9 months (My Funny Valentine)



Funny how 9 months outside the womb goes so much faster than the 9 months it takes you to grow a little human!  We are so blessed to have this sweet fella.  Asher, these are things I want to remember!

 

*You are starting to use your hands more and more.  You are even starting to sign "all done" and "more" while eating.  This is usually after you have thrown a huge fit and I encourage you to sign instead of using your anger skills.

 

*Which leads me to this:  you are a passionate little boy.  Most of the time, you are easy going and so sweet but you are definitely coming to the age where things frustrate you...like me not getting your baby food ready fast enough for your liking. You are starting to really voice your opinion on things which leads to a bit of, umm, shall we say...screaming!  We are trying to nip that in the bud!

 

*When I get you up after nighttime and naps, we open your door and you start jumping up in my arms and looking all around trying to spot your brothers.  It's a sad day if they have already gone to school! 

 

*You have an orange nose all the time.  What can I say, you love your veggies!

 

*Your independence level has sky rocketed the last month.  You rush through nursing as if you don't have time for such trivial things.  You play in your bed and talk to yourself after your nap which is nice!  You reach for who you want to hold you. You hate confinement...but that doesn't mean we don't confine you at times!

 

*You wear 12 month clothes and size 3 diaper.  You go to the doctor next week...can't wait to see your weight and height stats!

 

*You will snuggle under mine and Eric's chins.  You know how to lean in for kisses. You sometimes open your mouth big and then lean in for a kiss. 

 

*You have those three brothers wrapped around your little finger.

 

*You love your "puppy" ride on toy, little Elmo, stuffed monkey, chew toys, and balls.  You like to read board books and hit the pages.  You are starting to find the tag on your blanket.  As soon as you get it, the thumb goes in your mouth.  (Just like Eli!)

 

*These days have gone so quickly.  I feel like the "baby" days of snuggling are quickly coming to an end.  Lord, give us grace to parent Asher well as we move more into the discipline and training phase.  (sniff sniff) Give Asher an obedient and teachable heart. Thank you Lord for the blessing he is to all of us.

 

Here is my Funny Valentine...

This look says, "Gee, no one ever told me I had superpowers."

The Biggest Loser

Did you watch it?  Last night was the most fun, cuddled up with my husband while watching The Biggest Loser finale.  The results are always so fun!  I mean people usually lose half of themselves!  Eric and I cheered and roared all the way until Rachel came out on stage.

And, then our jaws dropped.  And, apparently, it was all Jillian could do to keep hers from dropping.  But, the look she gave Bob gave herself away.

In that one glance, we knew what the trainers knew.

Rachel had gone too far.

I love the show and what it represents.  I love that it gets to the root of the matter...there is usually a spiritual heart issue that needs resolved before the weight can come off.  I love that inward healing often brings outward healing.

But, The Biggest Loser may be in a bit of trouble after last night?

What are they to do when a contestant goes from one extreme of obesity to the other extreme of being too thin.  (I won't call it anorexia because I refuse to label her that way if that is not her issue. But, there is an issue that must be dealt with.)

So, what is the issue?  I think there are at least three.

First, body image.  How thin is too thin?  What mentally is going through Rachel's head to think that she must be that thin?  She went from 260 pounds to 105 pounds.  She lost over 60% of her body weight. What number for her will ever be thin enough? Will she stop here?  Will she feel freedom to put back on some weight now that she has won?

Which brings me to the second issue:  money.  The contestants are in it for money.  I am telling you first hand that losing weight is a hard journey.  I totally agree that you might need some incentive to keep going.  But, when that much money is at stake, will people starve themselves in order to set themselves up for a better financial life?

The third issue is how The Biggest Loser runs the show.  It never has seemed fair to me that they make men compete against women.  In general the men always have a better advantage because they start off larger, and are usually able to take more off percentage wise.  What if Rachel ran some numbers, and realized that in order to beat the other two male finalists, she would simply have to get down to 100-ish pounds.  I had a 100 pound friend in high school.  They wouldn't even let her give blood when the blood drive came around.

