Parenting

Excellent, excellent article here about parenting! Totally Excellent!

"Grace is not a facilitator of sins, it is a solution to them. A good parent has two weapons to help them fight sin on behalf of their children. One is law, and one is grace. The point of both is restoration, forgiveness, and joy. If you don’t see those fruits in your home, then you need to reevaluate what you are wielding."

Oh, for godly wisdom in raising these children!

Concluding the Visit

One more 4:00 dinner with Gigi. Grandma kept trying to pass the children things from her plate~:-)
The Millards. I love this picture. "Elijah, please stop trying to steal the sugar." "Sitting on the table, however, is just fine...as long as you smile." Haven, trying to explain something to us.
Then, Daddy commandeered the rolling chairs. Much excitement ensued. Even tired boys know how to have fun.
Like this! Saying Goodbye. This is so hard; I always wonder "will this be the last time?" Giving Polly Jane a kiss. The bow doesn't give the best clue as to where her face actually is~;-)
Another party with Gigi! Unlike Elijah and Haven, Polly Jane was actually happy to sit in Gigi's lap! I was so glad. A classic Grandma look. The Elizabeths:Presents!The end of a long day, and a very fun week.Jolly, on the floor, refrained by the boppy: Elijah - on a half-folded cot, stuffed into a closet, with no air circulation. Haven, in the pack 'n play, the child who definitely must be confined to sleep.I am so thankful for these pictures of my children with their great-grandparents.
2.25.2011

Thanking God for...

{Gifts 342 - 360}

- Roasted Vegetables & Spiced Bran Muffins
- BookHouse, the collection!
- "I can help you, Haven."
- Remembering Michelle's sweet friendship on 9/11, 10 years ago

- Memories of travels
- This year's 9/11 - wonderful, non-exotic, birthday celebration with Mammie at Sonic
- A nap! A real, true, wake-up-feeling-rested nap
- Children running, shooting, climbing, squealing
- Haven needing me: "Momma! I want Momma!"

- Jolly's enunciation--Daaaa-deee--in Eric's presence
- Energy to love
- Laura's love for me shown in willingly, joyfully holding my baby
- A world full of wonder, much more than I can ever understand
- Missing my husband

- Two eggs in one day!
- Opportunities to serve the children of our church
- God's grace in giving joy in the midst of my serving
- Friend's gracious forgiveness
- Ish-bosheth & Mephibosheth & "Tell me Momma?"

Hospitality

No sooner had Abigail, Bella, and Miles hit the road than my dear friend, Lauren, came to visit bringing Geneva and Peter. This was my first time to meet Peter who was, frankly, enormous. Geneva, however, is a little pixie of a girl! She even has a super sweet little pixie voice. This is the only picture of the visit I snagged, but I love it. It kind of represents my friendship with Lauren these days.

Drew threw us a surprisingly spontaneous twist - driving down himself to hang out! It was such a refreshing treat to spend time with this sweet family. Drew tried to teach us a tiny bit about Old Testament foreshadowing before we played Bananagrams for hours. I stayed up way too late and had a huge headache the next day, but it was totally worth it to see our friends.

Thanks for coming guys!

2.24.2011