I never was able to lure her to the ceremony without her knowing. It’s difficult to “surprise” someone with an award when you have to contrive the circumstances. How do you convince someone to attend a random ceremony just before finals week?  So we told her about it…

 

   

 

 

The award for most Outstanding Achievement in English for 2010

 

 

 Before the award ceremony, we took the kids out to a Chinese restaurant.  

 Shivy’s fortune cookie said this   ⬆    

 

 

(Not in this economy)  

 

 

 

 

“My Pet Goat”, “Mission Accomplished”  &  *Gutsy calls*

 

 

 

 

“Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles…” ~ Proverbs 24:17

 

This is the verse that came to mind when my husband told me about OBL this morning. I’ve seen quite a few pacifists decrying the response of other Christians since the news has been released. They have a point to an extent but I really don’t feel the freedom to judge other Believers on this matter.

 

Before their own master they stand or fall.   ~Romans 14

 

 However, I do have a problem with the contortion of Christ that takes place when events like this happen. People begin to present a very monolithic God-man. A one dimensional Messiah that seems completely foreign to the context and entirety of both scripture and the nature of who God is…..

 

We should remember that Jesus was not a messianic Abby Hoffman. In other words, He was not an anarchist when it came to matters of jurisprudence. While we can personally forgive offenses when they are committed against ourselves in a social setting, it would be immoral for the state or a nation to excuse or “forgive” an individual when mass murders have been purposefully committed against innocents. Jesus’s exhortation to turn the other cheek must be taken in the context it was delivered. We are to deal with our neighbors in this way. Willing to extend forgiveness when personally offended. This verse however does not inoculate an international criminal from the consequences of his actions. 

 

In this way we can be grateful for God’s justice…. We certainly don’t rejoice in the death of the wicked but let’s not issue epitaph’s in order to promote an image of Christ that is completely inconsistent with the Scriptures.  

 

 

 

The penultimate post (perhaps). At least for the Season.   

 

 

The big kids are coming home from college for the Summer in the next week or two. For the second weekend in a row, I’m going to have all 13 kids under one roof. My oldest flew home on the 19th and will be flying back on the 8th of May. Things won’t be the same without him

 

(again)

 

 

 

The cherry blossoms have come and gone and I suppose children are the same way    :)

 

 

       

Samantha Elisabeth

    

Siobhan Noel

 

Last Easter weekend we visited my siblings and my Mom (who is doing amazingly well. A heartfelt thank -you to all those who prayed for her) 

Now, that woman is a testimony to answered prayer. She’s been living on her own for quite some time now. The progress she’s made has stunned all those who had taken care of her all those many months. 

She’s an incredible woman, but more to the point, God is a gracious God.

 

For those who don’t know her story, my old blogs tell a small part of it. Here they are:

 

http://bakersdozen2.xanga.com/710850906/date-night–first-day-of-school–and-an-amazing-lady/

http://bakersdozen2.xanga.com/711383039/pour-vivre-/

 

The funny thing is, I didn’t intend to write about her tonight. It just struck me as I posted the last 2 pictures that we had just celebrated Easter weekend with a woman who had been so wonderfully restored to health. When I remember how debilitated she was and where she’s at right now….. no other word but *amazing* comes to mind. 

 

How could I have overlooked it until just now?

 

I don’t know

     

Benjamin Liam

 

 

 

 

Ian Christopher

 

But busy doesn’t begin to describe this past month. We’ve done soooo much and yet much of what we “needed” to do went undone. 

Much of what I needed to do that is has remained undone. That’s part of the reason I’m going to take a brief hiatus after my next post.  :)

 

On our field trip to UVA/ Monticello several weeks back

 

 

     

 

T.J. liked tulips

 

    

 

 

      

 Near Jefferson’s Wine Cellar. 

     

 

 

 

 

      

Erin’s Volleyball team

 

We came into town just as the Deb, Erin, Sarah & David were finishing up their classes. We picked them up and took them to dinner.

The next day we toured Monticello and then left later that evening. Shivy was particularly happy to see the “Big Kids” 

 

 At the echo wall on the South Lawn

 

One week later I picked my son up at Dulles at 1 O’clock in the morning and we headed back to UVA the next day for an interview with Professor Larry J Sabato the popular political guru. 

My son’s fiancee has him as a Prof. This was another “History” field trip.

Gotta love homeschooling….

Frankly it exhausts me but my students can get their teacher to go off on tangents “blah blah blah blah”.  :D

We were able to ask Dr. Sabato about the upcoming elections; Birthers and the field of candidates including Donald Trump (though technically he’s not a candidate yet) before he had to head off to an interview with Jim Leher. It was interesting and very informative.

 

That night we headed back home (2 hours away) and left the next day to spend Easter weekend with my family (4 hours away).

 

 

My family is always so gracious. Can you imagine hosting a family as huge as mine?

