Hello World! Baby Jake will be 4 weeks old tomorrow.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Ode to HeatherI am fortunate to have a friend who takes selflessness to a whole new level. To say that she has the "spiritual gift" of service would be an understatement. I still remember a time years ago when we were housemates. I was an event planner and was working late nights on a big event. I remember talking to Heather on the phone and telling her I would be home late because I was going to have to go to the store after getting off work. Heather asked me what I needed at the store and insisted on going for me so I could come home after work. For some reason that act of kindness has always stood out in my memory as such a sacrificial act of friendship.
This past week, my friend again went above and beyond the call of friendship to serve me. We have been through a complete whirlwind of change recently, moving to East Texas, having a baby and Brad starting a new job. Brad had to fly to Ohio for a week for training and Heather offered to come stay with me.
So, my dear friend loads up her van with her two kids, a huge cooler full of meals for me, her sewing machine and various tools, her own towels and linens (so as not to create laundry for me) and travels 2 hours to get here. While here, she allowed me to sleep in and take naps. She cooked, took care of the kids, transported me to Jake's pediatrician, sewed me some curtains, recovered my dining chairs, went to the grocery store, and brought me back an oreo blast on a particularly emotional day (dealing with a screaming baby with acid reflux). Did I mention she is 24 weeks pregnant?
Thank you Heather, for so many undeserved gifts of service and for a fun week.
Here are some photos of the highlights of our week without the husbands.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Hello World!
Jacob arrived three weeks early on June 2, 2008 weighing a whopping 9 lbs. 14 oz, and measuring 20 1/2 inches. He has lost a little weight but has already gained an inch in length according to his first check up. He is a sweet boy, but has one heck of a scream if something doesn't meet his approval. :)
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Caleb's First Fish
He actually caught 3 fish. The last one was really big and got away with the hook, line and cork. He's hooked on fishing now!
Big Bass Classic at Lake Fork
Last weekend we went to East Texas to the Big Bass Classic at Lake Fork by Gigi's house. They had a lot of fun activities for the kids. They took a free photo of Caleb holding a big fish (not real of course). He had a blast.
He is an outdoor boy through and through and this weekend reminded me that I am too (a country girl at heart) . I miss East Texas and the beautiful outdoors. It was kind of depressing coming back to our concrete city and the twigs in my front yard that are supposed to resemble trees. Ha!
Above: Fishing in the kids pond; Below: Building a truck at the Bass Classic
Okay I cannot get this picture to rotate and PhotoShop won't let me open it to edit because it was taken with my phone, but it is Caleb's first trip to the dentist. I took the picture because it was hilarious. They let him wear sunglasses because of the bright light. He was Mr. Cool. He loved the dentist and wanted to go back the next day. The nurses said he was the best "little" patient they have seen. This is the same child, of course, who enjoyed having his blood drawn. Strange bird.
I am soooooooooooooooooo frustrated. I have 7 weeks left of pregnancy and don't know how I'm going to make it. I cannot stand without having to immediately use the facilities, my stomach is constantly cramping and contracting, I'm waking up each morning to a "charlie horse" in one of my legs, I'm exhausted and winded, and I can't bend, reach high or lift anything. There are other issues, but I'll keep those to myself. I am aware of how whiney and negative this post is but I just don't care. I had to have some kind of outlet to express my frustration. Me and pregnancy are not friends.
I have called the doctor a million times with alarming reports only to continually be told to drink lots of water and stay off my feet. I swear I could grow a third arm and they would tell me that is a normal symptom of pregnancy. Sigh....... Meanwhile, while I am supposed to stay off my feet, I have to try to keep the house clean, do laundry, make breakfasts, lunches and dinners, be a mother to a very demanding 4 year old and try to take a shower whenever possible.
Okay, I'm done with my little rant. Please forgive me, and yes I know others have soooo much more to complain about than me. I am thankful for a healthy pregnancy, a wonderful family, a husband that works hard so I can be at home, and a house to keep clean!
I have called the doctor a million times with alarming reports only to continually be told to drink lots of water and stay off my feet. I swear I could grow a third arm and they would tell me that is a normal symptom of pregnancy. Sigh....... Meanwhile, while I am supposed to stay off my feet, I have to try to keep the house clean, do laundry, make breakfasts, lunches and dinners, be a mother to a very demanding 4 year old and try to take a shower whenever possible.
Okay, I'm done with my little rant. Please forgive me, and yes I know others have soooo much more to complain about than me. I am thankful for a healthy pregnancy, a wonderful family, a husband that works hard so I can be at home, and a house to keep clean!
