Protest??

Having received a worksheet to complete with their new vocab/spelling list, Chase was arguing about the fact that he "didn't know any of these", and "how was he supposed to do this?"

To which, Alex replied: "It's a pre-test, not a protest!"

They so did NOT get why I was laughing heartily... :)

And here we are...

Six weeks and counting! We were supposed to have our six week checkup today, but it has been postponed. I'm really excited to find out how much she weighs now! And, since I was already down below my pre-pregnancy weight at her 4 week check, I'm looking forward to seeing if I've lost any more. :)

The picture was taken when my sister, sis-in-law, and nieces and nephew came for a visit last week. L-R: Victory, Sharon (my sis), Jericho, and Honey (my niece).

We've had some illness go through... Levi and Shiloh have both had very runny noses. Levi, unfortunately, came down with a severe cough just a day or two after his nose stopped running. I slathered him down with Watkins Menthol-Camphor for a day and he seems good as new! I can't wait for everyone to be healthy so I can spend time with some friends again!!

Off to visit with my parents. They are stopping by on their way home from vacation. :)

People are funny

My mom called last night to check in and let us know how they are doing. They are enjoying a vacation (a gift from their church for my dad's retirement) in Myrtle Beach. My cousin and 4 of her children joined them for a couple of days of fun and visiting. The desk clerk called and asked if they would be attending the outdoor pool party the next day. (The response was no.) Then, she said she'd noticed they had some kids with them, and would they like her to get them some free tickets to a local attraction for $50. Really? Somehow, that doesn't add up. LOL

On the plus side, even though the temps are below normal around here for this time of year, it was only 50 degrees in M.B. So, I won't be too jealous. :)

Obedience

Several weeks ago Pastor Matthew said something in his sermon that I took to heart and am working at implementing in our home. This is the rule they have in their home - "We obey right away, all the way, and with a cheerful heart." I now have this posted in two places here at home. It is a reminder to the kids about how they are to respond as well as a reminder to me.

Following that sermon I emailed and let Pastor Matthew know that we were using this rule and asked how they teach their kids to obey, in particular, with a cheerful heart. If you are a parent, you know, while kids may obey right away and all the way, the cheerful heart is a tough one to master! In his response to my question he said that conversations with your children that get to the root of the problem are key.

Taking the time to examine your child's heart and understand the struggle they are dealing with is key. Time... something we all think we lack. So, perhaps the root of the issue is my heart? If I am not willing to set aside what I am doing and deal with my child's heart, then I am doing them a disservice. In refusing to take time I am in essence saying, "Your spiritual future is less important than [fill in the blank]." NO. I need to realize that NOTHING I do is more important than looking out for and developing Godly character in my children.

As I enter a new week I now have two goals:
(1) Take time to develop Godly character in my children.
(2) Combat my own sinful nature in an effort to 'do the good I want'.

Take time this week.

From Pastor Matthew's Blog

Our pastor shared something on his blog today that I wanted to share here (for those that don't follow his blog).

May you all have a blessed weekend, and be eternally grateful to God for His ultimate gift of love.

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!

As promised...

Jericho Faith
1 month old

We had our 4 week check with Joy on Wednesday and Jericho weighed 9lb. 12oz. in nothing but her birthday suit. On Thursday at W.I.C. she was 9lb. 15.5oz. in her teeny little diaper. :) So, she is growing well! Enjoy the pictures... we sure enjoy looking at her every day!

(the little MaryJane's were made by Jericho's Auntie Sharon, and the Armadillo was a gift from Gpa and Gma O -- Happy first Valentine's Day little one!)

Understanding me

¹⁵For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want,

but I do the very thing I hate.
¹⁶Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good.
¹⁷So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.
¹⁸For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.
¹⁹ For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing.
²⁰Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it,
but sin that dwells within me.

(Romans 7:15-20ESV)

This passage has been on my mind recently. I believe God puts it there when I begin to struggle in my daily life. It's not the first time it's been foremost in my mind! It just seems so fitting for my life... because I do not understand my own actions! Why is it that I know what needs to be done, what I should do, but I don't do it. These verses explain... I am a sinner. We all are. (Yes, even you!) But, we have been saved by God's grace. So, if I continue to do that which I know I should not, and do not do that which I should, it indicates to me that my heart has not been focused where it should -- on God alone. He is my strength. He will get me through the days that feel impossible. He will love me even when I fail miserably. He will pick me up when I fall. He will accept me with open arms when I turn back to Him. And the sin that dwells within me? Well, Satan would love for me to just give in to it each and every day. But, I have a choice! And I chose Jesus. Unlike Satan, Jesus desires what is best for me. He has a plan for my life. I just need to lean on Him and trust Him in all things.

And now, as I head off to salvage this day, I pray that I will keep these words in mind. May you also lean on Him today. Give Him all your problems, all your sins. He will take them. And then He will forget them.

Thank you, God, for loving me despite myself.

Life Goes On

We are all adjusting well here.  I feel like we've discovered our new "normal", but then again I'm always trying to change that to make it better too!

Today was Jericho's 4 week checkup with Joy.  I had guessed she would weigh between 11 and 12 pounds.  I was wrong!  She was only 9lb. 12oz.  But, she's still up almost 2 pounds from her birth weight.  She also grew and inch and a half in length.  She's a pudgy, cute little bundle :)

I didn't get pictures yesterday of her at 4 weeks, but I plan to make up for that on Friday when she will officially be 1 month old!  Can time really go that quickly?  I know I keep saying that, but it just keeps amazing me. ;)  She will be 1 month on the same day my nephew Tyler turns 1 year.  We'll be heading to the Cities for a birthday bash on Saturday, and are all looking forward to that.

Although I've only been posting about once a week, I have lots of thoughts running through my brain that I'd love to post.  Unfortunately, they are random bits and pieces... I'll work on getting them together, and then try to post more often!

Be sure to check back in a couple of days for new pictures, and until then, enjoy the rest of your week!

No"buddy"

Actual conversation at my house today...

VJ:  Who's going to babysit us?

Me: Nobody

VJ:  I'm not a buddy!  I'm a girl!

Me:  Not "no buddy" -- nobody!

Fun days! :)

3 weeks and counting...

Wow... that's all.  Jericho already seems to be getting so big.  For the most part she sleeps well, though we had a few rough nights this week.  She is still growing well, but we won't have her weighed again until next Wednesday.  Here is the "almost" smile I got from her this morning :)

Here's another shot I got of her today...

If you'd like a closer look, all you have to do is click on the picture :) And now, I have to post a couple pics Chase snapped of Shi, just because they are too cute!