Think of something...

Last night in the shower Jonas was lamenting about how much his shoulder and back hurt from chopping wood all day. Jeb said, "Daddy, just think about something...just think about something that makes you happy." Then he added with a pause, "just think about playing with me Daddy."

We laughed so hard! He does love playing with Jeb! His back already felt better.

Jeb is doing well writing letters---bribed with gum that is (I know that's terrible). He can write his name and does H, h (his favorite letter to write??), T, t, L, l, I, i, J, j,e,E,F,f, B, b, C, c, D, d, o,O...still working on the others...I think getting boys to sit and do this is just hard. He hates coloring..one picture takes him about 10 seconds and that counts the time he takes picking out his one color.
Now, at the truck table on the other hand, he can play with his animals for hours on end with no food and water...go figure!

Fun Happenings Part Deux...

1. Who is that man in the blanket?
2. Celebrating Carson Turning 2...if that picture of her in the dress cheesing doesn't make you smile something is wrong with you.
3. Caleb slides for the first time. Big Brother is thrilled with that responsibility. Caleb loves it!
4. It is my thrill to dress them for church each Sunday. They are always “sharp” as Jeb says.
5. The waterfall is rather dry, but the fall leaves on it are beautiful.
6. Jeb discovered FOOTBALL!! Oh my, he loves it. It is fun for me and Jonas too. Bailey is a great defensive line dog.

Fun happenings...

What we've been doing...

1. Making play dough snakes
2. Caleb is on the move and grabbing anything...
3. Oktoberfest was a blast this year--great friends, perfect weather, fun rides. JJ Gibson, Jeb's long lost soul buddy, joined us...those two are a TRIP. I told his mother when they were only one that the her son was more like my child than any child I have known. Now they are stuck at the hip when we're at church.
4. Cory, of Chicago, now of Columbia, came to see us..what a treat.

This band played at my church last week. I hope you enjoy it...nah, just kidding.

glumbert - Jesus Is My Friend

SPANKING STUFF...

Our small group is still working on learning how to discipline our kids better. These are some thoughts I compiled from the two books I've read on the subject...
I know for many they don't believe in spanking at all...but I believe it can be used effectively and lovingly with good results...I use it sparingly, but when I do it works...

Proverbs 22:15: Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him.
Proverbs 13:24: He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.
Proverbs 13:24 The Message: A refusal to correct, is a refusal to love; so love your children by disciplining them.
Psalm 119:2: Happy are those who keep HIS rules, who try to obey HIM with their whole hearts.

Using the Rod for Direct Disobedience and Defiance:
Taken from, “Don’t Make Me Count to Three” by G. Plowman

1. Discuss what the child has done wrong and why it is your responsibility to spank him/her.
Probing Questions: Was God pleased with what you did/said? What was wrong with what you did? What should you have done? I must spank because I love you too much to allow you to disobey. I will not let sin take root in your heart and grow.
2. Guide the child in thinking through what he/she could have done differently.
3. Use the proper instrument as your spanker—preferable not your hand.
4. Let the child no how many swats he/she is going to receive. This lets your child know that you are not out of control and are not angry and vengeful.
5. Do it promptly after the misbehavior and discussion, but not in front of others.
6. Take time for reconciliation and hugging immediately afterward. Give your complete forgiveness. Jesus did not take time to “cool off.” He does not turn from us when we mess up…he draws us to him to reconcile. We have no right to withhold forgiveness, after all we’ve been forgiven often. Colossians 3:13 Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
7. Require the child to make it right. Have him/her apologize to whomever he/she offended. Give back the toy, share the treat, practice saying things the right way and then MOVE ON! The slate is completely CLEAN!

Obedience should be all the way, right away and
with a happy heart!

Recently, Jeb and I were with Mrs. Betty, a sweet dear lady that goes to the Chinese Christian Church and loves the Lord. We were talking about all of this and Jeb said to her, "My Daddy spanks good." When I spank he ask, "Is it going to be a hard one?" I suppose that means that most of mine are not hard enough. When we first started spanking Jonas used to practice on me (really he did come hit me with the paint stick a few times before he went to Jeb and I told him when it stung!)...I guess he got it right with all that practicing.

Cardboard Testimonies

Friends and Family near and far,

This week we did cardboard testimonies at our church. It was amazing to spend time(2 hours on Sat night and 4 on Sunday morning) with about 20 other people who can testify to God’s faithfulness in their life. Hearing the details of their stories really impacted me...as I am awaiting my next intervention from God. I was encouraged.

