One plus to keeping tv and dvds at a minimum is that they are a huge TREAT when they are allowed. Such a treat, that my kids are currently watching cartoons in Spanish and they don't even care that they can't understand a single word. In fact, they haven't even mentioned the fact that it's in Spanish. Maybe it's just my sleep deprivation but I think that's really hilarious.
motherhood
,
reflections
They Even Follow Me to the Bathroom
January 29, 2010
I need a lot of help from God to see the joy in serving my three kids for God's glory all day long. I'm tired. I want a break. Everyone's asking for something and needing something from me again and again and again. I locked myself in the bathroom today attempting to find a quiet place to have a 2 minute phone conversation. Before I knew it there was an obscenely LOUD banging on the door from one sweet little boy who was using his block as a drum (the door being the drum).
My mind keeps going back to Jesus' life here on earth where people were constantly following Him around begging Him for things. He sought out a quiet place to pray and the masses just kept on following Him. Everyone wanted Him to meet their needs. But He didn't look at them and get annoyed or speak harshly or tell them to leave Him alone. He had compassion on them for they were like "sheep without a shepherd." They needed Him and He knew it. Because of His great love for them and desire to do the will of His Father, He served instead of demanding that He be served.
My kids need me too. Who else is going to show them all day long that they are sinners in need of a Savior, desperately loved by the God who sent His only Son for them?
"What is it that keeps a dedicated mother running day and night, year after year, even decade after decade...
She needs to gain and maintain the deep conviction of the glory, honor, and nobility of selfless service. This she finds at the foot of the cross, looking up to the One who earned for Himself "the name which is above every name" (Philippians 2:9)..." -Mark Chanski, Womanly Dominion
My mind keeps going back to Jesus' life here on earth where people were constantly following Him around begging Him for things. He sought out a quiet place to pray and the masses just kept on following Him. Everyone wanted Him to meet their needs. But He didn't look at them and get annoyed or speak harshly or tell them to leave Him alone. He had compassion on them for they were like "sheep without a shepherd." They needed Him and He knew it. Because of His great love for them and desire to do the will of His Father, He served instead of demanding that He be served.
My kids need me too. Who else is going to show them all day long that they are sinners in need of a Savior, desperately loved by the God who sent His only Son for them?
"What is it that keeps a dedicated mother running day and night, year after year, even decade after decade...
She needs to gain and maintain the deep conviction of the glory, honor, and nobility of selfless service. This she finds at the foot of the cross, looking up to the One who earned for Himself "the name which is above every name" (Philippians 2:9)..." -Mark Chanski, Womanly Dominion
tali-isms
This is a shot of my sweet girl praying for people. (As you might have guessed, Tali is a unique one.) We keep all the Christmas photos people send us and use them to pray for people throughout the year. The kids absolutely LOVE doing this and it's a great motivation for me to remember to pray as well. Tali's always asking if she can take the pictures and pray for people for a while.
I used to post quotes from her all the time and I'm so sorry that I've gotten out of that habit. Every day she says hilarious things and makes me so glad that she's in our lives. Really, there is no one quite like Tali. So just a couple quotes from this week:
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I left Addie Beth in Tali's room while I put Owen down for a nap and told her, "Don't pick her up, just talk to her." Sooo...I came back in and Addie was crying a bit. I asked Tali what happened.
Tali: "Well, I was trying to see if Addie could touch my baby so I pull-ed on her arm."
Me: "You pulled her arm?"
Tali: "Yah, but not off."
Me: "Oh. Well that's a good thing."
-----------
I told the kids a teeny bit about what happened in Haiti and have been praying with them that God would help their country and turn people's hearts to Him. So today Tali & Owey were pretending to be different people (this is one of their favorite games) and I heard this:
Tali: I'm Haiti.
Me: You can't be Haiti. Haiti's a country.
Tali: If I put my trust in the Lord, I can be a country.
Me: Hmm. That's a good point. (Not really sure how to respond when she says stuff like that.)
------------
Tali was squeezing Owen with a big hug and said, "Ooh! Owey, yuh so wuhm. I'd like to cuddle you up at night."
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There's just no one quite like Tali.
