Fireproof gets an A

/see movie/

I am not usually a crier in movies. Call me cold-hearted, but I'm just not a romantic, sappy chick flick kinda-gal. I've always preferred some action and suspense. However, Fireproof took me by surprise.
For one thing, it is realistic. This is how couples actually fight. (At least from my experience.) Television shows generally show the stupid white guy doing stupid things and his sassy wife disrespects him and "wears the pants in the family." Right?

But this movie shows both sides. It shows the feelings, underlying emotions, the misinterpretations. It shows the ugly truth about how slowly parasites form in our relationships, such as the "overly friendly" coworker and, yes, it even addresses pornography. It's about time that the truth is coming out:

"A Promise Keepers survey found that 53 percent of its members consume pornography. A 2000 Christianity Today survey found that 37 percent of pastors said pornography is a "current struggle" of theirs. Fifty-seven percent called pornography the most sexually damaging issue for their congregations. A Barna Research Group study released in February 2007 said that 35 percent of men and 17 percent of women reported having used pornography in the past month."

Yikes! Does that freak anyone else out? But yet the makers of this movie know how disturbing, diseasing and prevalent this is and they are addressing it openly. I applaud that!!

I think they also do a great job of not placing the blame squarely on either spouse's shoulders. The underlying theme is to love unconditionally. Whether someone deserves it or not.

The makers of Fireproof also have resources available that are remarkably low in price!! They are selling the Love Dare book, the novel, a 6-part study, and more. You know I'm going to be in line for that stuff. Every marriage can benefit from a little extra lovin'! *Ü*

Featured Artist

This artist just amazes me. Especially because it's my very own sister.
People say we look alike...isn't she gorgeous? *Ü*
Look at the amazing job Julie did of my daughter!!

yawn

I'm so tired. Another weekend of fun, busy things.

I've been crafting, crafting. In fact, we've been trying to fit in at least one fun craft each day, after school work. It's a great motivator for the kids (and me.) So far we've made Little Lad into a magnet baby, that we can dress up. And we've painted houses on our windows. And made scrapbook-y pumpkins to display. And painted wooden blocks, houses, and other nifty shapes. But my back-up drive is unplugged and my camera is in the other room. I am tired. I just need tea and a good book. This will be an early night. Pictures soon.

OH, and my hubby, Nature Man and my dad went on a float trip with cub scouts today. Nature Man's first float trip!! He L-O-V-E-D it!! Wish I had pictures, but I couldn't risk the camera going along. Good thing, too, because they came home drenched.

Dick and Jane

At our house, we love Dick and Jane books. Not just for the cute pictures, sweet kids that get along and help each other. But also for the clothes. Can't help but adore those lovely retro clothes. Pin It

My kids have been wanting a block puzzle for awhile now. We saw one months ago at an Amish restaurant. Loved it, but couldn't afford it.

So I made one for the kids the other day. Simple, simple. Lay block on picture. Trace block shapes. Cut out. Glue on blocks. Polyurethane for durability. Viola.

I've only done one side of the blocks so far, because I haven't found fitting pictures yet for the other sides.

I want to do photo ones next...

While Mommy is away, the grandparents and kids will play.

On the first day of my retreat, my folks helped hubby out by taking the three older kids out of town to the aquarium. This was their second time to go, and they loved it. Just seeing the pictures my Mom took reminds me of the wonderful summers I had in California.
Someday, Lord willing, I want to take them all to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. How I love that place!

Dash watches the sting rays swim by.

The Naturalist waits for the scuba diver to appear and feed the sharks.

The three kids ride a stony-faced gator. The Nature Man, of course, goes in for a better look!

Can any child resist sand?

Color-induced smiles

I've mentioned my doors before. One day, when in desperate need of color, I decided to paint all the doors in the house. Why? Simply because I can.

This is the front bathroom door. It's a bird themed room,
so I thought branches and birds would suit it fine.
(the colors look a bit blotchy in the photo...hmmm...)

The Artist's room. She helped with the huge polka dots.

Little Lad's room door. It looks much brighter in this picture than it actually is.
Kinda seems Dr. Seuss-y.

I'm working on Horton in the playroom/big boy's room, too. This is on the side of the toy shelves. Obviously a work in progress.

sky diving

We missed church this morning to watch Fred's little sister (one of the twins) skydive here in town.

A whole group of them came from college in Russelville to jump together.

Here, Cindy learns how to fall...

Speed Limit (Cindy actually went down much faster than that!)

Ready for take-off

Down she comes...

Cindy with her instructor, after the jump.

This brought back rather fearful memories of when my own little sister went sky diving when she was 18. I think my dad nearly had a heart attack.