I shared how God redeemed our struggle after/during the miscarriage and brought Caleb Seth exactly a YEAR TO THE DAY of my D & C. I hope you can find time to watch the 8 minute video (see link below)...I just cried. It is incredible to see how God can restore EVERY situation. Nothing is impossible with God. God turned the sadness of 3.29.07 (when my second child was removed from me physically, already present with Christ in glory) into joy when my 3rd child was given to me to love here on earth 3.29.08. Many have asked, Well, wasn't that a C-section? Let me clarify: My due date was always 3.29.08 (I pointed that out to the doc and he confirmed it on my charts that that was indeed the dates ...then I have bills from both days- I see it each month)and then I went into labor on 3.29 at 2:13am --I'll never forget it since I was there alone in a hospital bed on IV's/steroids for asthma complications...3.29 was God's timing for SURE! He wanted to be clear with me--I am that hard headed. Every good and perfect gift truly is sent from our Father in Heaven-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvDDc5RB6FQ

When our church gets the podcast up, you are welcome to download it—check out—foothillscc.org. The date of the service was 10.11.08.

Full-time Mommy Thoughts

Full-time Mommy Thoughts

This has taken me months to type, but I wanted to get it down so I can stay grateful and so I can remember how much I loved these days. Please help me brainstorm with reasons YOU love being home with your kids…I can add them to my list as well!

Why I love staying home (almost) full-time with my children:

1. Being home in the morning and snuggling in the bed until we are ready to start our day.
2. Reading books in their own beds/rooms before nap. They get to sleep in their own rooms for naps! No other kids are yelling! No playpens! No floors!
3. When they are sick, it is my sole purpose to make them better and attend to their needs. I just get up and take them to the doc…no sub plans, no stress…well not much anyway.
4. We have time to visit the public library together and pick out fun new books to read together.
5. We have time for swim lessons
6. gymnastics time…last fall.
7. Bible Studies (well, not now, but in the past)
8. We eat all THREE meals today
9. We can play outside all day if that is what we want to do!
10. I have some (very little) but some time walk, read, pray, be a friend, be a mom, be a better wife, be a granddaughter, help out at church, etc…without feeling like I haven’t been with my kids.
11. When you were little, you said one day, “I’m happy!” out of the blue.
12. We “snuggle bug” when you wake up from nap.
13. We can go see Mamanette during the day.
14. I feel better about “sharing” you with grandparents!
15. I get to teach you and watch you learn new things…everyday
16. We can go to the park with friends and play often…
17. You get to choose what you want to eat for meals…we have healthy food here that you like.
18. I give you your medicines…without worrying that someone else will mess it up…
19. I get to come up with creative new ways to have fun.
20. I know where you are all the time.
21. You don’t get bitten or beat up by other kids (well, not as much)
22. I’m with you in case of an emergency.
23. I get to rock yall at naptime if I can…
24. We’re home and generally feel good when Daddy gets home.
25. I have time to plan/prepare decent, healthy meals.
26. I have some (a few times a year) to play tennis and be with friends—things that make me, me!
27. I get to introduce new things and see how you do! I know when you accomplish a new skill.
28. If we want to be in the sandbox for hours—we can.
29. You are not sick NEARLY as much.
30. You get to play in the dirt more. More mud in our life.
31. You get disciplined they way I see fit—God put me in authority and so I get to take care of problems immediately and not hear about it from another caregiver.
32. Saturdays are fun days—not days to just work--laundry, sweep, mom, shop for groceries is done all week—not just on the weekends.
33. I am less stressed, which generally means better for my hubby---you know!
34. We get to stay at our beautiful home that God gave us and enjoy it to the fullest.
35. I try to make home a better place to be by organizing and managing it well.
36. We can play computer games and look up answers to things we wonder about!
37. I can take pictures of the kids all day!
38. I can cook supper during naps …he can enjoy licking spoons during the day if I’m baking.
39. When they get tired, they can rest without other kids around.
40. We can practice your Bible verse at lunch, and talk about your church lesson all through the day.
41. When it is cold and rainy we don’t have to go anywhere.
42. We can decide to dance while unloading the dishwasher.
43. We always dance to the Diego theme song and often “I Play Chicken with the Train”…so funny.
44. I can wrestle at least once a day…Jeb likes to be Cymba and I am Scar and we fight for Nala—a hoot. Glad you can’t see it.
45. We can act out the movie “Cars” …he is one race car and I am ALL the other characters.
46. Making Caleb giggle together with Jeb.
47. Going to all of Jeb’s spellbinding performances at pre-school.
48. Playing with our animals during the day.
50. I have time to do devotions –Jeb says…mama why do you always have to read Bible stories—what an opportunity.
51. Reading endless books whenever the mood strikes us.
52. My precious one on one time with Caleb while Jeb is at pre-school.
53. Not showering until 3 or so, or not at all, if that is what happens during the day…oh well.
54. Not worrying about what I am going to wear every morning.
55. I spend mornings enjoying the kids when they feel their best. I used to pick Jeb up at day care and he was SPENT. It made me so sad.

I will keep adding to this list! I never take for granted the privilege of coming home in 2005. All thanks to my hubby who works his tail off so that I can be here. Thanks to God who gives us just enough each month to make it. I am forever thankful.