Thursday, April 17, 2008
More on Oprah
Written by Chuck Norris
Tolle only quotes relatively benign sayings of Jesus, avoiding the more difficult ones. For example, Tolle notes that Jesus taught that the "kingdom of heaven" is already present on earth and can be experienced right now, but Tolle overlooks Jesus' teaching that one must be born again (by believing in him as the Son of God and Savior) to see that kingdom in the future.
When will we learn? Our pursuit and attainment of truth is hindered most by our subjective (or a la carte) selections of religion and refusal to consider tougher commandments that call us to higher accountability and our true purpose. That is why I'm endorsing -- and even have written the foreword for -- an upcoming (April 15 release) revolutionary book, "Do Hard Things," written by Alex Harris and Brett Harris. It offers real insight and rewards for life by commendably calling us to rebel against the low expectations of culture and choose to "do hard things."
My battle is not with Oprah; she has her guru (Tolle), and I have mine (Jesus). The real war is between those who assert to be bearers of the truth, such as Tolle and Jesus. And the question is: With contradicting truths, will we believe a mere man or one who claimed to be so much more? As C.S. Lewis -- the great Oxford scholar and writer of "The Chronicles of Narnia," who was once an avid atheist -- wrote:
"A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a good moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic -- on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg -- or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God: or else a madman or something worse. …
"You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great moral teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to."
That might not be what Oprah, Tolle or others around the world want to hear on their webinar, but he is everything we all need to obtain peace with God and peace with one another.
Again, the question is: Will we turn from what's easy, what's new, what's popular -- even what's "Oprah" -- and take a step back and rediscover the answers that have been there all along?
As C.S. Lewis also said: "We all want progress, but if you're on the wrong road, progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road; in that case, the man who turns back soonest is the most progressive."
Written by Chuck Norris
Tolle only quotes relatively benign sayings of Jesus, avoiding the more difficult ones. For example, Tolle notes that Jesus taught that the "kingdom of heaven" is already present on earth and can be experienced right now, but Tolle overlooks Jesus' teaching that one must be born again (by believing in him as the Son of God and Savior) to see that kingdom in the future.
When will we learn? Our pursuit and attainment of truth is hindered most by our subjective (or a la carte) selections of religion and refusal to consider tougher commandments that call us to higher accountability and our true purpose. That is why I'm endorsing -- and even have written the foreword for -- an upcoming (April 15 release) revolutionary book, "Do Hard Things," written by Alex Harris and Brett Harris. It offers real insight and rewards for life by commendably calling us to rebel against the low expectations of culture and choose to "do hard things."
My battle is not with Oprah; she has her guru (Tolle), and I have mine (Jesus). The real war is between those who assert to be bearers of the truth, such as Tolle and Jesus. And the question is: With contradicting truths, will we believe a mere man or one who claimed to be so much more? As C.S. Lewis -- the great Oxford scholar and writer of "The Chronicles of Narnia," who was once an avid atheist -- wrote:
"A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a good moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic -- on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg -- or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God: or else a madman or something worse. …
"You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great moral teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to."
That might not be what Oprah, Tolle or others around the world want to hear on their webinar, but he is everything we all need to obtain peace with God and peace with one another.
Again, the question is: Will we turn from what's easy, what's new, what's popular -- even what's "Oprah" -- and take a step back and rediscover the answers that have been there all along?
As C.S. Lewis also said: "We all want progress, but if you're on the wrong road, progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road; in that case, the man who turns back soonest is the most progressive."
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Bowling with EthanCaleb's other best buddy is Ethan. They are "two peas in a pod." Today we went bowling at Main Event for Ethan's birthday. After bowling, my other child (Caleb's dad) wanted to play video games. He won the jackpot on the Deal or No Deal Game (if only it were the real thing) and got 400 tickets. Caleb went home with a bag full of prizes thanks to Daddy's winnings.
Northwood Learning Center Spring ProgramThursday night was Caleb's Spring Program at Northwood, and just a little further proof that Broadway is probably NOT in his future! He has been singing the songs at home for weeks, yet on stage he just stared like a deer in headlights and barely even attempted to mouth the words.
Caleb and his very best buddy Zane! There was Open House after the program and we learned Caleb is a very popular little guy in his class. Displayed on the wall were questionaires for each child. One of the questions asked, "Who is your favorite friend?" We couldn't believe how many of the sheets listed Caleb as the favorite friend. We think he is the "class clown" and entertains everyone else while driving poor Miss Penny crazy!
