Chinese Proverb

Chinese Proverb:

'When someone shares something of value with you and you benefit from it, you have a moral obligation to share it with others.

Just a little hello! :-)

We had fun bundling up and playing outside today. When we woke up this morning, the yard was blanketed with snow, so our family waited until sunshine and then embraced the crisp, chilly cheek weather. So....here's our hello from the Vinson's. We hope all of you out there are loving life and your family!

MRI

This may come as a shock to some of you, but I'm scheduled for an MRI on my lower back and left hip next Tuesday. The reason I'm sharing this with you all is for you to pray with me. Over the last 6 weeks, I have had two different episodes in that area. Needless to say, it has been discouraging and debilitating for me and how I care for my family. Please pray that the MRI will discover any needs that I need to tend and then for proper care in the coming months. At the moment, a chiropractor has been phenominal in correcting my immediate concerns, and hopefully the MRI will help us determine anything else. I am a bit fearful of the MRI since I've never had one and of the outcome. Please pray for a peace that passes all understanding to fill me and cover my mind. Also pray for the MRI's technican and the accuracy of the event. Thanks! :-)

Happy Birthday, Daddy

32 things we love about daddy,

1. the way he jumps with us on the trampoline

2. wrestling with us after work

3. reading to us during the day and at bedtime

4. dancing crazy

5. his laughter in our home

6. coming home to us each day

7. letting us drive his car (in the drive way)

8. doing laundry

9. helping around the house

10. vaccuuming

11. sweeping

12. taking Owen to go run or work-out with him

13. snuggling with Griffin on the couch

14. great hugger

15. taking time with each one of us

16. how he walks and talks on the phone outside :-)

17. love for relevancy of the Word

18. he loves to read

19. loves to drive

20. enjoys ultimate frisbee

21. Monday lunch with the family

22. he loves the youth kids

23. he answers all our WHY questions

24. his ability to sleep at any moment

25. he makes great smores on the grill

26. he is silly

27. he takes care of all our yard work

28. taught Owen "not to have an attitude" (Owen's exact words)

29. taught Griffin how to throw a football

30. tickles Tate so he'll cackle

31. plans babysitters so we can go out

32. loves us all unconditionally!

Freegan

Have you heard of it?

I had not prior to an episode of Oprah that I watched yesterday. It was amazing enough for me to take the time to watch her, so this was an added bonus for the pleasure.

IF you didn't see it or have never heard of FREEGAN, it is a grass-roots organization focusing on conservation of consumerism. That may not be the correct phrasing, but these people are all about spending less, not buying the latest this or that, and rummaging through grocery and bakery trash to find and live off the food that is found. It may sound utterly gross to most, but I was facsinated with their findings.

These freegans aren't doing this because of financial strappings, but are choosing this lifestyle. They spend an average of $10-20/wk on groceries.....CRAZY!!!

This one particular woman was an attorney in NYC making 6 digit figures, and opted out of her excess consumerism lifestyle. She is the one who found a ton of great fruit that had been trashed because of a blimish. She and others went through Whole Foods dumpster and a bagel place. They found a whole trash bag full of bagels and took them home. Kudos for her...

This other couple interviewed lived in Nashville; husband was an optometrist(?) and wife was a radiologist..not lacking in funds, but they stocked their newlywed pad with dishes and furniture from local dumps. It was amazing.

Now, I must say that I love hand-me-downs and second hand finds, but looking for non expired food in grocery dumps is a new on for me.

WHAT DO YA'LL THINK OF THIS?

Owen turns five

I can't believe it has been five years since my first delivery. These last few years have flown by but all the while I have tried my best to savor each moment.

Owen is a true joy and blessing in our home. Owen loves to read and listen to stories, and is now beginning to pick out sight words on his own as we read together. He loves to create. Creating sea animals with his model clay is a passion these days. He really loves being with Griffin and playing near him....maybe not always together, but they have such a precious friendship. He is a quiet leader and desires to please others with encouraging words and actions. I enjoy listening to Owen interact with his animals and brothers when he is unaware of my presence. He has a genuine care for people. Owen loves Jesus, and loves to learn new worship songs to sing. I am grateful for his tenderness to Scripture and a humbleness to training.

Since Owen chose not to have a party this year, we celebrated his actual birthday at home. He was king for the day. He chose cinnamon rolls for breakfast, we spent the morning at the Discovery Center, read books ALL during the boys naps, and we went to Applebee's for dinner. Owen was completely stoked with the idea of them bringing him a dessert while singing to him. His smile was from east to west! I know he felt loved today!-these pics were from 2/19...not today :-)

Father, thank you for the gift of children, and especially Owen as we celebrated him today. You have given him to us for a short while and my prayer is that in ALL my time and energy with him, that I would keep eternity in mind. Help me to stay focused on who you are creating in him, and that I would always bring him back to you. You love him so much more than I and I am confident that you have mighty plans for this little child....... In Jesus Name

Chattanooga Aquarium

On Friday morning we headed to Chattanooga for a day of family fun. It seems to have become a yearly tradition in our family since living here, but this year was a little different. We were going to celebrate Owen's birthday! A few months ago we were talking one day about his birthday, and he commented about going to the aquarium, so.....we told him he could decide whether he wanted a party with friends and toys or a day with family and animals. He chose the later. We had a absolute blast. The pictures will give you a glimpse into our day, but here are the highlights...

1. Eating Bojangle's (daddy's fav)

2. Petting the string rays (owen's fav)

3. Watching the penguins (grif's fav)

4. Trying to catch the butterflies.....tooooo cute (Tate's fav)

5. Being with my boys AND visiting my college roomie Amy for a few minutes

The day was full of excitement as we also went to the Creative Museum for about an hour and then on to watch "Sea Monsters" I MAX. THe boys were pooped after a full day, and mommy and daddy got to spend time talking in the car. For now, that is usually the most productive conversation time :-)