Anita Renfroe....

I just happened to catch "Life Today" on Channel 46 this morning, and the guest of the day was comedian Anita Renfroe. She made me laugh.... REALLY laugh. I guess that she is the current comedian who is traveling with the Women of Faith conferences.

Here is a portion of a clip of one of her routines.... "the things a mom says".... in less than 3 minutes! Enjoy! Very cute!

In recent news....

* My baby is taking steps!!! Isaac took his first steps on his own on Sunday! It was the sweetest moment! Hopefully, I'll be able to get a video rolling on here sometime soon!
* We had a wonderful visit with Scott's sister, bro-in-law, and niece on Sunday! They were traveling home from Michigan (to Nashville, TN) and stopped for the night. Scott's parents also came for a visit!
* It's been QUIET around here today! Aaron went camping with Scott's parents for two nights. Isaac and I don't know what to do with ourselves today!
* Scott and I TRULY enjoyed the past three days off! We loved every minute of the long weekend together, and it seemed that it was a good time for him to recover from middle school camp and the rest of summer!
* The transition is finished: Scott is officially done in the world of student mininistries at WCC at this point. Today was his first, official, 100% day, in his job as the "Communications Manager" at the church.
* I am really missing my sis, Deb, who is in Africa. It's weird to not have any contact with her.... and know that she won't be home for another week!
* I can't wait to get away with my hubby this weekend!

Please Keep Praying

Little Kate is having a rough day, and her momma is continuing to ask for prayer. Specifically today, would you join me in praying that the "gunk" would get out of her lungs. I keep looking at this picture.... as a reminder to pray! I don't know how Andy and Krista do it.... actually, yes, I do.... our God IS faithful, and they both love Him! And He WILL heal!

WE LOVE YOU, LAYMAN'S!

Krista's blog with updates can be found HERE.

Fun Friday

Yes, my friends.... Aaron LOVES his bike!!! His current favorite love: building ramps and jumping! It nearly makes me hyperventilate.... but I'm learning to "let go" and let him be "all boy"! I am feeling a little relieved right now; we just got the brakes fixed on his bike so at least he can stop (not that he ever does!!!)

* For those of you wondering, YES, he really IS wearing snow boots in these pictures!!! Ahh, the joys of being a 4-year old!

Naptime Dilemmas?!!

Okay, I'm at a loss.... maybe you other, more experienced, mommies in the blogging world can help! I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO!!!!

* Dilemma #1: Aaron, up to this point, has still been a napper. I know, I know.... yes, he's 4 1/2.... but he hasn't been fighting it (for the most part) so I thought, Why in the world would I give it up if it's helping to keep me sane as well?!!! SO.... here's where the questions come in.... the last two days, he hasn't gotten a nap because of scheduling stuff (he was golfing, swimming, and playing on the lake! Fun-fun!) but last night, he TOTALLY hit the wall around 5:30-6ish and became a tyrant.... AND THEN.... when we drove out to the camp, he fell asleep at that point in the van. That's the normal progression if he misses a nap: tyrant OR later nap at 6:00ish (which equals a nightmare at bedtime). SO.... today.... he's been throwing a fit in his room because I decided to "make him nap" and he doesn't want to. Any thoughts?!!!
* Dilemma #2: Isaac. Just wondering: when did your babies give up two naps a day and move to just one longer afternoon nap? Since Aaron will be in morning preschool this fall, I'm just trying to think through how this is going to work! AND YES, I KNOW that every baby is different!

Thanks for your assistance! Happy Friday! YAHOO- my hubby comes home TONIGHT!!! YEA!

Thankful Thursday...

Today, I am thankful....

1) That LOTS of students responded last night at camp!!! Scott presented the Gospel and LOTS of students took a step of faith in their relationships with the Lord last night!!! If you were praying, thank you!
2) For my friend, Rebecca. She is leading a Bible School in her backyard this week and invited my kiddos! Aaron has been loving it! The entire time is focused on celebrating Jesus!
3) For clean towels. I love the smell of clean towels.... fabric softener smell included!
4) For our upcoming getaway for 2!!! I just booked a hotel in Indy for the weekend of the 3rd-5th. It will be good to have some time to just focus on US and our 10 years together!!! AND.... I am also thankful for Priceline!!! $42/night for a very nice hotel.... yeah, baby!
5) For medical insurance. I've been busy booking appointments for the eye doctor and dentist this coming month.... and found myself getting a little grumpy because we don't have vision or dental insurance. However, I felt like God gave me some good perspective, realizing that we are truly blessed to have the wonderful medical insurance that we do!!! Just one example.... when I was pregnant with Isaac, I had to give myself a shot every single day; without insurance, it would have been nearly $700 per month.... but we only ended up paying $20 for each box!!! Praise God!

