Like Mother Like Son?

Anyone who knows me well, knows that I am a "to-do" lister. A few days ago I told Jesse he needed to take a bath before bed. This is what I found on our chalkboard! I wish my to-do lists were this easy! :)

Family

This past week was full of family! Since J.R. was being dedicated on Sunday, my mom and Ray arrived on Tuesday and Amy and her family came over Friday morning. We were also thrilled to have my cousin Justin visit on Friday evening and Saturday. He is living in Bellingham for his job...and the 3 1/2 hour drive seems so close compared to Colorado! It was so good to see him since it had been eight years since Amy or I had been out to Colorado with his family.

Our three year olds! Esther kept telling Justin that she was three years old. Justin said "I am three too!" And Esther gasped "You are?"


The cousins always have fun together. J.R. wasn't too sure about Gracie. He stared at her most of the meal! :)

I have many memories of playing with my little cousin on the farm. He is the oldest of five boys and one girl, so I was excited for him to meet my boys!


Justin and Justin. :)



The boys were thrilled to play games with grandma and Papa Ray!

Justin headed home Saturday around 4pm...and then we prepared for Sunday! More family coming!

J.R.'s dedication

Jessica, my sister's sister-in-law, and I planned to dedicate our boys on the same Sunday so Amy and Isaac could kill two birds with one stone. I was glad that Noah and J.R. could share this special day. After picking the Sunday we found out that BJ would be preaching that day and Jared's musical was the same evening! We were blessed to have BJ's parents, Mindy, Rick, Kami, Brady, Reaghan, Joey, and Alison drive up for the service as well. With his parents being in ministry, it is rare for us to be together on a Sunday. Pastor Elmer did the dedication and John was able to do the prayer.

Around 4pm, the Thomas family and Joey and Alison went home. John, Sally, and Reaghan stayed for Jared's musical.

Jared did such a good job in his musical, "Slingshot Heard 'Round the World." He was especially excited to have both sides of grandparents there to hear it. :)

Yesterday, our family crashed! We were exhausted from all the excitement!

Messes...

I came across this verse a while ago and loved it. I just found it again this morning and thought I would share it with all the mothers of little children out there.

" Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox."

Proverbs 14:1

My commentary explained that "'you can't make an omelet without breaking some eggs.' As long as there is activity, there's going to be some untidiness, but there will also be increase."

I find this verse encouraging as I have a lot "untidiness" in my life right now with four boys. I like things so clean and orderly that sometimes that can take priority over what is really important. I should thank God for the messes that come with raising a little army for Him. :)

Jared Mafs

Today my firstborn son turned eight years old. I still remember that first pregnancy...the excitement and anticipation of how life would change. It took "forever" for my tummy to show (definitely never took that long with the other pregnancies!) and I couldn't wait to be a cute pregnant woman. :) Jared's due date was March 17th. The morning of my birthday, my water broke at 4a.m. and we were off to the hospital. I was so nervous to experience labor, but was told almost immediately that he was breach and my emergency c-section would be in one hour! Yikes...I didn't even read the handouts about cesearean births! We had not found out the sex of our baby, and many friends and family were convinced it was a girl. We also were advised to plan on being two weeks late with a long 12 hour delivery. Despite the "experts" predictions, Jared Matthew was born five days early and within a couple of hours!

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Motherhood was a little more challenging than I had expected. Nursing didn't go well and Jared was a baby labeled with colic. Everywhere we went our sweet boy cried and cried (and spit up!). It is so true that the first child is the "guinea pig." If only I knew then what I know now, I probably could have remedied many situations. It has taken a lot of heart and soul...and growth on BJ and my part to be his parents. We praise God for His wisdom and the fruit He is producing in Jared. Children are a blessing!

Jared has really blossomed into a fine young man. He is an organized, conscientious boy - always wanting to make a relationship right that needs to be righted. Jared is responsible and my "memo list"....he has the best memory! When he is told to remember something he will...and he will also remember things you wish he'd forget! He loves to play games with Jesse, read books to Justin (when he will sit still), and carry J.R. around. Even though he is getting big, Jared still loves to snuggle and give hugs. He is also very sensitive to the things of God.

I can hardly believe my baby is eight years old. Happy Birthday Jared! We love you!

Life Lessons

Tonight my six year old, Jesse, was able to attend the Chris Tomlin concert. BJ was taking a group from church and there was one no-show. They were leaving town at four, so Beege called to tell me to get Jesse ready and he'd swing by to pick him up. The decision of which boy would love it the most was an easy one....only being able to send one boy was tough. Jesse can be found singing to my Chris Tomlin cd every chance he gets! Jared loves it too, but not with the passion that Jesse does. When Jesse was whisked away in the church airporter, Jared cried. My heart hurt for him at the unfairness of the situation. I know many parents would think this is cruel, or if all can't go, no one goes. But that is not life. Things are unfair and sometimes other people get what you wanted. This is a life lesson I have always struggled with. Thank God for his grace and willingness to work with this almost 32 year old firstborn. I sat down with Jared and explained to him that even though he wanted to go to that concert too, he needed to be happy for Jesse. God wanted him to be happy for his brother. Jared agreed...and we had a wonderful evening together (with a little chaos- Justin bit his tongue hard falling out of a chair and Justin opened a bottle of nail polish for J.R.)! I was so proud of Jared for choosing right even when it is hard. Now, if only I could do that every time...

"Rejoice with them who do rejoice, and weep with them who weep." Romans 12:15

Monday Fun

With the beautiful weather yesterday, BJ and I decided to take the boys on a little hike. Our town has a nice little trail, Seminary Hill, that the boys love. Unfortunately, it was very muddy...and we forgot to make sure the boys were wearing their rubber boots. Oh well! The mud made the trails very slippery, but Jesse took good care of me. He was constantly checking on me and lending his hand to help me not slip. I had fun playing it up a little! :) Jared, Jesse, and Justin usually do these little adventures with daddy and so they were very excited to tell me all they know about the trail and plants.

Justin was there too, but when I was taking pictures at the end, he tried to follow his big brothers and filled his boots with water! He didn't really enjoy that part. :)