What in the World?!

My family in Texas has been dealing with one crisis after another this summer. We're talking one serious medical problem after another (two of the people nearly died and one isn't out of the woods) and a few other things. A couple of the situations are frustratingly bad because 1.) they have to do with the person's bad behavior, and 2.) the best way to move forward is not clear. And all of this is not only stressful in and of itself, but it has also put great stress on some relationships, too. For those in the middle, it is an emotional quagmire.

So please pray for proper medical care for those with physical problems, please pray for God to intervene in a real way and bring about repentance and maturity for those who have been making bad decisions, and please pray for wisdom and strength for those bearing the responsibility of making things right and taking care of others.

Thanks.

Sweet Sleeper

Noah often sleeps with his hands behind his head.

I think it'd be funny if I end up with a picture of him in basically the same position when he's like seventeen.

This is Fun

Click on it to see it more clearly.

Go to wordle.net to make your own.

Psalm 103

This is one of my favorite Psalms, and I felt like posting it today.

Psalm 103

Praise the LORD, O my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Praise the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits--
who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

The LORD works righteousness
and justice for all the oppressed.

He made known his ways to Moses,
his deeds to the people of Israel:
The LORD is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love.
He will not always accuse,
nor will he harbor his anger forever;
he does not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our iniquities.
For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;
as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
As a father has compassion on his children,
so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;
for he knows how we are formed,
he remembers that we are dust.
As for man, his days are like grass,
he flourishes like a flower of the field;
the wind blows over it and it is gone,
and its place remembers it no more.
But from everlasting to everlasting
the LORD's love is with those who fear him,
and his righteousness with their children's children--
with those who keep his covenant
and remember to obey his precepts.

The LORD has established his throne in heaven,
and his kingdom rules over all.

Praise the LORD, you his angels,
you mighty ones who do his bidding,
who obey his word.
Praise the LORD, all his heavenly hosts,
you his servants who do his will.
Praise the LORD, all his works
everywhere in his dominion.

Praise the LORD, O my soul.

JUMP!

We finally hung Noah's jumper today, and oh my gosh did the boy love it.

Here he is learning how to use it. At first, he just turned around and around in it, but Nathan helped bounce him in it, and he got the gist immediately. It's so cute how pleased he is with himself. I happened to catch it on video:


And here he is five minutes later, already an expert:

I love the joyful, flailing hands!

Noah's First Day at the Beach

We went to the beach today! We went to Plum Island, which is close to the New Hampshire border. Unfortunately, even though the day started out sunny at our house, by the time we got to the beach, it was a little cool and threatening rain. It didn't actually rain, but I was too chicken to get into the cold water without the warm sun to warm me up afterward.

Noah had a great time! He enjoyed playing with the sand and watching the other kids at the beach.

Here's Noah and me (and my crazy beach hair).

He gets his coloring (or lack thereof) from me.

I really wish this picture weren't fuzzy!

Daddy showed Noah the water. But when he put his feet in, Noah began to whine. That water was dang cold!

Cuties.

Nathan let me post this, despite his farmer's tan. :)

August Arbonne Specials

Hello all! Check out Arbonne's specials this August:

First, I want to tell you about a special I am running, myself:
Let me place your order for you, and I'll pay for half of your shipping! Do you need a refill on some of your RE9 products? A new foundation or lipstick? Some more Sea Salt Scrub? If you have an order of at least $50 srp, not only will I give you my 35% discount, but I will also pay half of your shipping costs. In order to take advantage of this special, email me directly with your order. I will place the order right away and will have it shipped directly to you. You can reach me at laurenbenesh@gmail.com.

20% Off Vanish Products and Children's Vitamins
This August, you can buy the Figure 8 Vanishing Act Set, an $85 value, for $68, and the Smart Nutritional Hybrids Daily Power Punch for Kids, a $22 value, for $17.50.

RE9 REtreatment Set for $65
With every $75 SRP order increment,enjoy the option to purchase the NutriMinC RE⁹ REtreatment set, a $161.50 value, for $66.
The REtreatment set includes the following: REversing Geleè Transforming Lift, RElease Deep Pore Cleansing Masque, REgain Illuminating Enzyme Peel, REtaliate Wrinkle Filler, plus a complementary REveal Facial Scrub - along with the Weekly Usage Chart, which offers a convenient guide to daily usage for each of the Treatment products.

The 2008 Holiday Line has been announced, and Arbonne has some new things that look absolutely beautiful!
You can see all of the products here. They will be available beginning in September.


--
Lauren Benesh
Independent Consultant
Arbonne International