Ouch?

Quote of the day from Noah:

"Sometimes they bring a real bulldog to the Bulldog game and sometimes they bring a real falcon to the Falcons game, but I don't think they'd bring a real yellow jacket to the Yellow Jacket's game."

Nine

Dear Lucas,

Today you are 9.  It seems like yesterday that all the excitement surrounding your birth was taking place. Yes, son, you sure know how to make a grand entrance! Don't ever forget that you are a miracle. God placed his hand on you and has great things planned for you and I can't wait to see what they are!

You have grown into such a young man. I know it's an awkward place to be - sometimes you feel like a little boy and sometimes you think you're grown.  It'll be over soon. Enjoy the ride. :)

You love to draw. Especially comic strips. And I have to admit they are quite good. For a child that's never had an art lesson, I see some great things coming from that pencil (or pen, or marker, or crayon....). Your sense of humor isn't quite the same as mine, but I guess to other boys your age it would be hilarious.

You have taken an intense interest in cars recently. You know them all. You love VW beetles and Mini Coopers. You love Corvettes and Porsches. In fact you told me the other day that when you're older Porsches will remind you of your childhood. I questioned that fact considering the best we can do is a minivan and a Ford Focus that is in such bad need of being replaced the windows are taped up in the back.  But it's just like you to have grandiose ideas.

You love Switchfoot. You love music. You have come a long way in your piano abilities and are starting to learn a few guitar chords. You'd much rather play the guitar, but we've told you you have to learn to read music on the piano first. One day you'll thank us.

You also read. A lot. At least a book every day. I pray that continues for the rest of your life.

Right now in school we are memorizing the book of James. You were not happy about that at first, but now that we're 1/2way through the first chapter I see you enjoying it! (though you'd never admit it!) I can't tell you what a joy it is to hear you quoting scripture. My prayer is that it takes root deep inside your heart. That you would follow your Creator with a passion.

I see your hunger for God's word - I've seen it since you were three and would recite the story of David & Goliath. Just yesterday Pastor Steve preached from that and I had to smile as I remember you saying - in the lowest voice you could get - "Am I a dog that you come at me with sticks?" Then you would be David slinging the slingshot. Then you were Goliath falling down - you get the picture. :)

So my biggest boy, today we celebrate God's goodness in your life. I am so proud of you. I love you.

For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
(Eph. 3:14-20)

Mommy.

       

kissed the girls and made them cry

Last night I picked up Ellie and a good friend's 5 year old son from a birthday party. The following is their conversation on the way home. (name changed to protect the innocent. :))

Joe: Ellie, you're beautiful.
Ellie: What????
Joe: I said you're beautiful!
Ellie: Say it louder!!!
Joe: YOU'RE BEAU-TI-FUL!
Ellie laughs.
Joe: Did you hear me?
Ellie: Yes!
Joe: Do you want to kiss me now?
Ellie: No!

Buffalo Chicken Dip

I've never done anything like this before, but one of my favorite bloggers - boomama - is having a diptacular and since Kyle just brought home a fabulous dip recipe from work, I thought "why not share it with all 5 of you?" So here it is:


Buffalo Chicken Dip

2 – 12 oz cans all white chicken

¾ cup Franks Red Hot Sauce

2 – 8 oz cream cheese

1 ½ cup of shredded cheddar cheese

½ cup ranch dressing

½ cup blue cheese dressing

• Mix chicken and hot sauce, add cream cheese and both dressings.
  
• Add ½ cup cheese and put in crock pot. Right before serving add remainder of cheese.
• Serve with Tostito’s Scoops or your favorite dipping chip or just grab a spoon and eat it as is. :)

Enjoy! And hooray for college football - GO JACKETS!!

goggles and God's glory

Today Noah was baptized. He wore his googles and went forward instead of backward. But his heart was right. He wanted to be obedient to Christ.

About a year and a half ago, Noah prayed and asked God to be his boss & to forgive his sin. He became at that moment a new creation - a child of God. He knew that it wasn't being baptized that would save him. He understood that baptism was obedience and taking a stand before everyone that Jesus Christ is his Lord. He knew. He understood. But he was terrified. We let it go and prayed for the Lord to speak to him and work in his heart.

So, when it was announced a few weeks ago that baptism would be this Sunday, we asked him - like always - if he was ready. I was surprised to hear "I'll think about it" instead of the adamant NO! that we usually heard. After discussing it with him, it was clear that he was ready. Hesitant and nervous, but ready.

