I'm so sorry to anyone out there who occasionally reads this blog (maybe 2 of you?). haha I have been so bad about posting on here because we have been so busy! We are going to move to a new house in the next few weeks, so I have had my hands full with house stuff, kids, and ministry. Hope to add more posts soon!
I will share one recent funny story just to put something on here. The other day I caught Caleb (who turned 3 on Saturday!) drinking water from his bath. (Glad it was before I started bathing him, but still gross.) I told him to stop, and he acted so ashamed that he had been caught. Before I put him to bed, I asked him if he needed to tee tee and he said, "No, I tee teed in the bathtub." NOOOOOO!
Monday, October 1, 2012
Saturday, June 16, 2012
Potty Time
Potty training is not something I really look forward to, but once it is done, I feel as though a huge weight has been lifted. It is a little daunting because once you start, there is no going back. You have to commit to be at home all day for a few days, and you must expect there will be some messes to clean. The first day, especially, is a hard one since you have to convince your toddler to sit on the potty a lot. Thankfully, Caleb was pretty cooperative, especially since peanut butter M&Ms were involved. Caleb was so determined to go on the potty that first day that he fell asleep on my legs! I'm sure he will really appreciate me sharing this someday when he is older, but I couldn't resist.
Once it finally happens, there is such a celebration! I kept telling him I was so proud of him, so now when he goes he says, "I so pwowd of youuuu." He has done so so well! We had a prayer night at church Wednesday night, which was day 3 of his training. I put him in a diaper just in case he had an accident and he used the potty at church! We still have some issues with #2, but that day will come. And, we will celebrate again!
He is growing up so fast!
Once it finally happens, there is such a celebration! I kept telling him I was so proud of him, so now when he goes he says, "I so pwowd of youuuu." He has done so so well! We had a prayer night at church Wednesday night, which was day 3 of his training. I put him in a diaper just in case he had an accident and he used the potty at church! We still have some issues with #2, but that day will come. And, we will celebrate again!
He is growing up so fast!
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Fun Weekend
This weekend there was jumping, lots of animal interaction, and blueberries! On Friday, we took the kids to the bounce house place and they had such a fun time jumping and playing with the toys. They had a plasma car that Caleb loved- he called it his airplane. I think they liked it more than the bounce houses.
After that, we went to the beef farm to buy some beef and the horses were standing by the fence. They are always very friendly, so we went to pet them and one of them bit Anna! It was a playful bite and did not break the skin, but it did leave tooth marks. She was pretty traumatized but got over it when we fed them apple slices.
Later that afternoon, one of our little turtles went missing in our house. Caleb has started playing with them and he forgot to put it back in the tank. We finally found "Frog" sleeping in his closet.
Yesterday, my sweet friend Michelle joined me and the kids for an outing to the Blueberry Festival. This is a big deal in Nacogdoches, and pretty much the whole town comes out for it. The kids loved the petting zoo, horse rides, painting, and Thomas the Train ride. We bought lots of blueberries and the kids ate over a pint yesterday at lunch!
Mixed into all of this we have been watching and pretend-playing Anna and Caleb's new favorite movie, Robin Hood. I am the Sherriff, Caleb is RH, and Anna is Maid Marion. I think Anna loves it because there are mean people in the movie, but they aren't scary. She told me last night that she wants to play RH all day tomorrow. :)
After that, we went to the beef farm to buy some beef and the horses were standing by the fence. They are always very friendly, so we went to pet them and one of them bit Anna! It was a playful bite and did not break the skin, but it did leave tooth marks. She was pretty traumatized but got over it when we fed them apple slices.
Later that afternoon, one of our little turtles went missing in our house. Caleb has started playing with them and he forgot to put it back in the tank. We finally found "Frog" sleeping in his closet.
Yesterday, my sweet friend Michelle joined me and the kids for an outing to the Blueberry Festival. This is a big deal in Nacogdoches, and pretty much the whole town comes out for it. The kids loved the petting zoo, horse rides, painting, and Thomas the Train ride. We bought lots of blueberries and the kids ate over a pint yesterday at lunch!
