Recieving Blankets

Did you get gifted too many recieving blankets?  Or has your baby grown out of needing them?  Don't give them away!!!  Most recieving blankets are made out of flannel, and flannel is perfect for tons of things.  Play mats, burb cloths, taggys, bibs...the options are endless!!!!  Here's a playmat I made for Blaine using a set of receiving blankets.....

 

I just had to buy material for the back of the playmat.

I whipped up a small little taggy for Blaine.  (Hint: Cut up one of your plastic grocery bags and sew it inside so it makes that squishy, squishy sound that babies love.)

 And look at all the material I still have left!!!!!!!  I think I only used about half, maybe a little less, of each of the blankets. 

 Blaine enjoying his play time.

Sssstttreetchhhh!!!!

I think one of my favorite things about babies is when they stretch when you get them out of bed.  Colin used to pucker his lips, eyes still closed, and his little round head would stretch out from his neck...sticking his chin out, moving his head from side to side.  Oh so cute!  The arms go up above the head, the back arches, and legs go straight, and they let out a little grunt.  Love it! 

What We've Been Up To..

Coloring...on our faces...

 Making train tracks...

 Going for horse back rides...

 Having playtime on the floor with Blaine...

Playing so hard, that we fall asleep sitting up on the couch... 

 Putting zebras (and other things that shouldn't be) in our cups (Colin's doing)....

 Making more train tracks...

 Practicing our number skills by rolling the di, counting out marshmellows, then having some fun...

 Sleeping off the yuckies...

 Laying around on the floor cause of the yuckies...

Jesus IS

The following post is brought to you by a good friend, Melanie.  She is our MOPS Mentor this year and she spoils us in may ways.  She is a great writer and occasionally sends us a devotion that God has laid on her heart.  This is one of her latest.  I love reflecting on the greatness of our God.  I hope you enjoy this as much as I did.


"A day or so ago, I drove past the signboard for a local storefront church. The sign simply said, “Jesus Is”.  It probably originally said, “Jesus is Lord” or something like that, but the statement made more impact on me in the shorter form. I started thinking about those two words, and here’s what I came up with: This is a complete statement, both grammatically and theologically. At the foundation of our faith is the eternal truth of the gospel, that Jesus IS.

“ Before anything else existed, there was Christ, with God. He has always been alive and is himself God.”  (John 1:1, The Living Bible).

Jesus got into trouble during his time on earth for saying , “Before Abraham was born, I AM” (John 8:58, NIV); by saying this, he claimed to be the Self-Existent God, the same God that revealed himself to Moses at the burning bush as “I AM”  (Exodus 3: 14).  The religious leaders of Jesus’ time thought that Jesus had committed terrible blasphemy by claiming to be God, but he was only telling the simple truth: He IS God.

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.” Paul tells us in Colossians 1: 15, and goes on to say, “ He is before all things, and in him all things hold together” (v. 17) and “He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy( v. 18, all verses NIV)  So Jesus IS, and that’s a complete statement, but what else is he?

He is  … the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. (Revelation 1:8, 21:6, 22:13)

He is …. the firstborn over all creation (see Colossians 1: 15, above)

He is….the Good Shepherd ( John 10: 11)

He is… the Bread of Life ( John 6: 35)

He is… the Way, the Truth and the Life, the only way to the Father (John 14:6)

He is ….Messiah ( John 4:26)

He is…our Peace (Ephesians 2: 14)

He is …the Cornerstone ( Ephesians 2:20)

He is….our great High Priest (Hebrews 4:14)

He is …the Author and Perfecter(Finisher)  of our Faith (Hebrews 12: 2)

The list goes on and on and on.  What is Jesus to YOU, personally?  Right now, what is he to you? Is he Healer, Redeemer, your Prince of Peace? Right now, all I can think of is the words of Isaiah:  “His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6)"

Do I really believe God?

A few months back I started a bible study with a group of ladies from my church.  We were studying Believing God by Beth Moore.  I didn't finish the study due to Tim's R&R, then having Blaine (excuses, excuses..I know).  But at the time, and again recently with the additional test that Blaine has to take, a certain question/issue has been put on my heart.  It challenges the level of my faith and the way I pray.

