at months old! He is growing so much and we are so happy to have him as part of our family! I can now say that I think our family is complete! I can't wait to see where God takes him in his life.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
2 months old!
To save a little bit of money this time around, we opted to do our own photo shoot at home! This is our little Z man
at months old! He is growing so much and we are so happy to have him as part of our family! I can now say that I think our family is complete! I can't wait to see where God takes him in his life.
at months old! He is growing so much and we are so happy to have him as part of our family! I can now say that I think our family is complete! I can't wait to see where God takes him in his life.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
How I am learning to grow grateful kids...
This semester in my Tuesday morning bible study we are going through the book Growing Grateful Kids by Susie Larson. What an eye opening book!! This weeks reading came from chapter 7 and 8, I was so moved by what I read in chapter 7 that I feel compelled to write a little about it.
Chapter 7 begins with this quote from St. Augustine of Hippo "It was pride that changed the angels into devils; it is humility that makes men as angels." What a powerful statement!
The title of this chapter is "Live Humbly : God is Great" I feel so strongly about this statement that I am so excited to start teaching this to my children. Growing up I do not feel that it is something that was taught very well to me!
She gives the example of Joseph from the Old Testament in the Bible. Joseph was the youngest brother of 12, he was the favorite of his father. His brothers sold him to slavery when he was young. Joseph was bought by a guard who worked for Pharaoh the King of Egypt. With all that Joseph went through he could have been bitter or angry at God. Instead he humbled himself under the mighty had of God and was lifted up and blessed by Him for the whole world to see! Joseph is the perfect example of being humble. Samson, another Old Testament man, is an example of someone who trusted in himself and didn't listen to the plans God had for him. Samson was gifted and called by God but instead of listening to his parents he was bullheaded and spoiled. Samson decided to take matters into his own hands and neglect his vow to God! The lesson I get from the life of Samson is to earnestly seek God's wisdom and direction, I must also humbly submit to the cleansing seasons of my life that God allows me to endure.
For this next section I am going to copy this text from the book Growing Grateful Kids. I have taken this from pages 110 to 112:
If you are interested in reading Growing Grateful Kids by Susie Larson, click this link to find it at Christian Book Distributors.
Chapter 7 begins with this quote from St. Augustine of Hippo "It was pride that changed the angels into devils; it is humility that makes men as angels." What a powerful statement!
The title of this chapter is "Live Humbly : God is Great" I feel so strongly about this statement that I am so excited to start teaching this to my children. Growing up I do not feel that it is something that was taught very well to me!
She gives the example of Joseph from the Old Testament in the Bible. Joseph was the youngest brother of 12, he was the favorite of his father. His brothers sold him to slavery when he was young. Joseph was bought by a guard who worked for Pharaoh the King of Egypt. With all that Joseph went through he could have been bitter or angry at God. Instead he humbled himself under the mighty had of God and was lifted up and blessed by Him for the whole world to see! Joseph is the perfect example of being humble. Samson, another Old Testament man, is an example of someone who trusted in himself and didn't listen to the plans God had for him. Samson was gifted and called by God but instead of listening to his parents he was bullheaded and spoiled. Samson decided to take matters into his own hands and neglect his vow to God! The lesson I get from the life of Samson is to earnestly seek God's wisdom and direction, I must also humbly submit to the cleansing seasons of my life that God allows me to endure.
For this next section I am going to copy this text from the book Growing Grateful Kids. I have taken this from pages 110 to 112:
What consistent lessons on pride and humility do your kids pick up by watching you?
If our kids see: us shaking our fists at people more than they see us praying for them
They'll learn: that people shouldn't get in the way of what we want. That's pride.
If your kids see: us responding humbly to the rude person in line at the grocery store
They'll learn: that we are alive to reflect the character of Christ. That's humility.
If our kids see: us dissecting others' flaws more than they hear us honoring them in their absence
They'll acquire: and exaggerated view of their own importance and the idea that it's okay to gossip. That's pride.
If our kids see: us speaking well of others, giving people the benefit of the doubt, and believing the best about others' motives.
They'll learn: not to be quick to judge or to assign motives; they'll learn to believe and hope for the best in others. That's humility.
If our kids see: us striving and straining in our own strength and neglecting to give Jesus the credit He deserves
They'll learn: that more rests on our shoulders than on His. They'll come to believe that they are stronger than they really are (and that God is weak in some way). That's pride.
If our kids see: us humbly committing each new day to Jesus
They'll learn: that He truly loves and cares about every detail of our lives. That's humility.
