he's a big boy now

Elijah took his first few bites this week... and LOVED them.

(Isaac took all the pictures)

 

 

the infamous baby bjorn

I once heard a mom say that she gets so much done around the house by putting her baby in her "Baby Bjorn." I had so much to do today and Elijah wanted my undivided attention, so I decided to try this technique out.

Total Fail.

First of all, I think in order to get anything done, your child needs to be less than 2 months old... or at least not discovered how their hands work yet. Everything I touched, Elijah touched. It actually made things worse. Secondly, they should also probably be under the 10lb limit to avoid excruciating back pain. Lastly, when they know how to kick their feet to get your attention, it's not a good thing.

I wonder if he got sea sick, or whatever you call it when you are strapped to someone's stomach, because he seemed to be bouncing around a lot. We definitely had a lot of fun, but I DID NOT get a lot of stuff done around the house, and I may have even received a fat lip. Plus, what do you do when you have to lean over to pick something up. I'm not really admitting to anything, but there may have been a bumped forehead.

Perfect Devotional for this CraZy Morning.....

“Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.”
Matthew 6:13 RSV

What protection this . . . phrase affords.

As you confess that God is in charge, you admit that you aren’t.

As you proclaim that God has power, you admit that you don’t.

And as you give God all the applause, there is none left to dizzy your brain

-Max Lucado-

Happy Birthday x2

I remember it like it was yesterday.

It was the longest day EVER.

I was anxious.

I was excited.

Isaac asked every 5 minutes when you were coming.

Then we headed to the NICU.

(Right after seeing your mom... she was exhausted, but still beautiful)

 You were both perfect... tiny... but perfect.

Jonathan looked at me for a second to tell me I was his favorite aunt.

David made a cute little grin when I touched his face.

Both of you were covered in prayer.

Both you stole my heart.

I LOVE YOU JOHNNY & DAVEY!

HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY!!!!

strike a pose

Right as the kids were getting ready to put on their PJs, Chris and I decided to take them outside to let Isaac's helium balloons sail into the sunset. Zoey just grabbed her boots for the occasion.

 

Thankful Lips vs. Grateful Heart

I had no idea Chris took this picture at Isaac's party last night.

He was just about to open all his gifts, so I took the opportunity to have a "mom-talk" with him. It pretty much went like this: "say thank you after every gift, don't ask for more gifts, let all the other kids help you open them, etc" You know the drill. I didn't think twice about it until I saw the picture. I was then reminded of a parenting article I read last week. The title was "Thankful Lips vs. Grateful Heart" and it talked about teaching our kids how to be genuinely grateful, instead of just teaching them to mindlessly say "thank you" every time you give them the look. The article really made me think. I'm actually still thinking about it. So now the endeavor is to instill gratefulness in the heart of my little ones, and here are some articles that helped me with some ideas on how to do this.

Character Building: Block by Block

Teaching Your Kids Gratitude

The Preacher's Wife: A Lesson In Gratefulness

Character Journal No.3: Gratefulness

Isaac's LEGO party

Last night was Isaac's family LEGO party!

Thanks to his grandparents, uncles, aunts and cousins, Isaac now has enough stuff to keep him busy for the entire summer! Special thanks, as always, to Aunt Nina for the very fun LEGO cupcakes!!!

 

 

Poor Jesus... He gets blamed for everything.

I forgot to share my favorite conversation of the night.

(I actually pulled over and wrote it down on the back of a receipt b/c I didn't want to forget it!):

Isaac: Don't touch my daddy's tools because they are very important.

Connor: Do you have your own tools, Isaac?

Isaac: Yes, but the hammer I got at your little brother's birthday broke!

Connor: How did it break?

Isaac: I don't know.

Connor: Well, maybe Jesus did it, because we can't see Him and He can do anything!

Isaac: Well, He is everywhere and we don't really know everything He does, so maybe He did break it! Why would He do that? I liked that hammer!

a little too much testosterone.

Isaac wanted to have a sleepover with his twin cousins and his friend Drew for his 5-yr-old birthday. Chris and I didn't really know what to expect, but thought we would give it a try with a few boys this year to see how it went.... and it went great! Can't wait until next year... maybe we will double the amount of boys jumping around our house!

 

 

 

 

They finally fell asleep around midnight, and that was after I had to separate them into different beds. We had so much fun and I can't wait until he gets a little older and our house is filled with the noise of all of his friends.

I LIVE for this stuff!

