I have lots of pictures to post and no time...yet. Several are from my phone, too. After we return our computer to normal working order (after getting rid of irritable Vista and going back to XP), hopefully I'll get all the pics in one place -- here!
Elijah is having an explosion in social interaction skills. He's quite the little ham, loves to be chased, and is starting to communicate more. He now uses the sign for "please" at any time rather than just meal time. He even did it in Target the other day when he wanted to hold something. He knows how to take you by the hand and show you where he wants you to go. He speaks "all done" to tell you he is really finished with his food -- a blessing I've been waiting for! Elijah is also becoming a little helper. Yesterday, he helped me shut two doors. Today, he helped me put a load of clothes in the washer and shut the washer door.
Judah's new favorite thing is to call things "naked." One of the cutest things he says (repeating Momma and Daddy of course) is "Cum ear nakeh boy!" in a sing song fashion. But today, I heard him saying "Hi, naked trees...hi naked bunny rabbit..." while looking out the back door. Oh dear. :-P Judah is such a big helper when he wants to be. He's even started helping with Elijah on occasion (hat, jacket). He also is wanting to do more things "by myself." He tries to put his socks on, and he succeeds most of the time in putting his shoes on (even if they are sometimes on the wrong feet). He's very good at taking off his jacket and the top part of his pajamas. And he's an excellent tooth brusher!
My new favorite thing about myself is this weird new-found energy I seem to have lately. I have no idea where it's coming from, but I like it! Perhaps part of it could be the few days of freedom each week when Nathan takes Matt to work thereby leaving me the car to go do errands or take the boys to play with the Thomas the Train set at Barnes & Noble. Sure makes the need to stay home and work on the house a fun need rather than a monotonous one. Perhaps another part is the excellent sermon series our pastor is doing on I Corinthians 13. Such a well-known passage and taught on alot, but really...it is worthy of all the attention it gets. I want to paint it on a wall in my home someday. To have a Biblical description of love before your eyes daily really puts perspective on how you should behave towards your family which then extends to your behavior to others.
Matt's new favorite thing is getting better and better at playing guitar. When his parents were here last week, he and his dad played their guitars together. Tony showed Matt the simple technique of just listening to a song over and over (and over) with the chords in front of you so you can pluck along until you get the right chords and rhythm. I love having a hubby who plays the acoustic. The sound of that instrument just relaxes my whole being.
I suppose I could have waited to post this tiny tidbit update until AFTER the boys pending check-up this afternoon. Can't wait to see what percentiles Elijah is in for height and weight! Until then....have a beautiful fall day!
Friday, October 31, 2008
Friday, October 17, 2008
Emilee & Cookies
Judah now associates our friend Emilee with cookies. She's bringing snickerdoodles tonight.
Judah calls them "nicker-noonles."
CUTE!
Judah calls them "nicker-noonles."
CUTE!
Give Me Your Eyes
Brandon Heath
This song goes perfectly with what I've been learning lately. And I recall it may have even been an airport when I heard the words from my friend, "So many people, so many stories." Listen and make it your prayer.
(And can I just say that I LOVE this kind of music...a nice combo of pop, rock, and hip-hop.)
This song goes perfectly with what I've been learning lately. And I recall it may have even been an airport when I heard the words from my friend, "So many people, so many stories." Listen and make it your prayer.
(And can I just say that I LOVE this kind of music...a nice combo of pop, rock, and hip-hop.)
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Beltway Epiphones II
If you haven't read the previous post, read that before reading this one.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As I lay down for my catnap yesterday afternoon, my mind once again went to the man on the corner, his need, and his condition. I prayed for him, though I wasn't exactly sure of what words to use. I started to think about this man, this human being. There is a woman out there, whether living or in a grave, that carried him in her womb. She birthed him. There's also a man out there that fathered him. This man used to be a baby, a toddler, a boy, a teen, someone my own age, and now an older man. He grew up. He learned how to walk, eat, and talk just like me. Did he ever have a family he called his own? Was he given to an orphanage? Is he even originally from this country? If not, then how did he come to be here and on that corner at that same moment I was there? Someone once said something that was so profound to me I haven't been able to forget it. "So many people, so many stories." This man with the wobbly gate and money cup has a whole story just like I do, years under his belt and no one to share them with.
What makes me EVER think I am better than someone else? We're all broken. We all need help in one way or another. And we all need Christ if we ever hope to rise above the ugliness this world drowns us in.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As I lay down for my catnap yesterday afternoon, my mind once again went to the man on the corner, his need, and his condition. I prayed for him, though I wasn't exactly sure of what words to use. I started to think about this man, this human being. There is a woman out there, whether living or in a grave, that carried him in her womb. She birthed him. There's also a man out there that fathered him. This man used to be a baby, a toddler, a boy, a teen, someone my own age, and now an older man. He grew up. He learned how to walk, eat, and talk just like me. Did he ever have a family he called his own? Was he given to an orphanage? Is he even originally from this country? If not, then how did he come to be here and on that corner at that same moment I was there? Someone once said something that was so profound to me I haven't been able to forget it. "So many people, so many stories." This man with the wobbly gate and money cup has a whole story just like I do, years under his belt and no one to share them with.
