HAPPY CAMPER

Well, we had a party over the weekend for my little birthday boy! I'm not sure what I was thinking when I decided to throw him a party, we've been so busy this month without a single free weekend and several out of town trips, but I love him and I'm a little crazy. As we all know, we do crazy things for those we love. But we pulled it off, in two days and one very late night before the party, we were able to print, cut, glue, dye, paint, nail and create "Camp Henry" As  you'll see by my little happy campers, it was worth it! Some quick details for those curious...I'm cheap and so is my husband, so we made just about all the decorations and utilized our own camping gear for the party. My parents were gracious enough to open up their beautiful backyard as the setting of our "campground" and hands down, the best smore combination is Mr.Goodbar + Marshmallow + original graham cracker...at least in my humble opinion it is!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

   

 

  

  

 

 

 

and there you have it..."Camp Henry"

Today's Reflection:
We tried to make use of what we had for the party, talents, location, supplies and materials... Sometimes you can have everything you need just sitting in your garage. In a world where you can see the best party money can buy on a pinterest board, it's easy to get jaded and distracted with what others are doing, that you underestimate what you can do. There are some pretty incredible things that you and I can do, if we just looked in our garage...of course, you know I'm no longer talking about a party...I'm talking about the incredible things we can do, the good works we can achieve if we just looked at all the talents and skills and circumstances God's placed before us. There is a scripture that we have written on our Prayer board right now...I hope it can bring you a little encouragement as it has me...

"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. "
-Philippians 4:8

Meditate on these things. You might even find some of them in that "garage" of yours!

THANK YOU FOR THE MILK

Since my son started talking I have tried to make sure "Please" and "Thank You" were in his vocabulary. Lately he's been really getting into "Thank You" It's actually pretty cute and makes me laugh. He has been thanking me for things and then later when I'm not expecting it, out of nowhere he'll say "Mommy, thank you again for my _____." This morning he asked for cereal and after I served it for him he took a bite and said "Mommy, you put milk in here? Thank you for the milk" It made me laugh and I thought, did he think I wouldn't give him milk?

Suddenly God stirred in my heart...

My son was thankful, even for something expected like milk in his cereal. How often does God come through for me almost to a point where I just expect it. How often do I thank him for the expected things? Shamefully not enough. I get in such a routine of expecting God to not only give me 'cereal' but give me 'milk' too that I forget to thank him.  

 

Today's Reflection:

Lord,

Thank  you for not only the job my husband has but the paycheck that is more than enough for us each and every month!

Thank you not only for another great day but also for letting me wake up to experience it!

Thank you not only for my Husband but for getting him home safely to me everyday!

Thank you for not only my church but for each sermon that leaves me hungry for more!

Thank you not only for your word, but for the freedom to follow it openly!

Thank you for not only my children, but for how much I love them!

Thank you not only for a son, but for my son and the lessons he teaches me!

" So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness."

-Colossians 2:6-7

MY SON

Sometimes it's weird to think of my baby boy as a big brother, the concept can take a while to sink in. I am amazed at what a natural he's been. He calls his baby sister a 'Princess', something he started on his own, perhaps from all those Disney movies he's seen. Once I caught him with his little hands on her face telling her "You are B-eautiful!" I love him, I know that, but when I see things like this I'm so proud to be his mom! There is also an overwhelming sense of being extremely blessed.

I know that there are some little girls who may never be called a 'princess' or 'beautiful'. I've seen with my own eyes the effect this can have on a little girl and how she can carry it for the rest of her life. I think about when Jesus was teaching and the men brought him the woman caught in adultery hoping he would condemn her, but instead he showed her grace and kindness and love and saved her from that condemnation (John 8:1-11). I think about what an amazing example this is. I think this is how I want to raise my son. He will come across girls who others will try to condemn and instead of joining them I want him to treat them with the love and kindness they deserve, not because of what they've done, but because we are all worthy of love and kindness. 

 

Today's Reflection:
Lord, I realize just how much you live in us when I see things like this. My goal has always been to raise a gentleman and when I read your word, I see that you were the perfect example. I get why we need to live more like you and I'm thankful for those around me who show me a glimpse of you.