Psalms 77:13-14 "Your ways, O God, are holy.  What god is so great as our God?  You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples."

Here area few excerpts from one chapter:
"Our focus throughout our third week of study will be God's ability to intervene miraculously in the lives of mortals....Please consider each one prayerfully.
 -Although the Kingdom era in which we live is not necessarily characterized by signs and wonders, God certainly still performs miracles. 
  -Though God makes countless merciful exceptions, He still reserves the right to supernaturally respond most readily to faith.  Remember what we've learned: faith fills the gap btwn our theology and our reality.
  -Much of the body of Christ is paralyzed by unbelief.  Our unbelief has likely ushered us into a frustrating, disabling cycle: we believe little, so we see little, so we continue to believe little and see little.
  -A popular explanation for the rarity of obvious miracles today is that God no longer performs them, but the unbelief of this generation may be the real obstacle.
  -God is not offended by our requests for supernatural intervention.  On the contrary, God is pleased when we exercise faith.  God is offended when our desire for signs and wonders eclipses our desire for Him or becomes a request for God to prove Himself.  God reads every petition we make on the tablets of our hearts."

I do believe that God still performs miracles.  I've heard multiple stories of sickness being cured.  But do I REALLY, personally, deep down in my soul believe that God can do what he says he can do?  If so, why don't I pray for the miracle?  Why when someone is struggling with an illness do I pray for the doctors, and a correct diagnosis/medication to be given, but not complete healing?  Although Blaine's diagnosis is still unsure at this point, why do I just pray for clear results and the grace to deal with what may come if it is positive?  Why don't I pray for healing?  Is it because I don't believe He will do it?  Is it because I think that it is insignificant for Him to care about?  (Although that's not what I have been taught or not what I'd tell you that that's what I believe.  But is that what my prayer life is saying?)  Why bother asking if I don't think it's going to happen anyway.  Not b/c I don't think he's able, but b/c I don't think he'll choose to.  That's really undermining the power of God though.  Our God is all powerful and able to heal!  If we really believed it then I should be able to pray for it.

Take it past a physical healing.  What other things do I not believe/ask God the "bigger" thing for?  Why do I tend to settle for certain things/people to be the way they are and just ask for grace or understanding through it?  Why don't I ask God for a miraculous change?  I understand that there are times God chooses not to heal or not to create a miraculous change, but that doesn't mean I shouldn't ask at all.  In order for God to work miraculously I have to give Him the opportunity.  And by not asking at all it is cutting Him short and not allowing him to "flex his muscles".

I know this.  At least I say I know this.  Then why does it still seem hard to pray for the miraculous?  Does his choice to not move at times seem like a disappointment or a unbroken promise?  If I don't ask then I can't be let down. ??? (Can someone say trust issues. Uhhh....yeah.)   

James 1:6 "Ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind."

So how do I balance it all?  How do I pray for the miraculous with full expectancy; not doubting; yet still praying "your will be done Lord", and my faith/trust not be dashed in the end no matter the outcome?

O God, teach me to pray.  Diminish my doubt.  Help my unbelief.

Praise God that the Holy Spirit intercedes for us and knows the matters of our heart!

2 Month Check-up

2 months already!!!  Well, Blaine was 2 months on Christmas..I'm just a tad behind. 

For the most part the "roughness" we experienced I am glad to say (for the most part) is over!  He is still a bit crankier in the evenings but nothing like he was before.  He has taken beautifully to his schedule as well!  He was doing 7 hour stretches at night here and there, but for the last few nights he's slept 9 hours straight.  As I'm sure anyone can testify, a good nights sleep makes a huge difference the next day (for mom). 

Blaine is still 100% a belly sleeper.  He's not so fond of that position when he's awake (he'd rather be facing out to see what all is going on), but rather quickly after you lay him down, he finds his left hand to suck on, and he's out.  Maybe it was a fluke ('cause I haven't seen him do it since) but there were three times I found him on his side/back after I had laid him down on his belly.  Once was right before Christmas, and twice right after.  The first time it was in the middle of the night.  I didn't say anything to anyone 'cause I thought I was crazy (delusional from lack of sleep).  2 months is way too early to be rolling over anyway.  A few days later he did it again.  So I wasn't crazy.  I know it's not tummy to back (the more accomplished roll) but I'm still somewhat impressed/surprised.  I honestly think it was in part due to the sides of the play pin, him being mad, and pushing up on his arms, but I don't particularly care to lay him in the middle of the floor, let him get mad and scream just to see if he does it again.  So I'm patiently waiting for him to do it again.     

