actually been declared in a state of emergency.

Have you ever considered all the ways and places you use water? Here are some of the major ones that I'm missing it : We can't take a shower; I can't fill up Anastasia's bathtub; I can't fill up Anastasia's humidifier tank; I can't wash my hands after handling raw pork; I can't wash dishes, much less run the dishwasher; I can't brush my teeth like normal; The toilet doesn't flush; I can't wash my face at the end of the day.

Thankfully, because I teach some fitness classes at the Baptist Healthplex, and Philip has become a member, we are able to shower there. I also fill up Anastasia's humidifier tank there and several milk jugs. It's a hassle to have to arrange our shower times either around childcare hours at the Healthplex or entertain Anastasia while we try to get clean.

After this crisis, I do hope that I will appreciate running water whenever I turn on the faucet...unfortunately, that gratefulness will probably only last about 15 minutes.

New Year's bang-bang

2010-01-01T20:58:00.002-06:00

Our New Year's bang-bang was not so fun. I had put Anastasia down around 7:30. Philip and I watched 3 episodes of Numb3rs - the last two of Season 3 and the first of Season 4. And if you're a Numb3rs fan, you will understand why we had to immediately watch the next episode. I literally sprang up out of my seat at the end of Season 3 finale!

Anyway, getting back to New Year's itself. Philip and I had gotten to bed just before midnight. Then I woke up to lots of quickly successive loud bangs. Now, folks had been shooting fireworks for the 2-3 hours before midnight and we knew what those were sounding like. These midnight bangs were gunshots. We've heard gunshots here before - that was no surprise.

What made last night's different is that it went on for so long, it woke my sweet baby girl up. I got Anastasia out of bed, but it was still about 10/15 mins before the shots ceased. And when the shots did finally subside, it took me a while to get Anastasia back to bed. :(

So, our New Year wasn't the best. But thankfully, I have wonderful and tremendously helpful parents. Daddy happened to be on his way here when I talked to Mama at 8:30. She offered that they take Anastasia for the weekend to give us a break.

And here's Anastasia's ringing...this was on Christmas Day. But I'll take these bang-bangs over the ones we had last night any day.

Who let the Dawgs out?

2009-11-29T16:08:00.010-06:00

Dan Mullen, that's who! Philip and I got to be one of the 55,365 witnesses of yesterday's Mississippi State victory over that "school to the North."

We wanted it more. Our Bulldogs played so well - DePasquale hit that long field goal in the first half, Lee and Relfs were connecting with their receivers, Dixon and Relfs were gaining yards on the ground. Even the defense got in the offensive-spirit and put some point on the board. I was (and am) so proud of my Bulldogs!

The sea of maroon and white was beautiful. Every time the Rebel fans went to chant "Hotty Toddy," cowbells silenced the attempt. Anyone wearing maroon was a friend - there wasn't a stranger in Starkville.

Dan Mullen was a great hire. The Clarion Ledger said that Mullen had a clock put in the locker room counting down to the kickoff of the Egg Bowl. That was almost 10 months ago, in January. That was obviously plenty of time to prepare for our biggest rival. Mississippi State won the bowl game that matters the most in Mississippi!

Yep, that's me with Tyson Lee after the game. Lee has been a wonderful and respectful asset to our team. Our offense will miss him and Dixon.

what is NARAL?

2009-11-24T08:57:00.003-06:00

This was my question earlier today when I viewed this YouTube video. Dr. Bernard Nathanson is the last surviving founding member of NARAL, the first pro-abortion organization founded in NYC in the late 1960's. He admits that the group intentionally denied what they knew to be true in order to mislead the American public and the courts. That truth is that an unborn child is indeed an existing human being.

I agree with Dr. Nathanson's current view that an unborn child is indeed that - a child. Philip even pointed this out. That even if you believe that a fetus is not yet a human being - why eliminate something that is about to become a human being?!? What else in this world becomes a walking, talking being with a soul?

I heard Anastasia's heart-beat at 9 weeks. She was pumping blood through her forming body at, if not before, 9 weeks after conception.

Dr. Nathanson goes on to admit that he deeply regrets the 75,000 abortions he is responsible for. Calling legalized abortion "the greatest mistake this nation has ever conceived."

NARAL stands for National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League OR National Association for the Repeal of Abortion Laws - it's hard to find this information at www.naral.org.

Post Script: Dr. Nathanson has since converted to Catholicism, being baptised in 1996. Read more from him here.

waking up happy

2009-11-12T08:04:00.002-06:00

Anastasia usually wakes up in the morning happy! She'll play in her crib until I come get her - or until she gets lonely and lets me and Philip know it.

These pictures are from this morning when I went in to get her.

She is such a delight! Now if only she could teach the rest of us how to wake up that way...

Desitin!

2009-11-04T21:48:00.004-06:00

Yep, that's right, this post is about Desitin - to praise this product is more like it. I had been using A&D since my daughter was born. Then she started having diaper rash and I started using more A&D and the diaper rash didn't go away.

