'Snot Fun

Cold #3 of the season. Many more to come, no doubt!

Our Family

We finally have a family photo, thanks to Mrs. Bob. Thanks! :)

Eight Months

A-team is now two thirds of a year old. He has two teeth on his bottom jaw, and drools more than ever. Although not officially crawling on hands and knees, he is still very mobile, getting around by pulling with his arms and pushing with his legs. He'll go from sitting position to crawling position, but not the other way around.
He dosen't like baby cereal, or my purees, but prefers big people food. He will eat blueberries, bits of cheese, sweet potato, cheerios, and bread, etc. He's a pretty content child, and usually can occupy himself with a few toys for quite a while. He loves to watch his big brother's silly antics, screeching with laughter!
He loves to play peekaboo, pulling a blanket or curtain over his face and yanking it back, saying "Aboo!" and giggling.

Music Monday - The Servant Song

I was taught this song in grade school, and it recently came to mind after a conversation with a friend. I expressed to her that I always feel guilty after sharing my burdens, I think because I don't like to talk about myself. But she comforted me by saying that she was happy that I felt comfortable enough to share them with her. Thank you, dear friend, for holding your hand out to me.

Brother, let me be your servant
Let me be as Christ to you
Pray that I may have the grace
To let you be my servant, too

We are pilgrims on a journey
We are brothers on the road
We are here to help each other
Walk the mile and bear the load

I will hold the Christlight for you
In the night-time of your fear
I will hold my hand out to you
Speak the peace you long to hear

I will weep when you are weeping
When you laugh I'll laugh with you
I will share your joy and sorrow
Till we've seen this journey through

When we sing to God in heaven
We shall find such harmony
Born of all we've known together
Of Christ's love and agony

Brother, let me be your servant
Let me be as Christ to you
Pray that I may have the grace
To let you be my servant, too.

Two Stinkers

Oh sure, they look all cute and innocent...
...but they like to take Mommy's paper
...play with the furniture...(and get stuck in it, hence the helpless expression)
...and eat all the ice cream...
"ICE CREAM?? WHAT ICE CREAM?" *drip*
"Just you wait 'til I get outta here!"
Interrupting Daddy's important homework.

Hope

Romans 5 verse 1-5

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

I am currently reading Romans for my personal devotion. It is one of my favorite books in the Bible. It's so rich and full of assurance for us!

This text is so beautiful. Our hope, the hope of the glory of God, gives us the confidence that the purpose for which he created us will someday be realized. The glory that man had before the fall will again be attained through Christ. This blessed assurance of our future destiny is based on God's love, which is revealed to us through the Holy Spirit and demonstrated to us in the death of Christ.

Not only that, but we are reminded that the trials we face are not meaningless. Part of God's purpose is to produce character in his children. He lovingly refines, shapes and moulds us into the people he intends us to be. We can rejoice in our sufferings (not because of, but in) because we know it matures us, and makes us more complete, drawing us closer to him in the process. Suffering and grieving are not easy, but in our deepest valleys of hurt and pain, this blessed assurance gives us strength to endure.

Play

Learning to share
Tackle time
The last chestnut harvest
Super soft eco dough!
Building towers
Construction site

Music Monday - Beautiful Things

I came across this song through (in)courage.

All this pain
I wonder if I’ll ever find my way
I wonder if my life could really change at all
All this earth
Could all that is lost ever be found
Could a garden come up from this ground at all

You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of the dust
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of us

All around
Hope is springing up from this old ground
Out of chaos life is being found in You

You make me new, You are making me new