Caleb and his friend Cal. Caleb has known Cal since he was a baby. Cal lives in our neighborhood and just started attending school at Northwood. They look very mischevious in this picture.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
A Fun Easter!Even though Caleb did not have his cousins to hunt eggs with this year (since they moved to North Carolina), he had fun going to a big hunt in Mineola where Gigi lives. While mommy was running the Yard Sale of All Yard Sales at Gigi's, daddy took him to the hunt and did a great job taking photos.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Goodbye to Oprah
Yes, you read the title correctly. Those of you who know me well probably have eyes as big as saucers right now. I, Leslie Cain, am ceasing my daily DVRing of the Oprah show. It is painful to say and even more painful to do since I do believe I have seen every episode since I was in 8th grade. Why, you ask? Well, let me try to explain what I believe God has been speaking to me lately.
I have defended Oprah's Christian faith to cynical friends for years. However, lately even I have been puzzled by the strange concoction of "spirituality" she has been demonstrating and speaking of. I have just tried to ignore some of the weirdness and focus on what I saw to be the "good stuff."
Recently I found myself very intrigued by her new book find, "A New Earth." I figured it was probably a new age work, but she kept praising it every episode and showing people's life-changing testimonies. People are saying it has completely set them free from struggles and strongholds and insecurities. It has revealed some people's life-purposes and removed worry and anxiety from others. I was too curious. Had to get it. After all, I need that. I need transformation in some long-standing problem areas in my life. So, at almost one in the morning after watching a taped episode, I tip-toed into the computer room and began pulling up the book on Amazon to order. I knew what my friends would say, so this would just be my life-changing little secret.
Once I pulled it up and read some of the commentary, my spirit was already warning me of deception. The book does reference scripture and Christianity while also mixing in a little Buddhism and Hinduism, etc. It's a spiritual "stew" of sorts. Pushing forward with my order, I was thinking, "I'll just ignore all that and pull from it what I need." Before I hit submit, I felt God's Spirit speak to me as clearly as if He were standing there. "Is my Word not enough to change you?" As I began to ponder this question and thought about all my attempts to study the Word, I ashamedly thought to myself that it didn't seem to be enough. Here I am 32-years-old and still wrestle with some of the same issues I did when I was 13. Immediately, Hebrews 4:12 jumped in my head.
"For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."
Whoa! Then I heard a second question. "Do you believe this?" I knew what the correct answer was, but I decided to take some time to reflect on it and decide if I REALLY believed it was true. Next day, driving somewhere, what did I hear on the radio? It was a sermon and guess what verse it talked about? Yep. Another verse mentioned was Matthew 7:13.
"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."
That verse was significant to me because I had been thinking about Oprah and her "whatever god you choose" approach to spirituality. I was thinking about how many people following the "new age" path or "many roads to God" concept seem to think their lives are full and satisfying. Oprah says she is blissfully happy and fulfilled. I've seen guests on here show from other religions who claim to be "enlightened," full of light and life, etc. This verse really spoke to me and confirmed there is one road and it is STRAIGHT (another version of this verse in the Bible says that it is straight) and narrow. Few will take this path. The road most will take and believe in will not take them to the Kingdom. I really feel God has let me know that I was opening my brain up to other possibilities. I had began to take a detour off my straight and narrow path. So few are on it and to the world it is boring, self-sacrificing and doesn't always seem to confirm their "God is all love" mentality. It was comforting to know the Bible says very few take this road because I am increasingly feeling abandoned on it. Even among church members, I feel the "mainstream" way of thinking is taking over.
So, I have been having this dialogue with God over the past week. I feel personally convicted to shut off all the outside influences of Oprah, Dr. Phil, Access Hollywood, so-called "self-help" books, etc. (not that it is sin to watch them) and challenge myself to really give His Word a try. I choose to believe what it says about the power of transformation that His Book offers. Jeremiah 23:29 says:
"Is not my word like fire," declares the Lord, "and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?"
Bet you'll never guess what the sermon was about at my church this Sunday? It was six obstacles to transformation. Pastor Bob talked about the power we should all have in our life not just to remain status-quo but to be truly transformed. He mentioned, once again, that the word is living and active and one of his supporting verses was Matthew 7:13-14 about the narrow gate. Wow, is God trying to get His point across or what?
So now, I am going to really put my focus and my faith in His Word, NOTHING ELSE. Those of you who often laugh at me for my quotes from Oprah will hopefully now hear me quoting the Bible instead!
Yes, you read the title correctly. Those of you who know me well probably have eyes as big as saucers right now. I, Leslie Cain, am ceasing my daily DVRing of the Oprah show. It is painful to say and even more painful to do since I do believe I have seen every episode since I was in 8th grade. Why, you ask? Well, let me try to explain what I believe God has been speaking to me lately.
