My Big Boy

Judah is getting to be such a big boy. Sometimes Asher will see a picture of Judah now and think that it is him. They really do look so much a like. There is one picture that I posted that I think looks like I did when I was a baby (which one do you think it is?)...it is fun to see myself in my children every once and a while...although their daddy is pretty cute too:)                            

Zoo Trip

I love my mommy friends. When we are able to get together, which is not as often as it should be, we always have such a good time talking about our parenting triumphs and struggles, sharing ideas of ways to make the ABC's fun, and reassuring each other that, "yes, other children do that." It is so wonderful to have friends that are also trying to raise their children to love the Lord. What a blessing!

With a little team work we were able to get a picture of the four older kids together. It is becoming harder and harder to get a good picture of Asher and his friends because they are all in perpetual motion. What sweet little faces! I think this is my favorite picture because it captures each of their personalities.

Thrill Seeker

Over the past few weeks Judah has begun to pull up on anything and everything he can get his hands on, even trying to use Asher as a way to maneuver around the room. This is a wonderful part in his development that I am so excited about…the only thing is…he is kind of a thrill seeker.

When Judah was only a few months old he was showing signs of his wild side. Someone would be holding him and suddenly he would throw himself backwards and giggle with delight over the free fall feeling he just experienced. His love of viewing things upside down also gave me suspicions that he might be a little rambunctious. Anytime I handed him to someone I felt the need to give them warning of what to expect, “now you have to really hold on to him tight…sometimes he will just throw himself around without reason...oh and if he gets fussy if you let him hang his head back he really likes to look at things upside down.”

Well now there are a new set instructions, “Watch out for Judah when he is pulling up on things because he will just let go.” My poor sweet boy has several knots on his head from the hard falls he has experienced after letting go of the very thing that was supporting him. The first few times this happened I thought, well he just has to learn how to fall correctly. Then after more falls I thought maybe in his mind he is a really great walker and he just needs to learn that he indeed cannot walk on his own yet.

After spending all afternoon watching Judah play in his crib I have decided that his falling has been on purpose. He spent all day yesterday pulling up on the side of his crib and then throwing himself back to fall and bounce on his mattress. His laughter filled the room as he would climb up again to get into position. A few times his face hit the bed first and I was ready to give him comfort but instead of tears there were smiles as he rolled around and did a kind of baby wrestle move with his blanket. I wish I would have thought I need this on video but I could not pry myself away, afraid that at any moment he was going to give himself his first bloody nose.

So now I just have to figure out how to help him learn the hard lesson that the world is not made of padded floors…maybe I should get one of these?:)

The Hardest Job.

Recently Asher and I have been having some communication problems…and when I say that I mean, that I have been telling him things to do and not do …and he has not been listening. I think that is probably the biggest communication break down there could be! As I have been trying to correct his behavior, it has brought out things in me that need just as much if not more correction.

Isn’t it funny how God uses parenting to show us our own sin and His grace so effectively? After a week of speaking to Asher in a way I never have, I realized that I had begun to think that I parent alone. My ugly heart had shown itself. I am full of pride and confidence in my own ability apart from God. The patience, mercy, and wise guidance my perfect Father shows me I was refusing to give to my children. What a hard job God has given us…but He does not expect us to do it on our own. This is what I have to remember the next time there is chaos in my home. God listens and provides.