Have a splendid Thursday!

Wordless Wednesday...

13 years!

Wow, it's super-post day.... I'm catching up on all the days I have missed this summer! BUT.... I couldn't pass this one up.... as I was writing the "Camp Adventure" post last night.... I realized.... TODAY is the 13th anniversary of the day that I met the love of my life!!!! In case you haven't heard: I LOVE THOMAS SCOTT GREENE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I loved him then (he just didn't know it; ha!).... and I REALLY love him now!

The Mean Greene Green Bean Team

Ha! How's that for a title?!!! :) As I mentioned before, while my parents were gone for 1 1/2 weeks to Canada, we were able to enjoy some wonderful produce from their garden! Including green beans! Scott and Aaron were wonderful.... and helped pick and snap beans with me! What a blessing to have 38 pints of green beans in the freezer for this fall and winter!

Pray for Kate

I've mentioned this sweet little one here before.... but today, I'm asking, specifically, for prayer for little Kate. She is having open heart surgery tomorrow morning. She was born without a pulmonary artery and has already had one open heart surgery. Tomorrow, Kate will be getting a pulmonary valve inserted and the hole in her heart closed.... and her heart will finally be "normally functioning," and her blood will be receiving 100% oxygen for the first time in her sweet little life. Pray for Andy and Krista (her mommy and daddy) and Seth (her 3-year old big brother who will surely be missing his little sister while she is in the hospital!) as well. To read more about Kate's progress, check out Krista's blog.

Wow, I just realized that this is my third post in a row asking for prayer.... thanks for joining me as we make a difference in the Kingdom as we pray together!!!

Ahh, Camp Adventure.....

Scott is at camp this week with 200ish people... adults and middle school kids. The boys and I went to the camp for a visit this afternoon and this evening... and it's just amazing to be there. God always shows up in a very significant way at that place. It's funny.... Scott and I used to have MANY conversations about Camp Adventure.... and about the fact that it is "Holy Ground"! For those of you who don't know why it's so significant to the Greene family.....

* We both went to middle school camp at Camp Adventure.
* Scott accepted Christ as his Savior when he was 12 at Camp Adventure.
* I broke my little toe at the bottom of the Camp Adventure pool in 7th grade (right before some major storms and a tornado warning; yep, I remember it well....) Okay.... that event wasn't quite so significant.... just a silly fact! Another silly fact.... I was called "jail bait" for the first and only time in my life during that same week as an "older", eighth grade boy "liked" me and wanted me to be his "girlfriend".... ahh, the joys of camp romance. I didn't end up "being" his girlfriend, by the way! We just flirted during some crazy games of keep-away in the pool! :)
* Speaking of camp romance, Scott and I met at Camp Adventure as volunteer counselors during the summer of 1994 (July 24th, to be exact!) I had just finished my senior year of high school, and he had just graduated from Ball State the previous December! Ahh.... the handsome older man!!! It took him 1 1/2 years to "get a clue" and go on a date with me, but I sure am glad that he did! :)
* Scott experienced his "call to ministry" during that same week in 1994 at Camp Adventure.... and went home and quit his job in advertising, not knowing what ministry opportunities would follow. Wow, it's been quite a ride! I am always thankful that he chose to listen to God's calling that week!
* Scott proposed to me on August 17, 1996.... two years later.... standing on the rock where we first met at Camp Adventure (outside the Director's Cabin)!
* In April 1998, we moved to Camp Adventure and lived, breathed, and worked in the Camp Adventure air for the next 3 1/2 years as Scott served as the Camp Manager.

We have been at Camp Adventure EVERY summer since 1994.... together! I had an amazing moment tonight during the first worship song.... realizing that our boys were getting a taste of this experience, too (sidenote: during that song, I was holding Isaac.... he saw some of the students lifting their hands in the air and he did the same. It was the sweetest little moment!) I have to be honest, tonight was a little bittersweet for me at points though..... as I was watching and listening to Scott talk..... realizing that this COULD be our last summer that includes time at Camp Adventure. Since Scott is stepping out of the world of Student Ministry, we're just not sure what the future will hold in that arena. Yep, it felt a little odd as I thought about that.... however, it was awesome to be there and to think about ALL that God has done in our lives while we've been there!

