Lord, give them a love of your word.

It's not like this happens everyday, as I hope it will some time soon, but when it does, it makes my heart stop. To find my 7 year old daughter alone, reading her bible is one of the greatest joys I have ever felt. I always pray that she will love God and cherish His word. I don't want her to feel like she has read it out of obligation, but out of a true desire to know Him. I try to get it across to my kids that there is no way to know God if you don't read His word. It is our connection and communication with Him. Without His word, our relationship with Him is one sided. We ask for what we need and want...we pray for him to bless us and protect us, but we never really know who He is. How can we, when we haven't read His own words which tell us every fascinating detail of His character, His unfolding plan, and His will for our lives? How can we experience the living power that comes from reading the same passage for the 20th time and finding yet another special nugget of truth that He had planned for us to read on that particular day? There is no other work of literature in print with the power of the Word! Other books may entertain us or even teach us, but the only life-changing, life-giving book is the Bible.

I know the more I model reading the Word, them more the kids want to know what it is that makes it so interesting that I am always reading it. I almost always have my quiet time when they aren't around, but I need to find times when they are around to read as well. I do read it to them, but there is something much more powerful about leading by example and reading it silently.

Psalm 119: 33-40
Teach me your decrees, O Lord;
I will keep them to the end.
Give me understanding and I will obey your instructions;
I will put them into practice with all my heart.
Make me walk along the path of your commands,
for that is where my happiness is found.
Give me an eagerness for your laws
rather than a love for money!
Turn my eyes from worthless things,
and give me life through your word.[a]
Reassure me of your promise,
made to those who fear you.
Help me abandon my shameful ways;
for your regulations are good.
I long to obey your commandments!
Renew my life with your goodness.

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

chillaxin'

My grandpa made the comment to me not too long ago that it looks like all James ever does is lay around with the kids because of the pics I put on the blog. While this is a daily occurrence, it isn't an all-day occurrence. I just always think they look so cute that I have to snap a shot. Too bad that I forget to take it with us when we go to the park, on bike rides or on walks which are also common family happenings each week. Yesterday, he played football with the kids forever. Didn't get a pic of that either. I have to admit he does do a much better job of chillaxin' with the kids than I do. Still working on that.



The older kids are starting to treat Preslie like one of the gang. If they are watching Praise Baby or Sesame Street, she sometimes even watches a little while with the. Jesse and Shelby carry her around and entertain her in her exersaucer. And sweet Lucy man-handles her and tries to snuggle or steam-roll her.



A favorite snack lately has been plain wheat bread. (Probably b/c since I found out I can't have it we haven't had much bread in the house.) Now that we've been buying it more they are crazy about it. Especially Jesse and Lucy can be found carrying a piece of bread around eating it a few times a day. Jesse has learned how to use the toaster and butter his toast, so he usually makes at least one piece a day. In this pic they are all sitting in the wagon eating a piece of bread. Strange kiddos!



Seriously, I walk in the room to find this at least once every couple of days. He just loves to have her close to him. I am so glad God made him who he is and not a crazy wild boy with no interest in snuggling!



Nice that I am in a tank top and PJ is in a stocking cap. That's AZ for ya! It was like 70 degrees, but felt like 60 in the shade and she was outside in the exersaucer.

Jesse's Birthday

Jesse is all about cars this birthday. Matchbox cars and hotwheels. He got a carwash and a bunch of cars from us. Of course, even though it was just a week after our last b-day McDonalds breakfast, we did it all again. He and Shelby played with the carwash while they ate.
Then, that evening, he, Daddy, Shelby, Blaze, Shade and their Daddy went to see A Christmas Carol with Jim Carey. They LOVED it!



Once again, I got to demonstrate my mad cake decorating skills! He wanted a dinosaur. All of the kids thought it looked just like one. The adults made fun of me! Hey, what is more memorable, a perfect store bought cake, or a silly, Momma can't draw cake?



Crazy kids! They played like crazy on his birthday playdate Friday morning. He and Shade are BESTIES! They adore each other and both are class clowns who love to entertain and be sillier than silly. We love that girl!

Later that night, Papa, Matt and Daddy took Jesse out for a guys night. They played video games, rode bumper boats, and had a blast! All in all it was a successful 5th b-day for our big boy. He is growing up too fast!

Lucy's Birthday

Lucy loved her Elmo cake. She recognized him right away, thankfully! I am not sure if she really knew it was her birthday or not, but she sure had a great day!



