A good read…

This is how I found Asher yesterday in his room…  reading his Bible! :)

The Jesus Storybook Bible is a favorite in our house!!! It was given to us before Asher was born by some very special friends. I loved reading it to Asher when he was a baby and would just lay there… then he got too squirmy and didn’t have the attention span long enough for the stories.  Thankfully he is now able to sit through (most) stories and often asks for a second!  He asks for the “Bible Book” before each nap and bedtime. I can only pray that these stories are soaking into his heart! :)

This Bible is different than other kid Bibles in that each story alludes to Jesus. I love how they word it, “Every story whispers His name!” So not only are they teaching the basic Bible stories they are giving hints of Jesus Christ in each story! The stories and illustrations are beautiful!  If you don’t have this book yet I just thought I’d recommend it!

…And this last picture is what I get when I say, “Asher can you look at me and smile?”  Ha!

This was our passage yesterday at MOPS and it was a great reminder about our ultimate calling as Christian parents!  More than just teaching manners, singing the ABC’s, and doing laundry. ;) 

⁵ Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. ⁶ These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. ⁷ Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. ⁸ Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. ⁹ Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.   Deut. 6:5-9

Happy early Mother’s Day to all my sweet friends who are working SO hard to raise children who love the Lord!!

something to talk about.

Since this blog has basically turned into Asher’s baby book I wanted to remember this cute story!  The other night Asher woke up at about 3 am.  I could hear him half crying/half talking for quite a while so I decided to go check on him.  I walked in and quietly said, “What’s up buddy?”  He popped his head up and with the biggest smile said, “Ruff Ruff Ruff, Mooo, Neigh!” 

I definitely couldn’t help but laugh.  It’s almost like he knows that talking is for communication… but he just doesn’t have all the words yet.  I love this stage of watching new words and sounds emerge, but I’m also excited for the stage when we can really talk to each other! 

Life with a 16 – almost 17-month-old is busy, fun, exhausting, and lately, pretty hard!  Tantrums are a daily occurrence.  Frustration over not being able to do something or have something are just a normal part of our day.  I am thankful for the reminder we were given this morning at MOPS to be constantly praying for our children.  (And to be praying for our own wisdom in raising them!)  Our speaker was the wife of one of the Colts’ coaches and she gave the analogy of NOT praying for our children is like sending them into a football game without any pads on.  (She joked that her husband would die if he knew she was making a football analogy!)  But it really resonated with me!  I think I am already dreading the day I have to sit in the stands and watch my baby boy get physically knocked around in football or some other sport, but I can’t imagine sending him out there unprotected! 

So, right now, Asher’s end of the conversation might mostly consist of animal sounds, but I hope he is at least getting used to hearing us talk about Jesus in prayer and throughout the day.  We pray for the day he accepts Him as his LORD and SAVIOR!

“Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”
Deut. 11:19

10 Things I love RIGHT now

I love that the weather is changing and there are whispers of fall in the air.  I cannot wait for jeans, sweatshirts, cool evenings, colored leaves, pumpkins, apple cider…  seriously.  Bring it!! 

I love that Asher is talking more every day and mimicking more words that I count.

I also love that Asher has yet to mimic anything like, “Oh crap!” or “Pick a lane you jerk!”  :)  (Theoretically of course, not that he’s ever heard either of these phrases!) 

I (mostly) love that it’s football season.  It seriously makes my hubby so happy and I love to join him on the couch with some form of snack, dip, or refreshment.  Basically it’s a reason to hang out and eat food! 

I love this passage. Though I’ve read it before, I read it today with fresh eyes and about cried at the picture of God’s love and faithfulness!  (Isa 43:2-6)

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.  For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Seba in your stead.  Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give men in exchange for you, and people in exchange for your life.  Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west.  I will say to the north, 'Give them up!' and to the south, 'Do not hold them back.' Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth"

I love that MOPS starts tomorrow!!! 

I love that this is my second year at home.  The thrill of shopping at Target in the middle of the day has kind of faded, but not my LOVE for being with my best buddy all day long.

I love that I’m going to be an auntie again and that I have a reason to start looking at the little girl section when I’m shopping!  My sister-in-law and brother-in-law are due in January and we’re so excited to meet that sweet baby girl!

I love that Chris and I go to bed at the same time.  I guess not all couples do that!  Who knew??  We just always have and I love talking and praying together before we fall asleep. 

I love Big Bang Theory.  (The Show!!!  Not the actual theory.)  :)  I actually think the title is what kept this Christian girl from watching it for so long.  Oh my GOODNESS is it funny.  I can’t wait for all my shows to come back in a few weeks! 

We {heart} MOPS!

I have loved getting involved in MOPS this year! The ladies at my table are so great, and each week I am touched and challenged by our speakers. I am SO thankful that Asher seems to enjoy his time in the MOPPETS nursery as well! Since our church is practically next door to Chris’s school we usually stop there afterward to say hi or eat lunch with Chris. All in all, our MOPS mornings are wonderful, but they do conflict with Asher’s naptime so he usually cat naps on the way home and is still very sleepy while I try to feed him a quick lunch. Today I thought he was going to doze off while he was eating!!

He’s not sleeping here… but it sure looks like it! :)

Taking a minute to say “Hi” and wave! Looking very sleepy though!

Chatting away… I thought those were his two bottom teeth in the picture, but it’s just a glare. I haven’t been able to capture a clear shot of his teeth yet! He’s got four and working on two more! :)

I also realize that a TON of pictures of Asher occur in the high chair… he’s such a moving target these days that I’ve found the high chair is the best spot to get pictures of him actually facing the camera and usually smiling! :)