Everyday

Everyday something happens that makes me think, "Man, I really should blog about this!"  But life has been so busy lately, that I haven't had the gumption to do blog once the dust settles for the evening (i.e. the kids are asleep).  The kiddos are doing wonderfully.  We just had Caleb's third birthday party! We had another potbless-style birthday bash.  While Caleb was the only child his age present, he had a ton of fun with Uncle Jonathan and Wesley (ages 27 and 11 respectively).  Larry and I planned all these games, and I stressed about whether or not Caleb was going to have fun at his non-traditional party...you know what those three boys did for over an hour??  They spun around in circles.  They spun until they fell down, laughing so hard they cried.  That's it, and they had a blast doing it.  Go figure.  The Father really just took care of Caleb, largely without my help.  Our little boy was thrilled with his birthday gifts and the chocolate cake.  It was a really fun evening.

So now,  all this year's birthday parties are over, we have moved on to holiday season which means Christmas light installation for Larry and Mike.  For two weeks or so, the guys work really hard and put in long hours.  They have been leaving before 7 am and aren't back until after dark.  Caleb asks to "go to work with Daddy" every morning before they leave.  He's so cute.  He tells me often that he is wearing his "work pants, like Daddy."  The kids already love the Christmas display at Costco, and I cannot wait to show off some of Daddy's work when we go looking at Christmas lights this year. 
Meanwhile, we are still pursuing our business, Abundant Living for Seniors (ALS), and frequently have folks over to look at our home.  It's really a trust issue for me right now.  It's difficult to have people in and out of my home (especially with the kids underfoot) with little notice, but I know God is at work in the situation.  I am also learning to trust my husband through his process.  As per God's word, I am committed to following Larry even when I do not completely understand or agree with his decisions.  We are waiting on God to either provide the right residents for our home or give us clear directions about our next step.  Know any seniors needing an assisted living arrangement??  Please keep us in your prayers regarding ALS.

Oh!  A quick word about Halloween!  It was a blast.  Nana, Papa and Uncle Jonathan came over and we all took the kids trick-or-treating around the neighborhood.  Evie dressed as a dino and Caleb was a frog!  The kids had a blast being the center of attention.  The costumes were fun and warm (which mom liked).  Everyone was tired by the time we had made it around to three blocks.  A good time was had by all. 

So for now, the kids and I have fallen into a beautifully predictable routine.  We play outside, eat - a lot, bake yummy things, go to the library or museum, have tea parties, read, generally have a great time.  God has so blessed our family!  Right now I am learning and teaching Caleb that God doesn't give us everything we want, but He will always provide everything we need.  He gave us new life in Christ, all spiritual blessings, authority over all things in heaven and on earth, provision, wholeness, and the list goes on.  Daily life with the kids provides such unique opportunities to explain spiritual principals.  I suppose that's how God set it up.  I am excited that Caleb and Evelynn will grow up knowing that the spiritual, invisible realm is more real for them that this physical world.  I cannot help but wonder what they will be like as a result.  I'm humbled to be a part of their everyday lives.

The simple life

She's wearing a pale purple and gray flannel shirt, blue socks, and a damp diaper.  Evelynn is tottering towards me.  She's lovely and, for the most part, entertaining herself right now.  This girl of mine is just a doll, and I am so enjoying being a mommy.  She mimics facial expressions and sounds (blowing kisses, snorting, rolling her tongue).  She wants my laptop so badly, she cannot take her eyes (or her hands) off of it.  I just dug out Caleb's play laptop for her, but she seems to know the difference!

I continue to be amazed at how quickly my children change.  My Evie Hope has nearly weaned herself; she is also walking, talking and eating independently.  She now sleeps 10 hours a night and naps at 10 and 2 during the day!  I thought that would never happen!  I am also amazed by how different my children are from one another.

