Is anyone else laughing?!

These are just some random thoughts about what I have been learning and what I've been up to.

I've been babysitting a little boy about 4 months older than Josiah and the 1st week he was pooping every hour on the hour for 6-7 hours! I was really getting concerned until I found out he was given a laxative. hmmm...... He is going normally now.

I like to watch the talk show Ellen because she has her audience do these funny games. Did anyone see the blindfolded cracker eating, then whistling contest? Or the nylon ball twister? I want us to do this at the women's retreat coming up! (April 3-5) Whos up for a challenge?!



God has been opening my eyes, through Josiah and the boy I am watching, to how gracious He is to me. He has a lot of patience with me, and I don't always have patience with the people around me. hmmm....

I've been reading some good encouraging blogs from other mom's around the country. I love hearing that I'm not alone as a mom of a boy, and that I don't need to worry about being a 'good mom', but focus on being a 'godly woman'. That was exactly what I needed to hear today. =)

The boys are so cute, especially when they are doing something naughty! Why is that? I fight with myself not to crack up, but they are both learning so much. I'm really proud about the progress they have made in just a few weeks! Josiah is repeating words more, he is also starting to do as I say. The boy I am watching has also grown in using his words when he is unhappy with something (Josiah stealing his toys). I wasn't expecting him to change this quickly but I am quickly learning that I do not know everything!

My big boy!

the new year

Well, I know I haven't blogged in a while.... I just have too much to say sometimes.
Ok, so these past months have been eventful! we got some great gifts for Christmas and are very happy to be God's children because He loves to bless us! (can I get a whoot whoot!)

We also just got back from a fun trip to Ohio. I know what you are thinking... COLD! But I really miss the cold sometimes, and I really liked being cold enough to need lots of warm cozy sweaters, socks and blankets.=)
Patrick has loads of pictures of the trip. It always suprises me to find people who we connect with in different places. Plus, we always learn so much about family from our families, which leads to learning more about ourselves. I love both sides of my family and am so thankful for wonderful doting grandmothers for Josiah. ( like he doesn't get spoiled enough from us and our friends).
Another reason I enjoy trips with Josiah is that he crosses growth milestones during them. A few examples, 1st laugh, pulled up and stood, stopped breastfeeding, and this time he started really repeating words. So, he is saying 'apple', 'hi',and 'wow'.

Ok, so I got a sewing machine for Christmas, so if anyone loves being creative with sewing, let me know... I would love to have some fun projects to do. Right now, I just know about sewing quilting blocks together.
I guess that is all I can think of right now....
Later!

inspiration

http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=6406164
(You have to go here for the video.)


I love the faith of this guy (Craig Gross) and his family! Patrick and I have a few of his books and we have the Bible that says "Jesus loves porn stars". I think that what he is doing is what Jesus wants us to be doing here in this world. We need to love those who are uncomfortable for us to love....'the sick'. That is who Jesus came for...we all need Him.
I think that in my world the people I need to love is my neighbors. Just because they are different than me.... or they smoke doesn't mean I can't show them Jesus through my actions. It is Christmas and I should be showing them love somehow. Hmmm.... how shall I do this. Any ideas?

christmas cookies

So, I have found the cookie I can make amazing everytime....Peanut Butter Blossoms! Thats right, the ones with the Hershey kiss on top. YUM!
Patrick really loves cookies, in general, but especially ones made for him.
Tomorrow night we are having a little party and we are going to make the sugar cookies with frosting and sprinkles. For me they are so much fun to make, because I can put in all the details that I want.
So, Patrick and I have been talking about making our own traditions for Christmas, mainly, we just like being with people... but I really want to have something special to do together as a family like.... caroling around the neighborhood, handing out goodies, getting together to make crafts/ornaments. I don't know... we can't really decide on any one thing.

Poll: What does your family do together at Christmas?

end to blogging silence!

(This is a picture of him as a cowboy for Holloween)



So I have been sitting back and watching myself and the other mom's I hang with and what I think is so interesting is that God is always teaching us about ourselves through our kids, and we are so amazed at how our kids grow and learn. Its so simple and obvious but it has really just struck me.
Like every little thing that Josiah is doing that is new is so wonderful!
Lately, he has been turning around, saying "dada" to almost everything, says "no" and "yeah".
He also understand a lot more than I give him credit for. He can throw and catch a small ball, and he can open books to "read". Its so cute him sitting there and reading aloud, he says "dou-dou di da" Oh, he can also curl his tongue!
Everyone is always telling me how cute his facial expressions are, and that he is such a good little boy. This always encourages me especially when he is teething and has turned into a little terror!
He just runs around the house literally tearing things apart and pulling things out of where they need to be. His favorite places to wreak havoc is the trash and the toilet. No matter how much I reprimand him or give him a swat on his booty, he keeps up the reign of terror! Aaaah! Those are the nights Patrick takes us out to dinner or just deals with chicken nuggets. =)

My delieverer

I'm in the middle of putting up pics and figuring out how to sell my jewelry online, via my blog so keep checking, but in the meantime I thought I'd share a little of what God has been doing in my life.
I have realized that He is my Deliverer. By this I mean that I can look back and see that in every twist and turn He has Delivered me....And I can remember back to when I was in Preschool!
I am just struck with the reality of who He is and who He wants to be in my life.

Its hard because one of the gifts I have is compassion, and this gift, like all other gifts, is great when used correctly but incorrectly I become overwhelmed and very anxious to the point of panic attacks. I don't have panic attacks anymore and I have learned how to control the feeling of anxiety and worry. However I am still worrisome, and I have to constantly give them to the Lord.
So, that is why He has constantly shown me to be my Supernatural Deliverer.

I really identify with the character in the book "the secret life of bees" May. She is very compassionate to the point of being so overwhelmed she gets out of touch with reality.
She takes on the world's hurt just like they are her own. This is a good example for me to know what can happen if I let my gift become too overwhelming for me.