I got tagged

I got a tagged by my friend, Jen Conant. The rules are: go to your picture files and find the fourth picture, then post it. Here's mine...


Pretty sweet picture of Zac when he turned three! Now I am tagging...
Lindsey from Our everyday blessings, Carey from A Russian Fairytale and Carrie from Big Happy Family.

Jacob's Preschool Program

Last night we got to attend Jacob's first official preschool program. He looked so handsome and sang along with his classmates so well. The highlight of the night was when the pastor was giving his sermon and Jacob chimed in. The pastor said something about Jesus being born, living and then dying for us. He asked something about why he died and Jacob shouts out, "He died for our sins!"

I was so happy to hear that some of the truth we are teaching is getting into his head. I pray it will plant itself deep in his heart.

My little helper

Tonight, Ryan had a late appointment so my sweet Hallie helped me with the bedtime routine. After reading Zac a bedtime story he cried for endless hugs while I was trying to read Jacob his bedtime story. Believe me, he got plenty of hugs and he really wasn't in need of genuine affection be was simply trying for "manipulation hugs" as we call them around here. So, I told him he would have to go to bed and wait until I was done with Jacob. Hallie heard him wailing and politely asks, "Mom, can I go try and make him feel better?" I say sure and she goes in with the sweetest mommy voice and says, "hey sweetheart, can I give you a snuggle?" She then proceeds to calm him down and "read" him a book. By the time I was done with Jacob he was asking for special Hallie time too! So, she obliges and then turns their light off, says, "sleep tight, boys" and closes the door. They didn't even try to come out after that!

She looks at me and says, "Wooo, that was hard work getting those boys to bed!"

Hallie is such a delightful, loving girl full of sensitivity towards others and compassion. It is a joy to see God at work in her heart!

Adopted and Changed

Yesterday, our Nanny decided to call Zachary, Pasha. We do that sometimes as well because it is such a cute name and for so long he called himself Pasha (his Russian name). When she did this Zac's response was, "No, I not Pasha. I turned into Zac!"

I found this so fascinating. At three, he did not forget that he used to be Pasha, but he knows without a doubt that he is now Zac. I am so thankful that he proudly and joyfully calls himself Zac, the name his parents gave to him. We always loved the name Zac and when we found out it means, Remembered By God, it was the perfect name for our son.

I am always delighted when my kids teach me and remind me about God's truths. When I heard this story I was reminded about my joy in being called by God as one of His daughters. We are adopted into his family and as a believer we are a new creation. I haven't forgotten my old life of sin, but rejoice because I have a new identity in Christ.

"For God chose us to be adopted as his sons and daughters through Jesus Christ." Eph 1:5
"If anyone is in Christ he is a new creation, the old is gone and the new has come." 2 cor 5:17

Snuggles

Zachary has turned into the best snuggler! Each morning he comes into our room (sometimes a little too early) with his pillow and asks, "Mama, little snuggle?" Of course I oblige and he crawls up next to me. This morning he snuggled in close, put his arm around me and gave me a kiss. Then he said, "Mama, I love you. You are cute and adorable." How precious is that!! What a great way to start an early day!

My Creator

I just finished a book club with a group of wonderful, diverse women. We got together to discuss the book, The Shack. We had differing ideas and thoughts but we all enjoyed the discussion and time of fellowship.

I am thankful to God for blessing me with opportunities for "girl time" and deep discussion about Him. One of the themes in the book was the idea that He is the Creator and I am the created. Even though I sturggle with that role at times, when I contemplate that the satisfaction and joy I get out of reading, learning, "girl time" and simple things like book clubs is because He created me that way I am so thankful to Him for being my Creator.

It's only in this last year that I have discovered a love for books and reading. It's so fun to think that God, as my loving Creator, will continue to bless me with surprise interests and friends as the story of my life unfolds.

So, I am off to bed to start next month's book, The Glass Castle. God, my Creator, knows what I will learn and discover and enjoy and I picture him delighting in me just as I love watching my kids learn and delight in discovery.

Scripture Memory

I have to thank my friend, Mindy for challenging me last year to teach my kids scripture. I initially thought that 3 and 4 years old was too young to memorize scripture. Mindy was telling me how she decided that if her kids could memorize music and so many other things that starting to memorize scripture made sense. Well, it made sense to me too! Putting the truth into their heads and praying for it to sink into their hearts at a young age is so important.

In the last year our kids have memorized about 15 verses and each has it's own song or action to go along with it. We usually make it fun by passing around a candle at dinner time and the person holding the candle gets to say or sing the verse and then blow the candle out to finish it off. Then he or she picks the next person to sing the verse. I know this is a huge fire hazard, but in one year we have not had an injury!

Anyway, the verse for this month is Genesis 1:31..."God saw all that he had made and it was very good." (set to the tune Yankee Doodle). We are so proud of Zac for starting to pick up this verse memorization too. Below is a video of Zac singing the verse. It wasn't his best effort, but when the camera is on you never know what you are going to get!