Family News

What’s Your Sequin Count? • 7 Comments

Kristi Burden • 12 May, 2012

As soon as we moved to Nederland, we learned that dance is majorly popular here. My girls have never had the opportunity to take dance. Here, you would have a hard time escaping it as there is a dance studio on every corner. I immediately said no (to myself) when confronted with the question "Are they going to take dance?". My swift answer came for two reasons. First of all, upon moving here I immediately met several dance instructors like Dawn and my neighbor Petrina; both super sweet. I heard raving reviews on them as well as dozens of other dance instructors in town. How could I possibly choose one over the other? But that wasn't my big reason for saying no.

I realize I risk sounding like less than the banner mother, but truth be known, I am not a fan of sequins. I love the way they look, but only when I don't have to mess with them. I managed recently to fail in applying iron-on badges, which I feel disqualifies me from being a sequin mom. So I posed a question to those who would suggest certain dance studios: What's the sequin count? (implying that only a very low count would be acceptable). In my book a low sequin count indicates a low level of effort and dedication which I'm perfectly fine with. To aid in my negative response, I shared that Hallie doesn't even like to dance.

Early in the year, we learned of the Saturday clinics offering a day of instruction and fun for girls. There was a Westernaire, Goldenettes, Cheerleading and Twirling Clinic. Hallie surprised me by deciding to go to the Twirling Clinic. Long story short (not really-I don't think I'm capable of that) both of the girls loved the twirling. And while I don't know if twirling is really considered dancing, I'm going to go with it. I was really excited because Twirls and Swirls is a studio owned and run by generations of sweet ladies from our church. We love Ms. Phyllis, Ms. Dorothy,Rebecca and Rachel.

And get this, Twirls and Swirls Sequin Count:Low to zero!

Rylie's recital outfit has no sequins. Hallie's outfit is covered with sequins, but I don't have to apply them. The cost for Twirls and Swirls is also more than reasonable. I love this place!

Speaking of the upcoming recital, I have a challenge ahead of me. Hallie and Rylie will be performing a Sisters Routine. I read over the note describing the matching outfits the girls will wear for this special routine.

Now don't laugh. I get to design them-using sequins; oh the irony!

This will be my first time applying sequins for a recital. I'm not counting the time last summer when I tried to apply red sequins to bling the heart on my- I heart VBS t-shirt. By the way, the applying went fine. It was the washing the shirt afterward that went badly.

This morning I had my Dr. Pepper and a little bit of meditation I began to consider how much effort I wanted to put into this. What will my sequin count be? Afterall, my girls love twirling. And I love watching them. I know too that twirling is teaching them so many important things. All of the ladies that work with the girls are patient and wonderful women of God. My girls see Rebecca and Rachel as young ladies who are brilliant in twirling and who serve brightly in the church too. Both of my girls have made new friends at twirling. I believe twirling has in part, helped Hallie come out of her shell. Rylie told me that her twirling teacher Rachel never gives up on her, thank you for that. The cost for twirling is NOTHING compared to the benefits!

Oh! Isn't this like our relationship with God! Blessings from him flow and I find myself unwilling to make an effort to do my part. Read my Bible EVERYDAY? Can't I get a break? How many times do we have to be at the church this week?

The sequin count required to be a Christian is zero. God requires nothing of us aside from our trust in him and repentance from our old life. But in light of his goodness, shouldn't we, in gratitude, be looking for ways to give him thanks and bring him glory? In my life and in my ways, shouldn't I have a desire to glow brilliantly for him?

Shouldn't my sequin count for Christ be countless?

Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of heaven, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. -Daniel 12:3

I must close now as I have sequins to buy and apply.

Wish me luck!

Recital pictures to come

If you missed yesterday's post in honor of mothers, check it out. Things Learned Though Mom Never Shared

Mini Me • 2 Comments

Kristi Burden • 20 April, 2012

Confession: I have an unhealthy affection for Dr. Pepper. I drink way too many. I’ve tried to stop drinking so many; numerous times. I’ve tried the lesser calorie version, Dr. Pepper 10, which people have told me is man’s Dr. Pepper; whatever. I’ve tried cutting back. Probably least effective, I’ve quit cold turkey, for like two days. Moving on we’ll get to the real point; this problem is for a different post. But seriously, pray for me.

