Mickey

For a long time now Elinore has liked Minnie Mouse. However, she always calls her Mickey. We've told her countless times, but she's always Mickey.

The 5 Love Languages of Children

Earlier this week I finished reading  The Five Love Languages of Children.  Not too long ago I read another version of the 5 Love Languages focused on marraige.  From the first time I started reading the book years ago, to the time I finished it recently, I toyed in the back of my mind with how this applied to our children.  Then there was a chapter in the marriage book about how it applies to children, and it sealed the deal; I wanted to read this book.

I didn't devour it in the same way I did the book on marraige, but I think it may be because I already understood the concepts from having read the other version.  While I knew the concepts, this helped me apply it to children with ideas and explanations. 

The theme through the book is that each child has a primary love language that should be used and supported by the other love languages; all of the languages are important.  The languages can change over time too for individuals.  It is also important to model speaking love in all the language so the children learn multiple langauges of love to speak to help them as they grow and mature and interact with others too.  It wasn't just about loving your kids, but teaching them how to love too. 

With four kids, I still don't know their love languages.  I think two are too young to have clearly defined ones, and the boys, I haven't decided what their primary love languages is either.  For right now, I'm okay with that though.  I've focused on speaking all the love languages to my children more.  While I think my children and doing better; I'm feeling better too.  I go to bed at night less frustrated by my parenting actions of the day than in the past.  I still have bad days, we all do, but there are less because I'm more conscioud about my chioces in parenting and interacting with others. 

The other thing this book taught me, which I should have realized sooner, has nothing to do with what the authors wrote.  It has everything to do with the fact that what I'm reading, influences the way I think and interact and live my days.  What I read should be encouraging me to be a better Christian, parent, wife, etc. 

"Be careful what you think, because your thoughts run your life."  Proverbs 4:23

I've been learning over the last few months how the Bible is your took to know and use in your daily life, but reading this book really brought that message home.  Because I read this book, I was thinking more about how I act with my children.  If I read my Bible more, I will have that in my mind and know the Christ-like way to respond to the situations and know God's expectations of us. 

How powerful is that?  I've heard the message before, but it finally clicked. 

I'm diving into She Reads Truth again and joining them through 1 and 2 Timothy.  I'd taken a hiatus in the devotions of She Reads Truth for awhile, but I'm getting back into it and hoping it becomes routine again. 

Counting

I just heard Elinore count from one to ten correctly for the first time!

She likes her horse!

Snuggles

Soccer Game

Caden is on the left.

Vintage Tulips

Keith hates the outfit. I think it is cute!

My Girls

Buttons

I want to push the buttons on the swing mom.

Growing

Easter 2015

Fun at Practice

We girls play around while Caden has soccer practice twice a week.

Family

Love.

Family

Elinore talks about family evey once in awhile.  It's the sweetest thing.  This morning she was talking about her family and how she loves them.  She lists us all by name too.  My sweet little loving girl. 

Rolling Over

Ruthie rolled over today. I'd seen it twice before, but wasn't sure if it was for real. It is for real!  My girl is growing and learning and moving!

To Kill a Mockingbird

 

I finished reading To Kill a Mockingbird  yesterday.  I read it in high school, but couldn't recall much about it, and I wanted to read Harper Lee's book coming out later this year, so I thought it would be a good time to re-read this classic.  I was not dissapointed in my choice.

 

I think I had a greater understanding and appreciation for the human choices and issues brought up in it that what I would have in high school.  The charcters in the book drew me in.  I was on the edge of me seat waiting for what was coming next.  It was captivating and heartbreaking and real (for a novel anyway). 

 

It was a journey into the lives of a small town, many years ago who faced challenges in race.  I saw the good and the bad in people and those who stood by and those who hoped for change in the characters.  I loved the stand they took in supporting Tom Robinson and fighting for him and what they believed in, and I could see a divine alignment of characters in a way that lead to the beginning of change for a town. 

Awesome Big Brother

So Cuddly

My girls watching big brother Caden's soccer practice from the mini van.

Ruthie

She sat and watched her siblings play outside on a brisk spring day.

Easter 2015

He is risen!

Soccer

For the first time ever, Caden has decided to participate in something without Caleb.  In the past they've always done activities together; sports, scouts, swimming, 4H, ROCK, etc.  Now, Caden's branching out and playing soccer this spring without his brother!

He's one practice in, and he's really liking it!  They both played a year ago, but there was some struggles and some interest issues, but now Caden is even counting down the days to his next practice!  He's got a good coach, a small team and he's excited about it!

I'm excited for him, and looking forward to watching his games!

Ruth - 4 Months

It was hard to get a photo of her without Elinore. I pulled out the camera and Elinore was right there. Take a picture mom!

One Elinore moved into something ride, but Ruth was suddenly very interested in attaching her lamb.

Ruth - 4 Month Well Check

Ruth went in today for her 4 month well check and all is well!  She weighed in at 13 lbs. even, which is about the 20th percentile.  She's 24 inches long at about the 25th percentile and her head is about 40 cm for about the 30th percentile. 

She's become much more alert, active and talkative this last month.  She really likes to sit up and look at her toes and hands.  She talks a lot and let you know she's there.  She loves to play with you and stare at faces, siblings too!  She lights up when a brother or sister checks in on her!  You have to watch that Elinore, she's a bit aggressive for a baby sometimes. 

Something happened this past month though that altered our sleep habits.  We have had many less sleeping through the night moments the last few weeks.  Hopefully we'll be sleeping well again soon! 

She's getting close to outgrowing her 3 month clothes already and moving toward 6 month outfits quickly! 

She did super awesome with her vaccinations today too.  Two pokes and tears, but as soon as I picked her up, all was well again. 

People

There is a large portion of my life where I've felt like an outsider.  I've rarely felt truely connected to other people would who have my back through challenges and happy times.  It's something I always wanted though.  It was a comfort, a community and a support system. 

 

Don't get me wrong through those many years that was the overarching theme, but there were people for periods that were there for me.  I can think of a few standout ones, even if we're not close now. 

 

The last few years though, I've seen that change in my life.  We have a community; my family has people.  People who love us and care for us and help us out.  People who aren't family, but care anyway. 

 

Much of this comes from our church family.  And I'm so grateful we've found them, and they us.  I've learned a lot of about showing other people we care, and I try to exercise it.  I pray for them and share with them. 

 

For the first time in my life these last few years I've felt like I've belonged.  I've found my home.

 

I also don't think it's a coincidence that this has coincided with my faith.  I grew up in the church; I've known the stories of the Bible for years, but it's only been the last couple years where I've leanred what it really meant to be a follower of Jesus.  I've only started to grasp the greatness of his sacrifice and the beauty of our relationshp with God. 

 

We are never turely along when we have God.  He is our person always and forever. 

 

James 4:8 "Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."