Mixed into all of this we have been watching and pretend-playing Anna and Caleb's new favorite movie, Robin Hood. I am the Sherriff, Caleb is RH, and Anna is Maid Marion. I think Anna loves it because there are mean people in the movie, but they aren't scary. She told me last night that she wants to play RH all day tomorrow. :)
Saturday, May 26, 2012
No Matter What
Today was a tough day. For some reason, the kids were both overly sensitive and emotional. Anna, especially, whined a lot. She had a couple of melt down moments and just needed a good cry. After spending the entire day with a couple of fussers, I was tired. Tonight while Anna was brushing her teeth, she had another emotional moment and I snapped at her. She told me I hurt her feelings and I felt horrible. The last thing I want to do is hurt my children and it crushes my heart to think that I have done that. Now, sometimes she can say I hurt her feelings over not giving her a marshmallow, so I have to gauge the situation. But, tonight I reacted in the wrong way.
As I was putting her to bed, I could not contain my emotions and I just cried right in front of her. She was so sweet and consoling and she said, "Don't worry Mommy- I love you even when you're mean to me." Wow. Thank you, Lord, for teaching me grace through my 4 year old. I told her the same thing- that I still love her no matter what she does. Then, we started talking about how we need Jesus because we sin every day. She asked me to give her some examples of sin, so we talked through that (I can tell she is probably going to be a rules follower and wants to know what is acceptable and what is "bad"). I told her that Jesus loves us no matter what we do, and that He throws our sins away. She asked me, "Mommy, where is the trash can in heaven? Oh, I know- it's by His bed where He sleeps." How can I argue with that? It was one of the sweetest conversations we have had.
I am so thankful God used a messy situation to teach me that He loves me no matter what. It seems like that truth has popped up in my life a lot lately. I know He is teaching me in His loving way. You may be wondering if I am leaning a little too far in the "free grace" direction...not at all! I am much more prone to lean towards the other side of "works", so I am glad He is emphasizing this truth in my life. Anna knows there are rules and boundaries and that her life is not a free-for-all. But, I also want her to understand that my love for her is not conditional, and that she is fully loved, even when she makes mistakes. I am far from being perfect- as a mom or as a Christian woman. But, thanks be to God I have a perfect Savior who loves me perfectly!
As I was putting her to bed, I could not contain my emotions and I just cried right in front of her. She was so sweet and consoling and she said, "Don't worry Mommy- I love you even when you're mean to me." Wow. Thank you, Lord, for teaching me grace through my 4 year old. I told her the same thing- that I still love her no matter what she does. Then, we started talking about how we need Jesus because we sin every day. She asked me to give her some examples of sin, so we talked through that (I can tell she is probably going to be a rules follower and wants to know what is acceptable and what is "bad"). I told her that Jesus loves us no matter what we do, and that He throws our sins away. She asked me, "Mommy, where is the trash can in heaven? Oh, I know- it's by His bed where He sleeps." How can I argue with that? It was one of the sweetest conversations we have had.
I am so thankful God used a messy situation to teach me that He loves me no matter what. It seems like that truth has popped up in my life a lot lately. I know He is teaching me in His loving way. You may be wondering if I am leaning a little too far in the "free grace" direction...not at all! I am much more prone to lean towards the other side of "works", so I am glad He is emphasizing this truth in my life. Anna knows there are rules and boundaries and that her life is not a free-for-all. But, I also want her to understand that my love for her is not conditional, and that she is fully loved, even when she makes mistakes. I am far from being perfect- as a mom or as a Christian woman. But, thanks be to God I have a perfect Savior who loves me perfectly!
Friday, May 18, 2012
Catalyst Notes
Last week, Kyle and I went to Catalyst Conference in Dallas. Catalyst is a conference for pastors and other church/ministry leaders. There were so many great speakers- Andy Stanley, Katie Davis, Mark Batterson, Matt Chandler, Bob Goff, etc.- and the worship was wonderful. We loved this conference and felt like it encouraged and challenged us in many ways. Since I shared my notes from the last conference I attended, I thought I'd share some from Catalyst as well. It would take me a long time to type them all, so here are a few...actually, this is a lot, but I promise it's not even half! I'll also attach some pictures- Kyle and I enjoyed taking some self portraits while we were waiting for the Gungor concert- we were close to the stage in the "red zone".
Mark Batterson:
"When you pray regularly, you can be sure that irregular things can happen on a regular basis"
"We want God to do something new, but we want to keep doing the same old thing."
"God opposes the proud- He can be opposing you as you're doing His will."
"There will be moments where you'll have to risk your reputation to establish God's reputation."
"Don't seek opportunities. Seek God."
Lysa TerKeurst:
Your reaction determines you reach.
Feelings make good indicators but not dictators.