This past December I was a part of the Tour of Homes sponsored by our church. I agreed to decorate my home for the sake of fundraising for missions with the help of my dear friends Larry and Carol Hathaway. For several weeks, they graciously brought decorations from their home as the extent of my decorating is putting up stockings and a tree.

I’ve always said you know a person better after spending time in their home. One day after seeing me open the second Dr. Pepper can by lunch, Larry asked me if I was addicted. I acknowledged without hesitation that I might have a slight problem. The next question was a bit harder to answer. Larry asked, “Do your kids drink sodas like that too?” After thinking a moment I shook my head no. The same afternoon I brought Rylie home from Kindergarten. Hayden and Hallie get out thirty minutes later. Most afternoons, Rylie and I get a little snack as we like to celebrate our “just us” time together. With Carol and Larry wrapping up the days decorating, Rylie walks in the front door. She walks straight to the refrigerator and pulls out a…….. (You got it) Dr. Pepper. To make matters worse, she taps the top of the can twice like some junkie while I’m thinking 1. Not in front of Larry 2.Do I do the tapping thing? Larry looks at me and without a word says “mmm hmmmm”.

First, you have to know that I don’t allow the kids to break out a Dr. Pepper any time they want. They can have one a day which I know many of you will think is unhealthy; I can understand that viewpoint completely. Lucky for me, I have the Dr. Pepper Snapple Group on my side. Formulators of the recipe of Dr. Pepper recipe have insisted that it is medicinal in nature and aids in digestion. Sincerely speaking, I’m not worried so much about my kids having a soda. This can-tapping moment however did get me to thinking.

Do I flippantly and mindlessly lead my kids? I would never pretend to be perfect in front of them or anybody else, but that’s not what I mean. Possibly the deeper question is, am I truly the example I need to be? I know that my kids see what I watch on TV. They also hear me growl and gripe when someone dares to drive too slow in front of me. They have witnessed me act like all is lost when supper turns out a flop. They have suffered me losing it when their rooms are atrocious. Does this put me on the Worst Mother of the Year list? Certainly not. But in thinking on all these things my children see, I’m wondering; are they seeing in me- a desire for and dependence on God? I found a couple of convicting quotes I’d like to share.

What the daughter does, the mother did. –Jewish Proverb

And mothers are their daughters’ role model, their biological and emotional road map, the arbiter of all their relationships. –Victoria Secunda

Another frightening thought is that our boys may look to us as the measure of what a woman should be as he looks to a future marriage.

I don’t know about you, but when I have somebody else’s child in my care, I seem to be a little more attentive. I drive a little more carefully. I try to feed them well. I am intentional in providing a safe nurturing and wholesome place. My children are mine only on gracious loan. I know they look somewhat like Jason and I. I see certain facial expressions in them and see Jason. I hear phrases that are echoes from my own voice. Mini me. Mini Jason. And while this brings about a certain pride, it again brings about the question: Do I want them to be like me? Should I be mirroring Jesus more closely? I want my children to be able to see Jesus in me. I want to be the example. I told you how I love Dr. Pepper; can’t get enough. No Diet or Dr. Pepper 10; I want no lesser version. I pray in all earnesty that I would hold for my life the same mark. If my children are to be my mini me, I want more of Jesus. I have to know I can’t get enough. I need to remember I want no lesser version. I don’t want a “Sunday Jesus” or a “help me when I’m in a bind” Jesus. More important than what my children are watching me do, is maybe WHO I'M WATCHING..

To you , O LORD, I lift up my soul……Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths….My eyes are ever on the LORD….. Psalm 25:1, 4, 15

The meaning of the word Christian is “little Christ”.

May I look to you and listen for your voice with a steadfast devotion that would bit by bit transform me into a mini you!

Couldn' resist putting this one. Don't know who looks like who.

