When we have the time and mental wherewithal, Dan and I still keep blogs. These aren't likely to change:
Lil Foxes and Til Completion.
Enjoy!
6.08.2010
NEWER STILL
So after a year of Mobile Me, we weren't satisfied. We've moved on yet again... twice. We're still trying to find our niche in the techno world. It's somewhat difficult when the world of technology keeps changing, but we'll find it - perhaps when I sit down and really figure it out which, I must admit, is rather difficult with my busy life.
5.11.2009
Moving On
Well, folks. I guess it's pretty obvious that I no longer keep up this blog. I have moved on to bigger and better things: it's called Mobile Me. It's been a great journey with Blogger. Sometimes I miss it. But our Mobile Me account truly has perks with which Blogger can't compete. So it's sayonara to Blogger. It's been grand.
To follow our Mobile Me account, be sure to subscribe to the RSS feed on our new website... (deleted).
See you there!
1.29.2009
Abigail Riggall Returns Home
1.21.2009
Abigail Riggall
My niece, Abigail Kathryn Riggall - 10 weeks old, is in need of prayer. She is was admitted into CHOP on Saturday with concerns for her limpness/severe weakness and a lack of BM for well over a week. She is currently being treated for Infant Botulism. Only time will tell if this is what she has. As serious and scary as Infant Botulism is, the alternative is far worse. Infant Botulism, if treated properly, is 100% reversible and she could be good as new in about a week.
You can read the Riggalls blog about it here.
1.07.2009
My "Mobile Me" Blog
I haven't posted here in a while as you can see. When I have found time to sit down at the computer long enough to update a blog, my priority has been the "Mobile Me" site. Bookmark that site for more regular updates. Even if I don't post on the blog, you can still see pictures on the Gallery, as we try to keep that fairly updated for family.
Here's the addy: web.me.com/dan_simrak
Thanks for checking in!
Here's the addy: web.me.com/dan_simrak
Thanks for checking in!
11.12.2008
My First Project!
I've been wanting to sew for a long time but I have always been intimidated by it. It seems so easy, but to sit down and learn a sewing machine and find a project that I can do on my own seemed daunting. The other day, I went to Jo-Ann Fabrics with my friend, Becky, and bought some fabric to make some curtains for the winter. Unfortunately, the fabric I bought for the kitchen windows shrunk in the wash, so I couldn't use it for curtains. I love the fabric so I didn't want it to go to waste. It just fit my kitchen table fully-extended, so I decided to make it into a table cloth! This is the finished project.
15
O LORD, who may abide in Your tent?
Who may dwell on Your holy hill?
He who walks with integrity, and works righteousness,
and speaks truth in his heart.
He does not slander with his tongue,
Nor does evil to his neighbor,
Nor takes up a reproach against his friend;
In his eyes a reprobate is despised,
But he honors those who fear the LORD;
He swears to his own hurt and does not change;
He does not put out his money at interest,
Nor does he take a bribe against the innocent.
He who does these things will never be shaken.
Who may dwell on Your holy hill?
He who walks with integrity, and works righteousness,
and speaks truth in his heart.
He does not slander with his tongue,
Nor does evil to his neighbor,
Nor takes up a reproach against his friend;
In his eyes a reprobate is despised,
But he honors those who fear the LORD;
He swears to his own hurt and does not change;
He does not put out his money at interest,
Nor does he take a bribe against the innocent.
He who does these things will never be shaken.
11.07.2008
Soon We'll Be Found by Sia
I really like this music video (and the lyrics are interesting too), but it's not available to embed, so you'll have to click on the link below to watch it on YouTube. It's worth it.
Soon We'll Be Found by Sia
Soon We'll Be Found by Sia
11.06.2008
Eli's Behavior Of Late
Eli has been going through a difficult stage. I admit that I have, at times, easily given in to frustration, despair and feelings of being overwhelmed with such important responsibilities of teaching him right from wrong and how to make wise choices as a 2 y.o. My desire has always been to show our boys the love of God in the way that we interact with them and correct them. I want to impart grace, yet teach them the importance of honoring authority and respecting the hierarchy that has been set in place. An obedient heart now will save him from a life-time of learning "the hard way." These lessons are long gone in kids these days and we want to instill these disciplines in our home.
