CSFF Blog Tour, Imaginary Jesus, Day 1

I LOVED this month’s tour book: Imaginary Jesus, by Matt Mikalatos. I really had no idea what to expect, other than it involved Jesus and was probably pretty funny. And it was. VERY funny! I found myself laughing out loud quite a bit, startling my husband and children.

Paul’s reaction: raised eyebrow.

Veronica’s reaction: laughter, even though she had no idea what I was laughing at.

Jacinta’s reaction: tears. I think I scared her.

But not only was it funny, it also addressed something that I think I’d always realized in the back of mind, but had never seen spelled out before (at least not quite like this). We as humans, and specifically Christians, have the tendency to make Jesus into what is convenient for us. Instead of picking  up the cross and following him like He asks us to, we create an “Imaginary” Jesus that approves of the things that are important to us and shares our interests, whatever they may be. So instead of us following Him, in a way we make Him (at least, the Imaginary Him) follow us. Seeing this illustrated in a fun story, or parable if you will, made it very clear to me that I do this quite often in my own life. And I even know some of the Imaginary Jesuses from the book!

More to come over the next two days, but in the meantime, check out Matt’s blog, which is hilarious.

And don’t forget the rest of the tour:

Brandon Barr
Keanan Brand
Grace Bridges
Beckie Burnham
Valerie Comer
R. L. Copple
Amy Cruson
CSFF Blog Tour
Stacey Dale
D. G. D. Davidson
Jeff Draper
April Erwin
Andrea Graham
Tori Greene
Becky Jesse
Cris Jesse
Jason Joyner
Julie
Carol Keen
Krystine Kercher
Dawn King 
Rebecca LuElla Miller
John W. Otte
Donita K. Paul
Crista Richey
Chawna Schroeder
Rachel Starr Thomson
Steve Trower
Fred Warren
Phyllis Wheeler
Jill Williamson
KM Wilsher

Small Successes Thursday!

1. I made lasagna for dinner last night. BUT…instead of using sauce from a jar like I usually do, I made my own! That’s something that has always intimidated me a little bit. I guess I have The Pioneer Woman to thank since her recipes have made me branch out of my comfort zone. Thanks, Ree!

2. I scored 5 tanks for $2 each at Old Navy this weekend! I actually made myself get up early on Saturday to be there when they opened. I normally hate that type of bargain shopping – the crowds, the pushing and shoving – but everyone was really nice and the employees were very organized. I was in and out of the store in 20 minutes.

 

3. I made some cloth wipes out of an old receiving blanket. I’d been meaning to do this for a while because I’ve been short on wipes since Jacinta was born. Now I have 16 more, so that should be plenty!

What were your Small Successes this week?

The Diaper Diaries: Suedecloth vs. Fleece

 

Check out my guest post at clothdiaperblog.com! It’s all about my favorite pocket diaper lining: Suedecloth!

Aspiring Receptionist

When I went back to work after Veronica was born, I brought her to the office with me on Tuesday mornings since we don’t see patients until noon. She would just hang out in her car seat or bouncy chair and hopefully nap. I’d take a break if she got hungry. She was a great baby and it was really easy for me to breeze through some work.

Until she became mobile. Then the exploring began.

“I’ll get it, Mama!”

So eventually I stopped coming into the office on Tuesdays, except for an hour or so while we have our weekly staff meeting. And now I bring both girls with me. It works great because my co-workers help me keep them happy. If I have to deal with a fussy Jacinta, then Maria will help keep Veronica entertained (or fed, depending on the day). Or vice-versa. Minus the fed part.

But sometimes, Veronica entertains herself.

“I’m ready for my new job, Mama!”

“Hmmm…What does this key do?”

“Cathy, there is no way you are getting your seat back!”

“Would you like to make a follow-up appointment?”

She’s just growing up so fast!

Veronica, I know you were excited about the keyboard. But you don’t need to get a job for a couple more years at least.

Well, maybe we’ll talk about it after your birthday.

5 Years…

May 28th marked our fifth anniversary as a married couple. I think I say this every year, but it feels both long and short to me. Like: “Wow has it been 5 years already?” and  also: “Wow it feels like we’ve been married forever, not just 5 years!” And I mean that in a good way. Married life has suited us both so well, and we are so comfortable and at home with each other, it is hard to remember what it was like when we had to say goodbye at the end of each night. And really, I don’t want to remember. I love lying in bed  and knowing that Paul is right there next to me, and that he’ll be there when I wake up in the morning. Or at 2 am if Jacinta needs a snack, or Veronica needs a refill of her “bink”.