The only "complaint" I really have about him is his dislike for the car.  I mean..what baby doesn't like the car?  The car is the secret weapon used to get many babies to fall asleep.  Not Blaine.  He hates it!  There have been a handful of times where he has actually fallen asleep and the car ride was peaceful, but a majority of the time he gets really mad.  I was hoping to take a trip with the boys to see Tim's Mee-maw, Aunt, and cousins, then up to see Tim's parents and his sister's family in a few months, but if Blaine doesn't get used to the car it doesn't look like we'll be going anywhere.  Praying that this will change in the next few months.

Well, since we were out of town we just saw his doctor yesterday for his 2 month well-baby.  He weighed 13 lbs 14 oz and was 24 1/2 inches long.  I'm pretty sure he was already at 13 lbs when I weighed him at home at 1 month, so he's slowed down a bit this past month.  If I remember correctly both Ryan and Colin were right around 12 lbs at their two month so he's growing just about the same considering he started out a little bit bigger.  Considering his appointment was during his normal nap time he did very well.  He even cooed and smiled for the nurse (before she administered his shots).

On our way home though, his doctor called me about his newborn screening blood tests.  In Texas they take blood at birth and at two weeks and send it off to be tested for certain diseases.  Apparently, on both tests, the markers were a tad high for cystic fibrosis.  With the weight gain he has shown so far the doctor said she wasn't overly concerned but she still wanted to refer him for more testing.  So at this point we are waiting on a phone call from a local hospital to set up an appointment for Blaine to take the sweat test.  They will be testing the amount of salt in his sweat to help determine a diagnosis.  There is a part of me that is concerned but I do feel a peace about it, no matter how it might turn out.  I'm definitely not stressing about it at this point, but prayers are appreciated!

(He REALLY likes his left hand!)

New Year's Resolutions?

Yes please!!!  I LOVE resolutions!  I'm not up for your typical "I want to eat better, loose weight, etc" stuff.  But I like a challenge!  And I certainly don't limit my resolutions just for the New Year.  I like goals.  I like to set them, strive for them, and then see improvement or the desired result.  In setting goals I believe a good place to start is to ask God to open your eyes to the things that He sees in your life that might need some adjustment.  (Scary thing sometimes!)

Forgive me if this it's sporadic.  I've been writing this in parts between the hours of 11 PM and midnight over the last few weeks.  So..hope you can follow.

Over the last few weeks my call to motherhood has weighed a little heavy on my heart.  Sometimes thinking about all that I'm responsible for as a parent is overwhelming/humbling.  As parents we are responsible for our children.  I want to teach my boys more than their ABC's and 123's.  I want to teach them about what's really important.  I want to build their character.  To look first after others.  To be content.  To be humble.  Encourage them to have a personal, passionate relationship with our Saviour.  Overwhelming, no???  How is it that I can possibly accomplish all of this?  I know that God specifically appointed Tim and me to be the parents of our boys.  He knew my boys even before they were in my womb and he made no mistake in making me their mother.  BUT....sometimes I feel there are other people better suited for the job.  They seem to have it more together.  They seem to be more focused on the things of heaven and they know how to convey that to their children.  I want to be better.  I just wish I had more prior experience/training in motherhood.

Did you ever get the chance to job shadow?  Our junior year in high school we were encouraged to spend a day at the job we wanted to work at "when we grew up".  Motherhood is said to be one of the hardest jobs.  Then why isn't there more training in preparation for it?  They should have internships for motherhood!  I would have done one!  Anyway.

During my time in Colorado I had some time to self-examine some of my "mothering techniques" and certain areas I need to focus on with my boys.  There are certain attitudes, behaviors I saw in each of my boys that I want to mold into the attitude that Christ wants us to have.  Hebrews 12 "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,  fixing our eyes on Jesus...."  I know this verse speaks directly to our walk as a follower of Christ, but it also speaks to me as a mother.  It gently reminds me of where my focus needs to be and that in order to get to the end I have to put aside some things and take action.

