May 29, 2011

Red, White & Blueberry Cake

Celebrate Memorial Day


Vanilla covered pretzel sticks with red sugar sprinkles and blue York peppermint pieces


Triple Chocolate Cake with a powdered sugar dusting and decorative corners


Blueberry Cake


The Birthday Man

Thank You, God for all the brave soldiers who have served, fought and won battles and wars, giving their time, years, blood, limbs and lives so that we might enjoy some freedom in this country. This includes my husband, Captain Jeramy W. Anderson, who served 9 years in the Air Force, is currently on inactive reserve and who is also celebrating his 33rd Birthday today. Happy Birthday, Honey!


May 27, 2011

Our First Bean


Here are pictures taken from this week of our garden produce. Everything looks much stronger than last year. Jeramy and I are very pleased with it. The green beans grow a lot just in one day and many of them are already ready to be picked.




May 26, 2011

10 Reasons Why I'm Still Nursing

Yes, Shiphrah is still nursing. Seven out of 8 feedings I still have to fight her to stay on the breast and to eat a complete meal. It has been very frustrating and some days I can't stand it anymore, but we both have persevered.

I continue to nurse because:
1. It's convenient. I don't have to make bottles in the middle of the night.

2. It's convenient while traveling because I don't have to predict how long we'll be out, how much formula I need, where I need to get water (or bring my own), or how to heat it, etc ad nauseum.

3. It helps me lose weight. It is said that nursing moms burn an extra 500 calories a day to support milk production. Oh yeah, super fast, safe and healthy weight loss is possible. Currently I weigh 15 pounds less than when I got pregnant with Shiphrah. :-D

4. It's an excuse to sit down and be quiet. After running around all day getting chores and errands done, I find that sitting can be quite necessary after a while and I probably wouldn't do it unless I had to nurse.

5. It helps provide protection against feminine cancers: breast, ovarian & uterine. Read this Above Rubies "Preservation" article.

6. It helps establish and boost baby's immune system.

7. It can be a natural contraceptive, when done consistently.

8. I don't have to worry about getting my period while nursing.

9. It helps fill out my clothing.

10. It's the best option when providing my baby nourishment.



May 25, 2011

Swimsuits Optional





May 24, 2011

Shiphrah: Nine Months & Counting




Shiphrah turned 9 months old last week and I can hardly believe it! She's still such a cute and happy little baby girl. She is content most of the time and only whines minimally (compared to her sisters). She constantly smiles and enjoys sticking things in her mouth, playing with her feet, pulling hair and twisting her tongue. Her favorite gummy things include paper, cloth and hairballs when she can get them. She does not crawl yet (it could be any day now) and she loves to stand and jump while assisted. She doesn't have any teeth yet, but her gums are nice and swollen. She likes to eat food and be in the middle of her sisters' playtime. She scoops small objects with her whole hands and her world stops when Mama enters the room. :-) She brings a lot of joy to everyone around her.

At her check-up appointment she weighed in at 16 pounds and 14 ounces. She also did very well with receiving 2 immunization shots in her thighs with no horrible repercussions. Remember at her 2 month check-up she screamed like a banche for 8 hours with little to no consolation.

Sleep is still somewhat erratic, but we both get it when we can. She has been going longer at night without feeding, sometimes 5 hours and once even 12 hours! Although it's not at all predictable, I'm very thankful that I'm not feeding her 3 times during the night.


May 21, 2011

Wedding at The Canoe Restaurant

Meggan Anderson added the perfect touch to make my wedding ceremony just how I pictured it - simple, but elegant. Her playing was gorgeous. She was easy to work with and helped me to choose the perfect song selection to make my day just right. I am so glad we chose to have her play over any of our other options!
Jaime Atkinson Stepic, Bride
Wedding, March 11, 2011

The Canoe Restaurant
4199 Paces Ferry Road
Atlanta, GA 30339



May 19, 2011

There Is No Silver Bullet

The deepest need that you and I have in weakness and adversity is not quick relief, but the well-grounded confidence that what is happening to us is part of the greatest purpose of God in the universe – the glorification of the grace and power of his Son - the grace and power that bore Him to the cross and kept him there until the work of love was done.
~ John Piper


In all wisdom and insight He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth.
Ephesians 1:8b-10


May 17, 2011

Be Angry & Do Not Sin, part 2 of 2

The following is the second portion of notes given from Brian Dempsey, the teaching elder at Christ Reformed Church, Lawrenceville GA. This study has impacted me and I just wanted to share. :-)

What Makes Us Angry That Shouldn't
  • Violation of rights
  • Disappointment with station in life
  • Blocked goals
  • Irritations
  • Feeling misunderstood
  • Unrealistic expectations
  • Pathological/Psychological

Responding to Anger
  • Keep control. "A fool always loses his temper, But a wise man holds it back." Proverbs 29:11, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law." Galatians 5:22-23
  • Overlook offenses. "A man's discretion makes him slow to anger, And it is his glory to overlook a transgression." Proverbs 19:11
  • Avoid angry men. "Do not associate with a man given to anger; Or go with a hot-tempered man, Or you will learn his ways And find a snare for yourself." Proverbs 22:24-25
  • Appease anger. "A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger." Proverbs 15:1

In what ways do we sinfully express anger?