If you think about it, pray for the students and leaders this week.... that God would truly show up in a very significant way in their lives as well!

Prayer Opportunity

For those of you who might want to join me, I am asking for prayer for my little sis, Deb. She has an amazing opportunity, a "DIVINE APPOINTMENT," with the kids of Africa!!! She is headed out with Horizon International from July 22-August 6 to work with HIV/AIDS orphans in South Africa. If I might mention.... I am SO proud of her!!! I just KNOW that God is going to do BIG things IN her and THROUGH her!!! I'm already anxious to hear about how God shows up in a significant way! If you have high-speed, you simply MUST watch the Horizon video at this link. They are doing amazing things!

Here are some specific prayer requests that Deb passed along:

-Pray for the safety of the team.
-Pray for the health of the team leader (Bob Pearson) and team members.
-Pray for divine appointments with the people in South Africa.
-Pray for guidance and direction in our ministry.
-Pray that we will be obedient to God's will.
-Pray that God would prepare our hearts for the ministry we are doing.
-Pray that Jesus would be glorified by the things we do on the trip.

Thanks for joining me in prayer!!!

Facebook Info

Okay, since so many of you wondered.... here's the scoop. Facebook is an online site.... a way to connect with your friends, near and far. Yes, kind of like Myspace, but different. I FINALLY decided to sign up after much asking from others.... and it's a good way for me to connect with and pass along info to my high school girls, too. The thing that I REALLY like about it is that it feels pretty "safe" compared to some of the other options.... the only people who can view your profile, info, and "wall" are the people whom you invite to be your "friends." Check it out at this site, and once you sign up, invite me to be your friend (you can just do a search under people's names in the top, left hand corner once you're signed up! It's really easy to use!) So.... there's the scoop! :)

"The Marble Jar"

Okay, I mentioned this awhile back but never seemed to find time to blog about it until now.... THE MARBLE JAR! At some point during the year, another mommy named Shelly from our church spoke at our MOPS group and mentioned this new addition to discipline. I thought, "Hmm.... sounds like it's worth a try." So.... a new entry at the Greene house over the past couple of months has been the marble jar.


Pretty simple.... Aaron earns marbles for good choices, loses them for bad choices, and once the jar is full, earns a fun reward. For the first full jar, he chose to play games at "Tokens and Tickets." A week or so ago, he earned his second reward: his first trip to the bowling alley! Needless to say, he LOVED it! And now.... he's working towards a pony ride at the zoo (he picks the reward that he is working for!) We won't do the marble jar forever, but it's been a pretty good addition for now!


What great form! HA!
Cheering on big bro!

PROOF!!!! Aaron beat us both (yes, we were playing with bumpers!) Did I mention that I can't stand bowling?!!! :) Notice though.... Aaron got a strike and a few spares!

A new addiction....

Facebook is addicting, just so you know!!! Is anyone out there a Facebooker and not already my "Facebook friend"?!! Let me know....

Thankful Thursday....

Today, I am thankful....

1) For RAIN!!! We had some pretty awesome storms come through northern Indiana, and it was incredible! I think that the grass is growing (and greening up!) before my very eyes! HA!

2) For my parents' incredible garden! They are actually gone to Canada for 1 1/2 weeks, and we're helping take care of things while they are gone. It definitely comes with perks.... including fresh zucchini and green beans. It's actually been a fun undertaking; Aaron has helped me pick and snap beans.... and I froze another 11 pints last night! Yum.... they'll be great this winter!

3) For "blog sharing." I love it when I can "borrow" from other people's blogs and when they borrow from mine (thanks, Jess!)

4) For my "Little Green Machine"! Seriously, if you don't have one of these and have pets and kids, it's the best investment EVER!!! I have some spots waiting on my attention now....

5) For the fact that I get to meet my sweet baby sister for lunch today! YEA!!! She went to Canada with my parents and is home for a couple of days before she leaves for a missions trip to work in an orphanage in Africa. AND.... she's making time to see us in this window of time while she is home!!! Love ya, Deb!

Deo Dilemma?!!

At the risk of no one responding with a comment or an email.... here is my question for the day: does anyone else ever feel like their wonderful, ACTIVE deodorant ever just quits working for ya and will never work again?!!! Additional applications do not help.... it's just time to move onto a new brand?!!

