Saturday, May 29, 2010
Friday, May 28, 2010
It's Been Two Months!
My little Coop-man is two months old today. Wow! That's really hard to believe. He is such a blessing and the sweetest baby. I have to say his best qualities right now are his precious smile and his almost constant contentment. My mom calls him an angel baby...I have to say I agree.
Happy Two Month, Coop! Love you tons :)
Click the link below to see him in action:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-dvYzdR3pY
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Monday, May 24, 2010
Cooper's Baptism
Cooper was baptized Sunday...such a special day! Sandy Willson baptized him, and Cooper was an absolute angel. He slept through the whole thing :). Carter was up front with us at the church, and he did great too. We were a little nervous that he might not do so well, but he was perfect...such good boys :).
All four of Joel's siblings, my sister-in-law, Kate, and Joel's mom all came in town for the weekend. We had a blast! My parents, Chas, Jennifer, Anne Mitchell, Elizabeth, and my Aunt Jane all came up for the baptism Sunday. Cooper is pretty popular, huh?
We are so thankful to God for entrusting us with the precious gifts of Carter and Cooper. I pray that we will be the parents God wants us to be. We both desire by the grace of God to fulfill our vows to raise Carter and Cooper in the fear and admonition of the Lord. May we strive everyday to lean on Jesus, our Lord and Savior who grants us grace and strength to face the task at hand!
Monday, May 17, 2010
Awesome Devotional
For those of you who I didn't email this to, this devo is a must read. My cousin, Shelby, sent it to me, and I wanted to pass it along.
"The Dailyness"
By Ariel Allison Lawhon, She Reads Co-Director
"Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway." Proverbs 8:34 (NIV)
Devotion:
Life wouldn't be so hard if it wasn't so daily. As I sit here surrounded by laundry and dishes piled high in the sink, I see more than ever how life wears us down one day at a time.
Crumbs litter the floor and dirty smudges cover the windows. And I have yet to discover where that smell is coming from. For this mother of four, a simple trip to the grocery store requires an act of God and Congress - attempted only when we are down to powdered milk and Ramen noodles. Not thirty minutes ago a little one-year-old boy clung to my legs, belting out that scream - you know the one, bats can hear it. And I felt my coping skills slipping away. Not because he was crying but because he cries every day.
The daily-ness.
The job of motherhood feels so vast, and frightening, and unending. I am called to raise these children in the fear and admonition of the Lord and yet there are days that I can't seem to get out of my pajamas much less lead them in a time of prayer. I think anyone could endure the temper tantrums of a small child or the rebellion of a teenager or the constant needs of another if they lasted just one day. But the truth is that these things are the stuff of daily life. And when I am honest with myself, they grind down the rough edges of this woman. Because parenting can not be all about me when diapers must be changed, noses wiped and beds made.
In those moments I force myself to take a deep breath and thank God for this season of life. These children. The privilege of wiping noses and bottoms and countertops. A privilege many women would love to have, but don't. I remind myself that the days are long but the years are short. And one day I will look in the rear-view mirror and see empty seats. The cup that is overflowing right now will slowly drain. The stretch marks will fade. And I will find that a new set of daily struggles has overtaken me. When that day comes I will find the strength to face them as well because God gives the grace, daily.
The daily-ness.
As C.S. Lewis once said, "The thing is to rely on God... Meanwhile, the trouble is that relying on God has to begin all over again every day as if nothing has yet been done."
Your daily-ness is probably different than mine, but it is nonetheless God-ordained. It is exactly what we need to live dependent on His grace instead of our own strength. The One who knows us best, who knit us together in our mother's womb, has allotted these days that are equal parts trial and triumph. And He knows that we will see Him most clearly from a place of dependence.
So today I embrace the normal things. The daily things. Another round of laundry. The ring in my toilet. The dust on my dresser so thick a child could write his name. But even more than that I want to celebrate the important things. A child slowly learning to read. A husband that finds his comfort in my arms. A baby who learns to walk and talk. Because all these are the things of life: some mundane and some holy. And all of them must be received daily.
Dear Lord, sometimes daily life is just hard. And we're tired. And overwhelmed. But You promised to be our strength and our hope and our comfort. So today we look to You for what we need. Would You meet us in this, our daily-ness, and help us receive Your grace? In Jesus' Name, Amen.
"The Dailyness"
By Ariel Allison Lawhon, She Reads Co-Director
"Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway." Proverbs 8:34 (NIV)
Devotion:
Life wouldn't be so hard if it wasn't so daily. As I sit here surrounded by laundry and dishes piled high in the sink, I see more than ever how life wears us down one day at a time.
Crumbs litter the floor and dirty smudges cover the windows. And I have yet to discover where that smell is coming from. For this mother of four, a simple trip to the grocery store requires an act of God and Congress - attempted only when we are down to powdered milk and Ramen noodles. Not thirty minutes ago a little one-year-old boy clung to my legs, belting out that scream - you know the one, bats can hear it. And I felt my coping skills slipping away. Not because he was crying but because he cries every day.
The daily-ness.
