Fun Stuff

Friday Favorites

My new favorite album:

Counting Stars by Andrew Peterson

"Planting Trees" became my favorite track when I read this interview:

"The song "Planting Trees" is about investing in the things that matter and kingdom work. I wrote it for my wife who is not a singer/song writer, is not a musician or an artist--she is a great mom and makes our home this beautiful, magical place. We were at a retreat together, and I think we were in a small group, like a little breakout group, and the question we were all answering was, ‘What is it that you're doing to change the world?'

"My answer was easy because for the last 15 years or so, I have had a clear sense of my call, I'm called to write songs and to encourage people and to teach people and entertain them, too, while I'm doing it. So I have a clear vision for what it is that I do and it's easy for me to see the fruit of that ministry because I'll get a case of e-mails or I'll get to talk to people at shows.

"Then the question came around to my wife and her answer to the question ... was that she's raising these three kids in the kingdom. She's impressing the words of the Lord on these children and raising them up to change the world. It was just a beautiful thought to me. It's too bad that moms out there don't get e-mails from random people telling them what great mothers they are. So this song is kind of an e-mail thanks to her for that idea that the greatest work we can do on this earth is investing in other human beings for the sake of Christ. It's hard to picture a more direct version of that than a mother blessing her children."

She rises up as morning breaks
She moves among these rooms alone
Before we wake
And her heart is so full; it overflows
She waters us with love and the children grow

So many years from now
Long after we are gone
These trees will spread their branches out
And bless the dawn
These trees will spread their branches out
And bless someone

And I can't sign off without thanking you for all your encouragement and support in response to yesterday's post. Your care never ceases to amaze us! Thank you!

Nicole for my mom and sisters

Friday Funnies

Bridgette sent us a funny story that all sleep-deprived moms will relate to:

I recently had my 5th baby in December. Last week my oldest daughter lost her top tooth and I had sent a picture of her to my friends asking if they had seen her missing tooth for fun. I had taken her tooth and placed it in an envelope for safe keeping and placed it in my desk. It just so happens that my sister-in-law was visiting and saw me do it.

The following week my daughter lost her other tooth. I was looking everywhere for the envelope I had put her previous one in but could not find it. Once again I took a picture of her and sent it to everyone asking if they had seen the other one.

A day later I got an e-mail from my sister-in-law (who had returned back home) telling me that one of my daughter's missing teeth had been found. You see I had put her tooth in an envelope that was from a wedding card I had filled out and given to my sister-in-law to give to this new happily married couple. Little did I know it was in that envelope!

Since my sister in law was the one who gave them this card, I was told that they had the tooth and thought it was very funny it was inside!

Don't forget that Monday is the deadline for the Pick One Spot Contest. See you then,

Nicole for Carolyn, Kristin, and Janelle

For Sports Moms

Did you know that Don't Waste Your Sports is for moms too? So one woman discovered and wrote to tell my dad about it:

Dear Mr. Mahaney,
 
As I read the girltalk blog this week, I found your sermon titled, Don't
Waste Your Sports. I want to thank you for sharing what God has taught you
about the ways parents, coaches and children can glorify God in their
sports.
 
I was struck by the opportunity I have wasted as a wife and mother. My
husband coaches soccer and our children both participate in club soccer, in
our area. Coaching and playing soccer have been an area of contention in our
marriage for many years. In fact, in my pride and arrogance, I had sent a
link to this exact sermon to my husband a few months ago. Yesterday, I had a
good listen for myself. The Lord used your teaching to humble me.
 
I had wasted the opportunity to honor God by gladly submitting to my husband
in this area. I had wasted countless drives to games and practices
complaining, rather than giving all glory and honor to the Lord. This is an
opportunity to shepherd my own heart, and the hearts of my children. This is
an opportunity for our family to talk about and make much of God on way to
the field, on the field, and on the way home from the field!
 
I am so thankful for God's grace, through your teaching and the opportunity
we have to not waste our sports, but instead do all for the glory of God!

Sincerely,
 
Erica

 
To purchase the book, check out the website. Or, read a recent review here.