I'm not losing any sleep over this question, but really.... what's the deal?!!

July 17th?!!!!!!!

Are you kidding me?!! Is it REALLY July 17th already?!! Okay, I have to confess.... I had a mommy-freak-out moment last Sunday. Mo (the new student ministries director) announced that there were, at that point, only 43 days until the start of school. WHAT?!!!

So.... here is why I really freaked out.... this is the first time in our parenting journey that the whole "school schedule" thing really affects us! AND.... will continue to affect us for years and years and YEARS!!! Needless to say, Aaron is THRILLED about starting school, and I know that he will love it.... but yes, it's going to be a big adjustment around here! In fact, the other day, Scott and I were talking about trying to get away for a few days at some point to celebrate 10 years of marriage (YAHOO!) and we were talking about it as it relates to Aaron's SCHOOL SCHEDULE! Woa.... times are certainly changing at the Greene house! And yes.... I know that millions of families have survived it, too!

Flashback Friday

I love this picture! This was taken of Aaron last summer.... jumping off the high dive at Camp Adventure. Have I mentioned that this little boy is sometimes FEARLESS?!! This was the same week that my 3-year-old-at-the-time decided to teach himself to swim without floaties or a life jacket (just after this picture was taken)..... and also the same week that he slipped at the pool, and we ended up in the ER for his first set of stitches. Love, love, love this little man.... now, if some of his endless energy would just rub off on mom and dad..... :)

Thankful Thursday....

Today, I am thankful...

1) For an out-of-this-world (REALLY!) time of prayer with the ladies from my prayer group last night. I love how personal our God is, and the fact that at times, He shows up in a way that causes me to say, "WOW, I've just undeniably met with God!!!"

2) For a fun time at the zoo with Krista, Seth, and Kate today. Kate goes in for open-heart surgery in two weeks, and it was a huge blessing for me and the boys to have this time with the Laymans before they head to the hospital.

3) For my hubby's giftedness. God is using him in big ways, and I'm excited to see how God continues to use him (and US!) in the future! If you think of it, please pray for him as he is preaching at WCC the next two weeks.

4) For the McDonald's drive-thru. Have to be honest: it's just been one of those weeks. I have an evening commitment every night this week, and Scott has been helping run the "Lemon Shake Up" stand at the fair.... it's been NUTS!
5) For Isaac's smile! He is stinkin' adorable.... he has a mouthful of teeth, and his ENTIRE FACE smiles when he smiles! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE HIM!

Blessings to you today!

"Ordinary Miracles"

I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED the post on my friend, Krista's blog about "Ordinary Miracles." You need to read it.... really! :)

Change is in the Air

Well, it's becoming more official by the minute.... Scott is transitioning out of the world of student ministry. Last night was his last "ONE," and they surprised him with a celebration.... a terrific "sheet cake reception" to be exact! They also blew him away.... the kids and adults went together and got him an Ipod! Yep, he was MORE THAN THRILLED!

Kid friends!

Our boys have both been enjoying time with friends this summer! We had a blast with the Morgan's on Friday and Saturday. Then, the Roose's came over for a playdate today!

Aaron had fun slip 'n sliding with the Morgan twins, Zach and Tyler (don't ask me to figure out which is which.... I kept trying while they were here and kept messing it up even though they aren't identical!)

Alana Morgan and Isaac
With Brooklyn Roose
What great super heroes! (with Blake Roose, AKA Spiderman!)

HA!

Okay.... a baby and a "fart machine" = a bad combination. Check out THIS VIDEO.

Britains Got Talent

Okay, I'm a blog thief again.... I saw this on Esther's blog and LOVED IT! This guy has "got it"... and he has NO idea!!! That is what makes this clip incredible! And yes, this clip made me cry, too.... enjoy! (the judges' reactions are quite priceless!!!)



(YES, HE WON!!!)

Fun 4th!

We had a super fun 4th at Winona Lake. My aunt and uncle have a house right on the lake, and we always love being there for holidays such as this one! Aaron is officially a water-bug and loves anything to do with the water.... especially swimming and the wave runner!

The lake was actually pretty calm that morning, and Aaron wanted to see what skis felt like (his cousin, Zach, learned to ski the weekend before) so we figured, why not?!! While he didn't accomplish the task of skiing this trip (he said, "I'm giving up...") he did have fun in the water anyway!

This picture absolutely cracks me up. My dad was in the water with Aaron to help him learn how to steady his body in skis for the very first time, and Scott was on the side, acting as "the boat"!

