Thursday's Thanksgivings

So, my little ones are growing up too fast,

right before my eyes.
(But I am thankful that it's before my eyes.)


At John David's last check up,
though slightly above average in his weight, his height fell into the 90th percentile.
He may end up being tall like his Big Daddy.

** A little story: I must add here that on the way to the doctor's office, John David - who loves David and Goliath (and if you've visited us here before, this is a well known fact!) - said (I rehearsed this in my head and wrote it down as soon as we were settled in our parking spot), "Goliath needs a check up.  He's sick.  He has a runny nose, sneezing, crying, mad, doing ugly 'fangs' (things).  That makes him feel bad."  Though I felt terrible for Goliath, I was glad that John David understood how bad it can make you feel when you're mad and being ugly.  Maybe he'll remember that next time.  

Well, now for the little lady.
Claire also fell into the 90th percentile for her height,
but was slightly below average in her weight.
It didn't faze her, though I figured this kind of charting would make many females
feel pretty good about themselves. ;)


So, I'm not necessarily thankful for the speed of this growing up process,
but I sure am thankful that the Lord is in complete control, 
having ordained each one of my children's days before there was one 
(Psalm 139:16).
And I am thankful to see glimpses of who the Lord is making them to be. 

My little boy is turning into a very expressive, creative young man,

who's trying new things and overcoming those feelings and situations 

which naturally prove challenging for him.

My little girl is growing to be more delightful and charming every day.

She's also showing signs of being JUST like her Daddy:

passionate and adventurous, 

outgoing and friendly 
(but at this point, keep your distance and don't try to take her from her mama!),

cute and expressive,

opinionated and very (VERY) easily frustrated.

I am so thankful for John David and Claire

and how the Lord has wired them both so uniquely.

I love learning them better each day,

as they both are also becoming better and better at expressing themselves.

John David's favorite past time as of late is pretending to be the Biblical hero, Moses.  Once again, we read Bible stories to our children and pray for grace to teach God's commands diligently to them when we sit and when we rise (Deuteronomy 6:7), but it is John David who initiates this acting and pretending.  


Individuals with Asperger's characteristically get easily fixated on certain subjects, and we continue to pray that John David's fixations will always be upon those things which can be used to bring glory to God.  We praise the Lord that - right now - he LOVES Bible Stories (and Buzz Lightyear and Mickey Mouse :) - his repertoire is expanding!) and this THILLS our hearts beyond measure!  We pray that the Lord will use his interest in these stories as a means of opening his "literal thinking" little mind and heart and grant him the gift of faith!

Here's Moses on "the mountain,"

clad in an extra pillow case tied with old rope and pinned at the bottom to aid in walking.

He didn't mind.

Here are his stone tablets of the Ten Commandments.

David made these.  I was impressed.

And though he didn't take time to write out each commandment here,

he did do so on John David's larger tablets, 

conveniently cut out of an old diaper box. 

I asked John David to smile for the camera.

He replied, 

"I can't smile.  I am mad that the people are worshipping idols!"

What could I say?

But I did pray he'd always feel this way. 

**Another little story:  While John David was on the trampoline - the "mountain," rather - I zipped up the safety screen and asked him not to get off while I stepped inside for a moment.  He was a little unhappy about this, for he was at the part of the story where Moses was tending his sheep; he gets down and acts out this part in the grass.  But John David clearly understands the rule about not getting off of the trampoline without assistance.  The trampoline is right outside the backdoor, directly in front of our kitchen windows.  I had one of the windows opened, and I clearly heard through the screen John David begin a little monologue.  

In a deep, strong, slow voice he said:

 "John David.  

Get off the mountain.  

Take care of your sheep."  

Seeing me through the window he said, 

"Mom!  Did you hear that?! "  

"Yes," I replied.

"That's God telling me to take care of my sheep 

and to get off the mountain.  

He said I could all by myself!" 

Good try, John David.

Though I still did not give into his wishes at the moment,

 I did have to commend the effort there!

He was able to tend those sheep though,

shortly after Claire finished her snack and we both joined him outdoors. 