Not many people would do that even for family.

It was 15 people plus Whitney (my future DIL) for a 4 day weekend 

 

 

 My Mom; all of her grandchildren and one great grandchild! 

 

 

 

My nephew Matt Matt and his dog Seamus the Irish wolf hound

 

 

 

 

    

 

Progression of the   *Swing*   

 

 

“Please push me Daddy”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Whoops!  Daddy pushes too hard sometimes.  

 

 

 

He did better the next time around.  

 

 

 

Now that warm weather and pretty colors are back, I’ve polished up my camera lenses.

I’m going to spend more time taking pictures & enjoying ALL the kids again!

 

 

 

We celebrate the Resurrection because it means victory.

 

1. It is victory over sin and death ~ perhaps the most obvious point but there is more..

 

2. It’s a victory for those who would fear death. Jesus went before us and conquered much like a father shows his frightened child there is nothing to fear from the dark. He walks beside us.

 

3. It is victory over the Evil One. Satan lost what little he had. “his head was crushed while Christ’s heel was merely bruised. Nevertheless, this was a battle fought and won on our behalf. The death of God was not needed to restore His own position of power…His standing as Sovereign King did not change. This was for His children. Earthly Kings use their subjects for personal gain. To restablish authority. This is not my Jesus.

 

My Jesus fought (and it was a fight) for us. He was already King.He had a kingdom. Satan was subordinate.

 

What kind of King fights for His subjects knowing that he himself will be the one to experience pain and death? 

 

My King does.

 

The most relevant victory speaks to the modern critc who has taken the leap from skeptic to proud mocker.

 

Christ has victory over those who would call Him (or His Father a “moral monster”. Christ did for us what we could never do for ourselves OR others. He endured the pain and humiliation in orderto ransom anaturally selfish and ungrateful people. 

Some of whom would refuse to acknowlege His sacrifice; point a wagging finger and say things about the Creator and Redeemer that really only applies to themselves….. to us ALL.

 

Christ fought and won the victory for US. 

 

What kind of king does that?

I thought I’d post this as we head into the Easter weekend. Lee Strobel makes a great case for the Historical validity of Christ’s resurrection. A fact that transcends the issue of inerrancy and cuts straight to the heart of historical accuracy. Textual critics have had a difficult time explaining this well attested event. Serious scholars discuss the “How’s” of the empty tomb not the “If’s” of the empty tomb. 

 

 

 

Happy Easter!  :)

 

 

On twitter.

 

Found this on my Facebook News Feed this morning. It’s from Mark Driscoll’s FB Page. I’ve always heard that the rate of divorce was statistically the same for Christians and non Christians. 

 

 

Driscoll found while researching the subject for his book a study done by Bradford Wilcox, Associate professor of Sociology at UVA.

Professor Wilcox did the largest study of it’s kind (The National Marriage Project) in regards to marriage and divorce. His research seems to indicate this statistic is an urban legend.  

Here’s a link to the project’s home page:

 

http://www.virginia.edu/marriageproject/

 

I’ve been thinking about making a road trip to see my Older kids. I’d like to get an interview w/ Larry Sabato about Early American politics and the founding fathers. My son’s fiancee, Whitney, has him as a professor and says he’s very approachable. Maybe I could get one with Wilcox as well. I don’t know if they even do these sort of things. I’d like to make it a school project for my middle kids. We’ll see. 

 

But this study seems to contradict key assumptions made by some in this national debate about marriage.    

Most of you know by now why I call myself Bakersdozen2. 

We have a big family. We’re not Duggar big, but we’re big nonetheless. 

At the moment, our oldest is on his own (financially speaking)

The next 4 are at University. They’re not completely on there own financially meaning we supplement school loans and food and housing at times. FASFA requires we kick in a share in order for them to meet their housing and tuition demands. I’m not complaining about this, btw. It is a joy to help my kids out especially because they are such conscientious adults.  

The final 8 are still at home. Two of which are enrolled in Community college here. Mark and David (are financially indep. via The National Guard w/ Mark also having full time employment (ATM) and taking 2 classes w/ his sister Amanda.

 

Here’s my question: Like everyone else, we’re trying to pear down expenses. I’m not looking to wash Ziploc baggies for reuse or repeatedly recycle our own aluminum foil. I’m not going to collect empty cool whip tubs as an alternative to tupperware.  We have those items covered. What I am looking for is creative ways to save on groceries. So even if you’re a poor college student you can help me out. Or if you’re a Mom and need to stretch your food bill every month. I’d love to hear suggestions. 

 

I love to cook and have baked my own bread but time is an issue because I homeschool.

My biggest problem is that I like expensive ingredients because I’m a foodie.

In other words I’m spoiled. If I can’t eat something worthy of eating, I won’t eat.

