I just told Amber this story from tonight's bedtime, and she really wanted me to post it. It is pretty sweet.
I was laying with Sam in his bed after we'd read The Jesus Storybook Bible and prayed with Owen. And, like many nights, we were talking about all kinds of random things, reviewing stuff from animal noises to memory verses. We prayed for some of our friends - the Teacheys. After praying for Mollie, Sam would say, "Elie," and after we prayed for Elie, "Jenna" and we included Mr. Doug, too. Then he said, "do Sam." So I started praying for Sam. When I asked that Sam would love God and want to follow Jesus, Sam spoke up and said, "I do want to follow Jesus. I want to hold Jesus with a big hug."
I told Sam that I want to hold Jesus with a big hug, too, and that I think some day we'll get to. We kept talking and playing for a few minutes after that. Pretty much whatever he asked after that, I was okay with - went and got the doodle board and drew our house, our friends' houses, etc. So, a late bedtime, it turns out. But totally worth it.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Our Weekend...Owen's new trick
We were SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO excited to get outside, having been in ALLLLLLLLLL week (morning, noon and night) with vomiting, coughing, fevers, ear infection for Sam, aches, lack of appetite and the big D. YUCK! Poor little guys. I have a funny story from tonight's dinner at La Fonda if you want a good laugh about parenting...just call me. I'm not going to post it.
We went to Memorial Park and had a picnic and played on Saturday. Then, after naps we went for a long walk around the neighborhood and saw a ton of people. Sam rode his bike the whole way...maybe almost 2 miles! (It's the kind with a handle so you can help him along) We grilled out and just enjoyed the weather.
We could tell that the boys were still not 100%, so I stayed home with them this morning from church. Michael had to go set up and clean up, so he was gone the bulk of the morning until naps. We got out again after naps and went to Underwood Hills Park. It was such a pretty day! Owen just hung out. Turns out he's still not well...this ties into the La Fonda story from tonight.
Last but not least...Owen has some news for you! Watch the video!
We went to Memorial Park and had a picnic and played on Saturday. Then, after naps we went for a long walk around the neighborhood and saw a ton of people. Sam rode his bike the whole way...maybe almost 2 miles! (It's the kind with a handle so you can help him along) We grilled out and just enjoyed the weather.
We could tell that the boys were still not 100%, so I stayed home with them this morning from church. Michael had to go set up and clean up, so he was gone the bulk of the morning until naps. We got out again after naps and went to Underwood Hills Park. It was such a pretty day! Owen just hung out. Turns out he's still not well...this ties into the La Fonda story from tonight.
Last but not least...Owen has some news for you! Watch the video!
Friday, February 19, 2010
Ministry-Being a Mom!
Some of you read Kelly's Korner, and I wanted to weigh in on her "Show us your life-Ministry" day.
My ministry right now is to love and disciple 2 boys. I am called to love and respect my husband, be a homemaker, friend, daughter, etc. I have a lot of roles right now. I'm trying to do them all well, but I always fail in some way, especially when I try to do it in my own strength.
I've had some thoughts on ministry and my role in that area, though. What does it mean to disciple someone, especially 2 little boys? Discipleship involves a lot, but I guess I would summarize it to mean helping them know Jesus, become like Him, and make Him known. I, of course, have not "arrived" in this, but I do want Him to use me in my boys' lives, as well as others. I desire to love, discipline and teach them well. I'm constantly evaluating and asking other Moms questions about how to do this well. I'm a work in progress! One practical example is teaching Owen that he can't turn over while I'm changing his diaper. He needs to know he can trust me and that he can't do whatever he wants, whenever he wants. The world does not revolve around him. (It sounds funny, but this everyday stuff really does matter! It's why I stay home with them!)
If we are Christians, then we all have a ministry wherever He has placed us. Some people have a ministry vocationally, but most have one in their work or relationships. I can have ministry with other Moms in my neighborhood in addition to my children.
My husband works for Campus Outreach Atlanta, and his ministry is to Georgia Tech college students. He does this as his job, but he's so convinced about discipleship, he ministers to anyone God places in his life. He's always coming home with stories of conversations with friends, coffee shop owners, peers, and students.
If we walk in the Spirit, He will use us. He has given us relationships and opportunities for a reason...His glory. We are not robots; He loves to use us in His work even though He could do it all with out us. It's so gracious of Him to include us!
My ministry right now is to love and disciple 2 boys. I am called to love and respect my husband, be a homemaker, friend, daughter, etc. I have a lot of roles right now. I'm trying to do them all well, but I always fail in some way, especially when I try to do it in my own strength.
I've had some thoughts on ministry and my role in that area, though. What does it mean to disciple someone, especially 2 little boys? Discipleship involves a lot, but I guess I would summarize it to mean helping them know Jesus, become like Him, and make Him known. I, of course, have not "arrived" in this, but I do want Him to use me in my boys' lives, as well as others. I desire to love, discipline and teach them well. I'm constantly evaluating and asking other Moms questions about how to do this well. I'm a work in progress! One practical example is teaching Owen that he can't turn over while I'm changing his diaper. He needs to know he can trust me and that he can't do whatever he wants, whenever he wants. The world does not revolve around him. (It sounds funny, but this everyday stuff really does matter! It's why I stay home with them!)