Well, as you may can tell from previous pictures also,

John David and Claire both love spending time on the trampoline.

And I think Claire more so than John David at times.

She loves for you to hold her and jump,

and know she likes to "bounce" on her knees.

I smile at the thought of Claire's passionate temperament 

possibly leading her down the road of ballet.

I've personally always loved ballet; 

a "wanna be" ballerina is how I've often termed myself. 

So what do you think?

a nicely formed second position

 relevé

plié
(her back could be straighter, though that little diapered derriere is pretty cute ;)

In closing, I wanted to share a poem that I came across today
 while going through a "stack" in my bedroom.
(Please tell me I'm not the only one who has these!)
It was written by my mom for Claire on her first birthday.
I loved it.
Here it is:


Smiles that greet with crinkled nose,
Ballet feet with pointed toes,
Big Blue eyes that smile and glow
That's who Claire Bear is!


Precious sounds ~ head shaking "No"
Thanking God to watch her grow
Today she's ONE ~ we love her so
We love who Claire Bear is!


Thank you so much, Sweet T, for this labor of love!
I wholeheartedly agree with you.


And today as I am thanking God for the privilege of watching both of my children grow, 
I'm continuing to pray for grace to point them to the glory of Christ on a daily basis.


At Claire's birthday party, we asked my mom prayed over her.
She proceeded to ask God that Claire not be able to remember a time that she did not love Him with all of her heart.  Of course, that is our prayer for John David as well.


I hope that if you're reading this, 
we can encourage one another in pointing our children (and each other) 
to the glory and majesty of God.


What are some ways that you strive to do this in your home?


I'd love to hear from you and glean from your ideas.
    And I pray that your heart has been filled with much thanksgiving today.

Rewind Wednesday : More Weekend Pictures

We were invited to several events this past weekend and had a great time at them all . . . and to say that my little Buzz Lightyear has "enjoyed wearing his costume" would be a MEGA understatement! 

Growing up, my family never celebrated Halloween.  I know that most people view this time as pure fun, along with a good excuse for dressing up, being creative and a chance to get free candy.  And that's fine.  But my parents wanted to steer us towards the Light (this holiday's origins are very dark) and help us focus on the weightiness of Reformation Day, as my husband wrote about on Sunday.  (If you haven't read his article, I urge you to do so HERE.)  I am thankful for their leading and hope to do the same with our children.

As my friend Molly stated:

"While dressing up is fun & eating chocolate is delish, the true celebration of this day makes the former pale in comparison. . .   

How thankful I am that His love has reformed my heart!"

Well said, my friend.

I couldn't agree with you more.

But we did choose to dress up and enjoy some of the weekend events.

Here are some more pictures from the festivities.

Friday evening 

we attended a Fall Festival with some of our extended family.

 Cousin Ella, lovely as always

The sweetest fairies I know! 

 Buzz Lightyear and Tinkerbell

 Little Tink and Big Daddy

(there's much love here!)

 I'm not too thrilled at times about my little girl's adventurous temperament.
Now, you may not describe petting a cows nose as "adventurous," 
but it is to me - one who's cautious and borderline "germaphobe."
(My husband my disagree about the borderline part!)

 Needless to say, our hands were thoroughly wiped clean upon leaving.

 I was explaining to John David 
why we did NOT - to our grave disappointment - win the "Cake Walk."

 Enjoying the games, 

and maybe in ways not quite intended.

Sorry!

Saturday morning

we headed to a delightful birthday bash (under the Big Top!)

for one of Claire's little friends, Josiah.

(And we're friends with Josiah's family too.:)

They had so many fun activities for the children and adults,

one being the creative Photobooth.

Joining us here is our sweet friend, Abby.

The party photos were by Brooke & Grant Premo and Terri Ledbetter.

Later that evening,

David and I headed off to a costume party that we'd been invited to.

David has had this black wig above for years, 

(I recently told someone that I'd hate to examine it with a microscope!)

and it always seems to make a debut when it's time to dress up.

In thinking about how to be simple - as well as incorporate the wig once again! -

we decided to go with Samson and Delilah.

We had fun.

