photojournal: Bella 's 4th birthday

"He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruits in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers." -Psalm 1:3

Happy Birthday Bella!

Dear Bella,
We cannot believe it! Our baby girl is turning four years old today! We are so thankful that the Lord has allowed us to be your daddy and mommy. Your giggles, hugs, creativity, tender heart, and boundless energy bring our family so much joy! We love you and we thank God for you! Happy, happy birthday sweet girl! We look forward to spending time together at Chuckie Cheese celebrating you!
Love,
Daddy and Mommy

Awe vs Flaw

( Our camera is broken, so although I wanted to post a picture that would illustrate this story, I settled for a cute picture I took about two weeks ago!)
JJ loves to sit in his bouncy seat and watch himself in the mirror. At first glimpse, he is absolutely in awe of that little baby looking back at him! He talks to the baby, laughs at the baby, reaches for the baby, and studies every detail of that reflection in the mirror. It is adorable!

However, when I look in the mirror, I confess... I can't say that I am 'in awe'. In fact, if I am being honest, the first thing I see at a glance is every flaw. I see my messy curls that badly need a bottle of dye to color those pesky grays. I am very aware of the dark circles under my eyes due to this season of limited sleep. I wonder if my teeth would be brighter if I had that special whitening toothpaste I've seen on a commercial? My list continues, but I'll spare you anymore. wink!

This morning, the Lord reminded me that I have been wonderfully made. Every little thing about me was designed by my Heavenly Father. From stretch marks to birth marks, God made every last detail. I am tempted by the world to forget that the Lord has created me without flaw. I don't forget to re-apply my mascara, but at times, I forget to re-apply the Truth. So, today, I am going to smile at my reflection in the mirror and praise the Lord!

"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well."- Psalm 139:14

Pierce like a sword

Yesterday during homeschool, the scripture we learned during our devotion was Proverbs 12:18-"Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing." To help illustrate the meaning of this verse, I got out a piece of paper and drew a line down the center to make two columns. At the top of the first column, I drew a little sword. At the top of the second column, I drew a bandaid. We talked about 'reckless words'... words that we say out of frustration, anger, jealousy, etc. We listed these words in the sword column. Next, we talked about words that are 'healing'... words that are pleasing to God, that encourage others, that express love. We wrote those words in the bandaid column. Both Wubs and Bella loved this activity! We had a lot of fun brainstorming together and discussing how we can bless others by chosing our words carefully. I had to laugh because this morning, the girls were watching It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. One of the characters on the movie used the word 'stupid'. Wubs said, "Pierce like a sword! Pierce like a sword word, Mama!!!"
We went to the beach earlier this month with Papa and Nana. It was chilly but we had a lot of fun! Here are a few of my favorite pictures from our vacation!"Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves.A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."-Ecclesiastes 4:12

Mommy and Me journals

Last week, we started our Mommy and Me journals! David and I want the girls to feel like they can
always confide in us, discuss any of their questions with us, and ask us to pray for them. My precious friend Pam told me about a project called 'Mommy and Me journals' and I knew we needed to try it! (Thank you Pam! Love you!) Here is what we have been doing...
Wubs has a pink journal, and Bella has a purple journal. I started the journals by writing
a letter inside each notebook, and I left them on their beds while they were sleeping. (With Wubs, I am trying to write words that I know she can sound out so she can continue to build her confidence in reading. With Bella, I am drawing a picture and writing a short sentence about the picture.) The girls have loved waking up and reading their journals! Then, they write me back.
They leave their journals on my nightstand for me to find. It has been SO much fun! We have written back and forth every day, and I'm not sure who likes it more- mommy or the girls! wink. I am hoping we will continue this journaling project into the teen years.We have some dear family friends that journaled with their children while they were growing up, and they have kept these journals. Now, both of their children are grown and married, but they love to read these journals and enjoy all the stories from years ago!
Below are some fun pictures with our sweet little buddy, Zachary! (Zachary is Pam's son, my friend that told me about the mommy and me journals. We love, love, love you, Weber family!)
These were just so cute, I had to post them!

"Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good."- 1 Peter 2:2-3

Decisions, decisions

This morning, Wubs brought three toys into the kitchen. These particular toys were her little dogs- three of her most treasured possessions. She had a very serious look on her face.
"Mama, I think I'm going to give one of my dogs away."
"Really? Wow! Are you going to give a dog to one of your friends?"
"Yeah... I have lots of toys and I think I should share. Which one isn't your favorite?"
"Hmmmm... why do you want to know which one isn't my favorite?" (I was pretty sure I knew why she was asking but I thought I would check, just to be certain.)
"Well, I want to keep my favorites and give away the dog that is my almost favorite. So, should I give away this one?" (Aha, just as I had suspected. Thank you Lord for teachable moments!)
"Wubs, let's think about what you want to do. You want to bless one of your friends with a toy dog, but you want to give away the doggie that you don't like the best. You know how the Bible tells us to love others the way God loves us? Well, when God was going to send a Savior- He didn't send his "almost favorite". No, God sent us His very best. The One that He loved the very most. You want to know what I think? I think that if you give away the dog that you love the most, your friend will be the most blessed by your sweet gift. And you know what? I bet you'll feel the most joy for giving it away, too!"
Wubs listened closely. She looked thoughtfully at the dogs. Then she told me she was going to her room because she needed to go think about it.
Several minutes later, Emma Grace returned to the kitchen with the BIGGEST smile on her face.
"Mommy, I am giving away the dog with the newpaper in his mouth. That's the best one. I'm going to wrap it up too!"
That blessed my heart so much! It also convicted me... I think about the many times that I don't give God my very best. There are times that I'm not as patient as I could be, as loving as I should be, or as faithful as I need to be. Praise God that He won't give up on me! I certainly don't deserve His redeeming love, but I am oh-so-grateful for it.
Below are some pictures from JJ's four month doctor appointment! (He is now four and a half months old... better a late post than never! wink!) He is 17 pounds of pure joy!

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."-Hebrews 11:1