I have defended Oprah's Christian faith to cynical friends for years. However, lately even I have been puzzled by the strange concoction of "spirituality" she has been demonstrating and speaking of. I have just tried to ignore some of the weirdness and focus on what I saw to be the "good stuff."
Recently I found myself very intrigued by her new book find, "A New Earth." I figured it was probably a new age work, but she kept praising it every episode and showing people's life-changing testimonies. People are saying it has completely set them free from struggles and strongholds and insecurities. It has revealed some people's life-purposes and removed worry and anxiety from others. I was too curious. Had to get it. After all, I need that. I need transformation in some long-standing problem areas in my life. So, at almost one in the morning after watching a taped episode, I tip-toed into the computer room and began pulling up the book on Amazon to order. I knew what my friends would say, so this would just be my life-changing little secret.
Once I pulled it up and read some of the commentary, my spirit was already warning me of deception. The book does reference scripture and Christianity while also mixing in a little Buddhism and Hinduism, etc. It's a spiritual "stew" of sorts. Pushing forward with my order, I was thinking, "I'll just ignore all that and pull from it what I need." Before I hit submit, I felt God's Spirit speak to me as clearly as if He were standing there. "Is my Word not enough to change you?" As I began to ponder this question and thought about all my attempts to study the Word, I ashamedly thought to myself that it didn't seem to be enough. Here I am 32-years-old and still wrestle with some of the same issues I did when I was 13. Immediately, Hebrews 4:12 jumped in my head.
"For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."
Whoa! Then I heard a second question. "Do you believe this?" I knew what the correct answer was, but I decided to take some time to reflect on it and decide if I REALLY believed it was true. Next day, driving somewhere, what did I hear on the radio? It was a sermon and guess what verse it talked about? Yep. Another verse mentioned was Matthew 7:13.
"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."
That verse was significant to me because I had been thinking about Oprah and her "whatever god you choose" approach to spirituality. I was thinking about how many people following the "new age" path or "many roads to God" concept seem to think their lives are full and satisfying. Oprah says she is blissfully happy and fulfilled. I've seen guests on here show from other religions who claim to be "enlightened," full of light and life, etc. This verse really spoke to me and confirmed there is one road and it is STRAIGHT (another version of this verse in the Bible says that it is straight) and narrow. Few will take this path. The road most will take and believe in will not take them to the Kingdom. I really feel God has let me know that I was opening my brain up to other possibilities. I had began to take a detour off my straight and narrow path. So few are on it and to the world it is boring, self-sacrificing and doesn't always seem to confirm their "God is all love" mentality. It was comforting to know the Bible says very few take this road because I am increasingly feeling abandoned on it. Even among church members, I feel the "mainstream" way of thinking is taking over.
So, I have been having this dialogue with God over the past week. I feel personally convicted to shut off all the outside influences of Oprah, Dr. Phil, Access Hollywood, so-called "self-help" books, etc. (not that it is sin to watch them) and challenge myself to really give His Word a try. I choose to believe what it says about the power of transformation that His Book offers. Jeremiah 23:29 says:
"Is not my word like fire," declares the Lord, "and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?"
Bet you'll never guess what the sermon was about at my church this Sunday? It was six obstacles to transformation. Pastor Bob talked about the power we should all have in our life not just to remain status-quo but to be truly transformed. He mentioned, once again, that the word is living and active and one of his supporting verses was Matthew 7:13-14 about the narrow gate. Wow, is God trying to get His point across or what?
So now, I am going to really put my focus and my faith in His Word, NOTHING ELSE. Those of you who often laugh at me for my quotes from Oprah will hopefully now hear me quoting the Bible instead!
Sunday, March 09, 2008
Snowy Day in Texas!
What a joyful surprise on March 6. The day that was supposed to be Caleb's "Spring" Program at school ended up being a winter wonderland, leaving us with about 5 inches of snow.
Totally oblivious to the frigid temperature, chapped lips and wet clothes - Caleb was immersed in pure snow delight.
Have you ever seen a face this cute? He just brings me so much joy!
Again, happiness pure and simple.
Remember when you were young and you ate the snow without worrying about any grossness that might be involved? When did we transition into such boring creatures? May Caleb always be this carefree and easily amused.
June 12
Jacob Thomas Cain will enter the world on June 12, 2008! This is so exciting to me since June 20 was my previous due date and that seemed sooooo far away. We scheduled the c-section for June 12 which just sounds so much better. The doctor actually wanted to do it the 13th since the 12th is her first day back from a long vacation, but I just really didn't want him teased his whole life about being a Friday the 13th baby. I feel bad though, because now I'm forcing my doctor to come in to work crazy early the day after flying home from vacation.
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