2 Chronicles 20: 12, 15- we are powerless, the battle is God's
Praise and thanksgiving changes everything: we don't praise for the tough circumstance but we praise in the circumstance
Our attitude should not be "I have to..." but "I am able to..."
In conflict, am I trying to prove I am right or improve the situation? I need to acknowledge my need of grace, give them grace, and then ask them to give me grace.
Reggie Joiner:
Are you willing to be present in someone's life who is different than you?
Maybe the best way to love God is to love who God loves.
The more different someone is from you, the more potential you have to show God's love.
What your neighbor needs to know:
1.God's love is bigger than your religion. (The world doesn't believe we love them because they don't think we like them and we don't love each other.)
2.You will be present as a friend even if they never believe what you believe.
3.Even your own faith is not at 100%. (There are always questions.) Then he said that we need to allow our children to process their own doubt so they can own their own faith. He said it's not the amount of faith you have but where you put it.
4.You are not trying to change them. (The Bible does not say "change your neighbor".)
5.The Bible is not just a good book.
Am I getting involved with people who are different???
Jud Wilhite:
"God is not calling you to a spectacular ministry but to a faithful and sincere heart."
1.Do a gut check. Look at your ambition and why you are doing what you are doing in ministry.
2.Stay a little crazy for God. Take risks that make you depend on Him. Your "crazy" is not going to be everyone else's "crazy".
3.Be compelled by Christ's love. It will ground you in all the trials and difficulties.
Mark Batterson:
"When you pray regularly, you can be sure that irregular things can happen on a regular basis"
"We want God to do something new, but we want to keep doing the same old thing."
"God opposes the proud- He can be opposing you as you're doing His will."
"There will be moments where you'll have to risk your reputation to establish God's reputation."
"Don't seek opportunities. Seek God."
Lysa TerKeurst:
Your reaction determines you reach.
Feelings make good indicators but not dictators.
2 Chronicles 20: 12, 15- we are powerless, the battle is God's
Praise and thanksgiving changes everything: we don't praise for the tough circumstance but we praise in the circumstance
Our attitude should not be "I have to..." but "I am able to..."
In conflict, am I trying to prove I am right or improve the situation? I need to acknowledge my need of grace, give them grace, and then ask them to give me grace.
Reggie Joiner:
Are you willing to be present in someone's life who is different than you?
Maybe the best way to love God is to love who God loves.
The more different someone is from you, the more potential you have to show God's love.
What your neighbor needs to know:
1.God's love is bigger than your religion. (The world doesn't believe we love them because they don't think we like them and we don't love each other.)
2.You will be present as a friend even if they never believe what you believe.
3.Even your own faith is not at 100%. (There are always questions.) Then he said that we need to allow our children to process their own doubt so they can own their own faith. He said it's not the amount of faith you have but where you put it.
4.You are not trying to change them. (The Bible does not say "change your neighbor".)
5.The Bible is not just a good book.
Am I getting involved with people who are different???
Jud Wilhite:
"God is not calling you to a spectacular ministry but to a faithful and sincere heart."
1.Do a gut check. Look at your ambition and why you are doing what you are doing in ministry.
2.Stay a little crazy for God. Take risks that make you depend on Him. Your "crazy" is not going to be everyone else's "crazy".
3.Be compelled by Christ's love. It will ground you in all the trials and difficulties.
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Summer is Here!
Saturday, May 5, 2012
3 Little Birdies
Anna's preschool has an end-of-the-year program where every class performs a couple of songs. They have been practicing for weeks, and sent the lyrics home with the students so that parents can also help. Every time I ask Anna to sing it for me, she tries to squirm her way out of it. Every now and then I will hear her singing it to herself, and it is so cute.
I told her teacher that we will be out of town on her last week of school and she will not be there for the program. She told me that she would miss Anna because she has a great voice and really helped set the pace for the song. I loved hearing that since she is so shy about singing it in front of me.
Tonight, she finally sang it for me right before bed. I am so glad that I got to capture it on video since we will not be able to go to the program.
I told her teacher that we will be out of town on her last week of school and she will not be there for the program. She told me that she would miss Anna because she has a great voice and really helped set the pace for the song. I loved hearing that since she is so shy about singing it in front of me.
Tonight, she finally sang it for me right before bed. I am so glad that I got to capture it on video since we will not be able to go to the program.
