Masks, Costumes, Dressing Up

Makayla and Lexi have joined Girl Scouts again. Amanda and her good friend Tiffany were Girl Scout troop leaders in Juneau before we left. Our kids really enjoyed it! Now they have joined a troop in Tulia and are having fun, making new friends and participating in new adventures. Last Monday the kids had their costume party. Here are some pictures of the event.





Hunter didn't want to be left out so he dressed-up too. I have never seen Superman with 10 staples in the back of his head! (he gets the staples out Thursday, pray for us - dad and Hunter - please!).


Like Hunter's physical wound, we all have sustained emotional spiritual wounds that we ourselves cannot heal. "He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls." - I Peter 2:24-25. What we usually do is put on a mask, dress-up and not let anyone "inside" to share those moments of pain and "failure". I hope when attempts of "crying out for help" are sounded we are not too busy in our own world to stop and listen.

Another escapade - compliments of Hunter John!

Hunter has given another avenue to get into the lives of people around us! His little "Tarzan" demonstration led us to the Hospital Friday morning. Hunter received 10 staples in the back of his head. It could have been worse, it could have been the front of his head!

I am sure Amanda has spread the news already but I do not do blood, gashes, stitches or staples all that well, especially when happen to my own flesh and blood! 4 of us started out holding Hunter down while the wound was cleaned and stapled. I took a little break from the action. I started feeling cold and sweaty, tasted a weird taste in my mouth, and looked white as a sheet. That is when the Dr suggested, then ordered me to sit down. She said it would be easier to hold Hunter down than to pick up 200 lbs of me! I thought it was a good time for a restroom break anyway!

I really hate that Hunter had that little experience but I really don't mind all of his spirited, creativity as longs as he comes back OK or better off. I would hate to break his spirit and make him into a robot. I love, like, appreciate and even envy his attitude and activeness at times.

I can't help but wonder if God looks down on us and thinks, "Quit being so timid and lifeless! Go for it!" Sometimes when we do go for it, we get hurt! The best part is that our Father is not squeamish at all! He helps us up, teaches us and inspires us to "Go for it" one more time! Of course, that's if we're listening to Him!

Family Traditions

Amanda and I have been facilitating a new class on Sunday mornings called FANTASTIC FAMILIES
6 Proven Steps to Building a Strong FamilyDr. Nick & Nancy Stinnett and Joe & Alice Beam

It seems an important component or commitment in healthy strong families is Family Traditions.

In the book Fantastic Families, which I highly recommend (take the course too!) there are 6 commitments that families need to adhere to. #5 is Commitment to Family Traditions
· Family traditions serve an important role in family cohesiveness
· The Lord instituted a family tradition for the Jews – Passover Celebration
-The oldest son would ask; “What does this mean?” as the meal begins
· Traditions provide a sense of history for the family
· Traditions create memories for family members
· EX: Meals together, devotionals, holidays, vacations, birthday celebrations, etc.

We have several traditions in our family - one is Pizza night on Thursdays. This past Thursday evening the kids made their own pizzas. Believe it or not they actually turned out delicious!

Stone Soup

Amanda and I have started having Stone Soup with the Wednesday morning Bible. We had our first Stone Soup this past Wednesday. We are studying Hebrews. I really like the book of Hebrews. I have enjoyed teaching it and getting reaquainted with those special folks in the class. They are a fun, loving, interesting group of people to be around! I hope they like us as much as we like them!

Amanda and Robin Stewart helped combine all the ingredients our class brought into a roaster/crock-pot. They also made Jiffy Cornbread (I like Jiffy - its like having cornbread and dessert at the same time!)

Here is a picture of that fun loving group of people I am talking about.

Brooklyn liked the lunch too. She ate, got her tummy full and took a nap! What a way to live!

Wasp nest, sting of death, bug spray

Tuesday evening, after growing weary of killing wasps with Amanda's shoe (they are flat on the bottoms and make for a good splatting weapon) it finally dawned on me that there may be a wasp nest under the eve of our house. Sure enough, there were two! Amanda knew about one and assumed I knew about it. To date, I have killed about 45-50 wasps! I bought a can of wasp spray form our local lumber yard, killed wasps and pulled the wasps nest out.

We are extremely grateful that nobody was stung during the whole ordeal!

I am reminded that sin and death sting! I am so grateful that the stinging is over and the rejoicing because of new life continues! - I Corinthians 15 is a great place to learn about our victory over sin and death (Romans 8 is a good text to read and believe too).

Have a blessed day!

Celebrating Hunter's Birthday

October the 4th, 2004 in the Bartlett Regional Hospital in Juneau, Alaska the Baird's celebrated a new addition to our family. Hunter not only changed the number of our growing family but he changed the way we do everything now! He is so active, effervescent, and a joy to be around (in other words I loose a lot of hair and create ulcers) but I wouldn't have it in other way. Our lives have been very blessed by having Hunter in our lives!

Here are some pictures of Hunter's birthday party.