"But," he said, "can I wear my goggles?" Noah has never put his entire head under the water (by his own choosing, at least) and must wear goggles in the water at all times, even though his eyes are always above it. That's just one of the quirky things that makes Noah....Noah.

(Here's the part where I am honest and let my faulty flesh shine through to all of blogworld.)

My immediate thought was "Of course not! Whatever would all those people think if you have goggles on?!?! Jesus did not wear goggles. You should not wear goggles. How will I ever keep my reputation as a godly, spiritual mother if my son is baptized in goggles???" Thankfully, I didn't voice my opinion but instead said "We'll have to see about that." Kyle was all on board with the goggle-wearing, citing that nowhere could you find a passage that says "goggles may not be worn during baptism." I emailed our pastor thinking surely he would agree with me.

His reply - this is a direct quote -
"Regarding Noah... he can wear scuba gear if he wants to :-). I have no problem with the goggles."

Not what I had expected. Thinking that maybe God was trying to teach me something (ya think???) I stopped at that moment and prayed. I admitted that I was worried about what others would think - that I felt the need to explain to everyone beforehand why my son had goggles on. I began to tell God how important it was that Noah not wear goggles.

I'm not sure what I was expecting. Maybe I thought God would change Kyle's mind and he would see my point of view. Instead, God changed my heart. He showed me that I was more worried about what people would think than I was about Noah's heart to follow after Him. He showed me that I was being legalistic. He took away my desire to explain the situation and gave me peace that He was leading Noah. I repented and asked God to show me Noah's heart.

And He did. Noah was more nervous than I have ever seen him. He was quirkier than usual the moments before baptism. I was afraid he wouldn't go through with it. But he did. Even though it was hard for him, even though he was terrified, he did it. To see his smile as he came out of the baptistry, to see the joy on his face afterwards, to watch him be obedient to his Savior despite the obstacles - I had to stop and give God glory.

Today, I was reminded of how many times I have not been obedient because it was too hard or I was too afraid. I pray that I can be as courageous as Noah. That the next time God asks me to follow Him I won't tell him I can't because I'm scared or it's too hard for me. Oh to be obedient despite the costs! That's my heart's desire. Thank you, my precious Noah, for teaching me something today.

Here's the video -(Lucas took it so if you're prone to motion sickness you may want to skip it. )
Click on the thumbnail to watch.


Noah's baptism 8/30

blast from the past

We have two computers in our home. One upstairs, one down. The upstairs computer is our old PC. The downstairs - Kyle's new(ish) Mac. Our PC monitor died several months ago so we've been soley a Mac family for a while now. Not a problem, except all our old pictures were on our PC as well as a math curriculum that Lucas needed for school this year. Which is why a few weeks ago we broke down and bought a new monitor for the old computer.

All that to say I have been going through pictures on this computer, deleting bad ones that we'll never use and narrowing down our selection. I love, love, love pictures and love, love, love looking through the kids baby pics and remembering that sweet time of life.

So I thought I'd share a few -

These all got out of order, but oh well. Here's a classic Ellie face that
hasn't seeemed to disappear with age. ;)

And here she is at 3 months - looking a bit more angelic :) - in Guatemala
while we were waiting to come home.

Jacob @ about 6 months.

Noah @ 9 months after bathtime.

Our two handsome boys (lucas & noah) ready for fall festival at church.

And the next year - our 3 sweet boys just hangin' out. Daddy worked nights
during these years - so Mommy and the boys had lots of time
on our hands.

Lucas's 1st birthday

One night we heard "Feliz Navidad" coming from the bathroom. When we went to investigate we found this. Lucas on his little potty with his undies on his head.

Preemie Noah coming home from the hospital.

My baby boy Jacob and his heart-melting dimples.

Burning things & the Old Testament?

So much for creative titles. :)

Today I actually remembered to grab the video camera to capture a couple of moments. Lucas was outside experimenting with the sun's energy. (i.e., burning things) While out there, the others showed off their remarkable singing ability with their books of the Old Testament song we've been learning.







It's a shame my kids are so camera shy. And please excuse my extreme southern accent on the word "Amos." You can take the girl out of Mississippi, but apparently you can't take the Mississippi out of the girl.

Yes, I'm aware that their singing ability isn't what most would call .... good. I'm also aware that 90% of what Ellie says is barely intelligible. We're working on that hand in hand with the school system who promises that "soon" she'll be evaluated. But that's another post for another day.