What makes me EVER think I am better than someone else? We're all broken. We all need help in one way or another. And we all need Christ if we ever hope to rise above the ugliness this world drowns us in.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Beltway Epiphones
I'm going through a phase when I feel God softening my heart and causing me to be more sensitive to those who are hurting or in need. I love these phases because I know it is teaching me to have more compassion like Christ. But they are also sobering. Today, I had the opportunity to drive down to DC to pick up my aunt and her friend to take them to the airport. In that traffic-ridden 30 minutes, God gave me two moments of precious, sobering epiphone.
There's a point on the 495 when the Mormon temple bursts onto scene, rising tall above the trees. It is truly spectacular in both the day and the night. A thing of achitectural power and beauty. Very pristine and regal looking. Gorgeous.
Minutes after that epiphone came a more personal one. I was sitting at a light waiting to get off the 495 and noticed a man with a money cup on the side of the road. When I had been coming to a stop and noticed there'd be a man on the corner, I immediately locked my doors. But now, stopped, I was able to see more of who he was. This was not the typical "homeless, want food" sign holder who was dressed decently, looked well enough, had other belongings around, and maybe even a cigarette in hand. He was dressed in clothes that looked worn and too big for his body. His cup was definitely not in good shape. He needed a shave. Then he started walking down the curbside. This man has some sort of problem that causes his whole body to wobble while walking. He had a cane that desperately tried to hold him up. The only picture I can think of to describe it is that his bones must be made of jello. My heart was softening whether I wanted it to or not.
Typically, I brush off ANYONE standing on the road asking for money. I've heard too many skeptics assume they all are pretending or don't REALLY need the help. My mind fought my heart. Was he pretending all of this? Or was he really like that but didn't really need money? Or was this man truly in need? Did he really need money to help him live what existence he has? My mind wandered to the chunk of change, mostly pennies, that I knew was in the ash tray. We never use it for anything. We often forget it is even there. But now I remembered. It was just pennies. If he didn't need money, it wouldn't matter to lose the pennies. If he did need money, every little bit counts. If he did need money, I wish I could give more than pennies! When was the light going to turn green? Would he have time to wobble over to my car? Would I call out to him and then have to drive on before I could give him the change?
Would Jesus have sat here this long debating about whether or not to help someone who appeared to be in need? Or would He immediately act in His good, kind compassion?
I can't see this man's heart. I can't judge him. My responsibility is to be like Jesus regardless of what this man will do with the money.
So I grabbed the change, picked out the nail clippers, and rolled down my window and called out. I don't remember what I said. But the man immediately started working his way towards my car. It took what seemed like an eternity, but he made it. He started saying "God bless you" several times as he held out his cup and I dropped the change in. I said "God bless you, too" as he continued to say thank you and "God bless you." Then he said he would pray for me. I'm not sure which god he will pray to, hopefully even the one true God! I replied with "I'll pray for you, too" and before I knew it, my hand was patting the hand that gripped the money cup. It shocked me that I did that, but then it hit me. I might have just given that man something he hasn't had in a long time, maybe if ever: unhindered compassionate human touch. Christ not only provided for others out of His compassion. He touched them, too. Even the lepers.
As soon as that happened, the light turned green and I had to drive on. I choked back tears the rest of the way to the hotel as my heart melted. Why have I for years been part of the skeptics corner. Every John Doe on the corner is not a con artist. There are thousands of people who really do NEED help. I have been thinking and acting opposite of Christ when it comes to strangers. I've judged, stood aloof, and not extended my hand to those who just might really be poor and in need.
It breaks the heart to show compassion to those in need because it reveals how broken this world is. But that kind of broken heart feels good -- because you know it is the very heart of Christ.
There's a point on the 495 when the Mormon temple bursts onto scene, rising tall above the trees. It is truly spectacular in both the day and the night. A thing of achitectural power and beauty. Very pristine and regal looking. Gorgeous.And then it hit me. All of this power and beauty on the outside, while inside it is harboring a religion that twists Truth and leads people away from the only One that can truly save them. This temple is the epitome of an analogy for "white washed sepulchres."
Minutes after that epiphone came a more personal one. I was sitting at a light waiting to get off the 495 and noticed a man with a money cup on the side of the road. When I had been coming to a stop and noticed there'd be a man on the corner, I immediately locked my doors. But now, stopped, I was able to see more of who he was. This was not the typical "homeless, want food" sign holder who was dressed decently, looked well enough, had other belongings around, and maybe even a cigarette in hand. He was dressed in clothes that looked worn and too big for his body. His cup was definitely not in good shape. He needed a shave. Then he started walking down the curbside. This man has some sort of problem that causes his whole body to wobble while walking. He had a cane that desperately tried to hold him up. The only picture I can think of to describe it is that his bones must be made of jello. My heart was softening whether I wanted it to or not.
