Friday Faves #3

   
1. ERGObaby Carrier-this is by far my fave carrier. I often strap Camden on in the afternoon while Alexander digs in the dirt outside!

                          
2.Chobani yogurt- if you haven't tried it don't! It's addicting!

3.The Read and Share Bible Ultimate DVD and Book Vol 2- we have been researching toddler bibles for a while and this one was EXACTLY what we were looking for.

  

4. The Mission of Motherhood-Touching Your Child's Heart for Eternity by Sally Clarkson

 

5.B.O.B. Revolution Duallie 12

                                               

                                                           

                                                    

He's still working on me...

             He's still working on me
           To make me what I need to be
           It took him just a week to make the moon and stars
          The sun and the earth and Jupiter and Mars
           How loving and patient He must be
           'Cause He's still workin' on me       

      I often find myself singing this to Alexander as we go about our daily tasks, and the more I sing it the more I realize how true it is about me.  One of the biggest things I have struggled with in my life is not forgiving. I forgive but I never forget, which is not true forgiveness. I have been carrying around way to much baggage in my heart and the Lord started convicting me about it after the birth of Camden. I admit I am an overly sensitive person, with a wicked memory. I can tell you what you did or said to me 10 years ago that hurt my feelings, what I was wearing, what you were wearing, and what we were both doing at the time. Yeah, unfortunately I have THAT kind of memory, just ask my husband.
     I set some spiritual goals for 2012 and one of them was to truly give all my baggage over to the Lord, forgive completely and to love unconditionally, no matter what the circumstances.  This is an EVERYDAY struggle for me. When I am faced with a certain person who hurts me for the hundredth time, I want to to give in, to crawl into my shell and say enough is enough. But a few scriptures repeat in my head as I have been studying forgiveness.

                 "Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive 

my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”   Jesus answered,  “I tell you

not seven times, but seventy-seven times."  Matthew 18:21-22

  " Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible,as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord .On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."  Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."   
Romans 12:17-21

    I am writing about this because the flesh is still getting the best of me and I am earnestly praying about this area of my life. When the Lord started to work on me about this, I kept trying to justify why I had these awful feelings towards certain people. I told myself that I have always given people the benefit of the doubt, always tried to put myself in their shoes to see it from their prospective, and yet he reminded me that is not what I am suppose to do. If I want to be more like Christ I can't analyze the past and "try to put myself in my their shoes." I have to let it go and give it over to him.  He has commanded that we forgive no matter what, that we wipe the slate clean and that we love them unconditionally with everything that is within us.  No I am not saying I am going to be a door mat and let people walk all over me, and say what they want. I WILL stand up for myself after lots of time in prayer of course to make sure my heart is in the right place. But instead of being bitter I want to show them mercy, forgiveness and grace in abundance, just as he has shown me. So that is my goal. To forgive, to forget and to love unconditionally. I know that this can only be done through Him. So bare with me please, He is still working on me. He is changing me every day and oh the joy that has fills my soul when I trust in Him. Thank you Jesus. We only have this one life to live for the Lord. I choose love, I choose joy, I choose to forgive.

                                           

Never too young

          I have learned over the past few months that children are never to young to learn to...
                              

       *Pray* I want him to know Jesus is always there, listening and waiting for Alexander to spend time with him.

 * Take care of others*  Alexander loves to help take care of Camden.

                           .             

*Clean* This little man loves to clean and while he doesn't have certain chores yet, I encourage him to do whatever he can to help out around the house.

*Spend time in God's word* We love this story bible!

     Alexander is always learning and so am I....HE teaches me new things every day like what's really important in life and about the kind of mommy I really want to be.  I have been earnestly praying that the Lord would guide me as a mother and help me to plant a good seed in my two boys. I am starting to slowly see the fruits of my labor in Alexander. Although he is crazy, wild, and strong willed, he is MOSTLY loving, happy, wanting to read his little Bible, taking care of his baby brother, bowing his little head when we pray, and asking lots of questions when we talk about Jesus.  And although I often fail him miserably, he is learning about forgiveness as he constantly forgives me when I make mistakes.  I am so thankful for the opportunity to stay at home with him to teach, guide and encourage him as he has shown me lately that he is NEVER to young to learn!
                                                         

Brotherly L-O-V-E

          Alexander and Camden L-O-V-E each other so much at 8.5 months and 2.5 years old...they are inseparable! I can already see how they are going to be the best of friends! Alexander simply looks at Camden and Camden will burst into laughter! They are such a pair and I am SO in for it when they get older! Here are a few pictures that capture just what I am talking about!

First time meeting his new best friend.

