Baden's First Soccer Match!!

Okay, I don't have any of my own pictures because it was literally sleeting and hailing--about 35 degrees outside (and, here in Arkansas, we actually have snow covering our deck!). I think most of the kids were crying by the end. But Baden was a trooper. Check it out on my sister and brother-in-law's blog...as a bonus, I'll let them tell you our latest extended family news!

And while I'm at it, a little Will-ism: I walked out of the bathroom this week, and Will enthusiastically exclaims, "Great belly, Mom!"

Thanks, Will. I'm workin' hard at it. (This thing feels HUGE.)

Our C-section is scheduled for April 24th--T minus 2 months!!

...And a couple of Will-isms

Okay, you've heard a little of my kids ideas about the baby. They continue to abound, which really keeps us all laughing. Apparently on Sunday Will was running back and forth, back and forth at my mom's house in front of Mom and Aunt Keri, when he suddenly stopped.

"Did you know that Jack [the baby] is always naked?!" In Will's mind, I'm betting he'd add, Doesn't that sound great?!

To top that off, in a manner of speaking, he kept going: "When he comes out, he won't have any hair. But we'll go buy him some at the pet shop."

(Not quite sure of the origin of that last one.)

And yet another Badenism

My kids still love the Berenstain Bears, and one of their favorites is The Berenstain Bears and the Bad Dream. Brother and Sister have bad dreams after playing with Space Grizzlies, the villain of which is Captain Sleazo. So Baden walks in the kitchen tonight:

"Mom, how about if we name your baby Sleazo?"

I just kept laughing. (Of all the things that go with Breitenstein, at least Sleazo would take the focus off the last name, you know?)

Recent kid pics

They're actually in a laundry basket here...

Will fixing the sink...

...because Dad's fixing the other one.

Really wanted to show you the series, here (understand Will has some of the best bedhead I've ever witnessed):

Yet Another Badenism

My kids have recently become fans of the Franklin book series, which I like even better than The Berenstain Bears. In Franklin is Messy, Franklin ends up writing on his shield (for playing knights) "Sir Franklin, Loyal and Brave and Neat."

So Baden comes into the kitchen in his knight gear this morning--helmet over his eyes, sword raised, bearing his shield, proclaiming: "Sir Baden! Loyal and Brave and Messed Up!"

I feel you, Buddy.

RRRR! A Rainy Day Idea

The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything sent my boys into a never-ending pirates phase:"RRRR! It's a fine day at sea, Mom!" So I thought I'd pass around yesterday's successful game at our house. Bonus: It also gives them beginning map-reading, direction-following, problem-solving, and spatial skills.

1) Choose and hide a treasure. I'm sure you can surprise older kids, but my two preschoolers might be looking all day and taking a lot of things that they considered treasure as their own (it can be something new, or just a toy they like, or a piece of candy).

2) Draw a simple map. I drew a dotted line for the path to take since they're preschoolers...and since Dora does it.

3) If they're into it, encourage costumes. Nothing like looking the part of a treasure hunter, pirate, explorer, etc. Baden and Will like to look like all three.

4) After round 1, consider switching sides: You're the explorer! Baden drew a pretty good map for me (we're always looking for a chance to get a pencil in his hand...boys and fine motor skills). Just wish the treasure was the cell phone I've been missing for a week.

Have fun, mateys.

Need your ideas! Outreach from home

John and I are headed up to Northwest Arkansas (where it is even colder than it is here! Brrr. If it's going to be cold, I'd like snow!) this weekend for a missions conference, and I'm going to be talking at a ladies luncheon briefly about lifestyle evangelism and outreach from home. I know you are a bunch of creative and loving people, so let me have it! Here's the list I've begun from what I've seen and occasionally attempted. Gracias in advance for your speedy help! (Even if you read this late, of course we'd still love your ideas! Kingdom expansion is always a good thing.)

1) Keeping up your own home (to avoid exuding a "We live next to the Clampetts!" fragrance of Christ)
2) Invite their kids to your kids' birthday party
3) Bring bread, extra veggies from your garden, cookies
4) Host a neighborhood barbecue
5) Host a HomeBuilders study
6) Party at your house for a sports event (Super Bowl, March Madness, Olympics, etc.)
7) Offer to feed an animal, watch their home while they’re gone
8) Have Christian friends each bring several dozen of two kinds of Christmas goodies, then swap to make Christmas cookie plates for neighbors, teachers, trash guys, postmen (postpeople?), etc.
9) Send cards on birthdays (kids who are still at home, too) or anniversaries
10) Walk or work out together
11) Take them out to coffee or breakfast ("I've just wanted to get to know you more!")
12) Bring dinner when they’re sick or going through a hard time
13) Bring a care package when they're in the hospital
14) Mow their lawn when you mow yours
15) Pray regularly for them, and for opportunities to speak with them
16) Making the most of those driveway/taking out the trash/mailbox/fence conversations
17) Host a soup/salad/bread potluck in the winter
18) Host a board game night
19) Volunteer your skills to help them: sewing, housecleaning after a new baby or when they're sick or having family in town, your husband's mechanical skills (with his permission), tutoring a child in a hard subject
20) Invite them when you're going on a fun outing--picnic, trip to the zoo, seeing Christmas lights
21) Babysit
22) Scrapbook or make greeting cards together
23) Ask them to teach you a skill

In general, I'm thinking a key is to be aware of the "holes" in their lives--needs that are great places for the Gospel to flow through, in word and deed. May God give us all the ability to love our communities well.