Displaying our handi-work. I noticed that no one commented about the Elmo cake. People were probably at a loss for words...amazed at my artistis genius. Either that, or they couldn't think of anything to say without lying or hurting my feelings!



We had our traditional Lichtenberger birthday morning. I realize this could be seen as a very unusual tradition, but we Lichtenbergers pride ourselves on being unusual and unique! Every birthday morning we all load up in the van in our jammies to go to McDonalds drive-thru for breakfast. The birthday girl or boy opens the van door to find their unwrapped birthday gifts waiting for them in the back seat. Then, we drive to get our food and park in the parking lot for a "picnic" in the van where they eat and play with their toys on the floor. This was our craigslist score...oodles of littlest pet shop stuff for Lucy!



James is so great at playing pretend with the kids. Whether it is Star Wars, barbies, rescue heroes, little people or Littlest Pet Shop, they can count on him to be fun-time Daddy!

Our attempt at cake decorating..."scawy"

I wish I could say that Shelby or Jesse drew this Elmo, but this is my handi-work. I actually jokingly said to Shelby, "I can just tell everyone you all did this," and she said, "No you can't, because that would be lying!" She is right! She did write Lucy's name, though (probably the best part of the cake...and Jesse did the sprinkles. It's all good, Lucy will LOVE it! She thinks anything red and furry is Elmo. : )

Lucy's Language by her 2nd birthday...

Lucy is a late bloomer in the language department, but she is really starting to step it up. There are many words she says clearly, but here are a few of her more creative pronunciations of everyday words:

water = ladou
juice = jew
scawy = scary
beg = bread
little bubbles = little people
gop-on = popcorn
puk = fork
pwetty = pretty
pice = spicy
shagie = Shelby
pawgie = Preslie
jeshie = Jesse
I pup = I pooped
abby = kitty
She also says "Huh?" in the cutest way, "OH Scawy!" and "Deedledeedledee."

new yogurt beauty cream!

What is it with my kids and yogurt? Here is Lucy rubbing it into her skin like lotion. She had it all over herself before I noticed what she was doing. Maybe she knows a secret about the beauty benefits of yogurt that we could all do well to try.



In the past week it has been all about yogurt with the kids. Jesse has had some famous quotes about the topic that I shared on facebook. First, Shelby asked him if he liked yogurt and he said, "Yes, it is my love cheese." and then the next day she told him she couldn't;t stand the smell of yogurt and he proceeded to wave it under her nose and say, "Hey Shelby, Smell the glory!" Wonder where he gets his sense of humor!



Tomorrow, this cutie pie turns 2. At this very time 2 years ago I was going to the hospital for a long, sleepless night anticipating her arrival. Oh, what joy she has added to our lives!! I can't imagine life without her. And to think that many people thought or commented after we had Jesse that we had our boy and our girl so we could be done. What if we had decided to be "done" before this beautiful blessing, or the next? Happy Early Birthday Sweet Lucy, light of our lives!

tell me a story of hope...

I just got off the phone with a sweet friend whose husband has been out of work for several weeks. I want to tell her a story about someone who was in the same situation who overcame the odds and is succesful and content now. Why don't I know any of those stories. Don't they exist anymore? She believes with her whole heart that God will provide and He has. They still have a roof over their heads...for now.

Not only do I want to tell her that story, but I need to hear it myself. I need to hear that families struggle and overcome. I have seen movies about it and read inspiring articles, but I haven't heard any of these stories first hand. What I am seeing here in AZ is families in financial situations that are going from bad to worse.

Having my van broken into this morning and my GPS (a gift from my dad when we moved here) stolen has really gotten to me today. Finding out that our insurance won't cover the window was a real blow.

Round Here Lately

Since Lucy moved into Shelby's room you can find her snuggled up with her sister many nights each week. I can't even describe how it warms my heart when I walk in to find them like this. Shelby and Jesse used to do the same thing when she was 4 and he was 2 and they first shared a room. There is just something about your angel babies snuggling together...Priceless!



Lucy fits perfectly in James' lap while he works on his computer. His arms are long enough to type even with her sitting there. This is a common thing to see around here in the evenings or on weekends.


Shelby is loving Littlest Pet Shop right now. Some of her friends here are very into these cute little guys and she has developed a love for them as well. Lucy is loving them too. She is getting a bunch for her birthday...I found 3 houses and about 20 pets on Craigslist for $30 total. Score! We may never buy a new toy again. We have had awesome luck with Craigslist and Ebay for toys, and it is a great lesson for the kids in conservation. They don't mind that they are used and they are even proud to have done their part to 1) save the environment 2)bless the family that is selling the toys 3) save money for our family.

a revolt against consumerism

It's not enough to just be "green" anymore. The latest trend appears to be a revolt against conspicuous consumption.