If we are Christians, then we all have a ministry wherever He has placed us. Some people have a ministry vocationally, but most have one in their work or relationships. I can have ministry with other Moms in my neighborhood in addition to my children.
My husband works for Campus Outreach Atlanta, and his ministry is to Georgia Tech college students. He does this as his job, but he's so convinced about discipleship, he ministers to anyone God places in his life. He's always coming home with stories of conversations with friends, coffee shop owners, peers, and students.
If we walk in the Spirit, He will use us. He has given us relationships and opportunities for a reason...His glory. We are not robots; He loves to use us in His work even though He could do it all with out us. It's so gracious of Him to include us!
Sunday, February 14, 2010
The Myth of the Perfect Parent
Just what I needed to hear today. Parenting can be so overwhelming! You should read this, but be sure to read the whole thing.
The Myth of the Perfect Parent | Christianity Today | A Magazine of Evangelical Conviction
"It is time to acknowledge there is only so much influence parents can have." Scripture has taught us this all along. We are not sovereign over our children—only God is. Children are not tomatoes to stake out or mules to train, nor are they numbers to plug into an equation. They are full human beings wondrously and fearfully made. Parenting, like all tasks under the sun, is intended as an endeavor of love, risk, perseverance, and, above all, faith. It is faith rather than formula, grace rather than guarantees, steadfastness rather than success that bridges the gap between our own parenting efforts, and what, by God's grace, our children grow up to become.
The Myth of the Perfect Parent | Christianity Today | A Magazine of Evangelical Conviction
"It is time to acknowledge there is only so much influence parents can have." Scripture has taught us this all along. We are not sovereign over our children—only God is. Children are not tomatoes to stake out or mules to train, nor are they numbers to plug into an equation. They are full human beings wondrously and fearfully made. Parenting, like all tasks under the sun, is intended as an endeavor of love, risk, perseverance, and, above all, faith. It is faith rather than formula, grace rather than guarantees, steadfastness rather than success that bridges the gap between our own parenting efforts, and what, by God's grace, our children grow up to become.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
today... a momma can vent can't she?
It's day 5 of Michael being gone. Let me just give you a glimpse of today as an example of what it's been like with him gone.
Wake up to screaming kids at 5:30, closed my door so I couldn't hear it.
Wake up to one child yelling "I want my Mommy" at 6:30, so I went in there to tell them to go back to sleep. Then, I went back to my bed and shut my door.
Wake up at 7:30 to happy kids playing in their room. Went downstairs for the day.
We made Valentines cards, I made muffins with cute hearts on top, Owen fell and his lip and gums were bleeding, went shopping at the Loft (they're having a 50% off sale), went to Chick-fil-A where Sam went up to the slide and car for the first time ever and wouldn't come down for 20 mins despite my threatening, packed the car up and went to a friend's house in Roswell for dinner and Owen fell asleep in the car on the way home...never good. They are still awake in their room now. I'm about to go make heart shaped sugar cookies for a homeless shelter children's party for tomorrow.
I'm hoping that tomorrow will be calm for Michael's return!
Wake up to screaming kids at 5:30, closed my door so I couldn't hear it.
Wake up to one child yelling "I want my Mommy" at 6:30, so I went in there to tell them to go back to sleep. Then, I went back to my bed and shut my door.
Wake up at 7:30 to happy kids playing in their room. Went downstairs for the day.
We made Valentines cards, I made muffins with cute hearts on top, Owen fell and his lip and gums were bleeding, went shopping at the Loft (they're having a 50% off sale), went to Chick-fil-A where Sam went up to the slide and car for the first time ever and wouldn't come down for 20 mins despite my threatening, packed the car up and went to a friend's house in Roswell for dinner and Owen fell asleep in the car on the way home...never good. They are still awake in their room now. I'm about to go make heart shaped sugar cookies for a homeless shelter children's party for tomorrow.
I'm hoping that tomorrow will be calm for Michael's return!
Wednesday, February 03, 2010
The Y
Sam loves the YMCA! He wants to talk about it at every meal and wants to go there everyday. I recently added some weights to my running routine, and I'm hurting today! Thanks to Melissa, my new personal trainer (ha!) I'm going to get in shape. At least I hope to! Check out her blog when you get a chance. She's been such an encouragement in so many ways to me the past 2 years!
We have a little mom group forming that is going to the Y every MWF after naps. It's great because the kids love playing together and we get a break and some exercise...and accountability! I'm so happy about this!
We have a little mom group forming that is going to the Y every MWF after naps. It's great because the kids love playing together and we get a break and some exercise...and accountability! I'm so happy about this!
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