If our kids see: us disrespecting authority, criticizing our pastor, nitpicking our neighbor
They'll learn: that it doesn't matter if Jesus told us to respect authority and to love our neighbor, because our opinions matter more than they things He has asked of us. And that's pride.
If our kids see: us refusing to forgive, stiffening up in the face of correction, or refusing to admit when we're wrong
They'll have: a front row seat to watch pride in action; they'll fear correction (rather than embrace it); they'll learn to defend their "right" not to grow into everything God intended them to be. That's pride.
If our kids see: us admitting when we're wrong, asking forgiveness, and applying ourselves to the pursuit of holiness
They'll learn: to follow in our footsteps, to admit when they're wrong, to ask for forgiveness, and to apply themselves to the pursuit of holiness. That's humility.
James 4:6
...God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.
Lord may I be more humble in my life. May I look after others before myself and respect those that are in authority over me! Thank you for all of the examples for me to follow through your Holy Word! Amen!!
If you are interested in reading Growing Grateful Kids by Susie Larson, click this link to find it at Christian Book Distributors.
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Failure....
Websters definition of failure is this: nonperformance of something due, required, or expected, lack of success, deterioration or decay, especially of vigor, strength. Man does that describe me today! Here is a series of events that took place at my home just about 2 hours ago.
I awake after being able to sleep in a little, my husband had gotten up with the baby at about 5:30, so I could rest. That was so sweet, and I was so grateful for the extra hour and a half to sleep in! So I walk out of our bedroom to my little sweet N telling me he needed some milk! My husband was busy with the baby, he had just finished his bottle and needed to be changed. So with some asking my little sweet N, how he was supposed to ask for his milk, he finally said "please, may I have some milk". Sure sweet little N, I would be happy to get it for you! THEN.... while pouring him a cup of milk, into the cup that he had gotten out, I realized there was still a cup of milk in the refrigerator so I get that cup out and discover that it just had a little bit left in it. I decided that rather than waste the milk that was already in the refrigerator I would pour that remaining milk into his cup. Well that did not sit well with him and he began throwing a fit. Now here is where the failure on my part took place. Instead of reacting calmly and rationally to the fit throwing, now hanging on my leg, sweet little N, I blew up! I was so upset with the attitude he has been having lately, that I lost it! I threw his milk into the refrigerator, grabbed him up and spanked his little bottom. You would think that would have been enough for his sweet little heart. BUT I continued to lose it and I took him down the hall and tossed him onto his bed, and went storming from his room slamming his door (which by the way, they get time outs for!). Then I proceeded to my bedroom and slammed my door! Oh boy is this really me!!!
After spending 5 minutes cooling off in my room, leaving my poor husband (who was changing the baby and had no idea what was going on), to deal with this situation, I emerged! Still not too calm but feeling like I needed to go and talk to my sweet little N. Going into his room, where he was now standing in the middle of it, looking a little unsure of what just happened. I walk up to him and get down to his level and have to apologize for yelling at him and getting upset like I did. Now if you have never had to apologize to your kids, then you have no idea how humble it makes you! After apologizing and grab him onto my lap and cuddle his little heart out. BUT I can tell that he is still not sure what to think of this whole situation. After holding him for a few minutes he decided he's done and gets up to join his brother watching Saturday morning cartoons in the living room. All this to say that I feel like a total failure today, and I now that only by the grace of my loving Heavenly Father will I be forgiven!!
This message of a loving Heavenly Father is so important to me that I always feel terrible when I lose my temper with my children, because I am supposed to be the example for them to go by!! I am supposed to be who they can trust in this world!! BUT I also know that my Heavenly Father is a powerful, forgiving, and loving God who is more wonderful that I can ever express to my children. I lay them into his hands daily, for their protection and their faith!! I am so blessed to know that nothing I can do will bring them to His loving Hands its only by His divine power that any of us are called to HIM!! Thank you Jesus for bridging that gap for us, so that we can come to God's loving hand and sit with Him in Heaven one day!!
