Our Family Prayer

Ephesians 3:14-19

Date Night

I don't know about anyone else but we have been sick at our house since the end of January. My least favorite thing about two kids is that they piggy back cooties. As soon as one is feeling better, the other gets sick and then once they get better it's your turn! Next thing you know, we've all been sick for 6 weeks! Things are finally starting to calm down - Praise the Lord!

Tonight, in celebration of spending time with my big boy, Jackson and I went on a date. We had the best time just the two of us. We're always so busy with church and other activities that we rarely get to do anything alone. It was a special, treasured time. I encourage each of you to do things alone with each of your children. Even if it's just a walk or trip to the park, making time for our children is always worth it and sends them the message that they are worthy of your time and affection. I know I need to make time to do this more.

Last night before bed Jackson said, "I'm so excited about our date - I hope I can sleep!" How absolutely precious is that? I treasure these boys. And I really treasure that Jackson said he wanted to eat somewhere that had chips and salsa. He knows my love language.

Prayer Request

Please pray for our sweet friend Kelly. She is currently in the hospital with a staph infection. You can read more about it here.

For those of you who don't know Kelly (although I'm not sure how) she is a friend of mine from church and mother to two little girls 3 and almost 1. They need their Mom back home and healthy soon!

Pray for her husband Scott and all of the grandparents helping with the girls. Pray for the drs and nurses. Pray direction and wisdom and quality care.

We are believing in complete healing for Kelly!

Bah Love Bug

Last Wednesday our MOPS group had a Valentine's Party. It was from 3-5 on a Wednesday, which is a really busy day for us because of AWANA but I thought it would be fun for the boys so we went.

Neither of the boys napped ahead of time so I knew we would be pushing it, couple that with a bunch of sweet treats and you can forget about it. They did really good for the most part...until all of the older kids played a game and the prize was a pencil.

Jackson walked over to me all pouty faced and when I asked him what was wrong he said, "I didn't want a pencil. I wanted a toy."

I wanted to die y'all. Like, melt in the floor die. I was mortified, mostly because that is totally not who Jackson is. He is a sweet, caring boy who is always the first one to share with everyone around him. Needless to say, we left immediately and headed back home. Oh well, it gave us a really good opportunity to talk about gratitude. I know he is four and he was tired, but still, that response and attitude is never ok, I don't care what the circumstances. On a positive note we made some really cute crafts and have some fun Valentine's Day picture memories :)

Happy Valentine's Day Everyone!

Mary, Did you Know?

Yesterday was an unseasonably warm day in February. I had an outdoor photo session at a local walking trail and since it was late enough in the day, Ben could watch the boys for me. The boys ran and played, threw rocks - enjoyed being boys. After the session I met up with them and snapped a few memory shots and then we headed home. Jackson wanted to jump of the bench (of course he did) and I thought it would be fun to catch the shot. He loves to talk about being able to fly. He gets that from Ben. I hate to fly and the thought of that super power sounds anything but super.

When I got home, I uploaded the images and was struck by this one. My eyes were immediately drawn to the crosses in the background and I was just flooded with emotion. It was like everything I am hoping and dreaming for my boys was right there in front of me. Oh how I LONG for the day when I can say with calm assurance that they have taken the leap for Jesus. I pray over the boys that God will call them, save them, do whatever He has to do to just keep them with Him for eternity.

Do you feel burdened for your children? Do you feel pressure to show them the Jesus they read about? I'm so horrible with accountability but I know that my boys are watching me. How will they know Jesus is real if I proclaim Him but act like everyone else? It's a lot of pressure and I can't do it on my own. I need grace just as much as they do but HE gives me the strength and He always will, if I seek Him and ask. Who knew that the two people who know the least about my struggles and failures would be the ones that keep me focused on letting God use me and heal me.

I used to cringe at the thought of anything bad ever happening to the boys, but I'm coming to realize that without the bad, where is the need for Jesus? My prayers have changed from "Protect them, Lord! Watch over them and keep them from any harm!" to "Do whatever you have to Lord to save them." Will it be painful in the process? Maybe. Pain isn't everyone's salvation road, but for some it is. Like Mary, watching Jesus carry the cross - it was painful. It looked wrong. She didn't know it at the time, but that painful road would save me. And you. And, some day, my boys. So until I get to see that official leap, that day they call Jesus King and Savior I will do as Lamentations 2:19 says and "Pour my heart like water before the presence of the Lord, Lift my hands to him for the lives of my children"

What a precious day that will be.

Scarrrrry

We don't do scary at our house. I just don't like really scary things and I don't let the boys watch shows with big, scary bad guys. I mean, the world is scary enough and I want them to be guarded as long as possible. And good grief, my oldest is only 3! But, even the sweetest of shows (Veggie Tales and Blues Clues) have scary-ish episodes. Of course, from just these small influences, the wild imagination of a child takes off running.

For some reason, Jackson thinks it's fun to tell scary stories to each other, ones that are not at all scary but are as scary as it gets to him. As you can see in this picture (that makes me laugh out loud every time I look at it) today he was telling me a big one. He had this big elaborate story about a ghost that makes playground equipment disappear - truly his worst nightmare! Then, it's my turn. He finishes his story with a big oooooooh and then giggles and says, your turn! Here was my scary story:

"Once upon a time there was a Mommy who was kept up all night by two little boys. She barely got any sleep and woke up super early and super tired. Then, as she slowly crept into the kitchen she realized there was NO COFFEEEEE!!!!! AGGGHHHH!"

Ha! Hope everyone had a great Tuesday :)

Our Weekend

I Took His Hand and Followed

Mrs. Roy L. Peifer

My dishes went unwashed today,

I didn't make the bed,

I took his hand and followed

Where his eager footsteps led.

Oh yes, we went adventuring,

My little son and I...

Exploring all the great outdoors

Beneath the summer sky

We waded in a crystal stream,

We wandered through a wood...

My kitchen wasn't swept today

But life was gay and good.

We found a cool, sun-dappled glade

And now my small son knows

How Mother Bunny hides her nest,

Where jack-in-the-pulpit grows.

We watched a robin feed her young,

We climbed a sunlit hill...

Saw cloud-sheep scamper through the sky,

We plucked a daffodil.

That my house was neglected,

That I didn't brush the stairs,

In twenty years, no one on earth

Will know, or even care.

But that I've helped my little boy

To noble manhood grow,

In twenty years, the whole wide world

May look and see and know.