Everyday; A Day to Hooray Part 2

Kristi Burden • 19 April, 2012

While I'm on a celebratory roll I thought I'd add two other fun items we use at home for special moments.

I don't feel the need to break out the fine china very often, but this celebrate glass has been a special treat for birthdays. I got this on Boston Ave. at Occasions. We would be using it tonight if we weren't going out this evening to celebrate. -No birthdays but someone redeemed themself this week by making a very much needed eighty-eight on an important test.

I might as well keep this party banner hanging right where it is. In the last month I've used it for Jason's birthday, my Spring Retreat peeps and for some of our God's Girlies who met here on a Saturday. I know all of you out there could probably make one of these. I, on the other hand, am not crafty. I work with hot glue, spray paint and sharpies only- which I believe can fix everything in life that chocolate can't.

With all of the pomp and circumstance I always have to remind the kids and myself that all victories belong to God; each success is a gracious gift.

Ascribe to the LORD glory....Psalm 29:1

A Mom’s Prayer • 6 Comments

Kristi Burden • 17 April, 2012

At a recent Mom’s prayer meeting we were praying for a couple of moms who were having difficulty getting their kiddos into the car-seat without a struggle. I remember those frustrating days. I also remember momentarily feeling some instant freedom when my children were out of car-seats and could buckle themselves in. But as I was praying with these moms I was overcome with sadness. My kids aren’t car-seat babies anymore. And while I don’t have to buckle them in, I CAN’T buckle them in anymore.

Hayden will be sixteen in six months. I won’t always be able to be in the car to tell him to slow down a little quicker when approaching an intersection. Soon when he is finding that special someone, I don’t get to tell him she’s not enough like me. Hallie recently shared a secret with a friend. When I asked her to share it with me she said NO! In the last couple of years some tears have been shed. I haven’t always been next to Hallie, tissue in hand, there to hug her. When Rylie is at school reading and she comes to a word she doesn’t know, I’m not there to sound the word out with her part by part. I have lunch with her at school every Monday while volunteering. Are they always going to let me do that? Is she always going to WANT me to do that? The awful part is, physically and later geographically, the distance will grow as time goes on.

I am thankful that even though my children are growing tall and independent, they still lavish me with hugs. Hayden still puts his arm around me at church. Rylie still crawls in our bed occasionally in the morning. Hallie, our most independent child, spends special girl time just with me once a week. And they all still sometimes hold my hand.

While in the car alone this evening, I heard a song. Instantly I thought of my children. There are times when they will face trials and feel alone. There have already been those times. There are times when I can’t be there; times I can’t fix it- I would if I could. There are times I’ve been the one to let them down. I am more than grateful that I have the blessed assurance that God IS there. The God who sees is with Hayden when he takes that frightening Math test. He is with Hallie when she sits alone. He is right beside Rylie in Sunday School as she is learning who he is.

I’m a little jealous that God sees and knows their every step. He has stolen their hearts, but how can I complain when he has given me eternity with him and with them. I pray that every day on this side of eternity this song would be the song of their heart:

Click here: all this time

My phone wouldn't upload this video. If you have the same problem you can go to the youtube link and search- All This Time Britt Nicole

www.youtube.com

Happy birthday Dad! • 1 Comment

Kristi Burden • 11 April, 2012

April 11-

Hey Dad! I love you. You're an honorable man. I'm glad you're my father. You've taught me many life lessons about respect, honesty and wisdom. Hopefully I can be half the man you are. I have big shoes to fill.

Love your firstborn son,

Hayden

I love you. Have a great bday! You deserve this because you have been with me and there for me for the last eleven years! I know it's not much but at least it shows you're the greatest dad ever!! xoxo

-Hallie

Happy Birthday from Rylie

rylie bday song

Happy 365 more days to love you again!

Easter Fest 2012 • 2 Comments

Kristi Burden • 7 April, 2012

How much for that doggie in the window....

Click on the link above to see the little guy who was caught sneaking into the sanctuary this morning. He was let out, but was seen later trying to get back in. If only we could share his excitement and devotion to go to church!!!