Week in Review

This has been a stay-at-home week for the most part...but it was a busy one. I am happy to announce that my house is clean enough to welcome the queen of England. The girls enjoyed playing in the yard while I washed windows, organized closets, dusted base-boards, etc. (It's depressing to think that it won't stay this way for long.)

Last weekend we discovered Powell's Sweet Shoppe in Boise. Chuck and Missy had invited us to spend the day with them on Saturday and took us on a quick detour before heading to the river to play. The girls enjoyed picking out some candy that you can't find at WalMart and the adults enjoyed all the oldies-but-goodies. Yummy!

The highlight of the week was a visit from our good friends Phil and Jen Champlin who now live in Spokane. Marc and Phil were friends at Oakmont High in Roseville, CA. God used Phil to lead Marc to the Lord when he was a senior in high school. Although we stay in contact, we hadn't seen each other in almost 5 years. It was great fun to introduce our kiddos to each other and spend an evening together. It was just too short!

Sierra comforts Ally during a "scary" scene in Dumbo.

Whose idea was it to let the girls use oil paints?!?!

Grandpa's Girls. (Poor Annie!)

Kid in a candy shop.

The Champlin/Mouser crew at Chateau Park.

Second generation friends: Sierra and Lauren.

Dear friends, Phil & Jen, Lauren, Dan and Drew.

The Fear of God

Lately I have been writing about a lot of fun and rather trivial things. That's not bad, but I decided to change it up a little tonight and tell you what I've been thinking about and studying the last couple of weeks. Hopefully it will spark some thoughts for you as well.

I think it all started with a message at Crouch Community Church this summer that turned into a lengthy discussion between Marc and I. The fear of God. It's something that our culture wants nothing to do with! It isn't being modeled very well in many Christian homes or schools. In fact, even in many churches it is being watered down and pushed aside. We'd much rather talk about the love of God or the grace of God. But who wants to live in fear of God?!?!

I do! Here's why...

Why should I fear God?
1. He is the Creator. (Psalm 33:8-18)
2. He has demonstrated His power throughout history. (Isaiah 25:1-3)
3. He is going to judge my motives, thoughts and actions. (Isaiah 29:13-24)
4. He answered my cry for help and rescued me. (Psalm 22:23-24)
5. He forgives my sins. (Psalm 130:3-4)

How do I demonstrate my fear of God?
1. I obey his commandments. (Proverbs 2:1-5)
2. I serve him joyfully. (Joshua 24:14-15)
3. I live with integrity. (Proverbs 8:13)
4. I praise and worship him alone. (Psalm 5:7)
5. I show honor to other righteous people. (Psalm 15:4)
6. I train my children to obey His Word. (Deut. 6:1-7)
7. I spread his renown. (Jeremiah 33:9)

What are the benefits of fearing God?
1. Wisdom. (Proverbs 1:7)
2. Honor. (Proverbs 31:30)
3. Prolonged life. (Proverbs 10:27)
4. Protection from harm. (Proverbs 14:26-27)
5. Friendship with God. (Psalm 25:14)
6. A blessing for my children. (Deut. 5:29)
7. Discernment. (Exodus 18:21-22)
8. Prosperity. (Proverbs 22:4)

... and I haven't even made it out of the Old Testament yet! It may seem simple and it doesn't look like much in list form, but this has been a good study for me. Rather than teaching my girls to live by the popular slogan "No Fear", I want to them to "K-n-o-w Fear!" The right kind of fear. The kind that will keep them from shipwrecking their lives and will bring glory to the God who loves them.

State Fair

We got an unexpected visit from Grandma and Grandpa Mouser this week! They drove up from California to visit us for a couple of days and to take care of some business. The girls had a wonderful time playing with them and we had an extra-special evening at the Western Idaho Fair on Tuesday. (Only grandparents would spoil them with carnival ride tickets!) I was proud of how brave the girls were with all the animals and on the rides. They are growing up so fast.

Watching the baby chicks hatch.

I love you a bushel and a peck!

Sierra loved the miniature horses.

Getting tickled by the goat's tongue.

Brave little milk maid...mommy would never have done this!

Proud of herself!

Her first set of wheels!

Ally was kicked off the car ride for being about a half-inch too short, so she got a pony ride instead. I don't think she minded, do you?!

Up, up and away! (Mommy looks terrified.)
Queen of the Ferris wheel!

Rock My World Little Country Girls!

The Caldwell Night Rodeo is a Cook family tradition. Saturday night was an evening that Sierra and Ally will be talking about for a long time. This was Ally's first rodeo experience and already Sierra's third. We predict that Sierra will be a future rodeo queen and Ally a future bull rider based on their personalities thus far in life.

We got to the arena early to make sure that we could all sit together. The whole gang was there - minus Grandma Phyllis who is thrilled to have little grand babies as an excuse to stay at home and babysit. (We even had extra room for our friends, Byron and Becca, who found us in the crowd!) Although we are "rowdies" at heart, we like to sit on the "civie" side to avoid the blazing heat of the August sun. Sierra and Ally bounced around from lap to lap eating junk food all night. I couldn't tell you who won the bull riding or barrel racing contests, but it was a fun evening just the same. And as far as I know, the only thing we lost under the bleachers was the lid to a Gerber snack bowl.

Cute Little Clutter-Buster

I don't consider myself an exceptionally clever or crafty person, but today I made something that I was proud of. If any of you have little girls, you know what a mess all the hair clips can get into. This weekend I purchased the supplies and painted a small shelf that I found on sale at Craft Warehouse. This morning I sewed the buttons and ribbons on and VOILA....

SOOOO EASY! I wish that I had taken a "before" and "after" picture so that you could get the full scope of the improvement. Now I will actually be able to find 2 matching clips without emptying a whole drawer of odds and ends!

I Just Had To...

Here are a couple of recent pictures of Annie that I just had to share. Until her mommy and daddy start their own blog, I consider it my responsibility to share this adorable face with the world.

Livin' It Up!

Marc's summer vacation is almost over, so we've been making the most of these last days together as a family. (Nothing beats having Daddy home for over 2 months!!!) We've been busy with all sorts of fun activities this last week:

Several trips to local parks.

(Yes! Sierra is wearing a tiara to the park. This princess thing has gotten a little out of control.)

The Discovery Center in Boise.

The kiddie grocery store was a big hit with the girls!

The pulley and air brake system was another highlight at the Discovery Center.

We visited the Forrey's farm and got to see horses, cows, goats, chickens and itty-bitty kittens.

We've discovered that Ally has a thing for Spiderman (go figure!) - she loved this ride at Boondocks.

Marc and his girls on the zoo carousel.

Future circus performers?!?

Ally posed perfectly for this one.....OUCH!!!

Although I don't have any pictures of the event, Sunday was also a very exciting day. Dad was officially installed as senior pastor at Meridian First Baptist Church. There was a nice service and reception with many familiar faces among the crowd. It was fun to fill a row at church with family members. We are excited to see God's plan unfolding for them. On a side note, they invited Sierra and Ally to spend the night at their house on Tuesday. The girls were thrilled and Marc and I enjoyed a date night and went to see a late showing of Prince Caspian.

Next week we will begin to get back into a routine. It's been a very fun summer....but I'm ready for some stability as well. We still have the Caldwell Night Rodeo and Western Idaho Fair to look forward to in the next couple of weeks, so the PARTY AIN'T OVER YET!