Caleb will be three in November (please check out the invitation on my FB wall).  He's really thriving.  He has become more outgoing and talks to everyone, about everything!  He remembers everything we say or do, and he eats constantly.    This is a kid who knows what he is about. :) He will tell you his name means "strong man who holds onto a good report."   He knows his is not to cause his sister "distress," but takes care of her and his baby bear.  He says some of the most insightful things at times. 

For the most part, I am having a great time staying at home with these kiddos.  Our days are all very much the same, but we sure do have fun!  I am blessed with a little girl who is up early, so every morning she and I take a walk (to keep her from waking the rest of the household). After breakfast, the kids and I go to the park  (there are 36 parks in Visalia!).  Because Larry works from home a lot, I am able to spend time with him during the day as well.  We eat meals as a family, and he and I take coffee breaks together while watching the kids play. We have really simple daily routines, but it keeps everything moving along smoothly. 

Life in Christ is good, and we are very blessed with a simple, happy life. Caleb just woke up from his nap, so now I have two kiddos trying to get to my keyboard!  Finding Caleb's apple juice just passed up blogging on my priority list...I'd better go.  Enjoy your blessed day (we sure are!).  :P

The Latest

Evie's 1st birthday party was a blast.  We hung out with family and friends, ate authentic Italian food, drank wine, and watched a very happy little girl open presents with her Daddy.  Aside from birthday festivities, there's so much going on right now.  The kids are getting big, strong, and smart...fast!  Caleb is speaking in full sentences about surprisingly mature subjects.  Evelynn is playing games, nearly walking, and responding well to sign language.  I'm (we're) finding that our children are very aware of everything we do (and say). 

Caleb is a little hawk, so sharp! Today we had a discussion about whether Mommy should go back to work.  I hadn't even told him that I was considering a teaching position when we asked me if I was going somewhere.  I told him that I wasn't going anywhere, but I pushed him for information on the subject.  I asked if Daddy could stay at home with him while Mommy went to work.  With fiery eyes and a strong voice, he responded, "No.  Daddy goes to work; Mommy stays with me."  That (decision) was easy.  Caleb is very intuitive.  He asked for a cheese sandwich yesterday.  I was thinking about requiring him to eat some leftover broccoli as well, and before I said the word, he piped up with, "No.  No broccoli Mama."  Funny kid.

Larry is leaving for a men's retreat for a few days, so it will be just me and the kiddos for a while. And if Christ doesn't come back, I am sure the kids and I will have many insightful conversations while he's gone!  I bet Evie Hope will be up and walking confidently by the time he gets back.  I know one thing for certain:  God will never leave or forsake us (or you!).  Enjoy your blessed weekend!

Evelynn is ONE today!

Happy birthday to our Evelynn Hope Newman!  She is busily "reading" her way through a basket of books right now.  This time last year, Evelynn was still fondly known as B.G. Newman (Baby Girl Newman).  It took us a long six days to choose her name.  Evelynn means "lively" or "full of life."  The name suits her perfectly.  Everything about this little one is lively!  She regularly giggles, snorts, blows kisses, grins, and crawls to flop her bum into your lap.  She is active from the moment she wakes until she can no longer keep her heavy eyes open.  She climbs up and onto EVERYTHING imaginable.  Her middle name is Hope because she took so long to arrive; I was sure the Lord would return before she made her debut!  Boy, was she worth the wait though.  I have never met a more amiable, sweet baby.  I cannot believe she is already a year old, and with such a personality!  God's hand continues to be on this child as she grows daily into a beautifully healthy, submissive, and Godly girl.  Happy birthday, Evie Hope!

Secrets and homemade chicken pot pie!

Hello again!  It has been a very long time since my last post.  Life just keeps moving along swimmingly.  The kids are keeping me very busy and are getting cuter by the moment.  This morning Evelynn was crying while I was elbow deep in pie crust dough, and Caleb came to the rescue!  He crawled up to her, laid down on his belly directly in front of her little face and asked, "Is you okay, Sissy?" (I love 2 year old grammar!) She lowered her volume and he tried again..."Can I tell you a secret, Sissy?"  She paused, as if to answer affirmatively.  He put his lips to her ear and whispered,  "I love you!"  She giggled, and my world was made right again!  Every day these beautiful babies are such a challenge and a joy!