She Keeps Me Smiling
January 22, 2010
This is a shot of my sweet girl praying for people. (As you might have guessed, Tali is a unique one.) We keep all the Christmas photos people send us and use them to pray for people throughout the year. The kids absolutely LOVE doing this and it's a great motivation for me to remember to pray as well. Tali's always asking if she can take the pictures and pray for people for a while. I used to post quotes from her all the time and I'm so sorry that I've gotten out of that habit. Every day she says hilarious things and makes me so glad that she's in our lives. Really, there is no one quite like Tali. So just a couple quotes from this week:
--------
I left Addie Beth in Tali's room while I put Owen down for a nap and told her, "Don't pick her up, just talk to her." Sooo...I came back in and Addie was crying a bit. I asked Tali what happened.
Tali: "Well, I was trying to see if Addie could touch my baby so I pull-ed on her arm."
Me: "You pulled her arm?"
Tali: "Yah, but not off."
Me: "Oh. Well that's a good thing."
-----------
I told the kids a teeny bit about what happened in Haiti and have been praying with them that God would help their country and turn people's hearts to Him. So today Tali & Owey were pretending to be different people (this is one of their favorite games) and I heard this:
Tali: I'm Haiti.
Me: You can't be Haiti. Haiti's a country.
Tali: If I put my trust in the Lord, I can be a country.
Me: Hmm. That's a good point. (Not really sure how to respond when she says stuff like that.)
------------
Tali was squeezing Owen with a big hug and said, "Ooh! Owey, yuh so wuhm. I'd like to cuddle you up at night."
-------------
There's just no one quite like Tali.
reflections
Jesus Came to Serve
January 20, 2010
The other morning I woke up after another night of interrupted sleep feeling no desire to get out of my warm bed and be a mom. Tali woke up extra early after Addie had just fallen back asleep and the needs of the day started calling from every room. "I want Mommy!" Addie woke up again and started crying, wanting to be fed. Owen began crying in his room too. I immediately started complaining. I think I said something to Josh like, "I just don't want to do this again today. I want to retire from this job. There's nothing fun about it right now. I am so tired I just don't think I can do this today."
Lack of sleep really can distort my view of reality. In that moment, everything was too hard, too much, and no relief was in sight. God really wasn't anywhere in my mind. My thoughtful husband encouraged me to try and rest a bit longer while he cared for the kids. With all the crying going on, I couldn't sleep so I tried to pray. God kindly brought to my mind this truth: when I'm serving, I'm reflecting Jesus who came not to be served but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45). That is a worthwhile and beautiful thing, hard as it may be.
That's the truth I've been trying to meditate on when things get "hard" and I'm tired. It is such a fight to fix my mind on what's true here, but it's worth it. God's using His Word to change the way I relate to the kids. Instead of looking for some rest and resenting them for interrupting me and my relaxation, I'm finding joy in knowing I'm reflecting Christ as I serve them. There aren't many jobs where you serve 24 hours a day. It's a privilege to serve my kids as a stay-at-home mama. I get the opportunity to reflect Christ's life to my babies and to the world as I serve them day in and day out.
All you tired mommies out there, take heart! You are pleasing the Lord and reflecting Jesus as you humbly serve your families.
Lord, help me to remember that in the moments when serving doesn't seem so appealing.
"And He died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for Him who for their sakes died and was raised." 2 Cor. 5:15
Lack of sleep really can distort my view of reality. In that moment, everything was too hard, too much, and no relief was in sight. God really wasn't anywhere in my mind. My thoughtful husband encouraged me to try and rest a bit longer while he cared for the kids. With all the crying going on, I couldn't sleep so I tried to pray. God kindly brought to my mind this truth: when I'm serving, I'm reflecting Jesus who came not to be served but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45). That is a worthwhile and beautiful thing, hard as it may be.
That's the truth I've been trying to meditate on when things get "hard" and I'm tired. It is such a fight to fix my mind on what's true here, but it's worth it. God's using His Word to change the way I relate to the kids. Instead of looking for some rest and resenting them for interrupting me and my relaxation, I'm finding joy in knowing I'm reflecting Christ as I serve them. There aren't many jobs where you serve 24 hours a day. It's a privilege to serve my kids as a stay-at-home mama. I get the opportunity to reflect Christ's life to my babies and to the world as I serve them day in and day out.
All you tired mommies out there, take heart! You are pleasing the Lord and reflecting Jesus as you humbly serve your families.
Lord, help me to remember that in the moments when serving doesn't seem so appealing.
