super

I wrote here about some of the tough questions I get from the boys.  Here's another:

"Why do superheroes wear their underpants on the outside of their pajamas?"

Indeed.  Why?

This question was part of a recent superhero invasion of the Kenobi house.  Obi-1 (4 1/2 now) and Obi-2 (nearly 3) have heroic adventures, complete with bath-towel capes and, yes, underpants on the outside of one's pajamas.  Each of them had a theme lately; Obi-1 is all about space and rocket ships, while Obi-2 is enamored with doggies.  

So, for Easter presents, I made them capes.  The capes fit their theme, double-sided with a solid color.  And, of course, I made matching "under" pants.  For the outside of their pants.  Because one needs such things to be a real superhero. :)

There was some discussion about wearing the outfits to church that morning.  Mr. Kenobi & I explained why Jesus is the real superhero of Easter, and so we wear sweater vests and khaki pants, not capes and shorts, when we worship Him at church.  I'm not sure this is verbatim from scripture, but they seemed okay with our reasoning.  Convincing boys to wear sweater vests in place of capes - well, I think that demonstrates my superpowers. 

Have a heroic weekend.

clip less

I'll admit it.  I'm frugal - most of the time - but I don't use coupons.  I specifically shop at Trader Joe's because I always know the price.  I can't (or won't) keep track of various weekly specials, deals, and steals.  However, once in a while I read other ideas for saving money, and I do admire people with the organization and savvy to save with coupons.

I think one of my problems is technological.  I'm just not much of a paper fan.  I have e-billing for nearly everything, online banking, deposit checks via ATM, and file my taxes online.  My cell phone and computer save my address book, email is my best way of reaching people, and I'm getting better at text messaging and facebook.  Most of my news comes via internet (where I can cross-check the "unbiased" reporting and save articles, recipes, and ideas on my computer).  I don't get a newspaper.   I blog, for heaven's sake, rather than keep baby books updated!  I even use biblegateway for my bible studies.  All of this technology helps me stay more efficient than stacks of paper, though those seem to taunt me anyway.

So, this leads me to share a tip for people like me: Cellfire.  Armed only with a cell phone (with mobile web access), you can check & receive coupons, which are useful for everything from dates to vacations to family photos.  You never have to have a folder or coupon binder with you, yet this new technology makes it easy (and free) to collect coupons and use them.   Cellfire's CEO is a friend of ours, and a great guy who was recently interviewed on CNet.  Our friendship is how I originally found out about the coupon idea, but now Cellfire has taken off all over the country. So, I pass on this idea to you on Works for me Wednesday.  Check out Shannon's other friends for more tips today.

minivan theology

Questions.  Don't we all have them?  My boys are full of questions - some of which really make me think and search for answers.  Often, these questions come from the carseats behind me, as we drive to and from grocery stores, the gym, or other errands.  I call these "minivan theology."   Honestly, sometimes I wish I had just put on some Johnny B music!  At the end of the day, however, I'm thankful for the questions, since they move me to think, and confirm that we're building the culture of honesty and learning in our family.  

This weekend marks the celebration of Easter.  I thought it fitting to offer some of our minivan theology questions here.  I'm not going to share my answers, though maybe I will do that for a future post.  I also know that catechisms, such as found here and here, as well as books like this, are useful for parents faced with these questions.  It's said that Martin Luther wrote his shorter catechism while his son was around 3 years old - perhaps because this age is so prone to great questions!  I will also share that my answers often reflect this belief system.

However, for a moment, join me in listening to my boys' questions.  Take a breath, try to calm the clutter of information that jostles around in your mind, and really hear the heart of the questions.  Perhaps, if you're brave enough, allow yourself to ask along with them.  We have a good father, who loves us and is not afraid or weakened by our questions.  Perhaps these questions, and answers in truth, will enrich your celebration this weekend.

Blessings, 

MamaToo

Minivan Theology 101 - Questions I Hear

1. What is justice?


2. Is justice good?  (a.k.a. Is justice scary?)


3. What is sin?


4. Why do we get to choose to forgive?


5. What is mercy?


6. Why did God make me?


7. Why are Li'l Joe and Cool A our neighbors?


8. Why do people do bad things? 


9. What is compassion?


10. How do I forgive my brother?


11. What is grace?


12. Why didn't God make Larry the Cucumber real?  (a.k.a. Why didn't God make vegetables talk?  a.k.a. Why does God give us imagination?)


13. Why did Jesus die on the cross?

These are only a few - a sampling, if you will - of the questions and conversations enjoyed in our minivan.  Feel free to share your thoughts.  Also, enjoy all of the other wonderful lists of thoughts, questions, photos, and ideas on today's Thursday Thirteen circuit!

orange protest

Ah, cultural differences.  My marriage is one of blended ethnicity - me, a mutt of Irish, Scottish, German, and maybe Native American descent.  Mr. Kenobi, purely German.    Honestly, the Irish genes are probably the least of my makeup, but I grew up celebrating St. Patrick's Day in full gusto, thanks to my dad, "Papa."  We even had green pancakes one year for dinner, celebrating the emerald Isle with Papa's signature meal.  