The Big 5!

From this:

 

To this:

Happy Birthday to our amazing 5-year-old Isaac!

You are so fun to watch... and listen to... and hang out with.

You love: Legos, Superheroes, Monster Trucks, Puzzles, Video Games, Fruit of any kind, Making up songs about Jesus,wrestling with daddy, making Elijah laugh, cooking with mommy and sleeping up in your car bed.

For your birthday this year you wanted: Lego Heroes, Sketcher light-up shoes, Video Games, A Skateboard and Hockey Equipment.

Proverbs 23:15,16

"My son, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad; my inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak what is right."

I am officially an experienced mom... my DR told me so.

Well, our little man Elijah is having a rough week. With a diagnosis of RSV, Pneumonia and Bronchiolitis all at the same time, this little guy is making his mother emotionally unstable. The doctor was leery about not sending him over to the hospital, but was confident that as "experienced" parents, we would know what to do if his breathing became more strained. Seriously? Experienced parents? Doesn't she know that I still constantly refer to myself as a rookie mom?

We had a rough hour at midnight last night. I was convinced Elijah couldn't breathe and was getting worked up. I even packed the bag for the hospital. Chris felt like we just needed to stay calm and see if we could calm him down as well. Chris was right. I was explaining to Chris last night that I have this "mom button" that gets pushed when one of my children are in distress. I try to stay calm. I try to act rational. I even try to act in faith and cast all my cares on the Lord, but it's like instinct takes over and I would do ANYTHING to make them better (sometimes in a panic state).

I don't know what it means to be an experienced mother.

One definition of experienced is "wise or skillful in a particular field."

I'm definitely not that one.

Another definition is "endured; undergone; suffered through."

That one is a lot closer.

Elijah is doing much better this morning, and actually slept most of the night. His meds seem to be working well and right now he is taking his walker all around the house with a smile on his face. 

This parent thing is hard!

And exhausting!

And totally worth it!

No man needs a vacation so much as the person who has just had one.

We are back from one of the most needed vacations we have ever had. It was such a blessing to spend time with Chris' parents and to give our kids our undivided attention. It was the perfect mixture of fun adventure and pure relaxation. A little bummed about the lack of pictures I took, but it was more fun being "mommy" than family "photographer." It was pretty cool in Florida, in the 60s most days, but we were still in flip-flops!

Favorite things on vacation: Gloria Jeans coffee, Sakura Japanese Steakhouse, Kate Spade Outlet Store, Cinderella Castle Projection and Fireworks, Isaac's face when he opened his gifts from Poppy and Grandy, Zoey buying her first lip-gloss, my luxurious birthday breakfast and just spending time with the people that I love most.

Worst thing on vacation: Chris forcing all of us to sit through the "Carousel of Progress" at the Magic Kingdom. I can't believe there will be voice activated appliances and virtual reality video games in our future!

This week...

This week...

I've had time to sit and eat breakfast with my entire family.

I've had time to watch my kids do a puzzle.

I've had time to read a book I started 2 months ago.

I've had time to drink an entire Gloria Jeans coffee while it was still hot.

I've had time to walk around aimlessly at World Market.

I've had time to give my son a black eye with my "no-stopping-it" football throw.

I've had time to teach Elijah how to do some popular 90s dances.

I've had time to put my feet in the sand.

I've had time to see my youngest boy put his feet in the ocean for the 1st time.

I've had time to laugh with my husband.

I've had time to breathe in air over 70 degrees.

Matthew 11:28,29
"Come to me...and you will find rest for your souls."

Isaac's Sweatshirt

I'm not quite sure when it happened.

One day they were fighting over who touched who first, and the next day they were best friends, holding hands everywhere they went.

Isaac and Zoey... completely opposite, completely mine.

This particular day she wanted to wear her brother's sweatshirt.

She smiled when she saw how big it was on her.

She loved it.

He loved that she loved it.

I loved that they loved it.

Some days they fight like cats and dogs and other days I can't separate them if I tried... and both remind me of growing up with my sisters.

Today's "My Utmost"

She has done a good work for Me —Mark 14:6

If what we call love doesn’t take us beyond ourselves, it is not really love. If we have the idea that love is characterized as cautious, wise, sensible, shrewd, and never taken to extremes, we have missed the true meaning. This may describe affection and it may bring us a warm feeling, but it is not a true and accurate description of love.

