She still seemed uncertain why she was staying home so we talked about Halloween some more. This time, I explained it this way … The Bible says “Everything is okay but not everything is good.” It’s kind of like eating cookies. God doesn’t say that we can’t eat cookies, but it’s not very good for us. If we have a good meal and give our body the food it needs first, we can have a cookie (like she did today after lunch). It’s okay to participate in Halloween, but it’s not good for us, spiritually. So, right now, we have decided she doesn’t need Halloween in her life.

I think that once Avery has a firm foundation in the Lord, when she can guard her heart, she will be able to participate in more aspects of the day (such as the school party), if she wants to. We’ll see.

“Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” Proverbs 4:23

The past two weeks, he has not wanted to go his Bible class at BSF. He doesn’t scream or make a fuss. I think it would be easier if he did. He simply tightens his grip around my neck, tells me quietly “I don’ want to go Bible cwass” while a single tear runs down his cheek. Breaks. my. heart. Because it’s not like him to be concerned about my leaving, it makes it difficult to make the right choice. Last week, I even stepped into the room with him, and immediately regretted it. Eventually I got away, but I know I just made it harder for both of us. At any rate, a few minutes after I leave he’s fine and I always pick up a happy little boy who tells me how much fun he had that day. So, I’m hoping it’s a phase. Either way, it’s as sad as it is “rewarding” to know that he wants to be with me. A mom can’t help but have her heart swell at a child’s desire to remain in her arms! Their little hugs, especially when they cling on with all their might, are just one of the best feelings in the world.

Puts things in a new perspective when I think about how difficult it must have been for God to turn His back on His Son on the cross, even though it was the right thing to do–His plan even. Jesus suffered a disconnect so painful that it caused Him to bleed sweat. It’s been said that the physical pain was nothing to Jesus, it was the emotional and spiritual suffering on the cross that made it such a difficult plan to execute. I never really understood that. I mean, He KNEW it was necessary. He KNEW it was for a limited time. He KNEW the outcome. He KNEW everything. And, yet, He suffered because of His separation from God the Father. Because he was completely and totally dependent on Him.

Sadly, what caused Jesus great concern is normal, everyday stuff to us. We make choices on a daily basis to separate ourselves from God without the least bit of concern. At least I do. I know I need to spend more time in prayer and in God’s Word when I can go a day and not realize that I didn’t spend time with Him! How can I be totally dependent on Him, put my trust fully in Him, if I don’t have that kind of relationship? Now that I have BSF homework, which is best accomplished in daily, bite-sized studies, it is my prayer that I spend that time to digest it one day at a time, instead of “overeating” once or twice per week. I know it’s what He wants, and it’s what my body needs.

But the highlight for me (other than simply hanging out with my sister, of course!) was Goebberts Pumpkin Farm in Hampshire, IL. We’ve made a habit of visiting there when they visit in the fall, but Goebberts really stepped it up a notch! They added a large tent with animals, including Bengal tigers, monkeys (including a cute little baby one!), and everything in between. But the best was the giraffes. They had a separate cage with a ramp and deck at the top so you could be face to face with the magnificent creatures. Who knew their heads were so big!?!?! Of course, it wouldn’t be a business venture without the opportunity to feed them and plenty of people took advantage of the opportunity. I was completely and thoroughly entertained by the attempts of people–young and old–to feed carrots one by one to the giraffes who would say the heck with that, bring their heads over the top of the fence, stretch down and finally literally lick the carrots right out of the plastic cups with their foot-long tongues. It was a sight to see. Not to be outdone the farm also had pumpkins, wagon rides, a corn maze or two and much much more. I definitely won’t let another year slip by without a trip to Goebberts.

Sadly, I forgot my camera downtown and although I brought my camera to the pumpkin farm, I didn’t bring the memory card! ARG. Thankfully, my sister was there to save the day so I’ve included a few of her photos and video taken with her cameraphone.

