My Question for You

Here's the latest question I have that has been bugging me. How come we refer to some sins as "heinous" and "scandalous" as opposed to what...just "regular" sin? If you read the Canons of Dordt, for example, they refer to some sins as heinous. I can't figure it out. Does the Bible make distinctions between certain sins? Is it just a bad habit to refer to some sins as really, really bad? So gossiping is bad, but maybe not toooooo bad, but having a lustful thought is worse? I realize some sins (such as adultery and murder) does influence more than one person, so in that sense, maybe those sins are "worse"? Well, that's my question for the week.

Traveling with Jules

I didn't tell you about our ride to Canada, now did I? Rides to Canada are things to remember, especially with a two year old around. This year was the year I was to be prepared. Barf-bucket? Check. Toys? Check. Dramamine? Check. Clothes in case of...accidents? Check. Yes, I was prepared. I also borrowed two musical cd's from my sister Lora. They were for the ride to help entertain Juliet. We left a five-thirty in the morning. It was still dark and I planned on transferring the sleeping Jules to her car-seat with narry a fuss. Well, her eyes BOINGED open and that was the end of that. A cheerful little girl watched as we drove for the first hour up Rt. 80. I took some dramamine since I was situated in the back seat with her and get motion-sickness at the drop of a hat. I decided to give half a tablet to Juliet since she has the same problem as I do. An hour later, I was fast asleep, mouth wide open while Jules looked at me curiously. We stopped at McDonalds for coffee, and I kid you not, I was so out of it that I looked like I was on drugs (well, that's what I'd imagine a person on drugs would look like. I ain't speakin' from experience, folks). Keeping my feet in front of me while I walked required all of my concentration. Jules? Chipper and lively as anything - the dramamine which had knocked me out had an opposite effect on her. After our break, it was time for some entertainment for Jules. The kid's c.d. went in (I think it is called "Toddler Tunes" or something like that). "Old MacDonald", "Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush," "Five Little Ducks," the "Wheels on the Bus" and all forty songs was played. I enjoyed it at first, listening to those old songs that I haven't sung in years. I lustily joined in on the "Here We Go Loop - De -Loo" song and "Johnny So Long at the Fair" and all of the others that I knew. The c.d. eventually ended, but Jules wanted more. We played it again. And again. Mike and I weren't quite so enthusiastic. And again. I think we ran through the whole track forty times on our trip. Okay, maybe twenty. But it was a lot. (It was annoying, but on the other hand, if it keeps a little girl quiet on an eight hour trip, who am I to complain?) But now Mike and I are used to it. It was our anniversary the other night and we went out for dinner - minus Juliet. We got into the car, and for the first three minutes "Old MacDonald" played bouncily in the background - AND WE DIDN'T EVEN NOTICE IT!

Nic's Handy-Dandy Tips

If that isn't a dumb title, I don't know what is. But every once in awhile, I have a dart of inspiration, and I think, THE WHOLE WORLD should know this little tip. So, here's to my "Handy-Dandy" tips. Here she blows: "Before you go on vacation, (say the day before), change your bed sheets." That way, when you come home and are swimming in laundry, you won't also be thinking as you finally collapse blissfully onto your OWN bed, "Yikes! When's the last time I changed the sheets???"

Up North

Hello! I've just been fiddling around with my blog. I had a lovely background picked out the other day until I saw that it said "Happy New Year" on the side of it. So I threw that out and here I am with this very summery background. Can you tell I don't want summer to end? I love summer! Sure, it gets warm here in New Jersey - okay, really, really HOT, but I still love the summer. Summer means all sorts of great things: swimming, eating outside (at night), watching Juliet play in her pool, gardening, going down to the shore house, flipflops, and VACATION. Mike and I had a great vacation "Up North". When I was a kid I thought "Up North" was an actual place. If you are Canadian, of course you know what "Up North" means! It means renting some dinky cottage on a gorgeous lake somewhere out in the sticks! "Up North" means boat rides, canoeing, swimming, eating outside on picnic tables, looking at too many stars to count, campfires, going too late to bed, marshmallows, canoe races - the "new" tradition, eating too much, jumping off of the "jumpers", and chatting with family. Of course it's fun! It's interesting how going "Up North" has changed for Mike and I over the years. I remember the first year I went up there with Mike when we were a dating couple (and with the rest of the family, mind you!). Back then it was all about moonlit canoe rides, romantic strolls down the road, and stargazing at night - (I think Mike's priorities were a little different. Let's just say volleyball and more volleyball was what he had in mind). Two years ago when we went Juliet was just two months old and it was all about taking care of her. This past year, I was the mom parked out on the beach watching Juliet and her cousins with a whole bunch of other moms. Oh, and let's not forget the coffe kletzing. Sigh. I came back from vacation and with fear and trembling stepped onto the scale to see that I had gained TWO pounds from eating all of those dutch treats. Oh, well. It was a vacation to remember with SIX glorious days of sun, (mosquito-free!!!!!), and lots of catching up with the folks. Can't wait for "Up North" in two years!