So, did you watch the show?  What were your thoughts?  Did she go too far?  Is she healthy?  Are there things that The Biggest Loser can modify in the future in order to set everyone up for long term success?

Remembering His Heart

Perhaps it is my greatest spiritual struggle.  Remembering the Father's affection towards me.  It really makes no sense at all.  I have loving parents and grew up in church.  But for whatever reason, this is where the enemy strikes.  He really doesn't love you, you know.  When I choose to listen to that voice, it is such a slap at Calvary and all that Christ did for me.

It has been my focal prayer for the year.  Let me know your love for me, God. 

Because deep down, my brain knows it, but my heart sometimes won't get on board.

I want to drown in that love.  I want to trust it at all times.  I want to feel it.

As you progress in your walk with Jesus, you become aware of areas where you are weak.  For me, I know of certain books that will help me get back on track in my thoughts and self perception.

They are a trio, one recently added.  I know I can always pick up one of these three books and remember that I am beloved.

You are beloved.

A Hero heard our cries of desperation.  Sought us out.  Knew all along that the only way to rescue and redeem would be to die. For me. For you.

That is love.

These books remind me of my secure identity in the grand drama that is still unfolding.

1.  The Sacred Romance

2.  Abba's Child

3.  The Return of the Prodigal Son

Perhaps your heart will enjoy them as well.

Favorite Things

It's that time again!  Time for a few of my favorite things...simple things that make life a little easier, bring a smile to my face, or nourish the ol' soul.  Enjoy!

 

1.  This Valentine's Welcome banner my sister made.  I love having something to hang on the front door right after Christmas stuff is taken down.  It always makes me happy!

2.  This Neutrogena anti-residue shampoo.  Use it about once a week and your hair and scalp will feel great!

3.  Owls and old books and old quilts and walls the color of the ocean.

4.  This book.  You must treat your hungry soul to this book.  It is by Nouwen.  One of my favorite Christmas gifts.

5. This is a game changer, people!  No more throwing away or trying to freeze leftover cans of tomato paste.  This is a concentrate all in a tube that stores forever in your fridge.  Makes my soup making self so darn giddy. 

6.  New Throw Pillows when the outside is so bleak.

7.  A warm fuzzy throw.  (Include a cup of coffee and a great read and this is my happy place.)

8.  Oh my stars. Buy these today.  Belvita breakfast biscuits.  Chocolate fix now fixed. Of course, I eat them as a little snack instead of for breakfast.

9. Ink Joy pens.

10.  This study.  Sacred Secrets. Only six weeks and minimal homework.  I think this busy momma can handle that!

Basketball Season

I love this sport.  I love this boy.  That is all.

Turn Towards

The fault is mine.  I closed myself off to His all encompassing love.  I didn't trust myself or our relationship after a promise came and then left as a feather in the wind.

I decided I didn't know God at all.  I decided He wasn't safe.  I turned my back and shut the Word.

Such a harrowing and confusing time.  To think you know how He speaks. Humbling.

And then it all turns out differently.  And differently is often the most beautiful thing.  But, still, in my limited understanding, it goes against what He said all along.

My heart was beaten by the waves and left on the rocky shore like a discarded piece of driftwood. I wasn't drowning, but I was forgotten and tossed aside.

What does one do with the words of the Almighty when He does something entirely different than what you thought He said?  What does one do with that relationship when trust has left?

I know I am hungry and missing my Jesus.  I know He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. I know light shines in the darkness.

I know I don't have to perform to earn His love.  But, I do have to turn towards it.

"Lift up your heads, O ye gates; be lifted up you ancient doors, that the King of Glory may come in." Psalm 24:7

Do we dare to look toward His face again?  Even Mr. Beaver in "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" says about Aslan (God):  "Safe? Who said anything about safe?  But he's good.  He's the King I tell you."

Do we dare open the rusty doors to our hearts once again to a love that is good and whole but often feels uncertain and risky?

Hunger forces us back.  One small taste and everything else is meaningless.  We miss.  We crave.  We lift up our heads and open the doors.

And Glory walks in.