BROKEN LITTLE TEETH

I was not prepared for this. Broken bones, maybe, scratches, bumps, skinned knees definitely, but chipped  teeth...not prepared at all. My son fell and chipped his two front teeth on Wednesday. Thankfully he hasn't been in too much pain and for the most part he doesn't even notice. I will admit that I am a little heart broken over the situation. I know they are only his baby teeth and eventually (in another 3 or 4 years) they would have fallen out, but I just hate the idea that his little smile that I loved so much is forever changed. He's still got a little smile that makes my heart melt, I just need some time to grieve the little pieces of missing teeth. The good news is he loves the dentist! This morning we all put on brave faces for his first visit to the dentist...  

 

 

 

He did so well and was a very brave boy! In 2 weeks we'll take him back and the doctor will shave his teeth so the chipped off parts are smoothed down. We are watching to see if there is any sign of a fracture that's not healing, in which case he might lose his two front teeth. We are praying that there is no fracture!

Today's Reflection:

I know that it's not the end of the world and as my husband reminded me, he is still a healthy, happy, boy. I know that when he is older we will look at these pictures with his chipped little teeth and have a laugh. I know there are much worse things that could happen and much scarier things as well. I know this doesn't change how sweet he is or how much I love him. I know I should spin this in a positive way, but I don't want to pretend that I looked at his two little chipped teeth and said "No big deal!" I wanted to cry for him, but I have to remember, I am mommy and it doesn't help him if I'm losing it.

Lord, we are praying that you heal my little boy and keep his teeth nice and strong and in his mouth. I'm thankful that it was only a couple of chipped teeth and nothing worst! I know that you do not waste these opportunities to teach me, so I am looking for the lesson in all of this and trying to make an unfortunate situation into a situation where I can walk away feeling stronger in you.

"My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body."

-Proverbs 4:20-22

FIGURING IT OUT

I always wanted a family.  I dreamed of my children, their little hands their little feet, how they would say 'I love you mommy' and give me sweet little kisses. I knew, from the moment they were placed in my arms at the Hospital that my life would be changed forever. CHANGED FOREVER! I adore and love my children, but did you know that in addition to all the cuteness and hugs and kisses, they would also embarrass you terribly?  in public?

 Steve does not cope as well as I do in these situations...

 but he's learning to roll with the punches or in this case a two year old who just has a little too much spunk for the seat and wants everyone to know it!

You know, a lot of things that come with parenting catch us off guard. Our son is very good for the most part, but every now and then we have 'situations'. With each day we have we are figuring it out. We're not perfect and we make a lot of parenting mistakes, but we try to work together and stay united.  We try our hardest to discipline and not laugh anytime he acts a fool (sure we crack a smile every now and then, we're not statues!) We don't give up on our kids because we know this is just the beginning and challenges will come, but so will joy! Besides, if I could, I'd probably dance and stand on my seat too!

Today's Reflection:

In life, there will always be 'situations' I'm not prepared for. Sometimes it's hard to know what the right thing to do is. I ask myself, am I doing the right thing, am I going down the right path? I trust in you, Lord, I trust in your word, and your truths.

"If the Lord delights in a man's way, He makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with His hand."

-Psalm 37: 23-24 

BREAKFAST TIME

I am not a breakfast person.  Let me rephrase, I'm not a morning person, which means, I'm very boring when it comes to breakfast.  Don't get me wrong, I love to cook, I can rock a dinner, but breakfast...that's Steve's area.  My son is usually pretty hungry when he wakes up, which means, I have to fake being a breakfast person.  My best friend for faking it is this:

  just add a little water, and shake.

 Pancakes were on the menu this morning, I even tried to make it fun for him, I poured the pancake batter in a squeeze tube, added a little food coloring and made cute shapes.  fun right?

He was not very excited about the idea. This boy just wants those pancakes in his belly...my kind of kid.

I even made him a red Lightning McQueen as he requested, but still he was not too impressed.  We'll have to try it another time, maybe when he's not so hungry, or when Daddy's home, after all, breakfast is his thing.

  

 

Today's Reflection:

I thought my son would be excited about fancy pancakes, he was not, but after we sat down, him at his table, me at mine, he picked up all of his breakfast and brought it to my table to eat with me. We had some fun Mommy & Henry time, we chatted, laughed and even danced. He's got the right idea.  Sometimes things don't go how we imagined them in our head, but that doesn't mean that they can't be even better.

Lord, sometimes I imagine what my life should look like, and when it doesn't quite come out like that I can get a bit disappointed.  You, however always seem to make things better. You have got the right idea.  Thank you, for having better ideas for my life than I do!