He Stole My Heart today

 

 

 

 

Owen Bradley...we LOVE you. You are amazing. Keep growing and learning how this world works. Everyday you grow more special. The Lord has given us a blessing beyond what we can comprehend. I love that you are concentrating SO hard on grasping objects right now. Awwwww....we LOVE YOU!

A "sweet" Nutrition Moment .

Great article on just one reason that I don't buy stuff with High Fructose Corn Syrup in it. A short read and worth the reading time.

The research was done by Princeton University.

And if you are looking for a great alternative to using refined sugars and such-Bread Beckers sells a granulated Honey. It substitutes evenly for sugar and looks just like it. Love IT! Here is the link.

Jump Jump Jump a roo

 

Owen you love this Johnny Jumper! I am sorry that Katie thinks it is for her too. We will try to let you have some time by yourself. :) But on a happy note, Katie swings you back and forth and for the most part you love to swing!
You have been standing up and jumping since you got muscles in your legs, pretty much since birth!

Thanks Sides family for letting us borrow it.

Journaling-4 things I have been convicted about lately...

1. Giving my kiddos my undivided attention when playing or talking

2. Using and then looking at my calendar-being organized

3. My prayer life

4. Understanding the tension between sovereignty and seeking those that are lost

These are ALL things that I want to change, to grow in, to understand more deeply. I want to be able to look back this year and see growth in these areas. Help me friends if you have any ideas and help me Lord to stay focused!

How bout 'em WILDCATS!

SOoooooooooo.....
the cats survived double OT to move on in the tourney to the elite 8!

Justin and I both graduated from KSU and it is fun to see them doing well! :) When we were at school the football team was the sports team to watch (8 years ago). Now it seems as if basketball is running the show! We really haven't followed them-which for us is because we can't ever get any big 12 game on the TV (we live in ACC country) and it is a bit out of sight, out of mind. But don't get me wrong we LOVED our college experience and our friends! And we still LOVE LOVE our friends deeply!

Then Justin grew up watching the Jayhawks in Lawrence so basketball around here is normally rooting for them. But in this case with KU out of it and us spending a small fortune at KSU we are happy to say GO CATS, Go all the way!

*side note...my sister and brother in law are SO much more KSU fans attending EVERY GAME for football or basketball and they have enough purple power for us. Thanks Pie for cheering them on!

Owen and his stuffed friends

 

 

Moo Moo and stretchy have been Owen's playmates for a few months now.

Stretchy got the hug today during nap time.

Moo Moo was moved as close as Owen could get him as he pulled the white sheet cover during another nap.

(A great reason to have a video monitor...to catch moments like these-and to make sure they stay safe while they are getting comfortable and fussing it out before sleeping.:)

Donald Duck and the wet wipes-Plus-Jounaling, lying

Katie Story
I came around the corner and felt something wet on my sock. I looked down and noticed a piece of a wet wipe on the bottom of my foot. I looked in the kids bathroom and found the wet wipe container open. I had just told Katie a few hours ago that the new wet wipe box was not for using on her baby dolls. If they had a "dirty diaper" then she could use on of her doll wipes, NOT a real one. I was then interested in what Katie would say happen and praying that somehow I wouldn't have to discipline her over using them...

I called her into the bathroom and asked why she had used the wet wipes.

Katie, "Momma, Donald Duck said he needed some."
Me, "WHAT? Excuse me?" I asked.
Katie, "Mommy, Donald Duck needed to use them."
Me, "Amazing Katie, you are amazing." :)

Sooooo, I prayed about it and we just talked about telling the truth and being creative and when to use each one in three year old fashion.

Journaling-lying
Lying is one of the things God says he hates in Proverbs 6:16-19. I want to teach our kiddos from an early age that lying is not acceptable, it's not right. It does not help build relationships of trust and vulnerability. And it does not allow us to connect with our Father in heaven. So I am on a mission to find ways to teach Katie (and Owen) the difference between lying and being creative/imaginative. It has been challenging. I don't want to squelch her imagination/creativity and yet, Donald Duck using the wet wipes? :)

The one thing I have decided (and Justin agrees) is that lying will be immediately disciplined. And I will try my darnest to not give her the opportunity to lie in the first place by asking questions like, "What happened with the wet wipes?" or "Why did you use the wet wipes?". Instead of questions like, "Did you play with the wet wipes?"

These two questions may sound the same, but really they are a bit different. The first one helps her tell the truth, I assume (hopefully by looking at the facts around me) that the action happened and we need to deal with it. If I only asked the second question they I would be asking her if she even played with the wet wipes when in fact I already know she played with them because she is the only one who could have except me. Does this make sense?

I am praying a lot about this. I want to help train her heart while it is teachable!

