Lessons from a frightened 4 year old.

Well, we knew that Ephrem was pretty scared of Halloween stuff, mostly masks or "mask-es" as he calls them. However, yesterday we got to see the fear go straight to terrified at the annual trick or treating event at Brent's work. We pulled in the parking garage and their were two ladies taking a smoke break with Scream masks hanging around their necks (not even on their faces) and the terror and tears began. Despite mine and Brent's best efforts to reassure Ephrem that we would never let anything bad happen to him, Daddy has a gun for crying out loud, He REFUSED to go around trick or treating and was literally shaking. As I watched poor Ephrem hide under Brent's desk, while Georgia went to get some candy, I began to think of my own fears and how often I don't trust that God is going to take care of me. God loves me, He wants what is best for me, He is in complete control over every detail of my life. While He doesn't carry a literal gun on his belt as Brent does, He has complete authority over everything on the earth, even the evil that wants to kill and destroy me. He reassures me of His protection over and over in His Word and I still often refuse to believe. I sit cowering under the desk, not trusting that He will protect me. And I miss out on the fun of trick or treating or the plan He has for my life. The joy that comes in being a part of glorifying His Name. This is not to say, that God is promising nothing bad will ever happen in my life, but that He is Good. He is in control and He will be there to walk me through it.








"These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world" John 16:33





"For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39





While Ephrem still struggles to believe we will protect him and that he is safe this Halloween weekend, my prayer is that I would begin to listen to the reassurances of my heavenly Father, when I am afraid. That I would listen and believe and not let the fears of my heart prevent me from missing out on the joy that He has for me right now.

Scary Kitchen

This is what my kitchen looked like the other morning as I was trying to pump, get dinner started in the crockpot, feed both kids and make Brent and I a smoothie before work. FRIGHTENING! It all got cleaned up, but for someone who likes things put away and fairly neat, this sight about drove me nuts. However, I'm learning to focus and appreciate the hecticness (I don't think that's a word but oh well) of our lives right now because someday these kiddos will be in high school... or worse college... or WORSE married... and our house will probably be perfectly clean and spotless and organized and quiet and LONELY. Love my two crazy loud babies!

Red Heads

Brent and His Mini-Me-Ette.

Georgia is 8 months old!

Georgie,

You are now 8 months old. You celebrated this milestone by getting your first virus. YUCKO! You started acting super fussy on Tuesday morning at Ephrem's play group and then had a full blown 102 fever by 9pm. You slept in your pack in play and in mommy's arms most of the night and went to the doctor the next day. It was not fun and mommy cried as she had to hold you down for blood work and a urine sample. POOR BABY! You have quickly recovered and are mostly back to your happy self.

You have two teeth and are getting one more on the bottom and your first top tooth. So cute!

You are eating more baby food now and are even trying out the "puffs" that melt in your mouth. You have begun to wave Bye Bye. You sometimes say "Ba Ba"when you do it or "Da" or "Nye Nye." I don't know if the last one is "no" or "night night." You have also begun to shake your head and say "Nye Nye" when we put you on your changing table. You have also begun to say "Ma Ma" and you can pretty much get whatever you want when you utter those words. You are not crawling yet but you love to pull up when we hold your hands. You are becoming more playful every day and most of the time you think Ephrem and Miley are the greatest things ever. You are so precious to us Baby G! We love you!

We got a new camera.

We FINALLY ordered our new camera and have loved trying out the different features it offers. We pretty much just stick with the easy stuff, though. It is so fun to have a great camera that can take multiple shots really quickly. I love being able to capture these moments because they are going by too fast!

Joy

The Lord's Army

Georgia is 7months!

Georgia you are 7months old! When I took you for your flu shot (and ringworm on your leg) you weighed 17lbs. 5oz.
You have two teeth on the bottom and were such an easy teether so far. You love to say/yell "Da Da!"
You are starting to "wave" when I sing to you especially "Twinkle Twinkle" or p"Patty Cake."
You are rolling EVERYWHERE! You can get your legs into a crawling position when sleeping in your crib, but haven't quite figured it out on the floor while awake. Although, you did do two scoots the other day.
You are still getting used to baby food. Your favorites are bananas, pears, prunes and oatmeal.
You just got your first pair of shoes. They are pink mice maryjanes and you seem to like them pretty well.
You are still sleeping good but you definitely take longer to fall asleep at nap time. You talk and talk to yourself for about 30 minutes before passing out and your morning nap keeps getting shorter and shorter.
You are still so happy all of the time and super easy-going. You let everyone hold you and continue to have such a gracious spirit. We LOVE watching your personality blossom but hate that you are growing up so quickly! We love you baby sis!