Porch Update II

I finally got off my butt and bought the trim for our new windows and got it put up. And, we're getting a little bit closer to having the porch done- it's taking on a little more character. Lord willing, the Zoo Keeper will finish by the beginning of June.

Porch update

Well, the Zoo Keeper has been trying to fit time into his busy schedule for working on our porch, and I am happy to report that he is getting closer to finishing! Today, he installed the rails and we are very pleased with the work thus far. He still needs to do some work on the gable, finish the railing (dress ups, painting, etc.), stain the deck, add the hand rail and stain, and then build the steps. We've also started to look at colors for a fresh paint job once he's done (if we have any money left over, Lord willing!).
We're also discussing what we want to do in the future as far as the exterior of the house. While we will probably leave the front of the house stucco, we will probably add new siding to the rest of the house. We're also discussing adding rock to the bottom part of the front (opposite the porch). This, of course, is all conditioned upon having the money to do such work. Hopefully, we will be blessed with another nice tax return next year so we can continue on this face lift and scream in unison, "Move that bus!!"

New Sandra McCracken Tunes

I received an email today which is promoting the soon to be released Sandra McCracken CD. For those of you who may not know who this lady is, she is the wife of one of my two favorite recording artists, Derek Webb (of Caedmon's Call and solo fame). Not only has Mrs. Webb recorded some great solo stuff, she has also written some great stuff which has been included on Caedmon's Call, Indelible Grace, and the City on a Hill CDs. You can listen to some samples of her Folky/Americana brand of music at the following site:
https://www.noisetrade.com/sandramccracken#

Good Stuff!

Hard Work

Imagine my surprise when I can home today to find out that "Hider-Man" got to help Mr. Zoo-Keeper as he was working on our front porch area.

Good thing the Zoo-Keeper was able to have some help with that heavy piece of equipment!!

J. has been doing some work around here for us, and things are now and will be looking different out front.

This is just the beginning stage of our project-tomorrow the steps and stoop will be gone!

We will soon be able to conduct class outdoors on our new deck. The kids are looking forward to it (as is mom!)- well at least Hider-Man and Mom are. Bed Bug thinks she'll need the sound of the "chain-saw" in order to focus (some neighbors were running one today as the kids worked out in the front yard).


Tonight, after we finished our history lecture and discussion, Levi took to working on his math assignment and his "Gulliver's Travels" reading assignment for tomorrow so that he can help Jason with breaking out the concrete. Do we have a future jack-hammer operator? Better start eatin' the potatoes, boy!

Perpetual Adolescence

There has been for some time now an alarming trend with the males in our culture-it is called Perpetual Adolescence. As the father of two "teen-aged" boys (I despise that term, it's nothing more than an invention of Madison Avenue), I am particularly disturbed about this problem, and need to be constantly reminded that they are prime candidates for this attack on young men. Our culture seems to feed the monster, so much so that we now have "boys" who are in their late 20s/early 30s who fail to grow up into mature men. Don't believe me? Just turn on the television or visit the big screen, and you will see what I mean; it's as ubiquitous as the buffoon husband/dad that Hollywood likes to portray. We in Christ's church should be very concerned about this, as it is just as prevalent within as it is without. Could this be linked to the great numbers of our youth who are leaving the church once they are out of high school? How do we combat this? I suggest we begin by discipling them as we are commanded to by our King. There's at least one church who seems to be taking steps to do just this, and after listening to this study, I've been convicted of my own failings as a father in the discipleship of my own sons. For anyone interested in reading further on the subject, there's some very good material available to help in this process and with implementing family worship to help further nurture our children.
Future Men- Douglas Wilson
Standing on the Promises- Douglas Wilson
Thoughts for Young Men- J.C. Ryle
The Case for Family Worship- George Hamond
A Good Start- Charles Spurgeon
Family Practice- R.C. Sproul Jr.
The Family- B.M. Palmer and J.W. Alexander
The Family Worship Book: A Resource Book for Family Devotions- Terry Johnson
Wise Words: Family Stories That Bring the Proverbs to Life- Peter Leithart

There's a plethora of other titles, but these are all ones that I have read and have found helpful. Any other suggested titles would be appreciated...

Of course, if it's controversial and applies to the church, then you know Al Mohler will take it head on during his radio show. Dr. Mohler speaks on this very subject on his radio program and blog:
http://www.albertmohler.com/radio_show.php?cdate=2009-03-20
http://www.albertmohler.com/radio_show.php?cdate=2009-04-13
http://www.ralbertmohler.net/blog_read.php?id=836

Quote of the Year

I was reading an article on the Idaho Statesman's website tonight about the local "Tea Party" that took place today, and read what has to be one of the top quotes of the year thus far:
“The first tea party was a protest of taxation without representation. This tea party is a protest of taxation with misrepresentation.” (Rep. Lenore Barrett, R-Challis)

The nationwide Tea Party events providentially took place the week before our homeschool studies the original tea party and the events surrounding it; we'll have to check out some of the rallies on youtube...

"The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" Movie Review

We recently watched one of the most powerful movies I have seen in quite some time. "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas", based upon a novel by John Boyne, is set in World War II and tells the story of a young boy whose father has moved the family from Berlin to the countryside, so that he may assume his role as commandant of a concentration camp. Lonely and restless from boredom, Bruno leaves their property (against his parents orders) and happens across what he thinks to be a "farm". Here, he meets a boy whom he befriends. The boy, Shmuel, is wearing what Bruno believes to be "striped pajamas" (hence the title) and is confined not to a farm, but the concentration camp. What follows touches on many elements of our humanity-child innocence, brotherly love, and human depravity. I won't give away any more, but will however mention two biblical allusions to watch for in the movie: Peter's denial of Christ and the sharing in suffering that we are called to. I don't know if this movie was in wide circulation, but if you get a chance to rent it, do so!