Friday Favorite (and Funny)

For those of us who have trouble getting up early, we found a novel solution over at the What's Best Next blog--Clocky, an alarm clock that runs away from you!

"Can’t wake up? You’re not alone. Stats show that 40% of people ‘abuse’ the snooze. Typical alarm clocks just don’t work well. Ours never lets you oversleep again. Clocky runs away and hides if you don’t get out of bed. When the alarm sounds, Clocky will wait for you to get up. But if you snooze, Clocky will jump off of your nightstand (from 3 feet), and run around your room, determined to get you up on time. Clocky’s hip, innovative and charming. What could be better to wake up next to?"

Clocky even comes in a girltalk pink (and other colors). It's a little pricey, but if it helps you (or someone you love who loves to sleep) get up early in 2011, it just might become your favorite purchase of the year.

May God's grace be yours in abundance this New Year!

Nicole for the girltalkers

What’s in the Bible? DVD Winners

We are excited to announce the winners of our What's in the Bible? DVD Giveaway. Thanks to all of you who entered to win. It was so encouraging to read notes from moms, grandmas, aunts, Sunday school teachers and friends telling us how you want the children you love to understand the Bible's message of the gospel. May God give you your heart's desire!  We hope these videos will be a blessing to the winners. Thanks to the folks at What's in the Bible? for your generosity!

Amanda
I would love to have the video for my own children.  Being the only Christian parent of a two parent household, I can use all the extra resources I can get to provide my children with as much exposure to God and his Word.

Karen
I would like to give this video to Esther (13) and Daniel (5), two very poor Nigerian children (whose devoted Christian parents sell various items for a living... on the streets of Athens, Greece.)  They are faithful, serving members of the International, English-speaking church that my husband, Steve, pastors here in Athens, and I know they would share the video with the Sunday School class so all the refugee children who attend our church could also view it, multiplying the impact of one video.

Ashley
I nanny for a family with three kids (ages 3, 7, and 10) who are non Christians, and I would give the DVD to them. In my two years with this family, I've been trying to share Christ with them, especially since their parents are not Christians, and I am always on the lookout for resources that I can use with them.

Rachel
I would love to give this video to my little son, Nathan (age 5), with Down Syndrome.  Of everything in his life, he seems to identify best with the Veggie Tales videos for learning.  This looks like a perfect match for his continuing to learn Scripture.

Friday Funnies

We received this Friday Funnies from a few of you and I know why! This little girl is too cute.

Happy Weekend!

Janelle for Mom, Nic, and Kess

Friday Favorites

HT: Mark Dever

52home Baby Hudson is Here!

After an incredibly easy labor and delivery, Michael Hudson Bradshaw was born at 2:14 this afternoon. He weighs 8lb, 2oz and is 20 inches long. We are thanking God that the little guy is very healthy and his mama is doing great. Janelle wanted me to thank each one of you who prayed for her and Hudson today. God graciously answered your prayers!

If you came to the blog today and it wasn't there, we apologize! We had a technical glitch that kept us offline for most of the day. But thankfully we were able to get it back up this evening in time to update you on Hudson's birth.

As far as a picture, we just have this one snapshot for you tonight because Janelle is the only photogropher around here! But I'm sure she will have more (and better!) pictures for you next week.

With gratefulness,
Auntie Nicole

7:46 p.m. 

52home

Baby Bradshaw Update

Well, my doc would like to induce me on Friday if Hudson doesn’t make an appearance before then. So, I’m officially on count down. At least I know I’ll be recovered in time to fully enjoy my Thanksgiving food!
 
We are all pretty much ready to go. Caly and MJ could not be more excited and talk about “baby brother” constantly. My belly has been the recipient of many hugs and kisses! Daddy cannot wait to meet his son and Mommy cannot wait to be on the other side of labor!
 
Your prayers have been a significant encouragement to me through the births of both my girls. Could I ask you to do me that great kindness a third time?
 
We will get some pictures up by Friday evening if all goes as planned. And we will be sure to post if Hudson surprises us in the next couple days.