I was at the end of a tube of the name brand A&D stuff when I found some Desitin that we had been given in a basket of goodies - well, they were goodies if you had just brought a newborn home. And lo and behold, this white gunk alleviated the redness on sweet Anastasia's bumbum!!

Woo hoo!

Do you want to be healed?

2009-11-01T17:02:00.004-06:00

I just finished listening to a sermon delivered by Brian Habig, pastor of Downtown Presbyterian Church in Greenville, SC. The text was John 5:1-18. I tearfully listened to this sermon, titled 'Do You Want To Be Healed?' (listen to it here to figure out at which points I ripped off Brian). Brian spoke about the ‘good life’ – whatever version or variety we concoct the good life to be. My ‘good life’ would combine the material luxuries and toned figures of Desperate Housewives with the number and behavior of children of The Brady Bunch – all in a wheelchair accessible house.

However, the ‘good life’ according to the Triune God doesn’t start with our comfort and prosperity. God defines the Good Life as one where He is known and trusted. There are no promises of physical healing before Jesus comes back. God has provided means for temporal healing and relief – largely available to the modern Western world. Those means are good, but not permanent. Even if we are healed of an illness, injury, or protein mutation in the myelin shaft of the nerves, we will still die and face judgment.

God says we are blessed if we have One who has stood in that judgment for us. Jesus suffered while on earth – his chosen ones will suffer as well. The good life is not one that is free from struggle and strife, but one that knows Jesus will return to destroy death once and for all, to wipe away every tear, and to banish Charcot Marie Tooth.

My husband has had many people pray for his healing. Philip is a wise and godly man who has come up with a counter to these brothers and sisters who are suggesting that he lacks faith. After (the nebulous) they are finished praying for him, Philip prays that they will know what it means to suffer for righteousness’ sake. And which is the bigger blessing? To get up and walk or to fellowship with Jesus in his suffering?

Of course I want a good life for my daughter, too. Philip and I pray for her often. But do I pray that she will never know pain, always be flawless and beautiful, and find a male counterpart to this ideal? Or do I pray that she know Jesus – even in his sufferings and persecutions? That she trust Jesus, even if that calls her to Indonesia, to have CMT, or to cheer against Mississippi State University? Her educational and financial future already keep me up at night. But what should keep me up at night is whether or not she will trust in Jesus as her Lord and Savior.

So what is the good life? It’s living in the covenant promises made and kept by the LORD. Knowing that Jesus took on the covenant curses and gifted me with the covenant blessings. Living in that knowledge is the good life that God has given to me.

Our Lil' Pumpkin

2009-10-31T14:28:00.004-05:00

Happy Halloween! I enjoy this holiday - fun costumes, fall colors, and candy; we can't forget the candy!! I found this Pumpkin outfit at RTS's (Reformed Theological Seminary) Clothes Closet - a "free store" for students, factulty, and staff. In fact, starting next week, I'm going to be working at the Clothes Closet part-time. We're hoping our Little Pumpkin will let me.

My parents, Marme and Granddaddy to Anastasia, came into town. Anastasia is spending Halloween in Inverness with them! I don't know whose having more fun, my parents or Anastasia. (My vote goes with my parents.)

Anastasia is 5 months

2009-10-28T13:58:00.005-05:00

Anastasia turned 5 months old today. Whoa. Anyone who has kids says, "They grow up so fast." Philip jokingly remarked that we should start telling people, "This kid is taking forever to grow up!" We don't think that she is; we wish we could find her Pause button. But nonetheless, Philip and I poke at conventional and too-often repeated sayings.

The picture to the right was taken when Anastasia was about 24 hours old. "It seems like it was yesterday!"

neurologists

2009-10-27T11:21:00.003-05:00

Most neurologists really don't have the best bed-side manor. We encountered one today who did, though. Philip had a MDA (Muscular Dystrophy Association) appointment. Now, Philip has Charcot Marie Tooth, not MD, but the symptoms are close enough that he 'gets' (oh the privilege!) to be a member of MDA.

But back to neurologists - if you find a one that doesn't get on your nerves, hug him.

the preposition state

2009-10-26T10:41:00.002-05:00

Well, the Soens are entering the blogging world - the Mississippi Soens, that is. My husband, Philip, and I live in the Jackson area of Mississippi. He is a student at Reformed Theological Seminary. He recently defended his thesis (woo hoo!). The topic? Comparing and contrasting Karl Barth's and John Calvin's view of faith/justification in Romans 3:21-26. You know, nothing too defined...Actually, he had to be that defined to keep it to 135 pages - a lot of ink has been spilled on and by those 2 men and those 7 verses.

Before Philip and I met in December of 2007, Philip had only been through Mississippi, not to Mississippi. When I highlighted that distinction when we started dating - that most people have only been through Mississippi and not to Mississippi - he affectionately named Mississippi the "preposition State."

I don't think our title will be replacing "The Hospitality State" anytime soon, but unless you're from Mississippi, you've most likely only been through and not to.

What preposition defines your relationship with Mississippi?