SM: What makes new products innovative (what’s the marketing/ingredient story)?
CS: First and foremost you have to stand-out from the crowd. It is very important that the consumer relates to the products, there has to be a real connection. Consumers want to learn and understand the story behind the product, the generic cookie cutter approach is history. A new product launch needs a differentiation in their formulary delivery approach or a new ingredient. For example, when we launched our MODE Natural Skin Mineral Powder Foundation, we were the first in the industry to formulate with cocoa. Its multiple delivery benefits include rich anti-oxidant properties for the skin, providing natural color properties which aids in pigmentation, and it has its own naturally fragrant aroma. Consumers immediately resonated with the product because they were introduced to a unique effective product with an innovative ingredient that singularly delivers multiple benefits and properties.

SM: How are new launches addressing current consumer or ingredient trends? How can makeup be marketed as a tool in the defense of skin health?
CS: The consumer’s hunger for beneficial and nutritional ingredients is only growing. Product developers and marketers are finally listening and incorporating targeted active ingredients that can work synergistically with supplements to promote skin health. For example, a topical anti-aging skin regimen with an ingestible vitamin E supplement can boost antioxidant levels that work to fight free radicals. Incorporating key ingredients with known skin health benefits on a daily basis is incredibly important to women, especially baby boomers, that specifically address the battle against aging. Marketing launches that are formulated with high concentrations of “skin defense” ingredients including retinol, hyalurolic acid, and peptides, target consumer groups that believe in taking a preventative stance in skin defense rather than addressing the issues when they have already arrived.

SM: How is the trend toward natural affecting product development?
CS: As a manufacturer and marketer of color cosmetics, MODE was established and developed by utilizing natural and organic based ingredients. The continual exploration and research of the thousands of natural ingredients readily available to us will no doubt lead to new and exciting discoveries in the future.

SM: What role does innovation play in bringing enhanced quality of product to consumers?
CS: Innovation leads to choice not only for the consumer, but for the marketer as well. More consumers are willing to purchase natural products that they feel are naturally derived and safer, while emphasizing wellness and whole body health. Developing truly effective natural alternatives to its synthetic counterparts is one way to bring innovation to the consumer. Nanotechnology has shown great promise especially in sun care protection. Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are popular active ingredients for sun protection, because unlike its synthetic counterparts, they are natural and also provide esthetically pleasing results to the consumer. Traditional titanium dioxide and zinc oxide leaves a pasty white film on the skin which has been virtually eliminated with this new technology.

SM: How can color cosmetics products merge high-tech and natural ingredients?
CS: Merging high-tech and natural ingredients is what we are achieving with MODE, we are the originator of the concept of fusing fashion and nature to create high performing products that simultaneously deliver beneficial natural ingredients. We are consistently formulating the newest technologies with the newest natural raw materials while never compromising the fashion trends and staples consumers are demanding. A new product must perform with the high expectations and performance a consumer is used to, and if the mark is missed with the performance of the product, ultimately the consumer will move on.

SM: What’s next?
CS: No one truly knows what the next latest and greatest is going to be. As a manufacturer and marketer we research and forecast what the next hottest product might be by looking to different industries and sectors. As always, fashion heavily dictates color trends. We also look back at past trends that were proven winners in their time and have yet to be seen by a new generation of consumers.

SM: What are your thoughts on the increasingly digital world we live in and the role makeup plays in it?
CS: These are exciting times and the new digital world is still in its infancy in the larger scheme of things. Companies are taking advantage of social media as a marketing tool to promote their brands and products, including Facebook, YouTube, and the new phenomenon of Twitter. These websites allow companies to target a specific audience and demographic of consumers to introduce their brand or new product launches. Also, another new medium is the rise of beauty bloggers. However, the positive feedback can soon be outweighed by the disadvantages of using social media. For example, many of these website have a short life span and the interest wanes very quickly by its users. Also, there can be hidden agendas by individuals or groups disguised as consumers with the intent to berate and malign products and brands, which is happening more than people think Marketers should take social media for what it is, and not depending on it as the sole marketing tool for your brand.