Behind the wave runner for the first time
Aaron decided that he still prefers the zip-sled. He was cruising on it at one point (again, behind the wave runner!)
Isaac preparing for his very first boat ride!

What a great picture of Isaac and his grandma!

Thankful Thursday...

Today, I am thankful...

1) For my friend, Angie Schmitt. She has been such a huge blessing in my life over the past 8 years, and it was so awesome to have a little bit of time together during our week at BigStuf last week. I am thankful that when I am hurting.... she listens.... and that when she is hurting.... I listen.
2) When my 4-year old makes "GOOD CHOICES" and fills up his "marble jar." (more info on that in another entry, on another day!)
3) For the "Hoops and Yoyo" e-cards at hallmark.com Seriously, if you haven't looked at them, DO! It cracks me up, every time (make sure to look at the one titled, "You Smell Good." HA!)
4) For my parents' pool! The boys and I had a great time over there today! Such a blessing! I have two water babies on my hands!
5) For God's grace. I am thankful that even when WE mess up, HE doesn't.... He just keeps giving and loving.

Wordless Wednesday...

Yummy Corn

We love corn-on-the-cob at our house and were thrilled when we discovered that "Sweet Corn Charlies" had some yesterday!!! YUM! This was a first for Isaac! It was TOO funny.... first, he just kept bending over and licking it, then, he started biting the end of the cob. He never did REALLY eat it, but Scott, Aaron, and I got a kick out of watching him... he was quite entertaining!

RHYTHM!

The girls of 4415/4417!!! What fun!

What a week! As I think back on our week together at BigStuf, I am so grateful that God called me and allowed me to be a part of the week in Florida. The theme for the week was "rhythm".... the word "rhythm" is "indicative of a natural flow, being in step with, or in sync with, harmonious"....

We spent the entire week talking about the fact that God created us to live life "in rhythm" with him.... living life in sync with His will for us. What a great concept.... what a week full of great reminders for me as well.

A few thoughts from the main stage speakers of the week stand out to me:

* To walk in rhythm with God, we have to start loving the things He loves (He loves Himself, me, others, and the world!)

* If we don't care about what God cares about, we are out of rhythm with Him.

* What would it mean for me to care about the issues in the world? What if I got angry about the things that REALLY matter?! (injustice, poverty, crime, hate, etc...) Jared, the speaker, spent a bit of time talking about a man he saw at Chick-fil-a pitching a fit about pickles on his sandwich.... he talked about how we often get all bent out of shape about something as silly as pickles but don't get ANGRY about the things that hurt the heart of God.

* Grace that is expected isn't grace at all.... it's our own form of the "law".

* There are two things in this world that blow our minds: beauty and affliction.

* In our pain, God isn't doing something TO us, but rather, is allowing something FOR us.

* Pain is God's megaphone to the world.

* God is a CAN-DO God.

* Churches are filled with believers but not followers.

We also had some great leaders' training as well:

* We need to give kids the weapons to CHARGE HELL... and to live in a dangerous way (that is a threat to the enemy).

* Parents need to FIGHT FOR their kids and SHOW their kids that they are worth fighting for. Our culture tells parents of teens to just give up.... we need to invite parents back into the fight!

* In the church, we must realize that if one person loses, we all lose!

Okay, this is a long entry, but I had to catch up on a week's worth of blogging! My girls were incredible.... God showed up in an incredible way.... it was incredible to witness Scott in leadership and engaging with the kids during the week.... OUR kids did incredible while we gone thanks to some incredible caretakers.... we came home incredibly tired.... and our naps since BigStuf '07 have been incredible!

Thank you, again, to all who prayed for us. God is so faithful!

A BigStuf tradition.... I took my girls to "Pineapple Willies" (a restaurant/bar down the beach) for virgin strawberry daiquiris! It was a fun afternoon! Aren't they cute?!!

I got extra spoiled by spending the week with my precious friend, Angie Schmitt!

"Mad Church Disease"

I must say, when I found this link, I was pretty excited that Anne Jackson is taking on the task of researching this topic. "Beat up, burned out...." Huh, I must confess, over the past 12 years with Scott, there have certainly been days when I think he's felt it.... and I know I've felt it. I'm excited that Anne is giving this topic a voice. If you're in ministry or married to someone in ministry, please take this survey. I'm hoping that the book is fantastic when it comes out and that the survey was worth the time!