Introducing Snitch!

We have had such a busy week this week! We've gone places, visited friends, met new friends, witnessed a baptism (just last night), laughed, cried, climbed up the stairs, crawled down the stairs (head first), had some boo-boos, growled like a monster (Ben's new favorite trick), and so forth ...

Right now, Benjamin and I would like to introduce to you his new pet, Snitch the Goldfish.



(I just pulled chewing gum out of Ben's mouth ...)

Anyway, he's a good-looking fish, and on his side he has a few orange scales that are in the shape of a heart. He is named after the Golden Snitch in Harry Potter, because, yes, I am that big of a nerd. You caught me!



Ben enjoys looking at him when we pass the room that he stays in. (Ben just took a pretty rough tumble, but got up like nothing happened - again.) I enjoy the fish as well and think it is neat that Ben gets to have a pet of his very own. It's also a prop for Bible Class, but that is beside the point.

Let's just hope mommy can keep it alive for at LEAST 13 weeks (depending on when I start the class).

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In other news, you may or may not have noticed (or found out), we now have a domain! www.BringingUpBenjamin.com wasn't taken, can you believe it? I was so nervous that it would be taken! But, it's mine! And I am so excited! I have wanted this for a time now, and we were finally able to fork out the $10.

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Just a couple more days until Benjamin turns 8 months old, so I am going to save some pictures for that post! I've got a lot of cute ones that I am dying to share, but you know ... can't use them all up!

Well, if you couldn't already tell, things are already getting a little busy around here, and Benjamin is about to switch off my internet - so! One last picture:

Whistle While You Work

All right, finally I am able to sit down and blog ... Benjamin is in bed (crying) and I am taking a few moments now before I go to bed myself.

Right now, amongst the smell of fermented juice that apparently sprayed all over the room (I was getting ready for Bible Class - Hubby was the one who witnessed this marvel), I am going to blog further about my cleaning system that I always sometimes stick to. It's ironic, isn't it? I'm blogging about cleaning while I suffer the stench of a juice bottle I should have taken care of a while ago.

Anyway, if you remember this post, I briefly mentioned our system of cleaning. It was noted that it really wasn't easily viewed, so I decided I would elaborate for those who are interested. Here's our schedule guideline:



Monday - Laundry, Vacuum
Tuesday - Bonus Room, Kitchen
Wednesday - Bathrooms, Wash Towels, Vacuum
Thursday - Kitchen, Laundry
Friday - Bedrooms, Dust, Vacuum

And Saturday and Sunday are my days off from my schedule (mainly because I will spend those days catching up on the stuff I've missed).

Optional: Whistling while you work.

Like I said, this is more of a guideline than a schedule. This week has been very busy and I am ailing with a very hurt shoulder (pinched nerve?), so I haven't gotten as much done as I am supposed to. But I have tried. And that's the thing. As long as I put a good amount of effort into this, I don't feel as bad if everything doesn't get crossed off during the day. And of course, when Ben needs me and wants to play, he is who I am concentrating on, not my house. The housework will be there when I get done playing, who else is going to do it? (I joke - I woke up one morning to a couple of baskets all folded - thanks to a sweet hubby who stayed up late doing that for me!)

And there you have it! This is what works for us (unless, of course, you have a really sore shoulder). It may not work for you, but if you want to give it a shot, go for it!

Ben is out of bed, by the way, and standing beside me (holding onto the couch) crying. So I suppose that is my cue to say Good Night to the blogging world, and attempt to say Good Night to Benjamin once more.

Phew.

Happy [Spiritual] Birthday to Me!

I was going to do a different blog today, but then I realized what day it is. It's September 15th. My spiritual birthday. My friend Amanda, who writes at Love Like the Dickens, suggested that I do a blog post about it, and I thought that was a great idea! So that's what I'm going to do.



Six years ago today (well, tonight, really), I was baptized into the Body of Christ (Galatians 3:26,27). I remember that night like it was yesterday. I was sitting on the couch mulling over a lesson about Eternity that I had heard at a Youth Day at one of the local congregations, and then a sermon I had heard by a brother who had been visiting on Salvation. I was real bothered because I hadn't been baptized and I knew that I needed to be. So I mustered up my courage, and decided to tell my mom. She was on the phone at the time so I wrote it on the magnetic calendar she always kept on the refrigerator: "I need to be baptized."

And so we called my dad, who was at work, and the preacher of a local congregation to see if he could come unlock their building (ours didn't have a baptistery yet)so we could use it. I called a few people to let them know in case they wanted to meet us there, and we were off!

I requested everyone sing "Buried With Christ" afterward. To this day that song holds a special place in my heart.


Buried with Christ, my blessed Redeemer,
Dead to the old life of folly and sin;
Satan may call, the world may entreat me,
There is no voice that answers within.

Dead to the world, to voices that call me,
Living anew, obedient but free;
Dead to the joys that once did enthrall me -
Yet 'tis not I, Christ liveth in me.

Dead unto sin, live thru the spirit,
Risen with Him from the gloom of the grave,
All things are new, and I am rejoicing,
In His great love, His power to save.

Dead to the world, to voices that call me,
Living anew, obedient but free;
Dead to the joys that once did enthrall me -
Yet 'tis not I, Christ liveth in me.

Sin hath no more its cruel dominion,
Walking "in newness of life," I am free -
Glorious life of Christ, My Redeemer,
which He so richly shareth with me.

Dead to the world, to voices that call me,
Living anew, obedient but free;
Dead to the joys that once did enthrall me -
Yet 'tis not I, Christ liveth in me.

Decoration and Schedules!

When we moved into this house back at the end of November, I was too pregnant to even think about decorating. Earlier this year, I just didn't have the energy. And now, finally, I am starting to think about decorating. Starting with the Guest Bedroom, which is a blank slate at the moment. I have always considered myself fairly creative (up for debate, I suppose!), so this blank slate excites me! Hopefully in the next few weeks/months I will be able to keep you posted on how the transformation goes. It may take some time, but we're going to do what we can.

Here's what I'm starting out with:




We have decided that the Hope Chest, against the wall there, will be moved. It was the last thing my grandfather was able to make for me before he passed away two years ago.


The bed was my OTHER grandfather's while he was in college, and he made the dresser for me.

I'm excited. That's a lot of blank wallspace just waiting for some wonderful paint!

Other than that, I wanted to share our system for getting things done around here. Granted, we don't always stick to this because things come up, such as yesterday (when Ben was SUCH a pill). But so far it has seemed to work nicely.



I am a list/schedule kind of person. Although I am no expert, I appreciate organization. Anyway, that's what we do! And for most things, Ben can sit a few feet away and be fine. Such as with laundry and tidying up.

Do you have a system that works for you?

a Quick Pic

"Uhh. . . Mommy?"



Even my own child looks at me like I'm nuts!

Give Me Your Best Shot

Okay, pretty much everyone knows I love photography, and my Nikon Coolpix and I are practically joined at the hip. . . if, you know. . . cameras had hips. Anyway, I came across this great meme just a few minutes ago and decided to join in. It's a weekly photo, and I chose the right week to join in because there is a giveaway going on as well!

Just yesterday I took this picture (it was featured in the previous post, but here you get to see it a bit better), and I absolutely love it. Benjamin is becoming more and more interested in standing on his own and of course he is so curious, he tries to climb on everything.



It also features on of his brand-new Thirsties Duos!

Isn't that just precious, though?

What's your best shot for this week?

Wee Little Baby

Wee little baby, fresh from God's arms,



You light up the world with your
sweet baby charms.



May God ever bless you



with love and with grace,



and may joy always shine



on your dear little face.