Tuesday, January 26, 2010

The goal of parenting...

I am reading my first book of the new year that Justin picked out for me. It is called GOSPEL-POWERED PARENTING by William P. Farley. I am only on the third chapter, but it is really challenging me in all areas of my parenting: how I look at parenting, the goal of parenting, etc. Here are just a few quotes to wet your appetite for this book:

"Morality is important, but it follows faith. It does not produce it." (p. 42).

"Well-behaved children are not the ultimate end." (p. 42).

"..the goal of Christian parenting is heart transformation." (p. 43).

" In conclusion, it is positively hurtful to build your lives around your children instead of God. It damages children, it tears down our marriages, and most importantly, it displeases God." (p. 36).

Chapter 3 is about gospel fear, what it looks like and how it should govern our lives and parenting. This excerpt brought back so many memories of my dad, he too showed me balance between fear and love of him, that made it so much clearer what the fear of God looks like.

"Fearing our heavenly Father is something like fearing a good earthly father. I feared my father. I knew that he would inflict whatever pain was necessary to instill in me obedience, loyalty, hard work, and perseverance, among other things. But I also hoped in his love. I felt secure in his presence. I knew that he would not reject me-that no matter what I did, he would never stop loving me. I could disappoint him. I could grieve him. But I could not motivate him to withdraw his love from me. Many reading this paragraph did not have a father like this. Whether you did or you didn't, this is what God's love is like. This is what fearing God is like." (p. 66)

I always feared the punishment that I would receive when I was disobedient, but I also knew that I felt the safest in his arms. Dad, thank you for showing me how to fear God and for being such a godly Father. You will never know how much I love you, and I pray that this legacy will be passed down to my children and so on.

I will have more on this book later. God is so good to give us wisdom and lead us in the best way to show the gospel to our children.

Sunday, January 24, 2010

My Little Girl is Five!

Five years ago, I held you in my arms for the first time after a long crazy day of labor and then a c-section. I was the last one to get to hold you because of my recovery from the surgery, but after I held you for the first time, I was lost in love for you. I love the way you include and play with your brother. I love to watch you think as you do school and how you always have to have everything in the right place. You are a little ocd when it comes to that, I don't know where you got that from?! When you smile it is genuine, and when you talk, you have something important to say. You are not the most talkative person, and I pray God will use that to allow you to be wise in your words and speech to others. My life is enriched and better because of you. I love being your mom and teaching you about our Savior.
My little girl has is growing up:


Karis almost five.

Karis' 4th birthday.


Karis' 3rd birthday!


Karis' 2nd birthday.


Karis' 1st birthday.
Karis, I pray that in the next 5 years, God will reveal Himself to you and cause you to trust in Him. I look forward to seeing how God grows you and teaches us both in the next 5 years. I love you my girl! You are a joy and blessing to us!

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Big Boy Bed

Two Sunday nights ago, Noah moved into his big boy bed! He had to become a BIG boy in another way too, he had to throw away his pacifier before bed that night. We had read a book from the library called I Stink, which was about a garbage truck eating your trash. It was very appropriate and it helped Noah understand where his pacifier went. After his nap on Sunday, he went and threw his paci in the big trash can outside. When it was time for bed, he asked us where it was and we told him it was in the trash. He then got to see the garbage truck eat it the next day.
I was surprised that he never cried about it, just accepted it was gone. He really likes his big boy bed, especially his truck sheets. It will be even more exciting when he gets his truck comforter from Aunt Courtney.


Noah in his big boy bed, rail and all!!

Sweet boy ready for bed!


Friday, January 08, 2010

Schedules

I have always known that I thrive on a schedule and so do most people. Children especially do better when they know what is next or what is coming. I have been very lax with my schedule for Karis and Noah these last few months and have not stuck to the same one for more than a few days, so I decided with much prayer to stick to a schedule for the morning and school. I am also working out at the same time everyday, so that is helping us with not rushing out the door. We are sticking to the schedule on Tuesday-Thursday for sure since Justin is off on Mondays, and I want to leave Fridays open for errands, play dates, etc. Justin has also started teaching Bible to the kids on his day off, it is really mostly for Karis but Noah does have to sit and listen as best as a two year old can. Justin is using The Big BOOK of Questions and Answers by Sinclair Ferguson. I am so excited for the kids, and I know that Justin enjoys this time with them.
This week has also been so good for my soul. I have gotten up by 6:30 every morning, except this morning, thanks to college football!!! The Lord has been gracious in showing Himself to me and giving me truths to cling to throughout the day. What a Savior we have! What a joy to wake up early and sit with Him, knowing that the time with Him is the best part of my day. Thank you Lord for blessing my time, and I pray that my soul will continue to thirst for you because only You can satisfy.

Monday, January 04, 2010

Celebrating Jesus' Birthday at Home

Here are a few pics of our Christmas at home as a family. We enjoyed a tasty dinner on Christmas eve, then opened our presents. Here are some of those pics.

Karis got an Easy Bake oven from Mamou and some things to cook in it from Aunt Courtney.

Justina and Noah got matching Batman shirts!


I think this is Noah opening his Spider man figurine. I look more excited than he does.



Noah loves oranges, as do the rest of my family. He is standing on his stool admiring them here.
On Christmas day, Noah got a Thomas the Train wooden train set from us, which was really a present from my Aunt Barbara and cousins Amy and Charlotte. He and Karis have not stopped playing with it yet, they love it. His other favorite things are all his "Cars" cars that he got, he has to know where they all are before bed time.
We spent Christmas day with one our church members, Sheryl and her mom. It was a fun time of fellowship and getting to know each other better. I so enjoyed hearing both of them talk about old Christmas' and what they were like.
God was good to us this Christmas as He is every Christmas by giving up His throne to come to earth as a baby and ultimately to save us from our sins.

Karis and me putting together her new Fancy Nancy puzzle.

Noah 2nd Birthday

Noah was very spoiled this year and got to celebrate his birthday twice, once in Texas and once at home. My mom was so gracious to throw Noah a birthday party in Texas, and we got to see my great Aunt D, Aunt Lee, my cousin Debbie, and my brother's family came. Also, Justin's sister, Courtney, came. It was a fun time, especially when it was time to open presents. I think that all the grand girls enjoyed Noah's presents more than he did!
We also had a small get together for Noah's birthday with Sondra, Nancy, and our neighbor to eat his firetruck cake. It was fun and he enjoyed getting more trucks. He got enough trucks to put on two shelves of a bookshelf. Thanks everyone for making Noah's birthday special.

This was Noah's first year to eat off the "special plate." He had a fun day of blueberry muffins and Chick-fil-A for dinner.

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