Sunday evening,

we went to our own church's Fall Festival.

The evening began with some delightful swinging - 

a favorite past time for each of my children.

And of course,

it was "to infinity and beyooond" for my Buzz!

Later, 

Buzz met up with his pals, Tom and Jerry

(more commonly known as Logan and Ford:)

Claire was soaking up the excitement :) 

But the kids weren't too thrilled about all of the picture taking.
John David said that he was on the lookout for Zerg the Robot (from the movie Toy Story 2)

Here we are with JoJo

 next to the booth she was working.

Our attempt at a family picture

(not quite a success, as usual)
Here John David is attempting to shoot Zerg with his laser.
He found him! 

The boys enjoying a fun game,

and Claire patiently waiting her turn -

she loves to be a part of the action!

 

Claire's expressions sum it all up!

In closing, I thought I'd include a couple more 

black curly wig debuts

(though there have been plenty more!)

 "Referee"

"Goliath"

And even though it's not Thursday, ;) 

I must say that I am very thankful for my husband who's such a good sport 

and who never fails to make me laugh.

It's a wonderful gift!

I hope you had a good weekend too.

More Blessed to Give

Yesterday, David's mom (affectionately "JoJo":) came by to spend some quality time with our kids (well, and us too - though I did take advantage of her being there to make an overdue trip to Publix.)  She brought supplies with her to compile a shoe box for Operation Christmas Child, a ministry of Samaritan's Purse.  I was so glad that she wanted to do this with John David.  I pray that my children will learn early on that Jesus was not lying when He said "it's more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35).

With the boxes, you put toys and/or other supplies (pencils, crayons, etc.) that will be a blessing and benefit to other children around the world.  You can also include notes and messages of God's love for them.  I hope that you - if not already - will check out the website above and see how you can be a part of sharing Christ's love in other countries in a simple, tangible way. 

I was in the kitchen this morning, and John David ran through the living room, mentioning something about "making a shoe box."  I didn't know exactly what he was up to, but I was thrilled to find this a few minutes later.  

Though not a "shoe box" and though the toys didn't quite fit, it was the thought that counted, right?  Hey, the "thought" is what I'm going for at this point! :)  Thank you, JoJo, for initiating this hands-on experience for John David and for letting him help you last night. 

Lord, please instill in my children hearts that are compelled to give, 

for the sake of Your name!

And please use the boxes (those that are in fact being sent out) 

as a means of spreading Your glory to the nations.

Amen.

Scripture Memory Monday

"But be doers of the word, 

and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves."
James 1:22 (ESV)

Not much else needs to be said about this familiar verse.

But that's often the problem:

the "basics" of Christianity have become so familiar to us that we many times forsake them.

We may get caught up in some of the "nonessentials" of our faith, 

all the while neglecting the most important of essentials.

May we not be deceived, only hearing the word (which often is very familiar to our ears) 

but not letting it permeate every facet of our lives.

May we heed God's commands, 

living them out through faith in the work and righteousness of Christ.  

In closing, I wanted to honor my parents, who are indeed authentic "doers of the Word." 

 Yesterday, we were excited to be able to join the congregation at the church where my father pastors for their "5th Sunday luncheon." This Sunday was special though, as the church was honoring my mom and dad - to their surprise - for their faithful service to the Lord as they pour out their lives in shepherding this body of believers.

I am so thankful for the ministry of my parents.

Not only have they eternally impacted their children (and our spouses and children),

but they continue to impact lives for the glory of God every day.

Thank you, Mom and Dad,

for being living testimonies of what it looks like to truly 

"be doers of the word,

and not hearers only."

Yes, to GOD be all the glory!   

Our family after the luncheon

(minus my younger brother and his bride, whom we terribly miss!)

I "borrowed" this from my sister-in-law's blog.

Thanks, Lynn! 

And here are just a few more pictures from the weekend.

picture by Grant Premo.

Please check how his sweet (and talented) wife's incredibly fun blog here!

picture by Andrea Hamner (aka Little Red Riding Hood :) 

A little preview of more to come

(hopefully soon - it takes me so long to post pictures sometimes!)