So, imagine my dismay, when only months into my marriage I found out that Mr. Kenobi does not think much of St. Patrick's day.  He doesn't give green socks for gifts on March 17th like my mom used to do.  He doesn't think through his laundry a week ahead of time, just to make sure his favorite green shirt is ready to go.  Worst of all, he seems to find great delight in protesting his little leprechaun wife's quirky celebration each year.

Mr. Kenobi wore orange today.  Technically, he wore beige/khaki clothes - no different than any other day.  At some point during the day, he donned a bright orange fleece pullover while out on an engineering project visit.  So, he claims he wore orange to recognize St. Patrick's day.

Because, you see, orange is the color for Irish protestants.  And as such, my husband is smugly bashing my celebration of green.  Did you not know this?  Neither did I, but he quickly googled it to prove his point.  Show-off.

Except for this: Mr. Kenobi may not be Irish by descent, but he is from a long, long line of Catholics.  While we are a truly protestant family, it would seem he could swallow his smile and put on some green, if only in respect to his Catholic grandparents.

But, no.  No - he's wearing khaki.  Obi-2 asked him if he wore a "helmet" on the construction site.  Mr. Kenobi answered that maybe he should have, in light of all the potatoes that could get thrown at his smirky little face.

;) MamaToo 

pigs and chickens

My mom shared this with me, and I've found it both humorous and insightful...

Bacon and eggs were planned for breakfast. 

The chicken wanted to contribute, but the pig was committed.

Are you a chicken, or a pig?

going places

This is a big, scary, exciting step in our lives... We hope to go on a mission trip this summer - with our boys.  Part of going is preparing, and part of preparing is finding the support to make it happen.  It is so humbling to ask others for help, but also exciting to invite our friends & family into this journey with us.  While not everyone has the time or interest to travel to other countries in service, many people would like to be part of that effort.  So, the following letter is being sent out in the near future.  I'm posting it here, to  also invite our readers to pray and support this adventure with us.

love,

MamaToo

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dear Friends,

We hope this letter finds you well!  What started as a Christmas letter turned into a Valentine, which now arrives as a little newsletter for all seasons.  Needless to say, we’ve been busy!  Mr. Kenobi's engineering office has grow faster than anyone predicted, which is a great blessing.  MamaToo continues (trying) to keep up with the boys, as they grown and learn more each day.  In her “spare time,” she is working on several community and church projects and getting more connected in our neighborhood.  Obi-1, now 4 1/2, is becoming quite the “big kid.”  He’s figuring out how to read and recently started violin lessons, so we know that activities and school are just around the corner.  Obi-2, who is nearly 3, keeps us laughing at his comedic timing, and he seems to mirror his brother’s interest in music.  Always the talkers, the boys ask a lot of questions (including the ever-popular, “why?”) to keep us all thinking.

One lesson we’re learning together is how our faith and values are reflected in everything we do.  The boys are building their own friendships, which give us all a chance to spend time with new people and practice kindness, generosity, and mercy outside our home.  While we recognize we are recipients of God’s free gift of grace, we understand that faith is often lived out in practical ways.  We have long imagined what it might look like to teach this to our children by example, and we’ve been blessed by the influence, prayers, and help of many of you.  Last year, we began seriously seeking ways our whole family might serve in other areas of the world.  We’re excited to see an answer unfolding this summer.

This June, we have the opportunity to spend a little time serving families in Queretaro, Mexico.  We are invited to support a local ministry that offers many programs for neighborhood children and their parents.  There will be ways for everyone (of every age) to contribute.  For many reasons, this is an amazing opportunity.  It is an answer to our prayers - and also for many of you who have committed to nurture and encourage our children’s lives.  The idea that our boys, even as young as they are, can begin to know they are gifted people, sent out to share what they have been given - well, that is very exciting, indeed. 

So, we are looking at the months ahead with great anticipation.  Part of our preparation is asking for your help.  You’ve offered encouragement, prayers, and insight for our lives and family, and we hope you will be excited with us.  First of all, we ask for your prayers.  Secondly, we invite you to be part of this opportunity.  No, we can’t pack you into our luggage, but we’d like you to come along with us in other ways.  This trip will cost about $4,900 in expenses, so we humbly ask you to consider giving toward this goal.  Most of this money needs to be collected by April 1st in order to make travel arrangements.  While it may seem like a big challenge, we pray you will agree that it’s a worthy investment.  If you do want to commit to support us, your money can be sent to our church, which is organizing the trip for us.  Please write “Kenobis” on the memo line, and they will also provide a tax receipt for you.   We will continue updates over the next several months so you can follow our journey.

Well, that's a quick update on our lives, and you're invited to be part of the future story.   We see this short trip as a part of how we’ll teach our children, and many neighbors in Mexico, that we have a hope, joy, and purpose worth sharing.  Hopefully it continues to build the values of “giving and going” into the minds and hearts of our family.  If you have any questions, please  call or email us.   Thank you for continuing to support our family in so many ways!

Blessings,

MamaToo & the Kenobi Family