Typically, I brush off ANYONE standing on the road asking for money. I've heard too many skeptics assume they all are pretending or don't REALLY need the help. My mind fought my heart. Was he pretending all of this? Or was he really like that but didn't really need money? Or was this man truly in need? Did he really need money to help him live what existence he has? My mind wandered to the chunk of change, mostly pennies, that I knew was in the ash tray. We never use it for anything. We often forget it is even there. But now I remembered. It was just pennies. If he didn't need money, it wouldn't matter to lose the pennies. If he did need money, every little bit counts. If he did need money, I wish I could give more than pennies! When was the light going to turn green? Would he have time to wobble over to my car? Would I call out to him and then have to drive on before I could give him the change?
Would Jesus have sat here this long debating about whether or not to help someone who appeared to be in need? Or would He immediately act in His good, kind compassion?
I can't see this man's heart. I can't judge him. My responsibility is to be like Jesus regardless of what this man will do with the money.
So I grabbed the change, picked out the nail clippers, and rolled down my window and called out. I don't remember what I said. But the man immediately started working his way towards my car. It took what seemed like an eternity, but he made it. He started saying "God bless you" several times as he held out his cup and I dropped the change in. I said "God bless you, too" as he continued to say thank you and "God bless you." Then he said he would pray for me. I'm not sure which god he will pray to, hopefully even the one true God! I replied with "I'll pray for you, too" and before I knew it, my hand was patting the hand that gripped the money cup. It shocked me that I did that, but then it hit me. I might have just given that man something he hasn't had in a long time, maybe if ever: unhindered compassionate human touch. Christ not only provided for others out of His compassion. He touched them, too. Even the lepers.
As soon as that happened, the light turned green and I had to drive on. I choked back tears the rest of the way to the hotel as my heart melted. Why have I for years been part of the skeptics corner. Every John Doe on the corner is not a con artist. There are thousands of people who really do NEED help. I have been thinking and acting opposite of Christ when it comes to strangers. I've judged, stood aloof, and not extended my hand to those who just might really be poor and in need.
It breaks the heart to show compassion to those in need because it reveals how broken this world is. But that kind of broken heart feels good -- because you know it is the very heart of Christ.
Thursday, October 09, 2008
Smells Like Chocolate
Has any other parent out there secretly put something in their mouth and then tried to hide chewing from their children...because children inevitably want what you are eating? Well, I decided to indulge a little in some khocolate tonight. I popped a little piece in my mouth, then sat down with the boys to watch some Little Einstien. I noticed Judah got a funny look on his face and started looking around. Then he started sniffing. He looked at me and asked, "Chocolate?" ::sniff sniff while searching around:: He never did figure out where the smell was coming from. It's moments like those that make me realize you can't stop a kid from getting smarter. I had no idea he could smell something and then name what it was. I bet I won't be able to fool him much longer! And I wonder how many other smells he'd be able to recognize. I think he knows when I'm cooking dinner, but maybe not specifically what it is. He'd probably recognize muffins or biscuits. He likes those! ;-)
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
Crisp Autumn Day
Gorgeousness all around. Bright sun. Very blue sky. Big white puffy clouds. Changing trees. Cool breeze stirring already cool air. And sweaters!
Judah used the word "also" in a sentence today...correctly!
Matt put up a new shelf in the boys' room so we could finally throw away the changing table that had broken umpteen times. I love that shelf! Everything is so convenient now...and out of little hands' reach!
Elijah loves to put shoes on when they are not necessary, but NEVER keeps them on when his parents want them on his feet.
I love tortilla chips and being cozy with my hubby.
Funny Story: I got new socks last night, and Judah got his very first football. We dropped by our friend Justin's house to say hi and show off the new football. During conversation, I remarked that I loved my new socks. Justin said, "That's it! I knew there was something different about you, but I couldn't figure it out. It's that you're wearing shoes and not barefoot or in sandals!" Might not be funny to other people, but it just struck me right. :-)
Judah used the word "also" in a sentence today...correctly!
Matt put up a new shelf in the boys' room so we could finally throw away the changing table that had broken umpteen times. I love that shelf! Everything is so convenient now...and out of little hands' reach!
Elijah loves to put shoes on when they are not necessary, but NEVER keeps them on when his parents want them on his feet.
I love tortilla chips and being cozy with my hubby.
Funny Story: I got new socks last night, and Judah got his very first football. We dropped by our friend Justin's house to say hi and show off the new football. During conversation, I remarked that I loved my new socks. Justin said, "That's it! I knew there was something different about you, but I couldn't figure it out. It's that you're wearing shoes and not barefoot or in sandals!" Might not be funny to other people, but it just struck me right. :-)
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