Bows and Boots

My friend/hair lady gave me some cute bows for Josie. We like, we like.

My aunt out in Portland got Jo some boots. I cannot get enough of babies and kids in boots. Let's be real. I can't get enough of boots in general. These might be a bit big, but she's got a (hopefully not too) long winter ahead to grow into them.

Just not cool

When we were looking for a church 3 1/2 years ago, we ran across some things that were frustrating. There were the usual things like people not being very welcoming, the message or sermon being less than biblical, the lack of Holy Spirit. But there was one thing that we ran across more than once that really just grinds my gears. AND this Sunday we ran across it again.

We decided to go to a church that is the same denomination as our previous church. I looked up online when it started and we left in time to get there about 5 minutes early. When we pulled up to the church, it was clear that we missed something because there were no cars around. Obviously church was not starting in 5 minutes. There was a sign on the door that said that there was going to be a group church at one time at the Ramada which is conveniently about 5 minutes from our house and not so conveniently 20 minutes from the church. I say "group church" because they now have two locations with 3 services, and this was going to be for all of the different services.

So we had planned on going at 9:40, and all of the other churches that we have been interested in attending either start at 9:00 or don't start till 10:45 or 11:00. What are we supposed to do for the next hour??

This is the most frustrating thing to me! I checked their website. It said right on the homepage what time church starts. I made sure that I was looking at the right location. I double checked the night before. I would never have thought to look at the bulletin PDF that was the last tab on the page. Why would I? So my conclusion is that this church must not be very "new people" friendly. Putting a sign on the door is informative, but it will not get the people that missed the memo to the church service on time. Not when it is a 20 minute drive away. I should also point out that it isn't like they don't update their website frequently. It is a highly detailed website with an answer to practically an question just a click away.

I know that it happens where someone just misses the boat and it accidentally wasn't updated online. But here's the thing. I don't think it was an accident. I really feel in my heart that this is a huge sign from God that their values and emphases  are not the same as ours. We both feel that we want a church that is welcoming and inviting with open arms to new people. That is a huge thing that God shows us in the bible. We are supposed to spread His love and share Him with everyone.

This was definitely not inviting. I don't have any desire to go back. Frustrating? Yes. But the good news is that now we know. We'll probably still check the church out just to see if it is different than the vibe I'm getting, but all in all I think listening to God's gentle guidance is the best route to go.

Thank you, God, for making things so crystal clear!

She's going to be so embarrassed

What is it about naked babies?? We had a mini photo session after a bath one night and I think she likes pearls as much as her mama.

I'll have to try this again with better lighting and better pearls. And maybe a baby that doesn't look like she got attacked in her sleep. (I've cut her nails since, don't worry).

Twilight

I absolutely loved the books and have seen all of the movies so far. I think the movies are only good because I know what was meant by each word or scene. The books are so good that I think it would be hard for any movie to get close. I think the first one was fine for how low budget it was. There are some scenes that are overacted  and you can tell the actors are young. The second and third definitely improve in special effects but every scene with Jacob is over the top cheesy and its hard to make people look realistic when they are flying through the air. Not to mention the people transforming into wolves. So this one... the fourth one.. 

1. It was like two movies. A romantic comedy, and a dramatic horror movie. Weird how they managed to work together.

2. So much emphasis on the honeymoon bedroom scenes! They spent more time on the skin shots than on the funny feathers everywhere and broken furniture scenes from the book.

3. There were ridiculously overwhelming amounts of one liners set up just to get a laugh. I have never thought of these movies as comedies, so it was kind of annoying how they were going for that. The dry humor wasn't so dry this time around.

3. The werewolves. Oooh the werewolves. Their inner monologue sounded like a mixture of power rangers and a sports announcer in a tunnel. As my friend put it while we were leaving, "I am pretty sure when I talk to myself in my head I sound the same." Why they thought that those voices were good enough is beyond me. I was so distracted by how poorly produced those scenes were that I am not sure I even paid attention to what was happening.

4. Edward (Robert Pattinson) is so good looking.

5. Bella (Kristen Stewart) was by far at her best this time around.

6. They did an amazing job at making her look on the brink of death. I had to look away a couple of times because her body reminded me of pictures from the Holocaust. 

7. The first shot of the scene with Jacob imprinting on the baby seemed ridiculous, but it was immediately redeemed with all the "future shots" of their life together and how he was her companion and not just her lover. If they would have emphasized the lover side it would have been creepy. 

8. I loved every  minute of it. It doesn't have to make sense or be high quality because it is just putting pictures to the story I have in my head from the book. I know what they meant, so it works for me.

Can't wait (a whole year... what the what?? They've already filmed it!) for the next one!

All Pictures from Google Images

Daddy time

Some moments don't need words.

Busted.