Ten on Tuesday

1. Michael and I are looking a really busy January. He is working Saturdays just to keep up. He has 3 trade shows in January. He will be gone in Atlanta the entire last week of January. More on that later.

2. I'm contemplating getting family pictures taken this spring. We've not had family photos since I was pregnant with Sabrina. Any suggestions for family photos in St. Louis with kids our kids' ages.

3. We've taken down the Christmas tree, but not finished putting away all the decorations. My goal is MLK weekend!

4. My 4 hours of sleep from Saturday night is really catching up with me. I'm a touch crabby and trying to hide it.

5. I've been studying a small bit on missionaries that go to Islamic nations. It's no surprise that this has been a much debated topic for centuries. I read an two contrasting positions on the topic. Charles Foster writing in 1845 said that we shouldn't hold Mohammad to the standard of Christ, but rather Moses. I found this argument a complete fallacy. Why should we not compare Mohammad to Christ? He is the standard by which we are all compared; therefore, we all fall short because of Christ's standard of perfection. Without his sinless divinity, there would be no gracious salvation. Romans reminds us "there is no distinction [among people]: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." Moses was judged by the standard of Christ, therefore; so should Mohammad. Just a little something deep for y'all.

6. Samantha has been playing a game she had as a kid with the children. I don't remember the name of it, but it has to with fantasy monsters and ambushes and my kids love it. Sabrina gets bored of it and walks away about half way through.
7. Chase typically is quite grouchy when I pick him up from school. I don't know why this is and bothers me; however, I am not responsible for his attitude, and I can't really change it. But today he hopped in the car and said, "I'm in such a good mood I want to tell you all about my day and all my others days!"

8. We've decided Chase is not going to participate in chess tournaments this year. With what our January is like (it' s only 6 weeks) and having a 4-month-old, it's just a bit much. But I grieve a bit for him. Being an only child until I could drive (yes my sister just graduated from high school), sometimes it's hard for me to make choices where one child has to sacrifice for the good of the family. I know he's only 7, and he has many years left to compete, but it's hard for me to ask him to give up an opportunity.

9. Sabrina is totally into Fancy Nancy books. We have to read Fancy Nancy everyday. Sabrina can tell you that a fancy word for shiny is iridescent and aubergine is a fancy word for purple. Also that RSVP means "Répondez s'il vous plaît" or please reply.



10. Stuart is really learning how to read. Chase was so different. He could read a book by himself without help at 3 1/2. Stuart is 5 1/2 and his journey to literacy has been so different. His education is such a group effort! And in some ways, more satisfying because of the greater effort. But it is just as exciting to listen to him struggle with a word and finally succeed!

Just a bonus picture