My first post: 10/10/2007
Where are you?

Anger Management
Perfect mini-me
I am not perfect
Purpose-truth-action
Example of handling anger Biblically
Don’t waste your life
Control Freak

Motherhood/Spirituality
Simple truths
Point to the truth
First Day of K
She speaks!
Interview with a child
Playing Catch Up
Who are you?
Garbage in, garbage out
Tantrums about mittens and flip flops
Craniosynostosis: My son’s story
Mommy uniform

She’s also really struggling with writing the number 2. When we were practicing numbers the other day, we got to 2s and she said, “I can’t.” So, I pulled out a worksheet she’d done in class a few days to show her she could. “Look at all these 2s!” I say. And her reply? “I don’t like those, they are ugly.” Oh my. Amidst a lot of squealing and whining (not so much by me, thankyouverymuch), we had a discussion about her attitude and then practiced 2s for quite a while. She finally was okay with a perfect backwards 2. lol

Sometimes people find little significance in Satan’s “lie” to Eve in the garden. I mean after all, she and Adam didn’t “die” afterall, did they? Depends on your definition. They were forever separated from God physically as well as from the Tree of Life and the garden of paradise. As one friend pointed out the last time we studied this passage, how did they even know what “death” was anyway? Nobody had died before and there was no expectation of their death. But instead of being sent to the ground, they were sent away (interestingly enough, leaving the tree in tact instead of taking it away, not a bad piece of parenting advice). The way I see it, death=separation.

There is nothing we can do to fix that broken covenant. But God has made it possible to commune with Him again. When I submitted my life to Christ as a sophomore in high school, I bridged that gap (well, Jesus did, but my decision is what seals the deal for me). I have been called by speakers on two occasions recently to “remember” my past, specifically the journey to a life submitted to Christ. With the second prompting this morning at BSF, I decided I better not ignore the Spirit again (and facebook makes it so easy)! I sent a note to two people from those days who had the clearest impact in helping me develop a desire for something more, and leading me spiritually to an understanding of who Jesus is and why I am in need of Him.

It’s easy once we become Christians to forget the transition that we made to a life of Christ, and what it means. LIFE instead of DEATH. Now, with every decision we make, if we listen to the Spirit leading our lives, we can lead to others making the ultimate decision as well. Our job is to point people to Christ. It’s not about us. It’s all about Him.

I was at a baby shower luncheon for my friend Bev who had her baby girl a few weeks ago (ironically enough, her water broke at Charlie’s birthday party). There was some, uh, interesting discussion going on, including anecdotes about using a new friend’s bathroom when the toilet overflows and other BM-related incidents. Between that and some new jeans, I thought the abdominal pain was all in my head. So, I went home and started to feel better after relaxing a bit. Unfortunately, the pain ratcheted up after dinner. I was able to sleep, but I knew when I woke up and was still have cramping and a sharp pain in the side that something must be wrong. So, after a nudge from my friend/nurse/neighbor Debbie, I made an appointment with my doctor. Unfortunately, he confirmed what I feared and sent me to the ER.

Because it was Wednesday and BSF Fellowship day, I had babysitting lined up for the afternoon. So, I took the kids home for a quick lunch, then dropped them off to play with their friend Luke while I headed to the ER. At least I knew they weren’t worried about me. They were so excited to see their friend, they ran in the house before I had a chance to even say goodbye. “Ok, I’ll see you … later.” lol

Being poked and prodded to confirm the diagnosis by myself was not fun and moved very s l o w l y (and I didn’t even think to bring a book, that is so not like me!). Matt was at work and planning to pick up the kids when he could leave. The low point was during the CAT scan when I almost threw up from the ink inserted through the IV (the second one of the day btw) AND I had to hold my breath. I suddenly became overwhelmed with a sense of loneliness and self-pity. Thankfully, it passed once I was able to breathe and get out of that cold, stinky little room.

After that, things moved quickly. Diagnosis was confirmed and I was whisked to OR prep. Thankfully, I don’t remember anything after that.