A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.
Proverbs 29:11

A man of wrath stirs up strife, and one given to anger causes much transgression.
Proverbs 29:22

A man of quick temper acts foolishly, and a man of evil devices is hated.
Proverbs 14:17

What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask.
James 4:1-2

Bitterness, fits of anger, sullenness, harsh words, overreactions, striking out, argumentativeness, profanity, resentment, withdrawal of affection/presence, etc.

How do we keep from sinning when we are angry?

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
James 1:19-20

Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.
Proverbs 19:11

But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.
Colossians 3:8

A soft answer turns away wrath but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Proverbs 15:1

Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.
Proverbs 16:32

A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.
Proverbs 25:28

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.
Ephesians 6:11

When anger is present, no matter if the cause is offense from personal, selfish motives or holy, righteous ones, the response/expression of anger should be righteous. Our anger should propel us to do something righteous that will glorify God. We must learn to act with wisdom, discretion and self-control.

Do not let the sun go down on your anger. It doesn't mean that the issue must be resolved before bedtime - but to check the status of your attitude so that you are not responding with a sinful attitude even if the dispute/discussion continues for some time. Your attitude before God must be one that pleases him.

Venting anger and frustration only exacerbates the habit and practice of responding sinfully in anger. These are the fits and outbursts of wrath that are deeds of the flesh listed in Galatians 5:19-21. Those who practice these things do not inherit eternal life. Christ came and died to sin that we would be free from the bondage of sin.


May 16, 2011

Studio News: Spring Recital a Success!

Meggan Anderson was very proud to present three students in the first Spring Recital from The Anderson Music Studio. Each student performed three songs before an audience of about 35 with Sarah on the piano, Mariana and Leah on the violin. We were also very privileged to have Mr. Luke Weathers accompany our violin students on the piano. Although each student (and teacher) experienced some level of anxiety and nervousness, each performed successfully and earned the generous applause of our proud audience. After each student celebrated their musical and instrumental accomplishments, a brief time of inspiration was shared with a teacher performance on the piano and violin. We continued the celebration with refreshments. I look forward to making this an annual event. Enjoy these snap shots.














Meggan Anderson was very proud to present three students in the first Spring Recital from The Anderson Music Studio. Each student performed three songs before an audience of about 35 with Sarah on the piano, Mariana and Leah on the violin. We were also very privileged to have Mr. Luke Weathers accompany our violin students on the piano. Although each student (and teacher) experienced some level of anxiety and nervousness, each performed successfully and earned the generous applause of our proud audience. After each student celebrated their musical and instrumental accomplishments, a brief time of inspiration was shared with a teacher performance on the piano and violin. We continued the celebration with refreshments. I look forward to making this an annual event. Enjoy these snap shots.


Multitude Monday



601. I'm thankful for my breast pump! I'm thankful that I don't have to endure too much pain and discomfort when Shiphrah doesn't eat as much as I have. Or when she sleeps a long time and my milk supply needs to adjust.

602. I'm thankful and surprised that Shiphrah slept all night long without a feeding last night. It was so unexpected! I laid her down at 9:45p.m. and she didn't wake to feed until 8:30a.m.!

603. I'm thankful that I got a full night's sleep without interruption! It's so rare these days.

604. I'm thankful for my in-laws who were able to come up and visit us this past weekend.

605. I'm thankful for an excuse to run in beautiful, shady, historic Norcross.

606. I'm thankful that there was plenty of help to watch my babies while I could run in my first race.

607. I'm thankful that my first Studio Recital went so well! I've had students perform in recitals before, but this was the first time I've hosted one and I'm so pleased with everything.

608. I'm thankful that Lily didn't seriously injure herself while climbing on the church pews and bit her lip. When I saw the blood, I was concerned that she might have lost some teeth, but she only bit and bruised her lip.

609. I'm thankful that after more than 2 years, we've got only one child who is in diapers full-time. Lily is potty-trained! She and Moriah still wear something while sleeping, but I can't complain about that.

610. I'm thankful that we can now save up to buy a more serious violin.

611. I'm thankful that I didn't injure myself during the race while coasting down the hills.

What are you thankful for?


May 14, 2011

5K CHUK Run

The Norcross Police Department is hosting a 5K CHUK Run event today as a fundraiser for United Cerebral Palsy of GA. At 8a.m. the 5K commenced from Thrasher Park down to FBC Norcross on North Peachtree Street, then returning back, going through Sunset and Longview doubling back to the Park. At 9a.m there was a Fun Run, then activities for the whole family from 10a.m. until 1p.m. at Thrasher Park.

This was my first race! I was so excited to run in beautiful, familiar territory as I had often run from Thrasher down North P'tree to Langford Rd and back (2.1 miles) while nursing Lily 2 years ago. I think that maybe 20-30 people raced at 8a.m. Rounding out the first mile I was the third runner with two men ahead of me. During the second mile another man and a young lady passed me so that I finished 5th overall and the second woman in 27 minutes. There were so many hills, all familiar, but still difficult. But I'm very pleased and excited at my performance. It was so much fun. I would definitely like to do more races in the future. Afterwards I got to mingle with a few of the other racers and talk with the Chief, who so graciously hired Jeramy twice. There were free doughnuts, sodas, bottled waters, coffee, bananas & oranges after the race.