I awake after being able to sleep in a little, my husband had gotten up with the baby at about 5:30, so I could rest. That was so sweet, and I was so grateful for the extra hour and a half to sleep in! So I walk out of our bedroom to my little sweet N telling me he needed some milk! My husband was busy with the baby, he had just finished his bottle and needed to be changed. So with some asking my little sweet N, how he was supposed to ask for his milk, he finally said "please, may I have some milk". Sure sweet little N, I would be happy to get it for you! THEN.... while pouring him a cup of milk, into the cup that he had gotten out, I realized there was still a cup of milk in the refrigerator so I get that cup out and discover that it just had a little bit left in it. I decided that rather than waste the milk that was already in the refrigerator I would pour that remaining milk into his cup. Well that did not sit well with him and he began throwing a fit. Now here is where the failure on my part took place. Instead of reacting calmly and rationally to the fit throwing, now hanging on my leg, sweet little N, I blew up! I was so upset with the attitude he has been having lately, that I lost it! I threw his milk into the refrigerator, grabbed him up and spanked his little bottom. You would think that would have been enough for his sweet little heart. BUT I continued to lose it and I took him down the hall and tossed him onto his bed, and went storming from his room slamming his door (which by the way, they get time outs for!). Then I proceeded to my bedroom and slammed my door! Oh boy is this really me!!!
After spending 5 minutes cooling off in my room, leaving my poor husband (who was changing the baby and had no idea what was going on), to deal with this situation, I emerged! Still not too calm but feeling like I needed to go and talk to my sweet little N. Going into his room, where he was now standing in the middle of it, looking a little unsure of what just happened. I walk up to him and get down to his level and have to apologize for yelling at him and getting upset like I did. Now if you have never had to apologize to your kids, then you have no idea how humble it makes you! After apologizing and grab him onto my lap and cuddle his little heart out. BUT I can tell that he is still not sure what to think of this whole situation. After holding him for a few minutes he decided he's done and gets up to join his brother watching Saturday morning cartoons in the living room. All this to say that I feel like a total failure today, and I now that only by the grace of my loving Heavenly Father will I be forgiven!!
This message of a loving Heavenly Father is so important to me that I always feel terrible when I lose my temper with my children, because I am supposed to be the example for them to go by!! I am supposed to be who they can trust in this world!! BUT I also know that my Heavenly Father is a powerful, forgiving, and loving God who is more wonderful that I can ever express to my children. I lay them into his hands daily, for their protection and their faith!! I am so blessed to know that nothing I can do will bring them to His loving Hands its only by His divine power that any of us are called to HIM!! Thank you Jesus for bridging that gap for us, so that we can come to God's loving hand and sit with Him in Heaven one day!!
2 Thessalonians 1:11, 12
...that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Then came number three!
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| Baby Z |
In between all of this other activity, E had a birthday, the big number 7 for him! He has also lost his first tooth, with the second one just about to fall out! This has certainly been a big month for our oldest child!
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| Our big Cub Scout! |
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| First day of preschool for N |
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| Our 3 little men! |
Monday, July 18, 2011
The countdown is on!
Well we are officially 35 days from delivery. Unofficially we are hoping for only a few more weeks, so like 20 days! We had our final sonogram last week and baby is healthy and growing very well. I would like to get to 37 weeks, which is only 2 weeks away. Contractions have been coming pretty frequently lately, so there is hope! I am pretty sure they are Braxton Hicks but still hoping they are making some progress. I go to the doctor again on friday this week, and we will see what she says.
Little N is getting so excited about being a big brother! We took both of the boys to a sibling class at the hospital that we are delivering at. They were able to tour the area of the hospital that we will be in having the baby and then they were able to see the nursery area where the baby would be. Also in this class they learned how to change diapers, swaddle the baby, and hold the baby. It was so sweet to watch my little 3 year old take it so seriously! For a little boy to want to play with his doll, was so fun to watch. Big E on the other hand was not so excited about this class. He didn't want to do any of the things, as far as diapering, swaddling, and holding his baby. I think its just his age though, being 6 he really isn't that interested. Even now though little N, is so fascinated by the baby doll and learning all the things that he is going to get to help with.
Right now I am feeling quite overwhelmed though. We received Little N's preschool papers in the mail and found out that there is a meeting in a few weeks (really hoping we can make it!). Then there is school starting for Big E in the middle of August, so I feel a little crazy knowing that I need to get his school supplies sooner rather than later, plus school clothes! Unfortunately I can not find his school supply list at the store, so I am in a holding pattern until that comes out! Registration for school is next week, hoping that I can at least get the list before then.
This week weather wise is going to be terribly HOT! Heat indexes in the 100's! So its going to be a challenge to find things inside to do with the boys, since its going to be way too hot to play outside. Tomorrow we are going to see a movie, our local theater has $1 movies in the summer. That's about all I can think of for this week! Not a good start, huh? I guess I need to be more creative!!
