CDs

For many years now, I've been compiling CDs to give out as Christmas presents. Each year I pick a section of Scripture, find songs inspired by that passage, and compile the songs into CDs. I love the whole process, and find that listening to the final result not only encourages me to worship, but also helps me learn Scripture. I can find passages much faster, I've memorized more verses, and I've absorbed more of the meaning as I've "soaked" in the songs.

This year I've compiled two CDs based on The Book of Revelation, since that's what I've been studying this year through Community Bible Study (CBS). It's been such an uplifting process to meditate on themes like:

• Worshipping the Lamb who sits on the Throne
• How to live our lives with the urgency and assurance that comes from knowing what's ahead
• The fact that Satan is fighting a losing battle, and that Christ has already won
• Looking forward to a time with no more pain or sorrow
• Knowing that we will be gathered with other believers who have passed away

If I know you personally and you'd like a copy of these CDs, I'm happy to send them to you. Just let me know. I'm also happy to send you other CDs I've made in previous years:

• Psalms 1-20
• Psalms 21-30
• Psalms 31-40
• Psalms 41-60
• Psalms 61-80

May you be as blessed listening to these CDs as I have been in creating them. Also, if you know of someone in the music publishing business, a friend has encouraged me to look into possible distribution opportunities, so please connect me to them if you're willing.

A Day in the Life: Eyes, Goodbyes, Kai, Hi, A.I., and New Things to Try

Yesterday was a long, busy day in Katie World. We started the day off with her eye doctor, and got news I wasn't quite ready for yet: She needs glasses immediately. I knew the day would come, but 11 1/2 months seems awfully young to be wearing glasses. I have to admit I struggled a bit through the day as the news settled in. So I spent a few hours last night on the site "Babies With Glasses" and was comforted to read stories from other moms in similar situations. Of particular interest to me was the photo gallery of babies with glasses. It was hard for me to imagine until then what exactly a baby with glasses would look like. We'll be getting the glasses later this week and I'll post a photo then.

Until then, here are some fun photos of Katie enjoying the tiny couch in the doctor's waiting room.

Afterwards we caught the last 15 minutes of Mommy's last Bible study of the year. Community Bible Study has been such a blessing to me this year. Katie and I have been in a "small" group of 23 nursing moms and their babies. When we started, Katie was 3 1/2 months old and would sit quietly in her car seat while we had our discussion about Genesis. Those days are ancient history!! Now she climbs all over the other babies and their toys. It's been fun to see all the babies grow up this year. So it's sad to say our goodbyes.

We went home for a few hours of "quiet" time (Katie napping, playing, eating, and getting her patch time in; Mommy watching her, working and doing laundry; both of us walking the dog), and then Katie's good friend (aka potential husband) Kai came over with his mommy. I didn't get any good photos of them together yesterday, but here's one of them playing together last week:

Daddy came home shortly after Kai left, and Katie got to try two new things: grown-up lasagna and her new walking toy. She couldn't get enough of the lasagna, and neither could her clothes. Needless to say, we carried her straight to the bathtub after dinner was over.

Then we pulled out her new walking toy, a hand-me-down from my friend Betsy (thank you, Betsy!). In no time flat, she was running across the living room with it. Here's the video.

After cheering her on, John stepped outside to finish mowing the lawn (can I tell you again how much I LOVE having John home before sunset?!!). I took Katie over to watch, and Katie enjoyed waving HI! to her Daddy. See video below.

Finally we started settling down for the night, but not until we enjoyed our favorite Tuesday night family pasttime: American Idol (A.I.). John and I are cheering for David Cook, but Katie enjoys cheering for everyone. She has always been fascinated by American Idol -- see this former blog post and this video taken last week:

Katie was more than ready for bed by her 9 pm bedtime!

Fun and Festive Katie

Katie got to show off her new Christmas outfit at my Bible study Christmas luncheon today. Her Grandma Roberts picked it out for her Great-Grandma to give to her. Katie's so cute and cuddly in it -- I can't stop loving on her! Neither could the women in the Bible study. :-)

This is Emily, who watches Katie every Thursday afternoon while I'm in Bible study with her mom and the other ladies.


This is Karen, one of the ladies in the Bible study.

When Katie got tired at the party, I set her in her carseat with a bottle propped up on her arms. Like a champ, Katie fell asleep quickly so Mommy could eat lunch.

Now Katie is home and playing in her exersaucer. But I still don't want to take her out of this cute outfit -- and she seems to enjoy it as well!