A Big Decision

A few months ago, we implemented dinnertime devotions.  The kids love it, and rarely let me forget.  They sometimes request breakfast and lunchtime devotions too...and since it's hard to say, "No, I won't read you the Bible!"- I often oblige.  For the past few weeks, Scott has been asking when we would get to the Jesus dying on the cross story.  "How many more days?  How many more stories to go?"  Perhaps I should have skipped ahead and read it to him, but my Type A tendency told him he'd have to wait.  He came home from church a couple of weeks ago and excitedly told me that he'd learned about Jesus getting ready to die on the cross.  He then came home from Grammy's one day and bragged that she had read to him about Jesus dying on the cross.  I also found him on more than one occasion looking in various children's Bibles for the story. 

This past Sunday, we stayed home from church since Scott had been a bit under the weather over the weekend.  The kids requested breakfast AND lunch time devotions that day, and Scott was very aware that the more we read, the quicker we'd get to the cross story.  I read a couple of extra stories and at last, we got to the much anticipated one.  I watched him out of the corner of my eye as I read.  He had stopped eating his lunch, was frozen, and was taking in every word.  He asked at the end of the story if the Holy Spirit lived in him.  Scott expressed his desire to make the decision to trust in Jesus as His Savior.  He acknowledged that he sins and that this makes him a sinner.  He believed that Christ could forgive him of his sins because of His death on the cross.  Scott then prayed with Jon and asked Christ to be his personal Savior.  What a blessing and answer to many prayers!  I am also thankful that our entire little family was there, gathered around the counter, to be part of Scott's coming to saving faith.  At four years of age, we realize that Scott may not have all of the answers or understand all of the terminology, but he sincerely saw his need and wanted what Christ had to offer.  Praise the Lord!  

For God so loved Scott, that He gave his one and only Son, that if Scott believes in Him, Scott shall not perish, but will have eternal life.  (John 3:16)

To all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. -John 1:12


And finally, here's Scott rendition of an Easter classic.  (We'll encourage him to keep searching for his spiritual gift.)

Hopping into Spring?!

Rules to Live By

1.  Allow garage door to rise completely before putting van in reverse.

2.  Make sure your two year old is wearing something under her pants prior to reaching your destination.

3.  Do not start your six-day Bible study at 9:00 p.m. on the night before the study.

4.  If rule #3 is neglected, DO NOT change into your pajamas first and curl up under a warm blanket before starting on the questions. 

(Oops, OOPS, oops, and oOpS!  Live and learn.)

Scott and Natalie's video debut

Here the kids are singing "Fifty Nifty United States"...the song that has plagued our van, living room, bathtub, and bedroom for the past couple of weeks...

Scott

Natalie

Kate's First Friend

My sweet college friend, Amy, stopped by last weekend with her family.  Natalie and her oldest daughter, Elliana, are three months apart.  Kate and Avalyn are two weeks apart.  It was wonderful to visit and to meet one another's newest additions.


Meet and Greet...

 Getting acquainted...

 Avalyn & Kate

 Elliana & Natalie

Scott played well with all of the girls and told me that Elliana was nice and fun to play with when she left!  (He was asking me earlier in the week why he couldn't just marry Natalie someday.  Perhaps Elliana could be his second choice!)

Thanks for making us a part of your travels, Max & Amy! :)

All good things must come to an end...

Two week ago, Jon had LASIK.  (It was actually LASEK instead of LASIK- which supposedly is the latest thing, and Jon can better explain the difference.  Anyhoo...)  He originally thought it would be a short recovery and that he'd only miss a few days of work.  It's a long story, but his recovery has taken a long time and due to the nature of his job, he just now received the clear to return to work.  It has been SO nice to have him home!  I quickly got used to the extra help, and the kiddos enjoyed extra time building train tracks, doing puzzles, and playing outside (no matter the weather) with Daddy. 

 We made Jon a "Happy Lasik" cake the night before his surgery when he was at work.  Scott came up with the idea to decorate it with eyeballs.  :)

The kids weren't looking too chipper in the picture below since I told them we'd need to present the cake to Daddy the following morning instead of digging into it before bed.   (I later got hungry and changed my mind. We nibbled around the letters & eyeballs...Jon still got the gist of the message.  It's the thought that counts, right?!)

We've certainly loved our extra time together and will miss him being home so much.  I'm already going through withdrawal.  His first day back will be tomorrow...unless, that is, the eye gremlin visits tonight while he is asleep. (hee, hee, hee)

No, No Natalie!

Natalie,

Please stop...

-Using the orange marker to color in your belly button
-Spitting on your hands and calling it hand sanitizer (gross!)
-Playing with your spaghetti instead of eating it
-Screaming, "Oh no!  A big elephant!" each time I walk in the room
-Destroying Scott's ______ (insert project of the day)
-Getting yourself stuck in Kate's exersaucer
-Making us smile when we are trying to be stern with you
And the list goes on and on...

 A couple of Natalie stories...

One day, she and Scott were getting into it.  Natalie got frustrated and wanted to insult her brother.  She thought for a moment and then said, "You're...you're...you're smaller than David and I'm bigger than Goliath!"  It made both Scott and I laugh...not the response she was wanting!

Yesterday I was talking to the kids about some foods being okay to have in moderation.  Scott asked what moderation meant so I tried to explain.  After my definition sunk in with Natalie, she wrinkled her forehead and whined, "Noooo!  I don't like moderation!"  It was funny (and somewhat appropriate) to hear that come out of my two year old's mouth.  And for the record, Natalie, I don't like moderation too much either!

Four Month Rites of Passage

The four month milestone is a big deal around here.  Always has been.  All pictures below were taken within the week of the child's 4 month birthday.  It's so fun for me to compare. 

Four months is the age that we break out the exersaucer...

Scott

Natalie

Kate

It's the time when we switch to some cute outfits instead of wearing sleepers all day...

Scott

Natalie

Kate

It's also the time when I dress my poor kids in this bumblebee costume...(they have all been equally thrilled about the process)

Scott

Natalie

Kate

And finally a couple more...because I just can't stop myself.  Aren't you glad I don't have six kids?

Scott

Natalie

Kate