Have you ever been driven to do something for God not because you felt that it was useful or your duty to do so, or that there was anything in it for you, but simply because you love Him? Have you ever realized that you can give things to God that are of value to Him? Or are you just sitting around daydreaming about the greatness of His redemption, while neglecting all the things you could be doing for Him? I’m not referring to works which could be regarded as divine and miraculous, but ordinary, simple human things— things which would be evidence to God that you are totally surrendered to Him. Have you ever created what Mary of Bethany created in the heart of the Lord Jesus? “She has done a good work for Me.”

There are times when it seems as if God watches to see if we will give Him even small gifts of surrender, just to show how genuine our love is for Him. To be surrendered to God is of more value than our personal holiness. Concern over our personal holiness causes us to focus our eyes on ourselves, and we become overly concerned about the way we walk and talk and look, out of fear of offending God. “. . . but perfect love casts out fear . . .” once we are surrendered to God (1 John 4:18). We should quit asking ourselves, “Am I of any use?” and accept the truth that we really are not of much use to Him. The issue is never of being of use, but of being of value to God Himself. Once we are totally surrendered to God, He will work through us all the time.

Taken from "My Utmost For His Highest" by Oswald Chambers

Find it here: http://utmost.org/

My man..... kind-of

This past weekend at our annual youth retreat, we did "The Amazing Race" with the students. At each pit stop, my husband dressed up for the country they were in. He is such a good sport.

MEXICO:

 

FRANCE:

  

RUSSIA:

 

 I wish I would have gotten pictures of ALL his outfits.

They were hilarious!!!!

Thanks Chris for always going along with my schemes!

Dear Elijah...

I have a private blog to my children. Letters that I write to only them. It's a way for me to share the things on my heart and say prayers over them, where they can see and read them later on. I normally don't share them with anyone, but today's post challenged me so much I decided to re-post it here.

Dear Elijah,Your word for today is: Tenacious [tuh-ney-shuhs]:holding fast; characterized by keeping a firm hold; pertinacious, persistent; holding together; cohesive; not easily pulled asunder; tough

You are such a stinker! You are 5 months old and still don't want to sleep through the night. I decided last night to let you cry and NOT feed you a bottle at 2am and you cried for 3 hours straight! I finally gave in and gave you one at 5am. You are TENACIOUS! (I am not so much). I told your dad this morning how stubborn you were and we both shared a knowing smile. Although it kept me from sleeping last night... and for night's on end... I am so thankful you have a tenacious spirit. I want you to cry out to the God the same way you cry out for a bottle. I want you to hold on to God's promises until you see them fulfilled in the world around you. I can't wait to watch you plant your feet when you stand for righteousness or when something needs to be done God's way. You challenged me last night... mostly because I am not very tenacious. It is much easier for me to give in, to let go and to step aside. Thanks son, for reminding me that there are some things worth 3 hours of crying... just not sure a bottle is one of them!

"... for such is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 19.14

Last night I received a very encouraging email from the PreSchool/Kindergarten Director at church that said what a great worship time they had last night in class. She said that the kids were crying out to God and the Spirit of God was very present. This morning Isaac climbed into bed with me and I asked him about it.

"Mom, last night we worshiped in our class and I really felt Jesus in my heart. He is making my heart tough and strong. I sang the song really loud so that Jesus knew it was me."

-Isaac Bunk-

I am so grateful for the experiences my kids are having in our Sunday School classes at church. At a very young age they are learning to be sensitive to God's Spirit. Thank you to all the Children's Ministry Volunteers that use their limited resources and time to pour into our kids!
It IS making a difference!

I love you S'More!

I realized today that Valentine's Day is Monday. I knew the kids had school parties that day, so I decided to tackle the V-Day projects this afternoon, knowing full well I won't be up to it Sunday night! (We have our annual youth retreat this weekend). I didn't really want to pack up the kids to go and buy cards, so I looked around the house for some cute ideas that wouldn't take too much time.

Here is what we came up with for Isaac's class:

 I got the printable from Chica and Jo and I already had the popcorn maker.

Isaac was so excited when he realized everyone in his class would get one.

Here is what we came up with for Zoey's class:

I already had the chocolate chips and the graham crackers, plus I had just purchased some heart marshmallows for cupcakes I was going to make Monday. Zoey wanted to eat a chocolate chip for each Valentine gift we put together...she didn't win that fight!

Anyone have any good ideas on what to do with the kids V-Day night? I want to have some fun things planned for the dinner table and could use all the help I can get!