Good night

                            I just love watching our children while they sleep.

           Here are some adorable pictures we took while they were sleeping.

Interpretations

We were driving back from church yesterday, and our firstborn Isaac looked out the window and saw something cool. "Look mamma, look at that cool thing!"

Now Seth, our second child, is always mimicking Isaac, and so he immediately adds to Isaac's observance "Cold mamma, that thing is cold!"

I love kids

What do People See in YOU

Wherever you may work, or whatever you associate yourself with, you are a representative of that. Whether you may like it or not. Working in retail, I represent the store I work for. Chances are, if I am kind to someone, and they know where I work, they will be more likely to go there next time they require our businesses services.

Now, ask yourself this. If you are a Christian, are you making God inviting to others? Do you dote on Him? Are you proud of calling yourself a Christian? Can you prove it? Do you talk about Him wherever you go? Can you say that you have written about Him? Do you talk about Him to your friends? Do your children see a Godly example in you? Do they see you read your Bible? Do they hear you pray? Is there something totally different about you that makes people wonder who you are following? Or are you just trying to fit in. Trying to be cool so people will feel comfortable around you. Trying not to offend anyone or make them feel bad about their sin. Riding the fence. Feeling luke warm. Being an idealist.

Lets make sure we do not become calloused to the world, and just slip through life without making a difference. And if it is your desire to make a difference, then do it for God! And let people know that is it for God! When you boast a random act of kindness without giving God the credit, then you will be perceived as doing this act for self gratification. Do it for God, and your rewards will be eternal. Be a light unto the world. Show Gods love, but tell others about Him also, and why you are showing love. Talk about Him in your daily lives. Surround yourselves with people who are a positive influence on you and your children.

Dont just be hearers of the word, but doers as well.

How we spent our day today

What a wonderful day to be outside!

Isaac raking leaves

Annie singing in the sunshine.

Seth swinging on his swing.

We're such awful parents

Annabelle's only vegetable intake.

"Here Isaac, let me help you over the railing"

Isaac crying because we told him he had to eat his peas before he could have a cookie! 

Please don't grow up

Dear Annabelle, 

Please never grow up. Please never get married. Please never change. Stay this little joyful girl that you are now. 

I am trying to remind myself that this has been done before. Proud fathers have let go of their children to the world and have hoped that their teachings have made a impact in their lives. But how hard is it!? I am trying to prepare myself for that day when little Annie brings that boy to the door for me to meet. I will be carving a steak, or dressing a deer. There will be blood on my apron and a knife in my hand. As I open the door, I will greet Annabelle with a kiss, and immediately look at the poor sap and gruffly ask him to enter. After dinner, I will suggest that we go out target practicing deep into the woods. I will sling my 30-30 around my shoulder, clip my 45 colt revolver to my belt, and put my taurus 38 special in my pocket. I will then tell the young man to wait here while I get something special for him. I will then proceed to the basement, where I pull a cap gun out of a toy box, and hand it to him with a half crazed look on my face while I gently say "bang".

I could go on and on, and we all know that this will probably never happen. But all fathers have had to have dreamt up situations like this from one time to another. It is how we cope. 

 Im sure this young man will be a Godly man who will provide for my daughter, and will raise a family with good values and morals. 

 

 I am hoping anyways. 

Jason

Its a matter of perspective

Lately I have been trying to see things from other perspectives, one of them being from my child's. I have been slowing my temper, and learning to be patient and see things as they see them. We as parents are giants. Huge walking, booming, banging, towering giants. We give them orders, and expect them to follow them to the letter. And if they don't, there will be consequences. Kind of intimidating huh? 

When we speak to our children, it MUST be in kindness and love. We cannot shut them out and treat them like they are of no concern to us. That is devastating to them. Imagine your greatest role model of all time looking at you and brushing you off like you were of no concern to them. 

We need to make time to be with our children. We need to encourage them, answer their questions, show concern for their little child problems and praise them for their little child accomplishments. Our pastor has said in past sermons "if you do not raise your children, then someone or something else will". It may be their teachers, their friends, the television, their own minds!  It will be someone other than their role model parent. And then before you know it, that new thing will be their new role model. They will took to it for their concerns, questions, and even joyous moments. 

Think about how Jesus treats us. Think about how inviting His arms are! We can go to Him with every little nagging question and every concern on our little human hearts. He will never slam the door on us. He will never be too busy for our needs. We as parents need to pray for Godly wisdom in raising our children to be little Christians, ready and willing to serve Him wherever they are called. For thats it what we are on this earth to do. To serve to the best of our ability for His glory. If we can be daily role models of selflessness and serve to the best of our ability in everything, even if we feel we are above it, we need to, and in doing this we will prepare these little minds for a God loving and God serving future. 

Trusting in Him, 

Jason

New Beginnings

A few days ago Isaac came to me and said, "Mommy you have to see the green plants outside!" I mumbled an 'mm hmm', and went about my business, not knowing that my daffodil bulbs had grown 4 inches so far. With 3 small children it's hard to listen, and acknowledge everything that is said during the day. Now I know I should be listening a little more attentively.

As with the coming of Spring, we are starting something new. A blog to bring our family closer to yours. We hope to bring you pictures, musings, stories, ramblings, and more every week.