Little N is getting so excited about being a big brother! We took both of the boys to a sibling class at the hospital that we are delivering at. They were able to tour the area of the hospital that we will be in having the baby and then they were able to see the nursery area where the baby would be. Also in this class they learned how to change diapers, swaddle the baby, and hold the baby. It was so sweet to watch my little 3 year old take it so seriously! For a little boy to want to play with his doll, was so fun to watch. Big E on the other hand was not so excited about this class. He didn't want to do any of the things, as far as diapering, swaddling, and holding his baby. I think its just his age though, being 6 he really isn't that interested. Even now though little N, is so fascinated by the baby doll and learning all the things that he is going to get to help with.
Right now I am feeling quite overwhelmed though. We received Little N's preschool papers in the mail and found out that there is a meeting in a few weeks (really hoping we can make it!). Then there is school starting for Big E in the middle of August, so I feel a little crazy knowing that I need to get his school supplies sooner rather than later, plus school clothes! Unfortunately I can not find his school supply list at the store, so I am in a holding pattern until that comes out! Registration for school is next week, hoping that I can at least get the list before then.
This week weather wise is going to be terribly HOT! Heat indexes in the 100's! So its going to be a challenge to find things inside to do with the boys, since its going to be way too hot to play outside. Tomorrow we are going to see a movie, our local theater has $1 movies in the summer. That's about all I can think of for this week! Not a good start, huh? I guess I need to be more creative!!
Monday, June 27, 2011
Nursery Finished...
I finally think the nursery for this new baby is finished! We need to get a few more items (like pictures or something for the bare walls) but other than that I feel pretty good about how it turned out!
Last week at my doctor's appointment the doctor said she thinks I might go a few weeks early! Her exact words "It wouldn't hurt my feelings if you went early." My statement to her "It wouldn't hurt ours either!" I am measuring about 2 weeks ahead of where I should be, which is what I did with my first baby, and he came 2 weeks early! I am only praying this one follows suit! I go for a sono next week and we will see how this little boy is progressing. If I do go early then I am only about 5 weeks from delivery, I am really ready to meet our new little boy!
Big E is getting excited too. But he was a little worried when I told him I might be in the hospital for his first day of school. I made sure to also tell him that if that happened he didn't need to worry because grandma and grandpa would be here and daddy should be here as well. That seemed to comfort him some. Little N on the other hand might not take this too easily. He has really been glued to my side lately. I can't seem to leave the house with out him screaming and throwing a tantrum. I think he thinks that every time I leave a baby will show up when I come back. I don't know, really what he is thinking or what is going on in his little head. The poor kid doesn't know what is about to happen to his little world! All we can do is keep talking to him about this new baby and the fact that he will still be loved the same!
Last week at my doctor's appointment the doctor said she thinks I might go a few weeks early! Her exact words "It wouldn't hurt my feelings if you went early." My statement to her "It wouldn't hurt ours either!" I am measuring about 2 weeks ahead of where I should be, which is what I did with my first baby, and he came 2 weeks early! I am only praying this one follows suit! I go for a sono next week and we will see how this little boy is progressing. If I do go early then I am only about 5 weeks from delivery, I am really ready to meet our new little boy!
Friday, June 17, 2011
Summer again....
I really had high hopes for this summer, but I have not been feeling that great already! The heat is a little unbearable right now and my little boys just want to be outside all the time! I am trying to keep them busy and active in the mornings so I can get a little rest in the afternoons, but that has been in vain! Little N thinks that most days he doesn't need a nap, or he will fall asleep in the car for a few minutes and think that is a nap! Today was not a napping day!! So mommy is really tired right now!
A few weeks ago my husband bought a cheap emac computer on ebay. Our intentions for the computer was to be for our boys to use. E (the 6 year old) loves it! My husband has it set up so there are only certain web sites that he can get to and he can manage doing it all by himself most of the time. I like that we can have better control over where he is going on the internet and what games he is playing. For some reason we could never get the hang of it on our main computer. Mostly because we had to log out of the family account and then log him into his. Which really took a lot of "effort" (not really, but it seemed like it!). So in the afternoons E gets to have some computer time and that keeps him busy enough that I can get a little rest in while Little N is napping (if he chooses to nap!).
As for Little N, finally at 3 1/2 years old he is going potty in the potty! Well pee at least! He is still really struggling with pooing in the potty. We had to resort to bribery with the pee, he earned himself a Bubble Foam Blaster. So with the pooing we are offering him a trip to Chuck E Cheese. (As a side note, I just had to take a break from writing to take Little N to the potty and he just tried to tell me that he wanted his shirt tucked into his underwear! Haa haaa!!) Anyway back to the Chuck E Cheese bribe, all he has to do is go poo in the potty 5 times. We started this chart 2 weeks ago, he has yet to get one sticker!! OHHH the frustration!! He knows what is supposed to happen, his poo is to go into the potty, but he just refuses to do it! We are totally out of ideas for that! We are hoping that when Nana and Papa come home in a few weeks maybe they can talk him into it!