With Colin, I know I need to be more consistent in my discipline.  I need to follow thru with action when I ask him to do something and he doesn't listen.  I tend to let him get away with much more than he should.   So for the last few days, I've really tried to focus on following thru.  Meal time (as with most) is difficult and I have trouble getting him to stay at the table, so this is also becoming a focus for me.  He is also showing signs of boredom.  A few months ago Colin would have been content to "hang-out" all day.  He was pretty laid back and didn't require the need to be entertained, but would happily just follow me around most of the day.  Of course the change could partly be due to adding Blaine to the picture.  In his boredom, he likes to pick on Ryan (which can include hitting), throwing things, and just being destructive in general.  I know these behaviors are also quite normal for a 2 year old but you can see when you are watching him that is partly out of boredom and the need for attention.  So again, action on my part is required in guiding him to the correct behaviors.  Action is also required in finding him constructive things to do.  Ach!  I have trouble with this.  Most activities only keep his attention 5/10 minutes max. My expertise definitely DOES NOT lie in entertaining a 2 year old.  Of course I somewhat remember going thru this same phase with Ryan, so hopefully this too shall pass.  In the meantime I'm thankful for the semi-nice weather so he can run around in the back yard.  I'm also open to other suggestions that will help hold his attention longer than 5 minutes. 

Ryan can be sensitive.  I am somewhat praying this is just a 4-year-old thing, but also praying for the wisdom to know how to respond.  I honestly have THE HARDEST TIME responding to his tears because his feelings were hurt because he didn't get what he wanted.  I really want to say "Suck it up.  Get over it."  (Which sometimes I do). I'm not sure this is the attitude I'm supposed to have though.  So praying for guidance in that situation.  Sometimes Ryan plays great by himself.  Other times it's like pulling teeth to get him to go play in his room by himself.  Sometimes I feel guilty though about how much I "depend' on him to take care of himself/entertain himself.  I definitely want to encourage him to be independent, but sometimes I feel like I just have him "along for the ride."  I want to find a happy medium.  I want him to know he is loved and cherished and not just being pushed aside.  My goal with Ryan is to continue to give him things that cause him to grow intellectually, but more importantly I want to deliberately be taking the time to mold his heart.  It's just difficult to know exactly how to do it.  I'm sure this is typical child, but he is constantly telling me what he wants (toys mainly).  I continually tell him how God wants us to be happy with what we have, but how can I really burn that truth into his heart?  Which then also causes me to question what he is seeing.  Is what I'm telling him different from what he is perceiving?  Am I continually wanting more?  Plus with all the things that Grandma's/Grandpa's/we parents like to get him...is this just counteracting the command to be content?  (There is a huge part of me that wants to throw a majority of his toys away.)  I want his heart to be sensitive to the needs of others and to put others before himself.  I know this takes deliberate teaching though...one that I might have possibly lacked on in the past  So again, another goal for me to focus in on for him, and our family.  I have a few ideas.

My other goal with both of them is to make sure I take the time to give them some personal one-on-one attention.  Whether it be playing a game, sitting to read a book, or a special "Mommy & Me Date".  I know that they need it.

There are two books that I have read in the past that I believe speak directly to these issues.  Both worth another read when I get the chance.  The first is "Shepherding a Child's Heart" by Tedd Tripp.  It speaks about looking at the motive that is behind the behaviour and fixing the attitude, not just the behaviour.  The other book I read more recently is "The Mission of Motherhood" by Sally Clarkson.  EXCELLENT book!  She does a wonderful job of breaking down what God has called us to teach our children and gives great practical examples at the end of each chapter.  I would love to read some of her other stuff as well, plus all the resources she listed in the back!

Well, those are a few of my resolutions/goals/whatever it is you want to call them.  I know I won't always get it right, but I know where my focus is supposed to be.  I'm thankful that when He does call me to self-examine myself he gives me guidance.

Proverbs 3: 6 "In all your ways acknowledge Him, and he will direct your path."

Proverbs 4:11 "I instruct you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths."

Happy New Year All!  Are you setting any goals for yourself?  Is there something that God has set on your heart to re-examine?