I think that it was good to do a somewhat lower key race for my first. This is the first time that NPD hosted such a race and with rain clouds looming, it wasn't crowded. Plus, downtown Norcross is such a pretty, shaded run with beautiful houses and landscaping that it's not boring at all. Yay!


May 12, 2011

Be Angry & Do Not Sin, part 1

The following is a portion of notes given from Brian Dempsey, the teaching elder at Christ Reformed Church, Lawrenceville GA. This study has impacted me and I just wanted to share. :-)

Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.
Ephesians 4:26-27

This verse is quoted verbatim from Psalm 4:4.

What makes you angry?
How often do you get angry?
With whom do you get angry?
How do you express your anger?
Where do you get angry?
Are there places where your anger is restrained?

Be Angry - it is a command. Some see it as a "when/if" but it's better to see it as a positive recognition that anger is a God-given emotion that is not, in and of itself, bad. It's okay to be angry. You will get angry and you should get angry at those same things that anger a holy God.

Anger is (not) in itself sinful, but . . . it may be the occasion for sin. The issue of self-control is the question of how we deal with anger. Violence, tantrums, bitterness, resentment, hostility, and even withdrawn silence are all sinful responses to anger. ~R.C. Sproul
And he looked around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, and said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He stretched it out, and his hand was restored.
Mark 3:5

Do Not Sin - Here is the qualification. Notice, the command is not, "Do not be angry." We are not commanded to destroy our anger, but to sanctify it.

Pride is one chief cause of undue anger. It is because men are proud, and exalt themselves in their own hearts, that they are revengeful, and are apt to be excited, and to make great things out of little ones that may be against themselves. Yea, they even treat as vices things that are in themselves virtues, when they think their honor is touched, or when their will is crossed. And it is pride that makes men so unreasonable and rash in their anger, and raises it to such a high degree, and continues it so long, and often keeps it up in the form of habitual malice . . . If men sought not chiefly their own private and selfish interests, but the glory of God and the common good, then their spirit would be a great deal more stirred up in God's cause then in their own; and they would not be prone to hasty, rash, inconsiderate, immoderate, and long-continued wrath, with any who might have injured or provoked them; but they would in a great measure forget themselves for God's sake, and from their zeal for the honor of Christ. The end they would aim at, would be, not making themselves great, or getting their own will, but the glory of God and the good of their fellow-beings. ~Jonathan Edwards, The Spirit of Love the Opposite of An Angry or Wrathful Spirit



May 9, 2011

got hair?!



May 6, 2011

May 5, 2011

Grand Daddy's Visit



Grand Daddy Dennis decided to come up and visit us Good Friday through Resurrection Sunday. We really enjoyed his visit. The last time he came up was Labor Day weekend when Jeramy was ordained. He seemed to really enjoy his time with the girls and hanging out with Jeramy.


May 4, 2011

Snuggling with Grand Daddy


When Grandparents visit, Moriah eagerly looks forward to early morning snuggle time. She usually rises to snuggle with Grandma Jane before sunrise and when we're at G'Wanda's house, she'll do the same - climbing up into the bed. Jane usually gets up with them before I can take a picture, but it's a regular occurrence when she visits. :-) This time Grand Daddy Dennis slept on the couch and decided to remain long enough for me to grab this shot. We enjoyed your visit Grand Daddy!


May 3, 2011

Nurse at Your Own Risk

WARNING:

While nursing you may experience cramping pain, engorgement, milk fever and/or bleeding or cracked skin, leaking, and other physical conditions. You may be scratched, pinched, kicked, slapped, bitten, have your hair or jewelry accessories pulled.

Proceed with caution, compassion, and long-suffering.


New pictures from April in the right sidebar.



May 2, 2011

Multitude Monday



591. Today I am thankful for my home, that God spared us when He had no reason to do so.

592. I am thankful for my salvation, that God chose to save me, the worst of sinners, and enlighten me to understand and desire the Truth who is Christ Jesus.

593. I am thankful that I don't have to go work outside my home with worldly people as I did waiting tables.

594. I am thankful for God, through my husband, providing for me all the basic necessities of food, clothing and shelter.

595. I am thankful for the freedom to remain home as other women are compelled to work based on various circumstances.

596. I am thankful for Lily, who survived a scary fall and is still blessing us with her presence.

597. I am thankful for the promotion of a beloved Professor who went to be with Christ yesterday evening. He was a joy to know and worship with. I learned so much from him.

598. I am thankful for true friends and the ability, with God's Word, to comfort and encourage them in Christ.

599. I am thankful that my Mom lives close by that we can go to her house and be comfortable while Jeramy paints ours.

600. I am thankful that God, through grace and time, gives the ability to forget those things we regret most, at least some of the time.

What are you thankful for?