Do you have any thoughts? Helpful verses? Ideas on this?

Jesus, May your power affect her (ours and Owen's) cold hard heart. Till the soil of her heart until it is turned to you the true King of light and life.

Tonight at bedtime

Katie (at almost three years old) had a bit of a late nap and tonight is having a hard time falling asleep.
It has been priceless, but now hopefully she is tired and zonked out since it is 9:28 pm...

A few conversations that we heard.

Justin, "What do you need Katie?"
Katie, "Daddy, the girl is in the green water and a yellow thing is chasing her."
Justin, "wow, it's okay. It is time for bed."

Me, "Katie, do you need something?"
Katie, "Momma, the beaver is talking to me."
Me, "Really, what is he saying?"
Katie, "Well, he is talking and that is why I am still awake. I told him it is bedtime."
Me, "I think that is a good idea. What did he say?"
Katie, "The beaver is awake because of the woodpecker."
Me, "Hummmm the woodpecker. Who else is here?"
Katie, "A giraffe, lizard, frog, bear, puppy dog, zebra."
Me, "Amazing, they are all in here. Well, I will tell them to leave your room and to go to bed themselves."

Katie yelling from her room, "I have to go stinky, I have to go stinky."
And she did, A LOT! Justin flushed the potty twice so it wouldn't get stopped up.
And while she was on the potty, she was thinking of what she should name her animals...the only ones that got names were the zebra as "zaza" and "Woody" the beaver.

Oh and a few days ago we were singing songs before she went to sleep. I chose Micah 6:8 which we sang. Then we asked her what song she wanted. She said, "Joel". Cute huh...she thought if Micah Mckenzie got a song then the next song should be about Joel Mckenzie!

Sweet baby girl...we LOVE your imagination and creativity. May God use this for His glory. :)

This is great kids music!

I have been looking for some good verses set to music for us.
Justin pointed me to this site from a blog that he read and I LOVE it.
Katie already is singing Psalm 34:10, and me too for that matter!

Listen here at Seeds Family Worship

We've been to the Park...a Lot!

So we've been to the park 4 times in 3 days and are now getting ready as I type to go again...I guess that is what 75 degree days can do, make families head to the outdoors!
We went to the mulch park and durant park on Wednesday-just us three.
Hung out on Thursday with Hollie and Laney at the "running" Joyner park--Hollie any photos yet to share?? :)
Yesterday, we had a great time with Robin and Catie Beth at Baileywick park! Thanks for driving and meeting us.
And today...back to walking at Joyner park with the fam.
LOVE IT!

 

 

 

 

She's growing up...

Justin was talking to Katie a few days ago and needing to discipline. He told her that she may not understand everything and therefore needs to ask us questions about how to do things, etc.
She looked very seriously at him and said, "Daddy, I don't know HOW to grow up."
Justin then told her that is why God gave her a mommy and daddy. So that they could help teach, train and love her.
Ahhh...sweet teaching moment.

And she LOVES this baby doll. It is her "sister". It goes EVERYWHERE with us. She wears all of Owen's clothes, gets nursed by Katie and needs rocked and cuddled with. Last weekend, Justin and Katie were outside and Katie asked Justin if he could hold Magnolia because she was a bit fussy and needed to be calmed down. Ha! What a little momma!

 

He's a moving along!

Owen just turned 5 months and I believe in a few days or maybe a week we will have a full out crawler. I took this two days ago and even today he is so much better. Look out world, here Owen comes!

Katie and her "lunch"

As you will tell by the video, Katie got a hold of the Nutella or the "Hummus" as she said.
We were playing in the "museum" aka the pantry, and I stepped out to send an email for about 2 minutes. Within that time she got the "Hummus" down off the shelf, opened it since it had never been opened, feed her dolls, herself and "cleaned up".
Lunch was very good at the museum today. :)
Then I tried to put her down for a nap at 1pm and well, it didn't work...I listened to her for about 45 minutes then finally went in and gave her some books to read for the rest of her time. :)

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Finally some good Zzzzzzzz's

Owen, like Katie has always had a difficult time getting on a good sleeping pattern. But break through!!!! We had a good night and last few days. After battling a stuffed up nose, a few crazy weeks of others watching him and then having some separation anxiety, we might be on the road to recovery. We are SO thankful for the grace that has allowed us to get through these past five months. Whew...it has been hard. But here's to some more great sleep. And by great sleep I mean I fed Owen at 6:30pm, (10:45pm-I think...I can't quite remember) then 1 am and at 5:45 am. And finally O slept till 8:45 am!
Blessed.
That was a great night of sleep!

 

"I did it myself!"