 

 

 

Friday Faves #2

1. Gymboree- love, love, love, the quality of their clothes! It helps that they are super cute too!

2. Shepherding a child's heart- I just finished this up last  week. Loved it!

 3. My Canon Rebel T3i       

4. zipadeezip- this is helping wean Camden from the swaddle! Slowly but surely!

      
5. Mint.com- great website for tracking spending and bill reminders

A day at the ZOO

      Every now and then Alexander and I like to sneak away and have a mommy date. A time alone to bond, just him and I. One on one time with each child is very important to me and Alexander NEEDS it!  It is always a time of laughter, fun and memory making!  
     Ant came home Wednesday and told me he would be working from home tomorrow, knowing it was going to be almost 80 degrees, I immediately asked him if he would watch Camden while we ventured off to the zoo for a couple hours.   I got up, fed everyone breakfast as fast as I could and packed Alexander and I up for a morning of fun!  Alexander was so excited about the thought of going to the zoo, he ran laps around the house almost all morning!  We had to stop for gas on the way there and I after I got back in he firmly told me, "No more stops Momma! We have to get to the zoo!"
    We got there just as it was opening, bought our season passes and train tickets! We feverishly wondered around looking at all the animals all while Alexander talked to all the strangers of course!  His favorite animals there were the giraffes! They almost licked his face, to which he laughed with delight, but I was totally disgusted!  He asked constatnly when we were going to ride the "choo- choo train" which didn't start up till 10:45 am. He was ITCHING to ride that train! Finally 10:45 came and we were chugging along when the conductor told use that there would be "wild animals roaming and if they were to approach the train not to touch them!" I didn't know whether to laugh or cry! I was scared out of my mind as my 2.5 year squealed in delight!
      Finally after the train ride our morning was coming to an end and I told Alexander it was time to go home. As we were leaving he smiled and said, "I just rode that choo-choo train Momma! That was so much fun! Goodnight animals. Sleep good. I love you. Bye everybody See you later!" As he waved at every person that passed by. My heart was full and Alexander was on cloud nine. We came home and he told Ant all about our day. It's moments like this that will forever stay in my heart, treasured moments alone with my witty Alexander that I will never forget!


 * Please excuse the poor pictures. They were taken with my cell phone. I purposely left my Canon at home so I would not focus on getting the perfect picture, and I would be totally available to him. :)                                              
                                   

The free roaming scary animals on the train ride!

 

   

Alexander Joseph

     Alexander is a little over 2.5 going on 5! This kid is a S-M-A-R-T and knocks me off my feet everyday. All the credit goes to his Daddy (genes) and the fact that I have read to him everyday of his life since he was 2 weeks old.

Foods/drinks he loves: apples, bananas, peaches, pizza, spaghetti, chicken salad, egg whites, pb&j sandwiches, oranges, waffles, French toast, Ants on a log, yogurt, cereal, chocolate, ice cream, apple sauce, Italian food in general, coconut milk and WATER.

Loves to: watch Mickey mouse clubhouse, chugginton, backyardagains, leap frog series (thanks Uncle J), read, wrestle with Camden/Daddy, run circles around our house, rub Camden's head, color, paint, playdough, puzzles, make crafts just for "Dadda," take baths, dig in the dirt, swing, collect treasures outside, play in his sandbox while Daddy is grilling, run errands, help dust and vaccum.

   One of the biggest things about Alexander is he doesn't know a stranger. He has the most sociable personality! Last summer a stranger was running down the street exercising and they stopped to ask me when I was due. He threw his chalk on the ground, took off, ran over and gave this woman a hug like he hadn't seen her in ages. She was completely shocked, but hugged him right back than apoligzied to me for how sweaty she was. He was on the verge of turning two, but has been like this since we was born! He loves everybody and has to say "Hello" to everyone we pass by while grocery shopping. We do get lots of dirty looks from unfriendly strangers, but I just smile and nod my head. My kid is happy, loves life and wants to greet you with a"hello" no matter who you are!

   Alexander loves his grandparents and asks about each of them daily. They both spoil him rotten always baring gifts and yummies! He looks forward to seeing them and refuses to nap if we tell him ahead of time that they will be over later! We have learned to let grandparent visits be a surprise, otherwise he will stand at the window ALL DAY waiting! :)

   All in all Alexander is a BLESSING! He has lifted our spirits time after time as we have gone through this rough season in our life. I know in my heart the Lord blessed us with Alexander first to help us get through life in the beginning with Camden. I have HUGE dreams and aspirations for this little boy...ones I know he will one day fulfill. He is amazing, brave and all BOY..he is my Alexander Joseph!