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"Light of the World" Proof Copy Ordered

"Light of the World," the new living science book about light is complete, the files have been sent to the printer, and the proof copy is on its way.  In other words, the book will soon be available for purchase! 

Visit www.lightoftheworldbook.net to read more and enter our giveaway for a FREE autographed copy of "Light of the World."  While there, subscribe to our feed to be notified when the book is released and to receive updates and discounts!

Hardhats!

Sooo… while Tyler was over today, we decided to take a "hardhat picture."  He has a hardhat because he works at Intel, and I have one because I am the volunteer photographer for our fire district.  So here we are looking equally funny in our hats.  And in the second picture Dad says it looks like Tyler is the "boss."  I'm good with that!  I like it when he leads. :)

 

P.S.- anybody who has noticed Aimee hasn't blogged in FOREVER, feel free to pester her about it.  (Okay, maybe encourage her instead.)  She'd probably enjoy it, and then she would know people wanna hear from her! ;)

Courtship: Real Time!

Taken about an hour and a half ago...

A Peek inside My Courtship - Learning Patience

So, with the courtship topic on Tyler's blog being patience, I thought I would share how the Lord has been teaching me patience over the past 7 months.

It all began one day in September when Tyler got on a plane and flew to Scotland.  We had been in our courtship for about a week, and had talked many, many terrific hours on the phone each day, getting through lists of topics at a furious pace.  Now for a couple weeks, he would be 8 hours ahead, on a rigorous schedule with "Little Bear" and Faith and Freedom Tour.  Besides, 4 hour conversations would be a mite expensive done internationally. ;)  Anyhow, for the first few days, I felt like I was starving (to put it dramatically).  Short calls, and not necessarily every day, were a little difficult to adjust to.  But I did.  That was step one for me.

 

When he got home to AZ again, it became apparent 4 hour conversations were impractical.  So, especially since Tyler was working HARD to complete his bachelor's degree, we talked for about two hours every other day.  Again, that was difficult at times.  I would just be struck in the middle an in-between days by really wanting to talk with him.  But it was good.  And I learned I could 'live' (to be dramatic again).  That was step two.

 

When his family began packing to move up to OR, Tyler became extremely busy.  No longer could I expect to possibly find an email from him at any time in the day.  Nor could I expect a reply in the daytime.  It wasn't until the evening that he had a chance to call or email for the first time in a day.  Which, again, was hard.  But good.  That was step three.

 

And step three was very important (so were steps one and two, since they built me up to number 3) since it got me used to what it was like to have him working all day, and coming home/being available in the evenings.  And it is something I will be continuing to practice since he'll be working full time now!  I'm just grateful at the way the Lord has led me along. ;)

Family-Minded Children's Books

It is often hard to find family-minded books for any age group, but perhaps especially for little ones.  Amongst all the angst over a new baby arriving (because you're not the youngest anymore) and the portrayals of every role-reversing, feminist ideology, we have found three Little Golden Books that really are golden in their portrayals of the value of fatherhood, motherhood, and children.  Enjoy…

 

"Little Mommy" by Sharon Kane

(a Little Golden Book Classic)  Beginning with the words, "This is my house and I am the mommy.  My children are Annabelle, Betsy, and Bonny," this sweet book shows a little girl playing with her dolls.  It depicts obedient dollies, the mother (little girl) doing domestic tasks, home educating (!!!), visiting with another 'mommy,' and the serving dinner to the 'daddy' (played by her brother).  Overall, the book has a fabulously sweet nurturing tone.

 

"The Bunny Book" by Patsy Scarry, illustrated by Richard Scarry

(a Little Golden Book Classic)  "'What will our baby be when he grow up?' asked the daddy bunny."  Super sweet book with super sweet pictures.  The whole bunny family takes turns guessing what that baby bunny would like to be when he grows up.  But the baby bunny doesn't agree.  Although he can't articulate it yet, the baby bunny knows just what he wants to be.  "The baby bunny will be a daddy rabbit!  That is what he will be—with lots of little bunny children to feed when they are hungry."  The book goes on to spend 5 pages describing with words and pictures what a wonderful joy it will be!

 

"The New Baby" by Esther Wilkin, illustrated by Eloise Wilkin

(a Little Golden Book, formerly titled "Baby Dear")  I don't know if this one is in print.  The copy we have is from 1990.  This is a VERY pro-baby, pro-motherhood book depicting a little girl emulating with her doll her mother's caring for the new little one in the family.  Multi-generational and sweet.  Both mother and daughter are dressed modestly and femininely (gotta' love the mother's hairstyle!)  "We smile at our babies and talk to them.  Mommy says this is the way our babies know they are the most wonderful babies in the world."

Courtship Encouragement Part 1

Posted by Tyler to his blog: IrishRagamuffin.  Excellent!!

 

 

"Throughout the courtship Perry and I have realized how much influence our courtship has upon others. As well as how many are watching it, seeing it's outcome, but maybe more importantly, what we and our families do throughout the process. Also, God has used it so that people I don't even know are wondering what 'courtship' is, and asking questions/talking about it. Anyways, I've been throwing around a couple ideas in my head for awhile now to blog about. And, Perry and I decided that we would both blog about our courtship, or courtship related topics on our blogs now and then. Especially for our Arizona people, who aren't here to to see it firsthand. If by chance you have a question relating to what are doing, feel free to comment. Also, for a disclaimer: Just because we are in a courtship, does not automatically makes us the "Courtship Gurus", but rather, we just like to talk about what God's been doing in our lives.


-Encouragement for the Young Men- (which also will encourage the Young Ladies) :)
So for us young men, we have the big question of when am I ready? A lot of times, we are afraid to being the topic up, or even (gulp) ask a Father about courting his daughter. Obviously, there is a season where we are preparing (like, our whole childhood and teen years, especially the latter) to be a Priest, Prophet, Provider, and Protector to a young lady and a future Family. I'm not going to necessarily tell you when you're ready, or give you a check list right now. But more of an encouragement, that when you are ready, don't be afraid to ask (even if you don't have the 50k job or are 'young') a father of someone you're interested in (God leading you to that person). Fathers can seem intimidating, but in one sense, they're on your side. What I mean is, they would love to have their daughter's' court and marry in life. Of course the big question fathers have is who and what makes him worthy? Making initial contact is the scariest thing of the whole process, but when you are to that point of being ready, be yourself, stay humble, and be bold. I wasn't to nervous when I did this, but I did lose some sleep over it, fortunately Mr. W was very gracious, lighthearted in a way, and just about as excited as I was. Fathers should be very careful and serious, but also not be so intimidating to potential young men that they're afraid to even ask.
Always strive to be an approved workman who is not despised because of his youth. Meaning not despised because he is an approved workman (or suitor). :)"