I am amazed
at how easily the influence from the world can sneak into a home that is so devoted to Christ. What's more is the influence on a 2 y.o.! My child has very few encounters with unbelievers and what he is allowed to watch on TV is very closely monitored, yet the influence of instant gratification, having the right to certain things and disrespecting adults has gotten in. I suspect that, though, I, myself, don't realize it - perhaps after years of seeing the culture paradigm spiral downward, I have become numb to some things - these influences have slithered in via the TV, watching other children, adults and even my own reactions (or lack thereof) to certain behaviors.
Nonetheless, there is a standard in our home and when those lines have been crossed, there are consequences for such actions. Lying has been one of those things that has suddenly become an issue. It took me off-guard at first. It was so ridiculously flagrant and shameless.
Eli: Daddy, can I have a cookie?
Daddy: No, not right now.
Eli turns to Mommy, who is standing right there and witnessed the whole scene.
Eli: Mommy, Daddy said I can have a cookie.
Mommy: Um...no he didn't. He just said no. I heard him.
After instances like this one, a time-out usually occurs.
This morning, Eli asked me if he could watch a movie. I've been trying to reduce the amount of time he spends in front of the TV. I have to admit that it's good for keeping him occupied, but I don't really like it unless it's something special. And I've been trying to find more things to reward him for his good behavior (without falling into bribing - which, in my mind, is a fine line between the two). I told him that he couldn't watch anything right now that he should play and maybe later, he could watch something. Well, that answer didn't really satisfy him since he doesn't like to wait, so he took to whining and begging. I told him that if he whined, he would lose his privilege of watching anything at all. Yes, he continued right on whining and begging to watch a movie and I had to revoke the privilege. I told him that he couldn't watch anything at all now b/c he was whining and carrying on about it. And of course it continued. So I went over to him...
Me: Eli, what did I tell you? What was my answer?
Eli: You said, yes, I can watch a movie.
Did he really think I was going to believe that lie? I know what I said. He was put in time out. And he cried. Very loudly.
Me: When you're done crying, I will talk with you.
Eli: Okay, Mommy, I'm done crying. I'm happy now.
Me: Honey, you don't have to be happy. It's okay to be upset, but you may not cry and carry on like that.
Eli: I'm done now, Mommy.
Me: Do you know why you were put in time-out?
Eli: Yes. Because I lied to you. I said that you said yes, I could watch a movie, but you said no I couldn't watch a movie because I whined.
HE GOT IT!!!! Success! I was so relieved that he totally understood everything we've been working towards and he knows exactly when he's lying and he understands exactly what I mean when I say "no more whining or you'll lose a privilege." Now that I know he understands, the point is to get him to choose the right behavior. And that's that hard part.
But I'm working on it.
I am amazed
at how easily the influence from the world can sneak into a home that is so devoted to Christ. What's more is the influence on a 2 y.o.! My child has very few encounters with unbelievers and what he is allowed to watch on TV is very closely monitored, yet the influence of instant gratification, having the right to certain things and disrespecting adults has gotten in. I suspect that, though, I, myself, don't realize it - perhaps after years of seeing the culture paradigm spiral downward, I have become numb to some things - these influences have slithered in via the TV, watching other children, adults and even my own reactions (or lack thereof) to certain behaviors.Nonetheless, there is a standard in our home and when those lines have been crossed, there are consequences for such actions. Lying has been one of those things that has suddenly become an issue. It took me off-guard at first. It was so ridiculously flagrant and shameless.
Eli: Daddy, can I have a cookie?
Daddy: No, not right now.
Eli turns to Mommy, who is standing right there and witnessed the whole scene.
Eli: Mommy, Daddy said I can have a cookie.
Mommy: Um...no he didn't. He just said no. I heard him.
After instances like this one, a time-out usually occurs.