Friday Funnies

Rachel pointed us to this funny video about one of my favorite things: coffee. Enjoy your weekend! Nicole for the girltalkers

CJ’s Christmas Picks

You asked for it, and here it is!

Marginalia: Readers Writing in Books

by H.J. Jackson

Overrated: The 50 Most Overhyped Things in History

by Mark Juddery

Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption

by Laura Hillenbrand

(This book is not yet available, so obviously I haven't read it yet. But I'm eager to recommend it on the basis of the author's excellent first book Seabiscuit)

The Last Leaf: Voices of History's Last-Known Survivors

by Stuart Lutz

Churchill

by Paul Johnson

George Washington: The Founding Father

by Paul Johnson

Abraham Lincoln; A Presidential Life

by James M. McPherson

Bloody Crimes: The Chase for Jefferson Davis and the Death Pageant for Lincoln's Corpse

by James L. Swanson

The American Civil War: A Military History

by John Keegan

Tommy's Honor: The Story of Old Tom Morris and Young Tom Morris, Golf's Founding Father and Son

by Kevin Cook

Willie Mays: The Life, The Legend

by James S. Hirsch

The Last Boy: Mickey Mantle and the End of America's Childhood

by Jane Leavy

In-N-Out Burger: A Behind-the-Counter Look at the Fast-Food Chain That Breaks All the Rules

by Stacy Perman

Hamlet's Blackberry: A Practical Philosophy for Building a Good Life in the Digital Age

by William Powers

Being Wrong: Adventures in the Margin of Error

by Kathryn Schulz

How March Became Madness: How the NCAA Tournament Became the Greatest Sporting Event in America

by Eddie Einhorn with Ron Rapoport

American Hoops: U.S. Men's Olympic Basketball from Berlin to Beijing

by Carson Cunningham

Hellhound on His Trail: The Stalking of Martin Luther King, Jr. and the International Hunt for His Assassin

by Hampton Sides

Blood and Thunder: The Epic Story of Kit Carson and the Conquest of the American West

by Hampton Sides

For The Fame Of God's Name; Essays in Honor of John Piper

edited by Sam Storms and Justin Taylor

Friday Favorites (Sale!)

We just returned from a very refreshing Sovereign Grace Pastors Conference. One evening, Dad announced the release of a new book which Justin Taylor calls "the best material for family devotions I’ve ever seen." Long Story Short is written by Sovereign Grace's own Marty Machowski and we highly recommend it. Westminster Bookstore is currently selling it for only $6.99, which is 65 percent off the list price! But you'll have to hurry because the sale ends today!

UPDATE: Westminster sale ended Friday, but you can still purchase the book for 20 percent off the list price. 

Have a joy-filled weekend because of the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ!

Nicole for the girltalkers

Baby Chesemore Update

Pink is slowly piling up in our home. We now have pink blankets, pink clothes, and even a pink (and red) room. I love this little girl thing!

And this little girl is almost here. I am now at 39 weeks, and if she doesn't come in the next few days I will be induced this Thursday, October 28.

The boys and Brian can't wait for baby Claire to come, but I'm hoping she'll hold off a few more days. I still have to finish my "nesting list."

It has been seven years since we brought a baby home from the hospital, and, to be honest, I'm a bit rusty! I've been walking the baby aisles at Target and Walmart trying to recall what supplies I will need to care for a newborn. I found new "advanced" bottles that didn't exist seven years ago (how many advances in bottle technology can there be?), and began worrying about all the other things I might be "missing". I had to stop and remind myself that I already have "the essentials": a few sleepers, diapers and wipes, a bassinet, and a car seat. We'll be just fine. And I'm sure the new mommy skills will all come back to me very quickly!

I would very much appreciate your prayers this Thursday. We'll let you know when little Claire Chesemore arrives!

Friday Funnies

Thanks to my friend Charlene for sending me this Friday Funny! This little one is too cute.

Until Monday,

Janelle for Mom, Nic, and Kess

Friday Favorites

My new favorite drink (thanks Joshua and Bethany!)...

1 glass of limeade

+ 1 splash of cherry juice

+ 2 or 3 cherries

= 1 very refreshing glass of cherry limeade