"And He died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for Him who for their sakes died and was raised." 2 Cor. 5:15
Sleeping Beauty
January 14, 2010
Isn't she so beautiful? And come on now folks, that is some RED hair for SURE in the top two photos. I'm starting to gain hope that she might be a redhead afterall!
owen-isms
,
tali-isms
Stockpile of Quotes
January 12, 2010
I've been storing some up to post so here are a bunch of random ones from my kids...some funny, some sweet:
Me: Tali & Owen, did you know that you're honoring the Lord right now by being so kind to one another?
Tali: Yah. I have fun with my bruh-thuh.
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Tali (talking on the phone to Grandma): Well...I've juhst been use-een Momma's nuh-seen (nursing) cuh-vuhs and she has two but I don't have any and I have lots and lots of babies so...can you sew me some? Because I need some for my babies.
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Josh has been helping Owen not to grumble when he's getting wiped off from dinner or when he's getting a diaper change by telling him that it's "refreshing." :) So the other day I started to change Addie when I heard him say, "It's ok, LuLu, dohn cry. Lu says, 'Oooh! It we-fweshing!'"
--------
And to continue to crocodile saga...last week when our friends, Angie & her boys were over...
Angie: Owey, do crocodiles live in heaven?
Owen: Um...I'm not willy shuh. (long pause) But Jesus goes in heaven!
Me: Tali & Owen, did you know that you're honoring the Lord right now by being so kind to one another?
Tali: Yah. I have fun with my bruh-thuh.
--------
Tali (talking on the phone to Grandma): Well...I've juhst been use-een Momma's nuh-seen (nursing) cuh-vuhs and she has two but I don't have any and I have lots and lots of babies so...can you sew me some? Because I need some for my babies.
--------
Josh has been helping Owen not to grumble when he's getting wiped off from dinner or when he's getting a diaper change by telling him that it's "refreshing." :) So the other day I started to change Addie when I heard him say, "It's ok, LuLu, dohn cry. Lu says, 'Oooh! It we-fweshing!'"
--------
And to continue to crocodile saga...last week when our friends, Angie & her boys were over...
Angie: Owey, do crocodiles live in heaven?
Owen: Um...I'm not willy shuh. (long pause) But Jesus goes in heaven!
Snow Fun With Daddy
January 8, 2010
We love the piles of snow! Yesterday, Addie was sleeping happily so I announced to the "big kids" that I was going to take them out to play. Just then, Addie woke up crying and didn't calm down as hoped. I felt horrible that Tali & Owen would have to stay inside. Thankfully, Josh happened to be working from home and took a little break to enjoy some snow fun with the kids. I am soooo glad that they didn't miss out on the fun. As you can see, they had a great time!
Thanks for taking time out to play with them, Josh! Love ya!
6.5 Weeks and Growing!
January 7, 2010
Our baby girl is growing so quickly! She's not in her newborn clothes anymore and is now sporting the 0-3 size. I've thanked God many days for Christy's awesome thought about "wearing" Addie around to help her sleep (thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing that input, Christy!!!). She went from taking virtually NO naps to sleeping soundly in the Baby Bjorn. Once we got her more into a napping rhythm, we transitioned her to the bouncy seat. As of Monday, she is now able to put herself to sleep with little to no crying and my back is breathing a big sigh of relief! (She may only be about 12 pounds, but wearing her around all day got a bit tiring!) The last couple of days, I've felt like someone exchanged my baby with a new one. She's taking naps on her own and even going longer stretches at night (as opposed to waking up every 2 hours like she was doing)!!!!!! We are thanking God for the changes and praying they continue. I'm wondering how much of her sleeping challenges and crying were due to the thrush & to constipation that came presumably from the medicine...
And on to what you really want: more pictures!
Check out Miss Blueberry! After 4 weeks of Nystatin (which I would never give my baby again), we switched to the highly staining herb, Gentian Violet. After about 2 applications, her thrush was kicked and she was also a cute shade of violet. :)
I took this shot of her today, smiling. She loves to smile now that her pain is gone!
A picture of our girls on Christmas morning, sporting their matching pjs from Grammy.
Owen & Tali love snuggling "LuLu." (Tali generally calls her, "Addie Beth" but Owen is sticking with "LuLu" for now...occasionally he will call her "Ah-dee Beff")
owen-isms
Just in Case You Wondered...
January 4, 2010
"I tink dat kwok-uh-diles wiv in heaven. And um...aligaduhs live in...um...I'm not willy shuh what I'm talking uh-bout. But...maybe dey live in duh grass." - Deep thoughts by Owen
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