Last Thursday, we managed to escape for dinner to celebrate our anniversary thanks to Mamae and Papae. We went to Rock Bottom Brewery, which is one of our favorite restaurants.

 

 

It didn’t take long for Paul to finish off his first glass. We belong to the mug club, so we get extra big glasses when we order beer. Great…but potentially dangerous!

 

 

Because I am a bit more susceptible to the effects of alcohol, I drank mine more slowly. I was trying to look sassy in this picture, like “Ha! You finished yours already, but look what I am drinking over here! Bam!” But I think I only succeeded in looking drunk. I wasn’t though. Really.

 

Every time we go to Rock Bottom, we order either Pub Tips with Brown Ale Mushroom Sauce, or Chicken Fried Chicken…with Brown Ale Mushroom Sauce. I was really looking forward to our meal. Alas, it was not to be. They just revamped their menu a few weeks ago, and the Brown Ale Mushroom Sauce no longer exists. Neither do the Pub Tips. There was Chicken Fried Chicken, but I just didn’t have the heart to order it without the sauce. We split a Raspberry Chipotle Pork Chop instead. It was good, but it was no Pub Tips. Curse you, Rock Bottom! Curse yoooooooouuuuuu!

 

Paul was still sad about his empty beer glass, so he tried to pounce on mine. No way, Jose Pablo!

 

 

Here is Paul finally cradling his Saguaro Stout. I prefer Raptor Red, but the stout is very tasty, too.

 

As a bonus, it was Thursday Pint Night, so we got a free pint glass each with our beer. Also, we had managed to earn enough points on our Mug Club Card to get a third pint glass. Woo! I love these. Yes…they are dirty. I couldn’t wait to use them, and then I didn’t want to waste precious blogging time actually washing them before I took pictures. Aren’t you glad I have my priorities straight? Me too.

So even with the lack of Brown Ale Mushroom Sauce, it was a fun night out with Paul. I can truly say I am blessed to have such a wonderful man to call my husband. Honey, I love you more than yesterday…

Small Successes Thursday!

1. Made another step in my quest for the perfect homemade salsa. This time, I used green onions instead of white or yellow. Big improvement, but still needs some work.

2. With leftover cake in the house from the baptism, I somehow managed not to have any for dessert last night. Wish I could say the same for every other night since Saturday!

3. Finally managed to convey the meaning of “ask nicely” to Veronica. Kind of. She says “I want _____.” I say “Ask nicely.” She says “Please I want _____ nicely.” Which is better than “Yes!” or “Okay!” We’re getting there…

Sparkly, Shiny Soul

Jacinta joined the ranks of the baptized yesterday on Saturday. I am a little behind on my blogging. I’ll let the pictures tell the story.

She looked pretty cute in her little white outfit.

I’m not sure what they were looking at, but it must have been…inspiring.

Lined up and ready to go.

Already glowing, and not even baptized yet!

The sign of the Cross.

Veronica wanted to do it, too. She didn’t get the whole thumb thing though.

Donovan also got a turn.

Listening to the “homily”. I wonder if this is before or after the “Lady Pope” joke. If our faces are a guide…I’d say after.

She didn’t care for the oil.

She didn’t care for the water, either.

Ahhh, that’s better. “My soul is shiny and new! Oh, and I am hungry!”

More oil. Not like her hair needs it.

Veronica needed some help sitting still. And staying out of the fountain.

Reach!

Way to keep the flame alive candle lit, Steve!

Michael and Donovan keeping Clint company. Good thing they were there to make sure he didn’t misbehave.

Cleaning one’s soul of original sin is very exhausting.

Final blessing.

Her soul is so shiny, it shows right through!

He looks excited. Maybe Jacinta’s sparkly soul was infectious. Or maybe he was just glad it was over.

“I was crying, but I am taking a break now.”

Daddy and Mommy love their brownie bit.

Cutie pie!

Her white garment is about to fly away with her.

Uncle Steve and Aunt Becky, the Godparents.

Her namesake.

“Awww Dad, why are you doing this to me?”

Veronica is not sure what to make of this.

I guess she isn’t used to not being the center of attention.

A family picture with Omi, Opa, Papae and Mamae.

Felicity was excited about the whole thing.

She looks asleep, but she was really trying her darnedest to locate sustenance.

The glow of shiny, new soul is irresistible.

Thanks to Omi for making the beautiful cake!

Happy Grace Day, Jacinta Marie!