Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Growing in Grace

It's been a good week so far. I've been trying to get into the habit of stopping before my attitude gets bad and asking for grace. It may sound simple, but God really does give grace to the humble, and I've found that when I recognize my complete dependence on his grace to get through the day (without sinning miserably:(, and stop (multiple times) and ask (sometimes it's more like pleading) for grace...He actually gives it to me, and i'm able to do what I know I wouldn't have been able to do otherwise (because I've tried!)

"And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work." (2 Cor. 9:8)
I am so very thankful for this verse.


Last evening we went on a walk, and someone was shooting of fireworks. Joel was quite enthralled, so we let him sit on the driveway and watch. Evan was not enjoying them at all, so we finally went inside to watch from the rec room. Joel said "are those fire tractors?" 'It's fire crackers Joel" ah....

Last week I had a really difficult time with the boys in the parking lot of Wal-Mart, so last night I decided to go grocery shopping after the boys were in bed. Av had some work to do anyway, and I'm usually looking for something to do during that time. It went well, except that i was sooo tired. I didn't get home until 10:35, but overall, I think it was better. I might be trying that again next time (only hopefully a little earlier).
Evan has finally cut through his top teeth well, at least one for sure). This has been really hard for him, so I'm hoping he'll cheer up a little now. He's been eating finger food (like puffed rice and cheerios) lately. It's so cute to watch him pick it up and eat it. He's not too thrilled with his baby food anymore though. I'm trying to tell him that it's o.k. to like BOTH.

Today has been good. Evan was basically crawling today, so that makes me happy (except that he wasn't enjoying it very much). Oh yeah, I failed to mention that I gave Evan his first little hair cut the other day. Just around the ears, and one side is shorter than the other, but he was looking pretty goofy with his 2 long hairs (ok maybe 3 or 4). I weighed him today, and he's a little over 20 lbs. That's what I thought,, but it still seems so big. Where did my baby go?

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Fun school times

well, it's been a while since I've written (again). I just haven't felt very inspired lately. Probably the same reason I've been having trouble getting up in the morning and getting much done. Today was better though. I've been working on lesson plans for Joel for school, and we're making good progress. Today he learned several of the basic music symbols (treble clef, bass clef, rest, p (quiet), f, (loud) etc.). He even caught on to playing whole notes and half notes and counting (not on any particular key). He really enjoys taking turns being the teacher, so I let him show me the cards sometimes, and I play them too. He likes the Bob books so much that he wanted me to draw "Mat" and "Sam", and then he wanted me to draw one of the books (he loves drawing), then he drew Mat, and a sun from one of the pictures, but he kept saying it was broken because part of it was cut off in the picture. Then he drew jellyfish, and showed me how to draw them. Did I mention we had fun today:) Oh, and we took turns jumping on the trampoline and showing each other what to do. I thought that it would be a fun game until I realized that he had a bit more energy than I did, and when it was his turn to lead Mommy got tired out (I had already done my turn). Evan is now picking up little things to eat from his tray. I usually give him puffed rice, but he loves cheerios and bread. It's fun watching him try to grab them.
I'm glad today has been fun...I needed it after yesterday (grocery shopping with the boys, major fit in the parking lot, and I got too hot in the garden). I guess if every day were "good", I might get proud of my parenting and house running, so I need a "bad" one every now and then to show me how much grace I really need.

Monday, June 14, 2010

4 years and counting:)


Well, we've had a good week. Thursday we celebrated our 4th anniversary. We dropped the boys off at Mom and Dad's in the morning and had a nice day just the two of us. We went by the church where we got married to walk around and reminisce. Then we went and walked around at Cheekwood, which was nice (although very hot). I got some inspiration for some of my gardens and enjoyed the art exhibits. I just have to say that i love my husband so much, and see more and more things to appreciate about him. He is truly an amazing friend and leader. I am so thankful and blessed. It just doesn't get any better in this life I don't think:)

Friday we had a little gathering at our house and my Aunt Nancy and her family came (to visit us and to see little Eden, since they can't travel with her yet). And Grandpa discovered Evan's first tooth! Finally...I had stopped checking because he's been teething for so long and there's never any evidence.

We went to AL to a family reunion (on my Dad's side) on Saturday, and that was a nice break. Joel has a hard time warming up to new people (actually that's probable an understatement, seeing as he will not even look at someone he does not know), but hopefully this will pass. The time in the car went well for the most part, and the boys were not too much of a handful. I missed going to church Sunday, and am hoping this week goes fast, so we can worship with God's people again soon.
I was not really looking forward to today, because I felt like I would be behind on things after being out Thursday and the weekend, but it has been really good. Joel slept in, so I was able to get some extra sleep as well (which I dare say I needed after not sleeping well for almost a week straight.) After Joel got up this morning, he went potty and asked for a treat. I said "After breakfast, because if you eat your skittle now it might make you feel sick. Let's wait until you have some food in your stomach." So he thought about it, and said "But the 'skillet' will touch my food." I was pretty confused, but then i figured out that he was trying to say that the "skittle" would touch the food in his stomach, so i told him that it would be okay. Anyway, I thought it was rather funny.

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Eden is here:)

Well, my mind is very much on babies this week as my niece Eden was born on Sunday. So exciting ! They got to take her home today (Alyssa's birthday!) and on their way home they stopped off here so Joel could see her. That was special. We were there yesterday as well, and I'm just so very happy for them:) What special blessings babies are!
I've been so sleepy all day, but Joel's been really sweet and understanding. He was up early this morning and let me get some more rest (Evan's been waking up at night again). Then, around 7:30, Joel decided it was time for me to get up (which is reasonable, seeing as he was up at 6:15), but I was pretty out of it (maybe still am?). Joel was talking to Evan this morning and said "When he grows up, I'm going to teach him to be a godly man"...this just melted me...I wanted to shout "Yes!...please do!" What are big brothers for, right? At lunch, I was apologizing to Joel for having a bad attitude, and he said "Can we pray, just for your attitude, and then for the food?"...so he did..."God, I pray for Mommy's attitude, in Jesus' name, amen" There's not much better for an attitude than that! He's just what I need so much of the time. I'm so thankful I have him:) Let's see...I'm convinced that Evan said "Good" the other night after I told him that I'd gotten all of his bubbles out. It was just one of those weird, yet cool things.

Friday, June 4, 2010

Fun Stuff


So, we're back to morning naps after all. I'm just amazed at how well Evan does when he's tired, but without the morning nap he'd have to go to bed so early that his Daddy would hardly get to see him at all. He just started being interested in trying to walk. He takes big goofy steps (with someone holding his hands, of course) and looks so pleased with himself. His Aunt Allyssa lent him a fun toy he can stand in and play. It's a blessing for me because I'm always looking for somewhere to put him, and he seems to love it. This morning (at 2:45) he was fussing, so I went in to check him and he was Sitting up chewing on his stuffed dog. This is the first time he's ever sat himself up. Weird timing, but cool nonetheless.
Joel's been saying "do you understand what I'm talking about?" lately. It's appropriate, because a lot of times I don't have a clue. He says to Evan "Are you listening, do you hear what I'm saying?", to which i remind him that Evan is still a baby. This morning Joel got up at 6:15, and said "bye" to his daddy, and then when Evan woke up at 7:00, he went in there and played with him and organized the diapers and stacked them neatly under the crib (he's too strange sometimes). Well, cousins are coming today and we're going to have FUN!...better get going:)