 

 

 

 

Katie is now big enough to dress herself...so she told me. She comes out each time either telling me that she is ready to go or to ask if I think she looks good.
What you can't see in the first photo, is that underneath the green undies are two more pairs. She also has two sets of socks on under the shoes-one polka dotted and one white. And with the vest outfit is a matching necklace that wasn't on for the photo. And ignore the messy hair with the vest...she went directly from pjs to "ready to go!"
I can't help but smile and think what a big girl we have. Her creativity and spunk for life is contagious. LOVE HER!
PS why she is chewing on the star, I don't know...I think she is doing it because Owen does.

It's been SO nice outside

 

 

 

 

We just had to take advantage of the 60 and 70 degree temps this past week! Owen had a great time hanging out in the fort...I did have to pay extra attention to him as he is a rolly polly now and could have manuvered himself to roll down the slide. :) Katie explored all the grass for some purple flower petals. Then she went flying on the swings. It was wonderful to be outside. Ahhh....spring, we are so looking forward to your constant arrival!

Owen turns 5 months!

We LOVE this cutie!

I did some photos of him on a whim...he was happy, the lighting was great and the sheet handy.

Owen is about 16 pounds now and just started to roll over! He is a smiley little one unless he is hungry or tired then watch out. He is eating like a champ (whew...he eats in about 10-15 minutes-he eats FAST) still at every three hours, except for the occassional 4-5 hour stretch at night. He loves to stand up with your help, talk to us all the time, might have giggled once and can scoot on his belly in circles. He sleeps on his belly, but has recently decided to roll over at night needing some help to get back on his belly. Still loves his baths, but he is super wiggly so I have to pay extra attention. Most people comment that he is like iron man because he is STRONG. He does well in the stroller but the car seat and he are still at odds. He has had a small bit of avocados, bananas and rice cereal and seems to enjoy that. And lastly he loves to give hugs now-At least to his momma. :) I am feeling like we are entering a "needing Momma" stage and I love the hugs.

Love you Superman.

 

 

 

 

We're still here...

Things have been a bit crazy here. Not our normal day to day.

Will be back soon!

mini me

 

Magnolia and Owen were both taking naps in their slings. :)

journaling-fear

Fear, it is crippling. It strangles. It freezes even the best person.
It is an emotion that I am battling so much these days. It captures my heart in an iron clamp and I can't free myself. It is the horrible no good very had thing that says you can't do it. You'll fail. Fear pushes me to turn my eyes inward towards myself...Then my thoughts swirl around and around and I can't get out...(fear that Owen will never sleep right, that Katie will get her heart hurt, that Justin will have tummy issues, that my friends/family won't know I love them, that I'll make a wrong decision...)

A few years ago we studied the gospel of Mark. I want to say that I can remember so much from it, but truthfully I can't. But one over arching theme that is a constant thought running through my head giving me hope, is that the opposite of fear is faith. Faith as small as a mustard seed. Faith like a little child.

So in times like these when fear seeps into my thoughts and emotions, I am reminded that "perfect love casts out fear". And that my faith in the one true God is what I should cling to instead. His love is perfect. His plans cannot be thwarted. I need to have faith in my creator. I want to live full out for God, with joy and faith. Resting in his sovereignty. Yet battling that I, with even a small amount of faith, can change the plans of the Almighty.

Faith is what I need to cling to. Faith the God loves me. Faith that He is a good God. Faith that says He loves me like a father loving his own precious children. Faith that He is here with me and hears me when I talk with Him. Faith that says no matter what I do or don't do, He will still hold me tightly as I walk through this weary land. Faith that says He did forgive me and He took my place in judgment before the King once and for all.

So go away fears and self doubt. I have something far greater to think about. I need not fear, my God is BIG. Larger then I could ever imagine. Fear says there isn't hope. Faith says He is my hope.

Katie says...

Momma, "Who are you playing with?"

Katie, "Cinderella, and all the other girls too."

------

Katie, "Did you hear that?"

Momma, "What?"

Katie, "Cinderella, Tinkerbell, Jasmine are knocking at the door. Let's let them in."

------

Katie, "My phone is ringing."

Momma, "Who is it?"

Katie, "It is Belle. She is back in my room having her quiet time. I need to go and get her to play bouncy ball. Oh, I just got a text from her."

-----

Katie, "I want to go play football."

Momma, "You want to go play football, outside?"

Katie, "Yes, I want to go play football outside with Cinderella. Actually, it I want to play football in the pantry with Tinkerbell."

-----

and I could go on and on and on....She is ALWAYS playing with her "friends". Very imaginative and creative...

My two blueberries (by the end of the photos!)

 

 

 

 

It is SO SO much fun to see these two start to interact. Owen will smile for Katie and she will try her hardest to "love" her little brother. I pray they will be friends through all stages of life!