Like that food critic says on “Ratatouille”, “If it doesn’t taste good, I don’t swallow.”  

Well, I just don’t cook it to begin with. 

 

 

Because of this, I tend to not care about the cost. This can really cause a budget to get out of hand especially with a lot of mouths to feed. 

Also, there are frivolous items I purchase, I’m sure of that. You all would probably be appalled at my monthly food expenses. I don’t even want to know the exact figure, but I can guess at the ball park figure. 

It CAN be reduced if I exercise some discipline. 

 

 

So any suggestions would be helpful. I don’t know if I’ll be able to respond for a couple of days so thank-you in advance for comments. 

And here are some pictures of my youngest who is incapable of doing a “normal face” when I take her picture. 

She loves to be goofy…..

and I love her, so I don’t mind.    

 

Getting ready for the Super Moon the other night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thumbs up. (Her sister Sarah thinks she looks like Newt on “Aliens” here) 

 

 

 

 

 

 Air Guitar

 

 

How about a normal face for mommy?  

 

 

 

 You can see she’s still a huge fan of a certain Super Hero.  :)

 

 

TheTheologiansCafe posted a blog recently that deals with the idea of Submission.  Here’s the link:

 

http://thetheologianscafe.xanga.com/743923292/women-should-submit-to-their-husbands/

 

I left a comment but wanted to elaborate on it further here. First I want to make clear that this is not a rebuttal of his blog but rather my perspective on Ephesians 5:22-24, “Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord.  For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior.  Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.” 

 

I like Dan. He seems like a good fellow so I was somewhat surprised by the hostility of some of his commenters. I think Xangans have thrown around the words “Troll” and “Bully” a bit too liberally lately. It’s become the latest attack word. Kind of like the word “Nazi” among political foes during the election cycle. I think we’re in danger of marginalizing the meaning with our unbridled enthusiasm for our opinions.

 

So what?   ~ People disagree with your views… it doesn’t make them Attila the Hun. (That sounded like Joy Behar)

But this is a blog for another time. Here is my response to the Ephesians reference:

 

I have an illustration that might serve as a metaphor of how this principle was meant to function (in a perfect world). Yesterday afternoon my husband was sleeping because he had worked a shift the night before. The kids and I had just finished lunch and I felt that a little nap was in order. I went upstairs; got comfortable and crawled into bed next to my husband. He rolled over; greeted me with a smile and I laid my head on his chest in that perfectly wonderful spot that’s always there for it.  

 

 

I snuggled in close; told him I loved him and that I wanted to lay my head there for a minute and shut my eyes. He kissed my head and I fell asleep almost immediately. 30 minutes later I woke up. He had put his hand on my head to stroke my hair. It occurred to me that he had just been lying there enjoying the moment and not wanting to disturb me. I asked him if he’d been awake the whole time and he admitted that he was. I felt bad that he didn’t move on my account. If you knew my husband, you’d know he is not the type to sit still for very long. When he’s not sleeping he’s on the go. 

 

 

I think this passage speaks of this type of relationship. 

The woman is actually the initiator in her submission. 

God is telling her to do it. The husband isn’t demanding it.

It’s something the woman is willing to do naturally for love, comfort and safety. 

 

It’s appealing not repulsive to her.

The husband’s response is one of joy and wanting to serve her needs as he sees her coming to him eagerly with a spirit of trust in her heart. 

 

 

This verse does not demand a mindless commitment contrary to how God designed our wants and desires. 

Such as, “I know this is difficult guys and gals but it’s kind of like medicine… it tastes awful but it’s good for ya”. Notice also, it does not say, “Husband’s make sure that your wife submits”. That has become a popular interpretation for the more domineering sort. A scriptural stick to pull out and beat your wife with whenever she doesn’t live up to expectations.  Worse yet, I have seen really controlling men try and pull it on other men’s wives. This ticks my husband off royally when it’s happened to me on a few occasions . It isn’t safe for a man to tick my husband off by pulling this trick.     

When a man demands obedience, it becomes an ugly thing and marriages are thrown into a vicious cycle of anger and resentment. 

 

 

Now I don’t think you can extrapolate from this verse. 

Ladies, don’t work; or do anything else contrary to the will of a demanding husband.

My point in this illustration is only meant to show that God intends a strength and a pleasure to the marriage bond that works beautifully within the framework of submission. 

I think fear, cynicism and the very real nature of our selfish behavior can screw up a really great principle and we usually end up arguing about the “what if’s” while missing the beauty of what God intended. 

If I am to place in my husband’s care the same trust that the church places in Christ; then my husband is to guard over that trust with the same love and leadership as Christ does for His church. 

 

 

To me there isn’t a more beautiful picture. Unfortunately, we creatures have a knack for taking perfectly good & godly principles and distorting them beyond all recognition. 

Thank goodness there’s an opportunity for forgiveness in all relationships.