The job of motherhood feels so vast, and frightening, and unending. I am called to raise these children in the fear and admonition of the Lord and yet there are days that I can't seem to get out of my pajamas much less lead them in a time of prayer. I think anyone could endure the temper tantrums of a small child or the rebellion of a teenager or the constant needs of another if they lasted just one day. But the truth is that these things are the stuff of daily life. And when I am honest with myself, they grind down the rough edges of this woman. Because parenting can not be all about me when diapers must be changed, noses wiped and beds made.
In those moments I force myself to take a deep breath and thank God for this season of life. These children. The privilege of wiping noses and bottoms and countertops. A privilege many women would love to have, but don't. I remind myself that the days are long but the years are short. And one day I will look in the rear-view mirror and see empty seats. The cup that is overflowing right now will slowly drain. The stretch marks will fade. And I will find that a new set of daily struggles has overtaken me. When that day comes I will find the strength to face them as well because God gives the grace, daily.
The daily-ness.
As C.S. Lewis once said, "The thing is to rely on God... Meanwhile, the trouble is that relying on God has to begin all over again every day as if nothing has yet been done."
Your daily-ness is probably different than mine, but it is nonetheless God-ordained. It is exactly what we need to live dependent on His grace instead of our own strength. The One who knows us best, who knit us together in our mother's womb, has allotted these days that are equal parts trial and triumph. And He knows that we will see Him most clearly from a place of dependence.
So today I embrace the normal things. The daily things. Another round of laundry. The ring in my toilet. The dust on my dresser so thick a child could write his name. But even more than that I want to celebrate the important things. A child slowly learning to read. A husband that finds his comfort in my arms. A baby who learns to walk and talk. Because all these are the things of life: some mundane and some holy. And all of them must be received daily.
Dear Lord, sometimes daily life is just hard. And we're tired. And overwhelmed. But You promised to be our strength and our hope and our comfort. So today we look to You for what we need. Would You meet us in this, our daily-ness, and help us receive Your grace? In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Coop Pics
Can you believe how long he is?! I can't wait for his two month check up...I bet he's off the charts.
I brought out the playmat...Carter LOVED this, but I think it's a little too early. Coop was very unimpressed.
We had to try on his baptismal outfit to make sure it would still fit him. We bought it before he was born not knowing he would be so big. Thankfully, it fits like a glove :) He gets baptized this Sunday, May 23rd.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Encouragement
As I said in my last post, I have been in need of encouragement lately, and God has provided it in many ways but mostly through his Word. I don't know how many people read my blog, but I figured we are all in need of encouragement pretty often, so I thought I would share some of the verses that have helped me in case any of you are in need of encouragement.
Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10
My grace is sufficient for you, my power is made perfect in weakness...For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12: 8-10
The Lord is the everlasting God, the creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and His understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Isaiah 40: 28-29
For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear: I will help you. Isaiah 41: 13
Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name, you are mine. 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 Holy One of Israel, your Savior. Isaiah 43:1-3
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God, and the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4: 6-7
Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. (you are His personal concern)! 1 Peter 5:7
I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13
He tends His flock lik a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart; He gently leads those that have young. Isaiah 40:11
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is stayed on thee because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3
For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by Him we cry, 'Abba Father.' Romans 8:15
I hope these bring reassurance and hope any of you who may need it today!
Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10
My grace is sufficient for you, my power is made perfect in weakness...For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12: 8-10
The Lord is the everlasting God, the creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and His understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Isaiah 40: 28-29
For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear: I will help you. Isaiah 41: 13
Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name, you are mine. 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 Holy One of Israel, your Savior. Isaiah 43:1-3
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God, and the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4: 6-7
Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. (you are His personal concern)! 1 Peter 5:7
I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13
He tends His flock lik a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart; He gently leads those that have young. Isaiah 40:11
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is stayed on thee because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3
For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by Him we cry, 'Abba Father.' Romans 8:15
I hope these bring reassurance and hope any of you who may need it today!
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Pics and update
As you can see, my boys are growing like weeds! I can't believe Coop is six weeks old already. Time has flown. Things are going well around here. I must admit it got rough for a while after we realized that Cooper had reflux (poor little guy was miserable!), but thanks to lots of prayers and lots of help from family, things are settling down. The newborn stage is tough! We just knew Coop was going to escape reflux unlike Carter, but thankfully Prevacid works like a charm, and he is doing great. He is not a great napper as of now, but at night he has been sleeping great. Praise the Lord for sleep :)
Carter is doing great too. He has been an excellent big brother, and thanks to a wonderful husband, I am pretty much "off duty" with Carter when Joel gets home at night. They are the biggest buddies! It's nice to have such great help from my hubby and my parents. My mom basically lived here for six weeks, and my dad was so willing to let her come. I am very blessed!
God has been so good to me. Although having a newborn and a toddler has been tough, I can actually say I am thankful for the trials...I have prayed more and drawn closer to God than I have in a very long time. I have gone to scripture and claimed God's promises over and over and over. And He has truly shown his faithfulness. I have felt His presence in a special way, and I love Him more (and have hopefully become more like Him) because of the trials and how He has comforted me and provided for me through them. I have "cast my anxieties upon Him" many times, and He has been faithful to comfort. Praise be to the God of all creation who loves us, provides for us, and makes us His personal concern!
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