Daddy fun day

On Saturday, the kids and I had lots of fun doing daddy/son&daughter date stuff. Liza was out of town with the little guy at a retreat, so we had lots of fun. We went to a place called "Extreme Fun" and that is just what the had.

Afterwards, we went to Sonic for lunch. While we were waiting for our food, Isabella caught and released a rollie pollie. They then started talking about what it would be like if there was a huge rollie pollie that was as big as the sonic. Then Zach says, "What if there were a flock of giant rollie pollies that was coming after us? What would we do?" I replied, "I don't know!" In a very matter of fact tone, he replied, "We would go to the zoo and get some lions so they could roar and scare them away!" He has quite the imagination.

While Chris was out of town

Here are a few pictures from when Chris was out of town in Trinidad for 10 days.

Liza and the kids before the national championship game (not too much fun.)

The kids helping Xander out with "Tummy time."

Baking with Aunt "Nini" Kelli while she was here. Actually, I think they were deep fat frying.

The finished product.

Mom and Xander.

Cross eyed- a normal state for him. ;-)

Everyone likes to hold Xander. He is such a sweetie.

Liza's new swing

Liza is already enjoying the new Amish swing she just had delivered. The last coat of stain is still a little fresh, hence the towel. She's been wanting this for 3 years and with the help of Christmas money, finally got it. Zach was very happy to “help” the guys who delivered it to put it up, then they read books for his nap out on the swing. Our crazy weather has us in the upper 60’s this week, so we can actually enjoy the new swing!

Go Indy!

While I was gone to Trinidad, Zach and Indy were playing one of her favorite games. I'm pretty sure she is imagining chasing after squirrels...

Listening and obeying

Ever since Chris prayed with Zach before he left, we have had continuing conversations about our need for Jesus to help us listen and obey. On Wednesday, Zach and I were driving to our Bible study, and he informed me that while he needs Jesus right now, when he grows up, he will be able to listen and obey by himself. How often do we think that we outgrow our need for the Gospel. We just don't often articulate it. O for soft hearts to always acknowledge our need for Jesus, and for the children to understand it as well...

Our little mother

Now that Chris has returned from Trinidad, I actually have some time to post. I'm sure he will take care of the pictures later.

Last Sunday morning, Isabella and I were cuddling in bed--the boys weren't awake yet--but eventually Xander started making his smacking noises that indicate he is getting ready to wake up and will want to eat. Fairly quickly he did wake up and start to cry. Isabella said she would hold him while I went downstairs to make his bottle. Apparently I was taking too long, because as I was starting towards the stairs, she came down and said "Mother, hurry up!" She grabbed the bottle from me, ran upstairs and scooped Xander up to feed him.

Xander still moves his head around frantically while trying to find the bottle, so then Isabella said, "Buddy, you have to keep your head straight for me to feed you!" It is so fun and funny to hear parental words coming out of our little girl.

Asking jesus

Tonight Zach was having troubles- he threw water on Liza while he was in the bath then threw a real fit when she said he lost his books as a consequence. Then he stomped downstairs and made faces at her as he came down. When he got to me in the living room where I was holding Xander and trying to help him to go to sleep, he started messing with the baby and waking him up. I gave him a talking to and told him I was disappointed. He looked at me and his eyes got red and a little teary and he said, "Daddy, I try to listen and obey, but I just can't." I asked him if he knew why that was and he said no. I told him that the problem is sin and that all of us are sinful and can't overcome that no matter how hard we try. That's why we need Jesus who came to earth and lived a perfect life. He was the only one who could listen and obey and he was the only one who deserved life but he gave it up for us so we could have life when we don't deserve it. I told him that when the Holy Spirit comes to live in us, He gives us the ability to follow God and live like he wants us to.

Zach listened to all of this and said, "Is that when he lives in your heart?" "Yes" was my reply. I asked him if he had heard others talk about that. He said yes then he said, "But Daddy, I want Jesus to come in to my heart." I said, "Well, you just have to ask him." And he said, "OK- 'Jesus, will you please come in to my heart and take the punishment for me?" I said, "and make me the kind of person you want me to be." He said, "Can you say that for me?" I said, "No, this is not my heart we are talking about." So he prayed and asked God to make him the kind of person God wants him to be and thanked him for coming in to his heart. Jesus said it takes faith the size of a mustard seed- and I'm pretty sure that is what he has. I know he is too young to understand much of the theology, but I'm also pretty sure that he understands why he needs Jesus and placed that little bit of faith in him. Later, when he is older, I'll take him back here to this page so he can see what he said. I'm sure there will be times later in life where he will renew that commitment, but I believe that the Holy Spirit has taken up residence in this little boy and he is the latest one to experience the best adoption we can have- in to God's family.

Kids Christmas Pictures

Isabella Zach and Xander (and don’t forget Indy) in front of the Christmas Tree.