Truth Spoken in Love

 My hubby has been greatly encouraged and influenced by the ministry of Jack Hibbs. His ministry has been very instumental in my hubby's life. If I could I would take some days away with just my hubby and fly to Los Angeles and go to visit the church that he pastors but right now that is not possible . . . something to dream about! Anyway, I listened to this message the other day and it is just packed with fantastic truth.

Click on Unstoppable Christmas-Part 2
http://www.calvarycch.org/media_center.php#

Clips of Our Growing Girls . . .

A little bit of everything news . . .

 My beautiful oldest daughter and myself:-)

 My serious little "CG"

 With these 2 nothing is ever boring. These 2 are the stereotypical brothers with A LOT of rough housing and being each others best friend and best enemy:-) We were in the dentist office in the picture above and they sit in the same chair not by themselves. I wanted to get a picture of them and IMMEDIATELY this is what they do when I ask them to smile. Ahh, the joy of boys.

On the way to the dentist office "R" was dreading telling the dental hygenist about his teeth cleaning.  Anyway, the 2 boys were talking about when they got there what to say if it was asked who wanted to go first. It was decided that C would voluntarily say he would go first because R said if he said something it would look like he was afraid :-) then he said "Well, I am afraid.";-) Honesty and brotherly cooperation is a great thing. We got there late . . . it is in a different city and R was so happy because they said they only had time for C but then it got changed and he made it in:-) And funny enough, they thought his teeth cleaning was great! He told me he spent about 20 minutes brushing his teeth in preparation for the appt.

R and C just started swimming lessons up. C amazed me on Saturday when we went to the Y for some additional practice away from class. C started doing head bobs without plugging his nose. HUGE step for this kid. R worked so hard too on swimming and treading water.

 I am getting to the point in parenting where I realize that they don't stay little. When I look at the above picture my oldest is not in it. He didn't just not come, he actually loves grocery shopping, but is a very busy kiddo with school. A neighbor said to him "I've never seen you!" He said probably because I study so much (and LOVES that by the way.) Anyway, they just keep growing and finding out the unique ways God made them and what it is they love doing.

 These two are a riot.

 "A" got a new outfit from Grandma and Grandpa and they wanted to see it on her so she is posing.

"A" stays very busy too. She has a lot of studies and is spending more and more time on

the piano. It is such a joy listening to her practice. We have been blessed beyond measure with 

a piano teacher that has made it her mission to be a blessing to our family. And a blessing she is with such a sweet and Christ like spirit and spending A LOT of time coaching "A".

"A" also started back up with swim lessons along with (R and C). She went on Saturday to the Y and practiced and practiced and practiced on diving. She'll get it.

 Nothing better than having Daddy home!

Daddy loves it too! He gets bored being away.

By the way, I KNOW I can be thankful I have a husband

that thinks that way. 

 Busy students. . . J (on left) likes to act like a big kid and is watching a phonics cartoon on sissy's Ipad and C is in school too but probably is just

having fun in this picture. "A" is actually working:-)

When you run on full throttle you have to replenish that energy which he often does on van rides.

Do you see the smile on his face? That smile is my G but the sticking up hair not so much so. We are still trying to figure out his civilian hairstyle. G is a very hard working student and is becoming a good swimmer. He has a tender heart and prays about things. Aside from his studies he is learning a lot about himself this year both the good and the things he needs to work on. That is how life is though and how much better to learn young.

He continues to LOVE his school and everything about it. It is extremely challenging but such a wonderful place to belong too. He holds his teachers and coach (also his mentor) in very high regard. His classmates are kind and everyone gets along which is so nice. He is very small compared to the other kids in his class (maybe with one other exception) which is funny. One time we went to watch him at a timed trials and one of the other kids commented about how little he looked. Of course, they think of him as a BIG brother but next to team mates not so much so!!!

 B LOVES glitter and glam and big sissy loves dressing her up that way!

 The girls ready for church.

I got them to sit still long enough to take this picture!!!

The girls hugging each other. SOOOO cute!!

Precept upon Precept, Line upon Line . . .

I did a post previously about J and him being full of personality. He is a strong willed kiddo that we will continue to teach and tell about Jesus. It is very interesting to me that when I ask him who is his favorite person he says "Jesus" he then points to me and tells me that he loves me but "Jesus" is who pops into his mind. Why is that? Why is that for a 2 year old that can not see Jesus or feel his arms giving him a hug or literally hear Jesus speak words of comfort to him? Because even at this young age he has some measure of faith a childlike faith that still needs to mature but knows and is comforted that their is a God that loves him and he knows he sent His son to die on the cross for his sins and watches that He watches over him.

By the way, I don't have ANY children that are not strong willed. The will is shown in very different ways but it is there in full force.:-) Our children are not robots they are living gifts from God to be taught and loved and trained in the ways of God and just like my husband and I came to a decision as to if we would accept Christ that is up to each one of my children. I pray that my children will grow up to love Him with all their "hearts, souls, and minds" and that they will find spouses who do the same.

So here is a video clip of my strong minded and very silly 2 year old. By they way I say the verse is out of Jeremiah I messed up the reference with another passage this is out of James 3. Honestly, probably no one can even understand what he is saying.:-)

Mr. Personality

 Just about everywhere we go this kid gets attention. People just love him. He is VERY full of life and personality. There is nothing quiet or laid back about this kid . . . it is full throttle.  He is learning a lot and he used to not engage people that would talk to him but we have really worked on that. We are teaching him how to respond and he works so hard at it and has been so friendly lately.
He very often talks in a very growly voice and recently I heard him singing "a wrech like me I once was lost" in a VERY growly way. Too cute!!

Another day he was cuddling close to little sis B and then kissed her on the cheek. He then stated "let me be a little kinder, let me be a little minder." Which is quote from a song about thinking more about other people over yourself and being kind!! I was impressed he put it all together!

He treats the twins VERY differently. Baby B he treats tenderly and talks to her about things. Baby C is his play mate and has no need to say kind things to her. I heard him the other day say "Let's play C!" They can get into wash cloth fights which is very funny to watch.

I have learned recently that he is very loyal to brother R during toy sword fights. "A" told me that J does not want to turn against R in battle!

We were at a store that had beautiful jewlery and he wanted me to get it for me. Very sweet.

We recently bought him a Bible story book that comes in a carrying case like you might put a Bible in. He said "I want to read the Bible." Tonight at devotions he had it out and open!!! Baby steps to Jesus.

New Friends

This is our funny pose. By the way, my hubby has a good hold of little B. She was exhausted after a long play at the playground and easily upset.

A meeting of the minds:-)

It was fun to see B with someone so similar in 

many ways to him! They had a GREAT time talking!

There is a story behind these friends. They invited us to their home for a long weekend after our husbands worked together for awhile over seas. What brave people for inviting a family of 9 that they didn't even know all of us yet! They are such a wonderful kind-hearted family.

After the kids went to bed we stayed up very late each night talking and laughing and sharing experiences and stories and ideas but the last night we talked spiritually. When my hubby and I got to bed we were talking about the evening and it just seemed like the Holy Spirit was right there in the midst. They are moving over seas in not to terribly long but what fun memories we will have of them. That is military life.