This morning, Eli asked me if he could watch a movie. I've been trying to reduce the amount of time he spends in front of the TV. I have to admit that it's good for keeping him occupied, but I don't really like it unless it's something special. And I've been trying to find more things to reward him for his good behavior (without falling into bribing - which, in my mind, is a fine line between the two). I told him that he couldn't watch anything right now that he should play and maybe later, he could watch something. Well, that answer didn't really satisfy him since he doesn't like to wait, so he took to whining and begging. I told him that if he whined, he would lose his privilege of watching anything at all. Yes, he continued right on whining and begging to watch a movie and I had to revoke the privilege. I told him that he couldn't watch anything at all now b/c he was whining and carrying on about it. And of course it continued. So I went over to him...
Me: Eli, what did I tell you? What was my answer?
Eli: You said, yes, I can watch a movie.
Did he really think I was going to believe that lie? I know what I said. He was put in time out. And he cried. Very loudly.
Me: When you're done crying, I will talk with you.
Eli: Okay, Mommy, I'm done crying. I'm happy now.
Me: Honey, you don't have to be happy. It's okay to be upset, but you may not cry and carry on like that.
Eli: I'm done now, Mommy.
Me: Do you know why you were put in time-out?
Eli: Yes. Because I lied to you. I said that you said yes, I could watch a movie, but you said no I couldn't watch a movie because I whined.
HE GOT IT!!!! Success! I was so relieved that he totally understood everything we've been working towards and he knows exactly when he's lying and he understands exactly what I mean when I say "no more whining or you'll lose a privilege." Now that I know he understands, the point is to get him to choose the right behavior. And that's that hard part.
But I'm working on it.
11.05.2008
10.30.2008
Calendar
Eli's been so excited about the family coming for Thanksgiving. I seriously don't think a day has gone by in the past few weeks that he hasn't asked when Uncle Tim and Aunt Melissa are coming. He's very excited.
So I decided to make a calendar for him so that he could mark off the days leading up to the big event.
So I decided to make a calendar for him so that he could mark off the days leading up to the big event.
10.28.2008
I walked into the living room looking for Gabe. I'd heard him in there, but I couldn't see where he was hiding. I turned around and.... "oh there you are!" He had crawled into the empty TV/Entertainment Center we had moved to the side to make room for our "new" one. He thought he was stuck, but given the time and chance, he made his way out quite easily. Especially after he realized his picture was being taken!
Eli - the ninja!
10.27.2008
10.24.2008
TODAY...
This morning, while I was making coffee, I looked out the kitchen window and saw this. I ran outside to take some pictures. It was so beautiful.
We're having some friends over this evening for dinner and we decided it was a great day for some good old fashioned chili. I wanted to try something different, so after reading a few different recipes, I concocted my own recipe. We'll see how it turns out. I wish I had started it last night so that it could be marinating for longer. As it is, it will only be on the stove for about 4 hours by the time we sit down to eat it. But it should still be good. It'll be super-duper hot (as in SPI-CEY!!), that's for sure!
VERDICT: The chili was a hit! I thickened it after taking this picture. It was served over rice and topped with a dollop of sour cream and shredded cheddar. I made honey cornbread in the iron skillet which gave the meal a wonderful, comforting, well-rounded feel and taste. This is the perfect time of year for this kind of meal. My friend, Renee, brought a delicious homemade apple pie which we served with Edy's ice cream and coffee. We enjoyed our dessert outside by the fire over conversation that lasted well into the night.
We're having some friends over this evening for dinner and we decided it was a great day for some good old fashioned chili. I wanted to try something different, so after reading a few different recipes, I concocted my own recipe. We'll see how it turns out. I wish I had started it last night so that it could be marinating for longer. As it is, it will only be on the stove for about 4 hours by the time we sit down to eat it. But it should still be good. It'll be super-duper hot (as in SPI-CEY!!), that's for sure!
VERDICT: The chili was a hit! I thickened it after taking this picture. It was served over rice and topped with a dollop of sour cream and shredded cheddar. I made honey cornbread in the iron skillet which gave the meal a wonderful, comforting, well-rounded feel and taste. This is the perfect time of year for this kind of meal. My friend, Renee, brought a delicious homemade apple pie which we served with Edy's ice cream and coffee. We enjoyed our dessert outside by the fire over conversation that lasted well into the night.
BJ visits
Dan and BJ grew up together. BJ moved out to CA a couple years ago, so when he comes home, we try to see him. This was his first visit to the Farm. Eli just fell in love with him and managed to get him to read "Danny and the Dinosaur."