Right now (among other things) we are gearing up for the Senior Living Tour this Saturday, 10-2 p.m.  Our assisted living facility, Abundant Living for Seniors will be showcased on the city wide tour of elderly homes.  Which means mama is a very busy lady right now!  Evie's 1st birthday party is also this weekend on Sunday, 4-6 p.m.  Join us to celebrate with an Italian themed pot-bless and homemade chocolate cake (thank you Pioneer Woman for the great recipe!). 

I want to get back to blogging more regularly because the kids are always doing something so amazing that I am daily convinced they are both baby geniuses!  I want to share and remember these precious moments.  But for now, off to lunch with my blessed family.  Another recipe from thepioneerwoman.com:  homemade chicken pot pie.  I'll let you know how it turns out, or better yet, head over to our place for some lunch with the Newmans!  :)

God's perspective (What is it?)

This is Larry here...

I was reproved, corrected and enlightened this morning. The word of God, the truth, the gospel is an awesome thing and God surely has enlightened me to things in his word, regarding his truth, about the gospel. There are some things that God has shown me that have revolutionized my life such as...

The way to know our Jehovah God is by understanding his mercifulness to our iniquities and that he never brings to his remembrance our sin. (Hebrews 8:11-12) This reality is the basis, the foundation to our NEW covenant with God. For me this was such a cool connection. It showed me the nature of our Father, as forgiving (and faithful to what he says).

Another truth that God has shown me that once again has recoursed my life in so many ways is the reality that we are justified as a GIFT by his GRACE. It is nothing of ourselves, nothing we did. Our justification (being right in God's sight) is purely and wholly in the reality that Christ’s redemptive payment of shed blood was enough for God to never ever ever hold anything against us. (Romans 3:24-25)

Which seed will you plant?

Ungodly beliefs: the LIE which produces DEATH

1. I don’t belong. I will always be on the outside (left out).
2. I will always feel lonely. My spouse will not always be there for me.
3. I am the problem. When something is wrong, it is my fault.
4. My value is in what I do. I am valuable because I do good to others, because I am “successful.”
5. I can avoid conflict that would risk losing others’ approval by being passive.
6. The perfect life is one in which no conflict is allowed, and so there is peace.
7. I am unattractive. God has shortchanged me.
8. I have wasted a lot of time and energy, some of the best years of my life.
9. Authority figures will just use and abuse me.
10. My value is based totally on others’ judgment /perception of me.
11. I will not be known, understood, loved or appreciated for who I am by those close to me.
12. If I fail to please you, I won’t receive your pleasure and acceptance of me. Therefore, I must strive even more (perfectionism). I must do whatever is necessary to try to please you.
13. The correct way to respond if someone offends me is to punish them by withdrawing and/or cutting them off.
14. God is judging me when I relax. I have to stay busy.

Godly beliefs: the TRUTH which produces LIFE and PEACE

1. I do belong. I am an adopted child of God. I am in his household.
2. I am not lonely, and I have God’s perfect spouse for me permanently in my life.
3. I am not the problem. When something is wrong, I am not always at fault.
4. My value is in who I am in Christ, not what I do.
5. I will not avoid conflict by being passive. Instead I will confront the issues in a Godly manner. I will no longer fear rejection.
6. When there are conflicts, I will use the wisdom and knowledge of God to bring about peace.
7. I am attractive. God says I am beautifully and wonderfully made.
8. If I fail to please others, I will still receive their pleasure and acceptance because I am in Christ.
9. Godly authority figures will not use and abuse me.
10. My value is based totally on God’s perception of me in Christ.
11. I am known, understood, loved and appreciated for who I am by those close to me.
12. I can be very open about what I say because nothing can be held against me.
13. The correct way to respond when I am offended or hurt is to choose to be open and communicate my hurt to the other person. I can do so because God will protect me and love me unconditionally.
14. Not I, but Christ. Done (instead of do).