Fiona is sitting nicely on her couch (beautiful slip cover I might add). Sunshine is sitting on the other end of the couch. The video is of Fiona licking a Ritz imitation cracker (we are too cheap to buy Ritz). Fiona thinks they taste the same anyway, so what's the difference? The sound in the background is the dogs dancing around; apparently they wanted a cracker too.

Fun with Cereal!

This is Fiona's first meal with cereal. Last week, the doctor told us that she could start on cereal if we thought she was ready. We went home and I asked BreAne, "Should we start her on Cheerios or Fruit Loops?" BreAne laughed at me in response. I have since learned that 'cereal' means a soft, mushy-like oatmeal, and not Cheerios or Fruit Loops. My mistake. Happy Birthday Grandma!

Fiona and Further Musings

This latest video is of Fiona playing with her inflatable ball. It is amusing; at least it was for her.

I have not included any meaningless rantings lately, so the time is upon us. I was assigned to read the book, Shaped By the Word: The Power of Scripture in Spiritual Formation, by M. Robert Mulholland, Jr., for an upcoming class. First of all, I seem to have a bias against books that are "spiritual formation" books. They tend to leave a bad taste in my mouth. I need to state this up front lest you think I am a mere objective observer. Anyway, needless to say, I found the book odd. The author's thesis is that one needs to read Scripture 'formationally' instead of 'informationally' and allow God to shape our understanding of the text. You must "allow the [Scripture] passage to open to you its deepest dimensions, its multiple layers of meaning (p. 56)."

Firstly, I am not sure one can distinguish information from formation. I understand Mulholland's point that we can read Scripture simply for information without allowing ourselves to be transformed. But, this dicotomy cannot be pressed too far. In fact, when one encounters Scripture, one must begin with information (as Mulholland puts it). The importance of authorial intent is paramount; what did the original author intend to communicate? Unfortunately, Mulholland only dedicates less than two pages to this point. One cannot proceed to transformation (which I agree that this must be reached) until one establishes what God intended to say to the original audience. If we jump directly to 'formational' reading, we inevitably become lost in a sea of ambiguity and potentially land in a reader-response approach to Scripture. I hear enough of "what this passage means to me" already. Personally, I am far too warped a person to trust myself to "what this passage means to me." But perhaps this is a too conservative approach...

Lastly, I am beginning to appreciate the communal aspect of sanctification. I think often this gets missed by spiritual formationists. The typical approach is that spiritual formation is something that God does in me and then I turn and make the world better. Oh yeah, and it takes place in the church. But study your Bible at home. By yourself. In a closet. Pray there. It's personal. I am overstating my case, to be sure, but Scripture never portrays spiritual formation as something accomplished by myself. It is inherently communal and done in the midst of brothers and sisters in Christ, as is the act of reading and interpreting Scripture. Ha! How's that for a pastoral plug! I have ranted and raved far too long. Good bye!

Playtime

Here are the latest pictures and video of Fiona. The top picture is of Fiona taking her bath. She has now graduated from her newborn 'hammock' bath to her infant bath. I am sure she is proud of her accomplishment. The second picture is of Fiona reading with her father. She is quite the intent little reader. If you notice, she is holding the edge of the book. And lastly, Fiona is enjoying her pacifier and taking a good look at it from various angles. What a gal!

Fiona and Her Pacifier

Christmas Pictures

Here we have our Christmas pictures. The top picture is of Fiona on Sunday. The second and third are Fiona and BreAne on Christmas Day. Doesn't Fiona look pleased as her presents tower over her?

Another Conversation with Fiona

Fiona Cooing

'Tis the Season

The top picture is Fiona's first airplane ride; she did rather well. The second picture is of Laci (Fiona's cousin) holding Fiona. Lastly, Fiona is relaxing next to her new Cabbage Patch doll. You may not be able to see it, but they have matching antlers. Take care!

Halloween Pictures

The above two pictures are of Fiona in her Halloween costumes. We dressed her in the peapod outfit but it was too warm for her, so we went to the fall-back costume, the pumpkin. Fiona, BreAne, Glenda, and I all went downtown to the shops for Halloween. Fiona stole the show.

Cute Pictures

Here are a few cute pictures of Fiona. She looks so small in her car seat and her cap makes her little ears stick out. Mom is doing well and continues to get better each day (the sleep helps!).

Hello From Fiona

Again, here is Fiona with a case of the hiccups.

Fiona's First Video

Check out Fiona hanging out in her new crib.

Fiona Joule Is Here!

We are proud to announce the arrival of our daughter, Fiona Joule (pronounced 'jewel'). She was 9.2 lbs., 21.5 inches and born at 8:06 pm on Oct. 11, 2007. The delivery went well (from my perspective) and we are now at home. I am sure there will be more pictures to come!

BreAne - Overdue

Well, this is BreAne this morning, Oct. 11, 2007. She was due Oct. 8. She is cute as ever with her little plump belly!

Our New Cradle

We are excited to show everyone our new cradle that was given to us by our friends at church, Joe and Elizabeth! The cradle is hand-made by Joe and Elizabeth made the quilt as well. Excellent!

Pregnant BreAne

The nurses at work painted BreAne's belly on Friday. For the remainder of the day people were staring at her belly because they could see the pumpkin through her shirt. She had a lot of explaining to do. The people that knew us didn't think anything of it; they already knew we are strange. Willie's obedience training is going very well. She now knows how to sit, stay, and lay down. She is nearly up to par with me.

Willie and Peanut Butter

New Nickname!

I was watching "The Blues Brothers" last week and decided I need to be called "Mr. Fabulous." BreAne doesn't agree, but I think it is a great nickname.

Sincerely,

Mr. Fabulous

Our Trip to Chicago

Here are two pictures from our trip to Chicago. One is of my sister, Bekah, and her two kids, Laci (left) and Kenna (right). The curls are all natural! The other picture is at graduation with Drs. Tienou and Downs.