With the economy where it is right now as well as a growing social awareness of global poverty, "keeping up with the joneses" is beginning to be very taboo. Escalade drivers and designer bag carriers are being shunned like smokers and litterers were a few years ago. I understand this mentality and fight against the urge to categorize or judge people based on their consumption. Truth be told, it has always been an area where I struggle with judgement. Now I am seeing the same struggle among the masses. Why is that? I believe there are several reasons. One big one is the "green" thing. It is impossible to be green if you are always moving up to bigger and better and discarding the old. Another is directly related to the havoc consumerism has wreaked in unsuspecting people's lives.

I know several people here in Arizona who have lost everything because of their "time to move up" mentality. They have huge regrets. At a time in their lives a few years ago when they were making plenty of money, receiving promotions at work, or adding another child to their family they chose to do what most Americans believe is not only a want, but a need...buy a bigger house and maybe even a bigger "safer" automobile. They could not have predicted the housing market plummet that has occurred or the layoffs they would experience. They were walking on air, living comfortably with a bright future ahead. Then, whammo...they lost a job, couldn't afford their house payment and can't sell their house because it is worth just a little over HALF of what they paid for it. They are living out the 6 months they have left in their homes before the bank takes them and having trouble finding hope in the future.

In stark contrast, we have some friends who refused to "move up to the next step" a few years ago when all of their friends were encouraging them to do so. They are in an awesome position right now and able to buy a home twice the size for half the price it was just a few short years ago. They are renting out their original home for more than their mortgage payment until the market rebounds and they can sell it and they have purchased a bigger home for the same price they bought the first one. They said that they felt tons of pressure from friends who were moving up after having a second or third child but they were perfectly comfortable in their 1200 sq ft home and didn't feel the need. They are so thankful now for their "revolutionary" decision. While they say they would still be comfortable in the smaller home, this is an amazing financial opportunity for them, and they are taking it.

Why do Americans think we need so much space to live? Did you know that this really is only an American mentality? My brother tells me stories of families in India who live in small apartments with 7 to 10 family members. These are not poor Indians either. They would be the equivalent of our upper middle class families. We have missionary friends in China and Korea who tell us the same thing. And then I hear stories from my dear friend who just got back from Africa about the incredible joy and gratitude she saw in people who live in shacks with tin roofs.

Putting everything in perspective, I am kind of glad for this new revolution against consumerism. Presuming we speak the truth in love and gently encourage this new mentality, it can only be a good thing for our country and for each of us individually. We need to stop bugging our friends to buy bigger houses or SUVs. We need to flat out refuse to buy designer clothes and handbags. We need to encourage, share and even brag about dressing in hand-me-downs. We need to shop for used furniture, cars and homes...some of the largest things we consume. And, we need to be grateful for what we do have and cultivate contentment.

Come on, Join the revolution...

healing power of touch

There is something so comforting about touch. Whether you are in physical or emotional pain, the simple touch of a friend or loved one can be so healing. It is scientifically proven that your body releases endorphins when you are touched sending happy, relief giving feelings all over your body. That is why massage and other labor coaching techniques are very effective during child birth.

Lately I have been really down. I have been majorly stressed out, worried, and sad at times. It effects my sleep cycles and my interstitial cystitis. I recently had the worst flare-up I have had in probably a year. Being in pain, emotional or physical, makes it hard to be a good wife, mom, and manager of my home.

The most relief I have probably felt is when I lay down with Preslie on my chest. Her sweet, warm, tiny little body fits perfectly on my torso. I can feel her gentle breathing and hear her sweet sounds and it makes me feel much better. I have been trying to lay down with her during every afternoon rest-time and I can tell it makes a difference.

I remember a time when I noticed the most relief from physical touch was after my miscarriage in 2006. After coming home from the hospital where they confirmed that we had lost the baby, those first hugs from my other two babies were breathtaking. I physically felt the warmth and energy from them enter my broken body and give me hope. I can't even compare it to any other feeling I have ever had, besides maybe a little like butterflies when hugging James, but not romantic like those and much more intense because of the pain I was feeling.

I am so glad I have my babies, my husband and my family to hug. I am truly thankful that we have a demonstrative family where hugs are not given sparingly.