Lost Pictures of Anna
Over 3 years ago, a sweet college student named Allie took some pictures of Anna in the Arboretum on-campus. I love any opportunity to get great pictures of my kids, so when she offered to take some, I was thrilled. Shortly after the photo session, she graduated and moved away....far away...to Afghanistan...for 2 years.
She tried to get the pictures to me at one point before she left, but it didn't work out. I was so sad that I didn't get to see them before she left. She came back about a year ago and it just didn't seem right for me to ask her about my pictures from years ago when she had just been through an unforgettable, life-changing experience.
Last weekend, she came to Nac and contacted me so that we could catch up. In the facebook message, it showed our previous conversation which mentioned those pictures. I was so excited when she came over and brought me a CD! I immediately popped it in the computer to see the pictures from 3 years ago that I have never seen. Anna was a busy new walker and almost 1.5. They are so special to me, and I'd love to share some of my favorites.
She tried to get the pictures to me at one point before she left, but it didn't work out. I was so sad that I didn't get to see them before she left. She came back about a year ago and it just didn't seem right for me to ask her about my pictures from years ago when she had just been through an unforgettable, life-changing experience.
Friday, April 27, 2012
Life is a Highway
Well....a couple days ago, Caleb saw something red in his room that reminded him of Lightning McQueen. I was about to rock him and sing, and when he said "Coqueen!" I started singing "Life is a Highway" since it is a song in that movie. Guess what he wanted me to sing the next night? And tonight? Looks like "Life is a Highway" is the new bedtime song! I'll take it. :)
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Anna's Art Show
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Because He Loves Me
Last weekend I went to a great women's conference in Dallas with a few friends. The speaker, Elyse Fitzgerald, spoke about the topic addressed in her most recent book, Because He Loves Me. Honestly, when I saw the name of the conference I wondered if I was really going to get much out of it. I know God loves me, so was I going to learn anything new? I mainly went for the nice fellowship I would have with my friends. After the first session, I was blown away. Elyse talked about God's love in such a way that I have never heard. I took lots of notes and want to use this post to jot down a few of the points that impacted me the most.
-You are not going to want to pray, read your Bible, etc. until you know God loves you. Our love for Him is responsive in nature.
-Our faith will grow in direct proportion to our apprehension of His love.
-You can tell whether you believe God loves you based on what you think when bad stuff happens (Do you think He still has wrath towards you? is displeased with you?). "We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him." -1 John 4:16
-God's love for you is not contingent on anything you do- He does not love us more on the days we are "good". "See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are." -1 John 3:1
-At the end of the first session, she asked us to pray this: "God, help me understand how much You love me no matter what I do."
-The Gospel is good news about something God did- not something you did. "By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins." -1 John 4:9-10
-The Gospel is: the incarnation, the sinless life, the substitutionary death, the bodily resurrection, the ascension and continuing intercession and reign of the Son of God.
-Justification means just as if I had never sinned and just as if I had always obeyed- you don't have to justify yourself anymore because you are justified!
-Not WWJD but What Did Jesus Do?
-The reason we don't witness is because we don't think it's good news- we think it's about making you do better and your life looking better.
-The way you grow in Godliness is by remembering the gospel message. It is the only true motivator.
-If you're thinking about sanctification all the time, you are thinking about yourself too much. Think about Jesus. If you're more focused on your sanctification than your justification, it will thwart your growth. Focus on what He did and that will motivate you to grow.
-Do you wonder about God's disposition towards you? He is not disappointed! Christ paid it ALL. God is demanding but the demands have been met. He is joyful about you and rejoices over you because you are in Christ.
-In your pursuit of Godliness, have you left Jesus behind?
-Your growth in Godliness must be motivated by the Gospel.
-I'm a great sinner and I have a great Savior.
-Nothing here on earth will completely satisfy you- you'll be digging in the dumpsters of life trying to find His face.
-The Gospel should intersect and impact our daily lives all the time. She used the example of being in the grocery store and trying to checkout in the 10 items or less line, but a person is in front of you with more than 10 items. In that moment, we can get really frustrated or we can notice the fact that the person in front of you has broken the rules, but then remember how often we sin and break the rules. That will then turn into us thanking our Father for His forgiveness. What a different and more thankful way to live!
-There is 1 hero in the Bible- Jesus! All the sinners in the Bible give us hope because we are just like them.
-You are more sinful and flawed than you ever dared believe. You are more loved and welcomed than you ever dared hope.