Now for the newest little guy coming into our lives, Baby Z, he seems to stay pretty active! :) I also wonder how my bigger boys will react when Baby Z is introduced. E I think will adjust ok but I still think we will have a few issues with him and the level of his voice! He tends to get really excited and a little loud sometimes. Then there is Little N, not sure this will be the favorite thing to happen to him this year. He is being really clingy to me lately and wanting me to hold him and do lots for him. So this will be a definite challenge! He will also be starting pre-school shortly after Baby Z is born, and E will be going back to school as well. I feel like I am really babying him right now because I know how his world will change in a few short weeks and I want him to feel like he is still very important to me! My husband on the other hand is not liking the whining of Little N lately and having a hard time dealing with it. Anyway this will be an interesting fall for sure in our house.
I was so impressed with E and his level of learning that took place in Kindergarten this year! I am so proud of him! He went into the school year still writing his name backwards and upside down sometimes and he came out of the school year totally reading entire books on his own! He is able to sound out words that he doesn't know and most of the time can figure it out all by himself! Man how Kindergarten has changed! I remember just needing to learn my address and phone number, colors, numbers and that sort of thing! I am so excited that he is really loving to read, (he takes after me I guess!) My husband is not a reader and says that E is reading better than he did in 2nd grade.
This has been a total random thoughts post but I needed something to keep me awake until hubby gets home in an hour! :)
A few weeks ago my husband bought a cheap emac computer on ebay. Our intentions for the computer was to be for our boys to use. E (the 6 year old) loves it! My husband has it set up so there are only certain web sites that he can get to and he can manage doing it all by himself most of the time. I like that we can have better control over where he is going on the internet and what games he is playing. For some reason we could never get the hang of it on our main computer. Mostly because we had to log out of the family account and then log him into his. Which really took a lot of "effort" (not really, but it seemed like it!). So in the afternoons E gets to have some computer time and that keeps him busy enough that I can get a little rest in while Little N is napping (if he chooses to nap!).
As for Little N, finally at 3 1/2 years old he is going potty in the potty! Well pee at least! He is still really struggling with pooing in the potty. We had to resort to bribery with the pee, he earned himself a Bubble Foam Blaster. So with the pooing we are offering him a trip to Chuck E Cheese. (As a side note, I just had to take a break from writing to take Little N to the potty and he just tried to tell me that he wanted his shirt tucked into his underwear! Haa haaa!!) Anyway back to the Chuck E Cheese bribe, all he has to do is go poo in the potty 5 times. We started this chart 2 weeks ago, he has yet to get one sticker!! OHHH the frustration!! He knows what is supposed to happen, his poo is to go into the potty, but he just refuses to do it! We are totally out of ideas for that! We are hoping that when Nana and Papa come home in a few weeks maybe they can talk him into it!
Now for the newest little guy coming into our lives, Baby Z, he seems to stay pretty active! :) I also wonder how my bigger boys will react when Baby Z is introduced. E I think will adjust ok but I still think we will have a few issues with him and the level of his voice! He tends to get really excited and a little loud sometimes. Then there is Little N, not sure this will be the favorite thing to happen to him this year. He is being really clingy to me lately and wanting me to hold him and do lots for him. So this will be a definite challenge! He will also be starting pre-school shortly after Baby Z is born, and E will be going back to school as well. I feel like I am really babying him right now because I know how his world will change in a few short weeks and I want him to feel like he is still very important to me! My husband on the other hand is not liking the whining of Little N lately and having a hard time dealing with it. Anyway this will be an interesting fall for sure in our house.
I was so impressed with E and his level of learning that took place in Kindergarten this year! I am so proud of him! He went into the school year still writing his name backwards and upside down sometimes and he came out of the school year totally reading entire books on his own! He is able to sound out words that he doesn't know and most of the time can figure it out all by himself! Man how Kindergarten has changed! I remember just needing to learn my address and phone number, colors, numbers and that sort of thing! I am so excited that he is really loving to read, (he takes after me I guess!) My husband is not a reader and says that E is reading better than he did in 2nd grade.
This has been a total random thoughts post but I needed something to keep me awake until hubby gets home in an hour! :)
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