Noah's Ark

In addition to the basic subject areas, we are working our way through the Bible in order one story at a time until the kids are able to retell the story with details and comprehend the message. Right now, we are immersed in Noah's Ark. These are only a few of the books we have been reading. There is a wealth of literature and media out there on this particular time period. Every subject is covered naturally by studying this amazing story. We could probably cover this one story the entire school year and never run out of new things to learn. From biblical principals of faith, provision, wrath, sin and more to math-measurement, time spans, seasons, numbers of animals, to science-reproduction, weather, animal species, etc. to history-historical artifacts proving the validity of the ark, timelines etc, and of course, reading--so many awesome books to read.

There are some wonderful books of poetry, some interesting versions of the story, some wacky movies, and lots of opportunities to discuss what is truth.
We are really enjoying Noah's Story!

the dent in Lucy's leg

In February, Lucy had a severe reaction to cashews and James had to take her to the urgent care clinic. There, they gave her 3 shots in her thigh. An epi-pen, benedryl and I think a steroid. She seemed fine but a few weeks later she developed a purple bruise-like dent in the thigh right where the shot was given. When we asked the doctor what it was she denied any correlation to the shot. I tried to find it online b/c I knew in my Momma's heart that it did have to do with the shot. I finally found a bulletin board where several people had mentioned a dent in the thigh. There were lots of hypothesis, but one caught my eye. She mentioned that she read somewhere that it could be caused from an improperly given shot, one that was supposed to be intramuscular, but the person giving the shot missed the muscle and only injected it into the fat layer. So, I asked my Dr. about it and she still said she hadn't heard of that and not to worry. Months went by with the dent getting larger and more noticeable. It seemed to be dented all the way down to the bone. VERY prominent. So, I called my best friend from high school who is a pediatrician. She confirmed what I had read. She said it was called something like Necrosis of the subcutaneous fat layer due to an improperly given shot. She said she had had a few patients with the same thing and that it would clear up, but would probably take a year or more. This week I noticed that it is finally looking better. The dent is popping back out and it isn't dark purple anymore. Maybe it wil be back to normal by this time next year. Thank God!

Without sickness, of what value would be health?

without sadness, of what value would be joy?

without poverty, of what value would be wealth?

without exhaustion, of what value would be energy?

without loneliness, of what value would be friendship?

without cruelty, of what value would be kindness?

without failures, of what value are successes?

WITHOUT GOD'S WRATH, of what value would be GRACE?

I am coming out of a 4 day horrible Interstitial Cystitis flare-up and so thankful for the long periods of health I enjoy. I have had a lot of time to think over the past few days about how truly blessed I am to only have a chronic condition that comes and goes with relatively short periods of intense pain followed by days or even weeks of pain-free, healthy feelings. When you have a chronic condition, you really learn to value life's pain-free times. When you have never known chronic pain, you might just take your health for granted. Isn't it the same in every area of life?

It seems like everyone I know is struggling right now, including us. Financial struggles top the list for most people I know, many are losing their jobs and/or homes, followed closely by marital problems, major health concerns, kid's struggling or being bullied in school, lonliness...you name it. Very few people I have interacted with lately can honestly say they are on top of the world. I am right there with them too, but trying hard to remember that God works all things together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. We love Him and we are called according to His purpose, so I know that if we let Him, He will turn all of this around and make it good. When that day comes, I know that I will appreciate his provision and blessing all the more, because I have been on the other side where life isn't easy street.

We want our lives to go smoothly, have no worries or stress, have every need and desire met without having to wait, never be lonely, never be bored, win every contest, make lots of money and never go without, be beautiful, funny, and fun to be around with a constantly full social calendar, have the best dressed most well-behaved kids to make us look good and never get sick or have to clip a coupon. How much pleasure would we truly take in this life if we were given everything we want?

Shelby's most recent songs

Shelby is always writing songs. Some of them are really good. The best ones are usually written by her and James jamming together and she just free-styles. Some make little sense, but they rhyme. This morning during school she wrote a song. She rarely actually writes out the words, so I had to record this one. Very cute. She sings it so passionately. It goes like this:

God is so good to me.
He helps the poor and my broken knee. (we are studying the "kn" digraph)
People are fainting by sickness and grief.
He touches their shoulder
and they get relief.

And when I look up, He's right there
by my shoulder.
God is so good to me.
God is so good to me.

Here is one she wrote last night:

I wanted, I wanted, I wanted, I wanted
your heart.
People in this world wanted the cross,
but I won't let them have it. (Maybe we need to have an evangelism talk or at least clarify what she means by this : ) )
My God is powerful,
My God is wonderful.

He is my heart, He is my heart,
He is my heart, He is my heart.

Powerful God
He's a Powerful God.