I am so thankful I went to this conference and got a greater understanding of His love for me. Even though I know He loves me, I so often live with the mindset that I have disappointed Him. I focus on my own growth and get frustrated when I fail. Instead, I should focus on what He did. I think about myself way too much, but when I think about Him and how much He loves me...then I am free! Free to live a life that is pleasing to Him that is not marked with despair or pride or worry or critical thinking. I pray that I and anyone reading this will know the "love of Christ, which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fulness of God." -Eph. 3:19 HE LOVES US!
-You are not going to want to pray, read your Bible, etc. until you know God loves you. Our love for Him is responsive in nature.
-Our faith will grow in direct proportion to our apprehension of His love.
-You can tell whether you believe God loves you based on what you think when bad stuff happens (Do you think He still has wrath towards you? is displeased with you?). "We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him." -1 John 4:16
-God's love for you is not contingent on anything you do- He does not love us more on the days we are "good". "See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are." -1 John 3:1
-At the end of the first session, she asked us to pray this: "God, help me understand how much You love me no matter what I do."
-The Gospel is good news about something God did- not something you did. "By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins." -1 John 4:9-10
-The Gospel is: the incarnation, the sinless life, the substitutionary death, the bodily resurrection, the ascension and continuing intercession and reign of the Son of God.
-Justification means just as if I had never sinned and just as if I had always obeyed- you don't have to justify yourself anymore because you are justified!
-Not WWJD but What Did Jesus Do?
-The reason we don't witness is because we don't think it's good news- we think it's about making you do better and your life looking better.
-The way you grow in Godliness is by remembering the gospel message. It is the only true motivator.
-If you're thinking about sanctification all the time, you are thinking about yourself too much. Think about Jesus. If you're more focused on your sanctification than your justification, it will thwart your growth. Focus on what He did and that will motivate you to grow.
-Do you wonder about God's disposition towards you? He is not disappointed! Christ paid it ALL. God is demanding but the demands have been met. He is joyful about you and rejoices over you because you are in Christ.
-In your pursuit of Godliness, have you left Jesus behind?
-Your growth in Godliness must be motivated by the Gospel.
-I'm a great sinner and I have a great Savior.
-Nothing here on earth will completely satisfy you- you'll be digging in the dumpsters of life trying to find His face.
-The Gospel should intersect and impact our daily lives all the time. She used the example of being in the grocery store and trying to checkout in the 10 items or less line, but a person is in front of you with more than 10 items. In that moment, we can get really frustrated or we can notice the fact that the person in front of you has broken the rules, but then remember how often we sin and break the rules. That will then turn into us thanking our Father for His forgiveness. What a different and more thankful way to live!
-There is 1 hero in the Bible- Jesus! All the sinners in the Bible give us hope because we are just like them.
-You are more sinful and flawed than you ever dared believe. You are more loved and welcomed than you ever dared hope.
I am so thankful I went to this conference and got a greater understanding of His love for me. Even though I know He loves me, I so often live with the mindset that I have disappointed Him. I focus on my own growth and get frustrated when I fail. Instead, I should focus on what He did. I think about myself way too much, but when I think about Him and how much He loves me...then I am free! Free to live a life that is pleasing to Him that is not marked with despair or pride or worry or critical thinking. I pray that I and anyone reading this will know the "love of Christ, which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fulness of God." -Eph. 3:19 HE LOVES US!
Monday, April 16, 2012
Caleb's Checkup
I took Caleb in for his 2 1/2 year checkup today and it always amazes me how much they grow in between visits! He weighs 32 pounds (85%) and is about 37 inches (80%) tall. He gained 2 pounds and grew 1 1/2 inches in 6 months! She said that by the time he turns 3, he will be speaking more clearly, with about 75% of his words being understood by others. He has become a little chatterbox, so it'll be fun to see his vocabulary continue to grow. One of his more recent "new phrases" is thank you "so much". Love it when he says that!
Sunday, April 15, 2012
First Attempt
I have been wanting to start a blog for a long time. There are so many funny, sweet, and silly things that happen in our home, and I love the idea of posting those stories, pictures, and videos for our family and friends to see. I am making no promises in regards to the frequency of my posts, but I am hoping to be somewhat consistent in sharing little moments from our lives. Honestly, this is just as much for me (if not more) than for anyone reading it. My life is so busy that I am prone to quickly forget things. In a way, a blog is almost like an online journal, and I look forward to looking back through the posts and seeing where the Lord has taken us.
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