8 months

Eight months old.  I keep thinking he has stolen my heart completely but everyday he steals a little more.  Asher seems to know that he can now make us laugh so he does the most adorable things to get our attention.  I just love love love the 8-10 month age because they really start to develop their little personalities.  Everywhere we go, people comment about what a happy baby he is which makes my heart smile since his name reflects that.

 

8 month things I want to remember:

 

*Eating eating eating.  Loves cereal, puffs, veggies, fruit, and Cheerios.  Not a fan yet of real foods...doesn't care for the texture.  Still nursing but gets distracted and just doesn't seem that interested anymore.  (sniff.)

 

*Loves I mean LOVES his brothers.  He reaches for them, laughs at them, and loves it when they will sit and play with him. 

 

*On a great schedule.  Sleeps 8pm-7 am, naps 9-11, and naps 1-3. It means I have a one hour break from 11:30-12:30 to run errands with him, but we make it work.

 

*Doesn't seem to mind loud noises like basketball games.  Loves to people watch and now is starting to reach for people.  (He wasn't a fan of Fuji Japanese Steakhouse, though.  The chef about scared him to death while banging his utensils together and starting a huge fire!)

 

*Seems to have a propensity toward ear infections...already has had 2.

 

*Babbles and talks...

 

*Loves to take off his socks so he can chew on his socks and have better access to his feet.

 

*Is not a fan of the playpen or types of confinement, but we make him do it because we believe in boundaries.

 

*He still won't clap his hands which is so frustrating. 

 

*He stares right through you which reminds us of Cade as a baby.

 

*He pulls up on everything but can't stand on his own.

 

*He loves to head snuggle or reach in for a kiss or hug.

 

*He is really happy all the time and smiles at everything.

 

*He loves bathtime. I need to graduate him from the sink to the tub, but the sink is so convenient!

 

*Has 2 bottom teeth.

 

*Gets really tickled when he sees himself in the mirror.

 

*The church nursery workers call him the bully or bulldog.  (Kind of makes me sad!)  I was in there one Sunday.  He isn't mean, he is just all up in everyone's business.  The boy has three older brothers, what can I say?

 

*He certainly is a truckload of love. Our hearts spilleth over...

 

Birthday Boy

I think one of my first blog posts was of Eli's 5th birthday.

We were at a location that had a man dressed up in a dog costume.

Eli took one look at the man sized dog and fearfully told him to go away.

 

That was six years ago.

Funny how it feels like yesterday.

And yet, we have come a long way.

 

What a precious gift we have in this son.

 

Who loves to read as much as his Momma and Mim.

Who introduced our family to the sport of soccer.

Who adores his tiniest brother, happy to feed him and play with him.

 

His first name means "my God is Yahweh"

his second "Yahweh is God."

We have this deep desire for him to be a walking testimony to the name and character of God.

 

That wherever he goes, his life points

to the One who

created

saved

blessed

him.

 

happy birthday eli.

 

2014 {Hungry}

 

I woke up in the middle of the night a few weeks ago with a word on my mind:  hungry.  I knew it was the Spirit whispering it over me while the world was quiet.  It resonated with my soul immediately.  I knew the word "hungry" would be my word for 2014. 

 

 

2013 was certainly the year of "possess."  We were blessed with a new home.  A new baby.  New schools.  New friends.  We walked in faith and God allowed us to possess, similar to that of the Israelites in the book of Deuteronomy.

While it was a beautiful year in so many ways, I didn't have as much time to pursue God in the quiet.  I know a newborn soaked up a lot of that time, and I wouldn't change that for anything, but the year left me hungry.

Hungry for Jesus.  His Word.  His revelations.  His presence.

Nothing else truly satisfies or tastes so sweet.

So, with 2014, I look to these verses with hope:

Luke 1:53  "He has filled the hungry with good things..."

Luke 6:21a "Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied..."

Matthew 15:32 "I have compassion on the crowd because they have been with me now three days and have nothing to eat.  I am unwilling to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way."

Proverbs 10:3a  "The Lord does not let the righteous go hungry..."

and my fave:

Psalm 107:9  "For He satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul He fills with good things."